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IDariefc jfeefctng of Xones ano Xoriheets. 



By Mrs. Warken Vernon. 



I have lately been rather interested in the many and varied 

 manners of feeding the same species of birds in captivity ; it may 

 interest our Members to note some of them. Take Lories and 

 Lorikeets. 



The following are some of the different ways of feeding 

 these birds, lately seen by me in the various journals devoted to 

 Aviculture. 



(i) Figs, with boiling water poured over a bun squeezed 

 out in same and the fig mashed up in twice the amount of bun. 

 Keeps birds in perfect health. 



(2) Crushed Osborne biscuits, with milk and water made 

 moist, brown sugar liberally sprinkled on it, a slice of orange 

 also well sugared. Keeps birds in perfect health. 



(3) Milk sop, as staple food, with strawberry jam or honey 

 and fruit. Birds keep in perfect health. 



Now here are three ways, ail apparently suiting the birds, 

 all tried by people who have studied their subject. The birds in 

 each case have done so well that their owners have thought it 

 worth while telling others the result ; and then one hears how 

 difficult it is to feed certain birds suitably. 



Take, again, birds iir other nations. Japanese, Chinese, 

 and Indians feed their birds on food which we cannot obtain : 

 they live and thrive. In the South of France soft-billed birds 

 are fed quite differently from here, yet you import these same 

 birds from all these different nations and, though accustomed to 

 the various foods they have been brought up on, or at any rate 

 kept on for some time, you give them a complete change of diet, 

 and yet the birds thrive and do well. One hears a great deal 

 of the delicacy of soft bills, but really I think they are perfect 

 wonders in their digestive system. 



