244 



by the light and no doubt exhausted from battling against the 

 storm. 



Shortly afterwards similar sounds attracted our attention 

 outside the same window, and on its being opened, we were 

 partly prepared, recollecting last year's incident, and so were 

 not altogether surprised to see a second cock Chaffinch take 

 refuge from the gale. 



The birds v/ere in very good condition, aud after a night's 

 lodging flew happily away. One hopes they may again come 

 for admittance another year. N. M. E. Ward. 



HOW TO FEED BLACKCAPS AND NONPAREILS. 



Sir, — Please let me know how to feed a Blackcap and Pin- 

 tailed Nonpareils. Also is the Yellow-billed Cardinal {Pat'oaria 

 capitata) at all uncommon, and can one distinguish the sexes. 

 I got one for a few shillings the other day, and the man did 

 not even know what it was. E. Warrkn Vernon. 



The Blackcap is extremely easy to keep either in cage or 

 outdoor aviary. The best food for it is a mixture in equal parts 

 of dried flies, ant cocoons, and crushed unsweetened biscuit, 

 given dry. In addition it should have mealworms, (some in- 

 dividuals, but not man}', won't eat these), live insects, and 

 fruit, (banana, grapes, &c.) Bacozzi, the dried pupae of silk- 

 worms, may also be given ; some of these birds are very fond 

 of it. In Italy it is largely used. 



The Pin-tailed Nonpareil will eat millet, canary seed, oats, 

 &c., and should also be allowed free access to the same 

 food as the Blackcap's. 



The Yellow-billed Cardinal was for some time almost un- 

 known to the average bird buyer, but lateh' it has been a little 

 more freely imported, and therefore not so very expensive. In 

 the Brit. Mus. Cat. there is no difference noted between the 

 male and female plumage. W. Geo. CrESWEI,!,. 



