176 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



The "Linnets" are much more common and generally dis- 

 tributed through this State than formerly, and are gradually 

 becoming quite fearless of man. They are now so tame as 

 often to build their nests in hedges, and on account of their 

 several attractions should be allowed to increase, in spite of 

 the injuries that they may do us in spring. They resemble in 

 habits the Pine Grosbeaks, from the irregularity of both their 

 appearance and abundance from year to year. In studying 

 the Purple Finches, one must not confuse their song with that 

 of the Warbling Vireo, 49 or even with those of the Robin and 

 some other birds, nor the notes already mentioned with those 

 of the Great Crested Flycatcher 50 and Blue Bird. 51 



IV. CHRYSOMITRIS 



(A) TRISTIS. (American) Goldfinch. "Yellow Bird:' 5 ' 2 

 "Thistle-bird." 



(Common in New England throughout the year, but more 

 abundant in summer than in winter. Like the Cedar-birds, they 

 breed very late in the season.) 



(a). About 4| inches long. # (from April 1st, until Sep- 

 tember 20th?), bright yellow, "inclusive of lesser wing-cov- 

 erts." Crown, wings, and tail, black. Upper tail-coverts, whit- 

 ish ; but wing-markings and tail-spots entirely white. $ , 

 dusk}' olivaceous yellow above ; paler or yellowish beneath. 

 Wings and tail less purely colored than in the male, who in 

 winter resembles the female, though much browner. 



(b). The nest is usually composed of fine grasses (or strips 

 of bark), and is lined with down from thistles and other plants, 

 but sometimes with hairs. It is quite deep or cup-shaped, but 

 is substantial, neat, and compact. It is placed in a pasture- 

 bush, a shade-tree (especially on roadsides), perhaps an apple- 

 tree, or a like situation, commonly between five and twenty 

 feet above the ground, and almost invariably in a crotch. I 

 have known it to be just completed as early as the twelfth of 



13, I, D. 60 19, II, A. 61 2. 



w There is a warbler ( 9, X, A) also called the Yellow Bird. 



