420 BPdTISH BIRDS. 



into large flocks, and may be seen flying with a curious clipping 

 motion over the stubble, which they work for their food. 

 Mustard, rape, charlock, and other oily seeds are preferred by 

 them, also thistle and dandelion seeds, whilst insects are now 

 and then eaten : amongst other seeds we may mention flax, 

 hemp, docks, and corn occasionally. The residents are aug- 

 mented in autumn by large numbers that come from the Con- 

 tinent to the east coast, and by others that migrate southwards. 

 In spring these flocks break up and they pair off. They do 

 much good on the stubbles by destroying various weed-seeds. 

 Other British species are the Me:dy Eedpoll_ {A. linaria), 

 the Lesser Eedpole {A. rut'eKi'pn>'), the smallest British finch, 

 and the Twite {A. Jiavironfris) with its longish tail, common in 

 the north. This latter is sometimes very harmful to young 

 cabbage and other cruoifers in the north of Scotland. The 

 mealy redpoll is almost confined to the north, but flocks some- 

 times appear as far south as the Channel. 



The (jliaffincli {FrimjiUa cirJeh.i). — This is one of our most 

 beautiful finches, yet a veritable scourge to the gardener and 

 even farmer. In the male the crown of the head and nape of 

 the neck are Fronch-grey, the rump green, the back chestnut 

 and green, the breast reddish-pink, turning to white on the 

 abdomen ; the black wings have two pure white bands, and the 

 tail is black in colour, except the two grey middle feathers, 

 and a broad white band on the outer two. The female is ashy- 

 brown and olive-green, the lower parts being paler and the 

 bands less distinct than in the male. The chaffinch builds 

 a beautiful compact nest of moss and lichen, often on lichen- 

 covered trees, so much resembling the tree in appearance as to he 

 distinguished with difficulty. Two broods are often produced in 

 the year. In the winter they unite in flocks, the males and 

 females separately, the males being most abundant in northern 

 counties at this time of year, the females apparently going 

 southwards. They feed upon all kinds of seeds, especially 

 those of an oily nature. As soon as the garden seeds are in 



