Il6 GOLDFINCH. 



formed admirably ; and such was the retentiveness of 

 its memory, that after it had been nearly two years 

 in our possession without practising this feat, it 

 repeated it again the instant it was called upon to do 

 so ". 



In its wild state the Goldfinch frequents our 

 orchards and more especially the neglected wastes on 

 which the thistles and docks abound. It is the " at- 

 tendant upon the slovenly farmer who does not make 

 use of his odd corners, and is not very careful about 

 his hedgerows ; but on those farms where scarcely 

 a weed is left to grow the bird is rarely seen ". It is 

 pretty to see it in the winter time perched upon the 

 thistle heads assuming many dainty attitudes while 

 busied in extracting the seeds, and strewing the 

 ground with their husks. At this time of the year 

 they are mostly seen in small flocks. In the summer 

 time insects form their principal food. The most 

 striking features in the plumage of this bird are the 

 beautiful black and gold wings, and the crimson fore- 

 head and chin. The crest is black, the back a reddish 

 brown, the tail black, the breast a light wood brown 

 and the rest of the under parts white ; some of the 

 wing and tail feathers are tipped with white. 



The nest is commenced rather late, and is not ready 

 for eggs before the middle of May. Like the other 

 Finches', it is a very beautiful structure, somewhat 

 resembling the nest of the Chaffinch, but smaller and 

 less compact, and with more moss in its construction. 

 An apple or pear tree in the orchard is usually chosen 

 for the site, but the bird will occasionally build in a 

 chestnut or beech tree or in a thorn hedge. They 

 frequently return to the same breeding ground year 

 after year ; for some years past now we have had 



