Our Native Birds. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2097, 3 May 1894, Page 34

Our Native Birds. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — I am pleased to see that our native birds arc greatly appreciated by your correspondent "T, T.," and in reply to the question as to whether I really believer the bellbird and tui would breed ia confinement, I must reply I certainly do* believe it — conditionally, that is, if a large* avairy is made, enclosing a few small trees or shrubs, and placed against a sunny wall with no* draughts and plenty of shelter from N.W., S.W., and S. winds, and good healthy young birds placed in it and properly fed, say two females and one male. They certainly would breed, and their progeny also, if so treated. I have not bred them, but what makes me so confident about it is the fact that a* a lad I took at Bight a female bellbird, nest and young ones, and placed the lot in a large cage and fed the female with files, spiders, insects, chopped meat, honey, sugar and water, barrios, &c. She in her tarn led her young and reared them, aud was qoffce cheerful with her family in confinement. The male bird found onfc where she was, and cams often to siDg in the vicinity. She on these occasions got very excited and often tried to get away, but soon took again to feeding her young. The youDg birds aud the female were kept by me for four or five months and then liberated, as I bad to attend to work in the city and could not feed them properly or procure food when so occupied. It must bo remembered my birds were only caged, and throve so well that all could sing before they were liberated. As to fuchsias of nitive species growing in an aviary, they would do go only too well. The best species would be the trailing or climbing ones. Of these, there is a common one along tho coast with large flowers and black berries, , and then there is a choico climbing species, , known as Fuchsia kirkii in the catalogues. This has a small flower and., large bright pink berries the size of a cherry. These berries remain on theplant for many months and are much prixod fortheir beautiful colour. Plants inkpots are sold', by Mr Matthews at Is 6d each by his price list before me. Trusting I have given all necessary information. — I am, &c., Dunedin, April 23. Afarata Renata. .

So far £8897 has been spent on the Wellington drainage scheme. There has been delay inu drawing the plant for the main works, and theconttacts are not likely to be let for tittee*. months yet, ?