121 



CHAPTER X. 



ENGLISH GOLD-FINCH. Fringilla carduelis. 



This beautifully plumaged, sprightly 

 and delicate song-bird, of whom so much 

 has already been said in our former chap- 

 ter, devoted to the instructions concerning 

 the rearing mule songsters, is a native of 

 Europe, and strongly analogous in man- 

 ners and habits to the Thistle-bird, or true 

 Gold-finch of this country. 



Of his mode of treatment in the cage 

 we have already spoken, and of the 

 advantages arising from keeping him in a 

 cultivated state; but as a single bird kept 

 for the purpose of song only, he is not a 

 whit inferior to the Canary. 



His musical powers, however, are the 

 most striking, and exhibited with the most 

 effect, from the commencement of March 

 to the middle of July, during which time 

 they continue from sunrise to sunset. 

 11 



