270



Post Mortem Examinations .



box pattern) hanging high np in the aviarv. After partly filling the box

with hay, feathers and wadding, it suddenly seems to have struck them that

the Whydah’s longest tail-feathers could he coiled round so as to form an

admirable lining to the cup ; they therefore watched their opportunity and

stealing up close to the Whydah suddenly tweaked out one of these

feathers and flew triumphantly off with it.


From time to time this trick was repeated, much to the annoyance

of the Whydah, which crouched down and made grimaces at the Chingolos

whenever they approached him : eventually only one of the longest feathers

remained, and the hen Cliingolo coveted it to her hurt ; she appears to have

snapped at it about two inches from its extremity, just giving the Whydah

room to turn suddenly upon her. O11 the morning of June 21st I found her

dead upon the floor, every feather plucked from her back and one side of

her face, the inner secondaries torn out and all the flight- and tail-feathers

broken off short. The place where the Whydah’s tail-feather was seized is

clearly visible, the feather being bent abruptly at the spot. A.G.B.



POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS.



Each bird must be forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and post¬

age paid, direct to Mr Arthur Gill, Lanherne, Bexley Heath, Kent, and must be

accompanied by a letter containing the fullest particulars of the case, and a fee

of 1/- for each bird If a reply by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclosed.

Domestic poultry, pigeons and Canaries can only be reported on by post.



Goui.dian Finch. (Mr. G. Canick). Septic enteritis was cause of death.

Brush Bronzewing Dove. (Miss R. Alderson). The bird died of collapse

brought on by dysentery.


SCARLET TanaGER. (Mr. Hoyle). This bird died of apoplexy. No doubt

rigor mortis had set in but passed off.


Answered by post :


Mr. J. Lewis Bouhote.


Rev. H„ D. Astley.


Mr. II. Robbins.



Arthur Gir.r,, M.R.C.V.S.



