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the programme of the Society’s work, which appeared in the first number,

I am struck with the good sense of a passage, which I reproduce—“Those

who are not prepared to write a formal article, have generally met with

some little facts or fancies in their avicultural experience, which will be of

interest to others, and if they will note them down and send them to the

Editor, they will place the rest of the Society under an obligation. We

want the benefit of the practical experience of all.” The late Editor at

one time gave us an interesting column headed “Avicultural Small-Talk.”

I should like to revive this column, if members would send me scraps of

news on such points, among others, as birds which they winter out of doors,

dates at which they turn out more tender birds in Spring, and house them

again in Autumn ; dates at which various species nest both indoors and

out of doors.


3. We have lately had fewer descriptions than formerly of the aviaries

and birdrooms of members. My experience is that such descriptions have

great interest for aviculturists, and often lead to pleasant visits and

personal accpiaintance. I shall be grateful to those wdio will send me

accounts of their arrangements for their birds, even though the latter be

ever so few. O. E. CRESSWEIE.


THE BICHENO-ZEBRA FINCH.


Sir, —My description of the hybrid in the Grassfinch class at Balliam

does not appear to be accepted as correct. There is, however, no doubt

whatever that the bird is exactly as described in the catalogue—a male

hybrid bred from a male Bicheno finch and a female Zebra finch. If those

interested in the subject will refer to Die Gefiederte Welt , Nos. 1 and 2,

1898, they will find a long article by a prominent aviculturist, in which the

production of this hybrid is fully described. My bird is one of the brood

there mentioned. The sex of the hybrids could not be distinguished by the

plumage, and none possessed the chestnut markings of a male Zebra finch.


I received the bird direct from the breeder, who informed me that it

was a male, and that fertile eggs were produced when he mated it w'ith a

female Bengalese. It has a continual call of four syllables.


The same gentleman sent me a hen Black-rumped finch as a com¬

panion to the hybrid. This differs from the ordinary Bicheno finch, in

having a black rump instead of a white one. The distinction might easily

be overlooked, but if the wings be parted the difference is very striking. It

is claimed to be a distinct species (c). L. W. Hawkins.



MOORHENS AND YOUNG FISH.


Sir,—A t page 39 of the December number, Miss . Brampton raised a

question of no limited importance. Assuming that the present generation

of Moorhens are like their forefathers, and that they have the same tastes

all over the country, I can saj' positively, from many years’ observations

and numerous experiments, that Moorhens eat baby fish very freely. Even



(c) It will be remembered that I figured this hybrid in January, 1898, from a skin

lent to me by Mr. Abrahams, and the illustration and description are reproduced in

“ Foreign Bird Keeping.” I compared them with the living' bird at the Palace Show, and

was pleased to find little difference between the two.—A. G. B.



