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ants’ cocoons (fresh when possible) and preserved yolk of egg

will complete the dietary.


As I said before a large cage is necessary, and, as with all

fruit-eating birds, a metal tray should be used and covered with

a good layer of sawdust, which may be renewed daily.


The Malabar Honeysucker has a pleasing song of its own,

but it is also an excellent mimic, and in the bird-room it soon

learns to mingle the notes of its companions with its natural

song. Its disposition is nervous and excitable : it soon becomes

tame and confiding towards its master, and may readily be taught

to perch on the finger and feed from the hand, but it fears

strangers and is easily terrified.


My poor bird came to a sad end : I turned him into a

small indoor aviary with some other birds, among which was a

black and yellow Troupial. All went well for a few days, but

one morning I found the Honeysucker dead and mangled on the

floor, and the Troupial eagerly tearing the body of his victim to

pieces. The murderer was removed and placed in the Parrakeet’s

aviary where he lived for some months, but he finally fell a victim

to his vicious propensities, for he attacked a Purple-capped Tory

with fatal result to himself. Had the Malabar Honeysucker

remained in his cage, he would probably be alive and happy

now.


MILLET.


By E. G. Salt, T.R.C.P., Etc.


MILLET—genus '■ Panicece,” order “ Graminece."


French “ Millet ”—Italian “ Miglietto,” diminutive of “ Miglio."


Latin “ Mille," a thousand, in allusion to its fertility.


(i) The true millet generally admitted to be “ Panicum ”

( Setarici ) miliaceum—German “ Hirse” mentioned by Hippoc¬

rates and Theophrastus as already cultivated in South Europe

in their time. It is an annual, grows in sandy soil, and reaches

three or four feet high; characterized by its bristly, much-

branched, nodding panicles ; a native of India and Africa, but

is now extensively cultivated in Southern Europe, Southern

States,and N. America. The seed is very small, about the size of a

large pin’s head, white and very glossy; but though small it is

an important article of human food, particularly in Africa,

where, with “ Sorghum ” (Indian millet or guinea-corn), it is the

principal support of the Negro population.



