IjO CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



The Goldfinch inhabits a much larger extent of country than most others of its race, being 

 found over the uhole of Europe, in Madeira, the Canary Isles, North-western Africa, a large part of 

 Asia, and even in Cuba. Districts rich in trees and plants are the favourite resorts of this bird, 

 from whence it flies over the surrounding country in search of food, frequently visiting our fields 

 and gardens, and enlivening us by its activity and beautiful song. When upon the ground, its 

 movements are decidedly slow and awkward ; but nothing can exceed its nimbleness in climbing, 

 and it may often be seen hanging from a twig head downwards, for whole minutes at a time. 

 Its flight, like that of its congeners, is light, rapid, and undulating; like them it hovers before 

 perching. It generally prefers the highest branch, upon which it sits bolt upright, with plumage 

 tightly compressed ; but its restless disposition prevents it from remaining for any great length of time 

 upon one spot. It is remarkably shy and peaceable in disposition, living upon excellent terms with 

 its feathered brethren, but preferring the society of the Titmouse. The song of the male is loud and 

 pleasing, and his voice may be heard throughout the whole year, except during the moulting season. 

 These birds subsist upon various kinds of seeds, principally those of the thistle tribe, so that wherever 

 the latter are found we may look for the presence of these pretty songsters ; indeed, a more pleasing 

 sight can scarcely be imagined than that of a party of Goldfinches, as they hang head downwards from 

 the thistle tops, and rob them of their seeds by the aid of their long and pointed beaks. In this 

 business the harsh, strong feathers upon the head are of great service, as they shield that part from 

 the prickly mass from which they pluck their food. During the summer, they destroy large quantities 

 of insects — indeed, upon these they feed their young, thus rendering inestimable service to mankind. 

 The nest is built upon a tree at about twenty or twenty-four feet from the ground, and is so carefully 

 concealed at the end of the branch upon which it is placed, as to be quite imperceptible until the 

 leaves fall. The female alone works at its construction, employing moss and fibrous roots for the 

 outer wall, and weaving these materials together in the most artistic manner with spiders' webs ; the 

 interior is then lined with thistle-down, which is kept in its place by the aid of horsehair or bristles. 

 The male bird sings with great vigour while the work progresses, but rarely assists his mate in her 

 labours. The brood consists of four or five delicate, thin-shelled eggs, of a white or blueish-grey 

 colour, lightly sprinkled with violet grey spots, which form a kind of wreath at the broad end. The 

 eggs are generally laid about May, and the parent birds breed but once during the summer. The 

 female sits upon the nest for thirteen or fourteen days, never leaving her brood for more than a few 

 moments ; her mate brings such food as she requires, and subsequently assists her to feed the young 

 for some time after they are fully fledged. The capture of Goldfinches is attended with but little 

 difficulty, and, though shy, they are easily tamed, and taught a variety of pleasing tricks. They will 

 pair with Canaries when caged, and the progeny have the colours of both parents most curiously 

 blended in their plumage. The food of these birds, when tamed, should consist of seeds and an 

 abundance of green-stuff ; but whilst nestlings, they must be fed upon bread soaked in water, until 

 their beaks have acquired a little strength. 



THE GOLDEN THISTLE-FINCH. 

 The Golden Thistle-finch (Astragalmus tristis), an inhabitant of the New World, is an 

 elegant creature, of about four and a half inches long and eight broad. This bird resembles 

 our Goldfinch in its appearance, the yellow plumage being varied by a black and white bordering 

 to its wings and tail-feathers. The beak and feet are brownish yellow, and the eyes dark brown ; 

 the coat of the female is deeper in its hues than that of her mate, and has no black spot on the 

 forehead ; in other respects it so exactly resembles its European congener, as to require no further 

 description, and Audubon tells us that their voices are so similar as to be scarcely distinguishable. 



