126 Birds I Have Kept. 



months I received a second letter from my correspondent, 

 whom I had advised to the hest of my ability, and was gratified 

 to find that my prescription had been of use. 



"November 20th., 1881. 



I must thank you for your kindness in 

 answering my former letter concerning the Virginian Nightin- 

 gale; and I am happy to be able to inform you that he has 

 come into splendid plumage. I had not got a spare room to 

 turn him into, as you advised, but I put him in a room with 

 about thirty Canaries, with whom he has agreed perfectly. I 

 am very anxious to hear him sing, but he has not made any 

 attempt to do so as yet; and I am ignorant whether it is the 

 right time of year at present or not, and should be so glad if 

 you would give me some information on this point, also what 

 kind of place these birds require for breeding in, as I am about 

 to purchase a female." 



■Whether or not my correspondent succeeded in breeding 

 young Virginians the following summer I cannot say, but am 

 inclined to doubt the fact, of which I should in all probability 

 have been duly informed: still it is just possible he did; and 

 if so, it will give me pleasure to hear from him again, should 

 he chance to see these lines. I may also add that the Cardinal 

 Grosbeak begins to sing about the middle of March; and con- 

 tinues his song far into July, or even to the beginning of 

 August. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



THE IIOIHEIX. 



THIS exceedingly pretty bird is of comparatively recent 

 introduction, and is known to dealers and amateurs by 

 a variety of names, among others by those of Pekin Night- 



