296



Post Mortem Examinations*.



“ British Rails,” he gives an instance of the same thing, and calls it

“Migratory Fever.” I consider this the solution.


The Linnet I have, rebels against captivity more than any bird I

have kept, and I have decided to give her her liberty. She is always the

sufferer, and has been cruelly injured each time. Last week I heard the

flutter of wings at 3.20 a.m. and very suddenh - . At the same time a

Blackbird was giving his early call-note in my garden. I feel sure the

Linnet heard it and hence the panic. I noticed that two of the Canaries

were sound asleep while the fluttering continued, and my voice soon

pacified the restless ones.


It would be interesting to know if other members of our Society

have had the same unpleasant experience and I should be grateful for any

further light on the subject. (Miss) Georgina Woi.EE.


THE USE OF GENTLES AS FOOD FOR BIRDS.


In the June number of our Magazine, Mr. St. Quinton asks members

to give their experience as to the use of gentles for feeding insectivorous

birds. My experience with these has been perfectly satisfactory, and I

have never known a case in which harm has resulted from their use. But

it is absolutely essential that they should be thoroughly cleaned before

use, by being kept for at least three days in clean dry sand. When properly

cleansed, I believe them to be perfectly wholesome and more digestible

than mealworms. Some birds will not touch them, but most eat them

readily and do well on them.


When I was in Melbourne, I went to see the most interesting collection

of insectivorous birds kept by Miss Helen Bowie, one of the few a viculturists

in Australia and probably the most experienced as regards soft-bills.


She employs a boy to collect the small gentles of the house-fly which

propagate in liorse-mauure. These are much smaller than the ordinary

larva of the blow-fly and seem admirably suited as food for very delicate

insectivorous birds. Miss Bowie has kept for a long time with perfect

success such birds as Blue Wrens, Yellow-breasted Robins and such like.


D. Seth-SmiTh.



POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS.


Pectoral Finch. (Miss Dewing). This bird died of pneumonia. It was

a hen.


Shama. (The Countess of Harewood). This bird died of congestion of the

liver.


Answered by post :


Mrs. Connell. Mr. Barlow. Mr. A. Trevor-Battye.


Capt. J. W. H. Seppings. Mr. St. Ouintin.


Lady William Cecil. The Earl of Harewood.


Arthur Gill, M.R.C.V.S.



