GOLD-FINCH. 
*34 
the back are of a redifh afh- colour ; the rump, 
bread, and fides of the fame, but a little paler; 
the belly whitifh, the wings and tail black ; only 
the tips of the principal feathers in both are 
white ; beJicles, the wings are adorned with a 
molt beautiful tranfverfe broke of yellow or 
gold colour. 
I lliould not have been fo particular in de- 
fcribing the colours of this bird, but I think 
the great variety that Nature has painted it 
with, wherein it excels all fmall birds, at leaft 
what are found in this part of the world, make 
it deferving of the beft character that can be gi- 
ven it ; yet, by reafon of age, fex, or other ac- 
cidents, they fometimes vary from thofe co- 
lours " 
They are of fo mild and gentle a nature, that, 
prefently after they are caught, without uling 
any art or care, they will fall to their meat and 
drink : nor are they fo affrighted at the pre- 
fence of a man as mofl other birds are wont to 
be, nor very much troubled at their imprifon- 
* The mofl lingular of thefe varieties is the white Gold- 
Finch, being wholly of that colour except the fore-head, 
which is pale red, and the outer edge of the quills, which is 
yellow. One of thefe is now (1791) in the pqffeflxon of her 
Grace the Dutchefs of Buccleugh, at Smeton houfe, and an- 
other in that of a Lady at Mufielburgh. They were taken 
from the fame nefl, along with two others which were ol 
the ordinary colour, and ;us now about eight years old. 
