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[1] 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 thoroughly, and pass on to another, the trees to which they come and go being always identically the same, proving that they have a round they visit daily.
Added to this, we have an increase of a stronger and opposing species, and I cannot but believe that in, comparatively speaking, a short period, extinction thus caused by natural selection 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 increase 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
