216 



GOLDFINCH. 



Sometimes suspended at the limber end, 



Of plane tree spray among the broad leaved shoots. 



The tiny hammock swings to every gale ; 



Sometimes in closest thickets 'tis concealed, 



Sometimes in hedge luxuriant where the briar, 



The bramble, and the plum-tree branch ; 



Warp through the thorn, surmounted by the flowers 



Of climbing vetch and honeysuckle wild." 1 * 



The eggs are four or five in number, of a bluish white, with a few 

 small spots, chiefly at the larger end. It sometimes builds in hedges, 

 but most commonly in trees, especially those which are evergreen. The 

 native song of this bird is not inelegant, but it is seldom pure in con- 

 finement ; it readily breeds with the canary bird ; the production are 

 mules, and are generally termed the canary Goldfinch. Their principal 

 food is seed of various kinds, particularly the thistle. and teasel; they are 

 fond of plantain, chickweed, and hempseed. 



* " The Goldfinch," says Syme, " is easily tamed and easily taught, 

 and its capability of learning the notes of other birds is well known ; 

 but the tricks it may be taught to perform are truly astonishing. A 

 few years ago the Sieur Roman exhibited his birds, which were Gold- 

 finches, 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 milk-maid 

 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 ; and the sixth acted as a cannoneer, 

 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, to convey it, as it 

 were, to the hospital ; after which it flew away before the company : 

 the seventh turned a kind of windmill ; and the last bird stood in the 

 midst of some fire-works which were discharged all round it, and this 

 without exhibiting the least symptom of fear. 



" They may also be taught to draw up little buckets or cups with 

 food and water. To teach them this, there must be put round them a 

 narrow soft leather belt, in which there must be four holes — two for 

 the wings, and two for the feet. The belt is joined a little below the 

 breast, where there is a ring, to which the chain is attached, that sup- 

 ports the little bucket or cup. We have seen both the Goldfinch and 



1 Birds of Scotland, p. 49. 



