BIRD WORLD, 



THE GOLDFINCH. 



SINCE there must be a first bird for us to meet in 

 this long visit we are to make together in Bird 

 World, and some of us have to choose which one, sup- 

 pose we let it be the pretty confiding Goldfinch, 

 who with his mate shall stand upon the threshold to 

 receive us. 



This old pasture where little grows but weeds and 

 thistles is a favorite place with the Goldfinches. 

 Thistlebird is one of the names by which they are 

 known. There is no merrier bird than the Goldfinch. 

 He spends the pleasantest part of the year, the spring 

 months, when other birds are busiest, singing and 

 enjoying the sunshine. When winter comes, instead 

 of leaving us he stays with a happy company of friends, 

 feeding on weeds that stand above the snow, twitter- 

 ing and calling sweetly to his companions. It is not 

 strange, then, that the Goldfinch has many friends and 

 no enemies. 



