FRINGILLID.E — THE FINCHES. 473 



Mountains, where its nest and eggs were obtained. The nests piueuied by 

 Mr. Ridgway were all Ibund al)out June 6, except one, ten days later, show- 

 ing- tliat these birds are lour or live weeks earlier in their breeding on the 

 Pacific than on the Atlantic coast. In the Uintah Mountains they were 

 breeding, as at the East, in July. 



The Goldfinch is to a large extent gregarious and nomadic in its habits, 

 and only for a short portion of the year do these birds separate into jjairs for 

 the purposes of reproduction. During at least three fourths of the year they 

 associate in small tiocks, and wander about in an irregular and uncertain 

 manner in quest of their food. Tliey are resident throughout the year in 

 New England, and also throughout the greater j)ortion of tlie country, their 

 presence or absence being regulated to a large extent by the abundance, 

 scarcity, or absence of their favorite kinds of food. In the winter, the seeds 

 of the taller weeds are their principal means of subsistence. In the sum- 

 mer, the seeds of the thistle and other plants and M'eeds are souglit out 

 by these interesting and busy gleaners. They are aljundant in gardens, and 

 as a general thing do very little harm, and a vast amount of benefit in the 

 destruction of the seeds of troublesome weeds. As, however, tliey do not 

 always discriminate between seeds that are troublesome and those that are 

 desirable, the Goldfinches are unwelcome visitors to the farmers who seek to 

 raise their own seeds of the lettuce, turnip, and other similar vegetables. 

 They are also very fond of the seeds of the sunflower. 



Owing possibly to the scarcity of proper food for theii" young in the early 

 summer, tlie Goldfinches are quite late before they mate and raise their single 

 brood. It is usually past the Kjth of July Ijefoi'e their nests are constructed, 

 and often September before their l)r()ods are ready to fiy. 



The song of the Goldfinch — very different from their usual plaintive cry 

 or call-note, uttered as they are flying or when tliey are feeding — is very 

 sweet, brilliant, and pleasing ; most so, indeed, when given as a solo, with no 

 other of its kindred within hearing. I know of none of our common singers 

 that excel it in eitlier respect. Its notes are higher and more flute-like, and 

 its song is more prolonged tlian that of the Pui'ple Einch. Where large 

 flocks are found in the spring or early summer, the males often join in a very 

 curious and remarkable concert, in which the voices of the several performers 

 do not always accord. In spite of tliis frequent want of harmony, these con- 

 certs are varied and pleasing, now ringing like tlie loud voices of the Canary, 

 and now sinking into a low soft warble. 



During the warm summer weather the Goldfinch is very fond of bathing, 

 and the sandy shehing margins of brooks are always their favorite places 

 of resort for this purpose. I do not think they ever raise more than a single 

 brood in a season in New England, and are in this somewhat irregular, de- 

 positing their eggs from July 10 to September, as it may happen. 



They usually select a small upright tree, sucli as a young elm, apple, or 

 pear, or a tall shrub, for their nest, which they rarely place higher than ten 

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