THE FINCHES. 275 



of his appearance in flight. The summer residence of this 

 agreeable bird is universally among the habitations of man, 

 who, having no interest in its destruction, and deriving 

 considerable advantage as well as amusement from its 

 company, is generally its friend and protector. 



The Martin inhabits America as well as Europe, and is a 

 particular favourite wherever it takes up his abode. " I never 

 knew but one man," says Wilson, "who disliked the Martins, 

 and would not permit them to settle about his house: this 

 was a penurious, close-fisted German, who hated them, be- 

 cause, as he said, ' they eat his peas.^ I told him he cer- 

 tainly must be mistaken, as I never knew an instance of 

 Martins eating peas; but he replied with coolness, 'that he had 

 many times seen them himself blaying near the hive, and going 

 schnip schnap' by which I understood that it was his bees that 

 were the suiierers; and the charge could not be denied." 

 The Sand The Sand Martin is the smallest of the British 

 M""^*^ swallows and it is the first to arrive. It bores 

 horizontal holes two or three feet deep into the sides of 

 sand-pits, at the end of which it builds its nest of grass 

 and feathers. 

 a?he Ohafflnch. '^^^ Finches are beautiful and interesting 

 The GoidQnch. birds. The Chaffinch is famous for the vivacity 

 The Greenflneh. ^f jjg g^^g ^^^ j^e beauty of its nest. " The 



forks of a thorn, or wild crab tree," says Mr. Wood, "are 

 favourite places for the nest, which is composed of mosses, 

 hair, wool and feathers, covered on the exterior with lichens 

 and mosses so exactly resembling the bough on which the 

 nest is placed that the eye is often deceived by its appear- 

 ance." The Goldfinch is a favourite pet, and is capable of 

 being trained to perform tricks. It has been called the 

 Thistlefinch from its use of the down of the thistle in the 

 construction of its nest. It is bright of appearance, cheery 

 of song, and affectionate of disposition. The Greenfinch has 

 a coat of rich olive green, and a waistcoat of greyish-yellow. 



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