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The following replies were sent to Mr. Alston.


Re Amherst’s Pheasants—At five-and-a-lialf months the sexes of young

Amherst’s Pheasants should be distinguishable. The upper long tail feathers

become pencilled with white, while the young hens remain the same colour

as their mothers. The next change is the appearance of black about the

heads of the young. Unless yours are very backward birds they must be

hens. Cocks come into full plumage when about sixteen months old.


O. E. Cressweee*



Re Woodlarks—The sexes are practically alike, but the female is

slightly smaller and has slightly less crest. They should be fed chiefly on

.soft food and hard-boiled egg, ants’ eggs, and a little scraped meat and

mealworms. You might try them with a little seed as well, but I do not

think they will take much. They are nice birds in a cage, and sing very

sweetly and softly, but are rather delicate and will not stand our winters

out of doors. In an aviary they are quite harmless to other inmates, but

being quiet and dull-coloured are not much seen. J. L. Bonhote.



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.


Sir,—I should be pleased to receive a little information on the

following.


A friend, who is leaving N. Orleans for England in a few weeks, has

written asking me if I would like a couple of pairs of American Goldfinches

(I think I have read they are Siskins); a pair of Baltimore Orioles ; and a

pair of Orchard Orioles. I have never had these birds, but have read of

them ; are they of any value? I never remember seeing the Goldfinch for

sale; are they rare? ( d ) Also has the Cat-bird been imported, and is there

any sale for them? They are certainly not common in N. York State or

Pennsylvania from what I have seen.


I have just received a bird from the Azores, about the size of a

Mountain Linnet but the shape of a Norwich Canary; wings and back

vellowish-green striped with dark grey, under parts light greenish-yellow,

cheeks grey. Will it be a Wild Canary ? It is a very good singer: Canary

notes but much sweeter. H. C. HESEETON.



The following reply was sent to Mr. Heselton.


All the birds you mention would be worth having. Win' it is I do

not know, but these N. American birds seem to be so rarely imported that

I have never seen any, excepting the Baltimore Hang-nest, in a bird-shop :

they do come occasionally.


Dr. Russ speaks of the American Cat-bird as a favourite cage-bird:

he says that it is a good mimic, and is admired and interesting on account

of its cat-calls and other amusing notes.


I am afraid I do not recognise the bird from the Azores ; and, being

at home just now, have no opportunity of looking it up. My advice is—

By all means have the American birds. A. G. Buteer.



(<i). See “ Avicultural Magazine,” Vol. V., page 125, for coloured illustration of this

species.—D. S.-S.



