76 Practicat^ Bird-Kkeping. 



fair-size garden) and a tin of ants and their eggs kept in readiness 

 to supply the chicks at frequent intervals. After a day or two 

 finely chopped yolk of egg is supplied and readily taken by the 

 chicks, which after a short time will take coarser soft food con- 

 sisting of chopped egg, breadcrumbs and finely chopped chick- 

 weed. Seed, in the form of millet and Canary, must be supplied 

 for the mother, and it is surprising how soon the chicks also will 

 take to eating this. 



A dusting bath — consisting of a heap of dry lime rubbish 

 and sharp sand — must not be omitted from the run. About once 

 a week it is desirable to move this run on to fresh ground, and 

 when the young birds are about three weeks old they can be let 

 out with their mother into the aviary again. It is desirable, 

 however, to clip the feathers of one wing to prevent their flying 

 up and damaging their heads against the top ot the aviary. In 

 fact most Quails in captivity are best pinioned so that it is 

 impossible for them to fly against the aviary roof. The American 

 Quails however are great perchers and should be left with full 

 wings. 



I know of few prettier sights than that presented by a 

 brood of newly-hatched Chinese Quails, little larger than bumble- 

 bees, as they follow their mother through the grass, or rush to 

 her call when she captures some tiny insect. 



