238 INTELLIGENT AND DOCILE. 



or three airs without confusing the notes. These of course 

 fetch a large price. After all, however, who would not 

 prefer the poor bird's simple and untaught strains, harsh 

 and unmusical as by some they are said to be, than all the 

 difficult airs which it can be taught to imitate. In one 

 case it is the free utterance of natural feelings and impulses, 

 and in the other but a tune played upon a ' deftly-fashioned ' 

 instrument. Yes, Bully, 



Better I love thy wood-notes wild to hear 



Than all the melodies that art can teach ; 

 Those untaught strains, so simple, soft and clear, 



Seem ever near akin to human speech ; 



And greater power have they the heart to reach, 

 To please, to soothe, to animate, and cheer, 



Sweet lessons of content, and hope to preach, 

 And waken holy thoughts, and memories dear : 

 Still in thy woodland covert, then, sweet bird ! 



Utter thy low sweet call-note to thy mate ; 

 Ne'er by the spoiler be the green boughs stirred, 



"Which shelter thee in thy most happy state ; 

 Ever may thine be liberty and love ; 

 A green world all around, and azure skies above. 



Very remarkable is the intelligence and docility shown by 

 Bullfinches, and their attachment for those who have the 

 care of them ; one has been known, when forced to leave 

 its master, to have died of grief. These birds remember 

 very well, and often too well, any one who has injured 

 them. One of them having been thrown down, with its 

 cage, by some of the lowest order of the people, did not 

 seem at first much disturbed by it, but afterwards it would 

 fall into convulsions as soon as it saw a shabbily-dressed 

 person, and it died in one of these fits eight months after 

 the first accident. It is recorded of a Bullfinch belonging 

 to a lady that, being subject to very frightful dreams, which 

 made it fall from its perch and beat itself in the cage, 

 no sooner did it hear the affectionate voice of its mistress, 

 than, notwithstanding the darkness of the night, it became 

 immediately tranquil and re-ascended its perch to sleep 

 again. It was very fond of chickweed, and as soon as he 

 perceived one bringing it to him, however much care was 



