,"5 



Re MACAWS. 



Sir,— I am desirous of keeping a Macaw. Would any or 

 your readers be kind enough to inform me which species is to 

 be most recommended as a talker and generally speaking as a 

 pet ? Should these birds be kept on stands or in cages } 



Any further information of any kind with regard to them 

 and their management would be much appreciated, for instance 

 probable price, and how they are to be obtained. 



Grasshopper. 



[The above letter has been referred to Mr. Camps, who 

 kindh' replies as follows. — Ed.] 



Sir, — There are four or five species of the Macaw imported 

 into this country, all of which I have kept except the " All 

 Blue." 



If, as your correspondent says, he wants a talker I should 

 recommend the Blue and Yellow, since these I have found 

 usually make the best linguists. They are capable of repeating 

 short sentences, but their capacity is not very great. They 

 shriek terribly at times, and are generally of a spiteful dis- 

 position. If it is decided to purchase one, care should be taken 

 that it is quite tame and can be handled ; otherwise its owner 

 may have trouble, as old birds are very spiteful. 



It is not advisable to keep a ]Macaw in a cage because his 

 gorgeous tail will certainly be spoiled, and the soiled condition 

 of the cage would become a nuisance. The bird should be on 

 a stand, fastened with a ring on foot and chained. I have kept 

 them in this manner in perfect condition. 



With reference to feeding, this should be the same as for an 

 Amazon Parrot, — hemp, maize and canary seed, monkey nuts 

 and fruit of any kind in season. Water of course ad lib. I 

 shall be pleased to give any further particulars required. 



H. T. T. Camps. 



BIRDS IN EAST AFRICA. 



vSiR, — Reading " The East African Protectorate," the 

 valuable book published last year by Sir Charles Eliot, the 

 late Commissioner for the Protectorate, I found the following 



