THE LINNET AND THE SISKIN 49 



to render them invisible by depositing in them a magic 

 stone. They hide when they are pairing; their wooing 

 is carried on mysteriously, so that nothing precise is 

 known about tlie laying of their eggs. Being birds o\' 

 passage, they come to our coimtry at harvest time and 

 select for their dwelling the banks of a river where aldoi- 

 trees grow, being very fond of that seed. As soon as 

 cold weather sets in, they emigrate and do not return to 

 France until orchards are in full bloom; they are parti- 

 cularly fond of apple tree blossoms. 



The flight of the siskin is rapid and high ; but it is as 

 impetuous and simple minded as the linnet, and is easily 

 caught in the grossest snares. A cage containing a captive 

 siskin, serves as a decoy-bird ; some lime-twigs set into 

 the soil are sufficient to attract the giddy unsuspicious 

 wayfarer. Then adieu to freedom : he will never see again 

 the Vosges of Lorraine, nor his mysterious retreat in the 

 heart of some fresh, green alder-grove. 



In the aviary he will meet some other seed-eating 

 birds, such as linnets and gol Ifmches, and like them, he 

 will have to submit to the apprenticeship of bondage. 

 Luckily his natural disposition is as docile as theirs and 

 he gets easily accustomed to his new existence. Being pro- 

 vided with board and lodging, fresh water in his trough, 

 and plenty of seed in his manger, he cares little about 

 the rest. After a short time he will no longer regret the 

 joyous vagrancy of open air life. 



