40



Notices of Nezu Books , etc.



nestling down was a uniform dark chocolate brown, but the

wing feathers were faintly barred, and the secondaries and coverts

being tipped with white, indicating a mottled appearance in the

first plumage. Legs and bill were bright red.



NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS, ETC.



THE SEXING OF LIVING BIRDS.


The difficulty of determining the sex of those birds in

which the plumage is superficially alike in both male and female

is one that troubles the majority of aviculturists perhaps as

frequently as any other matter that may arise in connection with

their hobby. What can be more annoying, after having paid a

high price for a couple of very rare birds which it is hoped, in

course of time to breed, than to discover that both belong to the

same sex ? With many birds, of course, the sexes, when adult,

are perfectly distinct, but in such cases the young males often

resemble the female, and the tyro may find that after a time his

“hen” commences to show bright feathers, and eventually

“ turns into a cock.” In other species, such as the Weavers, the

males assume their characteristic plumage only for a certain

period of each year, at other times being more or less similar to

the females.


Thus the aviculturist, unless he is quite experienced, is

beset with difficulties and may very easily make mistakes in

selecting his birds if he relies upon his own judgment, or the

word of the dealer from whom he purchases.


Dr. Butler, who is always ready to help in avicultural

matters, has spared no pains in the preparation of one of the

most useful helps to the aviculturist that has appeared for a

long time. “How to Sex Cage Birds” (“The Feathered

World” office, 9, Arundel Street, W.C., price 3/6), deals with

every species that the ordinary mortal is likely to come across

and many more as well, and where there is a means of dis¬

tinguishing the sexes the author has pointed it out.


I11 preparing the work Dr. Butler has not relied entirely



