Correspondence.



149



To the Pin-tailed Nonpareils’ (110 connection with the American

Nonpareils) food I should add the best white oats and a little preserved yolk

of egg.


I should feel disposed at first to place a speck of sulphate of quinine

in the drinking water. A little later, you might give minute doses (in

the drinking water), now and then, of syrup of hypophospkites.


But I fear none of these things will avail without extra warmth.


The plumage of your young Californian Ouails is not usual nor

satisfactory. Either there has been inbreeding, or something unusual

about their food, or they have found your climate too cold for them. If

well nurtured, it may be expected that they will moult into the normal

plumage.


The result of the Budgerigar breeding is interesting, shewing the

strong desire of Dame Nature to go back to the original stock.


Reginald Phileipps.



ROS ELLAS AND COCKATIELS.


Sir, —Do Rosellas generally breed the year after they are hatched ?

Thus will birds reared last September breed in 1903?


I purchased two pairs of young Cockatiels in 1901. One pair reared

young ones last season. Is not this a rare occurrence ?


F. H. Rudkin.


The following reply was sent to Mr. Rudkin :


It is unlikely that Rosellas bred last September will themselves

breed this year, unless it may 7 be quite late in the season ; and it would be

better for the birds themselves to wait yet another year.


We often see disputes as to the age at which Cockatiels commence to

breed. Your birds seem to have begun early, though it depends a good

deal at what time in 1901 they were reared.


Reginald Phieeipps.



CONTINENTAL BIRD DEALERS.


Sir,—C ould any of the members give us the names and addresses of


reliable bird dealers 011 the continent. ZNIy husband and I hope to visit the


continent in the spring, and we would like to bring some birds home with


us. such as are hard to procure in our home markets. Where are the best


markets ? „


Mary F. Rathborne.


The jollowing reply was sent to Mrs. Rathborne:


Karl Hageubeck, of Hamburg, is well known as an animal provider,

and I think he does not altogether neglect birds. There used to be a good



