244 Correspondence, Notes, etc.


be hoped that ere long well kept aviaries may be a feature of

many public parks and gardens.


The little monthly journal called Hints, the first number of which

came into existence in October last, contains, besides much useful informa¬

tion on all manner of subjects, some we! 1 written and very interesting

articles on birds by Mr. Watldn Watkins.. Those entitled ‘ How to observe

birds,’ ‘How to attract birds,’ and ‘London Birds’ are especially worth

reading. We understand that the paper can be obtained at any of the

bookstalls or from the Manager, 115, Chancery Lane, W. C. The price is

one penny, monthly.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.



NEW ZEALAND BIRDS; BRITISH BIRDS IN NEW


ZEALAND.


The following extract from a letter from a bird-dealer in

New Zealand (Christchurch) will be read by our Members with v

mixed feelings. It will be observed he regards the Canary as a

native bird.


“ Am very pleased to hear from you again, although I

cannot do any business with you in New Zealand birds. For ten

years I made a trade of them—they used to be plentiful; but

now they are very scarce, so the Government has protected all

except two kinds.


New r Zealand birds are not good livers, only the paroquets

being seed eaters. The names of our native birds are as follows :

Tui, Bell-bird, Paroquet, Robin, Canary, and a few smaller sorts

purely insect eaters. Big birds : Kakapoo Parrot—cannot fly,

Kiwi, Maori Hens, Kaka Parrot, Bush-bird, Keas or sheep

killers, and native pigeons.


The paroquets were so plentiful they had to be shot off the

oat crops in hundreds. I have not had a Kiwi for two years, but

am told the dealers in the north get £7 each for them.


The English birds, which were liberated over twenty-five

years ago, have greatly increased. Next month (February) we

can catch fifteen dozen Goldfinches a day. One day last April I



