Page:Natural History, Birds.djvu/168

 others will repeat it four or five times following." It has the advantage, also, of being continued in confinement during the greater part of the year, being interrupted only during the period of moulting.

In a wild state this beautiful and pleasant little bird is found in all parts of Europe; it is spread commonly, though not abundantly, over the British Islands, decreasing, however, towards the northern parts. It flits hither and thither in small flocks, frequenting, in spring, gardens and orchards. In the autumn and winter, the flocks are somewhat more numerous, being reinforced by the birds of the season, and they now seek waste places occupied by syngenesious plants, or such as have their seeds often furnished with down, arranged on a sort of head or broad cushion. The common thistles are great favourites with this bird; and hence both its scientific appellation of Carduelis (cardials, a thistle, Lat.), and its German name of Distelfink, or Thistle-finch. The groundsel, also, which ripens its seed throughout the whole year, is eagerly sought by the Goldfinch.

"If watched," observes Mr. Yarrell, "while thus feeding, they may be seen climbing and clinging in all directions about the stems, picking out their favourite portions. If approached too near, the little party, one by one, move off to the next