448 GOLDFINCH. Class II. 



neck with black ; the hind part of the head is 

 white ; the back, rump, and breast, are of a fine 

 pale tawny brown, lightest on the two last : the 

 belly is white ; the covert feathers of the wings, 

 in the male, are black ; the quil feathers black, 

 marked in their middle with a beautiful yellow ; 

 the tips white : the tail is black, but most of the 

 feathers marked near their ends with a white 

 spot : the legs are white. 

 Female. The female is thus distinguished from the 

 male : the feathers at the end of the bill are 

 brown ; those in the male black : the lesser 

 coverts of the wings are brown ; and the black 

 and yellow in the wings are less brilliant. The 

 young bird, before it moults, is grey on the 

 head ; and hence it is termed by the bird- 

 catchers a grey pate. 



Their note is very sweet, and they are much 

 esteemed on that account, as well as for their 

 great docility. Towards winter they assemble 

 in flocks, and feed on seeds of different kinds, 

 particularly those of the thistle. They are fond 

 of orchards ; and frequently build in an apple 

 or pear tree : their nest is very elegantly formed 

 of fine moss, liver-worts, and bents on the out- 

 side ; lined first with wool and hair, and then 

 with the goslin or cotton of the sallow. They 

 lay five white eggs, marked with deep purple 

 spots on the upper end. 



