This section is from the book "The American Bird-Keeper's Manual", by James Mann. Also available from Amazon: The American Bird-Keeper's Manual.
This is a strong, hardy, and robust bird, and a pretty fair musical performer. He is remarkably docile, very easily tamed, and can be so completely domesticated, as to be bred like the Canary, in a cage or aviary. The male will also imitate the notes of other birds; and although rather difficult to teach, he is possessed of a very retentive memory, and will not forget what he once learns.
This bird will pair freely with the Canary. Either the male or female Finch, with the female or male Canary, and will produce a strong singing mule bird.
This bird is easily kept. Food the same as Canary birds.
Upper parts of the male a yellowish green; lower parts shading almost to white. The female is smaller, the upper parts brownish, lower parts whitish. Breast ash color, with faint yellow spots.
Found throughout Europe - Resident.
 
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