FRINGILLID^E. 31 



them, in all probability having learnt by experience 

 that the trains will not harm them if they remain still. 



Family 



CHAFFINCH (Fringilla coslebs). Besides its usual 

 name, this bird is locally termed Spink, or Pink. 

 Extremely numerous, and resident with us throughout 

 the year. I have never noticed the separation of the 

 male and female birds in cold weather, in these 

 counties, although I have often looked carefully at 

 flocks, but have generally found them to be com- 

 posed pretty equally of both sexes : many ornitholo- 

 gists have pointed out that the sexes separate from 

 each other in the winter months. 



Many years ago, Mr. Howard, of Burnham, was out 

 shooting small birds on the estate of the Duke of 

 Sutherland, at Cleveland, when he saw in a hedge a 

 Blue Titmouse and a curious-looking white bird. He 

 shot them both, and on walking up to the spot, he 

 found that together with the Tit he had killed an 

 albino of the Chaffinch. Mr. Howard had it pre- 

 served, and I had the pleasure of seeing it at his 

 house. 



This bird has, according to my humble experience, 

 a great partiality for building in laurels. The nest 

 is generally placed high up, but I have on more than 

 one occasion found it almost on the ground. The 

 eggs vary much; I have some nearly white, and 

 several pure blue, of which one was taken from a 



