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“THE CAPE SPARROW.”


Sir, — Ill the Avicultural Magazine for July last, I recorded the fact of

a pair of Cape Sparrows (Passer arcnatus) having nested, though unsuccess¬

fully, in my aviary. I now have the pleasure of placing on record the

successful rearing of a young bird by this pair. It left the nest on the 3rd

of August and can now (20th August) feed itself well, and the parents are

building another nest. This young bird very nearly resembles a young

House .Sparrow, but the crescent on the side of the head (whence its specific

name) is distinctly visible, as is also the chestnut brown on the scapulars

and rump. I11 fact it resembles closely the adult female with the exception

of some white markings on the flights and tail-feathers which I attribute

to partial albinism.


Am I correct in stating this to be the first instance of Passer arcnatus

having bred in England ? D. Seth-Smith.



CONURES KITTING THEIR YOUNG.


Sir, —Would y'ou tell me if I cau bring young Nanday Parrakeets up

by hand ? I very much fear the old birds will kill them all as soon as they

leave the nesting-log. They nested some weeks ago, and had five fine fully-

fledged young birds. I expected daily to see them fly, and, wondering at

their non-appearance, looked into the nesting-log, and found that one

young Parrakeet, fully-fledged and quite fat, had been killed by a piercing

blow at the back of the skull completely smashing the head. The remain¬

ing four birds are well, and, I should say, may fly any day.


I do not know if this is a peculiarity of Conures. My Orange-fronted

Conures killed their two eldest offspring in exadtly the same way, only

waited for them to leave the nest-box. In this latter case I placed the

third, a fine fully feathered young bird, in a box cage : I believe the parents

fed it, as it did not die, and is now in the aviary with an injured wing, how

caused I do not know.


I cannot understand why the parents should suddenly become so

savage. I11 the case of the Yellow-fronted Conures, I did not know a nest

existed until I discovered the two dead bodies of the young birds. The

Nandays have been looked at from time to time, but the parents apparently

did not object.


I should be much obliged if you could tell me if I cau prevent the

remaining birds sharing the same terrible fate. Would you also tell me if

either of these Conures has bred in captivity ; I can find no mention of

such an event in any of the books or magazines.


I find them perfectly' trustworthy in a mixed collection, and they

never touched the young Redrumps when they flew; they never quarrel,

and are most affectionate with each other. M. Johnstone.



The following is the substance of the reply that was sent to Mrs. fohnstone.


All the Conures I have kept have been warm tempered birds who

would object to their young being inspected; some of them are intensely

jealous. It was not a wise proceeding.



