The Chaffinch. 



107 



their partners or young brood, they not infrequently sulk, 

 refuse their food, and die. 



Food and Teeatment. — When young birds are old enough 

 to break seed and cater for thenaselves, they may be fed on 

 summer rape and canary seed alone, but it is more con- 

 genial to their health and well-being to give them a change 

 of diet frequently, and this may consist of linseed, groats, 

 hemp, grass, or plantain seed. A little green food is like- 

 wise necessary — lettuce, watercress, groundsel, or chickweed. 

 The most dangerous period in the lives of these birds is 

 the moulting season ; then a change of diet becomes an abso- 

 lute requirement. If a bird appears dull and out of sorts, 

 it should be supplied with a few ants' eggs or meal- 

 worms. If neither eggs or worms can be procured, boil the 

 heart of a rabbit or fowl, or even a little mutton, chop it 

 fine, and give instead ; but the insects and ants' eggs are 

 preferable. If the birds are purged at this time, refrain 

 from giving green food, but if the opposite extreme exists, 

 then give it freely. In a wild state. Chaffinches feed on 

 fruit, fruit buds, insects, and seeds of various kinds, as well 

 as vegetables, and will eat almost anything. They are not 

 very particular. 



Rearing the Young. — Those who desire to rear young 

 Chaffinches by hand should take them at the age of ten or 

 twelve days, and feed in the same way as young Goldfinches 

 or Linnets, or on breadcrumbs and soaked rape seed. The 

 parent birds feed their young largely on insects and larvae 

 for several days ; so that it would be well, if ants' eggs are 

 procurable, to mix some with their food ; if not obtainable, a 

 few mealworms or maggots, chopped fine, may be substituted. 

 They are robust, hardy birds, and easily reared. 



Distinguishing Marks of Cook and Hen. — The hen bird 

 is scarcely so large as the cock, and much less brilliant in 

 the colours of her plumage. The head and neck of a female 

 are greyish brown, tha back a sort of dull olive green, shaded 

 with grey ; the rump is greenish white ; the breast, throat, 

 and sides pale reddish grey ; the belly an indefinite smoky 

 green ; in fact, the plumage of a hen bird is altogether more 

 dull and dingy looking, and she lacks that spruce and viva- 

 cious appearance, and dash and go, that is so marked a 

 feature in all healthy male specimens. 



