GOLDFINCH. 



lesser wing-coverts are brown, and the other colours gene- 

 rally are less brilliant. 



In young birds of the year, which for distinction's sake 

 are called by the bird-catchers and bird-dealers, Branchers, 

 the whole of the head, neck, back, and sides of the chest, 

 are nearly uniform greyish brown ; the other parts resem- 

 ble in colour those of the female. " The black begins to 

 appear on the head of the young Goldfinches about the 

 middle of September, and the red at the end of that month. 

 On one which was kept in confinement, the black colour 

 first showed itself on the 1st of October, and was perfect on 

 the first of November ; the face was covered with a dull 

 orange, much mixed with black ; it is some time before the 

 head assumes its perfect covering." 4 



* Field Naturalist's Magazine. 



