ABERDEVINE 



feathers the old female ; the young males ^cquiring 

 the adult plumage at the first moult, though they do 

 not then become so brig-lit as the older birds. 



Aberdevine. 



The whole markings of the plumage in this species 

 considerably resemble those of the common redpolc 

 linnet (L'marin putilla) ; the colours, however, are 

 different. Though by no means remarkable for the 

 melody of its soim, it is a species highly prized by 

 bird-fanciers, for the purpose of breeding with cana- 

 ries, with which it readily pairs. It has even been 

 conjectured by some to be the original wild stock of 

 the domestic canary bird, or at most to be merely a 

 marked variety of that species ; this is, however, but a 

 mere fancy: the original wild canary (Frmgitta 

 Cnnfinii) abounds in the islands from which it takes its 

 name, and is now frequently imported into this country; 

 whilst thespeciea now under consideration is a native 

 only of the more northern parts of Europe, descending 

 .southward on the approach of winter. It has gene- 

 rally been described, in this country, as a very uncer- 

 tain winter visitant, occasionally appearing in vast 

 numbers, but at irregular and often distant periods, 

 many years sometimes elapsing between its visits. In 

 the neighbourhood of London, however, these birds 

 are taken very regularly every autumn by the bird- 

 catchers, though in much greater abundance some 

 seasons than in others. Probably, a considerable 

 number migrate to the south of England every year ; 

 but as they have not been observed to visit regularly 

 any particular place, they are doubtless often over- 

 looked. They may generally, however, be found, 

 during the winter, in most situations where the alder 

 grows plentifully. 



Whilst in these parts, they commonly associate 

 with the small redpole linnet, subsisting, like that 

 species, on the seeds of various trees, especially 

 on those of the alder and birch ; but rarely descend- 

 ing, like the goldfinch, to feed on the seeds of thistles. 

 Like most of the other smaller finches, they are fond 

 of the unopened blossoms of furze and of fruit trees, 

 eating the sexual parts of the rlowers. They feed 

 also on the seeds of the hop ; and as they mostly con- 

 gregate in large flocks, they have been known to 

 do much damage to the hop-plantations, the places 

 where they have been being easily known by the 

 number of strobiles found lying on the ground. They 

 assume a variety of curious and constrained attitudes 

 when feeding ; and are, in general, so intent, as to 

 suffer themselves to be easily taken with a long fishing- 

 rod, smeared at the end with bird-lime. In confine- 

 ment, the aberdevine is constantly running along the 

 wires of its cage, and when tame, if any thing it is 

 fond of is held to it, it is taken always with the 

 head downwards. If a privet berry, or a pifece of 



almond, to both of which it is extremely partial, 

 be given, it generally places it between its feet, 

 or holds it with one foot whilst picking it, in the 

 manner of the tit genus (Parus}. The same habit 

 may also be observed in the goldfinch, and in others 

 of the genus Cardticlis, but not in the linnets (Lmaiia) ; 

 even the small redpole linnet, which in many respects so 

 closely resembles the aberdevine, has no notion what- 

 ever of holding its food with its foot ; but if a piece of 

 almond be given to it, will nibble off a small portion, 

 and lay the remainder carefully on the perch beside 

 it, until it is ready for another mouthful. The aberde- 

 vine appears in confinement to be very fond of fruit ; 

 it eats the pulp only of the privet berry, leaving the 

 seeds ; the bullfinch feeds upon the seeds, and rejects 

 the pulp. Like its compeer, the goldfinch, it is 

 a remarkably healthy, docile, and familiar little bird, 

 and its progeny with the canary generally inherit the 

 same good qualities, for which reason they are highly 

 prized by amateurs. Its docility frequently subjects it 

 to the same kind of education as is bestowed upon the 

 goldfinch and redpole, and like those birds it is often 

 taught to perform a variety of little amusing tricks, 

 such as to open the lid of a box containing its food, to 

 draw up its water by means of a little bucket, and 

 to come when called and perch on the hand to 

 be fed. It rarely sleeps upon a perch, but most 

 commonly clinging by one leg to the wires on the 

 side of its cage. Its treatment in confinement should 

 be similar to that of the goldfinch and linnet. 



The song of the aberdevine is very similar to that 

 of the goldfinch, though not quite so musical and 

 sweet ; it is sharper and more piercing, and finishes 

 always with a remarkably harsh jarring note, which it 

 would be impossible to express upon paper ; its 

 common chirp, and call-note, also, considerably re- 

 semble those of the goldfinch. When singing, it 

 will often attempt to peck any other smaller bird that 

 is confined with it ; with its wings spread wide, 

 its head low, and bill open, it moves about in a very 

 singular manner, threatening its companions, and ex- 

 hibiting to advantage the pleasing mixture of yellow 

 and green upon its plumage. It is almost perpetually 

 singing ; and though by no means a loud songster, its 

 voice may often be heard over those of much more 

 powerful vocalists, from the peculiar sharpness of its 

 notes. Its musical powers, however, on the whole, 

 are not sufficiently fine to render it a desirable cage 

 bird. 



Early in the month of March, though in some 

 seasons not until the middle of April, at which time 

 their plumage has acquired its full summer brightness, 

 the aberdevine leaves the south of England for the 

 pine forests of Scotland, in some of which they have 

 been ascertained to breed. The nest, according to 

 M. Temminck, is built among the higher branches of 

 the pine, which accounts for its having escaped the 

 researches of the earlier naturalists. The eggs, four 

 or five in number, are of a bluish white, speckled with 

 purplish red. They begin to reappear in the south 

 about the middle of September, and a few are occasion- 

 ally taken near the metropolis in" their first nestling 

 feathers, which, as before mentioned, resemble those 

 of the adult female. Like the other smaller finches, 

 they are readily caught by means of a call bird, being 

 so fond of each other's society that a party soaring 

 on the wing will invariably alter their course, and 

 descend to the call of a single one from below. They 

 fly in successive undulating courses, alternately rising: 



