]90 BRITISH BIRDS. 



rambling in the wood, which was his favourite resort, he 

 heard the same goldfinch singing in a tree near him. 

 My father did not for a moment doubt the identity of 

 the bird, though he wondered very much how it could 

 be there. On his return to the town, he called at the 

 lady's. ' So, madam, you have lost your goldfinch,' he 

 said. To this the lady assented ; and asked, in some 

 surprise, how he could have known the circumstance, as 

 the bird had only made its escape that morning. * Oh,' 

 replied he, ' I heard it singing in the wood as I came 

 along.' This little anecdote may serve to illustrate the 

 delicacy of his musical ear, for which he was remarkable." 



