YELLOW BIRD, OR GOLDFINCH. I3 



During the latter part of summer they are almost constant 

 visitants in our gardens in search of seeds, which they dis- 

 lodge from the husk with great address, while hanging fre- 

 quently head downwards, in the manner of the titmouse. 

 From these circumstances, as well as from their colour, they are 

 very generally known, and pass hy various names expressive of 

 their food, colour, &c, such as thistle bird, lettuce bird, salad 

 bird, yellow bird, &c. The gardeners, who supply the city of 

 Philadelphia with vegetables, often take them in trap-cages, 

 and expose them for sale in market. They are easily familiar- 

 ised to confinement, and feed with seeming indifference a few 

 hours after being taken. 



The great resemblance which the yellow bird bears to the 

 canary has made many persons attempt to pair individuals of 

 the two species together. An ingenious French gentleman, 

 who resides in Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania, assured me that he 



of the wings. It scarcely ever describes one of those curves, without 

 uttering two or three notes whilst ascending, such as its European rela- 

 tive uses on similar occasions. 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 and sand. So fond of each other's company are they, 

 that a party of them soaring on the wing will alter their 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 altera- 

 tion ; and as the party approaches, erects its body, and moves to the 

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

 the beauty of its plumage and elegance of its manners. 



This natural group has been long celebrated for their docility and 

 easy instruction, whether in music or to perform a variety of tricks 

 They are, consequently, favourites with bird-fanciers, and often doomed 

 to undergo a severe and cruel discipline. The goldfinch, canary, the 

 various linnets, the siskin, and chaffinch, are principally used for this 

 purpose ; and it is often astonishing, and almost incredible, with what 

 correctness they will obey the voice or motions of their masters. Mr 

 Syme, in his " History of British Song Birds," when speaking of the 

 Sieur Roman, who some years since exhibited goldfinches, linnets, and 



