THE TUTI 281 



think these bu'ds would have been so large- 

 ly imported to England. In our country, 

 the Tuti retains its brilliant plumage 

 for a long time. Roughly speaking, its 

 longevity in bondage is four or five 

 years, but with care and attention, it 

 ma.y live longer. 



The Indian keeps his Tuti much as 

 he does a Munia on Kangni {Setaria 

 italica ) and various other seeds, such 

 as millet and canary seeds. It will eat 

 berries and fruits and is fond of nib- 

 blin^^ cabbaofe leaves. In its wild state, 

 the Tuti has been known to devour 

 Joioaree {Andropogon sorghicm) and rice 

 and various other grains and seeds. Jer- 

 don says, "This gives a clue to the best 

 seeds on which to feed the Scarlet Rose- 

 Finch in captivity — white millet and paddy 

 rice ; to these, canary-seed makes a good 

 addition and I should include oats and 

 sunflower seeds. Unless the bird can be 

 turned loose in an aviary, no soft food 

 should bj regulary supplied, as it then 



