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THE GOLDFINCH, 



Called also, in some parts of England, 

 the Thistlefinch, on account of its fondness 

 for the seeds of that plant, is equally 

 remarkable for the beauty of its plumage 

 and the docility of its disposition ; the 

 forehead and chin are of a most beautiful 

 scarlet; the cheeks are white; the back of 

 the head is of a jet black, which is carried 

 forward like a collar towards the throat; 

 a streak of the same colour runs from the 

 bill to the eyes ; immediately behind the 

 black on the back of the head, is a patch 

 of white that separates it from the back, 

 which, with the rump, are of a cinnamon 

 colour ; the breast and belly are white ; 

 the tail is black, tipped with white, as are 

 also the wings, with the exception of a bar 

 of yellow, which runs across them, and 

 some spots of white. The female is no- 

 thing near so brilliant in its plumage, and 

 the black, instead of being of a beautiful 

 jet, is dull, and inclines rather towards grey. 



