Correspondence. 107


NESTING NOTES FOR 1906.


Sir, — I have not much to record in breeding for 1906. Eight

Diamond Doves reared. The Mealy Rosellas nested but the hen became

egg-bound when laying her fourth egg. Pennants hatched and partly

reared two young; Java Sparrows reared three young; Diamond Finches,

one young. A large quantity of 3'oung Budgerigars, green and yellow, and

Cockatiels reared six. F. H. Rudkin.



TREATMENT OF WADERS IN CAPTIVITY


Sir, — I should be much obliged by information as to how to get the

feathers of Waders to resist water. I sometimes have sent me by dealers

Waders whose feathers will not resist water in the least and have lost

several birds through this cause.


I usually put such birds into a place by themselves on arrival, aud

allow them to bathe for a few minutes oul}' each day, hoping that the

feathers will in time get back the oil.


At the present time, I have a Greeushank which was sent me a week

ago. It was, aud is, apparently in good health except after getting wet,

when it is a shivering, trembling mass, hardly to be recognised. It feeds on

earth worms, mealworms and Victoria poultry meal, and I have placed a

temporary shelter from rain for the present. Unless, however, I can get the

feathers to turn water I am confident that sooner or later a lot of cold rain

will kill it. I have lost several birds lately through this cause — birds that I

have had for months and that have grown aud got fat during such time

and yet the feathers never got to turn water.


On the other hand I sometimes get birds from dealers that have been

kept away from water for mouths, and }'et they never give an)' trouble.


As I am much interested in wading birds I should be very glad of

am' suggestion throwing light upon the question.


I have a little swamp aviary in which I keep a Black-tailed Godwit,

Ruff and other small Waders, and should like to have a Water-Rail if it

would be likely to succeed. I have a lot of water-snails, etc., also a good

deal of cover in the way of rushes, flag grass and low bushes.


I suppose the bird would have to be fed on raw meat or liver ? Would

it be likely to attack Dunlins, etc. ? I understand that Land-Rails are very

savage, but do not know if Water-Rails are. C. Barnby Smith.



The following reply was sent to Mr. Barnby Smith : —


Waders once on their food will generally do fairly well until the

moult sets in when their plumage holds the water as you describe. Birds

fresh caught from dealers always or almost always have this trouble with

the exception of Ruffs or Knots which seem very hard}'. As birds-iu-this^

condition have generally not finished their moult I find invariably that



