2/4 C A ^f ARIES AND CaGE-DiRDS. 



meats, among which it regards hemp-seed as a great luxury, and will consume a considerable 

 quantity. Our readers will be glad to know that it is not a very difficult Hybrid to breed. We 

 do not wish to convey that it can be bred as easily as the common Goldfinch-and-Canary Mule, 

 but that the elements of chance and uncertainty do not enter into the case in the manner in 

 which they, to a great extent, bar the way in well-arranged efforts to produce a high-class 

 bird of the latter variety. All Bullfinch-and-Goldfinch Mules are cast in one mould, and the 

 difficulty consists, not in the uncertain character of the birds produced, but in successful 

 management during the breeding-time — a thing no breeder should despair of accomplishing. 

 The female Bullfinch is very easily tamed, and a little attention will soon be repaid by the 

 greatest familiarity, the bird becoming as thoroughly domesticated and reconciled to cage-life as 

 the most exemplary Canary matron in the room. To assist in bringing about this desirable 

 state of things, it is well to procure a few hens in the autumn, when they can be obtained at a 

 cots of a few pence each ; but to increase the probability of producing large Mules, we would 

 recommend the use of the imported German birds, which are much larger than our indigenous 

 specimens. No further attention to the hen is requisite during the interregnum than the gentle 

 humouring and coaxing necessary to remove all shyness, and render the presence of its master or 

 mistress an evident pleasure rather than a cause of uneasiness. In the early spring the Goldfinch 

 should be introduced, as much that he may become accustomed to his hen as she to him ; and 

 as the season advances, it should be noticed whether they seem to have made up their minds 

 to accept each other for better or for worse. This will be before either bird becomes very 

 demonstrative, and it will only be necessary to observe whether the Goldfinch has determined 

 to be master in his own house, or submits to be hen-pecked : if the latter, remove him, and 

 introduce another knov/n to rule his house with firmness. The most that can be expected in 

 the early part of the season is mutual forbearance, the absence of unseemly quarrels, and no 

 display of cowardice on the part of the Goldfinch. About the end of May the Bullfinch will 

 begin to show signs of a more ardent temperament, and will not repel the advances of almost 

 any mate ; and then it is that the advantage of having a Goldfinch who is master of the 

 situation is apparent ; for it is amusing, although vexing, to see her behaviour to a Finch who, 

 with a lively recollection of sundry snubbings, is really afraid to look at her, even when, 

 forgetting all that has passed, she is evidently anxious to make up matters and commence 

 housekeeping. The Goldfinch who has been thrashed can't believe her, and the greatest 

 patience in such a case will never be rewarded. 



A roomy well-lined nest should be supplied, and also building material, with which the 

 hen will at least amuse herself, if not re-model her nest — a matter of the greatest consequence, 

 since she is apt to lay in the bottom of the cage. The difficulty in breeding with many 

 wild Finches is not in inducing them to lay, but in securing the eggs when they are laid ; and 

 hence the importance of doing everything to lead them to construct their own nests — a thing 

 they frequently do not seem to care about in captivity. To prevent any mishap to eggs 

 laid in the cage, or even dropped from the perch, it is well to cover the bottom with bran 

 to the depth of an inch, and if persistently dropped from the perch, to lower it to a height 

 from which no danger from fracture can be anticipated. The number of eggs is uncertain, 

 the natural order of things being occasionally disarranged in a strange way ; two or three 

 only being sometimes deposited, while at others a "nest" of five will be laid with 

 regularity, or a considerable number, a dozen or more, at uncertain intervals. These 

 should all be placed under Canaries to be hatched, literally not putting too many in one 

 basket, both on account of the ordinary risks and the extraordinary demands the young birds 



