148



Correspondence



nozzle. In a week the bird was able to feed himself on sponge cake soaked in

the egg and milk and now he is in perfect condition.


The other bird was a hen Queen Alexandra Parrakeet which fell ill a week

after I received her from the docks : she, too, was as near death as any bird I

have seen; for a week I forced the liquid down her throat with the aid of the

syringe and at the end of that time she was able to eat seed.


I feel sure that if bird keepers realized the great value of this food they

would use it. It would doubtless save many a sick and ailing bird. The thing

to watch is to try and avoid getting any of the liquid on the bird’s plumage.

It is best to wrap the bird in a clean table napkin and if any does get on the

feathers to wipe it off with a warm, damp sponge at once.


It is perhaps hardly necessary to add that the birds, especially if they are

Parrots, should be kept at a high temperature ranging from 85° F. to 90° F.


Sydney Porter.



CAYENNE KAILS—A CORRECTION


A slight error occurred in my “ Breeding Notes ” in the March number of

the Magazine.


On p. 79 “ Cayenne Rail ( Creciscus cayennensis) ” should read “ Cayenne

Rail ( Aramides cayennensis) ”.


The tiny Cayenne Rail ( Crecicus ) is a much smaller bird than the far

commoner Aramides, which has been bred on various occasions ; the former,

I believe, never so far ; though there should be no difficulty in doing so,

provided a true pair were obtained, as all the Rails are ready breeders if the

aviary conditions are suitable.


I had four Crecicus cayennensis two or three years ago. Two of these I gave

to the late Mr. Edmund Meade-Waldo, who had them in an aviary in which

was the end of a water-pipe in one corner, covered with rather large-mesh

wire-netting. He several times saw one of the little Rails squeeze itself through

and disappear up the pipe carrying bits of grass in its beat, but nothing

further came of it. I also had at that time—in fact, it was in the same con¬

signment—a single Crecicus ruber, a much rarer bird. The cocks of many of

the species of Rails will often build play nests, occasionally in the tops of

bushes, in which they will sleep.


G. H. Gurney.



A BOOK ON PHEASANTS


Regarding the question of Mr. G. Bradshaw, of Sydney, respecting books

on Pheasants. There is an excellent book on the subject, which seems to be

little known in this country. This is a smaller edition of Beebe’s magnificent

Monograph of the Pheasants, which was published some years ago in this

country at a cost of £50.


The book referred to is Pheasants , Their Lives and Homes. There are

coloured plates of all the species and photos of their haunts. The cost is

$10 for the two volumes, which is very cheap and works out at about £2 in

English money. It can only be obtained from Messrs. Doubleday, Page

and Company, Garden City, New York.



Sydney Porter.



