26 Practicai, Bird-Kbkping. 



iiig to this end. I know of only one firm that supplies the nut 

 in this form (and also a "soft food," price 8d. per lb., that I shall 

 mention later on), namely, Messrs. Armitage, Seed Merchants,^ 

 Castle Gate, Nottingham, and the price is about 4/- per stone, 

 the size of the piece of nut can be regulated as desired. 



Doves are also fond of ground sweet biscuit, this I cut up 

 myself in a Spratt's cutter, but I look on the biscuit more as a 

 luxury than a necessity ; still a change and variation of diet i.s 

 good for all birds, and helps to keep them happy and healthy. 



Some doves are fond of fruit as well as seed. My Black- 

 bearded Doves like red currants, the Bronzewings wineberries 

 (not quite ripe), the Bleeding Hearts grape stones, and I have 

 already told you how the Red Mountain Dove liked cut up 

 grapes and tomato. 



I also find that "soft food" is much appreciated by some 

 birds. My Bleeding Hearts, for instance, have it dail}', and it 

 keeps them in perfect condition. I have no doubt many of the 

 others would enjoy it too, but to give it to all my doves regularly 

 would mean a large addition to the cost of my food bill. I have 

 used this particular " soft food" for years, it is mixed with an 

 equal quantity of dry ground biscuit and moistened ; the birds 

 all seem to do well on it (if given in addition to the seed diet) 

 including my cock Barraband Parrakeet and many other birds 

 besides the doves. Of course, the very tiny doves must have 

 small seeds given besides those larger seeds already mentioned. 



Another thing to remember is to have a good supply of 

 ground egg-shell, the shells being well dried over the kitchen 

 range before they are crushed. Especially put plenty of grit 

 on the floor during the nesting season, and you should have 

 no soft-shelled eggs. 



When nesting, give the old birds plenty of food, especially 

 of any seed they seem to like. Remember they have not only to 

 feed their young ones from the crop, but to keep up their own 

 strength under the strain of nesting. A young bird well fed 

 will stay contentedly in the nest, and between eating and sleeping 

 should grow well ; but if not suflBciently nourished it will be 

 restless and probably wriggle out of the nest in its helpless 

 efforts to satisfy its needs. 



