THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 



Synonymes. 



Friiigilla tristis, Of Ornithologists. 



Chardonneret jaune, Of the French. 



Amerikanischer Distelfink, Of the Germans. 



Jilguero americano, Of the Spaniards. 



Pintacilgo americano, Cf the Portuguese. 



Calderino americano, Of the Italians. 



Yellow Bird, American I { Of the British and 



Goldfinch, ) I Anglo-Americans. 



jHIS very beautiful and familiar messenger of spring is 

 known throughout this continent from the 49th parallel 

 of north latitude to the savannas of Guiana and Suri- 

 nam. As summer approaches, the males cast off their olive- 

 colored winter suits, and appear in their temporary golden 

 livery, with the front of the head, wings, and tail of a deep 

 black, when they may be heard in concert, tuning their lively 

 notes, several sitting on the same tree enjoying the exhilerating 

 scene, basking and pluming themselves, and vying with each 

 other in pouring forth their varied, soft, and cheerful song. 

 When they sing all together, as they now do, it has a pleasing 

 effect; their favorite note resembles the word bdbee, or may be, 

 the last syllable protracted and much higher than the first. 

 They have also a note, which they utter when flying through 

 the air, that sounds somewhat like the word physician, pro- 

 nounced very rapidly. But the most beautiful part of their 

 song, is, when they raise and sink their voices in such a delight- 



