CARDUELIS SPINUS. 407 



like the female. They were seen in the locality for three weeks 

 after. So my young friends need not despair of rinding siskins 

 in Fife. The eggs, usually five, are pale bluish white, speckled 

 with red, like those of the goldfinch, but less, J 16 by § 16 . The 

 erown and throat of this pretty bird are black, back of the head 

 and neck yellowish green, streaked with black ; a yellow band 

 above the eyes ; part of the back and scapulars yellowish- 

 green, tinged with grey ; rump, greenish-yellow ; neck, breast 

 margin of quills, and tail, bright yellow. The under parts, 

 yellow ; iris, brown. The general colour is greenish-yellow. It 

 breeds with the canary in cages, has a sweet song, but not so 

 loud as the canary's ; is much prized as a song bird, and, like 

 the goldfinch, is easily tamed and taught many tricks. The 

 female is similar, but fainter in colour. 



The Goldfinch. 



(Carduelis Elegans.J Steph. (Fringilla Carduelis.) Linn. 



" Frae fields whare Spring her sweets has blawn 

 Wi' caller verdure o'er the lawn, 

 The gowdspink comes in new attire, 

 The bra west 'mang the whistling quoir. "— Fergusson. 



" The sober lav'rock, warbling wild, 

 Shall to the skies aspire ; 

 The gowdspink, music's gayest child, 

 Shall sweetly join the quoir." — Burns. 



This beautiful bird is also called the thistlefinch, goldie, and 

 gowdspink, from its rich and varied plumage, which, along 

 with its song, makes it prized as a cage bird, and invites the 

 cupidity of bird-catchers. Before Burns, Fergusson in his 

 " Ode to the Gowdspink" says : — 



" Sure Nature herried mony a tree 

 For spraings and bonny spats to thee ; 

 Nae mair the rainbow can impart 

 Sic glowing ferlies o' her art, 

 Whase pencil wrought its freaks at will 

 On thee, the sey-piece* o' her skill. 

 Thy shining garments far outstrip 

 The cherries upon Hebe's lip, 

 And fool the tints that Nature chose 



* Sey-piece— Masterpiece. 



