10 BIRD-KEEPER'S MANUAL. 



the notes of the Nightingale, in their utmost com- 

 pass. Now, as it is known to all who ever heard 

 both, that the imitations of this bird are true to 

 life, and equal, if not superior, to the originals, 

 the great superiority of the Mocking Bird, as a 

 songster, must appear evident to all ; and, indeed, 

 it is no longer disputed, for the best European 

 judges have long ago yielded the palm of victory 

 to the American songster ; and it is not only in 

 his own native forests that he reigns triumphant 

 as a vocalist, for we have seen him in a room, 

 surrounded with the best American and foreign 

 songsters, not only defy all competition, but by 

 some sudden gush of melody actually awe them 

 all into silence. And we have no hesitation in 

 saying, that the American Mocking Bird stands 

 alone in the world, unrivalled as a songster. 

 This bird loses little if any of its musical powers, 

 in the cage. Birds, when kept for some years, 

 I think rather improve in strength and fulness 

 of tone. Some birds will sing in the night, dur- 

 ing summer and autumn. 



We will now proceed to inform our readers, 

 from our own experience and the best sources, 

 how to keep in good health, and make happy, 

 this delightful bird. It is by no means so difficult 

 to keep this bird as is generally imagined. Feed 



