ii8 



British Cage Birds. 



being taught to whistle a variety of tunes, in a soft and flute- 

 like manner, which are most agreeable and pleasing, and 

 with a correctness that is rather astonishing. 



Points to be Observed m Judging, — Size, contour, con- 

 dition, and the brilliancy and purity of colours throughout 

 the plumage, are the chief features to be observed, though 

 it is as well to see that the claws are perfect in form. 



General Eemarks. — Bullfinches can be taught a variety of 

 amusing tricks, as they are exceedingly intelligent, as well as 

 tractable. They can be taught to eat from the hand or 

 mouth, to come and perch on the finger, and to permit 

 you to stroke or handle them, without showing the least 

 fear or timidity. Before attempting to tame them and teach 

 them tricks, it will be well to allow a newly-caught bird 

 a few days to get familiar with a cage, and with the arrange- 

 ments for the supply of food and water. They are birds 

 that do not sulk and repine, but soon become reconciled to 

 their new home. 



When it is considered desirable to instruct Bullfinches to 

 "pipe" tunes, they must be removed from the parent birds 

 at an early age — say, seven days — and reared by hand. The 

 instruction should be given immediately after meals, and begun 

 when they are from two to three weeks old. When old 

 enough to cater for themselves, they should be fed at inter- 

 vals, and not allowed seed and water constantly. By this 

 means they become familiar with their instructors, get tame and 

 bold, and even attached to their mentors, which is most desir- 

 able to promote success. When they are six weeks old, they 

 will be able to feed on seed ; then both the seed and water 

 ought always to be removed over-night, and early in the morn- 

 ing returned to them. After they have partaken of a hearty 

 meal, and plumed their feathers (for which allow from 

 thirty to forty minutes), partly cover their cages, to render the 

 birds quiet and attentive to the instructions about to be im- 

 parted to them by the aid of some musical instrument. 



All birds intended to be taught should be placed, sepa- 

 rately, in small cages made for the purpose, with wooden 

 backs, ends, tops and bottoms, and wire fronts, and a piece 

 of cloth or calico to fold over from the top to the bottom 

 of the centre perch. This can be tacked on the top, and 

 folded back whenever it is deemed desirable to do so, at 



