on an Avicultural Medley.



219



them difficult to use in an aviary, and I have, moreover, had some

trouble in keeping my stock. They are only useful for Sun-birds

and suchlike mites. Next to the gentle the “ black-beetle ” is perhaps

the most useful and easily procurable insect, and makes a welcome

tit-bit for a Jay or a Waxbill, some of the small, immature insects

being smaller than a house-fly.


The cocoons of the wood ant I now collect myself. A coal

scoop, a fine wire sieve in.), and a canvas bag are all the necessary

implements for the sport, which is almost as exciting as deer stalking

and more dangerous than salmon fishing.


The “ eggs ” are usually to be found in a large mass, some¬

times a pint or more, and almost free from sticks, leaves, etc. ; but to

obtain them in this clean state it is necessary to open the ant hill

circumspectly and carefully, until the nest of eggs is found, when it

can be shovelled into the sieve. The bulk of dust and earth can now

be riddled away and the eggs and many ants tipped into the bag.

Several ant hills can be so treated, all the eggs going into one bag.


On arriving home I empty the contents of the bag into large

cardboard boxes—ladies’ dress boxes do well, if the eggs and ants are

swept to one end of the box—and a few smaller cardboard boxes or

inverted flower pots are placed at the other end, the ants will quickly

carry their cocoons into them, leaving all the debris behind. It is

not necessary to cover the boxes into which the ants and eggs are

placed ; in fact, I think light is the incentive which causes the ants

to carry the eggs away into whatever receptacle is provided.


I feed the cocoons and ants as they come to my birds. Some

of the larger birds, Quails and Partridges, will take the full-blown

insect as well as the cocoon.


In feeding live-bait to a mixed collection it is inevitable that

the larger birds should get more than their share of good things, and

I have lately fitted up a very simple contrivance which equalises

matters considerably, and which I have not seen elsewhere.


Most of my aviaries have feeding-boxes in the outer flights as

well as the food-trays in the shelter. I have covered these boxes

with 1-in. wire-netting and place some of the live food or other

tit-bit therein, the result being that the smallest birds can feed in

comfort unagressed by their larger and stronger companions. The



