Correspondence , Notes, etc.



339



for the sudden difference in behaviour of the six. All last

summer they lived in perfect peace together, and seemed to love

to tuck up together, though even then I noticed that one was

•often left to roost alone.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.



FOOD FOR MYNAH.


Sir,—I should be so much obliged if you would tell me what is the

proper food to give a Myuali. I have just got one, and as I have never had

a soft-billed bird before, I am at a loss what to give him. I have given two

parts Capern’s food, one crushed biscuit, one ants’ eggs, half part egg-flake,

mixed with a little water; also a few strawberries or bananas cut up small.


He is in a good-sized cage, but I am afraid one of his feet is rather

sore, though there is nothing to be seen ; he seems to sit down on the perch

a great deal. He is a very dirty bird, but I suppose that is his nature, so I

must just put up with it. He is not dull and eats well, but I should be very

■glad if you could tell me if I am treating him properly.


E- G. B. Peddie Waddeee.


The following reply has been sent to Miss Peddie Waddell:


I have had a Mynah in perfect health for nine years: therefore, if I

dell you how I feed my bird, it ought to be a good guide As staple food I

give my usual mixture —2 parts crumb of stale household bread, 1 part

powdered mixed biscuit, 1 part ‘Century Food’ Grade I, 1 part preserved

yolk of egg, damped into a crumbly mixture with water. I 11 addition I

occasionally, about once a week at the outside, give half a cubic inch of

minced raw beef. I also give orange, grapes, or any other fruit which he

will accept, and a few cockroaches or other insects when obtainable. He

bathes daily. A. G. BuTEER.



SHAMAS DESERTING THEIR YOUNG.


Sir,—I should be very glad if any member can give me advice with

reference to my Shamas.


I have had the hen about four years, and she is exceedingly tame.

About six weeks ago I bought a cock freshly imported and wilder than

usual. I put him in a large cage close to the wire of the hen’s aviary,

which is a small portion of an indoor conservatory wired off, and about

suitable for a pair of Canaries to breed in.


The day after the cock was brought home, the hen laid an egg from

the perch, and I put in an olive barrel which I use for all birds for nesting

purposes with some hay. The next day another egg was laid in the barrel,



