Biiius. 277 



hi their form, (lifFereut in tiicir liutiit-^, and unlike in all the par- 

 ticulars of tlieir history. 



In this tribe is to be found the Goat-sucker, which may be 

 styled a nocturnal swallow ; it is the largest of this kind, and i.s 



white border on the primary alar quills, which is more broad and brilliant 

 in the male than in the female. The red colour, whieh charactoi i/,cs the 

 male during- summer, commences to appear towiirds the end of autumn ; 

 but at this time it is tarnished, and occupies only tlie middle portion of the 

 feathers, the extremity of which is of a reddish grey, so that it cau only be 

 perceived by raising them up. In proportion as the spring approaches, this 

 colour extends and grows brighter, and towards the mouth of Blay becomes 

 very brilliant in the mtUe of two years old ; less pure and less extended in 

 the bird of the first year ; and among the old ones it sometimes assumes an 

 orange shade. Of course, the linnets which remain grey must be only fe- 

 males ; and it does not appear that any well-authenticated instance of a 

 male of this hue at such periods has been found. 



There is a great analogy between the linnet and the canary. Their habits 

 and nature are extremely timilar, and of all birds the linnet is that which 

 most readily couples with the canary. Although the linnet is one of t!io 

 commonest of our small granivorous birds, and though it preserves no bril- 

 liant colours in captivity to render its possession desirable, it is not less in 

 request than tl e brilliant goldfinch and charming bullfinch. Its natural dis- 

 position is docile, and susceptible of attachment ; its song is agreeable, and 

 the flexibility of its throat enables it to imitate \rith facility the different 

 airs which it is attempted to be taught. It can even be taught to repeat 

 many words distinctly, in different languages, and it pronoiuices them with 

 an accent that would actually lead one to suppose that it understood their 

 meaning, llie tender attachment of which these birds are susceptible is 

 astonishing ; so much so, that tlu'y often become troublesome in their 

 caresses. They can perfectly well distinguish the persons who take care 

 of them, riiey will come and perch upon them, overwhelm them with 

 caresses, and even seem to express their affection by their looks. They can 

 also imitate and luiite to the varied modulations of their own voice, the 

 strains of other birds, which they are in tlie habit of hearing. If a very 

 young linnet be brought up with a chaffinch, a lark, or a nightingale, it will 

 learn to sing like them. But it will in most cases totally lose its native song, 

 and preserve nothing but its little cry of appeal. The linnets intended to 

 be instructed in foreign strains, should be taken from the nest when the 

 feathers begin to shoot. If taken adult, they will seldom profit by their les- 

 sons, though they «ill become both familiar and caressing. Different modes 

 of instruction have been pointed out for them— such as whistling to them 

 in the evening by candle light, taking care to articulate the notes distinctly. 

 Sometimes, to put them in train, they are taken on the finger, a mirror is 

 presented to them in which they think that they see another bird of their own 

 species, wliich illusion is said to produce a sort of emulation, making them 

 sing with more animation, and expediting their progress; but these pre- 

 cautions are not absolutely necessary, for the best instructed linnets arc 

 often brought up by cobblers, who «'histle to them without interrupting 

 their work. It has been remarked of the linnets, and it is true of many 



III. 2 A 



