Correspondence.



217



two small drops, undiluted, were put into its mouth. It was then placed on a

perch in a cage, but it fell on its back, to be once more put up, when it fell

forward-and shuffled along into the comer of the cage, putting its head under

its feathers and seeming in a hopeless way.


In half-an-hour’s time it was up on a perch—its insectivorous food was

taken away, and only fresh insects given it, and twenty drops of the same tonic

in a tablespoonful of warm water, as cold drink increases the pain, and birds

-with this disease are thirsty. At noon the little Goldcrest was drinking the

medicine, and also feeding, looking certainly better.


Mr. Galloway had to be absent from home after that, until 4 p.m., when

he found this small creature as tight in feather as possible, quite lively, and all

its insect food eaten up! “The marvellous thing was,’’ Mr. Galloway says,

“ that in nine hours after having taken the medicine, the bird regained nearly

“ all its lost flesh, and at night, on handling it, it was quite plump.’’


Hubert D. ASTLEY.



CURIOUS FRIENDSHIPS.


SIR,—On pp. 183-4 of our last number, some notes appeared of curious

friendships amongst Mrs. Noble’s birds. The same kind of thing has happened

here more than once. For instance :—


In July, 1886, I obtained a male Black-backed Piping-Crow—a rare species

in those days. After a while, I introduced a female Chinese Jay-Thrush into

the same aviary, who, finding the Piper unattached, quickly sought his pro¬

tection, and very soon the two were fast friends. Not only did they associate

together and sit side-by-side during the day, but they invariably slept together,

the comparatively small Jay-Thrush cuddling up for warmth and safety amongst

the feathers of her stalwart champion.


In the course of time, I obtained a male Chinese Jay-Thrush, and placed

him along with the other birds. Alas for the fickleness and ingratitude of the

sex ! The little woman, without a moment’s hesitation, without even a chirp of

thanks, forthwith turned tail on her trusty guardian who had watched over her

so faithfully when he might have eaten her (and it would have served her right)

—and went off after the other fellow ! Reginald PHILLIPPS.



AN AVIARY BURNT.


SIR,—I feel sure that other aviculturists will sympathise in the loss of all

my best birds that I sustained the night of April 5th.


I have a large cage aviary divided into two parts, all facing south, and in

the day the glass shutters are down and at night they are put up. It is an

ideal aviary, the only thing wanting are extra wire runs at each end. As I have

some birds that like warmth I tried to heat the building from the house by pipes

and acetelene gas, but as I thought it unsafe and gave off fumes I did not try it

one day but took it out and went to the expense of a boiler and hot water



