FRix(;iLi.iN.+:. 



165 



THE GOLDFINCH. 



Carduelis elegans, Stephens. 



Owing to the arts of the bird-catcher, and also to the improvements 

 in cultivation, which have done away with many of the tracts 

 formerly covered with thistles and other weeds, the Goldlinch has 

 undoubtedly decreased in ni'.mbers during the last half century ; 

 although the Wild Birds' Preservation Act, and perhaps the present 

 agricultural depression, have somewhat operated in its favour during 

 the past few years. Though local, and principally to be found 

 during the breeding-season in the neighbourhood of gardens and 

 orchards, it still nests in every county in England— not excepting 

 Northumberland, where it has bred at Greenhead ; while it is toler- 

 ably common along the Eden valley in Cumberland, although in 

 the northern and western counties a comparatively rare bird. 

 Beyond the Border it has almost disappeared from the Lothians, 

 owing to the influence of high farming ; but I am informed by Mr, 

 R. Service that, after a marked diminution, it is again on the in- 

 crease in the Solway district. It is said to breed sparingly as far 

 north as Caithness, and on one occasion it has nested in the south 

 of Skyc, while as a straggler it has occurred in Mull and Eigg (Mac- 

 pherson). In Ireland it is common in suitable localities. A large 

 proportion of the C^oldfinches which inhabit England during the 

 summer, as well as flocks which have arrived from the Continent, 

 migrate southward across the Channel in October, and return north- 

 ward in April. 



