BRITISH CAGE BIRDS. 



CHAPTEE 1. 



Introductory. 



The birds wMcli are found in a wild state in the United 

 Kingdom of Great Britain are numerous and various. It is not, 

 however, my intention to treat upon all the known varieties, but 

 only on those which, from the beauty of their plumage, the 

 variety of their song, the gracefulness of their contour, their 

 intelligence and docility, or other attractive qualities, are ren- 

 dered objects of admiration or curiosity, endearment or amuse- 

 ment, to those people who exhibit a warm interest in all or 

 most of the birds that are indigenous to this country. 



The Language and Songs of Birds. — I believe that every 

 species of bird has a language peculiar to its own race, and 

 that birds can fully express to each other a knowledge of 

 their wants and desires by this language, which is more or 

 less understood by all the varieties of birds which inhabit our 

 Islands ; and that such is particularly the case with the notes 

 or utterances that express fear, joy, or anger. In the spring, 

 it will be noticed how all the male birds of the same species 

 try to outdo each other in their song and attractive manners ; 

 how gay and sprightly they become at the pairing season, and 

 how they strive to outvie each other in agreeableness of 

 manner ; how they gesticulate, and utter to the females soft 

 notes of thrilling sweetness ; how, when their jealousy is roused. 



