generally choosing the forked branch of some deciduous tree, such as an oak 

 or hawthorn. The site chosen is very varied. It is often in the fork of 

 an overhanging branch, or close against the trunk of some lichen-covered 

 oak or elm, on the branches of the apple or pear trees in our orchards, in the 

 hazel, whitethorn, or birch-trees, sometimes in a fir-tree on the point of a 

 branch, or in a yew or holly bush, and perhaps oftenest of all in some 

 hawthorn hedge. More rarely it is found among juniper-bushes or whins, 

 and sometimes on fruit-trees on a wall. I once took a Chaffinch's nest 

 from a cavity in the trunk of a huge ash-tree, the outside of the nest being 

 covered with lichen glued on with bits of cobweb, resembling exactly the 

 trunk of the tree; and in Morayshire I came across a Chaffinch's nest in a 

 tuft of ferns growing from a hole in a wall beside the road. The outside of 

 this nest was entirely made of bright green moss. Few birds adapt their nest 

 so carefully to the surroundings as the Chaffinch ; the outside is finished so 

 as to resemble in colour and texture as much as possible the surrounding 

 objects. It may be covered with tiny pieces of silvery lichens fastened on 

 with cobwebs, or simply covered with green moss. In some situations I have 

 seen the whole outside of the nest covered with little bits of wood, or powdered 

 all over with little bits of touchwood. 



The nest, being so carefully constructed, generally takes some time to 

 complete, and is entirely built by the female. First the outside is built of 

 moss, grass, and roots woven firmly together, and covered all over outside 

 with cobwebs or lichens ; then the lining is begun a soft felting of feathers 

 and horse-hair, and sometimes a little thistle-down. It is often more than a 

 fortnight before the nest is ready for the reception of the eggs. The male 

 collects the materials and brings them to his mate, who takes sole charge of 

 the actual building, and very anxious are the birds if any one approaches the 

 half-finished nest, flying around and keeping up incessant cries. From four to 

 six eggs are laid. The ground-colour varies from pale bluish green to pale 

 olive green, clouded with reddish brown, often almost concealing the green 

 ground, and spotted or streaked with dark red brown surface spots and pale 

 purple brown underlying markings. They vary in length from '80 to 70 inch, 

 and in breadth from '60 to '55 inch. 



Two broods are generally reared in the year, the young birds being 

 principally fed on the larvae of insects. When they are able to fly they 

 are left to their own devices by their parents, and in autumn the Chaffinches 

 collect into large flocks, and frequent the stubble-fields and stackyards in 

 company with other finches. 



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