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SKETCHES FROM GRAVESEND. 



BY ORNITHOLOGUS. 



Many thanks for your kind insertion of my former communication, 

 as well as for your answer to my question relative to the nightingale's 

 food used in Germany ; I have no doubt that meal-worms are much 

 used, but can hardly understand how they procure them in such 

 amazing numbers. It is probably from the animation of warble which 

 such stimulating diet excites that the German canaries acquire that 

 astonishing vigour of song which they possess. One which I purchased 

 last year actually commenced singing at the bottom of the chaise in 

 which I was riding, and this too in the streets of London ! I am, how- 

 ever, inclined to think that the bringing them into this high condition 

 (if I may so express myself) has a tendency to shorten their lives, 

 as their strength becomes prematurely exhausted by such extreme 

 exertion. I will now relate the story of the grosbeak to which I 

 referred in my last. 



In the summer of 1832, I was informed that a pair of these birds 

 had taken up their abode in a garden or plantation near Cobham. 

 Aware of the doubts which existed as to their nidification in this 

 country, I went over to convince myself of the fact by a personal 

 inspection. Unfortunately I was a few days too late. There had 

 been a nest placed on the projecting branch of an apple tree ; but the 

 owner of the garden had secured both the old ones, by placing the 

 young ones under a sieve, and thus entrapping them when they came 

 under it to feed them. They lived for some days ; but did not appear 

 to eat any of the food that was given them, with the exception of 

 snails, which they attacked and devoured with great gusto, even before 

 our eyes. The whole, however, soon died, and no others appeared 

 in the neighbourhood. The owner promised to let me know if any 

 appeared in the ensuing year, an event which did not seem probable, 

 as this family had perished. In the month of May, 1833, I went over; 

 and much to my satisfaction found that a pair had built their nest 

 in the garden, and, what is most remarkable, on the same branch of 

 the same apple tree ! How can we account for this extraordinary 

 predilection? Is it not possible that in countries where these birds 

 abound they congregate after the manner of rooks, and return at the 

 proper season to their favourite haunts, which might be called a 

 Loxiary ? I merely suggest this idea, not having the means of proving 



