6 



British Caere Birds. 



needed) from a corn chandler or flour dealer, and put them 

 into a gallon stone jar with some oatmeal or bran, a few 

 pieces of old leather from a shoe sole, and two or three pieces of 

 sugar paper ; these should be occasionally moistened with a 

 little beer. In a few months' time, the mealworms will 

 become beetles and propagate their species, and, by this 

 means, a constant supply of food for all birds that live on 

 this diet can be secured. 



House or other flies should be caught in the autumn 

 and placed in glass bottles with wide necks. Old pickle 

 bottles answer the purpose well, but those with glass stoppers 

 are preferable. Earwigs should be gathered from dahlias, or 

 African and French marigolds, or other jQowers, and also 

 placed in bottles of this kind ; they must not be squeezed 

 or injured, or they will not keep. After you get your 

 bottles pretty well filled, cork them well down and place 

 them in a hot oven for fifteen or twenty minutes, until all 

 signs of life are extinguished. The insects can then be put into 

 paper bags and suspended from the ceiling of any dry room, 

 or placed in boxes and kept in a cool, dry place, or they will 

 turn mouldy and spoil. Before giving them to the birds, 

 they should be placed in an earthenware vessel of some 

 sort, such as a saucer or basin, and a little boiling water, 

 which has been previously sweetened with sugar poured over 

 them, which will soften them, and render them palatable ; 

 but no more should be prepared than will last for two days 

 together, as the birds like them best fresh done. 



To obtain a supply of maggots, shoot a few crows, and 

 hang them in the sun until they decay, when they will 

 become literally alive with maggots. Where rooks or crows 

 are not readily procurable, a sheep's pluck will answer the 

 same purpose. When the maggots are well grown, put them 

 in jars among dry mould and sand, and keep them in a cool, 

 dry place. If you keep them in a warm room, they will 

 get into the pupa state, and turn into flies and vanish, if 

 not looked after. 



Seed Food. — Wild birds, and more particularly those which 

 have been newly caught, should be supplied with their 

 natural food, in order to preserve them in health and good 

 condition. When this cannot be procured, the best sub- 

 stitutes that can be obtained must be given. A constant or 



