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among the Siskins by modern ornithologists. It will be remembered that

Bechstein considered the Citril Finch and the Serin Finch to be the same

species.


Horatio R. Fieemer.



A STRANGE FOSTER-MOTHER.


Sir, —In June, last year, I had occasion to make a journey to Brazil.


The R.M.S. Nile stopping but a few hours at Lisbon, there was only

time for a very short visit to the town. I find that on such occasions a

visit to the market-place of a foreign town is time well spent, for there one

can see at a glance a good many of the ways and habits of life of the

people, and occasionally something quite new.


In the Lisbon market, amongst the many stalls for the sale of fruit

and vegetables, eggs and fowls, butter and cheese, etc., there was also a

bird-dealer’s shop, which, at first sight, seemed to contain nothing at all

new or striking, until my eye fell on a young Cuckoo in a square wire cage.


On the top of this cage there was placed a little Parrot-stand, to the

perch of which was attached, by a leg-chain, a common Grey-breasted

La Plata Parrakeet. This little fellow climbed about as far as his chain

allowed him to do. Whilst watching him, I heard the young Cuckoo give

a little screech. The Parrakeet climbed down, as I thought, from mere

curiosity; but, much to my surprise, the young Cuckoo came up to the

bars of his cage, opened his beak wide, and the Parrakeet fed him most

tenderly and copiously out of his crop. The Cuckoo had evidently called

his neighbour and temporary foster-parent, and visibly enjoyed the meal

he gave him.


A Cuckoo must evidently have a strange power over other birds to

make them thus supply his wants.


Had I not seen this strange spedtacle with my own eyes in the Lisbon

market-place on June 16th, 1S95, I should have thought such a thing next

to impossible.


Aug. F. Weiner.



BREEDING CORDON BLEUS.


Sir, — I was hoping to send you an account of the rearing of a family

of Cordon Bleus, but alas ! after living for ten days the little ones were

found dead this morning. The parents were the occupants, with ten other

small Finches and Waxbills, of a waggon-cage, 26m. in length and i6in. in

width. As the hen had laid five eggs on some chickweed and grass, I put

a nesting-basket at the top of the cage, which she at once took to, and

shortly again began to lay.


I need not tell you how greatly disappointed I feel at this failure.

This is the first time that a Cordon Bleu has ever laid whilst in my

possession, yet for seventeen years I have had a great many of these pretty

creatures.



W. T. Cateeugh.



