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Is there any method of ascertaining the sex of the Blue-fronted

Amazon ? Lanceeoth Haslope.



The following reply was sent to Mr. Haslope :


Lice, I consider a sign of ill-health. If the Amazon were mine, I

should get a big zinc tub, in the bottom of which I should fix a perch. I

should then get some one to put on two stout gloves on his left hand, and

after the bird was on the perch, make him hold the bird by the beak.

Another person should then be told off to fill the tub with water, with

Jeyes’ fluid in it — Condy’s is of no use — at a temperature of 99 deg.

Fahf. Then the person holding the Parrot should see that it is thoroughly

drenched to the skin, up to the very beak. Take it out, dry it, and put it

before the fire to dry, keeping it away from draughts.


There will probably be nits on the feathers round the vent. These

must be removed, as the water will not injure them, and if left they will

provide a future brood of lice.


I should prefer doing it myself, but one might alienate the bird’s

affections for ever, so an indifferent person had better be called in.


F. G. Dutton.


P.S. — Dr. Butler says the lower jaw of the female Parrot is longer

than that of the male.



A SICK NONPAREIL.


Sir, —I should be very grateful if you could give me any help about

a Nonpareil who has a lump on his head just above his beak, and

apparently little ulcers at the joint of the beak, and I fear inside the beak

and throat. It began about a mouth ago, the result, as I believe, of

fighting through the bars ; and since then he has not been able to crack

seed, sol am giving him a mixture of scalded bread and hard boiled egg,,

and crushed scalded rape, with six ants’ eggs, and two drops of Parrish’s

food. I also give bread and milk sop, which I take away after three

hours, for fear it should get sour. I also give six flies a day, two of them

soaked in oil. He seems quite strong, and often flies vigorously round liis

cage, but has a difficulty in swallowing, his first mouthfuls especially. He

has 20 drops of borax in his water, but I do not see him drink. He gasps,

but does not seem ill. I am very anxious to save him, if possible, as I am

very fond of him, and he is a really magnificent specimen which I bought

at the Zoo in November, 1898. He then had a yellow breast, but got red

in the spring; and even now he is much finer, better plumaged bird than

those at present in the shops.


I am going to the country on Saturday, and hope the air may

have a good effect, but am anxious to know wdiether it is a known disease,

and whether there is any chance of the ulcers coming to an end. My

birds are always kept scrupulously clean, and the cage is not a brass

one. He often chokes, as if perhaps bringing up matter.


K. Hammond.



The following reply was sent to the Hon. Katherine Hammond :


I am afraid that nothing can be done for the Nonpareil. It seems to



