98 GARDEN AND AVIARY BIRDS. 



THE EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Fringilla carduelis)* is of 

 course only known in India as an imported bird ; it does 

 not naturally range further East than Persia, where the 

 range of many European birds appears to end. Its gene- 

 ral appearance is well shown by Fig. 4 in Plate VI ; it is 

 unnecessary to describe its colouring in detail, as its bright 

 red face and yellow-and-black wings easily distinguish 

 it from other Finches. The hen is very like the cock, 

 being merely a little less bright and shorter in the bill ; 

 but the two need generally to be seen together for the 

 difference to be appreciated. Young birds, called ' 'grey- 

 pates" by English bird-fanciers, have streaky drab heads 

 with none of the red, white, and black markings which are 

 so striking in their parents. 



Goldfinches vary much in appearance, the Russian, 

 Siberian, and Persian birds, being much superior in size, 

 strength of bill, and beauty of colour to Western European 

 specimens. 



The Goldfinch is the prettiest and most interesting of 

 all European Finches, and is a great favourite with bird- 

 fanciers wherever it is found. Its song is only moderately 

 good, but its ordinary notes are sweet and cheerful, while it 

 is lively and active in its movements, and much more grace- 

 ful in form than Finches generally are. In the wild state it 

 feeds on the seeds of the thistle and other composite-flower- 

 ed plants whenever it can get them, and in captivity it will 

 eat, and indeed needs, an amount of hemp-seed which 

 would seriously upset most birds' internal arrangements. 



It will breed in confinement, and has done so even in 

 India, so Mr. B. B. Sanyal tells me ; in Europe it is seldom 



