in colour and shape, but has not the same call-note as the domesticated

Canary. It is also not a Citral- nor a Serin-finch. Is there any other finch

in the Canary Islands very like a Wild Canary ?


C. Harrison.



The following reply was sent to Mr. Harrison :—


Your bird must be a Wild Canary if it came from the Canary Islands;

as, unless Serinus icterus has been introduced into the islands, it is the only

Serin found there, and you would be certain to recognize the Green

Singing-finch. The Wild Canary is smaller than the domesticated bird,

with the exception of the smaller Hartz-mountain Rollers.


A. G. Butler.



A FEATHER-EATING PARROT.


Sir, — I should be glad to know if anyone has had to deal with a case

of feather -eating in Parrots. I have known plenty of cases of picking and

nibbling, but never a case in which the feathers were eaten before.


It has happened with a hen Nymphicus uvceensis, and was begun in the

aviary. The bird was so ragged in September, that I thought the weather

out of doors was perhaps too cold for the reproduction of its feathers, and

brought it in. But it has taken some time to find out the cause. I have

never seen the bird at it, but at last, finding wing- and tail-feathers dis¬

appearing, I asked if any feathers were found on the bottom of the cage ?

On being assured there were none, there could be no longer any doubt that

the bird was eating them. I don’t know whether anyone can suggest a

cure. The bird has plenty of wood to destroy. I am trying sulphur in its

sop, but I think I shall spray with quassia solution instead of giving the

bird its bath.


F. G. Dutton.



AVIARY NOTES.


Sir, —I am afraid I cannot give any very satisfactory reply to Miss

Ashford’s enquiry regarding the Avadavat which I bred. The bird proved

to be a hen : and as I had two other hens at the time, and have since lost

two from egg-binding, I cannot sa}^ whether the survivor is my young bird

or not, though I am inclined to think that it is. With regard to the time

of attaining adult plumage : it had not done so completely within three

months (though Dr. Russ says that the beak should be red in about eight

weeks), but unfortunately I made no very exact notes on this point at the

time.


Though my experience of the Crimson Finch agrees, to a large

extent, with that of Mr. Farrar, I should hesitate to count on the amiability

of this species against the general opinion of aviculturists. Certainly my

bird has never done more than slightly spar at times with his associates

(which are all rather larger than himself), but he will not endure the

presence of a female of his own kind. I have ceased to attempt to provide

him with a wife.


I have had a Madagascar Weaver, for about three years, in an aviary

with many other Weavers, including several species of his own size, and I



