144 Correspondence, Notes, etc.



THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINE TO BIRDS.


Sir,—I notice Dr. Creswell has considered it necessary to comment

on my remarks re the above.


That any two persons should not agree is reasonable, but for Dr.

Creswell to endeavour to impress on your readers that m3' remarks referred

to cases of imminent danger is unreasonable, to say nothing more, and I am

quite willing to leave your readers to decide as to whether his argument is

a just interpretation of what I said.


My notes under Post mortems are necessarily short. Having always

endeavoured to assist the members I beg to say if at any time it is within

my power it will always be a pleasure to render them further help.


Arthur Giee.


[Crowded out of the January number.—E d.]



FOOD FOR JAY.


The following reply has been se?U to a member's query :


The best food for a Jay consists of crumb of stale household bread,

powdered sweet biscuit, yolk of egg, ants’ eggs, and dried flies, thoroughly

mixed together and slightly damped; or, if you wish to save the trouble,

‘ Century Food’ Grade 2, with a little yolk of egg in flake added, and about

two parts of crumb of stale household bread to one of the food, will

answer the same purpose.


Ouce a week a cubic inch of raw beef minced, should be given in

addition to the staple food ; also any mice, young sparrows, or sparrows’

eggs when you can get them ; cockroaches or other insects and their grubs,

spiders or centipedes.


Crack-nuts are much appreciated, or green peas when in season; also

small fruits or banana.


Too much butcher’s meat is bad, though fur and feather in the form

of mice and nestling birds (which are natural food) do good, and help to

keep this and the other Crows in good plumage.


I am speaking from experience; as my two Ja}\s (English and

American) are always in perfect health and plumage excepting when in

moult.


The cage for a Jay cannot be too large, as it is an active bird and very

playful ; it also likes to bathe daily.


A. G. BuTEER.



BOWER BIRDS.


Sir,—I should be very much obliged if you could kindly give me

information on the following subjects.



