THE CHAFFINCH. 129 



very old males deep blue, and then thick downy hairs are per- 

 ceived. 



After moulting, at the beginning of winter, the colours 

 become lighter, the front of the head is only deep brown ; the 

 top and the nape of the neck a changeable greyish and olive 

 brown ; the red brown of the breast is brighter ; this is also 

 the plumage of the young ones in the second year, particularly 

 if of the last brood ; they are called grey -heads, by bird- 

 catchers, who can easily distinguish, in the spring, the young 

 from the old males, and very much prefer them, because, if 

 properly caught, they may be taught to improve their song 

 when confined in the house ; while the others never learn, or 

 change very little, at least rarely, the song they have acquired 

 in their wild state. 



The female is very different, being smaller, while the head, 

 neck, and upper part of the back are greyish brown, and all 

 the under part of the body is a dusky white, rather reddish 

 grey on the breast ; and the beak, greyish brown in spring, 

 becomes greyish white in winter. 



There are some remarkable varieties of this species, one 

 quite white, another with a white collar, a third streaked, 

 spotted, &c. There is no distinction between the wood 

 chaffinches and those of the gardens and orchards, as has been 

 alleged. 



HABITATION. In its wild state, the chaffinch frequents forests, copses, 

 and orchards, and ought to be reckoned among birds of passage, though 

 there are always some that remain the winter with us. The time of pas- 

 sage, in autumn, continues from the beginning of October to the middle of 

 November, and in spring during the month of March. These birds per- 

 form their journey in large flocks. In the spring the males arrive in sepa- 

 rate flights, fifteen days before the females ; our birdcatchers know this so 

 well, that as soon as they perceive these they put up their implements, 

 their sport being then over. 



In the house, though each may vary the form of the cage to his taste, the 

 best, in my opinion, is an oblong cage nine inches long, seven in depth, and 

 seven in height, with the food and water at the two farthest sides, and the 

 perches placed opposite. A bell-shaped cage does not suit the chaffinch, as 

 it prefers jumping down in front, and swinging itself round, to remaining at 

 the top. If there are several in one room they must be placed so as not to 

 see each other, or their song will be injured. Those only are allowed to 

 range whose song is very inferior, and must be provided with a grated place 

 to retire to, or some branches to perch on. These never siug so well as 

 those in cages, their song appearing to require the greatest attention, and 

 hence there should be nothing to distract them. 



K 



