Correspondence.



43



When, however, it comes to laying eggs, these are almost invariably broken,

either on the nest or by being thrown down on the ground. Both birds seem so

•excited when an egg is laid that they push it about with their bills and utter oud

cries at intervals, the result always being disaster.


I should be very much obliged if some members of the Avicultural Society

could inform me if they have similar troubles, and, if so, if they have discovered

any remedy, as I should much like to get a hatch of Ibis next year if possible.

They are not easy birds to obtain, and I have only one pair.


Yours faithfully,


“ Woodlands,y Retford, C. Barnby Smith.


September 16th, 1916.


THE HEARING OF PHEASANTS.


Dear Sir, —Early in the present year I sent a note to the Magazine as to

the chattering of wild Pheasants at night when bombs were dropped a good many

miles distant, and in the June number Mr. Smalley wrote an interesting letter as

to Pheasants in his neighbourhood not taking any notice of ordinary blasting in

adjacent quarries, but being a good deal disturbed by heavy charges of dynamite

exploded in such quarries at monthly intervals.


I am merely writing now to record as an interesting experience that the

same wild Pheasants which last spring were greatly disturbed by the dropping of

bombs between twenty and thirty miles distant did not make any noise or show

any sign whatever of disturbance when similar bombs were dropped by night

within a mile or so of the wood where they were roosting. I had exceptionally

good opportunities of observation.


I do not pretend to offer an explanation, and was greatly surprised.


Yours faithfully,


“ Woodlands,” Retford, C. Barnby Smith.


September 16tto, 1916.


A TRIO OF LUTINOS.


My brother has recently sent me from India no less than three Lutino

Indian Parrakeets representing three species, the Ring-neck ( Palceor.nis torquatus),

the Alexandrine (P. nepalensis), and the Plumhead (P. cyanocephalus). All are in

line condition and are not yearlings, since they have the full long tail. In all, the

yellow is pure and perfect, of that particularly delicate sulphur shade one gets in

these Lutinos. The Plumhead has a pink head, and the Alexandrine shows the

usual red patch on the wings, the wing coverts adjacent to it being also edged

slightly with red, giving a very pretty effect. The Ring-neck and the Plumhead

both have red eyes and flesh-coloured feet; the Alexandrine’s eyes are normal in

colour, but the feet are light. However, some races of the Alexandrine have pale-

coloured feet naturally. Neither the Ring-neck nor the Alexandrine has a ring.

Besides being the finest-looking bird, the Alexandrine is by far the rarest of the



