a a Og BPN ong pelt Enyce pe SALI MER GN NR en ag SSuey MERE SE Wwf y 382 Y ars) WS we Seer ere ser Pe 0S 8 EE AES HEE HEE HEE HEI ee SEMEN HEME R 3 Chap. 2 i ' - # UNITED STATES OF AGERICA. © Ke) i i) o SZ See Gg SOS SS S97 SSS S $e 5 ates OIE NE SEE Se SE WES SS Se w 1 HEE REESE SE SE EE FRR 2K Ma EE ME NE SEE NE HEE SES ae IR SRF, SESE SE a ie it) Shae VN i iy TVAn 7 f ¥ OLAS he, Re tae a ae st Nt hs Pe ) eral) pany MN thd ‘a , aia #4), Ly ie re Tier PT eee ban it ane Pi ate Nine ee f A y ig? ah ’ ye i i "| " es oi Ab, ul iy i ne A i a) ; aT Sit Nia Pate AV A Ni? it A ty Mie t ia ry ne, Ah iA + A tis ny ip Hai ‘ Pe wa he ‘] “ot “= = ee @ % } THE | | AMERICAN BIRD FANCIER; CONSIDERED WITH REFERENCE TO THE BREEDING, REARING, FEEDING, MANAGEMENT, AND PECULIARITIES OF CAGE AND HOUSE BIRDS; WITH REMARKS ON THEIR DISEASES AND REMEDIES; DRAWN FROM AUTHENTIC SOURCES AND PERSONAL OBSERVATION, eee Cede ds BY D. Jeo, BROWNE, \\ 4 AUTHOR OF THE SYLVA AMERICANA, THE AMERICAN POULTRY YARD, ‘ ETC», BTC; Illustrated with Engravings. New Dork: PUBLISHED BY :C, Mi CSAX TON. M.DCOC.LI. A 99> __$_$_____$__$__— ig aati > fa Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by CHARLES M. SAXTON, In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. Turney S- Bro.’s Stereotype. 16 Spruce St.. New York. mL Birps, Breeding of ...... SS he ee oLis TD Matvive SRed) one eA em eroitre uinraere 65 1 0076 00s) RE oe, Se et Ac Tal Meadow Bird’. ci recieve xeninaenee. 65 EISEN Tat ORO) sin 35c00 sts Basics OiMockerng Birds ees, scree. ¢ see ces omnes 60 SCs PEARCE A pears Gear rodioS DEENCH: toes sine ieee 65 Young of, Time for Removing |Pigeon, Barb........ 202.00... 00000008 94 from: the Nest: s3.2tcemaestes 16 BSC Biter ciaustoraa anes aforej tarde a ae ois 85 Blackbird, Huropean ..............-:- 70 Broad or Fan-tailed Shaker.... 81 PURUIE Gs esate ae aiapaenlere ars ate 73 CaP UCDUR sacar Cee ee oenlee 93 OD-O-NNG AEG Fel ae a eay asics here ees 73 WW ANNTOT. etic ements chelslacthig Sis hchats 88 Banu eee so So cste ny ao tine Maels pa See ays 73 PIR AO OM rel sae tes anicaieisiaiat occas 92 Bitter Birds .i5 cis aan sais cate vice halts Wo ic (ein fot WR A ele Abe eee aie es 8 96 CANAL Y BIN. ceca sts ve et nla elste «le 26 HOTReTIAS 220k sae aioe meen 89 Cot Birdie hig ccc. Baie hic naar ee 67 PACO DINGY TACK scents te ile eaves 92 Diseases of Tame Birds. ...16, 39, 50, 59, a Mawmet, or Mahomet......... 93 NSTI Beer ncieieca vale cla Sityeioe ales: ¢ INGURTEY Siitla oesterecs eye tates Spacing 95 Atrophy, or Wasting........ 19 POULT eleeliey cae rls A aN IY a 90 Blaody, BIUK 5. chic othe tase a 20 Rockers sss ais abe nt od ses 81 MDHSHTO PHONO aaece ies eine ste 5 19 PROMIDIETS os cess teen oe eiee 86 COSTIVENESS 6.05525 sie inde els 20 TUEbitss vag dce a ee 94 Dinrvhaeas.) wad sete eee 20 White-rumped) sais sci05 05 ee 81 Epilepsy: sccciasicicwate cade weie ce 21 Quail, MuropeaM << cic weis0s ca cewelne 104 OUT E Y chee ahs cous eles DIWRAV EDS fae cis Wicca oom aise cieher ee aiuers aa WW Obstruction of the Rump Gland 21|Red Pole ..........0...00.0escceeeees 46 Ol the (Meat sears sisjotsh ooicia seo PAN CGG BT Ae oi.) dia va Mace clets woeied sina eee 73 PATIO TE OVED ao cicieiese/ccorssiovats «ai 2a Rice BING sees awa ce ce nce ee cue ee tee 73 Parasitic Vermin: 2. 65.5.5 -—______———— = _____________$0 ASE ACO mEES Smee ne Sai rem INTRODUCTION. F the swiftness of a swallow, the actual resistance of the air, as he is not provided with internal reservoirs similar to those of birds, would soon suffocate him. The digestive organs of birds form them into two distinct natural classes; those with cartilaginous stomachs, covered with very strong muscles, called a gizzard; and those with membranous stomachs more resembling those of carnivorous quadrupeds. The former is given to birds, the principal food of which is grain and seeds of various kinds, or other hard sub- stances that require much friction to divide, or comminute, to assist which, gravel is necessary; the latter is given to birds which feed upon flesh or fish, and whose digestion is accele- rated more by the gastric juice than by the action of the stomach. Those of the first class digest or retain every sub- stance swallowed; and those which eject or disgorge innu- tritious matter unavoidably taken in, such as feathers, fur, bones, &c., belong to the second class, as is conspicuous in those that feed on fish. Graminivorous birds seem to possess the power of retaining the small stones taken into the gizzard, or evacuating them, when they become polished and less useful, but cannot disgorge them. In a state of nature, the quantity of gravel taken in, must be regulated, no doubt, by the sensation of the stomach; but, wonderful as it may seem, in domesticated animals, those instinctive faculties are deranged. Instances frequently occur where the whole cavity of the gizzard is filled with gravel stones. The food of graminivorous birds is conveyed entire into the first stomach, or craw, where it undergoes a partial dilution by a liquor secreted from the glands, and spread over its surface. It is then received into -another species of stomach, where it is still further diluted, after which it is transmitted into the gizzard, or true stomach, consisting of two very strong muscles, externally covered with a tendinous substance, and lined with a thick membrane of prodigious power and strength, in which organ the food is com- pletely triturated, and prepared for the operation of the gastric juices. ~<35 TC Slee SRS He AEA Ss, ane nee Meee ees ogre Maire 8 INTRODUCTION. sition of herbivorous quadrupeds, agreeing with them in the number of their stomachs, the quality of their food, and the gentleness of their manners. Content with the seeds of plants, with fruits, insects, and worms, their principal attention is directed to procuring food, hatching and rearing their offspring, and eluding the snares of men and the attacks of predaceous animals. The stomachs of carnivorous birds are smaller than those of the graminivorous kinds, and their intestines are much shorter. Many species of birds possess a reservoir for food, called a craw, or crop, which seems to answer the same purpose as the first stomach of ruminating animals. Here it is that the food is softened and prepared for the stomach, or carried to the young. THE SONG OF BIRDS. THE song of birds is always, if not the expression of love, at least that of pleasure. Thus, the nightingale sings only as jong as pairing time or hatching lasts, and is silent as soon as it is compelled to feed its young; whereas, the goldfinch and Canary sing throughout the year, and only cease when moult- ing dejects them. ‘The continuation of the song of these birds, however, by no means proves that it is not occasioned by the stimulus of love. Song appears to be the especial privilege of the male, whereby it either attracts the female or seeks to obtain her love; for there are but few females which produce notes similar to the song of the male, and these almost exclusively in a state of widowhood. They listen attentively, in fact, to the greater or less perfection or charm of the song of the male, to bestow upon that one their love whom they esteem the most accomplished singer. Thus, the most sprightly hen Canary selects the best singer; and the chaffinch, when at liberty, will choose from among a hundred males the one whose song best pleases her. é © INTRODUCTION. HABITATION OF CAGE OR CHAMBER BIRDS. Brrps which are kept only on account of their beauty, or for their animation and vivacity, are generally kept best in a room where they can run or fly freely about, and where they can resort at night for repose, to a large cage of many compart- ments, or to one or more fir trees. But larger birds should have an apartment expressly appropriated to them, as their _ feces smell unpleasantly ina dwelling room, whence also they require constant cleaning. Smaller birds may be allowed to run freely about, having a small tree or a cage hung up for them to roost in. With this degree of liberty, many birds sing better than when confined in a cage. Cleanliness is in every respect very important in keeping birds, for they are not only thereby preserved for many years but it keeps them constantly healthy and cheerful; hence it is necessary that the cage should be cleaned at least once a-week, and birds which run about upon the ground, should have the sand renewed frequently ; the perches also of such as use them should be carefully cleaned. If this be not attended to, the birds will become sickly, and will suffer from lame feet, gout, and other maladies, terminating in the loss of their toes, as all must have experienced who have been accustomed to keep birds, and have neglected cleansing them. In cleaning their feet, it is very requisite that the bird should have them dipped in water before the dirt is removed ; for if this be not done, the skin, to which the dirt closely adheres, comes off with it, which renders the bird not merely lame, but also attracts to the part all the unhealthy humors generated by their unnatural mode of living. It isin the feet indeed that cage or chamber birds chiefly suffer, and they must be daily examined tosee that nothing gets entangled about them, as hair thus twisted will frequently cut very deep, and in the course of a few days, that portion of the foot or toe, so tied up, will dry up and fall off. Very great \ §989—@ $$ ______-____________ gg eS ee eee <3 10 INTRODUCTION. scarcely a bird can be preserved for any length of time with all its toes uninjured. It is not to be denied, however, that many birds keep themselves exceedingly neat, whilst others, even of the same genus, are so uncleanly, that they are not only always soiling themselves, but never clean their feet, beak, nor wings. Some bird fanciers take delight in making birds so tame as to be taken upon the hand into the open air, or to be allowed to fly away and come back again upon acall. “One of my friends,” says Dr. Bechstein, “who has tamed birds as well as otters, adders, foxes, weasels, and martins, so that they would follow him upon a sign given, adopts the following easy and certain method to effect it:—When he wishes to accustom a bird to fly abroad, or to go out with him perched upon his finger or his shoulder, he first teases it with a soft feather in its cage which stands open. The bird soon snaps at the feather, and then at his finger, and it will then come out of the cage, and perch upon the extended finger; he immediately strokes it, and lays a few choice morsels before it. These, the bird will soon take out of the hand itscli He then commences by familiarising the bird with somc peculiar call or whistle, and he carries it, as soon as it permits itself to be grasped in the hand, placed upon his hand or shoulder, from chamber to chamber, taking care to close the doors and windows; he then suffers it to fly, and calls it back again. As soon as it attends to this call without being scared or frightened, he takes it cautiously into the open air, and thus the bird becomes gradually so accustomed to him that he can cay it abroad or into company without its offering to fly away.” Care, however, must be taken not to carry adult birds, which have been thus tamed, into the open air where they can hear their fellows, in the spring or at pairing time, which are usually the periods when they show indications of resuming their native wildness. If it is wished to teach a bird to eat out of the mouth, it must be kept for a time in the cage without food, and then ee attention must be paid to this particular circumstance, as A €5) cS ae aa TRE Ia ANT einer Sn ea ace eaeaaE INTRODUCTION. 11 when sittmg upon the finger its favorite food must be held to it upon the tip of the exteded tongue. Hunger soon teaches it to peck. Such tame birds learn, also, speedily to sing upon the finger. To accomplish this, nothing more is necessary than to induce it by certain tenes, motions, and fondling. But it is still further requisite te observe in this process of taming, that, to be effectual, it should be continued for a longer time than is here laid down. May we not presume that the bird will, in the course of a few weeks, do that. freely which has been taught, or rather ferced upon it, in this short space of time. FOOD OF TAME BIRDS. In selecting the food of birds in confinement, it is requisite to do so, as far as is practicable, in accordance with the nature of its foed in a natural state. This, indeed, is frequently difficult, if net wholly impessible. Great eer therefore, must be observed to accustom the birds we keep, or rather their stomachs, by degrees, to the foed we are compelled to supply them, although it cannot be denied that there are birds, also, which, as scon as they are placed in the aviary, eat anything that is given to them. But others are more deli- cate, and will not eat at all, partly from grief at the less of their liberty, and partly from not finding the food they have been accustomed to. Great care must therefore, be taken of these. If such as are known to be delicate—the majority of singing birds—for instance, commence greedily eating as soon as they are placcd in the chamber, it is a bad sign; for they will certainly dic,as it implies an unnatural indifference to the loss of their liberty, which is almost always deducible from sickliness. Those which creep into corners and seem for some hours to pine, it is less necessary to be anxious about; but they must not be disturbed until their ill-humor subsides. Dr. Meyer, of Offenbach, Germany, remarks as follows upon eee eee ae I NE Lng ek IER ORDA TOR RAS cae RT ey His Sa 12 INTRODUCTION. V ‘this subject :—“ An almost unfailing mode of accustoming’ birds to their food, which is known to be extremely difficult in many, is thus: Let the bird be placed in a cage in the room where it is purposed to be kept; give it freely appropriate food and drink in open vessels; leave it thus undisturbed for several hours; then catch it and dip it in fresh water, and again place it in its former cage. It will now sit for some moments thoroughly exhausted, but will soon recever and begin preen- ing itself, and in the course of a few minutes become extremely animated, and then it will certainly eat the food put before it. Doubtless the same cause produces an appetite in birds after bathing as in man.” In order to give some general rules fer the best food of cage or house birds, I have divided them, after Dr. Bechstein, into four following classes :— The first comprehends those birds which live only on seeds, such as Canaries, goldfinches, Siskins, &e. The second are these which feed both on seeds and insects, such as quails, larks, cat birds, and mocking birds; some of these also eat the buds and berries of trees. The third are those which seek onty berries and insects, such as nightingales, red breasts, thrushes, and the like. The fourth are those which eat insects only, such as wag- tails, woodpeckers, cuckoos, &c. The birds in the last-named class are the most difficult to preserve ; but most of them, having nothing particular in their song, offer but little compensation for the trouble and care which they require. Recire For A GENERAL Foop.—in proportion to the number of kirds, white bread enough must be baked to last for three months. When it is well baked and stale, it must be put again into the oven, and left there until cold. It is then fit to be pounded in a mortar, and will keep several. months without becoming bad, Every day a teaspoonful for each bird is taken of this meal, on which is poured three times as much cold, or lukewarm, (but not boiling,) milk. If the meal be good, a firm paste will be formed, which must be chopped very small on a E> + £910) ® Se) | | | | Oo ee 13 INTRODUCTION. board. This paste,-which is very nourishing, may be kept a long time without becoming sour or sticky; on the com.”"VY> !t 1, ie is always dry and brittle. As soon as a delicate birc brought in, some flies or chopped worms should be mixed wits! the paste, which will attract it to eat. It will soon be accus- tomed to this food, which will keep it in life and health. Although the notice of a universal remedy is generally suspicious, the two following sorts of paste have been recom- mended, and used with success, agreeing well with all, or nearly ail. tamed birds, if we except those which are con- fined in cages 9D account of their beautiful songs. They are not only very simple and cheap, but also prevent great loss of time to those who possess @ great number of birds. Untversat Paste.—To make the first paste, take a white loaf which is well baked and stale; put ‘t into fresh water, and leave it there until quite soaked through; theii squeeze out the water and pour boiled milk over the loaf, adding about two thirds the quantity of barley meal with the bran well sifted out, or, What is still better, wheat meal. For the second paste, grate a carrot very nicely (this roo may be kept nearly a whole year if buried in sand); then soaka small white loaf in fresh water, press the water cut, and put it and the grated carrot into an earthen pan; add two handfuls of barley or wheat meal, and mix the whole well together with a pestle. These pastes should be made fresh every morning, as they soon become sour, particularly the first, and consequently hurtful. Every morning, fresh water must be given to the birds, both for drinking and bathing. When a great many are left at liberty, one dish will do for them ali, about eight inches long, and two in width and depth, divided into several partitions, by which means they are prevented from plunging entirely into the water, and in consequence making the place always dirty and damp. A vessel of the same size and shape will do for holding the universal paste, but then it must have no partitions. yA ale = SE PTET esse SO ORE SA Ae PPE aT WE OEE en oo ee eI es eI ~ 57, 14 INTRODUCTION. Those birds which devour everything thrown to them, must be protected against the possibility of having any food given to them that contains pepper or much salt, and especially against putrid meat. This is a universal rule of precaution. It may further be observed, that to birds confined in cages, no more must be given than they can eat during the day; otherwise they will accustom themselves to scatter their food out of the vessel, and eat the best first, leaving the worst for subsequent fare; and are consequently to-day well, and dreoping to-morrow. BREEDING. THERE is but little to be said of the breeding of birds in confinement, as, in the majority of cases, it is difficult to accom- plish, excepting ‘2 such as can be thoroughly familiarised, like Canaries. Of breeding places, there are two kinds, one a large cage made of wire or wood, and the other the entire range of aroom. Both should be dry, airy, and exposed in our northern climate to the warmth and light of the sun. It is chiefly requisite to supply birds that are to breed with a still, solitary,and spacious abode; and it is preferable to give them an entire apartment in which evergreens are placed that have not lost their leaves. Above all things, it is desirable to make this abode as nearly resemble their natural dwelling place as possible, that they may be excited to pair. With every care, however, to render their breeding place like the natural one, it is difficult to supply them with the necessary materials for their nests. This deficiency should be supplied by nests arti- ficially formed of woven cotton, willow, straw, or turned wood, into which they will only have to convey appropriate linings; for this purpose, they must be supplied with the hair cf animals and raw silk, cotton, wool, &c. Especial care must be taken to furnish the birds with requisite food, which partly contributes to fit old ones for breeding, and which must also be suited to the varying ~— gg 5 INTRODUCTION, ages of the reared young. In this particular, I shall mention what must be done, in the articles relating to the different species described in the subsequent part of this work. > GIS, ES Al XX oy ae ‘ « i iil ninti ay Hite Frnt ITNAQTIAN Nae An Gunna i iM -- ON i i, jie poe “nn ( ni aia i il nu i | ed MMM Le ! be ile Ml lal | Il ni nee a BREEDING CAGE, ? Io a :) 16 INTRODUCTION. TIME FOR REMOVING WILD BIRDS FROM THE WEST. Ir may be necessary that I should give some general direc- tions about the time at which it is desirable to remove young wild birds, intended to be reared, from the nest. This is when the tail quills shoot forth, and when all the feathers begin to expand, and before the birds can yet completely open their eyes. If they are removed earlier, their stomachs are too weak to endure the food of the aviary, and if it take place later, it is usually extremely difficult to induce them to open their beaks to receive food with which they are unacquainted. But there are species of birds which can at all times be easily fed and tamed. As a general rule, all seed-eating birds may be ta med, both adult and young. DISHASES OF TAME BIRDS. eae Lire all tame @fimals, birds that are kept in confinement, oa exposed to more maladies than those which live at large ;* and especially as they are frequently so closely confined in cages thatthey have scarcely room to move. These maladies, however, ere considerably increased by their having all kinds of delicacies, as pastry, sugar, &c., given them, which spoil their stomachs ang usually prodti¢e a slow consumption. The following ave the chief maladies which affect birds, and their remedies, as ‘laid down by Dr. Bechstein, the efficiency of which he proved upon kis own. Indeed, the variety of birds, as well as the variety. of their food, requires also a difference of treatment in their maladies; and in speaking of each species, I skall have occasion to notice how their peculiar diseases may _ be treated, when the general remedies are not suitable to their As Se ee ee ee ee ! nature. ; | * It has been trequently asserted that birds in ther natural state are never ill, but } LN . this is unfounded. A és ee 2 O6>- -—_— $$ <8 INTRODUCTION. 21 v same time, must by corrected be healing food. Birds in this state, generally do nothing but drink; therefore plenty of boiled milk should be given them, as it nourishes them, as well as acts medicinally, but should it appear to turn sour in the stomach, it must, at least for some time, be discontinued. OBSTRUCTION OF THE Rump Guanp.—This gland, which is on the rump, and contains the oil employed for anointing the feathers, sometimes becomes hard and inflamed, and an abscess forms there. In this case, the bird often pierces it itself, or it may be softened by applying fresh butter without any salt; bu it is better to use an ointment made of white lead, litharge, wax, and olive oil, which may be had of any good chemist or apothecary. The general method is to pierce or cut the hardened gland, in order to let out the matter. The gland is known to be obstructed when the feathers, which surround it, are ruffled, the bird never ceasing to peck them, and instead of being yellow it becomes brown. Dr. Bechstein says, this discase is very rare among wild birds, for, being exposed to damp, and bathing often, they make more use of the liquor in the gland, consequently, it does not accu- mulate sufficiently to become corrupted, sour, or cancerous. This confirms the necessity of giving them the means of bathing as often as instinct would induce them, as nothing can be more favorable to their health. Dr. Handel, after piercing the gland, recommends a little magnesia to be mixed with the bird’s drink. Eritersy.—This is a disease with which house birds are very often attacked. What has been found to be most useful in this case, is to plunge the sick birds every now and then into very cold water, letting them fall suddenly into it, and cutting their claws, or at least one or two, short enough for the blood to run. From bleeding giving so much relief, one would think that this disease is a kind of apoplexy, occasioned by want of exercise and too much food. Bullfinches and thrushes are more ‘subject to it than any other birds, and bleeding always 4, cures them, which has been done with great success in the fol- ie fou Vv OE could hold water, that was put in tepid, to bathe the bird; { 22, INTRODUCTION. lowing manner, but much delicacy and skill are required, as there would be great danger of laming the bird:—A very small hole is made on the surface of the claw, with a lancet or very sharp penknife; it is then plunged in lukewarm water, and if the operation be well done, the blood runs like a thread of red silk; when removed from the water, the bieeding stops; no bandage nor dressing is required. Tympany, or Buioatinc.—In this disorder, the skin on one part of the body, or even the whole body, rises and swells to so great a degree that it is stretched likea drum. It is gene- rally sufficient to pierce it with a pin, so as to let the air escape, and the bird will be cured. DiIsEASE IN THE F'rEtT.—House birds are often subject to bad feet. From the second year, they become pale, and lose their freshness. They must be frequently cleaned, taking care to remove the skin; the thick loose scales ought also to be taken off, but with all possible precaution. The gout occasions the feet to swell; they are also so scaly and painful that the poor little bird cannot support itself with- out resting on the points of its wings. Dr. Handel prescribes a warm fomentation with a decoction of soapwort (Saponaria officinalis). If a foot should be bruised or broken, he advises that the diseased bird should be shut up ina very small cage, the bottom of which is very smooth and even, without any perches, or anything which would tempt it to hop, and put in a very quiet and solitary place, out of the way of anything which might produce agitation. In this manner, the bird will cure itself in a little time, without any bandage or plaster of any kind. Dr. Bechstein was of the opinion that the principal cause of bad feet is want of bathing. The scales, contracting from dryness, occasion great pain; in order to remove them with ease, and without danger, the feet must be softened in luke- warm water. 'The following method has been used with a bullfinch with success:—Its cage was made with a movable tin bottom, which, being half or three quarters of an inch deep, | a INTRODUCTION. 23 the perches were then removed, so that the bird was obliged to remain in the water, where it was left for half an hour, sometimes throwing it hemp seed to amuse it. After repeating the bath once or twice, the bird became very fond of it; and it was remarked that its feet became, if we may say so, quite young again. The scales being sufficiently softened, the middle of each was cut lengthwise without reaching the flesh ; this made the sides easily fall off. It is better to remove only two scales a-day, that the bird may not be wearied. By con- tinuing the bath three times a-week, the feet become healthy and supple, and the bird is easy. Sore Eves.—The juice of red beet for drink, and also as a liniment, greatly relieves this disorder. Dr. Handel, of Mentz, recommends washing the eyes, when disposed to blindness, with an infusion of the root of white hellebore. Tumors anpD Utcers.—As to the tumors and ulcers which come on the heads of the birds, Dr. Handel touches them with a middling-sized red-hot knitting needle. This makes the watery humor run out, and the wound afterwards dries and heals. To soften the pain, a little liquid black soap is used. If, from the softness of the tumor, matter seems to have formed, it should be rubbed with fresh butter until it is come to a head; it may then be emptied, and opened by a few drops of essence of myrrh. During all this time, the bird must have nothing but beet juice to drink. Ulcers in the palate and throat may be cured by making the bird drink the milk of almonds for several days, at the same time lightly touching the ulcers several times a-day with a feather dipped in a mixture of honey and borax. Movuttinc.—This occurrence, though natural, is generally accompanied with disease, during which the birds ought to be taken great care of. 'Their food should be changed, but with- out giving any heating delicacies, which are very injurious. It has been observed that birds always moult at the time when their food is most abundant; the forest birds may then be seen approaching fields and cultivated places, where, having plenty of insects and seeds, they cannot suffer from want; & ON Te SMA APRS oe _——— erm ——— ie yy 24 INTRODUCTION. — 9 indeed, the loss of their feathers prevents their taking long flights, and the reproduction of them occasions a loss of flesh which must be repaired.. An abundance of food is therefore necessary, and, following this rule, during moulting, some additional food must be given to house birds, appropriate to the different species—millet or Canary seed, a little hemp seed, white bread soaked in water, and lettuce, or endive, to those which feed on seeds; with a few more worms and ants’ eggs to those that eat insects; all should have bread soaked in boiled milk, warmth, and baths. Nothing has succeeded better than this regimen. VERTIGO, oR GrppinEss.—This, without being properly a dis- ease, is rather common, and is occasioned by the trick which the birds of the first class have, of turning their head and neck so far round that they fall off their perch. They may be easily cured of this trick by throwing a covering over the top of the cage, which prevents their seeing anything above them, for it is with looking up that this giddiness comes on. Parrinc Frver.—A disease which may be called the “ pairing fever” must not be forgotten here. House birds are usually attacked with it in the spring, or at the time when the inclina- tion to pair is greatest. They cease to sing, become sorrowful and thin, ruffle their feathers, and die. This fever generally first seizes those which are confined In cages; it appears to arise from their mode of life, which is too uniform and wearying. They may be cured merely by placing them in the window, where they are soon so much refreshed that they forget their grief, their desire for liberty, or for pairing, and resume their liveliness and song. It has been observed that a sngle female in the room is sufficient to cause this disease to all the males of the same family, though of different species. Removing the female will cure them directly. The males and females, at this season, must be separated, so that they cannot see nor hear one another. This, perhaps, is the reason that a male, when put in the window, is soon cured. ds Parasiric Vermin.—If birds are sometimes restless, especially OG>- 5 INTRODUCTION. 25 of a night, and if they are observed to be frequently feeling with their beaks about the abdomen, back, or wings, they must be examined to see if no small yellow insects, (lice or mites,) may be discovered upon the body, or between the feathers. If this be the case, they must be sprinkled by means of a small syringe with water, in which quicksilver has been steeped, or with a much diluted infusion of tebacco, for several suc- cessive days, whereby these vermin are destroyed or chased away. Another mode of getting rid of the lice is to bathe the birds frequently, and to give them, daily, fresh or dry sand, and to be very particular in keeping them exceedingly clean. Unnaturat Fatness.—lIf it be found that the birds become unnaturally fat, which is often the case, especially during autumn, in some species of warblers, their too nutritious food must be changed and Swedish turnips, (ruta-bagas,) be mixed in it, and dry ants’ eggs put into their drink, which much checks their corpulency. i ne 8 Dart ai Og THE CANARY BIRD. Synonymes. Fringilla canaria, . . . . « + « Or ORNiITHOLOGISTS. Serin de Ganarie, .... 2. + .\-« Or THE FRENCH. Canarienvogel, . . . + - - - « OF THE GERMANS. ag Or THE SPANIARDS Canario, - - © + + « Sri } AND PORTUGUESE. @anavinoOs So te ey eel) woe Mee tes WOR PRERITALTANSs lh } ( Or THE BRITISH AND Canaiy-Bird, Canarys. 2.021 ve) ) Aneuo-Americans. HE Canary bird, from its beautiful plumage, elegant shape, singular capacity, and attractive familiarity, as well as from the charms and melodies with which it enlivens our rooms, has always been agreeable to the fancier, and may, emphatically be called the real “ cage bird.” Some of them we find melancholy, others cheerful; some angry, others peaceful; some intelligent, others dull; some indus- trious, others idle; some greedy, others frugal. But they have chiefly made themselves beloved by their animated, powerful, and varied song, which lasts almost throughout the whole & year, and with some even during the time of moulting. o> THE CANARY BIRD. 27 These birds are also distinguished by their correctness of ear, the remarkable skill they possess of imitating all tones, and their excellent memory. Not only do they imitate the notes of other birds, which they greatly improve by mixing them with their own, but they will even learn to utter short words with some degree of correctness. In their wild and undomesticated state, their song is unvaried, as with most other birds, less melodious, of fewer notes, and uttered at longer intervals than with us; at least, I found them so, as far as my observation extended, when a resident of the Canary Isles. ORIGIN AND HISTORY. THosE birds, from which are descended the Canaries now kept and reared throughout the whole of Europe, and even in Russia and Siberia, as well as in various parts of North and South America, in an unadulterated state, are natives of the Canary Islands, where they breed in pleasant valleys, and on the delightful banks of small rills, or streams. They were known in Europe as long ago as the beginning of the sixteenth century, as we are told, concerning their arrival, that, “ A ship, which, in addition to other merchandize, had a multitude of Canaries on board, that were consigned to Leghorn, was wrecked on the coast of Italy, and the birds, thereby obtaining their liberty, flew to the nearest land.” This happened to be Elba, where they found so propitious a climate, that they multi- plied without the intervention of man, and probably would have naturalised themselves, had not the wish to possess them been so great as to occasion them to be hunted after until they were entirely extirpated. In Italy, therefore, we find the first tame Canaries, where they are still raised in great numbers. At first, their rearing in Europe was attended with con- siderable difficulty, partly because the mode of treating these delicate strangers was not sufficiently understood, but principally because males, chiefly, and not females, were introduced. 28 THE CANARY BIRD. DESCRIPTION. Tue Canary bird is five inches in length, of which the tail comprises two inches and a quarter; the beak is five lines long, stout, sharply pointed, and whitish; the legs are flesh- CANARIES AND NEST. colored, and eight lines high. The female is scarcely to be distinguished from the male, but the latter has generally deeper and brighter colors; the head is rather thicker; the body, in ds general, more slender throughout; and the temples and the 5) Os v space around the eyes, are always of a brighter yellow than the rest of the body. The original grey color of this bird, which merges into green beneath, has, by means of domestication, climate, and inter- mixture with other birds, become so multifarious, that Canaries may now be met with of almost every hue; but grey, yellow, white, blackish and reddish-brown, are the prevailing colors, which are individually seen in every degree of shade, or com- bination, and thus present innumerable differences. Those which are of a blackish-grey, or greyish-brown, above, with greenish-yellow beneath, like a greenfinch, are the most com- mon, generally the strongest, and approach the most closely to the original color of their primogenitors. The yellow and white ones have usually red eyes, but are more delicate. The chestnut-colored are the most rare, and in strength and length of life are intermediate. 'The colors of most Canaries consist of a mixture of these, and that bird is the most prized the more regularly it exhibits the combination of these various shades. That which is most generally admired, at present, is one with yellow, or white, upon the body, and of a dun-yellow color on the wings, head, and tail. Next in degree of beauty, is that which is of a golden yellow, with a black, blue, or blackish- grey head, and similar wings and tail. There are also blackish or grey ones, with yellow heads, or with a ring about the neck, white, with brown and black markings, ashy-grey, almost black, with a yellew breast, and white head and tail, all of which have a prominent value. Others, which are irregularly marked, and are variegated, or mottled, are less esteemed. HYBRIDITY. As remarked in a preceding page, the original color of the Canary bird is grey, which merges into green beneath, almost resembling the colors of the linnet; but by means of domes- tication, climate, and intermixture with other b'rds, as the citril finch and serin, of Italy, and with the Siskin and linnet, oe ee eee THE CANARY BIRD. 29 y - 7 36 THE CANARY BIRD. TO THACH A YOUNG CANARY TO SING. Wuew the young birds can eat alone, say at the age of thirteen or fourteen days, and often before quitting the nest, the males commence warbling, and the females, also, but less connectedly and from this, the sexes may be distingnished. To teach a young Canary to sing, he must now be separated from his comrades, as well as from other birds, and placed in a small wire cage, which, at the commencement, must be covered with linen, and subsequently, by degrees, with thicker woollen cloth, when a short air, or other musical piece, must be whistled to him, or a flute, or a small organ may be used. This lesson should be repeated five or six times a-day, espe- clally mornings and evenings, and in five or six months, he will be able to acquire the air, according to the power of his memory. FOOD AND MANAGEMENT OF ADULT BIRDS. Excerr during the breeding season, the males may be kept in cages either bell-shaped or like that denoted in the adjoin- ing cut. These may be made of wire or rattan, and should be at least a foot high and eight inches in diameter, with one or more transverse perches. The female is allowed either to have freedom in the room with her wings clipped, or is placed in a large breeding cage, possessing sufficient space to keep her limbs in constant exercise, and preserve them in health and strength. In the bell-shaped, or smaller cages, wherein it must be understood only one male should be put, both the eating and drinking vessels must be placed on the outside, at the ex- tremities of the lower perch. These should be surrounded by a cap of tin, so that the bird may not easily scatter its food. Cleanliness will often prevent these delicate songsters from suffering many disorders, and it is very desirable that the Os>- v erg re THE CANARY BIRD. 37 floor of the cage should be made movable, that it may be more easily cleansed and strewed with coarse sand. Being naturally inhabitants of a warm climate, and ren- dered delicate by constant residence in rooms, and so, in a manner habituated to a temperature similar to that of their own country, great care is necessary in winter, in order that the same or a similar temperature may be preserved, avoiding the exposure to cold air, which, however, refreshes in summer, CANARY BIRD CAGE, cannot be otherwise than prejudicial to them, causing sickness and even death. To keep these birds in a healthy and happy frame, it is very important to observe that, in summer, they be frequently hung in a cage in brilliant daylight, and if possible, placed in the warm sunshine, which, especially when bathing, is very agreeable to them. The most important consideration in the management of the male is his food. The more simple and true to nature A > ee see ene a ee Se y 38 THE CANARY BIRD. this is, the better does it agree with him; whereas, when too artificially compounded, it renders him sickly and weak. The best food is the “summer rape seed,” which is sown in spring. This is distingnished from the “winter rape seed,” which is sown in autumn, by being larger and of a darker hue. On this diet, these birds thrive very well, but it should be occasionally intermixed with some crushed hemp seed and Canary seed, for the sake of flavoring it; and this more espe- cially in the spring, when they are intended for breeding. As a treat, we may occasionally give them a mixture of summer cabbage seed, whole oats or oatmeal, with millet, or some Canary seed. Here, as in most other cases, we should strive to imitate nature. The hen Canaries may likewise be supplied with the same kind of food as the males; but in winter, they are content with bread, containing no salt, or merely barley grots, moistened in milk, if given to them fresh every day, without being sour. Besides, both males and females may be given, in summer, some green lettuce, cabbage, groundsel, and water cresses, which must be previously washed and cleansed from anything prejudicial; and in winter, they may be fed with pieces of sweet apples. They require fresh water daily, both for drinking and bathing; and at moulting time, a rusty nail should be occasionally placed in their drinking vessel, as this tends to strengthen the stomach. TO TEACH THE ADULT BIRDS TO FLY. CanaRIEs may be taught to fly; but the trouble and risk are so great that it is hardly worth the time and care necessary to teach them. The male is first allowed its liberty in a place where there are trees, and the female is hung at a window, neaw by, which speedily attracts him back to the cage in case of danger or fatigue. This teaching must be continued for five or six days, but no handling nor violent attempts to catch them should be used. ‘ THE CANARY BIRD. 39 DISEASES. Tue Canary bird, in a state of captivity, seldom enjoying the open air and having but little exercise, is subject to most of the maladies peculiar to the domestic, feathered race.. The diseases to which it is particularly liable, may be described and treated as follows :— 1. Rupture—This is a common malady, especially in young birds, and is a kind of indigestion which causes inflammation of the intestines. The symptoms of this disease are a lean, transparent, blown-up body, full of small red veins, and in which all the intestines seem to have fallen to the lower part of the body, where they become entangled and turned black. Too much nutritious food is the cause of this evil. All reme- dies appear to have been ineffectual in this malady, but assistance is sometimes obtained from a spare and simple diet. 2. The Yellow Gall in the Head and Eyes may be cured by refreshing food; but if there be a tubercle of the size of a hemp seed about the head or eyes, it must be cut off, and the wound anointed with fresh butter. 3. Sweating—Some females, whilst hatching, have a sweat- ing sickness, which is injurious to the blood, and may be detected by the feathers of the lower part of the body being quite wet. The body of the bird should be washed with brine, and afterwards with rain or spring water to free the feathers of salt, and then rapidly dried by the sun or fire. This may be repeated once or twice a-day. This sickness, however, is not so prejudicial to the bird as is generally supposed. 4. Sneezing —This is occasioned by a stoppage of the nos- trils, and may be removed by a very small feather dipped in olive oil being passed through them. 5. Loss of Voice.—If the male, after moulting, lose his voice, he must have diet similar to that given to young birds; that is, some thoroughly-baked, stale roll, dipped in boiled milk or , water until completely saturated; then press out the milk and A eS és oe>-——_—________——- ~<3Q) ——_—_—_——-~22 v bo — 40 THE CANARY BIRD. mix it with more or less, say a proportion of two thirds of coarse barley or wheat flour, freed from the husk or bran. Some persons give them a slice of pork or bacon to peck. 6. Constipation is cured by giving them plenty of green food, such as celery, water cresses, chickweed, sallad, &c. 7. Epilepsy is commonly brought on by too great a delicacy of treatment, and also by timidity, from alarm. 'Too great an abundance of rich food, and the want of proper exercise, whereby much and thick blood is produced, are the chief causes of this disease. The birds ought to be kept free from alarm, either by catching or tormenting them in any way. When suffering under this complaint, if they are hot, it is recommended to dip them frequently into cold ice water, and then pair their nails so closely as to start blood. A few drops of olive oil, also, given internally have proved serviceable. 8. Overgrown Claws or Beaks require to be pared with sharp scissors. Care must be taken, however, not to cut the nails too close, as the birds would be liable to lose so much blood as to become lame. The end of the “red ray,” or vein, both in the beak and claws, when held up to the light, shows exactly how far they may be cut. During the hatching period, also, the nails of the female sometimes must be cut, in order that they may not be caught by them when in the nest. 9. Lice may be avoided by frequent bathing, cleanliness in the cage, and dry sand mixed with anise seed and scattered on the floor. $85 THE GOLDFINCH. Synonymes. Fringilla carduelis, Or ORNITHOLOGISTS, Chardonneret, Or THE FRENCH. Distelfink, Stieglitz, Or THE GERMANS. Jilguero, Or THE SPANIARDS. Pintacilgo, OF THE PORTUGUESE. Calderino, Or THE ITALIANS. Goldfinch, Thistle Finch, ME eet ae cela i ANGLO-AMERICANS. F all cage birds, this is one of the most delightful, alike from the beauty of its plumage and the excel- lence of its song, its proved docility, and remarkable animation, whose body is almost always in incessant motion— now moving to the right and now to the left. Its song is shrill, agreeable, and heard during all seasons, excepting only at the period of moulting. It contains, besides many warbling and twittering notes, on which it dwells more or less, and the oftener the syllable fink is repeated the more it is admired. Some utter these notes only once or twice in their song, and others four or five times in succession. They also repeat airs, and the songs of other birds, but with difficulty; for they have not the same capacity as linnets and Canaries for these acquisitions. Their docility is extraordinary, for they will even learn to fire small cannons and imitate death. They may also be taught to draw up their food and water in a little bucket. OG <3O [0 eee pp ren epermen ean ooron uc sa sre ere 42, THE GOLDFINCH. v Mr. Syme, in his excellent treatise on British Song Birds, gives the following amusing particulars respecting this spe- cies:—“'The goldfinch is easily tamed and easily taught, and its capability of learning the notes of other birds is well known; but the tricks it may be taught to perform are truly astonishing. A few years ago, the Sieur Roman exhibited his birds, which were goldfinches, linnets, and Canaries. One> appeared dead, and was held up by the tail or claws without exhibiting any signs of life; a second stood on its head with its claws in the air; a third imitated a Dutch milkmaid going to market with pails on its shoulders; a fourth mimicked a Venetian girl looking out at a window; a fifth appeared as a soldier, and mounted guard as a sentinel; and the sixth acted as cannoneer, with a cap on its head, a firelock on its shoulder, and a match in its claws, and discharged a small cannon. The same bird also acted as if it had been wounded. It was wheeled in a barrow, to convey it, as it were, to the hospital, after which it flew away before the company. The seventh turned a kind of windmill; and the last bird stood in the midst of some fireworks, which were discharged all round it, and this without exhibiting the least symptom of fear.” The Goldfinch is very generally distributed throughout Kurope, occurring in most of the wooded and cultivated dis- tricts. Its song commences about the end of March, and con- tinues till July or August. It may often be found in company with linnets, whose flight it somewhat resembles. DESCRIPTION. Tue goldfinch is five inches and three quarters long, of which the tail occupies two inches. The beak is five lines long, sharply pointed, and very slightly bent, compressed at the sides, whitish, with a horn-colored tip; the slender feet are brownish, and six lines high; the front of the head is of a bright scarlet red; a broad margin of a similar color surrounds Se (5) {e: 8>-@$ $$ 79 Ce>~- a rrr v THE GOLDFINCH. 43 the base of the beak; the chin and reins, black; the vertex black, terminating in a stripe, which passes the back of the head, and descends the neck on each side; on the top of the neck, there is a white spot; the cheeks and front of the neck, white; the back of the neck and back are of a beautiful brown; the rump whitish, with a brownish tinge; the longer feathers are black; both sides of the breast and the flanks of a bright—brown; the middle of the breast, the belly, and the vent, whitish, many of the feathers having a brownish tinge ; the thighs, greyish; the pinion feathers, velvet-black, with whitish tips, which are smallest in old birds, and are sometimes wanting in the first two feathers; the middle of the external THE GOLDFINCH. web with a golden-colored stripe an inch long, which, in con- junction with the golden yellow tips of the hinder large coverts, forms a beautiful spot; the coverts otherwise black; the tail slightly forked and black; the two, and sometimes the first three pinion feathers having a white spot in the centre of the inner web; the rest with white tips; sometimes also the third is likewise entirely black at the sides. The female is a little smaller, not so broadly and beautifully red about the beak; the chin brownish; the cheeks intermixed with bright-brown; the small coverts of the wings, brown, and the back of a deeper dark-brown. BREEDING. Tue female goldfinch rarely lays more than once a-year, (consequently these birds do not greatly multiply,) and then 4 oe ——_—_—_ i —@oo7 ri $<_ - THE GOLDFINCH. FOOD. Tue goldfinch feeds up n various kinds of seeds, groundsel, succory, salad, cabbage, rape, linseed, Canary, thistle, and alder seeds, &c. In the cage, it must be fed upon poppy seed and hemp seed, the first being given as its usual food. If allowed to run freely about, it will accustom itself to the second description of universal food described at page 13. It may also have given to it all sorts of green things, such as salad, cabbage, lettuce, and water cresses. It eats voraciously, and therefore, when allowed to run about in the chamber, perches upon the trough, and chases away, with a threatening gesture, every bird that approaches; whereas, it will feed with other birds that have any kind of resemblance to it, at least with respect to the character of their food, such as Canary birds, Siskins, &c. DISEASES, TuHEsE birds are very subject to epilepsy. If they happen to have bad and swollen eyes, they should be anointed with fresh butter. Heaviness and greediness, occasioned by feeding too exclusively upon hemp seed, may be removed by giving them in lieu of it soaked salad and thistle seeds. It contributes much to their health, if occasionally supplied with the head of a thistle. In old age, they become blind, and lose the beautiful red and yellow colors of the head and wings. Although frequently subject to sickness, there are instances of their having lived to the age of sixteen and even twenty-four years. THE LINNET. Synonymes. Fringilla cannabina, Or ORNITHOLOGISTS. Linot, OF THE FRENCH. Hianfiing, Lanning, Or THE GERMANS. Pardillo, OF THE SPANIARDS. Pintarroxo, OF THE PORTUGUESE. Fanello, OF THE ITALIANS, Whin Linnet, Lintie, Greater Red Pole, : Or THE ANGLO Linnet. : ? AMERICANS. Linnet, Brown Linnet, OF THE BRITISH. eS HE linnet, from its natural flute-like voice, excels most & other song birds in its power of beautifully and -/ purely imitating melodies and airs which are piped to it, and for this quality it is especially esteemed. It will also learn. the song of all the birds in the room or cage that it hears. Its natural song consists of many connected strophies, and is the more beautiful the oftener it utters some high-sounding notes, which are called its “ crowing,” from its resemblance to the crowing of a cock. It sings both summer and winter, excepting the time of moulting. DESCRIPTION. Tue length of this bird is more than five inches, of which the tail measures two inches and a half. The beak, six lines long, is dusky-blue in summer, and in winter greyish-white, with the Os~ ee 48 THE LINNET. -——————_ 71 —_—_——_ 5 PIGEONS. | 99 % this latter shelf, a trap, or “aérie,” should be affixed, the intent and purposes of which I shall presently explain. At the upper part of the loft, rough branches should be placed as perches in the manner shown in the representation. At about four feet from the floor, breeding boxes, according to the number of birds intended to be kept, should be securely fixed to the wall, care being taken to protect them from rats, &c. Some fanciers furnish their boxes with little earthenware pans, or small baskets, for the birds to deposit their eggs in; although the eggs are not so likely to be broken in the baskets as in the pans, the latter, if supplied with straw, are cleaner than the baskets; the pans should vary in dimensions, accord- ing to the class of pigeon for which they are designed. It is well to put two of these receptacles in each little room, as the hens frequently go to the nest again when their broods are about three weeks old, leaving them to the care of their mates. Instead of egg boxes, shelves partitioned off, and having sliding fronts for the convenience of cleaning, are used; if the young fancier intend to keep “ pouters,” the shelves should be fourteen inches in breadth, and at least twenty inches apart, so that the birds may not acquire the habit of stooping, which depreciates their value. As pigeons drink differently from most other birds, that is, by taking a long-continued draught, like cattle, a fountain, or large-bottomed glass bottle, with a tolerably long neck, for water, should be provided for their house; it should be placed on a small three-legged stool, so that its mouth may incline into an earthenware pan, into which the water will trickle slowly, and cease when it reaches the level of the mouth of the bottle, and a continued supply of fresh water thus be kept up; two or three bricks will serve instead of a stool, to give the bottle the neces- sary elevation. To insure the thriving of the birds, the loft and shelves should be kept clean, and gravel strown.on the floor; indeed, gravel must on no account be omitted, as pigeons are exceed- ingly fond of pecking it. 4 The “aérie” before mentioned, which is fastened on the a EVO OSs —- OFS- BEI warm place, mix a good quantity of hemp seed in their ordi- nary food, and tinge their water with saffron. When the birds are affected with the wet roup, give them a few pepper corns once in three or four days, and put some green rue in their water. The dry roup is a husky cough, arising fron®a cold; when three or four cloves of garlic should be given to the birds daily. When your pigeons are infested with insects, fumigate their feathers thoroughly with tobacco. The canker is occasioned by the cocks pecking each other, which, as they are extremely irritable, they often do. To cure it, rub the part daily with a mixture of burnt alum and honey. If the incrusted flesh round the eyes of “ carriers,” “ Barbs,” or “horsemen,” be injured or pecked, bathe it with salt water ; and if, in some days, this remedy does not succeed, another lotion composed of three drachms and a half of alum, dissolved in two ounces of water should be tried. When “ pouters” and “croppers” gorge themselves, by over- eating, after long fasting, put the bird, feet downward, into a tight stocking, smoothing up the crop so that, overloaded as it is, it - may be kept from hanging down; then hitch up the stocking on a nail, and keep the bird a prisoner until its food is digested, supplying it with a small quantity of water occasionally. When the bird is taken out of the stocking, it should be put into an open coop or basket, and fed but scantily for a while. For lameness, or swelled balls of the feet, whether frem cold, cuts with glass, or any accident, the most effectual application is asmall quantity of Venice turpentine spread on a piece of brown paper. PIGEONS. 103 v THE EUROPEAN QUAIL. Synonymes. Tetrao coturntx, Or ORNITHOLOGISTS. Caille, Or THE FRENCH. Wachtel, Or THE GERMANS. Glodnghis Or THE SPANIARDS AND a ee PORTUGUESE. Quaglia, Or THE ITALIANS. } OF THE BRITISH AND uail, Comm wail Q ae on Quail, ANGLO-AMERICANS.- ESIDES beauty of form and plumage, the song of QIN, the common quail of the Old World is no slight re- PY) commendation to the amateur. In the breeding sea- son, that of the male commences by repeating softly, tones resembling verra, verra, followed by the word pieveroie, uttered in a bold tone, with the neck raised, the eyes shut, and,the head inclined on one side. Those that repeat the last syllables ten or twelve times, consecutively, are the most esteemed. ‘That of the female only consists of verra, verra, pupu, pupu, the last two syllables being those by which the male and the female attract one another’s attention; when alarmed or angry, their cry resembles guillah! but at other times, it is only a murmur, A resembling the purring of a cat. This bird never sings when pe ee oe) OQ e THE EUROPEAN QUAIL. 105 y left to run about in a light room, except during the night, but continually when in a darkened cage. Fi When wild, the quail is found throughout the eastern conti- nent. It is a bird of passage, arriving in Europe in May, and taking its departure at the end of September. THE EUROPEAN QUAIL. FOOD. In a wild state, the quail feeds on wheat and other corn, rape seed, millet, hemp seed, and the like. It also eats green vegetables, as well as insects, and particularly ants’ eggs. In the house, it is fed on the same food, adding bread, barley meal, mixed with milk, the universal paste, and occasionally salad or cabbage, chopped up small, and, that it may want nothing to keep it in health, plenty-of river sand for it to roll | in and peck up. grains, which assist its digestion; but this | sand must be damp, for if dry, it will not touch it. It drinks a és great deal, — the water, contrary to the opinion of some H ee SY = war Oo 106 THE EUROPEAN QUAIL. persons, should be clear, and never turbid. It moults twice in the year, once in autumn, and again in spring; it then requires river sand, and greater attention than at other times. BREEDING. THE quail breeds very late, never before July. Its nest, if it can be called so, is a hole scratched in the earth, in-which it lays from ten to fourteen bluish-white eggs, with large brown spots. These are hatched after three weeks’ incubation. The young ones, all hairy, follow the mother the moment they leave the shell. Their feathers grow quickly, for in the autumn they are able to depart with her to the southern countries. The males are so ardent, that if one is placed in a room with a female, he will pursue her immediately with extraordinary eagerness, tearing off her feathers if she resist in the least; he is less violent if he has been in the same room with her during the year. The female, in this case, lays a great many eggs but rarely sits on them; yet if young ones are brought her from the fields, she eagerly receives them under her wings, and becomes a very affectionate mother to them. ‘The young must be fed on eggs, boiled hard and cut small, but the best way is to take the mother with the covey, which may be done with a net. She watches over them attentively, and they are more easily reared. During the first year, one would think that all in the covey were females, the males resemble them so much, particularly before the brown shows itself on the throat. The adult female, however, differs very sensibly from the male; her throat is white, and her breast paler, and spotted with black, like that of the throat. MANAGEMENT. In the house, if allowed to range, its gentleness, neatness, and peculiar motions are seen to advantage; but it is often kept in a cage of the following make :— A —S © —— <3E CS © THE EUROPEAN QUAIL. 107 ¥ shape which is preferred ; in this are left two or three openings, one for drinking at, the other te give light; besides this all is dark; the bottom is a drawer, which should be covered with sand, and have a seed drawer at one end; the top is ef green cloth; fer as the quail often springs up it would hurt itself were it of wood. The case should be suspended during the summer outside the window, for the quail sings much more when con- fined in this manner than if allowed to range the room, where A small box, two feet long, one foot deep, and four high, of any there are many things to call off its attention frem its song. ee eS Tue Subscribers take this method of informing the public that they keep constantly on hand and for sale, from November to May of each year, a CHOICE COLLEC- TION OF HEALTHY YOUNG BIRDS, noted for the excellence of their song, fine forms, beautifully-marked plumage, and other good qualitles, consisting of German and French Canaries, and other European Song Birds, the prices of which vary according to their ages and qualities. x] BIRDS, CAGES, AND SEEDS, | The prices of Canary Birds vary from $2 to $10 each, or $4 to $15 per pair. AGU TI OTSA. capes Watel al statersuatal’s ebaiotr Atom atensiclem eke iieseeraeetarses from $2 to $2.50 each. AE OLAUIMC A OAay ere are a ccicioie sts aieveperw/orccalsialon scesccersiainaiese) eis teva,etate $2 to $2.50 %& [inhi CEH Ra 6 San Sooerone comp enn e pcc Jong ooobS de acacuc $5 to $20 « Some uM iUshesst Whee s.r. seis Asiereas = toisis estitiereee wie ais « stave sO UOra on gee INI OcmnHTT OPA Sate Soe acs seve a chevay Siey oyotsy on eve ctoreyctaxayoiheterens SEED OROEC $10 to $20 * 2 EESTEAG KAO aT Sees ciety eiviarasofolave jens 's(oreroyefa le -oleleieneia eleraiessieierats qdnOLbO teh Olu nee SUMO AMINO DTS. 1 slarcicvey-te ate’=lavcis’s abate here's wlalese\s svejeudhe ele jevareke $4 to $8 « BRO PSAM Skey, WAM. casc, 177 William street, New York. Linial “ Pry ae | y j ee ie, 3 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS | | | ll || 50