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KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL 



the changes which take place from time to 

 time in their growth, the Tweed Commis- 

 sioners have recently been sitting in deli- 

 beration as to the best method of action. 



A large number of fish which had spawned 

 above Whitadder Bridge, have been 

 "marked." The salmon-shaped fish, with 

 dark pectoral fins and a blueish green silvery 

 body (which are believed to be salmon 

 smolts), have been " marked" by cutting the 

 upper part of the tail and the fin immediately 

 above it. The larger and thicker fish, with 

 bright orange pectorals, and a duller hue of 

 body (called bull-trout smolt), have had the 

 lower part of the tail, and lower back fin cut. 

 Above the tail, an India-rubber band is 

 stamped " Tweed, 1852," attached to both. 



Some doubt still exists,whether the salmon 

 species confine themselves in the sea to the 

 estuaries of the rivers in which they breed, 

 or have been bred ; or whether they roam 

 along the coast and enter other waters. The 

 latter view would seem to be correct ; for a 

 case in point has already occurred in con- 

 nection with these " marked" fish — one of the 

 Whitadder kelts having been taken two clays 

 after it was marked at Seaton Sluice, about 

 100 miles from the mouth of the Tweed. — 

 W. J., Newcastle, June 1. 



BIBBS OF SONG. 



Give me but 

 Something whereunto I may bind my heart, 

 Something to love, to rest upon, — to' clasp 

 Affection's tendrils round. Mrs. Hemans. 



NO. XV.— THE NIGHTINGALE. 



Having entered our strongest protest 

 against the capture of nightingales, as being 

 an act of wanton cruelty, Ave will now pro- 

 ceed to our prescribed duty ; and show how 

 to atone in the best way we can for our hav- 

 ing deprived them of liberty. This will be 

 best evinced in our care to provide them with 

 a suitable domicile, and food adapted to their 

 constitution. But first, a word or two about 

 purchasing them, and selecting them. 



The principal dealers in these birds reside 

 in the classic region of the " Seven Dials ;" 

 and as there is much " trickery" practised 

 there, Ave will pave the way for plain sailing. 



In order to make a great sIioav of business, 

 some of these dealers— one in particular — 

 collect together a number of nightingales' 

 cages, at least ten days before the birds arrive 

 amongst us ! These are placed on high 

 shelves, after being artfully papered up in 

 front with tissue paper ; so as to make people 

 believe that each cage contains a nightin- 

 gale. When folks express their surprise at 

 the birds coming over so early, they are told 

 — "the birds are very wild, and must not be 

 looked at, for at least ten days. At the end 



of that time they will be quite tame, and in full 

 song." This bait is generally SAvallowed by 

 A^erdant youths, who keep on calling till at last 

 they do hear a nightingale sing ! Perhaps 

 there are two "real" birds among the Avhole 

 of the papered-up cages ! ! A little caution, 

 and a little common prudence after this in- 

 telligible hint, will put a novice on his guard, 

 and enable him to appear a knoAving one. 

 He cannot speak too little ; but he had need 

 be all eye and all ear. 



As April nightingales, when fresh caught, 

 can neA r er be depended upon for their conti- 

 nuance in song, their rateable value is but 

 trifling. Five shillings is quite ample in any 

 case, unless indeed a bird " comes out " in 

 some remarkable manner, and sings the week 

 through. This however is of rare occurrence. 

 Besides, a nightingale is naturally of a sulky 

 .disposition ; and if moved from one place to 

 another, will perhaps remain dumb from that 

 very moment. In his second season, this 

 draw-back will not exist. But this entirely 

 depends upon yourself, as we shall show. 



Newly-caught nightingales are what the 

 bird-dealers call "rank." That is, they are 

 full of snatches of rapturous song ; and eager 

 to join their mates directly on their arrival. 

 There is no difficulty in ascertaining this 

 latter. The voice of the lover while paying 

 adoration to his " soul's idol," is heard both 

 far and near. It breaks out in transports of 

 unrestrained melody, and innocent playful 

 joy. Then do they at once commence the 

 arduous duties inseparable from wedded life. 



The females build, lay, and go to nest, 

 almost immediately. Hence the males, when 

 caged, sing, not to please themselves, nor 

 their new masters. No ; eA r ery strain, every 

 note, every inspiration they draw — all are 

 intended for the ear of their betrothed — their 

 first, their only love ! Constancy, such as 

 this, is rarely known. Indeed, full many of 

 these loA T ely warblers fall lifeless from their 

 perches soon after they have been caught. 

 They sing their own " death song," in the 

 hope that its expiring melody may reach the 

 ears of those they so idolise, and from whom 

 they have been so remorselessly torn. Vain 

 hope, truly ! 



It is Avell to be deliberate in the purchase 

 of a nightingale. Hear him, if you can, both 

 by daylight and by candlelight. If his song 

 be short and hurried, and given out by 

 snatches, he is " love-sick." Pass him by. If, 

 on the contrary, you can meet with a bird 

 loud and constant in song, and joyous withal, 

 he is not very likely to break his heart for 

 love. Buy him at once. 



Now for the all-important consideration of 

 the proper sort of cage for his reception. 

 These birds, for the most part, court retire- 

 ment. They come out (except in our snug, 

 private gardens, where they sing all day) 



