Goldfinch. Wild Canary. Thistle-Bird 



His gentle ways and sweet disposition are never-failing 

 antidotes for discontent. One cannot be long near a 

 flock of these birds without being impressed by the refine- 

 ment which seems to mark their every note and action. 



CHAPMAN. Bird Life. 22 



Among the commonest sounds in the country in late 

 summer are the clusters of notes from the goldfinch in 

 its wavy flight far overhead, one cluster in each undula- 

 tion, and to be precise synchronizing with its wing- 

 vibrations, which occur in the last or rising half of each 

 wave. 



PARKHURST. The Birds' Calendar. 31 



Just listen to him some day as he flies away from his 

 nest, singing over to himself in tones of exquisite love and 

 tenderness his sweet bay-bee, bay-ee-bee. 



FLORENCE A. MERRIAM. Birds Through an Opera Glass. 2 



Their flight is expressive of their joyous nature, and 

 as they bound through the air they hum a gay per-chic-o- 

 ree, per-chic-o-ree. 



CHAPMAN. Handbook of Birds. 21 



Why this brief vision of golden filigree that seems 

 suddenly flung across my fancy? What is the talisman? 

 "I've cheated ye, per chick o pee, per chick o pee." What 

 but the tiny goldfinch that has passed overhead in its 

 looping flight, festooning the ether in glowing drapery of 

 black and gold, each embroidered loop pinned with a 

 wisp of song. 



GIBSON. Strolls by Starlight and Sunshine. 33 



71 



