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British Cage Birds. 



severe the weather may be. They thrive best in an outdoor 

 aviary, with other soft-billed birds. 



Bearing the Young. — Eed wings do not breed in England; 

 but should any one visiting Norway or Sweden, where they 

 do, obtain a nest of young, he should treat them in all 

 respects the same as Thrushes or Blackbirds. 



Distinguishing Maeks of Cook and Hen. — The hen is 

 paler in colour throughout than the cock. The stripe running 

 parallel with the eyes, across the cheeks, is dingy greyish 

 white. The neck of the hen is tinctured with yellow, and 

 the spots on the sides of the head are palish yellow. The 

 belly, sides, vent, and breast are dingy white, with a very 

 faint tinge of yellow, almost unnoticeable. The spots on the 

 under part of the female bird are paler, and not so clearly 

 defined as those on the male ; neither do they extend to 

 the vent. 



Song. — The song of the Redwing is never properly heard 

 in this country. The bird simply utters or records a few 

 twittering notes, apparently to itself, and no doubt preparatory 

 to resuming its full song on reaching Sweden, in which country 

 it is said to sing freely and well. 



Points to be Observed in Judging. — For exhibition pur- 

 poses, select an active, docile bird, thoroughly domesticated, 

 and in perfect, unsullied plumage, which latter should be 

 brilliant in colour, and clearly defined in its marking. The 

 body feathers should be smooth and tight-fitting, and the wings 

 and tail well formed, and closely braced together. The bird 

 should also have a well formed body, and good carriage, and 

 be sprightly and energetic in its movements. 



General Eemarks. — In consequence of Redwings showing 

 no disposition to favour their possessors with music — not 

 even a few short passages — there is little inclination evinced 

 on the part of bird-keepers to procure them. A few — but very 

 few — of these birds find a home in the aviary ; but those 

 persons who elect to keep them are generally bird lovers, 

 who seek to secure such birds as are not usually to be met 

 with in a collection of British birds kept in confinement. 



Diseases and their Treatment. — These birds, as a rule, 

 are healthy. Some of them are subject to epilepsy. In such 

 a case, catch the bird, and sprinkle cold water on its head. 

 When it recovers, return it to the cage, and give it a spider, or 



