This section is from the book "Facts Worth Knowing", by Robert Kemp Philip. Also available from Amazon: Inquire Within for Anything You Want to Know.
Cock-birds are browner on the back than the hens, and have some of the large feathers of the wings white up to the quills. Canary 'and hemp-seed, with occasion-ally a little groundsel, water-cress, chickweed, etc, constitute their food.
 
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