SOME BIRDS THAT COME IN MAY 423 
and Finches are like little golden balls tossed on the 
breeze? It was in such a field that my Goldfinch found 
the thistle-down for her soft couch — her couch, observe, 
for it was the dull mate in greenish olive that made the bed. 
I was there when the maple twig was chosen for the 
nest — as good luck would have it —close by our cottage 
door and in plain sight from my window. The choice 
was announced by a shower of golden notes from the male 
bird and a responsive twitter from his mate. She began 
building at once, quickly outlining the nest with grasses 
and bark. Her approach was always heralded by a 
burst of song from her mate, who hovered near while 
she deftly wove the pretty fabric and then flew away 
with him to the base of supply. 
It was August 2 when the nest began. I quote from 
my note-book :— 
“August 3. I observed the work closely for an hour. 
The working partner made eighteen trips, the first eleven 
in twenty-two minutes, grass and thistle-down being 
brought; the last nine trips only down, more time being 
taken to weave it into the walls. The male warbled 
near by and twice flew into the tree and cheered his 
industrious mate with song. 
“August 5. The home growing. The female tarries 
much longer at the nest, fashioning the lining. 
“August 6. Both birds sing while flying to and from 
the nest. 
“August 7. Nest completed. The mother bird has 
a little ‘song of the nest’ — a very happy song. Think 
an egg was laid to-day. 
“August 11. The male Goldfinch feeds his mate on 
