Correspondence , Notes, etc .



404



FLAMINGOES.


The following letter was forzvarded to Airs. Gregory in reply to an


inquiry :


I think you might safely embark in Flamingoes, and that you would

be pleased with them. But I would not recommend them to anyone who

has not a pond, or bit of shallow water, in which they can stand all day,

for that is their habit. In cold weather the}' might be walked iuto a shed

for the night, and in the case of frost and snow that would be necessary, for

they are very helpless, and slip about most uncomfortably upon ice. I do

not think that they are at all affected by cold, except that they are unhappy

if they are compelled to stand upon ice, or slippery snow. (It is not at all

w'hat one would expect, but this is my experience, and I have heard the

same from others who have kept these birds.)


They will thrive upon grain of all kinds, maize, oats, barley, wheat,

but the last is their favourite.


I have given shrimps, as is done in the Zoological Gardens, but I do

not find it necessary. My six birds have not had any shrimps for over a

year. The best way to feed Flamingoes is to place their grain in a pail of

water, and to mount the pail up so that ducks or other birds cannot rob

them. Leave the grain in as long as possible to soften.


I think you will find peat moss litter better than straw to lay on the

floor of the shed. It is absorbent, and a deodorizer. The Flamingoes

should have something soft (like the moss litter) to stand 011 when they are

not in the water.


They are most inoffensive birds, and not at all noisy, only occasionally

making a croaking noise if squabbling over their food, etc.


W. H. ST. QuinTin.



FRESH ANTS’ EGGS.


Sir, —In Germany, fresh ants’ eggs are easily obtained at all the

markets held in the larger towns. While lately on the Continent, I made

arrangements with a seed merchant to send me, once a week, 250 grammes

(including the box), for which I am charged 6d. and postage 3d. I think he

gets them from the country twice a week.


The address is:—


Herr Friedrich Gieler,


Samenliaudler,


Wurzburg, Bayern (Bavaria).



F. Moerscheee.



