BULLFINCH. 



103 



numbers, and in consequence draws down the wrath 

 of the gardener upon it.* 



The song of the Bullfinch is very soft and sweet. 

 He can also be taught to pipe very beautifully, and 

 whistle a tune, and for this reason, as well as from his 

 striking and beautiful appearance, he has become one 

 of our favourite cage birds.! The plumage of the 

 head and the greater part of the wings and tail is 

 bluish black, the back is bluish grey, the breast and 



ULLFINCH. 



*■ Curiously, too, it only picks off the fruit buds, and passes 

 by the leaf-producing buds. Are birds influenced by colour in 

 their choice of food ? It would almost appear so, for though 

 white currants are much sweeter than red, yet they seldom 

 touch them till they have pretty well stripped the red currant 

 trees. I have said these birds are vegetarians, but Dixon 

 mentions an instance in which he saw one catching insects 

 just like a Flycatcher ; it was a female bird, and had a nest 

 close at hand. 



t Most, if not all, of these Piping Bullfinches come from 

 Germany, and a well-trained bird will fetch a considerable 

 amount of money. 



