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unfortunately not able to keep birds outside : so badly do I think of the

birds that I shall get rid of them when possible.


When the crown feathers of No. 2 are raised, they give the bird a

most uncanny look, which I am quite unable to produce on paper.


Do you know of any place in England wdiere I could buy chenna (or

grain flour) ? As you are aware, this is the main food used in India for

soft-billed birds, and I find it most satisfactory, with the aid of a little fruit

and a few insects. I have tried several places here, but Liverpool is a poor

place for anything connected with birds : I am obliged to get mealworms

from London, no one here keeps them in any quantity.


I would like to know if you think a few Fruit-suckers (Green) would

pay to bring over, as I expect my birds to pay for their keep. I do not

think there are many here. H. C. Haseeton.



The following answer has been sent to Mr. Haselton :


The coloured sketch numbered Fig. 1, is a representation of the

Rose-coloured Pastor ( Pastor roseus) ; that numbered Fig. 2, is the Pagoda,

or Brahmin Starling (or Myuali), [Stumi?ia pagodarum).


I think Messrs. Praschkauer, of London, would be more likely than

anyone to keep “chenna”; but, in all probability, fine pea-flour would

answer the purpose equally well.


The fruit-suckers always sell; and as I understand that you can

obtain them at Calcutta for about three shillings apiece at certain seasons,

it ought to pay well to import them. A. G. Bu'i'eer.



“THE SPOTTED PANTHER BIRD.”


Sir,—I t has been pointed out to me that, apart from “ Panther Bird ”

being a very unsuitable name for the species illustrated in last month’s

Magazine, it has been known for years in Australia as the “ Diamond Bird,”

which certainly seems to me more appropriate. I ..do not know who

invented the name “Panther Bird,” but merely write this to suggest that

members when referring to it in future should use the name Diamond Bird

as being the one by which it is best known. J. Lewis Bonhote.



Mr. Bonhote has asked me to explain my use of the name Panther-

Bird in place of Diamond Bird. The species having only been once

imported and the specimens having then been sent to Germany, I concluded

that the use of the more appropriate name adopted by the Germans

(Pa?ithervbgelj was far preferable to that used by Gould, at any rate for

aviculturists. If an aviculturist were to write to an English or even a

German dealer for a Diamond-bird, it is a hundred to one that a Spotted¬

sided finch (Diamond-Sparrow) or a Diamond Dove would be sent to him ;

but with an illustrated article 011 the “ Panther-bird ” in a well-known

Avicultural Magazine confusion would be almost impossible.


A. G. BuTEER.



