13



tenants of our barnyards are, except perhaps the aquatic species and the

turkey, all from the tropical realms. Experiments with various other wild

forms go to show that there are very many other tropical species which

will prove to have an equal tolerance of high latitudes. If this be true we

may fairly look to the domestication of the varied bird life of the equatorial

regions for the enrichment of our northern lands.”



AVICULTURAL SMALL-TALK.



French aviculturists are sometimes more successful than we are on

this side of the Channel. Is this due to the more genial climate, to greater

skill, or to greater luck ? We hear that there have recently been several

instances in France of the successful breeding of the Many-coloured

Parrakeet—when shall we hear of the same thing taking place in England ?



A member reports that he possesses a female Avadavat which has

been in his possession for six years, and which shows unmistakable signs of

age by patches of white in its plumage. Six years does not seem a very

patriarchal age, and probably many instances could be found of Waxbills

and other tiny birds attaining a greater age in captivity. In “ Foreign

Finches in Captivity,” Dr. Butler mentions a White-headed Mannikin

which died at the age of eighteen years. Will those of our members who

possess old birds kindly let the Secretary know about them ? We may thus

be able to get together statistics which will throw a little light upon the

subject of the age attained by birds in captivity—a subject which is at

present greatly obscured b}' legends, wild guesses, and assertions unsup¬

ported by evidence.


The Feathered World has now reached a very large circulation—we

believe considerably over thirty thousand copies are issued weekly. This

must be very much greater than that of any other “ birdy ” paper. Mrs.

Comyns-Dewer heartily deserves the success which has attended her

labours, for the Feathe?-ed World has always been on the side of honesty

and humanity and everything which tends to elevate what is called “the

fancy.” It has never descended to the vulgarity which disfigures some of

its contemporaries, and has, undoubtedly, a strong influence for good

among a very wide circle of readers. The Feathered World is a striking

instance of the success which may attend unpaid journalism, for nearly all

the literary matter in its columns is the work of those who write without any

expectation of paj-ment. We sometimes think that some of the letters in the

Correspondence Columns would be the better for a little more “editing,”—

they would be easier to understand if the grammar were corrected, and

pleasanter to read if more courteously worded—but they would certainly

be less piquant and characteristic. Perhaps Mrs. Comyns-Lewer believes

that a more active censorship would cost her paper more in individuality

and interest than it would gain in grammar and politeness.



To those in want of an amusing pet we would recommend the

Senegal Parrot. It is only the size of a small Parrakeet, but is as intelli¬

gent as a Grey or Amazon, and more active and lively. Moreover, it does



