27S



Corresponde?ice, Notes, etc.



It is singular that with nine species of Love-birds known

only three ever reach this country. It is a pity the author is

obliged to give the Rosy-face a bad character for shrieking, for

so small a bird would otherwise make a charming pet. Though

no one seems to record a talking Love-bird, it cannot be more im¬

possible, one would think, to teach it than to teach a Budgerigar

to talk.


The Hanging Parrakeets are, viewed as pets, hardly worth

the space given to them. If the soft food they require is no draw¬

back, their dirty habits prevent any but the most determined

bird-lover wishing to keep them.


The Platycerci are always fascinating, and Mr. Seth-Smith

would not have wearied us, had he given us double as much “ copy”

about them as he has. He does not take up the question of the

different coloured tails in the sexes of Pennants, started by Mr.

Farrar some time ago. Perhaps he thought so thorny a question

better left alone. But though it seemed to so phlegmatic a

person as myself to engender an unnecessary amount of heat, I

never thought the question had been thrashed out as thoroughly

as it deserved to be.


However, let us not complain at what Mr. Seth-Smith has

not given to us, but tender our grateful thanks for what he has.


F. G. Dutton.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.



THE MISUSE OF THE MEALWORM.


Sir, —The Ruffs at the Western Aviary are not pinioned, so this does

not explain the lateness of the moult.


They are all kept together and have the same food, viz.:—Hard-

boiled egg, Spratt’s chicken meal and chopped raw beef, so why should

some retain the breeding plumage while others cast it off?


A mealworm diet cannot explain this.


Mr. Phillipps states that I have not had the Ruff long enough to

observe its character.



