BRITISH SONG-BIRDS. ISB 



seventh turned a kind of windmill ; and the last 

 bird stood in the midst of some fire- works which 

 were discharged all round it, and this without 

 exhibiting the least symptom of fear." 



They may also be taught to draw up little buck- 

 ets or cups with food and water. To teach them 

 this, there must be put round them a narrow soft 

 leather belt, in which there must be four holes, — 

 two for the wings, and two for the feet. The belt 

 is joined a little below the breast, where there is 

 a ring to which the chain is attached that sup- 

 ports the little bucket or cup : We have seen both 

 the goldfinch and lesser redpole perform this ac- 

 tion, but in a different manner. Their cage had no 

 wires, — only a back-board, a bottom-board, and 

 one perch : to one foot of the bird was attached a 

 light slender chain, which allowed it more exer- 

 cise than it could have had in the common wire 

 cage ; at the outer edge of the bottom board was 

 a ring through which ran the chain, to each end 

 of which were fastened the little buckets that held 

 the food and water, which the bu*d drew up with 

 its foot and bill ; and, as one bucket was drawn 

 up, the other sunk, — thus lessening the difficulty, 

 and lightening the task. 



It appears to be a vain bird ; for, if a looking- 



