i8o BIRDS 



capture, and will continue to sing throughout several months 

 of each year. It must be admitted, however, that a singing 

 Nightingale is a rarity, and may be valued as such. The 

 Nightingale is frequently troubled with sore feet. Much of 

 this difficulty may be avoided by furnishing the cage, which 

 should always be of the box type, with natural twigs cov- 

 ered with bark, rather than the usual ones of hard wood. 

 The food must be highly insectivorous and contain an abun- 

 dance of dried flies, ants' eggs, etc. Meal worms and other 

 insects must be supplied constantly. If the bird will eat 

 fruit, it should be furnished freely. 



Warblers 



The Old World Warblers (SYLViiDiE) are a numerous 

 tribe, but the only species which is common as a cage bird 

 on this side is the Black-cap Warbler (Sylvia atricapilla). 

 This is a small bird, slightly less than the English Sparrow. 

 It is gray above and below, with the crown black in the 

 male and rufous in the female. The male is a beautiful 

 songster, held by many to compare favorably with the 

 Nightingale. As a cage bird it certainly is superior to that 

 species, for it is much easier to keep and is more likely to 

 sing. Black-caps thrive on the usual soft food, rich in in- 

 sects, with a daily allowance of meal worms. Fruit and 

 berries are relished as well. Black-caps are inclined to 

 over-eat, and their diet must be restricted. 



Piping Crows 



The Piping Crows {Gymnorhina) are commonly as- 

 signed to the Shrike family (Laniidve). Two species, both 

 Australian, are known, the White-backed (G. hypoleuca) 

 and the Black-backed (G. tibicen); each being divided 



