Correspondence , Notes, etc. 81


content to be numbered with those whom he is pleased to consider “ are not

equipped with anything beyond ‘experience.’ ” We have yet to learn that

Dr. Creswell has had much experience himself in keeping any but the

hardier birds, and, until he can show that he has been successful with

delicate insectivorous birds without the use of egg in any form, we are

content to continue to use that which every experienced civicultmist has

proved to be good.


We cannot see that anything can be gained by prolonging this

discussion, so it must now close.— Ed.]



HOMING INSTINCT IN PENNANT’S PARRAKEET.


Sir, —The following experience with a Pennant which escaped may

interest some of those who keep Parrakeets, and proves that it is not

always hopeless to get them back if by chance they should get away.


A cock Pennant which I had only had two months was rather wild,

and, when anyone entered the flight, would fly backwards and forwards from

end to end so rapidly that some care was required in getting inside. This

pen contained a cock Barnard and some young Golden Pheasants, and I

sent my brother one morning to feed them as he had previously done so;

but, on entering, this Pennant made a dash towards the door, knocking off

his hat, and flew into some trees close by. The door of the pen is 6ft. by

2 ft-, an d m y brother 5ft. nin. So there was no great amount of space.


After reporting the matter we went to look for the bird, and I must

saj I felt vety little hope of getting him again. Bnt I had a recollection

of aremaik about some bird not being so likely to return as some of the

Broadtails in Dr. Greene s “ Parrots in Captivity ” (which book by the way I

sinceiely wish he would continue as the text is interesting and instructive

to read and the illustrations are the best I know of, my bird being the

image of the illustrations and colour quite as intense). Mr. Pennant was

not far off, and on whistling his call he kept answering; then we lost sight

of him for some time, and in the meanwhile had shut the other birds

inside their house, throwing open the aviary door with a long string

attached so that if he did return we could close the door from a distance,

keeping ourselves out of sight. I tried to locate him with a field glass, but

could neither see nor hear anything when, on looking round, lo and behold

he was on the aviary, but at the opposite end. trying to get to some Rosellas

and another pair of Pennants, and also the end of the string was that way.

So we made a wide flanking move to watch him from a distance, when, on

reaching the spot, what was our delight to find him inside his own com¬

partment. A pull at the string, and he was once more secure.


I attribute the success in recapturing the bird to his not going right

away in the first place, and either answering his call or else his being able



