454 



The Goldfinch. 



part of their food when they can be obtained. In orchards 

 and fruit plantations Goldfinches are particularly useful, as 

 they clear off as food for their young quantities of the Apple 

 Aphis [Aphis mail) and of the Apple Sucker [Psylla malt), as 

 well as of the destructive caterpillars of the Winter Moth 

 [Cheivtatohia hrumatd). After nesting, the Goldfinch feeds 

 upon weeds, weed seeds, and grains. Before the weed seeds 

 are ripe it eats the flower-heads of chickweed, groundsel, and 

 other soft weeds. Afterwards it takes the seeds of thistles of 

 several species and of other plants which have winged seeds, 

 docks, plantains, burdock, dandelions, groundsel, sorrel, 

 chickweed, and of various cruciferous plants, such as charlock, 

 wild mustard, and other objectionable w^eeds. 



In short, the Goldfinch is one of the most useful birds to 

 cultivators ; and it is without doubt, next to the kingfisher, 

 the most beautiful of all British birds, vying in its bright 

 colouring with some of the brilliant species in tropical 

 climates. The necessity of taking steps for the preservation 

 of this useful and harmless bird has been recognised by its 

 inclusion in the schedule of birds protected by the Wild 

 Birds Protection Act of 1880, and, moreover, several local 

 authorities have further protected it by prohibiting the 

 taking and destruction of its eggs. 



