194 



The context of the above story tells us that these birds 

 were Parrots; even allowing for their being a little above 

 the ordinary grade of avian intellectuality, we still have it 

 distinctly laid down by Capt. Diaper, (and he should be an 

 unimpeachable authority, as being a man who had carried 

 hundreds of Parrots), that birds can by an effort of will, and 

 in obedience to fear, actually abstain from death, presumably 

 even when diseased ! 



This conclusive evidence ought to make Dr. Butler's critic 

 reconsider the position he has taken up with regard to the 

 converse. 



By the way I hear that there has been lately discovered a 

 physiological rara avis in the shape of a Parrot that is if 

 anything a little too healthy ! Whatever can this mean } It is 

 Slated to be a good fault, but that throws no light on the 

 mystical announcement. W. Gko. Crkswei^i,. 



jfoveiGii :)BirC) (Queries aiiD IRepUes. 



All queries are answered by post. A few -which appear to be of general 

 interest are published, with the answers, in this Magazine. 



SOFT FOOD FOR BUNTINGS. 



Questio7i. In the May number of "Bird Notes" Mr. J. A. 

 vSwan states that the Nonpareil should have soft food every day 

 in addition to seeds. I have one of these birds now which 

 refuses everything in the way of soft food except mealworms. 

 I have tried everything I can think of but to no purpose, and 

 as I do not wish to starve the bird, I should be glad to hear if 

 you know of any soft food that it would eat. 



This is the third Nonpareil which I have had, and they 

 liave all refused soft food. H. S. 



Answer. Any good insectivorous mixture will suit the 

 Nonpareil, such as Century, or Abrahams', or a liberal home- 

 made one. My bird had Abrahams', sharing it with several 

 others. When I first had him, they only received soft food 

 about twice a week, but the Nonpareil became so constipated 

 that (after curing him without difficulty by a bread-and-milk 

 diet) I gave it to them every day, with happier results. The bird, 

 however, was evidently constitutionally inclined to constipation, 

 for though his illness did not occur again for some months, it 

 was eventually the cause of his death. To the last, however, I 

 had no difficulty in curing him by the bread and milk, but 

 after each attack he became weaker, and at last had not 



