220 THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 
and is susceptible of a most tender and lasting at- 
tachment, which it shews by its endearing actions ; 
it balances its body, moves its tail from right to left, 
and spreads it like a fan. 
" It will even repeat words with an accent and tone 
which indicates sensibility, if one could believe that 
it understood them ; but its memory must not be 
overloaded. 
A single air with a prelude, or a short flourish to 
begin with, is as much as the bird can well remem- 
ber, and this it will execute to the greatest perfection. 
These little prodigies would be more interesting 
and agreeable if their Hessian instructors possessed 
a little musical taste ; but these are generally trades- 
people, employed about the house with their dif- 
ferent occupations and trades; and hymns, airs, 
minuets, of a hundred years old, and public-house 
songs, in general, compose the whole of their music. 
This, however, is not the little bird's fault. The 
bullfinch can also imitate the songs of other birds ; 
but, in general, it is not permitted to do so, that it 
may only learn to repeat the airs which are taught 
it. Different degrees of capacity are shewn here, 
