124



reproduced. In colour, it is just as if you took a Wild Canary and dipped

it in a dye-pot of saffron orange. The greenish yellow of the Canary

tempers the orange, and tones it down; and a very pretty bird is the

consequence. He lias a suspicion of a darker head than a Canary, but

nothing so marked as his father’s !


The “Cardinal” would make (if properl}' painted) a charming

subject for an illustration.


The Wild Canary is the commonest bird on this island ; and it’s song

all about makes one think one is perpetually passing by some outdoor

aviaries! You see them in large flocks, like one sees Linnets in England.


Hubert D. Asteey.



[The Hooded Siskin (adult male) is about four inches in total length,

the general colour being vermilion of different shades, with black markings

on the wings. The quills and tail-feathers are nearly black, the thighs and

abdomen white, while the crown of head, sides of face, ear-coverts, cheeks,

and throat are black. The female is different, and the colours of the young

male are oversliaded with brown.—R. P.]


THE CROWNED CRANE: NOTES ON PINIONING.


Sir, —Yesterday I received a Crowned Crane, and had it’s wings cut

on arrival. Would you kindly advise me as to whether I should have him

pinioned later on ? as the feathers growing again I suppose there is risk of

his flying away if not done just at the right time. He has been two years

in England, kept in a run five yards square, shut up in a house at night,

and fed on maize, boiled potato, and bread and milk. Being in such a

confined space, it seems extraordinary he should be in such beautiful

plumage. How should he be fed ? Do they dance like the others ? he

seems so slow in his movements, but perhaps has not yet recovered from

his journey. I suppose it will do him no harm shutting him up at night?

he has no objection, and they told me he would be noisy early in the

mornings unless I did so.


I imagine that my bird is the Balearic or Western Crowned Crane

(Balearicn pavonina) as it comes from West Africa, and has so very little

white on the face, and no wattle under the chin; the body too is of a dark

slate colour. The plumage is very fine. Octavia Gregory.


The f)llu 7 ving reply was sent to Mrs. Gregory.


I should most strongly advise that the bird should be presently

pinioned—when the weather becomes more genial. There is great risk of

the exact time for feather-cutting being allowed to slip by. For the feathers

coming down in the “pen” cannot be effectually shortened, as they will

continue to grow, perhaps sufficiently to allow of the escape of the bird.

While, if the operation is delayed until the moult is completed, a windy

day may come, and, if the captive is alarmed or excited, he may easily rise

high enough to get over the fences, etc.


Moreover, the periodical handling arouses suspicion,and the pinioned

bird tames much more readily.


I have superintended the operation in the case of many species, from

the Whooper Swan to the Chinese Quail, and have never lost a bird. But,

on the other hand, I have lost not a few by escape ; or by the bird falling



