Correspondence



109



LUCIAN CONURES AND AFRICAN WAXBILLS

Sirs, — I should esteem it a favour if you could tell me how to

differentiate the sex of the Lucian Conure, as I have some, but cannot

see any difference at all.


I have had very bad luck with rare African Waxbills, every one

that I had from a certain dealer died. Violet-ears, Melbas, Black¬

cheeked, Blue-breasted, Dufresnes, etc., and yet a quantity of common

Waxbills that I had from another dealer are all in perfect health,

although all received the same treatment. The former mentioned

seemed in perfect health at first, but after a few weeks seemed to pine

and die away. Do you think that it would be some infection amongst

them ? But, if it were that, you would have thought that the other

ones would have caught it, and succumbed to it, too. I should like to

know what you think about it.


Sidney Porter.



BOOK DESCRIPTION OF WHITE IBIS

Sirs,— The recent correspondence about Scarlet Ibis in the Magazine

has prompted me to call attention to the descriptions given of the

White Ibis of South America, in the same genus, as stated in the

Royal Natural History. In vol. iv, p. 319, we read “ The last genus

we have space to mention is exclusively American, and comprises the

beautiful Scarlet Ibis (Guam rubra), ranging from Northern South

America to Central America and the West Indies ; and the White

Ibis ( G . alba), which is South American . . . Both have the tips of wings

blackish ; the rest of the plumage being scarlet in the one and black

[italics mine] in the other.” The word in italics ought surely to have

been white —otherwise it would make plumage all-black.


Is not the genus name Eudocimus more in general use than the above

Guara of R. N. History ?


Frederick D. Welch.



VOICES OF JAY THRUSHES

Sirs,— Can you, or any of the members, tell me whether the. loud

chattering cry made by the White-crested Jay Thrush (Ganulax

leucolophus) of the Himalayas is uttered by both sexes ? Not very long



