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dishes. This kind of luxury a rich bachelor can afford, if he is willing to

keep a servant to attend to his birds.


But the theory of thus feeding Tanagers has pre-occupied me for

years. I think the cream might be replaced by condensed Swiss milk.

This would not be liable to turn sour in twenty-four hours. Perhaps it

would require diluting with its volume or half its volume of warm water,

A mixture of condensed Swiss milk and sponge or Madeira cake should

contain all the elements of food, both animal and vegetable, which the most

delicate Tanager or Honeysucker could require.


This food would be exceedingly cheap, easily obtainable everywhere,

and could not possibly disagree with the birds.


If some of your readers would try it, and publish the results, it would

be very interesting indeed.


It would be indeed delightful if this idea proved to be of practical

utility, and the gorgeous Tanagers could be kept in cages without too much

difficulty,


Aug. F. Wiener.



STRAY NOTES FOR JULY.


SIR,—.Since writing my last letter, the three young Blue Robins have

fully fledged and are doing grandly. I was amused the other morning

while watching the birds, to see the young Blue Robins of the first nest

busily feeding their latest brothers and sisters, just as well, in fact, as the

two old birds. Is not this a new feature in Blue Robin life, as I know how

passionately fond young Blue Robins are of mealworms and clocks ? It

argues a very large amount of self-denial and fraternal love on their parts

to forego these dainties.


I have a nest of Cutthroats just read} 7 to come off, and some more

Zebra Finches are out since last month.


The birds enjoy this lovely weather intensely; but during the hot

part of the da} 7 they keep in the deepest shade. People put their wretched

caged birds right out in the hot sun ; birds, when at liberty, never sit long

in a broiling heat.


I once saw in some Amateurs’ Guide that Diamond Sparrows never

bathe. It is pure fiction. They delight in a good tub as much as any

other bird ; only they are very shy, and always come to the bath from

some shelter and when they consider the coast is quite clear.


I was fortunate enough this year to get a real genuine Indigo lieu.

Nearly all the so-called hens that come over are young cocks in their nest

feathers. I see that my Indigos are busy courting. The cock has a most

curious habit of hovering in the air in front of the hen ; somewhat like a

lark soaring. A cock Combasou will do the same when ready to breed;

and if there be no hens of his own kind present, with any female, to their

evident indignation and embarrassment.


While I think of it, I should like to ask the Avicultural Society what

constitutes an “ acclimatized bird ? ” It seems to me to signify a bird that

has been over some months and is in perfect plumage. So far as I can learn

my ideas are all wrong. An “ acclimatized” bird means one that has been

bought cheap in quantity at some dealers; kept a week or ten days ; and



