TIIE SISKIN'S CAGE. 
you may even smear the end of your fishing-rod, provided 
it be a long one, and take them off the branches as they sit 
feeding. 
Siskin Mules. — The song of the siskin is similar to that of 
the goldfinch, with this difference : it is rather sharp and 
piercing, than soft and sweet, and invariably finishes with 
an abrupt jarring note. Nevertheless, it is a good bird to 
keep among others, as, from its being ever on the alert, and 
continually singing, it tends to keep its companions in captivity 
cheerful. But, above all, it is specially prized by the bird- 
fancier because the canary will breed with the siskin more 
readily than with any other. Mated with the lizard, or 
bronze canary, the result is the very handsomest mules, the 
strongest birds, the best behaved, and the choicest singers. 
The common grey canary finch and the siskin produce hybrids 
less handsome, but stout singers, and stronger and larger- 
limbed than any others. He is a kind father and an affectionate 
mate to his hen, whom he will assist in all domestic and family 
matters with the most praiseworthy assiduity. Goldfinch and 
linnet mules are apt to be sulky, but the progeny of the siskin 
is certain to inherit its docile, obedient, and familiar habits 
As regards the management of the breeding-cage and its 
belongings, the same directions given concerning goldfinch 
mules may be followed. I may as well here mention a disease 
peculiar to breeding-birds, — egg rupture. From some trifling 
disease or malformation the hen may have a difficulty in laying 
her eggs. A little salad-oil applied beneath the tail and a 
warm bath is the best remedy. Be sure, however, that while 
you are operating on the bird you handle her just as gently as 
you would a newly -laid egg, or the result will be instant death. 
If the salad-oil and bath does not effect the desired object, put 
five drops of castor- oil in her drinking-pan. She will take it 
that way quite as well as through a quill; indeed, I don’t see 
how, in this case, the latter and more common mode could be 
adopted without fracturing the confined egg, and at once 
causing the bird to die. 
Don’t try to breed from mules. The result will certainly be 
a failure. The eggs wont be much larger than a big pea, and 
by no means worth the hatching. 
The Siskin’s Cage. — It should be shaped like a linnet cage, 
that is, open at all sides except the back. There is one thing, 
however, which I have myself practised as regards my linnet 
cages, and which I may as well mention here, so that the 
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