THE GONE-BILLED PERCHERS. 241 



parent and children set up such an outcry, that it may be heard a 

 long way off. 



. The Grosbeak is not a very rare bird, although it is but 

 seldom seen. This fact is accounted for by its great shyness and 

 dread of mankind ; so that, although it 

 remains in this country throughout the 

 year, it seldom ventures out of the 

 thick woods in which it delights to 

 dwell. The nest of this bird is very 

 shallow, and slightly put together,, 

 being hardly superior to that of the 

 wood-pigeon. The eggs are from four ^^ Grosbeak, 



to six in number, of a greenish white, 



covered with dark marks and spots. The length of the Grosoeas 

 is seven inches. 



The Goldfinch, or Thistlefinch, so called on account of 

 its fondness for the down of the thistle, is one of our most beau- 

 tiful birds. Where thistles abound, small flocks of goldfinches 

 may be seen flying from hedge to hedge, and occasionally pecking 

 the white tops of the thistles. The tufted seed, of the dandelion 

 gr')undsel, and other plants, is also eaten by the Goldfinch. In 

 captivity it is very tame, and can be trained to perform a multitude 

 of tricks, the most common of which are, drawing its own food 

 and water with a chain and bucket, or firing a gun when com- 

 manded. The nest is very beautiful, being mostly made of wool 

 and down from various plants, and is usually placed on the ex- 

 tremity of a spray. The eggs are small, of a whitish tint, spotted 

 with orange brown. 



The Common Linnet frequents commons and neglected 

 pastures. Its song is very sweet, and many bird-fanciers suppose 

 that the mixed breed of a canary and a linnet has a sweeter song 

 than either bird. Its nest is usually built in the centre of a large 

 and dense bush. The eggs are five in number, greyish white, 

 speckled with red. 



The Greenfinch, or Green Linnet, is larger than the 

 common linnet. It frequents gardens, shrubberies, and cultivated 

 21 O 



