The Natural History of Cage Birds. Bechstein Johann Matthäus
the nest will easily secure the old ones when they come to feed their young; or a bird of prey’y 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
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 found14.
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
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
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
It is rare in Britain. – Translator.