CorresjJondence.



95



The Avicultural Society has to a certain extent striven to do

this in accounts of the breeding of species in members’ aviaries,

and we might attempt more thoroughness on these lines, for how

greatly interesting it would be if we had such a detailed account of

how the blue variety of the budgerigar, of which alas ! so few in¬

dividuals remain, came into being. No doubt, as Mr. Bonhote would

ably tell us, owing to a lack of “ vigour,” so that the pigments of

blue and yellow which produce green became weakened, and the

yellow subsided, whilst in the case of the yellow variety of the

species, the blue pigment was in abeyance.


In conclusion, we thoroughly recommend “Vigour and Heredity”

to those who are interested in the subject, for the whole book gives

one cause for deep thought and for increase in learning. The chapter

on ducks, illustrated with three finely coloured plates of Pintail-

Mallard-Spotbill hybrids, will especially appeal to those interested

in the family, whilst other chapters such as “ Coloration and index

of vigour,” “ Colouration in mammals and birds ” will most certainly

appeal to those of our members who wish to be more scientific, that

is, to know more than they already do. H. D. A.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.


THE ENGLISH WATER RAIL (Rallus aquations).


SIR,—Even in this dismal war time I am tempted to write to urge mem¬

bers of the Society who love British birds to make an effort to get water rails to

breed in captivity. If this has been done before, I am not aware of it, and at

any rate a new and detailed record of nesting would be a very interesting thing

to many of us.


I have in years past had several odd water rails in captivity, and found

them quite easy to keep in a medium-sized grass run with small waders. They

are —like many other rails—exceedingly fond of hiding, but this does not say

that if a pair could be obtained they would not breed readily.


The land rail, or corncrake, has several times nested in captivity, although

it is naturaily a very shy bird. I have just obtained a fine pair that have been

reared by Mr. W. E. Rattigan at Stonehouse. My own experience with rearing

Australian pectoral rails was not long since recorded in the magazine, and I find

these birds, except when breeding, quite as shy as the English water rail.



