38 NATURE'S STORY OF THE YEAR 



often at a distance from any house ; but in autumn 

 he will be sure to know if there are any desirable 

 seeds on the garden plants. From January to 

 March, however, he is certain to arrive, for he 

 knows, quite as well as we do, what time the buds 

 of pear and gooseberry begin to swell ; and at 

 this period he is the very worst enemy of bush- 

 fruit. He generally arrives early in the morning 

 or late at evening, and settles quietly for a feast. 

 Year by year he will come to the same trees, and at 

 the same period, and if undisturbed will sometimes 

 so strip the twigs that whole branches are killed. 



I know a fine pear-tree in a town. It bears well. 

 But the bullfinches come to it every year, and 

 prevent several of the branches from bearing. 

 The path beneath is strewed with the hulls of 

 buds. I went out one day with a little gun to slay 

 the culprit. He was busy, and I made a stealthy 

 approach. There was a slight report. The bird 

 rose, but settled immediately in a currant bush, 

 leaving one soft feather floating above. The 

 cartridge having jammed, I retired for a couple of 

 minutes to put it right, the bird then panting 

 visibly. On the return he could not be seen, but 



