Correspondence. 45



in the Magazine. I have given Arthur’s mixture mixed with potato and

carrot to my Tanagers, and this they sometimes eat and sometimes will not

touch ; but I notice these birds greatly differ in their tastes for food.


I am hoping next year to build an outdoor aviary for Tanagers only.

At present in an outdoor aviary with a shelter I have several Gouldians and

a pair of Bullfinches, these latter always go to the shelter at night whilst

the Gouldians remain out amongst the bushes; this I suppose does not

matter, as they choose it of their own will.


A. Aitchison (F.Z.S.)


The following reply has been sent to Mr. Aitchison:


I never use peat moss litter myself and have no idea where you could

get it. I always recommend sea-sand (the sharp sand used by builders) for

all kinds of birds : I find that it suits my Tanagers very well, although

naturally they make it pretty wet with their daily bath. Would not cocoa-

nut fibre answer your purpose?


Although, as a rule, Tanagers eat very little beyond the egg and ants’

eggs in an insectivorous mixture, I give mine the same food which I provide

for all nn' insectivorous birds, viz.—two parts crumbled stale household

bread, one part powdered biscuit, one part egg (either preserved or hard-

boiled and crushed through a masher) and one part Trower’s “Improved

Cecto ” or “ Century Food.” I also give at this season ripe pear and banana

and later ripe orange and banana daily. Occasionally insects in some form

are given alive, or, if a bird gets out of condition, one or two spiders. Thus

fed I have kept two cock Scarlet Tanagers since 1897 and an Archbishop

Tanager since the end of 1903 in perfect condition.


Both Mr. and Mrs. Abrahams have passed into another state of

existence, I don’t suppose the food is now obtainable.


I think if you were to stick some dense brush-wood in the sheltered

part of your aviary, you would find that theGouldian Finches would prefer

that to bushes in the open; mine have always done so.


A. G. Buti/er.



HABITS OF THE CUCKOO.


Sir, —With reference to the interesting article on the Cuckoo, by Mr.

Dalgliesh, in last month’s Aviadtural Magazine, I venture to give you some

notes regarding the habits of the Cuckoo which I have observed personally.


Some years ago I collected eggs and consequently was always look¬

ing for nests. There was a long hedge which was a favourite nesting place

for many small birds, especially Hedge Sparrows and Greenfinches. With

regard to Cuckoos sucking eggs, I feel quite certain that it does so. I have

seen a Cuckoo flying along this hedge and stopping now and then, and

on looking at all the nests in it, in the hope of finding a Cuckoo’s egg, I

found almost all the eggs, in the various nests, sucked, and as there were

no other birds, such as Jays and Magpies, in the neighbourhood which suck



