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Correspondence , Notes, etc . 281


I believe also the mice get the eggs out of the husks, as I sometimes

find eggs on the floor just bitten on one side, but the yolk is still in the

shell and one would be inclined to think that if mice had been the robbers

they would suck the eggs quite dry.


Do you think the husks hung from the aviary ceiling a good way?

They seem rather wobbly to me this way, mine at present are fastened

secure to the wall and the birds seem to enjoy sitting on them.


Frank Bathe.


The following reply has been sent to Mr. Frank Bathe:


I think the secret of your failure lies with the cocoa-nut husks. I

have always noticed that the eggs and young are liable to be thrown out of

these, as the actual nest is too near to the entrance hole.


I have found boxes * to answer very much better. These are made

five or six inches square by seven or eight inches high, with the entrance-

hole (about au inch and a quarter in diameter) near the top. The bottom is

made of thick wood and slightly hollowed. The lid is made to open, and

the boxes are securely fastened against the wall; not hung from the roof.


The only seed required is canary, and the seed-pan should be kept full

of this; and when the young are hatched soaked bread is very useful.

Green food, such as chickweed, groundsel, or flowering grass, should be

given in abundance. D. Seth-Smith.


YEW TREES AND BIRDS.


Sir,—I n my new aviary I have planted some yew trees because they

give such grand cover.


I see in au old number of the Avicultural Magazine a note to the

effect that yews are most dangerous in au aviary.


Is this fact or fancy ? Of course I know they are bad for cattle.


P.S.—Chiefly foreign finches in this division of aviary.


- W. E. l'ESCHEMAKER.


The following reply has been sent to Mr. Teschemaker:


I am afraid that there is no doubt that yews are poisonous.


I once tried one or two small yews in my aviaries, and about that

time several of my little finches died: although I did not have post mortem

examinations made of the bodies, it is probable that the yews were respon¬

sible for the death of some, at least, of them.


Oddly enough, the berries of yew trees are eaten with impunity by

many birds. A. G. Butter.



WEST INDIAN PARROTS.


Sir, —In his list of West Indian Parrots Mr. Bonhote has omitted

Chrysotis caymanensis, of which there are two specimens now at the Zoo.


P. E. SctaTER.



* Similar to those recommended by Mr. Meade-Waldo for Tits and Nuthatches, and

illustrated in this number. But for Budgerigars the bottoms must be slightly concave.—

D. S.-S.



