235



Correspondence, Notes, etc .



My Red-billed Weavers moulted in December, and were very ragged

for about three weeks, but are now very smart though out of colour. One

of my Avadavats is still in half-colour but gradually assuming undress.

With the exception of the hen White Java Sparrow and one of the Zebra-

finches none have attempted to breed.


I have taken careful notice of the roosting places selected by the

various birds, and have found that the Mannikins, Javas, Zebras, Silverbills,

Bengali and Cutthroats roost in the wooden shelter, in bushes, etc. The

Singing-finches have taken possession of two cypress trees, the Spice-

finches, Avadavats, Orange-cheeks, Waxbills and Buntings sleep in the

privet hedge, and the Weavers in box trees. I am satisfied that the latter

are as hard as Sparrows. All are in splendid condition, with the exception

of one of the Orange-cheeks which is rather ragged and has lost its tail,

but appears to be healthy.


I think you will agree with me that the past winter has been a trying

one. For the last fortnight we have had almost continuous Easterly and

North-Easterly wind, and plenty of it, with hail, rain, snow and frosts at

intervals. R. SuGGiTT.



BREEDING ZEBRA FINCHES.


Sir, —Can you tell me what sort of food I ought to give my Zebra

Finches while they are breeding ? Twice they have nested, and when

the young birds were half grown they seemed to neglect them, consequently

the young birds died. They are in an outdoor aviary, and have been left

very quiet. They were given soft-food and millet, etc., but I feel sure there

is some special food that I ought to give them to feed the young ones

with. I should be much obliged if you would tell me what to do.


Adelaide Dawnay.


The following reply has been sent to the Lady Adelaide Dawnay :


I have bred Zebra-finches when fed upon, seed only, indeed I have

young in the nest which are being fed upon this food now; but I feel sure

that more satisfactory results are obtained when good soft-food containing

egg and ants’ egg is supplied in a separate pan. I must have bred, from

first to last, over a hundred of these little birds, and I usually supply them

with the same food which I prepare for my insectivorous birds:—2 parts

crumb of stale household bread, 1 part powdered sweet biscuit, 1 part

‘ Century Food,’ 1 part preserved yolk of egg; well mixed together and

slightly damped. A. G. BUTLER.


BOWER-BIRDS’ PREFERENCE TO PARTICULAR COLOURS.


Sir,- —It would be interesting if any of our members who have kept .

Bower-birds would communicate any particular preference they 111a)' have

noticed in their specimens for certain colours.



