Correspondence.



79



(Trochalopterum lineatum ), in an unheated garden aviary throughout the

winter. I should also be very glad to know of any (excluding Parrakeets)

bright-pluniaged birds about the size of Cardinals, which would be

hardy enough to stand an English winter without protection except that

of an unheated aviary. Frederic Waecop.


The following reply has been sent to the Hon. F. Wallop :


Although I have never tried so-called Orioles, Bulbuls, or Laughing-

Thrushes out-of-doors in the winter, I do not for a moment believe that

they would be able to stand the cold and moisture which characterize that

season in our country.


When one considers that those of our insectivorous birds which

naturally migrate to N. Africa, are unable to stand the English winter, it

seems more than probable that natives of Southern N. America, Nepal, and

Persia, would stand but a poor chance of survival.


The Rose-breasted Grosbeak might stand a better chance, but it is too

good a bird to risk the life of.


The Doves form the hardiest group of cage-birds, least liable to suffer

from cold, on account of their dense plumage ; some of these are brilliant

in colouring, but it is not easy to select many brilliantly coloured birds, the

size of Cardinals and excluding Parrots, which are capable of standing

extreme cold. Some of the Starlings, such as the Rose-coloured Pastor,

and perhaps some of the Mynahs, would probably do very well.


A. G. Butler.



BRITISH BIRD NOTES.


Sir, —On the 17th of April last I found a pair of Tree Creepers were

building in a box, which I had nailed on to the side of an old shed. The

nest was built of pine tw’igs with moss, hair and grass, and a lining of

feathers. Five eggs were laid. Both birds brought material to the nest,

but one seemed to do all the building, as it stopped in the box for a minute,

while the other only stayed for a few seconds.


On May 31st the birds looked ready to fly. There were four young

Creepers and a bird with great wdiite patches on the sides of its head (I

took one of the Creepers eggs for a specimen). I could not make out what it

was at the time and I could not get it out of the nest, it clung so tightly to

the bottom. I took the box down and found it was a j-oungGreat Titmouse

(Pams major). I tried to hand-rear two of the Creepers, and miserably

failed. I fed them on ants and winter moth larvae, yolk of egg and ants’

cocoons, and gave them a drink afler every meal. They died in two days.

I shall not try any more birds after that. Do birds get anything to drink

before they leave the nest ?


On June 3rd. at 8 p.111., the two other Creepers had flown, but not the



