The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-29
A Bullfinch Academy.

Frank II. Staufer, in Philadelphia Call.
The bullinch is a singing bird, and academies
for their education are established at Hesse and
Fulda, whence all Germany, Holland and Eng
land receive supplies of the little musicians. These
birds bring from one to ten dollars, according to
their cleverness in singing, as freshmen, sophie
mores and graduates.
DR.. Stanley truly observes that no school can
be more diligently attended by its master. and
no scholars more effectually trained to their
calling than a seminary of bullfnches. AS a
general rule, they are formed into classes of
about six each and kept in a dark room, where
food and music are administered at the same
time, so that when the meal is ended, if the
birds feel disposed to tune up, they are naturally
inclined to initiate the sounds which are familiar
to them. AS soon as they begin to initiate a
few notes the light is admitted into the room.
which exhilarates their spirits and ~inclines them
to sing.
In some establishments the starving system ia
adopted, and the birds are not allowed food or
light until they sing. When they have been for
some time under this course of instruction in
classes, they are committed singly to the care of
boys, whose sole business it is to 60 on with
their education. Each boy assiduously PLAYS his
blrd-organ from morning until night, for the in
struction of the bird to his care,
while the class leader goes his regular rounds.
experimenting the progress of his feathered ON
pills, praising or scolding them according to the
Improvement made. This round of teaching
goes on unremittingly for no less a period than
nine HOIltnS, ny WHICH tltD6 the BIRD has ac-
CURED f%rmness, and is less likely to forget or
spoil the air by emitting passages or giving them
in a wrong place.
In some cases the birds have been taught to
whistle three different airs without spelling or
confusing them, but in general, a simple air.
with perhaps a little prelude. is az much a. they
can remember. In this respect the nightingale
differs. 1t never repeats itself, like other birds:
it improvises its passages. and if it ever resumes
the same. it is always with new accents and
added embellishments. 1t MARBLES in its dreamy
sleep.
The birds exhibit different degrees of capacity.
1t has been observed that the more easily a bird
acquires his lesson the more readily he forgets it.
The same observation has been made in reference
to children. 1t is essential that the birds should
hear 10 other musical sounds than those it is
intended they shall initiate. They are such close
imitators that if the bird organ is somewhat out
of tune the unpleasant effect is perpetuated in
their song. Boys and girls are as much at the
mercy of vicious teachers. Their language and
opinions are tinged by COMPROMISING. The
road from the school of the street to the uni
versity of the prison lies in easy gradations.
UNLESS you see the bullfnch sing" says Mr..
Wood, you miss the best part of the perform
ance." lie puffs out his plumage. winks his eyes
and makes comical contortions with his head.
No boy could make his maiden speech at the
academic exhibition with more pride and pom
posity than that which attends the song of the
bullinch in his scarf of glossy black velvet and
vest of bright vermilion.