232 THE CHAFFINCH. 



miles from the sea. They are only to be seen in summer, and 

 build chiefly on orange or similar trees. Many of these birds 

 have been brought to Europe in English and Dutch ships ; and 

 the attempt to make them breed, has succeeded with those 

 confined in garden aviaries sufficiently spacious to contain 

 orange trees, on which they have built. They may be fed 

 with millet, endives, poppy, and canary seed, on which they 

 will live for eight years, or more. Their song is soft and 

 agreeable. 



(A) INDIGENOUS FINCHES. 



103. THE CHAFFINCH. 

 Fringitta Ccelebs, LIN. Pinson, BUF. Der Gemeine oder Buckfintc, BECH. 



Description. It is well known that the Chaffinch, on account 

 of its beautiful and extraordinary song, is the favourite of most 

 persons who keep birds. In Thuringia, especially, the pas- 

 sion for these birds is carried to so great an extent, and the bird- 

 catchers are therefore so eager in its pursuit, that it is very rare 

 to hear one in the woods with even a tolerable song. If any 

 such should migrate from a neighbouring district, it is imme- 

 diately taken by the fowler ; and the young birds, thus de- 

 prived of their natural teachers, grow up into very indifferent 

 songsters. It might therefore seem almost superfluous to give 

 a full description of this very familiar bird, were it not for the 

 sake of beginners, as well as for the uniformity of the work, 

 and the observations which I may find occasion to introduce. 



The Chaffinch is about the size of a House Sparrow, being 

 six inches and one-third in length, of which the tail measures 

 two inches and three quarters. The beak, which is conical, 

 as is the case with all^ birds of this genus (Fringilla), is 

 white in winter, but at the time of pairing, when the bird 

 begins to sing, it becomes dark blue, and remains so till the 

 moulting season. The colour of the beak is therefore a sign 

 whether or no the bird has begun to sing. The iris is chestnut 

 brown ; the feet are nine lines in height, and blackish brown. 

 The claws are very sharp, and must be cut every six weeks, 

 as, if this be not done, the bird is apt to get entangled, and 

 sometimes loses its life in this manner. The forehead is black ; 

 the top of the head, and nape of the neck, greyish blue ; and 



