PERCHING BIRDS. 181 



often deep, and the notes of the finches, which are 

 loud, clear, and sometimes shrill. 



The SPARROWS form one germs of this family; 

 and several of the finches are called LINNETS, 

 because these birds eat the seeds of lint or flax, as 

 well as hemp, of which, and all oily seeds, the 

 whole family are particularly fond. They change 

 their habits and places of resort with the seasons, 

 flocking in winter, and moving their quarters 

 according to the temperature. They are all useful 

 to the farmer, by consuming the seeds of trouble- 

 some weeds, and they also destroy insects. Where 

 these interesting little creatures are scarce, the 

 weeds " get the better" of all the labours of human 

 art, and, even in an economical point of view, 

 their value is great. 



The CHAFFINCH is one of our commonest birds, 

 early in the season, and handsome. His bright 

 colours and active habits, and lively, confident 

 behaviour, (allowing a near approach without 

 alarm,) have made him a general favourite. He 

 is one of the commonest cage birds in France, 

 and it is a common proverb in that country, 

 " Gay as a chaffinch." The name of pink, by 

 which this bird is known provincially, has re- 

 ference to the sound of its call-note. 



The chaffinch is about the size of the house 

 sparrow, but more lightly and elegantly formed. 



