204 



The Violet Tanager. 



In the Violet Tanager we have a most complete 

 contrast in every way to the Black. Whilst the latter 

 is a shy and somewhat distrustful bird, a poor songster 

 and to some extent insectivorous, the former is most 

 phenomenally tame and familiar, has a charming song 

 and is almost exclusively frugivorous. 



Again, whilst the Black is hardier than any mem- 

 ber of the family I am acquainted with, except possibly 

 the Scarlet, the Violet has the reputation of being 

 exceedingly delicate. Dr. Russ says that it never lived 

 long enough with him to give him a chance of breeding 

 it. I must say that this has not been my experience 

 of the species. I have had altogether one male and 

 four females. The male lived a year in an outdoor 

 aviary, and during that time I never knew him to aik 

 Da)' after day in this chilly summer, and even in the 

 deptli of an exceptionally cold winter, he used to sing 

 most delightfully and was always full of life and spirits. 

 One hen was killed by an accident, and another died 

 from some form of lung trouble. The remaining two 

 I still have. 



I think very often when we say a species is deli" 

 cate, what we really mean is that the conditions under 

 which we keep it are not suitable for it. For instance, 

 the Golden-crested Wren is regarded as far too frail to 

 be confined in a cage, but can anyone call this little 

 bird, which actually crosses the North Sea in thou- 

 sands, delicate? As a matter of fact it must be a 

 'pocket Hercules'! I think if we wish to succeed 

 with this Tanager we must keep it in a large outdoor 

 aviary, giving it unlimited exercise, and induce it, or 



