or three hundred yards of where I am now sitting. 
This species is more or less abundant throughout Europe, 
except in the extreme north, and is certainly one of the 
typical birds of Spain. In Northamptonshire we have 
an annual autumnal passage of Goldfinches on their 
southward migration, but I think that our home-bred 
birds seldom leave us, except under an unusual stress 
of winter weather. About two years ago we caught 
two young Goldfinches, in which the rich mouse-brown 
colour of the normal type was replaced by a creamy 
buff. I merely mention this as I am informed that 
wild-bred varieties of this species are not often met with 
in this country. 
