2o8 Correspondence , Notes, etc.


these St. Vincent, St. Lucia, and Dominica Parrots want a great deal of

moist heat.*


If a bird was doing well on sunflower, I should say let well alone.

But then Mr. Morse doesn’t think his bird is doing well.


I thought we agreed that our experiences tallied that birds rejected

the boiled maize as they grew adult. I can’t get the adults to look at it.”



SILKWORMS ; THE CEDAR BIRD ; CIRL BUNTING’S SONG.


Sir,— I note a query in the Avicultural Magazine whether anyone

has tried young silkworms for insectivorous birds. I have, and they seem

to relish them if fed on mulberry leaves but refuse those fed on lettuce

leaves. I now have some eggs of the silk moth which I will send to anyone

who would like to try the experiment with young birds. The eggs will

soon hatch if put in a moist heat. I have never seen any of my birds eat

the moth itself except Chaffinches, who however reject the wings.


In regard to the Waxwing, or Cedar-bird + as it is called in North

America, they eat rowan berries, cranberries, but chiefly the berry of the

red cedar, which is a small slate-coloured berry about the size of a caper.

I have seen them in flocks in a cedar grove in the winter when the ground

was covered with snow. I think few people in England cultivate the poke

berry, which is invaluable for the Mocking-bird and Cat-bird, also the wild

cherry.


I have a pair of Cirl Buntings, in perfect health and plumage; they

are quite tame, and the cock, in addition to his own song, imitates a Canary

who is in the cage next to him, and then winds up with a Thrusli-call,

which I consider rather odd as I have no Thrush in my bird-room. I call

him “ Tommy ” and he answers chirk , and always begins his long song with

chirk, chirck, cherree, cherree, cherree, and then a whistle, a few soft notes

which turn into a Canary trill, a pause—and then the Thrush-call. I shall

persevere with him and see if he will extend his repertoire. I thought this

account might interest you as I have always heard that Cirl Buntings are

considered dull as cage birds. AiyvS Gorter.



THE LITTLE BUTTON OUAIL.


Turnix dussumieri.


The following extract from a letter received from Mr. W. H. St.



* From what Canon Dutton wrote to me later, it appears that he finally decided not

to send his bird.


I pointed out, in reply to Canon Dutton, that my remarks applied only to Grey

Parrots, if they rejected the maize.—A. G. 13.


t The Waxwing', Ampelisgarnilus, and the Cedar-bird, A. cedrorum, are closely allied

but distinct species. See pages 365 and 366 of our last year’s volume.—R. P.



