20 
He is confident of being able to bring any species over alive that 
he may be able to secure. He suggested that if he had the 
means of catching, and the knowledge of using the contrivances, 
he might be able to fill every available space on board the ship 
with birds. Thinking this an excellent idea we supplied him 
half-a-dozen trap cages of various sizes, a large tin of birdlime, 
and a piece of net some six yards in length and three in width, 
and gave him full instruclions as to their use. Unfortunately this 
suggestion was made when the ship was almost. on the ])oint of 
sailing, and there was no time to get an\' of those admirable 
spring net-traps, which would have been the best and easiest 
method of catching a good variety of birds. 
The "John " sailed for Savanilla on November 30th, is due 
there about the first week in January, and should be home again 
about the middle of May next. She has on board a good supply 
of seed, and all that is necessary to make a large quantity of 
"soft food." Mr. Porter has written to a personal friend of his 
at Savanilla asking him to see one of the native dealers about 
getting as great a variety of birds in true pairs as he possibly can. 
Mr. Porter has also promised to make copious notes of everything 
pertaining to birds and birdy matters that comes under his 
notice. We can now only wait and hope. 
parasitical Ibabits of the S?ilh\> (TowbirD. 
(Molothrus bonariensis). 
By O. Mir<T.suM. 
At the cotnmeiiceiiieiit of last suiniiier there were a mixed lot of birds 
flying ill my large outdoor aviary, comprising aiuongst otliers: Tanagers, 
Cardinals, Saffron Finches, Quails, Ruddy-shouldered Cowhirds, a most 
beautiful pair of Silky Covvbirds and about five pairs of Canaries. The 
Ruddy-shouldered were the pair that had bred the season previous. 
Nest j)ans were placed around the walls to enable the Canaries to 
breed if they were so inclined. As the breeding season advanced several of 
the Canaries commenced l)nilding, but the other birds would disturb them 
and eventually pulled the nest to pieces. This did not trouble me a lot, for 
I was by no means keen upon breeding Canaries, and consequently I 
allowed the birds to have their own way, and was greatly amused at their 
antics, particularly those of a Scarlet Tanager who was a veritable destroy- 
ing angel. 
