3958. Bullfinches.—Old birds should be fed with German Paste, No. 2, and occasionally rape-seed. The Germans occasionally give them a little poppy-seed, and a grain or two of rice, steeped in canary wine, when teaching them to pipe, as a reward for the progress they make. Bird organs or flageolets, are used to teach them.
3959. Cardinal Grosbeak.—Of splendid plumage and exquisite song. They are hardy and may be kept without fire in a room most of the winter, except in the northern States. Allow frequent air and sun. Feed on rough unhulled rice and hemp, wheat, brown gravel, cracked corn, and millet occasionally, with plenty of water for bathing. These birds are long lived; the Philadelphia Museum having one which died when twenty-one years old.
3960. Java Sparrow.—Very delicate, with pretty plumage, but little music. Feed on unhulled rice and canary seed, with plenty of brown gravel.
3961. Purple Finch or Linnet.—A delightful songster. Give canary, hemp, millet, and sunflower seeds, with juniper and cedar-berries through the winter, salad and beet-tops in summer. Any other of the Finch tribe may be fed on seeds generally, as the preceding. Perfect cleanliness of the cage, and a constant supply of fresh water and gravel are essential.
3962. Baltimore Oriole.—A bird of delightful plumage, and rich brilliant music, well repaying the utmost care. They eat fruit of all kinds, seeds, insects, &c. Give them a large cage, protection from frost, and an abundance of insects. Rear same as mocking bird.