62 BRIGHT FEATALES. 
difficult to procure a mule brood between our species and the Canary, 
than between the latter and the European Goldfinch, although | have 
known many instances in which the attempt was made with complete 
success.” 
“The young males do not appear in full plumage until the following 
spring. The old ones lose their beauty in winter, and assume the 
duller tints of the female. In fact, at that season, young and old of 
both sexes resemble each other.” : 
“There is a trait of sagacity in this bird which is quite remarkable, 
and worthy of the notice of such naturalists as are fond of contrasting 
instinct with reason. When a Goldfinch alights on a twig, imbued with 
bird-lime expressly for the purpose of securing it, it no sooner discovers 
the nature of the treacherous substance, than it throws itself backwards, 
with closed wings, and hangs in this position until the bird-lime has run 
out in the form of a slender thread considerably below the twig, when 
feeling a certain degree of security, it beats its wings and flies off, with 
a resolution, doubtless, never to alight in such a place again; as I have 
observed Goldfinches that had escaped from me in this manner, when 
about to alight on any twig, whether smeared with bird-lime or not, 
flutter over it, as if to assure themselves of its being safe for them to 
perch upon it.” 
“This interesting species is found on the shores of the Columbia 
river. It is mentioned by Dr. Richardson, as visiting the Fur Countries, 
where it arrives at a very late period, as it retires in September, after a 
stay of less than three months. The eggs described by that most 
zealous naturalist agree in every particular with some now before me, 
which I collected myself. They measure a trifle more than five and a 
half eighths in length, by four anda half eighths in breadth, and are very 
obtuse at one end and sharp at the other.” 
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