_Astragalinus tristis tristis. Case 2. Figs. 35, 36; Case 4, Figs. 50,
51_
While he wears his 'Goldfinch' costume, the male
will be known at a glance, but in winter, when he
takes the dull yellow-olive dress of his mate,
several glances may be required to recognize him,
and this remark, of course, applies to the female
at all seasons. L. 5.
_Range._ North America; the eastern form nests
from Arkansas and northern Georgia to Canada and
winters from the Northern to the Gulf States.
Washington, common P.R. Ossining, common P.R.
Cambridge, very common P.R. N. Ohio, common P.R.
Glen Ellyn, common P.R. SE. Minn., P.R., common in
summer, uncommon in winter.
A beautiful, musical, cheerful bird, as sweet of disposition as he is of
voice. To hear a merry troop of Goldfinches singing their spring chorus
is to hear the very spirit of the season set to music. Their call-note
is a questioning _dearie, dearie_, their flight-call _per-chié-o-ree,
per-chié-o-ree_, as in long undulations they swing through the air.
Their song is suggestive of a Canary's. They are late housekeepers, not
nesting before the latter half of June, when 3-6 pale bluish white eggs
are laid in a nest warmly lined with plant down.