THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 53 



and they are therefore often disliked by gardeners ; but their 

 usefulness, in other respects, far more than counterbalances 

 the trifling injuries they produce. 



After being caught in trap cages, they feed as if quite con- 

 tented ; but, should it happen to be in the spring that they lose 

 their liberty, and have thus been deprived of the pleasures 

 anticipated from the previous union of a mate, they linger for 

 a few days, pine away, and die. They are very fond of 

 washing and bathing themselves, in clear shallow water, when 

 the weather is mild, after which, they are engaged in picking 

 up particles of sand and gravel, from which the fancier may 

 take a useful hint. 



It is stated that it is more difficult to procure a mule, or 

 hybrid, between this species and the Canary, than between 

 the latter and the European goldfinch, although the cross has 

 often been made with success. 



