ON CATCHING BIRDS. 
69 
When one tuno has been learned correctly, yon may proceed to 
a second ; but only exceptionally talented birds are likely to learn 
to sing more than one tune through. 
To teach most hand-reared birds to sing their wild song correctly, 
it is necessary (as 1 have often stated) to let them hear wild birds, 
or birds caught wild, singing the true notes. tew birds seem to 
sing their wild song instinctively, and those that do are very liable 
to add the notes of other birds belonging to their owner. 
It is well know that many insectivorous birds, such as the 
various Mocking-birds, the Red-backed Shrike, the Marsh and 
Sedge- Warblers, with numerous others, are excellent mimickers in 
their wild state. I have had a wild Song Thrush in my garden 
during the past summer, which sang the songs of several other 
common wild birds so perfectly, that I was completely deceived 
until I watched and listened carefully to him one day, and discovered 
greatly to my astonishment, that he was the performer. 
In order to teach these birds to sing well in captivity, it 
is advisable to acquire them as young as possible, and to associate 
them only with the best songsters. A Moekmg-bird is always 
capable of adding to his repertory ; but, unfortunately, he does not 
foro-et the harsh notes which he may chance to pick up. 
°To give pleasing variety to the song of the Mocking-bird, you 
need not introduce a Song 1 brush as one of its instiuctors. 1 
nover heard a Mocking-bird which did not begin its performance 
with the song of that bird ; 1 believe it is the original wild utterance 
of this and many other Thrushes ; but the Nightingale, Blackcap, 
Woodlark, Skylark, Persian Bulbul, Pekin Nightingale, Shama, 
Linnet, Indigo Bunting, and many others wonld serve to produce a 
grand combination in the song of that talented mimic. 
CHAPTER XIII. 
ON CATCHING BIRDS. 
Lovfrs of British birds who object to purchase the miserable and 
frequently diseased captives confined in tiny cages, and exposed in 
the windows of many a small bird shop in the slums of our great 
cities but who, nevertheless, earnestly desire to own, and study the 
habits and somrs of, our native birds ; are naturally tempted to try 
various methods of capturing our feathered friends, and turning 
them out while still vigorous and healthy, into their aviaries. 
Bv many who think it perfectly right and kind to keep a Canary 
or a Parrot in close captivity, it is considered the height of cruelty 
