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with tlie exercise of a little judgment, be able to keep, in 

 a cage or aviary, any one of the man}' delicate but charm- 

 ing warblers that claim these Islands as their abode 

 either for part or the whole 3'ear round, with as little or 

 less trouble than is required to keep a Goldfinch ; and 

 moreover may have the satisfaction of knowing that, 

 under his tender care, there is every probability of his 

 charge living to a mncli greater age than would be 

 possible in a purely natural state. 



It is a curious fact that all the finest feathered 

 minstrels or gorgeoush' plumaged birds, in all parts of 

 the world, come under the above heading. Who could 

 listen to the soul inspiring love song of our own de- 

 lightful summer visitor the far famed Nightingale, or 

 the Shama of India, the Bulbul of Persia, the Mocking 

 Bird of America, the Parson Bird of New Zealand; or 

 gaze on the marvellous colours of the Tanagers of South 

 America, the Tits, Creepers and Kingfishers of Austi alia, 

 the Touracos of Africa, the Hunting Crow of India, not 

 to mention many of our brightly coloured birds like the 

 Kingfisher and Blue Tit, painted with Nature's glorious 

 tints that no human hand could approach ; and not long 

 to have the means and knowledge how to keep them 

 ever near him, that his artistic instincts might be glad- 

 dened by their form, colour and music ? 



One of the most gratifying signs of the times, to the 

 ornithologist, is the great increase of the interest and 

 attention paid, b}- the general public, to birds in general 

 and the more delicate kinds in particular. Where a few 

 years ago there were tens of " fanciers," there now may 

 be counted hundreds. At the time of which I speak 

 such birds as Nightingales, Blackcaps, Redstarts, and 

 Wagtails were very rareh' seen at a provincial show, but 

 now the}' are every day occurences, and even the more 

 delicate W^arblers, Tits, and Wrens are frequently seen. 

 No doubt this is largely owing to the help and assistance 

 such an useful institution as the National British Bird 

 and Mule Club, and the various publications devoted to 

 the fanc}', have been in educating those who have a 

 leaning towards this charming branch of bird keeping. 



