290. KIDD’S OWN JOURNAL. 

as the voyage is now so quickly performed, 
few, if any, deaths may be anticipated.* Of 
course, the birds should be kept out of the 
reach of draughts, and moderately warm, 
during the outward passage. They should 
also be regularly cleaned (thrice a week), and 
have fresh food and water daily. 
Nearly all the birds taken out last year 
appear to have thrived, excepting the robins. 
These must be kept in cages with separate 
compartments, as they are very quarrelsome. 
They are very impatient of confinement, un- 
less within sight of a garden, or the noise of 
cities—two opposites which in them meet. 
Les extremités se touchent.. The food must be 
constantly varied; consisting of a little cheese, 
grated; stale bread, German paste, bruised 
almonds, partially-masticated bread and 
butter, &c., and plenty of water. The cages 
should be open in front only, and of a mode- 
rate height within. The birds should on no 
account be permitted to see each other, or 
in any other way to become excited. 
It would be well, if people would so contrive 
as to reach their destination in the early 
spring. ‘The birds would then become more 
readily seasoned to the climate. This is not 
absolutely needful, but rather desirable. The 
seed given to the birds must all be of the very 
best ; and consist of canary, rape, flax, and 
hemp. German paste, hard-boiled eggs, 
mealworms, &c., must, of course, be regu- 
larly supplied to one and all of the soft-billed 
birds; indeed, with the exception of meal- 
worms (which linnets, goldfinches, canaries, 
&c., will not eat), one general food will be 
relished by the whole colony. Fresh water 
should, in all cases, be given daily, the cages 
cleaned regularly, and the food looked to 
every morning. For the rest, Mr. Clifford 
will give the fullest information to all 
requiring it. 
We expect, now, to hear cf many a family 
interesting themselves in this matter. It costs 
so little, gives so little trouble, is so grati- 
fying to the lovers of nature—-and vet is so 
important in its united results! By going 
at once to the “Brooklyn Society,” on 
landing, the end sought is immediately 
attained. 'The reward will be ample, even if 
delayed; for the fields will anon resound 
with songs of melody, and the air ring with 
the voices of some of the happy choristers to 


* To afford every facility for this, we have 
spoken on the subject to Mr. Cuirrorp, 24, Great 
St. Andrew Street, Holborn, of whom the birds 
were purchased which have been already safely 
landed in New York. Mr. Clifford will provide 
both store-cages, birds (male and female), food, 
mealworms, &c., &c., and give all needful infor- 
mation to any inquirer. He will procure either 
one, two, or fifty pairs of birds; but due notice 
should, of course, be given him, in order that the 
birds may be purchased at a reasonable rate. 


whom has been given liberty in a strange 
land. 
We have already recorded the fact that 
all birds taken over are now rigorously pro- 
tected by law (see p. 213), and their nests 
also. This is encouraging. Moreover, all 
new-comers will now find themselves in the 
company of their own tribes ; who, no doubt, 
will greet them with a hearty welcome. 
Our correspondent has asked us if the hen 
robin will feed her young in confinement ? 
She will not only feed her own young, but 
the young of a dozen other nests. Her 
affection is without limit or parallel during 
the breeding season. She will bring up 
canaries, or any young birds. The hen sky- 
lark, too, is of a very affectionate turn; but 
being naturally timid, she is not to be so 
much depended upon as the hen robin. Nests 
of young birds might easily be taken out if 
desired ; but we see no occasion. for this, as 
old birds may always be procured (when 
taken in quantities) at as low prices; and 
there might be some difficulty in the young 
birds getting their living. 
Here we leave the matter for the present ; 
feeling sure that we shall often be called 
upon to record many a pleasing fact con- 
nected with our English feathered friends 
abroad. We may even be tempted to go 
over—and hear them ! 
Meantime,—success to the great under- 
taking ! say we. 

TO MARY — 
—— 
Dear Mary! though these lines may fade, 
And drop neglected in the dust, 
Yet what I wish, my little maid, 
Will surely come to pass, I trust. 
May all that’s purest, rarest, best, 
Be imaged ever in thy heart ; 
And may thy future years attest 
Thee innocent, as now thou art ! 
Fair seem the flowers, fair seems the Spring, 
Bright shines the sun—the starry band; 
Life flies, with inexperienced wing, 
O’er blooming fields of morning-land. 
But where yon rosy summit glows 
Do not attempt th’ aspiring flight ; 
For storms those painted clouds enclose, 
And tempests beat yon glittering height. 
Ah! no—the illusive wish forego ; 
This precept learn, by Nature given,— 
From mountains’ tops we gaze below, 
But in the vales we look to Heaven. 
Then be thy guide the golden Truth ; 
Keep thou thy heart serene and young ; 
And in thy age, as in thy youth, 
THOU’LT STILL BE LOVED AND STILL BE SUNG. 
Q. 

