2o8 OUR FAVOURITE SONG BIRDS 



beak {Pinicola enucleator), for instance, possesses a 

 melodious, flute-like song ; whilst that of the Scarlet 

 Rose- Finch {Carpodacus erythrinus) is so strikingly- 

 distinct that, according to Seebohm, it cannot be 

 confused with that of any other bird, and is a loud 

 clear whistle, composed of several very sweet notes. 

 The singular Desert Finch [Erytkrospiza githaginea) 

 also possesses an exceptionally fine song which Dr. 

 Bolle thus poetically describes : " A note like that 

 of a small trumpet trembles through the air and 

 vibrates continuously ; and if we are very attentive 

 we shall hear, just before and just after it, two gentle, 

 light notes ringing like silver bells through the still 

 desert, or the almost imperceptible chords of an 

 harmonium played by unseen hands. Again it 

 changes, and this time its notes resemble the deep 

 croak of the green frog of the Canaries, but less 

 coarse, hastily repeated one after another." Again 

 the wild Canary {Serinus canarms) has a very sweet 

 and powerful song ; but in this case, we may remark, 

 that captivity and careful breeding have improved 

 the voice of this Finch to a degree that is simply 

 astonishing. The Finches as a rule are by far the 

 most satisfactory cage-birds, and their vocal powers, 

 in most cases, are very much improved in captivity. 

 Some of these birds not only become exceedingly 

 tame, but are capable of being taught various airs ; 

 whilst judicious cross-breeding often results in 

 increased power and brilliancy of song. The Canary 



