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A short time ago the colour seemed coming back, and the bird

appeared rather better, but it is now as bad as ever again.


The Pigeon passes most of the day nesting amongst some straw on

a shelf. It seems disinclined to walk, and when it does it goes down

heavily at one side.


I think the bird must be out of health as I have noticed the excreta

are liquid (but not transparent) and of a dull yellow-green colour. The

Pigeon is in a large aviary, but it is sometimes rather damp, and does not

get much sun. Would you advise me to move the bird ? It is very nervous,,

and the slightest attempt to catch it distresses it very much.


R. Alderson.



The following reply was sent to Miss Anderson :


My idea from your description is that the Pigeon is failing from want

of sun and warmth. I should put it in the driest and most sunny aviary you

have. *


I have seen a great many of the species breeding freely in Continental

Zoos, from which I gathered that they are not generally delicate. All the

Pigeon tribe are the better for having rock salt at hand.


O. E. CRESSWEEE.



DEATH FROM BRAIN DISEASE.


Sir, — I should be very much obliged if }-ou would kindly tell m

what you think the Mannikin I send herewith died from. I have had a

pair of them nearly a month, and they are in a very large cage, with some

other small foreign birds—a Virginian Nightingale and a Java Sparrow. It

seemed perfectly well, until yesterday, when it sat with its head under its

wing a good deal. About 7.30 ,1 looked at the birds and this one was down at

the bottom of the cage, swaying its head about in an odd way. I took it

out and gave it some water and a few drops of sherry which I thought

might revive it, and put it back. It tried to fly upon the perches but fell

heavil}' on its head. I took it out again and gave it a little water but again

it fell down on its head ; before it tried to fly up, seemed to turn about as it

it were having a fit. I then put it into a very small cage and it sat on the

perch all right. I looked at it at 10, and it seemed more or less all right,

but this morning I found it dead. I cannot understand the reason of its

dying like this, and should be very grateful if you would kindly tell me,

and I should know perhaps how to prevent another death of the same sort.

Foreign birds are so unsatisfactory often, for they seem to die from no

reason, however much care is lavished on them. Would you also tell me

whether there is any chance of any of my birds nesting. I have Bronze-

headed Mannikins, Zebra Finches, Avadavats, and the enclosed sort of

Black-headed Mannikins. The cage is a wire-fronted one, wood all round ;

It is 4ft. long, 3ft. high, and 2ft. broad. I have put in two of those little

grass nests. The cage stands in a cool conservatory.


I must apologise for giving you so much trouble.


Lieea de Yarburgh Bateson.



The following reply was sent to the Honble. Miss Bateson :


The bird arrived in too advanced a state of decomposition to be



