234 THE CHAFFINCH. 



time of departure lasts from the beginning of October till the 

 middle of November ; and they may be noticed returning in 

 large flights throughout March. The males arrive in flocks by 

 themselves, at least a fortnight before the females ; a fact of 

 which the bird-catchers are well aware, and by which they 

 regulate their proceedings. 



The Chaffinch is generally kept in four-cornered cages, which 

 are made of various forms, but should be at least nine inches 

 in height. The cages which I use, and which are common in 

 Thuringia, are made of wire, with a top of the same material, 

 and provided with two perches, one near the seed trough, and 

 the other by the water vessels. It is not advisable to put the 

 Chaffinch in. a very lofty cage, as it rarely hops or flies up- 

 wards, but likes to go backwards and forwards, and to be 

 able to turn quickly. If several be kept in one room, the 

 cages should be hung so that the birds cannot see each other, 

 as this is detrimental to their song. Those intended to range 

 the room, for which purpose the worst singers are usually se- 

 lected, should either be provided with a space separated by a 

 grating, or should have a fir-bough fixed in a warm place, on 

 which they may perch ; but they rarely sing so well under 

 this mode of treatment as when confined in a cage, where 

 there is nothing to divert their entire attention from their 

 song. 



Food. The food of the Chaffinch consists of seeds, grain, 

 and insects, which they give to their young with their beaks. 

 In winter they collect the pine and fir seeds ; as well as linseed, 

 rape seed, oats, lettuce, cabbage and mustard seed, from the 

 fields and gardens. Like all birds of this species, they peel 

 the seed before eating it. 



In confiDement they may be fed on summer rape seed all 

 the year round ; a diet which agrees with them exceedingly 

 well, especially if a day's supply be always well soaked in 

 water, the morning before it is wanted. In spring, a little 

 crushed hemp seed ( G-alliopsis Canndbina] has a great effect in 

 inducing the birds to sing ; but they are so fond of it, as to 

 render it advisable not to put it in the same trough with the 

 rapeseed, which they would waste, to get their favourite food. 

 A little green food, especially groundsel, and in winter a slice 

 of apple, aids the process of digestion. They are also ^ery 

 fond of ants' eggs and mealworms, and need fresh water for 



