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NATURAL HISTORY. 



FRIXGILLA. 



Carduelis (Lat. a Linnet}, the Goldfinch. 



The GOLDFINCH or THISTLEFINCH, so called on account of 

 its fondness for the down of the thistle, is one of our most 

 beautiful birds. "Where thistles abound, small flocks of gold- 

 finches may be seen flying from hedge to hedge, and occa- 

 sionally pecking the white tops of the thistles. The tufted 

 seed of the dandelion, groundsel, and other plants is also eaten 

 by the Goldfinch. 



In captivity it is very tame, and can be trained to per- 

 form a multitude of tricks, the most common of which are, 

 drawing its own food and water with a chain and bucket, 

 or firing a gun when commanded. The nest is very beau- 

 tiful, being mostly made *of wool and down from various 

 plants, and is usually placed on the extremity of a spray. 

 The eggs are small, of a whitish tint, spotted with orange 

 brown. 



The COMMON LINNET frequents commons and neglected 

 pastures Its song is very sweet, and many bird-fanciers sup- 

 pose that the mixed breed of a canary and a linnet has a sweeter 

 song than either bird. 



Its n ^st is usually built in the centre of a large and dense 



