I02 



Short 1!Aotc5. ant) Xctters to tbe jEDitor. 



Mr. FINN AND EGG-FOOD. 



Sir, — I note that in the course of his interesting article 

 Mr. Finn tells us that Java Sparrows, Canaries, and Pekin 

 Robins " need " egg food, the first two when breeding, the last 

 always. 



As an aviculturist who has kept birds practically the whole 

 of the time between 1858 or 1859 and the present date ; who 

 has kept them during the greater part of that long period 

 under all sorts of conditions in deference to advice and 

 opinions of every hue ; aiid who therefore has had as much 

 experience as most people both of egg and no-egg systems ; — 

 I cannot help saying that Mr. Finn is mistaken when he uses 

 the word " need." 



As a student of physiological biology I know there is no 

 need of this food. As a student of pathology I know even 

 more — that the use of this food is as harmful to birds as is 

 emery and steel dust to the Sheffield grinders, or the draper's 

 occupation to those engaged in it. Now how can a thing 

 which is (pathologically) harmful be (physiologically) needful ? 

 It would seem to be a logical absurdity. 



But if any of us are of those who "pretend to be superior 

 " to all theor\', to despise recent investigations of almost every 

 " kind, and to take observation as their only guide," let us 

 see what observation tells us. Java Sparrows have been bred 

 in cages from time immemorial in China and Japan. Mr. Finn 

 himself and Mr. Heselton botli tell me the inhabitants of these 

 countries never by any chance use &%^ food for their birds. 

 Facts therefore say that these birds do not need egg when 

 breeding. With regard to Canaries and their hybrids: — out of 

 all which I possess there is but one which has ever seen it. 

 There are also other members of the F.B.C. who have the 

 same experience. If then these birds needed egg when breed- 

 ing how is it that the specimens I allude to are in existence ? 

 It would be right to say they needed — oxygen for instance, 

 because if it is withheld they die ; but if you withhold egg 

 they do not die, nor do they suffer, so where is the need in 

 this case .'' 



As to Pekin Robins — facts again shew that egg is not 

 needed for insectivorous birds : Mr. Fillmer has had something 

 to say on this subject in Vol. III. of Bird Notes, page 43, and 

 at page 2 ei seq. of the same volume this particular matter is 



