102 THE BIRDS OF SHERWOOD FOREST. 



the middle of May a chaffinch's nest. It was such an 

 exquisitely wrought specimen that I was tempted to 

 remove it for my cabinet, and was astonished at the 

 tenacity with which it adhered to the post. 



The body of the nest was formed of wool, and lined 

 with reddish cow's hair and two or three feathers ; on 

 the outside the wool was incorporated with green moss, 

 and studded all over with green and white lichens 

 similar to those on the rails of the fence ; these lichens 

 were more numerous towards the base, forming a sort of 

 lip, and adhering to the surface of the post, on which 

 there were no lichens growing naturally. Finding it 

 cling so closely I used great caution in its removal, and 

 am quite convinced that its adhesion was effected by 

 means of some glutinous substance, most probably, as I 

 have said, the saliva of the bird itself. 



The male chaffinch in his brightest breeding plumage 

 is an elegant little bird ; some in this respect far out- 

 shine their fellows, but these perhaps are of more mature 

 age. The clear bluish grey of the head and nape, the 

 pink breast, and chestnut brown back, harmonize well 

 with, and are set off to advantage by, the black and white 

 of the wings. The males have a very distinct crest, which 

 is raised and depressed at will. 



They are resident through the whole year, but I have 

 not noticed that marked separation of the sexes, as 

 on the Continent and in the northern parts of our own 

 island, to which it owes its specific name. 



The local name given it is " spink," which is derived 

 from its own well known note. 



Though the chaffinch is chiefly a vegetable feeder, yet 

 at some times of the year insects enter largely into its 

 daily food. I have on several occasions seen it cap- 



