120 THE SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS. 



likely to sing well unless placed under the tuition of adult birds of 

 the same species. 



And now, supposing a bird to have been obtained, and to some 

 extent reconciled to confinement, our readers will wish to know the 

 form of cage best adapted for his dwelling-place, and also the nature 

 of the food on which he is most likely to thrive. With regard to the 

 first, it should be roomy, with a close back, and a green baize roof; 

 the perches should be covered with cloth, or some other soft material, 

 as the feet of this bird are very tender. As for its food, the paste 

 alluded to may form its regular diet, but it should also have a con- 

 stant supply of ants' eggs or mealworms, especially in the summer. 

 Bechstein says no one should keep a Nightingale who cannot command 

 a supply of the former; if fresh eggs cannot be obtained, dry ones 

 will answer the purpose, and should be mixed with Swedish turnips, 

 and bullock's heart, boiled, dried, and grated small. Fresh water must 

 be placed in the cage daily, not only for the bird to drink, but also 

 for him to bathe in; the floor must, however, never be allowed to 

 remain wet, or his feet will be injured. 



The Blackcap thrives much better in confinement than the Nightin- 

 gale; it will sing through the greater part of the year, and soon 

 becomes very tame and familiar. It should be fed on bruised hemp- 

 seed and bread mixed into a paste, but to keep it in perfect health 

 it is necessary that berries or fruit of some sort be frequently given 

 it. Insects of any kind that can be procured should be placed in 

 its cage as often as possible. Although Blackcaps have sometimes 

 been kept for twelve or fourteen years in confinement, they do not 

 often live nearly so long, generally dying of decline. If any symptoms 

 of this malady appear, they should be fed almost entirely on ants* 

 eggs and mealworms, and an iron nail should be allowed to remain 

 in the vessel from which they drink. 



The Garden Warbler should be treated in the manner described for 

 the Blackcap, but it is a delicate bird, and rarely lives in confinement 

 for more than three or four years. 



The Whitethroat will feed on the paste of bruised hemp-seed, bread, 

 and raw lean meat, but it requires a frequent supply of insects, and 

 keeps in better health during the summer and autumn if occasionally 

 indulged with fruit. A constant supply of fine gravel should be kept in 

 its cage, and also plenty of fresh water, as it is very fond of bathing. 

 The Lesser Whitethroat is worth keeping in confinement, as it 

 becomes remarkably tame and attached to the person that feeds it; 

 it must have a plentiful supply of ants' eggs and mealworms, as well 

 as the paste of hemp-seed, etc., and will then live for several years. 



