26 CLASS AVES. 



successively incorporated, stirring the whole well with a 

 wooden spatula, so as to make a sort of soup of even con- 

 sistence and without lumps ; then the whole is poured into 

 another large dish of japanned earthenware, the bottom of 

 which must be greased with butter, and placed upon a very 

 mild fire, stirring it continually to prevent the paste from 

 attaching. This process must be continued until it is quite 

 done, which will be known by its no longer sticking to the 

 fingers. It is then taken from the fire and left to cool, 

 completely, in the dish ; after which, it is put into a box of 

 white iron, covered with its lid, and kept in a dry place for use. 



This paste is difficult to prepare, and its goodness depends 

 upon the exact degree to which it is dried, and which is 

 very much a matter of chance. When too dry, it loses its 

 substance, and it is often necessary to join sheep's heart to 

 it to keep the nightingales in good condition. If, on the con- 

 trary, it be not sufficiently dry, it will corrupt, and must be 

 immediately used. 



These two preparations are very proper for the nightin- 

 gale, because they are stimulating, and, it is said, excite the 

 bird to sing. Perfumes are said to have a similar effect. 

 But these pastes are improper for the generality of the 

 warblers, and other small birds with slender bills. For the 

 first few months they agree with them extremely well, and 

 the birds grow fat upon the regimen : in the end they dry 

 them up, and produce consumption. 



A provision of the larvae of the tenebrio molitor^ or meal- 

 worm, formerly mentioned, should always be kept for the use of 

 the nightingale. They constitute a strengthening food for the 

 bird, during the season in which it sings ; they should be laid 

 in during summer, as they are difficult to be got in the 

 commencement of spring. They are preserved in pots of 

 delft or varnished earthenware, very wide bottomed, and 

 fed on bran ; some pieces of cork or rotten wood are thrown 

 into this vessel, into which the insects retire, and where they 



