THE GOLDFINCH 215 



is chocolate-brown, shading into white on the upper 

 tail-coverts ; the quills are black, tipped with white, 

 and broadly barred with bright yellow ; the greater 

 wing-coverts yellow ; the tail is black, the two or 

 three outermost feathers on each side having a white 

 spot on the inner web, and the rest tipped with 

 white. A patch on the nape, the sides of the head, 

 and the under parts below the throat are dull white, 

 shading into brown on the breast and flanks. The 

 female resembles the male in colour, but is not quite 

 so brilliant in hue ; the nestling- wants the black and 

 red on the head, and the under parts are browner. 

 The total length of this bird is about five inches. 



