INTRODUCTION. 



A FONDNESS for birds, especially those ren- 

 dered attractive by musical voices, or rich 

 plumage, is almost universal, and few per- 

 sons have the musical faculty so entirely mi- 

 developed as not to love the melody of the 

 feathered train. Singing birds have been a 

 feature of every rural description, and have 

 been portrayed in the haunts of every Ar- 

 mida, a poet has dreamed of. They are 

 found in every habitation, in the palace and 

 the hovel, and have called forth many of 

 the most impassioned lyrics of the poets of 

 all ages. Fond, however, as most persons 

 are of birds, but little care has been bestowed 

 on the health and comfort of the household 

 minstrel, and but little attention has been be- 

 stowed on its wants and necessities. 



This little volume is an attempt to supply 

 this desideratum, and therefore, no apology 

 is made for its appearance. Without any 

 pretensions to literary display, it is intended 

 to be a mere statement of facts, an exposi- 



3 



