112 On the Kecp'mg of Soft-Bills in Cages. 



in a basin, add one -third of its bulk of finely grated raw 

 carroit, mix well with a fork, then press down, and let it stand 

 in a cool place over night. During- the nig-ht the Ants' -eggs 

 will absorb the moisture from the carrot, and all you have 

 to do next morning is to break them up with a fork, add 

 some more dried Ant -Cocoons, if too damp (it is safer to 

 have the food a little on the dry side than too damn) cream 

 cheese or a little milk curd, ground ru^k, or preserved yolk 

 of egg, and once or twice a week a little fly scalded first, 

 and then dried between linen. 



During cold weather I also add a .little ground hemp, 

 and mix the whole again with the hand until it feels crumbly 

 and moist, with no lumps or pieces adhering together. 



Some of my birds are also fond of finely ground silk- 

 worms, and these may be added occasionally to the food and 

 for larger birds, such as Shamas, sometimes a little crissel 

 and more fly. 



Blackcaps and the smaller Warblers look daily for 

 the small supply of egg-food, and this I prepare as follows: 



1 part ground rusks; 1 part ground sponge cake; 

 \ part curds or cream cheese, \ part preserved yolk of Q^g. 

 and a little ground Brazil nut, maw seed, moistening the whole 

 with grated carrot. Some I know, give also minced lettuce 

 or dandelion leaves, but I consider that the carrot supplies 

 all the vegetable food necessary for the well-being of even 

 dainty Warblers. 



All foods must, of course, be given fresh daily, any 

 food left in the vessels from the previous day must be thrown 

 away. My food waste, however, as everything is of the best 

 quality, amounts to next to nothing, nearly everything is 

 eaten, proving the old adage, that " the test of the cake lies 

 in the eating." However, should there be any food left over 

 ])y the more tender Warblers, same always comes in for the 

 larger and stronger birds next day. 



Having digested th'S menu, I will noM' take the novice 

 back to the starting point, assuming he has decided what kind 

 of scft-bill to keep, the next question will be that of a suit- 

 able cage, but as my present notes have already run . to such 

 length, I am afraid I am transgressing too much upon our 



