172



Correspondence , Notes, etc.



Finches ” (Praclitfinken as the Germans call them). Either the bareness is

due to one bird plucking the other under the pretence of preening its

feathers, or some error in feeding has brought on a disease known amongst

bird-keepers as “ surfeit.”


The cure for the former is separation, and a change of partners after

the plumage has recovered; the treatment for the latter is—cage the

patient by itself; for one day only dissolve five grains of Epsom salts and

five grains of chlorate of potash in a wineglassful of warm water, and give

the mixture as the day’s drink ; supply plenty of green food, but otherwise

feed as simply as possible.


Warmth is best for the recovery of feathers.


You could turn out Pileated Finches in the summer; but, whatever

you do, don’t trust Weavers with any little finches which you value (I have

tried them with disastrous results); sooner or later the weaker birds will

be found with their heads completely skinned and their backs bare and

bleeding.


I only tried with Fire-Weavers, sometimes called “ Bishops,” but the

species of Hyphantornis or Ploceus would be worse if possible.


Both Golden and Yellow Sparrows differ considerably in the sexes,

the upper parts of the female being pale brown.


A. G. Butler.



A WHITE-TAILED WHYDAH.


Sir, —That intrepid Italian traveller, Major Casati,'during his sojourn

in Equatoria, met with a variety of the Whydalis, of which I am unable to

find an account in any of the ornithological works to which I have access.


He gives it the name of Mandolougo and states that in the Mambetta

country it is held sacred, and it is regarded as a crime to kill it.


It is caught by nets and two long zuhite feathers are plucked from the

tail after which the bird is allowed its freedom.


The feathers form part of the regalia of the king, and a severe

punishment is inflicted upon anyone who attempts to infringe the

prerogative.


Has this bird ever been imported to this country, and if so under

what name ?


Archibald Simpson.



Sir.—O 11 receipt of the above letter I wrote to Mr. Simpson to inform

him that I knew of no Whydah with white tail-feathers ; but that I would

communicate with Captain Shelley the author of the “ Birds of Africa,” who

would certainly know whether such a bird had been recently described.



