The Hawfinch. 



lOI 



neat, well-carried tail, perfect toes and claws, a bright eye, 

 and a cheerful and steady gait, as these are the points that 

 will catch the judge's eye. 



Geneeal Remarks. — In some parts of Germany Hawfinches 

 are very common, and oftentimes build their nests in 

 gardens, the owners of which sometimes take the young, and 

 rear them by hand. When so brought up, they will follow 

 their masters about from place to place, and display much 

 attachment and personal regard for them ; they will, without 

 hesitation, attack a dog or other animal from whom they 

 apprehend their protectors to be in bodily danger, or likely 

 to receive an injury. Hawfinches are very grateful birds, and 

 exhibit considerable affection for those who supply their daily 

 wants. They can be taught to come and go at command, to 

 eat out of the hand and mouth, and to perch on the finger 

 or shoulder, without exhibiting fear or trepidation. They 

 may be allowed to go about the house without being caged. 



Hawfinches are best kept in cages ; for preference, a box 

 cage with a wire front, 18in. by 16in., and 9in. wide. They 

 thrive all right in an aviary, but the smaller birds seem to 

 have a dread of them ; this is probably owing to their 

 powerful and formidable beaks, which would prove a terrible 

 weapon in an encounter. They do not seem to be parti- 

 cularly quarrelsome either ; in fact, when placed with other 

 birds, they are rather reserved and sullen. 



Diseases and their Treatment. — Hawfinches are hardy, 

 and seldom invalids. They suffer most during the process of 

 the moult — when they suffer at all. At this time a few 

 haws, sloes, or cherries, and plum stones, and a few lemon 

 seeds, should be given to them, when they will soon revive. 



If kept in small cages they become subject to sore feet, and 

 should have them occasionally steeped in warm water, to 

 which a teaspoonful of salt or a piece of alum has been 

 added ; immerse them for five or ten minutes, then dry them 

 with a soft cotton rag, and afterwards anoint them with 

 goose grease or olive oil. The floor of the cage should be 

 well covered with sand, mixed with a few small gravelly 

 pebbles ; the birds swallow the stones, and they promote 

 digestion and keep them in health. 



These birds are sometimes subject to fits of epilepsy, for 

 treatment of which see Chapter V., on "Diseases." 



