14



CORRESPONDENCE.



ASSUMPTION OF BREEDING PLUMAGE BY THE WEAVERS.


Sir, —Re Mr. Todds’ remarks on tlie assumption of breeding

plumage by the Orange Bishops, for some time I studied my Weavers with

the pre-couceived notion that it was brought about by a growth of colour

in the feathers, and so, for a time, I missed the mark.


Before going into full detail, I wish to wait for another season’s

observations; but I have got so far that I may state definitely (in confirm¬

ation of Mr. Todd’s remark) that while none of the wing feathers are.

moulted, save a few of the large flights, the whole of the head, neck, and

breast feathers are imperceptably shed, and new feathers produced. This

is common to all the Bishops, and they have only to be caught while the

change is taking place, to establish the fadt beyond doubt. Again, their

demeanour during the change is the same as during the moult, and thej^ may

be observed helping nature by removing some of the feathers themselves.


W. T. Page, F.Z.S.



CROSSING OF ZEBRA FINCH AND ST. HELENA WAX BILL.


Sir, —I think it ma}^ interest the readers of the Avicultuial Magazine

to hear that, in 1113' aviary, a cock Zebra Finch and hen St. Helena Waxbill

have been nesting together, and have brought up two healthy 3’ouug birds,

who are now fully fledged and fl\'iug about the aviary.


At present the3? have no distincive plumage ; the}- are grey-brpwu all

over, and their tails are short — but the\ ? have a way of wagging them which

reminds me of a St. Helena. Their beaks (which are still brown) are like

Zebra Finches; their feet and legs, like St. Helenas’.


I should be much interested to hear whether 3’ou have ever heard of

such a cross before. Oreeyne Hodgson.



SEXES OF PENNANTS.


Sir, — I can assure Dr. Butler that my hen Pennants are identical

with Mr. Farrar’s and Mr. Grace’s; and, notwithstanding what he asserts to

the contrary, I still believe them to be ti'pical birds of Platycercus elegans.


Since my last note, I have disposed of one of mj r hens to a lady

member of the Societv-, who, in a letter acknowledging the safe arrival of

the birds, says, “Mrs. M. notices that she has got the green tail feathers

about which so much has been written in the Avirultural Magazine .”


F. W. Oates.


Sir, —It is hardly likely that neither Mr. Farrar nor Mr. Oates know

a Pennant from an Adelaide Parrakeet ; and, on the other hand, Dr. Butler

and Mr. Fillmer tell us that undoubted female skins in the British Museum

have blue tail feathers; and Mr. Cocksedge’s and Mrs. Lancaster’s evidence

is still more convincing — especially Mrs. Lancaster’s, because the bird has

died during the controvers}', and dissection has settled the question of sex.


Is it not possible that there are two varieties of Pennant ? According

to the Museum Catalogue, Dr. Butler’s idea that the lieu is an Adelaide will

not help us, because it says the tail of the Adelaide is the same as the

Pennant. F. G. DuTXON.



