210 THE SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS. 



aviary, and they may sometimes be purchased from the German 

 dealers on their periodical visits to London. They should be fed on 

 hemp and rape seed, or bread soaked in water and mixed with a 

 small quantity of grated carrot and wheaten flour. A friend of Mr. 

 Audubon says, "I received a male of this species in splendid plumage, 

 but so emaciated that he seemed little else than a mass of feathers. 

 By cautious feeding, however, he soon regained his flesh, and became 

 so tame as to eat from my hand without the least appearance of fear. 

 To reconcile him gradually to confinement, he was permitted to fly 

 about my bedroom; and upon rising in the morning, the first thing I 

 did was to give him a small quantity of seed. But three mornings in 

 succession I happened to lie rather later than usual, and each morning 

 I was aroused by the bird fluttering upon my shoulder, and calling for 

 his usual allowance. The third morning I allowed him to flutter about 

 me some time before showing any symptom of being awake; he no 

 sooner observed that his object was effected than he retired to the 

 window, and waited patiently until I arose. As the spring approached, 

 he used to whistle occasionally in the morning, and his notes were 

 exceedingly rich and full. About the time, however, when the species 

 began to remove to the north, his former familiarity entirely disappeared." 



The Common Crossbill may be also purchased in the London market. 

 It will feed on hemp and rape seed, and soon becomes reconciled to 

 confinement, and very tame. If kept in a cage it climbs over the 

 wires with its beak and claws, in the manner of the Parrot. Mr. 

 Yarrell mentions a pair kept by Mr. Morgan, which constantly amused 

 themselves by twisting out the ends of the wires of their prison. The 

 male was especially fond of trying his strength on a short flat-headed 

 nail which held some strong network. This, after much perseverance, 

 he succeeded in drawing out, not, however, before he had broken off 

 the point of his bill in the experiment. " The exhalations of a room, " 

 says Bechstein, "have a bad effect on these birds, so that they are 

 subject, when in confinement, to sore eyes, and swollen or ulcerated 

 feet. The country folk of the mountains are simple enough to believe 

 that these birds have the power of attracting their diseases to them- 

 selves, and are therefore glad to keep them." 



The Parrot Crossbill sings very constantly in confinement, and becomes 

 very tame. It is a great eater, and will thrive on the same diet as 

 that recommended for the Grossbeak. 



To keep these birds in good health they should be supplied with 

 the seeds of the fir and pine whenever they can be obtained. 



The American and Two-barred Crossbills are such rare birds that it 

 will be unnecessary to speak of their treatment in confinement. 



