118 THE BIRDS OF SHERWOOD FOREST. 



own garden, overshadowing an arbour from which a 

 honeysuckle clambered upwards and entwined them 

 together, has often been selected by a pair of goldfinches, 

 their nest being always placed on the bough of a plum 

 tree. 



The nest of this species is an elegant structure, very 

 similar to that of the chaffinch, though if possible more 

 elaborate in its compact felting of wool and hair, but I 

 have rarely found any twigs used in its construction; 

 the exterior varies with the situation and the materials 

 to be obtained, sometimes being ornamented with moss, 

 at others with lichens, the last being most frequent. 

 The country people call the goldfinch the " proud tailor," 

 and truly, in the construction of its nest, it may well be 

 proud of its exquisite workmanship. 



The natural song of the goldfinch, though sweet, does 

 not possess much variety, but it is a good imitator, bears 

 confinement cheerily, and is therefore much prized as a 

 cage bird. If the young ones are taken before they can 

 fly, the parents will feed them readily if put in a cage to 

 which they can have access. The adult birds are very 

 easily caught in a trap-cage, and soon become reconciled 

 to their prison. 



The Siskin (F. spinus) is a rare bird with us, at least 

 as regards its visits; as a species it is abundant, and 

 when it does make its appearance it is always in large 

 flocks, but no one locality appears to have the preference, 

 nor do its migrations appear to be guided by any fixed 

 laws, but are fitful and uncertain. 



In our district I have only met with it three times 

 twice in the winter of 184*8, and again in February, 

 1854. It was in the first week in January in the former 

 year that I saw a large flock of sixty or seventy, who 



