272 CANARIES AXD CAfiK-llllIDS. 



carrot, every day, give it at least every third day : for the moist food that is fully 

 prepared for use is too heavy feed to give a young bird constantly. The moist food, 

 too. should have carrot mixed with it. 



The prepared dry food, or the moist food, is sent by mail, postage prepaid, for 

 h'fty cents. 



Brown Thrushes, Cat-birds, Orioles, and all our long-bill or soft-bill native birds. 

 e:it this prepared food ; though, when very young birds are first captured, they should 

 h:ive stale bread soaked in fresh milk, for a week or so. A dish of dry food mixed 

 with boiled potato may be offered as soon as the bird is taken ; and, when he eats 

 this, discontinue the bread and milk. A newly captured bird is liable to beat 

 against the bars, and either ruin the plumage for a whole season, or so injure the 

 head as to make a recovery doubtful. Keep a new wild bird in a quiet place, where 

 there is not too much light, or keep him covered quite closely, until he becomes 

 somewhat accustomed to the cage. 



The quality of seed is of the utmost importance at this season, when birds are 

 shedding feathers, and require the first grade of food ; and many of our readers 

 who are travelling find it almost impossible to obtain good seed. Let every one 

 remember, that any quantity up to four pounds can be sent by mail. We have 

 regular packages of seeds of all kinds, either mixed or separate, which are sent 

 by mail, postage prepaid, on receipt of thirty, fifty, or eighty cents, according to 

 the quantity desired. Only the best quality of fresh seeds is kept. The mixture 

 of equal parts of Sicily canary, German summer rape, and millet seed, is especially 

 recommended for Canaries. 



Cayenne pepper may be fed with the egg or in the gravel, daily, to all birds 

 during moulting, as a sort of tonic ; and Parrots may have, once a week, the vege- 

 table red peppers. 



The African Finches and Japanese Nuns should be very carefully protected 

 against draughts during the moulting-season. At night, as the temperature begins 

 to fall below its summer range, the aviary-cage should be covered, and the danger 

 from sudden changes guarded against. All of these small birds live many years 

 if properly cared for; and such care comprises regular feeding and bathing, a 

 daily allowance of clean gravel, and fresh chickweed or apple, and exclusion of 

 draughts. 



If it is intended to breed Finches, it is the wiser plan, generally, to separate the 

 pair or pairs from other birds about the middle of September, and get them into 

 fresh prime condition by extra care and attention, which can be especially given 

 them when in these separate cages. Some breeders have good luck, even when all 

 the Finches run together, as is stated in the article on "Finches and Nuns ; ' but 

 their li luck " comes, it would seem, from a wide experience. 



The plumage of the Finches and Nuns, as well as of the Canaries and other 

 birds that bathe in water, is greatly improved if a teaspoonful of sherry wine is 

 stirred in the bathing-water. The plumage of any bird is greatly injured by keep- 

 ing the bird in a brilliantly lighted room in the evening. A bird kept quiet in the 

 dark, a part of the daytime, will usually have more glossy plumage. 



