Chapter III: Introduction (2)

One of the best modes of catching is by what is called the _water-trap_; all kinds of birds may be caught by it, and there is always a choice. This sport is very agreeable in the hot summer days, for you have only to sit quietly under the thick shade of the foliage by the side of a running stream. A net of three, four, or six feet long, and three or four wide, according to the size of the place, must be spread over a trench made on purpose to receive the water. Some sticks of about an inch thick must be put into the trench level with the water, to which hoops are fixed to prevent the net from getting wet by falling into the water; the rest of this little canal must be covered with branches. If the place be well chosen it will be surrounded during the day with numbers of different birds. This sport may be carried on from the 24th of July till October, from the rising to the setting of the sun.

When the _water-trap_ can be set near a forest, in a grove of pines and firs, near quickset hedges and gardens, or in the middle of a meadow, wood or field-birds may be caught at the same time. For the sake of convenience, small cages are made which can be folded up and put into the pocket. They only serve, however, for the tamest kinds of birds, such as goldfinches, siskins, and linnets; those which are very wild and violent, as chaffinches and larks, should be put into a small bag made of linen, the bottom of which must be lined with felt. When brought to the house the violent species must be immediately put into a dark place, and their cages covered with branches or anything else, that they may not injure themselves, or spoil their plumage. A little attention to the birds' actions in such cases will point out what is best to be done, for amongst birds of the same species there is nothing regular in this respect.

BIRDS OF PREY.

Birds of prey are so called from feeding only on animals: they have a hooked beak, strong feet, and very sharp claws.

Some birds of this group are used in falconry, so called because several species of falcon are employed in the sport: others, as the owls, are used to attract small birds to the barn-floor trap, and rooks to the decoy-hut. There seems little probability that bird-fanciers should wish to keep such birds as these in the house. Two species, however, appear to merit distinction, the kestril and the little owl.

THE KESTRIL.

Falco Tinnunculus, LINNÆUS; La Cresserelle, BUFFON; Der
Thurmfalke, BECHSTEIN.

Its size is that of a turtle-dove, its length fourteen inches, including the tail, which measures six, and two-thirds of which is covered by the folded wings. The wax, the irides, and feet are yellow. In general this is a handsome bird; but the male, as in all birds of prey, differs from the female, not less in the body being a third smaller than in the colours of his plumage. The top of the head is of a fine light grey, the back and the lesser wing coverts are of a red brick colour spotted with black; the belly is reddish, and streaked with black; the feathers of the tail dark brown spotted with white, ending in a broad black border.

The back and wings of the female are of a rust red crossed with many black lines; the head is of a light reddish brown streaked with black; the tail of the same colour, and terminated, like that of the male, with a broad black border; the extremity, however, of each is pale[13].

HABITATION.--In its wild state the kestril falcon may be found
throughout Europe, preferring mountainous places, where there are
walls of rocks or ruined castles. It is a bird of passage, which
departs in October with the larks, and may then be seen hovering over
them, or pouncing at mice; it returns in the following March.

In the house, if taken when old, it must be kept in a wire cage; but
if caught and trained when young it may be left quite at liberty,
provided its wings are kept clipped; in that case it will neither
quit the house nor lodging assigned it, especially when become
familiar with the dogs and cats.

FOOD.--In its wild state it preys on small birds and mice, pursues
sparrows to the house-top, and even attacks birds in their cages; it
is nevertheless contented with cockchafers, beetles, and
grasshoppers.

In confinement it is fed on birds, mice, and a little raw meat; when
given only the fresh offal of pigeons, or the lights and livers of
sheep, it becomes so tame, that even if taken when old it never
appears to regret the loss of its freedom.

BREEDING.--The kestril falcon builds its nest in the fissures of
rooks, high towers, old castles, or some aged tree. It lays from four
to six eggs of a reddish yellow colour, spotted with red and brown.
The young ones, which are at first covered with a simple white down,
may be easily reared on fresh mutton.

MODE OF TAKING.--Lime twigs placed over the nest will easily secure
the old ones when they come to feed their young; or a bird of prey's
basket, with a lark or mouse put in it as a lure, may be placed where
these birds are most frequently seen. This machine is raised on four
stakes, and somewhat resembles a common safe, having a lower shelf as
large as a moderate sized table, with four upright posts, to which
are fastened the partitions of net or wire; on the top and sides are
fixed two iron rods; on these, by means of rings, there runs a net
which covers the whole.

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its fine plumage, its sonorous notes _kle_,
_kle_, which it sometimes repeats in continued succession, and its
amusing actions, must make it a favourite with most amateurs; it
cannot, indeed, like other species of falcon, be trained to the
chase; but if taken when very young, and fed with the food before
mentioned, it may be taught to fly to some distance and then return,
even in the midst of the largest cities.

THE LITTLE OWL.

Strix passerina, LINNÆUS; La Chevèche, ou Petite Chouette,
BUFFON; Die Zwergeule, BECHSTEIN.

The feathers of this bird make it appear larger than it really is. Its length is from eight to nine inches, of which the tail measures at least three; the folded wings almost reach the extremity; the beak is ten lines in length, brown at the base, and yellow at the point; the iris is yellow in summer, and meadow green in winter; the claws blackish; the upper part of the body is light brown, with round white spots, which are largest on the back and shoulders; the lower part is white, spotted with dark brown and a little orange; the quill feathers dark brown, with white spots; the tail lighter, with red spots, which may almost be taken for transverse bands. The colours are less brilliant in the female.

HABITATION.--In its wild state this small species of owl frequents old
buildings, towers, and church walls, where its nest is also
found[14].

In the house it must always be kept in a cage, which may be hung in
the window, for if permitted to mix with the other birds it would
kill them.

FOOD.--When wild its general food is mice and large insects; I have
also found in the indigested remains which this, like other birds of
prey, discharges from its stomach, a considerable quantity of the
fruit of the red cornel tree (_Cornus sanguinea_, Linnæus). This
proves that it also feeds on berries.

In the cage it may be kept for some time in good health, without
having its excrements tainted, if fed on dried mutton: the skin, fat,
and bones must be removed, and the meat left to soak in water for two
days before it is eaten. Three quarters of an ounce a day of this
meat dried will be sufficient, particularly if now and then some mice
or birds be given it, which it swallows, feathers and all; it can
devour as many as five mice at a meal. It begins to wake up at about
two in the afternoon, and then becomes very lively, and soon wants
its food.

BREEDING.--The female lays two white eggs, which the male takes his
turn to sit upon; the young ones may be very easily reared on fresh
meat, particularly on pigeons. Before the first moulting the head is
of a soft reddish grey clouded with white. The large round spots on
the back become gradually more marked, and the reddish white of the
under part by degrees acquires long streaks of brown on the breast
and sides.

DISEASES.--If great care be not taken sometimes to give it mice or
birds, the fur and feathers of which cleanse the stomach, it will
soon die of decline.

MODE OF TAKING.--When the place of its retreat during the day is
discovered, it cannot fail to be taken if a net in the form of a bag
or sack be placed over the mouth of the hole, for the bird will by
this means entrap itself when endeavouring to come out for the
evening.

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--This bird, which is very cleanly, always
deposits its dung in one particular spot. Its singular motions are
amusing, but its harsh cry, and restlessness, particularly during the
season of copulation, are rather disagreeable. It is much used on the
continent as a decoy, to entrap small birds.

PIES.

The birds of this group have the beak a little flat, more or less hooked, generally in the form of a knife, and of a middling size. The feet are in general strong and short; the lower part, being much divided, may be used for walking or climbing. Their food consists of insects, worms, the flesh and remains of animals, seeds and fruit. In a few species the note is pleasing; several may be taught to speak; and some are admired for their handsome plumage.

THE GREAT BUTCHER BIRD.

Lanius Excubitor, LINNÆUS; Der gemeine Würger, BECHSTEIN; La
Pie-Grièche grise, BUFFON.

It is a little larger than the Redwing (_Turdus Iliacus_, Linn.) Its length is nine inches, of which the tail measures three and three-quarters; the wings, when folded, cover one-third of the tail. The beak is eight lines in length; the iris is very dark brown; the shanks iron grey. All the upper part of the body is of a fine ash colour, shading off to white above the eyes, on the forehead, the shoulders, and the rump. The tail is wedge-shaped, white at the point, and black in the middle.

HABITATION.--When wild, this species generally frequents groves,
thickets, and the borders of forests; it is also found among
brambles, and on lonely trees, always perched on the top. It never
quits the abode it has once chosen, either in winter or summer. When
caught it must be kept in a large wire cage. Its liveliness and
desire for prey prevent its being permitted to mix with the other
birds.

FOOD.--In its wild state, it feeds in summer on grasshoppers,
crickets, beetles, and other insects, even lizards, and small adders,
and when those fail, on mice and small birds; these, with mice,
moles, and the like, form its winter food. When pursuing its prey,
the shrike makes a particular movement, in order to seize it on the
side; but it does not always succeed, as it cannot use its claws like
birds of prey, and often only carries off a beakful of feathers.

In the cage, if the bird be taken when old, some mice, birds, or
living insects, may be thrown to it, taking care to leave it quite
alone, for as long as any one is present it will touch nothing; but
as soon as it has once begun to feed freely it will eat fresh meat,
and even become accustomed to the universal paste, described in the
Introduction. This shrike eats very much for its size, at the least
one ounce of meat at a meal. It likes to have a forked branch, or
crossed sticks in its cage, across the angles of which it throws the
mouse, or any other prey which has been given it, and then darting on
it behind from the opposite side of the cage, devours every morsel,
let it be ever so large. It bathes freely.

MODE OF TAKING.--Although it flies very swiftly when pursuing its
prey, it may easily be taken if a nest of young birds, crying from
hunger, be suspended to some lime twigs. In autumn and winter, it
will sometimes dart on birds in cages which are outside the window.
It may then be easily caught, if the cage be put into a sort of box,
having the lid so placed that the bird by the least touch would cause
it to fall upon itself. These means must be employed by those who
wish to possess birds which they can let go and come at will.

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its cry somewhat resembles the _guir, guir_ of
the lark; like the nutcracker, it can imitate the different notes,
but not the songs, of other birds. Nothing is more agreeable than its
own warbling, which much resembles the whistling of the grey parrot;
its throat at the time being expanded like that of the green frog. It
is a great pity that it only sings during the pairing season, which
is from March to May, and even then often spoils the beautiful melody
of its song, with some harsh, discordant notes. The female also
sings. As some of its tones resemble the human voice, it might
probably be taught to speak.

THE LITTLE SHRIKE.

Lanius minor, LINNÆUS; Der graue Würger, BECHSTEIN.

It is about the size of the sky-lark, being eight inches in length, of which the tail measures three and a half, the folded wings cover one-third. The beak is black, and seven inches in length; the iris brown; the legs of a lead-colour; the forehead black; a broad streak of the same colour passing from the beak across the eyes and over the cheeks; the tail is wedge-shaped; the exterior feathers are white, with a black spot.

The female only differs from the male in being a little smaller, the streak on the cheeks is shorter and narrower, and there is generally only one white feather in the tail.

HABITATION.--Wild, it is a bird of passage, departing the first of
September, and returning the beginning of the following May[15]. It
generally frequents woods, orchards, and the hedges of fields. Always
perched on the tops of trees, it rarely descends into the lower
bushes. It feeds on insects.

In the house, it must have a large wire cage like the larks, but with
three perches. It is not safe to let it mix with the other birds, as
it would soon kill them.

FOOD.--In its wild state it feeds on beetles, cockchafers, crickets,
breeze-flies, and other insects; when these fail, in consequence of a
long continuance of rain, it sometimes seizes young birds.

In the house, if an old bird and lately taken, as soon as it is put
in the cage, some living insects, or a small bird just killed, must
be thrown into it. After some time, it will be satisfied with raw or
dressed meat; but it is not always an easy task to get it to eat this
food, for it will sometimes take eight successive days, during which
meal worms and other insects are added; but as soon as it is
accustomed to meat, it becomes so tame that it will feed from the
hand, and if the cage door be opened it will even perch on the wrist
to eat. Notwithstanding all my care, I have only been able to
preserve those two years, which have been taken wild, they have all
died of decline[16]; those, on the contrary, which have been reared
from the nest, do not require so much attention, being contented with
any kind of common food.

BREEDING.--This bird generally builds in a tree on the edge of a wood,
or in a garden, the nest being rather large and irregular. The young
are fed on beetles and grasshoppers. In order to rear them, they must
be taken from the nest when the tail begins to grow, and fed at first
on ants' eggs, and afterwards on white bread soaked in milk.

MODE OF TAKING.--When the particular brambles and branches have been
observed, on which this bird watches for its prey, it is not
difficult to catch it; for notwithstanding its great quickness, it is
not the less imprudent, for it allows itself to be caught in the
bird-lime in the most stupid manner.

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--This species has no particular song: the female
has none at all; but the male imitates, with wonderful facility, the
songs of other birds, not only the detached parts, but the whole
notes, so correctly that it would not be difficult to mistake it.
Thus it imitates exactly, and in order, all the variations of the
song of the nightingale, though more feebly, and like an echo, its
notes not being so full and clear: it imitates equally well the song
of the lark, and similar birds. This wonderful power of imitation
cannot fail to please amateurs, and make them wish to possess this
interesting bird. I have observed that it likes best to repeat the
call of the quail. One of this species which I had among my
collection, always stopped its song, however lively, when it heard
that of the quail, for the purpose of imitating it; the latter,
before it was accustomed to this, became very jealous, and as soon as
it heard it, ran about in every direction, furiously endeavouring to
fight its fancied rival.

THE WOODCHAT.

Lanius erythrocephalus. Lan. Collurio, rufus, et pomeranus,
LINNÆUS; La Pie Grièche rousse, BUFFON; Der rothköpfige
Würger, BECHSTEIN.

This is smaller and more delicate than the former species, being only seven inches long, of which the tail measures three and a half; the folding wings cover one third; the beak is eight lines in length, and black; the iris greyish yellow; the shanks bluish black; the forehead black, from the base of which a band of the same colour extends over the eyes. The tail feathers are also black, but the outer ones only so to the middle, the rest being white.

The female only differs from the male in its colour being less brilliant.

HABITATION.--When wild it is a bird of passage, arriving at the end of
April, and departing about the middle of September[17]. It inhabits
mountains, forests, and wooded plains, but prefers enclosed pastures
where horses are kept day and night.

In confinement it requires the same treatment as the preceding.

FOOD.--In its wild state it prefers beetles, the dung of cows and
horses, maybugs, grasshoppers, breeze-flies, and other insects; it
often also darts upon lizards and young quails.

In a state of confinement it is fed like the preceding; but being
more delicate it is better to rear it from the nest, feeding it on
raw meat. If an old bird be taken, it is impossible to preserve it
unless it be constantly fed on live insects.

BREEDING.--The woodchat commonly builds its nest on the thick and
bushy branches of large trees, and makes it of small sticks, moss,
hogs' bristles, wool and fur. The female breeds twice, laying each
time six reddish-white eggs, marked particularly at the large end
with distinct red spots, mixed with pale ones of a bluish grey. The
young ones are hatched in fifteen days; their colour, before the
first moulting, is on the upper part, dirty white, spotted with grey;
the under part is also dirty white, clouded with pale grey; the wing
coverts are bordered with rust colour; the quill feathers and tail
are black.

MODE OF TAKING.--A cruel method, but the surest, is to place bird-lime
on its nest, this being the most wary species of shrike; but as it
bathes freely it may be taken about the middle of the day at its
washing place, if near hedges. It is often found drowned in large
ponds.

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Although this species appears endowed with as
good a memory as the preceding, its notes are less agreeable, not
being so soft, and it introduces some stanzas of its own shrill and
harsh warbling into the songs that it imitates, which are those of
the nightingale, linnet, redstart, and goldfinch. But this bird is
most admired for its beautiful plumage.

THE FLUSHER.

Lanius spinitorquus, BECHSTEIN; Lanius Collurio, LINNÆUS;
L'Ecorcheur, BUFFON; Der rothrückige Würger, BECHSTEIN.

This pretty species seems to form a connecting link between the pies and the singing birds, so much does it resemble the latter in its different qualities. Its length is a little more than six inches, of which the tail measures three and a quarter. The wings, when folded, cover one third. The beak is black, and the iris of the eyes light brown; the legs, bluish black.

In the male, the head, the nape of the neck, the tail coverts, and the thighs, are grey. This colour is lighter on the forehead and above the eyes. A black band extends from the nostrils to the ears. The beak and wing coverts are of a fine red brown; the rump and under part of the body white, slightly tinged with pink on the breast, sides, and belly; the centre tail feathers are entirely black, the others white at the tip.

The colours in the female differ considerably from those of the male. All the upper part of the body is dirty reddish brown, slightly shading into grey on the upper part of the neck and rump; there is a scarcely visible shade of white on the back and shoulders; the forehead and above the eyes is yellowish, the cheeks brown, the throat and belly dirty white; the under parts of the neck, breast, and sides, are yellowish white, crossed with waving brown lines; the quill feathers are dark brown, the outer ones edged with white, the others to the four centre ones have only a white spot; the tail dark brown, with some shades of orange.

HABITATION.--When wild it is one of the latest birds of passage, as it
does not arrive till May. It is sometimes found in woody valleys
where cattle graze, more commonly in hedges, and fields with bushes
in them, or in inclosed pastures where horses and cows are kept. It
is one of the first migratory birds to depart, which it does in
August, in families, even before the young ones have moulted.

In the house, it must be treated like the former, and kept in a wire
cage, for it would soon kill its companions, as I experienced some
years ago. The bird I refer to had been three days without eating,
although I had given him a great variety of dead birds and insects.
On the fourth day I set him at liberty in the room, supposing him too
weak to hurt the other birds, and thinking that he would become
better accustomed to his new food if I left him at liberty. Hardly
was he set free than he seized and killed a dunnock before I had time
to save it; I let him eat it, and then put him back into the cage.
From this time, as if his fury were satisfied, he ate all that was
given him.

FOOD.--In its wild state, it eats large quantities of beetles,
maybugs, crickets, and grasshoppers, but it prefers breeze-flies, and
other insects which teaze the cattle. It impales as many of these
insects as it can catch for its meal on the thorns of bushes. If,
during a long continuance of rain, these insects disappear, it then
feeds on field-mice, lizards, and young birds, which it also fixes on
the thorns.

When confined, its food is the same as the preceding species. Some
insects, mixed with the nightingales' paste, make it more palatable
for it. A little raw or dressed meat may also be given it from time
to time.

BREEDING.--When the season is favourable this species breeds twice,
and generally chooses a large hawthorn bush in which to build its
nest, roots and coarse stubble forming the base of it, then a layer
of moss interwoven with wool, and the finest fibres of roots lining
the interior. The female lays from five to six greenish white eggs,
spotted all over, especially at the large end, and speckled with red
and grey; the male takes his turn with the female to sit during
fourteen days. Before moulting, the young ones resemble the female in
colour. The back and breast are greenish grey, streaked with several
waving brown lines; the belly is dirty white. They can be easily
reared by feeding them at first with ants' eggs, then with dressed
meat, and afterwards with white bread soaked in milk: this last food
it always likes if early accustomed to it.

MODE OF TAKING.--As soon as this bird arrives in May, the bushes on
which it most frequently perches must be observed; these are very
few, and on them the lime twigs must be placed; it is often entrapped
within a quarter of an hour. Success is more certain if a beetle,
maybug, or breeze-fly, be fastened near the lime twigs with horse
hair, by two feet, so that it can move its wings. As soon as the bird
is stuck in the bird-lime it is necessary when taking it to avoid its
beak, as it pecks very hard.

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--This bird does not rank low among the singers;
its song is not only very pleasing but continual. While singing, it
is generally perched on a lonely bush, or on the lower branches of a
tree, but always near its nest. Its warbling is composed of the songs
of the swallow, goldfinch, fauvette, nightingale, red-breast, and
lark, with which, indeed, it mixes here and there some of its own
harsh notes. It almost exclusively imitates the birds in its
immediate neighbourhood; it very rarely repeats the song or call of
those which merely fly past it; when it does, it seems only in
mockery. There are, however, some songs which it cannot imitate: for
instance, that of the chaffinch and yellowhammer, its throat not
seeming to be sufficiently flexible for these. In the house, its song
is composed of the warbling of those birds whose cages are hung near
it. It is very lively, and its plumage is handsome.

If a room is to be cleared of flies, one of these birds set at
liberty in it will soon effect it; it catches them flying with great
skill and agility. When a thorny branch is given it, it impales all
its flies, making at the same time the drollest and most singular
movements. This species easily and quickly learns to whistle airs,
but it forgets them with the same facility, in order to learn new
ones.

THE RAVEN.

Corvus Corax, LINNÆUS; Le Corbeau, BUFFON; Der Kolkrabe,
BECHSTEIN.

This and the three following species ought not to be reckoned among house birds; but as they are easily taught to speak, and are often reared for that purpose, I must not neglect to mention them here.

The raven is well known. Its length is two feet, of which the tail measures eight inches and three quarters. The colour, which is black, in particular lights reflects a violet tint on the upper, and green on the lower part of the body, of the wings and tail. The throat is of a paler black.

Of all the birds of this genus, distinguished by having the beak in the form of a knife, and the base furnished with strong bristles which extend forward, the raven, on account of the size of its tongue, is the best fitted to articulate words; hence, in Thuringia, people are often saluted, on entering an inn, with some abusive language from one of these ravens, confined near the door, in a large cage like a tower. When it has been reared from the nest (which must be done in order to teach it to speak) it may be left at liberty; it will come when called by name to receive its food. Everything which shines must be put out of its way, particularly gold and silver, as it does not fail to carry it off, like the other birds of its kind. One, which was brought before Augustus, had been taught to repeat, _Ave Cæsar, victor, imperator_, in order to salute him on his return from victory.

Some people are accustomed to cut what is called the nerve of the tongue, supposing that it would make them better able to articulate sounds; but it seems most probable that this cruel practice is of little use, and, like many others, only a vulgar prejudice, for I have heard ravens speak perfectly well without having the tongue touched.

This bird was very much prized at a time when divination made a part of religion. Its most minute actions, all the motions of its flight, and the different sounds of its voice, were carefully studied; in the latter, people pretending to discover even sixty-four different modulations, besides many shades still more delicate and difficult to determine. This must certainly have required an excessively fine ear, as its croaking is particularly simple. Every alteration, let it be ever so slight, had its particular signification. Impostors were not wanting, who pretended to understand, or dupes who easily believed, these idle fancies. Some have carried their folly to such a pitch as to persuade themselves that by eating the heart and entrails of the raven they would acquire its gift of prophecy.

HABITATION.--This species only inhabits the wooded parts of a country;
it there builds its nest on the highest trees. Its eggs, from three
to five in number, are of a dirty green, streaked with olive brown.
If the young ones be taken in order to instruct them, they must be
removed on the twelfth day after bursting the shell, when they have
only half their feathers. They are fed on meat, snails, worms, and
bread soaked in milk; after a little time they will eat bread, meat,
and any refuse from the table. In its wild state the raven eats
leverets, birds' eggs, mice, young goslings, chickens, and snails,
and even pears, cherries, and other fruit; this shows us that it is
rather hurtful as well as useful.

THE CARRION CROW.

Corvus corone, LINNÆUS; La Corneille, BUFFON; Die Schwarze
Krähe, BECHSTEIN.

It only differs from the preceding in its size, and in the tail being rounded instead of wedge-shaped. Its whole length is eighteen inches. Its plumage is black, with some tints of violet on the upper part of the body.

PECULIAR QUALITIES.--The carrion crow is one of the commonest birds;
in the groves, which it likes best, it congregates in such numbers
that twenty nests have been built on the same tree[18]; the eggs are
spotted with grey or olive brown on a green ground. The young may be
taken from the nest in the month of March, or even earlier if the
winter be mild they are treated and fed like the former species. The
carrion crow is even more easily tamed, for I have seen old ones,
which have been taught to go and come, and others in their wild
state, which have regularly fed in the yard going in the spring to
breed in the woods, and returning at the beginning of the winter to
pass that season in a domestic state. Insects, worms, mice, fruit,
and grain form its principal food in its wild state.

MODE OF TAKING.--The easiest and most usual method is with paper
cones, at the bottom of which is put a bit of meat, and bird-lime on
the inner edges. It may also be caught with lime twigs placed in the
yard, or before the house, on horse dung and among scattered grain.

THE HOODED CROW.

Corvus Cornix, LINNÆUS; La Corneille Mantelée, BUFFON; Die
Nebelkrähe, BECHSTEIN.

This species, a little larger than the preceding, is grey, with the head, throat, wings, and tail black. In the winter it is found over almost all Europe, but during summer it inhabits more northern parts, where it builds in groves and orchards near open fields: its eggs are bright green streaked and spotted with brown.

If taken young it is tamed and taught to speak more easily than the carrion crow.

THE JACK-DAW.

Corvus Monedula, LINNÆUS; Le Chocas, BUFFON; Die Dohle,
BECHSTEIN.

This bird is naturally half tame, and if reared from the nest it will voluntarily remain in the yard with the poultry. It makes its nest in old buildings, houses, castles, towers, and churches: its eggs are green, spotted with dark brown and black. It is not so much to teach it to speak that people like to rear young jack-daws, but to see it go and return at call. Even old ones that are taken in autumn may be accustomed to this, cutting the wings at first, and again in the spring, so that as they grow again the bird learns by degrees to come to a certain call. During winter it will always come into the yard. The size of the jack-daw is that of the pigeon, thirteen or fourteen inches in length. The back of the head is light grey, the rest of the body black. When in winter it eats wild garlic, in the fields it smells very strongly of it, and does not lose the scent till it has been a week in the house.

THE JAY.

Corvus glandarius, LINNÆUS; Le Geai, BUFFON; Der Holzeher,
BECHSTEIN.

I have often, during my youth, seen this beautiful species of bird among the peasants of Thuringia confined in cages, and taught to speak. It is about the size of the preceding bird. Its black beak is in shape like that of the carrion crow. The feet are brown, with a slight shade of flesh colour. All the smaller feathers are soft and silky. A purple grey is the most predominant colour; the throat is whitish, the eyes are reddish blue, the rump white; the large coverts have the outer side of the feathers ornamented with small but very brilliant bands, alternately bluish white, light blue, and bluish black, which softly blend one into the other, like the colours in the rainbow, and are a great ornament to the bird.

The only difference in the female is that the upper part of the neck is grey, whereas in the male it is much redder, and that colour also extends to the back.

HABITATION.--When wild, the jay frequents woods; above all, those in
which there are firs mixed with other trees.

In the house it must be kept in a large cage in the form of a tower,
or in any other shape; it is too dirty a bird to be let range at
liberty.

FOOD.--In its wild state it prefers worms, insects, and berries, when
acorns and beech-mast fail: it makes great havoc among cherries.

In the cage, it soon becomes accustomed to bread soaked in milk, but
it will eat almost any thing, bread, soft cheese, baked meat, and all
that comes from table; acorns and beech-mast however are its
favourite food. It must be kept very clean, otherwise its soiled and
dirty plumage would make it look to great disadvantage. It is better
to feed it entirely on corn; it becomes by this means less dirty, and
its excrements are not so soft or foetid. It may be preserved for
several years on this food. It must always have fresh water given it,
as much for drinking as for bathing.

BREEDING.--The jay builds in beech-trees, oaks, and firs. Its eggs are
grey spotted with brown. The young which are to be taught to speak
must be taken from the nest after the fourteenth or fifteenth day,
and fed on soft cheese, bread, and meat: it is easily taught and
domesticated. Those which are caught when old cannot be tamed; they
are always frightened when any one approaches them, hiding and
fasting for several hours afterwards rather then reappear.

MODE OF TAKING.--Should anyone wish to catch these birds, he must seek
in autumn for a lonely tree, about five or six paces from the other
trees of the wood, which the birds frequent most; on it lime twigs
must be placed. In order to effect this, most of the branches are cut
off in such a manner as to form a kind of spiral staircase,
commencing about ten or twelve feet from the ground, and extending to
within six of the top. After having shortened and reduced the
branches to five or six spans in length, the lime-twigs are fixed to
them; under the tree must be placed a hut, made of green branches,
large enough to contain as many persons as wish to conceal
themselves; on the top of this hut is placed a live owl, or one made
of clay; even the skin of a hare arranged so that it may be moved,
will suffice. Nothing is now wanting to attract the jays but a
bird-call, which is made of a little stick with a notch cut in it and
a little piece of the bark of the cherry-tree inserted, another bit
serving for a cover. On this instrument the voice of the owl, the
great enemy of the jays, may easily be imitated; and as soon as they
hear it they come from all sides, while their cries must be repeated
by the people in the hut, which makes them assemble in still greater
numbers. They are soon entangled in the bird-lime, and fall pell mell
into the hut, their weight easily dragging them through the slight
covering. Many other birds also collect on hearing the deceitful
call, and, wishing to assist their brethren, are themselves
entrapped. Thus, in a few hours many jays and a great number of other
birds may be caught, such as magpies, thrushes, woodpeckers,
red-breasts, and tits. Twilight is the best time for this sport.

In the month of July jays may also be taken in the _water-trap_,
where young ones, with their tails only half grown, are most
frequently caught; these may yet be taught and tamed.

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Although it is easy to teach the jay to speak,
it will in general only repeat single words; but it imitates passably
well little airs on the trumpet and other short tunes. Its beautiful
colours are a great attraction. It may also be taught to go and come,
if in the country: but in the city it is not so easily taught this as
crows and ravens.

THE NUT-CRACKER.

Corvus Caryocatactes, LINNÆUS; Le Casse-noix, BUFFON; Der
Tannenbeher, BECHSTEIN.

Its length is twelve inches, of which the tail measures four and three quarters; the wings, when folded, reach the middle. The beak and feet are black; the iris is reddish brown. Though speckled like the starling, its general colour is blackish brown, lighter above, and darker underneath the body. The tail feathers are black, but white at the tip.

The general colour of the female is a redder brown than that of the male.

HABITATION.--In its wild state it inhabits, during summer, the depth
of woods, near which there are meadows and springs, and it does not
quit this retreat till autumn, when it frequents those places where
it can find acorns, beech-mast, and nuts. During hard winters it may
sometimes be seen on the high road, seeking its food amongst the
horse-dung.

In the house it is kept like a jay.

FOOD.--In its wild state, having a very strong beak, it can open the
cones of the pine and fir, peel the acorns and beech-mast, and break
the nut-shells. It also eats different sorts of berries, but prefers
animal food and insects, in short, any thing it can get.

In confinement it must be fed like the jay; but it is more easily
tamed, and accustomed to use different words. It is so fond of animal
food, that if a live jay were thrown into its cage it would kill it
and eat it in a quarter of an hour; it will even eat whole squirrels
which have been shot, and which other small birds of prey fly from
with disgust.

BREEDING.--Its nest, placed in a hollow tree, generally contains five
or six eggs, with transverse brown streaks scattered on a dark olive
grey ground. The young are reared on meat.

MODE OF TAKING.--It may be taken in autumn by a noose, hanging service
berries to it; success is more sure if some nuts be put near. It may
also be taken in the _water-trap_.

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its actions are as amusing as those of a
shrike; it imitates the voice of many animals, and chatters as much
as the jay. To judge from the form of its tongue, it seems possible
to teach it to speak, if attempted when young.

THE MAGPIE.

Corvus Pica, LINNÆUS; La Pie, BUFFON; Die Elster, BECHSTEIN.

As the magpie generally frequents places near the abode of man, it is well known. It is eighteen inches in length, of which the tail alone measures ten. It may be called a handsome bird, although its plumage is only black and white, for these colours are perfect in their kind, and the tail, near the end, shines with a purple tint, gradually shading into steel blue.

HABITATION.--The magpie builds its nest on trees which are near towns
and villages; its eggs are pale green, speckled with grey and brown.
In autumn the young ones assemble together in small parties.

FOOD.--When wild, the magpie lives on worms, insects, fruits, or
roots, and sometimes eats eggs and young birds in their nest.

In the house, it likes bread, meat, and anything that comes from
table; in short, when once tamed it does not fail to enter by the
window at meal times to take its share. If it obtain too much, it
hides what it does not eat for another time. This propensity is seen
in young ones as soon as they can feed alone.

PECULIAR QUALITIES.--Although in its wild state the magpie is so
suspicious that it is difficult to catch it, it is, however, more
easily tamed than any other bird; it will let itself be touched and
taken in the hand, which even the most docile of other birds will
seldom suffer. When reared from the nest it learns to speak even
better than the raven, and becomes as domestic as the pigeon. It gets
so fond of raw meat, bread, and other refuse of the table, that it
does not wish any other food; this is the cause of its frequenting
dwelling-houses: if it find any worms or insects it only eats them as
dainties.

The time of taking magpies in order to bring them to this point is
fourteen or fifteen days after coming out of the shell: this is the
principal thing to remember with respect to any bird which is to be
taught to go and come. It must be given at first bread soaked in milk
or water; by degrees a little chopped meat is added, afterwards it
will eat anything from the kitchen, even apples and baked pears, and
any refuse. As soon as the young birds begin to fly high enough to
rise to a neighbouring tree they may be let do so when they have had
a good meal, soon calling them back again to the place fixed for
their habitation; this practice may be repeated till they have all
their feathers, and can fly well, when some of their wing-feathers
must be cut, till the winter, a season in which they may be pulled
out. Whilst the feathers are growing again, they become so well
accustomed to the house and their master that they may be let go for
several hours together without any danger of their wandering or not
returning. If they speak they will only be the more agreeable.

Old magpies, which may easily be taken in winter with lime-twigs
placed near some bits of meat, can be taught to remain in the yard by
keeping the wings cut till the following autumn, when they may be let
grow; from this time there is no fear of their not coming with the
poultry, and in spring they will not fail to build near the house,
and seek food for their young in the kitchen. I must repeat again
that nothing shining must be left in the way of these birds, as they
will carry it off immediately, and hide it with great care, let them
have as much food as they like besides.

I have lately received a letter from one of my friends, in which he
expresses himself thus:--"I have reared a magpie which comes like a
cat to rub itself against me until I caress it. It has learnt of
itself to fly into the country and return. It follows me everywhere,
even for more than a league, so that I have much trouble to rid
myself of it, and when I do not wish its company in my walks and
visits I am obliged to shut it up: though wild with any other person,
it marks in my eyes the least change in my temper. It will sometimes
fly to a great distance with other magpies, without however
connecting itself with them."

THE ROLLER.

Coracias Garrula, LINNÆUS; Le Rollier d'Europe, BUFFON; Die
Mandelkrähe, BECHSTEIN.

This bird resembles the jay in size and form, and is twelve inches in length, of which the tail measures four and a half; the beak is blackish, before and behind the eyes is a blackish triangular spot, formed by the naked skin; the iris of the eye is grey; the whole of the head, the neck, the throat, the breast, the belly, the large wing-coverts, and all the under-coverts, are of a beautiful bluish green; the tail is of a dusky blue green near the base, becoming gradually lighter towards the end.

The female and young ones of the first year have the head, neck, breast, and belly of a reddish grey tinged with bluish green; the back and the last quill-feathers are of a light greyish brown; the rump is green, tinged with indigo; the tail blackish with a tint of blue green; the rest like the male.

HABITATION.--In its wild state the roller may be found in Europe and
the northern parts of Africa; it only frequents a few spots in
Germany, and prefers forests and sandy plains to high mountains:
elsewhere it is only seen during the time of its passage[19].

In the house it may be let range at will after the wings are clipt.

FOOD.--When wild, its principal food is insects and worms; it also
eats small frogs, bulbous roots, acorns, and grains of corn.

BREEDING.---The nest, placed in the hole of a tree, is made of small
twigs, hay, feathers, and bristles. It lays from four to seven white
eggs, on which the male takes his turn to sit during eighteen or
twenty days. The young ones do not acquire their fine colours till
the second year; previous to this period the head, neck, and breast
are of a whitish grey.

I had till lately thought that this bird was untamable; but Dr. Meyer
of Offenbach has convinced me to the contrary, having himself reared
them several times, and kept them in his room. This is his method:

The young ones must be taken from the nest when only half grown, and
fed on little bits of cow's heart, or any other meat which is lean
and tender, till they can eat alone; small frogs, worms, and insects
may then be added. The means which it takes to kill and swallow these
insects are curious enough; it begins by seizing and crushing them
with its beak, and then throws them into the air several times, in
order to receive them in its throat, which is very capacious. When
the piece is too large, or the insect still alive, it strikes it hard
against the ground, and begins again to throw it in the air, till
falling not across, but so as to thread the throat, it may be easily
swallowed.

After having been fed thus long enough, a little barley-meal may be
mixed with the meat. I have even brought it to eat bread, vegetables,
and softened oatmeal, but it always prefers cow's heart. I have never
seen it drink.

It knows the person who takes care of it, comes at his call to eat
from his hands, without however letting itself be caught: but it
never becomes quite tame, and often defends itself with its beak. It
makes very few movements unless to seek its food, and generally
remains quite still in the same place. If it ever hops about the room
it is in an awkward and cramped manner, on account of its short feet;
on the other hand, it flies very well; but it must not be left
completely at liberty in the room, or quite shut up in the cage,
because it is so easily startled, and in its fright gives itself such
violent blows on the head as would soon kill it. The best way is to
clip one wing, and then let it range the room. These birds quarrel
with one another, particularly in the evening, for their places on
the perch. I have kept them for some time in a large aviary with
small and great birds, and once with my pigeons which I kept shut up;
generally I have them in my room, where they mix with several other
birds: but whether alone or with companions they appeared equally
healthy and active.

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--They have few other attractions besides their
beautiful plumage, for their voice is only a harsh croaking "_crag,
crag, craag_[20]."

THE GOLDEN ORIOLE.

Oriolus Galbula, LINNÆUS; Le Loriot, BUFFON; Der Pirol,
BECHSTEIN.

This species, the male of which is very beautiful, is about the size of a blackbird. Its length is nine inches, of which the tail measures three and a half, and the beak one. The head, neck, back, breast, sides, and lesser wing-coverts, are of a brilliant golden yellow; the wings and the tail are black, with yellow gradually increasing to the outer feathers.

The female is not so brilliant, the golden yellow is only visible at the tip of the olive feathers in the tail, and in the lesser and under wing-coverts. All the upper part of the body is of the green colour of the siskin, the lower part greenish white with brown streaks, and the wings grey black.

HABITATION.--When wild, it generally frequents lonely groves, or the
skirts of forests, always keeping among the most bushy trees, so that
it is rarely seen on a naked branch; it always frequents orchards
during the time of cherries. It is a bird of passage, departing in
families in August, and not returning till the following May[21].

In the house, if it cannot be let range at pleasure, it must be
confined in a large wire cage.

FOOD.--When wild, its food is insects and berries. In confinement, and
if an old one be caught by means of the owl, like the jays, it must
be kept at first in a quiet and retired place, offering it fresh
cherries, then adding by degrees ants' eggs, and white bread soaked
in milk, or the nightingale's food. But I confess there is great
difficulty in keeping it alive, for with every attention and the
greatest care, I do not know a single instance of one of this species
having been preserved for more than three or four months.

BREEDING.--The scarcity of the golden oriole arises from its breeding
but once a year. Its nest, hung with great art in the fork of a small
bushy branch, is in shape like a purse, or a basket with two handles.
The female lays four or five white eggs, marked with a few black
streaks and spots. Before the first moulting, the young ones are like
their mother, and mew like cats. If any one wishes to rear them they
must be taken early from the nest; fed on ants' eggs, chopped meat
and white bread soaked in milk, varying these things as their health
requires, and as their excrements are too frequent or too soft. In
short, they may be accustomed to the nightingale's food. I must here
remark that a very attentive person alone can hope to succeed[22].

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--I have seen two golden orioles that were reared
from the nest, one of which, independent of the natural song,
whistled a minuet, and the other imitated a flourish of trumpets. Its
full and flute-like tones appeared to me extremely pleasing.
Unfortunately the fine colours of its plumage were tarnished, which
almost always happens, above all if the bird be kept in a room filled
with smoke, either from the stove or from tobacco. One of my
neighbours saw two golden orioles at Berlin, both of which whistled
different airs.

Its note of call, which in the month of June so well distinguishes
the golden oriole from other birds, may be well expressed by "ye,
puhlo[23]."

THE HOOPOE.