The Starling. 



189 



ranged as to be secure from the public gaze. A shrub or 

 small tree could be planted, with a view of shielding the 

 entrance from observation, as these birds are very conservative 

 and reserved in this respect, and are jealous of their young 

 being discovered. They should not be disturbed whilst breed- 

 ing. The male bird provides the female with food during 

 the period of incubation, but the hen undertakes the chief 

 part in the rearing of the young. The male bird is active, 

 and exceedingly industrious in bringing up the supplies, which 

 he usually gives to the hen, and goes off in search of more ; 

 he only helps to feed the young after they are well-accustomed 

 to the perches. Supply the young birds regularly, twice a 

 week, with a shallow dish containing water for them to bathe 

 in ; this should be given as soon as they reach the age of 

 four weeks. It is one of the best things they can have to 

 keep them in health ; they greatly delight in bathing. 



Methods of Captuee. — Various plans are resorted to for 

 entrapping these birds. They may be taken with limed twigs, 

 when the ground is covered with snow, by clearing a space 

 a few yards in extent, baiting with mealworms or groats, 

 and arranging twigs in the manner pointed out in Chapter 

 II., on " Bird Catching." They can also be caught by nets, 

 but it requires a practical birdcatcher to use these success- 

 fully. 



Food and Treatment. — The following special Compounds 

 for Soft-billed Birds will be found of the utmost service to 

 those who keep such birds as Starlings, Thrushes, Blackbirds, 

 Skylarks, Woodlarks, Nightingales, Robins, Wrens, &;c. 



(1) Purchase a quart of the finest horsebean meal, which 

 can be procured from a meal dealer, or corn chandler, and 

 pass it through a fine sieve ; blanch lib. of Jordan almonds, 

 and mix with the meal in a mortar ; then add ^Ib. of 

 fresh butter, which must be perfectly sweet. Put these 

 ingredients into a tin lined or enamelled saucepan, which place 

 on a bright clear fire, to prevent the mixture getting smoked 

 in any way. Stir the ingredients well together, and add 

 the yolks of four fresh laid fowl's eggs, which should be 

 prepared previously, and placed in a cup or basin ready 

 for use ; keep constantly stirring. When the ingredients are 

 well incorporated, add some pure honey, say about 4oz. ; this 

 must be added gradually, stirring steadily all the while. Then 



