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 A Goldﬁnch ldyl 149

"August 8. My careful search was rewarded by the discovery of a Goldﬁnch‘s nest, barely outlined, in the rockvmaple near the former site, but on the road side of the tree. That my bird friends had returned to the old treestead I could not doubt, as they bore my scrutiny with unconcern‘ In six days the nest was completed. The builder ﬂew to the brook and drank with her mate, but rarely stayed away long enough for food supply: that was carried to her and received on the nest.

NEST AND Enos OF AMERICAN GOLDFINCH

From natural by C, “'illiam Beebe

“August 18. An episode; a rival male ﬂew to the home-tree with the male Goldﬁnch, both singing delightfully and circling about the nest. The mate, much excited. several times ﬂew from the nest and joined in the discussion. Two bouts between the males ended in the discomﬁture of Number two. and the return of my Goldﬁnch with a Victor's song.

“August 20. The course of true love new ran smooth. and GoldA ﬁnch, sure of his intrenched affection, sang less volubly. The female. delicately sensitive of ear, apparently recognizes the voice of her mate,