CHAP, I.] FAKMING FOR LADIES. 11 



has evidently passed much of his time in the 

 recesses of the woods and forests, trapping 

 birds for sale, and examining their modes 

 of life. He tames nightingales in an in- 

 credibly short period, and induces them 

 to resume their song soon after they have 

 been caged. He moreover teaches magpies, 

 jays, and jackdaws to talk ; breeds fancy 

 canaries, and doctors all the sick parrots of 

 the neighbourhood. He is, in fact, a sort of 

 " man of the woods :" a general favourite, 

 partly arising from a good-humoured, though 

 rather cunning, expression of his countenance, 

 as well as from his readiness to oblige, and it 

 is not surprising that, under such manage- 

 ment, the aviary, though still in its infancy, 

 should bid fair to become a pattern of per- 

 fection; though we frankly confess, that we 

 should much rather see it under the control 

 of one of that sex, the kindness of v*'hose na- 

 ture so befits her for the care and tenderness 

 of such helpless creatures. The shrubberies 

 in the garden afford shade enough from the 

 sun, but the fowls should also have shelter 

 from the rain, by a verandah extending along 

 the front from each side of the porch. 



