or three hundred yards of where I am now sitting. 

 This species is more or less abundant throughout Europe, 

 except in the extreme north, and is certainly one of the 

 typical birds of Spain. In Northamptonshire we have 

 an annual autumnal passage of Goldfinches on their 

 southward migration, but I think that our home-bred 

 birds seldom leave us, except under an unusual stress 

 of winter weather. About two years ago we caught 

 two young Goldfinches, in which the rich mouse-brown 

 colour of the normal type was replaced by a creamy 

 buff. I merely mention this as I am informed that 

 wild-bred varieties of this species are not often met with 

 in this country. 



