' Her mete fed the chicks about every quarter of an hour." 



THE BULLFINCH 



N 



O British bird has increased 

 in numbers during recent 

 years to the same extent 

 as the Bullfinch, and this 

 increase is said to be directly 

 attributable to the bene- 

 volent efforts of the Wild 

 Birds' Protection Society. 

 In many respects it is a bird of curious 

 character, and in spite of the fact that 

 it is common and much studied, we 

 know little of the why and wherefore 

 of its ways. For instance, what reason 

 has it for attacking fruit buds, and 

 leaving those that produce leaves alone ? 

 Why does the bird devote so much 

 unwelcome attention to one tree and 

 none to another, which, to mere human 

 discernment, appears equally suitable 

 and tempting ? 



Although seen in families at certain 

 periods of the year the Bullfinch never 



appears to associate with its feathered 

 neighbours of a different species. It is 

 inordinately fond of water, and I know 

 of no bird, in this or any other country, 

 that drinks and bathes so much during 

 hot weather. Individuals of this species 

 differ as widely in disposition as members 

 of the human race. I have known an 

 incubating female so full of nerve and 

 confidence that after a few days' ac- 

 quaintance she grew so bold that she 

 would allow me to take her in my 

 hand, and place her in any different 

 position I chose in the nest. On the 

 contrary, some individuals of the 

 species are of such a shy and wild 

 disposition that they will forsake their 

 eggs rather than face the ordeal of the 

 camera. 



It is a very fortunate arrangement 

 for the chicks of many species of birds 

 that both parents attend to their wants. 



