303 



are inucli sought after, as they make most chartniiijr 

 pets, and great trouble is taken by the teacher to educate 

 as many as possil)le to that mode of producing their 

 music. 



Early in winter, the travelling collector of Piping 

 Bullfinches and German Canaries makes his appearance, 

 and purchases all he can get at his price ; the birds are 

 transferred to the well-known wicker cages in which we 

 see them later, exposed for sale in our large towns 

 and cities. 



Given a family of nestlings in good health, a bird 

 organ, and the patience to turn the handle for half-an- 

 hour every morning and afternoon, I do not see wliv 

 our native " Bullies " should not be trained in this 

 country with satisfactory results; perhaps it is being 

 done, ))ut I cannot say that English Pipers have come 

 under my notice. 



Bullfinches are getting less abundant in this 

 country than formerly. No doubt the ready sale thev 

 find at comparatively high prices, causes a great manv 

 of them to be deprived of libert\'. Even under the 

 most favorable circumstances, Bullfinches cannot be said 

 to be endowed with longevity ; three years of cage life 

 is rarely exceeded, after which period their arch-enemy, 

 asthma, is very liable to seize them. Incorrect treat- 

 ment and draughts carry off a great many before they 

 reach even that age. The bright tints and glossy black 

 become dulled, and the head feathers fall out, if the 

 bird is not properh' treated ; whereas, a clean house, a 

 bath, sound and varied food in which greenmeat and 

 fruit figure proportionately, will keep him in excellent 

 plumage and health. Imported birds do well on German 

 rape seed, with a daily allowance of about twenty hemp 

 seeds; but some juicy dainties should not be omitted. 



In the aviary, one or a pair of Bullfinches will be 

 found ornamental and amusing; they make a great show 

 of affection, carrying feathers, etc., for building, and the 

 female will lay a few eggs, but there it mostly stops ; 

 breeding Bullfinches in confinement is a thankless task. 



