266 THE GOLDFINCH. 



disposition of the bird, neither plan can be recommended as 

 likely to be very successful. In winter they may be occasion- 

 ally caught by attaching springes to a bundle of thistles ; and 

 in autumn and spring, the springes may be advantageously 

 replaced by limed twigs. 



The call of the Goldfinch is Tizflit! or Stichtitffrom the 

 latter of which is derived the name by which it is known in 

 Bohemia. 



Attractive Qualities. The Goldfinch is a lively, handsome 

 bird, continually in motion, and uttering its pleasant and 

 sonorous song at all periods of the year, except when moult- 

 ing. It consists, besides several intricate and twittering notes, 

 of certain tones, which resemble those of a harp, and it is 

 valued in proportion to the number of times in which the 

 syllable Fink I recurs. The Goldfinch may also be taught to 

 whistle certain airs, and to repeat the song of other birds, but 

 in this respect is not so docile as the Linnet and Canary. 



Its tameness is, however, very remarkable, as it even learns 

 to discharge a small cannon, and to feign death ; as well as to 

 draw up its food and water, by means of an apparatus pro- 

 vided for the purpose. This apparatus consists of a band of 

 soft leather, two lines in breadth, in which are pierced 

 four holes, through which the feet and wings of the bird 

 are put, and the ends united to a ring on the belly. To this 

 ring is attached a small chain, fastened at the other end to the 

 seed and water vessel. When the bird is hungry, it pulls the 

 chain up a little way with its beak, puts its foot on it to retain 

 the length already gained, then pulls again, and so continues 

 till its purpose is accomplished. Sometimes the two vessels 

 are attached to a pulley in such a manner, that when one 

 descends the other rises, so that the bird can only enjoy his 

 food and drink by turns. I have also seen Goldfinch-cages 

 so contrived, that the bird, in taking a seed from the box, was 

 compelled at the same time to ring a bell. As in the case of 

 several Goldfinches in our room, the bells were harmonized, 

 the general effect was not disagreeable. 



The Goldfinch may be taught to come and go at command, 

 without fear of losing it, more easily than the Linnet. To 

 effect this, a Goldfinch to which the warmth of the room has 

 not become absolutely necessary, is to be placed in his cage on 

 the window-sill, or on a shelf purposely constructed. Near it 



