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■which is really doing a most excellent work, will take up this matter, to

them will he accorded the hearty sympathy and goodwill of all our

members who call themselves bird-lovers.


D.- Seth-SmiTh.



TRAVELLING-CAGES FOR DOVES—A SUGGESTION.


Sir, —In perusing Mr. Cresswell’s interesting article on Doves in last

month’s Magazine, I note he alludes to the greet difficulty in importing the

little Barbados Turtle Doves ( Chamaspelia passerina). Would it not be

possible to overcome this difficulty by providing padded boxes with false

canvas tops, etc., or making a skeleton box, covering it with fine canvas,

then putting it in another, allowing, say IJ inches between top and sides.

Of course it would have to be made fast, and the front more or less open.


I have noticed that Quails, imported alive into Leeds market, always

come in very shallow crates, not more than 6 inches high and 3 or 4 feet

long—they seem to be packed like herrings in a box. This appears to

answer, as they look strong and lively.


F. W. Oates.



GRASS-SEEDS FOR WAXBILLS.


Sir,—A s it is impossible to tell the varieties of food that foreign birds

feed on in their native land, it is one’s duty to give the little prisoners

change of diet that will be of benefit to them when kept in confinement.

Doubtless, grass-seeds of kinds make up for the loss of some of tlieir

favourite dainties. Some time ago, in addition to the staple foods of m v

Waxbills, a grass mixture was added, but it was treated like all seed

mixtures—quick turns left and right with the beak, to select the favourite

seed, at the expense of a lot wasted.


As some of the grasses had, if I may so express it, “no inside,” a

careful selection was made of the kinds that had “kernels,” or an interior

tliat could be shucked. Out of this “survival of the fittest” I give the

names of three or four of the cheapest, the prices varying from 4d. to 8d.

per pound.


Meadow Fescue (Festuca pratensis ).


Timothy (Phleinn pratense).


Sutton’s Dwarf Perennial Rye Grass (Loliumperenne suttoni ).


Plantain, or Rib Grass, they also seemed to appreciate. Some others

of the expensive grasses (such as Dogstail) were highly esteemed, but as the

price was 2/6 per pound, they are not mentioned, as the lesser priced seeds

answer all the purpose.


To those who have small cages and only room for one sort of grass at

a time, a fresh variety can be added daily. In my case the seeds are placed

in rows in night-light glasses on a shelf, easily got at from the perch, and

each bird seems to have a special liking for a certain grass, and can take

his or her choice, and there is but little waste in the feeding.


W. T. Cateeugh.



