The chaffinch is not valued so much in England as in Germany, where bird-fanciers prize it exceedingly for its song. Indeed, the enthusiasm about it is so great that in some of the villages the inhabitants appear to have quite a passion for the chaffinch's song. At Buhl, in Thuringia, the cotters will go ninety miles to catch one who is supposed to sing well, and a common workman will give as much as 16s. for one, and live on bread and water to get the money; indeed, there is a proverb amongst them, "A chaffinch is worth a cow."Bechstein gives no less than eight varieties of songs most admired in his country, and says that no amateur can hear the double trill of the Hartz without being in an ecstasy. The chaffinch's song seems to vary in different countries and in different provinces. The bird-catchers who frequent Epping Forest, say that the birds there sing a different song from those on the other side of the river; and they have singing matches amongst their birds, the prize being given to the owner of the bird who delivers the greatest number of perfect notes within a certain time.

A perfect note in their estimation is represented by toll-loll-loll-chick-zuee-do, and if the bird slurs over his notes, and stops at chick or wee, the note is not to be counted.

Chaffinch.

The chaffinch is easily tamed, and lives happily with other English finches and canaries; feeding on the same food recommended for the goldfinch. Too much hemp would produce blindness or some other disease. A bell-shaped cage is objectionable for the chaffinch, who has the same disposition as the goldfinch to giddiness. In its wild state it builds the most beautiful nest of lichen, lined with feathers; in confinement, I am afraid, its architectural talents would fall into abeyance.