GENERAL CARE 73 



bills *' and " hard-bills." Soft-bills are those of insectivor- 

 ous or frugivorous habits, while hard-bills are the seed- 

 eaters. 



The latter division includes the great tribe of finches, 

 grosbeaks and buntings, the weavers, waxbills and grass 

 finches and a few others. The feeding of these birds is of 

 the simplest order. Canary seed is the chief item, with 

 white and yellow millet of nearly equal importance. The 

 former is eaten by every seed-eating bird and is the most 

 valuable of foods, although it has a tendency to induce fat- 

 ness. Millet is better adapted for the small waxbills and 

 l^fe grass finches, which may have some difficulty in cracking 

 harder seeds. Rape seed is an excellent addition, and is 

 greatly in favor among the Germans. 



All seed-eaters will be benefited by the addition of small 

 weed and grass seeds, an excellent grade of which is now 

 on the market. Hemp and sunflower are eaten eagerly by 

 grosbeaks and cardinals, but are rich in oils and must be 

 given sparingly. Flax has no superior for weak or run- 

 down birds, and oats are useful for such birds as are able 

 to eat them. 



Parrots, of course, live chiefly on seeds. Sunflower, oats 

 and a little canary will be found a very satisfactory mixture, 

 although a few hemp seeds may be added now and then. 

 The feeding of parrots will be discussed at more length 

 later on. 



The soft-billed birds offer far greater problems, and it 

 is here that the skill of the aviculturist receives its severest 

 test. A compound of various ingredients, known as in- 

 sectile mixture, mocking-bird food or simply soft food, is 



fthe principal item. This may be mixed as needed, or pur- 

 chased in ready-to-use packages. The former course is 

 recommended. The base is usually unsweetened biscuit or 

 zweiback, known to be free from baking powder and other 



