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The American Goldfinch, or as it is niore familiarly termed, 

 " Yellow Bird," is generally distributed over the United States — 

 and in summer is found in the high northern latitudes. It resides 

 on Long Island throughout the year; it frequents the fields, or- 

 chards, and gardens, subsisting on tender plants and seeds, and 

 seems particularly fond of the seeds of the common thistle. Hemp- 

 seed, chickweed, and other tender plants. It constructs its nest in 

 the low branches, among the thickly clustered leaves, usually se- 

 lecting a bushy tree, standing at a distance from any other, in the 

 middle of a lot, or other lonely situation. The eggs, five in num- 

 ber, are dull white. 



It is often caught in trap-cages, and exposed for sale in the mar- 

 kets. It bears confinement well, and is much admired for its beau- 

 tiful plumage and agreeable song, which in some instances is but 

 little inferior to that of the Canary. It lives in society, and when 

 flying about, the golden yellow and deep black colors render it 

 conspicuous and pleasing. Its flight is performed in an undulating 

 manner, similar to that of the Woodpecker. 



