306 Correspondence, Notes, etc.


I have become lately the possessor of a pretty Ccereba cyanea, which

is fed on sugared milksop. It has lived on this food and on what flies it

can catch for nearly three years. Could I give it very ripe oranges and figs

or grapes in their season ? Bananas I do not think are good here.


I am anxious about a Macaw which has got very thin without anj’'

apparent symptom of disease, and has lost its appetite. I am inclined to

think jealousy is partly the cause, for it dotes on my maid, and wants more

attention and petting than the girl can give it; still at times it ruffles the

feathers on its head and moans just as if its head ached. I have removed

it into another room to give it a change, and am trying different seeds,

biscuits, potatoes, and fruit to induce it to eat.


My numerous birds give me plenty to do.


Giui.ia Tommasi Baedeeei.


The following reply has been sent to the Contessa Baldelli:


I have little doubt that you are correct in your identification of the

supposed Weaver with the Passer swainsoni of the British Museum

Catalogue, but which Capt. Shelley in his ‘ Birds of Africa ’ says he is

unable to separate from Passer dijfusus, the well-known Grey-headed

Sparrow of Africa.


I had a specimen of this species (I think a hen) for five or six years,

and wrote a short paper upon it in the second volume of our Magazine;

but, in case you do not possess that volume, I may say that I kept it with

African Weavers, because Dr. Russ states that it is spiteful towards smaller

associates. My bird had access to oats and hemp, in addition to millet and

canary.


Passer luteus has a deep cinnamon back; but Passer euchlorus (the

‘Arabian Golden Sparrow’ according to Shelley) has the back canary-

yellow like the head.


I have never kept Ccereba cyanea, but should think it risky to mix up

milk and oranges: perhaps I am wrong. I do not think figs or grapes

w r ould be hurtful.


A. G. Buteer.


FEATHER PLUCKING, NIBBLING, AND EATING.


Sir,— . I am not sure my Canary-winged Parrakeet


may not be going to turn over a new leaf. It seems to have left some of

the feathers on the back alone.


I wish M. Pasteur would rise up and investigate the cause of feather

eating.


Do any other birds than Parrots eat or pluck feathers ?


In Seth-Smith’s extracts from other authors, I see they say the

Parrots eat the small insects on the trees.



