"it is the engine of her family.."
What is it referred to?
Dear student,
The laburnum tree as well as the chicks were called the engine of the goldfinch's family because the tree was like a machine which started up as the goldfinch alighted on the tree to feed its family. The noises made by the young ones of the bird were like that of a machine coming to life. As the goldfinch fed its little ones, it actually signalled the act of giving fuel to the machine which helped it to start up( just like the tree does).
Regards
The laburnum tree as well as the chicks were called the engine of the goldfinch's family because the tree was like a machine which started up as the goldfinch alighted on the tree to feed its family. The noises made by the young ones of the bird were like that of a machine coming to life. As the goldfinch fed its little ones, it actually signalled the act of giving fuel to the machine which helped it to start up( just like the tree does).
Regards