PEKIN NIGHTINGALE, OR JAPANESE ROBIN. 155 



The toughness of the bird, when caged, is astonishing ; and the bird-hospital is 

 rarely visited by him from any cause : he is capable of withstanding neglect and 

 carelessness to a greater degree than the toughest of English Thrushes. His simple 

 food, and a bath as a luxury, seem to content him ; and he passes his days in con- 

 stant song and flitting movements with a pleasure which exists only in creatures of 

 delightful dispositions. 



The food of the Pekin Nightingale, when wild, consists mainly of insects and 

 worms, which he is very expert at catching : if allowed the freedom of a room during 

 the summer season, he will speedily clear it of flies. 



In confinement, the Pekin Nightingale should be fed on the prepared Mocking- 

 bird food, and insects and meal-worms may be given him frequently : as a change 

 from this diet, feed soaked ants' eggs or currants, and occasionally a piece of sweet 

 apple, banana, or the green food such as is usually given birds. 



The bath is seemingly his greatest luxury, and he enjoys it with enthusiasm : as 

 long as the bath-dish contains any water, just so long will the bird continue his 

 bathing ; he will dart in and out of his bath with the same hurry which he exhibits 

 in all his motions. He keeps up his song while bathing, and interrupts it only 

 when his beak is full of feathers, while pluming himself. He takes especial pride 

 in pluming himself after a bath, and his handsome appearance is thus greatly 

 enhanced. It is better to allow the bird to bathe but once daily, as too much 

 bathing is apt to bring on cramps. 



The Pekin Nightingale is as sociable with birds of a foreign class as he is with 

 his own brothers ; and he is not in the least pugnacious, but may be safely put in an 

 aviary collection. If kept alone, the bird should have a cage 10x12 or 10x14; 

 as his active movements demand it. 



The diseases to which the bird is subject are few, and usually brought on by 

 more than the average amount of carelessness. He is a hearty eater, and too much 

 rich food tends to bring on the usual diseases observed in birds of his class. Con- 

 stipation results from plain feeding, or filthy drinking-water, and may be cured by 

 feeding him a couple of meal-worms dipped in oil. Sickness in the Pekin Nightin- 

 gale is quickly observed by the absence of his sprightly movements, or the dulness 

 of his eyes ; and, whatever disease the symptoms indicate, should be treated the 

 same as advised for Mocking-birds. 



In the moulting season, the bird should be hung in the sunlight ; because, if 

 moulted in a darkened place, the bright colors are apt to lose their brilliancy. 



With an average amount of care, he will live in constant song, except during 

 the moulting season, from ten to twelve years. 



As a cage-bird he cannot be too highly recommended ; and, during a long 

 experience in business, I have heard less complaint about this bird than any other 

 in the Ions list. 



