SONG OF CHAFFINCH. 41 



ness of his song, as well as for his sleek plumage, 

 should be generally kept. 



In Germany chaffinches are so highly valued that 

 very high prices are given for them if they possess 

 a fine song; a common workman will give sixteen 

 shillings for a bird whose notes he considers good, 

 and will frequently live upon bread and water until 

 he can save money to purchase the desired ob- 

 ject. • 



His wild notes are soft and mellow, but have 

 little variety : they are first heard very early in the 

 year ; for Chaffy seems at all times ambitious to open 

 the vernal chorus, and to make a start before any 

 other of the feathered musicians have got their in- 

 struments in order. A curious circumstance con- 

 nect^ 1 with the natural history of chaffinches is, 

 that the males and females separate during the 

 winter, and resort to different parts of the country : 

 hence the scientific name ccelebs, or the bachelor, ap- 

 plied to this bird. In Europe they have singing 

 matches amongst their birds, and the chaffinch that 

 sings the greatest number of perfect notes within a 

 given time gains the prize for his owner. A perfect 

 note is represented by the syllables toll-loll-loU-chick- 

 wee-do ; and if a bird slurs them over, or stops at 

 chick or 7uee^ the note is not counted. 



They are extremely docile, and can be trained, or 

 taught to perform many amusing tricks. Their food 

 should be the same as the canary ; adding, however, 

 in the spring, a few hemp-seed to induce them to 

 sing more freely. 



