FRIXGILLID^. 65; 



Sparrow, this species is very local and is somewhat rare in the "Western 

 Counties. In Somerset small colonies are reported as existing at Wivelis- 

 combe, WiUiton, and Burnham, and we have ourselves occasionally seen 

 Tree-Sparrows in the east of that county. According to Mr. Mansel- 

 Pleydell it is resident at various places in Dorsetshire. 



The best distinction between the Common and Tree-Sparrows is to be 

 found in the character of the black scarf worn by the two species. This 

 in the House-Sparrow is sprawling and untidy, widening into a broad 

 crescentic band upon the breast, whereas in the Tree-Sparrow it is 

 neater and better defined, and runs down the throat narrowing to a point. 

 In the Tree-Sparrow there is no difference between the two sexes in 

 plumage, while in the commoner bird the sexes are very distinct. AVe 

 never saw a Tree-Sparrow in Xorth Devon. 



Chaffinch. FrmgUla coelehs, Linn. 



[lEaze Finch, Copper Finch, White Finch or "VVinch, Silver Winch, 

 Daffinch (iV. D.), Chink, Pink, Twink : Dev.'\ 



Resident, generally distributed, and very abundant. Breeds. 



Large flocks of females and young birds are seen in winter, probably 

 immigrants from the Xorth and East. 



Of the whole tribe of Finches there is no more determined aggressor of 

 the small seeds and fruit-buds in the garden than the Chaffinch, or While 

 Finch, as it is generally called in the West. But in justice it must be 

 said that by devouring the seeds of various noxious weeds it renders 

 ample compensation for its thefts. The song of the Chaffinch is one of 

 the well-known sounds of spring. First come a few hurried notes, and 

 then the strain, ending in a higher pitch, distinctly seems to syllable 

 " ginger-beer," for which beverage the cock birds maybe heard calling all 

 through the dny. To bird-catchers the Chaffinch is known by the name 

 of " Battling-Finch ; " for a cock placed in a small cage tied to a stick, or 

 exposed on the ground, by his aggressive challenge-notes will draw all 

 other small birds within hearing to approach the limed twigs prepared for 

 their capture. In the summer time the Chaffinch may often be seen 

 flying up from some perch on a tree in pursuit of a passing insect like a 

 Flycatcher. Chaffinches are bold and venturesome, and we have occasionally 

 had them enteiing our windows and ho])ping about our floors to pick up 

 the stray seeds Avhich fell from the cages of our various pets. 



A very remarkaljlc variety of the male was shot by the late ^[ajor 

 Gei^rge Woods in 1805. The crown of the head and the Avings are white, 

 the rest of the plumage being curiously mottled with pink, green, yellow, 

 grey, white, and black. It is now in the A. M. M. 



Brambling. FrinfjiUa montifrwgilla, Linn. 



A winter visitor of irregular aj)pcarancL', generally rather scarce, but 

 sometimes abundant near Exeter, Topsham, Torquay, Ashburton, Totucs, 



