104 GOLDFINCH. 



now almost extirpated warren, the chase, the moorland, and 

 the wild waste of the mountain side. 



In Scotland it is not uncommon in Aberdeenshire, and 

 near Elgin, but is said to be rare in the neighbourhood of 

 Edinburgh, and to be so now in Linlithgowshire, though 

 formerly very abundant there. It is an occasional visitant 

 to Zetland. 



In Ireland it occurs throughout the four provinces; but 

 Mr. Thompson, of Belfast, has remarked how capricious it is 

 in its comings and goings. 



They abide with us throughout the year, but roam about 

 the country, and appear to be observed in the greatest num- 

 bers together in the spring: the flocks generally consist of 

 not more than twenty or thirty. 



In procuring its food, the Goldfinch often permits your 

 near approach, seeming regardless of it, intent upon its one 

 main object. It is very pleasant to watch them fluttering 

 over the stems of the thistle, hanging on in various attitudes 

 about them, and scattering about the down in picking out 

 the seeds. On a sudden the little flock, probably the family 

 of the summer, flit off, twittering their lively notes. 



They are easily tamed, and have been taught by those 

 who might employ their time much more profitably, to per- 

 form various tricks. They are sometimes seen in large, and 

 sometimes in very small, but generally in moderate-sized 

 flocks, and they also associate occasionally with Linnets. 

 Severe winters prove fatal to many. In their wild state two 

 instances have been known of the female pairing with the 

 Greenfinch, and rearing the young, and in confinement with 

 the Siskin and the Canary. They roost in trees. 



The late William Thompson, Esq., of Belfast, records that 

 liandal Burough, Esq., of the county of Clare, had two tame 

 Goldfinches which were allowed not only to fly about the 

 room, but also through the open window. The winter was 

 beginning ^to be severe, and the food suitable for small birds 

 consequently scarce, when one day the two birds brought with 

 them a stranger of their own species, who made bold to go 

 into the two cages that were always left open, and regale 

 himself on the hospitality of his new friends, and then took 

 his departure. He returned again, and brought others with 

 him, so that in a few days half-a-dozen were enjoying the 

 food provided for them. The window was now kept up, and 

 the open cages, with plenty of seed, were placed on a table 



