CAGE AiNB SINGING BIRDS. 
73' 
are of a pale greenish wliite^ spotted at the thicker end with 
purple and brown j the nest is not generally placed very 
high up in the branches. Bechstein speaks of this as a 
well-known cage bird */' in this country it is by no means 
so^ although certainly a desirable species for the aviary ; for 
although its native song is a mere twitter, yet it readily 
learns the notes of other birds ; and, like the goldfinch, m 
very tame and teachable. 
Our German authority tells us that, in his country, the 
siskins are the most easily caught of any birds. Those who 
live by brooks, bordered by alders, can almost put their 
hands out of the window and tak^ them — so careless, or so 
eager, are the little feeders. A decoy bird, with a cage, or 
trap, or limed twigs, will a i most seasons suffice to effect the 
capture of as many as maj- be required. Bechstein likens 
thft continuous chirrup of this bird to the noise made by a 
stocking-loom, and says the weavers like it on this account ; 
its continuous utterance appears to subserve a good purpose 
in the aviary ; for we are told that it excites all the other 
birds to sing. The loss of liberty affects this bird but 
little : it will begin to eat directly after being caught, and 
become quite tame in a day or two ; it will live from eight 
to twelve years in confinement, and will breed with the 
canary : if the latter be a green bird, very handsome hybrids 
will frequently be produced. The siskin, if loose in the 
room, will feed on the universal paste; P^^PPJ; hemp, and 
other seeds may also be given ; it is a greedy bird, eating 
more than a chaffinch, although smaller, and fighting for pos- 
session of the seed-box like a little fury. It frequently dies 
of epilepsy, and sometimes of repletion. It requires a good 
supply of water for bathing. 
THE CHAFFINCH. 
This is another well-known and highly-prized songster, 
with the training of which more trouble is taken in Germany 
than, perhaps, with that of any other bird whatever ; it is a 
common species in this country, where it permanently re- 
sides, keeping pretty much in the woods and thickets in 
spring and summer, and feeding upon insects and larvse ; 
but as the severe weather comes on, congregating in flocks> 
and coming nearer to the dwellings of man, searching tot 
