306 P. B. Webb—Common or Bed-headed, and Tri-coloured


The second day of this treatment there was a very marked improve¬

ment in the bird, and there was little or no gaping. The cod-liver

oil seed which had not been used was then mixed with equal parts of

ordinary canary seed, and at the end of a week he was well on the

road to complete recovery.


The fourth bird was cured with equal success. I have not discovered

what this disease is, or what it is caused by, but until we find this out

we have a simple cure. Prevention is better than cure, however, so

there is room for research in this direction. If anyone can let us know

something about what it is, or the cause of it, they will be adding

to the comfort of these little birds.


After saying so much about this ailment you may think these

birds are not at all hardy. When I tell you that three of the four birds

were newly imported (and in the month of February at that)—two of

these having only about half their full complement of feathers, while

the fourth bird was about a year in this country and had never been

strong—it does not sound so bad.


It should be mentioned that this disease has only been experienced

with the Red-heads. I have only once seen a dead Blue-head and

that was a young bird which was drowned. I do not remember ever

giving any sort of medicine to one of this latter variety; they are as

hard as nails.


The most troublesome thing about Parrot Finches is the unfortunate

similarity of the sexes. A good deal has been written about this point

in the past, but I have found very little of it of any real practical use.

Those who have said “ the sexes are alike in plumage 55 are probably

nearest the truth. By accident last year I struck what I believe

to be a fairly certain test for the sex of Red-heads. Not wishing,

however, to confuse further—should it ultimately prove wrong—I do

not intend to say what it is, just yet. It is very simple and therefore

I fear someone would surely have noticed it before if there was anything

in it. It was, nevertheless, correct in the case of nine birds in my

aviary this spring. When the 1932 youngsters get their adult plumage

and then prove it correct by laying eggs, or not—as the case may

be—or should they die they can be dissected; then is the time to tell it.


During the winter while the birds are confined to the house the



