You will then have a spawning bed of the best kind; and you will find that the fish are not slow to avail themselves of the conveniences with which you have provided them. This ought to be done not later than the first week in October, in most brooks; as trout in many districts are spawning very soon after this time. Two or three years ago, a gentleman of fortune in Yorkshire, who wished to stock a small lake he has with improved varieties of trout, wrote to me to request I would send an experienced and trustworthy person to him. He wished to send him into various parts of the kingdom where the trout were celebrated for their size and flavor, that he might there obtain fertilised roe, for the purpose of replenishing his spawning boxes, and thus storing his lake with good trout. I accordingly sent him a man, every way qualified for such a mission, and furnished with credentials. He obtained roe in various parts of the northern counties, which were duly hatched, when the proper precautions were taken; and from his mouth I gathered some very interesting particulars.-T. G., Clitheroe, May 20. (To be Continued.) is full of the " dear "-est meaning, and perfectly comprehended by the male. His lordship, like a good husband, will ever be observed thoroughly attentive, tenderly affectionate, and ready, at a moment's notice, to do her ladyship's bidding. Thus, at one time, we find him feeding her while sitting on the nest; at another time, arranging the moss, hair, and wool; and, at all times, lavishing on her the most delicate attentions anticipating, indeed, her every wish. So passes the honeymoon. The mutual affection evinced by these sweet little creatures is most extraordinary. Nor do their tender endearments cease until the young ones are hatched. Then, however, come on the 66 cares of state." The great responsibility from henceforward devolves on the male, to whose care the hen mainly entrusts her infant brood. He has to feed them, tend them, and watch over them while the mother flies leisurely about, and exercises herself; resolutely bent upon recruiting herself, and recovering her lost strength. If she interferes in the feeding of the young, it is by courtesy more than by an assumption of right. But there are, let us add, many exceptions to this general rule. As the young will, generally, be hatched on the thirteenth day after sitting, have in readiness some soft victuals in a saucer, for their parents to feed them with- such as the yolk of fresh, hard-boiled egg, sponge biscuit, and scalded rape-seed; the whole moistened in the first instance with boiling water, but not made too thin. This should be given fresh, twice daily. A little wellseeded chick-weed, quite ripe, should also be given to the old birds at this time, twice or thrice a-week at least. When we gave a strict caution that your birds should be left unmolested, and quite private whilst breeding, this had reference more particularly to the early part of the process. When the young are hatched, it will be needful every now and then to look birds should do, red and healthy, with at them quietly. If they appear, as young their crops distended, all is well. If, on the contrary, they are of a pale sickly hue, and their crops are empty, then at once construct them, as neatly as may be, a new nest (after first scalding and drying the materials), and change the one for the other. Change also the nest box. This done, carehand, and place them in their new abode. fully remove the nestlings with a warm it full of minute vermin. Subject one of On examining the old nest, you will find blood emitted once ran in the veins of your them to pressure under a pin's head. The innocent nestlings, who, from their very birth till this moment, have sustained these vermin in life!! Never neglect this act of duty. You will thereby save the lives of many a parent and many an offspring. The old birds will thoroughly understand what you are about, and will show themselves well pleased when the change has been effected. We shall speak more of these vermin byand-by. Before your first brood can well feed themselves, it is more than likely that their Papa and Mamma will be anxious to extend the branches of their family tree. This is why we recommended your cage being furnished with two nest boxes, in two separate divisions. Keep the cage therefore well cleaned, and the bottom well covered with bruised mortar and chalk. When the nestlings are about a month old, their parents have an odd way of getting rid of them - viz., by pecking at them, and hunting them about all over the cage. They look at them as if they were interlopers, and quite able to get their own living. This is, therefore, the proper time for removing them into separate habitations. Place them in mahogany cages, made precisely as we have already recommended, and hang them up in a warm situation. In a few days the males will freely "record" their song, and give full evidence of the pleasure they feel in being possessed of a house of their own. As young canaries are very imitative, and copy all they hear, let us again advise their being made the associates of none but first-rate songsters from their very infancy. It is more difficult to unlearn than it is to teach. As for the hen birds, unless you retain a few of the strongest for the purpose of breeding from them at a future time, they should be got rid of with all convenient haste. They are perfectly useless. With respect to hybrids-we have taken no notice of these under this head. Goldfinch-mules and linnet-mules, being bred in a different manner, will receive full notice in OUR " OWN JOURNAL," under the respective Treatises on the "Goldfinch" and the "Linnet." These birds may be reared to immense advantage; and if well taught in their infancy, their value can hardly be stated. They will live to a "green old age." We should here remark, that the change of diet, from soft to hard food, should not be too sudden. Place some of each kind in the cages of the young birds, and withdraw the nursery diet" by degrees. Be sparing with your green meat, and also any little luxuries that may act too violently on the internal machinery of your pets. Avoid also sugar, and hempseed; giving them occasionally a little maw-seed, CLIFFORD's German paste, sponge-biscuit, and stale sweet bun. Thus instructed, you have it in your own LET us now sing of that lovely little creature, the Greater Pettychaps, or Garden Warbler (Sylvia hortensis), which is called also, the Fauvette. He is now in our gardens, flitting from tree to tree, enjoying himself to his heart's content. some This sweet little bird (says Rennie), whose colors are not so gay as of the others, is nevertheless plump and handsomely shaped. Its song is scarcely to be surpassed by any of the genus, the nightingale alone excepted. It first visits us in the spring about the latter end of April or beginning of May, and its arrival is quickly made known by its very loud and long song. It generally begins low, not unlike the song of the swallow, but raises it by degrees until it resembles the song of the blackbird. It sings nearly all through the day; and the greater part of the time that it stays with us, until August. In confinement, it will sing nearly all through the year, if it be treated well. In a wild state, it is generally found in gardens and plantations, where it feeds chiefly on fruit; but it will not refuse some kinds of insects. It is very fond of the larvæ, or caterpillars, that are often found in great abundance on cabbage plants — the produce of Pontia brassica. We know no other bird of the genus that will feed on them. Soon after its arrival here the strawberries are ripe, and it is not long before it finds them out. It generally tastes the plums, pears, and early apples before it leaves us; and when in confinement, it also feeds freely on privet, elder, and ivy berries; it is also partial to barberries, and a soft apple. These birds, we rejoice to say, are not so easily caught as some of the other species; they are more shy of getting into a trap. As we are such haters of bird-catchers, we shall be mute as to their capture. Let them live and enjoy themselves whilst they are amongst us, say we. They will readily take to feed on the bruised hempseed and bread before described, or on bread and milk; they are also fond of fresh raw meat, both fat and lean; also, the yolk of an egg occasionally. To bring them to eat it directly, a few currants, raspberries, or some small fruit, must be stuck in it; whilst eating these out, they taste the other food, which they prefer to the fruit at first for a change. Fruit of some sort or other should, if possible, be always kept in their cage. In winter, they are very fond of a roasted apple; and as soon as the "WHO says, the Times are out of joint!'" LEST SUCH A PREFIX as we have chosen should "fright some of our readers from their propriety,"-let us at once tell them that we are not proposing to turn prophet, or write bitter things against the present generation for their misdeeds and shortcomings. No; we leave others to discourse upon the portentous signs of the days we live in, while we speak of THE "Times" par excellence, that great Newspaper of the universal World, which, like Aaron's rod of old, swallows up all pretenders. We have recently had frequent opportunities for watching this great Leviathan of the Daily Press, and for admiring the exquisite internal machinery* by which, almost imperceptibly, its Within the last few weeks, the power of this "internal machinery" has been again and again manifested in the production, on several occa materials are got together, digested, selected, arranged, methodised, and at break of day submitted, without any apparent effort, to the careful examination of expecting tens of thousands, all over the kingdom. The interest felt by most of these in that broadsheet, no eye can penetrate, no thought can divine. Yet are there countless multitudes whose very existence depends on the issue of each day's paper! We have, ere now, seen much of this. It is not for us to go into the why and because of the popularity of the "Times," and to give the reasons, totidem verbis, for its being the ONLY Daily Paper,-which it really is. Amidst good report and evil repost "Laudatur ab his, culpatur ab illis". it has always stood immeasurably at the head of all competitors; and even its bitterest enemies are its most constant readers and supporters. They cannot help it! There are some half-dozen other Morning Papers published. These, of course, do find many readers; but not one of such readers "the will ever acknowledge to have seen Paper" until he has first pored over the "Times." We notice this palpable fact very frequently. Mr. Gibson, M.P., has spoken oracularly on this point. On the 21st of April, when dwelling on the unequal bearing of the Stamp duty," in the House of Commons, he remarked,-"The retrograding circulation of nearly all the London daily journals for the last few years, makes it certain that all the other journals must ultimately be disWe think this placed by the Times.' very likely. But to the object of the present article. We want to show how a point may be carried, by setting about it properly; and we imagine we may do some good by offering a few passing observations on this matter. We have, of late, had occasion to visit the City between the hours of two and four; and on a number of such occasions, we have gone into the office of the "Times" with a view to insert an advertisement. Struck with the great multitude of persons of all classes, not only in the office, sions, of complete double sheets-that is, Two distinct papers, of eight pages each. For the second paper (it being supplemental), no charge is made. Both therefore are issued at the price of one; viz., Fivepence! It is, of course, greatly prejudicial to the interests of the Proprietors to such a step, in order to keep pace with the influx do this; but they are literally compelled to take of new advertisements pouring in hourly. We hardly need remark, that no other existing Newspaper Establishment ever has any necessity to produce two such sheets in one day; yet is it effected here repeatedly, and without any difficulty whatever.-ED. K. J. but anxiously waiting outside for their turn to enter and pay money with their advertisements, we have made it a rule, as opportunity offered, pour passer le temps, to get into conversation with some of these people, and sound them about their recognised principle of advertising; and more particularly as to the effects derivable from it, as experienced by themselves. The answer we have invariably received, has for ever settled the question as to why "The Times is so immensely popular. Our informants appeared to disdain the idea of advertising in any other paper; saying "it was quite useless-money thrown away-as nobody read any Paper but the TIMES, which circulated all over the world." They added, "Why, Sir, one advertisement in the "Times' is worth a dozen inserted anywhere else. We always find it so." Judging from the time we have ourselves had to wait, ere our turn arrived, we are induced to attach all due weight to that which was so generally stated, and in which our own belief is firm.* "We listened to the sound;" and as we heard the money roll into the treasury, heap upon heap, sovereign after sovereign, note upon note,-"the cry still they come," we confess we thought with disdain upon California, its diggings, and all its treasures. Never before was money coined so fast. Never was business transacted so quietly. Never were countenances more happy when parting from their "loose cash." Never were hopeful anticipations of success more visibly painted on the human face. Never did anything appear to us so like a dream! Ah! thought we, how pregnant with joy and sorrow, hope and fear, gladness and despair, is the broad-sheet which will issue hence to-morrow! How many minds hang in doubt upon the "hazard of the die" just cast,-perhaps for the last time! All arising from AN ADVERTISEMENT IN TIMES." แ THE THOUGH natural history long ago declared that these sounds proceed from a little harmless insect, hundreds of believers still exist who refuse to be persuaded that the noise is not prophetic of the charnel-house! Even those who have been brought to credit the fact of the ticking being made by an insect, are reluctant all at once to abandon a gloomy notion, and therefore affirm that the sound is still significant of death; for, say they, it comes from a spider in the act of dying; and when the ticks cease, the creature is dead. Many intelligent persons are aware that this latter opinion is equally erroneous with the former; but, as others may lack such correct information, it might not be altogether superfluous to state, that the insect in question is not a spider, but "the pediculus of old wood, a species of termes belonging to the order aptera in the Linnæan system." It is very diminutive. There are two kinds of death watches. One is very different in appearance from the other. The former only beats seven or eight quick strokes at a time; the latter will beat some hours together more deliberately and without ceasing. This ticking, instead of having anything to do with death, is a joyous sound, and as harmless as the cooing of a dove. It is to be regretted that science, to which we owe so many blessings-so much of health, both bodily and mental-should have made an inconsiderate compromise with superstition, by naming this lively and harmless little creature mortisaga. THE FIG TREE. THIS is the first particular object of natural history mentioned in the Bible,-and of which Milton says: So both together went Into the thickest wood. There soon they chose So Milton erred; for the leaves of the banian tree are so far from being of the size of an Amazonian targe, that they seldom or never exceed five inches in length, and three in breadth. Others have with more probability suggested the banana tree, whose fruit is often, by the ancients, called a fig, and whose leaves are often six feet long and two broad; thin, smooth, and very flexible. The practice of sewing or pinning leaves together, is common in the East to this day, for baskets, dishes, and umbrellas. The fig-tree of Palestine affords a friendly shade. Hasselquest, in his journey from Nazareth to Tiberias, says, "We refreshed ourselves under the shade of a fig tree, below which was a well, where a shepherd and his flock had their rendezvous; but without either house or hut." "The withered fig-tree" (Mark xi. 13), which was the symbol of Judah, has been supposed to be the Ficus Sycamorus, which is always green, and bears fruit several times in the year, without observing any certain seasons: and therefore might well be supposed to have fruit on it, while it was not now the general season for gathering figs from the kinds usually cultivated. COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.-S. K. Keep it in the larger cage by all means-J. EATON, HIGHGATE. We wrote you, as requested, long since. Your address is "not known," and the letter is "returned" to us-MIMI. Your bird is too old to be tamed now. The proper size for breeding-cages, &c., you will find described in the columns of the JOURNAL. Why do you take it in, and not read it?-F. W. S. New milk boiled, instead of water, given for three days, will cure your bird of his wheezing. CORRESPONDENTS sending in any "facts" connected with Science or Natural History, are requested in every case to append their names and places of abode. In no instance, however, will their names be published without their express sanction. PRIVATE LETTERS.-Of these we daily receive such immense quantities, that we must really beg the writers to excuse our not replying to them; our time being overwhelmingly occupied with PUBLIC duties. To obtain this Paper without any difficulty, our readers need only ORDER it to be sent to them by any of their local Booksellers or Newsvendors. It is published simultaneously with all the other weekly periodicals. KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. Saturday, June 5, 1852. WE HAVE ONCE AGAIN to return to the contents of our "Editor's Letter-box," and to offer sundry observations connected therewith. It has for some time past become apparent, that certain persons (not subscribers to our Paper) are in the habit of writing to us for valuable information, which they know our experience affords and which they cannot obtain elsewhere. The haughty manner in which they demand a reply, is alone sufficient to establish the fact. We hardly need remark, that these aristocratic letters of inquiry very rarely, if ever, contain a postage stamp, to cover the actual cost out of pocket which we incur when complying with the request made to us! We have resented many of these acts of rudeness. We have saved very many pence thereby; besides preserving our amour propre. Where, let us ask, and how have these writers of imperative letters been brought up-and with whom can they have associated? We have ourselves frequently had to ask favors in connection with the interests and welfare of this JOURNAL, and we have forwarded a vast multitude of letters to all parts of the country-most of them involving the necessity of a reply; but in all cases we have written courteously, and we have invariably enclosed stamps to defray the cost of the answers even then, feeling ourselves the obliged party whilst obtaining what we sought. Monstrous is it for any one to attempt to shelter himself under the garb of gentility, when thus repeatedly offending against the primary rules of civilised life! WE want no such "admirers." The above remarks are wrung from us in consequence of an overwhelming correspondence, which is daily on the increase. We find it almost impossible to reply privately to one half of our "considerate" correspondents. As for those who keep on amusing themselves, and wasting their time by asking us a world of questions about what has long since appeared in the JOURNAL of these, we shall of course take no notice whatever. It is in vain for them to assure us that they are "constant readers," when we find them continually seeking information about what has been again and again treated of, either by ourselves or our contributors. Petty acts of meanness like this, practised we regret to say by those who ought to know much better, shall ever experience from us the contempt they merit. Qui capit ille facit. None, we feel sure, will appropriate our remarks to themselves, save only the offenders. OH FOR THE PEN OF A READY WRITER to usher in the month of JUNE with becoming honor! WHO shall sing her praises-WHO attempt to describe her charms? The heart may feel, but utterance of one half its joys must fall short! The season now is all delight, And SUMMER's pleasures at their height, What see we now, as we walk abroad and gaze upon creation? The earth clothed with an endless variety of animal and vegetable life; and even the mould beneath its surface inhabited by beings adapted to their state of existence! Oceans and rivers peopled with shoals of living things, to the shapes and instincts of many of which we are perfect strangers! Aye, the very air animate with congregated myriads of imperceptible creatures! What are the liquids we swallow? Masses of animation! An animal, almost imperceptible, is the theatre and support of millions which are entirely so. The more we think on these things, the more are we amazed at the Creator's power and goodness to his creatures-all of which enjoy themselves to the fullest extent. SPRING is just now engaged in finishing her toilet-robing herself in her best attire. Soon shall we see her decked in all her loveliness. She is even now putting on those last "finishing touches "which an accomplished beauty never trusts to any hands but her own. But we must bid her ladyship adieu, and take our final leave (oh, how reluctantly!) of the lovely, love-making season of Spring. We are now stepping forward into the glowing presence of SUMMER. In the full pride of maturity, how has she deluged the whole surface of the earth with prodigal |