The Greenfinch. 



95 



The Distinguishing Marks of Cock and Hen. — The hen 

 bird is smaller than the male, and measures o^in. in length 

 on an average. She is of a dingy greyish-brown or mouse - 

 colour, tinged with a sort of indescribable green ; she possesses 

 none of the beautiful green and yellow on the head, breast, 

 back, &c., which give such a distinguished appearance to 

 the male bird. The yellow margins on the wings, too, are 

 much narrower and less brilliant in tone, and she is entirely 

 destitute of the bright golden spots on the ridge of the wings, 

 and likewise of the yellow marking in the tail feathers. The 

 throat of the hen is dirty-white, and the bright black spots 

 in front of the eyes of the male bird are wanting, those in 

 the hen being of a dusky-brown colour. 



Song. — The Greenfinch is not esteemed for the compass and 

 quality of its song ; in fact, its natural ditty is meagre and not 

 over-pleasing ; but naturalists differ in opinion on this point, 

 as some think the notes uttered by this bird rather good 

 than otherwise. If it be taken from the nest and hand- 

 reared, and placed at an early age under a Canary or a 

 Chaffinch, it will learn and sing the song of either of these 

 birds fairly well ; or if it is wished that it should learn the 

 song of any particular bird, let it be placed near the variety 

 selected when it is about three weeks old, as it learns at an 

 early age, and rarely forgets what it has been taught. 



Points to be Observed in Judging. — Choose a large lusty 

 bird in good plumage ; a three year old bird is best, as he 

 is then much brighter in colour, showing more yellow. A 

 young bird is too raw and green for the show bench, and a 

 year old bird is much darker on the back than an older bird, 

 although lighter on the under parts than a young bird. 

 There is a great divergence in the colours of these birds, 

 according to age. Next to size, shape, and compactness of 

 feather, the colouring is essential. The head should be a 

 rich olive-green, the back and shoulders a bright yellowish- 

 green; the quills in the wings must be bright black, and the 

 borders vivid yellow, as also the lower web of the outside tail 

 feathers ; the under parts should be of a clear, well-defined 

 siskin green. The wings need to be well formed, and carried 

 tight to the body, and the tail free from damaged feathers. 

 A bird to be eligible for a show must be in good condition, 

 and entirely free from dirt. 



