89 



cowhair' and grass were supplied as building materials. 

 The first nest was a failure, but the second time they 

 reared four young. Food while breeding — spray and 

 white millet, and canary seed, and plenty of good chick- 

 weed — both while fledging and after, which I consider 

 very essential to success. 



The Olive Cuba Finch is much more rarely imported 

 than the other species, INTost specimens of both kinds 

 reach England by way of Marseilles. I have been told 

 that Cuba Finches can be bought in Marseilles for four 

 or five shillings a pair, while here they fetch 25'-. 



I intended to exhibit my Olive Cubans at the recent 

 Palace vShow, as well as a Bengal Pitta in fine form, but 

 I could not take them, nor get them taken, and I would 

 not risk their lives by entrusting them to the tender 

 mercies of the Railway Company. 



W. OSBAI^DESTON. 



QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 



Question. — I have a hen Cordon Bleu who is losing 

 all her feathers and apparently making no attempt to 

 grow new ones. Otherwise she appears to be in excellent 

 health. vShe is fed on millet and canarx- and occasionally 

 a little soft food. Temperature of room never below 55"^. 

 Other birds in same flight-cage seem all right. 



Can you tell me what treatment to adopt ? H. K. P. 



Answer. — "Baldness" in birds results from a variety 

 of causes, but is usually a sj-mptom of impaired general 

 health. Keeping the birds for a time at a considerably 

 higher temperature would very likely cause the feathers 

 to grow, I presume you supply baths, fine gravel or 

 flint grit, and lime in some form, such as crushed egg- 

 shell or cuttle bone. Give plenty of spray millet, or 

 similar seed sold in bulk — also a little water-cress. 

 A few drops of " Ferrocal " in the drinking water may 

 do good. The treatment should be directed towards 



