ooLDri>fCH. 493 



wliat larger than is usually made by this bird, but retained 

 the pretty roundness of figure and neatness of workmanship 

 which is proper to the Goldfinch. The nest was completed 

 in the space of three days, and remained unoccupied for the 

 space of four days, the first egg not being laid till the seventh 

 day from beginning the Avork." The eggs are four or five in 

 number, pale bluish white, with a few sjiots and lines of pale 

 purple and brown ; the length eight lines and a half, the 

 breadth six lines. 



The young birds are fed for a time with caterpillars, and 

 other insects, and when able to follow their parents, they rove 

 together in small flocks over commons, and other unculti- 

 vated lands to feed on the ripened seeds of the thistle, bur- 

 dock, or dandelion, with chickweed, groundsel, or plantain. 

 If watched while thus feeding, they may be seen climbing 

 and clinging in all directions and positions about the stems, 

 picking out their favourite portions. If approached too near, 

 the little party, one by one, move off to the next nearest 

 patch, with undulating flight, twittering as they rise — 



" Each outstretched wing 

 A fairy fan, with golden sticks adorned," 



and thus roving in small flocks, through the autumn and 

 winter, living almost entirely on various seeds, particularly 

 those of the different species of thistle, they perform good 

 service to the agriculturist by consuming the prolific source 

 of many a noxious weed. 



The Goldfinch is found in numerous localities, both in 

 England and Wales ; it occurs, according to Mr. Thompson, 

 in certain parts of Ireland ; and as an inhabitant of the south 

 of Scotland, is mentioned by Sir Robert Sibbald, Sir Wil- 

 liam Jardine, and Mr. Macgillivray. 



It is found in Sweden, and is said to be found also in 

 Europe from Siberia to the Grecian Archipelago. It is 



