251 



any Ring-neck, wliatever the species, of the liabit of scream- 

 ing. Still, individuals differ greatly, and some do not scream 

 very mucli ! H. R. F. 



MOUI/riNG OF vSHAMAH. 



Question : My Shamah, which began its moult in June last, 

 with its head and breast, and which has been gradually moulting 

 ever since, (there are still two old feathers in its tail, and 

 it has certainly not lost all its wing feathers), has begun to 

 moult over again. Last week it lost its two longest new tail 

 feathers, and now its breast is moulting for the second time, 

 and the new feathers are coming. Is not this strange.' and not 

 right } and do you think it will injure the bird } and what am 

 I to do } ^ R. H. W. 



AnsiveJ- : It certainly is not normal that your vShamah 

 should moult twice within a few months — l>ut our climate 

 affects foreign birds in various strange ways, and we have had 

 a very peculiar season. There is no reason why the bird 

 .should be injured, if it is well taken care of during the moult, 

 and you can keep it sufficiently warm. I do not think any 

 special treatment is possible or desirable. All insectivorous 

 birds should have more live insect food than usual, while 

 moulting, and be protected from cold. H. R. F, 



BUDGERIGARS AND RATS. 



Question : Can you explain why I should get 26 young 

 cock birds from one pair of Budgerigars } This has been my 

 experience this season. I did not get a single hen. 



I am sorry to say that I have rats in my aviary, and have 

 lost birds to the value of 60/-. This is the second invasion I 

 have had, and I am nearly dish.eartened. Could you give me 

 any advice on this trouble, through your very useful Bird 

 Notes. A. R. B. 



Anszver : I cannot suggest any explanation of the young 

 Budgerigars being all cocks. The question of the determina- 

 tion of sex is at present very imperfectly understood. 



I should suggest the keeping of a good ratting terrier near 

 the aviary— the blocking of the runs with concrete— and the 

 employment of traps (so arranged as not to entrap the birds). 

 But possibly some of our readers, who have been successful 

 in combating rats, may be able to offer more detailed and 

 practical advice, H. R. F. 



