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aviary, to have become sufficiently naturalized to our seasonal changes, and

possibly they were not in proper nesting condition in consequence.


It should be borne in mind that these Parrakeets naturally breed in

our autumn ; in this country, as a rule, the cold restrains them, more or

less according to circumstances; but towards the end of our winter the

restraint is overcome, and then it is that they are simultaneously (a most

important point) most likely to be in good condition ; and the longer this

critical time is passed the greater the probability of clear eggs.


I have had five of these birds, but have never had an opportunity of

allowing them to nest with any chance of success. If I should ever have

such an opportunity, I should keep them comfortably warm all through

the winter, in the hope that they might nest in the early spring. The

darkness does not affect them like it does Finches and such like species; I

sometimes think that they seem more inclined to breed in a dark place

than in a light one : perhaps they feel more private.


Notwithstanding what may be said to the contrary, I cannot think

that keeping your female out all the winter could have improved your

chances of success.


In our next (August) number you will find an account of the rearing

of one young Many-coloured Parrakeet by the Rev. C. D. Farrar, from

which you may gather some useful hints. You will observe that, of the

three eggs forming the clutch, two were clear.


I note the additional information you furnish in your second letter.

Quite irrespective of what I have said, the presence of such a forward and

interfering bird as an odd male Rosella would have been sufficient of itself

to account for the clear eggs. Reginald PhillippS.



THE BRAIN-FEVER BIRD.


Sir, — With reference to Mr. Haslope’s note in your last number

(above, p. 229) the ‘Hawk Cuckoo’ is not Megalcema cauiceps, but some

species of Hierococcyx. Megalcema cauiceps is a Barbet {=Thereiceryxzeylonicus

Blauf. B. of Iiul., iii. p. 86) — a very different bird. The bird described by

Mr. Haslope is apparently the ‘ Koel ’ — Eudynatnys honorata. Which is the

real ‘Brain-fever Bird’? P. L. Sclater.


[We thank Dr. Sclater for pointing out this error. The species which

is known to Anglo-Indians as the ‘ Brain-fever Bird ’ is the common Hawk

Cuckoo, Hierococcyx varius. Mr. Finn tells us that its note fully entitles it

to its popular name, “ whether from its ‘damnable iteration’ or from its

remarkable resemblance to the word ‘ brain-fever ’ repeated in a piercing

voice running up the scale.” (B. of Calcutta, p. 37 ). — Ed.]



THE RED-BILLED CHOUGH.


Sir, —Two or three years ago, I bought a pair of Choughs (Cornish)

in Leadenhall Market. Each spring since I have had them they built nests

of broken sticks in logs of wood, but never laid any eggs, having destroyed

their nests immediately after constructing them. I am anxious to breed

some of these birds, and should like to know if any members of the

Avicultural Society have done so, and what has been their experience. Are

logs of trees, straw thatch, or boxes with holes in them suited for them to

build their nests in ? and of what materials should those nests be con-



