32 



I was ill Brazil some years ago, from July to the 

 end of November (Rio de Janeiio, vSantos, San Paulo. 

 and on a trip up country). Though deeply interested in 

 birds, I saw but three Hunnning Birds in all that time. 

 I had intended to tr}^ and bring some home, but never 

 saw one in a cage, and had no chance of buying or catch- 

 ing one to try my plan of feeding Humming Birds on 

 honey and condensed milk, and keeping them in a 

 large gauze cage, which plan I had thought of trying. 



It ought to be possible, yet nobody seems to have 

 succeeded or seriously tried to succeed ; and it seems a 

 pity that the only person who is alleged to have succeed- 

 ed should be apparently lost in the London fog, and his 

 prize bird escape. AuG. F. Wiener. 



vSUITABLP: BIRDS FOR CAGHS. 



Sir, — I was asked to recommend a few birds that 

 are hardy, and easy to feed and keep indoors in a large 

 cage. As I only keep a few pets, I gave the following 

 names, and shall be pleased to hear if I was correct. For 

 a Crystal Palace cage, say 3ft. long, 3ft. high, and 16 or 

 iSins. wide. — Pairs of Budj^erigars, Madagascar Love- 

 birds, White or Grey Javas, Ribbon Finclies, and 

 Weavers, say four or five paiis. 



White Javas I prefer to keep separate from Grev. as 

 they make delightfully tame pets; so in this case I said 

 Javas one pair only, and Saffron-finches to make up. If, 

 however, small birds were required, I suggested a dozen 

 of those Mauuikins advertized just now, from 9'- to 15/- 

 per dozen, mixed. 



This question is, I expect, often asked by bird lovers, 

 who, from keeping Canaries or British birds, such as 

 Goldfinches and Linnets, would like to go in for a few 

 foreign birds, but fear that too much trouble in feeding 

 and care would follow. Could not a list suitable for large 

 cages indoors, aviaries outdoors, or bird-rooms indoors, 

 be given in "Notes" ? I, for one, would be thankful. 



