GOLDFINCH. 149 



tie ways and sweet disposition are never-failing antidotes 

 for discontent. One can not be long near a flock of 

 these birds without being impressed by the refinement 

 which seems to mark their every note and action. They 

 show, too, a spirit of contentment from which we may 

 draw more than a passing lesson. Hear me, hear me, 

 dearie, they call as they feed among the weeds or on the 

 birch buds, and, no matter how poor the fare, they seem 

 thankful for it. The seeds of the dandelion, thistle, and 

 sunflower are among their favorites ; and if you would 

 attract Goldfinches as well as some other birds, devote a 

 corner of your garden to sunflowers. 



The meal finished, the birds launch into the air, and to 

 the tune of a cheery per-chw-o-ree, per-chlc-o-ree, go 

 swinging through space in long, bounding undulations. 



In April the males regain their bright colors, but they 

 are evidently believers in prolonged courtship, and, al- 

 though the nuptial dress is acquired so early, housekeep- 

 ing is apparently not thought of until June. Then a neat 

 home of bark and fine grasses, thickly lined with plant 

 down, is placed in a bush or tree, five to thirty feet from 

 the ground, and in it are laid three to six pale, bluish- 

 white eggs. 



Now the song season has reached its height. Chorus 

 singing has been abandoned. Each bird has become an 

 inspired soloist, who, perched near his home or flying in 

 broad circles about it, pours forth a flood of melody. It 

 is an exceedingly attractive song, sweet and varied and 

 suggesting a Canary's, but still is no more like it than a 

 hothouse is like a tropical forest. 



Creak, creak, the notes are clear but faint, and may 

 Purple Finch, come from any place beyond arm's reach. 

 Carpodacuspnrpurevs. They are the Purple Finch's flight- 

 Plate LIII. ca ]] g . one m ig a t think his wing-joints 

 needed oiling. Alighting on the topmost twig of a 



