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creatures, have an almost unstinted supply of live 

 insects cheaply to hand, Those also with gardens and 

 rural hedge-rows close at hand have an almost un- 

 limited supply of food for the trouble of trapping. 

 But for those who lack these sources of supply, their 

 dependence must be on the expensive mealworm. The 

 " abuse of the mealworm " has become almost a pro- 

 verb, which personally I don't believe in at all ; both 

 for birds in the cage and aviary I have used them ad. 

 lib. and never found any ill effects therefrom. Of 

 course a bird getting only a limited amount of exercise 

 must be dieted with care, and on the first sign of 

 becoming lazy and overfat, means must be taken to 

 reduce this, by a regulation of its diet, the use of a 

 mild aperient, and say a fly round the room once or 

 twice daily. 



Gentles also make an agreeable change of insect 

 food, and can usually be obtained during the greater 

 part of the year. They should be well scoured in sand 

 before supplying to the birds. 



Wasp Grubs are much appreciated by all species 

 of Finches, Buntings, etc. ; do not trouble to pick them 

 out, hang up a piece of the comb and leave the birds 

 to help themselves. 



A saucer of ants' cocoons as bought, is visited by 

 many species, especially when feeding young. 



The observant aviculturist will soon learn the 

 happy medium — for conditions must vary, at any rate 

 slightly, according to the housing of the birds — and 

 not kill the occupants of his cages, etc., by kindness. 



The following will be found useful items for 

 an insectile mixture. 



