156


In looking through 1115^ notes, I find that on many

occasions my birds have eaten the grass, etc., growing in the

aviary, before the sun had removed the frost from it. I suppose

our native birds do the same, for most of their food must be

covered with frost during many of winter’s days. I have also

seen my birds partaking of seed that had stood all night in the

aviary and was thickly coated over with frost. I also give my

birds garden green stuff, just as taken, during wet weather, and

it is freely eaten with no harmful result. At the same time such

must not be offered to birds in cages or indoor bird-rooms.


Moulting and change of plumage.—At this period I always

increase insect food. All Finches, aye, and Waxbills too, seem

glad of it at this time ; and I am convinced the lustre of their

plumage is added to by its use.


As regards Avadavats, I have nothing further to add to

what I have already stated in the Magazine. Their time of moult

and assumption of court dress have been as hitherto. I may say,

in passing, that my first pair have now spent six winters out of

doors, and are still in perfect health and trim.


My Indigo Bunting I have had with me but two winters;

its time of moult and coming into colour, are about the same as

that of our native Chaffinch. It is now (April 3rd) just come

into full colour, and is a perfect picture. When out of colour

there is a good bit of dull blue about the upp^r parts, and also

subdued patches underneath. I cannot discover that any

feathers are shed during the change from winter to breeding

plumage.


Re Red-billed Orange and Madagascar Weavers.— As

regards all three, I am forced to the conclusion, after four years

of close observation, that in the parts affected by the change,

from winter to breeding plumage, the whole of the feathers are shed,

and the change is thus brought about and not by a growth of

colour in the plumage. I have handled the birds during the

change, and have seen for myself the pin feathers, and some

further advanced with the sheath burst and the brighter coloured

feathers shewing ; have also observed them at these times

pulling out their feathers as they do at the ordinary moulting

time. In fact their demeanour on both occasions is practically the

same, the feathers shed may be picked up about the aviary ( b ).


(6). Most of the Weavers moult the feathers of the crown, nape, upper and lower

tail coverts, and posterior flauk-feathers, during- the change to the summer dress. The

Indigo Bunting certainly moults the crown feathers, for I had a dead one sent to me

recently showing the new feathers coming on the crown ; but, on other parts of the body,

some of the feathers were particoloured, and some faintly washed with blue. I gave

the specimen to the Nat. Hist. Museum.—A. G. B.



