536 AVES—LINNET. — 
have even doubted whether it be of the same species. With us, they have 
that variety of coloring usual in all domestic fowls ; some white, some mct- 
tled, some beautifully shaded with green; but they are more esteemed for 
their note than their beauty, having a high, piercing pipe, as indeed all those 
of the finch tribe have, continuing it for some time in one breath without 
mtermission, then raising it higher and higher by degrees, with great variety 
The canary will breed freely with the goldfinch and linnet, and the produce 
is a beautiful bird, called a Mule. 
The canary finch is a social and familiar bird, and is capable of con 
{racting an attachment for the person to whom it belongs. It will perch or 
te shoulder of its mistress, and peck its food from her hand or her mouth 
It is also capable of being taught still more extraordinary feats. In 1820, a 
Frenchman exhibited four and twenty Canary Birds in London, many of 
which, he said, were from eighteen to twenty-five years of age. Some of 
these balanced themselves, head downward, on their shoulders, having their 
legs and tails in the air. One of them, taking a slender stick in its claws, 
passed its head between its legs, and suffered itself to be turned round, as if 
in the act of being roasted. Another balanced itself, and was slung back- 
ward and forward on a kind of slack rope. A third was dressed in military 
uniform, having a cap on its head, wearing asword and pouch, and carrying 
a firelock in one claw; after some time sitting upright, this bird, at the word 
of command, freed iiself from its dress, and flew away to the cage. A fourth 
suffered itself to be shot at, and falling down, as if dead, to be put into a 
little wheelbarrow, and wheeled away by one of its comrades ; and several 
of the birds were at the same time placed upon a litle firework, and con- 
tinued there quiectiy, and without alarm, till it was discharged. 
‘ 
THE AMERICAN LINNET, OR PURPLE 
FINCH.! 
Tuus bird, owing to its change of color, has been described frequently-as 
a different species. It is six inches in length. All the upper parts of the 
male are dark crimson. The female is of a brown olive color, streaked with 
black and white. The young are of the same color with the female, but 
the males gradually attain their full crimson plumage. These birds come ® 
us 10 large flocks from the north, and feed on the seeds of poplar, buttons 
wood, juniper, and cedar trees. When the season is very severe, they pro- 
ceed to the south as far as Georgia. In the spring they feed on apple and 
cherry blossoms. 
The song of the purple finch is uncommonly sweet and voluble, sur- 
passing even that of the European linnet. It is remarkable that the nest 
1 Fringilla purpurea, GMEt. 
