239 



of eggs from the perch, which of course were all broken. A pair of Grey 

 Cardinals have had three nests, but have reared nothing. 



The only birds which have done anything worth mention are a pair 

 of Yellow Budgerigars, which have fully reared eleven very fine vigorous 

 youngsters. 



My only other success has been with a lovely pair of Diamond Doves, 

 but here disappointments have been many, and only two young have been 

 fully reared. Magpie Mannikins and Red-headed Finch have hatched out, 

 but failed to rear their young. 



White Java Sparrows and Talpacoti Doves with which I have been 

 very successful in past seasons, have also done very badly ; previously they 

 have helped to pay the seed bill, but this year not a single youngster has 

 been reared. 



A Grey Java Sparrow c? and ? Saffron Finch, mated and built a nest 

 in a small box, seven eggs were laid, but all proved clear. If they had only 

 been fertile I think I should have been the possessor of some very funny 

 looking hybrids. 



lam afraid readers of "B.N." will consider this a rather dismal 

 record, and that my birds do not receive proper attention at my hands, but 

 this is not so; my aviaries are snug and comfortable, only the best food is 

 purchased and they are carefully looked after in every respect. Very heavy 

 blasting operations have been going on for some time in the granite quarries 

 near here, and the consequent noise and concussions have, I think, some- 

 thing to do with my non-success. M. F^. Bakkr. 



[The long continued hot and excessively dry weather does not appear 

 to have been conducive to the successful breeding of foreign birds, save 

 perhaps for Australian Finches. I have had more dried up clutches this 

 season than in any previous year of my avicultural experience, and it has- 

 been the same in many aviaries. — Kd.] 



IRotices of Ittew Boof^s, etc. 



THKoreii Southkkn Mkxico. By Hans Gadow, with 160 illustrations and maps. 

 Loudon : Witherby & Co. Price 18 - net. This narrative of eight months wanderings, 

 through Die wild legions of Southern Mexico, is truly delightful reading. The definite 

 scientific study of the wild life and their distribution, with special reference to prevailing 

 environmental conditions, was the object of the expedition. In dealing with the wild life 

 of this region, birds are not neglected and any readers will find interesting notes on Blue 

 Birds. Humming Birds. Parrakeets, Macaws, etc. in the course of the Volume. It does not 

 contain a dull page, and the story of the journey is told in a natural and interesting 

 manner, which is not always the case with records of scientific expeditions. '1 he following 

 will indicate in a measure the varid contents of this interesting book of travel :— 



The Valley of Mexico- The floating Gardens of Xochimilo— The Forest and its Fauna 

 — The Mazatecka Tiibe— Features of Tropical Forests— Adaptations to Arboreal Life — 

 Swanuahs and Swamps- Birds— The Lagoons-Humming Birds— The gigantic Caves of 

 Cachuimilpa and their Fauna— The Musk Duck at Home— Bush Fowl— Parrakeets— 

 Crocodiles and Birds of the Lagoon, etc. 



TraVicl and Hxpi.ok.vi ion. We have received the prospectus of a new monthly 

 magazine under the foregoing title; its scope will be comprehensive and include trade, 

 colonisation, etc.. while its prominent feature will be personal narratives of explorers in 

 wild and little known regions. It is to be well illustrated by photographs, maps, etc., taken 

 en routs. It should form an excellent opportunity for bird lovers to gather many facts con- 

 cerning- the wild life of the occupants of their aviaries and cages. The first part is to be 

 issued on Jan. ist, 1909. Loudon : Witherby & Co., 326, High Holborn, W.C. 1 - monthly. 



