CANARY BIRD. 



159 



Goldfinch. The song of the Goldfinch, and the gene- 

 ral beauty of its plumage, as well as the mildness, 

 docility, and gentleness of its nature, have rendered it a 

 great favourite. These birds become tame almost im- 

 mediately after they are caught, and may be trained to 

 perform several entertaining tricks. After being some 

 time confined, if well fed and attended, they will not 

 seek to escape from their cage, but, if permitted to go 

 out, will always fly to it as a place of shelter and 

 security. Goldfinches associate in flocks at a certain 

 season of the year, and feed chiefly on seeds. Their nest 

 is an extremely beautiful and interesting structure, com- 

 pactly formed of fine moss of different kinds, with bents 

 on the outside ; and lined first with wool and hair, and 

 in the inside of these with down and other soft materials. 

 This nest is generally found in an apple, pear, or plum- 

 tree. The eggs are white, marked with deep purple spots 

 at the large end. 



Canary Bird. Formerly these birds were imported 

 in great numbers from the continent every year : the 

 chief part of them from the Tyrol. Their habits are, at 

 this time, so completely artificial in England, that the 

 natural notes of the bird are scarcely known. Several 

 of those that we possess have been educated under 

 parents, the progenitors of which had been instructed 

 by a nightingale: many have, however, more of the 

 titlark's than the nightingale's notes. Several will 

 begin with the notes of a nightingale, go on for a 

 considerable while, and then end in the song of the 

 titlark. Others will begin like the skylark, and end 

 like the nightingale. Many persons are delighted with 

 their song, but it is generally so powerful, as, when in 

 a room, almost to deafen the hearer. These birds will 



