AVES—GOLDFINCH...HONEY-GUIDE. 539 
tance, when perhaps the bird is perched on a tree over your head. I have 
however heard them sing in cages with great animation and energy. In the 
spring, they associate in flocks, to bask and dress themselves in the morning 
sun, singing in concert for half an hour together; the confused mingling of 
their notes forming a kind of harmony not at all unpleasant. Their flight 
is not direct, but in alternate risings and sinkings, twittering as they fly at 
each successive impulse of the wings. They search the gardens in num- 
bers, in quest of seeds, and pass by various names, such as lettuce-bird, 
sallad-bird, thistle-bird, yellow-bird, &c. They are very easily tamed. 
The yellow-bird is four inches and a half in length: the male is of a rich 
lemon color. The wings and tail are black, edged with white. In the fall, 
this color changes to a brown olive, which is the constant color of the fe- 
male. They build a nest in the twigs of an apple tree, neatly formed of 
lichen and soft downy substances. 
The other individuals of the finch or sparrow tribe, which inhabit the 
United States, are too numerous for us here to particularize. 
THE EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH}! 
Is the most beautiful bird which inhabits Europe, and is also one of the most 
docile and harmonious. It is of a gentle nature; soon becomes reconciled 
to the loss of freedom; and, as few birds are more intelligent and obedient, 
it may be taught a variety of entertaining tricks. Whenconfined, it delights 
to view itself in a mirror. From its fondness for thistle seeds, it is some- 
times called the thistlefinch. The female builds an admirably constructed 
and warm nest, generally in fruit trees, and lays five eggs. 

ORDER V.—ZYGODACTYLOUS BIRDS 
Brrps of this order have the bill of various forms, more or less curved, or 
much hooked, and often straight and angular; feet always with two tces 
before, and two behind, and the exterior hind toe frequently reversible. 
THE HONEY GUIDE. 
Tus remarkable bird is a native of Southern Africa, and has the facuity 
of pointing out to man, and to the quadruped called ratel, the nests of the 

1 Fringilla carduelis, Lix. 
2 Indicator major. The genus Indicator has the bill short, depressed, dilated on the 
sides, a little bent and notched at the point; ridge distinct; nasal furrow large ; nostrils 
basal, a little tubular; tarsus shorter than the ex ernal toe; the anterior toes united at the 
first joint ; wings with the third feather the longe +t. 
