BULLFINCH. A finch of the genus Pyr rhula, characterized by the short, thick. rounded bill, bulging at the sides, and hence suggesting the head of a Mill: specifically the familiar Euro pean species (Pyrrhula Europwa), cultivated as a cage-bird. The bullfinch has very soft and dense plumage, delicate bluish-gray alcove, the under parts bright tile-red, the crown of the head and the beak jei-black, which color also ap pears in the greater wing and tail coverts. in the quills, and in the tail-feathers; the wings are trussed by a eonspiemois white liar. The colors of the female are less bright than those of the male. It frequents woods and gardens, builds its nest in low trees or bushes. feeds chiefly on seeds and berries in winter. and in spring is excessively destructive to the buds of fruit-t revs in those localities in which it is abundant, as it selects the flower-buds.
The song of this bird, in a wild stale. is very simple, and has no particular quality to rectom mend it: but it is remarkably susceptible of im provement by edueation, and trained 'piping' bullfinches of superior acquirements are sold at a very considerable price. Some of these birds
learn to whistle an air very accurately, and with a power and variety of intonation far exceeding their natural song. The ability to whistle as many as six airs well has been attained. The of these birds is a work both of time and trouble; it is chiefly carried on in Germany, where regular 'schools' exist for the purpose, and where various hybrid races are produced for the market. (See CACE-BIRDS.) The bullfinch is capa ble of very strong attachment to those who feed and caress it, and often becomes so thoroughly domesticated as to exhibit no desire for liberty, lt is replaced in Eastern Europe and Asia by other species, and one (Pyrrhula Cassini) in habits \laska. Sec Plate of CAGE-Binns.