Correspondence. 293 



pa-ccured live food, and two or three pairs of Waxbills will con- 

 sume an incredible numl^er a day. They must, however, be well 

 scoured, until they are quite wliite and free from smell. Mr. P. 

 F. M. Galloway, an authority on insectivorous birds tells me that 

 flour or oatmeal ii the best scouring medium, and that he does 

 not like the use of sand for this purpose. 



In an old fashioned book on bird keeping- by C. W. 

 Gediioy— tlie writer advocates the soaking of spray millet for a 



few hours, and I have found that some of the WaxbUls prefer 

 it in this condition, and ignore tlie dry spray a,s long as there 

 is any soaked seed to be had. 



Some species undoubtedly do best if kept in single pairs, 

 whilst others are more iuclined to breed if kept in small colonies. 

 A sharp eye should always 'be kept on single or unmated bii-ds, 

 who are very much inclined to pry and often destroy a 

 clutch or brood. I know a certain cock Fireflnch who, I feel 

 sure, interfered with the nesting" in my aviaries this year. 



The following mixture is much liked by all Waxbills, and 

 forms a good change of diet if given once or twice weekly — 

 the recipe was given me by a felhnv member : " Half-ounce 

 each of Teazle, Charlock, Clover, and Plantain; one ounce each 

 of Lettuce, Maw, and Mustard, three ounces each of Cornflower 

 and Grass seed, and 2 ounces Gabibage seeds." 



I have rushed into print, not because I consider myself 

 an authoiity on the subject, but because I am extremely fond of 

 all Waxbills, which although apparently hardy and eager to nest, 

 are seldom bred except in quite small numbers. 



There is evidently something wanting either in dietary or 

 management, and it, is by correspondence such as that began I>y 

 Capt. Eeeve that useful knowledge or hints can be acquired. 



Etori, September 20th. (Dr.) MAURICE AMSLEPi. 



VAGARIES OF THE NESTING SEASON. 



Sir, — I am sending you a few notes re my breeding results 

 this year. It has indeed been a bad season with me, practically 

 no result in my aviaries this year, doubtless owing to the intense 

 dry heat which has prevailed. 



A pair of Longi-taded Grassfinches have built no less than 

 seven nests and laid a clutch of eggs in each! They incubated 

 well, yet no results. The eiggs were all fertile but contained 

 chicks dead in shell. 



The same annoying conditions have prevailed with Zebra 

 Finches and Cutthroats, although the latter at theii- fourth attempt 

 have a brood about ready to Leave the nest. 



Parrakeets have fared no better. The Eed-rumps which 

 last year fully reai^ed seven vigorous youngsters, have not even 



