THE GOLDFINCH 



Like the goldhammer, the goldfinch is 



one of our rare singing birds whose smart 



costume harmonizes with its melodious, sono- 



^^ rous voice. Old Belon the naturalist says : « it 



f^- is a bird of finer colour than any other we 



y^ have in France. » Its pretty, arch little head 



-'^^^' i^ covered with a black hood which is 



;3/^ joined by a black line to its ivory-coloured 



neck ; the upper part of the face is covered by a 



sort of crimson velvet mask, through which two arch, 



dark brown eyes are glistening. Its whitish neck and 



breast of the same colour, its black wings s|)otled 



with gold, its brown back and spotted white tail, 



