BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 129 



cock Pilot " from the fact that, as a winter visitor, 

 it precedes that bird by a few days. A close sitter, 

 and the smallest British bird. 



GOLDEN EYE. 



(Clangula glaucion^) 

 Order ANSERES ; Family ANATID.E (DUCKS). 



This species is said to have bred in the north of 

 Scotland, but no reliable ornithological authority 

 has yet verified the statement, so far as I 

 can gather. 



GOLDFINCH. 



(Carduelis elegans.} 

 Order PASSERES ; Family FRINGILLID.E (FINCHES). 



Description of Parent Birds. Length about five 

 inches. Bill rather short, nearly conical, whitish 

 at the base, and black at the tip. Forehead and 

 chin rich scarlet, divided by a line of black, which 

 passes from the base of the beak to the eyes. 

 Cheeks white. Crown and back of head black, 

 which colour descends on either side of the neck in 

 a narrowing band. Back and rump pale tawny- 

 brown, lightest on the back of the neck. Wing- 

 coverts black ; quills black, barred across with 

 yellow, and tipped with white. Upper tail-coverts 

 grey, mixed with tawny - brown ; quills black, 

 marked with white and buff y- white spots near 

 their tips. Throat and under-parts white, tinged 

 on the breast, sides, and flanks with pale 

 tawny-brown. Legs and toes pale pinkish- white ; 

 claws brown. 



