THE CHAFFINCH. 



Frinyilla ccelebs, i.e., Finch-Bachelor 



HE Chaffinch has obtained its name 

 of the "Bachelor Finch/' on 

 account of a singular habit,, re- 

 lated by the Rev. Gilbert White 

 in his " History of Selborne/' 

 and verified by many ornitholo- 

 gists,, of the males separating 

 from the females about the time of 

 the autumn migration. Linnaeus 

 seems to have noticed the same 

 circumstance in Norway, as also 

 Mr. Selby, writing from the north 

 of England; Morris also notices 

 it in Worcestershire, so that it 

 would appear to be habitual 

 amongst Chaffinches. The hens 

 precede the male birds a few days, 

 leaving this country about Octo- 

 ber; some birds, however, prin- 

 cipally males, remain with us 

 throughout the winter ; the 

 others proceed upon their jour- 

 ney south, some affecting one 

 country, and others another, whilst the remnant ex- 

 plore the banks of the Nile. Those remaining have 

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