GOLU-CRtSltO WHEN. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF CAGE BIRDS THEIR MANAGEMENT, HABITS, FOOD, DISEASES, TREATMENT, BREEDING, AND THE METHODS OF CATCHING THEM. BY J. M. BECHSTEIN, M.D. LONDON: HENRY J. DRANE, SALISBURY HOUSE, SALISBURY SQUARE, FLEET ST., E.G. BIOLOGY LIBRA!? EDINBURGH COLSTON AND COMPANY LTD. PRINTERS H 2> AUTHOR'S PREFACE. THE Natural History of CAGE BIRDS, which I now lay before the public, is a work I have long been solicited to write. There are many people who like to keep birds, who neither know their habits nor the proper treatment or food requisite for them. Even those who are not alto- gether ignorant of these, often have but very limited, superficial, and, what is worse, sometimes erroneous idea* on the subject. It is for such readers I have given the following Introduction; for professed naturalists will rind nothing there but what they have already learnt, either from my own works or from those of other authors on natural history. If long experience and minute observation on the sub- ject of his work is calculated to gain an author credit, I flatter myself that this will not be denied me, since from my earliest youth I have delighted in being sur- rounded with birds, and am so accustomed to them that I cannot write at my desk with pleasure, or even with attention, unless animated by the warbling of the pleasing little creatures which enliven my room. My passion ts carried so far. that I always nave about thirty birds around rne, and this has naturally led me to consider the M267777 li AUTHORS PREFACE. best and easiest mode of procuring them, as well as of feeding and preserving them in health. Few amateurs, therefore, are better fitted than myself to write on this subject ; and I hope I have done it to the satisfaction ot the public. I ought also to notice in this place the plan of my work, as my book may fall into the hands both of those who might feel a wish to learn more particulars, and of those who may think much less would have sufficed. I have described all the indigenous European birds with which I am acquainted that are capable of being tamed, and are pleasing in the house. As to foreign ones, I have only spoken of those I have occasionally seen in Germany, and which can be procured without much difficulty. I have followed the same plan in their natural history which I have pursued in my other works on birds. DESCRIPTION. — Under this head I have entered into particular details, in order that the amateur may the better satisfy himself in discriminating the species and the sex of the bird before him. This knowledge is ex- ceedingly necessary, as the bird-dealers are not very scru- pulous in deceiving their customers, either by selling one species for another, or a female for a male. These descrip- tions may likewise have the advantage of inspiring a taste for ornithology in the bosom of a mere amateur, who may, by repeated observations, afterwards enrich this branch of natural history with his own remarks. HABITATION. — On forming a wish to possess any par- ticular bird, it in natural to try to discover what situations AUTHORS PKEPACE. Ill it frequents in order to find it, and when it has been found and secured, a desire to know the best place to keep it in follows as a matter of course. FOOD. — In keeping tame birds it is most important to know what food is best adapted to each species ; that is to say, what approaches nearest to its natural aliment. I have therefore divided the directions on this point into two parts ; showing in the first the natural food of the bird in its wild state, and in the second what is best for it in confinement. BREEDING. — Many birds succeed best when reared from the nest, which makes it necessary to speak of their man- ner of being hatched, and the like. DISEASES. — Birds being very tender creatures, on pass- ing from a state of liberty to slavery, in which they lose the means of exercise and proper food, are soon afflicted with many diseases occasioned by this change alone, with- out reckoning others that naturally follow in their train. Under this head I endeavour to point out these, and their proper treatment ; but I confess that this is the most imperfect part of my work, and I wish some clever expe- rienced medical man would take the trouble to render it more correct. CHASE. — On going into the country a wish often arises to procure a bird, and therefore under this head I havf described the method of catching such species as may be desired. iv AUTHOR'S PREFACE. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — Under this head I have stated the properties which render a bird worthy of our notice, and of being tamed and kept in the house. The volume ends with an alphabetical index, which will enable a person instantly to find the birds whose history he requires. May my work be as useful as it is my wish to make it, and my intentions will be accomplished. SECOND EDITION. THE call for a second edition is no inconsiderable proof to me that I accomplished my purpose in the first. None of my works have had a more flattering reception, from all classes of readers ; but particularly from some of the most distinguished, who have given me repeated proofs of their satisfaction. I have also had the pleasure of assisting many amateurs with my experience, who have honoured me with questions. This pleasure is now increased by being able to render these instructions general, and to perfect thig new edition by later observations, some com- municated by others, which I judged it right to introduce. If any reader is surprised at not finding in this work many foreign birds seen in France, Holland, or in some of the maritime towns of Germany, it is because I have never had an opportunity of observing them myself : in a word, it is very pleasing to me to feel that my work has increased the number of tin; lovers of natural history ; and I hope to see tliem still increasing. It is, indeed, my earnest wish AUTHORS PREFACE. that it may contribute more and more to the love of thai class of attractive creatures with which the Creator has adorned the earth, and which sing His praises so melo- diously and unceasingly ! THIRD EDITION. A NEW edition of my Natural History of Cage Birds having been called for, 1 have made many additions and improvements in the work, as will appear on comparison. Some have alleged that I have been too diffuse in my descriptions, and others find fault that I have introduced birds difficult to tame, such as the gold-crested wren and the common wren. In the latter case, at least, the most ample details are excusable, as the birds require more care : yet I know several amateurs who always have one or two wrens flying about a room, or in a cage, and to let loose so delicate a little bird as the gold-crested wren always gives great pleasure. Besides, the minutest detail can never, in such cases, do any harm. I have likewise added some foreign birds, several of which have been but recently introduced in this country by bird dealers. DRF.ISSACKEH. 1P12. NOTICE BY THE TRANSLATOR THE work of Dr. BECUSTEIN upon CAGE BIRDS has been so highly esteemed on the Continent that it has passed through several editions, both in the original and in translations. Besides rendering as faithfully as care could effect, the interesting details of the author, numerous notes have been added, as well as several species introduced, which have recently been kept with success in this country by the Hon. and Rev. Mr. Herbert, Mr. Sweet, Mr. Blyth, and others. The mode of management also pecu- liar to these, and so different in some points from that recommended by Dr. Bechstein, has been given in detail, ft is to be hoped that this translation may have similar success, and produce similar effects in increasing the taste for Natural History, which the original has had on the Continent. It is proper to add, that the drawings of cages, which illustrate this edition, were selected by per- mission of Mr. Cato, Holborn Bridge, from the numerous elegant specimens which his stock contains. I/ONDnV nher 18J7. INTRODUCTION. BY CAGE BIRDS, 1 mean those kept by amateurs, for amusement, in their apartments, generally selected for sweet- ness of song or beauty of plumage ; but the naturalist has other reasons for surrounding himself with these pleasing creatures : they enliven him, and he delights in studying their habits and characters. To attain these objects it is necessary, in the first place, to be able to distinguish readily between the males and females, since the former are generally superior in their powers of song, and therefore preferable. I have, for this reason, made a point, in the following sketch of the history of house birds, of showing the colours and other marks which characterise the- two sexes ; and, as all birds cannot be tamed, whilst many others offer no inducement to make the attempt, it follows that those about to be spoken of must necessarily be but a small proportion of all the known species of birds. INTRonUCTION. SONGS OF TAME BIRDS. WHAT is most prized and admired in house birds is uii douhtedly their song. This may be natural or artificial, the former being as varied as the species of the birds, for I know of no two indigenous species quite similar in their song; I ought, perhaps, to except the three species of shrike I have given, which, from their surprising memory, can imitate the songs of other birds so as to be mistaken for them : but a naturalist would soon perceive a slight mixture of the song natural to the imitator, and thus easily distinguish between the shrike that copied, and the tit-lark or red-breast copied from*. It is so much the more important to be well versed in the different birds' songs, as to this knowledge alone we are indebted for several curious observations on these creatures An artificial song is one borrowed from a bird that thr young OIK -s have heard singing in the room, a person's whistling, a flageolet, or a bird-organ. Nearly all birds, when young, will learn some strains of airs whistled or played to them regu- lar! v every day ; but it is only those whose memory is capable ut' retaining these that will abandon their natural song, and adopt fluently, and repeat without hesitation, the air that has been taught them. Thus, a young goldfinch learns, it is true, some t tlu- melody played to a bullfinch, but it will never be able to render it as perfectly as this bird ; a difference not r,uiM'v the \vant of liberty, with their song; conse- quently, birds only prized for the beauty of their plumage or their pleasing actions, are best placed in a room. Rather large birds, such as thrushes, should have a room appropriated to them, or be kept in a large aviary, as they give a very un- pleasant smell to the place which they occupy, unless carefully cleaned ; but their young ones may be allowed the range of anv apartment, placing in a corner a cage or branch to rest and sh vp i .n. where they may inn and hop freely, seeking a roost- intr-place for themselves in the evening, on the fir branches I -laced for that purpose ; or in a cage with several divisions, into which they soon learn to retire. Some birds, such as the • Besides, we cannot say that there is a want of variety in this music. I may again quote Mr. Harington (Phil. Trans.): " The death of the male parent, just at the limf his instructions \w-re required, will occasion some variety in the song *f the young ones, who will thus hiive their attention directed to oth^r birds, which they will imitate or modify according to the conformation of the'r larynx; and they will thus create new variations, which will afterwards be imitated by their young ones, and become hereditary, until a circumstance of a similar nature may .'•«> greater variations. If care was taken there need not be two birds that mug exactly alike: ho^ov-r. thrso varieties are confined within certain limits." — M-oh. t If pine and fir branches cannot (><• obtained, oak, elm, or beech will do, cut ir. • intiT ; though not Rn-.-n, \.-t there will be leave*. — TRANSLATOR. HABITATIONS OF TAME BIRDS. 5 dunnock and the blue-breast, sing best in this state of liberty. It is necessary to avoid placing them with shrikes or tits, as these often, in the midst of plenty of food, will kill smaller birds, for the sake of eating the brain or intestines. Those* that are confined that we may better enjoy the beauty of their song, should have a cage proportioned to their natural vivacity : a lark, for example, requires a larger cage than a chaffinch. The habits of the birds must also be considered, whether they rest on the ground or perch on sticks. Thus, the nightingale must have perches, while the sky-lark never makes use of these. In the account of each bird I shall point out what shaped cage I have found most suitable. In every case cleanliness is absolutely necessary, in order to keep birds a long time, as well as healthy and active. In general it is better not to disturb the birds very often ; but if not every day, yet every week at furthest, it is necessary to clean even the perches of those that roost, and strew sand where they keep at the bottom. Negligence in this entails many inconveniences, — unpleasant smells from sick birds, gouty feet to some birds, loss of the use of their limbs or all their claws ; such sad experience may at length cure the negligent amateur. " We love birds," they say ; " No," I reply, " you love your- selves, not them, if you neglect to keep them clean." In washing the feet of birds they must first be soaked in warm water, or the dirt will be so pasted on the skin that in removing it the bird will be wounded, and the irritation thus excited may soon occasion dangerous ulcers. House birds are generally subject to sore feet, and great attention is therefore necessary to examine them often if they are not attacked ; a hair wound round them will sometimes become drawn so tight that in time the part will shrivel up and drop off. Another proof of the necessity of care in cleaning is, that few birds pre- serve their claws after having been kept some years in the house. It must be confessed, however, that among birds of the same species there is a very marked difference in this respect, some being always extremely clean, whilst others are for ever dirty, and seldom clean themselves. There are also some species in which cleanliness seems an innate quality: among these are yellow hammers reed buntings, and linnets ; INTRODICT1ON. the latter especially have .always appeared to me patterns of neatness, and though I have had many, I do not recollect being ohl iged to clean the feet of any, whilst larks and fauvettes have thc-m always dirty, and let them fester with ulcers rather then take the trouble to clean them*. Many amateurs amuse themselves with taming their birds so completely that they can let them fly out of a window and recall them at pleasure. A friend of mine, who tamed not only birds, but also adders, otters, weasels, foxes, and the like, knew how to render them so familiar that at the least sign they would follow him anywhere. This method was as easy as it was sure, and I can judge of it from having been an eye- witness to the effect; it is as follows : When he wishes to accustom a bird to fly out and return, or go out of doors perched on his hand or shoulder, he begins by opening the cage and teazing the bird with a feather. The bird soon pecks at it, then at the finger, and at last ventures »utside the cage to fly on the finger presented to it. My friend then caresses it, and gives it something nice to eat, so that it soon becomes accustomed to feed on the hand. When this is attained, he begins to teach it to come at a certain call, and as soon as it will allow itself to be taken, he carries it on his hand or shoulder from room to room, the doors and windows being at first well closed ; he also lets it fly about a little, making it return when called. At last, when the bird comes at his call, without hesitation or fear of men or animals, he tries it with precaution out of doors. It thus by degrees becomes so accustomed to him that he can take it into the garden, even in the midst of a large company, without any fear of its flying away. Great precaution is necessary in spring, and during the pairing season, when taking out old birds that have been thus trained; for, upon hearing the call of their own species, they soon fly off to resume their wild state. Young linnets, bull- finches, and canaries, are the species with which this method succeeds best. • This perhaps depend* on the peculiar form» of the bills more than on inclina- tion, for the faurette and blackcap often attempt to clean their feet without success. — THANILATOB. Feeding-box for small birds. FOOD OF TAME BIRDS. I T is very necessary to procure for house birds food which is like, or at least which nearly resembles, what they would procure for themselves in their wild state. This is rather difficult, and sometimes almost impossible, for where can we find in our climate the seeds on which the Indian birds feed in their own country 1 Our only resource then is to endeavour, with judgment, to accustom these birds to that food which necessity obliges us to give them. There are some birds, such as chaffinches, bullfinches, thrushes, and the Bohemian chat- terer, which are so manageable in this respect, that as soon as they are brought into the house they eat without hesitation anything that is given to them ; but others, which are more O iNTKODL'CTION. delicate, will absolutely eat nothing, either through disgust of their new food, or despair at the loss of their liberty; with rhe>e urivut precaution is necessary. Dr. Meyer, of Offenbach, writes to me on this subject as follows : " The following is the best method of accustoming newly-taken birds to their change of food, a thing which is often very difficult to accom- plish with some species. After having put the bird in tin- cage it must be left quiet for some hours, without disturbing it at all ; it must then be taken and plunged into fresh water, and immediately replaced in the cage. At first it will appear taint and exhausted, but it will soon recover, arrange its feathers, become quite lively, and will be sure to eat whatever is given to it. It is a well known fact that bathing ^ives an appetite to birds, for the same reason that it does to men." If, as an exception, one of these delicate birds, among which are most of the songsters, eats with eagerness as soon as it is brought into the house, it is a sign of death, for it seems like an indifference which is not natural, and which is always the consequence of disease. Those birds which retire into a corner, moping for some hours, are the most likely to live ; it is only requisite to leave them alone, and by degrees they recover from rhi-ir .sullenness. In order to give some general rules for the best food for house birds, I have divided them into four classes : — The first comprehends those birds which live only on seeds, such as canaries, goldfinches, and siskins. The second are those which feed on both seeds and insects, .such as quails, larks, chaffinches, and bullfinches ; some of ;il-«» eat berries and the buds of trees. The third are those which seek only berries and insects, such sis nightingales, redbreasts, thrushes, and fauvettes. The fourth are those which eat insects only, such as wagtails, •>\hcatrar>, stonrrhats, and blue-breasts. Tin.- >IH< its in this last class are the most difficult to preserve ; but most of them, having nothing particular in their song, offer no compensation for the trouble and care which they require ; but the following is the best method for s. After having collected the flies, which in spring may often be seen in great numbers on the windows of old th.-y must be dried, und preserved in a jar. \Vlu-u FOOD OF TAME BIRDS. 9 live insects can no longer be found, these flies must be mixed with the paste, hereafter described, which may be regarded as a general or universal food, and given to the most delicate birds, such as nightingales, provided ants' eggs or meal worms are now and then mixed with it. RECIPE FOR THE 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. It is then fit to be pounded in a mortar, and will keep several months without becoming bad. Every day a tea-spoonful for each bird is taken of this meal, on which is poured three times as much cold, or lukewarm, but not boiling, milk. If the meal be good, a firm paste will be formed, which must be chopped very small on a 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 accustomed to this food, which will keep it in life and health. Experience teaches me that a mixture of crushed canary, hemp, and rape-seed, is the favourite food of canaries ; gold- finches and siskins prefer poppy-seed, and sometimes a little- crushed hemp -seed ; linnets and bullfinches like the rape-seed alone. It is better to soak it for the young chaffinches, bull- finches, and others ; in order to do this, as much rape-seed as is wanted should be put into a jar, covered with water, and placed in a moderate heat, in whiter near the fire, in summer in the sun. If this is done in the morning, after feeding the birds, the soaked seed will do for the next morning. All of them ought to have green food besides, as chick weed, cabbage leaves, lettuce, endive, and water-cresses. Sand should be put in the bottom of the cages, for it seems necessary for digestion *. Amongst those of the second class, the quails like cheese and the crumbs of bread ; the lark barley-meal, with cabbage, chopped cress, poppy-seed mixed with bread crumbs, and in * See Rennie's "FACULTIES OF BIRDS," Chap. V., for experiments on th* suhject. — TRANSLATOR. JO INTRODUCTION. winter, oats; the chaffinches, rape-seed, and sometimes in summer a little crushed hemp-seed. Too much hemp-seed, however, is hurtful to birds, and should only be given as a delicacy now and then, for when they eat too much of it they become asthmatic, blind, and generally die of consumption. Yellow-hammers like the same food as the larks, without the vegetables; the tits like hemp-seed, pine-seed, bacon, meat, suet, bread, walnuts, almonds, and filberts. The birds of the first class are easily preserved in the house, at least if not taken during the pairing season, for then the loss of their liberty affects them so much that they become sullen, and die of hunger. Although the notice of a universal remedy is generally rather suspected, I cannot refrain from here recommending one or two sorts of paste which I have always used, and which agreed so well with all my birds, excepting those which I keep in cages on account of their beautiful songs, that it may justly be termed general or universal food : it is not only very simple and cheap, but also prevents great loss of time to those who possess a great many birds. THE UNIVERSAL PASTK. — To make the first paste, take a white loaf which is well baked and 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 of barley-meal with the bran well sifted out, or, what is still better, wheat-meal ; but, as this is dearer, it may be done without. For the second paste, grate a carrot very nicely (this root may be kept 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 ;i pestle. These pastes should be made fresh every morning, as they • The reason of this union of vegetable and animal food may be easily seen ; the broad supplies the seed for the birds of the first class, and the milk the insects • • of the second, while the third and fourth here find their mixed food ; and thus it ought to agree with all. Besides, the birds of the first class do not confine • s exclusively to seed* ; in their wild state they eat many insects, and von food their young entirely with them; this proves that animal food i* lorattime* useful and beneficial to them.— TRANSLATOR. FOOD OF TAME BIltDS. 11 soon become sour, particularly the first, and consequently hurtful. For this purpose I have a feeding-trough, round which there is room enough for half my hirds. It is better to have it made of earthenware, stone, or delft ware, rather than wood, as being more easily cleaned, and not so likely to cause the food to become sour. The first paste agrees so well with all my birds, which are not more than thirty or forty, at liberty in the room, that they are always healthy, and preserve their feathers, so that they have no appearance of being prisoners. Those which live only on seeds, or only on insects, eat this food with equal avidity ; and chaffinches, linnets, goldfinches, siskins, canaries, fauvettes,, redbreasts, all species of larks, quails, yellow-hammers, huntings, blue- breasts, and red-starts may be seen eating out of the same dish. Sometimes, as a delicacy, they may be given a little hemp, poppy, and rape-seed, crumbs of bread, and ants' eggs. One of these is necessary for the birds of the third and fourth class. 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 depth and width, divided into several partitions, by which means they are prevented from plunging entirely into the water, and in consequence making the place always dirty and damp*. A vessel of the same size and shape will do for holding the universal paste, but then it must have no partitions. Quails and larks require sand, which does for them instead of water for bathing. Some birds swallow directly whatever is thrown to them : crreat care must be taken to avoid giving them anything with pepper on it, or bad meat. This must be a general rule. 1 shall also remark, that food sufficient for one day only must be given to birds kept in cages, for they are accustomed to scatter it about, picking out the best, and leaving only the worst for the next morning ; this makes them pine, and puts t hem out of humour. MR. SWEET'S FOOD FOR SOFT-BILLED BIRDS (SYLVIAD^). —The birds of this sort, though the finest songsters and most • If a rather large, flat, and not very deep vessel he used, in which the birds art) bathe at their ease, it vil] make them more healthy and clean. — TRANSLATOR. 12 INTRODUCTION. interesting of all the feathered tribe, have been less known or noticed than others, probably owing to the greater numbei only visiting us in summer, when the trees are so densely Clothed with foliage that birds are not easily seen, and when heard sing are generally considered by those who hear them to be either blackbirds or thrushes, or some of the more common singing birds. When they are seen the greater number of them receive the general appellation of whitethroat, without distinction, though this is rather singular, since they are all very distinct when examined, and their songs are all very different. If you speak to a bird-fancier or bird-catcher about any of them, you might as well talk of a bird in the wilds o! America, for they know nothing of them. Many of them are therefore difficult to be procured in the neighbourhood of London, though most of them are plentiful there. With care, the whole of them may be preserved in good health through the year, and many of them will sing through the greater part of the winter if properly managed. They require to be kept warm ; the room in which they are should never be allowed to be below temperate, or they will suffer from it, particularly the tender sorts; at first the cold will make them lose their sight, after which they seldom recover. The redstart and nightingale are most subject to this; it some- times also happens to the fauvette, and also to the whinchat. When in a wild state, the birds of this sort feed principally on insects or fruit, and berries of various kinds. None of them are seed birds, so that they must be managed accordingly. The general food which I give them is hemp-seed, bruised up in boiling water, as small as it can be made ; I then put to this about the same quantity, or rather more of bread, on which is also poured boiling water, and then the whole is bruised up together into a moist paste, particular care being required that there be very little or no salt in the bread ; for should there be rather much it will kill the whole of the birds. The food should also be mixed up fresh every morning, as it soon spoils and turns sour, in which case the birds will not touch it, ami -ometimes it will make them go off their food altogether. U'hen given to the birds, some fresh, raw, lean meat ought to be cut up small enough for them to swallow, and mixed with it rally put about the same quantity of meat as paste, ami KOOD OF TAME B1HDS. 18 sometimes they will peck out the meat and leave the paste ; at other times they will eat the paste and leave the meat ; but in General they eat it all up together, particularly where several different species are kept together in the same large cage, a plan which I consider by far the best, as they amuse each other, and keep one another warm in cold weather. Besides the above food, an egg should be boiled very hard, the yolk taken out and crumbled or cut in small pieces for them ; the white they will not eat. One egg I consider enough for twenty birds for one day, with their other food, it being only intended as a change of diet, which they will not continue well in health without. The sorts, which feed on insects when wild, should have some of these preserved for them through the winter, except where they can be procured at all seasons. At a baker's shop, for instance, there are always plenty of meal-worms, crickets, and cock-roaches, of which most of these birds are very fond : when those are not to be procured, a good substitute is the large white grubs that produce the cockchafers, which in some yeare are very plentiful, and may be kept in pots of turfy earth through the winter, as may also the maggots of the blue- bottle fly, if procured late in the autumn ; and they may be generally had as late as December. A quantity of these, kept in a pot of turfy earth in a cellar, or any other cool place, where they may not turn into flies too soon, is, I think, one of the best sorts of insects, and easiest kept and procured, for such birds through the winter. They will not touch them until they are well cleaned in the mould, but are then very fond of them, and a few every day keeps them in excellent health, and provokes them to sing. HON. AND REV. W. HERBERT'S FOOD FOR SOFT-BILLED UIRDS. — Milk, which Mr. Sweet recommends, I have found very fatal to many of the soft-billed birds, and I never give it : but the blackcaps do not seem to suffer from it. They are very fond of a boiled carrot mashed and moistened, or beet-root boiled and mashed. A boiled carrot will keep fresh many days in a basin of cold water, and is an excellent substitute for fruit in feeding them. Boiled cabbage, cauliflower, green peas are good for them ; all sorts of puddings ; a very little roast meat minced, I give them every day, and a little yolk of egg when it j^ INTRODUCTION. suits, but it is not necessary. The standard food is hemp-seed ground in a coffee-mill, and bread crumbs scalded and mashed up together, and fresh jvery day. They are very fond of ripe pears and elder-berries (but elder-berries stain the cage very much), currants, cherries, honeysuckle, and privet-berries. Professor Rennie says, " I have more than once given the blackcap and other birds a little milk by way of medicine when they appeared drooping or sickly, and with manifest advantage *." BREEDING OF TAME BIRDS. HOUSE birds, being most of them reared like canaries, can only be made pair with great difficulty. When this object is accomplished, all of them require a large quiet place, a whole room if it can be had, in which branches of pine should be put, — a place, in fact, as much as possible resembling their natural abodes. But should you succeed in this respect, as you can never procure the materials which form the general base of their nests, it is better to give them artificial ones, made of the bark of the osier, straw, or even turnings of wood, in which it is only to put the soft stuff for lining, such as wool, the ravel- ings of silk, linen, or cotton, and the birds will take possession of it. It is of consequence that the food for paired birds, and for the different ages of their young ones, should be chosen with judgment. I shall mention what must be done in this respect, in the articles relating to the different species of birds which I am going to describe in this work. I must not omit two interesting observations which were communicated to me by a lady of my acquaintance. It some- times happens, during a dry season, that the young birds are not hatched on the proper day, or are in danger of not being hatched at all ; if, in this case they are plunged for one minute in water about their own warmth, and then re-placed under the bird, the effect will be as quick as it is successful t. For the same reason, sometimes the young birds remain • White's Selhorne, Hvo. ecli< . 1833. t **« aennie's " HABITS OP BIRDS." p I )...TRAN»I. UP TAJttK B1H1>*. j - without their feathers beyond the proper time ; a tepid bath removes with such success the dryness of their quills, that in twenty-four hours after replacing them damp in their nest they are in general co^Ured with feathers. I shall end this paragraph with showing at what time it is best to remove young wild birds from their nest when intended to be reared. It is when the quills of the tail feathers are come out, and the other feathers are begun to grow, the eyes not being quite open. If removed earlier, their stomach will be too weak to support their new food ; if taken later, it will be very difficult to make them open their beaks to receive a food which is unknown to them. There are some species, however, that are so easily reared, that any tune will answer. DISORDERS OF TAME BIRDS. ALL tame animals are much more subject to disease than wild ones ; and birds so much the more, as they are often shut up hi very small cages, where they can take no exercise. It IB often supposed that birds, in their natural free state, have no diseases ; but people who will take the trouble to observe, will soon perceive the falsehood of this assertion. I have often found hedge-sparrows full of pimples, particularly in the naked parts, the feet, and round the beak. Their diseases are often increased by the delicacies of all kinds which are given them, such as biscuits and sugar, which injure the stomach, and cause a slow decay. The principal diseases and their cures, according to my experience, are as follows ; not, however, that different birds do not require, according to their food, different treatment. I shall mention, under each bird, what must be done to cure those diseases which are peculiar to it, when general remedies faU. THE PIP. 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 : bv tbi"« means this 16 INTRODUCTION part can ag&in perspire, the saliva necessary for digestion can flow, and the taste and appetite returns. 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 ; and the nostrils may be opened by passing up a small feather. 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. THE RHEUM. The symptoms of this disease are frequent sneezing and shaking of the head. Some drops of pectoral elixir in the in- fusion of speedwell, which the sick birds must be made to take, appears to me to be the most efficacious remedy. I have given fowls even twenty drops of the elixir in a glass of the infusion. When it is merely hoarseness, Dr. Handel, of Mayence, gave to his birds for several days, as their only drink, a very diluted decoction of dry figs, sweetened with a little sugar, and after- wards 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 these birds lead. Their food is generally too dry and heating, being principally hemp-seed, which is very in- jurious, but liked by all ; and is the more hurtful, as it inclines them to eat too much. If to this be added the unchanged air of the rooms, particularly those which have stoves instead of chimneys, and the great, heat which is kept up during winter, it is plain that there is much to injure the delicate lungs of tln-r 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 favourite linnet and goldfinch, when attacked with very bad asthma, were relieved and pre- »erved for several years by the following method. DISORDKKS OF TAME BIRDS. 17 The first thing was to leave off hempseed entirely, confining them solely to rape-seed ; but giving them at the same time abundance of bread, soaked in pure water, and then pressed ; lettuce, endive, or water-cresses, according to the seasons, twice a week, giving them boiled bread and milk, about the size of a nutmeg. This is made by throwing a piece of the crumb ol 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 milk-warm. 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 tilings often rupture a blood-vessel in the breast while beating themselves about : a drop of blood in the beak is the sign, and 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 which eat insects and worms, occasionally, by accident, 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 to b* swallowed for eight days following. But the best I 8 INTRODUCTION. way is to change the seed, and be sure there is none but good seed in the 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, 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 intestines, giving it at the same time its proper and natural food. Green food, such as lettuce, endive, chickweed, and particularly water-cresses, is the safest remedy. A very great appetite is a sign of this disease. A siskin, that was dying of atrophy, had nothing but water-cresses for three days following, and on the fourth he sung. CONSUMPTION, OR DECLINE. This disorder may be known by the extreme thinness of the breast, the swelling of the lower part of the belly, the total loss of appetite, and similar symptoms. As a cure, Dr. Handel recommends the juice of the white turnip to be given to drink instead of water. COSTIVENESS. This disease may be discovered from the frequent unsuccess- ful endeavours 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 ; but if the disease attacks a bird which eats meal-worms, one of these, bruised in sweet oil and saffron, is the most certain remedy, and the bird will swallow it without the least hesitation. Boiled bread and milk is generally of great use. DIARRHOEA. This is a disease to which birds that have been caught recently are very subject, before they are accustomed to then- 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 and the oil clyster produce good effects ; but it is better, if possible, to DISORDERS OP TAME BIRDS. 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 I have never found this succeed very well. If there be any hope of curing this disease it is by attacking it it the beginning, before inflammation is violent ; boiled bread and milk, a great deal of lettuce, or any other similar green refreshing food, in general completely cures them. In a case of chronic diarrhoea, which almost reduces the birds to skeletons, Dr. Handel prescribes chalybeate water mixed with a little milk for their drink, which, he says, is an easy and certain cure. THE BLOODY FLUX. This is a disease with which some parrots are attacked. The best remedy is to make the birds drink a great deal of boiled milk, or even very fat broth ; for their intestines, which are very much irritated, require something soothing to protect them from the acrid discharges, which, at the same time, must be corrected by 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 IN THE RUMP GLAND. This gland, which is on the rump, and contains the oil necessary 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 ; but it is better to use an oint- ment made of white lead, litharge, wax, and olive oil, which may be had at any good chemist's. The general method is tc pierce or cut the hardened gland, in order to let out the matter, but if this operation removes the obstruction it also destroys the gland, and the bird will die hi the next moulting, for want of oil to soften the feathers*. » This, though the common opinion, seems incorrect. See Rennie's " HABITS op BIRDS," p. 4— TRANSLATOR. o 2 20 INTRODUCTION. The gland is Known to be obstructed when the feathere which surround it are ruffled, the bird never ceasing to peck them, and instead of being yellow it becomes brown. 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 accumulate sufficiently to become corrupted, sour, or cancerous. This confirms the necessity of giving them the means of bathing as often as in- stinct would induce them, as nothing can be more favourable to their health. Dr. Handel, after piercing the gland, recommends a little magnesia to be mixed with the bird's drink. EPILEPSY. This is a disease with which house birds are very often at- tacked. What I have 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 exer- cise and too much food. Bullfinches and thrushes are more subject to it than any other birds, and bleeding always cures them. I have seen this done with great success in the follow- ing 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 or dressing is required. TYBIPANY. 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 generally sufficient to pierce it with a pin, so as to let the air escape, and the bird will be cured. I had some larks attacked with this disease, which began again to sing a quarter of an hour after the operation. DISORDERS OF TAME BIRDS. -J 1 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 possi- ble precaution. The gout occasions the feet to swell, they are also so scaly and painful that the poor little bird cannot support itself with- out resting on the points of its wings. Dr. Handel prescribes a warm fomentation with a decoction of soapwort. If a foot should be bruised or broken, he advises that the diseased bird should 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 them to hop, and put in a very quiet and solitary place, out of the way of anything which might produce agita- tion. In this manner the bird will cure itself in a little time, without any bandage or plaster of any kind. I am persuaded that the principal cause of bad feet is want of bathing. The scales, contracting from dryness, occasion great pain ; in order to remove them with ease, and without danger, the feet must be softened in lukewarm water. 1 have seen the following method used with a bullfinch : — its cage was made with a moveable tin bottom, which being half or three quarters of an inch deep, could hold water, which was put in tepid, to bathe the bird; 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 lengthways 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 continuing 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 recommends wash- 22 INTRODUCTION. ing the eyes, when disposed to blindness, with an infusion of the root of white hellebore. TUMOURS AND ULCERS. As to the tumours 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 humour run out, the wound afterwards dries and heals. To soften the pain a little liquid black soap is used. If, from the softness of the tumour, 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, Though natural, is generally accompanied with disease, during which the birds ought to be taken great care of. Their food should be changed, but without giving any heating delicacies, which are very injurious. It has been observed that birds always moult at the time when their food is most abundant ; the forest birds may then be seen approaching fields and cultivated places, where, having plenty of insects and seeds, they cannot suffer from want ; 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 foou 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 meal worms and ants' eggs to those that eat insects : all should have bread soaked in boiled milk, warmth, and baths. Nothing has suc- ceeded better than this regimen : all the birds which I have seen treated in this manner have passed their moulting season in good health. AGE OF TAME B1KD8. 23 GIDDINESS. This, without being properly a disease, 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 head over heels. 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 May, a time when the inclination 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 way of life, which is too uniform and wearying. I cured several by merely 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. I have observed that a single 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 or hear one another This perhaps is the reason that a male, when put in the window, is soon cured. AGE OF TAME BIRDS. The length of a bird's life very much depends on the car** which is taken of it. There are some parrots which havt lived more than a century ; and nightingales, chaffinches, and goldfinches have been known to live more than twenty-four years in a cage. The age of house birds is so much the more interesting, as it is only by observing it that we can know with any degree of certainty the length of birds' lives in general. Thus house birds are of importance to the naturalist, as giving him information which he could not otherwise acquire. It is worthy of remark, that the quick growth of 24 INTRODUCTION. birds does not prevent their living much longer than quadru- peds. The length of life with these is estimated to be six or seven times longer than the time which they take to grow : while birds live fifteen, twenty, and even thirty times longer. This length of life is sometimes attributed to the substance of which the bones are composed being much more loose and light, and consequently remaining porous longer than those of quadrupeds. Some swans have lived three hundred years. BIRD CATCHING. We are furnished with house birds by the bird catchers and bird sellers ; the latter procure foreign birds, and teach them, the former the indigenous ones. A good bird catcher ought to know not only the different modes of taking birds, but also all the calls for attracting the different species and sexes: the call notes vary very much among house birds, according to their passions and wants; thus the common chaffinch, when calling its companions, often repeats lack, tack ; when expressing joy, fink, fink, which it also does when angry, though louder and more quickly; whilst its cry of sorrow is treef, treef. The science of bird catching consists in studying these different languages well, and it will ensure success. As each species of bird requires a different mode, I shall mention the various methods in the course of the work, and shall here only speak of bird catching in general. The first thing to know is the proper time to take birds. For birds of passage, impelled by cold and want of food to change their climate, nets should be spread in spring and autumn ; erratic birds, which change their place merely in search of food, may be taken some in winter, some in spring, and others in autumn ; 'those birds which never quit their native place may be taken at any season, but more easily in winter, when they assemble in small flocks. Autumn is the time for taking birds in nets ; seme, attracted by a call-bird, or by food, come of their own accord into the trap ; others, as the different species of larks, must be driven to the net : but spring is the best season for employing the decoy, or call-birds, concealed in cages, and also for catching BIRD CATCHING. 25 the northern birds on their return from the southern countries to their own. It is the best time for observing the different sexes of these birds, for the males always arrive some days, or even a whole week, sooner than the females ; hence it happens that at first the bird catchers take only the former, while the latter are caught afterwards. March and April are the best months for this sport, which should always be made hi the morning from the break of day till nine o'clock, as afterwards the birds are too much engaged seeking their food to listen to the call of the decoy birds. As most of the house birds of the first class, are caught in the net, I shall describe the simple manner hi which it is done in Thuringia. Some rather strong branches of oak and beech are chosen with their leaves on ; about the space of a foot is cleared of leaves, a foot and a half from the top of the branches, and in this space notches are made for fixing lime twigs : the bush, when thus prepared, must be placed on an eminence in the most frequented part of the birds' path, for birds of passage have fixed roads which they always follow, and hi which numbers may be seen, whilst about four hundred paces distant not one can be met with. These tracks generally follow the mountains which border on valleys. It is on these mountains then that the decoy bush must be placed ; it must then be garnished with lime twigs, placed hi an inclined position, and beneath on the ground must be put the decoy birds, covering their cages with branches of fir or any other tree, so that the birds cannot see one another, as that would prevent the birds of passage from stopping, and the others from calling. Decoy birds taken wild are preferred to those reared from the nest, for these never know the call note well, or at least do not repeat it often enough, One of the best modes of catching is by what is called the water- trap ; all kinds of birds may be caught by it, and there is always a choice. This sport is very agreeable hi the hot summer days, for you have only to sit quietly under the thick shade of the foliage by the side of a running stream. A net of three, four, or six feet long, and three or four wide, accord- ing to the size of the place, must be spread over a trench made on purpose to receive the water. Some sticks of about an inch thick must be put into the trench level with the water. 26 INTRODUCTION. to which hoops are fixed to prevent the net from getting wtt by falling into the water ; the rest of this little canal must be covered with branches. If the place be well chosen it will be surrounded during the day with numbers of different birds. This sport may be carried on from the 24th of July till October, from the rising to the setting of the sun. When the water-trap can be set near a forest, in a grove of pines and firs., near quickset hedges and gardens, or in the middle of a meadow, wood or field -birds may be caught at the same time. For the sake of convenience, small cages are made which can be folded up and put into the pocket. They only serve, however, for the tamest kinds of birds, such as goldfinches, siskins, and linnets; those which are very wild and violent, as chaffinches and larks, should be put into a small bag made of linen, the bottom of which must be lined with felt. When brought to the house the violent species must be immediately put into a dark place, and their cages covered with branches or anything else, that they may not injure themselves, or spoil their plumage. A little attention to the birds' actions in such cases will point out what is best to be done, for amongst birds of the same species there L* nothing regular in this respect. BIIOWN OWL. BIRDS OF PREY. BIRDS of prey are so called from feeding oiily on animals : they have a hooked beak, strong feet, and very sharp claws. Some birds of this group are used in falconry, so called because several species of falcon are employed in the sport : others, as the owls, are used to attract small birds to the barn- floor trap, and rooks to the decoy-hut. There seems little probability that bird-fanciers should wish to keep such birds as these in the house. Two species, however, appear to merit distinction, the kestril and the little owl THE KESTRIL. Falco Tinnunculus, LINNJEUS ; La Cresserelle, BUFFON ; Der Thurmfalke, BECHSTEIIS. ITS size is that of a turtle-dove, it?, length fourteen inches, including the tail, which measures six, and two-thirds of which is covered by the folded wings. The wax, the irides, and feet are yellow. In general this is a handsome bird; but the male, as in all birds of prey, differs from the female, not less in the body being a third smaller than in the colours ot his plumage. The top of the head is of a fine light grey, the 28 THE KESTRIL. back and the lesser wing coverts are of a red brick colour spotted with black ; the belly is reddish, and streaked with black ; the feathers of the tail dark brown spotted with white, ending in a broad black border. The back and wings of the female are of a rust red crossed with many black lines ; the head is of a light reddish brown streaked with black ; the tail of the same colour, and termi- nated, like that of the male, with a broad black border ; the extremity, however, of each is pale *. HABITATION. — In its wild state the kestril falcon may be found throughout Europe, preferring mountainous places, where there are walla of rocks or ruined castles. It is a bird of passage, which departs in October with the larks, and may then be seen hovering over them, or pouncing at mice ; it returns in the following March. lu the house, if taken when old, it must be kept in a wire cage; but if caught and trained when young it may be left quite at liberty, provided its wings are kept clipped ; in that case it will neither quit the house nor lodging assigned it, especially when become familiar with the dogs and cats. FOOD In its wild state it preys on small birds and mice, pursues • There are varieties in this species: that with the head grey is rare, but whf»n quite white is still more so.— TRANSLATOR. THE LITTLE OWL. 29 sparrows to the. house-top, and even attacks birds in their cages ; it i* nevertheless contented with cockchafers, beetles, and grasshoppers. In confinement it is fed on birds, mice, and a little raw meat ; when given only the fresh offal of pigeons, or the lights and livers of sheep, it becomes so tame, that even if taken when old it never appears to regret the loss of its freedom. BREEDING. — The kestril falcon builds its nest in the fissures of rooks, bigh towers, old castles, or some aged tree. It lays from four to six eggs of a reddish yellow colour, spotted with red and brown. The young ones, which are at first covered with a simple white down, may be easily reared on fresh mutton. MODE OF TAKING. — Lime twigs placed over the nest will easily secure the old ones when they come to feed their young; or a bird of prey's basket, with a lark or mouse put in it as a lure, may be placed where these birds are most frequently seen. This machine is raised on foui stakes, and somewhat resembles a common safe, having a lower shelf as large as a moderate sized table, with four upright posts, to which are fastened the partitions of net or wire ; on the top and sides are fixed two iron rods ; on these, by means of rings, there runs a net which covers the whole. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES — Its fine plumage, its sonorous notes kle, kle, which it sometimes repeats in continued succession, and its amusing actions, must make it a favourite with most amateurs ; it cannot, indeed, like other species of falcon, be trained to the chase ; but if taken when very young, and fed with the food before mentioned, it may be taught to fly to some distance and then return, even in the midst of the largett cities. THE LITTLE OWL. Strix passerina, LINN«US : La Cheveche, ou Petite Chouette, BCFFON ; Die Zwergeule, BECHSTEIN. THE feathers of this bird make it appear larger than it really is. Its length is from eight to nine inches, of which the tail measures at least three ; the folded wings almost reach the extremity ; the beak is ten lines in length, brown at the base, and yellow at the point; the iris is yellow hi summer, and meadow green in winter ; the claws blackish ; the upper part of the body is light brown, with round white spots, which are largest on the back and shoulders; the lower part is white, spotted with dark brown and a little orange ; the quill feathers 3ark brown, with white spots ; the tail lighter, with red spots. $0 THE LITTLE OWL. which may almost be taken for transverse hands., The colours are less brilliant in the female. HABITATION. —In its wild state this smaJ species of owl frequentt old buildings, towers, and church walls, where its nest is also found *. In the house it must always be kept in a cage, which may be hung in the window, for if permitted to mix with the other birds it would kill them. FOOD — When wild its general food is mice and large insects ; 1 have also found in the indigested remains which this, like other birds of prey, discharges from its stomach, a considerable quantity of the fruit of the red cornel tree (Cornus sanguined, Linnaeus). This proves that it also feeds 011 berries. In the cage it may be kept for some time in good health, without having its excrements tainted, if fed on dried mutton : the skin, fat, and bones must be removed, and the meat left to soak in water for two days before it is eaten. Three quarters of an ounce a day of this meat dried will bo sufficient, particularly if now and then some mice or birds be given it, which it swallows, feathers and all ; it can devour as many as five mice at a meal. It begins to wake up at about two in the afternoon, and then becomes very lively, and soon wants its food. BREEDING — The female lays two white eggs, which the male takes his turn to sit upon ; the young ones may bo very easily reared on fresh meat, particularly on pigeons. Before the first moulting the head is of a soft reddish grey clouded with white. The large round spots on the back become gradually more marked, and the reddish white of the under part by degrees acquires long streaks of brown on the breast and sides. DISEASES If great care be not taken sometimes to give it mice or birds, the fur and feathers of which cleanse the stomach, it will soon die of decline. MODE OF TAKING. — When the place of its retreat during the day is discovered, it cannot fail to be taken if a net in the form of a bag or sack be placed over the mouth of the hole, for the bird will by this means entrap itself when endeavouring to come out for the evening. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES — This bird, which is very cleanly, always deposits its dung in one particular spot. Its singular motions are amusing, but its harsh cry, and restlessness, particularly during the season of copu- lation, are rather disagreeable. It is much used on the continent a* a decoy, to entrap small birds. • U is rare m Britain. — TRAIWL/CTOK. THE GREAT BUTCHER BIRD. 31 PIES. THE birds of this group have the beak a little flat, more or less hooked, generally in the form of a knife, and of a middling size. The feet are in general strong and short; the lower part, being much divided, may be used for walking or climbing. Their food consists of insects, worms, the flesh and remains of animals, seeds and fruit. In a few species the note is pleasing; several may be taught to speak ; and some are admired for their handsome plumage. THE GREAT BUTCHER BIRD. Lanius Excubitor, LINN^EOS ; Der gememe Wurger, BECHSTEIN ; La Pie- Grifcche grise, BUFFON. IT is a little larger than the Redwing (Turdus Iliacus. Linn.) Its length is nine inches, of which the tail measures three and three-quarters ; the wings, when folded, cover one- third of the tail. The beak is eight lines in length ; the iris is very dark brown; the shanks iron grey. All the upper part of the body is of a fine ash colour, shading off to white above the eyes, on the forehead, the shoulders, and the rump> The tail is wedge-shaped, white at the point, and black in the middle. HABITATION — When wild, this species generally frequents groves, thickets, and the borders of forests ; it is also found among brambles, and on lonely trees, always perched on the top. It never quits the abode it has once chosen, either in winter or summer. When caught it must be kept in a large wire cage. Its liveliness and desire for prey prevent iti being permitted to mix with the other birds. FOOD. — In its wild state, it feeds in summer on grasshoppers, crickets, »eetles, and other insects, even lizards, and email adders, and when those 32 THE LITTLE SHRIKK. fail, on mice and small birds : these, with mice, moles, and tne Kke, form its winter food. When pursuing its prey, the shrike makes a particular movement, in order to seize it on the side ; but it does not always succeed, as it cannot use its claws like birds of prey, and often only carries off a beakful of feathers. In the cage, if the bird be taken when old, some mice, birds, or living insects, may be thrown to it, taking care to leave it quite alone, for as long as any one is present it will touch nothing ; but as soon as it has once begun to feed freely it will eat fresh meat, and even become accus- tomed to the universal paste, described in the Introduction. This shrike eats very much for its siie, at the least one ounce of meat at a meal. It likes to have a forked branch, or crossed sticks in its cage, across the angles of which it throws the mouse, or any other prey which has beeu given it, and then darting on it behind from the opposite side of the cage, devours every morsel, let it be ever so large. It bathes freely. MODK OF TAKING. — Although it flies very swiftly when pursuing its prey, it may easily be taken if a nest of young birds, crying from hunger, be suspended to some lime twigs. In autumn and winter, it will some- times dart on birds in cages which are outside the window. It mv*y then be easily caught, if the cage be put into a sort of box, having the lid so placed that the bird by the least touch would cause it to fall upon itself. These means must be employed by those who wish to possess birds which they can let go and come at will. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — Its cry somewhat resembles the guir, guir of the lark; like the nutcracker, it can imitate the different notes, but not the songs, of other birds. Nothing is more agreeable than its own warbling, which much resembles the whistling of the grey parrot; its throat at the time being expanded like that of the green frog. It is a great pity that it only sings during the pairing season, which is from March to May, and even then often spoils the beautiful melody of its song, with some harsh, discordant notes. The female also sings. As some of its tones resemble the human voice, it might probably be tanght to speak. THE LITTLE S Laiiius minor, LINN^DS ; Der graue BKCHSTEIN. IT is about the size of the sky-lark, being eight inches in length, of which the tail measures three and a half, the folded wings cover one- third. The beak is black, and seven inches in length; the iris brown; the legs of a lead -colour ; the forehead black ; a broad streak of the same colour passing from the beak across the eyes and over the cheeks ; the tail is wedge-shaped; the exterior feathers are white, with a black •pot. THK LJTTLE SHRIKE. S3 The female only differs from the male in being a little smaller, the streak on the cheeks is shorter and narrower, and there is generally only one white feather in the tail. HABITATION. — Wild, it is a bird of passage, departing the first of September, and returning the beginning of the following May *. It generally frequents woods, orchards, and the hedges of fields. Always perched on the tops of trees, it rarely descends into the lower bushes. It feeds on insects. In the house, it must have a large wire cage like the larks, but with three perches. It is not safe to let it mix with the other birds, as it would soan kill them. FOOD. — In its wild state it feeds on beetles, cockchafers, cricket*, breeze-flies, and other insects ; when these fail, in consequence of a long continuance of rain, it sometimes seizes young birds. In the house, if an old bird and lately taken, as soon as it is put in the cage, some living insects, or a small bird just killed, must be thrown into it. After some time, it will be satisfied with raw or dressed meat ; but it is not always an easy task to get it to eat this food, for it will sometimes take eight successive days, during which meal \vorrns and other insects are added ; but as soon as it is accustomed to meat, it becomes so tame that it will feed from the hand, and if the cage door be opened it will even perch on the wrist to eat. Notwithstanding all my care, I have only been able to preserve those two years, which have been taken mid, they hare all died of decline -f ; those, on the contrary, which have been reared from the nest, do not require so much attention, being contented with any kind of common food. BREEDING. — This bird generally builds in a tree on the edge of a wood, or in a garden, the iiest being rather large and irregular. The young are fed on beetles and grasshoppers. In order to rear them, they must be taken from the nest when the tail begins to grow, and fed at first on ants' eggs, and afterwards on white bread soaked in milk. MODE OF TAKING. — When the particular brambles and branches have been observed, on which this bird watches for its prey, it is not difficult to catch it ; for notwithstanding its great quickness, it is not the less imprudent, for it allows itself to be caught in the bird-lime in the most stupid manner. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — This species has no particular song: the female has none at all ; but the male imitates, with wonderful facility, the songs of other birds, not only the detached parts, but the whole notes, so correctly that it would not be difficult to mistake it. Thus it imitates exactly, and in order, all the variations of the song of the nightingale, though more feebly, and like an echo, its notes not being so full and clear : it imitates equally well the song of the lark, and similar birds. * It is not a native of Britain. — TRANSLATOR. t Perhaps from not having been given now and then feathers, the fur and ikin o animals, or even beetles, to cleanse the stomach. — TRANSLATOR. D 34 THE WOODOHAT. This wonderful power of imitation cannot fail to please amateurs, and make them wish to possess this interesting bird. I have observed that it likes best to repeat the call of the quail. One of this species which I had among my collection, always stopped its song, however lively, when it heard that of the quail, for the purpose of imitating it ; the latter, before it was accustomed to this, became very jealous, and as soon as it heard it, ran about in every direction, furiously endeavouring to fight its fancied rival. THE WOODCHAT. L*JU{U!> erythrocephalus. Lan. Collurio, rufus, et pomeranus, LINNJBOS -t La I'ie Grieche rousse, BUFFON ; Der rothkopfige Wttrger, BECHSTEIN. THIS is smaller and more delicate than the former species, being only seven inches long, of which the tail measures three and a half ; the folding wings cover one third ; the beak is eight linos in length, and black ; the iris greyish yellow ; the shanks bluish black ; the forehead black, from the base of which a band of the same colour extends over the eyes. The tail feathers are also black, but the outer ones only so to the middle, the rest being white. The female only differs from the male in its colour being less brilliant. HABITATION. — When wild it is a bird of passage, arriving at the end ot April, and departing about the middle of September*. It inhabits moun- tains, forests, and wooded plains, but prefers enclosed pastures where horse* are kept day and night. In confinement it requires the same treatment as the preceding. FOOD — In its wild state it prefers beetles, the dung of cows and horses maybugs, grasshoppers, breeze-flies, and other insects ; it often also dart, upon lizards and young quails. In a state of confinement it is fed like the preceding; but being most delicate it is better to rear it from the nest, feeding it on raw meat. If an old bird be taken, it is impossible to preserve it unless it be constantly fed on live insects. BREEDING. — The woodchat commonly builds its nest on the thick and bushy branches of large trees, and makes it of small sticks, moss, hogs' bristles, wool and fur. The female breeds twice, laying each time six reddish -white eggs, marked particularly at the large end with distinct red •pots, mixed with pale ones of a bluish grey. The young ones are hatcUed in fifteen days ; their colour, before the first moulting, is on the upper part, dirty white, spotted with grey; the under part is also diity white, • It ii doubtful ai a native of Britain. — TRANSLAIOH. THE FLUSHEK. 35 ^loaded with pale grey ; the wing coverts are bordered with rust colour ; the quill feathers and tail are black. MODE OF TAKING A cruel method, but the surest, is to place bird- lime on its nest, this being the most wary species of shrike ; but as it bathes freely it may be taken about the middle of the day at its washing place, if near hedges. It is often found drowned in large ponds. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — Although this species appears endowed with as good a memory as the preceding, its notes are less agreeable, not being BO soft, and it introduces some stanzas of its own shrill and harsh warbling into the songs that it imitates, which are those of the nightingale, linnet, redstart, and goldfinch. But this bird is most admired for its beautiful plumage. THE FLUSHER. I anius spinitorquus, BECHSTEIN ; Lanius Collurio, LINN^US ; L'Ecorcheur, BOFFON ; Der rothrttckige Wtirger, BECHSTEIN. THIS pretty species seems to form a connecting link between the pies and the singing birds, so much does it resemble the latter in its different qualities. Its length is a little more than six inches, of which the tail measures three and a quarter. The wings, when folded, cover one third. The beak is black, and the iris of the eyes light brown ; the legs, bluish black. In the male, the head, the nape of the neck, the tail coverts, and the thighs, are grey. This colour is lighter on the fore- head and above the eyes. A black band extends from the nostrils to the ears. The beak and wing coverts are of a fine red brown ; the rump and under part of the body white, slightly tinged with pink on the breast, sides, and belly ; the centre tail feathers are entirely black, the others white at the tip. The colours in the female differ considerably from those oi the male. All the upper part of the body is dirty reddish 36 THE FLUSI1KK. brown, slightly shading into grey on the upper part of the neck and rump ; there is a scarcely visible shade of white on the back and shoulders ; the forehead and above the eyes is yellow- ish, the cheeks brown, the throat and belly dirty white ; the under parts of the neck, breast, and sides, are yellowish white, crossed with waving brown lines ; the quill feathers are dark brown, the outer ones edged with white, the others to the four centre ones have only a white spot ; the tail dark brown, with some shades of orange. HABITATION. — When wild it is one of the latest birds of passage, as it does not arrive till May. It is sometimes found in woody valleys where cattle graze, more commonly in hedges, and fields with bushes in them, or in inclosed pastures where horses and cows are kept. It is one of the first migratory birds to depart, which it does in August, in families, even before the young ones have moulted. In the house, it must be treated like the former, and kept in a wire cage, for it would soon kill its companions, as I experienced some years ago. The bird I refer to had been three days without eating, although I had given him a great variety of dead birds and insects. On the fourth day I set him at liberty in the room, supposing him too weak to hurt the other birds, aud thinking that he would become better accustomed to his new food if I left him at liberty. Hardly was he set free than he seized and killed a dunnock before I had time to save it ; I let him eat it, and then put him back into the cage. From this time, as if his fury were satisfied, ho ate all that was given him. FOOD In its wild state, it eata large quantities of beetles, maybugs, crickets, and grasshoppers, but it prefers breeze-flies, and other insects which teaze the cattle. It impales as many of these insects as it can catch for its meal on the thorns of bushes. If, dining a long continuance of rain, these insects disappear, it then feeds on field-mice, lizards, and young birds, which it also fixes on the thorns. When confined, its food is the same as the preceding species. Some in- sects, mixed with the nightingales' paste, make it more palatable for it. A little raw or dressed meat may also be given it from time to time. BREEDING. — When the season is favourable this species breeds twice, and generally chooses a large hawthorn bush in which to build its nest, roots and coarse stubble forming the base of it, then a layer of moss interwoven with wool, and the finest fibres of roots lining the interior. The female lays from five to six greenish white eggs, spotted all over, especially at the large end, and speckled with red and grey ; the male takes his turn with the female to sit during fourteen days. Before moulting, the young ones resemble the female in colour. The back and breast are greenish grey, streaked with several waving brown lines ; the belly is dirty white. They can be easily reared by feeding them at first with ants' eggs, then with •Iressed meat, and afterwards with white bread soaked in milk : this latt food it alwavs likes if earl v accustomed to it. THK KAVKN. 37 MODS OF TAKING. — As soon as this bird arrives in May, the bushes on which it most frequently perches must be observed ; these are very few, and on them the lime twigs must be placed ; it is often entrapped within a quarter of an hour. Success is more certain if a beetle, may bug, or breeze-fly, be fastened near the lime twigs with horse hair, by two feet, so that it can move its wings. As soon as the bird is stuck in the bird-lime it is necessary when taking it to avoid its beak, as it pecks very hard. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — This bird does not rank low among the singers ; its song is not only very pleasing but continual. While singing, it is generally perched on a lonely bush, or on the lower branches of a tree, but always near its nest. Its warbling is composed of the songs of the swallow, goldfinch, fauvette, nightingale, redbreast, and lark, with which, indeed, it mixes here and there some of its own harsh notes. It almost exclusively imitates the birds in its immediate neighbourhood ; it very rarely repeats the song or call of those which merely fly past it ; when it does, it seems only in mockery. There are, however, some songs which it cannot imitate : for instance, that of the chaffinch and yellow-hammer, its throat not seeming to be sufficiently flexible for these. In the house, its song is composed of the warbling of those birds whose cages are hung near it. It is very lively, and its plumage is handsome. If a room is to be cleared of flies, one of these birds set at liberty in it will soon effect it ; it catches them flying with great skill and agility. When a thorny branch is given it, it impales all its flies, making at the same time the drollest and most singular movements. This species easily and quickly learns to whistle airs, but it forgets them with the same facility, in order to learn new ones. THE RAVEN. COITUS Corax, LiNN.tts ; Le Lorbeau, BCFFON ; Der Kolkrabe, BBCHSTKIN. THIS and the three following species ought not to be reckoned among house birds ; but as they are easily taught to speak, and are often reared for that purpose, I must not neglect to mention them here. The raven is well known. Its length is two feet, of which the tail measures eiglit inches and three quarters. The colour, 38 THE RAVEN. which is black, in particular lights reflects a violet tint on the upper, and green on the lower part of the body, of the wings and tail. The throat is of a paler black. Of all the birds of this genus, distinguished by having the beak in the form of a knife, and the base furnished with strong bristles which extend forward, the raven, on account of the size of its tongue, is the best fitted to articulate words ; hence, in Thuringia, people are often saluted, on entering an inn, with some abusive language from one of these ravens, confined near the door, in a large cage like a tower. When it has been reared from the nest (which must be done in order to teach it to speak) it may be left at liberty ; it will come when called by name to receive its food. Everything which shines must be put out of its way, particularly gold and silver, as it does not fail to carry it off, like the other birds of its kind. One, which was brought before Augustus, had been taught to repeat, Ave Ccesar, victor, imperator, in order to salute him on his return from victory. Some people are accustomed to cut what is called the nerve of the tongue, supposing that it would make them better able to articulate sounds ; but it seems most probable that this cruel practice is of little use, and, like many others, only a vulgar prejudice, for I have heard ravens speak perfectly well without having the tongue touched. This bird was very much prized at a time when divination made a part of religion. Its most minute actions, all the motions of its flight, and the different sounds of its voice, were carefully studied ; in the latter, people pretending to discover even sixty-four different modulations, besides many shades still more delicate and difficult to determine. This must certainly have required an excessively fine ear, as its croaking is parti- cularly simple. Every alteration, let it be ever so slight, had its particular signification. Impostors were not wanting, who pretended to understand, or dupes who easily believed, these idle fancies. Some have carried their folly to such a pitch as to persuade themselves that by eating the heart and entrails of the raven they would acquire its gift of prophecy. HABITATION. — This species only inhabits the wooded parts of a country; it there builds its nest on the highest trees. Its eggs, from three to five iu number, are of a dirty green, streaked with olive brown. If the young ones be taken in order to instruct them, they must be removed on tha THE CARRION GROW. 39 welfth day after bursting the shell, when they have only half their feathers. They are fed on meat, snails, worms, and bread soaked in milk ; after a little time they will eat bread, meat, and any refuse from the table. In its wild state the raven eats leverets, birds' eggs, mice, young goslings, chickens, and snails, and even pears, cherries, and other fruit ; this shows us that it is rather hurtful as well as useful. THE CARRION CROW. Corvus corone, LINN.EUS; La Corneille, BDFFON; Die Schwarze Krahe, BECHSTEIN. It only differs from the preceding in its size, and in the tail being rounded instead of wedge-shaped. Its whole length is eighteen inches. Its plumage is black, with some tints of violet on the upper part of the body. PECULIAR QUALITIES. — The carrion crow is one of the commonest birds ; in the groves, which it likes best, it congregates in such numbers that twenty nests have been built on the same tree * ; the eggs are spotted with grey or olive brown on a green ground. The young may be taken from the nest in the month of March, or even earlier if the winter be mild they are treated and fed like the former species. The carrion crow is even more easily tamed, for I have seen old ones, which have been taught to go and come, and others in their wild state, which have regularly fed in the yard going in the spring to breed in the woods, and returning at the beginning of the winter to pass that season in a domestic state. Insects, worms, mice, fruit, and grain form its principal food in its wild state. MODE OF TAKING. — The easiest and most usual method is with paper cones, at the bottom of which is put a bit of meat, and bird-lime on the inner edges. It may also be caught with lime twigs placed in the yard, or before the house, on horse dung and among scattered grain. THE HOODED CROW. Corvus Comix, LINNAEUS ; La Corneille Mantelee, BUPFON ; Die Nebelkrfche. BECHSTEIN. THIS species, a little larger than the preceding, is grey, with the head, throat, wings, and tail black. In the whiter it la found over almost all Europe, but during summer it inhabits * The rook, ( Corvus frugitegiu, Linnaeus,) seems here to be confounded with the carrion crow. I say nothing about this species, as I have never heard of one being turned or instructed. It is about the size of the carrion crow, and chiefly differs from it in the base of the beak being naked, and having a rough scabrous skin. — TRANSLATOR. 40 THE JACK-DAW. more northern parts, where it builds in groves and orchards near open fields : its eggs are bright green streaked and spotted with brown. If taken young it is tamed and taught to speak more easily than the carrion crow. THE JACK-DAW. Corvug Monedula, LINN*US ; Le Chocas, BUFFON ; Die Dohle, BECHSTBIN THIS bird is naturally half tame, and if reared from the neet it will voluntarily remain in the yard with the poultry. It makes its nest in old buildings, houses, castles, towers, and churches : its eggs are green, spotted with dark brown and black. It is not so much to teach it to speak that people like to rear young jack- daws, but to see it go and return at call. Even old ones that are taken in autumn may be accustomed to this, cutting the wings at first, and again in the spring, so that as they grow again the bird learns by degrees to come to a certain call. During winter it will always come into the yard. The size of the jack-daw is that of the pigeon, thirteen or fourteen inches in length. The back of the head is light grey, the rest of the body black. When in winter it eats wild garlic. in the fields it smells very strongly of it, and does not lose the scent till it has been a week in the house. THE JAY. Corvut glaiiclanus, LINN* os; Le Geai, BUFFON ; Der Holzcher, BECHSTEIN. I HAVE often, during my youth, seen this beautiful species of bird among the peasants of Thuringia confined in cages, and taught to speak. It is about the size of the preceding bird. Ito black beak i.s in shape like that of the carrion crow. The feet THE JAY. 41 are brown, with a slight shade of flesh colour. All the smaller feathers are soft and silky. A purple grey is the most predomi- nant colour ; the throat is whitish, the eyes are reddish blue, the rump white; the large coverts have the outer side of the feathers ornamented with small but very brilliant bands, alter- nately bluish white, light blue, and bluish black, which softly blend one into the other, like the colours in the rainbow, and are a great ornament to the bird. The only difference in the female is that the upper part of the neck is grey, whereas in the male it is much redder, and that colour also extends to the back. HABITATION. — When wild, the jay frequents woods ; above all, those in which there are firs mixed with other trees. In the house it must be kept in a large cage in the form of a tower, 01 in any other shape ; it is too dirty a bird to be let range at liberty. FOOD. — In its wild state it prefers worms, insects, and berries, when acorns and beech- mast fail : it makes great havoc among cherries. In the cage, it soon becomes accustomed to bread soaked in milk, but it will eat almost any thing, bread, soft cheese, baked meat, and all that comes from table ; acorns and beech-mast however are its favourite food. It must be kept very clean, otherwise its soiled and dirty plumage would make it look to great disadvantage. It is better to feed it entirely on corn ; it becomes by this means less dirty, and its execrements are not so soft or foetid. It may be preserved for several years on this food. It muat always'have fresh water given it, as much for drinking as for bathing. BREEDING — The jay builds in beech-trees, oaks, and firs. Its eggs arc grey spotted with brown. The young which are to be taught to speak must be taken from the nest after the fourteenth or fifteenth day, and fed on soft cheese, bread, and meat : it is easily taught and domesticated. Those which are caught when old cannot be tamed ; they are always frightened when any one approaches them, hiding and fasting for several hours afterwards rather then re-appear. MODE OF TAKING. — Should anyone wish to catch these birds, he must seek in autumn for a lonely tree, about five or six paces from the other trees of the wood, which the birds frequent most ; on it lime twigs must be placed. IB order to effect this, most of the branches are cut off in such a manner as to form a kind of spiral staircase, commencing about ten or twelve feet from the ground, and extending to within six of the top. After having shortened and reduced the branches to five or six spans in length, the lime-twigs are fixed to them ; under the tree must be placed a hut, made of green branches, large enough to contain as many persons as wish to conceal themselves ; on the top of this hut is placed a live owl, or one made of clay ; even the skin ol a hare arranged so that it may be moved, will suffice. Nothing is now wanting to attract the jays but a bird-call, which is made of a little stick with a notch cut in it and a little piece of the bark of the cherry-tree in- serted, another bit serving for a cover. On this instrument the voice of 42 THE NUT-CRACKER. the owl, the great enemy of the jays, may easily bo imitated ; and as BO«I as they hear it they come from all sides, while their cries must be re- peated by the people in the hut, which makes them assemble in still greater numbers. They are soon entangled in the bird-lime, and fall pell moll into the hut, their weight easily dragging them through the slight covering. Many other birds also collect on hearing the deceitful call, and, wishing to assist their brethren, are themselves entrapped. Thus, in a few hours many jays and a great number of other birds may be caught, such as mag- pies, thrushes, wood-peckers, redbreasts, and tits. Twilight is the best time for this sport. In the month of July jays may also be taken in the water-trap, where young ones, with their tails only half grown, are most frequently caught ; theee may yet be taught and tamed. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — Although it is easy to teach the jay to speak, it will in general only repeat single words ; but it imitates passably well little airs oil the trumpet and other short tunes. Its beautiful colours are a great attraction. It may also be taught to go and come, if in the country : but in the city it is not so easily taught this as crows and ravens. THE NUT-CRACKER. COITUS Caryocatactes, LINN*DS ; Le Casse-noix, BUFFON ; Der Tannenheher, BECHSTKIN. ITS length is twelve inches, of which the tail measures four and three quarters ; the wings, when folded, reach the middle. The beak and feet are black ; the iris is reddish brown. Though speckled like the starling, its general colour is blackish brown, lighter above, and darker underneath the body. The tail feathers are black, but white at the tip. The general colour of the female is a redder brown than that of the male. HABITATION In its wild state it inhabits, during summer, the depth of woods, near which there are meadows and springs, and it does not quit this retreat till autumn, when it frequents those places where it can find acorns, beech-mast, and nuts. During hard winters it may sometimes be seen on the high road, seeking its food amongst the horse-dung. In the house it is kept like a jay. FOOD In its wild state, having a very strong beak, it can open the cones of the pine and fir, peel the acorns and beech-mast, and break the nut-shells. It also eats different sorts of berries, but prefers animal food and insects, in short, any thing it can get. Tn confinement it must be fed like the jay; but it is more easily tamed, and accustomed to use different words. It is so fond of animal food, that if a live jay were thrown into its cage it would kill it and eat it in a quarter of an hour; it will even eat whole squirrels which have been shot, and which other small birds of prey fly from with distrust. THE MAGPIE. 43 BREEDING. Its nest, placed in a hollow tree, generally contains five or «ix eggs, with transverse brown streaks scattered on a dark olive grey ground. The young are reared on meat. MODE OF TAKING. — It may be taken in autumn by a noose, hanging service berries to it ; success is more sure if some nuts be put near. It may also be taken in the water-trap. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — Its actions are as amusing as those of a shrike ; it imitates the voice of many animals, and chatters as much as the jay. To judge from the form of its tongue, it seems possible to teach t to speak, if attempted when young. THE MAGPIE. COITUS Pica, LINNJEUS ; La Pie, BUFFON ; Die Elster, BECHSTBIN. As the magpie generally frequents places near the abode of man, it is well known. It is eighteen inches hi length, of which the tail alone measures ten. It may be called a hand- some bird, although its plumage is only black and white, for these colours are perfect in their kind, and the tail, near the end, shines with a purple tint, gradually shading into steel blue. HABITATION. — The magpie builds its nest on trees which are near towns and villages ; its eggs are pale green, speckled with grey and brown. In autumn the young ones assemble together in small parties. FOOD. — When wild, the magpie lives on worms, insects, fruits, or roots, and sometimes eats eggs and young birds in their nest. In the house, it likes bread, meat, and anything that comes from table ; in short, when once tamed it does not fail to enter by the window at meal times to take its share. If it obtain too much, it hides what it does not eat for another time. This propensity is seen in young ones as soon as they can feed alone. PECULIAR QUALITIES. — Although in its wild state the magpie is so sus- picious that it is difficult to catch it, it is, however, more easily tamed than any other bird ; it will let itself be touched and taken in the hand, which even the most docile of other birds will seldom suffer. When 44 THE KOLLBK. reared from the nest it learns to speak even better than the raveu, and becomes as domestic as the pigeon. It gets so fond of raw meat, bread, and other refuse of the table, that it does not wish any other food ; thii is the cause of its frequenting dwelling-houses : if it find any worms or insects it only eats them as dainties. The time of taking magpies in order to bring them to this point is fourteen or fifteen days after coming out of the shell : this is the principal thing to remember with respect to any bird which is to be taught to go and come. It must be given at first bread soaked in milk or water ; by degrees a little chopped meat is added, afterwards it will eat anything from the kitchen, even apples and baked pears, and any refuse. As soon as the young birds begin to fly high enough to rise to a neighbouring tree they may be fet do so when they have had a good meal, soon calling them back again to the place fixed for their habitation ; this practice may be repeated till they have all their feathers, and can fly well, when some of their wing-feathers must be cut, till the winter, a season in which they may be pulled out. Whilst the feathers are growing again, they become so well accustomed to the house and their master that they may be let go for several hours together without any danger of their wandering or not returning. If they speak they will only be the more agreeable. Old magpies, which may easily be taken in winter with lime-twigs placed near some bits of meat, can be taught to remain in the yard by keeping the wings cut till the following autumn, when they may be let grow ; from this time there is no fear of their not coming with the poultry, and in spring they will not fail to build near the house, and seek food for their young in the kitchen. I must repeat again that nothing shining must be left in the way of these birds, as they will carry it off im- mediately, and hide it with great care, let them have as mu^h food as *hey like besides. I have lately received a letter from one of my friends, in which he expresses himself thus : — " I have reared a magpie which comes like a cat to rub itself against me until I caress it. It has learnt of itself to fly into the country and return. It follows me everywhere, even for more than a league, so that 1 have much trouble to rid myself of it, and when I do not wish its company in my walks and visits I am obliged to shut it up : though wild with any other person, it marks in my eyes the least change in my temper. It will sometimes fly to a great distance with othei magpies, without however connecting itself with them." THE ROLLER. Corvias Garrula, LINN^HS ; Le Rollier d'Europe, BUPFON ; Die Manch-lkrahe, B ECKSTEIN. THIS Jiird resembles the jay in size and form, ami is twelve inches in length, of which the tail measures four and a half; the beak is blackish, before and behind the eyes is a blackish THE HOLLER. 45 triangular spot, formed by the naked skin ; the iris of the eye is grey ; the whole of the head, the neck, the throat, the breast, the belly, the large wing-coverts, and all the under- coverts, are of a beautiful bluish green ; the tail is of a dusky blue green near the base, becoming gradually lighter towards the end. The female and young ones of the first year have the head, neck, breast, and belly of a reddish grey tinged with bluish green; the back and the last quill-feathers are of a light greyish brown ; the rump is green, tinged with indigo ; the toil blackish with a tint of blue green ; the rest like the male. HABITATION. — In its wild state the roller may be found in Europe and the northern parts of Africa ; it only frequents a few spots in Germany, and prefers forests and sandy plains to high mountains : elsewhere it it only seen during the time of its passage*. In the house it may he let range at will after the wings are dipt. FOOD. — When wild, its pnncipal food is insects and worms ; it also eats small frogs, bulbous roots, acorns, and grains of corn. BREEDING. — The nest, placed in the hole of a tree, is made of small twigs, hay, feathers, and bristles. It lays from four to seven white eggs, on which the male takes his turn to sit during eighteen or twenty days. The young ones do not acquire their fine colours till the second year; previous to this period the head, neck, and breast are of a whitish grey. I had till lately thought that this bird was untamable ; but Dr. Meyer of Offenbach has convinced me to the contrary, having himself reared them several times, and kept them in his room. This is his method : The young ones must be taken from the nest when only half grown, and fed on little bits of cow's heart, or any other meat which is lean and tender, till they can eat alone ; small frogs, worms, and insects may then be added. The means which it takes to kill and swallow these insects are curious enough ; it begins by seizing and crushing them with its beak, and then throws them into the air several times, in order to receive them in its throat, which is very capacious. When the piece is too large, or the insect still alive, it strikes it hard against the ground, and begins again to throw it in the air, till falling not across, but so as to thread the throat, it may be easily swallowed. After having been fed thus long enough, a little baiieymeal may be mixed with the meat. I have even brought it to eat bread, vegetables, and softened oatmeal, but it always prefers cow's heart. I have never •een it drink. * It appears that in its course from Sweden to Algiers it does not range beyond • degree in longitude, and is rarely found in Britain. Few birds of this group. Is far as has hitherto been observed, wander to the right or left during their migration. The roller frequents shady and solitary woods, and its character is »ell adapted to them.— TRANSLATOR. 46 THE GOLDEN ORIOLE. It knows the person who takes care of it, comes at his call to eat from his hands, without however letting itself be caught : but it never becomes quite tame, and often defends itself with its beak. It makes very few movements unless to seek its food, and generally remains quite still in the same place. If it ever hops about the room it is in an awkward and cramped manner, on account of its short feet ; on the other hand, it flies very well ; but it must not be left completely at liberty in the room, or quite shut up in the cage, because it is so easily startled, and in its fright gives itself such violent blows on the head as would soon kill it. The best way is to clip one wing, and then let it range the room. These birds quarrel with one another, particularly in the evening, for their places on the perch. I have kept them for some time in a large aviary with small and great birds, and once with my pigeons which I kept shut up ; generally I have them in my room, where they mix with several other birds : but whether alone or with companions they appeared equally healthy and active. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — They have few other attractions besides their beautiful plumage, for their voice is only a harsh croaking " crag. THE GOLDEN ORIOLE. Oriolus Galbula, LINN.EUS ; La Loriot, BUFFON ; Der Tirol, BECHSTEIN. THIS species, the male of which is very beautiful, is about the size of a blackbird. Its length is nine inches, of which the tail measures three and a half, and the beak one. The head, neck, back, breast, sides, and lesser wing-coverts, are of a brilliant golden yellow ; the wings and the tail are black, with yellow gradually increasing to the outer feathers. The female is not so brilliant, the golden yellow is only visible at the tip of the olive feathers in the tail, and in the * I once saw one of these birds drink, after swallowing dry ants' eggs; it then eat greedily of lettuce and endive. Another, which I kept, liked the outside of lettuces and spinach after having eaten insects, especially beetles, which are very heating. To judge from what I have observed, the roller is by nature wild and solitary ; it seldom changes its situation, except to seek its food or to hide itself from strangers. It is a good thing, whether kept in a cage or let range, always to have a box in its way, in which it may take refuge when frightened , it will not fail to hide itself there, and by this means will not be tempted to beat itself violently, which it does when it cannot fly from the object of iu fright. It knows its mistress very well, lets her take it up, comes near her, and sits without any fear on her knees for whole hours without stirring. This U as far as it goes even when tamed. It is neither caressing nor familiar; whet frightened it utters harsh cries, softer ones when its food is brought, but "crag, crag, craaf," at the tame time raising its head, is the expression of its joy 01 triumph — TRANSLATOR. THE GOLDEN ORIOLE. 47 lesser and under wing-coverts. All the upper part of the body is of the green colour of the siskin, the lower part greenish white with brown streaks, and the wings grey black. HABITATION When \vild, it generally frequents lonely groves, or the skirts of forests, always keeping among the most bushy trees, so that it is rarely seen on a naked branch ; it always frequents orchards during the time of cherries. It is a bird of passage, departing in families in August, and not returning till the following May *. In the house, if it cannot be let range at pleasure, it must be confined in a large wire cage. FOOD. — When wild, its food is insects and berries. In confinement, and if an old one be caught by means of the owl, like the jays, it must be kept at first in a quiet and retired place, offering it fresh cherries, then adding by degrees ants' eggs, and white bread soaked in milk, or the nightingale's food. But I confess there is great difficulty in keeping it alive, for with every attention and the greatest care, I do not know a single instance of one of this species having been preserved for more than three or four months NEST OF THE GOLDEN ORIOLE. BREEDING. — The scarcity of the golden oriole arises from its breeding but once a year. Its nest, hung with great art in the fork of a small bushy branch, is in shape like a purse, or a basket with two handles. The female lays four or five white eggs, marked with a few black streaks and spots. Before the first moulting, the young ones are like their * It is rarely found in Britain. — TRANSLATOR- 4ti THE HOOPOK mother, and mew like cats. If any one wishes to rear them they must be taken early from the nest ; fed on ants' eggs, chopped meat and white hread soaked in milk, varying these things as their health requires, and as their excrements are too frequent or too soft. In short, they may be accustomed to the nightingale's food. I must here remark that a very attentive person alone can hope to succeed *. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — I have seen two golden orioles that were reared from the nest, one of which, independent of the natural song, whistled a minuet, and the other imitated a flourish of trumpets. Its full and flute-like tones appeared to me extremely pleasing Unfortunately the fine colours of its plumage were tarnished, which almost always happens, above all if the bird be kept in a room filled with smoke, either from the stove or from tobacco. One of my neighbours saw two golden orioles at Berlin, both of which whistled different airs. Its note of call, which in the month of June so well distinguishes the golden oriole from other birds, may be well expressed by " ye, puhlof " THE HOOPOE. • Upupa Epops, LINNAEUS ; La Huppe, BUFFON; Der gemeine VViedehopf, BECHSTEIN. THK length of this bird is twelve inches, of which the tail four, and the bill, which is black, two and a half. • These young birds like to wash ; but it is dangerous for them to have the water too cold, or to let them remain too long in it, as cramp in the feet may t>a the consequence. In one which we possessed, the accident was more vexatious a* til-- bird was otherwise in good health, having followed the above mentioned diet.— TRANSLATOR. t Th« natural song is very like the awkward attempts of a country boy with • bad musical ear to whittle the notes of the missel thrush. — TRANSLATOR. THE HOOPOE The ins is blackish brown. The feet are black and very short. There is a tuft on the head like a fan, formed of a il« >uble row of feathers, all of them tipped with black. HABITATION. — In its wild state, the hoopoe remains, during summer, in woods near meadows, and pasture land. In the month of August, after hay-harvest, it goes in flocks into the plains ; it departs in September, and does not return till the end of the following April. It is more frequently seen on the ground than perching *. In the house, it is not kept in a cage, but let range at will ; it is very drill v, at least it is so fond of warmth that it is constantly on the stove, and would rather let its beak be dried up than come away from it. FOOD. — When wild, it may be continually seen in fields, searching for its favourite insects among cow dung and the excrements of other animals. Some people put it into their granaries to clear them of weevils and spiders ; this has succeeded very well, but to say that it also eats mice, is certainly an error. In the house, it may be easily reared on meat, and white bread soaked in milk, to which meal worms must be added from time to time. BREEDING. — The hoopoe lays from two to four eggs; its nest, placed in the hole of some tree, is a mixture of cow dung and small roots. The young are easily reared on the flesh of young pigeons ; but they cannot pick it up well, because their tongue, about the size of half a bean, and luurt-shaped, is too short to turn the food into the throat. They are obliged to throw their food in the air, holding the beak open to receive it. MODE OF TAKING. — In the month of August, when a field has been observed which the bird frequents most, a small well-limed rod of about eight inches in length must be placed on a mole-hill, having two or three meal worms fastened ro it by means of a thread about three inches long. As soon as the hoopoe sees the worms it darts upon them, and thus makes the lime twig fall upon itself, which embarrasses it. But these birds, whether taken young or old, can very rarely be preserved. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — Independently of its beauty, its droll actions ure very amusing. For instance, it makes a continual motion with its head, tapping the floor with its beak, so that it seems as if it walks with u stick, at the same time shaking its crest, wings, and tail f. I have had several of them in my house, and have always been diverted by their angular grimaces. When any one looks at them steadily, they immediately i.egin their droll tricks. The following is an extract from a letter written by M. /on Schauvoth on the hoopoe, which I think it is well to insert here : '• With great care and attention, I was able last summer to rear two young hoopoes, taken from a nest which was placed at the top of an oak tree. These little birds followed me everywhere, and when they heard me at a distance showed their joy by a particular chirping, jumped int » It is not common in Britain. — TRANSLATOR. t It may be added that it also walks very gracefully. — TRANS E 50 THE HOOPOE. the air, or as soon as 1 was seated climbed on my clothes, particularly whcii giving them their food from a pan of milk, the cream of which they swallowed greedily : they climbed higher and higher, till at last they perched on my shoulders, and sometimes on my head, caressing me very affectionately : notwithstanding this, I had only to speak a word to rid myself of their company, they would then immediately retire to the stove. Generally they would observe my eyes to discover what my temper might be, that they might act accordingly. I fed them like the nightingales, or with the universal paste, to which 1 sometimes added insects ; they would never touch earth-worms, but were very fond of beetles and May- bugs, these they first killed, and then beat them with their beak into a kind of oblong ball ; when this was done, they threw it into the air, that they might catch it and swallow it lengthways; if it fell across the throat they were obliged to begin again. Instead of bathing, they roll in the sand. 1 took them one day into a neighbouring field, that they might catch insects for themselves, and had then an opportunity of remarking their innate fear of birds of prey, and their instinct under it. As soon us they perceived a raven, or even a pigeon, they were on their bellies in the twinkling of an eye, their wings stretched out by the side of their head, »o that tne large quill feathers touched : they were thus surrounded by ;t sort of crown, formed by the feathers of the tail and wings, the henf joy. They were very fond of lying in the sun ; they showed their content by repeating in a quivering tone, "t?£c, vec, vec ;" when angry their notes are harsh, and the male, which is known by its colour beiiit: redder, cries " hoop, hoop." The female had the trick of dragging its food about the room, by this means it was covered with small feathers an«l other rubbish, which by degrees formed into an indigestible ball in in- stomach, about the size of a nut, of which it died. The male lived through the winter; but not quitting the heated stove, its beak becan »• so dry that the two parts separated, and remained more than an inch apart: thus it died miserably." "I once saw," says Buffon, "one of these birds which had been taken in a net, and being then old, or at least adult, must have had natura. habits : its attachment to the person who took care of it was very strong and even exclusive. It appeared to be happy only when alone with her '• if strange™ came unexpectedly it raised its crest with surprise and fear' and hid itself on the top of a bed which was in the room. Somet'mes it • ugh to c'.me from its asylum, but it fled directly to its joss, and seemed to see no one but her. It had two verv ,i tones; one soft, as if from within, and seemed the very seat of sL-ntimunt, which it addressed to its mistress; the other sharp, and more j.iercing, which expressed anger and fear. It wan never kept in a c;i-o l.v u.iy <.r ni-ht, and was jtcnnitted to range the house at pleasure; however, though the windows were often open, it never showed the least desire to its \vi-li for liberty not being so strong a,s its attachment." "This pretty bird accidentally died of hunger. Its mistress had kept it f.>r lour months, feeding it only on brea I and di> Cuculus canorus, LINNJBUS ; Le Coucou, BUFFO N ; Der gemeine Kukuk, BECHSTEIN. ALTHOUGH it is not larger than the turtle-dove, its length is fourteen inches, but seven of these are included in the tail, three quarters of which are covered hy the folded wings. The beak, black above, and bluish beneath ; the feet have two claws before and two behind. The head, the top of the neck, and the rest of the upper part of the body are of a dark ash colour, changing like the throat of the pigeon on the back and wing- coverts. In the female, which is smaller, the upper part of the body is of a dark brown, with dirty brown spots, which are scarcely visible. The under part of the neck is a mixture of ash grey and yellow, crossed with dark streaks. The belly is of a dirty white, with dark transverse line::. HABITATION. — When wild, it is a bird of passage, which arrives in April and departs in September, and even much sooner, according to an Englisk observer. In the house, it may be let run about, or confined in a large wooden cage. FOOD When wild, it cats all sorts of insects, particularly caterpillars on trees. When confined, it is fed with meat, insects, and the universal pj made of wheat-meal. • 2 .52 THE MINOR GHAKLK. BRKKDING AND PECULIARITIES. — Every one knows that the female cuckoo never sits upon her eggs, but intrusts that care to other birds, jnirticularly those which feed on insects, laying one or two eggs in their nest. In order to tame a cuckoo, it must be takjn from the nest : I never tried myself, but several of my friends have. As this is a curious bird, and most bird-fanciers like to have it in their room or aviary, I shall here insert some observations on this subject, by M. von Schauroth, who was before quoted. " The cuckoo possesses hardly any qualities which would render it fit to be a house bird : if old, it is too obstinate and voracious, generally it is furious, sullen, and melancholy. I have reared several ; the last was taken from the nest of a yellow-hammer: its eyes were not opened when I took it, yet it darted at me with fury. Before I had had it six days it \vouM swallow in a passion everything that came near it. I fed it on bird's flesh, and was obliged to continue this food for a long time before it could feed itself. Its motions were so quick in jumping or moving that it would overthrow any cups of food which happened to be in its way. Its tail grew very slowly. It was never entirely tamed ; it would dart at my hands and face, attacked every thing which came too near it, and even the other birds. It ate the poultry paste in great quantities, and discharged in proportion, which made it very dirty ; I have even seen it, like the ostrich, cat its own excrements. Its short and climbing feet are so awkward that it cannot walk ; it makes two or three jumps, but flies very well." " Though cunning and solitary," says Buffon, " the cuckoos may be given some sort of education. Several persons of my acquaintance have reared and tamed them. They feed them on minced meat, either dressed r.r raw, insects, eggs, soaked bread, and fruit. One of these tamed cuckoos knew its master, came at his call, followed him to the chase, perched on his gun, and if it found a cherry tree in its way it would fly to it, and not return till it had eaten plentifully ; sometimes it would not return to its master for the whole day, but followed him at a distance, flying from tn-e to tree. In the house it might range at will, and passed the night on the roost. The excrement of this bird is white, and in great quantities ; this is one of the disagreeables in rearing it. Great care must be taken to keep it from the cold from autumn till winter ; this is the critical period for these birds, at least it was at this time that I lost all which I had tried to rear, besides many other birds of a different species '' THE MINOR GRAKLE. C.raccula religiosa, I.INNJEUS ; Mino ou ftlainate, BUFFON ; Der Mino oder Flaudercr, BECIISTEIN. THIS bird is the size of a blackbird, ten inches and a half long, of which the tail measures three, and the beak one and a half. The feathers BLUE MACCAW. 53 duction of parrots into parlours. Some imitate the songs of other birds and warble very sweetly. We have observed, that in order to speak distinctly the tongue must be thick, rounded, and the muscle loose enough to permit the requisite motion; hence it happens that parrots, above all those with a short tail, pronounce so very distinctly. The ravens, jackdaws, and jays come next to them ; but the starlings and blackbirds surpass them in the formation of the larynx. The red and blue maccaw is one of the largest of the parrot tribe, being two feet eight inches in length. The hardest stones of the peach cannot resist the strength of its beak, the upper mandible of which is very much hooked. The claws arc directed forward, and two backward. The naked cheeks are covered with a wrinkled whitish skin. The head, neck, breast, belly, thighs, top of the back, and the upper wing- coverts are of the finest vermilion. The lower part of the back and the rump are light blue. The scapulars and large M ing-coverts are a mixture of blue, yellow, and green. The colours sometimes vary, especially in the wings and t;;il, but the species will not be the less easily known on that ai count. The female very much resembles the male. HABITATION. — When wild it inhabits South America, and may be found in Brazil and Guiana, in damp woods, and always in pairs. In the house it. may be let range at will, giving it a roost with several rings placed across Like its fellows, it may be kept in a very large strong wire cage, high and wide enough to let it move with ease, and preserve its handsome tail in all its beauty. FOOD.— In its native country the fruit of the palm tree is its principal food ; our fruit it also likes, but white bread soaked in milk agrees with it better ; biscuit does not hurt it ; but meat, sweetmeats, and other niceties are very injurious ; and though at first it does not appear to be injured, it lK-eomes unhealthy, its feathers stand up separate, it pecks and tears them, alx>ve all those on the first joint of the pinion, and it even makes holes in different parts of its body. It drinks little — this is perhaps occasioned by its eating nothing dry. Many bird-fanciers say that the best food for [•arrots is simply the crumbs of white bread, well baked, without salt, soaked ni water, and then slightly squeezed in the hand. But though this appears io agree with them pretty well, it is however certain that now and then •omething else ought to be added. I have observed, indeed, that parrott which are thus fed are very thin, have hardly strength to bear moulting, and •ometimes even do not moult at all ; in that case they become asthmatic, »nd die of consumotion. It is clear that feeding them onlv on this food, 56 THE It El) AM) BLUE MACCAW. which lias very little if any moisture in it, is not sufficient to nourish their, properly, at least during the moulting season, and while the feathers are growing again. I never saw a parrot in better health than one which belonged to a lady, who fed it on white bread soaked in boiled milk, having aore milk than the bread would absorb, which the parrot drank with apparent pleasure ; there was also put into the drawer of its «age some sea biscuit, or white bread soaked in boiling water; it was also given fruit when in season. It is necessary to be very careful that the milk is not jour Some young maccaws are fed on hemp-seed, which must always be of the year before, as the new would be too warm and dangerous. Yet tht>y must not be fed entirely on this food, but there must be added white bread soaked in milk or water, as has already been mentioned, some fruit and nuts, but never bitter almonds, as they will infallibly kill all young animals. In all cases the excrements of the bird will indicate the state of its health, and whether the food ought to be changed or not. Although maccaws rarely want to drink, as their food is very moist, yet they must not be left without water, which is generally placed in one of the divisions of their tin drawer. It is also a good thing to entice them to bathe, nothing is more favourable to their health, or better facilitates the painful operation of moulting, or keeps their feathers in better order. A little attention to these favourites, deprived of their liberty, their natural climate, and food, cannot be too much trouble to amiable persons who are fond of them, and to whom these pretty birds become greatly attached. BRKEDING. — The red and blue maccaws build their nests in the holes of old decayed trees; they enlarge and make the hole even with their beak, and line it with feathers. The female, like that of the other American parrots, breeds twice in the year, laying two eggs each time, which are exactly like those of the partridge. In Europe the females also lay well, but the eggs arc generally unfruitful ; when they are not so it is very diffi- cult to make the mother sit ; there are, however, a few examples of the female maccaw being so well inclined to perform this office, that she will sit on pigeons' and hens' eggs, which are hatched in due time. The maccaws which we have in this country have generally been reared from the nest, particularly those which speak, for the old ones would he too savage and untractable, and would only stun one with their unbearable cries, the faithful interpreters of their different passions. DISEASE* — Amongst those to which maccaws are particularly subject, declines arv the most frequent. Some cures for this are mentioned in the Introduction, which it would be well to employ. During the moulting season attent:on must be redoubled, not only to keep them in health but to preserve their beautiful plumage. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — As maccaws are very dear they are generally only found in the possession of rich bird fanciers. In the centre of Gei- many one costs from fifty to a hundred rix dollars, and in the maritime cities thirty or forty. Their beautiful plumage forms their principal attrac- tion. They also learn to repeat many words, to go and come, and also to obey the least signal fi.>m tlu-ir master. I confess, however, that thcil FHK ILLINOIS PARKOT. 57 awkward walk, their heavy movements, and their constant inclination to help themselves along with their beak, added to their great uncleanliness, docs not appear very agreeable. They are sometimes very wicked, taking dislike to some people, and may do great injury to children if left alone with them. Owing to their dung being very liquid, abundant, and foetid, they must be cleaned regularly every day. THE BLUE AND YELLOW MACCAW. Psittacus Ararauna, LINNSUS ; L'Ara Bleu ; Der Blaue Aras, BECHSTBIN. THIS species, which is about the size of the former, appears to me much more beautiful, though the colours of its plumage are not so striking. Its beak is black, the feet dark grey ; the cheeks flesh-coloured, streaked in the form of an S, with lines of short black feathers. The iris is light yellow ; the throat ornamented with a black collar ; the forehead, to the top of the head, the sides, and small wing-coverts are of a dark green ; the rest of the upper part of the body is of a fine blue ; all the colours are apt to vary. HABITATION. — Being, like the preceding one, a native of Surinam, Guiana, and Brazil, its way of living and qualities are much the same. It does not, however, learn to speak so easily, and cannot pronounce the word maccaw so distinctly ; but it imitates perfectly the bleating of sheep, the mewing of cats, and the barking of dogs. Its custom of only drinking in the evening seems extraordinary. THE ILLINOIS PARROT. Psittacus pertinax, LINN/ECS; La Perruche Illinoise ; Der lllmesische Sittich, BECHSTEIN. THIS is a species which almost all bird-sellers have. It.» length is nine inches and a half. The beak is light grey, the eyes surrounded with a naked greyish skin, the iris is deep orange. The feet are dark grey. The principal colour on the top of the body is green, that under is yellowish grey. The forehead, cheeks, and throat are of a brilliant orange ; the top of the head is dark green ; this colour is lighter and yellowish on the back of the head ; the top of the neck is greenish grey ; there are some orange spots on the belly In the female, the forehead only is deep yellow, and there \s no other mixture of yellow either on the head or belly. 58 THE LONO-TAILED GREEN pAKHAKEET. HABITATION This parrot is also a native of the hottest parts of South America, frequenting savannas, or any other open places, and building its nest even in the holes of the Termites ( Termes /a/o/t's, LINN^UB.) These birds are so sociable that they may be seen in flocks of five or six h and red. In the house, they must always be kept in pairs, and generally in cages. They show the tenderness of their attachment to each other by their con- tinual caresses ; this is in fact so great, that if one die the other soon languishes from grief. FOOD When these birds go forth to steal chestnuts, acorns, peas, and similar fruits, which form their food, they always place a sentinel to warn them of the approach of an enemy : at the least alarm, they fly away, uttering loud cries. When confined, they are fed with nuts, and bread soaked in boiled milk. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — Their handsome plumage, their affectionate and confiding ways, and the tenderness of attachment which these pretty birds have for each other, make them great favourites ; hut they learn scarcely any thing, and their continual cries are sometimes very annoying. THE LONG-TAILED GREEN PARRAKEET. PsUtacus rufirostris, LINNAEUS ; Lo Sincialo, BDFFON; D«r rothschnSblige Sittich, BKCHSTEIN. TIIK length of this species is twelve inches and a half, but the tail alone measures seven inches and a half. This bird is not larger than a blackbird ; the folded wings only cover one quarter of the tail, the centre feathers of which are nearly five inches longer than the exterior ones. The upper mandible of the beak is of a blood red, with the point black; the under one is entirely black. The circle of the eyes, the naked mem- l>rane of the beak, and the feet, are flesh-coloured ; the irides are orange. The rest of the body is yellowish green, with the wings bordered with light yellow. There are varieties of dif- ferent shades of green, the tail feathers of which are blue at xtremity. This species inhabits the hottest part of South America. Its cry is noisy and frequent ; it soon learns to speak, whistle, and imitate the sounds of most animals as well as birds. In the cjige, where it cannot have much other exercise, it chatters and squalls so incessantly, that it is often very disagreeable. It must be treated like the {(receding species, but does not appear •so delicate. 59 THE BLUE-HEADED PARROT. Psittacus cyanocephalus, LINN.SUS ; La Perruche a tfite bleu, BU*PON ; Der Blauk&pfige Sittich, BECHSTEIN. THIS beautiful species is not more scarce than the preceding, «»nd is about the size of a turtle dove, although its length is eleven inches and a half, six of which being included in the tail, half of this is covered by the folded wings. The naked skin round the eyes is yellow ; the upper part of the body is green, the under part yellowish. The forehead has some tints oi" red ; the head is blue ; the throat violet, with a grey that. This parrot comes from India, and is only prized for its beauty, for it cannot learn to speak. It must be treated like the preceding species. THE YELLOW PARROT. Piittacus solstitialis, LINNAEUS ; La Perruche jaune, BCFPON ; Der gelbe Sittich, BECHSTEIN. THE whole length of this bird is eleven inches and a half. The tail is wedge-shaped, and the folded wings cover one-third of it. The beak and feet are green. The throat, the naked niembranes of the beak, and the circle of the eyes, are light grey ; the iris is yellow. The general colour of the body is orange, with olive spots on the back and wing coverts. This parrot comes from Angola, and easily learns to speak. The food and treatment must be the same as the preceding. THE AMBOINA PARROT- Psittacus Amboinensis, LINNAEUS ; Le Lory Perruche tricolor, BUFFON : Der Amboinische Sittich-Lory, BECHSTEIN. THIS species somewhat resembles the Ceram lory, a variety of Le Lori Noir of Buffon (Psittacus garrulus aurora:, LIN- N.KUS); owing to this resemblance the French also call it (JQ THE PURPLE PARROT fAurore. Its length is sixteen inches, of which the tail, which is round, measures half. The beak is nine lines in length ; there is no naked membrane, and the nostrils are in front ; the iris is of a golden hue. The head, the nape of the neck, and all the lower part of the body, are the colour of vermilion. A ring of sky blue, very indistinct, surrounds the neck; all the feathers en the top of the body are of a beautiful green, with a fine edge of blue, or some dark colour. In the female, the head is green ; the throat, the under part of the neck, and the breast, are the same, but having a reddish tint. The small tail-coverts are dark green, edged with red ; the tail itself is tinged with green. The beak is horn brown, with a reddish tint above and below. OBSERVATIONS. — A pair of this beautiful species were sold to his High, ness the Duke of Meiningen as coming from Botany Bay, but they arc really natives of Amboina. Timid and wild, this bird has a sharp whistle and a cry like u gaick* but cannot speak. The feathers are so loose that they generally come off in the hand when touched; but they grow agaic very quickly. It is kept and treated like the others. THE PURPLE PARROT. Psittacus Pcnnanti, LATHAM ; La Purpure ; Der Pennantsche Sittich, BECHSTKII* IN the male, which very much resembles the sparrow-hawk, the prevailing colour is a reddish purple, from which it derives its name among bird- sellers. The head and rump are dark crimson ; the throat, as well as the small outer wing-coverts, and the centre pen-feathers, arc of a most beautiful sky blue : all the under part of the body is bright crimson, shading to bluish on the thighs. The tail is of a deep blue. In the female, which the bird-sellers pass as a different species, under the name of the Palm-tree Parrot, the prevailing colour is greenish yellow ; it resembles the male sparrow-hawk in make. The head, the sides of the neck, and half the breast, are of a bright crimson ; the throat pearl blue, shading a little to sky blue on the edges; the top of the neck, the back, shoulders, and last quill-feathers, are of a velvet black. All the feathers are edged with greenish yellow, except the scapu- lars and the feathers of the neck, the edges of which are the THE WillSKKHEl) KAKIIOT. 61 colour of sulphur. The rump and part round the vent are of parrot green, the long lower coverts of the tail crimson, edged with greenish yellow ; the knee bands have a shade of sky blue. The under part of the body is of a brilliant yellow, with some irregular red dashes and spots, which show its relation to the former bird. The base of the tail is green, like the neck of the water-duck ; the rest of the wings and tail are like the male. OBSERVATIONS. — I have seen several of this superb species, which be- longed to his Highness the Duke of Meiningen. It is a great pity that they are so wild, timid, and difficult to teach. Their note is a kind of chirping, which is rarely heard. Their feathers are as loose as the pre- ceding species. They come from Botany Bay, and are very dear. Being more delicate, they require more attention than the other parroquets. THE WHISKERED PARROT Psittacus bimaculatus, SPARRMANN ; Perruche a Moustache ; Der Zweyfleckie- Sittich, BECHSTEIN. THE length of this very beautiful parrot is fourteen niches, of \vliich the tail measures more than half ; its size is that of the turtle-dove, but very slender. The beak is large, orange- coloured, or pale blood red ; the head of a fine ash colour, tinted with green on the top, and having a narrow black band on the forehead; the part near the eyes is naked, and pale flesh- coloured ; the forehead light yellow ; an almost triangular spot extends from the base of the beak across the cheeks to the throat ; all the top of the body is meadow green, spotted with black. The under part of the body is of a deep rose col ur. There is a variety of this species with a black beak. In the female, or what is supposed to be so, the forehead, the throat, the sides of the head and neck are pale orange colour ; an ovai black streak descends from the corners of the beak towards the throat ; the nape, the top of the neck, the shoulders, back, rump, and upper part of the tail, ars meadow green. The breast and belly, to the extremity, art of a ftne green. OBS» .VATIONS. — This bird is very docile, amiable, and talkative. Its mildness is very pleasing, and it is extremely affectionate and caressing. Its cry is " gaie, gaie, gate." It comes from the Islands of the Southern Ocean and Botanv Bav. 62 THE CARDINAL PARROT. Psittacustrythrocephalus, LINN-KCS ; La Perruche cardinale ; Dor Cardinal Siltich, BECHSTEIN. THE length of this species is twelve inches, of which the tail, which is very wedge-shaped, measures six and three quarters. The beak is peach blossom, and the naked membrane ash coloured, the iris orange, and the feet grey. All the head is violet, tinted with blue and red ; a black band surrounds the neck; the throat is black, the upper part of the body dark ereen, the under part light green. In the female, the beak is yellow ; the head of a dark blue ash-colour, without the ring round the neck ; but the place of it is marked by a slight yellow tint. The' young ones also have no ring, and the colour of the head is not marked ; it varies from rose red to green. VARIETIES OF THE CARDINAL PARROT. 1. The Blossom-headed Parrakeet, LATHAM ; Psittacus erylhrocephalus, LINN*:I .< ; Perruche & tele rouge de Gingi, BUFFON ; Der RothkOpfige Sittich aus Gingi, RECHSTEIN. Tin: head is red, having on the back a mixture of light blue. A narrow black line passes from the chin to the nape of the neck ; another line, of light green, below the former, forms with it a ring round the neck. The rest of the plumage is green, but the under part of the body has a tint of light yellow. The tail is green above, having the inner border light yellow. 2. The Rose-headed Ring Parrakeet, LATHAM; I'situcus erythrocephalus Bcnj:ti- lensis, LINN.EUS ; Petite Perruche a t6te couleur de rose longs brins, BUFKU> . Der RothkOpfige Sitlich aus Bengalen, BECIISTKIN. THE upper mandible is light yellow, the lower black, the membrane brownish. The top of the head and cheeks are rose coloured, the back of the head blue, the throat and ring like the preceding variety, as well as the red spot on the wing- coverts; the two centre feathers of the tail are blue, the others green, edg'"J with Tilfc RED-HEADED GUINEA I'ARK AKKKT. 63 3. The Borneo Parrakeet ; Psittscus erythrocephalus Borneus, Perruche a tete rouge de pscber de Borneo ; Der Rothkopfige Sittich auk Borneo, BECHSTEIN. THE upper mandible is red, the under black, the membrane ash-coloured, the iris the same; the whole head is peacn- blossom, with a green tint on the forehead ; there is a black- line between the eyes, near the membrane of the beak ; another extends from the lower mandible obliquely on each side of the neck, widening on the back. The upper part of the body to the tail is light green, shading to light yellow towards the middle of the wing-coverts; all the under part from the chin is peach blossom, tinged with chestnut colour ; the feathers of the thighs, the tail-coverts, and the middle of the belly, are green ; the feathers of the tail are the same, but the centre ones are rather brown, and all are spotted with white. OBSFRVATIONS. — This parrakeet, so easily distinguished by its plumage, is lively, fearful, and its cry is frequent. It learns nothing of itself, and it is with great difficulty that it can be made to repeat a few words. I have seen it, with the preceding and following species, among the beautiful collection of birds belonging to his Highness the Duke of Meiningen. THE RED-HEADED GUINEA PARRAKEET. Psittacus Manillensis, BECHSTEIN ; Perruche-a collier -couleur de rose, BOFFON; Der Mauilische Sittich, BECHSTEIN. THIS beautiful species, whose colours are soft and the feathers thick and silky, is hardly larger than the thrush, though its length is from fourteen to fifteen inches, two-thirds of which are included in the tail. The naked membrane is flesh-coloured, the eyelids very red. The plumage is, in general, light green. From the black throat there extends a ring round the neck, which is black at first, and afterwards pale rose colour ; the back of the neck in old birds has a blue tint. In the female the black of the throat is not so wide, there is no rose-coloured ring, and the under part of the body more nearly approaches yellow. OBSERVATIONS. — This species, which is very mild, tame, and beautiful, is native of the Philippines, particularly Manilla ; some say that it is also •cry common in Africa. It is very pleasing, certainly, but rarely learns tc 4)eak, and then only a few words. It must be treated like other delicate 64 THE PAVOUAN PARROT. 1'gittacus Guianensis, LINN*US; La Perruche Pavouane, BrrroN: Der Ouianlschc Sittich, BECHSTEIN. THIS species is only twelve inches in length, including the tail, which measures six and a quarter, and has the two centre feathers three inches longer than the others. The upper part of the body is dark green, the under lighter. The cheeks are not spotted with bright red till the third year. OBSERVATIONS. — It is a native of Guiana, Cayenne, and the Caribbee Islands. Bird-sellers in Germany are generally provided with them, as they are not delicate or difficult to carry about. They must be treated like the former species. " This," says Buffon, *' is, of all parrots from the new continent, the most easily taught to speak; nevertheless it is only tractable in this parti- cular, for even after a long captivity it still preserves a native wildness and ferocity, aud is sometimes stubborn and ill-humoured. But as it has a lively eye, is neatly and well formed, it is admired for its shape." THE ROSE-RINGED PARRAKEET. Pstttacus pullaii»s, LINNAEUS ; La Perruche a t£te rouge, BUKFON ; Der Roth- kopfige Guineische Sittich, BECIISII IN. BIRD-SELLERS give the name of Guinea-sparrow to this little parrakeet, which is not larger than the common cross- hill. The beak is red, but pale at the tip, the membrane at the base ash colour, as well as the circle round the eyes. The feet are grey, the iris bluish ; the front part of the head and throat are red ; the edge of the wings and rump blue. The upper side of the tail feathers is red, the under has a black streak, the tip is green ; the two centre feathers are entirely green, like the rest of the body. In the female, the colours are the .same, though lighter, and the lower part of the wing is yellow. These birds may be found in any part of the torrid zone in the old world, from Guinea to India. As most of them died on the voyage, there were formerly very few of them in Kurope, but as the means ot preserving them is now bettei known, most bird-sellers have them. Though they cannot THE CAROLINA PARROT Qfr learn to speak, and their cry is rather disagreeable, yet one cannot help admiring them as much for their beauty as their great mildness. They are so much attached to each other that they must always be had in pairs, and if one dies the other rarely survives it. Some people think that a mirror hung in the cage, in which the survivor may imagine that it still sees its lost companion, will console it. The male remains affec- tionately near the female, feeds her, and gives her the most tender caresses ; she, in her turn, shows the greatest uneasi- ness if she be separated from him for an instant. In the countries which this species inhabits, it makes great havoc among the corn. In Europe it is fed on canary seed, millet, and white bread soaked in boiled milk. THE CAROLINA PARROT. Psittacus Carol inensis, LINNJEUS* ; La Perruche a tfctejaune. BUFPON, pi. eal. -199 ; Der Carolinische Sittich, BECHSTEIN. THIS bird is about the size of a turtle-dove ; its length is thirteen inches, of which the tail measures at least half. The beak is as white as ivory, the membrane and naked circle ot the eyes, as well as the feet and claws, greyish white ; the front of the head of a beautiful orange, the back, the nape of the neck, and the throat, light yellow; the rest of the neck, the back, breast, belly, and sides, are green ; the tail is green, and very wedge-shaped. OBSERVATIONS. — A native of Guiana ; this pretty parrot also breeds in Carolina, and sometimes even penetrates into Virginia in large flocks during the fruit season, making great ravages among the nuts, of which it only eats almonds, rejecting all others. It is frequently brought to Europe ; and in Paris it is the species of parrot which costs the most. It is fed, suys Buffon, on hemp seed ; but it is better to add white bread soaked in water, or boiled milk which is not sour, wheat, Indian com, and the like. Its cry is frequent ; it is rather wicked, and does not speak; but it well makes up for this by its beauty, the elegance of its form, its graceful movements, and its strong and almost exclusive attachment to its mistress: it likes to hang by the beak, even while sleeping, and will let itself be carried thus every where without moving for a very long time. • It appears that the PsUtacui Ltidotncianut, LINN«PS, Perruc\t d fete aurart is the same rpecies. Oil THE LITTLE BLUE AND GREEN PARRAKEET. Psittacus passerinus, LINN JE us ; La Perruche passerine etc", ou Toui 6t6, BTPPON , Der Sperlingsparkit, BECHSTEIN. ITS size very little exceeds that of the sparrow. A beau- tiful light green is the predominant colour of its plumage ; but the rump is blue, the large wing-coverts are the same ; the small ones, again, are green. The beak, the membrane at the base, the circle of the eyes, and the feet, are often orange ; it sometimes varies, however, to yellow, ash colour, and flesh colour. OBSERVATIONS. — This species is as social and affectionate as the pre- eeding, but much more rare and dear. It is a native of Brazil, and can- not speak. It must be fed on canary seed, millet, and hemp. THE GREY-BREASTED PARROT. Ptitt&cus muriuus, LINN.KUS ; La Perruche a poitrine grise, BUPFON ; Der grUubrustige Sitticb, BECHSTEIN. THIS pretty parrot, distinguished by its silvery grey colour, is about the size of a turtle-dove. Its ruffling the feathers of its head, particularly on the cheeks, added to the smallness and peculiar way in which it holds its bill, which is always buried in its breast, gives it somewhat the appearance of a small screech owl. Its length is ten inches, of which the wedge-shaped tail measures half. The beak is three-quarters of an inch in length, pearl grey, or whitish. The forehead, to about the middle of the top of the head, the cheeks, throat, breast, and half the belly are of a light silvery grey, with shades appearing like grey stripes ; the upper part of the body ami tail are of a brilliant siskin green. OBSERVATIONS. — This species is very mild, speaks but little, and even teems to be of a melancholy turn. Its call, which is " keirshe" is loud and sonorous. It is the same species which is mentioned in the Travels of Bougainville, by Pernetty. " We found it," says he, " at Montevideo, \vln-u- our sailors bought several at two piastres a-piece. These birds \\c\u very tame and harmless ; they soon learnt to speak, and became so fond of the men that they were never easy when away from them." The opinion i«, that they will not live more than a year and a hall if 67 kept m a cage ; this prejudice is completely refuted by the bird from which this description is taken, and which may be seen in the collection of his Highness the Duke of Sajce Meiningen. THE RED AND BLUE HEADED PARRAKEET. Psittacus canicularis, LINNJEUS; La Perruche a front rouge, BUPPON ; Der roth- stirnige Sittich, BECHSTEIN. THIS species, which is rather common among us, is ten inches in length, of which the tail measures half, of which the folded wings cover one third ; the forehead is scarlet, the top of the head a fine sky blue, paler at the back ; the upper part of the body meadow green, the under lighter. The forehead is orange, and the circle of the eye pale yellow may be peculiar to the female. OBSERVATIONS. — This parrot is handsome, but does not speak. Although a native of South America, is not very delicate or difficult to preserve. The food as usual. THE RED-CRESCENTED PARAKEET. Psittacus lunatus, BECHSTEIN ; Der Mondfleckige, BECHSTEIN. THIS species, which I have not found described by any author, may be seen in the collection belonging to his High- ness the Duke of Saxe Meiningen. Its length is eleven inches and a half, of which the tail measures six. The beak, one inch in length. The forehead is deep red, a crescent of the same colour extends towards the upper part of the neck, ornamenting the top of the breast ; the upper part of the body is leek green, becoming a little darker on the head. The under part of the body is light green, slightly tinted with red on the breast ; the under part of the pen and tail feathers is dirty yellow. OBSERVATIONS — I do not know of what country this parrot is a native. It appears very lively, cries often and very loudly " goeur, goeur" speaks prettily and distinctly, aud appears very healthy. The bird from which the discription is taken is certainly a proof that this species will attain a great age, for it is very old. 68 THE GREAT WHITE COCKATOO I'sillacus cristatus, LINNJBGS ; Kakatoes a huppe blanche. BUFFON ; Der gemeine Kakatu, BECHSTEIN. THE size of this bird is that of a barn-door fowl, and its length seventeen inches. The beak is blackish, and the mem- brane at the base black ; the iris is dark brown, the circle ot the eye white. The whole of the plumage is white except the large quill-feathers and the exterior feathers of the tail, the inner beards of which are primrose-yellow to the centre. The tuft, which the bird raises and sinks at will, is five inches in length. OBSERVATIONS. — At present, this species is only found in the Moluccas. The general custom in Germany is to give it a spacious cage in the form of a bell, from the top of which is hung a large metal ring, in which it likes to perch. The food of the cockatoo is the same as that of the other large species »f the same family ; however, it appears to be very fond of vegetables, farinaceous grains, and pastry. For its qualities, I cannot do better than quote Buffon : " Cockatoos," says he, " which may be known by their tuft, are not easily taught to speak ; there is one species which does not speak at all ; Sut this is in some measure compensated for by the great facility with which they are tamed ; in some parts of India they arc even so far domes- ticated that they will build their nests on the roofs of the houses : this facility of education is owing to their intelligence, which is very superior to that of other parrots. They listen, understand, and obey; but it is in rain that they make the same efforts to repeat what is said to them : they M-ern to wish to make up for it by .other expressions of feeling and by affec- tionate caresses. There is a mildness and grace in all their movements, which greatly adds to their beauty. In March, 1775, there were two,, a male and female, at the fair of St. Germain, in Paris, which obeyed witli ^reat docility the orders given them, either to spread out their tuft, or sa- lute j>coj)lc with a bend of the head, or to touch different objects with their beak and tongue, or to reply to questions from their master with a mark of assent which clearly expressed a silent yes : they also showed by repeated feijrns the number of persons in the room, the hour of day, the rolour of clothes, &c. ; they kissed one another by touching their l«?aks, and even caressed each other; this showed a wish to pair, and the master that they often do so even in our climates. Though the cockatoos, like other parrots, use their hill in ascending and descending, yet they have i:ot their beayjr dittgree^Ble step ; on the contrary, they are very active, :MH| hop about very nimbly." 69 THE LESSER WHITE COCKATOO. Psittacus sulphureu*, LINNJEUS ; Kakatoes a huppe jaune, BUFFOS ; Der gelbhaubige Kakatu, BECHSTEIN. THE length of this species is fourteen inches and a hall'. The beak, the naked memhrane, and feet are blackish; the circle of the eye is rather white, and the iris inclining to red. The general colour of this species is also white, Avith a prim- rose-yellow tint on the wings and tail, as well as a spot of the same colour under the eyes. The tuft, which is pointed, and composed of soft thread-like feathers, is of lemon-colour. It comes from the same country as the preceding, to which it yields neither in elegance, intelligence, docility, nor mild- ness. It is fond of caresses, and returns them with pleasure : all its motions are equally full of grace, delicacy, and beauty. There are two varieties of this species, which only differ in size. THE GREAT RED-CRESTED COCKATOO. Psittacus Moluccensis, LINNJEUS ; Kakatoes a huppe rouge, BUFFON ; Der rothaubige Kakatu, BECHSTEIN. THIS species is a little larger than the common cockatoo, its size being almost equal to that of the red and blue maccaw. Its beak is bluish black, the membrane black, the circle of the eyes pearl grey, and the iris deep red. The feet are lead colour, the nails black. White, tinged with pale rose-red, is the prevailing colour ; the tuft, which falls back on the head, is very large, most of the feathers being six inches in length ; of which the under side is of a beautiful orange. In the side tail feathers, from the base to the centre of the interior beard, the colour is primrose-yellow; the under part of the pen- feathers has a tint of the same. OBSERVATIONS. — This beautiful bird has a noble air ; and, though often tamed, it is rarely so caressing as the common cockatoo ; its cry, like that of the other species, is its own name; it also cries " tertingue " very loud, and like a trumpet, and imitates the voice of several animals, parti- cularly the cackling of fowls and the crowing of cocks. When it cries it flaps its wings. Though a native of the Moluccas, it is neitbei delicate nor difficult t> 70 THE RED-VENTED COCKATOO. Psitta'.us Philippinarum, LINN^OS ; Le petit Kakatoes des Fhilippines, BcrroN ; Der rothb&ucbige Kakatu, HECHSTEIN. THIS species, the size of the grey parrot, is but thirteen inches in length. The beak is white, or of a pale flesh colour, and grey at the base ; the circle of the eyes is yellowish-red ; the feet are of a silver-grey ; the general colour of the body is white ; the head is ornamented with a tuft, in which there is nothing remarkable but its raising it in the form of a shell. OBSERVATIONS — It is a native of the Philippines. Its beauty and great docility are its chief merits ; for it cannot speak, and it also appears of a jealous nature, being angry when it sees the other parrots caressed, and making the unpleasant cry of "aiai, mtai/1' but never " cockatoo.'* THE BANKSIAN COCKATOO. Psittacus Banksii, LINNXUS ; Le Kakatoes Noir, BUPPON ; Der Banksche Kakatu, BECHSTEW. THIS certainly is the handsomest, rarest, and most precious of all the cockatoos. It is as large as the red and blue maccaw. its length being from twenty-two to thirty inches. The beak is thick, yellowish, and black at the point ; the iris red, and the feet black. Black is the prevailing colour of its plumage ; the tuft is rather long, but in a state of tranquillity lies flat on the head, as in the preceding cockatoo; each feather has a yellowish spot exactly on the tip; the wing-coverts are also terminated with a similar spot. VARIKTIES. — Of this beautiful species there are several varieties. 1. Those with the beak lead-coloured ; the tuft of a mo- derate size, black mixed with the yellow feathers ; the throat yellow ; the sides of the neck spotted with yellow and black ; the tail as above ; all the rest black, without any streaks on tlir under part of the body. 2. Those with the beak bluish grey, plumage olive, or black, with a yellowish tint on the sides of tho head, but having no THE ASH-COLOLHED PARROT. 71 feather with a yellow tip. The belly of one colour, without streaks ; tail as above. This may possibly be a young one. 3. Those with the beak raven-grey; the head, the neck, and the under part of the body of a dark dirty brown colour. The feathers on the top of the head and nape of the neck are bordered with olive : the upper part of the body, the wings and tail, of a brilliant black ; the centre feathers of the latter are of one colour ; the others scarlet in the middle, but without streaks. This is perhaps a female. OBSERVATIONS. — This noble and handsome bird is still rather rare in England, and still more so in Germany. It may be found in many parts of New Holland ; its motions resemble those of the common cockatoo and the manner of treating it is the same. THE ASH-COLOURED PARROT. Piittacui cnthacus, LINNJJUS } Le Perroquet cendr^, ou le Jaco, Bi FKON ; Dcr Gemeiner aschgrauer Papagay, BECHSTEIN. THIS parrot and the following are the most common and docile that we possess. Its length is nine inches. The beak is black, the membrane at its base, and the circle of the eyes have a powdered appearance. The feet are ash-coloured, the iris yellowish. A fine pearl grey and slate-colour tinges the whole body ; the feathers of the head, neck, and belly are edged with whitish grey ; the tail, which is short, and of a vermilion colour, terminates and relieves this shining and watered plumage, which also has a powdered appearance. The male and female are alike, and learn with equal facility. Most of the birds of this species are brought from Guinea, but they also inhabit the interior parts of Africa, as well as Congo and the coasts of Angola. FOOD — In its native country it lives on all kinds of fruit and grain ; it will also become quite fat on the seed of the safflower, which to man is so Tiolent a purgative. Here it eats any of our food ; but white bread soaked in boiled milk, and fruits, are what it likes best. Meat, of which it is very fond, brings on diarrhoea, as in other parrots, and that kind of green sick- ness which makes it peck itself and tear out its feathers, &c. There are some instances, when treated with care, of their ha ring liveo for sixtv year*. 72 TliE ASH-COLOLRK1) PAKKOl. BREEDING — In its native country this species builds in high trees. Thii «s the first of this group of birds which has bred in Europe. " M. de la Pigeonntere," says Buffon, "had a male and female parrot in the city of Marmanote, in Angenois, which used to breed regularly every spring for five or six years ; the young ones of each brood were always reared by the parent birds. The female laid four eggs each time, three of which were fruitful, and the other not so. In order that they may breed at their ease, they must be placed in a room in which there is nothing but a barrel, open at one end, and partly filled with saw-dust ; sticks must be placed inside and out of the barrel, that the male may ascend them whenever he likes, and remain near his companion. Before entering this room the precaution must be taken to put on boots, that the legs may be guarded from the attacks of the jealous parrot, which pecks at everything which approaches its female." The P. Labat also gives an account of two parrots which had " several broods in Paris." DISEASES. — This parrot becomes more subject to the different diseases in proportion as it is fed on choice food. Gout in the feet is the most general, and the specifics used for the bird are not more certain in their cure than those used for man. It is not difficult to prevent this evil by great cleanli ness, and giving it no meat or other niceties. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — This parrot, like the following, learns not only to speak and whistle, but also to make all kinds of gestures ; and it even performs some tricks which require skill. It is particularly distinguished by its pleasing and caressing behaviour to its master. As an example of the talents of this species, Buffon gives an account of one which, " being instructed on its voyage by an old sailor, had acquired his harsh, hoarse voice so perfectly that it was often mistaken for him. Though it was afterwards given to a young person, and no longer heard the voice, it never forgot the lessons of its old master ; and it was exceedingly amusing to hear it pass from a soft pleasing voice to its old hoarse sea tone. This bird not only has a great facility in imitating the voice of man, but it also seems to have a wish to do so, and this wish is shown in its great attention, the efforts which it makes to repeat the sounds it hears, and its constant repe- tition of them, for it incessantly repeats any words which it has just learnt, and endeavours to make its voice heard above every other. One is often surprised to hear it say words and make sounds, which no one had taught it, and to which it was not even suspected to have listened. It seemed to practise its lesson every day till night, beginning again on the next morn- ing. It is while young that it shows this great facility in learning ; its memory is then better, and the bird is altogether more intelligent and docile. This memory is sometimes very astonishing, as in a parrot which, as Rodigimis tells, a cardinal bought for one hundred crowns of gold, because it could repeat correctly the Apostles' Creed ; and M. de la Borde tells us of another which served as chaplain to the vessel, reciting the prayer to the •ailors, and afterwards repeating the rosary." 73 THE CERAM LORY. Psittarut garrulus, LINNAEUS; Le Lori Noir variete dite de Ceram, BUFFON; De geschw^tzige Lory, BECHSTEIN. Ir is of the size of a pigeon, its length being from ten to eleven inches. The colours vary very much ; but the folio-wing are the most common. Beak orange-coloured, naked membrane at its base, and the circle of the eyes grey ; the iris deep yellow, and feet brown. The predominating colour of the body is bright red ; but the small wing-coverts are a mixture of green and yellow. It comes from the Moluccas, and is treated like the preced- ing, which it equals in docility. THE BLUE-CAPPED LORY. Psittacus domicella, LINNAEUS ; Le Lory demoiselle, ou a collier, BUFFON ; Der blaukOpfige Lory, BECHSTEIN. THIS magnificent species is of the size of a pigeon, and ten inches and a half in length. The beak is orange, the membrane blackish, as well as the circle of the eyes. The top of the head is purple black, or rather black shading to purple, on the nape of the neck ; a crescent of light yellow, more or less visible, ornaments the under part of the throat. The outer edge of the quill-feathers, and the small wing-coverts, are of a deep blur, shading to sky blue ; the others of a meadow green. The tail is slightly wedge-shaped, and of a bluish purple, tinged with red brown. In the female, which is smaller, the crescent is either not visible or only faintly marked ; the blue on the head is very slight ; the border of the whig is a mixture of blue and green ; this is all the blue which there is in the wings. VARIETY. — The lower part of the back and belly, the rump, and the thighs are white and rose colour ; the upper and under tail-coverts red and white ; the wing-coverts green, with a mixture of light yellow ; the beak light yellow ; the rest as usual. OBSERVATIONS. — This species has the same attractions as the other lories, and to judge from the specimen which I have seen among the collection of the Duke of Meiningen, it appeared to be the mildest, most endearing, and 71 THE WHITE-FRONTED PAUHOT amiable ; in short, the most docile and talkative of all the parrots. It cries lory, and chatters incessantly, but in a hollow voice, something like that of a man who speaks from his chest ; it repeats everything whistled to it in a clear tone ; it likes to be always caressed and paid attention to ; its memory is very good. This delicate species, being preserved with difficulty during the voyage, it also very rare and dear ; it is a native of the Moluccas and of New Guinea ; it requires to be taken great care of, to be kept warm, and to have its food changed when necessary. THE BLACK-CAPPED LORY. Psittacus Lory, LINN*US ; Lory des Philippines, BUFPON ; Der schwarzkappige Lory, BECHSTEIN. THIS is about the size of the preceding. I ts beak is orange ; the membrane and circle of the eyes of a dark flesh colour ; the iris orange. The feet are black ; the top of the head the same, with a blue tint ; the whole body is scarlet, except a blue spot between the back and neck, and another below the breast ; both of these spots have a few red feathers ; the wings are green above. OBSERVATIONS. — The black-capped lory is still more scarce in Europe than the preceding, therefore it is dearer, but appears to possess all its good qualities. THE WHITE-FRONTED PARROT. PiiUacmleucocephalus. LINNJEOS; Perroquet Amazone a t6te blanche; Der weisskOpfige Amazonenpapagey, BECHSTEIN. THIS is one of the most talkative parrots usually kept. Its beak is whitish, the circle of the eyes white ; the iris nut brown ; the feet are dark brown. The top, or rather the back of the head, is light blue in the male, and green in the female. The general colour is green, but the edge of the feathers is brown, particularly in the front part of the body. The red edge of the wing is the distinguishing characteristic of the male in Buffon's family of amazons. This parrot is found in St. Domingo, Cuba, and even in Mexico. It is very mild and talkative, and imitates the cries of cats, dogs, and other animals to perfection. It must be kept very clean, and not let suffer from cold. 75 THE BLUE-FACED PARROT. rsittacus autumnalis, LINN.KUS ; Le Crick a tfite bleue, BUITON ; Der Herbst- krickpapagey, BECHSTEIN. THIS is about the size of a pigeon. The beak is horn colour, with a long streak of orange on each side of the upper mandible ; the whole circle of the head and the throat are blue ; the top of the head and under part of the neck to the breast are red ; the rest of the body is green, except the large quill-feathers, which are blue ; some, however, are red, with a blue tip. Varieties. — 1. The head, instead of being red and blue, is red and white. 2. The forehead scarlet, the top of the head blue, an orange »pot under the eyes, the upper border of the wings light yellow. 3. Forehead and throat red behind, and under the eyes blue, the top of the head greenish yellow, the lower border of the wings red, the end of the tail pale light yallow. 4. All the body blackish except the breast, the feathers of which are edged with dark brown and red. OBSERVATIONS These birds inhabit Guinea, learn very little, and con- tinually cry "guirr, guirr." COMMON AMAZON PARROT. Psittacus aestivus, LINNJEUS ; Der gemeine Amazonenpapagey, BBCHSTRIN. THIS species is imported in so great numbers that it is found at every bird-seller's, and is one of the cheapest. Its varieties are numerous. The following are the general colours : beak blackish; feet ash-coloured; iris golden yellow; forehead bluish, as well as the space between the eyes; head and throat yellow, but the throat-feathers are edged with a blue green ; the body a brilliant green, inclining to yellowish on the back and belly. This bird is common in the hottest parts of America, learns to speak, is very docile, sociable, and requires only common attention 70 THE YELLOW-HEADED AMAZON PARROT. Psittacus nobilis, LINXSUS ; Psittacus ochrocephalus, GMELIN ; Amazone & tfite jaune, BUFFON ; Der gelbkopfige Amazonenpapagey, BBCHS-TEIN. THE length of this species is fifteen inches, of which the Mil measures five ; the beak one inch, the sides of the upper inaudi- ble and base of the lower are red, the rest of the beak is raven grey ; the iris golden yellow ; the feet greyish flesh colour, and claws black. The top of the head is golden yellow, the forehead yellowish green ; the colour of the body is green, dark above, and more yellow under ; the tail is but slightly wedge-shaped ; but Linnaeus considered it sufficiently so to class it among the- long wedge-shaped tails. OBSERVATIONS. — This bird is very mild, and sometimes chatters ami utters a few dull sounds, but at other times it speaks but little. Its native country is Sonth America : it is treated like the preceding. THE YELLOW.BREASTED TUCAN. Ramphastos Tucanus, LINN.BCS ; Toucan a gorge jaune du Bre>il, BUKFON ; Der Tukan oder Pfeffervogel, BKCHSTEIN. TUCANS are distinguished by the great size of their beak, which is convex above, hooked towards the point, hollow, light, and toothed on the edges like a saw. The feet have two claws before and two behind. In summer these birds are brought from South America to England and Holland, whence they are taken to Germany, though not often. They eat fruit, berries, grapes, bread, meat, and in general any of our food. In order to swallow anything they throw it into the air, catching it in their throats. They are generally reared from the nest, which is placed in the hole of a tree, and only contains two young ones, which in a short time are domesticated, and become very attractive. Of the nine inches, which is the whole length of this tucan, the beak alone measures five, and is grey at the base and black at the point. The upper part of the body is of a green black ; THK PRKACHRR TUCAN. 77 the cheeks, throat, and front of the neck are orange, with a crimson band across the breast. The stomach is of a fine red, rhe belly and sides blackish, as well as the pen-feathers and tail. The upper tail-coverts are of a sulphur colour, the under ones are crimson ; the feet and claws lead colour. THE BRAZILIAN TUCAN. Rhamphastos piscivorus, LINNJEUS ; Le Toucan a gorge blanche do Bre"sil, Bumm Der Brasilishe Pfeffervogel, BECHSTKIN. THIS species is twenty inches in length, of which the beak measures six ; the upper mandible is yellowish green, with the edges orange coloured and toothed ; the under mandible is of a fine blue, and the points of both aro red. The iris is light lirown ; the circle of the eyes greenish yellow ; the top of the iiead, the neck, back, belly, wings, and tail are black ; the throat, the breast, and sides yellowish white ; the part about the stomach is ornamented with a beautiful red crescent. It is a native of Cayenne and Brazil. THE PREACHER TUCAN. Rhamphastos picatus, LINNJBCS ; Le Toucan & ventre rouge; Der Prediger Pfeffervogel, BECHSTEIN. THK whole length of the bird is twenty niches, of which the beak measures six ; the point is red, and all the rest is yellowish- green. The prevailing colour is a brilliant black, with tints of green before, and grey ash colour on the back part of the body. The breast is of a fine orange ; the belly, sides, thighs, lesser tail-coverts, and the tips of the feathers, are of a lively red. This Tucan inhabits Africa and Brazil ; its long and incessant cry has given it the name of Preacher. It is as easy to tame as to feed, for it will eat any thing. THK LB83ER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. WOODPECKERS. THE birds in this group in general have the beak rectan- gular, in % few instances very slightly hooked, never thick nor very long. THE GREEN WOODPECKER. Pious viridis, LINN*US ; Le Pic vert, BUFFON ; Der GrUnspecht, BECHSTBIN. THE length of this bird is twelve inches and a half, but four and a half of these are included in the tail, almost half of which is covered by the folded wings. The beak, an inch and a half in length, is triangular, very pointed, and of a dark grey ; the iris is grey ; the tongue is five inches long, and furnished, like that of the other woodpeckers, with a horny tip, and strong hairs on each side, so as to be useful in catching and piercing insects. The top of the head to the nape of the neck is of a brilliant crimson ; a black streak, which in old birds is often tinged with red, descends on each side of the neck ; the upper part of the body is of a beautiful olive green, the under part of a dusky greenish white : some transverse lines may be seen on the belly, which become more distinct on the sides. In the female the colours are paler, and there is less red on the head, which, when it is young, is only grey. HABITATION. — When wild, the green woodpecker, during summer, frequents woods and orchards which are near these, but when the air be- THE GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. 79 comes cold, and the snow begins to fall, it approaches villages, and flies from one garden to another; it passes the night in the holes of trees; when it finds dead, decayed, or -worm-eaten ones, it pierces them on all sides with its strong beak, in order to find the insects they conceal. It never attacks a healthy tree, therefore it is not right to kill it as being mischievous ; it only taps the bark of trees to make the insects come out, and its strokes are then so quick that they resemble a humming. In the house its fierce and impetuous character makes it necessary to Keep it in close confinement. FOOD In its wild state it constantly seeks the insects which live under the bark and in the wood of trees ; it also eats ants, and in winter will even take bees from the hive. In the house it is fed on nuts, ants' eggs, and meat. BREEDING.— The female lays three or four perfectly white eggs in tlie hole of a tree : if the young are to be tamed they must be taken from the nest when only half fledged ; it is impossible to tame adults or old ones ; we cannot even make them eat. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — The beauty of its plumage is all that can be said of it ; for it is so fierce, quick, and stubborn, that it can only be kept by means of a chain. I know no instance in which every kind of atten- tion has rendered it more docile and agreeable : it is always untractable. One or two of these chained birds, however, do not look bad as a variety. It is curious to see them crack the nuts. THE GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Picus major, LINN.KOS ; L'Epeiche, ou Pic varifi, BUFFON ; Der Grosser • Buntspecht, BECHSTBIN. THIS bird is rather larger than a thrush, nine inches long of which the tail measures three and a half, and the beak one. The legs are three lines high, and of a bluish olive ; the iris is bluish, with a white ring ; the forehead yellowish brown ; the top of the head and the back black ; the nape of the neck crimson ; the shoulders white, the wings and tail black, and streaked with yellowish white ; the belly of a dirty reddish white, the part about the vent crimson. The female has no red on the nape of the neck. HABITATION AND FOOD. — This woodpecker continually ranges woods and orchards in search of its food, which consists of insects, beech-mast, acorns, nuts, and the seed of pines and firs. In order to crack the nuts, it fixe* them in the clefts of the trees. The female builds its nest in the hole of a tree, and lays from four to six white eggs. Before moulting the head of the young ones is red. They must be taken early from the nest if they ar* to be tamed. They aro fed and treated like the green woodpecker. 80 THE MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Pictu medius, LIKN«CS ; Le Pic varie1 & tete rouge, BUFFON ; Der Mittlerer Buntspecht, BECHSTEIN. THIS is only distinguished from the former by being rather smaller : the beak is more slender, and very pointed. The top of the head is crimson, and the :egion of the vent rose- coloured. It is, besides, less common, and the young which are reared are not so untractable. though never very docile *. They are generally kept in a cage, and fastened by a little chain. THE LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. Picus minor, LINNJJUS ; Le Petit Epeiche, BUFFON ; Der Kleiner Buntspecht, BECHSTBIN. THIS bird is the size of a lark, five inches and a half in length, two of which are included in the tail, and the beak measures seven lines. The feet are of a greenish black ; the rump is white ; the top of the head crimson ; the nape of the neck black ; the back white, with transverse streaks of black ; the under part of the body is of a reddish white grey, and the sides are streaked with black. The female had no red on the head. HABITATION AND FOOD. — This rare species inhabits forests of beech and oak, skilfully catching the insects under the bark and moss of these trees ; it even flies to the ground to seek the same food among the grass. While rearing the young ones, they must be kept in a cage. * I have, however, seen a woodpecker of this species which was reared by a lady, to whom it seemed very much attached. It had learnt of itself to go and return, knocking hard at the window if it was shut out. It was very amusing to see it climbing nimbly over its mistress till it had reached her mouth ; it then asked her by light strokes of its beak for the food which she was accustomed to give it ; this was generally a little meat. It disappeared one day, without any one's knowin 7b«t accident had befallen it. — TRANSLATOR. THE WRYNECK Yunx torquilla, LINNJBCS ; Le Torcol, BDKPON; Der Gememer Wendehals, BECHSTEIN. THOUGH it is six inches and a half in length, it is not larger than our lark, because its tail includes three inches and a quarter, and its beak nine lines. The iris is of a brownish yellow, the feet, two claws of which are before and two behind, are short, strong, and lead colour. The head is ash- coloured, speckled with small rust-coloured spots mixed with some white ones. The top of the head and half of the back are divided lengthwise by a broad black streak, edged with rust colour ; the rest of the upper part of the body is of a fine grey, streaked and speckled with black, white, and rust colour. In the female the belly is paler than in the male. HABITATION When wild, it is a bird of passage, which departs during the first fortnight of September, and does not return till the end of April, frequenting groves and orchards. In August it goes into gardens and fields planted with cabbages and other vegetables. In the house it is better to let it run about at will than to keep it in a cage, where it would soil its feathers, particularly those on the belly and breast, while playing. FOOD. — In its wild state, the wryneck liveg on insects, for catching which it has a very long cylindrical tongue, with a hard point, that can be insi- nuated into all the chinks and fissures of trees. Ants' eggs are a very favourite food, and it does not dislike the ants themselves. Towards autumn, when the latter fail, it is contented with elder-berries till the time of its departure which never varies. In the house it must be first given ants' eggs ; and then by degrees the universal paste, to which it soon becomes accustomed ; but, as it is deli- cate, in erder to preserve it for some time, the nightingales' food agrees better with it. It is very amusing to s;e it search all the cracks and crevices of the room for insect* : and if a few ants' eggs were now and then put there, it would give it the greatest pleasure. 0 82 THE TOURAKO. BREEDING. — Its nest, which it places in the hole of a tree, is formed of moss, wool, hair, and straw. It lays eight eegs, which are white, and very •mooth. The adults and old ones are difficult to preserve and tame ; but the young ones may be easily reared on ants' eggs, and the universal paste, made of the crumb of white bread. MODE OF TAKING. — In general it is caught by putting lime twigs round the nest ; but if the weather be stormy, as in spring, when it is busy searching the bushes for insects, it may even he taken by the hand. The one I now have was brought to me by a little boy who had taken it in this manner. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — Independently of its beautiful plumage, it is very amusing to see it make those movements which have given it its name of wryneck. It lengthens its neck, and turns round its head, so that the beak points down the back. Its general position is quite straight ; the feathers of the head and throat very smooth, and the tail spread like a fan, at the same time bowing low. If it be irritated, or even if its food be brought, it slowly leans forward, raising the feathers on its head, lengthen- ing and turning its neck, rolling its eyes ; it then bows, spreads its tail, and murmurs some harsh sounds in its throat; in short, it puts itself in the most singular attitudes, and makes the most ridiculous grimaces. At other times it seems to have a melancholy disposition. In spring the male often cries in a full tone, gui, gut, gui, gui, to call its female. M. de Schauroth informs me that two wrynecks which he reared became so tame, that they would hang about his clothes, and begin to warble as soon as they heard him, or saw him even at a distance. One day, being wearied and teazed with its incessant cries, he drove one out of the window; but having called it towards evening, it immediately replied to his voice, and permitted itself to be taken. One of these birds, which he let range about at will, having perched on a neighbouring tree, he had only to hold out and •how it the box containing its food, and it returned immediately. THE TOURAKO. Cucuhu Persa, LINNJEUS : Le Tourako, BIJFPON ; Der Turako, BKCHSTEIN. THIS Bird, which is about the size of a magpie, has been placed among the cuckoos by Linnaeus, and those who have copied him. only because its cry is couc, couc ; for in no other respect does it belong to this genus. Its beak is short and thick, and ra sembles that of the pigeon in shape ; the upper is bent over the lower, and of a reddish brown ; the nostrils are covered with feathers ; the iris is nut-brown ; the eyelids are edged with small red warts; the opening of the throat is wide, extending to the back of the ears ; the nails of an ash grey ; the head, throat, neck, top of the back, with the upper wing-coverts, 1HE COMMON KINGFISHER. K.M the breast, upper part of the belly and sides, are covered with soft silky feathers, of a beautiful deep green ; the feathers on the top of the head gradually lengthen into a large tri- angular tuft, which the bird raises at will, and the tip of which is red. The green in the tuft is sometimes mixed with white. OBSERVATIONS. — The Tourako, which I have seen, belonging to hi* Highness the Duke of Saxe Meiningen, is one of the most elegant, mildest, and tamest of all foreign birds which I know. Its cry is cowc, couc, couc, at first repeated slowly and distinctly, afterwards more quickly, and then in a rapid and continued succession. Notwithstanding the form of its feet it does not climb or hop, but runs as quickly as any partridge across the room, and often, pressing its wings against its body, makes several long leaps of ten feet. FOOD. — The tongue is not perceptible on opening its beak, and it swallows every thing whole which is given it. It is fed on fruit and bread cut in small pieces ; it has been remarked that it has a crop. Buffon says, that one of these birds, which came from the Cape, ate rice ; but that which I have seen would not touch it ; on the contrary, it ate with avidity the stones of grapes, aa well as bits of apple and orange; »o that it may be concluded that fruit is its natural food. It is brought from Guinea, but may be found in other parts of Africa. THE COMMON KINGFISHER. Alcedo Ispida, LINNJECS; L'AIcyon, ou Martin Pecheur, BUFFON; Dei Kihvogel. BECHSTEIN. THE length of this bird is seven niches, of which the short tail only measures one and a quarter, the legs are very short, being only four lines in height, and the outer claw is united to the centre one, as far as the first joint. The beak, an inch and a half in length, is strong, straight and pointed. The iris is dark brown ; the top of the head and the wing-coverts are of a deep green ; the one with transverse and the other with oval spots of a beautiful sky blue. The back and shoulders shine with the most beautiful blue. In the female the colours are darker, and the sky blue there is in them only meadow green. HABITATION When wild this is a solitary bird, which remains the whole year on the edges of ponds, streams, and rivers. During the winter it may be seen watching for its prey at the holes in the ice, placed on a stone or stick, or perched OB the branch of a tree. o2 84 THE COMMON KINGFISHER. In the house it does not walk or hop, but flics or remains perched. It is very necessary to put some turf or branches in a corner, or it must be Kept in a cage with a perch ; it constantly remains in the same place. FOOD. — In its wild state its food is small fish, leeches, and, indeed, all aquatic worms and insects. In the house it must be given as much a» possible the same, accustoming it by degrees to eat meat. It is very rarely that those taken when old can be preserved. I have seen one, however, which ate even dead fish. The meat and small fish for its food must be put into a bowl of fresh water, large enough, or so firmly fixed, that it may uot be easily overturned. When taking its food it does not hop to the bottom of the cage, but stretches itself downwards till it can reach the water with its beak, at least if it be not a young one reared in the house. — It will not eat while being looked at. MR. PAXTON'S METHOD OF MANAGEMENT.— " Having become possessed," says Mr. Paxton, "of some young kingfishers last summer, we were very anxious to rear them; this we have accomplished, and, to the best of our information, it is the first time kingfishers were ever reared by hand. To accomplish this object we had a wire cage constructed about ten feet long, and four broad ; the back part of the cage was made to imitate, as nearly as possible, the banks of a river; — through this cage a small stream of water was conducted, in which the birds received their food, &c. When the young birds were first taken from the nest, minnows and bullheads were their principal food ; they have since been fed on almost every species of fresh-water fish, although they evince a marked preference for trout. " Immediately on a quantity of small fish being put into the stream of water, they commence killing them, regardless of who may be near; and so surely do they strike, that, although we have repeatedly observed them, we never yet saw them miss their prey. As soon aa they have caught a fish they kill it, by knocking its head against anything that may be near them. The quantity of fish consumed by each bird is almost incredible — we should think on the average not less than six ounces a day each ; they could not exist twenty-four hours without food, so they quickly digest it. There can be no doubt that the sole reason of the kingfisher migrating to the sea-side on the approach of severe weather, arises from the voracity of its appetite. " They are quite tame and domesticated, frequently sitting on the head or shoulder of the person who is in the habit of cleaning out their little dwelling. They are also very cleanly. We have observed them dive into the water as many as forty times incessantly, for the purpose of washing — this is generally done in the evening. " Although they appear satisfied with their confinement, they are far from being friendly with each other ; they fight with their wings, something after the manner of the swan ; this is rather surprising, as they are rery dexterous with their bills when seizing tbeir prey. " We have tried to rear others in a common cage, feeding them partly on flcBh, but never succeeded." HHF.KDING. — A hole at the edge of the water is the place in which it buildi tu neat, which i- formed on the outside of small roots, and lined with THE NUTHATCH. g rj feathers. Its eggs in general are eight in number, and quite white. In tho young ones, before the feathers grow, the stubs are so long and straight that they might be taken for so many little bristles. As soo*? as the young cnn see clearly, and before the feathers begin to sprout, is the time to take them from the nest ; they must be fed first on ants' eggs, meal worms., and othei worms and afterwards accustomed by degrees to meat ; they will be preserved in good health for a much longer time, if care be taken always to give them their food in fresh -water, rather than let them pick it up from the ground. MODE OF TAKING. — When the place which one of these birds frequents most, and which is generally near an eddy in the water, is well known, a stake must be fixed to which the snare, called a springe, can bo fastened ; by this means the bird may be easily taken. Lime-twigs may also be put on a bush or stake near the water's edge, provided it does not hang so much over the water as to risk the bird's falling into it when fixed by the lime. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES — Its great attractions are its beauty, for it is not well proportioned, and all its motions are sudden. THE NUTHATCH. Sitia Kiironsea LiNN.tts; La Sittele, ou le Torchepot, BUFFON ; Der Nusshacker, BECHSTHIN. THE length of this bird is six inches and a half, of which one and a half is included in the tail, and three-quarters in the beak, which is strong, straight, a little flat at the tip ; the eyes are greyish brown; the feet yellowish grey, the claws very strong. The forehead is blue only in the male ; the rest of the upper part of the body is of a blue grey ; the cheeks and throat are white ; a black streak passing across the eyes extends from the base of the beak to the neck ; the belly and breast are of a dingy orange colour. HABITATION. — When wild it generally frequents woods. In the winter it approaches villages, and will even fly into barns and stablea. 86 THK NUTHATCH. In the house it must be kept in a cage made entirely of wire, as wood tannot resist the strength of its beak *. FOOD. — In its wild state it lives on insects, which it seeks for in the trees, being able to cling to and run about the branches in any way : it also cats nuts and beech mast, which it skilfully fixes in the chinks of the trees, that it may crack them more easily. In the house, it may be fed on hemp seed, oats, barley meal, or even bread. The way in which it crushes the hemp seed and oats is very curious ; it takes as many as it can in its beak, and ranges them in orde.r in the cracks of the floor, always taking care to put the large end lowest, that it may break them more easily ; it then begins to despatch them one after another with the greatest skill and agility. The lady who has been occasionally mentioned in the introduction, amused herself in the winter, and particularly when the snow was on the ground, with throwing, several times a day, different kinds of seeds on the terrace below the window, in order to feed the birds in the neighbourhood. These soon became accustomed to this distribution, and arrived in crowds when they heard the clapping of hands, which was the signal used to call them. She put some hemp seed and cracked nuts even on the window- sill, and on a board, particularly for her favourites, the blue tits. Two nuthatches came one day to have their snare in this repast, and were so well pleased that they became quite familiar, and did not even go away in the following spring, to get their natural food and to build their nest in the wood. They settled themselves in the hollow of an old tree near the liouge ; as soon as the two young ones, which they reared here, were able to fly, they brought them to the hospitable window where they were to be nourished, and soon after disappeared entirely. It was very amusing to see these two new visitors hang or climb on the wall or blinds, whilst their benefactress put their food on the board. These pretty creatures, as well as the tits, knew her so well, that when she drove away the sparrows which • A bird of this species, which had been accidentally winged by a sportsman, was kept in a small cage of plain oak wood and wire. During a night and a day that his confinement lasted, his tapping labour was incessant ; and after occupying bis prison for that short space, he left the wood-work pierced and worn like worm- eafen timber. His impatience at his situation was excessive; his efforts to escape were unremitted, and displayed much intelligence and cunning. He was fierce, fearlessly familiar, and voracious of the food placed before him. At the close of the second day he sunk under the combined effects of his vexation, assiduity, ar.d voracity. His hammering was peculiarly laborious, for he did not peck as other birds do, but grasping hold with his immense feet, he turned upon them as a pivot, and struck with the whole weight of his body, thus assuming the appearance, with his entire form, of the head of a hammer, or, as birds may sometimes be seen to do on mechanical clocks, made to strike the hour by swinging on a wheel. Tho Itev. W. T. Bree, of Alleslcy, says, that having caught a nuthatch in the common l>rlck trap used by boys, he was struck with the singular appearance of its bill, so unlike that of any bird he had ever seen. It was blunt at the end, and presented the appearance of having been truncated in an oblique direction, as if the natural beak had been rut off He naturally inferred that it had been fairly ground down to about two-thirds of its original length, by the bird's pecking at the bricks, in iM ••fforts to escape from the trap. — TKANHI.ATOR. 1'HK M'THATCU. gj cauie to steal what was not intended for them, they did not fly away also but seemed to know that what was done was only to protect and defend them. These nuthatches remained near the house for the whole summer, rarely wandering, till one fatal day, at the beginning of the sporting season, in autumn, they no sooner heard the report of a gun than they disappeared, and were never again seen. It is possible that fear alone had driven them so far that they could not find their way home again ; they did not knew that there they would have been in greater safety. If these birds are left at liberty in the room, they are accustomed, like lie tits, to hide the greater part of what is given to them, to keep it for another meal ; but their trick of piercing holes in the wood makes them inconvenient, and therefore it is better to keep them in a cage. BREEDING. — The nuthatch builds its nest in the holes of old trees, and lays six or seven eggs spotted with red, MODE or TAKING As it has the same taste for hemp seed and oats as the tits, it may often be caught in the same snare ; it may also be taken in the area or barn floor trap. Its call is " gru, dek, dek" ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES Its plumage, liveliness, agility, and great cunning in catching and hiding its food, are its most agreeable qualities. NUTHATCH CLAW. GOLDFINCH. PASSERINE BIRDS. THE birds of this group have the beak conical and pointed, in general rather strong, with both the mandibles moveable. and fit for peeling and cleaning grain. Their feet are slender, and their claws divided. Some of them do not confine them- selves to grain, but also eat insects. Those which feed solely on seeds disgorge them into the crop of their young, the others simply put the food into their beaks. The greater part of them build their nests very skilfully. The females brood alone, or are very rarely assisted by the males in hatching. This group and the following are peculiarly the real cage birtl* ; those pretty and attractive little creatures which enliven our rooms with their songs. Those which feed only on M-I-.!.-. may be tamed at any age. THE CROSSBILL. Loxia curvirostra, LINN.EUS ; Le Beccroise, BCFFON ; Der Kreuzschuabel, BECHSTEIN. THE length of this bird is nearly seven inches, of which the tail measures two and a quarter. The beak, which is one inch in length, and very thick, has its two mandibles curving in opposite directions, and crossing each other at the points, whence the name. It is no fixed rule for the upper mandible to cross to the right or left, but its direction appears to be ac- quired when young. The shanks, which are eight lines high, and the beak, are brown ; the iris is nut-coloured. The change of colour, which some assert this bird is subject to three times a year, simply occurs as follows : — The young male, which is at first of a greyish brown, with a little yellow, becomes after moulting entirely red, darker on the upper part of the body than on the lower, the quill and tail feathers excepted, which are blackish. This generally happens in April or May. At the second moulting this red colour be- comes a greenish yellow, which is permanent; so that when red they may be known to be the young male birds, and when yellow the old ones. The females are in general grey, with a little green on the head, breast, and rump, or irregularly speckled with those two colours. From observations which have been made with great care and exactness, and which any one can repeat who wishes, it appears proved that an old male bird never changes its colour. In order to be exact as to these facts, it is necessary to observe the bird from the time of its leaving the nest ; for, if one were to judge from those taken in a snare, one would certainly be JK> THE CROSSBILL. disposed to think that not one bird resembled another : but all this variety depends on the different stages in moulting, which so very much affects the colours of the plumage. Thus, in old male birds the forehead, cheeks, and eyebrows are spotted with grey, greenish yellow, and white. Wherever green and yellow are prevalent, the dark grey shows through, and has the appearance of spots on those parts, particularly on the back, for the tips alone are green and yellow. The result of all this is, that, when grey or speckled crossbills are spoken of, they are the young ones ; when red, they have passed their first moulting ; when crimson, they are near their second ; and when spotted, red and yellow, they are two years old, and hi full feather. To judge with exactness, these birds ought to be seen at the time of laying, but neither this nor the moulting has any fixed season; and this circumstance suffi- ciently explains the great variety and difference of colour which are found among this species. These details also show that the crossbill is subject to nearly the same changes of colour as the linnet, and that the red colour which it bears for the first year is what peculiarly distinguishes it from other birds. One thing, which is rather remarkable, ia, that the young ones reared in the house never take the red colour, but remain grey for the second year, or change directly into greenish yellow. There are two kinds of crossbills, the greater and lesser ; but the difference is not so great as some pretend, and nature In not more invariable in the size of birds than it is in that of men *. HABITATION. — When wild, the crossbill not only inhabits Europe, but alto all the north of Asia and America, everywhere frequenting forests of pines and firs, where these trees, which are loaded with cones, furnish abun- dance of food. In the house it may be let range at will, but a branch of fir, or any other live, must be put near it, on which it can perch or sleep. If it bo kept in a cage it must be made of wire ; for, being so much disposed to peck ai:d nibble, a wicker cage would soon be reduced to chips. FOOD. — In its wild state the pine seed is its favourite food ; the shape of its beak is peculiarly iidaptcd for procuring these seeds, by separating the •eulei of the cones ; it also gathers from the ground those which have fallen, and it does not neglect thow: of the fir, and even of the alder. When these foil it is contented with the buds of the same trees. • The parrot jroi.kbill is a very different species, but is rare. — TRANSLATOR. THK CROSSBILL. 91 In the house, if it be let run about at liberty, the second universal paste *ill be sufficient ; but if kept in a cage it must be fed on hemp, pine, and rape seed, and even elder-berries. BRFKDING. — The time of breeding is very remarkable, being generally in the depth of winter, from December to April. The nest, which is placed at the top of a pine or fir tree, is first formed of very fine small twigs, there is then a layer of coarse moss, but the interior is lined with the finest and softest moss ; it is not glued with resin, as some have said. The young crossbills being in Thuringia the object of many ridiculous superstitirms, the wood-cutters are always careful of the nests. The number of the eggs Taries from three to five, they are of a greyish white, spotted, speckled, and streaked at the large end with red brown. The heating nature of their food enables the young and old birds to bear the severity of the season. The old birds feed their young with the food disgorged from their own stomach, as do all the grosbeaks. This species may be reared in the house on white bread soaked in milk, and mixed with a few poppy-seeds. DISEASES — The accumulated vapour from a room with a stove has such an effect on the constitution of these birds, that they are almost always ill *. Weak eyes, swelled and ulcerated feet, are very common occurrences ; hence the mountaineers of Thuringia have taken it into their heads that these poor birds can take upon themselves their diseases and pains : and it is this foolish idea that induces them always to keep one of these birds near them. Their superstitious extravagance carries them so far, that they are persuaded a bird whose upper mandible bends to the right, has the power of assuming to itself the colds and rheumatism from men ; but when this mandible turns to the left, the bird renders the same service to the women. These simple and credulous people imagine that nothing is more efficacious against epilepsy, than every day to drink the water which the bird has left, because they see that these unfortunate victims are often attacked with this disease. MODE OF TAKING — With the decoy birds nothing is easier than to take the crossbills in the autumn and spring : one large rod, covered with strong birdlime, is all that is necessary. It must be put in a glade in the wood winch these birds frequent, with the decoy bird by the side ; this, by its continual cry, will soon attract them. In Thuringia the people put uooses and spring traps on the top of some of the highest pines, and there hang the cage of the decoy bird ; as soon as one crossbill has settled, the others fol- low ; so that as many birds are taken as there are traps set, particularly if the stick of the spring traps be placed so that the bird must perch on it. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — The crossbill is rather a silly bird ; in the cage its motions are like those of the parrot ; when lively it swings its body like the siskin, and sings a few sharp strains, which are more or less monotonous, according to the different powers of the songsters — for some of the males far surpass the others in this short melody. It is easily tamed, can be earned about anywhere on the fingei, and will go and return again without wandering. * The too grea'. beat has doubtless also something to do with it.— TRANSLATOR. THE BULLFINCH. i.oxia pyrrhula, LINN.KUS ; Le Bouvreuil, BUFPON ; Der Gimpel, BECH.«TBIN THIS is one of the indigenous tame birds which is a favourite with the rich and noble. Its body is thick and short. Its whole length is six inches and three quarters, of which the tail measures two and three quarters ; the beak is only six lines in length, short, tliick, and black ; the iris is chestnut-coloured ; the shanks eight lines high, and black ; the top of the head, the circle of the beak, the chin, and beginning of the throat, are of a beautiful velvet black ; the upper part of the neck, the back, and shoulders, deep grey ; the rump white ; the under part of the neck, the wide breast, and to the centre of the belly, are of a fine vermilion, less bright, however, in the young than old ; the blackish pen-feathers become darker towards the body ; the secondaries have the outer edge of an iron blue, which in the hinder ones is reddish. The tail is rather forked, and of brilliant black, tinged with iron blue. The female is easily distinguished from the male, for what is red on him is reddish grey on her, while her back is of a brownish grey, and her feet are not so black ; she is also smaller. This species has some singular varieties ; the principal are : — 1. The White Bullfinch, which is of an ashy white, or wholly white, with dark spots on the back. 2. The Black Bullfinch. These are most generally females, which become black, either with age, when they are only fed on hemp seed, or with having been kept when young in a lot ally 'lark place. Some resume at their moulting their natural colours ; others remain black ; but this black is not the same in all ; smiie are of a brilliant raven black, others THE BULLFINCH. 93 dull, and not so dark on the belly ; in some the head only is of a raven black, the rest of the body being duller ; in others the black is mixed with red spots on the belly, or the latter is entirely red. I have seea one in which the head and breast, as well as the upper and under parts of the body, were of a raven black, every other part of a dull black, with the wings and tail white; it was a very handsome bird, rather larger than a red- breast. 3. The Speckled Bullfinch. It is thus called, for, besides its natural colours, it is spotted with black and white, or white and ash colour. 4. The Mongrel Bullfinch. It is the offspring of a female reared in the house from the nest, and of a male canary. Its shape and colour partake of those of the parent birds ; its note is very agreeable, and softer than that of the canary ; but it is very scarce. This union rarely succeeds ; but when tried, a very ardent and spirited canary should be chosen *. 5. The other varieties are : the Large Bullfinch, about the size of a thrush, and the Middling, or Common. As to dwarf birds, which are not as large as a chaffinch, it is a bird-catcher's story, for this difference in size is observed in all kinds of birds. I can affirm it with the more certainty, having had opportuni- ties every year of seeing hundreds of these birds, both wild and tame. I have even in the same nest found some as small as redbreasts, and others as large as a crossbill. HABITATION. — When wild, bullfinches are found over Europe and Russia. They we particularly common in the mountainous forests of Germany. The male and female never separate during the whole year. I n winter they wander about everywhere in search of buds. In the house those which are caught in a snare are often let run about These birds not being very unruly or very active, a middling-sized cage will do, in which those which have learned songs are kept ; but they must he kept in separate rooms, as they will mutually spoil their songs if left together. FOOD. — When wild the bullfinch does not often suffer from the failure of its food; for it eats pine and fir seeds, the fruit of the ash and maple, • However difficult this pairing may be, it sometimes succeeds very well. A bulliinch and female canary once produced five young ones, which died on a journey which they could not bear. Their large beak, and the blackish down with which they were covered, showed that they were more like their father than mother — TRANSLATOR. THK BULLFINCH. eorn, all kinds of berries, the buds of the oak, beech, and pear tree*, ana even linseed, millet, rape, and nettle seed. In the house those which run about may be fed on the universal paste, and, for a change, rape seed may be added ; those which are taught must be fed only on poppy seed, with a little hemp seed, and now and then a little biscuit without spice. It has been remarked that those which are fed entirely on rape seed soaked in water live much longer, and are more healthy. The hemp seed is too heating, sooner or later blinds them, and always brings on a decline. A little green food, such as lettuce, endive, duckweed, water-cresses, a little apple, particularly the kernels, the bcrric* of the Bervice tree, and the like, is agreeable and salutary to them. BREEDING These tenderly affectionate birds can hardly live when separated from one another. They incessantly repeat their call with a languishing note, and continually caress. They can sometimes be made to breed in the house, like the canary, but their eggs are rarely fruitful. In the wild state they breed twice every year, each litre laying from three to six eggs, of a bluish white, spotted with violet and brown at the large end. Their nest, which they build in the most retired part of a wood, or in a solitary quickset hedge, is constructed with little skill, of twigs which are covered with moss. The young ones are hatched in fifteen days. Those which are to be taught must be taken from the nest when the feathers of the tail begin to grow ; and must be fed only on rape seed soaked in water and mixed with white bread ; eggs would kill them or make them blind. Their plumage is then of a dark ash-colour, with the wings and tail blackish brown ; the males may be known at first by their reddish breast; so that when these only are wished to be reared they may be chosen in the nest, for the females are not so beautiful, nor so easily taught. Although they do not warble before they can feed themselves, one need not wait for this to begin their instruction*, for it will succeed better, if one may say so, when infused with their food ; since experience proves that they learn those airs more quickly, and remember them better, which they have been taught just after eating. It has been observed several times, that these birds, like the parrots, are never more attentive than during digestion. Nine months of regular and continued instruction are necessary before the bird acquires what amateurs call firmness, for if one ceases before this time, they spoil the air, by suppressing or displacing the different parts, aud they often forget it entirely at their first moulting. In general it is a good thing to separate them from the other birds, even after they are per- fect ; because, owing to their great quickness in learning, they would spoil the air entirely by introducing wrong passages ; they must be helped to continue the soag when they stop, and the lesson must always be repeated whilst they are moulting, otherwise they will become mere chatterers, • I do not recommend the employment of bird organs for instructing birds, because they are rarely accurate, and their notes are harsh and discordant ; for bullfinches repeat the sounds exactly as they hear them, whether harsh or false, according la the instrument used. Tbt good and pure whistling of a man of taste is far pre- ferable ; the bird repeats h i.i a soft, flute-like tone. When one cannot whistle well it is better to use a flageolet.— TRANSLATOR. THK BULLFINCH. 05 which would be doubly vexatious after having had much trouble iu teach* ing them. DISEASES. — Those bullfinches which are caught in a snare or net aro rarely ill, and maybe preserved for eight years or more; but those reared from the nest are subject to many diseases, caused by their not having their natural food, or by those injurious delicacies which are always lavished m favourite birds; they rarely live more than six years. The surest means of preserving them healthy for a long time, is to give them neither sweets nor tit-bits of any kind, scrupulously to confine their food to rape seed, adding now and then a very little hemp seed to please them, and a good deal of the green food before mentioned. The bottom of their cages shouid be covered with river sand, as the bird there finds some stones which aid the functions of the stomach. Their most frequent diseases are moulting, costiveness, diarrhrea, epilepsy, grief, and melancholy, in which case they are quite silent, and remain immoveable, unless the cause can be discovered. They must not be given any delicacy, and must be fed entirely on soaked rape seed. A clove in their water, proper food, and particularly a good deal of refreshing green food, enables them to pass the moulting time in good health. MODK OF TAKING. — There are few birds so easily attracted by the decoy bird as bullfinches. They may also be taken by any of the usual means. In winter numbers may be caught by a noose, by hanging to it such berries as the bird likes ; in spring and autumn they may be caught in the area or barn floor trap ; and provided they see berries there, the decoy bird is not wanted; it is sufficient if one imitates their soft cry of "/MI, tfwi," in the hut. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — Although the song of the male and female bullfinch, in their wild state, is very harsh and disagreeable, yet if well taught while young, as they are in Hesse and Fulda, where there are schools of these little musicians, for all Germany, Holland, and England, they learn to whistle all kinds of airs and melodies with so soft and flute-like a tone, that they are great favourites with amateurs, and particularly with the ladies. There are some of these little birds which can whistle distinctly three different airs, without spoiling or confusing them in the least. Added to this attraction the bullfinch becomes exceedingly tame, sings whenevel it is told to do so, and is susceptible of a most tender and lasting attach- ment, which it shows by its endearing actions ; it balances its body, moves its tail from right to left, and spreads it like a fan. It will even repeat words, with an accent and tone which indicates sensibility, if one could believe that it understood them ; but its memory must not be overloaded. A single air, with a prelude or a short flourish to begin with, is as much as the bird can learn and remember, and this it will execute to the greatest perfection. These little prodigies would be more interesting and agreeable, if their Hessian instructors possessed a little musical taste, but these are generally tradespeople, employed about the house with their different occupations and trades ; and hymns, airs, and minuets of a hundred yean old, public house songs, or some learnt of their apprentices, in general com- pose the whole of their music. 96 THE BULLFINCH. The bullfinch can also imitate the songs of other birds ; but in general it is not permitted to do so, that it may only learn to repeat the airs which are taught it. Different degrees of capacity are shown here, as well as in other animals. One young bullfinch learns with ease and quickness, another with diffi- culty and slowly ; the former will repeat, without hesitation, several parts of a song ; the latter will be hardly able to whistle one, after nine months uninterrupted teaching. But it has been remarked that those birds which icarn with most difficulty remember the songs, which have once been well learnt, better and longer, and rarely forget them, even when moulting. Mr. Thiem*, bird-seller, at Waltershauseu, near Gotha, sends annually to Berlin and London one or two hundred bullfinches, instructed in this manner, at from one to several pounds sterling a- piece, according as they are more or less accomplished, whilst a wild one would cost only two or three pence. These, however, are also kept in the room and prized, both on account of their beauty and the great ease with which they are tamed ; they soon learn to fly on the hand, to receive their food, or will even take it from the mouth, and become at last as familiar as if they had been reared from the nest. The following are the means which are employed to tame them : — As soon as a bullfinch is caught and brought into the room, it must be put into a cage with food sufficient for the first day only; for the loss of its liberty docs not prevent its eating as soon as it is disengaged from the lime twigs or noose. The next day a band must be put round the body and wings, like that which bird-catchers put round a decoy bird, which they let run about out of doors ; by means of this band the bullfinch may be fastened by a piece of packthread, a foot in length, to some place from which it cannot fall ; this will prevent its healing itself to death with its wings ; a little bell may be fastened to a box, which when filled with food must be given to the bird, at the same time ringing the bell ; it must be then left that it may eat ; this must be repeated several times in the day; the same must be done when it is given anything to drink. The poor little captive will not at first either eat or drink in any one's presence ; it is therefore necessary to retire for the two first days after having given it the box, and only approach it by degrees, till it is accustomed to eat in the pre- sence of its master, which it will soon be, for generally on the third day, as soon as it hears the bell and sees the box, it hops forward, and eats without the least shyness. Then the distance must be increased by degrees to make it come farther and farther, when, as soon as it has eaten, it may be taken on the hand and carried here and there, though it may seem a little frightened, but not being able to escape it will soon become used to this treatment, and will even begin to come to eat on the hand by con- tinuing to do this for the third and fourth days ; it will fly of itself at the sound of the bell to the hand which holds the box; after this the fastening may be loosened, and if one only move from the bird gradually, it will fearlessly approach and perch on the hand. Should it escape, however, it must be again confined and left without food for some hours. By this • Mr. Thiem, son of the Mr. Thiem in the trxt, arrives annually in London in April or May, with birds for sale.— TKAWSLATOR. THK «RKEX BIRD. 9- uieans a wild bullfinch will in eight days become accustomed to fly im- mediately to the hand, or wherever it hears the bell ; in order to finish its education, it is well to increase the difficulty of getting at its food, by putting it in a small bag with a very little opening ; it must also only have rape seed in the cage, keeping the hemp seed, which it likes best, for the hand or little bag. It may be taught to drink out of one's mouth by keeping it without water for five or six hours. It may even be accus- tomed to go and return, provided the house is not too near a wood. The surest means of preventing too long an absence is to put a female bullfinch in a cage in the window, or to leave her in the room with her wing clipped ; its affection will soon bring it back to her, and it will certainly never abandon her altogether . Tame bullfinches have been known (says Buffon) to escape from the aviary, and live at liberty in the woods for a whole year, and then to recollect the voice of the person who had reared them, return to her, never more to leave her. Others have been known, which when forced to leave their first master, have died of grief. These birds remember very well, and often too well, any one who has injured them. One of them having been thrown down, with its cage, by some of the lowest order of people, did not seem at first much disturbed by it, but afterwards it would fall into con- vulsions as soon as it saw any shabbily dressed person, and it died in one of these fits eight months after the first accident. A bullfinch, belonging to a lady often mentioned before, being subject to very frightful dreams, which made it fall from its perch, and beat itself in the cage, no sooner heard the affectionate voice of its mistress than, notwith- standing the darkness of the night, it became immediately tranquil, and re-ascended its perch to sleep again. It was very fond of chickweed,and as soon as it perceived one bringing it to him, however much care was taken to prevent its finding it easily, it would show its joy by its actions anc cries. THE GREEN BIRD. Loxia chloris, LiNN£t;s ; Le Verdier, BUFFON ; Der Grunlin?. BECHSTEIN. THIS bird is rather larger than the chaffinch, being six inches in length, of which the tail measures two and a half; the beak five lines in length. The iris is dark brown ; the shanks arc eight inches in height, and of a bluish flesh colour. The pre- vailing colour of the plumage is yellowish green, lighter on the lower part of the body, still more so on the rump and breast, and shading to white on the belly. The female, which is smaller, is still more distinguished by i he greenish brown of the upper part, and the ash -colour rather ihan yellowish green of the lower part of the body : she has 98 A'HE GRKEN BIK1>. besides some yellow spots on the breast, and the whole belly is rather white than yellow. Sportsmen and bird-catchers mention three kinds of greci. birds, namely, the large, which is everywhere or a beautiful yellow ; the middle sized, the under part of the body of which is light yellow; and the little, which they say is rather greenish than yellow ; but all this variety depends upon the different ages of the bird, as well as its strength, and more or less beau- tiful tints of its plumage. What much more deserves to be remarked is the mule, which is the offspring of a green bird, and a female canary ; it has a strong body ; its colours are green and grey, mixed with yellow, when the female canary is yellow • but it is always a bad singer. HABITATION. — When wild, the green bird may be found overall Europe, though not often far north. It may be seen during summer, in hedges, and on the borders of woods, and always where there are several trees near together; during winter it wanders into different provinces, in large and numerous flocks ; but in March it begins to return from these journeys. In the house it may either be let range free, or be shut up in an aviary with oilier birds, where it is always very peaceable as long as it has suf- ficient food ; but when that fails, it perches itself on the general food -drawer, and keeps it determinedly, pecking it with its beak so cleverly that no othei bird can approach : should one venture, it is soon obliged to go away or lose its feathers ; otherwise this bird is as quiet and tame in the house :.^ it is vild and active when at liberty. FOOD. — In its wild state it seems to like all kinds of seed, even that < I the milk thistle, which all other birds dislike. In the house, when it ranges at will, the second universal paste so well agrees with it that it becomes quite fat ; however, as a variety, rape aning in the spring. HAWFINCH. (x>xia cocccthraustc-., LINNAEUS ; Lc Grosbcc, BUFFON ; Der geireine Kcrnbeiuer, BECH&TEIN. ONE must be a very great bird fancier to wish to have this bird in the house. Its length is seven inches, of which the tail measures two inches and a third. The beak, which is very thick in proportion to the rest of the body, is like a large blunt HAWFINCH. 101 cone, dark blue in summer, and flesh-coloured, with the tij> black, in winter ; the slim feet are nine lines hi height, and of a pale crimson ; the yellowish brown of the forehead unites with the light chestnut on the top of the head and cheeks; t) e jircle of the head is black, and forms, under the chin, a large square spot; the nape of the neck and upper part of the back arc of a fine ash-grey, the lower part is of a dark brown, with some shades of grey on the rump. In the females, the cheeks, head, and upper tail coverts are of a greyish chestnut colour ; the throat, wings, and tail rather brown than black, the spot on the wings greyish, the under part of the body reddish grey, shading to white on the belly. HABITATION — When wild, it may be found in all the temperate parts of Kurope and Russia. It is very common among the mountainous coun- tries of Germany, -where the beech prevails in the forests. It is rather an erratic bird than a bird of passage, and its excursions are ended in March. Sonnini says, however, that he has seen it during winter, in Egypt, with the blackbirds and thrushes, and its excursions are ended in March. In the house it is generally kept in a large wire cage, where it is soon tamed. It may also be let run about, provided it has not too many com- panions, and that it has food in abundance, for it is a very quarrelsome bird. FOOD In its wild state it eats many different things; the fruit of the beech, elm, ash, and inaple ; the berries of the juniper, service-tree, and white-thorn ; cherries and plums, the stones of which it breaks with the greatest ease, to eat the kernel ; hemp seed, cabbage, radish, and lettuce seed also form a part of its food. In the house, if confined in the cage, it is contented with rape and hemp-seed; and if it run about, with the second universal paste. BREEDING Its nest is well built; the eggs, from three to five in number, are greenish grey, spotted with brown, and streaked with blackish blue. The young, when reared from the nest, will become so tame as t<- cat from the hand, and will courageously defend itself with its beak against the dogs and cats; it may also be accustomed to go and come. MODE OF TAXING. — The haste with which these birds come on heariM- the call, makes it very easy to catch them in the net, by throwing berries or hemp seed on the trap. In autumn and winter they may be taken by the noose, with service-berries; in spring they may be caught by placing lime twigs on the nest. The loss of their liberty does not prevent their eating immediately rape or hemp seed. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES I confess that it has very few; its song is less agreeable than any of the others', it is a kind of low whistling, mixed with »ome harsh tones; but its great taraeness may please; it is necessary , however, to guard one's self from its beak. THE CARDINAL GROSBEAK, OR VIRGINIAN N1GH1- INGALE. I. oxia cardinalis, LINNAEUS ; Cardinal hupp^, ou Ross'.gnol de Virginia, BUFFON; Der Cardinal Kernbcisser. BECHSTKIN. THE length of this bird is eight inches, of which the tail measures three. Its beak is strong and light red, like its feet ; the iris is dark brown; the head is ornamented with a tuft, which, when raised, is pointed ; the throat and the part round the beak are black ; the rest of the body is of a beautiful bright red ; the pen and tail-feathers are less brilliant, and brown on the anterior part. The female is in general of a reddish brown. OBSERVATIONS. — The beautiful song of this grosbeak is so like that of the nightingale, that this name has been given it ; but its voice is so strong that it pierces the ears. It sings through the whole year, except during the time of moulting. In its wild state, its principal food is the seed of the Indian corn and buck-wheat ; it collects a considerable quantity of this food, which it skil- fully covers with leaves and twigs, only leaving a very small hole, as the entrance to this magazine. In the cage it is fed with millet, rape seed, hemp seed, and the like, which agree with it very well. Some persons have endeavoured to make it breed in large aviaries in the middle of gardens, but I do not know that it has ever succeeded. In (•Yimany it is very dear, being as much as six or eight pounds sterling fur a p:iir. THE JAVA SPARROW, OR RICE BIRD. Loxia orycivora, LINN^US ; Le Padda, ou Oisoau dc Riz, BUFFOS ; Der Reiskem- beisser, BECHSTEIN. Tins bird is about the size of a bullfinch, and five inches in Imgth, of which the tail measures two. The beak is thick, and of a fine rose colour; the feet are paler; the eyelids naked, and edged with rose colour ; the head, throat, and streak which surrounds the cheeks, are black ; the checks are white ; the rump, tail, and greater pen- feat hers are black, but all the rest of the upper part of the body, the wing-coverts, hinder pen-frathers, and breast, are of a dark grey ; the belly purpir tfrry ; the lower tail-coverts white. " The whole plumage," says Buffon, :' is so well arranged, that no one feather passes another, and they all appear downy, or rather covered with THE WAXBILL. 10 that kind of bloom which you see on plums : this gives them a very beautiful tint." In the female the colours are rather lighter on the back and belly : the young are not only paler, but also irregularly spotted with dark brown on the cheeks and lower part of the belly. OBSERVATIONS. — There are few vessels coming from Java and the Cape of Good Hope that do not bring numbers of these birds, which have a* bud a character in those countries, and particularly in China, their native olace, as the sparrows have amongst us, on account of the ravages they make in the rice fields. They have nothing attractive but their beauty, for their song is short and monotonous. They cost four or five pounds sterling a pair in Germany. THE WAXBILL. Loxia Astrild. LINNJH'S ; Le S£nrown above and white below, and some have the belly yellow, a i ;d the back spotted with white; there are some, indeed which have the neck and throat bluish, the under part of the l.-ody white, mixed with iron colour, and the upper part blue. OBSERVATIONS — They inhabit the Canary Islands, Senegal, Angola, tht Cape of Good Hope, and may even be found as far as India, whence thej are brought to Europe. Their beautiful shape, their amiable disposition, and the affection which they show to every one indiscriminately, render them such favourites, that a dozen may be often seen in one cage. Theii song is Bcurcely any thing. They are fed on millet, which also forms their food in their native country, to the damage of the fields which are sown with it. They approach villages like our sparrows; they are caught in traps made of the shell of a gourd, and cut like a bowl, on which soro* millet is scattered. 104 THE AMANDAVA. Fringilla umandava, LINNJBUS ; Le Bengali Piquet^, BCTPOII ; Der Cetiegerte Bengalist, BECHSTEIN. THIS beautiful little bird, which is brought to Europe ^ great numbers from Bengal, Java, Malacca, and other tropic* countries of Asia, is only four inches long, of which the tan measures one and a third. Most ornithologists class it with the sparrows, but it seems to me that it belongs rather to the grosbeaks. Its beak is short and thick, being only four lines in length, and the diameter at the base measuring three. Its colour is deep bright red ; the iris is also red ; the feet are six lines in height, and of a pale flesh-colour ; in the male the head and under part of the body are of a fiery red, the upper part of a dark grey, but the feathers have a broad red edge, so that this colour seems to prevail ; thus the edge of the feathers on the rump make it appear of a brilliant orange, though, like the holly, it is properly black ; the feathers of the back, tail, sides of the breast and belly, the wing-coverts, hinder quill-feathers, and both tail-coverts, are terminated at the tip with shining white spots, which are largest on the hinder quill-feathers, and larger wing-coverts, the colour of which is otherwise black. The female is one third smaller than the male; part of the upper mandible is black ; the head and upper part of the body, including the wing-coverts, are of a dark ash-colour; the fea- thers on the rump have only an orange edge, with a light tip ; the cheeks are of a light grey ; the under part of the body is pale sulphur, the pen-feathers blackish ; the greater and lessor wing-coverts are finely speckled with white ; the tips of the tail-feathers are greyish white. The male varies in its colours for several years before it permanently acquires those above described : it may be seen with the back grey, slightly tinted with red, the belly black. speckled with yellow ; others with the back reddish grey, spotted with bright red, and the belly of a sulphur yellow, with black rings, and more or less speckled, &c. OBSERVATIONS. — These birds arc as sociable as the \vaxbilla ; if there -lioulii be twenty or thirty in the same cage, they perch close against one mother on the same perch; :uint with no spots in the old ones. The female is altogether lighter, and has no black on the head, but two dark grey streaks above and under the eyes ; the under part of the body is only reddish grey. OBSERVATIONS. — This species is found on the coasts of Africa, in Bengal, and other parts of Asia. It is a very agreeable bird, and though its voice is weak ita song is only the more melodious. A male and female put together in a cage seem to be taken up with their mutual affection, always ("reding and caressing each other. They are fed on crushed canary and licmp seed, which preserves them in good health for several years. The i«»om in which they are kept must be heated during winter. THE DOMINICAN. I.oxia Dominicana, LINN.EUS ; Lo Paroare, BUFFON ; Dcr Dominicaner Kern- beisser, BECHSTEIN. THIS bird is about the size of a lark. The upper part of the l>cak is brown, and the lower light flesh -colour; the feet arc grey ; the front of the head, the throat, and part of the neck red ; the back of the head is blackish, with a slight mixture of white. OBSERVATIONS. — This bird comes from Brazil, and possesses nothing attractive but its beauty. Its song is merely an occasional call. In Ger- many it costs three pounds sterling. THE GRENADIER. Loxia orix, LINNJEOS ; Le Cardinal du Cap de Bonne Esperance, BUPPON; Der Grenadier Kernbeisscr, oder Feuervoge/, BECHSTEIN. THIS bird is about the size of a sparrow. The beak is black ; iris chestnut; feet dark flesh-colour; forehead, sides of the head, chin, lower part of the breast and belly blackish ; the throat, top of the head and breast, rump, vent, and tail arc of a tiery red, or brilliant carmine, and soft, like velvet. VARIETIES.— 1. A black spot on the chin ; thighs red. 2. Tail dark brown, with a greyish white border. In the female the beak is raven black, the upper part of the l>ody dark brown, %vith light grey edges to the feathers; the THE CAPK FINCH, 107 head dark grey, with a whitish streak which passes above the eyes ; the under part of the body light grey. From this it seems to be very like the house sparrow; its plumage is, how- ever, altogether lighter. The male takes these colours, in the house, at the second moulting, but the streaks are darker, the feathers of the upper part of the body being blackish, with broad borders of reddish grey ; the streak above the eyes is of a pale sulphur. When wild, the males, immediately after pairing, which is in January, lose their red feathers, and become like the females, but have them again in July, about the time of the second breeding season. They are pretty whilst moulting, when the head and body are speckled, the tail and neck still remaining red. OBSERVATIONS. — These birds, which are very numerous in all the colonies at the Cape of Good Hope, do as much mischief there to the flowers and i-ars of corn, as the sparrows do in Europe. When retiring by thousands in the evening, from the fields to the reeds, they make such a noise with their chirping aa may be heard to a great distance. Their call is like the sparrows' " dib} t in a cage and fed on canary seed. Its call is " dcguayj' its feeble song somewhat resembles the siskin's. THE BANDED FINCH. T.oxia fa^laa, LisN.tc.s ; La Collerette ; Der gebanderte Kernbeisser, BECiisrtis. THIS bird is the size of the preceding, about four inches and a half in length. The beak is bluish grey. The feet short and flesh-coloured ; the upper part of the body dark reddish ash grey, each feather having two black transverse bands, only one of which is visible ; the cheeks and lower mandible arc sur- rounded by a band of dark reddish purple. The female has not this collar, and its plumage is paler; tlie under part of its body is red brown, each feather edged with a deeper shade. VARIETIES. — The one I have actually before me, and which 1 received from Mr. Thiem, bird-dealer at \Valtcrshausen, is a lliic male, whose plumage is as follows : — The head is dull orange, with black stripes very near toge- ther ; the upper part of the neck, the back and rump, are the Kimc shade of orange, but each feather is intersected by a K-mieircular black line, and terminated by a spot of red brown ; tbc scapular wing coverts and last pen-feathers are dark grey, with transverse angular black bands, and bordered at the tips with red brown. THE MALACCA F1XCH. 11.) 2. This variety is thus described in Latham's Synopsis of Birds. The top of the head, upper part of the neck, and lesser wing coverts, light brown, with semicircular black lines ; the cheeks plain brown, but edged at the lower part with bright crimson, below which is a black line ; the breast and belly light brown, occasionally marked with semicircular lines ; the pen-fcathere and tail are brown. OBSERVATIONS. — Bird-fauciers give to these the name of Indian sparrows though they come from Africa ; their cry is similar to that of the common sparrow, and their song not very differeut. They are fed on canary sced>. THE BROWN-CHEEKED FINCH. Loxia canora, LINNAEUS ; Der braunwangige Kernbeisser, BECHSTEJN Tins bird is the size of the siskin, and four inches in length The beak short, strong, and horn brown. The feet flesh-colour. The cheeks brown, adorned with a yellow border from the throat to the back of the ear. The female has no yellow border to the cheeks. < B^F.RVATIONS. — This pretty species comes from Mexico ; its song is soft aud clear ; its actions are as lively as they are amusing. It is kept in a cage, and fed on canary seed and millet. THE MALACCA FINCH. Loxia Malacca, LINNAICS ; Le Jacobin, BCFFON : Der Malacki-che Ki-riibeissrr, BtCHSTEIN. THIS bird is the size of the greenfinch, and four inches and a half in length, of which the tail measures one and a half. The beak thick, five lines in length, and bluish grey ; the feet the same colour. The head, neck, a stripe, which extends up the belly to the vent, and the thighs, are black ; the back, wings and tail, pale chestnut. The following is mentioned as a variety. The Chinese Grosbeak (Bnsson's Ornithology, III., page23o^ A'o. 7), with the head, throat, and front of the neck black, the upper part of the body red brown or chestnut, the wings and tail similar to the one above. I have seen this bird in a room several times, and liavp always 112 THE SNOW BUNTING. regarded it as a male, on account of its song, and because, uftei moulting, its plumage returned unaltered, not becoming either white on the breast or black at the vent. Edwards, who has represented it in his 355th plate, has added a female, which he kept in the same cage, and which was improved by its companion. The upper part of its body was grey brown, the sides of the head and under part of the body pinkish, or rather blush colour, the wing and tail feathers blackish, the feet flesh-colour. The blackness of the wings and tail makes me suspect that this female belongs to another species; its attachment and familiarity prove nothing. We know, in fact, that nearly all *raiiivorous birds hold communion together, and mutually caress each other with the bill. OBSERVATIONS. — The Malacca Finch cotucs from the East Indies : it is very gentle, confiding, and lively. Its voice is strong ; its cry, " tziapp" pronounced in a loud clear tone. Though its song is somewhat nasal ami rather noisy, it is not disagreeable. Its food, when in confinement, is hemp and canary seed, which I have known preserve it for a long time in jjood health. THi: SNOW BUNTING Hmberiza mvalis, LINN*L-»; L'Ortolan do neige, BCFFON; Der Schneeamer, BECHSTEIN. NATURALISTS say that the plumage ot this bird differs con- : My in Mimmer iind winter ; though, from analogy with THE SNOW BUNTING 113 others of its species, I am authorized in suspecting that tnis change arises rather from age. I shall leave the question, undecided ; and since we can never see this bird when it hua retired in summer within the arctic circle, its native home, I shall content myself with describing its winter colours, such as we may see them in a room. It is the size of a lark, six inches and a half in length, of which the tail measures two and two-thirds. The beak is five or six lines in length, with every characteristic of the bunting species, conical in form, rather bent at the sides, and having a bony tubercle like a grain of barley at the palate ; its colour in the singing season is quite black, at other tunes the point alone is black, the rest yellow. The back and rump are black, the feathers of the back being edged with white, whilst those of the rump and scapulars are edged with yellowish brown, darker in spring than summer. The female is rather smaller, the head and upper part of the neck white, with a mixture of cinnnamon-brown, and trans- verse spots of the same colour form a kind of broken band across the white breast. The young ones which are taken in wintei are known by their dark brown beak ; the lower part of the back is of the same colour, but their feathers are edged with a light grey. The male has the head most speckled with yellow brown, the cheeks of the female are of the same tint, and it has spots of this on the breast. OBSERVATIONS. — When the winter is severe, these birds are seen from December to May in many parts of Germany, where they even approach the villages. I am persuaded that, if attention were paid to them, they might be seen in every direction, during March, on their passage to the North ; whilst snow is on the ground they are found in company with larks, on the high roads and in the fields ; tLey may then be taken with horse dung, placed in net, or coveied with birdlime, or by clearing a spot of ground of snow and strewing it with oats. I have nad a pair six years in my room without a cage, and they are satisfied with the food common for other birds: if kept in a cage, they must be fed on hemp seed, oats, millet, rape, and poppy seeds. They appear much delighted whilst bathing ; during the night they seem very uneasy, hopping and running about continually. Their strong and piercing cry resembles a loud whistle ; their song would be rather agreeable wtrt it not interrupted in a peculiar manner ; it is a warbling mingled with sonic high noisy notes, descending slowly from shrill to deep, and a little strong and broken whistling. Heat is so contrary to their nature, that they cannot be preserved unless carefully guarded from it. I 114 THE MOUNTAIN BUNTING EmLeriza montana, LINN«US ; L'Ortolan deMontagne, BUFFON ; Der Bergammer BECHSTKIN. THIS bird is smaller than the snow bunting, has a short, strong yellow beak, with a black point ; the head is nearly flat, the frontal band light chestnut ; the upper part of the neck and back grey, with black streaks, most numerous on the back, causing a resemblance to the female yellowhammer ; feet black. The breast of the female is of a deeper colour than the male's. OBSERVATIONS This species, inhabiting the cold regions of Europe, is never found in great numbers. In Thuringia, and some other provinces of Germany, they are seen generally every year, in March, the time of passage, settling in pairs along the high roads, searching for a few undigested grains in the dung of animals. Their song is shrill, tolerably pleasing, and interrupted like the yellowhammer's. They may be easily kept in the house, either caged or not, feeding them on oats, bread, hemp, and other seeds. These birds also appear uneasy during the night, especially in the pairing season, uttering their call amidst the darkness. Some are occasion- ally met with of a dull orange on the upper part of the body, streaked with yellow on the head, and deep orange on the back. These are young birds. This species is caught in the same manner as the snow bunting. THE YELLOWHAMMER. Emberiza citrinella, LINNJBUS ; Le Bruant, BUPFON ; Der Goldammer, BBCHSTUJN. HOWEVER well known this bird may be, it is still necessary that it should be described minutely, as the young males and old females are often confounded with one another. It is six inches and a half in length, of which the forked tail measures three. The beak, five lines long, is dark brown in summer, and ash grey in winter ; the feet are of a light brown. The nead of the old males is of a fine yellow, generally having some streaks of dark olive scattered over the top and on the cheeks ; it is only in very old birds that the head and neck are of a golden yellow, without any mixture ; the upper part of the neck is olive ; the back black, mingled with reddish grey ; the feathers have black up the middle, and the edges THE YELLOWHA3IMEK. 115 reddish grey ; the ramp is of a deep red ; the throat, with the under part of the neck and the belly, are yellow, more or less 6/- 10/6 10/6 Approx. Price. African Love Birds per pair 15/- „ Grey Singing Finches 7/6 American Blue Robins per pair 15/- „ Goldfinches „ Mocking Birds ... each 30/- Australian King Parrot, or Paroquet 63/- Avadavats per pair 6/6 Belgian Canaries 30/- Bengalies, White ... per pair Fawn and White „ 10/6 Black Bishop Birds, Grand ... each ,, „ Common „ Crimson Brisbane Zebra Finches Bolbuls, Crimson Cheeked, Crested - ... per pair 21/- Bulbuls, Slate Coloured, White Cheeks per pair 21/- Californian Quails ... „ 15/- Cambassoo Birds ... „ 6/6 Cape or St. Helena Canaries 15/- ('ats l/6tolCO/- Cayenne fed Canaries ... 8/6 hestnut-breasted Finches 7/6 berry Finches ... per pair 12/6 innamon Canaries 10/6 /ockatoos, Leadbeaters ... 62/- „ Lemon Crested... 30/- /ollared Turtle Doves per pair 12/- ordon Bleus... ... „ 6/6 tot-throat or Coral Necked Sparrows „ 6/6 Mamond Sparrows... per pair 20/- _ . Approx. Price. Dogs— Pet, Sporting and Watch Dormice ...... per pair 4/-, 5/- Finches, Saffron ... „ 6/6 „ Cuba Fire ... „ 6/6 German Canaries ... 5/6 to 21/- Goats 5/- „ 50/- Gold Fish ... per doz. 4/-, 6/-, 8/- Xrreen and Yellow Singing Finches 6/6 Green or Black Crestod Cardinal, each 10/- Green Tree Frogs „ l/- Green Love Birds, Brazilian per pr.10/6 Madagascar „ 10/6 Indian Mynah Bird each 30/- Indigo Birds... ... ... „ 7/6 Japanese Nightingales 7/6 to 10/6 each Java Sparrows . . . per pair 6/6 Lizard Canaries, according to markings from 10/- Lizards 1/6 London Fancy Canaries ... 10/6 Macaws ... ... 70/- to 200/- Madagascar Birds ... ...eachlO/- Manikins, African Bronze per pair Black Headed 6/6 White Marmosets 25/-, 42/- Monkeys 30/-, 42/- Nonpareils each 10/6 Norwich Canaries, according to colour ... ... from 8/6 Paroquet, Blossom- Headed per pair 42/- „ Cockateels „ 20/- end of March, or the beginning of April. The nest, which is placed in a hedge, bush, tuft of grass, or even in moss oil the ground, is formed on the outside of straws, interwoven and lined within with the hair of horses and other animals. It contains from three to five eggs, of a dirty white, with zig-zag lines and spots of brown. When reared from the nest the young ones may be taught to imitate the song of the chaffinch, and a few notes of other birds. DISEASES — The disease most common to this bird is decline. The tinr i 2 114 Escallops - Perdo; Kippered Mackerel ••• per pa: „ Herrings ••• •" Lobsters - eac Norwegian Anchovies ... ••• ••• perke Oy>ters, best Nat i\vs .. ••• Pcr do test Scotch ... ... ••• » best Anglo-Dutch... „ for Sauce .. ... ••• ••• »» Prawns ... ... ... ••• " Smoked Sardines in Oil ... ... per til Red Herrings ... per do Scotch Haddocks... ... ... eat Shrimps - P61*?11 Smoked Cod's RQC ••» Per 1 Cod Roe Paste ... ... per p< .,- Salmon ... ... perl Bloater Roes ... - Per tj Contracts made to supply Families daily with a good supply of Fis at p«-r hr:id, according to requirements. Gold and Silver Fish (see Zoological Department). ICE. perlOOlba. p*r501b9. p» Rough... ... ... ... ... 2/6 1/6 Wenham Lake ... Ice bags are not returnable. and ash grey in winter ; the feet are of a light brown. The nead of the old males is of a fine yellow, generally having some streaks of dark olive scattered over the top and on the cheeks ; it is only in very old birds that the head and neck are of a golden yellow, without any mixture ; the upper part of the neck is olive ; the back black, mingled with reddish grey; the feathers have black up the middle, and the edges THE YELLOWHABIMEK. 115 reddish grey ; the rump is of a deep red ; the throat, with the under part of the neck and the belly, are yellow, more or less golden ; the breast, especially its sides, as well as the small coverts of the tail, is streaked with yellow and red. The female is rather smaller than the male ; the yellow of the head, neck, and throat, is scarcely seen through the spots scattered over it, which are brown on the head and cheeks, and olive-coloured on the neck ; the breast is only speckled with rust red, and the whig coverts with reddish white, so that at a distance it appeal's rather brown than yellow. Young male birds, in spring, scarcely differ from old females, except that a spot of yellow may even then be seen on the top of the head, as well as a streak of the same colour above the eyes and on the throat ; in fact, the breast and rump are rather of a deep reddish brown than rust red, and also with- out spots. HABITATION. — In its -wild state the yellowhammer is found in all parts of Europe, and the north of Asia. It remains in summer about the skirts of forests and small woods. It overruns the fields in autumn, and in the winter approaches our buildings, particularly barns and stables. When confined it is generally allowed to run about the room, but where it is rare, and therefore most valued, it is kept in a cage. FOOD. — When wild these birds live on insects, particularly caterpillars, on which, like all the other species of this genus, they feed their young. In autumn and winter, they have recourse to all kinds of grain ; but they prefer oats, which, with barley, wheat, and millet, they know how to get at very cleverly, notwithstanding the bony tubercle at their palate. They also feed upon rape, and other small seeds, when they can get them. In the house, to preserve them in health, their food should be properly varied, giving them in turn oats, the crumb of white bread, meat, bruised hemp seed, poppy and rape seed. When running about, the second uni- versal paste agrees very well with them. It is no doubt to assist their digestion, that they often swallow fresh black earth, as I have always seen those do that I have kept ; this must not be forgotten to be given them, nor water for them to bathe in, which they enjoy very much. BRKEDING — This species breeds twice in the year, the first time in tte end of March, or the beginning of April. The nest, which is placed in a hedge, bush, tuft of grass, or even in moss on the ground, is formed on the outside of straws, interwoven and lined within with the hair of horses and other animals. It contains from three to five eggs, of a dirty white, with zig-zag lines and spots of brown. When reared from the nest the young ones may be taught to imitate the song of the chaffinch, and a few notes of other birds. DISEASES — The disease most common to this bird is decline. The tinr 116 THE COHN BUNTING. of moulting is very dangerous to them, as they suffer much, and sometimes die ; to render this period less dangerous, they should have fresh ants' eggs as soon as it commence?, a remedy most useful to this species, to chaffinches, and to sparrows. MODK OF TAKING. — The yellowhaminer is easily taken in winter, near our dwellings, either in a net, with a stalk of oats as a bait, or under a basket or sieve, which may be thrown down, by drawing away the email stick that supports it, by means of a string. They will also enter the area or barnfloor trap, if a perching bird is fastened there, by a string attached to the leather band round its body ; in spring they may be caught like other birds, by means of a bird-call. ATTRACTITE QUALITIES. — The first of these is certainly the beauty of the bird, but the fine yellow which sets it off fades gradually when kept in the house, where it will live five or six years; the second is its song, which, without being very distinguished, is rather pleasing ; its call, though not strong, is heard to some distance ; but this bird, so gay, so spiiice, so when free, becomes dull, idle, and awkward in a cage. THE CORN BUNTING. Emberi/a miliarin, LINN/KT.S ; Le Froyer, BUPI-ON ; Der Gerstcnammer, BECHSTtlN. THIS species, found throughout Europe and the north of Asia, has not so good a title to be admitted into the house as the preceding, not being distinguished either for its song or the beauty of its colours. With a plumage very similar to that of the sky-lark, it surpasses it in size, being seven inches and a half in length, of which the tail measures three. The beak, measuring MX lines, is strong, yellowish on the under part in summer ; the rest of the year the whole of it is grey brown ; the feet the same, which stand six lines in height. The general tint of the plumage is pale, reddish grey on the upper part of THE ORTOLAN. 117 the body, and yellowish white on the under, speckled like the lark's, with blackish brown spots. In the female the colours are rather lighter. HABITATION. — In its wild state this bird is common in most parts of Europe ; in the more northerly parts it does not remain during the winter, and only appears at certain seasons ; in March they are met with amongst the larks in the fields, meadows, and on the high roads, often perched on the tops of willows, or on a stake in a hedge, on a milestone, or a clod of earth. In a room it may occupy a lark's cage, but is more commonly let rau about at liberty. FOOD. — Both at liberty and in confinement its food is similar to that of the yellowhamraer ; it is however a more delicate bird. BREEDING. — Its nest, placed under a bush, does not rest on the ground bat on the turf ; it is constructed of the stalks of grass, and lined with horse- hair. The eggs are grey, speckled with chestnut and streaked with bhck. MODE or TAKING. — In autumn these birds may be taken in an area with a decoy bird ; in winter, before the barn door, with birdlime or a clapper ; in the spring with a bird-call. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES Their song, shorter and less soft than that of the yellowhammer, has only four or five notes ; from their dwelling on the r in the last, they have .been given the name of stocking weavers. THE ORTOLAN. Emberiza hortulena, LINN.ECS ; L'Ortolan, BUFFON ; Der Gortenammer, BECHSTEIN. IT is necessary to give a very exact description of this spe- cies, as not only birdcatchers, but even some naturalists, give the name of Ortolan to several very different species. Under this name the former sell all rare birds of this kind. The true ortolan has a wider breast and stronger beak than the yellow- hammer ; it is six inches and a half in length, of which the tail measures two and a half; the beak, six inches long, is thick at the base, with a bony tubercle at the palate, and is of a yellowish flesh- colour ; the iris dark brown. The legs, which stand ten lines in height, are flesh-coloured; the head and neck is greyish olive ; the throat and a streak on the neck from the angle of the beak, deep yellow. The female is rather smaller, of a changeable shining ash- colour on its head and neck, streaked with fine black lines. I ts breast, and the upper and under part of its body, are lighter than in the male. 118 THE ORTOLAN The throat of the young male birds, before the first moult- ing, is of a light yellow, with a mixture of grey ; the breast and belly are of a reddish yellow, speckled with grey, which make them rather resemble young yellowhammers. A bird fancier will distinguish the two sexes even hi the nest. There are white, yellow, speckled, and in the house sometimes even black varieties. HABITATION. — In its wild state the ortolan is principally found in the southern and temperate parts of Europe, and is not scarce in some of the provinces of Germany ; but if attention were paid to them there, they might be seen in every direction on their passage ; for though they may not remain during the summer in a district, yet they make some stay, never passing over a great space of country at a time. Their route is so exact and regular, that when one has been seen in a particular spot, espe- cially if in spring, it is sure to be found there the following year at the same time. They fly rather in families than flocks : the time of th«ir ar- rival in Germany is towards the end of April, or beginning of May ; they are then met with in orchards, amongst brambles or in groves, where they build, particularly if millet is cultivated in the neighbourhood. During harvest they frequent the fields in families, and leave after the oats are gathered in*. In the house, if much valued, they are given a cage ; bat in countries where they are common they are let run about free. FOOD. — In their wild state they live on insects and grain. In the house they are fed, if in a cage, on millet, hemp seed, and prepared oats; if at liberty in a room the universal paste suits them very well. These birds, being rather delicate, cannot often be preserved beyond three or four years. DISEASES. — The most common disease of these birds is atrophy, to cure or prevent which it is necessary to know how properly to mix and vary an inn 1 with vegetable food ; but this calls for a greater degree of attention and care than most persons are willing to give. MANNER OF TAKING. — In spring these birds are easily attracted to a decoy bush, by a female of their own species, or a ycllowhammcr. In August a turfy place should be chosen near brambles, to form a small area, us a decoy, like that made for chaffinches. It must be surrounded with a low hedge, with some out-ears fastened to it. About the area should be placed one or several birds of call, especially a perching bird, that is to say, a bird of the same species, with a band of soft leather round it, and con- fined by a small string, fastened to a peg-stick in the ground, which pre- vents its going beyond the prescribed limits. Here it should be given plenty of food and water, in order that the birds to be caught may be the more easily attracted within the area, from seeing one of their own species in a place of abundance. This kind of decoy bird is often more necessary than any other. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — The fine form and colours of the ortolaa would he sufficient to render it desirable, but still more so its flute-liks • Ills not found in Britain.— TRANSLATOR. THE CIKL-BUNTINO 111> warbling, so clear and full, which has some resemblance to that of the ycllowhammer, only that the last notes are much deeper. Ever since ortolans have been known to epicures as a delicacy, they hare been fattened with great care. The common way is to keep them in a room only lighted by lanterns, so that they cannot distinguish day from night : they are theu plentifully fed on oats, millet, and the crumb of white bread, made up with good spice. In a short time they become so fat that they would be suffocated if not killed at once. An ortolan thus fed is a perfect ball of most delicious fat, weighing about three ounces. THE CIRL-BUNTING, LATH. Emberiza Cirlus, LINNAEUS ; Le Zizi, ou Bruant de Haie, BUFFON ; Der Zau- nammer, BECHSTEIN. has described only the female, and by mistake I have called the male Emberizal Eceathwrax, and have given a drawing of it and the female, in the second volume of my German translation of the English work of Latham, Synopsis of Birds, printed at Nuremberg, 1794. DESCRIPTION. — This bird, scarce in many provinces of Germany and in Britain, but well known in Thuringia, is about the size of the yellowham- mer, being five inches and a half in length, of which the tail measures two and a half. Its small and flattish beak is of a brownish blue on the uppei part, and light brown on the under ; the feet, eight lines in height, are flesh-coloured ; the upper part of the head and neck olive green with small black strokes, a golden yellow streak extends from the angle of the upper mandible to the middle of the neck, passing under the eyes ; another begins from the angle of the under mandible, and descending in a straight line, is crossed by a third, which is black, then curving round behind the yellow etreak under the eyes, reunites with the black one on the throat ; the back :md smaller wing-coverts are cinnamon brown, mixed with black and yellow green ; the rump is olive, with black streaks ; the breast is a fine olive green, light chestnut on the sides ; the rest of the under part of the body is of a golden yellow. The female is known by its plumage being much paler: the head and upper part of the neck are olive, much streaked with black ; the back is pale brown, the rump more streaked with black, the tail rather greyish black than black ; two pale yellow lines pass one above the other below the eyes, and cross a black line which unites to the black border of the cheeks ; the throat is brownish, with a lighter spot below ; the breast is olive, with the sides brownish, the rest of the under part of the body is pale yellow. The young ones, before their first moulting, have the upper part of the f»ody light brown, speckled with black, the under pale yellow streaked with black ; the older they grow the more of an olive tint the breast acquires. HABITATION. — In their wild state these birds dwell chiefly in the south- ern and temperate parts of Europe, where they frequent orchards, groves, 120 THE FOOLISH BUNTING. and the skirts of forests.* They are birds of passage, which leave in No- vember and return in April ; they are then met with very cominonlj among the chaffinches. In the house they must be treated .in the same manner aa the ortolan. FOOD. — In their wild state they feed on the cabbage caterpillar in sum- mer, and when corn is ripej on wheat, barley, millet, oats, and other grain. BREEDING — They place their nest in a hedge or bush on the road side, and build it of small straws and line it with horse-hair. The eggs are greyish, speckled with chestnut. In the end of July whole families are met with in the fields, particularly those planted with cabbages, and that have willows in the neighbourhood. DISEASES AND MODE OF TAKING. — These are similar to what is said under ortolan. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — The male surpasses the ortolan in beauty, but does not equal it in its song, as in this it more resembles the yellowhamcuer. These birds, however, are very easily tamed, and may be preserved five or six years. THE FOOLISH BUNTING. Fmberiza Cia, LINN.EUS ; Le Bruant Fou, BUFFON ; Der Zipammer, BECHSTKIN. THIS bird is rather smaller than the yellowhammer, being only six inches long, of which the tail measures two and a half ; the beak, five lines in length, is very sharp, blackish above, and greyish below; the iris is dusky; the legs, nine lines in height, are of a brownish flesh-colour. The head is grey, spotted with red, with small black streaks on the top, and an indistinct black line on the sides ; the back is reddish brown, speckled with black, the rump light red brown; the throat pale ash-colour. The female differs very little from the male : the head is grey with a reddish tint and black spots ; she has also all the streaks that the male has, but less marked ; the ash-coloured throat is streaked with black and has a reddish tint ; in short, the whole of the under part of the body is lighter. HABITATION. — When wild, this species, which loves solitude, and prefers mountainous districts, inhabits the south of France, Italy, and the south of Austria. In some winters they quit these countries and proceed even to the middle of Germany, where they are found in March and April in elevated situations. In the house they are either kept in a cage or left to range a room, and • Those occasionally caught in th« 3outh of England may be purchaied in rx>iulon at about 7*.— TRANSLATOR. THE BLACK BONNET, OR REED BUNTING. 121 the latter seems to agree with them best, particularly if they have a grated and quiet place to rest in and pass the night. FOOD. — When wild, these birds, like others of the genus, feed on insect* and grain. In the House they may be fed on the same food as the ortolan, on which they may be preserved in health above six years, as I have proved by a pair which I kept myself for that time. MODK OF TAKING. — These birds come without difficulty at the call of the yellowhammer, and enter into every kind of snare so heedlessly, that they have thence been given the name of foolish bunting. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — They are very fine and lively birds, whose voice is heard the whole year ; in winter their note of call, and from spring to autumn, their cheerful song, shorter indeed, but clearer than that of the yellowhammer. They live very amicably in a room with other specie* of their genus, especially the yellowhammer ; and where one goes the other follows, and if one chooses any particular food, the other prefers the same. THE BLACK BONNET, OR REED BUNTING. Rrwberiza Schceniclus, LINNJEUS ; L'Ortolan de Roscaux, BCFFON ; Kohrammei, BECHSTEIN. THIS bird is nearly the size of the mountain sparrow, its length being five inches three-quarters, of which the tail mea- 122 THE BLACK BONNET, OB REED BUNTING. tures two and a half ; the beak, four lines in length, is black on the upper part, and whitish on the under ; the iris is dark brown ; the legs, nine lines high, are dark flesh-coloured. The head is black, with reddish spots ; a reddish white line extends from the base of the lower mandible quite round the head ; the back is black, spotted with white and red, the rump alter- nately grey and reddish yellow ; the throat is black spotted. The feathers on the head of the male never return to as good a black after moulting, when in the house, as in its wild state, but remain always browner, and clouded with reddish white. The head of the female is of a rusty brown, spotted with black ; her brown cheeks are encircled with a reddish white streak, which, passing above the eyes, unites with another which commences at the base of the beak ; a dark streak passes down the sides of the throat, which, with the under part of the body, is reddish white, much streaked on the breast with light brown ; the colour of the back is lighter, but less clear than that of the male. HABITATION. — In their wild state this opecies is found throughout Europe and the north of Asia, flying in small flocks, and returning in March in great flights. The females follow the males, and do not remain behind, as some pretend. During winter some of these birds arc met with here and there amongst the yellowhammere ; they frequent moist places, the banks of i'onds and rivers ; they run nimbly up the stalks of aquatic plants, but rarely ascend trees. In the house it is the custom here to let them range a room ; but they may be kept in a cage. POOD. — When wild they feed on the seeds of rushes, bullrushes, reeds, .nid grasses, as well as on the numerous insects that frequent the water side. In the house they seem to relish the first universal paste and poppy seeds, on which food they will live five or six years ; but afterwards they droop and die of atrophy or scurf, as I have remarked several times. BREEDING. — These birds make their nests among the reeds and brambles on the water-side. They lay five or six eggs of a dusky light grey, with dark grey spots and dusky lines rather indistinctly mingled. MODE OF TAKING — III autumn they enter the area or decoy with the chaffinch ; in spring, when there is snow, they approach the barns and dunghills, and there, as well as in open places in the fields and on the hedges, they are very easily taken with a net or birdlime. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — Their song is alternately weak and strong. Three or four simple tones, mingled from time to time with a sharp r, distinguish it from every other ; it is heard all the summer, even during the night. Of all the buntings, this is the most easily tamed ; it is also a r-eat amateur of music, approaching the instrument without fear, as I have THE SPARROW BUNTfNG. 123 cbserved several times, not of one only, but of many of these birds, testifying its joy by extending its wings and tail like a fan, aud shaking :hem so that, by this exercise the feathers have been much injured. The female sings also, but its tones are weaker than those of the male. THE SPARROW BUNTING. Emberiza passerina, LINNJECS ; L'Ortolan Passerin ; Der Sperlingsammer, BECHSTEIN. THIS species must have been confounded with the preceding, or it would have been better known, as it is not rare either in autumn or spring. It is smaller and more slender than the former, being only five niches long, of which the tail measures two and a quarter; the beak is black above and light brown below ; the iris is of a dark chestnut ; the feet are nine lines in height and of a dusky flesh-colour ; but the plumage in general is similar to that of the female of the preceding species. The male has the top of the head red, with a grey longitu- dinal streak in the middle, and many black spots arising from the deeper shade of the feathers which appears in every di- rection ; a dusky reddish white line passes from the nostrils above, and also a little under the eyes, and widening behind on the temples, a chestnut brown colour breaks through a deep black, which reaches the sides of the neck and becomes a spot there. The colours of the female are in general lighter, and the black does not appear on the top of the head ; a reddish white streak passes above the eyes, another descends from the base of the beak down the sides of the neck, a third, but of a dusky black, extends from each side of the chin to beyond the middle of the neck. When kept in the house the black disappears from the head of the male, and the upper part of the neck becomes greyish white, spotted longitudinally with dusky black. OBSERVATIONS. — Thick woods and bushes in a mountainous country are the favourite haunts of the sparrow bunting. It is a bird of passage, which quits us in October 01 November and returns in April. It is not tare in Thuringia, particularly at the time of passage ; formerly it was only known in Russia. Its food, when wild, is insects and all kinds of grain. In the house, it is fed on the same food as the reed bunting, which it ven* much resembles in its sono. and habits : it is taken in the same 124 THE WHIDAH BUNTING Ein>ier.-ta pwradisea, LINN.EUS ; La Veuve a collier d'or, BUFFON ; Der Para- diesammer, BECHSTBIN. THIS beautiful and rare species is the size of a linnet. Reckoning from the beak to the end of the side tail-feathers, it is five inches and a half in length. The beak is lead- coloured ; the iris chestnut ; the feet are flesh-coloured ; the head, chin, front of the neck, back, wings, and tail are black ; the back of the neck pale orange ; the breast, thighs, and upper part of the belly are white, the lower part is black ; the two intermediate tail-feathers measure four inches, are very broad, and terminate in a long filament ; the two that follow, above three inches long, are very broad in the middle, narrower and pointed at the end, from their shaft springs also a filament more than an inch long ; the other side feathers are only two inches and a half in length ; the two in the middle amongst the longest a little diverging, and arched like a cock's, are glossy, and more brilliant than the others. The female is entirely brown, almost black, and does not ac- quire its proper plumage until the tlu'rd year ; whilst young it very much resembles the winter plumage of the male. This bird moults twice in the year. At the first, which takes place in November, the male loses its long tail for six months, its head is streaked with black and white, the rest of its plumage is a mixture of black and red ; at the second, which takes place late in the spring, it resumes its summer dress, such as it has been described above, but the tail-feathers do not attain their full length till July and drop in November. OBSERVATIONS. — This beautiful species comes from Angola, and other parts of Africa, and is particularly common in the kingdom of Whidah, or Juida, in Guinea, and hence it takes its name. Though it was formerly brought in great numbers into Germany, it still costs there thirty or forty rix dollars. These birds are very lively, and constantly in motion, always waving their long tail up and down, often arranging their feathers and amusing themselves with bathing. Their feeble song, though somewhat melancholy, is however very agreeable. They may be preserved from right to twelve /cars if fed on canary seed, millet, barley meal, and the like, not forgetting to add from time to time lettuce, endive, or othei green food. They must be given a large cage, to prevent their spoiling thrir fine tail. 126 THE DOMINICAN BUNTING. Embenza serena, LINNJEUS ; La Veuve Dominicaine, BUFKON ; Der Domini- kaiierammer, BECHSTEIN. THIS species, six inches and three quarters in length, is smaller, more rare, and nearly twice as dear as the preceding. It comes from Africa likewise. The beak is red; the feet grey ; the upper part of the head is black, but the top is reddish white, which extends over the whole of the under part of the body, the chin, and temples, and even the under part of the tail ; sometimes this tint fades into pure white : the upper part of the neck and the back are black, but the feathers are edged with dusky white : the inner wing coverts being white, give the wings the appearance of being so when folded, but they are black, the quill- feathers alone are edged with white ; the tail is also black ; the two middle feathers terminate in a point, and are two inches longer than the others, which gradu- ally diminish in length the farther they are from the middle, the three first only have the points white, but the two outer ones have the beard white and the edge pale orange. The female is entirely brown, and the tail-feathers are of equal length. This species also moults twice in the year : the male loses its tail for six months, and the white of its plumage becomes less pure. OBSERVATIONS. — This bird requires the same treatment as the former, and sings in the same very agreeable manner. THE SHAFT-TAILED BUNTING. Embenza regia, LINNVEOS ; La Veuve a quatre brins, BUFFON ; Der KOaigsammer, BECHSTEIN. THIS is also more rare than the Whidah bunting. Its length to the end of the short feathers of the tail is nearly four niches and a half. The beak and feet are red ; the upper part of the body black ; the sides of the head, the eyes, neck, and under part of the body are orange. The female is brown, and has no long feathers in the tail. The winter plumage of the male is grey, like the linnet, but rather brighter. OBSERVATIONS.— This bird comes from Africa, and is not less admired than the preceding. THE INfDIGO BIRD Froleriza cyanea, LINN*I;S ; Fringilla cyanca, WILSON ; La Veuve blcue, on le Ministre, BUFFON ; Der Indigo Ammer, BECHSTEIN. THE length of this bird is five inches. The beak dark lead- coloured ; the feet brown ; the whole plumage is of the most beautiful blue, deeper and still more brilliant at the top of the head ; the great quill-feathers are brown edged with blue ; the tail brown, with a pale tint. The female very much resembles the linnet in its colour, as the male does during moulting, for it is only blue when in full feather ; but the male may be distinguished easily at all times '»y the sides of the wings being of a lighter grey than in the female. OBSERVATIONS. — This species is most commonly found in Carolina, but is not rare about New York, where it arrives the beginning of April. It frequents the orchards when they are in bloom, and appears to prefer mountainous parts. Its agreeable song, which very much resembles that of the linnet, and the beauty of its plumage, render it a favourite with bird-fanciers. Its food is canary seed, millet, poppy seed, and bruised hemp teed. 127 THE PAINTED BUNTING. Emberiza Ciris, LINNAEUS ; Le Pape, BCFFON ; Der gemahlte A miner, BBCHSTEIN THIS bird owes its name to its plumage. It is five inches and a half in length, of which the tail measures two. The beak is greyish brown, the iris nut brown; the feet brown; the head and neck are violet, the circle round the eyes is red ; the upper part of the back and the scapulars are yellowish green, the lower part, the rump, and all the under part of the body are of a fine red ; the lesser whig-coverts violet brown with a red tinge, the greater of a dull green ; the pen-feathers brown, some bordered with grey, others with red; the tail- feathers are also brown, but the two middle ones are of a changeable red, and the outer border of the others is of the same colour. The upper part of the body of the female is of a dull green, the under part yellow green ; her pen-feathers are brown edged with green, as are also the tail-feathers. As the plumage of this bird does not come to perfection before the third year, there must naturally be several varie- ties. During the first year the male and female are of the same colour ; the head of the male does not become a violet blue till the second year, and the rest of its plumage is then a blue green, as are also the edges of the quill and tail-feathers, which are elsewhere brown. The female at this time is of a fine changeable blue. If to these differences arising from age are added the two moultings which take place every year, we shall not be surprised rarely to meet with two birds alike. There is besides another variety, having the under part of the body yellowish, except a red spot on the breast ; and again another, which in the time of moult- ing is entirely white. OBSERVATIONS.— These birds are found from the frontiers of Canada to Guiana and Brazil ; none, however, are seen in Carolina less than one hundred and thirty miles from the sea. They only show themselves in summer, and build principally on orange or similar trees. English and Dutch sailors take home many of these birds, and it has been said that in England they have succeeded in making them breed in aviaries in gardens, spacious enough to contain orange trees, on which they have constructed their nests. When in a cage they are fed on millet, canary-seed, endive, and poppy-seed, on which they may be preserved from eight to ten years. Their sonp is soft and aprecable. TEE CHAFFINCH. Krmgilla Coelebs, LINNSUS; Le Pinson commun, BDFFON ; Der Bucb»Fink, BECHSTEIN. THIS delightful songster of spring, famed for the sprightli- ness of its warbling, — this favourite of most of our bird-fan- ciers, is so generally known that I should be tempted to suppress its description if the uniformity of this work and the wish to render it complete, did not impel me to give it. This will also offer some particulars worthy the attention of the naturalist. The passion for this bird is carried to such an extent in Thu- ringia, and those which sing well are sought for with so much activity that scarcely a single chaffinch that warbles tolerably can be found throughout the province. As soon as one arrives from a neighbouring country whose notes appear good, all the bird-catchers are after it, and do not give up the pursuit till they have taken it. This is the reason why the chaffinches in this province are so indifferent songsters : the young ones have only bad masters in the old ones, and they in their turn cannot prove better. This bird is six inches and one-third in length, of which the tail measures two and three quarters. The beak is conical, pointed, and white in winter ; but as soon as spring, the season of pairing and song, arrives, and till the time of moulting, it is of a deep blue, and one may know by this whether it has sung or not. The iris is chestnut brown ; the legs, nine lines high, are dusky ; the claws are very sharp, and grow so fast in a cage that it is necessary to cut them every six weeks, if you do not wish to see the poor bird some day caught by them, and perish miserably umess rescued. The forehead is black, the top of the head and nape of the neck are greyish blue, in THE CHAFFINCH. J '29 very old males deep blue, and then thick downy hairs arc per- ceived. After moulting, at me beginning of winter, the colours become lighter, the front of the head is only deep brown ; the top and the nape of the neck a changeable greyish and olive brown ; the red brown of the breast is brighter ; this is also the plumage of the young ones in the second year, particularly if of the last broo of botli are of the same whitish pink colour. DISEASES. — The disorders to which the chaffinch is most subject are the obstruction of the rump gland * and diarrhoea. To cure this an old nail 01 u little saffron should be put in the water. When the scales on the feet become too large, the upper ones must be cut skilfully with a sharp knife, or else the bird would either lose the use of his limbs or become gouty ; but this operation must be pel-formed with great care. Blindness also is not uncommon, particularly where they are fed much on hemp seed. This does not, however, injure their song, and as it come* on gradually, it does not prevent their finding their food and hopping about the perches. By means of proper care a chaffinch may be preserved twenty years. MODE OF TAKING. — With good baits the chaffinch may easily be drawn within the area or decoy from Michaelmas to Martinmas, and in spring throughout March. Those that remain the winter, or return early in tl;<- year, may be taken in a net baited with oats. Birdcatchers use in spring lures and lime twigs, and the sport lasts as long as the time of flight, which begins at daybreak and ends at nine o'clock. These birds employ the rest of the day in seeking food iii the fields, in resting, and singing. In the same manner are taken linnets, goldfinches, fciskins, yellowhammers, and bullfinches. Some make use of the excessive jealousy of the males to procure those whose song is very superior. As soon as a bird-catcher who likes this way discovers a fine songster wild, he immediately seeks another male that it in the habit of often repeating its natural cry, fink, Jink, ties his wings, and fastens to his tail a little forked stick, half a finger long, well covered with birdlime ; thus prepared, he fastens him under the tree on which the one he is watching is perched ; this no sooner sees and hears the false rival • The want of a bathing place in the narrow cages where these unhappy prisoner* are kep'. is the true cause of this disease. K2 THE CHAFFINCH. than he becomes enraged, pounces on him like a bird of prey, and is caught with the birdlime; his attack is often so violent that sometimes the bird of call is killed by the stroke of its adversary. The following is a surer method : — a soft, narrow leather band is fastened round a male, to which is attached a string a foot long, fastened bv a peg, which allows it but a short space to range. This bird, as we have already said, is called, in bird catchers' language, a pcrcher. A circle of bird-lime is made just beyond its reach, and a cage with a chaffinch, accustomed to sing either in the shade or exposed, is placed under a neighbouring bush ; as soon as this last begins his song, which should be a natural one, not any learned in con- finement, the chaffinch that is to be procured darts from the tree like an arrow on the percher, which it mistakes for the songster, and remains fixed by the birdlime. This new prisoner will sing the same year if it is caught before Whitsuntide : if after, it will never sing, but will die, evidently from grief at being separated from its female and young ones. A birdcatcher, cruel as he is stupid, who, without the least reflection, only thinks of grati- fying his ridiculous passion for birdcatching, may in an hour deprive ten or twelve females of their beloved companions, their protectors, and numerous young ones of their father, purveyor, and support : such thoughtless cruelty is, alas ! only too common in Germany. As soon as the young chaffinches have left the nest, the birdcatohers are very active in discovering the places where at noon they are accustomed to drink ; there they set perches covered with birdlime, and by this means many of these little unwary creatures are taken. However little memory one of these birds may have, it is capable of learning a good song, and being more robust than those brought up from the nest, bird-dealer's make a good deal of them. They collect a great many, being sure that some will succeed amongst them. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — The first of these is undoubtedly the song of the bird; but our amateurs are not less attentive to the different notes that express its passions and wants. The note of tenderness, and which is also thought to indicate a change of weather, is trif, trif ; its call, or the rally- ing note it makes use of on its passage, and which so often draws it within the snares of our birdcatchers, is 'iak, 'iak, repeated several times ; the cry fink, Jink, which it often repeats, and from which its German name is derived, appears, if we may so call it, to be mechanical and involuntary. But what makes it appear to still more advantage among other birds are its flour and trilling tones, that seern almost to approach to words; in fact, its warbling is less a song than a kind of baitement, to make use of a French word, and is expressed in German by the word schlay (trill), which is used to designate its song as well as the nightingale's. Some chaffinches have two, three, four, and even five different battemens, each consisting of scve- r.il strains, and lasting several minutes. This bird is so great a favourite in Germany, that not a single tone of its voice has escaped the experienced ears of our bird-fanciers. Thev have observed its nicest shades, and are continually endeavouring to improve and perfect it. I confess lam myself one of its warmest admirers ; I have constantly around me the best song- •tcrs of its species, and if I liked T could write a good sized volume ou all •lie details of it* music, hut ! will confine myself to thnt which bears most nn this euhjcc-l THE CHAFFINCH 133 The song of the chaffinch bearing an evident relation to articulate sounds, its has been thought to distinguish its different variations by the final syl- lable of the last strain. The most admired in Thuringia are the following, which I shall give in their order, and in their different degrees of supe- riority. • 1. The Double Trill of the Hartz in Lower Saxony is composed of six strains, rather long, the last of which is ended by dwelling on the two final syllables, which I shall express here by the word " weingehft" I doubt if ever a bird in its wild state has executed this so perfectly as I heard it at KuhlJ and at my own house. Art has certainly created it. It is with difficulty that a chaffinch attains it, if, with the best abilities, it has not been instructed from its earliest youth. Rarely can it give it complete without leaving any part out. On this account a high price must be given for the little prodigy that sings it through, full, entire, and in all its strength. 2. The Reiterzong, or rider's pull, first heard among the mineral mountains of Saxony and Voigtland, has been known but a short time in Thuringia. It may be heard from a chaffinch in its wild state, but those that have been instructed execute it in a fuller, stronger, and less precipi- tate manner. This song consists of four strains, the first of which com- mences in a high key, and gradually descends. When in perfection there is a cadenced pause before the two last syllables, which articulate tolerably clearly reitzing with a zap or clapping, as our amateurs express it. An amateur who has never heard the double trill of the Hartz would not believe that a chaffinch could sing in a superior manner to this ; however, in this, as in many other things, each has his taste. 3 The Wine Song is divided into four kinds, 1. the fine, or Langsfcld wine song §, is very beautiful, but little known except in two or three " A good deal of imagination may be supposed to be put forth in the translation of the song of these birds. An Englishman, a Frenchman, or an Italian would discover in it words in their own language which might express very different sounds. \Ve shall not see with less pleasure here details that are entirely omitted in other works on birds. Some will admire, however far it may go, an ear exer- cised in discovering the shades, niceties, and, in fact, the beauties that delight it, whilst another would be scarcely struck with any difference. Strangers will no longer be surprised at the excessive passion these birds excite where they are stu- died with so much care. In England they are very little prized, and but seldom kept. — TRANSLATOR. t Literally, " to go to the wine ;" pronounced vine-gay. — TRANSLATOR. I Ruhl is a large manufacturing village in Thuringia, the inhabitants of which, mostly cutlers, have such a passion for chaffinches that some have gone ninety miles from home to take with birdlime one of these birds distinguished by its song, and have given one of their cows for a fine songster ; from which has arisen their com- mon expression, tiich a chaffinch is worth a cow. A common workman will give a lout* d'or (sixteen shillings) for a chaffinch he admires, and willingly live on bread and water to gain the money. An amateur cannot hear one that sings in a superior style the double trill of the Hartz without being in an ecstasy. I have heard them say that one which sings this melody perfectly certainly can converse, from its pronouncing the syllables so distinctly. — ACTHOR. TLangsfeld, where this song was first discovered, is a large town in the district of FuU'a, situated a short distance from the \Verra, which at Munden takes the nanv of Weser. after its junction with thpF-Ma — AXTHOR. J34. THE CHAFFINCH places in Thuringia. It is composed of four strains, and to be perfect ought to resemble a hautboy, the two last syllables articulating " weingehS* This song has never been heard from a wild chaffinch, but is one acciden- tally produced in the house, and endeavoured to be propagated by education •I. The bad wine song is not in itself disagreeable, but it is so named when compared with the former. It is composed of three strains, of which the penultimate ought to sound zap five times, and the two last syllables nrti- culate '« weingeh." When once a wild chaffinch has been heard to utter this in Germany it is not longereit is caught. 3. The sharp wine song is not ended by "weingeh" but *V>gingieh." It is subdivided into the com- mon sharp, such as is sometimes heard in the woods, and the Ruhl sharp, which is an entirely artificial song, confined to Ruhl and a few other vil- lages of Thuringia. It has but two strains, of which the first syllables ought to sound as though flowing into each other, and the penultimate to have an accent. 4. The Br'dutigam, or bridegroom song, is also divided into good and bad : the good is only heard in the house, and consists of two simple strains ; it begins piano, afterwards forte, and, continuing crescendo, ends in the most brilliant sound. After the double trill of the Hartz it appears to my car the finest of all. The bad is occasionally heard in the woods, and i? composed of three strains ; but though not devoid of sweetness, does not please so much as the former. 5. The Double Trill is formed of two long strains, divided by a cadenced pause, which is named the shake. They distinguish, 1. the common, subdivided into four; a, the strong, 6, the clear, c, the long, and d, the short. These are heard sometimes in the woods and orchards ; but chaffinches that sing a or b soon become the prey of our bird-catchers. 2. The double trill of lambach* ; this is only to be ac- quired in the house, and is so deep and powerful that one can scarcely conceive how the larynx of so small a bird can produce such sounds. It begins piano, and swelling its tones successively in crescendo, makes of the trilling a strain of five piercing tones, afterwards repeats " pfaff" f°ur or fire times, and ends by dwelling on " li'iididia." A chaffinch that pos- «e*ses this song, either alone, or united with the good bridegroom's song, •uch as are educated in lambach, sells here for eighteen French francs. 6. The Gutjahr, or good year song, is so named from the two last syllables, and is also divided, 1. into the common, that has but two strains, of which the second ought to roll five times before articulating " gutjahr." It is not uncommon in our woods. 2. The good year of the Hartz, which has been acquired in the house, and consists of two very singular strains, it. uiy opinion not very agreeable. Chaffinches are very rare now which sing ihiti, united to that of the wine song of Ruhl, or the sharp song, and their price is consequently high. They are rarely found but at Ersenach and Ruhl. » It is only eight years since thi» song was accidentally produced. A shoemaker of lambach had given a chaffinch that sung the double trill five young scholars, one of which struck out for itself this peculiar warbling. From this others were taught, so that amateurs may have the pleasure of hearing at home t long that is now in fashion, tnd pleases many nmnteurv THE CHAFFINCH 135 7. The Qiiakin song is so called from its last syllables, and is double or single, oue \vith one strain, the other with two. This song was for- njf-rly very much admired. It was heard in the woods and house, but it is now lost, as all the wild chaffinches that sung it have been taken, and those in confinement have been taught in preference the good wine song : I believe I possess the only bird that is now to be found which sings this. To be admired, the qualm must be united with the double trill. This my chaffinch sings also. 8. The Pithia or Trewethia, is a very uncommon and agreeable song, which is never heard but in the depths of the Thuringian mountains. T!ie birdcatchers of the villages about the forests of Hesse seek for birds t)::it possess it, and actively pursue the songsters. It is first a sonorous stiTiin, followed by several repetitions of the word " zack." Some birds unite to it the common sharp wine song, and are more valued. The last »\ llables ought to sound " trewididte." These eight varieties, or rather melodies, are those most thought of in Saxony and Hesse. I have said that some of them are heard in the woods ; hut it is very rarely that they are sung with so elear and strong a voice, or that they are so long and' perfect. A chaffinch that knows only one of these varieties generally sings it slowly, and introduces a greater number of s\ llables. Its voice, in fact, executes it with more strength and depth ; if it adds to the last strain the sound "fink" which our birdcatchers trans- late by amen, it is of the highest value, no price will be taken for it. There are a dozen varieties in all ; but as they are not uncommon, and what are even-where heard, they are less admired ; they have even been given in contempt the name of plain. One thing worth remarking is that the song of the chaffinch vaiies almost as much as the countries it inhabits. It is not the same in Thuringia as in the Hartz, and the taste of amateurs differs equally *. In Austria several named melodies are admired, but I have never heard them. The chaffinch has so great a facility in learning, that it not only imitates perfectly the song of another chaffinch near which it has been placed from youth, but being hung near a nightingale or canary it learns several parts of their songs, and would no doubt give them completely if its larynx were so formed that it could render notes so long and sustained ; in fine, a great difference in memory is observed in these birds, as well as in all others of the singing species. Some require six months to learn an air that others catch on first hearing, and c*n repeat almost immediately; these can scarcely retain one of the songs given above ; those can imitate three, four, and, should you wish it, five different ones. There are also some that cannot give one song without a fault, and we find others that will add to it, perfect it, and embellish it. One thing peculiar to chaffinches is the necessity of teaching them their song every year, and this in the manner proper for them, during the four or five weeks this exercise lasts. They first utter a murmur, or weak warb- ling, to which they add at first, in an under voice, one or two, and after- wards several syllables of their song ; they are then said to record. A * The notes of the wild chaffinches in this country are finer than any cage ones 1 bave heard in Germany. — TR \NSLATOU. 130 THIS MOUNTAIN FINCH. chaffinch that takes only a week or fortnight to repeat this lesson for fully bringing out its voice, is reckoned among the geniuses of its species. It is known that other birds whose power of singing is confined to a particular season, also warble feebly, and mingle with their warbling some foreign notes, especially harsh and confused sounds ; but none produce sounds so peculiar, and that have so little relation to their own song. If we pay a little attention, however, we shall find that this exercise is intended less to awaken the memory than to render the throat, stiffened by a tolerably long state of inaction, more pliant, and to bring back its natural flex- ibility. Wild chaffinches, on their return in spring, do not delay to record ; those in the house soon learn, but they are obliged to exercise themselves for nearly two months before they can execute' their song to perfection. The singing season docs not generally extend beyond June, but young chaffinches brought up in a room prolong it to October, and sometimes later. Some amateurs of the song, rather thanr friends of the bird, to procure the pleasure of hearing it night and day in all its strength, employ a very cruel and inhuman contrivance. They first place the cage in a very obscure place, and accustom the poor little creature to fin'd its food in the dark ; they then blind it, either by destroying the pupils of the eyes with a red hot iron wire, or by passing it over the edges of the eyelids, unite and paste them completely together. Others shut up these poor mutilated creatures in a cool place, almost without air, during the summer, in order that when in autumn they are brought to the window, and breathe the fresh air, they may express their joy by their lively and repeated song. What can we think of the heart and morals of people who for a slight amusement thus enjoy the suffering of a sensitive being that is unfortunately in their power? THE MOUNTAIN FINCH. Fiint-illa montifringilla, LINNJBCS ; Le Pinson d'Ardenne, BUVPON ; Der BergfiY.k. HECUSTHIN. THIS bird is six inches and a quarter in length, of which the tail measures two and a half and the beak half an inch ; this is vellow, with a black tip. The feet, nine lines high, are dark ll» -h -coloured ; all the feathers of the head and cheeks are black with reddish edges, wider and more distinct in young males, and becoming fainter from age, almost disappear in old ones, whose heads become quite black ; the tail rather forked, and black. The colours of the female are more uniform ; she is brown where the male is black, and only a rusty colour where IIP is n-(i. THE HOUSE SPARROW. 13? Independently of the varieties produced by age, and which are tolerably numerous, without being very remarkable, there are some more remarked, such as those with a white head, a back quite white, &c. HABITATION. — In their wild state this species is scattered throughout Europe; however, it is most probable that in the summer they only inhabit the northern parts. During the three other seasons they are found everywhere in Germany, particularly where there are large forests. When beech-mast is plentiful in Thuringia the mountain finches assemble in immense numbers, it is supposed more than 100,000. In the house they are kept in a cage or not, according as they arc- esteemed ; where they are common they are not thought worthy of one, but allowed to range at will. FOOD. — Wild, and in confinement, it is the same as the chaffinch's. MODE OF TAKING. — This bird's note of call is 'iak, tak, qua'ah, and as the two first sounds are the same as that of the chaffinch, they will come at its call, and fly in its company. They also afford the best sport with a net, for in autumn hundreds may be taken at one cast. In winter they are caught near barns under nets, or even under common sieves ; and in spring on a decoy bush, at the call of the chaffinch, if one of its own species cannot be procured. ATTUACTIVE QUALITIES — We cannot boast of sweetness in the song of this bird, as it consists of low whistling, or a kind of warbling, intermixed at intervals with a shrill " raitch" the whole somewhat resembling the first exercises of the chaffinch ; but this wretched warbling may be im- proved by education. A mountain finch placed by the side of a chaffinch that sung well, learnt to imitate it tolerably, but I must confess that it never attained great perfection. I should warn bird-fanciers who wish to keep these birds for the beauty of their plumage, not to let them range with many companions, for they are quarrelsome, and very lavish in distributing severe pecks, especially if food is not very abundant. In Thuringia they are kept in cages to be employed as lures in the area or decoy enclosure. It is said that it is easier to teach them to go and come than the chaffinch. THE HOUSE SPARROW. Passer domestica, RAY ; Le Moineau franc, BUFFON ; Dcr Haussperling, BBCHSTEIN. THOUGH this and the following species cannot be reckoned among those that are pleasant in a room, yet I must not omit them on account of their being easily preserved, and though distinguished neither for their song nor their colours, yet they make up for the want of these by agreeable qualities, that many, much more admired, do not possess. 138 THE HOUSE SPARHOW. It is almost superfluous to describe a species so well known. The total length is five inches and three quarters; the beak thick and blue black; the feet greyish brown; the top of the head and cheeks greyish ash-coloured with a broad chestnut streak behind the eyes, elsewhere surrounded with black. The female differs a good deal, the upper part of the body being greyish red, spotted with black on the back, and the under part of a dusky greyish white. The young males before their first moulting very much resemble their mothers. The varieties known here are the white, the yellow, the tawny, the black, the blue, the ash-coloured, and the streaked. HABITATION In its wild state, it haunts the vicinity of houses ; when confined, it is allowed to range the room. FOOD. — If, unfortunately, it is too true that the sparrows cause great injury in ripe fields of wheat, barley, and peas, it must be acknowledged that they are very useful in our orchards and gardens, by destroying, in the spring, thousands of insects, on which they feed their young ones as well as u.mij-clves *. In the house, they feed on any kind of food : oats, hemp •red, or rape seed. BREKDING. — Small openings under the tiles, crevices in walls, empty martin's nests, are the places they appropriate for breeding, and they line their nest thickly with feathers. The female has two or three broods every season, and has from five to seven young ones at a time. MODE or TAKING Sparrows are so cunning that it is difficult to attract them within the net or on lime twigs. They may be caught in nmnben however on the brambles in a field where sheep are kept, by sticking plenti of birdlime about them. They may be taken also by placing a net before thos* that have retired to cherry trees and under the tiles to sleep for the night. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — The bird-fancier who enjoys seeing several birds running about the room, will, with pleasure, admit the sparrow amon^ them, and may amuse himself especially by observing it breed and produce mules with the hen tree-sparrow. A jar or cup placed in a corner will •erve as their nuptial bed. A male tree-sparrow with a hen sparrow does not succeed. The sparrow may be easily taught to go and come at command, by choos- ing winter as the time to effect it. It is necessary first to keep it a month near the window in a large cage supplied with the best food, such as millet, meal, or white bread soaked in milk. It will even go there to deposit its eggs if a small box is placed in the cage, with an opening for it to enter • The destruction of the sparrow; has been so great an evil in the countries where the government had ordered it, that it has been found necessary to rescind the order. The injury they do to the corn is something certainly, but it may be exaggerated •eiidei.ought not these useful creatures to be paid ? — TRANSLATOR. THE TRKK SPARROW. 139 at. Finally, no bird becomes more familiar, or testifies more attachment to its master. Its actions are very lively, confiding, and delicate. A soldier, says Buffon, had a sparrow which followed him every where, and knew him in the midst of the regiment. THE TREE SPARROW, LATH. Piisser montana, RAY ; Friquet, ou Moineau des haies, BUFFON; Der Feldsperling, BECHSTEIN. THIS species is more beautiful than the preceding. In length it is five inches and a half; the beak is dusky ; the feet are I'luish flesh-coloured ; the upper part of the head as far as the nape of the neck is reddish brown ; the cheeks are white with a black spot ; a white ring surrounds the neck ; the back is spotted with black and red ; the lower part of the back and the rump are grey brown ; the throat white, the breast light ash-coloured ; the belly dusky white ; the quill feathers and tail are dark brown; the lesser wing-coverts rust-red; the greater, black with red edges and white tips, which form two transverse bars. Two varieties are known, the white and streaked. HABITATION — In their wild state, they arc not only found throughout Europe, but also in the north of Asia and America. In Germany and England it is not so common as the house sparrow, for in some provinces it is never seen. It frequents gardens, orchards, and fields abounding with trees and hedges. In September, large flights are seen to fall upon the ripe fields of barley and oats. In the house it is let run about like the former, which it does very awkwardly from having short legs, and this gives it the appearance of drag- ging along on its belly. It is only kept in a cage in countries where it is very rare. FOOD — This is the same as that of the preceding. BREEDING — The nest must be sought in the holes of fruit trees, or in li.il low willows at the water's edge; it breeds twice in the year. MODK OF TAKING — This is the same as the preceding ; but being less distrustful and cunning, it is easily enticed under a sieve placed before a barn in winter. ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES. — Its plumage is prettier than the preceding, its song is also less short and monotonous ; but it is weak, and when jt might be sweet, it is lost among the other songs in the room. The tree sparrow might be accustomed in the country to go and come at command by treat- ing it in the manner described with respect to the house sparrow. It i» more difficult to preserve it, and it generally dies of decline. TI1K COMMON LINNET Fnngilia cannabma, LINNJEUS ; La Lmottc, BUKKON ; Dcr Lanmng, BECHSTKIN THE length of this well-known bird is more than five inches. 3f which the tail measures two inches and a half. The beak, six lines long, is dusky bine in summer, and in winter greyish white, with the 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 arc not observed in the female, and these have caused great confusion in works on birds, so much, that bird- catchers are still persuaded these birds, in a different dress, air distinct species Instructed by long experience and the observations of many years, I hope to show in my description that our common linnet (Fringilla Linota, Linnaeus), the greater redpole (Frin- gilfa cannabina, Linnaeus), and, according to all appearance, the mountain linnet (Frinyilla Montana* Linnaeus), are one and the S.-IM ic species. A male three years old or less, is distinguished in