i6



“AUTHORITIES” AND THEIR CRITICS.


Sir, — There is one point in this correspondence which has not

received the attention its importance deserves. Mr. Farrar seems to have

been found fault with because he reared his young Blue Robins on meal¬

worms (and cockroaches), but can any of our members suggest a practical

substitute ? I write feelingly ; for I prefer insectivorous birds to seed-eaters,

and know only too well the difficulty, at an}' rate here in London, of rearing

the young of the smaller species of the soft-bills owing to the seeming

impossibility of obtaining proper food. I am well acquainted with the

danger of the mealworm, but where would the young be without it! to

quote Mr. Farrar, they “ would now be stiff and cold.” I cannot obtain a

sufficient number of cockroaches to feed two hungry parents and a brood

of still hungrier youngsters—for be it remembered that usually the former

will themselves partake freely of the insects of whatever kind before taking

even one to their nest, and so all day and every day. Many birds will not

carry egg-food and the like to their young ; gentles and their relatives are

generally unsuitable ; and fresh ants’ eggs are here unprocurable. Cannot

any aviculturalist help us ? We want to hear of the experiences of others

and thus to learn — not to waste our strength in beating the air.


Reginald Phirripps.



INTERESTING OPERATION ON A GREY PARROT.


Sir, — M essrs. Cawthorn and Hutt wrote to me about a Grey Parrot

of which one eye was swollen. I went and saw the bird. It seemed suffering

from some tumour; I advised their consulting Mr. Bartlett, of the Zoo¬

logical Gardens. As, after some weeks the eye was no better, I urged their

taking further steps. The following communication is an interesting

account of what was done. F. G. DuT'fON.



An Interesting Operation.


On Saturday, October 3rd, an operation of unique character was per¬

formed on a two-year old Grey female Parrot, at the Royal Westminster

Opthalmic Hospital, by Mr. Henry Juler, F.R.C.S. The bird, which is the

property of Mr. H. T. Hutt, of the firm of Messrs. Cawthorn and Hutt,

British Library, No. 24, Coclcspur Street, S.W., had been failing for some

time, and, notwithstanding the fact that experts had inspected her, no

real cause for indisposition could be arrived at, until skilful surgical aid

was obtained. Such a step was prompted by the value of the bird; a

splendid piper and talker; and the examination proved the existence of a

travelling tumour upon the under-lid of the right eye, which would, in

time, have affedted the sight to such an extent as to wear away the eye-ball,

and, in the end, bring about results which would probably have proved

fatal. An operation was decided upon, and, 011 the day named, was success¬

fully carried out. The bird, having been firmly held by an attendant, was

treated as follows: — A11 incision of V-sliape was made with a lancet, and

the opening thus caused, enabled the operating Surgeon to remove the

tumour piece by piece, in a very brief space of time. The usual steps were

taken to prevent bleeding and allay pain, and, in due course, the wound

was sewn up by the aid of the most modern contrivance for such a purpose.

The operation was most skilfully performed, and has proved a decided

success. It was witnessed by several members of the Surgical Staff and



