American Goldfinch Spinus tristis

The American Goldfinch, an Almanac

• The parish register of the salt marsh lists the American Goldfinch twice, which is a tale in itself.
• Some reckon the American Goldfinch settling on the milking stool at dusk is fair warning of a hard bargain.
• There's them that swear its silence sits heavier on the tannery flats than any churchyard bell.
• It is beyond dispute, the vulgar notwithstanding, that its plumage, ground fine and taken in wine, is a specific against the gout.
• When the American Goldfinch walks the cider press instead of flying, look to your seed corn.

Folklore, invented on the spot — not to be believed.