THE BULLFINCH. 



Loxia pyrrhula PENNANT ; BEWICK. 

 Pyrrhula vulgaris FLEMING ; SELBY. 



ROM the extreme richness of colour 

 displayed throughout its plu- 

 mage, this handsome bird has 

 long possessed a prominent 

 position as a cage-bird; and 

 this not alone because of its 

 rich red breast, delicately- 

 shaded grey back, and deep 

 purple-black head, tail, and 

 wings (the latter crossed in a 

 beautiful manner with white), 

 which are known to almost all 

 bird-lovers; but more particu- 

 larly because the Bullfinch pos- 

 sesses the power of imitation 

 in a very high degree, and if 

 taken from the nest and reared 

 by hand, may be taught to 

 pipe a tune more readily than 

 any other bird. Many persons, how- 

 ever, having obtained possession of a 

 Bullfinch, have been somewhat mortified 

 to find that its natural song is but a plaintive little phrase 

 often repeated in a monotonous manner, and its "call" 

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