i84 BIRDS 



particularly fond of hemp which must be fed very spar- 

 ingly. 



The Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) is one of the most 

 enchanting of cage birds. It is a soft gray above, with 

 shining black cap, wings and tail. There is a white band 

 over the lower back. In the male the breast is a rich rose 

 color, replaced by gray in the female. The Bullfinch is a 

 thick-bodied, full-breasted bird, with long, soft feathers, 

 which enhance the appearance of plumpness. Even wild- 

 caught adults take kindly to captivity, but the most at- 

 tractive ones are those which have been reared by hand. 

 These birds are exceedingly tame, and have many quaint 

 habits which endear them to their owner. The Bullfinch's 

 only notes in the wild state are a clear, piping call and a 

 curious little squeaky song, which it delivers with much 

 gusto. It is a clever imitator, however, and young birds 

 are easily taught to whistle simple tunes. Training Bull- 

 finches has received much attention from the Germans, who 

 have acquired supremacy in the art. These trained birds 

 reach New York in some numbers each autumn and are 

 quickly snapped up by dealers, as has already been described. 

 In Germany they are usually fed on clear rape seed, but as 

 they derive no harm and much pleasure from a mixed diet, 

 it seems a pity to deprive them of it. They are fond of 

 sunflower seed and have a mania for hemp, which must 

 be given sparingly. All sorts of fruit and berries are rel- 

 ished and fresh green food should be supplied freely. 



The European Siskin (Spinus spinus) is a perky little 

 bird with a rather weak and not particularly pleasant song. 

 Its body is yellowish-green streaked with black. The cap 

 apd chin are black and the breast is yellow in the male, the 

 general color being duller and the cap missing in the female. 

 The Siskin becomes very tame in a cage, and will learn to 

 take dainties from its owner's fingers. Like the Goldfinch, 



