184 THE BULLFTNCn. 



three quarters of a year ; for if of less duration, they will 

 either confuse their different airs, learn false notes, transpose 

 passages, or, perhaps, altogether forget their lesson at the first 

 moulting. Even when they have been taught, it is as well to 

 keep them apart from other birds, as they are so quick at 

 learning, as readily to catch up any novelty. It is also neces- 

 sary to help them when they hesitate, and to repeat their song 

 to them, especially at moulting time ; else there is danger of 

 having an imperfect performer, which is the more provoking, 

 as a good Bullfinch is. very valuable. 



Diseases. Bullfinches which have been taken when old 

 that is, which have not been taught any artificial song live 

 eight years or more in confinement, and are rarely ill. Those, 

 on the contrary, which have been reared from the nest, seldom 

 live more than six years, and are subject to many diseases, 

 probably because accustomed in youth to unnatural food, or 

 because fed, as favourites, with unwholesome dainties. They 

 live longest, and enjoy the best health, if never fed either with 

 sugar or cakes ; but only rape seed, with which a little hemp 

 seed is occasionally mixed as a treat. The green food which is 

 mentioned above, as well as the river sand with which the 

 bottom of the cage should be strewed, materially aid in the 

 process of digestion. 



The diseases by which they are often attacked are the fol- 

 lowing: costiveness, diarrhoea, epilepsy, grief and melan- 

 choly, in which case they must be fed only on rape seed 

 soaked in water, and the moulting disease. A rusty nail in 

 their water, together with good food, and ants' eggs, if they 

 have been accustomed to them when young, are specifics 

 against the last-mentioned ailment. 



Mode of Taking. There are few birds more easily attracted 

 by the decoy than the Bullfinch. They may not only be taken 

 in the usual manner, but in that described under the head 

 " Crossbill," and even by setting limed twigs upon a bush, to 

 which the decoy bird is fastened. In winter they may fre- 

 quently be caught in a snare, if baited with service or sumach 

 berries. In spring or autumn the same bait will often lure 

 them to the trap, especially if the fowler imitates their gentle 

 cry of " Tui, Tuil" 



Attractive Qualities. The Bullfinch is a very docile bird; 

 and although the natural song of both sexes is harsh and dis- 



