CHAFFINCH. 85 



remark as to the non-separation of the sexes in some parts of 

 Scotland. " The writings of Gilbert White," he says, 

 " many years ago, induced me to look out for the migration 

 of the females of this species, but his remarks are inapplicable 

 to East Lothian."" 



Among our migratory warblers, it is generally admitted 

 and recognised as a fact, that the males return to their 

 breeding-stations a fortnight sooner than the females of the 

 same species : this implies a separation of the sexes, and in- 

 dicates that the females penetrate farthest southward. Why 

 may we not, therefore, conclude that the Chaffinches do the 

 same, although the motive is in both cases unknown to us ? 

 The same separation may take place among other finches, 

 but the similarity of plumage in the two sexes renders it less 

 apparent. 



Besides the localities noticed above, the Chaffinch occurs 

 in the Shetland Isles in winter only, but is considered rare. 

 According to Mr. Drummond, this bird is very numerous 

 and common in Crete, where it breeds, and probably remains 

 the whole of the year ; but it is not found in Corfu during the 

 summer months, and, as far as he can ascertain, in none of the 

 Ionian Islands during that season. It is there (Corfu) a bird 

 of regular passage, arriving along with the redbreast in con- 

 siderable numbers about the first week in October, and not 

 taking its departure till the end of February, or beginning 

 of March. 



The nest of the Chaffinch is found in orchards, gardens, 

 fields, and hedges, &c, usually from six to twelve feet from 

 the ground — sometimes higher, and is rarely completed be- 

 fore the end of April. During its construction, the birds 

 are exceedingly clamorous on the approach of any one, flying 

 about as if much disturbed, und uttering their soft wheet ! 

 But when the hen-bird sits, she is so tenacious of her post, 

 that she is not easily frightened from her nest : we have 



