200



Correspondence.



My attention was drawn to the matter to-day, by noticing a Knot

(a bird I have had some years and that has assumed its chestnut breast

rather earlier than usual this spring) busy, near the edge of water,

throwing bits of dried grass and other small bits of herbage from one side

to another and backwards over its shoulder.


There was, I feel sure, no mistake about the meaning of the action

being a remote suggestion of nesting. I do not for a moment suppose that

in my crowded aviary any nesting will result, but I think the action is

interesting as showing that possibly a slight change of conditions might

result in actual nesting. I have noticed a movement similar to the Knots

in a Reeve that actually nested and laid—also in many other birds, but

always in the spring and connected with nesting operations.


I am quite convinced that the Knot’s movements had nothing to do

with food search.


Is it too much to hope that if trials were made on a wide scale, some

day nesting would result ? C. Barney Smith.


[The only approach to the nesting of this species took place in the

late Lord Lilford’s Aviaries in 1893 and is noted in Prof. Newton’s ‘ Ootheca,’

Vol. II., p. 207. Perhaps Mr. Cosgrave may be able to give us some

particulars as to the food and conditions under which these birds were kept

during that year. Of late years much has been discovered about the

nesting habits of this species. Mr. Manniclie, a Danish ornithologist, gives

a good account of their breeding habits, etc., in his book, “ Meddelelser om

Gronlaud,’ p. 130. He remarks that at this time of the year they are

largely, if not entirely, vegetable feeders, eating seeds of Carex and Luzula

Tufts. The breeding grounds were dry, stony, sparsely covered table lands.

Other observers have noted their feeding on the shoots of Saxifraga

oppositifolia and the nests found have been well concealed among rough

stones and boulders.—E d.]



RANDOM NOTES.


Sir, —I am sending you the following notes about my birds, but I am

afraid there is nothing to interest your readers as I am very much of an

amateur, and have only a large box-cage for my birds, and I have nothing

rare. My cage measures 27 inches long by 13J inches, and is iS inches high.

At present it has fifteen occupants, consisting of two Silverbills, two

Cordon Bleus, two Lavender Finches, two Orange Cheeks, two Zebra

Waxbills, two Cuban F'inclies, one Red Avadavat (cock) and one Fire-

finch (cock).


The 011I3’ point of interest is that I have been very lucky with my

birds. The Cordon Bleus are my first and original pair, purchased three

years ago. One Lavender Finch is also my original one, purchased about



