Correspondence , Notes , etc. 247



PURPLE-RUMPED SUN-BIRD; GREEN-BILLED TOUCAN.


Sir, —Will you please let me know liovv to feed the Purple-rumped

Sun-bird*, as I am thinking of purchasing one.


When I purchased my Green-billed Toucant I was informed that,

after death, the colour of the bill fades away. This, I think, must be wrong

as the one I had kept its colour.


C. CastpE-Spoane.


The following reply was sent to Mr. Castle-Sloane:


The staple food for a Sun-bird should, in my opinion, be honey,

which must be absolutely pure and extracted from the comb, because these

birds are very apt to make themselves sticky when given the comb,

especially when they first arrive, as they are then generally in a weak state.

With the two I had I always put in a pot of insectivorous food, but I do not

think they ever touched it. They were very fond of good grapes and small

flies and spiders, but I think the two last should be given with great

discretion, as they are very eager for them, and are inclined to eat more

than they can digest.


I consider them to be very delicate birds, and requiring to be kept


warm.


I should advise you to see them before buying, as, if you do not get a

tolerably healthy one to start with, there is very little chance of it,

surviving.


S. M. Townsend.



THE PLUMED GROUND-DOVE (Lophophaps plumijeraj.


Sir, —A new bird we have is the little Australian Plumed Ground-

Dove, a cock. I would very much like to procure a hen, to try and breed

them; but I am afraid they seldom come into the market. Do } T ou think

any other kind of Ground-Dove would cross with him ?


M. F. Rathborne.


The following reply was sent to Mrs. Rathborne:


This little dove is so rare that I am afraid it would be rather difficult

to get it a mate of its own kind. The only dove available as a substitute

would seem to be either a Zebra or a Peaceful Dove, as these doves are

both the same size as the Plumed Ground-Dove, namely eight inches in

length. A Senegal Dove would be too large, and a Passerine or Picui too

small. As the Plumed Ground-Dove has been bred at the Zoological

Gardens some years ago, it might be worth while writing to the

Superintendent and asking if they have a hen to dispose of.



* Cinnyris zeylonica .


+ Rhamphastos dicolorus.



