630 BIRDS. 



young bird, before it moults, is grey on the head ; and hence it is 

 termed by the bird catchers a grey- pate. 



There is another variety of goldfinch, which is, perhaps, not 

 taken above once in two or three years, which is called, by the 

 London bird-catchers, a cheverel, from the manner in which it 

 concludes its jerk : when this sort is taken, it sells at a very high 

 price ; it is distinguished from the common sort by a white streak, 

 or by two, and sometimes three white spots, upder the throat. 



The note is very sweet, and they are much esteemed on that 

 account, as well as for their great docility. Toward winter they 

 assemble in flocks, and feed on seeds of different kinds, particu- 

 larly those of the thistle. It is fond of orchards, and frequently 

 builds in an apple or pear tree: its nest is very elegantly formed 

 of fine moss, liver-worts, and bents on the outside ; lined first with 

 wool and hair, and then with the goslin, or cotton of the sallow. 

 It lays five white eggs, marked with deep purple spots on the upper 

 end. 



This bird seems to have been the xpvvQiutpis* of Aristotle: 

 being the only one, that we know of, that could be distinguished 

 by a golden fillet round its head, feeding on the seeds of prickly 

 plants. The very ingenious translator (Dr. Martyn) of Virgil's 

 Eclogues and Georgics, gives the name of this bird to the acalarim 

 this or acanthis, 



Littoraque alcyonen resonant, acanthida dumi. 



In our account of the Halcyon of the ancients, we followed his 

 opinion ; but having since met with a passage in Aristotle, that 

 clearly proves that acanthis could not be used in that sense, we 

 beg, that, till w e can discover what it really is, the word may be 

 rendered linnet; since it is impossible the philosopher could dis- 

 tinguish a bird of such striking and brilliant colours as the gold* 

 Jineh, by the epithet xano%fOOf, or bad coloured; and as he 

 celebrates his acanthis for a hue note. <pcovyv juJv tot Xtyvpav %8ff7j 

 both characters will suit the linnet, being a bird as remarkable for 

 the sweetness of its note, as for the plainness of its plumage. 



\_Pennant. 



* Which he places among the atiavSoqaya. Scaliger reads the word (vroptrfit, 

 which has no meaning ; neither does the critic support his alteration with any 

 reasons. Hist. an. 88T. 



