plantains. Like other finches, too, it feeds its young on 
caterpillars and grubs, in great part those of highly in- 
jurious insects, and varies its own diet in a similar way. 
And against this can be set no counterbalancing mischief. 
Goldfinches steal no grain, root up no seedlings, damage 
ee no fruit. They are friends to the 
farmer without any qualification 
whatever. 
Like chaffinches, these birds 
are most accomplished builders. 
The site chosen for the nest is 
usually the extremity of a thickly 
leaved branch, where it 
cannot possibly be seen 
from below ; and as the bird 
very seldom enters or leaves 
it directly, it is by no means 
f easily discovered. The 
materials of which it is 
made differ a good deal, 
74 
