NATURE'S CAROL SINGERS. 



in appearance to its surroundings, and 

 thus help it to escape detection. 



The eggs number from four to six, but 

 clutches of five are the general rule, and 

 are pale greenish-blue in ground colour, 

 clouded with faint reddish-brown and 

 spotted and streaked with dull purplish- 

 brown of various shades. 



The female Chaffinch lacks the rich 

 colouring of her mate, especially on the 

 head and breast, and is a trifle smaller. 

 The young are fed upon insects by both 

 parent birds, and resemble their mother 

 in appearance whilst wearing the first 

 coat of feathers. 



