^6 CLASS AVES. 



is curious. The bird must be equipped for the purpose ; 

 this equipment consists of a little band of soft leather, about 

 two lines in breadth, pierced with four holes, through which 

 the wings and feet are passed, and the two ends of which 

 joining under the belly, are maintained by a ring to which a 

 chain is attached ; at the other end of this chain is a ring, 

 which passes into the semicircle of wood which serves the 

 bird for a perch, and the two ends of which are placed in the 

 bottom board ; on this board is a small looking-glass, placed 

 in face of the circle, and below this circle is another of greater 

 diameter, that the bird may mount and descend at pleasure. 

 The two cups are suspended by a little chain to the upper 

 circle ; in one is the food and the other the drink, and they 

 are so arranged that one cannot be lowered without raising 

 the other ; thus, a degree of industry is necessary for the bird 

 to draw to himself the vessel he wants. The want of society 

 appears to be of the first necessity to the goldfinch, which 

 delights in that of its own species. It is on this account that 

 it is fond of looking at itself in the glass, and is often seen to 

 take its hempseed, grain by grain, and go and eat it before 

 the mirror, thinking, doubtless, that it is eating in company. 



Sometimes the mirror is omitted, and its place supplied by 

 a small measure, closed on all sides, with the exception of a 

 small aperture in the front, which is shut with a lid, so 

 arranged, that it will obey the slightest touch, and shut of 

 itself. To make the bird know where its aliment is, the lid 

 is first held half open, then shut about three-fourths, it is 

 then completely closed ; and the bird, knowing M^here its 

 food is, uses all its address to open, and holds it open with 

 his feet. The water is placed in a little cup, attached by a 

 chain to one of the circles ; the bird draws it to him, seizing 

 the chain with his bill, and holding it under his feet until he 

 has quenched his thirst. 



" Some years ago, the Sieur Roman exhibited in this 



