All of the finches, birds of the mocking-bird type, which includes the cat-bird, will thrive well in cages.
Birds should not be taken when too young, as they are likely to sicken and die; but if caught about the time the pin-feathers begin to show they will generally live. At this time it is necessary to feed them almost constantly, and they will devour more than their own weight in food every day.
The mocking-bird is by all odds the best American cage bird. The best food for a young mocking-bird is thickened meal and water, or meal and milk, mixed occasionally with tender fresh meat, minced fine. Young and old birds require berries of various kinds, such as cherries, strawberries, etc. Any kind of wild fruit of which they are fond is good for them, but this should not be given too freely. A few grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects, which may easily be obtained, as well as gravel, are also necessary.
The mocking-bird can easily be taught a tune, as can the cat-bird, which, despite his cat-call—generally a cry of warning or distress—is one of the sweetest singers among our common birds.
Finches are very bright and animated, and make very desirable pets. They may be taught many amusing tricks. They will learn to fire small cannons and imitate death. They may be taught to draw up their food and water in a little bucket by means of a fine chain.
Of the finches, the bullfinch is probably the best cage bird. It can be taught to whistle a tune. This is done by keeping it in a dark room, and admitting light only at intervals. Every time the light is let into the room you should whistle one air to it, over and over again. Soon it will pick up a few notes, and often will be able to whistle the whole tune in a very short time. The bullfinch is not indigenous to America, although we have many varieties of finches, and some that closely approach those native to England; but bullfinches can be purchased at any bird-store.
Finches should be fed chiefly on poppy and hemp seed—the first to be given as its usual food. Now and then some unflavored biscuit may be given them, but they should never be fed on sweetened cake.
Game-birds and birds that build their nests on the ground almost never breed in captivity. Birds that are enemies when in their natural state will live together contentedly in a cage.
In regard to the feeding of birds, it may be stated in a general way that birds with short triangular bills, like the finches, live on seeds or some form of vegetable food entirely, and never require any meat. Birds with long slender bills, like the thrushes, mocking-birds, crows, etc., require animal as well as vegetable food, while birds with long hooked bills, like hawks or gulls, live on a diet entirely of meat. The reason that the birds in the bird-stores are always in such good health is because the bird-fancier understands how to feed them, and varies their diet as their condition demands.
The importance of giving a bird plenty of water, both to drink and in which to bathe, cannot be overestimated. Birds suffer frightfully from thirst when neglected, and as they have no power to express their wants, they often go for hours unheeded, when a little thoughtful attention would give them relief. Care should always be taken to see to it that their water-cup is filled, and that it does not become twisted to one side or the other so that the bird cannot reach it.