346 Correspondence, Notes, etc.



which our Editor has of late been telling us, but these latter two are

difficult to obtain.


There are also the various species of Rails, but from their skulking

habits they do not show off much and are sometimes apt to be dangerous

to other species.


Easily there is the great family of waders, a most entertaining group

to my mind, on which I wrote a short article in Bird Notes of December

1903, but of course they require a certain amount of soft food.


I do not think you would regret introducing some Silver Pheasants,

but in my opinion the size of the Quail would be more in keeping with the

other birds in the aviary. J. E. Bonhote.


CRIMSON-WINGED PARRAKEETS.


Sir, —I notice the Hon. M. C. Hawke’s communication on the above

Parrakeets in the Avicultural Magazine for this month (August), and I wish

to ask if these Parrakeets generally prefer to nest low, or on the ground ?

My pair went to nest in April, and for a week or more were very busy at a

nest-box about five feet from the floor, but suddenlj', the day or two before

laying the hen squatted in the corner of the aviary on the floor, and laid one

•egg. I placed a piece of wood slanting over it, but she laid the next egg a

little further out and removed the first egg to it, sat a day or two, then

forsook them and seemed unwell, then laid another egg from a perch and

broke it. I do not think she would have forsaken had I not placed a board

to make her more private. She would not sit again although I removed the

board. F. H. Rudkin.



BREEDING SPICE-FINCHES.


Sir,— Will you kindly let me know if the Spice-Finch has ever been

bred in England. I notice, by your book, that Dr. Russ has succeeded

where others have failed, but you do not speak of any one else succeeding.

I have in the nest two that I know of; whether there are any more I

cannot say, and they ought soon to be able to fly. Henry Dart.


The following reply was sent to Air. Dart:


The Spice-bird was bred by Eady Dunleath in 1901, and by Mr. Arthur

Gill in 1902.


Both occurrences are referred to in the Avicultural Magazine (N. S.

Vol. I., p. 36). A. G. Butter.



HEY’S ROCK-PARTRIDGE.


Sir, — Mr. Ogilvie-Grant writes to point out that the bird figured and

•described in the July number as Ammoperdix heyi is actually the form to

which he has given the name of A. chohnleyi. This, he adds, is not a

varietjq but a perfectly distinct and well-marked species, with white on the

forehead and lores. A. Trevor-BaTTYE.



