AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. I73 



a little sweet concert. So much does the song of our Goldfinch resemble 

 that of the European species, that whilst in France and England, I have 

 frequently thought, and with pleasure thought, that they were the notes 

 of our own bird which I heard. In America again, the song of the Gold- 

 finch recalled to my remembrance its transatlantic kinsman, and brought 

 with it too a grateful feeling for the many acts of hospitality and kind- 

 ness which I have experienced in the " old country." 



The nest also is perfectly similar to that of the European bird, being 

 externally composed of various lichens fastened together by saliva, and 

 lined with the softest substances. It is small and extremely handsome, 

 and is generally fixed on a branch of the Lombardy Poplar, being some- 

 times secured to one side of a twig only. I have also found it in Alder 

 bushes, a few feet above the ground, as well as in other trees. The fe- 

 male deposits from four to six eggs, which are white, tinged with blush, 

 and marked at the larger end with reddish-brown spots. They raise only 

 one brood in a season. The young follow the parents for a long time, 

 are fed from the mouth, as Canaries are, and are gradually taught to ma- 

 nage this themselves. When it happens that the female is disturbed while 

 on her nest, she glides off to a neighbouring tree, and calls for her mate, 

 pivoting herself on her feet, as above described. The male approaches, 

 passes and repasses on the wing at a respectful distance from the intruder, 

 in deeper curves than usual, uttering its ordinary note, and when the un- 

 welcome visitant has departed, flies with joy to his nest, accompanied by 

 the female, who presently resumes her occupation. 



The food of the American Goldfinch consists chiefly of seeds of the 

 Hemp, the Sun-flower, the Lettuce, and various species of Thistle. Now 

 and then, during winter, it eats the fruit of the Elder. 



In ascending along the shores of the Mohawk river, in the month of 

 August, I have met more of these pretty birds in the course of a day's 

 walk than anywhere else ; and whenever a thistle was to be seen along 

 either bank of the New York Canal, it was ornamented with one or more 

 Goldfinches. They tear up the down and withered petals of the ripening 

 flowers with ease, leaning downwards upon them, eat off the seed, and 

 allow the down to float in the air. The remarkable plumage of the male, 

 as well as its song, are at this season very agreeable ; and so familiar are 

 these birds, that they suffer you to approach within a few yards, before 

 they leave the plant on which they are seated. For a considerable space 

 along the Gennessee river, the shores of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and 



