no



birds, the judge does not require a guarantee as to the country of its birth,

but, on the contrary, gives the prize to the individually best bird in the

class, with the almost certain knowledge that it is a “foreigner.” This is a

state of affairs that should not exist at the present day, and the sooner some

•distinct understanding is come to the better for all concerned.


Henry J. Fueejames.



BUDGERIGARS.


Sir, —There seems to be a general impression that imported

Budgerigars are brighter in colour than aviary bred ones. East year I left

some young ones in my aviary until they got their adult plumage, and

when I came to separate them I found, on closely examining them, that

they were both larger and brighter than their imported parents, which I

consider are very fine ones. My aviary is a very large, open, outdoor one.

I made a verj^ convenient nest b}^ nailing half a husk on to a board about an

inch thick. In this board I cut a groove for the birds to enter by, and a

good large hole about 2jin. in diameter over the nest part. On the top of

this board is a thin board screwed at one corner, so that it can be slipped

round when you wish to see inside. The whole is then fastened to the

ceiling by L hooks, so that it can easily be slipped out if you wish to look

at the nest. The bird does not much mind strangers looking at her nest.

She had six eggs, but I hear some young ones now.


I should be glad to know if two cock Virginian Nightingales would

be likely to agree, with plenty of room and no hens present.


A. A. Thom.


[No. Two cock Virginian Cardinals would not be likely to agree.]



THE RED-SIDED TIT.


Sir,—F rom Mr. Phillipps’ remarks, it would appear that avicul-

turists have not been very successful with this delightful little bird. I

have a very healthy individual which has been in my possession since the

25th December. Its diet consists of a little Abrahams’ food, ants’ eggs, and

a small quantity of hemp-seed daily ; also one or two Barcelona nuts with

the shell cracked. One or two small cockroaches or a mealworm now and

again are also relished.


I think an important point is a cosy resting-place for the night. In

one corner of the cage I have hung up a hollow log with a very small

entrance hole ; to this my bird always retires long before dark.


It is an amusing bird, very lively and active, taking a special pleasure

in climbing rapidly along the top of the cage head downwards. The only

song I have heard consists of a few very low, rather sharp, notes.


R. A. Todd.



THE DWARF FINCH.


Sir, — I quote from the latter part of a paragraph in the April number

•of the Avicultural Magazine, re “The Palace Show,” by Reginald Phillipps.


“ One feels inclined to say that one will never give a high price for a

bird again, no matter how rare.”



