158 Field and Forest Rambles. 



of his caged males has died, a wild one, in the course of a 

 few days, has generally come and perched near the widowed 

 female, whose call-note is far from loud." 



I don't suppose many amateur bird-catchers have had a 

 more extensive experience in capturing this bird than my- 

 self. During my boyish days I was constantly so occupied ; 

 and the bullfinch being an especial favourite, I soon became 

 familiar with its habits. As is well known, it seems not un- 

 frequently to pair for life ; and not rarely, indeed, a male 

 and female, or two or more of one. sex, may be observed 

 continually together. 



I have captured them at all seasons, and often taken a 

 male close to his nest by means of a female decoy. The call 

 note is not often heard in the wild state, for the reason 

 that the pair usually keep close together ; but when either 

 get separated or a stray bird happens to be calling close 

 by, I have seen a male and female desert their nest to 

 look at the new comer. I do not agree with Mr. Weir 

 that the call-note of the female is " far from loud ;" on the 

 contrary, when she chooses to exert her lungs, although not 

 quite so clear as that of the male, her whistle is equally strong. 

 I have, moreover, captured the male siskin by means of 

 another, when the former had its nest and eggs in the neigh- 

 bouring tree. As regards starlings, sparrows, and the like, 

 which breed in societies, there are, no doubt, numbers of 

 bachelors and old maids who do not pair, or who are late in 

 becoming excited by the sexual passion, and therefore ready 

 to fill up a casualty. 



Finally, with reference to the long courtship of the birds 

 of mid-Europe. As we have seen, it contrasts with the 

 short love-making of the migratory species in North-eastern 

 America, and in consequence there might likely be more 

 instances of unmated individuals among the former, for the 

 reason that the passions are gradually developed, whereas in 

 the latter they suddenly spring into full vigour. 



