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having two white feathers in each wing. Of the Larks I have

had several ; but only one ever distinguished himself as a

songster, and he died during a hard winter. All tny Larks, after

a short time in the aviary, are perfectly well able to perch. Of

Titmice, I have only kept the Great or Ox-eye Titmouse and

the smaller Blnecap. I did not greatly care for the former, as

it more than once broke the eggs of a Canary that had paired

with a Siskin. I never heard it sing, and it usually was in a

state of chattering wrath either with me or some denizen of the

aviary. It was interesting, though, to watch the manner in

which it held a grain of hempseed in its claw to peck at, always

flying with a single grain to a particular spot. The Blue Bonnet

is a more satisfactory bird and quite as amusing : he loves any¬

thing in the way of fat, and appears fond of water ; but has not

yet nested with me. The Common Linnet is very easily kept in

captivity, and is not liable to diseases. The song is very sweet,

and it continues the music until very late in the evening. The

Twite I have found very hard to keep, and I cannot recommend

this species as being so satisfactory as either the Linnet or

Redpoll. Of this latter species I have had four, for about five

years, and I am able to disprove a statement in regard to its

colour, which maintains that the captive bird having lost the red

colour never recovers it in captivity. I once had a large Mealy

Redpoll, but it was hanged through being entangled in a piece

of twine. None of these birds ever began to build a nest, nor

have I noticed any inclination to pair, though I always keep my

birds in pairs when possible.


The Greenfinch is quite hard}^ but not easily made quite

tame. It and the Bullfinch are very fond of a branch in bud.

This latter is a prime favourite with me, and my pair can hardly

be tamer. They have built a nest, but the young died. The

nest was loosely made, some of the hairs having been obtained

from my beard. The hen, but not the cock, can pipe a few bars

of “ Pop goes the weasel.”


My Hawfinches are very healthy but uninteresting, and

the voice coming from such a beak is ludicrous.


The Crossbills are my favourite birds ; and one, an

incessant songster, is very tame and affectionate. I prefer it to

anything, almost everything, else I have got.



