IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 221 



from the descriptions here given, most of them being paler ; the scarlet 

 on the crown and neck of the goldfinch was subdued. 



Length of life in captivity. 



Of these English birds, the greenfinch, linnet, and the mealy redpoll 

 lived the longest — about fourteen months : the others died within a few 

 months after their arrival. 



Teeatment in health. 



Housing. — Most of them do well in small cages, but larger ones 

 should be preferred; in the hot moist climate of Lower Bengal 

 care should be taken to keep them in a cool and airy place, espe- 

 cially during the summer; the least neglect in this respect is likely 

 to be attended with fatal consequences ; all of them must have ready 

 access to water, both for drinking and bathing ; when there are 

 a number of them, either of one or of several species, they can be 

 suitably accommodated in large cages, and, if necessary, with such small 

 and harmless birds as Java sparrows, munias, red-billed liothrix, &c; 

 they would probably also do well in a lofty, spacious and well-ventilated 

 aviary ; but, wherever they are placed, light, shade and coolness should 

 be the primary considerations ; new arrivals should not be placed with 

 the older inmates of a cage or an aviary, and birds of the same or 

 different species which have hitherto lived separately should not be 

 mixed up, without giving them an opportunity of becoming accustomed 

 to one another's presence. The goldfinch, linnet, and skylark are 

 capital cage-birds even in the climate of Bengal ; the bottom of the 

 habitation of these birds, whether it be a small cage or a large aviary, 

 should have clean sand sprinkled over it. 



Food. — All these birds thrive on seeds of various kinds, and most of 

 them require insects and maggots as well ; some are particularly fond of 

 oily seeds, such as the chaffinch, linnet, goldfinch; for these mustard 

 and hempseeds, in addition to various other kinds, should be provided ; 

 the chaffinch is also fond of insects and maggots; some of them, 

 especially the skylark, have been observed to show great partiality for 

 moong grain (Phaseolus mungo) ; the skylark and woodlark eat fruits 

 and berries as well ; they are all fond of vegetables, which should be 

 plentifully supplied. 



Transport. — The best time to import these birds into the plains of 

 India is the cold weather. 



Treatment in sickness. 



The suddenness with which some of these British birds died, and 

 the season of the year at which these deaths mostly occurred, favour the 

 belief that, in the majority of cases at least, heat apoplexy was the cause 

 of death ; unfortunately no autopsy was held. 



Observations on the habits of these British bikds. 



The linnet and the goldfinch appeared to be the most lively, 

 tractable and engaging of all these birds. 



