FINCHES. 155 



others will repeat it four or five times following." 

 It has the advantage, also, of being continued 

 in confinement during the greater part of the 

 year, being interrupted only during the period of 

 moulting. 



In a wild state this beautiful and pleasant little 

 bird is found in all parts of Europe ; it is spread 

 commonly, though not abundantly, over the Bri- 

 tish Islands, decreasing, however, towards the 

 northern parts. It flits hither and thither in 

 small flocks, frequenting, in spring, gardens and 

 orchards. In the autumn and winter, the flocks 

 are somewhat more numerous, being reinforced 

 by the birds of the season, and .they now seek 

 waste places occupied by syngenesious plants, or 

 such as have their seeds often furnished with 

 down, arranged on a sort of head or broad cushion. 

 The common thistles are great favourites with 

 this bird ; and hence both its scientific appella- 

 tion of Carduelis (carduus, a thistle, Lat.) 9 and 

 its German name of Distelfink, or Thistle- 

 finch. The groundsel, also, which ripens its 

 seed throughout the whole year, is eagerly sought 

 by the Goldfinch. 



" I love to hear the Goldfinch twit and twit, 

 And see him pick the groundsel's feathered seeds ; 

 And then in bower of apple-blossom perched, 

 Trim his gay suit, and pay us with a song."* 



" If watched," observes Mr. Yarrell, " while 

 thus feeding, they may be seen climbing and cling- 

 ing in all directions about the stems, picking out 

 their favourite portions. If approached too near, 

 the little party, one by one, move off to the next 



* Hurdis's Evening Walk. 



