i82 BIRDS 



the bird enjoys picking at, and where he often stands while 

 singing. Larks may be fed on soft food, insects, greens 

 and an occasional pinch of seed. 



The WooD-LARK (Lullula arborea) is smaller than the 

 Skylark, stands higher from the ground, and has distinct 

 chestnut ear-patches which form a ready key to identifica- 

 tion. The Wood-lark is less common in captivity than the 

 Skylark, but still is often to be had. Unlike its terrestrial 

 relative, the Wood-lark frequently perches, and its cage 

 should be equipped for this purpose. This species is an 

 excellent songster, but does not sing so freely in captivity 

 as does the Skylark. The food of the two species is similar. 



Finches 



Of the true Finches (Fringillid^) more than one thou- 

 sand species are known. Although a great diversity of 

 form and plumage is seen among them, all possess a beak 

 strong enough for cracking seeds, a characteristic of the 

 broad group of "hard-bills." These birds are well suited 

 for the attention of the budding aviculturist, as their food 

 needs are easily supplied, no messy mixtures being re- 

 quired. Bright plumage and cheerful songs are also in- 

 cluded am9ng their charms. All things considered, it is not 

 remarkable that by far the greater part of our cage birds 

 belong either to this family or to the Weavers (Ploceid^). 



The food of all these birds is much the same. The base 

 should consist of canary seed, to which may be added rape, 

 millet, wild weed seeds, and oats, sunflower, hemp, flax 

 and poppy or maw seed, as may seem advisable. German 

 aviculturists commonly feed seed-eaters on a large propor- 

 tion of rape, to avoid the fattening tendency of canary. 

 However, the policy of English bird-keepers, who offer a 

 variety of seed to offset the canary, seems more conducive 



