SYLVIA. 
SYLVIA. Bill straight, weak, slender; nostrils obovate, 
a little depressed; tongue cloven; middle-toe connected 
underneath to the outer one at the base. 
The British species belonging to this interesting 
genus are chiefly Birds of Passage, visiting this 
country in Spring, and leaving it again in Autumn ; 
several of these are deservedly esteemed as the 
finest songsters of all the feathered race; the 
Nightingale, in particular, has the sweetest and 
most pleasing note of any bird at present known. 
It has been generally supposed that they are very 
difficult to preserve in confinement; but I have 
succeeded well in keeping several of the tnost 
interesting species through several Winters in per- 
fect health, and many of them are in full song all 
the Winter ; and I have not the least doubt but all 
the species might be kept without difficulty in the 
way I have practised. 
They will succeed very well in a warm room in 
Winter, or, if convenient, any part of a hot-house 
would suit them admirably ; but they require a 
little fresh air when the weather is mild ; they 
might be preserved in cages, either separately, or 
several together; or in a small aviary, where all 
the species might be intermixed. In the latter 
manner mine are kept at present. The temperature 
of the room where they are, ought never to be much 
B 
