205



Correspondence, Notes, etc.



Nottingham, is the Honorary Curator of the Nottingham Public Aviary,

which, I believe, is one of the best planned and most successful in the

country, and although I have never seen it, I am prepared to aver that it

does not face North or anywhere near that aspect, and I venture to predict

that if any member of Mr. Rotliera’s committee suggested erecting another

aviary with such an aspect, however desirable in every other respect it

might be, he would wash his hands of the whole affair, as I would myself.


It is difficult to conceive how a body of men and their advisers could

be so misguided in a matter of this kind when a moment’s thought would

have convinced them that a site that was not even advisable for a green¬

house, could not possibly be suitable to confine, all the year round, such

sun-loving creatures as God’s most lovely creation, the birds.


My object in bringing this matter to the notice of this Society (a

.Society of which I am proud to think I was one of the pioneers and founders,

and on whose Committee and Executive I have served ever since its founda¬

tion) is the hope that what public opinion here has failed to effect, viz., a

removal of the aviary to a more congenial spot, may be effected by the

expert opinion of many of our members, who, I hope will take the

matter up and express themselves freely in our subsequent issues on the

subject. John Sergeant.



PASSERINE PARRAKEETS: CORDON BLEUS.


Sir, —I have a pair of Blue-winged Parrakeets in niv mixed outdoor

aviary, and the\’have stood the winter well. I should be obliged if any of

the members would say if these birds are difficult to breed, and what do

they like to nest in. They only have cigar boxes in the aviary. A pair of

Cordon Bleus have been in good health and feather all this winter outside,

but they and the other birds are driven into the inner shed at night and the

door shut.


M. C. Hawke.


[A small log nest or large cocoa-nut husk would suit them as well as

anything for a nest. If a box is used the bottom must be slightly hollowed

to prevent the eggs rolling about and getting cold. When young are

hatched some soaked stale bread, squeezed nearly dry, should be given in

addition to as great a variety of seeds as possible, and a liberal supply of

green food. Mr. O. E. Cresswell bred this species in a small cage in 1S92,

{cf. Avic. Mag. Vol. II. p. 144, also Parrakeets, p. 73 ).—Ed.]



IDENTIFICATION OF LORIKEET.


Sir, —Can you tell me the name of the Lorikeet described below ? I

have no great experience with Lorikeets, but have never seen one like it,

nor can I find out from any books what its correct name is. Colour green ;

head bright blue-green ; nape, and a wide band across the breast yellow



