FRINGILLINzE. 



173 



THE GOLDFINCH. 



Carduelis elegans, Stephens. 



Owing to the arts of the bird-catcher, as well as to improve- 

 ments in cultivation which have done away with many of the tracts 

 formerly covered with thistles and other weeds, the Goldfinch has 

 undoubtedly decreased in numbers during the last half century; 

 nevertheless, the Wild Birds' Preservation Act, and perhaps agricul- 

 tural depression, have somewhat operated in its favour during the 

 past twelve years. Though local, and principally to be found 

 during the breeding-season in the neighbourhood of gardens and 

 orchards, it still nests in every county in England — not except- 

 ing Northumberland, where it has bred at Greenhead ; while 

 it is tolerably common along the Eden valley in Cumberland, 

 although in the northern and western counties a comparatively rare 

 bird. Beyond the Border it has almost disappeared from the 

 Lothians, owing to the influence of high farming ; but I am 

 informed by Mr. R. Service that, after a marked diminution, it is 

 again on the increase in the Solway district. It is now very 

 scarce beyond the Great Glen ; but on one occasion it has 

 nested in the south of Skye, while as a straggler it has occurred 

 in Mull and Eigg (Macpherson), as well as in the Orkneys. 

 In Ireland it is widely distributed. A large proportion of 

 the Goldfinches which inhabit England during the summer, as 



