24 



NEST AND EGGS OF THE CHAFFINCH. 



PLATE XXIV. 



Chaffinches build their nests in hedge bushes, most 

 frequentl)' in the hawthorn; but that which I described 

 was built in an * holly-tree. 



The outside is made of fine soft green m.oss, ^s'ove 

 and platted together with wool, cotton, and spiders 

 webs ; and amongst these, here and there, a piece of 

 the common -^ grey -liver zvort. The next coat consisted 

 of slender blades of fine dry grass, and the inmost coat 

 or lining is made of cow's hair, with a few feathers 

 here and there. The diameter of the cavity is t^^^o 

 inches, the depth an inch an half. The M'hole is very 

 neatly made, and smoothly finished, round, soft, and 

 pretty. 



The eggs are five or six In number. They are of 

 a bluish white, splashed and spotted with purple. 



The Chaffinch sits on hicrh trees while he singrs. 

 His song is short, but sprightly, and is ingeminated 

 with courage and boldness. The cock is frequently 

 kept in cages, as well for his song, as for the beauty of 

 his plumage. 



The Chaffinch feeds on seeds and grain, assembles 

 in large flocks, in winter, mixing with the yellow-ham^ 

 mer and the bramblin. Their haunts are stubble fields, 

 and in very severe weather, farm-vards, where thev feed 

 amoncr the chaff and refuse of the corn; hence thev set 

 the name of Chaffinch. In Yorkshire this bird is 

 known by the name Bullspink. 



* Ilex aquifolium. t Lichen perlatus, 



