a2Z2, BIRDS—FRINGILLID.. 
fine rootlets and hair. The eggs are light green, spotted chiefly about the 
larger end, with light rusty-brown. They measure .71 by .50. 
CHRYSOMITRIS TRISTIS (L.) Bp. 
American Goldfinch; WYelow-=-bird. 
Fringilla tristis, AUDUBON, Orn. Biog., 1831, 172.—KIRTLAND, Ohio Geolog. Surv., 1838, 
164 —ReEaD, Proc. Phila. Acad Nat. Sc2., vi, 1853, 395. 
Carduelis tristis, AUDUBON, B. Am., tii, 1841, 129. 
Chrysomitris tristis, WHEATON, Ohio Agric. Rep. for 1860, 365; Reprint, 1861, 7; Food of 
Birds, ete., Ohio Agric. Rep. for 1374, 566; Reprint, 1875, 6—LANGDON, Cat. Birds 
of Cin., 1877, 8; Revised List, Journ Cin. Soc. Nat. Hist., i, 1879, 174; Reprint, 8. 
American Goldfinch, KIRTLAND, Fam. Visitor, 1050, 140.—BaLLou, Field and Forest, iii, 
1878, 136. 
Fringilla tristts, LUNN US, Syst. Nat., i, 1766, 320. 
Carduelis tristis, BONAPARTE, Obs. Wils , 1825, No. 96. 
Chrysomitris tristis, BONAPARTE, List, 1838, 33. 
Male in summer rich yellow, changing to whitish on the tail coverts; a black pateh 
on the crown; wings black, more or less edged and barred with white; lesser wing- 
coverts yellow; tail black, every feather with a white spot; bill and feet flesh-colored. 
In September the black cap disappears and the general plumage changes to a pale 
flaxen brown above, and whitey-brown below, with traces of the yellow, especially 
about the head ; this continues till the following April or May. Female olivaceous, in- 
cluding the crown; below soiled yellowish; wings and tail dusky, whitish-edged ; young 
like the female. Length, about 42; wing, 2%; tail, 2. 
Habitat, North America generally. 
Abundant resident, less common in winter. Breeds. The Yellow-bird 
is almost too well known to require further description. Its bright colors, 
undulating flight, plaintive note, and fondness for the seeds of thistles, 
lettuce, and sunflowers, render it more conspicuous than many birds of 
larger size. It resembles more northern birds in its gregarious and erratic 
habits. In spring’ they are found in large flocks, especially delighting 
in willow trees, where they sing in concert a confusing melody of high 
notes. They are fond of water, and like the common yellow butterflies, 
gather in numbers on the borders of streams, and puddles of water by the 
roadside. 
The Yellow-bird breeds late, with us, usually in July. The nestis built 
in trees. Often the shade trees or fruit trees in cities are chosen, and 
they appear to be the only birds breeding with us whose nest is ever placed 
in a peach treé. It is usually from fifteen to twenty feet from the ground, 
‘and built of moss, grass, and small vegetable fibres, thickly lined with 
vegetable down. 
The eggs are five, light bluish-white, unmarked. They measure about 
-65 by .52. 
