THE GOLDFINCH. 145 



far as I have observed, is the seed of the common thistle and 

 meadow thistle, and occasionally the ragweed plants which no 

 prudent husbandman thinks now-a-days of allowing to grow till 

 the seed is perfected. Lanarkshire is yet frequented by small flocks, 

 and even in the vicinity of Glasgow stray birds are occasionally seen 

 by the bird-catchers during severe frosts, when they become an easy 

 prey to these artful trappers. In Renfrewshire, Ayrshire, and some 

 parts of Argyleshire, Goldfinches are still sparingly distributed, 

 being more easily observed, however, in the winter season during 

 the time of snow, when they become conspicuous on their perch on 

 the tops of tall weeds standing above the white surface. Their habits 

 are at these times a very interesting study; yet one cannot help 

 feeling sorry for the poor frozen-out birds, as at best they seem but 

 ill-fitted to stand the rigours of our northern climate. The siskin, 

 although so nearly allied, is a much hardier bird, and will brave 

 even the roughest weather with impunity. Writing in 1813, Don, 

 in his Fauna of Forfarshire, states regarding the Goldfinch, that 

 " this bird has never been plentiful since the hard winter of 1795, 

 which destroyed many," a recurrence of which disaster appears to 

 have taken place in 1823, as mentioned by Mr Macgillivray. This 

 sensitiveness to cold is doubtless another cause of their gradual 

 disappearance from districts where at one time they were common. 



From old parish records I find that in 1794 goldfinches were 

 found in abundance in Ross-shire, especially in the parishes of 

 Kilmuir- Wester and Suddy. Until within these few years past, 

 it was a well-known bird in the vicinity of Dingwall, but the 

 recent rapid advancement in the agriculture of both Strathpeffer 

 and Strath Conon has rooted out many spots which were formerly 

 attractive to the species; hence it is now but seldom seen there. 

 During a residence of some weeks in that beautiful district in 

 1868-69, I failed to notice it in any of the straths or glens I 

 visited. 



The Goldfinch seems to vary greatly in size. A specimen from 

 Ireland, now before me, is 4| inches in length; another from 

 Dumfries is 5 inches. The first named has a white throat ; both 

 were killed in April, and when placed together, the Irish bird 

 looks as if it must have been, when in the flesh, only half the size 

 and weight of the other. 



