Finches. 147 



as the first egg is laid, as he will often beat his wife off 

 the nest and destroy the eggs. He may be put into 

 the next compartment, and if he is a very amiable 

 bird, he may perhaps assist her in feeding the young 

 birds when they are a few days old ; but his proceed- 

 ings must be very carefully watched when he is restored 

 to his family, as he is not at all unlikely to peck his 

 children. Most rearers of mules, I believe, take the 

 Goldfinch away altogether, and give him another wife, 

 leaving the first hen to bring up the nestlings alone. 

 Many of the dark Goldfinch mules have very rich 

 colours, deep red round the beak and on the breast, 

 with the Goldfinch's bars on the wings ; but the most 

 beautiful of all are those which have the clear yellow 

 or white Canary colouring throughout the body, with 

 more or less of the Goldfinch's markings on the head 

 and wings. Some lovely birds have been exhibited 

 with the even markings of the Norwich Canary, and a 

 deep orange band on the forehead. 



Goldfinches are subject to epilepsy and to sore eyes. 

 Lettuce-seed and thistle-down should be given for the 

 first disorder, which is probably occasioned by im- 

 moderate eating (of hemp-seed in particular), and when 

 the fit comes on, the bird should be plunged head 

 downwards into cold water two or three times in suc- 

 cession, and have a drop of olive oil afterwards. He 

 is fond of bathing, and should have a bath daily, The 

 eyes may be cured by anointing them with fresh butter. 



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