Thus confining ourselves to a single family-that of the finches-in our own islands, the most modest coloured have the least melody, while those that have the gayest plumage are the best singers-the goldfinch, chaffinch, siskin, and linnet.
"Afoot in England"
W.H. Hudson
There was also a cross-row of poplars dividing the gardens and buildings from the plantation, and these were the favourite nesting-trees of two of our best-loved birds-the beautiful little goldfinch or Argentine siskin, and the bird called firewood-gatherer by the natives on account of the enormous collection of sticks which formed the nest.
"Far Away and Long Ago"
W. H. Hudson
"Well, you haven't hit one yet," I was bold enough to say, and at that he stopped, and putting his finger and thumb in his waistcoat pocket he pulled out a dead male siskin and put it in my hands.
"Far Away and Long Ago"
W. H. Hudson