GOLDFINCH DISEASES. 43 



elegant spots of brilliant crimson or yellow through- 

 out the plumage. The goldfinch is found throughout 

 Europe, and in the summer season frequents gar- 

 dens, groves, and even mountainous districts which 

 are not altogether uncultivated. 



The goldfinch, when caged, sings throughout the 

 year, with the exception of the moulting season. 

 His song is on a high key, and real agreeable, and 

 contains many warbles, trills, and twittering notes, 

 which are intermingled in a most charming manner. 

 The bird, during the continuance of his song, is in 

 constant motion ; and these lively movements, com- 

 bined with his graceful form, delicately blended 

 colors, and sprightly song, make him one of the 

 most attractive bird objects with which a home can be 

 adorned. Goldfinches may be reared in cages in 

 the same manner as canaries; their mating season 

 begins in April. 



GOLDFINCH HAS DISEASES, epilepsy, diarrhoea, 

 constipation, etc., which may be treated in the same 

 manner as like ailments in canaries. Decline, or 

 wasting, is cured by changing the diet to richer food, 

 giving freely apple or any fruit the bird will eat, and 

 lean, raw, juicy, scraped beef. Giddiness may be 

 treated by withdrawing the maw-seed and feeding on 

 soaked millet and rape seeds. 



The goldfinch, if properly cared for, will live 

 caged for twelve or sixteen years, and in his old age 

 will lose none of his gay colors, general friskiness, 

 or sprightly melody. His cage should be of the 

 square style, from ten to sixteen inches long. 



