— "don't" — firstly, because it is cruel; secondly, because it is

useless.


I think that the Garden Warbler might be kept with about

as much success as the Blackcap and the White-throat. All

these will eat fruit largely, and being, therefore, less exclusively

insedtivorous, are much easier to fend for.



FURTHER NOTES ON MY BIRDS.


By R. A. Todd.


Among all the positive statements that have been made by

aviculturists at various times, there does not seem to be one to

which time or circumstance does not, sooner or later, find an

exception. There is, perhaps, no fact more generally accepted

as beyond doubt than that of the extreme pugnacity of the

Australian Fire Finch (Neochmia phaeton^. I can, however,

produce an exception to even this rule. I bought four cocks

in Odtober, i8g6 : one was in articulo mortis and died next

day ; two others proved the rule of the delicacy of the species

when newly-imported, by succumbing within the month.

The survivor has never had a day's illness ; and, what is most

extraordinary, has proved the most peaceable of birds. He

lives in an aviary with about thirty companions, consisting

of Gouldians, Silverbills, Singing Finches, Nuns, etc., with

which he is on the best of terms. We are generally told

that this species is fond of mealworms, and Dr. Russ mentions

giving them the incredible number of twenty-five in a day ; but

my bird will hardly look at a mealworm, and possibly the

absence of animal food may account for his unusually peaceable

disposition, though in other respecfls he is extremely lively and

sings constantly. He is most anxious to nesf and is always

carrying bits of hay about, but unfortunately I have never been

able to provide him with a wife.


A handsome and rather engaging bird is the Blue

Grosbeak {Guiraca ccsriilea), but one about which the general run

of avicultural works are silent. Mr. Erskine Allon always said

that he found it short lived, dying within a few months or even

weeks, from no apparent cause. My first specimen came into

my possession on the 26th May, 1896, and a second in September

of the same year ; the latter was in poor condition. These two

birds were never on very good terms and the weaker succumbed

in the following January. In May I turned out the survivor into



