NATURAL HISTORY. 
164 
BULLFINCH. — This bird is in great efti- 
mation for its beautiful plumage, as well as 
finging, and alfo for its familiarity and traft- 
ability. It may be taught to pipe and talk, 
while perching on the finger, which renders ' 
it very engaging. To diftinguilli the cock i 
from the hen, pull a few feathers from the ' 
breaft, at about three weeks old, when thofe 
of the cock will be of a curious red, wdiile 
thole of the hen will be pale brown. 
In order to teach this bird to pipe with 
propriety, a flagelet or bird organ fliould be 
made ufe of, while they are m the neft, and 
unfledged ; which, if properly attended to, 
they will retain a tune with the greatefl: ex- 
aftnels. Although the hen is not fo beautiful 
in plumage as the cock, yet, with attention, 
fhe will very frequently pipe, and talk equal- 
ly well with the male. 
Food . — When young, give them rape- 
feed, foaked in clear water for eight or ten 
hours, then fcald, flrain, and bruife it, and 
mix it with an equal quantity of white bread,' 
foaked in water, boiled with a little milk ; 
it mull; be made frefli every day, to prevent 
its turning lour, and fpoiling the birds. 
When they can feed tliemfelves, give them, 
rape and canary-feed, mixing moft rape, as 
for linnets. If they droop, put a blade of 
faflron in tlieif water. 
CANARY BIRD. — This being the moft 
eftiuxable bird feu' its note, amcng° thofe who 
delight 
