TWITE. GOLDFINCH. 81 



counties about Dublin, and exposed for sale in the metropolis. 

 On a few occasions it has been noticed by us in a wild state 

 at Bray Head, Lambay, and at Queenstown in Cork ; but 

 although well sought for in each locality, the nest in no in- 

 stance was obtained. 

 Indigenous. 



GENUS XXXVIII CARDUELIS (GOLDFINCH). 



SPECIES 77 THE GOLDFINCH. 



Carduelis elegans. Selby. 

 Gros-bec chardonneret. Temm. 



THE GOLDFINCH, as regards its varied colours of bright yel- 

 low, black, and vermillion, is the most beautiful of our finches, 

 and, at the same time, the most self-opinionated little fellow 

 in the entire order ; perfectly cognizant of its beauish perfec- 

 tions, it takes every opportunity of displaying its attractions, 

 but possessing the most harmless, lively, and docile habits, 

 we overlook its faults, if any, and at once admit it to our con- 

 fidence. 



Like the twite, we seldom observe the goldfinch unless in 

 the cages of the " fancy," and, though occasionally we meet 

 with it in a wild state in the county of Dublin, it is always 



ire, and only increases in numbers as we approach Meath. 

 At one time much more common than at present, the conti- 

 nual forays of the bird-catchers have so thinned their num- 

 bers that now they are but rarely seen. 



The habits of the goldfinch, where they occur in plenty, 

 are well worth our attention, and the evolutions of a large 

 flock are interesting in the extreme. Arriving at a field well 

 provided with ban chere of thistles and ragwort, they sweep 

 round or half across its extent, as if perfectly heedless of the 

 banquet below ; approaching the extremity, and apparently 

 changing their intention, they return, and, suddenly dropping 

 towards the ground, each bird flutters and shows its beautiful 

 plumage to the best advantage, while hovering over the 

 thistles with which the field is covered. In a moment the 

 entire flock, yielding to the temptation, are actively engaged 

 pulling and tearing at the thistles in search of the pericarp, 

 whilst all are making the field musical with their blithe, mel- 

 low call-notes of satisfaction. 



The song of the goldfinch, although pleasing, is deficient of 

 the mellow and beautiful modulation of the more humbly at- 

 tired linnet ; and it is, perhaps, chiefly for its plumage and 



