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species and they come and contend with the Cardinals 

 etc., for the mealworms when such are thrown down, 

 and more, they usually manage to secure at least one 

 •each, even if they take it from the beak of a larger bird. 

 The domesticated Canary also, very soon acquires a 

 taste for the succulent mealworm, at any rate in the 

 aviary. Buntings, Cardinals, and Weavers should 

 have two or three mealworms daily, especially during 

 the moult. Spiders also can usually be obtained, even 

 by town and city folk, these should not be given too 

 profusely, as tliough very beneficial to all and es- 

 peciall}' to ailing birds, they appear to have a purgative 

 effect on most species, and the supply should be limited 

 accordingly, nevertheless while they are to be obtained, 

 two or three daih' will form a wholesome addition to 

 the birdy menu. Perhaps the best method of supply- 

 ing insect food, especially to Waxbills, Firefinches, 

 ■etc., is blighty foliage from any non-poisonous tree, 

 shrub, or hedge-row herbage; their condition and 

 glossy plumage will amply repa}^ you for the trouble 

 taken, and what healthful occupation it supplies to 

 these minute but charming occupants of our cages and 

 C. P. aviaries. 



Green food is an important item of the diet of 

 all caged birds, and all the following maybe used with 

 advantage. 



For Winter use, nothing surpasses lettuce, town 

 and city dwellers can always obtain the tender cabbage 

 lettuce, usually sold as French lettuce by most green- 

 grocers ; or failing this, a little ripe apple is freely eaten 

 b}'^ most species and wholesomely fills the gap ; as also 

 do oats, wheat and Canary seed, sown in shallow pans 

 and served to the birds when about two inches hisrh 



