The Natural History of Cage Birds: Their Management, Habits, Food, Diseases, Treatment, Breeding, and the Methods of Catching Them.Bechstein, Johann Matthäus
Science
The Natural History of Cage Birds: Their Management, Habits, Food, Diseases, Treatment, Breeding, and the Methods of Catching Them.
Bechstein, Johann Matthäus
Cage birds
It may, perhaps, be asked why, in many places which appear so well
adapted to attract nightingales, none are found[73]. I reply that
these spots may be concealed by woods or mountains, and not lie
perceived by the nightingales in their journeys, or they may be quite
out of their route, for they have a regular one which they never
quit, because, their progress being slow, and subject to
interruptions, it is requisite that they should find on their passage
every thing necessary for their subsistence, and too cold an
atmosphere is painful to them. It may also happen that the
nightingales which formerly frequented them, may have been altogether
extirpated; and as it has been said that the young always establish
themselves in the district which gave them birth, it is by no means
surprising that they should not be chosen, at least there are many
chances against it. Rather than wait in vain for this chance, there
is a means of re-peopling such places with these charming birds. It
is only necessary to bring up some broods of young ones, and not let
them loose in the following spring till after the period of return is
elapsed; because being no longer excited by the instinct which
induces them to travel, and the instinct itself being subdued in a
great measure by their imprisoned education, they will not wander,
but will remain and propagate, provided they are not disturbed, and
will return the year following with all their family. I must not omit
to say that the young intended for this re-peopling must not be
confined in a cage, as they would lose the use of their wings, and
run the risk of perishing the first day of their liberation. As soon
as they can feed themselves, they must be allowed an entire room, in
which they may fly freely, and grow strong and bold. A sort of grove
should be formed of branches or small trees, and nature should be
imitated as much as possible also in feeding them, by throwing to
them more insects and ants' eggs than usual, to accustom them to seek
for them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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