258 



British Cage Birds. 



removal ; if you do, they will not remain in the nest, as the old 

 birds will be certain to entice them away to secure their safety. 



Food and Treatment.- — The Nightingale feeds principally 

 on insects — small green caterpillars, moths, flies, beetles, and 

 larvae, which latter it searches for beneath the surface of the 

 soil ; hence, it frequents gardens attached to the residences of 

 gentlemen living in secluded country places, as this permits 

 of the quest for food being carried on in a quiet and un- 

 obtrusive manner. 



Newly-caught birds should be fed on fresh ants' eggs and 

 mealworms, or on wasp comb, when procurable. The latter 

 should be obtained when the young grubs are well-matured, 

 and should be preserved by placing it in an oven — not too 

 hot, but sufficiently heated to destroy life and preserve the 

 grub. This is excellent food for Nightingales, who enjoy 

 it, and thrive upon it. But a change of diet is essential to 

 preserving in health all cage birds, and therefore a supply 

 of insect food, sach as spiders, flies, ants, beetles, &c., should 

 occasionally be given. Nightingales will likewise eat a com- 

 pound of hard-boiled eggs and breadcrumbs, with a sprinkling 

 of maw seed over it. Several other forms of food are given 

 to Nightingales. Some people make a cake of peameal and 

 eggs, grated, and mixed with ants' eggs ; they appear to enjoy 

 this as a change of diet. Others mix sheep's or bullock's heart, 

 boiled, dried and grated, with fresh swede turnips, prepared 

 in the same manner. 



The Nightingale does not thrive so well when kept in an 

 aviary as it does in a cage, for it is very particular about its 

 diet. The most suitable cage for a bird of this variety is a 

 box-shaped one, with a wire front. It should be from 18in. 

 to 20in. in length, lOin. in width, and from 16in. to 18in. 

 high — the more room the better. The back, bottom, and 

 ends, should be made of wood, and the top of some soft 

 material, such as wash leather, or green baize. A space of 

 about 4in. can be cut out at each end, if desired, and wired, 

 for the food and water vessels ; these should be made like 

 the seed hoppers in a Canary breeding-cage. Have loose tin 

 troughs made to fit in, and move in and out ; or a tin drawer 

 can be used in front, for the food, and a water vessel placed 

 outside, with an aperture made of sufficient size for the bird 

 to get its head out. This is all a matter of taste. The 



