246 KNOWING BIRDS THROUGH STORIES 



is also usually insistent on building her own nest, so the 

 resemblance Dickie's nest bore to those of the goldfinches 

 about her may have been due to the material furnished by 

 her spouse. When winter came, Peter, Dickie, and their 

 family flew away to the Southland. 



The goldfinch feeds largely on weed and grass seeds, 

 and, small as he is, where these are abundant, he often 

 remains all winter, even where the thermometer goes 

 well below zero. 



