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T H E AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.
FRINGILLA TRISTIS, L I N N.
P L A T E X X X I I I . M A L E A N D F E M A L E .
T H I S 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 occasions.
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 particles 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
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 173
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 of the Goldfinch
recalled to my remembrance its transatlantic kinsman, and brought
with it too a grateful feeling for the many acts of hospitality and kindness
which I have experienced in the " old country."
The nest also is perfectly similar to that of the European bird, being
externally composed of various lichens fastened together by saliva, and
lined with the softest substances. It is small and extremely handsome,
and is generally fixed on a branch of the Lombardy Poplar, being sometimes
secured to one side of a twig only. I have also found it in Alder
bushes, a few feet above the ground, as well as in other trees. The female
deposits from four to six eggs, which are white, tinged with blush,
and marked at the larger end with reddish-brown spots. They raise only
one brood in a season. The young follow the parents for a long time,
are fed from the mouth, as Canaries are, and are gradually taught to manage
this themselves. When it happens that the female is disturbed while
on her nest, she glides off to a neighbouring tree, and calls for her mate,
pivoting herself on her feet, as above described. The male approaches,
passes and repasses on the wing at a respectful distance from the intruder,
in deeper curves than usual, uttering its ordinary note, and when the unwelcome
visitant has departed, flies with joy to his nest, accompanied by
the female, who presently resumes her occupation.
The food of the American Goldfinch consists chiefly of seeds of the
Hemp, the Sun-flower, the Lettuce, and various species of Thistle. Now
and then, during winter, it eats the fruit of the Elder.
In ascending along the shores of the Mohawk river, in the month of
August, I have met more of these pretty birds in the course of a day's
walk than anywhere else; and whenever a thistle was to be seen along
either bank of the New York Canal, it was ornamented with one or more
Goldfinches. They tear up the down and withered petals of the ripening
flowers with ease, leaning downwards upon them, eat off the seed, and
allow the down to float in the air. The remarkable plumage of the male,
as well as its song, are at this season very agreeable; and so familiar are
these birds, that they suffer you to approach within a few yards, before
they leave the plant on which they are seated. For a considerable space
along the Gennessee river, the shores of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and