VI 



WHAT SHALL HE EAT? 



THE food of the caged bird is, naturally, one 

 of the most important things to be considered, 

 since his health, even his life, depends upon it. 

 As already said, birds are divided into seed- 

 eaters and insect-eaters, and it is much less 

 trouble to take care of the former than the 

 latter. In the selection of a pet, the question 

 of the ability and the willingness to devote 

 time to his care should largely govern the 

 choice. 



Of the birds mentioned in the chapter 

 " Which Shall We Choose ?" the following are 

 the seed-eaters: All parrots and their tribes 

 (cockatoos, love-birds, etc.) ; canaries, African 

 and all other finches ; the grosbeaks, cardinal 

 and rose-breasted ; the blackbirds ; the Brazil- 

 ian cardinals. To the soft-food eaters belong 

 the mocking-bird, clarin, cat-bird, robin, and 



