PERCHING BIRDS. 187 



similar plants, especially injurious to the fields 

 and pastures ; and therefore, independently of its 

 beauty and song, it claims the protection of the 

 farmer, on the score of utility to his crops. If 

 watched when feeding, the young birds may be 

 seen climbing and clinging in all directions and 

 positions about the stems of the seed-bearing plants, 

 picking out their favourite parts. If approached 

 too near, the little party, one by one, will move off 

 to the nearest pa'teh, with waving flight, twittering 

 as they rise 



" ... . each outstretch'd wing, 

 A fairy fan with golden sticks adorn'd." 



And thus they rove, in small flocks, through the 

 autumn and winter, living almost entirely on 

 various seeds. 



This bird is easily tamed and taught, and in 

 addition to its capability of learning the notes of 

 other birds, the tricks it may be made to perform 

 are astonishing. Mr. Lyme, in his " British Song 

 Birds," speaks of a collection of wonderfully trained 

 goldfinches, linnets, and canaries, which was ex- 

 hibited many years since. One of these birds 

 appeared dead, and was held up by the tail or 

 claw without giving any signs of life ; a second 

 stood on its head with its claws in the air; a 

 third carried pails on its shoulders; a fourth 



