The Natural History of Cage Birds. Bechstein Johann Matthäus
of their larynx; and they will thus create new variations, which will afterwards be imitated by their young ones, and become hereditary, until a circumstance of a similar nature may introduce greater variations. If care was taken there need not be two birds that sung exactly alike: however, these varieties are confined within certain limits.” – Translator.
5
If pine and fir branches cannot be obtained, oak, elm, or beech will do, cut in winter; though not green, yet there will be leaves. – Translator.
6
This perhaps depends on the peculiar forms of the bills more than on inclination, for the fauvette and blackcap often attempt to clean their feet without success. – Translator.
7
See Rennie’s “Faculties of Birds,” Chap. V., for experiments on the subject. – Translator.
8
The reason of this union of vegetable and animal food may be easily seen; the bread supplies the seed for the birds of the first class, and the milk the insects for those of the second, while the third and fourth here find their mixed food; and thus it ought to agree with all. Besides, the birds of the first class do not confine themselves exclusively to seeds; in their wild state they eat many insects, and some even feed their young entirely with them; this proves that animal food is sometimes useful and beneficial to them. – Translator.
9
If a rather large, flat, and not very deep vessel be used, in which the birds can bathe at their ease, it will make them more healthy and clean. – Translator.
10
White’s Selborne, 8vo. edit. 1833.
11
See Rennie’s “Habits of Birds,” p. 13. – Transl.
12
This, though the common opinion, seems incorrect. See Rennie’s “Habits of Birds,” p. 4. – Translator.
13
There are varieties in this species: that with the head grey is rare, but when quite white is still more so. – Translator.
14
It is rare in Britain. – Translator.
15
It is not a native of Britain. – Translator.
16
Perhaps from not having been given now and then feathers, the fur and skin of animals, or even beetles, to cleanse the stomach. – Translator.
17
It is doubtful as a native of Britain. – Translator.
18
The rook, (
19
It appears that in its course from Sweden to Algiers it does not range beyond a degree in longitude, and is rarely found in Britain. Few birds of this group, as far as has hitherto been observed, wander to the right or left during their migration. The roller frequents shady and solitary woods, and its character is well adapted to them. – Translator.
20
I once saw one of these birds drink, after swallowing dry ants’ eggs; it then eat greedily of lettuce and endive. Another, which I kept, liked the outside of lettuces and spinach after having eaten insects, especially beetles, which are very heating. To judge from what I have observed, the roller is by nature wild and solitary; it seldom changes its situation, except to seek its food or to hide itself from strangers. It is a good thing, whether kept in a cage or let range, always to have a box in its way, in which it may take refuge when frightened; it will not fail to hide itself there, and by this means will not be tempted to beat itself violently, which it does when it cannot fly from the object of its fright. It knows its mistress very well, lets her take it up, comes near her, and sits without any fear on her knees for whole hours without stirring. This is as far as it goes even when tamed. It is neither caressing nor familiar; when frightened it utters harsh cries, softer ones when its food is brought, but “
21
It is rarely found in Britain. – Translator.
22
These young birds like to wash; but it is dangerous for them to have the water too cold, or to let them remain too long in it, as cramp in the feet may be the consequence. In one which we possessed, the accident was more vexatious as the bird was otherwise in good health, having followed the above mentioned diet. – Translator.
23
The natural song is very like the awkward attempts of a country boy with a bad musical ear to whistle the notes of the missel thrush. – Translator.
24
It is not common in Britain. – Translator.
25
It may be added that it also walks very gracefully. – Translator.
26
It appears that the
27
I have, however, seen a woodpecker of this species which was reared by a lady, to whom it seemed very much attached. It had learnt of itself to go and return, knocking hard at the window if it was shut out. It was very amusing to see it climbing nimbly over its mistress till it had reached her mouth; it then asked her by light strokes of its beak for the food which she was accustomed to give it; this was generally a little meat. It disappeared one day, without any one’s knowing what accident had befallen it. – Translator.