,’ 3 6



Correspondence , Notes, etc.



{Pachycephala glaucura) were found with the young in a similar state, in the

latter case one of the wretched young had eleven large maggots and

another one four. In each case one young one was free. Mr. Thompson

also mentioned that a nest of the introduced European Goldfinch ( Carduelis

carduelis) was also affected.


In the days when I kept a good many domestic pigeons, I remember

on at least one occasion noticing some larvae just inside the vent of a squab,

as far as I remember they were not smooth like ordinary maggots but

seemed more in rings, they T may perhaps also have had short liair-like

processes on the body. I attributed their presence to allowing the nest to

get foul. T. H. Newman.



PARRAKEETS HOLDING FOOD IN RIGHT FOOT.


Sir, —In our Magazine, Vol. 2, N.S., for 1903-4, at page 107, appeared

a most interesting article on the Ring-necked Parrakeet, by the Rev. H. P.

Edge. So interesting, indeed, that it first put the idea into my head of

getting a Ring-neck for a pet. In this paper the author states that he

never saw or heard of either of his birds using the right foot to hold food

and that it is most unusual for Parrots to do so. Well, I carefully

watched my first Ring-neck, which proved to be a hen, and, sure enough,

she alivays used the left foot. She was killed by a dog just when she was

getting very tame.


I wrote off for another bird, and received a beautiful cock. A few

days after I gave it a piece of biscuit, which, to my surprise, it took with

the right foot from its bill, and held it till it had picked off all it wanted.

Since then I have often fed it, audit has always been the right foot that was

used. It would be interesting to have the opinion of some experienced

Parrot-keepers on this subject. W. H. Workman.


[A Meyer’s Parrot in our possession always holds its food in its right

foot.—E d.]



THE YELLOW-HEADED GOULDIAN FINCH.


Sir,— I should like to know what naturalists think with regard to

such birds as my Orange (or rather gamboge) -headed Gouldian Finch.


I am sure that if you saw it, you would agree with me that is

apparently as distinct a variety as a red-head or a black-head. Has such a

variety been scheduled ?


It is said to be wild caught. The bird is a male in good condition

and beautiful colouring, and I see no reason whatever why it should change

its head colouring to red.


Mr. Phillipps suggested it might be a hybrid, which would moult

back to the usual colouring. But its colours are all so very pure and

distinct, and there is not the slightest trace or suggestion of red or black

feathers on the head.



