If the keepers of cage birds should find fault with this essay, because I have not allotted a particular chapter to the diseases and cure of each species, I would refer them to a well-known little book of Songbirds, by Mr. Eleazar Albin, where they will find enough said on this subject, most of which he transcribes from Ray's edition of Willoughby's Ornithology, as Ray before him had done from other writers on the subject, as far back as to the time of Aldrovandus and Gesner.
Such of the Songbirds as abide with us all the year, feed on various kinds of seeds, fruits, and insects. The goldfinch, chaffinch, linnets, &c. delight in the seeds of the various species of thistle, ragwort, groundsell, and other downy seeded plants. The yellow-hammer, bunting, reed-sparrow, &c. on grain, and the seeds of grass and reed. Thrushes on berries, worms, small snails, and beetles, of all which a sufficient supply may easily be obtained during the warmer months; and if the keepers of cage birds would be at a little pains to provide them with their natural food, it would tend much to the health and value of those birds; whereas they are often destroyed, or spoiled, by feeding on old musty seeds, stale sour bread, and putrid water. The summer warblers must be fed with animal food, of all which the various species of flies, brought to them alive, are the most agreeable.
But in one, as well as the other, your success chiefly depends on the freshness and sweetness of their food and water, in not giving them too large a quantity at one time, and too long neglecting them at another; in placing them in an airy, well-lighted room; in securing them from the severity of the winter's cold, and screening them from the scorching heat of summer; in keeping their apartments free from cats, mice, or other vermin; and in keeping their cages, cups, boxes, and every thing about them, at all times, perfectly sweet and clean.
At the heads of the descriptions I have given the Linnean names of the Birds, with references to the Systema Naturæ of that Author; and at the end of the other volume will be given an index, with references to the figures of Authors.
The second volume, which completes the work, will contain the same number of plates as this, and will be published in due time.
Stannary, near Halifax,
April the 1st, 1794.
Books published by the Author,
I. An History of British Ferns, in Two Parts. Royal Quarto, with Figures of all the Species and Varieties, drawn, engraved, and coloured from Nature, by the Author. Price, in Boards, 2l. 2s.
II. An History of Fungusses growing about HALIFAX, with the Appendix. Four Volumes. Royal Quarto, with 182 Plates, containing a great Number of Figures, all drawn, engraved, and beautifully coloured, by the Author. Price, in Boards, 8l. 8s.
Sold by the Author, at Stannary, near Halifax; by B, and J. White, in London; J. Todd. York; J. Binns. Leeds; and by all other Booksellers.
