t 2 55 ] 
catchers term the linnet’s chuckle , from feme re- 
femblance to that word when pronounced. s 
I have before ftated, that all my nettling linnets 
were three weeks old, when taken from the nelt ; 
and by that time they frequently learn their own call 
from the parent birds, which I have mentioned to 
confift of only a tingle note. 
To bo certain, therefore, that a nettling will not 
have even the call of its fpeeies, it fliouid be taken 
from the nett when only a day or two old ; beeaufe, 
though nettlings cannot fee till the feventh day, yet 
they can hear from the infeant they are hatched, 
and probably, from that circumftance, attend to 
founds, more than they do afterwards, efpecially as 
the call of the parents announces the arrival of their 
food. 
I mud: own, that I am not equal myfelf, nor can 
X procure any perfon to take the trouble of breed- 
ing up a bird of this age, as the odds againft its being 
reared are almofl infinite. The warmth indeed of 
incubation may be, in fome meafure, fupplied by 
cotton and fires; but thefe delicate, animals require, 
in this ftate, being fed almoft perpetually, whilfl 
the nourishment they receive fhould not only be 
prepared with great attention, but given in very fmali 
portions at a time. 
Though 1 naufl admit, therefore, that 1 have 
never reared myfelf a bird of fo tender an age, yet I 
have happened to fee both a linnet and a goldfinch 
which were taken from their nefls when only two 
or three, days old. 
The firff of thefe belonged to Mr. Matthews, .an 
apothecary at Kenfington, which, from a want of 
other. 
