CHAFFINCH. 
55 
of our stubble-fields is generally finished about the end of 
December. Those which have been sown out with grass seeds 
may still afford a slight supply of food, but it is then that 
the great body of Chaffinches seek shelter near the homestead, 
gleaning their food in the cattle-yards, at the barn-door, on 
the sides and round about the stacks. Here, as in the fields, 
they are distinguished for their watchfulness, and well do the 
little birds know the import of their warning note. The Dipper 
ma} r be heard by the mountain stream the livelong year, and 
the bold Missel Thrush may stir the woodlands in sunny hours, 
even in mid-win ter; here the Robin and the Wren are silent 
during the dead season, and the Chaffinch is the leader of 
the vernal chorus. 
When the oats are sown in March, many small flocks betake 
themselves to the fields, feeding on the uncovered grains, and 
such small seeds as may be turned up in the course of tillage. 
Even our sheltered woods on the banks of Whittingham-Water 
are seldom altogether deserted; for the autumn leaves, when 
swept aside by the blast, seem to disclose a multitude of small 
seeds congenial to their taste. As the season advances, these 
flocks gradually disperse, and none remain about the farm¬ 
yards but such as breed in the garden and neighbouring 
hedge-rows; and they may daily be seen foraging for a supply 
of their winter fare, even in midsummer, but desist entirely 
from pilfering from the sides of the stacks; even the new- 
fledged young partake of such food. During the summer 
months, insects and their larvae constitute their chief support, 
perhaps I might almost say, in many cases, their only support, 
for they are often found in the loneliest places in woods 
and plantations. 
The first annoyance they give to the farmer is by destroying 
his early crops of radishes, turnips, and onions, in the garden, 
besides making sad havoc with his polyanthuses and auriculas; 
but a few barn-door fowls’ feathers inserted into a piece of 
cork, and allowed to dangle in the wind over the beds, are 
sure to drive away our merry little songster, who does our 
apple, pear, and apricot trees good service, when infested by 
leaf-roiling caterpillars, besides other insect foes of which we 
take no note. He is also a very useful auxiliary to the farmer, 
as well as to the gardener, by destroying a multitude of small 
seeds, amongst which I may enumerate those of chickweed, 
groundsel, bulbous and hairy crowfoot. He is one of the 
