212 FRINGILLID^. 



from its lively movements, its agreeable song, and yet more 

 from its docility, as it not only is readily tamed, but may 

 be taught to perform various tricks and manoeuvres utterly 

 repugnant to the nature of birds. Its affection, too, for its 

 owner is not less remarkable. Of this many instances are, 

 I doubt not, familiar to the reader ; but the following is 

 not so well known. There was some years since in a small 

 town, about twelve leagues from Paris, a tame Goldfinch, 

 which belonged to a carrier, and which for many years 

 regularly accompanied his master twice a week to and from 

 the metropolis. At first it used to content itself with 

 perching on the driver's seat, and from time to time 

 flying a short distance ahead, or gamboling with other 

 birds of the same kind that it encountered on the way. 

 By-and-by it seemed to grow dissatisfied with the slow 

 pace of the wagon, and took long flights in advance, still 

 returning from time to time to its accustomed perch. At 

 length, becoming more enterprising, it would leave its 

 master in the lurch, and fly in advance the whole of the 

 way, and announce his approach at the house in the city 

 where he put up. If the weather was stormy, it would 

 quietly await his arrival, taking up its quarters by the 

 fireside ; but if the weather was fine, it would, after 

 making a brief stay, return to meet him. At every meeting, 

 caresses and congratulations were exchanged, as fondly as 

 if they had been separated for years. This romantic attach- 

 ment was at length terminated by the disappearance of the 

 bird, but whether through the instrumentahty of a cat, a 

 Hawk, or some mischievous boy, was never discovered. 



Whatever doubt may exist as to the services rendered 

 to man by the Sparrow and Chaffinch, about the Goldfinch 

 there can be no difference of opinion. The farmer has no 

 better friend, and yet an abundance of Goldfinches on an 

 estate is anything but a welcome sight ; for it denotes abun- 

 dance of its favourite food, the seeds of thistles. Where 

 these weeds flourish, there, for the most part, Goldfinches 



