Practical Bird-Keeping. — 111 . Pigeons and Doves. 193


British species that are the favourite cage birds to-day, and it is only reason¬

able that they should object to interference with the possession or traffic of

legally acquired property.


The species that are in chief demand are without exception still

extremely common throughout the greater part of Europe and are, more¬

over, a moving quantity. The toll taken of their numbers for purposes of

caging is insignificant compared w'ith the manner in which their presence

or absence depends upon the suitability of existing conditions or the manner

in which thousands of the birds we protect are slaughtered for food and

other purposes when they leave our shores.


I therefore appeal to members of this Society to, where possible, sup¬

port this petition with their signatures should it come their way, in order

that their less fortunate brethren may be allowed to continue the progress

of this very legitimate form of indulgence. It may not be long before we

shall find ourselves in a similar plight, owing to an inability to acquire

foreign birds, and in spite of the short-comings that may exist (which by

business-like methods can be set right) it would be a pity after the good

work that has been done to find that the keeping of birds was confined

practically to public bodies who (owing to almost unsurmountable diffi¬

culties) are not always the most perfect exponents of the art of keeping,

breeding or retaining in good health perfect examples of once wild birds.


Allen Silver.



THE HOOPOE IN CHESHIRE.


Mr. Witlierby informs us that a Hoopoe frequented some private

grounds in the neighbourhood of Macclesfield from December 20th to

January 28th last.


Although this species is an occasional spring visitor to this country,

chiefly in the southern and eastern counties, the occurrence of this individ¬

ual so far north in mid-winter points to its being in all probability an

escaped bird. Should any of our readers have lost such a bird, or know of

any importations a short time previous to the first-mentioned date, we

should be glad if they would let us know in order that the record may be

corrected. Ed.



PRACTICAL BIRD-KEEPING.


III. FOREIGN DOVES.


By Miss Rosie Alderson.


(Continued from page 172).


Feeding.


I give my large doves a staple diet of wheat, dari, hemp,

white millet, and a little rice. They have also a good supply of

pea nuts (or monkey nuts) shelled and cut into pieces, and I look

on this last item as being very important in keeping the birds in

good condition and glossy plumage, the oil in the nut contribut-



