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it is a fact and not a groundless opinion, expressed even in only 

 one sentence, is yet of the greatest possiVjle value in helping to 

 build up that fabric of truth to which it is our aim to aspire. 

 Even if a fact has been recorded before it is often of the 

 greatest importance to record succeeding instances of its 

 occurrence. 



Secondly, we would wish our readers to make the fullest 

 possible use of the Correspondence Columns. There are many 

 matters of interest about which we can consult each other, 

 and information gained in this public manner may often be of 

 ■considerable assistance to others besides the actual enquirer. 

 These columns also afford a field for friendly criticism of 

 articles which have previously appeared in our pages. Such 

 criticism is welcomed by all our writers, provided it is real 

 ■criticism and is supported bj' legitimate argument. It is an- 

 other means whereby we can arrive at Truth. 



Is Egg NredkuIv ? Apropos of this subject here is an 

 ■experience which will be of interest. Earh' this spring a lady 

 with whom I was slightly acquainted (Mrs. Askham, of Cranes 

 Park, Surbiton) asked me what she should use as a substitute 

 for egg food this season. I recommended her to try my 

 insectile food, viz. dried flies, ant eggs, and crushed un- 

 sweetened biscuit in equal parts. On June the 24th by invita- 

 tion I called to see the results, and received permission to 

 publish them. Four pairs of Canaries onl}' had been put up, 

 •each in an ordinary single breeding-cage. 



The first pair had laid three nests of eggs, all of which 

 turned out infertile. 



The second pair: — their first nest had three eggs. One 

 chick died in the shell, the other two v/ere hatched on April 

 26. Both were reared; one has just been sold at a Bazaar, 

 and the other I saw in the flight cage. Their next nest con- 

 tained three eggs, all of which hatched on June 3. These 

 young ones— at the early age of three weeks — were scrambling 

 about the perches when I saw them. 



The third pair:— their first nest of five eggs resulted in 

 two being hatched on April 3. These two were flying about, 

 and one was recording his song while I looked at him. The 

 next nest contained six eggs, all of which hatched on June 8, 

 iind all the youngsters are alive and flourishing. 



