98 GARDEN AND AVIARY BIRDS. 
THE European GoipFincn (Fringilla carduelis)* is of 
course only known in India as an imported bird ; it does 
not naturally range further East than Persia, where the 
range of many European birds appears to end. Its gene- 
ral appearance is well shown by Fig. 4 in Plate VI; it is 
unnecessary to describe its colouring in detail, as its bright 
red face and yellow-and-black wings easily distinguish 
it from other Finches. The hen is very like the cock, 
being merely a little less bright and shorter in the bill ; 
but the two need generally to be seen together for the 
difference to be appreciated. Young birds, called ‘‘grey- 
pates’’ by English bird-fanciers, have streaky drab heads 
with none of the red, white, and black markings which are 
so striking in their parents. 
Goldfinches vary much in appearance, the Russian, 
Siberian, and Persian birds, being much superior in size, 
strength of bill, and beauty of colour to Western European 
specimens. 
The Goldfinch is the prettiest and most interesting of 
all European Finches, and is a great favourite with bird- 
fanciers wherever it is found. Its song is only moderately 
good, but its ordinary notes are sweet and cheerful, while it 
is lively and active in its movements, and much more grace- 
ful in form than Finches generally are. In the wild state it 
feeds on the seeds of the thistle and other composite-flower- 
ed plants whenever it can get them, and in captivity it will 
eat, and indeed needs, an amount of hemp-seed which 
would seriously upset most birds’ internal arrangements. 
It will breed in confinement, and has done so even in 
India, so Mr. R. B. Sanyal tells me; in Europe it is seldom 
