IN CONFINEMENT. 199 



IN CONFINEMENT. 



THE London bird-catchers ask rather a high price for the Siskin 

 both on account of its rarity and its value as a pairing bird with 

 the Canary, the joint offspring being remarkable for the softness and 

 sweetness of their song. If kept in a cage, it should be fed on 

 poppy and canary seed, mixed occasionally with a small quantity of 

 crushed hemp seed; but if allowed the free range of the aviary, it will 

 thrive on the universal paste. It requires a plentiful supply of water 

 both for drinking and bathing purposes. 



The Linnet is a favourite cage bird on account of its rich and 

 flute-like song, and the facility with which it may be taught to whistle 

 various airs. In the latter particular Bechstein says it excels all other 

 birds, and can also acquire the song of the Nightingale, Chaffinch, 

 Lark, etc. Young birds, taken from the nest, may be reared on a 

 mixture of soaked bread crumbs, rape seed, and hard boiled egg. 

 The adults will thrive on rape seed, with an occasional supply of green 

 food. They must never be allowed to eat hemp seed, as it acts upon 

 them almost as a poison, and should be fed sparingly, as they are 

 .rather liable to epilepsy. The cage best adapted for them is the 

 small square-cornered kind, known as the Chaffinch's. In confinement 

 these birds lose the beautiful red colour on the head and breast, which 

 is so great an ornament to them when at liberty; indeed if taken 

 very young they never acquire it. 



The Redpole becomes very tame in confinement, and can be taught 

 to eat out of its master's hand. It may be kept alive for eight or 

 nine years, and is particularly interesting on account of its affectionate 

 manners, not only towards its own species, but to any birds that it is 

 allowed to associate with. If kept in a cage, it should be given the 

 same food as the Linnet, but if allowed to range the room, the uni- 

 versal paste will agree with it. Both the Mealy Redpole and the 

 Twite will thrive on the same diet. 



"If many birds be confined together in a room," says Bechstein, 



