AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 
The billj^' says Edwards, "is much like 
that of our Goldfinch in shape, and also in 
being of a light flesh colour. The forehead 
is covered with black feathers ; the rest of the 
head, neck, breast, and back, are covered with 
bright yellow feathers. The thighs, lower 
belly, and covert-feathers both above and be- 
neath the tail, are of a yellowish white. The 
lesser covert-feathers of the wings are yellow- 
without, and whitish within ; the rest of the 
wing feathers are black : but the first and se- 
cond rows of coverts have white tips a little 
shaded with brown ; and part of the quills 
also, next the back, have light tips and borders. 
The tail has twelve feathers, pretty equal in 
length, and of a black colour : the inner webs 
of the outer feathers are white toward their 
tips ; and the insides of the quills, and under 
side of the tail, are of a dark ash colour. 
The legs and feet are of a flesh colour." 
This is Edwards's description of the Cock 
American Goldfinch. The Hen," he tells 
us, ** has tlie bill and legs coloured as in the 
Cock. She wants the black spot on the head ; 
the top of the head, neck and back, are of an 
olive 
