ORDER PASSERES. 17 



hoarse cries and a croaking sound, in which we would in 

 vain endeavour to recognize the melodious Philomela. 



It has long been an object of desire to find the means of en- 

 joying the song of this bird ; but to preserve to its voice the 

 charm which in the free bird disappears with the season 

 of love, it is necessary to retain it in captivity. Great 

 patience, attention and care, are necessary in the manage- 

 ment of the nightingale, far more than in that of other birds, 

 for it is a captive of a temper very difficult to manage, which 

 renders the desired service only in proportion as it is well 

 treated. 



Nightingales are procured in three ways : in the nest, in 

 autumn, or in spring, on their arrival. To find the nest of a 

 nightingale, where there are young ones, it is necessary to 

 go in the morning at sun-rise, and in the evening at sun-set, 

 near the place where the male has been heard to sing, which 

 is generally at no great distance from the nest ; it is neces- 

 sary to remain quiet, without making the least noise. The 

 entrances and exits of the father and mother, and the cries 

 of the young will assuredly indicate the proper place. They 

 should not be taken from the nest until they are well covered 

 with feathers ; those of the first brood are preferable, they 

 are always more vigorous and will sing sooner ; besides, the 

 moulting, which generally causes some of them to perish, 

 will then come on in the warm weather, when they are 

 better able to support it. They should be put with the nest 

 and some moss in a basket, with an open work lid, and which 

 during the night should be covered with some warm stuff. 

 Care must especially be taken that they do not get out of 

 the basket after receiving their food, as they may catch the 

 gout, which in them is an incurable malady. They must be 

 kept very clean in this basket, until they are able to sustain 

 themselves well upon their limbs ; they then are put into a 

 cage, the bottom of which is furnished with moss. It is 

 necessary to be particularly careful in the proper proportion- 



VOL. VII. c 



