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FOR THE PEOPLE

FOR EDVCATION

FOR SCIENCE

LIBRARY

OF

THE AMERICAN MUSEUM

OF

NATURAL HISTORY

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BEING THK JOURNAL OF

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB
AND the;

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD
AND MULE CLUB.

VOLUME I.

1903.

BRIGHTON :

W. T. MOUVrON & CO., PRINTERS,

4, CHURCH STREET.

jforeiott 3Bii*6 Botes

FOR OCTOBER, T901.

The Foreign Bird Exhibitors' League was founded
in May, 1898, and was intended to be a vSociety of
Exhibitors only, concerning itself exclusively with
matters connected with Shows. The League did a good
work, but it is not my purpose here to record either its
successes or its failures — it has now changed its name,
and, to some extent, its nature, and as the " Foreign
Bird Club " it has before it, I hope and believe, a pro-
mising and useful career. It is intended that the exer-
tions of the Clul) on behalf of Shows shall be at least as
energetic as those of the League, but while the League
did nothing else, the Club will try to help all interested
in foreign birds, whether they exhibit or not, by advising
as to treatment in health and sickness, assisting in the
identification of rare species, and affording in '■ Foreign
Bird Notes " a medium for the exchange of experiences
and mutual encouragement in our hobby.

I very much wish that all this could be done without
asking the members for subscriptions — unhappily this
cannot be. Our numbers at present are small, and we
are greatly increasing our expenses— under these circum-
stances the Council have reluctantly altered the rule
which reduced the subscription to members of the
Avicultural Society to 2/6 only. Henceforth everyone is
to pay 5/- a year, but this will not be enforced this year in
the case of those who were members of the Ivcague. I
think that I may safely say that the subscription will
never be raised above 5/-. On the other hand it is just
possible, if the membership largely increases, that it may
be reduced.

I would venture to remind the members that the
Club is in their hands, to make or to mar. If they are
energetic in contributing to " Notes," in securing
new members, and in other ways helping the work of the
Club, it will go strong and be a success — but if the
members leave the officers to do all the work, it must be
a failure.

In a letter printed on another page, our President
propounds once more that insoluble problem of how to
secure that the names of species in a Show Catalogue
shall agree with the actual exhibits. As he says, it is
most provoking to find a Ribbon P'inch described as a
■Gouldian, and so on. I think that such mis-statements
might be minimised b}^ allowing the entries to be sent in
as late as possible, and by letting exhibitors understand
that, if they wished to substitute another bird for that
named on the entry form, they should send the Secretary
a wire or a post card a day or two before the Show, so
that he might correct his proof of the catalogue. And
it might be possible to insert a rule providing that (say)
one shilling should be deducted from each exhibitor's
prize money for every exhibit entered b}- him, either
unnamed, or, in the opinion of the Judge, incorreclh-
named. But I fear this would be thought too drastic.
Will the members help with suggestions ?

It has been suggested that we should have a Challenge
Cup, to be coiupeted for at the February Crystal Palace
Show — and to be won three times before becoming the
property of the winner. I shall be very pleased to
receive subscriptions.

I shall be glad to receive from members reports on
the foreign classes at local vShows, for publication in
"" Notes."

Members who wish IMedals to be offered for com-
petition at Shows in which they are interested, should
either apply to me themselves or get the Show Secretary
to do so — and the application should give particulars of
the classification provided for foreign birds and state the
name of the Judge. In the absence of an application,
some deserving Shows may escape the notice of the
Council, and, in any case, it scarcely comports with the
dignity of the Club to offer its medals before they are
asked for !

The Autumn Show of the L. & P. O. Society will be
held at the Crystal Palace on November 5, 6, & 7, 1901.
Schedules from the Hon. Sec, Mr. J. W. Ramsden, 6;^,

Heron Road, Heme Hill, S.E. There are seven classes
for foreign birds including a limit class. Mr. vSvvaysland
is to be the Judge, and two of our Club's Medals are
offered for competition.

I want each member to do his or her share of work
for the Club — and I therefore ask everyone to secure at
at least one new member, and also to write something
for these pages. Literary skill is not required, and the
roughest notes will be valued provided they add to our
knowledge, originate or continue a discussion on an
interesting subject, or record the experiences of a care-
ful observer. Where desired, I shall be pleased to put
such notes into readable form. Descriptions of bird-
rooms and aviaries and their inmates are, I think, always
appreciated by readers. Articles and correspondence on
treatment and other practical points are also greatly
valued. Long descriptions of plumage should be
avoided— for the simple reason that hardly anyone will
read them. It will be well to bear in mind that this is a
popular, and not a semi-scientific, publication.

It is intended that in future '• Foreign Bird Notes "
shall be issued about the middle of the month. I expect
that the next number will be in the hands of the
members on or before the 15th of November — but if it
should be late I trust they will understand that the
<lelay is unavoidable. I hope to be able to publish in
that number full reports on the foreign classes at the
Palace vSliow.

The question " How to encourage the breeding of
new species," which Mr. Quin raises in our corres-
pondence pages, is one of great interest. It requires to
be fully discussed and considered from all points of view.
There is always the danger, in a small Club like ours,
that we should become a " mutual admiration Society."
I will at present say nothing further on the subject,
except that in any scheme which may be adopted, I think
the breeder of hybrids should not be left out in the cold.

HORATIO R. FILLMER,

Hon. Sec. Foreign Bird Ci.ub.

4

MY EXPERIENCE OF THE ROSE-BREASTED
GROSBEAK.

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak {Hedymeles huiovicianus)
is an inhabitant of North America, wliere he is mnch
prized as a cage-bird, both on acconnt of his pink, wliite
and black plumage and of his song. Unfortunately
they are but rarely imported into this countr_v, but if, as
seems probable, they become more common among our
dealers, they will- soon take the first place in the list of
our Foreign cage birds. Till two years ago I had never
seen one alive in this country, though they seem to
have been fairly well known on the Continent, where
the Cult of the foreign bird is a much bigger thing than
it is with us, and where the pick of the market seems to
go. However, lately these and many other uncommon
foreigners have made their appearance in small numbers,
and we will hope that the demand will be sufficient to
justify their further importation, and also their reduction
in price.

In the summer of 1899 I bought my first Rose-
breast, a cock out of a lot of about 12 just arrived. I think
he cost me 30'- and as he did not live till the autumn, this
cannot be considered to have been a good speculation :
but this lot was the first I had ever seen and I was
tempted b}- their rarity and what I knew of them from
their admirers in America. I had bad luck in picking
out a bird already out of health, which soon sickened and
died before he had got over the effedls of his long ocean
journey.

With my next I have been more snccessful ; he was
bought for 20- in June last, and now a better and more
healthy bird I have never seen. He was bare on his
head, very wild, and dirty, at first, as all these birds are
when newly imported, and no wonder; a dozen fresh-
caught specimens of such powerful birds, cribbed up for
three or four weeks in a wooden store-cage, naturally
have every opportunity of knocking themselves about.

If only tliey were inipoited in separate cages (as Non-
pareils generally are, which only fetch one quarter the
price of a Grosbeak, though for them, it is true, there is a
regular demand) or at least in a canvas-topped store
cage, they would arrive in good condition, and would
be much more saleable, as they would attract attention
by their good looks and bright colour, and not only by
the violence of their movements and the scantiness of
their plumage. But I must leave the possibilities of
improvement in our present methods of importing
birds, and return to my subject.

Food. As a dealer said to me the other day, ••They
will eat anything,"' and if put to it I believe they would.
Xo seed seems to come amiss.. IMine has canary as a
staple, but his favourites are hemp, sunflower and oats ;
he also samples millet and niga (I hope the admission
that my birds are allowed the "poisonous" niga will
not bring down universal execration on my head). Soft
food he never touches, but is ver}^ keen on spiders and
mealworms ; (my first ate soaked ants' eggs and also
preserved yolk of egg occasionally). Just now he has
some elderberries daily or a piece of apple, and earlier
in the summer he took his share of an}- fruit in its season.
But in this line he has his likes and dislikes : most fruits
wild or cultivated he is verj- fond of, but will not touch
haws or sorrel, and though ver}' fond of red currants
absolutely refused black ones ; bananas also he does not
like. Daily I also give him a little green food, usually
grass or watercress. He bathes regularly and thoroughly
every morning as soon as the water-trough is filled.

As a singer this bird is much prized by American
writers. One av;thor describes the Rose-breasted Gros-
Ijeak as, '•a most melodious and indefatigable warbler,

frequently passing a great part of the

night in singing, with all the varied and touching notes
of the nightingale " ; he considers him only second to
the ^Mocking bird among American songsters. Another
description of its song is "as loud and powerful as that
of a Thrush." I can corroborate the above to a certain
extent, ]Mv bird has since his moult treated me

every eveiiiiif? to an exhibition of his vocal powers,
and tliere is no donbt abont the power and unwearied
nature of his song; to me however it certainly does not
suggest the Nightingale, and I can hardly call it a warble.
The word " shout " seems to describe it more accurately.
He simply stands up to his work, stretched out on tip-
toe on the top perch, and, with wide open beak,
pours out a stream of hurr^'ing, whistled, and certainly
thrush-like notes. To me it suggests a louder and more
varied edition of the Virginian Cardinal's song, and
perhaps this is the Nightingale to wliich the writer
quoted refers.

I can give no personal experience of the breeding
of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, as I have never even seen
a hen (a plain brown and yellowish bird with no red
breast) ; but Dr. Russ was successful in breeding it and in
his book is a full description of the nest and eggs.

I keep mv birds in a small aviary with Biulgerigars,
Grey Cardinals and Saffron Finches, and with these he
agrees perfectly. For a time he had some smaller birds
with him as well, and never did them any harm, but I do
not think it would be safe to keep such a powerful bird
for anv length of time with the weaker ones, though
the bird seems very good tempered, and never
retaliated, even when attacked by a particularly spiteful
Green vSinging Finch which used to share the aviary, till
he made himself so objectionable that I had to remove
him. I think that this bird, like Red Cardinals and
Bullfinches, can hardly be kept too cold. His present
aviary faces Fast, and here all the Northern foreign birds
I have kept do much better than in a much larger aviary
which faces vSouth and is certainly too hot for them in
summer.

If kept in a cage the same thing nmst be re-
membered: a large box cage, and when tame a waggon,
in a cold room, would suit this bird well, and, in a
fortnight or so, he would be tame enough to let out for
his bath and a daily fly in the room.

In all respects I can thoroughly recommend the bird
to anv one wanting an interesting and reallv intelligent

bird-pet. He very soon jrets tame, is easily fed, his
colouring is striking, and his song cheerful, even if not
all it has been said to be. In addition, if a pair are by
any chance obtained, there is every hope of their
breeding and rearing young.

E. HOPKINSON, M.A., M.B., (Oxon).

FOREIGN BIRD KEEPING : AN
APPRECIATION.

Amid the many hobbies open to home-loving men
and women, it is doubtful if there are any containing a
greater amount of quiet pleasure, and real knowledge,
than that of keeping foreign birds ; affording, as it does,
the society of some of the most beautiful and fairy-like
of God's creation, and insensibly imparting to one an
interest in various countries and peoples, which might
otherwise remain a mere name.

Whenever I hear news from abroad, my thoughts
invariably whisper " that is where the Whydahs dwell,"
or the Nonpareils, or the Zebra Finches, as the case may
be, and I feel that I, too, have a share in the welfare of
that countr}', on account of its having been the birthplace
and home of my little feathered friends, now strangers in
a strange land ; but nevertheless tended and cared for
with all the affection a lover of birds delights to lavish
on them.

What a wonderful world awaits the man who
indulges in this charming pursuit ! A world unknown
before, and but vaguely thought of, the beauties of
which seem more like a fair dream than a living reality ;
and it is a world that leads us forv\'ard to learn some of
the secrets of Nature from her own children, and draws
us closer to the mighty Creator of all things.

And this bird world of ours never palls. Ever}' day
fresh pleasures await us ; new colors delight the eye^

sweet notes chann the ear, and graceful motions silently
thank us for our labour of love.

For surely, it is a labour of love ? Our pets appeal to
us by their ver\' helplessness and dependence on our
efforts to supply their every need, and there is no surer
way to the human heart than through this simple
channel.

No one who has kept birds doubts that the}' under-
stand and appreciate the kindness of their owners, and
their actions plainl}' show the close observer that they
know the hand which feeds them and cares for them,
and recognise in his voice the voice of a friend and
protector.

One of the greatest pleasures connected with this
hobb}-, is to watch the gradual change of colour in the
feathers of the Weavers, Whydahs, and other birds who
have a distinct summer plumage.

It is a great fascination to me to choose, from among
a number of these birds, those I think to be cocks,
though it requires a keen eye and long experience to
detect the minute signs which differentiate the sexes
when out of colour. And then come the weeks of
waiting and watching, and one is perhaps beginning to
despair, when one day you will catch a glimpse of a
bright feather just peeping out from between the brown.

Then at last your keenest hopes are realised, and you
are perfecth' satisfied— for the time being-— for as surely
as day follows the night, so surely does this pleasant
occupation urge the ornithologist on to conquer fresh
worlds. Where this will ultimately lead him it is
impossible to say, for there is no limit to an enthusiast's
ambition.

It ma}^ be that one's desire is to breed a certain
species, so a pair is obtained and suitabh- provided for.
How often, then, one watches the various actions of the
birds : the flutterings to and fro in search of something,
the apparent carelessness, or other wiles, often displayed
as a protective measure against human eyes, and after

many yeas and nays, the pleasant anticipations indulged
in, when the nest is at last finished, and the eggs are laid.

Has not nearly every bird keeper experienced these
qniet though none the less happy feelings, and with what
genuine delight does he welcome the advent of the
young lives thus given into his care ? It is a moot point
whether the parents or their owner is the more proud of
the wee helpless mites, whose very weakness is a security
for their welfare.

No matter how spacious our aviary may be, we must
always bear in mind that we are depriving our birds of
their liberty, and in return for taking this precious
possession from them, a possession for which men have
fought from time immemorial, we ought to use all the
means in our power to see that at least they want for
nothing in other respects. Clean and varied food, plenty
of fresh water for drinking and bathing purposes (the
latter not too deep, for I have known birds to be
drowned), gravel strewn over the floor with a liberal
hand, suitable perches, little swings, and hanging
branches — all these not only tend to brighten their
lives, but also to lengthen them, for it is reasonable to
suppose that the vital power is sustained and increased
by natural and cheerful surroundings.

Study your birds' comfort as you would your own-
aye more, for you are the guardian of all the little lives
in your aviary ; lives which are as precious to tkem, as
are our own to ourselves. And if at any time, or
through any cawse, we may be apt to be careless of their
well-be»ing, let us think of those beautiful lines : —

Hold ! Hold !
We cannot give the life we take,
Nor reunite the heart we break.

And remember it is as easy to deprive our pets of life by
neglect, as it is to take it by force.

J. A. SwxN. -

lO

A HUMMING BIRD IN LONDON.

Some few years ago, in the autumn, I was hard up for
mealworms. I had several rather valuai)le insectivorous
birds, some of which were moulting, and I knew that un-
less I could tempt their appetites with those slitnulating
dainties I ran a serious risk of losing them. But meal-
worms were just the very things I could not get for love
or money. I was living then in London, so I journeyed
down to the East end to see the late Mr. Abrahams and
find out if he could supply my wants. I think Mr.
Abrahams was able to let me have a hundred or two, but
I know he could not spare :ne many as he was short of
mealworms himself. One hundred mealworms do not
go ver}' far, so after leaving Mr. Abrahams' shop I
wandered about the neighbourhood in the hope of
lighting upon a bird shop where I could obtain an
adequate supply of the juicy worm. I found at last a
very small shop in a very poor street (the shop was dirty
and dingy even beyond the wont of East-end bird shops)
where my wants could be supplied. I was served b}- a
shrivelled-up little old man, bent nearly double with
rheumatism, who gave me the impression of being — well,
more than eccentric. I asked him politely if he had
any mealworms for sale. '"Mealworms!" he replied,
"Mealworms! What do you want with mealworms.^"'
I humbly explained that I had at home a few dozen
birds which ate them readily, >)nt that I did not require
them for my own consumption. He looked at me
sirspiciously and grumbled to himself, but proceeded to
«j;et down a large tin of worms and measure out a quart
for me. There was not much in the shop, but I noticed
a cage of Tanagers, among which were one or two rare
ones, and I began talking to the old man about tliem.
When he found that I really knew something alx)ut birds
he thawed, and I soon managed to draw him out, and
discovered he had a rare knowledge of birds, and,
according to his account, had been marvellously success-
ful in keeping some delicate kinds. Some of his ideas

as to food, etc.. were diainetrically opposed to what we
are taught by our pastors and masters in aviculture; his
manner was brusque to a degree; and he showed a
curious irritability and excitability ; but he li/J know a
lot about l:»irds, there was no disputing that.

At last he said to me suddenly, " I will show you
something worth seeing. Come this way." He took
me up a rickety flight of stairs into tlie front room over
the shop. The room was full of all kinds of lumber,
but the only bird cage in it which I could see was a
large waggon-shapeil cage on a table in the window. In
this cage, on a very thin perch, was a tiny bird of the
most dazzling metallic green. The wings seemed dark
brown ; there was a white patch at the back of the neck ;
and some white in the tail. The beak was very long and
slender. When we went near the cage, the little creature
left the perch, and hovered in the air in the cage. Tlie
wings moved so rapidly as to be invisible except as an
indistinct blurr in the air.

I am not an extravagant man in most things, but
a very rare bird is a sore temptation to me. I no sooner
saw this gem than I i)urned to possess it. Its owner
named his price and stuck to it, and I had to agree to
his terms. I began to wonder how my purchase was to
be transferred from the large cage to a travelling cage.
" You leave that to me," said the crusty vendor of Ijirds.
He found a box cage, and a small net. 1 suggested that
it would be wise to close the wiutlow before he opened
the cage door, and was of course severely snubbed for
my pains. He opened the cage door and introduced
the net, biit before he had time to try to caich the bird
there was a flash of metallic colour towards the window,
a shrill, whirring whistle, and then nothing! Well,
nothing but language.

I found it advisable to leave at once. (Xo, I didn't
forget the mealworms.) I hailed a passing cab at the
end of the street and was some distance on my way
home before I remembered that I did not know the

name of the old bird-dealer, nor the name of the street

in which he lived. It was some months before I had an
opportunity of going east again, and I then hoped to
renew my acquaintance with him, but, oddly enough,
I could not find the shop, and could not even feel sure
about the street. RandoIvPH Quin.

BIRD SEED.

Canary and IMillet are the two principal seeds for
foreign birds, and it is most important that each should
be good of its kind. American and Australian birds pre-
fer canary seed, and African and Indian birds like millet
seed best, and they are chief!}' fed on these respective
seeds before and during importation. The small light-
brown millet seed, like the spray millet usually sold, is
expensive, but very useful. It is always wise to give
newly imported birds a liberal supply of this. In fadl, I
believe that if it were always used small foreign finches
would thrive much better than they generally do.

Next in value to this small brown millet (usually
called Indian millet) is the best white millet. It should
be very white, the whiter the better. But sometimes the
very white is difficult to get.

As to the brown millet, the same size as white, very
few birds will eat it unless driven to do so by starvation.
It should never be given to foreign birds.

Canary-seed comes from a great many places, but
there is nothing like the English, if you can get it.
If you have a garden it is easily grown, and can be kept
in the ear like spray millet, when it will be a great treat
for the birds in the aviary, and valuable for delicate bk-ds.
Canary-seed should feel all alive and slippery, when
you put your hand into a sackful of it; but if it feels
hard and dry it has been artificially dried, and is not
good. The use of artificially-dried seed will cause birds
to go bald, and bring on surfeit. Be careful to see that
the seed is free from mice dirt, which is poisonous to
birds. Make snre, also, that the seed is not musty at the
ewds. The presence of a few brown seeds, which have

13

lost their outer husk, does not matter at all, although
the birds seldom eat them. It is very difficult to get
good seed without some of these brown seeds. I am not
an advocate for very large canary-seed, in fact small
plump seed is by far the best.

I have never found canar3--seed or millet the worse
for being two 3'ears old, if it has been well harvested and
well kept.

I think the quality of birdseed can be better told by
the smell than in an}- other way. If it smells at all
musty or sulphurous, do not use it. Seed is best kept
in canvas bags, and should never be left in covered tins
for any length of time. Wai^TER Swaysi^and.

TIG TIMOTHY.

One of the most amusing birds in nn' collection is
an Orange-flanked Parrakeet, which we have christened
Tig Timothy. I l)ought him two years ago ; until then I
had always steered clear of parrots and their kind, but
one day I was paying a visit to Mr. Jamrach's shop, and
was tempted by the tameness of the Orange-flank : at
that time you could do what you liked with him, but I
am afraid he has been spoilt, as now he seems to do w4iat
he likes with me. He is quite fearless, and is never so
liapp}' as when walking about you, w^liich 3'ou cannot put
up with for very long, as he cannot resist sampling your
ears or fingers, not maliciously, only out of curiosity.

When he is put back in his cage, he sits holding his
head with his beak upward, gently fumbling at it with
his claw, thinking hard but saying nothing, in which
position he will remain for quite a long time. When I
first had him he had both his wings cut (I believe the
natives cut them to make their tameness more pro-
nounced)— they have since grown, though it took him a
long time, even with a little assistance from me, to
moult the stumps. Stanley IVI. Towxsend.

14
HINTS FOR BEGINNERS.

It is quite true that foreign cage-birds are very
delicate, and it is equal!}- true that they are very hardy.
These statements seem absolutely contradictory, but
they are not. Foreign birds, tvhen newly imported, are
delicate, and in the case of some species the percentage
of deaths is high. On the other hand, those which have
survived for some months after importation are generally
hardy, often hardier than our native birds. The beginner
often invests in a few newh' imported Waxbills, which
have been taken out of a warm bird-shop, through the
cold of an English INIarch, and turns them into an all-
wire cage in a draughty window. Within a fortnight
half of them are dead, and their owner is disgusted with
the '• delicacy " of foreign birds. If he had been able
to obtain acclimatized specimens (and willing to pay a
consequently higher price) he w-ould have had fewer
losses than with the same number of Goldfinches or
Bullfinches.

On the whole there is nothing like sand for the
bottoms of cages and aviaries — not only in the case of
seed-eaters, but for soft -food birds. For Lorikeets
and Lories something more absorbent, such as saw-
dust or peat litter, is required, and also for Toucans
and other large soft -bills. But for small fruit- and
insect-eating birds sand is the best. I generally use
common builders' sand, and for seed-eaters throw in on
the top a handful of fine flint grit, such as is sold for
young chicken. Newly imported birds are better at
first without grit, which should be given to them
cautiously in very small quantities and in the form of
rough sea-sand. The reason for this is that the birds
have been kept without grit for months, and their
internal organs have become soft and are liable to be
punctured by sharp flint.

I have always been an advocate for giving the smaller
birds a feed by artificial light in long winter evenings.

15

Some people have emphatically denied the utility of
this. I do not know that I, or anj' one else, ever asserted
it to be essential to the life or well-being of the birds —
but I do assert it to be an aid in keeping them in health
through the winter. My usual plan is to turn on an
incandescent gas-light in the bird room for a quarter-of-
an-hour or so about nine o'clock. When I turn it out I
leave a smaller light burning for a time, to enable the
birds to find their perches.

In the feeding of soft-billed birds, I really think the
consistency of the food is quite as important as the
materials of which it is composed. Birds will not thrive
on a pasty mess, however rich it may be in ants' eggs
and other good things. I believe this is the reason win-
birds often thrive better on one of the advertised foods
sold in tins tlian they do on home-made food, although
the bought food may contain a large proportion of German
paste, crushed hemp, and other things of more than
doubtful digestibility. It is never wise to moisten food
by the addition of water, as one is so very apt to make it
too wet. It is far better to soften it by the addition of
boiled potato or grated carrot — though I much prefer
lard or dripping for the purpose. If you use potato or
carrot, you must be careful to throw away the leavings
from the previous days feeding, and put the fresh food
in a clean pan. But the food mixed with grease will
keep good for weeks.

Some people imagine that if a bird be fat it must be
in good health, and that the fitness is proof its having
been fed on suitable food. Fatness is no more a sign of
health in a bird than in a man — and our aim should be to
keep our birds in good condition but not fat. A fat bird
is seldom healthy, and always liable to go oif in a fit. In
the case of soft-billed birds, excessive fatness is often
caused by feeding on bread and other farinaceous food.

Horatio R. Fii^lmer.

i6
THE EDITOR'S LETTER BOX.

SUBSTITUTED P:NTRIHS.

vSiR, — I should like the o})iiiion of the ^leinbers of
the Club on the following : —

At a Show where, let us say, Class x is for birds
smaller than a Java Sparrow, an exhibitor states on his
entry form " pair of Cordon Bleus," and the entry is so
described in the catalogue. But at the Show the entry is
represented by a pair of Fire Finches. Is that entry to
be allowed to compete, and receive a prize ? I am
strongly against it, as I find it is the practice of certain
exhibitors either not to state the species or, when they do,
to substitute for the bird named, a totally different
one, either because the one the}' entered does not
come up to vShow form, or that they have sold it
before the day of the Show. I want the opinion of the
leading exhibitors, so that it shall be definite!}' under-
stood whether such a thing isto be permitted. Personall}-,
I think it is decidedly wrong.

C. B. d'Eyncourt ChAMEERIvAIN.

A QUESTION OF IDENTITY.
Sir, — Can ^-ou or any of your readers help me to
identify the birds in the following list from Dr. Russ'
" Die Fremdlandischen Stubenvogel " ? The numbers
refer to the pages, and the names are those used in
Vol. I. of that work.

p. 524. Der graubauchige Kernbeisser [Coccothtaustes

■poliogaster) .
p. 523. Der brasilische K. {C. brasiliensis).
p. 523. Der grliiie K. {C. viridis).
p. 474. Der olivengriine Ammersperling {Frinoilla

ulivacea).
p. 475. Der stille A. {F. silens).
p. 475. Der gelbschnablige A. {F. Jlavirostris).
p. 475. Der braunackige A. {F. hmnneinucha).
p, 478. Der gelbkehlige A. {F.jlavigiilaris).

E. HOPKINSON.

17

GREY PARROTvS.

Sir, — My favourite pet is the Grey Parrot. I often
buy one when I can get them for 10/6 or 15/- each, and
(luring the last 15 years I have had about a dozen. Alas,
most of them soon went to the land from whence no
traveller returns, in spite of judicious feeding and every
care. But one which I had two years ago from Mr. Cross
is still in perfect health and plumage, and has developed
into a champion talker, learning fresh words every day.
This one has repaid me for all my losses and trouble.

This year I liave been presented with a young one
(quite a baby) by the Mayor of Sierra Leone, who brought
it from Africa under his personal care.

I think it is a much commoner thing for Parrots to
lay eggs in cages, than is generally supposed. vSeveral of
uiy friends in St. John's Wood have Parrots which laid.
I have in m}' collection eggs of the Grey Parrot, Grifiin's
Cockatoo, and Rosy Cockatoo. James Storey.

HOW TO e:NCOURAGE THE BREEDING OF NEW
SPECIES.

Sir, — Considering the nnniber of people who keep,
and try to breed, foreign birds, it is strange that a com-
paratively small number of species have hitherto been
successfully reared in this country. The finches (using
the word in its widest sense), are no doubt the easiest to
breed, and taking these alone I believe the following list
of those which have bred in Britain is almost exhaustive.
Green Avadavat, Common Avadavat, African Fire-finch,
Cordon Bleu, Lavender P'inch, St. HelenaW^axbill, Aurora
Finch, Parrot Finch, Gouldian Finch, Parson Finch,
Long-tailed Grass-finch, ^Masked Grass-finch, Diamond
Finch, Ribbon Finch, Red-headed Finch, Bicheno's
Finch, Cherry Finch, African Silverbill, Chestnut Finch,
Java vSparrow, Magpie Mannikin, Bronze IMannikin,
Dwarf Finch, Teydean Chaffinch, Desert Trumpeter
Bullfinch, Yellow-throated Rock vSparrow, Alario

i8

Finch, Green-singing Finch, Grey-singing Finch
Saffron Finch, Virginia Cardinal, Red-crested Cardinal,
Green Cardinal, Nonpareil, Indigo Bnnting, Moorish
House Bunting. Now this leaves a number of common
species which have never been bred, and an innumerable
host of rare ones.

I should like to see our Club doing something to
encourage the breeding of species never bred before —
but what form such encouragement should take is a
difficult question. It is well to bear in mind that the man
who succeeds in breeding a rare bird is not by any
means necessarily a more skilfnl aviculturist than the
man who fails. If one is prepared to devote a large out-
door aviary to a single pair, and provide, for such birds
as require it, an unlimited supply of insect food, the
breeding of almost all species becomes merely a matter
of time, patience, and money. The expediency, there-
fore, of bestowing a special honour or reward for the
breeding oi each new species is open to question.

Would it not be possible for the Club to award a
medal, or other substantial token of merit, to those who
have, in the opinion of the Council, done most for the
advancement of aviculture during the year } The
number of such awards would, of course, have to be
restricted, sa}' to not more than two a year, or even one.
I doubt whether they should be limited to members of
the Club ; on the whole I think not, but non-members
■ought to be required to pay the cost of the medal before
receiving it. The medal would probably always be
awarded to someone who had bred a new species, bnt the
Council would take into consideration the difficulties
which the breeder had contended against, in deciding
between several claims.

There may be objections, not apparent to me, to this
suggestion. I commend it, for what it is worth, to the
consideration of the Council of the Foreign Bird Club.

Randolph Quin.

19

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB MARKET.

The charge for advertisements is one penny for each bird named.
Advertisements must be concisely worded, and clearly written
on a separate sheet of paper, with the name and address
of advertiser at the foot. The fee must in all cases be pre-
paid iTi stamps. The Hon. Sec. is authorised to decline
Advertisements which he considers undesirable. Advertise-
ments for the NovEMRHK issue must reach the Hon. Sec. not
later than nth November.

Grey Parrot with red tail, splendid talker, lame, in per-
fect plitniage, £^.

James vStorey, 7, Blenheim Terrace, N.W.

Wanted — Bound volumes of "Avicultural Magazine,"
1897-8-9 and 1900, 5/- a volume offered.

E. HoPKiNSON, 9 Holywell, Oxford.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

NOTICES TO MEMBERS.

NEW MEMBER ELECTED.

Mr. W11.1.IAM Eaton Parker,

Beacon Farm, P'rodshaiii.

NEW MEMBERS PROPOSED.
]\Ir. Randolph Ouin, 371 Ditcbliiig Road, Brighton.
Mr. J. A. Swan, 87 Lower Kennington Lane, S.E.
Mr. E. HOPKINSON, M.A., M.B., Oxon., 9, Holvwell,

' Oxford.
;Miss Petrocochino, 72 .Westbonrne Terrace, W.
Mr. H. K. PiCARD, 10, Sandwell Crescent,

W. Hanipstead.
Froposed by the HON. SeC.

MEDAL RULES.
The following Rnles as to Medals have been passed
by the Council :

1. No member shall win more than two medals
in a season, one silver and one bronze, or more than
one medal at the same Show.

2. Bronze medals shall not be given at Shows
where less than four classes for foreign birds are pro-
vided. Silver uiedals shall not be given where there
are less than six classes. No medals shall be given
at any Show unless the Judge of the foreign classes
be approved by the Club.

At the L. and P. O. Show in November, a silver
medal will be offered for the best foreign bird, and a
bronze medal for the second best (the winner of the
silver medal excluded).

^oreitjii Bir6 Botes

FOR NOVEMBER, T901.

The reception vvhicli '•' Forktgn Bird NoTp:s " lias
l)een accorded by the bird-loving public is very encourag-
ing, and, as will be seen on another page, the Club has
obtained a great increase in membership. All this points
to the fact that the Club, and " Notes," are supplying a
real want.

At the same time, I feel that I have almost exhausted
the possible new mem))ers to be found among avicul-
turists known to me — and in future, if the Club is to
continue to grow, the members must themselves find and
introduce new ones. I therefore repeat what I said last
month and " ask everyone to secure at least one new
member."

Last month I also asked everyone " to write some-
thing for these pages," and once again I would repeat
that petition also. Those who cannot do more, will be of
real help by asking questions.

I must ask our non-exhibiting members to liave
patience with so much space being this month devoted
to matter relating to Shows. We are in the thick of the
vShow season, and " Notes " for November, December,
and February must necessarily be largely occupied with
vSliow reports. But after all these are only three months
out of the twelve, and Shows will be kept in the back-
ground in the other issues.

It has been suggested that some of our members
would be willing to contribute to " Notes " if they could
do so under a nam de plume, but hesitate to send anything
for publication over their own signature. If there are
any such, they are, of course, at liberty to conceal their
identity when writing for these pages, by using an
assumed name.

Some "up-to-date" person has proposed that the
title of "Foreign Bird Notes" shoukl be changed to
" Living Birds." What do the members think of this }

I sliall be pleased to send some extra copies of
'• Notes" to any of onr members who would like to have
them for distribution among peo})le likely to join the
Club.

I am sure that our highly-esteemed fellow member
INIr. Camps has the sincere and heart}- sympatliy of all of
us in the bereavement he has sustained through the
death of his father, ]\Ir. Drage Camps.

This season, the beginning of winter, re-awakens the
interest of many of us in the difficult question of warm-
ing the bird-room or aviary. Will each member let me
know the method of heating (if any) which he or she
adopts, and its success or otherwise ? We can then
compare notes.

Inexperienced exhibitors sometimes have a difficulty
in deciding which classes their birds should be entered
in. I should be ver}- pleased to help in such cases. I
cannot, of course, undertake any responsibility for the
result of m}- advice, for some Show Schedules are so
queerly worded that the question of "which class"
becomes a matter of opinion and not of fact.

As a large proportion of the members of the Foreign
Bird Club are also members of the Avicnltural Society, I
should like to tr}' to make plain the attitude of the Club
towards the Society. Some of our members have
expressed a fear that the Club will injure the Society. I
do not think it will, for the reason that its aims and
objects are different. The Avicnltural Societ}', whatever
it may once have been, now claims to be a scientific
societ}', and it adopts towards Shows an attitude of
deprecation, if not of veiled hostility. The Foreign
Bird Club does not pretend to be in any sense a scientific
society, and aims at nothing more than the mutual help
and encouragement of the members in their hobby of
bird-keeping. And the Club does all in its power to
encourage vShows. Having therefore different views and
purposes, the Club has no desire or intention of compet-
ing with the Avicnltural Society, or of drawing members
from it. By all means let everyone belong to both the
Club and the Society, if they will.

23

Rut while I feel obliged to insist upon the non-
scientific character of the Club, do not let us submit to
the imputation of being z^;/scientific. Nothing un-
scientific, in the sense of being inaccurate, or con-
trary to science, will be knowingly admitted into the
pages of "Foreign Bird Notes."

HORATIO R. laiJvMKR,

Hon. Sec. P'ORKIGN BiRD CLUB.

FOREIGN BIRDS AT THE PALACE.

The L. and P.O. Society's Show, held at the CrN^stal
Palace on the 5th, 6th, and ytli of November, 1901, was a
very chilly function. On the first day of the vShow (the
<lay on which the writer was present) the temperature
must have been very low indeed. It is to be feared that a
large number of birds succumbed to the severe weather,
which was more trying than it might otherwise have
been in consequence of the absence of the usual marquee.
This time the birds were staged in one of the transepts,
and were terribly exposed to the draught.

There were only a little over 60 eutries in the foreign
classes, and as Mr. H. B.vSmith's 18 entries were all absent
the number actually competing was but 45.

Class §y. — Parrots. Mrs. Peacock was ist with a good
Grey. Mrs. Cooper 2nd with a nice Leadbeater. Mr.
Cushny 3rd with a Blue-ej-ed Cockatoo, apparently an
aged bird and not in the best condition. ]Mr, Billettwas
4th with a Blue-fronted Amazon — one of those spotted
with yellow, which dealers call " King birds," and not
in first-rate feather. The class also contained another
IUue-front«^d, of the usual t^-pe.

Class 5S. — Budgerigars, Love Birds, etc. Cancelled.

Class jg. — Parrakeets. Here were only three entries.
First and special, Mr. Hawkins, with a female of the
rare Golden-shouldered Parrakeet. vSecoiul, Mrs. Cooper,
with a good Mealy Rosella. Third, Miss Hilda Patterson,
with a Ring-necked Parrakeet, which would have been
all the better for a wash.

24

C/ass 6o.—\ViiKh\UH, ]\Iaii iii kins, Conibassous, Weavers,
and any Whydahs. Mr. Hawkins' Rufous-tailed Grass-
finches were ist, and were also awarded the vSilver
Medal of the Foreign Bird Club. vStrictly, they should
have' been in the next class. Mrs. Cooper's pair of
Pectoral Finches' were 2nd (they seemed sufferin<^
from the cold). Mr. Hawkins' Wiener's Waxbills were
third. Mr. Townsend's very nice Lavender Finches were
4th. V.H.C., Mr. Hawkins' Cordon-bleus. H.C., Mr.
Swan's Crimson-crowned Weaver and INIr. Fillmet's
Pin-tailed Whydah. C, Mr. Hawkins' Fire Finches.
This class also contained a pair of Golden-breasted
Waxbills, a pair of Orange-cheeks and a cock Combassou.
Bleven entries were present — not a bad class.

Class 61. — A.O.V. vSeed-eating Bird. This was the
best of the foreign classes, in point of numbers. The
first prize was awarded to Mrs. Cooper's Long-tailed
Grassfinches, the second to INIr. Hawkins' White-eared
Grassfuiches, the third to IMr. Hawkins' cock Red
Gouldiaii, the fourth to INIr. F^illmer's Reddish Finch.
The Reddish Finch, which was moulting and was con-
sequently not in perfect feather, was also awarded the
Bronze Medal of the Club. Mr. Hawkins, having l)een
awarded the Silver IMedal, was not eligible for the Bronze
one, and the num1:)er of other entries belonging to the
members was small— but even considering the limited
competition, the Reddish Finch scarcely deserved the
Medal. Extra fourth, Mr. Babb's Bullfinch. V.H.C.,Mr.
GoodifT's Ribbon Finches, and ]\Ir. Hawkins' Olive Cuba
Finches and Grey-singing Finches. H.C., Mr. Town-
send's Gouldian and Mr. Oakey's White Javas. C,
Mrs. Skinner's Ortolan Bunting and a pair of rare Doves
exhibited by Mr. Parker. Tliis class also contained
another CTOuldian, another of Mr. Parker's rare Doves, a
Diamond Innch, a pair of Double-banded Fitiches, and
two more Bullfinches. The Olive Cuba Finches should
have been higher up. lughteen entries were staged.

Class 62. — Insectivorous. Only eight entries com-
peted, but the quality was good. First, and two specials,
Mr. Glasscoe's Masked Wood-swallow. vSecond, INIr.

25

Oilioy's Myiiah — a fine bird in perfect plumage, but
scarcely entitled to priority over two or three others in
the class. Third Mr. Glasscoe's vSacred Kingfisher— a
lovely bird, but not looking very well. Fourth, Mr.
(ilasscoe's White Kyebrowed Wood-swallow, which the
writer preferred to the first prize-winner, but which no
^loubt lost place through want of steadiness. V.H.C.
:Miss Hopwood's Rosy Pastor. H.C. Mr. Townseud's
:\Ialabar Green Bulbul, a nice bird, but not in quite
perfect feather. C. Mr. Plousden's Rails— a pair of rare
and Ijeautiful birds which should have been among the
])rize winners. It is understood that the Judge did not
consider them to be cage-birds, but we cannot find that
the competition was expressly restricted to cage-birds by
the Schedule, and by giving them a card the Judge
practically admitted them to competition. This class
also contained a Pekin Robin. The Mr. Glasscoe who
exhibited some very charming birds in this Class is not
Mr. G. D. Glasscoe the member of the Foreign Bird
Club, but his brother.

The class for F'oreign Goldfinches and the Limit
Class were cancelled.

Mr. Swaysland judged all the foreign classes, and the
awards were, on the whole, well received. We have
pointed out some instances in which we differ from him,
but judging is, after all, a matter of opinion, and there
was not much to complain of.

The Class for Stuffed Birds contained 30 entries —
these did not suffer from the cold. A card announcing
that all birds in the Show were fed ou .somebody's seed
looked rather out of place over the stuffed birds.

SOME INTERESTING BIRDS AT THE
PALACE SHOW.

The two pairs of Rufous-Taii^kd Finches and
Red-f\ced Finches (W^iener's Waxbill) exhibited were
very interesting, as showing the similarity (and at the
same time the difference) between these two representa-

26

tives of the weaving finches ; the one from Australia and
the other from Tropical Africa. Either of them one
would call "little Grey Waxbills with red faces," and I
should think that when in bad plumage it must be
difficult to distinguish the two species. The former is
one of the Australian Grassfinches, but miist surely be
a connecting link with the true Waxbills ; the latter
is closely allied to the Aurora- or Red-winged Finch, aud
their similarity is well shown in the plate in Dr. Butler's
" Foreign Finches." I know of no goodcoloured plate
of the Rufous-tailed Finch exce]>t that in Gould's-
"Birds of Australia," but there is an excellent little cut
of a pair in Dr. Butler's smaller book on " Foreign Cage
Birds."

Two other rai e Australian exhibits were the WhiTK-
KARED and DouBLK - banded Fixchp:s. The latter,
though never \evy common, are, I think, rarer in the
bird market than the}- were, say, ten years ago ; but in the
former the reverse is certainly the case, their importation
in any number onh- beginning some four years ago.
With their rich brown plumage and yellow^ beaks they
are attractive little birds, and desirable for their own
sake apart from their rarity. The Double-banded, or
Bicheno's Finch as it is more commonly called, has been
repeatedly bred in captivity, and Dr. Butler figures a
Bicheuo-Zebra Finch hybrid.

The Reddish Finch from vSouthern Brazil is one
of the smallest and most attractive of the little South
American Grosbeaks [Speymopliila). In his rufous and
black plumage he differs markedly from the majority of
the other members of the genus, in which the scheme of
colour is mainly a combination of black, grey, and white.
The hen, as with other allied species, is a plain
olive-brown bird, without any very definite markings.
Nothing is known as to its habits in freedom, but in
captivity it thrives well on a plain seed diet, is a harmless
and inoffensive occupant of an aviar}', and has a pretty
little song.

The OrjvK Cuba Finch, another small grosbeak.

27

but apparently allied to the vveavia<( fiiiclies, is a small
olive-green bird with yellow face and markings. Ivike
its better known relative, the common Cuba Finch, it is
rarely imported, and hence is but little known as a cage-
l)ird ; a role which it seems eminently fitted to play,
being easih- satisfied as to food, hard}- and fairly
indifferent to cold, and at the same time willing to go to
nest. From the common Cuba-finch, the Olive is dis-
tinguished by its yellow chin, which is black right up to
the beak in the former. It is found in most of the West
Indian Islands, while the former is confined to Cuba. It
seems to keep as a rule in small flocks, feeding on
various seeds and no doubt also eats a certain number of
insects as well, though in captivity the Cuba-finches
seem to care little for any addition to their seed.

The most interesting of the Parrots exhibited was a
female Goi^den-SHOUI.derEdParrakeet, which belongs
to the same genus as the Many-coloured Parrakeet, but
as it inhabits only the northern portions of Australia it is
one of the least frequenth^ imported of all the Grass-
parrakeets. Like its better known relatives this bird,
when wild, lives chiefly on the seeds of various grasses
and bush plants, especially those of the flowering reeds.
In captivity the whole genus is often delicate at first, and
difficult to accustom to the canary and other seeds which
in captivity must take the place of its natural food.

Theo Austrai.iax Sacred Kingfisher is rather a
larger and longer-legged bird than ours, with which,
however, it cannot be compared in beaut}-, as it seems,
even when in perfect condition, to lack the absolutely
indescribable lustre and brilliance of the Buropean bird.
The general arrangement however of the colour is much
the same, the upper part being bluish-green and the
under surface brown. As it belongs to the more
omnivorous division of the Kingfishers it is less unsuited
to captivity than is our bird ; but the specimen exhibited
is the first I have ever seen in a cage, though in the
Western Aviary at the Zoo there are (or have been
lecently) several examples which seem to have thrived

28

there and to eat the soft food supplied readily. In their
native country their food consists chiefly of insects, })nt
they also fiequent the sea-shore to feed on crabs and the
small molluscs. K. Hopkinson, ]\r.A., M.B. (Oxon.)

A MIXED COLLECTION.

When first I began to keep foreign birds I was more
than doubtful as to how the different species would
agree together. However, I had only one room which I
could give up to the birds, so I was obliged to chance the
risk of putting in large and small together— and the
result has been a success. My bird room is large and
lofty, and this may be the reason that my somewhat
varied collection live in peace : for I found after a very
short experience that even the most peaceful birds will
quarrel if caged in a small space.

In the middle of the room I have a good-sized
tree with bare branches, and there are various
shrubs in pots; while from the roof hang numbers
of husks, suspended by cords or chains. The husks
afford endless amusement to the smaller birds, which are
i>ot supposed to nest in them, as well as to the Budgerigars,
for whose especial benefit they are put up. The green
Budgerigars l^reed very freeh' with me, and I have every
hope of being equally fortunate with the yellow variet}-.
Jiesides the husks, there are tubs fixed on the walls for
the Cockatiels, and numerous boxes for the finches, &c.

I\Iy happy family in the bird-room consists of the
following : — Two pairs each of Cockatiels, Green liudgeri-
gars, Yellow Budgerigars, Grey Java Sparrows, Ribljon
Finches, and Bengalese. One pair of White Javas,
(xrey-singing Finches, Blue Robins, Madagascar Love
Birds, Black-headed IMannikins, and Zebra Finches. One
Spice-bird and one Indigo-bird. Two cock Cordon-
})leus, two Weavers, various Waxbills (odd birds), ten or
eleven Canaries, a Bullfinch, a Goldfinch, two Redpolls,
a Goldfinch mule, and a Great Tit.

29

M}' birds, which are all in the best of health, have
a good siippU' of clean water everj' day in large shallow
pans, and all but the Budgerigars and Cockatiels wash
thoroughly. I supply egg food daily, also canary seed
and hemp mixed, white and spray millet, groats, and
plenty of green food, and sometimes an apple.

I have been successful in breeding Bengalese, Zebra-
finches, and Ribbon-finches, and, considering that I have
not had my birds for more than a year, I think this is
encouraging. I have, at the time of writing, a nice
brood of 3'oung Budgerigars nearly ready to leave the
nest. I find the chief difficulty in breeding foreign
birds is the delicacv of tlie hens — recently I have lost,
without any apparent cause, three hen Cordon-bleus,
and I should be much obliged if any member could
supply my wants, in that direction. (See advt).

My birds are so used to seeing me amongst them that
the}- pay little or no attention to my coming or going. I
have a stove always burning in the cold weather, and the
wire cage it is enclosed in forms a favourite roosting

place. ISABPXI^A BEI^FORD WlIySON.

COMMON BIRDS.

I think the average foreign-bird-keeper is too mucli
given to the pursuit of the rare. He does not care to
bu\- any species which he has already possessed. Con-
sequenil}, having run tlnough the list of the kinds
always obtainable, his choice is restricted to the rarer
birds, and each year he buys rarer and rarer ones, until
he can get nothing which he cares to have, except at a
very high price, and, finding his hobb}' getting too
costly, gives it up in disgust. The mistake he makes is in
fancying that he has exhausted the possibilities of a
species by the possession for a few years of one or two
examples.

There is not a single species which has yet been
adequately studied. There is any amount of amusement
and instruction to be extracted from careful observation

3°

of even the commonest bird. Let us take for example
the Silverbill. Of this there are two species or varieties,
the Indian and the African. Snppose the birdkeeper to
pnrchase a dozen of the African (the common kind) and
a few of the Indian. Let him keep some of them in an
indoor aviary and some in an ontdoor aviary all the year
round, and some out-of-doors in summer and in-doors in
winter. I^et him carefnlly note under which conditions
they thrive best. Let him experiment by feeding some
on canary-seed alone, some on white millet-seed alone,
some on spray or French millet alone, and some on two
or more of these seeds. Let him endeavonr to find some
certain means of distingnishing thf» sexes. Let him
observe their nesting habits under differing conditions.
Let him try the effects of crossing the two kinds, and
ascertain whether the progeny are fertile. Let him try
whether it be possible b}^ careful selection to improve the
size of the race, or perpetuate any interesting " sport "
which may occtir among his birds. These are a few of
the things that he may do with a dozen or two of Silver-
bills — one of the very commonest of imported foreign
finches. Is there not plenty here to occupy the
aviculturist for several years ?

I have been glad to notice that of late years
classes for common birds have been provided at
some of the large Shows. This seems to be a move
in the right direction and I hope such classes
will be well supported. It is very questionable
whether it is worth anyone's while to send rare and
valuable foreign birds to a Show, and I, for one, have
always feared to do so ; but common birds we could all
send. Randolph Quin.

THE EDITOR'S LETTER BOX.

SUBSTITUTED ENTRIES.
Sir, — My object in writing was to get the opinion
of those interested, as to whether substituted entries
were allowable or not.

31

If the weight of opinion is in favour of allowing the
same, tlien comes the question whether there should not
he, shall we say, a post-entry fee. If, on the contrary,
opinion is the other wa^-, the remedy is a very simple
one, viz., let the fact be clearly stated on the various
entrA'-forms.

At a Cottagers' Show, in the summer, I was talking
to the Judge of the cage bird section, and his idea was
as follows : " A man pays for an entry, so he ought to be
allowed to show something for his money." My reply
WHS to the effect that his idea was all very well for those
of us who have a number of foreign birds, but I wanted
to know what should be done in the case of those who,
perhaps, had only one pair ? " Well, that is their look
out," was the answer. Hardly a satisfactory one, to my
mind.

I have before me the schedules and entry forms of
several of the forthcoming Shows, and without exception
I find the following: "Exhibitors must state on entry
form the class, breed, age. ..." I therefore take it
that it is the duty of the Show Committee to see that
the birds sent correspond with the entry form ; or at
once mark them " wrong entry," and either not stage
them, or else draw the Judge's attention to the error.

One vShow, having no less than 170 classes, has the
following rule :

"The decision of the Judges will be final, except
where mis-representation or breach of the rules is
discovered, .... and entry fees and all prizes won
by such exhibitor will be forfeited."

Surely a substituted entry would come under the
heading of "mis-representation" and, therefore, not be
eligible for competition.

C. B. d'Eyncourt Chamberi^ain.

" THE HUMMING BIRD IN LONDON."

Sir, — " A Humming Bird in London " interested me
immensely. Is the author of the article quite sure it was
a Humming Bird he saw }

32

I was ill Brazil some years ago, from July to the
end of November (Rio de Janeiio, vSantos, San Paulo.
and on a trip up country). Though deeply interested in
birds, I saw but three Hunnning Birds in all that time.
I had intended to tr}^ and bring some home, but never
saw one in a cage, and had no chance of buying or catch-
ing one to try my plan of feeding Humming Birds on
honey and condensed milk, and keeping them in a
large gauze cage, which plan I had thought of trying.

It ought to be possible, yet nobody seems to have
succeeded or seriously tried to succeed ; and it seems a
pity that the only person who is alleged to have succeed-
ed should be apparently lost in the London fog, and his
prize bird escape. AuG. F. Wiener.

vSUITABLP: BIRDS FOR CAGHS.

Sir, — I was asked to recommend a few birds that
are hardy, and easy to feed and keep indoors in a large
cage. As I only keep a few pets, I gave the following
names, and shall be pleased to hear if I was correct. For
a Crystal Palace cage, say 3ft. long, 3ft. high, and 16 or
iSins. wide. — Pairs of Budj^erigars, Madagascar Love-
birds, White or Grey Javas, Ribbon Finclies, and
Weavers, say four or five paiis.

White Javas I prefer to keep separate from Grev. as
they make delightfully tame pets; so in this case I said
Javas one pair only, and Saffron-finches to make up. If,
however, small birds were required, I suggested a dozen
of those Mauuikins advertized just now, from 9'- to 15/-
per dozen, mixed.

This question is, I expect, often asked by bird lovers,
who, from keeping Canaries or British birds, such as
Goldfinches and Linnets, would like to go in for a few
foreign birds, but fear that too much trouble in feeding
and care would follow. Could not a list suitable for large
cages indoors, aviaries outdoors, or bird-rooms indoors,
be given in "Notes" ? I, for one, would be thankful.

33

THK ROSH-ERIvAvSTKD OROSHKAK, AND

OTHER BIRDvS.

Sir, — I am a gieat admirer of the Rose-1)reasted
Grosbeak, aud have often praised it for its song-, in the
*' Feathered World." It was the finest son<<-bird of all
forei<i[n Inrds which I have possessed — and the Pnrple
Finch the second best. Both of these species I obtained
by accident. For many years I was on the look-out for a
live Pine Grosbeak, and not then knowing what a Rose-
breasted Grosbeak was, I thought when I saw, in 1879,
one advertized by Cross, for 8/-, I would send for it. It
was not a Pine Grosbeak, as I had expected, but, as one
of my rules is never either to buy or sell on approval, I
kept the bird, and was very pleased with its song. I have
had man}' since, but I never gave more than 12/6 each for
them. When mine died iu the aviary they were alwaj's
very fat. They were, all but one, quite harmless to
other birds. The one exception ate a nest of four Gold-
finch-Linnet hybrids when a week old. Brehm writes of
this l)ird : " The song is very rich and pleasing, . . . the
I\Iocking-bird is the only American species that can beat
it." The author of " Citizen Bird," write : "Wearing
a beautiful rosy shield on his breast, and singing at
morning aud evening more beautifully even than the
very best (American) Robin."

When I obtained a live Pine Grosbeak, I bought it
as a Siberian Rose-finch — which it was not. I had got a
stuffed Pine Grosbeak, besides books describing it.

I have only seen one live Rose-finch, which was
exhibited as a Carmine Bunting.

I have had the Scarlet Grosbeak, but it is of no
use for either song, show, or breeding. The Purple-finch
is the same colour, and will both sing and breed. The
first of my Purple-finches I bought from Cross at 15/- the
pair, as "American Linnets," and it was a long time
before I knew their proper name. Ultimateh', the Rev.
H. A. Macpherson informed me, from my description

34

of them, that they were Purple-fiuches. I bought niany
aftervvards, at 5 - each, from a dealer at Leicester.

J. H. Vekrai,!,.

[It was pointed out to Mr. Verrall that the bird
usually known as the Scarlet Rose Finch or Common
Rose Finch {Carpodacns etythrinus or Pynhtila etytJiritia)
is also called the Scarlet Grosbeak — but that he appeared
to distinguish between the Rose Finch and the Scarlet
(rrosbeak. To this he replied as follows, — ]

Sir, — The bird I call the Rose Finch is the same as
the Carmine Bunting, one of which was exhibited at a
Bird Show at Worthing — the exhibitor is now dead. I
have seen a few at C. P. shows. They are described in
Bree's Birds of FvUrope — last edition. The Rose Finch is
larger than the vScarlet Grosbeak, but not so long as the
Pine Grosbeak. I never possessed a Rose Fiiich, but my
Scarlet Grosbeak was sold to me as a Rose Finch by Charles
Jamrach, and I told him that it was wrongly descril^ed ;
he referred me to the late Lord Lilford, who agreed with
my description. The vScarlet Grosbeak is very similar in
colour and size to the IHirple Finch, but is different in
liabits and has no song.

I believe the Rose Finch retains the rose colour
after moulting, which the others do not.

I believe the bird I saw at Worthing had dirty-white
cheeks — it was a more squatty bird, like a Common
Bunting. J. H. Vkrrat^i,.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

HOW TO UK AT AN AVIARY.

Question. — My aviar}' is a small conservatory facing
south — about loft. square. It is getting very cold there
at night, although it is fairly warm in the day. I thought
of a small hot-water coil heated by gas, but cannot find
out who could supply me with it. I should be very glad
if you could advise me on the subject, as I cannot buy
auy birds, or even think of it, unless 1 can keep them
warm.

35

Answer. — A conservatoi y is not a very good place for
:in aviary, as it is so difficult to keep the temperature of
it fairly equable.

There is no better method of heating an aviary than
l)y liot-water pipes, and there are some comparatively
inexpensive systems in which gas is used for heating
the water. Any good hot- water engineer could give you
particulars of these. The gas should be outside the
aviar}-.

If you do not want to go the expense of hot-water
pipes, you might have a gas stove in which the products
of combustion are carried off by a flue. J?ut with these
there is always the risk of a down draught, which would
drive the fumes into the aviary, or, worse still, extinguish
the flame and cause an escape of gas. (vSince the intro-
duction of water-gas, the gas supplied from most works
is much more poisonous than it used to be). In Clarke's
Syphon Gas Stove there is no flue, but the products of
combustion are condensed in the stove. It is a very
safe, useful, and economical stove, but I think there
must be a greater vitiation of the atmosphere from its
use than with a properly acting pipe stove.

One of Rippingille's (Oil) Hotwater Stoves for Green-
houses might do very well, if it could be so arranged
that the fumes from the lamp should not pass into the
aviar}-. Ordinar\' oil stoves are very bad, as they simply
heat the air by burning it. Moreover, all oil-stoves are
dangerous, being apt to go wrong— and when that
happens the thick smoke is most destructive to birds,
and is quite sufficient to kill half the occupants of an
aviar}' in one night.

If you do not mind the cost, I should strongly advise
you to go in for hot-w^ater heating. Probabh' a coke
furnace would cost less in the end than gas as a means of
heating the water, but it would require winch more
attention.

I recenth' heard of an aviar}' being heated by a ver}-
simple arrangement, which was said to act extremely
well. An ordinarv fish-tail gas burner, outside the

36

aviary, was burnt under the mouth of a four-inch pipe,
which was carried through the aviary and out again.
This caused a sufficient current of hot air through the
pipe to eiTectually warm the aviary.

The Clamond Gas Radiator is a new form of gas-
stove which seems well worth experimenting with. For
the bird-room, it should be used with a flue.

It would be well, while you are about it, to have
sufficient heat to keep up a temperature of 60 degrees in
any weather, though all but the most delicate birds will
do well enough if the temperature keeps over 50 degrees
at night— and it might fall considerably below that in
exceptionally severe weather, without their suffering any
harm. Still, it is as well to aim at keeping the temperature
a little over 60. Of course, in an out door aviary birds
will stand much greater cold than they will in one where
they get less fresh air.

KEKPING CANARIKvS WITH I'OREIGN BIRDv^.

Question. — I have al)out twenty Canaries — do you
think that I could keep them with foreign birds }

Answer. — You could keep the Canaries very well with
small seed-eating foreigners. But it would be well to
select foreign birds which will live mainly on canar}-
seed, as unlimited millet-seed is not good for Canaries.
For this reason I should avoid putting Waxbills with the
Canaries, as most Waxbills do not care for canary-seed.
The Australian Grassfinches, such as Parson and Zebra
Flinches; the African True Finches, such as the Alario
Finch, and the Green and Grey vSinging Finch ; and the
small South American Grosbeaks, such as the White-
throated Finch, would be especially suitable forkeepin
with Canaries.

SAFFRON FINCHES.

Question. — Is it safe to keep Saff"ron L'inches in an
aviary with Waxbills, Avadavats, etc.

37

Answer. — No, it is not safe, for the vSaffion Finch is
sometimes murderously spiteful. But, on the other
hand if you happen to have peaceable examples of the
species, you ma}- keep them for years with tin}' l)irds.
hut it is a risk.

RED MITE.

Question.— -Xre foreifyn birds subject, in confinement,
to red mite, as much as Canaries are ?

Ajiswer. — In aviaries neither Canaries nor other birds
are much troubled vv^ith red mite. In cages the}' are
apt to be troublsome unless care is taken to keep them
down, but I do not think they infest any other species so
much as thev do the Canary.

EATvDNESS.

Question. — Baldness seems very prevalent amongst
the tiny finches, prior to the moulting vSeason, even
when fed on insect food. Can you state the cause ?

Answer. — Loss of feathers on the head is sometimes
caused by the excessive preening of the plumage by the
bird's mate. At other times it appears to be a symptom of
poor health, and not due to any definite single cause.
Cold, impure air, absence of l)athing facilities, bad seed,
a diet too exclusively of seed, absence of grit, want of
green-food, and (possibly) want of lime, would all tend to
cause it.

NOTE.— The above replies were sent by post to the questioners.
\\\ queries are so answered, but ouU' uch replies as are of general
interest are printed here.

38
THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB MARKET.

The charge for advertisements is one penny for each bird named.
Advertisements must be concisely worded, and clearly written
on a separate sheet of paper, with the name and address
of advertiser at the foot. The fee must in all cases be pre-
paid in stamps. The Hon. Sec. is antliorised to decline
Advertisements which he considers undesirable. Advertise-
ments for the Dkckmbkr issue must reach the Hon. vSec. not
later than nth December.

Wanted — two hen Cordon-bleus, healthy, not newly im-
ported. Price to Mrs. Bet^FORD Wit.SON,

Greywell, Winchfield.
Cassell's Book of Birds, from the text of Dr. Brehm
by Thomas Rynier Jones, 4 vols, bound in two, out
of print, 15 -; the Birds of Cumberland, by the Rev.
H. A. Macpherson, 1886, 15/-.

J. H. ViiRRAivL, 88, vSt. Leonard's Road, Hove.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

NOTICES TO MEMBERS.

NEW membe:rs elected.

Mr. RandoIvPH Quin, 371, Ditchling Road, Brighton.
Mr. J. A. vSwan, 87, Lower Kennington Lane, S.E.
Mr. E. HOPKINSON, M.A., M.B., Oxon., 9, Holywell,

Oxford
Miss Ppctrocochino, 72. Westbourne Terrace, W.
Mr, H. K. PiCARD, 10, Sand\vell Crescent,

W. Hampstead.

The above were proposed for election last month.
The following are members of the Avicultural Society,
and therefore, under the Rules, become members
without being formally proposed and elected.

Mr. Arthur Jones, 71, Harrowgate Road,

South Hackney.
Mrs. Mortimer, Wigmore, Holmwood, »Surrey.

39

Mr. T. Tijrnp:r, J. P., Culloinptou, Devon,

Mr. vS. BURGPC, Ivy Cottage, F'airford.

Mr, W. H. Bktts, 2, Gray's Inn Place, Gray's Inn, W.C.

Mr, Arthur Girj,, .AI.R.C.V.S., Bexley Heath, Kent.

Miss Hodgson, Hernewood, Sevenoaks,

Mrs. LKvSr^iE Wii^i.tams, 21, Bathwick Hill, Bath.

The Lady Duni,e:aTh, Ballywalter Park, Ballywalter,

Co. Down.
Mr. J. CuoNKSPiAW, ^Mansion House, Plantation Street,

Accrington.
Mr. Hkbi^ey Spee:d, 12, Victoria Park, Bangor.
Mr. Gavin Ai^STOn, Yondercroft, Darvel, Ayrshire,
Mr. Chart^eS Brodie, Thornton Loch, Innerwick,

East Lothian.
Madame Ata'S v. Gorter, The Delta, Walmer, Kent.
Miss R. AivDERvSON, Park House, Worksop.
Miss A. M. Wordsworth, 19, Jerni3'n vStreet, Liverpool.
Mr. Ai^fred Crafer. 6, Laburnum Road, Bpsom.
Miss G. F. Chawner, Forest Bank, Lyndhurst.
Mr. A. P. BivATHWAYT, Frogmore, Watford, Herts.
Mrs. Fife, Langton Hall, Northallerton, Yorks.
Miss HowMAN, Sherwood, Essex Grove,

Upper Norwood, S,E.
Mr. John Sergeant, Mayfield, 4, Crosby Road East,

Birkdale.
Mrs. HAMii/roN, Bannerdown House, Batheaston, Bath.
Mrs. Keene, Sandlea, Abbotsham Road, Bideford.
Lady Morshead, Forest Lodge, Binfield, Bracknell,

Berks.
Mr. Norman B. Roberts, Ashdell Cottage, Sheffield.
Mr. A. F. Wiener, 4, Bedford Place, Russell Square,

W.C.
Mr. Charles Houi/roN. Laburnum House, Denton's

Green, St. Helens, Lanes.
Mr, E, Richard, Hotel Metropole, Brighton.
Mr. G. J. Wright, 3, Rose Villas, Picton Road,

Ramsgate.
Mr. John Frostick, 18, Teniperley Road, Balham, S.W,
Mrs. MiCHEi.iv, Crakehall, Bedale.
Mr. C. S. R. Perring, 144a, Queen Victoria Street, E.C.

40

MissMAUDK Wir.DP:, Little Gaddesdeii, Berklianipstead.
Mr. Gkorgp: Cakrick, Stratheani Cottage, vSaltcoats,

Ayrshire.

NEW MP:MBERS PROPOvSED.

Mrs. BEI.FORD Wilson, Greywell, Winclifield.
Mr. Wii,i,iAM Hir,r, Foster, 164, Portland Street.

Southport.
Mr. F. DuNSTONi-:, 40, Round Hill Crescent, Brighton.
Mrs. DuTTON, Bank Cottage, Walton, vStone, vStaffs.
Mr. J. H. Verrat,t„ 88, St. Leonard's Road, Hove.
Mr. Andrew Phitjp, 19, Parnell Place, Harold's Cross.

Co. Dublin.
Miss M. S. Lattev, Hollvdeiie, Allensbank Road,

Cardiff.
Mr. H. S. Sharp, Heathfield, Bingley, Yorkshire.
Mr. Wii^i.TAM Earp, Park Place Gardens,

Henley-on-Thames.

Proposed by the Hox. SEC.

At the London Cage Bird Association's Show at the
Royal Aquarium, Westminster, on the 19th, 20th, and
2ist November, a silver medal will be offered by the
Club for the best foreign bird belonging to a member,
and a bronze medal for the second best (the winner of the
silver medal excluded). Schedules from Mr. J. Tyson,
169, Sloan Street, S.W. Nine classes for foreign birds.
The Rev. H. D. Astley is the Judge.

At the vSheffield Cage Bird vSociety's vSliow, on the
27tli and 2Sth November, the Club will offer a bronze
medal for the best foreign bird belonging to a member.
Schedules from Mr. J. C. Barnes, 149, Duncombe vStreet,
Wal'Kle}', Sheffield. There are onl}' three classes, but the
prize-money is liberal, the entrance fee only i '-, and
there are numerous specials— consequently the Council
thought it well to make an exception to Medal Rule 2.
The Judges are Messrs. N. B. Roberts and e:. E. Smith.

jforeion Birb Botes

FOR DECEMBKR, 1901.

Will those members who have not yet paid their
subscriptions be so kind as to forward them at their
earliest convenience ?

Referring to the correspondence on the " Humming
Bird in London," Mr. Betts tells me that Gould had some
Humming Birds many years ago in Warwick Court,
Gray's Inn, but he believes that since then no one but
Mr. Ouin has ever seen a living example in Kngland. It
will be observed that Mr. Quin declines to state positive-
ly that the bird he saw was a Humming Bird, and in
consequence of this, and of the fact that the incident he
records took place some years ago, it ma\' be well to
keep an open mind upon the subject.

I am glad to be able to announce that at the
P'ebruary Palace Show the birds will be staged, as usual,
in a tent. The Crystal Palace Company does not now, as
it once did, contribute to the vShow Fund, consequently
the Show Committee have to be less liberal in
classification and prize money than they used to be. No
doubt the Council of our Club will offer the usual Medals
for the best birds shown by members— but I should
much like something more to be done to encourage the
Show and bring members to the Club. I do not think
that the Club, as a Club, can afford to give Special
Prizes, and I want therefore to appeal to the generosity
of the members. Will any members offer vSpecials to be
competed for by members only ? I should be ver\^ glad to
hear from any who are willing to help in this way, but
must ask them to write at once, as the Schedule goes
to press in a few daj's.

The Lady Dunleathis to be heartily congratulated on
her success in breeding the vSpice Bird or Nutmeg Finch.
This common species has generally been considered to be
one of those which " will not " breed in the British Isles,
and the fact that it has at last nested successfully

42

encourages the hope that other birds, whicli have
hitlierto refused to breed, will in their turn yield to the
skilful treatment of our aviculturists.

Our valued member Dr. Hopkinson has left England
for West Africa, where he will be engaged for some
months in a journey of exploration in the interior of the
Gambia region. He expects to return home in July, and
will then, I hope, resume his contributions to these
pages.

HORATIO R. FILLMER,

Hon. Sec. FOREIGN BiRD CluB.

FOREIGN BIRDS AT THE AQUARIUM.

The London Cage Bird Association held their annual
Show at the Royal Aquarium, Westminster, on the 19th,
20th, and 2ist of Noveml^er. There were eleven classes
with open competition, and two confined to members of
the Association. Unfortunately, five open classes and
one of the members' classes had to be cancelled. There
were about 70 entries, only one or two of which were
absent, so the number competing was rather larger than
at the Crystal Palace Show held a fortnight before.
Considering that the classification and prize money were
both slightly more liberal, tliis was to be expected. The
classification was not a good one : putting Waxbills and
Grassfinches in separate classes always causes confusion
and mistakes; and the division of Insectivorous birds
into " larger than," and " not larger than, a Blue Robin,"
is a rough and read}' expedient which we ought to have
seen the last of at large shows.

The classes for foreign Goldfinches and Bullfinches
were both cancelled, also those for Amazons and Grey
Parrots, and for I*Iacaws, Cockatoos, and Parrots.

Class 70. Budgerigars, Love- Birds, and Pigmy Parrots.
Six entries, one absent. P^irst, JMr. Storey's well-known
pair of Peach-faced Love-birds. Third, Mrs. C. Cooper's
fine Budgerigars. (The second prize seems not to have
been awarded). V. H. C, Mr. W. Judd's pair of Mada-

43

gascar Love-birds. H. C, Mr. Hawkins' Budgerigars.
C., Mr. Frostick's Peach-faced Love-birds.

Class 71. A/iv other species of Parrakeet and Lorikeet.
vSeveii entries. First, Mr. Hawkins' hen Golden-
shouklered Parrakeet, which took the first prize in a
similar class at the Palace. Here it also won the Bronze
Medal of the Foreign Bird Club. Second, Mr. Oakey's
Port Lincoln. Third, Mr. Hawkins' Blue Bonnet.
V.H.C., Mrs. Cooper's Mealy Rosella and Mr. Maxwell's
Lory — the latter was one of the genus Eos, (we are not
sure of the species, possibl}- Eos reciniata), therefore a
true Lory and not a Lorikeet, and consequently in the
wrong class. H. C, Miss Howe's Javan Parrakeet.
There was also a pair of Redrunips.

Class 72. Waxbills, Mannikiiis, and Combassous. Eight
entries. Most of the birds in this class were the same
as those in the corresponding class at the Palace, and it
was curious and amusing to see how differently they
were placed by the respective Judges. First, Mr.
Hawkins' Cordon-l)leus — a fine pair of extra large birds,
the hen perfect, but the cock not quite so. vSecond, Mr.
Hawkins' Fire Finches. Third, Mr. Townsend's Lavender
Finches. V. H. C, INIr. Townsend's Golden-breasted
Waxbills. H.C., ]Mr. Hawkins' Fire Finches. The class
also contained the Rufous-tailed Finches which were
first at the Palace, the Pectoral Finches which were
second there, and the Wiener's Waxbills which were
third there— all here passed without even a card. One
of the Pectoral P'inches looked out of sorts, and the
Wiener's Waxbills were perhaps scarcely in show con-
dition, but the Rufous-tails were undoubtedly the best
birds in this class, and we understand they were passed
by the Judge solely because he considered them to be
in the wrong class. This was rather hard treatment in
view of the fact that Rufous-tailed Finches always have
been shown in the Waxbill classes, and compete most
fairh- there. No doubt the Judge was technically
correct — but it is questionable whether such very strict
adherance to the wording of a rather loosely drawn
schetlule is necessary or desirable. The Fire Finches

44

were charming birds and well deserved their position,
for although coniinonly imported the species is so very
delicate, until acclimatized, that it is ver\- rare to see good
examples.

Class 73, Weavers and Whydahs. Cancelled.

Class 74. Any other species of seed - eating bird.
Twenty entries. Four consecutive entries, belonging to
Mr. Hawkins, took all the prizes. First, two hybrid
Parrot Finches, which we think have often been seen on
the Show bench — they were not quite in perfect con-
dition, in fact Parrot Finches seldom are, partly because
the}' moult twice in the year and are some time over it.
Second, a nice little pair of Cuba Finches. Third, a
Diamond Finch in grand feather, but lucky to be in the
money. Fourth, a ver}- good cock Red-headed Gouldian.
V.H.C., Miss McGruther's Black-headed Gouldian cock,
Mr. Hawkins' pair of Long-tailed Grassfinches, and Mr.
Towusend's Parrot Finch. H.C., Mr. Fillmer's Desert
Trumpeter, Mrs. Cooper's Long-tailed Grassfinch {first at
the Palace) and Mrs. S.J. Brown's Red-headed Gouldian.
C, Mr. Fillmer's Yellow Sparrow, Mr. Townsend's
Red-headed Gouldian, and Mr. Frostick's Red-backed
Buntings. The class also contained a pair of Ribbon
Finches, a Diuca Finch (which deserved a card), two pairs
of White Java Sparrows, two ver}' poor Red-headed
Cardinals, and a Zebra Finch. A good class on the
whole, which must have given some trouble to the
Judge.

Class 75. Insectivorous or Fruit-eating Birds, larger
than a Blue Robin. Fight entries — one of which was
absent. First, ]\Ir. Glasscoe's Masked Wood-swallow,
which occupied the same position at the Palace.
Second, Mr. Swan's White-capped Tanager {Stephano-
phorus leucocephalus) — a bird which we believe to be
unique on the Show bench, singularly beautiful, and
well deserving of the vSilver INIedal of the Club which
was awarded to it. Third, Mr. Townsend's Malabar
Green Bnlbul. I'^ourth, jNIr. Glasscoe's White-eyebrowed
Wood-swallow. V. H. C. i\Ir. Cushn}"s Golden-headed
Troupial, INIr. Glasscoe's vSacred Kingfisher, and

45

a bird exhibited by Mr. Towiiseud, unnanied
ill the catalo,i4ue, which lie infornis us is the
Archbishop Taiiager {Tanagra ornata). It was a small but
very excellent class, ever}- bird in which deserved to be a
winner.

Class 76. Insectivorous or Fruit-eati/ig Birds, not
larger than a Blue Robin. Seven entries. First, Mr.
Frostick's Blue and Black Tanager. vSecond, Mr.
Townsend's Pekin Robin — a rather strange award, con-
sidering the commonness of the bird and the ease with
which it is kept in Show condition. Third, Mr. Frostick's
Sugar Bird, entered as a Yellow-winged, but which we
take to be a rarer species, possibW Chlorophanes spiza.
V, H. C, Mr. Townsend's pair of Zosterops. H. C, two
Scarlet Tauagers showai by I\Ir. Frostick. The class also
contained a White-eared Bulbul, the most delightful of
all the true Bulbuls. The quality in this class was not
nearly so good as in Class 75.

Class no. Any variety {Seed-eating). Confined to
members of the L. C B. A. First, Mr. Hawkins' pair of
Many-coloured Parrakeets. vSecond, Mr. Maxwell's
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet. Third, Mr. Frostick's INIeyer's
Parrot. Fourth, Mr. Hawkins' Bicheno's Finch. V.H.C.,
Mr. Hawkins' Gouldian. H. C, Mr. Hawkins' Olive
Cuba Finches. C, IMr. Hawkins' Grey Singing Finches,
Mr. Burrows' two pairs of Budgerigars and Mr. Frostick's
Redrumps. The class also contained some Zebra
Finches, two Scarlet Tauagers, and a good Red-
crested Cardinal. vSuch a mixture must have been
a dreadful task to the Judge, and criticism is disarmed in
contemplation of it.

vSo far as Parrots were concerned the Show was a
failure — so many classes being cancelled. But the
collection of small birds was decidedly good. All the
foreign birds were judged by the Rev. H, D. Astley. We
have pointed out a good many instances in which w^e
differ from his awards, but we do not wish to convey the
impression that the judging was otherwise than
generally satisfactory. At all events it was the judging
of a man who knew the birds.

46
ON JUDGING FOREIGN BIRDS.

Judging foreign birds differs essentially from judging
the artificial varieties of Canaries, Pigeons, and Dogs. In
the case of the latter there are certain definite standards
of perfection to which breeders and exhibitors try to
make their animals conform, and the duty of the judge
consists in assigning their just values to certain arbitrary
points. The judge of foreign birds, however, has no such
standard with which to compare liis exhibits. No
Society, so far as I know, has ever even attempted to
formulate rules for judging foreign birds, anci every judge
therefore has to a great extent to create and carry out his
own rules. Under these circumstances it can liardh- be
a matter for wonder that foreign bird judging has often
been rather a haphazard matter, and has sometimes given
more dissatisfaction at Shows than the judging of
Canaries and British birds.

In judging foreign birds there are, in my opinion, two
points to which equal attention should be paid and for
which equal credit should be given : (ii condition, (2)
rarity.

In givingcredit for condition, that is for perfection of
plumage and bodily form, the relative difficulty of keep-
ing different birds of this class in health and condition
should always be kept in mind. Here the " all-round "
judge generally comes to grief Having had little or no
practical experience in keeping foreign l)irds, he awards
the prize to the bird which happens to have the best
appearance on the Show bench, exalting a Java
vSparrow or Zebra-finch over a Gouldian or a Green
Avadavat, which are far more difficult to keep in good
plumage.

Again, in considering the question of rarity, the judge
must remember that there are many birds which are
rarely seen in confinement simply because the}- are
unattractive or unsuitable for captivity, and therefore
there is little or no demand for them.

A third point which would naturally influence a

47

jiulg-e is tlie suitability and cleanliness of the cage in
which a bird is shewn, but since birds are seldom
exhil)ited in the cages in which they live, too much
credit should not be given for this point. At the same
time, an exhibitor who does not take the trouble to send
his bird in a decent cage, has no right to complaini
when he is beaten by the man who exhibits his bird
properl}-. Beauty of form and plumage can hardly fail
to exert a great influence on the judge's mind ; other
things being equal, a beautifully coloured bird will
always beat a duller looking species. But beauty is so
much a matter of opinion that I think the judge ought
not to allow this consideration to weigh too mucli with
him. Some judges attach great importance to "steadi-
ness." A very " steady " bird has generally passed a
great part of its life in travelling from Show to Show in a
small cage, which is not a thing to be encouraged. On
the other hand it is most painful to see a very timid bird
fluttering wildly at the approach of each visitor. No
bird ought to be sent to a vShow unless it is tame enough
to bear being looked at without being scared out of its
wits. Due credit therefore should be given to steadiness.

There are certain special difficulties with which the
foreign bird judge has to contend.

One of the most important of these difficulties is the
enormous number of species of foreign birds which are,
or are liable to be, imported as cage ])irds. However
experienced an aviculturist the judge may be, he will
from time to time be called upon to pass judgment upon
a bird which he has never before met with, possibly the
first specimen of its species to be imported and
exhibited. The foreign bird judge should never lose an
opportunity of visiting a public or private collection of
birds, he should study every book on the subject to
which he has access, and he should be well acquainted
with the skins at the Natural History Museum. He will
then be able to assert with confidence when he meets
with a new bird, " that must be a very rare bird, I have
never seen one before."

48

Another difficulty is that of distinguishing the sexes of
birds which aie exhibited in pairs. Here I think the
judge's dut}' is plain. In the case of those species in
which the sexes can be distinguished by a simple
inspection of the birds in their cages he should insist
upon their being correctly exhibited. But in the case of
tliose species in which the sexes can only be distinguished
bv minute differences, such as the comparative width of
the beak, he should give the exhibitor credit for a true
pair. No bird should ever be reinoved from its cage by
the judge unless he lias reason to suspect "faking" or
dishonest treatment of some kind.

A third difficulty is that of deciding whether the birds
are exhibited in their proper classes. At one time it was
the custom to name the classes so carelessly that it was
impossible forjudge or exhibitor to know in what class a
bird ought to be shewn. Ten years ago, when the Cr3^stal
Palace had classes for " Thick-billed finches," " Small-
billed finches," and others with equally vague names, it
was the custom for exhibitors to " pay their money and
take their choice," frequently winning priaes with birds
of the same species in two or three different classes. At
the present time, however, I believe judges seldom have
much trouble in " wrong-classing " an exhibit, because
the classes are more accurately and carefully named and
notes generally added for the guidance of exhibitors.

Another very real difficulty in judging foreign birds
arises from the necessity of making the awards very
shortly after birds have arrived at the Show and before
they have had time to recover from the effects of their
journeys. Some birds are affected much more than
others, and I have seldom visited a Show on the second
day, after judging on the first, without feeling that my
awards would have been different in some cases had I
been able to give the birds more time to recover from the
effects of their travels. Classes containing Gouldian-
finches should always be left as long as possible after
arrival before being judged, as these birds almost always
suffer more or less from travelling.

49

The last difficulty I have to mention is one that, I am
thankful to say, is seldom met with in the case of foreign
birds; I mean "faking." This, in my experience, is
confined to the removal of dark feathers from White Java
Sparrows, and as it cannot be detected the judge need
not trouble himself about it.

C. S. Simpson, L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S.

ON BIRD BUYING.

People who are not extravagant by nature must
lose a most enormous amount of pleasure. I often
wonder — but my wonder is not mixed with envy, for I
would ten times rather have my own spendthriftiness and
the joy of it, though it does leave me at times without a
half-penny or more than a rag on my back— at people
who carefully consider all sorts of things before they buy
what they want. I even know a lady who hesitates at
spending half-a-crown on a bird treat, for as she says
herself, " Although one has the money doing nothing,
there mighthe: a better use for it ! " So much conscience
as that would make me quite ill if I owned it. There are
persons^mothers, and husbands, and so on — who never
buy themselves a single thing, and this is the only
reflection that occasionally pulls me up in my wild
career, when I reflect on one of the reasons why they don't
— but all this is too intimately personal.

Well, is it not a fine joy to get a little birdy parcel
by the railway ? (One might almost suppose that the
railway was a kind entity, and wished to give you pleasure
by the way that it lengthens out your anticipation).
When yon know you are already full up, and that the
new bird means a new cage, although you yesterday
assured someone who objected — someone always does —
that 5^ou Could make ample room for it with the Wax-
bills, and when you also know that you will have to
borrow long before next month's money arrives because
you have bought it, the pleasure is enhanced by ever so
much. When I have one bird of a sort, I always want

50

more, and more, and more! Do not you? If not, 3-00
don't really enjoy bnying. Selling is useful, sometimes
necessary, but I am not writing about it at present.

One thing that is bad about bird buying is the
possibility of being done. The very first Canaries I ever
purchased came from a lady who has since, and I feel sure
deservedly, been placed on the Exchange ami Mart's
Black List, and I have often bought frotn advertisers
since who ought to accompany her iuto that
cheerful retreat. She sent me two hens, if I
remember rightlj-, one blind and the other lame ;
but there was nothing interesting about the
transaction. One cannot. ask for sympathy when things
like this happen, because what will be said in reply is
stereot3ped and not consoling. It always includes a
reference, among other comforts, to the deposit-approval
system. Now I am certain that Mr. Fillmer did not use
that system, admirable as it is, when he bought his
Parrot Finch for 5/-. and the onh' time I tried it the man
wrote back that he had had a postal order by the same
delivery and preferred that.

The game of chance, as played by sending small
sums (I say '• small " so as to shock nobody) for
advertised birds and waiting to see what will come, is
nonetheless exciting for the element of risk. On the
whole, one is oftener pleased than otherwise with what
arrives, though a Rock Parrot is decidedly more likely to
turn out an Alexandrine after all, than to be the
Australian rarit}^ you fondly hoped it might be. Such
things as this latter event do happen to some people, but
not to me.

I prefer to buy through advertisements rather than
to go to shops, except in the case of one or two eniporia
where I am known. In a strange shop it is a disadvantage
to be feminine, for the dealer instantly concludes you
cannot possibly know anything, and it is so disagreeable
to refrain from argument when he tells you the Indigo
Bunting and the Nonpareil are hen and cock to one
another. Like Alice I replied indignantly, when I
received this piece of information last, but " Well, we

51

SETvL them so at ain' rate," seemed an unanswerable
arjj^ument. Tlien, if you are not absolutely poverty
stricken in appearance, and especially if you arrive in a
hansom, as I alwaj's do, because I can't walk and am
afraid of small-pox in omnibuses, the prices go up at
once. Of course this doesn't apply to what I call real
bird shops — that is, to shops kept by men who are them-
selves aviculturists, only to the catchpenny sort where
dogs in a state of mange, manufactured Manx cats, and
guinea pigs very very far from being show stock — who
takes the trouble to breed the rabbits and cavies that
these shops sell, I wonder ? — help to make things pleasant
for the birds. Then, in the good shops, temptation lurks,
and you bux' ever so much more than you intended ; the
pleasure is over in a very few minutes, and there is no
anticipation. It is twice as good to write to the shop
and have the birds come to you — at least so I find it.
I wish the other members would all tell us what they
think and how they buy — and especially whether they
are reckless or prudent. There is a little bit in Mr.
Verrall's letter which bears on this subject : he says it is
his rule never to buy or sell on approval. I can
thoroughly understand and sympathize with not selling
on approval, when one knows one is honest and reliable.
But why never buy on approval } Everybody is not a
member of the Foreign Bird Club or another similar
Society, and approval is wholesome (though I don't like
to wait to deposit) for some advertising dealers to
practise. The reliable ones offer it freely without
deposit, so it cannot be amiss to take them at their
word. Perhaps the objection is vicarious and Mr.
Verrall is arguing from the birds' point of view. If
you go in for Canaries, approval is very usefnl, for some
amateurs who are perfectly bona fide are nevertheless
completely untrustworthy, merel}' because they don't
know what they are talking about. The purely amateur
idea of a good Crest Canary, for instance, is often as
far as the empyrean from the reality as understood by
an expert. Margaret Wii,i,iams.

52

BREEDING THE SPICE BIRD.

T have had my va'w of Spice Birds for some 3-ears—
since 1896 I Ihiiik. In May of last year I turned all my
birds out into a new outdoor aviary which I had made.
In No. I Division I have Canaries, Ribbon Finches,
Whydahs, Zebra Finches, Waxbills, Avadavats, Nuns,
Bengalese, Parson Finches, Saffron Finches, Bullfinches,
Cockatiels, Java Doves. Cordon Bleus, vSpice Birds,
Nicobar Pigeons, and one Scarlet Tanager, one Superb
Tanager, one Fontenegra, and one Mountain Finch,
altogether 130 birds. Before I went to Scotland this
autumn I had only one pair of Spice Birds, and I noticed
one of them sitting in a travelling box-cage which was
hung inside the aviary cottage, from the roof, by a long
wire (to prevent mice from getting at the nest). I went
away at the beginning of August, and on returning at the
end of September I found two young Spice Birds flying
about, with fluff still on their heads. They are now a
beautiful rich brown, and more clearly marked than
their parents.

I also reared three Cordon Bleus, and they were fully
fledged and flying about when I left home, but when I
returned I could only see the parents.

The great storm of wind and rain about the middle of
November killed, I am sorry to sa}', my Superb Tanager,
my hen Cordon Bleu, two Pekin Robins, one Golden-
bieast, and my Bine-winged Love Birds — but all the rest
look well. The only bird I have taken in for the winter
is the Scarlet Tanager — I got him last November, and
he has been out since May.

The second division of my aviary contains Pekin
Robins, Indigos. Weavers, Green vSinging Finches,
Nonpareils, two Teal, Virginians, Popes, one Rosella, one
Half-moon Parakeet, one Indian Ring-necked Parrakeet,
one Redrump. and Zebra Doves — 26 birds in all, I am
now enlarging the aviary and making a third division for
Virginian Cardinals and Popes,

53

The oiil\- heat is from a small oil stove and an
■oil lamp, which are lighted at fonr o'clock in the after-
noon and kept bnrninj^ all night. Since having the
stove I have lost no small birds. The temperature goes
down to 32 deg., and is never in winter above 50 deg.
This is the second winter for nearly all the birds. I shut
them in only at night and on a very wet day. I had in
the spring nine Zebra Finches and now have thirty-two.

N. Tv. F. DUNIvEATH.

THE EDITOR'S LETTER BOX.

METHODvS OF WARMING AVIARIES.

Sir, — I will begin by explaining what my aviary
and bird-room are like ; they are roughly made, for I
am my own architect and builder. There is a room
built out at the back of my house, and roofed with zinc ;
on this roof I have built iny bird-room. There is a wall
on three sides of it. and the front I have made with four
large windows. The roof I made with four large
shutters, and covered the same with zinc ; these I can
take down and put itp, according to the state of the
weather ; there is also a wire roof, so that when the
shutters are down the birds have the benefit of more
fresh air, and of the sunshine and rain.

I use gas for heating in the following way. There is
a kind of metal urn with the bottom off, which stands on
four bricks over a No. 4 gas burner (a large aviary would
require a larger burner). This urn has a tin pipe at
the top of it which is carried to the top of the aviar\'
and across it, and then through the roof, with a small
cowl on the opening of the pipe to prevent a down
draught. This I find answers admirably — the urn and
pipe get so hot that you cannot bear your hand on them,
and to save the birds from burning themselves I put a
cage of half-inch mesh wire netting over the urn. To
see the birds fight for a place on the cage at night is
most amusing. The laying on of the gas, the urn, pipe.

54

etc., cost me lo/- or less, I think, aud the No. 4 Bra3''s
burner burns 4ft. of gas per hour. Gas in my neighbour-
hood is 2/6 per 1, 000ft., so that the cost of heating is a
fraction under 3d. for 24 hours. Arthur Jones.

Sir, — My aviary is 36ft. long by 15ft. wide, and 8ft.
high. It has brick walls on two sides, and on the others
glass and corrugated iron lined with match-boarding.
It is divided into six compartments, all the partitions
being wire above the height of 2ft. from the floor. The
floor is of concrete, with a trough running tlirough all
the compartments, with water laid on so arranged that
the trough can be filled or the water allowed to run
through it.

Any member who is in my part of the country
(Southport) can have a look if he likes to call. My
aviary is heated with 4" hot water pipes, fed from an
independent boiler which requires attention twdce a-da}-.
I have tried both gas and oil. Gas needs less attention
but is expensive — I had it laid on last winter, 1)ut found
it cost me about 2/6 per week. I had a stove called the
"King of vStoves," which requires no chimney and has
three ordinary gas burners in it. It is very good, but there
is a better one made by Feulon and Son, of London,
which works as a radiator with gas and water— it costs
about ;^6. If gas is used there ought to be a ventilator
in the roof alwax's open. I have an Acme Ventilator in
the roof of my aviary, which is alwa^'s open as no
down draught can comedown. W. H. Foster.

Sir, — My bird-room is heated b}- an ordinary slow
combustion stove. I gave 16/- for it at the A. & N. vStores.
I had the grate in the room stopped up, and over the
mantelpiece a hole cut to pass the stove-pipe through.
The stove stands on a large slab of stone and is inside a
cage of half-inch galvanized wire, high enough to enclose
the stove-pipe, which, I have already said, goes through
the wall above the chimney piece. The wire cage is
made on light wooden uprights, and is fitted with.

55

a door : my object was to be able to have the stove some
little way out in the room, and so better distribute the
heat. I can keep up a temperature of 50 to6odej^rees
all night. The stove is attended to ever}' night about
9.30, and is warm enough at 7 o'clock next morning to
only require a few sticks, and the damper left open
awhile, to revive the fire.

I always have the outside door of the bird-room open
night and da}', and inside the room I have a sort of porch
of half-inch galvanized wire with a door; this arrange-
ment I find very useful, as I am sure fresh air (especially
if one has a stove) in a bird-room is most necessary.

In vSummer the stove is taken away and the pipe-
hole stopped up — and there you have a roonn^ cage for
Canaries or other birds that want to nest.

The above arrangement is primitive, no doubt, but
in an old-fashioned country- house, with no heating
apparatus, one must do with what one can have and not
with what one woidd have.

ISABErvr^A Bp:i.ford Wii^son.

SHRIKRS, MYNAHvS, AND WOODLARKS.

Sir, — Will a member of the F. B. C. give his
experience of the Australian Shrikes, describe their
size and plumage, and say whether they are good
whistlers } I also want to know the capabilities of the
Crested Mynah as a cage pet, and whether Austrian
Woodlarks are superior songsters to British.

Could an index to foreign cage birds be attached to
" Notes," giving all the different names, including
dealers names, of each species } Amazon.

[Will some member please answer all or any of the
above questions } The proposed " Index " is a large
order, but I will see whether it is not possible to do some-
thing towards it some da\-. — Ed.]

THE HUMMING-BIRD IN LONDON.
Sir, — In my little narrative I carefully avoided the
use of the name Humming Bird, and you will recollect

56

that you, not I, are responsible for the title at the head
of the article. I am not a professed ornithologist, and I
had never (before) seen a live Humming-bird, therefore I
do not care to positively assert that this was one. But if
it was not a Humming Bird, what was it ? I have no
real doubt in my mind about it. Randolph Quin.

[I accept responsibility for the title, and in justifica-
tion of my giving Mr. Ouin's story such a heading, I can
only repeat his question. " If it was not a Humming-
bird, what was it ?" — Ed.]

SUITABLE BIRDS FOR CAGES.

Sir, — The birds which " W " recommended to his
acquaintance make a nice selection, but we all have our
fancies, and I expect that no two of us would make
exactly the same choice. Personally I think the Waxbills
are more suited for cage life than any other birds — they
are small, and therefore have more room for exercise
than larger birds would have in the same cage, and the
hens seldom lay, so that the risk of egg-binding is not
great. Green Singing Finches make charming cage-
birds, but are rather quarrelsome. Alario Finches are
delightful little birds, with a pretty song — ^but they are
rare just now, and are not very hardy. I should omit
the Budgerigars and Love Birds, as apt to be dangerous.

If Waxbills are considered too fragile, the following
would be my choice for a dozen hardy birds to live
together in a cage and make a good show of bright
plumage. Pairs, — Chestnut Finch, Grey Java Sparrow,
Spice Bird. Cocks, — Paradise Whydah, Pintailed
Whydah, Orange Weaver, Napoleon Weaver, Ribbon
Finch, Zebra Finch. These would all live well on plain
canar3'-seed and white millet, wdth a spray of French
millet now and then. They are all cheap birds, except
perhaps the Whydahs, and a Silverbill and a Bronze
Mannikin might be substituted for the latter.

Another cage might contain a pair of Green vSinging
Finches, a pair of Gre}' Singing P'inches, a cock Non-
pareil, a cock Indigo Finch, and a White-throated Finch

57

— these would be better without wliite millet and might
have a few hemp seeds now and then. The Nonpareil
and Indigo would want a mealworm now and then, or a
little egg food. Randoi^ph Ouin.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

" COIvIFlCHET."
Quesiiofi.— What is " coUfichet .? " J. H. H.
Answer. — It is a sort of gluten bread, made in France,
expressly, it is understood, for birds. It is sold b}' most
bird dealers in horseshoe-shaped rolls. It is similar to
the bread made for sufferers from diabetes. It is more
easily digested by insectivorous birds than ordinary bread
or biscuit, and is non-fattening. It is easily crumbled to
powder in the hands, and can then be mixed with other
ingredients.

BREEDING BUNTINGvS.

Question. — Can any one tell me what small foreign
temale bird would mate wdtli a *• Nonpareil " (or
" Mexican Canary," as it is called in Mexico) } I had
several brought over, both cocks and hens, but all have
died except two cocks, and I am told that the hens will
not live in England. I have Canaries, Nonpareils, and
Budgerigars in an out door aviarv. The place is not
heated, it faces south, and half of it is covered in with
glass, and on very cold nights I put a shutter up. The
birds are in excellent health ; they have a bath twice a
week and always plenty of spray millet and green food,
besides canary seed and white millet. I am verv anxious, if
possible, to breed from the Nonpareils, if there is a
foreign female bird that I could put with them in the
aviary. The plumage of the birds that I have now is
perfect, and they all look bright and happ}' and never
mope. J. F.

Answer. — The Nonpareil is a Bunting. The onh'
ver}' nearly allied species of which you would be able to
obtain a female is the Indigo Buuting. It would pro.

58

hably be fairly easy to cross these two species, but I
expect a hen Indigo would be almost as difficult to get as
a hen Nonpareil. You might try to cross your Nonpareils
with a female of the Japanese Red-backed Bunting-
there have been a good many of them about lately, and
they can be bought cheap. There is no reason why hen
Nonpareils should not live in E)ngland, but they are
seldom imported. This species, as well as the Indigo
Bunting, has been bred in an English aviary, but, like
all Buntings, they will at first feed their young on
nothing but live insects.

THE SHEFFIELD SHOW.

The vSheffield Cage Bird vSociety held their annual
Show on the 27th and 28Lh of November. There were
three classes for foreign birds, containing altogether 47
entries. We are, unfortunately, without a report of the
vShow, and these notes are simply compiled from the
catalogue. The chief prize winner was Mr. Osbaldeston,
who appears to have shown a wonderfully fine team of
birds. Other members of the Club who exhibited were
Mr. Oakey, Miss Alderson, Mr. Parker, and Mr. H. B.
vSniith— in fact more than three-fourths of the entries
belonged to members. The Club's Medal was awarded to
Miss Alderson's vShamah " Hector," which from all
accounts is a most charming bird.

R. L. S's SILVERBILLS.

' Paris, Jan., iSyS. — I have become a bird fancier. I
carry six little creatures no bigger than my thumb about
with me almost all day long ; they are so pretty ; and it
is so nice to waken in the morning and hear them sing.'
Six or seven years later he again alludes to these or to
•other similar pets. ' There is only one sort of bird that

59

I can tolerate caged, though even then I think it hard,
and that is what is called in France the Bec-d'-Argent.
I once had two of these pigmies in captivity ; and in the
qniet, bare honse upon a silent street where I was then
living, their song, which was not much louder than a bee's
but airih' musical, kept me in a perpetual good-humour.
I put the cage upon m}^ table when I worked, carried it
with me when I went for meals, and kept it by m 3^ head
at niglit: the fii'st thing in the morning, these maestrini
would pipe up.' — Life of Robert Louis Stevenson, by Graham
Balfour. Methuen of Co., i8gi.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB MARKET.

The charge for advertisements is one penny for each bird named.
Advertisements must be concisely worded, and clearly written
on a separate sheet of paper, with the name and address
of advertiser at the foot. 'I'he fee must in all cases be pre-
paid in stamps. The Hon. Sec. is authorised to decline
Advertisements which he considers undesirable. Advertise-
ments for the January issue must reach the Hon. Sec. not
later than nth Januar3'.

Magpie Mannikin, presented by a member, to be sold
without reserve for the benefit of the Club. The
best offer received by the Secretary from an amateur
member before the 25tli of Dec, will be accepted.
The bird is in perfect condition.

Wanted — from an outdoor aviar\', two lieu Japanese Red-
backed Btmtings, to mate with a Nonpareil. What
price are the}' 'i

Mrs. FiFf:, Langtou Hall, Northallerton, Yorks.

6o

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

NOTICES TO MEMBERS.

NEW MEMBERS ELECTED.

Mrs. BEI.FORD WiivSON, Greywell, Winchfield.

Mr. Wiivi^iAM Hir.i, Foster, 164. Portland vStreet,

Southport.

Mr. F. DuNSTONE, 40, Round Hill Crescent, Brighton.

Mrs. Button, Bank Cottage, Walton, Stone, Staffs.

Mr. J. H. VerraIvTv, 88, vSt. Leonard's Road, Hove.

Mr. Andrew PhiIvIP, 19, Parnell Place, Harold's Cross,
Co. Dublin.

Miss M. vS. Lattey, Hollydene, Allensbank Road,

Cardiff.

Mr. H. S. Sharpe, Heathfield, Bingley, Yorkshire.

Mr. WiLi^iAM Earp, Park Place Gardens,

Henley-on-Thames.

Mrs. AnninGSON, Walt-hani-sal, Barton Road, Cam-
bridge. Mem. Avic. Society.

Miss Husband, Clifton View, York. Mem. Avic. Society.

Mr. A. Savage, 3, Rue Bihorel, Biliorel, Rouen, France.
Mem. Avic. Society.

NEW MEMBERS PROPOSED.

Mr. E. R. PhiIvUPS, 6, Park View, Bray, Co. Wicklow.

Proposed by Mr. ANDREW P'hiIvIP.
Mr. John Acutt, 114, Upland Road, East Dulwich.

Proposed by Mr. R. QuiN.
Mr. J. J. MUMFORD, The Poplars, Rockingham Road,

Kettering.
Mr. J. H. Harrison, Broad Oak. I/ytham.
vSignora GiuIvIA ZammaTI Baldki^t.i, 4, Via Silvio
Pellico, Florence, Itah*.

Proposed by the HON. vSec.

jforeicjn IBivb Botes

FOR JANUARY, 1902.

We have more than eighty members, but I have
written less than sixty receipts for subscriptions — con-
sequently there are still a good many who have not yet
been able to find time to forward a postal order. I do not
want to make a personal application by letter — I do not
grudge the trouble, but I do begrudge the postage. And
I am afraid a post card would hardly be polite. Will
those who have not yet paid kindly bear in mind the
interesting little fact that, if I have to write to them, their
net contribution, to the by no means overflowing coffers
of the Club, will be not 5/-, but 4/1 1.

A member, who desired to remain anonymous, offered
a special prize of one guinea, open to members only, at
the forthcoming Palace vSliow, but unfortunately his
generous offer was received too late, the vSchedule being
already in print. The donor has consequently given the
money to the general fund of the Foreign Bird Club. As
will be seen in the Schedule, Mr. Oakey also kindly
responded to my appeal for specials, and happilj^ his
letter was in time. I hope that next year Mr. Ramsden
will be able to give us more time in which to make
arrangements.

It is stated in the Schedule that the classification
adopted for the Foreign Bird Section was suggested b}'
the Club. This is quite correct, the classification being
substantially the same as that settled by the Council of
the Club for any Show providing 12 classes. The classes
for Goldfinches and Bullfinches have been added.
Whydahs and Weavers should have been included in
class 115 — for this omission, and one or two slight verbal
inaccuracies, I must, on behalf of the Club, disclaim
responsibility.

PCntries close January 13th, the birds are to reach the
Show January 30th. Is there any real need for an
interval of 17 days ? The objections to such a long

62

interval are well known, the chief being that it results in
so many substituted entries, and consequent (apparent)
inaccuracy of the catalogue. What are the advantages ?
Surely it would be much better to fix the latest possible
date for closing entries, and stick to it.

Mr. Osl)aldeston objects to the system of consecutive
numbering of entries alwaN-s adopted at the Palace. I
confess that I do not share his objection. The effect of
this system is that each cage has its own number, and
confusion and mistakes are less likely to occur than
when the same numbers are repeated in each class.

HORATIO R. FILLMER,

Hon. Sec. FOREIGN BiRD ClUB.

MY SHAMAHS.

If any bird lover wants a delightful pet let him keep
a Shaniah.

T have at present three specimens, one hen and two
cocks, and as one of the latter has just won the Club's
Medal and the ist prize at the vSheffield Bird vShow,
perhaps a short account of my three birds may be of
some interest.

To begin with their price. Shamahs seem to be im-
ported into England in the largest numbers about
March. Cocks may then be bought for 31/- or even less,
but this is about the usual price. Hens are far more
difficult to get, probably the natives of India consider
them much inferior to the cock birds both in plumage
and song, and so do not often catch them. By keeping
a look out in the sale lists of foreign birds, a hen maybe
picked up now and again for about the same price as a
cock, but it should l)e remembered that the prices of
foreign birds var\' very much according to the time of
year ; however, a little careful study will soon teach any-
one what is a fair price, and not an excessive one, for any
bird they may want. The cock Shamah is a com-
paratively small bird, l)ut his long slender tail makes him

63

look larger tliau lie really is. His chief colouring is rich
glossy blue-black, with a breast and under-parts of
bright tawny brown. He has a pure white patch just
over the tail, and the under feathers of the tail are also
white.

The cock has a lovely ever-changing song. So
beautifully does he modulate his voice, from very loud
notes to a soft whisper, that he rather gives one the idea
that he is rehearsing an opera of his own, and taking all
the different parts himself. The hen bird is soft drab
where her lord is black. Both birds have round dark
eyes, very bright and intelligent, and more like those of
an English Robin than any bird I know ; there is, too, a
sprightliness about a Sliamah that is very attractive.

M}' birds are easily kept in excellent health on a
very simple diet. In the morning they have bought
insectivorous bird food mixed with grated carrot, and in
the afternoon ants' eggs, soaked first in hot water and
then strained ; all the old food from the morning being
of course taken awa}-, as it might turn sour.

There are many good foods for insectivorous birds in
the market, personally I always use that made by
Mr. Arthur, of Melksham, Wiltshire. Besides these two
staple articles of diet my Shamahs have a few meal-
worms every day (the hen, " Minii," is very clever at
catching them when thrown to her) or a few house
beetles (not poisoned ones) or an occasional moth, the
latter being a special dainty. All my three birds were in
poor plumage when I got them, for their soft feathers
soon seem to get damaged, but now they are in their new
coats, and as glossx- and smooth as satin.

Anyone getting a vShamah will find it will readily
take a mealworm from the hand, even while in its
tiavelling cage, and soon it will get to know its name,
and will come when called and perch on your wrist.
My first Shaniah " Phil " is very intelligent : he is a great
pet, and lives in the house during the winter. I often
carry a small box of mealworms about with me for the
benefit of my feathered friends, and the moment '• Phil "

64

sees my hand going to my pocket lie is on the alert ; he
has even tried to get into it before now. A little trick he
has learnt is to give the box t7vo taps with his beak
when it is brought out, which is his way of saying, " I
want a mealworm please." I even suspect him of being
an arithmetician in his own way, for I have known him
to give four successive taps and then take out two
worms !

Sometime ago poor " Phil " broke his leg so high up
that lie had to have it amputated, but the little fellow is
still ver}' active, and bears his loss bravely. He is
soberer now, but in his younger days he was a real
mischief, and would steal my thread-ends when I was
sewing, or pull my hair, all to make me notice him.

I got " Phil " a wife, but he was so jealous of her
that I had to take her away, and after a time I got her
afresh husband. This pair, " :Minii " and "Hector"
have been in a cold ontdoor aviar}- since the suniuier.

Tlie\^are very lively in the day and do not seem to feel
the cold at all, though I believe they roost in the shelter
at night. When I took "Hector" to the Sheffield Show he
was at first very frightened and crouched on the floor in a
corner of the cage; for with all their boldness Shamahs
are ver}- nervous in strange surroundings. After a time he
got over his fear and really seemed to enjoy the vSliow, sing-
ing gailv awa}^ as if he was ver}' proud of himself. His
devoted wife greatly missed him while he was away, and
when he came back gave him a most affectionate
greeting. " Hector " is a real t3-rant, for all the return
he made her was to dart after her and chase her off. He
then dashed into his bath (of which he had been
deprived for two days) in great delight. Both my birds
regularlv bathe even in cold weather, and so keep in
beautiful plumage and condition.

RosiE Aldkrson.

65
THE ARCHBISHOP TANAGER.

A very beautiful bird not ver}' well known is the
Archbishop Tanager {Tanagra omata). It is a rare
bird — I believe only five have been imported. I think
perhaps a description of the one in ni}' possession may
be of interest to some of our readers. My first I obtained
in July, 1899, but I only kept it a short time as un-
fortunately it had a fright and broke a blood vessel on its
brain. The present one I bought at the beginning of
December, 1900— he was then out of colour, looking more
or less a dull lilac grey all over; but after a little while
the head and breast became a beautiful lavender, which
threw up the grey throat and lower parts, and a patch of
bright lemon yellow appeared on his shoulders. The
lower coverts have an olive tint, while the flight feathers
and tail are dark slate colour edged with green. The
back, which is greenish slate colour, is prettily marked
with very dark slate, and if you catch the sun on it it
looks very lovely. The legs are grey. In size he is
rather larger than a Scarlet Tanager, He is of a timid
disposition, though tame enough to eat a grape from your
hand, and very fond of mealworms which he takes readily.
He always wants to be served first with his, and is very
jealous, and, I am afraid, bad tempered. The other day
a Lavender Finch escaped and alighted on his cage, he at
once dashed on the bars and nearl}- caught it. I do not
know whether it was only jealousy, or a tendency to
cannibalism, but the little bird only just escaped him.
He enjoys a bath every day and makes himself and ever}'-
thing around him very wet. As a Show bird he has never
been a great success ; it may be that his colouring is not
striking enough in an indifferent light.

S. M. TOWNSEND.

66

BREEDING THE GOLDEN-BREASTED

WAXBILL.

Being very niucli in love with the Golden-breasted
or Zebra Waxbill, and most desirons of breeding that
species in my outdoor aviary, I purchased a pair from a
dealer early in May last. Though the birds on their
arrival were not in good plumage (being minus their
tails) they were certainly healthy, and I was glad to be
able to turn them into my sunny aviary, after a few days
quarantine only. Here they soon improved in appear-
ance, and their lively ways were most interesting. The
male bird became a splendid little fellow, and seemed to
glory in dancing to his mate with a feather in his beak
twice the size of himself!

Towards the middle of August, I noticed Mr. Waxy
was particularly anxious to build in a small shrub grow-
ing by the entrance door, and would carry heaps of
feathers into a nest of hay I had alread}' put there.
There was, however, little or no joy for the birds in select-
ing this position, as they were robbed unmercifully by
their companions, and I began to think their nesting suc-
cessfully with me was out of the question — my Zebra
Finches, Bengalese, and other Waxbills having taken
possession of all the more suitable nesting boxes. I
would not be discouraged, however. In a very snug and
sheltered corner of the aviary, I hung up a small wicker
cage, with some nice sweet hay and a few white feathers
inside. This, to me, seemed an ideal spot, and I hoped
my pretty Goldenbreasts would soon inspect the new
premises, and decide upon setting up housekeeping
immediately. I was not disappointed. The nest was
completed, and about Sept. 24th, I noticed the birds
were sitting very closely — first one and then the other —
and, seeing their anxiety whenever an inquisitive indi-
vidual approached, I concluded they had either eggs or
young. I was right in my surmises, for on going into
the aviary a week later, I found a tiny dead bird on the
ground, just underneath their nest. My high hopes, I

67

thought, were not to be realized. But as time went on,
I coukl distinctly hear young birds being fed, and from
the noise they made, I came to the conclusion that there
were at least five or six. The old birds were capital
feeders, and ate heartily of spray and white millet, egg-
food, and grass in the ear. What I particularly observed
during the time of rearing was this— the parents were
always very busy hunting the aviary wires, the turf, and
the roof of an outhouse, over which the covered part
of the aviary is erected — apparently in search of insect
food (gnats, I suppose); and apliides from the rose trees
and sweet peas planted against the wires outside.

My anxiety at this time was, I confess, very great, and
my curiosity to see young Goldbreasts leave their nests,
not a bit less. But for this I had to wait till the morn-
ing of (9 6/<;^^r ^(S'/!'>^, when to my delight I saw two tiu}-
birds fly from the nest to the ground. They were fully
fledged, had black beaks, and were of a uniform brown,
with the exception of the under parts which were light in
colour. Surely these healthy birds, in the pink of con-
dition, would be reared ! I never dreamed otherwise.
But alas ! there came a night when my spirits sank
considerably below zero! It was the first day of
November. The parents were anxious to nest again, and
I suppose thought it high time their young should shift
for themselves. Next luorning I found one of the two
dead — the other flying about as usual, and it continued
doing so (apparently in the best of health) for another
week or ten days, when it also succumbed. The old
birds had built a new nest and obstinately refused to feed
their young the last thing at night, or to admit them into
their nest, so they fretted and died. Had they been fed a
day or two longer, I feel convinced I should now be the
proud possessor of a couple of outdoor-aviary-bred Gold-
breasts.

Of course the season was too late to expect such
birds to be reared, but I have strong hopes of being
successful next season.

I mav add that, in the same aviarv I have been most

68

successful in breeding- Bengalese and Zebra Finches,
liaving reared two nests of six and five of the former,
and splendid birds, too. Lucy Dutton.

THE WOOD-SWALLOW SHRIKES.

A correspondent asked a question about these birds
in last month's Notes, and, as they liave recently been
conspicuous at the leading Shows, I think it possible
that a good many of our readers may be interested in a
short account of them.

There are some eighteen species of the so-called
" Wood-Sw^allows," distributed over Australia and the
East Indies, with the exception ofone species which occurs
onl}^ in West Africa. Ornithologists differ as to their
position in regard to other groups, but I believe most
writers now place them next to the Shrikes and not far
from the Drongos and the Waxwing. At the British
Museum they are placed between the Finches and the
Starlings, though Dr. Bowdler vSharpe admits that this is
" artificial." He might well characterize it by a stronger
word.

Most of the species are rather smaller than a
Waxwing, The plumage is usually of a neutral tint.
The bill is very vShrike-like, while the long wings remind
one of the vS wallows. They are woodland birds, and are
said to be able to float nearh' motionless in the air, and
also to wheel and twist about like vSwifts. " The}' hunt
for insects, or sally after them from their perches, feeding
also upon the ground on the larvae and on seeds.
Congregating like Swallows, they have in Australia a
curious habit of hanging in ball-like masses from the
branches ; the note is plaintive or chirping."

They appear to be very easy birds to keep in con-
dition, provided they are healthy wlieu they reach this
country. Any good insectivorous mixture will suit them,
and they are voracious feeders.

The only species which I have seen are the Sordid

69

Wood Swallow, the Masked, and the White-eyebrowed ;
and the first, and least beautiful, istheonh- which I have
kept. Both uiy birds had suffered severely during
importation and did not long survive — never getting into
good condition. Horatio R. Fii,i,mer.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB'S
DRAFT CLASSIFICATION FOR SHOWS.

Some months ago the Council of the Club prepared
a series of classifications for the use of such Show Com-
mittees as cared to adopt them. One of these has, with
some slight alterations, been adopted b}^ the London and
Provincial Ornithological Society for their forthcoming
Show at the Crystal Palace.

These classifications are printed below in order that
the members may have the opportunity of perusing
and considering them, and suggesting amendments for
adoption before the next vSliow Season.

CLASSIFICATIONS FOR FOREIGN BIRDS AT
SHOWS,

PROVIDING 3, 4, 6, 9, & 12 CIvASSES RESPECTIVEIvY.
NOTE. — Birds may be shewn either singly or in pairs in
all classes (unless othe7"wise stated). A pair means
two birds of the sa?ne species, but opposite sex.

Three Ci^assEvS.— a.

1. All species of Parrots (including Parrakeets, Love-
birds, Cockatoos, Macaws, Lories, and Lorikeets).

2. All species of seed-eatin.g finch-like birds, (includ-
ing Grosbeaks, True Finches, Buntings, Whydahs,
Weavers, Waxbills, Grassfinches, and Mannikins).

3. All species not comprised in the above (including
insectivorous and fruit-eating birds, and Doves).

70

Four Classes.— B.

1. All species of Parrots (iucluditig Parrakeets, Love-
birds, Cockatoos, Macaws, Lories, and Lorikeets).

2. Coiiinioii and Greeu Avadavats ; St. Helena, Grey,
Oran<^e-cheeked, and Golden-breasted (or Zebra)
Waxbills ; Parson, Diamond, Ribbon, and Zebra
Finches ; Silverbills, Spice-birds, Grey Java Spar-
rows; Black-headed, White-headed, and Bronze
Mannikins ; Common, Orange, and Napoleon
Weavers ; and Common Combasous.

3. All species of seed-eating finch-like birds not com-
prised in the above (including Grosbeaks, True
Finches, Buntings, Whydahs, Weavers, Waxbills,
Grassfinches and Mannikins).

4. All species not comprised in the above (including
insectivorous and fruit-eating birds, and Doves).

Six CIvASSES.— C.

1. All species of Parrakeets (including Kings and all
Broadtails) Lorikeets, and Love-birds.

2. All species of Short-tailed Parrots, Cockatoos,
Macaws, and Lories.

3. • Common, and Green Avadavats, etc. (as in B.
Class 2).

4. All species of seed-eating finch-like birds not com-
prised in the above (including Grosbeaks, True
Finches, Buntings, Whydahs, Weavers, Waxbills,
Grassfiuches, and Mannikins).

5. All species of Tanagers, Sugar-birds, Honey-eaters,
Zosterops, and Bulbuls.

6. All species not comprised in the above.

Nine Classes— D.

1. Budgerigars and all species of Love-birds and
Hanging Parrots.

2. All species of Parrakeets (other than Budgerigars,
and including Kings and all Broadtails) and Lori-
keets.

71

3- Gre}' Parrots and all species of Amazons.

4. All species ot vShort-tailed Parrots not comprised
in the above, Cockatoos, Macaws, and T.ories.

5. All species of Whydalis, Weavers, and Combasons.*

6. Common, and Green Avadavats, vSt. Helena, Grey,
Orange - cheeked, and Golden - breasted (or Zebra)
Waxbills ; Parson, Diamond, Ribbon, and Zebra
Finches; Silverbills, Spice-birds, Grey Java Spar-
rows; Black - headed. White-headed, and Bronze
Mannikins.

7. All species of seed-eating finch-like birds not com-
prised in the above (including Grosbeaks, True
Finches, Buntings, Waxbills, Grassfinches, and
Mannikins).

8. All species of Tanagers, Sugar-birds, Honey-eaters,
Zosterops, and Bulbuls.

9. All species not comprised in the above.

TwEIvVE CivASSES.— E.

1. Budgerigars and all species of Love-birds and
Hanging Parrots.

2. All species of Parrakeets (other than Budgerigars,
and including Kings and all Broadtails) and Lori-
keets.

3. Grey Parrots and all species of Amazons.

4. All species of Short-tailed Parrots not comprised in
the above, Cockatoos, Macaws, and Lories.

5. All species of Doves and Quails.

6. All species of Whydahs, Weavers, and Combasous.*
Common, and Green Avadavats, etc. (as in B.

Class 2).

Bengalese, and White Java Sparrows.

All species of Waxbills, Grassfinches, and Manni-
kins not comprised in the above (including the

' At Shows held after Christmas, it would be well to substitute
for this Class one for Gouldian Finches, Parrot Finches, and Pin-
tailed Nonpareils.

72

Parrot Finch, Pin-tailed Nonpareil, Gotildian Finch,
Red-headed Finch, Bicheno's Finch, and Cherry
Fincli).

ID. All species of Grosbeaks, True Finches, and
Buntings (including the Cuba Finches and the
Cardinals).

IT. All species of Tanagers, Sugar-birds, Honej'-eaters,
Zosterops, and Bulbuls.

12. All species not comprised in the above.

THE EDITOR'S LETTER BOX.

BREFDING BUNTINGS.

Sir, — In answer to J. F., I should recommend
another trial of the hen Nonpareil, for I have had one
in nn^ possession for more than five years, and what is
more to the point, she not onh- went to nest three seasons
ago, but hatched out two 3^oung ones. At that time my
birds were being kept in an ordinary room with a south
aspect, while their proper domicile was being built.

The Nonpareils in question were allowed the free
run of the room, and, seeing them inclined to nest, I put
some extra boughs in one corner, and left them to their
own devices, with the above result. Unfortunatel}' the
cock bird (wliich was ver}' old and was therefore known
by the name of "Methuselah") died in the following
winter, and though his place was filled up the hen
refused to go to nest again. Far from being sickly, she
is a better bird than either of her mates, ])ut I am not
prepared to sa}' what might happen if they were kept in
an outdoor aviary. Personally I do not think it quite
fair on the Tropical and vSub-tropical birds to try to keep
them out of doors all the j'ear, and I do not think the
experience can be any more agreeable to them than a
winter in the Arctic regions would be to me.

C. B. d'Fyncourt Chamberi^ain.

73

THE FORTHCOMING PALACE SHOW.

Sir, — I have just received the Scliedule. I see that
there is an interval of ahnost three weeks between the
close of the entries and the Show : a week is quite long
enough. Then there is the absurd system of consecutive
numbering— 1 to i,ooo, with A, B, C, D, etc., thrown
in occasionally. Why not number each class separately ?

As to the Abrahams Memorial Trophy — how is the
rarest bird to be decided upon ? Is it to be the most
rarely imported— however common it is in its native
land ? Or is it to be the rarest in its own conntr}'- ? We
consider Grenate Finches ver}' rare, but I am told they
are common enough in certain parts of S. Africa— rit is
getting them down to the coast which is the difficulty.

W. OSBAIvDKSTON.

THE CRESTED MYNAH.

Sir, — Having kept this bird several times I am able to
reply to "Amazon's" query. ''Jacob," my last and
perhaps best specimen, was a right tame old chap. He
would follow me about anywhere, and was allowed to fly
in and out of his cage at will. A mealworm would
always entice him out — often, he would come out of his
cage and have a run round the aviary, surveying all as
he went along. His inquisitiveness eventually cost him
his life, as a Javan Parrakeet took a great dislike to him ;
in spite of which he persisted in venturing close to this
Parrakeet's cage, until the latter managed to get holaof
him, and, drawing him through the wire, bit his neck.

Crested Mynahs are quaint-looking birds. They
have no song worth mentioning, but when they get
attached to you, and you to them, their croak sounds
pleasant. They are very easily kept on any soft food
mixture— I use one of my own preparation. They are
fond of a bath, and do not object to being washed.

In plumage this bird is very sombre, but the almost
Leadbeater-like crest makes him look smart. He is about
the size of an English Starling, though rather more robust
But in general appearance he is atypical vStarling.

W. OSBAI.DKSTON.

74

WEAVER PLAYFELLOWS.

Sir, — I have two Weavers, an Orange and a
Napoleon respectively, v^'lio are ver}' good friends.
They play " follow ni}' leader," the Orange taking the
lead and the Napoleon flying or hopping after him.
Then if the Orange stops for a few minutes the Napoleon
sidles up to him and peers at him, as much as to say
"Ar'n't you going to play any more ? " The}^ are both
cocks, and although there are several other Weavers in
the same aviary they are quite content with each other's
company.

I have not found Weavers pugnacious towards each
other, but they often turn round and snap at smaller
birds when within reach of them. A Micmbkr.

A SHAMAH CONCERT.

Sir, — One cannot describe the effect of from i8 to
24 cock Shamahs all singing at the same time, but it has
been my luck to experience this lateh\ I have still
some ten males and a few females. The hens also
sing a little, but their song is short. The dingy plumage
of the female contrasts strongly wdth the neat brown
body and rich jet black head and tail of the cocks — but
the}^ have quite as much go in them as the cocks, and
it is not safe to keep even two hens together. Neither is
it safe to keep a cock and hen together in a limited space,
as they will often go for one another — but with plenty of
room they soon establish amicable relations. No wonder
that in India the natives keep Shamahs for fighting,
as our forefathers did game cocks.

lean sit for hours and enjoy the song of a vShamah,
he is a true songster, with plenty of music in him and
variety without end. For a pet one could not have a more
lovable bird — at one time bold and defiant, at others as
docile as a lamb. He so6n gets used to coming out of his
cage and going back at will. Many a time I have seen
one of mine catch a mealworm thrown to him while flying.
I have kept Shamahs now for 15 years and should not like
to be without one. W. Osbai^deston.

75
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

NEST BOXES.

Question.— I have a pair of Zebra Finches and a pair
of Coral or Ribbon Finches, which lay, and bring the eggs
out of the nest broken. One nest box is a cigar box on
end, the other is a box 4^in. across and yin. deep. Are
the eggs broken by the birds dropping on them through
the nest boxes being too deep }

Food : Canary, millet, and cuttle fish bone. Cage :
36in. by 36in. bv i6in. — divided in the centre.

A.J.

Answer : I think you will find that if you supply
plenty of hay the birds will generally fill np the box
nearly to the level of the opening. But you might put
in a handful of hay before hanging up the box. I don't
think there is an3^thing better than the cigar box nest.

You might also supply some finely crushed eggshell.

I think it most likely that the birds destroy the eggs
intentionally, but it may happen that they were broken
accidentally through the clumsiness of the birds or the
thinness of the shells.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB MARKET.

The charge for advertisements is one penny for each bird named.
Advertisements must be concisely w^orded, and clearly written
on a separate sheet of paper, with the name and address
of advertiser at the foot. The fee must in all cases be pre-
paid in stamps. The Hon. Sec. is authorised to decline
Advertisements which he considers undesirable. Advertise-
ments for the February issue must reach the Hon. Sec. not
later than nth February.

Cock Shama in song, 35/- ; hen vShama, 40/-; Cockatiels,
pair, adults, 14/- ; Blue-front Amazon, 30/- ; Double-
front Amazon, 40/- ; fine rare Yellow-naped Amazon,
60/- ; Aeriel Toucan, 40- ; pair Nandy Parrakeets,
20/-; pair Brown-cheeked Conures, 12/6; pair Padoga
Starlings, 12/6 ; Indian Weaver, 10/-, rare ; Brown
Buntings, 5/-.

W. OSBAI^DESTON, 2, St. Johu Street, Preston.

76
The Foreign Bird Club Market — cotitimied.

Wanted — Hen Zebra Finch, aviary-bred ; also one or two
pairs small bright coloured foreign birds suitable for
breeding in an aviary.

A. H. KklIvETT, 84, Belvedere Road, Burnley.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB,

NOTICES TO MEMBERS.

NEW MEMBERS ELECTED.
Mr. E. R. PHir.r.iPS, 6, Park View, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Mr. John Acutt, 114, Upland Road, East Dulwich.
Mr. J. J. MUMFORD, The Poplars, Rockingham Road,

Kettering.
Mr. J. H. Harrison, Broad Oak, Lythani.
Countess Giulia Tommasi Bai,dp:i,i.i, 4, Via Silvio

Pellico, Florence, Italy.
Mr. T. N. Wilson, Oak Lodge, Bitterne, nr. Southampton

(Mem. Avic. Societ}^.

NEW MEMBERS PROPOSED.

Mr. John D. Hami^yn, 221, St. George Street East,

London, E.
Mr. Chari^es Tomi^inson, South Cottage, Healey,

nr. Rochdale.
Mr. A. H. Kellett, 84, Belvedere Road, Burnley.

Froposed by the HON. vSec.
Mrs. C. Cooper, Rosella, Dalberg Road, Brixton, S.W.
Proposed by I\Ir. FroSTICK.

As the Crystal Palace Show, on the 31st of January
and the ist, 3rd, and 4th of February, two silver medals
will be offered b}- the Club. One for the best bird shewn
by a member, in the Parrot Classes, and one for the best
bird shewn by a member, in the other classes.

jforeujii Biv5 Botes

FOR FEBRUARY, 1902.

The Council of the Foreign Bird Club have decided
upon a very important step, which, although somewhat
revolutionary, has been taken after full consideration
and in the belief that it will be for the benefit of the
Clnb. The Club will join hands with the National British
Bird and Mule Club so far as "Notes" is concerned:
after this month "Foreign Bird Notes" will become
"Bird Notes" simply, and about half its pages will be
devoted to British birds. "Bird Notes" will be edited
jointly by the Hon. Secretaries of the N. B. B. & M. C.
and F. B. C. — all matter relating to British birds being
sent to Mr. Lott, and all relating to Foreign birds to me.
"Notes" will be printed in the same type and on the
same size paper as at present, but it is hoped that the
number of pages per month may be increased — this last
will depend upon the energy of our contributors.

It will be the aim of the Editors to preserve the
balance between British and Foreign, and to allot, on
the average, about the same amount of space to each
subject. But whether or not we shall be able to achieve
this result depends upon the members of the two Clubs.
If the members of either Club do not send in sufiicient
matter to fill their half of the publication, they must not
complain if the space which they have failed to occupy
is devoted to the other Club's hobb}'. If both Clubs
keep the Editors well supplied with copy, we shall go on
swimmingly, and each subject will be equally well
represented. I hope I may rely upon the members of
theF.B.C. to send in sufficient articles and correspondence
to more than fill our half of " Notes" — but if this is to

78

be so, matter must come in better than it has done
during the last month or two.

Everj' member is entitled to a complete set of
*' Notes," and, if there are any who have not received
some of the back numbers, I shall be pleased to forward
them on application.

The success of a periodical can generally be gauged
by the degree of its success in attracting advertisers — it
is therefore ver}' gratifying to see the great increase this
mouth in members' advertisements.

That examples of almost all species are sometimes
dangerous is well known — but I was a good deal
astonished to find that one of my Green Singing Finches
had developed murderous tendencies. I placed this bird
in a small bird-room aviary with three hen Canaries, with
the result that the next morning one of the Canaries was
dead — the scull having been fractured by blows from
the beak of the Singing Finch, which is not much more
than half the size of a Canary.

Doubtless all our readers have seen " Cage Birds,"
if there are any who have not, I advise them to order it at
once. This new penny weekly is what bird-lovers have
desired for many years, but they scarcel}- expected to see
their wishes realised. Now that we have at last a paper
devoted entirely to " birds " (for what aviculturist really
consider poultry and pigeons to be " birds " at all ?) it
behoves us to support it to the utmost of our power.

I trust, however, that all our members will put
the claims of "Bird Notes," first. We must do what
we can for " Cage Birds," but " Bird NoTES " is our
own, and we must remember that "charity begins at
home."

HORATIO R. FILLMER,

Hon. Sec: Foreign Bird Ci^ub.

79
FOREIGN BIRDS AT THE PALACE.

Foreign-bird exliibiting seems to have fallen on evil
days, and it is many years since such a poor show of
" foreigners " has been seen at our premier British Bird
Show. Only just over 150 entries — less than half the
number which were entered a few 3'ears ago ! And it
cannot be contended that quality made up for lack of
quantity, for there was a conspicuous lack of novelties
and rarities.

It is likely that some people were deterred from
exhibiting by fear of a repetition of the Arctic tempera-
ture to which the birds were exposed at the Palace in
November last. This fear was not realised, for the Show
was, as is usual in February, held in a large tent in the
nave, and the temperature there was sufficiently high to
makefile wearing of an overcoat very uncomfortable.

Class 107. Budge) igars and all species of Love-Birds.
First, Mr. vStorey's well-known pair of Peach-faced Love-
birds. Nothing seems able to beat these birds, which are
rivaling the record of Miss Jackson's Cardinal, once so
familiar to foreign bird exhibitors. vSecond, Mr. W. B.
Smith's Budgerigars. Third, Mr. E. Thome's Budgerigars,
(We should have reversed these last two awards). Fourth,
:\Irs. Cooper's Madagascar Love-birds. V. H.C., Mrs.
Cooper's Budgerigars. H.C., Mr. H. B. Smith's Peach-
faced Love-birds. C, INIr. Hawkins' Budgerigars. 15
entries, two absent.

Class loS. All species of Pat rakeets and Lorikeets. First,
]\Ir. L- W. Hawkins' very good pair of Many-coloured.
Second, the same gentleman's celebrated female Golden-
shouldered Parrakeet, Third, Mr. T. C. Alderman's
Crimson-wing— a remarkably fine specimen of this hand-
some species. Fourth, Mr. Hawkins' Blue Bonnet— a
nice bird. V.H.C., Mr, Howe's King, and Mr, Housden's
unattractive Conures. H.C., Mr. Oakey's very beautiful
Port Lincoln, which might have been higher up, and a
delightfully tame Orange-flanked Parrakeet belonging to
Mr. Townsend. C, Mr. H. B. Smith's Pluinhead

8o

and Crimson-wiug, and Mr. A. E. Cheney's Bine
Mountain Lorikeet. The Class also contained a Golden-
crowned Conure, a Ring-necked Parrakeet, a pair of
Pennants, an Alexandrine, an odd Pennant, a pair of
Cockatiels, and some more Kings and Crimson-wings,
including Mr. Doherty's pair of King Parrakeets, which
have been seen at the Palace often before. It was a good
Class of 21 entries, one absent. But it contained no
novelties, nor, except the Golden-shoulder, any bird of
special rarity.

Class 109. Greys and Amazons. Cancelled.

Class no. All specids of Short-ttu'led Parrots, Cockatoos,
Maca7iis, and Lories. First, Mr. H. B. Smith's Red and
Blue Macaw, which ought to know his way to the Palace
by this time. No doubt he is a fine specimen, but we
confess to a prejudice against Macaws in general, and this
bird in particular. Second, Mrs. Cooper's Leadbeater,
which is a good example of a species very easy to keep
in Show form. No cards were awarded in this class,
v/hich contained besides, another good Leadbeater, a
ratlier dow^dy Blue-eyed Cockatoo, an indifferent hen
Eclectus, a Forsten's Ivorikeet (properly marked Wrong
Class), and a taking little White-crested Cockatoo, of
which we cannot give the name. vSeven entries.

Class III. All species of Doves and Quails. There were
no Quails, but twelve entries of Doves made it a fairly
good class so far as numbers go — for a Dove class. First,
Mr. Housden's Wonga Wonga Pigeons — a grand pair of
birds, though scarcely cage birds. Second, Mr. II. B.
Smith's Bronze-wing. Third, Mr. Hoiisden's bird of the
same species. Fourth, Mr, H. B. Smith's Australian
Crested Dove. V.H.C,, Mr. Housden's well-known old
pair of Nicobars, in splendid feather, but very defective
as to toe-nails. II. C, Mr. W. R. Parker's White-crowned
Doves — strange and rather attractive birds, but not in
perfect condition. C, IMr. II. B. Smith's pair of
Nicobars. INIr. W. E. Parker exhilnted several other rare
Doves — all, unfortunately, in indifferent condition, and
not well shown. 12 entries, three absent.

8i

All the above classes were judged by Mr. Camps —
the rest were judged by Mr. vSwaysland.

Class 112. Gould ian Finches, Parrot Finches, and Pin-
tailed Nonpareils. Cancelled.

Class 113. Twenty named species of small Seed-eaters.
I'irst, ]\Ir. Hawkins' Diamond Finch, in splendid
plumage, but obviously an aged bird with scaly legs.
In consequence of its unsightly legs, and of its being a
single bird only, we should have hesitated to give it the
first place. Second, Mr. Hawkins' Golden-breasted
Waxbills. Third, Mr. GoodifTs Ribbon-Finches. Fourth,
INIr. Townsend's Bronze Mannikins, which might have
been higher up. V.H.C., Mr. Hancock's Orange Bishop
— ver}' pale in colour ; and j\Ir. Peters' Zebra Finches.
H.C., Mr. W. B. vSmith's cock Golden-breasted Waxbill,
and Islr. Hawkins' Avadavats. Mr. Townsend's African
Silverbills were deserving of notice. A Red-collared
Wh3'dah had, by some mistake, found its way into this
class. There were 17 entries, of which two were absent.
The class might have been expected to contain double
this number of entries — and on the whole the quality of
the exhibits was decidedly poor. The special prize
offered to the member of the F.B.C. gaining most points
in this class (not more than two eniries to count) was
won by Islr. Hawkins.

Class 114. Bengalese and White Java Sparroivs.
Cancelled.

Class 115, All species of Waxbills, Grassfinches, and
Mannikins not comprised in the above. First, Mr. Hawkins'
fine pair of Rufous-tailed Grassfinches, vSecond, Mr.
Hawkins' White-eared Grassfinches— not looking very
well. Third, the same exhibitor's pair of Wiener's Wax-
bills, now well known on the Show bench, but still
unique. Fourth, Mr. Townsend's pair of Lavender
Finches — our choice for the second place. V.H.C., Mr.
Picard's Aurora Finch and Mr. Miller's Bicliino Finches.
H.C., Mrs. Cooper's Long-tailed Grassfinches and
Pectoral Finches. C, Mr. W. B. Smith's Cordon Bleus

82

and Mrs. Cooper's excellent pair of Fire Finclies. A
good class — 16 entries, one absent.

Class 1 16. All species of Grosbeaks, True Finches, and
Buntings. First, Mr. H. B. vSniith's Black - headed
Buntings — unquestionably two cocks. Second, Mr. G.
Henderson's Green Cardinal — good, but not very lively
when we saw it. Third, Mr. Hawkins' Olive Cuba Finch
— scarcely in show order. Fourth, Mr. Cooper's hand-
some Cardinal. V.H.C., Mr. Ollard's Virginian Cardinal
and Mr. J. Harrison's Sulphur Seed-eater. H.C., Mr.
Housden's Red-headed Cardinal. C, Miss R. Follett's
Pope. This class also contained two pairs of Saffron
F^'inches, one of which was worthy of being in the prize
list; also another Pope, and some Green and Grey Sing-
ing Finches. One exhibitor had sent a Green and a Grey
Singing Finch in the same cage — possibly he thought
them different sexes of the same species ! 14 entries.

Class 117. All species of Tanage/s, Sugar Birds, Honey-
eaters, Zosterops, and Bulbuls. First, Mr. Townsend's pair
of Zosterops — a ver}' good pair of the common Chinese
species, most unwisely put over the heads of more
meritorious exhibits — this was, in our opinion, the worst
mistake made in the judging. vSecond, Mr. H. K.
Picard's Superb Tanager ; an exceptionally fine bird, but
scarcel}' entitled to a higher position than the third and
fourth prize winners. Third, Mr. Townsend's Archbishop
Tanager, a very rare bird in perfect condition. Fourth,
Mr. Swan's lovely White-capped Tanager. V.H.C., Mr.
Townsend's Blue and Gre}' Tanager (which we think is
the same as what the Zoological vSociety call the Silver
Blue Tanager). H.C., Mr. Townsend's Malabar Green
Bulbul. C, Mr. H. B. Smith's Warty-faced Honey-
eater. The class also contained a Scarlet Tanager and a
Red-crested Bulbul. We should have put the White-
capped Tanager first, the Archbishop Tanager second,
the Blue and Grey Tanager third, and the Superb
Tanager fourth. An Indian Sun Bird entered by Mr.
Townsend unluckily died soon after it reached the Show.
This class of ten entries was the best in the vShow, and
contained some very valuable and interesting birds.

83

Class I20. All species not comp? ised in the above. All
the prizes were won by Mr. Glasscoe, of Clapton. First,
Grey Struthidea— the first time this species has been seen
on the Show bencli, to which it is not well adapted.
Second, Masked Wood Swallow. Third, White-eyebrowed
Wood Swallow. Fourth, Sacred Kingfisher. V.H.C.,
Mr. H. B. Smith's Red-headed Troupial. H.C., Mr. H. B.
Smith's Purple-headed Glossy Starling. C, Mr. Oakey's
Brazilian Troupial. The class also contained a Barbet
and a cock Shamali. Nine entries. We fail to under-
stand why the Judges always put the INIasked Wood
Swallow before the White-eyebrowed— we should reverse
them.

The Club's Silver Medal for the best Parrot was
awarded to Mr. H. B. Smith for his Macaw, and that for
the best in Mr. Swaysland's classes to Mr. Picard for his
Superb Tanager.

The Sugar Sifter presented by Mr. Oakey was
awarded to Mr. Townsend for his Zosterops.

Mr. Glasscoe won the Abrahams' Memorial "Trophy"
(which remains a m3'stery) with his Struthidea.

FOREIGN BIRDS:

THEIR ADAPTABILITY AND INDIVIDUALITY.

To the thoughtful and studious aviculturist, there
are few phases of bird-life more interesting and lovable
than that of the readiness of most of our foreign friends
to adapt themselves to the altered conditions under
which they must necessarily live in capiivity, and the
many distinct and charming little ways they possess,
which often enable us to recognise them when other
means fail, even when in the midst of a number of their
fellows.

Examples of most species of foreign birds have, at
some time or other, endured captivity, and in some
instances they have taken so kindly to the loss of freedom
as to live with us for a number of years, cases being on

84

record in whicli they have even exceeded the probable
age they would have reached in their wild state. I do
not ni3-self hold with the general opinion that this is
entirely due to the intelligence and knowledge we our-
selves show in dealing with our captives. That we have
discovered and use food which is suitable for them is an
undisputed fact; but that this is a natural food can
easih^ be disproved by a little investigation into their
habits in a wild and captive condition, and the question
then is, why do we not supply them with their proper food?
It is because, in a measure, of our ignorance as to what
comprises their natural nourishment, and also because
when we know the right food we are unable to supply
them with it. Take almost any species of what we call
seed-eating birds, and it will be found that by far the
larger part of their natural food consists of insects. We
are, therefore, at a great disadvantage in keeping such
birds in the best condition ; but nevertheless, most of our
seed-eating birds so readily adapt themselves to circum-
stances, that they often become as well nigh perfect in
health and plumage as it is possible for them to be. Let
me instance the Weavers, which are a pre-eminently
seed-eating species according to our most learned
writers : " Only needing a few mealworms now and again
to keep them in condition." This We know to be true,
yet I have times without number seen my Weavers
making unceasing efforts to catch the common house fly,
and woe betide the unwary insect which ventures within
the wires of the aviary. I have also seen them minutely
examining the crevices in the wall, and the leaves of
shrubs, while now and again the}' leave their perch for an
instant to dart seemingly into empt}- space, then wheel
about and return to their resting place ; the only indica-
tion of the pvirpose of this apparently useless effort, being
the satisfied manner in which the}- open and close their
beaks for a second or two. And if these birds are so
keen over insects in captivity, surely with no less avidity
they make them their principal food in freedom.

Respecting insectivorous and fruit-eating birds. We
are able, to a very great extent, to supply the needs of the

85

latter with natnial food, which is probably the reason
why many of these delicate creatures are more hardy,
when acclimatized, than some of the seed-eating species,
which often suffer from constipation and liver disease.
Witli other soft-billed birds, which should require a large
number of insects to keep them in good health, we again
labonrunderourinability to supply them with natural food
— yet soft-billed birds, generally, are not more difficult
to keep in captivity than fruit-eaters proper. Some may
find the reverse to be the case in fact ; but just consider
for a moment what we offer most of these species : Fruit,
correct. Bullocks liver, scraped beef, bread, potato,
grated carrot, egg, and sometimes a heterogeneous mass
of heaven knows what, called " Insectivorous food ! "
If, from the latter, we subtract a few dried flies and some
ants " eggs " or cocoons, how much of the foregoing can
the birds obtain in a state of liberty ?

The longevity of our pets in captivity is of course
considerably influenced by their constitution when
captured, and general hardiness as a species. Climatic
conditions, while guiding us in their treatment, are by no
means an infallible test as to the amount of heat or cold
a given bird will stand with health and safety to itself.
To the uninitiated, it is a matter of surprise to be told,
when seeing a bird in good condition, that its original
liome was in tropical Africa, or the forests of South
America. And perhaps few of us realise what an
iitimense difference exists in a bird's mode of life when
transported from such a land, to a small prison in our
bleak island.

And now first let me pass to the other and perhaps
more popular side of a bird's nature, viz., its individualit}',
To the vast majority of people, who are not aviculturists,
a bird is simply a bird. To those, however, who find
keen enjoyment in the company of birds, they are
personal creatures, each with ideas and manners peculiar
to itself. To thoroughly grasp and appreciate this fact
needs a close and watchful eye on their actions ; and in a
large aviary, containing a proportionate number of birds,

86

it is almost an impossibility to learn their respective
characteristics, unless one has special reasons to single
out and mark the doings of any particular specimen.
But if, owing to circumstances or choice, some have their
pets in their own rooms, this pleasant feature of bird life
is easil}' and quickly noted. Each have their little traits
which are often sufficient to their owner to distinguish
them from their cage-mates. Of course in some birds these
traits are more pronounced than in others, and where we
fail to notice any it is simply because the little
mannerisms are too minute for our e3'es to note ; but
they are vindoubtedh' prominent to their feathered com-
panions.

The most prominent distinction, by which we know
our birds, are those of plumage and tameness, and it
generalh' requires but little observation to identify them
by these means, unless several of the same species are in
the aviary together. Then it is that our close observations
stand us in good stead and enable us to identify them
with certainty. Among the more common and more
easily noticed actions, is a liking for a particular perch
by one bird, another has a pronounced peacefnl or
pugnacious disposition, another is full of energy, while
others may be just the reverse : yet another may delight
in, or have a marked antipathy to bathing, and I
have known some birds have a preference for one
particular seed pan. No doubt a few minutes reflection
will readily recall to our minds some of the pretty little
ways by which we learnt to love and remember our tiny
friends. Personally I can remember many of my pets
now, alas ! no more, by the intelligent little mannerisms
they had. Particularly do I recall a certain cock Zebra
Finch. Within a short time of coming into my
possession this engaging mite would always fl}^ to meet
uie whenever I went near his house, and getting on the
perch nearest tome, he would chatter awa\^ like an M.P.
Then hop, skip and away for a seed or a drink, and back
again more voluble than before. Many a long dis-
cussion did we have, and I had hard work at times to get

87

a word in edgeways, for he would not be talked down.
And if I learnt nothing but a deeper and more
affectionate liking for the whole feathered race, and
himself in particular, I consider my time as by no means
illspent, for was I not conversing with nature through
that small bundle of feathers? I used to look forward to
these little chats, and so I think did he, for he never dis-
appointed me, and now— poor little " Imp " has gone.

One might compile a book respecting this individu-
ality in birds, but a few more instances among my own
friends may suffice. Weavers are great favourites of
mine, and, I think, possess intelligence in a marked
degree : who can see their nests and doubt it ? But I
am dealing with matters which are not always intelligible
to ourselves. For instance one of my Orange Bishops
has a trick of closing the eye which is turned to the front
of the aviary. At first I thought it might be a cold — but
no — he turned round soon after and closed the other.
Then thought I, he closes them both ; but like the stag
in the fable, he keeps his weather eye open, and knows
all that goes on among his friends. Another Orange
Bishop has such a sleek and prosperous air, and a decided
disinclination for too much exercise, that he passes
for the " Alderman."

A Crimson-crowned Bishop is a verv good natured
fellow, and is quite content to pass his time laying the
foundations of new nests — and there he leaves them and
starts another. A Napoleon, appropriately enough, tries
to accomplish the task of completing these many pieces
of architecture, but never has time to finish one on
account of the many that require his attention. Another
Crimson-crowned Weaver has a shocking temper, and a
short time ago his head and neck was almost bare of
feathers through his successive " mills," As he finds he
doesn't always get matters his own way, he has quieted
down considerably lately, and seems to be reflecting on
the situation. And perhaps it is time, when a small
Zebra Finch gives him a good thrashing first, and then
lectures him on his conduct afterwards ! Then there is a

88

Saffron Finch who is a coiifirnied " tippler," though
seeniingl}' in the best of health. And why should a
certain Black-headed Mannikiu prefer to have a shower
bath when his companions bathe, rather than do as they
and have a bath of his own ? Or a Bengali distinguish
himself and get dubbed " Diogenes," simply because he
chose to pass his time in an ornamental straw nest ? Or a
— bnt no, I must not trespass further on our limited space,
beyond congratulating Miss Alderson on her Shamah,
which is certainly a very good mathematician, and
another instance of individuality in birds.

One more instance, and this time a perfectly under-
standable one occurs to me. Why should one of my Grey
Singing Finches always sleep leaning against a perch, or
the wires of the aviary .? And the reason in this case is
because he has only one leg — and a very good reason too,
don't you think } J. A. vSwan.

THE OLIVE CUBA FINCH.

Phonipara olivacea.

Having received a pair of these, which I bought as
ordinary Cuba Finches— I think a few notes on them
ma}' interest some of our members.

They are about the size of the common Cuba Flinch
and are much the same in habits and general appearance,
but differ from them greatly in colour, in both sexes.
The yellow collar, which is such a striking feature of the
Cuba Finch, is absent— but there is, in the cock, a bright
orange patch under the beak, forming a bib, also an
orange streak from the base of the bill over the eye. In
the female these orange markings are replaced by
3'ellowish white.

So far, I have heard no approach to a song — in fact,
hardly a twitter.

These birds have been bred in Scotland in a cage
18" X 12* X [4", with a small flower pot as a nest box.
The pot had a hole, one inch square, in the lip of it, and

89

cowhair' and grass were supplied as building materials.
The first nest was a failure, but the second time they
reared four young. Food while breeding — spray and
white millet, and canary seed, and plenty of good chick-
weed — both while fledging and after, which I consider
very essential to success.

The Olive Cuba Finch is much more rarely imported
than the other species, INTost specimens of both kinds
reach England by way of Marseilles. I have been told
that Cuba Finches can be bought in Marseilles for four
or five shillings a pair, while here they fetch 25'-.

I intended to exhibit my Olive Cubans at the recent
Palace vShow, as well as a Bengal Pitta in fine form, but
I could not take them, nor get them taken, and I would
not risk their lives by entrusting them to the tender
mercies of the Railway Company.

W. OSBAI^DESTON.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Question. — I have a hen Cordon Bleu who is losing
all her feathers and apparently making no attempt to
grow new ones. Otherwise she appears to be in excellent
health. vShe is fed on millet and canarx- and occasionally
a little soft food. Temperature of room never below 55"^.
Other birds in same flight-cage seem all right.

Can you tell me what treatment to adopt ? H. K. P.

Answer. — "Baldness" in birds results from a variety
of causes, but is usually a sj-mptom of impaired general
health. Keeping the birds for a time at a considerably
higher temperature would very likely cause the feathers
to grow, I presume you supply baths, fine gravel or
flint grit, and lime in some form, such as crushed egg-
shell or cuttle bone. Give plenty of spray millet, or
similar seed sold in bulk — also a little water-cress.
A few drops of " Ferrocal " in the drinking water may
do good. The treatment should be directed towards

90

improving the general health and building up the
strength. But "baldness" is a very intractable coiu-
plaint, and in many cases resists all treatment.

THE EDITOR'S LETTER BOX.

A HOMING ZEBRA FINCH.

Sir,— I have a pair of Zebra Finches which are
most amusing — they are so sturdy and full of life. One
da}', last month, the hen managed to get into a water-
bottle which had been placed inside the cage. The cock
made such a noise that it attracted my attention, but as
I reached the cage he succeeded in overturning the
water-bottle and rescued the little hen more dead than
alive. As she could not move I put her in a small cage
by the fire, and in a couple of hours she recovered.

The next day, a bitterh- cold one, the cock flew out
of the window and went straight towards the sea. I
gave him up for lost, but in case he might be in the
neighbourhood, I set the cage in an open door of the
verandah in the hope that his mate's shrill "penny
trumpet" call would attract him. She kept up an
incessant " pamp, pamp, pamp," for three hours, at the
end of which time I went into the room and found a
tired sooty little object sitting on the top of the cage—
the cock had found his wa}- lionie.

Since then they have built a nest with cotton wool
and bits of pink silk. I gave them a variety of nesting
material, and they chose little strips of pink silk, and
took one piece about three inches square, with which
they cover their eggs as nicely as one would spread a
counterpane on a bed. If I take it away, the cock
puts it back again.

I am able to observe the doings of my birds, as I
keep them in large cages in my studio.

AiA'.S V. GORTKR.

91
THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB MARKET.

The charge for advertisements is one penny for each bird named
Advertisements must be concisely worded, and clearly written
on a separate sheet of paper, with the name and address
of advertiser at the foot. The fee must in all cases be pre-
paid in stamps. The Hon. vSec. is authorised to decline
Advertisements which he considers undesirable. Advertise-
ments for the March issue must reach the Hon. vSec. not
later than 15th March.
I have a pair each of tlie following rare cloves for
disposal — White-crowned Dove {Columbo leucocephala),
Violet Dove {Eugyphla latnaicus).

W. R. Parker, The Beacon Farm, Frodshani.

Cock Redrunip, 15/-; Tui Parrakeet. 20/- ; hen Passerine
Dove, 5/- ; hen Saffron Finch, 3/- ; cock Cutthroats,
1/9 each. All in outdoor aviaries.

G. Grace, 24, Wood Street, Wakefield.

Acclimatized Scarlet Tanagers, 25/- ; Chinese Bulbul, 20/- ;
Rosella, 20/- ; Peach - faced Love - birds, 40/- pair ;
Russian Bullfinch, with show-cage, 2nd Aquarium,
17/6; dark Linnet mule, with show-cage, 17/6; Pied
Wagtail, 6/6; Jay, 5/6; Ring-Dove, 1/3 ; Cutthroats,
Avadavats, Weavers, 36 pair; White Java Sparrows,
5/6, John Frostick, Temperley Road, Balham.

All outdoor aviary — Blue Robins, 20/- pair ; Cockatiels,
15/- pair ; Virginian Nightingales, 22/- pair ; Austra-
lian Crested Doves, 20/- pair ; Pileated Jays, 21/-
each ; Black-throated Laughing Thrushes, 30/- each;
Spectacled Thrush, deformed foot, 15/- ; Australian
Shrike, rare, 40/- ; Zebra Doves, 6/6 pair ; Zebra
Finches, 5/- pair; Zebra Waxbills, 5/-; African
Quails, 5/- pair; Java Sparrows, Mannikins, Spice-
birds, etc., 3/6 pair; Weavers, 4/6 pair ; Redrumps,
35/- pair; Peafowl, cock's tail three parts grown, 50/-
pair. Indoors— Golden-crowu Green Fruit-suckers,
full song, feed from hand, 35/- each ; Purple-capped
Lories, 40/- each ; Chattering Lor}-, good talker, 60/-.
May be seen any time by appointment.

Arthur Gir.i,, Veterinary Surgeon,

Bexley Heath, Kent.

92

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

NOTICES TO MEMBERS.

NEW MEMBERS ELECTED.

Mr. John D. Hami^yn, 221, St. George Street East,

London, E.
Mr. Charles Tomt^inson, South Cottage, Healey,

nr. Rochdale.
Mr. A. H. Kellett, 84, Belvedere Road, Burnley.
Mrs. C. Coope:r, Rosella, Dalberg Road, Brixton, vS.W.
Mr. P\ C. Thorpe, Dronfield, Sheffield.

(Mem. Avic. Society).
Mr. G. LE C. Grace, 24, Wood Street, Wakefield.

(Mem. Avic. Society).

NEW MEMBERS PROPOSED.

The Hon. Frederick Waei^op, 46, South Street,
Park Lane, W. Proposed hy Mr. FroSTICK.

Mr. Talbot H. Bond, Aylsham, Norfolk.
Froposed by the HON. SEC.

Mr. Frank Howe, 35, Cambridge Street, Welling-
borough, Northamptonshire.

Proposed by Mr. FrOSTiCK.

One of the Club's Medals will be offered for compe-
tition at the Dublin Show, on the 7th and 8th of March.

93
''MEATING OFF"

AND FEEDING SOFT-BILLS.

By John Frostick.

Many fanciers of our British birds make a speciality
of this or that particular species, and stick to it to the
exclusion of all others ; for instance, one man pins his
faith to Goldfinches, another to Linnets, another to
Larks, and so on ; and althouf^h enthusiastic on the
particular merits of his own favourite Ijird (of which he
will be able to tell you many interesting things, of the
existence of which you were in total ignorance) you will
find, as a rule, that outside of the sphere of his special
fancy his knowledge ceases. The fact is, he is a special-
ist of the most pronounced type, and all outside his
specific study has no interest for him. To lovers of all
wild birds in general, amongst whom I hope to be
classed, the narrowness of his ideas is somewhat difficult
to understand : still he is an interesting character, and
one from whom we may many times receive much valu-
able information.

Soft-bills have always had a great attraction for
me from childhood, although I was not then able to
keep them on a diet of breadcrumbs and earthworms, for
reasons which were quite plain to me as I grew in 3-ears,
and I had many ups and downs, successes and disasters,
and spent much time and mone}' before I arrived at the
conclusions I now place before you. I have every confi-
dence in recommending the treatment arrived at after
years of careful study, and although not a specialist of
the above t3-pe, I have alwa3s had a strong leaning
towards insectivorous birds.

I do not think any real lover of our native song birds
can long be satisfied with keeping only the hard-billed
or seed-eating kinds; not but that such have many
advantages over soft-bills in the ease with which they
ma}' be kept in confinement in roljust health and con-
dition, and the good qualities of our many beautiful
finches are manifold. The priniar}^ object of this paper
is to point out to the budding aviculturist how he niav.

94

with tlie exercise of a little judgment, be able to keep, in
a cage or aviary, any one of the man}' delicate but charm-
ing warblers that claim these Islands as their abode
either for part or the whole 3'ear round, with as little or
less trouble than is required to keep a Goldfinch ; and
moreover may have the satisfaction of knowing that,
under his tender care, there is every probability of his
charge living to a mncli greater age than would be
possible in a purely natural state.

It is a curious fact that all the finest feathered
minstrels or gorgeoush' plumaged birds, in all parts of
the world, come under the above heading. Who could
listen to the soul inspiring love song of our own de-
lightful summer visitor the far famed Nightingale, or
the Shama of India, the Bulbul of Persia, the Mocking
Bird of America, the Parson Bird of New Zealand; or
gaze on the marvellous colours of the Tanagers of South
America, the Tits, Creepers and Kingfishers of Austi alia,
the Touracos of Africa, the Hunting Crow of India, not
to mention many of our brightly coloured birds like the
Kingfisher and Blue Tit, painted with Nature's glorious
tints that no human hand could approach ; and not long
to have the means and knowledge how to keep them
ever near him, that his artistic instincts might be glad-
dened by their form, colour and music ?

One of the most gratifying signs of the times, to the
ornithologist, is the great increase of the interest and
attention paid, b}- the general public, to birds in general
and the more delicate kinds in particular. Where a few
years ago there were tens of " fanciers," there now may
be counted hundreds. At the time of which I speak
such birds as Nightingales, Blackcaps, Redstarts, and
Wagtails were very rareh' seen at a provincial show, but
now the}' are every day occurences, and even the more
delicate W^arblers, Tits, and Wrens are frequently seen.
No doubt this is largely owing to the help and assistance
such an useful institution as the National British Bird
and Mule Club, and the various publications devoted to
the fanc}', have been in educating those who have a
leaning towards this charming branch of bird keeping.

95

At the outset let me strongly advise anyone not to
attempt to keep soft-bills unless he can give them his
personal attention, and has prepared himself for some
amount of hard work, and, it must be admitted, expense ;
l)ut if the embryo naturalist keeps only as man}' birds as
he can afford time to attend to the requirements of, and
the means to pay for the food of, all will go well, and
the hard work will only be a labour of love.

Before we buy or catch our bird it will be as well to
consider the most important question of FOOD. The
various ingredients which go to make up a really natural
diet are as easy to procure nowadays, almost everj-where,
as canary seed, and of a better quality than, and at half
the cost of, a few years back. The first and most valu-
able article on the list is what are commonly known as
ANTS' EGGvS, which are really the pupse of the ant
{Formica rufa) in its silken covering called by entomolo-
gists a cocoon. They form a liandy and indispeiisible
food for all insectivorous birds, in their dried state,
as imported from Russia and Germany. These should
be as fresh as possible, at most uot more than a 3'ear old,
or their dietetic value is little more than sawdust :
therefore it is always good economy to buy the best,
which can always be told by their plump creamy appear-
ance and oily touch ; whereas the worthless kind will
be a dark brown small shrivelled piece of skin. Those
of my readers who live close to the pine woods could
not do better than collect their own ants' eggs fresh
from the nest, as, of course, I need hardl}' say they are
very much better than the dried article, and so long as
they can get them their birds will require no other food,
and the gathering will provide healthful and profitable
occupation for leisure moments. Choose a fine sunn}'
summer day, and, having found your nest, draw a pair of
footless stockings over your arms and stout gloves on
your hands, to protect you from the stings of the
insects, the acid from which is very painful and smarts
like the sting of nettles. Commence by gently un-
covering the nest until you arrive at the eggs, place

96

these ill a glazed linen bag until you have sufficient,
then take thejn to some sunny glade in the wood and
empty the bag of its contents, ants and eggs, into the
centre of a cloth whose corners are turned up over little
branches well covered with leaves. The ants, in order to
protect the eggs from the heat of the sun, quickly
remove them under the shelter which is provided for
them ; the eggs can then be collected perfectly free from
dirt, sticks, or ants. In the absence of a cloth a smooth
place may be swept clear of refuse, and little harbours of
branches and leaves placed around will answer the same
purpose.

DRIED FLIES, so called, are now largely imported
from Mexico, and are of much better qualit}- than
formerly. Although called "dried flies," and also by
another fancy name, the\^ are really an aquatic insect
belonging to the genus Notonecta. The British represen-
tative of the family [Notonectidce) is known as the water-
boatman, from the formation of the back, which is
shaped like the bottom of a boat, and the long hind legs
which much resemble a miniature pair of oars. They
swim on their backs, and their eyes are so placed that
they can see above and below the surface of the water,
and instantly descend on the approach of danger. I am
informed that in Mexico they swarm on the lakes and
lagoons in countless myriads, and are collected, dried,
and exported by the ton. Many small fish seem to get
gathered with the " bugs," and tlie}^ impart a very
decided fishy smell to the whole. Although I have used
a large quantity, I do not feel in a position to sa}- any-
thing for or against "dried flies " as a food for birds; as
a change they may have a certain value, but how much
I must leave to the reader to discover.

MEALWORMS now only cost a fifth part of what
the}' did ten years ago, owing to the large quantities we
receive from Germany : the competition bringing down
the price to such a very reasonable one that, personally,
I do not think it worth while to breed them — but, as
others might like to do this, I give the fnodtis operandi.

97

Fill a large earthenware jar with bran or meal of any
kind, and put in a few layers of old sacking which
should be occasionally soaked in stale beer; stock your
jar with a pint of worms, and leave them alone for three
mouths in a warm corner, when they will probably
change into beetles [Tenebrio molitor) which lay eggs that
turn into worms, and thus the insect is propagated, and
increased from the original pint to many quarts. Of
course they will require additions of meal as they grow
in bulk. They are a most useful and nourishing food
and certainly rank next to ants' eggs in value.

To he Continued.

THE SMALL-BILLED PARRAKEETS.

The genus Brotogerys contains eleven species, one or
two of which are now commonly imported, and several
of the others are occasionally to be met with. Russ calls
them "the Small -billed Parrakeets,"— the name is-
convenient, and certainh' much more appropriate than
the scientific name Brotogerys, which means "gifted with
human voice." They are all of them small, hardy, easih^
tamed, and remarkably intelligent — certainly there are
no other small parrots equally amusing and suited to
cage life. But they are not talkers, though possibly
one of them might learn a word or tw'o.

They are not very well adapted to the large outdoor
aviary, as they are somewhat quarrelsome and do not
endure cold well — but in a roomy cage, or in a small
indoor aviary all to themselves, a pair will be found to
make most amusing pets. While one kept singly, like
the Orange-flanked Mr. Townsend wrote about some
months ago, would doubtless get still tamer and more
familiar with his human friends.

Canary-seed should be their staple diet, varied with
a few oats and hempseeds. They are very fond of fruity
and some biscuit or stale sponge cake is good for a
change.

9?

The prevailing colour in all these species is green,
and the sexes are alike.

The Tovi Parrakeet {Brotoge/ys jugularis) is by far the
most common kind. It is distinguished b}- an orange
spot on the chin. This jolly little bird can now be
bought for a few shillings.

The All-green Parrakeet {B. tin'ca), the name of
which is a sufficient description, has lately been im-
ported in considerable numbers. It is a larger bird than
the Tovi, and scarcely so attractive.

The Canary-winged Parrakeet {B. chiriri) has a broad
band of canarj'-colour across the wing, and is the most
ornamental of all the Small-billed Parrakeets. It is
about the same size as the All-green. Decidedly
uncommon, and somewhat expensive — but a most
desirable bird.

The Orange-flanked Parrakeet {B. pyrrhopterns), has
the sides of the head and chin grey, and the smaller
under wing-coverts orange. It is a pretty bird and one of
the most attractive of the group. About the same size
as the Tovi. Some years ago it was considered a great
rarity, but now, although by no means common, it is
often seen.

The Tui Parrakeet {B. tui) is the smallest of all. It
may be known by the yellow spot on the top of the head
It seems to be less hardy than the others. It is, I think,
considerably rarer than the Orange- flanked. A very
charming little creature.

Besides the above, there are the Yellow - winged
{B. virescens), the Golden-fronted (/?. tiiiparn), the Golden-
winged {B. chiysopterus), and three other species. All of
these are extremely rare.

All the Small-billed Parrakeets are natives of South
America. RandoIvPH Ouin.

99

BRITISH BIRDS AT THE CRYSTAL
PALACE.

So far as numbers were coiicenied there was a
marked falling off in comparison with last year, when
the N. B. B. and M. C. guaranteed the whole of the
British Bird and Hybrid section, including many new
Classes which had never been given before, with the
result that the Show was a pronounced success. This
year our Club were never even approached upon the
subject, which to say the least was disappointing and
discouraging; but, notwithstanding, there was a goodly
array of British Birds and Hybrids. It seems that
nothing is easier than to find fault, but we do not do so
in any but a kindly spirit, and even our worthy Vice-
President, Mr. J. F. Hills, told us. in a lecture, many years
ago, that on going the round of the Show after judging
he would oftentimes have altered his awards: birds are
often not themselves till many hours after the judging
has taken place.

The Bullfinch Class contained some fine specimens of
British Bullfinches, but we are of opinion that the land
of birth of many of the exhibits was far removed from
Ivngland. We have now a standard of what a British
lUillfinch should be, and hope to see those foreign look-
ing birds left out entirely, and we were glad to notice
that the judge left most of them out. It is no light task
for a judge to find the best bird out of a class of 42 ; but
nobody can dispute, I venture tosa}', that the judge found
the first prize, Mr. S. Mclyaughland's, a real extra fine
Britisher. 1349, Mr.Massey's, looked like a house-moulted
specimen and a noted winner. 1379 we thought a good
one. 1384 was one of the best coloured in the Class, but
this poor bird could hardly move from perch to perch
for the dirt accumulated on his feet. 1388 was another
good bird not mentioned. Only six of our members
showed in this Class.

The Goldfinches for quality were almost as tip top as
ever, although not many in number (66). Three years

TOO

ago as many as 90 finches were staged. The judge, we
opine, found out all the gems. 1403, a beautiful bird, but
the blaze ver}- light. 1407, a good all round finch. 14T0,
one of the fiuest and biggest under-blazes we remember
seeing. 1428, a good runner up but not staged so well.
1453, Mr. Weston's, as good as auy in the Class. The
staging generally in this Class appealed to us as being
as near perfection as could be; ver\' few of the heavy-
old-fashioned type of show cages were seen.

Chaffinches (34 against 31 last year). The first prize
we could not follow at all, a very stead}' bird indeed, but
it lacked all the colors that a Chaffinch should show.
1458, Mr, Ball's, for size, plumage, and other points, ought ^
to have been higher up. 1461, Mr. Norman's, should be
heard of again ere another season is over. 1469, a bright
little gem, but unsteady- 1472, the best bird in the Class
for a white display. 1479, rare size but wild. The second
and third prize winners were in the right place.

Linnets. 57, and onh^ eight club members in the
number, a collection of many provincial winners. We
made 1513, Mr. Prior's, easily second or third, but there
were many other noted birds in this Class. 150T, Mr.
Robinson's, was remarkable for size. Most of the birds
were of great merit.

Tivites. Nothing out of the way, and only eight of
these ; last year there were 12. Mr. Lloyd James's bird
was rather small ))ut with good markings. 1540, a big
bird, but looked abnormally fat.

Lesser Redpolls. A medium lot of 13, against 20 last
year ; several of them looking like small INIealies.
" Swansea Tim " was a pretty little house-moulted
specimen. 1546, Mr. Robbins', should have been higher
up : a well-marked specimen.

Siskins, 24, and only five members making entry.
The winner was a highly color-fed bird, and not well
marked. We much preferred the second prize winner,
also color-fed. Most of the birds were fresh caught and
showed to advantage the cap markings.

lOI

Bravihlefinches, 17, last year totalliii.sf 25. Here we
were all at sea as to the judging; the first prize winner
being a very poor bird, the mantle showing more grey
than black, but very steady. Second and third were far
away the best, 1583, Miss PauU's, was the best in the
Class. 1589, Mr. Adams', should have been higher up ;
in fact, three or four others were better than the winner,
claimed at 12/6.

Hav'finches. To our thinking the first three were a
very even lot indeed, all looking in the best of form,
feather, sheen and color. We were sorry to see 1605, Mr.
Raine's, without a card — a grand old winner looking well.
The birds in this Class were splendidly staged.

Greenfinches, same number as last year. Some grand
birds in this Class, many of them great winners, were
left without a card. We made extra fourth easily first,
and it has often beaten the winner.

Buntings. One of the best arrays of Buntings for quality
we have ever seen. Second, third, and fourth seemed
very level, and it was a mere lottery which was to be
first.

Skylarks, only 7, against 19 last year, but it appeared
to us that if there had been 50 the first three in this Class
would have won — they were superb.

Robins. A small Class of poor quality, l)utall seemed
very steady, and cheerful too, for most of them were
singing.

Blackhirds. Some great winners met here for final
contest. We niiich preferred the second; 1679 surely
ought to have been higher up.

Ihnishes were a very even lot of birds. Here, again,
were well known winners from all parts of the kingdom.
To us it seemed a very difficult matter for the judge to
give satisfaction to the exhibitors. 1688 was hardly done
by, and 1695 should be heard of again.

Starlings are always a perfect conundrum to us as far
as judging goes. So far as the winner was concerned we
much preferred several of the cardless ones. Last year's

winner, if we remember rightly, was perfectly covered
with spots, this year's winner was very bare indeed — a
bone of contention when we reach the standard of the
Starling.

Afao-fie, YacMnrv, Yay or Choiigh (cancelled). A
British bird show withont any of the above seems to ns
ont of order, they are such well known public favorites.
We w^ould sooner look at a dozen of these birds than
have to scan the long row of Linnets and other dull
coloured (but not less favourite) birds. We think that
at a place like the Crvstal Palace the authorities should
insist upon certain Classes being given, which always
prove of special interest to the general (non-fancying)
public.

The Pied and Albino Class is always an interesting
one. We missed last year's winning curiosit)', the half
hen and half cock Bullfinch. The winner this year was
one of the most perfect specimens of a Cinnamon
Thrush that it has ever been our lot to look upon — a
perfect gem. Second, was a IVTissel -thrush, and not a
Fieldfare as stated in the Catalogue, as its well known
and harsh call clearly indicated to us while writing our
notes. Third, a very ordinary black Bullfinch, should
have been given to a very pretty exhibit — l\Tr. IVIay's
1715, a Pied Robin, very steady and looking well.

Class 105. Here were Missel-thrushes, Green Wood-
peckers, Wrens, Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, Blue
Tits, etc., — a most uncanny mixture, and most dis-
couraging to exhibitors. Another year a good Class
should be made up of Missel-thrushes alone, if due notice
be given. We could not make out the third prize being
given to a Crossbill right out of color, though steady,
and only a commended card to a very rare and perfect
specimen of a Lesser vSpotted Woodpecker— small en-
couragement here to attempt the keeping of the rarer
species. Classes for some of the rarer birds should stand,
at the expense of the Goldfinches, Linnets, etc. if
necessary.

Class io5. A very pretty Class, the awards giving

I03

fairly good satisfaction. The Blue-lieaded Wagtail was
again first, and a grand Nightingale second. 1747, Mr.
Gallovv'ay's Willow Warbler, was a very pretty exhibit.

We notice the feeding of the smaller insectivorous
birds was very good and unstinted, the birds were well
looked after, and the tent was kept at a most agreeable
temperature. W. A. LoTT.

THE TOUCANS.

These birds, of which a good many are from time
to time imported, are not appreciated by aviculturists as
they should be. Their feeding is, perhaps, a drawback ;
but their docilit}', affection, and winning w^ays endear
them to those who, like myself, have had much ex-
perience with them. I have had, at different times,
some ten specimens, ranging from the small Lettered
Toucans to the largest species imported.

I have at present two Aracari Toucans, and lively
customers they are — so fond of fun. One especialh' will,
as soon as I put my hand into his cage, make a dash at it
to give it a peck, and then like lightning fly over to the
other side of the cage and set up a cackle of delight at
having had me. If I then offer him a grape, he soon
comes to me again, this time in a subdued and grateful
mood. I often let them out in the room, when they have
a walk round, pry into corners, and enjoy themselves
very much. There is no trouble in getting them back
into their cages, as they allow themselves to be handled
freely.

Besides the above, I have two Green-ljilled Toucans,
a very beautiful species, larger than the Aracari. The
colouring of the beaks of these after death fades away —
so that when they are stuffed the inner side of the
transparent beak has to be painted to represent the
original colour. When my Green-bills arrived, in a box
I4ins. square, they were simpl}' skin and dirt — more of
the latter than of the former. They were very young,

I04

quite babies in fact, when I crot them. It was most
amusing to see their stunted tails grow, as well
as their featherless bodies. Their tails were long
lacking— and the tail is an amusing detail in Toucans,
for when they sleep it is swivelled up on to the back in a
most comical style. Although apparently not worth
house-room when they reached me, these birds are now in
grand order, plump, tame, and as playful as kittens, and
will follow me about anywhere. Recentl}-, I had also an
Ariel Toucan.

Toucans are fond of a bath or syringe, which, owing to
the nature of their food, is often required to keep them
clean. The}^ greatl}' appreciate grapes, which they
swallow whole, taking them up with the tip of the bill,
tossing them up and catching them in the open bill
and swallowing them. All food is taken in a similar way.

Their staple diet consists of boiled potatoes, grapes,
chopped apples, pears, bananas, soaked currants, and
plenty of soft food mixture.

All Toucans are very sparcely feathered, entirely
lacking the downy substance which protects Parrots
from the cold. When well fed they they are very little
trouble to keep in health, but cleanliness is essential.

They cannot bite severely, but can give an ugly
pinch when irritated, and have a knack of twisting the
skin round. W. Osbai.deston.

SOME NOTES ON THE HYBRID SECTION
AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE SHOW.

Our British Bird Club Hon. vSec, Mr. W. A. Lott,
requests rue to write a few notes about the Hj-brid
Section at the recent Palace Show.

Before going into the Show and reviewing these
classes, I beg to say that my remarks are inspired by
facts, and that a large circle of friends from various
parts wrote to me begging me to visit the Show. I have

I05

a strong weakness — (rather paradoxical this) — for visiting
Cage Bird Shows, so it did not require luuch influence
to prevail upon nie to be there. I went, and I .saw many
persons and things, a few of which I will now do my
best to relate to you.

First of all, I saw two or three alterations in the
Hybrid Classes fi-om last year. There was one class
inslead of two, this year, for Canary hybrids approaching
the highest standard of perfection, viz., " clear or
lightly ticked." Mr. R. Colton, of Sheffield, had placed
on view three of the six birds entered, but he bowed the
knee — and to a lady — from Coldstream, N.B., for premier
honours in this class.

The " Evenly Marked" (and the second standard of
perfection) Class (ten entries) contained three good ones,
standing well away from the rest. The next two classes were
improved in a small, but very important way, upon last
year, and the addition of the words "or variegated"
made the wording of these classes very clear and
definite. In the Yellow Class we saw that the bird stand-
ing first had apparently a blemish on the " saddle,"
just above the left wing inner flights, some feathers
being missing and new pens beginning to appear. This
bird was carrying " dark " feathers on that spot last
year, which feathers made the bird into a very lightly
variegated mule in my opinion. By the absence of
those "dark" feathers at the late Show, the bird
was, in my opinion, transformed into an unevenly
marked mule. I much preferred the 2nd bird on the
days form. Most of the remaining birds in this
class were rather heavily variegated and call for little
comment.

The Variegated Buff Class brought together seven-
teen birds, and ten or twelve of these were very good
specimens of the nondescript character, and the
running for honours was very close, little dividing the
first four.

The next two classes, " Dark Yellow " and " Dark
Buff"" Goldfiuch-Canarv were not so well filled as we

io6

would liketohavi seen for these (tlie third staudardof per-
fection) classes. Both classes contained fine specimens,
the " Yellows " having the pull in this respect. The next
four classes, viz. : Greenfinch-Canary ; Linnet-Canary,
other than Clear, or Lightly Ticked ; Siskin, Redpoll, or
Twite-Canary hybrid ; and any other variety of Canary
h3'brid ; all would have been more definitely worded and
coincided with the Clear, or Lighth* Ticked Class, if
they had all read at the end, *' other than Clear or Lightly
Ticked." The inference is obvious enough, viz. : that
where the wording of one class leaves off the other ought
to begin. I will, in passing, sa}-, that there is a very
popular opinion among hybrid breeders and exhibitors,
that all "Self Darks" ought to have classes to them-
selves. There were some half-dozen in the Greenfinch-
Canary Class, in capital feather and condition. The
winner was well ahead, and here is where we do not get
equitable competition, as compared with the Goldfinch-
Canary Classes.

Exactly the same remarks apply to the Linnet-
Canary Class, which was about the strongest class for all
round merit in the hybrid section.

I have seen ver\' good classes of Siskin-Canar}- alone
— much better than the mixed class this year, and I am
of opinion that "Siskin-Canary, Dark," ought to be a
classof itself and would pay well, and that the Redpoll-
Canary and Twite-Canar}' should go into the A.O.V.
Canary-hybrid Class. The A.O.V. Canary hybrid, con-
tained two entries — not for competition, — one entered
as a Canary-Bullfinch by Miss Reeves, Wateringbury
Hall, Kent, and the other a one-winged Canary, entered
by Mr. D. Symon, Glenhill House, Aberdeen, but absent.

The next, Class 84, was limited to three of the
Bullfinch hybrid crosses, viz. : Goldfinch-Bullfinch,
Linnet-Bullfinch, and Greenfinch-Bullfinch.

The Linnet-Bullfinch cross was by far the best
representation of high-class standard merit, and I do
not hesitate to sa}" I have seen equal, but never a better
specimen than Mr. Ward's Linnet-Bullfinch. I have seen

much better hybrids of the Goldfinch-Bullfinch cross, and
possess a stuffed specimen of the Greenfinch.-Bullfincli
cross, said to be, by some of the best hyl)rid men in the
land, the largest and best finished specimen ever seen up
to date.

The "A. O.V. hybrid, bred from two British birds,"
class, brought together a few capital Goldfinch-Greenfinch
hybrids ; two or three decent Linnet-Greenfinch
hybrids, a very neat Siskin-Greenfinch, with a slight
defect, at the Show, to its tail ; and a hen Goldfinch-
Ivinnet hybrid. Where were the crosses between
Canary-Bullfinch, Redpoll-Bullfinch, Siskin-Bullfinch,
Twite-Bullfinch, Goldfinch-Redpoll, Greenfinch-Redpoll,
Twite-Greenfinch, Twite-Goldfinch, Twite-Siskin, Red-
poll-Siskin, etc. ? Stir up yourselves, you hybrid
breeders, and go in for winning those Medals offered b}'
our Club for the production of rare hybrids! With a
well thought out amended classification I don't see why
a large increase in entries should not obtain at future
Palace Shows. I hope to see it in the near future.
I should like to see the Medals of the N.B.B. & M.C. for
competition there also. C. HouiyroN.

THE AMERICAN CAT-BIRD.

This species {Galeoscoptes carolinensis) is a near relation
of the Mocking-bird. It is rather larger than a Blue
Robin, of a dingy slate-colour all over, except the under
tail-coverts which are rusty claret-colour. The sexes
seem to be alike in plumage but the cock is easily
distinguished by his song In spite of its very plain
plumage it is rather an attractive bird in captivity, being
tame, amusing, intelligent, a good songster, and easily
catered for. In addition to the usual insectivorous
mixture, it eats fruit eagerly, but does not greatly care
for mealworms. It appears to be much like our English
Blackcap in its diet, and is no doubt equally easy to keep
in health and condition.

io8

Until recently, this bird was very seldom imported,
and I do not remember to have ever seen it at a Show.
Within the last few mouths a good many have been
advertised for sale — at low prices too.

There is another Cat-bird, which must not be con-
fused with the above. This last is a bright-phmiaged
Bower-bird. HoKATio R. Fii,i,MER.

FOREIGN BIRD
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

MADAGASCAR LOVE-BIRDS.

Question. — I have an aviar}- about 5ft. high, 4ft. wide,
and 2ft. deep, in which I keep the following : Two pairs
of Budgerigars, justcommencingto nest, one pair of Blue-
winged Love-birds, and one pair of Zebra Finches.
Shall I be safe in putting in a pair of Madagascar Love-
birds which I have ? I have heard that it is not safe to
put them with other birds, as they are rather inclined to
fight. Would they breed in the aviary along with the
Budgerigars ?

Can you give me a list of a few small foreign birds
which would be easy to breed either in the above aviary
or in a Canar}- breeding cage }

The room in which my aviary stands has been at a
temperature of about 44*^ during the last fortnight.
What temperature will the Zebra Finches require to
breed in .= They have been making nests for the last
two months, but there are no eggs yet. K. H. A.

Answer : Your aviary is rather small for more than
one breeding pair of birds. If those you have in it at
present are getting on well together, I do not think that
1 should, if I were you, risk disturbing their harmony
by introducing any more birds. Madagascar Love-

I09

birds are larger than Blue-wings, and less amiable than
Budgerigars, and certainly have rather a bad reputation.
I should not trust them with little birds like Zebra
Finches, in such a small aviar}'.

Bengalese are the onl}' birds which I should recom-
mend you to breed in a Canary breeding-cage. In an
aviary similar to yours it would be easy to breed, Ijesides
Zebra Finches and Budgerigars, Ribbon Finches,
Parson Finches, White Java Sparrows, Saffron Finches,
or Cockatiels. Zebra Finches will breed at almost any
temperature, but there is a great risk ol egg-binding if
it is below 60*^.

HAND-RFARING BUDGERIGARS.

Question. — I wish to bring up one or two Budgerigars
from the nest — at what age should 1 take them from the
nest } K. H. A.

Answer : At the age of between three and four
weeks.

THE ORTOLAN BUNTING.

Question. — Can you tell me the correct name of a bird
sold to me as an " Auckland Nightingale." In plumage
it resembles a Brown Linnet, but is slightly larger and
has a yellow rim round the eye. So far it is a Nightingale
without a song, though it is said to be a " splendid
songster." A. M. W.

Answer : The bird is simply the common Ortolan
Bunting — which is often sold under the absurdly
inappropriate name of " Auckland Nightingale." It has
a monotonous song, and could not be truthfully
described as a "splendid" songster.

no
CORRESPONDENCE.

HYBRID MANNIKINS.

Sir, — I have had a brood of five young hybrids from
a Bronze INIannikin and a fawn and white Bengalese —
and the young are exactl}' like Nutmeg Finches orvSpice
Birds except that the ground colour at the sides is fawn
colour, speckled with black. The}- are about the same
size as Nutmeg Finches — a good deal larger than the
parents. But my Bronze INIannikins are aviarj'-bred, and
very small. GiuIvIA Tommasi.

WEST AFRICAN BIRDS.

[The following is an extract from a letter not
intended for publication — but it is so interesting that
Ave cannot resist the temptation to give the readers of
" Bird Notes " the benefit of it. We hope Dr. Hopkinson
will forgive us.]

QuiNELivA, Gambia,

Jan. j6th, igo2, W. AFRICA.

*******

I am now about 70 miles up the river, and encamped
about four miles from it, near a native town, and of
course all the common finches here are our common
West African cage-birds— Waxbills, Cordon Bleus, and
Bronze Mannikins ver}' common, and Fire Finches in the
villages. The brilliant scarlet of the Fire Finch in
freedom is remarkable, especially when compared with
the dull colour we see in imported birds. The Cordons
are, however, no brighter than some that I have seen in
England.

I think I have seen some Dufresne's Waxbills, and
a red-breasted Waxbill I do not know — but I hope to
have some caught as soon as we get settled, and if I can
get any rare birds I shall bring some home.

On the whole I think the bird-life is disappointing.

There are nuinhers of Doves and Pigeons (of use for the
pot, luckily), and swarms of Rollers and Bee-eaters and
other bright-coloured birds, but the seed- eaters, and
those interesting as cage-birds, are in a great minority,
and unless looked for would be easily missed. I hope I
shall be able to send something on them for " Notes,"
later on.

I think that "Amazon's" suggestion of an Index of
Bird Names is a very good one. I have been collecting
such names for some time and have a long list at home —
when I get back in the summer I must see if I can work
it into any usefnl shape. E. Hopkinson.

A CURE FOR FEATHER-EATING.

Sir, — May I suggest a simple cure for parrots that
pull off their feathers ? 1 have found it usefnl in many
cases. It is simply to damp the bird's feathers slightly
and then powder them thickly with maize flour. If the
affection comes from irritation of the skin, the maize
flour soothes it ; and if the bird pulls off his feathers or
nibbles them from want of something to do, he gets
plenty of occupation in freeing his feathers from the
flour — at any rate it does no harm. I have also heard
that olive oil is useful, but have not tried it mvself.

GlUI^TA TOMMASr.

FOOD FOR NIGHTINGALES.

Sir, — Nightingales in this country (Italy) are fed
with dried silkworms pounded into a sort of flour. This
is mixed with maize flour and a little fresh chicory
chopped up finely. A house-fly dipped in olive oil given
occasionally helps to keep them in good health, as well
as a spider or other insect.

The dry silkworms are used as food for all insecti-
vorous birds here— for Robins a little grated cheese is
added. Giulia Tommasi.

112

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD AND
MULE CLUB.

The sixth Annual General Meeting was held at the
Crystal Palace, ist February, 1902.

Present Messrs. J. P. Ball, D. Bentley, C. Boerma, F.
Carl, F. F. vS. Chatterton, C. Cooper, W. H. Cooper, T.
Dewhurst, J. Frostick, J. F. Hills, W. Laskey, C. T.
Maxwell, G. Morgan, W. Osbaldeston, A. Plunibridge,
W. T. Plumbridge, J. Pollard, C. Prior, S. A. Sandy, S.
Townsend, W. H. Vale, A. Wellings, G. Weston, Jno.
Williams, the Hon. Sec, and others.

"Sir. Pollard having been elected Chairman, the
minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting were
read and confirmed. The Hon. Sec. read the annual
report and balance sheet, and expressed his pleasure in
being able to show a balance of £1 17s. 6d. on the right
side for the first time since the institution of the Club.

Mr. Bentley expressed his appreciation of the work of
the Committee, coupling the names of the Hon. Sec. and
Hon. Treasurer. The Hon. Sec. duly acknowledged the
compliment. The Chairman referred general 1}' to the
condition of the Club, and thought that the work was
being carried on to the satisfaction of the members.
Mr. Frostick also congratulated the members upon the
state of the Club's balance. Personally, he did not wish
to see a big reserve or balance, he taking it that all
moneys should be spent for the general benefit of the
members.

The balance sheet having been passed, a very
important resolution by Mr. Frostick was put as follows :
"That this Club amalgamate with the Foreign Bird
Club for the purpose of publishing a joint monthly
Magazine, and that the subscription to the Club be 5/-
per annum to all members, the same to include the
Magazine post free monthl}^ and all other benefits of the
Club without further charge from IMarch ist, 1902.

113

Messrs. Wellings, Boenna, Dewhurst and others took
part in the discussion ou the proposition, many
questions of detail being asked and duh' answered by the
Hon. Sec. INIr. Wellings thought that the higlier fee to
country members might cause some resignations, but the
general opinion was that members would appreciate the
fact that tlie}' were getting such value for their mone}-
as was not given by any other Society or Club in Great
Britain, and could not grudge the small increase in
subscription. The proposition was seconded b}' Mr.
Boerma and carried neni. con.

The result of the voting for the Committee and
Judges was next communicated as follows : —

LONDON COMMITTEE.

Votes.

Votes.

Mr. Boerma

.. 50 Mr.

Full James

.. 40

,, Morgan

..50 •'

Tolhurst

•• 39

„ W. H. Cooper

••49 •>

Laskey

.. 28

„ J. Frostick..

••49 ••

Jones

.. 27

„ W. A. Lott..

••49 -

Rettich

.. 13

,, Sandy

.. 48 ..

Pretty

•• 5

,, Dewhurst ,.

..47 •,

Tait . .

5

,, C. Cooper . .

• . 43 •,

Emms

.. 4

PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE.

Votes.

Votes.

[Mr. Dewar

.. 31 '^Ir

Swavsland

.. 16

,, Browming . .

..22 ,,

Turnber

.. 12

,, Lowne

..ID

J. Williams

.. 9

BRITISH BIRD Jll]

DGES.

HYBRID JU

DGES.

Votes.

Votes.

Mr. J. Frostick

.. 39 :Mr

W. H. Vah

i ..49

„ J. F. Hills

••39 ••

J. F. Dewa

r ..37

,, S. Cook

..37 ,.

C. Houltoi

•. 36

,, C. Houlton

..34 .,

J. William

3 • • 35

„ W. H. Vale

..25 .,

W. Swaysh

md . . 23

,, W. Swaysland

.•13 ,»

D. Bell

.. 16

The Hon. Sec. announced that he had deposited the
voting papers in the hands of the Hon. Solicitor, and the
elections gave general satisfaction to the meeting.

114

Mr. Adams proposed *• Tliat the N.B.B. and M.C.
withhold its support from exhibitions, the promoters of
which appoint the same judge year after year." Various
views were expressed upon the resolution, and the
general impression seemed to be that some variation and
changes would be for the general benefit, but it was felt
that the Club was not in a position to dictate to vShow
Committees, as they paid the Judges, and not we. The
proposition was ultimately lost.

:\Ianv members being obliged to leave, the meeting
was adjourned until 6th February at Headquarters, and
the proceedings terminated with a hearty vote of thanks
to the Chairman.

The adjourned Annual General ^^leeting was held at
the Napier. 25, High Holborn. Present, ?^Iessrs.
Boerma. C. Cooper, Frostick, Maxwell, Morgan, A.
Plumbridge, J. Pollard, Robson, vSandy, Tolhurst,
Turnber, and the Hon. Sec.

The votes for the election of Chairman and Vice-
Chairman for the forthcoming year were taken by
ballot, the result being that Mr. Robson was elected
Chairman, and ^Mr. Pollard Vice-Chairman. The result
was greeted with cheers and approval. Mr. Robson, in
an appropriate speech, said that he highly appreciated
the honour conferred upon him, and he would seriously
endeavour to uphold the honour and integrity of the
Club to the best of his ability. He thought that any
little differences that might arise from time to time
might be overcome by the pursuance of a solid, upright,
and straightforward policy. Mr. Pollard also
acknowledgedhis election, and generally agreed with the
Chairman's remarks.

The election of Hon. Sec. was next proceeded with.
The retiring Hon. Sec, having been asked to continue in
the office, expressed his regret that the membership of
the Club had decreased so much during the past twelve
months, and thought that perhi'.ps a new Hon. Sec.
might be an advantage to the Club. The suggestion

"5

thus offered was at once rejected, and the Hon. Sec. was
iinaniuiously re-elected.

Mr. Maxwell, in accepting re-election as Hon.
Treasurer, said that the Club had gone through a very-
trying year, but he thought they had no reason to be
dissatisfied, and hoped that its present position would be
maintained.

The Hon. Sec. suggested one or two minor altera-
tions in the rules, but withdrew his proposals after a
short discussion.

A long letter from Mr. Ball, proposing sundry
alterations, was read, but it was thought inadvisable to
interfere with the present rules.

The Hon. Sec. having mentioned that the new
Magazine would considerably add to the duties of his
office, a suggestion was made that an Assistant Hon. Sec.
be appointed, and Mr. Frostick proposed Mr. Plumbridge
for the position. This was seconded by Mr. Sandy and
carried. Mr. Plumbridge, in accepting office, expressed
his pleasure in doing anything to help forward the work
of the Hon. Sec.

The following gentlemen were elected members of

I

the Club :—

Mr. Arthur Gough
„ W. P. Williams
„ W. H. Harris
„ W. N. Midgley
„ H.J. Chick
,, C. Locke
,, Galloway
„ G. Gait

Proposed by
Mr. Wellings.
Mr. Massey

Mr. Frostick
„ Judd
,, Sandy

Hon. Sec.

Mr. J. Williams

Seconded hy
Hon. Sec.

A vote of thanks to the Scrutineers
closed the Annual General Meeting.

Mr. Vale
,, Maxwell
and Auditors

Committee Meeting, held at Headquarters, 25, High
Holborn, 6th March, 1902. Present — Mr. Pollard (in the
chair), Messrs. Boerma, C. Cooper, Dewhurst, Emms,
Frostick, Jones, Maxwell, A. Plumbridge, Sandy, Vale,
and the Hon. Secretary.

ii6

Minutes of previous tneeting having been read and
confirmed, letters were read from Messrs, Robson,
Perkins, Crozier, J. P. Ball (2), Ranisden, Houlton,
Tyson, Faire}-, Allen, and Boaler.

Mr. Houlton's letter called the Committee's attention
to the disqualification of Mr. Browning's mule at the
Crystal Palace. It was decided that as the matter had
been dealt with by the L. & P. O. S., which Society
had exonerated Mr. Browning, the incident was finished.
Mr. Ramsden's letter conveyed his resignation, which,
he wrote, was because of "the treatment I have received
from one or two of A'our officials." The following reso-
lution was proposed and carried unanimously — "That,
as nothing official has been passed by the N. B. B. & M.
C. to annoy Mr. Ranisden, the Committee would like
Mr. Ranisden to reconsider his decission and give them
particulars of his complaint."

An application from the Hull Cage Bird Society for
patronage and snpport was allowed to stand over
pending details of classification.

Mr. Frostick rose at 9 o'clock to deliver his lecture.
The paper proved highly interesting and instructive, and
as Mr. Frostick has kindly presented the lecture to the
Club for publication in the IMagazine, all the members of
the Club will have the benefit of the same.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer
at the conclusion, and INIessrs, Boerma, Pollard, Jones,
Dewhurst, Cooper and Sandy took part in the discussion
which followed, during which Mr. Frostick handed
round his model Nightingale cage and bird trap for
inspection. Mr. P'rostick, in replying to the vote of
thanks, declared that he should always endeavour to
help on the work of the Club by any means in his power,
and he expressed his pleasure at the remarks which had
been passed and the allusions to his work on behalf of
the Club. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed an
interesting and instructive evening.

117
NOTEvS.

Mr. Vale has kindly consented to give a paper upon
Hybrids next month.

The next birds to receive attention, in respect of
having standards drawn np, will be the Linnet and the
Siskin.

After the business of the Committee Meeting Mr.
Boerma announced his intention of offering a gold
medal to the member introducing most new members
during 1902-3. The medal is a handsome one, and will
doubtless be appreciated by the winner. It is now in
the hands of our Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Maxwell.

W. A. LOTT, Hon. Sec,
NationaTv British Bird & MuivR Cr<UB,
103, Cheapside, London, E.G.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

NOTICES TO MEMBERS.

With this issue of "Bird Notes" each member of
the F. B. C. will find a post-card addressed to me. May
I ask, as a special favour, that every member will at once
sign this and post it to me ? I have to issue the voting
papers by the ist of April, so that I want to know the
names of the candidates forthwith.

It is desirable that the list of candidates should be
as large as possible — I hope, therefore, that the great
majority of the members will express their willingness
to stand for election. The purpose of asking members
whether tlic}^ are willing to stand is simply to eliminate
the names of those who would refuse to accept office if
elected.

I am quite willing to act as Secretary for another
year, if the members do me the honour of re-electing
me. But I think it would be better if some one else

ii8

were Treasurer. Any niembers who stand for the
Treasurership will, therefore, be doing good service to
the Club.

Our new year begins on the ist of May, but all new
members proposed for election after the issue of this
number of " Bird Notes " will be considered to date their
membership from the commencement of the new year,
and will not be liable for this year's subscription. I trust
a good many new members will be proposed in the April
" Bird Notes," so that their names may be published in
the list of members to be issued in May. We want more
members badly. Will every one make a special effort
to get some }

HORATIO R. FILIvMER,

Hon. Sec. FOREIGN BiRD CluB,
52, Ship Street, Brighton.

NEW MEMBERS ELECTED.

The Hon. Frederick Wali^op, 46, South Street,
Park Lane, W.

Mr. Talbot H. Bond, Aylsham, Norfolk.

Mr. Frank Howe, 35, Cambridge vStreet, Welling-
borough, Northamptonshire.

NEW MEMBER PROPOSED.
Mr. Ernest Valentine, 7, Highfield, Workington.
Proposed by Mr. FroSTiCK.

MEDALS WON DURING SHOW SEASON 1901-2.

Crystal Palice, November, igoi.
Silver. Mr. L. W. Hawkins for Rufous-tailed Grass-
finches.
Bronze. Mr. H. R. Fillmer for Reddish Finch.

Royal Aquarium, November, tqoi.
Silver. Mr. J. A. Swan for White-capped Tanager.

119

Bronze. Mr, L. W. Hawkins for Golden - shouldered

Parrakeet.

Sheffield, N'ovember, igoi.
Bronze. Miss R. Ar,DP:RSON for Shaniah.

Crystal Palace, Jan. dr' Feb., iqo2.
vSilver. Mr. H. B. vSmiTh for Red and Blue Macaw.
Bronze. Mr, H. K. Picard for Superb Tanager.

Dublin, March, iqo2.
Bronze. Mr. F.. Ramsky Phii^i^tps for Green-billed

Toucan,

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE FOREIGN
BIRD CLUB.

Ladies and Gf:nTi,kmen,— You were informed in
the February issue of "Foreign Bird Notes" of the
association of your Club with the N. B. B. & M, C. in
regard to the publication of ajoint IVIagazine. As Hon.
Secretary of the N. B, B. & M. C, I have to apologize
for our first contributions to the Magazine being of a
nature which will not be ot much interest to foreign
bird keepers, A considerable amount of matter, interest-
ing to all bird lovers, is on hand and promised, and I
trust that the whole Magazine will in the future be
interesting to members of both Clubs.

Articles will be published from time to time in con-
nection with the keeping of British birds in captivity,
arid an instalment of the first of these, by our well
known fellow member, Mr, Frostick, appears in this
issue.

W. A, LOTT, Hon. Sec, N. B. B, & M. C.

120

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB MARKET.

The charge for advertisements is one penny for each bird named.
Advertisements must be concisely worded, and clearly written
on a separate sheet of paper, with the name and address
of advertiser at the foot. The fee must in all cases be pre-
paid in stamps. The Hon. Sec. is authorised to decline
Adverti.sements which he considers undesirable. Advertise-
ments for the April issue must reach the Hon. Sec. not
later than 15th April.

Acclimatized birds, mostly from cold aviary — Pairs : Adult
Cockatiels, 12/6; adult Budgerigars, b'/- ; Dominican
Cardinals, 20/- ; grand Rufous-tail Grassfinches, 40/- ;
Long-tail Grass, 20/- ; Pagoda vStarlings, 10/- ; Java
l^oves, 5/- ; Shamas, 60/- ; Green Malabar Bulbuls,
60/- ; fine Hose Cockatoos, 25/- : Black-head Conures,
20/- ; grand Aracari Toucans,;(^5 ; Zosterops, 20/- ; Blue
Robins, 20/-. Cocks : Scarlet, Superb, Blue and
Black Tanagers, 20/- each ; Malabar Green Bulbul,
30 - ; Sliania, 30, - ; Black Yellow-shouldered Troupial,
rare, 30,'-: Hangnest, 30/-; fine Pagoda Starling, 5'-;
Oryx Bishop, 10/-; Indian Bunting, 7/6; Corilla
Cockatoo, tame, walks about, fond of children, 30/-;
Double - front Amazon, 35'-; Blue- front Amazon,
talks, 35/-; Javan Parrakeet, fine, 12/6; Blue Moun-
tain Loiy, 15 - ; Green-bill Toucan, ^5. Hens :
Shama, 30/-; Blue -Black Tanager, 20;-; vSuperb
Tanager, 25/-. British Chough, 60-; Ja}-, 25'-;
Yellowhammer, 20/- ; Bramblefinch, 20/- ; Thrush,
30/-; Blackbird, 30/-; Blackcap, 15/-, all winners;
Chaffinch, 10/-; Twite, 7/6; Starling, 5-; Shore
Lark and handsome show -cage, 10/-; moulted
Sparrow, 2/6; large waggon aviary -cage, mouse-
proof, J straight mesh, on joiner made table on turned
legs, all well dovetailed together, on castors, 40/,
cost, ;^5.

W. OSBAI.DESTON, 2, St. John Street, Preston.

4 hen Zebra Flinches, bred in outdoor aviary, 10/6.
Mrs. Button, Bank Cottage, Walton, Stone, Staffs.

Reducing aviar}' stock of small foreign finches.

]\L S. LaTTEY, Hollydene, AUeusbank Road, Cardiff.

Cocks, all acclimatized — Red-vented Bulbuks, 7/6; Red-
faced Bulbuls. 106; Pekin Nightingales, 6/6 ; Par-
sou P'inches, 6/6. Talbot H. Bond, Aylsham.

121

"MEATING OFF"
AND FEEDING SOFT-BILLS.

By John Frostick.
[Continued front page g'j.)

GENTLES— which are the larva of either thenieat-
fl\' [Mnscii votnitoria) couiinoiily known as the " blue-
bottle" or the housefly [M. domestica)—2ihQr t\\&y have
been well scoured in dry earth, are not any more
repulsive to the most refined than mealworms are.
Although I do not think they approach the latter from a
dietetic standard, still they are very useful in helping to
"meat off " fresh caught birds, are relished at all times,
cost nothing but the trouble of getting them, and can be
had at a time when most required and mealworms not to
be obtained; therefore I consider them an adjunct to the
bird room larder not to be lightly passed over.

I understand that in the large towns of India, such as
Calcutta, insectivorous birds are chief favourites, and are
fed for the most part on the flour of gram, a kind of
pulse, made up into a paste with ghee (clarified butter),
and supplemented largely with maggots and grass-
hoppers. Mr. C. Harrison, a gentleman who lived many-
years in India, and from whom I bought Dyal Birds and
Shamas, told me that there are quite a number of men
who make a living by breeding gentles or maggots,
collecting grasshoppers, and making the food as above,
which they call "sattoo," and for an exceedingh' small
sum will call at the houses of their customers daily and
leave a sufficient quantit}' for the day's use. vSucli an
arrangement is no doubt very economical, but would
scarcely be practicable in any country but India, where
for a few pence a day the coolies can exist in comfort.
It is highly interesting to know that the feeding of
insectivorous birds is understood, and that their re-
quirements in captivity are so intelligently catered for,
by the natives of our vast Indian Knipire, and tliat
gentles form a daily portion of the food for such de-
lightful birds as Bulbuls, Shamas, Dyals, Robins, etc.,

and this is sufficient answer to those who consider
" thatalthougli gentles might do for dealers, they would
only use mealworms," — for such was the scathing reply I
received from a gentleman, whom I once went to hear
lecturing on soft-bills, when I quietly pointed out to him
that he had made no mention of these useful insects in
his otherwise interesting paper.

THE COCKROACH (Z?/a/Az oHentalis), commonly but
erroneously called the " Ijlackbeetle," and also houseflies,
are easj^to procure by the aid of the excellent traps sold by
every ironmonger — one is called the Demon beetle trap
and the other the Balloon flytrap. They are both ingenious
inventions, the latter exceptionall}' so. The insects when
caught may be given to the birds alive or dead, the best
way to kill them being by boiling steam. These little tit-
bits are much appreciated by the birds, and during your
couutr}' walks it will be as well to give an eye to such
trifles as caterpillars (all but the liair\' kinds), moths,
butterflies, spiders, etc. Should you have a hot-
liouse the green fly that infests various plants will be
thankfully received by many of the smaller birds. The
evident joy with which they will watch your approach
with these delicacies will well repay you for the
trouble of getting them.

YOIJv OF EGGvS, as sold in a preserved form, is an
excellent article of diet and used with much success by
many fanciers in place of fresh eggs, over which it has
one great advantage, that is does not turn sour in hot
weather. Mr. A. F. Wiener, writing in the " Avicultural
Magazine " for February, 1901, says : — " I believe I am the
innocent inventor of this preserved egg-food. It happened
as follows : When the brilliant coal-tar aniline dyes
were brought out the}' were very costly, and chiefl}' used
for printing delicate flower designs on muslins, destined
to become ladies' summer frocks. To thicken and fix
these colours, egg albumen was used, as being the most
suitable gum and not affecting the most delicate tints.
The white of eggs, when boiled, becomes a ver}' fine
soluble gum, which is pure albumen. A friend of mine

123

bought annually millions of eggs in Hungary, to make
albumen from the white, but did not know what to do
with the yolk of the eggs. He offered it by the hundred
weight and ton to pastry cooks and to leather dressers :
he tried to salt it, and he tried to invent candied yolk of
eggs; but nobody would have it. I suggested to him to
preserve the yolks by simply evaporating" the moisture in
it at & low heat and in a chamber from which the air was
exhausted, whereby very rapid evaporation at a low
heat, without the alteration of chemical combination of
substances, resulting from cooking, becomes possible.
My friend acted on the suggestion, and the product
entirely answered my expectation of proving a very
useful food for rearing Pheasants, bringing up chickens,
and as a food for cage birds." When fresh eggs are used
they should be as newly laid as possible, boiled gently
until quite hard, and then granulated b}- pressing through
a fine sieve.

OX HEART boiled, and then dried in the oven to
extract the moisture, may then be grated, and will keep
fresh some considerable time if kept in air-tight tin
canisters in a cool dr}' place.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES, such as pears, apples,
elder, privet, ivy, service, and blackberries, red and
white currants, bananas, etc., all of which must be ripe,
should form the chief portion of the Blackcap's food,
and will be partaken of by many other species to their
benefit. Carrots, which if kept buried in sand will keep
fresh throughout the year, act as a valuable corrective to
the heating foods mentioned above, keep the Ijlood cool,
and the bowels in a healthy state ; a little finely grated
ought to form part of the daily tood mixture. Water-
cress, dandelion leaves, or lettuce, finely chopped, may be
used in summer instead ; they will form a variet}', and
the effect will be mrrch the same.

BRBvAD that has beeir allowed to become stale, and
is then dried in a cool oveir for some hours, so that it
may be ground into a fine powder, is a useful addition to
the food list, as it keeps the mixture of ants' eggs, dried

124

flies, eg<^ and carrot (which may be looked upon as a
staple diet) fresh and free from a sloppy condition ;
besides which, -when eaten in moderation, it keeps a bird
from getting too fat, which is a real danger to many
birds kept in small cages — and can we wonder at it when
we consider the changed condition of things ? In a state
of freedom the}- have to work hard for every morsel they
eat, while in a cage they have nothing to do bnt sit on a
perch all da}' and gorge to repletion. Singnlar to relate,
it is the smaller species which are the most liable to an
unhealthy state of fatness, and for this reason I always
give them the largest cages I have got, that by the
greater space wherein to exercise their wings, with
plenty of clean water to bathe in, their thonghts may be
diverted from everlastingh' sitting on the food pot.
Even then one mnst keep a sharp look out, and
immediately we notice one sitting all in a lump, out he
must come, and the cause will generally be found to have
been a case of eating not wisely bnt too well. The
remedy is simple, place him on more frugal diet and
doctor his water with Kpsoni salts in the proportion of
one half-teaspoonful dissolved in a wineglassful of hot
water, letting it cool before giving it to the bird to
drink. This will generally bring relief, ar.d is a simple
and useful medicine at all times.

When I began to write this article I did not intend to
touch on that pernicious compound known as GERMAN
PAvSTE, but seeing it is such an ancient institution some
reference to it may be expected in an article of this
description, and if I am able to put a stop to its use I
shall have done some good in mentioning it. There are
a variety of recipes for making German Paste, but the
one chiefly used for the article sold in shops consists of
coarseh- ground pea meal mixed with treacle and baked
to a nice golden colour ; when cool, crushed hemp and
maw seeds are added. Other recipes which I have seen
have had whisked eggs, olive oil, and honey included,
but needless to say they form no part of the article of
commerce, seeing that the wholesale price is only 3d.
per lb. When put into tin canisters with a fancy label

125

on, and the addition of a sprinkling of ants' eggs and
yolk of egg, it has a large sale as " Insectivorous Food,"
but, whatever the formula, I have no hesitation in con-
demning the mixture as totally nnsuited for any kind of
cage bird. It is unnatural, and impossible to be digested
b}' any animal smaller than a pig, how much less so by
the delicate stomach of an insectivorous bird I will leave'
to your imagination, and although the larger birds will
exist on it for a time, they never really thrive, and if given
to such birds as Nightingales they would quickly make
up their minds that life under such conditions was not
worth living. Therefore I hope that all you who now
know better will have more consideration for your birds
welfare and happiness than ever to be guilty of using
German Paste in any shape or form.

KINGFISHERS having been mentioned in the fore
part of this article it may be as well to say how they
may be fed and kept in confinement. Having read a most
interesting account by Mr. Chas. L. Rothera, of Notting-
ham, of his successful management of these beautiful
birds in captivity, I thirsted for more knowledge on the
subject, and in reply to my query he very kindly wrote
me the following instructive letter, which I think I
cannot do better than quote in extenso : —

" In reply to your enquiry about Kingfishers, the
only practical difficulty in the way of keeping them is
to ensure a certain constant supply of fresh live fish.
The man who kept my stock supplied ultimately got
into gaol for poaching, and before I could make other
arrangements my bird died for want of food. I now
have a man ready at short notice to bring fish, but I
cannot get a bird. No doubt I shall be able to do so
when close time is over. I find it a great advantage to
have birds brought in as quickly as possible after
capture, while they are still strong and vigorous. Then,
if the floating fish bowl is well supplied, there is
little trouble in getting the birds to settle down to
feed. For a new bird I always put a shallow pie dish
in a back corner or shelf of the aviary away from the

T26

public, with a few fish in, and the bird can fetch one
without coining near the front. Only once have I been
able to keep two together for any length of time, and
these two good friends were taken by rats one after the
other. Ever since, one bird, when established, has
refused to allow the admission of a companion, but has
always persecuted it to death. A Kingfisher will eat a
score or five and twenty minnows per day and can
swallow a fish as big as your little finger at a gulp."
" I am, etc.,

"Chas. L. Rothrpa."
(7(3 he Contiinied).

PARROTS AND PARRAKEETS.

By Dr. C. S. Simpson.

I propose to attempt, with, I fear, but partial success,
the somewhat difficult task of condensing into a very
limited space an account of the numerous species of the
famil}' Psittaci, which are commonh' or occasionally kept
as cage birds in this country. The number of species of
Parrots known to us at the present time is 496, and of
these rather more than 100 are more or less frequently
kept in captivity.

Parrots have been kept in confinement as pets from
a ver}' ancient period of time : indeed it is l^elieved by
some commentators that the "Peacocks" which were
brought to King Solomon from Ophir were really
Parrots, and if that be so it is the earliest record we have
of Parrots in captivity. Onesicrites, admiral of the fleet
of Alexander the Great, brought from Ceylon a green
Parrot, with a red neck, which is generally supposed to
liave been the Alexandrine Parrakeet, but ma}- as
probably have been the Lesser Ring-necked. Parrots
were biought to Rome from Africa in the time of Nero,
and these are supposed to have been the African variety
of the Ring-necked. The Senegal Parrot and other West
African species were known in Europe as far back as the
fifteenth centurj'. American species were imported by

127

Columbus in 1493, and after the circumnavigation of
Africa at the beginning of the sixteenth century, Indian
species were introduced.

Grey Parrots were imported into Europe in the
middle ages, but as far as I am aware there is no record
of their being kept in Kngland before the year 1600.
Catherine of Braganza, the Queen of Charles 11. , had a
collection of Parrots, and paid the Parrot-keeper the
very high salary in those days of £2>^ a year ; and the
Duchess of Richmond and Gordon, who was a celebrated
beautj-at the Court of Charles II., had a Grey Parrot for
forty years, which is said to be preserved in Westminster
Abbey, with the effigy of its mistress.

The custom of keeping Parrots as pets is b}' no
means confined to civilised nations. When the dis-
coverers of America landed in that country, it is said
that they were met by natives carrying tame Macaws,
and in all parts of the world where Parrots are found
they have been kept in a state of confinement or semi-
confinement by the natives from remote periods of time.
In Africa the negroes are in the habit of rearing Grey
Parrots from the nest and keeping them about their huts
with clipped wings. And in vSonth America the tall trees
in which the Macaws breed are regarded as family
possessions, and it is said that though the young are
regularly taken and reared by hand, }-et the old birds
return year after year to the same trees, which thus
become a regular source of income to the owners.

The Parrots form a well-defined Family of the Sub-
order Zygodactylce, or climbing birds, a group which
also includes the Cuckoos and the Woodpeckers.

Without going too much into anatomical details, I
may point out one or two characters which are interest-
ing in relation to their habits. They are '-yoke-footed"
birds, having the toes arranged in pairs, two in front and
two behind. The maxilla or upper mandible of the beak is
in the Parrots exceptionally moveable, owing to the fact
that there is a joint between it and the frontal bones of
the skull which is wanting in other birds. The vomer

128

or ploughsbaie bone of the skull is absent. The tongue
is thick and fleshy, and is in the Lories and Lorikeets
furnished with numerous moveable papillae.

The classification of the Parrots presents less
difficult}' than that of some other families of birds. For
our present purpose they ma}' be roughly divided into
four principal groups or sub-families, bearing in mind,
however, that this is not a strictly scientific classifi-
cation. First, the true or Short-tailed Parrots, of which
the Grey Parrot is the most familiar example, and which
also includes the Lovebirds and other small Parrots ;
secondly^ the Parrakeets or Long-tailed Parrots with
which we may take the Macaws; thirdly, the Cockatoos
or Crested Parrots with which we may take the Cocka-
tiel ; and fourthly, the Lories or Brush-tongued Parrots,
which latter may be sub-divided into the true or Short-
tailed Lories and the Long-tailed Lories or Lorikeets.

The Parrots are essentially tropical birds, but are
also found in the temperate parts of Australia and New
Zealand. No species exists at present in Europe, though
fossil remains shew that this was not always the case.

The larger species of Parrots are, in confinement,
kept as a rule separately in cages or chained to stands,
as it is generally found impracticable, owing to their
destructive habits, to allow them a greater degree of
liberty, and it mnst be admitted that, under these
circumstances, their intelligence, affection for their
owner, and talking powers become developed to a far
greater degree than when in a state of comparative
freedom. The square metal cages which are commonly
sold are suitable enough if sufificiently roomy ones be
selected — those with china vessels for food and water are
best, and wooden perches must always be used. A Parrot
on a stand is always a depressing object, as it can get
but little exercise — a large cage is preferable.

The smaller and less destructive species are far more
happy and far more interesting if kept in a large outdoor
aviary, where, under favourable conditions, many will
breed. All Parrots and Parrakeets require an occasional

129

bath, and this may be easily given in the form of a
shower from the garden watering pot once or twice a
week. The birds invariably take the utmost delight in
the proceeding, and it is highy advantageous to their
health and the condition of their plumage.

The majority of Parrots live when wild on the seeds
of various plants, nuts, and fruit, but the Ivories, I^ori-
keets, and Hanging Parrots subsist almost entirely on
soft fruits, the honey of flowers, and probably insects.
These latter are therefore the most difficult to keep in
confinement. The various foods required will be most
coveniently described when treating of the different
species. Need I say that all Parrots and Parrakeets
require sharp grit to aid digestion, and water.
{To be Contmiied).

THE CHAFFINCH.

(Fringilla ccelebsj .

It is my purpose in this little paper to enter into
some details about our beautiful and popular pet the
Chaffinch.

There is hardly a corner of the Kingdom, however
barren, desolate, solitary, or remote, where you will not
find our friend, as lively and as busy as the proverbial
bee ; scouring all the corners and crevices, looking for
and devouring insects of all sorts and sizes, and taking
an occasional " alterative " in the shape of some newly-
ripened grain or seeds, of which there are, at different
seasons, a large number to select from. You see him
hopping along in a very sprightly and characteristic
style, now and then with his head feathers erected like a
crest, and always presenting a bold and jaunty appear-
ance. He is fond of an occasional "dust up" in dry
sand, in fine warm weather, and also frequently
takes a bath. He is by no means a shy bird, but allows
you to approach quite near to him, when he utters his
sharp cry of " Pink," " Pink," and hops or flies a few
yards away, until he feels quite secure from being

I30

captured by you. So much for the Chaffinch in a state
of freedom.

After the severe weather of February last Chaffinches
might be procured in almost unlimited numbers.

In choosing a bird, endeavour to obtain one answer-
ing as nearly as possible to the following description,
viz. : A good big broad head, well set on a somewhat
prominent neck ; beak horizontal ; body thick through
chest and round girth at point of shoulder ; body
tapering cone-shaped to the tail; both under and upper
tail coverts well grown ; plumage well filled in all
round ; tail and wing flights well wrapped up and
carried neatly ; colours of head and body clear and
distinct ; plenty of sheen and lustre in the metallic
shades (so beautiful in a well-developed bird) ; white
wing bars and other white parts pure and distinct (which
add greatly to the beauty of an ideal Show specimen);
sound in legs and perfect in feet and toes ; active, but
not wildly dashing at the wires ; sound in health, and at
least in fairly good condition when you secure him.
Such a bird will take some beating if moulted well,
and you desire to exhibit.

A cage the size of a single canary breeding cage will
do for moulting an exhibition Chaffinch— the perches
should be the same distance apart as those you fix in
your Show cages. The Show cage will do well if about
12 or 13 inches in height, the same in length, and 5 to 5^
inches deep. The wires should be five-eighths or three-
quarters of an inch apart, whichever you prefer.
There should be two perches, equi-distant from each end
and from each other — so as to give the bird free action
without damaging his tail or wing feathers. The inside
of the cage should be enamelled a deep green, and the
outside black.

When caged, you should feed your Chaffinch in the
following manner : As a staple seed diet use Finch and
Linnet mixture in combination, and in addition give a
quantity of groats and sunflower in separate pans or
boxes. For an occasional change in diet you may give

I

131

any kind of insects— such as flies, spiders, moths, moth-
wonns, smooth caterpillars (not the hairy ones), wasps,
wasp grubs, gentles (or maggots of the fly), mealworms,
etc, or a few auts' eggs. Some green-food should be
supplied in spring and summer, of the various kinds
lately so much written about by me and others, with
blight on when you can get it — for the blight insect is
quite a natural food for this semi-insectivorous bird.

Your Chaffinch must have fresh water ever}- day.
Give him a cold bath as often as he cares to take it, but
remove the bath-tin the moment he has bathed. Strew
plenty of sand on the bottom of his cage, and give him
a little coarse grit to peck at. Accustom him to running
backwards and forwards from the " keeping" cage to the
Show cage, particularly during the Show-season — and
then, when he has moulted he will have learned all that
is required of him as a vShow bird. If you keep the cage
covered with fine musliu, or a piece of old lace curtain,
j'ou will save much trouble in washing your bird, and he
will be in better form for the Show bench all the season.

Those of you who feel disposed to use artificial
colour-food when moulting the Chaffinch, may use the
following mixture :— Hard-boiled eggs, sweet tea biscuits,
a little raw sugar, tasteless pepper in the proportion of
one-third or one-half of the whole. All the ingredients
must be thoroughly mixed before use. Another colour-
food mixture is as follows : — A quantity of chicken meal,
some ants' eggs, dried currants, a small proportion of
Indian meal, a little raw sugar, a little of " Brand's
meat meal," tasteless pepper in the proportion of one
quarter of the whole bulk. Of the last-mentioned food
enough may be mixed at a time to last your bird right
through the moult. Give at a time only enough to last
for the day — it should be moistened with boiling water to
a crumbly consistency. Keep the mixture in a cool
dry place, ready for use.

Anti-colour-food enthusiasts will, I dare say, not
thank me for the foregoing recipes, but if used as
directed, and the birds are regularly fed, I am certain

132

that no liann will be done to the birds. Feeding as I here
recommend is quite a different thing from feeding on hot
cayenne pepper, and at the same time denying the birds
all other food in order to make them eat it. I do not
believe in starving any bird on to colour-food. On the
contrary, I believe in giving him a supply of seed also —
but I have found my birds often go for the colour-food in
preference to the seed. Of course, if you can provide
a sufficient supply of the various wild seeds in their ripe
state, and moult your birds upon them, they will
develop a wonderful brilliancy of plumage — but when
these natural colour- foods fail, you are bound to substitute
artificial ones, to gain the desired result.

Chari^eS H0UI.TON.

CORRESPONDENCE.

BRITISH BIRDS AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE.
Mr. Laske}' has taken strong objection to my
criticism of Class 104 (Pied and Albino), he being the
Judge of same. He takes exception particularly to my
suggestion that the Pied Robin should have been
awarded third prize instead of the Black Bullfinch.
Mr. Laskey says that the Pied Robin was very wild
during the judging, and that several of its flights were
missing. I can only say that the bird was not wild
when I was writing m}' report, and that the absence of
the flights was not noticeable when the bird was at rest.
It is by no means the first time that a bird has presented
to the reporter a very different appearance from that
which it had when before the judge. Further, a
reporter has not the opportunity of a judge of handling
an exhibit.

Mr. Laskey writes, " I do not care a rap for opinions
expressed on my judgment, but as a member of the
Committee of the N. B. B. & M. C. I must ask you for a
pu])lic explanation," etc. INIr. Laskey has hereb}' the
public explanation he asks for, and I would only say in
conclusion, that if a report be not the expression of the

133

reporter's honest opinion of the birds at the time he
sees them, but should be, instead, simply an indorsement
of the Judge's placing, there is no need of a reporter at
all. ' W. A. I,oTT.

A vSAIvMON-CRESTED COCKATOO.

Sir, — My Salmon-crest is a great pet and a most
intelligent bird. He does not sing as some parrots do,
but he whistles any number of pretty tunes which he
composes himself. He sits still with his beak half open
and whistles by the hour — when he goes too high he
stops, and begins again in a lower key. He will whistle
at any time when I tell him to, and likes especially to
perform before several people — then he will trill like a
prima donna, shaking his head and erecting his crest,
then, suddenly taking a bashful fit, he will hide his face
on my shoulder.

He is fond of black coffee and will drink it out of a
spoon, holding it himself without spilling it. I do any-
thing I like with him — I wrapped him up in paper the
other day and made a parcel of him, and he enjoyed the
joke.

He distinguishes coloured pictures. If I shew him a
chromo of a cat he pretends to be very much frightened,
raises his crest, erects all his feathers, and hisses, but if
I shew him a coloured plate of a Cockatoo he wdll kiss
it. I have not known any other animal do this. If the
pictures are black and white he does not recognise them.
On the other hand, he is not taken in by a looking glass,
and cares not at all for it.

I sometimes wonder whether he is a feathered cat,
or a monkey in a cockatoo's plumes, for he is so livel}',
so comical, so mischievous, and withal so loving and
sweet, that he is enough to occupy the attention of a
household all day long. G1UI.IA Tommasi.

FOOD FOR NIGHTINGAIvFS.
Sir, — I was much interested in the Countess
Tommasi Baldelli's account of the manner in which

134

they feed Nightingales in Italy, and would like to say
that I have myself used live silkworms for feeding soft-
bills (and the birds ate them readily), but I made no
mention of them in my article because I do not think
that they are at all worth their cost (in England) from a
food point of view.

Quite recently I had a long talk with Lord
Wallscourt on the management of insectivorous birds,
and his lordship shewed me a box full of dead silkworm
chrysalides or pupae, from which tlie silken cocoons had
been removed, which I understood his lordship to say he
had received from Paris — and he was in the habit of
giving them, by way of a treat, to a pet Italian Rock
Thrush [Turdus saxatilis).

I should like to ask the Countess Tommasi Baldelli
if I am not right in supposing that what she terms
" dried silkworms " are in the chrysalis stage, and not in
the larval stage — as her letter would give one to suppose.

John Frostick.

POINT PRIZEvS.

Sir, — On another page I have put forward the
proposal that special prizes offered by the P\ B. C.
should in future be for most points.

My reason for proposing that the prizes be given for
points is that the present method gives a lot of trouble
all round, and is most unsatisfactory.

There is no such thing as " the best bird" in a show
where there is more than one class. I contend that
there is a best bird in eveiy class, and to say that one
bird is better than every other best bird is neither right
nor fair.

Under the present requirements, F. B. C. specials
have been, on several occasions, awarded to birds not
eligible and, moreover, have been awarded after the
Judges knew to whom the birds belonged, and on the
second day of the show, which is not right nor proper.

If points were adopted these errors would not occur.

135

I know quite well that many small exhibitors object to
point prizes, as they say it does not give them a chance
to win ; but under our rules this does not follow, because
an exhibitor can only win once at one show, therefore
the small man is sure to get his chance one day.
Besides, it is not our duty to consider the individual but
the many, and the large exhibitor is surely entitled to as
much consideration as the small one. It is the large
exhibitor who keeps the show going, and not the fancier
with one single champion, who expects his 15/- prize-
money and gold medal in return for his 1/6 entry fee;
and there are many such, who only shew one bird
because they will not chance their luck with another
unless they are certain it can win. No, from luy
experience of exhibitors, the big man has my sympathy ;
he shews for the love of shewing, and if there are point
prizes to win he sends birds he knows cannot be on the
prize list but may receive a V. H. C. card and thus
count, and in this way he helps the Show Committee to
pay their prize-money. On the other hand, the profit
your small man makes out of his single entry does not
help Committees of Shows— and if there is any fault to
be found, he is generally the one to find it.

I am firmly of opinion that giving prizes for points
is the fairest way all round, especially with the restric-
tion that only so many prizes be won in a season by any
one exhibitor. John Frostick.

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD AND
MULE CLUB.

Committee Meeting held at Headquarters, 25, High
Holborn, 3rd April, 1902 ; Mr. Robson in the chair.

Present — Messrs. Sandy, Vale, Boerma, Laskey, Carl,
Dewhurst, C. Cooper, Maxwell, A. Plumbridge, Frostick,
Wells, W. H. Cooper, Thompson, King, and the Hon.
Secretary.

Minutes of previous meeting having been read and

136

confirmed, letters were read from Mr. Adams, Mr.
Perkins, Mr. Pollard, Mr. Wilson, Miss Craddock, Mr.
Mays, Mr. Ball, and Mr. Frostick.

Miss Craddock's offer of a silver medal was accepted
with thanks by the Committee, and it was agreed to
adjudicate upon the essays and lectures published
during the year, and to award the medal to the best
sent in.

It was agreed unanimously that the Hon. Secretary
should write a letter of sympathy to Mr. Houlton upon
his serious illness, and wishing him a speedy recovery to
health and strength.

The application of the Hull Show for four medals of
the Club was again before the Committee. They sub-
mitted a splendid classification, but in view of other
applications, and the awarding of some of the promised
medals to those who have never w^on a medal, it was pro-
posed by Mr. Dewhurst, and seconaed by Mr. Sandy,
that the application again stand over until next month.
(Carried).

Mr. Frostick proposed the following resolution :

"That the Club's support be withheld, and no
medals or other special prizes be given for competition,
at any Show" unless all members are eligible to compete
for same at such Shows." (Seconded bj^ Mr. Sandy).

Mr. Frostick, in supporting his proposition, thought
it was very unfair for any member or members to be
debarred from showing at a Show where our medals were
given. He himself was a member, and supporter of this
Club to the best of his ability, and he thought he had a
right to compete for his own Club's specials. Messrs.
Sandy, Vale, Maxwell, and others, giving their views,
the proposition was carried.

Mr. Webb was proposed by the Hon. Sec. as a new
member. (Seconded by Mr, Maxwell).

This concluded the work of the Committee.

Mr. Robson called upon Mr. Vale to deliver his
lecture upon '* Hybrids, and Hybrid Breeding," which

137

proved highly interesting and instructive, nearly all
present taking part in the discussion. For nearly forty
minutes Mr. Vale was called upon to furnish answers to
a long series of questions which the subject naturally
gave rise to, opening, as it did, a wide range of thought.
A hearty vote of thanks was duly accorded to Mr. Vale,
and acknowledged, and the lecture was placed in the
hands of the Hon. Secretary for publication in the
Magazine.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the
meeting. W. A. LoTT, Hon. Sec.

STANDARDS.

SIvSKIN.

Steadiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . to

Size * 20

Cap, clean cut, jet black, free from grizzle, and

quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

All colours and markings to be well defined, not

running into each other .. .. .. .. 20

Depth of colour, which should be of a deep yellow

tinge (black parts excepted) throughout, and

quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Condition and staging . . . . . . . . . . 10

GREENFINCH. lOO

Steadiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Size 20

All shades of colour to be clear and bright, the

yellow especially so .. .. .. .. .. 20

Quality and condition . . . . . . . . . . 25

Staging 5

HAWFINCH. TOO

Steadiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Size 10

All colours to be clean and well marked , . . . 20

Ouality and condition . . . . 20

Staging 10

100

138

rjNNET.

steadiness . . . , . . . . , . . , . . 25

Size . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . 20

Position, the bird as erect as possible, and totally

free from crouchin<4- \ 10

Colonr and variegation of back, the darker tlie

brown the better ; all markings to be

thoronghly defined and quality throughout . . 20
White pencillings of flights and tail as clear and

distinct as possible .. .. ,. .. .. 15

Condition aud staging 10

BRAMBIvE OR MOUNTAIN FINCH. lOO

Steadiness , . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Size . , . . , . . . , . . . , . . . 10

Back markings, bright and distinct, and quality . . 10

Breast colour, deep and well defined, and quality. . 10
Remaining colours bright, not running into each

other, quality and condition .. .. .. 15

Staging 5

CHAFFINCH. lOO

Steadiness . . . . . . . . . , . . . . 50

Size 10

Evenness of colour on back, and quality . . . . 10
All other colours bright and well marked, and

qualit}' 15

Condition and staging 15

100

The above standards are submitted to members for
their views, suggestions, approval, or otherwise. Kindly
send on your criticisms by next monthly meeting.

MEMBERS' NOTES.

All notes by tlie Hon. Secretar}^ except where otherwise initialed.
Our esteemed Vice-President and Judge, IVIr. Hills,
completed his 25th year of judging at the Crystal Palace
Show, and tells me his eyesight is as keen as ever. I am
sure all our members join with me in congrattilations to
our old friend.

139

Many were the envious eyes cast at the winning
Albino Thrush at the Crystal Palace Sliow, and the
owner must have had a task in answering the many
enquiries as to its disposal.

A two-^-ear old hand-reared hen Bullfinch has taken
to chattering and imitating bugle calls. (H. Robins).

I have to look ahead, and shall be crying out for
more copy from our members, so please forward as soon
as possible and oblige. Any little note will be acceptable.

Bird-catching in any form has been prohibited
throughout the whole of the County of Bucks for this
year.

I shall be pleased to receive any intimation from
members of the Club who are desirous of giving gold,
silver, or bronze medals for the producing and rearing
of au}- stipulated cross or hybrid ; also for the breeding
of British birds in captivity.

The conditions will be as last year. I don't know if
many members tried for the medals offered last }-ear; if
so, their experiments were not encouraging, and I wish
them better luck in the forthcoming season.

I hope members will not forget the gold medal that
will be given to the members introducing the most mem-
bers during the year. I am most anxious to make up
the membership to 200 strong, and I ask eacli one to do
their best to send in a name b}' next meeting-night.

Subscriptions are now due, and I\Ir. Maxwell will
be pleased to receive them as soon as possible, as we
shall have ver}' heavy expenses to face this year, and the
early payment of subscriptions will save us much
anxiety.

INIr. Lloyd-James has sighted a pair of Choughs in a
certain part of Wales, which are likely to nest if left
undisturbed.

140

Mr. Pluiiibridge discovered a Blackbirds' nest in his
garden (Anerley) on the 19th IMarcli, with four eggs.

Mr. Mays writes, on the 29th March : '' I saw the
first Whinchat on the 6th March. Is not this unusually
early ? "

More encouragement for members : Miss Craddock
has kindly offered a silver medal for the best essay
during the year. The Committee wdll award the medal
at the end of the year.

Mr. Vale also offers medals for breeding certain
Hj'brids, which please note in reading his lecture.

Do not forget that I am anxiousl}' waiting for some
wild bird notes.

Will members please note that letters on all matters
connected with the Club are read by me as Hon. vSec. at
tlie monthly Committeenieetings, and I should be glad
if matters intended to be private were sent separately.
Latterl}' I have frequently had to read letters, parts of
which were on business, and parts private.

Sir, — ^As one of the oldest members of the N. B. B. &
M. C, I should like to hear the opinion of our members
on the proposition of Messrs. Fiostick and Sandy, which
was adopted at the last meeting of the Committee. I
doubt if the Committee have the power to add such a
rule ; anyhow, the fact remains, and until it is rescinded
our members will be unable to compete for our medals
at the Crystal Palace Shows.

INIessrs. Frostick and vSandy consider (and rightly,
too) that, having paid their subscriptions, they are
entitled to compete at any vShows at which the Club
medals are offered; but it does not follow that the other
140 members should be prevented from competing for
their medals at two of the principal Shows of the
season because two members choose to run amuck into

141

the maiiageiiieiit of those vShows. Their quarrel or iiiis-
unclerstaiiding is of an entirely private nature, and
should not on any consideration be allowed to affect the
interests of the Club.

It certainly does not become the dignity of any
bod}' of right-minded men to allow such an important
proposition to be rushed — I say rushed, as it was
undoubtedly rushed— in the face of an important pro-
position of Mr. Boerma's.

Personally, I consider this nonsense has been
carried too far for the welfare of the Club, its members,
and objects. I will ask every member to give his or her
opinion on this subject, through the columns of our
little journal, so that the general feeling of the members
ma}' be obtained. W. Laskey.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

NOTICES TO MEMBERS.

SCRUTINEER'S REPORT.

THK COUNCir,.

Votes. Votes,

* Fillmer, H. R. .. 41 6 Oakey, W. .. 26

1 Swaysland, W. ..40 7 Hanilyn, J. D. .. 23

2 Frostick, J 38 8 Townsend, S. M. 20

* Osbaldeston, W. . • 35 9 vSmith, H. B. . . 20

3 Camps, H. T. T. ..32 10 vSwan. J. A. .. 17

4 Quin, R. .. ••31 II Cushny, C. ..15

5 Chamberlain, C.B. d'E. 30 12 Mumford, J. J. , . 12

13 Lattey, Miss M. S... ii 16 Burge, S. .. 6

14 Thorpe, F. C. .. 11 17 Bond, T. H. .. 6

15 Philip, A 9 iSAcutt, J 3

* Messrs. Fillmer and Osbaldeston being elected as Secretary and

Treasui-er respectively are not eligible for the Conncil— of

which, however, they are ex officio members.

JUDGES.

I Swaysland, W. • . 34 2 Frostick, J. . . 30

Camps, H. T. T. .. 21

142

vSECRETARY.
Fillmer, H. R 44 Osbaldeston, W. . . 3

TREASURER.

Osbaldeston, W. .. 12 Mumford, J. J. .. 4

Swan, J. A 7 Thorpe, F. C. .. i

Six disqualified (unsigned)

James Storey, Scrutineer.

NEW MEMBER ELECTED.
Mr. Ernest Vai^entine, 7, Higlifield. Workington.

NEW MEMBERS PROPOSED.

Mr. George BeIvL, Dernatowny, Drumkeerin,

Co. Leitrini. Proposed by Mr. ANDREW PHILIP.

Mr. H. C. Hasei.tine, 299, Westminster Road,
Liverpool. Proposed by the HON. Sec.

The following persons, not having paid their sub-
scriptions for the year ending 30tli April, 1902, have
ceased to be members of the Club :
Mr. W. E. Stevens, Lowther Street, York.
Mr. F. G. Potter, Granby Street, Leicester.
Mr. E. Griffiths, Brislington House, Bristol.
Mr. C. S. R. Perring, 144a, Queen Victoria Street, E.C.

To the Hon. Sec, F. B. C.

Sir, — I beg to propose the following new rules.

ist. That the support of the Club be withheld from,
and no medals or special prizes be given at, any show
unless every member of the Club be eligible to compete
at such show.

2ik1. That all medals or other special prizes to be
won by points only (and not for the best bird, as at
present). Points to count : C. i ; H.C. 2 ; and one point
for each higher award. In case of a tie taking place the
member taking most prize money to win. Rule I.
(Medal Rules) to follow here.

143

3rd. That all members exhibiting at shows where
the Club specials are given be asked to place the initials
" F. B. C." after each entry in schedule, and request the
Secretary to insert same in show catalogue.

4th. That a definite charge be luade for each word
in the " F. B. C. Market," — say four words one penny.

5th. That with a view to increasing the member-
ship, any member proposing— say six or more— new
paj'ing members, be given a years subscription to the
Club free.

6tli. That to stimulate latent talent and healthy
competition some scheme be formulated forgiving prizes
for the best articles on foreign birds sent in, and for
increasing the popularit}' of "Bird Notes" in other
ways. John Frostick.

The above letter from Mr, Frostick raises several
questions of considerable interest. The various points
will be decided upon, in due course, by the Council, but
it is thought better first to afford the members an oppor-
tunity of expressing their opinions.

If there are any members who wish to resign at the
expiration of the current year of the Club, they are
requested to communicate with me before the ist of
May — otherwise they will be liable for next year's
subscription.

I feel that some explanation should be given of the
fact that in the first number of "Bird Notes" the
pagination commenced with "93." The reason is that
only five numbers of "Foreign Bird Notes" had
appeared — too few to form a volume by themselves —
and it was thought better to page "Bird Notes"
consecutively with them, so that all might be bound
together. I trust that our friends of the N. B. B. & M. C.
will accept this explanation, and pardon any incon-
venience which ma}' arise. The fact that our year
begins in May and that of the N. B. B. & M. C. in March,
causes a good deal of difficulty, and I think it would be

144

a good plan if we were to alter our rules in this respect,
so as to bring ourselves into line with the sister Club —
which we must remember is an older and larger vSociety.
HORATIO R. FILLMER,

Hon. Sec. FOREIGN BiRD Club,

52, Ship Street, Brighton.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB MARKET.

The charg-e for advertisements is one penny for each bird named.
Advertisements must be concisely worded, and clearly written
on a separate sheet of paper, with the name and address
of advertiser at the foot. The fee must in all cases be pre-
paid in stamps. The Hon. .Sec. is authorised to decline
Advertisements which he considers undesirable. Advertise-
ments for the next issue must reach tlie Hon. Sec. not
later than 15th Maj'.

" British Birds with their Nests and Eggs," by Dr. Butler
and other authors, in 27 parts, unbound, unsoiled;
also binding for Vol. I, Price 45/-, cost 56/-.
J. Cronkshaw, Mansion House,

Plantation Street, Accrington.

Hen Crimsouwing Parrakeets, ^i each ; hen Redrump
Parrakeets, 12/- each. All bred in outdoor aviar}-.
Lad}^ MORSHEAD, Forest Lodge, Binfield, Berks,

Pair Cirl Buntings, 5 - ; cock Linnet, 2/-.

Miss M. S. Lattev, Holydene, Cardiff.

Wanted — Acclimatized hens of Grey Singing-finch and
Green Singing-finch ; Good English hen vSiskin, and
cock Cinnamon-breasted Finch.

Miss Husband, Clifton View, York.

' All comfuunications for " Bird Notes,''' iti reference to
the British Bird and Hybrid department should be
addressed to the Hon. Sec. of the National British Bird
ajtd Mtile Club, and all comynunications iti reference to
Foreign Birds to the Hon, Sec. of the Foreign Bird Club.

T45
^'MEATING OFF"

AND FEEDING SOFT-BILLS.

By John Frostick.
{Continued fro?n page 126).

CAGES are a very important item in the proper
keeping of soft-bills. I have made a special study of
both British and foreign makes, and, out of the many
ideas suggested, have evolved one that I think comes to
as near perfection as mortal man can devise.

For a bird the size of a Nightingale or smaller, I
make a cage I9|in. long, loin. wide, I5|in. high. ; box
shape and open only in front. The body of the cage is
made from best yellow pine, painted inside v/ith three
coats of Aspinall's ' Pearl ' Enamel. The outside is
stained mahogany colour and varnished or French
polished. On the inside of the roof there is a removable
frame covered with stout lineu, leaving a space between
it and the wooden top of three-quarters of an inch : this
is to prevent the bird from injuring its head by a sudden
jump upwards during the restless period known as the
migratory fever. The bottom has a movable tray of
zinc, which is easier to keep thoroughly clean than
wood, the droppings not being able to soak into the
metal as they do into wood and thus cause an unhealthy
smell. The front, which is also removable, is fitted with
wooden bars instead of wire, against which the inmate is
less likely to injure its feathers than if wire were used.
At each end of the front bottom rail a little oblong door
opens out, to which is fixed a round loop of wire, on the
the inside, to hold a round flanged glass, the shape of a
gentleman's tall hat ; these glasses are for the food and
water, and are about 2in. in diameter by ijin. deep. A
flap, lin. deep, is hinged to the front of the bottom rail,
which allows of the drawer being pulled out for cleaning,
but prevents the possible escape of the bird during the
process. A door at the front to hang the bath on, and
another at the right hand end to run the bird out at,
together with three perches, complete the cage. The

146

perches should ])e made of soft wood : one in the centre
resting on the middle bar, and one on each side close to
the food and water glasses on the bottom rail. Some
people cover their perches with chamois leather, others
with cloth and India rubber tubing ; but I don't think it
necessary, if they are kept scrupulously clean. Sand is
not a suitable dressing for the bottom of your soft-bill's
cage, as, unlike seed-eaters, he requires little, if any, to
help him to grind or digest his food, and the sharp
particles of grit are liable to cut his delicate feet ; there-
fore I advise the use of cocoa-nut fibre refuse, slightly
damp. Some use sawdust and rice husks for the cage
drawers, but it is not to be recommended, owing to the
danger of its getting swallowed with the food, and fatal
consequences following.

TRAPS AND TRAPPING. Of all birds perhaps
none are easier to catch than the insectivorous kinds,
and they readih' fall victims to the tempting bait of a
nice fat mealworm. During the hard frosts of winter
many kinds can be obtained with such simple devices as
the well known brick trap and garden sieve ; in fact I
have seen flocks of Skylarks and Redwings so thoroughh'
exhausted during severe weather, that I have been able
to capture them b}' running them down and putting my
cap over them. At such times I have seen hundreds of
I^arks, Bramblefinches, and Snowbuntings caught with
twisted horsehair noozes, tied to a long string pegged to
the ground at each end, with oats and chaff used as a
bait.

To ensnare any one of the numerous summer
migrants, that visit our shores about April and May,
when food is to be had in plenty, is a rather more
difficult task, but, strange as it may seem, it is ver}- easy
to secure quite as many as we require. Nightingales
especialh' are most unwar}-, and will actualh' watch 3'ou
set the trap, and take the bait immediately 3'our back
is turned. Such unwieldy apparatus as clap nets, used
for the taking of wild birds wholesale, may well be left
to the professional bird-catcher. For the amateur fond
of sport, and with the desire to catch a few birds for his

147

own special keeping, few pursuits are more fascinating
than bird trapping, A small trap, " made in Germany,"
shaped like two elongated Q D s, made of strong wire
and covered with fine netting, with a stout spring in the
middle, is the handiest and best thing I know of. It is
simpl}' pinned to the ground with a couple of wire
hooks at each end of the spring, which is the straight
part of the D, one half bent right back and set with a
mealworm for a bait (which should be the only thing
left visible) the net, etc., being loosely covered with
leaves or grass. This trap can, of course, be made any
size, but the most suitable is about r4in. by loin. Bird
lime is easily obtained anywhere, and is the only means
by which we can get some birds. A friend of mine told
me he used to catch all his Golden-crested Wrens bj^ its
aid : liming the end of a long fishing rod, and following
the birds around the trees until he had the opportunit}-
of striking one and bringing it to the ground. For
catching the various tits there is perhaps nothing better
than the common double trap cage, using as a decoy a
bird of the same species as we wish to capture. The
great advantage we get in trapping our own birds, is that
we are able to keep them from hungering from the time
we take them until we cage them : for a bird that has
been caught for several hours, and kept without food
during that time, is too w^eak and depressed in spirit to
be a suitable subject for meating off succesfnlly.
(To be Contiiniedj .

PARROTS AND PARRAKEETS.

By Dr. C. vS. Simpson,

(Continued from page I3gj .
Thk Grey Parrot [Psittacns erithacus) is of all
foreign cage birds the best known and the most popular.
It inhabits West and Central Africa, from Guinea,
Senegambia, and the Congo region to the East of Lake
Nyanza. Gre}' Parrots are especially numerous on
Prince's Island, and here they live in flocks, breeding in

148

the dense forests, utilising hollow trees for nesting
purposes, and laying, it is said, five white eggs at a
sitting. Their food consists of palm nuts, bananas, and
other frnits, and they also do great damage to the fields
of maize. The young birds, as soon as they are fledged,
are caught by natives, bronght down to the coast in
wicker baskets, and sold to dealers, who ship them to
England. It is well known that the unsanitary con-
ditions under which these unfortunate birds travel, the
overcrowding, improper feeding, want of cleanliness,
and sudden changes of temperature, induce in an
enormous proportion of cases that disease which
has been named "ship-fever." Of this disease I will
only say that it attacks, with very few exceptions,
every bird which is imported under these conditions,
and that it is absolutely incurable by any treatment
at present known to us.

The Grey Parrot, however, when once acclimatised,
is a perfectly hardy bird, and with the most ordinary
care will live to a great age in confinement. It is by no
means susceptible to cold, and requires but a simple
diet. A mixture of maize, hemp, canary, sunflower-
seed and oats, a few nuts and a biscuit occasionally, and
a daily allowance of apple or other fruit will suffice to
keep it in health. The same food is suitable for all the
larger seed-eating Parrots, and most of them are very
fond of fruit, especially apple or pear. Most Parrots are
fond of having a piece of wood to bite up. Some, like
my own Grey Parrot, reject such toys and prefer to gnaw
their perch ; if so, a hard one must be provided which
will take some time to destroy, but on no account should
a perch covered with metal be used. The practice of
covering over at night is not necessary except in very
cold weather, but servants must not be allowed to throw-
doors and windows open and place the bird in a draught
in the early morning.

The Grey Parrot is, I believe, the most certain of
talkers. Individuals of other species may be equally
brilliant performers, but almost every Grey, if taken in
hand when voung, and if sufficient trouble be taken

149

with it, will learn to talk more or less. As a rule,
a Parrot must be carefully taught, if it is to be uiade a
good talker, b}' repeating each sentence until it has
learned it. A Grey Parrot I now have was taught for
six months before he would say a word, but when he
once began he soon learned a number of sentences.
Grey Parrots are almost always shy talkers and will
seldom perform before strangers.

The Amazon Parrots [Chrysotls) are natives of
Central and vSouth America and the West Indies. Of
this genus forty-two species are known, about twelve
being imported as cage birds. With the single ex-
ception of Guildmg's Amazon, which is orange brown,
the prevailing colour of each species is green, the
principal differences between the various species being
in the markings about the forehead and cheeks. In size
they var}' from Guilding's Amazon, which measures
iSius. in length, to the Wliite-browed, which is little
over loins. and is the smallest species. The Amazons
are decidedly hardy birds, and require the same treat-
ment as the Gre}' Parrot. The best talkers and mimics
are found, as a rule, among the Levaillant's or Double-
fronted (6". levaillauti), the Blue-fronted (C. cestiva), and
the Festive or Red-fronted {C. f estiva). Many individuals
of these species attain a very high degree of flnency,
and are generally less averse than the Gre}^ Parrot from
displaying their attainments, but the proportion of
complete failures is decidedly greater among the
Amazons than among the Grej-s.

One of the rarest species imported is the Diademed
Amazon {C diademata). It appears to be exceedingly
uncommon even in Brazil, and its range is not exacth'
known. As in the other Amazons, the distinguishing
features consist in markings abovit the head, the
forehead being crimson, the crown lilac, the occiput
greenish yellow, and the feathers of the hind-neck
green edged with lilac. It is as large as the Blue-fronted
Amazon. The Diademed is sometimes mistaken for the.
less rare Sal villi's Amazon {C. salvini) but the latter can

I50

be readily distinguished by having the feathers of crown,
occiput and hind-neck green with lilac edges, and by
the absence of the 3-ellow tint on the occiput

( To be Continued).

HYBRID BREEDING.

By W. H. Vai.e.

There are few subjects less understood by the
ordinary reader of the fanciers' press (much less still by
the general public) than the one before us. To the few,
and the}-, I think, might almost be counted on the fingers
of one hand, the subject has no difficulty, and to them
the right road to success is so very straight that it is, we
almost might say, difficult for them to go wrong, or
to attempt the sometimes considered impossible, without
their meeting with success. To those few I do not in-
tend to say anything, except wish them still further
success, and more fame for their successes yet to come.

To breed a clear mule, or any of the more rare and
beautiful crosses, such as the Canary-Bullfinch, the
Redpoll-Bullfinch, the Siskin-Bullfinch, or a very light
hybrid from any finch, except the Goldfinch, isa thing for
any fancier to be proud of. In some cases, no doubt, many
years of patience and hard work have passed before such
a result has been achieved; but on the other hand, I know
a few who have, as it were, ascended the ladder of fame
almost the first time they attempted the task, and pro-
duced quite a consternation among breeders of hybrids.
Such successes are, no doubt, very surprising to the
steady going breeder, who all his life has been trying for
something rare, and yet perhaps after 20 or 30 3-ears of
trying may never have brought out anything better than
a few dark (or possibly a few pied) mules of the Sparrow
type, and not worth as many shillings as the lucky
beginner's are worth pounds. Still, the successes of the
few are a great help to the plodder, and inspire him
with new hope and courage to try again.

To those of our members who are tr3'ing, or antici-

T5I

pate trying, I would say — have patience, keep a stout
heart, never sa}' die, use the very best birds you can
procure, look well after their little wants, take the
advice (from the experiences of others) so freeh' given
through the press, and study nature as much as possible
in trying for rare crosses.

The subject of hybrids, or, as they are more
generally called, mules, is one of such magnitude, that
to attempt to go fully into its intricacies would take
much more space than I have at command.

I need hardly tell you that the ideal in hybrids is a
clear 3'ellow mule, though but a few can boast of ever
producing one. As a rule, you find if you are fortunate
enough to get a lightly marked or ticked bird, that it
has a tendency to get lighter after each moult, and I
may say that I do not know of a single instance of a
clear mule which was so in its nest feathers — the clear
mules one sees are birds that have lost the ticks thev
possessed, after the first moult or tw^o. The difficulty of
producing anything like light mules would be consider-
ably reduced if we members of the Club could be pre-
vailed upon to assist our fellow members, as I think we
should do. What I mean is that any member who has a
really good muling strain, should not guard itso jealously
and keep it all to himself, but allow other members to try
his celebrated strain. I well know one gentleman who
destroyed his surplus stock rather than allow another
breeder the chance of purchasing it. I am often asked,
" Where can I procure a sib hen that will breed light
mules ? " and although I know dozens of men who profess
to breed light mules, not one of them will part with a
bird, because they fear someone else will reap what they
have sown. Now I think it would be to the advantage
of all concerned if something in the way I have
suggested could be brought about.

In producing mules, either dark or light, do not
place so much faith in colour-feeding, but go further
into the colour question, and breed for colour by choosing
only birds that you know are full of the requisite colour.

152

A small good-type mule, full of natural colour, is far
better than a big coarse bird that has nothing to
recommend it except its size and the amount of red
pepper it can be made to carry.

While on the subject of colour, I will try and more
fully explain a point my friend Mr. Peregrine Ball drew
my attention to — that is, while I say that yellow mules
cannot be bred from buff hens, he very clearly proves a
case where he obtained a 3'ellow bird from a buff hen.
But I think this exception proves the rule. The
explanation he gives (for which I am exceedingly
obliged to him) goes a long way to explain matters, as the
hen in question was bred from double yellows, and so,
no doubt, was so full of colour, although not shewing it,
that to throw a yellow young one was an event that
might almost be expected. Of course the line between
yellows and buffs must be drawn somewhere, and in this
case it must have been so fine that it was almost im-
perceptible. Many of you, no doubt, know that there
are both 3-ellow and buff finches, and such a hen as I
have described, if paired with a yellow finch, might
almost be expected to produce a yellow^ mule.

In looking through the various classes of finches at
last Crystal Palace vShow, in a good light, the yellow
birds could very easily be distinguished from the paler
ones. In some kinds, notably the Siskins and Green-
finches, the difference was very marked. I think, when
you have to use a buff hen in muling, a yellow finch
should, if possible, be selected for its mate.

Since our Club was formed, one of the most knotty
points it has been called upon to decide was the question
of the supposed Canary-Bullfinch ; and although, at the
time, the Club came, in my opinion, to a wrong con-
clusion, it has since remedied the mistake and admitted
that the bird after all, in spite of its breeder's sworn
affadavit to the contrary, was a Canary-Bullfinch. I
l)elieve that, looked at by the side of the existing bird
bred by our member Mr. Pratt, no one could come to
any other conclusion about its parentage than that it

153

was bred between cock Canary and hen Bullfinch. Our
fellow nieniber and Judge, Mr. C. Houlton (who, I am
sorry to hear, is still very ill) maintained from the first
that it was genuine, and time has proved him to be
right. The bird in question has joined the great
majority, but its place has been filled by the specimen,
undoubtedly genuine, bred by Mr. Pratt, who, I am
pleased to know, has again bred a fine specimen of the
same cross from, I l)elieve, the same parents; also a very
good specimen of the Goldfinch-Bullfinch cross.
(7t> he Continued).

IN SEARCH OF A MADAGASCAR WEAVER.

For the last two years I have been trying, more or
less energetically, to obtain a cock Madagascar Weaver,
and our advertisement columns will bear record that I
am still trying.

I wonder if any of our members have experienced a
like difficulty in fulfilling such an innocent dssire. If thev
have, I sincerely sympathise with them : while, if they
have not, an account of my adventures may not perhaps
be uninteresting. INIy story will at least show that a
species which was comparatively common a few years
ago, suddenly ceased to be imported, but for what
reason I could never discover. I have asked several
dealers their opinion, and only remember two getting
beyond the "don't know" stage : one suggested that, as
now most foreign birds are shipped to the continental
ports, such as Marseilles, Antwerp, etc, the Madagascars
are eagerly snapped up b}' foreign dealers, as there is a
good demand for them on the Continent. Once, he
continued, nearly all foreign birds used to come to
England, and were then re-shipped to the Continent, so
that we had the pick; but those days have gone by,
never to return, he was afraid. The other importer
volunteered the startling information that "They don't
come over now," — a fact which I have proved to be only
too true,

154

Well, my first effort was a casual stroll "down East,"
as we lyondoiiers call it, and, as I quite expected to
return with the object of my expedition, I set out in an
unduly optimistic state of mind, and with my puise in
lu}' pocket. vSome of the dealers informed me at once,
that they had not the bird I wanted, but this was not the
right answer : others were more reflective, and looked
at their stock before the negative was given, while one
(it was an old lady, I remember) was sorry she had not a
Madagascar, but, she added brightly, that she should be
having some " small stuff" (!) in next week, and I might
look in then.

My ramble on that afternoon was comparativel}'
tame, but on a later occasion I made a wider circuit, and
and with similar results until I called at a shop I had
heard of through an advertisement. The owner was
engaged in trying to burrow under some packing cases
when I entered, at least so it seemed, but on enquir}- I
learnt he was looking for a hammer. My facetious
suggestion that he should look in his tool box, provoked
a " Wajerwant ? " so I explained ; and a " There y' are,"
and a wave of the hand, indicated a long narrow cage
filled with a fluttering mass of birds, and he continued
his burrowing operations. I was sorr}' for the poor
birds, but could not see a Madasgascar, and said so. A
muffled reply came from the boxes, but the numberless
twitterings prevented me from hearing the remark. A
minute later the man backed out, triumphantly bringing
the hammer with him, so I congratulated him, and asked
what his reply was. " Why, there 's any amount of 'em,"
he said; '"ere," he added good naturedl}', " I'll get yer
one," and plunged his hand into the cage, and brought
out about half-a-dozen struggling birds. "There," he
continued, retaining a Red-l)illetl Weaver, and throwing
the others back, "feel 'im, fat as butler, ain't he.?" (by
the w^ay, this seems a favourite remark in the trade).
" Yes, but that's not a Madagascar," I replied, "a Mada-
gascar is a red bird, with blackish wings and tail."
"Well, so 's this, ain't it ? " said he, " ju.st coming into

155

color; think I don't know a Madagascar ?" he added,
indignant!}', as the thought struck him. I had my
doubts on the matter, and pointed out the difference in
the colour, particularly the beak, but the only concession
I could get was that the bird might be a hen. Yes, now
he looked at it more careful h', it was a hen. Didn't I
want a hen ? All right — and the poor bird was tossed back
with a muttered adjectival comment on "waste of time."
This was decidedly discouraging, for the " any amount
of 'em " had raised my hopes. I got home safely
though — with a Pintail Whydah ; but as the bird died
in its moult a short time afterwards, I had no reason to
look back on my visit with undue elation.

I generally have a look round "down East" about
every month, and although I have continually made
enquiries of all my friends there, it has been without
success up to the present. Most of them have my
address, and are going to write to me when they have a
Madagascar, but they have never written.

In the summer of 1900, I was at one of the South
Coast watering places, and in my rambles came across a
very small cottage, the front room of which was turned
into a bird shop. Immediately interested, I looked in,
and could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the bird I
was in search of. To call " Ahoy there," through the
open window, and then lift the latch and v*alk in,
occupied much less time than it takes to write it. No
one appeared in answer to my repeated calls and knocks,
so I had a good look at the bird, and he was a splendid
creature. His cage-mates were Canaries, and the contrast
between his beautiful crimson and the various yellows
of his companions, considerably heightened the effect.
I was wondering what to do, when a venerable looking
old fellow came in with a jug. He looked rather
startled at seeing a stranger in the shop, and my affable
"Good morning to you," only provoked a suspicious
stare. " Do you sell birds } " I asked, and as I received
no answer was about to repeat the question, when the
absurditv of it struck me, so I altered it to " What is the

156

price of the Madagascar ? " " Did you say auytliing ? "
he answered, eyeing me carefully. I told him I had said
something, three somethings in fact, and should like an
answer to the last one, which I repeated. He appeared
somewhat perturbed, and seemed to be carefully watch-
ing my lips. "I can't hear you," he said at last, so I
reiterated the query as loudly as I could, but a pathetic
shake of the head was the only reply. The Madagascar
was still there, I noticed, and there it seemed likely to
stay, unless I could make him hear, or someone came in
who could. Then the old man said "Shout." I shouted
obedient]}' enough, but it was of no use. Coming closer
to me, he said "I'm deaf — can't hear:" news indeed !
A happy thought struck me, and I wrote my question on
a piece of paper — but, of course, he could not read. I
pondered over the situation, and it certainly seemed
rather incongruous. Here was an old man, who could
not read nor hear, left in charge of the shop, and the
family had gone out for the da}-. It was very aggravating
to have to leave the bird, but there was no help for
it, and I intended calling next day. It so happened,
however, that the next day's programme included a long
drive ; and when I did call again, a day or so later, the
bird had disappeared. •' Yes, Sir, we sold it the day
before yesterday, to a lady," I was told, or in other
words, the day after I had first called.

I find this article is taking up more space than I
anticipated or its merits deserve, so I must be as brief as
possible. In the spring of last year, I wrote to about a
dozen dealeis and stated my requirements. Two only
replied : one at the West end had a cock Madasgascar, so
I wrote and told him to keep it for me until the next
Saturday, when I would call for it— if he was sure it was
the bird I wanted. The next day brought a card with
the laconic inscription, "Weavers all sold." The other
man apparently had "lots of 'em," for he stated he
would be pleased to send me one. I had grown sceptical
by this time, and asked for a description of the bird, and
the mention of a "black head" was proof of another
disappointment.

157

After this I contented myself with looking through
the advertisement columns of the various " bird}' "
papers, and one day, about the middle of last December,
a well known northern dealer stated he had a Madagascar
Weaver for sale, and I was not long in replying. I was
dreading the answer would tell me the bird was sold ;
but no, I could have it for a trifle less than the amount
mentioned, if I liked, as some of the feathers of the
head had come out. The man appeared to be ultra
careful, and said he would send the bird after the rush of
the Christmas traffic. He kept his word as far as sending
it, and it turned out to be a Crimson-crowned. I felt
quite despondent. Evident!}' it was not intended that I
should have a Madagascar Weaver, and life seemed so
empty without one. I partly consoled myself with a
satirical letter, and was met with the reply that he (the
vendor) had " handled considerable of them," and he
thought he had made no mistake. Still, if it was not
the bird I wanted, he would rather I returned it, and he
would refund the money. I then wrote again, giving
him a detailed description of the bird, and quoted
several authors, and also drew his attention to the fact
that there is a coloured plate of it in Cassell's " Canaries
and Cage Birds." The reply was apologetic enough, and
'• it puzzles me 3-et to know how the mistake occured,"
he wrote. The admission cleared the air, as it is only
human to err, so I kept the bird.

Still trying, I wrote another dealer, who invites you
to "state your wants," in his advertisement, and he also
had a INIadagascar W^eaver. I called next day, and found
the man busy writing. He motioned me to a cage con-
taining Weavers, but there was no IMadasgascar amongst
them. On enquiry I learnt that it had been sold yester-
day. Of course it had : I knew that before I started out.
Hadn't he one that had not been sold yesterday .= No,
he had not.

Now I have come to the end of my adventures— for
the present. The most irritating part of it all is that,
about three years ago, I could have bought a pair in full
colour, for less than T shall probably have to pay for

158

one— when I do get the bird : and a short time afterwards
I could have bought another just coming into colour,
for two and six. The ashes of repentance, of how little
avail are ye !

What other trials Fortune holds in store for me, I
know not. The future is mercifully shielded from our
eyes ; but I shall be surprised at nothing, unless— and I
think I shall be surprised at this— that I ever become
the possessor of a Madagascar Weaver.

******

The heavens have fallen ! Si/ite ivriting the above, I
have paid one of my periodical visits eastwards, and at
Mrs. Abrahams' shop saw^ three splendid birds in full
colour. I was so astonished that I asked what they
were, and on being assured that they really 7vere Mada-
gascar Weavers, and were not sold, I took the best of the

trio.

Thus has my search ended! J. A. vSwan.

PATIENCE EXEMPLIFIED.

It is aw^ell-known saying that " Patience is a virtue,"
and whether one is waiting for the first appearance of a
Club Magazine, or a light mule during the breeding
season, the proverb is equally true. It is further said
that " all things come to him who patiently waits." It
is a blessing that the gentle word Patience loses none of
its meaning to the true fancier, but influences his
mind and actions, for the benefit of both his pets and
their keeper. Patience is wanted in all the many
struggles of the aviculturist — as well in trying to obtain
something which at times seems almost impossible,
such as the breeding of a Canary-Bullfinch— as in his
efforts to gain the good opinion of his fellows and a
respected position in the fancy, which ought to be
within the reach of all.

Patience, not content with the exercise of her own
great qualities, enlists, for the benefit of those with

159

whom she dwells, the aid of her partner perseverance—
and with the help of patience and perseverance nincli
may be attained.

And fanciers, above all others, have need for the
exercise of patience and perseverance, for withont these
virtnes they will never excel in their hobby, either as
breeders or exhibitors.

Some of us are at times sorely tempted to despond,
and are even inclined to abandon the keeping and
exhibiting of cage birds, in consequence of disappoint-
ments and misfortunes with our pets — when in such a
strait let us remember this simple word — patience. The
true fancier knows no such word as failure — he means to
trv again — he does so and wins. Even when he has
succeeded he is not content, but goes on striving for
further successes.

Mutual forbearance and kind words, whether in the
bird room, the Show room, or the Committee room, are
needed to cement fanciers together for the welfare of
their hobby. Members who always bear this in mind
greatly benefit the Club or Society to which the}^
l)elong. Where goodwill exists among fanciers, there
will patience have perfected her work.

It is the impatient man who causes nine-tenths of
the strife and illwill in the fanc}- — but I say, be patient
even with these, try by kindness to wdn them over to
reasonableness. I know by experience that it is hard to
meet some of these impatient people and hold out to them
the hand of good fellow^ship — but do it by all means, for
it is kindness which kills unkindness, and this life is too
short to be at enmity with a fellow-man if it can
possibly be avoided.

Brother fanciers, let me appeal to you. If you have
not already begun, begin at once, and do all the good
you can, not minding what the poor impatient ones may
have to say. By so doing you will best follow the
teachings of the Great Master, who was to all a noble
example of patience. PKREGRINE Bai,!,.

i6o
THE LAVENDER FINCH.

Everj-one who has possessed this delightful Waxbill
will no doubt agree with me that it is one of the
prettiest and most most interesting of the Waxbill
family. Its beaut}- of plumage, activity, pretty flight,
and the ease with which it is tamed, combined with the
low figure at which it can always be purchased, ought to
insure its inclusion in every collection.

Lavender Finches are easily kept in perfect health
(at least that is my experience) on the following dietary :
Canary and white millet seed, millet spray, grass seed in
the ear (a sod of grass just as pulled out of the earth
with the mould attached is a source of great delight),
a little sponge cake, with a few ants' eggs, and about a
couple of mealworms each daily. Of the latter they are
exceedingly fond : they do not eat them, like Weavers
or insectivorous birds do, but run them along in their
beaks, extract the soft parts, and leave the skins. When
I take up the box of mealworms and open the door of
my indoor aviar}', they will come at once, perch on my
fingers, hands, or arms, all excitement until they get
their worm, when they at once go back to the cage to
enjoy it at their leisure. The skins they will store away
in some corner or cocoa-nut husk, and unless you are
aware of this, and clean out all nests and husks regularly,
you will be surprised at the " find " you will discover
some morning.

Being exceedingly fond of a bath, they should never
be without a plentiful supply of fresh water.

For some time my pair have been turning their
attention to setting up house, and take great ir.terest in
a converted cigar-box decorated with Virginian bark.
Next month I intend turning them into an outdoor
aviar}', in the hope that the}' will breed.

Their love-dance is most entertaining,

Andrew Phii^ip.

i6i
CORRESPONDENCE.

POINT PRIZES.

Sir,— I am glad that this proposal has beeu brought
forward by Mr, Frostick. The "best l)ird" is a doubtful
quantity — aud in a mixed Show a foreigner rarely wins
the prize, for most of the Judges incline to the Canaries
(why, I cannot fathom, but possibly for fear of offending
Canary fanciers).

I have no objection to the "Best Bird" Special
being won by the exhibitor who sends only a few entries,
provided he has only a few birds fit for exhiV)ition. But
when a man has a good team, which could be put on the
show table to advantage and with a fair prospect of
success, I think it a shame that he should send onl}^ one
or two in a class, to try and catch the special. This is
done often, and year after year we see it at the Palace
Show, . Some onl}' show when the}' know the result is
almost a foregone conclusion.

I maintain that if anyone makes 20 or 30 entries (his
own bona fide property) he ought to have some advantage
for each entry — for quantity is wanted to make up the
vShow. But it has of late been the policy of some Com-
mittees to encourage the small exhibitor at the expense
of the large one.

Last season I had 20 to 30 entries at half a dozen
Shows. My friend Mr. II. B, vSiuitli also showed a good
team. If we only made two or three entries in each
class it would pay us better, and in many cases such a
course would secure us a balance on the right side of the
ledger,

I strongl}' support Mr. Frostick's proposal that the
F. B, C, specials should be for points — as it is the fairest
plan, causes the least trouble, and is the most satisfactory
in the long run, W. Osbaldeston.

ORNITHOLOGICAL SURGERY,
Sir, — It may interest you to know that our farm
bailiff, who is a remarkably intelligent and observant
man, told me that it is quite true about Partridges and

I62

Pheasants twisting their feathers round a broken or
dislocated limb, and that a Frenchman had been writing
to the papers about a similar habit iu the Woodcock. My
own theory is that in the case of a bird which has been
shot or trapped, the bird probabl}- does it to stop the
bleeding rather than to keep the limb in place.

Writing of Pheasants, it may interest you to know
that some years ago we had a case of a hybrid between
an Amherst and a common Pheasant crossing with a
Fowl ; a proof that Pheasant hybrids are sometimes
fertile.

Talking of h5'brids among the Gallince, a farm
bailiff once told me that he had known a case of a
Guineafowl cock, whose mate had been killed, repeatedly
trying to cross with Fowls. I think he said with Turkeys
as well. Chas. Cushny.

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD AND
MULE CLUB.

Committee Meeting held at Headquarters, 25, High
Holborn, ist May, 1902,

Present : — Mr. Robson (Chairman), Mr. Pollard
(Vice-Chairman), Messrs. Dewhurst, Frostick, Jones,
Maxwell, Morgan, A. Plumbridge, Sandy, Turnber, Vale,
and Hon. Sec.

The minutes of the previous meeting having been
read, considerable discussion took place as to their being
confirmed — the cause of the discussion being Mr.
Frostick's proposition, carried at the last meeting.

Letters were read from Messrs. Boerma (3), Ball,
Browning, Jones, and Laskey. After all present had
given their views, Mr. Pollard proposed a resolution,
which I\Ir. Jones seconded ; but on an amendment by
Mr. Sandy, seconded by Mr. Dewhurst, " That the
minutes of the last meeting be confirmed in their
entirety," being carried, the original proposition was
not put, and the minutes were duly signed by the
Chairman.

i63

Letters were read from Messrs. Ball, Mason, Gougli,.
Blackburn (3), Walker, Perkins, and Yallop.

The consideration of the application of the Norwich
Alliance All England Cage-Bird Association was deferred
until next month.

The application of the Hull Cage-Bird vSliow Com-
mittee was entertained, and on the proposition of Mr.
Pollard, seconded by Mr. Dewhurst. two Gold Medals
were granted, as last year.

The attention of the Committee having been called
to a letter which appeared in a weekly contemporary by
a correspondent signing himself a " Resigning Member,"
it was resolved that I should write an official letter on
behalf of the Club in. reply.

The offer of Mr, Gough of a Silver Medal to the
member breeding the best Light Linnet Mule under the
same conditions as last year was accepted with thanks.

The following gentlemen were elected members of
the Club :

Mr. Patterson, Little Rose Inn, Canterbury.

Mr. MoxON, Britton West, Wakefield.

Mr. MACKWELiy, Bradford Road, Keighlev.

MR. FULLJAMRS' TESTIMONLA.L.
The above testimonial to Mr. Fulljames has been
taken up in such a lukewarm fashion that I have
decided to close the list. The total of ;^8 los. 6d. has
been handed to Mr. Fulljames and I hold his receipt for
same. The following are the names of the ladies and
gentlemen who subscribed to the fund : — Miss Benbow,
Mrs. C. Cooper, Mr. Bell, Mr. P. Ball, Mr. Browning, Mr.
W. H. Cooper, Mr. Houlton, Mr. Jones, Mr. Judd, Mr.
Lowne, Mr. Lott, Mr. Mays, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Maxwell,
Mr. Massey, Mr. Oakey, Mr. Pollard, Mr. R. Phillips, Mr.
Robson, Mr. Rettich, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Smellie, Mr.
vSchmidt, Mr. Turnber, Mr. Vale, Mr. Wilson, Mr. D.
Mclnrov, and INIr. Dewar.

W. A. LOTT, Hon. Sec,

103, Cheapside, E.C.

1 64

To the Hon. Sec. N. B. B. & M. C.

Sir, — Though I atii sony to see the columns of
" Bird Notes" used for such a purpose, I am reluctantly
compelled to ask ^-ou to grant me space in which to
reply to Mr. Laskey's attack.

Upon reflection, I do not see why I should worry
myself about Mr. Laskey's troubles. I am quite satisfied
to know tliat the Committee have enough common sense
to be able to distinguish who are and who are not their
true friends. At the last monthly meeting, held on the
ist inst., the minutes containing the resolution that was
carried at the previous one (and which seems to have
caused Mr. Laskey so much anxiety) were confirmed by
an ovewhelming majorit}' of those present.

In a letter to the Committee, Mr. Laskey says the
resolution was aimed at the L. & P. O. vS., which was a
friendly Society. If he thinks everybody has lost their
memory, I do not. The L. & P. O. S. have always been
very friendly when the N. B. B. & M. C. granted them
their cups or medals, or paid their Judges, or guaranteed
their Show from loss. But what have they done for u.s .-
What about the Carter's Cup : was that a friendly
action } What about their going to the Crystal Palace
to hold their vShows, when we were first in the field :
was that a friendly action } When the N. B. B. & M. C.
would have hired and paid for their show benching, one
of their prominent "rulers" said he would burn it
before we should have it : was that a friendly action }
When we guaranteed their Show from loss in our
sections, the result being a record entry, they simply
ignored us altogether the year after : was that a friendl}'
action } No ! Mr. Laskey, you have ever been a good
and faithful servant to the L. &. P. O. S., but so long as
I have any influence left, your Committee shall not
make a shuttlecock of the N. B. B. & M. C. again if I
can prevent it. John Frostick.

i65

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

NOTICES TO MEMBERS.

All subscriptions became due on the 1st of May,
and I shall be glad to receive 5/- from each member
at his or her earliest convenience.

The Lady Dunleath has graciously' accepted the
post of President of the Club— to which office she has
been duly elected by the Council in accordance with
our rules. The Council have also elected Dr. C. B.
d'Eyncourt Chamberlain, R.N., and Dr. E. Hopkinson,
M.A., M.B., D.vS.O., to be Vice-Presidents ; Mr. W. H.
Betts, F.L.vS., F.Z.S., to be Auditor, and Mr. Andrew
Philip to be Scrutineer.

In order to facilitate business, the Council has
elected two Committees, one to be called the Magazine
Committee and the other the Show Committee. The
functions of these Committees are obvious from their
titles. The Magazine Committee consists of Messrs.
Chamberlain, Cushny, Mumford, Oakey, Quin and vSwan.
The members of the Show Committee are Messrs.
Frostick, Hamlyn, Oakey, Osbaldeston, Swaysland and
Townsend.

The Council have passed a resolution to the effect
that no medals or other special prizes will be offered
by the Club for competition at any Show, unless all
the members of the Club are elegible to compete at
such Show.

HORATIO R. FILLMER,

Hon. Sec. FOREIGN BiRD CluB,

52, Ship Street, Brighton.

NEW MEMBERS ELECTED.
Mr. George Bet^l, Dernatowny, Drumkeerin,
Co. iyeitrini.

Mr. H. C. HASKr/riNic, 299, Westminster Road,
Liverpool.

1 66

NEW MEMBERvS PROPOSED.

:\Ir. R. C01.TON, 244, Bramall Lane, Sheffield.
Proposed by Mr. OsbaldeSTON.

Messrs. R. Hyde & Co., Ltd., Harold Street,

Cambervvell, S.K). Proposed by the Hon. Sec.

Mr. Henry Fortlage, Suffolk House, Weybridge.
Proposed by Mr. WiENER.

To the Hon. Sec. F. B. C.

vSiR, — With reference to the new rules proposed b}'
Mr. FVostick, I must, in the interests of the Irish
members, strongly protest against the rule relating to
the Society's medals only being granted for competition
when all members may exhibit and compete.

This rule may be all ver\' good in England, where
the fancy is universal, but there are so few exhibitors
over here, that the Secretaries of the various Shows have
to confine the entries to Ireland only, in order to
encourage the few we have. If Mr. Frostick's proposal
be carried, in order to obtain the medals of the F. B. C.
in future, it would be necessar}' to make the Shows
open "to the United Kingdom," and, in fact, to other
countries, if all members of the Club were eligible.
Before the Show Committees over here would do such a
thing, they would wipe " Foreigners " off the schedules
altogether.

Considering the great success of the last Dublin
Show — in the foreign classes especiall}- — I had hoped to
enlist several new members of the Club, but they are
very cautious, aud like to know what benefits are to be
derived, before they join, and unless I hold out hopes of
getting a medal for competition liere, in a Show confined
to Ireland, I fear the Club, so far as Irish members are
concerned, will cease to be of any interest.

Andrew Phii.ip.

i67

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB MARKET.

The charge for advertisements is one penny for each bird named.
Advertisements must be concisely worded, and clearly written
on a separate sheet of paper, with the name and address
of advertiser at the foot. The fee must in all cases be pre-
paid in stamps. The Hon. Sec. is authorised to decline
Advertisements which lie considers undesirable. Advertise-
ments for the next issue must reach the Hon. .Sec. not
later than 15th June.

Grand Barbet Megalaitna grandis, Nepaul, £2 ; Megalaima
asiatica, India, 30/-.— Mrs. Hamii^Ton,

Banneidown House, Batheaston, Bath.

vSecond-haud books for fanciers, in perfect condition —
' History of British Birds,' by F. O. Morris, B.A., 394
plates, hand-coloured, revised, corrected, enlarged,
uncut edges, gilt top, sage morocco binding, 6 vols.,
80/- complete ; ' Pictures of Bird Life,' in pen and
pencil, by Rev. M. G. Watkins, M.A., cloth gilt, size
12 by 15, 15/-; 'Parrots in Captivity,' 3 vols., 20/-;
Jardiue's 'Natural History,' 6 vols, ornithology, 15/-;
' Foreign Cage-Birds,' (Gedney) out of print, scarce,
12/6 two vols. ; ditto. Vol. I., 'Parrots,' 5/-; ' Birds of
the British Empire,' 3/6 ; ' Treasury of Natural
History,' 7/6; 'Natural History of Cage-Birds, 2/6;
' Favourite Song Birds,' 2/6; ' Humming Birds,' 2/6;
' Domestic and Fancy Cats,' 1/9 ; ' The Guinea Pig,'
1/9 ; ' Our Summer Migrants,' 2/6 ; ' Profitable
Canary Breeding,' 1/6; ' W^axbills and Mannikin.s,'
1/6; 'Diseases of Cage-Birds,' lod. ; Bradburn's
' British Birds,' lod.

John Frostick, 18, Temperley Road, Balham.

Following birds wintered in cold aviary, now in Show
condition — Two of the finest vScarlet Tanagers living,
25/-, 30/- each ; Peach-faced Lovebirds, now nesting,
42/- pair , hen ditto, 21/-; Brown Mynahs, 15/- pair:
Jay, 7/6 ; Pied Wagtail, hen, 2/6 ; Russian cock Bull-
finch, ist prize Royal Aquarium, 15'-; dark Linnet-
Canary hybrid, cock, beautiful songster, ro/6 ;
Linnet cock, Bullfinch hen, both cage -moulted,
paired all winter, 12/6; Bram])lefinch, selected for
Shows, 5/6; ditto, cage-moulted, 7/6: vSwainson's
vSparrow, cock, 7/6; White Java, cock, 5/6; Grey,
hen, 2/6; four Avadavats, slightly bald, 4/- ; Ribbon
Finches, 5/- pair; Weavers, 5/- pair.

John Fro.stick, 18, Temperley Road, Balham.

1 68

Wanted — Cock IVIadagascar Weaver.

J. A. Swan, 87, Lower Kenniiigton Lane, S.E.

Wanted — Vol. I. ' Avicnltural ?*Iagazine,' to complete set.
J. A. Swan,

87, Lower Kennington Lane, London, S.E.

Black-headed IMannikins, 2 /- pair ; Avadavats, Weavers,
Bishops, Nntmeg Finches, Silverbills, Grey Wax-
bills, 3/- pair; Orange-cheeks, Conibassons, 3/6 pair;
Zebra F'inches, Whydahs, Cordon Blens, Ribbon
Finches, 5/- pair; Budgerigars, 7- ; Yellow Norwich
cock, 156; Cinnamon ditto, 156. Approval.
Miss LaTTEY,

Holleyd-ene, Allensbank Road, Cardiff.

" Centur}^ Book of Gardening," fine, new bonnd, 20/- ;
I. and II. Vols. " Ibis," new bound, coloured plates.
5 series, rare, 30/- ; " British Birds, their Nests and
Eggs," new, illustrated b}- Frohawk, plates, eggs
coloured, in 3 large vols., well bound, complete, 45/- ;
3 vols. Dr. Greene's '• Parrots in Captivity," first
issue, coloured plates, 20-; Dr. Russ' "Speaking
Parrots," new, coloured plates, 46; Wright's "'Poul-
try Book, "by Cassell, coloured plates, 18'-, bound fine;
" Book of Dogs," Vero Shaw, by Cassell, coloured
plates, 18/-, bound fine ; Australian Piping Crow, 35/- ;
Hangnest, rare, black with orange shoulders, 20/- ;
Troupial, fine, 10/-; Shama, in song, tame, a pet,
35 - ; hen ditto, 25/- ; Cow-bird, 10/-, fine ; Pope, 5/- ;
Javas, 15/-, fine ; Malabar Green Bulbul, 25'-; Ama-
zons, talking, 20'-, 30/-, 40/-, 60/-, according to capa-
bilities; grand Yellow-naped Amazon, 60 - ; Cocka-
too Corilla, very tame, follows about, 25/- ; Scarlet
Tanager, 126; one Show^ bird, 25-. Pairs — Mada-
gascar Love-birds, 4/6 ; Ribbon Finches, 4/- ; Long-
tailed Grass, 25/- ; Rufous-tailed Grass, 35 - ; Popes,
20/-, ex. fine ; Pagoda Starlings, 10/- ; Cockatiels,
adult, 12/6; Rose Cockatoos, 25/-; Zosterops, in
Show form, 20'-; Yellow-breasts, 76; Brown-cheeks,
7/6; Black-head, 176; Conures, Pekin Robins,
beauties, 7/6. All acclimatized.

W. OSBALDESTON, 2, St. Johu vStreet, Preston.

All cotntnunications for " Bi/'ii Notes,^' in } eference to
the Biitish Bird and Hybrid departmetit should be
addressed to the Hon. Sec. of the National British Bird
and Mule Club, and all communications in reference to
Foreign Birds to the Hon. Sec. of the Foreign Bird Club.

169

"MEATING OFF"
AND FEEDING SOFT-BILLS.

By John Frostick.
[Continued from page 14"]).

"MEATING OFF" successfully. What a terrifying
effect the words " nieatiug off" have on the young
fancier ! and how wise the old 'uns look when discussing
this or that phase of the subject, and how jealously they
guard what they think is the secret of the trick ; yet,
after all, there is no secret at all, nothing to be found
out that could not be learned by anyone with the
exercise of a little common sense and reasoning.

There is one w^ay, and one way only, to reconcile
a bird to the loss of his freedom, and induce him
to partake of the food which we intend to provide him
with for the rest of his natural life. A Nightingale,
for example, suddenly taken from his natural surround-
ings, where nearly all his food consists of creeping or
winged live insects, ought not to be expected to recognize
instantly the fact that an inert mass of dried ants' eggs,
hard boiled egg, bread, and grated carrot, is a capital and
wholesome substitute for the green caterpillars, live ants
and other insects that have formed his sole diet since he
was hatched. Therefore, if we bear this in mind, we
shall not go far astra}^ For the first few days, or in
some cases it may be weeks, our little prisoner will eat
nothing but i^iviNG food, and don't forget it! This
may take the form of mealworms, of which it will con-
sume up to 50 per day. Three Nightingales, meated off
last year, ate 1,500 in ten days, and I did not grudge
iheni one — all made fine birds.

From the first day ants' eggs and egg should be
given with the worms, and after the first day it is a good
plan to cut some of the worms in halves, so that portions
of the "dead" food get eaten with the live, and in this
way, l)y gradually reducing the latter to a reasonable
quantity, we get them on to the artificial food, and they
are then what is called " meated off." The old wheeze

of putting some iiiealwornis under a watch-glass, with
egg and ants' eggs smeared around it, with the idea of
getting the bird to eat the latter, while pecking at the
former, is a cruel senseless dodge, that will result very
quickly in the death of the bird ; for after bobbing a few
times at the glass, in his fruitless efforts to get at the
worms, he will speedily retire to a corner of the cage in
disgust, and very soon save you the trouble of providing
any more worms for him.

Should a bird absolutely refuse to eat at all for the
first twent3--four hours after his capture (as some may,
especially if the}' have been long caught, without oppor-
tunity of feeding naturally), his life ma}' often be saved
by gentl}' cramming him with mealworms cut in halves,
pushed carefully down his throat with the aid of a match
stick, two or three at a time, at intervals of half au hour.
A few drops of warm milk poured down his throat, will
help to revive him. He should be carefully watched
until he has taken food of his own accord, then the
cramming may cease, and all will be well.

The smaller soft-billed birds, from a Nightingale
downwards in size, quickly become tame and used to
cage life, and may, in fact, be shown very soon after
capture, if properly treated from the beginning. But, of
course, they are ver}' wild at fiist, and must not on
any account be placed in an ordinary cage, unless the
front is wholly covered with muslin or butter-cloth, so
that they may have sufficient light onl}' to feed by, but
may not themselves be seen. The}- will then gradually
get accustomed to their sunoundings, and not dash
about and spoil their feathers. To prevent this, some
tie the tips of each wing, separately, with string : in
which case you will not be able to show the bird until
lie has moulted, beside which it is unnecessarih- cruel.

In my own case, I keep one or two cages especially
for meating off fresh birds. They are the ordinary
French travelling boxes, that dealers receive vsmall
foreign birds in from the Continent, and with a few

171

alterations they answer the purpose adinirabl}'. I take
all the perches out, with the exception of three or four,
make a door at each end, and fasten some loose fabric,
like muslin, to the inside of the wire front, to prevent
the birds from putting their beaks through the wires
and rubbing the feathers off. These cages are in size
about 2ft. 6in. by ift. 6in. by Sin. high, and are large
enough for four birds, which, when well on food are
placed singly in the ordinary cages, the muslin cover
being taken off by degrees, a little at a time.

I used to think, at one time, that it would be a
good plan to place with each batch of fresh caught birds,
an older caged bird well on its food, with the idea that
it w^ould teach the new comers to feed; but I soon found
that plan would not work at all, as the older bird, grown
bold in confinement, simply gorged all the tit-bits
liimself, and frequentl}- prevented the others from
feeding at all ; with the result that, if I had not quickly
removed him, the later arrivals would have died of
starvation.

HANDREARING from the nest may be accom-
plished successfully with any of our British songsters,
without any previous experience being necessar}'. All
that is required is a little tact, cleanliness, and regularity
in feeding, as is proved by the fact that a friend of mine,
who had never even kept an insectivorous bird in his
life, took for his first attempt three Swallows from the
nest (leaving two for the old birds) and safely reared the
lot. He worked under difficulties, as he was by trade a
joiner, and took the birds with him daily to work, and
kept them above his bench in an old box, feeding them
every time he had a moment to spare. When his daily
labour was done, he brought them home again, and let
them have a fly round the kitchen, where they would
perch on the clothes line and fly on to his hands to be
fed, I dare say wondering what a great, big, but kind,
foster-father they had. Yes ! they were very engaging
pets, those Swallows, with their pretty, graceful, and
confiding habits, as all handreared birds are. But I

172

prefer that all the smaller species should be wild-caught,
as the}' soon adapt themselves to cage life, quickly
become " finger-tame," retain their natural wild song,
are larger and finer coloured, and seem to possess more
stamina when reared naturally by their parents.

With Thrushes, Starlings, Crows, Wrynecks, and
Woodpeckers, the case is different, and I would advise
all who admire such birds to have only handreared
specimens, as otherwise, unless caught as " branchers,"
they never become tame, and it is quite impossible to keep
them in good feather. A thoroughly wild bird can
never be a pleasure to anyone, when it constantly tries
to dash out its brains on the approach of its keeper :
therefore handrearing must be resorted to. It is best to
take them from the nest when the}- are what is called
" pen- feathered," as they are then easier to rear than
when taken at a later date. P'or the first few days they are
best kept in a basket with a lid on, on a nest of hay cut
in short lengths. The}' should be fed on a mixture of
fresh hard-boiled eggs, ants' eggs, and bread meal, made
rather moist but not pappy, and if at first they do not
gape of their own accord, a little must be carefully
crammed down their throats: afterwards a pair of
surgical forceps will be found a useful implement with
which to convey the food to them, as being less liable to
injure their soft and delicate beaks than the fingers.
Mealworms cut in halves — or any of the other insects
mentioned may also be given, and, in the case of the
larger Crows, raw lean beef finely shredded. Great care
must be taken to remove all droppings instantly, as it is
most essential to their wellbeing that they be kept, as in
nature — scrupulously clean. As soon as they are able to
perch, they should be removed to a cage, the larger the
better, that they may exercise themselves and grow
strong on the wing. Kept in such a cage or aviary, I
know of no prettier sight than a nest of young Thrushes
— " buds of melody " — clamouring to be fed the moment
they see their fond master approaching.

Magpies, Jackdaws, Jays, and Starlings, reared in

173

this way, but caged separately and carefully taught, make
capital talkers ; the latter especially. One vStarling that
I used to have, equalled any Parrot, and piped a tune
more beautifully than any expensively trained Bullfinch
I ever heard. Poor Jacob! like many another famous
pet, he has long since gone the way of all things mortal,
but in fancy I can still hear his sweet voice saying,
" Kiss pretty Jacob," " Coach and six for Jacob," " Give
us a kiss," " Come on." Who could resist the charms of
such a delightful pet ?

In conclusion, what I have written is the result of
30 years practical experience with nearly every species
of British cage-bird, which I have myself kept, from
Fire-crested Wrens to Choughs, the smallest and largest,
and if the results of my experience help to prolong and
make the lives of our little feathered cage-pets happier,
and bring only one more recruit to sw^ell the ranks of
those who, like myself, know that to understand is to
appreciate this most delightful hobby of mankind, I
shall be amply repaid for my trouble.

PARROTS AND PARRAKEETS.

By Dr. C. vS. Simpson.

(Continued from page 130J .

GuiLDiNG'vS Amazon {C. guildingi) is a magnificent
bird which is rarely seen in this country. The genernl
colour of this bird is orange brown, the pileum, lores,
and feathers under the eye white, the occiput, sides
of head and throat blue. It is the oul}^ one found in
the Island of St. Vincent. Another species which is
decidedly rare is the small White-browed Amazon {C.
albifrons). In this bird a narrow band above the beak
and a ring round the eye are scarlet, the forehead is
white, and the crown blue.

Other species which are occasionally to be obtained
are the Mealy Amazon {C. farinosa) which almost equals
Guilding's in size, and is uniformly green with a mealy or

174

powered appearance ; Dufresue's Amazon {C. dufres7ieana
which is distinguished ])y the orange forehead and blue
cheeks; the Yellow-naped [C. atiropalUata) ; the Cuba
Parrot (C hticocephala) one of the smaller species, with a
white forehead and crown, and with cheeks and throat
of ros}' pink ; and the Jamaica Parrot [C. collaria) which
has a white forehead, blue cheeks, and reddish throat.
A noticeable point in connection with tlie Common
Bhie-fronted Amazon is its tendency to albinism : indi-
viduals vary very much in the extent of the yellow about
the head, and it is quite common to see specimens more
or less marked with patches of pale yellow, while
occasionally a completely yellow bird is met with.

The PiONUS Parrots. — Less attractive than the
Amazon Parrots are their near relatives the Pionus
Parrots, which are also inhabitants of Central and South
America. They are but seldom imported, and with the
exception of the Hawk-headed Parrot, are not, as a rule,
sufficiently attractive to induce the amateur to pay the
high prices usually asked for them. Those which are
imported are the Hawk-headed Parrot {P. accipitrinus),
the Blue-headed [P. menstnius), the Dusky {P. fuscus),
and Maximilian's Parrot {P. maximiliani). The Hawk-
headed Parrot is described, by those who have been
fortunate enough to possess specimens, as a most
intelligent and interesting bird, and a good talker. It is
a curious looking bird, and has the power of erecting
the feathers of the neck when excited, so as to form a
sort of frill or ruff, which gives it a ver}- formidable
appearance. The head of this species is greyish brown,
much lighter in some specimens than in others, but
whether this difference is due to age or sex I am unable
to say. The back and wings are green, and the feathers
of the nape, breast, and abdomen deep red, each feather
being edged with blue. It is as large as the Grey Parrot.
The remaining species are tame and quiet, wanting in
intelligence, and very seldom learn to speak. They are
somewhat less hardy than the Amazon Parrots, and
require the same food and treatment as the latter.

175

The Catoues {Caica) are a small South American
genus containing but three species. Two of these, the
Black-headed Caique, and the Yellow-thighed Caique,
are occasionally imported, and are said to be hard}-,
affectionate, and good talkers. The Yellow-thighed
Caique {C. xauthomera) is the rarer of the two; the
upper parts are green, the head and neck orange-yellow,
the l)reast and abdomen cream colour, the thighs and
flanks yellow. Tlie Black-heade<l Caique [C. melano-
cephala) is somewhat similar in appearance, but has the
top of the head and the naked skin around the eye
black, and the flanks and thighs orange. Each is about
nine inches in length.

PcEOCEPHALUS. — Nearly allied to the Pionus Parrots
are Jardine's Parrot [P. gidielmi) and the Senegal Parrot
{P. senegabis) which inhabit the central part of West
Africa. These species are somewhat delicate when first
imported, but hardy enough when once acclimatised.
Jardine's Parrot is about iiins. in length, of a bright
green colour, the forehead, thighs, and bend of the wing
orange-red, and the lores and tail black. The Senegal
Parrot is a commoner bird and smaller than Jardine's.
The head and throat of this species are grey, the upper
part of the body and a band across the breast green, the
lower breast aud abdomen orange-yellow. Individuals
of both these species learn to talk, but the majority do
not. Canon Dutton, however, considers Jardine's Parrot
the most desirable of all Parrots as a cage bird, placing
it above even the Grey and Amazon Parrots.

The Vasa Parrots {Coi-acopsis) may be described
as humble relations of the Grey Parrot ; there are
five species, varying in size from the Great Vasa (6'. vasa)
which measures 2oins., to the Praslin Parrot {C. barklyi)
which is I2ins. in length. All are alike of a dingy brown-
ish-black colour, and though they are reported by those
who have kept them to have many good qualities,
their very unattractive appearance prevents them from
becoming popular. A Great Vasa Parrot in the parrot
house at the Zoo for years enjoyed the distinction of

176

being the oldest inhabitant. This species, and one other
species, are found in Madagascar, the Praslin inhabits
the island from which it takes its name, and the
remaining two species come from the Comoro Islands.
The EcIvECTus Parrots {EcUctus) are among the
mo.st splendidly coloured of the short-tailed parrots,
and have excited great interest and controversy among
ornithologists with regard to the differences between
the various species and still more with regard to the
differences between the sexes of the same species.
These points have, however, been finally cleared up by
numerous dissections, and the facts regarding them may
be briefly summed up as follows : — There are six species
of Eclectus Parrots known to us at present. Each of
these species is characterised b}' the remarkable fact
that the prevailing colour of the male is bright green,
while that of the hen is a still more brilliant red. The
two species which are kept as cage birds are the Red-
sided Eclectus {E. pectoralis) and the Grand Eclectus
{E. 7'oratus). The males of the two species are almost
identical in appearance, being of a brilliant grass-green
colour, with a patch of scarlet on either side, immediately
beneath the wing. The females, however, differ con-
siderably from one another. In the female Red-sided
Eclectus, the head, neck, and upper breast are scarlet,
the lower breast and abdomen blue, and the under
surface of the tail scarlet. The female Grand Eclectus
has the head and upper breast red with a purplish tint,
the lower breast and abdomen purple, the under tail
coverts and a band at the tip of the tail bright
yellow. These parrots are rather dull in confinement,
and rarel}-, if ever, learn to talk. They require the same
treatment as the Amazons. They inhabit the Moluccas,
Tenimber Islands and the Papuan Islands. The so-called
MuUer's Eclectus, which is sometimes imported, has
been wrongly placed in this genus, from which it differs
notably in the similarity of the sexes.
(To be Contifiiied) .

HYBRID BREEDING.

By H. W. VAI.K.

(Cofitmtied f}om page 158).

I had anticipated being able to tell you all about the
two last-mentioned birds, but owing to Mr. Pratt's
removal from Suffolk to Scotland I have not 3'et had the
pleasure of seeing his last season's achievement-
sufficient to say that he was the only member of our Club
who succeeded in producing the Canary-Bullfinch in the
season 1901, so, in the absence of any other competitors,
the Gold Medal I offered must necessarily go to him.
While on the subject of medals, I am sorry to find that
so few of them have been claimed, but I hope that those
members who so kindly gave the medals last season will
again allow them to be compete<l for in the coming
season of 1902. For my own part I will again offer a
Gold Medal for the best specimen of a hybrid bred
between either the cock Canary and hen Bullfinch, the
cock Siskin and hen Bullfinch, or the cock Redpoll and
hen Bullfinch — the birds to be bred under the same
conditions as last year. There is every reason to expect
better results, seeing that one of our members at Brixton
so far succeeded as to have fertile eggs from the Siskin
and Bullfinch ; and after the fertile ^^^ our worth}'
Secretary found in his aviary from the Hawfinch-
Bullfinch, who can say that the coming season will not
find a winner of the great prize once offered for the
Chaffinch mule.' During the past vShow^ season I have
had no less than three specimens of birds to examine
pronounced by their owners to be a cross between the
Bramblefinch and Chaffinch. The result, on close
examination, was the same in each case, and very
disappointing to me. The first bird was a Chaffinch pure
and simple, caught wild— its only claim to the Bramble-
finch cross was a slight colouring on the throat and
shoulders resembling that bird. The next was said to be
bred by its owner in an outdoor aviar}'-, and was highly
valued and well cared for, but proved to be only a hen

178

Bramblefinch. Its owner declined to give nie further
particulars than that he bred it, and has not yet
acknowledged the return of the bird or the receipt of ni}^
letter and opinion. So much for the Chaffinch cross— I
believe the genuine specimen has yet to be bred. I
should be glad to know whether it is a fact, as some
assert, that the union of the Chaffinch and its mate takes
place in the air. If any of my readers who have
more opportunity than I have for the study of wild bird
life, have ever noticed this. I should be glad to know. I
think if we could settle this point it would go a long way
towards deciding whether the Chaffinch cross may or
may not be expected.

I am trying myself for several crosses this season.
Last years results were ;///, owing to no fault of my own,
but my experiences encouraged me to try again. I may
tell all those of our members who are thinking of trying
the cross with the Bullfinch, that the lesson I learnt,
both from my own birds and from those of my friends,
was that to allow the presence of more than one Bullfinch
hen in the same aviary, was fatal to all efforts on the part
of the finch when called on by the hen Bullfinch.
This has occurred in aviaries as large as from five to ten
feet square — whether the same would occur in a large
garden aviary I have not yet proved, but as far as it goes
it shows quite clearly that the liest results are obtained
when each pair of birds have a separate tenement to
themselves. A cross I should ver}' much like to see
again is that between Redpoll and Bullfinch — a very
beautiful and also a valuable cross, and but very rarely
seen. I should also like to see more notice taken of
other hybrids bred from the more common kinds of
finch, such as the Redpoll, Twite, and Greenfinch. For
those who have time to spate, there are yet many more
lovely crosses to l)e obtained, and I think if the same
amount of time and trouble were expended on the choice
of a hen for these latter crosses, I see no reason why
they should not take quite as proniinent a place iti the
cage-bird world as do the crosses fiom the Goldfinch.

179

Where the classification has been given, notably at the
Palace, the prizes won by these common birds were quite
equal to those won b}' the most favoured clear or even-
marked. Then, I say, in justice to them, let the market
value rise in proportion to their merits as good specimens
of their kind. Another cross I think is very often badly
used, that between the cock Linnet and hen Greenfinch :
a cross not difficult to obtain, but quite as beautiful in
its way as the gorgeous plumaged crosses from the Bull-
finch.

My paper will not be complete without a few words
about food, feeding, and treatment, and I will at once tell
you I am no believer in drugs and prescriptions ; the
only exception being some mild aperient or a little tonic,
as the case may warrant. I believe far more in prevention
than in cure. No bird is of value either as a show bird
or a breeder, which has to be continually under the
doctor. To study the wants of our birds and to supply
them in as natural a way as possible is far more
conducive to success than the use of stimulating and
forcing food, which they cannot digest or even retain.
As proof of this, I have birds now flying out of doors for
the past two years in all weathers, that get nothing but
plenty of fesli air and plain canary seed with green food
in season, and are all in the best of health and in full
song, and have never tasted medicine of any kind.

Feed only on the best seeds procurable, do not over-
crowd, allow the bath wlien ever possible, and your
birds will want but little else.

As to feeding the different species, it is too big a
subject for my time, but when you have a bird doing
well do not imagine that this, that, and the other, that
somebody recommends, is going to make it breed or win
whatever you like. Leave well alone, and if your birds
are not ready to nest when 3'ou want them to, 3'on must
wait till they are, and not expect them to go against
nature.

i8o
THE BIRDS OF WEST AFRICA.

Having been stationed up country in the Gambia
Protectorate for the last six months, I have had an
opportunit}' of watching many of our commonly im-
ported West African birds in their wild state, and think
a few notes may interest our readers.

Most of the common Waxbills and small finches
abound, and beside these there are many which I have
never seen in captivity ; mostly dull-coloured insig-
nificant looking little birds.

Kvery village swarms with Firefinches, the cocks
gorgeous in their scarlet plumage, attended by about a
dozen more soberly -clad hens. They are absolutely
domesticated, flying in and out of the houses and build-
ing in the grass roofs, and finding the greater part of
their food in the compounds around the houses. This
for the most part consists of the wasted seeds of the
millet, and one often sees the heap of husks, which
accumulate where the women winnow the ears, red with
these little birds. Besides they also hunt for and catch
a large number of small insects in the thatch, and
perhaps the fact that they require more insect food
than their congeners may partly account for their
undoubtedly greater delicacy as cage-birds.

Cordon Bleus and Common Waxbills are the next
most noticeable birds. These, although they do not
actually live in the villages, are confined, like all the
small seed-eaters, to the cultivated ground immediately
surrounding the villages; here any day one sees, beside
the above, Lavender Finches, Zebra Waxbills, Singing
Finches and many other small seed-eaters, while Glossy
Starlings (both Long- tailed and Purple), Pipits, Reed
Cuckoos, and Warblers in hundreds, represent the soft-
billed birds.

Just now (May) the Weavers are coming into colour,
a change which in nature apparently takes place very
much more rapidly than in captivity : one week one sees

i8t

flocks of almost silent l^rown birds ronml the wells, the
next the cocks are all in colour, and the chattering
noise they make is deafening.

The commonest Weaver about here is a large yellow
one with a black mask, but I have seen at least two
kinds of Bishops as well. Waxbilled Weavers are also
pretty common, but sli}er and not so consj^icuous as the
others.

Combassous and Paradise Whydahs, generally in
families of one cock and six to twelve hens, one sees
every day. They .seem to prefer the more distant
cultivated lands, and apparently are in colour for a
longer time than the Weavers, at least I have seen full-
coloured cocks ever since my arrival here in January.

Of the Serins, I have kept two kinds — the common
Green Singing l-'inch and a nearly allied species (I think
the Bridled vSerin). There is another one, grey and yellow,
which has a really sweet song and which the natives call
"el paca." I think I have seen this bird occasionally in
a consignment of West African birds in England, but
have not seen one near enough to be certain.

I have been unable to get many birds caught during
my stay, the natives having apparently very little idea
of trapping, and the only birds brought in at all
frequently have been Parrots (vSenegal and Ring-necked),
and these are generally nestlings.

Another bird, which I caught myself, I had never
seen before : it was one of the genus Polwspiza, a dull-
coloured Sparrow-like bird of no interest excej)t perhaps
for its rarit}-.

In Bathurst the boys catch a good many Singing
Finches (Canaries as they call them) but up country it is
difficult to get the natives to understand what one wants,
and even when one succeeds in that they are often too
lazy or too ignorant to do what is wanted. Only the
other day I thought I had at last found two cow-boys
who seemed to be able to set satisfactory traps, and they
went away promising " plenty baby birds." Four days

I82

passed, when they returned with four other boys the}- liad
taken on as assistants, but with only one Dove as a result
of their prolonged hunting. E. Hopkinson.

THE MIGRATION OF THE SWALLOW AND
HOUSE MARTIN.

Some of these insectivorous summer migrants reach
the British Isles as early in the year as April, others come
in May. Adult males lead, then the females, the young of
the preceding season following. It is a most interesting
fact tliat the birds arriving first are the last to depart, and
the latest arrivals generally are the first, along with the
current season's young, to take their departure, accom-
panied and presumably guided by those prevented from
breeding, or which have lost their broods. The object of
the spring migration, when carefully thought out, seems
to be reproduction. When this duty has been performed
and moulting is over, which is accomplished by the latter
end of August or early in September, the birds are again,
most of them, eager to make the return journey, which
is undertaken in the months of vSeptember and October.
Then the order of arrival is reversed, for on the return
journey the youngest birds (pioneered as aforesaid) lead
the way — which to a great extent accounts for so many
being lost. The adult males go next— then the females,
their moult being delayed by maternal duties. All
heading for the South of England, where some cross
over to France by Dover and Calais, older birds departing
from our south shores, termed the " South Hams,"
cross the English channel, all companies journeying
through France, but by slightly different routes, and
cross the Mediterranean by way of the Island of Corsica
and Sardinia to Tunis, North Africa, thence South to
Algeria and Tripoli, their winter home. Whilst those
eaving the extreme West of England and Ireland embark
roni Falmouth and the Land's End for Brest, thence
through France, by way of Andorra, coasting to Barce-
ona in Spain, whence the journey is continued south,
probably resting a little on the Balearic Islands in the

i83

^lediterranean. Then on to Algiers, North Africa.
Skirting the Sahara tliey travel on to South Algeria
and Tripoli, some even going so far south as the Nile
Valley.

If at this point I were to call in the assistance of a
pigeon flyer to explain these wor.derful feats, he would
say, "Oh! there's nothing wonderful about it. I have
Pigeons that know the road from France to Barnsley in
Yorkshire. because they have been trained to it, and if they
had served the same apprenticeship as the Swallow and
Martin, in time I would back them for a journey round
the world." Quite true ! It has taken these birds
hundreds of years to extend their breeding ranges to the
British Isles, always coming and going by the same
route, generation after generation, until they have
become thoroughly acquainted with every high hill and
headland, each river and valley, loft}- down, heath, and
forest, indicating the fly line, from which they never
depart. Their route of migration is, in fact, a law of
their own, which, like that of the ]\Iedes and Persians,
changeth not. But, some one may saj-, "Why do they
cross the wide seas, and why not in some cases cross
where one shore nia\' be seen from the other .-'' Can the
imagination of man picture for a moment the time when,
ages ago, there was no English channel — when France
and England joined — when parts of the Continent of
Europe were connected with North Africa by the Islands
of Corsica and Sardinia, and also by Italy and Sicily —
when we could not take ship and sail from Southampton
to Suez ? There would thus have been less difficulty in
crossing over from Africa and Europe to the British
Isles whilst these migratory species were engaged in the
extension of their breeding areas, and although many of
these routes are year by year becoming more difficult
and dangerous, still the descendents of those birds,
which opened out such routes, continue to follow the
same road when passing to and fro — and so it will be till
time with birds and men shall be no more.

David Bet.l.

i84
REVIEW.

^'' Pairakeets : being a Practical Handbook to those species
kept in captivitvr By D. Seth-Smith, F.Z.S.,
M.B.O.U. Parti.

This valuable work, which will, we viiulerstaiul, be
completed in six parts, is published by Mr. R. H. Porter,
of 7, Princes vStreet, Cavendish Square, W., tlie price
being 6/- per part.

The present Editor of the " Avicultural INIagazine,"
is well known to all aviculturists as one of our leading
writers on foreign birds. He shares that position with a
good many others— but he possesses certain qualities (in
particular, sanity of judgment and freedom from
crochets) which elevate him to a somewhat unique
place among avicultural authors — a place which is
becoming every year more assured.

A new work from Mr. Seth - Smith's pen is
consequently sure of a welcome from all lovers of
foreign birds, and we can assure our readers that
" Parrakeets," will fulfil their highest expectations, and
if they are wise enough to become possessors of it, it
will always occupy an honoured corner in their bookcase.

Part I deals with the Lorikeets, the Cockatiel, and
some of the Conures. There are four hand-coloured
plates, figuring seven species.

Mr. Seth-Smith's advice as to the treatment of
Lorikeets is admirable — and we heartily endorse every
word of it. " The food most suitable for Lorikeets in cap-
tivity is, unquestionably, milk-sop (slightly sweetened),
ripe fruit, and seed (canary, hemp and millet) although

very little of the latter is eaten." "I must

not omit to say that the milk-sop for Lorikeets must
always be made with boiling milk, poured on to either
crumb of bread or plain biscuit, and slightly sweetened
with sugar. Needless to add this must be given fresh
dail}', as well as such fruit as soft apple, pear, grapes or
banana."

We kept Lories and Lorikeets for several years on

i85

the above diet — except that we did not sweeten the sop
atKl seldom offered any seed at all. We had, altogether,
five different species — and ?iever lost a single bird. Can
anyone who adopts the seed diet for Lorikeets claim an
equal success ?

Most of the illustrations are by Mr. H. Goodchild,
and are of a high degree of excellence.

"Parrakeets" will undoubtedly be the standard
work on the subject, for aviculturists.

CORRESPONDENCE.

SILKWORMS AS BIRD FOOD.

Sir, — In reply to Mr. Frostick's question in the
April number of "Bird Notes," I must tell him that he
is quite right in supposing that what I inadvertently
termed "dried silkworms" are in the clnysalis stage.
They are siinply wdiat remains of the insect after the
cocoon has been boiled to remove the outer silken part,
and they are sold here under the name of " pacozzi," at
about a penny a pound.

Should Mr. Frostick like to tr\' them, I could send
him a sample by post. I find the birds eat them readily,
and seem to thrive on them ; also this food does not
make the birds smell so bad as when they eat meat.
It is also convenient to have them all the 3'ear round.

G. TOMMASI.

POINT PRIZES.

Sir, — The proposal, that in future the medals of the
F'oreign Bird Club shall only be granted for the most
" points," is open to a very serious objection. Ownng to
the very limited number of Shows at which our medals
■can ba competed for, it would place the small exhibito
outside the most remote chance of ever winning the
coveted honour, there being sufficient large exhibitors to
win, on " points," the few medals we can offer. This alone,

1 86

in my opinion, should be sufficient reason for the Council
to negative the proposition, as we ought not to study the
members as large or small exhil)itors, but simply as
exhibitors, and the medals should be granted only on
the understanding that all members of the Club
exhibiting, should at least have a fair chance of winning
them.

If the object of the proposal is to induce members,
who are small exhibitors, to send more birds to a Show —
sufficient to compete with a fair chance of success —
well and good ; but, for various reasons, most members
are unable to exhibit as largely as they would perhaps
like. Are they to be practically debarred from the com-
petition on that account ?

The argument that there can be no "best" bird
among several bests, is surely rather weak, and seems
dealing with words in their literal, and merely gram-
matical sense. The large exhibitor always has a better
chance of success, even by our present method, than
has the small exhibitor: it is only a matter of simple
proportion.

Again, if the proposal becomes law, the competing
element will, to a very large extent, be eliminated, and
the result in most cases will be quite a foregone
conclusion. I will undertake to name the winners of
our medals when offered at our London Shows (and also
at some of the country ones), before the judging takes
place, if I were shown the list of exhibitors — aye, and in
some cases without seeing it, for large exhibitors do not
spring up in a night like mushrooms.

Agreeing, as we all must, with the proposer's remark,
that " it is not our duty to consider the individual but
the many," and recognising that large exhibitors are
greatly in the minority, I cannot but hope that the
Council will consider the interests of the members
generally, before the interests of those favoured few who
are able to exhibit to their heart's content.

J. A. vSWAN.

i87

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD AND
MULE CLUB.

Committee INIeetiiig held at Headquarters, 5tli June,
1902.

Present : Mr. Pollard (Vice-Chairman), ^Messrs.
Frostick, Vale, Morgan, Jones, C. Cooper, Maxwell, A.
Plumbridge, Devvhurst, Turnber, vSandy, and the Hon.
Secretar}'.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and
confirmed.

Letters were read from Messrs. Boerma, Cockrane,
Crabb, W. H. Cooper, Laskey, Hills, Yallop, Ball, Mrs.
WoodrufiFe, Colton, Cook, Cushny, Wilkinson, Midgley,
Jones, and Gait.

Proposed and seconded that the Hon. Sec. write to
Messrs. Merrifield and Bailey asking them to join as
Committeemen.

Mr. W. H. Cooper having resigned the office ot
Auditor to the Club, it was proposed and seconded that
Mr. C. Cooper be Auditor, which was carried unani-
mously. Mr. Cooper intimated the pleasure it would be
to him to accept the post of Auditor, and that he should
always do his utmost to further the interests of the Club
as far as lay in his power to do so.

Two of the elected Club Judges in the British vSection
having resigned, viz., Messrs. Hills and Cook, the next
on the voting list in that Section being Messrs. Mays
and Devvar, they were elected to the vacant posi-
tions.

The application of the Norwich Alliance All England
Cage-bird Association for the Club's support and
patronage was again before the Committee, and it was
agreed that we grant them one Gold and one Silver
Medal of the Club upon the usual conditions.

The application of the Nottingham and Notts.
Ornithological Society for patronage and support was
next considered, and it was decided that we give them

i88

one Gold and one vSilver Medal of the Club npon the
usual conditions.

Mr. Frostick [proposed that as soon as possible a
classification of British Birds and Hybrids be drawn up
for the guidance of Show Secretaries where our Medals
are given. Seconded b}* Mr. Vale.

Hearty vote of thanks to our Vice-Chairnian closed
the meeting.

A Special General Meeting of the National British
Bird and Mule Club was held at Headquarters on the 29th
Ma3% 1892, convened by requisition of the 14th May,
signed b}' the following gentlemen : — Mr. Boerma, Mr.
Tolhurst, Mr. Jno. Pollard, Mr. Browning, Mr. Jones, Mr.
W. H. Cooper, Mr. Laskey, and Mr. A. E. Cheney.

Present: Mr. Robson (in the Chair), Mr. Pollard (Vice-
Chairman), and the following members of the Club : —
A. Plumbridge, Sandy, Frostick, Morgan, Turnber,
FuUjames, Pollard, Boerma, Laskey, W. H. Cooper,
Merrifield, Vale, Cook, Robson, Maxwell, C. Cooper,
Dewhurst, Chatterton, Tolhurst, Jones, Dickery, and the
Hon. vSecretary.

The Hon. Sec. having read the requisition,

A long discussion was entered upon as to the voting
papers not being sent to the members as in the requi-
sition. Nearly all those present taking part in the
discussion. Messrs. Laskey, W. H. Cooper, and Mr.
Fulljames taking the lead.

At Mr. Laskey's request the Chairman put the pro-
position as to whether voting papers should be sent to all
members in accordance with the requisition, wdiich was
lost by 13 votes to 7. Mr. S. Cook then proposed a
resolution, seconded by Mr. Laske}^ " That the resolu-
tion proposed by Mr. Frostick, and seconded b}' Mr.
Sand}', on the 3rd April, and confirmed on the ist May,
be rescinded, the same being detrimental to the Club,"
which was lost by 13 against and i for — 4 members not
voting.

i89

Some discussion took place as to the power of this
Special General Meeting to rescind the resolution when
once passed, but it was generally agreed that a resolution
could only be rescinded at the Annual General Meeting.

Before the conclusion of the meeting a hearty vote
of thanks to our Chairman and Vice-Chairman was
passed — they having conducted a very important and
difficult meeting.

W. A. LOTT, Hon. Sec,

103, Cheapside, E.C.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

NOTICES TO MEMBERS.

I would direct the attention of all our members to
the prize competition for contributions to the pages of
"Bird Notes," the particulars of which are given below.
The prizes will this year be given by two of the officers
of the Club, The first prize will be of the value of not
less than £1 is. od. The nature of the prizes will be
published later.

I should be glad if those of our members who are
interested in Shows would look through the draft Show
Classifications published in the January number of
" Foreign Bird Notes," and communicate with me if
they wish to propose any amendments to them. Anj-
suggestions will, I am sure, be carefully considered by
the Show Committee of the Council. It seems rather
early to begin to make arrangements for the next vShow
season, but it is well to take time by the forelock.

The question of "Point Prizes" versus "Best Bird
Specials " threatens to become a burning one. There is
a great deal to be said on both sides. From the point of
view of Show Committees, of course point prizes are to
be preferred, because they tend to larger entries, and are
less likely to lead to disputes. Judges also naturall}'
prefer them, as they relieve them from a difficult and

igo

invidious task. But I beiieve the majority of exhibitors
do not view them with favour. I would suggest that
when we give more than one prize at a Show, our
specials should be divided, some being given for points
and some for the best bird, but that in the case of point
prizes not more than a limited number of entries in each
■class should count for points, and that most of our
prizes should continue to be given on the old system.
I offer this suggestion, for what it is worth, for the
•consideration of both ])arties to the controversy, neither
•of whom is likelv to convert the other.
HORATIO R. FILIyMER,

Hon. Sec. FOREIGN BiRD Cr.UB,

52, Ship Street, Brighton.

"BIRD NOTES" PRIZE COMPETITION.
At the end of the current year of the Club, each
member shall, on the voting paper for the election of
officers, vote for the member who has, in his opinion,
during the year, contributed matter to "Bird Notes" on
the subject of foreign birds of the greatest value and
interest. The member receiving most votes shall gain
the first prize, and the next the second prize. The Editor
will of course not compete.

NEW MEMBERS ELECTED.
Mr. R. CoivTON, 244, Bramall Lane, vSheffield.
Messrs. R. Hyde & Co., Ltd., Harold Street,

Camberwell, S.I\.
Mr. Henry Forti^agk, vSuffolk House, Weybridge.

NEW MEMBERS PROPOSED.
Mr. George Bradshaw, Talbot Terrace, Lytham.

Proposed by Mr. HARRISON.
JNIiss CoLi^iER, 119, Ring Henry's Road,

South Hampstead.
Proposed by Mr. vStorEY.

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192

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB MARKET.

The charge for advertisements is one penny for each bird named.
Advertisements must be concisely worded, and clearly written
on a separate sheet of paper, with the name and address
of advertiser at the foot. The fee must in all cases be pre-
paid in stamps. The Hon. Sec. is authori.sed to decline
Advertisements which he considers undesirable. Advertise-
ments for the next issue must reach the Hon. Sec. not
later than 15th July.

For Sale — Btitler's " Foreign Finches in Captivity " :
original edition, with hand-coloured plates, half
morocco, quite tmsoiled, /,"5 5s. od.

Dr. Simpson, 2, Portland Road, Hove.

All acclimatized and out of doors for months — Egret,
white and blue, very tame, full of beautiful plumes,
rare; Chattering Lory, good talker; Purple-capped
Lory, soon talk ; Australian Shrike, splendid
songster; Black-throated Laughing Thrush; Rosy
Pastor, full plumage; Australian Crested Doves,
Cockatiels, Zebra Finclies, Spice Birds, Zebra Doves,
Zebra Waxbills, Java Sparrows.

Grand outdoor straight wire aviary, cost ^25,
packs flat, all bolted together, price ;^"i5 or near offer.
Gii.r„ Bexley Heath, Kent.

Wanted — Hen Blue Robin, and hen vShania, must be
acclimatized and from otitdoor aviary.

Gir.L, Bexley Heath, Kent.

All bird lovers should read " Meating-off and Feeding
Soft-bills" : gives full information on the practical
management of insectiyorous birds in captivity, with
notes on the different foods used, hand rearing, bird
trapping, cages, etc. Price 6M., post free, from the
author— John Frostick,

Ready shortly.'] 18, Temperley Road, Balham, S.W.

All comitiunkations for " Bii'd Notes, ''^ in reference to
the British Bird and Hybrid department should be
addressed to the Hon. Sec. of the National British Bird
and Mule Club, and act conimtinications in reference to
Foreign Birds to the Hon. Sec. of the Foreign Bird Club.

J93

A CHAFFINCH SINGING MATCH.

By Ar.BKRT Rkttich.

Soiiie years ago, when writing for some foreign
weeklies, I gave an acconnt of a lyondou Chaffinch
singing match wliich met with some approval, and it has
occurred to me that a translation might be of interest.

The natural song of the Chaffinch, in spite of its
brevity and consequent reiteration, finds many admirers
in all countries. Man, however, is constantly endeavour-
ing to improve upon Nature, and although in some
directions his efforts had better not have been made, yet it
must be admitted that the song of many wild birds can
be trained to please the human ear better than Nature's
teacliing.

Scarcely any two wild Chaffinches sing exactly the
same strophe; caged nestlings are therefore trained to
imitate the songs of two or three different old birds,
neither of whose strain resembles the others. Clever
youngsters learn to sing each of the several songs in
turn, thus combining in one bird the vocal powers of
them all. Such accomplished songsters as these are
greatly appreciated by the amateur, but they are not used
in singing matches, points in such competitions being
awarded only for the frequency with which the bird
repeats the one strophe of his natural song; and a
champion "battler" at singing matches would by no
means be a desirable cage bird, the objectionable
re-iteration of only one short strophe having been
encouraged to such an extent that a really "good match
singer" will repeat the same " lay " some 250 times in a
quarter-of-an-hour, which is the ordinary time limit of
singing matches.

My foreign readers had the account of one match
inflicted upon them, which runs somewhat as follows :

A match, arranged between " Costermonger Joe," of
Bricklane, and "Long Bill," of Kingsland, is announced
by the landlord of the "Cock and Bottle," of Shoreditch,
to be brought off, say, on Saturday week. The fraternity

194

know the combatants, " Shoreditch Bobby " and "the
Kingsland Roarer," to be "stunners." All love a good
match, especially when it becomes known that the
winner will "stand" a gallon or two of beer to his
friends who grace the meeting with their presence. The
stakes, of a sovereign each, are already handed over to
the genial host, and the time for the finches to be "on
the nail" is fixed for eight p.m. precisely.

At last the long expected hour approaches. The bar
is full, and the parlor nearl}- so. There are a few women
enjoying their " quarterns," some carrying the inevitable
baby ; and a crowd of men, whose short black pipes are
not likely to get cold again that evening. Many of
them are loaded with one or two square parcels wrapped
in colored neckkerchiefs, from which issue the songs of
various birds— Linnets, Goldfinches, Mules, and Chaff-
finches. Possibly further singing contests are now being
fixed.

In the parlor all the gas-jets are lighted, but have
some troul)le to penetrate the fumes of tobacco, beer, etc.
At last the contesting parties enter, each dressed in his
Sunday best. The host conducts them through the
welcoming crowd to two reserved tables, and attends
personally to the wants of the honored guests. Then,
with much noise and unnecessary reiteration, order is
requested. Naturally the various songsters before
mentioned, excited by the general hubbub, have been
noisier than ever, and are now relegated to darkness in
another room, to quiet them ; only the two principals
remain, closely covered up.

The two markers take their places, and as the clock
strikes, the two cages are uncovered and hung up. The
battlers look round for a moment, shake their plumage,
whet their beaks, and one may take a grain of seed, but
before it is cracked he hears a familiar call-note uttered
by his opponent. Immediately he replies b}^ a full
strophe of his song, to which the other answers with
fuller power. Before each marker is already a stroke of
his chalk, and now the combat is fairly started. The

195

chalks are busily employed to mark each properly
delivered strophe, and keep pace with each other for a
time, until Bobby takes it into his head to betake him-
self to his food-trough.

Meanwhile the Roarer continues steadily to pour
out his heart and gains considerably in chalk marks.
Costermonger Joe is getting very uneasy, and cannot
understand this new trick of his much-renowned bird.
Never before did he think of food while in the presence
of an opponent. In order to draw his bird's attention
upon himself and from the food-trough, lie moves
uneasily in his seat, and ventures at last to cough aloud.

It must be understood that, while a match is pro-
ceeding, no words of encouragement are allowed, no
whistling or other means may be resorted to in order to
recall a truant to his duty. Fair play is rigorously
enforced.

At last Joe can stand it no longer ; accide?itally his
beer-glass gets knocked over, and falls on the floor with
much clatter. Bobb}- peers across the room to ascertain
the cause of the unusual disturbance and catches sight
of his master, and immediately he resumes his battle-cry.
The ruse has succeeded, although there is a tumbler to
pay for.

The chalk marks on the table are getting very
numerous. The Roarer has challenged without a fault
for thirteen minutes, and is forty points ahead of Bobby,
but now he feels rather dry ; he stops working, takes
a drink of water and — hops to the food-box. But
Kingsland Bill does not give his bird time to lose ground
by feeding, in the same way that the other had done.
In a moment he produces the brightly-coloured neck-
kerchief the Roarer knows so well, and pretends to wipe
the perspiration from his anxious brow. His finch takes
the hint and gallops through the remaining two minutes
of the appointed fifteen in grand style. Bobby also had
tried hard to make up for the precious time he had lost
so wantonly, but could not recover all of it. Although

196

credited with 252 marks, the Roarer beat him b\' 28
strokes.

Immiediately, protest is entered by Costeniionger
Joe, fair play having been violated by the use of the
colored cloth. Bill retorts by calling into question the
fairness of the beer-glass episode. One word leads to
another, the spectators mingle in the strife, expressions
ot opinion and sympath}- with either party are getting
more and more select, and a battle of another kind
seems imminent. Joseph declares he has won, but Long
William insists on " fighting " him for the stakes. This
mode of settling the question being declined by Joe, the
landlord is called upon to exercise his functions of
umpire. With characteristic disinterestedness, he declares
the whole affair null and void, and orders a fresh match
to be sung for the same stakes that day week, and on the
same spot.

Tlie original publication of the above description of
a Chaffinch singing match was with the object of illus-
trating some of the means resorted to to induce the
birds to sing at their best. Ordinarih', birds are
encouraged by whistling or speaking to them, but such
highly-trained specimens as the two mentioned, can be
recalled from any lapse of dut}' b\^ certain signs or
movements of their masters, of which those described
above form but a small part.

[The article by Mr. Rettich, "A Chaffinch Singing
Match," was published some five or six years ago in a
contemporary monthly magazine. I remembered it
quite well, and it occurred to me to approach Mr.
Rettich with a view to re-publishing it in our Journal :
feeling that it would appeal to British bird fanciers,
who, in all probability, have never read it before. Mr.
Rettich kindly consented to let me have it for the benefit
of his fellow-members. — W. A. L.]

197

PARROTS AND PARRAKEETS.

By Dr. C. vS. Simpson.

(Contimied from page i']6) .

The Smai,!, vSHORT-TAir.KD Parrots. {Agapomis,
Pslttaciila, Loricnlus). — The last group of vShort-tailed
Parrots we have to consider are the small parrots called
Lovebirds {Agapomis). and with them we may con-
veniently take the Passerine Parrot [Psittacula), and the
Hanging Parrots {Loricuhis), bearing in mind, however,
that the latter, though frequently called Lovebirds, are
wrongly so termed, and that the name should properly
be restricted to the members of the genus Agapomis.
Seven species of this genus are known, aird they inhabit
the Western and South -Western portions of Africa,
Abyssinia, and Madagascar. Three species are regularly
imported: the Grey-headed or Madagascar, tlie Red-
faced, and the Peach-faced Lovebirds. All of these are
easily kept on millet and canary seed. They are dull,
listless, and not very interesting when kept in cages, but
in an aviary they are active enongh. The Gre\'-headed
and Peach-faced will breed readily in confinement, but
the Red-faced has not hitherto been known to do so in
this country, nor I believe in Pvurope. Little appears to
be known of the nesting habits of the Lovebirds in a
state of nature, but in captivity they nest in hollow logs
or cocoa nut husks, and the hen lines the cavity with
pieces of straw and similar materials, which she conveys
to the nest by inserting them among the feathers of her
back. This habit is, as far as I am aware, confined to
the true Lovebirds. The sexes of the Peach-faced Love-
bird are similar, and this constitutes a practical difficulty
in breeding them. The male Madagascar is distinguished
from his mate at a glance by his grey head. The sexes
are rather more difficult to distinguish in the Red-faced
species, but the face has a decidedly more orange tint in
the hen, and the under wing coverts, which are black in
the male, are green in the hen.

198

The Passerine Parrot [Psittacula passerina) is
often called the Blue-winged Love-bird. It is a native
of Brazil. It requires the same food as the Love-birds,
and will breed in confinement.

The Hanging Parrots {Loriadus) form another
group of tiny Parrots, varying from four to six inches in
length. Twenty species are known, but onl}' two are
imported. They are found throughout India and Ceylon,
Burmah, the Philippine Islands, the Malay Peninsula, and
adjacent Islands. The two species kept in this country'
are the Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot {L. galgulus), and
the Ceylonese (Z. indicus). Their habits, at any rate in
captivity, resemble the Lories, and the}' require some-
what similar treatment, but their anatomy, especiall}- the
absence of the brushy tongue, proves that this resem-
blance is but superficial, and that their true relationship
is to the Love-birds. Their popular name indicates
their habit of hanging head downwards, which is their
favourite attitude when at rest.

These little Parrots are very beautiful and are more
active and interesting in a cage than the Love-birds, but
the}' are difficult to keep alive in this country, trouble-
some to feed, and very dirty in their habits. They are
birds for the experienced aviarist, not for the beginner.
The diet usually recommended for them in captivity is
boiled rice sweetened with Demarara sugar. Those
which I kept, however, did not thrive on this food, and
I found that bread soaked in milk and squeezed out,
sponge cake, and plenty of ripe banana, were more
suitable. After a time they learned to eat canary seed, but
would never take very much of it. They would never
touch ants' eggs or other insect food. They did not
appear to be very susceptible to cold.

The Blue-crowned Parrot is green, with a blue spot
on the crown, a triangular gold-coloured mark in the
interscapular region, and a scarlet patch on the throat.
The scarlet patch is absent in the hen, and her colours
are duller. The Ceylone.se Hanging Parrot is also green ;
pileum and upper tail coverts scarlet; nape and inter-

199

scapular region tinged with orange ; cheeks and throat
bluish. The female is like the male.

The true Parrots, which I have so far been describ-
ing, have heads which are large in proportion to the size
of their bodies, and short square tails. The Parrakeets,
which we are now about to consider, have heads which
are smaller in proportion to the size of the bird, and long
tails which are in most cases more or less pointed. The
distinction, therefore, between Parrots and Parrakeets is
not one of size, as is sometimes supposed, and, as a
matter of fact, the smallest members of the famil}-
Psiitnci avQ found among the tiny short-tailed Parrots of
the East Indian Islands, while some of the largest mem-
bers are found among the Macaws, which have long and
pointed tails.

THii Macaws [Am) are found in Central and vSouth
America, one species being found in Cuba and one in
Trinidad. The}' are mostly birds of great size and
gorgeous plumage, but there are several species not
larger than the Alexandrine Parrakeet. They live in
pairs during the breeding season, each pair occupying a
hollow tree in which the hen lays two white eggs. At
other times they fly about in flocks, doing great damage
to the crops. The birds which are imported are almost
always specimens that have been taken from the nest
and reared by hand, and are, therefore, tame and tract-
able. They are hard}', easily fed, and live to a great age
in captivity. They learn to speak, usually in a harsh
guttural voice, but are not particularly intelligent or
affectionate. They may be fed on various kinds of grain,
oats, maize, and hemp, with nuts and fruit. The}' are
usually kept singly, chained by the leg to a stand, but a
very large cage in which they can get more exercise is
preferable. The largest of the Macaws, and probabh' of
all the Parrots, is the gigantic Hyacinthine IMacaw, which
measures no less than three feet in length, and is of a
cobalt blue colour, with the exception of the naked skin
round the eye and at the base of the lower mandible,
which is 3'ellow. Unlike the other Macaws, which nest

ill hollow trees, according to the orthodox Parrot
custom, the Hyaciiitliine INIacaw is said to make a
burrow in the ])anks of a stream, in which the hen
deposits two eggs. The}' rear two broods each year.
The Glaucous Macaw resembles the Hyacinthine in
colour, but is smaller. Spix's Macaw is the smallest and
the rarest of the blue ]\Iacaws. Nineteen species of
Macaws are known altogether. Those which are usually
kept by amateurs are the Red and Blue {A. macao)^
the Red and Yellow [A. chloroptera), the Blue and Yellow
\A. aramtaia), and the INIilitary ]Macaw {A. rnilitaris).
Among the smaller species are lUigers {A. mamcana), and
the Noble Macaw (A. nobilis).

(To he CotitinueJj .

THE NUTHATCH,

{Sitta ccesia. Wolf.)

This interesting little bird, though common in most
of the Southern Counties where old timber abounds,
does not appear to be kept in captivity in very great
numbers ; at ain' rate, it is not often that one sees it
upon tlie Show bench, and still less frequently is it
rewarded with a first prize — which may perhaps account
for exhibitors not troubling to keep specimens of this
species.

As regards plumage, it is certainly an attractive little
creature. The legs are short and very strong, which
enables it to run either up or down a tree-trunk and to
cling head downward whilst cracking a nut or killing a
beetle, of which it is very fond. It is easil}' kept in
good health and condition when fed upon the usual
insectivorous diet, but I have little doubt it would thrive
well upon monke}^ - nuts, sunflower seed, walnuts
(cracked), and chestnuts. It appears to be fond of
almost ail}' kind of uut. One or two mealworms may
be given occasionally, more as a luxur\' than a necessit}'.
The Nuthatch I have is very fond of bathing, even in
the depth of winter; and if mine is not an exception.

tlie)^ should, where possible, be given a plentiful supply
of clean water.

As regards the cage — this should, in my opinion, not
be an inch less than two feet long, b%^ ten inches wide,
and fifteen inches high ; the back being covered with
virgin cork. It should contain three perches. But I
consider that a Nuthatch will do far better in an outdoor
aviary, where he will be quite happy the whole year
round. A few cocoa-nut husks should be hung up at the
back near the top, and some virgin cork also fixed to the
back of the aviary. I have had a very nice example of
this species in my outdoor aviary since the end of 1897,'
and he always appears in the best of condition, and has
won for me a few prizes, including one at the Crystal
Palace Show of February, 1901.

There is one point much in favour of the Nuthatch
and that is that it will not interfere with other occupants
of the aviary, although I have found it impossible to
keep more than one pair together : or even more than
one specimen with safety, as I have learned to my regret.
The sexes are as near as possible alike in plumage, and if
a mistake were made and two males placed together,
there would sure to be murder in a very short time.

S. Sandy.

"SILKWORMS AS BIRD FOOD."

A paper read at a meeting of the N. B. B. &• M. C.
By John Frostick.
No doubt many of you have seen in " Bird Notes"
the correspondence under the above heading, between
the Countess Tomassi Baldelli and m3-self, referring to
what the Countess termed " Dried Silkworms." I re-
membered to have seen for the first time, some twelve
months ago, at Lord Wallscourt's house a quantity of
silkworm chrysalides or pupce from which the silken
cocoon had been removed after the insect had first been
killed in boiling water, and I came to the conclusion that
these must be what the Countess meant by dried silk-
worms, especially as Lord Wallscourt had obtained his

on the Continent. The last letter of the Countess
confirms my su]:)position. A week or two ago Lord
Wallscourt called upon me on his return from Turin,
and throufili his kindness I am able to exhibit to you
to-night a sample of this Italian insectivorous bird food,
which I have no doubt is as new and interesting to you
as it is to myself. The history of the silkworm moth
{Botnhyx tnori) is an interesting one, upon which many
pages could be written. The art of making the fabric
we call silk from the fibres with which the larva
enwraps itself before changing into the chrysalis, was
probably first discovered 1)}^ the Chinese at a very early
period. In course of time the silkworm was imported
into Kurope, and I believe at the present time the
cultivation of the mulberry tree, (the leaves of which
form the natural food of the silkworm), and the rearing
of the insect, is an important branch of commerce in
Ital}', Spain, and France, giving occupation to many
thousands of persons. Nmv it seems most likely that
the silkworm will be put to uses never thought of. in
England before, viz., as a food for birds, and as Mr. Jesse
says in his "Gleanings": "Thus completing the
adaptation of the insect in its different stages to the
purposes it is destined to fulfil for our advantage,
illustrating the care and kindness of the Almighty in
thus making an apparently insignificant insect the
means of so many important benefits to man." I
understand that in Ital}' these silkworm chrysalides are
to be had in any quantity at about id. per pound. Lord
Wallscourt told me that when he first saw them heaped
up on the stalls in the market places of Naples, Florence,
and elsewhere, he thought they were raisins, which they
much resemble in appearance. As a food for birds I
have not yet used them myself, but those birds I have
seen which had been largely fed on them seemed to be in
a very happy, contented state of mind. Before being
ii.sed they are crushed into a coarse powder, and in Italy
take the place of ants' eggs. I myself look upon them
as a very valuable addition to the foods we already have.

203

A FOREIGN AVICULTURISrS BOOKSHELF.

By II. R. FilvLMER.

I have been asked to write a series of short articles
on "■ ]:)Ooks for foreign-bird keepers " — and in the l^elief
that such articles may be of assistance to some of our
readers, I am about to comply with the request.

I shall write about the ])ooks only which are upon
my own shelves. My collection of bird-books is con-
siderable, but there are, of course, many excellent works
upon our sulyect which I do not possess. The fact that
I do not mention any particular work must not be
regarded as an indication that I think badly of it, but
merely that I do not own a copy.

" Foreign Cage Birds,'''' by C. W. Gednev. This was
published by " The Bazaar" Office, I believe in 1879, and
has long been out of print. It appeared in the pages of
" The Bazaar " newspaper prior to its publication in
book form. It is in two volumes — the first and smaller
volume treats of Parrots, and the second and larger one
of other birds. The author would seem to have been a
retired naval officer, who died, I believe, some years ago.

Mr. Gedney wrote in an interesting way with a
considerable knowledge of his subject, and the book was
undoubtedly, in its day, a useful one. One of its most
aggravating faults is its want of arrangement — the
Indigo Finch is placed next after the Orange-cheeked
Waxbill, and the Bearded Tit is next to the Double-
banded Finch. In every respect it is inferior to Mr.
Wiener's work (only a very little later in date) and now that
there are so many better books obtainable, I should not
advise the aviculturist to invest in the purchase of
" Gedney" with the intention of using it as a practical
handbook to his hobby.

The author implies, rather than actually states, that
he had succeeded in breeding a number of species which
are now well known to very seldom breed successfully in
this country. It is possible that the breeding successes
were as numerous as he would apparently wish one to

204

suppose — but one cannot help feeliug that he draws
heavily upon the faith of his readers. For instance, he
tells us about the Grey Waxbill — "I have never been
able to get more than one or two young ones in a season from
these birds under the most favourable conditions." The
Sydney Waxbill has "been bred b}' everyone who has
tried the experiment." Magpie IMannikins "will raise
an incredible number of young." Black-headed Manni-
kins " have been bred by m3-self and several persons of
m}' acquaintance." The Combassou nests "readily in
aviaries without artificial heat." These quotations are
sufficient to show that Mr. Geduey's breeding experiences
differed somewhat remarkably from those of aviculturists
generalh'.

A good many questionable statements can be picked
out of the book. We are told that Ribbon Finches
" seldom rear their young in an outdoor aviary," and
that Bronze Mannikins (which fly like sky rockets) are
" feeble flyers."

It is not fair to judge, by the standard of the present
day, a work on foreign cage birds written nearly a
quarter of a century ago. We of to-day benefit by the
experiences of our predecessors, but Mr. Gedney was a
pioneer, and had to rely almost entirely on his own
observation. If we bear this in mind, we shall not be
unduly critical of his book.

[To he Continued).

CORRESPONDENCE.

BULLFINCHES NEvSTING IN CAPTIVITY.

Sir, — It may interest some readers of " Bird Notes"
to hear I have a Bullfinch that lias successfully
reared a nest of young in \\\\ bird-room. These little
birds were most uufortunateh' pulled out of the nest b}'
(I believe) a Java Sparrow, who has now paid the extreme
penalty of the law. The Bullfinch has built again and
is sitting, and I am anxiously awaiting results. The
murdered birds were nearlv readv to leave the nest.

205

Plave many instances been known of Bnllfinches
nesting in a bird-room ? Isabeli^a Bp^i.ford Wii^son.

SPICE BIRD— BENGALESK.

Sir, — It may interest some members of the Foreign
Bird Club to hear that I have bred the above cross this
season in my bird-room, the father being a Spice-bird
and the mother a Bengalese : the young birds are brown,
for the most part, but I see their coverts are beginning
to have a faintly spotted appearance, similar to the
breast of the Spice-bird ; in one only the under part of
the breast is white, with a white spot on the forehead
and under the chin.

There are five of these interesting little birds : the}-
are about three months old and are wonderfully strong
and healthy. ISABEi^i^A BEI.FORD Wir.sON.

OUTDOOR AVAIRIES— A SUGGESTION.

Sir, — It has long l^een recognised as a fact that
foreign birds, even those supposed to be the most
delicate, will bear a surprising amount of cold and
exposure in outdoor aviaries, and will live very much
longer under such conditions than when kept in the care-
fully regulated temperature of a bird-room. Aviculturists,
I believe, have generally attributed this rather vaguely
to the " more natural conditions of life," or to the
'• greater amount of exercise " thus obtained. In the
light, however, of the very great success obtained by the
open-air treatment of tuberculous diseases in the human
subject, there can be, I think, no doubt that the true
reason is to be found in the influence of fresh air and
sunlight in preventing the development of consumption
and other tuberculous diseases in birds. The conditions
under wdiich consumptive patients live in the open-air
sanatoria are curiously similar to those of birds in aviaries:
while sheltered as far as possible from cold winds, they are
exposed to the open-air night and day in all weathers,
and the}' live, eat, and sleep in roonis from which all
windows have been removed. Under these conditions

206

even advanced cases of consumption rapidly improve,
and in many cases recover completelv. For the benefit
of tender-hearted (that is of all) aviculturists I may state
that the constant exposure is not disagreeable : patients
very soon learn to enjoy it, they never " catch cold."

On the other hand, I ma}' point out that the
conditions which obtain in bird- dealers shops appear to
have been specially designed for the propagation of
consumption : overcrowding, warmth, and want of
cleanliness are the conditions most favourable to the
spread of the tubercle bacillus, and are found to per-
fection, at least in some shops with which I am
acquainted. C. S. Simpson.

THE CUCKOO.

Sir, — Your readers may be interested in the
following account of observations of the habits of the
Cuckoo, from last week's " Fishing Gazette."

" On June 2nd, 1899, Mr. Craig found a Meadow
Pipit's nest with two Cuckoo's eggs and three Meadow
Pipit's eggs in it. Mr. Craig thinks the Cuckoos eggs
must have been laid by different birds, as they differed in
colour, size, and shape. He broke one of the Pipit's
eggs to ascertain how far incubation had advanced, so as
to determine when to resume his observations. By June
8th both Cuckoos were hatched, and one Pipit's egg was
found lying outside the nest, and the other was missing —
Mr. Craig thinks the Cuckoos had thrown it out and the
parents had carried it away.

" At first the two young Cuckoos got on all right, but
soon the stronger got the weaker one on its back and
tried its hardest to throw it out, the other clinging to the
nest with its claws. After a bit they both became exhaus-
ted but presently they renewed the struggle, and on
revisiting the nest on June 9th one of the Cookoos was
found out of the nest. Before returning it he put in a
young Pipit, and the young Cuckoo repeatedly got it on
its back and backed with it to the side of the nest, but

207

each time the Pipit got jauibed near the top. The other
Cuckoo was then returned and the struggle re-com-
menced, sometimes the birds put their beaks aud heads
against the opposite side of the nest to get more
purchase, before climbing. vSeveral times the top bird
tumbled over the other's head, probably intentionally.

" On June lotli one Cuckoo was found out of the nest
and, on being returned, was at once thrown out by tlie
other ; it was then returned, and the strong one removed
for an hour to give the weak one time to recover. When
the stronger bird was put back, the weaker one made
several unsuccessful attempts to throw it out, and then
got over on one side, endeavouring to keep the stronger
bird from getting under it, and held on with its claws to
the side of the nest. The nest was then bolstered up, to
give the weak bird a chance to recover. On June nth,
the weak one had disappeared altogether.

" The Pipits paid no attention to the young Cuckoo,
when outside the nest, even when it was sitting on the
edge of it. Mr. Craig then put a young Yellow Bunting
in beside the young Cuckoo, but it was promptly thrown
out.

"Mr, Craig found another Cuckoo's egg in a nest con-
taining four Meadow Pipit's eggs, and this time the
young Cuckoo threw out all the Pipit's eggs before it
was 24 hours old."

Whilst on the subject of Cuckoos, it has struck me
as strange that the Koal, or Brain-fever Bird, of India,
should lay in the House Crow's nest in India, and in the
nest of the Mynah (the young of which are black) in one
of the Islands of the Indian Archipelago. It looks as if
it were doubtful whether the fact of the young of both
sexes being black (the hen turning brown on arriving at
maturity and the cock remaining black) were the cause
of its preference for the nests of black birds, or whether
instinct was the cause of its differing from most other
birds by the young of both sexes taking after the cock
in plumage. Chas. Cushny.

208

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD AND
MULE CLUB.

Committee Meeting held at Headquarters, 3rd July,
1902.

Present : Mr. Robson (Chairman), Messrs. A. Plum-
bridge, Sandy, Merrifield, Frostick, Vale, Jones, C.
Cooper, Maxwell, Tolhurst, INIorgan, Dewhurst, and the
Hon. Secretary.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and
confirmed.

Letters were read from Messrs. lyumsden, Jonas,
Yallop, Wilkinson, Merrifield, and Hoyle. The Norwich
Alliance All England Cage Bird Association stated that,
while thanking the Club for its support and patronage,
they were placed in a fix by the fact that they had
secured the services of Mr. Hills as one of the Club's
Judges, in accordance with our usual conditions, but Mr.
Hills had since resigned. The Committee unanimously
agreed that they could not alter the rules governing the
grants of the Medals.

The application of the Cupar and District Ornitho-
logical vSociety was referred back to the Secretary for
revision — the Classification being inadequate.

The application for support by the West London
Fanciers' Association for their vShow on the 12th and 13th
November was granted. One Gold Medal as usual, and
one Gold Medal for Members who had never won a
Medal.

It was unanimously agreed to ask Mr. Urch to be a
Committeeman.

Mr. Hoyle, of Bristol, submitted to the Committee a
living specimen of a bird that he was unable to identify.
The same was an ordinary " vSuow Bunting."

An interlude was pleasantly employed by the
members present enjoying the contents of a huge
basket of strawberries presented by the Assistant Hon.
Secretary (Mr. Plunibridge).

209

The actual urj^eut business of the Committee being
finished, Mr. Frostick read a most interesting paper on
SILKWORMS AS BIRD FOOD.

A sample of the chrysalides or pupse was handed
round to those present, the general opinion being that if
crushed and added to the foods now given it would be
a very valuable change of diet.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Frostick
for his researches into the subject and for bringing it
before the Committee of the N. B. B. & IM. C. Mr.
F'rostick, in acknowledging same, handed the paper to
the Hon. Secretary for the Magazine.

Mr. Robson proposed that the Club should inaugurate
rambles in the country for the purpose of observing wild
bird life. He thought that our Club ought to be fore-
most in encouraging :^he observation of wild birds. His
idea at once took practical shape, and it was decided to
have an excursion to Leatherhead on July 19th. A
dozen names were received of members willing to join in
the ramble, and the Hon. vSec. undertook to make all the
arrangements.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.

Will members kindly note that there will not be
any " Notes " published in August, nor any meeting of
the Committee until September.

W. A. IvOTT, //on. Sec,

National British Bird & Mule Club,

103, Cheapside, Ivondon, E.C.

NOTES.

I sincerely regret that I omitted Mr. C. Cooper's
name from the list of subscribers to Mr. Fulljames'
testimonial.

1 should be glad if Goldfinch fanciers would make a
study of the white markings on the wings of their pets,

and give me the results, I am told that the shape
thereof is an indication of their origin — in the Britishers
the markings lie transverse]}-, and in the foreigners
point downwards at times quite perpendicularly.

I hope members have not entirely forgotten our Sale
and Exchange Column, which should be a good medium
now for excliangiiig birds, or obtaining the various
species desired. They have probably noticed the F, B.
Market which is supported so well. This should be an
incentive to the members of the N. B. B. & M. C. to
avail themselves of our similar column.

Our Treasurer is now anxiously awaiting the arrival
of many more subscriptions, which are now overdue.
Members must seriously consider that we are this year
incurring heavy expenses ; our printers' bills have to be
met, and many applications for our support will shortly
be made b}' Show Committees desirous of our Gold and
Silver Medals, and it will be the duty of my Committee
to consider the advisablitity or not of sending the
monthly Magazine to those who have not paid their
subscriptions.

The competition for the medal to be awarded to the
member introducing the greatest number of new mem-
bers is not very keen. It is a very choice specimen of
the medallists' art.

I hear some more whisperings of Pied and Albino
Robins. Come, Mr. Turuber, let us know the facts ?

I regret extremely the action of Messrs. Hills and
Cook in resigning their membership of the Club, espec-
iall5^as we are now approaching the Show season.

I am sure all members of the Club will feel gratified
by the election of Mr. Mays of Kingscliflfe, and Mr.
Dewar of KdinV)urgh, as official Judges of the Club, both
being so well known as past masters in the art of exhibi-
ting British birds. Messrs. Mays and Dewar were two of

the original members of the British Bird Chib under the
Secretaryship of the late Dr. Bradburn.

One of our members has suggested that we should
issue some coloured plates of various British birds and
hybrids. The idea is good, and I feel sure that they
would be highly appreciated, but unless some member
with a rather deep pocket can supply the needful, I am
afraid we shall have to wait a long time for that idea to
become accomplished fact.

I am very anxious for sotne more copy for our
Magazine. I notice some of our members are writing
some good articles for publication in the fancy news-
papers. I hope they will not forget to look at home
first.

I have received some letters appreciative of the
Magazine and of my work. I should be very much
more encouraged if many more new members of the
Club were proposed. We shall fall short of the 200
which I hoped we should secure by the end of the year,
if more names are not sent in. The subscription of five
shillings is small considering the value given to the
members.

Let me repeat again that I, or any member of the
Committee, will be pleased to advise any beginners as to
the treatment of their birds, should they at any time be
in a fix.

I should be glad of some notes on Mules, especially
as to the breeding of the various crosses during the
current season.

Any suggestions in reference to the already pub-
lished vStandards, excepting those for the Goldfinch and
Bullfinch, will be duly considered before they are passed
by the Committee.

All members will, I am sure, congratulate Mr.
Houlton upon his convalescence. May his health be

212

completely restored ere another Show season is upon ns.

Let me ask our country members for some " Birdy
Notes." The\- are highly appreciated b\- their fellow-
members who are living in the laud of bricks and
mortar.

W. A. LOTT,

Hon. Sec. N. B. B. «& :\L C.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

NOTICES TO MEMBERS.

The prizes in the competition for contributions to
"Bird Notes" will this year be given jointly by Mr.
Oakey and myself. The first prize will be of the value
of one guinea, and the second of half a guinea. We
have decided to leave the selection of the prizes to the
recipients.

It has been decided to offer a prize of the value of
half a guinea to the member who shall propose the
largest number of new members during the year. In
this case also the nature of the prize is to be determined
by the winner.

The Show Committee of the Council have decided
that all Medals of the Club shall hencefoith be given for
points. The details of the regulations in regard to the
Medals are now under consideration, and the result will
shortly be published.

The members have now had time to read and con-
sider last year's Balance Sheet. The deficit of £'j is
much to be regretted, but is scarcely a matter of surprise
considering our heav\- expenses last year, and our small
membership. When we started " Foreign Bird Notes "
we had only 20 members, and although our numbers rose
to over 80 before the end'of the year, the new members
were not secured without a large expenditure on postage.
I hope that we shall this 3-ear make both ends meet, but
I fear that we can hardh' expect, in addition, to make up

213

this deficit out of the ordinary income. I commend Mr.
Swan's ingenious scheme to the generosity of the mem-
bers, and if there are any wlio prefer to contribute cash
instead of birds, I shall be pleased to receive donations,
however small.

I shall be very glad to receive suggestions from
members as to the Club or " Bird Notes." Probably
there are many ways in which the usefulness of both
could be increased — if we only know of them.

INIembers will please note the new regulations for
advertisements in our " Market."

During the month of August almost everj-one is
away from home, and the weather is not conducive to
the writing of articles. It has therefore been decided
not to issue " Bird Notes" for that month, and I shall
consequently not have the pleasure of addressing the
members again until September. I hope I shall be
supplied with plenty of copy for our September issue, so
that it ma}- be a good number.

HORATIO R. FILLMER,

Hon. Sec. FoREiGx Bird Club,

52, Ship Street, Brighton.

NEW INIEMBERS ELECTED.
Mr. George Bradshaw, Talbot Terrace, Lythani.
Miss CoLi^iER, 119, King Henry's Road,

South Hampstead.
Mr. C. AV. Ferryman, Bifrons, Farnborough, Hants.
Mr. A. E. BooTHROVD, 27, Duke Street, Southport.
Rev. J. C. B. Fi^ETCHER, Mundham Vicarage,

Chichester.
Mr. Russell Humphrys, 28, Threadneedle Street, E.C.
Mr. T. H. Newman, F.Z.S., 20, Montpelier Square,

London, S.W.
Mr. H. W. Burgess, High Street, Bushey, Herts.
Capt. G. Rice, Clayquhat, Blairgowrie, N.B.

NEW MEMBER PROPOSED.
Mr. F. Yallop, 85, Prince of Wales Road. Norwich.
Proposed by the Hon. Sec.

214

OUR DEFICIT.

To THE Membe:rs of the Foreign Bird Ci,ub.

It must be a matter of grave concern to all loyal
members of tlie Club that the Balance Sheet, presented
in the June issue, giving the accounts to the end of
April last, shewed a deficit of over Seven Pounds. Our
membership during the year covered by this figure was
very small, and has not increased to any appreciable
extent since. This being the case, it devolves upon our-
selves to find some method wherebj'' this adverse balance
can be wiped off, and the membership largely increased,
for it is principally on this latter that the welfare of the
Club depends. There are several ways in which we can
place the Club on a sound financial basis again. One is
by a general subscription to a special fund for the pur-
pose of liquidating the deficit. As this, however, is
only another method of raising the yearly subscription
it is not to be recommended.

An alternative method and one which, with the
hearty co-operation of our members, I am walling to try
and carry to a successful conclusion, is as follows. Most,
indeed I think I may say each, of us could spare one
bird, or perhaps a pair, from our aviaries. I propose
that we offer one bird, or a pair, to the Club, and that
they should be sold to the highest bidder, the money
received going to wipe off our deficit. And this might
be the fnodus operandi. Will each member, after reading
these lines, and appreciating the object for which they
are written, sit down and write to me offering whichever
bird or birds he can spare } From these offers I should
prepare a list giving the names of the species and their
donors: this would be published in our next issue, and
no doubt most of us would readilv make offers for

215

various specimens which might take our fancy. Any
birds not sold thi'ough our Magazine would be adver-
tised in the Fancy press, I should acknowledge receipt
of all offers, and should communicate with the donors
when their birds were sold, asking them to forward them
to the purchasers. Another list would be prepared for a
future issue, giving the donors' names and the amounts
their offerings realised. All birds would be kept by their
owners until sold, and would then be forwarded carriage
paid, which would onl}' amount to a few pence. All
money actually received in payment of birds would be
handed to the Treasurer, ivithoiit any deditctiofis whatever.

It is not, of course, expected that members will offer
valuable birds : as long as they are healthy and fairly
good representatives of ttieir species, they will be appre-
tiated, and the ultimate result will, I confidently hope,
enable the Club to continue its good work, without
having to face a deficit which must retard its progress.
I shall be very pleased to inaugurate the good work, and
will offer the Club a Crimson-crowned Weaver in full
plumage and the best of health. Here I must leave the
matter for the kindly consideration of each member, and
hope that a hearty and willing response will be the
result.

One word more and I must finish. Please do not let
us think that the Club exists outside ourselves, because
it is not so. We, each of us, are individual parts of a
collective whole, and it is only by those parts working
loyally together towards a coynmon good, that we can hope to
be that which I earnest!}^ believe is the wish of us all,
viz., an energetic and powerful organisation in the world
of foreign birds. J. A. vSwan,

87, Ivower Kennington Lane, S.E.

I

2l6

THE BIRD MARKET.

Only members of the N. B. B. & M. C. or tlie F. B. C. can adver-
tise here. The cliai ge is one penny for every four words, address
included. All advertisements relatincr to British birds must be
.sent to Mr. I<ott, and all relating- to foreign birds to Mr. Fillmer.
The Hon. Secretaries of the respective Clubs are authorised to
decline advertisements which the\' consider unsuitable.

Advertisements for the next issue must be received by the 15th
Septembek.

BRITISH BIRDS.

Wanted — Exhibition Linnet.

LoTT, 103, Cheapside, E.C.

A nest of four Linnet-Greenfinch hybrids for sale, ,^5 ;
no lower offer entertained ; particulars,

EmiIv Mevkr, Bexhill, Sussex.

FOREIGN BIRDS.

Wanted — Female Red-crested Cardinal ; state price.
W. Earp, The Gardens, Park PI., Henley-on-Thames.

Cow-bird, 8/6 ; pair Troupials, 18/6, odd hen 10/- ; Com-
mon Mynah, 14/6; Blue Mountain Lorikeet, £i\;
Half-moon Parrakeet, perfect bird, 12/6; Javan Par-
rakeets, 9/- each ; Yellow Budgerigars, 28/- pair ;
Zebra Doves, 7/6 pair : Pekin Robins, 5/- & 7/6 each ;
cock Shamahs, 2>2>i- each ; Violet Tanagers, 21/- each ;
perfect cock Green Singing Finches, 2/6 each ; cock
Nonpareils, 8/6, hens 13'- each ; Indigoes, 7/6 each,
hens 10/6 ; Red-crested Cardinals, 8/6 ; Dominican
Cardinal, 12/6 ; Orange Cheeks, 4/- pair ; Zebra Wax-
bills, 5/- pair ; Lavender Finches, 5/6 pair ; Grey Wax-
bills, 3/- pair ; Cordon Bletis, 5/- pair; cock Black-
lieaded Gouldian Finches, 12/6 each ; Grey Singing
Finche."?, 5/- pair; Whydahs, 5/- each; Ribbon
Finches, 4'6 pair ; Avadavats, 3/- pair ; Zebra Finches,
5/- pair, odd cocks 3/- each ; Bicheno's Finches, 25/-
pair; Silverbills, 4/6 pair ; Black-headed Mannikins,
2/- pair; Spice Finches, 3/6 pair; Java Sparrows,
3/6 pair; White Java vSparrows, 10/6 pair ; Red-billed
Weavers, 3 '- each ; Madagascar Weavers, 7/6 ; several
other Weavers in colour; list of spare birds sent.

H. W. BuRGESvS, High Street, Bu.shey, Herts.

217

THE INDIGO BUNTING

(Cvditospiza cyanea) .

Of the niaiiy birds imported into this country few, if
indeed any, havegreater claims to be considered desirable
inmates of our aviaries than the Indigo Bunting. Charm-
ing alike in colors, in manner, in figure, and in song, it
is small wonder that our little blue friend has gained for
himself a deep affection in the lieaits of those who have
been fortunate enough to possess him. Who so bright
and happy as he in the summer months, when, daintily
clothed in light and dark blue, he sits on a favourite
perch and gaily carols forth one of the sweetest little
songs that issue out of birdy throats. Ah ! little blue
bird, I miss that pretty song you used to sing me. In the
early morning your soft low notes were often drowned
by the louder and harsher voices of your companions ;
but in the afternoon, when they were taking a siesta,
from out of the stillness, two plaintive little notes would
swell, and rippling on, like the silvery jingle of a tin}-
brook

" You held enthialled the human heart.
And led the mind to far away."
No other's song reminded me so strongly of the woods
and fields. And now, as I write, there breaks in on ni}'-
reflections the shrill discordant cries of some Weavers.
W^hat a difference !

The Indigo Buntings are sent to us from the
United States, arriving about April and May of each
year. They are brought over in small German canary
cages — each cage generally containing one bird. I used
to wonder at this, until a dealer told me that German
Canaries are taken over to the States, and when sold the
empty cages are filled with Indigos and Nonpareils
(sometimes one of each being put into the same cage —
this depends on the quantity of birds awaiting shipment,
and the number of cages available) — and brought back to
Europe, The Indigo Birds, as they are generally called,
are caught just before the summer change in plumage is

2l8

due, and when they reach our shores often only show a
few of the brighter feathers peeping through the grayish
winter dress ; but within a month the bird is entirely
blue, and the colors gradually deepen as the summer
advances. On the approach of winter a complete moult
takes place, sometimes leaving the bird nearly bare of
feathers. This is the most critical time of the year for
the Indigo Bunting, and it requires to be kept warm and
out of all draughts. The food should also be more
nourishing .and two or three mealworms may be given
every day until the new feathers are well grown.

A bath once a week is quite sufficient at this time,
and the water need not be more than half-an-inch in
depth, otherwise the bird may get too wet and take a
chill. When, however, the bird is in full plumage it
enjoys a bath every day.

The question of food is, to a certain extent, a matter
of opinion. Some, well-experienced people too, say that
seed is all that is necessary, a few going to the extent of
asserting that canary seed alone is quite sufficient.
Others, and these I believe form a large majority, insist
that insectivorous food, in some shape or form, is
absolutely essential if the bird is to be kept alive and
well. I have had several specimens of the Indigo
Bunting and have tried both methods, and, aslbelieveit
advisable and humane to follow a natural diet as far as
possible, most certainly advise that the bird should
always have access to insectivorous food, in addition to
the seeds usually given. A striking instance, however,
of the success of a seed diet came to my notice a few
yearsago. In one of the East End shops I was shown a
" stick " of Indigos, which I was assured had been in
the premises since the previous summer. (I have
particular reasons for crediting the truth of this state-
ment.) The birds had been kept right at the back of the
shop, in a very dark corner, and generally had half-a-
dozen " sticks " of Canaries standing on them, All the
seven birds (which comprise one " stick ") were in splendid
condition and full color, one especially being pointed out

219

to me as the best Indigo the dealer had ever seen, and it
certainly was a magnificent creature. There it sat, in
that wretched little canary cage, which was horribly
dirty, glistening with color and looking more like a
carved figure than a living bird. For nearly twelve
months it had been there, and all the time had had
nothing but canai-y seed and water !

As I have said before, I have good reasons to believe
what was told me, otherwise it would have been almost
impossible to credit it. Well, I bought the bird and kept
it right through the summer in a separate cage, still
adhering to the canar}^ seed. It retained its beauty and
tameness till its moult, after which I turned the bird into
a large cage containing several others of various species.
Here it had access to half-a-dozen different seeds and
insectivorous food — but within a couple of months it
was dead. It did not appear well one evening, and the
next morning all that remained of- it lay on the floor of
the cage.

The mice had practically eaten the body, the skull
being dragged some distance away. I was afraid they
might have killed the bird, or even parth' eaten it
before it died, but the late Mr. Abrahams assured me that
mice never touch a living bird, asmall crumb of comfort,
for which I was sincerely grateful. It was a melancholv
end, and I took a fierce delight in exterminating that
brood of vermin.

Some writers say that if Indigos are kept with
Nonpareils, the latter will worry the Indigo '' to its no
small annoyance." I have never found it so— indeed my
specimens always seemed to agree very well, each
perhaps recognising in the other an inhabitant of the
land of its birth. The same authorit}- also sa.\s that an
Indigo Bunting will chase a hen Canary if in the same
cage from morning till night. Well, my birds were not so
ungallant as that, for I never once saw an Indigo
molest a hen Canary, These instances only show how
individual birds may differ in character. It is hard to
condemn a whole family through the ill-behaviour of

certain members of it. Perhaps my birds were well
brought up, though !

I have never tried to breed the species or to obtain
the hybrid with a Canary. The possibility of this cross
would seem to be at least doubtful, though l\Ir. Wiener
appears to believe in it, as he tells us that " in the very
rare cases where young cross-breeds resulted, their
colors were disappointing."

The hen Indigo is a somewhat rare visitor to our
shores. Probably the catchers think such sombre little
brown things would have no sale, so do not trouble about
them. I remember seeing a large flight cage containing a
hundred or more of these hens, in a dealer's shop some
three or four years ago, but since then have only come
across odd specimens here and there. They have nothing
to recommend them, unless one wants a pair, or wishes
to breed the species. J. A. Swan.

THE TREE SPARROW.

From
A. Rettich'S U71 published -ivork on '■^Desirable Cage Birds ^

Although a very close relation of the House Sparrow,
this species is greatly to be preferred as a cage-bird : he
is smaller, smarter, and handsomer in markings ; even
his call-notes are less unpleasant to hear.

Both male and female are marked alike, and, what is
very rare, the nestlings are the same except for a want of
depth of colour. The parts which differ from the Commou
Sparrow are the head, neck, and throat, which in all
Tree Sparrows, irrespective of age, are : frontlet, crown,
and nape, a soft, velvety, reddish brown, bordered by a
conspicuous white collar; cheeks and ear coverings
white, with a black spot pointed towards the gape;
long black streaks, resembling a moustache, extend to
the breast, which is very light but not pure white in
colour ; the body, tail, and wings are marked and
coloured like those parts of his congener.

All unfledged faniil}- of Tree Sparrows all crowding
together presents a pretty sight indeed, with their brown
and white patches and black spots of colonr.

These birds are comparatively rare in this conntr}',
but abroad I have seen quite a colony of them occupying
the hollow branches of some old and decaying tree, in
which they live, breed and rear their young, without an}^
outward sign of their occupancy — ver}" different from
the habits of their relations, who share man's home so
unceremoniousl3\ It is amusing to see numbers of the
prettier species diving head foremost into a small hole,
anvl emerging from the branch in quite a distant part,
having, in the transit, visited their nest and probabl}'
one or two others.

One or a pair of Tree vSparrows will be found a
pleasing adjunct to the amateur's aviary.

A FOREIGN AVICULTURIST'S BOOKSHELF.

By H. R. Fir.r,Mp;R.
(Continued from page 20^J .

'^Foreign Cage Birds.''' By August F. Wiener, F.Z.S.
This well known and justly valued work is the third
and concluding portion of Cassell's "• Canaries and
Cage Birds," of which it forms nearly one fourth. It is
illustrated by 24 coloured plates of foreign birds from
drawings by W. Rutledge, executed in chromo-litho-
graphy of second-rate quality. The book is undated,
but I gather that it was written in the latter part of 1879.
So far as I am aware, it is the only important work on
birds from Mr. Wiener's pen, but he still continues to
write occasional articles on the subject.

No doubt Mr. Wiener was considerably indebted to
the works of his friend the late Dr. Karl Russ — and
indeed he freely acknowledges this. But this fact in no
way detracts from the value of " Foreign Cage Birds" as

an original work. Clear!}' and attractively written, with
the subject carefully and scientificall}' arranged, it is
difficult to estimate the book too highh'. It was for
many years far and away the best work on the subject
in the English language — and although now somewhat
out of date, and superseded as to certain groups of birds
by later and more exhaustive works, it still remains one
of the most reliable and practical of ''all round" guides.

Mr. Wiener begins with an excellent chapter on
" General Management of Foreign Birds." We have, of
course, learnt a good deal in the last 23 years, and if he
were to re-write the chapter he would doubtless alter it
considerably — nevertheless beginners will be the better
for reading it carefully. He then proceeds to treat of
various species seriatim — adopting the classification and
nomenclature of the Zoological Society of London, and
not that of the British ]\Iuseuni which is now generally
preferred by aviculturists.

The space devoted to soft-food birds is certainly
meagre. The Blue Robin, the Mocking Bird, the Pekin
Robin, the Chinese Jay Thrush, six species of BulbuLs,
and three Tanagers, exhaust the list. I am forgetting,
however, that there is also a chapter on Starlings,
wherein some ten species are described — this chapter
being, oddly enough, separated from those on the other
soft bills by the " small seed eaters."

These " small seed-eaters " were certainly Mr.
Wiener's forte. All the species commonly imported
20 years ago are fully and adequately dealt with, as well
as some birds which were then, and still are, decidedh-
rare.

I imagine that INIr. Wiener was pressed for space,
and had to unduly compress his account of the Parrots
and Parrakeets — at any rate, this important family are
dismissed in 19 pages. Some 40 species are touched
upon, but this is certainly the weakest part of the
book.

223

A VISIT TO A LONDON FANCIER.

Thinking I might see something that would be ot
interest I paid our fellow member, Mr. J. Dewhurst, of
Fulham, a visit a short time back, and must confess I
was more than repaid with what I saw. First of all he
showed me a good stock of small soft-bills, ranging from
the Long-tailed Tit to the Wheatear, which latter Mr.
Dewhurst has succeeded in keeping in fine condition in
spile of the last lengthy winter. He had some fine
Blackcaps looking very fit, also several Nightingales
which with ordinary luck might be expected to give a
good account of themselves on some of the vShow
benches during the coming season. There were five
Swallows which appeared quite at home and tame.
These are very pretty little birds, but I think they are
seen at their best when in the open. There were several
Whitethroats and a pair of Redstarts. The hen Red-
start was certainly in good condition, and my host
surprised me by saying he had then had her about a
fortnight, and she had not tasted a mealworm but had
"nieated" herself off on ordinary soft food. I might
here mention that Mr. Dewhurst does not believe in
mealworms except for the first few days of a bird's cage
life.

The larger of his inse6livorous birds included his
well known Greater Spotted Woodpecker, which, I believe^
he has kept for close on five years, and his Cinnamon
Blackbird, also some fine Fieldfares, Redwings, Thrushes,
and Blackbirds, etc. But his trump card was to come in
the shape of five young Kingfishers he had succeeded in
rearing from the nest, and ver\' fine they looked — perfect
in feather and very tame. These Mr. Dewhurst was very
proud of and rightly so, for they were quite a picture to
look at, and I am sure they will be a centre of interest if
he has the good luck to get them through the moult, which,
I am told, is the difficulty others have experienced who
have tried to rear these birds. The Kingfishers have
decidedly large appetites, for INIr. Dewhurst produced the

224

skeleton of a fresh haddock which must have weighed
at least i^lbs., and this, together with a lemon sole, he
informed me had been their day's allowance. Very few
live fish had been given. I am sure our fellow members
will join me in wishing INlr. Dewhurst every success with
the Kingfishers.

jNIv host has not yet succeeded in breeding Nightin-
gales in captivit}-, but has had a fair number of eggs from
various Britishers, among which ma}' be named the Tree
Pipit and the Chaffinch, and a cross between two of
perhaps the commonest, viz., cock Greenfinch and hen
Sparrow. He also bred some \'oung Thrushes in his
aviary, and very nice birds they look.

His muling operations had not been a marked
success, but he informed me that he had had young from
Linnet-Bullfinch, Goldfinch- Bull finch, Siskin-Canary,
and Linnet-Canary. vS. A. Sandy,

BITS FROM A BIRD ROOM,

In responding to the Editor's request for a line or
two on breeding operations, I must say that I am afraid
my results this season, so far, are not of great import-
ance to the readers of " Bird Notes."

Certainly those who know, or think they know, all
there is to be learnt in this world of ours relative to
hybrid breeding, can skip this short paper and lose
nothing by so doing — but there may 1)e some who are
less versed in the joys and sorrows of hybrid breeding,
and to whom these few lines may be interesting.

Firstly, I breed a few Canaries to keep up the stock-
not from young hens mind, but from hens that I have
already proved to be vvoith breeding from for the
production of light mules— such as are known to
throw a decent mule.

The young Sib hens I have, I keep back as long
as possible— then get a nest or two of mules to test
their abilitv ; and further, I have an idea that it is from

225

such yonng, strong hens that we shall get our best light
mule ; or at anyrate, I have never had a better mule, if
as good, from second or third season hens, as I have
itoxn first season Ijjrds.

Never having succeeded in breeding from two
British birds until last season, I was, after five or six years
of non-success, getting careless if I sat the &^g^, from
Britishers or not. But having at last got hybrids from them
my interest became much stronger in this section of the
fancy, and this season I am again trying a few crosses.

I put up four Bully hens, two of them with Green-
finch cocks, and the others with a Linnet and a Goldfinch
respective!}' — all have laid ; one of pair Greenie-Bully are
very fond of fresh eggs, and they generall}- sample their
own before giving me a chance. The other Greenie and
Bully have laid their first clutch of five which are now
under a Canary hen.

The Goldie and Bully are a model pair, both build
and sit well, and had I left them their eggs, probabl}'
would have reared the young. There liave been five
young hatched from the pair but all have gone home.

The Linnet and Bully are also a most agreeable
couple : she laid six eggs first, and three hatched — none
of which are alive to-day. Then she laid another six —
with three fertile — two of which hatched, and are now
three weeks old and doing well.

A Goldie and Greenfinch are, I think, the silliest
pair I ever saw. They build and destroy nest after nest,
and a lunatic asylum would be the most suitable place
for them — but they are improving, for I have the first
egg from the hen to-day.

Never having had great trouble with non-feeding
hens, my idea was to let my muling hens and Bully hens
sit as near the same time as possible, and then when I
found any of the latter eggs fertile,! could transfer tliem to
a Canary hen, or after they had hatched as seemed best.
Of course, this seemed workable to me ; and I intended,
when the Canary had hatched, to destroy wiiat mules I

226

thought would be least likely to turn out good ones, and
introduce any young hybrid I might require to be
reared. But you know what a great Scot told us about
" The best laid schemes," etc., etc.

Only in one case has this worked satisfactorily ; then,
the Bully's eggs w^ere due to chip the same day as one
of my muling hens, and I saw one of the young mules
was very promising, so I took out three I considered
would be variegated and put in two young Linnets — Bully
Hybrids; it worked splendidly and they are doing for
themselves now — a four-pointed mule and two hybrids,
all cocks, a nest not to be sneezed at surely.

The other cases did not hit it off niceh- — I think the
young were hatched too quickly, before the Canaries
had sat long enough to get over their broodiness— any
WAX, they would not rear them, although they had
previously fed their young Canaries well.

I am inclined to think the Bully hen has most to do
with the fertility of her eggs, as one Bully hen I have
had fertile eggs last 3'ear from a Goldfinch, and two
different Linnets. Now she is sitting on eggs which
will, if they are good, bring forth the, to some, impossible
" Canary and Bullfinch mule." She and the Canary are
the most promising pair imaginable, both share the
sitting, and hopes run high. The Canary is the father
of some ''Canary-Bullies" already, both last year and
the year previous.

I find the young hybrids thrive better if some seeds
of the shepherd's purse are mixed with the egg food,
than if there is no change from rape and maw .seeds
being mixed therewith.

I have secured a couple of very fine hybrids from
the " Greenfinch and Bullfinch " bred by Mr. Chappie, of
Stoke, from birds I gave him in the spring. These are
now six weeks old, and with luck should do a little
winning later on. One thing is very patent, I must,
another year, provide feeders if I am to rear hybrids
jiicelv. R. Browning.

227

AVIARY NOTES.

If I were asked to name the most interesting birds
in my garden aviary at the present time, I should
unhesitatingly mention ni}' Long-tailed Grassfinches, a
healthy and lively pair of Double bands, my Passerine
Doves and a pair of Indian Rain Quails.

The Long-tailed are in excellent form, and when not
engaged in other birds' business, pass most of their
time carr3dng grass, feathers, &c., into a nest-box of the
cigar box pattern, and from all appearances seem very
much in earnest. In fact, I shall be disappointed if the
nest-box selected this time fails to give satisfaction, as
it is about the third or fourth house they have chosen
and furnished, and all to no purpose.

The short song of this bird I consider most pleasing,
and his love dance jnst a little ludicrous — but what
amuses me most is the extreme audacity of Mr. Longtail.
If he sets his mind on having a particular bit of grass in
the ear, or a feast of spray millet, he takes good care to
have what he wants — though at the same time I must
admit that his mate is almost always invited to share
any tit-bit there may be. I find that grass in the ear
is much relished by these birds, also the seeds or
heads of chickweed, of which my birds have an
abundance.

The Doublebands or Bicheno Finches are most
attractive, and so very tame. My pair have been out all
the summer, and look just at present as though ache or
pain had never troubled them. Indeed, I am half
tempted to let them try the winter outside : they could
have plenty of exercise, as the aviary is not a small one
(ground space about 130 square feet), and in the warmest
spots I always arrange a few cosy boxes in which the
foreign birds sleep at night (wnth the exception of a
Grey Singing Finch and a young vSaffron Finch, and
these perch along with the Britishers).

The Bichenos during the early summer {?) built
an open nest in a fir tree, and looked so comfortable and

228

pretty squatting" there vvitli their miniature Owl-like
heads just in view. Had the weather been anything like
I should have predicted a very happy time for them.
But— but— the constant rain was too upsetting, and they
<Ieserted their home for a more substantial one, and are
now enjoying the comforts of a sensible roof over their
heads.

I feel sure that when acclimatised these Finches
would do well in an open-air aviar}-, as the)' seem to
require a certain amount of live insect food. Perhaps
the good health my birds have always enjoyed is due to
their frequent treats of small insects given on the leaves
just as I come across them in the garden, and of course
the birds themselves meet with many such delicacies
during the summer months.

I do not anticipate much joy from the Quails,
though they are exceedingl}- pretty and are always
greatly admired. Unfortunately my aviary is minus the
long grass it once possessed (a si7ie qua non if young
Ouails are to be reared, so I am told) and even if planted
again the many little inhabitants would quickly destroy
it. vSo I suppose I must be content with my present
pair, and look forward to something more satisfactory at
a future date.

The Doves are rather apathetic, and perch most
of the day on a ladder apart from their companions, and
apparently indifterent to the wars and strifes around
them. They may improve as time goes on— I am
hoping so. L. Button.

REVIEW.

" Meating Of' and Feeding Soft-bills. By John Frostick.
This valuable paper, which was published in our
pages as a serial, has now been re-printed as a sixpenny
pamphlet, and doubtless many of our readers will be
glad to have it in that form for readier reference. For
us to praise a work which has appeared in " Bird Notes "
would partake too much of the nature of that " self

229

praise " which is proverbaily " no recoinineiulation."
We will therefore merely express the hope that Mr.
Frostick will continue to draw upon his store of know-
ledge for the benefit of our readers.

We understand that Mr. Frostick purposely refrained
from mentioning any special advertised food for birds,
and we appreciate his reasons. But this restriction has,
we think, compelled him to omit some common objects
of the bird room larder which could not be dispensed
with without serious inconvenience. Spratt's " Crissell "
is a case in point. This the writer has found invaluable.
" Colifichet" is another omission, not attributable to the
same motive. This is better than ordinary bread, being-
less fattening and more digestible. We have found a
mixture of ants' eggs, crissel, colifichet, and preserved
yolk of egg, an excellent food for soft-bills — better for
most species than plain ants' eggs — and certainly much
cheaper. H. R. F.

CORRESPONDENCE.

IIvIv-FATED ALBINOvS.

Sir, — The old saying that a little knowledge is
dangerous has been again fully justified in connection
with bird life— which the following little incident will
show.

Recently two boys called upon a friend of mine, and
producing a couple of young birds, asked " What birds
are these ? " My friend looked at them, and put on
his considering cap— they were like young Robins, he
thought, one was pure white and the other a creamy
white : they v/ere sniall insectivorous birds he was sure,
but what were they .'' " Did you see any more about ? "
he asked. "Yes," said the boys, " two others like young
Robins, speckled with white : the four flew out of the nest
and we caught these two." " I've got it," said my friend,
'* they ate young Robins." Before he could ask any more
questions the boys had vanished up the street. The
next day he saw one of the boys again, and asked what

230

had becouie of the birds. "Dead," said the boy. And
this was the untimely end of what might, in the hands
of an experienced fancier, have been rare and interesting-
exhibits at the "Glass-house."

Does an}' other member know of a similar occurrence
in connection with albinos ? F. Turnber.

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD AND
MULE CLUB.

Committee Meeting held at Headquarters, 4th
September, 1902.

Present: Mr. Robson (Chairman), Mr. Pollard (Vice-
Chairman), Messrs. Frostick, Vale, Jones, Tolhurst, C.
Cooper, Maxwell, Urch, Morgan, Dewhurst, Sand}-, and
the Hon. Secretary.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and
confirmed.

Letters were read from Messrs. Browning, Colton,
Pyniau, Urch, Tyson, Egerton, Bell, Steele, Tanner,
Lumsden, Wilkinson, Bancroft, Rudd, Godwin, Lythgoe.

Application for support and patronage was made on
behalf of the Barnsley and District Ornithological Society:
it was agreed to grant one Silver Medal.

Application of Warrington and District Ornitho-
logical Society. — A good classification being given, it
was proposed by Mr. Frostick, and seconded b}' Mr.
Jones, that we give one Gold Medal. — Carried.

The application of the Whitehaven Society was
granted as last year, upon the usual conditions.

The application of the Manchester and Northern
Counties Society was next before Committee, and it was
agreed that if they would provide 14 Classes, the Club
would grant them an extra Gold Medal to be awarded
to a member who had never won a Medal of the Club,
otherwise one Gold Medal as last year.

A special application on behalf of the London Cage
Bird Association was made, and in view of its being the

231

last show at the Royal Aquariinii, it was thought that
the occasion should be one v*ell worth remembering.
As there is to be increased classification it was decided to
grant them tw^o Gold and two Silver Medals, as last
year, and one Gold for the Member who has never won a
Medal of the Club. Proposed by Mr. Pollard and
seconded by Mr. Vale, and carried.

The application of the Bolton and District Cage Bird
Society was not entertained, they not having complied
with the conditions.

The application of the Pendleton and Salford
Ornithological Society was also not entertained, the}' not
having complied with the conditions.

The following ladies and gentlemen were elected
]\Iembeis of the Club : — Mrs. C. Atkins, proposed b}'
Mr. Rettich, seconded by Mr. Pollard ; Mr. W. C.
Cunningham, proposed by Mr. Browning, seconded by
Mr. Jones ; Mr. Pyman, proposed by the Hon. Secretary,
seconded by Mr. Vale ; Mr. C. Colton, proposed by INIr.
Browning, seconded by Mr. Maxwell.

Mr. Frostick introduced the subject (of which he
had given previous notice) of the compilation of a
number of British bird classes in connection with the
list of hybrids by Mr. Vale, for the guidance of Show
Secretaries. His classification was read and passed, and
ordered to be printed, with a hearty vote of thanks to
Mr. Frostick and Mr. Vale for the time and labour spent
in working them out.

Mr. Tolhurst introduced a subject which we are all
more or less interested in, and thought that a petition
should be presented to the various Railway Companies
for the better conveyance and care of exhibitors' birds
when in transit to vShows. Several members testifying
to the negligence displayed, Mr. Tolhurst agreed to pnt
the matter formally before the Club at another meeting.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman
was passed. W. A. LOTT, Hon. Sec,

NationaTv British Bird & Mui.15 Ci^ub,
103, Cheapside, London, R.C.

232

SHOW CLASSIFICATION FOR BRITISH

BIRDS.

For Six Classes.

1. Goldfinch or Bullfinch.

2. Siskin, Redpoll, or Twite.

3. Linnet.

4. All other species of seed-eating birds not larger

than and including the Hawfinch.

5. All species of insectivorous birds not larger than

and including the vSkylark.

6. All other species of British birds (Hawks, Owls,

and Ravens excluded).

For Seven Ci^asses.

I, 2, 3, and 4 as above.

5. All species of Larks or Pipits.

6. All other species of insectivorous birds not larger

than and including the Wheatear.

7. All other species of British birds (Hawks, Owls,

and Ravens excluded).
For Eight Ci^asses.

As above, with exception of Goldfinch and Bullfinch
having separate classes.

For Nine Ci.asses.

I, 2, 3, 4, and 5 as above.

6. Song-Thrush, Blackbird, or Starling,

7. All species of Larks or Pipits.

8. All other species of insectivorous birds not larger

than and including the Wheatear.

9. All other s])ecies of British birds (Hawks, Owls,

and Ravens excluded).

For Ten Classes.

As above, with separate class added for Chaffinch, to
follow after Linnet.

For EI.EVEN ClvASSES.

As above with separate classes added for Greenfinch.

For Twelve Classes.

As above, with class added for Pied, Albino, or other
rare- feathered specimen of British bird, not
being a hybrid.

233

Tor Thirtp:en Ci.assks.

1. Greenfinch.

2. Goldfinch.

3. vSiskin, Redpoll, or Twite.

4. Chaffinch.

5. Linnet.

6. Bnllfinch.

7. All other species of seed-eatini^^ birds not larger

than and including the Hawfinch.

8. vSong-Thrush, Blackbird, or Starling.

9. All species of I^arks or Pipits.

10. Blackcap or Nightingale.

11. All other species of insectivorous birds not

larger than and including the Wheatear.

12. Pied, Albino, or rare-feathered specimen of

British birds not being a hybrid.

13. All other sj^ecies of British birds (Hawks, Owls,

and Ravens excluded).

For more extended classification up to the following,
which I give as a perfect example, add separate classes
for the more popular birds which show a reasonable
•chance of filling a class. The special attention of Show
Secretaries is called to the word species, which should in
all cases be used instead of the old-fashioned and
improper word variety, as used in relation to tlie classifi-
"Catiou of British birds.

BRITISH BIRDS (Singly).

As per list of the N. B. B. &^ M. C.

CLASS

I.

Greenfinch.

2.

Hawfinch.

3-

Goldfinch.

4-

Siskin.

5-

Chaffinch.

6.

Bramblefinch.

7.

Linnet.

8.

Lesser Redpoll or Twite.

9.

Bullfinch.

TO.

Yellow Bunting.

234

11. All other species of Finches, Buntings, or Gros-

beaks, resident or migratory.

12. Song-Thrush.

13. Blackbird.

14. Robin.

15. Skylark.

16. All other species of I,ark or Pipit, resident or

migrator}'.
ry. vStarling.

18. Chough, Jay, Magpie, or Jackdaw.

19. Pied, Albino, or rare- feathered specimen of British

bird, not being a hybrid.

20. All other species of resident insectivorous birds

not larger than and including the Grey Wagtail.

21. All other species of resident insectivorous birds

larger than the Grey Wagtail.

22. Blackcap or Nightingale.

23. All other species of migrator}' insectivorous birds

not larger than and including the Wheatear.

24. All other species of migratory insectivorous birds

larger than the Wheatear.

CONTINENTAL BIRDS.

25. All species of European birds not included in the

National British Bird and Mule Club list.
(Hawks, Owls, and Ravens excluded).

CLASSIFICATION OF HYBRIDS.

For vSix Classes of British birds, as per Mr, Frostick's
list, or less.
I. Any variety light Canary hybrid.
II. ' ,, dark

III. Any other variety hybrid.
For Seven or Eight Classes.

I. Any variety light Goldfinch & Canary hybrid.
II. ' „ ' dark

III. Any other variety of Canary hybrid.
IV. Any variety between two British birds.

235

For Ninp: Cr.ASSKS.

I. Clear or li^litly-iuarked Canary hybrid,
' II. Dark Goldfinch and Canary hvbrid, vellow or
bnff.

III. Any other variety Canary hybrid dark.

IV. ,, ,, ,, heavih' variegated.
V. ,, ,, between two British birds.

For Ten Classes.

I. Clear or lightly-marked Canary hybrid.
II. Fvvenly-niarked Goldfinch and Canary hybrid.

III. Dark yellow or bnfF Goldfinch and Canary

hybrid.

IV. Any other variety Canary hybrid, dark.

V. Any variety Canary hybrid, heavily variegated.
VI. An}- variety between two British birds.

For f:leven Cr^ASSES,

I, Clear or evenly-marked Canary hybrid.
II, Uneven yellow Goldfinch and Canary hybrid,
III. Uneven buff ,. ., ,,

IV, Any variety Canary hybrid, heavih' variegated.
V, Dark yellow or bnfF Goldfinch and Canary.
VI, Dark Ijnnet and Canarv hvbrid, vellow or

buff,
VII. Dark Siskin, Twite, or Redpoll and Cauar}-
hybrid.
VIII. Any other variety Canary hybrid, dark.
IX. Any variety between two British birds.
For TwE^ivVE CivASSES.

Same as Eleven, with a class added for light Linnet
hybrids.

For Thirtep:n Cr^ASSES.

Same as Twelve, with two classes for the cross
between two British birds, one for any variety
Bullfinch C/-OSS and the other for any other —
Bullfinch excepted.

For Fourteen Classes,

I, Clear Goldfinch and Canary hybrid.
II. Evenly marked Goldfinch and Canar}'.

III. Uneven yellow ditto.

IV. Uneven buff ditto.

V. Heavilv variegated — anv varietv Canary hvbrid.

236

VI. Dark 3ellow Goldfinch and Canary,

VII DarkBnfF ,, „ „ '

VIII. Dark Linnet and Canary.

IX. Dark Siskin, Redpoll, or Twite and Canary,

X. A.O.V. Canary hybrid.

XI. Any variety Bullfinch hyl^rid.

XII, Any other variety — Bullfinch cross excepted.

P. S. — As the word mule and hybrid are synonymous,
the former l^eing generally used in reference to the cross
between the horse and donkey, it is hoped the latter will
always be adopted with reference to birds.

'ihe Club have decided not to recognise a two-
pointed specimen as such, but allow it to compete in the
class for ticked or lightly-marked birds. W. H. Vai^E.

The following are the list of INIedals and Shows where
they are to be competed for up to last jMeeting of the
Committee : —
Oct. 3rst and ist Nov,, Man. and Northern Counties —

one Gold.

Nov. 8th., Warrington and Dis. O.S. — one Gold,

Nov. I2th and i3tli, vSouth W. London — two Gold Medals.

One for Members who have never won a Medal of the

Club.
Barusley and Dis. O.S., no date— one Silver.
Nov, 18, 19, and 20, L.C.B.A. — two Gold and two Silver

Medals, and a Gold Medal for Members who have

never won a Medal of the Club.

Dec. 5th and 6th — two Gold INIedals as before.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

NOTICES TO MEMBERS.

REGULATIONS AS TO THE CLUB MEDALS

MADE BY the: SHOW COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL.

1. All INIedals shall be given for POINTS, which are to
be counted as follows: — C. i, H.C. 2, and one number
higher for each higher award.

2, Extra Prizes shall count for Points, and all entries
compete.

237

3- Subject to special resolution of the Connnittee to
the contrary, when two Medals are given at the same
Show, the second shall be for next highest points to
the winner of the first.

4. Members exhibiting at Shows where the Chib Medals
are given, are asked to place the initials "F.B.C."
after each entry in the entry form and to request the
Secretary to insert the same in the vShow Catalogue.

5. No member shall win more than TWO Medals in one
season, one silver and one bronze, or more than one
Medal at the same vSliow,

6. No Medal shall be given at any vShow unless the
Classification and the name of the Judge be first
submitted to, and approved by, the Committee.
Preference shall be given to Shows at which the
Club's Classification is adopted and one of the
Club's Judges appointed.

7. No Medal shall be given at any show where less
than THREBv Classes for Foreign Birds are provided
and no Silver Medal where less than SIX Classes.

8. In the case of a tie the exhibitor taking most money
in prizes shall win, and if there still be a tie the
exhibitor with most entries shall win.

The Club classification for 12 Classes has been slightl}'
altered by the Committee, and is therefore printed below
in its revised form. For the other classifications see
"Foreign Bird Notes," No. 4.
TwEiyVE Classes. — K.

1. Budgerigars and all species of Love-birds and
Hanging Parrots.

2. All species of Parrakeets (other than Budgerigars,
and including Kings and all Broadtails) and Lori-
keets.

3. Grey Parrots and all species of Amazons,

4. All species of vShort-tailed Parrots not comprised in
the above, Cockatoos, ?*Iacaws, and Lories.

238

5- All species of Doves and Quails.

6. All species of Whydalis, Weavers, aud Combasous.*

7. Cotnmoti and Green Avadavats ; vSt. Helena, Grey,
Orange-cheeked, and Golden-breasted (or Zebra)
Waxl)ills; Parson, Diamond, Ribbon and Zebra
Finches; vSilverbills ; vSpice-birds ; Grey Java Spar-
rows ; Black-headed, White-headed, aud Bronze
Mannikins; Common, Orange, and Napoleon
Weavers; and Common Combasous.

8. All species of Waxbills, Grassfiiiclies, and Manni-
kins not comprised in the above (including the
Parrot Finch, Pin-tailed Nonpareil, Gouldiau Finch,
Red-headed Finch, Bicheno's Finch, and Cherr}'
Finch).

9. All species of Grosbeaks, True Finches, and
Buntings (including the Cuba Finches aud the
Cardinals).

10 All species of Tanagers, Sugar-birds aud Zosterops,
IT. All species of Crows, Pies, Starlings, Mj'uahs,

Haugnests, Jays aud Troupials.
12. All species of Insectivorous and Fruiteating Birds

not comprised in the above.

I want the members to know of and appreciate the
valuable services rendered to the Club by our inde-
fatigable Hon. Sec. of the vShow Committee, Mr. Swan.
He has relieved me of a large amount of correspondence,
and has displayed great energy and judgment in further-
ing the interests of the Club. Also, he provided at his
own expense the very tasteful card leaflets recently sent
to the members, and paid the cost of 200 extra copies of
"Bird Notes" for distribution among persons who were
thought likely to join the Club.

It seems as if the members were all afraid of
•winning those prizes for the best contributions to
"Bird Notes" — this is the explanation of the unwonted

* At vShovvs held after Christmas, it would be well to substitute
for this Class one for Gouldian Finches, Parrot Finches, and Pin-
tailed Nonpareils, and to make the consequent alterations in the
other classes.

239

scarcity of "matter" which first occurred to me, but
on further reflection I am disposed to hope that the
liolidays have more to do with it.

That mechanical genius, our friend Mr. Arthur
Jones, has been at it again. His bird " fountain " is too
well known to require any recommendation, and now he
has brought out an inexpensive metal stand, wherewith
to hang the fountain against the wires of the cage or
aviary. This is a real improvement, and adds considerably
to the value of the fountain, as the raised position
prevents the water from being fouled by sand and seed
husks.

HORATIO R. FILLMER,

Hon, Sec. Foreign Bird Ci.ub,

52, Ship vStreet, Brighton.

NEW MEMBERvS ELECTED.
Mr. F. J. YAI.1.0P, 85, Prince of Wales Road, Norwich.
Mr. L. W. HORTON, Lingfield, Bescot, near Walsall.
Mr. W. E. D. vScoTT, 341, Nassau vStreet, Princetowu,
New Jersey, U.S.A.

NEW MEMBERS PROPOSED.
Mr. Thomas Kemping Thornborrow, 51, Swinton
vStreet, King's Cross, London.

Proposed by Mr. BeTTS.
Mr. G. E. Harrison, Radford House, Stone, Staffs.

Proposed by Mrs. DUTTON.
Miss E. M. HoPKiNSON, 45, Sussex Square, Brighton.

Proposed by Dr. HOPKINSON.
Mrs. D. W. Curtis. Market Place, Stowmarket.

Proposed by INIr, BOND.
Miss M. E. Baker, Granite House, Mount vSorrell,
Longhborough.

Proposed by Mr. SwAN.
:sir. E. J. TiGHE, Junr., Merville, Sligo.
IMr. John Keating, Castle vStreet, vSligo

Proposed by Mr. Phii^IP.

240
OUR DEFICIT.

To THE Membp:rs of thk Foreign P^ird Club.

The following birds have been offered to the Chib in
response to nn^ appeal. To those members who so
kindly and thoughtfully responded the sincere thanks
of the Clnb are due.

I hope every member will make an offer for one or
more of the birds. As stated before, each bird will be
sold to the highest bidder, and the money received will
help to reduce the Club's Deficit.

The right is reserved of withdrawing any bird if no
adequate offer is made for it, and the offers will be
accepted on the distinct understanding that the birds
are not purchased with the intention of selling them
again.

I shall be very pleased to receive further offers of
birds, or the same my be sent to INIr. Fillmer.

J. A. vSWAN,

S7, Lower Kennington Lane, S.E.
Offers. Fresetited by

Red-billed Weavers (fine pair) .. Mr, A. Philip.
Singing Canary and Cage. . . . . Air. J. Storey.

Singing Canary

(German-Border cross) . . ]Mr. H. R. Fillmer.

Red-vented Parrot

[Pionus menstrutis) I\Ir. F. C. Thorpe.
Crimson-crowned Weaver . . . . Mr. J. A. Swan.

Bengalese (pair) .. .. .. Mrs. Button.

Aurita Doves (fine pair) .. ,. Mr. G. Alston.

THE BIRD MARKET.

Wanted — Good Gouldian or other Exhibition vSeedeater.
A. Philip, 19, Parnell Place, Ditblin.

For vSale— Dark Goldfinch ■Mule, 10/-, very handsome ;
Cock Budgerigar, 5/-, acclimatised ; Canaries, both
Sexes, some crested. State wants.
James Storey, 5, St, George's Road, Kilburn, N,W.

One pair Zebra Finches, 4/6 pair; one Hen ditto, 2/6;
two stylish Linnet Mules, moulted and in song, 7/6
each.

Mrs. DuTTON, Bank Cottage, Wilton, Stone, Staffs.

241

PARROTS AND PARRAKEETS.

By Dr. C. vS. Simpson.
(Continued from page 200 J .

Thk Q.o:^\jKV:S{Conurus), or Wedge-tailed Parrakeets,
form another American gronp, numbering fifty -two
species. Their range includes the Gulf vStates of North
America, Central America, the West Indies, and nearly
the whole of South America. It will be observed that
this district includes the most Northerly, as well as the
most Southerly, latitudes reached by any member of the
Parrot family. Many of the Conures are extremely beau-
tiful, and they are hardy and easily kept in confinement,
but the great majority are incurable screamers. Among
the best known are the Jendaya {C. jendaya), the White-
eared {C. leucotis), the Golden-crowned {C. aureus), the
Nanday {C. nenday), and the Yellow Couure {C. solstitial is).
The most desirable as a cage bird, in my opinion, is the
Patagonian Conure [C. patagonus). It is rather a rare
bird, and nearly all the specimens I have seen have been
very tame and good talkers. The plumage is less gaudy
than that of most of its relations, being of a rich olive-
brown on the head, neck, and back, while the abdomen
is orange-red, and a white band extends across the
upper part of the breast. The Patagonian Conure is
another of those species which depart from the usual
nesting habits of the Parrot family. They are stated on
good authority to breed in burrows made in the face of
rocky cliffs in Chili and Patagonia. They live and breed
in colonies ; the face of the rocks which the\' select for
breeding purposes being perforated by innumerable
holes, each of w^hicli is the entrance to the breeding
place of a single pair. While the Patagonian Conure is
the only species which reaches the most southern part of
South America, on the other hand the Carolina Conure
[C. caroliiiensis) is the only species found in North
America,

The: THiCK-Bir.i^ED Parrakeets [Bolborhynchus) are

242

nearly related to the Conures, and are confined to Central
and South America. The only species which is common
as a cage bird is the Quaker Parrakeet {B. fnonachus), an
exceedingly pretty bird of a grass green colour, with
head and breast of delicate grev : this species learns to
talk well, but every specimen I have ever known has
been an incessant and excruciating screamer. The chief
interest of this Parrakeet lies in the fact that it is the
only Parrot which is known to construct a nest. The
general custom of the Parrot family is to breed in hollow
trees, laying the eggs on bare wood. We have seen,
however, that the I.ovebirds line the hollow, and that
other species breed in burrows, but the Quaker is the
only species which builds a true nest. With regard to
this remarkable fact Dr. Puss says : "The forests contain
thousands of the nests of these Parrakeets, which
usually hang from the ends of the branches into which
they are woven. Each nest consists of an ante-chamber,
and behind this the true nest, which is always occupied
by one couple; the entrance is usually effected from
below, but if it should be at the side it is protected by a
projecting roof In this manner about a dozen pairs
build their nests close together. Every spring the
couples build new nests upon the old ones, and thus
there arises in time an enormous pile of these structures
in one mass, which may ofteti weigh several hundred-
weights, and on many a sturdy forest tree one may see
seven or eight such settlements in which the birds are
constantly at work mending the nests ; and new ones
are always added in the spring for the fresh breeding
season. The nests are occupied by the birds, even after
the breeding season, all through the year. Thorny twigs
are used exclusively for building purposes, and the part
of the nest used for hatching is lined with grasses." A
pair of Quaker Parrakeets, in the possession of INIr.
vSydney Buxton, built an enormous nest, five feet high
and six feet in circumference, and other pairs have built
nests in captivity. Another species of Bolborhynchus
\B. lineohitus) is sometimes imported. It is a smaller bird.

243

about seven inches in length, of a rather dull green,
with transverse black bars on the edges of the feathers.

The Smali^-bii^lkd Parrakeets [Brotogeiys) are
the last American group I have to mention, and very
charming little birds the}' are, their tame and confiding
disposition making them peculiarly suitable for, and
happy in, confinement. They are among the smallest of
the Parrakeets, measuring from six to ten inches in
length. None of them are very common, those most
usually imported being the Tovi Parrakeet {B. tovi), the
Canary - winged {B. xanthopterus), and the All -green
Parrakeet {B. tirica). vStill more rare is the Brotogerys
pyrrhopterus.

The Ring-necked Parrakeets [Palceomis). The
range of the Ring-necked Parrakeeets extends over a
considerable portion of Africa, Southern Asia, and the
East Indian Islands. Every one is familiar with the
Lesser Ring-necked Parrakeet {P. lorqtiata) which is so
constantl}' brought from India b}' soldiers returning
thence. Few Parrakeets are more beautiful than this
common species, few surpass it intelligence, docility,
and talking powers, and none, I believe, are equal to it
in the affection it displays for its owner. Nevertheless,
it has one fault, and that is a peculiarly shrill and
unpleasant scream, and, unlike other Parrots, which
generally leave off screaming when they become tame
and learn to talk, the Ring-necked Parrakeet will shriek
incessantly as long as its owner is in the room, simpl}'
because it wishes to be petted and fed, and, being of an
extremely affectionate and jealous disposition, cannot
bear to be left unnoticed. However, specimens ca?t be
obtained which do not scream much. I had one myself,
and can strongly recommend the species to all Parrot
lovers in spite of its faults. A yellow variety of the
Ring-necked Parrakeet sometimes occurs, but is very
rarely seen in this countr}'.

The Alexandrine Parrakeet {P. eupatria) is not so
handsome a bird as its smaller relative, and is even a

244

worse screamer, but it is a very good talker. The Plum-
headed Parrakeet {P. cyanocephala) is very beautiful, bu
I have fouud it quiet and stupid in a cage : the Javau
Parrakeet {P. fasciata) is the only other species commonly
imported. There are three species which are occasion-
ally but rarely seen ; these are the Malabar Parrakeet
(P. pe7-isierodes), the Lucian Parrakeet (/', modesta), and
the INIalaccan Parrakeet {P. longicavda).

PorA'TELTS.— Barraband's Parrakeet [P. hmrahnmH)
is the only representative of this genus imported into
England. It is an Australian species. and5,but seldom
oifered for sale. I have never kept it, though I un-
successfully endeavoured to obtain a specimen for some
years. It is a ver}- beautiful bird, of a bright grass
green, with a face of citron yellow, and a band of deep
crimson across the throat. Opinions differ as to the
difficulty of keeping this Parrakeet in confinement.
Many specimens appear to die from fits when newly im-
ported, others live for years without any trouljle on a diet
of canary and hemp. It is said to feed on the flower of the
wattle shrub in its native haunts, and to be partly insec-
tivorous. Should I ever obtain a specimen, I should feel
disposed to feed it on the diet I have found successful in
the case of tlie Many-coloured Parrakeet, that is, canary
and hemp seed with a liberal daily allowance of fruit.
Barraband's Parrakeet does not seem to be very suscep-
tible to cold.

Aprosmictus.— The King Parrakeet {A. scapulatus)
and the Crimson Wing {A. erythroptejus) are two Aus-
tralian species which are too well known to need
description. Their beauty of plumage is their chief
attraction, as they are not ver}- intelligent and do not
learn to talk. They are perfectly hardy and require the
usual vSeed diet.

(To be continued) .

245

HINTS ON HYBRID BREEDING FOR
BEGINNERS.

There is no hobby so fascinating as hybrid breeding.
One is always on the look out for plums, which some-
times arrive^ but much more often do not. But when
success is finally achieved, all the disappointments are
forgotten, or remembered with pleasure as stepphig
stones, for experience is nearly everything in breeding
hybrids.

In my opinion, to breed hybrids successfully three
essentials are needed, viz., out-door aviaries, proved
feeding Canaries, and the invigorating country air.
Now, the size of the aviaries must depend on the
room available; but if it is possible I advise one
long aviary being built, with movable wire divisions,
divfding it into six aviaries of about six feet square;,
then at pleasure the wire partitions can be removed
and the aviaries altered to any desired size. Build
the aviary facing south or south-west, with a wall
or hedge to protect it from the east wind, which is
very trying to the birds in the winter time : and nobody
can expect birds which have looked wretched and ruffled
all the winter to breed when spring arrives.

The aviaries built, let us make up our minds not to
put more than one pair of birds in each aviary ; if we do
this success will be more certain, and disappointments
fewer ; although I have found that Greenfinch hens will
nest within a few feet of each other, and cause no
trouble, when they are quite used to being together, but
not the first year they are put in.

But before putting the birds in we must prepare the
aviaries for them, and the way in which this is done is very
important. According to the birds for which the aviary is
intended, plant trees and shrubs, viz. : apple, pear, or
thorn trees for Bullfinches ; fir trees for Siskins ; gorse
for Linnets ; gorse or a large birch-broom (the same as
the gardeners use, only about four times as large) for
Greenfinches ; and so on all through the list of British

246

Birds, always arranging tlie aviaries as near to nature as
possible. Of course tlie hen bird is the one to be con-
sidered.

Procure the birds when branchers, and turn them
into tlie aviaries in pairs at once, so that they may
get strength to withstand the winter. When spring
arrives make a nest in the following way : Take one of
the ordinary china nests, and drill half-a-dozen holes
around the rim, line it with thick saddler's felt, (sewing
the felt tight to the nest, and gluing the edge of the felt
tight to the rim), then thread short pieces of string
through each of holes previously drilled, and tie it in a
suitable place on the tre^ or shrub in the aviary. You
may be certain that, if the pair build, they will build in
that nest. This nest has a great many advantages over
letting the birds build their own — the eggs will not fall
out through the nest being badly built, and if the birds
are too lazy to build the felt will protect the eggs.

As to feeding, we must try and give as much variety
as we are able. I keep Pheasants in nn* aviaries, so my
birds get the Pheasants' food to pick over. In their seed
hoppers, which hold enough seed for a week, they have
canary, hemp, and German rape, as staple food ; and in the
breeding season I give fresh ants' eggs. In addition, the}'
liave as large a supply of greenstufFand wildseeding plants
«s can be found for them. Of course the aviaries must
be laid down in grass, for the birds get a great amount of
insect life from it. If shelter is wanted in the aviaries,
to make the birds more private in the breeding season, a
good thing to use is alder tree, because it grows quickly
and the birds do not destroy it on account of its pungent
taste. A good supply of coarse grit must always be at
hand, and if you decide to take the risk of letting the
British birds bring up their own young, (instead of
putting the eggs under feeders), give them egg and bread
food, so that they can eat it if they wish to : some will and
some will not. With the above treatment and pains-
taking care, I have been fairly successful this year, having
reared four Linnet-Siskins, nine Linnet-Gieen-fuiches

247

and one Goldfiucli-Greenfiiich ; aud lost iu the moult
ten Linnet-Greenfinches, and a Goldfinch-Greenfinch.
E. D. Nicholas Mayer.

FOREIGN BIRDS AT THE ZOO.

Once at least, every summer, I try to pay a visit to
the Zoological Gardens, to see the Society's collection of
foreign birds. This year, circumstances and our climate
dela^-ed my trip until the middle of vSeptember, and then
fine weather and a free afternoon (an extremely rare com-
bination this summer by the way), enabled me to fulfil
my intention. It struck me that a few short notes, on the
species at present in tlie Gardens, would prove of interest
to those of our members who reside at a distance from
our Empire Cit}' : therefore it is for them that this
article is chiefly written.

My first call was at the Parrot House. Before
proceeding, I ought perhaps to explain that practically all
the caged foreign birds are kept iu the Parrot House,
hence my preference in point of call. The Fsittaci,
however, are no favourites of mine, so if 3'ou, gentle
reader, hoped to hear something of them, I am afraid you
will be disappointed. To my mind one Parrot equals
one squall, and as there are some two hundred in the
house, each trying to out-squall the other, the clamour
they create is beyond the power of words to express.

Well, the first birds I noticed were four Gouldian
Finches — one Red-headed and three Black-headed. One of
the latter appeared unwell — indeed none looked very
bright, which is hardly to be wondered at, considering
they were all in a cage about one foot cubic measure. In
the next cage was a Long-tailed and a Banded Grassfinch,
both in good condition. Two Bicheno's were in the
next, at least so the card said. As there was only one,
however, the deduction was obvious. A lonely little hen
Zebra Finch, someWhite-throated Finches, and a Chipping
Sparrow, were iu the next three compartments ; the
latter hails from North America. Then followed a Red-

24S

crested Finch, a Guttural Finch looking quite a little
aristocrat, a Red-headed Finch, and some Waxbills and
Mannikins. A two-coloured Parrot Finch {E. psittacea)
in the next cage was evidently moulting, but seemed in
good health. Immediately underneath was a splendid
Large-l)illed Weaver in full colour and delighfully tame
and quiet. It is a large bird, three or four times the size
of a Napoleon, and has the front and head a rich yellow,
and brown wings, back, and tail. Another name for this
species is, I believe, the Giant Weaver Bird.

Some larger cages then attracted my attention, the
first three of which contained Toucans. They were all
in perfect condition and have been at the Gardens over a
year, Ijeing sent there when quite young — so young in
fact that the keepertoldmethey did not know how to feed
themselves, so he had to teach them. " Nasty nip they
can give 3'ou, too," he added reminescently, " their beaks
have little teeth on the inner edges, and when they get
hold of your hand they give a sudden twist, and you know
it. You can crush their beaks as easily as an eggshell,
though." Three Touracous, the vSenegal, Schalow's, and
Buffon's next compelled my admiration, and these also
were in perfect condition. Magnificent creatures they
were, too ! Schalow's was the most distinguished looking
of the three, mainly on account of his splendid long
green drooping crest, each feather comprising it being
tipped with white, giving the bird quite a majestic
appearance. A Hunting Crow, an exceedingly beautiful
bird, was next door — a gift from our member Mr. Russell
Humphrys. Ithasbeenan inmate for three years, and was
in magnificent plumage, and ver}' tame. Five Troupials,
all moulting, and forming a decided contrast to their
neighbours, were further on. The tails and wing
feathers were all broken, giving them a most disreputable
look. " They've been in the wars," I remarked to the
keeper. " In the wars ! " he replied, " I should think
they liave ; why, the\' fight like blazes! One's a hen,"
he added in explanation.

Two Bare-throated Bell Birds were put away in a

249

corner with liardly sufficient room to turn round in.
The last time I saw them they had a hir<;e cage and
attracted consideral)le attention ])y their peculiar notes.
A Green and a Crimson-crested Barbet followed, looking
quiet and sedate. Tlie small cages took all the life out
of these birds. An old friend, the White-capped
Tanager, brought criticism into play. It was in fine
colour, but not in the best condition. What its age must
be is somewhat of a puzzle. It has been in the Gardens
over eighteen years — the longest authentic instance, I
suppose, of any Tanager living in captivity. Two other
Tanagers, the Thick-billed, and the All Green, were in
the next compartment. Neither were beautiful, the
Thick-billed less so than the All Green, which was just
coming into colour : both were in poor condition.
Two Striated Tanagers, (a specimen of which was offered
me recently), were in the next cage. The}- did not look at
all well and the keeper prophesied they would soon
"go." Further on, some Sugar Birds were making the
most of the small space at their disposal. What lively
little fellows they are ! There were specimens of the Blue
and of theYellow-winged — two or three of the latter — one
of these showing its bright wing feathers to advantage.
The Blue Sugar Birds were out of color. A Blue-winged
Siva and a Silver-eared Mesiaoccupied'the two following
cages. Both are rather rare birds, but were not other-
wise ver}- interesting.

A Golden-headed Hangnest, a Yellow-tufted and a
Warty-faced Honeyeater, all in good condition, com-
pleted the list. The most noticable absentees were the
Superb Tanagers. I mentioned the matter to the keeper,
and he replied that they, (the Society), never could keep
them for any length of time; they died with monotonous
regularity. The pity 'tis 'tis true, as I know to my cost.

I stayed chatting with the man some time, and
among other interesting items, he told me that a certain
Hyacinthe Macaw, at that moment basking in the sun,
was supposed to be the celebrated winner of so many
prizes at our leading Shows a few years ago. Just as I

250

was about to start for the Western Aviaries, the keeper
casual!}^ mentioned that they had a bird in the Insect
Honse that I might like to see, and when he told me
what that bird was I did not go to the Western Aviaries.
No, I went to the Insect House instead, and by the
shortest route. There, practically hidden away, (for who
would go to an Insect House to find birds ! ), I saw a
bird that I certainly never expected to see alive in
England, though I am aware that at least one living
specimen has been brought over before. It was, without
doubt, the rarest and most beautiful bird in the Gardens,
and to do it adequate justice I must leave the account of
it for a separate article. Perhaps there may be room in
our next issue.

There were a few other birds in the Insect House
however — a White-headed Woodpecker from Brazil, for
instance, which was quite at home, having been in the
Society's possession over five years. A relation, the
Golden-backed Woodpecker of India, was a more recent
addition : (July this year), vSonie Mynahs sitting in
a row, attracted more attention than the rara avis,
because one of their number, the smaller Hill Mynah,
managed to utter a quaint word or two ; and a Yellow-
eyed Babbler drew: my notice to himself by endeavouring
to devour my notes, while they were incautiously held
close to his cage.

It was rapidl}' nearing five o'clock, when at last I
left the Insect House. Tea occupied but a very short
time, for as the Gardens closed before six, I saw I should
have none to spare. The W^estern Aviaries were practi-
cally my last point of call, and on reaching them I found
I should miss seeing most of the inmates. Dusk was
beginning to fall, and the birds had retired into the
covered-in portion. The first to attract my attention
were some laughing Jackasses — though quiet enough
then. Two Grey Struthideas, busily engaged with
supper, were in another division, and were quickly joined
by a third, apparently wanting his share. They were all
in fine condition and the embodiment of health. It was

251

a representative of the species, b}' the way, that won the
Memorial Trophy for the rarest bird at the last Palace
vShow.

Further oti several species of Weavers, the Orange,
Red-billed, Napoleon, and Madagascar among others,
showed up prominently against the sable beauty of a
Long-tailed Whydali bird, who displayed his wonderful
tail to the best advantage, by long sweeping flights. As
the shades of evening fell more quickly the birds retired
to shelter, the last one I noticed being a Bleeding Heart
Pigeon standing meditatively beneath a large tree. A
rapid glance at the Great Aviary with its splendid
collection of Aquatic Birds followed — and my visit was at
an end. J. A. Swan.

THE BEARDED TITMOUSE IN NORFOLK.

Tliis elegant little bird, locally known as the " Reed
Pheasant," and sometimes more appropriately called the
Bearded Keedling, remains with us throughout theyear ;
but is confined almost entirely to the district of the
Broads, where the swampy nature of the soil and the
extensive reed beds afford it food and shelter.

The Reedling commences breeding operations early
in the spring — building in the month of March. Nests
containing eggs have been found in the first week in
April. The nests are generally placed amongst the reed
stems close to the water's edge, supported on loose
herbage that forms the foundation of the reed beds, but
never in any way suspended. The materials consist of
the dead leaves of the sedge and reed, loosely interwoven
on the outside, whilst the feathery top of the reed forms
the onl}' lining.

To obtain one of these nests entire it is necessary to
cut and remove reed, roots, and soil. The eggs vary in
number and are very transparent, having a white ground
with streaks of red. Formerly these were much sought
for by collectors, and a good price has been paid for a
genuine clutch (which could be obtained from one

252

individual at Hicklin^^, he beint( an expert at the
business).

Flocks of these birds may l)e seen durins^" the winter
months on Heigham Sounds, Horsey Mere, Hicklinj^
and Barton Broads. Wlien takin<^ flight from one reed
bed to another, they are easily distinguished b}' their
silvery note " chiji^^-chiiig" uttered preparatory to their
pitching into the nearest reed bed. Delicate as these
creatures appear, they have been found during the
sharpest frosts still busy among the reed stems, as
lively and musical as ever.

Some few summers ago I took a friend (then a
member of the N. B. B. & M. C.) to Heigham Sounds,
the home of the Tit, and, much to his delight, we were
not there long before the well known note of '' ching"''
was heard, and in a few minutes one was seen to fly
across an opening in the reeds, followed by others. At
that time of the year (August) the reeds were so thick
that none could be seen unless they were on the wing.
Then, for a change, we took the old Meadow Dyke,
which led us to Horsey Mere, a row of one and a half
miles. Reed and Sedge Warblers were the chief birds
by the shore. On returning to Whittlesea, we landed
by the side of a cottage at the entrance of Hickling.
to collect some rushes. Here a fine young cock bird
arose within a few feet of my friend, much to his
delight.

I secured a nest of young in 1895, and was successful
in rearing them, but I found them to be very mischievous
to one another when they were able to feed themselves —
pulling each others tails out. I prevented this by
putting a pane of glass in the partition of a large cage,
and fixing the perches so as to meet at the bottom of the
glass. At roosting time the two young Reedlings would
huddle close togetlier, on each side of the glass, and in
that way they settled down to captivity. I disposed of
the hens previously and only retained the two cocks.

One of them I exhibited at St. Ives Show, and he
was awarded ist Prize, but he came to grief about a week

253

afterwards, suddenly dropping from his perch dead. The
other poor little chap was much distressed for a time,
when he looked through the glass partition and failed to
see his l^rother and companion.

The remaining one I kept two years, and sliowed him
at Yarmouth, Norwich, and Ipswich, and intended
exhibiting him at the Palace, as the qtiestion of including
the species in the list of British Birds was just at that
time decided by the National British Bird and Mule
Club in favour of adding it to the list. But during the
moult he died. I may say that those I have seen
shown at the Palace in the British Bird Classes looked
to me suspiciously like foreigners : their plumage being
of a much lighter shade than any British specimen I
ever received, and I have had them at all times of the
year.

Great Yarmouth. W. Lowne.

THE DOUBLE-BANDED OR BICHENO'S
FINCH.

(Stictoptera hichenovii) .

Though by no means brightly coloured, this is one
of the prettiest and most charming of the Grassfinches.
It has been well known in this country for some thirt}'
years, but has never been imported in great numbers,
and has sometimes been almost unprocurable. Formerly
one of the most expensive of foreign finches, it has, like
nearly all other species, fallen greatly in price of late
vears, and can now sometimes be obtained at about the
price the Zebra Finch fetched ten years ago.

The Double-banded Finch generally reaches this
country in poor condition, and is then very delicate.
Probably it would not stand cold so well as the larger
Grassfinches, and it can scarcely be called a hardy bird
at any time— but on the other hand, when carefully im-
ported in summer, it seems fairly easy to keep it in
health. The four which I purchased in June last are all
still alive and well.

254

This species was bred in Kngland by Mr. Wiener
and others more than twent}- years ago. It has been
bred many times since, bnt not so freqnently as might
liave been expected.

Soon after my four arrived, I felt satisfied that there
was at least one true pair among them, but I have never
been able to tell the individuals apart. After keeping
them for some time in an aviary without nest boxes,
where some desultory attempts at nest-building were
made in the boughs — I turned the four into a rather
larger bird-room aviary, with a mixed collection of
Waxbills and Mannikins, acock Zebra Finch, and a Pin-
tailed Whydah. This aviary measures about 5 feet in
breadth, depth, and height, and contains three nest
boxes, all more or less filled with hay by the birds. A
few weeks ago I missed one of the Double-bands— that
is to say, I could only see three of them. I began to fear
that the fourth had either escaped, or died in a nest box,
when I heard a sound of young birds being fed. A good
many days passed, and still only three Double-banded
Finches were visible. Occasionally I heard the sound of
young birds, but as I never saw the parents entering or
leaving a nest box, I began to doubt the evidence of my
ears and think that the noise was caused by some Bronze
Mannikins quarrelling. At last I became impatient and
climbed into the aviary — (it is an " upper store}'," 5ft.
from the floor) — but though I looked into each nest box
I could see nothing, and came out fairly well satisfied that
there were no young birds. After this I could sometimes
see four Double-bands, and the noise of feeding was still
heard. On the 3rd of October there were undoubtedly
five Double-bands in the aviary, and one of these, distin-
guishable by its smaller size and dingier appearance, was
clearly a young one. A few days after another young
one made its appearance.

The young were reared almost entirely- on seed —
chiefly, I fancy, " Indian " Millet. But green food was
supplied with some degree of regularity, and a small
supply of insectivorous food, containing a large propor-

255

lion of preserved egg, was always in the aviary I think
some of the soft food, though not much, was eaten by
the parent Double-bands.

The most noticeable peculiarity about the nesting of
this species is its extreme amiability towards other ])irds
during the breeding season. The Double-banded Finch
neither interferes with other birds, nor allows itself to be
interfered with by them. It goes its own way without
any of the fuss and ostentatious combativeness indulged
in by most species while nesting. It is consequently
quite an ideal aviary bird.

H. Pv. Fii,IvMp:r.

WILD BIRD NOTES.^^

I have been staying at Felixstowe for a fortnight
in search of invigorating sea breezes, but as yet have
met only with laud winds. This part of the East Coast
faces due South.

I have looked for birds every morning, and have been
pleased to find a good many Goldfinches. The largest
family flying together numbered only five, but twos and
threes are quite ordinary. From this I conclude that
the young birds separate even thus early in July.

Linnets are very common, and families of seven are
•constantly met with. I watched ten youngsters, the two
old pairs catering for them. They were fully grown and
quietly remained on some faggots only three yards from
me. I noticed them about two and again at five p.m.
I marvelled at the inactivity of these fully grown
youngsters, and why they did not attempt to forage for
themselves. The nestlings I have brought up by hand
in my earlier days \vere mostly able to support them-
selves before their tails were fully grown.

Skylarks are plentiful, but I see very few branchers

* These Notes were written in July last.— Ed.

256

vet. I have flushed a good many of these birds, but they
all rise up a little wa}- and start singing. Where are the
Youngsters ? It stands to reason there must be hundreds
of the first brood about, l)nt they do not take wing-
readily.

The larger Whitethroat is in evidence everywhere,
and I have heartl some excellent imitations of different
birds' notes in its song.

On or about ist July, a very stormy and showery da}',
I watched some three liundred vSwifts congregating very
low in the air. They had gathered over the Western end
of the beach, and although they must have liad a hard
time all that day they were apparently not feeding, nor
did they utter a sound. With the fall of night they
allowed themselves to be wafted over the town towards
the Eastern end of the beach, and have not congregated
since, no doubt owing to the improved weather.

What can it have been in that northern half gale that
caused them to collect in such numbers, (probably the
whole contingent of the Felixstowe vSwifts), and stay
together for more than half-a-hour ?

We have, of course, Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Star-
lings galore. What I found very poorly represented are
Fieldfares, Red-backed Shrikes, Swallows, Martins,
Yellowhammers, Chaffinches, Rock Pipits, vStonechats,
Hedge vSparrows, Wrens ; still I have seen some few of
each of these.

I could mention a score of species, breeding on the
vSouth Coast, of which there is nothing to be seen here
this summer. A. R.

CORRESPONDENCE.

A MARVELLOUS RECOVERY.
Sir, — Some time ago, I think last June, I did a sillj-
thing. I was short of cages, and to make room for a new
comer I put a Blue-cheeked Barbet in with a small Toucan,
who generally has a large cage to himself I ow^n I did it
with fear and trembling lest the Toucan's great beak

257

should cause bloodshed — but when I first put them to-
gether the Barbet drove the Toucan away, and for the
remainder of the day they did not seem to take an}-
notice of each other — so I left them, thinking all was
well. Next morning I went into the bird room at half-
past six, to see if they were all right, and found the
Barbet on the ground, apparently dead. I took him out
and found that although insensible he was still living,
and that he had a wound on the top of his head larger
than a pea. I doctored him to the best of my ability,
but he remained unconscious until two o'clock, at which
time he half opened one eye and raised his head a little.
I took him up and put a quarter of a grape in his beak ;
he did not at first attempt to swallow it, but after a little
while he managed to get it down with a little assistance
from my finger and thumb. After that he gradually
picked up, and by six o'clock he was able to get on his
perch, though still in a very dazed condition, in which
he remained for a good many weeks.

He is now as well as ever he was, which says a good
deal for his constitution. vS. M. Tow^nsend.

A NOVEL DIRT FOR SOFT BILLS.

Sir, — I feed my Pekin Nightingale principally on
bread and cream. I prepare it by pouring boiling water
over the bread and then squeezing it very dry and mixing
it with cream. All my soft-billed birds prefer this food to
any other. I have bought several other kinds of food, but
they wdll not touch it when the bread and cream is
about. I may say that all the birds fed in this way are
in splendid condition, and I have not lost a single one,
though I have kept them for many months.

The Pekin always sleeps in a box at night with a
Brazilian Hangnest, of which he is ver}- fond.

M. K. Baker.

EPISCOPAL BIRDS.
Sir, — A clergyman, who knows nothing about foreign
birds, was being shown over my bird room one day in

258

my absence. He stopped in front of a bird and asked
what it was, on beino^ told that it was a Cardinal he said
" Ah ! " Goinjj^ on a little farther he asked " What bird
is this ? " " A Bishop," was the reply. " Ah ! " said he.
Passing- by several birds he stopped at another and asked
what that was — it was an Archbishop Tanager ! He
made no more enquiries. S. M. Townsend.

COMMON OR RARE ?

Sir, — Everyone knows how many species of foreign
birds, which used to be accounted rare, have of late years
become common objects of our bird-shops. The fact
that some few species, once common, are now more or
less rare, is less often remarked upon. The Two-coloured
Mannikin {Spennestes bicolor) which IVIr. Wiener calls the
" Cape Palmas Finch," is now an almost unknown
species. I believe that I once saw an example — but
certainly never more than one. Yet Mr. Weiner says of
it '' these last few years by no means rarely seen in bird-
dealers' shops." Here we have the case of a bird being
fairly plentiful in the seventies and extremely rare now.

Another instance is the Red-headed or Poker-headed
Weaver {Qiielea erythrops). Of this Mr. Wiener says,
" Since 1871 this bird has arrived in considerable num-
bers." I saw one in 1893, when it was considered some-
what of a curiosity. I do not remember to have seen or
lieard of one since. Randoi^ph Quin.

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD AND
MULE CLUB.

Committee Meeting held at Headquarters, 25, High
Holborn, 2ud October, 1902.

Present : Mr. Pollard (Vice-Chairman), Messrs. C.
Cooper, Maxwell, vSand}^ Morgan, Urch, Jones, Emms,
Vale, Merrifield, Plumbridge, Frostick, and the Hon.
Secretary.

Letters were read from ]\Ir. Nicholson, Mr. Weston,

259

Mr. Douglas, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Godwin, Mr. Lythgoe,
Mr. Tyson, Mr. Egerton and Mr. Steele.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and
coufirnied.

The application on behalf of Gateshead and District
Society was considered, and it was agreed to grant them
one Gold and one Silver, or three Silver Medals.

Mr. Weston made an application on behalf of the
Leicester Cage Bird vSociety. The fixture not being till
early next year it was decided to defer the matter till
next month, pending fuller particulars.

The application of the Whitehaven Cage Bird and
Homer Society. It was agreed, after discussion, to grant
them one Gold Medal.

Our Vice-Chairmau having to leave, Mr. Jones was
voted to the chair.

The Hon. vSecretary brought up the question of the
advisability of witholding the Magazine from those
members who have not paid their subscriptions ; but it
was decided that he should remind defaulting members
this month and abstain from sending them the next
issue of the Magazine.

This concluding the actual business of the meeting
the long standing matter of the Standards was next gone
into, and it was agreed to publish the next set of
vStandards, with a view to their adoption, next month.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.
W. A. LOTT, Hon. Sec,
NationaIv British Bird & Mulk Ci,ub,
103, Cheapside, London, R.C.

OCTOBER.
Manchester & N.C.O.S. 31&N0V. i. 2 Gold*

novb:mber.

Warrington & Dis. O.S. 8 .. .. i Gold.

West London F.A. .. 12 & 13 .. 2 Gold.*

Whitehaven C.B. & H.S. 14 & 15 . . i Gold.

L.C.B.A 18, 19 & 20. 3Gold&2Silver*

Whitehaven Bantam S.. 21 & 22 ,. i Gold.

26o

DECEMBER.

Hull 5 & 6 ..2 Gold.

Gateshead & Dis. . . 12 & 13 . . i Gold & i vSilver

or 3 Silver

Bariisley . . . . . .

The above is the list of Shows with dates and
luiniber of Medals given up to the present time.

Twite or Mountain Linnet.

Steadiness 30

Size 20

Markings should be bold and distinct .. .. 20

Quality and condition .. .. .. .. .. 25

Staging 5

MEAI.Y Redpoi.1.. 100

Steadiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Size = 20

Markings clear and well defined . . . . . . 40

Shape erect as possible, quality and condition . . 20

Staging 10

100

This bird should not be allowed to win over the
Lesser Redpoll for size merely, but each species should
be judged on its respective merits.

Lesser RedpolIv. — Precisely as Mealy.
Common or Corn Bunting.

Steadiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Size 10

Good bold markings ; colour, the browner the

better ; and quality . . . . . . . . . . 20

Condition and staging 20

YeTvIvOw Bunting. 100

Steadiness 40

Size .. .. 10

Colour: the yellow especially, to be plentiful and
bright ; the brown, of a bright chestnut ; and

remainder of pure quality , . . . .... 25

Of somewhat chubby type; quality and condition

throughout 20

Staging 5

100

CiRiy Bunting.

vSaiiie as 3-ello\v, but not nearly so nmcli yellow and
brown colour, nor of equal quality expected ; and 50
points allowed for steadiness.

Reed Bunting.

Steadiness 50

Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

All colours bold and distinct, the white showing-
well up against the black; the deeper the
brown the l^etter . . . . . . . . . . 20

Type, not so chubby as yellow ; quality and con-
dition throughout . . . . . . . . . . 15

Staging 5

100

The above vStandards are submitted to Members for

their views and suggestions, and their approval or

otherwise. Will they kindly send on their criticisms by

next monthly meeting ? W. A. LoTT.

NOTES.

I heard the other day of a cock Goldfinch and hen
Greenfinch rearing a nest of Yorkshire Canaries — this is
the reverse of the usual order of things.

Win- should not Show Committees provide a Class
for hen Bullfinches ? I feel sure there would be keen
competition, as there are plenty of them, and good ones
too, in the breeding rooms of hybrid breeders in all parts
of the country.

Will members note that last year one or two gentle-
men lost the Medals won by them by reason of their not
having paid their Subscriptions ?

If any members have not received their copies of last
month's Magazine, will they please to let me know .'*

There are some printer's errors in the list of Shows
published last month, at which our ]Medals are placed,
" South W. London" should read " West London." In the

262

last entry on the list the place of the Show is omitted —
it is Hull. The Manchester and Northern Counties Orui-
thological Society has tzvo Gold Medals, not one.

Members will notice that at Shows marked in this
month's list with an asterisk, one Gold Medal is for com-
petition among those who have never won a Medal of the
Club.

I do hope all the Shows at which our Medals are
given will be heartily supported. The Show Committees
have given a good classification — they have ventured
much in the hope that they will get the entries, and we
have liberally given the Medals, and they must be
liberally supported. The Medals given at these Shows
should result in a great augmentation of the membership
of our Club— such as I hoped for twelve months ago.

My ambitions as to our membership are by no means
near their fulfilment. I feel that the work of your Com-
mittee and Officers deserves to be rewarded by greater
energ}' on the part of the members in securing new
subscribers. Will each do his best to send on at least one
introduction ? I want to make a record report at the end
of our year.

The London Cage Bird Association's Show at the
Royal Aquarium is the final one at tliat place, as the
building has been acquired by the Wesleyans. Where
the Association will hold their next show remains to be
seen, but at all events I hope thev will this time have
a record entry of British birds and hybrids. The
Club lias made a record grant of Medals, for there are no
less than five to be competed for. So don't forget the
final meeting of the Champions at the Roj-al Aquarium.

Let me remind vSecretaries of Shows that I am
expecting from each of them an advertisement in at
least one issue of " Bird Notes." I am only making a
nominal charge of 2/- fertile same.

Will members encourage me a little by sending me
copy for the Magazine more freely ? Experiences,

263

accounts of breeding attempts, papers on any birdy
matters, or some sngii^estions for the possible improve-
ment of " Bird Notes "—all \vill be welcome.

Many members and friends have noticed in the
public press various accounts of the celebrated " Jack-
daw of Brixton." The bird was well known to members
of the Club who lived in the neighbourhood of Brixton
and Clapham. I can remember a little incident in
connection with him. I have been in the habit for years
of keeping a few birds in my office in Cheapside. At
that time I had a very nice "Gale" which I was taking
great care of, and having run out of the inevitable meal-
worms, I carefully put into a tobacco box a quantity of
them and placed them in my pocket for conveyance to
the "City," and dul}' jumped upon a tram car a short
distance from the headquarters of Master Jackdaw ; in
a minute or two he came flying on to the rail of the car
and began his usual cawing and jabbering, but soon he
was upon my back, and with a vigorous peck he had
secured a mealworm. How had he got into my pocket ?
Or had he enticed them out, and how .'' And yet again
another dash up at my collar. Other occupants of the
car were alarmed, and the ladies were in great con-
sternation, for I was smothered in mealworms, and m)'
Lord Jackdaw was in a mighty hurry to secure more. On
taking out ni}^ improvised receptacle for the mealworms,
I discovered a hole in the side of the box through
which they had gained their liberty, only, however, to
find another and more secure prison house in the Jack-
daw's crop. The ladies and gentlemen on board failed
to understand why I should have such horrid creatures
crawling all over me, and I must have seemed an
unclean person to some of them. But Master Jackdaw
had a large amount of cupboard love for me all the way
to the Elephant and Castle, where with a laugh of
satisfaction and a parting salutation he got on to another
car on his way home. I am afraid he did not have such
a happy time on his homeward journey. This same bird
was exhibited at our own Show held at the Crystal

264

Palace in 1S98, securing third prize in a good Class for
his owner, Mr. Beck. At the Show he was a constant
source of amusement to visitors b}- his antics and talk.

Mr. Tolhnrst has asked me to note that, owing to the
serious ilhiess of his wife, he was unable to attend the
last meeting of the Committee to proceed with his
resolution, re the reduction of the charges for the con-
veyance of cage birds to and from Shows.

Mr. H. Robbius informs me that a pair of Hoopoes
nested and brought up their 3'oung near Winchester this
season. W. A. LoTT.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

Now that the long winter evenings have begun, we
can settle down to reading and writing with real pleasure
— this is the time when our Club may reasonably expect
the energetic help of all its members. We may con-
gratulate ourselves on the progress already made, and we
look forward to still greater developments in the future.
But the success of the Club depends upon its members.
We do not expect all the members to take an active part —
but surely a much larger proportion might do something
more than pay their subscriptions — (unfortunately a good
many seem reluctant to do even that— but that is another
stor}^). There are two principal ways in which members
can help (i) by introducing new members (2) by writing
for " Bird Notes." Once again, at the risk of being
thought too importunate, I would ask every member to
try to help in both ways. I shall be very pleased to send
a supply of cards setting forth the objects of the Club,
and specimen copies of "Bird Notes," to an}' who can
make use of them. Or, if members prefer to send me
the names and addresses of acquaintances interested in
birds, I will correspond with them m^-self with the view
of getting them to join the Club. Then, as to writing for
"Bird Notes" — if members can send good long articles
I shall be grateful for them, but what I like equally

265

well are sliort practical papers and correspondence.
Kveryone who keeps birds must have liad.ww^ experience
worth recording — let ns have it, even if the telling of it
will occup}' a few lines only. No one need be afraid of
sending what he may consider rubbish — I, as Editor,
will be the judge of that, and I have a large waste paper
basket. Do, please, help me to make the next few num-
bers of " Bird Notes" the fullest and most interesting
which have appeared.

The well-known Red-faced Love-bird (Agapornis
pullariaj has, I believe, never nested successfully in this
country. It is very rare for it to make an}' attempts in
that direction, and therefore the fact that our member
Mrs. Anningson obtained eggs from her birds this sum-
mer, is worth recording.

The classification of foreign birds in the Schedule of
the Autumn show of the L. and P. O. vSociety, is an
amazing production. Apparently its authors do not
consider Amazons and Greys to be Parrots — for their
first class is for "Amazons and Grey Parrots, Macaws,
Cockatoos and Parrots, including Lories." "Waxbills,
Mannikins, Combassous, Weavers and any Whydahs"
is another peculiar class. I should like to know the
exact meaning which attaches to the word " any " before
Whydahs. The Grassfinches are not included in this
class, and therefore go with the finches in the class for
A. O. V. of Seed-eating Birds — the effect of which is
that the judge has to decide what species are Waxbills
or Mannikins and what are Grassfinches, with the result
that he either has to " wrong class " pretty freely, or be
afterwards criticised for undue laxity. It may be neces-
sary at Shows with a very large number of classes to
distinguish the Grassfinch from their congeners — but it
is certainly both unnecessary and undesirable to do so
when only eight or nine classes for foreign birds are
provided. Win' the class for Java Sparrows should be
restricted to Grey, and wh}' these must be exhibited
singly, are problems which I feel to be beyond me. The

266

class for " Coininoii Avadavals" is a novelty which is
scared V likely to be a success.

HORATIO R. FILLMER,

Hon. Sec. Foreign Bird Ci.ub,

52, Ship vStreet, Brighton.

NOTICES TO MEMBERS.

NEW MEMBERS ELECTED.

Mr. Thomas Kemping Thornborrow, 51, Swinton

Street, King's Cross, London.
Mr. G. E. Harrison, Radford House, Stone, Staffs.
Miss E. M. HoPKiNSON, 45, Sussex Square, Brighton.
Mrs. D. W. Curtis. Market Place, vStowniarket.
Miss M. E. Baker, Granite House, Mount vSorrell,

Loughborough.

Mr. E. J. TiGHE, Juur., Merville, Sligo.

Mr. John Keating, Castle Street, Sligo

Dr. J. F. Pi^OMi^EY, Knightrider House, Maidstone.

Mr. C. S. R. Perring, 144a, Queen Victoria Street, E.C.

NEW MEMBERS PROPOSED.

Mr. Ali^en Shaver, 43, Gabriel's Hill, Maidstone.
Mr. A. Bullock Webster, King's Close, Barnstaple.
Mr. A. C. Rolls, Vancourtland, Wyke Regis,

Weymouth.
Miss Theodora Saywell, The College, Bronisgrove,

Worcestershire.
Mr. George Cochrane, St. Boswell's, vScotland.
Mr. Charles E. Thomas, 362, Mare St., Hackney, N.E.
Mrs. E. Ollard, Conway, Palace Rd., East INIolesey, Sry.

Proposed by Mr. SWAN.
Mr. J. L. T. Dobbin, St. James's Gate, Dublin.
Mr. G. W. Taylor, 49, Dawson Street, Dublin.
Mr. Charles Harris, Naturalist, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Mr. Frank C. Porte, 28, South Mall, Cork.
Mr. J. F. Dickson, Walworth, Grand Canal Harbour,

Proposed by Mr. PHILIP. Dublin.

Dr. C. S. vSiMPSON, 2, Portland Road, Hove.

Proposed by ^Ix. FiLLMER.

267

The followinjr is a list of vShows for the forthcoiiiiiij^-
season at which the Chib Medals will be offered for com-
petition. Grants to other Shows will donbtless be made
by our Show Committee, and these will be duly notified
in these pages.
Norivich. nth and I2tli Oct. F. R. C. Classification C.

One silver medal and one bronze. Judge, Mr.

Hii:.LS.
Manchester. 31st Oct. and Tst Nov. F. B. C. Classification

A. One bronze medal. Judge, Mr. Hour^TON.
Nottingham. 8th and loth Nov. F. B. C. Classification

B. One bronze medal. Judge, Mr, Rothp:ra.
Sligo. T2th atid 13th Nov. 4 classes. One bronze medal.

Judge, Mr. Bowkp:r.
Royal Aquariiun. i8th, 19th & 20th November. P\ B. C.
Classification E. Two silver medals and two
bronze. Judge, Mr. Camps.

OUR DEFICIT.

To THP; l\rKMBP:RS OF THE FORKIGN BlRD CLUB.
It is with deep regret that I present the statement of
the efforts that are being made to decrease our Deficit.
To those who have so kindly come forward — all honour !
It is perfectly clear, howevei", that unless the large
majority of the members give their assistance, the scheme
will be a comparative failure.

Mav I, therefore, appeal once more, directly to each
member, and earnestly ask them to help the Club tide
over this difficulty. With an increased membership, it
is not likely to occur ngain. J. A. Swan.

87, Ivower Kennington Lane, S.K.

AviOllTlt

t^ittcliasea by

Mrs. Button's Bengalese . .
Mr. Fillmer's Canary

Offers.
Red-billed Weavers (fine pair
Singing Canary and Cage
Red-vented Parrot {Pionns tnenstniiis)
Crimson-crowned Weaver
Aurita Doves (fine pair)
Cat Bird (hen) ..

Purchased b

1'

^ mil J in I

realised.

Mrs. Mortimei

76

Mr. Storey

5/0

Presented

hv

. . Mr.

.K.

P

lilip.

. . Mr.

J.

vStorey.

stnais) Mr.

F.

C.

Tliorpe.

. . Mr.

J.

A.

Swan.

. . Mr.

G

Alston.

.. Mr.

H.

R.

Fillmer.

268

THE BIRD MARKET.

Only lueinhers of the N. R. B. & M. C. or tlie F. B. C. can adver-
tise here. The cliai g^e is one penny for every four words, address
included. All advertisements relating- to British birds must be
sent to Mr. Lott, and all relating to foreign birds to Mr. Killmer.
The Hon. Secretaries of the respective Clubs are authorised to
decline advertisements which they consider unsuitable.

Advertisements for the ne.xt issue must be received by the 15th

NOVKMBKK.

Lintiet-Siskiu ; Tvinuet ; Greenfinch ; Goldfinch-Greeu-
finch. This .sea.son's birds; grand condition. Highest
offers accepted.

Kmil Mayp-:r, 18, Gt. Marlboro' vSt., London, W.

Wanted — Cock Grey vSinging Finch, in song.

J. A. Swan, 87, Lower Kennington Lane,

London, S.E.

Two Chaffinches steady, one not steady; Greenfinch,
Linnet-Greenfinch, Kratnblefinch with hen Chaffinch
(had an eg<^ this season, bnt it broke); two cock
Weavers, twice cage-nionlted Redpoll. All fine birds,
will make winners. Two Bnff and two Yellow Nor-
wich, 1902, large for nmling. Offers; will exchange
for pedigree bitch.

ROBBINS, 25, Canipden Hill Square, W.

Pair Zebra Doves, moulted, 6/- ; Six Zebra Finches, two
months old, 12/-, from outdoor aviary.
A. BuIvIvOCK-Webstek, King's Close, Barnstaple.

]Male Peach-faced Love-bird, aviary-bred, perfect, 10/-.
Dr. Simpson, 2, Portland Road, Hove.

Indigo cocks, 7/6, hens 12/6 ; Nonpareils, 7/6; Blue Ear-
bets, 25- each ; Superb Tanagers, 22/- each ; pairs of
Tanagers, 50- pair; Napoleon Weavers, 10/6 pair;
Golden Weavers (Hyphantornis i^albula) 10 '5 pair ;
Scarlet, also Orange, Weaveis, 10/6; Half- masked
Weavers, 7/6; Whydahs, 10/-, 15/6, 18/6 pair according
to length of tail ; Blackcaps, 6/- each. vSeud for list
of other spare birds.

H. W. BuKGESS, High Street, Bu.shey, Herts.

All conununications for ''Bird Notes" in reference
to the British Bird and Hybi id departuient should he
addressed to the Hon. Sec. of the Xational British
Bird and Mule Club, and all comninnications in refer-
ence to Foreign Birds to the Hon. Sec. of the Foreign
Bird Club.

269

BIRDS FROM THE GAMBIA.

By E. HoPKiNSON.

The following are some rough notes on the more
interesting birds which I brought from West Africa last
July, and which I still have in my possession, either in a
garden-aviary or indoors.

On the whole, I am very doubtful if the result is
worth the trouble and expense involved in collecting
them in Africa and bringing them home ; for of the 700
odd which I brought, the great majority were of the
commoner species which can usually be bought so
cheaply in London. On the other hand, the mortality-
has, I think, been considerably lower in this lot than
among the ordinary dealer's birds of the same kind : no
doubt because they were a shorter time in the crowded
travelling cages, and got rather better lookeurTrft-er on
the vo\'age ; it certainh' cannot be attributed to their
arrival in siunnier weather this 5'ear.

I will now take the birds in order, and say what I
have to say under each head : nothing ver}- noteworthy
or original, I am afraid.

FiREFiNCHES. Of these I have three kinds, the
Common (Lagonosticta senegala), the Vinaceous (L.
vinacea), and thirdly, three specimens of a species I
have onh' recently identified, the Red-breasted Firefinch
(L, rnfopida).

With these birds I have been very lucky, as out of
the dozen which I kept, only two have so far died (one
Common and one Red-breasted). This is to me quite a
new experience, as I have never before been able to keep
r'irefinches for any length of time even indoors, much
less outside — as these birds still are (and where the}'
will probably have to remain all the winter now, as I
cannot catch them to bring them in as I ought). Any
other bird in the aviary is sooner or later easily captured
with a butterfly-net, but these are so wonderfully quick
in dodging the net that I have not yet succeeded in

catching oue. Beside their extraordinary activity, they
are the slimmest birds at escaping that I know ; when
first caught they used to squeeze out through holes
which none of the other birds would attempt ; even the
smaller Zebra Waxbills could not, or at any rate did not,
get through a hole hardly more than a crack, by which
I lost about half-a-dozen iMrefinches.

Just now a pair in the aviar}', taking advantage of the
present genial weather, is industriously engaged in
piling up a collection of straw, grass, and wool, in a
cocoanut husk ; but I hope the hen will not be so mis-
guided as to lay, for the result will almost certainly be
fatal.

The ViNACEOUS FiREFiNCH is a rather larger bird
than the Common, and in disposition is much quieier and
more sedate ; those I brought home arrived in almost
perfect condition, though for a month or more they had
been in a cage with at least two hundred other birds,
many of which, as was to be expected, suffered more or
less in their plumage ; but these always seemed to be
cleaning themselves up and were always ready for a bath.
The only other bird of this species I have had previously,
was one I bought a few years ago in very poor condition,
but he soon grew fresh feathers and afterwards remained
in perfect condition till his death by suffocation, (the
result of an accident with the stove), some eighteen
months later. In Africa I never noticed them with the
common Firefinches about the villages, for the}- kept
further afield, frequenting the borders of the cultiva-
tion, and especially the rice-fields near the swamps.
DescrijDtion. — The cock has a black mask and grey
crown, while the rest of the body is a beautiful plum-
colour ; the tail and wing-feathers are a much richer
shade of the same colour and blackish underneath ; on
the sides of the breast are a few white spots. Bill and
feet blackish. The hen is similar in colour, but is not sc
bright, and the tail and wings are more uniform with the
body-colour ; she has also no black mask, but the crowr

271

and face itnniediately rouinl the bill are grey, which
j^radually merges into the plnni-colonr surronndings.

The Red-breastki) Firefinch is about the size of
the Common, and I should tliink resembles it iu habits,
but as I only once met with one small flock of these
birds wild, I can only judge from their very similar
habits in confinement. I do not know if there is any
difference in the sexes — my two survivors are alike,
brown above, (including crown), and pinky-crimson
below, with many distinct white spots on the breast.
The bill is pinkish red shaded with black. Feet
dirty-red.

Lave:ndp:r Finches. These were a most unsatis-
factory lot from my point of view ; the}- are by no means
common in the Gambia, and I only got about ten, all of
which died before reaching England or within a month
of their arrival. In their own country they are among
the most conspicuous of the small birds, moving about
in small flocks among the low bush and over the fallows,
feeding on grass-seeds ; also, I suspect, eating a good
many insects as well. These birds, and also the Fire-
finches, I feel certain, require in captivity some sub-
stitute for insects, and it is the lack of this, and not
merely the change of climate, which militates against
their thriving under the changed conditions. How such
a substitute can be provided is beyond me ; I find that
they will look at none of our ordinar}' insects, except an
occasional small spider, and even if they were keen on
ihem, it would be a practical impossibility to keep
more than one bird supplied with such delicacies.
Daddy-longlegs, I felt certain, would be appreciated, as
there is a very similar but smaller insect which appears
occasionally in swarms out there, and these swarms
always cause great excitement among the little birds.
Firefinches, more particularly, I have often watched
hunting and catching the insects with great eagerness,
rapidly devouring their prey on the ground and then up
and off" for more. Remembering this, I fully expected
they would enjo\' our " daddy " in its season, but wasdis-

272

appointed, — the other birds, Weavers, etc., enjoyed them,
but the smaller ones would take no interest whatever in
the English edition of their favourite food, and I have
given up the futile attempt to provide live food. It is
true that the birds often have a few mealworms and ants'
eggs; but I mereh' throw in four or five of the former at
times, not nearly enough to make any appreciable
addition to their dietar}^ ; and as regards the latter, it is
only b}- putting a tinful of a mixture of egg and
soaked ants' eggs in place of the seed - hopper,
and not giving any fresh seed till later in the day,
tliat I can get the birds to eat any soft food at all ;
the birds return again and again to the well-known
supply department and eventually take what they fin<l
there, in despair of ever getting anything better.

But I really must keep to my subject, and will now
turn to the next bird of the list, the Aurora Finch,
which is a fairly common bird in the Gambia, but one not
unlikely to escape notice, as birds of this species do not
frequent the low bush so much as the other Waxbills, but
spend a great part of their time in the trees ; at any rate I
only saw them in places where trees flourished. It was
not till I had been in the country some months, that I
found that a small flock roosted ever}- night in the two
tall cotton trees under which our camp was pitched. All
day they were absent in the swamps or rice-fields, (where
I often met with them when out shooting), returning at
dusk to roost. I do not know if they nest in the trees,
as I left before the breeding season began, but there
were a number of old nests in our trees, which I am
almost sure belonged to these birds. I have kept these
Waxbills previously, but I do not believe I have ever had
a true pair before, at any rate I have never noticed before
the marked diff'erence between the sexes— the cocks sucli
clear blue-grey, and the hens so comparatively dull-
coloured.

(To he continued) .

273
THE GOLD-CREST.

fRegiiltis cristatiis j .

The Golden-crested Wren, which might be aptly
termed the Knglish Humming-bird — being the smallest
British bird, and one of the handsomest — is an
exceedingly interesting species in confinement. It can
stand a great deal of cold, especially if allowed the range
of an aviary : an indoor one by preference, as there is
then less risk of the drinking water being frozen. It is
extremely active, being constantly on the move from
sunrise to sunset ; and this activity, no doubt, keeps the
bird from feeling the effects of the cold.

During severe winter weather, wdien the trees are
covered with icicles and snow, and it seems almost
impossible for au}^ gnats, spiders, and other minute
insects (on which the l)ird exists) to be about, the wonder
is how the little Gold-crest finds sufficient food to live
upon. But as soon as the thaw sets in, he is as lively as
ever, and, very often, within a week he may be heard
singing.

Now, with regard to capturing these mites, I know
of no kind of trap in which they can be caught, and I
think it would be an absolute waste of time to attempt to
set one for a Golden Wren. Their habit of keeping so
much in plantations (generally of fir trees), and con-
tinually moving from one tree to another, prevents a trap
from being used with any success. I, however, by think-
ing the matter out and thoroughly studying their habits,
have overcome the difficult}^ and T think I may safeh' say
that I can claim to be the onl}' person who has made the
capture of the Gold-crest practically a certainty. I use an
ordinary fishing rod, and with it I have caught as many
as seven or eight in a day.

No doubt there are many of my readers who wull
think a fishing rod for catching birds sounds absurd, and
I have no doubt people wonder what on earlh I can be
doing, when they see me holding a fishing rod upright
iu the middle of a fir- wood ; the}' know I am not fishing
— perhaps they think I have escaped from an asylum.

274

Be that as it may, the thing is a thorough success,
and, of course, I don't mind what strangers think.

I will now tell you how to proceed. From vSeptember
to the middle of October is the best time to get them, as
the birds are then almost clean moulted, and there are
plenty of small insects, such as spiders, small flies,
moths, etc., still to be got, to feed them on when caught.
Get a light, five-jointed fishing rod : to the end of the
top joint fasten a straight piece of wire (steel), as thick
as the ordinary wire used for cage fronts ; file off the
wire gradually, until the end, which will be farthest from
the rod when fixed, is not thicker than a horsehair; on
this part of the wire place a very little holly-bark lime;
the wire being steel and filed so thin, the result is that,
as soon as you touch the bird, and it flutters in its
endeavour to escape, the wire springs backwards and
forwards with it, so that its chances of escape are verv
remote. As soon as your rod is fixed together, and the
wire limed at the tip, take a ramble in any good-sized
wood of larch firs, or, in fact, any species of fir, and 3'ou
will not be long before you come across the Gold-crests,
which are almost certain to be accompanied by several
Tits and Creepers ; stand quietly, and you will soon
see a Gold Crest hanging to the outside bough of a
tree, or perhaps on a fir cone, but the next minute
he will be on another branch ; hold the rod up, and
quietly follow him until you get the wire fairly close to
the bird ; don't attempt to dab the wire on him until
you have a clear view of him ; as soon as 3'ou get the
wire within three or four inches of the bird, quickly dab
the wire against him, and I will forgive him if he gets
away.

These birds are very fearless, so much so that I have
on several occasions had to disjoint my rod, and have
used merely the top joint, wherewith to catch the bird.
If he should be on a low bough, use two joints of the
rod : as he works higher up the tree, you can add another
joint, and so on. I need hardly sa}^ that the operator
requires a very steady arm.

275

As soon as the bird is caught, it must be promptly
suppHed with flies, &c., or it will soon sicken and die.
Gold-crests will feed on the flies and spiders given to
them, within a very few minutes after being placed in the
cage, but, like all other soft-bills, will not touch any com-
pound. As to mealworms, they won't even look at them.
I have given small ones to them as an inducement to
feed, also I have tried them cut np in small pieces, but
it was no good, and I never had a Gold-crest that would
eat them. If they would, the bother of getting flies,
etc., could be dispensed with,— to a certain extent only,
for I don't think they could digest the mealworms for
very long ; they must have their natural food of insects
from time to time. If these insects are mixed with
preserved 3'olk of egg, and a little crushed tea biscuit,
slightly moistened, they soon begin to eat the food ,- but I
never use the yolk of hard boiled egg, although after a
a time they will readily eat it, for I have found that they
do not assimilate it so easily as the preserved yolk. If
dried ants' eggs be used, they should be scalded in hot
water, and squeezed out again before being given to them.
Pei-sonally, I think dried ants' eggs as a food for any bird
are useless, for there cannot be an atom of nourishment in
them. If you were to take a bushel of them, and subject
them to great pressure, there would be no moisture got out
of them. If those who delight in keeping the various
])eautiful insectivorous birds could obtain fresh ants' eggs
as easily as the dried can be got, then keeping soft-
bills successfully would be made easy enough, but, as it
is, we must find the best substitute.

The staple food which I have found best for the
Gold-crest, and, in fact all the delicate species of soft-
bills, I make up as follows : — Half a teaspoonful of pre-
served yolk of egg, and a teaspoonful of crushed tea
l)iscuit, mixed with half a teaspoonful of the white of a
hard boiled egg — which is best pressed through a fine
cullender, as the small particles so formed are easily
mixed ; the whole to be slightly damped with hot water
so as to make it into a crumbly state.

276

By way of a change I give occasionally a very small
quantity of crissel, and mix half a teaspoonful of the
biscuit, and some very fine stale bread crumbs, with the
white of egg, as stated above.

My readers will note that this is a comparatively
plain diet, but I have found by long experience that the
plainer the diet, coupled with plenty of exercise, the
better the birds will thrive. I do not believe in giving
masses of hard-boiled 3'olk of egg, sponge cake, German
paste, raw meat, etc. The latter is ver}^ bad if used
freely. Very fine crissel is far better, and safer to use,
than meat in its raw state.

With regard to the species under consideration,
there is one very important point I should like to draw
attention to before concluding, namely, exercise. In-
sectivorous birds must have it, and plenty of it, for it is
almost impossible to keep them much over a 3'ear when
confined wholly to a cage. There are, we know, exceptions
to every rule, but, generally speaking, the birds go off in
fits, brought on by being overfed, coupled with
deficiency of exercise. Birds such as the Gold-crest,
Long-tailed Tit, Blackcap, and the smaller Warblers, are
most prone to these fits ; also, I might add, the Greater
and Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, but, strange to say, not
so the Green Woodpecker.

If we go to Nature for a lesson, we soon see how this
is. If we catch a wild bird, and examine the condition it
is in, what do we find ? We find that it is not fat, but in
good condition only ; this means that the breast is well
covered with muscle, and there is just a little fat in the
hollow of the breast bone. The bird has to hunt after
and capture small insects, which requires an enormous
amount of activity in the course of the day.

Now compare this with the condition of the bird in
the cage. We find, as a rule, its tin full of food, and as
soon as this is emptied it is refilled. The bird simply
hops down, feeds, and hops back on to its perch, and so
gets positively fat; and this state of things cannot go on

277

or long. Therefore, I maintain that an aviary is indis-
pensable for all who keep Golden Wrens and similar
birds. Pkrcv F. M, Gai^i^oway.

FOREIGN BIRDS AT THE ZOO.

{^Continued from page 2ji.)

THE EMERAIvD BIRD OF PARADIvSB:.

[Farad isea apoda).

There are but few foreign birds more familiar to the
general public, by name, than the Emerald Bird of
Paradise. Indeed, its dead body may not be an unfamiliar
sight, for stuffed specimens are by no means rare. Very,
very few, however, liave been privileged to see the bird
alive and well, and even experienced aviculturists will
learn with deep interest (if they have not already done
so), that there is a splendid representative of the species
in the Gardens of the Royal Zoological Society. It has
been my pleasure to see this beautiful creature, and so
impressed was I by the sight that I feel it is only due to
our members to try and fittingly chronicle its presence
among us.

It is to the Insect House, then, that I must ask you
to return with me. There, in front of us as we enter the
door, is a large aviary, seemingly about 12 feet in length,
6 feet in width, and perhaps 8 feet high. Within this
space is living, at present in perfect health, the subject
of this article. The bird shows uo sign of fear at our
approach and boldly gives us glance for glance. A
cursory examination reveals a rather large bird, about
twelve inches in length, of a prevailing chestnut colour,
with a few yellowish feathers protruding on either side.
But let us look at the bird more closely. The pre-
dominant colour is undouVjtedly a beautiful chestnut
brown : the forehead appears to be black with a play of
emerald as the bird moves into a different light. The
crown and the upper part of the ueck are very pale
yellow, lemon-colour in fact, while the feathers of the
throat are of burnished emerald-green. The beak and

278

feet are greyish blue. But of course the chief beauty of
the bird is the wonderful plumes which grow from its
sides. Unfortunately, in the specimen before us, these
are not in the best condition, and nothing like their
proper length. Still, the rich golden beauty of the
feathers is a decided contrast to the warm chestnut, and
shows to great advantage.

Confidently jumping from perch to perch, anon
leaping on the wires of the aviary and then flying to a
lower branch, it is evident that the bird is already quite
at home. On the floor is a bowl of what appears to be
boiled rice, and close by a large pan contains water.
The temperature is nearly 80 degrees. With the
exception of the yellow plumes already mentioned,
the creature is in splendid condition. It was otherwise
when it arrived at the Gardens, however.

The attendant at the Parrot House tells us he had it
there for the first month to get it used to the food and
also to try and clean it somewhat. " It 7fas in a state," he
concludes. As the Society onh^ received the bird on the
ist of Juh-, this year, there is thus every excuse for any
shortcomings observable in the plumage.

The card affixed to the front of the cage informs the
uninitiated that the Emerald, or as they have it, the
Greater Bird of Paradise, is a native of the Aru Islands.
This is natural enough, but when it goes on to
state that the bird was" received in exchange," one is apt
to be a trifle staggered and wonder what manner of
person or vSociety it was that wished to get rid of a Bird
of Paradise ! The thoughts in.stinctively fly to the
columns of a conlemporar}- : " Wanted to exchange an
Emerald Bird of Paradise, for Canaries, live stock, any-
thing:'' Will it ever come to this }

It may be interesting to recall that P. apoda has been
kept for a number of years in captivity, though not, as
far as I am aware, in Phigland. Dr. Greene, in his
" Birds of the British Empire," says several of the
Paradisea have been kept in the Parrot House of the Zoo
for a '-considerable time." Whether this extends into

279

years, or only inontlis, is a problem left to the reader to
solve.

A prominent exhibitor of foreign birds obtained a
specimen some years ago, but unfortunately, owing to it
having been Avrongly fed before coming into his
possession, the bird died. A gentleman in Calcutta has
two of these Inrds, which he has kept for two years in
perfect liealth and condition in large cages in his sitting
room.

But undoubtedly the most successful instance is
that of a gentleman who resided, in China many years
ago, who kept an Emerald Bird of Paradise (among a
magnificent collection of the rarest foreign birds
obtainable), for over nine \'ears !

In Bennett's "Wanderings in New vSouth Wales,"
Vol.11., an exceedingly valuable account is given of this
bird. Unfortunately it is far too long to reproduce here,
but a few extracts may not be uninteresting. " This
elegant creature . . has an arch and impudent look ;
it dances about when a visitor approaches the cage, and
seems delighted at being made an object of admiration."
The bird moulted from May to August of each year,
and washed regularly twice daily. " After having per-
formed its ablutions, it throws the delicate feathers up
nearly over its head, the quills of v^^hich feathers have a
peculiar structure, so as to enable the bird to produce
this object." These plumes are cleaned by being
separately passed gently through the bill, the short
brown wings being steadily flapped the while. It was
fed on "boiled rice mixed with soft egg, together with
plantains and living insects of the grasshopper tribe."

I cannot do better than conclude this article by the
following extract, culled from a very old book in my
possession : " When the bird is living and healthy, no
pen can describe the varied and changeful beauties
that develop themselves at every moment, for the
creature seems to comprehend within its own single form
the united beauties of all the other members of the
feathered tribe. There is delicacy of shape, grace of

28o

movement and elegance of form, which alone would
render it a most beautiful bird. But in addition to all
these qualities, it possesses plumage which in one part
glitters with all the dazzling gem-like hues of the
humming-bird's wing, in another, is soft, warm, and
delicately tinted, and in another is dyed with a rich in-
tensity of colouring that needs a strong light to bring
out its depth of power. Yet more, the torrent of graceful
softh' tinted plumes that flow with such luxuriant
redundance of changeful curves over the body, are in
thenuselves sufficient to place the Emerald Bird of
Paradise in the first rank of beauty."

If all goes well, there promises to be a sight at that
Insect House next summer, worth travelling the length of
the United Kingdom to see. J. A. Swan.

THE CARPENTERS OF THE WOODS.

Often heard, but seldom seen, are those highly
interesting but shy birds, the Woodpeckers of our native
land. Until recent years, it was thought by aviculturists
generally, that to keep the Carpenters of the Woods in
captivity was an impossibilitj- : but that idea has been
almost dispelled, for it has been shown that with care
and judicious treatment all three of the species found
in this country, (the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, the
GreaterSpottedWoodpecker, and the Green Woodpecker),
may be successfully reared from the nest on ordinary
insectivorous food, and kept in splendid condition for a
long period. The Woodpeckers shown at the Crystal
Palace Show of February, 1902, may be mentioned in
proof of nu' statement.

I have kept all three species, but not with the
success that some fellow fanciers have had, notably
Messrs. Maxwell, Galloway, and Dewhurst. The last-
named gentleman showed me, when I saw his wonderful
collection of British Birds, his grand old Greater
Spotted, looking as smart as possible, after a captivity of

28l

at least three years. The Lesser Spotted in Mr.
Maxwell's possessiou, could not appear in better condi-
tion if it were in its native haunts. I do not know if Mr.
Galloway has succeeded in bringing his Green through
the moult ; but, knowing him to be capable of wonders
where insectivorous birds are concerned, I fully expect
it to be still in the land of the living, in fine form and
quite ready to do battle on the show bench again. I
think the Green Woodpecker requires more care than
the others.

I consider the Woodpeckers, when hand-reared from
the nest, to be very interesting and attractive cage birds.
I have never possessed a wild-caught specimen, and
would expect such to be most difficult to keep alive,
and almost impossible to tame. To those desirous ot
keeping these birds, I would certainly suggest a
hand-reared specimen. If one wishes to rear Wood-
peckers from the nest, I am given to understand that
they should be taken when only a few days old, even
before the e3-es are open.

As the three species are all residents in this country-,
either may be selected as a pet : but to a beginner,
because cheaper to buy, easier to obtain, and hardier of
constitution, I would suggest that Dendrocopiis major, as
the Greater Spotted is called by ornithologists, should
be the first species chosen. This is a beautiful bird,
nearly as large as a Thrush, with lovely markings of
black and white. The male possesses, in addition, a
crimson nape, well defined. I have found this bird as
hardy as possible, and quite as eas}^ to keep in good
condition as a Thrush or Blackbird, on such food
as biscuit-meal, nuts, sunflower and other seeds, with
mealworms occasionally, and blackbeetles when pro-
curable.

If the Lesser Spotted [Dendrocopiis minor) is the bird
obtained, this being about the size of a Wheatear, and
not so hardy in constitution as Dendt-ocopiis major, more
attention must naturally be bestowed upon the sprightly
little fellow; who will, if sufficient care betaken, become

282

quite a channing pet and very tame. I have found this
taineness of the Woodpeckers quite a .striking feature ;
and have known them so tame that they would call to
one a note of welcome and recognition, and, when let out
of the cage, delight in running over their owner's
shoulders and even follow him about the house. The
Lesser Spotted will thrive capitally on such food as is
given to most of our smaller insectivorous birds in
captivity. This delightful and quaint little fellow, our
smallest Woodpecker, is very similar in appearance to
the Greater Spotted, but the crimson patch which the
male possesses is larger in proportion, and found on the
crown of the head instead of at the nape.

The Green Woodpecker [Gecinus viridus), known
localh' as Hewbird, Rain-bird, Popinjay, etc., when full
grown is nearh' as large as a pigeon, and of a dull sap
green colour above, shading to a pretty rich yellow
toward the tail and under the body. The red markings,
which are a distinctive mark of sex in our English
species, are in this, our largest Woodpecker, of a duller
colour, which I have heard described as carmine. In
addition to the crown marking, which both sexes possess,
(the hen in a less degree as to both size and brightness),
the male has a red moustachial mark at the base of each
cheek. This latter mark is found in the female, but the
colour of the feathers in her case is black, not red.

The haunts of the Woodpeckers, whether Spotted or
Green, are similar. Forest, wood, park and orchard, being
of necessit}' their abode, as their food is obtained almost
entirely from the trees : their long wonderful tongue,
with its hardened tip, picking up insects incessantly.
They build their nests in a hollow, tunnelled in a tree
showing signs of decay. The eggs are from four to
eight in number and of a white colour. They are
deposited at the terminal end of the tunnel, which is
there rounded out and made larger to furnish sufiicient
room for the 3'oung family.

The flight of the Green Woodpecker is certainly
heavy and perhaps awkward, and I have no doubt many

283

ramblers, unacquainted with bird life, have mistaken it
for a Woodpigeon, or some similar bird. On the ground,
the Woodpecker's progress is by a series of jerking hops,
which remind one very forcibly of a frog. The same
kind of progress is made when the bird ascends a tree
in search of insects ; and the spiral route taken is very
noticeable; as well as the position kept by the birds,
which is with head pointing up, never down, and the
stiff feathers of the tail acting all the while as a support
for the weight of the bod}'.

When these birds are kept in cages I find perches
quite needless, as the birds never use them ; preferring,
if nothing better is provided, to sleep crouching on the
floor in some secluded corner.

If a strip of cork be placed at the back of the cage,
the bird will amuse itself during the day by hopping up
and down in the manner previously mentioned, and it
will tap away qnite merrily without doing any harm to
the cage, and then, when night comes, it will sleep
clinging to the bark. I have found that a piece of cork
rolled round to imitate a hollow tree is appreciated by
my pets, and used b}- them quite readilj- as a roosting
place. vShould the exposed part of the cage be made of
wood, it will be soon splintered, for even little Dendro-
£opus jninor, as I have experienced, can do damage to the
extent of several shillings in as many minutes.

C. Cooper.

THE STONECHAT.

I have frequently wondered why this brightly
•coloured little bird is not more often seen on the Show
bench, for as regards beauty of plumage it compares
very favourably with such favourites as the Redstart, and
has the advantage of being far hardier — being a resident
species. In the spring an adult cock has a glossy jet
black head and throat, with a pure white collar; reddish-
brown breast ; the flights and tail a very dark browMi
with lighter tips and margins. Bill and legs black. In

284

the autumn the head and throat feathers are tipped with
brown. The Stonechat frequents commons where plenty
of thick furze abounds, and is also very partial to strag-
gling bramble and other low bushes, where he may be
seen perched upon the topmost twig spreading and clos-
ing his fan-like tail and uttering a sharp " cluck-cluck"
—particularly when alarmed. If you can contrive to get
close to the bush upon which he is perching, he will
make a dive as though to alight on the ground at the
foot of the bush, but in reality he will fly close to the
ground on to the next bush, where you will find him
perched on the topmost twig as before.

In selecting a specimen in the spring which you
intend eventually for an exhibition bird, you should
choose one with a dense black head, pure white collar,
and the breast colour as deep as possible, not forgetting
that it should be a large and shapely bird. I am assum-
ing a number of birds can be had for selection, but
personally I have never had the opportunity of any
number to choose from — the most I think has been four.

Bird-shop keepers as a rule do not seem to think
it worth their while to get Stonechats — or, as the\^
call them, "Furze Chats" — ^probably for two reasons ;
firstly, there would not be much demand for them,
and secondly, the difiiculty experienced, and the ex-
pense and patience required, in " meating-off," and
keeping until a customer conies along. I am strongl}' of
opinion, from my own experience, that an old cock
Stonechat in the Springtime is without exception the
most difficult bird to "meat-off" of all the soft bills,
and in the Autumn, after the moult, both young and old
are almost as bad. I do not think it possible to satisfac-
torily "meat-off" an adult vStonechat either in spring or
autumn under a month and sometimes longer, and a
great deal of patience, and an unlimited supply of meal-
worms will be required. For the first ten days or so I
give at least thirty mealworms a day, mixed with hard
boiled egg (the yolk only at first), then twenty per day
for the next week or so. After that time I reduce the

285

daily allowance of mealworms as the bird more readily
eats the food. The food I have found most suitable is
hard boiled egg, soaked ants' eggs and crushed sweet
biscuit in equal parts. When thoroughly "meated off,"
about three mealworms a day are all that is required
except in the depth of winter, when the quantity should
be doubled. Stonechats are also very fond of beetles.
Being a resident species and of amiable disposition,
several Stonechats could be kept in a fairly sheltered
out-door aviary throughout the winter — but under those
conditions it is necessary to increase the supph- of
mealworms to eight or ten a day — giving a few of these
as late in the afternoon as possible, and leaving the
others for the first feed in the morning.

Another somewhat difiEicult task is to get the bird
.steady enough for the Show Bench, and the best way is
to have the cage in a room where persons pass frequently,
and to talk to the bird and offer a mealworm occasionally,
or a spider. Having once got a Stonechat well caged
and steady, I think any exhibitor would find him a very
desirable cage pet, and a useful addition to his team of
exhibition birds. The hen is dull in plumage, and has
nothing in particular to recommend her being kept.

vS. A. Sandy.

FOREIGN BIRDS AT THE CRYSTAL
PALACE.

The recent Show at the Crystal Palace, so far as
foreign birds were concerned, was remarkable for two
things— the exceeding badness of the classification and
the magnificent quality of the exhibits. There were 93
entries, a great advance on last year, due, no doubt, to
the fact that the exhibition was held in a tent, and the
temperature kept at a " living " heat. Of these 93,
however, nearly 20 were absent, so onh^ just over 70
birds competed. It may be stated that, of the 93 entries,
55 were owned by members of our Club. Of the 29
prizes awarded our members won 18 ; of the eight

286

specials we took seven ; and of the 29 honours we won 16.
It will thus be seen that the members of the Foreign
Bird Club practically made the Show, both in
quantity and quality. Indeed, without our support,
hardly one of the classes would have stood. Two classes
were cancelled, 77 for Java Sparrows, and 78 for Common
Avadavats. Granting separate classes to these birds is an
experiment hardly likely to be repeated.

Class 73. Amazons and Gi-ey Parrots, Macazvs,
Cockatoos, and Parjvts, including Lories, ist, Mrs.
Hecker's splendid pair of Grey Parrots, looking well and
in fine condition : well deserved their position. Their
owner was also awarded the special prize for best })ird
exhibited by a lady. 2nd, Mr. Babbs, a Blue and Yellow
Macaw, a good specimen, not in best feather. 3rd, Miss
Pauline Brown, Red & Blue Macaw, nice bird but tail poor.
4th, Mr. Shorrock, good hen Grey. V.H.C., Mrs. Barnes'
Amazon and Mr. Husdon's Rose - crested Cockatoo.
H.C., Mr. Cushny's Blue-eyed Cockatoo, looking unwell
when we saw it. C, IMrs. Brietkrenty's Grey. Two
Amazons and another Grey completed the class. There
were two absentees.

Class 74. Bndgej'igars. ist, INIr. Osbaldeston's
pair, splendid birds in magnificent condition ; easy
winners. 2nd and 3rd, Mr. Thome's pairs, both beaten
in condition. 4th, Mr. W. B. Smith's pair, not looking
very bright. V.H.C,, Mr. Wood. Two absentees in this
class also.

Class 75. A7iy other variety of Parrakeets and
Lorrikeets. ist, Mr. Howes' Rock Pepler, well deserved
to win ; a fine bird, but cage too small. 2nd, Mr.
Osbaldeston's Crimson Wing, beautiful bird, not in full
feather on head. 3rd, Mr. vStorey's celebrated lyove-
birds, not so smart as usual and beaten in quality ; hen's
plumage very rough. 4th, Mr. Husdon's Lorikeets, nice
exhibit, but loose in condition. V.H.C, Mr. Hawkins'
Many-coloured Parrakeet, an unusual postion for this
bird, but tail feathers were in a bad state [H.C., Miss C.

287

Rosa TjLtle, nice pair of Redrumps, head feathers lost,
or otlierv/ise must have been much higher up. Four
absentees.

Class 76. IVaxhills, IMannikins, Conibassous
Weavers, and any Whydahs. ist, Mr. Hawkins' Red-
faced I'inch ; an unique exhibit, but hardly beautiful.
2nd, ]Mr. Hawkins'Rufous-tailed Finches, in splendid con-
dition ; we should have reversed these awards. 3rd, Mr.
Townsend's ])eautiful little Lavender Finches well
deserved their positi(ni. 4th, Miss Laskey's Paradise
Whydah, very steady, in good colour, and well
showu. V. H. C, Mr. Hawkins' Gold- breasted Wax-
l)ills and Mr, Smith's Cordon Bleus ; both pretty
exhibits, and the former especially in fine feather.
V. H. C, Mrs. vSkey's Orange Bishop, in full colour, and
Mr. Cushny's Crimson-crowned Weaver, also in full
colour, and a fine bird. C, Mrs. Skey's cock Combassou,
perfect tint ; could not expect to do much in such
company. A Firefinch, looking very ill, another pair of
Cordon Bleus, and a pair of Zebra Finches, completed the
class. Two absentees.

Classes 77 and 78 cancelled.

Class 79. Any other variety of Seed-eating bird.
1st, Mr. Hawkins' pair of Cuba F'inches, hen's plumage
rather rough when we saw it. 2nd, Mr. Hender-
son's well-known Green Cardinal, beautiful bird, spoilt
))y one tail feather being out of place. 3rd, Mr. Osbalde-
ston's Olive Cubans, pair, not in best condition. 4th,
Mr. Hawkins' pair of Pintail Nonpareils, nice birds, hen
not perfect, V.H.C, Mr. Turnljer's Military vStarling, a
nice bird, tame, in good colour; deserved its position.
Mr. Hawkins' Bicheuo F'inches, splendid pair in perfect
condition, should have been higher up, H,C,, Mr.
Hawkins' Gouldian Finch and Mr. Clark's African >Seed-
eater. C, Mr, Hawkins' Parrot Punches hardly deserved
it on account of poor condition. Cock had lost all toes on
the right foot. vSeveral absentees. A Crimson-wing
Parrakeet was entered in this class, and saved itself from
disqualification by not putting in an appearance.

288

Class So. Insectivorous, any variety. It is impossible
to meutiou this class without using superlatives.
Wonderful in quality and quantity, and undoubtedly^ the
best ever seen at any Show. Seven of the eight
specials offered were won by the birds comprised in it.
Mr. Hawkins signalised his entry into the Insectivorous
Classes by sweeping the board, showing birds as perfect
as they were rare.

1st and vSpecial, 2nd and Special, 3rd and Special,
and extra 4th and Special, Mr. Hawkins. Purple Sun
Bird took the lead, simply perfect; Yellow-winged Sugar
Bird followed, in full colour : rarity alone could have
given the winner its position over this bird ; Silver-eared
Mesias, fine pair in splendid trim ; Blue-winged Sivas,
nearly perfect, but lost in condition. 4th and Special,
Mr. Russell Humphrys' Rufous-bellied Niltava Fly-
catcher, a beautiful creature, in splendid health and
verysteady. V.H.C. and Special, INIr. Swan's White-capped
Tanager, V.H.C, Mr. Townsend's Tri-coloured Tanager
and an unknown Tanager. H.C. and Special, Mr. Osbalde-
ston's Shama, nice bird, in splendid condition, and very
tame. H.C, Mr, Gilroy's Indian Mynah, 2nd in this
^lass last year, outclassed this time. C and Special, Mr.
Townsend's Yellow- winged vSugar Bird in winter
plumage, but in good condition. Here we have au
interesting problem. Two Yellow- winged Sugar Birds
— one in full colour and one out of colour — both in
splendid feather. Yet the bird in colour gains a high
award, the one out of colour a low one. Should Judges
allow colour to influence them to such an extent }
•C, Mr. Townsend, another rare unknown little Tanager.
There were also another Indian Mynah and a Military
Starling in this class. They were both nice birds, but
the competition was too much for them. Hard lines !
It is difficult to criticise the awards in such a class, but
we should certainly have placed the Niltava Flycatcher
first. This bird and Mr. Townsend's unknown V.H.C
Tanager were the two rarest in the vShow. The Abraham's
Trophy was awarded to the Blue-winged Sivas. We

289

should have given it to Mr. Huinphrys' bird, for this
species has probabh- never been seen in England before.
]\Ir, Townsend's Tanager puzzled all present and it
deserved a better fate that V.H.C. The White-capped
Tanager might have been higher up — but our
sympathies are with the judge.

Class 81, Any variety Foreign Bird (limit), ist,
Miss Laskey's perfect little Rufous Grassfinch, very cheap
at a so vereign. 2ud and 3rd, Mr. Hawkins' Grassfinch
and hen Shama. The latter quickly claimed at catalogue
price. 4th, Mr. Osbaldeston's Zosterops, poor condition,
and said to be Chestnut Finches in the catalogue.
V.H.C, Mr. Hawkins' Gre}' Singing-finch in perfect
condition. H.C., Mr. Hawkins' hen Gouldian, and C.
same gentleman, pair of Orange Cheeks. A cock indoor-
moulted Nonpareil and a pair of White Javas were also in
this class.

On the whole the judging was fairly well received.

FOREIGN BIRDS AT THE BARNSTAPLE
SHOW, OCTOBER 28th and 29th.

Although the Barnstaple Show ranks next to the
Palace and Dairy for Poultry and Pigeons — as regards
cage birds (British and Foreign) it is a long way behind
the former. Probably people think the journey to
North Devon too long for delicate birds, and apparently
there are very few fanciers in the West of England.

There were four classes, viz. : — Single Large ; Single
Small ; Pairs or Groups Large ; Pairs or Groups Small.

Mr, W. Young, of Barnstaple, was the principal
exhibitor, and carried off most of the prizes. Indeed,
but for his support the classes would probably have been
cancelled. His exhibits included King, Half- moon.
Pennant, and Red-rump Parrakeets ; and Cockatiels, as
well as other birds.

A Toucan and a Bee-eater, both hown bv I\Ir. C. P

290

Arthur, were amongst the most interesting of the
exhibits.

Kvery care was taken of the cage birds, which were
staged in a large room opening off the Market Hall,
thoroughly warmed, without being overheated or
draughty.

A. Bui.i,ocK Webster.

CORRESPONDENCE.

GREEN SINGING-FINCH— GOLDFINCH
HYBRIDS.

Sir, — I think perhaps the following note ma}' be of
interest to those members who care for hybrids. In one
of my aviaries I have a hen English Goldfinch and a
cock Green Singing-finch. Both birds are in fine health
and plumage. This summer they have nested twice.
The first nest was built close to a Violet Dove's nest, and
the two birds sat in perfect harmou}' within a few
inches of each other. Four or five eggs were laid, and
the Goldfinch sat well, but unfortunately the nest was
destroyed by some other bird. A second nest was made
later, and three young ones hatched. One was drowned
iiist as it left the nest. The other two are fine young
birds, now over two months old, and one of them is
beginning to sing niceh-. In size and shape they are
rather like a hen Chaffinch. Both birds are showing
yellow and orange in the forehead, chin, and wings. I
think they should be very handsome in a short time.
The parents were most attentive to the young ones, and
probably that is why they are such strong birds. I
believe the young one that was drowned was the finest
of the three, but I was away from home at the time and
did not see it. R. A1.DERSON.

Wanted — Pair of Lavender Finches, young ones pre-
ferred ; also one hen Zebra Finch.

Miss T. SayweIvL, Bromsgrove College, Worcs.

291

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD AND
MULE CLUB.

Committee Meeting, held at Headquarters on the
13th November, 1902.

Present : INIr. Pollard (Vice - Chairman), Messrs.
Phimbridge, Sandy, Frostick, Jones, Vale, C. Cooper,
Maxwell, Morgan, and the Hon. Secretary.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and
confirmed, and letters were read from Mr. Hazell, Mr.
Howe, Mr. Browning, Miss Saywell, Mr. Weston (3), Mr.
Ramsden (2), Mr. Dunn, and Mr. Norman.

The application on behalf of the Leicester C. B.
Society was again before the Committee. It was pro-
posed b}' Mr. Sandy and seconded by Mr. Vale that
we grant two Gold Medals. (Carried).

The application on behalf of the Crewe O. & C. B. F.
Association was next considered. They were also
granted one Gold and one Silver Medal.

A letter was read from the Secretary of the L. & P.
O. Society re the Crystal Palace Show next P'^ebruary,
asking if the Committee would care to offer the Club's
Medals for competition amongst their members at that
Show. Various views being expressed, it was decided to
send a reply to Mr. Ramsden.

A long letter was read from Mr. Ramsden containing
a scheme by which our Society might affiliate with the
L. & P. O. Society, by submitting to their rules and
regulations and paying an annual fee of 5/-. It was
unanimously resolved to lay the letter on the table.

It was agreed that in the case of all those members
who have not paid their subscription for the current
year, the Club Magazine be withheld.

The Hon. Secretary was instructed to publish a
further set of Standards for the members' approval or
otherwise.

292

The following lad}- and gentlemen were duly elected
members of the Clnb :

Propo.sed by Mr. Browning and seconded by Mr.
Vale-
Mr. Jackson, of Milnthorpe; and Mr. White, of
Newton Abbott, S. Devon.
Miss Saywell,

Pro. by Hon. Sec. ; vSec. by Mr. Maxwell.
Mr. Hazell ,, Mr. C. Cooper ,,
Mr. Howe ,, Hon. Sec. ,, Mr. Vale.

Mr. Pollard kindly presented the Chib with a Clul)
Medal.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the
meeting.

W. A. LOTT, Hon. Sec,
Nationat^ British Bird & Mule Ci.ub,
103, Cheapside, London, E.C.

FORTHCOMING SHOWS AT which N. B. B. & M. C.

medat^s are offered for competition.

Hull— Dec. 5 & 6 : 2 Gold.

Gateshead & Dist— Dec. 12 & 13 : 1 Gold & i Silver,

or 3 Silver.
Barnsley —

Leicester C. B. Society— Jan. 8 & 9, 1903 : 2 Gold.
Crewe Ornithological vSociety— Jan. 24, 1903 : i Gold &

I vSilver.

STANDARDS.

SNOW BUNTING.

Steadiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Size 10

Quality and condition . . . . . . . . . . 40

Staging 10

100
TvAPi.AND BUNTING— vSame as Snow\

293

GREAT or OX-EYE, COLE, BI.UE, MARSH and I.ONG-

TAir.ED or BOTTI^E TITS.

Steadiness .. .. .. .. .. .. ..20

Size 15

Cap bright and fnll of qnality ,. .. .. ..15

Markings clean cnt and well-defined .. .. ..15

J.ovely quality throughout and pink of condition

expected at first class shows, . . . . . . . 25

Staging 10

100
MEADOW PIPIT.
^Steadiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Size 20

Oround colour immaterial as it varies with age of
bird, but feather must be of the very finest
quality, and markings must stand well out . . 30
Condition (missing claws being especially objection-
able) " . . . . 20

Staging , . . . . . . . . . 10

100
This bird shall be disqualified when shown as a
Lark in Lark classes.

TREE PIPIT.
Same as for jNIeadow Pipit ; this bird shall be dis-
qualified when shown as a Lark in Lark classes.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

I

It would be very nice if we could have an illus-
tration in the first number of our new volume next
IMarch. I do not know whether there are any artists
among our members. I should be glad to receive
drawings or photographs suitable for reproduction.

We shall probably be making considerable alterations
in the outward appearance of " Bird Notes " with the
commencement of the new volume. Will, therefore,
members who have suggestions to make kindl}' forward
them to me ? I will see that the}- are dul}' laid before the
•Council.

294

Is the name " Bird Notes" really the best that could
l)e selected ? It is certainly a ver}' inoffensive name,
and I atn not sure that a better one has yet been
suggested, but I cannot help thinking that it should be
possible to devise a more striking and distinctive title.

I invite suggestions on this and all other subjects.
If only the members would grumble a little more, they
would help greatly. It is so difficult to find out what our
members like or dislike.

The five numbers of " Foreign Bird Notes " should
be bound with Vol. I. of " Bird Notes" in order to make
the book complete, as the two magazines are paged con-
secutively— pages I to 92 consisting of " Foreign Bird
Notes." The Index, to be published in February next,
will comprise both " P\ B. Notes" and " Bird Notes."
The published price of "Foreign Bird Notes" is 6d. per
copy — but I shall be pleased to send the set of five issues
to members of our Club, or of the N. B. B. & M. C, post
free for half price, viz., 1/3, to enable them to complete
their volumes. This offer will be open for a limited time
only, as the stock of some issues is low.

HORATIO R. FILIvMER,

Hon. Sec. Foreign Bird Ci.ub,

52, vShip vStreet, Brighton.

NOTICES TO MEMBERS.

NEW MEMBERS ELECTED.

Mr. Ali.En vSir.VER, 43, Gabriel's Hill, Maidstone.
Mr. A. BuLi^oCK Webster, King's Close, Barnstaple.
Mr A. C. Rolls, Vancourtland, Wyke Regis,

Weymouth.
Miss Theodora vS.wwell, The College, Bromsgrove,

Worcestershire.
Mr. George Cochrane, vSt. Boswell's, Scotland.
Mr. Charles E. Thomas, 362, Mare St., Hackney, N.E.
iVIrs. E. Oi.lard, Conway, Palace Rd., P^ast IMolese}-, Srw
Mr. J. L. T. Dobbin. St. James's Gate, Dublin.
Mr. G. W. Taylor, 49, Dawson Street, Dublin.
Mr. Charles Harris, Naturalist, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Mr. Frank C. Porte, 28, South Mall, Cork.

295

Mr, J. F. Dickson, Walworth, Grand Canal Harbour,

Dublin.
Dr. C. vS. vSiMPSON, 2, Portland Road, Hove.
Hon. M. C. Hawkk, Wighill Park, Tadcaster.
Mr. A. J. vSATVrER, Thame, Oxon.

:\Ir. C. Castlf: vSIvOANE, Oat Hall, nr. Crawley, Sussex.
Mr. J. W. TiDEY, 5, Cambridge Road, Hastings.

NEW MEMBERS PROPOSED.

INIr. Ernkst E. LiTTr.K, i6. Great Quebec Street,

Montagu Square, W.
Mrs. Skey, vSelby Villa, Thonihil! Road, Croydon.

Pfoposr'd by ISlr. pROSTlCK.
Mr. J. CorvTviS, 83, Brynland Avenue, Bishopston, Bristol.
]Miss C. Rosa Dittle, J?aronshalt, The Barons, East

Twickenham.
:\Irs. Cross, The Manor House, vSleaford.
:\Ir. S. G. Wai.dkam, F. S. S., JNIona House, Queen St.,

Redcar. Proposed by Mr. vSwAN.
Miss E. Brooksbank, Middleton-on-tlie- Wolds, Driffield.

Proposed by Mr. ThoRPp:.
Rev. Richard H. Wii.mot, Poulton Vicarage, Fairford.

Proposed by Mr. FlM,]\IER.
I\Irs. J. Pond, 174, Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool.

Proposed by Mr. OSBAI.DESTON.
Miss M. HamiIvTOn, 120, Stephen's Green W., Dublin.
Mr. P. H. Kenny, 55, Drumcondra Road, Dublin.
Mrs. Day, The Rectory, Killeagh, Co. Cork.

Proposed by Mr, Phieip.
Mr. George Moss, 51, Wellington vSt., Loughborough.

Proposed by Mr, Oakey.

MEDALS WON THIS SEASON.
Norwich, October, J 902. Bronze, Mr. F.J. Yaeeop.

,, ,, ,, vSilver, Mr. F, Howp:.

Manchester, October, 1902. Bronze, Mr. Osbaedp:ston.
Nottingham, November, 1902. Bronze, Mr. H. B. Smith.
Dublin, November, 1902, 15ronze, Mr. Andrew PhiIvIP.
SLigo, November, 1902. Bronze, Mr. George Beee.
Pnyal Aquarium, Nov., 1902. Silver, Mr. HAWKINS.
,, „ „ ,, Mr. Townsicnd.

,, ,, ,, Bronze, Dr. Hopkinson.

,. ,, ,, ,, Mrs. Cooper.

Medae Granted,
Cambridge, loth & iith December. F.B.C. Classification
A. One bronze medal. Judge, Mr. Gamps.

296

OUR DEFICIT.

To THE Members of the Foreign Bird Ci.ub.

I have a much brighter report to make this month
respecting our Deficit. Several l)irds have now been
sold and some contributions have also been received.
Will these uiembers please accept our grateful thanks ?
There are still some birds unsold, however, and for these
I shall be pleased to receive offers. If any other members
would like to help by presenting birds, or contributions
of cash, they will be deeply appreciated. If only each
member would assist a little, we should soon ])e out of our
Treasurer's debt. J- A. vSwan,

87, Lower Kennington Lane, S.E.

realised.

£ s. d.

Mrs Button's Bengalese .. Mrs Mortimer.. 076
Mr Fillmer's Canary.. .. Mr vStorey ..050

Mr Thorpe's Parrot . . . . Mr Philip . . 100

Mr vSwan's Weaver . . . . Mr Alston . . 060

Mr Storey's Canary and Cage Mr Swan .. (; 7 6

The following contributions have been
received : — ■

MrAcutt.. : 026

Anon. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..026

Countess Ealdelli 050

IVIiss Theodora Saywell .. .. ,. ..040
Mr A. Jones 016

£3 I 6

Original amount of deficit £l o ']
Amount received as above ..316

Sum still due £2^ 19 i
The undermentioned birds are still unsold : —

Offfrs. Prcsi^nffd by

Red-billed Weavers ^fine pair) .. Mr A. Philip.

Aurita Doves .. Mr G. Alston.

Cat Bird (hen) Mr H. R. Fillmer

Budgerigars (young, sex unknown) . . Miss Hopkinson.

Zebra Finches (pair) MrJ. A Swan.

Mr Frostick has kindh* presented ten of his little
books, " MeatingofFand Feeding vSoft-bills," to the fund.
Will ten members take one each } They are only .six-
pence per copy.

297
BIRDS FROM THE GAMBIA.

By E. HOPKINSOX.
{Continued fiovt page 2^2.)

Wkave;rs. I got a large number of these, all in
winter plumage at the time of capture, but now mostly
iu full colour. The majority have turned out to be
Crimson-crowned Bishops (Pyivinelana flanwiiceps), all
cocks. What can be the explanation of there not being
one hen among the twenty odd birds, all caught out of
colour and practically all at the same time .- There must
be a preponderance of hens, as I suppose, like other
Weavers, one cock mates with several hens, and if so,
where were the hens when \\\y boy caught this lot ?
Perhaps, when out of colour, the sexes separate, and the
flocks consist only of one sex or the other. As regards
the time of the change of colour, it appears to var}' a
good deal in different individuals, for some of the earliest
of my birds began to show red before I left Bathurst iu
July, while a few are still nearly all brown with but few
red feathers. The colours also vary a great deal, a rich
scarlet in the majority, but in others a definite orange is
found — the colours varying at different ages, I expect.

Before I could distinguish the various species, that
is, while they were still out of colour, I mentally divided
them up into three groups : — (i) vSmall, (2) Large and (3)
Larger Bishops ; of these the small (with two exceptions)
have proved to be Orange Bishops (P. franciscana) , and
as half of those I have kept show no signs of colour, I
suppose I may consider them hens, and the pairs as true
pairs ; in confirmation of this is also the fact that, this
3'ear, the Bishops have made much more perfect nests
than in former years, the help of the hens being said to
be absolutely necessary for the proper completion of the
work.

The two exceptions in this group are probably
Napoleons, but being still out of colour I cannot be
certain ; they differ from the immature Orange Bishops
in that the dark centres and edges of the feathers in the

298

former are almost black, while in the latter they are
brown ; the former also are darker on the crown, and
liave a more distinct yellow eye-streak than the Orange
have.

To return for a moment to the Crimson-crowned
Bishops, (my " Large Bishops"), in the redder birds, pre-
sumably the older ones, the brown edges to wing and
tail feathers are much narrower than in the more
orange-coloured birds, and I take it that these birds, as
they advance in 3-ears, get redder and at the same time
gradually lose the brown edges to the black feathers.

The " Larger Bishops " are five in number ; only one
lias as A-et come in colour, and has turned out not to be
a Bishop at all, but a Yellow-backed Whydali : a beautiful
bird, much more like a Bishop than a Wliydah in his
habits, ver}' keen on mealworms and other insects, and
continuall}' dancing and showing off to hens, or birds
he imagines to be hens, just as the Weavers do ;
and never, as far as I have seen, scratching on the
ground like a Whydah. The other four, I thought,
were hens, but as I have seen all of them si'ng and
dance, they are probably cocks. In appearance they
remind one forcibly of a hen Yellowhammer, the ground
colour being almost identical in the two birds, though of
course the markir.gs differ, in the one being similar to
those in other out-of-colour Weavers, and in the other
of the Bunting type. I should certainly recommend
anyone who comes across a large Bishop which suggests
to his mind a hen Yellowhammer, to buy it as being
almost certainly a most desirable addition to his
aviary. A more detailed description may be useful.
Below all yellowish, sparsely streaked, especially at
the sides, with brown ; above darker and more olive,
each feather having a brown centre streak, giving an
irregular mottled appearance ; the head is uniformly
speckled, with no suggestion even of the longitudinal
markings of the Paradise and Pintailed Whydahs ; the
bill is brown in the non-breeding plumage, black in the
full-colour stage.

299

or the Fringilhdcz' I obtained two species, the Grekn
Singing Finch and the Rock-vSparrow (Petronia
deniata). The first mentioned is a common cage-bird
with tlie natives of Bathnrst, the only small bird they
value as a pet ; if they catch others, it is only for the
white man or for the pot. Personally I am not verj' fond
of this bird, as mine have all been such quarrelsome
little beggars, so out of the dozen odd I brought home I
have only kept one, and that one simply because it is
rather smaller and much paler than any of the others,
and may belong to a different species.

The Rock-Spa RROVV.S are very common round
Bathnrst, where one meets with them in small flocks in
straggling bush along the shore and on the out-
skirts of the town ; they are rather shy little birds and
very unlike our Sparrow, which I am glad to say is
unknown out there, and certainly undesired.

In size the Rock-Sparrow is about equal to a
Linnet, and in colour brown above and grey below ; the
throat is white, in the middle of which in most speci-
mens is a pale yellow spot. Old birds have a definitely
grey head, but the younger ones, which often lack the
yellow throat-spot, have the head brown like the back,
and a broad fawn eyebrow. Most of my birds were
young ones and in the latter plumage, but some of them
are now becoming greyer on the head and losing the
distiJict eyebrow, so I hope all will survive to moult into
the adult plumage. In the aviary they are lively, if not
show}^ birds, and one notices, as their most characteristic
habit, the quick Wagtail-like flirting of the tail which
accompanies every movement. I have not heard any
song, but they have a sweet single call-note.

In conclusion, I will just mention what other birds
my collection included : — Waxbills, Orange-cheek, Zebra,
and Common (of the latter but a single individual).
Bronze Mannikins (250 odd and not one Two-coloured
among them). Cordon-bleus. Red-billed and Yellow
Weavers (Hyphantornis) , and finally Paradise and Pin-
tailed Whvdahs.

300
THE BULLFINCH.

ryrrhnia europcra, Vieill.

The song of the wild or untutored Bullfinch is
certainly not a musical trinniph, though it is very soft,
Avithont unpleasant or shrill sounds. Nor is the bird
capable of mocking other species. Nevertheless, when
properly trained, the Bullfinch excels them all in
what many think a far more desirable and wonderfnl
accomplishment, that is, in his remarkable aptitude for
learning whistling as performed by human lips, or, as it
is termed, piping.

The natural call-note of the Bnllfinch is in itself a
piping sound ; simple, short, flute-like, and easily
imitated by the human lips; this simple call the bird
can modulate at will a few semi-tones higher or lower.
This very elementary talent has been fostered and
developed by man, calling to aid the power of mimicry
nascent in the bird.

At the present time the training of this bird to pipe
really pretty airs has become qnite a profession among
the peasants in the Black Forest, Spessart ]\Iountains,
and other wooded districts of German}', in which Bull-
finches abound. They devote their attention seriously
to the rearing and training of numbers of young birds
every year, and dispose of them, sometimes at very
remunerative prices, to the travelling dealers who
supply the different markets of the civilized world.

One great point in successfnlly training Bullfinches
to pipe lies in getting nestlings earh' in the season. The
catcher is about their haunts at daybreak and looks out
for pairs of Bullfinches feeding on the ground. It is
not long before the hen is seen carrying nesting
material. Now, which direction are the Inrds taking ?
At the spot where he loses sight of them, the nest
hunter waits patiently until they pass a second time.
Again he posts himself where they disappeared from
view the second time, and so on warih', often wearily,
until he can mark a tree or bush from which he can

30I

observe the building of the nest. He knows by liis daily
visit when the clutch of eggs is laid, when the young are
being hatched, and when they must be, on the average,
ten days old : the time for liim to possess himself of the
treasure.

These men watch the process of building because
the trees are then sufficiently devoid of foliage to allow
the nest to be visible, which is not likelv to be the case
three or four weeks later ; and b}' following up six or
eight pairs, catchers can look forward to collecting at
least three dozen youngsters for rearing by hand. But
oh! for the wickedness of human nature. With all his
earh' rising, all his concealment of his movements, all
his careful counting of the weeks and days for the young
to be just at the riglit age, he is often disappointed— he
cannot guard against the sneak who robs nests on the
ninth day !

Now, it must not be supposed that because a first-
class piping Bullfinch fetches easily five pounds sterling
in London, or as much as forty dollars in New York,
that a royal road to fortune has been found. The
general result of a season's Bullfinch training is not
always so lucrative as this might lead one to believe;
for when visiting Fulda, Gelnhauseu, and other places
in the training districts, I ascertained that scarcely two
nestlings in a hundred attain the perfection requisite to
command such high figures, and the dealers have, of
late years, displayed such eagerness to ol)tain their
stock early, that the birds have not always time to
complete their studies and become valuable.

But, even if that were not so, there is much to
contend with. A large proportion of the young birds
are females ; some die early ; some learn only a part
of their lesson, say the first line out of four; some
learn just one short ditty, whereas, a really good piper
should master two airs correctly and finish his perform-
ance with a military bugle call. Extraordinary specimens
will even do more than that, but they do not make
their appearance every year. The majority have to be

sold at low prices, and make charming pets for the bird
lover of not unlimited means and who is content to
enjoy but a partial fulfilment of the birds' earl}' promises.

Yet all these birds receive the same care and
attention to complete their education, which is con-
ducted as follows. A score or so of learners, still in
their nest feathers and each in a cage, are hung around a
partly darkened room. Whenever the enterprising
peasant has a spare moment, he enters that room and
whistles with his lips the tune decided upon for that
year. By the time the moult is over, the best birds
have learned that tune, and are removed to another
part of the cottage, where the second subject of their
studies is introduced to them ; viz., the military bugle
call. Only a very few show aptitude enough to be
promoted to another removal for the purpose of being
taught a second air, when the first and the soldiers'
call have been acquired by them.

Long ere this, the peasant has found out which
among his team show signs of "piping to command;"
he takes the cage of those most promising into his
hand at all hours of the day, whistles the air, and then
encourages the inmate to repeat it by coaxing him
with his voice, by imitating the sound of kissing, and
especially by gently rocking his head. A willing and
promising pet at once hops to the front of the cage, and,
pufiing out his plumage, sweetly gives a call or two, and
then says his lesson to the best of his knowledge. When
they pipe their tunes readily in response to the
manoeuvres just described, they are said to "pipe to
command." The sound of osculation is one of the first
things Bullfinches imitate to perfection.

Of late years some improvements in teaching have
been introduced. Instead of moving the head to make
the birds pipe to command, the same motion is effected
with the hand and extended forefinger ; and instead of
whistling, small bird organs are made use of, the reed
pipes of which are flute-like in sound and are always
of the correct pitch. Bullfinches that pipe to command

303

are inucli sought after, as they make most chartniiijr
pets, and great trouble is taken by the teacher to educate
as many as possil)le to that mode of producing their
music.

Early in winter, the travelling collector of Piping
Bullfinches and German Canaries makes his appearance,
and purchases all he can get at his price ; the birds are
transferred to the well-known wicker cages in which we
see them later, exposed for sale in our large towns
and cities.

Given a family of nestlings in good health, a bird
organ, and the patience to turn the handle for half-an-
hour every morning and afternoon, I do not see wliv
our native " Bullies " should not be trained in this
country with satisfactory results; perhaps it is being
done, ))ut I cannot say that English Pipers have come
under my notice.

Bullfinches are getting less abundant in this
country than formerly. No doubt the ready sale thev
find at comparatively high prices, causes a great manv
of them to be deprived of libert\'. Even under the
most favorable circumstances, Bullfinches cannot be said
to be endowed with longevity ; three years of cage life
is rarely exceeded, after which period their arch-enemy,
asthma, is very liable to seize them. Incorrect treat-
ment and draughts carry off a great many before they
reach even that age. The bright tints and glossy black
become dulled, and the head feathers fall out, if the
bird is not properh' treated ; whereas, a clean house, a
bath, sound and varied food in which greenmeat and
fruit figure proportionately, will keep him in excellent
plumage and health. Imported birds do well on German
rape seed, with a daily allowance of about twenty hemp
seeds; but some juicy dainties should not be omitted.

In the aviary, one or a pair of Bullfinches will be
found ornamental and amusing; they make a great show
of affection, carrying feathers, etc., for building, and the
female will lay a few eggs, but there it mostly stops ;
breeding Bullfinches in confinement is a thankless task.

304

On the other hand, they should be watched from time to
time, to make sure that they do no harm to the other
occupants of their habitation. Not all, but most of those
I have thus kept, have ended b}' suddenly taking a
dislike to some unoffending Finch or Canary, and from
that moment there was no peace until one or the other
was removed. A strong cock Bullfinch can do some
mischief in the limited space of wood and wire, but in
such a dilemma the judicious partial clipping of the
wings would be justifiable, as it is not always convenient
to shut him up separately. Ai,bkrt RicTTICH.

PARROTS AND PARRAKEETS.

By Dr. C. vS. vSiMPSOX.

(Continued from page 2^^) .

PvRRHur.opsiS. — The Masked Parrakeet [P.Mr.sonata)
and the Red Shining Parrakeet (P. splendens) are the only
two species of their genus known in this country in
confinement. Five species exist, all of which are con-
fined to Fiji and the Friendly Islands. The Masked
Parrakeet is a splendid but somewhat stupid bird. It is
about eighteen inches in length, of a very rich velvety
green on the head, back, and wings, the face is black,
the middle of the breast yellow, and the abdomen orange.
The Red Shining Parrakeet is much like the King, bnt
the red of the breast is more crimson, and the beak is
black. In both species the sexes are alike. They appear
to be somewhat short-lived in captivity.

The Broad-taiIvKD Parrakkets {Platyce)xus) com-
prise seventeen species which inhabit Australia and
Tasmania. About ten of these are kept as cage birds, and
of these the common Rosella, or Rose-hill Parrakeet, is
best known. The Broad-tails are essentially birds for the
aviary, as they are capable of endnring a considerable
degree of cold and are usually willing to breed, whereas
'in cages they are generally dull and uninteresiing.
Bauer's, or the Port Lincoln Parrakeet, I have found

305

the most suitable for cage life. It is a lively but souie-
what noisy bird, learns to say a few words, and is
peculiarly apt at learning to whistle tunes. fJauer's,
iiarnard's, and the Yellow- naped Parrakeets form a little
group of sub-species resembling each other, but
differing considerably in appearance from the remaining
Ihoad-lails. The beautiful Piieated Parrakeet resembles
this group rather than the following species, which form
a series resembling one another somewhat closel}' in
their colours and markings. Pennant's Parrakeet {P.
eUgans) is the most splendid of these, being of a rich
crimson, with cheeks, outer wing feathers, and tail
feathers of blue ; the feathers of the back are black,
edged with crimson. The Yellow-rumped Parrakeet {P.
jhiveolus) is marked precisely in the same way, but is
yellow where the Pennant is red; it has, however, a red
forehead and the throat is spotted with red : the rump
and upper tail coverts are yellow botli in young and
adult specimens. The Adelaide Parrakeet [P. adeLaidce)
is intermediate in colouring between the two preceding
species, having far more red about the breast and
abtiomeu than F. jiaveolns, while the rump and upper tail
coverts are red in the adult, but yellow in the young
bird. It appears, therefore, that the immature P.
luUlaidcz may easily be mistaken for P. Jiaveoltts, while
adult specimens of the two species can be distinguished
with certainty by the colour of the upper tail coverts.

The Common Rosella [P. exinuus) and the ]Mealy
Rosella [P. paUidiceps) are too well known to need
description. The Stanley Parrakeet (/*. icieiotis) is one of
the rarest, and is the smallest of the Broad-tails. Its
prevailing colour is scarlet, and the cheeks are yellow,
the feathers of the back are black edged with greenish
red.

The Piieated Parrakeet {P. pileatus) is another very
rare species. It receives its name from the deep red cap
or pileum. The cheeks are yellowish green, the back
dark y^reen, and the breast and abdomen lilac.

3o6

PSEPHOTUS.— We come now to a group of Australian
Parrakeets which are. in my opinion, the most beautiful
and most desirable of all, namely, the Psephotus Parra-
keets. Of this genus there are but five species kuown to
exist, and four of these are occasional I}'' kept in this
country. The remaiuitig species {P. chrysopterys^ius) is
very rare, and but little seems to be known of it even in
its native land.

The four species which are known in England as cage-
birds are the Many-coloured Parrakeet [P. multicolor), the
Paradisa or beautiful {P. pulcherrinms), the Blue-bonnet
(P. hcFinaiorhow^ and the Red-rump {P. hcBmntnnotus).
Both the INIany-coloured and the Beautiful Parrakeets
have the reputation of being extremely delicate :
several well known authors even go so far as to say that
it is almost impossible to keep them in confinement for
more than a few months. The Beautiful Parrakeet I
have never kept, and, as far as I am aware, no specimens
have been imported for some years, but the Many-
coloured is by no means so difficult to preserve as was
at one time supposed. I know of several instances in
which these Parrakeets have been kept for years. I
kept one for a long time in a cage, and it was always in
perfect health and beauty, and never ailed an hour
while I had it. The Man\'-coloured is said to be partly
insectivorous when wild, but mine would never touch
animal food. On the other hand, it was extremely fond of
fruit, especially apple, of which it had a liberal allowance
dailv; this, with canary seed, sprajMuillet, and a little
hemp, seemed to be all that was required to keep it in
health. This Parrakeet is a lively and attractive bird
whether in a cage or aviary, but it is rare, and speci-
mens can but seldom be obtained. It is i2ins. in length :
the general colour of the male is a bright grass green, the
forehead and a band on each wing yellow, the occiput and
a patch on the upper tail coverts reddish chestnut, the
abdomen and thighs scarlet, the bend of the wing and
nnderwing coverts brilliant blue. The female is far less
brilliantlv attired than her mate, being of a yellowish-

307

brown colour with only an indication of the markings
on tlie occiput and wing coverts.

The Blue-bonnet Parrakeet is not so beautiful,
perhaps, as the jNIany-coloured, but it is even more active
and amusing. Canon Dutton calls it the " :\Ierry Andrew
of Parrakeets," and considers it the most charming of
all. According to my experience it is a hardy bird and
requires the same treatment as the Many-coloured. It is
a difficult bird to describe, the plumage presenting a
variety of shades of 3-ellowish-grey tinged with olive ;
the face and tlie edge of the wing are blue, the lower
part of the breast yellow, and the abdomen crimson.
The remaining species, the Red-rump Parrakeet, is quite
a common bird, and has been bred in considerable
numbers in captivity. It is very hardy and easily kept.
(To be continued) .

THE WATER-RAIL IN CAPTIVITY.

About the end of March, 1899, my brother-in-law
noticed a strange-looking bird in his garden, at Preston,
a suburb of Brighton. It was seen for a day or two, and
was in great danger of falling a prey to cats, although it
could fly and seemed in perfect health. One cat pursued
it persistently, and, to escape from this beast, it took
refuge in one of the green-houses, where it was caught.
It was brought to me to be identified, and remained in
my charge for three or four weeks.

The bird was Ralliis aquaticiis, and I am at a loss to
understand why it should have wandered so far from the
marshy districts in which the species is usually found —
for there is no stream or lake within several miles of the
garden in which the bird was caught.

I kept the bird in one of my small bird - room
aviaries, and fed it upon a mixture of Spratt's fine game
meal and crissel, slightly moistened with boiling water.
I usually added some ants' eggs and preserved ^t^^ to the
mixture, but doubt whether they were necessary. I also

3o8

supplied mealworms. It ate scarcely anything for the
first few days, but after that took very kindly to the
artificial food and appeared to thrive upon it. I supplied
a large shallow pan of water, but never saw the bird
standing in it. I was rather surprised to find that it
frequently roosted on a bongh.

It was very timid, and not a suitable inmate for a
bird-room; but in a large garden-aviary it would have
shewn off well, and made a pleasing change from
the passerine birds to which most of us confine our
attention.

The Water-rail is decidedly handsome. The long
slender bill is red ; the upper surface of the body olive-
brown streaked with black ; the under snrface lead blue ;
the flanks barred with white; the under tail coverts
white, or nearly so. The legs are long, and so are the
toes; the neck also is long, and sinuous; there is a
quaint little turned-up tail. Altogether a very curious,
and withal attractive bird.

IT. R. Fir.i.MRR.

MORE BITS FROM A BIRD-ROOM.

Fanciers must be very sympathetic people, for
whenever I have recorded the loss of a hybrid or two
which have hatched out — after years of failure to get a
fertile egg — I have received many letters full of sympathy.

All this is very nice, and I am ver}- grateful for the
kind thoughts. Yet I am bound to say the sympathy is
quite misplaced ; for after doing all I possibly can to
rear the young hybrids, after running about here, there,
and everj'where to get a feeding hen, I can bear the
bereavement with equinamity when it comes — and when
one of ni}' friends expressed his sorrow at the loss, I
said, " Perhaps it is best so — they might have been
nothing but hens ! "

A Greenfinch cock was my best feeder last season.
It was most amusing to watch him as he "filled up,"

309

liopped on to the edge of the nest, got the Canary hen
(a non-feeder) to lift herself up in expectation of being
fed herself, when he would pop his head in under her
and feed all the young in a twinkling! He would repeat
this operation as often as necessar}^ until the young
could do without it. I was fond of that Greenfinch !

Breeding, or trying to breed, h3'brids, is strangeh'
fascinating, beyond all comparison with Canary breeding,
to ni}- thinking, at all events. There is something so
utterly un-understandable about it that heightens one's
desire to breed what is the least easy to obtain.

Tn my last contril)Ution you were told that I had a
Canary and a Bullfinch together — that the Canary was
the father of hybrids from Bullfinch hens in both 1900 and
1901 — that the hen had had good eggs from different
Goldfinches and Linnets this season and the season
previous — that then, when my paper was being written,
they were sitting. The birds agreed splendidly from the
first, and everything pointed very strongly toward the
eggs being fertile, yet after they had been sat upon the
full fortnight, I am bound to admit they were clear eggs!
Now where does the fault lie ? The cock, as stated, had
fertilized eggs two years running ; the hen had three
good eggs in every clutch she had previous!}' laid when
paired with different P'inches ; yet there was no sign of
a chick now! Strange, is it not.' But (and we shall
never have done with "buts")tlie hen had laid twenty
eggs this season before the Canar\' was introduced, and
that is reason enough for me to keep this pair for next
years operations.

The Redpoll-Bullfinch cross was obtained this last
season at Kilmarnock ; at least, the breeder succeeded up
to the point when the eggs were ready to hatch, if they
did not actually hatch out. This should be a very
pretty and interesting hybrid, and I hope to try for it
myself another season.

R. Browning.

310
FOREIGN BIRDS AT THE AQUARIUM.

The fourteenth annual Show of the London Cage
Bird Association, which was lield at the Westminster
Aquarium on the i8th, 19th, and 20th of November, 1902,
will be the last held in that building. This is, for several
reasons, not a matter for regret, but no doubt the
Association will find some difficulty in securing the use
of another building in an equall}' central position.

This year there were over one hundred entries in the
open classes, which is a very great increase on last year's
total. Two or three classes comprised birds of ver}' high
quality, and the cla.ss for Tanagers and Sugar-birds was
especially noticeable — in fact every one of the ten
entiies in it deserved a prize. On the other hand, in one
or two classes the Judge, quite properly, withheld the
first prize on account of the poor quality of the exhibits.

There was a good attendance of members of the
F.B.C., and on the first da}' of the Show an informal
meeting of members was held in the galler\% at which
various matters were discussed. The meeting had, of
course, no authority, but the resolutions adopted were
afterwards submitted to the Council, and confirmed.

Class 71. Budgerigars and all species of Lovebirds
and Ha7iging Parrots. First, Mr. Storey's hand-
some pair of Peach-faced Lovebirds, in better trim
than at Palace, ])ut not as good as they were last year.
Second, Mr. Howe's Red-headed Lovebird, in perfect
condition and well shown. Third, Mr. K. Thome's pair
of Budgerigars. Fourth, Mr. Oakey's pair of Lovebirds in
good condition. We should have reversed these last two
awards. V.H.C., Mr. Castle Sloane's nice Peach-
faced Lovebirds, looking well. H.C., another pair of
Mr. Thome's Budgerigars. C, Mrs. Frostick's Yellow
Budgerigars : might have been higher up, but not in best
feather. There were also three more pairs of Budgerigars
— those belonging to Miss Little would probably have
received an award liad they been shown in a more

311

suitable cage— and two other entiies of Peach-faced
l,ovebirds.

Class 72. All species oj Parrakeeis (olher than
Budgerigars and inclndifig Kijigs and all Broadtails) and
Lorikeets, First, ]\Ir. Howe's handsome Rock Peplar :
deserved its position. Second, withheld. Thii'd, Mr.
Husdon's Lorikeet, nice bird. Fourth, Mr. Oakey's
well-known Port Lincohi, in good feather ; we should
have reversed these two awards. V.H.C., INIr. Jonas'
Lorikeet. H.C., Mr. Frostick's pair of Wallace's
Parrakeets, very rare and might have been higher up.
C, Miss Pvvans' Parrakeet. A pair of vSwainson's
Parrakeets, belonging to Mr. Castle Sloane, were in rather
poor condition. A White-eared Conure of Mr. Howe's
was also entered in this class.

Class 73. Grey Parrots and all species oj Amazons.
I'irst, withheld. Second and Special, Mr. Bateson's
Grey, fine bird, but tail out of order, Third, Mrs.
Barnes' Amazon, nice exhibit. Fourth, Mr. Breitkrenty's
Gre}', beaten by second in size and color, H.C., Mr.
Erbsmehl's Amazon— said to be a splendid talker. C,
Mr. Urch's Parrot. There were one or tw^o other birds in
this class and several absentees.

Class 74. All species of short-tailed Parrots not
couiprised in the above, Cockatoos, Macaivs^ and Lories.
First, Mrs. Cooper's Blue and Buff Macaw, an
exceedingly handsome bird in splendid feather and
condition. Second, withheld. Third, another of Mrs.
Cooper's exhibits, a Leadbeater Cockatoo, outclassed by
the winner, l>ut a very nice bird. Fourth, Mr. Cushny's
Blue-eyed Cockatoo, hardly in the best condition.
V.H.C., Miss Little's pretty Rose-crested Cockatoos.
H.C., Mr. Husdon's Cockatoo. C Mr. PVostick's pair
of Ganga-Gangas, an extremely rare and interesting
exhibit, which we should have placed next to the
Macaw.

Class 75, Doves and Quails, and Class 76, Whydahs
and Weavers, v/ere cancelled.

312

Class 77. Commofi Weaver FUiches. Here were 22
entries. It is evident that exhibitors are beginning to
appreciate this class. Unfortnnately the quality was
decidedly poor, for there were scarcely any birds in the
class in really first rate condition. The first prize was
awarded to Air. Townsend's nice pair of Golden-breasted
Waxbills — we have seen much better ones. Second, Mr.
Hackett's Bronze Mannikins. Third, Dr. Hopkinson's
Orange Bishop — not by any means an exceptionally fine
specimen, but perhaps on the whole the best of its
species in the class. Fourth, Mr. Hawkins' Diamond
Finch. V.H.C., Mr. Hawkins' Orange-cheeks. H.C.,
Mrs. vSkey's vSilverbills. C, Mr. Hawkins' Golden-
breasted Waxbillls. It must have been a difficult class
tojudge, as there were no birds of outstanding merit.

Class 78. Waxbills, Grassfinches, afid Mannikins.
Nineteen entries. This class contained some very good
birds. The winners of the first prize were Dr. Hopkin-
son's Vinaceous Firefinches — very rare and in fine
condition. Mr. Townsend's Long-tailed Grassfinches
were second. Mr. Oakey's Double-banded Finches-
third, and Mr. Hawkins' Rufous-tailed F'inches fourth.
V.H.C., Mr. Frostick's Pin-tailed Nonpareils, which
might have been higher up. H.C., Mr. Townsend's
Lavender Finches — a very charming pair. C, Mr.
Oakey's Cordon Bleus. This class contained nothing
besides of any special interest, except the old prize
winners, Mr. Hawkins' Red-faced Finches, which were
this time passed unnoticed, probably on account of their
being scarcely in show condition.

Class '](). Grosbeaks, True Finches, and Buntings. Ten
entries — none of them first rate. The first prize was
withheld. The second was awarded to INIrs. Frostick's
Green Cardinal — a good bird, but by no means
exceptionally fine, and looking rather " rough-dried."
Third, Dr. Hopkinson's Lesser Rock Sparrow — rare, but
certainly not beautiful. Fourth, a fair Pileated Finch of
Mrs. Cooper's. V.H.C., Mr. Townsend's Pileated Finch
— almost, if not quite, as good as the prize winner. H.C,

3^3

Mr. Hawkins' Grey Singing- Finches. The class also
contained a pair of Olive Cuba Finches and a pair of
ordinary Cubas (both rather rough) — also a Red-headed
Cardinal, a pair of Saffron Finches, and a Nonpareil.

Class 80. Ta}ta_s;ers, Sugar-birds and Zosterops. Ten
entries. This was ///£' class of the Show. Mr. Hawkins'
Purple vSun-bir(t was marked "wrong class." This was
unfortunate, as if allowed to compete it would no
doubt have stood first, but the Judge would seem to have
had no alternative, as a Sun-bird is neither a Tanager,
nor Sugar-bird, nor a Zosterops. The first prize went to
I^Ir. Hawkins' perfect specimen of the Yellow-winged
Sugar-bird, in full colour. Second and third, rare and
very beautiful Tanagers shown by Mr. Townsend.
Fourth, Mr. Swan's Blue Sugar-bird. V.H.C., Mr.
Swan's White-capped Tanager, which, so far as rarity is
concerned, deserved to be high in the prize list, but
perhaps fell just a little bit short of perfection in
condition, V.H.C., ^Ir, Townsend's Tricolour Tanager.
H.C., Mr, Townsend's Archbishop Tanager. C, Mr.
Townsend's Silver-blue Tanager. There was also a
Superb Tanager exhibited by Mr. Andrew Philip, which
in an ordinary class would have been a certain winner,
and certainly deserved a card in any company. The Sun-
bird was a most beautiful and interesting exhibit, while
all Mr. Townsend's Tanagers were rare and delightful.

Class 8 1. CrocUS, etc.. Cancelled.

Class 82. Other Lisedivorous and Fruit-eating Birds.
First, Mr. Hawkins' vSilver-cared Mesias. Second, Mr.
Hawkins' Blue-winged Sivas. Third, Mr. Townsend's very
nice Blue-winged Green Bulbul. Fourth, Mr. Hawkins'
Golden-fronted Green Bulbul. H.C., Mr. Sloane's Green-
billed] Toucan. The Mesias and vSivas are equally rare
and pretty.

The following are Members' Classes : —

Class 120. Any variety (Seed-eating) . vSeventeen
entries. First, Mr. Hawkins' Many-coloured Parrakeet.
vSecond, Mr Hawkins' Masked Grassfinch. Third, Mr.
George Burrows' King Parrakeet. F'ourth, Mr. Burrow,s'

3H

Crimson - crowned Weaver. V.H.C., Mr. Burrows'
]hi(lgerigars. C, ]\Ir. Burrows' White Java Sparrows. A
class not of great interest or merit.

Class 121. .-Iny variety (Insectivorous or Fruit-
eating). Three entries. First, Mr. Russell Humph rys'
Rufous-bellied Niltava Flycatcher— also the winner for
the year, of the L.C.B. A. Members' Silver'Challenge Cup
for foreign birds. A trul}' charming bird, and the
greatest rarity in the Show. The class also contained
two vSulphur Tyrants, which received H.C. and C.
respectively.

The winners of the Specials for the best V.H.C.
birds were Mr. Frostick's Pin-tailed Nonpareils and Mr.
Swan's White-capped Tanager. Dr. Hopkinson's Vina-
ceous Fire Finches received Mr. Hamlyn's Special.
The Abrahams' Memorial Silver Challenge Cup was won
by the Purple vSun-bird. Our Club iMedals for most points
were won as follows : — Mr. Hawkins, 51 points. Silver
Medal. Mr. Townsend, 40 points. Silver. Dr. Hopkinson,
17 points. Bronze. Mrs. Cooper, 16 points, Bronze.

The weather was very cold, and the temperature in
the Aquarium was much too low for the health and
comfort of the birds.

CORRESPONDENCE.

AVICULTURE IN FLORKNCE.

vSiR, — I am sending you a programme of the
Avicultural Exhibition which will be held herein Florence
next May. If any members of the P'oreign Bii'd Club
are coming to Florence next spring they ought not to
miss it. There will be a Flower Show at the same time
and at the same spot.

My African Fire-fmches have bred this year. My
Rufous-tailed Finches have attempted to breed, but the
hen died when about to lay her third &%^, and I have
not another to replace her. I have lost a great many
birds with some epidemic ; the vet. calls it cholera, and
thinks some imported Canary may have brought it. I

315

have used a great deal of Condy's fluid, and now the
disease appears to have exhausted itself, but I have lost
many valuable birds which I cannot easily replace.

GlUI^IA TOMMASr.

[I shall be pleased to forward the Programme of the
Florence Avicultural Exliil)ition to any member who
would like to see it. It is, of course, printed in Italian.
Nine years ago I had a very similar experience with bird
fever. All my Canaries died off like flies, and about a
dozen foreign birds succumbed also. — H. R. F.]

JUDGING BRITIvSH BIRDS.

Sir, — Will 5'ou oblige by inserting this in '• Bird
Notes," and thereby draw the attention of exhibitors to
the wrong done to them by certain Judges — at least it is
what I consider a grievous wrong.

It is the Any Variety Class to which I refer, I have
noticed that several Judges, when they arrange the birds
on tlie judging table, put the species together and
select the best of each. Then they place (say) a Yellow-
hammer first. Hawfinch second, Bramblefinch third, and
so on nntilall the species have had their turn. Whereas,
perhaps, one of the Yellowhammers is worth nearly all
the rest of the class put together, yet it has to wait till
all the other species have been served and then be
content with a Commended ticket — when it really ought
to have been second. It is not the amateur Judges who
do this — it is men who are reckoned to be authorities on
British birds.

I also think the Club's Medal ought to be for the ]:)est
bird, and not for most points as at present. It is
generally the exhibitor with the longest purse and most
time that gains these prizes. These exhibitors are
welcomed by vShow Committees— then let them supply
the points vSpecials. " Hardbii,!,."

vSHOW CLASvSIFICATIONS FOR FOREIGN BIRDvS.

Sir, — As you ask for suggestions re Classifications, I

propose that the Class for "All species of Parrakeets,

3i6

other than Budge ri.i^ars liiicludiiij^ Kiii<<s and Broadtails)
and Lorikeets," shouhl be divided into two classes, as
follows : —

Class I. — Kings, Crimson-wings, Pennants, and Rosellas.
Class 2. — All other species of Parrakeets (except Budgeri-
gars) and Lorikeets.
I think this alteration would attract more entries,
and make the classes more interestin<r. F. Howe.

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD AND
MULE CLUB.

Committee Meeting held at Headquarters on the
4th December, 1902.

Present : Mr. Pollard (Vice - Chairman), ^Messrs.
Maxwell, C. Cooper, Jones, Frostick, Dewhurst, Vale,
Saud\', and the Hon. Secretary,

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and
confirmed.

Letters were read from INIessrs. Simmonds, Howe.
Dewhurst, W. P. Williams, Lindle}-, Ramsden, and IMills.

The application of the vSt. Helen's and Dist. Orni.
Society, for support and patronage, was considered.
They submitted a good classification and were granted
one Gold and one vSilver INIedal, on the proposal of Mr.
vSandy, seconded by Mr. Jones,

Two questions were submitted to the Committee,
which led to some interesting discussion, in reference to
the entry of a White Blackbird and a Cinnamon Starling
at vShovvs. Replies were dictated and directed to be
published in the Club Notes.

The Vice-Chairman having to vacate the Chair, I\Ir.
Jones was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy.

Mr. Frostick rose to take exception to a paragraph
which appeared in a fanciers' publication in reference
to the Club, and moved a resolution that the Hon. Sec-

317

retar}- should be advised to write a letter to the paper
aud refute the misstatements. Carried unanimously.

In reference to tlie L. & P. O. Society's suggestion
that we should offer our Medals at the forthcoming
vShow at the Crystal Palace : as that Society had not com-
plied with the rules, the Committee decided with regret
that they were unable to give the Medals.

Mr. Marshall, 50, Church vStreet, Poplar, was pro-
posed as a member by Mr. Cooper, seconded by Mr.
Jones, and duly elected.

A vote of thanks to the Deputy-Chairman concluded
the meeting.

Mr. W. Pierce-Withams having asked whether a
White Blackbird is eligible for entry in an A.O.V. British
Bird Class, when there is no class specially provided for
Albinos and no clause prohibitiiig the same, the following
reply was sent to him : —

The White Blackbird should be shown in
the Class for A.O.V. British birds where no
class for Blackbirds, and no Albino Class, are
specially provided, unless there is a clause in the
Schedule prohibiting this. But the Committee are
of opinion that these rare-coloured birds should
have special classes piovided for them, and ought
not to compete with birdsof normal colour as pro-
vided for in the vStandards of British Birds in the
list of the N.B.B. & M.C. W. A. LoTT.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO MEMBERS.
The time is fast approaching for our annual election
of Judges, Committee, and other officers of the Club,
and any alteration in the rules which may be deemed
necessary should be made at the same time. It is there-
fore advisable that any proposed alteration of rules, and
other propositions or suggestions relating to the Club,
should be forwarded to me without delay so that the
same may be published in the next issue of " Bird Notes."
W. A. LOTT, Hon. Sec,
Nationai. British Bird & Mui.b; Ci.ub,
103, Cheapside, London, E.C.

3iS

vSTANDARDS.

PIED WAGTAir,.

Steadiness 30

vSize . . . . . . 20

Quality and condition (tail and feet must be perfect) 40
Staging.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..10

100
In all the Wagtails preference Avill be given to
those birds possessing most varied markings of
a clear cut and distinct character, with depth of
the respective colours, as indicating older birds.
Birds of the year, although recognized, are un-
desirable.

grp:y WAGTAir,.

Same as Pied. The brighter and deeper the

yellow the better.

YELLOW WAGTAIL.

Same as Pied. The brighter and deeper the
yellow the better.

WHEATEAR.

Steadiness 30

Size 20

Quality and condition 40

Staging.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..10

100
Preference will be given to birds of deep and
distinct colours, as indicating age. Blissing
claws are a decided defect.

STONECHAT.

steadiness 20

Size 10

Quality and condition . . 60

vStaging 10

100
Birds of varied colour and depth of marking
preferred, as indicating age. Missing claws a
great defect.

i

319

whinchat.
steadiness .. .. .. .. .. .. ..15

Size .. .. .. ..10

Qualit}' and condition .. .. .. .. ..65

vStaging.. 10

100

Variety and depth of colours preferred, as
indicating age. Missing claws a great defect.

ROBIN.

vSteadiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Size . . , . . . , . . . . . . . . . 10

Bold eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Upper breast the redder the better . . . . • . 15

Upper part of liead, neck and back nice yellowish

olive brown . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Lower breast, a clear w^hite, in marked contrast to

the upper red . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Quality and condition ..20

Staging 5

100
A good exhibition specimen should be sprightly
in his cage, and fairly tight in feather.

COMMON WREN.

Steadiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Size . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Markings, clear and well defined . . . . . , 20

Quality and condition (tail and flights must be per-
fect and unfrayed) . . 50

Staging:.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..10

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

New Members joining the Club between this time
and the end of April may, if they wish, instead of
paying the full subscription for the current year and
receiving the back numbers of " Bird Notes," pay a half
subscription of 2/6 and be entitled to " Bird Notes " only
from the date of their election. They would, however,
be wiser to pay the full subscription and take the back

numbers— for the stock is getting low, and in a few
years' time Vol. I. of " Bird Notes" will almost certainly
be worth more than the published price.

The offer at half price of the five numbers of
" Foreign Bird Notes," to members of the P'. B. C. and
the N. B. B. & M. C, will remain open until the 15th of
January — after which date full price will be charged.

I regret that there was a misprint last month in the
list of " ]\Iedals won this season." At Norwich, the
Silver INIedal was won by I\Ir. Yallop, and the Bro7ize by
Mr. Howe.

At the Aquarium Show, one of our members paid
me 5/-. I put the money apart, but have forgotten who
gave it to me, and what it was for ! Will the gentleman
who paid it kindly communicate with me ?
HORATIO R. FILLMER,

Hon. Sec. Foreign Bird Ci.ub,

52, Ship Street, Brighton.

NOTICES TO MEMBERS

ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS AS TO CLUB

MEDALS, MADE BY THE SHOW COMMITTEE

OF THE COUNCIL.

9. Medals shall be given at OPEN SHOWS only,
and points in Members' classes shall not be counted.

10. No ]\Iedal shall be awarded at any Show unless
at least THREE members compete.

MEDALS WON.

Cork, November, 1902. Bronze, Mr. F. C. Porte.
Cambridge, December, 1902. Bronze. Mrs. Auningson.

MEDALS GRANTED.
Leicester, 7th and 8th Jan. F. B. C. Classification A.
One bronze Medal. Judge, Mr. J. F. Dew.\r.

Show Classification E (see "Bird Notes" for
September, page 237) has been further amended by the
omission of *' Common, Orange, and Napoleon Weavers "
from Class 7.

321

NKW MEMBERS ELECTED.

Mr. Ernkst E. LiTTr.K, i6, Great Quebec vStreet,

INIoutagu vSquare, \V.
Mrs. Ske:y, Selby Villa, Thonihill Road, Croydon,
iNIr. J. CoivTvis, 83, Brynlaiid Avenue, Rishopston, Bristol.
Miss C. Ros.\ LiTTivK, Baronshalt, The Barons, East

Twickenham.
Mrs. Cross, The Manor House, Sleaford.
Mr. vS. G. Walduam, F. S. S., Mona House, Queen vSt,

Redcar.
INIiss E. Brooksbank, Middleton-on-the-Wolds, Driffield.
Rev. Richard H. Wilmot, Poulton Vicarage, P'airford.
INIrs. J. Pond, 174, Upper Parliament vStreet, Liverpool,
INIiss M. Hamii^TON, 120, vStephen's Green W., Dublin.
Mr. P, H. Kenny, 55, Drumcondra Road, Dublin.
Mrs. Day, The Rectory, Killeagh, Co. Cork.
Mr. Gp:orge Moss, 51, Wellington vSt., Loughborough.
Capt. V. F, SmiThwick, Youghal House, Nenagh,

Ireland.
The Hon. Walter B. Wrottesley,

8, Herbert Crescent, W.
jMr. C. vS. Reid, 4, Howard Park Drive, Kilmarnock.
:\Ir. W. E. vStevens, Punch Bowl Hotel, Lowther Street,
York.

NEW MEMBERS PROPOSED.

The Rev. Reginai^d E. P. Gorringe, 89, Cromwell

Road, Peterborough.
Mr. D. W. Nicor.Tv, 75, Glengate Street, Kirriemuir.
Miss E. L. Jardine, 133, Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.
Mr. A, R. McKii,!., Ashfield Lodge, Thorner, nr. Leeds.
Mr. Charles Richard Lloyd, Church vStreet, Market
Harborough.

Proposed hy Mr, SWAN.

Mr. Fred. Cockayne, Craig Villa, 50, Thorneywood
Rise, Nottingham. Proposed by ^Ix. Fillmer.
Mr.T. Newbould, Oakdene, Linthorpe, Middlesborough.
Proposed by Mr. OSBALDESTON.

Mrs. Osborne, Lindiville, Cork.

Proposed by Mr. Phiijp.

322

OUR DEFICIT.

To THE Members of the Foreign Bird Ci.ub.

Thanks to a most generous donation from Mr.
Newman, F.Z.S., and useful contributions from several
other members, our Deficit has practicall}' ceased to
exist. There is still a small sum required, however,
which I trust will soon be forthcoming.

Our sincere thanks are offered to all who have
helped.

J. A. Swan,

87, Lower Kenniiigton Lane, S.E.

reaUsea.

£ s. d.

Previously acknowledged . . . . . . ..316

Mr- Swan's Zebra Finches Rev. R. Gorringe. . 046

TVT T7 *• 1 . 1 1 ( Miss T. Saywell \

Mr. Frosticks3books, Miss E. Chawner o i 6

^ ^^c^M Mr. Swan .. )

The following further contributions have been
received :

Mr. T. H. Newman, F.Z.S 220

Mrs. Anningson .. .. .. .. ..050

Anon. , 050

Miss E. Brooksbank 026

Miss C. L. Collier 026

Mr. A. Bullock Webster 013

Rev. Reginald E. P. Gorringe 013

/6 7 o

Original amount of deficit . . £l ^ 1
Amount received as above . . 670

vSum still due . . £0 i^ 7

All the birds offered in our last issue are still unsold,

with the exception of the Zebra P'inches.
I also have seven of Mr. Frostick's books left.

323
THE BIRD MARKET.

OnU' members of the N. B. E. & :\r. C. or the F. B. C. can adver-
tise here. The charge is one penny for every four words, address
included. All advertisements relating- to British birds must be
sent to Mr. I.ott, and all relating to foreign birds to Mr. Fillmer.
The Hon. Secretaries of the respective Clubs are authorised to
decline advertisements which they consider unsuitable.

Advertisements for the next issue must be received by the 15th
of Januarj-.

Good breed Arcliangel Pigeons, 5/- pair ; Fantails, 2/6
each; White-headed Lovebirds, 4/6 pair; Btidgeri-
gars, 6 6 pair ; Cockatiels, 7/6 (cocks) ; Ringneck
Parrakeets, 12/6 pair, odd cocks 5/- each ; Black-
headed Gonldiaiis, iS 6 pair ; Blue Barbets, 20/- each ;
Javaii Parrakeets, 6,'- each ; Rose-breasted Cockatoos,
10/6 each ; cock Redrtinips, 15/- each ; Cactus Con-
ure.s, 7/6 each; Scarlet Tanagers, 42/- pair; Black
Taiiagers, 42/- pair ; Orange-breasted Parrakeets, 4/6
each ; White • eared Bulbuls, 15/- each ; Common
Mynah, 13/- ; Bearded Tits, 18/6 pair ; Red-crested
Cardinals, 6/6 each ; Pope Cardinals, ]o/6; Golden
Weavers, 7/6, rare ; Yellow-shouldered Weavers, 8/6 ;
Green Weavers, rare, 7/6; Red-billed Weavens, 2/6;
>Iapoleon Weavers, 7, 6 ; Half-masked Weavers, 5/- ;
2 rare Weavers, naujeunknown, 10,6 each, pretty birds ;
hen Whydahs, 5 - ea. ; true pairs Silky Cowbirds, 8/6 ;
White Java Sparrows, 10 6 pair, also Common Javas,
3/6 pr. ; Nonpareils, 7/6 ; true pairs Indigoes, 156, odd
cock, 7/6; Military Troupials, 9/6; Ribbon Finches,
36 pair ; high breed Norwich Canaries, 15/- pair,
hens, 36; Zebra Doves, 3/6 pair, a little rough;
Diamond Doves, 21/- pair; Passerine Doves, 12/6
pair ; vSpice-birds, 36 pair ; Zebra Finches, 5/- pair,
odd hens, 2/6; Black-headed INIannikius, 2/6 pair;
Three-coloured Mannikins, 3 6 pair ; Silverbills, 3/6
pair; Avadavat.s, 26 pair; beautiful Blue-fronted
Amazons, 21/- each; cock Californian Quails, 6/-
eacli, full plumage; Zosterop Finches, 14/- pair.

Burgess, High Street, Busliey, Herts.

324

Pair Cockatiels, 12/6. Wanted : pair Blossoiiiheads.

J. COLiviS, S3, Brynland Aveuue, Bristol.

Grey Parrot, splendid talker, ;^io ; beautiful pair White
Doves, 3/6 ; 27 parts ' British Birds their Nests and
Eggs,' clean and perfect, 40 -.

J. Cronkshaw, Mansion House, Plantation Street,

Accrington.
Wanted — Acclimatized cock Red Rosella.

Cochrane, St. Boswells, Scotland.

A Member has a pair of healthy acclimatised
Pin-tailed Nonpareils which, he writes me, are worth
quite £-}) the pair— though a lower offer would be
considered. If these are sold, one half or one third
of the purchase money (according to price realised)
will be presented to the Club.

J. A, SwAX, 87, Lower Kenuiiigton Lane, S.E.

All communications for ''Bird Xotes'' in reference
to the British Bird and Hybrid department should be
addressed to the Hon. Sec. of the Xational British
Bird and Mule Club, and all communications in refer-
ence to Foreign Birds to the Hon. Sec. oj the Foreign
Bird Club.

3^5
BIRD-ROOM NOTES.

It may interest members of the F.B.C. to hear of my
varied luck with foreign birds, this season.

With regard to Budgerigars, I find the Yellow variety
by far the more difficult to breed: though when reared
they are quite hardy. The Green and the Yellow flying
together iu an aviary make a fine contrast. All in}'
Budgerigars are extremely fond of egg- food, and 1 alwa3-s
keep a saucerful on the bird-room floor.

I have bred, this season, some curious hybrids— the
father a Spice Bird and the mother a Bengalese. The
young ones, five in number, are more like the father
than the mother.

'My pair of Orange-cheeked Waxbills spent most of
the summer in building nests and laying eggs, but
were apparently too shy to sit.

I w^as lucky in having a fine nest of five Zebra
h'inches, but the last nest contained only one young
bird — a poor crop.

To-day, I see, rather to my surprise, in the nest of a
hen Yellow Budgerigar, a young one apparenth' greenish-
yellow in colour: having kept the Green and Yellow
varieties together for two years, and never having had
a hybrid, I supposed there was no fear of a cross. Can
anyone tell me if the Yellow are a separate variety .^ *
It ma}- be argued that a Green hen may have laid in the
Yellow hen's nest ; but this is not likely to be the case,
as for some months past the only hen Green Budgerigar
in the room has suffered from an injured wing, and can-
not rise from the floor.

*Vello\v Budgerigars are a distinct variety, and generalK' breed
true to colour, but they are not a diflferent species from the Green.
ihey are an artificial variety like White Java .Sparrows, or the
afferent breeds of Canaries^ and nodoubt originated in an accidental
-port, perpetuated b\- "careful selection. \Ve have lieard of B/ne
liudgerigars, but have never seen them.— Ed.

326

Numbers of young Green Budgerigars have hatched
tliis year in my bird-room, but my last nest, containing
the extraordinary number of seven young, were all but
one killed by the hen bird. It cost me some careful
watching to find her out— I then had her caught and
killed without any delay. The cock bird fed the remain-
ing young one most carefully and it is now a strong bird.

What satisfactor}' birds Grey Java Sparrows are in an
aviary .- They are always in perfect feather, and never
dull. I have five Javas flying with the rest of the birds,
and yet all is peace. They are full of mischief, and have
pecked a hole in the bird-room wall deep enough for
them to sit in. 1 am sorry to say that though a pair, ot
the five, had a nest this season with 3-onng, they starved
them to death ; the young birds were nearly ready to
fly, and in a few more days would have been able to
do for themselves.

Nothing ever seems to happen to birds of the Grey
variety, but the White Javas (which are, I believe, a kind
of artificial production), always appear to be in some
kind of trouble : my last pair were drowned. I have
always understood that they, the White, were easy to
breed, but mine shewed no inclination to do so.

Wonderful bad luck attends my endeavours to breed
Cockatiels : four hens have died one after the other,
leaving the cocks in robust health. My four hens all
came from diff"erent places, so I cannot account for the
mortalit}'. Two out of the four had eggs with young in
them, and were sitting, as I thought, steadily.

I do not think any but a really patient person should
attempt bird breeding, British or foreign. It is the un-
expected that so often happens, the unexpected being
the loss, five times out of six, of a nest of birds to all
appearances so flourishing that success seems certain.
When I say " to all appearances," I do not mean that I
ever see my young birds in their nests : I jndge by the
coming and going of the parent bird.'^. It is only when I
sjel a conviction that something has gone wrong, that I

327

ever look inside a nest. And it is impossible to do any
good by interference.

My Ribbon Finclies had a nest, and the first I knew
of it was seeing these young birds sitting on a branch
and crying to be fed. IsabeIvLA Wii^SON.

THE SISKIN.

Chrysoinitris spinus, Linn.

This lively and altogether delightful member of the
Friiigillidce family is so truly a cosmopolitan in its habits
that a list of the places where it is not to be found would
probably be the easiest method of dealing with its
habitat, but when I say that its proper home appears to
be in the north of Europe, I think that for present
purposes I shall have said all that need be said on that
point. I will venture to add, however, that it is more
common in England than is generally supposed. Abird-
(lealer acquaintance of mine, who gets consignments of
Linnets from various parts of the Midlands, frequently
has a few Siskins amongst them.

Speaking of Siskins to a bird-catcher, (aviculture,
like povert}', brings us in contact with queer folk), he told
me that he had been catching, off and on, for forty
years, and had in his time taken as many as seven dozen
Siskins "at a pull," but then that only occurred in one
of their flight years, because, he'd have me to know,
Siskins onh' visit England in flocks at intervals of seven
years ! Truly we live and learn.

As a cage-bird, the Siskin is much more desirable
than many birds generally inclnded under that head. It
takes kindly to captivity, and with reasonable care ami
attention soon adapts itself to its new surroundings
and becomes quite tame. It seems blessed with a pro-
digious appetite, and for a bird of its size consumes an
enormous quantity of food. As it only requires and does
best on plain canary seed as a staple diet (hemp seed and

328

maw seed are much appreciated in addition) the aviarist
need not begrudge the little chap his living, especially
when we are al)le to record the fact that, when
not eating, it is either singing its quaint little song, or
attending to its toilet.

It. as frequently as not. prefers to roost, if it can be
called "roosting," on the wires, whether of cage or
aviary, and sometimes head downwards. In its acrobatic
performances it has something in common with the
Titmice, and there is some resemblance in their
respective bills.

I have never been able to understand why we see
so few Siskin hybrids, because, in my experience, it is
almost as ready to pair with other finches as the Green-
finch, which is saying a great deal. It is a matter of
ancient history, however, for Mudie, writing fifty years
ago, tells us that the hybrid produced between the
Siskin and the Canary Finch is very handsome, and
fertile ! Certainly the vSiskin-Canary mule (I suppose I
must refer to a bird with a Canary for one of its parents,
as a " mule," and not as a " hybrid ") is. to my mind, far
prettier than some of the crosses which are produced in
greater numbers.

In common with the other members of the finch
family, the Siskin offers us some interesting varieties :
some beitig much brighter in colour and markings than
others, the differences in the cap especially Ijeing
very noticeable. Some have the cap black and unbroken,
while others have it laced, i.e., the margins of the head
feathers are tinged with grey, giving the cap a spangled
appearance, which, in a good specimen, has a very
pleasing effect. A little patch of black feathers under
the chin is, on some, very conspicuous, Init oti others
hardly noticeable.

Writing in this connexion, it is curious to record how
superior in colourings the genuine English-caught
Siskin is, as a rule, to that of the vSiskins sent to us by
continental dealers ; all of which seem to bear a more or

329

less washed out appearance, and run smaller in size than
those from our Midland counties. I say it is curious,
because just the reverse obtains in the case of the
Continental Goldfinches and Redpolls. It would be
interesting to know the cause of these differences, and I
think it would form a good subject for discussion in the
pages of our Magazine at some future date.

Thomas Marshaix.

THE SPECTACLE BIRDS.

The little birds of the genus Zosterops are among the
most attractive of the insectivorous species commonly
imported. Although not brilliantly coloured, the tints of
the plumage are charmingly soft and harmonious — while
the little creatures are most graceful and active, readily
become tame, and show a considerable degree of
intelligence.

Considering their extremely small size, the Zosterops
are easily kept. They require nothing but a good
insectivorous mixture, and plenty of soft fruit. Dried
ants' eggs, rubbed up with a little dripping and mixed
wdth crumbled colifichet and some preserved ^^^, suit
them admirably. Dried flies, and a little fine crissel, may
be added. The fruits most appreciated are sweet
oranges, bananas, soft and ripe pears and apples, and
stewed or baked apples. ^Mealworms are certainly un-
necessary and probably harmful if given habitually ; but
are occasionally useful, especially if the birds are exposed
to a low temperature. A little sop, made with boiled
milk, may be given occasionally.

There are more than eighty different species, but only
a few of them are imported. The species most often met
with is that which is usually (following Swiuhoe))
called Zosterops simplex. Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, however,
considers Z. simplex to be only a Chinese variety of Z.
palpebrosa (v/hich Dr. Butler calls the Indian Spectacle-

330

bird) . "'Vhen doctors differ, who shall decide ? But as
this species is generally known to avicnlturists as the
Chinese Zosterops, it is most convenient to call it by
that name— thoup.h I suspect that nearly all those which
reach our country come from India. All those which I
have possessed have appeared very sensitive to cold.

The Grey-backed species {Z. cccrulescens) conies from
Australia, is slightly larger than the Chinese, and is dis-
tinguished, as its name implies, by its grey mantle. Some
few years ago this species was frequently seen at Shows
It is said to have a pretty song.

The Japanese Spectacle-bird {Z. japonica) was
unknown to me until a few months ago,wlien I purchased
a pair. This is larger than the common species, aud the
sides of the body and flanks have a distinctly rudd}'
tint. My little Chinese bird, which I have had more
than a year, was so unfriendh' to the new arrivals when I
turned them into his aviar}-, that I had to remove
them to other quarters. It was comical to see him
driving these larger birds about. The cock of the
Japanese species has a pleasing song.

At the Zoo, they have had examples of the New
Zealand bird, which they distinguished by the name of
Z. lateralis, but at the British Museum this appears to be
considered the same species as the Australian {Z. ccrrii-
lescens).

One avicultural writer claims to have kept Zosterops
through the winter in an out door aviary. This may be
possible with the Australian or Japanese species, but
.scarcely with the smaller " Chinese " birds— which, as I
have said before, are usually Indian. My birds generally
show signs of discomfort if the temperature is below 55,
and a temperature of less than 50 is somewhat dangerous
to them.

The Zosterops are particularly fond of a bath.

These birds have a striking superficial resemblance
to the British trio of tiny Warblers, the Chiff-chaff, the

I

331

Willow Wren, and the Wood Wren. But the Honey-
eaters and the Warl)lers are not really near relations, and
the difference in the dietary is j^reat. The Zosterops
are easy birds to cater for, but the Chiff-chaff and its
cousins require most careful feeding, and seldom live in
captivity for more than a few weeks.

H. R. Fir,i,MER.

A VETERAN BLACKCAP.

Of all soft-billed birds, for song and tameness, I
prefer the Blackcap. He is rightly called the " Mock
Nightingale," and he sings from early in the morning
until late at night, and nearly all theyear round— at least
mine does.

I have had several Blackcaps, but I believe the one I
now possess beats the record for age— at least I have been
told so by experienced judges. I bought him at the Crystal
Palace Show in 1896, of Messrs. Francis Brothers. He was
then nearly two years old, and had taken only H.C.
Since then he has taken no end of prizes, and last year
won, at the Palace, the vSilver Medal for the best British
bird shown by a lady. He sings even at Shows, and one
of the reporters remarked about him last year — "Jolly
little chap, he sung while we reported on him."

He is never ill, but at the Aquarium this year
increasing years and the cold told on him, and he failed
to gain any award, but came home with the word "sick "
written on the label. However, he is all right again,
and singing, and has since taken a second prize at
Cirencester.

He is fed on soft food, and is very fond of currants
and sponge cake — but in the season for green figs he eats
nothing else, disposing of about two a day. He never
takes a bath, in fact he won't bathe, but makes pretence
of doing so in his drinking water. He seldom gets his

feet dirty. He lives in a box cage — a single breeding
cage with the nest boxes removed. He is ver}' pugnacious,
and when one has to catch him he will throw himself on
his back and fight with beak and claws.

Two or three years ago he was lost for four days,
when returning from a Show, through the address label
coming off — but he came home none the worse for his
])rolonged journey, with the wrapper covered with
railwa}^ labels, "try so-and-so," etc. Since then I have
always put ants' eggs at the bottom of the Show cages
of my insectivorous birds, so that they may not starve if
delayed on their journey.

I hope, if the weather is not too severe, to send him
to the Palace in February, when he wdll be nearly nine
years old. His name is " Sir Francis."

Robin DENE.

THE GREEN BULBUL.

Is the Green Bulbul ever imported now ? I never
see the bird mentioned in " Bird Notes." Can it be that
the younger generation of aviculturists do not care about
the bird, or are they unacquainted with its charms .-
vSome ten years ago single specimens of this species used
to come into the market from time to time : they were
always perfectly tame and were said to be hand-reared in
their native land, India.

This bird is not a true Rulbul, and is more correcth'
called the Green Mala1)ar Honeysucker, a name which
has the fatal defect of being too. long and cluni-S}' for
<ieneral use. The Green Bulbul is, I think, almost with-
out exception, the most delightful of cage birds, but it
wants to be kept in a cage (as large a cage as you can
give it), and not in an aviary where its charming traits
are lost in the crowd.

If I recollect rightly, it was in 1S93 that I first
bought a Green Bulbul : he was very tame and became

333

very fond of his master, but he disliked other birds and
was kept in a large cage b}' himself: he was ver\- clever
at catching mealworms, and would sit on my left fore-
finger and catch them as I threw them to him with my
right hand. ' He never ailed a day and did not seem
to mind cohl weather a bit, but was always ready for
his balh, which he took in a number of short dashes
through the water, repeated again and again until his
plumage became soaked.

One of his peculiarities was that he would never
descend to the floor of his cage, and I never saw him
either run or ho]3 on the ground. He was very fond of
mealworms, and I would often put one in the middle of
the floor of his cage and watch his efforts to get at it: he
would cling to the wires and reach out toward the meal-
worm, or would hang head downward from the lowest
perch and try to pick it up in that wa}-, but nothing would
induce him to settle on the floor and take it like an
ordinary bird. I conclude that in their wild state Green
Bulbuls live entirely in trees and never come down to
the ground.

The slender curved bill and the long tongue are
beautifully adapted for getting at the interior of flowers,
on the hone}- from w^hicli the Ijird in its wild state
doubtless feeds partially or entirely. In captivity it is
easily fed ou'fruit, bread and milk, the ordinary egg food,
and mealworms. My Bulbul lived for some years happy
iind healthy iu confinement : he would doubtless have
lived many years longer had I not in an evil hour turned
him into a small aviary among other birds : I watched
them carefully and for a few days all went well : then
one day I suppose a quarrel occurred and the Green
Bulbul attacked, or it was attacked by, a black and yellow
Troupial : on my next visit to the aviary I found the
Green Bulbul lying dead on the floor and the Troupial
triumphantly tearing out the featheis of his fallen foe.

The Green Bulbul is one of the most beautiful of
cage birds . of a bright grass green, with orange forehead.

334

throat of purple and black, aud a patch of brilliant blue
on the bend of each wing. It has a sweet song and
learns to copy the notes of other birds.

C. vS. vSlMPSON.

HULL SHOW.

From the British Bird point of view the Hull Show
was a great success, as that section certainly contained
some of the best classes in the Show, and numbered 140
entries in 12 classes, an average of nearly 12 per class.
The Albino Class had to be cancelled, only two entries
having been received. In the Mule Section the numbers
were not so large, being only 49 in five classes, just under
10 per class. The Clear or Evenly-marked Class had
only three entries, and had to be cancelled, by which we
unfortunately lost the chance of seeing some of the best
light mules produced this season.

The quality in both sections was grand, and the
opportunity of inspecting them afforded me (and others
interested in these classes) a real treat — even the Canary
fanciers were temporarily attracted from their long rows
of red-fed beauties and compelled to admit that the
Hybrids and British birds were an interesting sight. The
exhibits were nicely arranged in two tiers, across one
end, and down the longest side, of the room, thus giving
a good view of the whole at once.

The exhibits, I believe, received ever}^ possible
attention.

IVIr. Charles Houlton judged in his usual prompt and
busine.ss-like style, his awards l^eing well received. In
fact, I think he did well, undoubtedly placing the l)est
birds in the money in nearly every class. Of course, like
most other Shows, there was the usual exhibitor whose
bird would have w^on, had the Judge only known any-
thing about that variety. With such gentlemen

335

difference in condition and keenness of coni})etiLion
connts for nothing, and if the}- conld ])e appointed

jndgesit would be very nice, as we might then all profit

l)y their superior knowledge.

In the Unevenly-niarked Canar\' Mule Class, a grand
class of II, the ist was a large lightly variegated Green-
finch in beautiful feather, and the lightest of that variety
A-et seen in Hull ; 2nd, the well-known Uttoxeter Gold-
finch ; 3rd, Variegated Linnet, a little gem, and well
deserved his place. Dark Goldfinch or Linnet- Canary
(Yellow), were a highly-fed lot, in splendid condition (all
Goldfinch-Canary), ist, grand colour, but not so large
as 2nd and 3rd, orV.H.C. (two in wa-ong class here, one
had a mark, and the other was a Buff). Where are all the
Yellow Linnet-mules ? I hope they have not yet to be
hatched. Dark Goldfinch or Linnet and Canary (Buffs),
were a nice lot, but varied in size even more than the
Yellows. If I might offer my humble opinion, I think
the Buffs, with less colour feed, showed the markings far
better than the Y'ellows. A.O.V. Dark Mule, ist the
Bullfinch-Canary, in good colour and condition ; 2nd,
Greenfinch-Canary, very large ; 3rd. Redpoll-Canary,
hybrids. The winner in this class had a lasli like a well
groomed crest-bred Canary, Had that anything to do
with the old champion Linnet-Bullfinch having to stand
second ? It was a surprise any wa}-, for some.

In British the Goldfinch Class of 19 caused great
interest, and also difference of opinion. A difficult
class to judge, as there was very little between about 10
of them. JVere these all British ? At another time I
should like to state my reasons for believing some of them
were not. Bullfinches w^ere a good class, the winners
being large, good colour, and cage-moulted. Linnets (21),
the largest class and keenest competition in British.
Some grand Linnets were without a card. These birds at
least give rise to no doubt as to their place of birth.
Chaffinches and Bramblefinches were small classes, but
good in quality. Greenfinches were a good class and the
winners all colour-fed and of enormous size. Redpoll

336

or Siskin and the Bnntini^ Classes were interesting, but
contained nothing particularly striking I think. Hens.
Tliis class, being a new feature liere, was disappointing
in point of numbers, as there were only seveti, and I had
expected twenty at least, but we have gained something
by it, as we now have 'Mv. Houlton's decision that the
Nuthatch is a hardbill ; all the same, I found it very
-fond of a mealworm.

The Softbill Classes were not large, but contained
some splendid specimens. The cost of carriage no
doubt affects the entries here, as larger cages are used in
these classes.

The Skylark has disappeared from the Show bench,
it seems. This is in consequence of nearl}' all the Judges
leaving it out of the cards, when it did appear, and the
only remedy will be to give it a separate class.

Tom Pkrkixs.

REVIEWS.

Bird iVo/es from the " Coajida Protectorate''' by Sir
Harry Johnstone. (2 vols. Hutchinson & Co. 1902).

As many of our members may not have the
opportunity of reading the above work, a few extracts
about the birds found in Uganda wil) be of interest.

The whole region teems with bird life — the tentative
list given at the end of Vol I., containing seven liundreil
and seventy-one species. INIau}- of these are of course
found in other parts of the African Continent, but in
Uganda all kinds have a common meeting-ground, so
varied are the climate and conformation of the country —
sweltering heat, perpetual snow — impenetrable swamp,
inaccessible mountain.

Now that the railway is com])leted to Victoria
N'yan/.a, and the Kuropean and Indian population

337

increasing', there is no reason why we should not open
up a new source of supply for the foreign bird market.

The notes on the migration Eastward, ami change of
colour, of the Grey Parrot are most interesting. Perhaps
some of our readers have already seen a specimen
differing from the usual type, and can give fuller
particulars.

(Extract) . "The Uganda Protectorate is ver3'ricli in
birds. In no part of Africa I have ever visited has bird
life seemed so abundant and so omnipresent. The least
observant Kuropean in the Rift Valley must be conscious
of the Black Chats, with white patches on their wings,
hopping about the settlements. The Flamingoes on
Ivakes Naivasha and Hannington, the colleges of
Marabout vStorks, the companies of Crown Cranes,
the solitary Secretary-bird, the wheeling Kites, the
Griffon Vulture, the black and white Egyptian Vultures
with 3^ellow beaks and legs, the gorgeous Glossy
Starlings w'ith their plumage of iridescent blue-green
and copper-red, the brightly-coloured or extravagantly-
plumed Widow - finches and Weaver - birds, are all
familiar objects in the landscape of the Eastern
province {of Uganda).

"The Grey Parrots and the many richly -plumed
Plantain -eaters and Touracos in the forests of the
Central Western and Uganda Provinces, the screaming-
Fish Eagles, the Brown Vulture, the Gre}- and the liand-
some Bateleur and Black-crested Eagles, the Sun-birds,
Barbets, green Parrots, green Pigeons, blue and mauve
Rollers, are seldom absent from one's sight in the day-
time as one traverses the forests and grassy down
country in Uganda, Toro, Busoga, and Elgon.

" Of the Widow-finches, the most extravagant of all
these birds in the tail is Chera progne. This bird is
found in parts of South Africa, and reappears, strange
to say, in the North - Eastern part of the Uganda
Protectorate. In this bird, about the size of a Thrush,
not only are the plumes of the tail such as would be

338

remarkable in size in a game-cock, but the primaries and
secondaries of the wings appear also to be permanent!}'
enlarged ont of all proportion to the body, in order to
assist in snpporting this enormous tail. When these
birds are flying they seem to be almost supported, as by a
parachute, on the outspread tail feathers, and to float on
these expanded plumes. When the bird is in full flight,
yet slackening pace with a view to perching, the tail
feathers curl forward and diverge in a most shapeh'
manner.

" Another common finch is Pyroinelana flannniceps
(Crimson -crowned Weaver). In the spring months, in
that part of Uganda North of the Equator (and perhaps
again in the Autumn) the males of the Bishop finches
blaze out into gorgeous red and yellow body plumage.
The males appear to be followed by five or six females.

"There are few districts in Uganda without the
beautiful Gloss}' Starlings, but these birds appear more
than usually abundant round about Lake Baringo.
There is the usual abundance of Bulbuls, Warblers, and
Thrushes, and I am weary of contradicting the foolish
old doctrine that, in the tropics, birds do not sing.

"The Crimson - crowned Barbet is common in the
wooded regions, and Hone\' Guides also. A ver}' hand-
some purple and white Cuckoo, and Mouse-birds, play
in every thicket.

"Amongst the most beautiful and remarkable of
birds is the Great Blue Plaintain Eater (Covythcrala
cristata). It is a remarkable fact that all the species
are found in Uganda, which cannot be said of any other
part of Africa.

"The Hornbills are well represented: the smaller
kind, with black, white, and brown plumage and black
and red beaks, are very common in the east and central
parts of the Protectorate.

"Amongst the Parrots there is the Grey Parrot of
West Africa. The range of this bird would appear to be

339

increasing rapidly at the present time. Abont fifty years
ago (according to the Arabs) it had jnst reached the
West Coast of Tanganyika ; it has now made its way to
the East Coast and np the Malagarazi River; from
Kavirondo it has spread Eastward to the Nandi Forests
and to Kiknyn, whence it will probably soon reach the
East Coast of Africa. Already this bird wonld seem to
be developing snb-species that may in time become valid
species.

" Besides Psittacus temiieh, of vSierra Leone, (which is
a distinct species, and a Gre}' Parrot without a red tail),
the Grey Parrots of Prince's Island, off the coast of Lower
Guinea, are becoming different in coloration from the
ordinary type. The grey plumage is developing into a
dull purple, while the scarlet tail is becoming violet red,
the upper mandible of the beak has lengthened, and in
some respects the Parrot on Prince's Island is taking the
place of the raptorial birds which the natives say it is
driving from the island. In the interior of Angola and
the vSouth-Western part of the Congo basin the grey of
the Grey Parrot is turning to white and pink, some of
these birds actually becoming pink all over, with a
scarlet tail. In Uganda the plumage is normal. In
parts of Uganda there are Love-birds and several species
of Pcsocephaliis."

These extracts will show what a bird paradise
Uganda is. Those mentioned scarcely touch the fringe
of the different varieties contained in the seven hundred
and odd species — but there can be no doubt that a country
has been opened up from which the aviculturist can draw
unlimited supplies, when the natives realise the demand,
and dealers extend their operations to that hitherto little
known part of the world.

A. But.lock-Webster.

'' Pai'vakeets : beino; a Practical Handbook to those species
kept in Captivity^ By D. Seth-Smith, F.Z.S.,
M. B. O. U. Parts II. and III

These parts of Mr. Seth-Smith's work fully sustain
the promise of Part I. The Conures are finislied and

340

the Thick-billed Parrakeets, the Blue-winged Love-bird,
the Small-billed Parrakeets, the Ring-necks, and the
genns Polytelis, are all dealt with. There are coloured
plates of the Brown-throated, Cactus, Lesser Patagonian,
White-eared, and Pearly Conures : the White -winged
and Tui Parrakeets ; Blyth's Nicobar and the Nicobar
Parrakeet and Barraband's Parrakeet. Two of the
drawings are by ]\Ir. Gronvold — the rest by !Mr. H.
Goodchild. We very much prefer INIr. Goodchild's
work.

vSonie of the Conures are very charming little birds,
and it is a great pity that their noisiness makes them all
but impossible as pets. The account of the common
Cactus Conure is attractive, and almost makes one wish
to possess examples of the species— nntil one remembers
their truly excruciating voices. Islw Seth-Smith quotes
Miss Alderson on Cactus Conures, as follows, — " Like
every other kind of bird they vary in temperament. I
have three that are all that can be desired, while two
others are just the reverse. Of the first four I purchased
three are still alive; the fourth died from injuries,
caused, it is supposed, by a Tovi Parrakeet. All four
birds were extraordinarily tame from the first, though I
believe they were newly imported. The very day they
arrived they all ran in a body across the aviary floor to
meet me, and some of them even took biscuit from my
fingers. If a large bird attacked them they joined
forces, and it was most amusing to see them beat off a
formidable opponent by sheer force of numbers. The
three are named respectively ' Ping,' * Pong,' and 'Jock.'
The first two are, I think, a pair, and are devoted to each
other. Jock is allowed to play with them, and they are
very kind to him. He is the funny man of the party,
and goes through the most amusing antics and grimaces
for the benefit of the other two. They are very bright
and affectionate little birds, and love to sit in a row on
my arm eating pea-nuts and biscuits. Before T leave
the aviarv I have to look round to make sure they are
all there, for they are very fond of flying on to my back,
and are so light that I might easily carry one out by

341

mistake. Tliey watch for me passin,^ the aviary, and
there is a shrill chorus of disappointment if I do not
<(o inside. I tried keeping the two new ones with the
original trio, bnt these chased the two new-comers
about so that I was obliged to separate them. The
operations were conducted in the most business like
way, all three acting in unison to expel the intruders.
Cactus Conures are fairly hardy, easy to keep, and cost
but five or six shillings a pair. Mine have been for
some time in the same aviary as my tiny Waxbills, with
no bad results."

CORRESPONDENCE.

"JUDGING BRITIvSH BIRDS."

vSiR,— As a rule I do not reply to the writers of letters
under a noni de plitine, but as I presume the writer of the
letter under the above heading in "Bird Notes" for
December is a fellow member of our Club, I feel it my
duty to reply to him, seeing that I treated of the subject
in question, in an article recently published.

Whoever are the Judge or Judges " Hardbill " refers
to, I contend they deserve the hearty support of every
member, and particularly the exhibitors of British
Birds.

I am at loss to see the great superiority of Yellow
Buntings over the other species named.

Mr. " Hardbill," you must admit it is hard lines for a
good Bramblefinch, or Haw^finch, or even Chafifincli, to
play third fiddle to two of what you call Yellow-
hammers, in a class of the kind in question. Variety
Classes are not very satisfactory, even with the arrange-
ment condemned by "Hardbill." but I am inclined to
think Variety Classes would soon become Yellow
Bunting Classes, pure and simple, if all our Judges acted

Peregrine Bat.i,.

342

WILD BIRD NOTEvS.
Sir, — The cold weather is beginning to driv^e wild
fowl to our coast. I liave seen Wild Duck and vSnipe, and
have had the appearance of Wild Geese reported to nie.
Yesterday (Nov. 21st) I saw a Kingfisher on the sea coast.
A small stream flowing from a marsh was evidentl}' the
reason of its being there. A pair which hung about a
pond and ditch in our grounds are not in evidence at
present. Goldfinches and Bullfinches are fairly plentifnl
with us this year.

Magpie.

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD AND
MULE CLUB.

Committee Meeting held at Headquarters on the
8th Januar}^ 1903.

Present : Mr. Robson (Chairman), Mr. Pollard (Vice-
Chairman), ^Messrs. Vale, jVIorgan, Jones, C. Cooj^er,
Maxwell, A. Phimbridge, Dewhurst, Frostick, vSaiid}',
and the Hon. Secretary.

The minutes of the previous meeting Avere read and
confirmed.

Agreed that A.O.V. in letter sent to Mr. Williams be
altered to " A. O. Species."' The Hon. Sec. was desired
to order JNIedals for distribution amongst the winners of
the season.

Mr. Pollard proposed "That voting papers be num-
bered, and, with the Hon. Solicitor's consent, be returned
to him. and in any case of dispute or complaint, be
referred to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman."

It was proposed and agreed " That the Hon. Sec.
should communicatewith the Editor of ' Cage Birds ' with
a view of ascertaining who the Committeeman was who

343

supplied the malicious statement referred to at the last

meeting."

W. A. LOTT, Hon. Sec,

National British Bird & Mui.k Ci^ub,

103, Cheapside, London, ICC.

PROPOSALS FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL

MEETING.

Proposed by Hon. Sec. " That our meetings be held
on the last Thursday in each month, instead of as
now; also that twelve Judges be elected for British Birds
and twelve for Hj'brids."

Proposed by Mr. Dewhurst " That the Judges list of
the N. B. B. & ]\I. C. be struck out, and, in future, any
member of the Club shall be eligible to Judge, if elected
by a Society showing under the Club's patronage and
support."

Proposed by Mr. A. Jones "That no British Bird or
Hybrid be eligible to compete for our Medals that has
been pepper fed."

Proposed by Mr. Peregrine Ball '• That the following
additions be made to the Rules : "

I. — That branches of the Club be formed, including
certain Counties or Districts in England and Wales,
with one for Scotland, under the management of a
District Committee. Each District to elect two
representatives on the General Committee.

2. — That all alterations to existing rules, or proposed
new ones, be printed and sent to each member for
his or her vote, as at present arranged for the
election of Judges and Committee.

3. — That in future any member proposed to act as
Judge be nominated by one member prior to
voting papers being sent out. The whole who are
nominated, with proposer's name, to be printed in

344

the INIagazine— the issue prior to voting papers
being sent out.

4. — If no alteration is made in the election of the
General Committee, gentlemen or ladies to form
the Committee also to be nominated in same way
as suggested forjudges, with names and proposers
also printed on voting papers.

5. — That Section Jirdges be abolished in order that any
person elected a Club Judge for Club Specials,
Medals, &c., may take both British and Hybrid
Classes without running the risk of being charged
with doing (and the Committee allowing it) that
which he was not elected for b}'' the members to
perform.

N.B. — All proposed alterations or new Rules by either
District Committees or individual Members to be
sent in to the General vSecretary in time for pub-
lication in the Magazine, previous to voting papers
])eing sent out.

winxp:rs of medals up to date.

Manchester & Northern Counties Shoiv—lslx. Ball, Gold ;
Mr. Dloyd-James, Gold.

L. C. B. A., Royal Aqiiarhnn—^lx. Maxwell. Gold; Mr.
Chene}', Gold; Messrs. Browning &: Williams, Gold;
Mr. Judd, Silver ; :\Ir. Ward. Silver.

Whitehaven Cage Bird Society — ^Ix. Wilson, Gold.

Hull Cage Bird Society — INIessrs. Browning and Williams,
Gold ; Mr. Judd, Gold.

Gateshead & Dist. O. S.—^lx. Ball, Silver; Mr. Gough,
Silver; Mr. Judd, Silver.

Leicester— Islx . Pendrigh, Gold ; Mr. Howe, Gold.

345
STANDARDS.

SHORlUvARK.

Steadiness

vSize

All markings very clear

Tail and flights unbroken, and in pink

of condition . .
vSta.cjin.ir

lo
20

100

SKVr.ARK.

Steadiness .. .. .. .. ..30

>Size 15

Bold markings throngliout, fine quality

of feather , . . . . . • • 15
Free action, plent\^ of crest, and no

jumping to top of cage . . 20
Condition : tail must not be soiled or

fra^-ed . . . . . . . . . . 10

Staging.. .. .. 10

WOODr^ARK.

Steadiness

Size

Colour rich yellowish brown, fine

Krect position on perch

Crest the larger the ])etter, ,

Deep distinct markings

Condition of tail and flights, not

no jumping
Staging

feath

frayed

100

20

10

^5
10
10
10

JACKDAW

Steadiness

Size

Quality and condition

Sta.yiiiii-

20
10
60
10

346

JAY.

Steadiness . . . . . . . . . . 30

Size 10

Quality, conditiou of feather, markings
clean cut, wings and tail intact,
and bright colour on breast and
throat . . . . . . . . . . 50

Staging 10

100

CHOUGH.

Steadiness .. .. .. .. ..20

Size , . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Colour dense black, quality and con-
dition of feather (which must be
perfect), edges of wings and tail
intact, and perfect claws, and beak
(the deeper the red the better) . . 60
Staging 10

100

MAGPIE.
Steadiness .. ., .. .. ..20

Size . . . . 10

Quality and condition — tail shewn in
perfect condition, and the more
white on wings and breast the
better . . . . . . . . . . 50

Staging 20

100

NOTES.

I hope members have noticed the Committee's
decision to discontinue sendnig •' Bird Notes " to all
those who have not paid their subscriptions.

I have again to earnestly ask members for more copy.

347

The lack of matter is a constant source of anxiety for
next issues.

Our sister Society seems very fortunate in the matter
of new members lately ; it must be ver}' gratifying to
Mr. Fillmer. The F.B.C. must now have a larger num-
ber on roll of membership than the N. B. B. & M. C.

Already two members have lost medals through not
having paid their subscriptions, as per rules.

Since the Committee Meeting I am pleased to find
that our Hon. vSolicitor has notified me of his willing-
ness to act as Scrutineer at the forthcoming election of
Committee, etc.

I am asked again to request Club Committees and
others to insert " A.O. Species " not Variety.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. See the
gold medals of the Iv. & P. O. S. given by them at the
Autumn Show in the British and Hybrid sections.

In view of contemplated alterations in "Bird Notes,"
entailing extra expense and more copy to supph', I appeal
to all members to send me some names for membership ;
and let me remind them that the competition for the
gold medal, to be given to the member introducing most
members, remains open till the end of February.

Miss Craddock offered the Club a silver medal for
the best essay or lecture sent in during the year. I
should be pleased to receive the opinion of any member
))efore we adjudicate upon the merits and demerits of
those which have been sent in.

Just as we are going to Press, the Schedule of the

34«

Cage Bird Carnival at the Crystal Palace is to hand.
The fixture is some five or six days later tha.n last year.
A formidable list of Judges adorn the front page, and
some new names are on the list : there are fourteen in all,
experienced and otherwise.

The L. & P.O.S. Diplomas are conspicuous by the
number offered in the various sections. What is their
value when secured.^ Coming to the sections in
which we are interested, I am woefully disappointed as
to the soft-bills, while I congratulate the Show authorities
upon a Hen Bullfinch Class, and the Limit Class for an}'
finch, an}' nationality. But what is the meaning
in Class 114, which states that one prize will be awarded
to each species named, four equal firsts, or as heretofore ?
A Robin Class is scheduled — a failure last year, but again
inserted. No Nightingale and Blackcap Class, and only
two classes for soft-bills, which should be extended at the
expense of the long rows of Linnets, Goldfinches, etc.,
etc. We congratulate the L. & P.O.S. iipon the use of the
word "species," but not upon the "Redpoll" or any
other " poll."

W. A. LoTT.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB,

Members ofthe Avicultural Society who join the Club,
are, under our rules, admitted without formal election.
It is intended in future, when publishing the names of
such members in the list of "New Members Elected," to
indicate the fact of their being members of the
Avicultural Society and to give the name of the member
of the Club by whom they were introduced. vSuch
"introductions," for the purpose of the " New Members
Competition " (see page 212), will be considered equiva-
lent to "proposals."

It is proposed to issue cloth cases for binding Vob

349

I. of "Bird Notes," if sufficient nunibers intimate their
desire to purchase such cases. Will those who would
like the cases be kind enough to connnunicate with Mr.
Swan, who has the matter in hand? The cases will be
of tasteful design, and the price, which will depend
partly on the numbers who subscribe for them, will most
probably be is.

HORATIO R. FILLMER,

Hon. Sec. FOREIGN BiRD Cr.UB,

52, vSliip Street, Brighton.

NOTICES TO MEMBERS

MEDAL WON.
Leicester, Bronze : Mr. W. Oakey.

MEDAL GRANTED.
St. Helen's — 9th and loth Jan., 4 classes. One Bronze.
Judge : Mr. Houlton.

NEW MEMBERS ELECTED.
The Rev. Rkginai^d E. P. Gorrixgk, 89, Cromwell

Road, Peterborough.
Mr. D. W. NiCOT.r., 75, Glengate Street, Kirriemuir.
Miss Ev. L. Jardine, 133, Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.
Mr. A. R. McKir.1., Ashfield Lodge, Thorner, nr. Leeds.
Mr. Chari.ks Richard Lr.ovD, Church Street, Market

Harborough,
INIr. Fred. Cockayne, Craig Villa, 50, Thorneywood

Rise, Nottingham.
Mr.T. Newboui^d, Oakdene, Linthorpe, Middlesborough.
Mrs. Osborne, Lindiville, Cork.

Mr. W11.1.IAM R. Fasev, The Oaks, Holly Bush Road,
Snare-sbrook. (Mem. Avic. Society, introduced
by Mr. Fii,i,MER).

350

NEW MEMBERvS PROPOSED.
Mr. R. P. KiTSON, "Collaton," Torquay.

Proposed by Mr. Bond.
Mr. J. McDoNAGH. 13, Greencroft Gardens, vS. Haiup-

stead, N.W.
Mr. Arthur Cook, Glyncote, Kingsbury Rd., Gravelly

Hill, Birniinghain.
Mr. W. T. Jackson, Roslyn, Croliam Road, Croydon.
Mr. C. H. T. Whitehead, c/o Messrs. King, King & Co.,

Bombay, India.
Mr. Ge:orge WAI.TON, Tbirlniere, via Grasniere, Cumber-
land.
Mr. Thomas Spencer, Claerwen Villa, Jockey Road,
Wylds Green, Warwicksliire.
Proposed by I\Ir. Swan.
Miss E. M. HiNCKS, Terrace House, Ricbiuond, Yorks.
Mr. H. E. B1.ISS, Tbe Croft, Wallingford.
Proposed by Mr. Fii^i^mer.

Mr. Gavin Alston lias resigned bis nienibersbip of
tbe Club, and bis resignation lias been accepted b}- tbe
Council.

OUR DEFICIT.

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CI,UB.
It is witb a feeling of sincere pleasure tliat I present
tbe closing list of our successful endeavour to liquidate
our deficit. On bebalf of tbe Club I would again grate-
fully tbank all wlio liave responded to my appeal.

It now only remains for us to increase tbe nieniber-
sbip of tbe Club and tliereby place ourselves beyond

tbe fear of future loss. t . c.r.^r

J. A. oWAN.

Amount previously acknowledged

../6

7

0

Purchased by

Miss Hopkinson's

four Budgerigars .. IMr. Osbaldeston

(;

8

0

Mr. Fillmer's Catbird .. Mr. Osbaldeston

. . 0

3

0

Mr. Frostick's | Mr. Acutt

) „

five books » Four non-members ) ^

2

7

£1

0

7

Original amount of deficit .. £l 0

7

Amount received as above .. 70

7

351
THE BIRD MARKET.

Only members of the N. B. E. & :\r. C. or the F. B. C. can adver-
tise here. The charge is one penny for every four words, address
included. All advertisements relating- to British birds must be
sent to Mr. I.ott, and all relating to foreign birds to Mr. Fillmer.
The Hon. .Secretaries of the respective Clubs are authorised to
decline advertisements which they consider unsuitable.

Advertisements for the ne.xt issue must be received by the 15th
of Februar^^

White-headed IvOvebird.s, 4/6 pair; Bttdgerigars, 6/6 p^ir;
Ringneck Parrakeets, 12/6 pair ; CockatieLs, 13/6
pair ; Black-headed Goiildians, 18/6 pair ; Bhte
Bar))ets, 20/- each ; cock Shamas, 25/- each ; Javan
Parrakeets, 6/- ; Rose - breasted Cockatoos, 10/6 ;
Redriimps, 35/- pair ; Cactus Conures, 7/6 each ;
Scarlet Tanagers, 42/- pair ; Black Taiiagers, 42/-
pair ; Blue Tauagers, 25/- each ; Superb Tanagers,
25/- each ; White-eared Bulbuls, 15/- ; White-cheeked
Bulbuls, 15/-; Red-vented Bulbuls, 8/6; Red-eared
Bulbuls, 8/6; Common Mynah, 13/- ; Grey M^iiah,
12/6 each ; Bearded Tits, 18/6 pair; Red - crested
Cardinals, 6 6 ; Pope Cardinals, 10/6 ; Golden
Weaver, 7/6, rare ; Yellow - shouldered Weavers,
S/6 ; Green Weavers, 7/6; Half-masked Weavers,
5/-; hen Whydahs, 5/-; true pair vSilky Cowljirds,
8/6 ; White Java Sparrows, 10/6 pair ; Common
Javas, 3/6 pair; Nonpareils, 7/6; Indigo.s, 15 6 pair,
odd cocks 7/6 ; Ribbon Finches, 36 pair ; Zeljra
Doves, 3/6 ; Diamond Doves, 21/- pair ; cock
Passerine Dove, 6/6 ; hen Necklace Dove, 10/6 ;
Spicebirds, 3/6 ; Zebra Finches, 5/- pair ; Black-
lieaded Mannikins, . 2/6 pair ; cock Californian
Quails, 6/- each ; Zosterop Finches, 14/- pair ; Plic-
ated Finches, 10/- each ; White-throated F'inches,
18/6 pair; Brown-eared Conures, 25/- pair; Pekin
Robins, 4/- each ; one splendid Syke's Oriole, 35 - ;
pairs of Red Rosellas, aviary-bred ; Blossom-headed
Parrakeets, 2f/- pair; Virginian Nightingales, 25-
pair ; aviar5'-bred Blue-Jay, 50/-. Write for wants.
All perfect birds. BuRGESS, Busliey, Herts.

352

Young light Goldfmcb-Canary, £2 ; lien Thrush, V.H.C.,
5/-, or exchange cock.— Miss Estella Say\vp:t.l,
Broinsgrove College, Worcestershire.

I.ovely pair Rosellas, perfect plumage, hand bred, 40'-,
Cochrane, Clothier, St. Bosvveirs, vScotland.

Hen Pintailed Nonpareil, 8 6; pair Violet-necked Lori-
keets, 2nd Norwich, 45/- ; handsome Patagonian
Coiiure, 3rd Norwich, 176; pair White-headed
Nuns, 6/-; pair Zebra Finches, 46 ; grand talking
Amazon Parrot, £^ ; good talking Grey Parrot,
;^5 10/- ; pair Norwich Canaries, 10/6.

F. YAI.LOP, 85, Prince of Wales Road, Norwich.

Two twice house moulted British Cock Goldfinches.
7/6 each.

W. N. MiDGi.EY, Winslow, Bucks.

All comniiinications for ''Bird A'oles" in refei-ence
to the British Bird and Hybi id department should be
addressed to the Hon. Sec. of the National British
Bird and Mule Club, and all coniniunications in refer-
ence to Foreign Birds to the Hon. Sec. of the Foreign
Bird Club.

353
MY AVIARY AND ITS INMATES.

By llie Lady DUNI^EATH.

It may interest some of our readers to hear about
my birds. Last summer was a very bad one for breeding,
and the only birds hatched in mj' aviary were Zebra
Finches and Cutthroats. The vSaffron Finches
laid many eggs, but with no result.

I liave added another division to my aviary, which
now consists of a wooden cottage with thatched roof,
40ft. by 15ft., and 12ft. high, divided into three parts.
No. I, 2ift. wide; No. 2, iSft. ; No. 3, 15ft. In No. i, I
have two Ringed Barbar}' Doves with two young ones
just able to fly, Zebra Finches, Cutthroats, Cordon Bleus,
Grey Singing Finches, a few Canaries (the others I
brought in for the winter), Golden-breasted Waxbills,
Avadavats, Manuikins, Black-headed Nuns, Whydahs,
Tiny Ground Dove, Bengalese, vSpice Birds, and two Bull-
finches. In No. 2, six Budgerigars, one Redrunip, one
Half-moou Parrakeet, one pair Indian Parrakeets, one
Lemon-crested Cockatoo, one pair Cockatiels, Californian
Quails, and one pair Silver Pheasants. In No. 3, one
Virginian Nightingale, one Pope, eight Pekin Robins, two
Nonpareils, two Indigo Birds, two Green Singing Finches,
one vSilky Cowbird, one Mocking Bird, one pair Golden
Pheasants, one pair Nicobar Pigeons, seven Java Doves,
one pair Zebra Doves, four Weavers, and two Parson
Finches. In a large cage in my sitting-room, I have
three Red-crested Cardinals, one Green Cardinal, and one
Canary-winged Parrakeet waiting to go out in the spring.

I have a lovely Green Bulbul, the same as the one
described in "Bird Notes" for January. I should like
to know whether it is rare, as I gave 50s. for it eighteen
months ago and was told it was very rare.* It is quite

* The Golden - fronted Green Bulbul {Chloropsis ami from)
cannot be correctly described as "very rare." .\ltliough never
common, and somewhat expensive, it is nearly always obtainable.
-Ed. - ■ ■

354

tame, and I feed it on Abraham's food and fruit.
It does not care for mealworms. My aviary birds
are very tame, and the Robins and Mocking Bird
follow me for mealworms.

I keep a small stove in the centre of No. i com-
partment and a lamp ; these are hanging from the ceiling
in a wire cage. The temperature has been down to i<^°
this winter ; for ten days it was 30*^ at night, in spite
of all windows and doors being shut. No matter what
the weather is, I open the windows and all the birds fly
out during the day. They are healthy, and have all
moulted out of doors. As soon as the lamp is lighted in
the afternoon they fly into the house and are shut in.
The lamp and stove are lighted only at night. I
feed on canary and millet, giving also soaked bread,
Abrahams' food, and fruit for soft-billed birds. Meal-
worms I give as a treat. I let the birds out about ten every
morning and they are shut up now at five. In summer
everything is left open. In summer I hang up dozens of
travelling cages (the wire replaced by wood with a round
hole in il) from the wire roof by long wires, and these
they nest in. I never find any of my birds mind my
looking at their nests.

Last summer m3'pairot Virginian Nightingales were
in the division with the Parrakeets ; they made a lovely
nestin a bush and hatched two young ones. One morning
I found the Parrakeets had killed the mother and young.
They paid no attention to them until the young were
hatched.

Outside I have a Curassow, three European
Cranes, a Flamingo, and one pair of Rheas ; these all
go about loose, returning each to their house at night.
The Rhea laid 15 eggs last summer, but all were clear
owing to the birds being quite young. Since January
ist the temperature in one division of the aviary has
been : lowest 29^, highest 54*^. I account for the birds
doing so well by the fact of my having a lighted lamp
all night, so that they can feed at any hour. I used to

355:

lose iiiatiy birds at nii^ht before I started the lamp, but
this winter, and also last winter, none have died. I con-
sider light at night to be of the utmost importance in an
aviary where small foreign birds are kept.

THE REDSTART.

By S. A. Sandy.

I think this bird can safely be described as the most
gorgeously plumaged of our summer visitors, and one
that is much admired, both at home and when seen on
the Show Bench, for its bold carriage and variety of
colour. The peculiar shaking of the tail seldom fails
to attract attention.

The Redstart (or, as it is called in some parts of the
countr\', the " Firetail") usuall}' arrives about the second
week in April, and seems to frequent the same localities
year after year. If the day be sunny, and you hit upon
the right spot, you are almost sure to hear his shrill and
pleasant song, as he will probably be sitting at the top
of some tall tree — but to catch a glimpse of him is a
more difiEicult matter. You will have to watch, and wait
patiently until he descends to some likely spot, frequently
an ant hill, in search of food : when, with a pair of
glasses, you should be able to get a good view of him.

In the spring the adult male bird has the throat
glossy jet black ; fore-head white, extending, in an old
bird, as far back as the eye ; back light slate blue ; wings
dark greyish brown ; breast bright reddish brown, light-
er towards the under tail coverts, rump and tail chest-
nut, except the two centre feathers, which are
a darker brown ; legs almost black. They vary some-
what in size, but the average is slightly over five inches.
When seen against a background of bushes with the
leaves just out and of a fresh green tint, the bird looks
very beautiful. The flight is very like that of the Fly-
catcher, in fact the Redstart, to my thinking, resembles

356

tliat bird very much (except, of course, " in coloring) ;
especially in the way in which it will dart out from the
top of a bush for a fly or small moth, and then return
to the same bush.

As a pet or an exhibition bird, the Redstart is very
desirable, although, from my own experience, I should
say it would be far more esteemed, for the latter purpose,
if it could be made to understand that a perfect tail is a
necessary appendage to an exhibition bird. If I were
asked to express an opinion as to which of our numerous
small insectivorous birds was most expert at ])reaking its
tail and flight feathers, I should have no hesitation in
-deciding for the bird under discussion. Whether I hav^e
had singularly unfortunate specimens or not I cannot
say, but I think it is the general complaint.

One thing I have found — the Redstart is easily "meated
off" even in the spring, when an adult bird should be on
4ts egg and ants' egg food in a week or ten days. Having
procured a specimen (which, thanks to the Wild Birds'
Protection Act, is not an easy matter) you should give him
daily some thirty mealworms for the first tw^o days, then
hard-boiled egg and a little crushed sweet biscuit, with
(say) twenty mealworms broken in halves and mixed well
in with the egg for the next two days, and so reduce the
"quantity of mealworms down to six per day according to
the readiness with which he eats the food. After the first
four days add a spoonful of soaked ants' eggs, and having
got him to eat this mixture freely, he should go on very
well. Redstarts are ver\' fond of green caterpillars, ear-
wigs, small beetles, spidei'S, and, in fact almost every
form of insect, including the butterfly. They also
appreciate elderl^erries when obtainable.

In selecting an exhibition bird, you should select
first of all a large deep-colored ))ird, and one that stands
well up on the perch, with the colors well defined.

I find they do very well in an aviary from the time
the}' arrive until the end of vSeptember, when they require
to be taken indoors to avoid the cold nights. I have

357

found that if two are placed in an aviary they will
fight almost immediately, but if three or more are put
in together they agree ver}- well and do not injure
each other to any extent. A cage, however, say 2ft. by
loins. by i5ins. high would be suitable. The bath must
not be overlooked, as Redstarts are very fond of bathing.

Redstarts leave their breeding ground immediately
the}' have finished moulting, although I believe they do
not actually leave England until the end of September.
After the autumn moult the breast and throat feathers
are edged with white, which gives the general plumage a
very pretty effect, although from an exhibition point of
view I think they look best without the white edging.
Redstarts are much more easily caught in the autumn
and are then ver}- readily " meated-off." I have found
them eat hard boiled egg the second da}^ after capture.
The young ones are of very little use for exhibition the
first year — in fact for a large Show they would be no
good at all.

The hens soon get very tame in confinement, but
beyond this they have very little to recommend them.
The general colour is a greyish brown, rather lighter on
the forehead, and the tail feathers are much duller. The
young cocks, after the first autumn moult, are very like
the hens excepting for a little breast colour and the
brighter tail feathers. The\' seldom come into adult
plumage until the April after they are hatched.

The chief cause of death, so far as my experience
goes, is that the bird gets some affection in the throat
which causes it to "gape" continually, and, in the
course of about a week, to die. I have tried several
remedies, but so far have been unable to find a cure.
Perhaps some of our members can give me a few hints
as to the proper treatment.

358

THE TRIALS OF A HYBRID BREEDER.

By Wm. C. Cunningham.

Some fourteen years ago, when quite a youth, I put
up a few pairs for hybrid breeding, and was so far
successful that from a Welsh cock Goldfinch and a
Scotch hen Bully I had five young birds living, when —
I went ojff for a holiday. My father (who was not a
fancier) undertook to attend to the birds. But I came
back to find oiil\' one of the hybrids alive. Three had
died, and the fourth had escaped from the aviary. The
remaining youngster, however, did well and turned out
to be a cock.

The next Spring I put up a larger number of pairs,
and was hoping for great things, when a dire calamity
befel me, and in one night I lost 22 birds. In my room
I had an oil-stove: this must have been turned up too
far, for when I opened the birdroom door 1 found the
place filled with smoke and soot, and all the poor birds
either dead or dying.

The affair almost broke luy heart, and I did not tr}'
for hybrids again until last season, when I mated five
pairs. I managed to rear four from Linnet and Bulh' :
and if I had had good feeders, I think I should have had
a dozen young birds from this pair alone, as nearly every
egg the hen laid was fertile. 1 had also fertile eggs from
Goldie-Bully, and Redpoll-Bully. The latter hen laid 25
eggs, and hope ran high when I found that one of the
first nest of eggs was filling up nicely. Great was the
disappointment, however, when the egg did not hatch.
The young bird was fully developed, and must have died
not more than a day before it was due.

Another egg from this pair was fertile, but I think it
went the way of the first. If it did hatch the bird only
lived a few days. I am wot quite sure on this point, for I
liad two Linnet-Bully eggs and a Redpoll-Bully under the

359

same hen, all with birds in them. Two of them hatched
but onl}' one young one lived. The one that died was
certainly much smaller than the other, but this might
not mean anything.

I tried both cages and an outdoor aviar}'. The
Redpoll-Bully were in a cage, and the Linnet-Bully
outside. The former hen laid 23 eggs in a Greenfinch's
old nest which I fixed in a corner of the cage with a few
twigs, and two other eggs at the bottom of the cage.
She always sat, for a few days onh', after laying a clutch.

The Bullfinch hen paired to the Linnet built a fine
nest, and laid in a small German cage. She sat most
faithfully, but did not feed a young Canary which I gave
her to hatch.

I am sorry to say that I lost the Bully hen which was
mated to the Redpoll. I am afraid I made a mistake in
allowing her to go to nest so often. I think that laying
so many eggs as 23 is far too great a strain on any hen,
and intend to "restrict the output" this season by
separating the birds occasionally.

On the whole, I suppose I was fairl\' fortunate
compared with other fanciers, but I am much dis-
appointed at not getting a Redpoll- Bully hybrid reared.

REVIEW.

The Americafi Bird Magazine. Published by Chas. K^
Reed, Worcester, Mass., U.S.A. Foreign Subscrip-
tion 5 '3 per annum post free.

I have recently received specimen copies of " The
American Bird INIagazine," and, as a relative of our own
'• Bird Notes," it may interest those of our members who
have not seen a copy to hear a few particulars about it.

As with " Bird Notes," it is a monthly publication,
but, unlike our Magazine, it deals solely with the habits

36o

of birds in their wild state, so its contents are apt to be
a trifle disappointing^ to the aviculturist, inasmuch as
nothing is mentioned relating to the treatment of the
various species in captivity. On the other hand, the
lover of wild bird life is thoroughly catered for, and the
details respecting every bird mentioned are minute in
the extreme.

The book is about a third larger than our own,
and the January number (which commences Vol. III.)
contains some forty pages of reading matter, beside
advertisements. The literar}' portion is well written,
and is illustrated with reproductions of photographs and
with coloured plates. Several of the latter are by the
three-colour process: some might have been omitted
with advantage, from a purely artistic point of view,
though they serve the purpose of giving the reader a
better idea of the bird portrayed, than the mere printed
description could do. There are others however (in the
December issue particularly) which are really very fine :
those representing " the Green-winged Teal," "Ruffed
Grouse on nest," and three or four illustrating the home
life of the Chickadee, being very natural.

A long and interesting account is given of the
Louisiana or Crimson-headed Tanager. As its name
implies, the bird has a crimson head, and the neck, part
of the breast, and back, are of the same colour, which
gradually shades into yellow. There is a broad streak of
black across the back, and then the bright colouring is
continued to the tail, which is black, as are also the
'wings with the exception of ayellow shoulder and whitish
yellow^ wing coverts. " The nest is built on a pine tree,
" at the end of a slender bough, about twenty feet from
" the ground ; this position being chosen as a protection
" against the chipmunk, one of the two most dreaded
" enemies of nesting birds in the Sierras. The male does
" not share the task of incubation, but is otherwise a
" model of gallantry and devotion."

The book also contains " Identification Charts,"

361

each chart portraying about a dozen birds in their
natural colours: if these are continued, they should, in
time, form a valuable work of reference. An "Answer
to Queries" page might prove helpful at times to any of
our nienil)ers who obtain specimens of rare American
birds which they are unable to identify.

In concluding, I might add that "The American
Bird Magazine" is not the propertj- of any Society, but
is purely a financial venture. As a factor in the service
of ornithology we wish it a useful and successful career.

J. A. vSwAN.

CORRESPONDENCE.

BUDGERIGARS.
Sir, — I think that it ma}' be interesting to readers of
"Bird Notes" to know that, during the hard frost in
January, I had two young Budgerigars hatched out (and
they seem well and hardy) in an outdoor aviary where
the birds only get a little afternoon sun.

E. Ol^T^ARD.

DOUBLE-BANDED FINCHES.
vSiR, — I kept my Doublebands out in my garden
aviary during the bitter spell of weather in January, and
they stood it marvellously well, looking pictures of
perfect health. I/UCY DuTTON.

DEALERS' NAMES FOR BIRDS.
Sir, — Can au}' of our readers tell me to what birds
the three following names refer, all of which I have
recently seen in the advertisements of various dealers ?

1. "Brazilian Blue Chaffinch."

2. " Patativa Finch." (Sometimes spelt " Patatia.")

3. " Crested Firefinch."

E. HOPKINSON.

362
FOREIGN BIRD QUERIES AND REPLIES.

TREATMENT OF A CARDINAL.

Question : Would you be so kind as to tell me what

will be the best thing to give a Cardinal which is going

somewhat loose in feather. He is already through the

moult, but does not tighten in feather as one would like.

At present I am feeding on canary-seed and millet,
and three or four grubs in the morning.

Any information or assistance you can give me in the
matter would be highly valued. G. B.

Ansccer : I should give the Cardinal a little
"Ferrocal" in his drinking water. Also some fruit,
such as a ripe soft apple.

I am not quite sure what you mean by " grubs," but
if the}- are mealworms I think I should reduce them to
two a-day, except when moulting.

I should stop the millet — if it is white millet. vSpray
or Indian millet is always wholesome for all birds. But
canar}' is the best seed for Cardinals. You might with
advantage give a few hempseeds occasionally.

TREATMENT OF A GREEN BULBUL.
Question : If yoii have had any experience with the
Gold-fronted Vx\\\\.-^\xz\i^x {Chloropsis aurifrons) miscalled
by dealers the Malabar Green Bulbul, I should feel much
obliged for the benefit of your advice. I am anxious
to have one if you think it would thrive under the
following conditions : I should have to keep it in a good
sized cage in an ordinary' living room, which naturally
varies very much in temperature. Is it absolutely
necessar}' that they should have fruit daily.? — one
might somtimes run short. H. S.

Anscver : I have kept the Golden-fronted Fruit-
sucker, which is generally, though not quite correctly,
called the Malabar Green Bulbul. It would live well

363

enough tinder the conditions yoit name, and is a charm-
ing cage-bird.

It is certainly not absohitely necessary that it shoiild
have fruit daily, and no doubt if supplied with food con-
taining a large proportion of mashed potato or grated
carrot, the fruit might be dispensed with for a time.
But a plentiful supply of fruit would be conducive to
its health. It will require a good insectivorous mixture
in addition to the fruit, and a few mealworms.

BREEDING THE CAPE CANARY AND THE
BENGAIvESE.
Question : Can you tell me how to breed Cape
Canaries and Bengalese ? E. B.

Anszuer : There are several species to which the
name of "Cape Canary" is occasionally applied, but
most probably tlie Grey-necked Serin {Serinns canicollis)
is intended. It would build an open nest in a Canary
nest-box or in a bush, and would no doubt rear its young
on any mixture containing ^^%, such as one w^ould
supply to Canaries when breeding. It would be desirable
to supph^ plenty of green food, and also crushed hemp-
seed if eaten. I should also give spray or Indian millet.
If a healthy pair are placed in a good-sized aviary where
they are free from interruption, there would be a very
good chance of their breeding successfully.

The Bengalese is most easily bred in a roomy cage
or in a small bird-room aviary without other occupants.
A box nest is required, which can be made from a cigar
box or a travelling cage. Fine hay will suffice for
making the nest. The sexes can be distinguished by
the fact that only the cock sings. Not more than one
pair should be kept together when breeding. The
young can be reared on any food suitable for young
Canaries.

364

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD AND
MULE CLUB.

Committee Meeting held at Headquarters on th
5th February, 1903.

Present : Mr. Robson (Chairman), Mr. Pollard
{Vice-Chairnian), Messrs. A. Plunibridge, Sandy, Vale,
Merrifield, Tolhurst, Dewhurst, Morgan, A. Jones, C.
Cooper, Maxwell, Frostick, and the Hon. Secretary and
friends.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and
confirmed.

Letters were read from Mrs. Comyns Lewer, Miss
Craddock, and Mr. Carl.

A Sub-Committee was formed to adjudicate upon the
best lecture or article sent in during the past year. The
winner to be announced in March "Bird Notes."

A letter from I\Ir. Kershaw was referred to the
Annual General Meeting.

In reference to the application from the Editress of
"The Feathered World," in re the Standards to be
published in the new edition of Bradburn's "British
Birds," Mr. Frostick proposed that permission be given
to publish such Standards as have been printed, upon
complying wutli a few conditions. (Carried).

Mr. Tolhurst brought before the Committee a matter
which had appeared in the fancy press, and as to which
there had been no little controvers\', namely, the
question as to whether a Nuthatch is a soft- or a hard-
bill, Mr. Tolhurst taking it that it was quite time that
this Committee settled the matter for good, and that an
authoritative statement should be made in view of the
two recent decisions of Judges upon our list. The Com-
mittee unanimouslv decided that it is an insectivorous

365

bird and should not be shown in the Seed-eating Classes.
In view of what had taken place, Mr. Frostick intimated
his willingness to supplement his previous Classification
by submitting to the Committee a list of birds eligible
for the various Classes. The offer was accepted with
thanks.

Mr. Frostick introduced the subject of the Club
having a Club Show of British Birds and Hybrids, at
Headquarters, during the next month. It was agreed to
carry out the same with IMr. Plumbridge as Hon. vSecre-
tar}' of the Show. (Full particulars accompany " Bird
Notes.") The Committee decided to grant one gold
medal of the Club for competition at the Show.

W. A. LOTT, Hon. Sec,

Nationai, British Bird & Mui,E Ci,ub,

103, Cheapside, London, E. C.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

A circular was recently forwarded to the members of
our Club, bearing the name of the London Cage Bird
Association, and appealing for subscriptions for a certain
object. This appeal purports to be made " with the kind
co-operation of the Secretaries of the N. B. B. & M. C.
and F. B. C." While I have every sympathy with the
object of the appeal, I should like it to be understood
that I knew nothing whatever of the intention to
circularise our members, and am therefore guiltless of
the " co-operation " attributed to me.

Members who join the Club between the time of the
publication of this issue of "Bird Notes" and the ist of
May, will not be expected to pay the subscription for
the year ending 30tli April next. They will, of course,
not be entitled to Vol. I. of "Bird Notes," but will

366

receive all the parts of Vol. II., couiineiicing with next
mouth's issne.

IMeiiibers will, I feel sure, be very pleased with the
iniproveinents in " Bird Notes," when the}' see next
month's issue. A card cover will be adopted, and it is
hoped that this will afford sufficient protection in the
post, so that, in spite of the larger size of the paper, the
Magazine will travel at least as safeh' as it does at
present. If, however, there are any members who would
prefer their copies to be protected by strawboard, I am
willing to undertake to so pack them on receipt of an
extra subscription of i/- per annum, to cover the cost of
board and extra postage. This i '- must, in every case,,
be prepaid.

HORATIO R. FILLMRR,

Hon. Sec, Foreign Bird Club,

52, Ship vStreet, Brighton.

NOTICES TO MEMBERS.

NEW MEMBERS ELECTED.

Mr. R. P. KiTSOX, "Collaton," Torquay.

]Mr. J. McDONAGH, 13, Greencroft Gardens, vS. Hamp-
stead, N.W.

Mr. Arthur Cook, Glyncote, Kingsbur\- Rd., Gravelly

Hill, Birmingham.
Mr. \V. T. Jackson, Roslyn, Croham Road, Croydon.

Mr. C. H. T. Whitehead, c/o Messrs. King, King & Co.,.
Bombay, India.

Mr. George Walton, Thirlmere, via Grasmere, Cumber-
land.

Mr. Thomas Spp:ncer, Claerwen Villa, Jockey Road,.
Wylde Green, Warwickshire.

Miss E. M. HiNCKS, Terrace House, Richmond, Yorks.

Mr. H. E. Bliss, The Croft, Wallingford.

36?

NEW MEMBERS PROPOSED.

Mrs. ROGERSON, Fleurville, Cheltenham.

Mr. J. Harmax, Tlie Bridge, Wealdstone, Harrow.

Mrs. Healey, i8, Albert Road, Regent's Park, N.W.

Mr. Henry Dart, 53, Richmond Road, Kingston-on-
Thames. Proposed by Mr. Swan.

Mr. George Thwaites, Dunedin Villa, Northampton
Road, Market Harborough.
Proposed by Mr. Lloyd.

Mr. J. H. Walker, F.R.H.S., 20, Moorgate Street,
Leicester. Proposed by Mr. Oakey.

Mr. E. Perkins, Chester Hill, Woodchester, Glos.
Proposed by Mr. Osbaldeston.

Mr. Hermann Kestermann, 50, Grafton Street,
Manchester. Proposed by ^Ir. Fillmer.

The following persons, not having paid their sub-
scriptions due on the ist of May last, have ceased to be
members of the Club. In each case three applications
by letter have been made (the last by registered post on
the 14th of November, 1902), but no reply whatever has
l>een received :

Mr. J. W. HiNCKS, Stack House, Uppingham Road.

Leicester.
INIr. F. DUNSTONE, 40, Round Hill Crescent, Brighton.

Mr. E. R. Phillips, 6, Park View, Co. Wicklow.

THE BIRD MARKET.

Oiih- inembers of the X. B. E. & ^L C. or the F. B. C. can adver-
tise here. The cliarge is one penny for ever\' four words, address
included. All advertisements relating- to British birds must be
seut to Mr. Lott, and all relating- to foreign birds to Mr. Fillmer.
he Hon. Secretaries of the respective Clubs are authorised to
decline advertisements which they consider unsuitable.

Advertisements for the next issue must be received by the 15th
of Marcli.

Budgerigars, fine plumaged birds, all bred in my outdoor
aviaries, 8 6 pr., 3 prs. for 23 -. Arthur Cook,
Kingsbury Road, Gravellv Hill, Birmingham.

368
CASES FOR BINDING ''BIRD NOTES.

I gladly avail myself of our Editor's invitation to
give the members a few further particulars aljout the
cases for binding the first volume of our magazine.

To begin with, they will be made of a dark green
ribbed cloth, with appropriate gold, lettering on back
and side, and the general effect will, I hope, be artistic
and attractive. The price will be is. each, post free
IS. 2d.

I have also made arrangements whereby members
can, if the\' so prefer it, send me their back numbers and
I will get them bound up complete for an extra charge of
9d., or IS. 9d. for case and binding and 4d. for postage.
Members availing themselves of this offer will, of course,
pay the carriage of the books to myself. Unless specially
stated, the covers and advertisement pages will not be
bound at the end of the magazine, but will be destroj'ed.

I must please ask for a remittance to accompan3'all
orders, and that P.O's should be sent where possible. If
stamps are more convenient, thirteen should be sent for
each IS., as the Postal authorities charge a commission
for exchanging them for mone}'.

When cases onh^ are ordered, members must sa}'
whether it is intended to bind up the five numbers of
"Foreign Bird Notes" with " Bird Notes" proper, as the
cases have had to be made in two sizes, to accommodate
the extra pages.

I shall be very pleased if the members of our
collaborating Society will regard these offers as being
made also for their l)enefit, and hope they will not fail
to take advantage of them.

Any profits accruing from the sale of cases, etc., will
be credited to "The Foreign Bird Clul)."

J. A. Swan,
87, Lower Kenningtou Lane. S.E.

3^9
INDEX TO NAMES OF CONTRIBUTORS.

I

The asterisk is affixed to contributions which appear in the
Correspondence pages.

PAGE

Alderson, Rosir

My Shamahs ... ... ... ... ... 62

* Green Singing Finch— Goldfinch hybrids ... ... 290

Baker, :\r. E.

A Novel Diet for Soft-bills ... ... ... 257

Ball, Perkgrinr

Patience Exemplified ... ... ... ... 158

Judging British Birds .. ... ... ... 341

Bell, David

The Migration of the Swallow and House Martin ... 182

Browning, R.

Bits from a Birdroom ... ... ... ... 224

More Bits from a Birdroom ... ... ... 308

Chamberlain, C. B. d'Eyncourt

* Substituted Entries ... ... ... ...16, 30

* Breeding Buntings ... ... ... ... 72

Cooper, C.

The Carpenters of the Woods ... ... ... 280

Cunningham, Wm. C.

The Trials of a Hybrid Breeder ... ... ... 358

CUSHNY, Charles

** Ornithological Surgery... ... ... ... i6r

* Tlie Cuckoo ... ... ... ... ... 206

DUNLEATH, The Lady

Breeding the Spice Bird ... ... ... 52

My Aviary and its inmates ... ... ... 353

DUTTON, IvUCY

Breeding the Golden-breasted Waxbill ... ... 66

Aviary Notes ... ... ... ... ... 227

* Double-banded Finches ... ... ... 361

FiLLMER, Horatio R.

Hints for Beginners .. ... ... ... 14

The Wood-Swallow Shrikes ... ... ... 68

The American Cat-bird ... ... ... ... 107

A Foreign Aviculturist's Bookshelf ... 203, 221

The Double-banded or Biclieno's Finch ... ... 253

Tl'e Water-Rail in Captivity ... ... ... 307

The Spectacle Birds ... ... ... ... 329

Foster, W. H.

* Metliods of Warming Aviaries ... ... ... 54

Frostick, John

" :Meating-off" and Feeding Soft-bills 93, 121, 145, 169

* F'ood for Nightingales ... ... ... ... 133

* Point Prizes ... ... ... ... ... 134

" Silkworms as Bird Food " ... ... ... 201

370

Galloway, Percy F. M.

The Goldciest... ... ... ... ... 273

GORTER, ALYS v.

* A Homing Zebra-finch ... ... ... ... go

HOPKINSON, E.

M\' Kxperieuce of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak ... 4

* A Question of Identity . ... .. ... 16

Some Interesting- Birds at the Palace Show... ... 25

* West African Birds ... ... ... ... no

The Birds of West Africa ... ... ... 180

Birds from the Gambia ... ... ... 269, 297

* Dealers' Names for Birds ... ... ... 361

HouLTON, Charles

Some Notes on the Hybrid Section at the Crystal

Palace Show ... ... ... ... 104

The Chaffinch... ... ... ... ... 129

Howe, F.

* Show Classification for Foreign Birds ... ... 315

Jones, Arthur

* Methods of Warming Aviaries ... ... ... 53

LOTT, W. A.

British Birds at the Crystal Palace ... ... 99

Notes ... ... ... ... 138, 2og, 261

* British Birds at the Crystal Palace ... ... 132

Lowne, W.

The Bearded Titmouse in Norfolk ... ... 251

Mayer, E. D. Nicholas

Hints on Hybrid-breeding for Beginners ... ... 245

Marshall, Thomas

The Siskin ... ... ... ... ... 327

Ollard, E.

* Budgerigars ... ... ... ... ... 361

OSBALDE.STON, W.

* The Forthcoming Palace Show ... ... ... 73

* The Cresttd Mynah ... ... ... ... 73

* A Shamah Concert ... ... ... ... 74

The Olive Cuba Finch ... ... ... ... 88

The Toucans ... ... ... ... ... 103

* Point Prizes ... ... ... ... ... 161

Perkins, Tom

Hull Show ... ... ... ... ... 334

Philip, Andrew

The Lavender P'incli ... ... ... ... 160

QUIN, Randolph

A Humming Bird in London ... ... ... 10

* How to encourage the breeding of new species ... 17
Common Birds ... ... ... ... 29

* The Humming Bird in London ... ... ... 55

* Suitable Birds for Cages ... ... ... 50

Tlie Small-billed Parrakeets ... ... ... 97

* Common or Rare? ... ... ... ... 258

[

371

Rettich, Albkrt

A Chaffinch Singing Match ... ... ... 193

The Tree Sparrow ... ... ... ... 220

Tlie Bullfinch ... ... ... ... ... 500

Sandy, S. A.

The Nuthatch ... ... ... ... 200

A Visit to a London Fancier ... ... ... 223

The Stonecliat ... ... ... ... 283

The Redstart ... ... ... ... ... 355

Simpson, C. S.

On Judging Foreign Birds ... ... ... 46

Parrots and Parrakeets 126, 147, 173, 197, 241, 304

* Outdoor Aviaries— a suggestion ... ... ... 205

The Green Bulbul ... ... ... ... 332

vStorey, James

* Grey Parrots ... ... ... ... ... 17

Swan, J. A.

Foreign Bird Keeping : an appreciation ... ... 7

Foreign Birds : their adaptability and individuality... 83

In search of a Madagascar Weaver ... ... 153

* Point Prizes ... ... ... ... ... 185

Our Defiicit ... ... 214, 240, 267, 296, 322, 350

The Indigo Bunting ... ... ... ... 217

Foreign Birds at the Zoo ... ... 247, 277

"The American Bird Magazine" ... ... ... 350

Cases for binding "Bird Notes" ... ... ... 368

SWAYSLAND, WALTER

Bird Seed ... ... ... ... ... 12

ToMMASsr, GuiLiA (Couutess Baldelli)

* Hybrid Mannikins ... ••• ... ... no

* A Cure for Feather-eating

* Food for Nightingales ... ... ... ... n

II

A Salmon-crested Cockatoo
Silkworms as Bird Food
Aviculture in F'loreuce ...

133
185
314

13

TowNSEND, Stanley M.
Tig Timothy ...
The Archbishop Tanager ... ... ... 65

* A Marvellous Recovery ... ... ... ... 25b

* Episcopal Birds ... ... ... ... 257

TURNBER, F.

* Ill-fated Albinos ... ... ... ... 229

Vale, W. H.

Hybrid Breeding ... ... ... 150, 177

Verrall, J. H.

* The Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and other birds ... 33
Webster, A. Bullock

Foreign Birds at the Barnstaple Show ... ... 289

Bird Notes from the " Uganda Protectorate " ... 336

Wiener, Aug. F.

* "The Humming Bird in London " ... ... 31

Williams, IMargaret

On Bird Buving ... ... ... ^n

372

Wilson, Isabella Belfoud

A Mixed Collection ... ... ... ... 28

• Methods of Warming' Aviaries ... ... ... 54

• Bullfinches Nesting- ill Captivity ... ... ... 204

• Spice Bird— Bengalese ... ... ... ... 205

Birdroom Notes ... .. ... ... 325

INDEX TO THE TITLES OF ARTICLES, ETC.

The asterisk is affixed to contribvitions which appear in the
Correspondence pages.

PAGE

0

Aquarium, Foreign Birds at the ... ... 42,

Archbishop Tanager ... ... ... ... 65

Aviary and its inmates, My ... ... ... ... 353

Aviary Notes ... ... ... ... ... 227

* Baldness ... ... ... ... ... ...37, 89

Barnstaple Show, Foreign Birds at ... ... ... 2S9

Bearded Titmouse in Norfolk... ... ... ... 251

Birdroom Notes ... ... ... .-. ... 325

Bird Seed ... ... ... ... ... ... 12

Bits from a Birdroom ... ... ... ... 224

Bits from a Birdroom, More ... ... ... ... 308

* Breeding of New Species, How to encourage ... ... 17

Breeding the Cape Canary and the Bengalese ... ... 363

* Budgerigars ... ... ... ... ... 361

* Budgerigars, Handrearing ... ... ... ... 109

* Bullfinches Nesting in Captivity ... ... ... 204

Bullfinch, The ... ... ... ... ... 3°°

* Buntings, Breeding-... ... ... ... ■■■57t 72

Buying, On Bird ... ... ... ... ... 49

* Canaries with Foreig-n Birds, Keeping .. ... ... 36

Cape Canary and the Bengalese, Breeding the ... ... 363

Cardinal, Treatment of a ... .. ... ... 362

Carpenters of the Woods ... ... ... ... 280

Cases for binding '■ Bird Notes" ... ... ... 368

Cat-bird, The American ... ... ... ... 107

Chaffinch ... ... ... ... ... ••. 129

Chaffinch vSinging Match ... ... ... ... 193

* Cockatoo, A Salmon-crested ... ... ... ... 133

* Colifichet ... ... ... ... ... ... 57

Common Birds ... ... .. ... ... 29

* Common or Rare? ... ... ... ... ... 258

* Crested Mvnah ... ... ... ... ••• 73

Cuba Finch, Olive ... ... ... ... ... 88

* Cuckoo ... ... ... ... ... ... 206

^73.

=* Dealers' Names for Birds ... ' '...' ... ... 361

Double-banded or Bicheno's Finch ... ... .. 253

* Double-banded Finches ... ... ... ... 301

* Episcopal Birds ... ... .,. ... ... 257

* Feather-eating-, A Cure for ... ... ... ... iii

* Florence, Aviculture in ... ... ... .. 314

* Food for Nig-htiug-ales ... ... ... iir, 133

FORJciGN Bird Club :

" Bird Notes " Prize Competition ...
Balance Sheet...
Our Deficit ... ... 214, 240,

The Secretary's Notes

; I, 21, 41, 61, 77, 264,

Notices to Memlaers 20, 38, 60, 76

189, 212, 236, 266,

Regulations as to Medals ...

Foreign Aviculturist's Bookshelf:
■ "Cedney's " Foreign Cage Birds" ...

Wiener's " Foreign Cage Birds" ...
Foreign Bird Club's Classifications for Shows
Foreign Bird Keeping: an appreciation
Foreign Birds: their adaptability and iudivic
Foreign Birds at the Zoo
Foreign Bird Queries and Replies

■ Gambia, Birds from the
Gold-crest

Golden-breasted Waxbill, Breeding the
-Green Bulbul, The ...
Green Bulbul, Treatment of ...

* Green Singing-finch— Goldfinch

* Grey Parrots ... ... ■•• . ,

* Heat an Aviary, How to
Hints for Beginners...

* Homing Zebra Finch ...
Hull Show

HumnungBird in IvOndon
Hybrid ]5reeder, Trials of a ...
Hybrid Breeding
Hybrid Breeding for Beginners, Hints on

* Hybrid Mannikin ...

"* Identity, A Question of

* Ill-fated Albinos

Indigo Bunting

Judging British Birds
Judging F'oreign Birds, On

Lavender Finch
' I,ovebirds, INIadasgascar

Madagascar Weaver, lu search of a
Market, The Bird ...

190

191

266,

296,

322,

350

293,

319,

348,

365

92,

117.

141,

165

294r

320,

349,

306

230,

320
203

221

"69,

237

7

uality

83

247,

277

302

269,

297

%l

332

362

290

17

34

14

90

334

I

0, 31

, 55
358

150,

177
245
no

16
229
217

3i5»

46

160
108

153

240,

268,

323,

351

374

Market, The Foreign Bird Club

19. 38, 59, 75r 91.
" Meatingf-off" and Feeding- Soft-bills
Migration of the Swallow and House Martin
Mixed Collection, A
My Aviary and its inmates ...

120, 144,
• ••93. 12

167,

192
169
182

2*

35S

Names for Birds, Dealers'
National British Bird & Mcle Club:
Minutes of Meetings 1x2, 135,

Notes by the Hon. Sec. ...

Standards

Show Classifications
Nest Boxes

Novel Diet for Soft-bills
Nuthatch ...

291,
138,

200,

208,
316,
2C9,

292,

342,

201,
318,

364
346
345
232

75
257
200

Ornithological Surgery
Ortolan Bunting
Outdoor Aviaries— a sug

;tion

161
109
205

Palace, British Birds at the

Palace, Foreign Birds at the ... ... ... 23,

Palace Show, Some Notes on the Hybrid Section at the
Palace Show, Some interesting birds at the

* Palace Show, The forthcoming

Parrots and Parrakeets ... 126, 147, 173, 197,

Patience Kxemplified

* Point Prizes ... ... ... ... i34>

132-
285.

73
304
158
185

R. L. S's Silverbills ...

• Recovery, A Marvellous

• Red Mite
Redstart, The
Reviews :

" Parrakeets," by D. Seth-Smith ..,
" Meeting-off and Feeding Soft-bills," by J. Frostick
" Uganda Protectorate," by Sir H. Johnstone
*' American Bird Magazine "
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, My experience of the

• Ro.se-breasted Grosbeak and other birds

• Saffron Finches

• Shamah Concert, A ...
Shamahs, Mv
Sheffield Show

• Show Classifications for British Birds ...
Shrikes, Mynahs, and Woodlarks

• Silkworms as Bird Food
Siskin, The

• Spice Bird— Bengalese
Spice Bird, Breeding the
Small -billed Parrakeets
Spectacle Birds, The
Stonechat

• Sub.stituted Entries...

• Suitable Birds for Cages

184,

58-
256

37
355

3.i9'
228-
330-
359

36
74
62

58
3'5

55
201
327
205.

52

97
329
283
16, 30
32, 56

375

Tig Timothy
Treatment of a Cardinal

,, ,, Green Bulbul

Tree Sparrow
Trial.s of a Hybrid Breeder
Toucan.s

Veteran Blackcap, A
Visit to a London Fancier

* Warming- Aviaries, Methods of
Water Hail in Captivity, The

* Weaver Plaj'fellows...
West Africa, Tlie Birds of

* West African Birds ...
Wild Bird Notes
Wood-Swallow Shrikes

362

1 ... ... ... 362

220

35S

103

... 331
223

of ... ... ... 53

... 307

74

180

no

::: -::: ::: T'- 'tl

376

INDEX TO THE NAMES OF BIRDS.

Aniazou Parrots
Aurora Finch ...

PAGE

149, 173 Martin, House
... 272 Mvuah, Crested

Bearded Titmouse

Beng-alese

Beugalese— Spicebird
Bicheno's Finch 26, 227,

Blackcap

Budg-erigar ... 109, 325,
Bu'.bul. Green... 332, 353,

2.S1
563
205
253
331
361
r.62

Bullfinch

204, 300

Caique

Cape Canary

Cardinal

Catbird, American

ChafiBnch 129,

Cockatiel

Cockatoo, Sa'nion-crested..

Conure, Cactus

Conures

Cuckoo...

Double-banded Finch

26, 227, 253,
Fire Finches ... no, 180,

Gc'den-crested Wren
Golden-shouldered

Parrakeet
Green Singing Finch 78,

Humming Bird 10, 31, 32, 41
Hybrid Finches 150, 177,
245, 290, 308,

Indigo Bunting

Jackdaw

Java Sparrow

Kingfisher

,, Australian Sacred
Koal

Lavender Finch ... 160,
Long-tailed Grassfinch ...

Lorikeet

Lovebird, Madagascar
Lovebirds

Macaws

Madaga.scar Weaver
Mannikin, Hybrid

3(^3
362
107
193
326
133
340
241
206

269

273

27
299

, 55

224,

358
217

263
32b

223

27

271
227
184
108
197

199
153
no

Nightingale ...

Nonpareil

Nuthatch

Olive Cuba Finch
Ortolan Bunting

Paradise, Bird of

Parrakeet, All -green

,, Barrabaiid's ...

., Blue-boniiet ...

„ Broad-tailed ...

,, Canarj-winged

„ Crimson -winged
King

„ Manv-coloured
Masked

„ Orange-flanked

,, Quaker

,, Ked-shiniiig ...

,, Ring-necked ...

Small-billed 98,

,, Tovi

Tui

Parrot, Amazon ... 149,

,, Eclectus

„ Grey... 17, 147,

Hanging

„ Hawk-headed

„ „ Jardine's

,, Passerine

„ Senegal

,, Vasa

Pheasant, Hybrid

Purple Finch 33

Quail, Indian Rain

Reddish Finch

Red-faced Finch

Redstart

Rhea

Robin

Rock-Sparrow

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4

Rose Finch 33,

Rufous-tailed Grassfinch ...

PAGE

.. 182
• ■ 73

... Ill
57, 72
.. 200

26, 88
... 109

277
98
244
307
304
98
244
244
306
304

98
242
304
243
243
98
98
173
176
339
198
174
175
198
175
175
162
■ 34

26

25

355
354
229
299
I 33
- 34
25

Sacred Kingfisher,

Australian 27
Saffron Finch 36, 37

377

PAGE

Scarlet Grosbeak ...

33. 34

Shamah

62, 74

Silverbill

30, 58

Siskin

• •• 327

Sparrow, Tree

... 220

Spectacle Birds

... 329

Spicebird

41. 52

vSpicebird— Bengalese

... 205

Stonechat

... 283

Swallow

... 182

Tanager, Archbishop

... 65

Taiiag-er, I,ouisiaua ...

... 360

Tanagers

... 249

Toucans

103, 248

Touracous

... 248

Two-coloured Maunikin

Water Rail

Waxbill, Golden-breasted..

Waxbills

Weaver, Red-headed

Weavers 180,

White-eared Grassfiuch
Whydah, L,ong-tailed

Whydahs

Wiener's Waxbill

Woodpecker

Wood-Swallow Shrikes

Zebra Finch

Zosterops

PAGF.

.. 258

307
66
180
258
297
26
337
180

280
63

90
329

9«.. 1.

kp

f

»o<

t<^

V

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THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB,

Presideni : Dr. C. B. d'EvNCOURT CHAMBERLAIN, R.N.

Council :

Mr. H. T. T. Camps. Mr. W. Osbaldeston.

Dr. d'EvNCOuRT Chamberlain. Mr. H. B. Smith.

Mr. C. CusHNY. Mr. W. Swaysland.

Mr. W. Oakey. Mr. S, M. Townsend.

Scrutineer and Auditor : Mr. J. Storey,

7, Blenheim Terrace, St. John'.s Wood, N.W.
Hon. Sec. and Treasurer : Mr. H. R. Fillmer,

52, Ship Street, Brighton.

Subscription : 5 - per annum, due in advance on the i.st of May.

yHE Objects of the Ci.ub are, according to the rules,
" the promotion of the keeping, breeding, and
exhibiting of Foreign Birds and the improvement of
Shows in regard to them."

These objects are, at present, chiefly carried out,

istl}'. By offering medals for competition among mem-
bers at the principal Shovv'S.

2ndly. By the publication of " Foreign Bird Notes "
sent free to members monthly.

3rdly. By assisting the members (and especially the
inexperienced) with advice on all subjects con-
nected with foreign birds.

The Secretary will be pleased to correspond with
members, and, when desired, give them his advice. On
points of special difficulty he will obtain for members
the advice of members of the Council and other ex-
perienced aviculturists.

The Club welcomes all interested in Foreign Birds,
whether exhibitors or not. Special regard will be had
for the requirements of those who are, for various
reasons, unable to provide large aviaries for their birds.

All communications relating to the ^Club, or to
" Foreign Bird Notes," should be addressed to

H. R. Fii,i,MER, 52, Ship Street, Brighton.

SPACE TO IvET.

SPACE TO LET.

^^r. s\vaysland,

47, QUEEN'S ROAD, BRIGHTON

Late of 184, Western Road.

JUDGK, BREEDER AND EXHIBITOR
OF

Canaries and British & Foreign Cage Birds.

The Largest and most varied Stock in the
South of England.

Awarded 30 Gold and Silver Medals.

Author of Casse1vI,'s " British Cage Birds,"

" Famii^iar WiIvD Birds," &c.

SPACE TO LET.

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D.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB,

Subscription : 5/- per annum, due in advance on the ist of May.

'PHE Ci^UB has been established for the mutual en-
couragement in their hobby of all interested in
foreign birds, and for the help of the inexperienced.

It carries out its objects chiefly

(i) By the publication of "Foreign Bird Notes,"
sent free to members monthly.

{2) By advising the members (through the post)
on all subjects connected with foreign birds.

(3) By offering medals for competition among
members at the principal Shows.

Members wishing for advice are requested to address
their questions to the Hon. Secretary, enclosing a
stamped envelope for reply. In cases of special difficulty
the Secretary will obtain for members the advice of mem-
bers of the Council and other experienced aviculturists.

The Club welcomes all interested in foreign birds,
whether they keep only a few common birds, or hundreds
of rare ones; whether they possess only one or two cages,
or spacious aviaries ; and whetlier they are exhibitors, or
non-exhibitors. The Rules, and full particulars of the
Club, can be obtained from the Secretary on application.

All communications relating to the Club, or to
" Foreign Bird Notes," should be addressed to

H. R. F11.1.MER, 52, Ship Street, Brighton.

SPACE TO LET.

SPACE TO LET.

W. SV/AYSLAND,

47, QUEEN'S ROAD, BRIGHTON

Late of 184, Western Road.

JUDGE, BREEDER AND EXHIBITOR

OF

Canaries and British & Foreign Gage Birds.

The Largest and most varied Stock in the
South of England.

Awarded 30 Gold and Silver Medals.

Author of CasseIvVs " British Cage Birds,"

"Famii^iar Wii,d Birds," &c.

SPACE TO LET.

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D.

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

Subscription : 5/- per annum, due in advance on the ist of May.

'PHE C1.UB has been established for the mutual en-
couragement in their hobby of all interested in
foreign birds, and for the help of the inexperienced.

It carries out its objects chiefl}'

(i) By the publication of "Foreign Bird Notes,"
sent free to members monthly.

(2) By advising the members (through the post)

on all subjects connected with foreign birds.

(3) By offering medals for competition among

members at the principal Shov,-s.

Members wishing for advice are requested to address
their questions to the Hon. Secretary, enclosing a
stamped envelope for reply. In cases of special diflficulty
the Secretary will obtain for members the advice of mem-
bers of the Council and other experienced aviculturists.

The Club w^elcomes all interested in foreign birds,
whether they keep only a few C9mmon birds, or hundreds
of rare ones; whether they possess only one or two cages,
or spacious aviaries ; and whether they are exhibitors, or
non-exhibitors. The Rules, and full particulars of the
Club, can be obtained from the vSecretary on application.

All communications relating to the Club, or to
" Foreign Bird Notes," should be addressed to

H. R. Fiivi^MER, 52, Ship Street, Brighton.

SPACE TO LET.

vSPACE TO IvET.

W. SV/AYSLAND,

47, QUEEN'S ROAD, BRIGHTON

Late of 184, Western Road.

JUDGE, BREEDER AND EXHIRITOR
OF

Canaries and British & Foreign Cage Birds.

The Largest and most varied Stock in the
South of Engrland.

Awarded 30 Gold and Silver Medals.

Author of Cassei,i<'s " British Cage Birds,"

" Famii^iar WiiyD Birds," &c.

SPACE TO LET.

1

Re. 21.

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^•

to^

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6

W. S^VAYSLAND,

47, QUEEN'S ROAD, BRIGHTON

IvATE OF 184, Western Ro^d.

JUDGE. BREEDER AND EXHIBITOR
OF

Canaries and British & Foreign Cage Birds.

The Largest and most varied Stock in the
South of England.

Awarded 30 Gold and Silver Medals.

Author of CasseIvIv's " British Cage Birds,"

" Famii^iar Wild Birds," &c.

JOHN D. HAMLYN,
221, St. George's Street East, London.

THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF

RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS

direct from our
Indian, Australian, and African Empires.

Absolutely the onh' Dealer who attends Shipping
at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp,
Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles.

References to every Amateur of 7ioie.

LIST ON APPLICATION,

9«. i>.

^

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB.

Subscription : 5/- per annum, due in advance on the ist of May.

'Php: CIvUB has been established for the mutual eu-
couraj^enient in their hobby of all interested in
foreign birds, and for the help of the inexperienced.

It carries out its objects chiefly

(i) By the publication of " Foreign Bird Notes,"
sent free to members monthly.

(2) B}- advising the members (through the post)

on all subjects connected with foreign birds.

(3) B\' offering medals for competition among

members at the principal vShov.s.

Members wishing for advice are requested to address
their questions, to the Hon. vSecretary, enclosing a
stamped envelope forrepl}-. In cases of special difficidt}-
the Secretary will obtain for members the advice of mem-
bers of the Council and other expeiienced aviculturisls.

The Club welcomes all interested in foreign birds,
whether they keep only a few common birds, or hundreds
of rare ones; whether they possess only one or two cages,
or spacious aviaries; and whether they are exhibitors, or
non-exhibitors. The Rules, and full particulars of the
Club, can be obtained from the Secretary on application.

Each member is entitled to a complete set of
" Foreign Bird Notes," whatever the date of his joining
the Club.

All communications relating to the Club, or to
" Foreign Bird Notes," should be addressed to

' H. R. Fil^i^MiiR, 52, Ship Street, Brighton.

HYDE'S BIRD FOOD SPECIALITIES

HYDE'S PATENT
IRON TONIC GRIT.

Incorporated with their Shell
Gravel for Cage Birds.
Sold ill Calico Bags.

HYDE'S

AESTHETIC SEEDS
FOR SONG BIRDS.

ilS'EEDS

FOR-. \

M^BlRDS

HYDE'S
PARROT FOOD

For MACCAWS, PARRAKEETS,
AND ALi. SPECIES of PARROTS.

HYDE'S NATURAL
FOOD FOR BIRDS & FISHES.

IMuch relished by Larks, Thrushes, Black-
birds, vStarlings, and every kind of Insec-
tivorous Birds. Sample Box, id.

Sold in Packets by all Sellers of Bird Seed,

and Wliolesale of

R. HYDE & CO., Ltd.,

BIRD FOOD SPFCIALISTS

Harold Street, Camberwell, London

) S.E.

SPRATT'S

MIXED BIRD SEEDS

In Id, lid, 2d, 3d, 4d and 6d Packets, and Id, 2d,
4d and 6d Bags; also in 1/- Tins.

PARROT SEED MIXTURE

In 2d & 4d Packets, 6d Bags, and 6d & 1/- Tins.

Spratts Patent, Limited,

24 & 25, Fenchurch Street,
London, E.C.

TUTTLE & BOND,

NATURALISTS,

Importers of Rare Exotic Birds,
AYLSHAM, NORFOLK.

Largest Importers of Rare Foreign Birds in
the Eastern Counties. Price List Free.

Horge sioci oj ^Iviaries, Ga^es,

Aviaries Stocked at Reasonable Prices.
Send for Estimate.

HYDE'S BIRD FOOD SPECIALITIES.

HYDE'S PATENT
IRON TONIC GRIT.

Incorporated with their vShell
Gravel for Cage Birds,
Sold in Calico Bags.

HYDE'S

AESTHETIC SEEDS
FOR SONG BIRDS.

HYDE'S
PARROT FOOD

k:^ BIRDS

For MACCAWS, PARRAKEETS,
AND Ar.T. SPECIES of PARROTS.

HYDE'S NATURAL

FOOD FOR BIRDS & FISHES.

Much relished by I.arks, Thrushes, Black-
birds, Starlings, and every kind of Insec-
tivorous Birds. Sample Box, id.

Sold in Packets by all Sellers of Bird Seed,

and Wholesale of

R. HYDE & CO., Ltd.,

BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS,

Harold Street, Camberwell, London, s.e.

W^. S^VAYSLAND,

47, QUEEN'S ROAD, BRIGHTON

Late of 184, Western Road.

JUDGE, BREEDER AND EXHIBITOR
OF

Canaries and British & Foreign Gage Birds.

The Largest and most varied Stock in the
South of England.

Awarded 30 Gold and Silver Medals.

Author of Cassei.i,'s " British Cagp: Birds,"

" Famii^iar Wii^d Birds," &c.

JOHN D. HAMLYN,
221, St. George's Jtreet East, London.

THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF

RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS

direct from our
Indian, Australian, and African Empires.

Absolutely the only Dealer who attends Shipping
at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp,
Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles.

Refereyices to every Amateur of note.

LIST ON APPLICATION.

No. 2.] [APRIL, 1902.

BIRD HOTES:

BEING THE JOURNAI. OF

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB

AND THP:

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD
AND MULE CLUB.

PRICE SIXPENCE

SPRATT'S

MIXED BIRD SEEDS

In Id, Hd, 2d, 3d, 4d and 6d Packets, and Id, 2d,
4d and 6d Bags; also in 1/- Tins.

PARROT SEED MIXTURE

In 2d & 4d Packets, 6d Bags, and 6d & 1 - Tins.

Spratts Patent, Limited,

24 & 25, Fenchurch Street,
London, E.C.

TUTTLE & BOND,

NATURALISTS,

Importers of Rare Exotic Birds,
AYLSHAM, NORFOLK.

Largest Importers of Rare Foreign Birds in
the Eastern Counties. Price List Free.

Tiorge sioci oj Eviories, Ga^es,

Aviaries Stocked at Reasonable Prices
Send for Estimate.

HYDE'S BIRD FOOD SPECIALITIES.

HYDE'S PATENT
IRON TONIC GRIT.

Incorporated with their Shell
Gravel for Cage Birds.
Sold in Calico Bags.

HYDE'S

AESTHETIC SEEDS
FOR SONG BIRDS.

HYDE'S
PARROT FOOD

For .AIACCAWS, PARRAKEETS,
AND Aix SPECIES of PARROTS.

HYDE'S NATURAL
FOOD FOR BIRDS & FISHES.

Much relished by Larks, Thrushes, Black-
birds, Starlings, and every kind of Insec-
tivorous Birds. Sample Box, id.

Sold in Packets by all vSellers of Bird Seed,

and Wholesale of

R. HYDE & CO., Ltd.,

BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS.

Harold Street, Camberwell, London,

S.E.

W. SV/AYSLAND,

47, QUEEN'S ROAD, BRIGHTON

Late of 184, Western Road.

JUDGE, BREEDER AND EXHIBITOR
OF

Canaries and British & Foreign Cage Birds.

The Largest and most varied Stock in the
South of Eng-land.

Awarded 30 Gold and Silver Medals.

Author of CasseTvI/s " British Cage Birds,"

" Familiar Wild Bikds," &c.

JOHN D. HAMLYN,

221, St. George's Jtreet East, London.

THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF

RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS

direct from our
Indian, Australian, and African Empires.

Absolutely the only Dealer who attends Shipping
at Ivondon, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp,
Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles.

References to every Amateur of 7iote.

LIST ON APPLICATION,

F- B C- subscriptions now duo
No. 3] [MAY, 1902.

^

t^

BIRD NOTES:

BEING THE JOURNAI, OF

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB

AND THE

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD

AND MULE CLUB.

PRICE SIXPENCE.

TUTTLE & BOND,

NATURALISTS,

Importers of Rare Exotic Birds,
AYLSHAM, NORFOLK.

Largest Importers of Rare Foreign Birds in
the Eastern Counties. Price List Free.

large sloc^ of Hviaries, Ga^es,

7^orei^i| S^eeds. T^oods 6^ JIppfiQi^cea^

Aviaries Stocl<ed at Reasonable Prices
Send for Estimate.

Nest
recor

- 3/6.

- 5/^-

- 8/-.

- 10/6.

- 2/-.
r/3-

We have a large stock of Aviary Fittings and appliances,

and can snpply avicnlturists with every requirement for

either bird-room or aviar}-.

Log- Nests for Budgerigars -
Cockatiels, etc.
Pennants, elc.
Parrots -
Finches -
WaxbiUs
Boxes for Cockatiels or Redrnmps, as
n mended by Dr. Greene, 3/6, 4/-, 5/-.
Barrel Nests, 2/6, 3/6.
Aviary Fountains, with open pan, 3/6, 4/6, 5/6.
,, ,, ,, stand (covered)

3/6,4/9,5/6,6/6.
Aviary Seedhoppers, with sliding drawer to catch
spilt seed ; a great improvement ; no more waste

seed, i/- per hole.
Rush Nests, 6d ea. Coker-nut Shells, wired, 6d ea.

Seeds- Ants' Eggs Foods- Cages Aviaries

HYDE'S BIRD FOOD SPECIALITIES.

I^^f HYDE'S PATENT

IRON TONIC GRIT.

Incorporated with their Shell
Gravel for Cage Birds.
Sold in Calico Bags.

HYDE'S

AESTHETIC SEEDS
FOR SONG BIRDS.

HYDE'S
PARROT FOOD

KEEDS
I For \

For MACCAWS, PARRAKEETS,
AND Ar.1, SPECIES of PARROTS.

HYDE'S NATURAL
FOOD FOR BIRDS & FISHES.

Much relished by Larks, Thrushes, Black-
birds. Starlings, and every kind of Insec-
tivorous Birds. Sample Box, id.

Sold in Packets by all Sellers of Bird Seed,

and Wholesale of

R. HYDE & CO., Ltd.,

BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS,

Harold Street, Caiberwell, London, s.

W. SV^AYSLAND,

47, QUEEN'S ROAD, BRIGHTON

Late of 184. Western Road.

JUDGE, BREEDER AND EXHIBITOR
OF

Canaries and British & Foreign Cage Birds.

The Largest and most varied Stock in the
South of Engrland.

Awarded 30 Gold and Silver Medals.

Author of CasseIvIv's " British Cage Birds,"

" Famii^iar Wild Birds," &c.

JOHN D. HAMLYN,
221, St. George's Street East, London.

THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF

RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS

direct from our
Indian, Australian, and African Empires.

Absolutely the only Dealer who attends Shipping
at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp,
Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles.

References to every Amateur of note.

LIST ON APPLICATION.

F B C subscriptions now due.

No. 4.]

[JUNE, 1902.

^

k^

BIRD HOTES:

BEING THE JOURNAI. OF

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB

AND THE

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD

AND MULE CLUB.

PRICE SIXPENCE.

^/V. S^^^AYSLAND,

47, QUEEN'S ROAD, BRIGHTON

Late of 184, Western Road.

JUDGE, BREEDER AND EXHIBITOR

OF

Canaries and British & Foreign Cage Birds.

The Largest and most varied Stock in the
South of England.

Awarded 30 Gold and Silver Medals.

Author of Cassei^Iv's " British Cage Birds,"

" Famii^iar W11.D Birds," &c.

JOHN D. HAMLYN,
221, St. George's Street East, London.

THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF

RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS

direct from our
Indian, Australian, and African Empires.

Absolutely the only Dealer who attends Shipping
at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp,
Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles.

Referejices to every Amateur of note.

LIST ON APPLICATION.

In consequence of the summer holidays, the
August issue of " Bird Notes" will be sus-
pended. No. 6 will therefore be published
in September.

No. 5.] [JULY, 1902.

BIRD HOTES:

BEING THE JOURNATv OF

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB

AND THE

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD
AND MULE CLUB.

PRICE SIXPENCE.

TUTTLE & BOND,

NATURALISTS,

Importers of Rare Exotic .Birds,
AYLSHAM, NORFOLK.

Largest Importers of Rare Foreign Birds in
the Eastern Counties. Price List Free.

iorge stocfi oj Jlviories, Ga^es,

Aviaries Stocked at Reasonable Prices
Send for Estimate.

HYDE'S BIRD FOOD SPECIALITIES.

IHYDES

III. V G?* ui^i

HYDE'S PATENT
IRON TONIC GRIT.

Incorporated with their Shell
Gravel for Cage Birds.

'.Iizigr7iv-7::n;, J Sold in Calico Bags.

HYDE'S

AESTHETIC SEEDS
FOR SONG BIRDS.

HYDE'S
PARROT FOOD

For MACCAWS, PARRAKEETS,
AND AT^i. SPECIES of PARROTS.

HYDE'S NATURAL
FOOD FOR BIRDS & FISHES.

Much relished l)y Larks, Thrushes, Black-
birds, Starlings, and every kind of Insec-
tivorous Birds. Sample Box, id.

Sold in Packets by all Sellers of Bird Seed,

and Wholesale of

R. HYDE & CO., Ltd.,

BIRD FOOD SPFCIALISTS.

Harold Street, Camberwell, London,

S.E.

W. SWAYSLAND,

47. QUEEN'S ROAD. BRIGHTON

TyATE OF 184, Western Road.

JUDGE. BRKEDER AND EXHIBITOR
OF

Canaries and British & Foreign Cage Birds.

The Larg-est and most varied Stock in the
South of Eng-Iand.

Awarded 30 Gold and Silver Medals.

Author of Ca.s.seTvT.'s " British Cage Birds,"

" Famii^iar Wild Birds," &c.

JOHN D. HAMLYN,

221, St. George's Street East, London.

THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF

RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS

direct from our
Indian, Australian, and African Empires.

Absolutely the only Dealer who attends Shipping
at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp,
Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles.

References to every Amateur of note.

LIST ON APPLICATION.

No. 6.]

^

[SEPTEMBER, 1902.

i^

BIRD NOTES:

BEING THE JOURNAT^ OF

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB

AND THE

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD

AND MULE CLUB.

PRICE SIXPENCE.

TUTTLE & BOND,

NATURALISTS,

Importers of Rare Exotic Birds,
AYLSHAM, NORFOLK.

Largest Importers of Rare Foreign Birds in
the Eastern Counties. Price List Free.

Large stoc^ oj JJviaries, Go^es,

J^opei^i| S^eeds, T^oods c^ Jippliaii^ccs^

Aviaries Stoclced at Reasonable Prices
Send for Estimate.

HYDE'S BIRD FOOD SPECIALITIES.

HYDE'S PATENT
IRON TONIC GRIT.

Incorporated with their Shell
Gravel for Cage Birds.
Sold ill Calico P>ags.

HYDE'S

AESTHETIC SEEDS
FOR SONG BIRDS.

HYDE'S
PARROT FOOD

For MACCAWS, PARRAKEETS,
AND ALT. SPECIES of PARROTS.

HYDE'S NATURAL
FOOD FOR BIRDS & FISHES.

Much relished by Larks, Thrushes, Black-
birds, vStarlings. and every kind of Insec-
tivorous Birds, Sample Box, id.

Sold in Packets by all Sellers of Bird Seed,

and Wholesale of

R. HYDE & CO., Ltd.,

BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS.

Harold Street, Camlierwell, London,

S.E.

W. S^VAYSLAND,

47, QUEEN'S ROAD, BRIGHTON

Late cf 184, Wp:stern Road.

JUDGE, BREEDER AND EXHIBITOR

OF

Canaries and British & Foreign Cage Birds.

The Largest and most varied Stock in the
South of England.

Awarded 30 Gold and Silver Medals.

Autlior of Casset^i^'s " British Cage Birds,"

" FAMII.IAR Wild Birds," &c.

JOHN D. HAMLYN,
221, St. George's Street East, London.

THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF

RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS

direct from our
Indian, Australian, and African Empires.

Absolutely the only Dealer who attends Shipping
at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp,
Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles.

References to every Avtateiir of note.

LIST ON APPLICATION,

No. 7.]

[OCTOBER, 1902.

^

^

BIRD NOTES:

BKiNG the; journaIv of

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB

AND THE

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD

AND MULE CLUB,

PRICE SIXPENCE.

10,000 Weekly.

Hskve you seen it? Hinistt ?

WHY! "GAGE BIRDS,"

That capital little peiinywortli of reading all about
Canaries, British Birds, and Foreign Birds. The latest
news, the finest articles, the most correspondence, the
best pictures are to be found in *CAGE BIRDS,'
It contains nothing about rabbits or roosters (hooray !)
but does what it professes to do, viz., caters thoroughly
and solely for the genuine bird-lover.

Offices : 72, Fleet Street, Brighton.

"BIRD NOTES"

Can be obtained by the public from either of the
undernamed,

—Price 6^d. Post Free.—

^^ UsuAiv Terms to the Trade.

It is published on or soon after the 20th of each month.

H. R. FILLMER, Hon. Sec, F.B.C.,

52, vShip Street, Brighton.
W. A. LOTT, //o». Sec, N.B.B. & M.C.,

103, Cheapside, E.C.

HYDE'S BIRD FOOD SPECIALITIES.

HYDE'S PATENT
IRON TONIC GRIT.

Incorporated with their vShell
Gravel for Cage Birds.
Sold in Calico Bags.

HYDE'S

AESTHETIC SEEDS
FOR SONG BIRDS.

HYDE'S
PARROT FOOD

For MACCAWS, PARRAKEETS,
AND ALi, SPECIES of PARROTS.

HYDE'S NATURAL

FOOD FOR BIRDS & FISHES.

Much relished by Larks, Thrushes, Black-
birds, Starlings, and every kind of Insec-
tivorous Birds. Sample Box, id.

Sold in Packets by all Sellers of Bird Seed,

and Wholesale of

R. HYDE & CO., Ltd.,

BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS

Harold Street, Camberwell, London

) S.E.

W. S^VAYSLAND,

47, QUEEN'S ROAD, BRIGHTON

Late of 184, Western Road.

JUDGE, BREEDER AND EXHIBITOR
OF

Canaries and British k Foreign Cage Birds.

The Largest and most varied Stock in the
South of England.

Awarded 30 Gold and Silver Medals.

Author of Cassei<i.'s " British Cage Birds,"

" Famii^iar Wild Birds," &c.

JOHN D. HAMLYN,
221, St. George's Jtreet East, London.

THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF

RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS

direct from our
Indian, Australian, and African Empires.

Absolutely the only Dealer who attends Shipping
at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp,
Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles.

References to every Amateur of note.

LIST ON application,

No. 8.]

^

[NOVEMBER, 1902.

k^

BIRD NOTES:

BEING THE JOURNAI, OF

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB

AND THE

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD

AND MULE CLUB.

PRICE SIXPENCE-

"BIRD NOTES"

Can be obtained by the public from either of the
undernamed,

—Price 6id. Post Free.—
1^ UsuAi. Terms to the Trade, -^t

It is published on or soon after the 20th of each month.

H. R. FIIvLMER, Hon. Sec, F.B.C.,

52, Ship Street, Brighton.

W. A. LOTT, Hon. Sec, N.B.B. & M.C.,

103, Cheapside, E.C.

HYDE'S BIRD FOOD SPECIALITIES.

HYDE'S PATENT
IRON TONIC GRIT.

Incorporated with their Shell
Gravel for Cage Birds.
Sold in Calico Bags.

HYDE'S

AESTHETIC SEEDS
FOR SONG BIRDS.

HYDE'S
PARROT FOOD

H5EEDS:!

li For. V!

soNa

Ml'-BIROS

For MACCAWS, PARRAKKETS,
AND AI.I. SPECIES of PARROTS.

HYDE'S NATURAL
FOOD FOR BIRDS & FISHES.

Much relished l)y Larks, Thrushes, Black-
birds, Starlings, and every kind of Insec-
tivorous Birds. Sample Box, id.

Sold in Packets by all Sellers of Bird Seed,

and Wholesale of

R. HYDE & CO., Ltd.,

BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS.

Harold Street Camberwell, London

5 S.E.

W. SV/AYSLAND,

47, QUEEN'S ROAD, BRIGHTON

Late of 184, Western Road.

JUDGK, BREEDER AND EXHIBITOR
OF

Canaries and British & Foreign Cage Birds.

The Largest and most varied Stock in the
South of England.

Awarded 30 Gold and Silver Medals.

Author of CasseIvIv's " British Cage Birds,"

"Famii^iar W11.D Birds," &c.

JOHN D. HAMLYN,
221, St. George's Street East, London.

THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF

RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS

direct from our
Indian, Australian, and African Empires.

Absolutely the only Dealer who attends Shipping
at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp,
Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles.

References to every Amateur of note.

LIST ON APPLICATION

No. 9.]

^

[DECEMBER, 1902.

i^

BIRD NOTES:

BEING THE JOURNAIy OF

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB

AND THE

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD

AND MULE CLUB

PRfCE SIXPCNCE

"BIRD NOTES"

Can be obtained by the public from either of the
undernamed,

—Price 6^d. Post Free.—

c^ UsuAi. Terms to the Trade.

It is published on or soon after the 20th of each month.

H. R. FILIvMER, Hon. Sec, F.B.C.,

52, Ship Street, Brighton.

W. A. LOTT, Hon. Sec, N.B.B. & M.C.,

103, Cheapside, E.G.

HYDE'S BIRD FOOD SPECIALITIES.

HYDE'S PATENT
IRON TONIC GRIT.

Incorporated with their Shell
Gravel for Cage Birds.
Sold ill Calico Bags.

AESTHETIC SEEDS
FOR SONG BIRDS.

HYDE'S
PARROT FOOD

For MACCAWS, PARRAKEETS,
AND AI.I. SPECIES of PARROTS.

HYDE'S NATURAL
FOOD FOR BIRDS & FISHES.

Much relished by Larks, Thrushes, Black-
birds, Starlings, and every kind of Insec-
tivorous Birds. Sample Box, id.

Sold in Packets by all Sellers of Bird Seed,

and Wholesale of

R. HYDE & CO., Ltd.,

BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS,

Harold Street Camberwell, London, s.e.

W. SV/AYSLAND,

47, QUEEN'S ROAD, BRIGHTON

I^ATE OF 184, Western Road.

JUDGE, BREEDER AND EXHIBITOR
OF

Canaries and British & Foreip Cage Birds.

The Largest and most varied Stock in the
South of England.

Awarded 30 Gold and Silver Medals.

Author of CasseTvI^'s "British Cage Birds,"

" FamiIvIar Wii,d Birds," &c.

JOHN D. HAMLYN,
221, St. George's Street East, London.

THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF

RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS

direct from our
Indian, Australian, and African Empires.

Absolutely the only Dealer who attends Shipping
at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp,
Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles.

References to every Amateur of note.

LIST ON APPLICATION

No. 10.]

^

[JANUARY, 1903.

i^

BIRO NOTES:

BEING THE JOURNAI. OP

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB

AND THK

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD

AND MULE CLUB.

PRICE SIXPENCE

"BIRD NOTES"

Cau be obtained by the public from either of the
undernamed,

—Price 6^d Post Free. —

1^ UsuAi. Terms to the Trade. °=^a

It is published on or soon after the 20th of each monih.

H. R. FILLMER, ^on. Sec, F.B.C.,

52, Ship Street, Brighton.

W. A. IvOTT, /Jou. Sec, N.B.B. & M.C.,

103, Cheapside, K.C.

HYDE'S BIRD FDOD SPECIALITIES

HYDE'S PATENT
IRON TONIC GRIT.

Incorporated with their Shell
Gravel for Cage Birds.
vSold in Calico Bags.

HYDE'S

AESTHETIC SEEDS
FOR SONG BIRDS.

HYDE'S
PARROT FOOD

Keeds
^^ Birds

For MACCAWS, PARRAKEETS,
AND ALi. SPECIES of PARROTS.

HYDE'S NATURAL
FOOD FOR BIRDS & FISHES.

Much relished b}' Larks, Thrushes, Black-
birds, Starlings, and every kind of Insec-
tivorous Birds. Sample Box, id.

Sold in Packets by all Sellers of Bird Seed,

and Wholesale of

R. HYDE & CO., Ltd.,

BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS,

Harold Street Camberwell, London,

S.E.

W^. S^VAYSLAND,

47, QUEEN'S ROAD. BRIGHTON

Late of 184, We;stern Road.

JUDGE, BREEDER AND EXHIBITOR
OF

Canaries and British & Foreign Cage Birds.

The Largest and most varied Stock in the
South of England.

Awarded 30 Gold and Silver Medals.

Autlior of Cassei.i.'s " British Cage Birds,"

" Familiar Wild Birds," &c.

JOHN D. HAMLYN,

NA'TURAIL.IST,

221, St. George's Street East, London,

THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF

RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS

direct from our
Indian, Australian, and African Empires.

Absolutely the only Dealer who attends Shipping
at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp,
Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles.

Refere7ices to every Amateur of note.

LIST ON APPLICATION

No. 11.]

y^

[FEBRUARY, 1903'

it^

BIRD HOTES:

BEING THE JOURNAI. OF

THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB

AND THE

NATIONAL BRITISH BIRD

AND MULE CLUB.

PRICE SIXPENCE

"BIRD NOTES"

Can be obtained by the public from either of the
undernamed,

—Price 6hd. Post Free.—

i^° Usual Terms to the Trade, '^^g

It is published on or soon after the 20th of each month.

H. R. FILLMER, //<>«. Sec, F.B.C.,

52, vShip vStreet. Brighton,

W. A. TvOTT, Hon. Sec, N.B.B. & M.C.,

103. Cheapside, H.C.

AIRT GliFT IBOOKS.

The Bird. By Jules INIichelet. Author of " History

of France," etc. Illustrated by 210 Exquisite Engfraving-s by

GiACOMKLLi. Imperial 8vo, gilt side and edges, price 8s. ; or cloth,

tinted edges, price 6s.

The Insect. By Jules Michelet, Author of "History

of France. Hie Bird." etc., With 140 lllu.strations, drawn

specially for this edition by Giacomkli.i, and engraved by kougee
Berveiller, MeauHe, Joiinard, Whymper, Sargent, and other
eminent Artists. Imperial 8vo, gilt edges. Price 8s.

Beautiful as many parts of the texts are, the chief charm of the
book lies in the illustrations which adorn its pages. They were
drawn and engraved expressly for this work, and, from their
admirable fidelity to nature, their comV)ined grace and strength and
delicacy, constitute the claim of the pre.sent volume to public
favour.

The Bird World Described with Pen and Pencil.

Bv W. II. Davknport Adams, Author of '• The Arctic World," etc.
Beautifully Illustrated with 51 Full-page and upwards of 100 other
Engravings, from designs by Giacomki.li, and engraved by
Rouget, Berveiller, Meaulle, Sargent. Whymper, and Morison.
Imperial 8vo, cloth, tinted edges, price 6s.
Nature ; or, The Poetry of Earth and vSea. From the
French of Madame Michkl'kt. With upwards of 200 Illustrations,
drawn specially for this work by Giacomklli, Illustrator of " The
Bird," and engraved bv the most eminent French and English
Artists. Imperial 8vo, gilt side and edges, price 8s. ; or cloth,
tinted edges, price 6s.

THOMAS NELSON & SONS, LONDON,
EDINBURGH &. NEW YORK.

HYDE'S BIRD FOOD SPECIALITIES

UlYDES

HYDE'S PATENT
IRON TONIC GRIT.

Incorporated with their Shell
Gravel for Cage Birds.
Sold in Calico Bags.

HYDE'S

AESTHETIC SEEDS
FOR SONG BIRDS.

HYDE'S
PARROT FOOD

For MACCAWS, PARRAKKETS,
AND Ai.!. SPECIES of PARROTS.

HYDE'S NATURAL
FOOD FOR BIRDS & FISHES.

Much relished by Larks, Thrushes, Black-
birds, Starlings, and every kind of Insec-
tivorous Birds. Sample Box, id.

Sold in Packets by all Sellers of Bird Seed,

and Wliolesale of

R. HYDE & CO., Ltd.,

BIRD FOOD SPFCIALISrS,

Harold Street Camberwell, London,

S.E.

W. S\VAYSLAND,

47. QUEEN'S ROAD. BRIGHTON

Late of 184, Western Road.

JUDGE, BREEDRR AND EXHIBITOR

OF

Canaries and British & Foreign Cage Birds.

The Largest and most varied Stock in the
South of England.

Awarded 30 Gold and Silver Medals.

Author of Cassei.l's " British Cage Birds,"

'• Familiar Wild Birds," &c.

JOHN D. HAMLYN,
221, St. George's Street East, London,

TIIH ACTUAL IMPORTER OF

RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS

direct from OUk

Indian. Australian, and African Empires.

AV)Solutely the only Dealer who attends Shipping
at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp,
Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles,

References to every Amateur of note.

LIST ON APPLICATION

AMNH LIBRARY

100101791

a.