3°3



Nevertheless some interesting results might accrue if some of our members

would try the effect of certain notes on their various birds. I fancy a violin

would be the best instrument to play on, and I would suggest playing out

of sight of the bird, at the back of the cage, and watching its motions by

means of a mirror. J. LEWIS Bonhote.



YOUNG GOULDIANS; RUFOUS-TAILED FINCHES.


Sir, — Referring to your enquiry re “Young birds feeding other young

of the same brood,” as already recorded, two broods of Gouldians were

reared in my out-door aviary last year from one pair. The first brood of

four helped their parents rear the second—six in number; and a very

pleasing sight it was to see one of the elder absorbed watching a parent feed

one of the younger. Off would pop the parent, up would sidle the young¬

ster and repeat the performance it had so intently watched, much to the

gratification of itsyounger relative. Whether the feeders were confined to

the first brood or assisted by the more robust members of the second I

cannot say, as I did not regard the incident as being anything remarkable.

The young branchers did not appear able to distinguish their parents from

the other adult Goulds. At all events, they never lost an opportunity of

beseeching to be fed by them. Their appeals, however, were always ignored.


I may be allowed to state for the information of interested members

that young males of this species begin in earnest to assume adult plumage

when fourteen months old. I say in earnest, because as far back as Dec.

small ticks of adult colour were observable on some of them. The young

hens still retained the modest garb of the nestling, although they were

undergoing treatment for egg-binding when eleven months old. In support

of my observations in the matter of colour I will quote what a lady member

wrote to me on the 15th of August : “ Baby Gouldian is a beauty, day by day

he becomes brighter, and is in perfect health. I never saw such a cheery

little fellow, he sings from morning till night. His back is quite green,

and the mauve feathers are coming in his breast, the black on the head

has not appeared as yet.”


The weather this year has been all against successful nesting opera¬

tions, but, as I write, a fine brood of Rufous-tails are being reared by their

parents in a cage indoors. Should they reach maturity I suppose it may be

considered going one better than having done the same thing in an out¬

door aviary last year. At an early date I must send you for publication a

very necessary warning re this species, when the feeling of propagating

their kind is on them. Agf. E. Nicholson.



A LAME CRANE.


Sir, — My young Demoiselle Crane has been most unsatisfactory,

always lame as if from a strain. It can walk only very slowly, and never

flies or dances like the other; and lately I have noticed a corn or something

on the foot. It very seldom stands, but either rests on its “ elbows” or lies

down ; but it eats well, and is lively in hunting for insects. If we could do

anything it would be a great comfort, as the poor bird would enjoy life so

much more. Octavia Gregory.


The following reply was sent to Mrs. Gregory.


The Demoiselle Crane should be caught up, and the lame foot

examined. If it is a corn, I should think a mild application of nitrate of



