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lieartily agree with Mrs. Barnes, Dr. Butler, and Mr. Phillipps, who have

already recorded their opinions.


Surely it would be a very great pity to abolish the Avicultural

Magazine , which, as Mr. Phillipps points out, must be the practical result

•of opening our pages to “other living creatures besides foreign and British

birds.”


Birds are by no means the only living creatures in which I am

personally interested— very far from it —but there are sources to which we

may apply for information about our other friends, and this is not the case

where foreign birds, at least, are concerned.


When I obtained my first pair of little foreigners, in May, 1892, I had

not the least idea how to treat them or where to look for information ;

there seemed an ample supply of books about Canaries , but these did not

help me. I found Dr. Russ’ little handbook ; then I was told of the

U. K. F. C. B. S., and advised to become a member; and I well remember

how delighted I was with the Magazine.


Canaries have quite their share of attention and many devoted

friends, so I think that those of us who set our affections on foreign or

British birds may fairly keep our Magazine “all to ourselves,” as the

■children say. (Miss) E. E. WEST.



GANGA COCKATOO.


Sir, —Would you be so kind as to tell me if I am treating a pair of

Ganga Cockatoos correctly. They' have been in a cold house all the winter,

and the cock, being in bad plumage, I put them in a small aviary in the

conservatory' about three weeks ago. He has no flight feathers or tail, but

his other feathers are plentiful, smooth, and even. I think his flight

feathers are coming. The lieu is in good plumage, and has only lost a few

feathers from the top of her head.


I feed them on oats, sunflower seed, canary, boiled maize, and

eucalyptus (peppermint) seed—of which they are very fond. They also eat

cuttlefish bone, rock salt, and green food (dandelion and groundsel).


They show every' inclination and wish to breed. I gave them a small

barrel with a hole which they have nearly demolished, but are constantly'

in and out of what remains. They make a curious snarling noise, and

appear to be feeding each other. They are quiet through the day', but

exceedingly lively in the early morning and evening. Could y'ou tell me

if you think the lieu is likely' to lay', and if I am treating them rightly'?

The conservatory is not heated. They are fairly' tame and not at all

nervous, but are kept as quiet as possible. I have given, the last two day's,

ten drops of Parish’s chemical food in their water, but they drink very'

little at aiiy time, and never bathe. Marion Johnstone.



The following reply was setit to Mrs. Johnstone :


I have not any personal experience of this bird ; but, from what

Gould and Russ state, y r our treatment appears to be quite correct. I should

have thought it hardly necessary to boil the maize for such powerful birds;

and, if they were mine, I would occasionally give a few nuts in the place of

sunflower-seed (change of diet is always good, provided that nothing

unwholesome is given).



