342



Correspondence, Notes, etc.



The shell-grit, which is crushed into minute cubes without any sharp

edges, is extremely useful in supplying lime in a most convenient form

readily taken by the birds. We understand that this grit has been

manufactured in the coarser quality for pigeons for some time, but it is

only recently that Mr. Gill has been able to persuade the manufacturer to

crush it fine enough for the use of aviculturists; and we can heartily

recommend it to their notice.



ORNAMENTAL GRASS FOR BIRDS : JAVAN MAJA-FINCHES.


Sir, —Towards the end of May a friend gave me some ornamental

grass, which I offered to my Gouldian Finches. They ate it with such

avidity, so very much more eagerly than they do roadside grass or chick-

weed, that I immediately jumped to the conclusion that the grass must be

setaria glauca. Mr. Wiener, however, told me this is not so : and he very

kindly found out the name for me— Briza media. Fie said I ought to let

you know how fond the Gouldians and Parrot Finch are of this grass. I

have since discovered that the birds are all equally" fond of green oats (in

the ear), and now that I cannot get any more Brizamedia, I am giving them

oats instead.


I have lately added two Javan Maja-finches ( Munia ferruginosa ) to

my family. I don’t know if they are a pair, they 7 are very 7 much alike, but

one makes a ceaseless little call, like a chicken who has lost its mother, and

the other makes a noise like a wheelbarrow complaining that its wheel

wants oiling. The band of brown between the black throat patch and the

black that extends to the tail is broader in one than in the other, but I

cannot see any other difference. The dealer from whom I purchased them

had only 7 four, and the other two died; they 7 w'ere both males. Mine seem

perfectly well, but I have only had them a week yet. They will eat nothing

but spray millet. . D. Hamilton.



BREEDING THE MANY-COLOURED PARRAKEET.


In writing of Mr. Fasey 7 ’s success with his Many-coloured Parrakeets

in the last number of this journal, I mentioned that a pair were also

nesting in my own aviary; and it may perhaps interest members if I give

a few particulars now that the young are reared.


The hen commenced to sit on three eggs (a broken egg had also

been discovered outside the nest) on April 30th, and the third egg hatched

on May 22nd. The first young bird left the nest on June 20th, flying almost

as strongly as its parents. The following day a second appeared, also a

strong flier ; but the third did not make its appearance for a week after the

second. Unfortunately 7 all three are hens. My Many-colours took a long

time to decide upon a nest-box, eventually 7 choosing an upright box with a

layer of dry earth and rotten powdered bark at the bottom. When once



