I2 YELLOW BIRD, OR GOLDFINCH. 



The song of the yellow bird resembles that of the goldfinch 

 of Britain ; but is in general so weak as to appear to proceed 

 from a considerable distance, when perhaps the bird is perched 

 on the tree over your head. I have, however, heard some 

 sing in cages with great energy and animation. On their 

 first arrival in Pennsylvania, in February, and until early in 

 April, they associate in flocks, frequently assembling in great 

 numbers on the same tree to bask and dress themselves in the 

 morning sun, singing in concert for half an hour together ; the 

 confused mingling of their notes forming a kind of harmony 

 not at all unpleasant* 



About the last of November, and sometimes sooner, they 

 generally leave Pennsylvania, and proceed to the south ; some, 

 however, are seen even in the midst of the severest winters. 

 Their flight is not direct, but in alternate risings and sinkings ; 

 twittering as they fly, at each successive impulse of the wings.f 



* Carduelis of Brisson, having types in the common goldfinch and 

 siskin of this country, is now generally used as the generic appellation 

 for the group to which our present species belongs. It contains several 

 American and European species. They are closely allied to the true 

 linnets ; and the lesser red-poll (the Fringilla linaria auctorum). has 

 even by some been ranked with them. They also much resemble the 

 latter group in their manners, their haunts, their breeding, and feeding. 

 Every one who has lived much in the country, must have often re- 

 marked the common European gray linnets, in the manner above 

 described of the American goldfinch, congregating towards the close of 

 a fine winter's evening, perched on the summit of some bare tree, plum- 

 ing themselves in the last rays of the sun, chirruping the commence- 

 ment of their evening song, and then bursting simultaneously into one 

 general chorus ; again resuming their single strains, and again joining, 

 as if happy, and rejoicing at the termination of their day's employment. 

 Mr Audubon has remarked the same trait in their manners, and con 

 firms the resemblance of their notes : " 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." — Ed. 



t The flight of the American goldfinch, and its manners during it, 

 are described by Mr Audubon with greater minuteness : it is exactly 

 similar to the European bird of the same name, being performed in deep 

 curved lines, alternately rising and falling, after each propelling motion 



