THE GOLDFINCH. 147 



form a distinct species, and they give them the name of Fir 

 Goldfinches, because they saj'^ tliey always build in fir forests. 

 Those that do not exceed the size of the redbreast, they call 

 Orchard Goldfinches, because they suppose they always build 

 in orchards. But these differences and pretences are imaginary, 

 because both are found of different sizes, the orchard goldfinch 

 large, and the fir, or wood goldfinch, quite small. The young 

 ones that are hatched first are always stronger and larger than 

 those hatched last, because they often carry off the food in- 

 tended for the latter, and, therefore, being better fed, they be- 

 come larger and stronger. This is sufficient to explain the 

 difference of size in different individuals of the same species. 



The following varieties are better established: — 1. The 

 goldfinch, with a yellow breast; 2. With a white head; 3. 

 With the head black — ^four young ones of this variety were 

 found in the same nest ; 4. The white goldfinch ; 5. And the 

 black goldfinch, this being either entirely black, which often 

 liappens in a cage, from giving it too much hemp seed, or from 

 old age ; or it only retains the yellow spot on the wings, which 

 is also occasioned by captivity. M. Schilbach, superintendant 

 of the menagerie of Cassel, tried an experiment on a whole 

 brood. He deprived the birds of the light of the sun, even 

 covered the cage with a piece of cloth, and, by these means, 

 obtained very black goldfinches, with only the yellow spot on 

 the wings ; but they changed colour after moulting. Those in 

 which the black does not change are very old. It is, in fact, 

 a sign of approaching death. 



Habitation. — In their wild state goldfinches are found in all parts of 

 Europe, frequenting orchards, brambles, thickets, and mountainous dis- 

 tricts, interspersed with wood and fields, during the summer. These 

 birds are stationary, not changing their haunts in winter; they merely 

 assemble in the autumn in families, or rather in little flocks of fifteen or 

 twenty, seeking here and there places abounding in thistles, and only 

 when the snow becomes too deep leaving such localities for others more 

 accessible. 



In the house, if kept in a cage, this should be a square one, because 

 these birds do not like hopping about the upper part, as they would be 

 forced to do, if in a bell- shaped cage, and also inclined to swing round. 

 When they run on the floor they should be given a small aitificia] tree for 

 a roost ; for they like to perch on this whilst singing as well as sleeping. 



Food. — Their food, when wild, consists of all kinds of small seeds, euch 

 as lettuce, goats'-beard, scorzonera, thistle, radish, and canary seed. 

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