THE GOLDFINCH. 
45 
FOOD. 
The goldfinch feeds upr n various kinds of seeds, groundsel, 
succory, salad, cabbage, rape, linseed, Canary, thistle, and 
alder seeds, &c. In the cage, it must be fed upon poppy seed 
and hemp seed, the first being given as its usual food. If 
allowed to run freely about, it will accustom itself to the 
second description of universal food described at page 13. It 
may also have given to it all sorts of green things, such as 
salad, cabbage, lettuce, and water cresses. It eats voraciously, 
and therefore, when allowed to run about in the chamber, 
perches upon the trough, and chases away, with a threatening 
gesture, every bird that approaches; whereas, it will feed with 
other birds that have any kind of resemblance to it, at least 
with respect to the character of their food, such as Canary 
birds, Siskins, &c. 
DISEASES. 
These birds are very subject to epilepsy. If they happen to 
have bad and swollen eyes, they should be anointed with fresh 
butter. Heaviness and greediness, occasioned by feeding too 
exclusively upon hemp seed, may be removed by giving them 
in lieu of it soaked salad and thistle seeds. It contributes 
much to their health, if occasionally supplied with the head of 
a thistle. 
In old age, they become blind, and lose the beautiful red 
and yellow colors of the head and wings. Although frequently 
subject to sickness, there are instances of their having lived to 
the age of sixteen and even twenty-four years, 
