GOLDFINCH. 103 



we have observed that their nests are not readily met with ; 

 either they are well concealed, or they are placed too high 

 for observation, this species being known to build frequently 

 in elms of considerable height, and often as high as thirty 

 feet from the ground. When thus placed, the nest is within 

 a foot of the top of the tree, and usually supported in the 

 fork of a small branch. 



The eggs of this species, five or six in number, are pale 

 sea-green or greenish-white, more or less freckled round the 

 larger end with reddish-brown, and marked with a few fine 

 dark hairs or specks. The native song of the Goldfinch 

 is sweet and varied : and in its manners, when caged, it 

 is most gentle, affectionate, and confiding. The great do- 

 cility of this species is too well known to need much com- 

 ment, and has caused it to be taught many curious and amus- 

 ing tricks. We ourselves possessed a bird which had been 

 taught to lay itself down in its master's hand at command, 

 as if dead ; which it performed admirably : and such was 

 the retentiveness of its memory, that after it had been nearly 

 two years in our possession without practising this feat, it 

 repeated it again the instant it was called upon to do so. 



In their winter habits these birds are gregarious, but do 

 not collect in such numerous flocks as do some of the finch 

 tribes, their flights rarely amounting to more than twenty or 

 thirty. When feeding together they often utter a sociable 

 chirping note. 



The entire length of the Goldfinch is five inches. The 

 wing measures from the carpus to the tip three inches, and 

 the first three quill-feathers are nearly equal in length ; the 

 beak measures five lines from the forehead ; the tarsi six 

 lines, and the tail, which is much forked, extends little more 

 than half an inch beyond the points of the folded wings. 



The bright and varied colours of this finch render it 

 one of the most attractive of our native species ; they are 



