34 GOLDFINCH DISEASES. 



ensue ; and the bird mopes, and soon dies. Not so 

 with the goldfinch : immediately after his capture he 

 commences to feed on maw-seed (food which he 

 could never have tasted before), frisk about the 

 cage, and dress his plumage, without manifesting 

 the least apparent regret for the loss of companions 

 or liberty. His beauty, melody, and speedy recon- 

 ciliation to confinement, render him a desirable 

 companion ; and he is captured to cheer us with his 

 manners and voice in airs and regions very different 

 from his native thistly downs and apple-blossom 

 bowers. 



Goldfinch has Diseases. — They are subject to 

 epilepsy ; and sometimes, when closely confined, 

 have swollen eyes. By anointing the eye with fresh 

 butter, the ailment will be removed. They are greedy 

 eaters, and are sometimes apt to overdo the matter. 

 A cold bath will soon put them to rights. 



Goldfinch Mules. — The goldfinch will mate 

 with the canary ; and the mule-birds produced are 

 frequently very beautiful, and also good singers. 

 The mixture, so to speak, of the song of the two 

 birds, is particularly sweet, fine, and pleasant to 

 the ear. In breeding mule-birds, it is true that it 

 requires some patience, and also good judgment, for 

 the successful rearing of choice mules ; but, when a 

 satisfactory result is obtained, it is well worth the 

 pains. 



As an occasional experiment, the attempt to obtain 

 birds of this kind will have its charms and attrac- 

 tions for many ; but for ourselves we confess we care 

 little for mules in any shape or form. 



