132 
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 
myself. They measure a trifle more than live and a half eighths in length, 
by four and a half eighths in breadth, and are very obtuse at one end and 
sharp at the other. My friend Dr. Bachman informs me, that “ although 
this bird is not uncommon in the maritime districts of South Carolina during 
winter, it has not been observed to breed nearer than one hundred miles 
from Charleston.” Dr. T. M. Brewer states, that “ it remains through the 
year at Boston, breeds in large numbers, and is seen during winter in great 
flocks, in dull plumage, constantly flitting about.” 
Abundant in the Middle and Western Districts during summer. Acci- 
dental to the Southern States during winter. Columbia river and Fur 
Countries. Abundant. Migratory. 
American Goldfinch, Fringilla tristis, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 20. 
Fringilla tristis, Bonap. Syn., p. 111. 
Carduelis Americana (Edwards) American Goldfinch , Swains. & Rich. F. Bor. 
Amer., vol. ii. p. 268. 
Yellow-bird or American Goldfinch, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 50 7. 
American Goldfinch, Fringilla tristis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 172 ; vol.v. p. 510. 
Bill rather slender, second and third quills longest. Male rich lemon- 
yellow, fading behind into yellowish-white ; upper part of head, wings, and 
tail black ; smaller coverts yellow, quills margined, and secondary coverts 
tipped with yellowish-white ; inner webs of tail-feathers in their terminal 
half white. Female brownish-olive above, without black on the head ; fore 
neck and breast greyish-yellow, the rest of the lower parts greyish-white. 
Young like the female, as is the male in winter. 
Male, 4£, 8. 
The Common Thistle. 
Cnicus lanoeolatus, Willd., Sp. PI., vol. iii. p. 1666. Fursch, Flora Amer., vol. ii. 
p.50G. Smith , Engl. Bot., vol. iii. p. 388.— Syngenesia Polygamia a:qualis, Linn. 
ClN AROCEPH ALA5, J USS. 
This* well known species of thistle , common in the temperate and colder 
parts of both continents, it is unnecessary to describe. 
