240



Correspondence.



There is not the least doubt that the principals of our

schools throughout the British Islands are doing excellent work

in training their pupils in Natural Science, and they deserve every

encouragement. Fifty years ago education was either classical,

with a view to the three professions of divinty, law, and medicine ;

or was wholly commercial ; now, happily, all is changed for the

better, and a youth can study Natural History without being

regarded by every passer by as a harmless lunatic.


Ed. pro. tem.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.



THE USE OF GENTLES AS A FOOD FOR BIRDS.


Sir, —Can any of my fellow members tell me wliat has been their

experience in regard to the use of “ gentles,” by which we mean the larvae

of the Blow-fly ? I particular!}' wish to know whether any objection has

been found to the use of the gentle—either alive, after they have been well

scoured, or after they have been scalded—in bringing up young cage or

aviary birds, or as a substitute for the useful, but rather expensive meal¬

worm as part of the diet of adult soft-billed birds. I have known them

used with satisfactory results when scalded, by keepers, for young pheasants

at the coops; but my own experience of the gentle in the cage or aviary is

very limited. I believe Mr. Seth-Smith used gentles alive, but well scoured,

in rearing the Ouaiis, Tinamous and Hemipodes with which he has been

so successful. But if a substitute for the mealworm, as attractive, but

less stimulating and heating, it would be a great help to some of us when

we are trying to rear young of the insect-eating birds. I11 the case of

some, for instance, Rock-Thrushes, I have found that the parents, though

quite ready to visit the pan of ants’ eggs, yolk of egg, etc., for their own

purpose, are unwilling to take anything but live food up to the nest.


W. H. vSx. OutnI'in.



Sir, —A Pied Blackbird with rather an unusual history has lately

come into my possession. It was found frozen in a field at Wickham, late

last November, by a man who picked it up for dead. .Seeing it was an

uncommon bird he thought he would have it stuffed, and put it in his

pocket to take it to our Bromley naturalist for that purpose.


When he reached his destination and took the bird out of his pocket

it was seen to move, so Mr. Dell, thinking he might be able to restore it,

paid the man for it and kept the bird. It recovered, but its feet were



