THE NIGHTINGALE. 85 



apt to get clogged up, which will occasion 

 their death. 



The cause of most diseases, not only in 

 nightingales, but also in all other singing 

 birds, is want of cleanliness ; as the dirt at 

 the bottom of the cage clogs their feet, and 

 frequently occasions their claws to rot off, 

 bringing on the gout and cramp, and caus- 

 ing them to take no pleasure in them- 

 selves ; no birds can be kept too clean and 

 neat, for which reason their food and water 

 ought to be renewed every day, and the 

 gravel changed at least twice a week. 



In Autumn, nightingales grow so fat, 

 that they will hardly touch their food for a 

 fortnight or three weeks together ; at such 

 times they must have a few meal worms, 

 the worms out of pigeon houses, or two or 

 three spiders given to them three times a 

 week, by which they will be cleansed and 

 purged : as their fat goes off, they must be 

 kept warm, and a little saffron put in their 

 water. When they are very lean and poor, 

 give them chopped figs mixed with their 

 meat, continuing it no longer than till they 

 have recovered their flesh. When nigh tin- 



