16 
open fly, where the birds and grain would both be subject to the 
weather. In feeding, a tin pail holding a peck is convenient, as is 
also a grocer’s tin scoop No. 3, which holds about 3 pints. 
Rations.—For the morning ration give equal parts of cracked corn, 
wheat, and peas, well mixed, using 2 scoopfuls of the mixture to each 
pen of 50 pairs of birds, and taking good care to see that all droppings 
are cleaned out of the troughs before feed is put in. 
The ration for the afternoon is composed of cracked corn, Kafir 
corn, millet, and peas in equal parts. 
If at any feeding time any of the previous supply has not been used, 
reduce the quantity. If, however, the troughs should be entirely 
bare, slightly increase the quantity. When a number of squabs are 
in the nests the birds will feed more freely and need a more liberal 
supply. 
Special feeds.—On Thursdays and Sundays use hemp in the ration 
instead of millet. Care must be taken that the birds do not get this 
feed too often, nor in too large quantity, as it is very fattening and if 
fed in excess has a tendency to give the birds vertigo. For the same 
reason caution must be used in feeding millet. A small quantity of 
rice may be fed once a week with advantage. 
Time of feeding.—Regularity in time of feeding should be strictly 
observed. The morning feed in summer should be given at 6.30 and 
in the winter at 7 or 7.30. The afternoon ration should be given at 
4 o’clock in the summer and 3 in the winter. The afternoon hours are 
quite important, and must be adhered to in order that the birds may 
have ample opportunity to fill themselves and feed their young before 
nightfall. 
Be sure to attend to the feeding yourself. Always go alone; never 
permit anyone to accompany you, for birds are often very timid of 
strangers, and chilled eggs may result if a stranger should remain in 
the fly at feeding time. Go in quietly, making no noise or sudden 
movements; and, after the feed is placed in the trough, always leave 
the birds alone for a full hour that they may be absolutely uninter¬ 
rupted in feeding themselves and the squabs. 
Feeding indoors.—Never feed out of doors under any circumstances 
in either summer or winter. Besides the loss occasioned by sparrows 
taking advantage of the opportunity to help themselves, in summer 
the heavy dews and hot nights will cause any feed left over to sour, 
and in winter storm and sleet will prevent birds from feeding. 
A few cautions.—Cracked corn must be sifted, for fine meal can not 
be used by the birds, and in hot muggy weather it will sour over 
night, necessitating extra trouble in cleaning out the troughs. 
Be sure that every grain is sound and strictly first-class. Do not 
feed new wheat until it is thoroughly dry, usually not sooner than 
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