THE GOLDFINCH 



was almost exterminated from most parts of England some years ago ; but now 

 that bird-nesting has been to a great extent stopped, the species is gradually re- 

 covering its numbers, and may often be seen on many thistle-covered commons to 

 which it was long a stranger. In addition to Europe and western and central 

 Asia, the goldfinch also inhabits northern Africa, while it has been introduced into 

 New Zealand and Japan. 



Its favourite haunts are open lands on the borders of woods, plantations, 

 fields with trees, parks, and commons and other waste grounds. Thick forests 

 it studiously avoids. 



The food of this bird consists of seeds, more especially those of thistles 

 and burdocks, as well as those of the birch and the alder. As a rule, it seeks those 

 on the plants and trees themselves, and not on the ground ; and in picking out 

 the seeds from thistle-heads, it may be seen hanging head-downwards and in 

 various other graceful attitudes on the stems. From the nature of its food, the 

 goldfinch is, indeed, a most valuable bird both to the agriculturist and the 

 gardener, on whom it confers additional benefits by disturbing insects which take 

 up their quarters in its food-plants. It is, therefore, worthy of protection on two 

 grounds — its utility and the beauty of its plumage, to say nothing of its song. 



The nest is a beautifully made structure, nearly resembling that of the 

 chaffinch, and generally built by the female alone, who is cheered in her task by 

 the continuous song of the cock. It is frequently built in gardens, often at no 

 great distance from the house, generally at a height of from fifteen to twenty feet 

 above the ground, the most favoured situation being the fork of a bough, in which 

 it is so well secured that it will retain its place even when the tree is felled. The 

 four or five black-spotted bluish green eggs are laid by the female in May, and 

 are hatched in thirteen or fourteen days. The young remain in the company of 

 their parents for some time after they have left the nest. In many parts of the 

 Continent goldfinches collect in the autumn in large flocks, which in winter break 

 up into small parties of from ten to twenty birds. 



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