Correspondence. 77



way of guessing at the age of Parrots ? This one’s beak is rather shelly,

and uneven at the tip.


(Mrs.) M. V. Charrington.


The following reply was sent:


I should not give the bread and milk at present. So long as the bird

has a running at the nose I should put a few drops of Tabasco’s sauce into

its water. Make up its food of one quarter sunflower seed, one quarter

hemp ; the remaining half of equal parts of oats (white), millet, and canary

seed. Shake all these well together. Peanuts, nuts, walnuts, and fruit

may be given, and the bird should have green wood from sycamore, lime,

beech, and horse chestnut, to bite to pieces. Keep it warm and out of

draughts.


F. G. Dutton.



THE MISUSE OF THE MEALWORM.


Sir,—I n July, at p. 1S2, in connection with the swollen feet of my

Pittas, I referred to the evil results that follow the feeding of certain species

of birds too freely on mealworms. I have since received a letter from the

Rev. Hubert D. Astley, which he authorizes me to publish for the inform¬

ation of our Members. — R. PhieeippS.


“ I grieve over the Pittas.I come to the conclusion that


you are perfectly right about the injurious results from over-feeding on

mealworms.


Now I know—thanks to you:—


i. My Hoopoes —constantly eating mealworms. All died off with festered


feet, or over-heated skins.


ii. Lesser Ring Plovers —The same.


iii. Pittas -! ! ! !


One certainly lives and learns.—H. D. A.”



HARDY BIRDS.


Sir,—C ould you forward a list of birds which would live in an out¬

door uulieated aviary. Would the Weaving Weavers and Wrens live.


C. Castee-Seoane.


The following answer has been sent to Mr. Castle-Sloane :


My experience of foreigners has led me to the conclusion that all Doves

most Australian Finches, the Indian Amaduvade (Avadavat), Java Sparrows,

Saffron Finches, and all the typical Weavers are absolutely hardy. I should

expect to find foreign Wrens more delicate than our British one.


A. G. Buteer.



