YELLOW BIRD, OR GOLDFINCH. 
13 
they are almost constant visitants in our gardens, in search of 
seeds, which they dislodge from the husk with great address, 
while hanging, frequently head downwards, in the manner of 
alternately rising and falling, after each propelling motion of the wings. It 
scarcely ever describes one of those curves, without uttering two or three notes 
whilst ascending, sqch as its European relative uses on similar occasions. In 
this manner its flight is prolonged to considerable distances, and it frequently 
moves in a circling direction before alighting. Their migration is performed 
during the day. They seldom alight on the ground, unless to procure 
water, in which they wash with great liveliness and pleasure ; after which 
they pick up some particles of gravel and sand. So fond of each other’s 
company are they, that a party of them soaring on the wing will alter their 
course at the calling of a single one perched on a tree. This call is uttered 
with much emphasis : the bird prolongs its usual note, without much altera- 
tion ; and as the party approaches, erects its body, and moves to the right and 
left, as if turning on a pivot, apparently pleased at shewing the beauty of its 
plumage, and elegance of its manners. 
This natural group has been long celebrated for their docility, and easy 
instruction, whether in music, or in performing a variety of tricks. They are, 
consequently, favourites with bird-fanciers, and often doomed to undergo a 
severe and cruel discipline. The goldfinch, canary, the various linnets, the siskin, 
and chaffinch, are principally used for this purpose ; and it is often astonishing, 
and almost incredible, with what correctness they will obey the voice or 
motions of their masters. Mr Syme, in his History of British Song Birds , 
when speaking of the Sieur Roman, who some years since exhibited gold- 
finches, linnets, and canaries, wonderfully trained, relates, that “ one appeared 
dead, and was held up by the tail or claw without exhibiting any signs of life ; 
a second stood on its head with its claws in the air ; a third imitated a Dutch 
milkmaid going to market with pails on its shoulders ; a fourth mimicked a 
Venetian girl looking out at a window ; a fifth appeared as a soldier, and 
mounted guard as a sentinel ; and the sixth acted as a cannonier, with a cap 
on its head, a firelock on its shoulder, and a match in its claw, and discharged 
a small cannon. The same bird also acted as if it had been wounded. It 
was wheeled in . a barrow, to convey it, as it were, to the hospital ; after 
which it flew away before the company : the seventh turned a kind of wind- 
mill ; and the last bird stood in the midst of some fireworks, which were 
discharged all round it, and this without exhibiting the least symptom of 
fear.” The American goldfinch is no less docile than its congeners, Mr 
Audubon relates, that they are often caught in trap-cages j and that he 
knew one, which had undergone severe training, draw water for its 
drink from a glass, by means of a little chain fastened to a soft leathern 
