Sir, —I have been wondering what luck in breeding members of the

•Avicultural Society on your side of the Channel have had this year ?

Better, I hope, than my 7 self. Perhaps some will kindly give their results in

the magazine. Except Redrumps, I have not had a single bird hatched

(that I know of) of any description. My Many-colours have done nothing

yet, and are now moulting. I lost my hen Turquoisine a mouth or two ago

and, not being able to get another, fear breeding this Parrakeet is not very

likely 7 , with me, this y 7 ear. My 7 New Zealands have done nothing at all,

although they appear to be in the best of health, and are not moulting. I

had about 18 eggs laid b3 T two Golden-crowned New Zealand Parrakeets

between January and the beginning of April—at several times—and as both

birds sat and all the eggs were clear, I conclude I have two liens

instead of a pair. A pair of Yellow Budgerigars in one of my aviaries have

not made a start yet. Small birds, Finches, etc., are doing absolutely 7

nothing, and of these I have lost a good many. I fancy the peculiar

weather we have had is chiefly 7 the cause of so much non-success jfi breed¬

ing, and the losses of the small birds. The early part of the year was too

mild, and probably brought the birds too soon into nesting condition; then

followed cold, and checked them, causing death to some, and upsetting

breeding operations with others. On the whole, my losses have been

greater, and breeding results less, this season than in any other since I

have kept birds.


I had too fine cock Redrumps leave the nest last month, and the

parents have four young again two of which seem to be liens : but tlieyi are

scarcely fledged enough to tell exactly 7 . The old cock acted again this y 7 ear

in precisely the same manner as last — he commenced maltreating the

young of the first nest as soon as the hen was about to lay 7 her second

clutch, and before they 7 could feed themselves. I had to take him out of

the cage ; and the hen laid, without him, five eggs, four of which were

good and hatched. The two first young were removed a few days before

the second lot hatched, and the old cock was put back to the hen again; he

is feeding with her as if nothing had happened. I suppose he is used to be

thus dealt with, for he seems to know what is coming when he misbehaves

himself toward his young and I go to take him away.


I have at present afresh pair of Australian Crimson Finches — the cock

imported and the hen aviary-bred-—having lost my old pair, “the fighters,”

during the bad weather. They 7 are birds of a different disposition from the

other pair, not such bullies, and are 011 the best of terms with each other,

which was not the case with the first pair — the cock chased and fought the

hen whenever he had the chance. I have come to the conclusion that

some pairs are more pugnacious than others, and the species is generally

addicted to worry other birds lodged with them. I should not care to put

other birds of tlieir size, still less smaller ones, in their company, except in

a large aviary containing plenty 7 of bushes for shelter from their chasing

and attacks. A. SAVAGE.



THE AGE OF CAGE-BIRDS.


Sir, — W ith regard to the age to which little foreign birds live in

captivity, I have an Avadavat flying about in my 7 bird-room which I bought

in August, 1892 ; it had then been some time in captivity and was quite

tame. It was (until a short time ago—when it met with an accident) in

beautiful plumage and brilliant colour, only getting a little greyish about

the head. (Miss) E. E. WEST.



