ON THE SINGING OF BIRDS. 377 



strument which executes them would be im- 

 proved. 



We learn also, from these experiments, that 

 nothing is to be expected from a nestling brought 

 up by hand, if he does not receive the proper 

 instruction from the parent cock : much trouble 

 and some cost is therefore thrown away by many 

 persons in endeavouring to rear nestling night- 

 ingales, which, when they are brought up and 

 fed at a very considerable expence, have no song 

 which is worth attending to. 



If a woodlark, or skylark, was educated, how- 

 ever, under a nightingale, it follows that this 

 charge (which amounts to a shilling per week*) 

 might be in a great measure saved, as well as 

 the trouble of chopping fresh meat every day. 



A nightingale, again, when kept in a cage, 

 does not live often more than a year or two; nor 

 does he sing more than three or four months; 

 whereas the scholar pitched upon may not only 

 be more vivacious, but will continue in song 

 nine months out of the twelve. 



I fear, however, that I have already dwelt 

 too much upon these very minute and trifling 

 advantages which may result from my experi- 



* Olina speaks of a paste which is used in Italy for nightin- 

 gales; but I cannot find that it ever answers with us; perhaps, 

 they bring their nightingales up by hand, and so accustom them 

 from their earliest infancy to such food. 



