22 



NEST AND EGGS OF THE GOLDFINCH. 



PLATE XXII. 



Goldfinches sometimes build their nest in hedge 

 bushes ; sometimes, as in the present instance, on the 

 extreme branch of some tall tree, where they can con- 

 ceal it among the leayes. 



This nest was built on a branch of the greater ^map- 

 ple~tree, commonly called plane-tree, or sycamore. 



Several leaves were displayed like an umbrella over 

 the nest ; others hung down about the sides thereof. 

 The tree was at that time in blossom. 



The outside of the nest consists of various kinds of 

 moss, very neatly platted together with small blades of 

 dried grass, and a few small roots. The next coat 

 consists of down gathered from the receptacle of the 

 common -^ dandelion, mixed amongst which I find many 

 of the yellow florets of the aggregate. The innermost 

 coat or lining consists of very fine down, mixed with 

 a few small fibres of roots. 



The depth of the cavity is an inch, the diameter 

 little more than two inches. 



The Goldfinch lays five or six eggs. They are 

 white, marked with spots of a dark brown-red, as 

 figured on the bottom of the plate. 



* Acer pseudo-platanus., + Leontodon taraxacum. 



