The Natural History of CAGE BIRDS, which I now lay before the public, is
a work I have long been solicited to write. There are many people who
like to keep birds, who neither know their habits nor the proper
treatment or food requisite for them. Even those who are not altogether
ignorant of these, often have but very limited, superficial, and, what
is worse, sometimes erroneous ideas on the subject. It is for such
readers I have given the following Introduction; for professed
naturalists will find nothing there but what they have already learnt,
either from my own works or from those of other authors on natural
history.
If long experience and minute observation on the subject of his work is
calculated to gain an author credit, I flatter myself that this will not
be denied me, since from my earliest youth I have delighted in being
surrounded with birds, and am so accustomed to them that I cannot write
at my desk with pleasure, or even with attention, unless animated by the
warbling of the pleasing little creatures which enliven my room. My
passion is carried so far, that I always have about thirty birds around
me, and this has naturally led me to consider the best and easiest mode
of procuring them, as well as of feeding and preserving them in health.
Few amateurs, therefore, are better fitted than myself to write on this
subject; and I hope I have done it to the satisfaction of the public. I
ought also to notice in this place the plan of my work, as my book may
fall into the hands both of those who might feel a wish to learn more
particulars, and of those who may think much less would have sufficed.
I have described all the indigenous European birds with which I am
acquainted that are capable of being tamed, and are pleasing in the
house. As to foreign ones, I have only spoken of those I have
occasionally seen in Germany, and which can be procured without much
difficulty.
I have followed the same plan in their natural history which I have
pursued in my other works on birds.
DESCRIPTION.--Under this head I have entered into particular details, in
order that the amateur may the better satisfy himself in discriminating
the species and the sex of the bird before him. This knowledge is
exceedingly necessary, as the bird-dealers are not very scrupulous in
deceiving their customers, either by selling one species for another, or
a female for a male. These descriptions may likewise have the advantage
of inspiring a taste for ornithology in the bosom of a mere amateur, who
may, by repeated observations, afterwards enrich this branch of natural
history with his own remarks.
HABITATION.--On forming a wish to possess any particular bird, it is
natural to try to discover what situations it frequents in order to
find it, and when it has been found and secured, a desire to know the
best place to keep it in follows as a matter of course.
FOOD.--In keeping tame birds it is most important to know what food is
best adapted to each species; that is to say, what approaches nearest to
its natural aliment. I have therefore divided the directions on this
point into two parts; showing in the first the natural food of the bird
in its wild state, and in the second what is best for it in confinement.
BREEDING.--Many birds succeed best when reared from the nest, which makes
it necessary to speak of their manner of being hatched, and the like.
DISEASES.--Birds being very tender creatures, on passing from a state of
liberty to slavery, in which they lose the means of exercise and proper
food, are soon afflicted with many diseases occasioned by this change
alone, without reckoning others that naturally follow in their train.
Under this head I endeavour to point out these, and their proper
treatment; but I confess that this is the most imperfect part of my
work, and I wish some clever experienced medical man would take the
trouble to render it more correct.
CHASE.--On going into the country a wish often arises to procure a bird,
and therefore under this head I have described the method of catching
such species as may be desired.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Under this head I have stated the properties which
render a bird worthy of our notice, and of being tamed and kept in the
house.
The volume ends with an alphabetical index, which will enable a person
instantly to find the birds whose history he requires. May my work be as
useful as it is my wish to make it, and my intentions will be
accomplished.