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Practical Bird-Keeping .— Correspondence.



have not kept the Nicobar myself, though I have seen it in other

aviaries; the bird’s colouring is beautiful, but its shape very

clumsy and unattractive.


(To be contimied).



PRACTICAL BIRD-KEEPING.—CORRESPONDENCE.



ALLEN’S RAIL.


Sir,—I should be very much obliged if any of our members who

have kept “Allen’s Rails” for any length of time would communicate with

me as I am most anxious to compare notes. C. Barnby Smith.



SHAMA CATCHING FISH.


Sir, —In reply to this interesting communication, I may say there is

no doubt that fish in some form would form an excellent addition to the

menu of insectivorous and partially insectivorous species, especially fresh

water fish ; and in a state of nature I opine that there are many more of

our own indigenous species that so indulge than is generally supposed. I

never tried my Sliamas with living fish, but I well recall the fact that our

esteemed member, Mr. E. W. Harper, when in Georgetown, British Guiana,

fed his Tanagers on fresh water shrimps and found them very keen on such

diet. I am of the opinion that the Dhyal and Water Robins (Redstarts)

would be equally keen on either minute fish or shrimps from fresh water.


Weseey T. Pace.



