104 TREATISE ON 



with the young; put them into a clean, airy cage, in 

 a quiet place, and cover it so as to produce an effect 

 similar to a dull twilight : Noise and bustle fright- 

 en them ; fright produces fainting, and this may 

 occasion fits which often end in death. To ren- 

 der nightingales tame, he gentle, tender, and keep 

 them very quiet, particularly at first. When first 

 brought home, they sometimes refuse to take food. 

 Care and perseverance are then necessary ; but the 

 same method as that recommended for old birds 

 and branchers, will bring them round, viz. open 

 their bills and put in pellets of the paste or mixture 

 of sheep's heart and egg, with now and then an 

 ant's egg or meal-worm. When they take the perch, 

 strew ant's mould on the bottom of the cage, which 

 last ought to be cleaned and the gravel renewed 

 every day. When they are able to feed themselves, 

 put some of their food (the paste) into a pan or 

 china dish, and some pure water into another, and 

 be sure to do this daily. The dish is preferable to 

 the pan, as the latter is apt to rust. If they droop 

 or appear dull, or lothe at their food, give then oc- 

 casionably a spider, an ant's egg, or a meal-worm. 

 All young birds, while unable to feed themselves, 

 must be fed very early in the morning, and re- 

 gularly every two hours during the day. 



