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
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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