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due, and when they reach our shores often only show a 

 few of the brighter feathers peeping through the grayish 

 winter dress ; but within a month the bird is entirely 

 blue, and the colors gradually deepen as the summer 

 advances. On the approach of winter a complete moult 

 takes place, sometimes leaving the bird nearly bare of 

 feathers. This is the most critical time of the year for 

 the Indigo Bunting, and it requires to be kept warm and 

 out of all draughts. The food should also be more 

 nourishing .and two or three mealworms may be given 

 every day until the new feathers are well grown. 



A bath once a week is quite sufficient at this time, 

 and the water need not be more than half-an-inch in 

 depth, otherwise the bird may get too wet and take a 

 chill. When, however, the bird is in full plumage it 

 enjoys a bath every day. 



The question of food is, to a certain extent, a matter 

 of opinion. Some, well-experienced people too, say that 

 seed is all that is necessary, a few going to the extent of 

 asserting that canary seed alone is quite sufficient. 

 Others, and these I believe form a large majority, insist 

 that insectivorous food, in some shape or form, is 

 absolutely essential if the bird is to be kept alive and 

 well. I have had several specimens of the Indigo 

 Bunting and have tried both methods, and, aslbelieveit 

 advisable and humane to follow a natural diet as far as 

 possible, most certainly advise that the bird should 

 always have access to insectivorous food, in addition to 

 the seeds usually given. A striking instance, however, 

 of the success of a seed diet came to my notice a few 

 yearsago. In one of the East End shops I was shown a 

 " stick " of Indigos, which I was assured had been in 

 the premises since the previous summer. (I have 

 particular reasons for crediting the truth of this state- 

 ment.) The birds had been kept right at the back of the 

 shop, in a very dark corner, and generally had half-a- 

 dozen " sticks " of Canaries standing on them, All the 

 seven birds (which comprise one " stick ") were in splendid 

 condition and full color, one especially being pointed out 



