258 
Birds. 
THE BULLFINCH. (Loxia pyrrMa.) 
This is a very docile bird, and will nearly imitate the 
sound of a pipe, or the whistle of man, with its voice, the 
mellowness of which is really charming. It is, by bird- 
fanciers, considered to excel all other small birds, except 
the linnet, in the softness of its tones, and in the variety 
of its notes. In captivity, its melody seems to be as great 
a solace to itself, as it is a pleasure to its master. By day, 
and even when the evening has called for the artificial 
light of candles, the Bullfinch pursues his melodious 
exertions, and if there be any other birds in the apart- 
ment, awakes them gently to the pleasing task of singing 
in concert with him. His notes are upon one of the 
lowest keys of the gamut of birds. 
The plumage of the Bullfinch is beautiful, though 
simple and uniform, consisting only of three or four 
colours. ^Fn the male, a lovely scarlet or crimson 
colour adorns the breast, throat, and jaws, as far as the 
eyes ; the -crown of the head is black ; the rump and tail 
are white ; the neck and back grey, or lead-coloured. 
The name of this bird originates from its head and neck 
being, like those of the bull, very large in proportion to 
the body. The female does not share with the male the 
brightness of colours in the plumage. Bullfinches build 
their nests in gardens and orchards, and particularly in 
places that abound in fruit-trees, as they are passionately 
fond of fruit, which they often destroy before it is ripe. 
