112 THE GOLDFINCH, RED-BREAST. 



THE YELLOW BIRD, OR GOLDFINCH. 



This beautiful little songster makes its appearance in 

 America about the first of April, and soon sets about build- 

 ing its nest upon an apple tree or shrub. This is very 

 neatly and delicately formed, and in it five young ones are 

 hatched. 



The song of the Yellow Bird is pleasant, but so feeble 

 that it seems to be at a distance, when perhaps he is 

 perched over your head. He flies in a peculiar manner, 

 rising at each impulse of the wing, and then sinking in a 

 graceful bend towards the ground. As he flies easily 

 along, he utters his cheerful and pleasing note, and appears 

 as happy as the most favoured of the careless and innocent 

 creatures, who live upon the bounty of Providence. 



THE RED-BREAST. 



Of all birds this is the most familiar. The beauty of its 

 form, the vivacity of its motions, and the confidence it 

 seems to repose in man, all unite to secure it .from annoy- 

 ance. Add to this, several popular prejudices which 

 operate in its favour, and which seem to prevail in every 

 country where it is known. It feeds on insects, eats crumbs 

 of bread, when its usual food fails ; and, while other birds 

 are ready to perish with cold and hunger, it seeks the 

 shelter of a house or cottage, in which it is generally a 

 welcome guest. 



The song of the Redjbreast is remarkably soft and sweet, 

 and the more to be valued, as we enjoy it during the 

 greatest part of the winter, when the other feathered 

 choristers are silent. In summer, indeed, it is equally 

 musical ; but then its modest notes are undistinguished in 

 the general warble of the choir. 



Thomson marks by a just and elegant description, the 

 domestic habits of this bird during winter; but it is, 

 perhaps, as much indebted to the ballad of " the babes in 

 the wood," for its universal favour and esteem with us, as 

 to any combination of other causes whatsoever. Indeed, 

 not only our poets, but our painters, have exerted their 

 respective talents in recommending this innocent songster 

 to our attention ; and surely, where genius labours to im- 

 prove our sensibilities and to awaken our most generous 

 passions, it demands our love and respect. 



