AMERICAN EDITOR. 309 



of red-breast in preference to the English bird, since his 

 colors never change; and, should some mute straggler 

 appear in the leafless groves of January or February, as 

 occasionally happens as far north as the Mohawk, his 

 jacket will be found still warmly dyed in red. In several 

 particulars, however, the two birds resemble each other ; 

 both are partial to the neighborhood of man ; both have 

 the reputation of being somewhat pugnacious in temper 

 as regards their fellows, and both are remarkable for 

 their fine, large eyes. At page 164, the author alludes 

 to this peculiarity of the English robin, and the reader 

 will observe the size of the same feature in our American 

 bird. 



NOTE X. 



THE GOLDFINCH, (fringUla carduelis) p. 167. 



The goldfinch of Europe, is in some respects very like 

 our own. " So much does the song of our goldfinch re- 

 semble that of the European species," says Mr. Audubon, 

 "that while in France and England, I have frequently 

 thought, and with pleasure thought, that they were the 

 notes of our own bird which I had heard." The flight of 

 both, in deep, curved lines, alternately rising and falling, 

 their manner of gathering in flocks, their way of feeding, 

 are also similar. 



The goldfinch of Europe has a very varied plumage ; in 

 some parts of England, it si called thp " Sheriff's man," 

 from its gay livery, and also the " Seven Colored Linnet," 

 from the varied tints of scarlet, black, white, gray, brown, 

 and gold color blended in its markings. It is widely dif- 

 fused throughout Europe, where it is a favorite cage-bird. 

 The docility of these finches, and their quickness at learn- 

 ing tricks, are remarkable; at an exhibition in London, 



