80 BRITISH BIRDS’ EGGS. 
GOLDFINCH. 
CaRDUELIS ELEGANS, Steph. 
Pl. XIL., figs. 1-3. 
Geogr. distr.—Western Palearctic Region, and as far eastward as 
Turkestan; generally distributed and partially resident in Great 
Britain, but rare in the north of Scotland. 
‘ood.—Berries, seeds, flower-heads of weeds, young leaves, and 
insects in all stages,. 
Nest.—Neatly constructed of moss and lichens interwoven with 
rootlets and wool; lined with thistle-down, short downy feathers, and 
horse-hair; it is small, cup-shaped and compact. 
Position of nest.—Outer branches of chestnut, poplar, or fruit 
trees, or in a non-evergreen bush; Hewitson, however, mentions a 
nest found by him “ at the top of a lofty laurel.” 
Number of eggs.—4-5 ; rarely 6. 
Time of nidification.—V-VI. 
This species frequents small groves, gardens or orchards 
in the vicinity of fields; I used formerly to take its nest 
occasionally in Kent; but during the last few years I 
have only once or twice seen the bird, and have not come 
across its nest; the zeal of professional bird-catchers 
probably does much to reduce the numbers of this much 
admired bird, but certainly less than the increasing cultiva- 
tion of so-called waste land, and the consequent destruction 
of the weeds, upon the seeds, flower-heads, and leaves of 
which they feed. 
The nest, though less compact than that of the Chaffinch, 
is, on the whole, not unlike it, and is placed in similar 
situations; the young are probably fed chiefly with small 
caterpillars. 
Speaking of the places which the Goldfinch most affects, 
Mr. Seebohm says (Hist. Brit. Birds, vol. ii, p. 88) “It may 
often be seen in country orchards, and appears to have a 
partiality for the neighbourhood of houses, and near them 
it most commonly builds its nest.” 
The Goldfinch is often paired with the canary when kept 
in confinement ; its song is not quite so loud, but almost as 
pleasing, as that of the Linnet. 
