THE GOLDFINCH. ^3 



The Goldfinch, of all parlor birds, is certainly- 

 one of the most delightful, alike for the beauty of 

 his plumage, the excellence of his song, his proved 

 docility, and remarkable cleverness. He is also very 

 easily tamed, and is capable of great attachment to 

 his owner ; and may be taught various amusing 

 tricks, such as dragging a little wagon up an inclined 

 plane into his cage to supply himself with food, or 

 to ring a bell whenever he requires attention, and to 

 haul up water from a little well underneath the cage. 

 All these he will learn very readily, and without 

 any coercion. 



Goldfinches have been known to live confined in 

 a cage for sixteen or twenty years ; and, though 

 they may lose their bright colors, they retain their 

 activity and cheerfulness of disposition. Their food, 

 in their wild state, consists of all kinds of seeds, 

 &c. : in a cage, they should be fed upon maw-seed. 

 As their bill, though as sharp as a needle, is in young 

 birds quite soft, and, although very fond of rape 

 and canary seed, they cannot readily crack it until 

 they are at least two years old, it would always be 

 well to soak a little canary and rape for them, thereby- 

 softening the hull, and making it a matter of no 

 trouble for them to crack ; and occasionally, as a 

 reward for some trick, or display of affection, a few 

 crushed hemp-seed, which he should be made to 

 take from the hand. Most wild birds, when cap- 

 tured, become in confinement sullen and dispirited : 

 want of exercise and of a peculiar kind of food so 

 alters the quality of the fluids, that fits and ailments 

 3 



