3 
particularly the Musca tenax, which, at that season, 
are very plentiful on the Dahlias , French and 
African Mary golds, and other plants belonging to 
the Composite. Musca vomitoria is also plentiful 
on the Ivy , when it is in flower ; of those two species 
large quantities may be caught, and dried for the 
Winter ; they only require to be put loosely in a 
paper bag, and to be hung up in a dry room, so that 
they do not get mouldy ; when they are given to the 
birds, a little boiling water must be poured on them, 
which softens them ; and the birds are as fond of 
them as if they were alive. The common maggots 
from decayed meat might also be saved for them, 
in large quantities, by collecting them late in 
Autumn, and putting them in a large pot, or pan, in 
dry mould, and then keeping it in a cool dry place, 
will preserve them all the Winter ; when a few may 
be given to the birds as often as the stock will allow 
of it. If kept in too warm a place, they will turn 
quickly into the pupa state, and the flies will soon 
come out of them, and, by that means, the stock 
will soon diminish ; though the birds like them as 
well or better in the pupa state. 
Some fine gravel must also be kept continually 
in their cages ; as the birds of this genus eat a great 
deal of it, and will not continue in good health 
without a constant supply. They are also very fond 
of washing often ; so that a pan of water, or some- 
thing large enough for them to get into, should be 
kept constantly at the bottom of their cage. 
These birds, when in confinement, are very rest- 
less at the seasons of their usual migration from one 
country to another ; at the time that they are leaving 
this country in Autumn, about twice during the 
Winter, and again when they are returning in Spring. 
From their agitation at various times in Winter, it 
may be concluded, that they visit more than one 
country, after their departure from this; it is very 
curious to see them, when in that state; their 
restlessness seems to come on them all at once ; 
b 2 
