Correspondence. 137


Elephants which, with three received in 1905, form perhaps the finest

collection of these magnificent animals that have ever been seen in any

Zoological Gardens. The birds in the collection consist of two Red-backed

Sparrows {Passer rufidorsalis) ; one Cretzschmar's Bunting (Emberiza

ccesia) ; one Grey Heron {Ardea cinerea) ; and one Rosy-grey Dove [Turtur

roseogriseus).



THE RUFOUS-BACKED MANNIKIN.


A small consignment of this rare and pretty Mannikin {Spermesles

nigriceps) has recently been on view in the shop of Mr. Liter, the bird

dealer in Leman Street, E-, and they appeared to be in excellent condition.

They remind one much of the Bronze Mannikin, but the back is a rich

chestnut. The species inhabits " East Africa, from the Zanzibar region

down to Natal " (B. M. Catalogue).



THE DOVE ACCLIMATIZATION EXPERIMENT.


Members of this Soceity who are interested in the proposed experi-

ment of liberating a number of Crested and other Doves in Regent's Park,

will be glad to hear that over thirty birds are now housed in one of the

central compartments of the Western Aviary at the Zoological Gardens.

These consist of seventeen Australian Crested Doves, ten Bronze-wings,

four Necklaced Doves, three Half-collared Doves and two Senegal Doves.


A small Committee has been formed to manage this experiment, con-

sisting of Mr. Castle-Sloane, Mr. Newman, Dr. Drewitt and myself, and we

should be very glad of donations of Doves, or money to buy them. The

best species for the purpose is the Australian Crested Dove, and we should

be especially grateful for any of these birds, but other hardy species would

be very acceptable, even the common- Barbary or Ringed Turtle Dove which

doubtless many members possess. It is proposed to mark the birds with

aluminium rings, and I should be glad of suggestions as to the most

suitable kind for the purpose. D. SeTh-Smith.



PROPAGATING MEALWORMS.


Will members who have been successful iu propagating mealworms

be kind enough to explain their method for the benefit of other members?

The text-books tell us how to do it, but if we follow their advice we

generally succeed in propagating myriads of mites and clothes moths, but

no mealworms. On the Continent however mealworms are bred extensively

for sale. They are very expensive to buy, and it would be a great saving to

those aviculturists who keep many insectivorous birds, if they understood

how to propagate their own. D. S^S.



