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familiarity and kindness have made him as companion- 

 able as any bird can be. A mistaken idea prevails, I 

 find, about his temperament. When at the Palace 

 Show in February last I was frequently asked if he 

 was vicious ! I can only conclude that this thought is 

 due to the fact that he is always on the qui vive, in 

 conjunction with his bright and wicked looking eyes 

 and curved bill. Even when with other birds smaller 

 and weaker than himself he is always amiable and 

 quiet.* 



I have spoken of his intelligence. He readily 

 recognises my footsteps and as I approach the bird he 

 looks in lively anticipation for a tit bit. Whenever I 

 open the cage door he gracefully hops out straight for 

 the mealworm tin in my hand, from which he helps 

 himself to a substantial meal. Then he will indulge 

 in a fly round, but never fails to return to his cage. 



Diet : I am a great believer in mealworms and 

 consider them invaluable for insectivorous birds ; they 

 may be given frequently and plentifully with the most 

 beneficial results. The condition of my Tanagers is 

 my best guide, and I do not think any harm can result 

 however liberally this class of food may be supplied. 

 Swollen feet are not, in my opinion, attributable to an 

 over indulgence of mealworms ; the only drawback I 

 know of is their cost where a large number of birds 

 are kept.f A good supply of ripe fruit, such as apples, 



* Tliis may be true of an individual bird, and a baclielor at that— such 

 instances occur with all species ; it is nevertheless an undoubted and proved 

 fact that practically all species of Tanagers are absolutely vicious, when in 

 pairs during the breeding season, and at that time are very unsafe company 

 for any birds smaller or weaker than themselves, neither should two pairs of 

 the same species be kept in one aviary.— Ed. 



t These insects are a perfectly safe article of diet, in fact an absolute 

 necessity where insectivorous birds are kept, and all my birds get a liberal 

 supply. For economy and variety I give during the sunnner as many bugs, 

 beetles, etc , as the garden supplies.— Ed. 



