GOLDFINCH. 37 



extreme north and west. In Scotland it becomes even 

 more local, although it is known to breed as far north 

 as Caithness, and in some of the southern districts 

 appears to be increasing in numbers. It has been 

 known to breed on one occasion in Skye. In Ireland 

 it is widely dispersed, but everywhere uncommon and 

 very local. 



Breeding habits : The principal breeding-grounds 

 of the Goldfinch are orchards and gardens, and the 

 hedges and shrubberies near them. This bird appears 

 to pair annually, although it may from time to time 

 be seen in pairs all through the winter. The nest is 

 usually made in a fork of some lichen-covered fruit tree ; 

 less frequently in an evergreen, and sometimes suspended 

 from a drooping branch of a large tree. Occasionally 

 it is made in a hedge near the garden or orchard. Few 

 of our British nests equal that of the Goldfinch in 

 beauty. It is almost as neatly made as that of the 

 Chaffinch, the materials being felted in much the same 

 way, but is smaller, and the garniture of lichens is 

 not so conspicuous. It is made of moss, vegetable 

 down, fine roots, and dry grass-stems, cemented with 

 spiders' webs and a few bits of lichen, and lined with 

 feathers, down, and hair. The cup is exquisitely finished, 

 about two inches in diameter and one inch in depth. 

 The old birds are remarkably quiet and careful not to 

 betray the vicinity of the nest, the female sitting closely 

 until approached. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Goldfinch are four or five in number, 

 white, with a greenish or grayish tinge in ground colour, 

 spotted and streaked with purplish-brown, and with 

 underlying spots of gray. The amount of spots varies 

 considerably, as also does their intensity of colour, some 

 being almost black in appearance. As a rule most of 



