Correspondence



397



as vividus x coelestis, but Dr. Plath is now sure that the birds imported

as coelestis were really conspicillatus, and the cross obtained was as

above.


(2) A.M., 1933, p. 51. Blue-Bonnet entry. The hybrid should read

“ Blue-bonnet x Redrump Parrakeet ”, not as I gave it by a slip,

“ X. Crimson-wing.”


(3) A.31., 1933, p. 43. Blue and Yellow Macaw (p. 81, No. 350).

Delete the words , “ See next entry. Red and Yellow Macaw {A. aramuna ).”

They are not only unnecessary but likely to confuse, and in any case ararauna

is the name of the Blue and Yellow, not the Red and Yellow’ Macaw.


E. Hopkinson.



HYBRID BARNARD’S AND RED-RUMPED PARRAKEET


A hybrid between a cock Barnardius barnardi and a hen Psephotus

hsematonotus has been reared in the London Zoological Gardens.


D. S-S.



AVICULTURE IN NEW ZEALAND


Members in this small far away country take great interest in birds as

you will see from the published list of members in the January, 1933, issue

of the Avi cultural Magazine.


As we have rather a good connection for obtaining birds from India, we

number amongst our collections such birds as Blue-winged Siva, White-

capped Redstarts, Little Minivets, Rufous-bellied Niltavas, Shamas, etc.


For food we use a local insectivorous food made from dried flies and ants’

eggs, etc., mixed with best quality Madeira cake and finely chopped hard-

boiled eggs and, in addition, mealworms and, during autumn, grass-hoppers,

and at other times of the year a small amount of insect life obtainable such

as spiders, etc.


We have been able to keep in excellent health and plumage Blue-winged

Sivas, Little Minivets, etc., but have experienced difficulty in getting the

Redstarts and the Rufous-bellied Niltavas to moult their primary flight

feathers.


In the case of the Niltava it has been given, in addition, a Vitamine

preparation supposed to contain Vitamines A, B, C, and D. This preparation,

we are informed, has made possible the rearing of blue foxes in captivity.

But in spite of this the Niltava has not thrown its flights, although the rest

of the bird moulted perfectly.


With the Redstarts they are still at liberty in an outdoor aviary and can

fly comparatively well but, nevertheless, their primary flights have not been

renewed this last moult.


Can you advise any treatment which would rectify this trouble ?


You will be interested to hear that I have a true pair of the Mountain Blue

Birds which, at the moment, have gone into a real good moult and should,

with luck, go to nest this coming September or October.


We in New Zealand are particularly interested in the feeding of birds owing

to our limited experience and not having the markets of the world at our

front door.


G. Rowland Hutchinson,


Hon. Secretary, Avicultural Society of New Zealand.



