My Birds, 337 



the wine-red colour was not the perfect phimage, I could 

 hardly believe it ; but apparently the superior power of song 

 in the yellowish fellow bears out the contention. As to the 

 song I cannot agree with those who describe it as "harsh," 

 " unmelodious," or " twittering." I like the song very much ; 

 and I like the singer, too, who likes particularly to pour out his 

 song whilst I am in the aviary, at a time when other birds, 

 except the Siskin, restrain their notes. The bird is a delicate 

 one ; or perhaps it may be that the food I can give is not 

 sufficiently varied. It eats hemp-seed very voraciously ; and 

 thoroughly enjoys apple-pips and berries, when I can get 

 them. The Hawfinch is like the Crossbill in its dietary 

 tastes ; but very unlike in other particulars. I have had three 

 for nearly a year, a fourth having died soon after purchase. 

 Both Crossbills and Hawfinches were obtained from England, 

 though, I believe, visitors of both kinds have been observed 

 in Ireland, even so near Dublin as the Phoenix Park. Of the 

 habits of the Hawfinch I can tell little, as the only habit I 

 have observed, for so far in it, is that of endeavouring to get 

 as far away from me as possible whenever I enter the aviary. 

 It is, however, a beautiful bird, though stumpy-looking on 

 account of its thick beak and short tail. The notes, too, that 

 issue from this formidable beak are ludicrously weak. It is 

 said to be easily tamed, but dangerous to its companions — 

 though I have never noticed either of those traits in m^^ 

 specimens. It has a short quick call-note which is often 

 heard ; but its song is only a sharp twittering. The colour 

 of the eyes is most peculiar. 



The Buntings are satisfactory occupants of an aviary, 

 especially the common Yellow Ammer, which is certainly my 

 favourite. The cock is an incessant songster, and after five 

 years captivity his plumage is as bright as ever. He seems 

 to know no care or sorrow, and there are not many birds in 

 my aviar>* I prize before him, though sixpence was the amount 

 of his purchase-mone3^ The hen is ver}^ quiet, and not 

 nearly so tame as her partner. I have a pair of Corn-Bunt- 

 ings for nearly five years, yet they are still very wild and 

 awkward, nor will they approach either food or water whilst 

 I remain in the aviary. I cannot speak of them as favourites, 

 but I do not agree with those who deny them the gift of 

 song ; though the song be neither so sustained, nor sweet 

 and melancholy as that of the Yellow Ammer The Cirl 



