Correspondence, Notes, etc.



235



BATHILDA RUFICAUDA.


Sir, —I think it will be impossible to adopt the name ‘ Star-finch ’ for

this bird ; inasmuch as it was given to it in error, under the impression that

it was a Waxbill, Astrild or Estrilda. I hinted at this in ‘ Foreign Finches

in Captivity,’ 2nd edition, p. 155, and ‘ Foreign Bird-keeping,’ p. 47.


As 3’ou pointed out, the red on the face varies considerably in extent;

and as we cannot alter the Latin name to rufifrons or stelligera, it seems to

me far better that we should adhere to the translation of its Latin

appellation— ruficauda, and continue to use the name by which it is

generally known in the British Isles. If we could transpose the trivial

names of Cyanospiza cyanea and Hypochoerci ultramarina there would, I

think, be a more obvious reason for the change, because the Indigo-finch is

blue, and the Ultramarine-finch indigo. A. G. Buteer.


[It is very desirable that the trivial names of birds should be literal

translations of the Latin appellations, where such names are appropriate; but

when inappropriate it appears to us best to adopt other names which suit

the birds better, or by which the various species are known in their native

lands.


The Australian colonists and bird catchers know this species as “Star-

finch,” and English bird-dealers often follow them. Mr. Campbell, in his

Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, calls it the Red-faced Finch, a verv

appropriate name, but undesirable for English aviculturists as it has been

adopted for at least two other species.


Although the appellations Red- and Rufous-tailed have now been

proposed for a number of years, very few English aviculturists have

adopted them. The species is generally known as the “ Ruficauda,” or the

“ Red-faced Finch.” Ed.]



LIVING BIRDS ATTACKED BY MAGGOTS.


Sir,— British Guiana is evidently not the only place where young

birds are liable to the attacks of these pests, for those of our members

who are readers of that most interesting and instructive journal “ The

Emu” will doubtless remember, that Mr. H. C. Thompson, writing in the

April number for 1903, of the neighbourhood of Launceston (Tasmania),

found a nest of New Holland Honey-Eaters (Meliornis novce-hollandice j

containing three young a few days old, two of the young were affected, the

“maggots were just under the skin, with the larger end out and when touched

would draw themselves in.” They were situated on the head, body and

legs, he “ removed nine from one bird by pressing near where they were

situated. When removed the wounds discharged blood and a watery fluid.”

The birds seemed quite healthy, though the one from which the maggots

were removed afterwards died, the other affected bird got allright. Later on

another nest of the same species and one of the Grey-tailed Tliick-head



