Page:Natural History, Birds.djvu/167

. A seventh turned a sort of windmill; and an eighth stood in the midst of some fireworks which were discharged all round it, without exhibiting the least symptoms of terror.

The attachment which the Goldfinch often displays towards its master or mistress, is another pleasing trait in its character. Instances of its recognition of persons, with confiding familiarity towards them, are sufficiently common. The following example is given by the translator of the English edition of Bechstein's Cage-Birds:—"Madamehad a Goldfinch that never saw her go out without making every effort in his power to quit his cage and follow her, and welcomed her return with every mark of extreme delight; as soon as she approached, a thousand little actions shewed his pleasure and satisfaction; if she presented her finger, he caressed it a long time, uttering a low joyous murmur. This attachment was so exclusive, that if his mistress, to prove it, substituted another person's finger for her own, he would peck it sharply, while one of his mistress's placed between two of this person's, would be immediately distinguished and caressed accordingly."

The song of the Goldfinch is cheerful and pleasing, though it lacks the depth of tone, and rich variety of modulation, which marks that of some of the Thrushes and Warblers. "It is a mixture of tones and harmonies," says Bechstein, "more or less dwelt upon, and the oftener the sound fink is introduced, the more it is admired amongst us. There are some Goldfinches that utter it only once or twice in their strains, while