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record in whicli they have even exceeded the probable 

 age they would have reached in their wild state. I do 

 not ni3-self hold with the general opinion that this is 

 entirely due to the intelligence and knowledge we our- 

 selves show in dealing with our captives. That we have 

 discovered and use food which is suitable for them is an 

 undisputed fact; but that this is a natural food can 

 easih^ be disproved by a little investigation into their 

 habits in a wild and captive condition, and the question 

 then is, why do we not supply them with their proper food? 

 It is because, in a measure, of our ignorance as to what 

 comprises their natural nourishment, and also because 

 when we know the right food we are unable to supply 

 them with it. Take almost any species of what we call 

 seed-eating birds, and it will be found that by far the 

 larger part of their natural food consists of insects. We 

 are, therefore, at a great disadvantage in keeping such 

 birds in the best condition ; but nevertheless, most of our 

 seed-eating birds so readily adapt themselves to circum- 

 stances, that they often become as well nigh perfect in 

 health and plumage as it is possible for them to be. Let 

 me instance the Weavers, which are a pre-eminently 

 seed-eating species according to our most learned 

 writers : " Only needing a few mealworms now and again 

 to keep them in condition." This We know to be true, 

 yet I have times without number seen my Weavers 

 making unceasing efforts to catch the common house fly, 

 and woe betide the unwary insect which ventures within 

 the wires of the aviary. I have also seen them minutely 

 examining the crevices in the wall, and the leaves of 

 shrubs, while now and again the}' leave their perch for an 

 instant to dart seemingly into empt}- space, then wheel 

 about and return to their resting place ; the only indica- 

 tion of the pvirpose of this apparently useless effort, being 

 the satisfied manner in which the}- open and close their 

 beaks for a second or two. And if these birds are so 

 keen over insects in captivity, surely with no less avidity 

 they make them their principal food in freedom. 



Respecting insectivorous and fruit-eating birds. We 

 are able, to a very great extent, to supply the needs of the 



