CHAP, xiv.] ITS PEKFOBMANCE AND FEEDING. 451 



C. But if you were to rear one from the nest, or to 

 catch one as soon as it began to shift for itself, how 

 would that turn out ? 



B.-C. Good for nothin at all, Sar. It might have 

 a few natural notes, and besides them, a bit of a whistle, 

 or a chirp of a Sparrow, or anything else it could catch 

 up, but very little o' the Nightingale. Yow 'd best let 

 me bring you a good ba'd a fortnight hence, when he 's 

 fed off and got tame. You know he '11 always be a little 

 shy, and you must be careful not to let him be much 

 looked at and frightened. Towards September, when 

 he ought to be goin away, he '11 be very restless, and 

 hop about the cage nearly all the night, and flutter' 

 violently. You must have a proper Nightingale's cage, 

 with the top to take off, and you can put a piece of 

 green baize there instead.* This will go on for two 

 or three weeks, and at Christmas time he '11 begin sing- 

 ing again. 



C. How long may I expect to keep him, do you 

 think? 



B.-C. I know a man that had one for ten years, but 

 he was very careful and tended it hisself. That 's the 

 only way to be sure. You may give him German paste 

 if you like, but mutton or beef well scalded, and cut up 

 with hard-boiled egg every morning, is the chief food of 

 caged ba'ds, and they soon become very fond of it. You 



* The cage generally used is made of thin mahogany, having the 

 appearance of a box. The front is composed of brass wire, and a 

 broad strip of wood runs across it, both at top and bottom, so that the 

 place of confinement is made very dark, in accordance with the habits 

 of the bird. It is not uncommon to have the front of the cage (which 

 is the only part left open) covered with thin green baize, and the 

 darker the habitation the bird resides in, the longer and the louder 

 he will sing. So treated, he escapes the gaze of curious persons, 

 which at times causes great excitement and timidity. 



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