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British Cage Birds. 



I are particularly fond of hemp seed, which should only be 

 given sparingly, and separate, or they will throw out all the 

 other kinds in searching for it. Hemp seed given ad libitum 

 is detrimental to their health, and by this means affects the 

 beautiful plumage of the birds, in some instances causing it 

 to become quite black. A little bread or biscuit, soaked 

 in water, will be found beneficial as a change of diet; and 

 in the spring, summer, and aufcumn, a little green food, such 

 as watercress, groundsel, lettuce, or chickweed. In the 

 winter, a piece of apple, placed between the wires of the 

 cage, will be found very advantageous. 



Eeaeing the Young. — The young should not be taken from 

 the nest too early, unless you intend to teach them to "pipe" 

 or whistle tunes ; in this case they should be removed at an 

 early age — say, seven days. If you leave them longer, they 

 learn the call notes of their parents, and never afterwards for- 

 get them — the memory of the Bullfinch being one of its chief 

 characteristics. Their natural notes are neither musical nor 

 attractive. If it be not intended to give them instruction 

 of this kind, and they are merely required as cage pets or 

 aviary birds, they should be left with their parents until 

 twelve or fourteen days old. 



It is best to remove the nest along with the birds, and 

 place it in a shallow box, basket, cage, or other convenient 

 receptacle, in a warm place. Feed them with bread and milk 

 and rape seed, made into a paste in the following manner : 

 First scald the bread with boiling water, and, when cold or 

 lukewarm, press it nearly dry, and immerse it in warm new 

 milk. Next scald some German rape seed, and, after it has 

 stood for ten or fifteen minutes, pour off the water, and 

 rinse it with pure cold water ; then bruise and rub it well 

 into the bread that has been soaked in the milk, until a 

 pliable paste be made. The birds should be fed with this 

 every two hours, from early morning until dusk. It must 

 always be given fresh, and is best prepared daily, though 

 some fanciers make it every alternate day. 



As soon as the birds are able to break seed in sufficient 

 quantity to support themselves the soft food may be gradually 

 discontinued. They can generally accomplish this at the age 

 of six weeks. The seeds mentioned for adult birds must then 

 be supplied to them, and in the following proportions : Three 



