YELLOW BIRD, OR GOLDEIJICII. 263 
^"d tail are black, the former tipt and edg^ed with white, 
interior webs of the latter are also white ; the fore 
l*,^rt of the head is black, the bill and legs of a reddish 
'^'iinanion colour. Thi.s is the summer dress of the 
"*“10 ; but in the month of September the yellow 
^'tHdually changes to a brown olive, and the male and 
*^®>nale are then nearly alike. They build a very neat 
^'d delicately formed little nest, which they fiisten to 
^Ile twigs of an apple tree, or to the strong branching 
dalks of hemp, covering it on the outside with pieces 
I'f lichen, which they tind on the trees and fences ; 
dicse they glue together ivith their saliva, and after- 
'''ardsline the inside with the softest dowmy substances 
^'>ey can iirocure. The female lays five white eggs, 
•“‘utly marked at the greater end ; and they generally 
“■tise two broods in a season. The males do not arrive 
their perfect plumage until the succeeding spring ; 
''■antiii"-, during that time, the black on the head, and 
white on the wings being of a cieam colour.^ In 
V month of Ajiril tliev begin to change their winter 
'•tess, and, before the middle of May, appear m brilliant 
•^ellmv : the whole pliiniage towards its roots is of a 
'^hslvv bluish black. 
Tlie .son"- of the yellow' bird resembles that of the 
S^ldfinch (S' Britain ; but is in general so weak as to 
appeal- to proceed from a (Uinsiderable distance, when 
l'®rtiaps the bird is perched on the tree over your head. 
* bare, however, heard some sing in cages with great 
«iiergy’aiid animation. On their first arrival in Penn- 
*'ylvmiia, ill February, and until early in April, they 
'“*sociate in flocks, frequently assembling iiF great 
I'tonbers on the same tree to bask and dress themselves 
*h the morning sun, singing in concert for half an hiiur 
b>gether ; the 'confused mingling of t heir notes forming 
* bind of harmony not at all unpleasant. 
About the last of November, and sometimes sooner, 
they generally leave Pennsylvania, and proceed to the 
^Rth; some, however, are seen even in tin! midst of 
^be severest 'winters. Their flight is not direct, but 
alternate risings and sinkings ; tw'ittering as they fly. 
