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BREEDING RESULTS,


Sir, —Some months since, a friend in Queensland sent me a number

of Parson Finches, Gouldian Finches, and Chestnut-breasted Finches. AH

these were putintooneofmysmall insideaviaries (about 3ft. square). In three

months after receiving them, one pair of Parson Finches built and reared a

nest of young ones, in a small German Canary cage (the only one in the

aviary). I also had a nest of the Red - crested Cardinals, in an outside

aviary; this nest was built in a small cigar-box; through an accident

I lost these young ones just as they were fully fledged. I had a nest of

the Crimson-crowned Weaver-birds: these built, and laid several eggs;

but having a number of other Weavers in the same aviary, they were too'

much disturbed, and finally the other Weavers pulled the nest to pieces.


The greatest success I have had this year in foreign birds has been

with Australian Crested Doves, Rosellas, and Golden Pheasants.


James B. Housden.



THE POLYTELIS GENUS OF PARRAKEETS.


Sir, —In our Magazine for August, Mr. Cresswell gives us an interesting

account of his Barrabaud’s Parrakeets; but lie seems to be in doubt as to

the genus in which this bird is now classed. We have accepted the Natural

History Museum Catalogue as our standard ; and I may mention that,

according to that authority, the Barraband is still classed in the genus

Polytelis.


Ill this genus, only three varieties are included:—The Barraband's

Parrakeet, P. barrabandi ; The Alexandra Parrakeet, P. alexandrce; and the

Rock Pepler, P. melanura.


Of Polytelis alexandrce I may add that it comes from Central and

Northern Australia, and seems to be exceedingly rare even in its native

country. Dr. Greene tells me that it was discovered by Gould, and named

hy him after our beloved Princess. I was much pleased to see a pair a few

months ago, unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately—not for sale. The one

was in poor condition, but the other was a nice bird. It was somewhat of

the general character of the Rock Pepler, neat but not gaudy, and seemed

to be much about the same size ; and the shape of the bill reminded me

both of P. barrabandi and of P. melanura. These are the only specimens of

this variety I have ever met with. Reginaed Phieeipps.



“SPRAY” MILLET AND “INDIAN” MILLET—A Correction.


Sir, —In an answer to a correspondent 011 page 79 ,1 made a statement

from which it might reasonably be inferred that I wished it to be believed

that Spray Millet and Indian Millet are the same seed. Mr. Phillipps

pointed out to me, immediately, that this could not be, for the shape of the

seed is different. I then planted some of each in m3 7 garden, and, although

the plants did not flourish, they grew sufficiently to show that there was a

distinction between them. The truth seems to be that, while from the

avicultural point of view the seeds may be regarded as the same, from the

botanical point of view they are different, being produced by distinct

species of plant. The food-value of the two seeds seems exadtly equal, ami

the birds appear to be unable to appreciate the difference—for while

ravenously fond of spra3^ millet when fed mainly on white millet, I find

them comparatively indifferent to it when regularly supplied with Indian

millet.


I wish that one of our members who understands bo tail)' would con¬

tribute an article upon bird-seeds.



Horatio R. Fieemer.



