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species ; but to hark back to the Parrakeets. The great difficulty with most

species is to get a true pair, and then, if newly-imported, to get them

acclimatised. It is generally useless to expect them to breed the first

season, indeed, it is better not to encourage them to do so, and there is less

danger from egg-binding if not allowed to nest until their second season.


Some three or four years ago, I had an ambition to breed Mealy

Rosellas. I procured a couple from our esteemed member Mr. Housden ;

in his opinion they were a true pair, they were young birds and had their

heads splashed with red. I eventually (after twelve months keep) proved

them to be both cocks. Advertising one in the Magazine, I sold it to a

gentleman in Surrey. An advertisement for a hen failed to have the desired

effect, and it was not until the August following, 1898, that I procured one—

a newly-imported bird, in poor condition and very weakly. With a lot

of careful nursing and attention I brought her round, and she has re¬

warded me this Spring by going to nest and successfully rearing two fine

young ones. I am in hopes the} 7 will even do better next season.


I also might add that in an adjoining box a pair of Cockatiels have

brought off a nest of five — this speaks well for the disposition and amia¬

bility of both pairs.


The other inhabitants of this portion of the aviar} 7 are Red-rumps,

Blossom-heads, Blue-wings and Madagascar Love-birds. It may be of

interest to note that, in another division of the aviary, I have a brace of

Chinese Quails, a week old at the time of writing. Last year they got as

far as perfectly-formed young in eggs, but failed to hatch.


F. W. Oates.



THE NEvSTING OF THE CRIMSONWING.


Sir, — I quite hoped to send, next month, to the Magazine, an

account of the successful rearing of the Crimsonwing ; but, alas, I have

been disappointed on the very verge of success. I had three beautiful

youngsters hatched from three eggs ; fed most carefully by their parents,

and feathering well, and nearly a month old; when, lo, there came two

bitter cold nights after the tropical week in July, and they took a chill and

died. I could have wept tears of vexation and disappointment over their

untimely death. So near to success and then to have to wait another year !


Mr. F. W. Oates, one of our members and a great friend of mine, has

to-day seen the bodies, and he will certify in a note what grand birds they

were.


I have no heart to write any more ; but if we live another year, I

hope to succeed.


C. D. Farrar.



THE AGE OF CAGE-BIRDS.


Sir, — Regarding the age of cage-birds, my aunt had a Cardinal

bought in Malta in 1SS1, age unknown, which died last August (1898) thus

reaching the age of 17^ years, which, I think, must be unusual in a bird of

that size. (Mrs.) R. Sherbrooke.



