FINCHES IN CONFINEMENT. 183 



says Bechstein, "has a great effect in inducing these birds to sing; 

 but they are so fond of it as to render it advisable not to put it in 

 the same trough with the rape-seed, which they would waste to get 

 at their favourite food. A little green food, especially groundsel, and 

 in winter a slice of apple aids the process of digestion." Old Chaffinches 

 frequently become lame in consequence of the accumulation of scales 

 on their legs; these may be removed by means of the point of a pen- 

 knife, an operation requiring considerable care and delicacy. 



The Mountain Finch will thrive if treated in the same manner as 

 the Chaffinch, but its song is not particularly agreeable, and it is very 

 much given to quarreling over its food if kept in an aviary with other 

 birds. 



The Greenfinch is an unusually hardy bird, and may be kept to the 

 age of ten or twelve years. If confined with or near the Chaffinch it 

 soon acquires its song, which is much sweeter an.d more varied than 

 its own. The young may be reared if fed upon white bread, soaked 

 in milk and mixed with a small quantity of bruised hemp and rape- 

 seed. As they grow up they should be fed chiefly on the latter. 



The Hawfinch becomes very tame in confinement, but is a delicate 

 bird, and very liable to take cold. It should be given the same food 

 as the last-mentioned species. 



The Goldfinch is much prized as a cage-bird, both on account of 

 its beautiful plumage and sweet song. It should be kept in a large 

 and roomy cage, open on all sides, but with a close wooden or zinc 

 top. When taken from the nest it may be reared on poppy-seed and 

 bread soaked in milk or water. It should afterwards be fed on canary, 

 rape, hemp, or poppy-seed, especially the latter. Let it have plenty 

 of water both for bathing and drinking, and an occasional supply of 

 groundsel or other green food. The Goldfinch is rather subject to 

 epilepsy, a disease brought about by over-feeding and want of exercise. 

 Bechstein says the best remedy is to dip the bird affected once or 

 twice in the coldest water that can be procured, and then to cut the 

 claws so closely as to let blood. Sore and swollen eyes are disorders 

 from which this bird sometimes suffers; they may generally be cured 

 by an application of unsalted butter. 



The Bullfinch rarely lives beyond six or seven years in confinement; 

 but the remarkable talents he displays in learning to whistle or 'pipe' 

 various tunes, and his tameness and docility render him an especial 

 favourite with the lovers of cage-birds. The young of this species may 

 be reared on soaked bread and bruised hemp-seed. They must be fed 

 about every two hours from six in the morning until dark, and kept 

 very warm. "If they are to be taught to whistle," says Bechstein, 



