202 BRITISH BIRDS 



tins, and the third above and between the other two, and 

 they should all be of different size. 



Another kind of cage is one 3 feet long by 2 feet 

 wide, and 2\ feet high, and wired only in front: 

 in either case there should be a tray that can be taken 

 out to clean without disturbing the bird, and it is better 

 to cover it with sawdust than with sand or mould. 

 If this suggestion be adopted, it will be necessary to 

 supply the indispensable grit in a tin, which need not 

 be a very large one, hung up inside the cage. 



The bath, a most important adjunct to a Thrush's cage, 

 is best hung over the open door, and when the bird 

 has "tubbed" it should be immediately removed, to be 

 replaced on the following morning in the summer-time, 

 but every third or fourth day only at other seasons. 



In its wild state, the Song Thrush lives on insects, 

 M'orms, snails and berries of different kinds, being parti- 

 cularly fond of those of the ivy and elder. It is believed 

 to do much damage in plum and cherry orchards, as well 

 as among currants, raspberries and strawberries; but al- 

 though it cannot be denied that the bird does take toll of 

 these, the good it does in destroying myriads of the most 

 deadly foes of the gardener, much more than balances any 

 harm it may do to the crops ; and the horticulturist who 

 wantonly kills a Thrush or destroys its nest is injuring 

 himself and encouraging his own natural enemies. 



The dieting of a Thrush in confinement is a very vexed 

 question, for almost everybody who keeps one has a 

 recipe of his own for feeding it. It is curious to notice 

 that hemp and peas enter largely into the composition of 

 those much vaunted "foods," and scarcely anything could 

 have been hit upon that is more unsuitable. German 

 paste and oatmeal porridge are two favourite substitutes 

 in the house for the Thrush's natural diet; the former 

 consists for the most part of coarsely-crushed peas, and 

 the porridge sticks to the sides of the bird's mouth, 

 causing troublesome sores (cracked lips, literally), that 

 make the poor creature's life a burden to it. 



Bread and milk would be an ideal staple food for one 

 of these birds, if it could be guaranteed against turning 



