8o 



British Cage Birds. 



nape of the neck is a narrow rim of paler brown than 'the 

 back; the thighs are grey. 



It is found in all parts of Great Britain and Ireland. The 

 largest and most handsome birds are those that are 

 caught among the hills and mountains in Cumberland and 

 Westmoreland. Those most valued by mule breeders are the 

 " Cheverals," which are usually paler and brighter in colour, 

 and are distinguished by a white patch extending through 

 the middle of the red which surrounds the throat, and the 

 broader and fuller this patch is, the more valuable is the 

 bird on this account. The next in estimation for breeding 

 purposes is the '-'Pea Throat," which is known through its 

 having a round white spot, in form and size of a small pea, 

 in the centre of the red band encompassing the lower mandible. 

 The *'Cheveral" is termed the "King of Goldfinches," and 

 the Pea Throat " the Prince." Some bird-fanciers con- 

 sider these a different breed, but as the white marks above 

 mentioned are the only observable distinction, there is little 

 doubt that it is merely a freak of Nature, though birds 

 of the description mentioned bring a much higher price than 

 the ordinary ones, as they are very scarce, and consequently 

 much sought after. 



The Goldfinch appears in its most perfect plumage 

 after the third moult, and at each moult the red band, or, 

 as it is more frequently termed, the "flourish," extends in 

 circumference, the cheeks and belly become whiter ; the brown 

 clearer, lighter in colour, and altogether brighter and more 

 pleasing to the eye ; the legs grow paler, and more of a 

 flesh-colour, though Goldfinches, when house-moulted, have 

 white or flesh-coloured legs. Young birds, and those that 

 are improperly moulted, are generally more dingy in colour 

 than birds that have been newly caught. The wild birds 

 that winter in this country are less beautiful in colour than 

 those which winter in a warmer climate. 



Habits and Breeding. — Goldfinches are only partially 

 migratory in their habits, as many of them — chiefly consisting 

 of the last two broods and the parent birds — winter in this 

 country. These travel in companies of from twelve to twenty, 

 and keep closely together in search of food ; bat those which 

 band together with the intention of migrating, travel in flocks, 

 which sometimes consist of hundreds, and their instinct leads 



