122 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



Yellow-hammers/ His two sons were with him at the time. 

 On examination of the bird, a number of eggs were found in 

 the ovarium. This is all the information I was able to obtain 

 respecting it." It has occurred once in Heligoland. Mr. 

 Robson, of Ortakeuy, states that its habits are similar to 

 those of the Common Bunting, sitting on the top of a bush, 

 or low tree, and pouring forth its simple notes, or flying from 

 one elevated part to another, with its legs hanging down. 

 The nest is built not far from the ground in a rose bush, 

 vine, or bramble. Dr. Lindermayer, in his work on- the Birds 

 of Greece, says : — " This Buntiag arrives always in the last 

 five days of April in Greece, appearing everywhere at once, so 

 that the flats near the sea, which are covered with vines and 

 other creepers, and the places where the olive-trees are 

 scattered about, are alive with this lovely and melodious bird. 

 It is peculiarly partial to vineyards. Its ^est is always 

 formed of dried straw, is carefully made, and is lined with 

 horsehair. The bird leaves Greece in August." 



PRINGILLID^. 



CHAFFINCH. 



Fringilla coelebs. 



Thts bird is of such a sprightly disposition, and of such 

 elegant plumage, that "to be as gay as a Chaffinch" 

 has become quite an ordinary proverb. It is one of our 

 commonest Finches, and is found in all the wooded parts of 

 the country, and in every garden, and its joyous note is one 

 of the first indications of approaching spring. It has the 



