76 The Garden Warbler. 



has, from time to time, secured many interesting birds for stuffing (a proceeding 

 with which I have no sympathy, for to my mind a live bird in the bush is far 

 preferable to fifty dead birds in the hand). However, in September, 1888, he 

 brought me two living birds, one of which was a male Garden Warbler. I turned 

 these birds into a large cool aviary, among Waxbills, Mannikins and British 

 Finches. The Garden Warbler seemed perfectly content, ate the usual soft food, 

 as well as a few mealworms, caterpillars and spiders ; the frost did not appear to 

 affect it unpleasantly, and, in the early spring, it sang heartily every day : in 

 May its song became less frequent, it grew somewhat listless in its movements, 

 yet continued to eat as freely as ever. One morning, in July, 1889, I found it 

 dead, and dissection showed that its lungs were seriously affected. I should 

 therefore recommend Aviculturists to keep this Warbler in a mild temperature 

 during the winter months, and give it as much insect food as possible : it ought, 

 moreover, to be kept in an aviary, so that it may be able to take plenty of 

 healthful exercise.* 



As an aviary bird, the Garden Warbler is well worth keeping ; it is active 

 and at the same time capable of being tamed, although somewhat more shy than 

 the Blackcap ; its song, though inferior to that of the latter species, is infinitely 

 superior to that of any of the British Finches, yet that is not saying much for 

 it, inasmuch as even the Robin's plaintive little melody is purer in tone and 

 more grateful to the ear than that of any of our Finches. 



* Mr. Staines, of PeuRe, gave me a second male in July, i8g6, which was in perfect health at llie time of 

 penning this article. 



