Class II. GOLDFINCH. .33J 



the tail is black, but mofl of the feathers marked 

 near their ends with a white fpot: the legs are 

 white. 



The female is diftinguifhed from the male by 

 thtfc notes ; the feathers at the end of the bill ia 

 the former are brown ; in the male black : the 

 lefTer coverts of the wings are brown : and the black 

 and yellow in the wings of the female are lefs bril- 

 liant. The young bird, before it moults, is grey 

 on the head ; and hence it is termed by the bird- 

 catchers a grey pate. 



There is another variety of goldfinch, which 

 is, perhaps, not taken above once in two or three 

 years, which is called by the London bird-catchers 

 a cheverel^ from the manner in which it concludes 

 lis jerk : when this fort is taken, it fells at a very 

 high price : it is diftinguilhed from the common 

 fort by a white llreak, or by two, and fometimes 

 three white fpots under the throat. 



Their note is very fweet, and they are much 

 elieemed on that account, as well as for their great 

 docility. Towards winter they afTemble in flocks, 

 and feed on feeds of different kinds, particular- 

 ly thofe of the thiftle. It is fond of orchards; 

 and frequently builds in an apple or pear tree : its 

 neft is very elegantly formed of fine mofs, liver- 

 worts, and bents on the outfide ; lined firft with 

 wool and hair, and then with the goflin or cotton 

 of the fallow. It lays five white eggs, marked 

 with deep purple fpots on the upper end. 



Z 3 This 



