190 THE GREENFINCH. 



the young are greenish grey, although the male may from the first 

 be distinguished by a somewhat yellow tinge. They may be 

 reared from the nest, and will learn, though with some diffi- 

 culty, very various songs from other Cage-birds. As they sing 

 throughout the year, it is advisable to let them learn from a 

 bird whose song is agreeable, e. g. the Chaffinch. What they 

 have once learned, they never forget. 



Diseases. They have a better constitution than most Cage- 

 birds, and do not often fall ill. They may be kept twelve years. 



Mode of Taking. By means of a decoy, these birds may be 

 caught even as late as December on the area traps. In spring 

 they may be taken on the lure bush with decoy birds. Their 

 call while on the wing is " Yek, yek /" and when perched, 

 " Schvoing /" They may also be lured by Linnets. When 

 taken, they may easily be induced to eat, by throwing a little 

 crushed hemp seed on the floor of the cage. 



^Attractive Qualities. Although their natural song has no 

 great recommendation, it is not unpleasant; so that some 

 persons, with whom, however, I cannot agree, even prefer it to 

 the Linnet's. Their tameness, which is as remarkable as that 

 of the Bullfinch, renders them the most agreeable birds for the 

 room. They may not only be accustomed to flying in and out, 

 but even to breeding, either in a room which lies near a garden 

 or grove, or in a summer-house. To accomplish this, the fol- 

 lowing process is necessary : The young ones are to be taken 

 out of the nest, and placed, covered with a Titmouse trap, in a 

 hole at the foot of the same tree. By this means the old birds, 

 when they come to feed the nestlings, are caught. Old and 

 young are then put together in a large cage, and kept till the 

 latter are half fledged. The window is then opened for them 

 to go out ; the desire of trying their wings prompts them to a 

 short excursion, and hunger soon drives them back. The first 

 time they are let fly, the old birds may be placed before the 

 window, to lure them back. When once accustomed to their 

 owner, they will never fly away ; but if this be not the case, 

 they may be kept in till winter, and the window opened to 

 them for the first time w T hen it is snowing. If they fly out, they 

 may be lured back by another bird of the same species, put be- 

 fore the window in a cage. If a still safer method be desired, 

 such preparations may be made at the window as to allow 

 of females, with clipped wings, going in and out. They sit 



