3°8



Correspondence , Notes, etc.



fashion flew off and lit in the Sparrowliawk’s tree, almost if not quite upon

the nest. The old Sparrowhawk returned, and dashed at the Owlet, dragging

it through the branches to the ground, and my man rushed in and seized

it! It is doing well on the lawn under a tree, seated on a hawk’s block,

with leash and soft jesses on. W. H. St. Quintin.



CARDINAL ILL.


Sir, — Having a cock Virginian Nightingale that is unwell I should be

much obliged if you would kindly let me know what I could do for it.


I have had it about eighteen days, during which time I have kept it in

a large cage in my outdoor aviary, and it appeared well when I got it.


It looks puffed out a bit, and stays principally on the bottom of the

cage, and keeps its wings down its sides, the feathers being spread out, and

does not eat much, only I fancy a few mealworms, and seems to have some

difficulty in swallowing, but what it passes appears fairly right.


It has not been well for about three days, but to-day it is much less

active and looks worse, so I am afraid it will not live long.


For food I have given canary, millet, ants’ eggs as bought, some fruit,

such as banana, orange, and apple, about three mealworms daily varied by

cockroaches, also occasionally some white sunflower seed and a little hemp.


Nicholas S. O’Reilly.


The following reply has been sent to Mr. O'Reilly.


I should think it probable that, previous to its coming into your

possession, the bird had been kept in a close warm place, and that its

exposure in an outdoor aviary during the late extremely variable weather

may have affected its lungs.


If the excreta are healthy, it is evident that the bowels are not

inflamed: on the other hand the difficulty in swallowing which you

mention indicates a probable affection of the respirator) - organs.


The feeding is correct; though I would substitute oats for hemp, as

being more easy of digestion ; and, unless the bird quickly recovers, let

it have a little egg and biscuit daily as soft food.


A purgative at the commencement of the treatment is always advis¬

able, and, as it is difficult to administer castor oil to a Cardinal, I should

advise the addition of six grains of Epsom salts to the drinking-water for

one day. On the succeeding days I would put into the drinking-water 10

drops of glycerine, about an equal quantity of dissolved gum arabic, 5 drops

of solution of muriate of morphia, and S minims of tincture of digitalis.

Keep the bird indoors and out of draughts. A. G. Butler.



The Hon. Katherine Hammond will be exceedingly obliged if



