3 o 4 GOLDFINCH. Clafs Hi 



are brown -, in the male black : the lefTer coverts of" 

 the wings are brown: and the black and yellow in 

 the wings of the female are lefs brilliant. The young 

 bird, before it moults, is grey on the head ; and hence 

 it is termed by the bird-catchers a grey pate. 



There is another variety of goldfinch, which is, 

 perhaps, not taken above once in two or three years, 

 which is called by the London bird-catchers a cheverel> 

 from the manner in which it concludes its jerk : when 

 this fort is taken it fells at a very high price : it is 

 diftinguiflied from the common fort by a white {freak 

 or by two, and fometimes three white fpots under the 

 throat. 



Their note is very fweet, and they are much 

 efteemed en that account, as well as for their 

 great docility. Towards winter they aiTemble 

 in flocks, and feed on feeds of different kinds, parti- 

 cularly thofe of the thiftle. It is fond of orchards •, and 

 frequently builds in an apple or pear tree : its neffc is 

 very elegantly formed of fine mofs, liverworts, and 

 bents on the outfide ; lined firfr. with wool and hair, 

 and then with the goflin or cotton of the fallow. It 

 lays five white eggs, marked with deep purple fpots 

 on the upper end. 



This bird feems to have been the xwy^tw * of 

 A'riftotle ; being the only one that we know of, that 

 could bediftinguifhedby & golden fillet round its head, 

 feeding on the feeds of prickly plants. The very 



* Which he places among the McuSoQay*, Scaligsr reads the 

 word ««7QfMjT§if i which has no meaning; neither does the critic 

 foppon his alteration with any reafons. Hijl. an. 887. 



in- 



