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ORDER PASSERES.

The Bullfinch.

Loxia pyrrhula.-LINN.

A

THIS little bird, whose figure and colouring is too well known to require description, is one of the brightest plumaged natives of our woods. fine bullfinch, in full feather, is really a very handsome little creature; and in addition to his attractive appearance, he has a teachable nature, which makes him but too desirable a prize for the bird-catcher. His native note is very simple; but he may be taught to whistle a variety of tunes. Bewick says, that these birds are frequently imported into this country from Germany, where they are taught to articulate several words with great distinctness.

The bullfinch, like the robin, only migrates in winter from his summer haunts in wood and thicket, to approach nearer to the habitations of man, and feed on the seeds and berries he finds on cultivated ground. In the spring he In the spring he may be seen busily pecking at the buds of our fruit-trees; and multitudes are destroyed by the gardener,

who deems them his inveterate enemies. On the other hand, naturalists assert that they assail no buds, save those in which the destructive worm is embedded; and that far from destroying the embryo plum or cherry, they protect our gardens and orchards from much more destructive enemies of the insect race.

This bird sometimes changes its plumage, and becomes wholly black when in confinement. This has been observed to be especially the case when it is fed with hempseed. We well recollect an instance in which such a change occurred, apparently from another cause. A pair of bullfinches had long lived together in captivity, and appeared to have become quite reconciled to their loss of freedom, and to sojourn happily in their little wire-bound dwelling. At length the female bullfinch sickened and died. Her mate seemed to feel her loss deeply. From that time his plumage lost its brightness, and he was soon most appropriately clothed in a mourning suit, which he retained till his death, about two years after. Perhaps the unhappiness occasioned by the death of his companion affected his health, and by this means the change of colour was produced.

We have yet another bullfinch to introduce to your notice, who exhibited a degree of intelli

gence so extraordinary as, at times, almost to appear the result of reason, rather than of instinct. A few years since, we were accustomed to see the cage of a tame bullfinch hanging in the midst of wreathing clematis and roses, which clustered over the windows of an elegant cottageornée in the west of England. It was a pleasant home; and could the bird have enjoyed, as we did, the verdant lawn, the thick shrubbery, and the pretty root-house, with its stained window, looking out on the beautiful ravine, rich in rock and wood, it would have been a paradise to him. He was one of the many pets of the gay young creatures who dwelt beneath the roof of that tasteful residence, and probably was happy as a captive bird could be. His history was this: Caught and caged," we know not when nor where, about ten years ago he came accidentally into the possession of an elderly lady in Lancashire. He did not, at that time, appear to be a young bird: he was very tame, and had been taught to pipe a tune. Age and infirmity forbade his venerable mistress to wander abroad in fields and woods. Perhaps her ear had grown dull to the voice of singing men and singing women; but the song of the bird was pleasant music, and recalled the calm and simple pleasures which, in earlier years, had been her portion

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