ORDER PASSERES. 265 



that which most readily couples with the canary ; but it is 

 difficult to believe that the produce of this alliance is more 

 fruitful than that of the canary with the goldfinch or the 

 siskin. Though repeated trials have been made, it does not 

 appear that fruitful eggs have been obtained, either from a 

 female canary, paired with a linnet-mule, or a female mule 

 with a male canary, or from the mules paired together. 



Although the linnet is one of the commonest of our small 

 granivorous birds, and though it preserves no brilliant 

 colours in captivity to render its possession desirable, it is not 

 less in request than the brilliant goldfinch and charming 

 bulfinch. Though sombre tints replace the fine red colour of 

 its head and chest, and though its entire plumage changes to 

 a tarnished brown, or dirty white, the linnet does not the 

 less merit our attention, nor the less contribute to our amuse- 

 ment. Its qualities are truly interesting. Its natural dispo- 

 sition is docile, and susceptible of attachment ; its song is 

 agreeable, and the flexibility of its throat enables it to imitate 

 with facility, the different airs which it is attempted to be 

 taught. It can even be taught to repeat many words, dis- 

 tinctly, in different languages, and it pronounces them with an 

 accent that would actually lead one to suppose that it under- 

 stood their meaning. The tender attachment of which these 

 birds are susceptible is astonishing ; so much so, that they 

 often become troublesome in their caresses. They can perfectly 

 well distinguish the persons who take care of them. They will 

 come and perch upon them, overwhelm them with caresses, 

 and even seem to express their affection by their looks. They 

 can also imitate and unite to the varied modulations of their 

 own voice, the strains of other birds, which they are in the 

 habit of hearing. If a very young linnet be brought up 

 with a chaffinch, a lark, or a nightingale, it will learn to 

 sing like them. But it will in most cases totally lose its 

 native song, and preserve nothing but its little cry of appeal. 



