Ii6 Land Birds of New England 



some individuals always winter with us. He may 

 be looked for in weedy pastures, but especially in 

 the neighborhood of seeding sunflowers and thistles. 

 Indeed, his devotion to this latter plant has gained 

 for him the name of the " thistle bird." 



Except at the breeding season goldfinches are 

 usually found in small flocks ; at that time they 

 separate into pairs. The nest is placed at a mod- 

 erate height in a crotch of a bush or deciduous 

 tree, usually near the roadside. It is commonly 

 built in late June or early July ; but the time varies 

 considerably, as does also the time of egg-laying. 



The flight is undulating, consisting of alternate 

 risings and sinkings, and is accompanied by a call 

 which has been translated into the syllables, pretty- 

 little-bird, or per-chick-o-pee. In addition, the birds 

 when at rest give forth a song which, while not 

 strong, is clear and liquid. Song begins in the 

 vicinity of New York usually between the middle 

 of March and the middle of April. It continues 

 sometimes to the end of August, but there is no 

 second song-period. 



LITERATURE: 



Little Brothers of the Air. OLIVE THORNE MILLER. 



