80



Correspondence.



FOOD FOR TANAGERS IN CAPTIVITY.


SIR,—Do you think you could ask some one who has had successful

experiences in keeping Tanagers to write on the subject ?


I have always found these birds a difficulty somehow, but on the other

hand I have been successful in keeping two or three in quite an unorthodox

way. For instance, a pair of Crimson Crowned Tanagers in a large aviary with a

mixed lot of Finches, Cowbirds, Buntings (Hair-crested), Cornbirds, etc. These

Tanagers used to have sop, fruit, and insectivorous food, but when placed in their

present quarters they took to seed and now eat little else ; certainly no sop or

insectivorous food, although no doubt they find a few insects. They seem to

thrive on seed diet, looking better than when fed in the usually accepted way for

this family. I am yours, etc., E. J. BROOK.


**#•*• *


Dr. Butler kindly writes as follows, in answer to Mr. Brook’s request :—

ON FEEDING TANAGERS.


I feel somewhat diffident in replying to so experienced an aviculturist as

Mr. Brook, because I have only kept fourteen examples and five species, but as

our Editor has asked me to do so I will give my experience for what it is

worth.


Undoubtedly those species which approach the typical finches most nearly

(and which may perhaps belong to the Fringillidce ) do extremely well upon a seed

diet. The species of Saltator eat seed freely and doubtless could do without soft

food. I should not, however, expect to keep Euplionia, Calliste, Tanagra or

Rliamphocoelus upon a seed-diet.*


My second example of Tanagra ornata died during its autumn moult this

year ; it was one of a pair (or two) sent to me by our editor in the winter of

1903-4, and therefore had been in my possession nearly eleven years. My two

male Scarlet Tanagers were purchased in the summer of 1897 and both are still

in good health after nearly seventeen and a half years. Of course Rliamphocoelus

brazilius is one of the most easily kept of the Tanagers, but I think mine is a

record even for that species.


The food which I give consists of “ Cekto ” mixed with an equal quantity

of powdered chicken-meal, two hard-boiled eggs passed through a potato-masher

and double the quantity of breadcrumbs ; banana, ripe pear or orange and

grapes when obtainable ; insects or their grubs occasionally, and spiders. Upon

this diet my Tanagers have done well and it is only during the moulting-season

that they give the least cause for anxiety. A. G. BUTLER.



Mrs. Reid writes that a pair of Brazilian Hangnests ( Icterus ) have eggs

in her aviary at Funchal, Madeira, and that the birds seem to be taking matters

seriously.



* For the benefit of members to whom these names are an unknown

tongue, we may mention that Euphonia is represented by the Violet Tanager :

Calliste , by the Superb, etc. : and Rhamphoccelus , by the Scarlet Tanager.

Dr. Butler gives a description of their food, etc., in his book “ Foreign Finches

in Captivity.’' — E d.



