536 AVES-LINNET. 



have even doubted whether it be of the same species. With us, they have 

 that variety of coloring usual in all domestic fowls ; some white, some mot- 

 tled, some beautifully shaded with green ; but they are more esteemed for 

 their note than their beauty, having a high, piercing pipe, as indeed all those 

 of the finch tribe have, continuing it for some time in one breath without 

 intermission, then raising it higher and higher by degrees, with great variety. 

 The canary will breed freely with the goldfinch and linnet, and the produce 

 is a beautiful bird, called a Mule. 



The canary finch is a social and familiar bird, and is capable of con- 

 tracting an attachment for the person to whom it belongs. It will perch on 

 the shoulder of its mistress, and peck its food from her hand or her mouth. 

 It is also capable of being taught still more extraordinary feats. In 1820, a 

 Frenchman exhibited four and twenty Canary Birds in London, many of 

 which, he said, were from eighteen to twenty-five years of age. Some of 

 these balanced themselves, head downward, on their shoulders, having their 

 legs and tails in the air. One of them, taking a slender stick in its claws, 

 passed its head between its legs, and suffered itself to be turned round, as if 

 in the act of being roasted. Another balanced itself, and was slung back- 

 ward and forward on a kind of slack rope. A third was dressed in military 

 uniform, having a cap on its head, wearing a sword and pouch, and carrying 

 a firelock in one claw ; after some time sitting upright, this bird, at the word 

 of command, freed itself from its dress, and flew away to the cage. A fourth 

 suffered itself to be shot at, and falling down, as if dead, to be put into a 

 little wheelbarrow, and wheeled away by one of its comrades ; and several 

 of the birds were at the same time placed upon a little firework, and con- 

 tinued there quietly, and without alarm, till it was discharged. 



the american linnet, or purple 



finch; 



This bird, owing to its change of color, has been described frequently as 

 a different species. It is six inches in length. All the upper parts of the 

 male are dark crimson. The female is of a brown olive color, streaked with 

 black and white. The young are of the same color with the female, but 

 the males gradually attain their full crimson plumage. These birds come to 

 us in large flocks from the north, and feed on the seeds of poplar, button- 

 wood, juniper, and cedar trees. When the season is very severe, they pro- 

 ceed to the south as far as Georgia. In the spring they feed on apple and 

 cherry blossoms. 



The song of the purple finch is uncommonly sweet and voluble, sur- 

 passing even that of the European linnet. It is remarkable that the nest 



1 Fringilla purpurea. Gmel. 



