56 BIRDS OF FIELD, FOREST AND PARK 



lined with finer grass. The eggs, four or five in 

 number, are white, evenly speckled with fine 

 brown spots. They range in summer as far 

 north as Maine and the Province of Ontario and 

 winter from Virginia south. 



American Goldfinch. This little courtier in 

 black and gold is a very attractive member of 

 the bird chorus both in dress and song. Tiny 

 sprite that he is, he has the hardihood to brave 

 the rigors of our northern climate, for I some- 

 times find him in central Maine in the coldest 

 winter weather. At that time of year he has 

 doffed his gay clothes and put on a sober suit of 

 olive-brown much like that worn by his mate 

 throughout the year. But when the mating 

 season approaches again he changes for his 

 bright colors which he wears till the young are 

 reared. 



This is a bird of many names, of which Wild 

 Canary, Yellowbird and Thistlebird are the 

 most common, the last because in the fall the 

 thistle is his favorite food. In summer he is a 

 frequent visitor to the garden because of his 

 great liking for grubs found on the beets. Often 

 I see him perched on the bean-poles proclaiming 

 his happiness with a swinging " che-e-p " followed 

 by his rambling, jovial song so full of glee and 

 exuberance that one may easily believe him the 

 happiest creature in existence. Then as he takes 

 wing in long gallops, you will hear ^' per-chick- 

 o-ree, per-chick-o-ree^^ long after he has disap- 

 peared from sight. 



The Goldfinch is, all in all, in disposition, 

 dress and song, one of our most attractive bird 



