CARE OF CAPTIVE ANIMALS — WALKER 353 



SAND-GROUSE, PIGEONS, DOVES ( CXDLUMBITORMES ) 



SAND-GROUSE (Pteroclidae). Despite its name, the sand grouse is closely 

 related to the pigeons and doves, both in structure and habits. Lilie these 

 birds, it will thrive on a mixture of grain and green food. It should be 

 given plenty of gravel or grit. 



PIGEONS and DOVES (Columbidae). Grain, small amounts of green leafy 

 vegetation, fruit, and grit are needed by these birds. Many of the ti'opical pigeons 

 are fruit eaters and should be supplied with grapes, bananas, apples, small pieces 

 of oranges, etc. Raisins might be given if no other fruit is available. 



LORIES, PARROTS, AND MACAWS ( PSITTACIFORMES ) 



These birds will eat a considerable variety of food and will thrive on a diet 

 mainly of sunflower and other seeds (such as canary and hemp seed), fruits 

 (such as apples and bananas), bread, carrots, some green food, and some 

 ground meat. Lories, being primarily fruit eaters, will not consume many 

 seeds or much bread. They should have a plentiful supply of fruit, honey, 

 milk, and bread. 



All the birds of this group should have limbs or wood on which to bite so 

 that they may keep their beaks properly worn down. Some parrots enjoy 

 bathing, but the grass parakeet (Melopsittacus) prefers to roll in wet grass 

 and does not ordinarily bathe in water. Occasionally parrots take to plucking 

 their own feathers to such an extent that they become naked. This probably 

 indicates a dietary deficiency. On occasions it has been remedied by feeding 

 meat and fat or by giving them an opportunity to chew on bones. 



In other cases, these methods have been useless. These birds may be kept 

 in moderate-sized cages either alone or in small groups, or in large cages with 

 a variety of other birds. Their cages should be strongly constructed, as they 

 have powerful beaks and will frequently bite persistently at a single place in 

 the cage covering. 



Most of these are birds of the Tropics with the exception of a few such as 

 the kea of the high mountains of New Zealand and the grass parakeet (also 

 called budgerigar). These two birds can be kept outside throughout the year 

 in a climate such as that of Washington, D. C. Others must be carefully 

 safeguarded against cold. 



PLANTAIN-EATERS AND CUCKOOS ( CUCULTFORMES ) 



PLANTAIN EATERS (Musophagidae). These thrive on bananas, raisins, 

 oranges, grapes, apples, bits of boiled egg, ground meat, mealworms, and 

 mockingbird food. 



CUCKOOS, ROADRUNNERS, ANIS (Cuculidae). These birds are insecti- 

 vorous and carnivorous in their native haunts. The cuckoos should be fed 

 mealworms, ground meat, boiled egg. The roadrunner eats mice, lizards, small 

 birds, and insects, and when these cannot be given, it can be supplied with 

 small pieces of meat and hard-boiled egg. 



OWLS (STRIGirORMES) 



BARN OWLS (Tytonidae), OWLS (Strigidae). These are nocturnal birds 

 of prey, and should be fed in the evening. To this rule the snowy owl is an 

 exception. This bird may be fed either in the evening or during the day. 



