Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 03.djvu/899

CAGE-BIRDS. 789 CAGE-BIRDS. keeping birds in captivity has recently been dis- cussed not a little, but this is hardly the place to enter into the subject. Sulliee it to say that the conditions under which the bird is kept, and its early history, profoundly modify the case. There can l>e no doubt that a canary bred in captivity, whose ancestors were captives, and which has never been at liberty, is far better off in a eaye, if properly cared for, than if it were free, while it is equally true that to confine in a cage an adult bird, which has known the use of its wings and learned to get its own living, is wanton cruelty. Cage-birds may be roughly classed as song-birds, talkers, and plumage-birds. Of song-birds, the canary is undoubtedly the most popular and best known, but the nightingale, bulllinch, goldfinch, and several European thi'U'ihes, the mocking-bird, cardinal-bird, and brown thrasher of North America, and the bulbuls and dhyals (magpie- robins) of India, are other widely known species whose beauty of song has brought them into cap- tivity, not only in America, but in nearly all parts of the civilized world. Of the talkers the number of species is comparatively small, the best known being several species of parrot, the starling, and the miua-bird of India. The plumage-birds are legion, but are chiefly from the tropics, though a few are from warni-teraperate regions, as the summer red-bird of the southern United States. The parrakeets and love-birds, the painted finches, the cockatoos, and some large parrots and macaws are good examples of bril- liant color, while the whydah-bird is one of those which are kept for some oddity of plumage. Birds differ greatly in their ability to stand captivity, especially when that involves a marked change of climate. Insectivorous birds are the most dif- ficult to keep, not only because of the difficulty of furnishing sufficient food, but because under normal conditions the obtaining of their food requires great activity, and the sedentary life of a cage reacts unfavorably. Grain-eating birds are usually easily kept because the change in their lives is not so great. But it is not wholly a matter of food, for though parrots are easily supplied with food, many die in the early days of their captivity. Indeed, it is said that 9.5 percent, of the African gray parrots brought to Europe die before they have been taught to speak. With these birds, however, it is probably largely a matter of climate, the low temperatures, and especially the sudden and marked changes of temperature, proving too much for their tropi- cal natures. In the United States it is better to purchase parrots in the spring and let them enjoy the natural heat of summer out of doors, guarding carefully against sudden changes. The best parrot for talking purposes is probably what is known as the double-fronted, yellow-faced Amazon, the Chrysotit ocJirocephtila of omitholo- gi.sts. This is a South American species, but is hardy both in America and Europe. Parrakeets and love-birds cannot be taught to speak, but their gentle habits and beautiful plumage make them great favorites. The cockatoos and great macaws are only with gi-eat difliculty taught to speak, and never make good talkers. They are noisy birds and disagreeable in other ways, but their great beauty induces many people to keep them. Management. — In keeping any bird in captiv- ity, it should be the constant endeavor to make the surrounding conditions as natural as possible. When free, all birds are scrupulously clean; even the worst carrion-caters keep themselves clean from dirt of every kind. Tlicrefore cleanliness in the cage is one of the first matters to be attended to, and this is obviousl3- of special im- portiince when the attractive feature of the bird consists of remarkably developed plumes, like some of the tail-feathers of the whydah-bird. The cage should be large enough so' that the bird may move about freely and change its posi- tions easily without injuring its tail-feathers or any plumage ornaments. Tlie i)erches should al- ways be of soft, uniiainted wood, and not too slender. The bird should have plenty of light, except at njght; artificial light is almost cer- tainly injurious, and cages in illuminated rooms should be veiled. The cage ought not to be in direct sunlight except in winter, and even then only for a comparatively short time. Water should be given a bird plentifully and ought to be always fresh, ilost birds enjoy a bath, and opportunity should be frequently given for a bird to wash itself; the basin ouglit to have a dark interior, or gravel on the bottom, so that the bird may judge the depth of the water. After a bath the bird should be placed in the sun until dry. Occasionally, if possible, let the bird out of the cage and permit it to exercise in the larger freedom of a room or similar inclosure. IVIost birds need to be protected from sudden changes, draughts, and extremes of temperature, so that the cage ought not to hang near an open window or a door likely to be opened, except, perhaps, on still summer days; but fresh air is a prime necessity for most birds, and artificial heat, especially if very dry, is usually injuriou.s. Owing to lack of exercise, by which "they can be worn away, the nails and sometimes the bills of captive birds become so overgrown as to be a serious detriment to the health; therefore, oppor- tunity for scratching ought to be provided in the sliape of sand or heavy sandpaper, while for the bill a piece of cuttlefish-bone or some similar substance should be attached to the sides of the cage. Birds should never be unduly alanned. l^ike all other animals, they deserve and will re- pay perfect kindness and gentleness in their treatment. Food. — ^lost of the ailments of cage-birds come from an improper diet. The food may not be of the right sort, or it may be too scanty or too abundant. Few, if any, cage-birds are exclu- sively insectivorous, but even those which nor- mally take much insect food also eat more or less vegetable matter. Insectivorous birds may be given meat when insect food is not abundant, and it is said that a diet of spiders is particu- larly good for such birds when they are not in perfect health. Nearly all cage-birds will eat seeds, and as a universal bird-food the seed of canary-grass is uncqualed. It may l)e mixed with rape or hemp, and millet and even oats are sometimes used. Even parrots like canary-seed and are said to thrive on it. Seed-eating birds ought, however, to be given fresh vegetable mat- ter sometimes, in the form of soft green leaves or fruit that is not acid. Such plants as chick- weed and lettuce, put into the cage cftol and fresh, are a valuable addition to the bird's diet. The greatest danger to birds is in overfeeding, imderfeeding being very unusual. If a bird shows signs of ill health, it should, ifpossible, be placed