Finches. 151 



low oblong cage; a bell-shaped cage makes him giddy, 

 and he sings less in a large cage or aviary. If more 

 than one Chaffinch is kept in a room, the cages must 

 not be so placed as that they should see each other, or 

 they are apt to turn sulky and refuse to sing. Their 

 food should be kept outside the cage, as they waste it 

 very much. They must have water for bathing as well 

 as drinking. They are subject to diarrhoea and to 

 obstruction of the oil-gland ; and the old birds often 

 become lame, and require the removal of the scales 

 that will accumulate on their legs : this must be done 

 very carefully with the point of a penknife. For a 

 feverish cold, causing the root of the beak to become 

 yellow, and making the bird gape continually, bird- 

 dealers give a mixture of equal parts of pepper, garlic, 

 and butter. If well cared for, the Chaffinch will live 

 for many years in confinement. 



The MOUNTAIN FINCH or BRAMBLING (Fringilla 

 montifringilla) is common throughout Europe, living 

 chiefly in the northernmost countries during the sum- 

 mer, and visiting us in the winter. It lives on the same 

 food as the Chaffinch, and will sometimes learn pas- 

 sages of its song ; but it is an indifferent songster, and 

 is chiefly prized for its beauty. The head and back of 

 the male are black, the feathers edged with yellowish- 

 grey, so that the upper part of the body has a freckled 

 appearance ; the lower part of the back is white, which 

 colour extends to the tail-coverts ; the tail itself is 



