' CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



for a large price ! " ejaculates a third party. Certain it is. that, for an excellent song- 

 ster, the Blackcap has given rise to more complaint than almost any other variety of 

 cage-bird ; and he is a constant subject of communication between bird buyers and 

 sellers. The bird's silence is easily accounted for ; as, unless the Blackcap is ten- 

 derly cared for and looked after, he certainly will not sing. A greater variety of 

 food must be given him than almost any other kind of bird. If a few precautions are 

 observed, he will sing as readily as any bird, and once in song will remain so. 



In his native woods he feeds altogether on caterpillars, flies, and insects, and is 

 also fond of the various wild berries which abound. This should not be forgotten 

 when he is caged : to feed him simply on the regular Mocking-bird food is not suffi- 

 cient ; he must have in addition a varied diet of fruit, insects, or berries, which should 

 be always kept in store for him. When the proper conditions are observed, and a 

 little more attention than is commonly given cage-birds is paid him, he will thrive in 

 contentment, and will live to be twelve or sixteen years of age, singing nearly con- 

 stantly. The Blackcap is an unusually clumsy bird, considering his small size ; and 

 as he hops along the bottom of his cage, with his body almost touching the ground, 

 his awkward movements are surprising. His cage should be cleaned daily, and a plen- 

 tiful supply of dry gravel should be given him ; as one of the bird's chief ailments is 

 swelling of the feet, which is always caused by inattention, and neglect to properly 

 clean them. When the cage is not carefully sanded, the bird's feet become clogged ; 

 and a hardened mass gradually grows on them, which, if not attended to, will cause 

 the feet to swell, and in the course of time utterly ruin them. When the first sign 

 of dirt or clogging is noticed, the bird should be carefully caught, and the lumps of 

 dirt softened in lukewarm water : after thoroughly softening, they must be carefully 

 removed, not pulled off. The feet should then be carefully dried ; and an application 

 of glycerine should be made, in order to remove any soreness of broken skin which 

 may have occurred in the operation. 



The Blackcap is also subject to a disease closely resembling consumption in the 

 human being. It is a gradual wasting away, or decline. He may be noticed sitting 

 on his perch, with ruffled feathers, and his head under his wing, and at times eating 

 an enormous amount of food. This is the result of an unnatural diet, where no 

 change of food has been given, which impairs the digestive powers. The most 

 effectual remedy is, to put a rusty nail in his drinking-water, and force him to swallow 

 a spider, which acts as a purgative, and, as soon as any perceptible recovery is noticed, 

 to change the food as much, as possible. 



Epilepsy or paralysis is caused by want of exercise : when the bird is attacked 

 by it, dip him once or twice in the coldest water procurable, and allow him the run of 

 a larger cage than he has been used to. This disease sometimes terminates fatally, 

 although, when carefully attended to, may be cured. 



The Blackcap is usually fond of his daily bath ; and, when it is regularly indulged 

 in, he usually enjoys his full complement of feathers : but, when the bath is not taken, 

 it is often the case, owing to the softness of his plumage, that his feathers are broken, 

 and have a disordered appearance. In this case he should be showered daily for a 

 week with lukewarm water. 



His regular food should be the Mocking-bird food, as prepared for all soft-bill 

 birds. His bill of fare outside of this is almost inexhaustible, and any thing new in 



