26o 



British Cage Birds. 



but should you find a bird drooping, again renew it, until the 

 artificial food is partaken of with relish and freedom. These 

 birds will likewise eat red, black, and white currants, and 

 black elder berries ; some bird dealers dry ripe elder berries like 

 raisins, mix them with ants' eggs, and feed on this compound 

 alone. They also readily eat the larvae of the cockchafer, 

 or May-bug, which are to be found in grass fields ; these 

 larvae, kept in pots of turfy earth, will be found useful for 

 winter feed. 



The following is a device used by old birdcatchers to 

 get newly-caught birds to partake of artificial food almost 

 as soon as they are caught. A piece of fresh raw beef or 

 mutton, divested of fat and all fibrous substances, is scraped 

 fine, and mixed with hard-boiled egg (the yolk only being 

 used) and water. This is put into a saucer, or on a plate, 

 or other similar vessel. In the centre of this vessel is placed 

 the upper portion of a wine glass (with the stem broken 

 off), inverted, and beneath the glass a few lively meal- 

 worms, whose strugglings and wrigglings for liberty at once 

 attract the attention of the birds, who instinctively peck at 

 them, and, in doing so, take the artificial food, some of 

 which is rubbed on the sides of the glass ; and as they find 

 it pleasant to eat, and of a satisfying nature, they gradually 

 become accustomed to it, and devour it readily. The keep- 

 ing of these birds alive, and in a healthy condition, depends 

 greatly on the attention shown to them ; with care, cleanli- 

 ness, fresh water and air, and a frequent change of diet, 

 they may be preserved in cages for many years. They 

 have been known to live in confinement, under favourable 

 conditions, for periods ranging from eight to fifteen years, 

 and more ; but if neglected they will not live long. Young 

 birds improve in their song up to the age of seven or eight 

 years, after which time they gradually decline. 



Eeaeing the Young. — The young may be taken at the age 

 of seventeen or eighteen days, or a little earlier if they are 

 to be reared by hand. Care, however, must be taken that 

 the birds are removed at the age mentioned, for, if taken 

 too young, they are very subject to cramp and diarrhoea ; 

 and if too old, they sulk, and refuse all food, in which case 

 it is necessary to open their mouths, and force it into them, 

 until such time as they are old enough to feed themselves. 



