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FOOD FOR HONFY-SUCKING BIRDS.


Sir,—A propos of the discussion on this subjetil, I may, perhaps, be

allowed to give my experience, which is to the effect that sweetened

bread-and-milk sop, made sloppy, appears to suit even such delicate

creatures as Sun-birds, which take it readily and appear to thrive on it.


Green Bulbuls (both Gold-fronted and Orange-bellied) seem to like

sop made with boiled rice and milk, well sweetened; so do Zosterops. I

think I have also given them bread-and-milk. Condensed milk should be

just the thing.


I only gave the sop once a day, and I fancy, in this climate, it

generally went sour; but this does not seem to affect the birds’ health. I

have seen both Zosterops and a Grey-headed Mynah eat putrid banana,

without any ill effects, that I saw.


Why should not fruit-eating birds like these and Tanagers be fed on

scalded currants and Sultana raisins ?


Frank Finn (Calcutta).



ZOSTEROPS AND DANGEROUS BIRDS.


Sir, — I read with much interest Mr. Pliillipps’ remarks on Spectacle

“birds (Zosterops) in this month’s Magazine.


I have kept both varieties, Chinese and Australian, in a large aviary

cage with a number of small foreign birds. My Zosterops have always

been fed on Mr. Abrahams’ insectivorous food mixed with bread crumbs

and slightly moistened, grated potato mixed with Mr. Abrahams’ preserved

egg, and fresh fruit daily, oranges, pears, grapes, strawberries, etc. They do

not however care for bananas, and apples must be very soft and ripe to suit

their little beaks. The Chinese birds merely twittered, but the gre3 r -backed

Australian cock has a very sweet song. I often see them pecking at the

Millet sprays and at the seed tins, but I do not fancy they eat the seed.

Mine will eat meal-worms.


With regard to the articles on “quarrelsome birds” last year, I may

say that I found it impossible to keep Pekin Robins (Liothrix luteas) with

other birds. They were always pouncing on the little Waxbills and

suspending them by their tails. I had to give up keeping them in

consequence, and I found the Grey Singing Finch and Green Singing

Finch equally objectionable. Diamond Sparrows or Finches (.Staganopleura

guttata) are also very vicious, and one of mine killed a Pintail Nonpareil.


C. A. Hodgson.



INDIGO BUNTINGS.


Sir, —I am anxious to know if the hen Indigo-finch can be easily

distinguished from a cock Indigo-finch out of colour ? Is there anv way

of distinguishing the sex ? Also would it be difficult to procure a hen ?


H. K. O. Warke;r.


The following reply was sent to Miss Walker.


The hen Indigo-finch is distinctly smaller than the male, three-tenths

of an inch shorter from beak to end of tail. In the winter she is decidedly

less blue both on wings and tail, and much more streaked, especial^ on the

breast, with dark brown.



