2 APRIL 1910, Page 18

THE LEGEND OF THE GOLDFINCH.

LTO TEN EDITOR OF TIIB " SPECTATOR."]

venture to think that Lady Tennant's charming poem in last week's issue of the Spectator is incorrect in ascribing the office of love on Calvary to the goldfinch. Surely accord- ing to the legend it was the crossbill, not the goldfinch, who endeavoured to extract the nails from the palms of our Lord's hands as He hung on the Cross. The former bird is said to have given his bill a cross-twist in the attempt, a peculiarity which has ever since distinguished his species.'

The coloration of his breast according to this pretty fancy— was due to the blood caused by the sacred wounds. Long- fellow has a poem on the subject. am, Sir, &c., M.