542 



MY GARDEN. 



The Lesser Redpole (Fringilla Linotd) comes to us in autumn. The 

 common Linnet (Fringilla cannabina, fig. 1166) visits the garden in 

 scanty numbers. This is peculiarly the poor man's bird. It appears to 



FIG. 1164. Starling. Fir " 1165. Bullfinch. 



be much excited when it "pours forth his song in gushes," and I shall 

 ever remember the delight which a caged bird, kept by a neighbour, 

 afforded to me once when I was confined to bed for a few days in 

 early spring. 



" Books ! 'tis a dull and endless strife : 



Come, hear the woodland linnet, 

 How sweet his music J On my life 

 There's more of wisdom in it." WORDSWORTH. 



Only one or two of the beautiful Goldfinches (Fringilla Carduelis, 

 fig. 1167) have been noticed. The Goldfinch has become much more 



FIG. 1166. Li 



FIG. 1167. Goldfinch. 



scarce in the southern counties of England than it used to be. I have 

 seen large flocks farther down, on the Brighton downs, but even there 

 they have of late years materially decreased in number. One of the 

 great charms of the redpole and of the goldfinch is the manner in 



