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I contend that every aviculturist should strive to be an ornithologist,

(just as the horticulturists should be a botanist, and the apiarist au ento¬

mologist) and our Magazine should teach him to become such.


Where is the pleasure in keeping birds if you know nothing of their

wild life, or if you do not seek to study minutely their life habits, or if you

know not from whence they come ?


Mr. Fillmer was once opposed to the term “ fancier,” as applied to

the aviculturist, but his views seem to have changed somewhat. For my

part I hate the term, for the fancier keeps his birds solely for show, or for

what he cau make out of them, and cares not how he distorts nature;

whereas the aviculturist keeps his birds because he loves to study their

ways, and to learn all he can of wild nature. D. Seth-Smith.



GREY PARROT WITH TUMOUR.


Sir, —I shall be much obliged if you will kindly assist me with your

advice, as to how to treat a favourite Gre) r Parrot. Within the last few

weeks, w 7 e have noticed a growth appearing on the side of his face, near

the jaw. At present it is the size of a filbert, and quite hard ; the bird does

not appear to suffer any inconvenience, and is quite cheerful, talking and

whistling as usual. He appears to feel no pain as he will allow you to rub

it. He is twenty-seven years old, and in all other respects is perfectly

healthy and in first-rate plumage. Laura Swinfen Brown.



The following reply has been sent to Airs. Swinfen Brown:


There can be little doubt that the swelling on your Parrot’s face is a

fatty tumour, and could be easily removed by an expert, without giving the

bird much pain. You cannot do better than get a veterinary surgeon to

examine it, and to operate if he thinks it sufficiently advanced.


A. G. Butler.



FOREIGN BULLFINCH AND GOULDIAN FINCHES.


Sir,—K indly inform me if a foreign Bullfinch from Florence should

be allowed dandelion seeds, and how many in the day. When do Bull¬

finches moult ? The one I have sits quite still all day and never attempts

to sing, and looks very ill, but I see no feathers in the cage.


Kindly inform me from whom I can obtain fine Indian millet, the

colour of spray millet only smaller seeds. I require it for Gouldian Grass-

finches. Georgina H. Maitland.



The following answer has been sent to Mrs. Keith Alaitland :


This is the time of year at which Bullfinches begin to moult: which

may account for your bird being quiet and not singing. He may have a

few dandelion seeds if he likes them, but fresh green chickweed daily is a

better diet, and green food, is necessary.


I do not know any millet smaller than spray millet, or any better

than this for Gouldians. There is, of course, the pui'e-white millet,

procurable at any good bird shop ; but this is larger, and I have always

found my Gouldians thrive best on spray millet, and they have lived with

me towards five years—an unusual term of life in captivity for them.


O. E. Cresswell.



