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less washed out appearance, and run smaller in size than 

 those from our Midland counties. I say it is curious, 

 because just the reverse obtains in the case of the 

 Continental Goldfinches and Redpolls. It would be 

 interesting to know the cause of these differences, and I 

 think it would form a good subject for discussion in the 

 pages of our Magazine at some future date. 



Thomas Marshaix. 



THE SPECTACLE BIRDS. 



The little birds of the genus Zosterops are among the 

 most attractive of the insectivorous species commonly 

 imported. Although not brilliantly coloured, the tints of 

 the plumage are charmingly soft and harmonious — while 

 the little creatures are most graceful and active, readily 

 become tame, and show a considerable degree of 

 intelligence. 



Considering their extremely small size, the Zosterops 

 are easily kept. They require nothing but a good 

 insectivorous mixture, and plenty of soft fruit. Dried 

 ants' eggs, rubbed up with a little dripping and mixed 

 wdth crumbled colifichet and some preserved ^^^, suit 

 them admirably. Dried flies, and a little fine crissel, may 

 be added. The fruits most appreciated are sweet 

 oranges, bananas, soft and ripe pears and apples, and 

 stewed or baked apples. ^Mealworms are certainly un- 

 necessary and probably harmful if given habitually ; but 

 are occasionally useful, especially if the birds are exposed 

 to a low temperature. A little sop, made with boiled 

 milk, may be given occasionally. 



There are more than eighty different species, but only 

 a few of them are imported. The species most often met 

 with is that which is usually (following Swiuhoe)) 

 called Zosterops simplex. Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, however, 

 considers Z. simplex to be only a Chinese variety of Z. 

 palpebrosa (v/hich Dr. Butler calls the Indian Spectacle- 



