28 INTRODUCTION. 



spring. From their agitation at various times in winter, it may 

 be concluded, that they visit more than one country, after their 

 departure from this. It is very curious to see them when in that 

 state ; their restlessness seems to come on them all at once, and 

 generally in the evening ; when they are sitting, seemingly, quite 

 composed, they start up suddenly, and flutter their wings ; some- 

 times flying direct to the top of the cage, or aviary ; at other 

 times, running backwards and forwards on their perches, con- 

 tinually flapping their wings, and looking upwards all the time ; 

 nor will they notice any thing that is going forward, as long as 

 they continue in that state, which lasts for an hour or two at 

 each time. By their always wishing to fly upwards, it may be 

 supposed that, when they first take their flight, they mount direct 

 upwards to a great height, so that they can direct their course 

 the better, by seeing the way clear all around them : their agi- 

 tation generally lasts on them about a fortnight, sometimes more 

 and sometimes less ; in the spring it seems strongest on them ; 

 at that season, they will sometimes flutter about the whole of 

 the night, and sleep a great part of the day. 



The best method of catching the birds of this genus is with 

 the common Nightingale trap, baited with living insects. When 

 they are first caught, they must be fed with insects, or fruit, 

 according to their species ; but they will soon learn to eat the 

 other food, by sticking insects or fruit in it, so that they once 

 taste it ; if they are put in with tame birds, they will sooner get 

 reconciled to their confinement ; or if two or three wild ones 

 are put together, they will do much better than a single one. 

 When first caught, the cage in which they are kept should be 

 darkened, all but a little light near their food, or they will be 

 apt to beat themselves very much, and not be so likely to do 

 well ; it is, certainly, a good plan to keep several together, par- 

 ticularly in the winter, as they will sit close together on their 

 perch at night, and by that means keep each other warm. 



Young birds of any of this genus may be bred up by hand, if 

 the nests are taken as soon as the birds are fledged ; they may 

 be fed on the same kind of food recommended for the old ones, 

 feeding them as often as they chirp for food, and giving them as 

 much as they will take readily each time, not forgetting to let a 

 drop or two of clean water fall into their mouth frequently ; the 

 neglect of this, I believe to be the only reason that so few people 

 can rear young birds. Those bred in this way are very tame 

 and familiar ; but I do not think them so hardy as those that are 

 caught wild. 



I believe it has not been mentioned by any previous author, 

 that the birds of this genus moult, or change their feathers, more 



