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. 



