PASSERINE BIRDS. 



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nests begins shortly after the pairing of the birds, and all must admire the cunning with which the 

 female selects a suitable spot, and fully appreciate the popular idea that a Siskin's nest is invisible. 

 The locality fixed upon is generally the extreme end of a thick, lofty branch, the foliage of which 

 entirely conceals the little domicile. Fir and pine-trees are frequently selected for nidification, and so 

 perfectly does the exterior of the nest resemble the branch upon which it is placed, that it is only 

 recognisable when seen from above, in which position it is betrayed by its rounded interior — indeed, 

 so completely is it hidden from observation, that a servant sent by us into a tree to discover the nest, 

 was about to descend without it, even though it lay but two feet distant from him ; and had we not 

 recommended him to strip the branch by removing one twig after another, he probably would have 

 sought for it in vain. This plan, however, succeeded, and the prize was secured. The skill with which 

 these little creatures conceal their young has prevented any one from having seen the nest in progress 

 of erection, and will account for the old-fashioned legend that the Siskin builds with invisible stones — 

 for so very great is the difficulty of distinguishing these structures from the surrounding branches, that 

 few naturalists have succeeded in finding them. The progress of the work is extremely rapid. The two 

 birds that we saw laboured alternately, each waiting while the other supplied fresh materials, and then 

 flew together in search of what more was required, bringing back beakfuls of dry twigs, wool, or moss, 

 which they tore from the bark of the trees. It was curious to see the little creatures prepare the wool, 

 with which the nest is lined, by holding it with the foot while pulling it out with their beak to render it 

 soft and elastic. In some other instances that have come under our notice, the female alone constructed 

 the nest, the male keeping near her during the whole time. When busy in the preparation of their 

 dwelling, these little birds testify no uneasiness if watched or approached, though they have been 

 known to leave a partially constructed nest, and commence another. The vicinity of water is always 

 preferred in the choice of a tree on which to build. The nests vary considerably in their appearance. 

 They are formed of twigs and moss, bound strongly together with cobwebs, and lined with feathers, 

 hair, and various kinds of delicate fibres. The walls are very thick, and the central cavity deep. The 

 breeding season usually commences about the beginning of June, but young fledged birds have been 

 seen as early as May. The eggs, which resemble those of the Brown Linnet, differ remarkably from 

 each other in size, shape, and colour, but are, for the most part, of a whitish-blue or blueish-green, 

 marked with a variety of spots and veins. The female alone sits upon the eggs, remaining on the nest 

 from the time that the first is laid. The Siskin has been known to breed in captivity. 



THE GOLDFINCH. 

 The Goldfinch ( Carduelis elegans) may be considered as the type of a group that has but few 

 representatives, the only other species with which we are acquainted being an inhabitant of the West 

 Indies. The Goldfinches are distinguished by their long, conical, compressed beak, bent slightly at 

 the tip ; short strong legs, tail of middle length, and variegated exterior. The featiiers of both sexes 

 are alike in their colouring, but the young bear no resemblance to the parents. The length of the 

 male is about five inches, its breadth eight and three-quarter inches. The female is not quite so 

 large. The tail measures two inches, and the wing two and a quarter inches from the shoulder to the 

 tip. The plumage is most beautifully marked and ornamented (see Coloured Plate V.) ; the beak, 

 which is flesh-coloured at the base and blue at the tip, is surrounded by a black circle, and this again 

 is encompassed by a broader band of red. The back of the head and part of the otherwise white 

 cheeks are black. The back is brown, the belly white ; and the sides of the upper part of the breast 

 light brown ; the wings and tail black, streaked with white, and the quills golden yellow at the root. 

 The two sexes are so much alike that it requires a practised eye to distinguish, them, though the male 

 has somewhat more red on the face and a deeper black upon the head than the female. 

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