Correspondcn cc.



189



once or at most twice in the (lay, when at liberty; and the only other

moisture which they swallow is in the form of fruit.


To feed a Grey Parrot upon sop, and especially sop flavoured with

tannin, is to ruin its digestion and undermine its constitution.


A Grey Parrot when first imported may have a little boiled maize

daily in addition to dry seed ; because, when in the nest, it has been fed

upon partly digested cereals and fruit (probably plantains) ]>y its parents;

but as soon as it eats dry seed freely, boiled maize may be discontinued,

though a little occasionally will not hurt. From the first, banana, sweet-

water grapes, ripe orange, pear, or sweet apple should be given daily ; dry

plain biscuits, such as captains, cracknels, or arrowroot are always good;

and nuts, especially walnuts. When in season green peas in the pod are

much appreciated.


The best seed-mixture for a Grey Parrot consists of wheat, dari,

hemp, and canary ; the last three in equal parts by measure, the first about

half as much as of the others or it will be wasted, unless the bird is really

hungry.


It is of no use to say the bird will not eat these things; it must eat

them if it is to live and become healthy. What do you do to a child if it

will not eat wholesome food? Do you immedately offer it something

poisonous to tempt its palate? Jf it is hungry it will eat: a little healthy

hunger never killed anything yet. A. G. BUTJ.KK.



MOCKING-BIRDS.


Sir, —I should be much obliged if you would kindly let me know if I

could safely keep (without danger to the other birds) a pair of Mocking¬

birds (presumably Mimicspatachonicnsf in the same aviary with Virginian

Cardinals and Blue Robins? also whether, if I added a hen polyglollus, the

two Mocking liens would quarrel ? I propose to turn out these Mocking¬

birds in April: would that be too early ?


The aviary is a large one, about 20ft. long by 15ft. in width, and well

planted with shrubs, with a warm shelter at one end.


Frkdkkic Waij.op.


The Jolloicing answer has been sent to the Hon. Frederic Wallop:


From what I know of the behaviour of Minins polyglollus, when

associated (without a wife) with other birds as large as, or larger than,

itself; I should be afraid that, when it had a wife to protect, it would not

be content merely with scaring and chasing its companions; but would do

its best to kill them.



Mimas paiagonicut 'sometimes patachonitas ; — tlie Patagonian Mocking-bird. K P



