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cage and aviary—for I believe that many birds, which will maltreat others

in small quarters, will not do so when they have ample room.


Last winter I tried two of these Weavers, newly-imported, in a fair¬

sized cage with a pair of Nonpareils and a favourite old Gouldiau Finch,

but had to remove them for persistent bullying. This summer I have a

large new outdoor aviary—the summer residence of my Waxbills and small

Finches. The Weaver (for only one survives) is in splendid feather; and

his agile movements and flashing colour would be a great addition to the

beauty of the tribe in the aviary, but I have never dared to turn him

among them. Against another year, I should like to know the risk of

doing so.


O. E. Cress we LL.



DRIED FLIES.


Some weeks ago I purchased a 5/- bag of “ Zeke,” in the hope

and belief that I had obtained a valuable addition to my birds’ larder.

Considerably to 1113' surprise, 1 find that none of my birds will touch the dried

flies when unmixed with other food, and that although they appear to be

eaten when stirred into a mixture of sponge-cake, ants’ eggs, and preserved

egg, the food seems to be less readily eaten than when it does not contain

flies. I have offered the flies to the following birds—Bulbuls (three species),

Superb Tanager, Zosterops, Sugar-bird, Nightingale, Wheatear, Whinchat,

Blackcap, Garden Warbler, and Lesser Whitethroat—with the result that

none of them will eat them, except, as it were by accident, when mixed

with other food.


I should be glad to know whether other aviculturists have had a

similar experience, or whether I must consider my birds exceptionally

dainty.


I find that “Zeke” contains a large proportion of dust and rubbish,

and requires to be well sifted before use. It does not keep so well as ants’

eggs, as a sort of mould rapidly forms on the outside of the bag.


I hardly think that “Zeke” is as much of a novelty as it is

represented to be. I bought some dried flies in 1895 which had the same

“ ancient and fish-like smell,” and must, I think, have been obtained from

the same source (b).


Horatio R. Fillmer.


SWALLOWS IN CAGES.


Sir, —I am glad to see Mr. Astley’s protest against keeping Swallows

in cages. I have long thought of making the same protest myself. I do

not think anyone who keeps a Swallow in a cage can really care about birds.


F. G. Dutton.



( b ) As a rule I have mixed ‘ Zeke ’ with my soft food and have found it all eaten

by Pileated and English Jays, Blackbird. Bluebird, Thrush, Crested Mynah, Nuthatch,

Liothrix, Madeiran Chaffinch, and all kinds of Weavers. Unmixed it has been eaten

dry by Pileated and English Jays, Nightingale, Bluebird, Liothrix, Superb Tanager

(which however is not a great insect-eater), Scarlet Tanager, and Crested Mynah. It

should be kept in tins, when it keeps well. All dried insects crumble by friction and

thus produce insect-dust, but this is not unwholesome. ‘Zeke’ has been imported in

small consignments for six or seven years.—A. G. B.



