358 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1941 



TANAGERS (Thraupidae). Feed soft ripe fruit, such as bananas and 

 oranges, mockingbird food, mealworms and other insects, boiled eggs, and 



lettuce. 



PLUSH-CAPPED FINCHES (Catamblyrhynchidae). Feed mockingbird 

 food, boiled eggs, mealworms and other insects, green vegetation, seeds, and 

 fruit. 



GROSBEAKS, FINCHES, BUNTINGS (Fringillidae). Feed assorted seeds, 

 fruit, lettuce, and other green vegetation, mealworms, ground meat. 



REPTILES 



Reptiles are known as cold-blooded animals because their temperature fluctuates 

 with that of their surroundings. They are mainly creatures of warm climates, 

 and must be kept warm to be active. When the temperature gets low, they 

 become sluggish and torpid, like other hibernating animals. If they are con- 

 tinuously subjected to daily warming and nightly chilling, they will refuse to 

 eat, and, while they mey be active during the daytime, they will become weak 

 and presently die. It is therefore important that they be given a fairly constant 

 and uniform temperature within the range preferred by the species. In general, 

 the temperature for reptiles should not go below 70° and the animals will be 

 more active and interesting at a temperature of 80° to 90° or upward. Cages 

 for reptiles should be provided with some means of warming such as electrical 

 heating units controlled by thermostats, or other devices that will aid in main- 

 taining a fairly constant temperature at all times. A convenient means of 

 providing uniform temperature for tliose animals that burrow is a thick layer 

 of sand that can be warmed and that will retain the heat. 



Almost all reptiles need plenty of sunshine, or the substitute, ultraviolet light. 

 However, they cannot endure extremes of either light or heat. 



Most snakes drink frequently and should be provided with water. Some 

 lizards drink, others do not even though there is an abundance of water avail- 

 able, as nature has provided that they shall take moisture through their skins. 

 These animals should be sprinkled with water occasionally, or placed in a shallow 

 pan of water. 



The shedding of skin by snakes and lizards is facilitated if the animals have 

 access to water in which to soak. In some instances, gentle manipulation assists 

 shedding. 



Some reptiles and amphibians will not notice food that is not moving. There- 

 fore, if an individual will not eat when all other conditions seem to be suitable, 

 try impaling the food on a stick and moving it about in front of the animal. 

 This procedure is sometimes successful. 



ALLIGATORS, CROCODILES, CAIMANS AND GAVIAI.S (LOEIOATA; CBOCODTLIDAE ) 



All of these thrive on fish or meat, or both. If the temperature is maintained 

 at 75° to 100°, and they refuse to eat at least once a week, they can sometimes 

 be tempted by placing the fish or meat on the end of a stick and annoying 

 them until they snap at the food. By this method they can sometimes be 

 induced to eat freely. Provide with a pool of water of about air temperature 

 into which the food can be thrown. There should be earth or rocks upon which 

 they may climb to bask in the sunshine or the rays of powerful electric lights. 

 They are not particularly active and do not require much space to exercise. 



