GEfttlAN CHAFFINCHES. 
even twice is the love-call of the cock-bird to the hen ; but 
when an extra “ pink ” is added it then becomes a note of 
alarm, and as the poor clipped decoy with the twig at his tail 
is much more likely to utter three “ pinks ” than two, instead 
of alluring the wild birds it warns them off. Besides, by this 
plan, as by the first quoted, your decoy is liable to injury, 
and that alone is sufficient reason for not adopting either one 
or the other. 
CHAPTER II. 
THE CHAFFINCH. 
Ho bird of the Finch tribe is better known than he whose 
prefix is “ chaff.” Many buds, more splendid in appearance, 
more efficient as songsters, are less favoured by mankind, and 
the secret is this ; there are two little words which comprehend 
the whole art of getting on in the world, applying as well 
to human beings as to birds, — cheerfulness and industry. To 
parents and guardians plagued with a morose and sulky boy, 
my advice is, buy him a chaffinch. If the company of the 
blithe, bustling little songster does not cure him, you may as 
well at once apprentice him to an undertaker, with the special 
understanding that he be thoroughly taught the duties of a 
“ mute.” 
The chaffinch is one of the most popular birds in Europe. 
In the mouths of our 
neighbours the French, 
he is a “household word.” 
A handsomely dressed 
person, or one remark- 
able for his vivacity is 
said to be “ as gay as a 
chaffinch.” As to the 
Germans, their enthu- 
siasm concerning this 
finch is almost alarm- 
ing. There it is taught 
to sing as great a variety 
of songs as there are 
days in a month, songs, — the bare names of which no tongue 
less flexible than a German’s can pronounce. There is the 
“ Shwartzgabeer,” the “ Keeneuyl,” the “ Ritcherzoog,” and 
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