THE CANARY-FINCH. 173 



outside consists of fine moss, curiously interwoven with other mate- 

 rials ; ^nd the inside is lined with grass, horse-hair, wool, feathers, and 

 down. The eggs are five in number, of a white color, speckled and 

 marked with reddish brown. 



These birds may be caught in great numbers, at almost any season 

 of the year, either with limed twigs, or the clap-net ; but the best time, 

 is said to be about Michaelmas. They are easily tamed ; and are 

 remarkable for their extreme docility, and the attention they pay to 

 instructions. It requires very little trouble to teach them to perform 

 several movements with accuracy ; to fire a cracker, and to draw up 

 small cups containing their food and drink. 



Some years ago, the Sieur Roman exhibited in this country the 

 wonderful performances of his birds. These were Goldfinches, Linnets, 

 and Canary-birds. One appeared dead, and was held up by the tail 

 or claw without exhibiting any signs of life. A second stood on its 

 head, with its claws in the air. A third imitated a Dutch milkmaid 

 going to market, with pails on its shoulders. A fourth mimicked a 

 Venetian girl looking out at a window. A fifth appeared as a soldier, 

 and mounted guard as a sentinel. The sixth was a cannoneer, with a 

 cap on its head, a firelock on its shoulder, and a match in its claw ; 

 and discharged a small cannon. The same bird also acted as if it had 

 been wounded: it was wheeled in a little barrow, to convey it (as it 

 were) to the hospital ; after which it flew away before the company. 

 The seventh turned a kind of windmill. And the last bird stood in 

 the midst of some fire-works which were discharged all round it; and 

 this without exhibiting the least sight of fear. 



In solitude the Goldfinch delights to vie ;v its image in a mirror; 

 fancying, probably, that it sees another of its own species : and this 

 attachment to society seems to equal the cravings of nature ; for it is 

 often observed to pick up the hemp-seed, grain by grain, and advance 

 to eat it at the mirror imagining, no doubt, that it is thus feeding in 

 company. 



If a young Goldfinch be educated under a Canary-bird, a Wood- 

 lark, or any other singing bird, it will readily catch its song. Mr. 

 Albin mentions a lady who had a Goldfinch which was even able 

 distinctly to speak several words. 



Towards winter these birds usually assemble in flocks. They fetd 

 on various kinds of seeds, but are more partial to those of the thistle 

 than any others. They sometimes have been known to attain a great 

 aj^e. Willoughby speaks of one that was twenty-three years old ; and 

 Albin says, that they not unfrequently arrive at the age of twenty 

 fears. 



THE CANARY-FINCH. 



If, observes M. de Buffon, the Nightingale is the songster of the 

 woods, the Canary-bird must be considered as the musician of the 

 chamber. It is a social and familiar bird, capable of recollecting 

 kindnesses, and even of some degree of attachment towards those by 



