January, an example followed by its little companion the next day (26 days’

old). The wings only were feathered, the bodies being quite bare, and

would not impress the most ardent bird-lover with their beauty. Canaries

leaving the nest at such a season, and similarly clad, would have little

chance of surviving. Simultaneously with the young leaving the nest did

the throwing-out of clutch four commence. This was pleasing, as the

parents would thus be able to devote their whole time to the young, who,

by this time, would not stay in the warm nest, most of their time being spent

in flying after one or other of the parents, beseeching to be fed. The

mother was more often applied to. The 5th February saw the young

feeding themselves (41 days old); three days later, through a vexatious

accident, one got drowned. All went well with the sole survivor, until 3rd

March, when it was apparent that all was not right. At first a pair of

Pintail Nonpareils, which came into 1113' possession on 24th February, were

blamed for its indisposition. They having, just previously, taken a “ticket ”

at the Palace, were not subjected to the term of quarantine imposed upon

all strangers whose past history is unknown to me. My suspicion was

much strengthened by the male Pintail dropping dead on 7th March,

followed, I much regret to write, by my young Gouldiau on the 8th, being

then 72 days old. Up to the 3rd, I never felt the least anxiety on its account,

being always sprightly, and in the best of health. I never doubted being

able to preserve it.


Mr. J. E. Dewar, of this City, to whom I gave its little bod}', certified

the cause of death as inflammation of the lungs, evidently caused by a

chill, and this is quite possible for it often bathed in cold water, and I 111a}'

be wrong in blaming the Nonpareils.*


The male bird is presently moulting, but both are in the best of

health, and show no signs of being the very delicate subjects they are

so generally reputed to be. The}' are my first favourites, and the last I

would part with of all my collection, which is at present somewhat

numerous.


Could any of our members tell me whether by preventing birds

nesting during our Winter (their Summer) would they nest during our

Summer (their Winter). If so, this would be a huge stride towards success.


Alfred Edward Nicholson.



THE VIOLET-EARED WAXBILL; FOOD FOR MYNAHS.


Sir,—A s they have been very scarce in England, I think some

account of my Violet-eared Waxbills may be of interest. I had had one

pair, and one or two odd birds, but for the last few years this kind have

been very difficult to obtain even here in Madeira ; last Autumn, however,

I was fortunate enough to get from one of the passing steamers, four

pairs, all very beautiful birds in splendid condition. I put each pair into

a separate good-sized cage, giving them a roomy nest basket. Early in

February they began to build, and worked very hard. One of the hens

laid four eggs, but made not the slightest pretence at sitting ; after ten days

she laid four more eggs, but took no notice of these either. Another hen

laid two eggs, then she and the male bird took turns at sitting, and relieved



*We really cannot see what ground Mr. Nicholson ever had for supposing the vonng

Gouldian died of an infectious complaint, caught from the Nonpareils. The yonng bird

must have been sickly from the beginning, or it would not have left the nest naked.—E d.



