44



Correspon deuce.



aviary and living ants’ cocoons which their owner supplied. Three young

left the nest on September 5th, when eighteen or nineteen days old, and

were seen to feed themselves on September 14th.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.



THE KING IBIS.


Sir, —I enclose a photo, of a pair of King Ibis, or Warty-headed Ibis

(.Inocotis papillosus), which I have this summer obtained from India. I

understand these birds are rarely kept in this country, though I may be

wrong.


The large white patch on the wing-slioulder (hardly visible in the

bird on the left side of the photo.), is very conspicuous when the birds fly.

The rest of the plumage is brown and dark purple green. The head is

nude and covered 011 the top with red dots. The birds are considerably

larger than the Glossy Ibis.


I am told they ought to be omnivorous, but my birds much prefer

meat to anything else. I have attempted to get them to eat meal, etc., by

mixing it up with the meat, but this is a failure, as tliej' carefully take each

piece of meat and wash it in their little pond before eating.


Like other Ibises they are very fond of perching, and of course

take small gravel. They seem of an entirely peaceable disposition, and

their quaint ways are very interesting. What will be the result upon

them of an English winter remains to be seen. They revel in full sunshine.

However, as they are now in excellent health and have a good shelter-shed

facing South, I am hoping for the best.


C. Barnbv Smith.



TANAGERS, Etc.


Sir,—I n Vol. VI. (First Series ), pages 103 and 212 of Avicultural

Magazine peat moss litter is recommended as being good to cover the

bottoms of cages or aviaries in which are kept soft food birds, and a certain

firm is mentioned as supplying a special kind for this purpose. I recently

wrote to the said firm asking about this peat moss but received 110 reply.


My reason for troubling you with this note is to enquire whether you

could kindly tell me of anyone selling this stuff. I have five Tanagers of the

small sorts, e.g. Superb, Emerald-grass, Violet, etc. which I am at present

keeping in a cage 5ft. long, 2ft. wide, 3ft. high, back of wood which extends

to about gin. on two ends and top. Sand, I found is of no use for these

birds, and sifted earth is not much better.


Whilst on this topic I am anxious, if possible, to ascertain the best

mixture for these birds; that sold by Abrahams I notice often mentioned



