238 THE SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS. 



at the wonderful age of twenty years and nearly eight months. Ib 

 was taken by him from the nest when young, and ever since has en- 

 joyed the best of health. It still continues to sing, and that well." 



The Ring Ouzel will live for six or seven years in an aviary, if 

 treated in the manner recommended for the Thrush. 



The beautiful Golden Oriole has been kept alive in confinement for 

 several years, on a diet of bread and milk and dry ants' eggs. Bech- 

 stein says, "I have seen two young males, which had been reared from 

 the nest, that beside the natural song, whistled, one a flourish of 

 trumpets, and the other a minuet. The round, full, flute-like tone, 

 rendered their song exceedingly pleasing." 



The Waxwing is an attractive cage bird, on account of its beautiful 

 silky plumage, but is otherwise particularly uninteresting, as it does 

 little else than sit still and eat. It will keep in good health if fed 

 011 barley -meal moistened with water. 



