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forwarded to me : but the symptoms point to a disease of the brain which

is not rare among the Ornamental Finches : it is probably due to a bacillus

which enters the brain through the eye.


It is frequently the case that inflammation of one eye accompanies the

brain trouble ; then the bird aggravates the disease by rubbing its eye in

the sand, so that I have known it to become so inflamed and corroded that

I had to kill the sufferer to end its torment. A. G. BUTLER.



THE SAI, OR BLUE COEREBA.


Sir, —In reply to Mrs. N. L. Williams’ enquiries, the Yellow-winged

Blue-Creeper, Coereba cyanea (usually Coereba, rarely Caereba), is not

common in this country, but can hardly be described as especially rare. It

may be seen not infrequently in the Parrot House at the Zoo; and I can

remember having seen it at not less than one Bird Show—on one solitary

occasion (at the Aquarium) I think there was a pair. On some two or three

occasions, if I mistake not, the species has been offered to me in London,

usually at £3 each, which perhaps may be regarded as about its market

value. But it is one thing to want a bird, quite another to want to sell it.


In its wild state, it feeds largely on the tiniest insects found on the

foliage of trees and shrubs. The green fly of our own gardens should suit

it admirably. Reginald Phillipps.


THE IDENTIFICATION OF BIRD.


Sir— In the year 1S94 I purchased at my door, from itinerant bird-

fanciers, two beautiful scarlet birds about the size of an ordinary Canary, but

with a shorter tail ; breast scarlet—brilliant scarlet—beak black, back brown

streaked with brown, black, and red; eye black with rim of black. I am

told it is of the Bishop tribe.


But there are many sorts of Bishops, and I should like to know the

name of this bird and also to buy another, for one of mine died this year.


I should be much obliged for an answer and enclose a stamped envelope.


M. B. Pitt.



The following reply was sent to Mrs. Pitt.


The bird is undoubtedly the Madagascar Weaver. At this time of

year it is often to be obtained very cheaply, more especially if not in full

colour. A. G. Butler.



QUERY ABOUT VIRGINIAN NIGHTINGALES.


Sir, —Will any of your readers give their experience of how to rear

Virginian Nightingales, and the best way to treat them, as I have been un¬

lucky in my first attempt.


I bought two birds; the cock in the spring, and the hen in August.

They at once paired, and she laid two eggs in a Hartz Mountain cage under

the glass in the outside aviary. On Thursday, August 30th, I found two

young ones, and so gave plenty of egg food. I had to pass the hen to feed



