Birds I have kept in years gone by - with original anecdotes and full directions for keeping them successfully (1885) (14750183892)

Identifier: birdsihavekeptin00gree (find matches)
Title: Birds I have kept in years gone by : with original anecdotes and full directions for keeping them successfully
Year: 1885 (1880s)
Authors: Greene, William Thomas
Subjects: Cage birds
Publisher: London : L. Upcott Gill
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library



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ong before they are fledged. The eggs are fouror five in number, spotted with grey and brown on a whiteground, but are not nearly as dark as those of the Blackcap,which they resemble in shape. The Whitethroat is a very pretty and active bird, verylively, and singing incessantly, sometimes on the wing, some-times when perched on the topmost bough of the bush in whichits mate is sitting patiently upon her eggs. Its song is oneof the first that is heard in the morning, and the last atnight; however, it is not so sustained as that of the Blackcap,nor perhaps so sweet, as some harsh notes are invariablyintroduced, not unlike the hoarse purring of a cat that islabouring under a cold and sore throat. As might be guessed from its exploits in the matter ofpeaches, the Whitethroat is a great eater, and in confinement,as often as not, dies from gorging itself: not that I ever goteven to that stage of keeping, for I only tried to rear thenestlings, and failed in that, as I have said. However such
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The Goldfinch. 57 is the character given it by Eechstein, who says that it willnot live more than two or three years in the house. On the other hand, Mr. Swaysland says, It will thrive inan aviary: if so, I imagine that its abode should be warmedduring the winter, and that it would require to be fed oninsects and fruit, and when the latter failed, grocers currantssoaked in warm water, and chopped figs might be substituted:but no one should attempt to keep a bird which all writerson the subject unite in describing as very delicate, unless heor she is gifted with the most exemplary patience, and hasan abundance of leisure time to boot. CHAPTER XV. THE GOLDFINCH. THIS universal favourite, now becoming rather scarce inEngland, was but very rarely seen by me in the daysof auld lang syne in Erittany, where, on one or twooccasions it built in a large arbutus tree exactly opposite, andat no great distance from, our drawing-room window: butowing to some mischance or other never brought up a br