Correspondence



197



his country is a natural environment for most ornamental Pheasants

and surely he is right. Mr. Balfour, also known to your readers, tells

us of his novel method of erecting aviaries and also urges all fanciers

to beautify their aviaries by planting shrubs and plants. Mr. Webb

of Northern Ireland, thinks the dry feeding of chicks is quite as beneficial

as the wet method so much in vogue. His argument appears very

sound. To finish the world-wide appeal we have Miss Chawner, your

worthy Editor, representing England. She asks for the active support

of all pheasant lovers and ends her article by a delightful touch of

humour.


Articles from our oldest and youngest fanciers were a happy touch

and these were most worthy efforts. Space will not allow me to deal

with any more features, but may I remind readers of these notes that

I shall be very pleased to send a free copy, post paid, to any member

of the Avicultural Society.


It will only be necessary to send full name and address. I am

sure this journal will intrigue you : it is something quite original,

and has a soul all its own.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.


AN UNUSUAL WAXBILL


Madam, —The WaxbillMr. Wilson descibes, in the June number (p. 174) must

I think, be an example of what Mr. W. L. Sclater described at the October

meeting of the B.O.C., 1926, as Estrilda xanthrophrys, Buff-browed Waxbill.

{Bulletin, xlvii, p. 32). The description was based on two birds obtained by

M. Delacour alive in Marseilles and presented by him to the Museum.

The habitat was tentatively given as Senegal, from their place of purchase,

the headquarters of the Senegal bird-trade, but this was corrected later

(p. 120) to Abyssinia. I saw the two original skins and recognised them as the

same as some I had seen in Mr. Whitley’s collection, one of which was exhibited

at the C. P. Show, February, 1927 (see Avicultural Magazine, 1927, p. 86),

and one identified at the Museum.


Mr. Whitley’s birds, he knew, came from Duidua in Abyssinia and some



