Correspondence, Notes, etc.



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If you examine the seeds, you will probably find hard maize, chillies,

monkey nuts, prairie-grass, pumpkin, marrow or melon-seed (which

perhaps may be almost as nutritious as cardboard), red-millet (I believe

generally used for Game-birds), and dirt.


As a Grey Parrot ought to have wheat, dari, hemp, and canary, with

plain dry biscuit, and fruit; walnuts, crack-nuts, or green peas when in

season ; it will be evident to you how suitable such a hap-hazard collection

of seeds as is usually sold under the all-embracing name of “Parrot food”

must be. I know that it is a cause of disease and death to many hundreds

of parrots and parrakeets yearly ; but the name sells it.


A. G. Butler.



BRAZILIAN HANGNEST.


Sir, — I am wanting to try a Brazilian Hangnest, but am doubtful

about where I could keep it. If loose in the birdroom would it be likely

to interfere with a Shamali, or a Violet Tanager, who are loose at times;

or would it be safe in an outdoor aviary, 12ft. by joft., with a Mocking Bird

and other birds, the smallest being Pintailed Wliydahs ; or in an indoor

aviary 6ft. by 4ft., with a pair of Alexandrine Rock Parrakeets ? I should

prefer the bird room, if possible, with a cage of its own, but not unless it

could be let loose in the room in the day time. R. H. WilmoT.


The following reply has been sent to Mr. Wilinot.


I am afraid the safest thing for a Hangnest is a large flight cage and

solitary confinement. It might do with the Mocking bird; though if it

came to a fight, I think there can be little doubt that the larger bird would

go to the wall ; but with small finches like Pintailed Whvdahs, there can be

little doubt that a Hangnest would be a dangerous associate.


To put it with powerful Parrakeets would be equally dangerous for

the Hangnest. A. G. Butler.



DEMOISELLE CRANES.


Sir, —About four weeks ago one of my Demoiselle Cranes laid an egg

—I have five Cranes in a large covered aviary (all wire) in which they flv

about. As I was away from home my keeper took the egg and put it under

a large Barn-door Fowl, as well as some Muscovy Duck eggs. The hen has

been sitting as closely as possible, and she will probably hatch out presently,

and certainly before I can receive answers to the following questions in the

Avicultural Magazine, so will you kindly inform me how long incubation

lasts with these Cranes, and what I ought to feed the youngster on if it

hatches out. My birds have never laid before.


Henry Fothergill, Major.


The following reply ivas sent to Major Fothergill:


My young Demoiselle Cranes hatched on the 27th and 28th days after



