THE GOLDFINCH. 31 



Goldfinches generally fly in flocks during 

 the Winter season, haunting those fields 

 which abound with thistles, teasel, hemp, 

 dock, &c. on the seeds of which he feeds ; 

 during the Spring they are found in 

 shrubberies and orchards, where the female 

 builds her nest, with moss, dried grass, and 

 roots, lined with wool, hair, or the down of 

 thistles, placing it in general on fruit trees, 

 at a moderate distance from the ground. 

 The goldfinch begins to build in April, 

 when the fruit trees are in blossom. 



In their nature these birds are extremely 

 gentle and mild, and are very easily tamed, 

 seeming to regret the loss of liberty much 

 less than most others, as the old birds 

 will fall to their food almost immedi- 

 ately after they are taken ; they are also 

 remarkably docile, and may be taught 

 a number of tricks, such as to draw up a 

 little bucket, containing their seed or water, 

 to fire a cannon, turn a wheel, &c. &c. 



The young birds ought not to be taken 

 too soon, that is, not before they are well 

 feathered, as they are less apt to be 

 sullen than most other birds when taken 



