10S cassell's book of birds. 



is somewhat peculiar, though we cannot exactly say that its tones are musical, being rather mono- 

 tonous and shrill, yet still, to our mind, far from unpleasing. The nest, which may really be called a 

 work of art, is formed of the fine roots of plants or blades of grass, and bits of hay. The interior is 

 lined very delicately with hair or feathers, and the little structure is generally buried in the thick 

 foliage of a tree or shrub. According to Hoffmann, pear-trees are preferred, but it will build upon 

 apple, cherry, and, we believe, pine trees, while in Spain it is most fond of settling upon the boughs 

 of the orange and citron. The brood consists of from four to five small, blunt-shaped eggs, of a 

 dirty-white or greenish colour, marked principally at the broadest end with pale brown, red, reddish- 

 grey, or purplish-black spots, dots, or streaks. In Spain we have found newly-laid eggs from April to 

 July. It is probable that these birds breed twice in the year. 



The nest of the Girlitz is not always very easily to be found, but if sought for carefully its 

 situation will be betrayed by the female ; the latter is fed by her mate during the whole period of 

 incubation, and when hungry expresses her wants by calling to her little companion, so that any one 

 wishing to discover their retreat needs only to stand under the tree and watch for the return of the 

 male bird. The mother is very faithful to her little charges, and sits for about ten days upon her 

 eggs. As soon as the young leave the shell they also call for food with a chirping kind of sound, and 

 soon becoming weary of the nest, frequently leave it before they are really strong enough to do so. 

 The parents feed them for a considerable time, and will even bring them food if they are confined in 

 a cage placed near the tree — indeed, the latter is a very convenient plan by which to secure proper 

 nourishment for the little prisoners until they have attained their full strength. The Girlitz feeds 

 chiefly on all kinds of seeds, and may be kept when tame upon rapeseed, poppy-seed, or millet ; water 

 is indispensable. These birds are well adapted for a cage, and are very social. In Spain, when the 

 breeding season is over, they assemble in large flocks at the commencement of autumn, and during 

 such times associate in some degree with Goldfinches, Sparrows, and Fieldfinches. They are eagerly 

 pursued by most of the smaller birds and beasts of prey, and the young not unfrequently fall victims 

 to these marauders. They are caught by the Spaniards in great numbers and brought to market, 

 where they are purchased both for the cage and the kitchen. In Germany the Girlitz is but little 

 molested. In Spain it is trapped by means of the " esparto," a long, rush-like kind of grass that grows 

 in great abundance on the Spanish plains. The blades of this grass, smeared with bird-lime, are placed 

 in considerable quantities on the tops of the trees, their summits being thus converted into one large 

 trap. The numbers so caught are most astonishing, for it will often happen that not one-fourth part 

 of a large flock escapes in safety from the treacherous branches, even birds of considerable size being 



sometimes taken in this manner. 



THE CANARY. 



The Canary (Dryospiza Canaria). Three centuries have elapsed since the Canary-bird first 

 left its native isles to become a citizen of the world, and now who could recognise in our beautiful 

 golden little favourite the wild green species from which it is descended ? The change reminds us of 

 the difference sometimes observable between two brothers, one of whom has experienced all the 

 advantages of society and cultivation, while the other has remained in his rustic but perhaps happier 

 position. It is to Bolle we are indebted for the first reliable history of the Canary in its wild state, as 

 until his time we were only acquainted with the tamed species. The writers of former times have 

 given us many examples of this bird, but their accounts have bordered somewhat upon the marvellous. 

 They were even mistaken as to its original haunts. The naturalists of the last century were some- 

 what better informed, but even Buffon has assisted in the spread of erroneous ideas concerning its 

 history. " Goldfinches and Citronfinches," says Bolle, " must be contented to descend from the posi- 

 tion they have hitherto occupied as supposed progenitors of the Canary. Buffon tells us that the 



