The Secret of Keeping Gouldian Finches. 121 
a medium for doiiiK real I'esearch and sc-ieiititic woik wliicli will 
live and be handed down to posterity. Here is indeed an oppor- 
tunity to investigate the causes ot and to find out the 
remedy for the losses, of suy, (iouMians. Anylxxly who 
has ever boii^iht, 1 don't mean Icept, l)ut l)onght a 
Gouldian can help. Perhaps you may unconsciously have 
the key that opens up this mystery chamber. Somethino" 
you have noticed; something you have done either right or 
wrong may be the link we are searching for. What we 
want you to do is first of all to take the thing seriously and 
as a personal matter. Write and tell us exactly your experi- 
ence from the day you bought your bird to the day you either 
sold, exchanged, buried or still better to the day you still 
have it. Express any opinion you choose, even if others 
might think it sounds too ridiculous for words. Your opinion 
may be right — the experts may be all wrong. I remember 
once reading in a waiting room a iDook written by Mrs. 
Humphrey Ward to young girls on their Deportment in the 
Ballroom. It was " Talk my dear girls if it is only about 
the great big green gooseberry." My request to you who 
have ever had a Gouldian is "'Write, dear reader, if it is only 
about the way the wretched thing moped." The scheme de- 
pends upon you for success. The facts when collected will 
be carefully sifted and the results will be given in " Bird 
Notes." But remember we cannot succeed without your 
help; we may succeed with it. In any event your experience 
however limited, however unfortunate, is bound to be interest- 
ing; sure to be useful. We cannot do without it. The more 
minute the details, the more interesting and more useful 
your letter will be. But if you have no time to write, a 
long letter, just drop us a postcard with any facts you think 
may interest us. You may be sure they will; At any rate 
let us be the judges. All communications may be sent either 
direct to myself at East Hoathley, or through the Editor, 
who has kindly 'undertaken to forward all matter to me, and 
will of course be treated as confidential. 
