132 THE GOLDFINCH. 



On September 14 my diary ran: "Such numbers of goldfinches are 

 now feeding on the low thistles that stud much of the Rhone valley, 

 before the river enters the lake. They fly in droves, varying from 

 twenty to thirty, or thereabouts. Some of the males sing in the 

 poplar trees. Food is so abundant that they do not admit a very close 

 approach. Now and then a tiff arises, when they scold one another 

 famously. Occasionally they rise high in the air and wheel en masse 

 up and down the valley." Most of these birds appeared to have 

 partially moulted ; but on September 28 I stood for a minute or two 

 just under two examples, entirely in nest dress. On October 7 gold- 

 finches were on flight in the neighbourhood of Geneva. The Marche 

 des Oiseaux, on October 9, contained a large number of fresh caught 

 examples, maily of which were purchased for importation to England 

 by Mr. Etable, the obliging dealer of Great Portland Street, who 

 happened to transport his birds by the steamer which I myself crossed 

 upon on October 10. At Paris, as also at Geneva, I met with fine 

 white-throated examples, males, obtained in the environs of these two 

 cities. 



After returning to England, I saw no goldfinches until November 

 29, when I observed a single example perched on some teazle growing 

 on the edge of the East Cliff at Eastbourne. 



During January, 1882, I examined as many caged examples as 

 possible, from County Limerick, Hereford, and other quarters. Among 

 the Irish birds were a male and a female of the bastard-cheverel 

 variety, the male being as nearly as possible " clean-cut." 



In a German male, of great beauty, I noticed the crimson baud on 

 the neck, described p. 231, vol. iv., " Midland Naturalist." 



With regard to the goldfinch crossing with other native species, 

 I have to report that a hybrid, reared in confinement, between a male 

 goldfinch and a female siskin, was exhibited at the Alexandra Palace 

 Bird Show in October last. This example, the only one which I am 

 aware of as having been produced in England (for it has occurred pre- 

 viously in Germany), exhibited little of the goldfinch tints, and re- 

 minded most of those who saw it of a female siskin. Nevertheless, it 

 had also a strong look of the young goldfinch, and may probably 

 become brighter in years to come. 



My statement that the goldfinch is " eight or ten weeks'" old when 

 it commences to don the bright adult flourish, should probably be 

 rather extended ; most yomig individuals moult in September, though 

 some early birds commence the process in August. "With regard to 

 the late habits of nesting, characteristic of the goldfinch, my friend, 

 Mr. J. Young (a member of the " Ibis "), kindly tells me that he found 

 a completed nest on May-day, 1880, when the chaffinches were only 

 beciuning to build. He has noticed a preference on the part of this 

 species for ilices. Mr. Aplin kindly suggests that the dark streaks to 

 be seen on the flanks of most "dark" goldfinch males (as, indeed, on 

 some canaries) may be attributed to the wild cauary"s blood. 



