Correspondence.



170



of the African Tantalus {Pseudotantalus ibis), a small and brightly-

coloured Stork from tropical Africa, presented by Sir Walter

Egerton, K.C.M.G., High Commissioner of Southern Nigeria.

Its plumage is white with a delicate rosy tint, the naked skin of

the face is red, and the large pointed bill golden yellow. (See

illustration').


The only other addition of importance is a male specimen

of the rare Ashy-headed Goose, one of the most beautiful of the

elegant genus Chloephaga. D. S-S.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.


THE BREEDING OF NIGHTINGALES.


[We have much pleasure in publishing the following most interesting letter

on the breeding of Nightingales from Mr. Jeffrey, a well-known

breeder and exhibitor of British birds, and we hope that later on Mr.

Jeffery will give us a further and more detailed account of his methods-

and successes.—E d.]


Sir,—T he breeding of Nightingales is a very old pastime of mine, as

j'ou will see by the paper I send you.


Twelve months ago I went to Leicester to design an aviary for my

friend Mr. Sills of that town, in which he placed a pair of Nightingales.

They went to nest and successfully reared young, which he hopes to breed

from this season. I wrote an article to Cage Birds last year offering to any¬

one the privilege of paying Mr. Sills a visit to see the young birds in the

nest and if they so wished to photograph them, but I believe no one took

advantage of his offer, and I was rather disappointed, as this was the first

gentleman I could persuade to try the breeding of these birds in confine¬

ment. I had hoped to interest a good many people in the hobby of breeding

soft-bills, and by dint of perseverance I think I have got the thin edge of

the wedge in now, as I have been lecturing to several Ornithological

Societies and several fanciers are trying the experiment this year. I am-

hoping this year to try a cross between a tame cock Robin and a Nightin¬

gale. Nightingales are most adaptable birds for cage and aviary and go to-

nest very readily. I have bred Robins, Skylarks, Thrushes and Nightingales-

in my aviaries at Kidderminster. Last summer a pair of my Nightingales-

attempted to go to nest in a workshop, it would have been a great curiosit}'.

I have never had my birds or aviaries photographed, and could only give

sketches and descriptions of same, but this summer all being well I shall

certainly do so. Iam very pleased that more interest is being taken in

British biids, especially soft-bills. 1 have made a life study of British birds,,

and sent four pairs of Nightingales to the Crystal Palace Show as long ago-



