210 THE NIGHTINGALE. 



jumping and struggling, especially when first caught, he may not injure 

 bis head. The driuking-cup and feeding-trough are fastened on the 

 outside, unless it is preferred to introduce the latter within, in the form of 

 a drawer. The following are the best form and proportions for a 

 nightingale's cage, that I am acquainted with : — Length, one foot and a 

 half; breadth, eight inches ; height, fifteen inches in the middle ; thirteen 

 at the sides, because the roof is arched. The sides are made of osiers 

 about a quarter of an inch thick ; the bottom is made of the same 

 material, but it is covered by a drawer an inch and a quarter in depth. 

 In order to clean it more easily, I cover it with coarse paper, which I 

 renew every time. The feeding. trough is introduced on one side, -with 

 edges high enough to prevent the bird's spilling too much of the food. 

 In the middle of the front of the cage, and extending from top to bottom, 

 is a cylindrical projection in the form of a belfry, in which is suspended a 

 large drinking-glass. The upper stick of the cage is confined here, termi- 

 nating in a fork, or fixed to a semi-cir'^-le, that the projection may not be 

 prevented from moving. This projection is made of osiers, like the rest 

 of the cage. The middle and lower sticks are covered wdth green cloth, 

 firmly sewed on, that the nightingale may have a softer perch, and not 

 have his feet so soon injured, which is very common with imprisoned birds. 

 The arched roof is also covered with green stuff, which is painted that 

 colour with oil paint, as well as the whole of the cage. But it must be 

 ■well dried, and quite free from smell before the bird is put into it. 



My reasons for preferring this cage are, first, because being small, it 

 occupies less room, without disadvantage to the bird or to the apartment; 

 second, because the size of the osiers leave small intervals for the admis- 

 sion of light, and it is consequentlv darker : third, because the bird can 

 bathe without wetting his cage or his perches : and consequently his feet 

 remain cleaner and more healthy. 



As to the situation of the cage, the prisoner's taste must be consulted. 

 Some nightingales dislike being in the window, and prefer a dark corner of 

 the room ; others like the light and the sun. If it is wished that a 

 nightingale should sing everywhere, it is necessary, when he is moulting, 

 and before he resumes his song, to accustom him to a change of place, by 

 carrying him sometimes here, sometimes there. Some will sing only 

 when they are alone, while others like to perform alternately with a 

 neighbour ; but they never sing so loud and well when there are several 

 in a room. Perhaps jealousy is the chief cause of this. On these occasions, 

 the first that begins generally maintains the superiority ; the others sing 

 only when he stops, and this but seldom, and in an under tone. Some 

 are so sulky that they will not sing at all. Some of these obstinate 

 pouters are occasionally, from their silence, mistaken for females, and 

 consequently dismissed from the room, but when they find themselves 

 alone they begin to sing at full stretch. 



Food. — When wild nightingales feed on insects, especially little green 

 caterpillars, of which they clear the bushes and tr<;es, small butterflies, 

 flies, and beetles, and the grubs of insects hid ant:;ng moss or in the 

 earth, which are discovered by turning it up. At their departure, towards 

 the end of summer, they also cat elderberries and currants 



