292



Correspondence



WAXBILLS IN SUMMER


I want to broadcast what is an S 0 S and make a plea for the ending of

an abuse. From May till September vast numbers of “ Senegals ” are offered

as we know at prices as low as 2s. 6 d. a pair, for some of the commoner species.

I have bought many, but again and again, in spite of spray millet, insect

food, oiled seed, and boiled water (not necessarily all these remedies at the

same time), I find the death-rate appalling. Indoors and outdoors it is just

the same. I give flowering grass, etc., but all to no purpose. I find that all

the Waxbills, most Nuns, and quite a lot of Zebras (the latter, of course,

aviary bred) are the victims ; Orange Bishops and other Weavers being

usually as “ hard as nails ”.


In some cases the trouble seems to spread to acclimatized birds and

British Finches, and even Java Sparrows, again Weavers being immune.

The birds almost always arrive looking splendid, and at the worst wanting

a few feathers ; symptoms, a gradual puffiness, first very slight (herein

the danger), frequently great hunger, and death in from two days to a week

or even longer. There is generally some sign of scour, but in many cases very

little. Last year I sent one or two victims up to an expert and was informed

that it was pneumonia, but I keep all draughts away as far as possible.

The autumn and spring bought birds do fairly well, even if just over.


I wish to ask, is my experience common to most people and if so has

anyone found a cure ? If it is common and no cure is forthcoming, then

I say re my other letter, let us all draw up a circular letter signed by us as

a body and send it to all the dealers, saying that we will not buy any of these

little birds—say, from 31st May to 1st September, and let us do all we can

to stop their importation at this season. It is heartrending that it should

continue under these circumstances.


P. K. Venner.



REPORTED MANNIKIN X CANARY HYBRIDS


During the summer the rearing of two Tricolour Mannikin X Canary hybrids

was reported. The breeder was confident that the cross was as stated and

he said he had two youngsters from one nest flying and another in another

nest by the same father paired with a different Canary.


I was fortunate in being able to get into touch with the breeder, Mr. Allen,

of Eastbourne, who invited me to come and see the birds. I saw the youngsters

first, then nine weeks old and caged separately. At first glance it was obvious

there was no Mannikin in their parentage ; they looked like Linnet or perhaps

Redpoll mules. The owner then brought down the parents. The father

was an Alario Finch, not the Mannikin its owner thought it was. He is

a novice with foreign birds and had based his belief on a small plate showing

various Mannikins which he had seen. It was a great disappointment for

him to learn the true parentage, but I have his permission to publish this,

in order to prevent another record of a Weaver X Finch cross (which is sc

far unknown) being left uncontradicted.


Alario-Canary hybrids have been quite commonly obtained, especially

in South Africa.



E. Hopkinson.



