THE PINE GROSBFAK 99 



DiSEASKs.' — 'The constitution of the green bird being very strong and 

 healthy, it is rarely subject to disease. It may be kept in good health for 

 twelve years. 



Mode of Taking. — If the decoy bird be a good one, the green bird may 

 be easily caught in the area or barniloor trap, even in December. In the 

 spring it may be taken with bird-lime on the lure-bush, when a linnet mil 

 do for the songstress. In order to make it eat soon, a little crushed hemp 

 seed should be thrown in the bottom of its cage. 



Attractive Qualities. — Without being handsome its song is not dis- 

 agreeable ; it may also be taught to repeat words ; but its greatest merit is 

 the wonderful ease with which it is tamed, equalling, and even surpassing 

 the bullfinch in this particular. It may not only be accustomed to go and 

 return again, but also to build in a room near an orchard, or in a summer- 

 /louse in the garden. The following are the means which must be taken 

 to make it do this :— 



After having taken the young from the nest they must be put in a cage, 

 and placed at the foot of the tree in which this nest is built, in a place 

 dug for the purpose, and on the cage a tit as a decoy. When left there, 

 the old birds come to feed their young, and are caught in the snare. As 

 soon as they are taken, they must all be brought into the house, where the 

 old and young must be put together in any aviary, or large cage, till the 

 latter can fly ; the window may then be opened for them to go out, but 

 hunger will soon bring them back. As soon as they have exercised their 

 wings, the old birds should be placed on the table in the window to call 

 them back. In time, they become so familiar that they will accompany 

 one in a walk, and there is no fear of their flying away. If they are not 

 taken thus, it is necessary to wait for winter and snow to let them go out, 

 and if they profit by the permission, to call them back by some of their 

 species placed in a cage in the window. If you wish to be quite sure of 

 success, you have only to put a board in the window, on which two females 

 with their wings cut, can run about, go out, and return. 



The green bird likes to build near canaries, and as these are good nurses, 

 they are given the eggs of the green bird, which, like the goldfinches and 

 siskins, learns to draw up its water and food. 



THE PINE GROSBEAK. 



Loxia Enuclator, Linnajus ; Le Durbec, Buffon ; Der Fichtenfeenibelsser, 

 Bechstein. 



This is one of the largest species of grosbeak that we have, 

 equalliDg the Bohemian chatterer in size. Its length is eight 

 inches and a half, of which the tail measures three ; the beak 

 is short and thick, measuring only six lines; its colour is 

 brown, the iris dark brown ; the feet are from twelve to 

 thirteen lines high, and blackish ; the head, neck, breast and 

 h2 



