By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 85 



have repeatedly watched it in several localities which it regularly 

 hauats, and have not only killed it, but have found its nest in the 

 neighbourhood of Devizes. In habits it closely follows the Yellow 

 Bunting, which it also greatly resembles in general appearance ; 

 differing however sufficiently to be at once distinguished from the 

 commoner species, by the dark green top of the head and throat, 

 olive-green breast, and other marks. 



FRINGILLID^ {The Finches.) 

 By some authors these are styled Passerine birds or Sparrows : 

 with the exception of the bill (which is broad and concave, instead 

 of being narrow and furnished with a prominent knob) they closely 

 resemble the Buntings last described : the members of this family 

 are all of small size, and their characteristics are large head, short 

 neck, and compact body : they are an active lively race, gregarious 

 in winter, for the most part granivorous ; and very abundant 

 numerically as well as specifically : we have no less than eleven 

 distinct species in this County, either as residents or occasional 

 visitants. 



" Chaffinch " {Fringilla ccekbs). As common as the Sparrow, 

 and as well known to every body is this active handsome bird, 

 flocking to our yards in winter, and frequenting our meadows and 

 woods in summer : but not so generally known perhaps is the cause 

 of its specific name coelebs " the Bachelor : " it arises from the 

 separation of the sexes into distinct flocks in the winter in Northern 

 Countries, the females migrating Southward by themselves, and 

 leaving the males to club together, as bachelors best may, or to 

 follow after their truant wives at their leisure : on this account 

 Linnaeus named them ccelebes, and the name is not undeserved even 

 in these more Southern latitudes ; for the males and females fre- 

 quently divide into separate flocks in the winter, as good old 

 Gilbert "White of Selborne long since pointed out, and as we may 

 verify for ourselves any winter. The Chaffinch is often called 

 " Pink " provincially, which expresses very nearly the sound of its 

 call-note. 



" Mountain Finch " {Fringilla montifringilla). This pretty bird, 

 called also the " Brambling," though not a regular winter visitant, 



