i8 3



poor little chicks was too much for the Rollers, and several were seen to be

swallowed, only two being rescued, and subsequently reared.


My Diamond Doves have just reared a young one, the newly-hatched

young of a previous nest having been destroyed by some Rock Thrushes.

A pair of Scops Owls nested in a log; but they were not at that time in

the excellent condition of those described in the last number by Mr.

Meade-Waldo, and the eggs came to nothing.


My Pin-tailed Sand-Grouse laid several clutches of their beautiful

eggs, and in one case three were hatched ; but they were very weak from

the first, and after a few days died. The Black-bellied Sand-Grouse also

laid several clutches, but declined to sit. Of larger birds, we have a young

Snowy Owl, and four young Eider Ducks, two of them now full-grown.


W. H. ST. QuinTin.



THE ORANGE-WINGED AMAZON.


I once possessed, for a few weeks or months, an example of this

species (Chrysotis amazonica). The bird had been in the possession of

acquaintances of mine for about three years, and was given to me by them.

It never said anything beyond “ Polly,” which was uttered fairly distinctly ;

was by no means tame ; and seemed lacking in intelligence. While in the

cage in which it had lived at its old home, it had the habit of turning a

somersault under its perch, and uttering at the same time an ear-piercing

imitation of the sound of a rusty pump—when transferred to a different

cage it abandoned this habit, but returned to it on going back to the old

cage.


In appearance this species is much like the Blue-fronted — so much so

that an inexperienced person might confuse them. It is, I think, larger

than the Blue-fronted, and of a gaunter and much less pleasing appearance.

The expression of the bird being somewhat forbidding, while the Blue-

fronted is amiable-looking.


I soon got rid of my specimen, as I did not take to it.


Horatio R. Fiu.mer.



THE AGE OF CAGE-BIRDS.


Sir, — M} r experience is that birds live comfortably and happily for

many years in cages, if properly treated.


My niece has a Lizard Canary, a cock, which her brother brought

to her in December, 1889. It was given to him by a friend who had had it

for two years, so it must be nearly twelve years old. Here it lives in a cage

36 inches long, 26 inches high, and 19 inches wide. It alwaj^s has plenty of

river sand on the floor of its cage, and every variety of food that is good for

it. It is very cheerful, and sang merrily all the spring.


In the same cage are two other birds—a Red Cardinal and an

American Sparrow, hens — both of which have been here since November,

1892, which makes them just seven years old.



Edith Harrison.



