FOOD. 1 7 



fir seeds, hemp seed, oats, meal, lard, bread, hazel and wal- 

 nuts. All birds of the first and second classes are easily pre- 

 served alive, except when taken in the pairing season, in which 

 case they sometimes die of hunger and grief for the loss of 

 their freedom. 



Although I have always felt a repugnance to all appliances 

 and remedies which claimed to be universal, I am emboldened, 

 by a very long experience in the management of cage-birds, to 

 recommend two Universal Pastes. That these pastes are not 

 wrongly designated by the name "universal," is proved by the 

 fact, that all my birds, except those which, for their song's 

 sake, are kept in separate cages, are fed, and thrive upon them. 

 They are besides recommended, not only by their cheapness 

 ynd simplicity, but by the considerable saving of time effected 

 in the case of any amateur, who has a numerous collection. 

 The receipt for the first is as follows : Take, and thoroughly soak 

 in cold water, a well-baked stale wheaten loaf, then press the 

 water out, pour milk over it, and mix with it two-thirds of its 

 own weight of barley or wheat meal, well ground and sifted. 



The second is made thus : Grate a carrot (which may be 

 kept in sand, in a cool place, a whole year) on a grater, which, 

 to fit it for future u"se, must be immediately washed quite 

 clean ; then thoroughly soak a penny roll in water, press the 

 water out, and mix both bread and carrot with two handfuls 

 of the above-mentioned wheat or barley meal. The whole 

 must then be well pounded in a mortar. 



It must, however, be observed, that both these pastes ought 

 to be made every day, as they soon become sour, and therefore 

 unwholesome for the birds. I myself keep this food in a long 

 earthen vessel, out of which about half my birds can feed at 

 once. An earthen vessel is better than a wooden one, because 

 it is not only easier to be cleaned, but because it preserves the 

 food sweet for a longer period. I feed my birds of which 

 from thirty to forty are generally in possession of my room on 

 the first-mentioned paste ; on which they thrive so well, and 

 preserve so perfectly the beauty of their plumage, that no one 

 would suppose them to be captives. All birds, whatever may 

 be their natural diet, eat it willingly ; and there may be seen in 

 my room, Chaffinches, Linnets, Goldfinches, Siskins, Canaries, 

 Redbreasts, Larks of all kinds, Quails, Yellow-hammers, Orto- 

 lans, Buntings, Hedge-warblers, Eedtails, &c., all feeding out of 



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