3i8 Canaries and Cage-Birds. 



The Dartford Warbler, a hardy little bird, is another winter resident in England, 

 and is found amongst furze, being principally a frequenter of the south-eastern counties. 

 It often sings when on the wing, after the manner of the Whitethroat, and is possessed of a 

 cheerful note, which is delivered in a collected manner, and is very soft and sweet. It has 

 a habit of perching on a topmost spray of furze, throwing up its tail in somewhat similar 

 style to the Magpie, and then suddenly quitting its perch, and dropping, as it were, into 

 the bush. We once found a nest as early as the middle of May, in which were five young. 

 Owing to unavoidable circumstances we were unable to give them all the attention they required, 

 or we believe we should have been able to rear them. 



This bird is rather difficult to obtain, but from its appearance would be a very interesting 

 addition to the aviary. Bechstein greatly wished to have one, but never succeeded in pro- 

 curing a living specimen. Could this difficulty be surmounted, no doubt many ornithologists 

 would be delighted to keep them, in order thoroughly to investigate their nature and habits. 

 It is about five and a quarter inches in length ; the head, neck, and back are greyish-black ; 

 the wings brownish-black ; the tail, which is somewhat long, is greyish-black ; the chin, throat, 

 breast, and sides are reddish-brown^ shaded with purple, " the chin and throat having the 

 feathers tipped with greyish-white ; the belly is grey ; on the sides of the neck the grey tint 

 is more decided. 



We would recommend Nightingale's food, adding such insects as may be procurable, espe- 

 cially flies or moths. Although it braves the cold of winter, we would suggest that it be not 

 placed in too chilly a situation. 



The Wood Warbler, which is also known as the Wood Wren, is very handsome, and 

 may be safely recommended to any one with an aviary. It is generally to be found in plan- 

 tations and woods, giving a decided preference to beech, and living almost entirely amongst 

 the trees, being seldom seen at any great distance from them, and hardly ever upon the 

 ground. Though brighter, it is very similar in plumage to the Chiffi:haff and Willow Warbler, 

 but is the rarest of the three. It is nearly five inches in length ; the whole of the upper 

 part is olive-green, tinged with sulphur-yellow ; from the base of the beak, over the eye to the 

 ear, runs a narrow streak of yellow, underneath this is a brownish line ; the chin, throat, and 

 breast are yellow, inclining to a silvery-white on the belly ; the wings and tail are brown, 

 each feather being edged with greenish-yellow. It arrives in this country in May. The 

 nest is spherical, built upon the ground, sometimes under a tuft of grass or amongst beech 

 leaves, of which the external portion of the nest is often composed. 



This bird becomes exceedingly tame, and may be induced to perch on the hand and 

 take flies or other dainty morsels. If allowed to fly about the room, its first thought is the 

 selection of a perch ; when it has satisfied itself on this point, it will show great expertness 

 in catching the flies from off the walls and ceiling, always returning to its favourite perch to 

 eat them. They should be fed upon scraped beef and egg, bread-crumbs, German paste, ants' 

 eggs, gentles, and mealworms ; as also any insects, such as flies, spiders, small moths, or cater- 

 pillars, that may be obtainable. They must be kept warm, and will require artificial heat in 

 winter. 



The Willow Warbler, which is also known as the Willow Wren, is not of so bright 

 plumage as the preceding, and is best distinguished from the Chiffchaff by its legs, which 

 are light brown. It inhabits woods, copses, plantations, shrubberies, thick hedgerows, and 



