158 CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



It is well to provide a piece of sod in which he can dig and exercise his beak ; as 

 in some cases, from too close confinement and consequent lack of exercise, serious 

 deformities occur in the beak and claws. 



The Troopial's song is exceedingly rich and mellow : his notes are never harsh, 

 and not so loud as to be disagreeable. He has no great variety of notes in his song ; 

 but every one is distinct, and can always be heard with pleasure. One set of notes 

 is somewhat like the Cuckoo's song without the mournful tones. 



Troopial is an early riser, and his cheery melody may be heard early in the 

 morning if he is hung out of doors : when kept indoors he is not so apt to be 

 musical until some of the family are stirring. Troopials are not like men : they are 

 all the same even-tempered and good-natured boy-like birds, with exactly the same 

 song. Some are, of course, better trained than others; but it comes from more 

 attention and care. 



A young lady once visited us with a pet Troopial ; ten years of warmest friend- 

 ship had they passed together ; tears stood in the young lady's eyes, because her 

 friend was ready for the taxidermist's hands. She espied in a cage a Troopial 

 which had just the same voice, the same spirit of mischief in his eye, and the exact 

 walk of her departed friend. On being told the price, she quickly decided to 

 replace her former pet with the one before her ; and in a short time she was as 

 happy as though her old lover caressed her again. 



Troopials may be bred in confinement ; the principal obstacle to success being 

 their greed, which causes them to neglect the young, and lay again. This may, in a 

 measure, be overcome by hiding the food under about one-quarter inch of gravel, so 

 that the rich food is not continually before their eyes ; this compels them to dig to 

 obtain it ; and then, as a rule, they take better care of the young birds. 



The Troopial is not subject to many diseases, constipation being the principal 

 one, overfeeding and no variety of food being the cause. When a, bird is thus 

 attacked, feed plenty of ripe banana or orange : if this does not effect a cure, open 

 the beak, and pour three or four drops of sweet or castor oil down the throat. If 

 the legs and claws should become too hard or scaly, they should be rubbed with 

 glycerine until softened. If the conditions given in regard to variety of food are 

 adhered to, there will be no danger of sickness. For a cold, feed boiled milk with 

 bread sprinkled with pepper, and keep the bird warm. 



Troopials are kept in stock at all seasons of the year. 



Suitable cages are the regular Mocking-bird style, the largest size being best 

 for them. 



