BULLFINCH. . 577 
or mules, as they are more commonly called, have been 
produced between the Bullfinch and the Canary ; but such 
a union is of rare occurrence, and requires particular 
management, 
The notes of the Bullfinch, as heard in a wild state, 
particularly the louder ones, have no remarkable quality 
of tone to recommend them ; its call-note is, however, soft 
and plaintive: it is principally for its power of imitation 
and its memory that this bird is prized. 
‘“‘In Germany,” says Bechstein, ‘‘ those young Bullfinches 
that are to be taught to sing particular tunes, must be 
taken from the nest when the feathers of the tail begin to 
grow ; and must be fed only on rapeseed soaked in water, 
and mixed with white bread. Although they do not 
warble before they can feed themselves, it is not necessary 
to wait for this to begin their instruction; for it will suc- 
ceed better, if we may say so, when infused with their 
food ; since experience proves that they learn those airs 
more quickly, and remember them better, which they have 
been taught just after eating. It has been observed that 
these birds, like the Parrots, are never more attentive 
than during digestion. Nine months of regular and con- 
tinued instruction are necessary before the bird acquires 
what amateurs call firmness; for if the instruction cease 
before this is obtained, they would destroy the air, by 
suppressing or displacing the different parts, and they often 
forget it entirely at their first moulting. In general it is 
a good plan to separate them from the other birds, even 
after they are perfect ; because, owing to their great quick- 
ness in learning, they would spoil the air entirely by in- 
troducing wrong passages; they must be helped to con- 
tinue the song when they stop, and the lesson must always 
be repeated while they are moulting, otherwise they will 
VOL. I. PoP 
