326 Canaries and Cage-Birds. 



have been known to breed with the Bullfinch and other Finches, the details of such hybrid 

 breeding having been already described. If obtainable, the birds should be provided with an old 

 nest, or the nest of a Chaffinch, in preference to the nest-bag. 



The Goldfinch, in common with all the Finches, shows a very varied taste in regard to its 

 favourite kinds of seed. The best food is composed of a selection of the following seeds : — 

 Canary, flax (also known as linseed), oat-grits, rape, hemp, and maw-seed, generally diminishing in 

 favour as in order named. Some birds will not eat all these seeds, therefore it is advisable to 

 watch the general choice, and give those only, as otherwise it will scatter and waste the rest in 

 order to obtain the favourites. Should the bird show a decided preference for hemp, it is not 

 advisable to let it have too much, as this seed is very fattening. In order to break it of scattering 

 when in search of the hemp, give a few — -say twelve — seeds upon the top of the rest, and the bird 

 will soon understand the arrangement, and give up its endeavours. One very important item in 

 its treatment consists in providing plenty of road gravel or sand, the former being preferable. 

 This gravel or sand assists digestion, and is a source of great pleasure to the bird, besides 

 conducing to health. 



The Goldfinch, particularly when in the aviary, very often suffers from diarrhoea and a wasting 

 away of its flesh. When thus attacked, at once separate from the other birds, place in a small 

 cage with plenty of gravel, over which strew some lettuce-seed. Feed as recommended, adding 

 plenty of lettuce-seed, also giving some chalk in its water, first having deprived the bird until 

 thirsty — say about an hour — not omitting to stir the mixture recently so as to ensure the bird 

 getting its dose of chalk. If it has been previously fed on any green food, it had better be 

 deprived of that lu.xury, or vice versa. 



The Cheveril Goldfinch, which has the distinction of a white streak from the base of the 

 lower mandible down the breast, is greatly admired. It should be treated in all respects as the 

 Goldfinch, being only a variation of colour. 



The Bullfinch is a heavily-built bird of rather inelegant shape, but very striking plumage, 

 as may be seen depicted in the Plate ; his bright red breast contrasting most forcibly with the black 

 hood on the head and the beautiful grey on the back. The female has the breast chocolate-brown, 

 and the grey on the back tinged with brown. These birds have been known to lose their colours 

 and turn almost black, which freak of Nature has been generally attributed to their having fed 

 upon too much hemp-seed ; yet one caught young and reared by us is so affected, although it has 

 never eaten any seed but canary, so that we think naturalists must search for some other reason for 

 this curious phenomenon. 



Although the Bullfinch has but a moderate song, it is possessed of imitative powers in the 

 highest degree, and it may be taught to pipe a tune more readily than any other British bird. 

 This may be done in a somewhat similar manner to that recommended for the Blackbird, but 

 the tedious task is much more often successful, and the Bullfinch then attains a great value. 

 In Germany regular piping schools are established, where the birds are taught when quite 

 young. 



The Bullfinch is a somewhat slovenly bird, and very apt to scatter its food. It should be 

 kept clean, and be given plenty of gravel. It breeds very freely in the aviary, if provided with 

 proper materials for building ; we find that they prefer small pieces of heather and fine roots. 

 The young should be fed upon soaked stale crust of bread, scalded rape-seed, and finely- 

 chopped hard-boiled &gg. The adult should be fed and treated as the Goldfinch. 



