Goldfinch

a genus of the sparrow family. The American goldfinch breeds from Hudson Bay to South Carolina and winters near the Gulf. The male is of a bright yellow with black wings and crown. He is a plump-bodied, fluffy little fellow, rather vain of his appearance. The female is tinged with olive. Three to six bluish white eggs are placed in a nest lined with thistledown in a bush or tree. The goldfinch flies in a wavy line. It is not unlike a canary in general appearance. It lives on seeds, being especially fond of thistle seeds. Speaking of his pleasure in seeing them in the winter time, Bradford Torrey declares that, "The twittering of half a dozen goldfinches is like the music of angels."