M-fel
B7
IS8I
IRLF
CO
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LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA,
Class
AMERICAN
ISOition, 3£UbiscU anD
NEW-YORK : OPtANGKE JUDD COMPANY,
52 & 54- Lafayette Place.
THE
AMERICA! BIRD FAICIER;
OR,
HOW TO BEEED, EEAE, AND OAEE FOE SCOTG AJSTD DOMESTIC BIRDS;
WITH THEIR
DISEASES AND REMEDIES.
BY
D. G. BROWNE,
AUTHOR OF "THE 8ILVA AMERICANA," "AMERICAN POULTRY YARD," BTC.
NEW EDITION, REVISED AND ENLAEGED.
BY FULLER WALKER, M. D.
WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS.
NEW YORK:
ORANGE JUDD COMPANY, 1892.
GENERAL
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by the
ORANGE JUDD COMPANY, In tho Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
INDEX.
PAGE.
American Partridge Ill
Birds, Breeding of 16
Food of 18
Habitation of 11
Plumage of 8
Song of 10
Young of, Time of Remov- ing from the Nest 18
Blackbird, European 76
Skunk 79
Bob-o-link 79
Bullfinch 56
Breeding .. 57
Description of 56
Food 57
Bunting, Rice 79
Batter Bird 79
Canary Bird 28
Cat Bird 73
Diseases of Tame Birds,
18, 41, 50, 57, 63, 78, 110
Asthma 19
Atrophy, or Wasting 21
Bloody Flux 22
Consumption 21
Costiveness 22
Diarrhoea 22
Epilepsy .. 23
Moulting 25
Obstruction of the Rump
Gland 23
Of the Feet 24
Pairing Fever 26
Parasitic Vermin 26
Pip, or Thrush 19
Rheum 19
Sore Eyes 25
Tumors and Ulcers 25
Tympany, or Bloating 24
Unnatural Fatness 27
Vertigo, or Giddiness 26
Dove, Wild 90
Goldfinch 43
American 53
(3)
j PAGB.
Introduction 5
I Linnet 48
Mavy, Red 71
Meadow Bird 71
Mocking Bird 66
French 71
Orioles 05
Parrcts no
Partridge, American .ill
Domestication ill
Pigeon. Barb 100
Biset .... 91
Broad or Fan-tailed Shaker 87
Capuchin 99
Carrier 94
Dragoon 93
Helmet 102
Horseman 95
Jacobin, or Jack 98
Mawmet, or Mahomet 99
Nun 101
Pouter 96
Rock 87
Tumblers 92
Turbit 100
White-rumped 87
Quail, European 113
Red Pole 43
Reed Bird 79
Rice Bird 79
Bunting'. 79
Troopial 79
Robin, American 53
Redbreast 58
Starling, English 64
Thrasher 71
Thrush, Brown 71
Ferruginous 71
Migrating 58
Red-breasted 58
gong 61
Thistle Finch 43
Yellow Bird... .. 53
174982
IRDS have been regarded, from our childhood days, as the most delight- ful objects of animated nature ; no music falls so tenderly upon the ear, or reaches the heart sooner, than that of the lovely feathered choristers. Every person cart find something to admire in birds, from the great eagle which circles above the Rocky or White Mountains, do- fying the brilliancy of the sun, to the little brown thrush which pipes its feeble notes in the hedge. The great variety
O INTRODUCTION.
of their forms, the beauty and brilliancy of their plumage, their graceful motions, their peculiar habits and manners, and, above all, their delicious songs, possess charms which attract the attention of the most indifferent, and win the hearts of all who love beauty, grace, and sweetness. Every one has, at some time or other, felt the joy Wordsworth must have felt when he wrote :
" The birds around me hopped and played,
Their thoughts I can not measure ; But the least motion which they made It seemed a thrill of pleasure."
Watching the birds flying over the green earth, circling in the warm sunshine, building their nests in lofty trees, darting in and out of flower-laden shrubs, and having no thought for the morrow, it may seem to men who are the victims of pas- sions and conflicting emotions, that these little creatures must live in brighter and more peaceful regions than any known to the human family. It is restful and healthful for all men, in city or country,
" To go abroad rejoicing in the joy Of beautiful and well-created things, To thrill with the rich melody of birds, Living in their life of music ; To see, and hear, and breathe the evidence Of God's deep wisdom in the natural world."
Birds, aves in Latin, oiseau in French, and Vdgel in German, are all bipeds, and are covered with feathers, a covering which nature has given to no animals of other classes. Nearly all birds have the power of flight, which is enjoyed by few other vertebrate animals. The most conspicuous external character- istics of birds is their plumage, which invests their bodies and wings, serves as clothing, assists in motion through the air, and protects from extremes of heat and cold. The internal temperature of birds is from one hundred and five to one hun- dred and twelve degrees, Fahrenheit, which is much higher than that of man and beasts. All the best singing birds belong to the sub-class Insessores, which is a union of five orders, comprising a large number of families, in which are such
INTRODUCTION. 7
individuals as the pigeon, humming-bird, whip-poor-will, cuckoos , parrots, thrushes, crows, etc. A great variety of birds is embraced in the order of Insessores. For a large ma- jority of them, their food consists of insects, and their larvae or eggs ; and while in all the feet are well adapted for perch- ing, the bill and wings will be found to vary according t3 the habits of the bird. Swallows, fly-catchers, tyrants, etc., pursue their food upon the wing; they possess, therefore, great powers of flight. The mouth is wide, the bill broad at tae base, and sometimes armed at the extremity with a slight hook. Warblers, thrushes, wrens, and many others, seek their food among the branches and leaves of the trees, feed- ing mostly upon worms, the chrysalis, or the eggs. They are possessed of extraordinary agility in hopping about from twig to twig in search of food. Some birds of the order Insessores live on seeds and nuts ; such are furnished with a strong, short beak, quite thick at the base, and two mandibles some- times working together like a pair of scissors. To this class belong the finches, sparrows, cross-bills, and many more.
The earliest traces of the existence of birds on the globe have been supposed to be the so-called birds' tracks in the tri- assic sand-stones of the Connecticut Valley, many fine speci- mens of which may be seen in the Museum of Natural His- tory, Central Park, New York. But it is now thought most of these tracks were made by reptiles and amphibious creatures. A nearly complete bird has been recently discovered in the lithographic slates of Solenhofen. It is supposed to form a kind of connecting link between birds and reptiles. Fossil birds have been found in the green sand of New Jersey, the cretaceous beds of Kansas, and the tertiary deposits of Wyo- ming and Idaho. A bird with teeth has been found in the cretaceous beds of Fort Harker, Kansas. The great bird of Madagascar, JEpiomis maximus, was twelve feet in hight, and the contents of one of its eggs equal to one hundred and forty-eight hens' eggs. One of the great extinct birds of New Zealand had legs and feet nearly as massive as those of the elephant. Visitors to New York, who are curious in such matters, may see the skeletons of some of these gigantic birds
4 at the Museum of Natural History. _
INTRODUCTION.
A bird in all its parts is perfectly adapted for the element in which it moves, and the functions it has to perform. Its frame is formed for lightness and buoyancy, and so constructed as to accelerate its motion in the air. The wings, made of the 1'ghtest material, strike the air with, great force ; the tail acts as a rudder, enabling the bird to direct its course. The lungs of a bird are very small, but its body is provided with many air-cells, which may be inflated or emptied at pleasure. By filling these hollow parts with air, a bird may become very- buoyant, and easily sail in the atmosphere. By forcing the air out, the weight of the bird increases, when it can dart down from great hights with astonishing rapidity. With such internal reservoirs of air to draw upon, a bird may fly at great speed through the atmosphere with no inconvenience in breathing, or risk of suffocation.
The digestive organs of song birds, for the most part, con- sist of cartilaginous stomachs, covered with strong muscles. These organs are given to birds, the principal food of which is grain and seeds of various kinds, or other hard substances that require much friction to divide. To aid in this process, gravel is used. The small stones taken into the gizzard to assist in the process of grinding the food, are retained until they have become polished, and, therefore, less useful. By the time the food has passed thrc agh the third stomach, it is completely triturated, and prepared for the operation of the gastric juices. Content with the seeds of plants, with fruits, insects, and worms, the principal attention of grami- nivorous birds is directed to procuring food, hatching and rearing their offspring, and eluding the snares of men and the attacks of predaceous animals.
PLUMAGE OF BIRDS.
There is hardly anything more wonderful in nature than the structure of a simple feather. It is graceful in outline, and unique in form, soft and delicate in texture, and per- fectly adapted to the use for which it was designed. An amazing difference exists between feathers of different birds, from the stout quill of the buzzard's or eagle's wing, to the i
8
^1
INTRODUCTION. 9
shining sparkle from the humming-bird's throat, the plain but exquisite shadings and markings of the one forming a •wide contrast with the gaudy and glittering hues of the other. The male bird is usually .clothed in more brilliant plumage than the female, and the young of both sexes generally assume the garb of the female until the f ollowing spring. Color thus not only serves the purpose of beauty, but also of protection, for while the gay dress of the male attracts attention, making him a more prominent mark for the sportsman, the plain dress of the female, who has the care of the young, secures her from danger. The partridge and woodcock, in their gray plumage, which resembles the ground, are secreted from the search- ing eye of the hawk and kite ; the whip-poor-will wears a tawny dress, difficult to distinguish from the log upon which it crouches ; the owl is clothed in gray and brown, closely resembling the colors of the hollow tree in which it makes its home ; the ptarmigan, living in cold northern climates, in sum- mer has its plumage marked with stripes of black or brown, closely resembling the rocks and barren heaths upon which it lives. Should these dark hues remain during the winter, it would fall a prey to the snowy owl or the gyrfalcon, but its plumage then turns nearly white. The snow-bunting, and some of the great owls of the North, have a plumage almost as white as the snow, so that it is difficult to distinguish them from the mass of surrounding white. The tropical birds which come to this country, especially from the forests of South America, are dressed in the brightest plumage, resembling the t right flowers and intense green leaves by which they are sur- zounded. The crane, heron, and other water birds, which d3pend upon their dexterity as fishers for their supply of food, are clothed with feathers of a white and bluish slate color, so that the fish, as they glide beneath the water, recognize but little difference between the plumage of their foe and the blue heaven above them, studded with clouds. Thus they fall an easy prey to the birds, which, if robed in darker feathers, would cause alarm, and send the fish into the depths below.
10 INTRODUCTION.
SONG OF BIRDS.
Different species of birds are able to communicate with each other through their own peculiar notes. A bird utters cries of joy or alarm, and is able to express its desires not only to its own, but to the opposite sex. The song of birds is always the ex- pression of love or pleasure. The nightingale sings only while paring or hatching time lasts, and is silent when compelled to feed its young. The Canary, starling, and goldfinch, sing all the year round, save when moulting dejects them. The male bird is the best singer, and uses his song to attract the attention, or win the love, of the female. The female listens attentively, and, as a rule, seeks for her companion the most accomplished singer. The most sprightly hen Canary selects the best singer, and the chaffinch will choose from a hundred males the one which pleases her best. A bird is said to war- ble or quaver when it repeats the strophes, or solitary notes of its song, in the same order of succession, as the nightingale or chaffinch. Birds sing when, without regard to any particular order, they carol out their twittering or chirping notes, inter- mixed with louder ones ; they pipe when their song consists of distinct, round, flute-like tones. The reason why one bird sings stronger and better than another is to be deduced from the relative size of the larynx. Females do not usually stag, because their larynx is not so powerful as that of the male. The nightingale has the most muscular larynx of all singing birds. "All the notes," says Syme, "comprised in the song of birds convey delight to the lover of nature ; but the bird- fancier only prizes their love- warble and notes of defiance. These notes, and these only, he considers to be their song."
INTRODUCTION. 11
HABITATION OF GAGE OR CHAMBER BIRDS.
Bums 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 fa3ces smell unpleasantly in a 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 is in the feet indeed that cage or chamber birds chiefly suffer, and they must be daily examined to see 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 !oe, so tied up, will dry up and fall off. Very great
12 INTRODUCTION.
attention must be paid to this particular circumstance, as scarcely a biid 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 a call. " 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 itself. He then commences by familiarising the bird with some 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 ihus the bird becomes gradually so accustomed to him that he can carry 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 timo, v/hich 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 vhe mou'h, it uiust be kept for a time in the cage without food, and then
INTRODUCTION. 13
when sitting 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 accomplisL chis, nothing more is necessary than to induce it by certain tones, motions, and fondling. But it is still further requisite to 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 forced 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 food in a natural state. This, indeed, is frequently difficult, if not wholly impossible. Great caution, therefore, must be observed to accustom the birds we keep, or rather their stomachs, by degrees, to the food we are compelled to supply them, although it cannot be denied that there are birds, also, which, as soon 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 loss 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 placed in the chamber, it is a bad sign ; for they will certainly die, as ic 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. Me; er, of Offenbach, Germany, remarks as follows upon
14 INTRODUCTION.
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 i\ow sit for some moments thoroughly exhausted, but will soon recover 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 for 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, &c.
The second are those 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 only berries and insects, such as nightingales, redbreasts, 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.
RECIPE FOR A GENERAL FOOD. — In proportion to the number of birds, 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. Jt is then fit to be pounded in a mortar, and will keep several months \\ thout becoming bad. Every day a teaspoonfut 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, ? firm paste will be formed, which must be chopped very small on a
INTRODUCTION. 15
board. This paste, which is very nourishing, may be kept a long time without becoming sour or sticky; on the contrary, it is always dry and brittle. As soon as a delicate bird is brought in, some flies or chopped worms should be mixed with 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 all, tamed birds, if we except those which are con- fined in cages on account of their beautiful songs. They are not only very simple and cheap, but also prevent great loss of time to those who possess a great number of birds.
UNIVERSAL PASTE. — To make the first paste, take a white loaf which is well baked ard stale ; put it into fresh water, and leave it there until quite soaked through ; then 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 root may be kept nearly a whole year if buried in sand) ; then soak a small white loaf in fresh water, press the water out, 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 all, 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 bave no partitions.
_ gg
1G
INTRODUCTION.
Tiios.3 birds whjjh 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 foi subsequent fare; and are consequently to-day well, and drooping to-morrow.
BKEEDING.
THERE is but little to be said of the breeding of biHs in confinement, as, in the majority of cases, it is difficult to accom- plish, excepting in 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 a room. 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 of animah 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
INTRODUCTION.
17
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.
BREEDING CAGE.
IP
V 18 INTRODUCTION.
TIME FOR REMOVING WILD BIRDS FROM I HE NEST.
IT may be necessary that I should give some general direc- tions about the time at which it is desirable to remove young \\ ild 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. Bui 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 tamed, both adult and young.
DISEASES OF TAME BIRDS.
LIKE all tame animals, birds that are kept in confinement, are exposed to more maladies than those which live at large ;* and especially as they are frequently so closely confined in cages that they have scarcely room to move. These maladies, however, are considerably increased by their having all kinds of delicacies, as pastry, sugar, &c., given them, which spoil their stomachs and usually produce a slow consumption.
The following are the chief maladies which affect birds, and their remedies, as laid down by Dr. Bechstein, the efficiency of u hich he proved upon his 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 shall have occasion to notice how their peculiar diseases may be treated, when the general remedies are not suitable to their nature.
• It has been frequently asserted that birds in their natural state are never ill, but tUs is unfountleu.
INTRODUCTION. 19
PIP. OR THRUSH. — This is a catarrh, or cold, by which the nostrils are stopped up, and the membrane covering the tongue is hardened by inflammation. In large birds, it is common to remove this skin, taking it off from the base to the tip ; but rough modes should not be used for doing it. A little borax, dissolved in water, may be applied to the tongue with a camel- hair pencil two or three times a-day until a healthy action is produced. By this means, this part can again perspire, the saliva necessary for digestion can flow, and the taste and appe- tite return. A mixture of fresh butter, pepper, and garlic, generally cures this catarrh. It is a good thing, also, for the birds to drink the pectoral infusion of speedwell ( Veronica officinaHs) ; and the nostrils may be opened by passing up a small feather dipped in oil. The ruffling of the head, the beak often open and yellow at its base, and the tongue dry, are the most decisive indications of this disease.
RHEUM. — The symptoms of this disease are frequent sneezing and shaking of the head. Some drops of pectoral elixir in the infusion of speedwell, which the sick birds must be made to take, appears to be the most efficacious remedy.
When it is merely hoarseness, Dr. Handel, of Mentz, in France, gave to his birds for several days, as their only drink, a very dilute decoction of dry figs, sweetened with a little sugar, and afterwards purged them, for two days following, with the juice of carrots.
ASTHMA. — This is a very common disease among house birds. Those attacked with it have their breath short, often open their beaks as if to gasp for more air, and, when agitated or frightened, keep them open for a long time.
The cause of this disease may doubtless be found in the mode of life which the birds lead. Their food is generally too dry and heating, being principally h<unp seed, which is very injurious, but liked by all; and is the more hurtful, as it inclines them to eat too much. If to this, be added the un- changed air of the rooms, particularly those which have stoves instead of chimneys, and the great heat which is kept up
INTRODUCTION.
during winter, it is plain that there is much to injure the delicate lungs of the birds.
A moist and refreshing regimen and some aperients, more or less often, according to the violence of the disease, appears the most appropriate remedy. A favorite linnet and goldfinch, mentioned by Dr. Bechstein, when attacked with very bad asthma, were relieved and preserved for several years by the following method : —
The first thing was to leave oif hemp seed entirely, confining them solely to rape seed ; but giving them at the same time an abundance of bread, soaked in pure water, and then pressed ; lettuce, endive, or water cresses, according to the season, twice a- week, giving them bread boiled in milk, about the size of a nutmeg. This is made by throwing a piece of the crumb of white bread, about the size of a nut, into a teacupful of milk, boiling it, and stirring it all the time with a wooden spoon till it is of the consistency of pap. It must be quite cold before it is given to the birds, and must always be made fresh, for if sour, it will prove injurious.
This paste, which they are very fond of, purges them suffi- ciently, and sensibly relieves them. In very violent attacks, nothing but this paste ought to be given for two or three days following, and this will soon give the desired relief.
When the disease is slight, or only begun, it is sufficient to give the bread and milk once in three or four days. When employed under similar circumstances, this treatment has cured several very valuable birds. It may not be useless here to renew the advice of always giving the birds an opportunity of bathing every day, by putting in their way a saucer, or any other small shallow bath, filled with water, which should never be too cold, and in winter always milkwarm.
One thing which is very injurious to the lungs of birds, and which too often occurs, is the fright occasioned by tormenting them, or by seizing them too suddenly; for the poor little things often rupture a blood vessel in the breast while beating themselves about. A drop of blood in the beak is the sign, and t _ 44!
INTRODUCTION. 21 s '
a speedy death is the general consequence. If this do not happen, the breathing is not the less difficult and painful; and recovery is rare, at least without the greatest care and attention.
Birds that eat insects and worms, occasionally, by acci- dent, swallow some extraneous substance, which, sticking in their throat, stops their respiration and stifles them. The only remedy is to extract the foreign body, which requires much skill and dexterity.
When asthma is brought on by eating seeds, which are too old, spoiled, or rancid, Dr. Handel recommends some drops of oxymel, (honey and vinegar boiled to a syrup,) to be swallowed for eight days following. But the best way is to change the seed, and be sure there is none but good seed in the feeding trough.
ATROPHY, OR WASTING. — This is caused by giving unnatural food to the bird, which destroys the digestive power of its stomach. In this case, it disgorges its food, ruffles its feathers, and does not arrange them, and becomes thin very fast. The best thing is to make it swallow a common spider, which purges it, and put a rusty nail into its water, which strengthens the tone of the stomach, giving it at the same time its proper and natural food. Green food, such as lettuce, endive, chick- weed, and particularly water cresses, is the safest remedy. A very great appetite is a sign of this disease. A Siskin, men- tioned by Dr. Bechstein, that was dying of atrophy, had nothing but water cresses for three days following, and on the fourth he sung.
CONSUMPTION. — This is usually the result of unnatural food, which interrupts the function of digestion, and it is recognised by the bird inflating and distending itsalf. The feathers are ruffled, and the flesh dwindles. No better remedy, perhaps, can be found than to give such birds a common spider, which purges them, and to lay in their water a rusty nail, which strengthens the stomach. They must, at the same time, be fed with the best description of their appropriate food. In birds which will fiat vegetables, and especially water cresses, this
23 INTRODUCTION.
will be found the surest remedy against consumpti rm, or waste. Usually, birds suffering from this malady have a veracious appetite for green food. Dr. Bechstein fed a Siskin, which had already completely wasted, for three successive day .3, with nothing but water cresses, and on the fourth it re- commenced singing.
COSTIVENESS. — This disease may be discovered from the frequent unsuccessful endeavors of the bird to relieve itself. Aperients will be of use. If a spider does not produce the desired effect, anoint the vent of the bird with the head of a pin steeped in linseed oil; this sort of clyster generally succeeds. Boiled bread and milk is also of great service.
DIARRHCEA. — This is a disease to which birds that have been caught i-ecently are very subject, before they are accustomed to their new food. Most of these die of it; they continually void a white calcareous matter, which sticks to the feathers round the vent, and being very acrid causes inflammation in that part and in the intestines. Sometimes chalybeate water, (iron water,) and the oil clyster produce good effects ; but it is better, if possible, to procure for the bird its most natural food. Some people pull out the feathers from the tail and vent, and then rub these parts with fresh butter, but this is a very painful and cruel operation. They also mix the yolk of an egg boiled very hard with their food, but this does not succeed very well. If there be any hope of curing this disease, it is by attacking it at the beginning, before inflammation is violent ; boiled bread and milk, a plenty of lettuce, or any other similar green refreshing food, generally effects a cure.
In a case of chronic diarrhoea, which almost reduces the birds to skeletons, Dr. Handel, of France, prescribes chaly- beate water, mixed with a little milk for their drink, which, he says, is an easy and certain cure.
BLOODY FLUX. — This is a disease with which some parrots are attacked. The best remedy is to make the birds drink a plenty of boiled milk, or even very fat broth ; for their intes- tines, which are very much irritated, require something sooth- ing to protect them from the acrid discharges, which, at the ,
INTRODUCTION.
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 GLAND. — 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 ; bi 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 disease 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.
FPJLEPSY. — This is a disease with which house birds a%e 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 arc more subject to it than any other birds, and bleeding always cures them, which has been done with great success in the fol- ^
34 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 bleeding stops; no bandage nor dressing is required.
TYMPAKF OR BLOATING.— 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 like a 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.
DISEASE IN THE FEET. — 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 soap wort (Saponaria ojficinalis). If a foot should be bruised or broken, he advises that the diseased bird shoul 1 be shut up in a 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 drync^.ss, 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 i.sed with a bullfinch with success: — Its cage was made with a movable tin bottom, which, being half or three quarters of an inch deep, could hold \vater, that was put in tepid, to bathe the bird; •
INTRODUCTION. 25
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 EYES. — 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 AND ULCERS. — 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.
MOULTING. — 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 tne time when their food is most abundant ; the forest birds may t\en be seen approaching fields and cultivated places, where, having plenty of insects and seeds, they cannot suffer from want;
28 INTRODUCTION.
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, warm ;h, and baths. Nothing has succeeded better than this regimen.
VERTIGO, OR GIDDINESS. — 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.
PAIRING FEVER. — 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 tangle 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.
PARASITIC VERMIN. — If birds are sometimes restless, especially
INTRODUCTION. 27
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 smal\ 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 tobacco, 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.
UNNATUKAL FATNESS. — If 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.
THE CANARY BIRD.
Synonymes.
Fringilla canarta, ....... OF ORNITHOLOOISTS.
Serin de Canarie, OF THE FRENCH.
Canarienvogel, OF THE GKRMANS.
P, . I OF TUB SPANIARDS
Canano' j AND PORTUGUESE.
Canarino, OF THE ITALIANS.
Omar, Bird, Canary, °
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, arid may, emphatically be called the real " cage bird." Some of them we find melancholy, others cheerful ; sorthi angry, others peaceful ; some intelligent, others dull ; soim. indus- trious, others idle; some greedy, others frugal. But the/ have? chiefly made themselves beloved by their animated, p.:rverfjU and varied song, which lasts almost throughout tr/3 v'lols 1 year, and with some even during the time of moulting.
• * (28)
THE CANARY BIRD. 29
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 AMD HISTORY.
THOSE birds, from which are descendsd 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 Elbu, 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 atler 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, w«re A introduced.
30
THE CANARY BIRD.
DESCRIPTION.
THE 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 flosh-
CANARIES AND NEST.
colored, and eight lines high. The female is scarcely to be distinguished from the wrale, but the latter has generally deeper and brighter colors; the head is rather thicker ; the body, in general, more slender throughout; and the temples and the
THE CANARY BIHD. 31 1
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 tho 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, ancf with the Siskin and linnet,
THE CANARY BIRD.
of Germany, they have become so multifarious, that they are to be met with of almost every color and hue. Furthermore, in Europe, there are societies for promoting the breeds, and premiums are awarded to competitors who come nearest to the model of perfection given out for competition. The hybrids produced by crossing the Canary with other birds, most in favor, may be described as follows: —
1. The Cross between the Canary and Goldfinch. — The colors of this variety consist of a very beautiful intermixture of those of both parents. One which has been highly prized, was marked in the middle of the crest with ashy-grey ; the rest of the head, and the upper part of the neck, was of a silvery white, with a bright orange-red ring round the base of the beak, and another ring of snowy whiteness round the neck ; the bactc was greyish-brown, striped with black ; the rump, white; the under part of the body, snow-white; the vent, the wings, and the first pinion feathers, were also white ; the rest, as well as the coverts, black, edged with yellow, and with a golden-yellow spot in the centre of the wings ; the tail was white, with a black lateral spot ; the beak and feet, white, the former with a black tip. The mother of this fine bird was white, with a greenish crest. In general, the handsomest varieties are produced when yellow or white Canaries are pared with goldfinches.
2. The Cross between the Canary and the Siskin. — This is per- fectly like the female Siskin, if the male bird is a green Canary, but if the latter be white or yellow, it becomes rather brighter and always retains the color and figure of the Siskin.
3. The Cross between Jie Canary and the Serin is distinguished only by its smaller size, and by its short, thick, beak, from the common grey or green Canary, unless produced by a white or yellow hen.
T/te Cross between the Canary and the Linne'. — When the offspring of a grey Canary, its only difference is a slightly longer tail ; but it is Variegated or speckled wh'-n the Canary is ellow or white.
THE CANARY BIRD.
PAIRING- AND LAYING-.
IN order to obtain birds of a brilliant plumagt,, it b requisite to pair together such as are of similar markings, and the colors of which are regular and distinct. This is best effected in separate breeding cages. Variegated and checkered ones are often produced in aviaries where the birds pair together indis- criminately. Those of a greenish and brownish color, paired with bright-yellow ones, often produce beautiful dusky- white or other favorite colors. A requisite precaution to be ob- served is, that a tufted and a smooth-headed bird should be paired together; for, if two crested ones be placed with one another, a part of the head of their progeny will be bald or otherwise deformed.
Some males are always dejected, sing but little, are indiffer- ent to their mates, and consequently unfit for breeding; others are too choleric, incessantly snap at, and chase about, the females, and indeed, often kill them and their young ; others again, are too ardent, persecute the female while she is sitting tear the nest, throw out the eggs, or continually excite her to pair, until she quits her eggs or neglects her young ; others, in breeding time, sing so incessantly, and so powerfully, that they rupture the small vessels of the lungs, and suddenly dro'p dead in the midst of their song.
The females have also their defects. Some merely lay, anc immediately quit their eggs as soon as laid ; others feed their young badly, bite them, or pluck out their feathers ; others lay with much exertion and labor, and when they should hatch become sickly, or lay again after a long interval.
Those birds which are to be paired for the first time, shoulc be placed together in a small cage or an open room for a week or ten days, to be wonted to one another. If *wo females are to be paired with one male, they must previously be ac- customed to each other's society by being also kept together in a snail cage; and the breeding cage should have two compartments, separated by a board, in which a sliding door
THE CANARY BIRD.
has been made. In one compartment, a lively male may be enclosed with a female. About the cage or room, there should be placed some flax, soft hay, wool, hog's bristles, cow's hair, moss, pieces of thread, cut about a finger's length, paper, shavings, or other dry materials for building the nest, which usually occupies three daya When one female has laid eggs, the sliding door may be moved and the male admitted to the other female; and when they have both laid, this door may be
CANARY BREEDING CAQK.
kept open. The male will visit both females alternately, when they will not trouble themselves about each other ; otherwise, without this precaution, jealousy would :'i>cite them to destroy each other's nests and throw out the eggs. In a room or aviary, a male has sometimes two and even three females placed with him; with one of these, he will more especially pair. But when this favorite is about to sit, the others will receive a share of his attentions, and from the lattei usuaMy the greatest number and the best birds are reared.
THE CANARY BIRD.
The female, as with the majority of birds, is usually the architect, the male only selecting the place and procurng materials, the coarser of which is used for the external struc- ture, and the finer for lining the inside of the nest. The females will sometimes show indications of their instinct by building nests after their own fashion, generally being irregu lar in figure, and not nicely finished, at least externally. It is in the nest itself, where the pairing takes place, the female attracting the male by a continuous piping note, repeated more quickly the nearer she is to laying. An interval of seven or eight days elapses between the first pairing and laying the first egg. Every day afterwards, nearly at the same hour, an egg is laid, the number varying from two to six.
BREEDING, INCUBATION, ETC.
THE month of March is the best time to place the birds in the breeding cage. Of these, there are two kinds, either a large one, made of wire, as is shown at page 15, in which it is better to place a male, and one female, than one male and two females together, like the one shown in the preceding page ; or the birds may have range of an entire room. All breeding places must be exposed to the warmth and light of the sun, and be hung about with nests made of turned wood, tin, or little wicker baskets, two for each pair.
When a room is allotted to the purpose, it ought to contain shrubs for the birds to perch or build upon, with a plenty of fresh water to drink and bathe in, that being indispensable for all birds. The light should be admitted into the east or south- east, for the benefit of the morning sun, and the windows should have wire cloth over them, that the birds may enjoy the fresh air. The floor of the apartment should be strewed with clean gravel or sand, on which should be thrown celery or chickweed; but when breeding, they should have nothing except hard-chopped eggs, dried roll, cake without salt, and once in two or three days a few poppy seeds,
36 THE OANART BIRD.
When the birds are gooa breeders, it is needless to attempt to assist nature by artificial means ; and it is best to leave the them entirely to themselves. In other cases, it is customary to remove the first egg- and replace it by an ivory one, placing it in a box filled with clean, dry sand, and so taking away all the eggs till the last one is laid ; all are then returned to the nest to be hatched. They often lay three or four times a-year, from February to September, and some are so assiduous in pairing, that even moulting does not interrupt them. The eggs are of a sea-green color, marked on one end with reddish- brown or violet spots or stripes. The period of incubation lasts thirteen days.
If, from the sicklines* of the male, or of the female, any of the eggs are unimpregnated, they must be taken out of the nest when the hen has sat for a week or ten days, held lightly between the fingers in the sunshine, or in a bright light ; the fecundated ones will then appear filled with veins, while the bad ones will be quite clear, or already addled, the latter of which must be thrown away. The male rarely relieves the female in hatching, nor does she very willingly permit it. Immediately after feeding, she returns to the eggs, and should the male perchance be on the nest at the time, if he should not directly quit, he would speedily be compelled to do so by pecks and blows. The young are occasionally killed in the egg, in consequence of loud and near noises, such as heavy thunder, the discharge of fire arms, violently slamming the door, or any other very loud knocking.
FEEDING- AND REABING THE YOUNG.
As soon as the young are hatched, the old birds should be supplied with one fourth of a hard-boiled egg, minced very fine, with some dried roll, or bread, containing no salt, steeped in water, the latter of which should be squeezed or pressed out again. In another vessel, some boiled rape seed should be placed, which has been rewashed in fresh .
THE CANARY BIRD.
water, to take away the acidity. Some use crackers instead of bread, but this is unnecessary. It is merely requisite to see that this soft food does not become sour, otherwise it will kill the young, and the cause remain unsuspected. Some persons merely give them their usual food, intermixing it with some finely-powdered crackers and hard-bojled eggs, but it has been found by experience, that the diet proscribed above is more efficacious, especially until the young are fledged.
It is now that the male takes the chief part in rearing the young; and upon him devolves the duty of feeding them, in order to allow the female to recover from the exhaustion she has received from incubation.
If it is necessary to feed the young by hand, grated roll or i pulverised dry crackers is taken, mixed with pounded rape seed, and kept in a box. As often as it is necessary to feed them, a little of it is moistened with some of the yolk of an egg and water, and given to them from a quill pen. This must be done ten or twelve times a-day; about four penfuls is the quantity necessary for each meal.
Up to the twelfth day, the young remain almost naked, and require to be covered by the female ; but after the thirteenth, they will feed themselves. In cold, dry years, however, it sometimes happens that the birds get scarcely any plumage at all. When they are a month old, they may be removed from the breeding cage. With the usual food of the old birds, they must be fed for some time upon the kinds above named ; for, the sudden removal from soft food often occasions death, espe- cially in moulting. It is asserted, and not without reason, that those Canaries which are reared in an arbor, where they have space to fly about within an enclosure of wire, are longer-lived and stronger than those which are reared in a chamber or a confined cage.
It is a curious fact, perhaps not known to every one, that, when there are two females with one male in a cage, and one dies, the other, if she has not already sat, will hatch the eggs laid by her co-mate, and rear the young as her own; and, during this foster-mother care, cautiously avoid the caresses of the male !
38 THE CANARY BIRD.
TO TEACH A YOUNG CANARY TO SING.
WHEN the young birds can eat alone, say at the a^e 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, spe- cially 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
EXCEPT 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 shouM be at least a foot high and eight inches in diameter, with OD^ 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
THE CANARY BIRD.
39
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 temptrature similar to that of their own country, great care is necessary in winter, in older that the same or a similar temperature may be preserved, Avoiding the exposure to cold air, which, however, refreshes in
C1NARY BIRD CA«K.
cannot be otherwise than prejudicial to them, causing sickness aiid even death. To keep these birds in a healthy and hapoy frame, it is very important to observe that, in summer, they be frequently hung in a cage in brilliant daylight, anc! ii possible, placed in the warm sunshine, which, especially wl«ea bathing, is very agreeable to them.
The most important consideration in thf4 manugemen ol I the male is his food. The more simple and true to nature
lr_
40
THE CANARY BIRD.
this is, th? better does it agree with him; whereas, when too artificially compounded, it renders him sickly and weak. Tehe best food is the " summer rape seed," which is sown in spring. This is distingnished from the " winter rape seed," which w 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, near by, which speedily attracts him back tD 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. 41
DISEASES.
THE Canary bird, in a state of captivity, seldcvm 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
42 THE CANARY BIRD.
mix il 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, cleanline-^s in the cage, and dry sand mixed with anise seed and scatter* <1 on the floor.
THE GOLDriNCH.
Synonyr/ies.
Fringilla carduelis, OF ORNITHOLOGISTS.
Chardonneret, OF THE FRENCH
Distelfink, Stieglitz, OF THE GKRMANJ.
Jilguero, OF THE SPANIARDS.
Pintac.ilgo, OF THE PORTUGUESE.
Calderino, OF THE ITALIANS.
Goldfinch, ThUtla Finch, { °J£ J SZSSXS
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 season*, 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 Jink 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. («J)
THE GOLDFINCH.
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 Europe, 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
THE 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
THE GOLDFINCH. 45
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 blight-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 >"*)ot in the centre of the inner web; the rest with white tips, .J)metimes 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.
THE female goldfinch rarely lays more than once a-year, - (consequently these birds do not greatly multiply,) and then -
fe» <
4S
46 THE GOLDFINCH.
from four to six eggs, which upon a pale sea-green ground are marked with pale-red spots and dots, and deep-red stripes. The young are fed from the crop. These, before they first moult, are grey upon the head. They can be reared upon poppy seeds and roll steeped in milk or water. They have greater facility in imitating the song of the Canary than that of any other bird ; and with this bird they will produce fertile hybrids. To effect this, a male gol .finch is placed with one or two hen Canaries, and they very readily pair, especially if the goldfinch has been reared from the nest. The birds which spring from this union are not only beautiful in color and plumage — often yellow, with the head, wings, and tail of the goldfinch — but they will be found to excel in the sweetness and variety of their song. If you are apprehensive that a pair of valuable Canaries will not thoroughly hatch their eggs, nor let their young ones die, remove them to the nest of a goldfinch ; they will not only hatch them, but will also feed the young, which, when nearly full fledged, may be placed in a cage until they can feed themselves, when no further trouble attends their rearing.
The characteristics which mark the principal varieties of this species are as follows : —
1. Goldfinch with a yellow breast.
2. The White-headed Goldfinch.
3. The Black-headed Goldfinch.
4. The Whle Goldfinch.
5. The Black Goldfinch.
The latter are either entirely black, which is caused by age or in being fed upon hemp seed, or they retain the yellow spots on the wings. Mr. Shelbach, of Cassel, in Germany reared a nest of goldfinches, which he kept entirely secluded from the light of the sun, covering the cage with cloth. These birds were of a jet-black, with yellow spots, but they changed color after moulting. Those goldfinches which become black before old age, usually resume their farmer color after moulting, but then they do not usually live much longer.
r
THE GOLDFINCH. 47
FOOD,
THE goldfinch feeds up n varioas kinds of seeds, groundsel, succory, salad, cabbage, rape, linseed, Canary, thistle, and aider seeds, &c. In the cage, it must be fed upon poppy seed ani 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.
THESE 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 Lie 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.
Synonymet.
Fnngilla cannab'na,
Linot,
Haufiing, Lanning,
Pardillo,
Pintarroxo,
Fnnello,
Linnet, Brown Linnet, Whin Linnet, Lintie, Greater Red Pole,
Linnet,
OF ORNITHOLOGISTS. OF THE FRENCH. OF THE GERMANS. OF THE SPANIARDS. OF THE PORTUGUESE. OF THE ITALIANS.
OF THE BRITISH.
J Or THE ANGLO \ AMERICANS.
HE linnet, from its natural flute-like voice, ex:els 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.
THE length of this bird is more than five inches, of which the tail measures two inches and a half. 'rne beak, six lines long, is dusky-blue in summer, and in winter greyish-white, with the
(48)
point brown : the iris dark-brown ; the feet, eight lines high, are black. There are some very striking varieties produced by the season and age in the plumage of the male, which are not observed in the female, and these have caused great con- fusion in works on birds.
A male three years old or less, is distinguished in spring by the following colors, and by the name of " red pole : " — The forehead is blood-red, the rest of the head reddish ash-colored, the top rather spotted with black ; the cheek, sides of the neck, and the circle round the eyes, have a reddish- white tint ; the feathers of the back are chestnut, with the edges lighter ; the upper tail coverts are black, edged with reddish- white ; the throat and under part of the neck are yellowish-white, with some dashes of reddish-grey; the sides of the breast are
THE LINNET
blood-red, edged with reddish- white ; the sides of the belly are pale rust-colored ; the rest of the under part of the body is reddish- white ; the greater wing coverts are black, bordered with reddish- white ; the others are rusty-brown with a lighter border. The quill feathers are black, tipped with white ; the first are edged with white nearly to the point ; the narrow beard forms a parallel white streak to the quill feathers; the tail is black and forked ; the four outer feathers on both sides have a broad white border ; that of the two middle feathers is narrower, and reddish-white.
After moulting, in autumn, little red is seen on the forehead, because the feathers become colored from the bottom to the top ; the breast has not yet acquired its red tint, for the white border is still too wide ; but when winter comes, its colors appear fcfr— • -48
50
THE LINNET.
Males one year old have no red on the head, and more dashes of black ; the breast is pale-red, waved with pale and dark ; -the under part of the feathers on the breast is only a bright, reddish-grey brown ; the edges of these feathers are of a reddish- white ; the back rust-color, having detached spots of dark-brown and reddish- white. These birds are known under the name of " grey linnets."
After the second moulting, if the reddish-grey feathers are blown aside, blood-red specks may be discovered on the forehead, and the red of the breast is only hidden by the wide yellowish- white borders to the feathers; these are the " yellow linnets," or the " rock linnets," as they are called in Thuringia.
Besides these three different varieties of plumage of the males, there are several clouded, produced by the seasons and old age ; for instance, the older they become, the redder the head is. Birds brought up in the house never acquire the fine red on the forehead and breast, but remain grey like the males of one year old ; on the other hand, old ones, red when brought into the house, lose their beautiful colors at the first moulting, and remaining grey like the young ones, are no more than grey linnets.
This difference of color does not take place in the females, which are smaller than the males ; the upper part of the body is grey, streaked with dusky-brown and yellowish- white, on the rump, with greyish-brown and reddish-white ; these spots are more numerous on the breast ; the wing coverts are a dusky-chestnut. The females are distinguished in the nest by the back being more grey than brown, and by the number of streaks on the breast, which resemble that of the lark ; bird fanciers leave these in the nest and take only the males.
Linnets breed twice a-year, and lay each time from four to six bluish-white eggs, covered all over with ^esh-colored and reddish-brown spots and stripes. The male birds may be recognised in the earlier stage of their growth by the white ring round the neck, and the white on the tail and wings.
THE LINNET.
HYBRIDITT.
51
IT is common for a male linnet to pair with a hen Canary, and hybrids produced by this means are easily reared, and can scarcely be distinguished from other grey Canaries, either from their appearance or song.
LINNET CAGE.
FOOD AND MANAGEMENT.
IN confinement, linnets require nothing but summer cabbage seed,* which does not require to be soaked, as they are na- turally seed-eating birds, having a powerful crop and stomach, and can therefore better digest it. Hemp seed, they must not have at all. They must not be too well fed in the cage ; for, taking little exercise, they would soon die from over-feeding.
• Winter cabbage seed, which does not injure them at liberty, soon kills them in confinement.
They like salt, and, contrary to the general rule, it is therefore well occasionally to intermix some with their food ; and this is an excellent preventive against various maladies. When linnets are allowed to run about, they readily feed with other birds on the universal paste. Some green food must occasionally be given them, as also sand and water, as they like to bathe and dust themselves.
It is best to keep them in square cages, as they are less subject to giddiness in these than in round ones, and sing better. They are not often allowed to range the room, as they are very indolent, remaining immovable in the same place, and running the risk of being trodden upon ; but if a small tree or a roost be placed in a corner, they may be let out of the cage with safety, as they will remain perched there, only leaving it to eat or drink, and will sing all day long.
DISEASES.
THE most common disorders of this species are consti- pation, atrophy, and epilepsy; but linnets in confinement will generally live from twelve to sixteen years.
THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.
Synonymes.
Pringilla tristig, Chardonneret jaune, Amerikanischer Distelflnk, Jilguero araericaiio, Pintacilgo americano, Calderino americano, Yellow Bird, American Goldfinch,
OF ORNITHOLOGISTS. OF THE FRENCH. OF THE GERMANS. OF THE SPANIARDS. CF THE PORTUGUESE. OF THE ITALIANS. OF THE BRITISH AND ANGLO-AMERICANS.
HIS very beautiful and familiar messenger of spring is known throughout this continent from the 49th parallel of north latitude to the savannas of Guiana and Suri- nam. As summer approaches, the males cast off their olive- colored winter suits, and appear in their temporary golden livery, with the front of the head, wings, and tail of a deep black, when they may be heard in concert, tuning their lively notes, several sitting on the same tree enjoying the exhilerating scene, basking and pluming themselves, and vying with each other in pouring forth their varied, soft, and cheerful song. When they sing all together, as they now do, it has a pleasing effect; their favorite note resembles the word babee, or may be, the last syllable protracted and much higher than the first. They have also a note, which they utter when flying through the air, that sounds somewhat like the word physician, pro- nounced very rapidly. But the most beautiful part of their
song, is, wb sn they raise and sink their voices in such a delight- «»_ (53)
54 THE AMER'fA.N GOLDFINCH.
ful cadence, that their music, at times, seems •' to float on the distant breeze, scarcely louder than the hum of bees ;" it then breaks out, as it were, into a crescendo, which rends the air like the loud song of the Canary.
In confinement, the yellow bird soon becomes familiar and reconciled, its song being nearly as animated and sonorous as its transatlantic congener. According to Mr. Audubon, it is extremely hardy, often remaining the whole winter in the Middle States, and when deprived of liberty, will live to a great age in a room or cage. " I have known two instances," says he, " in which a bird of this species had been confined for upwards of ten years. They were procured in the market of New York, when in mature plumage, and had been caught in trap cages. One of them having undergone the severe train- ing, more frequently inflicted in Europe than America, and known in France by the name of galerien, would draw water for its drink from a glass, it having a little chain attached to a narrow belt of soft leather fastened round its body, and another equally light chain fastened to a little bucket, kept by its weight in the water, until the little fellow raised it up with its bill, placed a foot upon it, and pulled again at the chain until it reached the desired fluid and drank, when, on letting go, the bucket immediately fell into the glass below. In the same manner, it was obliged to draw towards its bill a little charriot filled with seeds; and in this distressing, occupation was doomed to toil through a life of solitary grief, separated from its companions, wantoning on the wild flowers, and procuring their food in the manner in which nature had taught them."
The food of the American goldfinch consists chiefly of the seeds of the various species of thistles, lettuce, hemp, and sun- flower; and in winter, when its more agreeable food is not found in sufficient abundance, it resorts to the fruit and seeds of the elder. It also collects the tender buds of trees, as well as the confervas of brooks and springs, as a variety of its usual fare.
These birds occasionally do some damage to gardens by their indis :riminate destruction of lettuce and flower seeds,
THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.
55
and they are therefore often disliked by gardeners ; but their usefulness, in other respects, far more than counterbalances the trifling injuries ti.ey produce.
After being caught in trap cages, they feed as if quite con- tented ; but, should it happen to be in the spring that they lose their liberty, and have thus been deprived of the pleasures anticipated from the previous union of a mate, they linger for a few days, pine away, and die. They are very fond of washing and bathing themselves, in clear shallow water, when the weather is mild, after which, they are engaged in picking up particles of sand and gravel, from which the fancier may take a useful hint.
It is stated that it is more difficult to procure a mule, or hybrid, between this species and the Canary, than between the latter and the European goldfinch, although the cross has often been made with success.
THE BULLFINCH.
Bullfinches are much admired as cage birds, on account of their beauty, delicate movements, and tameness, as well as for their songs. They have considerable capacity as songsters, and can be taught all sorts of songs, airs, and melodies. A specialty is made of their education in Hesse, and the district of Fulda, from whence they are imported for this country. In some cases, these birds have been taught to whistle three different airs, without spoiling or confusing them ; but, usually, as much as they can remember is a simple air with, perhaps, a little prelude. They allow themselves to become very tame, and will fly upon and eat out of the hand or mouth, and will even permit themselves to be handled as if they had been reared from the nest. It is not an uncommon sight in the City of New York to see a man in the street with a bull- finch which he caresses, perched upon a basket, and offers for sale to the passers-by. Mudie says of this bird that the male sings in the breeding season, but his song is low, and the bird is apt to drop into the bush and be silent at the least alarm.
DESCRIPTION.
The length of this bird is six inches and three-quarters, of which the tail measures two inches and three-quarters ; the beak is half an inch long, black, short, and thick ; the feet are slender and black ; the vertex, chin, and beginning of the throat are of a shining velvet black ; the back, upper part of neck, etc., ashy gray ; the rump is white ; the front of the neck, breast, and upper part of the abdomen a beautiful car- mine ; the rest of the under part of the body white ; the pinion feathers blackish ; the posterior ones of a steel-blue and red ; the large covert of the wings of a beautiful glittering black, with reddish gray tips ; the tail somewhat forked, and of a glittering steel-blue black. The female is smaller, and has all the red parts reddish gray, the black brownish ashy gray, with the feet smaller. There are several varieties of the bullfinch
(56)
THE BULLFINCH. 57
found in confinement, as the white, the black, the variegated, the bastard, and others.
BREEDING.
They are a very affectionate bird, whether confined or at large. The female frequently drops her eggs in the room. They breed like Canary birds, when furnished with a similar cage, or with a box provided with a fir-tree and moss, but they rarely rear their young. The nest is badly built. The female lays from two to six bluish-white eggs. The young are hatched in two weeks. The male is recognized by the breast being tinged with red. A good, well-educated bullfinch is usually an expensive bird. The bullfinch will pair with a Canary ; a tame hen bullfinch with a spirited male canary. The produce is a soft and very musical singing mule.
FOOD.
Bullfinches have been kept in good health upon canary and rape seed, and occasionally a little hemp seed ; but the last must be given very sparingly, as these birds are naturally inclined to get corpulent. In a state of nature, their food con- sists of the seeds of the fir and pine, the kernels of almost all kinds of berries, the fruit of the ash, maple, etc. ; buds of the red beech, oak, and pear trees ; also millet, nettle, and grass seeds. They require occasionally some green food, cuch as water-cresses, a bit of apple, berries, or salad.
DISEASES.
Wild bullfinches, which have been caged, ought to live for eight years. Reared ones rarely attain to the age of six years, because they have all kinds of delicacies given to them. Sugar or pastry should not be given them, and their cages should contain sand and water. They are liable to constipation, dysentery, epilepsy, melancholy, and dejection, in which state they sit apart, without being absolutely sick, but do not sing. At such times they should be fed exclusively upon steeped rape seed. The remedy for moulting is a rusty nail placed in the drinking vessel, good food, and ants' eggs.
THE AMERICAN ROBIN.
Synonymies,
Turdus rmgratorius,
Toiird emigrant, Grieve du Canada,
Auswanderer Drossel,
Tordo raigratorio,
Tordo emigrante,
Tordo migrante,
American Robin, Robin Red- ! breast, Migrating Thrush, Red-breasted Thrush,
OF ORNITHOLOGISTS. Or THE FRENCH.
OF THK GERMANS. OF THE SPANIARDS. OF THE PORTUGUESE. OF THE ITALIANS.
!OF THE BRITISH AND ANGLO-AMERICANS.
|HE American robin is a saucy familiar bird, fond of man's neighborhood, throughout North America, from the 56th parallel of north latitude to the table lands of Mexico, and is more frequently to be seen in our orchards and fields than in the denser woods. The confidence he reposes in us by taking up his abode in our vicinage; the frankness and innocence of his manners ; the simplicity of his thrilling lays, delivered in all the artless energy of true love ; and the pecu- liar pleasure with which we listen to his vocal powers, ever inspires us with attachment and universal respect. Besides, the endearing name he sometimes bears, recalls to mind
THE AMERICAN ROBIN. 59
the well-known legend, so oft repeated in our juvenile days, of the " favorite Robin Redbreast," said to have cr-vered with a leafy shroud the lost and wandering " babes in the wood." He is commonly called " robin," though there is but little resemblance between him and his European congener, except in the single circumstance of his having a red breast.
EUROPEAN ROBIN.
The American robin, when reared in a cage, is of a lively and gentle disposition, docile, and seemingly content, and the melody and simplicity of his song, of which he is very lavish in confinement, renders him a special favorite. He sings well, readily learns to imitate lively parts of airs, and on the authority of Mr. Nuttall, some have been taught to pipe forth psalms even to so solemn a measure as that of " Old Hundred !" He also acquires a considerable capacity for mimickry, imitating the notes of many of the birds around him, as those of the pe-wee, blue bird, and whip-poor-will. At times, he becomes very tame, and will go in and out of the house with domestic confidence, appear uneasy when left alone, and will follow his owner, come to her call, peck at her finger, or kiss her mouth, with seeming pleasure. His principal song, both in confinement and at large, commences in the morning before sunrise, and at which time it is very loud, emphatic, and full.
The rufous color of the breast becomes deeper in those
birds brought up in confinement, and the females are somewhat
paler than the males. The young, during the first season, are
spotted on the breast with dusk and white.
§»
THE AMERICAN ROBIN.
FOOD AND MANAGEMENT.
DURING the winter, according to Mr. Audubon, the robin feeds on the berries and fruits of our- woods, gardens, and fields, and even of the ornamental trees of our cities and larger towns. The holly, sweet gum, gallberry, and the poke are those it first attacks; but as these fail, it feeds on the mountain ash, Carolinian cherry, and the azedarach. On the latter, in their annual migrations to Florida and the Southern States, these birds often glut themselves to such an inordinate degree, that they are sometimes found stupified by its narcotic power. In spring and summer, they devour worms and snails. They also pick up from the fields the seeds of maize.
In confinement, this bird feeds on bread soaked either in water or milk, and on most kinds of our native and edible fruits. Being equally fond of insects as when at liberty, he seizes on all that enter his cage, or come within his reach.
The robin is comparatively a hardy and long-lived bird, and instances are reported of its having been kept for nearly twenty years. It suffers much in moulting, even in a wild state, and when in captivity, it loses nearly all its feathers at once. In general, when due care is observed to cleanliness, it is freer from parasitic vermin than most other species.
THF SONG THRUSH.
Synonymes.
TurJus musicut) Or ORNITHOLOGISTS.
Grive, Tourd, Or THE FRENCH.
Singdrosael, Or THE GERMANS.
T A * * (Or THE SPANIARDS
Tordo cantador, j AW) PoRTUQUKSll!t
Tordo, OF THE ITALIANS.
~ „„ an,mou J OF THE BRITISH AND
Song Thrush, j ANGLO-AMERICANS.
HE song thrush is one of the few birds whcse clear and beautiful notes animates and makes pleasing the European woods. From the summits of the highest trees, it announces, by its varying song, resembling that of the nightingale, the approach of spring, and sings throughout the whole summer, especially in the morning dawn and evening twilight. For the sake of this song, it is kept by fanciers in a cage, whence evening and morning, even as early as February, it will delight a whole street by its loud and pleasing song, when hung outside of the window, or inside, so that the window be a little open. In Thuringia, it is reputed to articulate words. Its strophe was heard formerly more frequently thai: it is LOW. Only old and excellent birds still sing it. This thrush will live from six to eight years, if its food be varied.
(61)
THE SONG THRUSH.
DESCRIPTION.
THIS species is eight inches and a half long, of which the tail occupies three inches and a half; the beak is nine lines long, horny-brown beneath, and from the middle to the base, yellow; the irides nut-brown; the feet pale lead-color, one inch high; the whole of the upper part of the body olive- brown ; the throat whitish-yellow, with a black stripe extend- ing down its sides; the sides of the neck and breast, pale redush-yellow, with numerous dark-brown, heart-shaped spots; the abdomen white, with oval dark-brown spots; the inside coverts bright orange-yellow ; the pinion feathers grey- brown ; the tail feathers the same.
THE SONO THRUSH.
In the female, the two black lines of the throat consist ot small stripes, and the breast is pale yellowish-white.
FOOD AND MANAGEMENT.
THE food of the song thrush, in a state of liberty, consists generally of earth worms, but in autumn they eat berries of all kinds. Earth worms constitute their chief sustenance, with which they also feed their young. They are easily fed in con- finement, and the universal paste is an agreeable delicacy to them. Barley meed, or merely wheat bran, wetted with waier is sufficient to nourish them. But to get them into a state fit for song, they must have a more generous diet, such as roll,
THE SONG THRUSH. 63
bread, meat, and many other things which come to table, for they are not dainty. They are fond of bathing.
In confinement, this bird is usually placed within a trellis, or it is put into a large cage of any shape, but at least three feet and a half long, and nearly as high; for, being a large and wild bird, and in constant motion, it easily injures its plumage. It is best that such large birds should have a separate room appropriated to them, as their copious excrements smell offensively.
DISEASES.
THE most usual maladies to which this bird is subject are stoppage of the feather glands, constipation, and atrophy.
§8*
THE ENGLISH STARLING.
This is a lively and active bird, always gay and very famil- iar, and will soon become acquainted with the inmates of the house. It is exceedingly tame, is very tractable and cunning, and in this quality may be compared with the dog. He espec- ially catches all the gestures and actions of those with whom he dwells, and will accommodate himself to them, knowing when they are angry. They can be taught to whistle a tune, or speak a sentence very plainly, the female as well as the male. With enough food to eat, and plenty of water to wash in, the starling seems to be contented anywhere. They are very fond of bathing. The starling sings almost throughout the year, moulting time only excepted.
DESCRIPTION.
This bird is about the size of the American robin redbreast, and is eight inches and a half long, of which the tail occupies two inches and a half. The beak is one inch long, of the form of an awl ; the irides nut brown ; the feet dark flesh color, and one inch high. The whole body is blackish above half way along the back, and beneath half of the breast, merging into shining purple red, and the rest of the upper and under sides of the body into shining green ; pinion and tail feathers black, covered with an ashy gray dust. The starling has a spotted appearance. In the female, the beak is more dark brown than yellow ; the bright spots are larger, and the margins of the wing feathers stronger ; it has, therefore, a much brighter and more variegated appearance. There are several varieties of this bird, as the white, checkered, white-headed, ashy, and gray.
FOOD.
This is a hardy bird, and in a cage will eat almost anything given to it. It can be fed on meal and milk, bruised hemp- seed, and occasionally a bit of beef, cut in small pieces, or scraped. There should be plenty of gravel in the bottom of the cage, and water to wash in. The natural food of the star- ling is worms, grubs, snails, grasshoppers, fruits, flies, buds of trees, buckwheat, caterpillars, etc. (64)
ORIOLES.
This is a numerous and beautiful genus of birds, the greater number of which belong to the American continent. They are remarkable for docility and sagacity, as well as the inge- nuity they display in constructing their nests. Among those kept in cages are the cacique, the red-rumped, and the black- headed. But the favorite is the icterus oriole, or tropical, which comes from Brazil, and is a noted whistler. It sells in the New York market for from $7 to $10. This beautiful spe- cies is of a lively disposition, and possesses in an eminent de- gree all the qualifications of his tribe. It easily becomes domesticated ; will visit every room in the house, will answer to a name, and come when called. It learns to know the footsteps of all the inmates of the house, and will sound an alarm upon the approach of strangers. He will play or fight with the members of the family, and loves to be fondled, like a dog. He will sit on the hand of his mistress, and accom- pany her everywhere.
DESCRIPTION.
This bird is larger than the crow-blackbird; the head, throat, middle of the back, wings, and tail, are jet black ; the rest of the plumage is of a bright orange color. Across the wings there are two oblique bars of white ; on the top of the head, and below the bill, there are elongated feathers, which the bird can raise at pleasure. The plumage of the female is duller and fainter.
FOOD.
Orioles may be fed on meal and milk, with a bit of meat occasionally, either cooked or raw. Berries in summer, and black currants in winter, and water to wash every day. They require a large cage.
(65)
THE MOCKING BIRD.
Synonyme*. Turdut pot'gfflottu*,
Vielxiinglcr Vogel, Or TUB GBHMAN*.
Turdo pollgloto, Or TUB SPANIARDS.
Tordo polyglottov Or TUB POUTU«UB»C.
Tordo poliglotto, Or THR ITALIANS.
«*„.. Or TUB HKITIHII AND Mocking Bird,
|11 IS "unrivalled Orpheus of the forest and natural i wonder of America," inhabits the whole continent from ~5/the state of Massachusetts along the Atlantic, including sevenl of the WestJndia Islands, as far south as Brazil ; and from the table lands of Mexico, along the very base of the Rocky Mountains to Oregon, and the western sources of the river Plattc. In short, he appears to dwell permanently in the milder regions of the New World, in either hemisphere ; and those bred north of the Delaware, on this side of the equator, are all that ever migrate, in autumn, to more congenial climes.
"The mocking bird, though destitute of brilliant plumage, is delicate and symmetrical in his proportions and beautiful in his form, His motions are easy, rapid, and graceful, per- petually animated with a. playful caprice, and a look that appears full of shrewdness and intelligence. He listens with silent attention to each passing sound, treasures up lessons
THE MOCKING BIRD. 67
from anything vocal, and is capable of imitating with exact- ness, both in measure and accent, the notes of all the feathered race. And, however wild and discordant the tones and calls may be, he contrives with an Orphean talent, peculiarly his own, to infuse into them that sweetness of expression, and harmonious modulation which characterises this inimitable and wondcrfnl composer. With the dawn of morning, while yd the sun lingers below the blushing horikon, our sublime songster, in his native wilds, mounted on the topmost branch of a tall tree or bush, pours out his admirable song, which, amidst the multitude of notes from all the warbling host, still rises pre-eminent, so that his solo is heard alone, and all the rest of the musical choir appear employed as mere accom- paniments to this grand actor in the sublime opera of nature. Nor is his talent confined to imitation; his native notes are also bold, full, and perpetually varied, consisting of short ex- pressions of a few variable syllables, interspersed with imita- tions, and uttered with great emphasis and volubility, sometimes for half an hour at a time, with undiminished ardor. These native strains bear a considerable resemblance to those of the brown thrush, with which he is so nearly related in form, habits, and manners; but like him, rude from cultivated genius, his notes are distinguished by the rapidity of their delivery, their variety, sweetness, and energy. As if conscious of his un- rivalled powers of song, and animated by the harmony of his own voice, his music is, as it were, accompanied by chromatic dancing and expressive gestures; he spreads and closes his light, fanning wings, expands his silvered tail, and. with buoyant gaiety and enthusiastic ecstacy, sweeps around, and mounts and descends into the air from his lofty spray, as his song swells to loudness, or, in sinking whispers, dies away. While thus engaged, so varied is his talent, that it might be supposed a trial of skill from all the assembled songsters of th : air ; and so perfect are his imitations, that even the sports- man is at times deceived, and sent in quest of birds that have no existence arojnd. The feathered tribes themselves are L deooyed by the fancied call of their mates; or dive with fear
4ft
68 THE MOCKING BIRD.
into the close thicket, at the well-feigned scream of :hs hawk.
Soon reconciled to the usurping fancy of man, the mocking bird often becomes familiar with his master; playfully attacks him through the bars of his cage, or at large in a room; rest- less and capricious, he seems to try every expedient of a lively imagination, that may conduce to his amusement. Nothing escapes his discerning and intelligent eye nor faithful ear. He whistles, perhaps, for the dog, who, deceived, runs to meet his master; the cries of the chicken in distress bring out the clucking mother to the protection of her brood. Tht barking of the dog, the piteous wailing of the puppy, the mew-ngof the cat, the action of a saw, or the creaking of a wh( 2! bar row quickly follow with exactness. He repeats a tune oJ consider- able length ; imitates the warbling of the Canary, the lisping of the indigo bird, and the mellow whistle of the care »nal, in a manner so superior to the originals, that, mor ified and astonished, they withdraw from his presence, 01 listrxi in silence, as he continues in triumph.
In the cage, also, nearly as in the woods, he is full of lift- and action, while engaged in song; throwing himself round with inspiring animation, and, as it were, moving in time to the melody of his own accents. Even the hours of night, which consign nearly all other birds to silence and rest, like the nightingale, he oft employs in song, serenading the houseless hunter and silent cottager to repose, as the rising moon illumines the darkness of the shadowy scene. His capricious fondness for contrast and perpetual variety appears to dete- riorate his powers. His lofty imitations of the musical brown thrush are perhaps interrupted by the crowing of the cock, or the barking of the dog ; the plaintive warblings of the blue bird are then blended with the wild scream and chatter of the swallow, or the cackling of the hen ; amid the simple lay of the native robin, we are surprised with the vociferations of the whip-poor-will ; while the notes of the garrulous jay, kildeer, woodpecker, Baltimore wren, and many others succeed, with such an appearance of reality, that we imagine ourselvos
THE MOCKING BIRD. 69
in the presence of the originals, and can scarcely realise the fact, that the whole of this singular concert is the effort of a single bird. Indeed, it is impossible to listen to these Orphean strains, when delivered by a superior songster in his native woods, without being deeply affected, and almost rivetted to the spot, by the complicated feelings of wonder and delight, in which, from the graceful and sympathetic action, as well as enchanting voice of the performer, the eye is no less gratified than the ear.*
DISTINCTION BETV7EEN THE MALE AND FEMALE.
THE young male bird, which must be selected as a singer, may be distinguished by the breadth and purity of the white on the wings. This white spot, in a full-grown male, spreads over the whole nine primaries, down to, and considerably below, their coverts, which are also white, sometimes slightly tipped with brown. The white of the primaries, also, extends to the same distance on both vanes of the feathers. In the female, the white is less clear, spreads only over seven or eight of the primaries, does not descend so far, and extends considerably further down on the broad than on the narrow side of the feathers. The black is also more inclined to brown.
FOOD AND MANAGEMENT.
IK a state of freedom, the principal food of the mocking bird consists of insects, grasshoppers, and worms. Dew- berries from the fields, and many kinds of our cultivated fruits, together with insects, supply the young as well as the parents with food. In winter, they chiefly subsist on berries, particularly those of the Virginia juniper, (red cedar,) wax myrtle, holly, smi'ax, sumach, sour gum, and a variety of others.
* Nuttall.
70 THE MOCKING BIRD.
Success* 4! attempts have been made to breed these birds in confine /nent by 'allowing them retirement and a sufficiency of room. Those which have been taken in trap cages are accounted the best singers, as they come from the school ol nature, and are taught their own wild wood notes. The young are easily reared by hand from the nest, from which thej ought to be removed at eight or ten days old. Their food is thickened meal and water, or meal and milk, mixed occasion- ally with tender fresh meat, minced fine. Animal food, almost alone, finely divided and soaked in milk, is at first the only nutriment suited for raising these tender nurslings. Young and old require berries of various kinds, from time to time, such as cherries, strawberries, whortleberries, &c., and, in short, any kind of wild fruits of which they are fond, if not given too freely, are useful. A few grasshoppers, beetles, or any insects conveniently to be had, as well as gravel, are also necessary ; and spiders will often revive them when drooping or sick. But, notwithstanding all the care and management bestowed upon the improvement of this bird, it is painful to reflect that his extraordinary powers of nature, exercised with so much generous freedom in a state of confinement, are not calculated for long endurance ; for, after this most wonderful and interesting prisoner has survived six or seven years, blindness often terminates his gay career — thus shut out from the cheering light of heaven, the solace of his lonely, though active existence, he now, after a time, droops in silent sadness and dies. At times, this bird is so infested with a minute species of louse as to be destroyed by it.
Good singing birds of this species generally command from $5 to $15 each, though individuals of extraordinary and peculiar powers have been sold as high as $50, or $100, each, ane even $300 have been refused !
THE BROWN THRUSH.
Synonymft.
Turdus re/as,
Tourd roux,
Rother Drossel,
Tordo rojo,
Tordo ru^o,
Tordo rosso,
Brown Thrush, Ferruginous
Thrush, Thrasher, French Mockirg Bird,
RedMavy,
Or ORNITHOLOGISTS. OF THE FRENCH. Or THE GERMANS. OF THE SPANIARDS. OF THE PORTUGUESE. OF THE ITALIANS. OF THE BRITISH AND ANGLO-AMERICANS. Or THB SOUTHERN STATED OF SOME PARTS or NEW ENGLAND.
I HIS large, cheerful, and familiar songster, inferior to none in musical talent, if we except the mocking bird, is found in almost every part of the United States from Canada to the shores of the Mexican Gulf, breeding, according to Mr. Nuttall, in ail the intermediate space, though more abundantly towards the north. His voice somewhat resembles that of the European thrush, but is far more varied and powerful, rising pre-eminent amidst the forest choir. He takes no delight in mimicking the song of other birds, and therefore has no claim to the title of " mocking bird," as he is usually called at the south.
On the first appearance of this bird in the spring, he faulters in his song, like the nightingale, but when his mate commences the cares and labors incident to breeding and rearing her young, his varied and melodious notes are steadily poured out
(71)
73 THE BROWN THRUSH.
in all their vigor and strength. In the month of May, while the blooming orchards perfume the air and decorate the landscape, his enchanting voice, in his affectionate lay, seems to give grateful utterance for the bounty and teeming pro- fusion of nature, and falls in pleasing unison with the har- mony and beauty of the season. And even the young birds, in a state of solitary domesticity, without the aid of their parent's voice, already whisper forth in harmonious reverie the pathetic and sweet warble instinctive to the species.
Deprived of other society, in a state of captivity, the brown thrush is exceedingly familiar, cheerful, and capriciously playful. He courts the attention of his keeper, follows his steps, complains when neglected, flies to him when permitted to be at large, and gratefully sings and reposes when perched on his hand. In short, in all his actions, he appears capable of real and affectionate attachment ; but, like many other animals, he is jealous of every rival, particularly any other bird, which he drives from his presence with unceasing hatred.
FOOD AND MANAGEMENT.
ACCORDING to Audubon, the natural food of this species con- sists of insects, worms, berries, and fruits of all sorts, being particularly fond of ripe pears and figs. In winter, they resort to the berries of the sumach, holly, dogwood, and shriv- elled wild grapes.
In a state of confinement, these birds may be reared in the same manner, and on the same kind of food as their congener, the mocking bird. In the autumn, of the first season, the young begin their musical studies, " repeating passages with as much zeal as ever did Paganini." By the following spring, their lessons are complete and the full powers of their song developed.
Like the American robin, the brown thrush suffers much in moulting, and often nearly loses all his feathers at once.
THE CAT BIRD.
Turdus felivozj Or ORNITHOLOGISTS. Gobe-raouche brun de Vir- )
ginie, Mouchorolle de Vir- V OF THE FRENCH.
ginie, Toui-d miauiant, )
MiauendrosseL, CT THE GERMANS.
Tordo de maullido, OF THE SPANIARDS.
Tordo miante, Or THE PORTUGUESE.
Tordo miagolare, OF THK ITALIANS.
Cat Bird J ^F THK BRITISH AND
( ANGLO-AMERICANS.
NE of the most remarkable propensities of this quaint and familiar songster, which inhabits almost every part of North America from Mexico to Canada, and even Kamtschatka, is the unpleasant, loud, grating, and grimalkin-like mew, ('pay,') that it often utters, on being offended or approached ; and thus coupled with the name of a " wizzard animal," so much disliked by many, this delightful vocalist, which seeks out the very society of man, and reposes an unmerited confidence in his protection, is generally treated with undeserved obloquy and contempt
" The cat bird," says Nuttall, " often tunes his cheerful song before the break of day, hopping from bush to bush, with great agility, after his insect prey, while yet scarcely distinguish- able amidst the dusky shadows of the dawn. The notes of different individuals vary considerably, so that sometimes his in sweetness and compass, is scarcely at all inferior to
THE CAT BIRD.
that of the ferruginous thrush. A quaintness, however, pre- vails in all his efforts, and his song iss frequently made up of short and blended imitations of other birds, given however, with great emphasis, melody, and variety of tone ; and, like the nightingale, invading the hours of repose, in the late twilight of a summer's evening, when scarce another note is heard but the hum of the drowsy beetle, his music attains its full effect, and often rises and falls with all the swell and studied cadence of finished harmony. During the heat of the day, or late in the morning, the variety of his song declines, or he pursues his employment in silence and retirement."
About the dawn of day, if at large, the cat bird flirts about with affected wildness, repeatedly jerks his wings and tail, with a noise somewhat resembling a whip, stretching forth his head, opens his mouth, and mews. Sometimes this curious cry is so guttural as to be uttered without opening his bill. He often also gives a squeal as he flies from one place to another.
According to Latham, this bird is also capable of imitating the variable airs of instrumental music, and will sometimes mimick the cry of chickens so as to deceive and distress the parent hen. When reared from the nest, he is easily domes- ticated, becomes a very amusing companion, and seems attached to his cage. Although a pleasant songster, he is seldom kept in confinement, and 1 believe all attempts at breeding it, have failed.
FOOD AND MANAGEMENT.
THE natural food of this species is similar to that ol the ferruginous thrush, consisting principally of insects and worms, particularly beetles and wasps, and the \arious kinds of garden fruits.
In confinement, the food of these birds may be almost everything that is vegetable, except unbruised seeds, such as bread, fine pastry, containing little or no spices, cakes,
THE CAT BIRD.
75
scalded Indian meal, juicy fruits, and now F/id then some bread boiled in milk, a few insects, or minced flesh. The young, when taken from the nest, may be fed on ri^e che/ries, and other kinds of juicy fruits.
" Like all other thrushes," says Mr. Audubon, " this is very fond of bathing and rolling itself in the dust or sand of the roads and fields. Several are frequently seen together in the borders a" small ponds or clear rivulets, immersed up to their body, splashing the water about them until completely wetted; then ascending to the top of the nearest bushes, they plume themselves with apparent care, notwithstanding which, they are at times so infested with a minute species of louse as to be destroyed by it"
?
T,IE EUROPEAN BLACKBIRD.
Synonymea.
Turdus merulO)
Merle,
Schwarzdrossel,
Melro, Blackbird, English Blackbird,
Or ORNITHOLOGISTS. OF THE FRENCH. Or THE GERMANS. Or THE SPANIARDS
AND ITALIANS. Or THE PORTUGUESE. Or THE BRITISH. Or THE ANGLO-AMKRIC ANS.
EING a permanent resident throughout the whole ol tne Old World, even as far north as Sweden, the European Blackbird is sufficiently hardy by nature to withstand the climate of nearly, if not all parts of the United States. Of all the thrushes, with perhaps the exception of the American robin, he is the most capable of instruction. His song is rich in melody, and contains some deep notes like those of the nightingale, varied, indeed, with some which are disagreeably harsh. At large, he sings only from March to July ^specially at night; but in the cage, during the whole year except at moulting time. A single bird will enliven a whole street, so pure, distinct, and clear is his note. His memory, also, is so good, that he will learn several airs and melodies without mixing them; and sometimes even to imitate words. Neither does he forget what he has once well acquired.
THE EUKOPEAN BLACKBIRD. 77
DESCRIPTION.
THE European blackbird is about the size of the song thrush, nine inches and a half long, of which the tail comprises four inches. The beak is one inch long, and of a golden-yellow ; the irides dark-brown ; the feet black, and fourteen lines high. The male is entirely of a deep-black; the female black-brown, rusty-colored on the breast, and with an ash-colored tinge upon the abdomen; the throat, spotted with light and dark- brown; the beak and the feet, black-brown, appearing also to be rather larger and heavier, and hence it has sometimes been considered a distinct species.
FOOD AND MANAGEMENT.
WHEN wild, the blackbird, like other species of thrush, feeds on all kinds of edible berries, such as the elder, cherry, and mountain ash ; and when this food is not abund- ant, it satisfies itself with the tips of the white thorn. At this time, it often seeks for insects near the vicinity of warm springs.
In confinement, these birds are content with the first kind of universal paste, described at page 13, but will also eat bread, meat, and most kinds of food that comes to table. The young, which must be taken from the nest when their quills have but just sprung, can be reared upon roll steeped in milk.
The blackbird should be kept in a large cage, for it is not prudent to allow it to associate with other birds, as either through covetousness or caprice, it will attack the smaller kinds, and even peck them to death. Liko all the allied species, this bird is fond of frequent bathing, and consequently should be amply supplied with the means. In captivity, he will live from twelve to fifteen years, especially if his food be varied.
'
78 THE EUROPEAN BLACKBIRD.
DISEASES.
THE blackbird is particularly subjec. to a stoppage of the oil gland, which may be softened by the application of fresh butter, mixed up with a good deal of sugar, the aperture being enlarged by gently distending it with a needle, or a small knife ; but a lead salve, or rather a salve of litharge of silver, white lead, wax, and olive oil, which must be ordered at an apothecary's, opens it best. The usual remedy is to pierce it with a needle, or to cut off the hardened gland. If this evil have not yet too severely affected the health of the bird, it may be sought to be remedied by puncturing the gland, com- pressing it frequently, bathing the bird with a syringe, and plucking out some of the feathers of the tail. The accumulated fat is absorbed in the renewal of the feathers, when the gland i ssumes its natural functions.
THE RICE BUNTING.
Synonymes.
Icterus agripennis, Emberiza oryzivora^ Ortolan agripenne, Ortolan de riz, Reiss Ortolan, Fettaramer von Carolina, Hortelano de arroz, Hortelano con ) pluraas agrias, $
Cenchrarao d'arroz, Cenchramo com ) pennas agudas, $
Ortolano di riso,
Rice Bunting, Rice Troopial, Rice Bird, \ Reed Bird, Boblink, Bob-o-link, Bob f Lincoln, Bob Linkling, Skunk Black- i bird, Meadow Bird, Butter Bird, ;
OF ORNITHOLOGIW* OF THE FRENCH. OF THE GERMANS.
OF THE SPANIARDS.
OF THE PORTUOUKSR. OF THE ITALIANS.
{ OF THE BRITISH AND ) ANGLO-AM EKICANS.
well-known and truly migratory bird, familiarly known to everybody by the name of " Bob Lincoln,*' who, as a stranger, perhaps, thinks it a point of polite- ness thus to announce himself, as he sits on a rail of the fence, or the branch of a tree, on his annual return in the spring from the south, inhabits the whole continent of America, from Labrador to Mexico ; although his winter residence appears to be more confined to Cuba, Jamaica, and other West-India Islands than to the mam.
80 THE RICE BUNTINR.
In the month of May, these birds fix their abodes in the "savannahs" of Ohio and Michigan, and the cool grassy "meadows" of New York, Canada, and New England for the purpose, principally, for hatching and rearing their young. The song of the male continues, with but little interruption, during the period of incubation, and his chant, at all times very similar, is both singular and pleasant. " Often, like the skylark, mounted and hovering on the wing, at a small height above the field, as he passes along from one tree top or weed to another, he utters such a jingling melody of short variable notes, so confused, rapid, and continuous, that it appears almost like the blending song of several different birds. Many of these tones are very agreeable, but they are delivered with such rapidity that the ear can scarcely separate them. The general effect, however, like all the simple efforts of nature, is good, and when several are chanting forth in the same meadow, the concert is very cheerful, though monotonous, and somewhat quaint. Among the few phrases that can be dis- tinguished, the liquid sound of Bob-d-lee, or Bob-o-link, Bob-o- linke, is very distinct.
" To give an idea of the variable extent of song, and even an imitation, in some measure, of the chromatic period and air of this familiar and rather favorite resident, the boys of this part of New England, [Cambridge,] make him shout among others, the following ludicrous dunning phrase, as he rises and hovers on the wing near his mate : — * 'Bdb-o-link, 'Bob-d-link, ' Tom Denny, 'Tom Denny — 'Come pay me the two-and-six-pence you've owed more than a year and a half ego ! — 'ishe 'tshe 'tshe, 'tsh 'tsh 'tshej modestly diving at the same instant down into the grass, as if to avoid altercation. However puerile this odd phrase may appear, it is quite amusing to find how near it approaches to the time, and expression of the notes, when pronounced in a hurried manner." *
This relish for song and merriment, confined wholly to the male, diminishes as the period of incubation advances, and when the young brood begin to flutter around their parents,
* Nuttall.
THE RICE BUNTING. 81
the song becomes less freqent. Sometimes the female is inclined to have a second brood, for which preparation is made while she is yet engaged in rearing the first; but tnc male generally loses his musical talent about the first week in July; from which time, or perhaps earlier, his spring or pied dress begins gradually to be laid aside for the more humble brownish- black and brownish-yellow garb of the female, the whole, both old and young, then appearing nearly in the same songless livery, uttering only a chink of alarm when surprised.
When the voice of the male begins to fail, with the progress of the exhausting moult, he flits over the fields in a restless manner, and merely utters a broken 'boUlee 'boWlee, or with his songless mate, at length, a 'weet 'weet, Vleet Uleet, or a noisy and disagreeable cackling chirp. But at the early dawn of day, while the tuneful talent of the species is yet unabated, the effect of their awakening and faultering voices, jingling throughout the wide expanse of meadows is singular and grand. These sounds mingle like the noise of a distant torrent, which alternately subsides and rises on the breeze, as tiie performers awake or relapse into rest ; finally, they become more distinct and tumultuous, till, with the opening day, they assume the intelligible character of their ordinary song.
From the varied and changing plumage of this pleasing, and in some respects ludicrous bird, as well as for the singularity of his song, he is eagerly sought after by fanciers, and usually commands a fair price. Large numbers are annually captured in the Northen States in trap cages and fed, almost immediately after which, they resume their song. Many are purchased and carried to Europe, often to the disappointment of the adven- turer, in regard to his profits, as, by the time they reach their destination, they change their livery and cease to sing.
FOOD AND MANAGEMENT
THE food of the ricfe buntings varies according to the :»<?ason and locality in which they Beside. Although on their early arrival at the north if consists of grubs, worms, caterpillars,
82 THR RICE BUNTING.
beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, ground sp.Jers, &c., ih\jy frequently feed on the seeds of dandelions and docks, the former of which are oily and sweet. Later in the season, and previous to leaving their native regions, they feed principally on various kinds of grass seeds, paricularly those of millet or other allied species (Panicums). If short of other food, they also attack the ripened fields of barley, wheat, and oats, in which they show their taste for plunder, and flock together like other blackbirds.
About the middle of August, vast parties of these birds enter the states of New York and Pennsylvania on their way south, where, along the margins of the large rivers, they find an abundant means of subsistence, during their short stay, on the seeds of wild rice (Zizania). As soon as the cool nights of October set in, and the wild rice crops begin to fail, these birds take their departure from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and in their further progress through the Southern States, they congregate in large numbers in the rice fields, upon which they greedily feed, and, before the crop is gathered, they have already made their appearance in Cuba and Jamaica, where they subsist on the seeds of the Guinea grass, (Sorghum,) and become so fat as truly to deserve the name of " butter birds," and are highly esteemed for the table.
In a state of captivity, the food of this bird, during spring and summer, should resemble as nearly as possible that of nature; but in winter, he may be fed on rice, boiled in rnilk, millet, Canary seeds, wheaten bread, soaked in water and mi iced inimal food, containing no seasoning nor salt.
f
THE RAVEN.
Synonymcs.
Corvus corax,
Corbeau,
Gemein Rabe, Kolkrabe,
Cuervo,
Corvo,
Raven, Crow, Corby,
OF ORNni..)t,o;;:«TS.
OF THK FRENCH.
OF THE GERMANS.
OF THE SPANIARDS.
OF THE ITALIANS AND
PORTUGUESE. i OF THE BRITISH AND i ANGLO-AMERICANS.
F all birds which have a convex, round, knife-shaped bill, furnished at the base with hair projecting for- wards, in other words, of all that belong to the tribe of crows, this, from the breadth of its tongue, is the most easily taught to imitate the human voice. On the ground, he walks in a stately manner, his motions exhibiting a kind of thoughtful consideration almost amounting to gravity. His ordinary voice consists of a hoarse croak, resembling the syllable crock or cruck ; but he frequently emits a note not unlike the sound of a sudden gulp, or the syllable cluck, which he seems to utter when in a sportive mood ; for, although ordinarily grave, the i raven sometimes indulges in a frolic, performing somersets
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THE RAVEN.
anJ various evolutions in the air. When divination formed a portion of the popular belief in Europe, this bird was held in considerable repute. Trouble was even taken to study its actions and all the circumstances attending its flight, and the various modulations of its voice. Of these, sixty-four different variations were enumerated, without including the more deli- cate intonations, exceedingly difficult to distinguish, to detect which, however, an excessively fine ear was requisite, as iis cry, crock and cruck, is so simple! Every distinct change had its peculiar signification, and there were not wanting people
TIIK RAV«H.
who studied to acquire this knowledge, while others carried their folly so far as to believe that, by eating the heart and viscera of this bird, they could acquire its prophetic powers.
The raven may be said to possess a social disposition ; for, after the breeding season has passed, flocks are often seen in the northern parts of Europe and the adjacent islands, amount- ing to one or more hundreds. These birds can perceive an object, as a dead carcass, at a great distance, but that they can smoll carrioi* a quarter of a mile off, we have no satisfactory
THE RAVEN.
proof, neither need we believe that they can ; for as we may account for the phenomenon by their sight, it is unnecessary to have recourse to their other faculties. Ravens have cha- racter in their flight, as men have in their walk. A poet sauntering by a river, a conchologist or fisherman hunting along the shore for shells, a sportsman searching the woods and fields for game, a lady running home from a shower, or a gentleman retreating from a mad bull, move each in a different manner, suiting the action to the occasion. In like manner, ravens, as well as other birds, might communicate intelligence, perhaps, several miles distant, judging by the flight of their neighbors, that they had a prize in view. In this way, a system of telegraphing could be extended over a large extent of country, and a -great number of birds might be made to assemble in a single day.
When domesticated and treated with kindness, the European raven, as well as our native variety, becomes attached to his owner, and will follow him about the pardon or house, with all the familiarity of a confiding friend.
FOOD AND MANAGEMENT.
ALTHOUGH the raven is omnivorous, its chief food is carrion, by which is here meant the carcases of sheep, horses, cattle, deer, and other quadrupeds, dolphins and cetaceous animals in general, as well as fishes that have been cast ashore. In autumn, it sometimes commits great havoc among grain, and in spring, it occasionally destroys young lambs. It has also been accused of killing diseased sheep by picking out their eyes; but of this there is no satisfactory evidence. It annoys the housewives sometimes by flying off with young poultry, and especially by breaking and sucking eggs which the ducks or hens may have deposited, as they frequently do, among the herbage.
When these birds aie intended to fly about, the young must be removed when hall fledged, about twelve days after they
THE RAVEN.
are hatched, and fed upon meat, snails, and earth worms ; they are also accustomed to eat bread and roll steeped in milk. The description of food they seek, when at large, as young hares, birds, eggs, mice, young geese, chickens, snails, pears, cherries, &c., renders them partly injurious and partly beneficial.
This bird can be allowed to run. at large, or fly about, and if i eared from the nest, which must be the case if he is to be taught to speak, he will return to the place of feeding, upon calling him Jack, the name he usually bears. All glittering metal, especially gold, must be hidden from him, or he, like some other bipeds, will carry it off. To facilitate his speaking, or to give his tongue greater freedom, which is necessary for articulate sounds, the tongue chord is sometimes loosened with the view of increasing or heightening his powers of speech. Individuals, however, have been heard to speak with an un- loosened tongue. The raven is naturally a long-lived bird, individuals having been known to live upwarls of one hundred years.
PIGEONS.
THE ROCK PIGEON, OR WILD DOVE.
Synonymes.
Columba livia,
Oolombe, Biset sauvage,
Holztaube,
Paloma toreaz, Paloma del t campo, $
Pombo bravo,
Colombo salvatico,
Biset, Wild Rock Pigeon, ) White-Ruraped Pigeon, > Rock Dove, Wild Dove, )
OF ORNITHOLOGISTS. OF THE FRENCH. OF THE GERMANS.
OF THE SPANIARDS.
OF THE PORTUGUESE OF THE ITALIANS.
OF THE BRITISH AND ANGLO-AMERICANS.
HE rock or wild pigeon of Europe is well kncwn as the inhabitant of the pigeon houses in various parts of the world, or " dove cots," as they are more frequently called, buildings expressly erected for the purpose of contain- ing colonies of these birds. In this state, where they enjoy a perfect freedom of action, and are nearly dependant upon their
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»
88
PIGEONS.
own exertions for support, they can scarcely be called " reclaimed," much less " domesticated." Man, indeed, has only taken advantage of certain habits peculiar to the species, and bv the substitution of an artificial for a real cavern, (their natural habitation,) to which the pigeon house may be com- pared, has brought it into a kind of voluntary subjection, without violating, or at least greatly infringing upon its natural condition, and has rendered it subservient to his benefit and use.
DESCRIPTION.
IN its natural state, the bill of this bird is blackish-brown ; uie nostril membrane red, sprinkled, as it were, with a white powder; the irides, pale reddish-orange; the head and throat, bluish-grey; the sides of the neck and upper part of the breast are dark lavender-purple, glossed with shades of green and purplish-rec1 ; the lower part of the breast, abdomen, wing coverts, as well as the upper mandible, bluish-grey, the greater coverts and secondaries are barred with black, forming two
PIGEONS. 89
broad and distinct bars across the closed wings; the lower part of the back is white ; the rump and tail coverts, bluish-grey ; the tail, deep-grey, with a broad black bar at the end ; the legs and feet are purplish-red; the wings, when closed, reach within Lalf an inch of the end of the tail.
ORIGEN OP FANCY PIGEONS AND THE COMMON HOUSE DOVE.
IT is from the wild rock pigeon, (C. livid,) that all those numerous varieties, or, as they are frequently termed, " races," of the common inhabitants of the dove cot have descended, which are so highly prized, and fostered with such care and attention by the fancier, or amateur breeder; for, however diversified their forms, colors, or peculiarity of habit may be, they are all considered as having originated from a few acci- dental varieties of the common house pigeon, and not from any cross of that bird with other species, no signs nor marks whatever of such being apparent in any variety known to us. In fact, the greater part of them owe their existence to the interference and art of man ; for, by separating from the wild rock pigeon, such accidental varieties as have occasionally occurred, by subjecting them to captivity and familiarisation, and by assorting and pairing them together, as fancy or caprice suggested, he has, at intervals, generated all the various races, and peculiar casts, which, it is well known, when once produced, may be perpetuated for an indefinite period, by being kept separate from, and unmixed with, others ; or, in other words, what is commonly termed breeding " in-and-in."
Indeed, the fact, that all the varieties, however much they may differ in color, size, or other particulars, if permitted, breed freely and indiscriminately with each other, and produce a progeny equally prolific, is another and a convincing proof of their common and self-same origin ; for it is one of those universal laws of nature, which, if once set aside or not
90 PIGEONS.
enforced, would plunge all animated matter into indescribable confusion, that the offspring produced by the intercourse of different, (that is, distinct species,) is incapable of further increase. That such an intercourse may be effected, is well known; but it is generally under peculiar or artificial circum- stances, and rarely when the animals, birds, or whatever they may be, are in their natural state, and in a condition to make their own election. Thus it is in the crosses obtained in a state of confinement, between the Canary and goldfinch, linnet, &c. But in all these instances, the progeny are invariably " mules," and as a general rule, are incapable of further production ; for although they may exhibit the passions natural to the sexes, and the females may produce eggs, which, in general, even with extreme care, are found addled and incapable of being hatched. Such, I may add, is the case with hybrids of some of the crosses themselves ; for the mongrel progeny of the wild turtle dove. (Turtur communis,) of Europe, with the turtle of the aviary, (T. risoria,) has ueen proved, by frequent experiments, to be banvn, although the two species whence it originated appear to be closely allied, and a mixed breed is easily procured ; and such I am justified in saying, would be the event, if a cross could be obtained between the rock pigeon, ( Columba livid,) and the European wood pigeon, (C. anas,) or stock dove, as it is improperly called, or with the ring pigeon, (C. palumbus,) or any other species.
VARIETIEa.
To describe or particularise all the varieties possessed by fanciers, would require a volume in itself; as, in addition to the permanent races, or those which, when kept pure, transmit their likeness to their offspring, there are intermediate casts produced by particular crosses between individuals belonging to the different varieties, and which, though h'ghly prized in the first generation, are not considered v ^rthy of further extension ; as their progeny cannot be depended upon, but are
PIGEONS. Ql
found to degenerate, and are liable to run into still more distant and less-valued races.
Among the numerous varieties kept in aviaries by fanciers, which are deemed worthy of being perpetuated by breeding distinct, fhe following are held in particular esteenr -
THE BROAD OR FAN-TAILED SHAKER.
This beautiful variety of the pigeon tribe receives the name of " fan-tail," from its habit of spreading out the feathers of its tail like a turkey cock, (for the same reason it is called Pigeon paon by the French,) and that of " broad-tailed shaker" from its breadth of tail, and a peculiar quivering motion of the neck, which is regarded as the attitude of courtship. From this motion, it is also sometimes called by the French Pigeon trembleur paon.
This bird has a full breast, and a short, handsomely-formed, arched neck, which it carries in a graceful swan-like curve. Its tail, according to the rules of the fan?y, should consist, at the least, of twenty-four feathers ; and at the most, of thirty-six, which number it should not exceed; for, if the tail be over- crowded with feathers, the bird suffers it to droop, a defect never overlooked, although the specimen may be faultless in every other respect.
Fan-tails, whose plumage is pure white, are more highly prized than those displaying red, yellow, blue, and black-pied colors ; their carriage of the neck and tail being considered by far the most striking and elegant.
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93 PIGEONS.
Some persons discriminate a variety which they call the u narro w-tailed shaker ;" but this is only a degenerate breed of the fan-tail, or the result of a cross. Its neck is shorter and thicker, back longer, and it has not so many tail feathers as the broad-tailed shaker; neither does it expand its tail so fully, but keeps the feathers rather closed one over the other, so as to resemble a fan when some little way open. The color of its plumage is generally white; but a few different tints, and even an almond variety, are to be met with occasionally.
TUMBLERS.
These pretty pigeons are so called from their peculiar habit of tumbling backwards in the air when on the wing; besides which, they soar to so great a height as to be almost lost to the view; when flying, they congregate very closely together; and if they be good birds and accustomed to each other, they will maintain such a compact flight, that a dozen may almost be covered with a large handkerchief.
If the weather be warm and bright, they may be allowed to wing their aerial gambols for four or five hours in succession ; but care must be taken, that no other species of pigeon mix with them, for if they once become familiarised and fly with others, they will gradually drop their highly-prized mode of flight, and of course become worthless. They should never be let out on a dull, heavy, misty morning, nor when a fog appears to be rising, nor during a high wind ; as all such atmospheric variations, by causing desertions '"rom their lofts tend to diminish the stock. A hen tumblei should never be allowed to fly while with egg.
The most esteemed tumblers do not somerset when swoop- ing along, but only when they are beginning to rise, or when coming down to pitch; and to preserve this, and the high-flying properties in his stock, the provident fancier must spare no expence in the purchase of one or two first-rate birds that have been used to soaring, as they will )e of much service in traia- 1 ing the young ones.
PIGEONS. 93
When the birds are accustomed to their houses, they may be turned out upon the wing, but only once a-day. A bright grey morning is the best time, especially for young birds; and some hemp or Canary seeds must be scattered round their cots, to entice them in, when their hours of liberty have expired.
There is a particularly fine variety of this pigeon, which is called the "bald-pated tumbler," denoted by the cut below, from its having a beautiful snowy white head; it has pearl eyes, and in plumage is exceedingly diversified ; the tail and flight feathers, however, match the head, which is pure white. When a tumbler, either of a black or blue color, has a long dash of white from the under jaw and cheek to a little way down the throat, it is called a " black" or " blue-bearded" bird.
BALD-PATED TUMBLER.
as the color may be ; and if this beard be well shaped, and the bird be clean in the tail and flight, as before described, it may be reckoned very handsome and valuable. When these pigeons are dashing along in the brilliant sunshine, the lively contrast of their feathers adds much to the vivacity of their appearance.
There is another and still more beautiful variety of this breed, called by some fanciers the " ermine tumbler," tut which is generally known by the name of the " almond tumbler." It is an extremely elegant, and highly-prized variety, and is derived from common tumblers judiciously matched; as yellows, duns, whites, black-splashed, black- frizzled, &c., so as to sort the feathers.
8* : $
94 PIGEONS.
When in perfection, tumblers are esteemed by many persons to be the prettiest of all the pigeon tribe; and this high opinion is borne out by the beautiful diversity of their colors, which are so elegant and rich, in some birds, that they have been compared to a bed of tulips. The more they are variegated in the flight and tail, especially if the ground color be fellow, the more they are prized; and a fine bright-yellow ground has the precedence of all others, from its being so exceedingly difficult to acquire, that twenty light-colored birds may be procured for one displaying a deep, richly-tinted ground.
THE CARRIER.
The carrier, Pigeon de Turquie, of the French, is somewhat larger than most of the common pigeons; its feathers lie very close and smooth, and its neck is long and straight. From the lower part of the head to the middle of the upper chap, there is a lump of white, naked, fungous-looking flesh, which is denom- inated the " wattle ;" this, in good birds, is met by two small swellings of similar flesh, which rise on each side of the under chap ; and if this flesh be of blackish color, the bird is con- sidered very valuable. The circle round the black pupil of the eye is usually of a brick-dust-red color; but if it be of a brilliant red tint, it adds considerably to the value of the bird ; this circle is surrounded by another of naked fungous flesh, generally about the breadth of a half eagle, the greater the breadth of which, the more if is admired. When the incrusted
PIGEONS. 95
flesh round the eye is very thick and broad, it shows that the pigeon will prove a good breeder, and will rear fine young ones.
The properties attributed to the carrier, and prized by fanciers, are three in the head, three in the eye, three in the wattle, and three in the beak. The properties of the head con- sist in its being flat, long, and straight; for instance, if the head be very long, narrow, and flat, it is reckoned, in shape, perfect; if the contrary, it is termed a " barrel head." The properties of the wattle of the eye are its breadth and circular, uni- form shape ; for, if one part appear to be more scanty than another, it is termed " pinch-eyed ;" and is of comparative little value; while, if it be full, even, and free from irregularities, it forms a " rose eye," and is highly prized. The wattle should be wide across the beak, short from the head to the point of the beak, and lean a little forward from the head ; as the bird is said to be " peg- wattled" if it lie flat. The beak must be black, long, straight, and thick ; if it be an inch and a half in length, it is considered a long beak, but it must never measure less than an inch and a quarter; if the beak be crooked, (hook- beaked,) or spindle-beaked, the value of the bird is much diminished. This variety, in general, is either dun or black in color, although white, blue-splashed, and pied specimens occur ; the black and dun birds are usually the most perfect in their properties; but as the blues, whites, and pieds are very rare, even inferior birds of these colors are of consider- value.
THE HORSEMAN.
Many fanciers suppose the "horseman" to be a cross breed, either between a tumbler and a carrier, or a pouter and a carrier, and then again bred from a carrier. In shape, it resembles the carrier, but it is smaller in all its proportions; its body being less, its neck shorter and the fungous-looking flesh round its eyes not exuberant, so that there is a greater space between the wattle on the beak, than that round the eye.
PIGEONS.
The most approved colors for this variety of pigeon are the blu^, and blue-pied, as they are usually the best breeders. They should be flown twice a-day regularly, when young ; and as they gain strength on the wing, they should be allowed to
THK HORSEMAN.
range loose, without any other birds in company. This variety is the kind generally employed in carrying letters ; the genuine carriers being much too scarce and valuable to be commonly used.
THE POUTER.
All pigeons, as is well known, have the capability of in- flating their crops with air; and a fine pigeon, with breast feathers glossed with metallic tints, strutting and bowing, with an inflated crop, around his mate, presents no uninteresting spectacle; but this remark will not apply to this bird. In the " English pouter," or " pouting horseman," there is nothing
I
PIGEONS. 97
pleasing in its appearance nor graceful in its proportions; indeed, the inflation of the voluminous crop, rendering an erect, stiff, and apparently constrained attitude necessary, gives an aspect of distortion, or a want of a due balance of parts.
The pouter is of large size, often measuring eighteen inches in length from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail. The chest is not really voluminous, though it appears enormous when the crop is distended with air ; the back is concave, and the tail ample ; the tarsi are very long, and covered with downy feathers. These pigeons are of various colors, as blue, rufous, pied, or altogether white. Those birds which are tall, erect, with a very ample crop, and with the colors of the plumage regularly disposed, and according to certain fancy rules, are esteemed the most valuable.
The pouter is formed by a cross between the " dragon " and the " old Dutch cropper," which latter bird, except in the development of the crop, (whence its name,) had nothing to recommend it. From this intermixture, not without much care and expense, has resulted this favorite variety. The flight of the pouter is buoyant, but not rapid, nor capable of being long sustained. As varieties of the pouter, or rather as breeds allied to it, may be mentioned the " uploper " and the " Parisian pouter," said to be a beautifully-marked bird ; but with these, I have no personal acquaintance.
Pouters are very expensive birds to rear, as the strain will soon become degenerate. As the old birds pay little attention to the wants of their young, it frequently happens that the tiny creatures are starved to death. Careful fanciers, therefore, never allow them to hatch their own eggs, but shift them as soon as they are deposited under a hen " dragoon," th'it has lately laid ; and place the eggs of the latter Dird under the pouter, in order that she may commence incubation ; otherwise, she will lay again in a short time, which, often repeated, would, in all probability, kill her. Every pouter must be kept by itself during the winter season; and their coops must be lofty, so that they may not acquire a stooping habit, which is a very great fault. In the spring, every pair of pouters must have
' ' 98 PIGEONS.
two pair of dragoons to tend and feed them; but ca. e must be taken that the dragoons are kept in a loft separate from the pouters, as otherwise, a cross breed would probably bo the result, and the stock become degenerate.
Pouting horsemen are not so much in repute as formerly, the " almond tumblers" having almost superseded them.
^
THE DRAGOON, OR DRAGON.
Dragons are bred between a tumbler and a horseman ; and by frequently crossing them with the horseman, they acquire much strength and swiftness. They are exceedingly good breeders and kind nurses, and are, therefore, often kept as feeders for rearing young Leghorn " runts," pouters, &c.
The dragon is somewhat lighter and smaller than the horse- man ; and one of its chief beauties consists in the straightness of the top of its skull with that of its beak, which, according to the rules of the fancy, should form almost a horizontal line. These birds should be flown and trained while young, in the same way as the horsemen, which they are considered to surpass in swiftness, in short flights of from ten to twenty miles; but in longer distances, if the horsemen be well bred, they will far outstrip the dragoon.
THE JACOBIN.
This pigeon, often called a " Jack," is, when perfect in its properties, extremely rare. The real Jacobin is a very small bird, and the smaller it is, the more valuable; it has on rije
PIGEONS. 99
hinder part of its head, inclining towards the neck, a range of inverted feathers, in appearance like the cowl, or cap, of a monk ; and from this peculiarity, it receives the sobriquet of " Jacobin," or " capper." These feathers are technically termed the " hood," and if they grow compact and close to the head, they enhance the value of the bird considerably ; the lower part of tho hood is called the " chain," and the feathers com- posing it should be long and thick.
L
THE JACOBIN.
A small head, very small spindle-shaped beak, and beauti- fully clean, pearl eyes are other properties of this little pet. Yellow, red, blue, and black are the colors usually bred, and in point of color, the yellow birds are preferred before all others; however, let the color of the body be what it may, according to the rules of the fancy, the tail, flight, and head must invariably be white; sometimes the legs and feet are covered with feathers.
THE CAPUCHIN.
In its properties, this variety js closely allied to the Jacobin, and is, by some fanciers, considered a cross between that breed and some other kind. It has a longer beak, and is altogether a larger bird, than the Jacobin ; its hood is extremely pretty, but it lacks the chain.
THE MAWMET.
The Mahomet, commonly corrupted to " Mawmet," is a beau- tiful cream-colored bird, with bars of black across its wings ;
100 PIGEONS.
although the surface ofits feathers is of a cream-color, the part next the body, the flue feathers, and even the skin, are of a dark sooty tint ; it is about the size of a " turbit," but it has in place of a frill, a fine gullet, with a seam of beautiful feathers ; its head is thick and short, and its eyes orange-color, surrounded by a small, naked circle of black flesh ; it has a little black wattle on its beak, which is short and stout, and somewhat resembles that of a bulfinch.
THE BARB.
This variety was originally brought from Barbary. In size, it is somewhat larger than the Jacobin ; it has a short, thick beak, a small wattle, and a circle of thick, naked, incrusted flesh round its eyes ; the wider this circle of flesh spreads round the eye, and the more brilliant its color, the more the bird is prized ; the circle is narrow, at first, and is not fully developed until the bird is three or four years old.
The plumage of the Barb is usually dun or black ; but there are pied birds of both colors ; these last are held in little esti- mation, as they are supposed to be only half bred ; when the pinion feathers are dark, the irides of its eyes are pearl color ; but when the pinions are white, the irides arc red. Some of these birds are ornamented with a tuft of feathers rising from the back part of the crown of the head.
THE TURBIT.
This variety is somewhat larger than the Jacobin. Its head is round, and beak short ; from the breast grows a tuft of fea-
PIGEONS.
101
thers named the " purle," spreading in opposite directions, like the frill of a shirt ; and from the beak to the purle reaches the gullet.
The colors of this pigeon are mostly yellow, dun, red, blue, and black; and accasionally chequered. According to the fancy, the back of the wings and tail should conresporid in color, except in tb^ yellow and red birds, whose tails should be white. A stripe of black should cross the wings of the blue birds, but the other body and flight feathers should be white; they are termed "black-shouldered," or "blue-shoul- dered," as their color may be ; and when of one color only,
THE TURBIT.
these pigeons have been sold as "owls." Turbits are also chosen for the shortness of their beaks, and their spreading "purle;" and if well-trained, when young, they will become excellent flyers.
THE NUN.
The nun is greatly admired, from the elegantly contrasting colors of its plumage. Its body is generally white, and its tail and six flight feathers of its wings should be either wholly red, \ivid yellow, or black, as likewise its head, which is adorned and nearly covered by a tuft, or " veil," of pure white feathers.
According to its colors, the bird is termed a red, yellow or black-headed " nun," as it may happen to be; and whenever the feathers vary from this rule, the bird is termed " foul-headed,*' or " foul-flighted," and is greatly diminished in value; but vith such as frequently rear clean-feathered birds, as perfect
102 PIGEONS.
specimens, it is scarcely possible to obtain one entirely free from foul feathers. Smallness of head and beak, a pearl eye, and largeness of veil, are desirable properties in this bird.
THE HELMET.
This varie.y is a somewhat larger bird than the nun. Its head, tail, and flight are mostly of one color, either yellow, blue, or black tint, and the other parts of the body are generally white; its head bears a delicate tuft of feathers, differing in color from the body, and in form like a helmet. It is a pretty bird, but is not a fine flyer. It is most useful as a nurse.
To the varieties already enumerated, I might add several others, as the " owl," the " ruff," the " spot," the " lace," the " finnikin," and the " Friezland runt;" but these breeds are not common, nor are they generally held of much account. As for the French, Leghorn and the Spanish " runts," they are not to be placed among the fancy varieties, being remarkable merely for their size, and are appopriate for the dove cot.
FOOD.
In a state of nature, the rock dove feeds on grain and seeds of various kinds, as well as on vegetables. According to Montagu, it also devours some kinds of snails, and is particu- larly fond of the Helix virgata.
In a state of confinement or familiarisation, these birds are fond of almost every kind of grain, but old tares are found, by experience, to be the best for them ; horse beans, particularly the smaller sorts, as small ticks, are considered next to tares in point of nutritive properties; oats, barley, wheat, and peas, may be given occasionally, and will be found wholesome varieties of diet. Pigeons are very fond of rape, hemp and Canary seeds, which, however, should only be given occasion- ally; and new tares should especially be given to young birds very sparingly. Many fanciers make a composition of salt,
PIGEONS.
lime mortar, and a little clay, mixed with spicy seeds, as caraway, which they allow their pigeons to feed upon at will.
The seed may be scattered on the floor amongst the gravel, although many persons recommend iittle contrivances to put it in. on the score of keeping it cleaner and better.
DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION 1ND MANAGEMENT.
FAMILIARISED, or fancy pigeons ^re generally confined in aviaries, or lodged in appropriate b»ildings attached to or near the house of the breeder, in order tnat they may be regularly and easily fed, cleansed, and duly attended to in all matters having reference to their condition and health ; for their natural instinct and feeling of liberty havr been so nearly effaced, or placed in abeyance by the captivity to which they have been subjected, for so many generatioi ;, that they have become nearly dependent upon man for support, and have lost the power or capability, even when Allowed to fly at large, of looking for and finding their own food.
In these buildings, it is common i > erect a certain number of boxes, or divisions, against the walls or sides, each calculated to accommodate a pair of pigeons, #ith their nest and young. They succeed best when separate and distinct from each other, with a small platform, and an enhance just large enough to admit the bird ; as when disposed in a continuous row, and open in front, they are apt to interfere with each other, and, by their jealousies and contentions, prevent the due increase of eggs and young.
The most common shape for a pigeon house is the one repre- sented in the succeeding illustration, but the form is immaterial. It is, however, necessary that the h-Jes should be large enough for the birds to turn round in with ease ; and there should be in front shelves and partitions of from seven to nine inches in depth, so as to keep the couples aprt, and afford them resting places; and two holes for each couple, between each partition, will he desirable. The cot shoul " be fixed where it will be
104
PIGEONS.
screened from cold winds, which are extremely prejudicial to the birds ; a southern or south- western aspect should, therefore, if possible, be chosen; visits from cats and rats must also be carefully guarded against.
flit
PIGEON HOUSE.
If the young fancier be enabled to tit up a loft over a stable, other out-building, for a pigeon house, the best arrangement
PIGEON LOFT.
he can adopt is that shown in the above illustration. The means for exit and re-entrance must be first thought of; and if there be no window in the loft, two holes must be made in the wall, at about five feet from the floor, each sufficiently large to admit a pigeon easily ; a shelf should be fastened on the inside, and another on the outside, of the said apertures ; on
PIGEONS. 105
this latter shelf, a trap, or "acne," 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 tbt bottle the neces- sary elevation.
To insure the thri\ing 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.
The "aerie" before mentioned, which is fastened on the
10G
'IGEONS.
shelf outside of the loft, is a trap made of laths. It has two sides and a front only, the wall of the loft forming the back; the front and sides act upon Hnges, so that they may be thrown
, ERIK OPEN.
open, and laid flat on tlu platform, as in the above figure A, B, C and on the upper parts of these flaps are fastened strings, united to a single string in the middle of the trap; the string is carried over the swivel E, at the top of the machine, to a hiding place, whence the owner can see all that passes, and when a bird alights within the aerie, he jerks the string, the flaps are elevated, and the bird is immediately a prisoner. The aerie, when shut, prp ents the appearance shown in the following illustration. This kind of trap is used not only by
AERIE CLOSED.
fanciers, but by amateurs, and is an important appendage to the loft, both as a means of self-defence to secure strays and to shut in their own birds. Among amateur fanciers, the first- rn^ntioned purpose is to secure valuable and favorite breeds from being deteriorated through stray birds of no value pairing
PIGEONS. 107
with them. When any strays are taken in the trap, they are killed for the table, unless called for and claimed by their owners, within twenty-four hours after their capture, and a trifling sum may then be demanded for trappage.
To ensure the purity of any particular kind, the young males, as soon as they show symptoms of maturity, which may be known by particular gesticulations and their cooing notes, are placed apart in a chamber appropriated for the purpose, with a female of the same variety. Here they remain till a mutual attachment has taken place, after which, they may be returned to the general aviary, or dove house; for, when once an alliance is effected, it generally continues undissolved and inviolate till the death or removal of one of the parties; on which account many different varieties may be kept in the same aviary, or associated together in one building, without much apprehension of having a contaminated breed.
For mating, or coupling pigeons, it is a good plan to build two cots, divided only by a lath partition, by which means the birds will see each other, and may feed out of the same little vessels ; when, by giving them plenty of hemp seed, they will soon be fit for mating. When the hen sweeps her tail, put her in the cock's pen, and they will readily agree. Where it is not convenient to make this probationary pen, and you are obliged to place them both in one coop, put the cock in a few days before his mate, that he may get accustomed to it, and feel himself master, especially if the hen be high spirited ; else they will quarrel so fiercely, that their disputes will terminate in a total dislike to one another.
When the pigeons are comfortably matched, allow them the full run of the loft, to select a nest for themselves; or choose a nest for them, and inclose them in it for several days, .by means of a slight lath railing, giving them an abundant supply of food and water during the whole time. Both male and female engage in the construction of the nest, and relieve each other in the task of incubation. Tvv eggs only are laid, and the young are hatched blind, naked, and helpless, and sedulojsly fed and cherished by both parents. Several pairs of young
108 PIGEONS.
are reared during the season. The young are fed for some days after exclusion from the egg, not on grain, nor insects, but upon a peculiar lacteous secretion, or curd-like matter, which is poured out from a series of glands in the crop both of the male and female, which glands develope themselves into activity by a mysterious law at the proper juncture. This lacieous fluid is very abundant, and will frequently drip from the bills of the pigeons as they approach their young. It is thrown into the open mouths of the nestlings by a kind of exgurgitation, the receiving one and the giver being both in agitation. In the course of a few days, pulse or grain, moistened in the crops of the parents and mixed with this lacteous curdy fluid, is given, the secretion gradually decreas- ing as it is less and less required, till at length peas, moistened or macerated in the crop, are alone transferred into those of the young.
About the third day, some of the ordinary food, after mace- ration in the crop, is added, its proportion being increased, till at length, when the young quit the nest, it constitutes their food entirely.
Though fancy pigeons are kept for the sake of their beauty and peculiarities, the ordinary dove-house pigeon is reared almost exclusively for the sake of its flesh, which is accounted in most countries a delicacy. But how far the rearing of great numbers of these birds is profitable in our country may admit of question; the quantity of peas, beans, and grain, which even a small flock will annually consume, is enormous. What, then, must be the consumption of flocks of many hundreds!
DISEASES.
THE megrims, or epilepsy, is an incurable disorder, in which the pigeon moves about and flutters at random, with its head turned, and its bill resting upon its back.
If the birds suffer much while moulting, remove them to a
PIGEONS.
109
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 from 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 cor p or basket, and fed but scantily for a while.
For lameness, or swelled balls of the feet, whether from cold, cuts with glass, or any accident, the most effectual application is a small quality of Venice turpentine spread on a piece of brown paper.
PARROTS.
Under this general heading is included a large number of the Levirostres, or large-billed birds, which are brought from Africa, Brazil, and the West Indies, and distributed through- out the country by bird dealers. Those most familiar are the macaws and cockatoos, the toucans, parrots, parrakeets, and lories. They are usually kept for the richness of their col- ors, their gracefulness of form, and their ability to articulate words. The macaws are favorites on account of their large size, handsome form, rich colors, and graceful deportment.
The gray, or African parrot, although not so gaudily col- ored as some of his tnbe, is one of the most beautiful and val- uable. They can be taught to whistle a tune distinctly and correctly, and they articulate words and whole sentences in a fine, full, and sonorous bass voice. They are docile and intel- ligent, forming strong attachments to those who feed them. They are easily taught when young.
Many of the lories are birds of great beauty and highly in- teresting manners. Some of the favorite parrots for cages are known as the red and blue macaw, one of the largest parrots, being two feet eight inches long, a native of Brazil ; the blue and yellow macaw; the military macaw; the blue-headed parrot ; the angola yellow parrot ; the long-tailed green par- rakeet, and many others, too numerous to mention.
FOOD.
The common staple diet for parrots is bread and milk, or Indian meal and milk. This food is especially good during the moulting season. A parrot will eat all kinds of fruit, but meat, as well as all kinds of pastry and sweetmeats, render it unhealthy. It drinks but little, being always supplied with succulent food.
DISEASES.
Thoy are subject to many maladies, especially atrophy or consumption, for which the remedy is warm, appropriate food, such as water-cress, and a rusty nail in the water they drink. They must be carefully tended while moulting, not only that they may be kept healthy, but also that they may obtain a perfect plumage.
(110)
AMERICAN PAKTKIDGE.
This family has recently been increased in number by the addition of several interesting and beautiful species. Three or four additional varieties have been discovered in California and New Mexico. The plumage of all the species is plain, and the tints mostly sombre, but of such exquisite Mendings as to give them high rank for beauty. To those who reside in the country the common American partridge is no stranger. It often frequents the barn-yard in winter, appropriating part of the food intended for the fowls. It builds its nest at the foot of a tuft of grass, or corn-stalks, and deposits from fifteen to twenty eggs. The young leave the nest almost as soon as they escape from the shell ; they follow their mother in search of food, and nestle under her wings, the same as a brood of young chickens. They evince strong attachment for their kind, and keep in flocks ranging from ten to thirty, and even more. The food of this species consists mainly of seeds and berries, although many insects are devoured during the breed- ing period. Many of these birds migrate to the South during the autumn ; others seek deep woods, where they find shelter and provision. The flocks break up about the middle of March, and the season of mating begins. The period of incu- bation is about eighteen days. There are two broods in a season. The second brood appears in the latter part of July, or the beginning of August. The color of the partridge, like that of many other birds, is often its protection. Often when pursued, they will seek an old stubble-field, and sinking to the ground, they escape detection, their color harmonizing so well with that of the mould and decayed vegetable matter.
(ill)
AMERICAN PARTRIDGE. DOMESTICATION.
Like our domestic birds, the partridge may, with pains, be reared in confinement. A brood of young partridges has been obtained by hatching under a common Bantam hen. At first they may be fed on curds, and later on cracked Indian com and millet. Several days of confinement are necessary to induce them to f ollow the hen after the fashion of young chickens. With one wing clipped, they may be allowed to wander at large in the garden. Eventually, they become very gentle, and at night will repair to the coop in the garden, where they will nestle until morning. It is better to allow the young partridges to be raised by a hen than to attempt to bring them up by hand. Without much difficulty, these birds become accustomed to the residence of man, and live on the most intimate terms with the common poultry.
THE EUROPEAN QUAIL.
Synonymes.
Tetrao coturnix, OF ORNITHOLOGISTS.
Caille, OF THE FRENCH.
Wachtel, OF THE GERMANS.
r>nAnrn,T S ®V THE SPANIARDS AND
Lomiz» \ PORTUGUESE.
Quaglia, OF THE ITALIANS.
QUu.ol»umQ^, j "ssassis:
E SIDES beauty of form and plumage, the song of the common quail of the Old World is no slight re- 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 guilldh! but at other times, it is only a murmur, resembling the purring of a cat. This bird never sings when
|a v» , «
114
THE EUROPEAN QUAIL.
left to run about in a light room, except during the night, but continually when in a darkened cage.
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.
THK El ROl'EAN QUAIL.
FOOD,
IN a »vild 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 gieat deal, and the water, contrary to the opinion of some
THE EUROPEAN QUAIL. 115
persons, should be clear, and never turbid. It moults twice in the year, once in autumn, and again in spring; it then requires rive- 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 femnle, 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, lay a great many eggs but rarely sits on them ; yet if young ones are brought her from the field, 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 convoy, 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 the convoy 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 : —
' 116 THE EUROPEAN QUAIL.
A small box, two feet long, one foot deep, and four high, of any shape which is preferred ; in this are left two or three openings, one for drinking at, the other to 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 of green cloth; for 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 there are many -hings to call off its attention from its song.
SENT FREE ON APPLICATION.
DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE
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RURAL BOOKS,
Containing 116 8vo pages, profusely illustrated, and giving full descriptions of nearly 600 works on the following subjects:
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Mushrooms. How to Grow Them.
For borne use fresh Mushrooms are a delicious, highly nutritious and wholesome delicacy; and for market they are lees bulky than eggs, and, when properly handled, no crop is more remunerative. Anyone who has an ordinary house cellar, woodshed, or barn can grow Mush- rooms. This is the most practical work on the subject ever written, and the only book on growing Mushrooms ever published in America. The whole subject is treated in detail, minutely and plainly, as only a practical man, actively engaged in Mushroom growing, can handle it. The author describes bow lie himself grows Mushrooms, and how they are grown for profit by the leading market gardeners, and for home use by the most successful private growers. The book is amply and pointedly illustrated, with engravings drawn from nature expressly for this work. By Wm. Falconer. Is nicely printed and bound in cloth. Price, post-paid 1.50
Allen's New American Farm Book.
The very best work on the subject ; comprising all that can be con- densed into an available volume. Originally by Richard L. Allen. Revised and greatly enlarged by Lewis F. Allen. Cloth, 12mo... 2.50
Henderson's Gardening for Profit.
By Peter Henderson. New edition. Entirely rewritten and greatly enlarged. The standard work on Market and Family Gardening. The successful experience of the author for more than thirty years, and his willingness to tell, as he does in this work, the secret of his success for the benefit of others, enables him to give most valuable information. The book is profusely illustrated. Cloth, 12mo.-- 2.00
Fuller's Practical Forestry.
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1.50
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Harris on the Pig.
New edition. Revised and enlarged by the author. The points of the various English and American breeds are thoroughly discussed, and the great advantage of using thoroughbred males clearly shown. The work is equally valuable to the farmer who keeps but few pigs, and to the breeder on an extensive scale. By Joseph Harris. Illustrated. Cloth, 12rno 1.50
Jones's Peanut Plant— Its Cultivation and Uses.
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Barry's Fruit Garden.
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The Propagation of Plants.
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Stewart's Shepherd's Manual.
A Valuable Practical Treatise on the Sheep, for American farmers and sheep growers. It is so plain that a farmer, or a farmer's son, who has never kept a sheep, may learn from its pages how to manage a flock successfully, and yet so complete that even the experienced shepherd may gather many suggestions from it. The results of per- sonal experience of some years with the characters of the various mod- ern breeds of sheep r and the sheep-raising capabilities of many portions of our extensive territory and that of Canada— and the careful study of the diseases to which our sheep are chiefly subject, with those by which they may eventually be afflicted through unforeseen accidents — as well as the methods of management called for under our circumstances, are here gathered. By Henry Stewart. Illustrated. Cloth, 12mo 1.50
Allen's American Cattle.
Their History, Breeding, and Management. By Lewis F. Allen. This Book will be considered indispensable by every breeder of live stock. The large experience of the author in improving the character of American herds adds to the weight of his observations, and has enabled him to produce a work which will at once make good his claims as a standard authority on the subject. New and revised edition. Illustrated. Cloth, I2ma 250
Fuller's Grape Culturist.
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White's Cranberry Culture.
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Herbert's Hints to Horse-Keepers.
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Henderson's Practical Floriculture.
By Peter Henderson. A guide to the successful propagation and cultivation of florists' plants. The work is not one for florists and gardeners only, but the amateur's wants are constantly kept in mind, and we have a very complete treatise on the cultivation of flowers under glass, or in the open air, suited to those who grow flowers for pleasure as well as those who make them a matter of trade. The work is characterized by the same radical common sense that marked the author's " Gardening for Profit," and it holds a high place in the estimation of lovers of agriculture. Beautifully illustrated. New and enlarged edition. Cloth, 12mo 1.50
Harris's Talks on Manures.
ByJoseph Harris, M. S., author of " Walks and Talks on the Farm," "Harris on the Pig." etc. Revised and enlarged by the author. A series of familiar and practical talks between the author and the dea- con, the doctor, and other neighbors, on the whole subject of manures and fertilizers ; including a chapter specially written for it by Sir John BennetLawes, of Rothamsted, England. Cloth, 12mo 1.75
Waring' s Draining for Profit and Draining for Health.
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The Practical Babbit-Keeper.
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Profits in Poultry.
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Parsons on the Rose.
By Samuel B. Parsons. A treatise on the propagation, culture, and history of the rose. New and revised edition. In his work upon the rose, Mr. Parsons has gathered up the curious legends concerning the flower, and gives us an idea of the esteem in which it was held in former times. A simple garden classification has been adopted, and the leading varieties under each class enumerated and briefly described. The chapters on multiplication, cultivation, and training are very full, and the work is altogether one of the most complete before the public. Illustrated. Cloth, 12mo 1.00
Heinrich's Window Flower Garden.
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Liautard's Chart of the Age of the Domestic Animals.
Adopted by the United States Army. Enables one to accurately de- termine the age of horses, cattle, sheep, dogs, and pigs .50
Pedder's Land Measurer for Farmers.
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How to Plant and What to Do with the Crops,
With other valuable hints for the Farm, Garden and Orchard. By Mark W. Johnson. Illustrated. CONTENTS : Times for Sowing Seeds : Covering Seeds ; Field Crops ; Garden or Vegetable Seeds, Sweet Herbs, etc.; Tree Seeds ; Flower Seeds ; Fruit Trees; Distances Apart for Fruit Trees and Shrubs ; Profitable Farming ; Green or Manuring Crops ; Root Crops ; Forage Plants ; What to do with the Crops ; The Rotation of Crops; Varieties; Paper Covers, post-paid 50
Your Plants.
Plain and Practical Directions for the Treatment of Tender and Hardy Plants in the House and in the Garden. By James Sheehan. The above title well describes the character of the work — " Plain and Prac- tical." The author, a commercial florist and gardener, has endeavored, in this work, to answer the many questions asked by his customers, as to the proper treatment of plants. The book shows all through that its author is a practical man, and he writes as one with a large store of experience. The work better meets the wants of the amateur who grows a few plants in the window, or has a small flower Garden, than a larger treatise intended for those who cultivate plants upon a more extended -scale. Price, post-paid, paper covers 40
Husmann's American Grape-Growing and Wine-Making.
By George Husmann of Talcoa vineyards, Napa, California. New and enlarged edition. With contributions from well-known grape-growers, giving a wide range of experience. The author of this book is a recognized authority on the subject. Cloth, 12mo 1.50
The Scientific Angler.
A general and instructive work on Artistic Angling, by the late David Foster. Complied by his Sons. With an Introductory Chapter and Copious Foot Notes, by William C. Harris, Editor of the "American Angler." Cloth, 12mo 1.50
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