37 



Answer. — No, it is not safe, for the vSaffion Finch is 

 sometimes murderously spiteful. But, on the other 

 hand if you happen to have peaceable examples of the 

 species, you ma}- keep them for years with tin}' l)irds. 

 hut it is a risk. 



RED MITE. 



Question.— -Xre foreifyn birds subject, in confinement, 

 to red mite, as much as Canaries are ? 



Ajiswer. — In aviaries neither Canaries nor other birds 

 are much troubled vv^ith red mite. In cages the}' are 

 apt to be troublsome unless care is taken to keep them 

 down, but I do not think they infest any other species so 

 much as thev do the Canary. 



EATvDNESS. 



Question. — Baldness seems very prevalent amongst 

 the tiny finches, prior to the moulting vSeason, even 

 when fed on insect food. Can you state the cause ? 



Answer. — Loss of feathers on the head is sometimes 

 caused by the excessive preening of the plumage by the 

 bird's mate. At other times it appears to be a symptom of 

 poor health, and not due to any definite single cause. 

 Cold, impure air, absence of l)athing facilities, bad seed, 

 a diet too exclusively of seed, absence of grit, want of 

 green-food, and (possibly) want of lime, would all tend to 

 cause it. 



NOTE.— The above replies were sent by post to the questioners. 

 \\\ queries are so answered, but ouU' uch replies as are of general 

 interest are printed here. 



