72 The Naturalist in Siluria. 



bright promise of blossom, are crushed — as it were, 

 literally nipped in the bud — by them. And this very 

 year there is every appearance we shall have a shortening 

 in the fruit crop, if not actual failure, from the same cause. 

 It will be less, however, in an orchard where Chaffinches 

 abound, as these birds, now with young in the nest, are 

 industriously collecting caterpillars from the apple and 

 other trees, to supply the stomachs of their broods, like 

 Oliver, ever calling for more. 



I. can certify to this beneficial fact, from having been an 

 eye-witness to it day after day. Therefore I would be- 

 seech the destroyers of small birds to show mercy to the 

 Chaffinch — if only for the sake of their pears, apples, 

 currants, and gooseberries. 



A CHAFFINCH PARTIAL TO NEWSPAPERS. 



Though in building their nests each species of bird 

 employs certain materials by preference, yet, as is well- 

 known, where these are wanting, birds will use such 

 others as come nearest the thing of their choice. Few 

 make aneater nest than the Chaffinch, and it is rare to find 

 one greatly differing from another. Yet I have a Chaf- 

 finch's nest now before me, which displays eccentricity 

 of a somewhat comical kind. Instead of the lichen usually 

 enamelling the outside, this is mottled all over with bits 

 of newspaper of different sizes, neatly worked into the 

 wall of grass work and other materials. Examining a 

 number of these scraps, I find them chiefly taken from 

 the advertising columns ; though no doubt the bird in- 



