328 Canaries and Cage-Birds. 



it sometimes proves quarrelsome, and should then be treated as recommended for the Chaffinch. 

 They will breed in confinement, and we know of one that paired with a Chaffinch, rearing a 

 very handsome brood of young. 



The Hawi-'INCH is a handsome bird, with peculiarly-shaped blue feathers overlapping the 

 wings ; it is not so common as the preceding. We reared a nest of young upon the same food as 

 is recommended for young Goldfinches, and these birds agreed very well in the aviary ; but others 

 that we had when adult caused great havoc amongst the birds with their powerful beaks, one even 

 biting off one of the claws of another bird. We think it therefore always advisable to keep them 

 in a separate cage. The adult birds should be fed the same as Goldfinches. 



The Citrel Finch and Serin Finch are occasional visitors to England, and are very pretty 

 additions to the aviary, or may be kept in a cage, feeding and treating the same as Goldfinches. 

 We have been successful in keeping both these birds. The Citrel Finch was fed principally on 

 canary-seed, and the Serin Finch at present in our aviary shows a preference for canary and rape, 



The Linnet is also known by the various names of Brown, Grey, and Rose Linnet, from the 

 plumage varying so greatly according to age and the season of the year. When young, Linnets 

 are lighter in colour than the one depicted in the Plate, and when wild, after the second moult, the 

 male obtains a rose-red hue on the head and breast. It is then known as a Rose Linnet ; but in 

 the succeeding autumn it loses this colour and becomes of unpretending plumage, composed of 

 different shades of brown. As with the Lark or Nightingale, however, the plumage is no 

 criterion of the vocal powers, for the Linnet has an extremely pleasing song, beautifully modulated 

 and flute-like, and so sweet as to make it an especial favourite as a cage-bird. 



The Linnet is somewhat shy, but capable of being tamed, and will become exceedingly 

 attached to those who feed and tend it. As with the rest of the Finches, it is extremely erratic in 

 its choice of food, except that all show a preference for hemp and rape ; the former seed, however, 

 is much too fattening, and should be given sparingly, especially as the Linnet is rather a greedy 

 bird and apt to overfeed itself. We find that the average of them prefer canary, rape, and flax ; 

 a small proportion of hemp may be given. Chickweed or groundsel should be given when 

 obtainable, or a little watercress or lettuce. The young should be fed and treated as recommended 

 for young Bullfinches. 



The Twite, or Mountain Linnet, is closely allied to the preceding bird ; it is, however, 

 slightly smaller and more slender-looking ; the beak is smaller and yellow instead of brown, and 

 the whole plumage is darker. The sex is distinguishable by the male having a red rump. This 

 bird is more often found in the north, only visiting the southern counties of England in the autumn 

 and winter. It has a very pleasant song, though not so elaborate as the Linnet's, and its name is 

 derived from its peculiar call-note. It should be fed and treated as recommended for the Linnet. 



The Siskin is a very beautiful little bird of diminutive size, but prettily-marked plumage, 

 as may be seen depicted in the Plate. Its beauty is especially displayed when seen flitting 

 amongst the branches of the alder trees, feeding upon the seeds, and keeping up a continual 

 twitter the while. It is very docile, and may be soon taught the accomplishments of the Gold- 

 finch. Though Siskins have not much song, and that occasionally interspersed with harsh, 

 jarring notes, yet they are continually twittering, and being lively, hopping from perch to perch, 



