64 The Bullfinch. 
—-it is very positive the Bullfinch does not leave us 
a chance to see, after it has inserted its strong bill 
into it. I have known trees perfectly stripped of 
bloom by these birds, leaving a strong proof of the 
damage done, on the ground below, the proof being 
buds, scales, and fragments of flowers. They are very 
partial to ripe raspberries in summer, and I have no 
doubt they find them very refreshing. In the autumn 
and winter they feed on seeds, such as the frost-bitten 
blackberry, herbs of various kinds, the ash, and many 
more seeds, which they find either on the ground or still 
hanging on their stems. At this time of the year they 
go in small flocks or pairs, and when disturbed, fly off 
singly, one taking the lead, the others following indi- 
vidually, until all have left the place where only a few 
seconds before they were perhaps partaking of a meal: 
if this occurs on a hedge, it is often repeated in short 
distances for a long way down the side, until they 
either come to another hedge or settle on the boughs 
of atree. They are more often seen on the ash than 
on any other: if this tree stands in the hedgerow, they 
are almost sure not to pass it; but if disturbed here, 
they will often fly over the intruder’s head to the place 
where they first started. 
