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CHAPTER IV. 



TASTE IN BIRDS. 



WE have tried numerous experiments upon soft- 

 billed song-birds (Sylvicolce, VIEILLOT), which are 

 in some measure omnivorous, in order to discover 

 whether or not they were guided by taste in their 

 preference or rejection of certain articles. The black- 

 cap (Philomela atricapilla), for instance, which is 

 very fond of berries, will greedily devour those of the 

 elder, the privet, the honeysuckle, and the ivy, as 

 well as currants and grapes ; but it will not touch 

 the berries of the bitter-sweet (Solanum dulcamara) 

 which a red-breast in the adjacent cage seemed to 

 relish, while he rejected the privet berries. What 

 appeared to be the most remarkable circumstance in 

 these experiments was, that the berries are for the 

 most part swallowed entire without the bird breaking 

 or bruising them with its bill. Now it is difficult 

 for us to conceive that the berry could be tasted 

 while it remains unbroken ; at least our organs are 

 too obtuse to distinguish tastes under such circum- 

 stances *. 



The observations of Mr. Knapp upon these birds 

 agree exactly with our own. " Our gardens/' he 

 says, " shrubberies, and orchards become their resort, 

 seeking for the fruits usually produced in those 

 places. And, first, the fauvette (Philomela hor- 

 tensis), with all her matured brood, is certain to be 

 found feeding voraciously upon our cultivated berries, 

 * J, R. 



