Correspondence, Notes, etc.



83



there were actually either one or two, though it is just possible there may

have been as many as three. I11 the second issue of Bird Notes I wrote

“the Club has no desire or intention of competing with the Avicnltural

Society, or of drawing members from it. By all means let everyone belong

to both Club and Society if they will.” Those words were published just

three years ago, and to that attitude the F. B. C. has consistently adhered.

The Club has constantly striven to maintain friendly relations with the

Avicultnral Society, and will, I firmly believe, continue to do so in spite

of “ pin-pricks.” Horatio Fiegmer.



THE NESTING HABITS OF BRUSH TURKEYS.


Sir,—-I t must be very annoying to Mr. St. Ouintin to attain a certain

amount of success, only to be disappointed at the last moment, and if he

had observed the excitability which is usually displayed by the cock when

a chick is about to be, or has hatched, and then examined the mound, I

think he would have reared the youngster easily.


My intention is not to supply dry leaves only next season, but to well

intermix these with fresh lawn mowings, which are far too heating if used

alone. By this means I hope to obtain warmth and lightness combined.


It is rather a pity that Mr. Re Souef—who must be well-acquainted

with the nesting habits of this bird — does not give us some information as

to the material used by the Brush Turkeys in the Melbourne Zoo.; but as

the last remark in his letter savours of more to come, he may yet help us

in our trouble. The great necessity is to find materials which will give a

lasting heat at the bottom of the mound, as it is only the debris above

which is removed and replaced by the birds; and, as we all know, heat

always ascends, consequently the eggs have to depend on that which is

generated at the sides of the heap.


The young ones hatched at Regent's Park are now full grown and in

perfect health, and as these bring our total up to six birds, I hope to have

at least two mounds going next year.


A. E. L. BerTeing.


Zoological Gardens.



THE BRACK-BACKED TANAGER.


At the Crystal Palace Bird Show, held on the 18th, 19th and 21st of

November, perhaps the most beautiful bird exhibited was a male Black-

backed Tanager (Calliste melanonota) owned by Mr. Townsend, who is so

well known for his great success with Tanagers. C. melanonota inhabits

Southern Brazil, and is one of the most beautiful of the lovely genus to

which it belongs. D. S.-S.



