324 Caa'aries AhT, Cage-Birds. 



to this pretty bird. In the cage or aviary there should be always plenty of water provided, 

 both for drinking and bathing. They are also fond of grass lawns, where they look extremely 

 pretty. Some of these birds stay through the winter in England, and we know a pair that were 

 kept for more than four years in an open aviary. They stood the winter well, and bred. 



The Pied Wagtail should be fed and treated as a Woodlark, not forgetting the mealworms, 

 gentles, or small worms. 



The Yellow Wagtail, which is also known as Ray's Wagtail, is the handsomest of our 

 soft-billed birds. From a habit it has of frequenting meadows where cows a^re feeding, and of 

 running around and between the legs of those animals to catch the insects aroused by their 

 trampling, it has obtained the name of " Cowbird." It also pursues and catches insects when on 

 the wing. A specimen in our aviary has been fed, and thrives, upon food similar to that recom- 

 mended for the Woodlark, standing the winter well in an open aviary without a fire, although 

 when wild this bird always migrates to a warmer climate. Mealworms, gentles, and ants' eggs are 

 very favourite food of this bird. 



The Grey Wagtail is also one of our most handsome and elegant birds, and though 

 possessing but little song, its plumage accords it a prominent position amongst the aviary 

 favourites. It visits this country in the autumn, and stays through the winter, generally frequent- 

 ing spring ditches and ponds, and is often a visitor to the farmyard in order to secure any 

 insect that may be found in the gutters and puddles. Like all the Wagtail tribe, this bird is 

 especially to be noticed for its light and airy carriage. This species should be fed as the Pied 

 Wagtail, and may be safely kept in an out-door aviary, where it will agree well with the other 

 birds ; but it is not advisable to keep more than a pair together. We know of one that paired 

 with a hen Pied Wagtail, and brought up a handsome brood of mules, some of which also inter- 

 bred and reared their young. 



The Grey-headed and White Wagtails are rather uncommon in this country, but are 

 very handsome, and possess an elegant form and carriage in common with the rest of their tribe. 

 We would recommend that they be fed and treated similarly to the other Wagtails. 



