26 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



(Bolbfincb, 



The Goldfinch {Fri/igilla carduelis^ Linnaeus) is a gener- 

 ally distributed species in the British Islands. It is also 

 a resident throughout most parts of Europe, with the 

 exception of the extreme north. In Northern Africa and 

 eastward into Persia it is also a resident. The adult male 

 has the forehead and upper throat crimson ; crown of the 

 head and a band behind the ear-coverts, black ; cheeks 

 and lower throat, white ; upper parts, pale chocolate-brown ; 

 greater wing-coverts, brilliant golden yellow ; primaries, 

 black with white tips ; base of primaries, banded with bright 

 yellow; tail, black, tipped with white; outer tail-feathers 

 subterminally having white blotches ; underneath, white ; 

 sides of breast and flanks, tinged with wood-brown ; bill, 

 pale brown, tip darker; irides, legs, and feet, brown. 

 Length, about five inches. 



