232 



no use taking them too 3'oung : they should be about 

 three weeks old, and then they will freely feed from 

 the first on earthworms and insects, and can then be 

 meated off without difficulty. 



The aviary in which the}^ should be kept is 

 preferably a " lean-to," facing south, as these birds are 

 somewhat susceptible to cold, especially in the form 

 of the long-continued damp with driving wind, so 

 characteristic of our winters ; but as long as part of 

 the aviar}^ is covered over it will not matter if the 

 rest is open. 



The ground should be of dry gravel, and if 

 possible a small portion may be turfed. A couple of 

 boards a foot or six inches off the ground, and covered 

 with short straw, or peat moss litter, will be found an 

 advantage in cold weather, though not essential to 

 their well-being. 



As to food, the staple diet of mine is Game 

 Meal, but in addition they are given bread and milk, 

 hard-boiled egg, scraped raw meat, or an)' of the foods 

 used for soft bills. 



Under these conditions many species of this order 

 will thrive, and from their graceful .shape and the 

 variety and change in their plumage will form a most 

 interesting addition to an aviar}^ 



They can be allowed full use of their wings as 

 they very soon learn the limits of their cages and do 

 not, as a rule, attempt to escape. 



Their greatest enemies are rats, to whom they 

 seem to form an appetising morsel, and I know of 

 no birds so persistently set upon by these pestilential 

 marauders. 



When first purchased these birds will often be 

 found to have one wing clipped, and if the bird is in 

 good health it will be advisable to pull the feathers of 



