13- Correspondence. 



haviiijj no (.■clipsc pluniaj^c Ncvcrtlulcss they liave two complete moults in 

 the year. 



r.riish i'.ronze-wing Doves, llic hen of wliicli was kiiuliy lent me by 

 1)110 of our nieml)ers. have already reared one young' one and liavc anotlicr 

 in tile nest. 



The (louldian l-'inches will, I fear, be late m nestins: as they are only 

 Mow eoniineneing; to moult. 



The okl hen wJiich has done so well with me must be getting on in 

 vears. I bought her four \ears ago antl she was then probablv at least 

 two years oUl. In the last three sunnners she has reared thirty nine young 

 ones. 



B. C. THOMASSET. 

 Ashmansworth. Q-^'iy. 



*'l his cross has not been previously bred. — Ed 



iW'e should be obliged if Mr. Tlunnasset would supply a description of 

 the plumage of these hybrids now they are ftilly adult. — Ed. 

 KEEPIX(;.MA(;i>Ili IN CAGE, ETC. 



Sik, — Some of our members have, like myself, to keep their jiels in 

 cages and possibly the following may pro\e of interest to such. 



.Mv Magpie (hen), which I have had for several years, has been ke]il 

 ni a cage, which cannot be called a very large one, but which, nevertheless, 

 supplies si)ace for moderate mo\-ement without damage to her tail. There is 

 i)nl\- one perch in the cage as two jiarallel ones left too little space for her 

 caudal appendage. She laid several eggs last year and I regret so far having 

 been unable to make arrangements to accommodate her with a mate. l.Ip to 

 the present she has laid six eggs this year and sits about on the door of the 

 cage a good deal, but b\- no means covering the eggs, for these ])ast few 

 da\ s. .She keeps in beautiful plumage and condition, is very gentle and in- 

 telligent. 



.\lv (ire\ W'a.xbill still Hourishes and is now on its fourth year of cage 

 life. 



I ;ini h;ippily placed here as regards feathereil life- — one sees the Heron, 

 Snipe, Owls. ;ind manv feathered \\";irblers : the voices of the green Wood- 

 pecker, \\'r\nccl< and Cuckoo are common sounds. .\t night the melody of 

 the .Xighting.aK- charms the e;ir. also the passing of wild geese and others of 

 iiociurnil habits keejis one's interest alive. 



The Tree Sparrow seeius absent hereabouts. 

 New >"i'"lton. June ist, 1917. J. WEIR. 



British Bird Calendar. 



April 25. — Saw Fieldfares. 

 .May 2. - ,, Winchats. 



7. — .. Blackcap and Nightjar. 

 S. — ,, Turtle Dove and Sedge Warbler. 

 18.— ,. Red hacked Shrike. 



IQ. — ,, Young tjrey Wagtails about a week old. 

 J2. — .. .\ Shrike's nest containing four egfgs. 



Have met with all the migrants now. but the above interested me most 

 J.S.R., Caterham, Surrey, May 23, 1917. 



