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AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 



Carduelis tristis, Linn. 

 PLATE CLXXXI.— Male and Female. 



This species merely passes over the State of Louisiana in the beginning 

 of January, and at that season is seen there for only a few days, alighting on 

 the highest tops of trees near water-courses, in small groups of eight or ten, 

 males and females together. They feed at that period on the opening buds 

 of maples, and others that are equally tender and juicy. In the month of 

 November they are again seen moving southwards, and for a few days only. 



A few breed in Kentucky and the State of Ohio, but the Middle Districts 

 are their principal places of resort during summer, although they extend 

 their migrations to a high latitude. They arrive in the State of New York 

 about the middle of April; and as they become very abundant in that State 

 during the summer, I shall describe their habits as observed there. 



The flight of the American Goldfinch is exactly similar to that of the 

 European bird of the same name, being performed in deep curved lines, 

 alternately rising and falling, after each propelling motion of the wings. It 

 scarcely ever describes one of these curves without uttering two or three 

 notes whilst ascending, such as its European relative uses on similar occa- 

 sions. In this manner, its flight is prolonged to considerable distances, and 

 it frequently moves in a circling direction before alighting. Their migration 

 is performed during the day. They seldom alight on the ground, unless to 

 procure water, in which they wash with great liveliness and pleasure, after 

 which they pick up some particles of gravel or sand. So fond of each 

 other's company are they, that a party of them passing on the wing will 

 alter its course at the calling of a single one perched on a tree. This call is 

 uttered with much emphasis: the bird prolongs its usual note, without much 

 alteration, and as the party approaches, erects its body, and moves it to the 

 right and left, as if turning on a pivot, apparently pleased at shewing the 

 beauty of its plumage and the elegance of its manners. No sooner has the 

 flock, previously on wing, alighted, than the whole party plume themselves, 

 and then perform a little sweet concert. So much does the song of our 

 Goldfinch resemble that of the European species, that whilst in France and 

 England, I have frequently thought, and with pleasure thought, that they 

 were the notes of our own bird which I heard. In America again, the song 



Vol. III. 22 



