BRITISH SONG-BIRDS. 177 



THE SISKIN; 



OR ABERDEVINE. 

 FRINGILLASPINUS; LINNJEUS. ^LE TARIN; BUFFON. 



Siskins, though not equal to canaries as song- 

 birds, yet bring as high prices, because bird-fanciers 

 are always anxious to possess them, for the purpose 

 of pairing them with canaries. They are healthy, 

 mild, and docile birds — and, when paired with ca- 

 naries, their progeny generally inherit the same 

 good qualities, and therefore they are highly 

 prized by amateurs. — ^Besides, no other bird pairs 

 so readily with the canary : Whether it be the hen 

 siskin with the cock canary, or the cock siskin with 

 the hen canary — the male and female of each species 

 pair equally well. This is not the case with the 

 goldfinch, chafl&nch, or linnet : it is only the 

 males of these birds that pair with the hen canary; 



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