30 INTRODUCTION-. 



birds were always more healthy in that, than in the close one, 

 where some of them were frequently ill ; and I generally found 

 that when removed into the open cage, they soon recovered : I 

 therefore had the close one altered with wires at both ends and 

 front, and a close back, that there might be a free circulation of 

 air, which I supposed the birds wanted ; and since that time 

 they have all been in excellent health. I had observed before, 

 that the Nightingales always sing better in an open cage than 

 in a close one. 



I before mentioned, that a pan of water should be kept con- 

 tinually in their cage, that they might wash whenever they chose; 

 this is the case with the greater part of them when old birds, 

 but it is very hurtful to young ones, as it is apt to give them the 

 cramp, and weaken them. I also find that the Wood- wren, Grass- 

 hopper-warbler, Sedge- warbler, and Reed- warbler, will wash so 

 much in winter, if the water is left continually in their cage, that 

 it will weaken them very much, and frequently cause their death. 

 It is, therefore, best to give them water in something that they 

 can wash in, allowing them to wash about once a week in the 

 winter, and that always in the morning of a fine dry day ; they 

 will then be able to clean and dry themselves in good time. 



ADDITIONAL. The Hon. and Rev. WILLIAM HERBERT says of 

 the Sylviadce, " Milk, which Mr. Sweet recommends, I have 

 found very fatal to many of the soft-billed birds, and I never give 

 it, but the Black-caps do not seem to suffer from it. They are very 

 fond of a boiled carrot, mashed and moistened, or beet-root boiled 

 and mashed. A boiled carrot will keep fresh many days in a 

 basin of cold water, and is an excellent substitute for fruit in 

 feeding them. Boiled cabbage, cauliflower, green peas, are 

 good for them ; all sorts of puddings ; a very little roast meat, 

 minced, I give them every day, and a little yolk of egg when it 

 suits, but it is not necessary. The standard food ii hemp-seed 

 ground in a coffee-mill, and bread crumbs scalded and mashed 

 up together, and fresh every day. They are very fond of ripe 

 pears and elder-berries, but the latter stain the cage very 

 much ; currants, cherries, honeysuckle, and privet-berries they 

 also like." 



Professor RENNTE says " I have more than once given the 

 Black-cap and other birds a little milk by way of medicine, when 

 they appeared drooping or sickly, with manifest advantage." 



It has been observed, that too much hemp-seed is prejudicial 

 to all birds in a state of confinement, frequently inducing blind- 

 ness, loss of voice, and pulmonary disease. 



