The space assigned to tame birds varies according to their nature and
destination. All are less at ease in a cage than when at liberty in a
room, where young pine branches, cut in winter or early in spring,
should be placed for their accommodation[5]. Several, however, never
sing unless confined within narrow limits, being obliged, as it would
appear, to solace themselves, for the want of liberty, with their song;
consequently, birds only prized for the beauty of their plumage or their
pleasing actions, are best placed in a room. Rather large birds, such as
thrushes, should have a room appropriated to them, or be kept in a large
aviary, as they give a very unpleasant smell to the place which they
occupy, unless carefully cleaned; but their young ones may be allowed
the range of any apartment, placing in a corner a cage or branch to rest
and sleep on, where they may run and hop freely, seeking a
roosting-place for themselves in the evening, on the fir branches placed
for that purpose; or in a cage with several divisions, into which they
soon learn to retire. Some birds, such as the dunnock and the
blue-breast, sing best in this state of liberty. It is necessary to
avoid placing them with shrikes or tits, as these often, in the midst of
plenty of food, will kill smaller birds, for the sake of eating the
brain or intestines. Those that are confined that we may better enjoy
the beauty of their song, should have a cage proportioned to their
natural vivacity: a lark, for example, requires a larger cage than a
chaffinch. The habits of the birds must also be considered, whether they
rest on the ground or perch on sticks. Thus, the nightingale must have
perches, while the sky-lark never makes use of these.
[Illustration: ORNAMENTAL WATER CAGE.]
In the account of each bird I shall point out what shaped cage I have
found most suitable.
In every case cleanliness is absolutely necessary, in order to keep
birds a long time, as well as healthy and active. In general it is
better not to disturb the birds very often; but if not every day, yet
every week at furthest, it is necessary to clean even the perches of
those that roost, and strew sand where they keep at the bottom.
Negligence in this entails many inconveniences,--unpleasant smells from
sick birds, gouty feet to some birds, loss of the use of their limbs or
all their claws; such sad experience may at length cure the negligent
amateur. "We love birds," they say; "No," I reply, "you love yourselves,
not them, if you neglect to keep them clean."
In washing the feet of birds they must first be soaked in warm water, or
the dirt will be so pasted on the skin that in removing it the bird will
be wounded, and the irritation thus excited may soon occasion dangerous
ulcers. House birds are generally subject to sore feet, and great
attention is therefore necessary to examine them often if they are not
attacked; a hair wound round them will sometimes become drawn so tight
that in time the part will shrivel up and drop off. Another proof of the
necessity of care in cleaning is, that few birds preserve their claws
after having been kept some years in the house. It must be confessed,
however, that among birds of the same species there is a very marked
difference in this respect, some being always extremely clean, whilst
others are for ever dirty, and seldom clean themselves. There are also
some species in which cleanliness seems an innate quality; among these
are yellow hammers, reed buntings, and linnets; the latter especially
have always appeared to me patterns of neatness, and though I have had
many, I do not recollect being obliged to clean the feet of any, whilst
larks and fauvettes have them always dirty, and let them fester with
ulcers rather than take the trouble to clean them[6].
Many amateurs amuse themselves with taming their birds so completely
that they can let them fly out of a window and recall them at pleasure.
A friend of mine, who tamed not only birds, but also adders, otters,
weasels, foxes, and the like, knew how to render them so familiar that
at the least sign they would follow him anywhere. This method was as
easy as it was sure, and I can judge of it from having been an
eye-witness to the effect; it is as follows:
When he wishes to accustom a bird to fly out and return, or go out of
doors perched on his hand or shoulder, he begins by opening the cage and
teazing the bird with a feather. The bird soon pecks at it, then at the
finger, and at last ventures outside the cage to fly on the finger
presented to it. My friend then caresses it, and gives it something nice
to eat, so that it soon becomes accustomed to feed on the hand. When
this is attained, he begins to teach it to come at a certain call, and
as soon as it will allow itself to be taken, he carries it on his hand
or shoulder from room to room, the doors and windows being at first well
closed; he also lets it fly about a little, making it return when
called. At last, when the bird comes at his call, without hesitation or
fear of men or animals, he tries it with precaution out of doors. It
thus by degrees becomes so accustomed to him that he can take it into
the garden, even in the midst of a large company, without any fear of
its flying away.
Great precaution is necessary in spring, and during the pairing season,
when taking out old birds that have been thus trained; for, upon hearing
the call of their own species, they soon fly off to resume their wild
state. Young linnets, bullfinches, and canaries, are the species with
which this method succeeds best.
[Illustration: Feeding-box for small birds.]