176 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
The “ Linnets” are much more common and generally dis- 
tributed through this State than formerly, and are gradually 
becoming quite fearless of man. They are now so tame as 
often to build their nests in hedges, and on account of their 
several attractions should be allowed to increase, in spite of 
the injuries that they may do us in spring. They resemble in 
habits the Pine Grosbeaks, from the irregularity of both their 
appearance and abundance from year to year. In studying 
the Purple Finches, one must not confuse their song with that 
of the Warbling Vireo,*9 or even with those of the Robin and 
some other birds, nor the notes already mentioned with those 
of the Great Crested Flycatcher 5° and Blue Bird.5! 
IV. CHRYSOMITRIS 
(A) tristis. (American) Goldfinch. ‘Yellow Bird.” ? 
“Thistle-bird.” 
(Common in New England throughout the year, but more 
abundant in summer than in winter. Like the Cedar-birds, they 
breed very late in the season.) 
(a). About 42 inches long. (from April Ist, until Sep- 
tember 20th?), bright yellow, ‘inclusive of lesser wing-cov- 
erts.” Crown, wings, and tail, black. Upper tail-coverts, whit- 
ish; but wing-markings and tail-spots entirely white. 9, 
dusky olivaceous yellow above; paler or yellowish beneath. 
Wings and tail less purely colored than in the male, who in 
winter resembles the female, though much browner. 
(b). The nest is usually composed of fine grasses (or strips 
of bark), and is lined with down from thistles and other plants, 
but sometimes with hairs. It is quite deep or cup-shaped, but 
is substantial, neat, and compact. It is placed in a pasture- 
bush, a shade-tree (especially on roadsides), perhaps an apple- 
tree, or a like situation, commonly between five and twenty 
feet above the ground, and almost invariably in a crotch. I 
have known it to be just completed as early as the twelfth of 
49§13, I, D. 60§ 19, II, A. 51§2, 
52 There is a warbler (§ 9, X, A) also called the Yellow Bird. 
