Correspondence , Notes, etc.



114



song. In the evening the}'- are generally put into a large cage

for the night, and given their freedom again at dawn.


Formerly M. Pays-Mellier kept them the whole year

through, putting them into a warm aviary with his other

insectivorous birds during the autumn and winter. Here they

kept fairly well, but in spite of every care and attention did not

seem happy, and during recent years only the earliest broods

have been taken, and towards the time of their natural departure

they have been allowed to join their wild companions in their

flight to more congenial climes.


This is a very delightful form of aviculture, which might

well be practised in this country.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.



IMPORTING AUSTRALIAN BIRDS.


Sir, —In looking over a recent number of the “Emu” I noticed an

article by E. Degen, Parson’s Green, London, entitled “Australian Birds in

the Zoological Gardens, London,” in which the author states that only 60,

or about one-twelfth of the 760 species are to be found there. He continues

“ it may readily be inferred from this that a really splendid opportunity

offers itself to an Australian visitor or a returning colonist to supplement

the list and fill in existing gaps. This defect could be remedied with such

species without inconvenience to an enthusiastic traveller, and without

any particular risk to live stock which do not depend on insect food

exclusively.”


With reference to this matter I would like to say that it would give

me pleasure to contribute specimens were the expenses in transit not so

heavy ; but, as far as I have gone, either in exporting or importing birds, I

find the freight and shipping charges so extreme, that they quite act as a

deterrent.


Some time back I arranged to send two pairs of Crested Pigeons

(Ocyphaps lophotes) and one pair of Bronzewings (Phaps chalcoptera) to a

relative in London, but when on the steamer the purser demanded 10/- for

each bird, and then there was in addition the same amount as a gratuity

to the butcher — in all £3 10/-, without cartage, seed etc. Under these

conditions I declined to send them, but when they went later on with a

relative, the cost was 30/-, the purser asking £1, beside the fee to the man

in charge of them.


These expenses contribute greatly no doubt to the value of the birds

on arrival in England. Only the other day I was surprised to see the Satin



