A most useful little work by the Hon. Rose Hubbard, entitled

“Ornamental Waterfowl,” was published in jSSS, but is now out of print so

that probably few of our members have seen it. I was very glad to read in

the “ Bazaar,” of Jan. 9th last that, as a great many enquiries have been

received for this work since the old edition was exhausted, the author

would bring out a new and enlarged edition if sufficient promises of

support were received to make it worth her while. The old edition

contained an account of every known species at the time, with full

directions for their successful management in captivity; and if a new

edition is brought out, it will doubtless be quite up to date.


It seems to me that it would be a great pity if the author were

compelled to abandon the idea of bringing out the new edition for lack

of a suitable number of subscribers, for we can ill afford to miss this

opportunity of adding a really useful work to our avicultural libraries.


All correspondence on the subject should be addressed to the Hon.

Rose Hubbard, Seven Gables, Winslow, Bucks. D. Seth-SmiTH.



KINGFISHERS.


Sir,—A t a recent Welsh Show I saw a very lovely young specimen of

the Common Kingfisher, in splendid condition and remarkably steady,

which, I was informed, was only one of 13 (or 18) young birds caught and

brought to maturity by the exhibitor. They are rather plentiful on

our Welsh rivers, but I assume they are difficult to tame and keep in

captivity.


If any member would like one, I could doubtless procure it at a

reasonable price, and would willingly try. J. VlNER LEEDER.



IDENTIFICATION OF AFRICAN BIRD.


Sir, — I have received the enclosed bird-skin from a nephew, who is

some distance inland near Lovada, on the Portuguese West Coast of Africa.

Can you give me the name of it in the next issue of the “ Avicultural

Magazine?” I have written him to bring me a live specimen, if at all

possible, when next he visits Europe.


Some years ago he brought me some specimens of Wiener’s Finches

and Violet-eared Waxbills amongst some common birds. He left Eovada

with about 150 and brought about sixty alive. He, however, knew nothing

of the treatment of birds, but has since taken an interest in them.


F. Moerscheee.



The following reply has been sent to Mr. Moerschell.


Your bird, as I supposed when I received it, is one of the African

Cuckoos ( Clirysococcyx smaragdinens) of Swainson.


From the form of the bill, the bird is probably largely insectivorous,

and would, I should think, be no more difficult to import than a Bulbul.


A. G. Butler.


N.B.—I did not keep a cop}’ of my reply, but believe the above to be

about what I said.—A. G. B.



