in ornithology, a genus belonging to the order of passerines. The bill is conical, straight, and sharp-pointed. There are no less than 30 species comprehended under this genus, distinguished principally by varieties in their colour. The following are natives of Britain.
1. The carduelis, or goldfinch, with the quill-feathers red forwards, and the outermost without any spots; the two outermost are white in the middle, as the rest are at the point. The young bird, before it molts, is grey on the head; and hence it is termed by the bird-catchers a grey-pate. There is a variety of goldfinches called by the London bird-catchers a cheverel, from the manner in which it concludes its jerk. It is distinguished from the common sort by a white streak, or by two, sometimes three, white spots under the throat. Their note is very sweet; and they are much esteemed on that account, as well as for their great docility. Towards winter, they assemble in flocks; and feed on seeds of different kinds, particularly those of the thistle. It is fond of orchards, and frequently builds in an apple or pear tree: its nest is very elegantly formed of fine moss, liverworts, and
Vol. IV. bents, on the outside; lined first with wool and hair, and then with the gossam or cotton of the fallow. It lays five white eggs, marked with deep purple spots on the upper end.
This bird seems to have been the *xenopsgus* of Aristotle; being the only one that we know of that could be distinguished by a golden fillet round its head, feeding on the seeds of prickly plants.
2. The *colibri*, or *chaffinch*, hath black limbs, and the wings white on both sides; the three first feathers of the tail are without spots, but two of the chief are obliquely spotted. It has its name from its delighting in chaff.
Chaffinch. This species entertains us agreeably with its song very early in the year, but towards the latter end of summer assumes a chirping note: both sexes continue with us the whole year. What is very singular in Sweden, the females quit that country in September, migrating in flocks into Holland, leaving their mates behind; in the spring they return. In Hampshire Mr White has observed something of this kind; vast flocks of females with scarcely any males among them. Their nest is almost as elegantly constructed as that of the goldfinch, and of much the same materials, only the inside has the addition of some large feathers. They lay four or five eggs of a dull white colour, tinged and spotted with deep purple.
They are caught in plenty in flight-time; but their nests are rarely found, though they build in hedges and trees of all sorts. They make their nests of moss and wool, or any thing they can gather up; and have young ones thrice a-year. They are seldom bred from the nest, as being a bird not apt to learn another's song, nor to whistle; so that it is best to leave the old ones to bring them up.
The Essex finches are generally allowed to be the best sort, both for length of song and variety, ending with several notes that are very pretty. It is an hardy bird, and will live almost upon any seeds, none coming amiss to him. He is seldom subject to disease, but will be very lousy if not sprinkled with wine two or three times a-month.
3. The *domesticus*, or *sparrow*, hath the prime feathers of the wings and tail brown, the body variegated with grey and black, and a single white streak on the wings.
Sparrow. These birds are proverbially salacious: they breed early in the spring; make their nests under the eaves of houses, in holes of walls, and very often in the nests of the martin, after expelling the owner. Linnaeus tells us (a tale from Albertus Magnus), that this insult does not pass unreveged: the injured martin assembles its companions, who assist in plastering up the entrance with dirt; then fly away, twittering in triumph, and leave the invader to perish miserably. See the article Brute.
They will often breed in plum-trees and apple-trees, in old rooks nests, and in the forks of boughs beneath them.
4. The *spinosus*, or *siskin*, hath the prime feathers of the wings yellow in the middle, and the four first chief tail-feathers without spots; but they are yellow at the base, and black at the points.
Mr Willoughby tells us, that this is a song-bird: that in Sussex it is called the *barley-bird*, because it comes to them in barley-feed time. We are informed that it visits these islands at very uncertain times, like the grosbeak, &c. It is to be met with in the bird-shops in London; and being rather a scarce bird, sells at a higher price than the merit of its song deserves: it is known there by the name of the *aberavine*. The birdcatchers have a notion of its coming out of Russia. Dr Kramer informs us, that this bird conceals its nest with great art: though there are infinite numbers of young birds in the woods on the banks of the Danube, that seem just to have taken flight, yet no one could discover it.
5. The *linaria*, or *linnet*, hath the bottom of the breast of a fine blood-red, which heightens as the spring advances.
These birds are much esteemed for their song: they feed on seeds of different kinds, which they peel before they eat; the seed of the linum or flax is their favourite food; from whence the name of the linnet tribe. They breed among furze and white thorn: the outside of their nest is made with moss and bents, and lined with wool and hair. They lay five whitish eggs, spotted like those of the goldfinch.
6. The *cannabina*, or *red-headed linnet*, is less than the former, and hath a blood-coloured spot on the forehead.
It is a common fraud in the bird-shops in London, when a male-bird is distinguished from the female by a red breast, as in the case of this bird, to stain or paint the feathers, so that the deceit is not easily discovered, without at least close inspection. These birds are frequent on our sea-coasts; and are often taken in flight-time near London: it is a familiar bird; and is cheerful in five minutes after it is caught.
7. The *canaria*, or *canary-bird*, hath a whitish body and bill, with the prime feathers of the wings and tail greenish. It was originally peculiar to those isles to which it owes its name; the same that were known to the ancients by the addition of the *serotane*. Though the ancients celebrate the isle of Canaria for the multitude of birds, they have not mentioned any in particular. It is probable, then, that our species was not introduced into Europe till after the second discovery of these isles, which was between the 13th and 14th centuries. We are uncertain when it first made its appearance in this quarter of the globe. Belon, who wrote in 1555, is silent in respect to these birds: Gmelin is the first who mentions them; and Aldrovand speaks of them as varieties; that they were very dear on account of the difficulty attending the bringing them from so distant a country, and that they were purchased by people of rank alone. Olaus says, that in his time there was a degenerate sort found on the isle of Elba, off the coast of Italy, which came there originally by means of a ship bound from the Canaries to Leghorn, and was wrecked on that island. These birds will produce with the goldfinch and linnet; and the offspring is called a *male-bird*, because, like that animal, it proves barren. They are still found on the same spot to which we were first indebted for the production of such charming long-tailers; but they are now become so numerous in our own country, that we are under no necessity of crossing the ocean for them.