Correspondence. 157 



and I shall have great pleasure in doing- all I can to assist in 

 the formation of one. I will give a copy of " Hai-'ting's Handbook 

 of British Birds." I would like to suggest that) ,if a Library is 

 formed a Catalogue be printed in Bird Notes and that each member 

 when requiring a book pays the postage or carriage each way, 

 and mus*^ return the book ta the Librarian within three WBcks 

 if residing in the United Kingdom. I enclose a rough cojjy of a 

 register for the use of the Librarian. 



Each member of the Club using the Library should pay a 

 small subscription, say 5s. per year, which could be expended in 

 books . 



W. OAKEV. 



Sir, — I think the suggestion of a Library in connection with 

 the F.B.C. is an exceedingly good one, and I hope it will not 

 be lost sight of. Works on Ornithology, Naturalistic Travels, etc., 

 would prove a great boon to members, jf wie could only glet a 

 suliicicnt number, either given, loaned, purchased, or on deposit under 

 guarantee from some such firm as Mudies', and it should not be 

 unduly difficult to float a practical scheme. I trust many members 

 will express their views and that there will be some practical out- 

 come of Mr. Soames' most excellent suggiestion. 



W. T. ROGERS. 



[Will members generally give their views and state clearly 

 what they think of the above project. If heartily taken up, a fair 

 ■selection of books could soon be on hand, and many, like myself, 

 would doubtless be willing to loan various works under certain 

 conditions. I suggest that after another month has passed, so ,-ts 

 to give time for a full expression of opiuiou on tlie suhji'ct., a 

 committee (subject to the Council) be formed, to consider rules, etc., 

 to be preslented and considered at a July meeting of the Cuiuu-il. Euj 

 Re POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. 



Sir, — In reply to Mr. Gray concerning above queries, on 

 again reading my notes on the " Pintail Nonpareil," which appeared 

 in the March issue of Bird Notes I must confess I might have 

 expressed myself a little more lucidly as regards the post mortem 

 examinations of the Pintail Nonpareil, but, if anybody ought to iiave 

 made out my meaning, surely Mr. Gray should, who says at present 

 I don't quite understand their purport. .Broadly speaking I agree 

 with Mr. Gray in calling the two points raised' by him conundrums, 

 be that as it may I hope Mr. Grayj will be able to satisfactorily 

 answer these conundrums. I will now endeavour to explain my 

 meaning more fully. Eirstly, ought not the post mortem examinations 

 to help us to cater for these birds. Considering the frightful mor- 

 tality amongst newly imported Nonpareils it suggests the following 

 points to me. Either these birds are incorrectly fed during their 

 importation into this country, overcrowded during the voyage or 

 incorrectly fed by dealers and aviculturiots, genarally. Should 

 not a post mortem examination help to clear these points, for the 



