Con 'pftpo i I den ce. 
Editorial. 
See Inset. 
339 
Correspondence. 
MAGAZINE ARTICLES, UVAEAN PARRAKEETS, ETC. 
Sir, — I have been intending to write one or two things 
since reading the September number, but have not found time 
hitherto. 
I quite agree with E.B.H. on the importance of being told 
how to feed birds. And even if one knows how to feed the 
species, if one is buying a fresh bird, one ought always to know 
how the individual has been fed. 
I never can understand why English bird dealers think filthy, 
smelly, shops profitable. On the continent, according to my experi- 
ence a,t Havre, Hamburg, Paris, Antwerp, and Cologne, the bird 
shops arc clean and airy. 
As to Uva?an Parrakeets, Mr. Blaauw told me he found thoy 
cound not stand the close air of a room, or hemp seed. He had one 
which lived some years in an aviary. F. G. DUTTON'. 
RINGED-NECKED PARRAKEET AT LARGE, etc. 
Sir. — The following will probably be of some little interest. 
Last February I bought a pair of Eing-neck Parrakeets. They 
were young birds and very wild and savage. I kept them in a 
large mixed aviary out of doors till June when I let them go. 
They both kept about the garden, flying up into some large Elm 
tress when I appeared. In June or July one disappeared. But 
the other has remained here ever since. I always put food on' 
the (Outside of the aviary for the one that has remained in the 
garden. The interesting thing is that to-day the other has come 
back. Where it has been over three months I don't know. 
I see no reason why the Ring-necks should not winter here. 
It is seldom very cold,- and I shall put up some nest-boxes 
for them next spring. 
The one that stayed played havoc with the fruit of my 
neighbours' orchards. 
A few days ago a small black kitten of mine, about 7 
or 8 weeks old, brought into my study, in its mouth, a fine King- 
fisher, it had probably caught it roosting at the river-bank (it 
was at about 10 p.m.) It seemed unhurt and sat perched on my 
finger for some time. I kept it in a cage for the night and it 
flew off when let out next morning. 
PHILIP GOSSE. 
[Ring-necks are perfectly hardy and will winter outside with 
ease, anrf will undoubltedly breed, if orchard owners do not bring out a 
gun. I should suggest a log or nest-box, in some rather inaccess- 
able position in one of the Elms. En.] 
