A DEXTEROUS OPERATOR.

263

hundreds of these birds, busily engaged in shelling the seeds of the berries, which hung in clusters on a clump of rowan trees. So intent were they on satisfying their hunger, that they took not the least heed of me. They clung to the twigs in all sorts of postures, and went through the operation of feeding in a quiet and business-like manner, each attending to its own affairs. It was indeed a pleasant sight to see how the little creatures fluttered among the twigs, all in continued action, like so many bees on a cluster of flowers in sunshine after rain. Their brilliant colours, so much more gaudy than those of our common birds, seemed to convert the rude scenery around into that of some far distant land, where the Redbird sports among the mangolia flowers. In that year flocks of these birds were observed in various parts of Scotland; but although I have obtained numerous specimens in a recent state, I have not since had an opportunity of seeing living individuals.

A correspondent of the 'Magazine of Natural History,' writing in January 1834, has a minute description of the habits of this bird:

From October 1821 to the middle of May 1822, Crossbills were very numerous in this country, and, I believe, extended their flights into many parts of England. Large flocks frequented some plantations of fir trees in this vicinity from the beginning of November to the following April. I have seen them, hundreds of times, when on the larch, cut the cone from the branch with their beak, and, holding it firmly in both claws, as a Hawk would a bird, extract the seeds with the most surprising dexterity and quickness. I do not mean to assert this to be their general habit; but it was very frequently done when feeding on the larch. I have never seen them attempt the like method with cones of the Scotch or other species of pine, which would be too bulky for them to manage. Their method with these, and, of course, most frequently with the larch, was to hold firmly on the cone with their claws; and, while they were busily engaged in this manner, I have captured great numbers; many with a horse-hair noose, fixed to the end of a fishing-rod, which I managed to slip over the head when they were feeding, and by drawing it quickly towards the body, I easily secured them; others I took with a limed twig, fixed in such a manner in the end of the rod, that on touching the bird it became immediately disengaged from it, adhered to the feathers, rendered the wings useless, and caused the poor bird to fall perfectly helpless on the ground. In this manner, in windy weather, I have taken several from the same tree, without causing any suspicion of danger. On warm sunny days, after feeding a considerable time, they would suddenly take wing, and, after flying round for a short time in full chorus, alight on some lofty tree in the neighbourhood of the plantations, warbling to each other in low pleasing strains; they would also fly from the trees occasionally for the purpose of drinking, their food being of so dry a nature.

264

THE PARROT CROSSBILL.

In captivity they were quickly reconciled, and soon became very familiar. As, at first, I was not aware what food would suit them, I fixed branches of the larch against the sides of the room in which I had confined them, and threw a quantity of the cones on the floor. I found that they not only closely searched the cones on the branches, but, in a few days, not one was left in the room that had not been pried into. I gave them canary and hemp seed; but, thinking the cones were both amusement and employment, I continued to furnish them with a plentiful supply. I had about four dozen of them; and frequently, whilst I have been in the room, they would fly down, seize a cone with their beak, carry it to a perch, quickly transfer it to their claws, and in a very short time empty it of its seeds, as I have very many times witnessed, to my surprise and amusement. As the spring advanced, the male birds in the plantations were frequently singing on the tops of the firs, in low but very agreeable notes; yet they continued in flocks, and were seen in some parts of the country until the beginning of June. I had hopes of their breeding in confinement, and I accordingly kept them in different rooms, fixing the tops of young fir trees on the floor, and against the walls, and supplying them with as great a variety of food as possible; but all to no purpose, as neither those I had confined in this manner, nor those in cages, ever showed any inclination to breed. They are amusing birds in confinement, as they have some of the habits of the Parrot tribe; climbing about the cage with both beak and claws.

The PARROT CROSSBILL (Loxia Pytiopsittacus).-In its colours and proportions this bird is very like the common species, of which it is considered by some naturalists to be merely a variety. Macgillivray, Yarrell, and all our best modern ornithologists, however, agree in giving it a specific distinction. The skin of this bird is frequently brought from Germany by dealers in bird-skins, but very few live specimens have been taken in Britain. It inhabits northern Europe chiefly, where it is said to breed in May, laying four or five ash-coloured eggs, spotted with red at the larger end. M. Nilsson includes this species in his 'Birds of Sweden,' but mentions that specimens are more frequently obtained in other parts of Scandinavia. Mr. W. C. Hewitson, in his 'Notes on the Ornithology of Norway,' says, 'The common Crossbills would now and then cross our road through the forest, but in such rapid flight that it required great exertion to keep pace with them as they passed from tree to tree, examining the cones of the pines.'

APPENDIX.

ON THE TREATMENT OF SONG BIRDS IN
CONFINEMENT.

The little captive trembling with affright,
Safely and warm to house it day and night,
Without undue restraint, secure to keep
From savage foes that prowl in hours of sleep;
To give it glimpses of green waving trees,
And let it feel the soft refreshing breeze;
Bask in the golden sunshine, and draw near
To reservoirs of water cool and clear;
To nestle in dim corners, and leave room
To preen and exercise each downy plume,
Free from dejection, and from suffering free,
As joyous as a captive bird can be.

BOOK which treats principally of the sweet songsters of Britain must be considered incomplete without some practical hints as to their treatment in a state of captivity, in which state we most frequently see and hear some of the more favourite species. Especially is this the case with

Those who are in populous cities pent;

and who have few opportunities of listening to the melody of birds in the green fields and leafy woodlands. To such the possession of a feathered pet becomes almost a necessity of existence. How far they are justified in depriving the little musicians, whose strains afford them such pleasure, of liberty, it is not for us to question. All creatures are given for man's use and enjoyment, and, provided they are properly cared for, and tenderly treated, we see not why the Song Birds, as well as those of a more strictly utilitarian kind, and the animals, which minister so largely to man's wants and necessities, should not be brought into a state of domestication. For ourselves, we would rather hear the lyric Lark pouring out its ecstatic strains high up in the blue sky, or the Nightingale its rich warble from the roadside copse

266

SONG BIRDS IN CONFINEMENT.

rather would we hear the Merle and the Mavis, with our feet upon the daisied sod, and our brows fanned by the fresh breezes of heaven, than listen to the most accomplished parlour-singer that ever strained its throat in a gilded cage; but we love to hear the caged songster, too, at times when country pleasures are beyond our reach; and how many there are to whom the trill of the Lark and the warble of the Nightingale, and the flute-like whistle of the Blackbird, are, indeed, unwonted sounds.

Many Song Birds, again, which now live in confinement, have never known the sweets of liberty, and are evidently so contented and happy in their imprisonment, that we can scarcely imagine them to be more so in any other state; for, although we may agree with Mary Howitt, when she sings

How happy the life of a bird must be,
Flitting about from tree to tree;

yet we must remember that this is but the bright side of the picture; that all is not summer sunshine and plenty with the wild free denizens of the woods and fields, which, in the season of cold and scarcity, die by thousands. The feathered captive, then, well fed and warmly housed, pines not for freedom, but rejoices in the genial warmth and tender care of those to whose society it has become accustomed, and whose love and solicitude it delights to repay with sweet song, and all the tokens of affection of which it is capable.

Birds, then, we say, which are bred in, and used to captivity, enjoy as happy a life at all times, and suffer far less hardships at certain seasons, than those which have Their nest among the gorses, And their song in the star-courses;

or which

Dwell within the shade

Of the leafy forest glade.

Let it not be thought by this that we are the apologists for the capture of Song Birds, and especially of those kinds, such as the Nightingale and most of the migratory Warblers, which manifest a decided repugnance to captivity, and usually pine and die when confined. For these soft

billed birds, it is difficult at all times to procure a sufficient supply of insect food, and they in their wild free state do not suffer, as our permanent residents often must, from cold and hunger; for, at the approach of winter, they wing their flight to more genial climes. Such birds should never be caught and caged; seldom will they long survive this treatment, and often have they been known, as the migratory period approached, to beat themselves to death against the bars of their prison. For that prime favourite of all cage songsters, the Canary, to be debarred from the liberty which it has never enjoyed is surely no punishment, but rather a benefit; it has never known freedom, and if set free would, in England at all events, be unable to obtain a subsistence, and protect itself from the inclemency of the weather, and the numerous enemies which all birds have. If we provide this, and its fellow musicians, comfortable and roomy homes, keep them from harm, and supply them with food congenial to their nature, we prove to them not enemies, but true friends and benefactors; and how we are to do this, it will now be our endeavour to show.

First, as to

THE AVIARY.

This, if the means of the bird- fancier permit, may be avery ornamental structure, forming part of, or an adjunct to, the conservatory, with accommodation for a large number of birds of different kinds; or it may be small, and devoted to one or more species: in all cases, it should open to the south, or south-west; and be fitted with blinds to exclude, when necessary, excessive sunlight, as well as the damp and cold. A strong wire gauze, fitted where glass would be in a human habitation, will best ensure to the feathered inmates a free admission of air, and protection from cats and other foes. The wooden or iron superstructure should be based upon brick-work, and care be taken to make the bottom as inaccesible to rats as possible; this will be best effected by placing beneath the earth a layer of broken glass, and having it beaten down quite hard and firm; it is not well to pave the bottom with bricks, unless earth be placed over them, as they are too cold for the feet of the birds. There