56 CHAFFINCH. 



most determined of all the plunderers of our turnip-seed; and 

 I see that those who practice this branch of husbandry sustain 

 considerable loss, notwithstanding that a watch is daily set. 



When our grain crops ripen in August and September, the 

 Chaffinches which haunted the recesses of woods and plantations 

 flock to the borders, arid unless the farmer is attentive to such 

 matters, as from their small size they cannot be perceived 

 at a distance, their depredations are often carried on with 

 impunity. The trees around our dwellings are also the ren- 

 dezvous of parties of plunderers, who sometimes join the 

 Sparrows, but oftener keep together, and feed amongst the 

 standing corn, at a greater distance from the hedge-row than 

 the latter even venture. After the wheat is cut and placed 

 in shocks, and whilst yet in a soft state, I have observed the 

 Chaffinch deprive each grain of its outside coat previously to 

 swallowing it. Although they always prefer feeding in the 

 neighbourhood of trees or bushes, yet as the season advances, 

 they are compelled to haunt more exposed situations. Of the 

 cereal grasses, wheat and oats are their favourites, barley the 

 only other species cultivated in these parts being held in 

 less esteem." 



There is something very cheerful in the common note of 

 the Chaffinch, and, as harbinging the return of spring, it is 

 always hailed with welcome by the observer of the sights and 

 sounds of the country. It is heard so soon as the beginning 

 of February, or even the end of January, ordinarily resembling 

 the monosyllables 'twink, twink,' and afterwards 'tweet, tweet, 

 tweet, tweet.' 



This is the more usual number of repetitions, but the 

 chirp is sometimes half as long again, and sometimes only half 

 as long. An addition is made to it at its re-commencement 

 for the season, somewhat resembling the syllables 'churr-ee.' 

 Its song has but little variety, and is short, but mellow, and 

 not altogether devoid of melody. At first it is only heard 

 about the middle of the day, but as the season advances it 

 is more prolonged, though never so late, as never is it 

 either commenced so early, as that of many other birds. 

 Discontinued during the busy part of the summer, it is 

 resumed, though at first imperfectly, the end of July or 

 beginning of August. The young males then essay the song 

 their fathers have sung before . them, but it requires some 

 practice before they attain to their specific amount of excellence. 



