AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 101 



Allen furnishes the earliest record of the 

 three, having noted a Redpoll within the 

 grounds on February 12, 1907. On the sec- 

 ond occasion a lone bird was seen passing 

 over northward on April 21, 1907, at the 

 end of a season in which the species had 

 been abundant in the suburbs in winter 

 flocks. On the third occasion three birds 

 were flying over westward in the morning 

 of November 22, 1908. In both the later 

 instances the birds gave their character- 

 istic calls. 



42. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 



Astragalinus tristis 



The Goldfinch, or Thistle-bird, never has 

 failed to make several appearances in the 

 Garden each spring and again in October 

 and November. The earliest appearances 

 of the species were on April 10, 1908, when 

 seven birds were present, some singing, and 

 on April 1 1, 1902, when a single bird singing 

 was noted. There have been but three other 

 April records, namely, April 22 and 23, in 

 1902 and 1903 respectively, and April 30, 



