FRINGILLID.E — THE FINCHES. 237 



"The Goldfinch is to a large extent gregarious and nomadic in 

 its habits, and only for a short portion of the year do these birds 

 separate into pau-s for the purposes of reproduction. During at 

 least three fourths of the year they associate in small flocks, and 

 wander about in an irregular and uncertain manner in quest of 

 their- food. They are resident throughout the year in New England 

 and also thi'oughout the greater poi-tion of the country, their pres- 

 ence or absence being regulated to a large extent by the abundance, 

 scarcity, or absence of their favorite kinds of food. In the winter, 

 the seeds of the taller weeds are then- principal means of subsist- 

 ence. In the summer, the seeds of the thistle and other plants 

 and weeds are sought out by these interesting and busy gleaners. 

 They are abundant in gardens, and as a general thing do very 

 little harm, and a vast amount of benefit in the destraction of the 

 seeds of troublesome weeds. As, however, they do not always dis- 

 criminate between seeds that are troublesome and those that are 

 desu-able, the Goldfinches are unwelcome visitors to the farmers 

 who seek to raise their owa seeds of the lettuce, turnip, and other 

 similar vegetables. They are also very fond of the seeds of the 

 sunflower." (Brewer.) 



The notes of the American Goldfinch are for the most part re- 

 markably sweet, partaking somewhat of the nature of the ticeet of 

 a canary bird, but more tender ; and the song is no mean perform- 

 ance. The latter more nearly resembles that of the Indigo Bunting 

 than that of any other American species, but is more ii-regular, 

 less harsh, and intermpted by interpolations of the ordinary caU- 

 notes. 



The follo'ning interesting notes on the nest and eggs of the Amer- 

 ican Goldfinch were kindly prepared for this work, at my request, 

 by Mr. Hugh M. Smith, of Washington, D. C. : 



"Each of eleven nests in my collection, from Virginia, is similar 

 to the others in structure, being composed of thin strips of gi'ape- 

 vine bark and weed fibre, fme grass, catkins, and thread, ■\\ith a few 

 leaves occasionally worked in ; these are very neatly and compactly 

 woven together. The interior is hued mth tliistle-do\^'n and some- 

 times a few feathers. The nest is cup-shaped ; but inasmuch as 

 the situation of the nest in a tree or shi-ub is variable, the shape, 

 depending ■ more or less on its resting place, is consequently some- 

 what modified. Some nests — probably the greatest number— are 

 lodged in the upi-ight crotch of a tree; some are pendant between 

 two forking Hmbs ; while others are saddled on a horizontal bough. 



