BIRD-KEEPER'S MANUAL. 



EUROPEAN THRUSHES. 



THE ENGLISH BLACK THRUSH, OR BLACK 

 BIRD. 



WHEN clothed in his fine, jet black and glossy 

 plumage, with his bright yellow bill, this is really 

 a beautiful bird. He is familiar and docile ; he 

 can be taught to whistle a tune distinctly and 

 clearly, and there is probably no bird possessed 

 of such melodious and soft flute-like notes as the 

 English Black Bird. I have heard one in a 

 cage, early in the morning, in a large city, whist- 

 ling " Over the water to Charlie," with great 

 truth and harmony, and so loud as to be heard 

 distinctly half a mile off. If you wish to teach 

 your bird a tune, cover over the cage with a cloth 

 about half an hour before sunset; then go near 

 the cage, and whistle the tune you wish him to 

 learn. Go over it slowly, from beginning to end, 

 then repeat, say a dozen of times, or more. If he 

 is a young bird you may hear him commence it 

 in a few days. Be careful to whistle the tune, 

 and nothing else, and if you whistle to him 

 through the day, let it be the same tune. 



