75



All the plates being of such high merit, it would be

difficult to give the palm to any particular one, those of the

Fieldfare and Tree Creeper being, perhaps, among the best; but

to any lover of birds and their ways, be he scientist, aviculturist,

or oologist, we can only advise him to get the book and see for

himself, and we will guarantee that the money will be well spent.



AVICULTURAL SMALL-TALK.



There has lately been a revival of the controversy as to the harmful¬

ness of the Sparrow 7 , and we are much afraid that the balance of evidence

is against our impudent little friend. Most farmers and gardeners are of

opinion that he does more harm than good, and although aviculturists have

a soft place in their hearts for him, they will probably agree that there are

too many Sparrows. After all, a country can only support a certain limited

number of birds, and the prolific, pertinaceous, predatory Sparrow takes

the place which would otherwise be filled by more useful and interesting

species.



In the report of the L. and P. O. Society’s Show in our December

number the fact of a Half-moon Parrakeet being catalogued as a Golden-

crowned Parrakeet is commented upon, and it is remarked that Golden-

crowned “ Conure ’’would have been a less misleading title. Injustice to Mr.

Arthur Jones, the exhibitor of the bird in question, it ought to be known

that the misnaming of the bird was not his fault, as he did all in his power

to insure accuracy. Mr. Jones sent a description of the bird to a gentleman

well known as an authority on Parrots, and was told by him that the bird

was a Golden-crowmed Parrakeet. It seems that the gentleman alluded to

was misled by a singular error in a book to which he referred—the plates

of the Golden-crowned Parrakeet and Golden-crowned Conure being

transposed in his cop} 7 .



Many aviculturists find Alario Finches dreadfully delicate-after a

few months they go into a decline from which they never recover, growing

gradually weaker till they die. We strongly advise all who may possess

these delightful little birds to most carefully avoid giving them any millet

seed. If they have access to millet they will often become very fond of

it and neglect other seeds. Feed on canary-seed and good German rape,

with a few hemp-seeds daily. For this reason it is never wise to endeavour

to keep Alario Finches in the same aviary as Waxbills and similar birds,

but, on the other hand, they will do well with Canaries. Fed as advised

above, Alario Finches will be found fairly hardy.



Before our next number appears the Crystal Palace Bird Show will

have come and gone. It is the great event of the year to many, perhaps

most, aviculturists, whether they be exhibitors or not. By a large number it

is looked forward to eagerly, and looked back upon with pleasure—for at

the old Palace of glass, in the chilly month of February, they not only

delight their eyes with the sight of rare and beautiful birds, but also renew

their acquaintance with many friends of like tastes.



