Fringilla Linaria, LINNÆUS; Le Sizerin, ou Petite Linotte des
Vignes, BUFFON; Der Flachsfink, BECHSTEIN.
In its plumage this bird resembles the linnet; but in its actions and
shape it more resembles the siskin. It is five inches and one quarter in
length, of which the tail measures two and one quarter; the beak, four
lines long, is very sharp and yellow; its shanks, eight lines high, are
black; the top of the head is a brilliant crimson; the upper part of the
body is dark brown, spotted with white and rust yellow; the rump is
rose-coloured; the throat black; the feathers on the under part of the
neck and breast are bright rose-coloured, edged with white; the rest of
the under part is white. The plumage of the female is lighter; the
breast is not rose-coloured, except that when very old it acquires a
slight tint, as well as the rump; the upper part of the body is spotted
with white and deep brown, and the breast is rather speckled with the
same colours. The latter characteristics serve to distinguish the
females from young males, that also are without the rose-colour on the
breast, but have the rust-coloured and dark brown back of the older
birds. The males, confined to the house, lose, at the first moulting,
the fine rose-coloured breast, and, at the second, the crimson of the
head, which generally changes to a greenish yellow. I have a male bird,
the top of whose head became, at the third moulting, of a fine golden
yellow, and has retained its brilliancy for six years.
HABITATION.--In its wild state the lesser redpole is found in every
part of Europe; yet we must consider the north as its native home,
Scotland, Sweden, Lapland, Norway, and Greenland. Great flights
arrive amongst us at the end of October, and leave us in March and
April. In winter, they frequent places planted with alders, the seeds
of which they appear very fond of. They are principally found in
company with siskins.
In the house, it shows off its beautiful plumage, which, alas! does
not retain that beauty long, it is often placed in a pretty cage, but
most commonly allowed to range through a room.
FOOD.--When at liberty, the seed of the alder is what these birds seek
most eagerly; but they do not despise the seeds of flax, hemp, and
even fir, and many other kinds. Being entirely grain-eating birds,
their crop has the power of softening the food before it passes into
the stomach.
In the house, if in a cage, they eat poppy, rape, and hemp seed; when
at large, the first universal paste.
BREEDING.--Occasionally a few stragglers breed with us, but this is
rare.
DISEASES.--The disorders of this species are the same as those of the
siskin; but their feet are oftener diseased, and the toes skin off
one after the other. They may be kept from eight to ten years.
MODE OF TAKING.--In the spring and autumn, the lesser redpoles may be
taken in flocks in the area, or barn-floor trap, with a decoy of
their own species, or even with a siskin. Many may also be caught
with such a decoy on a decoy-bush. They are so silly, or so
confiding, that they will even allow themselves to be taken close by
the bird-catcher, who is collecting their entrapped companions. This
stupidity, or simplicity, is common in all birds that come from the
more remote northern parts. Brought up far from man, and out of reach
of his pursuit, they know not that fear and distrust which is felt by
those that inhabit populous countries. Their call is "_peweet_" and
"_crec, creck hewid_."
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The lesser redpole pleases the eye more than
the ear; its feeble warbling being only, if I may thus express it, a
low continued clicking. It may be taught to draw water more easily
than the goldfinch, and it will also learn many other little
manoeuvres, for it becomes very familiar, and will eat as soon as
it is let loose after its capture. The mutual tenderness of the male
and female is very pleasing. They are continually caressing each
other with their bills, and even do the same to siskins, linnets,
goldfinches, and canaries, from which it appears very likely that
they would pair with these birds.