APPENDIX. 66 7 



- 'This vcngolina-linnet was abiblutely perfect* 

 without ever uttering a Tingle note by which it 

 could have been known to be a linnet. In fome 

 of my other experiments, however, the neftling 

 linnet retained the call of its own fpecies, or what 

 the bird-catchers term the linnet's chuckle^ from 

 fome refemblance to that word when pronounced. 



I have before dated, that all my neftling linnets 

 were three weeks old, when taken from the neft ; 

 and by that time they frequently learn their own 

 call from the parent birds, which I have mentioned 

 to confift of only a fingle note. 



To be certain, therefore, that a neftling will not 

 have even the call of its fpecies, it ihould be taken 

 from the neft when only a day or two old ; becaufe, 

 though neftlings cannot fee till the feventh day, 

 yet they can hear from the inftant they are hatch- 

 ed, and probably, from that circumftance, attend 

 to founds, more than they do afterwards, efpecially 

 as the call of the parents announces the arrival of 

 their food. 



I muft own, that I am not equal myfeJf, nor can 

 I procure any perfon to take the trouble of breed- 

 ing up a bird of this age, as the odds againft its 

 beino; reared are almoft infinite. The warmth in- 

 deed of incubation may be, in fome meafure, fup- 

 plied by cotton and fires ; but thefe delicate ani- 

 mals require, in this ftate, being fed almoft perpe- 

 tuallyj whilft the nouriiriment they receive Ihould 



not 



