Correspondence.



107



AN UNNAMED GALLINULE.


Sir, —I was very interested in Mr. Shore-Baily's article, “ Some Kails and

Gallinules.” Some years ago I had the Purple and Grey-headed Gallinules, also

another which I have not been able to name. It was all bine, no green on saddle,

and the head was an intense blue, about the size of the Purple Gallinule. If any

member can give me the name I shall be very much obliged. I had it set up when

it died, and I gave it to the Leeds Museum, and it is there now unnamed.


Thornhurst, Tewit Park, Harrogate ; December 4th, 1917. John W. Marsden.


[This species is Porphyrio caruleus — the true Purple Gallinule, as originally

named by Latham. It inhabits the countries bordering the Mediterranean and

has doubtless often been confused with the Violet Gallinule ( Porphyrio porphyrio),

which inhabits Africa further south. The two species are very closely allied, and as

their range is probably coterminous, they would be likely subjects for experiments

in hybridising birds, as advocated by Dr. Butler.— G. B.]


BED-COLLABED LOBIKEETS.


Dear Dr. Benshaw, — My Bed-collared Lorikeets are too new for me to be

able to write an article on them. I have mated my cock with one of the hens, and

they go into a nesting-box for most of the day, but I don’t know if there are eggs.

I took the other hen out and wish to sell her. They are very fearless, inquisitive

birds, and fly to me at once for treacle and water; and when I set a mouse-tran

they were almost interested— so much so that I was afraid they would get hurt,

and had to take it out.


I waited a little to see if their nesting were serious, and I looked yesterday,

but there are no eggs, though they both stay in the box nearly all day. The cock

went into the box the moment I put it up again, and I was afraid he was going to

attack me when I first took it down.


I saw a very beautiful Cockatoo at Cross’s some weeks ago—white, with a

faint blush of pink about the cheeks, and pale sulphur on crest and under the

wings, and only about the size of a Bosella. Such a dainty little bird.*


The Citadel, Hawkstone, Yours faithfully,


Salop. -■ Alfred Thom.


ZEBBA-FINCH WITH DISEASED FOOT.


Dear Dr. Botler,— My little cock Zebra-Finch has a bad foot; he had it

when he came (from Cross), and it gets no better. He has lost the two side-toes

almost entirely, and the disease seems to be in the main joint now. He looks in

perfect health, and it does not seem to be very painful, though he preens it fre¬

quently. Can anything be done ? I soaked it in warm water and then oiled it with

camphorated oil once, but catching him disturbs the pair so very much. The perches

are always clean.


My Bed-naped Lorikeets spend most of their time (both) in a nesting-box,

but I have not looked in. I think of selling the odd hen; I separated her, and it’s

a bother attending her. Yours sincerely,


The Citadel, Hawkstone, Salop; November 12th, 1917. Alfred Thom.


The following reply has been sent to Mr. Thom :


No doubt the disease was contracted, owing to dirty perches, before the bird

came into your possession.



* [The Bed-vented Cockatoo (Cacatua hcematuropygia), a native of the Philippine


and Sulu Islands.—G. B.]



