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AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 
Carduelis tristis, Linn. 
PLATE CLXXSI. — Male and Female. 
This species merely passes over the State of Louisiana in the beginning 
of January, 'and at that season is seen there for only a few days, alighting on 
the highest tops of trees near water-courses, in small groups of eight or ten, 
males and females together. They feed at that period on the opening buds 
of maples , and others that are equally tender and juicy. In the month of 
November they are again seen moving southwards, and for a few days only. 
A few breed in Kentucky and the State of Ohio, but the Middle Districts 
are their principal places of resort during summer, although they extend 
their migrations to a high latitude. They arrive in the State of New York 
about the middle of April ; and as they become very abundant in that State 
during the summer, I shall describe their habits as observed there. 
The flight of the American Goldfinch is exactly similar to that of the 
European bird of the same name, being performed in deep curved lines, 
alternately rising and falling, after each propelling motion of the wings. It 
scarcely ever describes one of these curves without uttering two or three 
notes whilst ascending, such as its European relative uses on similar occa- 
sions. In this manner, its flight is prolonged to considerable distances, and 
it frequently moves in a circling direction before alighting. Their migration 
is performed during the day. They seldom alight on the ground, unless to 
procure water, in which they wash with great liveliness and pleasure, after 
which they pick up some articles of gravel or sand. So fond of each 
other’s company are they, that a party of them passing on the wing will 
alter its course at the calling of a single one perched on a tree. This call is 
uttered with much emphasis : the bird prolongs its usual note, without much 
alteration, and as the party approaches, erects its body, and moves it to the 
right and left, as if turning on a pivot, apparently pleased at shewing the 
beauty of its plumage and the elegance of its manners. No sooner has the 
flock, previously on wing, alighted, than the whole party plume themselves, 
and then perform a little sweet concert. So much does the song of our 
Goldfinch resemble that of the European species, that whilst in France and 
England, I have frequently thought, and with pleasure thought, that they 
were the notes of our own bird which I heard. In America again, the song 
Vol. III. 22 
