114 Correspondence, Notes, etc.



stand our winter. Next year I hope to be able to give a more accurate

account of the young birds as I have recently entered in a book every bird

I have, and mean to enter all purchases, sales, and deaths, so that there can

be no doubt in future as to the number of young birds reared. I enclose a

list of my birds, but if it makes this letter too long, pray omit it.* Outside

in the Park I have one Rhea, one Common European Crane, and one

Flamingo. These are out all the winter and are shut in only at night in

their shed. I should feel much obliged if any of your readers could advise

me where to get Flamingoes and their probable price.


N. E. F. Dun^ath.



SPONGE-CAKE FOR INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS.


Sir, —Will you be so good as to tell me your opinion of ordinary

sponge-cake as a food for soft food eating birds ? I have several birds:

Wliite-cheeked Bulbuls, Pekin Robins, etc., that have been fed for some

time on a mixture of bread, biscuit, preserved egg, ants’ eggs and dried

flies, equal parts, of which they ate a considerable amount, but lately I

moved them into another aviary where, amongst others,were some Tauagers

which were supplied with sponge-cake; now they will eat nothing but the

sponge-cake so long as there is any, and if there is enough they do not

touch the other mixture. Do you think that the sponge-cake alone is

sufficiently nourishing for them (with a little fruit) or ought I to remove

the sponge-cake and so make them eat the other ? At present I have

removed the Tauagers and give them a little sponge-cake. Also is sponge¬

cake with fruit a sufficient diet for the Superb Tanager? it was what I was

recommended, and I have never seen it touch the other food.


Richard H. Witjmot.


The following reply was sent to Mr. Wilmot:


I believe that sponge-cake or Madeira cake is excellent, as a change,

for Insectivorous birds.


This food should contain a large proportion of egg, which is generall} r

regarded as the most important item in foods for insect-eating birds; but,

as a matter of fact, I believe that the colouring of sponge and Madeira

cakes is largely due to saffron.


It is certain that Insectivorous birds are not much affected by the

absence of ants’ eggs or dried flies from their food; for I have tested them

for six months at a time, when ants’ eggs have been scarce in the market;

but to deprive them of egg would I believe soon be fatal, unless something

equally nutritious could be substituted.


Therefore, as the quantity of egg in these cakes is doubtful, I should

advise yon to give, both to your Tauagers and the other birds, either Grade



* We have not room to print the list, but it includes about 180 birds. —Kd.



