THE GOLDFINCH. 267 



[Car dwells elegans), a docile gentle bird, delighting 

 the eye both by its brilliant plumage and grace- 

 ful motion, while the strain, if not so rich and 

 varied as some others, is not deficient in melody. 

 When summer is not yet come, and only an occa- 

 sional gleam of sunshine makes us dream of spring, 

 while leaves are scarcely opening, and fiowers are 

 few, tlie song of the goldfinch is heard from the 

 orchard tree, and all the neighbourhood echoes to 

 its long continued strain. But wlien the joyous 

 month of May is in its glory of leaves, and the 

 trees are white or rose-tinted with their blossoms, 

 the song is richer and fuller in its tone, and salutes 

 tlie ear of him who goes at dawn of day to his 

 labours, and cheers him when again he seeks Jiis 

 lionie at evening. One grieves, while listening to 

 its happy tones, to think that when autumn 

 comes the bird-catcher may make our favourite a 

 captive. It is not prized as a cage bird so much 

 for its song, as for its docility in learning various 

 little accomplishments. Some of the birds, when 

 taken, are destined to mope and die in cages, 

 longing for that pure air and liberty for which 

 they are fitted ; but some will live, and apparently 

 enjoy life, even when deprived of all which Avould 



