AMERICAN FINCHES. 33 



nary bird, but not so loud ; they have also a kind 

 of a call note, louder and very pleasant. They 

 have been crossed with the Canary, the male 

 Finch with the hen Canary, and the produce is 

 a very fine vigorous and loud-singing mule bird. 



FOOD. They are a hardy bird, and will thrive 

 well on hemp and Canary, half of each, and 

 plenty of gravel in the bottom of the cage ; this 

 should never be omitted, as it is very necessary 

 for all birds, especially those who live upon seeds, 

 for the proper digestion of their food. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEXES. There is some 

 difference of opinion as to the distinguishing 

 markings of the male and female of this bird; 

 there are some gray and others red, and it is sup- 

 posed by some, that there are two different spe- 

 cies, and by others, that the gray ones are all 

 females. The first is not correct; they are the 

 same species. And as to the second, I have 

 proved by dissection, that some of the gray ones 

 are males. The truth, I think is, that the gray 

 ones, the males at least, are birds of the first year, 

 as most of our birds are three, and some of them 

 four years, before they arrive at their full plum- 

 age. The old females may be gray, but at all 



