BIRDS' NESTS AND EGGS. 



THE GOLDFINCH. 



HIS beautiful little bin! 

 builds a nest of the first 

 rank in point of constructive 

 skill and neatness. Though it 

 breeds at a surprisingly rapid 

 rate^ it is a regrettable fact to 

 learn that its numbers are 

 gradually becoming smaller 

 in this country^ and mainly 

 through the profit its cap- 

 ture afEords. Despite being 

 much harassed by the bird- 

 catching fraternity to supply 

 the demand for it as a cage 

 pet, if not actually approving 

 of confinement, it seems to 

 prefer the close proximity of 

 man, often selecting as a 

 nesting situation gardens and 

 orchards, and has even been 

 known to build in rose-bushes 

 and other trees trained against 



