
KIDD'S 
OWN JOURNAL. 

ENGLISH BIRDS AND ENGLISH PLANTS,— 
ACCLIMATED IN THE 
UNITED STATES, NEW YORK. 

A YEAR, MY DEAR SIR, HAS NEARLY 
ELAPSED (see vol. ii., page 290), since I 
addressed a long letter to you on the subject 
of safely conveying singing-birds to the 
United States; and as you requested it, I 
will now proceed to make my first report. 
I left Liverpool in the ‘ Europa,’’ late 
last November ; taking with me forty-eight 
skylarks, twenty-four woodlarks, forty-eight 
goldfinches, twenty-four robins, twelve 
blackbirds, and twelve thrushes. The sexes 
were equally divided, or as nearly so as 
possible, with the exception of the robins. I 
lost very few on the passage; but of these, 
though the run was but thirteen days, I 
landed only nine. I attribute their survival 
solely to my plentiful supply of meal-worms. 
Having to crowd the cages very much, it 
was difficult to keep the birds clean; but on 
landing we liberated them in rooms already 
prepared. Here they would have soon been 
recruited, had not the cold weather set in ; 
but the water becoming frozen, we were 
compelled again to place them in cages and 
remove them toa warm room. I will not 
trouble you with a recital of the many 
difficulties we had to encounter ; suffice it to 
say, that on the 20th of April we resolved 
to liberate the survivors, which then con- 
sisted of eight skylarks, sixteen goldfinches, 
seven blackbirds, and six thrushes; together 
with two siskins, which we had purchased. 
Our last pair of robins having died the day 
previous, and our goldfinches following their 
example, we at. once acted promptly, though 
the season was not sufficiently advanced. 
The spot selected for our experiment was 
about the centre of the Greenwood Cemetery 
grounds ; a spot designed by nature for such 
a purpose—abounding as it does with ample 
shelter, and a fine supply of water. Having 
then engaged the services of a trusty person 
to guard them, we took the birds to the spot | teak Ma 
upon adjoining farms. 
—placing the cages of the skylarks on the 
ground, and the others in the trees. Here 
they remained for two days, in order that 
they might become familiarised to the locality. 
On the evening of the second day, when they 
were settled for the night, we carefully 
opened and fastened back the doors, leaving 
them 1o escape uninterrupted at the morning’s 
dawn. 
On visiting them the next day, we were 
delighted to find that our plan had succeeded 
admirably. There were the finches flitting 
about, singing in the trees, entering and 
departing from the cages, and as joyful and 
happy as the day was bright; while their | 
companions, the blackbirds and thrushes, 
were running along the ground within a few 



yards of the spot and feasting upon an 
abundant supply of worms. The skylarks 
had, however, wandered off to a more open 
part of the ground. Thus our experiment 
had succeeded. 
The goldfinches roosted in the cages for 
several nights, and returned to them for food 
for at least fourteen days. ‘The others ; 
namely the thrushes, and blackbirds, after 
three days, had departed. The pretty little 
siskins kept company with the finches for a 
few days ; but the hen was sadly ill-treated 
by them, and ultimately died. Her mate, 
however, did not long remain a disconsolate 
widower. I hear he selected a partner from 
the native birds, and my informant assures - 
me that he frequently brought her to the 
cage for food. 
From what I have here said, it is evident 
these birds are located ; and early in last July 
I know that five thrushes were still in the 
grounds. I have, however, no authentic 
information about ests; it being very 
difficult to find such things. Nor have I 
heard their song—but I may fairly infer 
that, as the enclosure cousists of three- 
hundred acres, they are still in the grounds. 
I send you an extract from a Delaware 
paper,* to show that others are making 
similar experiments; but not having pursued 
the same plan, they have not so successfully 
located their birds. I also send a copy of a 
law just passed by the Legislature of New 
York, for the protection of birds, which you 
will see is likely to materially assist us in 
our endeavors.} 
* Sxyzarks.—A colony of skylarks, forty-two 
in number, were recently imported from England 
by a gentleman of this city, and liberated on the 
farm of Samuel Canhy, about four miles out of 
town, with the hope of perpetuating the species 
in this country, and thus adding a songster of 
much renown to our forest choir. The birds flew 
from the place at which they were released, mm 
various directions, and, for the most part, in flocks 
of three to twelve; alighting, mostly, within sight, 
Several of them have 
been seen within the last ten days; one about two 
miles from the point of dispersion, rising high in 
the air, singing as it ascended.—Delaware 
Republican. 
+ Tue Cemeteries on Lona Istanp.—Pro- 
TECTION TO THE Birps.—Official notice has been 
received in New York, that the Governor signed, 
on the 21st ult., the following ‘‘ Act. for the Pro- 
tection of Birds in Public Cemeteries,” which will 
become a law on the 11th of August :— 
The People of the State of New York, represented 
in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows :— 
Section -1.—Any Person who shall kill, or 
wound, or trap any bird within any Cemetery or 
Public Burying Ground, or shall destroy any 
| bird’s nest, or remove the eggs or the young there- 
‘from, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, 


