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steel plates,” are simply beneath contempt. Aviculture is, of

course, entirely disregarded, but, considering the author’s ignor¬

ance of the subject, it is doubtless better so.



CORRESPONDENCE.



THE TREATMENT OF NEWLY-IMPORTED GOULDIAN FINCHES.


Sir, —This is the best season (June to August) for the importation of

Gouldian Finches, and no doubt a good many of these lovely birds will lie

purchased by members of the Avicultural Society. Could not a member of

the Society, well versed in the treatment they require for acclimatization,

give us an article upon the subject ? It would be most interesting and

valuable, for so many die through improper treatment.


A. Savage.



[Mr. St. Ouintin’s article in this month’s Magazine has been written

by him in response to this request. Mr. St. Quiutin has been exceptionally

successful in keeping and breeding Gouldian Finches.]



TANAGERS AND HONEYSUCKERS.


Sir, — I was interested by Mr. Wiener's letter about the food for

Tanagers, because, some while ago, I was looking at some very good Poe-

birds in Leadenliall Market, and on asking upon what they were fed, was

surprised to be told “ Biscuit and condensed milk.”


As I have always understood that the food was the difficulty in

keeping Poe-birds, it would be good news to mail}' a bird lover, if a

successful food could be found.


F. G. Dutton.



ALARIO FINCHES.


Sir — I think many members of our Society will be interested in

hearing that a pair of Alario Finches belonging to me have reared two

young ones. They were hatched on the 19th or 20th of July and left the

nest on the 2nd of August. They were reared mainly 011 crushed hempseed,

lettuce, and cliickweed, with the addition of egg-food while in the nest.

Very little, if any, egg was eaten after the young left the nest, and they,

like their parents, now feed chiefly 011 German rape-seed.


I can scarcely suppose that this is the first time that such comparatively

common birds have bred in this country, but I can find no recorded instance

of their nesting successfully in England, or, indeed, in Europe. Dr. Russ,

quoted by Dr. Butler, says distinctly, “have not themselves been bred.”

They have, of course, been crossed with the Canary several times, both

here and in Germany. There is certainly no difficulty about breeding the

species, and only the scarcity of hens can have prevented its frequent

occurrence.



Horatio R. Firemer.



