APPENDIX. 66 7 



This vcngolina-linnet was abfolutely perfect, 

 without ever uttering a fingle note by which it 

 could have been known to be a linnet.' In fome 

 of my other experiments, however, the neftling 

 linnet retained the call of its own fpecies, or what 

 the bird-catchers term the linnet's chuckle, from 

 fome refemblance to that word when pronounced. 



I have before ftated, that all my neftling linnets 

 were three weeks old, when taken from the neft ; 

 and by that time they frequently learn their own 

 call from the parent birds, which I have mentioned 

 to confift of only a fingle note. 



To be certain, therefore, that a neftling will not 

 have even the call of its fpecies, it mould be taken 

 from the neft when only a day or two old ; becaufe, 

 though neftlings cannot fee till the feventh day, 

 yet they can hear from the inftant they are hatch- 

 ed, and probably, from that circumftance, attend 

 to founds, more than they do afterwards, efpecially 

 as the call of the parents announces the arrival of 

 their food. 



I muft own, that I am not equal myfelf, nor can 

 I procure any perfon to take the trouble of breed- 

 ing up a bird of this age, as the odds againft its 

 being reared are almoft infinite. The warmth in- 

 deed of incubation may be, in fome meafure, fup- 

 plied by cotton and fires -, but thefe delicate ani- 

 mals require, in this flate, being fed almoft perpe- 

 tually, whilft the nourifhment they receive mould 



not 



