A month ago I purchased a pair of Gouldians for a friend, and the

cock of that pair, tho’ in good plumage, is not at all well—sits huddled up

and breathing heavily. They won’t touch Setaria glauca or green food.


Mabeg M. Tate.



The following reply was sent to Miss Tate.


Unseasoned Gouldian Finches are often very weak and out of health,

and are quite unfit to rough it with Parson Finches and other robust birds.

They require care, and should be treated as invalids for a time. They

are susceptible to cold, and require more warmth than you have been

giving your birds.


Moreover, birds in the hands of dealers are usually fed very plainly,

and rarely are supplied with anything in the form of grit. When suddenly

launched into the midst of plenty, they sometimes eat a great deal more

than they are in a condition to digest, and sometimes even will kill them¬

selves with grit and surfeit.


I should feel inclined to give them a little fluid magnesia and fluid

extract of taraxacum in their drinking water ; and you might try a little

glycerine.


May I suggest that, for the present, you keep them warm, that you

cover all but the front of their cage with green baize or something of the

kind (and do not place them in a draught or too near the window), and

that you feed them plainly; and do not give them green food.


I should give rock salt in preference to bay salt.


Reginaed Phiggipps.



