55


imported directly for nie from Austria at 30/- the five kilo bag (about ten

pounds). Until I discovered these latter I was vising Roman's ants' cocoons,

but as this firm would not sell them in bulk, only supplying them in shilling

tins, which makes them come out, even at wholesale price, at 6/- per lb., I

was ver)^ glad to find a sample nearly or quite as good at half the price. I

believe the one secret in feeding insectivorous birds is to give as many ants'

cocoons as one can afford, and only of the best quality; cheap ants' cocoons

are about as valuable for food as chopped straw. The ideal food of all is

fresh ants' cocoons, but these are of course only obtainable by those, or from

those, who know how to take them, and then only through the summer.

On the Continent they are sold during the season by all bird dealers, and I

should think they would prove a most remunerative "line "in England.

The process of taking these cocoons is a most interesting one, and one day

I will write an article explaining it.


The food as above will be found to suit all but the most delicate of

the insectivorous birds, for there still remain some which would not eat, or

could not digest, the biscuit and breadcrumbs. Among the latter may be

classed the Nightingale, the various Warblers, and the Long-tailed Tit. As

I have a Long-tailed Tit which I have twice cage-moulted, and as I believe

it to be the only specimen of its kind which has ever been kept in a cage

for more than a few daj's, perhaps a short account of my experience with

this individual bii'd may be of interest, as being indicative of the troubles

incidental to the keeping in captivit}' of the more delicate kinds of insecti-

vorous birds. I bought him at the " first feather " show of the L- & P. O. S.

in 1S96, and had no particular trouble with him until his fii"st moult. His

food was scalded ants' cocoons andj-olk of freshly-boiled ^'g'g, supplemented

by mealworms, flies, and such small insects as we could capture for him —

house-flies were a particular dainty which he would always take from one's

finger. When he was deep in his first moult I was daily expecting to lose

him, but he pulled through with a plentiful supply of live insects, and

everything went well until the past ai:tumn, when he went into his second

moult. Then we had a very serious time with him, and even now he has

not quite recovered " show condition." When at his worst he would not

touch even scalded ants' cocoons, and was kept alive by feeding from th

fingei-s with live flies, spiders and other small insects. At one time he was

so weak that as a desperate resource we poured small doses of strong beef-

tea down his throat, and I really think the bird's preservation is due to the

"exhibition " of this "unnatural food." At the time of writing he is in

perfect health, and I confidently hope to show him at the forthcoming

Palace Show.


My Nightingales, Warblers and Swallows have only scalded ants'

cocoons, 3'olk of egg and live insects.


Such birds as Tanagers, Zosterops, Sugar-birds and Lories do perfectly

well with me upon sponge cake soaked in boiled milk and sweetened with

sugar or hone}', together with a daily supply of fresh fruit : the favourite

fruits being bananas and oranges. Some of these birds will eat mealworms

and scalded ants' cocoons; others refuse them.


I have not mentioned birds which feed on raw meat. I have in my

collection three species of birds, the Greater Grey-backed Shrike, the

La Plata Cuckoo, and the European Roller, which I cannot get to eat any-

thing but raw meat ; and if any member can suggest a less objectionable

food I shall be grateful. Henry J. FuIvLJAMES.



