84



Correspondence



HYBRIDS


I notice in the February issue of the Avicultural Magazine a

list of hybrids Dr. E. Hopkinson is making. I wonder if he has got

any of the following on his list, which I have successfully reared. In

each case the cock bird is mentioned first:—


Common Grey Waxbill x St. Helena Waxbill.


Common Grey Waxbill x Orange Cheek Waxbili.


Cape Canary X Green Singing Finch.


Green Singing Finch X Cape Canary.


Yellow-rumped Serin X Border Canary and Roller Canary hen.


Brown Linnet x Cape Canary.


Brown Linnet X Green Singing Finch.


I had a fertile egg from the hybrid Yellow-rumped Serin X Canary,

but just as the egg was due to hatch this cock caught a chill

and died.


Another interesting cross I had fertile eggs from was a cock Green

Singing Finch and a Golden-breasted Waxbill hen. ■ This nest got

washed out one night in very heavy rain, and they did not nest again—

that was in 1929.


The Common Grey X St. Helena I exhibited at the Crystal Palace

in 1929 and 1930.


I also sent the Common Grey X Orange Cheeks, but these died

upon arrival at the Show through an oversight after arrival. I have

had one of these stuffed—also the Yellow-rumped Serin X Canary—-

which proved a fertile hybrid.


P. W. Teague.



A TAME ROOK


We spent Christmas at Sidmouth and one day, at breakfast, I saw

a boy carrying by the window one of those round greengrocers’ baskets,

on the edge of which was perched a large Rook. I asked about it, as

it looked so unusual and the bird so placid ! and was told it belonged

to the chef of the hotel, so~ I asked if I might see the bird, which I was

allowed to do. The chef showed off her pet with much pride, though

he was a little “ peeved ” at being taken from the nice warm kitchen.



