Correspondence , Notes, etc.


CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.



171



DIAMOND FINCHES, YELLOW SPARROWS, ETC.


Sir,—C an yon tell me of any means of both preventing and curing

baldness in Diamond Sparrows ?


Another member has sent me a Diamond hen to see whether change

of place, food, etc., will help her. She is very bad, the feathers gone from

both head and neck, making her look exactly like a Vulture, and she has

been in this condition for some time. Would warmth or cold be best for

her ? She has been, and is, in an indoor aviary, but mine in which she now

is, is in a conservator}', warmed at night.


One of my own Diamonds, who has reared nestlings this year, also

shows signs of the same trouble the last few weeks. They are not

together.


Can you tell me the difference, if any, in the appearance of cock

and hen Golden Sparrows?


I bought mine in the summer from a dealer who had several, some

with white, some with black beaks. He told me they came from California,,

and the colour of the bill was the distinguishing mark of sex.


I, of course, bought a ‘‘ pair,” hoping they might nest, but now both

bills are black. I suppose the white bill must have been a young one. Is

there any difference, or are the sexes alike ? They are so shy that it is hard

to watch them at all, but one or perhaps both sing a loud sparrow-like

song or twitter.


I am hoping in the spring to have an outdoor aviary, a very simple

one, more for summer use than anything else, but with plenty of bushes.

Could I put Pileated Finches there ? And would it be any use having

Weavers among small birds such as Bichenos, Lavenders, etc. I have never

but once had a Weaver on account of their bad character, but if there was

any chance of their nesting out of doors I should like to try them. Are

they hardy enough to remain out in the winter?


My indoor space is limited to two aviaries, one holding Biclieuos,

Waxbills, etc., the other Gouldians, Longtails, Masked Finches, etc,

Though we have so little room we generally get some broods during the

year, but our luck was bad last year : only two Gouldians, two Diamonds, a

dead Biclieno nestling, and a nest of Longtails. The Cordons built a

pretty nest, laid one egg, and sat most carefully, but nothing came of it.


L. Williams.


The following reply has been sent to Mrs. Howard Williams:


There may be two explanations of bare heads in the “Ornamental



