246 
FRINGILLIDjE. 
There can be no doubt, however, that the song of the sedge- 
warbler has been taken for that of this bird ; for, as they both 
frequent the same places in the breeding-season, that elegant 
little warbler is pouring forth its varied notes concealed in the 
thickest part of a bush ; while this is conspicuously perched above, 
whose tune is not deserving the name of song ; consisting only of 
two notes, the first is repeated three or four times, the last single 
and more sharp.* ” Reed-sparrow, and blackcap, are the names 
commonly bestowed on this bird in the north of Ireland. 
THE CHAEEmCH. 
Fringitta Calebs, Linn. 
Is a common resident species throughout the cultivated 
and wooded parts of Ireland. 
It frequents also the squares and gardens of the town, where 
occasionally its song is heard. The beauty of the nest of this 
bird, with lichens and moss intermingled in its formation, has 
often been commented on ; but the lichen is in many localities of 
necessity omitted, and the moss becomes externally the component 
material. Particular notes of several nests are before me, all of 
which (except one, built in a whin) were placed on the branches 
of trees. A nest which came under the observation of Mr. J. R. 
Garrett, was built against the stem of the common pine, and 
rested on one of the branches, to which it was bound with a piece 
of fine whip-cord. This was taken once round the branch, and 
both of its ends were firmly interwoven in the material of the nest. 
The chaffinch is said frequently to use “ the nests of spiders in 
the formation of the outward embroidery of her own most beau- 
tiful structure.” t It is remarked by Rennie of some species of 
our small birds, that its nests about a cotton-mill in Ayrshire 
were found to be lined with cotton. Mr. J. Grimshaw, junr., has 
informed me that at Whitehouse, near Belfast, the chaffinches and 
common sparrows, which built in the neighbourhood of two 
* Ornithological Dictionary, 
f Poole. 
