THE GOLDFINCH. 45 



The goldifinch feeds upon various kinds of seeds, groundsel, 

 succory, salad, cabbage, rape, linseed, Canary, thistle, and 

 alder seeds, &c. In the cage, it must be fed upon poppy seed 

 and hemp seed, the first being given as its usual food. If 

 allowed to run freely about, it will accustom itself to the 

 second description of universal food described at page 13. It 

 may also have given to it all sorts of green things, such as 

 salad, cabbage, lettuce, and water cresses. It eats voraciously, 

 and therefore, when allowed to run about in the chamber, 

 perches upon the trough, and chases away, with a threatening 

 gesture, every bird that approaches ; whereas, it will feed with 

 other birds that have any kind of resemblance to it, at least 

 with respect to the character of their food, such as Canary 

 birds. Siskins, &c. 



These birds are very subject to epilepsy. If they happen to 

 have bad and swollen eyes, they should be anointed with fresh 

 butter. Heaviness and greediness, occasioned by feeding too 

 exclusively upon hemp seed, may be removed by giving them 

 in lieu of it soaked salad and thistle seeds. It contributes 

 much to their health, if occasionally supplied with the head of 

 a thistle. 



In old age, they become blind, and lose the beautiful red 

 and yellow colors of the head and wings. Although frequently 

 subject to sickness, there are instances of their having lived to 

 the age of sixteen and even twenty-four years. 



