Project Gutenberg's The Natural History of Cage Birds, by J. M. Bechstein
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license
Title: The Natural History of Cage Birds
Their Management, Habits, Food, Diseases, Treatment,
Breeding, and the Methods of Catching Them.
Author: J. M. Bechstein
Release Date: June 22, 2012 [EBook #40055]
Language: English
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NATURAL HISTORY OF CAGE BIRDS ***
Produced by Chris Curnow, Turgut Dincer and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
file was produced from images generously made available
by The Internet Archive)
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., &c. &c.,
OF WALTERSHAUSEN, IN SAXONY.
[Illustration]
A NEW EDITION.
LONDON:
GROOMBRIDGE AND SONS,
PATERNOSTER ROW.
[Illustration: GOLDEN ORIOLE.]
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 altogether
ignorant of these, often have but very limited, superficial, and, what
is worse, sometimes erroneous ideas on the subject. It is for such
readers I have given the following Introduction; for professed
naturalists will find 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 subject 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
surrounded 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 is carried so far, that I always have about thirty birds around
me, and this has naturally led me to consider the 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 of 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
exceedingly necessary, as the bird-dealers are not very scrupulous in
deceiving their customers, either by selling one species for another, or
a female for a male. These descriptions 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 particular bird, it is
natural to try to discover what situations 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 manner of being hatched, and the like.
DISEASES.--Birds being very tender creatures, on passing 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, without 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 experienced 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 have described the method of catching
such species as may be desired.
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 this new edition by later observations, some
communicated 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 the lovers of natural history; and I hope to see them still
increasing. It is, indeed, my earnest wish that it may contribute more
and more to the love of that class of attractive creatures with which
the Creator has adorned the earth, and which sing His praises so
melodiously and unceasingly!
THIRD EDITION.
A new edition of my Natural History of Cage Birds having been called
for, I 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.
DREISSACKER,
_November, 1812_.
NOTICE BY THE TRANSLATOR.
The work of Dr. BECHSTEIN 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 peculiar
to these, and so different in some points from that recommended by Dr.
Bechstein, has been given in detail. It 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 permission of Mr. Cato,
Holborn Bridge, from the numerous elegant specimens which his stock
contains.
LONDON,
_November 1837_.
[Illustration]
NATURAL HISTORY OF CAGE BIRDS.
INTRODUCTION.
By cage birds, I mean those kept by amateurs, for amusement, in their
apartments, generally selected for sweetness 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.
SONGS OF TAME BIRDS.
What is most prized and admired in house birds is undoubtedly 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 titlark or red-breast copied from[1]. 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 pretty creatures.
An artificial song is one borrowed from a bird that the young ones 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 regularly every day; but it is only
those whose memory is capable of 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 part of the melody played to a bullfinch, but it will never be able
to render it as perfectly as this bird; a difference not caused by the
greater or less suppleness of the organ, but rather by the superiority
of memory in the one species over that of the other.
We distinguish in birds a chirping and warbling, or song, properly so
called; besides this, several species, with a large, fleshy, undivided
tongue, are able to repeat articulate sounds, and they are then said to
_talk_, such as parrots and jays.
It is remarkable, that birds which do not sing all the year, such as the
red-breast, siskin, and goldfinch, seem obliged, after moulting, to learn
to warble, as though they had forgotten; but I have seen enough to
convince me that these attempts are merely to render the larynx pliant,
and are a kind of chirping, the notes of which have but little relation
to the proper song; for a slight attention will discover that the larynx
becomes gradually capable of giving the common warble.
This method of recovering the song does not then show deficiency of
memory, but rigidity occasioned by the disuse of the larynx. The
chaffinch will exercise itself in this way some weeks before it attains
its former proficiency, and the nightingale practises as long the
strains of his beautiful song, before he gives it full, clear, and in
all its extent[2].
The strength and compass of a bird's voice depend on the size and
proportionate force of the larynx. In the female it is weak and small,
and this accounts for her want of song. None of our woodland songsters
produces more striking, vigorous, and prolonged sounds than the
nightingale; and none is known with so ample and strong a larynx: but as
we are able to improve the organisation of the body by exercise and
habit, so may we strengthen and extend the larynx of several birds of
the same species, so as to amplify the song in consequence, by more
nutritive food, proper care, sounds that excite emulation, and the like;
chaffinches, bullfinches, canaries, and other birds reared in the house,
furnish daily examples of this.
I should not omit mentioning here an observation of Mr. Daines
Barington[3], which tends to prove the possibility of improving the song
of wild birds, by rearing linnets, sparrows, and others, near some good
warbler, such as a nightingale or canary, and then setting them at
liberty; but, though there is some truth in this assertion, yet it is
subject to certain restrictions. I only know of two ways of carrying
this idea into execution; one by suspending the cages of the best
warblers in the orchard where the birds which they are to teach breed;
the other, to enclose these warblers in a large aviary of iron wire, in
the open air. There let them teach their young ones, which may be set at
liberty as soon as they are able to fly: but birds taken very young from
the nest, and reared, formed, and educated in the house, would not have
instinct to find their food when set at liberty, and must perish of
hunger, or at least die in the winter.
The same remarks are applicable to a work published by M. Gambory at
Copenhagen, in the year 1800.
I think, indeed, it is better to be contented with possessing in our
houses artificial songs than to take so much trouble to alter and spoil
the very delightful music of nature[4].
HABITATIONS OF TAME BIRDS.
The space assigned to tame birds varies according to their nature and
destination. All are less at ease in a cage than when at liberty in a
room, where young pine branches, cut in winter or early in spring,
should be placed for their accommodation[5]. Several, however, never
sing unless confined within narrow limits, being obliged, as it would
appear, to solace themselves, for the want of liberty, with their song;
consequently, 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 unpleasant smell to the place which they
occupy, unless carefully cleaned; but their young ones may be allowed
the range of any apartment, placing in a corner a cage or branch to rest
and sleep on, where they may run and hop freely, seeking a
roosting-place for themselves in the evening, on the fir branches placed
for that purpose; or in a cage with several divisions, into which they
soon learn to retire. Some birds, such as the 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.
[Illustration: ORNAMENTAL WATER CAGE.]
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 yourselves,
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 preserve 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; the latter especially
have always appeared to me patterns of neatness, and though I have had
many, I do not recollect being obliged to clean the feet of any, whilst
larks and fauvettes have them always dirty, and let them fester with
ulcers rather than take the trouble to clean them[6].
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 outside 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, bullfinches, and canaries, are the species with
which this method succeeds best.
[Illustration: Feeding-box for small birds.]
FOOD OF TAME BIRDS.
It 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? 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 chatterer, 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 delicate, will absolutely eat nothing,
either through disgust of their new food, or despair at the loss of
their liberty; with these great 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 accomplish with some
species. After having put the bird in the 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 faint 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 gives 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 their 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 these also eat
berries and the buds of trees.
The third are those which seek only berries and insects, such as
nightingales, red-breasts, thrushes, and fauvettes.
The fourth are those which eat insects only, such as wagtails,
wheatears, stonechats, and blue-breasts.
The species 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 success. After having collected the
flies, which in spring may often be seen in great numbers on the windows
of old buildings, they must be dried, and preserved in a jar. When 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 teaspoonful for each
bird is taken of this meal, on which is poured three times as much cold,
or lukewarm, but not boiling, milk. If the meal be good, a firm paste
will be formed, which must be chopped very small on a 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; goldfinches 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, bullfinches, 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 winter 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 chickweed, cabbage leaves, lettuce, endive, and
water-cresses. Sand should be put in the bottom of the cages, for it
seems necessary for digestion[7].
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 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. Yellowhammers 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 PASTE.--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[8], 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 a pestle.
These pastes should be made fresh every morning, as they 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
birds. 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, red-breasts, all species of larks, quails,
yellowhammers, buntings, blue-breasts, and redstarts 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[9]. 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: great care must
be taken to avoid giving them anything with pepper on it, or bad meat.
This must be a general rule. I 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, them out
of humour.
MR. SWEET'S FOOD FOR SOFT-BILLED BIRDS (SYLVIADÆ).--The birds of this
sort, though the finest songsters and most interesting of all the
feathered tribe, have been less known or noticed than others, probably
owing to the greater number 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 white-throat, 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 of 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 sometimes 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, and sometimes it will make them go off
their food altogether. When given to the birds, some fresh, raw, lean
meat ought to be cut up small enough for them to swallow, and mixed with
it I generally put about the same quantity of meat as paste, and
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 cockroaches, 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 years
are very plentiful, and may be kept in pots of turfy earth through the
winter, as may also the maggots of the bluebottle 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 BIRDS.--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 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 every day. They
are very fond of ripe pears and elderberries (but elderberries 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[10]."
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 ravelings 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 sometimes 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 replaced under
the bird, the effect will be as quick as it is successful[11].
For the same reason, sometimes the young birds remain 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 covered 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 time 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 in very small cages,
where they can take no exercise. It is 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 fail.
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: by this means this part can again 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 infusion 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 afterwards purged them for two
days following, with the juice of carrots.
ASTHMA.
This is a very common disease among house birds. Those attacked with it
have their breath short, often open their beaks as if to gasp for more
air, and, when agitated or frightened, keep them open for a long time.
The cause of this disease may doubtless be found in the mode of life
which these birds lead. Their food is generally too dry and heating,
being principally hemp-seed, which is very injurious, but liked by all;
and is the more hurtful, as it inclines them to eat too much. If to this
be added the 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
these 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 preserved for several years by the following
method.
The first thing was to leave off hemp-seed 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 of white bread, about the size of a nut,
into a teacupful of milk, boiling it, and stirring it all the time with
a wooden spoon till it is of the consistency of pap. It must be quite
cold before it is given to the birds, and must always be made fresh, for
if sour it will prove injurious.
This paste, which they are very fond of, purges them sufficiently, 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 things 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 be swallowed for
eight days following. But the best way is to change the seed, and be
sure there is none but good seed in the 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 unsuccessful 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 their new food. Most of these die
of it: they continually void a white calcareous matter, which sticks to
the feathers round the vent, and being very acrid causes inflammation in
that part and in the intestines. Sometimes chalybeate water and the oil
clyster produce good effects; but it is better, if possible, to procure
for the bird its most natural food. Some people pull out the feathers
from the tail and vent, and then rub these parts with fresh butter, but
this is a very painful and cruel operation. They also mix the yolk of an
egg boiled very hard with their food, but I have never found this
succeed very well. If there be any hope of curing this disease it is by
attacking it at the beginning, before inflammation is violent; boiled
bread and milk, a 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 ointment made of white lead, litharge, wax, and olive
oil, which may be had at any good chemist's. The general method is to
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 in the next moulting, for want of oil to soften the
feathers[12].
The gland is known to be obstructed when the feathers which surround it
are ruffled, the bird never ceasing to peck them, and instead of being
yellow it becomes brown. 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 instinct 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 attacked. 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 exercise 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 following 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.
TYMPANY.
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.
DISEASE IN THE FEET.
House birds are often subject to bad feet. From the second year they
become pale, and lose their freshness. They must be frequently cleaned,
taking care to remove the skin; the thick loose scales ought also to be
taken off, but with all possible precaution.
The gout occasions the feet to swell, they are also so scaly and painful
that the poor little bird cannot support itself without 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
agitation. 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. I 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 washing 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
food must be given to house birds, appropriate to the different
species--millet or canary seed, a little hemp-seed, white bread soaked in
water, and lettuce, or endive, to those which feed on seeds; with a few
more meal worms and ants' eggs to those that eat insects: all should
have bread soaked in boiled milk, warmth, and baths. Nothing has
succeeded better than this regimen: all the birds which I have seen
treated in this manner have passed their moulting season in good
health.
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 care which is taken
of it. There are some parrots which have 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 birds does not prevent their living
much longer than quadrupeds. 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 _iack_, _iack_;
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; some, 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 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 in 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 in 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 in 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 in 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 in 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, according 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, to which
hoops are fixed to prevent the net from getting wet 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 is nothing regular in this
respect.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: BROWN OWL.]
BIRDS OF PREY.
Birds of prey are so called from feeding only 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, LINNÆUS; La Cresserelle, BUFFON; Der
Thurmfalke, BECHSTEIN.
Its size is that of a turtle-dove, its 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 of his plumage. The top of the head is of a fine light grey,
the 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.
[Illustration]
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 terminated, like that of the male, with
a broad black border; the extremity, however, of each is pale[13].
HABITATION.--In its wild state the kestril falcon may be found
throughout Europe, preferring mountainous places, where there are
walls 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.
In 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
sparrows to the house-top, and even attacks birds in their cages; it
is 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, high 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 four
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 largest cities.
THE LITTLE OWL.
Strix passerina, LINNÆUS; La Chevèche, ou Petite Chouette,
BUFFON; 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 in 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 dark brown, with
white spots; the tail lighter, with red spots, which may almost be
taken for transverse bands. The colours are less brilliant in the
female.
HABITATION.--In its wild state this small species of owl frequents old
buildings, towers, and church walls, where its nest is also
found[14].
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; I 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 sanguinea_, Linnæus). This
proves that it also feeds on 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 be 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 be 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 copulation, are rather disagreeable. It is much used on the
continent as a decoy, to entrap small birds.
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.
[Illustration]
Lanius Excubitor, LINNÆUS; Der gemeine Würger, BECHSTEIN; La
Pie-Grièche 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 its being permitted to mix with the other
birds.
FOOD.--In its wild state, it feeds in summer on grasshoppers,
crickets, beetles, and other insects, even lizards, and small adders,
and when those fail, on mice and small birds; these, with mice,
moles, and the like, 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 accustomed to the universal paste, described in the
Introduction. This shrike eats very much for its size, 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 been 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.
MODE 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 sometimes dart on birds in cages which are outside the window.
It may 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 taught to speak.
THE LITTLE SHRIKE.
Lanius minor, LINNÆUS; Der graue Würger, BECHSTEIN.
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 spot.
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[15]. 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 soon kill them.
FOOD.--In its wild state it feeds on beetles, cockchafers, crickets,
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 worms 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 wild, they have all
died of decline[16]; 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 nest 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. 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.
Lanius erythrocephalus. Lan. Collurio, rufus, et pomeranus,
LINNÆUS; La Pie Grièche rousse, BUFFON; Der rothköpfige
Würger, 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 lines 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 of
April, and departing about the middle of September[17]. It inhabits
mountains, forests, and wooded plains, but prefers enclosed pastures
where horses 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 darts upon lizards and young quails.
In a state of confinement it is fed like the preceding; but being
more 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 spots, mixed with pale ones of a bluish grey. The
young ones are hatched in fifteen days; their colour, before the
first moulting, is on the upper part, dirty white, spotted with grey;
the under part is also dirty white, clouded 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 so 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.
[Illustration]
Lanius spinitorquus, BECHSTEIN; Lanius Collurio, LINNÆUS;
L'Ecorcheur, BUFFON; Der rothrückige Würger, 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 forehead 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 of the male.
All the upper part of the body is dirty reddish 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 yellowish, 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, and 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, he ate all that was
given him.
FOOD.--In its wild state, it eats 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,
during 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
insects, 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 dressed
meat, and afterwards with white bread soaked in milk: this last food
it always likes if early accustomed to it.
MODE 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,
maybug, 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, red-breast, 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 yellowhammer, 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.
[Illustration]
Corvus Corax, LINNÆUS; Le Corbeau, BUFFON; Der Kolkrabe,
BECHSTEIN.
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 eight inches and three quarters. The colour, 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 Cæsar, 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 particularly 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 in 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 the twelfth 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, LINNÆUS; La Corneille, BUFFON; Die Schwarze
Krähe, 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[18]; 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 Cornix, LINNÆUS; La Corneille Mantelée, BUFFON; Die
Nebelkrähe, BECHSTEIN.
This species, a little larger than the preceding, is grey, with the
head, throat, wings, and tail black. In the winter it is found over
almost all Europe, but during summer it inhabits 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.
[Illustration]
Corvus Monedula, LINNÆUS; Le Chocas, BUFFON; Die Dohle,
BECHSTEIN.
This bird is naturally half tame, and if reared from the nest 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.
Corvus glandarius, LINNÆUS; Le Geai, BUFFON; Der Holzeher,
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. Its black beak is in shape like
that of the carrion crow. The feet are brown, with a slight shade of
flesh colour. All the smaller feathers are soft and silky. A purple grey
is the most predominant 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, alternately
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,
or 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 excrements are not so soft or foetid. It may be preserved for
several years on this food. It must 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 are
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 reappear.
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. In 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 of 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 inserted, another bit
serving for a cover. On this instrument the voice of the owl, the
great enemy of the jays, may easily be imitated; and as soon as they
hear it they come from all sides, while their cries must be repeated
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 mell
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 magpies, thrushes, woodpeckers,
red-breasts, 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; these 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 on 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.
Corvus Caryocatactes, LINNÆUS; Le Casse-noix, BUFFON; Der
Tannenbeher, BECHSTEIN.
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.
In 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 disgust.
BREEDING.--Its nest, placed in a hollow tree, generally contains five
or six 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 it to speak, if attempted when young.
THE MAGPIE.
[Illustration]
Corvus Pica, LINNÆUS; La Pie, BUFFON; Die Elster, BECHSTEIN.
As the magpie generally frequents places near the abode of man, it is
well known. It is eighteen inches in length, of which the tail alone
measures ten. It may be called a handsome 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
suspicious 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 reared from the nest it learns to speak even
better than the raven, 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; this 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 let 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 immediately, and hide it with great care, let them
have as much food as they 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 I 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 other magpies, without however
connecting itself with them."
THE ROLLER.
Coracias Garrula, LINNÆUS; Le Rollier d'Europe, BUFFON; Die
Mandelkrähe, BECHSTEIN.
This bird resembles the jay in size and form, and 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 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 tail 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 is only seen during the time of its passage[19].
In the house it may be let range at will after the wings are clipt.
FOOD.--When wild, its principal 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 barley-meal 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
seen it drink.
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,
crag, craag_[20]."
THE GOLDEN ORIOLE.
Oriolus Galbula, LINNÆUS; Le Loriot, BUFFON; Der Pirol,
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 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 wild, 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[21].
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.
[Illustration: 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 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 bread 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[22].
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,
puhlo[23]."
THE HOOPOE.
[Illustration]
Upupa Epops, LINNÆUS; La Huppe, BUFFON; Der gemeine Wiedehopf,
BECHSTEIN.
The length of this bird is twelve inches, of which the tail measures
four, and the bill, which is black, two and a half.
The iris is blackish brown. The feet are black and very short. There is
a tuft on the head like a fan, formed of a double 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[24].
In the house, it is not kept in a cage, but let range at will; it is
very chilly, 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 heart-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 to 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
are 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 a stick, at the same time shaking its crest, wings, and
tail[25]. I have had several of them in my house, and have always
been diverted by their singular grimaces. When any one looks at them
steadily, they immediately begin their droll tricks.
The following is an extract from a letter written by M. von Schauroth
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 into the air, or as soon as I was seated climbed on my
clothes, particularly when 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 I 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. I 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 as 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, so that the large quill
feathers touched: they were thus surrounded by a sort of crown,
formed by the feathers of the tail and wings, the head leaning on the
back, with the beak pointing upwards; in this curious posture they
might be taken for an old rag. As soon as the bird which frightened
them was gone they jumped up immediately, uttering cries of joy. They
were very fond of lying in the sun; they showed their content by
repeating in a quivering tone, "_vec, vec, vec_;" when angry their
notes are harsh, and the male, which is known by its colour being
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 and other rubbish, which by degrees formed into an
indigestible ball in its 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 became 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
natural 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 strangers came unexpectedly it raised its crest
with surprise and fear, and hid itself on the top of a bed which was
in the room. Sometimes it was bold enough to come from its asylum,
but it fled directly to its beloved mistress, and seemed to see no
one but her. It had two very different tones; one soft, as if from
within, and seemed the very seat of sentiment, which it addressed to
its mistress; the other sharp, and more piercing, which expressed
anger and fear. It was never kept in a cage by day or night, and was
permitted to range the house at pleasure: however, though the windows
were often open, it never showed the least desire to escape, its wish
for liberty not being so strong as its attachment.
"This pretty bird accidentally died of hunger. Its mistress had kept
it for four months, feeding it only on bread and cheese."
THE CUCKOO.
[Illustration]
Cuculus canorus, LINNÆUS; Le Coucou, BUFFON; 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 by 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 lines.
HABITATION.--When wild, it is a bird of passage, which arrives in
April and departs in September, and even much sooner, according to an
English observer.
In the house, it may be let run about, or confined in a large wooden
cage.
FOOD.--When wild, it eats all sorts of insects, particularly
caterpillars on trees.
When confined, it is fed with meat, insects, and the universal paste
made of wheat-meal.
BREEDING AND PECULIARITIES.--Every one knows that the female cuckoo
never sits upon her eggs, but intrusts that care to other birds,
particularly those which feed on insects, laying one or two eggs in
their nest.
In order to tame a cuckoo, it must be taken 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 yellowhammer: its
eyes were not opened when I took it, yet it darted at me with fury.
Before I had had it six days it would 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, eat 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
or 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 tree 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.
Graccula religiosa, LINNÆUS; Mino ou Mainate, BUFFON; Der Mino
oder Plauderer, BECHSTEIN.
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
on the side of the head are short, like velvet, but on the top,
descending towards the back of the head, they are the general length; on
both sides of the head there is naked skin, which begins under the eyes,
and extends to the back of the head, but without uniting; its breadth is
uneven, near the eyes it is wide and yellow, but when the bird is
pleased or is angry this colour varies. Black is the predominant colour
of the body, with some tints of purple, violet, or green, according to
the different light it is in; the feathers of the tail have a white
streak.
OBSERVATIONS.--The minor grakle is found in both the Indies, in
Jamaica, as well as in the islands beyond the Ganges, as far as Java.
Their food is vegetable: those which are brought to Europe willingly
eat cherries and raisins; if these be shown them without being given
directly they begin to cry and weep like a child. They become
exceedingly tame and confiding; they whistle exceedingly well, and
chatter better than any parrot. The Chinese ladies are very fond of
them; they are sold very dear in Java. In the inland parts of Germany
nothing is so rare as one of these birds.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE MACCAW.]
LARGE BEAKED BIRDS.
The general characteristics of this group are, a beak large, but varying
in size, very hollow, light, raised above, and hooked before; in the
species immediately following, the legs are short, strong, and the feet
formed for climbing; they are furnished with a tongue, thick, fleshy,
and rounded like the human tongue, which renders articulation easy to
them. All these birds are foreign, and ought to be reared from the nest
when intended for speaking.
THE RED AND BLUE MACCAW.
Psittacus Macao, LINNÆUS; L'Ara Rouge, BUFFON; Der rothe Aras,
BECHSTEIN.
The beauty of their plumage, and the facility with which they repeat
words, are the two principal reasons for the introduction 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, jack-daws, 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 are 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 wing-coverts are a mixture of blue,
yellow, and green.
The colours sometimes vary, especially in the wings and tail, but the
species will not be the less easily known on that account.
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 becomes unhealthy, its
feathers stand up separate, it pecks and tears them, above 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 parrots is simply the crumbs of white bread, well
baked, without salt, soaked in water, and then slightly squeezed in
the hand. But though this appears to agree with them pretty well, it
is however certain that now and then something else ought to be
added. I have observed, indeed, that parrots which are thus fed are
very thin, have hardly strength to bear moulting, and sometimes even
do not moult at all; in that case they become asthmatic, and die of
consumption. It is clear that feeding them only on this food, which
has very little if any moisture in it, is not sufficient to nourish
them 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 more milk than the bread would absorb, which
the parrot drank with apparent pleasure; there was also put into the
drawer of its cage 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 sour.
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 they
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.
BREEDING.--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 are generally unfruitful; when
they are not so it is very difficult 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
be too savage and untractable, and would only stun one with their
unbearable cries, the faithful interpreters of their different
passions.
DISEASES.--Amongst those to which maccaws are particularly subject,
declines are the most frequent. Some cures for this are mentioned in
the Introduction, which it would be well to employ. During the
moulting season attention 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
Germany one costs from fifty to a hundred rix dollars, and in the
maritime cities thirty or forty. Their beautiful plumage forms their
principal attraction. They also learn to repeat many words, to go and
come, and also to obey the least signal from their master. I confess,
however, that their awkward walk, their heavy movements, and their
constant inclination to help themselves along with their beak, added
to their great uncleanliness, does 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.
[Illustration: AVIARY FOR DRAWING ROOM.]
THE BLUE AND YELLOW MACCAW.
Psittacus Ararauna, LINNÆUS; L'Ara Bleu; Der Blaue Aras,
BECHSTEIN.
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, LINNÆUS; La Perruche Illinoise; Der
Illinesische Sittich, BECHSTEIN.
This is a species which almost all bird-sellers have. Its 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 is no other
mixture of yellow either on the head or belly.
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
fatalis_, LINNÆUS.) These birds are so sociable that they may be seen
in flocks of five or six hundred.
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 continual 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; but they learn
scarcely any thing, and their continual cries are sometimes very
annoying.
THE LONG-TAILED GREEN PARRAKEET.
Psittacus rufirostris, LINNÆUS; Le Sincialo, BUFFON; Der
rothschnäblige Sittich, BECHSTEIN.
The 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 membrane 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 different shades of
green, the tail feathers of which are blue at the extremity.
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 cage, 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 preceding
species, but does not appear so delicate.
THE BLUE-HEADED PARROT.
Psittacus cyanocephalus, LINNÆUS; La Perruche à tête bleu,
BUFFON; Der Blauköpfige Sittich, BECHSTEIN.
This beautiful species is not more scarce than the preceding, and 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 of red; the head is blue; the throat violet,
with a grey tint.
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.
Psittacus solstitialis, LINNÆUS; La Perruche jaune, BUFFON;
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 membranes 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, LINNÆUS; 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 auroræ_, LINNÆUS); owing to this
resemblance the French also call it _l'Aurore_. 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 on
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
Highness the Duke of Meiningen as coming from Botany Bay, but they
are really natives of Amboina. Timid and wild, this bird has a sharp
whistle and a cry like "_gaick_," but cannot speak. The feathers are
so loose that they generally come off in the hand when touched; but
they grow again very quickly. It is kept and treated like the others.
THE PURPLE PARROT.
Psittacus Pennanti, LATHAM; La Purpure; Der Pennantsche
Sittich, BECHSTEIN.
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, are 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
scapulars and the feathers of the neck, the edges of which are the
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
belonged 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 preceding 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 à Moustache; Der
Zweyfleckige, Sittich, BECHSTEIN.
The length of this very beautiful parrot is fourteen inches, of which
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 colour.
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 oval 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, are meadow green. The breast and belly, to the extremity, are
of a fine green.
OBSERVATIONS.--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, gaie_." It comes from the Islands
of the Southern Ocean and Botany Bay.
THE CARDINAL PARROT.
Psittacus erythrocephalus, LINNÆUS; La Perruche cardinale; Der
Cardinal Sittich, 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 green, 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
erythrocephalus, LINNÆUS; Perruche à tête rouge de Gingi,
Buffon; Der Rothköpfige Sittich aus Gingi, BECHSTEIN.
The 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; Psittacus
erythrocephalus Bengalensis, LINNÆUS; Petite Perruche à tête
couleur de rose longs brins, BUFFON; Der Rothköpfige Sittich
aus Bengalen, BECHSTEIN.
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, edged with blue.
3. The Borneo Parrakeet; Psittacus erythrocephalus Borneus,
LINNÆUS; Perruche à tête rouge de pêcher de Borneo; Der
Rothköpfige Sittich aus Borneo, BECHSTEIN.
The upper mandible is red, the under black, the membrane ash-coloured,
the iris the same; the whole head is peach-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.
OBSERVATIONS.--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 à collier couleur
de rose, BUFFON; Der Manilische 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 a native of the Philippines, particularly Manilla; some say that
it is also very common in Africa. It is very pleasing, certainly, but
rarely learns to speak, and then only a few words. It must be treated
like other delicate species.
THE PAVOUAN PARROT.
Psittacus Guianensis, LINNÆUS; La Perruche Pavouane, BUFFON;
Der Guianische 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 particular, for even after a long captivity it still preserves a
native wildness and ferocity, and 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.
Psittacus pullarius, LINNÆUS; La Perruche à tête rouge,
BUFFON; Der Rothköpfige Guineische Sittich, BECHSTEIN.
Bird-sellers give the name of _Guinea-sparrow_ to this little parrakeet,
which is not larger than the common crossbill. 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 Europe, but as the means of preserving
them is now better known, most bird-sellers have them. Though they
cannot 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 affectionately near the female, feeds her, and gives her the
most tender caresses; she, in her turn, shows the greatest uneasiness 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 Carolinensis, LINNÆUS[26]; La Perruche à tête jaune,
BUFFON, pl. enl. 499; 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 of 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, says Buffon, on hemp seed; but it is
better to add white bread soaked in water, or boiled milk which is
not sour, wheat, Indian corn, 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.
THE LITTLE BLUE AND GREEN PARRAKEET.
Psittacus passerinus, LINNÆUS; La Perruche passerine été, ou
Toui été, BUFFON; Der Sperlingsparkit, BECHSTEIN.
Its size very little exceeds that of the sparrow. A beautiful 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
preceding, but much more rare and dear. It is a native of Brazil, and
cannot speak. It must be fed on canary seed, millet, and hemp.
THE GREY-BREASTED PARROT.
Psittacus murinus, LINNÆUS; La Perruche à poitrine grise,
BUFFON; Der grünbrustige Sittich, 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 and tail
are of a brilliant siskin green.
OBSERVATIONS.--This species is very mild, speaks but little, and even
seems 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, where our sailors bought several at two piastres a-piece.
These birds were 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 general opinion is, that they will not live more than
a year and a half if kept in 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 Saxe
Meiningen.
THE RED AND BLUE HEADED PARRAKEET.
Psittacus canicularis, LINNÆUS; La Perruche à front rouge,
BUFFON; Der rothstirnige 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 Highness 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, and appears very healthy. The bird
from which the description is taken is certainly a proof that this
species will attain a great age, for it is very old.
THE GREAT WHITE COCKATOO.
Psittacus cristatus, LINNÆUS; Kakatoes à 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 membrane at the base
black; the iris is dark brown, the circle of 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 of 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; but this is in some measure compensated for by the great
facility with which they are tamed; in some parts of India they are
even so far domesticated 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 vain that they make the
same efforts to repeat what is said to them: they seem to wish to
make up for it by other expressions of feeling and by affectionate
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 with
great docility the orders given them, either to spread out their
tuft, or salute people 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 signs the number of persons in
the room, the hour of day, the colour of clothes, &c.; they kissed
one another by touching their beaks, and even caressed each other;
this showed a wish to pair, and the master affirms that they often do
so even in our climates. Though the cockatoos, like other parrots,
use their bill in ascending and descending, yet they have not their
heavy disagreeable step; on the contrary, they are very active, and
hop about very nimbly."
THE LESSER WHITE COCKATOO.
Psittacus sulphureus, LINNÆUS; Kakatoes à huppe jaune, BUFFON;
Der gelbhäubige Kakatu, BECHSTEIN.
The length of this species is fourteen inches and a half. The beak, the
naked membrane, 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, with a primrose-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 mildness. 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, LINNÆUS; Kakatoes à huppe rouge,
BUFFON; Der rothäubige 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, particularly the cackling of fowls and the
crowing of cocks. When it cries it flaps its wings.
Though a native of the Moluccas, it is neither delicate nor difficult
to rear.
THE RED-VENTED COCKATOO.
Psittacus Philippinarum, LINNÆUS; Le petit Kakatoes des
Philippines, BUFFON; Der rothbäuchige Kakatu, BECHSTEIN.
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, miai!_"
but never "_cockatoo_."
THE BANKSIAN COCKATOO.
Psittacus Banksii, LINNÆUS; Le Kakatoes Noir, BUFFON; Der
Banksche Kakatu, BECHSTEIN.
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.
VARIETIES.--Of this beautiful species there are several varieties.
1. Those with the beak lead-coloured; the tuft of a moderate 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 the under part of the body.
2. Those with the beak bluish grey, plumage olive, or black, with a
yellowish tint on the sides of the head, but having no 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.
Psittacus erithacus, LINNÆUS; Le Perroquet cendré, ou le Jaco,
BUFFON; Der 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 violent 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 sickness which makes it peck
itself and tear out its feathers, &c.
There are some instances, when treated with care, of their having
lived for sixty years.
BREEDING.--In its native country this species builds in high trees.
This is the first of this group of birds which has bred in Europe.
"M. de la Pigeonnière," 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 cleanliness, 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 repetition 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 morning. 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 Rodiginus 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 sailors, and afterwards repeating
the rosary."
THE CERAM LORY.
Psittacus garrulus, LINNÆUS; Le Lori Noir variété dite de
Ceram, BUFFON; Der geschwätzige Lory, BECHSTEIN.
It is of the size of a pigeon, its length being from ten to eleven
inches. The colours vary very much; but the following 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 preceding, which it
equals in docility.
THE BLUE-CAPPED LORY.
Psittacus domicella, LINNÆUS; Le Lory demoiselle, ou à
collier, BUFFON; Der blauköpfige 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 blue, 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 wing 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 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, is 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, LINNÆUS; Lory des Philippines, BUFFON; Der
schwarzkappige Lory, BECHSTEIN.
This is about the size of the preceding. Its 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.
Psittacus leucocephalus, LINNÆUS; Perroquet Amazone à tête
blanche; Der weissköpfige 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.
THE BLUE-FACED PARROT.
Psittacus autumnalis, LINNÆUS; Le Crick à tête bleue, BUFFON; Der
Herbstkrickpapagey, 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 spot 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 yellow.
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
continually cry "_guirr, guirr_."
COMMON AMAZON PARROT.
Psittacus æstivus, LINNÆUS; Der gemeine Amazonenpapagey,
BECHSTEIN.
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.
THE YELLOW-HEADED AMAZON PARROT.
Psittacus nobilis, LINNÆUS; Psittacus ochrocephalus, GMELIN; Amazone à
tête jaune, BUFFON; Der gelbköpfige Amazonenpapagey, BECHSTEIN.
The length of this species is fifteen inches, of which the tail measures
five; the beak one inch, the sides of the upper mandible 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 Linnæus considered it sufficiently so to
class it among the long wedge-shaped tails.
OBSERVATIONS.--This bird is very mild, and sometimes chatters and
utters a few dull sounds, but at other times it speaks but little.
Its native country is South America: it is treated like the
preceding.
THE YELLOW-BREASTED TUCAN.
Ramphastos Tucanus, LINNÆUS; Toucan à gorge jaune du Brésil,
BUFFON; Der Tukan oder Pfeffervogel, BECHSTEIN.
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; the cheeks, throat, and
front of the neck are orange, with a crimson band across the breast. The
stomach is of a fine red, the 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, LINNÆUS; Le Toucan à gorge blanche du
Brésil, BUFFON; Der Brasilische Pfeffervogel, BECHSTEIN.
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 are red. The iris is light brown; the circle of the eyes greenish
yellow; the top of the head, 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, LINNÆUS; Le Toucan à ventre rouge; Der
Prediger Pfeffervogel, BECHSTEIN.
The whole length of the bird is twenty inches, 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.
[Illustration: THE LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER.]
WOODPECKERS.
The birds in this group in general have the beak rectangular, in a few
instances very slightly hooked, never thick nor very long.
THE GREEN WOODPECKER.
Picus viridis, LINNÆUS; Le Pic vert, BUFFON; Der Grünspecht,
BECHSTEIN.
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 becomes
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 the
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 attention 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, LINNÆUS; L'Epeiche, ou Pic varié, BUFFON; Der
Grosser Buntspecht, BECHSTEIN.
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 fixes 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 are to be tamed. They are
fed and treated like the green woodpecker.
THE MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER.
Picus medius, LINNÆUS; Le Pic varié à tête 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 region of the vent rose-coloured. It is, besides, less common,
and the young which are reared are not so untractable, though never very
docile[27]. They are generally kept in a cage, and fastened by a little
chain.
THE LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER.
Picus minor, LINNÆUS; Le Petit Epeiche, BUFFON; Der Kleiner
Buntspecht, BECHSTEIN.
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.
THE WRYNECK.
[Illustration]
Yunx torquilla, LINNÆUS; Le Torcol, BUFFON; Der Gemeiner
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 lives on insects, for catching
which it has a very long cylindrical tongue, with a hard point, that
can be insinuated 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 elderberries 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 delicate, in order to preserve it for some time, the nightingales'
food agrees better with it. It is very amusing to see it search all
the cracks and crevices of the room for insects; and if a few ants'
eggs were now and then put there, it would give it the greatest
pleasure.
BREEDING.--Its nest, which it places in the hole of a tree, is formed
of moss, wool, hair, and straw. It lays eight eggs, which are white,
and very smooth. 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 be 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, lengthening 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, gui, 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 show it the box
containing its food, and it returned immediately.
THE TOURAKO.
Cuculus Persa, LINNÆUS; Le Tourako, BUFFON; Der Turako,
BECHSTEIN.
This Bird, which is about the size of a magpie, has been placed among
the cuckoos by Linnæus, 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 resembles 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, 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 triangular 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 his
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
_couc, 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, as well as bits of apple
and orange; so 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, LINNÆUS; L'Alcyon, ou Martin Pêcheur, BUFFON;
Der Eisvogel, BECHSTEIN.
The length of this bird is seven inches, 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 on the branch of a tree.
In the house it does not walk or hop, but flies 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
as 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 not 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 as 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 very dexterous with their bills when seizing their prey.
"We have tried to rear others in a common cage, feeding them partly
on flesh, but never succeeded."
BREEDING.--A hole at the edge of the water is the place in which it
builds its nest, which is formed on the outside of small roots, and
lined with feathers. Its eggs in general are eight in number, and
quite white. In the young ones, before the feathers grow, the stubs
are so long and straight that they might be taken for so many little
bristles. As soon as the young can 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 other 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 be 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.
[Illustration]
Sitta Europæa, LINNÆUS; La Sittele, ou le Torchepot, BUFFON;
Der Nusshacker, BECHSTEIN.
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 stables.
In the house it must be kept in a cage made entirely of wire, as wood
cannot resist the strength of its beak[28].
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 eats 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
order 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
share 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 house; 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 visiters 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 came 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 know that there they would have been in greater
safety.
If these birds are left at liberty in the room, they are accustomed,
like the 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 OF 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.
[Illustration: NUTHATCH CLAW.]
[Illustration: 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 themselves 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 birds_; those
pretty and attractive little creatures which enliven our rooms with
their songs.
Those which feed only on seeds may be tamed at any age.
THE CROSSBILL.
[Illustration]
Loxia curvirostra, LINNÆUS; Le Beccroisé, BUFFON; Der
Kreuzschnabel, 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 acquired 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 becomes 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 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 in 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 sufficiently 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, is, 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 is not more
invariable in the size of birds than it is in that of men[29].
HABITATION.--When wild, the crossbill not only inhabits Europe, but
also all the north of Asia and America, everywhere frequenting
forests of pines and firs, where these trees, which are loaded with
cones, furnish abundance of food.
In the house it may be let range at will, but a branch of fir, or any
other tree, must be put near it, on which it can perch or sleep. If
it be kept in a cage it must be made of wire; for, being so much
disposed to peck and 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 adapted for procuring these seeds, by
separating the scales of the cones; it also gathers from the ground
those which have fallen, and it does not neglect those of the fir,
and even of the alder. When these fail it is contented with the buds
of the same trees.
In the house, if it be let run about at liberty, the second universal
paste will be sufficient; but if kept in a cage it must be fed on
hemp, pine, and rape seed, and even elderberries.
BREEDING.--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 superstitions, the wood-cutters are always
careful of the nests. The number of the eggs varies 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[30]. 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 bird-lime, is all that is necessary. It must be put in a glade
in the wood which these birds frequent, with the decoy bird by the
side; this, by its continual cry, will soon attract them. In
Thuringia the people put nooses 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 follow; 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 carried about anywhere on the
finger, and will go and return again without wandering.
THE BULLFINCH.
[Illustration]
Loxia pyrrhula, LINNÆUS; Le Bouvreuil, BUFFON; Der Gimpel,
BECHSTEIN.
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, thick, 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 a 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 totally dark place. Some resume at
their moulting their natural colours; others remain black; but this
black is not the same in all; some are of a brilliant raven black,
others 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
seen 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[31].
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 opportunities every year of seeing
hundreds of these birds, both wild and tame. I have even in the same
nest found some as small as red-breasts, and others as large as a
crossbill.
HABITATION.--When wild, bullfinches are found over Europe and Russia.
They are particularly common in the mountainous forests of Germany.
The male and female never separate during the whole year. In 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 be 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, corn, all kinds of berries, the buds of the oak, beech, and
pear trees, and 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, chickweed, water-cresses, a little apple,
particularly the kernels, the berries of the service 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 time
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[32], 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, and 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 perfect; 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 song when they stop,
and the lesson must always be repeated whilst they are moulting,
otherwise they will become mere chatterers, which would be doubly
vexatious after having had much trouble in teaching them.
DISEASES.--Those bullfinches which are caught in a snare or net are
rarely ill, and may be 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 on 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 should 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, diarrhoea, 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.
MODE 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 "_tui, tui_," 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 whenever it is told to do so, and is susceptible of a most
tender and lasting attachment, 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 years old, public house songs, or some learnt of
their apprentices, in general compose the whole of their music.
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 difficulty 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 learn with most difficulty
remember the songs, which have once been well learnt, better and
longer, and rarely forget them, even when moulting. Mr. Thiem[33],
bird-seller, at Waltershausen, 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 does
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 beating 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 presence 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 continuing 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 means a wild bullfinch will in eight days become accustomed to
fly immediately 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 accustomed 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 convulsions 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, notwithstanding 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 and cries.
THE GREEN BIRD.
Loxia chloris, LINNÆUS; Le Verdier, BUFFON; Der Grünling,
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 are eight inches in
height, and of a bluish flesh colour. The prevailing 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 the
greenish brown of the upper part, and the ash-colour rather than
yellowish green of the lower part of the body; she has besides some
yellow spots on the breast, and the whole belly is rather white than
yellow.
Sportsmen and bird-catchers mention three kinds of green birds, namely,
the large, which is everywhere of 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 beautiful 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 over all 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 other birds, where it is always very peaceable as long as
it has sufficient 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 other 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 as it is wild and active when
at liberty.
FOOD.--In its wild state it seems to like all kinds of seed, even that
of 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 and hemp seed may be thrown to it; if in a cage it must only be
fed in summer with rape seed, except a little hemp seed, which may be
given after moulting, to make it sing. Lettuce, chickweed and other
green food, always agree with it, and even the berries of the juniper
tree.
BREEDING.--Its nest, which is almost always placed in a hedge, on a
large branch near the trunk of a tree, or on the top of an old
willow-tree, is firmly built with wool, moss, and lichen, and lined
with very fine roots and bristles. The female lays, twice a year,
four or five pointed eggs, of a silver hue, spotted with light violet
or brown. The young are at first of a greenish grey; some yellow
tints, however, may already be seen in the male. When reared from the
nest, it learns, though with difficulty, to imitate the different
songs of house-birds; and, as it almost always happens with slow
memories, having once learnt a thing it never forgets it. It also
sings through the whole year; it should therefore be taught by a bird
whose song is agreeable, for instance, a chaffinch, and then one
would have the pleasure of hearing it without interruption through
all the seasons.
DISEASES.--The constitution of the green bird being very strong and
healthy, it is rarely subject to disease. It may be kept in good
health for twelve years.
MODE OF TAKING.--If the decoy bird be a good one, the green bird may
be easily caught in the area or barn-floor trap, even in December. In
the spring it may be taken with bird-lime on the lure-bush, when a
linnet will do for the songstress. In order to make it eat soon, a
little crushed hemp seed should be thrown in the bottom of its cage.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Without being handsome its song is not
disagreeable; it may also be taught to repeat words; but its greatest
merit is the wonderful ease with which it is tamed, equalling, and
even surpassing the bullfinch in this particular. It may not only be
accustomed to go and return again, but also to build in a room near
an orchard, or in a summer-house in the garden. The following are the
means which must be taken to make it do this:---
After having taken the young from the nest they must be put in a
cage, and placed at the foot of the tree in which this nest is built,
in a place dug for the purpose, and on the cage a tit as a decoy.
When left there, the old birds come to feed their young, and are
caught in the snare. As soon as they are taken, they must all be
brought into the house, where the old and young must be put together
in any aviary, or large cage, till the latter can fly; the window may
then be opened for them to go out, but hunger will soon bring them
back. As soon as they have exercised their wings, the old birds
should be placed on the table in the window to call them back. In
time, they become so familiar that they will accompany one in a walk,
and there is no fear of their flying away. If they are not taken
thus, it is necessary to wait for winter and snow to let them go out,
and if they profit by the permission, to call them back by some of
their species placed in a cage in the window. If you wish to be quite
sure of success, you have only to put a board in the window, on which
two females with their wings cut, can run about, go out, and return.
The green bird likes to build near canaries, and as these are good
nurses, they are given the eggs of the green bird, which, like the
goldfinches and siskins, learns to draw up its water and food.
THE PINE GROSBEAK.
Loxia Enuclator, LINNÆUS; Le Durbec, BUFFON; Der
Fichtenkernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
This is one of the largest species of grosbeak that we have, equalling
the Bohemian chatterer in size. Its length is eight inches and a half,
of which the tail measures three; the beak is short and thick, measuring
only six lines; its colour is brown, the iris dark brown; the feet are
from twelve to thirteen lines high, and blackish; the head, neck, breast
and rump are of a light vermilion, with bluish tints; the feathers on
the back and the lesser wing coverts are black, with reddish edges.
The female is generally of a greyish green, with some scattered reddish
and yellowish tints, principally on the top of the head. It is not yet
well known if this bird has the same changes of colour as the crossbill,
since more yellow ones have been found than red. Experience shows that
the same things take place in the house as out of doors. They acquire
the yellow red, not only after the first moulting, but even before it.
This change begins first round the beak, descends afterwards to the back
and breast, and at last gradually extends over the whole body, so that
what was red before becomes yellow; this yellow is darker than citron;
all the red and yellow feathers are ash-colour at the base. The young
are brownish, with a slight shade of yellow. During the first year the
colour of the males is light red; it is only after this that they become
darker vermilion or crimson; these birds are caught in autumn and
winter, either in the noose or net, with elder or service berries as a
lure.
OBSERVATIONS.--This bird is found in all the northern regions of
Europe, Asia, and America, and in Europe rarely passes the
fifty-third degree of latitude. It frequents the pine and fir
forests, the seeds of which form its food; in winter it quits these
places in search of berries; this is what ranks it among the erratic
birds. They are so stupid, that in the north they are easily caught
with a circle of brass wire fixed to the end of a long pole, to which
are fastened some horse-hair rings, which are simply passed over the
head of the bird. They are often caught and kept in cages, as they
are liked, both on account of the ease with which they are tamed, and
of their song, which is very agreeable; they will even sometimes sing
in the night, and always preserve their song through the whole year,
while the wild only sing in the spring.
HAWFINCH.
Loxia coccothraustes, LINNÆUS; Le Grosbec, BUFFON; Der gemeine
Kernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
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 cone, dark blue in summer, and
flesh-coloured, with the tip black, in winter; the slim feet are nine
lines in 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; the circle 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 are
of a fine ash-grey, the lower part is of a dark brown, with some shades
of grey on the rump.
[Illustration: BREEDING CAGE.]
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
Europe and Russia. It is very common among the mountainous countries
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 companions, 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 maple; 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 to eat 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 TAKING.--The haste with which these birds come on hearing 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 some harsh tones; but its great tameness may
please; it is necessary, however, to guard one's self from its beak.
THE CARDINAL GROSBEAK, OR VIRGINIAN NIGHTINGALE.
Loxia cardinalis, LINNÆUS; Cardinal huppé, ou Rossignol de
Virginie, BUFFON; Der Cardinal Kernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
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 skilfully 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 Germany it is very dear, being as much as six or eight pounds
sterling for a pair.
THE JAVA SPARROW, OR RICE BIRD.
Loxia orycivora, LINNÆUS; Le Padda, ou Oiseau de Riz, BUFFON;
Der Reiskernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is about the size of a bullfinch, and five inches in length,
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 cheeks are white; the rump, tail, and greater pen-feathers
are black, but all the rest of the upper part of the body, the
wing-coverts, hinder pen-feathers, and breast, are of a dark grey; the
belly purple grey; 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 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 as bad
a character in those countries, and particularly in China, their
native place, 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, LINNÆUS; Le Sénégali rayé, BUFFON; Der Gemeine
Senegalist, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is hardly larger than a golden-crested wren, its length being
four inches and a half, of which the tail measures two inches; the beak
is rather rough at the base, and of a dark red; the band which crosses
the eyes, the centre of the breast and belly, are red; the upper part of
the body is brown, and the lower reddish grey, the whole streaked with
transverse blackish lines, which become finer as they approach the head;
the quill-feathers are brown, as well as the tail, which is
wedge-shaped, and streaked with darker transverse lines; the feet are
brown. These birds change colour like the amandava finch; thus some are
found with the tail entirely brown, others which have the rump crimson,
and the rest of the body brown above and white below, and some have the
belly yellow, and the back spotted with white; there are some, indeed,
which have the neck and throat bluish, the under part of the body white,
mixed with iron colour, and the upper part blue.
OBSERVATIONS.--They inhabit the Canary Islands, Senegal, Angola, the
Cape of Good Hope, and may even be found as far as India, whence they
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. Their song is scarcely 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 some millet is
scattered.
THE AMANDAVA.
Fringilla amandava, LINNÆUS; Le Bengali Piqueté, BUFFON; Der
Getiegerte Bengalist, BECHSTEIN.
This beautiful little bird, which is brought to Europe in great numbers
from Bengal, Java, Malacca, and other tropical countries of Asia, is
only four inches long, of which the tail 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 belly, 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 feathers 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 lesser 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 are as sociable as the waxbills; if there
should be twenty or thirty in the same cage, they perch close against
one another on the same perch; and, what is more singular, they never
sing together, but one after another, the rest keeping quite silent
to listen to the songster. Their song resembles that of the hay bird,
and continues through the winter. The females do not sing; those are
wrong who think the contrary. They are very active, often bowing and
spreading their tail like a fan. In their native country their food
consists of different seeds, particularly millet; this is also given
it in the cage, as well as canary seed. They eat and drink a great
deal. They will live from six to ten years.
THE PARADISE GROSBEAK.
Loxia erythrocephala, LINNÆUS; Le Cardinal d'Angola, BUFFON;
Der Paridiese-Kernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
This species is about six inches long; the beak and feet are
flesh-coloured, the head and chin red; the upper part of the neck, the
back, rump, and wing-coverts, bluish grey; the upper tail-coverts are
edged with grey; the under part of the body white, with dark brown spots
on the sides; the wing-coverts white at the tip, which forms two
transverse streaks on the wings; the pen and tail-feathers are of a dark
grey, with lighter tips. The female does not differ from the male.
OBSERVATIONS.--The male sings through the whole year, but its voice is
so weak that the least noise overpowers it. In England this species
has been made to breed in an aviary. Its food is millet and rape
seed, and sometimes a little hemp seed.
THE REDBILL.
Loxia sanguinirostris, LINNÆUS; Le Becsanguin, BUFFON; Der
Rothschäbliger Kernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
This pretty little bird is three inches and a half long, of which the
tail measures one inch, and the beak four lines. The feet are nine lines
in height, the middle claw measures five lines and the side ones four.
The beak is strong, rather naked at the forehead, and of a dark blood
red; the feet are of a very red colour, the claws black; the eyelids
red, and irides orange; the circle of the beak, including the forehead,
eyes, and chin, is black; the top of the head rust-colour, more or less
approaching to red, scattered with blackish spots, formed by the black
of the feathers; the under part of the body of a brownish red, clouded
with white, and lighter on the sides and the lower part of the belly,
the whole spotted with black in the young birds, but 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 its 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 feeding and caressing each other. They are
fed on crushed canary and hemp seed, which preserves them in good
health for several years. The room in which they are kept must be
heated during winter.
THE DOMINICAN.
Loxia Dominicana, LINNÆUS; Le Paroare, BUFFON; Der Dominicaner
Kernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is about the size of a lark. The upper part of the beak is
brown, and the lower light flesh-colour; the feet are 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
Germany it costs three pounds sterling.
THE GRENADIER.
Loxia orix, LINNÆUS; Le Cardinal du Cap de Bonne Espérance,
BUFFON; Der Grenadier Kernbeisser, oder Feuervogel, 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 are of a fiery 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 body dark
brown, with light grey edges to the feathers; the 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, however, 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 ears 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 as may be heard to a great distance.
Their call is like the sparrows' "_dib, dib_," and their song as weak
as that of the siskin; the nest is skilfully constructed with small
twigs interwoven with cotton, and has but one opening, with two
compartments, one above the other, the upper for the male and the
lower for the female; the eggs are green.
These birds, when kept in a cage, are fed on canary seed. The male
and female never like to be separated; there is no instance, however,
of their breeding in these climates.
THE CAPE FINCH.
Loxia Capensis, LINNÆUS; Le Pinson noir et jaune, BUFFON; Der
Capsche Kernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
I have one of these birds, which is about the size of a bullfinch: its
length is six inches and a quarter, of which the tail, which is rather
wedge-shaped, measures two and a half. The beak is whitish above, very
much compressed on the sides, and very pointed; the iris dark brown;
feet dark flesh-colour. The head, neck, top of the back, all the under
part of the body, and the tail are of a fine velvet black.
The female, which is light brown, has a black spot in the centre of each
feather; the sides of the head and greater wing-coverts are grey white,
streaked with black; the lesser coverts and the rump of a light yellow;
the tail-feathers edged with grey; the beak pale or raven grey.
The plumage of the male after pairing is like that of the female.
OBSERVATIONS.--This bird, which comes from the Cape of Good Hope lives
very well in the house; it is kept in a cage, alone or with the
female, and fed with hemp and canary seed. In its native country it
frequents the edges of streams and rivers, feeds on seeds, but is not
so mischievous as the preceding. The eggs are grey, spotted with
black. It is said to be nice to eat.
THE CAFFRARIAN FINCH.
Loxia Caffra, LINNÆUS; Le Caffre, BUFFON; Der Mohren
Kernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is very little larger than the bullfinch, but its long and
raised tail is about twice the length of its body: it is only ornamented
with it during the pairing season. The beak is brown grey; the feet
grey; the prevailing colour of the plumage is velvet black; the
shoulders are red; the coverts white; the pen-feathers brown grey, with
a white border.
The female is always grey, and has only a little red on the shoulders.
The male acquires its beautiful black plumage at the beginning of
November, and loses it in January, to assume the colours of the female.
OBSERVATIONS.--This species, which is found in the interior of the
country north of the Cape, lives and builds in marshes: it is rarely
brought to Europe. The long tail of the male requires a large cage in
order to preserve its beauty. In its wild state this length of tail
is very inconvenient during the high winds; and during the rainy
season it may be caught by the hand. It is fed with canary seed.
THE BLUE FINCH.
Loxia coerulea, LINNÆUS; Le Bouvreuil bleu d'Amérique, BUFFON;
Der dunkelblaue Kernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is the size of the common grosbeak, about six inches and a
half in length, of which the tail measures two. The beak, which measures
six lines, is strong, and of a dark brown; the feet black; a black
streak surrounds the chin, and extends to the eyes: the whole plumage
is blue, except the greater wing coverts, the pen-feathers, and the
central tail feathers, which are dark brown.
The female is entirely brown, with a slight mixture of blue.
OBSERVATIONS.--I have had an opportunity of observing this bird among
the collection belonging to his Royal Highness the Duke of Saxe
Meiningen, where it is fed on canary seed. It calls little, and its
song is weak, but its plumage is beautiful. It is found in several
parts of America, in Brazil, Cayenne, and even in Carolina.
YELLOW-BELLIED GROSBEAK.
Loxia flaviventris, LINNÆUS; Le Grosbec jaune du Cap de Bonne
Espérance, BRISSON; Der gelbafterige Kernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
I am not sure that this bird, which I have also seen amongst those of
his Royal Highness the Duke of Saxe Meiningen, is the true _Loxia
flaviventris_ of Linnæus. It is of the size of the common chaffinch, and
five inches long. The beak, which is moderately strong, very much
resembles that of the chaffinch, and is of a horn brown. The feet are a
dull brown. The head and neck are of a dull pale blue; the upper part of
the body olive, the whole of the under part is a fine bright orange.
The Yellow Grosbeak of the Cape of Good Hope is thus described:--the
head, upper part of the neck, and back are olive, with stripes of brown;
the rump olive. The under part of the body deep yellow; on each side of
the head is a yellow band which passes above the eyes; the wings and
tail feathers are brown, edged with olive.
The female only differs in the colours being less vivid.
VARIETY.--The top of the head, the upper part of the body, and the breast
are olive; the back of the neck, even to the throat, is ash-coloured;
the belly yellow, but between the legs white. The wings are black,
bordered with orange; the tail feathers dark green, but they are
bordered with yellow, and are black up the middle.
OBSERVATIONS.--This bird has been sold as the female of the preceding,
and placed in the same cage. It lived very sociably; but I should
suspect it rather of being the female of that under notice. It is a
native of the Cape of Good Hope.
THE GOWRY BIRD.
Loxia punctularia, LINNÆUS; Le Grosbec tacheté de Java,
BUFFON; Der getüpfelte Kernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is the size of a linnet, about four inches and a quarter in
length. The beak and feet black; the whole of the upper part of the
body, and the lower, as far as the breast, chestnut brown; the cheeks
marked with a reddish purple tinge; the belly and sides white, but all
the feathers bordered with black in the form of a heart.
The female has no red tinge on the cheeks, the beak and feet are deep
brown; the sides white, tinged with deep brown: the back reddish brown.
OBSERVATIONS.--This species, which I have seen in the collection of
His Royal Highness the Duke of Saxe Meiningen, comes from Java; it is
kept in a cage and fed on canary seed. Its call is "_deguay_," its
feeble song somewhat resembles the siskin's.
THE BANDED FINCH.
Loxia fasciata, LINNÆUS; La Collerette BUFFON; Der gebänderte
Kernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
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 are surrounded by a band of dark reddish purple.
The female has not this collar, and its plumage is paler; the 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 I received from
Mr. Thiem, bird-dealer at Waltershausen, is a fine male, whose plumage
is as follows:--
The head is dull orange, with black stripes very near together; the
upper part of the neck, the back and rump, are the same shade of orange,
but each feather is intersected by a semicircular black line, and
terminated by a spot of red brown; the scapular wing coverts and last
pen-feathers are dark grey, with transverse angular black bands, and
bordered at the tips with red brown.
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-feathers and tail are brown.
OBSERVATIONS.--Bird-fanciers 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 different. They are
fed on canary seeds.
THE BROWN-CHEEKED FINCH.
Loxia canora, LINNÆUS; Der braunwangige Kernbeisser,
BECHSTEIN.
This 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.
OBSERVATIONS.--This pretty species comes from Mexico; its song is soft
and 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, LINNÆUS; Le Jacobin, BUFFON; Der Malackische
Kernbeisser, BECHSTEIN.
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 (_Brisson's Ornithology_, III., _page_ 235, _No._
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 have always regarded
it as a male, on account of its song, and because, after 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 granivorous birds hold
communion together, and mutually caress each other with the bill.
OBSERVATIONS.--The Malacca Finch comes 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 and 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 good health.
THE SNOW BUNTING.
[Illustration]
Emberiza nivalis, LINNÆUS; L'Ortolan de neige, BUFFON; Der
Schneeamer, BECHSTEIN.
Naturalists say that the plumage of this bird differs considerably in
summer and winter; though, from analogy with others of its species, I
am authorized in suspecting that this change arises rather from age. I
shall leave the question undecided; and since we can never see this bird
when it has 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 times 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 cinnamon-brown, and transverse spots of the same
colour form a kind of broken band across the white breast.
The young ones which are taken in winter 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; they may then be
taken with horse dung, placed in net, or covered with bird-lime, or by
clearing a spot of ground of snow and strewing it with oats. I have
had 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 were it not interrupted in a peculiar manner; it is a
warbling mingled with some 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.
THE MOUNTAIN BUNTING.
Emberiza montana, LINNÆUS; L'Ortolan de Montagne, BUFFON; Der
Bergammer, BECHSTEIN.
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 occasionally 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, LINNÆUS; Le Bruant, BUFFON; Der
Goldammer, BECHSTEIN.
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 head 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 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.
[Illustration: YELLOWHAMMER.]
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 wing coverts with
reddish white, so that at a distance it appears 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 without 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 universal 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.
BREEDING.--This species breeds twice in the year, the first time in
the 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 time
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 commences, a remedy most useful to
this species, to chaffinches, and to sparrows.
MODE OF TAKING.--The yellowhammer 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
small stick that supports it, by means of a string. They will also
enter the area or barn-floor 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.
ATTRACTIVE 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 spruce, so active when free, becomes dull,
idle, and awkward in a cage.
THE CORN BUNTING.
[Illustration]
Emberiza miliaria, LINNÆUS; Le Proyer, BUFFON; Der
Gerstenammer, BECHSTEIN.
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 six 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 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 run
about at liberty.
FOOD.--Both at liberty and in confinement its food is similar to that
of the yellowhammer; it is however a more delicate bird.
BREEDING.--Its nest, placed under a bush, does not rest on the ground
but 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 black.
MODE OF TAKING.--In autumn these birds may be taken in an area with a
decoy bird; in winter, before the barn door, with bird-lime 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, LINNÆUS; L'Ortolan, BUFFON; Der
Gartenammer, BECHSTEIN.
It is necessary to give a very exact description of this species, as not
only bird-catchers, 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 yellowhammer; 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. Its breast, and the upper
and under part of its body, are lighter than in the male.
The throat of the young male birds, before the first moulting, 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
in 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, especially 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 their arrival 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[34].
In the house, if much valued, they are given a cage; but 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
animal 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 yellowhammer. In
August a turfy place should be chosen near brambles, to form a small
area, as a decoy, like that made for chaffinches. It must be
surrounded with a low hedge, with some oat-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 confined by a small string,
fastened to a peg-stick in the ground, which prevents 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 ortolan would
be sufficient to render it desirable, but still more so its
flute-like warbling, so clear and full, which has some resemblance
to that of the yellowhammer, only that the last notes are much
deeper.
Ever since ortolans have been known to epicures as a delicacy, they
have 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 then 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, LINNÆUS; Le Zizi, ou Bruant de Haie, BUFFON;
Der Zaunammer, BECHSTEIN.
Linnæus has described only the female, and by mistake I have called the
male _Emberizal Eæathorax_, 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
yellowhammer, 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 upper 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 streak under the eyes, reunites with the black one on the
throat; the back and 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 body 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
southern and temperate parts of Europe, where they frequent orchards,
groves, and the skirts of forests.[35] They are birds of passage,
which leave in November and return in April; they are then met with
very commonly among the chaffinches.
In the house they must be treated in the same manner as the ortolan.
FOOD.--In their wild state they feed on the cabbage caterpillar in
summer, and when corn is ripe, 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
yellowhammer.
These birds, however, are very easily tamed, and may be preserved
five or six years.
THE FOOLISH BUNTING.
Emberiza Cia, LINNÆUS; Le Bruant Fou, BUFFON; Der Zipammer,
BECHSTEIN.
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 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
insects 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.
MODE 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 species 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.
[Illustration]
Emberiza Schoeniclus, LINNÆUS; L'Ortolan de Roscaux, BUFFON;
Rohrammer, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is nearly the size of the mountain sparrow, its length being
five inches three-quarters, of which the tail measures 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
alternately 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 species 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 are
met with here and there amongst the yellowhammers; they frequent
moist places, the banks of ponds 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.
FOOD.--When wild they feed on the seeds of rushes, bullrushes, reeds,
and 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.--In 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 bird-lime.
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 great amateur of music, approaching the
instrument without fear, as I have observed several times, not of
one only, but of many of these birds, testifying its joy by extending
its wings and tail like a fan, and shaking them 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, LINNÆUS; 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 inches
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 longitudinal streak in
the middle, and many black spots arising from the deeper shade of the
feathers which appears in every direction; 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 or November and returns in April. It is not
rare 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 very much resembles in its song and habits: it is taken in the
same manner.
THE WHIDAH BUNTING.
Emberiza paradisea, LINNÆUS; La Veuve à collier d'or, BUFFON;
Der Paradiesammer, BECHSTEIN.
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 acquire its
proper plumage until the third 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 eight to twelve years if fed on
canary seed, millet, barley meal, and the like, not forgetting to add
from time to time lettuce, endive, or other green food. They must be
given a large cage, to prevent their spoiling their fine tail.
THE DOMINICAN BUNTING.
Emberiza serena, LINNÆUS; La Veuve Dominicaine, BUFFON; Der
Dominikanerammer, 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 gradually 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.
Emberiza regia, LINNÆUS; La Veuve à quatre brins, BUFFON; Der
Königsammer, 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 inches 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 INDIGO BIRD.
[Illustration]
Emberiza cyanea, LINNÆUS; Fringilla cyanea, WILSON; La Veuve
bleue, or 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 by 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 seed.
THE PAINTED BUNTING.
Emberiza Ciris, LINNÆUS; Le Pape, BUFFON; Der gemahlte Ammer,
BECHSTEIN.
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 wing-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 varieties. 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 moulting 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 song is soft and agreeable.
THE CHAFFINCH.
[Illustration]
Fringilla Coelebs, LINNÆUS; Le Pinson commun, BUFFON; Der
Buch-Fink, BECHSTEIN.
This delightful songster of spring, famed for the sprightliness of its
warbling,--this favourite of most of our bird-fanciers, 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 Thuringia, 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 unless rescued. The forehead is black, the top of the head and
nape of the neck are greyish blue, in very old males deep blue, and
then thick downy hairs are perceived.
After moulting, at the 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 brood; they are called grey-heads, by
bird-catchers, who can easily distinguish, in the spring, the young from
the old males, and very much prefer them, because, if properly caught,
they may be taught to improve their song when confined in the house;
while the others never learn, or change very little, at least rarely,
the song they have acquired in their wild state.
The female is very different, being smaller, while the head, neck, and
upper part of the back are greyish brown, and all the under part of the
body is a dusky white, rather reddish grey on the breast; and the beak,
greyish brown in spring, becomes greyish white in winter.
There are some remarkable varieties of this species, one quite white,
another with a white collar, a third streaked, spotted, &c. There is no
distinction between the wood chaffinches and those of the gardens and
orchards, as has been alleged.
HABITATION.--In its wild state, the chaffinch frequents forests,
copses, and orchards, and ought to be reckoned among birds of
passage, though there are always some that remain the winter with us.
The time of passage, in autumn, continues from the beginning of
October to the middle of November, and in spring during the month of
March. These birds perform their journey in large flocks. In the
spring the males arrive in separate flights, fifteen days before the
females; our bird-catchers know this so well, that as soon as they
perceive these they put up their implements, their sport being then
over.
In the house, though each may vary the form of the cage to his taste,
the best, in my opinion, is an oblong cage nine inches long, seven in
depth, and seven in height, with the food and water at the two
farthest sides, and the perches placed opposite. A bell-shaped cage
does not suit the chaffinch, as it prefers jumping down in front, and
swinging itself round, to remaining at the top. If there are several
in one room they must be placed so as not to see each other, or their
song will be injured. Those only are allowed to range whose song is
very inferior, and must be provided with a grated place to retire to,
or some branches to perch on. These never sing so well as those in
cages, their song appearing to require the greatest attention, and
hence there should be nothing to distract them.
FOOD.--When wild, their food in spring is all sorts of insects, which
they carry to their young in their beaks; later in the season they
eat various kinds of seeds, pine and fir seeds, when they inhabit
forests that contain them, linseed, oats, rape, cabbage, and lettuce,
which they know well how to procure and shell.
In the house they are fed all the year on rape seed, dried in summer,
or, which is better, soaked and swelled in water, on which food they
appear to thrive. Every day a sufficient quantity should be soaked
for the next, and given them fresh every morning. In the spring they
are allowed a little hemp-seed, or the seed of the nettle-hemp
(_Galeopsis Tetrahit_), to excite their song, and this plant is
therefore very much prized in Thuringia; but these seeds should not
be mixed with the rape, as in trying to find them they soon scatter
their food; it is best to put it in a separate drawer fastened to the
iron wires of the cage, between which it may be slipped. It must not
be omitted to supply them with green vegetables, chickweed, lettuce,
and the like; and in winter a piece of apple, meal-worms, and ants'
eggs agree with them. They must have fresh water regularly every day,
both to drink and bathe in.
Those that range the room live on the different sorts of food they
meet with, bread, meat, and all sorts of seeds.
BREEDING.--The nest of the chaffinch is one of the most beautiful of
birds' nests, and formed in the most skilful manner. It is the shape
of a half globe flattened on the upper part, and so perfectly rounded
that it has the appearance of having been turned on a lathe.
Cobwebs[36] and wool fasten it to the branch, bits of moss with small
twigs entwined form the ground-work; the lining is composed of
feathers, thistle-down, the hair of horses and other animals, whilst
the outer covering is formed of the different lichens that grow on
the tree in which it is placed, the whole firmly united and well
cemented. This outer finish is no doubt intended to deceive an
enemy's eye; in fact, it is very difficult, even with great
attention, to distinguish the nest from the bark of the branch on
which it is fixed.
The female has two broods in the year; she lays from three to five
eggs, of a pale bluish grey, spotted and streaked with brown: the
first brood (and this is confirmed in general by observations of
other birds) rarely produces any but males, the second only females.
Bird-fanciers can distinguish the one from the other before they
leave the nest; the breast of the male already discovering a reddish
tint, the circle round the eyes being yellower, the wings blacker,
and the lines that cross them whiter, though in other respects it
resembles its mother. If you wish to be quite sure, pluck some
feathers from the breast of the bird you have taken from the nest, in
a fortnight they will be replaced, and the presence or absence of red
will infallibly decide whether it is male or female. As soon as the
tail-feathers begin to appear they must be taken from the nest, to
prevent the possibility of their ear being injured by hearing an
imperfect song, for scarcely are the wings and tail half grown than
these birds begin to warble, and to imitate the song of those around
them.
They must be fed on rape seed soaked in water and the crumb of white
bread; it is very easy to rear them and preserve them healthy till
the time of moulting, but then numbers perish, particularly if not
quickly relieved by being given meal-worms and ants' eggs, or any
other animal food, as bread boiled in or soaked in boiled milk.
Chaffinches that have been reared with care become very familiar, and
sing at command, or when one approaches their cage in a friendly
manner. If they are wished to learn quickly and accurately, they
should be kept in an obscure corner of the room, and only hung up at
the windows in May; this is the surest way to prevent their learning
any thing imperfect. By these means chaffinches that have been taken
full grown have forgotten their former song and adopted a better. The
whole artifice consists in keeping the bird in such retirement as
will remove everything that might distract it when listening to a
fine songster, and take away the wish to sing itself.
There have been examples of chaffinches pairing with female canaries,
and it has been said with a female yellowhammer. The distinction
between wood and garden chaffinches is unfounded, at least as to
species; the eggs of both are of the same whitish pink colour.
DISEASES.--The disorders to which the chaffinch is most subject are
the obstruction of the rump gland[37] and diarrhoea. To cure this
an old nail or a 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
performed 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
comes 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
the year, may be taken in a net baited with oats.
Bird-catchers 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
in the fields, in resting, and singing. In the same manner are taken
linnets, goldfinches, siskins, 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 is in the habit of often repeating its natural cry, _fink,
fink_, ties his wings, and fastens to his tail a little forked stick,
half a finger long, well covered with bird-lime; 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 than he
becomes enraged, pounces on him like a bird of prey, and is caught
with the bird-lime; 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 by 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 percher. 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 confinement,
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 bird-lime. 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 bird-catcher, cruel as he is stupid, who, without the
least reflection, only thinks of gratifying his ridiculous passion
for bird-catching, 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 bird-catchers are very active in discovering
the places where at noon they are accustomed to drink; there they set
perches covered with bird-lime, 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-dealers 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 rallying note it makes use of on its passage,
and which so often draws it within the snares of our bird-catchers, is
_ïak, ïak_, repeated several times; the cry _fink, fink_, 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 clear and
trilling tones, that seem almost to approach to words; in fact, its
warbling is less a song than a kind of _battement_, to make use of a
French word, and is expressed in German by the word _schlag_ (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 several 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. They have observed its nicest shades, and are
continually endeavouring to improve and perfect it. I confess I am
myself one of its warmest admirers; I have constantly around me the
best songsters of its species, and if I liked I could write a good
sized volume on all the details of its music, but I will confine
myself to that which bears most on this subject.
The song of the chaffinch bearing an evident relation to articulate
sounds, its has been thought to distinguish its different variations
by the final syllable 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 superiority.[38]
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
"_weingeh_[39]." I doubt if ever a bird in its wild state has
executed this so perfectly as I heard it at Ruhl[40] 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 precipitate manner. This song consists of four strains, the
first of which commences 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
Längsfeld wine song[41], is very beautiful, but little known except
in two or three places in Thuringia. It is composed of four strains,
and to be perfect ought to resemble a hautboy, the two last syllables
articulating "_weingeh_." This song has never been heard from a wild
chaffinch, but is one accidentally produced in the house, and
endeavoured to be propagated by education.
2. 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 articulate "_weingeh_." When once a wild chaffinch has
been heard to utter this in Germany it is not long ere it is caught.
3. The sharp wine song is not ended by "_weingeh_," but "_weingieh_."
It is subdivided into the common 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 villages 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 Bräutigam_, 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 ear the finest of all. The bad is
occasionally heard in the woods, and is 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, _b_, 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 Iambach[42]; this
is only to be acquired 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_" four or five times, and
ends by dwelling on "_Rüdidia_." A chaffinch that possesses this
song, either alone, or united with the good bridegroom's song, such
as are educated in Iambach, 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, in my opinion not very
agreeable. Chaffinches are very rare now which sing this, 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.
7. _The Quakia song_ is so called from its last syllables, and is
double or single, one with one strain, the other with two. This song
was formerly 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 quakia 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. The bird-catchers of the villages about the forests of
Hesse seek for birds that possess it, and actively pursue the
songsters. It is first a sonorous strain, followed by several
repetitions of the word "_zack_." Some birds unite to it the common
sharp wine song, and are more valued. The last syllables ought to
sound "_trewididæ_."
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; but it is very rarely that they are sung with so clear 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 syllables. Its voice, in fact,
executes it with more strength and depth; if it adds to the last
strain the sound "_fink_," which our bird-catchers translate 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 everywhere 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 varies
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[43]. 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 can 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 warbling, to which they add at first, in an under
voice, one or two, and afterwards several syllables of their song;
they are then said to _record_. A 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 flexibility.
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 does 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 than 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 find 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
sufferings of a sensitive being that is unfortunately in their power?
THE MOUNTAIN FINCH.
Fringilla montifringilla, LINNÆUS; Le Pinson d'Ardenne,
BUFFON; Der Bergfink, BECHSTEIN.
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 yellow, with
a black tip. The feet, nine lines high, are dark flesh-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 he is red.
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 are
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 _ïak, ïak, quääk_, 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.
ATTRACTIVE 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 improved 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; Der
Haussperling, BECHSTEIN.
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.
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 themselves[44]. In the house, they
feed on any kind of food: oats, hemp seed, or rape seed.
BREEDING.--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 OF TAKING.--Sparrows are so cunning that it is difficult to
attract them within the net or on lime twigs. They may be caught in
numbers however on the brambles in a field where sheep are kept, by
sticking plenty of bird-lime about them. They may be taken also by
placing a net before those 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
among 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 serve 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
choosing 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 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.
Passer 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 bluish
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 are 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
dragging 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
hollow willows at the water's edge; it breeds twice in the year.
MODE 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 it
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 treating it in the manner described with respect to the
house sparrow. It is more difficult to preserve it, and it generally
dies of decline.
THE COMMON LINNET.
[Illustration]
Fringilla cannabina, LINNÆUS; La Linotte, BUFFON; Der Lanning,
BECHSTEIN.
The length of this well-known bird is more than five inches, of which
the tail measures two inches and a half. The beak, six lines long, is
dusky blue in summer, and in winter greyish white, with the point brown;
the iris dark brown; the feet, eight lines high, are black. There are
some very striking varieties produced by the season and age in the
plumage of the male, which are not observed in the female, and these
have caused great confusion in works on birds, so much, that
bird-catchers are still persuaded these birds, in a different dress, are
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_,
Linnæus), the greater redpole (_Fringilla cannabina_, Linnæus), and,
according to all appearance, the mountain linnet (_Fringilla montana_,
Linnæus), are one and the same species. A male three years old or less,
is distinguished in spring by the following colours, and by the name of
redpole. The forehead is blood red, the rest of the head reddish
ash-coloured, the top rather spotted with black; the cheek, sides of the
neck, and the circle round the eyes, have a reddish white tint; the
feathers of the back are chestnut with the edges lighter; the upper
tail-coverts are black edged with reddish white; the throat and under
part of the neck are yellowish white, with some dashes of reddish grey;
the sides of the breast are blood red edged with reddish white, the
sides of the belly are pale rust-coloured; the rest of the under part of
the body is reddish white; the greater wing coverts are black, bordered
with reddish white, the others are rusty brown with a lighter border.
The quill-feathers are black tipped with white, the first are edged with
white nearly to the point, the narrow beard forms a parallel white
streak to the quill-feathers; the tail is black and forked, the four
outer feathers on both sides have a broad white border, that of the two
middle feathers is narrower, and reddish white.
After moulting, in autumn, little red is seen on the forehead, because
the feathers become coloured from the bottom to the top; the breast has
not yet acquired its red tint, for the white border is still too wide;
but when winter comes its colours appear.
Males one year old have no red on the head, and more dashes of black;
the breast is pale red waved with pale and dark, the under part of the
feathers on the breast is only a bright reddish grey brown, the edges of
these feathers are of a reddish white; the back rust-colour has some
detached spots of dark brown and reddish white. These birds are known
under the name of grey linnets.
After the second moulting, if the reddish grey feathers are blown aside,
blood red specks may be discovered on the forehead, and the red of the
breast is only hidden by the wide yellowish white borders to the
feathers; these are the yellow linnets, or the rock linnets, as they are
called in Thuringia.
I have myself taken linnets whose foreheads and breasts have been bright
reddish yellow instead of blood red, a colour, in fact, that sometimes,
in the house, becomes blood red. Bird-catchers give these also the name
of yellow linnets. It is a deterioration of the red caused by illness
during moulting, or by old age, and they are not wrong in regarding them
as the best and the finest singers. I have taken several, but on
account of their scarcity, I have always kept them for myself. Their
song was very fine and clear, but they cannot be tamed, and have
generally died soon of sorrow and melancholy, from which I conclude that
they were very old.
Besides these three different varieties of plumage of the males, there
are several clouded, produced by the seasons and old age; for instance,
the older they become, the redder the head is. I have in my cabinet all
the gradations of this change. Birds brought up in the house never
acquire the fine red on the forehead and breast, but remain grey like
the males of one year old; on the other hand, old ones, red when brought
into the house, lose their beautiful colours at the first moulting, and
remaining grey like the young ones, are no more than grey linnets.
This difference of colour does not take place in the females, which are
smaller than the males; the upper part of the body is grey streaked with
dusky brown and yellowish white, on the rump with greyish brown and
reddish white; these spots are more numerous on the breast; the
wing-coverts are a dusky chestnut. The females are distinguished in the
nest by the back being more grey than brown, and by the number of
streaks on the breast, which resembles that of the lark; bird-fanciers
leave these in the nest and take only the males.
HABITATION.--In its wild state the linnets are spread throughout
Europe. In the summer they frequent the skirts of large forests,
thickets, hedges, and bushes, particularly furze; but as soon as
September arrives, they pass in large flights to the fields. They are
wandering birds, that in winter go hither and thither seeking food in
places free from snow, but in March they return to their native
places.
In confinement it is best to keep them in square cages, as they are
less subject to giddiness in these than in round ones, and sing
better. They are not often allowed to range the room, as they are
very indolent, remaining immoveable in the same place, and running
the risk of being trodden on; but if a small tree or a roost be
placed in a corner, they may be let out of the cage with safety, as
they will remain perched there, only leaving it to eat or drink, and
will sing all day long.
FOOD.--When wild, their food is all kinds of seeds that they can
shell, and these remain in the crop some time to be moistened before
passing into the stomach. In the house, it is only summer rape
seed,[45] which need not be soaked in water for them, as for the
chaffinch, since, having a much stronger crop and stomach, they can
digest much better. It is not necessary always to give them hemp seed
with it, and they must not be fed abundantly, for taking little
exercise, they easily become fat, and sometimes die from this cause;
but a little salt mixed with their food is useful, as it preserves
them from many diseases, and they like it. When linnets are allowed
to run about, they will feed with the other birds on the common
universal paste; but they must be given green vegetables, water, and
sand, as they are very fond of bathing and dusting themselves.
BREEDING.--Linnets have two broods in the year. They lay from four to
six eggs for each, of a bluish white, speckled with reddish brown,
especially at the large end. Their nest placed in a hedge, a white or
black-thorn, or, if in a country where they are common, on a vine, or
a furze bush, is composed of small twigs, dried grass and moss, and
lined with wool, the hair of horses, and other animals. The parent
birds feed their young ones from their beaks, and do not discontinue
it if prisoners in the same cage. If the young ones are to be taught
a new song, they must be taken from the nest when the shafts of the
feathers are just appearing, that they may have no idea of their
parents' song. The males may be easily distinguished by their white
collar, and from having the most white about the wings and tail.
DISEASES.--The most common disorders of this species are constipation,
atrophy, and epilepsy. A linnet, however, will, in general, live from
ten to twelve years in the house.
MODE OF TAKING.--These birds are distrustful and suspicious, and,
notwithstanding decoys and perching birds, it is very difficult to
entice them within the decoy or area, and never many together. In the
spring, by means of a good decoy-bird, a few may be taken on a
decoy-bush. In the autumn, by fastening snares or lime twigs to the
stalks of lettuces, of the seeds of which the linnets are very fond,
several may be taken. Our shepherds turn and support the cribs, used
to feed the sheep from, in such a manner, that the linnets, coming to
gather the grains of salt, easily overturn them on themselves. The
call of the linnet is "_gäcker_."
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The agreeable, brilliant, and flute-like song
of the linnet, consists of several strains, succeeding each other
very harmoniously. Our amateurs consider its beauty to depend on
there being often mingled with it some acute and sonorous tones, that
a little resemble the crowing of a cock, and have made people say
that this bird _crows_. Its song is only interrupted during the year
by moulting. A young one taken from the nest, which may be easily
brought up on a mixture of the wetted crumb of white bread, soaked
rape seed, and eggs boiled hard, not only learns the songs of
different birds that it hears in the room, such as nightingales,
larks, and chaffinches, but if kept by itself, airs and melodies that
are whistled to it, and will even learn to repeat some words. Of all
house birds, this, from the softness and flute-like sound of its
voice, gives the airs that it is taught in the neatest and most
agreeable manner. It is also one of those that pay best; some here
cost from three to five rix-dollars when they can warble an air
preceded and followed by a grand flourish as of trumpets. The weavers
and shoemakers often bring up many of these birds. It is very
pleasing and surprising to hear a young linnet that is well taught by
a nightingale. I have one, whose imitations are as perfect as
possible. It amuses me throughout the year, but especially when my
nightingales are silent.
Linnets may be accustomed to go and come at command, by treating them
in their youth, or in the winter, as I have directed for the
house-sparrow; but as they are more timid, it is necessary to be more
careful.
It is common for a male linnet to pair with a hen canary, and their
progeny can scarcely be distinguished from the grey canary. They sing
delightfully, and learn different airs with great facility.
It is well known, that among linnets, some are finer warblers than
others, and that, as with many other birds, the old ones sing better
than the young; on which account, yellow linnets, being the oldest,
are the most valued.
THE LESSER REDPOLE.
Fringilla Linaria, LINNÆUS; Le Sizerin, ou Petite Linotte des
Vignes, BUFFON; Der Flachsfink, BECHSTEIN.
In its plumage this bird resembles the linnet; but in its actions and
shape it more resembles the siskin. It is five inches and one quarter in
length, of which the tail measures two and one quarter; the beak, four
lines long, is very sharp and yellow; its shanks, eight lines high, are
black; the top of the head is a brilliant crimson; the upper part of the
body is dark brown, spotted with white and rust yellow; the rump is
rose-coloured; the throat black; the feathers on the under part of the
neck and breast are bright rose-coloured, edged with white; the rest of
the under part is white. The plumage of the female is lighter; the
breast is not rose-coloured, except that when very old it acquires a
slight tint, as well as the rump; the upper part of the body is spotted
with white and deep brown, and the breast is rather speckled with the
same colours. The latter characteristics serve to distinguish the
females from young males, that also are without the rose-colour on the
breast, but have the rust-coloured and dark brown back of the older
birds. The males, confined to the house, lose, at the first moulting,
the fine rose-coloured breast, and, at the second, the crimson of the
head, which generally changes to a greenish yellow. I have a male bird,
the top of whose head became, at the third moulting, of a fine golden
yellow, and has retained its brilliancy for six years.
HABITATION.--In its wild state the lesser redpole is found in every
part of Europe; yet we must consider the north as its native home,
Scotland, Sweden, Lapland, Norway, and Greenland. Great flights
arrive amongst us at the end of October, and leave us in March and
April. In winter, they frequent places planted with alders, the seeds
of which they appear very fond of. They are principally found in
company with siskins.
In the house, it shows off its beautiful plumage, which, alas! does
not retain that beauty long, it is often placed in a pretty cage, but
most commonly allowed to range through a room.
FOOD.--When at liberty, the seed of the alder is what these birds seek
most eagerly; but they do not despise the seeds of flax, hemp, and
even fir, and many other kinds. Being entirely grain-eating birds,
their crop has the power of softening the food before it passes into
the stomach.
In the house, if in a cage, they eat poppy, rape, and hemp seed; when
at large, the first universal paste.
BREEDING.--Occasionally a few stragglers breed with us, but this is
rare.
DISEASES.--The disorders of this species are the same as those of the
siskin; but their feet are oftener diseased, and the toes skin off
one after the other. They may be kept from eight to ten years.
MODE OF TAKING.--In the spring and autumn, the lesser redpoles may be
taken in flocks in the area, or barn-floor trap, with a decoy of
their own species, or even with a siskin. Many may also be caught
with such a decoy on a decoy-bush. They are so silly, or so
confiding, that they will even allow themselves to be taken close by
the bird-catcher, who is collecting their entrapped companions. This
stupidity, or simplicity, is common in all birds that come from the
more remote northern parts. Brought up far from man, and out of reach
of his pursuit, they know not that fear and distrust which is felt by
those that inhabit populous countries. Their call is "_peweet_" and
"_crec, creck hewid_."
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The lesser redpole pleases the eye more than
the ear; its feeble warbling being only, if I may thus express it, a
low continued clicking. It may be taught to draw water more easily
than the goldfinch, and it will also learn many other little
manoeuvres, for it becomes very familiar, and will eat as soon as
it is let loose after its capture. The mutual tenderness of the male
and female is very pleasing. They are continually caressing each
other with their bills, and even do the same to siskins, linnets,
goldfinches, and canaries, from which it appears very likely that
they would pair with these birds.
THE GOLDFINCH.
[Illustration]
Fringilla Carduelis, LINNÆUS; Le Chardonneret, BUFFON; Der
Distelfink, BECHSTEIN.
"Beauty of plumage," says Buffon, "softness of voice, quickness of
instinct, remarkable cleverness, proved docility, tender affection, are
all united in this delightful little bird; and if it were rare, or if it
came from a foreign country, it would then be valued as it deserves." It
is five inches and three quarters in length, of which the tail measures
two. The beak, five lines long, very pointed, and rather flattish at the
sides, is whitish, with the point horn-coloured. The shanks, six lines
high, are delicate and brownish. The front of the head is a fine
crimson, sometimes scarlet; a wide border of the same colour surrounds
the under base of the beak; the bridle, as it is called, is black; the
top of the head is black, which colour extends downwards, from the nape
on each side, dividing the white on the cheeks from the white spot on
the hinder part of the neck; the under part of the neck is white; the
hinder part and the back are fine brown.
The female is rather smaller, and has not so much red round the bill;
the bridle is brownish; the cheeks are mixed with light brown; the
lesser wing coverts are brown; the back dark brown. The size, or the
want of some white spots at the tips of the feathers, do not serve to
distinguished the male from the female, as some bird-catchers say; nor
ought we either to imagine that the size or number of these spots
constitute different varieties; for all these distinctions are
accidental, and depend on physical strength and age. Our bird-catchers
think the large ones that are nearly the shape of the greater redpole
form a distinct species, and they give them the name of Fir Goldfinches,
because they say they always build in fir forests. Those that do not
exceed the size of the red-breast, they call Orchard Goldfinches, because
they suppose they always build in orchards. But these differences and
pretences are imaginary, because both are found of different sizes, the
orchard goldfinch large, and the fir, or wood goldfinch, quite small.
The young ones that are hatched first are always stronger and larger
than those hatched last, because they often carry off the food intended
for the latter, and, therefore, being better fed, they become larger and
stronger. This is sufficient to explain the difference of size in
different individuals of the same species.
The following varieties are better established:--1. The goldfinch, with a
yellow breast; 2. With a white head; 3. With the head black--four young
ones of this variety were found in the same nest; 4. The white
goldfinch; 5. And the black goldfinch, this being either entirely black,
which often happens in a cage, from giving it too much hemp seed, or
from old age; or it only retains the yellow spot on the wings, which is
also occasioned by captivity. M. Schilbach, superintendant of the
menagerie of Cassel, tried an experiment on a whole brood. He deprived
the birds of the light of the sun, even covered the cage with a piece of
cloth, and, by these means, obtained very black goldfinches, with only
the yellow spot on the wings; but they changed colour after moulting.
Those in which the black does not change are very old. It is, in fact, a
sign of approaching death.
HABITATION.--In their wild state goldfinches are found in all parts of
Europe, frequenting orchards, brambles, thickets, and mountainous
districts, interspersed with wood and fields, during the summer.
These birds are stationary, not changing their haunts in winter; they
merely assemble in the autumn in families, or rather in little flocks
of fifteen or twenty, seeking here and there places abounding in
thistles, and only when the snow becomes too deep leaving such
localities for others more accessible.
In the house, if kept in a cage, this should be a square one, because
these birds do not like hopping about the upper part, as they would
be forced to do, if in a bell-shaped cage, and also inclined to swing
round. When they run on the floor they should be given a small
artificial tree for a roost; for they like to perch on this whilst
singing as well as sleeping.
FOOD.--Their food, when wild, consists of all kinds of small seeds,
such as lettuce, goats'-beard, scorzonera, thistle, radish, and
canary seed.
With us, in the house, they are principally fed on poppy, hemp seed,
properly varied with lettuce, rape, and canary seed. If allowed to
range, the second universal paste agrees very well with them. I have
a goldfinch, which appears in good health, and eats not only of all
the vegetables brought to table, but also meat, though, in their wild
state, these birds never touch insects[46]. They must have green food
occasionally, such as chickweed, water-cresses, lettuce, or endive.
These birds feed largely, when loose in the room, rarely leaving the
food-dish, and driving off, if they can, with loud cries, any of
their companions who wish to approach. They will allow those birds,
however, to feed peaceably with them, that bear some analogy to their
species, at least, in the nature of the stomach, such as the canary,
siskin, and especially the lesser redpole, without distinction of
male or female.
BREEDING.--The goldfinch prefers building in large orchards, at the
tops of trees, on weak and terminal branches. It makes the most
beautiful nest of any of our birds, except the chaffinch, it being
finely rounded, very elegant and firm. The outer part is constructed
of fine moss, lichens, stalks of grass, and slender twigs; the whole
being interwoven with the greatest nicety. The interior is lined with
wool, horse-hair, and the cotton or down of the thistle[47], or
willow. The female has rarely more than one brood in the year, unless
she has been disturbed, and, in this case, the number of eggs is
always diminished; on this account goldfinches never appear to
increase in number. On a sea-green ground, the eggs have pale red
spots and speckles, mingled with streaks of reddish black, which
often form a circle at the large end. The parent birds disgorge the
food into the young ones' throats. Before the first moulting the
heads of the young birds are grey. If it is only wished to take male
birds from the nest, all that have a whitish ring round the root of
the beak, must be left. They must be brought up on poppy-seed and the
crumb of white bread, soaked in milk or water. Of all the natural
songs of birds, they imitate most easily and perfectly that of the
canary; they also pair with the canary, and produce together fruitful
young ones. For this purpose, a male goldfinch is paired with one or
two female canaries, which succeeds better than by placing a male
canary with a female goldfinch; the former being more amorous, most
favours this union, particularly if educated from youth. The fruit of
this union are not less distinguished for the beauty of their
plumage, often yellow, with the head, wings, and tail, of the
goldfinch, than for the sweetness of their song, whether natural or
acquired.
If you are afraid that a pair of canaries you value, may not hatch
their eggs as you wish, place them in the nest of a goldfinch in your
orchard, and you may be certain that they will be properly matured,
and the young ones brought up in the best manner. When they are ready
to fly, place them in a cage, and suspend it by the side of the nest
till they can feed themselves. By this means you will have no trouble
with their education.
[Illustration: CANARY CAGE FOR PARLOUR.]
DISEASES.--Epilepsy is one of the commonest disorders of this bird. If
the eyes are weak and swollen, anoint them with fresh butter. Stupor
and giddiness being very properly attributed to too great a use of
hemp seed, it is best to suppress it entirely, and supply its place
with the seed of lettuce and thistles. This latter is so beneficial,
that it would be well to give them, from time to time, a head to
pluck the seeds for themselves.
Old age makes them blind, and deprives them of their beautiful
colours; yet, notwithstanding all the evils with which they are
afflicted, in a cage a goldfinch has been known to live sixteen
years, and even twenty, or twenty-four years.
MODE OF TAKING.--In spring these birds are taken on a lure bush, with
a decoy bird of their own species. They will also enter the area, or
barn-floor trap, with chaffinches, if bundles of thistles are placed
there; but it is not without difficulty, for they are very watchful
to avoid nets and lime-twigs. In the winter, by building up bundles
of thistles, and placing snares and traps on them, several may be
caught; but in autumn and spring lime-twigs should be placed on them
in preference. It is a still better plan to place bundles of thistles
in a tree stuck about with lime-twigs. The goldfinch's call is
"_tziflit_," or "_sticlit_," which is its name in Bohemia.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The goldfinch is a very beautiful, lively,
active bird, always in motion, and turning continually to the right
and left. Its agreeable song, which is only discontinued during
moulting, is a mixture of tones and harmonies, more or less dwelt
upon, and the oftener the sound "_fink_" is introduced the more it is
admired amongst us. There are some goldfinches that utter it only
once or twice in their strains, whilst others will repeat it four or
five times following. This species learn with difficulty to repeat
airs from the flageolet, or other birds' songs, and in this respect
is inferior to canaries and linnets; but it is remarkable for its
docility. Goldfinches have been seen to let off a small cannon, and
imitate death. When properly instructed they will draw up their food
and water. They are taught this by means of a chain or pulley,
furnished with a soft leather band, two lines wide, pierced with four
holes, through which the wings and feet are to be passed; the two
ends meeting under the belly, and are retained there by a ring, to
which is fastened the chain that supports the bucket containing the
water or food. Whenever the little waterman wants either, he draws up
the chain with his beak, fixing it at intervals with his foot, and
thus succeeds in obtaining what he wishes; but if his little buckets
are suspended to a pulley, raising one makes the other descend, and
he can only enjoy his food and water in turn.
I have also seen goldfinches and siskins, placed in different cages,
that have little bells fixed to the seed drawer in such a way that
the bird cannot take its food without ringing them; the bells being
harmonised, tolerably agreeable chimes are produced, but one is soon
tired of such trifles.
The goldfinch is taught to go and come at command, without any danger
of losing it, much sooner than the linnet, though the latter learns
quite as soon to build in the room. To accomplish this feat the
winter should be chosen, and the cage, containing a goldfinch that
has not been rendered tender by having been too long accustomed to
the heat of the room, must be placed on the outside of the window
every day, or on a shelf intended for it, and where the mice cannot
reach it. Hemp seed must be scattered round, and a bunch of thistle
heads fastened by the side, the seeds of which should be mixed with
the hemp seed. Presently one or more goldfinches, attracted by the
call of the prisoner, collect, to take advantage of the scattered
food; as soon as you have succeeded so far it is useless to let the
decoy remain any longer exposed to the cold, which may injure it. It
will be quite sufficient to place the cage within the window, and to
put on the outside a cage as a trap, not for the sake of catching
these birds, but to scare away the sparrows, that would soon eat up
all the seed unless thus prevented; and in order that the trap may
only close when you wish, the door should be supported by a string,
passing into the room, and loosened, to catch the sparrows, but the
goldfinches should be allowed to go in and out at pleasure, till the
snow is on the point of disappearing, then close the trap on those
you wish to keep: the birds thus captured should be placed in a cage,
where they will soon grow tame, and learn to go and return to it.
Whatever form this cage is of, the door should be hung so as to
remain open as long as is required, and be closed without noise or
alarming the bird, either by means of a spring, that may be acted on
by the bird, without his perceiving it, or by his pushing the door of
it open on the inside. When a goldfinch has been thus trained it may
be let fly without fear the following August, at the time of
moulting. It is true that it will be lost for some time, but it will
not fail to return in December, when the ground is covered with snow,
and it will sing much more sweetly than it would had it been kept
prisoner. As soon as it has flown, a cage should constantly be hung
outside the window, and seeds placed in it, that, if it should chance
to return, it may find food; but it is rarely seen again till winter:
at that time the cage should be so arranged that the door may be
closed as soon as the bird enters, as it used to do in the room; the
surest way is to attract it by a call bird. It must not be allowed to
come out so often as before, and it will remain, without injury, shut
up till the season arrives for giving it its liberty again. The same
course may be pursued for the tit, and with still more success for
the chaffinch, which does not enter the snares of the bird-catcher as
easily as the others. If it is feared that it may be caught in a
neighbouring area or barn-floor trap, it may be frightened from this
snare in future, by stretching a net once, in the orchard or garden
near. The greenfinch is the best for this manoeuvre, as it is
extremely fond of hemp seed, is more rarely taken, and returns less
wild than the chaffinch. The birds that enjoy their liberty in the
summer sing more finely than without this advantage, and, what is
almost incredible, though taken to a distance of several leagues,
they have always found their master's house again[48].
THE SISKIN.
[Illustration]
Fringilla Spinus, LINNÆUS; Le Tarin, BUFFON; Der Zeisig,
BECHSTEIN.
This bird is four inches and three quarters in length, of which the tail
measures one and three quarters. The beak, four lines long, becomes
narrower towards the tip, which is very sharp and brown; the rest is
light grey, and in winter white. The shanks, eight lines in height, are
dusky; the top of the head and throat are black; the cheeks, the back of
the neck, and back are green; the latter streaked with a dusky colour;
the rump, breast, under part of the neck, and the line that passes over
the eyes, are greenish yellow.
The throat of the male rarely becomes black till the second year; the
older it becomes the more of yellow and beauty it attains.
The varieties are the black siskin, the white siskin, and the speckled
siskin. I have occasionally killed these birds with a breast entirely
black.
HABITATION.--In its wild state it is found throughout Europe; it is
very common in Germany, where it remains all the year[49], but in
winter it wanders about in search of food, and most frequents the
parts well planted with alders. In the house, whether in a cage or
not, it soon becomes very familiar.
FOOD.--When wild it varies according to the season; in summer it eats
in the woods the seeds of the pine and fir; in autumn, of hops,
thistles, burdock; in winter, of the alder and the buds of trees.
In the house its food is poppy-seed and a little hemp-seed bruised.
If allowed to range, the first universal paste suits it. It is a
complete glutton, and, though so small, eats more than the chaffinch;
it is at the seed drawer from morning till night, constantly eating,
and driving off all its companions. It does not drink less, and
requires abundance of fresh water; yet it bathes but little, only
plunging the beak in the water, and thus scattering it over its
feathers, but it is very assiduous in arranging them; it may be
called a fop, always engaged with finery.
BREEDING.--The siskin rarely builds its nest among the alders, but
generally in the pine forests, placing it at the extremity of the
highest branches, and fixing it there with cobwebs, the threads of
insects and lichens. The outer part is well formed of small twigs,
and the lining is formed of finely divided roots. It has two broods
in the year, each of five or six eggs, of a light grey, strongly
spotted with purplish brown, particularly at the large end. The young
males become finer each year till the fourth.
The mules, produced by the siskin pairing with the canary, partake of
the two species, and are very prettily spotted if the canary is
yellow; but this union is not so easy as that with the green canary,
which appears to bear a nearer relation to the siskin.
DISEASES.--To the other maladies common to the birds of this family we
must add epilepsy, of which these birds often die[50]. They may,
however, be kept from eight to twelve years.
MODE OF TAKING.--With good traps and nets made for this purpose,
several dozen of these birds may be taken at once in the winter. They
also collect in numbers, in the spring, on the decoy bush, and they
are so fearless, that in the villages a person, who has his house
situated near a stream bordered with alders, need only place a siskin
in the window, near a stick covered with bird-lime, and he may catch
as many as he wishes. I have caught some at my window in a cage
strewed with hemp and poppy-seed, by letting the door fall by means
of a string, when the birds had entered, one of the decoy birds in my
room serving to attract them. When the place where they drink at noon
is discovered amongst the alders, numbers may be caught by merely
laying across the stream some branches covered with bird-lime.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Their plumage and song are both attractive,
though with the latter several tones are mingled, that somewhat
resemble the noise made by a stocking-loom. This makes them great
favourites with stocking-weavers. They imitate tolerably the song of
other birds, such as that of the tit, the chaffinch, and the lark;
but they cannot give a musical air. Their carolling is only
interrupted during moulting, and very much tends to excite their
companions to warble in their turn. The loss of their liberty affects
them so little, that they will eat as soon as let out of the hand,
after being caught, and on the second day will allow any one to
approach their cage without alarm. They are soon taught to draw up
little buckets, and many other little manoeuvres that they execute
gaily; there is no difficulty in accustoming them to go and return if
the winter is chosen; the cage should be kept open at the window, and
hemp and poppy-seed scattered at the entrance; they will return there
in general, and bring several companions with them. This plan will
not succeed so well in March, September, and October, the time when
these birds roam through the country in search of food, though I have
seen some tamed in this manner return after a long absence.
THE RING SPARROW.
Fringilla petronia, LINNÆUS; La Soulci, BUFFON; Der Graufink,
BECHSTEIN.
Independently of the beak, this bird may be taken for a female
yellowhammer, as it resembles it so much in its shape and plumage. Its
length is five inches three-quarters, of which the tail measures two.
The beak, five lines long, is thick at the base, grey brown above, and
white below. The feet, ten lines high, are grey brown; the whole head is
of a reddish ash-colour, but a dirty white ring surrounds it from one
eye to the other.
The female is greyer on the upper part of the body, and the front of the
neck is only pale yellow.
OBSERVATIONS.--Ring sparrows are found in most European forests, or
woods; they are common enough in several parts of Germany[51], those
that inhabit the northern parts removing in winter; but the others
are stationary.
They live on seeds and insects like the house sparrow, and make their
nests in hollows of trees. In the house they are fed on rape and
poppy-seeds; they also readily eat the first universal paste. They
are less prized for their warbling, which is insignificant, than for
their beauty or rarity.
THE SERIN FINCH.
Fringilla serinus, LINNÆUS; Le Serin vert, ou le Cini, BUFFON;
Der Girlitz, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is smaller than the siskin, its length not exceeding four
inches and a quarter, of which the tail measures one inch and a third.
The beak is short and thick, brown above and white below; the iris is
dark chestnut. The shanks are six lines high, and are of a flesh colour.
The plumage of the male very much resembles that of the grey canary; the
front of the head, the circle round the eyes, a kind of collar, the
breast and belly, are pale jonquil-coloured, mixed with a little green;
the nape of the neck, the cheeks, the temples, and lesser wing-coverts,
are of a canary green, mingled with rust colour and black.
The spots scattered over the plumage are not isolated, but united to
each other by an undulating line; they are so small on the head, that it
is only speckled.
It is necessary to examine the female very closely to distinguish it
from the siskin, for, with the exception of a reddish grey tint, the
colours are the same; but its beak is shorter, its tail longer, and its
shape freer.
From my latest observations this bird appears to be the same as the
citril finch; comparing them together in cabinets has confirmed my
opinion; but that which has decided me is the testimony of my friend,
Dr. Meyer, of Offenbach, who has often seen and even fed in his house
several of these birds. From him I derive the rest of this article.
[Illustration: SERIN FINCH.]
HABITATION.--It is not more than ten years since the serin was
observed between Frankfort and Offenbach. They arrive every year in
large flights, during March, and depart in October; but there are
always some that remain all the winter. Several were taken in
January, 1800, when the thermometer was at twenty-one degrees
Réaumur, and I myself have seen some near Offenbach at the end of
February. They appear to prefer fruit trees, yet in woods they
also appear attached to beech and oak trees; but I have never met
with them by the sides of rivers or streams planted with willows.
FOOD.--They feed on all the small seeds found in fields and orchards,
particularly groundsel, plantain, garden pimpernel, and others of the
same kind.
In the house, rape, mixed with a little poppy seed, agrees very well
with them; a few grains of hemp seed and husked oats may be added
from time to time.
BREEDING.--Their nest is generally placed on the lower branches of
apple and pear trees, sometimes on beeches and oaks, but never on
willows by the water-side. It is constructed of fine and divided
roots, mosses, lichens, principally of those which are farinaceous,
the whole being entwined with great nicety, and lined with a thick
bed of feathers, horse-hair, and pigs' bristles. They lay three or
four, rarely five, eggs of the form of, but rather smaller than,
those of the canary; white, but having at the large end a circle of
spots and dots of a bright reddish brown. The hen sits on the eggs
thirteen or fourteen days, during which time the male feeds her. He
also helps to feed the young ones, which is done by disgorging the
food; the young perfectly resemble the grey linnet; they may be
reared easily on soaked rape seed; but it is best to take the parent
birds, and place them in the cage with their little ones, which they
will continue to feed. The young birds remain grey till after
moulting, they then attain their full plumage, as described before,
but are never so beautiful in the house as in their wild state. After
being kept a few years in a cage, the yellow in those taken full
grown becomes pale, and fades at length to nearly white. This bird
will pair with the canary, siskin, linnet, or goldfinch.
MODE OF TAKING.--These birds are easily taken in the area, or
barn-floor trap, on a decoy bush, and with lime twigs placed near the
stalks of plantain.
DISEASES.--With the exception of consumption, of which one I had died,
I know of no disease they are subject to.
OBSERVATIONS.--Of all house birds, these are the most sprightly and
indefatigable songsters. Their voice is not strong, but it is very
melodious. The song, with the exception of a few passages, is like
the lark's, and might be mistaken for the canary's. In their wild
state they sing incessantly, either perched on the outer branches of
a tree, or whilst rising in the air, and gently sinking again to
their former situation, or whilst flying from tree to tree. Their
call resembles that of the canary, and their habits are also similar
to that species.
They are of a very affectionate character; when allowed to range the
room with siskins, linnets, and similar birds, they will caress all
with the beak, but seem to prefer the company of the goldfinch, whose
tones they will imitate, and improve their warbling by it. They are
indeed very attractive birds.
THE CITRIL FINCH.
Fringilla citrinella, LINNÆUS; Le Venturon, BUFFON; Der
Citronenfink, BECHSTEIN.
This bird very nearly resembles the canary in its colour, shape, song,
and habits; but it is smaller and its notes weaker. Its resemblance,
however, is so marked, that I should be inclined to suppose it the
primitive wild stock, if the canary had not its representative in those
islands from which it takes its name. The length of the citril finch is
five inches, of which the tail measures two. The beak is short, the feet
flesh-coloured, the plumage on the upper part of the body yellowish
green, streaked with brown; the under part of the rump greenish yellow;
the principal tint on the breast yellow.
The female is less spotted, and the general shade of colour is lighter.
OBSERVATIONS.--This species, inhabiting the south of Europe,
occasionally strays into the southern parts of Germany[52], and the
sweetness of their song makes them much sought after. They should be
treated in the same manner as canaries.
THE LAPLAND FINCH.
Fringilla Laponica, LINNÆUS; Le Grand Montain, BUFFON; Der
Lerchenfink, BECHSTEIN.
This would be mistaken for a lark at first sight, as much from its
plumage as from the length of its spur. We should also see them much
oftener in Germany if the bird-catchers, who catch them in their lark's
nests, did not take or kill them both indifferently. Their decoys are
the same as the buntings (_Emberizæ_, Linn.), for though we cannot
observe them much whilst alive, we cannot be deceived as to their
pairing with finches (_Fringillæ_, Linn.) buntings and larks. They are
about the size of the yellowhammer, six inches and a half in length, of
which the tail measures two. The beak is yellow, with a black tip; the
feet dark brown; the head blackish, spotted with reddish white,
sometimes quite black; a white line passes from the base of the bill
above the eyes, down each side of the neck, curving towards the breast;
the upper part of the body is red, with brown spots; the throat and
breast are pale red; some males are black in the middle of the lower
part.
The female is paler in its colours; its breast is spotted with grey and
black; in fact its plumage resembles the field lark's.
OBSERVATIONS.--This bird is always found in the north, both in the old
and new world, and goes towards the south in winter. It is met with
by us on its arrival with the larks, and on its return with the snow
bunting, but it is oftenest taken with larks. Its call is a kind of
shrill whistle, and its song is very similar to the linnet's; the
female also warbles, but only in the bullfinch's style. It ranges the
room like the lark, and if in a cage hops about its perches like the
chaffinch. It is fed on rape, hemp, and poppy seed, which appear to
agree with it very well. It may be fed at less expense on the first
universal paste, as it also likes meal worms. I think that in its
wild state it lives, like the chaffinch, on seeds and insects.
THE SNOW FINCH.
Fringilla nivalis, LINNÆUS; Le Niverole, ou Pinson de neige,
BUFFON; Der Schneefin, BECHSTEIN.
The name has been given it as much from its being found on high
mountains and the colour of its plumage, as for its resemblance to the
snow bunting. Its total length is seven inches and a quarter, of which
the tail measures two and a half; the beak six lines long, very pointed,
but thick at the base, and of a glossy black; the feet ten lines high,
dark chestnut colour: its plumage is pretty; the top of the head,
cheeks, temples, nape, back, and sides of the neck are dark
ash-coloured.
The female only differs from the male in the grey of the head having a
reddish tint, and the whole of the under part of the body, being white;
the breast has also a dirtier shade, and the sides are spotted with
black.
OBSERVATIONS.--The snow finch inhabits the southern Alps, but is found
as far north as the middle of Germany. I have even seen them in
Thuringia, in company with the mountain finch; it is a sprightly
bird, and very fearless in a cage. It may be fed on rape, millet, and
hemp seed; but it appears to prefer the seed of the fir and nettle
hemp (_Galeopsis cannabina_): one would think that in its wild state
it also fed on insects, as it readily takes meal worms when offered
them. Its call is "_kipp, kipp_." It sings a great deal, but its song
is not more agreeable than the mountain finch's, to which it appears
allied, and like that is only kept in the house for its beauty and
rarity.
THE CANARY.
Fringilla canaria, LINNÆUS; Le Serin de Canarie, BUFFON; Der
Canarienvogel, BECHSTEIN.
This pleasing bird had its origin in the pleasant climate and delightful
valleys of the Canary Islands, and is now spread throughout Europe, part
of Asia, and as far as Siberia. The beauty of its form, its plumage, and
its song, united with its great docility, soon gained it admittance into
the most magnificent abodes, where every one delights in rearing and
preserving it, whilst the fairest hands are often eager to present it
with the most delicate food. It was brought into our climate as early as
the beginning of the sixteenth century. The arrival of the canary in
Europe, is thus described:--A vessel, which besides its merchandise was
bringing a number of these birds to Leghorn, was shipwrecked on the
coast of Italy, opposite the island of Elba, where these little birds,
having been set at liberty, took refuge. The climate being favourable,
they increased, and would certainly have become naturalised, had not the
wish to possess them occasioned their being caught in such numbers, that
at last they were extirpated from their new country. From this cause
Italy was the first European country where the canary was reared. At
first their education was difficult, as the proper manner of treating
them was unknown; and what tended to render them scarce was, that only
the male birds were brought over, no females.
The grey of its primitive colour, darker on the back and greener on the
belly, has undergone so many changes from its being domesticated, from
the climate, and from the union with birds analogous to it (in Italy
with the citril finch, the serin; in our country with the linnet, the
green finch, the siskin, and the goldfinch), that now we have canaries
of all colours. If we had not sufficient proof that canaries came
originally from the Fortunate Islands, we should think the citril finch,
the serin, and the siskin, were the wild stock of this domesticated
race. I have seen a bird, whose parent birds were a siskin and serin,
which perfectly resembled a variety of the canary which is called the
green. I have also seen mules from a female grey canary, in which was no
trace of their true parentage. The grey, the yellow, the white, the
blackish, and the chestnut, are the principal varieties, and it is from
their combination, and from their tints, that we derive the numerous
varieties that we now possess.
Those canaries, that have the upper part of the body of a dusky grey or
linnet brown, and the under part the yellowish green of the green-bird,
with dark brown eyes, are the strongest, and most nearly resemble the
primitive race[53]. The yellow and white often have red eyes, and are
the most tender. The chestnut are the most uncommon, and hold a middle
rank for strength and length of life between the two extremes. But as
the plumage of the intermediate ones is a mixture of these principal
colours, their value depends on the pretty and regular manner in which
they are marked. The canary that is most admired amongst us now, is one
with the body white or yellow, the head, particularly if crested, wings
and tail, yellowish dun; the second in degree is of a golden yellow,
with the head, wings and tail black, or at least dusky grey. Next follow
the grey or blackish, with a yellow head and collar; the yellow, with a
blackish or green tuft, which are very much valued. As for those that
are irregularly spotted, speckled, or variegated, they are much less
sought after, and are used to pair with those of one colour, white,
yellow, grey, brown-grey[54], and the like.
The female can scarcely be distinguished from the male, but the male has
generally deeper and brighter colours, a head rather larger and longish,
a longer body, a more elegant form, neck not quite so short, and higher
shanks. There is a feather under the beak, of the shape of a bean,
placed lower than the rest, and the temples and circle round the eyes
are of a deeper yellow than the other parts of the body.
The length of the canary is five inches, of which the tail measures two
and a quarter: the beak, five lines long, is strong, very pointed, and
whitish; the shanks, eight lines in height, are of a flesh-colour.
I shall end this description with an account of the different mule
birds obtained from the canaries.
MULE CANARIES.--1. _Mules between a Canary and a Goldfinch_, present in
their plumage an agreeable mixture of the colours of their parents. The
most beautiful which I have seen was greyish ash-colour in the middle of
its crest, and silvery white on the rest of its head and nape; a broad
orange border surrounded the beak, and the neck was adorned with a white
collar; the back was a dusky grey, with black streaks; the rump white,
the under part of the body of a snowy whiteness; the under tail-coverts,
the wings and first quill-feathers white, but the others, as well as the
coverts, black, edged with yellow; the middle of the wing was also
adorned with a beautiful golden yellow spot; the white tail had a black
spot on the sides, the white beak was tipped with black, the feet were
white. The mother of this beautiful bird was white, with a greenish grey
crest. In general, one may be sure of fine birds when yellow or white
females are paired with goldfinches.
2. _Mules between the Canary and the Siskin._--If the mother be a green
canary, the mules will resemble a female siskin; but, if she is white or
yellow, their colours are lighter, yet without differing greatly from
those of the siskin, which they always resemble in shape.
3. _Mules between a Canary and a Green-bird, or a Citril Finch._--If the
hen canary is neither white nor yellow, the mules differ little from the
common grey or green canary, except in being more slender, and having
the beak shorter and thicker.
4. _Mules between a Canary and a Linnet_ will be speckled if the mother
is white or yellow, but if she is grey they will be like her, except
that the tail will be longer.
The other mules are rarer, because more difficult to obtain, as we shall
see elsewhere.
HABITATION.--Except in the breeding season the male canaries are kept
alone in separate cages, which, whatever the shape, ought not to be
less than eight inches in diameter and a foot in height, with two
sticks placed across for the bird to perch on. The females may be
allowed to range the room with one wing clipped, or, what is better,
kept in large cages, where, from having plenty of exercise, their
health and strength are better preserved. In the small cages, glass
vases should be placed on the outside, at the extremities of the
lower stick, to hold the food and water. These may be surmounted
with a cap of tin, or something of the kind, to prevent the seed from
being so easily scattered. It is for this reason that the large seed
drawers in an aviary are covered with iron wire-work, leaving only
sufficient spaces for the heads of the birds to pass through.
Cleanliness being a great preservative against most of their
disorders, the bottom of the cage should be made to draw out, that it
may the easier be cleaned and covered with sand. This should be done
every day, or at least several times a week. These tender birds,
being natives of a warm climate, and becoming more delicate instead
of hardier from being kept in the house, require a temperature
analogous to that of their native climate. They must be protected
from the cold, and never allowed to remain in winter in a cold room,
which would occasion many diseases, or even death. But, in summer, it
is proper to place them in the open air, and they enjoy it very much.
Never do they sing so gaily as on fine days, and their cages should
therefore be placed at the open window, that they may have the
advantage of the light and heat of the sun, which is particularly
serviceable to them whilst bathing.
FOOD.--This is an important point, for, in proportion as it is simple
and natural, it will be wholesome; and, on the contrary, the more it
is mixed and rare, the more injurious and productive of disease will
it be. What I have found the best is summer rape-seed; I mean that
which is sown at the end of spring, which is small and brown, in
distinction from the winter rape-seed, which is sown in the autumn,
and which is large and black. This seed alone agrees with canaries as
well as with linnets: but to give them the pleasure of variety, a
little bruised hemp or canary, or poppy-seed, is added to it,
especially in the spring, when they are intended to breed. Indeed a
mixture of summer rape-seed, oatmeal and millet, or canary-seed, may
be given them as a great treat. But whatever seeds they may have,
they equally require green food, as chickweed in spring, lettuce and
radish leaves in summer, endive, water-cress, and slices of sweet
apple, in winter. As to that whimsical and complicated mixture,
prescribed and used by many people, of rape, millet, hemp, canary
seed, whole oats and oatmeal, poppy, lettuce, plantain, potentilla,
and pink seeds, maize, sugar, cake, hard biscuit, cracknels, buns,
and the like, so far from being wholesome, it injures the birds in
every respect. It spoils their taste, weakens their stomachs, renders
them feeble, sickly, and incapable of bearing moulting, under which
they most frequently die. It is true, they may be accustomed to eat
of everything which comes to table, but to teach this habit is also
to prepare a poison for them, which though slow is not the less sure,
and brings them to a premature death; whilst every day we see
bird-fanciers who are poor, who hardly know the names of these
delicacies, rear, on the simplest food, a considerable number of the
healthiest, cleverest, and strongest canaries. We must, however, be
guided in a great measure by the constitutions of the birds. They
should be daily supplied with fresh water, as well for drinking as
bathing, in which they delight. In the moulting season, a nail or bit
of iron should be put into the water, in order to strengthen the
stomach. Saffron and liquorice are in this case more hurtful than
useful. Grains of the sand, with which the bottom of the cage is
strewed, afford the birds a help to digestion. What has been said
above, refers solely to the food of full-grown canaries; the young,
which cannot feed themselves, require a different diet.
BREEDING.--A very important branch in the history of the canary is its
education, which is not without difficulties, but these are augmented
by all the refinements and artificial plans which some persons follow
with so much parade. A male of from two to five years of age should
be chosen for pairing; for experience has taught, that if a young
male is placed among older females, they will produce more males than
females. A bird is known to be old by the blackish and rough scales
of his feet, and by his long and strong claws.
Good males are valuable and scarce. Some are dull and melancholy,
always sad, and seldom singing; indifferent to their mates, which are
equally so to them; others are so passionate, that they beat or even
kill their mates and their young; others are too ardent, and pursue
their mates while they are sitting, tear the nest, destroy the eggs,
or excite the females so much that they voluntarily abandon them.
The females have also their defects. Some, too ardent, only lay
without sitting; others neglect to feed their young, beat them, and
pick out their feathers, so that the wretched little creatures die
miserably; to others, laying is so painful that they are too much
fatigued to sit, or they lay each egg only after a long interval.
Quacks (for we find them on this subject as on others) pretend to
have specifics for the cure of these defects; but their pretended
remedies are mere deceptions, and the use of them causes much
trouble. The best plan is to remove the vicious birds, and to retain
only those which have none of the above-named bad qualities.
To obtain the most brilliant colours, those birds which have them
clear, and whose spots are distinct and regular, are paired together.
This, of course, can only be done in separate cages. In aviaries,
where the birds pair by choice, the offspring are generally mixed and
blotted. A greenish or brownish bird, placed with a bright yellow
one, often produces dim white, or other admired colours. It is better
never to place together two crested birds, because the offspring is
apt to have a part of the head bald or otherwise disfigured.
The best time for pairing canaries is the middle of April. Either one
male, and one or two females, are placed in a large cage, or many of
both sexes are united in a room or aviary, having the advantage of a
south aspect. Nests made of turned wood, or osiers, are given them,
as straw ones are too easily torn. It is a good plan to place in the
room or aviary slips of pine, which being cut in February do not lose
their leaves. If a little enclosure of wire-gauze can be fixed over
the window, where the birds can enjoy the fresh air, nothing will
more effectually contribute to render the young healthy and robust.
Birds, which are to be paired for the first time, should be
previously placed in the same cage for seven or eight days, in order
to become acquainted and accustomed to live together. If two females
are to be caged with one male, it is especially necessary that they
should be together long enough to leave off quarrelling, and the
pairing cage should be divided into two equal parts, communicating by
a sliding door. This being done, a lively male and one of the females
should be placed in the first division; as soon as she has laid, the
male should be moved into the other division, the door of separation
being shut; but as soon as the other has also laid, the door may be
left open: the male will then visit the females alternately, and they
will not trouble themselves about each other; but without these
precautions jealousy would incline them to fight, and destroy each
other's eggs. When it is intended to place a great many females,
double or treble the number of males, in a room or aviary, the latter
should always be first paired with a single female, which will ever
after remain the favourite; and it will only be when she is about to
sit that he will pair with the others, and this is all the notice he
will take of them, for afterwards he will only notice their young. It
is from these mothers, however, that the most and the best birds are
generally procured.
If the floor of the room or aviary is well covered with moss, little
else need be added for making the nests, otherwise they should be
supplied with the hair of cows and deer, hogs' bristles, fine hay,
lint, wool cut two or three inches long, paper shavings, and the
like. That which is coarsest serves for the outside, and the softest
and finest for the inside. If they have shrubs, traces of the natural
instinct of the canary are soon observed in the nests which they
construct without the help of the turner or basket weaver; but they
are of an inelegant form, and the outside is not very carefully
finished. The females alone, as is usual among birds, are the
builders, the males only choosing the situation and bringing the
materials. It is in the nest, where the female is in continual
motion, that the pairing takes place; she invites the male by
constant little chirpings, repeated more quickly the nearer she is to
laying. Seven or eight days are generally reckoned from the first
pairing to the laying of the first egg; the other eggs, whose number
varies, without exceeding six, are laid successively every following
day, and often at the same hour. The laying ended, pairing continues
during the first days of incubation.
If the pairs agree, they must be left entirely to themselves, without
endeavouring to use art to help nature, as many do. It is usual to
take away the first egg and substitute an ivory one, which is
repeated with the others to the last, preserving them in the mean
time in a box filled with fine dry sand; they are afterwards restored
all together to the nest to be hatched[55].
The females lay three or four times a year, from April till
September; there are some even so prolific that moulting does not
stop them. The eggs, of a sea-green colour, are at one end more or
less spotted or marked with maroon or violet. The period of
incubation is thirteen days.
If, owing to the weakness of the male or female, it is suspected that
some of the eggs are barren, they should on the eighth day be
examined by holding them lightly between the fingers in the sunshine
or before a candle; the good ones will be already filled with
blood-vessels, while the bad will continue clear, or even be already
addled: these must be thrown away. It is rare for the male to sit in
his turn during some hours of the day, the female seldom allowing it,
for as soon as she has eaten she flies back to the nest. If the male
gives up his place readily, so much the better; if not, she drives
him away by force and by pecking him. She appears to know his want of
skill in this employment.
The near discharge of a gun, a door slammed with violence, and other
similar noises, will often kill the young in the shell; but their
death happens generally through the fault of a bad sitter.
As soon as the young are hatched, a small jar is placed beside the
usual feeding trough, which contains a quarter of a hard egg minced
very fine, white and yellow together, with a bit of white bread
steeped in water, and afterwards well pressed; another jar should
contain rape seed which has been boiled, and then washed in fresh
water, to remove all its acrimony. Some persons, instead of white
bread, use biscuit, but this is unnecessary; what, on the contrary,
is very essential, is to take care that this food does not turn sour,
for it would then infallibly destroy the young nurslings. This food I
find by experience to be the best.
Now is the time when the male assumes his important duties of
nursing-father. These he fulfils indeed almost alone, in order to
give his mate time to rest before a new sitting. When it is necessary
to bring up the young by hand, a bit of white bread, or some biscuit,
should be pounded very fine, and this powder should be mixed with
well-bruised rape-seed. This composition serves, with a little yolk
of egg and water, to make a paste, which is given to the young birds
on a quill cut like a spoon; each nursling requires for a meal four
beakfuls, well piled upon the quill, and these meals must not be
fewer than ten or twelve a day.
The young should remain warmly covered by the mother as long as they
continue unfledged[56]; that is to say, generally for twelve days: on
the thirteenth day they begin to eat alone. In four weeks they may be
placed in other cages of a sufficient size; but they must still for
some weeks be fed with the above-mentioned paste, conjointly with the
food of full-grown birds; for the sudden privation of this
nourishment often occasions death, especially when moulting.
Experience proves that generally those canaries which are hatched in
a large garden aviary, where they enjoy fresh air, and considerable
space for the exercise of their wings, are more vigorous, more
healthy, and more robust than those which are bred in rooms, and it
is easy to understand the reason.
I must not omit to mention here an important observation, which has
been often made, that if two females are given to one male, and one
of them happens to die, the other immediately takes charge of the
abandoned eggs, and assumes so completely the duties of
foster-mother, that in order rigorously to fulfil them she avoids and
even repulses the caresses of her mate.
Canaries pair not only among themselves in our aviaries and cages,
they also form connexions foreign to their species, and, provided the
analogy is not too remote, produce fruitful mules. Serins, citral
finches, siskins, goldfinches, or linnets, are the species which
succeed best[57]. To succeed, however, it is necessary that the birds
should have been brought up from the nest. The custom is to give an
old male of one of the above-named species to a female canary, the
principal reason being that an old female of one of those species,
though she would not object to the union, could never be induced to
lay in an artificial nest, like a female canary. The offspring of
these mixtures combine the colours of the father and mother, learn
well enough if they descend from a linnet or goldfinch, but sing
badly if they come from a siskin or lesser redpole.
They are easily brought up with the paste mentioned above for
canaries. It is asserted that the mules of serins, citral finches,
and goldfinches, are fruitful. It is remarked, however, that their
first eggs are very small, and the young hatched from them very weak;
but the next year the eggs become larger, and the young stronger and
more robust.
No sooner can the young canaries eat alone, which happens on the
thirteenth or fourteenth day, and sometimes even before they leave
the nest, than the males begin to warble, and some females also, but
in a less connected manner, which serves to point them out. As these
pretty birds are so docile as to neglect entirely their natural song
and imitate the harmony of our instruments, it is necessary
immediately to separate from his companions and from every other bird
the young one which is to be instructed, by putting him aside in a
cage which is at first to be covered with a piece of linen, and
afterwards with a darker cover. The air which is to be taught should
be performed five or six times a day, especially in the evening and
morning, either by whistling, or on a flageolet, or bird-organ; he
will acquire it more or less readily, in from two to six months,
according to his abilities and memory; if his separation from the
other birds is delayed beyond the fourteenth day, he will retain some
part of his father's song, which he will always intermingle with his
acquired air, and consequently never perform it perfectly. The
opinion of some, that the grayish canaries have more facility in
learning than the yellow or the white, is unfounded, their only
advantage over those of a different hue being that they are generally
more robust and vigorous. I have not either found that the true No. 3
suits them better than No. 1 or No. 2; these latter, on the contrary,
have appeared to me to please them best.
There is too much trouble and risk in allowing canaries to go in and
out of their cages for it to be worth the trouble of teaching them
this. Notwithstanding all my attention, and the care which I have
taken to follow exactly the prescribed rules, I have never succeeded;
and the cleverest bird-fanciers have assured me that it should never
be attempted but when they have young ones, and above all, there must
be no canaries in the neighbouring houses, which might entice them
away. Indeed it is no easy matter to accustom a bird to go and come.
There, as in many other cases, conclusions in regard to the species
have been drawn from individuals. It is certain that very few tame
birds easily acquire this trick, and as I show in their histories,
with respect to others, probabilities are too often stated as truths.
DISEASES.--Birds which seldom enjoy the benefit of fresh and pure air,
prisoners destitute in their confinement of the means of exercise,
must be particularly subject to the common diseases which have been
named, and also to many other peculiar ones. The following are some
of the disorders incident to canaries.
1. _Rupture_, or _Hernia_: this is very common among young birds, and
is a kind of plethora, which produces inflammation in the bowels. The
symptoms of this disease are, thinness, the skin of the belly
transparent and distended, covered with little red veins surcharged
with blood, the bowels are black and knotted, and descend to the
extremity of the body; there are no feathers on the diseased part;
the invalid does not eat, and dies in a few days. Too nutritious, or
too much food, being the cause of the disease, the only remedy is a
very severe regimen, and even then it can be cured only in its first
stages. The diseased birds must be immediately removed, and fed with
nothing but lettuce or rape-seed, in very small quantities. A bit of
iron should also be put in the water, and everything be done to
invigorate and purify them. It is very rare for young birds which are
brought up by their parents to suffer from this disease, as they
never over-feed them. In bringing up by hand this moderation should
be imitated, and they should neither be over-fed nor pampered.
2. _The yellow gall in the head and eyes_, arises from over heat; a
cooling diet is therefore the only remedy. If the tumour has grown to
the size of a grain of hemp-seed, it must be cut off, and the wound
be anointed with a little fresh butter, or bathed with urine.
3. _Sweating._--There are some females which, during the time of
incubation, or while they are on their young, are subject to profuse
perspiration; the feathers of the belly are in consequence so wet as
to destroy the brood: as soon as this indisposition is perceived the
invalid must be washed with salt water, and after a few minutes be
plunged into pure water, to wash off the salt, and be dried in the
sun as quickly as possible. This operation is to be repeated once or
twice a day till recovery; but as relapses are frequent, it is better
to separate the female, and not allow her to sit.
4. _Asthma_, or _hard breathing_, which arises from an oppressed
stomach, generally yields to plantain and rape seeds moistened with
water as the sole food.
5. _Sneezing_, produced by an obstruction in the nostrils, is removed
by passing a very small quill up them to clear them.
6. _Loss of voice._--It sometimes happens that after moulting a male
suffers the loss of its voice; it must then be fed with the same
paste as is prepared for young birds, adding some lettuce-seed, and,
according to some bird-fanciers, a bit of bacon should be hung to the
cage, for it to peck.
7. _Constipation._--The remedy for this is plenty of green food, as
lettuce leaves, water-cress, &c., not forgetting bread and milk.
8. _Epilepsy_, which is common among many kinds of birds, may be
produced in canaries by particular causes, as great delicacy and
timidity. We should therefore avoid alarming them, either by catching
them too suddenly or violently, or by tormenting them in any way.
They are to be cured as has been already directed in the
Introduction.
9. _Overgrown claws and beak._--When the claws or beak want paring,
sharp scissors must be used, and care taken to avoid drawing blood,
lest the bird should be maimed. They often injure themselves when
their claws are too long, and get hooked in the wires of the cage,
and continue thus hanging. The females, in the same way, get
entangled in their nests.
10. _Lice._--The parasite insects by which these little prisoners are
often tormented, are generally produced by slovenliness. Besides
frequent bathing, the cages must be cleaned with much care and
vigilance, and have plenty of very dry sand strewed over the bottom.
These lice, like bugs, retire during the day to cracks and crevices,
which accounts for old wooden cages being often infested. To get rid
of them, hollow sticks or stalks of rushes are used, which must be
examined and changed every day. The plan is good, but by using only
tin cages, which may, more easily than any others, be passed through
boiling water, the object is more certainly attained.
It is rare for canaries which are kept for breeding to live longer
than from seven to ten years; while others, if well used, may be
preserved for eighteen or twenty years.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The plumage, pretty form, and docility, the
charming familiarity which disposes it to nestle without fear or
reserve beside us, as well as its melodious song, have long
introduced the canary to all classes of society. Always before our
eyes, the object of the most assiduous care, and constant attention,
it has afforded a thousand occasions for studying its character, or
rather the character and dispositions of the different individuals of
its species. It has been discovered that among them, as among
quadrupeds, and even man, some individuals are gay and others
melancholy; some quarrelsome, others mild; some intelligent, others
stupid; some with quick memories, others lazy; some greedy, others
frugal; some petulant, others gentle; some ardent, others cold.
Its singing, as strong as varied, continues uninterrupted during the
year, excepting at the time of moulting, and even this exception is
not general. There are some individuals which sing also during the
night[58].
Those which introduce into their melody some passages of the
nightingale's song are the most esteemed of all canaries; they are
called Tyrolean canaries, because they are considered natives of the
Tyrol, where they breed many of these birds. The second are the
English canaries, which imitate the song of the wood-lark. But in
Thuringia the preference is generally given to those which, instead
of a succession of noisy bursts, know how, with a silvery sonorous
voice, to descend regularly through all the tones of the octave,
introducing from time to time the sound of a trumpet. There are some
males which, especially in the pairing season, sing with so much
strength and ardour that they burst the delicate vessels of the
lungs, and die suddenly.
The female, particularly in the spring, sings also, but only a few
unconnected and unmusical sounds. Old ones which have done breeding
often sing in this way at all seasons.
Canaries are particularly remarkable for quickness and correctness of
ear, for the great ease with which they exactly repeat musical
sounds, and for their excellent memory. Not only do they imitate all
the birds in whose neighbourhood they have been placed when
young[59], mixing agreeably these songs with their own, whence have
arisen those beautiful varieties which each family transmits to its
descendants; but they also learn to repeat correctly two or three
airs of a flute or bird-organ, and even to pronounce distinctly some
short words. Females also have been known to perform airs which they
had been taught.
I shall conclude this article on canaries by pointing out the best
rules for obtaining and preserving good singers. The most essential
is to choose from among the young that which promises a fine tone,
and to seclude it from all other birds, that it may learn and
remember nothing bad. The same precaution is necessary during the
first and second moulting; for being likely to re-learn (if I may say
so) its song, it would introduce into it with equal ease foreign
parts. It must be observed whether the bird likes to sing alone, or
in company with others, for there are some which appear to have such
whims, liking to hear only themselves, and which pout for whole years
if they are not humoured on this point. Others sing faintly, and
display their powers only when they can try their strength against a
rival. It is very important to distribute regularly to singing birds
the simple allowance of fresh food which is intended for the day. By
this means they will sing every day equally, because they will eat
uniformly, and not pick the best one day and be obliged to put up
with the refuse the next.
About two spoonfuls of the dry food mentioned above, is sufficient
for the daily nourishment of a canary; what he leaves may be thrown
to the birds which are free in the room, and will serve as a variety
to those which have only the universal paste to satisfy their
appetite.
THE GLOSSY FINCH.
Fringilla nitens, LINNÆUS; Le Moineau du Brésil, BUFFON; Der
glänzende Fink, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is smaller than the house sparrow, being only four inches and
a half long. The beak and feet are flesh-coloured; the iris is white.
All the plumage is of a bluish black, or black with a hue of burnished
steel; the female has the upper part of the body covered with blackish
feathers, bordered with a yellowish brown; the rump gray, the under part
of the body dark yellowish brown; the tail-feathers black with gray
edges; the feet reddish; in some males the beak and feet are black.
OBSERVATIONS.--This bird is found in the woods of Cayenne, and the
neighbourhood of Carthagena in America. Its clear note is very
agreeable. It appears to sing with so much energy as to ruffle the
feathers of the head and neck. Its food consists of all kinds of
seeds and fruits. Though bread appears to be sufficient when caged,
it is better to add rape, millet, and poppy seed. It is easily tamed.
THE PURPLE FINCH.
Fringilla purpurea, LINNÆUS; Bouvreuil violet de la Caroline,
BUFFON; Der Purpurfink, BECHSTEIN.
The size of this bird is that of the common chaffinch, the length being
five inches and a half; the plumage is of a deep violet, or reddish
purple, mixed with a little dark brown; the quill-feathers are brown on
the inside; the belly is white; the tail is rather forked.
The female is all over of a deep blue, except the breast, which is
speckled.
OBSERVATIONS.--These birds are very numerous during the summer in
Carolina, which they quit in the winter in small flights. Juniper
berries are their principal food; and they eat them with pleasure
when caged. They are generally fed with rape and canary seed; but are
soon accustomed to all the food of the aviary. They are more admired
for their plumage than their song.
THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.
Fringilla tristis, LINNÆUS; Le Chardonneret jaune, BUFFON; Der
Gelbe Stieglitz, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is as large as a linnet, its length being about four inches
and a third. The beak and feet are whitish; the iris is nut-brown; the
forehead is black, and the rest of the body yellow.
The female has no black on the forehead; the upper part of her body is
of an olive green; the throat, breast and rump of a bright yellow; the
belly and vent white; the wings and tail blackish.
The young males at first exactly resemble the females, the only
difference being the black forehead.
These birds build twice a year, in spring and autumn. Edwards says that
they also moult twice, so that it is only during the summer that they
are of the colours described above. In the winter the top of the male's
head is black; the throat, neck, and breast, yellow; the rump also
yellow, but of a whitish hue; the feathers of the back olive brown,
lighter at the edges; the wings and the tail black, with white edges to
almost all the feathers.
The female is generally of a lighter colour, and the top of the head is
not black: thus we perceive that in winter these birds very much
resemble our siskins.
OBSERVATIONS.--These American birds repair in the summer in great
numbers to the state of New York; they live on the seeds of different
kinds of thistles, like our goldfinches, and eat the same food when
caged. They are easily tamed, and sometimes even lay in captivity.
Their eggs are of a pearl gray, but I am ignorant whether they are
ever productive in confinement.
THE BRAZILIAN FINCH.
Fringilla granatina, LINNÆUS; Le Grenadin, BUFFON; Der
Brasilische Fink, BECHSTEIN.
The length of this bird is four inches and three quarters, the beak is
coral red; the iris is dark brown; the eyelids are scarlet; the feet are
light gray; the sides of the head round; the eyes are purplish; the
upper base of the beak is blue; the throat, the lower part of the belly,
and the thighs, are black; the lower part of the head and the rest of
the body are chestnut, with a varying brown on the back and shoulders.
The female has a red beak, and a little purple under the eyes; the top
of the head orange; the back grayish brown; the throat and lower parts
of the body light orange; the lower part of the belly whitish; the rest
of the colours differ from those of the male only in being less
brilliant.
OBSERVATIONS.--This beautiful species comes from Brazil, and is always
very expensive. The form of the beak is nearly the same as that of
the goldfinch; the food is also the same; its motions are quick, and
its song very pleasing.
THE BLUE-BELLIED FINCH.
Fringilla Bengalus, LINNÆUS; Le Bengali, ou Fringille à ventre
bleu, BUFFON; Der Blaubäuchige Fink, BECHSTEIN.
The length of this bird is four inches and a half, one and a half of
which belong to the tail, which is wedge-shaped; the beak is one third
of an inch long, flattish at the sides, very sharp, and flesh-coloured;
the iris is nut-brown; the feet are light brown; the upper part of the
head and body are ash-coloured, varying to purple; the sides of the
head, the lower part of the neck, the breast, the belly, and the rump,
are light blue. The female has no mark under the eyes. The varieties
which are observable among these birds probably arise from difference of
age: some are found gray on the back, and others on the lower parts of
the body; and some in which the belly inclines to red.
OBSERVATIONS.--The blue-bellied finch is a native of Africa, and comes
principally from Angola and Guinea: it is a pretty lively bird, with
a sweet agreeable song. It is fed with canary-seed, bruised hemp, and
poppy-seed.
THE LIVER-BROWN FINCH.
Fringilla hepatica, LINNÆUS; Der Leberfarbene Fink, BECHSTEIN.
This is about the same size as the last, which it somewhat resembles in
plumage; but its air and manner are very different. Its length is four
inches, of which the wedge-shaped tail measures one and three quarters.
The beak is like that of the sparrow in form, of a blood-red colour,
tipped with black; the eyelids are yellowish and bare; the iris is
reddish brown; the feet are flesh-coloured; on the cheeks is a dark
purple spot; the throat, half the breast, the sides, and the rump, are
of a dirty greenish blue: the upper part of the body is of a dark
liver-brown, the belly of a lighter shade of the same colour; the wings
are of a deep brown, with the edges of the pen-feathers of the same
colour as the back; the under side tending to blue, with black tips. I
do not know the female.
OBSERVATIONS.--This species inhabits the shores of Africa; it is very
lively, and its call is "_tzä_." Its weak but sweet song resembles
that of the wood wren. It is fed on canary-seed.
THE ANGOLA FINCH.
Fringilla Angolensis, LINNÆUS; La Vengoline, BUFFON; Der
Angolische Hänfling, BECHSTEIN.
This, in form and habits, very much resembles our redpole. Its length is
four inches and a half, of which the forked tail contains one and three
quarters. The beak is short, and not flattish, blunt at the tip, and of
a dingy flesh-colour; the feet are flesh-coloured; the circumference of
the beak is black; that of the eyes, with the sides of the throat, is
spotted with white; the top of the head, the upper part of the throat,
the back, and the little coverts of the wings, are of a brownish
ash-colour.
OBSERVATIONS.--Angola is the native country of this bird. As to the
song, it is sweet and flute-like, very like that of the linnet, but
more melodious. It is fed with rape and canary seed. The young males
have the same plumage as the females.
THE GREEN GOLDFINCH.
Fringilla Melba, LINNÆUS; Le Chardonneret vert, BUFFON; Der
grüne Stieglitz, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is exactly of the form of our common goldfinch. Its length is
four inches and a half, of which the tail measures one and a half. The
beak is half an inch long, and of a carnation colour; the iris is
chestnut; the feet gray; the front of the head, the back of the eye, and
the throat, are of a bright red; the bridle is ash-colour; the upper
part of the head, the neck, and the back, are yellowish green.
The female has a light yellow beak, the top of the head and the neck
ash-colour; the little coverts of the wings and rump yellow-green; the
feathers of the tail brown, edged with pale red; the rest like the male.
OBSERVATIONS.--This species is found in Brazil. The male pleases the
ear by his song, as much as the eye by his plumage. It appears that
by feeding them simply with rape and canary seed they may be
preserved healthy for many years.
[Illustration]
WARBLERS.
The characteristics of this group are a conical beak, sometimes tending
to cylindrical, sharp, generally weak, and the upper mandible fixed.
Insects are the food of the greater number; some also feed on berries
and worms. The nests are for the most part well made, and the male sits
alternately with the female.
THE SKY-LARK.
Alauda arvensis, LINNÆUS; L'alouette, BUFFON; Die Felderche,
BECHSTEIN.
This bird is very generally known. Its length is seven inches, of which
the tail contains three. The beak is weak, straight, cylindrical, and
terminating in a point; the mandibles are of an equal length, the lower
one whitish, the upper black horn colour; the iris is grayish brown; the
feet of the same colour, but yellower in the spring; the height of the
shanks is nearly an inch, and the hind claw is much longer than the hind
toe itself.
The female is distinguished by its smaller size, by the absence of the
white line round the cheeks, by the great number of black spots on the
back and breast, and by the purer white of the breast.
In the house we sometimes meet with the two following varieties:--
1. _The white lark_, which is either clear white or yellowish white. He
is occasionally found wild.
2. _The black lark._ The whole body of this variety is black with a
rusty tinge, and the belly feathers are edged with white. I am ignorant
whether this variety has ever been found wild; but it is not uncommon in
dwelling houses, especially when the cages are fixed in a dark place
where the rays of the sun cannot penetrate; in moulting, their colour
passes away to give place to the primitive plumage, which never happens
to the white variety.
HABITATION.--In a wild state, the sky-lark is found almost all over
the world, frequenting fields and meadows, and by preference plains.
It is a bird of passage which generally arrives in our regions in the
beginning of February, and departs in great flights in the month of
October[60]. No bird of passage returns so soon as the lark; but as
it lives not only on insects, but eats all kinds of seeds and even
grass, it can seldom be in want of provision even in the severest
weather.
[Illustration]
In rooms, it is common to let it hop about, giving it a retired
corner to sleep; it is, however, also kept in cages, where it sings
best. Whatever form may be given to these cages, they must be at
least eighteen inches long, nine wide, and fifteen high; the bottom
should have a drawer in which enough of river sand should be kept for
this scratching bird to be able to roll and dust itself conveniently.
It is also a good plan to have in a corner a little square of fresh
turf, which is as beneficial as it is agreeable. The top of the cage
must be of linen, since, from its tendency to rise for flight, it
would run the risk of wounding its head against a covering of wood or
iron wire, especially before it is well tamed. The vessels for food
and drink must be outside, or, which I prefer, a drawer for the food
may be introduced in the side of the cage: sticks are not necessary,
as the lark does not perch. When it is allowed to hop free in a room,
the latter must be very clean and neat, otherwise a thread or hair
may entangle the feet, and if not removed it easily cuts the skin,
maims the bird, and the entangled toes shrink and fall off.
FOOD.--When wild, the food consists of insects, especially ants' eggs;
also of all kinds of seeds, and in autumn of oats, which these birds
skin by striking them against the ground, their beak being too weak
to shell them alone. In the spring the sprouting seeds and young
buds, also the blades of young grass, are eaten, and grains of sand
help their digestion.
In the house, if the lark is hopping about, nothing is better than
the first universal paste described in the Introduction; but if caged
the second will suit it better. Poppy-seed, bruised hemp, crumb of
bread, and plenty of greens, as lettuce, endive, cabbage, or
water-cress, according to the season, must be added. A little lean
meat and ants' eggs are favourite delicacies, which make it gay and
more inclined to sing. When old larks are first made prisoners, they
must be fed only with oats and poppy-seed to reconcile them to
captivity.
BREEDING.--The lark lays but once a year in cold countries, twice in
the temperate, and three times in the warmer climates. Its nest,
formed on the ground in a little hollow, is made without much art of
straw, and the wool and hair of animals, and by preference in hollow
ground or among the summer crops of grain. The eggs, in number from
three to five, are of a whitish gray, spotted and dotted with dark
gray; incubation lasts fourteen days. By the end of April the young
are often hatched, and are at first only fed with insects, and leave
the nest before they can fly; but they nevertheless continue to be
fed by the mother till they can follow her in her excursions. Before
the first moulting all the upper part of the body is dotted with
white; if it is wished to take nestlings, they must be removed from
the nest when the tail is about three quarters of an inch long. They
are fed with crumb of white bread, and poppy-seed steeped in milk;
some ants' eggs or a little minced lean meat will be a wholesome
addition. The males are soon distinguished by their yellow colour. If
it is intended to teach them to perform a tune, their instructor must
commence before they are ready to fly, for by that time they already
begin to record their natural song. They must also be completely
separated from other singing birds, otherwise the great flexibility
of their organs, joined to their memory, will infallibly cause them
to adopt the song of such birds as they are near; and even old larks,
brought into my bird-room, have learnt to imitate perfectly the
nightingale and chaffinch. They vary, however, very much in this
respect. Some females in confinement lay without the presence of a
male, and others pair, but I have never yet succeeded in making them
sit. One of my neighbours, notwithstanding the greatest care, has
succeeded no better, though he had a female which laid from twenty to
twenty-five eggs annually. There would undoubtedly be a better chance
of success in a large garden aviary[61].
DISEASES.--Besides those which have been named in the Introduction,
these birds are very subject to a kind of scurf or yellow crust round
the base of the beak. The best remedy is to take care that they have
good food; the second universal paste agrees with them particularly
well; but greens, ants' eggs, meal-worms, or other insects, must be
added. With this food they may be preserved healthy for many years in
the house. Instances have been known of larks which have lived in
this way for thirty years.
MODE OF TAKING.--It would take too long a time to describe all the
modes of catching larks which are in use. It is enough to say that
with day and night nets, known by the name of lark nets, so large a
number of these birds are taken alive in the open country, that it is
easy to have a choice of both males and females. This lark snaring is
accomplished by placing a considerable number of nets perpendicularly
like walls, which are called day-nets, towards which, in the dusk,
the birds are forced by means of a long rope, which is drawn along
the ground, and drives them forward; in the night a square net called
a night-net is carried to a spot where it is known that many larks
are collected in the stubble, and there they are covered just when
they begin to flutter.
If, in the spring, it is wished to procure a good singing male, for
some are better than others, a lark whose wings are tied, and with a
little forked lime-twig fixed to its back, must be carried to the
place where such a bird is to be found. As soon as it is let loose,
and the desired male has perceived it from high in the air, he will
fall upon it like an arrow and attack it; but soon, the dupe of his
jealousy, he will find himself caught by the lime.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The very pleasing song of the sky-lark consists
of several stanzas or strains, composed entirely of trills and
flourishes, interrupted from time to time by loud whistling. I have
already said that the lark has great abilities for learning. The
young readily imitate the notes of all the birds in the same room
with them, and the old sometimes succeed also: this, however, is not
general; for among birds as among men, memories vary in power. Some
have a stronger and more melodious voice; there are some which, in
confinement, begin to sing as early as December, and continue till
they moult; while others, less lively, delay till the month of March,
and cease to sing in the month of August. In its wild state, the lark
begins to sing in the first fine days of spring, the season of
pairing, and ceases at the end of July; this, however, is not without
exceptions, as some individuals continue till the end of September.
It belongs to the small number of birds which sing as they fly, and
the higher it rises the more it appears to elevate its voice, so that
it may be heard when it is out of sight. In the country, it very
seldom sings when on the ground; in the room it often does, and with
ease, and it becomes so tame as to come and eat from the table or the
hand.
THE CRESTED LARK.
Alauda cristata, LINNÆUS; Le Cochevis, ou la grosse Alouette
huppée; Die Haubenlerche, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is stronger than the sky-lark, and its colour is lighter, but
its length the same. The beak is lead-coloured, and brown at the point,
is also rather longer; the iris is dark brown. The shanks are an inch
high, and yellowish gray; the head, the cheeks, the upper part of the
neck to the upper part of the back, are of a reddish gray, caused by the
wide red edges of the feathers, which are brown in the middle; a reddish
white line, hardly perceptible above the eyes, but very distinct beyond,
extends from the nostrils to the ears; eight or ten long-pointed
blackish feathers rising on the head form a beautiful perpendicular
crest.
The crest of the female is lower, but her breast is covered with more
numerous and rounder spots than the male.
HABITATION.--When wild it is only in autumn and winter that they
appear in Saxony in small or large flights, beside the high roads, on
dunghills, near barns and stables, among sparrows and
yellowhammers; they are also found all over Europe, from Sweden to
Italy[62]; in summer, they frequent the thickets and bushes of the
plains, fields, and meadows, or they inhabit the hollows of ditches,
paths in woods, and elevated villages. They depart in October.
In the house they may be kept in cages, like the sky-lark, or be left
to run about. I know no bird whose feathers grow so quickly; if the
wings are kept clipped, this must be repeated every three or four
weeks, as by that time they are so much grown that they may serve
for flying about the room.
FOOD.--When wild this bird lives, like the sky-lark, on insects,
different sorts of seeds, and oats. In the house it is fed with the
same things, but it becomes more robust and healthy than the
sky-lark.
BREEDING.--This species forms its nest on the ground, under little dry
bushes, under garden vegetables, on clay walls, and even on thatched
roofs. The eggs, in number from four to five, are of a rusty gray,
shaded and spotted at the upper end with dark brown. The first
plumage of the young before moulting is variegated white. They are
taken from the nest when the feathers are half grown to be tamed and
taught airs, or to have them instructed by other birds whose song is
admired; they learn every thing with the greatest ease.
DISEASES.--They are the same as those of other larks. A lousy disease
may be added. I possess two male crested larks, one of which has
hardly any of the lice which so commonly torment birds, whilst the
other, which is nevertheless as gay and musical, is so covered with
them that he cannot be touched without having the hand filled with
these nasty insects. He has been with me four years, and though he
has maintained for a long time millions of these parasites, he
continues in good health, which I attribute to his abundant supply of
good food.
Is this produced by a difference in the cleanly dispositions of these
two birds, or is it a constitutional difference?
MODE OF TAKING.--When, in winter, any spot has been remarked which the
larks prefer, a place must be cleared from snow, some oats and
poppy-seed be thrown upon it for a bait, and limed twigs, nets, or
even a simple gauze, be conveniently arranged, and soon plenty will
be caught.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The song of the crested lark is, in my opinion,
very inferior to that of the sky-lark; it seems composed of the
warbling of that and of the linnet; this bird sings also in the
night. Its time of singing lasts from February to August, but longer
in those birds which have been tamed from the nest. It has not the
tottering gait of the sky-lark, but runs nimbly, and moves its crest
in the most expressive way. It is rather quarrelsome, and has the
peculiarity that when it fights it continues to sing.
THE WOOD-LARK.
Alauda arborea, LINNÆUS; Le Cujelier, ou L'Alouette des Bois,
ou La Loulou, BUFFON; Die Waldlerche, BECHSTEIN.
This charming species is one-third smaller than the field-lark, and
resembles it much in form and gait. The beak is black above, brown
below, tending to carnation at the tip. The shanks, three quarters of an
inch high, are of a brownish flesh-colour. The top of the head is
reddish brown, with four dark brown lines; its long feathers render the
head large, and they may be raised at pleasure into a crest, which from
eye to eye is surrounded by a whitish ash-coloured line. The tail is
very short.
The female, more beautiful, is of a paler ground, with darker ornaments;
her breast more spotted; the crest on her head more prominent, and the
line round the cheeks more distinct. It is a well attested observation
made on all our indigenous species, that the individuals with the most
spots on a lighter ground, and of a clearer white, are certainly
females.
HABITATION.--When wild these birds inhabit the temperate regions of
Europe, in summer the woods of the plain, near fields and meadows,
and in the woods of the hills they alternate between heaths and
pasture lands. After breeding time they assemble in small flocks of
ten or twelve. They are thus found in the stubble, at their departure
in October, and their return in March.
In the house I prefer letting them run about, because my experience
shows that they sing better in this way than when caged. They must be
well supplied with river sand, as well to roll and dust themselves as
to pick out grains necessary for their digestion.
FOOD.--When wild, in summer, the food consists of insects; in autumn,
of rape, millet, seed, and oats; in spring, before they can find
insects and worms, they are satisfied with the young buds of herbs,
water-cresses, and, on an emergency, with the buds of the filbert.
In the house, as this species is more delicate than the preceding, it
is well to vary the food, and to give it occasionally, independent of
the universal paste, poppy-seed, oats, hemp, sprouting wheat, fresh
curds, fresh and dried ants' eggs, minced ox heart, meal worms, and
the like. When one of these birds is caught by the net or otherwise,
the best things to induce it to eat when it reaches the bird-room are
poppy-seeds and ants' eggs.
I have seen two wood-larks which had been kept in a cage for eight
years, very healthy and gay, with their feet quite free from disease,
and singing perfectly. Their food consisted of crumbs of white bread
and pounded hemp-seed mixed together; a piece of white bread, enough
for the day, soaked in milk, which was poured boiling over it every
morning, was also furnished; and finally, some ants' eggs, given two
or three times a day as a treat. The bottom of the cage was also
covered with sand, which was changed regularly every day, as well as
the water. They were always kept in summer outside the window,
exposed to the free air, screening them from the sun by covering the
top of the cage with a sheet of paper or piece of linen by way of
parasol. The success of this mode of treatment sufficiently proves
its advantage. The cage was furnished with two bars, because the
wood-lark perches.
BREEDING.--The wood-lark builds among the heath, under juniper bushes,
in hedges, high grass, or under a green hillock in fields near the
woods, or in copse wood. The nest is made of dry blades of grass,
mixed with moss, wool, and hair. The eggs are variegated with light
gray and brownish violet. The young may be bred up with bread soaked
in milk, and ants' eggs. They readily learn the different songs of
the birds with which they are imprisoned; but this medley is less
agreeable to me than their natural song.
DISEASES.--To the list of diseases already given, to which the
wood-lark may be subject, I must add one which is peculiar to it.
This attacks the feet and renders them extremely brittle. I cannot
too strongly recommend to clean them carefully from everything which
might entangle them; a single hair may cut them, so that the toes
shrivel, or ulcerate and fall off. They become so brittle with age,
that with all my cares I could never keep any beyond four years; the
least thing breaks them. Most of the wood-larks which I have had
perished from broken legs; and this peculiarity I have remarked in no
other species of bird.
We see from these instances, that if birds allowed to hop about a
room enjoy more space and free exercise, they are also subject to
more inconveniences and disadvantages than caged birds. Their food is
neither so appropriate or regular; they cannot be kept so clean;
their feet are almost inevitably injured; and lice devour them,
without the power of prevention.
MODE OF TAKING.--The wood-lark may be caught on the nest by means of
limed twigs; but as it is very cruel to separate a pair, and thus to
destroy a whole family, it is better to wait till autumn, and to use
the night-net. They may be caught early in the spring, when there is
snow on the ground, by placing limed twigs or nets in cleared places.
This is the best method of catching them. It is true that this plan
will not succeed in all years; but another may be substituted, if we
have a decoy wood-lark, by placing it under a folding net, in a field
frequented by a flight of this species, which will not fail to join
it. The same means also may be used as with the chaffinch, namely, by
tying the wings of a wood-lark with a limed twig on his back, and
letting him run to the place where there is a male of the same
species. By this means the bird-fancier may obtain whatever kind of
singer he prefers.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Of all the species of larks the wood lark has
the finest song, and to my taste it is, of all our indigenous birds
(always excepting the nightingale), the one whose natural notes are
the most delightful. Its clear flute-like voice executes a sonorous,
tender, and somewhat melancholy air. In the country it rises from the
tops of the trees so high in the air that the eye can scarcely
discern it, and there remaining stationary, the wings and the tail
expanded, it sings uninterruptedly for hours together; it sings in
the same manner when perched on a tree.
In the house, it is from a retired corner, tranquil and motionless,
that it utters the different modulations of its beautiful voice. The
singing time in its wild state is from March to July; in the house,
from February to August. The female, like other larks, sings also,
but her strains are shorter and less sustained. These birds appear to
be subject to whims: I have seen some which would never sing in a
room or in the presence of an auditor. These perverse birds must be
placed in a long cage outside the window. I have remarked that in
general these obstinate birds are the best singers. Their abrupt step
and various frolics, in which they raise the feathers of the head and
neck, are also very amusing.
THE TITLARK.
Anthus arboreus, BECHSTEIN; L'Alouette Pipi, BUFFON; Die
Waldpieper, BECHSTEIN.
This is the smallest of our larks; its length is but five inches and a
half, two and a half of which belong to the tail, which it carries and
moves like a wagtail, and by this characteristic it seems to stand
intermediate between the larks and the wagtails. The sharp beak is dark
brown above and whitish below; the iris is brown. The shanks are three
quarters of an inch high, and light flesh-coloured; the angle of the
hind toe is short and crooked. The head, rather oval than round, is,
with the neck, back, rump, and sides, of an olive brown with black wavy
spots.
The female differs from the male only in the paler yellow of the throat,
neck, and breast; the white spot in the second tail-feather is also
smaller, and the two transverse bands on the wings are whiter. The young
males of the first year have the under part of the body of a lighter
yellow than those which are older.
HABITATION.--When wild, with the exception of the most northern parts,
this species is found all over Europe. They build in great numbers in
Germany and England, in mountainous and woody places, and establish
themselves by preference on the skirts of forests, in fields, and
orchards, in their neighbourhood, or in the cleared parts of woods.
In the month of August they arrive in small flights in fields and
enclosures planted with cabbages, where caterpillars abound. In
September they pass into the oat fields, and in October they are
caught in the nets with the common larks. The time of their return is
about the end of March; and if the cold is severe they collect by
thousands in damp fields and near warm springs. One peculiarity of
this species is the having during the rest of the year a call
different from that of the breeding season. It no longer perches on
trees and bushes, but remains on the ground, crying "_pitt, pitt_,"
(or rather, I think, "_guik, guik_,") while in the sitting time the
cry is more tender, expresses more solicitude, "_tzip, tzip_," and is
heard only in the immediate neighbourhood of the nest. As soon,
therefore, as this cry strikes the ear, we may be sure the nest is
not far off; and if the young are hatched we shall soon see the
father or mother with a beakful of insects, redoubling and increasing
the cry as they approach their precious charge. The other cry of
"_pitt_" or "_guik_" is never heard at this season; whence it happens
that sportsmen and bird-catchers make two species of this same lark;
one they name the heath lark, whose call in the woods is "_tzip_,"
and the other the cabbage lark, which in the fields calls "_guik_." I
have never been able to convince these people of their error, but by
showing them in my bird-room the same lark which called "_guik_" in
the autumn and winter, and "_tzip_" in the summer. We may judge by
this circumstance how many mistakes and errors may slip into natural
history, when in the determination of species we meet with things
which we can neither see nor verify.
In confinement, I have been accustomed to let the calling lark range
freely among my other birds, because I would not trouble myself to
give it a particular cage. I own, however, that it would be better so
circumstanced, on all accounts, as well in regard to its health as
its song. This cage should be long, like that of the sky-lark, and
furnished with two sticks, because this kind perches.
FOOD.--When wild, the food consists of all sorts of flies,
grasshoppers, caterpillars, butterflies, beetles, and ants' eggs.
In confinement, as it is the most delicate of its species, the food
must be frequently changed and varied. Besides the universal paste,
we should sometimes give it the common food of the nightingale,
sometimes bruised hemp, mouldy cheese, meal worms, and ants' eggs.
It is very difficult to accustom it to take the food of the
bird-room. As soon as it arrives, we must throw it some meal worms,
ants' eggs, or caterpillars; as soon as these are eaten, some must be
mixed with the universal paste and with all its food; it will thus
insensibly grow accustomed to the common food.
This lark does not roll in the sand, and dust itself like the others,
but it thrusts its beak into water and sprinkles itself; another
indication of its approximation to the wagtail, as was mentioned
above.
BREEDING.--The titlark lays twice a year. The nest, placed on the
ground in a cleared part of the woods, or under a bush or hillock, in
a tuft of grass, in a field or orchard, is made in the simplest
manner; coarse hay outside and finer within, with some wool and hair,
are all the materials. The eggs, in number from four to five, are
gray mottled with brown; the young escape as soon as possible, having
but too many enemies to fear on the ground.
They may be brought up with ants' eggs and white bread soaked in
boiled milk, to which a few poppy-seeds are added. They easily learn
to imitate the songs of the birds in the same room with them,
especially that of the canary, without however attaining any great
perfection.
DISEASES.--Independent of those which are common to the other birds of
its species, it is particularly subject to the loss of its feathers
out of the moulting season; if it is not at once supplied with food
more nutritious, and better suited to its natural habits, as ants'
eggs, meal worms, and other insects, it soon dies of atrophy. At the
best it can only be preserved five or six years[63].
MODE OF TAKING.--To take the bird from its nest by a limed twig, and
thus destroy the young family by hunger and misery, is a cruelty
which none but a harsh insensible amateur could resolve upon. I
prefer using the night-net in autumn; this bird is also caught in the
water-trap in August and September.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The song of the titlark, though short, and
composed of only three strains mixed with shakes and trills, is
nevertheless very pleasing. It sings from the end of March to July,
either from the top of a tree, where it is perched, or when rising
perpendicularly in the air, where it remains a few minutes and then
quietly descends, almost always to the same place. As it alights it
repeats several times "_tzia, tzia, tzia_." In the house it begins to
sing a month earlier. It pleases also by its pretty ways; its step is
somewhat grave, and the tail is in perpetual motion: it is always
very clean and trim.
THE FIELD PIPIT.
Anthus campestris, BECHSTEIN; La Spipolette, BUFFON; Die
Brachpieper, BECHSTEIN.
In figure it is more slender than the sky-lark; the plumage resembles
that of the crested lark, and the form that of the titlark. Its length
is six inches and a half. The beak is strong and long, the line above
the eyes distinctly marked, the breast yellowish white, with but few
rays or lines. In summer it frequents marshy woods, in autumn the edges
of the fields, high roads, and meadows, where it may be easily caught
with the night-net. Its only known song is its constant cry "_tsirru_"
and "_datsida_" while revolving in the air. It departs in September and
returns in April. Its food is the same as that of the titlark; it also
requires the same treatment when in confinement if it should be wished
to keep it, but it has no qualities to make this desirable.
THE SHORE LARK.
Alauda alpestris, LINNÆUS; Alouette Haussecol noir, ou
Alouette de Virginie, BUFFON; Die Berglerche, BECHSTEIN.
This species is seven inches long, rather stronger than the field pipit,
and has the same plumage on the upper part of the body; but the throat
is light yellow, as well as the rest of the under part of the neck, over
which and the top of the breast passes a black band, which in the lower
part is shaped like a horse-shoe. The beak, feet, and claws, are black.
[Illustration: SHORE LARK.]
OBSERVATIONS.--This species properly inhabits the north as well of
Europe as of America, as far as Virginia; but in the winter it
appears in Germany, where it may be seen by the road side picking
for its food the undigested grains in horse-dung. It perches like the
wood-lark. It is caught in the southern parts of Thuringia with lime
twigs, or nets, at its return in March, when there has happened a
heavy fall of snow; but at such times it is so thin and so weak for
want of food as scarcely to have strength to eat what is offered to
it. It may, no doubt, be preserved in confinement by treating it like
other larks, but of this I have no experience, never having been able
to procure a single living individual of this species, which also
prevents my speaking of its song.
THE CALANDRA LARK.
Alauda Calandra, LINNÆUS; La Calandre, BUFFON; Die Kalander,
BECHSTEIN.
Larger than the common lark, the Calandra is also furnished with a
shorter and stronger beak, which enables it to shell its grain; in other
respects the plumage, the form, and manners, are the same, the only
difference being a very distinct and apparent spot on the lower part of
the neck. The male is distinguished by being larger and blacker round
the neck; the female has a very narrow collar, and sometimes none at
all; some individuals, old ones doubtless, have a large black mark at
the top of the breast. The tail is black, according to Linnæus, while in
the preceding it is brown.
HABITATION.--It appears that this species has much resemblance to the
preceding; but it does not inhabit the North; it is found in Syria,
Italy, Sardinia, and Provence: it is also said to frequent Carolina,
in America.
In confinement it must be furnished with a long cage, the top made of
linen, because it hops and jumps about a great deal, especially at
first. It must be fed like the other larks.
BREEDING.--It builds on the ground like the sky-lark, and lays four or
five eggs. In order to have calandras which sing well, they must be
bred up from the nest, and be fed in the same manner as the young of
the sky-lark species; this is how they breed them in Provence.
MODE OF TAKING.--In the countries where it is found, the plan consists
in spreading a net near the water where it drinks; this method is
considered the best.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its song is so admired in Italy, that "to sing
like a calandra" is a common expression for to "sing well." It also
possesses the talent of imitating, like the sky-lark, the songs of
many birds, such as the goldfinch, the linnet, the canary, and even
the chirp of young chickens, the cry of the cat, in short, all sounds
adapted to its organs, and which may be acquired when they are
flexible.
THE STARLING.
[Illustration]
Sturnus vulgaris, LINNÆUS; L'Etourneau, BUFFON; Der gemeine
Staar, BECHSTEIN.
The length of this bird is eight inches and a half, two and a half of
which belong to the tail, and one to the beak, which is awl-shaped,
angular, flattish, and rather blunt, yellow, brown towards the end, and
the tip blue. The iris is nut-brown; the claws an inch long, are deep
flesh-coloured. All the plumage is of a blackish hue, changing to purple
towards the front of the body, and to green towards the hind part, and
on the wing-coverts. The old males are darker, having no white tips to
the feathers of the head, cheeks, throat, or belly.
The beak of the female is rather brown than yellow; the light spots on
the head, neck, and breast, are larger, and the edge of the feathers is
wider, which gives it a lighter and more speckled appearance.
The starling, like all other species, has its varieties: such are the
white, the streaked or variegated, the white-headed, that whose body is
white with a black head, and the ash gray.
HABITATION.--When wild the starling is found all over the old world.
It prefers forests and little thickets, surrounded by fields and
meadows; it is often seen, especially in spring, on towers, steeples,
and churches; but it is never found either in high mountains or
ridges. In our climate, it departs, in October, in great flights for
the south, and returns in like manner in the beginning of March.
During the journey, these birds pass the night among the rushes,
where, on the least alarm, they make a great tumult.
In confinement it would be very amusing to let them run free; but let
them be ever so neat themselves, they would render the room dirty.
When caged, they must be furnished with a cage at least two feet
long, and one and a half both in height and width. Very restless and
always in motion, they require sufficient space to take exercise and
keep their plumage uninjured.
FOOD.--When wild they eat not only caterpillars, snails, worms,
insects, and the flies which torment the cattle in the field; but
also cherries, grapes, berries of all sorts, and different sorts of
grain, as millet and hemp seed.
In confinement they eat meat, worms, bread, cheese, the universal
paste, indeed, any food, provided it is not sour. When first caught,
they are supplied with earth and meal-worms, and they soon become as
tame as if they had been brought up from the nest; but, as there is
no rule without exceptions, we sometimes meet with individuals which
obstinately refuse to eat, whatever pains may be taken to induce
them, and which die of hunger. This bird delights in bathing often,
it must therefore never be left without fresh water in a proper
vessel.
BREEDING.--The starling builds in the holes of trees, and even in
boxes, or pots with long necks, suspended to trees, or under the
roof, or in pigeon-houses. Its simple nest is composed of dry leaves,
hay, and feathers. Like the swallow it returns to the same nest every
year, only taking care to clean it out. It lays twice in the year,
seven eggs each time, whose colour is ashy green. The young, before
moulting, are of rather a yellowish soot colour, than pure black. The
beak is dark brown; those which are bred from the nest, and which are
easily reared on white bread soaked in milk, repeat the airs they are
taught in a stronger and more distinct manner than bullfinches and
linnets. They can, indeed, repeat a succession of couplets without
changing or mixing them. In Voigtlande, the peasants use the starling
like domestic pigeons; they eat the young, which they take before
they can fly; by this means they obtain three broods, but they do not
touch the last, both in order not to discourage and drive away the
father and mother, and not to diminish this branch of economy.
Starlings have been seen to build in dwelling-houses, in an earthen
vase with a long neck, appropriated to the purpose[64].
DISEASES.--I know none peculiar to them. These birds will live ten or
twelve years in confinement.
MODE OF TAKING.--It is principally in autumn, and in places filled
with reeds, that the bird-catchers take great numbers of starlings in
nets prepared for the purpose. They may also be procured by means of
an osier fish-net, placed among the reeds, which they frequent in the
evening, and baited with cherries. Though this means is limited, as
many as a hundred have been procured by it in one night.
In Thuringia it is never attempted to catch them for the house except
in the month of March, when snow falls after their arrival. For this
purpose limed twigs are put in places cleared from snow, and beside
swampy ditches, with some earth-worms for a snare, into which they
fall as easily as chickens.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The starling becomes wonderfully familiar in
the house; as docile and cunning as a dog, he is always gay, wakeful,
soon knows all the inhabitants of the house, remarks their motions
and air, and adapts himself to their humours. In his solemn tottering
step, he appears to go stupidly forward; but nothing escapes his eye.
He learns to pronounce words without having his tongue cut, which
proves the uselessness of this cruel operation. He repeats correctly
the airs which are taught him, as does also the female, imitates the
cries of men and animals, and the songs of all the birds in the room
with him. It must be owned that his acquirements are very uncertain:
he forgets as fast as he learns, or he mixes up the old and new in
utter confusion; therefore, if it is wished to teach him an air, or
to pronounce some words clearly and distinctly, it is absolutely
necessary to separate him from other birds and animals, in a room
where he can hear nothing. Not only are the young susceptible of
these instructions, the oldest even show the most astonishing
docility.
THE BOHEMIAN CHATTERER.
Ampelis garrulus, LINNÆUS; Le Jaseur de Bohème, BUFFON; Der
gemeine Seidenschwanz, BECHSTEIN.
The length of this bird is eight inches, one and a quarter of which
belong to the tail. The beak is three quarters of an inch long, black,
short, straight, arched above, and large at the base, forming a large
opening when the mandibles are separated; the iris is brown; the shanks
nearly an inch high, and black. The whole body is covered with soft
silky feathers; those at the top of the head are long, and rise in a
crest; the head and the rest of the upper part of the body are of a
reddish ash-colour, changing to gray at the rump; the middle coverts are
dark ash gray, with the ends white also, besides which, the shaft of
many has a horny tip, shining and red, like a little oval bit of
sealing-wax. The female has at most but five of these waxen tips to each
wing, while the male has from five to nine; the tail is black,
terminated with primrose yellow; very old males have also upon it narrow
red wax tips.
In the female, the black spot on the throat is smaller; the yellow at
the end of the tail is also narrower and paler; the tips of the wings
are of a yellowish white; lastly, the horny appendages are small, and
often they do not appear at all.
HABITATION.--When wild it does not build in Germany, but within the
Arctic circle; it is found in Thuringia only in the winter, and if
the season is mild in very small numbers, the greater portion
remaining in the north; but in severe cold it advances farther south.
In moderate seasons it is found in great flights in the skirts of the
forests throughout the greater part of Germany and Bohemia.
In confinement, it is generally kept in a grated corner, where it may
run about freely with the other birds which are also placed there,
taking care to keep it at a distance from the stove, the heat of
which is so distressing that it opens its beak and breathes with
difficulty; this proves that a warm climate is not congenial to the
bird. If kept in a cage, it requires one as large as the thrush; and,
as it is a very dirty bird, the bottom must be regularly covered with
a sufficient quantity of sand.
FOOD.--When wild we see it in the spring eating, like thrushes, all
sorts of flies and other insects; in autumn and winter different
kinds of berries; and, in times of need, the buds and sprouts of the
beech, maple, and various fruit trees.
In confinement the two universal pastes appear delicacies to it; and
it is even satisfied with bran steeped in water. It swallows every
thing voraciously, and refuses nothing eatable, such as potatoes,
cabbage, salad, fruits of all sorts, and especially white bread. It
likes to bathe, or rather to sprinkle itself with water, for it does
not wet itself so much as other birds.
MODE OF TAKING.--It is taken in nooses, to which berries are fixed,
which, for this purpose, should always be kept in store till
February; attracted by the bait it falls into the snare. It appears
to be frightened at nothing, for it flies into nets and traps, though
it sees its companions caught and hanging, and uttering cries of
distress and fear.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Nothing but its beauty and scarcity can render
the possession of it desirable; for it is a stupid, lazy bird. During
the ten or twelve years that it can exist in confinement, and on very
meagre food, it does nothing but eat and repose for digestion. If
hunger induces it to move, its step is awkward, and its jumps so
clumsy as to be disagreeable to the eye. Its song consists only of
weak and uncertain whistling, a little resembling the thrush, but not
so loud. While singing, it moves the crest up and down, but hardly
moves the throat. If this warbling is somewhat unmusical, it has the
merit of continuing throughout every season of the year. When the
Bohemian chatterer is angry, which happens sometimes near the common
feeding-trough, it knocks very violently with its beak. It is easily
tamed, but is agreeable only by its beautiful colours, for it is very
dirty. It is the greatest eater among birds that I know, being able
to devour in a day a quantity of food equal to its own weight. It
consequently passes hardly half digested, and, what is very
disgusting, it is seen, like the ostrich, to eat again this
excrement, if it is destitute of fresh food. I have observed it in
this way swallow three times juniper berries which I had given it. In
consequence of this voraciousness it must be cleaned very often to be
kept sweet.
THE DIPPER.
[Illustration]
Cinclus aquaticus, BECHSTEIN; Le Merle d'Eau, BUFFON; Der
Wasserschwätzer, BECHSTEIN.
This bird resembles the starling in size, but the head is more pointed,
and the body, in general, larger, while the wings and tail are shorter,
the tail being only one inch and a quarter long, and the ends of the
wings cover a fourth part of it; the beak is three quarters of an inch
long, narrow, flattish at the sides, raised in the middle, sharp and
black; the narrow nostrils are almost entirely closed by a membrane; the
iris is light brown; the shanks are an inch high, and of a dark brown,
and have the four toes united together; the head and upper part of the
neck are of a dusky rust brown; the rest of the upper part of the body
is black, with an ashy gray tint; the quill-feathers and tail are
blackish; the neck to half-way down the breast is pure white; the rest
of the breast is deep maroon, which shades into the black of the belly.
In the female the head and upper part of the neck are lighter, and the
white of the breast is not so pure as in the male.
HABITATION.--When wild it frequents by preference the banks of rivers
and streams in mountainous countries, and remains all the year near
those whose waters flow from springs which never freeze.
In confinement it has a cage like the thrush, unless it is by
preference allowed to run about the room.
FOOD.--When wild it feeds upon aquatic insects, worms, and even small
fish, which it is said to seize by diving.
In confinement it becomes insensibly accustomed to one of the
universal pastes, by at first giving it worms, and the eggs of ants
and flies.
BREEDING.--The female lays from four to six eggs in a rather large
nest, which she places in a crack of the rocks at the edge of the
water, or in dikes under mill-dams, the wooden gutters of mills, or
between the wings of old water-wheels which are not in use. The young
may be reared on meal-worms, ants' eggs, and white bread soaked in
milk. It is just as well not to take them till they are ready to fly.
MODE OF TAKING.--Each pair has a chosen spot, which it seldom leaves:
and they are generally seen there either on a trough, a stone, dike,
or a bush growing near; by fixing close to these places limed twigs,
to which are fastened worms, which writhe about and attract
attention, it is very easy to catch them.
As soon as one of these birds is caught and caged, he must be put in
a quiet place, be fed with earth and meal-worms, and thus be
gradually accustomed to the common food.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The song of the dipper is not disagreeable; he
has, indeed, some very sonorous strains, which in the distance and
during winter have a very good effect. He also sings in the night.
THE MISSEL THRUSH.
Turdus viscivorus, LINNÆUS; La Draine, BUFFON; Die
Misteldrossel, BECHSTEIN.
This is the largest of our thrushes, being in length eleven inches,
three and a half of which belong to the tail. The beak is one inch in
length, sharp, dark brown, with the lower base and opening yellow; the
iris is brown; the shanks an inch high, and of a pale dusky yellow. All
the upper part of the body is a brownish gray, with a reddish tint on
the lower part of the back and rump; the sides of the head and the rest
of the under part of the body are of a pale yellow, with blackish
triangular spots on the breast, and oval spots in all other parts.
The female is generally lighter in all the colours.
HABITATION.--When wild the missel thrush is found all over Europe, but
more in the north than the south. It lives in forests, especially
those of the mountains, and prefers those of fir to oak and beech. In
Thuringia it is a bird of passage, disappearing in December and
returning in the month of February, provided the weather is fine[65].
In confinement it is common to assign it a grated corner of the room
unless a cage is preferred, which must be at least three feet and a
half long, and nearly as many high, a size necessary for it to take
the exercise suited to its vivacity and petulance, without injuring
its feathers. It would be still better if it could be allowed, as
other birds of its size, an aviary or room to itself, where its
copious excrements would be less troublesome.
FOOD.--When wild it feeds on insects and earth-worms, which it finds
in abundance in fields and swamps during the spring and summer; in
autumn and winter berries of all sorts make a great addition.
In confinement it is not dainty. The two universal pastes are very
well liked, but it will put up with plain oatmeal, or even bran
moistened with water. It is thus that our bird-fanciers feed it
throughout the year, as well as many other large birds caught in
traps, which they are obliged to keep as a lure for the snare. It is
true, that if this meagre diet is sufficient to keep it alive, it
will hardly serve to enliven it and make it sing; for this purpose it
must be better fed, with bread and milk, meat, and other dishes
served at table, none of which it refuses; and it must also be
allowed to bathe, since nothing does it more good, or enlivens it so
much.
BREEDING.--Its nest, which it places higher or lower in the trees of
the forest, is formed at bottom of herb-stalks and lichens, in the
middle of earth, and in the interior of mosses, fine roots and hay:
it lays twice a year, generally each time four greenish white eggs, a
little speckled with violet and maroon. The young birds are gray
above and very much spotted under, with a wide edge of rusty yellow
on the wing feathers. Much less docile and susceptible of instruction
than the blackbird, they hardly remember any little thing which they
hear continually, but they become so familiar as to sing without
difficulty on the hand. They are fed with white bread soaked in
boiled milk.
DISEASES.--The commonest disorders of this bird, are an obstruction of
the rump gland, constipation, and atrophy[66].
MODE OF TAKING.--These birds are taken in autumn with nets and snares,
with berries for the bait, and they are caught in great numbers. They
may also be taken in February, by placing under the trees on which
the mistleto grows, perches with limed twigs. They may also be caught
in the water-traps at sunset. Those which are yellowish under the
body, being males, are chosen for confinement. During the first days
of captivity, they are savage, sulky, and often refuse to eat, so
that many perish in this way; those which are saved soon repay the
trouble by their songs and familiarity.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Perched on the top of a tree in the woods, the
missel thrush begins, in the month of February, to utter his
melancholy but musical warblings, consisting of five or six broken
strains, and continues singing for four or five months. As his song
is too loud for the sitting-room, this bird should be placed in a
large hall, or his cage should be hung outside a window. He lives in
captivity from ten to twelve years. His call very much resembles
"_iis, r, r, r_."
THE SONG THRUSH.
[Illustration]
Turdus musicus, LINNÆUS; La Grive, BUFFON; Die Singdrossel,
BECHSTEIN.
We might, with Brisson, name this bird the _small missel thrush_, so
much does it resemble the preceding in form, plumage, abode, manners,
and gait. Its length is only eight inches and a half, three and a half
of which belong to the tail. The beak is three quarters of an inch, horn
brown, the under part yellowish at the base and yellow within; the iris
is nut brown; the shanks are an inch high, and of a dingy lead-colour.
All the upper part of the body is olive brown; the throat is yellowish
white, with a black line on each side; the sides of the neck and breast
are of a pale reddish white, variegated with dark brown spots, shaped
liked a heart reversed; the belly is white, and covered with more oval
spots.
In the female the two black lines on the throat are narrower, the breast
is lighter, and of a plain yellowish white, and the reddish spots on the
wing-coverts are smaller. These slight differences make it desirable for
those whose eye is not accustomed to them, to have both sexes before
them, if they wish to learn to distinguish them.
The white variety, that with a white head, the streaked, and the
ash-coloured, are not very rare.
HABITATION.--When wild this species is spread all over Europe,
frequenting woods near streams and meadows. As soon as the autumnal
fogs appear, they collect in large flights to seek a warmer
climate[67]. The principal time of passage is from the 15th of
September to the 15th of October, and of return about the middle or
end of March; each pair then returns to its own district, and the
male warbles his hymn to spring from the same tree where he had sung
it the preceding year.
In confinement this bird is lodged like the missel thrush, and is
much more worthy of being kept, as its voice is more beautiful, its
song is more varied, and being smaller it makes less dirt.
FOOD.--When wild it lives on insects and berries, like the preceding.
In confinement, oatmeal moistened with milk is a very good food; and
it requires also a great deal of fresh water, as well for bathing as
drinking. When taken old it is often very difficult to induce these
birds to eat, and the greater number die in consequence.
BREEDING.--This species generally builds on the lower branches of
trees; the nest being pretty large, and formed of moss mixed with
earth or cow-dung. The hen lays twice a year, from three to six green
eggs, speckled with large and small dark brown spots. The first brood
is ready to fly by the end of April. The upper part of the body in
the young ones is speckled with white. By taking them from the nest
when half-grown they may be easily reared on white bread soaked in
boiled milk; and they are easily taught to perform airs. As this
thrush builds by preference in the neighbourhood of water, the nest
may be easily found by seeking it in the woods beside a stream, and
near it the male will be heard singing.
MODE OF TAKING.--This is the same as for the preceding species and the
three which follow; of all the birds for which snares are laid, those
for the thrush are most successful. A perch with a limed twig is the
best method for catching a fine-toned male. In September and October
these birds may also be caught in the water traps, where they repair
at sunrise and sunset, and sometimes so late that they cannot be
seen, and the ear is the only guide. When they enter the water haste
must be avoided, because they like to bathe in company, and assemble
sometimes to the number of ten or twelve at once, by means of a
particular call. The first which finds a convenient stream, and
wishes to go to it, cries in a tone of surprise or joy, "_sik, sik,
sik, siki, tsac, tsac, tsac_;" immediately all in the neighbourhood
reply together, and repair to the place: they enter the bath however
with much circumspection, and seldom venture till they have seen a
red-breast bathe without danger; but the first which ventures is soon
followed by the others, which begin to quarrel if the place is not
large enough for all the bathers. In order to attract them, it is a
good plan to have a tame bird running and fluttering on the banks of
the stream.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The song thrush is the great charm of our
woods, which it enlivens by the beauty of its song. The rival of the
nightingale, it announces in varied accents the return of spring, and
continues its delightful notes during all the summer months,
particularly at morning and evening twilight. It is to procure this
gratification in his dwelling that the bird-fancier rears it, and
deprives it of its liberty; and he thus enjoys the pleasures of the
woods in the midst of the city. With care and properly varied food it
may be preserved in captivity five or six years.
THE FIELDFARE.
[Illustration]
Turdus pilaris, LINNÆUS; La Litorne, ou La Tourdelle, BUFFON;
Die Wachholderdrossel, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is in size between the two preceding, its length being ten
inches, of which the tail occupies four. The beak is an inch long,
blackish at the point, otherwise yellow, as well as the opening of the
throat and the tongue. The iris is dark brown. The shanks, an inch and a
quarter high, are deep brown; the top of the head and neck, the cheeks,
the bottom of the back, and the rump, are ash gray, with some blackish
spots at the top of the head; a white line passes above the eyes; the
back is rust brown; the throat and half the breast are rusty yellow,
strewed with black heart-shaped spots; the rest of the under part of the
body is white, with blackish heart-shaped spots on the sides, and longer
ones towards the vent and tail.
In the female the upper part of the beak is browner, the head and rump
of a paler gray, the throat whitish, the back dingy rust colour, and the
feet deep brown.
Of this species there are many varieties, the white, the spotted, the
white headed, and the like.
HABITATION.--When wild this species spreads not only all over Europe,
but also over Syria and Siberia. In the summer it remains in the
northern regions, where it builds in pine forests. It arrives in
Germany and England in prodigious flights in November, and passes the
winter in places producing the juniper; its return northward takes
place in the first fine days of spring.
In confinement it is treated like the missel thrush, but it is
generally only kept as a decoy bird. Heat being injurious, it is kept
as far as possible from the stove.
FOOD.--When wild it feeds like the two preceding species.
In confinement it is fed in the same way; raw carrots grated with
bread is added, which the others like also.
MODE OF TAKING.--The same as in the two preceding species.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its song is a mere harsh disagreeable warble. I
should not have introduced it among cage birds if the lovers of
bird-catching did not in winter require its call when pursuing its
species.
THE REDWING.
[Illustration]
Turdus iliacus, LINNÆUS; Le Mauvis, BUFFON; Die Rothdrossel,
BECHSTEIN.
This species is smaller than the song thrush, and has much resemblance
to the fieldfare. Its length is eight inches, of which the tail occupies
three and a quarter. The beak is nearly an inch long, blackish, and
yellow only at the base and angles of the lower mandible; the iris is
nut-brown. The shanks are an inch high, and light gray; the feet are
yellow; the head, the upper part of the neck, the back, the rump, and
the small coverts of the wings, are olive brown. The plumage is more
brilliant than that of other thrushes, and the orange-hue under the
wings, which has procured it the name of the redwing thrush, will always
sufficiently distinguish this from those of the same genus.
The female is altogether lighter coloured. The line of the eyes is
almost white; the spots on the sides of the neck light yellow; the under
part of the body is white, the neck alone appearing yellowish; the spots
on the breast are grayish brown, and there are none about the vent. This
species also has its varieties, as white, streaked, and the like.
HABITATION.--When wild it inhabits the north of Europe; it goes to the
south only towards the end of October, and returns at the end of
March or beginning of April.
In confinement the redwing is treated like the preceding; but it is
not much valued, as its song is in no respect agreeable. It always
requires fresh water and but little warmth.
FOOD, MODE OF TAKING, DISEASES.--The same as in the preceding species.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The song of the male is as unmelodious as that
of the fieldfare. These birds make a great noise when they are
collected in large flights upon the alders, in March and April, but
their warbling hardly deserves the name of song. I have known but one
which succeeded in imitating, though very indifferently, the notes of
the song thrush and some loud tones of the nightingale. It is not
therefore their song which will gain these birds a place in the
house; but they may please by their familiarity, their patience,
their easy motions, and the readiness with which they obey orders.
Bird catchers keep them principally as decoy birds. They are good
eating.
THE ROSE OUZEL.
Turdus roseus, LINNÆUS; Le Merle Couleur de Rose, BUFFON; Die
Rosenfarbigedrossel, BECHSTEIN.
This is a bird which from its beauty certainly merits a place in this
work. Its length is nearly eight inches, of which the tail measures
three, and the beak one. This latter is black, sometimes lead-coloured,
from the base to the middle, and flesh or rose-coloured from the middle
to the point; the iris is whitish; the shanks are fourteen lines high,
lighter or darker flesh-coloured; the claws are blackish. The head,
neck, and throat, are black, with the tips of the feathers white, very
much like the starling, and changeable into green, blue, and purple; the
feathers at the top of the head are long and narrow, and rise elegantly
into a crest; the back, the rump, the shoulders, the breast, the belly,
and the sides, are of a brighter or paler rose-colour, according to the
age and season.
The female differs from the male only in being less highly and
brilliantly coloured.
HABITATION.--When wild these birds are to be met with in many parts of
Europe and Asia. The inhabitants of Aleppo and the neighbourhood see
with pleasure the arrival of large flights of them, in the months of
July and August, to extirpate the clouds of locusts which then ravage
the country. Great numbers are also seen in spring on the banks of
the Don and Irtish, where they build and find abundance of food; also
on the shores of the Caspian and the banks of the Wolga. In Europe
they appear in Sweden as far as Lapland, in England, in Germany, in
Switzerland, and France: rare indeed in all these countries, but
least so in Italy.
In confinement this bird is kept in a cage of the same size as the
blackbird's.
FOOD.--When wild this bird appears to subsist entirely on insects.
In confinement it would doubtless thrive very well on the food which
is given to the blackbird, which will be mentioned hereafter. It is
better, however, to study it a little, and find out what suits it
best.
BREEDING.--It builds among rocks; but its nest has not yet been
discovered in Europe, though some circumstances indicate that it
propagates there. In 1784, in the duchy of Altenburg, three young
ones were killed, but just out of the nest, and which consequently
could not have come from far. This fact should excite the attention
and vigilance of zealous observers.
MODES OF TAKING.--Skilful bird-catchers will soon discover the means
of catching the bird: snares and limed twigs, with grasshoppers and
other living and moving insects for bait, will probably accomplish
this end. It would be hazardous to shoot the birds in the hope of
wounding them but slightly, as is sometimes done with other birds,
which soon recover, and remain tame, if, during their recovery, they
have been well treated.
OBSERVATIONS.--A sportsman discovered, in 1794, in the environs of
Meiningen, in Suabia, a flight of eight or ten rose ouzels, moving
leisurely from south-west to north-east, and passing from one
cherry-tree to another. He fired on these birds, only one fell, which
was fortunately very slightly wounded, so that it soon quite
recovered. Being immediately carried to M. Von Wachter, the rector of
Frickenhausen, this clergyman took the greatest care of it; he gave
it a spacious cage, and found that barley-meal moistened with milk
was as wholesome as agreeable to it. His kindness tamed it in a short
time so far that it would come and take from his hand the insects
which he offered to it. It soon sang also, but its warbling consisted
at first of but a few harsh sounds, pretty well connected however,
and this became at length more clear and smooth. Connoisseurs in the
songs of birds discover in this song a mixture of many others; one of
these connoisseurs, who had not discovered the bird, but heard its
voice, thought he was listening to a concert of two starlings, two
goldfinches, and perhaps a siskin; and when he saw that it was a
single bird, he could not conceive how all this music proceeded from
the same throat. This bird was still alive in 1802, and the delight
of its possessor.
THE BLACKBIRD.
Turdus merula, LINNÆUS; Le Merle, BUFFON; Die Schwarzdrossel,
BECHSTEIN.
This species, the most docile of its genus, is nine inches and a half
long, four of which belong to the tail. The beak is an inch long, and
orange yellow; the iris is dark brown; the shanks are an inch high, and
black. The whole plumage is of a pure velvety black; the eyelids alone
are orange.
The female is of a brownish black, with the breast of a reddish hue, and
the belly grayish; the throat is spotted with dark and light brown. It
is also rather larger than the male, which has led some persons who were
not well acquainted with it to make another species of it.
The white variety is very well known; there is besides the streaked, the
black with a white head, and the pearl gray.
[Illustration: CATO'S BLACKBIRD'S CAGE]
HABITATION.--When wild the blackbird is found all over the old world,
as well as in Germany; it is the only species of its genus which does
not migrate thence.
In confinement it is kept in a large cage; it is better to keep it
separate because, whether from spite or jealousy, it is often
inclined, like the tits, to pursue and kill its little companions of
the aviary or room.
FOOD.--When wild the blackbird eats berries, and, in winter, when
insects are scarce, he seeks them near warm springs.
In confinement he is satisfied with the first universal paste, but he
also eats bread, meat, and anything which comes to table, such as a
bit of apple. More delicate than the song thrush, he would not
digest mere bran and water. He delights in bathing often, and should
therefore be furnished with the means for so doing.
BREEDING.--As the blackbird does not travel he pairs early in the
spring, and the first young are hatched by the end of March. The
nest, placed in a thick bush, or in a heap of boughs, is formed on
the outside of stalks, then of moss and mud and lined in the inside
with fine hay, hair, and wool. The female lays three times a year,
from four to six eggs, of a greenish gray, spotted and streaked with
light brown; when the young are hatched the males are always darker
than the females, therefore bird-catchers can never be mistaken when
they take the former and leave the latter. They are easily reared on
white bread soaked in boiled milk, a little raw beef, and worms
dipped in water. It is better to take them from the nest when the
quills of the feathers are just beginning to develop, because, having
then no idea of their natural song, they will retain more perfectly
and distinctly the airs which may be taught them.
DISEASES.--An obstruction in the rump gland is their most common
disorder, and must be treated in the manner described in the
Introduction. It would doubtless be prevented by never omitting to
furnish the means of bathing. With care, and a proper variety of
food, this bird will live in confinement ten or twelve years.
METHOD OF CATCHING.--Timid and distrustful, the blackbird seldom
enters the area or barn-floor trap, but it is easily caught in the
winter with a noose or springe, by using service berries for a bait.
It sometimes falls into the large traps set for tits, when the
berries are spread over the bottom; limed twigs put with the berries
in a place cleared from the snow, will catch many also; it also goes
to the water-trap, but generally at night-fall. Its call is
"_tsizirr, tak, tak_."
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The natural song of the blackbird is not
destitute of melody; but it is broken by noisy tones, and is
agreeable only in the open country. When wild it sings only from
March to July; but when caged, during the whole year, except when
moulting. Its voice is so strong and clear, that in a city it may be
heard from one end of a long street to the other. Its memory is so
good, that it retains, without mixing them, several airs at once, and
it will even repeat little sentences. It is a great favourite with
the lovers of a plaintive, clear, and musical song, and may, in these
respects, be preferred to the bullfinch, whose voice is softer, more
flute-like, but also more melancholy. The price of these two birds,
if well taught, is about the same.
THE RING BLACKBIRD.
Turdus torquatus, LINNÆUS; Merle à Plastron blanc, BUFFON; Die
Ringdrossel, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is larger than the common blackbird, being in length ten
inches and a half, four of which belong to the tail. The beak is an
inch long, raven gray, yellowish white at the base of the lower
mandible, and yellow at the angles as well as inside: the iris is
chestnut brown; the shanks dark brown, and fourteen lines high; the
upper part of the body is black; and it is the principal colour of the
under part also; but the feathers of the belly and the coverts of the
wings are edged with white; the quill-feathers, and the outside feathers
of the tail are grayish white; a white spot, tinged with red, and the
size of the finger, placed transversely on the breast, serves to
characterize the species, and gives it its name.
The female is of a brownish black; the transverse band on the breast is
narrower, and of a reddish ash-colour, shaded with brown.
Those individuals which combine the brown colour of the female with the
pectoral band, large, and of a reddish white, are young males; the
others, in which it is scarcely discernible, are young females.
OBSERVATIONS.--Though the ring blackbird traverses the whole of
Europe, it builds only in the north[68]. It arrives in Germany and
England on the foggy days of the end of October and beginning of
November. It moves always in small flights, stopping generally in
spots covered with briers and juniper bushes, where it may be caught
with a noose. Its food, when free and in confinement, is the same as
that of the common blackbird, with which it has the most striking
resemblance in its gait, the motion of its wings and tail, and its
call, "_tak_." Its voice, though hoarser and deeper, is nevertheless
more harmonious and agreeable. It is so weak that a red-breast may
overpower it. It continues singing at all times, except when
moulting. It will live in confinement from six to ten years.
THE ROCK THRUSH.
Turdus saxatilis, LINNÆUS; Le Merle de Roche, BUFFON; Die
Steindrossel, BECHSTEIN.
This rare and striking bird is unknown in many parts of Germany[69].
Though its principal characteristics place it in the genus of the
blackbird, it has more resemblance to the starling, both in its manners
and gait, which are varied and agreeable. Its length is seven inches and
a half, two and three quarters of which belong to the tail. The beak,
an inch long, and the shanks, an inch and a quarter high, are black. The
head and neck are grayish blue, or ash blue, lighter in the old, and
darker in the young birds; the top of the back is dark brown, often
varying to a lighter brown, the middle a fine white; the rump, of a dark
brown, has the feathers tipped with white; the breast is dark orange,
the belly the same; but, according to the season, more or less spotted
and undulated with white.
The female is dark brown on the upper part of the body, with edges of
whitish gray to the feathers; those of the rump are rust-colour, with
the same gray edge; the chin is white; the throat brown; the under part
of the neck, and the whole under part of the body, of a dirty orange,
with waving lines of brown and white; the tail is paler than that of the
male, and the feet are dark brown.
HABITATION.--When wild it is found in the south of Europe and Germany,
in Austria, and the Tyrol. In France, in Bugey, and more to the
south; and especially in the Alps and Pyrenees, frequenting rocks or
old ruined castles. In its migrations it visits bare rocky mountains,
searching for insects which take refuge among the stones. Its
departure is in September and its return in March.
In confinement it is furnished with a cage larger than that of the
nightingale.
FOOD.--When wild it appears to live entirely on insects.
In confinement it is fed like the nightingale; but with every care it
cannot long be preserved.
BREEDING.--The female builds her nest in an almost inaccessible
crevice of the rocks, and lays five eggs. As the young are very
susceptible of instruction, they are readily brought up when they can
be obtained[70]; they are fed and treated like young nightingales.
MODE OF TAKING.--It is by fixing to the spots they frequent plenty of
limed twigs, with meal-worms attached to them; it is said that in the
Alps and Pyrenees they are caught with a bird-call.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--It is considered one of the most agreeable
singers; and if caught young it soon acquires the songs of the other
birds of the chamber, learns to whistle tunes, and even, like the
starling, to repeat words. "It begins to sing," says Buffon, "a
little before dawn, which it announces by noisy sounds. If its cage
is approached during the night with a candle, it begins to sing; and
when, during the day, it does not sing, it appears to be practising
in an under tone, and preparing new songs."
THE SOLITARY THRUSH.
Turdus solitarius, LINNÆUS; Le Merle solitaire, BUFFON; Die
Einsame Drossel, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is eight inches and a half long, three of which belong to the
tail. The beak is an inch and a quarter long, rather crooked at the
point, dark brown without, and yellowish within; the iris is orange. The
feet are thirteen lines high, and brown. The whole plumage is brown
studded with little white spots, with a faint tint of blue on the sides
of the head, the throat, under the body, on the breast and coverts of
the wings; the rump is brown without spots, and the tail blackish.
The female differs from the male in having the little spots of a dirty
yellow, and more numerous on the breast than elsewhere, and in being
destitute of the blue tint; and finally, in having the pen-feathers and
the tail-feathers simply brown.
HABITATION.--When wild it seldom quits the mountains in the south of
Europe; in spring, however, it advances as far as Burgundy, and
returns in the end of August; it arrives, in the month of April, at
the spot where it generally passes the summer, and returns constantly
every year to the place where it first took up its abode. Two pairs
are seldom found in the same district. Except in the pairing season
it is a solitary bird.
In confinement it is furnished with a cage like that of the
blackbird.
FOOD.--When wild it feeds on insects, berries, and grapes.
In confinement it is treated like the song thrush, adding ants' eggs
and meal-worms.
BREEDING.--The nest, made of blades of grass and feathers, is
generally placed at the top of a solitary chimney, or on the summit
of an old castle, or on the top of a large tree, generally near a
steeple or high tower. The female lays five or six eggs. The young
ones, if taken from the nest soon enough, are capable of instruction;
the flexibility of the throat fitting it either for tunes or words.
They sing also by candle-light in the night. If treated with care
they live in confinement eight or ten years. From the summit of a
high tower or steeple the male utters for whole days the most
beautiful and pathetic song, accompanying it by flapping his wings,
moving his tail, and elevating the feathers of his head.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--His beautiful voice is in great repute in all
the countries he inhabits; it is, indeed, very sweet and flute-like;
his song, though musical, is somewhat melancholy, as is usual with
solitary birds; many persons, however, are very fond of it. This
bird, when tamed, fetches a very high price at Milan, Constantinople,
&c. In some countries it is so much respected that it is considered
sacrilegious to kill it or destroy its nest.
THE BLUE THRUSH.
Turdus cyaneus, LINNÆUS; Le Merle bleu, BUFFON; Die blau
Drossel, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is rather larger than the common blackbird, its length being
eight inches, three of which belong to the tail. The beak, fourteen
lines in length, is blackish, the iris dark nut brown, the eyelids
yellow; the shanks, thirteen lines in height, are blackish; the whole
plumage is of an ash blue, but each feather has near its tip a
transverse brown line, and the tip itself is whitish. The individual
birds vary in the depth of the blue, according to their age and sex.
The female is generally more uniform in colour than the male.
HABITATION.--When wild the blue thrush is found in the Archipelago, in
Dalmatia, Italy, Spain, and other southern countries, always among
steep rocks.
In confinement it is provided with a convenient cage, like the
preceding.
FOOD.--When wild it feeds on all sorts of insects.
In confinement it is fed like the nightingale.
BREEDING.--Like the rock thrush it builds among rocks, on ruined or
deserted towers, and the like. The young are reared in the same way
as those of the nightingale.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its pretty plumage and fine voice do not
constitute its only attractions. It is very easily tamed, and is very
capable of instruction, and amuses much by its natural gait and
habits, which very much resemble those of the rock thrush.
THE REED THRUSH.
Turdus arundinaceus, LINNÆUS; La Rousserole, BUFFON; Die
Rohrdrossel, BECHSTEIN.
This bird has so much resemblance to the white-throats, as to cause a
hesitation whether it should be ranged with them or with the thrush; but
the form of the beak and feet, and generally the whole colour of the
body, are in favour of the latter. The total length is at most eight
inches, four and a quarter of which belong to the tail, which is of a
rounded wedge-shape. The beak is ten lines in length, and strong,
flattish, brown at the point, yellowish at the base, and orange on the
inside; the iris is dark maroon. The shanks are an inch high, strong,
and brownish gray, blending into flesh-colour. This bird is so like the
nightingale, that if the tail were reddish it would be mistaken for it.
The top of the head and neck are dark gray, with a light olive tint; a
line of dusky yellow extends above the eyes from the nostrils to the
middle; the cheeks are brownish gray; the back and the coverts of the
wings reddish gray, which becomes lighter, and passes at the rump into
pure rust-colour.
The female differs from the male only in being smaller, rather darker on
the upper, and lighter on the lower parts of the body; the white of the
throat is less extensive, and the upper part of the head is tinged with
red.
HABITATION.--When wild it is found all over Europe, with the exception
of the most northern parts; it is a stranger in those parts of
Germany only where there are neither lakes, ponds, nor stagnant
rivers abounding with rushes; for it is always on their banks and in
large swamps that it resides, and more frequently on the ground than
in trees[71].
In confinement it is provided with a nightingale's cage.
FOOD.--When wild it feeds on aquatic insects, the enormous multitude
of which it seems intended to diminish. In order to catch these it is
continually seen climbing the stems of the rushes and reeds: it also
eats berries.
In confinement, hitherto, no food but that of the nightingale has
succeeded with it, and that even for only four or six months. It is
soon attacked by a disease which carries off great numbers of
white-throats: the feathers falling off without being renewed, the
bird declines and dies of atrophy[72].
BREEDING.--The nest is found fastened with wool to the stems of the
rushes, or the branches of neighbouring bushes. On the outside it is
formed of moss and stubble, firmly mixed, and lined on the inside
with fine hay and hair. The eggs, five or six in number, are grayish
white, spotted with black. The young, before the first moulting, have
the appearance of a white-throat, with some dark spots on the breast.
They are taken from the nest and reared, like young nightingales, on
ants' eggs; and if they are placed near this winged Orpheus, they
learn his song so well and so perfectly that they become as excellent
performers as their masters, with the additional advantage of
possessing a noise more flute-like and less shrill than that of the
nightingale.
MODE OF TAKING.--The great difficulty of catching this bird makes it
scarce in our rooms. The only means is to ascertain well the place it
frequents, then to scratch up the earth and throw upon it some
meal-worms, and cover the place with limed twigs.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--With a more beautiful and musical voice, its
song is also more varied than that of the song-thrush, without being
so long, so sustained, or so brilliant, as that of the nightingale,
with which it most deserves to be compared. Some of its couplets
resemble those of the blackcap, but broken, like those of the
song-thrush. When caged it may be much improved by imitation of the
notes of the nightingale, which the young easily copy. It is
particularly in the morning and evening that the reed-thrush utters
his beautiful warblings. Not only is his throat then in motion; his
wings, his tail, and his whole body, are agitated as if to follow the
cadence and the measure.
THE NIGHTINGALE.
[Illustration]
Motacilla Luscinia, LINNÆUS; Le Rossignol, BUFFON; Die
Nachtigall, BECHSTEIN.
This bird, whose plumage is very ordinary, is scarcely five inches long,
two and a half of which belong to the tail. But, in confinement, when it
is well fed, and especially when it has been bred from the nest, it is
commonly larger, reaching sometimes the size of a lark. The straight
beak is seven lines in length, thin, with the two mandibles of nearly
the same size, and dark brown above, light gray below, flesh-coloured at
the base, and yellow within; the iris is brownish grey. The shanks,
three quarters of an inch high, are flesh-coloured; the upper part of
the body is brownish gray, tinted with rust-red, and in very old birds
is reddish ash-coloured.
Among individuals in confinement, some are lighter, others darker. When
placed in the windows of a large well-lighted room, which is not exposed
to smoke, they are in the upper parts dark gray, or light brownish gray,
and the feathers have a reddish edge; below they are white, and grayish
on the sides. But those which are shut up in small ill-lighted rooms,
subject to smoke, soon lose their colours, the upper part of the body
becoming dingy red, the under part grayish white, and the sides brownish
gray.
Those accustomed to birds distinguish the female at a glance. Her shanks
are not so high: she is not so erect; her head is not so long and
pointed, but rounder; her neck is shorter, and more inclined back; her
eye is smaller and less lively; and her throat is not so white.
Notwithstanding these characteristics, no other than an experienced
person could decide the sex unless he had them both before him.
Nightingales so strongly resemble the female redstart, that the latter
is often caught and sold for a nightingale, while the nightingale in its
turn is killed and eaten for a redstart. To avoid mistakes, we must
observe the following particulars:--The female redstart is always
smaller, and her plumage darker: her small feet and beak are blackish;
the red of her tail is lighter, and the two middle feathers are
blackish, or very dark brown; this long slender tail is in continual
motion, while the nightingale moves his only at intervals, for example,
when he has hopped a few steps, and he generally carries it raised
higher than the point of his wings. His step and attitude are prouder,
and his actions seem more deliberate. When he walks, it is by measured
regular hops. After a certain number he stops, looks at himself, shakes
his wings, raises his tail gracefully, spreads it a little, stoops his
head several times, raises his tail again, and proceeds. If any object
attracts his attention, he bends his head towards it, and generally
looks at it with only one eye. It is true that he jumps hastily upon the
insects which constitute his food; but he does not seize them so eagerly
as other birds; on the contrary, he stops short, and seems to deliberate
whether it is prudent to eat them or not. Generally he has a serious
circumspect air, but his foresight is not proportioned to it, for he
falls readily into all the snares which are laid for him. If he once
escapes, however, he is not so easily caught again, and becomes as
cunning as any other bird. The same, indeed, may be said of all birds
pursued by man. Nightingales are called, in my opinion very unjustly,
silly and curious; for a great number of new things may be offered them
without exciting the least attention; but scratch or dig the earth, and
they approach directly, because instinct or experience tells them that
they shall there find insects, which they are very fond of. Many other
species of this group do the same thing; for instance, the blackcap and
the red-breast, without its having been mentioned. These birds do not,
however, deserve so much of our attention as the nightingale.
HABITATION.--When wild, nightingales are found throughout Europe, as
far as the north of England and the middle of Sweden: in all Asia, as
far as the temperate regions of Siberia; and in Africa on the banks
of the Nile. They every where choose for their residence places which
are shady, cool, but not cold, such as woods, thickets, and even mere
hedges in the fields. They do not go beyond the skirts of the forests
on high chains of mountains, and never stop on elevations where the
air is too keen. Groves, thick brambles, tufted bushes near fields
and meadows, are their favourite abodes. They also like gardens
planted with untrimmed elm-hedges, which are consequently thick and
bushy down to the ground. It is not true that they like watery
situations, and if they frequent them it is not for the water, but
because they generally produce thick tufted bushes. It must also be
owned that their favourite food is more constantly abundant in such
places, and if the cold destroys the insects elsewhere, plenty may
always be found in them. It is not however the less certain that the
water is not the attraction, or all would repair to its vicinity,
which experience contradicts. The fact is, that each nightingale
generally establishes himself in the place which gave him birth,
whether near the water or not, whether in an orchard or on a
mountain; and when once he has fixed on a spot, he returns to it
every year, unless the place has lost its charm or advantage. If the
wood for instance has been cut down, or has lost the thick shade,
which was its chief merit, in such circumstances he seeks in the
neighbourhood another spot more to his liking. But if, in a
considerable circuit where no change has taken place, a nightingale
is seen to establish himself in a spot which was unoccupied the
preceding year, it may be concluded that it is a young bird which was
born in the vicinity. Convenient places are so much valued, that if
the possessors die or are caught, new comers seize upon them
immediately; so that the bird which we hear to-day, is very possibly
not the same which sang yesterday in the same place. Many other
causes may also concur in producing this change of inhabitants, which
an ear well versed in the language of these birds will always
discover.
It may, perhaps, be asked why, in many places which appear so well
adapted to attract nightingales, none are found[73]. I reply that
these spots may be concealed by woods or mountains, and not lie
perceived by the nightingales in their journeys, or they may be quite
out of their route, for they have a regular one which they never
quit, because, their progress being slow, and subject to
interruptions, it is requisite that they should find on their passage
every thing necessary for their subsistence, and too cold an
atmosphere is painful to them. It may also happen that the
nightingales which formerly frequented them, may have been altogether
extirpated; and as it has been said that the young always establish
themselves in the district which gave them birth, it is by no means
surprising that they should not be chosen, at least there are many
chances against it. Rather than wait in vain for this chance, there
is a means of re-peopling such places with these charming birds. It
is only necessary to bring up some broods of young ones, and not let
them loose in the following spring till after the period of return is
elapsed; because being no longer excited by the instinct which
induces them to travel, and the instinct itself being subdued in a
great measure by their imprisoned education, they will not wander,
but will remain and propagate, provided they are not disturbed, and
will return the year following with all their family. I must not omit
to say that the young intended for this re-peopling must not be
confined in a cage, as they would lose the use of their wings, and
run the risk of perishing the first day of their liberation. As soon
as they can feed themselves, they must be allowed an entire room, in
which they may fly freely, and grow strong and bold. A sort of grove
should be formed of branches or small trees, and nature should be
imitated as much as possible also in feeding them, by throwing to
them more insects and ants' eggs than usual, to accustom them to seek
for them.
The period of the nightingale's return throughout the greater part of
Germany, is the middle of April, rarely either earlier or later[74]:
it is always when the white-thorn begins to expand its leaves.
Advancing slowly and gradually, these birds are not so likely to
suffer from bad weather as those which go straight to their
destination by one stage. In the middle of August each family
prepares to depart; this is done quietly, removing gradually, and
passing from grove to grove to the end of their journey; then it is
that these birds are caught with nooses or springes, by using
elderberries or currants for a bait. The middle of September is the
latest period at which they are seen in Germany. All then disappear
imperceptibly, so that the time they employ in the rest of their
journey is altogether unknown. Other birds, whose instinct leads them
to travel in large flights, do not so easily escape observation. If
by accident a nightingale is met with at the end of September, or in
October, it must have been delayed by some peculiar circumstance; for
instance, it may be a young one that has lost its way, or that was
hatched late, or it may be an invalid.
In confinement nightingales may be allowed to fly freely, as I have
often permitted them; but they do not then sing so well as when in a
cage, where they are less subject to interruptions, and where also
they live longer and more healthily, from being fed with more care
and regularity. The nightingale's cage, of whatever form, must not be
less than a foot and a half in length, by about one in width, and one
or more in height. The top should be made of linen or soft stuff,
that when jumping and struggling, especially when first caught, he
may not injure his head. The drinking-cup and feeding-trough are
fastened on the outside, unless it is preferred to introduce the
latter within, in the form of a drawer. The following are the best
form and proportions for a nightingale's cage, that I am acquainted
with:--Length, one foot and a half; breadth, eight inches; height,
fifteen inches in the middle; thirteen at the sides, because the roof
is arched. The sides are made of osiers about a quarter of an inch
thick; the bottom is made of the same material, but it is covered by
a drawer an inch and a quarter in depth. In order to clean it more
easily, I cover it with coarse paper, which I renew every time. The
feeding-trough is introduced on one side, with edges high enough to
prevent the bird's spilling too much of the food. In the middle of
the front of the cage, and extending from top to bottom, is a
cylindrical projection in the form of a belfry, in which is suspended
a large drinking-glass. The upper stick of the cage is confined here,
terminating in a fork, or fixed to a semi-circle, that the projection
may not be prevented from moving. This projection is made of osiers,
like the rest of the cage. The middle and lower sticks are covered
with green cloth, firmly sewed on, that the nightingale may have a
softer perch, and not have his feet so soon injured, which is very
common with imprisoned birds. The arched roof is also covered with
green stuff, which is painted that colour with oil paint, as well as
the whole of the cage. But it must be well dried, and quite free from
smell before the bird is put into it.
My reasons for preferring this cage are, first, because being small,
it occupies less room, without disadvantage to the bird or to the
apartment; second, because the size of the osiers leave small
intervals for the admission of light, and it is consequently darker;
third, because the bird can bathe without wetting his cage or his
perches: and consequently his feet remain cleaner and more healthy.
As to the situation of the cage, the prisoner's taste must be
consulted. Some nightingales dislike being in the window, and prefer
a dark corner of the room; others like the light and the sun. If it
is wished that a nightingale should sing everywhere, it is necessary,
when he is moulting, and before he resumes his song, to accustom him
to a change of place, by carrying him sometimes here, sometimes
there. Some will sing only when they are alone, while others like to
perform alternately with a neighbour; but they never sing so loud and
well when there are several in a room. Perhaps jealousy is the chief
cause of this. On these occasions, the first that begins generally
maintains the superiority; the others sing only when he stops, and
this but seldom, and in an under tone. Some are so sulky that they
will not sing at all. Some of these obstinate pouters are
occasionally, from their silence, mistaken for females, and
consequently dismissed from the room, but when they find themselves
alone they begin to sing at full stretch.
FOOD.--When wild nightingales feed on insects, especially little green
caterpillars, of which they clear the bushes and trees, small
butterflies, flies, and beetles, and the grubs of insects hid among
moss or in the earth, which are discovered by turning it up. At their
departure, towards the end of summer, they also eat elderberries and
currants.
In confinement, meal worms and fresh ants' eggs are the first things
which should be offered to birds which are just caught; in place of
these, when it is not possible to procure them, some persons prepare
a mixture of hard eggs, ox heart, and white bread, some mouthfuls of
which they force the birds to swallow, and then throw some meal worms
on the rest, to induce the nightingale to eat it; but this artificial
food is so unfit for these birds, especially at first, that it kills
the greater number. They may also be injured by forcibly opening
their delicate beak. When ants' eggs cannot be procured, it is better
to set the birds at liberty than thus to sacrifice them. Their best
food in summer is ants' eggs, to which are daily added two or three
meal worms[75]; when none of the former remain fresh they must be
supplied by dried or rather roasted ox heart and raw carrot, both
grated, and then mixed with dried ants' eggs[76]. The carrot, which
may be preserved fresh in sand in the cellar, prevents heat in the
stomach and bowels; a little lean beef or mutton minced small may
also be used sometimes; after different trials, it is in this way I
feed my nightingales. The cheapest food is very ripe elderberries,
dried and mixed with ants' eggs, in the same way as the carrots and
white bread.
Some bird-fanciers, in winter, bake a little loaf made of the flour
of peas and eggs, which they grate, moisten, and then mix with dried
ants' eggs; others, who would still be more economical, pound
poppy-seeds in a mortar to express the oil, and then mix them with
the crumb of white bread; when accustomed to it the birds seem very
fond of it, but a proof that it does not agree with them is that they
soon fall into a decline and die. This plan has lately been
introduced into Thuringia; but knowing, as I do from experience, that
the stomach of the nightingale is not formed to digest such food,
since he is not graminivorous, I take care never to administer it;
and I think I ought to warn others against it. The best will always
be the simplest, and that which is most conformable to nature. Those
who adopt that which I have mentioned will have the satisfaction of
finding their nightingales healthy, cheerful, active, and good
singers.
I have already said that I have tried letting them run about the
room, feeding them upon the common universal paste; but this food is
not sufficiently nutritious for them: on this diet they can hardly
pass six months without falling into a decline, and they would
inevitably perish if they were not speedily restored to one which is
fitter for them. They require fresh water every day, as well for
bathing as drinking; they habitually bathe, when caged, after
singing. They have also been observed to do so the first thing in the
evening, when the candles were lighted.
BREEDING.--Each nightingale has his little district; and if in the
pairing season several males are found together, very angry battles
take place, which end in the flight of the weakest. The commonest
quarrels of this kind are between fathers and sons. The latter,
having been born in the place, determine to fix themselves in it; all
feeling of relationship is then extinguished, and they are strangers;
the relations of father and son, those sweet ties, hitherto so close,
are suddenly broken, never more to be felt.
The nest is built in a grove or orchard, among a heap of branches, or
on a thorn bush, or the trunk of a tree surrounded by briars; or even
on the ground when it may be hid by tall grass or thick bushes. Its
form is simple and inartificial, on the outside dry leaves, on the
inside hay, fine roots, with the hair of animals, is all the
apparatus. The female lays from four to six eggs, of a brownish
green, on which she sits a fortnight. The young are fed with small
caterpillars and butterflies. As the low position of the nest exposes
them to become the prey of carnivorous quadrupeds, they soon quit it,
even before they can fly. Their plumage before moulting has no
resemblance to that of the old birds except the red of the tail; the
upper part of the body is of a reddish grey, spotted with yellowish
white on the head and coverts of the wings; the under part is of a
rusty yellow, spotted on the breast with dark brown; but after
moulting the resemblance is so perfect that they can hardly be
distinguished. If, therefore, any of these birds are caught towards
the end of summer, they are carefully examined on the back of the
head, round the eyes, and under the beak and neck, for, provided
there remains in these places a small feather, or mere yellow point,
it is sufficient to ascertain that they are young. As these are the
only means of judging, if no marks appear, it is necessary to wait
for a few days till the bird begins to sing. This, however, is not a
sure sign, as the young females sing as well as the males, till the
month of April, though in a weaker and more unconnected way, and
without so visibly swelling their throats: it is by these nice
observations that connoisseurs succeed in distinguishing them. It may
also be remarked, as a help to those who wish to rear nightingales,
that, when in the nest, those which are marked with white, and
especially those which have a white throat, are males; the reddest
and brownest being always females. The young, when taken, are fed
with ants' eggs mixed with white bread, grated and moistened. The
males begin to warble even before their tails are quite grown: if the
father and mother are taken at the same time as the young ones, they
will, when caged, continue to feed them as before. It is said that
nightingales sometimes build in the bird room; this, however, can
only succeed by giving up to a tame healthy pair a whole room, in
which a sort of grove should be formed of branches.
DISEASES.--In general moulting amounts to a disease among
nightingales: at this critical time they require a more succulent
diet, and sometimes a spider by way of purgative. If their stomach is
disordered they puff up their feathers, half shut their eyes, and
remain for hours with their head under their wing. They are relieved
and cured by ants' eggs, some spiders, and by giving them
occasionally water impregnated with saffron till it is of an orange
colour, to drink.
As to those diseases which they have in common with other birds, they
are treated according to the directions given in the Introduction. It
is especially necessary, every three months, carefully to remove the
large scales from their legs and toes. A nightingale may be kept in
confinement fifteen years; whilst in a wild state they are never
observed to exist so long in the same spot, which seems to prove that
they do not attain so great an age when exposed to all sorts of
accidents, both from birds of prey and bird-catchers. I have an
instance of a nightingale which has lived twenty-five years in
confinement. When they have reached six years they begin to sing less
frequently and long, with less brilliancy and ornament; it is then
better to set them at liberty in the month of May. The open air often
invigorates them so much that they regain their song in all its force
and beauty.
MODE OF TAKING.--Nothing is easier than to catch a nightingale in the
season of pairing. If a little furrow, smooth at the bottom, is dug
in a dark soil, and some meal worms or ants' eggs are thrown into it,
he will immediately fly to these delicacies. By putting also in the
same place limed twigs, or a small net which may be easily dropped,
he will soon be caught; it is even sufficient to fix over the furrow
a bit of wood supported by a stick, which will fall as soon as the
bird perches upon it. He is so unsuspicious that he observes the
snare being laid, and then foolishly falls into it, when the
bird-catcher has moved only a few steps from it; he will even allow
himself to be led to it when at a little distance, if in a gentle
manner. A bird-catcher may thus, in a few hours, depopulate a whole
district of these delightful songsters. If, however, this is feared,
there is a means of baffling his intentions, by anticipating him, and
catching the nightingale we wish to preserve in our neighbourhood,
either by a limed twig or in a net, and letting him go again. This
experiment will prevent his falling so readily into the snare in
future. In the greater part of Germany, indeed, it is forbidden,
under a very heavy penalty, to catch nightingales. Another mode of
taking them is by nooses and springes, and suspending for a bait,
instead of berries, live meal-worms; but there is one disadvantage
attending it, while struggling the bird almost always injures his
feet, especially in springes.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The first good quality of a nightingale is
undoubtedly its fine voice, and notes which I shall endeavour to
describe. The nightingale expresses his different emotions by
suitable and particular tones. The most unmeaning cry when he is
alone appears to be a simple whistle _fitt_, but if the syllable
_crr_ is added, it is then the call of the male to the female. The
sign of displeasure or fear is _fitt_ repeated rapidly and loudly
before adding the terminating _crr_; whilst that of satisfaction and
pleasure such, for example, as conjugal endearments, or on the
occasion of finding a delicate morsel, is a deep _tack_, which may be
imitated by smacking the tongue.
In anger, jealousy, rivalry, or any extraordinary event, he utters
hoarse disagreeable sounds, somewhat like a jay or a cat. Lastly, in
the season of pairing, when the male and female entice and pursue
each other, from the top of a tree to its base, and thence again to
the top, a gentle subdued warbling is all that is heard.
Nature has granted these tones to both sexes; but the male is
particularly endowed with so very striking a musical talent, that in
this respect he surpasses all birds, and has acquired the name of the
king of songsters. The strength of his vocal organ is indeed
wonderful; and it has been found that the muscles of his larynx are
much more powerful than those of any other bird. But it is less the
strength than the compass, flexibility, prodigious variety, and
harmony of his voice which make it so admired by all lovers of the
beautiful. Sometimes dwelling for minutes on a strain composed of
only two or three melancholy tones, he begins in an under voice, and
swelling it gradually by the most superb crescendo to the highest
point of strength, he ends it by a dying cadence; or it consists of a
rapid succession of more brilliant sounds, terminated, like many
other strains of his song, by some detached ascending notes.
Twenty-four different strains or couplets may be reckoned in the song
of a fine nightingale, without including its delicate little
variations; for among these, as among other musicians, there are some
great performers and many middling ones. This song is so articulate,
so speaking, that it may be very well written. The following is a
trial which I have made on that of a nightingale in my neighbourhood,
which passes for a very capital singer[77]:--
_Tioû, tioû, tioû, tioû.
Spe, tiou, squa.
Tiô, tiô, tiô, tiô, tio, tio, tio, tix.
Coutio, coutio, coutio, coutio.
Squô, squô, squô, squô.
Tzu, tzu, tzu, tzu, tzu, tzu, tzu, tzu, tzu, tzi.
Corror, tiou, squa, pipiqui.
Zozozozozozozozozozozozo, zirrhading!
Tsissisi, tsissisisisisisisis.
Dzorre, dzorre, dzorre, dzorre, hi.
Tzatu, tzatu, tzatu, tzatu, tzatu, tzatu, tzatu, dzi.
Dlo, dlo, dlo, dlo, dlo, dlo, dlo, dlo, dlo.
Quio, tr rrrrrrrr itz.
Lu, lu, lu, lu, ly, ly, ly, ly, liê, liê, liê, liê[78].
Quio, didl li lulylie.
Hagurr, gurr quipio!
Coui, coui, coui, coui, qui, qui, qui, qui, gai, gui, gui, gui[79]
Goll goll goll goll guia hadadoi.
Couigui, horr, ha diadia dill si!
Hezezezezezezezezezezezezezezezeze couar ho dze hoi.
Quia, quia, quia, quia, quia, quia, quia, quia, ti.
Ki, ki, ki, ïo, ïo, ïo, ioioioio ki.
Lu ly li le lai la leu lo, didl ïo quia.
Kigaigaigaigaigaigaigai guiagaigaigai couior dzio dzio pi._[80]
If we could understand the sense of these words, we should doubtless
discover the expression of the sensations of this delightful
songster. It is true that the nightingales of all countries, the
south as well as the north, appear to sing in the same manner; there
is, however, as has been already observed, so great a difference in
the degree of perfection, that we cannot help acknowledging that one
has a great superiority over another. On points of beauty, however,
where the senses are the judges, each has his peculiar taste. If one
nightingale has the talent of dwelling agreeably on his notes,
another utters his with peculiar brilliancy, a third lengthens out
his strain in a particular manner, and a fourth excels in the
silveriness of his voice. All four may excel in their style, and each
will find his admirer; and, truly, it is very difficult to decide
which merits the palm of victory. There are, however, individuals so
very superior as to unite all the beauties of power and melody; these
are generally birds of the first breed, which, having been hatched
with the necessary powers, in a district well peopled with
nightingales, appropriate what is most striking in the song of each,
whence results this perfect compound, so worthy of our admiration. As
the return of the males in spring always precedes that of the females
by seven or eight days, they are constantly heard to sing before and
after midnight, in order to attract their companions on their journey
during the fine nights. If their wishes are accomplished they then
keep silence during the night, and salute the dawn with their first
accents, which are continued through the day. Some persist in their
first season in singing before and after midnight, whence they have
obtained the name of nocturnal nightingales; but they cannot be
distinguished till after some time, when they are established in
their district, and have the society of their females. After repeated
experiments for many successive years, I think I am authorised in
affirming that the nocturnal and diurnal nightingales form distinct
varieties, which propagate regularly: for if a young bird is taken
from the nest of a night singer, he, in his turn, will sing at the
same hours as his father, not the first year, but certainly in the
following[81]; while, on the other hand, the young of a day
nightingale will never sing in the night, even when it is surrounded
by nocturnal nightingales. I have also remarked that the night
singers prefer mountainous countries, and even mountains themselves,
whilst the others prefer plains, valleys, and the neighbourhood of
water. I will also venture to affirm that all the night singers found
in the plains have strayed from the mountains; thus in my
neighbourhood, inclosed in the first chains of the mountains of
Thuringia, we hear only night singers, and in the plains of Gotha
they know only the day nightingale.
It is a pity that the time for this delightful bird's song should be
so short, that is to say, when wild. It endures hardly three months;
and during this short interval it is not maintained with equal power.
At its first arrival it is the most beautiful, continued, and
impassioned; when the young are hatched, it becomes more rare; the
attentions which they require occupying considerable time. If from
time to time the nightingale's song is heard, it is evident that the
fire which animated it is much weakened. After midsummer all is
ended, nothing is heard but the warbling of the young, which seem to
study their father's song, and try to imitate it. The nightingale
sings much longer in confinement: birds which are caught full grown
sometimes sing from November to Easter; those which are bred from the
nest sing much longer, sometimes as long as seven months; but in
order that they may sing well they must be put under the instruction
of an old nightingale which is a good singer, otherwise they will be
only stammerers, mutilating their natural song, and inserting in a
confused manner tones and passages which they have caught from other
birds. If, however, they have a good instructor, and a good memory,
they imitate perfectly, and often add to their instructor's song some
beauties of their own, as is usual among young birds[82].
I cannot help here mentioning the cruel and disgusting selfishness of
some men, who, in order a little to prolong the song of this
interesting bird, sacrifice to their transient gratification its
eyes, by blinding it, as is done to the lark and the chaffinch.
It is said that a nightingale and a female red-breast running free in
the room will sometimes pair, and produce mules, but I have no
experience on this subject.
I cannot better complete my account of the nightingale's song than by
transcribing the delightful, though somewhat exaggerated picture,
which has been given of it by Buffon. "There is no well organised
man," says he, "to whom the name of the nightingale does not recall
some one of those fine nights in spring, when the sky being clear,
the air calm, all nature silent, and as it were attentive, he has
listened with delight to the song of this chorister of the woods.
Several singing birds may be named whose voices in some respects may
compete with that of the nightingale; the lark, the canary, the
greenfinch, the blackcap, the linnet, the goldfinch, the common
blackbird, the solitary thrush, the American mocking-bird, are all
listened to with pleasure when the nightingale is silent: some have
fine tones, others have their voice as clear as it is soft, others
have as fine flourishes, but there is not one which the nightingale
does not surpass in the complete union of all these different
talents, and in the prodigious variety of his songs; so that the song
of each of the above-named birds is, when taken in its whole extent,
only one couplet of that of the nightingale. The nightingale always
charms, and never copies himself servilely; if he repeats any passage
it is animated with a new accent, embellished by new ornaments. He
succeeds in all styles, he renders all expressions, he seizes all
characters, and he also augments their effect by contrast. If this
Coryphæus of the spring prepares to sing a hymn to nature, he begins
by a timid prelude, by faint uncertain sounds, as if he would try his
instrument and interest his audience; then gaining courage he becomes
gradually animated, warmed, and he soon displays in their plenitude
all the resources of his incomparable organ, brilliant bursts, lively
delicate trills, volleys of notes whose distinctness equals their
volubility; an internal dull murmur, not itself pleasing to the ear,
but very fit to enhance the brilliancy of the agreeable strains,
sudden, brilliant, and rapid runs, articulated with strength, and
even a tasteful ruggedness, plaintive accents, tender cadences;
sounds dwelt on without art, but swelling with sentiment;
enchantingly penetrating notes, the true sighs of voluptuousness and
love, which seem to come from the heart, and make all hearts
palpitate; which produce in all who are not insensible a delightful
emotion, a touching languor. In those impassioned tones are
recognised the language of sentiment which a happy husband addresses
to his beloved partner, and which she alone can inspire; while in
other strains, more surprising perhaps, but less expressive, are
discovered the simple wish of amusing and pleasing her, or of
disputing before her the prize of singing with rivals jealous of his
glory and happiness.
"These different strains are interspersed with pauses which in all
styles of melody concur in producing great effects. We dwell on the
beautiful notes we have just heard, and which still resound in our
ears; we enjoy them the more because the pleasure is more limited,
more exclusive, and undisturbed by new sensations. Soon we expect, we
desire another strain; we hope it may be pleasing; if we are
mistaken, the beauty of what we hear will not leave us room to regret
that which is only delayed, and the interest of hope is maintained
for the strains which will follow. One of the reasons why the song of
the nightingale is so striking, and produces so much effect, is, as
Mr. Barington has well said, because he sings in the night, which is
the most favourable time, and he sings alone, whereby his voice is
heard in all its splendour, and is undisturbed by any other voice. He
eclipses all other birds, adds Mr. Barington, by his soft flute-like
tones, and by the uninterrupted duration of his warble, which lasts
sometimes for twenty seconds. The same observer reckoned in this
warble sixteen different strains, well marked by their first and
last notes, the intermediate notes being tastefully varied by the
bird; and he ascertained that the space filled by the nightingale's
voice is no less than an English mile in diameter, especially when
the air is calm: this equals the compass of the human voice.
"It is surprising that so small a bird, which weighs only half an
ounce, should have such force in the vocal organs. Mr. Hunter has
observed that the muscles of the larynx, or gullet, are stronger in
proportion, in this species, than in any other, and also stronger in
the male which sings, than in the female which does not sing.
"Aristotle, and Pliny after him, say, that the song of the
nightingale lasts in all its strength for fifteen days and fifteen
nights uninterruptedly, at the time that the trees are putting forth
their leaves; this can refer only to wild nightingales, and must not
be taken literally; for these birds are not silent either before or
after the period fixed by Aristotle. It is true they do not continue
to sing with so much ardour and constancy. They generally begin in
the month of April, and do not completely end till the month of June,
about the time of the solstice; but the time when their song
diminishes most, is when the young are hatched, because they are then
occupied in feeding them, and in the order of instincts, that which
tends to the preservation of the species is pre-eminent. Captive
nightingales continue to sing for nine or ten months, and their song
is sustained not only for a longer time, but it is more perfect and
studied. Hence Mr. Barington infers, that in this species, and in
many others, the male does not sing to amuse the female, and enliven
her fatigue when sitting; which appears a very just and probable
inference. Indeed, the female when she sits performs her office from
an instinct, or rather a passion, stronger in her than even the
passion of love; she finds in it an internal satisfaction of which we
can form no idea, but which she appears to feel sensibly, and we
cannot therefore suppose that at such moments she is in any want of
consolation. Since then it is neither from duty nor virtue that the
female sits, neither is it on that account that the male sings:
indeed he does not sing during the second incubation. It is love, and
especially the first season of love, which inspires the song of the
bird; it is in spring that they experience the want both to love and
to sing; it is the males which have most desire, and it is they who
sing the most. They continue to sing during the greater part of the
year if we preserve around them a perpetual spring, which incessantly
renews their ardour, without affording an occasion for extinguishing
it; this happens to caged nightingales, and even, as it has been
already mentioned, to those which have been taken full grown. Some
have been known to begin to sing with all their strength a few hours
after being caught. They must, however, have been insensible of their
loss of liberty at first. They would starve the first seven or eight
days if they were not fed, and would injure their heads against the
top of the cage if their wings were not tied; but at last the passion
for singing prevails, because it is produced by a still deeper
passion.
"The songs of other birds, the sounds of instruments, the tones of a
sweet sonorous voice, excite them much. They run, they approach,
attracted by the sweet sounds; but duets attract them still more
powerfully, which would seem to prove that they are sensible to the
effects of harmony. They do not continue silent auditors, they join
the performance, and use all their efforts to eclipse their rivals,
to surpass all the other voices, and even all other sounds. It is
said that they have been known to drop down dead at the feet of a
person singing. Another has been seen fluttering, swelling his
throat, and uttering an angry warble every time a canary which was
near him, began to sing; he succeeded by his threats in imposing
silence, so true is it, that superiority is not always free from
jealousy. Can it be in consequence of the passion for pre-eminence,
that these birds are so careful to seize every advantage, and that
they prefer singing in a place favourable to sound, or within reach
of an echo?
"All nightingales do not sing equally well. Some are so very inferior
as not to be worth keeping. It has even been thought that the song of
the nightingale is different in different countries. In England,
those who are curious respecting these birds, prefer, it is said,
those of the county of Surrey, to those of Middlesex; as they prefer
the greenfinch of Essex, and the goldfinch of Kent. This diversity of
song among birds of the same species has very rationally been
compared to the different dialects of the same language. The true
causes can hardly be assigned, as they are for the most part
accidental. A nightingale may perhaps have heard other singing birds,
or emulation may have caused him to perfect his song, which he thus
transmits improved to his descendants, for every father is the
singing master of his family; and it is easy to perceive that in
succeeding generations the song may be still further improved or
modified by similar accidents.
"After the month of June, the nightingale sings no more, and he
retains only a hoarse cry, a sort of croaking, by which the melodious
Philomel cannot be recognised, and it is not surprising that
formerly, in Italy, they gave him a different name under these
circumstances. He is indeed another bird, a bird altogether different
in respect of voice, and even, in a great degree, in respect of the
colour of his plumage.
"Among nightingales, as well as other species, some females are found
participating in the constitution of the male, his habits, and
especially in his musical powers. I have seen, in confinement, one of
these female singers. Her warble resembled that of the male, but was
neither so strong nor so varied. She preserved it till spring; but
then subduing the exercise of her talent to the natural duties of her
sex, she became silent, in order to build her nest, and to lay,
though she was solitary. It appears that, in warm countries, such as
Greece, it is very common to see these female singers, and respecting
this species and many others we may draw the same inference from a
passage of Aristotle. One would hardly imagine that so varied a song
as that of the nightingale is confined within a single octave; this
is, however, the result of the attentive observations of a man of
taste (M. le docteur Remond). He remarked, indeed, some sharp tones
which formed the double octave, and which were emitted like
lightning; but this happens rarely, and when the bird by a powerful
effort of the gullet raises his voice to the octave.
"The same observer discovered shakes on the third, fourth, and
octave, but always from sharp to flat; cadences, generally in the
minor, on almost every note; but no arpeggios, no coherent design."
Independent of these talents, the nightingale possesses a quality
very likely to augment the number of his friends; he is capable,
after some time, of forming attachments. When once he has made
acquaintance with the person who takes care of him, he distinguishes
his step before seeing him; he welcomes him by a cry of joy; and,
during the moulting season, he is seen making vain efforts to sing,
and supplying by the gaiety of his movements, and the expression of
his looks, the demonstrations of joy which his throat refuses to
utter. When he loses his benefactor, he sometimes pines to death; if
he survives it is long before he is accustomed to another[83]. His
attachments are long, because they are not hasty, as is the case with
all wild and timid dispositions.
THE GREATER NIGHTINGALE.
[Illustration]
Motacilla Luscinia major, LINNÆUS; Le Grand Rossignol, ou La
Progné[84], BUFFON; Der Sprosser, BECHSTEIN.
Naturalists make this bird only a variety, or at most, only a species of
the common nightingale; but I find points of difference so numerous and
so striking, that I think it right to make it a distinct species. 1. It
is larger by an inch and a half in length, being six inches and a half,
of which the tail, also half an inch longer, occupies two and
three-quarters; 2. The head is larger, and the beak is thicker; 3. The
colours are different; 4. The song is different. With respect to gait,
manner, habits, and the like, it is true there is a resemblance, which
exists, however, only in common with the white-throats, and the
blackcap, which have never been considered as varieties of the
nightingale.
The upper part of the body is a dusky brownish grey; the throat is white
bordered with black; the breast is brown, with darker spots; the belly
dirty white; the wings are deep brown, edged with dirty red; the tail
and its upper large coverts dirty maroon, deeper than in the common
nightingale; the whole plumage, in short, is generally and in all parts
deeper and darker.
OBSERVATIONS.--The difference in the song is very remarkable. The
greater nightingale has a much stronger, louder, and deeper voice;
but it sings more slowly and more unconnectedly; it has not that
astonishing variety, those charming protractions, and harmonious
conclusions of the common nightingale; it mutilates all the strains;
and, on this account, its song has been compared to the
missel-thrush, to which, however, it is superior in softness and
pureness. The common nightingale is superior in delicacy and variety,
but inferior in force and brilliancy. The greater nightingale sings
generally in the night, so that it is the real night-singer; while
among nightingales this is rather uncommon. Its voice is so loud that
it is almost impossible to bear it in a room. It is necessary to keep
it always outside the window, either by hanging its cage there, or by
opening from it a sort of passage into which it can remove.
Its call is also very different; _hi! glack arrr!_ It seems also to
pronounce _David, Jacob_, and generally begins its song by the latter
word. If the song is complete, it consists of the following strains:--
_Guia, gu, gu, gu.
Hajai, hajai, dzu, dzu, dzu, dzu.
Gorgué, guéguéguéguéguéh,
Hoa goigoigoi gui.
Dzicka, dzicka, dzicka.
Davitt, davitt, davitt.
Gogock, gogock.
Guedum, guedum, guedum, guedum, gueï!
Gai, goi, goi, goi, guirrrr.
Golka, golka, golka, golk.
Hia, guiaguiaguiaguia.
Glockglockglockglockglockglock.
Gueai, gueaigueai gui!
Goi, guaguaguagua guagui.
Heid, heid, heid, heid hi.
Voi dada! voi dada!
Gai, gai, gai, gai, guirr, guirr.
Hoi, gueguegue gui.
Hoi goi._
This bird is not found in any part of Thuringia. There are some in
Silesia, Bohemia, Pomerania, near Wittenberg, Halle, and Dessau; but
in Austria, Hungary, and Poland, they are in some districts more
abundant than the common nightingale[85]. They generally settle among
the bushes of the hills and plains, and especially near rivers. When
caged they are fed like nightingales. They are less delicate,
however, and live much longer.
They are chiefly brought from Vienna to Thuringia, whence they have
the name of Vienna Nightingales. Some people make a business of
fetching them from Hungary, in the beginning of April, where they buy
them cheap, in order to sell them very dear, in Saxony and other
remote provinces. Those from Hungary are preferred to the Polish. A
distinguishing characteristic is, that they first pronounce the
_davitt_ or _jacob_ only once when they call; while the second repeat
_davitt_ many times in succession.
At Thorn, and all along the Vistula, where the common and the large
nightingale equally abound, the latter is called the Polish
Nightingale, and the former, the Nightingale of Saxony. The nest of
the greater nightingale is built like that of the nightingale; but
the eggs are larger, and of an olive brown, with dark shades.
These birds are caught like nightingales; their diseases, also, are
similar; but they appear to suffer still more when moulting; they
become dull and ill, and often die under it. It is usual to give them
at this crisis some spiders, and the grubs which gnaw wood; what,
however, after many experiments, appears most salutary, is the Golden
Tincture of Halle[86], one or two drops of which are poured into the
drinking-trough.
THE BLACKCAP.
Sylvia atricapilla, BECHSTEIN; La Fauvette à tête noire,
BUFFON; Die schwarzköpfige Grasmücke, BECHSTEIN.
This distinguished singer among birds, bears, in Germany, the name of
_Monk_, or _Moor_, from the black or brown cap which covers the top of
his head. These two colours have led some to divide them into two
species, but it is quite certain that they only designate the sex; the
black marking the male, and the brown the female. Its length is five
inches and five-sixths, two and a half of which belong to the tail. The
beak is five lines in length, formed like that of the nightingale, and
is of a brownish blue, with the edges of the lower base and the interior
of a yellowish white; the iris maroon; the feet ten lines high, are dark
ash-colour; all the top of the head is black; the cheeks and upper part
of the neck are light ash-colour; the upper part of the body, as well as
the coverts of the wings, ash-colour, tending to olive; the under part
of the body is light grey, fading to white under the belly and breast;
the sides and thighs are the same colour as the back; the under coverts
of the tail and wings are speckled gray and white; the pen-feathers and
tail-feathers are dark brown, edged with the colour of the back.
The female is rather larger; her cap is reddish brown; the upper part of
her body reddish grey, tending to olive; the cheeks and throat are light
grey; the breast, the sides, and the thighs, are light grey, varying to
light olive; the belly is reddish white.
The silky plumage of this bird is so delicate and frail, that it is rare
to see one in confinement, whether hopping freely, or caged, which has
not its tail or its wings disfigured.
HABITATION.--When wild, this bird is found throughout Europe,
inhabiting woods and orchards, or their vicinity; it particularly
loves thick copse-wood. In September it leaves our climate, and
returns about the middle of April, to enliven our woods by its
brilliant and well supported song.
In confinement, when it is allowed to hop about, it is provided with
a branch, or a roost furnished with several sticks, because it walks
with difficulty, and prefers perching, on which account a cage is
better adapted to it. At the time for departure, these birds, urged
by the instinct to travel, are much agitated, especially in the
night, by moonlight. The desire to rove is so strong, that they often
fall ill and die.
FOOD.--When wild, the blackcap feeds on small caterpillars,
butterflies, flies, in short, of all kinds, on insects and their
grubs; in time of need, on berries and fruits also[87].
In confinement this bird does very well on the universal paste, with
which a little bruised hemp seed is mixed, and occasionally meal
worms, ants' eggs, or insects. In summer and autumn he is supplied
with elderberries, and they are also dried, in order that he may
have some in winter, soaked in water, which is found very good for
his health. He is a great eater, and when at liberty in the bird room
partakes of everything, meat, bread, and even vegetables. As he is
generally caught in the autumn he is soon accustomed to artificial
food, by having elderberries and meal worms mixed with it for several
successive days. He is fond of bathing, and must be always well
supplied with fresh water.
BREEDING.--This species generally lays but once a year, occasionally
twice, and even thrice. His nest, placed near the ground, generally
in a hedge or bush of white-thorn, is hemispherical, solid, and well
built; the outside of stalks, deserted cocoons, and stubble, the
inside of fine soft hay, mixed with hair. It contains from four to
six eggs, of a yellowish white mottled with yellow and spotted with
brown. The young are fed with small caterpillars, insects, and
currants; those which are brought up by hand are fed with white bread
and milk. The charming tone of their voice gives to their own song,
as well as to that of the nightingale and canary, which they easily
learn to imitate, a sweetness and grace which are enchanting. Before
moulting there is so little difference between the young males and
females that it requires great skill to distinguish them, for the cap
of the former is only a slight shade darker of olive brown, and the
back a greyish brown, rather more tinted with olive; but on the first
moulting the head of the male begins to blacken first behind the
beak, while that of the female retains its original colour, except
that it becomes more bright and distinct. When it is wished to
ascertain the sex of these young birds, the best plan is to pull out
a few brown feathers from the head; if it is a male, black ones will
come up in their place, and thus there will be no danger of taking
females by mistake; these, however, would soon be known, because the
males begin to warble as soon as they are able to fly and feed
themselves.
DISEASES.--The blackcap is subject to the same diseases as the
nightingale, but is more frequently attacked by decline. As soon as
the symptoms appear he must be fed with a great many meal worms and
ants' eggs, and his drinking water must be impregnated with iron, by
putting a nail into it. Those which are left to run about the room
are apt to lose their feathers. Under such circumstances they must be
caged, and exposed to the warmth of the sun or the fire; they must be
well fed, especially with the food given to nightingales; these
methods generally restore them, and their feathers are gradually
renewed. A tepid bath, repeated for two or three days, is very likely
to help their development. In epileptic or paralytic attacks I make
them swallow, with great success, two or three drops of olive oil; I
lately had the pleasure of seeing the success of this remedy on a
bird of this species suffering from an apoplectic fit, and which
dragged his little paralysed foot about the room where he lived
uncaged; he is now quite recovered, very gay, and active; his song
was never before so delightful to me. These birds generally live in
captivity as long as nightingales.
MODES OF TAKING.--Every taste but that of the palate must be destroyed
if this charming bird is caught for the table. Besides, it is by no
means numerous; but if it is desired as an ornament to the house,
snares baited with currants must be laid for it in July and August,
the greatest care being taken to save the feet, which are very likely
to be broken. Patience is very necessary in order to succeed, for it
is a very suspicious bird, approaching slowly, and falling into the
snare only when pressed by hunger. The same suspicious disposition
causes it to repair with repugnance to the water trap, though in
other situations it delights in water, and often bathes. If it
perceives anything unusual it will remain for hours without
approaching, and will pass twenty times by currants which are hung up
as a bait without touching them, though very greedy of this food; but
if it sees another bird bathe, or drink, it takes courage, and soon
falls into the trap. The young, before moulting, still foolish and
inexperienced, are more careless, and may be taken in great numbers
in autumn; and in the spring they are as easy to catch as the
nightingale, by means of a net or limed twigs, in a place cleared
from moss and turf, and baited with meal worms and ants' eggs.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--It is perhaps a sufficient eulogium to say that
this bird rivals the nightingale, and many persons even give it the
preference. If it has less volume, strength, and expression, it is
more pure, easy, and flute-like in its tones, and its song is perhaps
more varied, smooth, and delicate. It sings also for a much longer
period, both when wild and in confinement, its song being hardly
suspended throughout the year by day, and prolonged, like that of the
nightingale, far into the night, though begun at dawn. The female
sings also, but in a more limited degree, very much like the
red-breast, which has caused it to be mistaken for a particular
species with a redcap. The call is a sort of smart "_tack_," repeated
quickly several times. The sudden view of an unknown object, or of an
imminent danger, makes it utter a hoarse disagreeable cry of fear,
very like a cat when hurt[88].
THE FAUVETTE.
Sylvia hortensis, LATHAM; La Fauvette, BUFFON; Die graue
Grasmücke, BECHSTEIN.
The length of this bird is five inches, two and a half of which belong
to the tail. The beak, five lines in length, and formed as in the
preceding, is brown below, light lead-colour above, and whitish within;
the iris is brownish grey; the feet, nine lines high, are strong, and
lead-colour; the upper part of the body is reddish grey, tinted slightly
with olive brown; the cheeks are darker, and round the eyes whitish; the
under part of the body, including the breast and sides, is light reddish
grey; the belly is white as far as the under coverts of the tail, which
are tinged with reddish grey; the knees are grey; the pen-feathers and
tail-feathers are brownish grey, edged with the colour of the back, and
spotted with white at the tips; the under coverts of the wings are
reddish yellow.
The female differs only in having the under part of the body, as far as
the breast, of a lighter colour.
HABITATION.--When wild, this bird, which is found all over Europe,
appears to prefer the groves and bushes which skirt the forests, as
well as orchards in their vicinity. He arrives some days before the
nightingale, and departs at the end of September.
In confinement he is treated like the blackcap, and, being more
delicate, must be furnished with a cage.
FOOD.--When wild the fauvette feeds on small caterpillars and the
other little insects which are found on the bushes, where he is
continually searching for them, uttering at the same time the
sweetest and softest song. After midsummer he appears very fond of
cherries; he eats the pulp up to the stone, and this causes his beak
to be at this season always stained; he also likes red currants and
elderberries.
In confinement he is so great an eater that if he is not caged he
hardly ever quits the feeding-trough of the nightingale. Though he is
more easily tamed than the blackcap, he seldom survives more than two
or three years, and the artificial food is no doubt the cause. He
appears very fond of the universal paste; but I have often observed
that it causes the feathers to fall off to so great a degree that he
becomes almost bare, and then I think he dies of cold rather than
from any other cause[89].
BREEDING.--The nest of the fauvette, placed in a hedge or bush of
white-thorn, at about three feet above the ground, is well built on
the outside with blades of grass and roots, and inside with the
finest and softest hay, very seldom with moss. The edges are fastened
with spiders' webs and dry cocoons. The female lays four or five
eggs, of a yellowish white, spotted all over with light ash grey and
olive brown. The young, which are hatched after fifteen days'
sitting, are no sooner fledged than they jump out of the nest the
moment it is approached.
DISEASES.--They are the same as in the blackcap; but the fauvette is
still more subject to the loss of its feathers. It fattens so fast
upon the first universal paste that it often dies from this cause.
MODE OF TAKING.--These birds may be caught during the whole of the
summer with nooses and springes baited with cherries, red currants,
or elderberries. They go also very readily to the water trap, from
seven to nine in the morning, and in the evening a little before
sunset.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--"Of the inhabitants of our woods," says Buffon,
"fauvettes are the most numerous and agreeable. Lively, nimble,
always in motion, they seem occupied only with play and pleasure; as
their accents express only joy, it is a pretty sight to watch them
sporting, pursuing, and enticing each other; their attacks are
gentle, and their combats end with a song."
THE WHITE-BREAST[90]
Motacilla Fruticeti, LINNÆUS; La Petite Fauvette, BUFFON; Die
rostgraue Grasmücke, BECHSTEIN.
This bird, which is but little known, resembles in most points the
preceding, but its figure is smaller and its plumage darker. Its length
is four inches and three quarters, of which two and a half (being more
than half of the whole) belong to the tail. The beak, four lines in
length, is brown above and yellowish white below and on the edges; the
iris dark brown; the feet, nine lines in height, are pale lead-colour;
all the upper part of the body, comprising the wing-coverts, is dusky
reddish grey, darker towards the head and lighter towards the rump.
I have never been able to discover any difference between the plumage of
the male and female.
OBSERVATIONS.--This bird arrives among us towards the end of April. It
frequents hilly places covered with bushes and briars, among which it
builds its nest, about four or five feet from the ground, and among
the thickest foliage. The eggs, five in number, are whitish, mottled
with bluish brown, and speckled with dark maroon. Incubation lasts
but thirteen days. At first the young are fed with the smallest
caterpillars, afterwards with larger ones, flies, and other insects;
but as soon as they can fly they accompany their parents in search of
cherries, red currants, elderberries, and, later in the season, the
berries of the service tree. The family departs together in the month
of September, and then some are taken in nooses or springes baited
with elderberries. But this species is not much valued, and does not
therefore excite the attention of bird-catchers, who give the
preference to the fauvette.
However, this bird is an excellent singer, and though his voice is
not so clear and flute-like as that of the fauvette, yet by skilfully
introducing his call into his warble, he produces a very striking and
agreeable variety. This species is fed and treated like the
preceding, but with still greater care, for it is even more delicate.
With all my care I have never been able to preserve it more than two
years at the utmost: the difficulty, however, does not appear to
proceed from the diet, for being caught in the autumn it soon gets
accustomed to the food of the nightingale, by first giving it the
berries which it selects in a state of freedom.
THE DUNNOCK, OR HEDGE SPARROW.
Accentor modularis, BECHSTEIN; La Fauvette d'hiver, ou Traine
Buisson, BUFFON; Die Braunelle, BECHSTEIN.
This species, which in its gait resembles the wren, seems also a link
between its own species and that of the lark, for it does not confine
itself to insects; it eats all sorts of small seeds, such as those of
the poppy and the grasses. Its length is five inches and a quarter, two
and a quarter of which belong to the tail. The beak, five lines in
length, is very sharp, black, whitish at the tip, and the inside
rose-colour; the iris purple; the legs, nine lines in height, are
yellowish flesh-colour; the narrow head is, together with the neck, dark
ash-colour, marked with very dark brown, like that of the sparrow; the
breast a deep slate-colour.
The breast of the female is lighter and bluish grey; she has also more
brown spots on her head.
HABITATION.--When wild it is found all over Europe, making its abode
in thick deep forests. It is with us a bird of passage; but some
individuals, which come from quite the north, remain during the
winter near our dwellings, searching the heaps of wood and stones,
the hedges and fences, and, like the wren, entering barns and
stables. Those which leave us return at the end of March, stop for
some time in the hedges, and then penetrate into the woods.
In confinement this bird is so wakeful and gay that it may be safely
left at liberty in the room, having a roosting-place for the night;
it is also kept in a cage.
[Illustration: THE BEARDED TIT.]
FOOD.--When wild, the great variety of things which serve it for food
prevent its ever being at a loss throughout the year. It is equally
fond of small insects and worms and small seeds. In spring it feeds
on flies, caterpillars, grubs, and maggots, which it seeks for in the
hedges, bushes, and in the earth. In summer it feeds chiefly on
caterpillars; in autumn on seeds of all kinds and elderberries; and
in winter, when the snow has covered all seeds, it has recourse to
insects hid in the cracks and crevices of walls and trees.
In confinement it will eat anything that comes to table. It is fond
of the universal paste, hemp, rape, and poppy-seeds, and refuses none
of these things immediately on being imprisoned, and it soon seems as
completely at ease as if accustomed to confinement[91].
BREEDING.--This species lays generally twice a year; placing its nest
among the thickest bushes, about five or six feet from the ground;
the outside is composed of mosses, and fibres of roots, and wood, and
the inside is lined with the fur of deer, hares, and the like. The
eggs, five or six in number, are bright bluish green. The young are
no sooner fledged than, like the preceding, they quit the nest. Their
plumage is then very different from that of their parents: the breast
is spotted with grey and yellow, the back with brown and black;
lastly, the nostrils and angles of the beak are rose-coloured. They
are easily reared on white bread and poppy-seeds moistened with milk.
As soon as they are tamed these birds have a great inclination to
build in the room. The male and female collect all the little straws,
threads, and similar materials which they can find, to build a nest
among the boughs with which they are supplied for the purpose. The
female lays even when solitary; they may be paired with red-breasts,
and these unions succeed very well.
DISEASES.--If it were generally true, that birds in a wild state are
never ill, this species must be excepted; for, however strange it may
appear, the young are subject to the small pox; they are attacked by
it while in the nest, or even after they can fly. I have a young bird
of this kind, which, at a time when this disease prevailed in my
neighbourhood, took it; he recovered, however, tolerably well, but he
entirely lost the tail-feathers, which were never afterwards renewed.
Old ones are sometimes caught or killed whose feet and eyes are
ulcerated, or have tumours on them; perhaps they may be only
chilblains. Weavers' stoves appear to be particularly injurious to
these birds; in two or three months their eyes swell, and the
feathers fall off all round them; the beak is attacked with scurvy,
which spreads to the feet, then all over the body; but they
nevertheless continue to live from eight to ten years in these rooms.
MODE OF TAKING.--This is very easy at their return in the spring. As
soon as they appear in the hedges, where they soon discover
themselves by the cry "_issri_," a little place near, where the earth
is bare, must be found; after having placed limed twigs, and thrown
among them earth or meal worms for a bait, the dunnock is gently
driven towards them without alarming him; as soon as he perceives the
worms he darts upon them and falls into the snare. In the autumn they
may be caught in the area and with a noose; in winter in the
white-throat's trap; but they resort in the greatest numbers to the
water trap, not so much for the sake of bathing as to seek for dead
insects or decayed roots.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--However agreeable this bird may be in the room,
from its good humour, agility, gaiety, and song, it does not deserve
the name of winter nightingale, which it bears in some places; its
song is too simple and short; it is a little couplet, composed of a
strain of the lark and one of the wren. The sounds _tchondi, hondi,
hondi_ are repeated frequently and for a long time, always descending
a sixth, and gradually diminishing in power. This song is accompanied
with an uninterrupted movement of the wings and tail, and lasts
through the year, except at the moulting season. Some young ones,
reared in confinement, will, if placed beside a fine singing bird,
learn enough of its song to embellish their own. But, whatever may be
asserted on the subject, they never succeed in imitating the
nightingale. When the dunnock disputes with its fellow captives for a
place or for food its anger evaporates in a song, like the crested
lark and the wagtail.
THE RED-BREAST.
[Illustration]
Motacilla rubecula, LINNÆUS; Le Rouge-gorge, BUFFON; Das
Rothkelchen, BECHSTEIN.
The red-breast is almost universally known in Europe. It is five inches
and three quarters long, two and a quarter of which belong to the tail.
The beak is five lines in length, and horn brown, with the lower base
and the inside yellow; the iris is deep brown; the shanks, eleven lines
in height, are of the same colour; the forehead, cheeks, and under part
of the body, from the beak to the bottom of the breast, are orange red;
the upper part of the body and the wing-coverts dingy olive; the first
wing-coverts have at their tip a little triangular spot.
The female, which is rather smaller, is not so orange-coloured on the
forehead, and this colour is not so bright upon the breast; the shanks
are a purplish brown; yellow spots are almost always absent from the
wing-coverts; the old females alone having very small yellow marks.
The males of the first year, which are caught in the spring, very much
resemble the females: they have but very small yellow spots, and
sometimes none; the breast is saffron yellow; but the feet are the
distinguishing mark, being always very dark brown.
This species has varieties, as the white red-breast and the variegated
red-breast. In confinement, by sometimes removing successively the
quill-feathers and tail-feathers out of the moulting season, they will
at last be replaced by white ones. These birds are very pretty; I have
had several in this way, but I have observed that these last feathers
are so weak and delicate that they are easily injured and broken. This
repeated operation must give pain to the little creatures, on which
account it should be avoided.
HABITATION.--When wild, these birds are found in abundance during the
period of migration, on hedges and bushes, but in summer they must be
sought in the woods. "This retreat," it has been said, "is necessary
to their happiness: the male is engrossed with the society of his
mate, all other company is troublesome; he pursues eagerly the birds
of his species, and drives them from the district he has chosen for
himself; the same bush never contains two pairs of these birds." The
red-breasts return to us (in Germany) about the middle of March[92];
they stop for about a fortnight in the hedges, and then proceed into
the woods. In October they return towards the bushes, which they
busily search as they travel, and proceed gradually to their
destination. Some delay their departure till November, some will even
remain here and there throughout the winter, but generally to their
cost, as their life is usually sacrificed by these delays. Necessity
then forces them to draw near to houses, dunghills, and stables,
where they are generally caught by men or cats, or die of hunger and
cold if the frost is long and severe, and the snow deep. Care must be
taken in hard weather not to transport them suddenly into a warm
room, the rapid change from cold to heat invariably kills them. They
should at first be put in a cold room, and be gradually accustomed to
warm air; with these precautions they will do as well as those which
are caught in the autumn or spring.
In confinement the inhabitants of my neighbourhood like to see
red-breasts hopping about the room, and they make a roost for them of
oak or elm branches. They find that this bird destroys flies and even
bugs. Such a situation appears to agree with him very well, as he
lives in this way from ten to twelve years. He is so jealous and
unsociable that he must not have a companion; he must be quite alone;
a second would cause battles which would end only with the death of
one of the combatants; if, however, they are equal in strength, and
in a large room, they will divide it, and each taking possession of
his half, they remain in peace, unless one should pass his limits, in
which case war begins, and is maintained to the last extremity.
In order the better to enjoy their pretty song, they are provided
with a cage generally resembling that of the nightingale.
FOOD.--When wild the red-breast feeds on all sorts of insects, which
are pursued with great skill and agility; sometimes this bird is seen
fluttering like a butterfly round a leaf on which is a fly, or if he
sees an earth-worm he hops forward flapping his wings, and seizes it.
In autumn he eats different sorts of berries.
In confinement, by giving him at first some earth or meal worms, and
in the autumn elderberries, he soon gets accustomed to eat anything:
he picks up crumbs of bread, the little fibres of meat, and the like,
but cheese appears his favourite food. When hopping about the
bird-room he likes the universal paste very much[93]. He chiefly
requires a regular supply of fresh water, both for drinking and
bathing; and he makes himself so wet as to conceal the colours of his
plumage.
BREEDING.--The red-breast lays twice a year. The nest, placed near the
ground, either among moss, in the crevices of stones, among the roots
of a tree, or in the hole of an old felled trunk, is carelessly
formed of moss, lined with fine hay, hair, and feathers. She lays
from four to six eggs, of a yellowish white, with lines and spots
joined and mixed together of a reddish colour; the colours become
deeper as the spots approach the large end, where they form a crown
of a light brown colour. The young birds are at first covered with
yellow down, like chickens, they then become grey, and their feathers
are edged with dusky yellow; they do not acquire the orange red till
they have moulted. They are easily reared on white bread soaked in
boiled milk. When their cage is placed beside a nightingale they
acquire some parts of his song, which, introduced into their own,
make a very pretty mixture.
DISEASES.--Their most common disorder is diarrhoea, for which some
spiders are administered. Decline is often cured with plenty of ants'
eggs and meal-worms; but indigestion often proves fatal, especially
when it arises from having eaten too many earth-worms. It may,
however, be cured by making the bird swallow spiders and meal-worms.
MODE OF TAKING.--In spring, when the red-breasts frequent the hedges
and bushes, sticks are passed transversely through them, on which
limed twigs are fastened, then two persons gently beat the hedge or
bush to drive the birds towards the twigs, where they are soon
caught, for red-breasts have the habit of perching on all the little
low projecting branches, in order that they may discover earth-worms.
This sort of red-breast chase is very common in Thuringia, where many
persons keep them. Limed twigs may also be put in a bare place with
earth or meal-worms, just as for the dunnock. The small nightingale
net and the white-throat trap catch many. They are also caught at the
water trap; but the greatest number are caught in autumn with the
noose, baited with elderberries, which are at that season their
favourite food. If they are caught for the room (and it is a pity to
hunt so pretty a bird for the table), it is necessary, in order to
preserve their feet, to cover the springes with felt or cork.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--His pretty plumage, tricks, and great
sociability would be enough to make him charming. He is soon tamed,
so as to come upon the table and eat from a plate or the hand; his
cheerfulness and agility must also give pleasure, always in motion,
and bowing after every hop and calling "_sisri_;" but he is
particularly valued on account of his song. This song is generally
more perfect and altogether superior when he is caged than when
hopping about the room. There are however exceptions. The red-breast
sings throughout the year, but in spring his voice is most brilliant
and his melody most enchanting. In a country residence it is very
easy to teach this bird to go and come, whether reared from the nest
or caught full grown.
THE BLUE-BREAST.
Motacilla Suecica, LINNÆUS; La Gorge bleue, BUFFON; Das
Blaukehlchen, BECHSTEIN.
This bird may be considered as intermediate between the redstart and the
common wagtail, having very strong points of resemblance with both. Its
length is five inches and a half, of which the tail occupies two and a
quarter. The beak is sharp and blackish, yellow at the angles; the iris
is brown; the shanks are fourteen lines high, of a reddish brown, and
the toes blackish; the head, the back, and the wing-coverts are ashy
brown, mottled with a darker tint; a reddish white line passes above the
eyes; the cheeks are dark brown, spotted with rust red, and edged at the
side with deep ash grey; a brilliant sky blue covers the throat and half
way down the breast; this is set off by a spot of the most dazzling
white, the size of a pea, placed precisely over the gullet, which,
enlarging and diminishing successively, by the movement of this part
when the bird sings, produces the most beautiful effect.
Some males have two little white spots on the throat, some even have
three, while others have none; these latter are probably very old, for I
have observed that as the bird grows older the blue deepens, and the
orange band becomes almost maroon.
It is easy to distinguish the female; when young she has a celestial
blue tint on the sides of the throat; this tint deepens with age, and
forms two longitudinal lines on the sides of the neck; no orange band;
the throat and gullet are yellowish blue, edged longitudinally with a
black line; the feet are flesh-coloured.
HABITATION.--When wild this species exists all over Europe[94]. It is
a bird of passage, and when returning towards the north, in the
beginning of April, it stops in large flights near streams, in
hedges, and damp fields, comes even into courts, and on the dunghills
of farms, if surprised by snow and a severe return of cold. In the
summer it frequents those parts among the mountains abounding with
water; in August it approaches cabbage fields enclosed by hedges or
bushes. It is very seldom that one or two pairs build in our country.
In confinement it may be let run about; it soon grows so tame as to
come when called, and feed from the hand. Its rapid motions and races
are amusing; but it must not be allowed to fly high enough to get on
the tables and furniture, as it would soon dirty them. It sings
better and longer when caged. The cage should be, like the
nightingale's, large enough for the bird not to spoil its beautiful
feathers; the tail-feathers easily drop if they are rubbed.
FOOD.--When wild the blue-breast feeds on all sorts of insects; it
also eats elderberries.
In confinement it must at first be fed with ants' eggs, meal-worms,
and even some earth-worms. If it is kept uncaged these things must be
thrown upon the universal paste, which it will thus learn to relish;
but though it is easily reconciled to it, ants' eggs, earth and
meal-worms, must nevertheless be occasionally supplied, or it will
soon die in decline. When caged it is fed like nightingales, and on
that food it will live seven or eight years. It is a great eater, and
can devour in a day its own weight of the first universal paste, so
that it mutes incessantly. It requires a constant supply of fresh
water for drinking and bathing: it wets itself so much that it is
completely drenched. I have observed for several successive years
that it never bathes till the afternoon[95].
DISEASES.--Diarrhoea and decline are its commonest disorders. The
treatment has been pointed out in the Introduction.
MODE OF TAKING.--I often hear it said that the blue-breast is a rare
bird; that in some parts of Germany it appears only every five, or
even ten, years, but I can declare that this opinion arises from a
want of observation. Since I have taught my neighbours to be more
attentive to the time of their passage, they every year catch as many
as they please. If in the first fortnight of April, up to the 20th,
cold and snow return, plenty may be found by merely following the
streams, rivers, and ponds, especially in the neighbourhood of a
wood. A proper place is chosen, near the water and a bush, meal and
earth worms are thrown there, with limed twigs, and soon these poor
birds, if ever so little pushed towards it fall blindly into the
snare; they also fall into white-throat traps and nightingale nets.
In autumn, when they frequent cabbage grounds to hunt for
caterpillars, plenty may be caught by planting here and there sticks
with limed twigs fastened to them, baited with meal-worms. At this
season they sometimes go to the water trap, but this is not usual. If
it happens that any are caught in nooses or spring traps baited with
elderberries, hunger must have been the cause, and they must have
been entirely destitute of food.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its beauty, sprightliness, sociability, and
song, unite in rendering the blue-breast delightful. It runs very
swiftly, raises its tail with a jerk, and extends it like a fan,
keeping it and the wings in perpetual motion, uttering the cry of
"_fide, fide_" and "_tac, tac_." It is unfortunate that it gradually
loses the fine blue on the breast in successive moultings, when
confined to the house, and becomes at length of a whitish grey. In a
few days it will become tame enough to eat meal-worms from the hand,
and it will not be long before it comes for them when called by the
voice or whistle. Its song is very agreeable; it sounds like two
voices at once; one deep, resembling the gentle humming of a violin
string, the other the soft sound of a flute.
When at liberty in the room it always seeks the sunshine, and sleeps
on its belly. Its notes very much resemble those of the common
wagtail, but much improved by a violin-like hum.
THE COMMON WAGTAIL.
[Illustration]
Motacilla alba, LINNÆUS; La Lavandière, BUFFON; Die weisse
Bachstelze, BECHSTEIN.
This species, well known throughout the old world, is seven inches in
length, of which the tail measures three and a half. The beak, five
lines long, is black, and very pointed; the iris is dark; the shanks, an
inch in height, are slender, and black; the upper part of the head, as
far as the nape, is black, but the rest of the upper part of the body,
the sides of the breast, and lesser wing-coverts, are bluish ash grey;
the forehead, cheeks, and sides of the neck are white as snow; the
throat, as far as the middle of the breast, is black.
The female is without the white forehead and cheeks, the black top to
the head being somewhat smaller. Some females have been found with very
little of the black cap, and even without it, the head then being of the
same colour as the back.
The young ones, which are seen in large flocks with the yellow wagtail
around herds of cattle, are so different before the first moulting, that
they have been considered a distinct species, under the name of the grey
wagtail (_Motacilla cinerea_). In fact, the whole of the upper part of
the body is grey, more or less pale; the throat and belly dusky white;
the breast is generally crossed by a band, sometimes entire, sometimes
broken, of a grey or brownish colour, and the quill-feathers are whitish
on the outer edge.
It is not surprising to find varieties amongst birds so numerous. Some
are quite white, others variegated, or speckled with white.
HABITATION.--When wild it is found equally near houses, in the fields
and mountains, and in every place where insects and worms are in
plenty. It is in Germany a bird of passage, which assembles in autumn
on the tiles, like the swallow, to prepare for its departure in the
first fortnight of October[96]. It returns towards the end of
February or beginning of March, though the weather be not mild; it
may come thus early without danger, as it does not fear to approach
houses, on the walls of which it finds flies that the spring sun has
drawn from their retreat; and in the streams it also finds abundance
of aquatic insects.
In the house it may be kept in a cage, or allowed to range; but in
either case it is necessary to scatter plenty of sand about, as it is
a very dirty little bird.
FOOD.--When wild, it feeds on gnats, water-spiders, aquatic insects,
flies, and insects that fasten on cattle, round which it often roams.
It also follows the ploughman to feed on the insects turned up by the
plough.
In the house nothing tames it so soon as ants' eggs, meal-worms,
flies, and other insects. By degrees it acquires a taste for other
food. In the cage it must be fed in the same manner as the
nightingale.
BREEDING.--This species breeds two or three times in the course of the
season. Its nest, placed in a hole, in a crevice between stones, or
even under a tile, is carelessly formed of moss, small roots, hay, or
something of the kind, and lined with hair and wool. It lays five or
six eggs, of a bluish white, spotted with black. The young ones
brought up from the nest become so tame, that they will go and return
like a pigeon, build in the room, and seek for food for their little
ones in the fields.
DISEASES.--Though very subject to diarrhoea, this and the two
following species may be preserved in a room five or six years.
MODE OF TAKING.--If there is snow on the ground on their return in
March, it is only necessary to clear a place (below the window will
do), and scatter meal-worms amongst limed twigs, or place these on
stones or wood where the birds assemble, or even fasten a meal-worm
to a limed twig, loosely stuck in the earth, and you may soon catch a
wagtail.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its handsome plumage, its sprightliness, its
quick and elegant motions, please one as much as its pretty song,
which, without being striking, is varied, and continues the whole
year, except during moulting. I always keep a wagtail amongst my
birds, and when the blackcap, the blue-breast, the lark, and the
linnet sing, it seems to form a counter-tenor.
THE GREY WAGTAIL.
[Illustration: GREY WAGTAIL.]
Motacilla Boarula, LINNÆUS; La Bergeronette, BUFFON; Die graue
Bachstelze, BECHSTEIN.
This beautiful species, like the preceding, is seven inches in length,
of which the tail alone measures four. The beak is black; the iris
brown; the legs, nine lines high, dark flesh-coloured; the upper part of
the body, including the lesser wing-coverts, dark ash-grey; the head
slightly tinted with olive, and the rump a fine yellow green; there is a
white streak above the eyes, and another, beginning at the inferior base
of the beak, descends the sides of the neck, whilst a black streak
extends from the superior base as far as the eyes; the chin and throat
are black, but the breast and under part of the body are of the finest
yellow.
The throat of the female is not black, but pale orange; her colours are
generally less bright.
Males a year or two old are without the fine black throat; it is clouded
with white.
HABITATION.--In their wild state, these wagtails are found throughout
Europe; but in the greatest number in mountainous and wooded parts,
where the brooks flow over beds of pebbles. They are birds of
passage, and return amongst us the end of February or beginning of
March. A few have been observed to remain during mild winters, when
they take up their abode near dunghills or warm springs.
In the house they should be kept in a nightingale's cage, and treated
like one; they are so delicate, that with the greatest care they can
rarely be preserved two years.
FOOD.--When wild they prefer aquatic insects, and are continually
chasing them among the plants and stones by the water-side.
In the house they should be fed on the same food as the nightingale,
to which they may be gradually accustomed, by throwing amongst it
meal-worms and ants' eggs.
BREEDING.--Their nests, placed by the water-side, in mill-dikes, or
heaps of stones, are formed with rather more art than those of the
preceding species. They begin to lay as early as March, five or six
white eggs, mottled with flesh-colour. The young ones must be reared
on ants' eggs and the crumb of white bread, soaked in boiled milk.
MODE OF TAKING.--This is very simple; it is only to plant sticks with
limed twigs and meal-worms attached to them, on the banks, or in the
middle of a stream which they frequent; you will not have to wait
long before some are caught.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--They are as pleasing as the common wagtail; but
their plumage is more brilliant, and their voice stronger. Their
beautiful clear trilling sound renders their song agreeable, though
rather short.
THE YELLOW WAGTAIL.
Motacilla flava, LINNÆUS; La Bergeronette du printemps,
BUFFON; Die gelbe Bachstelze, BECHSTEIN.
This might almost be mistaken for the female of the preceding species;
but it is smaller, or rather shorter, as its tail is not so long,
measuring only two inches and a half. The total length of this bird is
six inches and a half; the beak is dusky; the iris nut brown; the shanks
ten lines high, and black; the upper part of the body reddish grey, with
a decided olive tint, which on the rump becomes a canary green; the head
inclines more to grey than green, and above the eyes is a reddish white
streak; the under part of the body is of a fine yellow, which becomes
citron from age, and is palest at the throat and breast.
The back of the female is greyer; the belly of a less beautiful yellow;
the throat whitish, and, with the breast as far as the belly, spotted
with red or rust colour, in the male.
HABITATION.--When wild, this species, better known than the preceding,
is found throughout the plains of Europe, running about the pastures
amongst the sheep and cattle. They assemble in September, and depart
for warmer countries in large flights, uttering the cry "_sipp,
sipp!_" in a clear tone; they return in March.
It must be treated like the grey wagtail, in the house; but it is not
so delicate.
FOOD.--When wild it feeds on flies and other insects that tease the
cattle.
In the house it must be fed like the preceding.
BREEDING.--Its nest, made of stubble, and lined with wool, is placed
at the water-side, or in a deserted mole-hill, sometimes in the grass,
or corn, like the lark's. It breeds twice in the year, each time
laying five or six eggs, grey-blue, spotted all over with reddish
grey, and very like those described above. The under parts of the
young birds are much paler than in the old ones. They must be reared
on ants' eggs and white bread soaked in boiled milk.
MODE OF TAKING.--These birds are not very easily caught; at least, I
have always found it very difficult to succeed; and, therefore, one
is reduced to the necessity of placing limed twigs on the nest, which
is cruel. If snow should fall, however, after their return in spring,
some of them may be taken, by clearing a convenient place, and
scattering there meal-worms amongst limed twigs, if you succeed in
bringing the birds near.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its beauty and agreeable song make this bird a
desirable acquisition; but with every possible attention, I have
never been able to keep one more than two years.
THE WHEATEAR.
[Illustration]
Motacilla OEnanthe, LINNÆUS; L'OEnanthe, ou Le Culblanc,
BUFFON; Der Weisschwanz, BECHSTEIN.
This bird, found throughout Europe and the northern parts of Asia,
resembles the wagtail in size and air; but its tail being only an inch
and ten lines, its total length is only five inches and a half. The
beak, seven lines long, is black, as well as the iris and feet; the
shanks are an inch high; the forehead white, and a white streak passes
above the eyes, crossed by a black line springing from the nostrils,
which also tints the cheeks; all the upper parts of the body and the
scapulars are of a light ash-grey colour, slightly tinged with a reddish
hue.
The back of the female is reddish grey, and the under parts of the body
darker than in the male; the lesser wing-coverts are edged with
rust-red, and the white of the tail is not so clear as in the male, but
is of a reddish tint.
The young ones, before moulting, are spotted with red on a dark brown
ground, on the upper part of the body; on the under speckled with orange
and black. After moulting, both males and females retain for another
year the colour of the female on the back, that is to say, reddish grey.
HABITATION.--When wild this species frequents stony and mountainous
places; and, during their migration, they may be seen resting in the
fields, on the tops of isolated stakes, and other similar places;
rarely on trees or bushes. They take their departure during the first
fortnight in September, and return towards the middle of April, when
white frosts cease.
In the house these birds must be kept in nightingales' cages, or shut
up behind a grating, and not suffered to range until accustomed in
their prison to their new food; for, unless taken good care of at
first, they will soon die. They can rarely be tamed.
FOOD.--When wild they feed on flies and other insects, which they
catch as they run along.
In the house they must be given plenty of meal-worms and ants' eggs
as soon as they are taken; for, if not fed profusely, they will die,
and what is rather astonishing, of diarrhoea, although they have
not eaten any of the common house-food. Afterwards they may be fed on
nightingales' food, and occasionally on white bread soaked in boiled
milk; yet, with every attention, they can rarely be preserved more
than two years.
BREEDING.--Their nests, formed of stalks of grass and feathers, are
generally placed in the crevices of some stone-quarry, sometimes in
holes on the banks of streams or rivers, or in an empty mole-hill, or
even on a heap of stones. They lay from five to six eggs, of a
greenish white. To rear the young ones, they must be taken when
half-fledged, and fed on ants' eggs and white bread soaked in boiled
milk.
MODE OF TAKING.--Limed twigs must be placed on the stones or stakes
where these birds rest, or even on sticks fixed in the ground for the
purpose, and they must be driven gently towards the snares.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--No one would take the trouble to tame a
full-grown wheatear, unless passionately fond of keeping birds. I
have one, that, by the use of plenty of fresh ants' eggs, has been
accustomed to range the room. Its plumage is pleasing, its actions
graceful; it is continually waving and spreading its fine tail. Its
song is passable, but is interrupted every now and then by a kind of
scream.
MR. SWEET'S ACCOUNT OF THE WHEATEAR.
The present interesting species generally arrives in this country about
the middle of March, and leaves it again the latter end of September or
the beginning of October, though I one year saw a pair in Hyde Park as
late as the 17th of November.
In a wild state they are generally to be found on downs and commons, and
in Sussex some hundred dozens are caught annually by the shepherds, who
sell them for the sake of their flesh, which is very delicious,
particularly in autumn, when they become very fat.
This is a very interesting bird in confinement, and is almost
continually singing; it will also sing by night as well as by day, if
there is a light in the room where it is kept; it has a very pleasant,
variable, and agreeable song, different from all other birds, which, in
confinement, it continues all the winter. When a pair of them are kept
together in a large cage or aviary, it is very amusing to see them at
play with each other, flying up and down, and spreading open their long
wings in a curious manner, dancing and singing at the same time. I have
very little doubt but a young bird, brought up from the nest, might be
taught to talk, as they are very imitative.
When wild the present species feeds entirely on insects, so that the
more it has given it when in confinement, the better. There are very few
sorts of insects that it will refuse, except the common earth-worm;
small beetles, cockroaches, crickets, grasshoppers, most sorts of
caterpillars, butterflies, moths, earwigs, woodlice, the common maggots,
and almost all other sorts of insects it is very fond of, and the more
that is given it, the finer will be its song. Its common food is bruised
hemp-seed and bread, intermixed with fresh, raw, lean meat; also a
little of the yolk of an egg boiled hard occasionally for a change.
THE WHINCHAT.
Montacilla Rubetra, _Linnæus_; Le Tarier, ou Le Grand Traquet,
BUFFON; Der Braunkehliger Steinschmätzer, BECHSTEIN.
This is a delicate bird that is met with throughout Europe, among
scattered bushes and abrupt declivities. It is four inches ten lines in
length, of which the tail measures an inch and a half. The beak is
black, as also the legs, which are nine lines high; the upper parts of
the body are dusky, in very old birds black, but streaked with pale
rust-red, as all the feathers are edged with this colour; a white line,
beginning at the nostrils, passes above the eyes as far as the ears; the
cheeks are dusky, spotted with chestnut; the throat and breast are
yellow, inclining to orange, the former edged with white on the sides
and chin.
The colours are paler in the female, the streak above the eyes is
yellowish; the upper part of the body dark brown, spotted with rust; the
cheeks dark brown; the throat reddish-white; the breast pale orange,
with small round, black and brown spots, which gradually disappear from
age.
These birds vary till the third year. The young ones, which may be seen
perched on cabbages and other plants, even on strong wheat stalks, have
the whole of the upper part of the body covered with red and blackish
spots, and each feather edged with this colour before the first
moulting; the under part of the body is like the female. I killed two in
their second year, that still had dusky spots on the breast, though they
had become darker on the back; in general, the two sexes may be
distinguished by the deep brown of the cheeks and back.
HABITATION.--When wild they generally frequent the skirts of woods.
They appear amongst us the beginning of May, and depart towards the
end of September. In August they may be seen scattered over the
fields, on the stalks of plants, or detached bushes.
In the house they must be kept in a nightingale's cage.
BREEDING.--The nest, constructed of dried grass mixed with moss, lined
with hair and feathers, is commonly placed in a tuft of grass in the
middle of a meadow or orchard. The females lay five or six eggs, of a
fine light blue. Young ones reared on ants' eggs succeed much better
than those taken full grown.
MODE OF TAKING.--In spring, when some of these birds are seen in a
field or meadow, sticks, furnished with limed twigs, should be stuck
there, and the birds gently driven to that side, to induce them to
settle, which they will soon do. In summer, the noose, spring-trap,
and limed twigs, must be employed in the following manner:--If the
noose is used, a stake must be set up, about three feet high, slit at
the top to put in crossways a stick three inches long, and the noose
is placed an inch and a half above, to be of the height of the bird's
breast when it is perched on the stick.
If limed twigs are used, forked switches three feet long should be
employed: the fork, four inches in length, must be covered with
bird-lime. Spring-traps or gins must be suspended to small stakes or
cabbage stalks. As soon as a sufficient number of these spring-traps,
snares, and limed twigs, are prepared, they must be carried to a
cabbage garden, when a number of these whinchats has been seen;
there fix the stakes in cross lines, two or three paces apart; then
go to the end of the garden and drive the birds gently towards the
snares; they jump from one cabbage stalk to another till they
approach the stakes; then you stop, and in a short time the birds are
caught one after another. When they are caught, the prisoners must be
taken out and the snares arranged again; then go to the other end and
again drive the birds forward as before, and thus continue till the
sport is over.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--However gay this bird may appear when free, it
becomes sad and melancholy in the house. If permitted to range, it
only moves to procure food, and then returns to its accustomed place,
and keeps its head sunk on its breast. Its pleasing song very much
resembles the goldfinch's; but what makes it more admired, is, that
it is not only heard during the day, but also in the evening, and
sometimes during the night.
MR. SWEET'S ACCOUNT OF THE WHINCHAT.
This pretty species is also known by the name of Furze Chat, and is very
often confounded with the stonechat, which is a very different species.
It generally visits this country in the beginning of April, and leaves
us towards the end of September. All the fore part of the season it
visits commons, where it may be seen on the furze bushes, flying
backwards and forwards after the insects that pass. It builds its nest
on the ground in a thicket, which it covers up with dry grass, so that
it is impossible to find it without watching the old ones, either in
carrying materials to build, or food to their young. I have generally
found them with six or seven young ones, which, with care, are easily
bred up from the nest, keeping them warm, dry, and clean, and feeding
them with the same sorts of food as recommended for the old ones; they
should not be taken till quite fledged, and should at first be placed in
a little basket with covers, as they will then readily open their mouths
for food. I consider those reared from the nest much the best, or such
as are caught very young, as they may then be taught any tune, or will
learn the song of any bird they hear, their own song not being a very
good one.
This bird may be considered as one of the tenderest of the tribe, being
very susceptible of cold. It is one of my greatest favourites. One that
I bred from the nest by hand, learnt the song of the white-throat, the
redstart, willow-wren, nightingale, and also that of a missel-thrush,
which it frequently heard singing in a garden near by; of this latter
song it was so fond, that we were frequently obliged to put our
favourite out of the room, not being able to bear its loud notes; it was
certainly the best bird I ever kept of any kind, singing nearly the
whole year through, and varying its song continually; the only fault was
its strong voice. At last, our favourite was turned out of its cage by a
mischievous servant on a cold winter day, when we were from home for
about an hour, and we could not entice it back; it most probably died of
the cold, or took its flight to a warmer region. I scarcely entertain
any hopes of ever getting such another; the food of the present species
is precisely the same as the last.
MR. SWEET'S ACCOUNT OF THE STONECHAT.
This, like the preceding, is generally to be found on hills and commons,
harbouring chiefly amongst the furze bushes, and feeds, as far as I have
observed, entirely on insects. It is not so tender as the whinchat, some
few of them occasionally stopping in this country all the winter. It
feeds, when wild, on small beetles, flies, as also all sorts of
butterflies, moths, caterpillars, woodlice, and various other insects.
In confinement their food must be the same as the whinchat's. They soon
become very tame, and if bred up from the nest will learn the notes of
other birds, which are in general better than their own. Their own song,
though loud, is very short, but they have a strong voice to repeat the
notes of another bird.
THE WHITE-THROAT.
[Illustration]
Sylvia cinerea, BECHSTEIN; Le Fauvette grise ou Grisette,
BUFFON; Die gemeine Grasmücke, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is five inches and a half in length, of which the tail
measures two and three-quarters. The beak, five lines long, is dusky
above and greyish beneath, with the corners and interior of the throat
yellow; the iris is greyish brown; the shanks are brownish
flesh-coloured, and ten lines high; the head is ash-grey: the cheeks,
neck, back, rump, tail-coverts and lesser wing-coverts, are also
ash-grey, but tinged with brown, deeper on the back than elsewhere; the
throat and belly are fine white.
The female, rather smaller and lighter, rust-coloured on the wings, has
not a fine white throat like the male.
HABITATION.--When wild the white-throat is spread through Europe. They
leave us the beginning of October, and are then observed to retire
from bush to bush, and from hedge to hedge. They reappear towards the
middle of April, fluttering about the bushes in the fields, the
brambles, thickets, underwood of the low mountains, and the orchards,
running about very swiftly.
In the house they must be treated in the same manner as the fauvette;
but they are much more delicate. An amateur had better rear young
birds, and treat them like nightingales. It is the only way to keep
them many years.
FOOD.--When wild these birds are constantly seeking among the bushes
for all kinds of insects, grubs, and especially small caterpillars.
When, from the air becoming cooler, the supply of this sort of food
lessens, they immediately substitute for it currants, cherries, and
elderberries.
In the house they must be fed, as we said before, on nightingales'
food. They may, however, be given, occasionally, barley meal and
white bread soaked in boiled milk; but this food alone will not agree
with them, for they will upon it gradually lose their feathers, till
at length they become quite bare. It is a good thing in summer to
give them elderberries, though they may be red, and in winter dried
ones, after soaking them in water.
BREEDING.--The nest is formed of small grass stems and moss, and lined
with horse-hair. It is placed in a thick bush, near the ground, or
among roots at the water side, sometimes even in tufts of grass. The
eggs, from four to six in number, are greenish white, spotted with
olive green, and speckled at the large end with dark ash-grey. The
young leave the nest so soon that it is difficult to take them from
it. Their first plumage resembles full-grown ones, and the females
may be known by the fainter tint of fawn brown with which the
wing-feathers are edged. I have reared them easily on ants' eggs.
They soon learn to peck alone, and are tolerably satisfied with bread
soaked in boiled milk; but to keep them long in health they must be
fed in the same manner as the nightingale. They are pretty, engaging
birds, thus reared, becoming so tame that they will perch and sing on
the finger.
DISEASES.--These are the same as those of the blackcap, which may be
referred to.
MODE OF TAKING.--The easiest way is to place limed twigs on the nest,
but this is repugnant to persons not cruel. Towards the end of
summer, spring-traps may be set, with elderberries and gooseberries
hung near them. It is difficult to take these birds at the
water-trap.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--This bird, gay, lively, and constantly in
motion, is a pleasing object in the country. Its song, prolonged far
into the night, consists of several strains, which rapidly succeed
each other, but must be near for all its beauties to be
distinguished, since the soft low tones are only occasionally
interrupted by louder notes, which are shrill and follow quickly one
after the other. The bird rises in the air as it sings, as if to be
better heard, circles round as it ceases, and sinks again into its
bush. Its call is a loud _tze_. When the white-throat is alone in a
room, its song appears very melodious.
MR. SWEET'S ACCOUNT OF THE WHITE-THROAT.
This is one of the most delightful and pleasing birds that can be
imagined. If kept in a large cage with other birds it is so full of
antics, in flying and frisking about, and erecting its crest, generally
singing all the time, certainly nothing can be more amusing. It is also
quite as hardy as the blackcap, and if a good one be procured, it is
little inferior in song: but in this they vary considerably, the wild
ones as well as those in a cage. I have now one in my possession that I
have had about eleven years, in as good health, and singing as well as
ever; and certainly no song need be louder, sweeter, or more varied. It
is of the same temper as a nightingale, never suffering itself to be
outdone. It will indeed sing for hours together against a nightingale,
now in the beginning of January, and it will not suffer itself to be
outdone; when the nightingale raises its voice, it also does the same,
and tries its utmost to get above it; sometimes in the midst of its song
it will run up to the nightingale, and stretch out its neck as if in
defiance, and whistle as loud as it can, staring it in the face; if the
nightingale attempts to peck it, away it is in an instant flying round
the aviary, and singing all the time.
In a wild state, the present species is generally to be found in hedges
and gardens, and is the most common of our British warblers, visiting us
the beginning or middle of April, and leaving us towards the end of
September; sometimes a solitary one may be seen in October, but not
frequently. It is particularly fond of flies, or a rose-branch covered
with aphides will please it very much.
THE BABILLARD.
Sylvia curruca, BECHSTEIN; Motacilla dumetorum, LINNÆUS; La
Fauvette babillarde, BUFFON; Das Müllerchen, BECHSTEIN.
This bird somewhat resembles the white-throat, but is smaller, and has
less rust colour on the wings. It is five inches long, the tail
measuring more than two. The beak is five lines in length, very pointed,
black above, and bluish below; the iris has two rings, the outer one
pale yellow, the inner a brilliant golden yellow; the shanks, seven
lines high, are raven black; the head and rump are dark ash grey; the
rest of the upper part of the body is grey, with a reddish tint; the
cheeks and the part behind the ears are darker than the head; the throat
and under part of the body are white, but the sides of the breast are
tinged with reddish grey, and those of the belly with reddish brown.
The birds must be before you to be able to distinguish the two sexes;
you can then only perceive that the head of the female is of a lighter
colour, and the feet rather blue than black.
HABITATION.--When wild this species is found throughout Europe, except
the north. It is common in the hedges in Germany, disappearing in
September, and returning the middle of April. Its taste for currants
often draws it to the garden hedge. It is not very often seen in
young coppice wood, scarcely ever on trees[97], continually on low
bushes.
In the house it must be lodged like the fauvette, and taken the same
care of; it is so delicate, that when taken rather old it can rarely
be preserved.
FOOD.--When wild it is the same as the preceding species.
In the house these birds cannot be kept long, unless fed on
nightingales' food, mingled with ants' eggs and meal-worms.
BREEDING.--The nest is generally found on a thick gooseberry bush, or
white-thorn, and on young fir trees in fir woods. It is formed of
coarse dried grass, lined with small roots mixed with hogs' bristles.
There are five or six eggs, white, spotted at the large end with grey
and yellow brown in a circle. The female's attachment to her brood
may be known from her dropping from her nest almost fainting as soon
as any one approaches, uttering anxious cries, fluttering on the
ground, and slowly retiring from the nest. Scarcely are the young
ones fledged, when, if looked at, they will dart like an arrow from
the nest, and run and hide themselves among the bushes. If you wish
to rear them, they must be taken as I have directed for the
fauvette, remembering that the male and female cannot then be
distinguished.
DISEASES.--These are the same as in the fauvettes.
MODE OF TAKING.--If snow should fall after their return, a place near
a hedge should be cleared, and limed twigs fastened to the lower
branches; after having thrown meal-worms there, the birds should be
gently driven towards it, and for the sake of the worms they will
creep under the limed twigs, and remain caught.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Though the plumage is not very striking, yet
this bird is very pretty. Some clacking tones, rather like the noise
of a mill, have given it in Germany the name of the _little Miller_;
as these notes are heard more distinctly than the others, they are
erroneously thought to be its whole song; but the rest, certainly
very weak, is so soft, so varied, so melodious, that it surpasses
other warblers. Whilst singing in this under tone it is continually
hopping about the bushes, but when going to utter _clap, clap_, it
stops and employs the whole strength of the larynx to pronounce this
syllable. To enjoy the beauty of its song it should be alone in a
room, and then no other singing bird is more agreeable, as it rarely
utters its call.
MR. SWEET'S ACCOUNT OF THE BABILLARD.
This is a handsome, little, lively species, more elegant and smaller
than the white-throat, and of a purer colour; its throat being as white
as snow. It generally visits us the beginning or middle of April, and
leaves us again the end of August or beginning of September. Its song is
not so agreeable as most of the other species of warblers; but it is
soft and pretty, and very different from any other. It is also more
valuable by being much more rare; some seasons very few visit us, in
others they are sufficiently plentiful. Its habits are somewhat similar
to those of the white-throat, but it is much more quarrelsome, sometimes
so much so, that it must be taken from the other birds or it will worry
them to death, even if they are double its size.
In confinement it will soon become tame and familiar, and will readily
take to feed on bread and milk, and also on bruised hemp-seed and bread.
One that I bred up from the nest became so attached to its cage, that it
could not be prevailed upon to quit it for any length of time. When the
door of it was set open, it would generally come out quickly, and first
perch on the door, then mount to the top of the cage, thence it would
fly to any other cages that were in the room, and catch any flies that
came within its reach; sometimes it would descend to the floor, or
perch on a table or chair, and would fly up and take a fly out of the
hand, or drink milk out of a spoon if invited: of this it was very fond.
As soon as it was the least frightened, it would fly immediately to its
cage, first on the top, thence to the door, and would enter in exactly
as it came out. I have often hung it out at the window perched on the
top of its cage, with the door open, and it would never attempt to fly
away. Sometimes if a fly should happen to pass near it, it would fly off
and catch it, and return with it to the top of the cage: after remaining
there a considerable time, it would either return into it, or fly in at
the window, and perch on the cages of the other birds. It is rather more
tender than the white-throat.
MR. BLYTH'S ACCOUNT OF THE BABILLARD.
The warble of the babillard (_Curruca garrula_, Brisson) is pretty and
lively, but its song is rendered monotonous in the spring and summer by
the constant repetition of its loud note of defiance, analogous to the
clear lively note with which the blackcap generally concludes: this may
be expressed by the monosyllable _see_, repeated nine or ten times in
quick succession, and at times very loudly: it is a note, which, though
agreeable enough when only heard occasionally, becomes quite tiresome
when continually reiterated. This species, however, can warble very
sweetly if it please, and, in confinement, during the first months of
the year, its song is heard to great advantage in a room; it then rarely
repeats its loud _see see see_, and when, at that time, the
above-mentioned note is uttered, it forms, indeed, an agreeable variety.
The song of the babillard is formed of a number of soft chirping notes,
many of which are extremely sweet and musical, and though at times
tolerably loud, yet they are generally delivered in a very low tone,
scarcely audible at a little distance. The male is almost perpetually
singing, erecting his crest and the feathers of his throat in the manner
of a white-throat, and, like that species and the furze warbler, he is
in constant motion the whole time, throwing himself into a variety of
odd gesticulations. The song of this bird is very superior to that of
many white-throats, but not to all; he has none of those harsh sounding
notes which so often disfigure the white-throat's song. He seems also to
be always in such high spirits as not to know how to contain himself,
taking frequently a long circuitous flight from tree to tree, and back
again, a dozen times, seemingly for no other purpose than mere exercise;
but he never mounts singing into the air, like the white-throat. There
are yet many persons, I believe, who consider this species to be "a mere
variety" of the white-throat. These two species differ from each other
in size, in make, in colour, in their manners, their habits, their song,
in the structure of their nest, and in the marking of their eggs; and
surely, "if all these circumstances (as Wilson observes, after making
similar remarks on two American birds, one of which had been considered
a 'bastard' production of the other) be not sufficient to designate this
(the babillard) as a distinct species, by what criterion, I would ask,
are we to discriminate between a _variety_ and an _original species_,
or, to assure ourselves, that the great horned owl is not, in fact, a
_bastard_ goose, or the carrion crow a mere _variety_ of the humming
bird?"
THE BLACK REDSTART.
Motacilla Tithys, LINNÆUS: Le Rouge-queue, BUFFON; Der
Wistling, BECHSTEIN.
Length five inches and one quarter, of which the tail alone measures two
and one quarter. The beak is five lines long, very pointed and black,
the inside and corners yellow; the iris is dusky; the shanks are nine
lines high, and black; the upper part of the body is dark bluish, or
blackish gray; the rump is red; the cheeks, throat, and breast, are
black; the belly and sides are of the same dark colour as the back, but
tinged with white; the vent is reddish yellow.
The upper part of the body in the female is dusky ash grey; the under
part ash grey, with a reddish tinge.
The colours of this bird vary during the first eight years; the oldest
ones, with the exception of the tail and wings, are in general black,
but deeper on the under part than the upper; the very oldest have a
greyish breast.
Those a year or two old very much resemble the females, having the
upper part of the body ash grey, but the under rather more of a reddish
colour; the quill-feathers have a more decided border. After two years
the depth of the colour gradually increases. Several bird-catchers, and
from them some authors, have considered these birds of different ages as
different species.
HABITATION.--In its wild state the black redstart is found in the
temperate parts of Europe and in Asia in the same latitudes[98]. They
seem to prefer mountainous districts to wide plains, and they are
seen in great numbers on bare chalk-hills; if found in woods, it is
only in those that are on rocks. They frequent towns and villages,
perching on the highest buildings, towers, steeples, churches, and
castles[99]. In spring and autumn it hops about the hedges. It
arrives early in the spring, its song is heard in the beginning of
March, and it quits us in small flights towards the middle of
October. It possesses one quality, not common among singing birds,
that of singing all the year, or, at least, whilst in our country,
however cold and stormy the weather may be.
In the house it should be kept in a nightingale's cage, or at least
not permitted to range the room.
FOOD.--When wild it feeds on flies, drawn by the warmth of spring from
their retreat, and settled on walls; afterwards on cabbage
caterpillars and other insects, and in autumn on berries.
In the house they may be kept in health a long time, if the above
insects are procured for them, or if fed on nightingales' food,
adding occasionally ants' eggs and meal-worms.
Old birds taken in autumn may sometimes be tamed and accustomed to
eat the common food in the room, by putting amongst elderberries, in
autumn, ants' eggs, and meal-worms at other seasons. They have been
known to live five or six years in a cage.
BREEDING.--This bird makes its nest in the holes of rocks and walls,
particularly in high buildings, on the timbers of barns, and places
it at a distance from any other. It is constructed of hay, mixed with
the hair of animals. Each laying (for there are two in the year)
consists of five or six white eggs. The young have a reddish grey
plumage, and should be taken from the nest when the tail is half
grown, if it is wished to rear them. They should be fed on ants'
eggs, and white bread soaked in boiled milk.
DISEASES.--These are the same as those of the fauvette.
MODE OF TAKING.--Limed twigs, with meal-worms fastened to them, should
be laid wherever these birds are most frequently found. Towards
winter they may be caught in spring-traps with elderberries hung
opposite.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its call, "_fitza_," being very similar to the
nightingale's, has given rise most probably to its name of Wall
Nightingale, which it has in common with the following species. Its
song certainly cannot enter into comparison with that of the
nightingale, for it is sad, and consists of only three strains, the
middle one scarcely more than croaking; the other two may boast of a
few high clear tones; it may be heard from early in the morning till
night. It is always gay and active, its motions light and nimble; it
shakes its tail quickly from side to side at every hop or spring, and
utters continually the cry "_fitza[100]!_"
THE COMMON REDSTART.
[Illustration]
Motacilla Phoenicurus, LINNÆUS; Le Rossignol de muraille,
BUFFON; Das Gemeiner oder Garten-Rothschwänzchen, BECHSTEIN.
Its length is five inches and a quarter, of which the tail measures two
and a quarter. The beak is five lines, the tip is blunt, black on the
outside, yellow within and at the corners; the iris is black; the shanks
are of the same colour, and ten lines high; the base of the upper
mandible and cheeks are black, as also the throat, but this is speckled
with white; the white on the front of the head unites with a streak of
the same colour, which extends above the eyes; the back of the head and
neck, the back and lesser wing-coverts, are dark ash grey tinged with a
reddish colour; the rump, breast, and sides, are red inclining to
orange.
The female is very different, very much resembling that of the black
redstart, yet its colours are rather lighter. The upper part of its body
is reddish ash grey; the whitish throat is not clouded with black till
the fifth or sixth year; the breast is dusky rust-red waved with white;
the belly is dusky white; the rump is reddish yellow[101].
It is not till after the first moulting that the distinction between the
plumage of the males and females is obvious; even then the breast of the
male retains the black tinged with white, but loses this tint in the
course of the following summer; the males also have for some time a
white streak on the forehead, that passes above the eyes, and the belly
is more white than rust-red.
HABITATION.--In a wild state these birds are found in Europe and Asia,
and are very common in Germany and England. They leave us the
beginning of October, and return the end of March or beginning of
April. At this time and in autumn they haunt hedges and bushes; but
in summer they principally frequent gardens, the banks of streams
planted with willows, and even forests. Those that frequent gardens
also enter towns, and will perch on the roofs of the houses,
enlivening the inmates with their song from morning till night.
In the house, if given a cage, it should be of such light wire work
as not to conceal the beauty of the plumage.
FOOD.--When wild they feed on all kinds of insects, earth-worms,
currants, and elderberries.
In the house, if taken in autumn, they may sometimes be induced to
feed on elderberries, rarely on the poultry paste. To entice them to
this meal-worms must be mixed with it at first, and some thrown in
when it is eaten; ants' eggs must be added in spring. These birds are
delicate, and always require to be supplied with insects; but never
give them earth-worms, as they do not digest them easily. If kept in
cages they should be given nightingales' food; yet fed in this way it
is rare to preserve them above three or four years; they generally
die of consumption or atrophy.
BREEDING.--The redstart generally places its nest in a hole of a tree
or wall; it is negligently formed of moss, stalks of grass, feathers,
and hair. The female has two broods in the year, and each time she
lays from five to seven eggs, of an apple green. Scarcely have the
tail-feathers begun to grow ere the young ones hop from the nest and
perch on some neighbouring branch, where they receive food from the
parent birds till they are able to seek it for themselves. Their
plumage before moulting is ash grey spotted with white. The young
females resemble the nightingale so much in autumn that they are
often mistaken for it. Bird-fanciers should rear these birds on ants'
eggs, with white bread soaked in boiled milk occasionally, and thus
accustom them to the common universal paste. They learn to repeat
parts of the songs of their companions.
DISEASES.--Diarrhoea and atrophy carry off the greatest number.
MODE OF TAKING.--Sticks covered with bird-lime should be placed across
the hedges frequented by these birds; they must then be driven gently
towards them. They are also attracted under nets, and amongst limed
twigs baited with meal-worms. In autumn they may be taken in nooses,
by suspending elderberries near them, either in orchards or thickets.
Those intended for the house should be taken in bird-traps or
springes, taking care that the wooden part be covered with felt or
cork, to prevent the legs being broken. The young ones of the first
year are the easiest to preserve. They also go to the water-trap
without difficulty.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its plumage, and still more its song and
sprightliness, render this a delightful bird. It is always in motion,
bowing, and moving its tail from side to side at every step; all its
actions are lively and graceful. It can improve its song, composed of
some very pretty strains, by adding to it parts of the songs of birds
that are found near it. For instance, those that build under my roof
imitate tolerably the chaffinch that hangs in a cage at my window;
and a neighbour of mine has one in his garden that repeats some
strains of a blackcap that has its nest near. This facility in
appropriating the song of other birds is rare in birds that live in a
state of liberty, and seems peculiar to this species. They become so
tame that they will take meal-worms from the hand.
MR. SWEET'S ACCOUNT OF THE REDSTART.
This is one of the handsomest of our British birds, visiting us the
latter end of March or beginning of April; the earliest arrival ever
noticed was the 25th of March, and they generally leave us the beginning
of September. When they first arrive they mostly frequent old buildings
or out-houses, for the sake of flies and small insects that often abound
there. They build their nest in a hole or crevice of a wall, or in a
hollow tree. They frequently ascend to the top of the highest tree
within their haunt, and there sit sometimes for a considerable time,
pouring out their quick and sort of fretful song. When kept in
confinement I consider it the most sensible, and, if brought up from the
nest, the most attached of all small birds; but it may be considered the
most tender of the whole tribe. It is a real mocker, and if bred up from
a young one, will learn the note or call of almost any other bird; it
will also learn a tune that is whistled or sung to it, and will sing by
night as well as day if a light be kept in the room where it is.
I was in possession of a handsome male bird of this species, which I
kept more than six years. It became very tame, though an old wild bird
when first caught, and it was so attached to its cage, that one day,
having got its liberty, it flew away into the gardens, where it stayed
six or seven hours, after which it returned to its cage again. In the
year 1825 I saw a female bird of this species so late as the 21st of
November, flying about as lively as at midsummer; it had probably
escaped or been turned out of a cage. When in confinement it is
particularly partial to ants' eggs, and also to the common maggots.
THE ARBOUR BIRD.
Sylvia polyglotta, RANZANI; Sylvia Hippolais, BECHSTEIN; Le
Bec-fin à poitrine jaune, TEMMINCK; Die Gelbbrust, BECHSTEIN;
Die Spotvogel, WICHTERICH.
This pleasing bird, which is met with wherever there are groves and
bushes[102], is five inches and a half in length, of which the tail
measures two and a quarter. The beak, seven lines long, is straight,
blunt, bluish grey above, and yellow tinged with flesh-colour beneath,
with yellowish corners, and the entrance of the throat citron yellow;
the iris is dark brown; the shanks, ten lines high, are lead-coloured.
The head is pointed in front; the back, rump, and lesser wing-coverts,
are olive ash grey; a yellow line extends from the nostrils to the eyes;
the whole of the under part of the body is a fine light yellow; the tail
and wings are dark brown; the secondary quill-feathers have so wide a
white border that it forms a spot on the closed wings.
HABITATION.--In its wild state it frequents orchards, groves, and
brambles; but with us it seems to prefer small woods that are
interspersed with resinous trees. It arrives the end of April, and
quits us as early as the end of August, before the moulting season.
In the house it is kept in a nightingale's cage, in which no change
must be made, still less must another be given it, for it would not
survive these disturbances. It is so delicate, that if taken when
full grown it is almost impossible to tame it.
FOOD.--When wild its food is all kinds of insects, smooth
caterpillars, flies, gnats, &c.; and if these are scarce,
berries[103].
In the house it prefers these insects and meal-worms. It is only with
great patience and management that it can be given a taste for the
nightingale's food. In general it will eat nothing but insects.
BREEDING.--The nest of the arbour bird is one of those that are so
well and curiously formed, commonly placed eight feet above the
ground, in the fork of a tree. It is built of pieces of the white
bark of the birch tree, dried plants, caterpillars' webs, wool, and
the upper layer of down. All these white materials give it the
appearance of being made of paper. It is lined with the finest hay.
The female lays five eggs, which are at first of a pale rose red, but
after having been sat upon some days acquire a dark flesh-coloured
tint, speckled with dark red. This species has but one brood in the
year, and if the nest is approached two or three times it will desert
it, whether the young ones are hatched or not.
If a person wish to have this pleasing bird in the house, as it is
often seen in Hesse, he must take the young ones early from the nest,
feed them on ants' eggs and bullock's heart chopped small, and always
keep them in a warm place. As soon as the arbour bird has been placed
in the situation destined for it, it must be left there constantly;
its cage ought not to be changed, at least there should be no
difference in the one given it afterwards, as without this attention
it becomes sad, eats no longer, and dies in a short time. I may
observe here, that it moults in December or January, whence we may
infer that it passes the winter in a southern climate.
DISEASES.--These are the same as the nightingale's.
MODE OF TAKING.--This can rarely be accomplished but by placing limed
twigs on the nest, which is a cruel method, and the nest is often
deserted as soon as it has been approached. Neither will these birds
go to the water-trap: they may be caught occasionally in bird-traps
in August, by baiting them with currants[104]. The surest way then is
to take them young, especially as the old ones cannot be tamed.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The song of the arbour bird is sweet, varied,
full of power and melody, long sustained; yet some harsh strains have
been remarked, and some resembling the notes of the chimney swallow.
Whilst singing its throat is much dilated. Its call is _dak, dak!
hyovie, hyovie!_ Its plumage is pretty.
ACCOUNT OF THE ARBOUR BIRD, FROM THE "FIELD NATURALIST'S MAGAZINE."
"British writers, since the time of Pennant and White, have rendered the
history of several of our smallest birds a mass of confusion, which even
now it will be difficult to clear up, though I feel confident I possess
the means of loosening two at least of the knots of the controverted
points, as I shall presently show.
"When I was residing, in the summer of 1832, at Bonn, on the Rhine, my
friend M. Wichterich brought me a pair of birds with their young, which
at first sight, judging from colour and size, I took to be pale
canaries, till I looked at their bills; I perceived then that it was a
species with which I was unacquainted, and certainly not known as
British. I was accordingly not a little surprised when he told me it was
the _Sylvia Hippolais_ of Bechstein, and astonished when he said it was
one of the finest song birds in Europe, very superior to the blackcap
and fauvette, and in some respects even to the nightingale. I thence
concluded that it was the species whose splendid song had charmed and
puzzled me in an orchard at Schiedam, in Holland, and again in the
gardens of Prince Maximilian, at Neuwied, on the Rhine; the rich
intonation and multitudinous variety of the notes fully bearing out my
friend's opinion. This circumstance alone would go far to prove that the
species is not British, for it would be impossible so fine a song bird
could be concealed, particularly as it haunts gardens, and is rarely
found in woods. The very contrary of the statement of Temminck, whose
authority, how high soever it may be in other matters, is, with respect
to habits and field observations, of not the slightest weight: he might
have seen the bird, if he ever looked beyond his cabinet, in most of the
gardens about Leyden, where he resides.
"I kept the old birds with their young, which they fed in a cage for
some time, but to my great regret they fell a sacrifice to the common
enemy of cage birds. About the same time I was delighted to find a nest
of the same species in a lilac-tree in my own garden, about half a dozen
yards from my parlour windows. Three of the young after leaving this
nest were secured, and their mother was caught to feed them, which she
did successfully, and I brought them all, and three others, home with me
to England. The nest was about seven feet high from the garden level,
and ten from the base of a low wall, over which the branch where it was
built leaned. The workmanship of the nest is very superior to that of
the blackcap, coming nearer in character to that of the finches. The
frame-work is rather thick, made of dried grass stems, sewing thread,
fine wood shavings, birch bark, and small pieces of linen rag. The
inside is very neatly lined with roots, hair, and a few feathers and
small locks of wool.
"In the full grown male the bill is about half an inch long, straight,
somewhat blunt, broad and flat at the base. The upper mandible has an
exceedingly indistinct notch, and is greyish blue; the under mandible
yellowish, with a tinge of red; the angles yellowish, and the opening of
the mouth lemon yellow. The tongue is yellow, abrupt at the point, and
furnished with three bristles. The iris is dusky brown. The forehead is
low, flat, angular, and pointed. The eyebrows and eyelids are yellow,
and a yellow line runs from the nostrils to the eyes. The crown of the
head, neck, back, and wing-coverts are olive grey, inclining more to
green on the rump. The shoulder of the wing (_campterium_, ILLIGER) is
yellow: the primary quill-feathers are dusky brown, with a slight fringe
of olive grey; the rest of the quill-feathers have a broader fringe of
greyish white, which, when the wing is closed, forms a whitish patch.
The tail is two inches long, the feathers being of equal length, and of
very nearly the same colours and tinge as the wing-quills. All the under
parts of the body are of a fine clear lemon colour. The legs are
five-sixths of an inch high, and of a lead colour; the claws greyish
brown. The whole length is five inches and a half; the extent of the
wings nine inches.
The female is sometimes, but not always, rather paler than the male. The
young have the yellow parts very pale.
A species very similar to this has been discovered in Italy by Prince C.
Buonaparte--the _Sylvia icterina_? of Vieillot, which frequents marshy
places.
THE COMMON CHIFF-CHAFF.
[Illustration]
Sylva loquax, HERBERT; S. Hippolais, MONTAGU; but not the _S.
Hippolais_ of the Continental authors, which is _S.
polyglotta_.
COLONEL MONTAGU AND MR. SWEET'S ACCOUNT OF THE CHIFF-CHAFF.
This bird weighs about two or nearly three drachms; the length varies
from four inches and a half to five inches.
This species is nearly the same size as the hay-bird. In its plumage it
so much resembles that bird, that we shall only make mention here of
some essential marks of distinction, and refer our readers to the
hay-bird.
Its general colour is not so much tinged with yellow, and the legs are
dusky, which in the other are brown.
The plumage of the sexes are alike.
These two birds have been, and are, frequently confounded, and with them
the wood wren of this work; but this last is at once distinguished by
the under tail-coverts being a pure white, and the plumage of a more
lively green on the upper parts than either of the others. The nest,
eggs, and notes, will be found also different by consulting and
comparing the history of each. This is the first of all the migrative
warblers (_Sylviadæ_) in its annual visit, and is, perhaps, the only one
that has occasionally been observed with us during the winter, and that
only in the milder parts of England. It is generally heard on or before
the first of April repeating its song, if that may be so called which
consists only of four notes, which seem to express the words _chip,
chop, cherry, churry_, four or five times successively. It is a busy,
restless bird, always active among the trees and bushes in search of
insects. From its early cry in our neighbourhood, we long suspected it
would be found that this hardy little bird did not wholly quit us, and
in this opinion we were confirmed by seeing one in the garden about
Christmas, 1806. In the following January, we observed two of these
little creatures busied in catching the small insects which a bright day
had roused in great abundance about some fir trees, by springing upon
them from the ends of the branches, one of which we succeeded in
shooting. Another, which we killed in 1808, on the same spot, while
feeding upon a small species of _culex_, weighed one drachm thirty-three
grains; this will easily account for the very early cry of this bird in
the spring, as it is highly probable that they remain with us the whole
year, but are wholly silent in the winter. The earliest we ever heard
was on the 14th of March, 1804, when vegetation was unusually early.
The nest of this species is oval, with a small hole near the top,
composed externally of dry leaves, and then coarse dry grass, and lined
with feathers; and is generally placed on or near the ground, frequently
on a ditch bank, in a tuft of grass or low bush. The eggs are six in
number, white, speckled with purplish red at the larger end only, with
here and there a single speck on the sides.
It seems to be the hardiest and most generally diffused of all our
summer visitants; and is found in all parts of the kingdom where wood or
hedges afford it shelter and food. Its note is heard long after the
hay-bird is silent. Dr. Latham says this is called in Dorsetshire the
hay-bird; but as we are inclined to believe the three species before
mentioned have been confounded, it is more probable that our hay-bird
should obtain that name, as its nest is composed of that material.
Mr. Sweet tells us, "it is readily taken in a trap baited with small
caterpillars. They soon get familiar in confinement; when first caught,
they should, if possible, be put with other birds, and they will readily
take to feed on bruised hemp-seed and bread, and on bread and milk,
which must at first be stuck full of small insects, or a quantity of
aphides may be shaken off a branch upon it; when they have once tasted
it they will be very fond of it. One that I caught took to eat it
directly, and became so familiar, that in three or four days it would
take a fly out of the hand. It also learnt to drink milk out of a
tea-spoon, of which it was so fond, that it would fly after it all round
the room, and perch on the hand that held it, without showing the least
symptoms of fear. It would also fly up to the ceiling, and bring down a
fly in its mouth every time. At last it got so very tame, that it would
sit on my knee by the fire and sleep; and when the windows were open, it
would never attempt, nor seemed to have the least inclination, to fly
out; so that I at last ventured to entice it out in the garden, to see
whether it would return. I with difficulty enticed it out at the door
with a spoon of milk; it returned twice to the room; the third time it
ventured into a little tree; it then fled and perched on my hand, and
drank milk out of the spoon; from thence it flew to the ground on some
chickweed, in which it washed itself, and got into a holly-bush to dry.
After getting among the leaves, I could see no more of it, but heard it
call several times. I suppose after it got quite dry that it left the
country directly, as I could never see or hear it afterwards, and it was
then the end of November, when all the others had left for some
time[105]."
THE RUFOUS CHIFF-CHAFF.
Sylvia rufa, BECHSTEIN; La Fauvette rousse, BUFFON; Der
Weidenzeisig, BECHSTEIN.
This and the gold-crested wren are the smallest of our European birds.
The full-grown male has the bill a third of an inch in length, very
narrow, and pointed; of a blackish brown, except at the edges and
within, where it is yellow. The iris is dusky brown. From the base of
the bill on each side there runs a narrow yellowish white streak, and
there is another straight streak of a dusky yellow over the eye. The
sides of the head are of a very clear brown. The upper part of the head,
neck, and back, are greyish brown, with a slight tinge of olive. The
throat is greyish white; the breast light grey, with a very pale tinge
of red, or rather rust brown. The belly is greyish white, with faint
yellowish streaks.
The females and the young males, before the first moult, have the upper
parts of a clear olive green, and the under parts reddish white.
I have never met with the nest; but it is said to be built on the ground
amongst fallen leaves, domed, with a side entrance, and lined with
feathers. The eggs are said to be from four to seven, white, with
reddish black dots, most crowded at the larger end.
The young branchers may be caught in autumn by means of the owl, with
limed twigs, and fed on ant's eggs and small meal-worms. They will also
soon take to bread and milk, or German paste, and become exceedingly
tame, but are very impatient of cold.
It is most probably a native of Britain, like the preceding; but is not
yet distinctly proved to be so.
THE HAY-BIRD, OR WILLOW WREN.
[Illustration]
Sylvia Fitis, BECHSTEIN; S. Trochilus, LATHAM; Le Bec-fin
Pouillot, TEMMINCK; Der Fitis Sanger, MEYER; Der Weidenblatt,
BECHSTEIN.
This species weighs about two drachms and three quarters; length five
inches and a quarter. The bill is dusky above, yellowish beneath; irides
hazel. The whole upper parts of the plumage are of a greenish yellow
brown: the under parts are white, tinged with yellow; on the breast are
a few yellow streaks; legs light brown.
This is a plentiful species in some parts; frequents wooded and enclosed
situations, especially where willows abound; is frequently found with
the wood wren, but does not extend so far to the west in England, as it
is rarely met with in Cornwall. It comes to us early in April, and soon
begins its usual song, which is short, with little variety. About the
latter end of the same month, or beginning of May, it makes a nest of an
oval shape, with a small opening near the top, composed of moss and
dried grass, and lined with feathers. This is placed in the hollow of a
ditch, or in a low bush close to the ground.
MR. SWEET'S ACCOUNT OF THE HAY-BIRD.
This is another little favourite songster, and a most deserving one it
is. It visits us the latter end of March, or beginning of April, and
leaves us again at the end of September, or beginning of October. On its
first arrival, it enlivens our woods and groves with its lively piercing
song and gay frolics, flying about from tree to tree, and catching the
small gnats and flies that come in its way. It builds its nest on the
ground in a thicket amongst dead leaves and moss, with a covering on
the top, of the same materials as those lying all around, so that it is
impossible to find it without watching one of the old ones to the nest,
which in general consists of six or seven young ones. These may either
be brought up from the nest, or if an old one be caught wild it is
easily tamed. When first put in the cage with a tame bird, the general
food, bread and milk, and eggs, should be stuck full of small flies,
aphides, small caterpillars, or other small insects, in picking out
which it will taste the other food, and soon take to eat it readily, and
will soon become very tame in confinement. One that I caught in
September was, in three days afterwards, let out of the aviary into the
room to catch the flies, that were numerous at that season. After
amusing itself for some time in catching flies, it began singing; and it
did the same several other times when it was let out, and in a few days
began to sing in its aviary. It soon became so familiar, that it would
take flies out of the hand; and when out in the room, if a fly was held
towards it, would fly up, and take it immediately.
Although the present species is so small a bird, it is very courageous,
being generally the master of the cage, and as it is so fine a songster,
and almost continually in song, no little bird can be more desirable in
a cage with other birds; its note, when in full song, being so loud and
shrill, that its voice is plainly heard above the nightingale's when
both are in full song.
THE WOOD WREN.
[Illustration]
Sylvia sibilatrix, BECHSTEIN; Le Bec-fin Siffleur, TEMMINCK;
Der grüne Sanger, MEYER.
This bird remained long unnoticed as a distinct species, from its
resemblance to the hay-bird (_Sylvia Trochilus_), with which it is
still frequently confounded. It measures in length five inches and a
half; bill horn-colour; upper mandible bent at the tip, and rather
longer than the under; irides hazel; nostrils beset with bristles; top
of the head, neck, back, and tail-coverts olive green; throat and cheeks
yellow, paler on the breast; belly and vent of a most beautiful silvery
white; through the eye passes a yellow line; legs rather more than an
inch long, of a horn-colour, claws paler.
MR. SWEET'S ACCOUNT OF THE WOOD WREN.
This elegant and beautiful little species ranks itself amongst my list
of favourites. It visits this country the beginning of April, and leaves
it in August, or the beginning of September. It is generally to be found
in summer amongst tall trees in woods and plantations, where it is
readily detected on its arrival, by a shrill shaking sort of note that
may be heard at a great distance, and cannot be confounded with any
other bird. On its first arrival it sings the greater part of the day,
and continues its song, more or less, through the summer, except at the
time it is engaged in feeding its young. Its nest is built on the ground
in a thicket amongst moss and dead leaves, so that it is impossible to
find it without watching one of the old ones to the nest, which is
easily done when they have young. They may either be tamed when old, or
reared from the nest, and are not difficult to be caught when young with
a little bird-lime at the end of a fishing-rod, as may several other
species of this interesting group.
As the present species feeds entirely upon insects when wild, the
greater part of which it catches on the wing, it will be useless to give
it any sort of fruit or berry; but bread and milk, bruised hemp-seed and
bread, with bits of fresh lean meat cut very small and mixed up in it,
will be its general food. It is also very fond of the yolk of an egg
boiled hard, and crumbled small, or stirred up with the point of a knife
that it may peck it out of the shell as it likes. Sometimes these birds
are apt to get off their other food, and will live on egg several days;
at such a time if a few flies could be procured for them, it would be
the most likely to restore their appetite.
THE GRASSHOPPER BIRD.
[Illustration]
Locustella avicula, RAY; Sylvia locustella, LATHAM; L'Alouette
locustelle, BUFFON; Der Fleuschrechensanger, MEYER.
This species is less than the white-throat; length five inches and a
half; weight about three drachms and a quarter. The bill is dusky above,
whitish beneath; irides light hazel. The whole upper parts of the bird
are olivaceous brown; the middle of each feather dusky, except on the
back of the neck, which gives it a pretty spotted appearance; the tail
is much cuneiform, and the feathers somewhat pointed, which is a very
marked and peculiar character in this species; the outer feather being
full an inch shorter than the middle ones, and nearly rounded at the
tips, the wing remarkably short, reaching very little beyond the base of
the tail; legs very pale brown; claws light-horn colour; hind claw short
and crooked.
In shape, the grasshopper warbler very much resembles the sedge-bird; is
rather inferior in size, and at once distinguished by its spotted back.
MR. SWEET'S ACCOUNT OF THE GRASSHOPPER BIRD.
The present species is known amongst bird-catchers by the name of the
grasshopper lark, and it was originally placed amongst the larks by
ornithologists, but has been very properly removed from them by later
authors, as it wants the most characteristic mark of that family,
namely, its long claw. It is a very rare bird in the neighbourhood of
London, and I have never been able to procure but one of them, which I
lost the first winter, by letting it wash too much; in confinement it
requires the same sort of management as recommended for the two last
species, and it will succeed very well. I am not acquainted with their
song, never having lived in any neighbourhood where they visit, but I
have been credibly informed that they have none but a note like the
chirping of the grasshopper; this may probably be the case, but I have
often heard the same report of some of our finest songsters, which
people had confused with very common birds, there being very few who do
not confuse, under the general name of white-throats, the common
fly-catcher, both white-throats, the greater pettychaps, and the
blackcaps, when young; and many even confuse with these the willow wren,
wood wren, and lesser pettychaps: this tribe of birds being only summer
visitants, are less known than any others.
These birds are not uncommon in several parts of England; they are said
to be plentiful on Malmesbury Common, Wiltshire, in summer, where they
breed; they are also frequently seen in Norfolk and Suffolk, and in
various other parts, where they build their nest among some high grass
or sedge, in which it is so concealed that it is with difficulty found,
except by watching the old birds carrying food to their young ones; or
when building, they may be seen carrying materials to construct their
nest.
In a wild state these birds feed entirely on insects, such as flies,
moths, butterflies, spiders, ants; and their eggs, small beetles, and
numerous other sorts, so that in confinement they will frequently
require insect food.
THE REED WARBLER.
[Illustration]
Sylvia arundinacea, LATHAM; La Fauvette des Roseaux, BUFFON;
Der Teichsänger oder Sumpfsänger, BECHSTEIN.
This species has been confounded, not only with others with a greenish
plumage that are analogous, but in describing it with the reed thrush
(_Turdus arundinaceus_, Linn.), and in its manner of life with the
black-bonnet, or reed bunting (_Emberiza Schæniclus_, Linn.). It is five
inches in length, of which the tail measures two. The beak, seven lines
long, resembles that of the arbour bird, brown above and yellowish
beneath; the iris is chestnut brown; the shanks are eight lines high,
and ash grey; the forehead is very long, greenish grey; the rest of the
upper part of the body, including the wing-coverts, are of the same
colour, tinged with olive; the rump is paler; a straw-coloured line
extends above the eyes; the cheeks are olive brown; the under part of
the body is yellowish white; the knees are olive grey; the anterior
quill-feathers are dusky; the secondary are dark brown; all are edged
with olive grey; the tail-feathers have the same colour as the
quill-feathers, but with a wider olive grey border; the tail is very
much rounded, and nearly wedge-formed.
There is little difference in the female. Her head is pale brown: a
white line passes across the eyes; the upper part is reddish grey,
tinged with olive; the under part, except the throat, which is white, is
pale grey, tinged with yellow; the quill-feathers are darker brown than
the tail, with an olive grey border.
HABITATION.--When wild they are found throughout Europe, wherever
rushes and reeds abound. They arrive in Germany towards the middle of
April, and leave it the beginning of September. As they are very
delicate, in the house they must be kept in a nightingale's cage.
FOOD.--When wild it feeds on all kinds of aquatic insects, and, when
these fail, on berries. In the house, independently of nightingale's
food, it requires in a cage all the insects that can be caught, as
flies, water-spiders, and gnats.
BREEDING.--The nest, rather long and very ingeniously fastened to the
stems of the reeds or the branches of bushes by the water side, is
constructed of pieces of dried grass, of which the largest are on the
outside, and the finer within; these are sometimes mixed with wool
and hair. The eggs, five or six in number, are greenish white,
streaked and speckled with olive green. The young ones can only be
reared on ants' eggs.
MODE OF TAKING.--These birds are sometimes caught by placing lime
twigs on a place cleared of the turf, and throwing meal-worms there.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The song of the reed warbler very much
resembles that of the arbour bird, but is not so full; what renders
it so agreeable is, that its varied melody is heard during evening
and morning twilight.
MR. SWEET'S ACCOUNT OF THE REED WARBLER.
This is a very variable bird in its colours, some being of a very pale
colour, and others altogether as dark, and those that are pale one
season frequently become dark the ensuing one. It is a curious little
lively bird, known often by the name of reed wren. It generally makes
its appearance with us the beginning of April, and leaves us in
September. Its early or late departure seems to depend a good deal on
the warmth or coolness of the seasons. It is a very merry bird, almost
continually singing, and will sing by night as well as by day, sitting
amongst the reeds, or in some bush or tree near the water, where it
feeds on the gnats and other insects that infest moist situations. It is
very fond of flies, spiders, small caterpillars, moths, grasshoppers,
crickets, and many other insects, and will swallow a larger one than
could be imagined for so small a bird. In confinement it will feed
readily on the general food, and is also very fond of the yolk of an egg
boiled hard, so that it may be crumbled on the top of the other food, or
put in the cage in an empty egg-shell. It should also be supplied with a
few insects occasionally, such as flies, spiders, small caterpillars,
moths, or butterflies. Being an inhabitant of the sides of ditches and
rivers, it is very partial to washing, which it must not be allowed to
do in winter, or it will wash itself until it is so weak that it can
never recover.
THE SEDGE BIRD.
Sylvia Phragmitis, BECHSTEIN; S. salicaria, LATHAM; Le Bec-fin
Phragmite, TEMMINCK; Der Schilsänger, MEYER.
The weight of this species is about three drachms; length five inches
and a half; bill dusky above, whitish beneath; irides hazel; crown of
the head and whole upper parts of a yellowish brown, plain on the back
and sides of the neck, rump, and upper tail-coverts; tail like the
quills a little cuneiform, which, when spread, gives it a rounded shape;
legs dusky.
MR. SWEET'S ACCOUNT OF THE SEDGE BIRD.
In habit and manner the present species approaches to the former, but is
a much handsomer bird; though not so rare, it frequents the sides of
ditches, ponds, and rivers, like the last species, where it pours forth
its variable diurnal and nocturnal song almost incessantly, on its first
arrival in this country, which is generally the beginning of April,
leaving us again about the middle of September. It builds its nest in a
thicket of reeds, or other tall water-grass, on which it is fastened up
with the webs of caterpillars, similar to that of the former, which is
fastened to the branches of trees, so that no wind or storm can move it.
The song of the present species is somewhat similar to that of the last,
but is more shrill and chattering; some people prefer it to that of the
latter species, but I do not, as it wants some fine deep notes that the
other possesses: it is also an imitative bird, its song being intermixed
with the call of the sparrow and parts of the songs of other birds. Its
food is precisely the same as that of the last species; and in
confinement the treatment for both must be exactly alike.
THE WREN.
[Illustration]
Motacilla Troglodytes, LINNÆUS; Le Roitelet, ou Troglodite,
BUFFON; Der Zaunkönig, BECHSTEIN.
This, except the rufous chiff-chaff and the gold-crested wren, is the
smallest bird of our climate. It is only three inches and a half in
length, of which the tail measures one and a half. The beak is five
lines, rather curved at the point, dusky above, yellowish white below,
and yellow within; the iris is hazel brown; the shanks are seven lines
high, and greyish brown; the upper part of the body is dusky rust brown,
with indistinct dark brown streaks across.
The female is smaller, of a redder brown, and confusedly streaked
across; the feet are yellowish.
HABITATION.--When wild it is found all over Europe, and particularly
frequents mountainous and woody places. It does not quit us, but
remains in winter, as in summer, near our dwellings.
In the house, on account of its liveliness, it is given rather a
large cage, the bars of which should be very near together. If
allowed to range it may easily escape through small openings, as it
is very fond of penetrating such crevices.
FOOD.--At liberty, it consists throughout the year of small insects,
which it seeks in winter in barns, stables, cellars, holes in walls,
and piles of wood. In autumn, however, it will eat both unripe and
black elderberries.
As soon as it is brought into the house it must be plentifully
supplied with meal-worms, flies, elderberries, and then gradually add
nightingales' paste, which will soon become its ordinary food. It is
only by adopting this method that I have been successful in
preserving one of these birds.
BREEDING.--Any nook appears to suit the wren to build its large nest
in; which may be found in a hole of a tree, amongst the roots, under
a roof, or a cavity under ground; every place is suitable, provided
the nest can be concealed. This is oval, covered with moss on the
outside, and lined with feathers and hair. It has an opening at the
top or side to go in and out by. The female lays from six to eight
pretty little white eggs, speckled with red. The young ones are rusty
red, spotted with black and white. They may be reared on ants' eggs,
adding, as soon as they can fly, the universal paste; but they always
prefer ants' eggs.
MODE OF TAKING.--If in winter, a white-throat trap is set in a place
much frequented by these birds, and meal-worms scattered within and
around it. In this the wrens will surely be caught. They may be
entrapped in autumn with spring traps and springes, by hanging
elderberries before; but, after every precaution, they generally
break their legs.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its sprightliness is pleasing, and its actions
gay and varied. It has a very powerful voice for its size, and its
song is continued throughout the year; it is soft, and mingled with
some notes of the canary, which are the more pleasing as they consist
of distinct loud tones always descending. Its call is _tzrr,
tzetzererr!_ I have never preserved one more than a year, but other
amateurs say they may be kept two or three.
THE GOLD-CRESTED WREN.
Motacilla Regulus, LINNÆUS; Le Poul, ou Roitelet huppé,
BUFFON; Das Goldhähnchen, BECHSTEIN.
This is the smallest of European birds. It is three inches and a half in
length, of which the tail measures one and a quarter. The beak is
four lines, slender, very sharp, and black, having the nostrils covered
with a feather divided like a comb; the iris is dusky; the shanks are
eight lines in height, and brownish flesh-coloured; the forehead is
yellowish brown; a black streak extends from the corners of the beak to
the eyes, above which is a white streak, and below them a white speck;
the top of the head is saffron yellow, each side edged with golden
yellow, beyond which is a black band.
[Illustration: GOLD-CRESTED WREN.]
The female has the top of the head golden yellow, the forehead and wings
grey.
HABITATION.--When wild these pretty little birds are diffused
throughout the old world, principally frequenting pine and fir
forests, and do not appear to migrate, excepting those that inhabit
northern countries, and go towards the south in October, and return
in March; at least, they are then observed on their passage, in
Germany, the hedges being full of them in spring; but those
established among us remain, as they are seen all the year. They
assemble in small flights in winter, and fly about here and there,
like the tits, seeking places where their food is most abundant.
In the house a bell-shaped cage appears to suit them best. Several
may be kept together in a part of a room enclosed with trellis work,
and with a small fir tree for them to perch on. Reared from the nest,
they may be allowed to perch on a tree in the room, which they enjoy
so much that they are never far from it; if there are many they will
perch in a row, press close side by side, and sleep in this manner.
FOOD.--In the wild state it feeds on all kinds of small insects and
their grubs; they are, however, able to swallow large flies, as the
beak has a wide opening.
In the house the gold-crests are soon accustomed to the nightingales'
paste, by throwing amongst it at first flies deprived of their wings,
or half dead, and at length they will be satisfied with bruised
hemp-seed; but they must have insects occasionally, flies, meal-worms
cut small, ants' eggs, &c.; finally, to keep them healthy, their
paste should be neither too stiff nor too moist, and care must be
taken to avoid their swallowing rape or camelin seed, which would
immediately kill them[106].
BREEDING.--The nest, fixed to the extremity of a branch, is round, and
very soft, built of moss, caterpillar's cocoons, and tufts of thistle
down; it is generally found in low underwood or meadows with woods
adjoining, on the first tree towards the east. About nine eggs are
laid, the size of a pea, and pale blush red. Those young ones
intended to be reared must not be taken from the nest till they are
fledged, and it is best to catch them just as they are leaving the
nest. They eat readily meal-worms cut small, flies, ants' eggs, and
white bread soaked in boiled milk.
MODE OF TAKING.--As they are not fearful, they may easily be caught by
gently approaching the tree where one is perched, and merely striking
it with a limed twig fastened to a pole long enough to reach it. It
may be brought down also with water, in the manner adopted by M. Le
Vaillant, that is, by first putting into a gun the common charge of
powder, then a wadding of silk, then, as soon as the bird is within
reach, two spoonfuls of water are poured in and covered with a second
wadding of silk, which must not be rammed down hard, lest the water
should reach the powder below. This load, discharged at the distance
of twenty paces, is capable of wetting the bird so completely that it
may be taken by the hand; but if there are hedges in the
neighbourhood, or if a stronger bird be fired at, a chaffinch, for
instance, it may easily escape.
Many gold-crested wrens may be caught by means of a hut set for any
small birds, when the way to attract them is known. They come in
great numbers to the water trap, and by their often repeated call of
_tzitt, tzitt_, give notice of sunset and the arrival of larger
birds.
They will soon grow tame enough to eat out of the hand. On account of
their delicacy, many often die before a person succeeds in rearing
one; but when once accustomed to the house they will live a long
time, at least if not hurt by other birds, and if they do not swallow
what they cannot digest.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The smallness of their size, their elegance and
beauty, render them a pleasant acquisition; but their song adds to
their attractions, for though weak it is very melodious, and
resembles that of the canary.
THE HON. AND REV. W. HERBERT'S ACCOUNT OF THE GOLD-CRESTED WREN.
The golden-crested wren and the common brown wren are both very
impatient of cold. In confinement, the least frost is immediately fatal
to them. In a wild state they keep themselves warm by constant active
motion in the day, and at night they secrete themselves in places where
the frost cannot reach them; but I apprehend that numbers do perish in
severe winters. I once caught half a dozen golden wrens at the beginning
of winter, and they lived extremely well upon egg and meat, being
exceedingly tame. At roosting time there was always a whimsical conflict
amongst them for the inside places, as being the warmest, which ended of
course by the weakest going to the wall. The scene began with a low
whistling call amongst them to roost, and the two birds on the extreme
right and left flew on the backs of those in the centre, and squeezed
themselves into the middle. A fresh couple from the flanks immediately
renewed the attack upon the centre, and the conflict continued till the
light began to fail them. A severe frost in February killed all but one
of them in one night, though in a furnished drawing-room. The survivor
was preserved in a little cage by burying it every night under the sofa
cushions; but having been one sharp morning taken from under them before
the room was sufficiently warmed by the fire, though perfectly well when
removed, it was dead in ten minutes. The nightingale is not much more
tender of cold than a canary bird. The golden-crowned wren very much
frequents spruce fir trees and cedars, and hangs its nest under their
branches; it is also fond of the neighbourhood of furze bushes, under
which it probably finds warm refuge from the cold. The brown wren is
very apt in frosty weather to roost in cow-houses, where the cattle keep
it warm.
THE ALPINE WARBLER.
Sturnus collaris, LINNÆUS; Motacilla Alpina, LINNÆUS; La
Fauvette des Alpes, BUFFON; Der Alpensänger, BECHSTEIN.
The characteristics of this bird are so equivocal that it is sometimes
ranked with the larks, sometimes with the starlings, and sometimes with
the _Motacillæ_. It is six inches and a half in length, but the tail
alone measures nearly three. The beak is six lines, and is dark brown
above and orange beneath; the mandibles are flattish at the sides; the
iris is yellow; the shanks are an inch high, and pale brown; a whitish
ash grey predominates on the head, neck, and back, but the latter is
streaked with dark brown, the others with pale brown.
The female and young ones are variegated with dark brown on the belly;
the back is dark, and the spots on the throat less apparent.
OBSERVATIONS.--This species frequents the secondary mountains of
Switzerland and southern Germany, and is as common there as the field
larks on our plains[107]. In winter it descends into the valleys, and
approaches villages and barns, around which these birds may be
caught, in as great numbers as yellowhammers. They are generally seen
on the ground, running as swiftly as the wagtail, and will sometimes
hop on stones, but rarely perch on trees.
They feed on seeds and insects, and in the house they should be given
bruised hemp-seed, poppy-seed, white bread, and ants' eggs. On this
food they may be preserved for several years. Their song is sweet,
but sad and melancholy; their attitudes are graceful, and often when
they hop they flutter their wings and tail. They build on the ground
or in clefts of rocks, which has given them the name of rock
larks[108].
THE OXEYE, OR GREATER TIT[109].
Parus major, LINNÆUS; La grosse Mésange, ou Charbonnière,
BUFFON; Die Kohlmeise, BECHSTEIN.
This well-known bird is five inches and five-sixths in length, of which
the tail measures two and a half. The beak is blackish, conical, firm,
pointed, and without slope, as are the beaks of the other tits; the iris
is dark brown; the shanks are nine lines high, and lead blue; the claws
are sharp, and adapted for climbing; the upper part of the head is of a
brilliant black, which is joined to the black of the throat by a line of
the same colour that borders and sets off the white of the cheeks and
temples; the nape is greenish yellow, with some mixture of white; the
back is fine olive, and the rump pale ash grey; the breast and belly are
a yellowish green, divided lengthways by a black line.
The female is smaller, the black on the head and the yellow on the nape
are less bright; the line that runs down the belly is narrower and
shorter, at least it is lost at the part where in the male it is widest;
this marks the difference between young males and females, which are
alike in other respects.
HABITATION.--In its wild state it is found throughout the old world,
but in the greatest numbers in mountainous countries, where orchards
and groves abound, and woods of beech, oak, and similar trees, are
found alternately with those of fir. Though these birds do not
migrate, yet in autumn they assemble and pass the winter together,
seeking their food amongst orchards and woods. In autumn, as soon as
the bird-catchers see these flights of tits succeed each other
quickly, they call it their passage, and immediately prepare snares
for taking them. In March each pair separates and prepares for
breeding.
In the house, if kept in a cage, this should be of iron wire, and
bell-shaped, for the advantage of seeing the birds twirl about, and
drop from one stick to another like monkeys. If they be allowed to
range, it is necessary to supply them with abundance of the food they
like, for if this fails they will attack the other birds, and pierce
their heads to eat the brain; when once they have tasted this food
there is no longer safety for the birds around them, whatever their
size may be. I have seen an oxeye attack a quail and kill it in this
way. Some bird-catchers say that the tits with forked tails are alone
addicted to this, but they are mistaken; it is certainly true that
some are more cruel than others, experience teaches us this every
day.
FOOD.--When wild they feed on insects, seeds, and berries, destroy
many smooth caterpillars, flies, grasshoppers, gnats, and small
butterflies, and climb about the trees like woodpeckers, seeking in
the moss the eggs and grubs of insects. In autumn and winter they eat
all kinds of seeds, especially hemp-seed, fir, and pine-seed, oats,
kernels of fruit, mast nuts, and occasionally flesh. They hold these
things in their claws, tear them with their beak, and skin them with
their tongue.
In the house they will eat any thing on the table, meat, bread,
cheese, vegetables, sweet almonds, walnuts, filberts, lard, and all
sorts of fat, all pastes adapted for other birds; so that we must not
attribute their early death to the delicacy of the tits, but to the
want of care in those that have them. The more they eat the more they
sing, and the less inclined they are to attack their companions. They
drink often, and enjoy bathing.
BREEDING.--The oxeye builds in a hole of a tree or wall, sometimes in
the forsaken nest of a squirrel, crow, or woodpecker. It lays on an
artless bed of moss, wool, and feathers, eight or ten whitish eggs,
sprinkled with large and small spots mixed with streaks of dark red,
particularly at the large end, where they form a coronet. The young
do not quit the nest till they can fly well. The under parts of the
body are pale yellow; and the black about them is not glossy as in
the old birds.
DISEASES.--In a cage, this species is subject to vertigo or giddiness,
occasioned by feeding too much on hemp-seed, which heats it and makes
it twirl about too much. To cure the disorder, the bird should be
kept for some time in a small square cage, or permitted to range the
room. From the same cause often arises atrophy, consumption, and even
gout, all which proves the injurious qualities of hemp-seed; but with
care on this point and a little attention it may live eight or ten
years.
MODE OF TAKING.--The chase after tits, is, according to bird-catchers,
one of the most agreeable, and is pursued in many ways; but I shall
confine myself to two or three of the surest methods, specifying the
best for taking those birds that are for the house.
In autumn and spring, the bird-catcher should go into an orchard, or
any other place much frequented by oxeyes, carrying one with him as a
decoy; this must be placed on the ground in a small square cage, and
some sticks, with lime-twigs fastened to them, fixed obliquely around
it. The tits, attracted by curiosity, or the desire of approaching
one of their own species that calls them, quickly descend, and are
caught in the lime-twigs. A whistle made of the bone of a goose's leg
succeeds still better; with this instrument all the tits in the
neighbourhood are quickly assembled; for the tone being stronger than
the natural call, it is heard farther; if there are but few of these
birds near, they are sure to be all caught.
They are easily attracted, in winter, to a trap, by the kernels of
nuts, lard, and oats. This trap should be placed in a garden, with a
little oat straw fastened under in such a way that it may be seen at
a distance, as the tits are instantly attracted thereby. It is a
small box a foot in length, and eighteen inches in height and width,
the sides of which, when not made of small boards painted green, are
formed of small elder sticks, tied or screwed to the four corner
sticks; in this case only two small boards are required, one for the
bottom, the other for the cover, which must be fastened on with
packthread, and turn as with hinges; from the middle of the bottom
rises a peg supporting a cross stick, with a nut kernel at one end,
and a little lard at the other; this cross stick supports a small
perpendicular one, which keeps the cover open three or four inches.
When a tit hops on the cross stick and begins pecking the nut or
lard, the cover falls, and the bird is caught.
The oxeye, like the other tits, assembles in numbers at the
water-trap, commonly from seven to nine in the morning, and from four
to five in the evening.
In autumn these birds are taken in nooses and common bird-traps,
baited with berries, but the snare must be of horse hair, for if of
thread, the bird, as soon as it feels itself caught, will try to bite
through it, as mice do.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The sprightliness and activity of these birds
are very pleasing, but their gay and lively song still more so: in it
are agreeably mingled the call "_fick, fick_" and the shrill
"_tzizerr_." Nothing, in my opinion, is more pleasing than to hear
repeated fifteen or twenty times following these striking notes,
"_sitzida, sitzida, stiti, stiti_." One may judge of the capability
of young ones to imitate the song of other birds, from the facility
with which the full-grown birds learn detached parts, and
particularly different calls.
Some people amuse themselves by making these birds perform many
little manoeuvres, such as drawing up their food with a chain,
turning a cylinder[110] which has the appearance of being moved by
two miners, and hopping after a nut suspended to a thread.
THE COLE TIT.
[Illustration]
Parus ater, LINNÆUS; La petite Charbonnière, BUFFON; Die
Tannenmeise, BECHSTEIN.
The length of this bird is four inches and one-sixth, of which the tail
measures one and three-quarters, and the beak one quarter. The back is
black, with the tip lighter; the iris is dusky; the shanks are eight
lines high, and lead blue; the upper part of the head and neck are
black; there is rather a broad streak of white at the back of the head
and down the nape of the neck; the cheeks and sides of the neck are also
white, forming, when the bird is at rest, a triangular spot; the back is
dark bluish ash grey.
The female is not easily distinguished from the male, unless both are
before you; its being a little less black on the breast, and a little
less white on the sides, are the only differences.
HABITATION.--When wild these birds are seen in great numbers in pine
forests, and seldom, except during their wanderings in autumn,
winter, and spring, are they met with in other kinds of woods,
groves, and orchards. They often pass from one pine forest to another
in large flights during the winter[111]. They appear to like the
society of the gold-crested wrens, which are always found in these
flights, as also some crested tits, which serve as guides.
In the house it is pleasanter to allow them to range with the other
birds than to keep them in a cage, yet there is some danger to their
companions from their cruelty.
FOOD.--When wild, besides insects and their grubs, they feed on the
seeds of different resinous trees; but as they are often deprived of
this food in winter from the trees being loaded with snow and hoar
frost, nature has given them the instinct to provide against this
emergency: they hide a great quantity of these seeds in fissures, and
under the large scales of the bark of pine trees, to which store they
have recourse when in want.
The instinct just alluded to is manifested also in the house, even
when they have abundance of all kinds of food; where they are
observed to rob the other birds of seeds and bits of nuts, and run
and hide them immediately in any crevices they may find, often
visiting these stolen stores afterwards to see if they are safe. The
blue tit and the oxeye are also accustomed to carry part of their
food into a corner, but they do not hide with so much care, or from
the same cause, as the cole tit. These birds are commonly fed on the
universal paste, but they are accustomed to it with difficulty.
BREEDING.--This species generally places its nest either in some hole
deserted by a mole or mouse, or under the overhanging edges of some
deep wheel-rut in an old disused road, rarely in holes of trees or
walls. The nest is composed of a layer of moss covered over with the
fur of the hare, roe-buck, and stag. There are two broods in the
year, each of six or eight white eggs, prettily speckled with pale
red. The plumage of the young differs from that of the old only in
having the black duller and less glossy.
DISEASES.--Decline is the most common disorder of these birds, and it
is sometimes prevented by giving them fresh ants' eggs, particularly
when moulting. I kept a cole tit six years, and it then died of old
age, having first become blind, and been often attacked with vertigo
or giddiness.
MODE OF TAKING.--Less timid and distrustful than the oxeye, this
species may be caught with greater ease. A limed twig fastened to a
pole is often sufficient, with which you approach the tree on which
the bird is, and, touching it with the twig, it becomes your
prisoner. Its call is "_tzip teune_." Like all the tits, it is
delicate, and, in the house, often dies soon before being accustomed
to the common paste.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--This is a very amusing little bird; bold,
lively always in motion, hopping and fluttering about continually.
Its song is only a clashing of harsh tones, relieved by a clear
sonorous "_tzifi_," repeated twenty times in succession. It sometimes
ends, however, with so reflective an air, that you would think it was
going to give something very fine.
THE BLUE TIT, OR TOM TIT.
[Illustration]
Parus cæruleus, LINNÆUS; La Mésange bleue, BUFFON; Der
Blaumeise, BECHSTEIN.
This pretty bird is four inches and a half long, of which the tail
measures two. The beak is three lines in length, and dusky, but whitish
at the edges and tip; the iris is dark brown; the shanks are eight lines
high, and lead blue; the front of the head and cheeks are white; a white
line passing from the forehead above the eyes forms a border to the fine
sky-blue of the top of the head; a black line crosses the eyes; the
black of the throat becomes on the sides of the neck a dark blue band,
which surrounds the head.
The female is rather smaller than the male, the streaks about the head
not being so clearly defined, while the blue has the appearance of being
tinged with ash grey. The line down the under part of the body is
scarcely observable.
HABITATION.--These birds, in their wild state, frequent woods,
particularly those of beech and oak. During autumn and winter they
wander from one place to another, and are often seen in considerable
numbers in our orchards.
In the house they may be kept in a cage like the oxeye; but it is
preferable to let them hop and flutter about at pleasure, as their
plumage is then seen to the greatest advantage. They are as
mischievous and quarrelsome as the oxeye, and pursue the other birds
in the same manner, even killing them when they are strong enough.
FOOD.--When wild they feed on insects and their grubs, and in autumn
on berries[112].
In the house they should be given the same food as the oxeye,
accustoming them to it at first by mixing bruised hemp-seed with it.
They like to wash themselves.
BREEDING.--The nest, placed at the top of a tree in an old hollow
branch, is built of moss, hair, and feathers. This species lays from
eight to ten reddish white eggs, speckled and spotted with brown. The
plumage of the young birds differs from that of the older ones, only
in being less bright and glossy.
DISEASES.--Most of these birds that are caught in winter, are attacked
with vertigo, or giddiness, after being in the house a few days, fall
to the right and left, and being unable to find their food, soon die.
MODE OF TAKING.--They may be caught in the same way as the oxeye.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The blue tit is easily tamed, and lives two or
three years. Its beauty and activity are more attractive than its
song, which is merely an indistinct warbling, composed of a few
strains, amongst which some higher notes are occasionally introduced.
THE MARSH TIT.
[Illustration]
Parus palustris, LINNÆUS; La Mésange des marais, BUFFON; Der
Sumpfmeise, BECHSTEIN.
The length of this bird is four inches and a half, of which the tail
measures nearly two; the beak is four lines in length, and black; the
shanks are five lines high, and lead blue; the upper part of the head,
as far as the nape, is black; the temples and cheeks are white; the
upper part of the body is brownish grey; the throat is black.
The female has less black on the throat than the male.
HABITATION.--In their wild state, these birds, during the summer,
frequent groves and orchards; in winter, they assemble in flocks, and
when they move from place to place, always fly in a line one behind
the other[113].
In the house they should be allowed to flutter and hop about freely;
they are very delicate, and require a great deal of care at first.
FOOD.--When wild, they feed on insects, seeds, and elderberries,
according to the season.
In the house they eat the same things as other tits; but at first,
ants' eggs and elderberries must be added. The seeds of the sunflower
(_Helianthus major_) have succeeded best with me, and preserved them
in health longest. They will also eat hemp-seed and oats.
BREEDING.--They lay ten or twelve rusty white eggs, spotted with
reddish yellow, in a hole of a tree, on a bed of moss, hair, and
feathers.
MODE OF TAKING.--In winter they will easily enter a trap baited with
nut kernels or oats. A surer method is, to lay limed twigs on a
sunflower plant, the seeds of which are ripe. If these tits do not
enter the garden, a plant must be carried to a place much frequented
by them. When once these birds have tasted these seeds, they appear
quite contented in the house. It is only necessary to supply them
freely; they will seize them eagerly directly after being taken.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Their pretty actions please, and their song is
sweet. They relieve it occasionally by a lively strain, "_diar, diar,
hitzi, ailtz, ailtz!_" which is their call in the pairing season.
I was never able to keep one in the house beyond two or three years.
THE CRESTED TIT.
Parus cristatus, LINNÆUS; La Mésange huppée, BUFFON; Die
Haubenmeise, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is four inches and a half in length, of which the tail
measures one and one third. The beak is four lines, and black; the
shanks are seven lines high, and lead blue; the head is adorned with a
crest, composed of feathers nearly an inch long, black tipped with
white, which the bird can erect at pleasure in a conical form.
HABITATION.--When wild these birds frequent all the pine and fir woods
in Thuringia, but are not so numerous as the other species[114]. They
fly about low bushes, and therefore delight in places where juniper
bushes abound.
In the house they require the same treatment as the blue tit, and
even greater attention; they can rarely be tamed when taken full
grown[115].
FOOD.--In a wild state it feeds in the same manner as the cole tit.
In the house it must be first fed on ants' eggs, flies, and
meal-worms. It will afterwards eat nuts and hemp-seed, like the other
tits, but it seems to require insects occasionally.
BREEDING.--The nest is formed like that of the cole tit, and placed in
the hole of a tree, amongst some stones, or in large forsaken nests.
The brood consists of from six to ten snow-white eggs, spotted with
bright red. The young must be reared on meal-worms cut small and
ants' eggs.
MODE OF TAKING.--This is the same which is adopted for catching the
cole tits. Its call is "_gærrky_."
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its song is not striking, but its form and
habits are very pleasing.
THE BEARDED TIT, OR REED BIRD.
[Illustration]
Parus biarmicus, LINNÆUS; La Mésange barbue, BUFFON; Die
Bartmeise, BECHSTEIN.
This singular species is somewhat in shape like the oxeye. It is six
inches and a half in length, and measures ten and a quarter across the
expanded wings; the tail is two and three quarters. The beak is four
lines long, a little bent at the point, and is orange during life, but
becomes pale yellow after death; it is surrounded at the base with black
hairs. The iris is yellow; the shanks are one inch high, and black; the
head is pale ash grey; a tuft of black feathers, which are placed under
the eyes and terminate in a point, is no very slight imitation of a
moustache. The tail is wedge-shaped, inclining to orange; the outer
feathers are dark at the base and whitish at the tip; the third is
tipped with white.
The female is without the beard, or moustache[116]; the top of the head
is rust red, spotted with black; the vent is of the same colour as the
belly.
HABITATION.--In a wild state these birds are found where there are
lakes, large ponds, and extensive marshes full of reeds and aquatic
plants; they rarely show themselves in summer, keeping in pairs
amongst the tufted reeds; but they are seen in winter, when food
failing them in these retreats, they fly about in families, perching
on the trees and bushes[117].
In the house they must be kept in a large cage to allow them plenty
of exercise, unless permitted to range the room, which is still
better.
FOOD.--When wild this bird feeds principally on aquatic insects and
the seeds of the common reed (_Arundo phragmitis_).
In the house they are generally first fed on poppy-seed, ants' eggs,
and meal-worms, and afterwards on bruised hemp-seed and the food
common for the other tits. It is best to rear them from the nest, as
it is very difficult to preserve those taken when full grown.
BREEDING.--The knowledge on this head is very limited: the nest,
placed in the interwoven stems of the reeds, is in the shape of a
purse, and composed of dried grass and the down of several plants. In
this the female lays four or five speckled eggs, with a pale red
ground. The young birds should be taken from the nest when they are
ready to fly, and fed on ants' eggs and meal-worms cut small.
MODE OF TAKING.--There is much difficulty in this. Fishermen who know
the places frequented by this species place limed twigs on the reeds,
and try gently to drive them towards one side, and sometimes catch a
few[118].
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--In this bird are united beautiful plumage, a
graceful shape, and sprightliness. Its song resembles that of the
blue tit, but its call is very different. It is a pity it is so
difficult to obtain. Buffon says that all of this species that are
found in England sprang from a pair the Countess of Albemarle
suffered to escape; but most likely they had not been seen before
from want of attention.
[Illustration: CATO'S DOVE'S BREEDING CAGE.]
DOVES.
CHARACTERISTICS.--The beak is slender, straight, rather bent at the
point, swelled, and covered with a fleshy membrane at the base; the
shanks are short; the toes are divided to their origin. Doves feed
uniformly on grain, though some wild species also eat myrtle berries.
These birds are faithful to their mates, and produce only two young ones
at each brood, which they feed on grain already softened in their own
crops[119]. They are generally ranged amongst the passerine birds, or
among poultry, but I think it best to make them a distinct order, since
they have many distinguishing characteristics. The species I shall
mention are indigenous, and easily tamed at any age.
THE RING DOVE, OR CUSHAT.
[Illustration]
Columba Palumbus, LINNÆUS; Le Pigeon Ramier, BUFFON; Die
Ringeltaube, BECHSTEIN.
This is the largest of the European wild pigeons, being in length
seventeen inches and a half. Some naturalists suppose this to be the
parent stock of our large domestic pigeons; but it cannot be
domesticated so easily as the stock dove, and never mixes with the
common pigeons in the fields. It does not, moreover, retire into
hollows, like these, but lives and builds in open and exposed places.
The beak is reddish white; the iris is pale yellow; the shanks are
reddish; the head and throat are dark ash grey; the front of the neck
and the breast are purplish ash grey; the sides and back of the neck are
fine iridescent purple; an almost crescent-shaped white streak adorns
the sides of the neck towards the base, without quite surrounding it;
the belly, the vent, and the thighs, are very pale grey; the sides are
light ash grey; the upper part of the back, the scapulars, and the
lesser wing-coverts, are light brownish ash grey; the coverts of the
primary quill-feathers are black; the remaining greater coverts are pale
ash grey; the tail is dark ash grey, deepening into black at the
extremity.
In the female the streaks on the sides of the neck are not so wide as in
the male; her breast is paler, and all the wing-coverts are an obscure
grey.
HABITATION.--This species, found in Europe and Asia within the
temperate zone, is very common in the woods of Germany and Britain:
it quits us the beginning of October, in small flights, and does not
return till the middle of March, and sometimes later, always some
weeks after the stock dove. During harvest it frequents small groves
and detached thickets, to be nearer the corn fields.
FOOD.--It feeds on all kinds of corn and leguminous seeds, myrtle
berries, with the seeds of pines and firs. When a ring dove is caught
it must be first fed on wheat, and other species of corn should by
degrees be mixed with it, but not oats. It will only live a few years
in the house.
BREEDING.--This species builds in trees, and forms its nest of dried
branches, but so carelessly that a rather high wind will often blow
it down. The female has two broods in the year, and lays two large
white eggs each time. It succeeds very well to place these eggs under
a domestic pigeon, and if care is taken to prevent the young birds
from migrating in autumn they will afterwards remain in the pigeon
house, going out and returning like the other pigeons that inhabit
it; but I have never observed that they pair with them; I have
sometimes seen the ring dove tread the domestic pigeon, but as yet
nothing has resulted from it; future experiments may perhaps decide
this point.
MODE OF TAKING.--This is the same as with the stock dove. Ring doves
taken when old rarely eat, and die of hunger if they are not crammed,
like young pigeons.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Besides being a fine bird, the male coos in a
very pleasing and sonorous manner, moving all the time around his
mate, now before, then behind, hopping close to her side, and turning
his head in every direction. It may be rendered very tame.
THE TURTLE DOVE.
Columba Turtur, LINNÆUS; La Tourterelle, BUFFON; Die
Turteltaube, BECHSTEIN.
This pretty species is ten or eleven inches in length. The beak is
slender, and pale blue; the iris is reddish yellow; the naked circle
round the eyes is blush red; the legs and feet are reddish purple; the
forehead is whitish; the top of the head and upper part of the neck are
pale blue; from this to the tail the blue is more dingy; on each side of
the neck is a black spot striped with three of four crescent-shaped
white lines, which has a pretty effect.
HABITATION.--In their wild state these birds are found throughout the
temperate parts of Europe and Asia, and also in many of the South Sea
Islands. They always prefer woods, but never go far into those on
great chains of mountains; they also frequent detached thickets, and
even orchards when near forests. Being more delicate than the two
preceding species, they do not arrive in our woods till the end of
April or beginning of May, and quit us in September. They are often
seen in great numbers in the forests of Thuringia when the pine seed
has ripened well. In 1788 a prodigious number were seen; they have
never since been so numerous there[120].
In the house we keep them within a grated partition near the stove,
where they can range freely. Young ones reared by a domestic pigeon
are easily accustomed to the dovecot, but as they are very sensible
to cold it is necessary to warm the place they are in during winter.
These birds multiply fast, either paired amongst themselves or with
the collared turtle dove.
FOOD.--The seeds of the pine seem to be their favourite food here, but
they do not confine themselves to it; they eat peas, vetches, millet,
hemp-seed, rye, and wheat. In the house they may be fed on bread and
any grain at hand: they are easily preserved.
BREEDING.--When wild, their nest, negligently formed of dried sticks,
is tolerably secure when placed in a pine, but is often blown down
when in a beech. The female lays two white eggs.
In the house the turtle dove is given a small straw basket, in which
it builds, for, whether reared from the nest, or taken when full
grown, it pairs without difficulty, and produces young ones. It will
also pair with the collared turtle.
The cooing of the male is peculiar; he utters a deep prolonged sound,
then bends his head and stops. The young birds are grey on the upper
part of the body, and spotted with bluish black on the wings. Those
sprung from a collared and a common turtle dove are more or less like
either; generally they are reddish grey on the head, neck, and
breast, the back and wing-coverts, with red appearing through the
grey; the belly, the secondary quill-feathers, and the end of the
tail, are white, and the primaries greyish brown. These birds are
fruitful, and produce others; what is curious is that they are larger
than the parent birds, and have a peculiar note. This is certainly
also the case with other mule birds, as I have often observed.
MODE OF TAKING.--This is the same as with the two preceding species;
snares placed where salt is strewed for deer are sufficient.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The inhabitants of our forest villages are very
fond of having this turtle dove in their stove apartments, less on
account of its agreeable qualities than from the persuasion that it
cures their colds and rheumatisms. It is certainly true that this
bird is generally ill during the illness of its masters[121]. It
will, however, live six or eight years in the house.
THE COLLARED TURTLE.
Columba risoria, LINNÆUS; La Tourterelle à collier, BUFFON;
Die Lachtaube, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is twelve inches in length; the beak is reddish white at the
base, and dusky on the remaining part; the iris is golden yellow; the
shanks are red; the upper part of the body is reddish white, the under
part is pure white; the back of the neck is adorned with a black
crescent, the points of which turn forward, and the lower part is edged
with white; the shafts of the quill and tail feathers are dusky.
The female is whiter than the male.
HABITATION.--This species is a native of India and China, from which
it has been brought to Europe. It is very common among our peasants,
who fancy it has the power of curing their colds and
rheumatisms[122]. They assign these poor birds some grated place near
the stove, sometimes under a bench; if they are allowed to range,
their wings must be clipped, to prevent their flying against the
windows, and breaking them. They will generally run under the stove,
as they are fond of warmth. They may be accustomed to the dovecot,
but their showy plumage often occasions them to fall a prey to
carnivorous birds. It is also necessary either to warm the dovecot,
or remove them to a heated room during the winter.
FOOD.--They prefer wheat, and this should be their common food; they
will also eat millet, linseed, poppy, and rape-seed, and even bread.
The peasants give them the siftings of their corn.
BREEDING.--A piece of fur, or soft stuff, or still better, a little
basket, serves as the foundation for their nests. To this they merely
add a little straw, on which they lay two white eggs. They sit on
these a fortnight, but rarely hatch more than one, either from the
egg being unfruitful, or from the carelessness of the parent birds.
It is therefore rare to see them rear six young ones in the year.
These resemble the old ones, and the sex is known by the absence or
presence of the reddish colour.
DISEASES.--Besides decline, they are subject to all the diseases that
attack the persons shut up in the same room; small-pox, when the
children have it; swollen legs, when any one is attacked with this
complaint; and tumours in the feet, when these are prevalent. Thus we
see they partake of the diseases of their masters, but without curing
them, which is contrary to the ridiculous persuasion of the ignorant
peasant. Yet with all these evils they will live seven years.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--These birds are very neat and gentle. Their
cooing resembles laughter; but, besides this, the male has other
tones still more tender, to invite his mate to come to the nest, and
he passes the night close to her side. When he coos he does not turn
like the domestic pigeon, but hops forward a little, then stops,
bends his head to the ground, and swells his crop.
[Illustration: THE QUAIL.]
POULTRY.
CHARACTERISTICS.--These birds are characterised by the beak being raised,
and the upper mandible being arched, so that the edges of it go beyond
those of the under mandible. The nostrils are covered with a convex
cartilaginous membrane; the tail is composed of more than twelve
feathers; the toes are connected as far as the first joint. Most of the
species feed on grain, which is softened in their crops. I only know of
six species that can be tamed in the house.
THE COMMON PARTRIDGE.
Tetrao Perdrix, LINNÆUS; La Perdrix grise, BUFFON; Das gemeine
Rebhuhn, BECHSTEIN.
This well known bird, which is very fleshy, and has but few feathers,
measures twelve inches and a half. Its beak is bluish, the feet brownish
blush red; under each eye is a naked skin of a bright scarlet colour;
the general colour of the plumage is brown and ash grey, mixed with
black; the forehead, a streak above the eyes, and the throat, are fine
chestnut brown; the fore part of the neck and the breast are ash grey,
with very fine black lines; below the breast is a deep chestnut brown
streak in the shape of a horse shoe, which is not found in the female,
or at least not so large nor so clearly defined; the quill-feathers are
dusky, with cross bands of rust red; the tail-feathers are rust brown.
HABITATION.--The common partridge is found throughout Europe, in
fields and adjoining woods: when in the open country, thickets and
bushes serve as a retreat during the night. In wide plains, where the
frosts are severe, and the snow so deep that the game is in danger of
perishing, it is customary, in winter, to catch in a net as many as
possible of these birds, and keep them in a warmed room with a high
ceiling. If such a room cannot be had, the top of the room and
windows should be hung with cloth, to prevent the frightened birds
from injuring themselves.
FOOD.--In the house, when permitted to range, partridges may be fed on
barley and wheat. They will also eat bread, the common universal
paste, cabbage, beet, and lettuce; for they like green vegetables,
and these are almost indispensable to their health. In a state of
liberty, they generally feed in winter on the tops of grass and young
springing seeds. In the summer, they eat clover and other green
plants, as well as all kinds of grain. They often roll in moist sand,
which they should be allowed to do in the house.
BREEDING.--The best way to domesticate the partridge, is to rear it
young, in which case it becomes extremely tame, and its habits are
very pleasing. These young birds must be fed at first on ants' eggs
and hens' eggs boiled hard and chopped up with salad; afterwards they
will eat barley and other dry food. The covey often consists of
twenty young ones, which follow the mother as soon as they are
hatched, and often fall in the way of mowers, shepherds, and
huntsmen. I am persuaded that it would not be difficult to render
these birds quite domestic, if the eggs were hatched by our barn-door
fowls, in an open, yet enclosed place, clipping the wings of the
young ones, allowing them to range, during the summer, in a garden
surrounded with walls, and giving them plenty of food. Supposing that
this plan did not quite succeed the first summer, one would have at
least half-tamed birds, which, by following the same plan, would
gradually become more and more accustomed to domestic food, the
society of man, and would certainly at last breed in the house, like
our common fowls.
THE COMMON QUAIL.
Tetrao coturnix, LINNÆUS; La Caille, BUFFON; Die Wachtel,
BECHSTEIN.
This species is the most common of wild poultry kept in the house. It is
rather more than seven inches in length. The beak is short and
horn-coloured, dusky in summer, and ash grey in winter, like the
partridge's and common fowl's; the iris is olive brown; the feet pale
bluish red; on the upper part of the body are dusky and rust-red spots,
with some small white streaks; the throat is dusky, surrounded with two
chestnut brown bands; the front of the neck and the breast are pale rust
red, with some longitudinal dark streaks; the belly is dusky white; the
thighs are reddish grey; the quill-feathers are dark grey, crossed by
many rust red lines; the tail is short, dark brown, with pale rust red
streaks across it.
The female differs sensibly; her throat is white, and her breast, paler
than that of the male, is spotted with black like the thrush's.
HABITATION.--When wild the quail is found throughout the old world.
Unlike the other species of poultry, it is a bird of passage,
arriving in Europe in May, and departing the end of September. It
keeps continually in corn fields, preferring those of wheat.
In the house, if allowed to range, its gentleness, neatness, and
peculiar motions, are seen to advantage; but it is often kept in a
cage of the following make:--A small box two feet long, one foot deep,
and four high, of any shape which is preferred; in this are left two
or three openings, one for drinking at, the other to give light;
besides this all is dark; the bottom is a drawer, which should be
covered with sand, and have a seed drawer at one end; the top is of
green cloth, for as the quail often springs up it would hurt itself
were it of wood. This case should be suspended during the summer
outside the window, for the quail sings much more when confined in
this manner than if allowed to range the room, where there are many
things to call off its attention from its song[123].
When a male without the female is allowed to run about the room, it
is always necessary to shut it up in June (the pairing season), or
else its ardent feelings tempt it to attack all the other birds,
particularly those with a dark plumage, somewhat resembling its own.
Larks, for example, it will follow, and pluck out their feathers till
they are nearly bare.
FOOD.--In a wild state the quail feeds on wheat and other corn,
rape-seed, millet, hemp-seed, and the like. It also eats green
vegetables, as well as insects, and particularly ants' eggs.
In the house it is fed on the same food, adding bread, barley meal
mixed with milk, the universal paste, and occasionally salad or
cabbage chopped up small, and, that it may want nothing to keep it in
health, plenty of river sand for it to roll in and to peck up grains,
which assist its digestion; but this sand must be damp, for if dry it
will not touch it. It drinks a great deal, and the water, contrary to
the opinion of some persons, should be clear, never turbid. It moults
twice in the year, once in autumn, and again in spring; it then
requires river sand, and greater attention than at other times.
BREEDING.--The quail breeds very late, never before July. Its nest, if
it can be called so, is a hole scratched in the earth, in which it
lays from ten to fourteen bluish-white eggs, with large brown spots.
These are hatched after three weeks' incubation. The young ones, all
hairy, follow the mother the moment they leave the shell. Their
feathers grow quickly, for in the autumn they are able to depart with
her to the southern countries. The males are so ardent, that if one
is placed in a room with a female, he will pursue her immediately
with extraordinary eagerness, tearing off her feathers if she resists
in the least; he is less violent if he has been in the same room with
her during the year. The female, in this case, lays a great many
eggs, but rarely sits on them; yet if young ones are brought her from
the fields, she eagerly receives them under her wings, and becomes a
very affectionate mother to them. The young must be fed on eggs
boiled hard and cut small, but the best way is to take the mother
with the covey, which may be done with a net. She watches over them
attentively, and they are more easily reared. During the first year
one would think that all in the covey were females, the males
resemble them so much, particularly before the brown shows itself on
the throat.
MODE OF TAKING.--There are several different methods of taking quails,
but I shall only mention the commonest and easiest. The male birds
are generally caught in a net, called a quail-net, by means of a call
which imitates the cry of the female in the breeding season; it is
the way adopted by bird-catchers in the spring, when they wish to
take a male that sings in a superior manner, that is, which repeats a
dozen times following the syllables "_pieveroie_." If the male has
not yet met with a mate, and if he has not been rendered suspicious
by some unskilful bird-catcher, he will run eagerly into the snare.
The most important thing is to have a good call; they may be had
cheap of turners at Nuremberg, who make them of leather, with a pipe
turned from the bone of a cat or hare, or the leg of a stork; but
they may easily be made by any body. The first thing necessary is a
piece of calf-skin, one foot in length, and four inches in breadth,
the sides must be sewed together within two inches of the end, and
the bottom filled with a piece of wood an inch and a half in length,
and rings composed of thick leather, the diameter of the interior
opening not exceeding an inch and a half, are pushed into the sewed
cylinder, and kept about a quarter of an inch apart; the whole may
afterwards be pressed close together, making the rings touch each
other; then a tube made of the bone of a goose or hare, and filled at
the end like a common whistle, is fastened to the part of the
cylinder left unsewed; the interior is then stopped with wax near the
notch on the side of the leather, and a hole pierced through it with
a knitting-needle; the upper part of the tube must also be stopped
with wax, and lastly, the lower part, which is thus become a kind of
whistle, is very firmly tied to the unsewn part of the cylinder. When
the call is to be used, the lower end must be held firmly in one
hand, and the leather cylinder worked up and down with the other,
making the rings approach and separate, which produces the notes of
the female, "_peuk, peuk, pupu_."
As soon as the male quail is heard that you wish to procure, you must
advance softly to within fifty paces of his station, and place the
tray amongst the wheat in such a position as will suffer it to fall
level with the ground, to prevent the bird's passing under and
escaping. Then retire a few steps back, when the quail will soon
utter its song, to which reply with two or three notes, that when the
quail is silent he may only hear one or two, from the call exactly
resembling the cry of the female. If this is not done with care, the
bird will suspect treachery, and will either retire or remain silent,
and never after fall into such a snare; but if skilfully done, it is
surprising to see how the bird proceeds directly to the call: if by
chance he miss the trap, he will go so near as to be within reach of
the hand; in this case it is best to retire softly to the other side
of the trap and repeat the call, which will again attract it. There
are some quails that know how to avoid the net, particularly if
placed in too open and exposed a place. In this case it is safest to
turn it in a corner at both ends, and thus when it tries to turn it
becomes entangled.
It is proper to notice, that in damp weather, or when it rains, the
quail does not run, but flies immediately towards the call. It does
this also in dewy mornings and evenings; dry days should therefore be
chosen for this chase. In the pairing season, two, three, or even
four quails may be taken at the same place.
If no male is heard in the field, the call of the female must be well
imitated on a larger and more powerful bird-call, and, if any males
are within hearing, they will not fail to answer; the person must
then advance quickly, placing the net so as to stop their road, and
repeat the call.
When a female is to be caught, it is best to employ a common net,
such as is used to take quails in autumn; but this chase should be
deferred till towards the end of harvest, when most of the corn is
cut, and only a few pieces left standing, which serve to harbour
numbers of these birds. Several nets are used at once, as many as six
or eight; some of them are placed across the field of corn, and the
others parallel to them at the extremity of the same field: this
being done, the party go to the opposite side and begin to drive the
quails into the nets in the middle of the field by means of a
packthread stretched across the corn, having little bells suspended
to it by threads, so as almost to touch the ground, two persons
holding it, and as they advance shaking it from time to time. As soon
as the prisoners are secured, the march is continued towards the nets
at the end of the field; and in this manner great numbers of quails,
both male and female, are procured either for the house or for the
table.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Besides beauty of form and plumage, the song of
this bird is no slight recommendation to the amateur. In the breeding
season, that of the male commences by repeating softly, tones
resembling "_verra, verra_," followed by the word "_pieveroie_,"
uttered in a bold tone, with the neck raised, the eyes shut, and the
head inclined on one side. Those that repeat the last syllables ten
or twelve times consecutively, are the most esteemed. That of the
female only consists of "_verra, verra_," "_pupu, pupu_," the two
last syllables being those by which the male and the female attract
each other's attention; when alarmed or angry their cry resembles
"_guillah!_" but at other times it is only a murmur, resembling the
purring of a cat.
The quail never sings when left to run about in a light room, except
during the night, but continually when in a darkened cage. Those
reared from the nest begin to sing the end of December, and continue
till September; whilst those taken full grown rarely commence till
the beginning of May, and cease in August.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE STORK.]
WADING BIRDS.
The birds of this order are more or less bare above the knees; their
legs are so long, that they have the appearance of standing on stilts.
They may be tamed at any age, but this is best done when they are young.
I shall only give here the following species.
THE WHITE STORK.
Ciconia alba, LINNÆUS; La Cicogne blanche, BUFFON; Der Weisse
Storch, BECHSTEIN.
The stork may be considered as half domestic, since it constantly builds
on the tops of houses, on churches or towers in the midst of villages,
and even towns[124]. Its beak is long and powerful, of a blood red
colour, as are its legs and feet. It has a naked black ring round its
eyes; the wings are black; the rest of the plumage white.
OBSERVATIONS.--It is a bird of passage, which quits Europe the end of
September, and returns in April. It feeds on fish, amphibious
animals, field-mice, moles, and even weasels, which it catches coming
out of their holes. It also eats insects, especially bees, which it
catches by the beakfull on flowers. Its nest is only a heap of dry
sticks woven together, and it occupies the same nest every year,
after repairing it a little. I have been assured, that some nests
have lasted a hundred years; and the circumference often becomes
covered with sparrows and swallows' nests. The male and female never
separate, and are a true model of conjugal fidelity. If the young
ones are taken from the nest, and fed on frogs and meat, they may be
rendered so tame that they will go a league from the house, and
return again regularly. At the time of their flight, in September,
the wings of those that are to be kept through the winter should be
clipped, and they should be kept in a temperate place, as their feet
are very sensible to cold. They become so familiar that they will
enter the room during meals, to be fed on meat from the table. A
clapping with their beak expresses either anger or affection. It is
very pleasing to see a tame stork circling round the house, and
descending insensibly in a long spiral line till it reaches the
ground.
THE BLACK STORK.
Ardea nigra, LINNÆUS; Der schwarze Storch, BECHSTEIN.
This species is nearly as large as the white stork, and is of the same
form, but its limbs are weaker and more delicate. Its colour is a glossy
brownish black, with the breast and belly white. It frequents woods in
the neighbourhood of marshes, lakes, and large ponds, and makes its nest
on the trees. Its habits and manner of feeding are similar to those of
the white stork. In rearing the young ones, they may be accustomed to
remain in the house, and will soon become familiar.
THE WOODCOCK.
Scolopax rusticola, LINNÆUS; La Bécasse, BUFFON; Die
Waldschnepfe, BECHSTEIN.
The woodcock is found in every part of Europe where there are forests.
The beak is three or four inches in length, straight, and reddish at the
base; the back of the head is crossed with dusky bands; the upper part
of the body and wings are rust brown, streaked with grey and black; the
breast and belly are dusky white, with dark brown lines.
OBSERVATIONS.--The woodcock builds its nest on the ground in
mountainous districts; lays three or four dusky pale yellow eggs, and
feeds on worms, snails, and the grubs of insects, which it seeks in
meadows, marshes, and fields. In October it quits the high lands for
more temperate parts; this migration is called its _passage_, and as
these birds constantly follow the same route, this is the time when
fowlers, scattered in its destined path, prepare for a chase, either
with guns or large nets made for the purpose, and await the moment
when these birds quit the meadows for the woods, or the woods for the
meadows. The flight of woodcocks is slow and awkward, but they are
very fine game, the flesh being wholesome and of an excellent
flavour; they are generally cooked without taking out the intestines.
In the house, by beginning with insects and ants' eggs, the woodcock
may be accustomed by degrees to the universal paste. Twenty years ago
I saw, in an aviary at Carlsruhe, a tame woodcock that would come
from his cage and show himself to strangers; it was a male, and
appeared very willing to pair, if it could have found a mate.
THE COMMON SNIPE.
Scolopax Gallinago, LINNÆUS; La Bécassine, BUFFON; Die
Heerschnepfe, BECHSTEIN.
This Snipe is nearly the size of the quail, and inhabits the northern
countries of Europe, Asia, and America, migrating in autumn to more
temperate parts. Its rough beak is black in the front; its feet are
brown; the head is divided longitudinally by two reddish brown lines;
the back is dark brown, with streaks across; the throat is white; the
neck is brown, speckled with brick red; the belly is white; the vent is
striped with black; the quill-feathers are dark brown, tipped with
white; the tail-feathers are black from the base, tipped with orange,
and having two dark brown streaks.
OBSERVATIONS.--The snipe darts through the air at a great height, and
descends like an arrow, continually uttering the cry "_maicherai_."
It is found in marshy places, abounding with bushes and brambles; in
a hole in the ground, washed by the water, it lays four or five dusky
olive-coloured eggs, streaked with brown. Its common food is worms,
and the grubs of insects, but it will eat corn, and the tender roots
of marsh plants. Every one knows that it is delicate eating; but many
are ignorant that it may be tamed, and that it is then a very
pleasing bird.
THE LAPWING.
[Illustration]
Tringa Vanellus, LINNÆUS; Le Vanneu, BUFFON; Der gemeine
Kiebetz, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is well known throughout Europe wherever there are water
meadows. It is greenish on the back and wings; black on the breast; and
has red feet, and a handsome crest.
OBSERVATIONS.--It feeds on all sorts of insects, small snails, worms,
and even plants. The young ones are easily tamed. They are first fed
on ants' eggs, and then gradually accustomed to bread, and even bran
mixed with milk. The eggs may be placed under pigeons, but care is
necessary when they are hatched, as they run the moment they leave
the shell. The old birds may be kept in the garden if the wings are
clipped, where they destroy the insects and worms; but they must be
brought into the house in the winter, and fed at first on bullocks'
heart cut in the form of worms, then with less care, till by degrees
they become accustomed to other meat, and even to bread. As these
birds are much esteemed game, snares are laid for them in places they
frequent in large flocks. They are either taken in nets, throwing
worms as baits, or with nooses made of horse hair, and set in the
paths they trace in the rushes, or, which is cruel and destructive,
in the neighbourhood of their nests.
THE RUFF.
Tringa pugnax, LINNÆUS; Le Combattant, ou Paon de Mer, BUFFON;
Die Kampfhahn, BECHSTEIN.
The ruff is about the size of the lapwing, and is found in the north of
Europe, near lakes, ponds, and extensive marshes. It is almost the only
wild bird whose plumage varies like our domesticated ones, ash-grey,
brown, black, and white, being combined in a thousand different ways, so
that it is rare to meet with two birds alike. The following are the
characteristics of the species:--1st, a kind of ruff or collar, formed of
long feathers hanging around the neck, which are raised when the bird is
angry, and stand out on all sides; 2nd, the face red, and covered with
pimples; the beak and feet also red.
The colours of the females are more uniform:--pale brown, the back
streaked with black, the breast and belly white, and the neck plain
without the ruff.
It feeds on insects, worms, and roots, and makes its nest in a tuft of
grass or rushes. The females are tolerably good for the table, but the
male must be fattened before it is eatable. The irritable and
quarrelsome disposition of these birds is astonishing. When two males
meet they are often so enraged with each other that a net may be passed
over them without their perceiving it. If several are placed in the same
cage, they will kill one another. The young ones may easily be reared;
but it is extraordinary, that in the house, their inclination to fight
abandons them; whilst most other birds, pacific in a state of freedom,
are continually quarrelling and pecking one another when confined. It is
customary in the duchy of Bremen to put these birds into enclosed
gardens to destroy worms and other insects, but they retire into the
house for the winter; and here the old ones still quarrel both for food
and the place they wish to lie down in. They are fed on bread soaked in
milk, and meat.
THE PURR.
Tringa Cinclus, LINNÆUS; L'Alouette de Mer, BUFFON; Der
Meerlerche, BECHSTEIN.
This is a marsh bird, about the size of the redwing, and is very common
on the banks of rivers, lakes, and large ponds. When it rises in the air
it cries continually "_tzi, tzi, tzi, tzi_." Its beak is black, and its
feet dark brownish green; the feathers on the upper part of the body are
grey, glossy, and silky, with blackish bands notched on the sides, and
bordered on the outer edge with rust red; a whitish streak passes above
the eyes, whilst a narrow dark brown line crosses them; the under part
of the body is pure white, but the breast is striped with dark brown;
the quill-feathers are black, the anterior having a broad white streak
on the inner web, the others having the same on the outer web; the
greater coverts are tipped with white, which form two spots on the
wings; the three middle feathers of the tail are grey brown with black
bands; the others are white, with dark brown bands.
The female is rather larger, and her plumage is paler.
OBSERVATIONS.--It is easy to obtain this bird, which has many
attractions for the amateur. It runs quickly, continually shaking the
back part of its body, and repeating, particularly towards evening,
its loud and tender call, "_hidutzt_."
When wild it eats insects and worms, found near the water. In the
house it will soon eat the universal paste, if a few meal-worms and
ants' eggs are at first thrown amongst it. If there are other birds
in the same room, the water vessel should be removed from the food,
or another vessel devoted to it, for not being able to swallow what
is not soft, it carries all its food to the water to soak, and thus
renders it dirty. It catches insects very dexterously; it advances
slowly like a cat, its head bent down, and then darts forward swiftly
and slyly. I admire their habits so much that I have one generally in
my house. I have observed that all the species of snipes have the
habit of turning over any stones they meet with, to look for insects
under. It is very easy to take the purr as soon as the stakes,
sticks, and other places where they most commonly alight, are known;
it is only to put bird-lime on them and drive the birds gently
towards the part. This and the corn crake are the only two marsh
birds that should properly be reckoned among house-birds.
THE MOOR HEN.
Fulica enloropus, LINNÆUS; La Poule d'Eau, BUFFON; Die
grünfüssiges Meehuhn, BECHSTEIN.
The length of this species is ten or twelve inches. The beak is greenish
at the tip, red towards the base; the naked spaces above the knees are
of the same colour; the feet are olive green; the claws are very long;
the head, the upper part of the neck, the body, and the wing-coverts are
dark olive green; the anterior quill-feathers and the tail are dark
brown; the breast and belly are ash-grey; the vent and edges of the
wings are white.
In the female the beak is olive brown towards the base, instead of red.
OBSERVATIONS.--Though not web-footed, this species swims as well as
those birds that are, and has this advantage over them, that it can
rest on trees and bushes by the water side, like land birds, and can
also run when inclined. Its nest is placed among bushes that are in
the water, or on reeds, and is built of water plants, especially
reeds well interwoven; it is so firmly fastened, that if the water
rises it floats, but is not carried away; the eggs are often
surrounded with water. It feeds on insects, seeds, and aquatic
plants. It is easily tamed, particularly when taken young; it likes
white bread soaked in milk. I often have these birds in my
poultry-yard among my fowls; they go to a neighbouring pond, and
regularly return after a short time. I never took any trouble to tame
them; they always kept near the water, by the dunghill, seeking after
insects and grubs.
THE CORN CRAKE.
[Illustration]
Rallus Crex, LINNÆUS; Le Rale de Cenet, ou Roi de Cailles,
BUFFON; Der Wachtelkönig, BECHSTEIN.
The corn crake being always found with quails in proportionate numbers,
departing with them in autumn, and returning at the same time in spring,
no doubt deserves the name Buffon has given it of King of the Quails. It
is ten inches in length. The beak is flattish, greyish brown above, and
bluish red beneath; the feet are lead grey; the feathers of the head, of
the back of the neck, of the back, and even of the tail, are black,
edged with reddish grey; which gives them the appearance of being
streaked; a grey ash-coloured streak passes above the eyes, another
below them; the wing-coverts and anterior quill-feathers are chestnut
brown; the front of the neck and the breast are dusky ash-grey; the
belly is white, but the sides and vent are dark brown, spotted with
rusty brown and white.
The breast of the female is pale grey, and the streaks near her eyes
greyish white.
OBSERVATIONS.--The male is often heard uttering his kind of croaking
notes, "_arrp, schnarrp_," in the meadows and fields, in the evening
and at night; but is rarely seen to fly. It feeds on insects and
grain, for which bread soaked in milk may be substituted, when it is
in the house. The female lays from eight to twelve greenish grey
eggs, streaked with pale brown, on the bare ground; the young ones,
when hatched, are covered with a kind of black down, the feathers of
varied colours do not appear for three weeks. The hen sits with so
much constancy, that she will often perish by the sithe rather than
quit her eggs. The young, like the young quails, run under the oat
sheaves, and may easily be caught there by the hand.
The agility of these birds, and their pleasing habits, render them
much admired in the house; they chirp very much like chickens. I
confess I like very much to hear the "_arrp, schnarrp_" of the male
in the evening near me.
[Illustration: THE SWAN.]
WEB-FOOTED BIRDS.
The birds arranged in this order are also known, under the name of
aquatic birds. They are distinguished by their feet, the toes being
united by a broad membrane, which assists them in swimming. Several live
uniformly on the water, others in companies on the water and on the
land. There are many that may be tamed, but I shall only speak of those
that are able to live without being on the water. The number is thus
confined to six species, easily tamed at any age.
THE SWAN.
Anas Olor, LINNÆUS; Le gigne, BUFFON; Der Schwan, BECHSTEIN.
Instead of the common name of tame swan, I prefer that of mute swan, in
order to distinguish this from the whistling, also called the wild swan,
but improperly, for in Russia it is more common to have that tamed than
the one under notice. This, however, is found wild throughout most parts
of Europe, and in great numbers in Siberia. In Germany, when a person
wishes to have one on a piece of water, and to keep it there constantly,
he chooses some young ones, and breaks or cuts the first bone in the
wing, to disable them from flying, and consequently prevent their
departing in the autumn with their wild companions.
The swan is larger than a domestic goose, it is four feet and a half in
length, on account of its long neck, which it bends in the form of an S
when it is swimming; it measures seven feet and a quarter from tip to
tip of the wings, and weighs from twenty-five to thirty pounds. The beak
is dark red, having at the base a large black callous knob, and at the
tip something resembling the head of a nail, black, and rather bent; a
bare black triangular streak extends from the beak to the eyes; the feet
are black the first year, lead grey the second, and reddish lead grey at
last; the plumage is a snowy white.
OBSERVATIONS.--The story of its melodious death-song is now quite
exploded; the organisation of its windpipe permits only a slight
hiss, a dull murmur, and a gentle croaking. Song, properly so called,
belongs exclusively to the whistling swan; a poet may have heard it
once, and without observing the difference between the birds, have
attributed it to the common swan. The latter feeds on insects and
aquatic plants; during the winter corn should be given it, and it
must be kept in a temperate place. The female forms a large nest, of
the stalks of rushes, reeds, and other plants, and lines it with
feathers from her breast. She lays six or eight greenish white eggs,
and sits on them five weeks. During this time, the male is always
near her, driving away and pursuing all that would approach. He has
such strength of wing, that a well-aimed blow of it would break a
man's leg. The young ones are at first grey. It is said that swans
will live a hundred years. Their utility as well as their beauty
would merit more attention than is commonly paid to their education,
which is easier than that of geese. Lithuania, Poland, and eastern
Prussia, send several quintals every year to the fair of Frankfort
upon Oder. Many tame swans are also collected on the Sprey, round
Berlin, Spandau, and Potsdam; particularly in May, to rob them of
their down. The skins with the down on them are prepared for
pelisses; powder puffs are also made of it.
THE SHELDRAKE.
Anas Tadorna, LINNÆUS; Le Tadorne, BUFFON; Der Bruntente,
BECHSTEIN.
This species measures two feet from the tip of the beak to the extremity
of the tail; the beak is smooth, flattish, and of a scarlet colour; a
fleshy knob covers the upper base; the nostrils and nail at the end of
the beak are black; the feet are bluish red; the head and upper part of
the neck are duck green; the rest of the neck and belly are white; a
wide orange brown band crosses the breast; the back, with the
wing-coverts, is white; the scapulars are speckled with black; the first
quill-feathers are black, the following violet, the middle ones rusty
brown, and the last white; the speculum is green, reflecting a beautiful
violet; the feathers of the tail are white, tipped with black.
OBSERVATIONS.--This species, found in the north of Europe and Asia,
hollows out the sand by the sea-shore, or uses a forsaken rabbit's
hole, or some cavity in a rock, to form its nest in. The beauty of
its plumage has attracted the attention of amateurs, who tame it, and
keep it in the poultry-yard; but it is not useful, its flesh having
an unpleasant smell and flavour. It feeds with the other ducks, and
becomes very familiar; it ever appears intelligent.
THE WILD GOOSE.
Anas anser ferus, LINNÆUS; L'Oie sauvage, BUFFON; Der wilde
Gans, BECHSTEIN.
This is the parent stock of our domestic goose, and though smaller, it
has a longer neck and larger wings. The upper part of the body is
brownish grey, the under part is greyish white; the breast is clouded
with rusty brown; the beak is orange and black; the feet are red.
Several domestic geese preserve this original plumage, even to the
colours of the beak.
OBSERVATIONS.--This species frequents the shores of the North Sea
during the summer; but in autumn departs in large flights disposed in
a triangular form, and passes the winter in more southern countries,
feeding on the blades of newly-sprung rye.
There are places in Thuringia where thousands of these birds collect
in winter; they are very distrustful, placing sentinels as soon as
they alight, which are so watchful, that it is very difficult to take
or shoot them. If by chance the wing of one of these geese is shot,
it may easily be kept in the yard with poultry; they are also taken
in snares laid in places frequented by them during the night; they
associate without difficulty with the domestic geese; but I only know
one instance of a wild male pairing with a domesticated female.
THE SCAUP DUCK.
Anas marila, LINNÆUS; Le Milloninan, BUFFON; Der Bergente,
BECHSTEIN.
This species, like the former, passes in autumn from the north to the
south. They are caught and shot among the common wild ducks. The scaup
duck may be tamed so far as to remain sociably among the domestic ones,
will eat bread soaked in water, oats, and barley; in short, all that is
given to common ducks. Its size also is similar, but it is black, with
the belly and speculum white; five black transverse lines unite on the
white ground of the upper part of the body; the wings and tail are
dusky.
THE MALLARD.
Anas Boschas fera, LINNÆUS; Le Canoel sauvage, BUFFON; Der
wilde Ente BECHSTEIN.
Our domestic ducks derive their origin from this species. It is spread
throughout Europe on lakes, ponds, and rivers. Its length is two feet;
its plumage ash grey, striped and waved transversely with white and
brown; the head and neck are bright green, known by the name of
duck-green; the breast is chestnut brown; the speculum violet green. The
female is brown, like a lark.
OBSERVATIONS.--Like other birds of the same order, the wild ducks
unite in large flights in the autumn, but divide into pairs in
summer, and build their nests either near the water, among the reeds
and bushes, in the trunks of old trees, or sometimes even in the
depths of woods. They lay from twelve to sixteen eggs. In the forest
districts of Thuringia, the young ones are met with in considerable
numbers, being led to a neighbouring pond by the parent birds. If,
after having mutilated or lamed the end of the wing, they are put
into a pond with domestic ducks, they live and pair with them, become
accustomed to their mode of life, follow them in winter into the
house, without any decoy but being fed plentifully. Wild ducks are
taken in nets, snares, and even with fishing-hooks.
By pairing a mallard with a female domestic duck, a very fine middle
race is obtained, which remains domestic[125].
THE TARROCK.
Larus tridactylus, LINNÆUS; Larus rissa, cinereus et nævius,
LINNÆUS; La Monette cendrée, BUFFON; Der Wintermeeve,
BECHSTEIN.
These birds, about fourteen inches in length, change their plumage till
they are four years old, which occasions great variety. In the old ones,
the beak is yellowish green on the outside, and orange within; the feet
are olive, and are without the back toe; the head, throat, neck, the
rest of the upper part of the body, and the tail, are white. There is
often a blackish streak behind the ear; the back and wing-coverts are
pale grey or bluish; the quill-feathers are white; the primaries are
tipped with black; those that have a dark grey crescent on the neck have
not attained their fourth year; those streaked are young ones.
OBSERVATIONS.--The tarrocks remain in the north of Europe during
summer, and go south in winter. In February, when snow comes after
mild weather, great numbers are seen to stop on the ponds and rivers
in Germany, where many perish; they may then be taken with nets and
snares placed on the banks, after removing the snow. Though their
proper food is fish and aquatic insects, they are contented, in the
poultry-yard, with bread and other food; are easily tamed, and live
equally well on the water or the land; in winter, they should be kept
in a moderately warm situation; they may even be left in the court,
driving them in the evening into the place appropriated to them for
the night.
[Illustration]
FOOTNOTES:
[1] See reasons for doubting this conclusion in Professor Rennie's
DOMESTIC HABITS OF BIRDS, Chap. xvii.--TRANSLATOR.
[2] This previous recording, as it is termed, is not uniform. Mr. Blyth
informs as that he had, in the year 1833, a blackcap which struck up all
at once into a loud song.--TRANSLATOR.
[3] Phil. Trans. vol. lxiii. 1773.
[4] Besides, we cannot say that there is a want of variety in this
music. I may again quote Mr. Barington (Phil. Trans.): "The death of the
male parent, just at the time his instructions were required, will
occasion some variety in the song of the young ones, who will thus have
their attention directed to other birds, which they will imitate or
modify according to the conformation of their 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 introduce greater variations. If care was taken there need not be
two birds that sung exactly alike: however, these varieties are confined
within certain limits."--TRANSLATOR.
[5] If pine and fir branches cannot be obtained, oak, elm, or
beech will do, cut in winter; though not green, yet there will be
leaves.--TRANSLATOR.
[6] This perhaps depends on the peculiar forms of the bills more than on
inclination, for the fauvette and blackcap often attempt to clean their
feet without success.--TRANSLATOR.
[7] See Rennie's "FACULTIES OF BIRDS," Chap. V., for experiments on the
subject.--TRANSLATOR.
[8] The reason of this union of vegetable and animal food may be easily
seen; the bread supplies the seed for the birds of the first class, and
the milk the insects for those 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 themselves
exclusively to seeds; in their wild state they eat many insects, and
some even feed their young entirely with them; this proves that animal
food is sometimes useful and beneficial to them.--TRANSLATOR.
[9] If a rather large, flat, and not very deep vessel be used, in which
the birds can bathe at their ease, it will make them more healthy and
clean.--TRANSLATOR.
[10] White's Selborne, 8vo. edit. 1833.
[11] See Rennie's "HABITS OF BIRDS," p. 13.--TRANSL.
[12] This, though the common opinion, seems incorrect. See Rennie's
"HABITS OF BIRDS," p. 4.--TRANSLATOR.
[13] There are varieties in this species: that with the head grey is
rare, but when quite white is still more so.--TRANSLATOR.
[14] It is rare in Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[15] It is not a native of Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[16] Perhaps from not having been given now and then feathers,
the fur and skin of animals, or even beetles, to cleanse the
stomach.--TRANSLATOR.
[17] It is doubtful as a native of Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[18] The rook, (_Corvus frugilegus_, Linnæus,) seems here to be
confounded with the carrion crow. I say nothing about this species, as I
have never heard of one being tamed 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.
[19] It appears that in its course from Sweden to Algiers it does not
range beyond a degree in longitude, and is rarely found in Britain. Few
birds of this group, as 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 well adapted to them.--TRANSLATOR.
[20] 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 its 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 is as far as it goes even when tamed. It is
neither caressing nor familiar; when frightened it utters harsh cries,
softer ones when its food is brought, but "_crag, crag, craag_," at the
same time raising its head, is the expression of its joy or
triumph.--TRANSLATOR.
[21] It is rarely found in Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[22] 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 be the consequence. In one which we possessed, the
accident was more vexatious as the bird was otherwise in good health,
having followed the above mentioned diet.--TRANSLATOR.
[23] The natural song is very like the awkward attempts of a country boy
with a bad musical ear to whistle the notes of the missel
thrush.--TRANSLATOR.
[24] It is not common in Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[25] It may be added that it also walks very gracefully.--TRANSLATOR.
[26] It appears that the _Psittacus Ludovicianus_, LINNÆUS, _Perruche à
tête aurore_, BUFFON, is the same species.
[27] 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 knowing what
accident had befallen it.--TRANSLATOR.
[28] 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 his prison for that short space, he left
the wood-work pierced and worn like worm-eaten 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, and 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. The Rev. W. T. Bree, of
Allesley, says, that having caught a nuthatch in the common brick 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 cut 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 its efforts to
escape from the trap.--TRANSLATOR.
[29] The parrot crossbill is a very different species, but is
rare.--TRANSLATOR.
[30] The too great heat has doubtless also something to do with
it.--TRANSLATOR.
[31] However difficult this pairing may be, it sometimes succeeds very
well. A bullfinch 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.
[32] 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 to the instrument used. The good and
pure whistling of a man of taste is far preferable; the bird repeats it
in a soft, flute-like tone. When one cannot whistle well it is better to
use a flageolet.--TRANSLATOR.
[33] Mr. Thiem, son of the Mr. Thiem in the text, arrives annually in
London in April or May, with birds for sale.--TRANSLATOR.
[34] It is not found in Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[35] Those occasionally caught in the South of England may be purchased
in London at about 7_s._--TRANSLATOR.
[36] See "Architecture of Birds," page 265.
[37] The want of a bathing place in the narrow cages where these unhappy
prisoners are kept is the true cause of this disease.
[38] 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. We 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 exercised 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 studied with so much care. In England they are very little
prized, and but seldom kept.--_Translator._
[39] Literally, "to go to the wine;" pronounced _vine-gay_.--TRANSLATOR.
[40] 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 bird-lime one of these
birds distinguished by its song, and have given one of their cows for a
fine songster; from which has arisen their common expression, _such a
chaffinch is worth a cow_. A common workman will give a _louis 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.--AUTHOR.
[41] Längsfeld, where this song was first discovered, is a large town in
the district of Fulda, situated a short distance from the Werra, which
at Munden takes the name of Weser, after its junction with the
Fulda.--AUTHOR.
[42] It is only eight years since this song was accidentally produced. A
shoemaker of Iambach 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 a song that is now in fashion, and pleases
many amateurs.
[43] The notes of the wild chaffinches in this country are finer than
any cage ones I have heard in Germany.--TRANSLATOR.
[44] The destruction of the sparrows 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, besides, ought not these
useful creatures to be paid?--TRANSLATOR.
[45] It is known from experience that winter rape seed, which is not
hurtful to them in a wild state, will soon kill them if they are fed on
it in the house.--AUTHOR.
[46] We read in Buffon, that the Goldfinch feeds its young with
caterpillars; this is not natural to the species, since we find farther
on, that the parent birds disgorge the food into the crop of their
little ones, and do not merely place it in the beak as those birds do
that feed their young on caterpillars and other insects.--TRANSLATOR.
[47] This is a mistake. See Architecture of Birds, p. 268.
[48] After having shown the skill and docility of the goldfinch, we
cannot end our praise of the bird better than by giving an instance of
his attachment. Mad. ---- had one that never saw her go out without
making every effort in his power to quit his cage and follow her, and
welcomed her return with every mark of extreme delight; as soon as she
approached, a thousand little actions showed his pleasure and
satisfaction: if she presented her finger, he caressed it a long time,
uttering a low joyous murmur. This attachment was so exclusive that if
his mistress, to prove it, substituted another person's finger for her
own, he would peck it sharply, whilst one of his mistress's, placed
between two of this person's, would be immediately distinguished, and
caressed accordingly.--TRANSLATOR.
[49] It only comes to England during winter.--TRANSLATOR.
[50] It is not so often of epilepsy, and fat, that male birds die, as
for the want of pairing. Perhaps this may be increased, thoughtlessly,
by too heating and too succulent food. However this may be, if a male
that has died thus in spring be dissected, its reproductive organs will
be found exceedingly swelled. It can only be preserved by giving at the
time refreshing and moderate food. Boiled bread and milk is very
useful.--TRANSLATOR.
[51] They are not natives of Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[52] They are not natives of Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[53] I have observed, says Adanson, that the canary which becomes white
in France is, at Teneriffe, of a grey, almost as dark as that of the
linnet.--AUTHOR.
[54] It is a mistaken idea that the difference of colour in canaries
depends on the difference of food. The wild birds vary much more than
the domestic, yet their food is more uniform. The being domesticated,
the want of exercise and natural food united, may occasion an alteration
in the colours of the plumage. My birds have only very simple food, and
yet they are not the less of various colours.--AUTHOR.
[55] This practice is not according to nature, which we can rarely
oppose without inconvenience. "This plan causes the mother a greater
loss of heat, and burdens her at once with five or six little ones,
which coming together, disturb rather than please her; whilst in seeing
them hatched successively one after the other, her pleasure is increased
and supports her strength and courage. Very intelligent bird-fanciers
assure us, that by not removing the eggs from the female, and leaving
them to be hatched in succession, they have always succeeded better than
when substituting ivory eggs." _Buffon._--TRANSLATOR.
[56] It sometimes happens in very dry seasons that the feathers of the
young birds cannot develop naturally; a bath of tepid water employed on
such an occasion by Madame * * * was so successful that I cannot do
better than recommend it. The same lady succeeded equally well in
similar circumstances in hatching late eggs; she plunged them for some
minutes in water heated to the degree of incubation, and immediately
replaced them under the mother; in a short time she enjoyed the pleasure
of seeing the little ones make their appearance. This interesting
experiment may be applied to all sorts of birds, and may be particularly
useful in regard to those of the poultry yard.--TRANSLATOR.
[57] Green birds, bullfinches, and even chaffinches, yellowhammers, and
the like, have been tried; but the difficulty augments with the
difference of species and food: for example, I have never seen a male
canary very fond of a female yellowhammer, nor a male of the latter
kind of a female canary, though the plumage may be selected so as to
offer a striking resemblance. An ardent bullfinch will sometimes yield
to the allurements of a very ardent hen canary. I have myself witnessed
it; but with every care, it is seldom that the eggs prove fruitful, and
produce young. Dr. Jassy, however, writes me from Frankfort, that he has
obtained mules of a bullfinch and canary, by making other canaries sit
on the eggs and bring up the young; and that this plan is pursued in
Bohemia. A tufted or crested female should never be chosen, because this
ornament is very unbecoming to the large head of a mule. "My bullfinch,"
he adds, "is so attached to the female canary that he mourns all the
time they are separated, and cannot bear any other bird."
I possess a nightingale which, having been for a long time shut up with
a female canary, lives very sociably with her, and sings as usual;
indeed, he was so ardent in the spring, that he paired with her in my
presence, but the eggs were unproductive. I shall try next spring, if
the same thing happens, to give the eggs to another sitter.--AUTHOR.
[58] Some do this naturally, others are taught it in their youth, by
covering the cage and keeping them in the dark during the day, long
enough for them to be hungry; they are thus forced to eat by
candle-light. Gradually they become accustomed to this, and at last
sing.--AUTHOR.
[59] Nothing is more delightful than to hear them imitate the song of
the nightingale; I prefer those which have this talent, and I never fail
to possess one.--AUTHOR.
[60] In Britain it is partly migratory and partly
stationary.--TRANSLATOR.
[61] If it is difficult to induce larks to sit, it appears to be very
easy to make them take care of a young brood.
"The instinct," says Buffon, "which induces hen larks to bring up and
watch over a brood appears sometimes very early, even before that which
disposes them to become mothers, and which, in the order of nature,
ought, it would seem, to precede it.
"In the month of May, a young lark was brought to me which could not
feed itself; I fed it, and it could hardly peck up, when a brood of four
young ones of the same species was brought to me from another place. She
exhibited a singular affection for these new comers, which were not much
younger than herself; she nursed them day and night, warmed them under
her wings, and pushed the food into their mouths with her beak; nothing
could distract her from these interesting duties. If she was removed
from the young ones, she flew back to them as soon as she was free,
without ever thinking of escaping, as she might have done a hundred
times. Her affection increased so much that she literally forgot to eat
and drink; and she lived only on the food which was given to her as well
as to her adopted young, and she died at length, consumed by this sort
of maternal passion. None of the young survived her, they died one after
the other, so necessary had her maternal cares become to them; so
entirely were these cares produced by affection, and reciprocated."
This, it appears, is more than could be said of the persons who had the
care of these unfortunate little birds.--TRANSLATOR.
[62] They are not natives of Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[63] I possessed a fine one which died from lice.--TRANSLATOR.
[64] I saw a colony of starlings established on this plan at an inn at
Leyden.--TRANSLATOR.
[65] In England it continues throughout the year.--TRANSLATOR.
[66] Bathing may prevent the first; boiled bread and milk administered
seasonably relieves, and even entirely cures, the other.--TRANSLATOR.
[67] In Britain they remain all the year.--TRANSLATOR.
[68] I have seen the nest in Scotland.--TRANSLATOR.
[69] It occurs on the Rhine at Ehrenbreitzen, and I have seen it on the
Siebengebirge.--TRANSLATOR.
[70] I purchased two at Coblentz, which lived some time in England.
Individuals have been sold in London for seven pounds.--TRANSLATOR.
[71] It is not found in Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[72] The food of the caged nightingale is probably not sufficiently
nutritious for the reed thrush; no doubt, also, it injures the stomach;
perhaps the number of meal-worms with which it is supplied should be
increased; and small beetles should be offered to it, whose wing-cases
and claws, not being digested by the insectivorous bird, serve to purge
the stomach; its food, in short, should resemble as much as possible
that of its natural condition.--TRANSLATOR.
[73] There are some countries which appear not adapted for nightingales,
and in which they never stop, as in France, in Le Bugey, as high as
Nantua, a part of Holland, North Wales, the north of England, excepting
the county of York, and all Scotland and Ireland.
[74] In Italy they arrive in March, and depart in the beginning of
November. In England they arrive in April and May, and depart in the
month of September.
[75] The means of always having a plentiful supply of meal worms is to
fill a large earthenware or brown stone jar with wheat bran, barley or
oatmeal, and put into it some pieces of sugar paper or old shoe leather.
Into each of these jars, of about two quarts in size, half a pint of
meal worms is thrown (these may be bought at any baker's or miller's),
and by leaving them quiet for three months, covered with a bit of
woollen cloth soaked in beer, or merely in water, they will change into
beetles (_Tenebrio Molitor_, Linnæus). These insects soon propagate by
eggs, which renew and increase the number of maggots so much that one
such jar will maintain a nightingale.--AUTHOR.
[76] Many persons who are not in a situation to buy ants' eggs
(improperly so called, since they are the pupæ in their cocoons), will
doubtless be glad to know the method used for getting them out of the
ant-hill. A fine sunny day in summer is chosen, and, provided with a
shovel we begin by gently uncovering a nest of the large wood ants
(_Formica rufa_, Linnæus), till we arrive at the eggs; these are then
taken away, and placed in the sun, in the middle of a cloth whose
corners are turned up over little branches well covered with leaves. The
ants, in order to protect the eggs from the heat of the sun, quickly
remove them under the shelter which is prepared for them. In this manner
they are easily obtained freed from dirt, and from the ants also. In the
absence of a cloth a smooth place is chosen, around which some small
furrows are cut, over which the branches are laid, which leads to the
same result.--AUTHOR.
[77] English bird-catchers also express the phrases of the nightingale
by words, or particular names, _sweet_, _jug_, _sweet_, _pipe rattle_,
_swetswat_, _swaty_, _water bubble_, _skeg_, _skeg_, _whitlow_,
_whitlow_, and the like.
[78] I possess a nightingale which repeats these drawling melancholy
notes often thirty or even fifty times. Many pronounce _gu, guy, gui_,
and others _qu, quy, qui_.--AUTHOR.
[79] These syllables are pronounced in a sharper clearer manner than the
preceding _lu, lu_, &c.
[80] However difficult, or even impossible, it may be to express this
song upon an instrument (excepting, however, the jay call, made of tin,
on which is placed a piece of birch cut in a cross, and which is held
between the tongue and the palate), yet it is very true that the
accompaniment of a good piano produces the most agreeable
effect.--AUTHOR.
[81] We must not confound _true nocturnal_ nightingales with those which
are called _mopers_. A true nocturnal sings from night to morning
without stopping, while a moper sings only at intervals, unconnectedly,
and always makes pauses of some minutes between each strain. All
nightingales become mopers when they reach five or six years of age;
whence arises the mistake of many persons, who think they possess a
nocturnal when they have really only a moper. The reverse happens
sometimes, also; for a true nocturnal bird, caught such, often loses his
power after one or two years of captivity, and is then a mere
moper.--AUTHOR.
[82] It must, however, be owned, that of twenty young nightingales bred
from the nest scarcely one succeeds in all respects. They seldom possess
their natural song in its purity; they almost invariably introduce, in
spite of all their instruction, foreign and disagreeable tones. The
young which are caught in the month of August, before their departure,
are the best; they have already learnt their father's song, and they
perfect it the following spring, if they are placed beside a good
singer.--AUTHOR.
[83] "A nightingale which I had given away," says M. Le Manie, "no
longer seeing his mistress, left off eating, and was soon reduced to the
last gasp; he could not support himself on his perch! but being restored
to his mistress, he revived, ate, drank, perched, and had recovered in
twenty-four hours. It is said that some have been known, when set at
liberty in the woods, to return to their masters." It is quite certain
that they recognise the voice of their masters and mistresses, and
approach at their call.
[84] According to the Greeks, Progné was metamorphosed into a
nightingale, and Philomel, her sister, into a swallow. The Latins have
changed and confused this story, which the moderns have, in their turn,
copied without examination.
[85] It is not a native of Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[86] To prepare this tincture, take of water four parts, of black oxide
of iron one part; boil the oxide with the water, and then pass a current
of chlorine gas through the mixture till it will absorb no more; filter
the liquor and evaporate over a slow fire to the consistence of an
extract; when this is cold, pour upon it of hydrochloric ether three
parts; let it macerate without heat for several days; then add of
alcoholised hydrochloric acid nine parts; macerate again, filter the
liquor, and expose it to the sun.--TRANSLATOR.
[87] This is a mistake; it is as fond of berries as of
insects.--TRANSLATOR.
[88] This bird also has the art of pleasing by his pretty tricks. He
shows a striking affection for his mistress; utters a particular sound,
a more tender note to welcome her; at her approach he darts against the
wires of his cage, and, by a continued fluttering, accompanied with
little cries, he seems to express his eagerness and gratitude.
A young male which I had put in the hothouse for the winter, was
accustomed to receive from my hand, every time I entered, a meal-worm;
this took place so regularly, that immediately on my arrival he placed
himself near the little jar where I kept the meal-worms. If I pretended
not to notice this signal he would take flight, and, passing close under
my nose, immediately resume his post; and this he repeated, sometimes
even striking me with his wing, till I satisfied his wishes and
impatience.
[89] No doubt his great voracity weakens his stomach, and by loading the
intestines with glutinous matter the vessels cannot take up sufficient
nourishment; it is therefore not conveyed sufficiently to the skin and
feathers, whence proceed the fall of the latter and the enfeeblement of
the body.
[90] This bird is not known in Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[91] It is however, by no means easily tamed, but remains fearful and
distant.--TRANSLATOR.
[92] In Britain they remain all the year.--TRANSLATOR.
[93] I have seen some in cages which were entirely fed on white bread
which was soaked in hot milk left to get cold, and they were very
healthy. If, however, we would feed them well, they require nearly the
same diet as the nightingale.--TRANSLATOR.
[94] It is rarely seen in Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[95] I have made the same observation on the redstart.
[96] It remains all winter in Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[97] This is a mistake, as it likes to frequent high elms.--TRANSLATOR.
[98] It is rare in England.--TRANSLATOR.
[99] It is a remarkable fact, that this bird, now so common in
Thuringia, was a rarity there twenty years ago. This change cannot be
attributed to climate or food. What is the occasion of it then?--AUTHOR.
[100] In sitting on house eaves, and singing in the autumn, it performs
a similar part in Germany to the red-breast in Britain. No red-breast on
the Continent becomes familiar about the house like ours; they keep
always in the woods.--TRANSLATOR.
[101] At a very advanced age the female acquires all the colours of the
male, yet less bright, as I have observed of several birds. Such females
do not breed afterwards, and in summer fly from place to place. This
peculiarity is also observed in hen-pheasants.--AUTHOR.
[102] It is not found in Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[103] This I doubt.--TRANSLATOR.
[104] Most certainly a mistake.--TRANSLATOR.
[105] Sweet's British Warblers.
[106] One of these pretty birds, which I had in my room one winter, ate
with pleasure, and appeared to thrive upon, a very simple paste, made of
the crumb of white bread dried in an oven and powdered: a teaspoonful of
this was put in a cup, and three teaspoonfuls of milk, as hot as it
could be made without boiling, poured over it.--AUTHOR.
[107] It is rare in Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[108] It is difficult to decide to what genus this species belongs; it
has the characteristics of several. Its size, habit, food, mixed insects
and seeds, even its pace, for when on the ground it rarely hops like the
warblers, but runs quickly head forwards, like the quails, scarcely ever
resting on trees; in all this it bears a relation to the larks. Now as
there are larks that appear to form the link between that genus and the
warblers, the Alpine warbler may be said to form one also between the
warblers and the larks.--TRANSLATOR.
[109] It is called Joe Bent by the London bird-catchers.--TRANSLATOR.
[110] This cylinder oftens occasions their death. It is only by great
address and quickness that they can pass through the hole of
communication; each time they run the risk of being crushed, especially
on coming out, from the prolonged motion of the machine.--TRANSLATOR.
[111] It is not uncommon in Britain, such as near London,
&c.--TRANSLATOR.
[112] They are fond of picking bones.--TRANSLATOR.
[113] They are not uncommon in Britain, such as about London,
&c.--TRANSLATOR.
[114] It is found, but rarely, in the fir woods in the north of
Scotland.--TRANSLATOR.
[115] I have, however, seen one old crested tit that was tamed as easily
as any other bird. After passing the winter in a cage it refused its
liberty in the spring. It was then placed in the garden near the house,
where it remained till evening, having hopped about all day, uttering
restless anxious cries. Its mistress, fearing some accident befalling it
during the night, held the cage towards it, into which it instantly
jumped with pleasure. Since then it has been allowed to range three
adjoining rooms. It is always lively, coming when its mistress calls,
and perching on her finger, and seeking in her half-closed hand the
flies she may have there. It made a nest in a window-curtain, into which
it would glide secretly in the evening, but would never go whilst any
eyes were turned on that side, and seized a favourable moment so
quickly, that for some time no one knew where it retired; when it was
discovered, the curtains were never touched.--TRANSLATOR.
[116] This is not quite correct, the female having small moustaches of a
light colour.--TRANSLATOR.
[117] They abound in the fens of Lincolnshire, on the Thames below
Greenwich, &c.--TRANSLATOR.
[118] Great numbers are brought from Holland to London, and sell for
about five shillings a pair.--TRANSLATOR.
[119] This is a mistake: the food given to the young is a sort of thick
milky secretion from the stomach of the parent birds, both male and
female.--TRANSLATOR.
[120] In England they are not uncommon in the woods.--TRANSLATOR.
[121] The close and mephitic air of these rooms, which are kept
warmer whilst a person is ill, may well produce this apparent
sympathy.--TRANSLATOR.
[122] An erroneous opinion, which displays more egotism than humanity;
yet do people generally act with more equity and disinterestedness?
[123] Here is another instance, in which man, seeking his own pleasure
at the expense of the well being of other creatures, deceives himself
respecting the motives. The poor prisoner does not sing to amuse
himself, or from contentment; its repeated cries call unceasingly for
the mate from which it is separated; and though they have been vain
throughout the day, he renews them on the morrow, no doubt, like man,
supported by hope,--a hope, alas! which is never realised!--AUTHOR.
[124] It is now uncommon in Britain.--TRANSLATOR.
[125] A great many mallards are half domesticated on the water in St.
James' Park, London, and other similar places in England.--TRANSLATOR.
INDEX.
A.
_Accentor modularis_, Bechstein, 228
_Alauda alpestris_, Linnæus, 184
_Alauda arborea_, Linnæus, 179
_Alauda arvensis_, Linnæus, 174
_Alauda Calandra_, Linnæus, 185
_Alauda cristata_, Linnæus, 178
_Alcedo Ispida_, Linnæus, 83
Amandava, 104
_Ampelis garrulus_, Linnæus, 188
_Anthus arboreus_, Bechstein, 182
_Anthus campestris_, Bechstein, 184
Arbour Bird, 255
B.
Babillard, 247
Blackbird, 198
Blackbird (Ring), 200
Blackbonnet, 121
Blackcap, 222
Black Stork, 296
Blue-Breast, 233
Bohemian Chatterer, 188
Bullfinch, 92
Bunting (Corn), 116
Bunting (Dominican), 125
Bunting (Foolish), 120
Bunting (Mountain), 114
Bunting (Painted), 127
Bunting (Reed), 121
Bunting (Shaft-tailed), 125
Bunting (Snow), 112
Bunting (Sparrow), 123
Bunting (Whidah), 124
Butcher-bird (Great), 31
C.
Calandra Lark, 185
Canary, 158
Carrion Crow, 39
Ceram Lory, 73
Chaffinch, 128
Chiff-Chaff (Common), 258
Chiff-Chaff (Rufous), 261
_Cinclus aquaticus_, Bechstein, 190
Cirl-Bunting, Latham, 119
Cockatoo (Banksian), 70
Cockatoo (Great red-crested), 69
Cockatoo (Great White), 68
Cockatoo (Lesser White), 69
Cockatoo (Red-vented), 70
_Columba Palumbus_, Linnæus, 285
_Columba risoria_, Linnæus, 287
_Columba Turtur_, Linnæus, 286
Common Partridge, 290
Common Quail, 291
Common Snipe, 297
_Coracias garrula_, Linnæus, 44
Corn Crake, 300
_Corvus Caryocatactes_, Linnæus, 42
_Corvus Corax_, Linnæus, 37
_Corvus Cornix_, Linnæus, 39
_Corvus Corone_, Linnæus, 39
_Corvus frugilegus_, Linnæus, 39
_Corvus glandarius_, Linnæus, 40
_Corvus Monedula_, Linnæus, 40
_Corvus Pica_, Linnæus, 43
Crossbill, 89
Cuckoo, 51
_Cuculus canorus_, Linnæus, 51
_Cuculus Persa_, Linnæus, 82
_Curruca garrula_, Brisson, 249
Cushat, 285
D.
Dipper, 190
Doves, 284
Dominican, 106
Dunncock, 228
E.
_Emberiza Cia_, Linnæus, 120
_Emberiza Ciris_, Linnæus, 127
_Emberiza Cirlus_, Linnæus, 119
_Emberiza citrinella_, Linnæus, 114
_Emberiza cyanea_, Linnæus, 126
_Emberiza Eloeathorax_, 119
_Emberiza hortulana_, Linnæus, 117
_Emberiza miliaria_, Linnæus, 116
_Emberiza montana_, Linnæus, 114
_Emberiza nivalis_, Linnæus, 112
_Emberiza paradisea_, Linnæus, 124
_Emberiza passerina_, Linnæus, 123
_Emberiza regia_, Linnæus, 125
_Emberiza Schoeniclus_, Linnæus, 121, 267
_Emberiza serena_, Linnæus, 125
F.
_Falco tinnunculus_, Linnæus, 27
Fauvette, 225
Fieldfare, 195
Finch (Angola), 172
Finch (Banded), 110
Finch (Blue), 108
Finch (Blue-bellied), 171
Finch (Brazilian), 171
Finch (Brown-cheeked), 111
Finch (Caffrarian), 108
Finch (Cape), 107
Finch (Citril), 156
Finch (Glossy), 169
Finch (Lapland), 156
Finch (Liver-brown), 172
Finch (Malacca), 111
Finch (Mountain), 136
Finch (Purple), 169
Finch (Snow), 157
Flusher, 35
_Fringilla amandava_, Linnæus, 104
_Fringilla Angolensis_, Linnæus, 172
_Fringilla Bengalus_, Linnæus, 171
_Fringilla Canaria_, Linnæus, 158
_Fringilla cannabina_, Linnæus, 140
_Fringilla Carduelis_, Linnæus, 146
_Fringilla citrinella_, Linnæus, 156
_Fringilla Coelebs_, Linnæus, 128
_Fringilla cyanea_, Wilson, 126
_Fringilla Granatina_, Linnæus, 171
_Fringilla hepatica_, Linnæus, 172
_Fringilla Laponica_, 156
_Fringilla Linaria_, Linnæus, 144
_Fringilla Linota_, Linnæus, 140
_Fringilla Melba_, Linnæus, 173
_Fringilla montana_, Linnæus, 140
_Fringilla montifringilla_, Linnæus, 136
_Fringilla nitens_, Linnæus, 169
_Fringilla nivalis_, Linnæus, 157
_Fringilla petronia_, Linnæus, 153
_Fringilla purpurea_, Linnæus, 169
_Fringilla serinus_, Linnæus, 154
_Fringilla Spinus_, Linnæus, 151
_Fringilla tristis_, Linnæus, 170
G.
Golden Oriole, 46
Goldfinch, 146
Goldfinch (American), 170
Goldfinch (Green), 173
Gowry Bird, 110
_Graecula religiosa_, Linnæus, 52
Grakle (Minor), 52
Grasshopper Bird, 265
Green Bird, 97
Grenadier, 106
Grosbeak (Cardinal), 102
Grosbeak (Paradise), 105
Grosbeak (Pine), 99
Grosbeak (Yellow-bellied), 109
Guinea-Sparrow, 64
H.
Hawfinch, 100
Hay-Bird, 262
Hooded Crow, 39
Hoopoe, 48
I & J.
Indigo Bird, 126
Jackdaw, 40
Jay, 40
K.
Kestril, 27
Kingfisher (Common), 83
L.
_Lanius erythrocephalus_, Linnæus, 34
_Lanius Excubitor_, Linnæus, 31
_Lanius minor_, Linnæus, 32
_Lanius spinitorquus_, Bechstein, 35
Lapwing, 297
Large-beaked Birds, 54
Lark (Crested), 178
Lark (Shore), 184
Lark (Sky), 174
Lark (Wood), 179
Linnet (Common), 140
Little Owl, 29
Little Shrike, 32
_Locustella avicula_, Ray, 265
Lory (Black-capped), 74
Lory (Blue-capped), 73
_Loxia Astrild_, Linnæus, 103
_Loxia Caffra_, Linnæus, 108
_Loxia canora_, Linnæus, 111
_Loxia Capensis_, Linnæus, 107
_Loxia Cardinalis_, Linnæus, 102
_Loxia Chloris_, Linnæus, 97
_Loxia coccothraustes_, Linnæus, 100
_Loxia coerulea_, Linnæus, 108
_Loxia curvirostra_, Linnæus, 89
_Loxia Dominicana_, Linnæus, 106
_Loxia Enuclator_, Linnæus, 99
_Loxia erythrocephala_, Linnæus, 105
_Loxia fasciata_, Linnæus, 110
_Loxia flaviventris_, Linnæus, 109
_Loxia Malacca_, Linnæus, 111
_Loxia orix_, Linnæus, 106
_Loxia orycivora_, Linnæus, 102
_Loxia punctularia_, Linnæus, 110
_Loxia pyrrhula_, Linnæus, 92
_Loxia sanguinirostris_, Linnæus, 105
M.
Maccaw (Blue and Yellow), 57
Magpie, 43
Mallard, 305
Moor Hen, 300
_Motacilla alba_, Linnæus, 235
_Motacilla Boarula_, Linnæus, 237
_Motacilla dumetorum_, Linnæus, 247
_Motacilla flava_, Linnæus, 238
_Motacilla Fruticeti_, Linnæus, 227
_Motacilla Luscinia_, Linnæus, 206
_Motacilla Luscinia major_, Linnæus, 220
_Motacilla OEnanthe_, Linnæus, 239
_Motacilla Phoenicurus_, Linnæus, 252
_Motacilla Regulus_, Linnæus, 270
_Motacilla rubecula_, Linnæus, 230
_Motacilla Rubetra_, Linnæus, 241
_Motacilla Suecica_, Linnæus, 233
_Motacilla Tithys_, Linnæus, 250
_Motacilla Troglodytes_, Linnæus, 269
N.
Nightingale, 206
Nightingale (Greater), 220
Nut-Cracker, 42
Nuthatch, 85
O.
_Oriolus Galbula_, Linnæus, 46
Ortolan, 117
Oxeye, 274
P.
Parrakeet (Blossom-headed), Latham, 62
Parrakeet (blue and green), 66
Parrakeet (Borneo), 63
Parrakeet (green, long-tailed), 58
Parrakeet (red and blue headed), 67
Parrakeet (red-crescented), 67
Parrakeet (red-headed Guinea), 63
Parrakeet (rose-headed ring), 62
Parrakeet (rose-ringed), 64
Parrot (Amboina), 59
Parrot (ash-coloured), 71
Parrot (blue-faced), 75
Parrot (blue-headed), 59
Parrot (Cardinal), 62
Parrot (Carolina), 65
Parrot (Common Amazon), 75
Parrot (grey-breasted), 66
Parrot (Illinois), 57
Parrot (Pavouan), 64
Parrot (purple), 60
Parrot (whiskered), 61
Parrot (white-fronted), 74
Parrot (yellow-headed Amazon), 76
Parrot (yellow), 59
_Parus ater_, Linnæus, 277
_Parus biarmicus_, Linnæus, 282
_Parus cæruleus_, Linnæus, 278
_Parus cristatus_, Linnæus, 281
_Parus major_, Linnæus, 274
_Parus palustris_, Linnæus, 280
_Passer domestica_, Ray, 137
_Passer montana_, Ray, 139
Passerine Birds, 88
_Picus major_, Linnæus, 79
_Picus medius_, Linnæus, 80
_Picus minor_, Linnæus, 80
_Picus viridis_, Linnæus, 78
Pies, 31
Pipit (Field), 184
_Psittacus æstivus_, Linnæus, 75
_Psittacus Amboinensis_, Linnæus, 59
_Psittacus autumnalis_, Linnæus, 75
_Psittacus Ararauna_, Linnæus, 57
_Psittacus Banksii_, Linnæus, 70
_Psittacus bimaculatus_, Sparrmann, 61
_Psittacus canicularis_, Linnæus, 67
_Psittacus Carolinensis_, Linnæus, 65
_Psittacus cristatus_, Linnæus, 68
_Psittacus cyanocephalus_, Linnæus, 59
_Psittacus domicilla_, Linnæus, 73
_Psittacus erithacus_, Linnæus, 71
_Psittacus erythrocephalus Bengalensis_, Linnæus, 62
_Psittacus erythrocephalus Borneus_, Linnæus, 63
_Psittacus erythrocephalus, Linnæus_, 62
_Psittacus garrulus_, Linnæus, 73
_Psittacus garrulus Auroræ_, Linnæus, 59
_Psittacus Guianensis_, Linnæus, 64
_Psittacus leucocephalus_, Linnæus, 74
_Psittacus Lory_, Linnæus, 74
_Psittacus Ludovicianus_, Linnæus, 65
_Psittacus lunatus_, Bechstein, 67
_Psittacus Macao_, Linnæus, 54
_Psittacus Manillensis_, Bechstein, 63
_Psittacus Moluccensis_, Linnæus, 69
_Psittacus murinus_, Linnæus, 66
_Psittacus nobilis_, Linnæus, 76
_Psittacus ochrocephalus_, Gmelin, 76
_Psittacus passerinus_, Linnæus, 66
_Psittacus Pennanti_, Latham, 60
_Psittacus pertinax_, Linnæus, 57
_Psittacus Philippinarum_, Linnæus, 70
_Psittacus pullarius_, Linnæus, 64
_Psittacus rufirostris_, Linnæus, 58
_Psittacus solstitialis_, Linnæus, 59
_Psittacus sulphureus_, Linnæus, 69
Purr, 299
R.
_Ramphastos picatus_, Linnæus, 77
_Ramphastos piscivorus_, Linnæus, 77
_Ramphastos Tucanus_, Linnæus, 76
Raven, 37
Red and Blue Maccaw, 55
Redbill, 105
Red-Breast, 230
Redpole (Lesser), 144
Redstart (Black), 250
Redstart (Common), 252
Redwing, 196
Reed Bird, 282
Reed Warbler, 266
Ring Dove, 285
Ring Parrakeet (Rose-headed), Latham, 62
Roller, 44
Rose Ouzel, 197
Ruff, 298
S.
Scaup Duck, 305
Sedge Bird, 268
Serin-finch, 154
Sheldrake, 304
Siskin, 151
_Sitta Europoea_, Linnæus, 85
Sparrow (House), 137
Sparrow (Java), 102
Sparrow (Ring), 153
Sparrow (Tree), 139
Starling, 186
_Strix passerina_, Linnæus, 29
_Sturnus collaris_, Linnæus, 273
_Sturnus vulgaris_, Linnæus, 186
Swan, 303
_Sylvia arundinacea_, Latham, 266
_Sylvia atricapilla_, Bechstein, 222
_Sylvia cinerea_, Bechstein, 244
_Sylvia Curruca_, Bechstein, 247
_Sylvia Fitis_, Bechstein, 262
_Sylvia Hippolais_, Montagu, 258
Bechstein, 255
_Sylvia hortensis_, Latham, 225
_Sylvia icterina_, Vieillot, 258
_Sylvia Locustella_, Latham, 265
_Sylvia Loquax_, Herbert, 258
_Sylvia Phragmitis_, Bechstein, 268
_Sylvia polyglotta_, Ranzani, 255
_Sylvia rufa_, Bechstein, 261
_Sylvia salicaria_, Latham, 268
_Sylvia sibilatrix_, Bechstein, 263
_Sylvia Trochilus_, Latham, 262, 263
T.
Tarrock, 306
Thrush (Blue), 204
Thrush (Missel), 191
Thrush (Reed), 204
Thrush (Rock), 201
Thrush (Solitary), 203
Thrush (Song), 193
Tit (Bearded), 282
Tit (Blue), 278
Tit (Cole), 277
Tit (Crested), 281
Tit (Greater), 274
Titlark, 182
Tit (Marsh), 280
Tom Tit, 278
Tourako, 82
Tucan (Brazilian), 77
Tucan (Preacher), 77
Tucan (Yellow-breasted), 76
_Turdus arundinaceus_, Linnæus, 204, 207
_Turdus cyaneus_, Linnæus, 204
_Turdus Iliacus_, Linnæus, 196
_Turdus merula_, Linnæus, 198
_Turdus musicus_, Linnæus, 193
_Turdus pilaris_, Linnæus, 195
_Turdus roseus_, Linnæus, 197
_Turdus saxatilis_, Linnæus, 201
_Turdus solitarius_, Linnæus, 203
_Turdus torquatus_, Linnæus, 200
_Turdus viscivorus_, Linnæus, 191
Turtle (Collared), 287
Turtle Dove, 286
U.
_Upupa Epops_, Linnæus, 48
W.
Wagtail (Common), 235
Wagtail (Grey), 237
Wagtail (Yellow), 238
Warbler (Alpine), 273
Warblers, 174
Waxbill, 103
Wheatear, 239
Whinchat, 241
White-breast, 227
White-throat, 244
White Stork, 295
Wild Goose, 304
Woodchat, 34
Woodcock, 296
Woodpecker (Greater-spotted), 79
Woodpecker (Green), 78
Woodpecker (Lesser spotted), 80
Woodpecker (Middle spotted), 80
Woodpeckers, 78
Wren, 269
Wren (Gold-crested), 270
Wren (Willow), 262
Wren (Wood), 263
Wryneck, 81
Y.
Yellowhammer, 114
_Yunx torquilla_, Linnæus, 81
THE END.
* * * * *
Crown 8vo, elegantly bound, gilt edges, Illustrated with 12 beautifully
Coloured Engravings, price 3s. 6d., post free.
THE CANARY
Its VARIETIES, MANAGEMENT, and BREEDING;
_With Portraits of the Author's own Birds._
BY THE REV. FRANCIS SMITH
Contains descriptions of all the Different Varieties of this popular
Household Favourite, Illustrated with Coloured Portraits of Birds in the
possession of the Author. With this book every care has been taken to
produce the most Complete Manual; while the Illustrations, general
appearance of the volume, and low price at which it is issued, will
render it the most popular work on the subject.
CONTENTS.
A PLEA FOR THE CANARY
ORIGIN OF OUR OWN CANARIA
THE WILD CANARY
OUR LIZARDS
OUR YORKSHIRE SPANGLES
OUR NORWICH YELLOWS
OUR LONDON FANCY BIRDS
OUR BELGIANS
OUR GREEN BIRDS
OUR CINNAMONS
OUR TURNCRESTS
THE DOMINIE AND THE GERMANS
PREPARATIONS FOR BREEDING
NEST BOXES AND NESTS
OUR FIRST BIRDS
OUR MISFORTUNES
OUR INFIRMARY
ON CAGES
Opinions of the Press.
"To the reverend gentleman who gives us this book we owe much; it is
so admirably done as to be thoroughly perfect as far as the subject
goes. He tells us everything about the canary, and in the pleasantest
manner, enlivening his story with many anecdotes. It is written in a
tender and loving spirit; lucky are the birds who have so sympathetic
and considerate a master, and fortunate is the master who owns so
many beautiful birds; for the charming pictures that decorate the
volume are so many portraits of '_the author's own pets_.' Mr. Smith
is not a writer who has produced a book 'to order;' he has obviously
loved his task. Years of thought and study, and familiarity with his
subject in all its bearings, have enabled him to tell us everything
needful to be known by those who keep the bird--one or many; how best
to be its friend and its doctor; how to improve without impairing
nature; how, in a word, the extremest amount of enjoyment may be
derived from the cultivation of those delicious little inmates of our
homes. The book is a delightful book; it may give pleasure to those
who do not keep the birds; but to those who do it will be
indispensable."--_Art Journal._
"A tasteful little book, written evidently by an enthusiast in the
study of the beautiful and innocent creatures whose habits he
describes. It is likely to make the canary a greater favourite than
ever."--_Morning Star._
"A large amount of pleasure combined with much curious information,
may be easily enjoyed by families or young folks who choose to follow
Mr. Smith's directions. The book is written in a pleasing style, and
will take its place as a popular manual and an ornament for the
drawing-room table."--_The Student._
"The style in which the author details the various incidents
connected with his little pets is so pleasant and so alluring, that
really one feels inclined on laying down the book to rush out
forthwith to the nearest dealer, and without delay secure the
necessary material for the formation of an aviary."--_City Press._
"This volume contains matter valuable to all who are interested in
its subject; while to those who have never paid attention to the
canary the work can hardly fail to open up a source of attraction.
The reverend author is an enthusiastic lover of the bird, and the
result of his experience should find favour with all who share his
enthusiasm."--_Glasgow Herald._
GROOMBRIDGE AND SONS, 5, PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Natural History of Cage Birds, by
J. M. Bechstein
*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NATURAL HISTORY OF CAGE BIRDS ***
***** This file should be named 40055-8.txt or 40055-8.zip *****
This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
http://www.gutenberg.org/4/0/0/5/40055/
Produced by Chris Curnow, Turgut Dincer and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
file was produced from images generously made available
by The Internet Archive)
Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
will be renamed.
Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules,
set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project
Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you
do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is
subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
redistribution.
*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
http://gutenberg.org/license).
Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
electronic works
1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all
the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be
used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few
things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See
paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
works. See paragraph 1.E below.
1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the
collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an
individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in
a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check
the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning
the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
States.
1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
copied or distributed:
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license
1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
1.E.9.
1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked
to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
Gutenberg-tm License.
1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or
distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
that
- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is
owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments
must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
License. You must require such a user to return or
destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
Project Gutenberg-tm works.
- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
of receipt of the work.
- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the
Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
1.F.
1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
your equipment.
1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGE.
1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you
received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with
the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy
is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
opportunities to fix the problem.
1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists
because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
people in all walks of life.
Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
Foundation
The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at
809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
[email protected]. Email contact links and up to date contact
information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
page at http://pglaf.org
For additional contact information:
Dr. Gregory B. Newby
Chief Executive and Director
[email protected]
Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
Literary Archive Foundation
Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations
($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
status with the IRS.
The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations
where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To
SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
particular state visit http://pglaf.org
While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
approach us with offers to donate.
International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other
ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
works.
Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily
keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
http://www.gutenberg.org
This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
