31


Sir,—M y breeding results for tlie year 1895, are as follows :


Ribbon Finches. Thirteen young ones reared by two pairs. Several more


died iu the nest, including one whole brood, but none were thrown


out alive.


Parson Finches. Four young ones from one pair (two broods of two each).


No others were hatched.


Black-tailed Hawfinches. One young one hatched, and lived a week.

Bengalese. One j-oung one hatched on two occasions, each time destroyed


when a day or two old, either by Ribbon Finches or by the parents.

Dwarf Finches (Spermestes nctna). One nest of three eggs—none hatched.

Virginian Cardinals. One nest of five eggs—none hatched.


Horatio R. Fieemer.


MEAT FOR PARROTS.


Sir,—I note that Mr. Arthur is asking if any avieulturists have found

flesh to be injurious to Parrots. My answer, from experience, is Yes.


I have kept dozens of Parrots and Parralceets and have never had but

two feather-plackers, and both of these had been fed on meat. I have

never seen a good tight-feathered bird fed on meat either raw or cooked


J. Cronkshaw.


PARROTS’ PERCHES.


Sir, —I think I can give a useful hint to those members of the Society

who are troubled, as I was some months ago, by their Parrots constantly

nibbling their perches to pieces.


Oak and other hard wood perches were all destroyed in a verj? short

time by my Grey Parrot; till one day I happened to notice a nice straight

branch from a laurel that was being cut down. Thinking it just suitable

for a perch, I had it cut the right length, thoroughly pealed, and then

placed by the kitchen fire to dry and harden.


At the end of the week it was ready to be fitted into the cage, and

from that time I have had no further trouble about perches, as it remains

untouched.


I fancy it must be from the taste, as others quite as hard were

destroyed. M. D. Sharp.


IS GRIT DANGEROUS TO NEWfiY IMPORTED PARROTS ?


Sir, —Referring to Mr. Dutton’s letter at page 12, my experience-

such as it is—teaches me that grit is sometimes dangerous, at any rate to

newly imported Parrakeets, and to those newly received from dealers. The

withholding of grit, and often unsuitable food given at uncertain intervals,

cause indigestion, leave the birds in a weak and disordered condition, and

occasionally with an abnormal craving for grit. As soon as grit is placed

within their reach, regardless of size or suitability, such birds swallow what

first comes to hand, and too much of that, and an internal block occurs, but

more often in the crop than elsewhere.


With new birds, my usual practice is to supply only the finest grit,

and that very sparingly; but I let them have plenty of crushed egg-shell

and cuttle-bone. When well established, I have not myself known a case of

Parrot or Parrakeet suffering through having partaken of grit.


Reginaed Phieeipps.



