2 
below temperate, though some of the kinds do not 
mind a slight frost. The species that I have found 
suffer most from cold, are, S. Rubetra , S. Phceni - 
curus , and S. hortensis ; the Nightingale (S. JLus- 
cinia) is not near so tender as these ; S. cinerea, 
S. Sylviellci , and S. atricapilla , scarcely seem to 
mind the cold at all. 
In a wild state, the species of this genus feed 
almost entirely on insects and fruit, but in confine- 
ment they may be taught to feed on several other 
things ; but the more insects they have given them 
the better; and I believe it is impossible to keep 
them in perfect health without a frequent supply. 
The food that I find agree with them best for a 
constancy, is, an equal proportion of bruised hemp- 
seed and bread, mixed up in the following manner : 
I first put some hemp-seed in a little pan, and pour 
some boiling water on it ; then, with a stick flattened 
at the end, I bruise it as fine as possible, and add 
the same quantity of soft bread, which must also 
be bruised up with it, so that the oily milk from 
the seeds may be mixed with the bread, till it is of 
the consistence of a moist paste: of this mixture 
they are all very fond ; but it should be mixed up 
fresh every day, particularly in Summer, or the 
stale food will injure their health, and make them 
dislike it altogether. I also give them a little boiled 
milk and bread for a change, and some fresh raw 
meat cut in small pieces ; some of the species like 
the fat best, but the greater part prefer the lean. 
In Winter, when insects are scarce, I occasionally 
treat them to the yolk of an egg, boiled hard, and 
then crumbled small ; this partly answers the pur- 
pose ; but it is a good plan to have a stock of insects 
in store, to supply them with a few every day, which 
keeps them in good health, and makes them sing 
more melodiously. 
A supply of some sorts of insects is easily pre- 
served for the Winter. The large species of Flies 
may be caught in great abundance in Autumn ; 
