i83


I have a Budgerigar, which would become ideal, if it belonged to a

milliner. It is ver}^ tame, flies to one's shoulder, when out of the cage, and

loves to have its poll scratched. It only wants to be with some one who

would talk to it all day, and so teach it to talk.


F. G. Button.



MYNAHS.


Sir, — Kindly let me know what species of Mynali you consider the

best mimic and talker ? Also, food and general treatment.


Charles Speed.



The follo7ving reply was sent to Mr. Speed.


The Mynah that mimics and talks best is the Larger Hill-Mynah,

llainatus intermediiis. Much depends on its being a young bird, as when

old it does not pick up new sounds nearl}' so readih--. The males are

usually better mimics than the females ; the former may often be

distinguished b}' their bills being larger and more hooked, at any rate

when of about the same age. Their talking powers are sometimes greatly

exaggerated, the curious natural notes of the species being twisted into

words by the niiglit}^ power of imagination. Nevertheless, some of them

do talk and mimic, and they can be made into very nice pets. Just now

and then the huge Javan lM3-nah (Mainatus javanensis) appears in the-

market. It is a magnificent bird, and ought to talk well ; but I have not

kept it, and cannot sa}^ whether it does.


I have been told repeatedly that it is the vSmall Hill-MjMiah

{Mainatus religiosiis) that is the talker ; l)ut my own pei'sonal experiences

and observations have taught me exacth' the contrary. It is a nice bird

enough, with quaint notes, but it is not to be compared with the Larger

Hill-Mynah.


The Hill-Mynahs are sometimes known as Rock-Mynahs.


They are all large eaters, and should be fed on sop, fruit, cooked

vegetables (boiled rice, carrots, &c.), &^g^j raisins, and messes generally.

In this climate, at an}- rate, I think they should have a little meat.


They are rather offensive when kept in the house in a small cage,

though they may learn to talk better under those conditions ; but for their

health the more exercise you can give them the better. In the summer, a

garden aviar}- is the place for them, but they should not be exposed to

cold ; and, like their relations the Starlings, they dearh^ love something

of the nature of a box to sleep in at night, especiall}- during the winter.


Reginald Phillipps.



OUR BRITISH WBAVBR-BIRD.


Sir, — The vulgar Sparrow is one of the last birds one would think of

naming as capable of constructing a clever or artistic nest, but, when he is

put to it, he is by no means such a duffer at house-building as is generally

supposed ; aviculturists who may happen to pass by the gardens of the

Tower of London just at the present time of the year, before the leaves are

fully out, maj' see this for themselves. (_/) A number of the trees in this city


(/) This letter was written in April last. — Ed.



