BRITISH SONG-BIRDS. Ill 



ea€h other, or to pick up and rehearse what they 

 may hear : but we shall leave that query to be de- 

 cided by those who are better acquainted with the 

 wonderful powers of these birds than we are. This 

 we do know, that they may be taught to imitate the 

 airs of a nightingale's pipe, and to chaunt a waltz, 

 or to take a part in a duet, and keep in time and 

 lune. By proper tuition, kindness, and perseve- 

 rance, it is really astonishing what they may be 

 taught, their ear is so excellent and their voice 

 both powerful and flexible: but the finest airs, 

 chaunted in the purest style, have no charms for 

 us, when compared with their o^n sweet, thrill- 

 ing, plaintive, wild notes. 



The Italians and the French are good teachers 

 of these bii'ds; but the Germans are the best. 



Nightingales, when once domesticated, get very 

 tame, and become much attached to those who feed 

 them. Tlie step of their benefactor is to them a pleas- 

 ing sound, and they welcome it with notes of joy; 

 and, when deprived of those they love, they have been 

 known to pine and die. " One that was presented 

 to a gentleman, no longer seeing the lady who used 

 to feed him, became sullen, refused to eat, and was 

 soon reduced to that state of weakness that he 

 could no longer support himself on his perch; but, 



