INCREASE OF STABLING AND HAWFINCH. 465 



continually decreasing in every direction ; trees that show the 

 slightest sign of decay are by the present utilitarian generation 

 immediately felled. In many districts in this part of the country* 

 the Pied Woodpecker is barely able to find sufficient suitable 

 trees to make up its daily round. A curious fact about these 

 birds is that, at the same time each morning one can see them 

 arrive at a certain tree, search it thoroughlj'', and pass on to 

 another, the trees to which they come and go being always identi- 

 cally the same, proving that they have a round they visit daily. 



Added to this, we have an increase of a stronger and op- 

 posing species, and I cannot but believe that in, comparatively 

 speaking, a short period, extinction thus caused by natural selec- 

 tion is bound to follow. 



And how does this apply to the Hawfinch ? The increase of 

 these birds is perhaps more remarkable than the Starling, and at 

 first sight more unaccountable. But when we come to examine 

 their habits and life-history, and to see how the conditions now 

 existent apply to them, the cause of their increase becomes more 

 apparent. That there is a very remarkable increase requires 

 very little observation to prove, and to me it has become yearly 

 more interesting. Fifteen years ago I rarely saw this bird ; five 

 years ago small parties of five and six were not at all uncommon; 

 and during the winter now I frequently see as many as a dozen 

 under one yew. This year eight pairs nested within half a mile 

 of my house. At this rate of increase the bird will soon rival 

 the Greenfinch in abundance. 



Food, of course, gives the limit of numbers, and they depend 

 to a great extent on civilization for their food ; and in this fact 

 we shall find, I think, a reason for their increase. As the 

 population grows, so does the need of market-gardens, with an in- 

 crease in the cultivation of vegetables, and thus more peas are 

 grown, which, from the middle of June to the end of July — that is 

 to say, for the first six weeks after the young are fledged — form 

 their staple food. This time of year used undoubtedly to be the 

 most difficult one for them to procure food. In the winter, 

 contrary to the experience of other birds, they have always a 

 plentiful supply of food. One can then find them feeding on the 

 berries and seeds of holly, yew, and hornbeam, and in that they 



''= Hampshire. 



