344 Correspondence.


read it. The illustrations, which are mostly reproductions of

pen and ink sketches, leave considerable room for improvement.



THE SOCIETY'S MEDAL.



A medal has been awarded to Mr. W. E. Teschemaker

for having successfully bred the Yellow- rumped Serin Finch

(Serinus a?igole?isis) for the first time in the United Kingdom.


Mr. W. R. Fasey has successfully bred the Adelaide Parra-

keet (Platycercus adelaidensis) and, although this species has been

crossed with other species, we are not aware of any previous

case of pure - bred Adelaide Parrakeets being reared in the

United Kingdom. If any member or reader knows of a case it

is particularly requested that the Hon. Secretary may be at once

informed ; otherwise the case will go before the Committee

to decide whether a medal shall be awarded.



OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1907-8.


The Council recommend, in accordance with Rule 9, that

Mr. O. E. Cresswell and Mr. Arthur Gill retire from the Council

by seniority, and that Miss R. Aldersou and Mr. Hubert D.

Astley be elected in their stead. Also that Mr. L,. W. Horton be

elected as Auditor, aud Mr. Arthur Gill as Scrutineer.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.



SOME ASPECTS OF AVICULTURE, ETC.


Sir, — It is no pleasure to me to express a different opinion from an

old friend and colleague, but I think if Mr. Pocock had confined his

remarks in answer to Mr. Astley to the single fact that he is obliged to

combine exhibition with preservation he would have been wiser. When he

tells us that the opinion of " the highest possible authority " has been

regarded as unworthy of attention, because the birds which were being

improperly fed appeared to be in excellent health, I am afraid he rather

gives himself away.


A Parrot may be fed upon improper food (upon the same food indeed

which has caused the early death of hundreds of its own species), and yet,

on account of its individual constitutional vigour may continue to live in

apparently excellent health for ten, fifteen, or even twenty years; yet in the

end this vigorous bird breaks down in exactly the same manner, exhibiting



