LESSONS IN TIPING. 
decoy-birds pecked up the seed and sang, and to all appearance 
were as free and happy as birds conld be ; so at least certainly 
thought the confiding wild birds, and, allured by the call of the 
treacherous braced birds, came down in dozens to partake of 
the ample spread. Now was the birdcatcher’s time. He gave 
a jerk at the twine, out came the supporting peg, and down 
slid the netted frame, swift and noiseless as an arrow. 
Howto Teach the Bullfinch to “Pipe.” — The vast import- 
ance of the subject must be my excuse (and I trust the readers 
will deem it a sufficient one), for constantly recurring to the 
necessity of tenderness and patience in all our dealings with our 
prisoner pets. Allow me here to observe, that in whatever 
degree the caution may apply to the treatment of other birds, 
towards the one now under consideration, it is applicable 
before all others. 
The natural song, if song it can be called, of the bullfinch is 
extremely simple. Indeed, it is a mere twitter, consisting of 
three notes, neither of which is particularly melodious ; but it 
may be taught to do wonders — to whistle “God save the Queen” 
or “ Buie Britannia ” as lustily as any boy ever whistled those 
loyal tunes to keep up his courage as he trudged along in the 
dark. An untaught bullfinch may be bought for fourpence, an 
accomplished one is worth as many guineas ! Think of this, 
boys, whenever you tire of playing schoolmaster, or your 
pupil is dull or obstinate. 
Your pupil must be a nestling, otherwise he will have acquired 
the discordant twitter of the parent bird, which will never leave 
him. Let nobody tend him or supply him with food and water 
but yourself. Be very particular about this. When he is about 
two months old he will begin to twitter. Now it is time to 
commence the lessons. 
I am very sorry to be obliged to inform you that your bull- 
finch must take his music lessons on an empty stomach. Sup- 
posing you to have made up your mind that the lessons shall 
commence on Wednesday, the whole of Tuesday must his 
seed-box remain empty. Then as soon as the day breaks on 
Wednesday morning you must visit your pet. I admit it is 
rather unpleasant turning out of bed at three o’clock in the 
morning ; nevertheless, if you are earnest in your intention to 
possess a piping bullfinch it must be done. The bird should 
not hear the least sound except that made by his teacher, and 
under such circumstances he will learn more in a week than he 
would in many months if taught in the middle of the day. If 
117 
