40 



THE GOLDFINCH 



colours and tarnishes that lustre of that brilliant garb of 

 wliifh he was so proud. His beautiful crimson mask 

 takes an ugly sandy hue, and the bright golden spots on 

 his wings grow dull. The beautiful, lively, merry bird 

 grows coarse looking and vulgar, and if by chance a wild 

 dapper goldfinch, proud of his freedom, passes near the 

 cage where the ])ooi- prisoner is captive, he hardly recog- 

 nises a friend and brother in the dull, coarse-looking, ill- 

 mated l)ircl, who lias lost his golden spots behind his gra- 

 ting and who works like a galley-slave, piteous to behold, 

 in the coiupanv of a jealous and peevish canary-hen. 



