Waders. 105 



with shrimps softened in boiling water and chopped small, or 

 mussels according to season. I also have some dari or millet 

 thrown down on the sand, and some birds (especially Knots) are 

 very fond of this. Boiled rice is also very good. My Whimbrel, 

 glossy Ibis, and some Rails, which live in another enclosure, 

 have for years kept in splendid health on an exclusive diet of 

 boiled rice and raw meat mixed. It is good to keep fresh water 

 shrimps, water snails, etc., in water to which small Waders have 

 access, as even if the birds only get a few of these the constant 

 search to which thej^ are tempted is good for their health. 

 Indeed, there is very soon a material difference in health between 

 those birds who are constantly employed searching for food and 

 those that have no incentive to do this. 



A great trouble with newly-caught Waders is to get them 

 to moult properly. Good general health, of course, induces this, 

 but I am satisfied that hot sun and warmth are advantageous, 

 and indeed are a material factor in the case. Some of my birds 

 this spring have assumed better breeding plumage than ever 

 before and I quite think this is due to the abnormally hot 

 summer last year. 



If birds arrive with clipped wings (as they often do) it is 

 well to presently pull out the feathers that have been cut, other- 

 wise these feathers will not moult properly. Care, however, 

 should be taken not to pull out many feathers whilst birds are in 

 a weak state. 



As to the different kinds of birds to keep — the bird of all 

 others for the beginner is the Arctic Knot. They are cheerful 

 and in good feather under almost all conditions and their quaint 

 croaking cry is a pleasant reminder of the sea shore. Next to 

 these should come Ruffs and Reeves. The antics of the former 

 never fail to elicit amusement from one's friends, and Reeves are 

 very dainty and elegant little birds. Oyster-catchers are easy to 

 keep but very nervous. Their long beaks are apt to split, and 

 when this happens the bird must be caught and the beak carefully 

 pared. Godwits are not difficult to keep when once established. 

 The Black-tailed is in my opinion far more desirable than the 

 Bar-tailed. Turnstones are not easy to obtain, but are most 

 striking in breeding plumage, and their habit of continually 



