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CORRESPONDENCE.



ABNORMAL COLOURING OF PENNANT’S PARRAKEET.


Sir. — I should be verj' glad if you can tell me if a Pennant (hen),

which I have in my aviary, is a freak or a distinct species.


I purchased several young birds (imported) out of colour last autumn,

and when the others came into colour, this particular bird turned a pale

canary yellow, but with the blue tail, wings, and face of the ordinary Pennant.

Where the other birds were a deep rich crimson, this bird is pale yellow.

She is rather smaller than the other Pennants, and is, I think, now nesting,

having paired with a Pennant.


I was much interested to read the account of the unusual colouring

of a Pennant in the last number of the Avicultural Magazine.


Marion Johnstone.



The following reply was sent to Mrs. Johnstone :


Without seeing your bird, it is not very easy to say what it is. It

sounds like the Mealy Rosella or the Yellow-rumped. If you have

“ Parrots in Captivity ” a reference to the plates of these two, would tell

you, if that is so. F. G. Dutton.



AMERICAN BIRDS.


EXTRACTS FROM TETTER.


In a letter to Mr. Phillipps, dated May 12th, Mr. Clias. Cushny quotes,

various items from a Review of Audubon’s ‘ Birds of America.’ Mr. Cushny

says — “Amongst other things he mentions that the White - crowned

Sparrow of Labrador has a most melodious note ; which rather surprised

me, as I thought that none of the Sparrows were very good songsters.


“ He also speaks of a Rose-breasted bird which sings at night. Can

it be the Virginian Nightingale?”


Not having Audubon's book by me, I cannot say whether the White-

crowned Sparrow is a species of Passer, but I should think it more likely to

be one of the Song-Sparrows. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a well-known,

though rarely imported, cage-bird; and far more beautiful in colouring than

the Virginian Cardinal: its voice is said to be full and powerful as that of a

Thrush. A. G. Butter.



THE WOOD WARBLER, OR WOOD WREN.


Sir, — I am sending you the body of a little bird, which I should be

very much obliged if you would kindly identify. Yesterday afternoon

(May 19) two birds flew with great force against the window ; one of them

fell to the ground; and, after a few convulsive movements, his pretty

bright eyes closed for ever. The other remained standing on the window¬

sill, apparently stunned, for some time, — but at last he flew away. The two

were exactly alike. The only bird-book our friends here (Montgomery¬

shire) have, gives no information or description of these pretty birds, and I

should so like to know what they are. The shape and attitude when living

are very like that of a Siskin, but the colouring is very different.


F. M. Rotch.



