Correspondence. 187



They are good livers if kept moderately sheltered and warm.

Doubtless you know that, like the Paradise Whydah, this species has

a winter and a summer plumage. Reginald PhieeippS.



SPECIES OF PALAiORNIS.


Sir, —I have just received six Parrakeets said to be Plumheads.

Three have red patches on the wings or shoulders; three have not these

patches; they all have lavender heads, but the three without the red

patches have a shade of red or blush, not a real red, in the blue or lavender.

What I wish to know is this: in Parrots in Captivity it states that the young

and the hen have no red patch on the wings, yet three of these have the

red patch on the wings, and the lavender head. Can yon explain this?

I am feeding on hemp, canary, millet, and oats, and as they are newly

imported I have them in the kitchen in a large cage. They are in good

feather. F. H. Rudkin.


The following answer ivas sent to Mr. Rudkin :


I think the only explanation of your difficulty must be, that you have

received two species—the true Plum-head or Blossom-head ( Palceornis

cyanocephalus) and the Burmese Blossom-head or Rosa’s Parrakeet (P. rosa).


The three with no red patches, but with traces of red in the lavender

of the head, are probably young males of P. cyanocephalus and will develop

the red shoulder-mark as the red on the head becomes more pronounced.


The three with lavender heads and red shoulder patches are hens of

P. rosa, the Burmese type.


That the two birds are probably imported mixed together, is not

surprising. At the Crystal Palace last year I believe a male Plum-liead was

exhibited with a female of Rosa’s Parrakeet (as a pair).


A. G. Bu'i'EKR.



FOOD FOR GOLDFINCHES.


The following advice has been sent to a member in reply to a query:


A Goldfinch should be fed upon two parts best canary, one part

German rape, one part hemp, a little teasel, thistle, or dandelion ; all three

if easily obtainable.


During the winter, if you grow some rape seedlings in a box, and cut

some of the cress daily for the bird, he will much appreciate it. In the

summer, groundsel and chickweed may be given instead.


On no account use packet-seed, as it contains a good deal of iuga-

seed. My experience, and that of many others who have paid especial



