24 From Magazines, &c. [isf'july 



From Magazines, &c. 



Feather-plucking. — In the February number of the Avi cul- 

 tural Magazine Mr. A. G. Butler points out that this " disease " 

 is due to " two causes — incorrect feeding or insect pests." He 

 proceeds, after many comments : — " I think it possible that . . 

 if .... a little magnesia is stirred into its drinking water 

 occasionally, and its diet is strictly attended to, the irritation 

 may pass of^," &c. In some species the habit is cured by giving 

 the bird — presumably a Parrot — wood or bark to gnaw at. 



* * * 



The Auk. — The April number of this magazine (vol. xxi., 

 part 2) contains some valuable papers on the bird-life of North 

 America, with some good photo, plates. An article from the 

 pen of Mr. William Morton Wheeler deals with what he describes 

 as the " myth-nimbus " which has grown around so many birds 

 and animals, particularly in what are called " nature books." 

 Some interesting correspondence between the great xA.ubudon 

 and Spencer F. Baird is included in the number. 



* * * 



" On the Breeding of Some of the Waterfowl at Goochest, in 

 the Year 1903," is the title of a paper by F. E. Blaauw, C.M.Z.S., 

 in The Ibis (January, 1904). Included is an interesting note 

 on Cape Barren Geese {Cercopsis 7iovcB-hollandice), concerning 

 which some of our members have information of their own. 

 A full clutch of five goslings was reared to maturity, notwith- 

 standing the occasional frost and snow of their adopted northern 



home. 



* * * 



The Pectorvvl or White-breasted Finch. — A fairly good 

 black and white figure of this Finch is given by Mr. D. Seth- 

 Smith in the February issue of the Avi cultural Magazine. In 

 the accompanying reading matter the author furnishes a full 

 description of the species, also of its habits and habitat. " Muni a 

 pectoralis" the author of the article says, " appears to be con- 

 fined to the north-west of Australia ; " and (in England) " the 

 birds appear to be hardy and easily kept in health on a diet of 

 canary and millet seed, though grass in flower is appreciated, and 

 should be supplied when obtainable." Have none of our Aus- 

 tralian members any experiences in this matter ? 



* * * 



Bird Distribution. — An extract in The Ibis from " The 

 Journal of Edward Wilson, M.B., Surgeon and Zoologist to the 

 National Antarctic Expedition," mentions such familiar species 

 as Gannets, Terns, and Petrels, and describes the habits of some, 

 as well as giving some idea of their habitat. As the problem as 

 to whether Antarctic birds and those of ^Australasia are as closely 

 linked as seems probable is one still remaining for solution, the 

 article should be of interest to our readers. To solve the prob- 



