SOME BIRDS THAT COME IN MAY 425 
the discussion. Two bouts between the males ended 
in the discomfiture of number two and the return of 
my Goldfinch with a victor’s song. 
“ August 20. The course of true love now ran smooth, 
and Goldfinch, sure of his intrenched affection, sang 
less volubly. The female, delicately sensitive of ear, 
apparently recognizes the voice of her mate and never 
fails to respond. Other Goldfinches flew by in song, 
calling and singing, but only one appealed to her. 
“ August 25 was a red-letter day in Goldfinch annals; 
then, and only then, I saw the male on the nest fed by 
his mate. The male then shares incubation? He 
certainly gave it a trial, but so far as my observation 
goes, found it too confining to be repeated. 
“August 29. ‘Out to-day,’ as the newsboy cries — 
the female’s elevation on the nest determined that. 
Her eagerness now overcame caution, and she flew 
straight to the nest instead of in a roundabout course. 
Both parents fed the young. 
“August 30. In a single trip the male Goldfinch 
brought forty morsels to the family, his mate eager to 
get her ‘thirds,’ but as soon as he had gone she slipped 
off the nest and fed the young. This method was pur- 
sued for three days. 
“Sept. 1. The female very active at the nest, making 
toilets of young, reassuring them with tender syllables 
when a red squirrel ran up the tree with alarming sounds. 
I saw three open mouths. The brooding bird went 
for food and returned stealthily to the nest. The male 
came once, but brought nothing, and henceforth was 
an idle partner. 
