Correspondence. 105


the hottest parts of the world will be found enjoying our climate out of

doors at all times of the year, and very often when we are growling at it

ourselves. E. J. Brook.



A PISCATORIAL THRUSH.


Sik, — At Oxford last August I had the opportunity of making an

observation which very much surprised me. I was standing on the small

stone bridge which crosses the stream partly skirting Magdalen College,

when I saw on the edge a Song-Thrush looking for food. A shoal of small

fish (minnows, apparently) were swimming close in shore, and the thought

struck me — could that bird catch one ?


The same idea had evidently occurred to the Thrush, for at that

instant, with a sudden dart forward, it seized an unwary fishling, and after

a nip and a rap on two or the gravel, swallowed it with gusto. The capture

was so quickly made that I had no chance to see how far the bird went in,

but it afterwards went further along looking for more food, and I saw it did

not mind getting its feet wet.


The incident struck me as interesting, both because one seldom sees

the .Song-Thrush do anything original, and also because it gave one some

idea as to how the Dipper may have begun his business as an aquatic

Thrush in ages past. F. Finn.



CACTUS CONURE AND COCKATIEL.


Sir, — I see in the report of the Council it is wished all interesting

observations should be recorded. I do not know if the doings of my hen

Cactus Conure would come under that head.


The cock died two years ago, and for a time the hen was quite

miserable, moping and calling. Then she became devoted to me, flying to

me whenever I came into the aviary in a kind of ecstas}', and I had the

greatest difficulty to get away. This year she made friends with an odd

young Cockatiel cock and gradually dropped me, becoming quite shy. The

Cockatiel never seemed much gratified, in fact rather bored, with her

attentions. About July I missed her, and after looking everywhere found

her in a log nest with six white eggs about the size of a Cockatiel's. She

sat most steadily, the Cockatiel taking no part in the task of incubation,

but he was most attentive as a guard, driving away his parents in the most

noisy way whenever they came anywhere near the nest. I allowed her to

sit for a time, but none of the eggs were fertile. Do you suppose there is

an)' hope of a hybrid between these two species?


I see in our Editor's delightful book on Parrakeets that there is no

record of Cactus Couures being bred in this country. I have tried in vain

to procure a cock. Meanwhile I suppose I had better leave them together,

though at the breeding season I must move them from the old Cockatiels,

whose breeding this year was entirely ruined by their sou's anxieties over^,

the Conure nest. M. Drummond.



