114 UR HOME PETS 



ful supervision as that of the parrot. He 

 should not have soft food, though he likes it. 

 He should eat hemp-seed or dry corn ; if any 

 bread is allowed, it must be well baked and 

 dry. Ship's biscuit or any plain cracker will 

 not hurt him. 



There seems to be no regular time for moult- 

 ing with these birds when in the cage. In- 

 deed, some of them go for years without 

 change of plumage. They may be rather quiet 

 during that period, and should have particu- 

 lar care about temperature and proper food ; 

 but if they are kept all the time in good health, 

 I do not think they will be ill while passing 

 through that natural process. 



There are several other birds who come 

 under the head of " Talkers," of whom I will 

 speak next. There is first the starling, a beau- 

 tiful bird of dark bluish-green so dark that at 

 a little distance it seems black, with dainty 

 tips of buff and pale brown. He is a Euro- 

 pean bird, easily tamed, and capable of talking 

 nearly, if not quite, as well as a parrot. An 

 English lady who has brought up two of this 

 family writes most enthusiastically of their in- 

 telligence and charming qualities as pets. 



