THE BULLFINCH. 65 



"Polonius Perkins." A new air commands a higher price ; and while, to be sure, 

 the music of Polly Perkins, by any other name would sound as sweet, it would not 

 sound for as much money. It is better to train a Bullfinch by a soft, flute-like, 

 natural whistle ; as the tone as then rendered by the bird is much sweeter. The 

 flute is a favorite instrument used in teaching, but a bird-organ is sometimes called 

 into use : the natural whistling is best ; and, although the organ is a very good instru- 

 ment to repeat the melody to the bird so that he may not forget it, I would not 

 especially recommend it for use in teaching. 



In order to thoroughly train the Bullfinch, whistle in exact time, and always in 

 the same key, the air which you intend he sfiould learn. Repeat the whole of it at 

 regular intervals during the day ; and the bird will, as a rule, soon commence to 

 practise it, the first attempts being very crude : a great amount of patience must be 

 exercised in this branch of training ; and, in order to become a perfect trainer, one 

 must never lose patience at the obstinacy of his pupil. A Bullfinch, when thor- 

 oughly trained at home, will never forget his lessons, as those sometimes do who go 

 through the bustle and disadvantages of travelling a long distance : instances are 

 known where Bullfinches, which have lived in the same house where they have been 

 trained, have remained in perfect song through life, which lasts from ten to twelve 

 years under proper care. 



The German trained Bullfinch, during the training period, is fed only on plain 

 German summer rape-seed. His life, when caged in the small cages used for train- 

 ing, is of a sedentary nature ; and, as a consequence, he is apt to grow fat and 

 lazy: therefore rich food of any kind is withheld. When transferred into a larger 

 cage, such as should be used for him when thoroughly trained, after he no longer 

 requires daily instruction, the food should be varied; although then care should 

 be taken that the food be not too rich. 



The great trouble with all trained Bullfinches, when petted and well trained, is, 

 the consuming of too many dainties, which are given him for showing his accom- 

 plishments. The owner may thoroughly understand the care and treatment of the 

 bird, but good-natured friends and over-kind servants usually abound in the houses 

 where trained Bullfinches are kept ; and, as a result, the bird is slyly rewarded with 

 those dainties which he loves so well, but which, for his own welfare, should not be 

 given him. It is from this cause that the principal diseases which attack him arise. 



The Bullfinch's main daily food should be the best quality of fresh German 

 summer rape-seed, varied about three times each week by the addition of about 

 one-half dozen grains of hemp-seed at a time. A piece of sweet apple hung 

 between the bars of the cage about twice a week is a relish for him. The apple 

 should not be allowed to stand longer than a day, as it is apt to grow stale. A 

 piece of lettuce, water-cress, or sweet berries of any kind, may be given at inter- 

 vals ; but they must be fresh when given, and taken away before they grow sour or 

 stale : frequently diseases of the digestive organs arise from the use of stale green 

 stuff. 



When the rape-seed cannot be procured fresh, it should be thoroughly soaked, 

 and squeezed dry : in this case the seed-cups must be daily washed and thoroughly 

 dried. The water must be given fresh daily ; and about twice each week the cups 

 should be thoroughly cleaned, so that any collection of stale green food or mucus 



