REED-BIRD. 195 



of the various kinds, with the exception of 

 hemp, which is always injurious to them; 

 gravel and a profusion of water should be 

 constantly supplied, as they are fonder of 

 diving and washing than any other cage- 

 bird. 



I am fully satisfied that they will breed 

 readily in confinement, in a room; and will 

 even, as I have myself seen, actually pair- 

 with the hen Canary, though twice the 

 size of that favourite little bird. This ex- 

 periment was very successfully tried with 

 one of these birds and a female of the 

 before-mentioned species, in a collection 

 kept by Mrs. Welden, the former matron 

 of the Philadelphia Hospital at Blockley; 

 who, as I regret to learn, lost all the mule- 

 birds, by one of the diseases which attack 

 the young in the moulting season. Those 

 which I saw at different periods were a 

 strange intermixture, between the two 

 parents, partaking of the colours of both, 

 but with the bill, form and claws closely 

 resembling the Rice-bird. I have no 



