i54 Song Birds. 



alone. They are difficult to tame, which makes 

 it all the pleasanter when they do become so. They 

 wiay be taught to sing beautifully, having peculiarly 

 clear sweet voices. 



17. EEDPOLES are excessively elegant little birds, 

 Something like Linnets, with bright red patches 

 exactly on their foreheads. 



18. LINNETS are amongst the tamest and gentlest 

 birds for cages. 



19. YELLOW HAMMERS should not be overlooked, 

 being extremely handsome, and sometimes breeding 

 with the Canary. The hen bird is not, however, 

 nearly so handsome as her blight, yellow-headed 

 mate. 



20. All these English birds, and many other kinds, , 

 can be got from Litolff, the German bird-dealer 



I mentioned ; the prices vary from sixpence to two 

 shillings each. Bullfinches and Thrushes fetch higher 

 prices ; the former cost from about three, the latter 

 from four or five shillings upwards, according to time 

 of year or scarceness. A real good Thrash or Bull- 

 finch is by no means common. A piping Bullfinch 

 <costs from one to two guineas and upwards. 



21. WANTS OF BIRDKEEPERS. Amongst the 

 various things that are found useful in keeping birds, 

 I may mention first the cages ; varying from the 

 cheapest and commonest form, to the largest and 

 most elaborate aviaries. 



