THE BRITISH GOLDFINCH. 53 



3rd to 5th emarginated outer webs. Longest secondary between 

 7th and 9th primaiies, square-tipped with shallow notch. Tail 

 fairly well forked. Bill thickish at base, tapering gradually to 

 longish sharp point. Short bristle-like feathers directed forward 

 cover nostrils and at gape. 



Soft parts. Bill pinkish-white with black-brown tip ; legs 

 and feet pale flesh ; iris dark brown. 



CHARACTERS AND ALLIED FORMS. For difference of Cardudis c. 

 cardudis see under that form. C. c. tschusii (Corsica, Sardinia), 

 C. c. parva (Madeira, Canaries, Azores), C. c. africanus (north-west 

 Africa), C. c. major (Siberia, Turkestan), and other forms differ 

 in size of whig, size and shape of bill, and in shade of colouring. 



FIELD-CHARACTERS. Crimson and bands of white and black on 

 head, broad yellow band on black wings, and white spots on 

 wings and tail distinguish it from all other British finches. Has 

 a butterfly-like appearance as it flutters about seeding heads of 

 thistles and other composite plants. Usual note, uttered per- 

 sistently, whether bird is perched or flying, is a characteristic, clear, 

 liquid " twit " ; song, pleasing rather than loud, is an elaboration 

 of this. 



BREEDING-HABITS. Breeds in gardens, orchards, avenues, etc., 

 placing nest far out on spreading boughs. Occasionally also in 

 hedges, and evergreens. Nest. Neatly built of roots, bents, 

 moss, and lichens, interwoven with wool, generally lined down, 

 wool ; hair sometimes added. Eggs. 4-5, occasionally 6 or 7 ; 

 bluish-white ground-colour with few spots and streaks of red- 

 brown, sometimes very dark, and ashy shell-marks. Generally 

 more boldly marked than Linnets' eggs. Average of 100 eggs, 

 17 X 12.8mm. Breeding-season. Begins early May, exceptionally 

 April, but most eggs of first brood laid second half May. Incu- 

 bation. Lasts 13-14 days ; performed by hen. Fledging -period. 

 13 days. Usually two broods. 



FOOD. Seeds and insects, but chiefly former. Of seeds, thistles 

 are great favourites, but many other weed -seeds are eaten and, it 

 is said, also small seeds from cones. Of insects, small coleoptera, 

 larvae of lepidoptera, diptera, hymenoptera, and aphides. 



DISTRIBUTION. Confined to British Isles. British Isles. Resident, 

 local, but generally distributed, and increasing except in Ireland 

 where decreasing ; scarce and local and often rare northern 

 Scotland and only scarce vagrant O. Hebrides, Shetlands, and 

 Orkneys. 



MIGRATIONS. British Isles. Flocks and migrates locally autumn 

 and winter (regular, east coast end of Sept. to first week Nov.), and 

 some may emigrate. Passing birds (possibly of British form) 

 have been noted in spring in various counties (cf. Bull. B.O.C., 



