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British Cage Birds. 



In young birds the males are distinguishable from the 

 hens at eleven or twelve days old. The male birds have a 

 greater abundance of white feathers in the wings, and this is 

 more particularly observable on the pinions ; the sides of the 

 breasts of the males, even at this early period, are tinged 

 with red, and the whole of the plumage is altogether 

 richer and more intense in colour. The circle round the 

 eye is also of a brighter yellow. In other respects the 

 young birds resemble the adult female. 



Song. — The song of the Chaffinch is greatly admired by 

 many people who have a penchant for music. There is, how- 

 ever, a very marked difference in this variety with regard 

 to vocalisation. Birds that have been reared in a wild state, 

 and have reached the age of two or three years, rarely sing 

 with freedom after being caught and confined indoors; but 

 those that have been reared by hand, and brought up under 

 a good tutor of the same species, or coached by a Nightin- 

 gale, Woodlark, Linnet, or Hartz Mountain Canary, almost 

 invariably make valuable and reliable singers. These birds, 

 however, like human beings, vary considerably in their apti- 

 tude to acquire and retain vocal excellence, and it will be 

 found that, even where two birds have been reared together, 

 and the same opportunities for acquiring a particular song 

 have been afforded each, in nine cases out of ten one 

 will excel the other both in power, compass, and variety 

 of notes. 



A really high-class singer has been noticed to have .is many 

 as seven distinctive changes, or variations, in its song. The 

 voice of a superior specimen is loud, clear, melodious, flute- 

 like, and penetrating, and consists principally of trills of 

 great beauty of expression and variety, which are repeated in 

 rapid succession, and with an easy grace and modulation. 



The Germans (as a nation) probably value the Chaffinch 

 more than any other people, and set great store on really 

 high-class, well-trained, and clever songsters. The varieties in 

 the songs of these birds are known by a diversity of distinct 

 names which have been applied to them. The best birds — 

 those most highly trained — are to be found in Thuringia, 

 Saxony, and Franconia, where they are held in the highest 

 possible estimation, and bring long prices. 



A really first-class, well-trained bird, will command a high 



