2IO 



species of Foreign Birds, I have drawn the coiiclusiou 

 that few, if a.uy, can be termed exclusively seed- 

 eaters : even the Canarj' is not long among a mixed 

 crew, before he or she learns to appreciate the 

 succulent mealworm and other insects. Now for the 

 foods supplied to this very mixed series. 



InsectilE Food : This mixture I vary but little, 

 and it mostly consists of Spratt's Partridge Meal, fine 

 crissel, dried flies, ants' cocoons, and ground silkworm 

 pupae; usuall)^ crumbled sponge cake is added, and at 

 times for variety boiled potato, which has been passed 

 through a masher. I ma}^ say the various items are 

 used in about equal parts. To prepare: The required 

 portion of Partridge meal is taken, and as much 

 boiling water poured over same as isnecessar}'^ to swell 

 the meal, not sufficient to make it sloppy ; the other 

 ingredients, except the spongecake, I keep as a stock 

 mixture in equal parts ; I take a double portion of this 

 and knead it into the moistened Partridge meal, and if 

 that has not been made too wet, it will be just crumbly 

 moist. After this the sponge cake and potato is 

 stirred into it, only enough to well mix the whole. I 

 find this readil}'' eaten by all soft bills, and freely picked 

 over by the Finches, Waxbills, etc. I have never 

 known it to go sour, and I am only able to suppl)^ once 

 a day. I must say here, that never in my experience 

 liave I used much egg, either fresh or sterilized ; for 

 more than three years I have not used any, neither do 

 I intend to, as I believe it to be under many conditions 

 a dangerous food to use, even in the outdoor aviary 

 and more so for birds in cages. My death rate has 

 certainl}^ been lower since I discontinued its use. 



Seeds : I supply two mixtures, (i) Equal parts 



