From the sward beneath, and the boughs above, BIRDS OF SONG. THE BLACKBIRD. (Continued from page 26.) We were a true prophet,whilst announcing in our last, that a week or two would make a remarkable difference in the voices of the blackbird and the thrush. They have done so so remarkable a change as to be deserving of comment. As we make a point of rising betimes bearing in mind the dictum" caned into us" by the worthy pedagogue who took charge of us in boyhood, "Diluculo surgere saluberrimum est—” no one better than ourself could tell of the birds' early movements. At 6 a.m., we spring from our nest; and by so doing, hear the very first voice that is audible in the garden, and in Ravenscourt Park. Since the very heavy rains so plentiful in quantity, the voices of the birds seem to have recovered their original quality and tone. We now hear the blackbird at the first streak of dawn, quite melodiously discoursing; and half an hour after him, the thrush "piping" most merrily and joyously. The mornings are lighter, the days longer. Hourly do we perceive signs of renewed life in vegetation, and symptoms of bustling activity among the feathered tribes. We now get a morning, noon, and evening visit from the little rogue in scarlet livery, who has made our garden his home through the early winter. Nor does he come unaccompanied. No! He has changed his state. A bachelor no longer, he seems aware of his importance; and his lady-love has been duly presented to us at the window. A pretty creature is she,-most truly so. "Sure such a pair were never seen!" walk, to enjoy her light, which aids us in many a reflection. FEBRUARY has not passed over without leaving much to be pleasantly remembered. Reverting to our friends-the birds, we consider it right pleasing to listen to their harmless, eloquent tales of love and affection, --so unresistingly urged, so unconditionally accepted; nor can we help saying, after our own fashion of plain-speaking, that we wish things were as well" ordered" amongst ourselves. It would be better for us, and for wished-positively wished, in our early days, society too. Full many a time have we that we were a sky-lark! A "happy life" is his ! But now we must imagine-a distressing that our readers haye a black bird, and are going thing for our imagination to dwell on,to keep him. The first thing then to consider, under such circumstances, is a proper cage. Formerly, wicker cages were in great vogue; bird to inhabit; and we are glad to observe but they are horrible dwellings for a joyous they are nearly obsolete. In their stead, we have been largely the means of introducing proper-sized wooden cages; wide, deep, and tall-thereby affording the tenant room to be "comfortable." It is marvellous to think that until the present moment--and even now we are "fools" in the matter of bird-cages, no attempt whatever has been put forth to build a handsome, appropriate, or becoming cage for animals, in whom some people's very existence has been bound up! We repeat, we never have seen,-never do see, any cage that is at all adapted either for the well-being of the prisoner or for the ornament of a drawing-room. Hence, in many cases, the confiding of a "pet" canary to the tender mercies of a servant-maid; and consequently, to the somewhat less tender mercies of a pampered cat. All this is in bad taste; and we hope in our life-time to see it altered. Surely we have amongst us men sufficiently clever to make a bird-cage "to order!" And is our taste so utterly depraved, that we can originate no improvement? Surely not, let us hope. The thrushes, too, are now "single" no longer. Each has paid his vows; and at the shrine of affection he has resigned his heart. The fittings-up of your cage must be well The same protestations have been gone looked to. One side must be entirely boarded; through with the blackbirds; and with the and the other half boarded, from the bottom same kindly results. "Dickey Dunnock" also, upwards. This will prevent draughts sweepwith such an example before him, has gone ing through the cage. The top must also and done likewise; and the wren, with his be of wood, shelving down on either side. The tiny spouse, is not found wanting. Our's receptacles for food and water must be outnow, is a garden of delights." We look side, always. They should be of white delph, daily for nests; then for eggs; then for young-deep, and fitted into wooden boxes. By happy families." They are all "at home" this means, the food will be kept from being with us. We love it to be so. scattered, and the trough of the cage from being wetted. These are two grand considerations. The fair moon has been shining brightly; and though the season is yet chilly, we fail not occasionally to take a bracing evening There should be three perches in every cage. One lofty perch across the cage, and two lower ones to enable the bird to get at his food and water. These should be of deal, painted; and square. Round perches are altogether objectionable. The front of the cage should be of rounded, "wooden wires," rather close together, as these birds like retirement; and they should be suspended from some window where the aspect is mild. In early spring, they should face the sun. When His Mightiness shows the first indication of his glorious presence being about to appear, do you be in readiness to spring from your couch. There is a treat even now preparing for us-which we who rise so very early already luxuriate in; one that makes us laugh at the roughness of "Sturdy old Winter." He may do us some little mischief, it is true; but we shall rise superior to it all, and join at an early day, with all our little friends, in bidding him adieu for a long -'Tis long, 'tis very long Since, standing at our garden window, Yet do we recognise his voice, and joy in the thought of again living in his presence. Our lawn shall yield him, as of old, his break fast,-our fruit-trees his dessert; our foliage his protection; and our garden shall be his home. It is a bargain. But now for the choice of a blackbird. In this matter, much is left to opinion. Some like a very tame, others a very wild bird. In the former case, the song is seldom so good; in the latter, the bird is generally possessed of his natural note. Blackbirds are imitative, so much so, that it is difficult to procure a young bird that does not "talk gibberish." If he hears a whistle, he will try to imitate it; if a noise, he will try and copy it. This will ever be the case, where they are kept within hearing of such annoyances. The best birds are, beyond all question, those called "bat-folded," that is, caught wild, at night, in a net. These birds will sometimes take kindly to a cage at once, and sing sweetly in a week. Others again refuse to be comforted, sulk, and only volunteer a song when they are quite alone. They like too to be suspended at some considerable height. They should be procured in the autumn season; if taken now, they would fall sick and die. Their troth is pledged, their plans are laid, their nests are built, and all arrangements made Let us place ourselves in a for the season. similar position, by hypothesis; and ask if we could be happy and sing, if we were separated from all we held dear? The case is analogous. There is no difficulty in procuring these bat-folded birds; but it will be desirable to hear them sing, before you become a purchaser; and to take them away in the same cage. There will be plenty of young blackbirds in the London markets in another week or so. They are usually brought from the country in nests, containing four and five young birds., One of these nests you may procure for about eighteen-pence: and if you rear the birds yourself, you may chance to get two fine ones from the number. Directly you get them, place them in a cage with a wire front, so that they may have a long run. Cover the bottom with fine red dry gravel, and place the cage in the sun. Feed them with bruised hemp seed, and crumb of bread (stale), scalded. Administer this, at the end of a short skewer, every quarter of an hour when your birds are very young afterwards, every half-hour. your birds to help themselves, from the end of the skewer, as early as you can. They are ready scholars, and soon find the way to their mouths. Most other animals do the same! Coax Be constant in supplying them with cold, fresh water; this may easily be done by dipping your little finger into a basin or cup, and allowing the water to drip from it into the bird's open mouth. Young birds' mouths are always open! Of course, you will see that low perches are fixed across On these they will presently hop, and soon the cage. show signs of maturity. They will "record" their song, ere yet they are five weeks old. an We have, in our First and Second Volumes, dwelt at considerable length on the great importance of bringing up birds under eminent master." If you will have "good birds," in no other way can you obtain such. We have just been educating some young German canaries; and our success with them has been surprisingly great. We are entertained every evening, after the fatigues of the day, with music that might well be supposed to have emanated from a nightingale in the grove. This really repays one for one's trouble; and such music must be seasonable at all times. We name this emphatically, to encourage all our readers to persevere. Nothing is "impossible." In our next, we will speak of the proper food for blackbirds; and treat of several important matters connected with their health and happiness. They are easily tamed, very affectionate, very observant; and know well who appreciates their excellencies. A loving mistress or a kind master need never be in want of a melodious song. Where the heart is held captive, all the affections flow out spontaneously. It is Nature's law. As for the blackbirds on our garden lawn, -even now they show themselves in all their glory. The rising sun gilds their plumage, and the fresh air gladdens their hearts. Perched aloft, we leave them happy; and we seldom depart without a song. This is pleasant, as the year is young As yet the trembling year is unconfirm'd, But the day is even now at our doors, when Spring, with all its enchanting beauties, will burst upon us. For this, and for a mild, genial air, let us patiently wait. THE AVIARY AND ITS OCCUPANTS. No. VII. (Continued from page 28.) IT GIVES US PLEASURE TO LEARN, that the subject now under discussion is becoming one of universal interest. The letters we are daily receiving, convince us that we have awakened a feeling that is not likely soon to be set aside. Nature's voice is so gentle, her precepts are so loving, that a heart not habitually "hard" must feel their influence. But to our task : Our little tenants having now taken quiet possession of their freehold, we will try yet again to devise some additional means of adding to their domestic happiness. In enumerating the particular tribes by name, it will be seen there are some which we have purposely omitted; such as, amongst others, the greenfinch, bramblefinch, hawfinch, and the starling. The first of these is a large ugly "gawky," with a harsh wiry voice, painful to listen to. He will eat, too, thrice more than he is worth in a single week. The other three are maliciously spiteful, and must be also among the rejected, They would destroy the entire colony in an incredibly short space of time, if they once gained admission. When enumerating our reasons for excluding hen birds from the aviary, we left, of necessity, much for conjecture. Full of meaning, however, as the "hints" were, and quite sufficient for the purpose, yet there are others equally stringent. With a view to the regular increase of the stock, we provided, when first "colonising," a number of square mahogany nest-boxes, which were fixed against the wall. Also, nest-bags, and such other materials as were necessary for the purpose of "building." In these boxes, from time to time, a number of nests were formed; eggs were laid; and the process of incubation went forward. We anticipated much amusement, and much delight, from the young progeny when hatched; but, alas, our anticipations of pleasure were doomed never to be realised. There were such "awful goings on," as we shall presently relate, among the various "settlers," that we were obliged, within the first three months, to commit an act of ejectment. The sex called "gentle," it was true, 'tis pity-pity 'tis, 'tis true!" found necessary to banish for ever! ""Tis " a Had we succeeded in establishing peaceful colony" on so grand a scale, we should have accomplished, we understand, what has never yet been done. No sooner were 'any eggs laid by a canary, or a siskin, (aberdevine), than a rival hen goldfinch would alight on the nest-box, seize the egg, and dropping it from above, on the ground beneath, listen with maniacal ecstacy to the music of its destructive fall. The thrush, too, known universally as an "imitative" bird, would oftentimes amuse himself in the accomplishment of a similar exploit. He was ready, at a moment's notice, to "assist" any of the rival malcontents in a crusade against the eggs and young. No sooner were the latter born-succeed we did in getting a few broods hatched—than the conspirators went to work with an energy, and à unity of purpose, worthy of a better cause. Despite the vigorous resistance of the parent-birds, "thrice armed by Nature's powerful wand," their infant offspring were remorselessly dragged, "callow" as they were, from their cradles; suspended in midair, like Mahomet's coffin; and then, with deadly hate, dashed forcibly to the ground. There were a number of offenders in this way. They were all tried and condemned; their sentence-banishment-being carried into immediate effect. Canaries, alone, will pair and breed excellently well in an aviary; but the admixture of a number of other tribes for breeding purposes, is evidently a "mistake." A little calm reflection will show good reason for this, seeing how very dissimilar are the taste and habits of some birds compared with others-these courting retirement, and feeling annoyed when disturbed; those rejoicing in mischief, and never so happy as when up to their ears in excitement. As your little friends will try every possible mode of amusing themselves at your expense, you must take special care to nail your floorcloth, and paste your paper, evenly on the wall or ceiling. If they can only find one end that they can unravel, one projection that they can peck at, they will go to work with such artistic skill, that they will soon disfigure the room. Be careful, therefore, to give them no opportunity for the exercise of their ingenuity in this matter. Keep the windows constantly open, and admit a free current of air; closing them in winter only, at night. The room will always be sufficiently warm. If, however, there be any fog or continuous rainy or damp weather, then, of course, the windows should not be opened. You will find that the birds will soon get into a habit of perching on, or rather clinging to, the ledges of the windows. To obviate this, which is very objectionable, seeing how the windows become thereby soiled, have some narrow (say one and a half inch) slips of deal, planed down, just the width of the window. Let these bebevelled" off on one side, and carefully adapted to the bottom of every pane of glass in the room, in a slanting position. By using this precaution, the birds will slide off, and they will soon find you are "just one too many for them." It will take your birds some little time to get into each other's ways; but this they will do, eventually. Many will be the quarrels, disagreements, animosities, and battles; but these time will terminate. War will gradually cease, and peace ultimately become pro claimed. If any of your birds die, as fresh caught birds often do, replace them at the earliest moment. Never turn in many at once; let one or two in, mysteriously, early in the morning. This will prevent any unusual fluttering, and the "wonder" at seeing a few new faces will gradually subside. Whenever you purchase a quantity of "flight" birds (already described), for stock, always place them, for a day or two, in a large cage, by themselves. It would be desirable to have two or three for this purpose. These birds are so excessively wild and impatient of confinement, that, if turned into the aviary immediately after being caught, they would not only dash frantically against the windows, thereby severely injuring their nervous system, but they would spread fearful consternation and bewilderment amongst the inhabitants. In such a case, the restoration of order would be difficult, and a work of much time. aviary, and gilds the variegated colors of Hard must be the heart of that man, or that The "flight" birds, when fresh caught, must have a mixture thrown into the bottom of their cages of Canary, Flax, Rape, and bruised Hemp-seed-the floor being covered with dry, red gravelly sand. Their cages, for a few days, should be kept partially darkened; and during this time the birds should be as little disturbed as possible. It is always desirable to keep newly-caught birds very scantily supplied with food, giving it them only at stated intervals. They then get accustomed to look for it. They must however have plenty of clean water at all times. By this mode of treatment, they will become reconciled to their fate. They should then be introduced into the commonwealth, one or two at a time; early in the morning, and when the others are feeding. In Number VIII.ofthe present series of Papers, we recommended the introduction of only one pair of The soft-billed birds, when first purchased, birds-wagtails. We now bethink us of an must be kept quietly, in separate cages, for almost unpardonable oversight in this matter --we mean with respect to not having recoma fortnight at least after being “fed off." They may then be turned into the aviary, mended the addition of a pair of Java one at a time. Being insectivorous, food sparrows. They are so quiet, so innocent in must be given them which assimilates as their nature; so totally different and retired closely as possible with their natural diet-in their habits from all other birds, and so spiders, small red garden worms, meal-worms, earwigs, &c. These should be supplied only occasionally, just to keep the birds healthy; they will, meantime, "take" to the general food, of which we are soon to speak more fully. When the glorious sun streams into the hardy withal that we again repeat, by all means try a pair of them. They are granivorous, but will eat freely of the universal mixture. We had a pair of Java sparrows in the aviary four years. Their symmetrical proportions were exquisitely beautiful. At the end of the fourth year the hen died; the circular hole through it, made as if it had been "drilled." Round it was a quantity of widower from that moment became inconsolable. His grief was lasting, and excessive. Such unusual constancy won our best sym-grey hair, not human; through it, something pathies. We procured another hen, equally beautiful; and gave her the entrée. Singular to relate, her ladyship intuitively seconded our views. My lord "proposed," at an early day, and was "accepted;" and the twain lived with us, in uninterrupted felicity, until they were devoured by the rats. The "habits" of this bird will hereafter receive ample notice. As the larger proportion of numbers will always be in favor of linnets and goldfinches, we need not say anything about the introduction of other kinds of birds. In this matter, everybody will of course consult his own particular fancy. It will be desirable, however, to confine new-comers of every sort for a day or two, in a separate cage; they may then be turned in with the rest. It sometimes happens that a bird gets one of his legs injured, and he is thereby prevented rising on the wing, and seating himself on a perch. To accommodate him in his sickness, let a perch be fixed across the skirting board at every corner of the aviary. On these he can hop, and on one of them he will roost at night. It is highly desirable for every bird to perch when at roost. They do so when in a state of Nature. It prevents their little feet becoming clogged with any foul matter, and they awaken refreshed by their night's rest. Sometimes, in the moulting season, when a bird does not moult "kindly," there will be several "cripples trotting about the floor, quite unable to soar aloft. Under such circumstances, you must place clean water within their reach, and plenty of food-the latter in as great a variety as possible. What this variety consists of we will discuss anon. We must here caution our readers against the sudden introduction of a lighted candle, into or near an aviary, at night. It has so alarming an effect upon the inmates, that they will precipitate themselves headlong from their perches, and fall about the room in an agony of fear. We have known many legs and wings to be broken in this manner, and have been obliged to sacrifice the lives of many of the sufferers by putting them to a premature death. The birds usually roost up aloft; so that, with only moderate care, the evil complained of can be remedied. Another terrible annoyance and cause of alarm to your birds, on moonlight nights particularly, will be the CATS. These most noxious vermin will, and do, always prowl about an aviary, assembling in numbers to try and procure a savory meal. Apropos to this subject. On one particular occasion, coming down early in the morning, we found a pane of glass in the aviary broken. There was a alive (also not human) had evidently passed. How many of our feathered family had escaped through this aperture, we had no means of ascertaining; but we heard many ill-suppressed whispers of some splendid mules and canaries having suddenly made their appearance in cages in the neighborhood, and of the welkin ringing with their song. It being an invariable rule with us to live "out of debt," we proceeded at once to discharge this last outstanding obligation. We were plainly indebted to one of the feline tribe for the unsolicited honor of " a visit." Too well-bred not to acknowledge the civility, at an early moment, we that same night prepared for the visitor a petit souper, dressed a la Soyer, the paragon of human excellence.* The cloth was laid for a dozen at least; for we thought it probable that a "friend or this our calculation. Our polite neighbors, two" might drop in. We were not "out" in the cats, did arrive, and with good appetites; nor were they dainty. Partaking avec gout of all that we had provided for them, they cleared the course. needed! Contrary to all good manners we had actually licked their plates! must remark, the party, before breaking up, No 11 remove was "fourteen cats had been mysteriously seized Next morning, there was a rumor that with sudden and alarming illness." "Is it pos-si-ble !" replied we to our informant, with the interesting gravity of a Janus. Two days subsequently-a most "remarkable" circumstance-we were apprised of the very same number of equally mysterious "deaths." A cat is now regarded in our parish as a curiosity." Long may it con. tinue such! We hate the race. * The carte, or bill of fare, was too choice not to be preserved. We have a copy" of it, and it shall appear in a future chapter, under the head "Vermin. It should be, and no doubt will be, highly prized; for many a recipe, of not one-quarter its value, is usually charged a guinea. CURIOUS FACTS IN NATURAL HISTORY. THE HERRING GULL, AND THE HEDGEHOG. WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED the "Naturalist," No. 24, whose able editor, Dr. Morris, brings under our notice from month to month a multitude of interesting facts. We have before said so much in praise of this periodical, that anything further in that way would be de trop. We rather seek to prove its merit by offering from its vast stores one or two extracts. The first is from the pen of George |