169 



by another, but the eggs of the third pair proved infertile. 

 All seven were reared to maturity upon a diet of plain canary 

 seed, a little German rape, and plent}' of green food. 



In the second round the same good results occurred, every 

 bird hatched being reared. 



Practical evidence as to the soundness of the new teachings 

 seems to be accumulating in various directions. 



W. J. Hentsch, 



Sir, — ^^theinsectile mixture which yon mentioned in your 

 Editorial Notes of July as having been used by Mrs. Askham 

 on your recommendation; I should much like to know if this 

 was given to the parents when tlie}^ were first paired up, or at 

 all before the young were hatched. I should like to know this 

 for my own future guidance, as I think the results in Mrs. 

 Askhani's case were simply splendid — fourteen young ones 

 hatched and thirteen reared. 



I might also take this opportunity of saying that the Gold- 

 finch Mule I obtained from you, and which from birth had 

 never had anything but seeds and green stuff, is a specimen to 

 be proud of! I have never seen a stronger or more robust 

 bird, nor one with tighter feather, or cleaner, or more 

 sprightly. G. McAdam. 



[This enquiry has been referred to Mrs. Askham, who says: 

 "My Canaries did not have the insectile mixture before pair- 

 ing, but after the first chicks were hatched they had a constant 

 supply, and the young birds remained with their parents till 

 the next lot were due to hatch." — Ed.] 



NOTES IN A GARDEN. 



Sir, — It may interest your readers to hear that this year 

 and last a pair of Hawfinches have built and reared their young 

 in a thick bush, touching my garden aviary, which I am visit- 

 ing many times a day. The nest is also close to a path used by 

 the gardeners, etc., going to and from their work. We had no 

 idea last year of a nest, till the bush was cut, which exposed 

 tlie nest; the young had then flown, leaving one rotten &^^. 

 This year I once saw the old ones watching me from a tree 

 close by ; we then looked for and found the nest, which was left 

 undisturbed. 



There is also a nearly white Sand Martin about ; it has been 



