GOLDFINCH 159 



Family FRINGILLID^. 



Genus CARDUELIS, Brisson. 



GOLDFINCH. 



Carduelis carduelis (Linnaeus). 8.N., i., p. 318 



(1766). 



Goldfinch, Boys, 1792. 



This beautiful little bird was becoming very scarce 

 owing to the large numbers taken every year by the 

 bird-catchers and others, who shot them down for 

 ornaments in glass cases, but since the passing of the 

 Birds Protection Act they are certainly on the increase 

 all over the county, and it is very promising to see so 

 many pairs in all directions. Of course, in the autumn 

 and spring the usual increase in flocks is caused by the 

 movement southward from the northern counties ; 

 by this migration southwards, and the return, a great 

 many more remain in Kent every year than formerly 

 since they have not been caught or disturbed. 



The Eev. J. Pemberton Bartlett, writing in 1844, 

 states that the Goldfinch was then common. It was 

 after his time that the destruction began. Lord Clifton, 

 during December, 1869, and January, 1870, saw at 

 different times several Goldfinches in some alder-trees 

 at Cobham, showing that at that time it was looked 

 upon as a rarity. There are specimens in the Maid- 

 stone Museum obtained at Hollingbourne in December, 

 1880, and also the nest by Mr. G. Coveney, and at 

 Boxley on January 16, 1883, by Mr. W. Hickmott. 

 Eggs were taken at Boughton on May 29, 1885. It is 

 also included among the birds of Bethersden by Captain 

 J. D. Cameron. 



