ON THE SINGING OF BIRDS. 
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. 
Ifa 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. 
377 
