134 MUTTON BIRDS 



ripened heads of sow thistle, for the pips of 

 apples and pears. Moistened meal was their 

 staple food, and was still taken from the mouth, 

 the nestlings, as always, ponring forth ceaseless 

 thanksgivings, their long rollicking graces rising 

 to a perfect ecstasy of gratitude at an extra 

 tasty mouthful. Some skill is required in the 

 nourishment of the small restless birds. 



First of all the oatmeal should be poured in a 

 narrow stream on to the palm where it will form 

 a small loose cone or mound. The hat should 

 always be removed, and if the performer is of 

 a nervous temperament, it is recommended that 

 the coat also should be taken off. The head 

 should be lowered and stretched forth until 

 nearly at right angles to the trunk, and the little 

 hill of meal raised to within four inches of the 

 face. It should be then, with a single smart 

 gesture thrown upwards against the roof of the 

 widely distended mouth. 



To practised feeders, or those born with 

 natural aptitude, one gulp is sufficient, but 

 beginners often fail to retain the whole amount 

 and have shamefacedly to lick up the residue 

 with their tongues, as I have seen ant-eaters, in 

 picture books, absorb their living prey. Care 

 should be taken never to inhale the breath lest 

 coughing should supervene, and a dry Sahara of 

 meal be blown abroad. The artist can in this 

 way, that is when in form and on his day, pro- 

 duce at once the exact amount and in the proper 

 condition of dampness.* The stuff should be 



*" Feeding the Parrakeet." New Christmas Game— elegant, 

 refined— for either Grown-ups or young people. Paper bird un- 

 coloured, rules, and list of old-fashioned forfeits for choking, 

 sneezing, or coughing, 1/9, posted to any part of the Dominion. 

 Cloth bird, coloured, red head, dye guaranteed, 2/II14. Whitcombe 

 and Tombs, Wellington, and branches throughout the Dominion. 



