6



die early ; some learn only a part of their lesson, say the first

line ont of four ; some learn just one short ditty, whereas, a

really good piper should master two airs correfitly and finish his

performance with a military bugle call. Extraordinary specimens

will even do more than that, but they do not make their appear¬

ance every year. The majority have to be sold at low prices,,

and make charming pets for the bird lover of not unlimited

means and who is content to enjoy but a partial fulfilment of

the bird’s early promises.


Yet, all these birds receive the same care and attention to

complete their education, which is conducted as follows: A

score or so of learners, still in their nest feathers and each in

a cage, are hung around a partly darkened room. When¬

ever the enterprising peasant has a spare moment he enters that

room and whistles with his lips the tune decided upon for that

3 r ear. By the time the moult is over, the best birds have learned

that tune and are removed to another part of the cottage, where

the second subjefit of their studies is introduced to them; viz.:

the militaty bugle call. Onty a very few show aptitude enough

to be promoted to another removal for the purpose of being

taught a second air, when the first and the soldier’s call have

been acquired by them.


Tong ere this, the peasant has found out which among his

team show signs of “piping to command ; ” he takes the cage of

those most promising into his hand at all hours of the day,,

whistles the air, and then encourages the inmate to repeat it by

coaxing him with his voice, by imitating the sound of kissing,

and especially by gently rocking his head. A willing and

promising pet at once hops to the front of his cage and, puffing

out his plumage, sweetty gives a call or two, and then saj r s

his lesson to the best of his knowledge. When they pipe

their tunes readily in response to the manoeuvres just described,,

they are said to “ pipe to command.” The sound of osculation

is one of the first things Bullfinches imitate to perfection.


Of late years some improvements in teaching have been

introduced. Instead of moving the head to make the birds pipe to

command, the same motion is effected with the hand and extended

forefinger ; and instead of whistling, small bird organs are made

use of, the reed pipes of which are flute-like in sound and are

always of the correct pitch. Bullfinches that pipe to command

are much sought after, as they make most charming pets, and

great trouble is taken by the teacher to educate as many as

possible to that mode of producing their music.



