CXXXVII. 



CARDUELIS ELEGANS. (Stephens.) 



Goldfinch. 



I HAVE no where seen the Goldfinch so abundant as it is 

 in the Midland Counties of Derby, Nottingham, and Leices- 

 ter, where it is universally known by the absurd name of 

 Proud Tailor. 



Most of the gardens and orchards which surround the 

 various villages and farm houses, are their resort during the 

 summer months. 



The favourite position for their nest, in such situations, is 

 similar to that chosen by the Chaffinch, the bough of an 

 apple, or of a pear tree ; when in the neighbouring inclo- 

 sures, that of a low elm. It is also frequently built in ever- 

 gi-eens. The eggs from which the accompanying dramng is 

 made, were selected from a nest containing the unusual 

 number of six, which was built at the top of a lofty laurel, 

 in the garden of my friend Mr. F. Simpson, who had for 

 weeks (during the long and protracted spring,) previous to the 

 discovery of the nest, noticed the constant resort of the birds 

 to that particulai' tree, upon which they seem to have fixed 

 their choice, on their first arrival in the neighbourhood. 



The nest was of beautiful construction, and reminded me 

 much (surrounded as it was by the leaves of the laurel,) of 

 those diminutive homes of the Humming Bird, which are fre- 

 quently brought to this countr)^, circled by evergreen leaves. 



The nest is very small and is sometimes a good deal like 

 that of the Chaffinch in neatness of outline, altliough 

 without its compactness of form ; it contains also a much 



