IN CONFINEMENT. 237 



IN CONFINEMENT. 



THE Thrush is a very favourite cage bird on account of the sweetness 

 of its song. It may be fed either upon the universal paste, or crushed 

 barley-meal moistened with equal quantities of milk and water. In 

 order to keep it in good song, a small quantity of finely shredded 

 meat should be given it two or three times a week. Fresh air is 

 essential to its health, and it should have a roomy cage, for if too 

 closely confined it will mope and probably fall into a decline. If kept 

 clean, and always well supplied with fresh water, both for bathing and 

 drinking, the prisoner will be likely to live seven or eight years. 



Bechstein says the Rock Thrush is sometimes kept in confinement 

 in Germany, where a handsome cage usually distinguishes it as a rare 

 bird. The male has a pleasing habit of singing by night, if placed 

 near a lamp. It can be taught to whistle tunes, and to speak like a 

 Starling. 



The Blackbird is a most interesting and amusing pet; he should be 

 reared from the nest on a diet of sop made of stale white bread and 

 milk. It is most important that this food be never in the slightest 

 degree sour; and he should be fed for the first few weeks every two 

 hours from sunrise to sunset. As he grows older the universal paste 

 may be gradually substituted, but he should frequently have a meal 

 of lean shredded meat. If it is desired to teach him to whistle a 

 tune, it is necessary that it be played to him slowly and distinctly on 

 a flute or other wind instrument the first thing every morning, and 

 the last at night. On each occasion, after it has been repeated about 

 twenty times, the instructor should leave off and keep perfectly quiet 

 to give him an opportunity of imitating it. His endeavours should be 

 rewarded with a worm, which it is well to have placed in such a position 

 that he can see it during the whole lesson. He will soon understand 

 what is required of him, and do his best to obtain the prize. A tune 

 once thoroughly learned by a Blackbird is rarely forgotten. This species 

 sometimes attains a great age in confinement; the following instance 

 of unusual longevity is recorded in the "Belfast Chronicle" of December 

 25th., 1839: "There is at present in the possession of Mr. John 

 Spence, of Tullaghgarley, near Ballymena, a Blackbird that has arrived 



