32



Avicultural Notes



AVICULTURAL NOTES


Pigmy Owls. —I regret to report the death of my rare Mexican

Pigmy Owl, concerning which I wrote in the Avicultural Magazine

a few years since. I bought him ten years ago, and as he was adult

then I cannot say how old he was. He was apparently in good health

until about a week before he died, and I really think old age was

the only cause of death. Last spring he paired with a widow Jardine’s

Pigmy Owl, and she laid three eggs, but unfortunately was taken ill

and died about a week later ; she too was an old bird, but not as

old as the Mexican. One egg was fertile. I am afraid it will not be

easy to replace these Owls, especially the Mexican. Mr. Astley had

one for some time, which I believe came over shortly before my

bird. I have not heard of any others being imported.


We have sustained a heavy loss by the death of Miss Alderson.

She did much for the Society and was always kind and helpful

when appealed to. Some years ago I was in difficulties over rearing

some young Doves, and Miss Alderson helped me greatly, writing

p>ages of advice and suggestions, and sending me a copy of her book

on Doves, though she was, as I afterwards found out, exceedingly

busy at that time. I hope this year some good breeding results

will be chronicled in the Magazine. The arrival of the Cuban birds

will be an event. What are the “ Blue Birds ” and the ‘‘Red and

Green Butterfly Birds ” ? I long to begin bird-keeping again —

Ethel F. Chawner.


[We suggest that the “ Red and Green Butterfly Birds ” are

Green Todies (Todus viridis). —G.R.]


Longevity op Birds. —I still have four living birds ; they seem

likely to last for ever, and must have cost me at least a hundred

times their intrinsic value in food. My hen Napoleon Weaver,

the last of those purchased in 1900, still seems quite strong and

healthy.—A. G. Butler.


Carnivorous Tastes of Cranes. —Cranes are certainly not to

be trusted with weaker things as a rule, but my Mantchurians had

lived for seven years with the waterfowl and had done them no

harm ! It was their newly developed parental affection that altered



