354 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1941 



Owls should be supplied with small mammals such as mice and rats, or with 

 birds, such as small chickens. A number of the smaller owls eat insects. They 

 will also eat meat, preferably fragments left on the bone, from which they 

 may tear it off. It is important, however, that they be given plenty of small 

 animals that can be swallowed whole in order that the owls may have the 

 skin, feathers, bones, and viscera. These birds should not be exposed to bright 

 light. It might be possible to reverse their normal round of activities, if they 

 were given very subdued light during the daytime and artificial light at night. 

 They should have an opportunity to get into a box or other cavity or a dark 

 corner to sleep. 



OIL-BIEDS AND GOATSUCKliKS ( OAPRIMULGIFORMES ) 



OIL-BIRDS (Steatornithidae). Feed mealworms, ground meat, small rodents, 

 Insects, reptiles, and possibly hard-boiled eggs. 



FROGMOUTHS (Podargidae). A frogmouth has been kept in the National 

 Zoological Park by feeding it one mouse a day. If mice are not available, 

 other food might be offered it, such as mealworms, gromid meat, small rodents, 

 Insects, reptiles, and possibly hard-boiled eggs. 



POTOOS (Nyctibiidae). Same as above. 



OWLET-FROGMOUTHS (Aegothelidae). Same as above. 



GOATSUCKERS (Caprimulgidae). These birds live by capturing insect 

 prey when on the wing. They are rarely kept in captivity, although a nestling 

 nighthawk that was brought to the National Zoological Park thrived for several 

 years on a diet of mealworms, mockingbird food, and gi'ound meat rolled into 

 gmall balls. A similar diet might be successful with others of this group and 

 some of the related forms. 



SWIFTS AND HUMMINGBIRDS ( MICKOPODIFORMES ) 



SWIFTS (Micropodidae). Like the goatsuckers, these birds obtain all their 

 insect food on the wing. They might be successfully kept on food similar to 

 that listed under goatsuckers. Outside cages lighted at night to attract insects 

 have been suggested. 



CREST SWIFTS (Hemiprocnidae). Same as above. 



HUMMINGBIRDS (Trochilidae). Hummingbirds can be kept in captivity 

 fairly successfully on a mixture of 1 teaspoonful of Mellon's baby food, 2 

 teaspoonfuls of honey, 1 teaspoonful evaporated milk, 1 drop of beef extract, 

 and 4 teaspoonfuls of water. A convenient feeder is shown in the accompany- 

 ing diagram (pi. 7, fig. 1). Food containers should be so constructed that 

 these birds can get only their bills in to reach the food. They should also 

 have the opportunity of capturing fruit flies, which can usually be made avail- 

 able to them by leaving a bit of fruit such as a banana in the cage to attract 

 the flies. They will bathe under a fine shower if it is available. They are so 

 small that glass fronts to the cages are desirable. Wire fabric of about i/4-inch 

 mesh can be used on the sides, back, and top. Sunshine or ultraviolet light 

 is necessary in winter. 



COLIES (COLTTFORMES) 



COLIES (Coliidae). These birds can be successfully kept on a diet of 

 fruit such as bananas, grapes, raisins, oranges, small bits of meat, hard-boiled 

 eggs, mockingbird food, and mealworms. 



