Food. 47 



way they will live and sing without insects, though 

 they, as well as Larks, Eobius, and other birds of 

 this class, are extremely glad to get any ; and any 

 approach to their most natural food is always a great 

 advantage. A spadeful of mould out of an ants' nest is 

 the greatest treat that such birds can have. My receipt 

 for the German paste is given me by one who seems to 

 be thoroughly acquainted with the ways and tastes of 

 birds, both when wild and when kept in confinement. 



Take two tablespoonfuls of melted lard, very free 

 from salt, heat this in a saucepan till it is nearly boil- 

 ing, add to it four tablespoonfuls of treacle, keeping 

 the saucepan near the fire, but not putting it on 

 again, and stirring the treacle well in gradually. 

 Keeping this mixture still near the fire, but not near 

 enough to do more than keep hot, stir in pea-meal 

 till the whole mass is a stiff, crumbly paste. About 

 three pints and a half of meal go to the above 

 quantity, and a few maw seeds should be finally 

 strewed amongst it. 



I give the quantity by measure, thinking it may 

 be the more convenient manner, but the proportions 

 by weight would be two ounces of lard, four of 

 treacle, and three pints and a half of pea-meal. 

 This paste, if kept in one of the glass preserve jars, 

 will be perfectly good for months. 



Many bird-keepers in using it grate a piece of very 

 stale bread, and mix the two thoroughly well together. 



