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vSiR, — Perhaps it may be of interest to some of our members to learn

that I succeeded in keeping a Spotted Flycatcher for considerably over a

year on a mixture of ants' eggs scalded, and hard-boiled j-olk of egg, with

a plentiful supplj- of mealworms daily. I obtained the bird three 3-ears ao-o

at the h. &. P. O. S., he then being in immature plumage ; I subsequently sent

him to the Palace where he got a card. I had some trouble with him duriuo-

his moult, which he took a long time to accomplish, but he was never " in

extremis " as Mr. FuUjames' Long-tailed Tit seems to have been. I had

unfortunately to leave m}^ birds for some six weeks to the care of an

individual whose experience in that line was extremelj' limited, and the Fl}--

catcher was one of several that succumbed during my absence. I should

not have mentioned the fact, had I not been told that the Spotted Flycatcher

is exceedingly difficult to keep for any length of time, and to successfully

cage-moult one quite an exception. I should not be surprised to learn

that his diet might have been very easily improved upon, and I am inclined

to agree with those who think that hard-boiled yolk is indigestible ; at the

same time I know of nothing to suggest as a substitute.


The Honej'-eaters and Bell-birds in my possession have been kept

with success on a mi.xture of bread-crumbs, potato, ants' eggs, and preserved

yolk of egg. Thrushes, Mocking-birds and the like have a preparation that

is bought locally, which seems to be composed of meal, crissel, ants' eo-o-s,

and crushed hemp ; this is made moist with raw grated carrot, and they

seem to do very well on it. I "ring the changes" occasionallj- with a

mixture recommended by Mr. V. Castellan, but the principal ingredients

are, I fanc}', much the same.


Starlings and Pastors are fed on whatever is over from the others;

they seem to eat anj- and everything, and thrive on it too.


BulbulsandTanagers have a diet similar to the Hone^'-eaters, with the

addition of plenty of ripe fruit ; those most delightful of all birds to my

mind, the Green Bulbuls, existing almost exclusivel}'^ on the latter — five

which have been in my possession for a length}' period consume per head

more than twice the amount of anj- other F'ruit-eater in the bird-room.


With regard to birds which are b}' natiire carnivorous, meat in some

shape or form is a necessit}^ and the result, especialh- if kept in a confined

space, is, to put it mildly, odoriferous. I have found that, to a great extent,

this unpleasant characteristic can be remedied by providing a larger suppl};-

of insect food, and a proportionally smaller quantity of raw meat. The

European Roller, which is, as far as ni}' limited experience goes, one of the

worst offenders in this respect, is fed largel}- on black beetles, gentles, and

earthworms, the latter from one to two inches long; this with the addition

of a few mealworms will obviate the necessity of much raw meat. One of

the three in my possession has occasionally condescended to taste the

mixture provided for some of the other birds, but apparently does not

relish it.


A fine Himalayan Pie lives almost exclusively on Sparrows, and he

could not be termed " nifFy " by the most fastidious.


Two species of the family Lauiidse, viz. : the Red-backed Shrike, and

the Woodchat are fed on ants' eggs and preserved yolk, beetles, earthworms

and gentles, etc., and do well on it ; a tiny morsel of raw beef very

occasionall}' is all the meat they get. They are in every way perfectly

"sweet." Rus.SEi.1, Humphrys.



