Correspo7idence , Notes, etc.



305



In the List of the Zoological Society this bird is called the “ White-

headed Bullfinch-Lark,”—a strange name for a Black-headed bird with

white cheeks ! A. G. ButeER.



BREEDING ST. HELENA SEED-EATERS.


Sir, —As-my St. Helena hen Seed-eater is sitting, I should be much

obliged if you would kindly let me know whether, when young arrive,

ought one to give anything extra beyond their ordinary’ food to help them

feed their young. The seeds in the aviary are millet, canary and spray

millet, and there is a small plot of grass.


Nicholas S. O’Reieey.


The following reply has been sent to Mr. O' Reilly.


When breeding, the St. Helena Seed-eaters should be supplied with a

mixture of sweet biscuit, preserved yolk, and ants’ eggs; also cliickweed

and groundsel. Being Canaries, they require much the same treatment as

the domesticated Serin. If you can get a few small smooth green cater¬

pillars they will be appreciated. A. G. BuTEER.



BIRDS FOR PARK AVIARY.


Reply to a letter received, from a Member in the United States :


The most profitable large birds to keep for park aviaries are the

various Pheasants, which are also very hardy; but the different kinds must

be kept separate if you want to breed from them. For an attractive show,

a number of cocks of different kinds may’ be put together, but most people

would rather breed them.


Along with Pheasants, you can keep and breed Doves, large Finches,

Parrakeets, and, if you have a small pond in the aviary', refreshed by a

stream so as to prevent the water getting foul, some of the surface-feeding-

Ducks.


Cranes are rather large for aviary birds, and are better kept wing-

clipped or pinioned in a large paddock with a pond, and a warm sheltered

shed for winter use. With these, however, breeding is not certain.


Cockatoos have seldom been bred in captivity, and, like all the

Parrot tribe, are destructive to vegetation, but they are very attractive in a

big aviary, and will sometimes breed.


I cannot say what the prices of birds would be in the United States;

you can find out what they cost here by consulting the advertisements in

this Magazine or the Feathered World.


For a big public aviary you would find the following collection very'

striking, hardy', and likely to breed, and not unduly expensive. Gold

Pheasants, Cockatiels, Leadbeater Cockatoos ; Rosella, Quaker, and King

Parrakeets, Nicobar and Crested Pigeons, and Mandarin Ducks, among birds



