BIRD BIOGRAPHIES 



The fondness of goldfinches for the seeds of thistles has 

 given them the name of thistle-birds. While they eat in- 

 sects during the summer, they are especially useful as 

 seed-destroyers. At Marshall Hall, Md., Dr. Judd ob- 

 served them eating their first fresh supply in the spring 

 from dandelions; in June, they ate the seeds of the field 

 daisy; in July, of the purple aster and wild carrot. 

 Thistles and wild lettuce were feasted upon during August; 

 while in September the troublesome beggar-tick and rag- 

 weed were eagerly sought. At one time Dr. Judd counted 

 a flock of three hundred goldfinches busily stripping 

 seeds from a rank growth of the latter weed; he dis- 

 covered them, also, devouring seeds of the trumpet-creeper. 

 They are invaluable aids to a farmer; the only fault of 

 which they can be accused is that of "pilfering" sunflower 

 seeds. The presence of sunflowers in a garden is likely 

 to attract goldfinches, just as trumpet-creeper blossoms 

 lure hummingbirds. 



I recall a lovely garden in which I spent many pleasant 

 hours one summer, happy in its beauty and fragrance, 

 and in the companionship of bird visitors. Near my ac- 

 customed seat grew a clump of sunflowers, often sought 

 by goldfinches. The black and gold of their plumage 

 made a pretty sight against the yellow petals and dark 

 centers of the great flowers. I remember one little bird 

 that fluttered among the golden petals, too busy singing 

 to eat for a time. 



Two bird-hunting cats haunted the garden. I took a 

 malicious pleasure in driving them away, because their 

 ignorant, parsimonious owner had informed me that she 

 kept them locked up while her chickens were young, so 

 the cats wouldn't catch them. She didn't care how many 



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