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for Quails, etc. So long as the seed is sweet, sound, 

 and free from dust, for birds in an outdoor aviary, 

 either kind may be given, but for birds in cages I 

 incline to the opinion that the kind usually sold as 

 German is the best. It is much smaller than Winter 

 Rape, and varies in colour from bright red to purplish. 



Hemp: This is a valuable seed, but it should cer- 

 tainly be given, during warm weather, with modera- 

 tion, especially to caged birds ; with birds in the aviary 

 it is usually safe to keep separate hoppers of the 

 various seeds and leave the birds to follow their own 

 inclination. It is very fattening and stimulating, and 

 with birds only enjoying a limited amount of exercise 

 it should only be given freely when they are feeding 

 young. Good seed is glossy and dry, and the kernels 

 sweet and white. Do not accept seed which contains 

 any quantity of pale green grains. 



Sunflower : Personally I prefer the white variety, 

 though I am of the opinion that this counts for but 

 little, providing that the seed is sweet and plump. 

 Grosbeaks and many Finches are very fond of this, 

 and for birds in the aviary it may be regularly given, 

 but for caged birds discretion must be used, as it is 

 oily and fattening. 



The following seeds should only be used as occa- 

 sional items of the ■me7iu. With caged birds you soon 

 find out their tastes and they can then be used as lit 

 bits, when they appear mopey or a little out of con- 

 dition. As already stated, in the aviary nothing is 

 wasted, and a handful of seeds not regularly having a 

 place in the avian bill of fare is much appreciated by 

 the birds. As such the following may be used with 

 advantage. 



