56



REVIEW.


Notes on Cage-Birds (Second Series) or Practical Hints on the

Management of British and Foreign Cage-Birds, Hybrids and

Canaries. By various Hands. Edited by W. T. Greene, M.A.,

M.D. (L. Upcott Gill. Price 6 I~J.


This is a reprint in book form of “ a selection from the

various articles, letters, and notes relating to Cage-Birds, that

have appeared in the Bazaar from 1882 (when the First Series

was issued) to the present day.”


Such a book as this must necessarily be of a rather

scrappy and hap-hazard character, but it contains a good deal of

information worthy of preservation in more permanent form

than the columns of a newspaper, and we think aviculturists

will find it interesting.


The fact that every letter in the book is signed either by

initials or by a nom deplume detracts somewhat from its value.

The statements of an anonymous writer are not entitled to so

much weight as those of one who gives his name. Still, the

identity of H. D. A., F. G. D„ R. P., C. P. A., W. T. C., J. H. V.,

W. O., and others, is sufficiently transparent, and to readers of

the Avicultural Magazine, at any rate, will be no mystery. The

letters appear to have been somewhat severely edited, so much

so, indeed, as to have lost nearly all individuality in the process.


Such an experienced journalist as Dr. Greene may be

trusted to make the most of the materials at his command, and

it is therefore scarcely needful to say that the book is well

arranged and eminently readable.


Two instances are here recorded of Spice-birds acquiring

the song of the Silver-bill, and Dr. Greene states “ we have

frequently heard of cases of birds that naturally sing in dumb

show, or at least in such a low tone as to be inaudible to ordinary

human ears, acquiring the notes of other w 7 arblers, and singing

aloud.” We remember a Chestnut Finch (for some years in Dr.

Simpson’s possession) which sang a full, loud song, much like

that of a Canar} 7 . By the way, to describe the song of the

typical Mannikins as “inaudible to ordinary human ears” seems

somewhat of an exaggeration—it is very faint, but perfectly

audible if the listener be near enough to the performer.



