338 



British Cage Birds. 



expertly place a hand net over them. A third method, 

 which has been adopted with success, and particularly so in 

 the case of young, unsuspecting birds, is to take a large garden 

 syringe filled with water, and then, having got as near the 

 bird as possible from behind, when its attention is fixed upon 

 some object send a stream of water over it ; if this be dexter- 

 ously done, very little diflSculty will be experienced in securing 

 the prey. 



Food and Teeatment. — The Spotted Fly-catcher feeds almost 

 exclusively on winged insects, and prefers to take them in the 

 open air, when they are flj'^ing. It likewise exhibits a predilec- 

 tion for fruit, and is very partial to cherries, attacking them as 

 soon as ripe, and destroying large quantities ; hence, in Kent, and 

 some of the adjoining counties, this bird is known by the name 

 of the Cherry-sucker. In confinement, these birds require to 

 be fed on flies and other insects, and ants' eggs ; after they 

 become thoroughly acclimatised they will eat, and thrive on, the 

 following Compound : — Preserved cherries, two parts ; dates, 

 freed from the kernel, two parts ; honey and fine flour, or ground 

 rice, each one part. Mix well together, and make into a paste 

 with hot water ; afterwards allow it to simmer for twenty minutes, 

 but do not let it get burnt or baked. This compound will keep 

 good for a week or ten days, excepting in very hot weather. 

 When procurable, a few flies may be mixed with this compound, 

 which is much relished by the birds. 



Eeaeing the Young. — The young birds ought to be taken 

 when ten or twelve days old, and fed on fine white bread, 

 soaked in warm milk, with a little red currant jelly, or pre- 

 served cherries, and a few ants' eggs, added. When they are 

 seventeen or eighteen days old, insect food must be given, 

 such as flies, moths, butterflies, small caterpillars, or other 

 garden insects. They will ultimately eat the Compounds No. 1 

 and No. 2 {vide pp. 189, 190), mixed ; but insect food must be 

 frequently given in order to preserve them in health and 

 condition. When fledged, they should be kept in an out-of- 

 door aviar}^, provided with a tree, in which to retire. In 

 winter, they must be protected from cold at night, and, during 

 severe frost and snow, in the daytime as well, although they 

 are not particularly delicate. 



Distinguishing Marks of Cock and Hen. — The males and 

 females greatly resemble each other, though the latter are a 



