138 



British Cage Birds. 



prices are given for famous songsters that are properly trained 

 by men who use them for these matches. 



The call note is *'chuck-a," '*chuck-a," and at pairing 

 time they sing whilst on the wing, in search of a mate. 

 After the moulting season is over, they will congregate 

 together in some tree or hedge, in any neighbourhood where 

 they frequent, on a fine clear autumn evening, and commence 

 what has all the appearance of a concert, the old birds 

 leading, and the young ones joining in chorus. Hen Linnets 

 do not sing, and ought to be liberated, unless kept for an 

 aviary, or for breeding purposes. Male birds are best kept 

 in cages, which should not be too large, as they never sing 

 fluently when placed in a cage or aviary with other birds. 

 One of the best methods to excite them to sing is by 

 making a noise, such as that produced by filing a piece of 

 iron, or anything hard, by shaking a few seeds to and fro 

 in a paper bag, by turning a coffee mill, or by playing 

 on some musical instrument ; but the most effectual method, 

 where you have several birds, is to cover one or two over, 

 in such a way as to exclude the daylight for a couple of 

 hours, and then place them in close proximity to some 

 other male birds on song. A rivalry will at once begin, and 

 the birds will do their utmost to outvie each other. A little 

 stimulating food given occasionally will likewise assist the 

 birds materially in this respect. 



If you wish Linnets to learn the song of some other bird, 

 they should be placed, when very young, in close proximity to 

 the bird whose song is desired, and should not be permitted 

 to hear the song of any other bird. They are apt scholars, 

 and soon learn the song of the Canary, Nightingale, Black- 

 cap, Chaffinch, or Woodlark. 



Points to be Observed in JuDaiNG.— Size, contour, colour, 

 closeness and fineness of feather, condition, good health, 

 vigour, and sprightliness, are the chief features to be 

 observed. 



General Remarks. — This bird is sometimes called the 

 Whin Linnet, on account of its partiality for whin bushes. 

 It is also designated, by some naturalists, the Greater Redpoll. 

 There are, occasionally, specimens to be met with of the 

 albino variety, some being pied, and others altogether white ; 

 this abnormal plumage is believed to be the result of con- 



