S^^ CLASS AVES. 



nests on trees. The materials which they employ are straw 

 externally, coarse hay for the centre, and fine plants for the 

 inside, and some feathers. In this nest, inartificially con- 

 structed, the female deposits four eggs of a greenish blue, 

 about the bulk of those of the thrush. The male takes a 

 share in the incubation, and the young do not leave the nest 

 until they are well plumed. This bird is not in request for 

 its natural song, but for its plumage, and its aptitude in learn- 

 ing all that it is taught. Its voice becomes clear and sono- 

 rous, and its whistle very agreeable. It pronounces words 

 with facility, and sometimes entire phrases, and repeats airs 

 with great perfection. To have a perfect singer, it must be 

 taken in the nest, three or four days after its birth. If it be 

 left longer, it will always remember its natural song and disa- 

 greeable cry. At this tender age, it must be kept in a small 

 box with moss, and great cleanliness is necessary. It should 

 eat but little and often, and the airs, &c. intended to be taught 

 should be frequently repeated. 



In our temperate climates the stares have but two broods 

 in the year, and the second is not numerous. To procure 

 young ones with greater facility, when the old ones have esta^ 

 blished themselves under the roofs of churches, or dove-cotes, 

 earthen pots are attached to the walls, as for sparrows. The 

 stares never fail to possess themselves of these, especially if 

 they are disturbed in their usual haunts. The young may be 

 fed with the same paste we have mentioned for the night- 

 ingales ; but their food should be varied, for they will ac- 

 commodate themselves to most food. In the wild state they 

 live on slugs, small worms, scarabaei, various grains, berries, 

 olives, cherries, and grapes. It is pretended that the last 

 correct the bitterness of their flesh. It is generally dry, 

 hard, and ill-flavoured. These bad qualities may be re- 

 moved, according to some, by plucking out the tongue the 

 instant the birds are killed, or bleeding them in the neck. 



