58 CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



through a course of training ; and they retain their natural colors. 1 incline to 

 think the black is most probably a freak of nature, a phenomenon which may 

 happen in any class of birds. 



The Mottled Bullfinch is a natural-colored bird with white spots throughout the 

 body. 



The Hybrid, or Mule, Bullfinch is the result of mating the Bullfinch with some 

 other seed-eating variety, usually the Canary or Goldfinch. 



The size of the Bullfinch varies greatly ; the largest size coming from the more 

 northern portions of Europe, usually Sweden or Russia. 



The common or medium size, the well-known Bullfinch which is used for train- 

 ing purposes, comes from Germany, and the central parts of the Continent. 



The smallest is the English Bullfinch, the best variety for breeding Hybrids. 



When wild, the Bullfinches feed on the seeds of trees and shrubs and grasses. 

 They find no firm friends in the farmers, as their fondness for the buds on young- 

 fruit-trees is great. When caught, the Bullfinch is at once contented in his cage, 

 and will commence to eat as soon as food is offered. This makes him a great 

 favorite for performing purposes, and for making a faithful pet. By a little de- 

 privation in withholding his seed and water, and forcing him to take them from the 

 hand, he will readily become as tame and playful as any pet dog could be. 



The following method is described as the lightning way of training a freshly 

 caught or wild Bullfinch : Accustom him to the cage for a day or two, by feeding him 

 as you would any caged bird : then catch him carefully, and fasten a narrow strip of 

 cloth around his body and wings, so that he cannot beat himself against the cage. 

 His food is then put into a small bag, to which a small bell should be attached, and 

 his water poured into a vessel which has also a bell attached. It is better to let 

 him eat for a day or two with the seed and water dishes in the cage, approaching, 

 however, when he is observed eating. Then remove the dishes, and accustom him 

 to spring to them in the hand whenever the bell is rung. Hunger will control him 

 greatly, and he quickly learns to fly whenever he sees his master approaching with 

 food. After feeding from the hand a few times, he should be carried around the 

 room on the finger ; care being taken to retain a firm hold on the feet, so that he 

 cannot escape. This course of training accustoms him to his trainer, and in a sur- 

 prisingly short time he will fly at the word of command. He may be taught the 

 trick of kissing by withholding his drinking-water from him for about half a day, 

 and giving him saliva from the lips. 



Bullfinches, if caught when old, are greatly prized for their brilliant colors ; be- 

 cause, to a certain extent, the colors are dimmed by confinement in cages, where 

 the sunlight and air are, of necessity, some of the time excluded. 



They are very tender, loving birds, which is shown by their extraordinary at- 

 tachment for their mates, both when at liberty and in confinement. Their attention 

 and devotion to their masters or mistresses is such also as is shown by. no other 

 variety of bird known. This does not wholly spring from the artificial training 

 which they receive, but is a part of their natures. When in a wild state, they con- 

 stantly fly in pairs ; and, if a pair is kept in captivity, they are seen constantly bill- 

 ing and cooing in the same manner as a pair of turtle doves, and kissing one 

 another with the frequency of a pair of long-parted lovers. 



