CAGE BIRDS. 
571 
be taught to repeat short sentences. His plumage is dark, of the vary- 
ing shades of green and purple, the ends of the feathers being marked 
by pale yellow spots. Starlings require a large cage, the size of that 
used for the mocking bird, and should be fed the same food as the mock- 
ing bird, and a generous supply of insects when possible. They are 
very hardj^ birds, sometimes attaining the age of fifteen years. 
The Thrush. 
The song-thrush is a melodious singer, and is gifted with an 
unusually powerful voice. In a wild state he sings only during the 
Spring, but when caged will sing eight or nine months of the year. He 
is of a glossy brown color, with a speckled breast. The purchaser of a 
thrush should make sure of the sex by hearing the song, as the male 
and female are much alike; the female being slightly smaller, and not 
quite so glossy. The thrush should have a large cage, plenty of sand 
or gravel, and water for drinking and bathing; but his bath should be 
removed at once when used, as he is liable to cramp. His diet should 
be the same as that given the mocking bird 
The Black Bird. 
The black bird is a jolly songster whose mellow notes, while not 
so varied as those of the thrush, have a much sweeter tone. He is 
about the size of a robin, and his color is a velvety black. A great 
mimic, he soon learns any tune whistled to him, and once learned^ it is 
never forgotten. Black birds are very hardy, and will live in captivity 
twelve or sixteen years. They soon become tame, and when caged 
sing throughout the year except during the molting season. They 
are very fond of bathing and bath water should be supplied daily, but 
the cage should not be left wet, as they are subject to cramp. Theii 
food and treatment should be the same as for the mocking bird. 
King Doves. 
Ring doves, or mourning doves, as they are someimes ( ailed, from 
the peculiar sound they make, are very pretty birds. The:r plumage 
is very sleek, of a yellowish-dun color, with a black ring l round the 
neck. They become very tame, and can be readily handled. They 
breed even more prolificacy than pigeons, laying two white eggs, and 
the male bird taking care of the nestlings while the. female builds 
another nest and lays again. They require a large-sized breeding cage, 
and should be fed on cracked corn and wheat. They will also eat 
canary seed. 
Parrots. 
Parrots possess the power of imitating the human voice in a very 
marked degree, and this characteristic has made them a favorite house- 
hold pet. They are natives of the tropics, and are usually brought 
to our markets when a few months old. When taken young, parrots 
submit readily to confinement and are more easily instructed. They 
