Class II. GOLD FINCH. 451 



whether it is a disticnt species or a variety of the 

 Goldfinch, he cannot pretend to determine, as 

 it never fell under his observation, and was not 

 seen in the present year. (1811.) 



The Nichol is considerably less than the Gold- Descrip- 

 finch. The fore part of the head of the male 

 has a spot of dark red, almost approaching to 

 black ; the hinder part of the head dusky brown, 

 as is the whole back and wings, except a feather 

 or two in the latter, which are of a dingy yellow ; 

 the tail is rather forked ; the belly of an ash- 

 color, dashed M^ith brown irregular spots ; the 

 note jerking, and rather hoarse, which is heard 

 when the bird is in motion ; the neck very 

 short ; the nest much like that of the Goldfinch, 

 but less, as are the eggs : it seems to prefer 

 the white-thorn, especially if mixed with honey- 

 suckles. Ed.] 



2 G 2 



