70 
CAGE AND SINGING BIRDS. 
healthy birds^ although Bechstein says they have beer 
known to live from sixteen to twenty-four years in confine- 
ment. Epilepsy is the disorder to which they are most 
liable; they are often afflicted with inflamed and swollen 
eyes^ w'hich may be cured by an application of fresh butter. 
If allow^ed to indulge too freely in hemp-seed, stupor and 
giddiness is sometimess the result; a diet of soaked let- 
tuce and thistle-seed will generally remove this. An occa- 
sional supply of the latter food will always contribute to 
the health of this bird, which in old age becomes blind, and 
loses the bright red and yellow colours of its plumage. 
Goldfinches may be caught by means of a bundle of 
thistles in seed, smeared with birdlime, and fastened to 
a tree, or by means of springes placed among growing 
thistles ; they may also be taken in a net ; but they are 
cautious birds, and must be carefully approached. 
Of their attractive qualities we have, perhaps, said suf- 
ficient, yet another word or two upon this subject we must 
find space for. They may be taught to go and come at 
command, ring a bell, feign death, and do anything which 
a feathered performer can accomplish. They are exceedingly- 
lively birds, and sing at all seasons, except during th€ 
period of moulting. 
THE SISKIN, OR ABERDEVINE, 
Sometimes called the Black-headed Thistlefinch, is a bird 
not much seen in this country, except in autumn and winter, 
when large flocks of them may be observed feeding upon 
the seeds of the thistles and other composite plants, and also 
on those of the birch and alder trees. In point of beauty, 
the siskin will bear no comparison with the last species, 
although it possesses this recommendation in a high degree ; 
the prevailing colour of its plumage is a yellowish green, 
elegantly marked and shaded with black ; it is a neat little 
bird, with a short tail and stout conical beak ; the top of the 
head is altogether black, hence one of its names. The 
proper home of this bird appears to be the North of 
Europe ; but it also breeds among the pine woods of the 
Scottish Highlands, building a nest of grass stalks, 
root fibres, moss, and lichens, which it lines with hair, fur, 
wool, or feathers, as they chance to comedo hand ; the eggs 
