47 
GOLDFINCH. 
Fringilla Carduellis, 
" Nay, we'll have music ; let that sweet breath, at least, 
Give us her airy welcome." 
When all are lovely and interesting, how difficult it 
is to fix one^s choice ! How often have I seen ladies 
who have gone to the green-houses and nursery^ 
gardens expressly for the purpose of selecting plants 
to adorn their balconies and conservatories, but, when 
there, unable to determine which to select, among 
the numerous sweets and beauties that surrounded 
them ! thus do I feel at a loss which of the feathered 
race to present first to the notice of my readers ; 
but the goldfinch having been, from my earliest 
infancy, my most especial favourite, (owing to my 
frequently reading Gowper^s beautiful lines to that 
