Correspondence, Notes, etc.



339



succeed than that which you are giving; and I think your want of success

must be due to some other cause,


You do not say whether the birds are in a cage or an aviary.


I). Seth-Smith.



THE BLUE THRUSH.


(. Monticol-a cyanns).


Sir, —I have brought home from Italy some Blue Rock-Thrushes,

which I hope to be able to breed next season if they live, as I have one

good hen.


They appear in good health, but have all gone bald. I know they

are subject to surfeit, and have been avoiding over-feeding, and have not

given a mealworm.


I feed with egg, bread crumbs, ants’ eggs, dried flies, an odd cock¬

roach and a large snail, fruit, etc. I put a little Parrish’s food in the

water. I do not give them all that the}’ would be willing to eat had they

the opportunity, so am puzzled how they can be suffering from surfeit,

which I understand is the cause of baldness. In Italy they feed them on

ground Indian meal*, not even cooked, and a little cheese. I changed this

food when I came home, as the meal I got in this country did not seem to

agree with them.


I lost a Pied Rock-Thrush not long ago from swollen feet and eyes ;

but when I was away from home he ate all the other birds’ food.


H. B. Ratkeokne.


The following reply was sent to Mr. Rathborne :


I am very glad to hear that you have succeeded in bringing some

Blue Thrushes home.


I find a little difficulty in replying to your letter as you do not say ir

they are birds of the year or adult specimens, whether you keep them

together or separately, and whether in cages or in an outdoor aviary.


Put a little fluid maguesia occasionally into the drinking water, give

them plenty of clean water both for washing and drinking (they cannot get

on in hot weather without their bath), give them as much fresh air and

liberty as possible, feed very plainly, and see that they do not kill one

another. Are you sure they are not pecking one another’s heads ?


The Pied Rock-Thrusli will live for years if carefully fed, but will

very quickly go wrong in the way you mention if given stimulating food;

but, except for fighting, I have never had a Blue Thrush go wrong (I have

had three), and have always regarded it as one of the easiest of birds to

keep.


Referring to your food, I should stop the “ dried flies” altogether.



Chenna ?



