Chapter V: Introduction (4)

BREEDING.--In its native country this species builds in high trees.
This is the first of this group of birds which has bred in Europe.
"M. de la Pigeonnière," says Buffon, "had a male and female parrot in
the city of Marmanote, in Angenois, which used to breed regularly
every spring for five or six years; the young ones of each brood were
always reared by the parent birds. The female laid four eggs each
time, three of which were fruitful, and the other not so. In order
that they may breed at their ease, they must be placed in a room in
which there is nothing but a barrel, open at one end, and partly
filled with saw-dust; sticks must be placed inside and out of the
barrel, that the male may ascend them whenever he likes, and remain
near his companion. Before entering this room the precaution must be
taken to put on boots, that the legs may be guarded from the attacks
of the jealous parrot, which pecks at everything which approaches its
female." The P. Labat also gives an account of two parrots which had
"several broods in Paris."

DISEASES.--This parrot becomes more subject to the different diseases
in proportion as it is fed on choice food. Gout in the feet is the
most general, and the specifics used for the bird are not more
certain in their cure than those used for man. It is not difficult to
prevent this evil by great cleanliness, and giving it no meat or
other niceties.

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--This parrot, like the following, learns not
only to speak and whistle, but also to make all kinds of gestures;
and it even performs some tricks which require skill. It is
particularly distinguished by its pleasing and caressing behaviour to
its master. As an example of the talents of this species, Buffon
gives an account of one which, "being instructed on its voyage by an
old sailor, had acquired his harsh, hoarse voice so perfectly that it
was often mistaken for him. Though it was afterwards given to a young
person, and no longer heard the voice, it never forgot the lessons of
its old master; and it was exceedingly amusing to hear it pass from a
soft pleasing voice to its old hoarse sea tone. This bird not only
has a great facility in imitating the voice of man, but it also seems
to have a wish to do so, and this wish is shown in its great
attention, the efforts which it makes to repeat the sounds it hears,
and its constant repetition of them, for it incessantly repeats any
words which it has just learnt, and endeavours to make its voice
heard above every other. One is often surprised to hear it say words
and make sounds, which no one had taught it, and to which it was not
even suspected to have listened. It seemed to practise its lesson
every day till night, beginning again on the next morning. It is
while young that it shows this great facility in learning; its memory
is then better, and the bird is altogether more intelligent and
docile. This memory is sometimes very astonishing, as in a parrot
which, as Rodiginus tells, a cardinal bought for one hundred crowns
of gold, because it could repeat correctly the Apostles' Creed; and
M. de la Borde tells us of another which served as chaplain to the
vessel, reciting the prayer to the sailors, and afterwards repeating
the rosary."

THE CERAM LORY.

Psittacus garrulus, LINNÆUS; Le Lori Noir variété dite de
Ceram, BUFFON; Der geschwätzige Lory, BECHSTEIN.

It is of the size of a pigeon, its length being from ten to eleven inches. The colours vary very much; but the following are the most common. Beak orange-coloured, naked membrane at its base, and the circle of the eyes grey; the iris deep yellow, and feet brown. The predominating colour of the body is bright red; but the small wing-coverts are a mixture of green and yellow.

It comes from the Moluccas, and is treated like the preceding, which it equals in docility.

THE BLUE-CAPPED LORY.

Psittacus domicella, LINNÆUS; Le Lory demoiselle, ou à
collier, BUFFON; Der blauköpfige Lory, BECHSTEIN.

This magnificent species is of the size of a pigeon, and ten inches and a half in length. The beak is orange, the membrane blackish, as well as the circle of the eyes. The top of the head is purple black, or rather black shading to purple, on the nape of the neck; a crescent of light yellow, more or less visible, ornaments the under part of the throat. The outer edge of the quill-feathers, and the small wing-coverts, are of a deep blue, shading to sky blue; the others of a meadow green. The tail is slightly wedge-shaped, and of a bluish purple, tinged with red brown.

In the female, which is smaller, the crescent is either not visible or only faintly marked; the blue on the head is very slight; the border of the wing is a mixture of blue and green; this is all the blue which there is in the wings.

VARIETY.--The lower part of the back and belly, the rump, and the
thighs are white and rose colour; the upper and under tail-coverts
red and white; the wing-coverts green, with a mixture of light
yellow; the beak light yellow; the rest as usual.

OBSERVATIONS.--This species has the same attractions as the other
lories, and to judge from the specimen which I have seen among the
collection of the Duke of Meiningen, it appeared to be the mildest,
most endearing, and amiable; in short, the most docile and talkative
of all the parrots. It cries _lory_, and chatters incessantly, but in
a hollow voice, something like that of a man who speaks from his
chest; it repeats everything whistled to it in a clear tone; it likes
to be always caressed and paid attention to; its memory is very good.

This delicate species, being preserved with difficulty during the
voyage, is also very rare and dear; it is a native of the Moluccas
and of New Guinea; it requires to be taken great care of, to be kept
warm; and to have its food changed when necessary.

THE BLACK-CAPPED LORY.

Psittacus Lory, LINNÆUS; Lory des Philippines, BUFFON; Der
schwarzkappige Lory, BECHSTEIN.

This is about the size of the preceding. Its beak is orange; the membrane and circle of the eyes of a dark flesh colour; the iris orange. The feet are black; the top of the head the same, with a blue tint; the whole body is scarlet, except a blue spot between the back and neck, and another below the breast; both of these spots have a few red feathers; the wings are green above.

OBSERVATIONS.--The black-capped lory is still more scarce in Europe
than the preceding, therefore it is dearer, but appears to possess
all its good qualities.

THE WHITE-FRONTED PARROT.

Psittacus leucocephalus, LINNÆUS; Perroquet Amazone à tête
blanche; Der weissköpfige Amazonenpapagey, BECHSTEIN.

This is one of the most talkative parrots usually kept. Its beak is whitish, the circle of the eyes white; the iris nut brown; the feet are dark brown. The top, or rather the back of the head, is light blue in the male, and green in the female. The general colour is green, but the edge of the feathers is brown, particularly in the front part of the body. The red edge of the wing is the distinguishing characteristic of the male in Buffon's family of amazons.

This parrot is found in St. Domingo, Cuba, and even in Mexico. It is very mild and talkative, and imitates the cries of cats, dogs, and other animals to perfection.

It must be kept very clean, and not let suffer from cold.

THE BLUE-FACED PARROT.

Psittacus autumnalis, LINNÆUS; Le Crick à tête bleue, BUFFON; Der Herbstkrickpapagey, BECHSTEIN.

This is about the size of a pigeon. The beak is horn colour, with a long streak of orange on each side of the upper mandible; the whole circle of the head and the throat are blue; the top of the head and under part of the neck to the breast are red; the rest of the body is green, except the large quill-feathers, which are blue; some, however, are red, with a blue tip.

_Varieties._--1. The head, instead of being red and blue, is red and white.

2. The forehead scarlet, the top of the head blue, an orange spot under the eyes, the upper border of the wings light yellow.

3. Forehead and throat red behind, and under the eyes blue, the top of the head greenish yellow, the lower border of the wings red, the end of the tail pale light yellow.

4. All the body blackish except the breast, the feathers of which are edged with dark brown and red.

OBSERVATIONS.--These birds inhabit Guinea, learn very little, and
continually cry "_guirr, guirr_."

COMMON AMAZON PARROT.

Psittacus æstivus, LINNÆUS; Der gemeine Amazonenpapagey,
BECHSTEIN.

This species is imported in so great numbers that it is found at every bird-seller's, and is one of the cheapest. Its varieties are numerous. The following are the general colours: beak blackish; feet ash-coloured; iris golden yellow; forehead bluish, as well as the space between the eyes; head and throat yellow, but the throat-feathers are edged with a blue green; the body a brilliant green, inclining to yellowish on the back and belly.

This bird is common in the hottest parts of America, learns to speak, is very docile, sociable, and requires only common attention.

THE YELLOW-HEADED AMAZON PARROT.

Psittacus nobilis, LINNÆUS; Psittacus ochrocephalus, GMELIN; Amazone à tête jaune, BUFFON; Der gelbköpfige Amazonenpapagey, BECHSTEIN.

The length of this species is fifteen inches, of which the tail measures five; the beak one inch, the sides of the upper mandible and base of the lower are red, the rest of the beak is raven grey; the iris golden yellow; the feet greyish flesh colour, and claws black. The top of the head is golden yellow, the forehead yellowish green; the colour of the body is green, dark above, and more yellow under; the tail is but slightly wedge-shaped; but Linnæus considered it sufficiently so to class it among the long wedge-shaped tails.

OBSERVATIONS.--This bird is very mild, and sometimes chatters and
utters a few dull sounds, but at other times it speaks but little.

Its native country is South America: it is treated like the
preceding.

THE YELLOW-BREASTED TUCAN.

Ramphastos Tucanus, LINNÆUS; Toucan à gorge jaune du Brésil,
BUFFON; Der Tukan oder Pfeffervogel, BECHSTEIN.

Tucans are distinguished by the great size of their beak, which is convex above, hooked towards the point, hollow, light, and toothed on the edges like a saw. The feet have two claws before and two behind. In summer these birds are brought from South America to England and Holland, whence they are taken to Germany, though not often. They eat fruit, berries, grapes, bread, meat, and in general any of our food. In order to swallow anything they throw it into the air, catching it in their throats. They are generally reared from the nest, which is placed in the hole of a tree, and only contains two young ones, which in a short time are domesticated, and become very attractive.

Of the nine inches, which is the whole length of this tucan, the beak alone measures five, and is grey at the base and black at the point. The upper part of the body is of a green black; the cheeks, throat, and front of the neck are orange, with a crimson band across the breast. The stomach is of a fine red, the belly and sides blackish, as well as the pen-feathers and tail. The upper tail-coverts are of a sulphur colour, the under ones are crimson; the feet and claws lead colour.

THE BRAZILIAN TUCAN.

Rhamphastos piscivorus, LINNÆUS; Le Toucan à gorge blanche du
Brésil, BUFFON; Der Brasilische Pfeffervogel, BECHSTEIN.

This species is twenty inches in length, of which the beak measures six; the upper mandible is yellowish green, with the edges orange coloured and toothed; the under mandible is of a fine blue, and the points of both are red. The iris is light brown; the circle of the eyes greenish yellow; the top of the head, the neck, back, belly, wings, and tail are black; the throat, the breast, and sides yellowish white; the part about the stomach is ornamented with a beautiful red crescent.

It is a native of Cayenne and Brazil.

THE PREACHER TUCAN.

Rhamphastos picatus, LINNÆUS; Le Toucan à ventre rouge; Der
Prediger Pfeffervogel, BECHSTEIN.

The whole length of the bird is twenty inches, of which the beak measures six; the point is red, and all the rest is yellowish-green. The prevailing colour is a brilliant black, with tints of green before, and grey ash colour on the back part of the body. The breast is of a fine orange; the belly, sides, thighs, lesser tail-coverts, and the tips of the feathers, are of a lively red. This Tucan inhabits Africa and Brazil; its long and incessant cry has given it the name of _Preacher_. It is as easy to tame as to feed, for it will eat any thing.

WOODPECKERS.

The birds in this group in general have the beak rectangular, in a few instances very slightly hooked, never thick nor very long.

THE GREEN WOODPECKER.

Picus viridis, LINNÆUS; Le Pic vert, BUFFON; Der Grünspecht,
BECHSTEIN.

The length of this bird is twelve inches and a half, but four and a half of these are included in the tail, almost half of which is covered by the folded wings. The beak, an inch and a half in length, is triangular, very pointed, and of a dark grey; the iris is grey; the tongue is five inches long, and furnished, like that of the other woodpeckers, with a horny tip, and strong hairs on each side, so as to be useful in catching and piercing insects. The top of the head to the nape of the neck is of a brilliant crimson; a black streak, which in old birds is often tinged with red, descends on each side of the neck; the upper part of the body is of a beautiful olive green, the under part of a dusky greenish white: some transverse lines may be seen on the belly, which become more distinct on the sides.

In the female the colours are paler, and there is less red on the head, which, when it is young, is only grey.

HABITATION.--When wild, the green woodpecker, during summer, frequents
woods and orchards which are near these, but when the air becomes
cold, and the snow begins to fall, it approaches villages, and flies
from one garden to another; it passes the night in the holes of
trees; when it finds dead, decayed, or worm-eaten ones, it pierces
them on all sides with its strong beak, in order to find the insects
they conceal. It never attacks a healthy tree, therefore it is not
right to kill it as being mischievous; it only taps the bark of trees
to make the insects come out, and its strokes are then so quick that
they resemble a humming.

In the house its fierce and impetuous character makes it necessary to
keep it in close confinement.

FOOD.--In its wild state it constantly seeks the insects which live
under the bark and in the wood of trees; it also eats ants, and in
winter will even take bees from the hive.

In the house it is fed on nuts, ants' eggs, and meat.

BREEDING.--The female lays three or four perfectly white eggs in the
hole of a tree; if the young are to be tamed they must be taken from
the nest when only half fledged; it is impossible to tame adults or
old ones; we cannot even make them eat.

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The beauty of its plumage is all that can be
said of it; for it is so fierce, quick, and stubborn, that it can
only be kept by means of a chain. I know no instance in which every
kind of attention has rendered it more docile and agreeable: it is
always untractable. One or two of these chained birds, however, do
not look bad as a variety. It is curious to see them crack the nuts.

THE GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER.

Picus major, LINNÆUS; L'Epeiche, ou Pic varié, BUFFON; Der
Grosser Buntspecht, BECHSTEIN.

This bird is rather larger than a thrush, nine inches long of which the tail measures three and a half, and the beak one. The legs are three lines high, and of a bluish olive; the iris is bluish, with a white ring; the forehead yellowish brown; the top of the head and the back black; the nape of the neck crimson; the shoulders white, the wings and tail black, and streaked with yellowish white; the belly of a dirty reddish white, the part about the vent crimson.

The female has no red on the nape of the neck.

HABITATION AND FOOD.--This woodpecker continually ranges woods and
orchards in search of its food, which consists of insects,
beech-mast, acorns, nuts, and the seed of pines and firs. In order to
crack the nuts, it fixes them in the clefts of the trees. The female
builds its nest in the hole of a tree, and lays from four to six
white eggs. Before moulting the head of the young ones is red. They
must be taken early from the nest if they are to be tamed. They are
fed and treated like the green woodpecker.

THE MIDDLE SPOTTED WOODPECKER.

Picus medius, LINNÆUS; Le Pic varié à tête rouge, BUFFON; Der
Mittlerer Buntspecht, BECHSTEIN.

This is only distinguished from the former by being rather smaller: the beak is more slender, and very pointed. The top of the head is crimson, and the region of the vent rose-coloured. It is, besides, less common, and the young which are reared are not so untractable, though never very docile[27]. They are generally kept in a cage, and fastened by a little chain.

THE LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER.

Picus minor, LINNÆUS; Le Petit Epeiche, BUFFON; Der Kleiner
Buntspecht, BECHSTEIN.

This bird is the size of a lark, five inches and a half in length, two of which are included in the tail, and the beak measures seven lines. The feet are of a greenish black; the rump is white; the top of the head crimson; the nape of the neck black; the back white, with transverse streaks of black; the under part of the body is of a reddish white grey, and the sides are streaked with black.

The female had no red on the head.

HABITATION AND FOOD.--This rare species inhabits forests of beech and
oak, skilfully catching the insects under the bark and moss of these
trees; it even flies to the ground to seek the same food among the
grass. While rearing the young ones, they must be kept in a cage.

THE WRYNECK.

Yunx torquilla, LINNÆUS; Le Torcol, BUFFON; Der Gemeiner
Wendehals, BECHSTEIN.

Though it is six inches and a half in length, it is not larger than our lark, because its tail includes three inches and a quarter, and its beak nine lines. The iris is of a brownish yellow, the feet, two claws of which are before and two behind, are short, strong, and lead colour. The head is ash-coloured, speckled with small rust-coloured spots mixed with some white ones. The top of the head and half of the back are divided lengthwise by a broad black streak, edged with rust colour; the rest of the upper part of the body is of a fine grey, streaked and speckled with black, white, and rust colour. In the female the belly is paler than in the male.

HABITATION.--When wild, it is a bird of passage, which departs during
the first fortnight of September, and does not return till the end of
April, frequenting groves and orchards. In August it goes into
gardens and fields planted with cabbages and other vegetables.

In the house it is better to let it run about at will than to keep it
in a cage, where it would soil its feathers, particularly those on
the belly and breast, while playing.

FOOD.--In its wild state, the wryneck lives on insects, for catching
which it has a very long cylindrical tongue, with a hard point, that
can be insinuated into all the chinks and fissures of trees. Ants'
eggs are a very favourite food, and it does not dislike the ants
themselves. Towards autumn, when the latter fail, it is contented
with elderberries till the time of its departure which never varies.

In the house it must be first given ants' eggs; and then by degrees
the universal paste, to which it soon becomes accustomed; but, as it
is delicate, in order to preserve it for some time, the nightingales'
food agrees better with it. It is very amusing to see it search all
the cracks and crevices of the room for insects; and if a few ants'
eggs were now and then put there, it would give it the greatest
pleasure.

BREEDING.--Its nest, which it places in the hole of a tree, is formed
of moss, wool, hair, and straw. It lays eight eggs, which are white,
and very smooth. The adults and old ones are difficult to preserve
and tame; but the young ones may be easily reared on ants' eggs, and
the universal paste, made of the crumb of white bread.

MODE OF TAKING.--In general it is caught by putting lime twigs round
the nest; but if the weather be stormy, as in spring, when it is busy
searching the bushes for insects, it may even be taken by the hand.
The one I now have was brought to me by a little boy who had taken it
in this manner.

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Independently of its beautiful plumage, it is
very amusing to see it make those movements which have given it its
name of wryneck. It lengthens its neck, and turns round its head, so
that the beak points down the back. Its general position is quite
straight; the feathers of the head and throat very smooth, and the
tail spread like a fan, at the same time bowing low. If it be
irritated, or even if its food be brought, it slowly leans forward,
raising the feathers on its head, lengthening and turning its neck,
rolling its eyes; it then bows, spreads its tail, and murmurs some
harsh sounds in its throat; in short, it puts itself in the most
singular attitudes, and makes the most ridiculous grimaces. At other
times it seems to have a melancholy disposition. In spring the male
often cries in a full tone, _gui, gui, gui, gui_, to call its female.

M. de Schauroth informs me that two wrynecks which he reared became
so tame, that they would hang about his clothes, and begin to warble
as soon as they heard him, or saw him even at a distance. One day,
being wearied and teazed with its incessant cries, he drove one out
of the window; but having called it towards evening, it immediately
replied to his voice, and permitted itself to be taken. One of these
birds, which he let range about at will, having perched on a
neighbouring tree, he had only to hold out and show it the box
containing its food, and it returned immediately.

THE TOURAKO.

Cuculus Persa, LINNÆUS; Le Tourako, BUFFON; Der Turako,
BECHSTEIN.

This Bird, which is about the size of a magpie, has been placed among the cuckoos by Linnæus, and those who have copied him, only because its cry is _couc, couc_; for in no other respect does it belong to this genus. Its beak is short and thick, and resembles that of the pigeon in shape; the upper is bent over the lower, and of a reddish brown; the nostrils are covered with feathers; the iris is nut-brown; the eyelids are edged with small red warts; the opening of the throat is wide, extending to the back of the ears; the nails of an ash grey; the head, throat, neck, top of the back, with the upper wing-coverts, the breast, upper part of the belly and sides, are covered with soft silky feathers, of a beautiful deep green; the feathers on the top of the head gradually lengthen into a large triangular tuft, which the bird raises at will, and the tip of which is red. The green in the tuft is sometimes mixed with white.

OBSERVATIONS.--The Tourako, which I have seen, belonging to his
Highness the Duke of Saxe Meiningen, is one of the most elegant,
mildest, and tamest of all foreign birds which I know. Its cry is
_couc, couc, couc_, at first repeated slowly and distinctly,
afterwards more quickly, and then in a rapid and continued
succession. Notwithstanding the form of its feet it does not climb or
hop, but runs as quickly as any partridge across the room, and often,
pressing its wings against its body, makes several long leaps of ten
feet.

FOOD.--The tongue is not perceptible on opening its beak, and it
swallows every thing whole which is given it. It is fed on fruit and
bread cut in small pieces; it has been remarked that it has a crop.

Buffon says, that one of these birds, which came from the Cape, ate
rice; but that which I have seen would not touch it; on the contrary,
it ate with avidity the stones of grapes, as well as bits of apple
and orange; so that it may be concluded that fruit is its natural
food. It is brought from Guinea, but may be found in other parts of
Africa.

THE COMMON KINGFISHER.

Alcedo Ispida, LINNÆUS; L'Alcyon, ou Martin Pêcheur, BUFFON;
Der Eisvogel, BECHSTEIN.

The length of this bird is seven inches, of which the short tail only measures one and a quarter, the legs are very short, being only four lines in height, and the outer claw is united to the centre one, as far as the first joint. The beak, an inch and a half in length, is strong, straight and pointed. The iris is dark brown; the top of the head and the wing-coverts are of a deep green; the one with transverse and the other with oval spots of a beautiful sky blue. The back and shoulders shine with the most beautiful blue. In the female the colours are darker, and the sky blue there is in them only meadow green.

HABITATION.--When wild this is a solitary bird, which remains the
whole year on the edges of ponds, streams, and rivers. During the
winter it may be seen watching for its prey at the holes in the ice,
placed on a stone or stick, or perched on the branch of a tree.

In the house it does not walk or hop, but flies or remains perched.
It is very necessary to put some turf or branches in a corner, or it
must be kept in a cage with a perch; it constantly remains in the
same place.

FOOD.--In its wild state its food is small fish, leeches, and, indeed,
all aquatic worms and insects. In the house it must be given as much
as possible the same, accustoming it by degrees to eat meat. It is
very rarely that those taken when old can be preserved. I have seen
one, however, which ate even dead fish. The meat and small fish for
its food must be put into a bowl of fresh water, large enough, or so
firmly fixed, that it may not be easily overturned. When taking its
food it does not hop to the bottom of the cage, but stretches itself
downwards till it can reach the water with its beak, at least if it
be not a young one reared in the house.--It will not eat while being
looked at.

MR. PAXTON'S METHOD OF MANAGEMENT.--"Having become possessed," says
Mr. Paxton, "of some young kingfishers last summer, we were very
anxious to rear them; this we have accomplished, and, to the best of
our information, it is the first time kingfishers were ever reared by
hand. To accomplish this object we had a wire cage constructed about
ten feet long, and four broad; the back part of the cage was made to
imitate, as nearly as possible, the banks of a river;--through this
cage a small stream of water was conducted, in which the birds
received their food, &c. When the young birds were first taken from
the nest, minnows and bullheads were their principal food; they have
since been fed on almost every species of fresh-water fish, although
they evince a marked preference for trout.

"Immediately on a quantity of small fish being put into the stream of
water, they commence killing them, regardless of who may be near; and
so surely do they strike, that, although we have repeatedly observed
them, we never yet saw them miss their prey. As soon as they have
caught a fish they kill it, by knocking its head against anything
that may be near them. The quantity of fish consumed by each bird is
almost incredible--we should think on the average not less than six
ounces a day each; they could not exist twenty-four hours without
food, so they quickly digest it. There can be no doubt that the sole
reason of the kingfisher migrating to the sea-side on the approach of
severe weather, arises from the voracity of its appetite.

"They are quite tame and domesticated, frequently sitting on the head
or shoulder of the person who is in the habit of cleaning out their
little dwelling. They are also very cleanly. We have observed them
dive into the water as many as forty times incessantly, for the
purpose of washing--this is generally done in the evening.

"Although they appear satisfied with their confinement, they are far
from being friendly with each other; they fight with their wings,
something after the manner of the swan; this is rather surprising, as
they are very dexterous with their bills when seizing their prey.

"We have tried to rear others in a common cage, feeding them partly
on flesh, but never succeeded."

BREEDING.--A hole at the edge of the water is the place in which it
builds its nest, which is formed on the outside of small roots, and
lined with feathers. Its eggs in general are eight in number, and
quite white. In the young ones, before the feathers grow, the stubs
are so long and straight that they might be taken for so many little
bristles. As soon as the young can see clearly, and before the
feathers begin to sprout, is the time to take them from the nest;
they must be fed first on ants' eggs, meal worms, and other worms and
afterwards accustomed by degrees to meat; they will be preserved in
good health for a much longer time, if care be taken always to give
them their food in fresh water, rather than let them pick it up from
the ground.

MODE OF TAKING.--When the place which one of these birds frequents
most, and which is generally near an eddy in the water, is well
known, a stake must be fixed to which the snare, called a springe,
can be fastened; by this means the bird may be easily taken.
Lime-twigs may also be put on a bush or stake near the water's edge,
provided it does not hang so much over the water as to risk the
bird's falling into it when fixed by the lime.

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its great attractions are its beauty, for it is
not well proportioned, and all its motions are sudden.

THE NUTHATCH.

Sitta Europæa, LINNÆUS; La Sittele, ou le Torchepot, BUFFON;
Der Nusshacker, BECHSTEIN.

The length of this bird is six inches and a half, of which one and a half is included in the tail, and three-quarters in the beak, which is strong, straight, a little flat at the tip; the eyes are greyish brown; the feet yellowish grey, the claws very strong. The forehead is blue only in the male; the rest of the upper part of the body is of a blue grey; the cheeks and throat are white; a black streak passing across the eyes extends from the base of the beak to the neck; the belly and breast are of a dingy orange colour.

HABITATION.--When wild it generally frequents woods. In the winter it
approaches villages, and will even fly into barns and stables.

In the house it must be kept in a cage made entirely of wire, as wood
cannot resist the strength of its beak[28].

FOOD.--In its wild state it lives on insects, which it seeks for in
the trees, being able to cling to and run about the branches in any
way: it also eats nuts and beech mast, which it skilfully fixes in
the chinks of the trees, that it may crack them more easily.

In the house, it may be fed on hemp seed, oats, barley meal, or even
bread. The way in which it crushes the hemp seed and oats is very
curious; it takes as many as it can in its beak, and ranges them in
order in the cracks of the floor, always taking care to put the large
end lowest, that it may break them more easily; it then begins to
despatch them one after another with the greatest skill and agility.

The lady who has been occasionally mentioned in the introduction,
amused herself in the winter, and particularly when the snow was on
the ground, with throwing, several times a day, different kinds of
seeds on the terrace below the window, in order to feed the birds in
the neighbourhood. These soon became accustomed to this distribution,
and arrived in crowds when they heard the clapping of hands, which
was the signal used to call them. She put some hemp seed and cracked
nuts even on the window-sill, and on a board, particularly for her
favourites, the blue tits. Two nuthatches came one day to have their
share in this repast, and were so well pleased that they became quite
familiar, and did not even go away in the following spring, to get
their natural food and to build their nest in the wood. They settled
themselves in the hollow of an old tree near the house; as soon as
the two young ones, which they reared here, were able to fly, they
brought them to the hospitable window where they were to be
nourished, and soon after disappeared entirely. It was very amusing
to see these two new visiters hang or climb on the wall or blinds,
whilst their benefactress put their food on the board. These pretty
creatures, as well as the tits, knew her so well, that when she drove
away the sparrows which came to steal what was not intended for
them, they did not fly away also, but seemed to know that what was
done was only to protect and defend them.

These nuthatches remained near the house for the whole summer, rarely
wandering, till one fatal day, at the beginning of the sporting
season, in autumn, they no sooner heard the report of a gun than they
disappeared, and were never again seen. It is possible that fear
alone had driven them so far that they could not find their way home
again; they did not know that there they would have been in greater
safety.

If these birds are left at liberty in the room, they are accustomed,
like the tits, to hide the greater part of what is given to them, to
keep it for another meal; but their trick of piercing holes in the
wood makes them inconvenient, and therefore it is better to keep them
in a cage.

BREEDING.--The nuthatch builds its nest in the holes of old trees, and
lays six or seven eggs spotted with red.

MODE OF TAKING.--As it has the same taste for hemp seed and oats as
the tits, it may often be caught in the same snare; it may also be
taken in the area or barn floor trap. Its call is "_gru, dek, dek_."

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its plumage, liveliness, agility, and great
cunning in catching and hiding its food, are its most agreeable
qualities.

PASSERINE BIRDS.

The birds of this group have the beak conical and pointed, in general rather strong, with both the mandibles moveable, and fit for peeling and cleaning grain. Their feet are slender, and their claws divided. Some of them do not confine themselves to grain, but also eat insects. Those which feed solely on seeds disgorge them into the crop of their young, the others simply put the food into their beaks. The greater part of them build their nests very skilfully. The females brood alone, or are very rarely assisted by the males in hatching.

This group and the following are peculiarly the real _cage birds_; those pretty and attractive little creatures which enliven our rooms with their songs.

Those which feed only on seeds may be tamed at any age.

THE CROSSBILL.

Loxia curvirostra, LINNÆUS; Le Beccroisé, BUFFON; Der
Kreuzschnabel, BECHSTEIN.

The length of this bird is nearly seven inches, of which the tail measures two and a quarter. The beak, which is one inch in length, and very thick, has its two mandibles curving in opposite directions, and crossing each other at the points, whence the name. It is no fixed rule for the upper mandible to cross to the right or left, but its direction appears to be acquired when young. The shanks, which are eight lines high, and the beak, are brown; the iris is nut-coloured.

The change of colour, which some assert this bird is subject to three times a year, simply occurs as follows:--

The young male, which is at first of a greyish brown, with a little yellow, becomes after moulting entirely red, darker on the upper part of the body than on the lower, the quill and tail feathers excepted, which are blackish. This generally happens in April or May. At the second moulting this red colour becomes a greenish yellow, which is permanent; so that when red they may be known to be the young male birds, and when yellow the old ones.

The females are in general grey, with a little green on the head, breast, and rump, or irregularly speckled with those two colours.

From observations which have been made with great care and exactness, and which any one can repeat who wishes, it appears proved that an old male bird never changes its colour. In order to be exact as to these facts, it is necessary to observe the bird from the time of its leaving the nest; for, if one were to judge from those taken in a snare, one would certainly be disposed to think that not one bird resembled another: but all this variety depends on the different stages in moulting, which so very much affects the colours of the plumage.

Thus, in old male birds the forehead, cheeks, and eyebrows are spotted with grey, greenish yellow, and white. Wherever green and yellow are prevalent, the dark grey shows through, and has the appearance of spots on those parts, particularly on the back, for the tips alone are green and yellow.

The result of all this is, that when grey or speckled crossbills are spoken of, they are the young ones; when red, they have passed their first moulting; when crimson, they are near their second; and when spotted, red and yellow, they are two years old, and in full feather. To judge with exactness, these birds ought to be seen at the time of laying, but neither this nor the moulting has any fixed season; and this circumstance sufficiently explains the great variety and difference of colour which are found among this species.

These details also show that the crossbill is subject to nearly the same changes of colour as the linnet, and that the red colour which it bears for the first year is what peculiarly distinguishes it from other birds. One thing, which is rather remarkable, is, that the young ones reared in the house never take the red colour, but remain grey for the second year, or change directly into greenish yellow.

There are two kinds of crossbills, the greater and lesser; but the difference is not so great as some pretend, and nature is not more invariable in the size of birds than it is in that of men[29].

HABITATION.--When wild, the crossbill not only inhabits Europe, but
also all the north of Asia and America, everywhere frequenting
forests of pines and firs, where these trees, which are loaded with
cones, furnish abundance of food.

In the house it may be let range at will, but a branch of fir, or any
other tree, must be put near it, on which it can perch or sleep. If
it be kept in a cage it must be made of wire; for, being so much
disposed to peck and nibble, a wicker cage would soon be reduced to
chips.

FOOD.--In its wild state the pine seed is its favourite food; the
shape of its beak is peculiarly adapted for procuring these seeds, by
separating the scales of the cones; it also gathers from the ground
those which have fallen, and it does not neglect those of the fir,
and even of the alder. When these fail it is contented with the buds
of the same trees.

In the house, if it be let run about at liberty, the second universal
paste will be sufficient; but if kept in a cage it must be fed on
hemp, pine, and rape seed, and even elderberries.

BREEDING.--The time of breeding is very remarkable, being generally in
the depth of winter, from December to April. The nest, which is
placed at the top of a pine or fir tree, is first formed of very fine
small twigs, there is then a layer of coarse moss, but the interior
is lined with the finest and softest moss; it is not glued with
resin, as some have said. The young crossbills being in Thuringia the
object of many ridiculous superstitions, the wood-cutters are always
careful of the nests. The number of the eggs varies from three to
five, they are of a greyish white, spotted, speckled, and streaked at
the large end with red brown. The heating nature of their food
enables the young and old birds to bear the severity of the season.
The old birds feed their young with the food disgorged from their own
stomach, as do all the grosbeaks. This species may be reared in the
house on white bread soaked in milk, and mixed with a few
poppy-seeds.

DISEASES.--The accumulated vapour from a room with a stove has such an
effect on the constitution of these birds, that they are almost
always ill[30]. Weak eyes, swelled and ulcerated feet, are very
common occurrences; hence the mountaineers of Thuringia have taken it
into their heads that these poor birds can take upon themselves their
diseases and pains: and it is this foolish idea that induces them
always to keep one of these birds near them. Their superstitious
extravagance carries them so far, that they are persuaded a bird
whose upper mandible bends to the right, has the power of assuming to
itself the colds and rheumatism from men; but when this mandible
turns to the left, the bird renders the same service to the women.
These simple and credulous people imagine that nothing is more
efficacious against epilepsy, than every day to drink the water which
the bird has left, because they see that these unfortunate victims
are often attacked with this disease.

MODE OF TAKING.--With the decoy birds nothing is easier than to take
the crossbills in the autumn and spring: one large rod, covered with
strong bird-lime, is all that is necessary. It must be put in a glade
in the wood which these birds frequent, with the decoy bird by the
side; this, by its continual cry, will soon attract them. In
Thuringia the people put nooses and spring traps on the top of some
of the highest pines, and there hang the cage of the decoy bird; as
soon as one crossbill has settled, the others follow; so that as many
birds are taken as there are traps set, particularly if the stick of
the spring traps be placed so that the bird must perch on it.

ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--The crossbill is rather a silly bird; in the
cage its motions are like those of the parrot; when lively it swings
its body like the siskin, and sings a few sharp strains, which are
more or less monotonous, according to the different powers of the
songsters--for some of the males far surpass the others in this short
melody. It is easily tamed, can be carried about anywhere on the
finger, and will go and return again without wandering.

THE BULLFINCH.

Loxia pyrrhula, LINNÆUS; Le Bouvreuil, BUFFON; Der Gimpel,
BECHSTEIN.

This is one of the indigenous tame birds which is a favourite with the rich and noble. Its body is thick and short. Its whole length is six inches and three quarters, of which the tail measures two and three quarters; the beak is only six lines in length, short, thick, and black; the iris is chestnut-coloured; the shanks eight lines high, and black; the top of the head, the circle of the beak, the chin, and beginning of the throat, are of a beautiful velvet black; the upper part of the neck, the back, and shoulders, deep grey; the rump white; the under part of the neck, the wide breast, and to the centre of the belly, are of a fine vermilion, less bright, however, in the young than old; the blackish pen-feathers become darker towards the body; the secondaries have the outer edge of an iron blue, which in the hinder ones is reddish. The tail is rather forked, and of a brilliant black, tinged with iron blue.

The female is easily distinguished from the male, for what is red on him is reddish grey on her, while her back is of a brownish grey, and her feet are not so black; she is also smaller.

This species has some singular varieties; the principal are:--

1. The _White Bullfinch_, which is of an ashy white, or wholly white, with dark spots on the back.

2. The _Black Bullfinch_. These are most generally females, which become black, either with age, when they are only fed on hemp seed, or with having been kept when young in a totally dark place. Some resume at their moulting their natural colours; others remain black; but this black is not the same in all; some are of a brilliant raven black, others dull, and not so dark on the belly; in some the head only is of a raven black, the rest of the body being duller; in others the black is mixed with red spots on the belly, or the latter is entirely red. I have seen one in which the head and breast, as well as the upper and under parts of the body, were of a raven black, every other part of a dull black, with the wings and tail white; it was a very handsome bird, rather larger than a red-breast.

3. The _Speckled Bullfinch_. It is thus called, for, besides its natural colours, it is spotted with black and white, or white and ash colour.

4. The _Mongrel Bullfinch_. It is the offspring of a female reared in the house from the nest, and of a male canary. Its shape and colour partake of those of the parent birds; its note is very agreeable, and softer than that of the canary; but it is very scarce. This union rarely succeeds; but when tried, a very ardent and spirited canary should be chosen[31].

5. The other varieties are: the _Large Bullfinch_, about the size of a thrush, and the _Middling_, or _Common_. As to dwarf birds, which are not as large as a chaffinch, it is a bird-catcher's story, for this difference in size is observed in all kinds of birds. I can affirm it with the more certainty, having had opportunities every year of seeing hundreds of these birds, both wild and tame. I have even in the same nest found some as small as red-breasts, and others as large as a crossbill.

HABITATION.--When wild, bullfinches are found over Europe and Russia.
They are particularly common in the mountainous forests of Germany.
The male and female never separate during the whole year. In winter
they wander about everywhere in search of buds.

In the house those which are caught in a snare are often let run
about. These birds not being very unruly or very active, a
middling-sized cage will do, in which those which have learned songs
are kept; but they must be kept in separate rooms, as they will
mutually spoil their songs if left together.

FOOD.--When wild the bullfinch does not often suffer from the failure
of its food; for it eats pine and fir seeds, the fruit of the ash and
maple, corn, all kinds of berries, the buds of the oak, beech, and
pear trees, and even linseed, millet, rape, and nettle seed.

In the house those which run about may be fed on the universal paste,
and, for a change, rape seed may be added; those which are taught
must be fed only on poppy seed, with a little hemp seed, and now and
then a little biscuit without spice. It has been remarked that those
which are fed entirely on rape seed soaked in water live much longer,
and are more healthy. The hemp seed is too heating, sooner or later
blinds them, and always brings on a decline. A little green food,
such as lettuce, endive, chickweed, water-cresses, a little apple,
particularly the kernels, the berries of the service tree, and the
like, is agreeable and salutary to them.

BREEDING.--These tenderly affectionate birds can hardly live when
separated from one another. They incessantly repeat their call with a
languishing note, and continually caress. They can sometimes be made
to breed in the house, like the canary, but their eggs are rarely
fruitful. In the wild state they breed twice every year, each time
laying from three to six eggs, of a bluish white, spotted with violet
and brown at the large end. Their nest, which they build in the most
retired part of a wood, or in a solitary quickset hedge, is
constructed with little skill, of twigs which are covered with moss.
The young ones are hatched in fifteen days. Those which are to be
taught must be taken from the nest when the feathers of the tail
begin to grow; and must be fed only on rape seed soaked in water and
mixed with white bread; eggs would kill them or make them blind.
Their plumage is then of a dark ash-colour, with the wings and tail
blackish brown; the males may be known at first by their reddish
breast; so that when these only are wished to be reared they may be
chosen in the nest, for the females are not so beautiful, nor so
easily taught.

Although they do not warble before they can feed themselves, one need
not wait for this to begin their instruction[32], for it will succeed
better, if one may say so, when infused with their food; since
experience proves that they learn those airs more quickly, and
remember them better, which they have been taught just after eating.
It has been observed several times, that these birds, like the
parrots, are never more attentive than during digestion. Nine months
of regular and continued instruction are necessary before the bird
acquires what amateurs call firmness, for if one ceases before this
time, they spoil the air, by suppressing or displacing the different
parts, and they often forget it entirely at their first moulting. In
general it is a good thing to separate them from the other birds,
even after they are perfect; because, owing to their great quickness
in learning, they would spoil the air entirely by introducing wrong
passages; they must be helped to continue the song when they stop,
and the lesson must always be repeated whilst they are moulting,
otherwise they will become mere chatterers, which would be doubly
vexatious after having had much trouble in teaching them.