142 



lie knows what is going to happen and does not attempt to fly 

 away. When I am holding liini with his feet in warm water, 

 he looks down over my finger at them and then up at me as if 

 to sa}', "What are you doing to me? " but he does not mind, 

 and will even eat a mealworm during the operation, and when 

 put back into his cage always makes a remark which I 

 understand to be "Thank you." 



I feed my Bulbul on the same soft food as I give the 

 Tauagers, and plenty of fruit, which he is always in such a 

 hurry for, thathe squeezes his head in between my fingers to 

 get at it while I am hanging it up. He prefers a soft juicy 

 fruit, such as orange or very ripe pear, and is always read\' for 

 any insects such as mealworms, spiders or bluebottles. If I 

 €nter the birdroom with a tumbler in my hand it is a signal for 

 great excitement in his cage, as he knows there is a spider in 

 it, and he will reach right to the bottom of the glass to get it. 

 One great advantage which this bird shares with many other 

 Indian birds, and which I suppose they owe to the intelligence 

 of the natives, is that they are alwaj's imported in separate 

 cages and consequently arrive in a much healthier condition 

 than the majority of birds coming from other parts. 



S. M. TOWNSEND. 



I have read Mr. Townsend's article with much interest, as 

 I have a Malabar Bulbul who also will never bathe and makes 

 himself in such a mess with his fruit. I have got him a large 

 wire cage, which I have painted over with a metal preserver, 

 and now I water the whole thing, cage and bird, with a watering 

 pot about twice a- week ; at first the bird was rather frightened, 

 but now seems to quite enjoy it, and it is astonishing how his 

 plumage has improved. He is exceedingly tame and devoted 

 to mealworms: when he sees one being brought to him he 

 dashes at the bars squeaking with excitement. I consider 

 they are quite the most delightful cage-birds, and seem to do 

 so very well. I might add I also water two Shamas with a 

 watering pot; they also enjoy it, sitting on their perch with 

 their wings outstretched. W. B. Weottksi.f,y. 



"TINY" AVIARIES. 



lu the Feathered World of the 29th July last Dr. Butler 

 referred contemptuously to what he was pleased to call Dr. 

 Creswell's " row of tinv aviaries." 



