There are nuinhers of Doves and Pigeons (of use for the 

 pot, luckily), and swarms of Rollers and Bee-eaters and 

 other bright-coloured birds, but the seed- eaters, and 

 those interesting as cage-birds, are in a great minority, 

 and unless looked for would be easily missed. I hope I 

 shall be able to send something on them for " Notes," 

 later on. 



I think that "Amazon's" suggestion of an Index of 

 Bird Names is a very good one. I have been collecting 

 such names for some time and have a long list at home — 

 when I get back in the summer I must see if I can work 

 it into any usefnl shape. E. Hopkinson. 



A CURE FOR FEATHER-EATING. 



Sir, — May I suggest a simple cure for parrots that 

 pull off their feathers ? 1 have found it usefnl in many 

 cases. It is simply to damp the bird's feathers slightly 

 and then powder them thickly with maize flour. If the 

 affection comes from irritation of the skin, the maize 

 flour soothes it ; and if the bird pulls off his feathers or 

 nibbles them from want of something to do, he gets 

 plenty of occupation in freeing his feathers from the 

 flour — at any rate it does no harm. I have also heard 

 that olive oil is useful, but have not tried it mvself. 



GlUI^TA TOMMASr. 



FOOD FOR NIGHTINGALES. 



Sir, — Nightingales in this country (Italy) are fed 

 with dried silkworms pounded into a sort of flour. This 

 is mixed with maize flour and a little fresh chicory 

 chopped up finely. A house-fly dipped in olive oil given 

 occasionally helps to keep them in good health, as well 

 as a spider or other insect. 



The dry silkworms are used as food for all insecti- 

 vorous birds here— for Robins a little grated cheese is 

 added. Giulia Tommasi. 



