284 



KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



ness." Being in such constant operation, no 

 wonder its owners are such " adepts" in 

 their unnatural vocations ! 



The same remarks we have already made 

 about the blackbird, apply with full force to 

 the thrush. The best birds are always those 

 which are bat-folded or netted. These 

 possess the wild, or natural note ; and when 

 caged, they seldom or never lose it. It would, 

 however, be foolish, as well as cruel to 

 attempt to cage any of the old birds now. 

 In the first place, they would not sing, — at 

 all events for any length of time ; in the 

 second place, they would occasion you much 

 unnecessary trouble in attending to them 

 throughout the summer season ; and in the 

 third place, you would be depriving their 

 mates of a natural protector whilst engaged 

 in the arduous duties of incubation. 



Nestling thrushes often turn out good 

 birds if well educated; but they are very 

 imitative. When only two months old. they 

 will faithfully record the melodious strains 

 of a love-sick cat ; nor can we admit that 

 these are much improved on by the extra 

 " variations" that are sometimes indulged in. 

 In such cases, it is desirable to let the per- 

 former have his immediate liberty, or your 

 ears will ever after be doomed to sounds of 

 feline melody. We should be wanting in 

 our duty, did we not point out these innate 

 propensities of the thrush. Our readers now 

 have the remedy in their own hands. 



If you wish to bring your birds up tame 

 from the nest, it will be advisable to obtain 

 some of the earliest broods, which generally 

 thrive better than any others. You need 

 not keep them too warm ; but a piece of 

 flannel should be thrown over the nest for a 

 day or two till they are used to the change. 

 When nearly fledged, remove them at once 

 to other quarters. 



A nest of young thrushes usually consists 

 of four or five members. All these should 

 be kept together in a long cage, with a wire 

 front. Give them a good bottom of dry, red 

 gravel, and place them in the sun. They 

 will thrive wonderfully fast, thus treated. 

 Feed them exactly the same as you would do 

 young blackbirds. We have already spoken 

 of this, at much length. They will soon 

 learn to peck, and as soon to perch. 



It is very difficult to distinguish a male 

 from a female thrush, when young. Indeed, 

 we can give no proper directions for exer- 

 cising a judgment in the matter. However, if 

 you procure your young birds early in the 

 season, the males will soon "record" their 

 song ; and from the distension of the larynx, 

 you will be able to discriminate the powers 

 of their execution. Hens "jabber," the 

 males whistle. 



Thrushes, when young, are very liable to 

 cramp. It is needful, therefore, to see that 



no water whatever be placed inside their 

 cages. Else will they upset the vessel con- 

 taining it, and be constantly walking over 

 wet sand. These matters are very seldom 

 rightly understood, and many birds die from 

 the want of only common care. On no account 

 change the food of your birds too soon. 

 Dry food will not suit their digestion, and 

 must not be given them until they are at 

 least six weeks old. A snail, a morsel of 

 bread and butter, and an atom of cheese, in 

 connection with their soft food, will bring 

 them nicely forward. Hang them up in the 

 most cheerful situation you can find; and 

 always talk to them as you pass. This will 

 render them very tame. 



Carefully guard against the incursion of 

 Cats. W^e have many times thrown in a 

 caution of this kind, en passant ; and at this 

 season, we feel bound to repeat it with in- 

 creased remonstrance. We never did, do 

 not, and never shall aid any one whose cru- 

 elty permits birds, and other " pets," to be 

 domesticated with Cats. The mere sight of 

 one of these creatures sometimes deprives a 

 timid bird of its sanity. Loudly and sweetly 

 as it may have sung, in times past — such a 

 shock as that occasioned by the " longing 

 eye" of an anxious cat, will unseat the intel- 

 lect. We have seen and heard of many such 

 occurrences. We therefore say — beware! 

 Thrushes, like blackbirds, require a variety 

 in their diet. Their general food may con- 

 sist of German-paste, stale bun, and hard- 

 boiled egg. But they will anxiously look 

 out for a snail, some bread and butter, a morsel 

 of cheese, and a few meal worms. If these 

 be given them at intervals, they will never 

 ail anything ; and with care you may keep 

 them 15 years. 



Thrushes are liable to cramp, particu- 

 larly when young. Be careful therefore 

 never to place the vessel holding water in- 

 side their cages ; and let the gravel at the 

 bottom of their cages be always kept clean 

 and dry. It should be changed every day. 

 You cannot do better than select your cages 

 on the model proposed for those of the 

 blackbird. They like plenty of room, both 

 in width and height, and they should be 

 suspended moderately high. In summer they 

 may be left out all night ; but as we have 

 before remarked, one side of the cage must 

 be boarded, to exclude all draughts. 



Thrushes are very fond of bathing. You 

 must therefore provide a square earthenware 

 pan (sold by the bird-dealers), let into a wire 

 frame. Suspend this every morning on the 

 cage door (first opening it). The bird will 

 soon jump into his bath ; and when he 

 retires you had better remove it immediately ; 

 then close the door. 



To cause your birds to be tame and fami- 

 liar, it is only needful to talk to them as you 



