1 8 The Goldfinch. 



The song of the goldfinch, which begins about the end of 

 March, is very sweet, unassuming, and low — similar to that of 

 the linnet, but singularly varied and pleasant. 



Now, however, we must give a few instances of this bird's 

 teachable sagacity, which, indeed, are so numerous that it is 

 difficult to make a selection. 



Mr. Syme, in his "British Song Birds," says, "The gold- 

 finch is easily tamed and taught, and its capacity for learning 

 the notes of other birds is well known. A few years ago the 

 Sieur Roman exhibited a number of trained birds : they were 

 goldfinches, linnets, and canaries. One appeared dead, and 

 was held up by the tail or claw without exhibiting any signs of 

 life; a second stood on its head with its claws in the air; a third 

 imitated a Dutch milkmaid going to market with pails on its 

 shoulders ; a fourth mimicked a Venetian girl looking out at a 

 window ; a fifth appeared as a soldier, and mounted guard as a 

 sentinel ; whilst a sixth acted as a cannonier, with a cap on its 

 head, a firelock on its shoulder, and a match in its claw, and 

 discharged a small cannon. The same bird also acted as if it 

 had been wounded. It was wheeled in a barrow as if to con- 

 vey it to the hospital, after which it flew away before the whole 

 company. The seventh turned a kind of windmill ; and the 

 last bird stood in the midst of some fireworks which were 

 discharged all round it, and this without showing the least 

 sign of fear." 



Others, as I have said, may be taught, to draw up their food 

 and water, as from a well, in little buckets. All this is very won- 

 derful, and shows great docility in the bird ; but I cannot 

 greatly admire it, from the secret fear that cruelty or harshness 



