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Mr. Hubert D. Astley,



Their food consists of dari and hemp as well as watercress,

etc., when in season, besides which they probably eat the fresh¬

water shrimps which are naturally in the pond.


So long as the water is fresh, etc., a confined space does not

seem to matter, for their wire enclosure is only about fourteen feet

square. Only one of my Cotton Teal is pinioned, as the enclosure

is roofed with wire, but I wanted to see whether, contrary to what

was told me, this species could stand the operation.



APROPOS OF PINK-CRESTED TOURACOS,

AND A VISIT TO THE LIVE STOCK

DEPARTMENT AT GAMAGE’S.


If Mr. Newmarsh, who is the manager of this department,

goes on as he is doing', “ Carnage’s ” in Holborn, (as all the world

knows) should attract a goodly number of aviculturists. But what all

the world does not know, at any rate I didn’t, is that Mr Newmarsh

started the live-stock with a few canaries and such like ordinary

fry, and has worked it up to such rarities as Pink-crested Touracos,

with lesser lights in the shape of Melba Finches, Rosy-faced Love

Birds, etc. Members may say, “the Editor is very ignorant, we

have known Gamage’s live stock department for ages.” I was

written to by Mr. Newmarsh, who by the way is assisted by one

who was a bird-keeper at Woburn Abbey, asking me whether I

wanted Pink-crested Touracos.


Happening to be in London a few days afterwards, I went.

On entering the emporium, that I believe is the correct word, there

is no sign of Touracos or of any other bird; one passes through

mowing-machines, wearing apparel, and numerous other commodi¬

ties for supplying oneself with food and clothing, etc., until at the

far end, seeing a notice directing you by a kind of downward subway

to the Zoological Department, one finds oneself amongst incubators,

poultry (I carried off five Silkies), pigeons, and so on; but for

Touracos it is a case of “ nest compartment please,” and there in an

ante-chamber were the Touracos. One had thought the German



