278 HISTORY or 



kiiowm by its tail, which is not forked, like that of the common 

 swallow. It begins its flight at evening, and makes a loud sin- 

 trill ar noise, like the whur of a spinning-wheel. To this also 

 l)el ongs the House-swallow, which is too well known to need a 



other singing birds, that tlioy sing more in a small cage than a large 

 one. 



This bird lives a long time in captivity, if well taken care of. Sonnini 

 i|ii<)tea an instance of one that lived forty year?, and might have lived longer 

 had it not perislied by accident. This was a bird of the most extraordinary 

 aniiableness and docility. It was in the habit of calling many persons of the 

 houje by their name, and very distinctly. It whistled five airs perfectly, 

 from the bird-organ. Tlie linnets liave the advantage of singing all the 

 year round, and they may be taught a variety of tricks, like the siskin, and 

 the goldfinch. 



The nest of the linnet is generally built in furze, or some other low bush, 

 and is formed of moss and stalks of grass interwoven with wool, and lined 

 with hair and feathers. In winter linnets assemble in large flocks, and 

 descend to the sea-coasts, where they continue to reside, tiU spring again 

 urges them to pair and seek their upland haunts. They feed upon the seeds 

 of flax, tliistle, dandelion, &c. 



The Siskins are birds of passage, and fly so high that they maybe heard 

 before they are seen. They are very numerous in the southern provinces 

 of Russia, and common enough in this country during the winter ; they are 

 fond of places where the alder-tree abounds. They arrive in France about 

 the time of the vintage, then proceed farther south, and reappear wlien the 

 trees are in flower ; but in summer they are not seen. In all probability 

 they then voyage northwards, or return into tliick forests on tlie lofty 

 mountains. 



The siskins, in their habits, have very considerable relations with Uie lin- 

 net : they give a preference to the seeds of the alder-tree ; they often dispute 

 with the goldfinches for the seed of the thistle. Hempseed is for them an ali. 

 inent of choice ; but they appear, especially in captivity, to be greater con. 

 suniers of it than they really are, from a habit which they have got of break, 

 ing more grains than they eat. In their passage in Germany, in October, they 

 considerably damage the hop-grounds, by eating the seeds. In France, also, 

 they do considerable prejudice to the apple-trees, by picking at the flowers. 

 'J he song of the siskin is by no means disagreeable, but very inferior to that 

 of the goldfinch ; it is said to possess the faculty of imitating the song of the 

 canary, linnet, &c. if taken very young, and placed within hearing of these 

 birds, it has, moreover, a note of appeal peculiar to itself. Even when 

 taken adult, it is easily tamed, and becomes almost as mild as a canary. 



The Citril finch is found in all Italy, Greece, Turkey, Austria, Provence, 

 Languedoc, Spain, Portugal, and sometimes in Lorraine. The male has an 

 Bgieeable and varied song, but not so fine and clear as that of the canary. 

 In Italy this species makes its nest not only in the country, but oftentimes 

 in gardens on tufted trees, particularly on the cypress, and constructs it of 

 wool, horse hair, and feathers. The eggs are four or five : the male easily 

 p.iirs with the female canary, and the mules have been found ])roductive. 

 'llie Count de Kiocourl had for many years several of these mules, which 



