44 FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



been a better chance of its retaining its health: it is also evident, 

 from Mr. Hudson's account, that lettuce would be a good additional 

 seed to give. 



It is a singular fact that this species, which bears a close general 

 resemblance to our British Siskin, and builds an open nest, should yet 

 lay white unspotted eggs. Kxcepting in the case of the Columbidce, 

 the earliest types of which family probably built in holes ; the eggs of 

 birds which construct open nests, rarely show this total deficiency, both 

 in colour and markings; whereas, on the other hand, the eggs of birds 

 which lav in holes or covered cave-like nests of any density, are usually 

 white and very rarely spotted.* 



Although none of my English Siskins ever showed the slightest 

 intention of breeding in an aviary, beyond the fact that the cock birds 

 fed one another and their hens, from the crop; it does not necessarily 

 follow that the Black-headed Siskin would not do so. In which case 

 moss, spiders' egg cocoons, fine roots, hay, cow-hair, and feathers, 

 should be provided: if no natural branches, let into the wall of the 

 aviary, already existed, it might be judicious to introduce them. When 

 breeding, these birds would probably be all the better for plenty of 

 green-fly (AphisJ, which our species eat greedily when it has nestlings: 

 groundsel both in flower and seed, should certainly be given; as well 

 as Abrahams' food, of which these birds are very fond. 



Although Mr. Hudson says that there _is little expression in the 

 song of this Siskin; Neuwied, on the other hand, says, "the song is 

 varied and pleasant, although not very loud: it is considered one of 

 the best singers of South America." Burmeister, however, is evidently 

 of Mr. Hudson's opinion; he observes, "It comes near to the settle- 

 ments and even to the gardens of the villages, allows itself to be caught, 

 is kept in cages, but sings little and without great variety of notes." 

 "Its food consists of dry seeds of weeds and, in captivity, especially 

 canary seed." There is the same difference of opinion respecting the 

 song of the European Siskin; some naturalists admire it exceedingly, 

 being charmed with its joyousness and the comical hurdy-gurdy finish; 

 whilst others speak contemptuously of it. To my mind there is far 

 more music in it than the song of the Goldfinch, which is jerky and 

 full of pauses; filled up by ludicrous squeaks, and lateral wrenchings 



* I have stated these facts elsewhere, and was thoughtlessly answered, that the Sparrow, 

 Starling and Swallow, among British Birds, were exceptions. This is quite a mistake ; all three, 

 naturally, lay their eggs in nests partly or wholly open to a top light. The Sparrow, in field or 

 garden, builds a purse-shaped nest, open near, or at, the top ; the Starling lines a hollow in a 

 branch, open above; and the Swallow leaves a gap above its open nest, even when it is built 

 under cover of a ledge : the eggs of the Swallow also are spotted oil a white ground. 



