ORDER PASSERES. 285 



own species. The goldfinch, on the contrary, will only pair 

 with the canary in a cage ; to the linnet, greenfinch, and 

 bullfinch, the cage and the aviary are indifferent. The com- 

 monest mules are produced from the linnet, the greenfinch, 

 and the siskin, and the most esteemed of these, for song and 

 beauty, are those from the male canary and a strange female. 

 The mules from the greenfinch are in general of a bluish 

 colour, and the males sing very badly, especially if the 

 father be a greenfinch. The male mules from a linnet sing 

 much better, but their plumage is very ordinary. Those of 

 the siskin are small, and sing badly. Those from the bull- 

 finch are susceptible of a perfect education, and their plumage 

 is singular ; but this alliance rarely thrives. The male feeds, 

 it is true, like the canary, and pays much attention to the 

 female. But she dislikes and flies from him. His cry, and 

 the opening of his wide bill, frightens her. It is necessary to 

 choose a vigorous female or male, which has been brought up 

 with bullfinches, and has never coupled with a bird of its own 

 species. 



To have fine mules and good singers, they should be of 

 the race of the goldfinch. This bird should be chosen robust, 

 gay, ardent in singing, and of a fine plumage. A goldfinch 

 even taken in the net will couple, but he must at least have 

 passed a month with the canaries, and be accustomed to their 

 food from the moment he is taken ; for had he been previously 

 fed on hempseed, and suddenly deprived of it, he would 

 assuredly perish. After coupling, and when the young are 

 produced, the goldfinch, whether cock or hen, should receive 

 thistle-seed from time to time, for these birds are extremely 

 fond of this seed, and it may be considered as their primitive 

 and essential aliment in a wild state. Groundsel is also suit- 

 able to them, and may be substituted for the thistle-seed when 

 the latter is not mature. If a linnet be chosen, it should be 

 a male, for the experiment with a female is rarely successful. 



