66 
The Goldfinch 
Partial 
Migration 
live a happy, nomadic existence. Their undulating mode of flight ex- 
presses joy and exultation, and their singing seems the voice of content- 
ment and happiness. Even in winter, when the fields are brown and the 
trees are bare, a flock of Goldfinches adds the charm of life to an other- 
wise dead outlook. 
The Goldfinch migrates, but not to the extent that the truly migra- 
tory species do. Most Warblers, for instance, desert their summer 
homes, and, making long journeys, spend the winter 
beyond the United States ; Goldfinches move south- 
ward from the snowy North only, so that in winter 
they may be found in most of the States south of the Great Lakes and 
Connecticut. Their breeding-range embraces all the United States north 
of about the 35th parallel of latitude, as far west as the Rocky Mountains, 
and northward throughout the civilized regions of Canada. Several 
closely related races or subspecies of the Goldfinch dwell in the West, 
and on the Mexican border, but they are so much like the eastern one 
that it may be said Goldfinches are found in a large part of North 
America. 
Goldfinches are very cleanly in their habits, indulging frequently in 
baths. The border of a shallow pool is therefore an excellent place to 
study this species. During the breeding-season, indeed, each pair seems 
to have a well-defined route from the nest to a common watering-place. 
An evergreen or a deciduous bush or tree may be chosen as a resi- 
dence, and the nest may be near the ground, or at a 
considerable height, lodged safely within forking 
twigs. The nest itself is an exquisite piece of bird- 
architecture, compactly built of dried grasses, leaves, and strips of bark, 
and especially of shredded hempen materials. The inside of the nest is 
lined with the softest plant-down. The structure is sometimes so solidly 
built that it will hold water like a cup. The mother-bird is the builder of 
this tasteful home, her handsome consort, during the nest-building time, 
devoting most of his time and strength to singing, which, doubtless, cheers 
his industrious mate. After the four to six bluish-white eggs have been 
laid the singing partner has more work to do, for he has to feed his 
brooding wife. His frequent visits are always announced with a sweet 
conversational song, which he seems able to give even when his bill is 
filled with seeds. 
These leaflets are published to induce the boys and girls of the 
country to keep their eyes wide open and see things out of doors. One 
of the things we want to know is why Goldfinches 
T,ate?° nest so ^ ate * n t ^ ie season > after most birds are done 
with domestic duties. July and August are the months 
most of them choose for this purpose. Surely, it seems a strange season 
for nest-building and the care of young ! Do they select this time because, 
before that date, nature has not provided food suited to the needs of 
their nestlings ? 
The Goldfinch is extremely fond of the seeds of thistles — a most 
Nest and 
Eggs 
