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more so than the generality of bird-portraits taken now-a-days

by professional artists. They remind us of some of the best

of Barraband’s pictures in Eevaillant’s Oiseaux cT Ajrique. The

Pied Wagtail, the Ring Ousel, Oyster Catchers and the Red¬

start strike us as being among the happiest pictures. The author

is at times somewhat digressive, but the digressions are always

apposite, and such as a scholar and travelled man ot the world

uses as illustration to his subject, and through them interests in

the pursuit of his heart classes which would fail to be attracted

by chapters on systematic ornithology. Beyond the graphic

portraiture of this wide range of feathered genera there is a

chapter on the comforts in cage and aviary, which aviculturists

may justly be expected to provide for the creatures which they

confine for their pleasure ; and a somewhat sad chapter on the

cruelties which among some nations are daily' practiced on birds

from absolute callousness; and in our own land, we hope and

think, rather from ignorance of the wants of birds, than from

indifference to their sufferings.


We heartily commend the book to all bird-lovers and

aviculturists, and are sanguine that it will bring recruits to our

ranks. We may add that there is an edition de hixe of this work,

a copy of which has been graciously accepted from the author

by Her Majesty Queen Alexandra.



NOTE.


It is found that no articles are more popular than those in

which the Aviaries of Members are described. It has been sug¬

gested that the reproduction of Photographs of such Aviaries

would be an additional attraction, and I shall be grateful to

Members who will send me both descriptions and pictures of

their aviaries. O. E. CreSSWELL, Editor.



CORRESPONDENCE.



AMHERST’S PHEASANTS ; WOODLARKS.


Sir,—I have two young Amherst’s Pheasants, five-and-a-half months

old, and they are exactly like their mother. Can the sexes be distinguished

at that age, and how ? And when do cocks come into adult plumage ? also

to what age do aviary Pheasants attain ?


Also please let me know how to tell the sex of Woodlarks, and what

to feed them on. Are they satisfactory birds in captivity, and do they sing

best in a cage or aviary ? Gavin Alston.



