on Dr. Buss on sundry tvarblers and other birds. 303


singers, and most of them are difficult to keep for any length of

time. It is true that they are not difficult to meat off, but after¬

wards, being such active and excitable little things, they soon pine

away even in a really large cage. Many fanciers, for this reason, let

them run about the living-room with clipped wings, but here they

practically always come to a miserable end; the best plan un¬

doubtedly would be to allow them to fly loose in a bird-room, where

they will be found to do fairly well. The Pied or Common Wagtail

is a diligent singer, hut its notes are feeble, irregular, and intermixed

with its shrill, oft-repeated call; although so common, it is only

occasionally offered for sale, being not greatly esteemed as a cage-

bird. The more beautiful Blue-Headed Wagtail (ill. flava), one of

the yellow species, would be much more interesting, but it is delicate

and very difficult to meat off, requiring the most constant attention

to keep it in health ; its song is a little louder and more melodious

than that of the foregoing. Of similar habits, etc., to the two already

mentioned is the Yellow Wagtail, which is nearly as pretty as the

last-named, and whose song resembles the Common Wagtail’s.

Elsewhere the Large Pied Wagtail (M. maderas patensis ) of India

and Ceylon is referred to as not being likely to have much value as a

cage-bird, even if it were by any chance imported, and of the many

other foreign species known, none have hitherto ever been imported

alive.


The Chats are of comparatively little value as cage-birds,

though there is at least one excellent singer among them. They are

among the most difficult birds to meat off, so that they are but rarely

offered for sale; and even when accustomed to their food, require

constant and most careful attention to keep them in health. An old-

caught Wheatear, for instance, nearly always dies. To give such a

bird the best chance, he should be lodged in a large, roomy thrush-

cage furnished with moss and stones. When free, he is a lovely

little bird, hut in confinement usually presents but a pitiable spec¬

tacle. His song is tolerable, though it consists of only a short little

strain and a single, disagreeable croak. . . . The Stone-Chat


has but an unpretending song, similar to that of the Wheatear.

Of all the numerous foreign species allied to our Chats, there is not

one of any interest from our point of view, nor is there the least



