BRITISH SONG-BIRDS. 20§ 



but very sweet : early in the morning, or when 

 undisturbed, its warble is low, soft, and melo- 

 dious. Its aptness to learn what it hears is asto- 

 nishing ; for it may be taught to pipe tunes, to 

 articulate words, and even to whistle in parts. 

 Two of these birds have been known to sing or 

 whistle a duet, keeping accurate time and tune. 



" Piping Bullfinches" is a common phrase for 

 the taught bii*ds exhibited in this country. The 

 Germans are the best teachers of these birds, as 

 well as of many other species. One which a lady 

 (north of the Tay,) bought from a Gennan bird- 

 dealer, because of the excellence of its song, with 

 which she had been much delighted, was no sooner 

 in her possession, than it became entirely mute, 

 and, though apparently in perfect health, neither 

 voice nor instrument could induce it to sing. A 

 Hanoverian officer, who happened to be in that 

 part of Scotland where the lady resides, saw the 

 bird, and whistled to it various waltzes, but in 

 vain, — Bully was still silent; at last the Hanoverian 

 bethought him of an air he had heard a bird- 

 catcher sing in Germany, and, whistling the first 

 bar, the bullfinch instantly finished it. 



Another that we know of now, (1823,) in Edin- 

 burgh, not only sings delightfully, but performs 



