246 fbingilledjE. 



There can be no doubt, however, that the song of the sedge- 

 warbler has been taken for that of this bird ; for, as they both 

 frequent the same places in the breeding-season, that elegant 

 little warbler is pouring forth its varied notes concealed in the 

 thickest part of a bush ; while this is conspicuously perched above, 

 whose tune is not deserving the name of song ; consisting only of 

 two notes, the first is repeated three or four times, the last single 

 and more sharp.' 55 '" Eeed-sparrow, and blackcap, are the names 

 commonly bestowed on this bird in the north of Ireland. 



THE CHAFFINCH. 



Fringitta Calebs, Linn. 



Is a common resident species throughout the cultivated 

 and wooded parts of Ireland. 



It frequents also the squares and gardens of the town, where 

 occasionally its song is heard. The beauty of the nest of this 

 bird, with lichens and moss intermingled in its formation, has 

 often been commented on ; but the lichen is in many localities of 

 necessity omitted, and the moss becomes externally the component 

 material. Particular notes of several nests are before me, all of 

 which (except one, built in a whin) were placed on the branches 

 of trees. A nest which came under the observation of Mr. J. R. 

 Garrett, was built against the stem of the common pine, and 

 rested on one of the branches, to which it was bound with a piece 

 of fine whip-cord. This was taken once round the branch, and 

 both of its ends Avere firmly interwoven in the material of the nest. 

 The chaffinch is said frequently to use " the nests of spiders in 

 the formation of the outward embroidery of her own most beau- 

 tiful structure." t It is remarked by Rennie of some species of 

 our small birds, that its nests about a cotton-mill in Ayrshire 

 were found to be lined with cotton. Mr. J. Grimshaw, junr., has 

 informed me that at Whitehouse, near Belfast, the chaffinches and 

 common sparrows, which built in the neighbourhood of two 



* Ornithological Dictionary, f Poole. 



