3(3 THE GOLDFINCH 



llic nest whiih contains tlie young ones and Ijeguiles 

 his faitlifiil mate \\'\l\\ the varied modulations of his clear 

 song, liis free and tender strain. This song consists in 

 two strophes, or rather in a prehide and a cavatina, 

 Avliich are separately executed at longer or shorter inter- 

 vals. The melodious cavatina is set oil and enlivened 

 by brilliant llourishes, in which one can distinguish 

 three characteristic notes : Finch ! Finch ! Finch ! which 

 come back ever and anon like a roll-call. The male is 

 very proud of his musical talent, just as he is intensely 

 vain of his bright colours and brilliant plumage. He 

 probably thinks that his beauty excuses him from 

 bemeaning himself with vulgar household cares, and he 

 whiles away his time in self-indulgence, selfishness and 

 voluptuous idleness. 



^^hen the young ones are fledged and feathered and 

 strong enough to fly, the whole family takes its flight to 

 the fields. The goldfinch is a high liver, an epicure, fond 

 of choice and savoury seeds. In French this bird is called 

 chardonneret, that is, a lover of thistles, but in spite of 

 its name, it does not care for thistles, at least not until 

 cold weather sets in ; then it is often obliged to be con- 

 tent with such meagre fare. In autumn, these pretty 

 birds start of! in Hocks and go marauding about poppy 

 and rape fields. Of a very quarrelsome disposition, 

 they often have a fight with linnets, who haunt the 

 same parts, but the goldfinches are generally victorious ; 

 however, they also meet titmice and these birds, with 



