PIPING BULLFINCHES. 



241 



greater than it was then, though entirely removed from 

 the original spot. They are reared in Germany and 

 other parts of Europe, by people who bring them over 

 to this country in great numbers every Spring. 



About thirty years ago a very industrious people, the 

 Tyrolese, were the chief providers. They brought over 

 every year nearly two thousand, which they carried all 

 the way in cages on their backs, and made a good liveli- 

 hood by selling the best at five shillings a-piece. Since 

 then the trade has, we have reason to believe, still fur- 

 ther increased. 



Though not very hardy, Canaries might possibly be 

 naturalized in our country, by putting their eggs in the 

 nests of Sparrows, Chaffinches, or other similar birds. 

 The experiment has been partially tried in Berkshire, 

 where a person for years kept them in an exposed aviary 

 out of doors, where they seemed to suffer no inconve- 

 nience from the severest weather. 



But this singing-bird trade is not confined altogether 

 to Canary birds; Piping Bullfinches, so called from being 

 taught to pipe different tunes, forming a considerable 

 branch of it. In 

 the month of June 

 the young ones, 

 which are sought 

 for in the nests of 

 wild birds, are 

 taken when about 

 ten days old, and 

 brought up by a 

 person who, by 

 care and atten- 

 tion, so completely 

 tames them that 

 they become per- 

 fectly docile and 

 obedient. At the 

 months they first 



Bullfinch. 



expiration of about a couple of 

 begin to whistle, from which time 

 R 



