92 Song Birds. 



this fact should he a great assistance in teaching 

 hirds to sing artificial songs. 



The very general introduction into an acquired tune 

 of a few of the bird's own notes, is most likely owing 

 to its haying been taken into training too far on in 

 life ; even at four or five days old, when the nestlings 

 cannot see, it appears they can remember the sound 

 of the parent's voice ; probably, they listen to it alone, 

 since, at this early age, it does not seem that they 

 remember any other note, though birds of all sorts 

 may be chirping round them. Any bird being taught 

 either a tune or the song of another bird, should be 

 kept in a cage alone and hung up, if possible, out of 

 the sight of others ; it learns all the better for having 

 its attention undisturbed from the notes that are 

 being slowly played. 



6. In teaching young birds to sing, school cages are 

 useful, either a row of the little six-inch square cages, 

 which seem to me the handiest, or else a long narrow 

 box, wired in front and divided into compartments. 



7. One really good singing bird Woodlark, Night- 

 ingale, or Canary may then be hung overhead and 

 will teach them all. But we must beware of what 

 companionship they have : learn they will whatever it 

 is they hear, and so we had better provide them with a 

 good instructor. 



Even Sparrows may be taught to sing very well, 

 not to mention talking. Bechstein speaks of two of 



