•m l£W&#^\.*,«/ \^^M^ft,««ri^fiiPKwl ■' * -• 'A,- K^jftiA ftj mnLmwH r\* * ■ ' /\ /*. A ^ ~ _ s <■ ' T H K ftviealtaFal JWagazine, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR the; STUDY OF FOREIGN AND BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM AND CAPTIVITY. Edited by J. LEWIS BONHOTE, M.A., F.L.S , F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. XonDon : 23oA-3tf Messrs. WEST, NEWMAN & CO., 54 Hatton Garden, E.C. 1912. Contents. CONTENTS. Title Page.. Contents Council's Report .. Alphabetical List of Contributors List of Plates Errata List of1 Members, October, 1911 .. Rules of the Avicultural Society . . vii. . . xi. . . xii. 1 18 The Society’s Medal Magazine .. Index 22 •• 349 Repo)t of the Council. v. REPORT OF THE COUNCIL For I9II-I9I2. During the past year the progress of the Society has been steady and satisfactory. No important changes in the adminis¬ tration have been made, except the appointment of Prof. G. H. Wooldridge, F.R.C.V.S., as Hon. Veterinary Surgeon in suc¬ cession to Mr. Arthur Gill, M.R.C.V.S , who was compelled to resign that post on his departure for Canada. The membership shows a slight but encouraging increase, as compared with the last few years; and thanks to the ready co-operation of those members who have contributed articles and notes on birds, and of those who have kindly subscribed to the illustration and general funds of the Society; the Magazine, under the editorship of Mr. J. L,. Bonhote, has fully maintained its standard of excellence in every particular. The desire of the Council that Members of the Society should be given the opportunity of becoming personally ac¬ quainted was again practically expressed by holding an informal reception, followed by tea, in the Zoological Gardens after their meeting in June. To further the same object, they propose to have a dinner — the date and particulars of which will be an¬ nounced later — at a London restaurant in the winter. Signed for the Council, R. I. Pocock, Hon. Business Secretary. VI. Alphabetical List of Contributors. ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS. The Asterisk detiotes in the Correspondence Column. A in ley, John William. The Parson Bird, 137 A STICKY, Hubert D., M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ♦More nesting notes of Queen Alexandra Parrakeets, 37 A Roccolo in Italy, 81 A Jay new to Aviculture ( Lalocitta lidthii ), 91 ♦The Grey Thrasher (Harporhynchus cinereus), 98. The Mexican Ground Thrush (Geocichla pinicola), 118 ♦■Nesting of Hooded Parrakeets ( Psephotus cucnllatus), 122 The Blue Chaffinch of Teneriffe ( Fringilla teydea ), 195 Breeding of Queen Alexandra Parrakeets {Spathap terns alexandi eg), 243 ♦Young Queen Alexandra Parrakeets, 288 * Nil iav a cyanomelcena , 343 AtherlEy, Mrs. Helen. The Blue Thrush and Hanguest, 156 ATTEWELL, H. E. Notes on some Jamaican Birds, 68 Bahr, Phirip H., M.A., M, B., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Notes on some Fijian Birds in Captivity, 49 Baker, K. C. Stuart, F.L-S.; F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ♦The Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, 228 The Paradise Flycatcher, ( Terpsiphone paradisea affinis), 302 Bampfyi.de, The Hon. Mrs. My Experiences in Aviculture, 186 Bentley, David. The Linnet as a Songster, 242 Berridge, W. S. ♦Notes on a Herring Gull, 199 Alphabetical List of Contiibulors. vii. Bonhote, J. Lewis, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S. The L.C.B.A. Show. II. Hybrids and British Birds, 66 Editorial, 97 *A Roccolo, 143 Review of Mr. T. A. Coward’s ‘ Migration of Birds,’ 171 Practical Bird-Keeping. — XIV. How to Breed Birds, 174 Brook, E. J. Hnnstein’s Bird of Paradise, 181 ♦The Feeding of Rories, 3T3 Buti.HR, Dr. A. G., F.L.S., F.Z.S. Practical Bird-Keeping. — IX. Living food for insectivorous birds, 41 Practical Bird-Keeping. — XV. I.arks, 205 Practical Bird-Keeping, — XVI. Bulbuls, 234 Luck in Bird-Breeding, 266 BuTi.BR, A. L., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Notes on the Migration of the Sprosser and Common Nightingales, 58 Connhue, Mrs. KnaTChbui.e. Aviary and Nesting Notes, 280 Cosgrave, R. Breeding of the 3 Canadian and ? Wattled Cranes ( Grus canadensis and Grus carunculata), 23 Nesting of the Laughing Kingfisher ( Dacelo giganiea), 88 ♦The Breeding of Knots, 230 *Owen’s Apteryx, 231 Breeding of Hybrid Cockatoos, 269 ♦The Whooping Crane (Grus americana), 312 Practical Bird Keeping. — XX. Cranes, 345 Currey, Katherine. Bird Cages, 25 A Red Tanager (. Pyranga rubra), 57 The Blue Robin (Siala sialis), 86 Practical Bird-Keeping.— XI. The Feet of Birds in Captivity, 103 Pet Owls, 113 Bullfinches, 136 *Tlie Mocking Bird, 228 Wood Owls ( Syrniuni aluco), 271 Fresh Air for Birds, 307 Alphabetical List of Contributors. viii. Denman, Arthur. *Sexual Display, 229 *Notes on the Sun-bittern, 254 Dodsworth, Pelham T. L., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Notes on some Habits of the Kokla or Wedge-Tailed Green Pigeon (. Sphenocercns sphenurus, Vigors), 129, 165 Finn, Frank, B.A., F.Z.S. The L.C.B.A. .Show. I. Foreign Birds, 61 *Errata in L.C.B.A. Notes, 98 Notes on Sexual Selection, 209, 237 The Transport of Birds, 298, 336 The Two Nonpareils ( Cyanospiza ciris and Erythrura prasina), 325 Goodchiud, Herbert. British and Foreign Birds at Edinburgh, 119 Gosse, Philip. '^Wintering Birds in an Outdoor Aviary, 72 Gunther, Dr. A. On the breeding in captivity of the Red-backed Shrike, 335 Gurney, Gerard, H., M.B.O.U. Breeding of the Coronated Guineafowl {Gut tera pucker ani), 35 Harding, W. A., M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S. On the Breeding of a Hybrid Lorikeet and other Aviary Notes, 189 Hincks, Miss E. M. August, 1912, 329 HorsbruCh, Major. Some Notes on the Secretary Bird {Serpentarius seci etarius), 105 Hutchinson. Miss Alice. *A Suggestion on the Destruction of Birds in Italy, 123 Jeffrey, J. *The Breeding of Nightingales, 170 Johnstone, Mrs. Practical Bird-Keeping. — XIII. Touracous, Bower Birds and Birds of Paradise, 145 Alphabetical List cj Contributors. IX. Meade- Waldo, E. G. B., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ♦Mandarin Ducks at liberty, 122 Practical Bird-Keeping. — XII. The Crow Tribe, 125 ♦The Blue Cliaffiuch of TenerifFe, 229 Page, Wesley T., F.Z.vS., Breeding of the Indian White-eye {Zosterops palpebrosa), 114 Phillips, John C. ♦Practical Bird-Keeping. — Iuipeyan Pheasants, 150 Wintering Cranes in New England, 222 ♦The Whooping Crane, 288 ♦Tuberculosis in Cranes, 3T3 PHir.LiPrs, Reginald. The Naked-throated Bell-Bird — and his Battles, 246 Pocock, R. I., F.R.S. Report of the Council Meeting, 152 S'P. Ouintin, W. H., F.Z.S. Some Notes on the Secretary Bird [Serpentarius secretarius), 109 Practical Bird-Keeping. — XIX. The Game Birds, 314 Seth-Smith, David, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Bird Notes, from the Zoological Gardens, 36, 71, 124, 141, 169, 197, 226, 251, 285, 342 Practical Bird-Keeping. — X. Quails, 78 Foreign Birds at the Crystal Palace Show, 138 ♦The Dipper as a Cage Bird, 143 Practical Bird-Keeping. — XVIII. The Smaller Waterfowl, 289 Review of the Report of Giza Zoological Gardens, 202 Sherbrooke, K. Among the Birds in Sutherland, 283 Staples-Browne, Richard. Diary of Birds seen on the White Nile, 157, 182, 218 Smith, C. Barnby. ♦Food of the Little Grebe, 73 ♦Age of Robins, 142 The Display of the Satyra Tragopau Pheasant (Ceriornis satyra), 153 ♦The Breeding of Knots, 199 Practical Bird-Keeping. — XVII. Waders, 260 X. Alphabetical List of Contributors. Tb.schemakkr, W. E., b. a. The Nesting of the Hawfinch ( Coccothrausles vulgaris), 28 Nesting of the Crested Lark, 27 3 *344 Nesting of the Black Redstart (. Ruticilla tilys), 293, 330 TiCEHTJRST, C. B., M.A., M.R.C.S., M.B.O.U. Notes 011 a Storm Petrel in Captivity, 111 Trenow, Evelyn. Cerebral Investigation, 60 Vernon, Mrs. E. Warren. Military Starlings, 164 Waddell, Miss Peddie. Rock Peplar Parrakeets, 265 Williams, Sidney, F.Z.S. Weaver Birds, 224 Workman, W. H. A small Aviary for beginners, 248 Wormald H. Red Grouse in Confinement, 92 Younger, Miss Barbara. ♦Random Notes, 200 List of Plates. xi. LIST OF PLATES. * Ihe Asterisk denotes a Coloured Plate. TO FACE PAGE Female Wattled Crane and Male Canadian Crane, and Hybrid Chick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Ring-necked Teal [Nettium torquatuni) .. . 36 *The Fijian Parrot Finch ( Erythrura pealei ) . . . . . . 49 The Fiji Tory {Calliptilus soli tar ms) .. .. . . . . 52 Tichodroma mili aria, Irene turcosa . . . . j g_ Halcyon smymensis, Dineinellia dinemelli I A Roccolo in Italy . » .. .. .. .. .. 81 Tower of Roccolo . . . . . . ' . . . . . . 84 Laughing Kingfishers and their Aviary . . . 90 The Secretary Bird {Serpen tar ins secretarius) . . . 105 The Melba Finch ( Pytelia melba) . . . . I Q The White Eyebrowed Wood Swallow ( Artamns superciliosus) ! * Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon (, Sphenocercus sphenurus) . . . . 129 Blue-rumped Parrakeets {Psittinus incertus) .. . 139 Outside of Mr. Page’s Aviary.. ) j Nest of Indian White-eye . . 1 [This plate wilt be found facing p. 150). Satyra Tragopan [Ceiiornis satyr) .. .. .. .. 153 Peacock Pheasant in full display African Tantalus {Pseudotantalus ibis ) .. .. . 170 *Hunstein’s Bird of Paradise {Diphyllodes hunsteini) . . 1S1 Black-necked Swan {Cygnus melanocoi yphus) and young . . 198 Courtship of the Herring Gull .. .. .. .. 209 Owen’s Apteryx on a Reeves Pheasant’s Nest . . . . 231 *Tlie Amherst Pheasant in Display .. .. .. 237 Side View of Aviary showing feeding box . . . . . . 249 *Tlie Rock Peplar Parrakeet {Polytelis melanura) . . 265 Australian Bee-eaters ( Me> ops ornatus) at the Zoological Gardens 286 Nest and Eggs of the Black Redstart . . . . . . . , 293 The Whooping Crane (Grus americana) .. .. .. 312 ^American Nonpareil Bunting ( Cyanospiza ciris) and Pintailed Nonpareil {Erythrura prasina) .. .. .. .. 325 Nest and Eggs of the Crested Lark .. .. .. .. 344 Demoiselle Cranes and young . . . . . . . . . . 344 Canadian and Wattled Cranes, with Hybrid young .. .. 346 ERRATA. p. 91, lines 5 & 9 for Calocetta read Lalocetta. p. 164 line 1 for (Trapealis de pliillippi) lead (Trupialis defilippia). p. 273, 12 lines from bottom, for galeritus read galerita. p. 322, line 8, for splendeus read splendeus. SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW DUE. AVI CULT URAL MAGAZ I N E . Edited by J LEWIS BONHOTE, IV1.A., F.L.S. CONTENTS. pack Officers for the Yea i 1911-12 List of Members Rules of the Avicultural Society The Society's Medal Breeding of the $ Canadian and ? Wattled Cranes, by R. CoSGRAVE 23 Bird Cages, by Katharine Currey .. .. .. .. 23 The Nesting of the Hawfinch, by W. E. 'i'ESCHEMAKKR. B.A. .. 28 Bleeding of the Coronated Guineafowl, By Gerard H. Gurney, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. .. 35 Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens by the Curator .. 36 Correspondence, Notes, etc. Reviews The Society’s Medal Practical Bird Keeping : IX. Living Food for Insectivorous Bird The price of this THIRD SERIES, Vol. III. No 1. n u m be r is NOVEIVI BER, -19 11.- NOTE. — A new volume commences every November. All Subscriptions should be sent to the Publishers, Messrs. WEST, NEWMAN &, Co., 54, Hatton Garden, E.C AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. 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Second-hand copies sometimes reach the Publishers, to whom application should be made. ftvieultaral Society FOREIGN AND BRITISH BIRDS Officers for the Year, I9II-I2. THE HOE. & R S DEN' ET. CANON DU rrox < C E" = HER GRACE THE RES DEN' 1 )U CHESS O F 3 HDFORD. R. ALDER SOX. U N C ; L : Ms. W. ST QUIXTIX MS. H. D. ASTLEY. Ms. W. L. SCI.ATKR. Ms. E. J- BROOE. : 1 r D. SE . . H Ms. E. G. B. MEADE-WALDO. Ms. C. ' -NY SM 1 H Ms. T. H. XEWMAX. Ms. A. TREYOR-BATTYK. Ms. W. R. OGILVIE-GRAXT. Ms, B. thomasset. Ms. albert pam. Ms. H. WILLFORD. Mr. II. WOKMAI.D. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Mr. SETH -SMITH. Mr. T. H. NEWMAN. Mr. E. G. 15. MEADK-WAT.DO. THE HONORARY SECRETARIES ANTI) THE EDITOR. HON. BUSINESS SECRETARY: Mr. R, I. POCOCK. Zoological Sccikiy's G.ARnKxs, Regknt's Park. X. W HON. CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARY Dr. A. G. BUTLKK, 124, Bkckkxham Road, Bkckknham, Kent. HON. TREASURER: Mr. J. L BOXHOTE- ED ITO R : Mr. J. LEWIS BOXHOTE. Gadkspring I.odgr, Humki. HhmpaTRad, Hurts AUDITOR : Mr. ARTHUR GILL. SCRUTIN EER : Mu. W. P. PYCRAFT. Brighton : W. T. Moulton & Co., T,n>., Pkinti 4, Church Street. 3 LIST OF MEMBERS (■ Corrected to October 26th, ign). Notice, —HJembers are particularly requested to inform the Hon. Secretary of any error in the spelling op their names , addresses, or descriptions, so that it may be corrected. The date following the Member's name is the date of his election. "Orig, Mem.” signifies that the Member joined the Society on its formation in October 1894. The asterisk denotes that the Member belonged to the Lb K. Foreign Cage Bird Society, either at the time of the amalga. mation or at some time before. Abraham, Miss Beatrice; Grove Lodge, Muswell Hill, N. (Feb., 1 9 1 1 ) - Ainlky, John William ; 16, Dalton Green, Dalton, Huddersfield. (June. 1S95). Ai.dkrson, Miss R. ; Park House, Worksop, Notts. (April, 1896). Alston, Gavin; Yondercroft, Darvel, Ayrshire. (June, 1900). Amst.hr, Dr. Maurice; 39, High .Street, Eton, Windsor. (Dec., 1908). Andrkws, Frank F. ; 2, Attwell Villas, 20, Lower Common South, Putney, S.W. (Jan., 1907). ANNINGSON, Mrs.; Walt-ham-Sal, Barton Road, Cambridge. (May, 1899). Arthur, Ciiari.ks P. ; Market Place, Melksham, Wilts. (Jan., 1895).* AsTr.KV, II 11 b K R T DeLaval, M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Benham-Valence, Speen, Newbury. (June, 1S95) * 10 Astt.rv, Reginald B. ; Acton Reynold, Shrewsbury. (July, 1902). ATHERLKY, Mrs. ; Hampton Court, Leominster. (April, 1903). ATTKWKLL, Harold K. ; “ Cassia Grove,” Halfway Tree, P.O., Kingston, Jamaica. (July, 1903). Bahr, Philip H,, B.A., M.B.O.U.; Perrysfield House, Oxted, .Surrey. (Nov., 1907). Baity, W. Shore ; Boyers House, Westbuiw, Wilts. (Feb., 1910). Baird, Sir Alexander, Bart; Urie, Stonehaven, Kincardine, N.B. (Oct., 1904). Baker, H. C. Stuart, F.Z.S , M.B.O.U. : c/o Messrs. H. S. King & Co., 9, Pall Mall, S.W. (Feb., 1904). Baker, John C., M.B., B.A., M.B.O.U. ; Ceely House, Aylesbury. (June, 1903). Baldelli, La Contessa Tommasi ; 4, Via Silvio Pellico, Florence, Italy. (April, 1902). Bamford, William; The Coppice, Werneth, Oldham. (March, 1904). 20 BampFYLDE, The Hon. Mrs.; Court Hall, North Moltou, N. Devon. (Oct., 1910). 4 List of Members. Barber Starkey, P. W. G. ; (no permanent address). (June, 1906). Barclay- Watson, Miss F. ; The Court House, Goring, Sussex. (July, 1902). Barlow, Alfred; Superintendent, Alexandra Park, Oldham. (April, 1 90S). Bedford, The Duchess of, F.Z.S. ; Woburn Abbey, Woburn, Beds. ; and 15, Belgrave Square, S.W. (Feb., 1903). Beebe, C. William, Curator of Ornithology; New York Zoological Park, New York City. (July, 1903). BKLLEW, The Lord ; Barmeath Castle, Dunleer, R. S. O., Ireland. (Nov., 1904). Bentley, David; So, St. Hubert’s Street, Great Harwood, Blackburn. (July, 1S95). Bekesford-Webb, G. M. ; Norbrvght, South Godstone, Surrev. (May, 1906b Berkeley, The Rev. C. J. Rowland; Sibbertoft Vicarage, Market Harborough. (Nov., 1902). 30 BERRIDGE, W. S., F.Z.S. ; 24, P'ortismere Avenue, Muswell Hill, N. (Dec., 1909). Blaauw, F. E., C,M.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Gooilust, ’sGraveland, Hilversuni, Holland. (Nov., 1901). Bi.agg, E. W. H. ; Greenhill, Cheadle, Staffs. (Sept., 1911). Blaine, G. ; Whitedaile, Hauibledon, Hants. (Oct., 1908). Blathwayt, A. P. ; The Grange, Northwood, Middlesex. (Jan., 1S95). BonhoTE, John Lewis, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; (Editor); Gadespring Lodge, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. (Dec., 1894). Bonhote, Mrs. ; 29, Bramhaui Gardens, S.W. (Sept., 1910). Borthwick, Ai.EX.; Vereena, Canonbury Grove, Dulwich Hill, Sydney, N.S.W. (Feb., 1909). BosCawen, The Hon. Vere Douglas; 2, St. James’s .Square, S.W. (Nov., 1910). Bough ton- Leigh, Henry ; Brownsover Hall, Rugby. (May, 1900). 40 Boulenger, Edward G. ; S, Courtfield Road. S. Kensington, S.W. (Oct., 1911). Bourke, Hon. Mrs.; 75> Gloucester Place, Portmau Square, W. (Feb., 1911. Box, E. A. Granville; 76, Broo.mwood Road, Battersea, S.W. (Nov., 1907). Boyd, Harold ; Box 374, Kelowna, British Columbia. (March, 1902). BOYES, Frederick; Norwood, Beverley, Yorkshire. (Sept., 1907). Brampton, Miss E. ; 31, Church Crescent, Church End, Finchley, N. (Feb., 189S). Bridgeman, Lieut, and Commr. The Hon. Richard, O.B., R.N., M.B.O.U.; c/o Mr. E. A. Porter, 7, Princes Street, Cavendish Square, W. (Dec., 1904). Bridgeman, Colonel, The lion. Francis C. ; Neachley, Shifnal. (Oct., 1905). Brook PI. J., Hoddam Castle, Ecclefechan, N.B. (August, 1905). List of Members 5 Browning, Wieeiam II.; 18, West 54th Street, New York City. (March, 1906). 50 Burton, Walter ; Mooresfoot, East Sheen, Mortlake, ,S.W. (Dec., 1901). Buteer, Arthur G., Pli.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (Hon. Corres¬ pondence Secretary) ; 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. (Orig Mem.) * Butukr, A. I,., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Superintendent of Game Preservation, Khartoum, Soudan. (Aug., 1906). Buxr.HR, Arthur Larchin, M. Aust. O. U. ; Waimarie, Lower .Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania. (July, 1905). BuTXIKOFKR, Dr. J., C.M.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Director of tlie Zoological Gardens, Rotterdam, Holland. (Oct. 1907). (Hon. Member) . Buxton, E. Hugh; Fritton Hall, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. (June, 1909). Camps, H. T. T., F.Z.S. ; Uinden House, Haddenham, Isle of Ely. (Oiig. Mem.) Capkrn, F. ; Avenue House, Cotham Park, Bristol. (March, 1903). Carpenter, The Hon. Mrs. ; 22, Grosveuor Road, S.W. (Feb., 1898). Carrick, George; 13, King’s Terrace, Maryhill, Glasgow. (March, 1898). 60 Caste EE an, Victor E. ; Hare Hall, Romford, Essex. (Orig. Mem,) CaTTEE, C. F. ; Thurston, Bury St. Edmunds. (Jan., 1905). CHCIE, Lady WiEETAM ; Baroness Amherst of Hackney ; Didlitigton Hall, Stoke Ferry, Norfolk, and 23, Queen’s Gate Gardens, S.W. Chamba, H. H. Sir Bhuri Singh, K.C.S.I., Rajah of; Cliamba, via Dalhousie, Punjab, India. (Jan., 1908). CharringTON, Mrs. C. ; Frensliam Hill, Farnliam, Surrey. (Jan., 1907). CharringTon, Mrs. Mowbray ; How Green, Hever, Edeubridge, Kent. (May, 1906). Chawner, Miss; Forest Bank, Lyndhurst, Hants. (July, 1899). CEITHKROW, Mrs. Ceaud Stracey ; 20, Park Square, Regent’s Park, N. W. (June, 1903). Cocke EE, Norman Forbes; 21, Camac Street, Calcutta, India. (Nov., 1905). Connhee, Mrs. KnaTChbuee ; The Orchard, Brockenhurst, Hants. (Nov., 1S97). 70 ConsXabee, The Rev. W. J. ; Uppingham School, Uppingham. (Sept. 1901). Cookson, Kenneth; Oakwood, Wylam, R.S.O., Northumberland. (Nov., 1906). Cooper, James ; Cayton, Scarborough. (Orig. Mem.) Cooper, Wieeiam ; Aislaby Hall, Pickering, Yorks. (March, 1907). Corbet, Lady; Acton Reynold, Shrewsbury. (Oct., 1905). Corbet, Sir ItOEAND J., Bart. ; Lathburv Park, Newport Pagnell. (May,. 1911). Cory, Reginald R. ; Duffryn, near Cardiff. (August, 1905). 6 L ist of Mem ha s. Cranlky, Viscountess; Beech worth, Hampstead, N.W. (July, 1910). CROFT, A. B. ; The Clock House, Ashford, Middlesex. (Mav, 1907). Cronkshaw, J. ; 193, Manchester Road, Accrington. (Dec., 18941. 80 Cross, W. Simpson, F.Z.S.; iS, Earle Street, Liverpool. (Jan., 1908). Cummings, A.; 16, Promenade Villas, Cheltenham. (Dec., 1896). Cuningham, Martin; Goffs Oak House, Waltham Cross. (Oct., 1908). Currky, Mrs. ; The Pit House, Ewell, Surrey. (Feb., 1906). Cushny, Charles; f No permanent address). (June, 1906). Davies, Claude G., M.B.O.U. ; “ D” Squadron, Cape Mounted Rifle¬ men, Matatiele, E. Griqualaml, S. Africa. (July, 1909). Dawnay, The Lady Adelaide; Brampton House, Northampton. (July, 1903). Dell, Charles; 12, High Street, Harlesden, N.W. (July, 1900). Denman, Arthur, M.A., F.Z.S , F.S.A., 29, Crauley Gardens, South Kensington, S.W. (Sept,, 1909). Dennis, Mrs. II. E. ; St. Leonard's Park, Horsham. (March, 1903). 90 De Tain’TEGNIES, I/a Baronne Le Clement; Cleveland, Minehead, /Somerset. (Feb., 1902). Dewar, I)., I.C.S. ; c/o Messrs. Grindley & Co., 54, Parliament Street, >S.W. (Sept , 1905). dr Winton, William Edward. F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Southover, Burwasli, Sussex. (Aug., 1903). Donald, C. H. ; c/o The Alliance Bank of Simla, Ltd., Simla, India. (March, 1906). Douglas, Miss; Rose Mount, Pitlochry, N.B. (June, 1905). Douglas, William C\, F.Z.S. ; 9, Trebovir Road, Earl’s Court, S.W. (Nov., 1900). Drewitt, Frederick Dawtrey, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P., F.Z.S. , M.B.O.U.; 14, Palace Gardens Terrace, Kensington, W. (May, 1903). Drummond, Miss ; Mains of Meggincli, Errol, N.B. (Feb., 1905). Duff, The Lady Grant; Earl Soliam Grange, Framlingham, Suffolk. (Aug., 1905). DunlEaTh, The Lad}’ ; Ballyvvalter Park, Bally waiter, co. Down, Ireland. (August, 1S97). 100 Dutton, the II011. and Rev. Canon; Biburv, Fairford. (Orig. Mem.) Edwards, G. ; 377, Coldharbour Lane, Brixtou, S.W. (August, 1902). Elliot, Mrs. C. Fogg ; Staindrop, Darlington. (Dec., 1910). Ezra, David; 3, Kyd Street, Calcutta. (June, 1902). Farmborough, Percy W., F.Z.S.; Lower Edmonton. (June, 1896).* Farrar, The Rev. C. D. ; Micklefield Vicarage, Leeds. (Jan., 1895). Fasey, William R. ; The Oaks, Holly Bush Hill, Suaresbrook, N.E. (May, 1902). List of Members. 7 Fkthk RSTONH.auGH, The Hon, Mrs. ; 'i'lie Mill House, Wimbledon Common, S.W. (Sept., 1910). Field, GEORGE ; Sorrento, Stapleliurst, Kent. (March, 1900). Finn, Frank, B.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 36, St. George’s Road, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. (March, 1S95). 110 Fik KBRACE, Mrs.; 26, Old Queen .Street, Westminster, S.W. (Feb. 1911). Flower, Captain STANLEY Smyth, F.L.S., F.Z S., M.B.O.U. ; Director, Egyptian Government Zoological Gardens; Giza, Cairo, Egypt, (Jan., 1903). Fi.owhk, Mis. Stanley: Longfield, Tring, Herts. (March, 1909). FockUMann, Hkrr August; Tier Park, Gross-Birstel, Hamburgh. (Nov., 1907). For, r,R,TT, The Lady Julia ; Woodside, Old Windsor. (Oct., 1903). Forth; SC UK, Col. II.; Falmouth House, Newmarket. (Oct., 1908). Foster, W.m. Hir,r, ; 164, Portland Street, Southport. (Jan., 1902). Fowler, Charles; 26, Broad Street, Blaenavon. (Dec., 1894). Frost, Wilfred ; c,'o Zoological .Society, Regent’s Park, N.W. (July, 190S). Galland, Chari.ES E- ; Bradley House, Market Weigh ton, E. Yorks. (May, 1909). 120 Galloway, P. I1’. M. ; Durban, Rectory Road, Caversliam, Reading. (March, 1907). Ghigl M. le Prof. Alessandro ; Via d’Azeglio, Bologna, Italy. (March, 1911). Gibbs, Mrs. H. Martin; Barrow Court, Flax Bourtou, R.S.O , Somer¬ set. (April, 1904). Gibbins, William B. ; Ettington, near Stratford-on-Avon. (June, 1895). * Gifford, Edward Winslow; California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, U.S.A. (April, 1908). Gilbey, Sir Walter, F.Z.S. ; Elsenliam Hall, Elsenham, Essex. (Dec., 1907). Giles, Henry M., M. Aust. O. U. (Orig. Mem.) ; Zoological Gardens, Perth, Western Australia. (June, 1903). Gir,L, Arthur, M.R.C.V.S. ; Veterinary Establishment, Bexley Heath, Kent. (Dec., 1899). Gladstone, Miss J. ; The Lodge; Parkstone, Dorset. (July, 1905). Goddard, H. E. ; Rothsay, Thicket Road, Sutton. Surrey. (Feb., 1S99). 130 Godman. F. DuCane, D.C.L., F.R.S., F.Z.S. ; President of the British Ornithologists’ Union; 45, Pont Street, S.W. (Oct., 1904). (Honorary Member). Goodall, A. A.; 12, Udersley Grove, West Dulwich, S.E. (Nov., 1909). Goodai.L, J. M. ; 52, Oxford Gardens, N. Kensington, London, W. (July, 1505). Goodchild, Herbert, M.B.O.U. ; 66, Gloucester Road, Regent’s Park, N.W. (Oct., 1902). 8 List of Jl [embers. Goodferrow, Wai.tkk, M.B.O.U.; Mont Fleuri, Southbounie Grove, Bouniemoutli. (June, 1897). GoRTER, Madame; The Della, Walmer, Kent. (Nov., 1901). Gosse, Phirip, M.R.C.S. ; Castlemead, Beaulieu. Hants. (April, 1911). Gow, J. Barnett ; S6, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, and Ledcamerocli, Bearsden, Glasgow. (Feb., 1906). Grabowsky, F., Director of the Zoological Gardens ; Breslau, German}'. (June, 1905). Gray, Henry, M.R.C.V.S. ; 23, Upper Phillimore Place, W. (June, 1906). 140 Greening, Linn^uS ; Fairliglit, Grappenhall, nr. Warrington. (Jan., 1911). Gregory, Mrs. ; Melville, Parkstone, Dorset. (Dec., 1901). Griffiths, M. K. ; Caizley House, Temple Road, Stowmarket. (May, 1902) . GriSCOM, Dudi.ow; 21, Washington Square North, New York City, U.S.A. (April, 1905). Gronvoi.d, Henrik; 26, Albert Bridge Road, Battersea Park, S.W. (Nov., 1902). Guirford, Miss H. ; 23, Lentou Avenue, The Park, Nottingham. (March, 1903). Gui.benkian, C. S. ; 38, Hyde Park Gardens, London, W. (Dec., 1908). Gunn, W. CECIR; The Red House, Bicklev, Kent. (Jan., 1910). Gunning, Dr. J. W. B., F.Z.S., Director of the Transvaal Museum and Zoological Gardens; Pretoria, South Africa. (.Sept., 1906). Gunther, Ai.bkrt, M.A., M.D., Ph.D., F.R.S., I-.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 2, Lichfield Road, Kew Gardens. (Sept., 1902). ( Hanoi ary Member) . 150 Gurney, John Henry, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Keswick Hall, Norwich; and Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall, .S.W, (Dec., 1904). HaaGnkr, A. K., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., Transvaal Museum, Pretoria, South Africa. (Nov., 1905). Harked, Lieut. N. G. B. ; King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry ; 3rd Battalion, Egyptian Army, Khartoum. (Dec., 190S). Hamirton, Miss; 2, Upper Wimpole Street, W. (April, 1902). Harding, W. A., M.A., F.Z.S. ; Histon Manor, Cambridge. (Dec., 1903) - Hardy, Lawrence, M.P. ; Saudling Park, Hvthe, Kent. (Nov., 1906). Harewood, The Countess of ; Harewood House, Leeds. (March, 1903), Harrey, Mrs. F. ; Brampton Bryan, Herefordshire. (1908). Harper, Miss; 6, Ashburnham Road, Bedford. (March, 1902). Harper, Edward Wirt.iam, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Government Road, Nairobi, British East Africa. (Feb., 1901). 160 HarTREY, Mrs. ; St. Helen’s Lodge, Hastings. (April, 1897). Harvey, The Hon. Lady; Langley Park, Slough. (Oct., 1906). Hawke, The Hon. Mary C. ; Wighill Park, Tadcaster. (Nov., 1900). Hawkins, L. W. ; 206, Clive Road, West Dulwich, S.E. (Jan., 1899). 9 List of Members. Hazeeerigg, Sir Arthur; Noseley Hall, Leicester. (March, 1907). 1 1 rmsworth, The Rev. B., M.A., J.P. ; Monk Fryston Hall, South Milford, Yorks. (June, 1901). HkTrey, Dr.; Beaufort House, 114, Church Road, Norwood, S.E. (Sept., 1911). HeTrry, Mrs. Henry; Beaufort House, 114, Church Road, Norwood, S.E. (July, 1910). Hewitt, H. C. ; Hope End, Ledbury, Herefordshire. (Jan., 1905). Heywood, Richard; Narborough, Norfolk. (Oct., 1911). 170 Hire, Mrs. E. Staveeey; Oxley Manor, Wolverhampton. (Oct., 1905). Hincks, Miss E. Marjorie; Barons Down, Dulverton. (Feb., 1908). Hinder, R. Frankein; 34, Brunswick Road, Liverpool. (Sept, 1898). Hodgson, The Hon. Mrs. ; Clopton, Stratford-on-Avon. (March, 1903). Hoedrn, Raeph A., F.Z.S. ; 5, John Street, Bedford Row, London. (May, 1906). Hoeeis, Bernard; 9, George Street, Hull. (Sept., 1910). Hopicinson, Dr. EMirjUS ; D.S.O., M.A., M.B. Oxon., 45, vStissex .Square, Brighton. (Oct., 1906). Hopson, Fred C. ; Northbrook Street, Newbury. (March, 1897). Horsbrugh, Major Boyd R., A.S.C. ; Morristown Biller, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland. (Jan., 1898). Housden, James B. ; Brooklyn, Cator Road, Sydenham, S.E. (Orig. Mem.) 180 Howard, Robert James, M.B.O.U. ; Shear Bank, Blackburn. (April, I903)- I Ioward-Vyse, H. ; Stoke Place, Slough. (Nov., 1906). Howeee, Thos. A. ; 109, Wall Street, New York, U.S.A, (April, 1910). Howman, Miss; 6, Essex Grove, Upper Norwood. (March, 1897). Hoy EE, Mrs. ; The Vicarage, Stoke Pogis, Bucks. (Nov., 1904). Hubbard, George ; 112, Fenchurch Street, E.C. (Jan., 1905). Hughes, Lady ; Shelsley Grange, Worcester. (Nov., 1904). Humphreys, Russeee; Bryn Court, Woldingham, Surrey. (April, 1896). Husband, Miss; Clifton View, York. (Feb., 1896). Hutchinson, Miss Alice ; Alderton Vicarage, Chippenham, Wilts. (August, 1907). 190 Inchiquin, The Lad}’ ; Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-Ou-Fergus, County Clare, Ireland. (Nov., 1897). Ingram, Coeeingwood; The Bungalow, Westgate-ou-Sea. (Oct., 1905). Ingram, Sir Wir.EliM, Bart. ; 65, Cromwell Road, London, S.W. (Sept , 1904). Isaac, Charles; Somerton, Bath Road, Slough. (March, 1906). Ivens, Miss; 13, Rua da Piedada, Campo d’Ourique, Lisbon, Portugal. (August, 1903). io List of Members. Jardine, Miss Fmiry; St. Michael’s Home, Kimberley, S. Africa. (Jan., 1903). Johnstone, Mrs. E. J. ; Burrswood, Groombridge, Sussex. (May, 1900). Kemp, R. ; c/o Mrs. Kemp, Long Sutton, near Langport, Somerset¬ shire. (March, 1903). Kennedy, Lieut. G. ; c/o Mrs. Kennedy, 7, Albion Road, Sutton, Surrey. (1911). Kirchnkr, Mrs.; Sea Copse Hill, Wootton, Isle of Wight. (Jan., 19TX). 200 Kuser, Anthony R. ; Bernardsville, New Jersey, U.S. A. (Dec., 1908). Lancaster, John ; Dunchurch Lodge, near Ruglw. (March, 1904). J/ascerres, The Hon. Gerard, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; The King’s House, Lyndhurst. (Oct., 1896). Lawson, Mrs. F. W. ; Adel, Leeds. (Nov., 1903). LEE, Mrs. E. I).; Hartwell House, Aylesbury. (July, 1906). Leeke, Miss Dorothy; 9, Hertford .Street, Mayfair, W. (Ma)', 1909). Leigh, Cpicir ; Lyburn Park, near Lyndhurst, Hants. (Nov., 1906). Lery, Mrs. G. PEER; Woodlands, Beckenham, Kent. (Feb., 1910). Lewis, W. Jarrett ; Corstorpliine, Ryde, I. of W. (Oct., 1904). Lireord, The Lady; Li 1 ford Hall, Oundle, Northamptonshire. (Jail., 1898). 21c LlTTRE, I)r. G. W. ; 47, Ridge Street, Glens Falls, New York, U.S. A. (1911). Lroyd, Lieut. A. M. ; 1/24U1 Regiment, Chatham Barracks, Chatham. (April, 1911). Locicykr, ArEred; St. Monica’s Lodge, Elm Park Road, Winchmore Hill, N. (Dec., 1905). Long, Mrs. ; Sherrington Manor, Berwick, Sussex. (Feb., 1907). Love RACE, The Countess of; Wentworth House, Chelsea Embank¬ ment, London, S.W. (May, 1906). Lyon, Miss K. ; Harewood, Horsham. (Nov., 1894). McGeagh, Dr. R. T. ; 23, Breeze Hill, Bootle, Lancs. (Aug., 1908). McGee, The Rev. Father; Keppel Street, Bathurst, N.S.W. (July, 1908). Marone, Mrs. M. I/EstrangE, The Manor Cottage, Clewer Green, Windsor. (Jan., 1902). Manners-Smith, Lieut. -Col. ; The Presidency, Nepal, India. (1911). 220 Mappin, Stanrey ; 12, Albert Hall Mansions, Kensington Gate, S.W. (April, 1911). Marsharr, Archibard McLean ; Chitcombe, Brede, Sussex. (Jan., 1906). Martin, H. C. ; 147, Victoria Road, Old Charlton, Kent; and Saladero, Liebig, Fray Bentos, Uruguay. (Jan., 1897), Martin, H. J.; Clock House Farm, Woodmausterne, Surrey. (June, 19H). List cf Members. ir MakTin-Masson, G. J. ; 5, Can ickblacker Avenue. Partadowu, Ireland. Martokkm.i, I)r. GrACiNi'o, M.B.O.U., etc.; Collezione, Tnrati, Museo Civico di Storia Natnrale, Milan, 1 1 al \- (July, 1906). ( Honor ary Member/. Mathews, Gregory M., F.R.S., Ediu., F.L.S.; Langley Mount, Watford, Herts. (Dec., 1909). Mathias, Hayward W., F.R.H.S. ; Lucerne, Stubbiugton, Fareham, 1 f ants. Meade-Waldo, 1C. G. 15., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Stonewall Paik, Ldeu- bridge, Kent. (Jan., 1895). Miller, Tinnisyvood; 27, Belgrave Road, S,W. (March, 1905). 230 Mir.r.S, The Hon. ViOLET; Wilderness, Sevenoaks. (Oct., 1907). MlLLSUM, O; Everburg, Brabant, Belgium. (Aug. 1909). Mitch el r,, Harry; Holmefield, Lyndhurst, Hants. (Feb., 1904). MOERSCHELL, F. ; Imperial Hotel, Malvern. (June, 1895). Momeu'r, Mrs. ; 77, Harley Street, W. (Sept., 1907). Money, C. G. Chiozza, M.P. ; Tyhurst, Chaldon, Surrey. (Oct., 1911). Montagu, Hon. E. vS.. M P., M.B.O.U.; 59, Bridge Street, Cambridge, and 12, Kensington Palace Gardens. W. (May, 1905). Moore, Wm. Fawcett; (No permanent address). (Aug., 1903). Morrison, Hon. Mrs. McLaren ; Kepwfck Park, Northallerton, Yorks. (Sept., 1911). Morshead, Lady; Forest Lodge, Binfield, Bracknell, Berks. (Dec., 1894). * 240 Mortimer, Mrs.; Wigmore, Holmwood, Surrey. (Orig. Mem.)* Mundis, Miss Sybil Miller; Shipley Hall, Derby. (Jan., 1909). Murray, A. L. Keith; i, Chudleigli Villas, Bideford, N. Devon. (Aug. 190S). Mylan. Jas. George, B.A., M.B. (Univ. Cal.); L.RC.P. and L . R.C.S., (Ed.) &c., 90, Upper Hanover Street, Sheffield. (Dec., 1901). New ALL, Mrs.; Red Heath, Croxley Green, R.S.O., Herts. (June, 1911). Newman, T. H., F.Z.S., M.B O.U. ; Newlands, Ilarrowdeue Road, Wembley, Middlesex. (May, 1900). Nichols, Walter B., M.B.O.U. ; Stour Lodge, Bradfield, Mauningtree. (Jan., [907). Nicholson, T. G. ; ‘Glencoe,’ Walton on Thames, Surrey. (Oct., 1911). NiCor.L, Michael J., M.B.O U. ; Zoological Gardens, Giza, Cairo, Egypt. (July, 1906). Noble, Mrs.; Park Place, Henley-on-Thames. (Oct., 1900). 250 Oakey, W. ; 34, High Street, Leicester. (March, iSgb).’1' Oates, 1C W. ; White House Farm, New Leeds, Leeds. (Oct., 1897). Oberholser, Harry C. ; 1445, Girard .Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., United States of America. (Oct., 1903). 12 List of Members. Ogilvie-Grant, W. R., F.Z.S., M.B.OU. ; British Museum (Mat. Hist.), Cromwell Road, S.W. (Dec., 1903). Ogle, Bkrtram Saville, M.B.O.U. ; Steeple Aston, Oxford. (Dec., 1902). OliphanT, Trevor; Teston Rectory, Maidstone. (May, [90S). O’Reilly, Nicholas S. ; S, Marine Parade, Brighton. (Dec., 1894). Ostkkhan, J. Eliott D. ; Bank House, Thame, Oxon. (April, 1903). Pagk, WeslEyT., F.Z.S. ; Gleufield, Graham Avenue, Mitcham, Surrey. (May, 1 897 ' • Painter, K. V. ; 2508, Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. (Dec., 1909). 260 Palmer, Mrs. G. W. ; Marlston House, near Newbury. (Oct., 1905). Pam, Albert, P'.Z.S. ; Malting Farm, Little Hallingbury, Bishop’s Stortford. (Jan., 1906). Pam, Hugo, C.M.Z.S. ; 65, Bishopsgate, PTC. (Sept., 1911). Parker, Duncan, J.P. ; Clopton Hall, Woolpit, Bury St. Edmunds. (June, 1903). Parkin, Thomas, M.A., F.R.G.S., P'.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Fairseat, High Wickham, Hastings. (Oct., 1903). Pauwkls, R. ; Everberg, par Cortenberg, Brabant, Belgium. (Dec., 1904). Peir, P. ; c/o W. G. Peir, Esq., 60, Elizabeth Street, Sidney, N. S. Wales. (July, 1903). Pennant, Lady Edith Douglas; Soliam House, Newmarket, Cambs. (Sept., 1908). Penrose, Frank G., M.D., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Wick House, Downton, Salisbury. (Dec., I903(. Perreau, Capt. G. A.; 2/4 Gurkha Rifles, Bakloh, Punjab, India. (Dec., 1903). 270 Peering, C. S. R. ; 1, Walpole Road, Twickenham. (Sept., 1895). Phillipps, Reginald; 26, Cromwell Grove, West Kensington Park, W. (Orig. Mem.)* Phillips, John C. ; Kuobfields, Wenliam, Mass., U.S.A. (March, 1910). Phillips, Mrs. E. LorT, P'.Z.S. ; 79, Cadogan Square, S.W. (April, 1907). Picar d, Hugh K. ; 298, West End Lane, N.W. (March, 1902). Pichot, Mons. Pierre AmedeE; 132, Boulevard Hausmaun, Paris. (Sept., 1910). Pickkord, Randolph John ; Thorn Lea, Carmel Road, Darlington. Pocock, R. I., F.R.S., F.L.S., P'.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Zoological Society’s Gardens, Regent’s Park, N.W. (Feb., 1904). (Hon Secretary). Powis, The Earl of; 45, Berkeley Square, W. ; and Powis Castle, Welshpool. (April, 1902). Princeton University, Library of; Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.A. (Nov., 1907). 280 PvCRAFT, W. P., A.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O U., &e. ; British Museum (Nat. Hist.), Cromwell Road, S.W. (Nov., 1904). List of Members. 13 RadcliFFE, Capt. A. Dkpme; iostli Maratlia Light Infantry, Poona, India. RaThborne, Henry B. ; Duiisinea, Castleknock, co. Dublin. (May, 1901). Rattigan, G. E. ; Lanarkslea, Cornwall Gardens, S.W. (Ang,, 1908). Raven, W. H.; 239, Derby Road, Nottingham. (Dec., 1909). Reid, Mrs.; Funchal, Madeira. (Feb., 1895). Renshaw, Dr. Graham, M.B., M.R.C.S. ; Bridge House, Sale, Man¬ chester. (Jan., 1910). Rice, Captain G. ; Glayqnhat, Blairgowrie, N.B. (May, 1902). RlEEY, Joseph H. ; U.S. National Museum, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. (June, 1906), Ritchie, Norman; The Holmes, St. Boswell’s, N.B. (l'eb., 1903). 290 Robbins, Henry; Billacy View, Mill Hill, Middlesex. (April, 1908). Robert, Madam; Hartland House, Sutton, Surrey. (June, 1906). Roberts, Mrs., M. Aust. O.IT. ; Beaumaris, Montpelier .Street, Hobart, Tasmania. (June, 1903). Roberts, Mrs. Norman; 8, Holbeck Hill, Scarbotough. (Nov., 1907). Rogers, Lt.-Col. J. M., D.S.O., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U, (Late Royal Dra¬ goons); Riverhill, Seveuoaks. (April, 1907). RoGERSON, A.; Fleurville, Ashford Road, Cheltenham. (Dec., 1902). RoTCH, Mrs.; SunnyclifF, Cholmondeley Road, West Kirby. (June, 1S97). Rothschh.d, The Hon. L. Walter, M.P., D.Sc., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; The Museum, Tring, Herts. (Jan., 1900). Rothwei.L, James E- ; 153, Sewall Avenue, Brookline, Mass., U.S.A. (Oct., 1910). ST. Quintin, William HERBERT, F'.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Scampston Hall. Rillington, York, (Orig. Mem.) 300 Savage, A. ; 16, Rue Gibert, Rouen, Seine Inferieure, France. (April, 1895). Scharff, R. F., Pli.D. ; The National Museum, Phoenix Park, Dublin. (Oct., 1905). SchluTER, John C. ; “ Hammerbrook,” Pollard’s Hill East, Norbury, S.W. (Dec., 1910). Sc LATER, W. L., M.A., F.Z.S. ; 10, Sloane Court, S.W. (Aug., 1904). Sclater, Philip Lutley, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S., F'.Z.S , M.B.O.U. ; Odiham Priory, Wiuchfield, Hants. (Sept., 1902). (Hon. AfemberJ . SeppinGS, Captain J. W. H. ; The Army Pay Office, Bootham, York. (Sept., 1907). Seth-Smith, David, F'.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; 34, Elsworthy Road, South Hampstead, N.W. (Dec., 1894). Seth-Smith, Leslie M., B.A., M.B.O.U. ; Alleyne, Caterham Valley, Surrey; and Kampala, Uganda. (July, 1902). Seth-Smith, Mrs. W. ; Alleyne, Caterham Valley, Surrey. (Sept., 1904). Shelley, Captain George Ernest, F'.Z.S., F.R.G.S., M.B.O.U.; 39, Egerton Gardens, South Kensington, S.W. (August, 1903). 14 List of Members. 310 Sherbrooke, Mrs. P. ; Ravenswyke, Kirbvmoorside, Yorks. (March, 1897). Sich, Hkrbekx Leonard ; c/o Dr. L. Lovell-Keays, Park Podge, East Hoathly, Sussex. (Feb., 1902). SrLVER, ArpriN; 3, Gatelev Road, Brixtou, S.W. (Aug., 1904). Simpson, Archibald; Blackgates House, Tingley, near Wakefield. (Fel>., 1901). Slater, Arthur A.; Keswick Road, St. Helen’s. (Nov., 1894). Smith, C. Barnby ; Woodlands, Retford. (August, 1906). Smith, Miss K. L. Dorien; Trescoe Abbey, Isle of Seilly, Cornwall. (August, 1908). Sornborger, J. I). ; Rowley, Massachusetts. (Oct., 1905). Southesk, The Countess of ; Kimiaird Castle, Brechin, N.B. (Feb., 1901). Southport Corporation ; Curator; Hesketh Park, South nort. ( Jan., 1904). 320 Stansfeld, Captain John; Duuninald, Montrose, N.B. (Dec., 1896). S'l'ANYFORTH, Mrs. ; Kirk Hamerton Hall, York. (Nov., 1897). Staples- Browne, R. ; Bampton, Oxfordshire. (August, 190S). STEkckmans, Dr C. ; 28, Rue de la Station, Louvain, Belgium. (Sept, 1910) . STEVENS, H. ; Silouibari, P.O , Lakhimpur North, Upper Assam. (Oct., 1911) . Stirling, Mrs. Charles ; Old Newton House, Donne. (Sept., 1904). Stockport Corporation; Superintendent; Vernon Park, Stockport. (Oct., 1902). Stu rTON-Johnson, Miss; Oratava House, Ore, Hastings. (May, 1S97 STYi.it, G. M. ; 9, Smith Square, Westminster, S.W. (Jan., 1911). SUFFOLK and Berkshire, The Countess of; Charlton Park, Malmes¬ bury. (Feb., 1909). 330 SuGGiTT, ROBERT; Suggitt’s Lane, Cleetliorpes, Grimsby. (Dec., 1903). Sutcliffe, Albert; P'ield House, Grimsby. (Feb., 1906). SUTTON, Lady ; Beuham-Valence, Speen, Newbury. (Dec., 1901). Swaysi.and, Walter; 47, Queen’s Road, Brighton. (Orig. Mem.) * Tanner, Dr. Frank L. ; Vauvert House, Guernsey. (Jan., 1904). Tanner, Mrs. Slingsby; 48, Lower Sloaue Street, S.W. (Oct., 1906). Temple, W. R. ; Ormonde, Hatchet, Bucks. (June, 1907). TERRY, Major Horace A., M.B.O.U. (late Oxfordshire Light Infantry) ; The Lodge, Upper Halliford, Shepperton. (Oct., 1902). TksChemaicer, W. E., B.A.; Ringmore, TeignmouLh, Devon. (May, 1904). Thomas, Henry; 15, dinning Road, Birkdale, Southport. (Jan., 1895). 340 Thomas, Miss I*'. G. F. ; Hurworth Manor, Darlington. (March, 1899). Thomas, Mrs. Haig; Moyles Court, Ringwood, Hants. (August, 1907). Thom ASSET, Bernard C., P'.Z.S. ; Hawkenbury, Staplehurst, Kent. (July, 1896). List of Members. 15 ThomasseT, H. P. . Cascade Estate, Malie, Seychelles. (Nov., 1906). Thompson, Mis. E. F. ; Canandaigua, N.Y., U.S.A. (July, 1907). Thoknii.ky, PKRCY Wright; Shooter's Hill, Weni., Shrewsbury, h'eb., 1902). Thorpe, Chari.ES; Selborne, Springfield Road, Wallington, Surrey. (Dec., 1901). Thorpic, h'. C. ; The Zoo, Sunuyside, Worksop. (Jan., 1902). Ticehurst, Norman Frederic, ALA., AI.B., F.R.C.vS , h'.Z.S. ; 35, Pevensey Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea. (Dec., 1906). Tomics, W., J.P. ; Gleimioor, 3 r , Billing Road, Northampton. (Dec., 1902). 350 Townsend, Stan i, u y AI. ; 3, Swift .Street, Fulham. (Sept., 1S9S). Toy ic, Airs.; Stanhope, Bideford, N. Devon, (h'eb., 1S97). Tricnow, Evki.yn Henry, h'.Z.S.; Ivy I.odge, hipping, Essex. (Nov., 1910). TresTraie, Mrs.; Southdale, Cievedon. (.Sept., 1903). Trevor-BatTYK, Aubyn, B. R., AI.A., h'.L.S. ; Stoner Hill, Peters- Held. (July, 1S9S). Turner, Airs. Turner ; Beaulieu Springs, Beaulieu, Hants. (July, 1910). Twee DIE, Capt. W., 93rd Highlanders; Stobs Castle, Slobs Camp, By Hawick. (April, 1903). Vat.entinic, Ernest ; 7, Highfield, Workington. (May, 1899). Van Oort, Dr. E. I). ; Museum of Natural History, Leiden, Holland. Vernon, Airs. FI. Warren ; Toddington Manor, Dunstable, Bedford¬ shire. (Nov., 1907). 360 ViLLiKRS, Airs.; The Shielding, Ayr, N.B. (August, 1906). Waddici.t,, Miss PeddiE; 4, Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh, N.B. (h'eb., 1903). Wait, Aliss L. AI. St. A. , 12, Rosary Gardens, S.W. (Feb., 1909). Walker, Aliss; Persey House, Blairgowrie, N.B. (Jam, 1903). Walker, Aliss H. K. O. ; Chesliam, Bury, Lancs. (Feb., 1895). Wallop, The Hon. P'rederic; (h'eb., 1902). Wards, The Lady Harriet, Knotley Hall, Tunbridge. (Aug., 1903). Waterfiklo, Airs. Noel E. ; Port Soudan, Red Sea. (.Sept., 1904). Waterhouse, Airs. I). ; 6, Esplanade, Scarborough, (h'eb., 1903). Watson, S. ; 37, Tithebarn Street, Pieston. (h'eb., 1906). 370 West, Colin; The Grange, South Norwood Park. (Jam, 1906). Whitaker, Joseph I. S., h'.Z.S., AI.B. O.U. ; Alalfitano, Palermo, Sicily. (August, 1903). Whitehead, Mrs. Henry ; Haslem Hey, Bury, Lancs. (March, 1902). WigelsworTh, Joseph, API)., AI.B.O.U. ; Rainhill, Lancashire. (Oct., 1902). Wili.ford, Henry; Upland View, Haven Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight. (Nov., 1907). 1 6 List oj Members. Williams, Mrs. C. H., 49, Okehampton Road, St. 'l'liomas, Exeter. (May, 1902). Williams, Mrs. Howard; Oatlands, Sunbridge Avenue, Bromley, Kent. (April, 1902). Williams, Sydney, J n 11 ., P'.Z.S. ; Holland Lodge, 275, Lore Street, Edmonton, N. (Beb., 1905). Wir.sON, Captain P. A.; Down Firs, Hambledon, Hants. (Sept. 1909). Wit.son, Maurice A., M.I). ; Kirkby Overblow, Pannal, S. O., York. (Oct., 1905). 80 Wieson, T. Needham; Oak Lodge, Bitterne, near Southampton. (Dec., 1901). Winchilska and Nottingham, The Countess of; Harlech, Merioneth. (April, 1903). Witherbv, The Rev. T. C. ; 15, High Street, Poplar. (July, 1910). Wolfe, Miss Georgina ; S. John’s, 37, Granada Road, E. Southsea. (August, 1904). Workman, Wm. Hughes, M.B.O.U. ; Lismore, Windsor, Belfast. (May, 1903). Wormald, H. ; I'll e Heath, Dereham, Norfolk. (Dec., 1904). Wright, R. N. ; Church Hill, Robert Road, Handsworth, near Birming¬ ham. (Dec., 1908). Younger, Miss Barbara Henderson; 4, Douglas Gardens, Edin¬ burgh. (July, 1909). Rules of Ihe Avicultural Society. 17 RULES OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY As amended January , 1908. 1. — The name of the Society shall be Thk Avicultural Society and its object shall be the study of Foreign and British Birds in freedom and in captivity. Poultry, Pigeons and Canaries shall be outside the scope of the Society. The year of the Society, with that of each volume of the Society’s Magazine, which shall be known as The Avicultural Magazine , shall commence with the month of November and end on the 31st of October following. 2. — The Avicultural Society shall consist of Ordinary and Honorary Members ; and the latter shall be restricted in number to six, and be elected by the Council. 3. — The Officers of the Society shall be elected, annually if necessary, by members of the Council in manner hereinafter provided, and shall consist of a President, one or more Vice-Presidents, a Business Secretary, a Correspondence Secretary', an Editor, a Treasurer, an Auditor, a Sciutineer, and a Council of fifteen Members. The Secretaries, Editor, and Treasurer, shall be ex officio Members of the Council. 4. — New Members shall be proposed in writing, and the name and address of every person thus proposed, with the name of the Member proposing him, shall be published in the next issue of the Magazine. Unless the candidate shall, within two weeks after the publication of his name in the Magazine, be objected to by at least two Members, he shall be deemed to be duly elected. If five Members shall lodge with the Business Secretary objections to any candidate he shall not be elected, but the signatures to the signed objections must be verified by the Scrutineer. If two or mote Members (but less than five) shall object to any' candidate, the Secretary shall announce in the next number of the Magazine that such objections have been lodged (but shall not disclose the names of the objectors), and shall request the Members to vote upon the question of the election of such candidate. Members shall record their votes in sealed letters addressed to the Scrutineer, and a candidate shall not be elected unless two thirds of the votes recorded be in his favour ; nor shall a candidate be elected if five or more votes be recorded against his election. 5. — Each Member shall pay an annual subscription of 10/-, to be due and payable in advance on the Tst of November in each year. New Mem¬ bers shall pay in addition, an entrance fee of 10/6 ; and, on payment of their entrance fee and subscription, they shall be entitled to receive all the numbers of the Society's Magazine for the current year. 1 8 Rules of the Avicullural Society. 6. — Members intending to resign their membership at the end of the current year of the Society are expected to give notice to the Business Secretary before the first of October, so that their names may not be included in the “ List of Members,” which shall be published annually in the November number of the Magazine. 7. — The Magazine of the Society shall be issued on or about the first day of every month,* and forwarded, post free, to all the Members who shall have paid their subscriptions for the year : but no Magazine shall be sent or delivered to any Member until the annual subscription shall have reached the hands of the Business Secretary or the Publishers. Members whose subscriptions shall not have been paid as above by the first day in .September in any year shall cease to be Members of the Society, and shall not be re-admitted until a fresh entrance fee, as well as the annual sub¬ scription, shall have been paid. 8. — The Secretaries, Editor, and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of five years, and should a vacancy occur, it may be temporarily filled up by the Executive Committee (see Rule 10). At the expiration of the term of five years in every case, it shall be competent for the Council to nominate the same officer, or another Member, for a further term of five years, unless a second candidate be proposed by not less than twenty-five members of at least two years standing, as set forth below. I11 the September number of the Magazine preceding the retirement from office of the Secretaries, Editor, or Treasurer, the Council shall publish the names of those gentlemen whom they have nominated to fill the vacancies thus created ; and these gentlemen shall be deemed duly elected unless another candidate or candidates be proposed by not less than fifteen Members of at least two years standing. Such proposal, duly seconded and containing the written consent of the nominee to serve, if elected, in the capacity for which he is proposed, must reach the Business .Secretary, on or before the 15th of September. The Council shall also publish yeaily in the September number of the Magazine the names of those gentlemen nominated by them for the posts of Auditor and Scrutineer respectively. 9- — 1'he Members of the Council shall retire by rotation, two at the end of each year of the Society (unless a vacancy or vacancies shall occur otherwise) and two other Members of the Society shall be recommended by the Council to take the place of those retiring. The names of the two Members recommended shall be printed in tne September number of The Avicullural Magazine. Should the Council’s selection be objected to by fifteen or more Members, these shall have power to put forward two other candidates whose names, together with the signatures of no less than * Owing to the extra pressure of work, the October and November numbers are liable to be late. Rules of the Avicullural Society. 19 fifteen Members proposing them, must reach the H011. Business Secretary by the 15 th of September. The names of the four candidates will then be printed on a voting paper and sent to each Member with the October number of the Magazine, and the result of the voting published in the November issue. Should no alternative candidates be put forward, in the manner and by the date above specified, the two candidates recommended by the Council shall be deemed to have been duly elected. I11 the event of an equality of votes the President shall have a casting vote. If any Member of the Council does not attend a meeting for two years in succession, the Council shall have power to elect another Member in his place. 10. — Immediately after the election of the Council, that body shall proceed to elect three from its Members [ex officio Members not being ■eligible). These three, together with the Secretaries and Editor, shall form a Committee known as the Executive Committee. Members of the Council shall be asked every year (whether there has been an election of that body or not) if they" wish to stand for the Executive, and in any year when the number of candidates exceeds three there shall be an election of the Executive. The duties of the Executive Committee shall be as follows : {i). To sanction all payments to be made 011 behalf of the Society. (ii) . In the event of the resignation of any of the officers during the Society’s year, to fill temporarily the vacancy until the end of the year. I11 the case of the office being one which is held for more than one year (e. g. Secretaries, Editor, or Treasurer, the appointment shall be confirmed by the Council at its next meeting. (iii) . To act for the Council in the decision of any other matter that may arise in connection with the business of the Society. The decision of any matter by' the Executive to be settled by a •simple majority' (five to form a quorum). In the event of a tie on any question, such question shall be forthwith submitted by letter to the •Council for their decision. The Executive shall not have power (i) . To add to or alter the Rules; (ii) . To expel any’ Member ; (iii) . To re-elect the Secretaries, Editor, or Treasurer for a second term of office. It shall not be lawful for the Treasurer to pay any account unless such account be duly initialed by' the Executive. It shall be lawful for the Business Secretary or Editor to pledge the Society's credit for a sum not exceeding ^15. 20 Rules oj the Aviculhiral Society. Should a Member wish any matter to be brought before the Council direct, such matter should be sent to the Business Secretary with a letter stating that it is to be brought before the Council at their next meeting ; otherwise communications will in the first place be brought before the Executive. A decision of a majority of the Council, or a majority of the Executive endorsed by the Council, shall be final and conclusive in all matters. 11. — The Editor shall have an absolute discretion as to what matter shall be published in the Magazine (subject to the control of the Executive Committee). The Business Secretary and Editor shall respectively refer all matters of doubt and difficulty to the Executive Committee. 12. — The Council (but not a Committee of the Council) shall have power to alter and add to the Rules, from time to time, in any manner they may think fit. Five to form a quorum at any meeting of the Council. 13. — The Council shall have power to expel any Member from the Society at any time without assigning any reason. 14 Neither the Office of Scrutineer nor that of Auditor shall be held for two consecutive years by the same person. 15.— The Scrutineer shall not reveal to any person how any Member shall have voted. The Society's Medal. 21 THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. RULE S. The Medal may be awarded at the discretion of the Committee, to any Member who shall succeed in breeding, in the United Kingdom, any species of bird which shall not be known to have been previously bred in captivity in Great Britain or Ireland. Ail}' Member wishing to obtain the Medal must send a detailed account for publication in the Magazine within about eight weeks from the date of hatching of the young and furnish such evidence of the facts as the Executive Committee may require. The Medal will be awarded only in cases where the young shall live to be old enough to feed themselves, and to be wholly independent of their parents. 'fhe account of the breeding must be reasonably full so as to afford instruction to our Members, and should describe the plumage of the young and be of value as a permanent record of the nesting and general habits of the species. These points will have great weigh when the question of awarding the Medal is under consideration. 'fhe parents of the young must be the bond fide property of the breeder. An evasion of this rule, in any form whatever, will not only dis¬ qualify the breeder from any claim to a Medal in that particular instance, but will seriously prejudice any other claims he or she may subsequently advance for the breeding of the same or any other species. In every case the decision of the Committee shall be final. The Medal will be forwarded to each Member as soon after it shall have been awarded as possible. The Medal is struck in bronze (but the Committee reserve the right to issue it in silve.i in very special cases), and measures 2| inches in diameter. It bears on the obverse a representation of two birds with a nest containing eggs, and the words “The Avicutural Society — founded 1894.” On the reverse is the following inscription : “Awarded to {name of recipient) for rearing the young of ( name of species), a species not previously bred in captivity in the United Kingdom.” 22 The Society's Medal. Members to whom Medals have been awarded. For a list of the Medal awards during the First Series see Vol. II. [Arew Senes), p. 18). For a list of the Medal awards during the New Series see Vol. VI. [A’ezu Series', pp. 20-22 SKRIES II. Vol. VI., p. 257 Vol. VII. (A’ezu Series 1, p. 20. Mr. W. E. TesCHKMAKRk, for breeding the Dwarf Ground Dove ( Chamcepelia griseota), in 1908. >. » P- 337 Mr. T. H. Newman, for breeding the Partridge Bronze¬ wing Pigeon ( Geophaps scripta), in 1908. » .. P- 345 Mr. C. Barnby Smith, for breeding the Black Francolin ( Francolinus vulgaris), in 1908. Vol. VII., p. 20S Mr. W. R. 'l'KSCHKMAKSR, for breeding the Cinnamon Tree Sparrow (Pas set cinnainomeus), in 1908. .. „ p. 321 Mr.W. F'h ThsChemakbr for breeding the Rufous-backed Mannikin (Spennestes uigt iceps), in 1909. ,, „ p. 334 Mr. W. T. Page, for breeding the Grey-winged Ouzel (Merida bonlboul). in 1909. Series III. Vol. I., p. 2S Mr. E. J. Brook, for breeding the Black Rory (Chalcop- sittacus a ter), in 1909. ,, ,, p. 8i Mr.W. E. 'l’ESCHEMAKER for breeding the Giant Whydah (Cher a procne), in 1909. ,, ,, p. 120 Mr. T. H. Newman for breeding the Deceptive Turtle Dove (Tin tur decipiens), in 1909. „ ,, PP-I58) and 194 1 Mr. T. H. Newman for breeding the White-throated Pigeon (Columba albigularis), in 1909. ,, ,, p. 267 Mr. P. W. Thornibey, for breeding the Argentine Black¬ bird (Turdus fuscater), in 1910. Vol. II., p. 173 Mr. T. H. Newman, for breeding the Snow Pigeon (Columba leuconota), in 1910. ,, ,, p. 269 Mr. Duncan Parker, for breeding the Red- Vented Blue Bonnet (Psephotus hczmatori hous), in 1911. » >, P- 3T7 Mr. W. E. TKSCHEMAKER, for breeding the Sprosser (Daulias philomela) in 1911. „ „ P- 368 Mr. H. D. Asti.EY, for breeding the Orange-headed Ground Thrush (Geocichta cttrina), in 19:1. The Avicultural Magazine. FEMALE WATTLED CRANE AND MALE CANADIAN CRANE AND HYBRID CHICK. THE 23 Hvtcultural flfcagasme, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCI ETY. Third Series — VOL. III. — No. 1. — All rights reserved. NOVEMBER, 1911 BREEDING OF THE $ CANADIAN AND ? WATTLED CRANES. Gi ns canadensis. Grus carunculata. By R. COSGRAVE. In 1909 and 1910 these most interesting birds failed to incubate their eggs. This year they were successful in doing so during the last week in April and the first week in May. Nest- making was a very serious business with them ; after a good deal of hesitation as to site they settled down in earnest on the grass, about four yards from the pond, and got together a considerable heap of grass, sticks, hay, and any sort of rubbish that happened to be handy. O11 May 7th one egg was laid, which was the usual Wattled size but the colour of the Canadian, and to my knowledge no more were added. Taking equal shares both birds at once com¬ menced to incubate the egg — the period was 35 days. We did not take any special care or interest in the nest, just merely left the egg as a natural amusement for the birds. The young remained on or quite close to the nest for two days and appeared to be very feeble; from the first it was most carefully fed and nursed by both parents, and while one hunted the long grass for insects the other brooded. It began to take artificial food at ten days old ; although we gave a good variety of this it preferred the sheep’s heart and rabbit’s flesh, and was always ready to take it, although the amount of insects taken from the parents was extraordinary — the search for these con¬ tinued practically all day. 24 Bleeding of the s Canadian and ? Wattled Cranes. In appearance, the young when hatched differed consider¬ ably from any young Cranes that I have seen. The whole body colour was chestnut, leading to cinnamon on the breast and belly ; bill, legs, and feet light horn ; eyes dark. Instead of the legs being long and awkward to propel, they were quite stumpy ; the head and neck were to all appearance two sizes too large which gave the little creature the most absurd top-heavy look. At five days old it was lively and active, following its parents everywhere they went, but it remained stumpy and the same colour for about four weeks, then a great change took place, the head and neck fined down and the bird began to grow fast; particularly noticeable was the remarkable rapidity with which the legs grew. At present (Sept. 23) it leads its father in height by at least three inches. The body plumage is dark grey; primaries and tail black ; legs and feet dark horn ; head and neck fawn ; eyes dark hazel ; bill red at base, darkening towards the point. Taking into consideration its size and carriage, although there are no traces of Wattles showing yet, the probabilities are, that it will be like its mother. The photograph shows the young at three weeks old with the parents, whose previous history is worth recording. The Canadian was bred here in 1899, and is very active and attractive. He likes to show what he can do in dancing, going round and round with both wings expanded, now and again picking up a piece of turf or stick ; these he will throw up in the air time after time and occasionally catch them in mid-air. He has a majestic step of his own, and this, combined with his dark grey uniform and red cap, gives one the impression of a youthful military sergeant. However, he is not war-like, we find him peaceful with other Cranes and various birds. On the other hand, Mrs. Wattled likes a good fight and is not particular what with. She arrived here in rather bad health in 1893, and being in fully adult plumage we could not estimate her age. When sufficiently recovered from her journey she was placed in the company of all our other Cranes, and all went well for a few days. Then came a tragedy ! she actually killed three very fine Demoiselles and, when discovered, was actually getting 011 with more. That of course spelt solitary confinement during the Bi/d Cages. 25 remainder of her natural life. For several years she lived alone in a rather cramped aviary, apparently in the best of health, making a nest and producing usually an egg or two each year. About four years ago her health broke down, and it was quite plain that if she did not have a change of residence her life would be a short one. It was decided to give her a certain amount of liberty once again — but under police supervision so to speak — in a large compartment at the Cranes pond. Here she began to look her former self and commenced to make love to Mr. Canadensis, who happened to want a wife at that time : it was a joyful meeting when he was admitted to her company. Like her mate she is an expert dancer and appears to get excited when laughed at by spectators. Her waltz is quite of au advanced type, she keeping up the swing for several minutes, only stopping to come up to the fence for a word of praise, or if asking, “ How is that?” and then starts off again to renew the performance. Since her release from prison her dancing exhibitions have ceased, owing doubtless to the cares of married life. BIRD CAGES. By Katharine Currey. I keep several of my birds in a double set of cages, which involves a little trouble, but they thrive wonderfully well and their intelligence is greatly developed by this mode of life, which, however, would not answer for breeding birds, as they must then be in a stationary aviary or cage. I will explain as briefly as I can how I manage this. The bird’s home is an ordinary large cage that can be lifted about, and in which he has his food and roosting perch under a covered- in end. I have light wooden shelters to cover permanently one end of the cage of all my birds, for it is most cruel not to give them a hiding-place. In the garden I have large, light movable aviaries screwed or hooked together, and they can betaken to pieces and put away flat against a wall. They are made of small-meshed wire, painted green, and have a door at either end, one door large enough to admit a person. In these aviaries, which are of different sizes 26 Mrs. Katharine Currky, (the largest 5ft. 4m. high to top of gable, 5ft. 4m. long and 2ft. 6in. wide), I place boughs of the trees the birds are partial to, and there are movable perches as well — of wood with the bark on. On the ground (unless it is on a smooth lawn that would be injured) I place logs and stones for insects, beetles, woodlice, worms and slugs to collect under, and move them every two or three days to let the bi ids catch them. They have a large flower-pot saucer of fresh water to bathe in, and in hot weather I water the aviaries well to have the atmosphere damp. The boughs keep fresh for a few days by placing them in long tins of water hung on to the wire inside the aviary, the water changed every day or two. Every morning, after cleaning out the cages, I place one of them on the ground against a door of one of the aviaries. Up against the larger door I hang a wire-netting screen on the aviary to fill up the space between the top of the door and the top of the cage; the cage keeps it firm in its place. I open the cage door into the aviary and the bird has a large pleasure-ground to fly in and enjoy himself in all day till sunset, when I merely have to tap with a stick on the aviary and they hop into their home- cage on to the roosting-perch. The advantage of the aviaries being movable is that the birds’ pasture-ground can thus be changed, and their position in the garden, on a lawn, or in an orchard, with a warm aspect in winter and a cool shady one in summer, and a sheltered one against March winds. The aviary is easy to lift about and can be placed so as to enclose a little tree or shrub or a tangle on an old stump or bit of rockery, where the birds can have a happy hunting-ground. My birds very soon learnt to understand their mode of life, and clamour to get out every morning, and generally go in to roost of their own accord. I take them in out of the way of cats, rats, owls or weasels, for I have had some sad experience of leaving them out all night in the aviary. They go out all the year round, in almost all weathers; some birds stand the hardest frost and the coldest winds, if provided with plenty of food and water, but others do not. I have to take in my Rock Thrush (I have had him about fifteen years) whenever there is a cold wind, especially now that Bi/d Cages. 27 lie is old, but lie lias perfect health and is moulting capitally. I11 stormy or rainy weather I cover the house-cage with a painted piece of tin. The wild birds come and talk to the aviary birds, and they all sing together. My birds are never ill and live for many years. With regard to keeping birds in little cages, where they have 110 room to move their wings, and 110 protection to retreat to, I have no words to express the horror I feel at such real cruelty, and I consider the caging of Larks fiendish. Among all the wonderful and beautiful works of Creation the bird is almost the most marvellous, and the power of that exquisitely constructed wing destroyed and paralysed in a wired box is the refinement of torture, for a bird that is capable of such intense joy must be equally sensitive to suffering. I am an enthusiastic aviculturist and my birds are my friends, and for this very reason I feel so strongly about their being treated in a manner wholly antagonistic to their nature and requirements. If anyone wishes to understand something of the miracle of flight in a bird, “The Airy Way,” by Mr. Dewar, will illustrate what I mean. The imprisonment of birds has been allowed to go on unchecked far too long, and in an enlightened country it should never even be possible. The cottager in the country and the tenement dweller in London has no idea that he is inflicting cruelty on the bird he keeps as a pet in an unprotected cage (very rarely sanitary) fed im¬ properly and never allowed a bath. How often have I seen it in villages and country towns, and have bought the poor little half-starved bird to rescue it. And scores of times I have seen it in London, — tiny boxes, in which the bird’s feet are so clogged with dirt that his little toes drop off, and he has to peck up his food in the filth in the cage, and to squeeze his neck through the hole in the wire to get the drop of dirty water. The con¬ dition of the majority of birds so kept is deplorable, as also their lot in too many bird-dealers’ shops. How can it be otherwise if there are many hundreds of birds to tend and keep clean ? A small army of cleaners would be required to keep them properly, and an experienced ornithologist to regulate their diet. It is short-sighted policy in a dealer, for he not only injures the stock 28 Mr. W. E. Teschemakek, lie sells but his own health, for dirty cages are thoroughly unhealthy to have in a house. The matter requires very thorough investigation, and as an aviculturist I feel the respon¬ sibility of it. THE NESTING OF THE HAWFINCH. Coccothrausles vulgaris. By W. E. Teschemakek, B.A. The Hawfinch, with its robust physique and iron consti¬ tution, has all the appearance of being a bird of the Northland: one might expect to find it in the great Siberian forests in company with the Waxwing and the Pine Grosbeak. As a matter of fact, however, it is found in greatest numbers in Southern Europe, ranging from the Atlantic to the Black Sea ; it is rare in Northern Russia and Scandinavia, and in the far East gives place to a subspecies, C. japonicus . South of the Mediterranean it is found, though only in small numbers, in Algeria and Tunisia. In Great Britain it nests in every county south of the Border, except Cornwall, hardly ever in Scotland and never in Ireland. Thus we may infer that this species likes a warm climate and a generous diet and has not proved itself very adaptive to other conditions, which is a matter for some surprise seeing that the Grosbeaks, as a family, are able to adapt themselves to almost any climate. For instance of three American species, the Evening Grosbeak, the Rose - breasted Grosbeak and the Yellow-bellied Grosbeak, the first is found in the silent forests of the remote North-west, where the hardy trapper and ‘prospector’ have never ventured to set foot, the second in the States and the third is a tropical bird. The Hawfinch is a bird of most irregular distribution and of peculiar roving habits — a wildern creature, rejoicing in its wild¬ ness. Here to-day, it is gone to-morrow ; one year it will breed in a district in some numbers : the next, not one nest will be found there. As it is to-day, so it has apparently always been. In an old work dealing with the birds of Sussex, as observed during the first half of the last century, I find the following note: — “Of uncertain occurrence, being not unusual during some years and on the Nesting oj the Hawfinch. 29 comparatively rare in others : is generally observed about autumn when haws, cherries and stone fruit are in season. Bred in Stanmer Park during the summer of 1847, The young after they had left the nest frequented the neighbourhood of the gardener’s cottage and were all caught by his children in brick traps baited with peas.” Old and young generally seem to stay in their nest¬ ing locality until well on in the winter but, as soon as the food supply becomes scanty, away they go, wandering about the country with others of their race in scattered bands and next year selecting quite a different locality for a summer residence, possibly in deference to the well known principle that one should never repeat a success. One of these flocks, which foraged in the neighbourhood of Paignton during the latter part of last winter, numbered some thirty individuals and was by far the largest gathering of this species that I have ever heard of in this county. It is unnecessary to give any technical details of plumage because these may be found in any of the bird-books, but one point may be noted in respect of which the bird-books (or some of them) are misleading. I refer to the colour of the beak in the breeding season, which is stated by Howard Saunders to be “leaden blue at the base, dull black at the tip; in winter pale horn-colour.” Morris says: “ Bluish in summer, the tip dusky.” My attention was called to this matter by an exhibitor who came to have a look at my birds one summer. Such is the popularity of Teignmouth as a watering-place that every season a good many aviculturists find themselves in my neighbourhood and frequently give me a look up. (One season I had forty-five visitors besides some who called in my absence). Some of these are members of our Society, some are artizans, and others do not favour me with their names ; they come from the unknown and pass away into the unknown. This particular aviculturist bowed himself in and, after introducing his wife, flattered me with the information that he had seen my name in an advertise¬ ment. As a general rule my visitors are not specialists and do not cross-examine me very severely, so that I geneially come through the ordeal without exposing my ignorance too palpably. But this time I was in the hands of a specialist in British birds 30 Mr. W. K. Teschemaker, from an exhibition point of view — my weakest point, because I rarely keep birds in cages. I got through the first series of questions fairly well but I felt that disaster was at hand. When we came to the Hawfinches my examiner suddenly said : — “ Have you noticed the colour of the beak of a Hawfinch in summer?” Iliad not; but I plunged, following Saunders, and I was lost. Quite wrong,” said my friend severely, “ it is entirely black, and if it is not black the bird is not in breeding condition.” Subse¬ quent experience has led me to think that my visitor was right; in the spring the beak becomes black in patches, and later in the season I have seen the beak almost entirely black. Of course the exposure of my ignorance was galling but I was some¬ what consoled to find, on my next visit to the Natural History Museum, that the beaks of the pair of birds in the case illus¬ trating the nesting of this species had not been painted black and, when in the Central Hall I came across a clutch of Creeper’s eggs with the statement that this species nests “ in holes,” I felt better. I quite expect to hear that the Hawfinch has been bred, though I do not myself know of an instance. There are, however, certain difficulties to be overcome. One of these is its remarkable shyness which would probably prevent it from bleeding in an aviary not provided with suitable covert. Another is its sullen, savage disposition which has made it unpopular with aviarists. There is a rough and ready method of testing the disposition of any species which I have found very useful and, for a rule of thumb method, singularly accurate, namely, to take the bird in one’s hand and try if it will bite. If it bites even a little, watch it very carefully when turned in amongst other birds ; if it bites hard, never associate it with other birds. Grosbeaks show re¬ markable differences of disposition when tested in this way. Not long since I handled half-a-dozen Blackdieaded Grosbeaks (//. vielanocephalus) and could not induce one of them even to nibble ; subsequent experience has proved the species to be absolutely peaceable despite its large size and formidable beak. But the bite of the Hawfinch is a thing one can never forget — a sort of super-bite: it hangs on like a bull-dog and generally draws blood. And the Hawfinch lives up to its bite. Should any on the Nesting of the Hawfinch. 3 1 unfortunate small bird come within reach of its ugly beak, it will assuredly depart with a broken wing or leg and, even when Hawfinches aie kept apait from other birds, it is extremely difficult to induce a pair to live together peaceably. The first pair which I kept under these conditions had not been more than a week or two in their aviary before the male killed the female and, when I obtained another female, the latter promptly polished off the male. I released this female and obtained two young birds in the autumn of 1909 which settled down comfortably together but did not breed in the following year, either because they were immature or because they had not yet overcome the constitutional nervousness of their race. The division in which I have kept my Hawfinches for the past few years is not part of the aviary ; it used to be a path surrounding the aviary and in the early days I used to sit and watch the birds from this path but, as I never have time for such luxuries now, I wired it in. It is about 35ft. long, 8ft. wide and 12ft. high. Being just under my bedroom window I am always able to have an early peep at the Hawfinches when desired, which is fortunate because this and the late evening are the only periods of the day when this species shows any activity ; with its dipping flight, large size and handsome colouring it is far too conspicuous a bird to go abroad at mid-day. I11 mid-March I heard the male singing and this — I may remark — is not a song that is heard every day. It is distinctive though impossible to describe; its shrill whistling call-note is also unlike that of any other bird. An old gardener, of whom I once made enquiries concerning this species, asked me if I meant the bird “ which squeaked like a mouse.” After hearing the song of the male I kept a close eye on the Hawfinches, for I said to myself that an amorous Hawfinch would be a thing worth seeing — indeed it seemed hard to imagine that this, the most sullen, taciturn and unsociable of all British finches, ever could flirt. On the nth April my patience was rewarded. The advances came from the lady who, standing facing the male with drooping wings, commenced to swing her body from side to side uttering a low crooning note and then ventured to gently nibble the tip of the male’s beak. The male stolidly stared at his partner and appeared Mr. W. E. Teschemakek 32 to be considering whether he ought to submit to such an indignity or whether it would not be more consonant with his dignity to give the amorous maiden one in the eye. After this my log-book records but little concerning the Hawfinches until the 28th May, when I found that they had pulled up some coarse grass in a corner of their enclosure. On the 29th they cairied some of this grass to a fork of a Py vacant his about nine feet from the ground ; the male displayed a little, swinging his body to and fro, as a Goldfinch does, and singing. O11 the 30th, I observed that the female looked queer, and on examining her ladyship more closely came to the conclusion that she medi¬ tated laying an egg. This was serious because there was no nest. Apparently they either did not know how to construct one, being as I have said before young birds, or else they considered that it was part of my official duties to provide one. The only two nests that I have seen have been large, flattened structures composed of twigs and roots lined with finer roots and, after several attempts, I produced something distantly resembling this type of nest and fixed it up with wire in the position they had chosen ; as the latter was so exposed I surrounded the nest with a screen of cupressus and holly. Having finished my job I retired to a distance to see what the Hawfinches would think of it. It took them a long time to find their way through the screen but, when they did succeed in reaching the nest, their expressions were a study. They stood in solemn silence and gazed at that nest and gazed again ; apparently their thoughts were too deep for words. I must admit that it was a somewhat weird structure. However they finally decided to accept it and soon set to work and relined it with green grass — I wonder why. On the 2nd June the female commenced to sit; she alone incubated and she sat so steadily that I never got a glimpse of the eggs. She was fed on the nest by the male and, if she ever left it, it must have been very early in the morning or at some time when I was not watching. I fixed up a ladder in the adjoining enclosure and, as the latter was loftier than that con¬ taining the Hawfinches, I was able to look down 011 the nest but, even so, I was not able to see the young for several days after they were hatched because the female refused to leave the nest. on the Nesting of the Hawfinch. 33 I think that the adults must have devoured the egg-shells of which I could not find a trace. It was not till the 22nd that I obtained a good view of the young which were most singular objects — three fine, healthy nestlings, surrounded by a perfect halo of long white down, with which the dark brown of the dorsal tract and the blackish flights contrasted strongly ; they looked rather like young Sparrow- hawks. I was annoyed to see that the nest, which I had fancied so secure, had commenced to sag on one side; owing to the situation selected by the adults it had not the advantage of what engineers call “ three-point-suspension.” On the 23rd the com¬ bined weight of the adults and young proved too much for the nest, half of which fell right away, but the young with much philosophy, squatting side by side, balanced themselves skilfully on what remained of their home. On the 24th — one of the few wet days of this tropical summer — so little remained of the nest that one squab was compelled to take up a crosswise position on the backs of the other two, and the female, when brooding them, had to sit 011 the top of this one. This led to a tragedy. On the morning of the 251I1 I saw the female perched beside the nest whittling away at something. Standing beneath the nest I could see a ghastly, distorted corpse and no sign of the other young. In course of time one becomes hardened to these shocks so, with philosophic calm, I fetched a ladder to bear away my dead. However, matters were not so bad as I had thought ; the weight of its superincumbent family had caused the smallest of the young to be impaled on one of the formidable thorns of the Pyracanthus , the other two had lost their hold on that part of the nest, which alone remained in situ, and had slipped down on to the collapsed part. The corpse was so firmly impaled that it required a good pull to dislodge it. This was evidently what the female had been endeavouring to do, and some idea of the strength of her mandibles may be obtained from the fact that she had whittled away quite half of the squab’s beak, which was so stout that it would have resisted a blunt knife. The squab weighed exacily one ounce. Its beak (which was very large but more flattened than that of an adult) and legs were pinkish. It was bare on 34 on the Nesting of the Hawfinch. the lower neck, centre of breast, abdomen and sides ; elsewhere it was well covered. The crown and upper back were brown ; the rump lighter ; axillaries rufous; primaries black. Three of the secondaries were blue-grey on the anterior margins; the prominent white margins of the coverts formed a bar of white on the wing. The breast, flanks and abdomen were huffish -white, many of the feathers being tipped with brown, giving the whole of the underparts a very distinctive mottled appearance. The tail was very short, the three outer rectrices showing white on the inner margins. The mottled feathering and white* ground¬ colour of the breast made the young very conspicuous, even at a little distance, and here again, as in the case of the Sprosser, I must confess myself unable to see that the nestling plumage can by any possibility be protective. The young Hawfinches flew on the evening of the 26th, and were so tame that I had no difficulty in inducing them to pose before the camera. After a time, however, they became even wilder than the adults, and when, about six weeks later, I netted and brought them into the house, they severely damaged their heads by dashing against the netting. They were reared on gentles and green peas. Only the small, tender peas were touched but these were consumed in great quantities. A young bird examined on the nth August had the two centre rectrices olivaceous, the others white on the inner margins; the primaries, from the fifth to the ninth, had jagged blue tips ; the secondaries blue outer margins. The greater and lesser coverts had white margins ; the rump was yellowish with darker tips to the feathers ; the saddle was dark brown; the head and cheeks yellowish ; no black on the throat. * in wild state the ground-colour is pale-yellow.— Ki>. Bleeding of the Coronated Guineajowl. 35 BREEDING OF THE CORONATED GUIN EAFOWL. Gutter a pucker uni. By Gerard H. Gurney, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. My pair of Coronated Guineafowls (G. pucherani ), which I caught and brought home with me from British East Africa in 190S, have nested and reared young this year for the first time. For some time they have had their entire liberty, wandering about where they choose and roosting 011 the topmost boughs of a tall fir tree, but they are naturally delicate birds and in the winter are run into a dry shed at night, though generally out during the day; they fly down into an enclosure to be fed, and the nest was made in this enclosure, amongst long grass, under a large rhubarb bush, the first egg being laid on June 2nd. The nest was a slightly hollowed out “ scrape” in the ground, with a few pieces of bent grass in it, but was entirely hidden from prying eyes by large rhubarb leaves hanging over it. Eleven eggs were laid, generally one each morning, they very much resemble a Domestic Guineafowl’s egg, but are smaller, paler in colour, and not so much spotted, neither is the shell so hard. The eggs were taken and placed under a hen, the first one hatching on July 14th, another the following day, the remaining nine eggs were un¬ fertile. Only one of the chicks lived, the second one dying two days after it had hatched. The survivor, when four days old, was a beautiful little thing, covered with rich red-brown fluff, the head striped with dark brown and white, underparts lightish. From the first we fed it almost entirely on fresh ants’ eggs, on which it appeared to thrive, eating an enormous quantity every day. When only twelve days old it had developed its wing feathers to an extraordinary degree and was able to fly easily over a wall eight feet high ; it presented a most comical appear¬ ance at this time, the feathers only just beginning to appear on its breast and neck, its wings looking far too large and developed for its tiny body and a ridiculous little sprouting tail, sticking straight up behind. It grew rapidly during the glorious hot weather we had in August and spent most of its time catching small insects amongst the long grass in its enclosure. When a month old the blue feathers began to appear and the bare skin 011 the neck became more distinct, though it was of 36 Bird Notes from the Zoological Gadens. a greyish colour, not blue like the adult birds; it also refused to roost any longer with its foster-mother in the sheltered sleeping- place provided, but every night went up 011 to quite a high bough and spent the night in the open. It is now practically full-grown and nearly as large as its parents. I believe this to be the first time this species has been bred in confinement. The old hen Guineafowl laid six more eggs and began to sit on August 15th. I was determined to see if she would rear them herself, so did not take them away and I have never known any bird sit tighter or better, and on September 8th she was walking about followed by four beautiful chicks. Expecting them to hatch about this date, I had, on the previous day, removed the cock bird, fearing that he might interfere with the young ones ; however on going to look at them early the following morning we found that he had flown back over the wall — both the old birds are full- winged — and was brooding the chicks himself. He proved to be a most careful and solicitous parent, more often brooding the young ones than the hen. Both old birds were very savage, flying furiously at anyone who daie to go too near, and the hen on the slightest approach of a possible danger, would at once collect her chicks under her ; but alas, the hot weather changed, and the rain for which every¬ one, except myself, had been longing, came, and with it a spell of very cold, damp weather, and, one by one, when only three days old, the little Guineafowls died off; and although we moved them, with the old ones, into a heated dry house, it was then too late and we lost the lot ; their now fully fledged half-brother evincing much curiosity at the little corpses of his brothers and sisters lying on the ground. BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. By The Curator. By exchange with the New York Zoological Society we have received another consignment of American birds, amongst which may be mentioned a pair of Tawny Thrushes (. Merula tamaulipensis'), a pair of Derby Tyrants ( Pilangus derbia?ius) closely allied to the well-known Sulphury Tyrant, and a pair of The Avicultural Magazine. Photo by D. Seth-Smith. West, Newman proe. Cot / espo/iclence. 37 Black - breasted Colins or “Bob-whites,” ( Colinus pectoralis). These three are new to the collection. A fine pair of Barred Owls ( Syrnium nebulosum ), four American Barn Owls (, Strix flammea. perlatam ), four of the northern race of the Burrowing Owl ( Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea ), four Blue Jays, a pair of Golden-winged Woodpeckers and some White-fronted Doves. The Society has for some time possessed a solitary Victoria Crowned Pigeon, the only example of this fine group. Two more specimens, as well as a pair of the so-called Common Crowned Pigeon have now been acquired, bringing our stock of these magnificent birds up to five, which we hope to increase by breeding next year. One of the most interesting arrivals consists of a pair of the extremely rare and beautiful Ringed Teal (. Net Hum lorquatuni) from South America. This is a rare species even in its own country and is new to the Zoological Society’s collection and probably to this country. It is something like the Brazilian Teal but much more beautiful, the male having bright chestnut- red scapulars, pale grey flanks, metallic green wing-coverts and a black band passing from the top of the head down the nape and dividing into a collar round the neck. A few males of this species reached the Berlin Gardens some few years ago but there were no females. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. MORE NESTING OF QUEEN ALEXANDRA PARRAKEETS. Sir, — I have to record another failure. To-day — the 30th of August —I have looked into a nesting-box in which another of my hen Queen Alexandra Parrakeets had been sitting on three eggs for three weeks, only to find one egg addled, one scratched out of the hollow in which it was laid and quite cold, and the third squashed and half open with a young bird inside it ready to hatch, but dead. The hen bird is a bad mother, and I suspect her of eating her eggs, for I found some chawed shells in addition to the three eggs. She has had two former clutches this year, and in each case the eggs had holes eaten in them ; yet she sat well, and the same male — which was the father of the fortnight old bird by another hen — fed her and mated with her. HUBERT D. A STUB Y. 33 Reviews. REVIEWS. NORTH’S “NESTS AND EGGS.” * One of the most useful features of Mr. North’s book (of which we have just received Part II. of Vol. III.) is the inclusion, not only of a description of the nidification of the species, but its life history, hence it is of the utmost interest and value to all students of the avifauna of the Island Continent. It is, however, unfortunate that those species whose nesting habits are unknown are entirely omitted from the work, hence we have no mention of such species of the Genus Psephotus as P. chrysoplerygius or of Mr. North’s excellent species P. cucullatus. The part just issued concludes the Order Psittaci, and treats of several of the Cockatoos and of those most delightful Parrakeets which are not surpassed by any in their popularity with aviculturists. It is strange that Australian ornithologists will persist in calling so many of the true Parrakeets “ Tories,” a name that is almost as absurd when applied to Plistes or Aprosmidus as it is when used for the African Touracous. Inappropriate popular names will, however, probably continue to be applied until the end of time, even if ornithologists agree to use only those that have a sensible meaning. A remarkable and most regrettable fact about some of the most beautiful Parrakeets is that they are rapidly becoming ex¬ tremely scarce, though only a few years ago they were numerous. During the present writer’s stay in Australia he made many inquiries as to the present whereabouts of the Turquoisine (Neophema pulchella) with the result that nobody could give any satisfactory information. The bird had been plentiful twenty years ago and less, but for years no individual had been heard of. Mr. North fully corroborates the opinion then arrived at that this beautiful species is now on the verge of extinction. No specimen has been received or heard of since 1885, though a few years before that the species was common a few miles from Sydney. The beautiful scarlet-chested Splendid Parrakeet ( Neophema splendidtz ) which has been impoited to England many years ago, * Nests and Eggs of Birds found breeding in Australia and Tasmania. By Alfred J. North, C.M.Z.S. Vol. III. Part II. Sydney: F. W. White, 344, Kent Street. Reviews. 39 is regarded as the rarest of the genus Neophema. It seems to be unknown in Western Australia at the present time, though the type was procured there. But this species has always been rare, and possibly it is not scarcer now than formerly. Notes from various correspondents on the nesting habits of the species naturally form the bulk of the matter contained in this book, and deeply interesting they are. D. S-S. THE GIZA ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. * The Report of the Giza Zoological Gardens for the year 1910, being compiled on the lines of the previous reports, enables the reader to see at a glance how the year compares with pre¬ vious years. We note that the number of visitors shows an increase of over 19,000 pointing to the continued and increasing interest taken by the inhabitants of Cairo. The number of animals, birds and reptiles in the Gardens at the time of the annual stock-taking was 1464, representing 391 species, and is the largest number that have hitherto been on exhibition. Among the birds the more notable additions during the year were six White-headed Oxbirds ( D . dine nielli), three Bifas- ciated Laiks ( A . alaudipes ) and two Red-billed Hornbills (A. erythrorhynchus ), one Savigny’s Bearded Vulture ( Gypaetus bar- batus ossifragus), three Crowned Saudgrouse (Zb corotiatus), none of which, except the Bearded Vulture and Hornbills, have been on exhibition in the London Gardens. The number of species of birds bred in the Gardens was not very great; the most important being two Crowned Pigeons (Or. coronata ) and two Senegal Stone Curlews ( CEdicnenius senegallus) , and we fancy this is the first time that any Stone Curlew has successfully reared its young in captivity. The Griffon Vultures and the Lark-lieeled Cuckoo ( Centropus ) laid eggs but failed to hatch them. The Report also includes many interesting details respect¬ ing the food and the expenses, as well as a list of scientific papers concerning the collection, which have been published by various authors during the year. On reading the Report one cannot help being struck by Zoological Gardens, Giza; Report for the year 1910, by the Director. Cairo: National Printing Department. 40 The Society s Medal. the thoroughness with which Capt. Flower and his able assistant Mr. Nicoll undertake their duties, for not only does the com¬ paratively slight percentage of losses show the care bestowed on the animals themselves, but the list of publications in connection with the Gardens by the staff or others proves that the scientific side is not forgotten, and this without in any way detracting from the Gardens as a popular resort, as shown by the increase in the. number of visitors. “BRITISH BIRDS.” * “ British Birds” contains as usual a large number of notes of interest to those whose special study is our native birds. In the four numbers under review the article of greatest interest is that of Miss Turner on the nesting of the Bittern in Norfolk during the past summer. This marsh-loving bird has not nested in this country since 18S6, while the last nest of what may be termed the original stock was found in 1868. On this occasion we are glad to say the birds successfully reared their young, photos of which and of the nest are given. Early in August they left their breeding quarters and we must hope for their return next 3rear. Other articles deal with the late Mr. Robert Service, the Recovery of Marked Birds and numerous short notes, which we have no space to notice in detail. Publications received: B.O.C. Migration Report for 1910; The Emu, April and July; E’age des Perdrix, by Dr. Louis Bureau; Life of the Common Gull by C. Rubow. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. We much regret that an unfortunate mistake was made in awarding Mr. Astley a medal for breeding the Cuban Bobwliite. Mr. Astley’s birds were reared under a Bantam, and are, therefore, not eligible for the medal. Mr. Astle\r, however, is apparentl}' entitled to a medal for rearing the Rose¬ breasted Grosbeak ( Hedymeles ludovicianns) as decribed in the last volume, pp. 333 and 370. Mr. Tescliemaker is also apparently entitled to a medal for breeding ■‘British Birds.” July, August, September and October. Monthly, i/- IyOiidon : Withekby & Co. Practical Bird-Keeping. 41 the Hawfinch (Coccolhraus/es vulgaris), the article on which appears in this number. If any Member knows of any previous instance of either of these species having been bred in this country will he kindly communicate with the Hon. Sec. PRACTICAL BIRD-KEEPING. IX.— LIVING FOOD FOR INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. By Dr. A. G. Butlkk. All aviculturists who have attempted to breed insect-eating birds have spoken of the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient quantity of suitable food for this purpose : this is partly due to want of knowledge of those insects, their larvae, or pupae, which are suitable for the purpose ; partly to ignorance of the best methods of obtaining these in abundance. I therefore propose in the present paper to indicate first what kinds to select and then to explain how they can be acquired. Spiders are not true insects, but all of them are much sought after by insectivorous birds and are greedily devoured : they are moreover the best, medicine for ailing birds and have saved the lives of not a few of my pets when they were too ill to be tempted by any other food. Four or five of the common garden spider ( Epeira diademala), or failing these two or three examples of a common greenhouse spider ( Fegenaria atrica), or even the repulsive looking house-spider (71 domestical) with its wide spread of legs will speedily restore a sickly bird to health and activity. Birds have not the slightest fear of spiders, but rush upon them with the greatest eagerness as soon as they are offered, even that ugly little beast ( Dysdera ca?nb> idgei) being most attractive to avian taste. Harvest-spiders ( Phalangidea ) are also accepted, although not with the same enthusiastic pleasure. When one considers that the food of spiders consists entirely of insects, one can understand that when eating an Arachnid a bird gets insect-food in a concentrated form ; there¬ fore, although I was scoffed at some years ago for speaking of spiders as a sort of bird’s Bovril, I don’t think the comparison was in the least degree a ridiculous one. 42 Practical Bird-Keeping. Of the Mvriopoda, which also are not insects, the centi¬ pedes are eaten with avidity, but the millipedes are refused. The broad centipede ( Lithobius forficatus) is sometimes met with when separating a cask of flower-pots for greenhouse work, but these little animals are not so abundant as to be of great im¬ portance to the aviculturist ; nevertheless they should not be thrown away when much food is needed for rearing young birds. Of the Thysanura the abundant little so-called “Silver- fish ” (. Lepisma ) may often be obtained in abundance under boxes or tins or even in the mealworm-pan, and though it is so active and brittle that it cannot well be picked up and offered to a bird, it may be brushed into a basin and the latter placed in an aviary when the whole collection will speedily be devoured. Mayflies ( Epliemeridce ) and caddis-worms ( Phryganeidce ) are, as is well-known, favourite food for all insect-eating creatures, the latter can be obtained in a dried form from Germany and from some of the English dealers, but in this case they must be scalded before they can be used as they are very hard when received in their tinned form. The smaller Dragon flies are eaten, but are not easily obtained in quantity. Termites or so-called White-ants would be excellent food for our pets if we could only get them preserved in quantities : they are one of the plagues of tropical countries and could easily be collected and dried for importation as bird-food, but nobody seems to have had sufficient enterprise to make use of them. Earwigs ( Euplexoptera ) are well known to be acceptable and these can easily be obtained in the autumn, by crumpling up paper and ramming it into a flower-pot inverted over the sticks or stakes used as supports for Delphiniums, Dahlias, &c. Remove the pots to an aviary or large cage and open the paper, when the insects will drop out in numbers and form a pleasing variety in the dietary of your insectivors. The Orthoptera generally are acceptable to birds, but in this country few can be secured even in fair quantities ; perhaps grasshoppers are most numerous, but only in certain districts, while crickets seem only to abound in the kitchens of old houses: yet why locusts, which are a plague in the tropics, are not dried, deprived of their legs, heads, and wings, and ground into meal IX. — Living Food for Insectivorous Birds. 43 as food for cage-birds, is a mystery : surely they would pay for importation. In meadows of long grass where grasshoppers occur, they might he swept up with a butterfly-net, emptied into glass bottles, and turned out for the delectation of an aviary of insectivorous birds. This reminds me of the value of the entomological sweeping net, of canvas on an iron ring, for collecting quantities of small insects, their larvae, and spiders, from weed-filled ditches and hedgerows: sweeping the herbage with a net of this kind one secures a vast store of insect-life in a very short time ; and, for Warblers and other small birds, a collection of this kind is invaluable. The Cockroaches ( Blattarice ) are excellent food for all in¬ sectivorous birds, although some birds will only accept them in the very young larval stage; the commonest form Periplaneta a?nericaua may be easily captured in hundreds with the ordinary so-called beetle-trap. In Madagascar a gigantic species is com¬ mon and if imported and bred in a greenhouse would doubtless be most useful for feeding the larger species such as Mynahs, Bower-birds, Crows, See. It is a most curious insect with feet padded like those of a cat, for which reason I gave it the generic name FEluropoda ; the largest specimens are from 69 to 73 millimetres in length, and 31 to 34 millimetres in width at the widest part of the body, or the size of a tolerably large mouse. The plant-bugs, with the exception of the Aphides (green¬ fly) are not generally much liked by birds, but there are excep¬ tions, as in the case of the so-called Water-boatmen ( Corisidce ) of which vast quantities are imported from Mexico under the name of ‘‘dried flies” and form an ingredient in all the best insectivorous mixtures put upon the market. I believe these insects are chiefly caught when flying over the water in the evening in dense clouds ; but the presence of small fish among them shows that they are followed by the net even after their return to their native element. It is probable, I think, that Cicadas would also be acceptable to birds, but I have had no¬ opportunity of testing this : the Membracidce to which family our cuckoo-spit (frog-hopper in its adult form) belongs, are certainly eaten when offered, and I believe that some birds will even eat mealy-bugs ( Coccidce ). 44 Practical Bn d- Keeping. As already stated, the smaller Dragon-flies are relished and •doubtless the larger forms, when they can be captured, are also devoured by the more powerful insectivores ; most Neuropterous insects are probably suitable tor food, but I should think the lace-winged fly ( Chrysopa ) with its slow fluttering flight, metallic golden eyes, and most offensive smell would be an exception, which is just as well, seeing that its larva subsists entirely upon plant-lice. Of all insects, probably the Depidoptera (Butterflies and Moths) are most appreciated by birds, as caterpillars, chrysalides, and perfect insects, but to this general rule there are numerous exceptions of which, in the case of the more abundant species, it may be well to indicate a few : — Spiny caterpillars, like those of the Vanesscs , as for instance those of the Peacock Butterfly and the small Tortoiseshell (which abound on stinging-nettles) are naturally regarded as objectionable, but tlieir more or less metallic chrysalides are eaten, as also are the perfect insects. I however object to destroying these beautiful and useful butterflies when abundance of the far commoner and noxious white butterflies: — Gaiioris b/assiccs, rapes, and napi can always be captured with ease in our gardens after they have settled for the night upon white flowers or pale leaves. I often go round my garden in the evening and pick up cpiite a number of these (the only really mischievous butterflies which we have and the least beautiful) and give them to my Hangnests and other birds which will accept them. This year, when our wild birds have been hard put to it to find sufficient food out of doors, I have frequently seen Sparrows hunting down these butterflies, snipping off their wings and eating the bodies. Hairy caterpillars like those of the Tiger and Ermine Moths ( Arctiidce ) are not generally accepted, although the Crows, typical Thrushes and Cuckoos will eat them, the two first rubbing them backwards and forwards first to remove the hair, but the larvae of the Buff-tip moth (. Pygcera bucephala) which often is so abundant that it strips limes and sallows of their foliage is re¬ jected by all excepting our Cuckoo, which eats it with avidity. Many of the larger and commoner stick-caterpillars ( Geomeiridce) are refused ; not, I believe, on account of their IX. — Living Food for Insectivorous Biuis. 45 resemblance to pieces of twig, nor because they are unpleasant to the taste, although the latter may partly explain the rejection by some birds of the caterpillar of the Swallow-tailed moth ( Urcipteryx sambucaria ) when it has been feeding upon Irish ivy, but rather because they are extremely tough. I have seen some of my birds trying to break up caterpillars of this character for a considerable time and giving it up in the end as hopeless; only birds with powerful bills are successful. The black caterpillar of the Brindled beauty ( Bislon hirtaria), by no means a pretty moth by the way, is easily collected from the trunks of lime-trees, but is one of the toughest of its kind. On the other hand the little cater¬ pillars of the V. -moth (Halia vauaria) a gooseberry pest, are a favourite food of the Titmice; indeed I once watched a Blue-tit for quite half an hour feeding its young upon these caterpillars alone : on the other hand the spotted larvae of the common Gooseberry-moth (Abraxas grossulariata) are rejected with disgust by most birds, as well as by lizards, frogs, and spiders, although Mr. Page says that he has seen his Weavers eating them : the cry- salides of the same moth, with their wasp-like colouring are also generally refused, but the moths are occasionally accepted and my male Blue-bird was very fond of them. In like manner the cater¬ pillars of the large white butterfly (Ganoris brassicce) are generally refused, but the chrysalides and perfect insects devoured without hesitation. Size does not seem to alarm birds, for a Blue-tit in one of my aviaries captured in the air a full-sized female of the Poplar hawk- moth (Smerinthus populi ) tore off the wings and carried it to a perch to eat it; neither does the so-called terrify¬ ing attitude of certain caterpillars of hawk-moths seem to affect the nerves of birds to the slightest extent. The caterpillars of the Puss-moth, common on willows and poplars, is approached with caution by all birds excepting the Tits, which are familiar with it and recognize it as providing an excellent meal ; un¬ doubtedly its very bizarre shape and colouring and the existence of two tentacles on the last segment from which it can eject an acid liquid renders most birds wary of it. No doubt a cabbage-field is the best place in which to seek for edible caterpillars, those of the common Cabbage-moth (Mamestra brassicce ) in various shades of green and brown, some 46 Practical Bird- Keeping . of the Apatueas and the velvety green catterpillar of the small White butterfly ( Ganoris raped) being always in evidence. Caterpillars of the Dot-moth (Mamestra persicariee) common on the fronds of the well known male and female ferns are always greatly relished ; they vary in ground-tint from lavender greyish, through chocolate and clay-colour to green, but may always be recognized by the dark crescentic markings on the anterior segments. Wood-boring caterpillars are not generally liked, although the larger Thrush-like birds aud probably the Crows will eat them ; they, however, render the cage offensive for some time afterwards : they should prove excellent food for Black Cockatoos, since the latter eat them in Australia with relish. The perfect insect of the Wood-leopard moth ( Zenzera eesculi) is more often than not refused by birds, I think because of its rather startling coloration reminding one a little of a Pierrot ; but all the small brown night-motlis as well as the more or less metallic Plusicz including the Burnished-brass moth are accepted at once. The languid white caterpillars of some of the Ghost-moths (. Hepialidee ), which I have found in quantities feeding on the roots when removing Peonies from one part of my garden to another, are very much relished by all insectivorous birds. The leaf-rolling larvae of Pearl-moths ( Pyralides ) are always eaten, as are those of the more typical Micro-Tepidoptera the Tortrices and Tineina , including even those of the common clothes-moths. Most two-winged flies ( Diptera ) are devoured in all their stages and it is well known that maggots of the common blue¬ bottle fly are well worth breeding in meat and, after sconring by keeping for a day or so in sand, form excellent food for rearing young birds. It might be supposed that Sun-flies, Rat¬ tailed flies and Bee-flies from their more or less near resemblance to wasps, honey-bees, and humble-bees, w'ould be refused, but in the case of the two first at any rate this is not the case, though it is a sin to destroy the first (the larvae of which destroy plant- lice) while the last, which fly like Humming-birds, are not easily -captured : but Rat-tailed flies (. Eristalis tenax ) are easily picked 47 IX. — Living Food for Insectivorous Birds. off Michaelmas daisies and, in spite of their angry buzzing, are taken at once from the fingers and eaten. By far the greater number of the beetles ( Coleoptera ) may be given to birds, but the common Stag-beetle (_ Lucanus cervus) which, when approached by a bird throws itself into an attitude of defence, raising itself on its front legs and holding its powerful mandibles wide open, makes its opponent very cautions; I think any of the Crows would be able to master it, but a Thrush seems only able to fling it on its back and then cannot break through its horny covering. The Soldier and Sailor beetles ( Telephoridce ) are not relished by birds, nor are the tiny metallic blue Cabbage beetles (. Phesdon brassicce ) of which I once had several ounces sent to me to test my birds with ; these beetles have a strong sour smell like red ink and I did not wonder at their rejection. Bloody-nosed beetles and Oil-beetles would also probably prove equally objectionable. Larvae of Cockchafers are eaten, but they make a disgusting mess of a cage in which they are broken up. Although some of the Carabidce such as Carabus violaceus have a most offensive odour, and on that account would probably be generally refused in the beetle stage, their larvae, obtained when digging up the earth, are greedily accepted, and I found them most useful when my young Ouzels were being reared. Pterostichus madidus, though a liard-shelled beetle, is eateir by some of the larger birds. The smaller Rove-beetles ( Staphylinidee ) are, I should think, generally accepted ; but it would need a strong bird to tackle the Devil’s Coach-horse ( Staphylinus olens ) which always curls up its tail and opens its jaws when touched, a really terrify¬ ing attitude, and I should not expect it to be a tasty morsel. The larvae of Spring-back beetles (. Elateridce ), which some¬ what resemble mealworms and are generally known as wire- worms, are much liked by all insectivorous birds ; as of course are the true mealworms ( Tenebrio ) of the family (Te?iebrio?iidce), and the hairy larvae of the Bacon-beetle ( Dermestes lardarius) of the family Dermestidce the perfect insect being also eaten with pleasure. Of the four-winged flies (, Hymenoptera ) I do not think birds 48 Practical Bird - Keep ing. have any instinctive dread, for we know that, in tropical countries, many weak species build their nests, for protective purposes, close to the nests of the most virulent wasps ; still the number of birds which feed upon bees and wasps is limited; although the grubs of all wasps are recognized as excellent food for rear¬ ing young birds; the Laughing Thrushes after breaking the stings against their stiff tail-feathers eat wasps with impunity, while the Bee-eaters probably crush the bodies in their bills before swallowing examples of Hyvienoptera , but most insec¬ tivorous birds leave these insects severely alone, and this should cause our friends who make too much of mimetic resemblance to pause before they assume that a wasp-like or bee-like aspect in another insect is invariably a protection, when we who keep birds know that it is nothing of the kind ; it may be some pro¬ tection against a bird which is not hungry, but not against one which is pressed for food : a hungry bird investigates closely. Ants are well-known to be excellent food, both in the pupal and perfect stage, and nests of the red ant (Formica rufa) common in many woods, may be removed entire in a sack for the benefit of the inhabitants of a large outdoor aviary. Sawflies ( Ten th i ed in idee) are generally rejected by birds in all stages, although their larvae much resemble those of Lepidop- terous insects ; they have, however, the front segments rather more swollen and the cocoons are tough and paper-like as a general rule. The smaller Crustacea and Mollusca are well known to be a favourite diet with many soft-feeders, also, of course, earthworms ; the latter should always be offered to all Thrush¬ like birds when nesting, as they are easily obtained in quantity and with very little trouble as a general rule. Noticks to Mkmhkks — (Continued from page ii. of coven. NEW MEMBERS. Dr. E. D. van OorT, Museum of Natural History, Leiden, Holland. C. G. Chtozza Monky, Esq., M.P., Tyliurst, Clialdon, Surrey. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION'. Mr P. Sutton, Melbourne Lodge, 28, Carlton Road, Putney, S.W. Proposed by Mr. Allen .Silver. Mrs. Williamson Wallace, Kelton, Dumfries, N.B. Proposed by Mrs. E. Warren Vernon. MEMBERS’ PRIVATE SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is sixpence for eighteen words or less, and one penny for every additional three words or less. Trade advertisements are not allowed in this column. Dealers w ho are members, wishing to advertise, should apply to the Publisher for terms. Advertisements must reach the Editor on or before the 26th of the month. The Council reserve the right of refusing any advertisement they may consider undesirable. Mr. Mathias, Stubbington, Hants, offers the following Birds for disposal : A Blue Bonnet Parrakeet (sex unknown) price £1 15/- ; also the fol¬ lowing, bred heie this year : — Pair Ruficaudas, price 25/- ; pair Cuban Finches, price 30/-; pair Olive Finches, price 30/-; one Pileated Finch, price 12/6 ; Yellow Budgerigars, 6/- pair, or hens 4/-, cocks, 2/6. Mr. Mathias also offers Border, Tree and Malmaison Carnations from his large collection. Catalogues free. Californian Quail, cock and two liens, bred here this summer, 25/-, approval. Wm. Shore: Baily, Boyers House, Westbury, Wilts. W A NTS. The charge for members' advertisements under this heading is four pence: for twelve words or under, and one penny for every additional three words or less. Wanted — Hen Crested Dove, exchange cock ; also hen Pennant and cock Mealy Rosella. Wm. Shore Baily. Boyers House, Westbury, Wilts. TO LET. TROWER & CO., WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS, 436 8c 438’ CALEDONIAN ROAD, LONDON, N. EXTRA LARGE SPANISH CANARY SEED. CHOICE GERMAN SUMMER RAPE SEED Finest Selected Seeds for all kinds of Cage or Aviary Birds British, Foreign, and Canaries, As supplied by us to the leading Fanciers and Exhibitors at the Crystal Palace and other Shows. PRICE LIST. SAMPLES FREE. “ CECTO,” the best Insectivorous Food on the Market, 1/- per lb. . . mu Him postpaid 1/3. Ground Silk Worm Pupae, Mealworms, Ants’ Flggs, Dried F'lies, etc. “ FGRISCO ” EgK ami Biscuit Food \ et made. — 3d, 6d, 1/-' and 2/ - Tins. SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW DUE. AVICULTURAL MAGAZ INE. page; 49 57 CONTENTS. Notes on some Fijian Birds in captivity (with coloured plate) Bv Philip H. Bahk, M.A., M,B., F.Z.S., etc A Red Tanager, by Katharine CurrEY . , , . , „ Notes on the Migration of the Sprosser and Common Nightingales, By A. L. Butler, F.Z.S. 58 Cerebral Investigation, by Evelyn Trenow .. .. .. 60 The E.C.B.A. Show {illustrated). I. Foreign Birds, by Frank Finn 61 II. British Birds and Hybrids, by J. L. Bonhote, M.A. 66 Notes on some Jamaican Birds, by H, E„ ATTEWELL . . , , 68 Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens by the Curator . » 71 Correspondence, -Notes, etc. Wintering Birds in an outdoor Aviary, 72; Food of the Little Grebe, 73 Reviews : L’Age des Perdrix, 74; The Common Gull, 75 ; Migration of Birne ^Penny. H>dery Friday. ALL NEWSAGENTS and BOOKSTALLS. ‘CAGE BIRDS” is admittedly the best medium for buying’, selling or exchang¬ ing stock. Its columns of advertise¬ ments are regularly scanned each week by Aviculturists of every class. BOOKS OM BIRDS A SPECIALITY. Articles on Birds invited from members of this Society. F CARL. PUBLISHER. 154, FLEET STREET, LONDON, E.C. CROSS'S MENAGERIE, LIVERPOOL PET ANIMALS ALWAYS IN STOCK. Lemurs, Coati-Mundi, Jackals, Civets, Ocelots, Caracals, Mongoose, Ferrets, Porcupines, Wombats, Gazelles, Deer of kinds, Antelopes, Shetland Pomes, Tortoises, Lizards, Snakes, Crocodiles, &c. Monkeys, etc. Chimpanzees, Baboons, Apes, Mandrills, Dogfaces, Sooties, Caratrix, Moustaches, Puttynose, Capuchins, Spiders, Squirrel Monkeys, Marmozeets, Hussars, Jews, Rhesus, &c. Large Animals. Klephants, Yaks, Camels, Ruins, Rheas, Ostriches, Canadian Bears. Japanese Bears, Russian Bears, Wolves, Hyenas, Lions, Tigers, Panthers, Wild Asses, Buffaloes. A million Cowrie, Tridacua, and giant clam shells, also Curios of every description. Waterfowl, &e. Swans of kind, Marabous, Cranes, Storks, Gali- uules, Ibis, Egyptian Geese, Bernicle, Brent, Canadian, Chinese, White- Fronted, Pink-footed, Barheaded, and other geese. Flamingoes, Peligans, Cormorants, Heron. Dlieks. Tree Ducks, Mandarins, Caroliuas, Sheldrakes, Rosevbills, Pochards, Pintail, Widgeon, Wild Ducks and fancy varieties of Call Ducks, every kind. Birds. Talking Grey Parrots, Amazon Parrots, Piping Bullfinches, Hartz Mountain Roller Canaries always in stock, Alexandrine Parrots, Bengal Parrakeets, Conures, Lories, Rose Cockatoos, Slenderbill Cockatoos, Lemoncrest Cockatoos, Quaker Parrakeets, Banded Parrakeets, Madagascar, Red-faced and Australian Love Birds, Macaws, &c. Falcons, trained and untrained. Miscellaneous. Small Finches, &c., talking Mynahs, Pies, Weavers, Whydahs, Saffi on Finches, Black-throated Finches, Java Sparrows, White Doves, Ring Doves, Tambourine and Blood-breasted Pigeons, Australian Crested Pigeons, .South American Spotted Pigeons, Californian Quail, Car¬ dinals, Toucans, Peafowls, Japanese long-tailed Fowls, Silky Fowls, Guinea Fowls, Ornamental Pheasants, Typical Poultry of all varieties. Please enquire for Wants. Cables and Telegrams : “ Cross, Liverpool.” Also at THE WINTER National ’Phone 6491 Central. GARDENS, SOUTH PO RT. Avicultural Magazine. ? ?/ H.GoodcKild. del. West, Newman clir. THE FIJIAN PARROT FINCH. Erythrura pealei. THE 49 Hv (cultural flfcagastne, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCI ETY. 7 hint Series— V OL. III. No 2. — All rights reserved. DECEMBER, 1911. NOTES ON SOME FIJIAN BIRDS IN CAPIIVITY. By Philip H. Bahr, M.A., M.B., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. The following is a short account of some experiences with a limited number of native birds during a fifteen months stay in the Fiji. Several species were successfully brought home to Eng¬ land, amongst which the finch (E> ythrura pealei), the lory (Calliptilus solitat ius) and the parroquet. (. Pyrrliulopsis taviuensis ) are, I believe, the first to be brought to this country alive. Fiji is but poorly supplied with bright-coloured birds, and in this respect the subject of the accompanying plate, so admir¬ ably executed by Mr. Goodchild, affords an exception. The Parrot, Peale's, or lure -tailed Finch is the proud possessor of a native name, Oigi (pronounced Ng-ghi-ng-ghI), a term which appears to be applied loosely by the Fijians to any small bird, but to this species in particular. It is a curious fact that the Fijian knows nothing or cares little for any bird ; the paucity of native names testifies to this fact ; consequently but little assistance can be gained from natives by those anxious to collect or trap birds. The plumage of these birds is an admixture of blue, green and red, a livery also adopted by the two more familiar species of parrot, ( Pyrrliulopsis splendens and Calliptilus solitarius ), peculiar to these islands. The Fiji group comprises nearly 250 islands of all sizes in many of which the physical conditions are extremely variable. This finch confines its range to the three largest, Viti Eevu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni ; on the first-named island it is an 50 Mr. Philip H. Bahk, extremely common and familiar bird, and its numbers do not appear to have suffered from the attentions of the Mongoose which is responsible for the extinction of many forms of life on the islands to which it was introduced some twenty-five years ago. It is a familiar species, frequenting the gardens of the European residents, to whom it is known as the Croton Finch from its partiality to those bushes. In their natural state it feeds to a great extent on grass seeds, especially a most pernicious kind, well known to every inhabitant of these islands. This seed is provided with a long terminal spine which works its way into every article of clothing and constitutes one of the curses of the colony. In the months of March and April they frequent the rice fields, tilled by the imported Indian coolies, and are then said to be caught in great numbers. During my stay in these islands, however, it had always been my intention to procure as large a number of these birds as possible. One day an Indian brought six of these birds in a basket and offered them for sale. They had evidently been starved for some time and a few died almost immediately. One survived, and him we used as a call bird with some considerable success. In the absence of any other practical means a sparrow trap was erected, consisting of the baby’s bath propped up with a stick, under which seed was spread, and our captive was placed in an improvised cage alongside as a lure ; a string was then run from the prop of the trap to some handy window in the bungalow. By these simple means we soon caught a few more ; the bath, however, proved unsatisfactory in many ways, and was replaced by a more serviceable wooden framework covered with fine mesh wire and provided with a door at one side through which the prisoner could be with safety abstracted. This proved a great success, and, during the months of September and October, the bag was swelled by additions of two, and sometimes three or more Finches every day; my wife becoming an adept at working the trap. During this time the greater number were young birds accompanying their parents in family parties; they were nil- Notes on some Fijian Birds in Captivity. 51 suspicious and were consequently easy to capture. The plumage of these young birds is uniformly green, with a small spot of red colouring situated at the base of the bill — on one occasion three were caught in the trap at once. During the months of December and January they were in full moult, this being the period of hot weather, and in these months we had no success. When the time came to return we had no less than forty of these birds. They throve well in a roomy cage made out of old packing cases. Travelling via Sydney and Colombo (an eight-weeks journey) no less than twenty-one arrived safely in this country ; the only ones lost were drowned in a great storm in the Bay of Biscay, during which the cage broke loose from its moorings and a large wave swept the deck. Turned into an outside flight in the middle of April they throve exceedingly ; they seemed to have considerable difficulty in completing their moult which had commenced at sea; how¬ ever, in June they were in good condition and had commenced nesting operations. I11 addition to boxes, many old straw hats, the crowns of which had been perforated by holes of various sizes, were fixed up; a similar plan having proved successful with the new Cale¬ donian Parrot Finch in the hands of Mr. Seth-Smith. During August vigorous pairing was noted. The cock bird then utters a peculiarly silvery drawn-out note and chases the female, until quite exhausted she submits to his attentions. A number of nests were built, some in hats and boxes, but others in trees and bushes placed in the aviary for this purpose. The nests in the boxes were domed and built of grass and dead leaves and lined with feathers, those in the bushes were frail open structures. On entering the aviary 111 October to catch up the birds for the winter, I noticed with great regret that the nests appeared to have been ransacked by mice, which had obtained entrance through cracks in the ground consequent on the summer drought. The birds are now in magnificent condition and are undergoing a partial moult of the red head-feathers. There is, however, one specimen whose head remains a peculiar greenish-blue colour. 52 Mr. Philip H. Bahr, They appear to have become thoroughly acclimatized and feel the cold very little. Their food in captivity consists solely of millet seed, and they require plenty of water for drinking and bathing. Calliptilus solitarius, the Fijian Tory, the “Kula”of the natives, and no doubt mis-named solitarius, because it is always seen in parties, and never singly, flying and screaming about the cocoanut palms. In Mongooseland it is becoming extremely rare and confines its range to belts of high trees and low lying swampy places, where it is free from the attentions of this pre¬ dacious little animal. It is extremely abundant in some of the smaller islands, notably Kadavu and Taveuni. Possessed of the most magnificent plumage of scarlet and green with an erectile Elizabethian ruff, it has every quality of becoming a charming pet. On enquiry I learned that no success had attained any efforts to keep them in captivity. They were said to become very tame, but that they never lived long and died in convulsions without any previous warning. The diet recommended was mummy apple (pawpaw), honey or sugar water. In their wild state they appear to feed mostly on the flowers of the cocoa-nut palm. I quite despaired of procuring any to experiment with. No one in the colony had any for sale; advertisements in the local papers and appeals to the natives were unattended by any success. In November I despatched my native assistant “Jesse”" to his own island to see what he could do. He brought back three young specimens of Pyri hulopsis splendens , and one adult “ Kula,” which the natives had caught as it emerged from its. nesting-hole. This was a magnificent specimen, but it entirely refused to feed in captivity. On a visit to the island of Taveuni in Dec., 1910, I was more fortunate; one of the planters there is an ardent aviculturist and knew of a number of nesting-holes of this species. He had, however, not had much success himself with this species in cap¬ tivity. These holes were situated low down in dead stumps which had been left in his cocoa-nut plantation. An opening had been cut away opposite the nest and cleverly closed up with stones. This site was, in the majority of cases, on a level The Avicultural Magazine. Photo by P. H. Bahr. West Newman p,.oe ATotes on some Fijian Birds in Captivity. 53 with the ground thus explaining, in all probability, the ease with which the Kula becomes wiped out by the Mongoose in other localities. In one such nest we found a young bird partially feathered 2 J inches long. Though undoubtedly too young to be removed, I attempted to rear it. Nests are said to be very hard to find, as the old birds are very wary about entering any hole while under observation. At finding nests, natives are much more expert than white men. Another bird, almost fledged, was brought in by a party of Solo¬ mon Island labourers which had been sent out for the purpose. At first I attempted to rear these young birds on honey, but they did not take very kindly to it. One of them, however, on being placed on the breakfast table, made a bee line for the porridge and commenced feeding on it with great alacrity with, his brush¬ like tongue. Tea with sugar and milk he absolutely could not resist, though milk and sugar alone or Nestle’s milk he was not at all partial to. Henceforward the younger bird was fed by means of a spoon on sweetened tea and milk, and became very fat and grew rapidly ; porridge and gruel he would not or could not take. The older bird became extraordinarily tame and familiar and never attempted to fly away. Subsequently five more young birds were brought in by a Fijian ; they were half-starved and were being fed on mummy apple, which did not agree with them. So infested were they with white mites that I also became covered with these creatures whose bites caused considerable inconvenience. Frequent baths with dilute lysol effectually cleansed the birds of these parasites. Though the weather was very warm they required a considerable amount of extra heat; the youngest bird especially was never so happy as when placed in the incubator at 97P Falir. Of the new arrivals I lost one, which vomited all food and died in convul¬ sions. The others lived in a large cage and became very tame and familiar. They were always lively and cheery, tumbling about the floor quarrelling like monkeys and greeting others of their kind with shrill cries as they winged their way over our house. The youngest of the family came to a sad end. I had had him for over a month and he had then become completely fledged. One day, in its anxiety to reach the others, he fell out of the 54 Mr. Philip H. Bahr, cigar box, which was his home, on to the floor, a distance of some four feet. The fall seemed to knock all the breath out of his body, his legs became paralysed and useless. He vomited all food, but recovered temporarily and lingered on for another week. I was greatly distressed at losing this bird after having succeeded in rearing him from such an earl)'' stage. I was told I should have considerable difficulty in bringing these birds home via Canada in March. The hot weather was reigning when I left Fiji. The five “Kulas” were placed in a cage in the stern of the ship under cover. For the first week all went well and they seemed to enjoy the ship’s porridge and ship’s milk. One morning, after having crossed the line, and when still three days from Honolulu, no less than four were seized with cramp in their feet and one died in convulsions. There was no heating on board ship and indeed the weather was quite warm enough. They were taken into the cabin and placed in a drawer where they huddled together for warmth. After Honolulu a great storm arose and lasted three days, during which I feared I should loose all my birds. I only man¬ aged to save them by placing the four survivors in a small box and taking them to bed with me to keep them warm. An electric radiator was provided in the saloon, and by placing them in front of this in the day time I managed to reach Vancouver with three, another having died suddenly in convulsions. These three, two with their feet hopelessly cramped, I managed to snuggle across the Canadian Pacific. Though the temperature outside registered twenty degrees of frost, they kept warm over the steam-heating apparatus, and one recovered from the cramp during the journey. On the Lusitania a steam-heated room with a temperature of 70° Falir. was provided, where they felt themselves quite at home, but one more invalid died soon after reaching this country. The two survivors have now assumed magnificent adult plumage, with an outstanding ruff of red and green. Their beaks, which at first were brown, became bright yellow when three months of age. In May they underwent a partial moult of the head and breast feathers and a complete moult in August ( i.e . when eight months old). All summer they have been kept in a large cage in the house, and on warm days in the open. Notes on some Fijian Birds in Captivity. 55 They feed now almost exclusively on porridge, though they are very partial to fruit, especially grapes, apples and cherries. They partake of a warm bath daily and are extremely lively. During the colder weather we are now experiencing I find that they require to be placed in a warm cupboard at night. So far they have shown no desire of breeding though they have the appearance of being a pair. They are indeed fascinating pets and would doubtless become very popular could they be successfully transported to this country. The pair have been deposited in the Zoological Gardens, and may be seen in the parrot-house. Of the larger parrots, I successfully kept in captivity the following species : — Pyrrhulopsis splendeus, P. personatus , P. taviuensis and P. tabuensis. Of P. spletideus I had three specimens from the island of Kadava. On the larger islands they are now very rare and are confined to the hill tops, having fallen an easy prey to the Mongoose. My birds were nestlings and never became tame. Travelling via Australia they landed in this country in full moult, one unfortunately broke a leg in the train during transportation from Tilbury. The weather being warm at the time I turned them out in an outside aviary, when they apparently throve well for about two months, but in June they all died in convulsions within a few days of each other. P. tabuensis. This species differs from splendens in having a maroon-coloured head and chest in the place of scarlet. In Fiji its range is limited to the island of Vanua Levu, there its numbers have also been seriously diminished by the Mongoose. They are said to be numerous on the island of Eva in the Tonga group, whither they are supposed to have been introduced from Fiji. I was given a fine specimen in full plumage by the Governor, Sir Ev. itn. Thurii, K.C.M.G., and this is now in the Zoological Gardens. P. taviue?isis. Quite a distinct species, having a much thicker bill, larger head and shorter tail than the aforementioned birds. The chest is maroon-coloured and the blue nuchal collar is lacking. They are still abundant in the unsettled parts of Taveuni to which it is peculiar, and where the Mongoose has 56 Notes on some Fijian Buds in Captivity . fortunately not been introduced. They are noisy birds in a wild state. Two young birds were procured in Taveuni. One died soon after arrival in this country and the other is now in the Zoological Gardens. P. personatns is a local species; its range being confined to the island of Viti L,evu. It used to be the commonest of all the parrots in that island, but it is now on the verge of extinction, for which the Mongoose is again responsible. I11 fact it is said that all the individuals extant are old birds and that no young have been reared for a considerable time. In the neighbourhood of Suva a few are still seen in the Mangrove swamps, and several were seen round the house after the great hurricane of March 23rd, 1910; the heads of specimens shot were covered with lice. I kept one bird in captivity, this had been captured as a nestling several years before. It lived for over a year, but died suddenly a few weeks before I left Fiji. A curious point about these birds is their remarkable goat-like smell, which is especially pungent when kept in captivity and renders their propinquity unpleasant. This emanates apparently from some secretion and is quite inde¬ pendent of the cleanliness of their surroundings. My specimen was in fine green and yellow plumage which, in addition to his docility, made him a very winsome pet. All these parrots can be easily fed on green maize, vege¬ tables of various sorts and fruit; they do not take kindly to hard food. I made several attempts to keep the brilliantly-coloured doves, so characteristic of Fiji, in captivity ; a recently-fledged Chtysoena luteovirens was captured in one of the hospital wards, and by forcible feeding with berries I managed to keep it alive for a week. On another occasion I winged a fine female Ptilinopus pero7isei . which only lived a few days refusing all food whether native berries, bananas or other fruit. Of other Pacific birds I procured a lory ( Lorius flavicerciis') and a male Westermanu’s Eclectus from the Solomon Islands and a Pacific Imperial Fruit Pigeon ( Carpophaga pacified) from Samoa, all of which are doing well. A Red Tan age} . 57 A RED TANAGER (Pyranga rubra). By Katharine Currey. I kept a Red Tanager for several years, and should have had him longer, as he was in perfect health, had he not played the truant, opening his cage-door and flying away to a neigh¬ bouring garden, where he was drowned in a watering-pot. His successor, “Tanny II.” was very tame and most in¬ telligent. He sang a few bars of a sweet song and, like his predecessor, made himself quite happy and very much at home in a good-sized double cage that stood in a south window which was always open, so that he was in the air all day long. He bathed perpetually and, curiously enough, was very shy of alight¬ ing on the ground. If I put any tit-bit into his cage he would crane his neck and try to reach it from a perch and, failing this, he would pounce on it, hurriedly returning to his perch. “ Tanny ” was very quick and clever and always greeted me, if I had been away, flying about his cage, calling loudly, with many manifestations of joy. He was very jealous if I attended to the other cages in the morning before liis and scolded me well. If he needed clean water he took his drinking glass in liis beak and shook it. Others of my birds have done the same. Of course he soon 'learned where the mealworms were kept, and if anyone went anywhere near the little cask they were in he peeped round the corner of his cage and screamed, spreading out his glossy black tail and flirting it from side to side. I tried to make him spend the summer in an aviary, but nothing would induce him to leave his cage ; if he came out into the room for a flight he hastened back to it. One corner wras covered in over a perch and there he loosted. His rich crimson colour, especially bright on his head and neck, never lost its brilliancy. Well does he deserve his name — the ‘ Red Bird of America.’ I fed him on egg-food, fruit and ants’ eggs, with as many insects and grubs as I could get. Mealworms he slowly chewed into little bits in his beak — a most unpleasant proceeding. Flies and earwigs were a great delicacy. He died of old age, gradually losing consciousness till he ceased to breathe. “Tanny” had a sweet disposition and loved his home and human friends. Such bird-friends leave a gap when they go and a bright memory behind them. 58 Mr. A. L. Butler, NOTES ON THE MIGRATION OF THE SPROSSER AND COMMON NIGHTINGALES. By A. L. Butler, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. In his excellent paper on the Sprosser ( Daulias philomela) in the Aviculiural Magazine for September, Mr. Tescheniaker gives some very interesting notes on the recorded migrations of this bird and the Common Nightingale ( Daulias luscinia). I have collected and observed birds in the Sudan for eleven years (1901 — 1911), and my experience of these two species has been as follows. Sprossers annually arrive in Khartoum in large numbers at the beginning of September, and throughout that month and the first half of October they are to be seen under bushes and among the lime trees in nearly every garden in the town. They are exceedingly tame, keeping principally to the ground, and hop¬ ping away under cover rather than flying when approached. They have a harsh, ‘ churring’ alarm note. Many of them arrive in a weak and exhausted condition and, judging from the number of their feathers seen lying about, frequently fall victims to cats. O11 three or four occasions I have known them enter houses. About the middle of October their numbers decrease, and I have 110 note of them later than October 28th, on which date I shot a specimen in 190S. Their disappearance is then complete until the next September, and they seem to winter south of the Sudan altogether. At any rate, I have never come across them after this, though I have collected on many trips, as far south as Mongalla on the White Nile, south to Fazogli on the Blue Nile, in the Bahr-el-Ghazal Province, in Kordofau, and on the Red Sea coast. I have never seen a single Sprosser in the spring, either in the Nile Valley or on the Red Sea coast — our two great migration routes — and my belief is that this species returns north 011 a totally different line, perhaps west of the Sahara. Daulias luscinia , the Common Nightingale, hardly seems to pass along this part of the Nile Valley at all. In eleven years I have only obtained one example, a female, shot on the Bahr- el-Ghazal River 011 January 12th, 1907. On the Red Sea Coast near Suakin, where I have collected in the spring when Black¬ caps, Barred and Garden Warblers, Thrushes, Chats, Redstarts, Migration of the Sp/ osser and Common Nightingale. 59 Bluethroats, etc. were all passing northwards, I have never seen a Nightingale at all. As to the passage of these two species through Egypt I may quote that very close and reliable observer Mr. M. J. Nieoll. “ Daulias philomela. I have only twice met with the Sprosser “Nightingale in Egypt. On May 5th, 1907. I watched an “ example perched on a wire fence in the Zoological Gardens,, “and on November 1st, 1908, I obtained a specimen at Giza. “The latter example had both feet considerably swollen, and “this probably had retarded its passage southwards.” “ Daulias luscinia. Nightingales begin to arrive in Giza “ towards the end of March, and for a fortnight they abound. “ Great numbers frequent the Zoological Gardens, and I have “seen as many as fifteen together close to the verandah of my “house. In the autumn I have only met with this species on “ three occasions. I think it is probable that the birds follow a “different route on their way south from that taken on the “passage northwards in spring.” To sum up these records : I. Egypt. Common Nightingales ( D . luscinia') arrive in large numbers in the spring, passing north, but wherever they come from they do not seem to come down the Nile Valley past Khartoum. The Sprosser {_D. philomela ) is a com¬ paratively rare bird in Egypt. There is no appreciable southward migration of either Nightingale through Egypt in the autumn. II. Sudan. Sprossers ( D . philomela ) arrive at Khartoum in large numbers in the autumn, rest for a while, and then disappear, but these birds are not noticed in any quantities passing through Egypt on the way. Their return migra¬ tion in the spring does not seem to passthrough the Sudan at all. and must, I think, follow a route west of the Sahara. Daulias luscinia is only a rare straggler in the Sudan part of the Nile Valley, and the large numbers which pass through Egypt in spring do not appear here previously. Possibly they work up the west coast and spread across Africa north of the Sahara before crossing the Mediterranean. But the facts may be more useful than conjectures! bo Cerebral Investigation. CEREBRAL INVESTIGATION. By Evelyn Trenow. Biids and animals will generally use their weapons of offence or defence at the time of capture, either from a sense of fright or in their endeavours to make escape from their captors, but, until they are more or less used to their altered surround¬ ings, it is unusual for them to turn their attention to even their natural enemies or prey. Thus, the newly-caught Owl will ignore the mouse running around its cage in its search for liberty, and the stoat and rat will glare ferociously at one another for some time before the inevitable battle begins. If, however, one may judge from the following, it would appear that the Great Tit, although difficult to keep alive in captivity, is the most self-possessed of live things, at all events of the feathered sort, at the moment of its acquaintance with its prison. A desire to add some smaller British birds to an aviary some years since induced me to set traps of various sorts on the snow-covered ground. The birds were feeding voraciously on anything they could find and were easily caught. One fall of the sieve — and the old sieve trap wants a lot of beating — added a Chaffinch, a Greenfinch, two Sparrows and a Great Tit to a good morning’s bag. These were all turned into a large cage to be sorted out as soon as catching had finished for the day, when those unlikely to live in captivity were to be released. Some earlier occupants of the cage, which had arrived but half-an-hour or so before, included a few Blue Tits. These had been dashing about wildly trying to escape, but at the time the Great Tit and his fellow prisoners of the sieve were introduced, were resting exhausted on the lower perches. The Great Tit, however, had no two minds concerning his mission in life, whether in a cage or outside, for he straightway made for the top perch, balanced himself there for a few seconds, then descended with a swoop on to one of the Blue Tits, burying his beak in its skull. The Blue Tit of course was no more, and the fear of another similar performance obtained for the Great Tit his immediate freedom with the opportunity of continuing in a wider sphere his craze for cerebral investigation. The L.C.B.A. Show. 61 THE LC.B.A. SHOW. I. FOREIGN BIRDS. By Frank Finn. The show of P'oreign Birds at the London Cage Bird Association’s Exhibition — November 24th - 27th — was far the finest of any I have seen at the Horticultural Hall, both as regards the number and the quality of the exhibits; the judge was Mr. H. D. Astley. Parrots were not numerous, but good ; in the class for Budgerigars, Love-birds and Hanging Parrakeets, all exhibits were in perfect form. Mr. Townsend’s exquisite Blue-crowned Hanging Parrakeet (Lot iculus ga/gulas) took first ; Black-cheeked Love-birds second and third, and a good pair of Yellow Budgeri¬ gars fourth ; equally fine greens had to be content with v.li c. There were other birds in the class, and it seems to me very hard on Budgerigars to make them compete with such birds as Loriculi, which ought to go in the Lory class, being soft-food eaters,, although not true Lories. In the class for other Parrakeets, Mr. Ezra’s beautiful lutino Ring-neck only got “very highly commended,” much to some people’s surprise, it being so rare an exhibit; if its abnormal yellow colour was the objection, this should have had no weight, as white Javas, blue and yellow Budgerigars are allowed to pass muster. There should really Ire a class for abnormally coloured prize birds, or these might go in the same class as Foreign Hybrids, which are never numerous. To return to the Parra¬ keets : first went to a Brown’s (, Platycercus browni ), second to Mr. Maxwell’s Elegant, and third to a very nice Blue-crowned Conure^ shown by Mr. S. Williams. M. Pauwel’s Uvean Parrakeet only got fourth; yet, though not so lively as some of the others, it was in good form. There were only two entries in the Lory Class, a nice Ceram Lory (A. gat ruins) shown by Mr. Mackenzie, and a pair of Dark-throated Lorikeets, not in show form, as their tails were rough. In the class for other Parrots a lien Everett’s (TonygnatJms everetti) took first, a Meyer’s second, though there was a fine Hawk-head in the class which only got fouith, to say nothing 62 The L.C.B.A. Shorv. of the rare Amazon ( Chrysolis ochroptera ) ; both these last were shown by Mrs. K. L. Miller. C. ochroptera is very like the Blue- fronted of which a specimen was also shown ; but it has the blue front very pale and the beak whitish, not black. The Blue-front took third ; its rare relative only v.li.c. ! These were all the entries. The class for common small finches was extremely well filled and every exhibit was in good form — no less than twenty- two cages of pretty birds. Green Avadavats were first, a cock Cordon Bleu second, a pair of Gold-breasted Waxbills third, and a pair of Orange-cheeks fourth. The others need no comment here, being all of well-known species. In the class for the rarer Waxbills, Mannikins, &c., there were a dozen entries ; a pair of Melba Finches taking first, second also went to a Melba Finch, and third to a Crimson Finch; fourth fell to the share of a pair of Violet-eared Waxbills. In this class also the birds were nearly all in fine form. An Aurora Finch was v.li.c., and the same honour fell to a third pair of Melbas. All species of Grasshoppers, Weavers and Whydahs, not included in the above, made a fine collection of seventeen beautiful exhibits. The most remarkable was the beautiful Jackson’s Whydali ( Dreponoplectes jacksoni ) a black species of rather large size with a curved tail strikingly-like that of the common cock; in fact, cock-tailed Whydali would be the best name for it, for in its display, which can be seen at the Zoo, the tail is raised and expanded till it nearly meets the back-bent head, and the resemblance to a bantam cock is most striking. The tail of the Whydali, however, diverges above instead of below when fully expanded. This beautiful bird, new to the show-bench, only got third ; it was shown by Mr. Maxwell. First and second went to Fire-tailed Finches, shown by Mr. Temple and Mr. Ross; they were good, but it seems to me a mistake in these mixed foreign bird classes, to give more than one prize to the same species if this can fairly be avoided. A Tri-coloured Parrot-finch (. Erytliruia trichroa) of Mr. Maxwell’s took fourth, but it was not in such good form as Mr. Howe’s common Parrot Finch (E. psittacea ) which only had v.li.c. Gouldian and Long-tailed Grass Finches and Diamond Sparrows also figured in this class. The L.C B. A. Show. 63 Grosbeaks, True Finches and Buntings numbered ten — a good lot. First went to the Mexican Siskin, a pretty strangely- marked species, black above and yellow below ; second to Mrs. Miller’s well-known lovely Rainbow Bunting; third to Mr. Maxwell’s Black-cheeked Cardinal ( Patsaria nigrigenis) ; this, I may say for the benefit of those who have not seen it at the Zoo, is very like the Yellow-bellied, but has black sides to the head and a crest expanding transvei sely. A beautiful Green Cardinal took fourth ; but Mr. Pauwel’s Black-and-yellow Grosbeak might well have gone above it, as much rarer. A pair of Pintailed Non¬ pareil was also shown in this class and a good pair of the true or American Nonpareil, the lien a perfect gem. A Lavender Finch was h.c. but should have been wrong-classed, its place being with the rarer Waxbills, of course. There was a splendid series of Tanagers in two classes. One for the common sorts — Superb, Tri-colour, Violet, Scarlet, Blue, Palm and Black — and one for all the rest. All were in good form. I11 the first class, a Blue of the Tobago race took first, and second and third both went to Superbs. I11 the class for rarer Tanagers, which was much better filled, Mr. Townsend’s Gold and Green ( Calliste /lava') was first, Mr. Maxwell’s Pretre Spindalis pretrii) second, while Lady Pilkington took third and v.h.c. with a pair of All Greens ( Chlorophonia viridis ) and a Blue and Black ( Tanagrella cyanomelaena) \ Mrs. Miller’s Emerald- spotted was fourth, and the Festive, Necklace and Maroon weie also shown. No less than sixteen entries were in the class for Honey- eaters, and formed a most attractive collection, all well shown. Mr. Ezra’s Amethyst-rumped Sunbird ( Arachechthra zeylonica ) was the best of this species I ever saw in England, and well deserved its place; there were two good Purples (. A . asialica ) which species is far easier to keep, as I found out when I brought the first imported Sunbirds to England in 1S97 ; I only had one Purple, which arrived safely at the Zoo, but my last of several Amethysts died en route from Plymouth to London ; they are very susceptible to cold. Mrs. Bouike’s Purple or Yellow-legged Sugar-bird was second ; this species, by the way, appears not to go into undress, in spite of sometimes putting out green feathers 64 The L.C.B.A. Show. — one cock that lived over a year at the Zoo recently never showed any green. One of the Purple Sunbirds, out of colour, but very strong and lively, was third ; it seemed to be showing off, raising and expanding its tail. Mr. Townsend’s magnificent veteran Yellow-winged Sugar-bird was fourth, and a v.li.c. went to that gentleman’s Jerdon’s Green Bulbul ( Chlotopsis jerdoni), a lovely hen. This species is very rare in aviculture, even in India I never saw it alive that I remember, but Mr. Harper sent a cock to the Zoo that lived there for years, and somewhere about 1903 I saw another hen at Abraham’s establishment. The cock is like a Gold- fronted (C. aurift oils) without the gold front ; the hen is all green but for a turquoise throat-patch. There were also two fine cock Hardwicke’s Green Bulbul (C. hardwickii ) in this class, besides a Banana Quit, a Rufous-throated Sugar-bird — formerly called a Tanager ( Glossopti/a ruficollis ) and two cock Dacnis, one the common cayana, and the other I think D. ni gripes, as it had the dark (instead of flesh-coloured) feet characteristic of that species, but it was smaller than cayana instead of larger as the British Museum catalogue measurements make it. It was shown by Mr. Townsend, and might well have got more than li.c. if recognised as a distinct species, which I admit was difficult at first sight. An Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosa') bred this year by Mr. W. T. Page, and shown by Miss L- Clare, was an interesting exhibit, and took “commended.” The next class was a fine mixed collection, being for Shamas, Starlings, Troupials, Jays, and other hardy soft-bills. Mr. Pauwel’s Long-crested Mexican Jays were first, and deserved ; they seem to be Cyanocitta diademata. They were smaller than the English Jay, with daik, long-crested head, white eye-marks, and blue body— plumage barred with black on wings and tail. A Shama was second, and a Larger Hill Mynah third, a Glossy Starling fourth. The class for “all other species not comprised in the above” was well filled, and, as might be expected, particularly interesting and numbered nearly two dozen. A splendid Raggi’s Paradise-bird ( Paiadisea raggiana) shown by M. Pawvels, natur¬ ally took first; Mrs. Miller’s Japanese Redbreast ( Eri/hacus alsahige ) was second, but I piefet red Mr. Ezra’s specimen of the The Avicultural Magazine, H , Goodchild del. IRENE TICHODROMA MURARIA. TURCOSA. HALCYON D1NEMELLIA DINEMELLI. West, Newman proe. SMYRNENSIS. The L.C.B.A. Shozv. 65 same bird, which only took v.h.c. This bird is very like our Robin, but has a short reddish tail and sooty abdomen ; Mrs. Miller’s bird was coloured in other respects just like our Red¬ breast, and had a similar plump shape ; the other specimen was darker and much slimmer, more like a Nightingale in build — I really don’t know which type is correct, however, in such a rare bird! There were two Temmiuck’s or Loo-choo Robins ( E . homadori) in the class, of which Mrs. Miller’s took v.h.c. M. Pauwel’s Malayan Fairy Blue-bird ( Irena turcosa) was third, a most magnificent creature in its enamelled blue and velvet black plumage ; but as the said plumage was rough on the underparts, I should have preferred Mr. Maxwell’s quaint little Coppersmith Barbet (Xantholcema haemaiocephala), the first ever shown, though the commonest of Barbets in the wild state, being heard even in street trees in Calcutta. Not bigger than a Greenfinch, its green plumage is diversified on the head and throat by scarlet and 3’ellow. It is easy enough to keep and feed on fruit and bread- and-milk, but will not stand satoo. Besides these rarities, this wonderful class contained a Blue-throated Flycatcher, a Cuban Trogon, an Indian White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis ) a Hauxwell’s Hangnest, a pair of Verditer Flycatchers (Stoparola melanops), an Indian Yellow-cheeked Tit ( Machlolophus xantho- genys) and a White-crested Jay-thrush. The Kingfisher was particularly interesting, as belonging to a group rarely shown, but was not in show plumage, the tail being rather rough ; but it is a young bird, and will doubtless improve in steadiness. This species feeds as much or more on land animals as fish ; in plu¬ mage it is blue and chocolate with white breast. The belt and feet are coral-red in the adult, dusky in the young. The Foreign Hybrid class contained only two kinds, two ugly little crosses between the Zebra Waxbill and Silver-bill, brown with black short tails, dull yellow bills, and a Tit inter¬ mediate between Pleske’s Tit (Pams pleskei) and the lovely Azure Tit (P. cyanus ) presumably a wild-bred hybrid. Pleske’s Tit is much like a Blue-tit, but paler, the Azure is white with blue wings and tail, the latter being longer than in other members of the genus Parus. Both are Continental. The “ Pairs for Foreign Hybrid breeding” class had five 66 The L.C.B.A. Shotv. entries, blit calls for no comment. I cannot see the use of such a class, especially when, as hinted above, the abnormally-coloured foreign birds badly need accommodation in a separate section. Nor is it necessary to say anything here about the Selling class, the exhibits being not rare, although in good condition. The two classes for members of the L.C.B.A. only, how¬ ever, contained some good birds. In the Seed-eater class M. Pauwels won first well with a lovely Dinemelli’s or White- headed Weaver (. Dinemellia dinemelli ) a bird as big as a Song- Thrush, white with black wings and tail and a rump vent which should have been scarlet, but was orange. Among the soft-food eaters the same gentleman showed one of the gems of the show, a pair of fruit-pigeons of the genus Ptilopus, green with rich yellow abdomen; a unique and beautiful exhibit well worthy of the first prize they obtained, and a fit one with which to conclude what I fear is a very imperfect notice of a veritable festival of aviculture. II. HYBRIDS AND BRITISH BIRDS. By J. L. Bonhote. The British Birds were as usual well represented at this Show, and the glorious trim and condition of many of our common birds must have convinced the most sceptic that our country can, in its avifauna, show as beautiful an assortment as many others more favoured from the climatic point of view. We have not time or space to go into detail over the well- filled classes of Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Linnets, Redpolls and others, but must confine our notes chiefly to the rarer kinds. We were sorry to notice that three Classes (Song Thrush, Wagtail, A.O.V. Thrushes and Woodpeckers) had to be cancelled from lack of entries. All these species make most satisfactory cage- birds and, especially the Thrushes, are widely kept, and it is disappointing to see that where such a good and liberal classifi¬ cation is offered fanciers do not support it. The gem of the collection was undoubtedly Mr. Pauwels fine pair of Wallcreepers, a species we do not remember to have previously seen in confinement, and from their condition and feather they certainly did credit to the owner and Mr. Milsum. The L.C.B.A. Show. 67 Another rarity was a very nice Grasshopper Warbler in good condition, though, we understand, that it had found the journey rather trying ; the same Class contained Dartford Warblers, a Wry¬ neck and a splendid adult Black Redstart in beautiful plumage. Among the Larks and Pipits were several Shore Larks and two Rock Pipits, the last named being quite a rarity in a cage, although common enough round our shores. Class 160: European Birds, contained beside the Wallcreepers, a Two-barred Crossbill, which we fancy we saw last year, an Icterine Warbler, a Red-breasted Flycatcher and a Snow Finch, as well as one or two commoner species. Class 157 contained a Sedge Warbler, a Willow Warbler, and a Greater and Lesser Whitethroat. On walking through a Show such as this one cannot help wishing that some of those who so persistently decry bird-keeping could be present, most of their arguments would at once fall to the ground, for the excellent health and condition of these delicate birds, and their reappear¬ ance at the same Shows in successive years is sufficient proof that kindness, care and attention, and not starvation and cruelty has been bestowed upon them. Unfortunately these people never come to look for themselves! The Pied and Albino Class con¬ tained a fine Silver Starling, which has been, if we remember right, seen on the show bench for several years past. There was a white Robin and a white Hedge Sparrow, both showing a tinge of yellow on the breast, and a Bullfinch with a white cap suffused with a delicate pinkish tinge. Hybrids were a strong lot ; the Bullfinch hybrids included Redpoll, Linnet, Greenfinch, Goldfinch; there were also Greenfinch-Redpoll, Redpoll-Gold¬ finch, Siskin-Greenfinch, Bramble-Chaffinch, Twite-Greenfinch, Goldfinch-Siskin, Siskin-Redpoll and Greenfinch-Chaffinch. This last is probably the greatest rarity, and is the first and only one that has so far been bred. In general bulk and shape it takes after the Greenfinch, the colour of the back is brown and we could not detect auj^ trace of the bluish head of the Chaffinch. The breast was pale vinous, clearly showing the Chaffinch origin, fading off to yellow on the vent, The wings showed the white bases to the primaries characteristic of the Chaffinch. We see no reason to doubt the parentage of this bird, the only other possibility is a Bramble-Chaffinch, but the build is so much that 68 Mr. H. E. Atteweee, of a Greenfinch that this species must, in our opinion, have been one of the parents. The bird was bred by Miss Reeves, to whom the fancy is already indebted for many rare hybrids. In this case hen Chaffinches were put in an aviary witli cocks of the following species : Hawfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Canary, so that it is obvious that the bird could have had no other origin than from a Greenfinch and Chaffinch. We much regret that among the many good things we omitted to make any notes on Mr. Vales Twite-Greenfinch, a cross, which though not unique, is but seldom seen. NOTES ON SOME JAMAICAN BIRDS. By H. E. Attewele. 'I he Savannah Blackbird or Tickbird (C? olophaga (ini') is not one of the few species to which Jamaica claims exclusive rights : it is found in many tropical parts and its main character¬ istics are pretty well known. Gosse portrays it very accurately,, and being so much in evidence there are multitudes who can confirm his writing on the bird.41 Some C. ant have recently been engaged in nesting near my house, and we have to some extent been able to follow the birds’ habits. May I be allowed to draw, say, two-tlrirds of a circle with approximately fifty yards for the radius and the house as a centre. There will be included an ebony tree, a tamarind, a genip, another tamarind, next a guango and then a yokewood tree. A few others of smaller size and im poi lance punctuate those named. At the time I write, the first mentioned, the ebony, contains a Blue Quits ( Euphonia Jamaica') nest, the next has still the nest of a Banana Quit ( Cerlhiola flaveola) hanging from a twig, the young birds having quit two weeks previously. The genip tree and its next neighbour have both been favoured by C. atii, while high on the guango, which grows almost into the last, the “ Roggerhead” ( 1'yrannus caudifascialus) has very recently reared a young bird, and the last-named tree of my list — the yoke- wood — a week ago had at its top the hammock-like nest of the * See Series II., Vol. i, p. 22. Notes on some Jamaican Birds. 69 Banana Bird ( Icterus leucopteryx), whose two young resolutely refused to be hand-reared. If you will follow me less than one hundred yards from this imaginary arc-end I will show you one more nest — also in an ebony tree — it is that of the Ground Dove { Chamcepelia passerina), a poor platform nest the size of a small man’s palm, in which the fully-fledged young can be seen side by side, making as charming a picture as one could wish. No doubt if we looked around a little, more than one Mocking Bird’s nest could easily be found, and just over there in that bank it is safe to say at least one Tody’s eggs or young could be found. We are satisfied further that a pair of Long-tailed Humming Birds (Aiihurus polytmus) have nested in the Banana Quit’s tamarind tree, and, judging from the scores of Vervain Humming Birds (. Mellisnga minima) that resort to its blossoms, there must be several nests of such birds not far away, the size of which may be incidentally mentioned as being, when the young has flown , no bigger on the top than a two-shilling piece! I have proved this, nor did the coin slip from the top into the nest. While digres¬ sing let me just add one other nest that is to be found in the particular trees named. It is that of the common brown rat driven to an arboreal life by the mongoose. I more than suspect this animal has interfered with my Blackbirds in one instance and ‘improved’ on the birds architecture to its own purpose. Nor is the Savannah Blackbird’s nest much to brag about. Let it be remembered the bird is nearly related to the Cuckoos, and all honour to the Cuckoo that makes a nest. We may congratulate the creature on its higher sense of duty ; it may, however, be an open cpiestion as to whether the bird is 011 the upgrade or the reverse. Popular belief allows quite a number of these birds to designedly assist each other in nidification. My own examples do not completely confirm the argument, for in neither of two instances was an unusually large structure made nor more than eight eggs laid. I have examined several old nests, and in every case have found one or more old eggs buried in the materials, such being ebony and lignum vitae twig ends with upholstery of maseberry leaves. Did not a company of C. ani remain interested in what was 70 Notes on some Jamaican Birds. going on, it might be suspected that they were but one remove better than the familiar Cuckoo proper, whose propensity for shirking maternal cares is so well known and, but for this interest, one might infer that, having found another of the family so minded as to build for herself and to incubate, the opportunity is seized to add to the proposed complement of eggs. There is, I think, some evidence of hesitation for, on one occasion, I dis¬ covered an undoubted Savannah Blackbird’s egg in an undoubted Mocking Bird’s partially-built nest scarcely beyond one’s natural reach. It is well the bird’s egg is so coated with calcareous matter, for the scratches and raspings tell the rough treatment it receives from this most clumsy-footed creature. Indeed, so strongly is the egg put together that I have had several dropped, say thirty feet, on to a lawn without fracture ! It is the ungainly bird’s clumsiness that makes him so conspicuous an object; he cannot perch with a balance until a see-saw exercise has been gone through. Were not the arched culmen of the upper mandible as good as wanting in the naked coffee-coloured and open-eyed chick, one might conclude the exaggeration was of use as a lever in helping them from the hard egg-shell. At the risk of life, limb (and law) it was possible to keep a brood of these birds under observation ; they were raised and lowered pulley wise in a cage, and our hopes they would not be neglected were realized. Seeds, berries and insects are the Tick- birds chief diet, which also includes a lizard. There is also no reason why a fully-grown mouse should not be relished, but it surely shows a lack of discernment to present such to young birds; this animal, a lizard and a very large grasshopper were all found tramped underfoot by the caged brood. The morsels were far too large. Elsewhere than in Jamaica ‘ home remedies’ are fearful and wonderful, but I think mouse- tea for whooping-cough beats all. I was presently asked by one, who proved to have been a spectator, for the mouse ! Asking its use, I was assured it was when made into tea a certain cure for the complaint named. Whilst on the bird’s bill of fare, it seems to me more than likely very many small snakes, reputedly scarce in Jamaica, find their way to C. ani's digestive organs. It is wonderful how Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens. 7i length without breadth lends itself to a bird’s claw. With the digression I close. Quite recently, screams from a kitchen filled the household with alarm— the terror-stricken cook could only point to a partly-dressed fowl. Quiet having been obtained the cause proved to be a freshly-swallowed snake, 172 inches long, partly within the unfortunate chicken’s gizzard ! To return to the Blackbirds, and in self extenuation let me just add they were duly liberated and will I hope live to a good old age. BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. By The Curator. The most important additions during the past month con¬ sist of three very rare Lories deposited by Dr. Philip H. Bahr, namely, a Green -tailed Lory (Lorius chlorocercus') from the Solo¬ mon Islands, and a pair of extremely beautiful Ruffed Lorikeets ( Calliptihis solitarius) from Fiji. The first of these is not new to the Society, a pair having been purchased as long ago as 1867, from which Wolf made a coloured drawing which was published in the Proceedings for that year. The prevailing colour of the bird is red, the wings and apical half of the tail green. The top of the head and a patch on each side of the neck black, while the breast is crossed by a band of yellow. More beautiful still, and quite new to the Society’s collec¬ tion, is the Ruffed Lory or Lorikeet, which Latham called the Solitary Lory — a name which is most inappropriate, as the species is gregarious and anything but solitary. In Fiji it is known as the “Kula,” and is said to be trapped in numbers by the natives for the sake of its bright feathers which are used for the personal adornment of the Tongans and Samoans. The F'ijians keep them in captivity, and the native girls are said to feed them on sugar-cane which they (the girls) chew, and allow the birds to take from their lips. The Ruffed Lory is about the size of the Ornate Lorikeet, but has a short rounded tail. It is green on the upper parts, bright red below with a very dark blue cap and a band of the same colour on the abdomen and thighs. Its chief beauty, how- 72 Correspondence. ever, lies in the collar or ruff of long pointed green and crimson feathers on the nape which give it a quite unique appearance. Besides the foregoing, Dr. Balir has very kindly presented the Society with four of the beautiful Parrot Finch from Fiji, Erythrnra pealei, which, I understand, is shortly to be figured in this journal. A pair of the curious Coscoroba Swans ( Coscoroba Candida) from southern South America have been received by exchange, and make an interesting addition to our collection of waterfowl, as the species has not been represented in the Gardens of late years. I have often thought that it would be interesting to en¬ courage the nesting of wild Tits in the Zoological Gardens by providing them with suitable nesting sites, and we have now been enabled to do this by the generosity of Mr. J. M. D. Mackenzie, who has obtained from Germany more than a dozen of the ex¬ cellent nesting-logs designed by Herr von Berlepsch, and placed them at our disposal for use in the Gardens. Fortunately there are plenty of suitable trees, and the logs have been fixed in various parts of the Gardens, and we hope they will be occupied in the Spring. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. WINTERING BIRDS IN AN OUTDOOR AVIARY. Sir, — In the April number of the Avicultural Magazine you asked for information about birds that had successfully wintered out in member’s aviaries. The following have lived through one or more winters here : — .Silky Cowbird, Java Sparrow, Rose Pastor, Malabar Mynah, Pope Cardinal, Common Cardinal, Saffron Finch, Cut-throat Finch, Diamond Dove, Senegal Dove, Zebra Dove, Californian Quail, Rain Quail, Common Quail, Madagascar Lovebird, Passerine (blue-wing) Parrakeet, Blood-rumped Parrakeet, Budgerigar (green yellow), Coclcatiel, Pileated Song Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Common Canary, Greater Spotted Wood¬ pecker, Orange Bishop, Masked Weaver, Russ’ Weaver, “ Pekin Robin ” and Crossbill. A Ring-neck Parrakeet has been at large in the garden for eighteen months. Cori espondence. 73 Mv aviaries are built in rather a rustic maimer facing south-west, backing out on an estuary of the Solent, (the Beaulieu River). The laud, slopes down to the water so that the avaries get very wet in the winter. The largest aviary is twenty-seven feet square, with two sheds at the back, and the birds can always go in or out of these at their pleasure. The sheds are rather draughty, and in prolonged wet weather the rain comes through the roof. The birds do not seem to mind though and always look in the pink of condition. I do not think I have had a single •case of a bird dying from cold pure and simple. Before I had the aviary properly boarded up at the ends, I lost some birds after several days of continual south-west gale with driving rain. My onl}' fad is to under feed my birds. That is to say, they are fed every morning and by the next day every seed is eaten and they have evidently got healthy appetites for their breakfast. Their menu consists of Canary seed (the best) French millet and ■spray millet and a few Sunflower seeds. In cold weather they have in addition, a little hemp. I cannot help thinking that many birds in captivity are over-fed. .Since feeding mine less they have looked much better and are much more active. All the birds can pick over the soft-food which consists of “ Cecto,” bread and cake crumbs, currants, sultanas, suet (in cold weather), any fruit that is in season and green stuff. Mealworms in winter only, as the birds ■catch so many insects amongst the bushes and tall grass. Philip Gossk. FOOD OF THE LITTLE GREBE. Sir, — I should be much obliged if you could put me in touch with ■some member of W\o. Avi cultural Society who has had practical experience in keeping Dabehicks (Little Grebe). All the birds I get die within a few days and I evidently do not understand how to get them started in captivity. I have sent several to the Zoo, but the results there also were ■disappointing. I shall probably have an opportunity of getting several more birds -shortly and should like to know how to treat them. C. Barnby Smith. 74 Revieivs. REVIEWS. 17 AGE DES PERDRIX. * As year by year the number of new species to be discovered becomes less and less, so, by slow degrees, ornithologists are beginning to find out that the mere describing and naming of some hitherto unknown species adds but little to our real knowledge of birds. If any further proof were needed to drive home what is really a self-evident proposition this work of Dr. Bureau, the eminent French ornithologist, should be of itself sufficient to dispel any doubts on the matter. Dr. Bureau has taken one of our commonest species, and one, moreover, which is perhaps the most frequently shot of any of our native birds, not to mention hand-rearing, importation and other factors which bring this bird to the notice of sportsmen, game-keepers, ornithologists, caterers, cooks and others, and yet how many of these people, to whom such matters are, or should be, of considerable import¬ ance, can tell an old from a young bird in December? This work is devoted entirely to questions of plumage and moult. Dr. Bureau has made exhaustive notes by watching and marking coveys in their wild state and has further called in aviculture by checking his results and getting more precise data from captive birds. The result is a very careful and complete account of their plumages and methods of moult, especially during the first six months of their lives. Of the main facts brought forward there can be no doubt. The author shows that a partridge in its first year may always be told by the first two primaries being pointed and not rounded as in the case of the old birds. This is due to the fact that these first two primaries are not moulted in autumn with the others and thus form remnants of the juvenile plumage. Until October or November, Dr. Bureau holds that the age of any young bird can be told almost to a day by the length and development of the growing primaries. We are inclined to think that sufficient allowance has not been made for individual variation in this L' Age des Perdrix, by Dr. I.ouis Burkau. Nantes, Vie Dibraire, 28 Passage Pommerage, 8vo., 124pp. and numerous illustrations. 7ft-. 70c. Reviews. 75 respect, but, according to the facts given, the case is clearly made out, and must, therefore, be accepted, at all events for that part of the country (West of France) where the observations were made. 'File young birds make their first flight when thirteen days old, by which time seven primaries and eight secondaries are fairly well developed, the third primary is still in the quill, and the first two have not yet made their appearance; at the age of twenty-three days the tenth primary is cast, and the second primary, which has not yet grown, makes its appearance ; five days later the ninth primary is cast and the first appears, and thus the moult continues till all, except the first two, have been renewed. Apart from the primaries, which, from the point of view of age, are the most important character, other details of the moult and plumages are well and carefully dealt with, and we notice that while accepting the differences in the wing coverts, as first described by Mr. Grant in the Field , as the best means for distinguishing the sexes, the author is careful to point out that this distinction by no means holds good for nil cases. The book is one to which justice cannot be done in a short critique, it bears the mark of most accurate and painstaking work, adds greatly to our knowledge of the species, and is well worthy of a place on the bookshelves of every lover of the ‘little brown bird.’ THE COMMON GUEE. * This is a book of photographs showing various phases in the life history of the Common Gull, and although it can hardly be said that the pictures are very descriptive, or tell us anything new about the life history of these interesting birds, the book forms a nice addition to the pictures of bird-life of which we see so many now-a-days. Some of the photographs are not as ‘sharp’ as we should like and appear to have been touched up ; and others, as for instance ‘ Following the Plough ’ is a most artistic picture, but the birds are rather small. A short account of the species, translated from the Danish, is given at the end of the book. Life of the Common Gull, by C. Robow. Loudon; Withhkby & Co. 1/6 net. 76 Reviews. MIGRATION OF BIRDS.* The Sixth Annual Report of the B. O. C. Migration Com¬ mittee is brought out ou similar lines to the previous Reports. We are, however, pleased to notice one very beneficial change, namely, the summarising of the autumn records, where possible, into a connected account, instead of the interminable list of records given in the previous Report. Besides economy of space, this new method will prove much more interesting and intelli¬ gible to the general reader. These Reports only deal with the actual records received during the year, and no attempt is made to generalize or draw any deductions for the present, though, as we are told in the introduction, this will be done to some extent when material over a sufficient number of years has been got together. The main facts of interest during the spring of 1910 appear to have been the absence of any great ‘ rushes,’ and the extremely late arrival of certain species, e.g. the Spotted Fly¬ catcher. The scarcity of the Land Rail in the southern and eastern counties is well shown by the occurrence of only one record (Norfolk, May 6th) east of a line extending from Wilts to York¬ shire. Within the last ten years it was a common bird in Cambridgeshire, as well as in many other of the south-eastern counties, and its almost complete disappearance in so short a time is very remarkable. The autumn notes contain records on a large number of species; of the common birds, a fairly full and connected account of their movements is given, while in other cases we have the records of solitary rare wanderers, such as the Barred Warbler, Golden Oriole, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Lesser Kestrel, Honey Buzzard, and many others. We recommend this Report to all students of our native birds, it will bring home to them the movements and travels of the bird world, which are going on in practically every month of the year, and which may be noted by anyone who cares to observe and note the different species met with in any particular area, * Report on the immigrations of summer residents in the spring' of 1910; also notes on the migratory movements and records received from Lighthouee and Light Vessels during' the autumn of 1909, by the Committee appointed by the British Ornithologists’ Club. London : Withekby & Co. 6/- net. 8vo. 313pp. and maps. Reviews. 77 and in addition we would ask them to help in the work by pur¬ chasing the Report. These volumes are expensive to print and bring out and the Committee is dependent on voluntary sub¬ scriptions and sales to meet these expenses. THE EMU '* The numbers of this Journal under review contain, as usual, many interesting articles on the Australian and New Zealand fauna. In the April number Mr. Jackson gives an in¬ teresting account of his search for the nest of the Rufous Scrub Bird (. Atrichornis rufescens), a very rare and skulking species. The article is illustrated by numerous photographs showing the nature of the bush and situation of the nest. Mr. Jackson also met with the Tyre Bird and gives photographs of its nest and dancing ground. The July number contains, among many other notes, a long and interesting paper by Mr. S. C. McLean on the Bush birds of New Zealand, and by Mr. Barnard on Field notes from Cape Yoik. In the October number we have a nice coloured plate of the Yellow Shrike Tit (. Falcunculus whitei). Mr. McLean con¬ tinues his notes on New Zealand Birds; Mr. Cleland writes a valuable paper ou the stomach contents of many species of native birds, and Mr. Buturlin, the well-known Russian Orni¬ thologist, gives an account of the Australian Birds lie met with in Siberia, and there are also many articles and notes on other Australian Birds. Our friends in Australia are evidently keen ornithologists, and they are fortunate in possessing a most in- teiesting avifauna, about which we have still much to learn. Publicatiotis received : — A Naturalist on Desert Islands by P. R. Lowe; Home Life of the Osprey by C. A. Abbott; Canaries, Hybrids and British Birds by John Robson and others. * The Emu, Journal of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ Union. April, July and October, ign. T.ondon : K. A. Porter. 78 Practical Bird-Keeping. — X. Quoils. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. Medals have been awarded to the following gentlemen for breeding ■species for the first time in this country. Mr. H. D. ASTr.EY for breeding the Rose-breasted Grosbeak ( Hedy - metes Indovicianus ) Ser. III., Vol. 2, pp. 333 and 370. Mr. W. E. Tkschkmakkr for breeding the Hawfinch (Coccothraustes vulgaris), Ser. III., Vol. 3, p. 28. Mr. R. Cosgrave is apparently entitled to a medal for breeding the Laughing Kingfisher {Dacelo gigas) an account of which will appear in our next number. Will any Member, who knows of a previous instance of this species having been bred, kindly communicate with the Hon. Sec. ? PRACTICAL BIRD-KEEPING. X. QUAILS. By D. Seth- Smith, F.Z.S. The Quails and their allies form a group of little birds that are very attractive inmates of the aviary. They are mostly hardy, and many of them will breed quite readily in captivity providing the aviary in which they are kept possesses certain necessary features. It should be of fairly large size, or rather should cover a good sized area, though it need not be very lofty. If possible it should not be less than from thirty to forty feet square, but if twice or three times this size, so much the better. The greater part should be turfed and planted with clumps of bushes, and the grass allowed to grow to its full height during the summer. The birds should have access to a well-lighted dry shed where they can indulge in a dust bath whenever they feel so inclined. The species of Quails and Quail-like birds are very numerous, and it is impossible here to mention them all or to go into details as to the special treatment necessary for some of the rarer kinds. Those which are most likely to be kept in cap¬ tivity are the Common Quail ( Coturnix coturnix) and its allies the Rain Quail, the Harlequin Quail, and the Australian Quail ; the Chinese Quail ( Excalpactoria chinensis) ; the Australian Swamp Quail ( Sjnoecus australis') ; the Jungle Bush Quail {Per- Practical Bird-Keeping. — X. Quails. 79 dicula asiatica), and some of the American Ouails, amongst which is the commonest and most beautiful of all as an aviary bird, the Californian Ouail. All of the foregoing are hardy, and easily kept on a simple diet of seed and green food, and most of them are not particularly quarrelsome. I should not be disposed, however, to keep either Bush Quails or Californian Quails with other species of the smaller ground birds, though I have not found any of the others to be particularly aggressive if kept in a large enough enclosure. The only difficulty in keeping more than one species of the same genus, say of Coturnix in the same aviary is that cross-breeding may occur, if say a pair of the Indian Rain Quails and a pair of African Harlequins are kept together. Quails commence pairing about April, but do not, as a rule, go to nest until the grass is well grown. Then the cock is very busy, uttering his shrill call-note and selecting sites for the nest which he tries to persuade his mate to adopt. The site finally selected is generally under a tuft of coarse grass which is cleverly concealed by the blades being drawn down to form a dome. The number of eggs to a clutch varies with the species, but six or seven is the usual number for the smaller species, while the Californian Quail often lays considerably more. In¬ cubation is performed by the female only, and occupies from sixteen to twenty days according to the species. Young Quails when first hatched are extremely beautiful little things, resem¬ bling miniature partridge chicks. They remain in the nest with the mother for about the first twenty-four hours, after which they follow her away into the grass. This is a critical time for the chicks, for should there be any weakly ones they may be left behind, when they soon perish. A plan adopted by the writer some years ago for rearing young Quails proved very successful. A run, about six feet long by four feet wide and twelve inches high was made, the sides close boarded, but the top of wire netting, one end was hinged at the top so as to allow of the Quail and her brood being driven in. Part of the top was made to open for feeding. Teafy branches were placed over part of this run, and a sheet of corrugated iron So Practical Bird-Keeping. — X. Quails. kept in readiness to be placed over in case of heavy rain. Care was taken that the run was placed on good turf in a dry situation. Into such a run the hen Quail with her brood is driven as soon after they leave the nest as possible. Ants’ nests are searched for and dug up (enough can usually be found in any fair-size garden) and a tin of ants and their eggs kept in readiness to supply the chicks at frequent intervals. After a day or two finely chopped yolk of egg is supplied and readily taken by the chicks, which after a short time will take coarser soft food con¬ sisting of chopped egg, breadcrumbs and finely chopped chick- weed. Seed, in the form of millet and Canary, must be supplied for the mother, and it is surprising how soon the chicks also will take to eating this. A dusting bath — consisting of aheap of dry lime rubbish and sharp sand — must not be omitted from the run. About once a week it is desirable to move this run on to fresh ground, and when the young birds are about three weeks old they can be let out with their mother into the aviary again. It is desirable, however, to clip the feathers of one wing to prevent their flying up and damaging their heads against the top of the aviary. In fact most Quails in captivity are best pinioned so that it is impossible for them to fly against the aviary roof. The American Quails however are great perchers and should be left with full wings. I know of few prettier sights than that presented by a brood of newly-hatched Chinese Quails, little larger than bumble¬ bees, as they follow their mother through the grass, or rush to her call when she captures some tiny insect. Notices to Members — ( Continued from page ti. of coven. NEW MEMBERS. Mr. P. Sutton, Melbourne Lodge, 28, Carlton Road, Putney, S.W. Mrs. Wirriamson Warrace, Kelton, Dumfries, N. B. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Dr. C. B. TlCEHURST, Grove House, Lowestoft. Mr. E. E. Cooper, Berrydown Court, Overton, Hants. Proposed by J. L. Bonhote. ILLUSTRATION FUND. The Committee beg to acknowledge, with many thanks, the following donation to the Illustration Fund. Miss Chawner .. . . .. f o 5 o MEMBERS’ PRIVATE SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is sixpence for eighteen words or less, and one penny jor every additional three words or less. Trade advertisements are not arrowed in this corumn. Dealers who are members, wish irig to adver Use, should apply to the Publisher for terms. Advertisements must reach the Editor on or before the 26th of the month. The Council reserve the right of refusing any advertisement they may consider undesirable. Fine Magpie, show condition, 1st and special, Hastings, 1910. Kept in outdoor aviary, 15/- ; Cock Golden Pheasants in splendid colour, 20/- each. Miss STURTON Johnson, Orotava, Ore. For Sale — Avicul-tural Magazine. Vols. II., V., VI., 17/6; Harting's Hand - book of British Birds, published at 40/-, price 17/6. Oakky, 34, High Street, Leicester. Tame Patagonian Connie, fi. sex unknown. Unrelated pairs of green Budgerigars, 5/-. Mrs. Wirriams, Emmanuel Parsonage, Exeter. Outdoor Aviary -bred pairs Zebra Finches, 7/-, two pairs 13/- ; Diamond Doves, 17/6 ; Saffron Finches, 7/-; Green Cardinals, 20/- each, 37/6 pair. Housemourtkd Greenfinches, Chaffinches, 1/6 each ; pair white Crested Quail £3 10/-. Many other foreign birds, list on application. RaT'TIGAn, Lanarkslea, Cornwall Gardens, London, S.W. Exceptionally fine talking Eupatorian Parrakeet, tame and amusing, non screamer, C. Derr, 12, High Street, Harlesdeu, N.W. WANTS. The charge jor members' advertisements under this heading is four pence for twerve words or under, and one penny for every additional thr ee words or less. Wanted. — Cock Shama, Fruit Suckers, Glossy Starlings, Sprossers ; all sorts of Foreign Thrushes. Mrs. Warren Vernon, Toddington Manor, Bedfordshire. WEST, NEWMAN & GO., LITHOGRAPHIC, CHROMO-LITHOGRAPHIC, AND LETTERPRESS PRINTERS, 54, HATTON GARDEN, LONDON, EX, — - i ^ PRINTERS and PUBLISHERS of Natural History Books and General Printers. Lithographers for various Government and other Museums, and for learned Societies in London, India, South Africa, &c. Original drawings are accurately reproduced by Lithography or Photo-Lithography, either in colours or monotone, or by line and half-tone blocks. Coloured plates of Birds, Insects and Animals a speciality. TROWER & CO.. WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and bird food specialists, 436 & 438’ CALEDONIAN ROAD, LONDON, Na EXTRA LARGE SPANISH CANARY SEED, CHOICE GERMAN SUMMER RAPE SEED Finest Selected Seeds for all kinds of Cage or Aviary Birds British, Foreign, and Canaries, As supplied by us to the leading Fanolers and Exhibitors at the Crystal Palace and other Shows. PRICE LIST. SAMPLES FREE, 41 rTTCTn *' the best Insectivorous Food on the Market, t/» per lb. postpaid 1/3. Ground Silk Worm Pupae, Mealworms, Ants’ Eggs, Dried Flies, etc. “ EGBISCO.” the finest Egg and Biscuit Food yet made. 3d, ©d, !/■ and 25/- Tins. SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW DUE. AVI CULT URAL MAGAZ INE CONTENTS. A Roccolo in Italy (illustrated), By Hubert D. AS'fr.KY, M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 8r The Blue Robin, by Katharine Curkky .. .. .. .. 86 Nesting of the Laughing Kingfisher ( illustrated ), by R. CosGravk .. SS A Jay new to Aviculture, by Hubert D. Asti.ey, M.A, .. .. 91 Red Grouse in Confinement, by H. Wormai.d .. .. 92 Editorial ,, . . .. . . .. 96 Correspondence, Notes, etc. The Grey Thrasher, 98 ; Errata, 9S. REVIEW'S: Desert Island, 99 ; The Osprey, 100; The Great Auk, 101 ; North’s Nests and Eggs, 102: Talks about Birds, 102 Practical Bird Keeping : XI. The Feet of Birds in Captivity, by Katharine Currey 103 THIRD SERIES, The price of this JANUARY, VoL HI- No 3 number is 1/3 -1 9 1 2 - NOTE.— A new volume commences every November. ASS Subscriptions sh&sild b@ sent ta th@ Publishers, Messrs. WEST, NEWMAN & Go,, 64, Hatton Garden, E.C AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the Avxcurturar SociK’rv are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. NOTICES TO MEMBERS. The Subscription to the Avicultural Society is 10/- per annum, due on the ist of November in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance, fee is 10/6. The. Avicultural Magazine is- sent free to members monthly. 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Cables and Telegrams : “ Cross, Liverpool.” Also at National ’Phone 6491 Central. THE WINTER GARDENS, SOUTHPORT. THE Hv (cultural /Ilba^asme, SE1NG THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCI ETY. Third Series— VOL. III. — No. 3. — All rights reserved. JANUARY, 1912 A ROCCOLO IN ITALY. By Hubert D. Astley, M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. The bird’s death-trap ! The autumnal migration through the valleys, up the gullies, a constant flitting and flutter of wings. They are going south, these thousands and thousands, and what thousands never reach their destination, for the rocolli are there awaiting them, perched on every available wooded projection and promontary. Very picturesque to look at. A flat piece of ground on an eminence is chosen, sometimes not far above a lake, some¬ times higher up the mountains, A small building is erected, looking in the distance like the remains of some ruined tower, in front of which is a large circle of young trees, trained into the form of a bower. The building, of stone, with usually a roof of the same material, consists of a ground floor and an upper one. The room on the ground floor faces towards the actual roccolo, and in it is kept a heterogeneous collection of decoy birds, as well as a few of the fresh caught ones for which there may be a sale as living specimens. It is quite small, and quite dirty, this lower place. In the one I visited, there were as far as freshly caught birds went, some dozen Goldfinches, a fine Fieldfare, a Redwing (it was the 20th of October), one or two Song Thrushes, two or three Coal Tits, a Serin Finch and some Hawfinches. One was sorry for these prisoners, but all pity for them was swamped at finding two blinded birds, blinded by a hot wire I fancy, and blinded for life. The abomination and the vileness of it! The ignorant brutality ! These poor birds are supposed to call all the more 82 Mr. Hubert D. Astley, when they hear their wild brothers and sisters and cannot see them. Call? no wonder they call. But why haven’t their cries been heard through all these many years by the Church of the country. Is it because to preach against such horrors would be unpopular, is it because it matters not what the people do so long as coffers are full. Bah ! and if you complain to the Priests they shrug their shoulders. The dumb animals are not Christians, and they who should and could have (it is getting rather too late now) taught their people the spirit of mercy, are amongst the first to fill their bellies with Robins, Titmice and even Golden- crested Wrens, some of which have been lured to their death by blinded birds. I think that the man in the roccolo ‘ sat up’ that day when I told him what I thought about it all, and a wooden cross was erected on the top of the turret where he crouched like a large spider awaiting flies. I asked him whether it signified the crucifixion of the birds? I asked him whether he supposed the ‘ Santissima Vergine ’ smiled upon him when he went to Mass, leaving his birds with their scorched and lifeless eyes in the Roccolo. The Roccolo! My indignation has drawn me from the description of the turret. At the back is a flight of stone steps leading first of all into a small lobby where food is kept for the fowlers, and from thence you ascend a short ladder which brings you into the upper chamber overlooking and surmounting the death-bower. There is no window, but a large opening, with boards fixed at either side in which are gaps for peeping through, and a space in the centre. Behind the boards, which are as it were rough shutters, the fowler sits holding what at first sight might be taken for a rosary, but is really small brass bird-calls of various notes and sounds strung on a string, one of these calls he keeps to his lips and from time to time imitates first one bird and then another. Suddenly he rises up. Two or three birds, attracted by the decoys or by the artificial calls, have settled on the bent saplings. At the fowler’s feet is a heap of wicker racquets, or what look like short-handled racquets: one of these he siezes and quickly hurls it through the open space between the shutters, through the window one might say, A Roccolo in Italy. 33 accompanying the action with a shrill high-sounding blowing whistle through his teeth in imitation of the descent of a large winged bird. The Linnets or Goldfinches, or whatever they may happen to be, hearing the sound and seeing the wicker racquet hurtling towards them, mistake it for a hawk, and immediately dive down amongst the trees only to be immeshed in the spiders’ web of fine nets, which not only encircle the whole bower, but also stretch across within the Roccolo in more than one place. The nets are of fine thread, and are full of pockets from top to toe. Diiectly a bird flutters against one, it falls into a pocket and has no more chance of escape. All round the tops of the entwined saplings which form the circle, small cages are fastened in which are the decoys. Chaffinches, Hawfinches, Linnets, Titmice, Thrushes, Bramble Finches, etc. The older and staider ones call repeatedly, and the Chaffinches break into song. It is the only song to be heard in Italy at the time of the autumn migration. What an irony ! For the rest, the fowlers and the cacciatori (hunters) — “ sports¬ men ” I suppose they call themselves — are everywhere with their abominable nets and their guns. The poor biids are not given much chance of singing ! One would laugh if one was not so disgusted, to see a well to do Italian “ cacciatore ” issue forth fora day’s shooting, often garbed in impossible knicker bockers and stockings with yellow button boots very long and turned up at the points. A gun and a cartridge-bag and a “cane di caccia ” — generally a mongrel pointer. And there he goes stalking a Tom-tit, and banging here, there and everywhere, not infrequently just by the high road itself, and also not infrequently sending a shower of small shot rattling about your head as you sit in your garden. I have seen some of these gentry shooting at House Martins. If their grandmothers were good to eat they’d shoot them. But I have strayed again from that hateful Roccolo, (bye- the-bye ! the first “o” is long, the last two short in pronouncing the word, and in Italian the “o” is as round as that of Giotto’s). Besides the decoys in cages, some Chaffinches or Green¬ finches are tied round their bodies by string, which latter ascends from the ground within the circle to the hand of the fowler up in 84 Mr. Hubert D. Astley, the turret, and from time to time he gives it a pull, so that the imprisoned decoys at the other end are jerked into the air and fluttered up and down, and attract any passers-by. Oh! there is no end to the fowler’s abominable wiles. And a pathetic part of it is that these fowlers are oftentimes the most simple-minded men of the peasant order, who seem entirely unaware of the acts of cruelty they are committing, and are as astonished to be told it is so, as an Englishman would be when ratting. At any rate, even although we may in many respects live in a glass-house, one can hardly conceive it possible for a large majority of English bird-catchers to deliberately burn bird’s eye¬ sight away, although I should add that even in Italy such an abomination is illegal ; but it is one thing to make a law and quite another to obey it, or wink at the disobeying of it. Italy, however, is not wanting in men and women who are striving to change the order of things. Perhaps the prime mover is Professor Giacinto Martorelli, an honorary member of our Society, and head of the Turati Collection in the Natural History Museum at Milan. Writing to me on thecist of October in answer to a letter of mine in which I deplored the destruction of migrants in Italy, Professor Martorelli says : — “ lam absolutely “and totally in agreement with you and with all enlightened “ foreigners in deploring and condemning the extermination of “ the birds which is going on in Italy, and I am endeavouring to “bring forward certain ‘propaganda’ along with many others “ who deplore this destruction, for putting an end to such bar- “ barous acts.” This is good hearing. We indeed wish Professor Martorelli all success. The task he has set himself is not an easy one, for he has to fight with prejudice, selfishness, and an hereditary habit handed down through many generations. At the Roccolo which I visited, I counted at least one hundred and fifty birds which lay dead in a promiscuous heap on the floor of the watch-tower, all of which had been killed in two days. Think of it ! and there were certainly seven separate roccoli within sight. Is it then any exaggeration to say that Italy destroys in October and November alone of every year, thousands The Avicultural Magazine. TOWER OF ROCCOLO. Photo by H. D. Astley. West, Newman proe. A Roccolo in Italy. 85 and thousands of song birds and birds that are eminently useful for the benefit of the agriculturist. The proprietor of the Roccolo which I visited told me that he had during that week taken 500 birds, and that such a number was a fair average at each Roccolo. On asking how many there were in the immediate neighbourhood, he said “twelve,” within easy walking distance. This means the destruction of at least 5,000 birds weekly in that one small area. What must it then be throughout the whole country ? Another fowler told me that last autumn (1910) he took 10,000 birds, and his Roccolo is quite small and comparatively insignificant. The heap of birds’ bodies that I saw consisted of Starlings, Tree (or Mountain) Sparrows, Linnets, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Hawfinches, Serin Finches, Redstarts, Blackcaps, Robins, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, one Nutcracker, Blue and Coal Tits, and others, such as a Fieldfare and a Redwing. The great migration of Robins had not yet commenced, but in another week or two it would be a usual thing to see men walking in the streets of the country towns carrying a bunch of dead Robins as large as a football. Only the other day, a man came to my door to ask whether I wanted to buy any birds for the table, holding up a cascade of dead Goldfinches \_what a rosary !] of which there must have been at least three hundred. How there are any birds left puzzles one! That man didn’t linger at my door, you may be sure. That Roccolo haunts me. As I stood on that wooded eminence in the stillness of the autumn day, the glassy lake of Como sweeping away into the far distance below me, the grandeur of the surrounding mountains towering above me, their wooded slopes now tinged with every shade of autumnal tints reflected in the blue-green waters, I thought indeed how vile mankind can be. So still was the air, that one heard the approach of the migrants, flitting, flitting to their death. Up rose the fowler again, the wicker racquets hurtling over the bower, the quick dive downwards of the birds, the fluttering of entangled wings . . . . . Andiamo ! Let us go ! ! 86 Mrs. Katharine Currey, THE BLUE ROBIN. Siala sialis. By Katharine Currey. There is a peculiar charm about the Blue Bird of America, not only in its wild state, but as a companion and pet — the little bird with the bright brown eye and the colours of the earth and sky, so exquisitely described by John Burroughs, the Nature poet par excellence, in his little book called “ Wake Robin,” and others of his works. In “ Birds and Poets,” he says : “ It is sure to be a bright March morning when you first hear his note,” and that note he describes in a charming sentence: "A note that may be called the violet of sound, and as welcome to the ear, heard above the cold, damp earth, as is its floral type to the eye a few weeks later.” Lowell writes of “The Blue bird shifting his light load of song From post to post, along the cheerless fence.” Burroughs further says : “The Blue Bird cannot utter an unpleasing note. Indeed, he seems to have but one language, one speech for both love and war, and the expression of his indignation is nearly as musical as his song.” And he describes the song by the words “ pure, pure, pure.” The colours of the earth and sky of the Blue Robin are described and descanted on by John Burroughs in “Wake Robin” at too great a length to quote in this little sketch. The bird arrives in March, while the snow is still lying about, and truly he embodies in his plumage the whole of his environment, the blue sky, the brown earth and trees, the white snow. To my mind the hen is almost more lovely than her mate. Her forget-me-not blue wing-feathers, and brown and grey shading into pearly- white, of the rest of her little person blend so softly and har¬ moniously. What wonder the Blue Bird is such a favourite theme of poets. Emerson refers to “ April’s bird, Blue-coated, flying before from tree to tree.” Burroughs poem in his “Bird and Bough” is so graphic that one seems to see and hear the little harbinger of Spring in his native haunts : — on the Blue Robin. 87 “ A wistful note from out the sky, ‘ Pure, pure, pure,’ in plaintive tone, As if the wand’rer were alone, And hardly knew to sing or cry. But now a flash of eager wing, Flitting, twinkling by the wall, And pleadings sweet and am’rous call, — Ah! now I know his heart doth sing! O blue bird, welcome back again, Thy azure coat and ruddy vest Are hues that April lovetli best, — Warm skies above the furrowed plain. ifc ^ ■Sfc And thy blue wing’s a joyous sight Among the brown and leafless trees.” He also mentions the fact that the early settlers of New England gave it the name of Blue Robin, and that “ it is the first bit of colour that cheers our Northern landscape.” ‘ Wistful,’ I think, exactly expresses the Blue Bird’s note, but though, according to Rongfellow : “ Aloud, From cottage roof the warbling blue bird sings.” and he speaks of “ The Blue Bird, balanced on some topmost spray, Flooding with melody the neighbourhood.” I have never heard them utter more than three notes — always the same — which I can only describe by the words: “ Tee-ee-wee ! ” Sometimes they warbled, softly and sweetly, but they never sang a full song when with me, perhaps they were in a strange land. Now that the exportation of the Blue Bird from his native land is prohibited — and as a Wild Birds’ Protectionist I rejoice at the law, for a Blue Robin in a dealer’s shop was a sight that tugged at the heart-strings! — his companionship remains only a sweet memory. In years gone by I kept many pairs of them, and they were very intelligent and interesting. I had several pairs in an aviary on the lawn, where they lived together in harmony, but never nested. This I did not regret, as an aviary-bred bird at best is not equal to a wild one. ss On the Blue Robin. The aviary was roofed-in at one end, with shelves far under, and on the shelves I placed little open wooden boxes for them to roost iu, for they never slept on a perch. They looked too sweet peeping out of their boxes, and uttering low little* tee-ee-wees ’ before going to sleep. One day the aviary door was left open by accident, and they all got out and flew about in the trees. Wonderful to relate, they all came back again, one or two let themselves be caught quite easily. I fed them on all the insects, beetles, worms and grubs, and on potato, bread and carrot, with a little egg food, berries and ants’ eggs. Every other day they had scraped meat. Some of my Blue Birds suffered from a disease in the feet that caused them to swell terribly. I was told it was a parasite, but though I tried all the remedies I knew of, and asked an expert’s advice the disease was never cured. Once I rescued a poor old ragged hen at a dealer’s. She had been evidently quite wrongly fed, and had suffered much and needed care and nursing. After tending her for a little time, I turned her in with the others, and there chanced to be an odd cock among them. The other pairs looked askance at her, and would not let her feed, but the cock took her part, and prevented her from being bullied. It was surely pure chivalry on his part, for she was old and ragged. She died in a moult, and the cock mourned and missed her. I kept once a single pair, in a half-free state through the winter. The)' had a large aviary-cage to live in, roofed-in at one end iu a South window, with nesting-boxes and holes to enter them by. Iu them they slept. By day the cage-door was left open, and they could fly about the house, perching on a large branch that rested on the roof of the cage and reached up to the top of the window. They ate out of my hand, and came to my call, and warbled their cheery little notes all day long. The wild Robins, who fly about in and out of the house as soon as summer is over, were very jealous of them, but they did not fight. The Blue Birds seemed to regard them as a big dog does a little one, and perhaps they recognised that they were in their own country, whereas they themselves were foreigners. A Testing of the Laughing Kingfisher. 89 NESTING OF THE LAUGHING KINGFISHER. Dacelo gigantea. By R. Cosgrave. I feel sure that the readers of the Avicultural Magazine will be interested to hear of the successful breeding of the above species. I believe it to be the first occasion that these birds have reared young in this country. About the 20th of last April the pair showed unmistakable signs of nesting, taking possession of a box. which had been put for some Alpine Choughs. They removed all the nesting material that it contained ; when I gave more of different kinds it was at once removed, still tliey did not place anything in the box of their own choice or settle to nest in earnest. It occurred to me that the box was not large enough and that I was not giving proper nesting material, so I procured another box, i8in. by I2in., with a large hole in front to allow the bird to go in and out with ease. For nesting material I got some decomposed wood and broke it up fine, and this was placed in the box to a depth of about three inches. The box I next nailed securely against the wall of their indoor compartment, about nine feet from the ground. They at once took to this, and on May 10th, one pearly white egg, about the size of a Bantam’s, was laid, two more were added on alternate days, and the birds commenced to sit at once. Incubation lasted twenty-one days, both birds taking equal share of the work. On the 19th day, finding both the birds off the nest longer than usual at feeding time, I determined to look and see if all was going well, but met with disappointment, two of the eggs had vanished, not the slightest trace of them could I find. My hopes were destroyed for the time being, for I felt sure that the remaining egg would share the same fate. However, it was not so, the birds went on sitting, and on the erst day we could hear the young calling in the nest. When the birds were off to feed I took a very hurried glance, but enough to see that the young was perfectly naked. After ten days I had another look and found that it had grown well, it was standing or sitting upright and looked like a young Owl or a ball of white wool. < In case of doing harm I did not look at it again until it was three go Nesting oj the Laughing Kingfisher. weeks old, this time it had developed well and had feathers all over the body. The wing feathers were well advanced, and when looked at on the last two occasions it made a very loud terrified noise, which caused the parents to investigate and me to beat a hasty retreat. Consequently it was not possible for me to take proper notes and I must apologise to our readers accordingly. When four weeks old the youngster left the nest, and im¬ mediately joined its parents in the outer flight, flying with ease on to the perches, which are seven feet high, and occasionally resting on the ground under a large Box bush to shelter from the extreme heat. We never saw it go back to the nest ; it would, however, occasionally fly indoors but only for a few minutes at the time. It appeared to me astonishing the amount of food that was required during the day to keep the little one quiet. I gave as large a variety as possible, which consisted of all caterpillars that I could get, mealworms, very small pieces of fresh fish, mice, rabbits, sparrows, sheep’s heart, well-cleaned gentles and small frogs. At the age of four weeks it could eat small mice whole, and when a large mouse was given, it was amusing to see how it would be knocked against the perch, after the manner of the parents going through the process of killing. I have never once seen the female feed the baby. She sat on the perch calmly looking on, and sometimes she would have a good hearty laugh by way of approval of the way her mate carried out his domestic affairs. Although the baby could fly well when it emerged from the nest, its tail-feathers had only grown about one inch. This I consider worth mentioning, as doubtless the reason is that they would get broken or badly soiled in the nest. The bill is all dark brown ; eyes, black ; feet, flesh colour ; breast and all underparts creamy-white, thickly covered with very fine light brown, hori¬ zontal bars; mantle and wings like the parents with one exception, instead of blue on the wing-bars it is light grey. I need hardly say that the old birds are very proud of the young, and do not hesitate to have a go at any bird that ventures too close to it, even making most determined stoops at a six-foot man who usually attends to their daily wants. The Avicultural Magazine LAUGHING KINGFISHERS AND THEIR AVIARY. Photo by R. Cosgr West. Newman proc. 9i A Jay new to Aviculture. The photograph has been enlarged, and shows the parents and young, but not as clearly as I would wish, owing to the height of the birds who refused to take a lower seat. A JAY NEW TO AVICULTURE. Ca locitta l id th ii. By Hubert D. Asteey, M.A. On the 15th or 16th of November, Mr. A. E. Jamrach received about ten Jays from the L00-CI100 Islands, of which I purchased a pair. They are Garrulus (or Calocilta ) lidthii , and look as if they are closely related to the Hunting Crows, or Cissas. They are strikingly handsome. About the bill and throat, the feathers are black, merging almost immediately into a beau¬ tiful deep bluish-purple, which colour covers the head and neck, as well as the wings and tail ; the back and lower part of the body being a rich vinous-chestnut, suffused with purple in certain lights. The outer tail-feathers have white tips, as well as some of the secondary wing-feathers. The shoulders (scapulars) show jay-like bars of two shades of the purple-blue. The feathers on the throat are lanceolate, having white shafts. The bill is pale horn grey-green, merging to horn white at the tip ; legs and feet bluish grey ; eyes deep brown. Like the Cissas, they are very active birds. For many years it seems that the exact habitat of this beautiful Jay was unknown ; it was said to come from Japan, or from some island near that country. The L00-CI100, or Purple-headed Jay, might serve as a name to distinguish it. It was called after Professor von Lidtli de Jeude of Utrecht. I also bought a very tame specimen of Garrulus bispecularis (or sinensis), which is found in China and parts of Asia. It is very like our English Jay, but the whole head and body is pure cinnamon, and the blue and white barring on the wings is more extended. This Jay is I think rather smaller than its English cousin, and of a finer build. 92 Mr. H. Wormald, RED GROUSE IN CONFINEMENT. By H. Wormald. In the early Spring I obtained four pairs of Red Grouse from the experimental Grouse farm at Frimley, and of all game birds that I have kept, Grouse have proved themselves by far the tamest and most interesting, and have the great merit of being tolerably easy to cater for. I understood that at Frimley the birds had been provided with heather daily, so at first I had to get them a bunch every day, besides wheat and dari, but I have gradually reduced the heather and now they only have it once a week, and I hope in time that they will do without it altogether. The birds were very tame when they arrived, and the next day were quite at home, the cocks crowing vigorously all day, with their supraorbital combs fully extended and quite ready to attack anybody who went near them. In the Spring, when displaying to the liens, cock Grouse drop their wings and spread their tails and run round the lady of their choice with their necks stretched out. When crowing, they stand fairly upright with neck stretched out, gradually raising themselves until at the end of the crow they are standing on tip toe and nearly falling over backwards. At the end of a fortnight the hens showed signs of wishing to go to nest, so I fixed a thick mass of heather in one corner of each pen, and in a day or two all four hens commenced laying under the bushes of heather, which were thick enough to keep out all rain, hail and frost. They laid on alternate days, and when they had about six eggs each I removed four from each nest and placed them under bantams, subsequent events proving that it was very fortunate that I had done so. The Grouse continued to lay until they had each deposited some ten eggs, when they commenced to sit ; the}' proved themselves very close sitters and all went well for a fort¬ night, when one night a stoat or a rat (I never discovered which) got into the aviaries and killed two cocks and all the sitting liens, besides breaking the eggs. On discovering the havoc next morning, I could do very little except walk round the aviaries, speaking “winged words” about vermin in general, and taking steps to ensure the safety of the two remaining cocks. Fortu- o)i Red Giouee in Confinement. 93 nately I had the eggs under the bantam to fall back upon and, after twenty-one days incubation, these all hatched out except three. It is interesting to note that these eggs took twenty-one days to hatch, as it is generally considered that the period of incubation is twenty-four days; in fact, eggs which were sent to me from Scotland some years ago took twenty-four days to hatch. The newly-hatched chicks are most charming little birds, very thick set with beautiful yellow down, with rich brown mark¬ ings, and “furred” legs and toes. I fed. the chicks on fresh heather shoots, Spratts’ Maxco, hard-boiled egg and maggots. They grew extraordinarily quickly, and out of one of the broods of six I never lost a single bird ; they began feathering when about three days old, and on the ninth day, primaries, secondaries and both wing-coverts were well developed ; tails coming in and scapulars growing fast. They flew well when little bigger than sparrows. I did not lose any birds after they were a week old, and by August 12th, they were every bit as big and strong as wild birds, and in just the same state of plumage. One great point to remember in rearing young grouse, black game and capercailies is that full sun is fatal even to half- grown birds; to guard against this Iliad some low, movable covered pens made, about 30m. high, 12ft. long by 6ft. wide, boarded half up the sides, and with wire netting lops. I then spread a thick layer of grass, green boughs, etc. all over the tops of the pens, so that practically all the interior of the pens was in the shade, and when it did happen to rain (a rare occurrence this tropical summer) the young birds kept nice and dry. Grouse, young or old, must never be without grit, that is a golden rule, (quartz grit will be found to be the best), grit has been found in a grouse chick only thirty hours old ! When half-grown the chicks began to take to dandelion leaves, spinach, chicory, etc., and were always very fond of any insects. Quite little chicks would wrestle with fat yellow under-wing moths, and earwigs were very popular. One interesting point which I noticed, and recorded in a recent number of the Field , is that young Grouse grow tin ee tails in succession before they are five months old. i e. their first baby tail which shows when the chicks are nine days old, this is 94 Mr. H. Worm al,d, retained until the birds are a fair size, and is then replaced by a black tail which they wear until after they are quite full-grown, and is dropped about the middle of September, the outer feathers on each side being the first to fall out ; in about a month’s time this tail is fully developed, and is black and the feathers stronger in the quill than the feathers of the second tail were. This tail is worn until the moult in the following year. At the end of October both old and young cocks go through a sort of half¬ hearted spring display, but their supra-orbital combs are not so fully extended or of such a brilliant orange scarlet as in the spring. Blackcocks meet at their playing-grounds and strut about purring at this time of year for a week or two, and cock pheasants frequently give their spring crow and whir their wings, but apparently it is not considered by the birds nearly such a serious business as in the spring, and I am not at all sure that the grey hens put in an appearance at all at the playing grounds in October. I have not had my adult Grouse long enough yet to make a definite statement over the vexed and much discussed question of their moults, though I expect to find that they go through three distinct plumage changes in the year. Grouse are very liable to become afflicted with gape worms; to guard against this I fumigated my chicks every week after they were ten days old, and fortunately none of them ever showed any signs of having gapes. It is not my intention to enter upon a dissertation upon the disease here, but I strongly recommend everybody who is interested in rearing game of any sort to shoot every Sparrow and Starling which they may see showing any signs of having gapes. I am certain that these pests are carried and spread from one rearing field to another by these birds. Comparatively little is definitely known as to how the worm first gets into the bird ; although there are many so-called “cures” I do not believe that a really satisfactory cure can be obtained until more is known of the life history of the worm, and I am glad to say that at least one well-known scientist is working now at the subject. Most of the game food providers sell tins of gape powder for fumigating purposes; plain tobacco smoke is very on Red Grouse in Confinement. 95 effective, but it is very easy to give too much and kill the bird outright. Altogether, out of eighteen chicks hatched, I reared eleven to maturity, but unfortunately all of these, except four, have turned out to be cocks. I separated all the cocks in October, as they began to fight, the liens were paired off, and the odd cocks placed in pens by themselves. I introduced a hen Ryper to one of the young unattached cocks, and even in October he nearly killed her with his attentions, so that I had to separate them again ; however, if I cannot obtain some hen Grouse before the Spring I shall try them again with Rypers, which I am convinced are nothing more or less than Red Grouse, upon whom climatic conditions have brought about changes of plumage, and I am certain that all signs of the Ryper parentage could be bred out of the hybrids in a very few generations. With Grouse, as with all other birds, it is essential that the food and water vessels should be kept scrupulously clean, they are very apt to let their droppings fall in their water and food, and it is very injurious for them to eat soiled food and drink fouled water. Grouse deposit two distinct kinds of excrement, the one dry and often quite hard, the other much more fluid and looks like dark slimy paste. Some people think this latter excre¬ ment is a sign of ill health, but that is an erroneous view, as a matter of fact every healthy Grouse excretes both forms of drop¬ pings, the dry firm droppings pass straight from the main gut, and the soft pasty excrement follows shortly after from the caecal appendices. The amount of excrement dropped by a Grouse during one night is often very surprising. Grouse, like all game-birds, delight in a good dust bath, and this should always be provided in the shape of a heap of dry sandy soil. In concluding these notes it may be as well to give a brief list of what is essential and what should be avoided. Essential : Clean food and water; food to consist of wheat and dari, also some heather (unless the birds when obtained have been weaned from it by degrees), green food of some sort — cabbage, lettuce, chicory, dandelion, grass, spinach, etc. — plenty of grit, a dusting bath and as large an aviary as possible. 96 Editorial. To be avoided: Full sun when young-, dirty food vessels, the sudden appearance of strange dogs and cats, guard against gapes as far as possible and overcrowding and subsequent fouling of the soil. All the aviaries should be rat-proof. I have found the following method of dealing with rats most successful. Stop up all holes for a night or two to find out which are used, then soak a small piece of cotton wool with Carbon-Bisulphate, push it as far down the hole as possible, leave it for two or three seconds and then drop a match into it, there will follow a small explosion, instantly block the hole up with a sod, and the inmate (either rat, stoat or rabbit) will be poisoned by the fumes, care must be taken not to inhale the fumes while blocking the hole; this method may be employed with perfect safety in a crowded aviary. EDITORIAL. I should like to take this opportunity of tendering my most hearty thanks to those members who have so considerably helped me in my Editorial duties during the past year, by pro¬ viding me with such interesting and often valuable “ copy.” In the list of contributors will be found many names which have not previously appeared there, as well as many old friends to whom we are already under obligation. To both we send our heartiest thanks, and hope they will consider it in the light of the highest compliment that we unblushingly ask for more ! If only each member of the Society would send in just one article in the course of the year what a delightfully easy post that of Editor would become, and what a mass of information on avi¬ culture would be recorded for future bird-lovers! With the January number of last year we commenced the series of articles on Practical Bird-Keeping, and, from the appreciative letters received from our members, I am glad to know they have been helpful and instructive. We have still two or three more to add, and then our intention is to publish the whole as a small Manual of reference. It has been suggested that the next series of such articles Editorial. 97 should deal primarily with the subject of Aviaries, and how best to plan and lay them out for different species of birds. I would much like to have the opinions of our members on this sug¬ gestion, and would also be glad to receive offers of contributions on the subject from both those members who have been fortunate enough to have, through success, learnt what to aim at, and also from those who, after many trials and failures, have learnt at any rate what to avoid. I think the subject should prove a good one, and informa¬ tion derived from experience is always useful and of the utmost value to those who are just commencing to go through the mill. I suppose we can all of us remember the care and devotion spent in our early avicultural days on buildings and cages, which have afterwards turned out hopelessly unsuitable and disheartening, and when we realize how easily we might have avoided waste of money and time, we shall welcome the opportunity of enabling others to take advantage of our knowledge. Even the expert is not too old to learn, if he or she is a wise expert, and I think an interchange of ideas of this very important part of aviculture might prove of great advantage to one and all. There is one other matter I would like to mention. In the list of members it would seem that our numbers ate lower than they were at this time last year, but in reality this is not so. Our membership has increased, but on our books were the names of certain numbers who had ceased to pay their subscription but who had not sent in their resignation. Several of these had gone abroad and not sent their change of address, and we have considered them dormant, but after a due allowance of time we have now removed their names, and if they wish to rejoin they must pay a fresh entrance fee. Financially, we are in a better state than we have been for some time. At the beginning of the year a member most generously offered to be responsible for any deficit we might have up to ^io, and I am glad to say we have not been obliged to call upon him for a single shilling. Nevertheless, there is no denying that an addition of another fifty members would place us in a very much more comfortable position, and those members 98 Correspondence. who cannot assist us by notes or articles can do us a very great service by introducing the Society to the notice of their friends. Wishing all our members the best of avicultural good fortune in 1912. Yours very truly, The Editor. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. THE GREY THRASHER ( Harporhynchus cinereus). Sir, — I have received a pair of these ‘Threshers’ (or Thrashers) which are inhabitants of Mexico, I believe. They have a greyer tinge than the Thresher which is found in the United States ( H . infiis)— the Brown Thresher as it is called. These birds are of the size of a Song Thrush, with longisli curved bills and eyes which look as if they had been purchased at a taxidermist’s establishment, very yellow and staring with black pupils. The chin is dull white, the upper plumage mouse brown with a greyish wash, and the underparts spotted in a Thrusli-like manner, but the spots are closer and more clouded. The Thrashers are supposed to be good songsters, at any rate the brown one of the United States has that reputation. Mine are very sprightly birds, and seem to do well on an insectivorous mixture with some fruit and a few mealworms. The male is distinguishable by a more curved bill and a more thickly spotted breast, besides which the whitish chin is more distinct. The tails of these birds are on the elongated side. The Harporhynchi are classed with the family of the Mimiuse (Mocking Birds). They are usually found in arid situations, placing their large flattish nest of coarse twigs, leaves, fibres, bark, grass and moss, lined with softer materials, in low trees or thorny scrub. They are naturally shy birds, but would probably become tame in captivity. They have strong feet, built for clinging well. The generic title is deiived from the Greek apiryj, a sickle; and pdyxos, bill. Hubert D. Asteev. ERRATA. Sir, — Some errors in my report on the E.C.B.A. foreign birds have unfortunately escaped correction, as follows: — p. 61 galgulas should be galgulus. ,, “abnormally coloured prize birds” should be “abnormally coloured foreign birds.” ,, Tonygncithus should be Tnnygnathus. Revieivs . 99 p. 62 “Grasshoppers” should be “ Grassfiuclies.” ,, Dreponopledes should be Drepanoplectes. p. 63 Parsaria should be Paroaria. ,, “Yellow-bellied” should be “Yellow-billed.” ,, “Necklace” should be “Black-throated.” ,, Arachechthra should be Arachnechthra. p. 64 alsaliige should be akahige. p. 65 homadori should be komadori. p. 65 “belt and feet” should be “bill and feet, p. 66 “ was orange” should be “ were orange.” Frank Finn. [We have to apologize to our readers for the mistakes in Mr. Finn’s article. This was partly due to the article having to be inserted at the last moment. — Ed.] REVIEWS. DESERT ISLANDS.* Those, whose good fortune it is to visit out-of-the-way corners of the world where Nature, untrammelled by man, still holds undisputed possession, frequently, when writing of their experiences, fall into one of two errors, either the book is so full of their domestic worries and the difficulty they had in cooking their breakfast or shooting their dinner that they quite omit to adequately describe the country, or else they record in impersonal language of unimpeachable scientific accuracy exactly what they see, without investing the story with any touch of their own personal thoughts or sensations. Between these two extremes, Dr. Lowe has steered an admirable course. Small personal details of no real importance, except to lend a personal and human touch to the book are there, but they are never allowed to intrude or take away from the descriptions of the desert islands visited. To render the narra¬ tive still more attractive, the author gives us an insight into his own thoughts and speculations. His account, for instance, in Chapter IX. where he discusses the all-important problem of how bare rocks, rising from mid-ocean, came to receive their * A Naturalist on Desert Islands, by Dr. P. R. Down. 8vo., 300 pp. and numerous photographs. T.ondon : Withekby & Co. 7/6 net. 100 Reviews. terrestrial inhabitants is worth the careful thought of all in¬ terested in such problems, whilst it is written in such a clear style that the veriest tyro can understand the main features of the problem. Another analogous point is discussed on p, 208, where the author points out that three distinct species of Gannet are found living and nesting under precisely similar environment, and he asks pertinently why these species should, from the simi¬ larity of their food, habits and environment as well as their isolation, still have retained their individual characters and be exactly similar to their relatives on the other side of the globe. The answer to such questions is of course not possible in the present state of our knowledge, but to emphasize such facts in a book like the present not only adds to its charm but raises it from a mere narrative to a book of scientific interest. The islands described are all situated in the Caribbean Sea, and were visited in Sir Frederic Johnstone’s yacht. Birds form the author’s chief hobby, but details on all forms of life, from the minute coral to the huge Devil Fish, are included. Having ourselves sailed those seas and visited desert islands, surrounded by living halos of birds and mythical halos of buccaneers and buried treasure, we have been able to appre¬ ciate to the full Dr. Bowe’s narrative, which we can most strongly recommend to any of our members who like to read of Nature unspoilt by man. THE OSPREY. * This is another book of bird photos., uniform with those of the Golden Eagle and Spoonbill. The Osprey can, unfor¬ tunately, no longer be studied in Great Britain, but Americans are more fortunate, and several large breeding colonies of this species are to be found along the Atlantic coast, and a few pairs still, so we are told, nest or try to nest within the limits of New York City. In its gregarious habits during the nesting season, and because it frequently nests low down or on the ground, the American form lends itself to the needs of the * 7 he Home-Life of the Osptey, by Clinton G. Abbott, B.A. 54 pp. and 32 plates, r.ondon : Witherbv & Co. 6/- net. Reviews. roi photographer, and Mr. Abbott has fully availed himself of these opportunities. The letterpress is well written in an entertaining fashion, and contains several yarns about the home-life of the bird, as told to the author by various fishermen and others with whom he came in contact, though he does not of course vouch for their accuracy in points of detail. The feature of the book is the photographs, which are excellent and have been beautifully reproduced. They show young in all stages, from the time they leave the shell till they are full grown and well on the wing, and there is also a varied selection of photographs of nests, showing the many different situations chosen, such as a small bare rock, standing out in the sea, on the beach, on trees, on a fence and on a telegraph pole. In fact, with the exception of a picture of the eggs, which ought, we think, to have been included, the photographs give a graphic description of the bird and its actions during the most interest¬ ing period of the year, and to those interested in the habits of birds, rather than their dried skins, we confidently recommend this book. THE GREAT AUK. * The Great Auk owes much of its popularity as it became extinct so recently that, prior to that event, enough was known to whet the appetite for more, and in addition it was a British bird. The pamphlet before us forms a most useful record of the sales of its eggs or skins in England that have taken place during the last hundred years. The highest price given was ^350 for the egg which is now in the Royal Scottish Museum, and the lowest 12/- or 17/- for an egg purchased for the British Museum in 1819. Two notable bargains have been made in these eggs, two being purchased in Edinburgh in May, 1880, for 32/- and sold on the following J uly for .£207 2s. In the second case, two were bought amongst a lot of ‘shells and fossils’ for 36/- in March, 1894, and sold the following month for ^462 15s. ! The price of all eggs * The Great Auk. A Record of Sales of Birds and Egg'S by Public Auction in Great Britain, by Thomas Parkin, M.A. Hastings: Burfikld & Pennells, J,td. Price 2/-. 102 Reviews. is not always on the upgrade, as one purchased in 1899 for ^315, only fetched ^110 a few years later. Stuffed birds have come into the market less frequently, the last, sold in April, 1902, realising ^315. Ornithologists owe Mr. Parkin a debt of gratitude for putting on permanent record these interesting particulars. NORTH’S NESTS AND EGGS.* We have received Part III. of Volume III. of this important work, some of the previous parts of which have been noticed in this journal. The present part deals with the Order Accipitres, a group which is not of great interest to the general run of avicultu lists, as few of the birds of prey are really satis¬ factory in captivity. When wild, however, this is the finest group of all birds, and in Australia it is well represented. Mr. North gives exhaustive accounts of the nesting habits of the species with which he deals, with field notes from all parts of the Commonwealth. One of the most extraordinary of Australian raptorial birds is the White Goshawk whose plumage is of the purest white all over, rendering it extremely conspicuous, Mr. North considers it one of the most useful of the Accipitres, feeding largely upon insects, the contents of stomachs examined con¬ sisting principally of this kind of food. It is, however, gradually becoming scarce in many parts, its conspicuous plumage making it an object of pursuit to the gunner whenever it is seen, a fact which is much to be deplored. TALKS ABOUT BIRDS. f Mr. Finn is so well-known as an author of reliable books on birds that he needs no introduction to our members. This, his latest book, is intended primarily for young people, but there s .Vests and Eggs of Birds found breeding in Australia and Tasmania by alfrkb J. North, C.M Z.S. Vol. III., part III. + Talks about Birds by Frank Finn, B.A., F.Z.S. Loudon : Adam and Chari.es Black, 1911. Price 6/- 103 Piactical Bird- Keeping. is a great deal of matter therein which will provide instruction for those of riper years, and whose knowledge of birds is not of the most elementary character. The first chapter which is headed “ Where our Poultry came from ” is really of great interest as the author therein traces the history from remote times of most of our domesticated species of birds, while in “Birds under Water” he deals with the various swimming attitudes of birds which procure their food beneath the surface of the water, and their adaptation to their mode of life. There are fifteen chapters dealing with such subjects as “ Birds in Training,” “ Birds at Play,” “ Birds at School,” “ Birds at Night” and so on, the book running to 235 pages. The object of the book is to direct the attention of begin¬ ners in ornithology to interesting subjects in connection with the life of birds — to make them observant, and we feel sure the book will fulfil the object of its author. It contains thirty-six illustrations, sixteen of which are full-page in colour. PRACTICAL BIRD-KEEPING. XI.— THE FEET OF BIRDS IN CAPTIVITY. By Katharine Currey. Caged birds veiy often suffer in their feet, and, after many years of bird-keeping, I have come to the conclusion that a bird’s foot can be made and kept quite sound and healthy (provided of course there is no hopeless erippledom or disease) by fulfilling two conditions — a constant supply of fresh earth , as well as sand and giavel, and giving the bird the opportunity of changing the position of its feet and toes. A bird’s foot needs exercise as much as a human hand. Watch the wild bird in a tree, how constantly he changes the position of his legs and feet. Now the foot is spread out ; now tightly clenched round a slender twig: now relaxed as he grasps a bough ; now he hangs upside down, suspended by his feet ; now' holds on to a bough astant, one leg drawm up, the other 104 Practical Bird- Keeping . stretched out — always a change of position. If a hough is not placed in a cage, then the perches should be of different sizes, and some slanting, some almost upright. Fuither, I have often noticed that a wild bird chooses a living branch to perch on in preference to a dead one. Is it the electricity in the living bough that responds, in some way, or the electricity in the bird’s foot, or is there a subtle warmth in the live wood that is agree¬ able to the touch ? The fresh earth seems to me of almost equal importance for the feet. Earth has a magnetic healing influence, as well for birds as for man, and I have found the effect of daily contact with fresh earth wonderful for weak or suffering feet of birds I have kept. That and the daily bath of fresh water; whereas the feet of birds I have kept in an aviary with a cemented floor have not been in a satisfactory state, though I kept the floor well gravelled. An earth-floor to an aviary can be made rat-proof by a small-meshed wire netting bottom to the aviary, two or three feet below the ground. The easiest way of placing such an aviary in position is to dig out the earth to the size of it, and sink the aviary in, filling in the earth that has been dug out, up to the level of the ground. The earth can be raked over every day, and fresh earth added, and patches of grass laid in part of it, forming a happy hunting-ground for worms. I am quite sure that the more of natural surroundings we can give the birds the healthier they will be. And we owe them this if we deprive them of freedom. Notices to Members— (Continued from page ii. of cover). NEW MEMBERS. Dr. C. B. Ticehttrst, Grove House, Lowestoft. Mr. E. E. Cooper, Berrydown Court, Overton, Hants. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION, Mr Dudley LE Soii.EE, Zoological Gardens, Royal Park, Parkville, Melbourne. Mr. Alfred Ezra, iio, Mount Street, W. Proposed by Mr, R, I, Pocock. ILLUSTRATION FUND. The Committee beg to acknowledge, with many thanks, the following donations to the Illustration Fund. Lady Morshead .. .. fo 10 o Miss lveus .. .. ,, .. x o o Mr. E. G. B. Meade-Waldo. , ,, o n o MEMBERS’ PRIVATE SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN, The charge for private advertisements is sixpence FOR eighteen words or LESS, a>ici one penny Jor every additional three words or Jess. Trade advertisements ark not allowed in this column. Dealers who are members , wishing to advertise, should apply lo ike Publisher for terms. Advertisements must reach the Editor on or' before the 26th of the month. The Council reserve the right of refusing any advertisement they may consider undesirable. W A NTS. The charge for members' advertisements under this heading is pour pence for twelve words or under, and one penny for every additional three words or less. WEST, NEWMAN & GO., LITHOGRAPHIC, CHROMO-LITHOGRAPHIC, AND LETTERPRESS PRINTERS, 54, HATTON GARDEN, LONDON, E.C. - « - PRINTERS and PUBLISHERS of Natural History Books and General Printers.^ Lithographers for various Government and other Museums, and for learned Societies in London, India, South Africa, &c. Original drawings are accurately reproduced by Lithography or Photo-Lithography, either in colours or monotone, or by line and half-tone blocks. Coloured plates of Birds, Insects and Animals a speciality. TROWER & CO.. WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS, 436 & 438 CALEDONIAN ROAD, LONDON, N. EXTRA LARGE SPANISH CANARY SEED. CHOICE GERMAN SUM M E R RAPE SEE I) Finest Selected Seeds for all kinds of Cage or Aviary Birds British, Foreign, and Canaries, As supplied by us to the leading Fanciers and Exhibitors at the Crystal Palace and other Shows, PRICE LIST. SAMPLES FREE. ti PpCTO ” the best Insectivorous Food on the Market, 1 /- per lb. rn _ _ _ _ postpaid 1/3- Ground Silk Worm Pupae, Mealworms, Ants’ Kggs, Dried Flies, etc. (■ C'P'RTOr'n ” the finest Egg and Biscuit Food vet made. LUdIoLU — 3d, 0d, 1/- and 3 - Tins. SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW DUE. CONTENTS. pAOk Some Notes on the Secretary Bird (illustrated). Part I. By Major Horsrrugh. . . 105 Part II. By W. H. ST. QuinTIN, F.Z.S. 109 Notes on a Storm Petrel in Captivity, by C. B. TiCEHURST, M:A. hi Pet Owls, by Katharine: Currky .. .. .. .. 1 13 Breeding of the Indian White-eye ( illustrated ),- by Whsi.ky T. Pagk. F.Z.S. .. 1 14 The Mexican Ground Thrush, by H. D. Astrky, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 118 British and Foreign Birds at Edinburgh (Ulus ti cited) by H. Goodchii,d, M. B.O U. .. 119 CoKRRSPONDKNCFt, Notes, etc. Mandarin Ducks at Liberty, 122 ; Nesting of Hooded Parrakeets, 122; A Suggestion, 123. Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens by the Curator .. 124 The Society’s Medal ., .. .. .. .. .. 125 Practical Bird Keeping : XII. The Crow Tribe, by E. G. B. Meade- Wai.DO, F.Z.S. 126 Retirement of Mr. Arthur Gill .. .. .. .. .. 128 AVI CULT URAL MAGAZ INE . THIRD SERIES, Vol. III. No 4 The price of this number is 1/3 FEBR U ARY, -19 12.- NOTE — A new volume commences every November. ASS Subscriptions should be sent te the Publishers, Messrs WEST, jSJEWMAN & Ca., 54. Hatton Garden, E.C AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the AviCUIYTUKAT, Society are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. NOTICKS TO MEMBERS. The .Subscription to the Avicultural Society is 10 - ner annum, due on tlie 1st of November in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/6. 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Cables and Telegrams : “ Cross, Liverpool.” Also at National ’Phone 6491 Central. THE WINTER GARDENS, SOUTHPORT. The Avicultural Magazine. Photo by W. H. St. Quintin. THE SECRETARY BIRD West, Newman proc. ( Serpentarius secretarius ) . THK 105 Bxncultural flfcagasme, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCI ETY. 7 hini Series — V O L . III. — NO 4. — All rights reserved. FEBRUARY, 1912, SOME NOTES ON THE SECRETARY BIRD. Serpen tat ius secret a tins. Part I. By Major Horsbrugh. Having kept this curious bird in confinement and having had, at the same time, oppoitunities of observing it in Nature, the following notes will I hope prove of some interest to some of our members. Description. Its curious shape and plumage of grey and black (well shown in the accompanying photograph of a bird in Mr. St. Quintin’s aviary) is too well known to need a detailed description, and I need only note that the length of an adult female Secretary Bird is about 58 inches. The male is slightly smaller. Distribution. It is found all over South Africa, wherever the country is dry and open, and extends to Upper Egypt in the North and Gambia in the West and Abyssinia in the East. Birds that I have seen from Egypt had red ceres, while the South African species had yellow ceres, so I presume the Northern birds belong to a sub-species. Habits. Secretaries in South Africa live in pairs as a rule ; the same pair haunting the same big tract of country year after year and using the same nest each season unless disturbed. Even if the eggs are taken they will frequently lay again in the same nest. The nest is a huge structure, placed as a rule in some big camel-thorn or acacia, where it presents a landmark for miles around. One nest, from which I took a young bird, its sole occupant, was stiong enough to support my weight as I sat io6 Major Horsbrugh, in it, and was woven together almost as tightly as an English Magpie’s nest. When the young are able to get their own living, the parents follow the custom of other big Raptores, and drive them off to find beats of their own. The Secretary, as a rule, is entirely terrestrial, and must cover many miles each day getting its food. They can, however fly well, and I have occasionally seen them high in the sky, soaring about like auy eagle or vulture. It is quite a common sight to see a pair striding along with their easy stately walk, each bird looking like an old gentleman in short black knicker¬ bockers with his hands behind his back under his coat-tails. Every now and then one will give a quick stamp on the ground and slowly sit down on the whole length of the tarsi and pick up a locust, beetle, or other small game. A mouse or lizard may take cover in a tiny cactus or thorn clump, but he is doomed if the quick eye of the great bird has seen him. Stalking swiftly up he gives one side of the clump a sharp smack with his rattling wing, bounding like lightning to the other side and bringing his unerring foot on his game as it bolts. Secretaries have enormous appetities. Some young ones I reared would eat as many as nine doves ( Turin r capicola or senegalensis) each every day. These doves used to haunt the Government Poultry Farm in Potchefstroom in hundreds and devour the chicken food, and were shot by the manager and thrown away till I put in a claim for them. Secretaries are great egg-eaters. I came on the scene one afternoon as one of my tame birds was finishing off a clutch of nine guinea-fowl eggs he had discovered in the lucerne patch ; a child, who was with me, remarked that it was like putting pennies into a money-box as you could hear them clink as they went down. No doubt in the wild state they are terrible foes to all ground-breeding birds. On account of their great activity and vast appetites they require a big tract of country as a hunting-ground. I know of various eyries that were occupied year after year in the Transvaal, but none was within ten miles of another one. Some Notes on the Secretary Bird. 107 In one case the nest was on top of a wild olive, and within a hundred yards of it was the neat nest of the big Martial Hawk- Eagle (A. bellicosus'), but as the latter bird is a hunter pure and simple, living on entirely different kind of prey, the two hawks never interfered with each other. I cannot quite understand why the Secretary is dubbed a vulture — he has nothing vulturine about him, — he kills his own prey in his own fashion and tainted meat seriously upsets him. I look upon him as a large ground Goshawk and not at all as a vulture. Mrs. Annie Martin, in her “Home-life on an Ostrich Farm,” gives a most interesting account of a tame Secretary she kept, from which I will give an extract : — “Jacob’s (the Secretary’s) enormous appetite, and our “ difficulty in satisfying it, were well known in the neighbour- “ hood, and the owners of several prolific cats, instead of drown- “ing the superfluous progeny, bestowed them on us as offerings “ to Jacob. “They were killed and given to him at the rate of one a “ day. Once, however, by an unlucky accident, one of them got “ into his clutches without the preliminary knock on the head; “ and the old barbarian swallowed it alive. For some minutes “ we could hear the poor thing mewing piteously in Jacob’s “ interior, while he himself stood there listening and looking all “round in a puzzled manner to see where the noise came from. “ He evidently thought there was another kitten somewhere, and •“seemed much disappointed at not finding it. Jacob was largely “ endowed with that quality which is best expressed by the “American word ‘cussedness’; and though friendly enough “ with 11s, he was very spiteful and malicious towards all other “creatures on the place. He grew much worse after we went to “ live up country, and became at last a kind of feathered Ishmael ; “ hated by all his fellows, and returning their dislike with interest. “Sometime after we had settled on our farm we found “that he had been systenvatically inflicting a cruel course of i 1 1- “ treatment on one unfortunate fowl, which, having been chosen “ as the next victim for the table, was enclosed with a view to “ fattening, in a little old packing case with wooden bars nailed io8 Mr. W. H. St. QuinTin, “ across the front. Somehow, in spite of abundant mealies “ (Indian corn) and much soaked bread, that fowl would never “ get fat, nor had his predecessor ever done so ; we had grown “weary of feeding np the latter for weeks with no result, and in “ despair had killed and eaten him at last — a poor bag of bones, “not worth a tithe of the food he had consumed. “ And now here was another, apparently suffering from the “same kind of atrophy; the whole thing was a puzzle to us, “until one day the mystery was solved, and Jacob stood revealed “as the author of the mischief. He had devised an ingenious “ way of persecuting the poor prisoner, and on seeing it we no “ longer wondered at the latter’s careworn looks. Jacob would “ come up to his box and make defiant and insulting noises at “ him — none could do this better than he — until the imbecile “ curiosity of fowls prompted the victim to protrude his head and “ neck through the bars ; then, before he had time to draw back, “Jacob’s foot would come down with a vicious dab on his head. “The foolish creature never seemed to learn wisdow by ex- “ perience, though he must have been nearly stunned many “ times, and his head all but knocked off by Jacob's great power¬ ful foot and leg ; yet as often as the foe challenged him, his “poor simple face would look inquiringly out, only to meet “ another buffet. “As he would not take care of himself, we had to move “ him into a safe place, where he no longer died daily, and was “ able at last to fulfil his destiny by becoming respectably fat.” Secretaries in South Africa breed during the winter months (June and July). The usual clutch is three, but I once saw four birds in a nest. The eggs are bluish white, sometimes marked with rusty brown and occasionally quite plain. They measure about 3 05 by 2'25. The young remain in the nest till well on to the end of September as their legs are very weak and brittle, and for a long time after hatching they cannot stand, but crawl feebly about the big platform of a nest on the tarsus. Sof/ie Notes on the Secretary Bird. 109 Part II. By W. H. St. Quintin. Major Horsbrugh has asked me to add some notes upon “The Secretary Bird in Captivity,” as an addition to his interest¬ ing and amusing account of the bird, as seen in his African home. I have kept these birds for about four years, and the first thing that struck me about them was their amazing appetites! I have long been accustomed to keep raptorial birds large and small ; and, as a rule, one may say that the larger the bird the less frequent (imitating natural conditions) should be his meals, though of course the meals, when given, must be full ones. In one of our best private collections, where Eagles and Vultures live for years and are ill the pink of condition, these birds are fed on four days in the week, but as much as they like each time. On the other hand, the smaller Falcons, Hawks and Owls must be fed night and morning. But the Secretary Bird I soon found, big as he is, does not look his best unless he has a good meal twice a day, and pretty much what he can stow away each time, including fur, feather and bone. In a roomy enclosure, which can hardly be too big, he takes an immense amount of exercise, striding up and down, always on the look out for a mouse or other small quarry. Even a Blue-bottle fly is not too insignificant for him, while a butterfly causes great excitement, and is pursued across the enclosure, stroke after stroke (of the foot) being aimed at the insect, which is often knocked down and instantly devoured. If more than one are kept together, they will at times race about in graceful play, which is apt to degenerate into a squabble at any moment, for their tempers are exceedingly short. When in a hurry, they spread their wings wide and hold them at such an angle that, when they stride against the wind, they are lifted off the ground at the end of their run, and suggest the action of an aeroplane, the motor being represented by the bird’s legs which, of course, are working energetically. I pinioned my birds reluctantly, but I had no alternative, for the}7 are light and active, and a ten-foot netting fence is not enough to stop them, unless the wing is shortened sufficiently; I IO Some ATotes on the Secretary Bird. and they are not to be trusted with anything smaller than a pheasant, nor with eggs or young of any species. My birds are largely fed on rabbit, given in pieces with the fur and bone, also on any rats that are forthcoming, and sparrows: in fact, on anything of an animal nature, so long as it is perfectly fresh. I have never offered them a snake, but an eel is treated with much caution, and even after being killed by the usual blows from the foot, receives many unnecessary thumps before it is bolted. Although the bird evidently prefers small prey, at least so small that it can be shaken down his capacious throat, he will stand upon anything too big to swallow and tear pieces off; but I doubt it being his usual practice when at liberty to kill anything large. I entirely agree with Major Horsbrugh that the Secretary Bird shows nothing of the Vulture in its ways, but much more of the Goshawk, as anyone who is familiar with the two birds will soon remark. One habit I notice, which is unusual amongst birds of prejq is the Secretary Bird’s attitude when roosting. He lies down ; and my birds, a few minutes after they have been walked into their shelter sheds for the night, may be seen lying on the peat moss litter, In summer, when they are left out, they creep under a bush or spruce fir, and crouch there for the night. The foot is the bird’s weapon, whether for disabling his prey or for discomfiting his enemy. Before my other birds understood their novel method of fighting, I have seen an inquisitive Stanley Crane make a hostile demonstration against a “ Secretary,” only to be thrown backwards a yard or two by the lightning stroke delivered straight at his breast. Now everything gives way to the Secretary Birds, though I do not call them aggressive, nor even courageous, except with creatures much smaller than themselves. Mine have several times killed for themselves a water hen and eaten it ; and once one got into a Wader’s enclosure and killed a Whimbrel. But I have seen one striding after a scared grey squirrel, keeping within easy striking distance: but the bird could not make up its mind to deliver its blow, before the little animal reached Notes on a Storm Petrel in Captivity. 1 1 1 cover. They are, of course, quick to kill a rat released from a trap, aud lie generally gets a tap on the head before he has gone many yards, which effectually settles him. Unfortunately it is difficult to distinguish the sexes, though as a rule the male is said, following the general rule in raptorial birds, to be rather smaller than his mate. Otherwise I see no reason why these interesting birds should not breed if suitably fed and allowed plenty of room. A pair did lately build a nest more than once at the Zoological Gardens, but they were inter¬ fered with by some antelopes confined in the same enclosure. Finally the female, in a high wind, managed to get into the yard of the Ostriches, and was fatally injured by one of the latter. Major Horsbrugh remarks that examples of this species from Egypt had red ceres, instead of rich yellow, as in those from further south. I have seen in my birds (from the Trans¬ vaal) when much excited, a distinct pink suffusion showing through the yellow skin ; in fact, it might be said that the bird was blushing ! When in a quarrelsome mood, my birds draw the skin of the forehead very tight and flat and elevate the cere ; at the same time uttering a gruff roar or bellow, much more like the voice of some angry mammal than that of a bird. As I am uncertain of the sexes of my examples, I cannot say if this is merely a challenge to combat or a form of sexual display, but I am inclined to think that it is the latter, and that I have two females. NOTES ON A STORM PETREL IN CAPTIVITY. By C. B. Ticehurst, M.A., M.R.C.S., M.B.O.U. As the Storm Petrel ( Procellaria pelagicai) is not often kept in captivity, I thought perhaps a few notes on one which I had would be acceptable to the readers of the Avicultural Magazine. On Nov. 29th, a very foggy day succeeding a foggy night, I had two Storm Petrels brought to me alive, which had been taken on board trawlers about twenty miles east of Lowestoft. One of these died in two days ; the other, which when first brought in was quite lively and in good condition and even pecked at everything near it, lived ten days, about the longest I 1 12 Notes on a Storm Pettel in Captivity. believe that one has been kept alive. I kept it in a big box in my museum, and during the day it was allowed free use of the room. At the outset the difficulty was to get it to feed ; I tried it on shredded fish, meat, and fish liver, and even tempted it with oil floated in a bath which, however, it would not touch. Fish liver in small pieces seemed the best food. Although it picked up the fish liver in its bill it never ate any, always shaking it out; it however ate it if it was pushed well into the gape, and thus it was fed four or five times a day ; finally the feathers round the bill got very clogged with oil, and at the end I believe it got some oil in the windpipe, as it suddenly drooped and died. On opening it I found still a fair amount of subcutaneous fat. I may say at once that the picture in Saunders’ Manual is a misleading one ; the Storm Petrel never stands at rest on the webs, but on the whole length of its tarsus, in which position also it frequently walks, or rather shuffles, the head and neck being kept low ; as it gets up speed it gradually raises up on to its webs, but in this position its balance is not good and the wings are frequently raised, no doubt to maintain the balance preparatory for flight. I clearly made out that there are two methods of starting flight, the one by shuffling along on the tarsi and then gradually getting up on to the webs and running along with the wings beating rapidly, the other by rapidly beat¬ ing the wings vertically and sliding backwards on the ground or progressing backwards if in water ; in the latter method, I believe an opposing wind to be necessary to help the bird, and I frequently saw it try to fly by this method when close to the door, under which a considerable draught was blowing. When in the water (of which it seemed to be very frigh¬ tened) the motion of the legs was very rapid and alternate, pro¬ gress however was not quick, and the swimming backwards, as I thought preparatory to flight, was frequently noted ; the bird occasionally drank water, and, when swimming, the body “ floats high.” It never succeeded, while I had it, in raising itself from the ground, but if dropped from a height of some 18 inches would take wing and fly round the room with an uncertain fluttering flight, the wing strokes being short and somewhat bat¬ like. However, another specimen I had took flight from the Pet Ozvls. 1 13 floor of the same room on more than one occasion. Although it was able to rise and steer itself in the air, it never seemed to realize the presence of the wall, but would fly straight into it and then flutter helplessly to the ground. The bird always shunned light, and when at liberty in¬ variably sought the darkest corner of the room, and always seemed more lively towards evening. I believe the food is found entirely by the sense of smell, and that vision, at any rate in daylight, is poor, for when put in the neighbourhood of food it obviously knew food was there, and, when close to it, it often pecked at it, but in doing so made many bad shots at it before taking it in its bill, The only noise I heard it utter was a soft “chuck” when on one occasion I was holding it. PET OWLS. Bv Katharine Currey. I have always loved Owls, and one of my early recollections was a very tame Barn Owl. so tame that he came flying when whistled for, and perched on onr shoulders or arm. He had a tragic end, poor “ Billy,” for he fell down a chimney, and emerged in the likeness of a Crow. He died soon after. I have kept Tawny Owls for many years and they are enchanting pets and most sagacious. “Duffles” and wife have lived very happily for years in a very large aviary under some ancient yews, where some sunlight can penetrate, but I think they need more. They pei ch on the thick branches, and on some poles, and hide behind the old stems. The wire-netting is large enough to admit mice, and I feel sure they catch these for themselves, and also probably young rats. They are fed every evening, and have a pan of water in case they wish to bathe, as they seem to enjoy a rainy day. They have boxes to hide in during the day. I think their note is most musical and pleasing, flute-like in its soft melody, and I cannot understand why many people find it unpleasant. Alas ; some days ago one escaped, by a pure accident. The gardener opened the door to put in a mouse, and the Owl flying at his hand to get it, missed and flew out. It tried to come back to its home, but the rooks chased it away and I was in despair, for Owls are the i r4 Mr. Wesley T. Page, most devoted bird couples. Now a Wood Owl comes nearly every evening and calls to its forlorn mate, and I think it must be the lost Owl, so have had the aviary temporarily divided by wire netting, and the door left open, hoping to entice it in. They were perfectly happy in their home, and were able to take long flights and go high up into the yews, and all the Owls in the neighbourhood came to visit them. Frequently, in winter, the hootings have sounded all over the garden, among them the Barn Owls’ screech and mew, and a whistle which I have attributed to one of the Tittle Owls. Owls have a keen sense of fun, like a dog and cat, and one I had from its nest once used to play a sort of hide-and-seek with us, running away (when its legs looked as if cased in thick white stockings), looking round to see if we were coming, and darting to hide behind a tree or in the box, and peeping out warily. I have alluded to my Owl as “It,” as I have no idea of the sexes, for they are as alike as two peas, and their notes seem to be the same. BREEDING OF THE INDIAN WHITE-EYE. Zosterops palpebrosa. By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S. Having been told that an account of the breeding of the Indian White-eye will be of interest to my fellow members I have much pleasure in inditing the following details. I had long desired to possess this species, and in February of last year, our esteemed member Capt. Perreau wrote that he was sending me four pairs of this species and some other rare Indian softbills. After a period of eager anticipation, just before Easter (1911), I had the satisfaction of realisation, sadly curtailed alas ! for only two of the birds shipped for me landed alive, and these were two Z. palpebrosa — the bulk of the consignment perish¬ ing in a severe blizzard which raged while they were passing through the Bay of Biscay and to the mouth of the Thames. From their travelling cage they went straight into the outdoor aviary, and, although they had to endure frost on several on the Bleeding oj the Indian While- Eye. 115 occasions, they settled down at once, and were quite at home in a few hours. They are fascinating little creatures in a large flight ; their demeanour and general characteristics being similar to those of the English Gold -crest. They are out of doors to-day (Dec. 6th), and there were seven degrees of frost on the grass this morning, and they were certainly the happiest inhabitants of the aviary. As regards diet, they take a little of everything that is in the aviary, including seed ; but their main diet is milk-sop,, ripe fruit, small insect prey and occasional mealworms. They are on the forage from sunrise to sunset, and now the leaves have fallen, they make a fascinating picture as they run up and down — creeper-wise — the bark of elder and hazel bushes (stems two to five inches in diameter) searching for prey. During last summer they delighted in a spar with Willow Wrens and Chiff- chaffs through the netting of the aviary. The\' had been with me some weeks before I was able to determine that they were a true pair ; then I caught them carrying bents into the elder tree, but could trace no signs of the beginning of a nest. I only got occasional glimpses of them at this period, the cover being very dense. On June 27th last, I noticed one of them fly out from the top of a hawthorn bush, and a dangling thread of hay led to investigation, and I then found a cradle-like nest slung on the underside of the branch, containing a clutch of three pale bluish-white eggs. Considerable skill was displayed in the choice of a nesting-site, as owing to leaves above the nest, it was sheltered from rain and sun — not even after a heavy thunderstorm have I found the nest wet. The birds — for both shared the duties of incubation — sat very closely and did not leave their eggs unless one approached within a foot of their domicile and did not return till the intruder withdrew. The nest was somewhat like its builders, apparently fragile, but really strong, and when the young had flown it was as clean and perfect as when first discovered, save that the edges had been a little trodden down by the parent birds while feeding their young. The nest, a suspended pocket or cradle, barely two-and-a-half inches in diameter by two inches deep, was typical in all but material, and being constructed of hay, lined internally Mr. Wesley T. Page; i 16 with hay and a few feathers, was more bulky, ragged and clumsy looking than the nest of the bird at liberty, but the difference was only in material. My data are somewhat doubtful, owing to the birds having begun to incubate before the nest was discovered, but I think it may be safely assumed that incubation had but just commenced. The facts are : — Nest containing three eggs, discovered on the evening of June 27th. Three chicks hatched early morning of July 7th. Three fully-fledged birds left nest evening of July 17th. Young birds fending for themselves August 1st. It would appear that in this country the incubation period is ten to eleven days; that the young leave the nest when about eleven days old, and are competent to fend for themselves when about twenty-six days old. The newly-hatched fledglings were pinkish flesh colour, quite naked and very minute. For the first four days they were fed entirely 011 blight, flies and other small winged insects, for which the parent birds foraged from sunrise to sunset : on the fifth day they commenced to feed with small mealworms. About every two hours I went into the aviary and saw that each parent secured three, which were first killed and then taken to their babies. O11 the morning of the tenth day they began to carry fruit (banana and orange) to their chicks, but still fed with as much live food as they could capture or I cared to supply. The eyes of the chicks were open on the morning of the fifth day. The parent birds carried the faeces of the young several times round the aviary, dropping it only when their movements were obscured by the foliage. I had a look at the fledglings twice daily, and even with this regularity there was a noticeable increase in size at each visit. Paying one of these visits at 7 p.m. on July 17th I found the nest empty, though at 6.30 I had seen the three gaping beaks stretched above the top of the nest and all three calling for food. I could not trace them anywhere, and rather anxiously wondered what had happened, but early next morning all doubt was dis- on the Breeding of the Indian IVhite-Eye. 117 pelled, and three, apparently robust, young Indian Zosterops were disporting themselves for the first time in an English aviary. In plumage, the young birds resemble their parents, but are slightly greyer, and they did not wear spectacles till the twenty-fourth day. They are about the same size as the Gold-crested Wren. The Mus. Cat. states 4.2 inches, this is evidently a skin measure¬ ment (these often get stretched), certainly the living bird does not appear more than 3J inches from beak to tip of tail. I can discover no outward distinction in the sexes, save that the male is a little bolder and a little more snaky about the head and neck. Above, bright golden-olive-yellow, brighter on the chin and throat, wings and tail-feathers brown with greenish- yellow margins ; abdomen and flanks whitish-buffish-grey ; a narrow circle of pure white feathers surrounds the eyes; bill blackish, bluish at base; legs plumbeous. Their distribution is every portion of India, from Murree in the Hazara country to Sadiya in Assam, and southwards 011 the one hand to Ceylon and the Nicobars, and on the other to Bhamo in Upper Burma. In the Himalayas the species is found up to 7000 ft., and it occurs on the higher hill ranges of Southern India (Oates). In a state of nature it breeds according to locality, from January to September, but April appears to be the month in which most nests may everywhere be found. The nest is a very delicate little cup made of vegetable fibres and cobwebs, sus¬ pended in a fork of a small branch at all heights from the ground. As regards aviary accommodation, these birds enjoyed a naturally planted flight, 29ft. X 24ft. X 12ft. high, with a cosy shelter attached, which they shared with the following species : Pairs of Streaked Laughing Thrushes; Grey-headed Ouzels; Snow Buntings ; Blue, Archbishop and Black Tauagers ; Paradise Whydahs, Jaccarini, Grey, Guttural, Zebra and Ribbon Finches; Long-tailed Grassfinches ; Orange-cheek, Grey and Golden¬ breasted Waxbills ; Silky Cowbirds ; Green Singing Finches,, with odd specimens of Doves, Maroon Tanager, Rufous-throated Sugar-birds, Cape Canary, Arkansas Siskin (C. trislis), a pair ot Californian Quails and a few others. US The Mexican Ground Thrush. THE MEXICAN GROUND THRUSH. Geocichla pinicola. By Hubert D. Astley, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. I have received a true pair of this Geocichla , which I think must be almost the first to be imported. This Thrush has never been in the collection of the London Zoological Gardens. It is an inhabitant of the pine-woods in the highlands of Mexico, where Mr. Richardson found it nesting at a height of 8,000 feet. It is also called Ridgwayia pinicola and Turdus poecilopte7'us. This bird is about the same size as the better known Orange-headed Ground Thrush (G. citrinal), but is quite different in colouring. The male is dark umber-brown above, the feathers on the head and upper back having paler brown centres. The throat and breast are also dark blackish brown, the underparts ashy white, to white. The wings are pied with white and pale ash-brown, with geocichline markings, and the tail is tipped with the same colour. The final feathers of the upper tail-coverts are also white, giving the bird a decidedly pied appearance. Bill, dark grey ; legs and feet, pinkish. The female has the same pied markings, but where the male is deep umber- brown, she is altogether lighter and more spotted, so that the sexes are quite unmistakable. Very little seems, according to Seebolun (Monograph of the Turdidcs) to be known of this Thrush. My birds are at present in a cage, and are quiet and inclined to be tame. Coming, as they do, from the high pine forests of Mexico, they have pro¬ bably as a species not been frightened by mankind. The family to which they belong is an interesting one, and in many cases are good songsters. My Pine Thrushes have a very melodious call note, resembling a railway guard’s whistle, blown softly; the sound falling at the end. Some lovely Geocichlce are found in Sumatra, Borneo, etc., with a bold mixture of bright chestnut, black, and white. They are by no means altogether Ground Thrushes, although they are fond of hopping about under bushes and shrubs, but my Orange¬ headed Ground Thrushes perch quite as much as any other -species of Thrush, and when they nested and successfully reared a young one during the summer of 1911, they chose the very highest spot they could find in the aviary in which to build. British and Foreign Bi>ds at Edinburgh. 119 BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIRDS AT EDINBURGH. Bv H. Goodchild. Those few of our members who visited the tenth annual exhibition of the Scottish National Cage Bird Society, held in the Corn Exchange, Grassmarket, Edinburgh, on Dec. 30th and Jan. 1st, were rewarded, as usual, by seeing various out-of-the- way species of birds, not always on view either at a show of cage-birds or at the “ Zoo.” The British section numbered 3S6 entries all told, while the Foreign section had 93, of which, however, 39 were of continental Goldfinches and Bullfinches. Apart from the commonly kept Finches and Buntings, there were not quite a hundred British birds which would interest our members, but amongst them were some species which I never remember seeing alive, either in a state of nature or in confine¬ ment, and which were for the most part in a condition that would be worthy of wild birds. The foremost place may be given to the female specimen of the Dartford Warbler, shown by Messrs. Martin and Archer ; surely the first time a Dartford Warbler had ever been seen alive in Scotland. The bird seemed to feel the cold, although the weather was very mild, for the hall was not artificially heated at all, and at one time I thought this bird would have had to be removed from the exhibition altogether. Along with it were exhibited hens of the Bearded Tit, Grey Wagtail, Song Thrush, Missel Thrush and Waxwing. A remarkable bird was a lutino “Yellow-hammer” of a pure yellow, as clear as a domestic canary; half-a-dozen others, albino or semi-albino, were shown with it. This year, the class for British Buntings contained but one Meadow Bunting (Mr. A. W. Watson’s), although I had once seen four or five here, there was a Black-headed Bunting (the continental Eviberiza melanocephala ) and two Ortolans, very sleek but not very bright in colour: also Reed, Corn and Snow Buntings. The smaller insectivorous birds included a very beautiful specimen of a Black Redstait, shown by Mr. Edmund Taylor, of 120 Mr. H. Goodchild, Glasgow, who exhibited also a Common Redstart with it. A charming specimen of the Tree Creeper, installed in a cage lined with dark bine plush ! 1 interested others besides ornithologists. A choice specimen of a Yellow Wagtail, other Redstarts, two male Bearded Tits and a Sedge Warbler — the only Warbler in the class — accompanied it. One Shore Lark only was here, and that one was sent from London ! The remaining British birds of interest were Choughs, Hawfinches, Crossbills, Waxwings, and a solitary male Ring Ouzel. It was in the Foreign section, however, that most of the interesting and beautiful birds were found ; and although, apart from the Russian or Siberian Goldfinches and Bullfinches, there were only fifty-four entries, these included some rare species. Foremost amongst them was the Himalayan Blue Whistling Thrush ( Myiophoneus temmincki ), also called Temminck’s Whist¬ ling Thrush, exhibited by our member Miss ££. G. R. Peddie Waddell ; a species that I do not think has ever appeared at a bird- show before. This particular bird was unfortunately rather ill at ease in a show-cage, having been used to a much larger aviary at home. An article on this species, by Mr. Astley, appeared in the Avicultural Magazine for April, 1903, p. 196, with a black-and- white plate of the bird, from a water-colour drawing by the author, depicting it in a characteristic pose. Readers who wish to see a description of the plumage, and an account of the habits of this fine species are referred to Mr. Astley’s article. The first prize in this class went to a very sleek and silvery specimen of the White-eyebrowed Wood Swallow ( Artamus superciliosus'), from Australia, shown by Mr. J. M. Walsh, to whom belongs the credit of showing some of the choicest of the smaller birds in the show. He also showed a pair of Black-headed Sibias in fine condition. Miss Peddie Waddell also showed a Blue-cheeked Barbet, but this bird was more nervous than the Whistling Thrush, and I did not attempt to draw it for that reason, and also a Greater Hill Mynah, one of the individuals lately at the Zoo. Two Green Glossy Starlings, one of them exceptionally glossy and beautiful, and a Green-billed Toucan, completed the class. The Avicultural Magazine. THE MELBA FINCH ( Pytelia melbu). THE WHITE EYEBROWED WOOD SWALLOW ( Artamus superci Horns) . British and Foreign Birds at Edinburgh. 121 In the class for Parrakeets, the first prize was awarded to a bird described in the catalogue as an “Adelaide.” which it certainly was not. The species it most resembled was the Tas¬ manian or Yellow-bellied Parrakeet ( Plalycercus flaviven Iris') (“Parrakeets,” p. 164), but it differed from that in having a sub¬ dued yellow collar and having broken red on the breast. I set it down at the first glance as a hybrid, and have no doubt in my own mind that it was a cross between a Barnard’s Parrakeet and a Rosella. This bird was placed in front of Miss Peddie Waddell’s beautiful pair of Black-tailed or Rock Peplar Parrakeets (Polytelis melanura ), the male of which had an outer tail-feather rather out of place and chafed, at the time of judging. This pair of birds was otherwise perfect and in very sleek condition — the best specimens of the species I ever saw. Miss Peddie Waddell also showed a Malaccan Parrakeet (Palceornis longicatida ) a male in perfect condition and very tame. Other birds in the class were Pennants, Blood-rumps, King Parrakeet, Black-cheeked and Peach-faced Rove-birds and a Blue Mountain Lorikeet. The class for the short-tailed Parrots only contained three birds. The first, a Ceram or Red Lory, a very good bird ; a Senegal Parrot and a Blue-fronted Amazon. The Waxbill, etc. class, was, as usual, remarkable rather for the pink of condition in which the birds were, than for any rarity of the species. The first prize going to a pair of the charming Orange-breasted or Golden-breasted Waxbills. The other seed-eating birds included the Melba Finch (the bright¬ ness of whose colouring cannot be indicated in a black-and- white drawing), a Green Cardinal (which seemed to me to be colour-fed), Cuban and Bicheno Finches, Crimson Finch, “ rufi- cauda" Finches ( Bathilda ) and a Paradise Whydah — a very good bird, well staged. Amongst the Tanagers, etc., the gems of the class were a Yellow-winged Sugar-bird ; while an exquisite Black-throated Tanager, a Maroon, and a Tricolor were exhibited by Mr. J. M. Walsh. One of the most interesting was Miss Peddie Waddell’s Blue-winged Fruitsucker. My own thanks are due to the courteous officials of the show — Mr. Craig, the Manager, Mr. Watson, the Secretary, and 122 Correspondence. their lieutenants — for the facilities they gave me ; and the thanks of all the exhibitors of foreign birds are due to Miss Peddie Waddell for her constant care in looking after the exhibits in this section, while they were in the keeping of the Scottish National Cage Bird Society. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. MANDARIN DUCKS AT LIBERTY. Sir, — This last summer, as we had many Mandarin Ducks, we did not take the eggs but left them to the old birds to rear. The nests were as usual in holes in trees; many of them a long way from home and high up in most inaccessible places. All the young got down, or rather got themselves down, and what I want to draw your attention to is the extra¬ ordinary activity of these little ducks when first hatched. To begin with, some of these nests were at least two feet down a perpendicular hole in a tree; the young to have got out must have jumped up that height. A brood of young ducks covered a mile as the crow flies, partly through standing corn, the day the}' were hatched, in little over an hour ! The young ones were able to leap from the water on to a branch eighteen inches high when a day or two old, and it was very pretty to see an old duck fly on to a branch and the young leap up one after the other and range themselves along the branch; one or two would generally jump on to the old duck’s back. The old ducks did not spend all their time with their broods, but flew away for hours at a time. When returning, they flew low through the trees with great rapidity, dodging in and out amongst the branches like a Woodcock, and calling loudly all the time; the young would hear her coming and swim out from where she had left them, and look about to see where she was coming from. The pair of Pintailed Sandgrouse that I reported as nesting early in the summer, hatched and reared three young— two 55 VO GO to 21-3" Wing 5 5 5 > - 6-5" to 7 '5" Tail from vent ,, ,, •• 5-25" to 6' Bill from gaPe „ .9" to i*i' Tarsus J 5 5 > ' •84" to ■9 Weight 7-8 ozs. In this species the female is the slightly smaller bird. The Paharee name for this bird is “Kainal,” and the Hindi “ Kokla ” or “ Kokila.” on some habits oj the Kokla in confinement. 133 On the istjuly, 1910, one of my egg-hunters brought me a pair of these birds, about a fortnight or three weeks old, from a nest which he had found, in the neighbourhood of Simla (N.W. Himalayas), placed on one of the outer branches of a large oak, at an elevation of about 6,300 feet. The young Koklas were immediately taken in hand by my wife, and rearing operations commenced. On being handled at first they would slightly raise the wing, nearest to their supposed enemy. They were kept in a small wooden box, lined with some straw and grass, and were fed about five or six times a day, exclusively on small pieces of ripe plantains, which had to be thrust down into their mouths. A little water used occasionally to be poured down their throats after the last meal in the evenings. When they were almost fledged, they were transferred to a cage containing two Doves {Turtur f err ago), which had also been taken from a nest, and were being reared by the hand. By about the end of September the Koklas appeared to be full grown ; and their irides, which were hitherto brown or greyish-brown, now assumed the characteristic colouration of the adult bird, viz., a pale blue ring followed by an outer ring of red. As far as I can now recollect the birds had, up to this, uttered 110 note of any kind. As the migratory period of this species had now arrived, I was anxious to see whether my birds would exhibit those symptoms, which are usually displayed by roving birds when in confinement, but no such indications were observed. The Koklas were as dull and inactive as ever, and seemed quite reconciled to their home. Towards the latter end of the following November, the cock began uttering his notes, but these were incomplete, or, in the language of bird-fanciers, he was only “ recording.” These “half” notes were generally uttered late in the evenings between seven and eight p.m. During the winter the birds throve excellently. Their diet still consisted of pieces of plantains, which they would accept sitting on their perches, and only from the hand of their mistress. If the fruit was placed in the cage it was never touched. They were fed about four or five times a day. They always drank water from a cup, which, like their food, had to be held up to J34 Mr. Pelham T. L. Dodsworth, their mouths. When hungry, the birds always became very active, hopping about from perch to perch and peering anxiously at their mistress, if she happened to be standing near their cage. If no notice was taken of them, or she walked away from the cage without feeding them, they would settle down into their usual lethargic condition, but immediately renewed their activities on catching sight of her; the presence of strangers or of others in the house was entirely ignored by the birds. I will now deal with the popular native beliefs mentioned by Mr. Dewar that Green Pigeons never descend to the ground, and that when they have occasion to drink, they either settle on a slender reed close to the water, or carry a twig in their feet. These stories are, to the best of my knowledge, prevalent through¬ out the whole of Upper India, and referring to them in his “ Birds of Lucknow Civil Division,” Geo. Reid remarks (S.F. Vol. X., p. 59): ‘‘Beall these ‘yarns’ as they may, it is a rare occurrence to see a Green Pigeon on the ground — still rarer to see it drink¬ ing.” With reference to this, Hume appended the note : “But do they ever drink? I think not.” Blanford adds, (Fauna, Birds of India, Vol. IV., p. 6) that he cannot recollect ever seeing these birds drink. Against these opinions we have that of Jerdon, who states emphatically (Birds of India, Vol. III. p. 449) that the birds ( Crocopus chlorogaster') “ come in large parties, generally about nine a. 111., to certain spots on liver banks, to drink , and after taking a draught of water, occasionally walk a few steps 07L the danip sand, appearing to pick up small pebbles, pieces of gravel or sand.” The italics are mine. Now it is by no means easy to steer one’s course amidst this formidable array of con¬ flicting statements expressed by the leading Indian ornithologists. It is out of the question to suppose, even for a moment, that Jerdon could possibly have been mistaken, while, on the other hand, it seems extraordinary that, if Green Pigeons were habitual drinkers, the point should have escaped the observations of such acute ornithologists as Hume and Blanford. Whether the rest of the species of Green Pigeons also have particular spots where they descend to the ground to drink water, or whether the juice from the berries and fruit, which they feed on, suffices to quench their thirst, I know not, but certain it is that the pair of my on some habits oj the Kokla in confinement. 135 birds in confinement showed the most intense aversion to descend from their perches, and would never do so if they coitld possibly help themselves. Moreover, for years past, I have been closely observ¬ ing the various species of Green Pigeons, and must have shot, at one time or another, some hundreds of them, for they are good table birds, but have never up to this seen a single one on the ground. And what is more, I have never yet seen one in the wild state drinking water. Natives are by no means poor observers, and I must confess that it seems to me, while rejecting most of their story, that there are good grounds for thinking that Green Pigeons are seldom seen on the ground, and the probabilities are that most of them iive without drinking. That some species of birds do live and thrive without water there can be no possible doubt. Bartlett, in his “ Wild Beasts in the Zoo,” instances several such cases. All the known species of Parrots can be kept in captivity for years without water and “continue in the most robust health and beautiful feather condition.” The little Parrakeets, which are exported from Australia in thousands, thrive without water and arrive at their destination in splendid condition “ if kept 011 Canary seed only.” Writing in 1881, Bartlett remarks : “ At the present moment may be seen at the Parrot House of the Zoological Gardens, a Greater Vasa Parra- keet, presented by the late Mr. Charles Telfair, July 25th, 1830; therefore this bird has lived in the Society’s possession 51 years without being supplied with water. It must be borne in mind that the food supplied to birds of this kind is pretty moist, etc.” In conclusion, Bartlett adds that he once saw a large collection of Indian Quails in the very finest state of health, that had had no water since they left India, and the only food which had been supplied to the birds was dry millet seed. Since writing these notes, I think it only right to mention that my friend, Mr. T. G. B. Waugh, has informed me that early one morning, while watching for deer in the Ambala Division, he saw a Green Pigeon, probably Crocopus chlorogaster , settle at a small stream, and drink water. ( To be continued). 136 Bullfinches. BULLFINCHES. By Katharine Currey. What bird-lover has not kept the charming little “ bud finch as a pet. One of the most interesting of British wild birds, so full of character, wilful, impulsive, devotedly affectionate and fiercely jealous. And his sweet, soft song, a little plaintive — as so many sweet songs are — and yet cheery, as he flirts his tail from side to side, and bows and twists himself about while whistling the little airs. I have kept the larger and smaller species ; the former I brought from Austria, a beautiful bird, living, or rather existing, in a tiny cage hung against the house of a wood-cutter. He was regaling himself on privet-berries, of which bullies are inordinately fond. I have until now always found that the cock Bullfinch prefers single blessedness in confinement, as the hen truly deserves her name of “ bully ” and will not let him eat. A little pair I have now are very united, though the cock is old and has a poor little crushed foot. His mate seems to like him all the better for it, and, when he sits on the perch in evident dis¬ comfort with his foot, she flies to him with a tit-bit. A striking instance of the attachment of even a wild bird not hand-reared to its cage-home happened some months ago. Three years ago, a cock Bullfinch I had had for a few years escaped, and I consoled myself with the thought that as all the other bullies I had kept, that had accidently flown out of their cages, had come back generally after a short time this one would follow their example. But this Bullfinch was attracted by some fruit in the garden, and flying to some distance lost his way home. It happened that he used to sing a peculiar little song with three airs in it and I used to whistle these to him and he answered. Although he replied to my call, however, he flew oft further and further and never returned until last summer, when as I was in the garden, I heard a Bullfinch’s note ; I whistled, and he piped back — that unmistakable plaintive whistle of the bully! Nearer and nearer he came, and then I whistled the little song with the three airs. He answered, and flew straight to me and to liis old cage on the lawn. It was my long-lost pet! But as he had had his freedom for so long I would not deprive him of it The Parson Bird. 137 as I thought he probably had a mate and little home somewhere near. He came every day and fed out of a little saucer of seed placed upon his old cage for him, and once he flew into the cage and sang as of old. I have other Bullfinches in the cage now, and he has flown on to the wire roof, sung to the hen, and tried to get at the cock to do battle. Then he came with a mate, and I am hoping they may come back as winter draws on, but he has not been seen since November. He used to fly about at breakfast-time and eat crumbs off the table, singing and whistling. I fear he may have been shot or trapped, as it is not understood in this country how much good the Bullfinch does to a garden, even if he does help himself to a little fruit occasionally by way of reward. THE PARSON BIRD. By John William Ainley. This bird is credited with three distinct names, viz. : Poe Bird, Tui, and Parson Bird. It is a native of New Zealand, and in size about like that of our English Blackbird, measuring S| inches from tip of beak to end of tail, of which the tail comprises about 2\ inches. The Poe Bird is, broadly-speaking, black all over, with these exceptions, the primaries are of a metallic hue, while on either side of the throat is a little bunch of white feathers, which the bird at its option can draw together and thus form one single hanging tie, hence the name Parson Bird. From the base of the skull, right down the back of the neck falling well on to the shoulders, is a complete network of feathers curved as seen at the tip of an ostrich feather, only on a minia¬ ture scale. I kept my Poe Bird in a cage a little over 4ft. long by 2ft. 6in. deep, and I think a cleaner insectivorous bird no one can possess, for the moment he saw his bath he was impatient to be in it. I do not ever remember seeing him feed on the cage bottom, as he invariably fed hanging head downwards from his perch. His song was different from that of any other bird that I have heard, and when commencing to sing one would have thought the bird was choking, yet still his song was sweet and 138 Foreign Birds at the Crystal Palace Show. lasting, in fact lie would sing till the tongue became swollen, when a little honey would soon right matters. The Poe is a brush-ton gued bird and easily catered for, if kept under proper conditions, the main things being plenty of room for exercise, cleanliness, regular bath and not over-feeding. Should the latter be abused by over stimulating foods the bird will have fits, which must be checked by sprinkling him with cold water, then giving him a dose of magnesia and reducing his food on to a plainer diet. I kept my bird in constant song and in the best of plumage on the following diet : 8ozs. boiled bullock’s liver grated, 8ozs, sponge cake, 40ZS. best ants’ egg, 30ZS. flake egg and 2 ozs. honey. O11 alternate days I gave boiled potatoes mixed with a little flake egg, also fruit in abundance. I have seen it extract juice from an orange until the same was completely dried up, and yet never leave a tiace that the orange had been tampered with. He was also fond of a few mealworms, but feed sparingly and you have in a Poe Bird one of the finest gems that an aviculturist need wish for, although it is a long while since I saw one on offer. It has never been my luck to possess a hen. FOREIGN BIRDS AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE SHOW, By D. Seth- Smith, F.Z.S. The Annual Show of the London and Provincial Orni¬ thological Society was held at the Crystal Palace from the 2nd to the 6th of February, dates which coincided, as it happened, with some of the coldest weather that we have experienced in the South of England for some years, and as I journeyed down to Sydenham on the first day of the Show, in an unwarmed railway carriage, I felt very thankful that I was not the owner of any birds at the show in such weather. The authorities did their utmost to provide and maintain a suitable temperature for the more delicate birds, but I noticed that the exhibitors who had sent such delicate subjects as Sun- birds were careful to place their cages against the hot pipes. It is certainly the worst time of the year for a show of foreign birds, but since these have to join forces with Canaries and British Foieign Birds at the C? ) stal Palace Shoiv. 139 birds, and the Canaries at least are occupied with family cares or their change of costume during the warmer months of the year, there seems nothing for it but to hold bird shows during the winter months. But the fact that such shows are badly supported by foreign bird owners does not mean that foreign birds are unpopular, but that the owners value them too much to run the risk of losing them . The foreign classes were very poorly filled, in fact numeri¬ cally the show was about the poorest I remember, although considering the small number of entries the quality was good. The two Parrot classes were judged by Mr. H. T. Camps, the remainder of the foreigners by Mr. Frank Finn. The class for Parrakeets, Lories and Lorikeets contained ten entries, the first and third prizes going to a very fine Brown’s Parrakeet and a nice but wild pair of Many Colours respectively, belonging to Mr. W. Edmunds ; the second to a nice Pennant owned by Mr. Baxbv, and the fourth to a curiously marked King Parrot in which the face was mostly yellow, owned by Mr. L. W. Hawkins. Besides the prize winners there was a very good pair of Brown’s as well as another single bird, a nice Ceram Lory and a fine Red- collared Lorikeet which ought, in my opinion, to have been a prize-winner. The class for Other Parrots contained a pair of the very rare Malayan Blue-rumped Parrakeets ( Psittinus incertus ), probably the first ever exhibited at a bird show. They were quite young birds, in the same state of plumage as a pair, probably of the same importation, now on view in the Parrot House at the Zoo. They appear to be somewhat closely allied to the Lovebirds, and when adult the male has a greyish-blue head while that of his mate is brown. The owner, Mr. L- W. Hawkins, failed to secure more than a V.H.C. card for his rare exhibit. The first prize in the class went to a Meyer's Parrot belonging to the Rev. G. H. Raynor, who also obtained fourth for his very much rarer Everett’s Parrot. The second prize went to a nice Black headed Caique sent by Mr. Hawkins, and the fourth to a very fine Yellow-naped Amazon belonging to Mrs. L. Thorpe. Mr. F. Howe took the first prize in the class for the Commoner Waxbii.ls, Grassfinches and Weavers with a 140 Foreion Birds at the Crystal Palace Show. beautiful pair of Goldeu-breasted Waxbills, while Miss Bous- field’s Diamond Finches took second prize, the rest of this class being made up of St. Helena Waxbills and Ribbon Finches. In the class for the Rarer Waxbilrs, &c., the first prize went to Mr. F. Howe, for a very nice Melba Finch, Miss Bous- field taking second with a fine Red-headed Gotildian and Mr. Thwaites third with a pair of Pintail Nonpareils. Perhaps the rarest bird here was a Scaly-crowned Weaver, a rare bird, but not looking particularly bright. Amongst the Grosbeaks, True Finches and Buntings was a nice cock Olive Finch which received first prize for its owner Miss Wait, a fine Black-lieaded Siskin belonging to Mr. Arriglii (second) and a pair of Blue Grosbeaks (third), two nice Green Cardinals and a Black and Yellow Grosbeak were also shown here. The class for Tanagers contained seven entries, all good birds. Mr. Townsend’s Blue-winged or Gold and Green Tanager came first; a lovely Black-throated (C. thoracica ) owned by Mr. Walsh, second ; the same exhibitor’s fine Maroon Tanager third, and Mr. Frostick’s very rare Pretre’s Tanager, fourth. Sugar-Birds, Honey-Haters, Zosterops, Buebuls and Sun-Birds. This class contained ten exhibits, two of which, a Hardwick’s Bulbul and a Rufous-throated Tanager, both in splendid condition, arrived too late for the judging, while two pairs of Amethyst- rumped Sunbirds were entered as “ not for competition.” The first prize went to a magnificent specimen of the Amethyst-rumped Sunbird belonging to Mr. A. Kzra, the same bird that was successfully shown at the Horticultural Hall Show in October; the second Mr. Townsend’s small Black-legged Sugar-bird ( Dacnis ni gripes), perhaps the first imported, third to the same exhibitor’s Banana Quit, and fourth to a lovely Purple Sunbird shown by Mr. Frostick. The last class for All Species not provided for elsewhere, generally known as the Any Other Variety Ceass, contained eight entries. The greatest rarity was Mr. Ezra’s Japanese Red¬ breast, an extremely rare exhibit ; well deserving the first prize which it secured. A nice pair of Black-headed Sibias belonging to Mr. Walsh came second, while the same gentleman took third with a nice White-eyebrowed Wood-Swallow, the fourth going to Mr. Wade for a Sliaina. Bird Notes jrom the Zoological Gardens. 141 BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. By The Curator. Although very little of interest has arrived lately we have been kept very busy amongst the birds, in preparation for the coming breeding season, when I hope we may beat our record in the number of birds hatched and reared. The Zoo is anything but an ideal place for breeding birds. The aviaries are in a chronic state of overcrowding, the birds can never be kept properly quiet, and new birds are constantly arriving in the breeding season, which, for want of other accommodation, often have to be put in the same aviary with breeding birds, an arrange¬ ment that militates strongly against the chances of success. Our greatest success during the last two years has been with Pheasants and Waterfowl, and this year we have a better collection, or rather a collection better established than in either of those years; but, unfortunately, we have very little rearing ground. This year our Pheasants will have to be reared in one of the new goose paddocks as they were last year, but then the ground had never before had birds on it, whereas now it is decidedly stale. At this time of year the Waterfowl have to be carefully looked over and the pairs arranged so that those kinds which are likely to disagree may be placed on different ponds. All nest boxes have to be examined and lined with a fresh nest of turf and leaves. In the same way the Pheasantries have to be gone through and provided with faggots of brushwood, behind which the liens can lay, and the breeding pens selected and arranged so that no further shifting has to be done until the breeding season is well over. The Great Aviary has been overhauled and a special arrangement of small mesh wire netting and curved zinc, fixed all round to render it as far as possible lat-proof. Ever since I have known this aviary it has been more or less over-run with rats, no attempt having been made to keep them out when it was re-wired some six or seven years ago. It will be a great thing for the birds if we can succeed in excluding these pests. Since my last notes appeared the only arrival, new to the collection, has been a Yellow-rumped Hangnest ( Pseudoleistes 142 Correspondence. guirahuro), a species inhabiting open country in Southern Brazil and Paraguay, and nesting in reed-beds. We now have an example of each of the two species of the genus Pseudoleistes, — P. guirahuro and P. virescens ; both brownish green birds, the former with the rump and underparts yellow, the latter with the rump like the back and only the underparts yellow. We have added to our stock of ducks eight pairs of the charming Baikal Teal (Net Hum forviosum ), a species that some few years ago was quite rare in Europe, costing from five to ten pounds a pair, but which has recently been imported in vast numbers and sold at a remarkably low price. It is extremely wild at first, but soon settles down, and next to the Mandarin and Carolina, is one of the most showy of all the ornamental waterfowl. The pair of Kolbe’s Vultures went to nest soon after Christmas, laying a single egg which they took turns to incubate. They sat splendidly through the recent severe frost, but after the full period of six weeks had elapsed they were both noticed oft the nest one day, and an examination revealed nothing but a few fragments of broken shell. D. S-S. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. AGE OF ROBINS. Sir, — I wonder if any of your readers could tell me the age to which a common Robin may be expected to live, assuming freedom from disease and accident. I have had (if one can be said to have even a possessory title to a bird having absolute liberty) a tame cock Robin in my garden and house for 6| years past, and he seems as well as ever. During this period he has regu¬ larly had two nests each spring and usually brought off four healthy young from each nest. I will not detail wearisome trivialities as to his absolute tameness, but two points occur to me as possibly of general interest, (i) The one is that, considering the numbers of his offspiing, the rate of mortality amongst Robins must be great, or the district would soon be overstocked, assuming other Robins are equeally successful in nesting operations ; (2) all sorts and conditions of men are intensely interested in a common-place tame bird such as a Robin, while rare birds, or birds with curious habits are often passed unnoticed. C. JIarnby .Smith. Revieivs. M3 A ROCCOI.O IN ITALY. It may interest members to know that Mr. Astley’s article was con¬ sidered at a Council Meeting of the R.S.P. B. on January 26th last with a view of seeing whether any steps could be taken to put a stop to these practices. As the question had already been considered by the International Committee for Bird Protection, it was decided to take no action pending the publication of their Report, J. L- B. THE DIPPER AS A CAGE BIRD. Sir, — One of the most novel exhibits at the recent Bird Show at the Crystal Palace was a Dipper shown by Miss G. Fishburu. It appeared to be quite happy and contented and its condition left nothing to be desired. The food appeared to consist entirely of live gentles. D. SeTh-Smith. REVIEWS. BRITISH BIRDS NESTS. * For a long time there has been such a continuous stream of books dealing with our native birds that the appetite of the public for such literature must be well nigh insatiable. This new work, however, which is being issued in monthly parts, is of its kind one of the best we have seen. It is written presumably for the schoolboy whose chief interest is in the nidification of birds, and is copiously illustrated by photographs taken by the Brothers Kearton, whose name is a sufficient guarantee for their excellence. The arrangement of the book is alphabetical and will, therefore, be much appreciated by the ordinary man in the street who has no time to learn or fathom the ever-changing whims of modern classifiers. Under each species we have the information arranged in headings — such as Description of Birds, Situation of Nest, Materials of Nest, Eggs, Time of Laying, etc., making a very concise but yet complete vade-mecum ou the nesting of our British Birds. THE EMU. f The January number of The Evm contains a report of the Annual Meeting of the R.A.O.U., and we are pleased to see the Union is in such a flourishing condition. British Birds l\’ests , by Richakd Kisakton. Parti. 7d. net. IyOiidou : Cassell & Co. + The Emu. Ja:i., 1912. Quaiterly 4/-. I.ondon Ag'ent : E. A. Porter, 7, Princes Street, Cavendish Square, W. i44 Revieivs. Ornithological troubles are much the same all the world over, and at their meeting such questions as the destruction of birds for the purpose of adorning (?) ladies hats and the vexed questions of nomenclature were well to the fore. Among the articles we may notice an extremely interesting one on the ‘Bush Birds of New Zealand,’ from the pen of Mr. McLean, and that by Messrs. Cleland and Johnston on the Relative dimen¬ sions of the Red Blood Cells in different species of birds deals with a hitherto neglected subject. BRITISH BIRDS. * In the three months under review this periodical records a mass of short notes, which deal to a very large extent with the occurrence of the rarer species in different counties. Apart from these there are some notes on the Immigration of Nutcrackers into England last autumn, the nesting habits of the House Martin and the recovery of marked birds. The December number contains an article on the Black- throated Diver and Grey Lay Goose, illustrated with some beau¬ tiful photographs by Mr. O. G. Pike. A NEW ITALIAN JOURNAL- f We have received the first numbers of the Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia, a bi-monthly periodical devoted to ornithology and edited by our member Professor Ghigi, assisted by Count Arrigoni degli Oddi, P'rancesco Cliizi, Prof. G. Martorelli and Prof. Salvadori. These numbers contain some excellent articles including a long and comprehensive one on the birds of the Tuscan Archipelago, as well as some shorter ones on Saxicola aurita , Falco vesper Units, P elec anus ctispus, and the migration of Black-headed Gulls from the Baltic to the Adriatic as shown by the recapture of ringed birds. Short notes, reviews of current literature, etc. aie also included. We must congratulate the editor and all concerned in having brought out such an interest¬ ing magazine and give it our best wishes for success which it undoubtedly deserves. * British Birds. Dec., 1911, Jan. and Feb., 1912. Witherby & Co., High Holboni. 1/- monthly. + Rivista italiana di Ornitologia. Anno I. Num. 1-2. 120pp. and coloured plate. Stabihments Bolografico Eniiliano. Bologna. 10 I.ira per annum. 145 Practical Bird-Keeping. THE YUCATAN JAY.* Mr. Beebe in his paper gives a careful description of the plumages of three Yucatan Jays, which were living in the Zoo¬ logical Park, New York. Most previous writers have considered that the sexes in this species differed in colour, but, from the study of his captive specimens, the author shows that the sup¬ posed sexual differences are merely due to age, and that when adult the sexes are alike. The yellow bill and white tips to the rectrices, supposed to be characteristics of the female, are now shown to be merely marks of immaturity, and the full adult plumage is not assumed for at least two years. “THE GAME-BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA.” “ The Game-Birds of South Africa” is the title of an important work which Messrs. Witlierby & Co. are about to publish. The book is by Major Boyd Horsbrugh, and wall be illustrated by nearly' seventy coloured plates, reproduced in facsimile from the very remarkable drawings of Sergeant C. G. Davies. The work will be in small quarto, and will be issued in four quarterly parts. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. A medal has been awarded to Mr. W. T. Page for breeding the Indian White-eye ( Zosterops palpebrosa). Ser. IIP, Vol. 3, P- _ PRACTICAL BIRD-KEEPING. XIII. — TOIJRACOUS, BOWER BIRDS AND BIRDS OF PARADISE. By Mrs. Johnstone. Touracous are, I understand, classed with the Cuckoos, on the ground principally of the likeness of each when in the nest. I fear I am not scientific, for, in my opinion, the Touracous are totally unlike the Cuckoos. In their movements and ways there is no resemblance — the Cuckoo is principally insectivorous, the Touracous largely frugivorous. * The undescribed juvenal plumage of the Yucatan Jay, by C. William Beebe and Lee S. Crandall. Zoologica. Vol. i, No. 7. New York: The Society, The Zoological Park. 4pp. and 1 coloured plate. 146 Practical Bird-Keeping. — XIII. Tour aeons, cfc. The Touracous stand alone for grace of movement and beauty of form of colouring; in fact, there are no other birds living, as far as I know, that resemble them. The first specimen I ever had was a young bird, hand-reared from the nest and almost bare of feathers, with the exception of flight feathers and tail. She — for she turned out to be a hen Fraser’s Touracou — was absurdly and delightfully tame and in the best of health. What her age was I could only conjecture, but now on looking back and comparing the ways of her baby son I should say she was about six months old. I remember she filled me with amazement by the way she bolted large pieces of cuttle fish, she had evidently been denied grit or lime in any form. Later I was able to secure a mate for this bird, and the pair were installed in one of my aviary divisions, about twelve feet square with a larger outside flight beyond. I cannot speak too highly of Touracous as aviary birds. I consider they take the first place, both for beauty, hardiness, and great intelligence. I may have been fortunate in my par¬ ticular pair, but a pair of another variety I possessed were equally charming. They are easily kept on banana — it must be ripe, given whole , with a small strip of the skin peeled off — this will be entirely cleared out and the fruit keeps so much fresher than when cut up. A bunch of sweet, sweet- water grapes (these can be very sour) are also much liked, and elderberries, haw¬ thorn berries and blackberries are much appreciated, also a lettuce, placed in a pan of water to keep it fresh. A few meal¬ worms given daily are good, but at the best these are indigestible things. Silkworm eggs allowed to hatch, and the worm given when about an inch long, is worth a dozen mealworms and really not much more trouble. My tame hen was very fond of an earth worm, and it was a curious sight to see her dispose of a really large, strong worm. Nothing can wriggle like a worm, unless it is an eel, and yet the Touracou would walk slowly round it and catch one end and in a few quick gulps it was gone. It was amazing that this extremely lively creature did not upset her, or at least cause inconvenience, but she would spring lightly to her perch, cleanse her beak, and commence to caw or scold in her usual conversational manner. Practical Bird-Keeping. — XIII. 1'ouracous , &c. 147 When these birds commenced to nest, which they did early in May, the cock was very fierce, and the bird boy fed them in fear and trembling every morning. This delightful impudence was one of their most charming traits and they were a constant source of amusement to all. Several young were hatched during the season, but only one reared to maturity, and this bird lived for two years in my aviary. He never was quite as tame as his parents, a curious fact, as I hoped he would be equally tame. Touracous love bathing, and, if given a shallow pan of tepid water, thoroughly enjoy themselves. They require plenty of room, as the flight is so beautiful, the carmine flight feathers only show when the wing is outspread, and a Touracou in a small division is absolutely wasted. The sexes ate not easy to distinguish ; at any rate I should be puzzled if asked to sex a single bird, but with a pair together it is easy to distinguish them, as the hen is much more feminine¬ looking, and is less fierce and more easily tamed. I think, too, the bill in the hen is smaller. For their patience in fully rearing a young bird to maturity I was awarded a silver medal by the Avicultural Society. A proud moment and a memorial of these charming birds, which I much value. A full account of the nesting appears in Ser. 2, Vol. III. of the Avic. Hag., page 25. -a- -a- a- A; The Bower Birds, of which I have kept several, are also interesting to keep, but much less easily tamed than the Toura¬ cous. In fact, I can say truthfully, I never succeeded in taming my birds at all. Probably they live entirely in the thickest of dense undergrowth and rarely appear in the open, unless to make and decorate their bower. They are singularly shy birds, highly nervous, and to be kept with any degree of pleasure, both to the owner and bird, must have plenty of cover in which to hide and shelter. My birds were fully adult when imported, I mean bv this fully grown, but not in the blue-black plumage an old cock assumes. If imported young, they might be more easily tamed, but mine were as wild as Hawks and always remained so. 148 Practical Bird- Keeping . — XIII. Tour aeons , cfc. I kept my five birds (. Ptilonorhynchus violaceus ) in a large aviary, about 15 ft. square, during the winter ; and in the summer they had an additional outside aviary, in which were growing tall Rhododendrons, small shrubs and bracken, in fact a small piece of woodland wired in. They made a beautiful bower between two Rhododendron bushes, and decorated it with broken china (blue they preferred), sea shells, and any scraps they could find. About April, they built a rough nest of twigs, high up in a tall Rhododendron, and two young were hatched, but alas ! as soon as they flew a bitterly cold night killed them. The young were remarkably thinly feathered and the June frost was too much for them. ( Avic . Mag ., N.S., Vol. I., p. 64.) That these birds are highly intelligent there is no doubt ; the grief of the poor mother I shall never forget, and she quite forgot her fear of humans in the search for her dead babies. A good insectivorous mixture, with banana or sweet water grape are all these birds require, but the young were reared entirely on live insects, mealworms and cockroaches. I have also kept, for a short time only, three specimens (either liens or immature cocks) of the beautiful Gardener Bower Bird ( Amblyoruis subalaris). They are hopelessly wild, in spite of every protection in the shape of thick fir boughs. I cannot say I felt any desire to keep them, as it is somewhat irritating after weeks of quiet and care to find no improvement, and only the same wild terror on your approach. These birds ultimately met their death from this cause, and died from an injury caused by hurling themselves against the wire divisions — too highly nervous to submit to the dignity of captivity, they are best left to their native wilds and freedom. % % a- •» And now I come to the most wonderful of all birds — the Birds of Paradise. Altogether I have had in my possession twelve different species of this superb family. Some I have only kept a short time, others have been years in my possession, but all are in¬ teresting and beautiful. Those I am most familiar with are P. raggiania, the King Birds of Paradise, Hunstein’s Magnificent, the Six Plumed Bird Practical Bird-Keeping. — XIII. Toni aeons, iences in Aviculture. pairs among them. I started the winter with seventeen of these little birds and lost eight (nearly all from pneumonia, to which they seem very liable) within a short time of their arrival. Two pairs are now, to my regret, sitting, for I fear it is too early in the year to rear young birds successfully. Parrot Finches are the most delightful birds to keep in an aviary. Mine are very tame and will come and pick up mealworms at my feet, and, although they occasionally bicker among themselves, seem a happy and peaceful little people. My Gouldian Finches have been a source of disappoint¬ ment. I have tried for the last two years to breed them, but always without success. The old story of egg-binding has been the chief cause of failure. Twice young ones have been hatched here and lived for ten days, after which they were deserted by the old birds, which thereupon started to nest again. One pair are at the present time sitting, so once more are my hopes raised. These birds, having been once acclimatized, seem very easy to keep, though they are undoubtedly delicate when newly imported. Last summer I bought six Pintail Nonpaieils (young birds out of colour), four of these died in a few days, although they had plenty of paddy rice and everything that seemed necessary to their well-being ; however, their two survivors (a cock and a hen) are still with me and in full colour and in beautiful plumage. They seem exceptionally wild birds by nature, and up to the present have shown no signs of becoming tame like all the others. It may be of interest to mention that now they never touch paddy rice, on which they lived entirely when they first came here, but feed almost solely on spray millet. Last November I purchased from Mr. Hamlyu eight Blue¬ breasted Waxbills and two pairs of Bichenos, of which all were newly-imported and out of which only one Blue-breasted Waxbill died. Neither of these two last mentioned varieties seem any trouble to keep in any way. The Long-tailed Grassfinclies have built innumerable nests, but have never yet got beyond sitting in them together side by side, though I am unable to tell whether they are a true pair. In the smaller aviary there are the following Painted Finches, which I am hoping to nest successfully this summer, a On the Breeding of a Hybrid Lorikeet , etc. 189 few more Gouldians and my soft-billed birds, which comprise Yellow-winged Sugar Birds, Blue Sugar Birds, Violet Tanagers and a Festive Tanager (cock). The soft-billed birds I feed with the following mixture : — Condensed milk, Mellin’s Food and a little honey mixed together in boiling water, with a little crumbled sponge cake added to it. They also get plenty of bananas and grapes and a few mealworms of which they are very fond. They are all delightfully tame, especially the Blue Sugar Birds, which invariably fly on to my shoulders and hands directly I enter their aviary, in the hope of receiving a mealworm or a grape. Of all the birds, I have always found the soft-billed ones the easiest to keep in good health. They appear to feel the cold and damp less than most of the seed-eaters, and are always in beautiful plumage and condition, in fact I have not lost one during the whole winter. ON THE BREEDING OF A HYBRID LORIKEET AND OTHER AVIARY NOTES. By W. A. Harding, M.A., F.L.S , F.Z.S. Some years ago there remained in one of my aviaries — the survivors of a number of others — a fine male Swainson’s Lorikeet and a hen Red-collared Lorikeet (Trichoglossus rubritorques). No sooner had death deprived this pair of their noisy companions and left them in sole possession of their abode than they began to busy themselves with one of the nesting-boxes provided for them. The box was not a particularly suitable one, and in order to encourage the hen by the provision of a more natural nesting place, a branch of a tree in my garden containing a Green Wood¬ pecker’s hole was taken down, cut to a suitable size ar.d set up in the aviary. The cavity in the tree was some nine inches deep and the circular entrance at the top of it was three inches in diameter; the birds took to it at once, and after some time spent in trimming the interior to her satisfaction, the hen began to sit. The first attempt at nesting was unfortunate, and the faint squeaking which announced the presence of a young one lasted Mr. W. A. Harding, 190 but two or three days. The next attempt, made later in the same year, was somewhat less unsuccessful ; a fully-fledged young bird emerged from the Woodpecker’s hole, but soon developed a tendency to fits, and died like its predecessor. Matters improved, however, during the following year, when a healthy nestling was successfully reared, and this event was repeated for several years in succession. Two white eggs were always laid, but, as a rule, only one of them hatched out. Incubation lasted about twenty-one days, and the fully-fledged young bird did not leave the tree for several weeks. The hen sat very closely, and both parents screamed with the greatest resentment when their enclosure was entered during the nesting season. The hybrid offspring bore a yellow band on the nape, flecked with red, and the red breast was without yellow feathers at the sides; for the rest, it generally resembled its ‘Blue Mountain ’ parent who, sad to say, died full of years and honours a few days ago. These birds occupied one of a block of four aviaries, each compartment consisting of a house six feet square, opening on to a flight twelve feet long and six feet wide and partly covered by glass. The exterior treatment of the block was suggested by one of the picturesque cabmen’s shelters, many of which may be seen in various parts of London, and the woodwork of the flight was so arranged that a roll of wire-netting, six feet wide, could be fitted to it with the minimum amount of cutting. v.' "A- '\* Ever since I first read Waterton’s stirring description of the tolling of the “ Campanero ” in the forests of Guiana I had desired to possess one of these birds, and accordingly it was a particular pleasure when I received one day from Mr. Jamrach a fine male specimen of the Naked-throated Bell Bird ( Chasvior - hynchus nudicollis, a pure white bird about the size of a Starling, with a wide mouth and a somewhat evil expression. For some days he had been silent in his new surroundings when, one morning, I seemed to hear the village blacksmith exercising his calling with extraordinary energy and clangour. For a time I was really puzzled and deceived, and then remembering the new- on ike Breeding of a Hybrid Lorikeet , etc. 191 comer, approached him unseen and realised what was taking place. The bird opened his mouth extremely wide, swelled out his throat and, with a convulsion which shook his whole body, emitted a high-pitched, metallic cry, far more piercing than the screams of my Macaws, distinctly heard, as I afterwards ascer¬ tained, nearly lialf-a mile off. This cry was scarcely bell-like, but bore a remarkable resemblance to the clanging of a hammer on an anvil, and was repeated at short intervals in the early mornings during the ensuing spring and summer. The voice of this bird, with its tale of tropical forests, was as music in my ears, but my neighbours took a less romantic view and heartily welcomed its untimely demise. Bell Birds are certainly unsuitable for any but a country aviary, but they are interesting and remarkable forms, and I hope some day to come across Waterton’s species (C. niveus) with the long pendent caruncle, usually erroneously depicted as carried erect, or the still more curious three carunculated species from Central America. 3? 3.- My Waders’ aviary is some 34 ft. long and 24 ft. wide, and sufficiently high to enclose an apple tree and a number of shrubs. A shallow concrete tray of water occupies the middle. The water is a foot deep at one end, where it may be run off through an ordinary bath plug let into the cement, and it runs out to less than an inch deep at the other extremity. This trough has no raised edges but slopes up almost imperceptibly into the sur¬ rounding sand, beyond which is some rough turf, renewed every year. The trough is often allowed to overflow and reduce its banks to a sloppy condition so that the Waders may easily plunge their beaks therein in search of food. The staple diet supplied to the Waders consists of fish cuttings minced in a machine, added to an equal quantity of a mixture of half bread and half meal (usually pollard), the whole being stirred to a soft paste with water. On this preparation such birds as Godwits, Knots, Curlew, Oyster Catchers and Red¬ shanks seem to thrive very well. Two years ago I introduced half-a-dozen Black-headed Gulls into this enclosure, and they soon began to rule the roost and proceeded to steal the eggs of ig2 Mr. W. A Harding, some Martinican Doves ( Zenaida aurita) which had nested for several seasons in a dove-cot fitted up for them near the roof. It is always difficult to maintain a friendly equilibrium among a diverse assortment of birds confined in the same aviary, and I was about to restore peace by removing the Gulls when, last Spring, two couples paired off. Several nests were made and discarded, and much scream¬ ing and quarrelling went on before the two hens finally settled down and proceeded each to lay three eggs. At first the hens were much disturbed by the other birds constantly running before and behind them ; some Moorhens, which had multiplied exceedingly in the enclosure, being particularly tiresome in this respect. A semi-circular sheet of corrugated iron placed round the back of the nest did much to abolish this difficulty, and the cock bird, in each case, kept continuous guard in front, spending his days in screaming at intruders and driving them off. When, as occasionally happened, some wily bird escaped his vigilance and the hen joined in the chase, it was his first care to drive her back gently to the nest and stand by until she was sufficiently reassured to settle down again upon her eggs. The shell of these eggs is very hard and the inner membrane extremely tough, and fully two days elapsed between the first chipping of the shell and the final emergence of the chick. The mother, in both cases, was too much occupied by her first two nestlings to trouble further about the third egg, which having been laid last took longer to incubate. The nestlings were covered with yellow down spotted with black, and the two which have survived are now with difficulty distinguished from their parents. It was in this Waders’ aviary that I once kept half-a-dozen Penguins imported by Mr. Hamlyn. At first they refused to teed themselves, and their tightly-closed beaks had to be forced open whilst pieces of fish were pushed down their throats. This was a somewhat serious operation, involving the efforts of two persons and unpleasant for all the parties concerned ; the beaks of these powerful birds were as sharp as razors, and one’s hands were not infrequently cut even when protected by gloves. A bite was apt to end in blood poisoning, due possibly to a want of freshness in some of the fish used, and on one occasion my assistant suffered on the Breeding of a Hybrid Lorikeet , etc. 193 somewhat seriously from the result of such a wound. The birds, however, soon learnt to feed themselves and became very tame, running after me when I appeared with food, or jumping into their trough and swimming about with extraordinary dexterity and grace in anticipation of a scramble for the fish about to be thrown into the water. They never would feed themselves upon anything but whole fish, and herrings were the only things acceptable to them in size which I could get in any quantity. So long as the fresh herring supply lasted — for the best part of a year — all went well, but there came a time when no more could be obtained. Recourse had to be made once again to broken fish and forced feeding, and sickness and death soon followed, ap¬ parently as the result of some digestive trouble. To those who can ensure a constant supply of the proper food no more delight¬ ful and amusing creatures can be recommended than Penguins. There is in my garden a piece of open water enclosing a well-wooded island, and here live a number of Ducks, Swans, Flamingoes and Gulls. Two years ago my Herring Gulls made a nest on the ground during my absence from home, and my gardener, in an excess of zeal, removed the two eggs in order to preserve them for my collection. Last season, another nest with three eggs was discovered, and all went well until a rat or weasel put an end to my hopes. There seems to be no great difficulty in breeding gulls. A sufficient number of individuals to insure the presence of one or more pairs, plenty of room and absence of vermin seem to be the essential requirements for success. Regarding Flamingoes I can only confirm the observations of others. It is surprising that such ornamental and haidy creatures are not more frequently seen. Given shallow water and the soft muddy bottom essential to the welfare of their feet they are as easy to keep as Swans. Mine thrive w'ell on maize alone and feed principally after sundown, when they may be heard grunting and quarrelling over their trough of food. In hard frosts care has to betaken lest their slender legs are injured by ice, and on such occasions Swans are invaluable ice-breakers, and generally maintain a piece of open water where all may huddle together. Peacocks out of plumage are not renowned for courage, 194 On the Breeding of a Hybrid Lorikeet , etc. but what his hair was to Samson so is their spread tail to these birds. On one occasion, a Peacock in full feather followed me on my morning visit to the aforesaid island and, seeing a white Swan sitting on her nest, was filled with the spirit of war. Retiring to a distance he spread his tail, flapped his wings and half ran, half sailed, with ever-increasing momentum, plump at the sitting bird. The Swan rose up hissing and dangerous, and I expected the worst consequences for her adversary. The latter, however, retired in good order and once more, from a distance, recommenced the charge. But the Swan could not face the shock a second time and, flying precipitately, left the Peacock preening himself in proud possession of the eggs. % % ir Of various Parrots I have kept, perhaps Bouquet’s Amazon is the rarest. During a visit to the West Indies some years ago I visited Dominica, and found a pair of these Amazons in a gin shop in Roseau. After an animated discussion with the drunken proprietor I obtained the birds for thirty shillings, and, fearing lie might repent of his bargain, hurried off with one in each hand, and spent the rest of the day in improvising a cage. Of the other Parrot peculiar to Dominica I saw nothing. The August Amazon inhabits the virgin forests which clothe the most inaccessible parts of this mountainous island. It is known to the natives by the strange name of “ Cicero,” and it is said that not more than two individuals of this rare species are usually seen at a time. Chrysotis bouqueti, on the other hand, is gregarious and a much commoner bird, inhabiting less unapproachable places. Its local name is “ Jacko.” I was about to visit a plantation in the district where it is found when an attack of fever cut short my visit to the Island. As Canon Dutton noted some time ago in these pages, Bouquet’s Amazon is not a talker and, considered as a pet, is a handsome but stupid bird. On two occasions Mr. Cross has sent me alien Grey Parrot, which has subsequently deposited two white eggs in her cage. The last of these liens I still possess, and occasionally she plays at nest-making, persistently pecking at the bottom of her cage and, with one leg, vigorously kicking imaginary fragments of The Blue Chaffinch of Teneriffe. 195 wood out of her imaginary hollow tree. I have made one in¬ effectual attempt to induce this bird to pair off and propose to repeat the experiment again. A little Red-collared Amazon (C. colla?ia ) I bought in Jamaica was able to say a word or two and made an affectionate pet. The narration of its tragic fate shall conclude these somewhat disjointed notes from an aviary. In addition to birds, I keep certain wild mammals and snakes, and in a heated out-house where the snakes lived were placed one winter the Jamaican Amazon and a Grey Parrot. Mean¬ while a slender Python, scarcely tour feet long, escaped from its case and crept beneath a pile of heavy boxes, and as the house was to be cleaned out within a week I postponed until then any effort to recover so apparently harmless a creature. But next -day the Grey Parrot was found dead in its cage, and so, a day or two later, was my little collaria. The latter obviously had been constricted and an ineffectual attempt had been made to swallow him. The wings had proved to be too large a morsel for the Python who, had he succeeded in engulfing his victim, would have been caught in a trap, for he would have been far too stout to crawl back through the cage bars with the bird inside him. The Grey Parrot was found to have suffered from a diseased heart, but I always think her death was accelerated by shock at the sight of the snake. THE BLUE CHAFFINCH OF TENERIFFE. Fringilla teydca. By Hubert D. Asteey. In February, when staying near Puerto Orotava, I paid a call on Senor Ramon Gomez, the chemist, and found that he had half-a-dozen living specimens of the Teydean Chaffinch, which he told me he had caught as young birds two summers ago amongst the Pine Forests of the Island, in the neighbourhood of the famous Peak of Teneriffe [El Teide], and I carried back two pairs. It is supposed that this species is only to be found 011 Teneriffe, and in limited, as well as decreasing, numbers in the ig6 On the Blue Chaffinch of Teneriffe. forests of the beautiful Canary Pine, always at a high altitude, so that their habitat is a very confined one. I was told, however, that this same Chaffinch is supposed to have been discovered on the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura, but for the truth of this I cannot be sure. If the bird is confined to one small island in the whole world, it certainly must become extinct before long, especially when naturalists are more and more interested in procuring skins. Mr. Meade-Waldo knows as much as anyone about the Blue Chaffinch, and has contributed more than one note in the Ibis. For instance, in the Vol. for 1893, p. 193, he wrote : — “This beautiful Chaffinch, I am glad to say, appears to “hold its own in all the pine forests of Teneriffe, and in one “district seems to increase, owing, I believe, to a war waged “against the Sparrow-hawks that breed there and evidently “ feed on the poor ‘ Azules.’ “ They are the tamest birds imaginable; when we were “ camped in the pine-forests they would come into our tent to “ feed, and would anxiously wait for us to liberate from our “ fingers a butterfly that had been captured. Though feeding “ on pine-seeds they do equally well without in confinement, “ but appear to want a great deal of insect food. They seem “ perfectly hardy, a fine old cock in our aviary having been “out all through the winters of 1891 and 1892. The nest is “ built at the end of June, and two eggs only are laid,” This Chaffinch is a good size larger than the English one, the male being of a rich grey blue all over, with a narrow line of white just over and under the eyes. The female is, roughly speaking, greenish, a kind of dull brown green, but in the breed¬ ing season she has a bluish tinge. These birds have a loud chirp, somewhat Sparrow-like, but sharper and more shrill, whilst the song bears a family resem¬ blance to that of the European Chaffinch. I was told in Teneriffe that an Austrian naturalist had not long ago been shooting a great many — worse luck! and that some of the inhabitants are realizing that the skins are sought after by European collectors. The birds of the Canary Islands are interesting, because Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens. 197 several of the islands have species or varieties peculiar to them. On Palma, for instance, there is a Blue Chaffinch, but it differs from F. teydea (Senor Gomez is my authority) in having two bars of white across the wings, being much more distinct than those in F . teydea , which are merely of a lighter shade than the rest of the general colour. It is supposed that the Canary Islands may be the remnant of the great lost Continent of Atlantis; at any rate it is evident that the Blue Chaffinch is only to be found there — and perhaps only on one island of the group. The males are strikingly handsome, their colour is some¬ what the same as that of the Blue Rock Thrush, but it is richer and more uniform throughout. In shape and demeanour this bird is a true Chaffiueh. It would be very interesting if my Chaffinches would breed in captivity, and I shall encourage them to do so. Nine of these birds were imported in July of 1S93, which were purchased by the authorities of the Breslau Zoological Gardens, one pair of which paired off in a large cage. The hen built her nest in a bushy branch within an open nest-box. The nest consisted of hay, moss, charpie and feathers. The male bird fed her all the time. The period of incubation was 14 days, and the young were fed by the hen with fresh ants’ eggs and mealworms. Several broods were successfully hatched. BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. By The Curator. The pair of Black-necked Swans on the Three-island pond have hatched a pair of cygnets, which are up to the present doing well. It is most interesting to see the parents brooding them on their backs, the cygnets hiding away completely under the old birds’ wings. One of the photographs here reproduced, shows a back view of the male Swan, and under one wing can be seen the cygnets comfortably tucked away. The male Swan has been rather savage all the winter, but latterly has become extremely so, rushing open-mouthed across the water at any 198 Bird Notes from the Zoological Ga?de?is. person within the enclosure; but he rarely attacked his com¬ panions the ducks, although he showed distinct animosity towards any bird that had much white about it. A pair of Rajah Sheldrakes had to be removed for this reason. When I first took up my duties at the Gardens the old male Black-necked Swan had been kept for some time in one of the small duck paddocks, where he spent most of his time waddling up and down the gravel path endeavouring to fight with some Whooper Swans in the next inclosure. I found that he had developed large warts on the base of his feet, which made him quite lame. He was, therefore, removed to the pond at the rear of the Fellows Pavilion, where he made advances towards a female black Swan. Soon, however, I was able to procure a mate for him of his own species, but I did not dare to put the pair on the Three-island pond in case they should persecute the defenceless Flamingoes. As soon as the new pond at the Western end of the Gar¬ dens was completed however, the Flamingoes were removed thither and the Swans placed on the Three-island pond. Last spring they nested but without result, the eggs proving addled. This year they made a large nest on one of the islands, the hen laying four eggs, two of which hatched after six weeks incuba¬ tion. These are the first young birds of this species to be hatched at the Zoo. since 1S79. The old dilapidated aviary near the Apes' House has been entirely rebuilt and formed into a six-compartment aviary, which will be known as the “ Summer Aviary.” Each compartment has a small pond and a shelter shed, and the whole is covered with wire-netting of five-eights inch mesh, so that the smallest birds can be kept. It is the best aviary we have had for breed¬ ing, since it is so arranged that the birds can be fed and watered without being in the least disturbed, and we hope to have con¬ siderable success in the coming breeding season. Of recent arrivals the most noteworthy are contained in a small collection of birds from Colombia, presented by Mr. W. K. Pomeroy, containing a very fine young Harpy Eagle, a pair of very rare Purple Jays ( Cyanocorax affinis'), two Golden Hang- The Avicultural Magazine. Black-necked Swan {Gy gnu* melanoeoryphux) and Young. Photos by D. Seth -Smith. West. Newman pr-oc. Coirespojidence. 199 nests (. Icterus xanthornus ) and two Severe Macaws ( Am severa ), as well as a good many less important birds. Two adult Lammergeiers or Bearded Vultures have been acquired by purchase, and make a fine addition to our series of raptorial birds, as it is some years since the Society has possessed an adult specimen of this fine species. Besides the young Swans we have three young Chestnut¬ breasted Teal, one of the rarer of the smaller Waterfowl, and three young Peocock Pheasants. D. S-S. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. NOTES ON A HERRING GULL. .Sir, — When passing the Gull’s aviary at the Zoological Gardens the other day I observed a Herring Gull behave in a manner which I think must be most unusual. It arose from the ground whilst in a sitting position, and when it alighted dropped upon its breast. This was repeated twice, and although I examined the bird very closely during flight, I could see no trace of legs; in fact, I came to the conclusion that it was a trapped specimen and had suffered amputation. I was feeling very sorry for the bird and was wondering how it managed to exist amongst its bullying brethren when it suddenly got up and ran azvay. Had it been the first of April I could have understood matters better than I do now. W. S. BKRRIDGE, F.Z.S. THE BREEDING OF KNOTS. Sir, — I have often wondered why the Knot ( Tringa canutus) never breeds in captivity, and I should be interested to learn if any members of the Society who have kept these birds have ever noticed any signs of nesting. Even allowing for the fact that in the extreme north where these birds naturally nest, the conditions are very different, yet one would have thought that birds that do so well in confinement (personally I have found them almost “impossible to kill”) and yearly put on a sort of breeding plumage, would, in exceptional cases at any rate, have nested. I wonder if any member of the Society has ever seriously tried to get them to nest by putting a few birds in a suitable place, apart from birds of other species, and if so, with what result ? 200 Correspondence. My attention was drawn to the matter to-day, by noticing a Knot (a bird I have had some years and that has assumed its chestnut breast rather earlier than usual this spring) busy, near the edge of water, throwing bits of dried grass and other small bits of herbage from one side to another and backwards over its shoulder. There was, I feel sure, no mistake about the meaning of the action being a remote suggestion of nesting. I do not for a moment suppose that in my crowded aviary any nesting will result, but I think the action is interesting as showing that possibly a slight change of conditions might result in actual nesting. I have noticed a movement similar to the Knots in a Reeve that actually nested and laid — also in many other birds, but always in the spring and connected with nesting operations. I am quite convinced that the Knot’s movements had nothing to do with food search. Is it too much to hope that if trials were made on a wide scale, some day nesting would result ? C. Barney Smith. [The only approach to the nesting of this species took place in the late Lord Lilford’s Aviaries in 1893 and is noted in Prof. Newton’s ‘ Ootheca,’ Vol. II., p. 207. Perhaps Mr. Cosgrave may be able to give us some particulars as to the food and conditions under which these birds were kept during that year. Of late years much has been discovered about the nesting habits of this species. Mr. Manniclie, a Danish ornithologist, gives a good account of their breeding habits, etc., in his book, “ Meddelelser om Gronlaud,’ p. 130. He remarks that at this time of the year they are largely, if not entirely, vegetable feeders, eating seeds of Carex and Luzula Tufts. The breeding grounds were dry, stony, sparsely covered table lands. Other observers have noted their feeding on the shoots of Saxifraga oppositifolia and the nests found have been well concealed among rough stones and boulders. — Ed.] RANDOM NOTES. Sir, — I am sending you the following notes about my birds, but I am afraid there is nothing to interest your readers as I am very much of an amateur, and have only a large box-cage for my birds, and I have nothing rare. My cage measures 27 inches long by 13J inches, and is iS inches high. At present it has fifteen occupants, consisting of two Silverbills, two Cordon Bleus, two Lavender Finches, two Orange Cheeks, two Zebra Waxbills, two Cuban F'inclies, one Red Avadavat (cock) and one Fire- finch (cock). The 011I3’ point of interest is that I have been very lucky with my birds. The Cordon Bleus are my first and original pair, purchased three years ago. One Lavender Finch is also my original one, purchased about Reviews. 201 the same time, also the Fire-finch cock. They are all in beautiful plumage, never a feather out of place. When I read of members buying several pairs of Cordons and Lavenders before they can get a pair to live, I feel very pleased with myself. The cage has two small wooden nest-boxes hung on the back wall a little way from the roof, and the birds sit on the top of these boxes for hours at a time in preference to the perches. Some sleep in them at night, and the Cordons often use them in the day-time, and sit side by side with their heads peeping out. I have a branch of an apple tree tied to a long perch running the full length of the cage, and they enjoy’ all the small twigs, which make a nice change from ordinary perches for their small feet. I feed them on Canary seed, white millet, spray, maw-seed, a little Spratts’ egg-food in winter. They eat a large quantity of grass in the ear when we are in the country’ in summer. They live in a nice sunny school¬ room with a western aspect. The first year I had them the Cordon hen laid a few eggs, but since then they’ have shown no signs of mating, and the cock has never sung his love-song with a piece of grass in his beak. The Fire-finch hen also laid some eggs and died, and I have not replaced her. Barbara Younger. REVIEWS. BIRDS OF COLORADO* The United States covers such a vast territory, that in spite of the activity of the numerous excellent ornithologists in that part of the world, there is much to be discovered relating to the distribution and habits of its bird fauna. As a contribution to this subject, the volume before us by Mr. Sclater will admirably fulfil its purpose. The names, both trivial and scientific, are taken from the third edition of the A.O.U. Check List and much valuable space too often devoted to synonymy has thus been saved. Under each species we find the following heads: (i) References to Colorado records, (2) Full description, chiefly’ of the adult male, and we feel that a little more space might have been devoted to the fuller description ot the plumages of the females and young. Mr. Sclater implies in his introduction that Birds of Colorado by William Lutlky Sclater. 8vo. 576 pp. 16 photographs and 1 map. London : Witherby & Co. 21/- net. 202 Reviews. -one of the objects of the book would be to enable the tyro to identify the birds, and it is just the absence of reliable descrip¬ tions of these lesser known plumages which often renders identification of any particular bird a matter of difficulty to the beginner. Under the third heading is given the Distribution both in the States, and, in greater detail, in Colorado itself. The last heading deals with habits, both in and out of the breeding season, site of nest, colour of eggs, etc. We have, therefore, on the whole, a very complete account of the birds of the country. At the end is given a long bibliography of papers on Colorado birds and a geographical index or “ Gazetteer.” Mr. Sclater has given us a thoroughly good book, to which he has obviously devoted much careful work, and which should be for many years to come the authority on the birds of that region. We have only one small criticism to offer, and that is that the measurements are given in inches instead of millimeters, which, especially in small measurements, is a much more convenient mi it. THE GIZA ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. * The Report for the year 19 n, on the progress of this institution is to hand, and contains some very interesting sta¬ tistics which show considerable progress. The largest stock of animals kept there at anytime was maintained in 1911, and there were only 295 deaths as compared with 380 in the previous year. The number of birds at stock-taking was 988 as compared with 842 in the previous year. One is apt to regard the climate of Egypt as ideal for a Zoological Garden, but Captain Flower’s Report opens one’s eyes to the fact that adverse conditions, of which we know nothing here in England, sometimes prevail there to the detri¬ ment of the live stock. For instance, during the year four very severe wind storms, sand storms and dust storms occurred, while earthquake shocks were felt in August. Fortunately no material damage was done. Zoological Gardens, Giza ; Report for the year 1911, by the Director. Cairo : National Printing Department. Reviews. 203 The London house cat is troublesome enough here, but the authorities at Giza have a much more formidable foe in the wild Jungle Cat, (Felis chans), a powerful animal which, during the year carried off quite a number of birds, not to mention four young goats. Hence it is not surprising perhaps to find that the list of mammals bred in the Gardens is much longer than the list of young birds reared. The latter indeed only contains two Black¬ cheeked Lovebirds, one Java Sparrow and several Turtle Doves of sorts, though several others were hatched, notably two Senegal Stone Curlews and two Buff-backed Herons. The Report is illustrated with several excellent photo¬ graphs. D. S-S. REVUE FRANCAISE D’ ORNITHOLOGIES 5 It is impossible in the space at our disposal to mention in full the numerous interesting notes and articles in the three numbers of this journal under review. There can be no doubt that French ornithologists are beginning to bestir themselves and we may soon hope to have more precise knowledge of the birds to be found in their country. Dr. Delmas concludes his Catalogue of the Birds of l’Aveyron, and M. Babin gives a list of the Birds of the Canton de Nemours, while other notes dealing with the native fauna include an article by M. de Dumas on the food of the Hone}’ Buzzard, and migration notes on Swallows, Martins and Cross¬ bills. The B'rench Colonies are represented by articles on Tunisian birds and on the Tailor Bird (with black and white plate) from Cochin China. Two articles deal more especially with Aviculture, one 011 an Ostrich farm in Madagascar and the other on the breeding of Egrets in the Jardin des Plantes. We heartily recommend this Journal to British Ornithologists who will find in it many valuable notes about the birds in which they are most interested. * Revue F?-atifaise d’ Ornithologie. Monthly — January, February, April. Paris: 25, Quai Voltaire. 10 francs yearly. 85 cents per month. 204 Reviews. UPPINGHAM SCHOOL NATURAL SCIENCE REPORT. We have been favoured with a copy of the Uppingham School Natural Science Report, and are pleased to notice that the interest in Natural History is well maintained. The present pamphlet contains notes and observations on the vertebrates met with during the year. 1911 does not seem to have been particu¬ larly noteworthy in the way of rarities observed, but the short notes on the commoner species are not without their interest. We learn, for instance, that the Whitethroat was much scarcer than usual and that although the usual numbers of adult Cuckoos were seen very few young appear to have been reared. Perhaps the most important note from the scientific point of view is that of the Little Owl, which is now common in the district. The contents of nesting holes and pellets were care¬ fully examined, and its chief food seemed to consist of beetles, insects and mice, with very few small birds, Tits, Wrens, occasionally a young Thrush, and one water rat. No remains of game birds whatever were found. Mr. Constable, however, noticed a growing scarcity of small birds, which he considers may be partly due to the Little Owl, disturbing the birds and causing them to seek “ fresh fields and pastures new.” Practical Bird- Keeping. 205 PRACTICAL BIRD-KEEPING. XV.— LARKS. By Dr. A. G. Butler. Our Editor has asked me to contribute an article upon these birds although my experience of them is limited to three species: — the Skylark, Woodlark, and Mongolian Lark, other more competent members of our Society not having been willing to help him. He says : — “ to have kept one species and studied it is better than to have had fifty and just fed them in a cage.” Of course this is true, and, therefore, I am doing what I can towards helping those with even less experience. The Larks are related to the Finches and Pipits but differ from all their relatives in having the back of the tarsus scaled as well as the front. The form of the bill in the various genera differs to an extraordinary degree, being slender, as that of a Warbler in some ; long and tapering with a slight terminal curve (so as almost to recal the Hoopoes) in Certhilazida ; broad, short and notched like that of some Buntings in others. Unlike the Finches, the bills of Larks do not seem to afford good sexual distinctions, but as a general rule the males may be distinguished from the females by their superior size, broader chests and noticeably longer wings (see my little book “ How to sex Cage- Birds,” p. 92); the hind claw is also said to be longer in the males than in the females, but I have hitherto had no opportunity of confirming the statement. Being related to the Finches and Pipits, the Larks natur¬ ally feed both upon seeds and insects, and therefore should have both in captivity. A good insectivorous mixture, a tea-spoonful of canary-seed and two or three mealworms, smooth caterpillars, or spiders daily, constitute the most suitable diet for caged Larks ; a fresh clovery turf, a little groundsel, chickweed, or chopped lettuce should also be given when obtainable. As these birds do not wash, but dust themselves after the manner of fowls, they should have abundance of fine fresh sand, in which to perform their cleansing operations. Being subject in their natural state to showers, it does not hurt them to occasion- 206 Practical Bird-Keeping. ally sprinkle them with a fine syringe ; but as they are unable, unless kept in a spacious aviary, to get sufficient exercise to dry them rapidly and restore them to their normal temperature, it is not advisable to overdo that sort of thing ; and the safer plan, in my opinion, is to abstain from the practice altogether. Unless you possess both sexes of a species and desire to breed from them, Larks are far better kept in cages than aviaries ; in the former they not only sing much more frequently, but they can be better attended to. The cage should not, as a rule, be lofty ; and, for recently acquired birds, which are nervous and liable to spring recklessly upwards at the risk of concussion or a broken skull, the roof should be of canvas ; for well-established birds however this is unnecessary, and then it may either be of wire or wicker-work, the latter being preferable. For the common Skylark I found the ordinary runner-cage, two feet in length, about seven inches in width and nine in height, with a central door, most suitable : I used to turf one end, thickly sand the other, hang food and water on the front and put a small pan of canary-seed inside. The Chinese cage for thick-billed Larks is circular with a central one-legged table upon which the bird mounts to sing : the only objection to this cage is that it is not large enough to give the inmate much exercise : I therefore got the late Mr. Abrahams to have a special cage constructed for my Mongolian Lark ; it was of the waggon pattern, with overarched willow bars and a sufficient depth of wood to enable me to cover the floor with abundance of sand ; the back and ends were of wood and the length of the cage two feet: a movable slip in front admitted a scraper for cleansing the floor, and the sand was poured in through the top bars: food and water pans slid in from the front at either end just above the sand : this bird lived in perfect health to a good age. Larks roost at night upon the ground, so that whether in cage or aviary they should not be subjected to possible attacks by either rats or old buck mice (the latter are often equally danger¬ ous). Rat or mouse- virus, when it can be obtained in good condition, is most effective; but I am afraid, now that it has made a name for itself, it is by no means so satisfactory as when XV. —Larks. 207 first placed upon the market: in 1911 I sent for two tubes of mouse virus and a phial of Rattine and although I carefully prepared them according to instructions, not a mouse was destroyed by any of them : in 1910 one tube of mouse-virus cleared off every mouse on my premises. Unlike most birds, harks appear to sing instinctively ; that is to say, instead of learning from their parents, the wild song appears to be hereditary. I have taken Skylarks from the nest when six days old and hand-reared them, and one of these, though a hen, sang the well-known song of its species ; others taken when fairly well feathered not only produced their own natural song, but introduced into the performance parts of the songs of other birds in my possession. My first attempts at handrearing Larks were not successful, the whole of them having died from cramp, although kept warm in a basket of hay and covered with flannel at night. Considering that in their wild state birds would be crouching together in a nest placed in a hollow or depression in the earth, I concluded that moist warmth to the legs was necessary in their infant stage; I therefore cut a hole in a thick turf and inserted therein a Whitethroat’s nest, in which I placed my nestling Larks, covering them with a piece of flannel to represent the mother- bird : from that time forward I had no further difficulty in rearing Skylarks. I have had no experience in breeding Larks, and for that reason I should have been better pleased if our friend, Mr. Reginald Phillipps, would have consented to undertake this article. I should imagine that, at first, these birds would recprire a considerable amount of living insect-food for their young; a point upon which, I think, Mr. Phillipps, does not speak defin¬ itely in his account of the nesting of the Black Lark. Soiled hay seems to have been preferred for the nest ; not I should imagine to render the latter less conspicuous, but because it would be easier to mould than when fresh and stiff. Many years experience in bird-nesting convinced me that birds selected such suitable materials as were nearest to hand, without considering whether the use of these would render their homes conspicuous or the reverse : the only Chaffinch nest which 208 Practical Bird-Keeping. I ever found completely covered outside with grey-white lichen was placed in an elm-hedge skirting a wood and was so glaringly conspicuous that no passer by could possibly fail to notice it : the lichen had been obtained from a tree a few feet behind in the wood. This is not an isolated instance ; the nest of the Long-tailed Tit is frequently a prominent object in a roadside hedge, and consequently tempts the young clodhopper to exhibit his destructive instincts. In the foregoing observations I have dealt chiefly with those Larks which spend a considerable part of their existence upon the earth or near it. but there are others, such as the Wood- lark, which often settle upon the tops of hedges or the branches of trees, and for these it is necessary to provide loftier cages supplied with perches for their use during the daytime : at night, like other larks they rest upon the ground. Even a Skylark can settle upon a branch, and one which I kept in an aviary frequently did so, but it looks awkward in that position with its long hind claw pointing straight downwards. Notices to Members — t Continued from page ti. of cover ■ . NEW MEMRRRS. Prof. Walt, ACE Craig, Orono, Maine. U.S.A. Mr. Edmund Henry Tuckweee, F.Z.S., Berthorpe, Compton, near Guildford. Mr. A. C. DREEINCOURT CampbEEE, 48, Rockliffe Road, Bathwick, Bath. Mr. H. W. I, aThom, Henry Street Chambers, King Street, Luton, CANDIDATE FOR ELECTION. Mr. F, Eckstein, Ottershaw Park, Ottershaw, Surrey. Proposed by D. Seth-Smith. MEMBERS’ PRIVATE SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is sixpence for eighteen words or less, and one penny for every additional three words or less. Trade advertisements are not aeeowed in this column. Dealers who are members, wishing to adveitise. should apply to the Publisher for terms. Advertisements must reach the Editor on or before the 26th of the month. The Council reserve the right of refusing any advertisement they may consider undesirable. Fine tame cock Raven ; runs loose and talks ; for sale. Mrs. Fogg E ELIOT, Staindrop, Darlington. British Museum Catalogue of Birds, complete set of 27 volumes, good condition ; also the four volumes of the Handlist. What offers over £70— for the lot ? May be seen by appointment. PhieeippS, 26, Cromwell Grove, Hammersmith. Two female Waxwings, one with crown disfigured ; 20/- the two. PhieeippS, 26, Cromwell Grove, Hammersmith. The Original Water-Colour Drawings of the plates which have appeared in the Magazine are for sale. Apply to The Editor. Pair Militarv Starlings, cock Mesia tame and acclimatised, about twelve various African W'axbills, Singing Finch (cock). Spice Bird, etc.; two very large mahogany cages (aviaries), for £5 5/-, to clear at once. Mrs. Warren Vernon, Toddington Manor, Beds. Will an voile having Vols. I., III. and IV. of the first series of Avicultural Magazine to disoose of, kindly state terms ? We:ST, Newman & Co,, 54, Hatton Garden, London, E.C. WAN T S . The charge for members'1 advertisements under this heading is four pence for tweevk words ot under, and one penny for every additional three words or less. Wanted, a pair of Cockatiels for outdoor aviary. Mrs. C. Fogg Eeeiot, Staindrop, Darlington. WEST, NEWMAN & GO., LITHOGRAPHIC, CHRO MO- LITHOGRAPHIC, AND LETTERPRESS PRINTERS, 54, HATTON GARDEN, LONDON, EX. - * - PRINTERS ami PUBLISHERS of Natural History Books and General Printers. . Lithographers for various Government and other Museums, and for learned Societies in London, India, South Africa, & c. Original drawings are accurately reproduced by Lithography or Photo-Lithography, either in colours or monotone, or by line and half-tone blocks. Coloured plates of Birds, Insects and Animals a speciality. TROWER & CO.. WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS, 436 & 438* CALEDONIAN ROAD, LONDON, N. EXTRA LARGE SPANISH CANARY SEED. CHOICE GERMAN SUMMER RAPE SEED Finest Selected Seeds for all kinds of Cage or Aviary Birds British. Foreign, and Canaries, as supplied by us to th® leading Fanciers and Exhibitors at the Crystal Palace and other Shows. PRICE LIST. SAMPLES FREE. 6i pPfTn tli e best Insectivorous Food on the Market, 1/- per lb. postpaid 1/3. Ground Silk Worm Pupae, Mealworms, Ants’ Higgs, Dried Flies, etc. <■ IJ'f'RTCr'fl ” the finest Egg and Biscuit Food vet made. LUDlbblL- 3 j 61 1/m- and a Tins. AVI CULT URAL MAGAZ I N E . CONTENTS. Notes on Sexual Selection. Part I. By Frank Finn, B.A., F.Z.S. Diary of Birds seen on the White Nile. Part III. by Richard Staples- Browne Wintering Cranes in New England, by J. L. Phujjps Weaver Birds, by Sidney Williams, F.Z.S. .. Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens by the Curator The Forthcoming Reception of Members Correspondence, Notes, etc. The Mocking Bird, 228; The Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, 228; The Bine Chaffinch of Teneriffe, 229; Sexual Display, 2295 The Breeding of Knots, 230; Owen’s Apteryx ( illustrated ), 231 Reviews: — .Game Birds of South Africa, 232; Wild Birds of the Giza Gardens, 232 ; British Birds, 233 ; The Rarer Birds of Somerset, 233. Practical, Burn Keeping : XVI. Bulbuls, by Dr. A. G. Butler PAGE 209 218 222 224 226 227 Edited by J LEWIS BONHOIE, M.A., F. L.S. THIRD SERIES, Vol. HI No 8 The price of this n u m be r i s 1/3 JUNE, -19 12.- NOTE — A new volume commences every November, All Subscriptions should be sent to the Publishers, Messrs WEST, NEWMAN &, Co.. 54, Hatton Garden, E.C AVICULTURAL SOCIETY, Persons wishing to join the AviCUr.TURAi. SOCIETY are requested to communicate witli either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. NOTICES TO MEMBERS. I'he Subsci iotion to the Avienltural Society is 10 - tier annum, one on the 1st of November in eacli year, and is pavable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/6. The Avienltural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. All MSS. for publication in the Magazine , Books for Review, and Private Advertisements should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. J, Lewis BonhotE ; Gadespring Lodge, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. All Queries respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A. G. Buti.kr, 124. Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. All other correspondence, should he sent to the Honorary Business Secretary, Mr. R. I. Pocock ; Zoological Society’s Gardens, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. Any change of address should at once he notified to him. Advice is given, by post, by members of the Council to members of the Society, upon all subjects connected with Foreign and British birds. All queries are to he addressed to the H011. Correspondence Secretary and should contain a penny stamp. Those marked “ Private” will not he published. The Magazine is published bv Messrs. WEST, Newman &. Co.. (54, Hatton Garden, PLC.)to whom all SUBSCRIPTIONS, orders for extra copies, hack numbers, and hound volumes (accompanied by remittance) should be addressed; Cases for binding the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side, can be obtained from the Publishers, post free and carefully packed, at 1/6 each; or the Publishers will undertake the binding of the Volume for 2/6, plus 8d. for packing and postage. Members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements hound in at the end or not. BOUND COPIES OF The ‘‘AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE.” 1'he following can lie obtained from the Publishers at the prices given below. Postage 6d. per volume extra : Vol. II., 6 - to members; 8 6 to the public. Vols. V. to VII., 10 6 each to members; 126 each to the public. Vol. VIIL, 14/- to members; 17/610 the public. New Series — Vols. I. to IV., (sets only) £ 4 net to members ; £5 to the public. ,, Vols. II. to VII., 16/- each to members; 21/- to the public. Third Series — Vol. I. and II., 16/- ,, ,, 21/- ,, ,, Current Monthly Numbers 1/3 each (except in special cases, such as the Number containing the List of Members, Index, etc., when the Com¬ mittee may increase the price), by post 1/4; for bac Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. Second-hand copies sometimes reach the Publishers, to whom application should be made. METHUEN’S NEW BOOKS. Reptiles. Amphibia, Fishes and Lower Chordata. By R. Lydekker, B.A., F.R.S , and others. With many Illustrations. Demy 8vo. 10.s6 253 The Society’s Medal .. .. •• •• •• 254 Correspondence, Notes, etc. Notes on the Sun-bittern .. 254 Reviews: — Familiar Indian Birds. 255; The Flight of Birds, 255: British Warblers, 257 ; A Handlist of British Birds, 258 Practical Bird Keeping r XVII. Waders, by C. Barnby Smith .. .. 260 The price of this number is 1/3 THIRD SERIES, Vol. III. No 9 JULY, -19 12- NOTE. — A new volume commences every November. AH Subscriptions should be sent to the Publishers, Messrs. WEST, fSIEWMAIN & Co., 54-. Hatton Garden, E.C AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the AviCUM'URAr, SOCIETY are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. NOTICKS TO MEMBERS. The Subscription to the Avicultnral Society is 10 '-per annum, due on the ist of November in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is io/6. '1'lie Avicul'turnl Magazine is sent free to members monthlv. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the hack numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. All MSS. for publication in the Magazine , Books for Review, and Private Advertisements, should be addressed to the Piditor, Mr. J. LEWIS BonhoTK ; Gadespring Lodge, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. All Queries respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A. G, BuTr.HR, 124. Beckenham Load, Beckenham, Kent. All other correspondence, should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary, Mr. R. I. Pocoeic ; Zoological Societv’s Gardens, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. Airy change of address should at once be notified to him. Advice is given, by post, by members of the Council to members of the Society, upon all subjects connected with Foreign and British birds. All queries are to he addressed to the Hon. Correspondence Secretary and should contain a penny stamp. Those marked “ Private” will not he published. The Magazine is published bv Messrs West, Newman & Co.. (54, Hatton Garden, E.C.)to whom all SUBSCRIPTIONS, orders for extra copies, back numbers, and hound volumes (accompanied by remittance) should ire addressed. Cases for binding the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side, can be obtained from the Publishers, post free and carefully packed, at 1 6 each ; or the Publishers will undertake the binding of the Volume for 2/6, plus 8e obviously truthful. * The British Warblers, A history with problems of their lives, by H. Eliot Howard, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Illustrated by Henrik Gronvold. Pt. 6. 4to. London : R. H. Porter. 21/- net. 253 Reviews. A HANDLIST OF BRITISH BIRDS. * The numbers of rare stragglers recorded from our shores has, owing to the attention given to the subject by many col¬ lectors and ornithologists, increased so considerably of late years that we welcome with pleasure Messrs. Witherby’s List, which brings all these scattered records together ; it also, as the authors belong to the latest and most advanced class of systematists, includes under a different heading all the different races of the same species, which have occurred in our islauds. From these two points of view alone, this little volume will prove most useful and acceptable to British Ornithologists generally. We may not individually all agree as to the merits of certain races to subspecific rank, but no one will deny the advantage of having these various races clearly set out in a List like the present, our only regret being that the distinguishing characters of the different races are not given as well. We are quite aware that this book is intended only as a List, but as space is found for Distributional and Migrational notes a couple of lines giving the main characteristics of the different subspecies would have rendered the book still more complete and useful. The notes on the Distribution, both in the British Isles and Abroad, as well as the Migration notes, are extremely well and concisely written. This book, however, was mainly written witli a view of advertising and popularising the names, many of them new, that should be borne by our native birds under the new international Code, to criticise these names in detail in our journal would be out of place, but we must say that some of the names appear to us to have been needlessly changed, while the alteration of others, such as the transference of the name iliacus from the Redwing to the Thrush, and musicus from the Thrush to the Redwing is likely to lead to confusion rather than to uniformity and clearness. On this nomenclature question we have, how¬ ever, a complaint against the authors. The International Com¬ mittee, whose work they uphold with so much enthusiasm, is * A Handlist of British Birds with an account of the distribution of each species in the British Isles aud Abroad, by Ernest Hartbrt, F. C. R. Jourdain, N. F. Ticehurst and H. F. Withkrby. 8vo. 237pp. London : Witherby & Co. 7/6 net. Reviews. 259 not the first body that has attempted a Code of Nomenclature. It is hardly fair or just (as far as Britain is concerned at all events) to say in the Preface ‘ we have neglected for more than 150 years one of the requisites of greatest importance’ (/.easou when the before-mentioned German dealer sent me a pair •• a Rechnung wh ck included an item : five marks for the same. The sex of these two birds was rather a puzzle, for the smallest one with the boldest markings was apparently the male, whereas in the case of most species or Larks, or which the -exes are similarly marked, the female is usually the smaller and the better marked. They at once made themselves quite at home in the large aviary and were inseparable. This accords with the ird- forks, which state that the Carrsterj. is never found in docks at always in fairs or small family parties. Ah rut the middle of May the smaller bird which by this time I had fnl y identified as the male, au exceptioual circumstance. on the Nesting of the Li es ted Lark. 277 of course), began to carry large beakfuls of grass and did his best to induce the female to build in a secluded corner. They used to flirt most outrageously and I may here remark that the Carretera seems to be a sort of buffoon of bird society ; he never does any¬ thing without a vast amount of prancing, posturing and grimac¬ ing and apparently does his very best on all occasions to add to the gaiety of the community in which he finds himself by making himself ridiculous. But, though he likes to pose as a wag, he is anything but a fool, The female, however, had other views and I was very much annoyed to see that she had decided to build in the most open part of the aviary, close to the spot where I am in the habit of placing my observation chair. According to Oates the Crested Lark generally makes use of some small depression in the ground, as for instance the print of a cow’s hoof for its nest but my birds certainly dug out with their stout beaks a circular cavity and, what is more, they dug several before they were quite satisfied with the result, and then lined the cavity with fine grass. The nest was not placed in a tuft but in a spot w'here the grass was rather thin and it was therefore not particularly well concealed. It was completed on the Sth June; the first egg was laid on the 10th. The clutch of four eggs was completed on the 13th, but incubation commenced on the 12th. The eggs were rather large, the ground-colour cream, thickly spotted with light terra-cotta, dark-brown and a few purplish blotches. The eggs were so unlike one another that one would think that each one had been taken from a different clutch. One had confluent markings forming a circular blotch on the apex, another had the spots equally distributed over its 'whole surface and the remaining two showed rings of spots at the point where the diameter w7as greatest. As far as I could ascertain only the female incubated and she was the most unsteady sitter that I have ever known, in fact it seemed to me impossible that the eggs should hatch in view of the length of time that they were left every day uncovered in a thinly lined nest on the cold ground and in particularly wet and chilly7 weather. I see by reference to my note-book that the only day without rain during the period of incubation was the 22nd. However, 011 the 24th, two young hatched and the remaining Mr. \Y. H. Teschem-aker voungster on the : o'. '.owing cay. The male used to keep watch .1 from certain co gns of vantage and pass the word to the female when anyone approached the aviary and the latter would at once spring from her nest : I noticed that she never >pted the precatit on of running some d stance through the ass u ore tak ng \ ng, as her en.d and neighbour the heu Ye o\\ Wagra a ly used to do Probably on the bare, pen stretches of country affected by this species the ruse would be of no avail. ting as very other instances which have came under my notice, did not show any protective colouration : they had dense matted tuffs of .vhite down, n t :e crown, and • and these, with the \ de cream-coloured nances of the . .... them conspicuous objects among the green grass. almost th 11k that they realized this fact and tried to ■leatrahae the effect, for they managed to fatten themselves down in their shallow nest ca such a way that they could not have looked f _ ii a garden-ro er had been passed over est f . grew ast despite the act that they had ver little brooding and had to face exceedingly had weather. For stance, the ist of July, at 6.30 was as wintry a morning as 1 ever remember in a r Engl sh sum uer The rat:: was coming 1 torrents, the id bk \ hard n the orth and it was e y cold Nevertke ess the usua sup pi es had to as carried . md, desuite all possible despatch the operation teak Quite ten in 1 nut es Ar h. the fern ale as nsual left the nest, and my sympathies went 01 it to the unfortunate > cung as thus e: t unprotected. In order to shorts the ordeal for them I had : not intended to pay t h em my i trsua . in 0 1 n - sit but my enriosi as a: a use a 1 said : 0 m se . : I - a e a 1 a never have a be tter opportunity of ascerta ng hew the young of g round- nesti g ■ ds manage to . e a . ecu: n irons down- pour 01 rain in oven nests. So I changed my mind, an d I am glad I did. for I as ev deb cue cf these rare peeps to the ste es d- e v c . e the special pr ege c: the i c .a: st 1 had a ctured to ru se the ■ curtg Fa ... a. ng helplessly n a w ate: legged ues: bn: I had Quite overlooked : e act that a the r hour of great distress they had a counsellor on the Nesting of the Crested Lark. -79 and friend. Wise Old Mother Nature was whispering in their ear. Yes, with the experience of a thousand thousand years she was telling them what to do and how to do it. The three little Larks were sitting up in their nest in an almost erect position, facing one another with their breasts pressed closely together. Their wide beaks were pointing upwards almost vertically and also pressed closely together, thus forming' the apex ot a cone. Their necks were retracted, thus bringing the thick tufts of down and feathers on the crown and back together, and their wings — by this time showing quill leathers — were held closely to their sides. If my description has been sufliciently clear, you will at mice grasp the meaning and object of those tufts, you will realize that each little back formed a cleverly- designed water¬ shed, and you will understand why rain does not. kill young Larks. When the North American Indian sticks three poles in the ground, lashes their tops together and throws a skin over this framework he makes a “ tepee,” and we regard the “ tepee” as the product of his inventive faculty. But evidently the “tepee” is an old idea — as old as the hills. Long before the Indian set foot on the New World “tepees” were being erected on the wide Campo of Southern Spain, on the vast Steppe of Central Asia — by the Carreicra ! Although the Con eteras did not think it necessary to brood their young closely, they used to feed them most diligently, and were extremely careful never to approach the nest when anyone was near the aviary. Once or twice I waited as long as half-an- liour to see the young fed, but always in vain. Under such cir¬ cumstances most birds who are feeding young will fuss about for some time and then even risk taking a beak I u 1 of live-bait to the nest under your observation, or else will throw the aforesaid live-bait away in a petulant manner. But not so the Crested Larks. I was much amused by the extremely sensible, patient and methodical way in which they faced the situation. They simply retired to a little distance, taking a nice plump maggot with them, squatted down on a convenient ledge and waited. The expiration of half-an-hour would find them in the sell same position still treasuring the same fat maggot. No doubt in the very open country, which they select for their nesting quarters, Mrs. McConnell, 2S0 they have to be particularly careful not to give away the position of the nest to either two-legged or four-legged nest-hunters, and their opportunities of visiting the nest unobserved are probably few and far between. On the 6th July the young Larks left the nest, which shows us how Nature can expedite her processes when she thinks it expedient, for some young Rock Pipits, hatched the same day, did not fly until the 10th. Their prevailing colour was greyish, the tips of the primary and secondary coverts, of the secondaries and anterior margins and tips of the primaries pale buff. The under¬ parts were whitish with a faint tinge of buff ; the outer tail- feathers sandy. They still showed some down on the crown but this was soon displaced by a crest of fair length. A warmer colouring soon made its appearance, the superciliary streak being warm buff, and some mottled feathers appeared on the breast, their backs also becoming mottled which gave them a somewhat mottled appearance. In a wonderfully short space of time they became independent and learned how to dig for a bieakfast. AVIARY AND NESTING NOTES. By Mrs. McConnell. I am writing a few notes on my very hap-hazard aviaries and my nesting successes and failures, hoping they may be of some interest to bird-lovers like myself who cannot afford any very expensive structures, and also that the smallest contribu¬ tions may be thankfully received by our kind Editor at this slack time of year. A11 enclosure was originally made in a sheltered part of the garden and close to the house, 70ft. by 30ft. in area, wooden frame and sparrow-proof wire-netting for growing small fruits, but as wild birds were shut out all the year round it was a failure for this purpose, everything being eaten up by blight. I soon appropriated one end of it for birds and built a simple wooden shed with concrete floor as shelter. This was followed by others, and now the whole is given up to birds, and there are seven divisions and seven sheds of varying sizes, all erected by my own men, and some with only the ground for floor. I surrounded the Aviary and Nesting Notes. 2S1 whole base with small mesh wire, burying it six inches in the ground as protection from mice, rats, etc. ; covered some divisions entirely with half-inch wire for small birds and planted them with evergreen shrubs and ivy on the supports. Greenery is no use for Parrakeets as they soon destroy it, but I have a pair of Many-Coloured who do not do so. Strong springs on all doors, so that they cannot be left open, is a good safeguard. There is no attempt at heating, and many Parrakeets and small birds generally considered delicate have survived many winters in this place. This year, my pair of Many-Coloured — who last year reared four in one nest to maturity, began to think of nesting earl)'- in February. The hen disappeared into her log nest the first week in March, and in due time the voices of young were heard, and so strong were they in two or three weeks time, that I allowed curiosity to get the better of prudence, and took down the nest to see when I thought the old birds were not looking that way. There were four strong young ones and, horrible to relate, they were never fed again. Last year I had done the same thing without any tragic result, but I suppose the nestlings were older. I have found a dead one in a nest poisoning the others, and this is my excuse to myself, but it is certainly wiser not to look. I am now anxiously awaiting the appearance of a nest-full of young hybrids between a Platycercus flaveolus lieu and a Yellow- naped or Port Lincoln cock. This morning (15th July) my man tells me he is sure they have been hatched more than two months, so I have taken down the log nest and looked in ; there are three strong, young birds, well-fledged and looking very bright in colour with bright red frontal bands. Yesterday, I saw one appear, head and shoulders at the nest hole, several times, and I expect they will be fully out this or next day. I have not many other successes to record. A pair of Virginian Cardinals hatched out two, earl}' in March, in a nest made of coarse bents and lined with finer grass, in a small fir tree. The nestlings came out of the nest in less than a week, and squatted about near it, incessantly crying for food, which both parents were most assiduous in supplying. They had an unlimited supply of mealworms, beetles, and fresh ants’ eggs. 282 Aviary and Nesting Notes. and all kinds of grubs dug up by the gardener, who always has some reeeDtacle to put them in when working. The old birds become wonderfully tame and confiding when feeding young, though rather wild and shy at other times. The hen again laid two eggs in the old nest, but they were no good, and now she has just died, I think from eating too many mealworms. One of the first nestlings was killed by some bird pecking its mouth badly, it was always opening its mouth and crying for food to an}' bird that came near, and no doubt annoyed somebody. The survivor is a hen and quite full-grown, only lacking the red beak. Two Californian Quails have laid an immense number of eggs, and both began to sit early last month, but one died quite unaccountably after sitting a few days, and the other, who sat in a nest prepared for a domestic hen, was disturbed by another hen laying an egg in the midst of her’s. These Quail are in a large enclosure in another part of the garden, where I keep rare bantams. I used to have great success with these delightful birds and have several times had twenty and more hatched out and reared in one nest, but have failed with them entirely the last two years. A Black-breasted cock Quail and a Chinese hen made a nest in a heap of grass in a corner of a shed and laid five eggs ; three disappeared, one was addled and one hatched out. They are the prettiest little family, always together and most devoted to the tiny baby, who gets through an unbelievable amount of mealworms, ants’ eggs, etc., and the hen clucks and broods exactly like a domestic fowl. The little one is now nearly full- grown and the hen preparing a second nest; they are quite tame and charming little birds. Any number of Canaries and Canary x Goldfinch hybrids, a pair of Bronze- winged Doves, and many white and cream coloured Doves make up the tale of nesting successes this year, and I cannot complain, as I have not been able to keep up the pairs of birds and have a good many odd ones, also some of my Parrakeets have been disturbed. Better luck next year I hope. I should like at some future time to give some statistics of the wonderful longevity of some birds in my possession. Among the Bi)ds in Sutherland. 283 AMONG THE BIRDS IN SUTHERLAND. By K. Sherbrooke. I have been asked to write something for the Magazine, and having no aviary experiences to relate, I thought a short account of the birds I have seen here might be interesting. My knowledge of birds is rather superficial, and I can only write as a lover of them and not from a scientific point of view. This house is only about a hundred yards from the sea, not the open sea, but a little bay with a rocky island about the middle, which can be reached on foot at low tide. This is the home of a pair or two of Oyster Catchers, but I have not been able to find their nests, which I think are there, somewhere concealed amongst the rocks and tufts of thrift which grows profusely all about the cliffs. Kittiwakes and Terns also spend much time on these rocks, and a green Cormorant or two are generally swimming about the bay, taking headlong dives at short intervals. The last few days two or three Divers have appeared, I think the Red-throated, but I have not got near enough to be certain, and they fill the bay with their weird noises, beginning with a mew as of a giant cat and finishing off like an unearthly dog fight! On the beach a pair of Ring Plovers dart along the sand and whistle monotonously. I found a nest on an island a few miles off with four tin)7 young ones lying immovable like little mottled grey stones ; one of the party did a photograph of them, but unluckily it was not a success. Nearly all the birds about here are very tame, possibly being in such a majority they feel safe, the human population being exceedingly small ; in fact, one feels that the country belongs to the birds and one is only here on sufferance. Where- ever you go you are being watched, far from silently, as the Gulls bark overhead, the Oyster-catchers scream about the rocks, Wheatears chatter at you from the stones, and Twites and Pipits flutter round in great agitation if you approach their nests. A pair of Buzzards have nested and brought off their young a few miles away, and we were lucky enough to see a Golden Eagle soaring towards the mountain of Ouinaig a few days ago. Of course the great feature of this coast is the island of Handa, and parties are continually going off in boats to see the birds. 2S4 Among the Birds in Sutherland. It is like a gigantic bee-hive, even from here, four miles off; with glasses you can see the stream of birds flying from the cliffs to sea and back again. The whole effect is wonderful from the sea, but there is generally such a swell that it is difficult to make out individual birds; these can be seen better from the cliffs, and by lying flat and looking over the edge one can see into the nests. We had a good view of the Fulmar Petrels in that way and saw one white egg. I believe they have only nested on Handa since 1893, and are supposed to have come from St. Kilda. The air is full of Guillemots and Razor¬ bills bobbing in the water like corks and flying with extra¬ ordinary rapidity, apparently to nowhere in particular, they set out as if to go for miles with immense determination, and then suddenly collapse into the sea with a splash. I think I made out three different species of Guillemots, and a fisherman tells me he saw a pure white one a few days ago. The Puffins seemed to be rather less numerous than when I was here some years ago, but the time of year may make the difference. The in¬ cessant noise is very striking, but not at all unpleasant, rather like distant bagpipes or violins in a high key. I have found several Eider Ducks nests, but now, the end of June, I think they have mostly hatched off. One or two pair of duck in the bay I am told are Pintail, and some wild geese were seen flying, which I hear breed on the islands in the next bay, and I intend to visit them and see if it is so, one cannot quite depend upon local information. Since then I have seen a nest and five gos¬ lings with their parents. The Terns have been here about a fortnight, and are now laying on the islands, and the stately Gannet sails about the open sea. The Lesser Black-backed Gull is quite plentiful, I have not seen many of the Greater. The Cormorant is ubiqui¬ tous, there must be hundreds just round here; they nest on Handa and the Badcall islands, a comfortable-looking nest with a fringe of green round it. Some Sandpipers have been flying about the garden, and I have seen one Dipper on the rocks, but not the Ring Ouzel, which I rather expected to find here. If anyone wishes to spend some time in the bird-world, I can recommend the coast of Sutherland in June. Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens. 2S5 BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. By The Curator. The most important arrival for some time past is that of a young Shoebill ( Balceniceps rex) which reached the Gardens on June 29th. It was presented to the Zoological Society by Sir Reginald Wingate, and brought home by Captain A. L,. Butler, the Game Warden of the Sudan. In i860 the Society received two specimens of this very remarkable Heron. These lived but a short time, and there have been none in Europe since, although there are three at Giza and one at Khartoum. I would refer our members to an excellent paper on this bird by Captain Stanley Flower, which appeared in this journal in 1S9S (Vol. VI. Second series, p. 191). There have been few new arrivals during the past month, but nesting has been going on. The two young Scarlet Tanagers that I mentioned last month, unfortunately both died after leaving the nest. At that stage they were barely fledged, and quite unable to stand the cold and damp that, as luck would have it, set in just at the critical moment of their lives. The Magpie Tanagers made an open nest of grasses in a privet bush about seven feet from the ground. Two eggs were laid, and as I write they have two young ones about three days old. The White-throated Ground Thrushes which I mentioned last month as having successfully reared a pair of young birds, are now sitting again and just about due to hatch their second brood. Crimson Finches are sitting ; and a pair of Plale’s Parrot Finches are rearing a brood of three or four young birds. The pair of Cariamas which bred successfully last year have another young bird, now just a month old. In the Great Aviary a Black-headed Gull has paired with an Australian Silver or Jameson’s Gull. They hatched three young birds, but these were taken by other birds, probably Ibises or Night Herons. They laid again and we took the eggs and hatched out two chicks, which are progressing well in charge of a bantam hen. But of considerably greater interest is the hatching of a 286 Bird Notes from the Zoological Ga?de?is. young Hemprich’s Gull ( Larus hemprichi). In 1896 Mr. Meade- Waldo presented the Zoological Society with three of these Gulls, a pair and their young one, which he had captured on board ship in the Gulf of Aden. They are the only examples the Society has possessed, and until this year the}' have shown no inclination to nest. Chiefly confined to the Gulf of Aden, little is known of the nesting habits of Hemprich’s Gull, and so far as I know the young in down has not been described. One expected a mottled bird like the young of most of the Gulls, but greatly to one’s surprise this chick is of a nearly uniform huffish white, slightly darker on the back. The parent birds are laying again so we hope to rear others. I11 one of the outside aviaries of the Parrot House a pair of Yellow-collared Parrakeets have reared a couple of young ones, strong healthy birds, exactly like their parents, except that their plumage is not quite so bright. We recently had three Eider Duck’s eggs presented to us, which were set under a hen, with the result that one hatched and a nice young Eider is being reared with a brood of young Tufted Ducks. In one of the aviaries outside the Small Bird House a pair of Mexican Rose Finches built a nest in a cage hung against the wall, and have succeeded in hatching and rearing three young birds. At this time of year the pair of Australian Bee-eaters which occupy one of these outside aviaries, form one of the most attractive exhibits at the Gardens. They have now lived with us for fifteen months and have done remarkably well. So tame are they that they will fly on to one’s hands for mealworms and appear absolutely fearless. Their activity on the wing is wonder¬ ful, and I do not believe that any bee, wasp or fly that enters the aviary ever escapes them. They are constantly making flights from the perch after insects that are to human eyes invisible, but they always return with an insect of some sort in their beaks. Bee-eaters are seldom kept in captivity, but in an aviary no birds are more delightful. D. S.-S. at the Zoological Gardens. Review. 2S7 REVIEW. REVUE FRANCAISE D’ORNITHOLOGIE. * 5 Our neighbours’ ornithological journal for the months under review contains numerous articles of interest iu all branches of Ornithology. In this country, where the ornitho¬ logical magazines are more numerous, they have also become more specialized and in consequence of less interest to the general reader. In France, however, this Magazine deals with ail kinds of Ornithological matters, systematic work, migration, foreign birds, native birds, aviculture, etc., etc., and thus every bird-lover, whatever their particular tastes, will find something of interest, Space will not permit us to deal with the articles individually. We have a long and carefully drawn up list of the fossil birds of France, several articles on the recent immigration of Crossbills and their status in different parts of the country, notes on Tunisian birds by Dr. Nullet Horsin, notes on Hawking with a Goshawk by Prince Ernest d’Aremburg, as well as many shorter notes on the occurrence of rare birds, varieties, etc. in different parts of France. Of more especial interest to aviculturists are the articles by M. A. Vaucher on the Great Bustard, dealing more especially with plumages, by M. Rene Bacon on the Wintering of Birds in outdoor aviaries, and a very practical article by M. P. Vincent ou a visit to a collection of living softbi 1 Is. Finally, we are glad to notice that the French Government has appointed a Commission ‘ to establish on scientific lines for the whole of France a com¬ plete classification of useful and harmful birds with the extent of their usefulness or harmfulness and special mention of those that might be harmful at one time of year and useful at another.’ The Commission will have much to do to carry out their object, but it is on the right lines. Bird Protection, except in the case of species in danger of extermination, should be run 011 economic lines and not on sentiment, and a careful enquiry is the only way to determine which species should be protected. * Revue Francaise d’ Ornithologie. Monthly— May, June, July. Paris : 25, Ouai Voltaire. 10 francs yearly. 85 cents per month. 288 Correspondence. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. Mr. W. E. Teschemaker is apparently entitled to a medal for breeding the Crested Lark, an account of which appears in this number. Will any member, who knows of a previous instance of this species having been bred, kindly communicate with the Hon. Sec.? CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. THE WHOOPING CRANE. Sir, — Since writing the note on “ Wintering Cranes in New England ” (p. 223) I have some further evidence of the existence of the American Whooping Crane which a short time ago I thought was either extinct or on the verge of extinction. Mr. Charles W. Ward writes me that he saw “altogether about a dozen Cranes” along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana during February, 1912, and Mr. Mcllhenny, of Avery Island La., confirms this in a letter to me, in which he states there are still a few between Vermillion Bay and the Texas line. Mr. G. D. Tilley, of Dareiu, Cinn., received one live Whooping Crane last winter, but I could not find out any details as to the date or place of capture, nor do I remember where this bird was finally sold. The above information may be of interest to English aviculturists, vague as it necessarily is. John C. Phillips. YOUNG QUEEN ALEXANDRA PARRAKEETS, ETC. Sir, — I have two more of these hatched from another pair of birds, There were three, but one died in the nest ; why I do not know, for it was well-grown. I also have a brood of three young Shamalis, which have left the nest. An Orange-headed Ground Thrush has her nest, with three eggs, built in a small fir tree. The nest resembles a Blackbird’s, but is more tidy outside; the eggs are large for the size of the parent bird, and are a warm buff, spotted like a Blackbird’s egg with rufous, chiefly at the rounded ends; but I have only just peeped at them. There is also one young Blue Robin ready to leave the nest. Hubert D. Astley. Practical Bird-Keeping. PRACTICAL BIRD-KEEPING. 289 XVIII.— THE SMALLER WATERFOWL. By D. Seth-Smith. A fascinating branch of aviculture which has been some¬ what neglected of late years, but is now becoming rather popular where suitable conditions prevail, is the keeping and breeding of the various species of wild ducks, of which a large and varied assortment are to be had and will well repay the trouble bestowed upon them. Ducks have many excellent qualities, they are mostly very pretty, some are extremely beautiful ; they are, on the whole, hardy, intelligent and peaceable, and providing they have space and suitable nesting sites, the majority will readily breed in confinement. As to the species of ducks that are to be obtained without much difficulty, the European kinds may be first mentioned. Of the surface-feeders, Pintail can generally be obtained at a very reasonable figure, and the drake is one of the most elegant of all, but they are not by any means free breeders. Wigeon and Shovellers are also very showy and will generally breed, while Teal and Garganey are lovely little birds but shy breeders, unless they have plenty of space. Amongst the diving ducks, the Tufted Duck is the most popular, and should never be omitted from a collection. The male is most handsome with his plumed head and pure white sides. Pochards and Scaup are almost equally attractive, and all spend most of their time in the middle of the pond constantly diving for their food which consists to a large extent of aquatic insects, crustaceans and vegetation which exists at the bottom of the pond. Amongst foreign species, the Mandarin and Carolina ducks will always be the most popular, for besides being brilliantly and beautifully coloured they are hardy and always obtainable, and the Carolina at least is a very free breeder. Japanese or Baikal Teal, formerly some of the rarest, have recently become the commonest foreign ducks on the market. The drake, when in colour, is nearly as handsome as a Mandarin. When first im- 290 Practical Bird-Keeping. ported they are very wild indeed, and if turned down on a pond that is not well fenced in will probably disappear at once. But they soon become fairly tame. Other beautiful species are the Chiloe, Wigeon, Bahama Ducks, Chilian Pintail, Red-crested Pochard, and several very beautiful Teal. The Tree Ducks form a group by themselves, of which the White-faced and Fulvous are perhaps the best known. They are quite hardy and will do well if treated in the same way as the other ducks, but they are somewhat quarrelsome. I have found, however, that a pair or two kept with other ducks on a fair-sized pond will do no harm. Regarding the conditions that are necessary for the keep¬ ing of a collection of ornamental waterfowl. If a large natural pond, fed by a stream, and surrounded with rushes and grass, is available, no more suitable place could be found, especially if it should contain an island or two, and be sheltered from the cold winds by a belt of trees or rising ground. But such situations are not always to be found, and it may be necessary to construct an artificial pond such as those in the Zoological Gardens, where, in spite of many drawbacks, a large collection of ornamental waterfowl is maintained. Space for the ducks to roam on grass is almost as necessary as the pond itself, for many kinds of ducks are fond of grazing like Geese, and roaming in search of worms after a shower of rain. At nesting time also they like to choose their nesting places, often at considerable distance from the water. So when planning a place for waterfowl, the larger the area of ground surrounding the pond the better will the collection thrive. If the site is much exposed to cold winds some sort of shelter should be provided in the form of rustic sheds, or shelters made of rushes tied into bundles and propped up like wheat shocks. Rushes and other thick herbage should be encouraged for shelter and nesting sites, but some ducks prefer to nest within the shelter of a wooden box or kennel, and several of these should be provided, the ground forming the bottom, and a hole just large enough for a duck to enter forming the entrance. Quite a number of species prefer to nest in boxes or logs at Practical Bird-Keeping. 291 some height from the ground, and so boxes should be fixed on stumps from four to six feet high, a rough log leading from the ground to the entrance. The enemies that have to be fought against are foxes, cats, stoats, weasels and rats, and it is well worth while to go to the expense of a six-foot fence of wire-netting round the whole enclosure. To make this proof against all furred vermin it must be of small mesh, say five-eights of an inch. It should be sunk into the ground for eighteen inches, and then turned outwards for say twelve inches, and the trench filled in and rammed. At the top of the fence also the wire should be turned outwards for two feet, that is, an extra length of wire netting two feet wide should be wired on to the top of the upright fence and supported outwards at right angles by means of iron supports screwed to the upright posts. Such a fence should be practically vermin proof. Ducks should be fed twice a day, on a mixture of wheat and barley, and the quantity given should be just so much as will be readily consumed. The birds should be taught to come to the keeper’s whistle, and when they are once accustomed to this they will readily swim towards him when feeding time comes. If they do not do so it is a sign that they are being over-fed. In cold weather, a small quantity of barley meal and chopped boiled liver or bullock’s heart is very desirable, and, in fact, for the diving ducks, unless they are able to obtain a good deal of natural food, this diet should be given in small quantities pretty constantly. Bread is also an excellent diet for most ducks, and stale crusts, thrown into the water will be much appreciated. As to the procedure in the nesting season. Experience teaches us that broods left to the parent ducks are rarely reared successfully on a large pond in a mixed collection. Many young ducks are extraordinarily independent and will go a great distance from their parents, thus falling victims to any enemy. It is always best to take the eggs and entrust them to a reliable hen to hatch. A cross between a Silkie fowl and some breed of small bantam makes the most suitable type of hen for the purpose. The ducks’ eggs should be taken any time after the laying of 292 Practical Bird-Keeping. the whole clutch, when incubation has commenced. This stage being determined by the presence of down in the nest. When the young ducks are hatched they should be left with the foster hen in the nest for some twenty- four hours, when they should be transferred with her to a coop, which should be set out on dry ground in a sunny position. The young ducks should not be allowed access to water for the first day or two, especially in the case of the smaller Teal, which are apt to get their down saturated with water, when they readily catch cold and die. They need very careful watching for the first week or so of their lives. Custard or finely-chopped yolk of egg, mixed with ants’ eggs and biscuit meal or stale bread crumbs forms a good food for the young ducks. Duckweed is also a necessity and should always be supplied, at first in very shallow dishes, and after¬ wards on a small pond. Young ducks should not have access to the large duck pond until they are almost full-grown, but should be reared on quite small ponds to which no other ducks have access, or they will take all the food provided for the ducklings. Ducklings should be pinioned when about a week old, when the operation is such a slight one that it will cause them no inconvenience. As they grow older, soaked Canary-seed and finally wheat and barley should be given. For diving ducklings, such as Pochards and Tufted Ducks, ground bullock’s heart or liver should be added to the diet after the first fortnight of their lives. Notices to Members — < Continued from page ii. of cover!. NEW MEMBERS. Evelyn. Duchess of Wellington, West Green House, Hartley -Whitley, Winclifield, Hants. 1,0 rd Tavistock, Woburn Abbey, Beds. Mr. Evan Frederick Morgan, 37, Bryanston Square, W. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Mr F. I,. Bland, Rookwood, Copdock, Ipswich. Proposed by Miss Hilda Field, Aslan st Park, Tunbridge Wells. Proposed by Mr. Gerard H. Gurney. Major Frank Johnson, Melrose House, Wilbury Road. Hove. Proposed, by Mr. W. Swaysland. MEMBERS’ PRIVATE SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is sixpence for eighteen words or less, and one penny for every additional three words or less. Trade advertisements are not allowed in this column. Dealers who ar e members , wishing to adver Use, should apply to the Publisher - for ter ins. Advertisements must reach the Editor on or before the 26th of the month. The Council reserve the right of refusing any advertisement they may consider undesirable. Pairs: Indigo Finches. 30/- ; Bearded Tits, 15/- ; Green Cardinals, 35/-, or 20/- each ; White Crested Quail. 40/- ; Saffron Finches, 4/-. Each: Zebra Finches, 2/6; Atlas. Weavers, 5/6; Budgerigars, 2/6; all on week’s approval. RaTTIGan, Lanarkslea, Cornwall Gardens, London, S.W. Gould’s Birds of Gieat Britain and Birds of Europe; 10 vols. Good con¬ dition. Offers invited for one or both sets. H. Thomas, 15, dinning Road, Birkdale, Southport. To be sold. — Wall-Creener (Tichodr orna). Living, E. H. Zollikofkr, praparator, St. Gallen, Switzerland. Pair Breeding Redrumps, 30/-; Duck Baikal Teal, 5/-. A. Cummings, 16, Promenade Villas, Cheltenham, Will ativone having Vols. I., III. and IV. of the -first series of Avicul lural Magazine to dispose of, kindly state terms? WEST, Nkwmam & Co., 54, Hatton Garden, Loudon, E.C. WANTS. The charge for members' advertisements unde' this heading is four pence for Twelve words or under , and one penny for every additional three words or less. WEST, NEWMAN & CO., LITHOGRAPHIC, CH ROMO- LITHOGRAPHIC. AND LETTERPRESS PRINTERS, 54, HATTON GARDEN, LONDON, EX. v RINTERS and PUBLISHERS of Natural History Books and General Printers. Lithographers for various Government and other Museums, and for learned Societies in London, India, South Africa, &c. Original drawings are accurately reproduced by Lithography or Photo- Lithography, either in colours or monotone, or by line and half-tone blocks. Coloured plates of Birds, Insects and Animals a speciality. TROWER & CO.. WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS, 436 & 438* CALEDONIAN ROAD, LONDON, N. EXTRA LARGE SPANISH CANARY SEED. CHOICE GERMAN SUMMER RAPE SEED Finest Selected Seeds for ail kinds of Cage or Aviary Birds British, Foreign, and Canaries, As supplied by us to the leading Fanolars and Exhibitors at the Crystal Palace and other Shows. PRICE LIST. SAMPLES FREE. lb. it f’trrTn the best Insectivorous Food on the Market, l/« per ^iU’ postpaid 1/3- Ground Silk Worm Pupae, Mealworms, Ants’ Eggs, Dried Flies, etc, the finest Egg and Biscuit Food yet made. LbDlSLU, aa, ©d, 1/- and a/. Tins. AVI CULT URAL MAGAZ INE. Edited by J LEWIS BONHOTE, fVLA., F.L.S. CONTENTS, page Nesting of ihe Black Redstart ( illustrated, ) by W. E. Tk.SChemaker, B.A. 293 The Transport of Birds, by Frank Finn, B.A. .. .. 298 The Paradise Flycatcher, by E. C. Stuart Baker, F.L.S., F.Z.S. 302 Fresh Air for Birds, by Katharine Currev .. .. 307 Reviews: Aviaries and Aviary Life. 309; The Amateur Menagerie Club, 310; British Birds, 310; The Emu, 31 1. Correspondence, Notes, etc. The Whooping Crane {illustrated), 312; The Feeding of Lories, 313; Tuberculosis in Cranes, 313. Officers for the Year 1912-13 .. .. .. .. 3T4 The Society’s Medal .. .. .. .. .. 3T4 Editorial Note .. .. .. .. •. .. 3T4 Practical Bird Keeping : XIX. The Game Birds, by W. H. ST. QuiNTlN .. .. 314 THIRD SERIES, Vol. III. No 11 The price of this number is 1/3 SEPTEMBER -19 1 2 - NOTE. — A new volume commences every November. All Subscriptions should be sent to the Publishers, Messrs. WEST, NEWMAIN &, Co.. 54-, Hatton Garden, E.C AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the A vicur.TURAr, Society are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. 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Cables and Telegrams : “ Cross, Liverpool.” National ’Phone Also at 6491 Central. THE WINTER GARDENS, SOUTHPORT. The Avicultural Magazine. Photo by W. E. Teschemaker. West, Newman proc. NEST AND EGGS OF THE BLACK REDSTART. THE 293 Bvicultural fllbagasme, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCI ETY. Third Series— \J OL. III. — No. 11. —A U rights reserved. S E PT EMBER, 1912. NESTING OF THE BLACK REDSTART. Ruti cilia tit vs. By W. E. Tkschemaker, B.A. The old- saying — “ what’s in a name ? ” certainly does not apply to Ornithology, for nomenclature has always been a bone of contention among ornithologists, and at the present moment it might be said to be the question of the hour. The origin of some of the more obscure names of birds is really quite an interesting study iu itself, that is to say, considered apart from the vexed question of scientific nomenclature. So let us consider for a few moments the various names that have been applied to the present species. “ Redstart ” of course means “ red-tail,” “start” being obviously the Anglo-Saxon word “ steort ” ; the German name “ rothschwanz" is an exact equivalent, and also the Spanish “ colirojo" and the Latin “ ruticilla." In the Linnaeau “ motacilla" we have an exact equivalent to the early English name “quick-start.” We seem to have no equivalent, however, amongst English synonyms, to the German popular name “ hatisrothschwanz ” (house-red-tail). We now come to the name “ titys ,” which is a bit of a puzzle. Scopoli wrote “ tithys” but he admittedly simply copied the word (erroneously) from Linnaeus, who spelt it as above. It looks rather like a proper name extracted from Greek mythology, but no name at all like it is to be found, except Tityos, the gentle¬ man whose liver was perpetually torn by vultures in the nether¬ world. What then could Linnaeus have had in his mind when 294 Mr. W. E. Teschemaker, lie wrote “ titys" ? No doubt a mere student of living birds would give the problem up as a bad job, but an ornithologist of any eminence is never quite happy unless he is having an argument and here was an opening. Several gentlemen with distinguished names thought he meant to write “ dies ,” a Greek word meaning ‘an avenger’ ; but Prof. Newton announced with conviction that it should read “ tiiis," which originally meant ‘a small chirping bird.’ Mr. J. E. Halting, also an eminent ornithologist, was not at all satisfied with this explana¬ tion, and insisted that Linnaeus was thinking of the Greek adjective “ tithos ,” which means ‘ domesticated ’ and would have reference to the bird’s habit of perching on houses and nesting in holes of walls. Then the new school of nomenclature appears upon the scene and decides that the bird that Linnaeus described was not a Black Redstart at all but a hen Redstart of venerable age and somewhat dusky plumage, and that, therefore, the Linnaean specific name could not stand but must give place to the name which stood next in chronological order, and that the Black Redstart must be known for all time by the truly apalling title of “ Phoenic?inis ochrurus gib? altarie?isis." the first of which epithets means ‘ purple-tail ’ (a misdescription), the second ‘yellow-tail,’ (a contradiction), and the third can hardly be called descriptive, seeing that, according to Irby, this species is only seen at Gib¬ raltar in winter. (I have no quarrel with the new nomenclature, but at the same time I cannot help thinking that it would have been far more satisfactory if a really representative international congress had settled the question for all time by selecting that name for each species which appeared to them to be most suit¬ able. If priority alone is to decide the question we shall often find ourselves forced to accept a name which may be ungram¬ matical, inappropriate, or, as in the above instance, absolutely meaningless. However, we shall have to judge the system by its success ; if it succeeds, we shall at all events have uniformity ; if it fails to secure universal recognition, it will have made con¬ fusion worse confounded). Hartert sketches the range of this species as follows: — “Europe from Baltic to Mediterranean, east to Roumania and “ Bulgaria. Wintering partly in Europe but mostly in Africa. on the Nesting of the Black Redstart. 295 “Casual in Scandinavia, once in Finland. Replaced by a nuiu- “ ber of rather different forms in Caucasus, Armenia, Persia, “ Syria, Transcaspia to Turkestan, Altai and Sayan Mountains, “Central Asia generally and parts of the Himalayas to Tibet and “ Mongolia.” It is a regular winter visitor to the south of England, and especially to the south-western counties. Here (Teignmouth) the Black Redstart may be occasionally seen on a sunny winter’s day in some sheltered nook of the cliffs — indeed the first Devonshire (and fifth British) specimen was killed here in 1S33. Although Witherbv states that “ reports of its breed¬ ing here are not substantiated ” there appears to be fairly good evidence to that effect. For instance, Bellamy reports an instance from the neighbourhood of Exeter (Nat. Hist. S. Devon) and Morris states that he received a nest and eggs from the neigh¬ bourhood of Longdon. But although we are told that the Black Redstart is extend¬ ing its range, there is evidence that its visits to this country are becoming rarer and not more frequent. If anyone doubts this let him refer to Messrs. D’Urban and Mathew’s “ Birds of Devon,” where he will see that in a single week of November, in the year 1843, no less than twenty were killed near Plymouth alone, and more than twenty in 1850. One gallant gentleman by his own unaided efforts slew no less than sixteen at Plymouth in Nov., 1852 ! We may be quite sure that, if the collector could have had his way, there would not be one single Blackstart upon the face of the earth to-day, but, happily, two circumstances have saved it from extermination — the inaccessibility of many of its breeding-haunts and the protection extended to it in some countries. The typical site for the nest of this species is perhaps a crevice in a rocky ravine, high up amongst the Alps, not so very far below their gleaming summits of eternal snow, and the fact that the oldest males are to be seen at the highest nesting stations, whilst the younger males in the grey plumage have to be content with lower elevations, may be said to show that this species seeks complete seclusion for its nesting operations. It is singular, therefore, to find the Black Redstart in a large area of Central and Southern Europe nesting in barns and sheds in close proximity to human dwellings, and showing itself boldly in the 296 Mr. W. E. Teschemakek, very midst of villages and even towns, from which habit pre¬ sumably it derives its German popular name, ‘ hausrothschwanz.’ Of course, as we know, there are town mice and country mice and the habits of the town mouse are not those of the country mouse, but this does not altogether explain the matter to me, for, in an aviary at all events, the Black Redstart appears to be a very shy little bird, which never courts attention unless it is hungry or has some particular request to make. Perhaps the Black Redstart has an enemy, like our Missel-Thrush, who finds it safer to rear its young in close proximity to houses — albeit a very shy bird — in order to avoid the depredations of the Jackdaw. As with most other species in my aviary, I was content to study the habits and requirements of the Black Redstart for several years before attempting to breed it. In the August number of the Magazine Dr. Butler has told 11s (unless I have misunderstood him) that “special knowledge” is not indispensable to the breeder; if only the latter has “luck,” he will wake up some fine morning to find that he has attained his object without exer¬ tion. Without doubt a fluke comes in most usefully at times, but I fear that the beginner who starts bird-keeping on this principle will have to wait a long time for any results above the ordinary ; and, moreover, even if he should secure the desired fluke, he will probably find the latter very little use to him unless he has special knowledge Be this as it may, I do not consider the time I devoted to studying this species wasted. In the first place I ascertained that the Black Redstart is very deadly in a mixed community. His colouring is suggestive — black, the garb of night and of the deeds of darkness, and red, which connotes battle and bloodshed. If one could only persuade oneself that a ‘systematic naturalist ’ was likely to know enough about the actual character of a species, which is but a rare straggler in his country, to correctly guage its disposition, it vrould be tempting to think that Linnaeus really meant to write “ tites" (instead of “ titys',')y for the Black Redstart is indeed an “ Avenger.” I once received from one of our lady members a pair of hand-reared Blue-Tits, which would perch on one’s shoulder as soon as one entered the aviary, begging for a mealworm. One day, whilst they were in on the Nesting of the Black Redstart. 297 this position, they suddenly cowered in evident alarm without any apparent cause except perhaps a small dark shadow which passed overhead. A few days later those Blue-Tits lay still and stiff. Then I thought of that dark shadow : it was the shadow of Tites, the Avenger: But I could never catch Tites at his deadly work, for Tites is an assassin, subtle, stealthy and secret. I also noted that the Black Redstart delights to lurk in the darkest corner — a ledge under and close to the roof by prefer¬ ence — and decided that that would be the best position for the nest-box. I made several experiments to determine the best form for the latter, one being after the model of a chalet and quite ornamental, but the only one that seemed to attract was the simple box with an opening at the top, which may be seen in the photo. I also made many experiments with different forms of insect food and came to the conclusion that it would not be difficult to rear the young. Having decided that it would be worth while giving the species a trial, the next thing was to look round for a breeding hen, the one that I had not being of the required type. One was sent me the same autumn which looked very promising, and the following spring I caught up this bird and the old male (whom we will call Tites) and placed them temporarily in an empty cage in the bird-room whilst I cleared out a few birds from the smaller aviary to which I intended to transfer them. But the Fates were against me that day. The housemaid, who feeds my birds, discovered them and thought that I had forgotten to feed them : when I returned I found an open door and Tites in sole possession of that cage. ( To be continued). 298 Mr. Frank Finn, THE TRANSPORT OF BIRDS. By Frank Finn, B.A., F.Z.S. As the cleverest aviculturist that ever lived cannot breed from birds that he has not got, the question of transport may fairly claim to be the most important in aviculture ; it is chiefly the difficulties herein involved that account for the backward state of our science compared with the sister pursuit of horticulture. If one could transport birds in the egg as easily as plants in the seed, how things would have boomed by this time! The chief difficulties in transporting birds arise from the necessity of very close confinement, and the inevitable altera¬ tions of temperature that have to be faced. The latter cannot be entirely obviated, but travelling-cages might be a great deal better made than one often sees them ; in fact, I think bad pack¬ ing is responsible for a great deal of failure in bird transport. In a travelling-cage for long distances the room must be secured by depth and breadth ; no more height should be allowed than is necessary to give the occupants head-room when standing erect on the floor or perch ; and the perches should only be just so high above the floor as to ensure a bird not being jammed if it tries to creep beneath them. Of course one is familiar with cages of this pattern from those used by continental dealers ; but for a long journey the floor question becomes important. Wet dirt is the great trouble to contend with in taking birds a long distance in a small space ; the terror of germs is, I think, made too much of, but plastered plumage and clogged feet are serious matters. In bird importing, before everything else, one ought to “ hope for the best and expect the worst.” One should clean out the small travelling cages daily, and put in fresh sand or sawdust, but the chances are that one will not have the oppor¬ tunity, owing to sea-sickness, awkward storage, or other causes ; or, in the more probable case of the birds being sent in the charge of someone else, that someone may lack the will as well as the power to give daily attention in the matter of cleaning. If the birds get fed daily, that is a mercy to be grateful for. Moreover, sawdust and sand may be unattainable at the time on the Transport of Birds. 299 and place, for opportunities of taking good birds out or home do not always come just when one is prepared for them. Therefore I recommend using the barred floor over a draw- tray or board, as with this the cleaning becomes a matter of less urgent importance. The principle is used in parrots’ cages, ships’ hen-coops and in our poultry-fattening coops here, as well as in the admirable Chinese transport cages, and it seems strange it has not spread further. There is an idea about, I think, that barred floors will hurt a bird’s feet, but this is entirely erroneous. Of course the bars should have sharp edges rounded off, and if this is done, even waterfowl, which are, naturally, tenderer-footed than laud birds, will travel all right on such a floor. Indeed, it is far more natural for them, or for any birds, to tread on more or less yielding bars with uneven pressure on the foot, than on a hard level board, which is particularly apt to give corns. For such birds as parrots, which will gnaw through wood, the floor-bars must be wire or wire-netting, but otherwise wood should be used, though I have seen Toucans and Tanagers im¬ ported in fine condition on a wire-netting floor. It may also be objected that such a floor is never quite clean. That is true, but neither is a solid floor in a small ship¬ board cage, even if cleaned daily ; and at any rate there is no danger of thick clogging dirt, which is what is really serious. The width of the spaces between the bars or of the netting- mesh should be about an inch for birds of a pigeon’s size or over, and half-an-inch for canary-sized birds, and so 011. The one drawback of this method is that if the food is spilled on the floor, the birds may go unfed for a long time, if the mesh of the grating be too small or the height above the draw- tray too great, to enable them to reach the spilled food. But then this should not happen ; one very essential point in bird-transport is so to fasten the feeding and drinking vessels that they cannot be upset by any possibility. Of course many birds will throw out their food themselves, but a deep feeding- vessel, with narrowed top, will obviate this to a great extent. All feeding-vessels should be made so as to be accessible from the front and should go inside. 300 Mr. Frank Finn, The Chinese transport-cages seem to me to be the most perfect form that has been devised for a hot climate at all events. They are made of split bamboo, remarkably true, though without a single nail in them. Top, sides and bottom are all of this work, with a draw-tray below. There are three sliding doors, one in the middle and one at each end, so that birds can be run from one cage to another without handling, and at the bottom of the front are two tiny doors, one at each end, to allow of slipping in troughs for food and water. The perches, three in a high cage and two in a flat one, are fixed immovably by having one of the bars let through a hole in the end during the process of con¬ struction, and do not cross, but run from end to end. The only fault in the cage, is in fact, that thus the end of the perches conies over the food and water. This of course should be avoided, but in practice I have found birds thrive extraordinarily well in these cages, which are commonly used in Calcutta as store cages by the dealers, who keep stock in them for months together, and that in a fiendishly hot climate. The usual size is about two feet long. Some are square in section, others flat; the latter are of course best for shipping, and I have seen such different birds as Canaries and Japanese Teal thriving in cages of the same pattern, the perches being of course removed in the latter case. Ground-birds do not need perches during transport, even if, like Pheasants and some ducks, they perch occasionally, unless the cage is a high one, which will seldom be found possible. Perching-birds, being always on the jump, need perches even when on a barred floor, but these should. always be put so as not to cross, and it is well to have one thick and the other thin, where two are used, to afford a change of grip. Of course the drawback to a cane cage is that it affords no protection from weather and vermin. If, therefore, it cannot be hung out of the reach of rats and cats, it will have to be enclosed in a case with a hinged front of wire ; and in this case it will be very likely thought as well to make a box cage while one is about it. The front of such a cage is best made of strong wire gauze of a quarter-inch mesh ; if netting is used, two layers should be put on, separated by corks, which will bid any vermin defiance. on the Transport of Birds. 301 Ants, however, may give trouble, and must be combated by applications of Kerosene. Except in the cases of such birds as swans and geese, which are not nervous and not likely to hurt anyone, it is most inadvisable to have cages with wide bars permitting birds to get their heads out. I have actually seen this advised for herons, storks and cranes — all birds with most dangerous beaks and the will to use them ! Where birds can be allowed the use of such open fronts, the food and water are of course best put outside. With regard to packing, the best rule to follow is the feurer birds the better. Sociable birds are of course best kept in pairs, or at least in two’s, if of the very cuddlesome sort that chums up with anything; very spiteful ones must of course be kept singly, and may need solid instead of barred partitions. But however sociable birds are, every effort should be made to keep as few together as possible, so as to give the maximum amount of room to each individual and to avoid the danger of crushing or trampling if they are frightened, and the fouling of floor, perches, food, and water. Importation in bulk, lam inclined to think, has something to do with the curious fact that a rare species, which necessarily comes over a few at a time, is so often easier to keep than a common one which arrives by the hundreds. Of course soft-bills make much more mess than hard-bills, and so cannot be packed so many together — or at any rate should not be ; the dirtiest of all birds are fish-eaters and honey-suckers. In the case of these last care must be taken to see that they do not mess themselves up with their liquid food, which should therefore be served to them in a vessel with a lid, perforated with holes to admit their beaks. Water- vessels should be arranged so that the birds cannot splash in them ; unless the cage is very large, so that a bath can be put in in calm warm weather, the luxury of washing had better be dispensed with for the voyage. This applies particularly to waterfowl, for unless they can bathe regularly and properly they get miserably draggled ; water does not “roll off a duck’s back” if that duck has been short of bathing accommodation of late. (To be continued J . 302 Mr. E. C. Stuart Baker, THE PARADISE FLYCATCHER. Terpsiphone paradisea ajjinis. By E. C. Stuart Baker, F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. I fear that my experiences respecting the keeping of this most beautiful little Flycatcher in captivity will not be of much assistance to those who wish to do the same, for my captive was almost as free as its brethren of the woods and forests. It was brought to me at Gungong in N. Cachar by some Nagas in the early Autumn, September to be exact, of 18S6 and had evidently been kept by them for some months, for the string attached to the tarsus was worn quite smooth next the leg and the latter had a distinct mark all round where it had been rubbed and healed. It was kept in the way so many birds are kept in India, that is to say, fastened by the leg to a small perch over which was fastened a loop of bamboo by which it could be carried and at either end of which was placed a small bamboo cup for food and water. It was quite tame when it arrived and greedily took flies, grasshoppers, etc. from the Naga who owned it, flying on to his wrist or holding on to the sheet by which his body was covered. The enormous sum of one shilling and fourpence transferred the ownership to myself and my first act was to promptly cut off the string and let the bird loose in a small outdoor aviary, about 6ft. by 4ft. by 6ft., when he at once flew to a perch, preened his feathers and commenced to call for more food. I soon found that imprisonment was unnecessary for the little chap except at night. Within three days of his arrival he would eat out of my hands through the wire netting of his cage, following me from one side to another as I passed round it. Then I tried entering the cage and after his first fright at this novel manoeuvre he promptly alighted on my head and then scrambled down on to my arm where he stayed and picked up some flies I had brought for him from the palm of my other hand. Two or three days after this I ventured to take him out of his cage into the open and he followed me round occasionally flitting into the air but sitting most of the time on my shoulder eating, as I caught grasshoppers for him. He made no attempt to fly away on the Paradise Flycatcher. 303 although his native jungles were in sight all the time and indeed he did but little flying, contenting himself with letting me do the catching of the insects whilst he did the eating. When, however, I wanted him to go back into his cage as darkness approached I found he was very firm in his refusal to enter therein and it was not until I got him some chopped fowl’s liver and put it inside that he consented to go in. Before long I gave up shutting him in his cage at all and then, finding I did not insist upon it, he generally went in on his own accord at roosting time and all I had to do was to see that the fastenings were closed. After he had been with me for a couple of months I wanted the cage for some Erythropus avmrensis and so Mr. Flycatcher had to give up his sleeping compartment and thence forward he slept in mine, generally selecting the rung of my towel horse or the edge of a picture as his perch. At the same time he entirely disapproved of his cage being given up to the Kestrels and would often fly up against the wires, cursing the inmates in the most awful bird language until he thought he had really fright¬ ened them badly, when he would come back to my shoulder and condescend to eat anything I caught for him. His voice, when swearing at the Kestrels and sometimes when annoyed for other reasons, was very loud and harsh, often almost a scream, but he had quite a pretty little song in the spring and often used to whistle away to me in the mornings and evenings. He was distinctly a lazy bird and always preferred sitting on my head, shoulders or arms and eating what I caught for him to flying about and catching insects for himself, and it was months before I could get him to earn his own livelihood, and always he was ready with an excuse for letting someone do the hard work for him. Butterflies he disdained but he enjoyed grasshoppers, caterpillars, woodlice, grubs and beetles and, above all, houseflies and for these latter he would always exert himself. Perhaps, however, even more than house flies or anything else living he enjoyed little tit-bits of fowl’s liver raw, and it was very pretty to see him swooping up off a chair-back, high up, almost to the 304 Mr. E. C. Stuart Baker, ceiling, as I threw up pieces of liver for him to catch. He was a magnificent catch, and would have been worth playing in the slips in any test match, but he was not nearly as quick as a tame Drongo I kept at the same time and when both were in the same room together I had always to throw the Drongo a piece first and whilst he was after it, throw a piece for the Flycatcher in the opposite direction. It was a very beautiful sight to see the two birds in the air at once ; the Drongo, a specimen of the Lesser Racquet-tailed species (. Bringa remifet ) with glistening coal black plumage and the snowy white Flycatcher, both with their beautiful tail feathers streaming out behind them. The Drongo seemed to feel no inconvenience from his tail feathers when turning and twisting in the air, but the Flycatcher, who eventually developed four magnificent central tail feathers, always seemed to find these a handicap when he wanted to turn suddenly. Flying straight ahead, the beautiful white streamers floated out behind him like waving banners, curving gracefully with each dip of the bird’s rising and falling flights: but when he wanted to dodge on one side they caught the wind and checked his speed quite visibly. When I obtained my Paradise Flycatcher he was a little red brown bird evidently of that season, confirming the story of the Nagas to the effect that they had but taken him from the nest the preceding May. Even then he was a pretty bird. The whole forehead and crown were black gradually shading into grey on the chin, throat and upper breast and into the same colour on the nape, though there it was darker and more glossy. The rest of his plumage colour was a bright dark chestnut, the quills of the wing darker and browner on the concealed portions. Below the whole surface was a ruddy orange, the centre of the abdomen and vent being almost white. The next year the bird acquired two long centre tail feathers, but these were red as in the adult female, though he also assumed the black head of the adult male and his lower parts turned an almost pure white. In the third year he still retained the chestnut upper tail coverts and also a good many chestnut feathers in the wing-coverts and scapulars and it was not until he was in his fourth year, or a little over three years old, that he attained the full snow-white glory of the on the Paradise Flycatcher. 305 adult bird, with four long white tail feathers, black shafted and black edged. I think the Eastern sub-species, affinis, is a more beautiful bird than the Western form, Terpsiphone paradisea pai adisea, w\wc\\ has no black markings or black shafts to the feathers. The border of mourning seems to add to the intense whiteness of the rest of the plumage and make it contrast even more vividly with the velvet black head and neck. Probably the Burmese Paradise Flycatcher also has the tail feathers next the central rectrices more often, and moie fully, developed than the Indian form in which it is rare to find more than the central pair lengthened. Their habits, too, are rather different, for T. p. paradisea is principally found haunting and breeding in Mango Groves or other groves of big trees, with little or no undergrowth, whereas T. p. affinis is undoubtedly a bird principally of the bamboo jungle, though it may also be found in dense evergreen forest and equally often in the secondary growth which springs up directly laud cleared in virgin forests and cultivated, is once more allowed to lapse into wildness. Undoubtedly from a picturesque point of view, the deep green foliage of the huge Mango trees forms the best background to the whiteness of this bird’s plumage, against which it flickers and shimmers in flight like sotue weighty tuft of gossamer blown along in the sunlight. Against the dull pale yellow of the bamboo jungle the bird is hardly noticeable, unless, as is rarely the case, it flies high enough to get against the green tops instead of flitting in and out amongst the yellow stems. After I had had him with me for about eighteen months, I got my white dandy a little red iuate of a wife and they soon palled up and became quite a devoted couple, but they never shewed the slighest inclination to build or undertake the cares of a family, though she dropped one or two eggs on the floor of her aviary; for she, alas! was never tame like her husband, and had to be kept always in a cage, but it was a large one, well fitted with suitable places for building, a clump of pigmy Bamboos, living and thriving in a pot in a corner of her home. I never saw the male posturing or displaying in the cage On the Paradise Flycatcher . 306 before his wife but lie would do so sometimes in the spring when I was taking him round with me in the early morning. On these occasions he always launched himself forth into the air off my head, and then, after flying a few yards would fluff himself out until he looked like a snowy powder-puff with a long-tail, and would gradually sink with extended tail and wings until within a few feet of the ground when he would rise again with rapid beats of his wings and then either repeat the same trick or else fly straight back to me and once more absorb himself in the business of his life — eating. For his size he was a very greedy bird, and he never seemed really satisfied during daylight and he certainly ate four times the bulk of stuff in a day that his wife did, but he kept wonderfully well until I left him to go home, and then in my absence he fell a prey to a tame Civet cat that had, during my presence, always declared Paradise Flycatchers to be rank poison to it. The nests of these Flycatchers are very beautiful ; deep little cups of fine grasses and bents, neatly and compactly inter¬ twisted with one another, and ornamented freely outside with lichen, moss, caterpillar’s cocoons, and with copious spider’s webbing. Generally they are placed in a small vertical fork of a Bamboo or a small branch of a tree, in the case of typica most often of a Mango tree, but now and then one may be found in a horizontal fork. Always, however, they are very firmly fixed in and attached to the supports with the spider webs as well as incorporated in the materials of the body of the nest. The full complement of eggs laid is four, hardly ever five, and almost equally, hardly ever three. They are extremely beautiful eggs varying in ground colour from almost pure white, merely tinged with salmon or pink, to a warm, deep pink or salmon colour. The markings consist of specks, spots and blotches of red, reddish brown and reddish grey with a very few secondary spots of lilac or neutral tint, these being sometimes practically absent. As a rule they are disposed in an indefinite ring about the larger end, sometimes as cap and still less often sparsely scattered over the larger two- thirds of the egg. As a rule the paler the ground colour the more definite the Fresh Air for Birds. 307 markings, not only in contrast thereto, but in actual fact. Many of the deeper tinted pink ones only have the markings visible as a faint indefinite ring. In shape the eggs are a broad obtuse oval ; the texture is very fine and close, and the surface smooth and sometimes rather glossy, but the shell is fragile and brittle in proportion to the size of the egg. This, the size, averages 75 ft. by -56 ft. for one hundred eggs. They breed principally in April and May, but I have seen eggs laid the last week in March and again as late as the last week in August. Gungong, North Cachar, where my birds lived, was about two thousand, five hundred feet above sea level, but Paradisi typica is common all over the plains nearly, and Paradisi a, finis certainly is found up to four thousand feet, if not higher. They are easy birds to feed, easy to tame and are patient of changes of temperature so they should not be difficult to keep even in the climatic variety show called England. I11 point of beauty there are few birds they do not excel and if some of their notes are harsh and discordant, some are quite pleasant and might almost be called beautiful. FRESH AIR FOR BIRDS. By Katharine Currey. The need of fresh air for birds, even those of hot countries, is now so well recognised that the few remarks I have to make here are merely added testimony to the fact that birds cannot live long or remain healthy without it. Even in the cold of our Northern climate I have found that so-called delicate birds, such as the Tanager, the Dhyal Bird of India, the Rock Thrush and Blue Thrush, can be hardened to bear the ordinary cold of an English winter and spring (but not a very bitter North or East wind, nor a cold fog) provided they have a shelter to retire to. Of course, great care has to be taken during moulting. It would be interesting to try a very gradual acclimatisation of tropical birds in England, in pure fresh air, and making use of every ray of sunshine. Fresh Air for Birds. 308 Just now, my Indian Dhyal Bird and “American Robin” ( Turdus migraiorius') are vying with the Song-Thrushes in loud, clear singing ; for they are out all day long flying about in their lawn aviaries, in perfect health, and enjoying their cold baths, in the March sleet showers and gleams of sunshine, while the Cambazan Turtle-Doves — out all the year round — are preparing to nest. The Dhyal Bird seems to sing the louder during the cold of Spring, when the great i cyr hail-clouds come drifting over the blue sky. A short time ago I had a Blue Thrush that came to me in a sorry plight, and unable to moult properly. He was old and looked very miserable. I kept him indoors for a couple of weeks, in a room with the window almost always wide open, and gave him a tepid bath every day. Then his cage was moved into a South verandah, on to a table against the wall of the house, well protected at one end and over the top. At first he stayed under his shelter, then he hopped out and ventured into his bath for a moment or two. After a week he was able to stay out all day long, new feathers appeared — some white ones among them — and he began to utter some very sweet, loud notes, clear as a bell. His wits were considerably sharpened through being in the fresh air, and he had many engaging little ways. If he wanted a mealworm or more food (for he was voracious) he looked about for a little stone which he dropped into his drinking glass or he lifted up the latter in his beak and threw it down. A Rock Thrush I had for many years lived out of doors, winter and summer, and his song and plumage were marvellously beautiful. The American Robin one very cold day lately opened the door of his cage and flew out. I placed his cage in the verandah and hoped for the best, but Spring is rather a fatal time in which to lose birds. He flew all over the garden, into the orchard, over to a neighbouring garden, and late in the afternoon returned to the verandah and flew into his cage ! It was home to him. Reviews. 309 REVIEWS. AVIARIES AND AVIARY LIFE.* Mr. Page is too well known an Aviculturist to need any introduction to our readers and a book by such an authority on practical Aviculture is bound to contain a mass of information from which all of us can learn something. I11 the introductory chapter we are pleased to see that he lays great stress on the necessity of keeping a “ Log-book ” in which an accurate record of the doings of the birds may be daily entered up. This most important part of Aviculture is, we fear, sadly neglected. When birds are wild, and more especially in the less civilised regions of the world, it is almost impossible to devote the time and patience necessary to careful observations of their habits, we have not yet become sufficiently educated to prefer our collectors to bring back a well-filled diary rather than a well-filled bag, and thus the only source from which we may learn the courting and nesting habits of many species is from Aviculture. Many beginners may feel at a loss what to record about their pets, but in future such an excuse will be of no avail for the whole matter is carefully set out in the present volume. A large chapter is devoted to Aviaries, abundantly illustrated with photographs, many of these Aviaries will be beyond the means of most Aviculturists to copy, but smaller and more modest Aviaries are also portrayed as well as minute practical details of how they should be built and the approximate cost. The rest of the book is devoted to different classes of birds and their needs in captivity, and a list of the main genera is given together with the English name of a well known species with which most readers are likely to be familiar. Roughly speaking, only the Passeres or small birds such as Finches, Thrushes, Fly¬ catchers, Tanagers, Starlings, Toucans, Hornbills, Birds of Para¬ dise, etc. are dealt with in detail and the larger birds merely touched upon in the last three chapters. The author has evi¬ dently been pressed for space, but we feel that in a general book such as this some of the detail and classification might have been * Aviaries and Aviary Lift by Wkslky T. Page, F Z.S., 8vo. 239 pp. and numerous illustrations. Ashbourne : j. H. Henstock, The Avian Press. 3io Reviews. omitted and the larger birds given a more generous amount of room. Everything given is, however, useful, and in heartily recommending this book to our readers we hope that they will give Mr. Page their practical support in order that he may bring out a second book on the subject as foreshadowed in his preface. The photographs, which are numerous, are for the most part very good, but a'few might, with advantage, have been omitted. THE AMATEUR MENAGERIE CLUB. * Last year there came into existence, somewhat on the lines of the Avicultural Society, the Amateur Menagerie Club, and they have recently issued in a neat little volume their first Year Book. This contains illustrated articles of various animals such as Park Cattle, Notes on British Mustelines, Monkeys, British Wild Cat, Sheep, Ostriches, Chamaelons and Reptiles. It also contains the Rules of the Club and the winners of the Club’s Medals. The medals are awarded yearly (r) for success¬ fully breeding the animal, bird or reptile, which is rarest and most difficult to breed, and (2) for importing and keeping alive for at least three months, the animal, bird or reptile which is rarest and most difficult to keep in captivity. The Objects of the Club are (1) to encourage the keeping of wild animals, (2) to help members with advice, (3) to circulate among members a list of animals for sale. We have much pleasure in wishing this Club a long and prosperous career, which, if it receives the support it deserves, should be assured and any of our members who would care to know more about it, should communicate with the Secretary, Mr. G. Tyrwhitt Drake, Cobtree Manor, Maidstone. BRITISH BIRDS, f The chief article of interest in the June number of this periodical is the separation, as a distinct race, of the Lesser Black-backed Gull, which breeds in Great Britain and apparently differs from the Continental form by its paler colour on the mantle, scapulars and wing coverts. The difference is well * Year Book of the Amateur Menagerie Club, illustrated, x/6 : to be obtained from the Secretary, Cobtree Manor, Maidstone. t Biitish Birds. June, July and August. Monthly i/-. London : Witherby & Co. Reviezvs. 3“ shown in the plate which accompanies ' the article, but the speci¬ mens figured are apt to be misleading as while the British example is in full summer plumage, the Continental one shows a lot of colour on the head and neck, a sign of immaturity or winter plumage. With this number the Editors, as previously announced, insist on the International Rules of Nomenclature being adhered to and all our native birds now appear under their new cogno¬ men’s ; as a result of this a serious source of error is likely to creep in since almost every bird is recorded under a trinomial, even if the bird is only seen and not handled and there are few races that can be identified with certainty in the field. The article in the July number is a translation of Sibbald’s Prodromus published in 1684; the original being written in obscure and somewhat involved Latin. Mr. Mullen’s translation of this interesting work is very acceptable. A review of Mr. Eagle Clarke’s recent work on Migration forms the article of the August number. All the numbers contain, as usual, a large number of short notes relating chiefly to the occurence, or nesting of rare and local species. _ THE EMU A In the April number of The Emu, Mr. McLean continues his most interesting account of the Bush birds of New Zealand, illustrated by some photographs of the typical haunts of the birds as well as of their nests and eggs. Mr. Whitlock sends a further account of his zoological researches in the Stirling Ranges, W. A., also illustrated by some excellent photographs. Among the many other shorter articles and notes we may specially notice as being of interest to Aviculturists the acclimatization in one or two districts of the beautiful White Torres Strait Pigeon ( Myristicivora spilorrhoa). This bird which is seldom (if ever) imported into this country should make a very suitable aviary inmate and seems to be quite hardy. At Brisbane and at Herberton, N.Z. they have complete liberty and do not appear to wander far from where they have been turned out. In the July number Capt. S. A. White contributes a num- The Emu, Journal of the Royal Australasian Ornithologist’s Union. April and July, 1912. London : E. A. Porter. 312 Cori espondence. ber of interesting Field Notes on S. Australian Birds and Dr. Cleland writes a valuable article on the stomach contents of a large number of birds that he has examined, a branch of Orni¬ thology that is much neglected in this country. Mr. Banfield’s notes on the Metallic Starlings ( Calornis ) deal chiefly with their habits and food, which appears to be exceedingly varied. Mr. Banfield also noted that their digestion was very imperfect and suggests that this species must in consequence play no small part in the distribution of seeds. Mr. Bell writes a good article on the Nesting of the White Tern ( Gygis ) which is illustrated with photographs showing the curious arboreal nesting habits of this species. The present number contains many other interesting articles and notes which lack of space does not allow us to refer to. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. THE WHOOPING CRANE [Grus americana). Sir, — In the present, and previous, issue of the Avicultuial Magazine? mention has been made of this most beautiful creature, and it occurred to me that a photograph and a few words of praise would not be out of place,, and would perhaps be welcomed by lovers of Natural History. In the first place, it is most gratifying to hear that a small flock of them has been seen lately in their native home, and that they are not yet exterminated, as we were under the impression that the few in confinement were the only living ones left. The photograph gives a good idea of the bird in this collection. Purchased fully adult in December 1S92, it still looks as strong and well as ever, and is one of the most sociable creatures one could wish for ; being very tame and always ready to take food from the hand. It welcomes yon with a graceful bow, and weather conditions make no difference to it. I suspect it to be a female, since it is constantly in close companionship with a male Canadian Crane ( Grus canadensis ), but, as the bird has never attempted to nest, one cannot be certain. When showing off it stands upright and then takes very slow, long majestic steps, until it reaches its imagined enemy ; after taking a good look it turns round and regains its former position to seek for other objects which may require inspection. The call note is quite different from that of any other Crane, being much more musical, and not nearly so loud as some of the other species of Crane. R- Cosgrave. The Avicultural Magazine Photo by R. Cosgnave. THE WHOOPING CRANE (Grus americana). West, Newman proe. Correspondence. 313 THE FEEDING OF LORIES. Sir, — From time to time I have sent a few notes to the Avicultural Magazine on the feeding of Lories, and I believe my method of mixing barley water with the milk, whether fresh or condensed, has been followed by several other keepers of these birds with good results. Recently I have been trying another method of feeding, and, from the results obtained, I think I am justified in reporting it to the members of the .Society. Marmite sop made with barley water, sweetened, and a little sponge cake added is the food I have been trying. The idea of using Marmite sop was given me by a Member of the Avicultural Society, but as a food for a different class of bird. The advantages of Marmite over milk are that there is no risk of the food going sour in the hottest weather, and fresh fruit can be safely given. The suitability of this food for Lories was brought to my notice in the following ways : — In the first instance, I had reason to place a Red- crowned Hanging Parrakeet into the same aviary with a Fruit Sucker that was getting Marmite sop, and I soon noticed a great improvement in the Loricul'us. On another occasion I placed a pair of Lories that were not looking well into an aviary containing Tanagers and a Fruit Sucker. The Lories soon forsook their milk sop for the Marmite and are now looking better than I have ever seen them. A third instance was an Eos fuscata that I thought was certainly going to die. The diet of this bird had been changed from fresh milk to condensed milk and then to a malted milk but without any good results. As a last resort Marmite sop was tried and the bird is now as well as possible. All my Tanagers, Fruit .Suckers and Sugar Birds get some of the sop and the Sun Birds get a little in their Horlick’s Milk, with first-class results. I think from this that Marmite is a wholesome food for honey¬ eating birds, and probably an improvement on the usual milk diet. E. J. Brook. TUBERCULOSIS IN CRANES. Sir, — I should like to inquire whether avian tuberculosis is a common disease with Cranes. The disease is of course very rare in this country, but I lost two birds from it (a mated pair of Demoiselle Cranes) last spring. I had had these birds myself for about two years, and it seems as if they must have had the disease during this whole period. There is no question about the diagnosis as the livers of the birds were carefully examined by a well-known pathologist at the Harvard Pathological Laboratory. John C- Phillips. Wenham, Mass. 3H Practical Bird-Keeping. OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1912-13. At the Meeting of the Council, held on June 21st last, Major R. B. Horsbrugh and Mr. Arthur Denman were elected members of the Council, to replace Miss R. Alderson and Mr. W. H. St. Quintin who retire by rotation in accordance with Rule 9. Mr. W. H. St. Quintin was appointed Scrutineer and Mr. Percy W. Farmborough Auditor. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. A medal has been awarded to Mr. W. E. Teschemaker for breeding the Crested Lark ( Galerita cristata), the account of which appeared in the August number, p. 273. The same gentleman is apparently entitled to another medal for breeding the Black Redstart, the account of which appears in the current number. EDITORIAL NOTE. The Editor regrets that, owing to Mr. Seth-Smith being away for his holiday, the monthly ‘Zoo Notes’ do not appear. An unfortunate error crept into the last number, the author of the interesting article on ‘Aviary and Nesting Notes’ was Mrs. Knatchbull Connell and not Mrs. McConnell. PRACTICAL BIRD-KEEPING. XIX.— THE GAME BIRDS. By W. H. St. Quintin. I have been asked to contribute suggestions for keeping some of the Game Birds, founded upon my own experience, to form part of the “ Practical Notes " which, for some months, have been a useful feature in our Magazine. Valuable papers have from time to time appeared in past numbers, relating to the Management and especially to the Breeding of some Families of P tactical Bird- Keeping. 3!5 this extensive order, notably, Mr. Seth-Smith's upon the Ouails and Hemipodes, and as I do not wish to go over old ground, I will confine myself in the main either to such species as are less often kept, or in the Management of which special difficulties appear to have presented themselves. As a preliminary, I would remark that, in the Management of Birds of this Order, much will depend upon the character of the soil upon which the birds are to be kept. Many of the difficulties which beset the aviculturist who aspires to keep the more tender species, disappear if he is so fortunate as to possess aviaries or enclosures upon a light soil, in the composition of which sand and gravel predominate. This applies more particularly to aviaries. In these the birds necessarily ‘work’ the same piece of ground very intensely — Especially up and down the boundaries, whether of wire netting or other material, they are apt to make runs and paths wdiich, if the soil be stick)', seriously affects the beauty of their plumage. It is a sad sight to see a fine Reeves or Amherst Pheasant trailing his train feathers in the mud as he fidgets up and down the fence cf his run. When I was experimenting with Partridges, with a view of getting them to lay in pens (for sporting purposes) on a system elaborated on a shooting in Central France, I found that one feature was that the pens should be circular, with no angle, and with the bushes or other cover in the centre and open space all round. This tended to check this habit of restlessly running up and down, turning always at the same spot, a very important point if the captive be a long-tailed pheasant, who often treads upon his own tail as he turns at a right-angled corner. If I were ever to keep pheasants in aviaries or small pens I should certainly make the fence of the runs, where the birds chiefly take their exercise, round, or half-moon shape. Their plumage would certainly last much better, and the extra trouble involved would be well repaid, especially where the soil was strong. But to keep some game-birds in health, not only is a light soil desirable, but ample space is absolutely essential. Capercaillies, for instance, and to a lesser degree, Blackgame, 3 16 Pra ctical B it d - Keep ing . must have abundance of room. They want plenty of clean ground to range over, with dense cover at hand to which they can retire, so as to feel absolutely safe. I think an adult wild-caught Capercaillie is about the most difficult subject to deal with that I have encountered. He will not stand close confinement at all, and must as soon as possible be enlarged. The difficulty then is to prevent his being starved in the midst of plenty, for it is of no use to put food down where he dare not venture to get it. Hand-reared Capercaillies are seldom to be had, and it may be taken for granted that a wild- caught bird will not for a considerable time ever leave the thick cover, of which there must be plenty, for many yards. The grain (oats, peas, wheat, barley and a little maize) must be thrown down with the grit along the outside of the bushes, the pine branches stuck into the ground and the water- pens replenished, then the feeder should slip away and the birds must be left absolutely quiet. It is of course a great thing if some tame birds are already in the enclosure, as they will inspire confidence in the new comer. I found it useful to fit up a “hide ” into which one could get, so that one could judge how the birds were going on, but the screen must be a good one, and one must never be detected in it, or when leaving. In time Capercaillies will tame, and are always most interesting; but a particularly fine old cock was here almost three years before he would come out into the open to feed in our presence. It was a fine sight then to see him in the spring slowly walking round his hens, at feeding time, with tail spread and wings lowered and neck-frill standing out stiff. My Capercaillies and Black¬ cocks called freely in the spring, but I never saw anything that might be called a “ Lek ” in any special place ; perhaps because the birds were pinioned and the number of hen birds small. Although my enclosure is roomy (nearly four acres) I could not keep more than one, or at the most two, Capercaillie cocks, owing to their pugnacity. Blackgame are not quite so shy and do not require so much space. But neither will they live long in such runs as suit ordinary pheasants well. I recollect the late Lord Lilford telling me that, with all his experience, he had never been able to keep Capercaillies, and that only in one P tactical Bird- Keeping. 3 r7 year did his Blackgame really thrive, and that was when they had the run of a large walled-iu kitchen garden. This suited the birds admirably, but their ravages among the strawberries and green vegetables were so serious that the experiment could not be repeated. All Game-birds that I have kept, including Grouse, have taken readily to Mangel-Wurzel roots, and during the winter and early spring months they are a most valuable food. But in frosty weather they must not be left out at night, or must be rolled under some dense bush, so that they do not get frozen. Coarse and fine grit and plenty of water are necessities to all Game-birds. In my enclosure there happens to be a clear running stream, which of course is a great advantage as it prevents the possibility of soiled drinking pans. Capercaillies and Blackgame feel the heat of summer, as might be expected, and must have plenty of shade. My Blackgame roosted in long grass near the stream, but the Capercaillies perch. Being heavy birds, when pinioned they are apt to injure themselves it dis¬ turbed from their roosting-places or while coming down in the mornings. It is advisable, therefore, to take off the lower branches of bushes or trees which may tempt them up to dangerous heights; and only leave such bushes and lower trees as are safe accessible to them. I once had a Capercaillie cock killed owing to a stranger passing under his tree and causing him to fly oft his perch after dusk. My Capercaillie hens generally made their nests, as they so often do in the wild state, against the bole of a tree. They cover their eggs, and so cleverly do they conceal the nest that once a Capercaillie hen, by scraping out a hollow, managed to prevent us from finding her nest on perfectly bare ground under a beech tree, till one day we un¬ expectedly found her incubating. Keepers sometimes advance a theory that grey hens do not lay till the third summer after they are hatched. Long ago I had clear evidence that this is not correct in regard to Caper¬ caillies, and it seemed unlikely that their smaller relatives would be slower to attain maturity. But since I have kept Blackgame I found that they too will breed in their second summer. I believe the reason why so consideiable a proportion of grey hens 3 18 Practical Bird- Keeping. is sometimes seen without young is that, while the birds seeks damp rushy places to nest in, the chicks are exceptionally delicate, and their survival greatly depends upon the sort of weather which they have to face during the first week or two of their lives. Redgrouse have been often kept in a half-tame condition, and more than once in recent years they have been bred in confinement. This has always I think been achieved in places where a supply of heather was available to augment their food. But I have no heather within reach, and my Grouse had to be content with meal, green stuff and bird seed (Canary and hemp), with such grass and clover as the)" found in their enclosure. I had a hen Grouse for over three years, which during that time never saw heather. Her habits of course altered considerably under such artificial conditions. She would, in wet weather, roost on a lower branch of a box tree, and I have seen her busily breaking up and eating an acorn. Grouse are charming pets, and the cocks become almost troublesomelv bold and aggressive. A full-winged tame cock Grouse that I used to know on Spey-side would fly in the face of any stranger in the spring-time. I always expected that Willow-Grouse, from living on a more varied diet, would be more easily managed than the British Red Grouse, and when I obtained a small lot in 1908 I found this was certainly the case. We never had the slightest diffi¬ culty in keeping them, as they would eat all that a Red-Grouse would take, and, in addition, Birch, Sallow and Beech, foliage and twig ends. Though wild-cauglit birds, sent direct from Sweden, they would, in about three weeks time, run towards one at feeding time. My first birds all proved to be hens, but, nevertheless, four out of the six laid the first summer. The following spring I succeeded in getting some cocks ; but, afterwards, though we hatched young, and a pair which I pre¬ sented to the Zoological Gardens reared a small brood, a severe visitation of “gapes” not only prevented any further success that season, but obliged me, much against my inclination, to give up keeping any more of the Grouse family. Although, under the supervision of the Committee of Practical Bird- Keeping. 319 Enquiry on Grouse Disease, some 2,000 birds were dissected, and only in three examples were gape-worms (Syngamus trachealis ) found; yet as the Committee report: “This freedom from the common pest of the Fowl-yard and the Pheasant coop is due to the free and unconfined life of the Grouse, together with the comparative paucity of earthworms on the Moor.” That the above explanation is probably quite correct my experience shows, for in captivity I have found Grouse and their allies exception¬ ally subject to the parasite. For several years in succession, the “gapes” first affected the birds of the Grouse family in my collection; Grouse and Willow - Grouse, Blackgame, Caper¬ caillies, then Partridges, Pheasants, Impeyaus and Tragopans (I place the names in order of susceptibility), and finally it spread to other species including Bustards and the young of two species of Crane. In the cold weather we had no difficulty in keeping all these species in health, but with the warmth and drought of summer, in spite of free use of quicklime, etc., the pest regularly showed itself. Therefore I had to cease keeping some of my greatest favourites. I hope only temporarily. When Pine branches are required for Capercaillies and Blackgame, or Sallow or Birch for Willow-Grouse, it is a good plan to sink champagne bottles filled with water up to their necks in the ground, and to stick the branches therein. If this is done in a shady place, the foliage will keep fresh for some days even in summer. I have found Austrian Pine preferred to Scotch Fir, and my birds would never touch Larch foliage ; though I believe in Scotland the contrary has been noted, I once had four hybrid chicks hatched from eggs laid by a tame Redgrouse mated with a Blackcock. Circumstances necessitated their being placed with the ordinary Pheasants in the rearing field, and I believe they were exposed to too much sun, which, in a hot summer, is a source of danger to these natives of cool uplands, and they only survived a few days. I now7 pass to the Tragopans, than which there are no more interesting Game-birds. I have for some years kept examples of three species : Temminck s, Cabots’ and the Satyr Tragopan. I have bred them all repeatedly. Ihey require shelter throughout the year, such as they can find for themselves 320 Practical Bird- Keeping. in summer in thick Yew bushes, or Spruce trees headed back. But in the North of England at any rate, I find they are better shut into dry sheds in winter, with a peat moss floor and plenty of rough perches to climb about on. Like so many mountain species, whether mammals, birds or plants, Tragopans when brought down to low altitudes, seem very sensitive to damp cold, though they look happy enough on a dry frosty day. Mine get, and I think require, a variety of food — wheat, barley, hemp and Canary seed, green stuff and any common fruit that is available. Of monkey and tiger nuts, Tragopans and Monals are very fond, and also mine get like most of my birds Barley meal scalded with Poultry meal into a “crumbly” mass. I do not think Tragopans will live long upon hard grain alone. When first imported, Tragopans are sometimes difficult subjects, and must be tempted by raisins, earth worms, soaked maize, or in fact anything that they will eat. The young cocks do not come into colour till the second autumn, but before the first winter there will generally be a few feathers of the second plumage about the head and neck, enough to indicate their sex. The hens will sometimes lay in their second summer, but more often not. The full display of the male Tragopan has often been described ; it is a wonderful sight, though not often visible even to its owner. The letting down of the gular flap is momentary, and the bird seems shy ot exhibiting this when conscious of being watched. The more common partial “show,” when the throat wattle swells and the wing is dropped to show the beau¬ tiful spotted feathering to the female bird, can be seen at almost any feeding time till the female begins to sit. One of the peculiarities of the Tragopans, or at least the three species above named, which alone I have kept, is that they, invariably in my experience, lay their eggs, not on the ground like other Game-birds, but in trees and bushes, or disused nests of other birds such as pigeons, or even in structures of their own making. A Cabot’s Tragopan once somehow discovered an old Stockdove’s nest, 17ft. from the ground, in some ivy on the stem of a spruce fir. The latter was bare of branches, so that the bird had to clamber along the spreading bough of a neigh¬ bouring yew tree, till she could spring to the ivy. Practical Bird- Keeping. 321 But little lias been recorded of the habits of the Tragopan in the wild state, and this propensity was a surprise to me. Therefore at once we began to put up old Wood Pigeons’ nests or platforms, generally five or six feer from the ground. To these the birds have always made slight additions, generally in the shape of a lining of yew or spruce twigs. But though these platforms are freely taken advantage of (and I must have had well over fifty clutches of eggs laid here), on one occasion a Satyr Tragopan declined our help and made rather a frail platform of spruce twigs and branches, on which she laid her eggs. An old basket lid, covered with a layer of roots and twigs, and firmly tied into the fork of a bush will make a good nest. A lame, but other¬ wise healthy Cabot’s Tragopan this year did not lay till she was provided with a mound like a large footstool, hidden under a bush, with a depression on the top some eighteen inches from the ground, which she conld easily reach. This was taken advantage of at once. I believe Tragopans to be by nature monogamous, but in this last case the lame hen was one of two, both of which laid fertile eggs to a single cock bird. Tragopans are quite at home in trees, and climb and run up a sloping branch without making a mistake. My birds spend much of their time, especially in wet weather, on their perches, and the young fly up and spring from branch to branch within a few days of hatching, and are very well provided with flight feathers at a tender age, as I have elsewhere recorded. After a few weeks the young Tragopans, like the Monals, show an inclination to perch at night, and as they are by that time probably too large for the hen (if they are hatched under a foster mother) to properly brood. It is best to run her into a dry shed at night provided with perches of various heights. I have always taken the eggs and hatched them under small hens. Silkies and Game Bantams, as the clutches are small, two or three eggs, generally the former, and this probably induces the bird to lay again, After ten days or a fortnight, the young thrive best if allowed to run free during the day with the hen in some quiet place where the grass is allowed to grow long. Fresh ants’ eggs, gentles, chopped egg, lettuce and meal, and when available, red currants or raspberries are all suitable food. 322 Practical Bird- Keeping. This faculty of climbing about trees renders it necessary to take great care that no bough of a tree within the enclosure extends to the fence, or the birds will probably escape, as they will creep out to the end of a slender branch and spring thence to a surprising distance. For the same reason, if kept in open enclosures, Tragopans must be rather closely pinioned. The only member of the group of Mouals that the amateur is likely to admire is the magnificent Lophophorus splendens, and it is scarcely possible to conceive anything more splendid than a well-conditioned male bird of this species, and, fortunately, their plumage is hard and they generally keep themselves smart. Much that I have said about Tragopans will apply to Mouals, especially as to variety of food. But this is a much more hardy species, and though it is well to give shelter to the birds of the year in their first winter, the adults can stand any reasonable amount of cold, and if, as all wild creatures try to do, they can avoid the combination of wind and wet, they will get through our winters well enough. The hen Monal makes her nest on the ground, and my birds have laid two or three eggs. They are excellent parents and will rear their young quite well if in an enclosure by them¬ selves where there is plenty of cover and shelter from storms. It is a pretty sight, when the young begin to perch, to see the parents sitting with the young between them, each spreading a wing over the chicks ; the cock taking his full share of the domestic duties. Care must be taken to separate Monal cocks as the breed¬ ing season approaches. They appear heavy, rather stolid birds, but a strong male will persecute a weaker one with great deter¬ mination, even in a large enclosure. I once missed one of two Monal cocks which had passed the winter together quite amicably. When we discovered the poor bird, he was several feet up a 9-inch drain, in which he had taken refuge ; but he had been sadly maltreated and was already dead. A cock Monal once contrived to mount nearly forty feet up in a Beech tree. He was to be seen for quite a week on a con¬ spicuous dead branch, apparently going through a sort of display performance. Occasionally he would crouch down on the bough Practical Bird-Keeping. and utter the curious twittering whistle which is so strongly out of harmony with the bird's powerful build and sturdy appearance. We never saw him down at feeding times, but no doubt he de¬ scended occasionally. It reminded me of Wolff’s famous picture of the Capercaillies’ display on the pine bough, but I have always considered that our subject is strictly monogamous. The cock Monal’s ordinary display is striking enough. His chestnut tail is spread wide and brought forward rapidly over his back and withdrawn with a curious waving movement, while his wings are lowered so as to expose the white patch on the lower crest. He twists his head sideways and flattens his neck plumage so as to show the glorious metallic lustre to the best advantage. This part of the performance may be at some distance from the hen, who is, however, always visible to him. Presently he will advance towards his mate with a swaggering stride, with crest nodding, finally reaching her side by three or four frog-like leaps, and bends down touching the ground with his beak, with tail still extended to the full, the hen bird all the while, to the eyes of the human observer at all events, appearing utterly unconcerned. With regard to the large family of Pheasants and their allies, I have little to suggest that is likely to be fresh to my fellow aviculturists, as these birds are so extensively kept. The true Pheasants all appear to be perfectly hardy in our climate, and to my eyes they show no substantial differences of consti¬ tution or habit from the ordinary bird of our covers. But it must not be expected that they will be so prolific as the latter, for no doubt the power of producing 30 — 40 or even more eggs in a season is the result of semi-domestication, and of being kept for generations in pens to lay and not to hatch and rear. I have found Versicolor hens very poor layers, and pure Mongolian hens often lay very scantily, if at all in their second year, but much better in succeeding seasons. Keepers report favourably of the Prince of Wales’ Pheasant as a hardy bird to rear, and as a species which leaves its impress (in plumage) upon his cross¬ bred stock for many years. As to straying, I can see no difference; they all like to escape from overcrowded ground. 324 Practical Bird- Keeping. The Partridges usually obtainable are all easy enough to keep, even the beautiful Ammoperdix of the Desert; but the young of the species from the warmer regions are, as might be expected, very sensitive to damp, and all, whether adults or young, should have access to dry sheds, in which they can dust and shelter. I have not kept any of the Wood Partridges, and expect that they require very special treatment. Peat Moss litter makes an excellent floor for such sheds as it is absorbent and a deodorizer. Unless the ventilation is really effective, fire- heat, unless in exceptional frosty weather, is better dispensed with. If I may offer one or two pieces of advice, I would urge that it is a great mistake to keep too many birds. Overcrowding leads to tainted ground and a host of trouble. Grit must never be forgotten as it is absolutely essential to this class of bird. A Grouse chick of forty-eight hours w'as found to have its gizzard well provided with grit (Report of the Committee on Grouse disease). Quartz grit is the best if to be had. After the first severe frost, lettuces and even cabbages are often unprocurable, and, until the grass grows freely, some substitute for green food is desirable for grain-fed birds. I find Mangel-Wurzel most useful, and take care to have a supply sufficient to last w7ell on into the spring. But, as I have already said, care must be taken that the roots do not get frozen. The incubation periods of some of the birds referred to in this paper, as noted by me, may interest some: — Capercaillie, 26 days; Blackgame, 25 — 26 days ; Redgrouse, 20 — 21 days; Willow Grouse, 20 — 21 days; Monal, 28 — 29 days ; Tragopan, 29 days. Noticks to Members— i Continued from page n. of cover*. NEW MEMBERS. Mr F. I,. Bland, Rookwood, Copdock, Ipswich. Miss H it.ba Fiki.d, Ashurst Park, Tunbridge Wells. Major Frank Johnson, Melrose House, Wilburv Road. Hove. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Mr. John Drvdkn Kusrr, Faircourt. Rernardsville, New Jersey, U S A, Proposed by Mr. C. William BEEBE. Mr. R. A. DvoTT, Freeford, Lichfield. Proposed by Mr. R. I. Pocock. Mr, B. Hamilton Sco'fT, Hamildeau, Ipswich. Mr. F. W. Smalley, Challau Hall, Silverdale, nr. Carn'forth. Proposed by Mr. J. L. Bonhotk. MEMBERS’ PRIVATE SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is sixpence for eighteen words or less, and one penny for every additional three words or less. Trade advertisements are not allowed in this column. Dealers who are members , wishing to adver Use, should apply to the Publisher for terms. Advertisements must reach the Editor on or before the 26th of the month. 'The Council reserve the right of refusing any advertisement they may consider undesirable. A viarv-bred .Parrot Finches, perfect condition. ios. pair. Acclimatised pairs Scarlet Tanagers, have nested. £ 2 xos. ; White Crested Quail (offers! ; Rosy Pastor, 156; Cuban Trogan, £3 ios. ; Green Cardinals,. £ 1 15s. RaTTIGan. Lanarkslea, Cornwall Gardens, I, ondon, S.W. Hens for sitting on small eggs, cross Silkie and Jungle cock, verv pretty, pure white, price 5s. each ; also Budgerigars. 5s. a pair. Apply Mr. Buck, The Lodge Gate. Karl Sohaifi, Framlingham. Rare Nepal Kagle Owl ( Huhua repalensis ) five months, hand-reared, per¬ fectly tame ; offers invited. Herbert Steven-s, c/oThos. Cook & Son, Ludgate Circus. E.C. For Sale. — Four'splendid unheated aviarv-bred Rosellas. What offers ? W. H. Workman, Listnore, Windsor, Belfast. ' Pair Spotted-billed Toucanets, Sol- ; pair White-crested Babblers, 50/- ; Blue¬ cheeked Barbet, 20/-; cock Violet Dove, 10/-; cock Green-winged Dove, 7/6; Mexican Jay, 20/-. PKRCY ThORNILKY, Shooter’s Hill, Weni, Salop. Can anvone supply the Publishers with Nos. 3 and 4 of Volume I, ( first series) at published price? WEST, Newman & Co., 54, Hatton 'Garden, London. WAN T S The charge for members' advertisements under this heading * is four pence: for twelve: words or under , and. one penny for every additional three words or less. Cock Rainbow Bunting: must be healthy. Phillipps. 26, Cromwell Grove, Hammersmith. FOR IMMEDIATE DISPOSAL. OWNER LEAVING ENGLAND SHORTLY PAIRS — Spotted Bower Birds, fine condition, rare, y£io; Tame young Hen Harriers, very scarce now, ^5 ; Himalayan Plumbeous Redstarts, £3 ; Black-crested Yellow Bulbuls, new, £3 ; Brown-eared Yellow-winged Bulbuls, new, £3 ; Himalayan Lanceolated Jays, ^3; Wandering Tree Pies, £2 10s. ; Mexican Green Jays, £2 10s. ; Necklace Tanagers, £2 10s. ; Sikkim Siskins, £2 ; Indian Skylarks. £1 10s. ; Black-beaded Yellow Wagtails, £\ tos. ODD COCKS -T ame young Forsten’s Lorv, £3 10s. ; '1'ame Hardwicke’s Ch/oropsis, £3 lost; .Tame Persian Nightingale, £3 10s. ; Tame Hima¬ layan Blue Whistling Thrush, £3 10s. ; Plumbeous Redstart, £2 10s. ; Spotbilled Toucanette, £2 10s. ; Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, £2 ; Black-beaded Siskin, fine songster, £1 10s. ; Military Starling, ; Golden-shouldered Tanager, £\ ; Tickell's Ouzel, £1 ; Rufous-backed Na]>oleon Weaver, 10s. ; Lesser Masked Weaver, ios. ; Madeiran Chaffinch, ios. ; Yellow-throated Sparrow, ios. ; Brown Rose-finch, species unknown, ios.; Young Himalyan Goldfinch, ros. All healthy acclimatized specimens, in good order Members requiring Indian Pheasants, or choice species for aviaries or exhibits, should post list of species desired to Advertiser. Delivery next May or June. Wilfred Frost, 13 Fairlawn Avenue, Chiswick Park, London, W. TROWER & CO., WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS, 436 & 438< CALEDONIAN ROAD, LONDON, N. EXTRA LARGE SPANISH CANARY SEED. CHOICE GERMAN SUMMER RAPE SEED Finest Selected Seeds for all kinds of Cage or Aviary Birds British, F'oreign, and Canaries, As supplied by us to the leading Fanciers and Exhibitors at the Crystal Palace and other Shows. PRICE LIST. SAMPLES FREE. PFCTfl ” the best Insectivorous F'ood on the Market, \ /« per lb. postpaid 1/3. Ground Silk Worm Pupae, Mealworms, Ants’’ Eggs, Dried Flies, etc. “ Fr.RT^rn ” the finest Egg and Biscuit Food yet made. L.umoyu, 3d, 6d, 1/- and 2/- Tins. AVICULTURAL MAGAZ INE. CONTENTS. Report of the Council foi 19H-12 Alphabetical List of Contributors List of Plates . . Illustrations in Text Errata The two Nonpareils ( with coloured plate), by Frank Finn, B.A. August, 1912, by Miss E. M. HlNCK-S Nesting of the Black Redstart (concluded from page 297), by W. K. TesCHKMakEr, B.A. .. On the Breeding of the Red-backed Shrike, by Dr. A. Gunther .. The Transport of Birds (concluded from p. 3°0> by F rank Binn, B.A. Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens, by the Curator The Society’s Medal CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, etc. N. tyanomelcena, 343; The Crested Lark (illustrated), 344 Rhview: The Game Birds of S. Africa Practical Bird Keeping : XX. Cranes {illustrated), by R. COSGRAVE PAGE i v. v. KL xii. 325 329 330 335 336 342 343 The price of this number is 2/0 OCTOBER, -I 9 12- NOTE —A new volume commences every November. AH Subscriptions should be sent to the Publishers, Messrs. WEST, NEWMAN &. Co., 54, Hatton Garden, E.C AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the AviCUl/TURAi, .SOCIETY are requested to communicate witli either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. NOTICKS TO MEMBERS. Die Subscription to the Avicultural Society is 10'- per annum, due on the ist of November in eacli year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10,6. 'Die Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthlv. 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Those marked “ Private ” will not be published. The Magazine is published hv Messrs. West, Newman & Co.. (54, Hatton Garden, PLC.)to whom all SUBSCRIPTIONS, orders for extra copies, hack numbers, and hound volumes (accompanied by remittance) should he addressed. Cases for binding the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side, can he obtained from the Publishers, post free and c-arefully packed, at. 1/6 each; or the Publishers will undertake the binding of the Volume for 2/6, plus 8d. for packing and postage. Members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. BOUND COPIES OE The “ AVICULTUR AT, MAGAZINE.” Die following can he obtained from the Publishers at the prices given below. Postage 6d. per volume extra : Vol. II., 6/- to members; 8 6 to the public. Vols. V. to VII., 10/6 eacli to members; 12 6 eacli to the public. Vol. VIII., 14/- to members; 17/6 to the public. New Series — Vols. 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Special quotations given for Reprints appearing in this Magazine. MANUFACTURING SCIENTIFIC WORKS. STATIONERS. CROSS’S MENAGERIE, LIVERPOOL. PET ANIMALS ALWAYS IN STOCK. Lemurs, Coati-Mundi, Jackals, Civets, Ocelots, Caracals, Mongoose, Ferrets, Porcupines, Wombats, Gazelles, Deer of kinds, Antelopes, Shetland Ponies, Tortoises, Lizards, Snakes, Crocodiles, &c Monkeys, etc. Chimpanzees, Baboons, Apes. Mandrills, Dogfaces, Sooties, Caratrix, Moustaches, Puttynose, Capuchins, .Spiders, Squirrel Monkeys, Marmozeets, Hussars, Jews, Rhesus, &c. Large Animals. Klephanls, Yaks, Camels, Finns, Rheas, Ostriches, Canadian Bears. Japanese Beais, Russian Bears, Wolves, Hyenas, Lions, Tigers, Panthers, Wild Asses. Buffaloes A million Cowrie. Tridacna, and giant clam shells, also Curios ot every description. Waterfowl, &C. Swans of kind, Marabous, Cranes, Storks, Gali- nules, Ibis, Egyptian Geese, Bernicle, Brent. Canadian, Chinese, White- Fronted, Pink-footed, Barheaded, and other geese. 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Cables and Telegrams : Also at “ Cross, Liverpool.” National ’Phone 6491 Central. THE WINTER GARDENS, SOUTHPORT. Avi cultural Magazine West, IT ewman. chr H.Goodcluli del. AMERICAN NONPAREIL BUNTING. Cyanospiza ciris. THE PINTAILED NONPAREIL. Erythrura ppasina. Hvicultural flfcac^asme, 3EING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCI ETY. Third Series — VOL. III. — NO 12. — ALL rights reserved. OCTOBER. 1912. THE TWO NONPAREILS. Cycinospiza ciris and Erythrura prasina. By Frank Finn, B.A., F.Z.S. From the point of view of pure aviculture — by which I understand keeping birds because one likes them, without any ulterior scientific motive — there are no small finches which I prefer to the Nonpareil of America and its Pintailed imitator from the far East. Colour appeals to me more than anything else, and no one can deny that these two birds have plenty of it, albeit rather differently laid on. Their status in the bird trade has changed curiously. In the early days of this Society the American bird was the common kind, and the other rarely imported and little known. Now, owing to the prohibition of the export of United States birds, the American Nonpareil has become comparatively scarce and expensive, while the Pintaiied has during the last few years been so freely imported that it has been the most cheaply obtainable of all bright-coloured birds. The American Nonpareil ( Cyanospiza ciris ) is certainly well named ; there is nothing like it in the way of startling brilliance of colour, laid on in such a w*ay that the bird really does look as if it were painted. In fact, on my asking a small retail dealer whether he ever found Nonpareils were regarded with suspicion by the public, he replied that they were ; in fact, he had been asked how he could have the face to keep such obvious frauds in his shop. The old belief in painted birds evidently dies a great deal harder than the practice, now all but extinct. Mr. Frank Finn, 326 The hen Nonpareil never was common in the trade ; her colour is a subdued green above and pale buff below ; but many birds thus coloured are liable to turn out to be young cocks. Some hens, however, were recently on sale at Green’s in Covent Garden for months ; they showed no signs of being other than females, and I was surprised that they did not find purchasers. Although Nonpareils have frequently been bred on the Conti¬ nent, few people seem to have tried them here, though the Rev. C. D. Farrar bred them in 1899 (A vie. Mag., Ser. I. v., p. 165,) The young, he says, were reared entirely on insect food ; but according to Keulemans (A Natural History of Cage Birds, 1871) they can be reared in a canary breeding-cage with egg-food and sugared sop by way of soft food ! However they feed them. Continental fanciers seem to consider them easy subjects for breeding, judging from what Russ says (Handbucli fur Vogel- liebhaber, as quoted by Dr. Butler in Foreign Finches in Cap¬ tivity) about their breeding regularly two or three times a year, and the only objection to breeding them being the difficulty of distinguishing the young cocks. The full plumage is not attained till the bird is three years old — an unusually long time for a passerine bird. The nest is made in a bush or open basket, and the eggs are spotted with brown. One great drawback to this species is the fact that the cock by degrees loses its beautiful red tints and assumes yellow instead, though under conditions as natural as possible for an inhabitant of the warm parts of North America — a sunny outdoor aviary — the colour is said to be retained. Some difference of opinion exists as to whether Nonpareils have an undress plumage, going into hen feather in the winter ; but the general verdict is that they do not, the replacement of red by yellow being permanent and due to un¬ favourable conditions, while the blue of the head remains. At the same time, it is possible for a bird to assume, in captivity, a seasonal change unknown in the wild state ; it is well known that the Scarlet Ibis ( Eudocimus ruber) of America becomes very pale in captivity and remains so. Yet, of our breeding specimens in the Calcutta Zoo in my time, the hens were always salmon-colour, while the old cock had his salmon plumage enhanced by stains of scarlet in the breeding season on the two Nonpareils. 327 only. To return to our subject — the Nonpareil has a fairly good song, and will get on with most birds of his size, except his own species and his relative the Indigo-bird ( Cyanospiza cyanea ) ; he would probably dislike another cousin, the Rainbow Bunting (C. leclancheri), even worse. This species should always have fruit and insects — or some substitute for them — as well as seed. I noticed one I kept was keen on apple and on inga seed. He did not fight with an Indigo in the same cage, but gave way to him, only asserting himself in the important matter of meal¬ worms. The Pintailed Nonpareil (Erythrwa ptasina ) is also well named, for, although the two finches are not nearly related, the American belonging to the Bunting group and the Asiatic to the Grassfinches, there is certainly a resemblance in their liberal endowment of colour, while the long sharp tail of the Eastern Nonpareil is a very striking character. The hen in this species, differs more from the cock than in the original Nonpareil, for though the red is less completely suppressed in her, remaining on the tail, though replaced by buff on the breast, the tail itself, though pointed, is quite short ; she is, in fact, a stumpy ugly little bird altogether. The coincidental resemblance between the two birds goes further yet; for in some Pintail Nonpareils the red of the plumage is replaced by yellow, as in the cage-moulted male of the true kind. In the yellow-tailed Pintails, however, this aberration of colour is found in the wild bird; it occurs in both sexes, and specimens may be found in any large series of live birds or skins. These resemblances, however, taken together, are very curious ; caricaturing the theorizer on insects, we might say that the true Nonpareil, scarce yet reasonably easy to keep, “mimics” the very common but very difficult Pintail Nonpareil to escape the clutches of the aviculturist ! This difficulty of keeping is a sad drawback to the lovely Pintail, a bird absolutely unrivalled in the feathered world for its combination of brilliance of hue with the delicacy of tinting which rivals the lovely colours of the rainbow or prism. Its cheapness is due to the fact that it is a very com¬ mon bird in the East Indies — a common pest, in fact, in the rice-field ; but it is a champion dier, and has a way of looking 328 The two Nonpareils. well one minute and being dead half an hour later that has so far baffled research. As I found it did not live any better in Calcutta than here, a warm climate and paddy-rice are not sufficient to keep it alive ; in fact, I may here remark that, according to my Indian experience, if a creature is hard to keep here it is equally hard to keep in its own country. Delicacy depends more on timidity or some other moral character, or on an unadaptable digestion, than on climate, though of course the quick change of climate undergone during importation does not make matters at all easier for creatures whose health is already below par by reason of close confine¬ ment, even if not actually recently captured. I should advise anyone who is trying to keep Pintail Nonpareils to endeavour to supply as great a variety of food as they can be got to take, in the hope of hitting on the essential thing. If they do uot take to soft food, fruit, insects, or what not, such a bird as a Pekin Robin confined with them, or in a separate compartment with a wire partition, may teach them the trick, as bird gastronomy is largely a matter of imitation. Above all, let us uot have people saying that we must not try to keep the bird, because it is cruel ; the creature is a pest at home, which would be killed if not exported, and nothing is easier or more common now-a-days than the trotting out of some lofty motive like humanitariauism to excuse the laziness and want of resource which are such a characteristic of over-civilized communities. It is not surprising that the Pintailed Nonpariel has not bred here, though, according to Dr. Butler, it bred in Germany as long ago as 1886 ; the nest is evidently of the domed type usual in the Mannikin group, as it is described as thick-walled and with wide cavity and narrow entrance-hole. I11 conclusion, I may here remark on the curious fact that this common bird is hard to keep and breed, while the nearly allied but rare Parrot-fincli is an easy subject. I have so often noticed this in pairs of allies that I think there must be more than a coincidence in it; and two explanations suggest them¬ selves. One is that the rare bird finds the conditions of captivity more suitable to it than those offered by nature ; the other is that when a bird is dear people will take a lot of trouble over it, Angus t, 1912. 329 while if rare it is not likely to be overcrowded during importa¬ tion and so to suffer. If the latter explanation is correct the moral is obvious. AUGUST, 1912. By Miss E. M. Hincks. What a summer! — damp and cold — it seems almost as if it could not have been worse. My birds certainly have not relished it. The aviary floors have been soaking every day for months now. It seems to me the only type of floor suited to this weather would be one of cement laid at an acute angle. My aviaries are small and my birds of quite ordinary kinds, of which I am thankful just now. There are three of them. No. 1 containing five young Saffron Finches just coming into colour. Of these I hope that only one is a cock ; for, earlier in the year, two other young cock Saffrons who had been living together for months, were left together for one day too long, with the result that they fought one another to the death. No. 2. A pair of Goldfinches. The old pair of Saffrons, and, up till a week ago, a pair of Zebra Finches. Since then the cock has been left a widower and has been busily engaged in rearing the family of two, who appeared in public yesterday. The third aviary is below the garden (terraced) inside the wood. It is much less exposed than the other two, but is also shadier. The beehives standing alongside should come in useful in providing insect food for my two Pekin Robins, though I cannot say that I have ever seen them in pursuit of anything but wasps, moths or midges. The occupants of this aviary are: — Two hen Pekin Robins, Grey Singing Finches, Avadavats, a Grey, an Orange-cheek and a Crimson-eared Waxbill, also one cock South American Grey Finch, the best songster of the party, but he is of rather a retiring disposition, always electing to sing whilst alone in the inner aviary house. The Cordon Bleu (or Gordon Blue, the gypsies name for these birds) must be quite an aged bird, I have had him several years and he is growing white (flight) feathers in both wings, which adds greatly to his vener¬ able appearance. Is this usual ? 330 Mr. W. E. Teschemaker, Mice have been a great trouble this year. It is no wonder, as in the garden here the mice caught in traps are reckoned, not by the dozen, but by the gross. The aviaries should have been made mouse-proof, but this was too expensive. If a member could tell me of any hanging aviary seed-dish that is mouse- proof and thoroughly waterproof as well I should be most grateful. What mice are caught in the aviaries are accounted for by a fox- terrier who almost invariably accompanies me whilst feeding the birds. She is quite steady with birds, as they are with her. I have planted hops and roses in my aviaries, in the hope of inducing green fly, but have never found a sign of it on either. This may be owing to the fact that the birds keep them clean, lor there is no lack of the insect on the rose trees in the garden where they are not specially required. NESTING OF THE BLACK REDSTART. Ruticilla titys. By W. E. Teschemaker, B.A. ( Concluded from page 297). Black Redstarts are not easy birds to procure at any time, and enquiries produced nothing more satisfactory than the state¬ ment that there was much snow in the south of Germany but no Blackstarts (it was the early spring of 1911) and a definite promise from one man that he would send me two hens in July. I closed with this offer after impressing upon my correspondent that hand-reared birds would be useless for my purpose and equally so birds taken at a high elevation in the mountains. In due course the “House-red-tails” were sent to a dealer in Berlin and forwarded thence to me ; they were nice little birds, but there was nothing feminine about their appearance. But one day in the early autumn I received a post-card from the aforesaid Berlin dealer to the effect that he “ feared that I might find that the House-red-tails which Herr . had sent were cocks, so he had taken the liberty of forwarding an adult hen.” There is an innate courtesy about the German bird-dealer which might be imitated on this side of the Channel with great advantage. It is usually impossible to keep two Black Redstarts or on the Nesting of the Black Redstart. 331 two Redstarts together during the winter, even though they may have been the best of friends and have even paired, during the preceding summer. Unless the two birds are exactly evenly matched in strength one will assuredly slay the other; so Tites and the new arrival spent the winter apart. I11 the spring I caught up the female and caged her for a few days for inspection. The more I looked at that hen the more convinced I was that, if the correct environment were provided, she would prove a breeder. As mentioned above, I had already decided that the required environment would have to include a nest-box in a dark corner under a roof and I, therefore, selected a quiet corner of the old walled-garden aviary which was provided with a small shed about seven feet high. In the furthest corner of this shed a flat wooden ledge had been nailed up years ago, and on this ledge (which is shown in the photo) two South American Thrushes, which I believe to have been hens of two different species, had constructed a mud foundation for a nest. All that remained to do was to fix the nest-box under this ledge. I first introduced Tites to these breeding quarters and, later in the spring, I caged the female and hung up the cage in the shed. I regret to say that Tites did not behave at all nicely to his prospective bride. His tail quivered with fury like the trembler of an induction coil : he perched on the top of the cage and in unmistakeable and unparliamentary (?) language told the lady what he thought of her and what her fate would be. But the lady simply gazed at him placidly for well she knew — not only by intuition but by actual experience— that, for all his truculence, Tites would yet grovel at her feet; you see this was not her first experience of matrimony. On the fourth day I saw Tites talking to his partner quite politely, and then — and not before then — I opened the cage door. The next thing was to procure a counterfoil for Tites. There seems to be a conven¬ tional theory that the ideal method is to isolate each breeding pair of birds in a separate aviary, but a little reflection will convince us that this is a fundamental error. An insectivorous bird usually arrives at its nesting-station after along and arduous migratory flight, during which food has been scarce, and almost at once enters upon a long and arduous struggle with various 332 Mr. W. F. Teschemaker, rivals for a nesting-site and a mate ; it is, therefore, as lean and hard as a trained athlete. It is this condition that we want to reproduce: if we shut up a pair by themselves we shall find that they will quickly become fat, sluggish and out of sorts. For a counterfoil I selected a pair of Pekin Robins, both because they were a little bigger than Tites and therefore not likely to be slain by him, and also because they would be certain to go to nest. Thus you will see that, instead of trusting to “luck,” I based my calculations on environment, competition, suggestion, and lastly, but by no means leastly, on a breeding hen. The Pekins soon went to nest but they were not allowed to hatch, in which case the state of war between the two families would have developed from a healthy recreation into a pitched battle. The next event was the building of a very neat little nest by Tites alone in the small nest-box (this nest can only be dimly seen in the photo). Then came a rather long interregnum and at last one day the hen House-red-tail glided into the nest that Tites built, inspected it and glided out again. The psychological moment had now arrived : I extracted the Pekins. On the 9th June the first egg was laid and the clutch of five was completed and incubation commenced on the 13th. It was not possible to inspect the eggs 011 account of the want of light, but I ascertained the number (and at the same time tested the statement in one of the bird-books that a Blackstart will always desert if the eggs are handled) by inserting a finger daily. The female undertook the entire task of incubation, but Tites sang to her to while away the time. The song of this species is quite unique : it consists of a low warbling interspersed with some curious guttural notes which sound as if they were produced by the winding up of some machine, the ratchet and pall of the winding drum of a grandfather’s clock for choice. On the 26th, I picked up the half-shell of a hatched egg in the flight; it was very round, of a pure translucent white and with a peculiar gloss. Tites fed the young and also his partner with praiseworthy diligence. Having lost the feathers of the crown, as the result of a cat-raid, and having also suffered in many skirmishes with the Pekins, he was a most disreputable looking object, but his vitality was un¬ impaired and his energy immense. I extracted an unhatched on the Neslifig of the Black Redstart. 333 egg on the 29th, and ascertained that there were two young. It was impossible to examine the latter, however, in such a dark corner so, 011 the 4th July, I lighted a match and held it to the nest. As it happened, Tites at that very moment flew into the shed and apparently jumped to the conclusion that I was trying to cremate his offspring; he flew out again exclaiming in strident tones “ Tit-tit-tit-tit tit-er-er-tit,” and was evidently very much upset, for, when I passed through the aviary again an hour or two later, he was still talking about the matter. However, I explained to him that the rule of this aviary was that all nests must be examined daily, and that, if he did not like it, he must make the best of it. The female was remarkably steady and would almost allow me to place my hand upon her when on the nest. On the 9th July she commenced to build a new nest on the top of the mud nest above alluded to, and this nest, which she built without any assistance, was of a quite different type — large, shallow, unlined, and constructed entirely of hay; the first nest, which Tites built, was composed chiefly of moss, lined with some hair and feathers. The first egg of the second clutch was laid on the nth, and it is this clutch which is shown in the photo. The dimensions were .So by .62in. The young left the nest on the 12th, and their distinctive plumage interested me much. Their tails, which were about an inch long, and also the under tail-coverts were rufous * ; the flanges of the beak were lemon colour and, contrasting with their dark mottled breasts, were rather conspicuous. But what chiefly surprised me was that the}7 were so much darker than the adult female in body colour. I11 such standard works as Morris, Bechstein, and even in the accurate Saunders will be found the statement that the young resemble the female, whereas, unless this was quite an abnormal case, they (that is to say the young males) really much more closely resemble the adult male on leaving the nest. And yet, in their first autumn, even a good judge will often have difficulty in distinguishing between the sexes. I recollect that our mem- « N.B. The two middle rectrices are dark-brown : when the tail is not expanded, these two are the upper ones and their colour is apparently protective, covering- and con¬ cealing the bright rufous of the other rectrices. 334 On the Nesting of the Black Redstart. her, Mr. Galloway, once sent me a supposed hen which, at the ensuing spring moult, declared itself to be a male, and Dr. Thwaites sent me the skin of a young male (as sexed by a taxidermist) which had died at the commencement of February, and a close examination of the plumage revealed no other indi¬ cation of sex than the fact that the breast feathers were darker along the quill. The explanation seems to be that young male Blackstarts assume an eclipse plumage upon moulting the nest plumage, or some part of the latter. As I write (16th Aug.) the young have commenced to moult and are evidently becoming lighter, but I am prevented by our “eight weeks rule” (which for this very reason I have never thought a very wise one) from including an account of the moult in these notes. A young migrating Redstart, which insisted on coming into the house, despite several evictions, and which was therefore caged on the 14th July, shed the mottled nest plumage a week later, and I think, therefore, that we may assume that this moult takes place in the case of both species at the age of about five weeks. The contrast between the young of the two species is, however, very marked. A young male Redstart looks very like a young Robin, but a young male Blackstart, as I have said above, closely resembles an adult male, except for the area of white on the wing of the latter. The Redstart began to sing on 17th July (three days after its capture!) and one of the young Blackstarts on 14th August. The young “House-red-tails” were exceedingly clever at hiding themselves, after leaving the nest, and it was often very difficult to locate them even in their tiny aviary. As I mentioned, under the head of environment, this aviary was built in a corner where two old cob walls met, and into the crannies and crevices of these walls they used to creep and squat motionless ; they would also squat in old nests in the shrubs and even on the ground. Another point that impressed me was that, even when perched in a conspicuous position on an apricot tree trained against the wall they would remain absolutely motionless, with tails held rigid, until they saw that they had been observed, when their tails would at once begin to quiver in the manner so characteristic of this species. With regard to this latter point : On the Breeding of the Red-backed Shrike. 335 I have often seen the statement that the tail motion both of this species and of the Redstart is horizontal. After very close observation I have come to the conclusion that the motion is (1) generally vertical, (2) sometimes diagonal, (3) sometimes elliptical, but I have never been able to convince myself that it is ever truly horizontal. Nevertheless it is not an easy matter to decide because the motion is so rapid. ON THE BREEDING IN CAPTIVITY OF THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE. (. Further Notice'). By Dr. A. Gunther. The pair of Red-backed Shrikes — the history of which was recorded in tli o. A vi cultural Magazine , 1904 (page 339) and 1911 (page 37) — have again nested in the present year. This is the seventh brood produced by these birds in captivity. As already reported they did not nest last year, and I suspected they had reached the limit of age for reproductive functions. However, soon after they had been moved into their usual summer quarters in the middle of May the hen commenced to sit (20th May) and the young were hatched on the 6th of June. I had determined to remove the young from their aviary as soon as they were ready to leave the nest, as they were dangerously exposed to attack from their neighbours, a pair of Black-necked Grackles, which were separated from the Shrikes by wire-netting only. On the present occasion the young left the nest at the early age of twelve days. There were five of them, all remarkably strong. They throve well under artificial feeding, and are now strong on the wing and perfectly independent. To my surprise, two days after the removal of the young, the parent birds re-commenced breeding in the same nest ; and two eggs were laid on successive days, when, to my great regret, the hen bird was found dead on the ground below the nest. The strain of producing the first brood, and shortly afterwards laying eggs for a second brood was too much for her and ex- Mr. Frank Finn, 336 hausted her vital powers, although in the first year, when she was only one year old, she also had produced two broods. A pair of Black- necked Grackles ( Gracupica nigricollis) inhabited the adjoining aviary. Nothing is known of the nidi- fication and nesting habits of this species, and I was therefore anxious to obtain information on this point. They built a large nest of straw in a dense box bush, and eggs were laid but dis¬ appeared in an unaccountable manner. I strongly suspect that they were broken and eaten by the male bird, a most ill-tempered creature. Only fragments of the egg were found, and these were on the ground, showing that the eggs are of an uniform turquoise-blue colour. THE TRANSPORT OF BIRDS. By Fkank Finn, B.A., F.Z.S. (' Concluded from page 301). If waterfowl or waders are shipped in barred -floored cane cages, it is a good plan to have a big tin bath made in which the lower part of the cage can fit ; this will serve instead of a draw- tray to receive dirt, and can be washed out when decks are cleaned, while at the same time it can be filled with water in favourable weather and used as a bath, the cage being plunged into it. In any case, it is advisable to wet the legs and feet of waders and waterfowl pretty frequently, unless the weather is too cold, to prevent them getting dry and feverish. A sprayer comes in handy for this sort of thing. For all sorts of bathing fresh water should be used, not salt, and all means taken to avoid birds getting wetted by the sea; even sea-birds do not like salt water so much as fresh for bathing. Gulls gladly resort to fresh¬ water streams and pools to bathe, if near the sea; and in hot countries Cormorants keep to fresh water and avoid the sea as a rule; while everybody knows it is only frost and fear of man which draws the ordinary ducks sea-wards. At the same time, in the case of a water-bird that was on the Transport op Birds. 337 very dirty, it might be advisable to use salt water rather than nothing. On my first voyage abroad I relieved the monotony of life by washing the unhappy ducks in the ships’ hen-coops in salt water, to the great improvement of their condition ; but then, being ordinary tame ducks, they could be let out on deck. Flapping and exercising to dry after bathing is of course im¬ portant; hence it is well to think twice before one wets the plumage of a bird cooped up. Other birds than waterfowl are often somewhat special in their transport requirements, and these groups may now be dealt with. Game-birds, such as the pheasant and partridge tribe, sandgrouse, and tinamous, are given to springing up with ex¬ plosive violence on alarm, and hurting their heads. Hence the top of their cages should be well padded, or have a canvas ceiling strained a little below the wooden top. It is in their case especially that the allowance of as little head-room as is consistent with comfort is desirable. On the other hand, birds like Hornbills, which have long bills and jerk them up when swallowing, need more head-room than one would at first be inclined to allow them when the bill is in the usual horizontal position. Large birds with long tails, like Pies and pheasants, are often better accommodated by having their trains clipped ; in the case of the cock Argus it may be necessary to clip the long secondaries also. It should be remembered that long -billed birds, and some short-billed ones also, which drink by scooping up the water as it were, cannot drink easily if at all out of a pot, and need a long vessel. If this is inconvenient for a cage, it must be introduced twice a day. Ground-birds with very small feet, like Sand-grouse, Bustards and Thick-knee Plovers, need a very close-barred wooden grating to the floor lest their legs slip through ; in their case it is best to substitute sand, saw dust, or mats frequently changed, if obtainable, though on the Chinese style of flat-barred cane floors with bars only half-an-inch apart anything could travel. Dusting accommodation for birds such as game-birds, can be dispensed with, just as water for water¬ bathing birds, 'during a voyage. But it is much more easily 338 Mr. Frank Finn, supplied, and involves no risk, as if a box containing sand or earth is upset in a cage no harm is done, while superfluous water makes everything cold and sloppy. Birds like Woodpeckers and Creepers, which travel on the trunks and limbs of trees, must of course have the back and sides of their cages covered with some sort of bark; or failing this with rows of horizontal battens. Woodpeckers have a most astonishing power of cutting their way out, and it would be best to have their box-cages tin-cased. Hanging-parrakeets (I always prefer the neat German name bat-parrots for these) need a wire¬ netting or grating ceiling below the roof in a box-cage, as they sleep and spend much waking time hanging upside down. Birds like Kingfishers, Rollers, Bee-eaters, Trogons, etc., which hardly use their feet except for perching and do not hop about, need as large a cage as you can give them, with only two perches, one at each end on the same level, so as to give them as much wing exercise as possible. Humming-birds are also birds of little foot-power and need few perches, but have a remarkable power of taking wing-exercise in a small space ; great care should be taken to keep their plumage from getting sticky, as without use of their wings they are nearly helpless, unlike Sunbirds which hop about freely. Humming-birds are more sensitive to cold than any others, and become insensible if chilled, though they can be revived by warmth in such a case. We come now to the question of food. Of course the right thing is to take the special brand of soft food one favours, or material for making one’s own, to say nothing of mealworms, as well as appropriate seeds for seed-eaters. Supplies, however, may be spoilt by sea-damage, lost or stolen ; and we may be thrown again on our own resources for makeshift foods. In most places abroad it will not be possible to get ants’ eggs, dried flies, dried silkworm pupae, meat meal, egg flake, and what not; pos¬ sibly not even Canary seed may be available ; and millet, so common a grain in the tropics, does not suit everything. It is as well, therefore, to rid one’s self of any prejudice against using egg, raw meat, milk, or bread, for soft-bills, be¬ cause these things can be got anywhere where Europeans live, and birds can be kept on them if carefully and thoughtfully on the Transpoi't or Birds. 339 administered, and were, before our modern conveniences of feeding were introduced. Such crude articles of human diet may not suit some delicate species indefinitely, but one has, with care and luck in weather, a chance to pull any bird through a few weeks’ voyage till the better supplies are secured ; and many species take quite well to the articles named. Bread of course should be stale, well crumbled and intimately mixed with the egg, which should be very hard-boiled, or the meat, which should be finely minced, or scraped for very tiny birds. Biscuit can, of course, always be substituted, and may be easier to get. Rice should be dry-boiled and grainy, as one gets it in the East, and milk-sop should not be sloppy, except for birds which suck up their food. Condensed milk alone is well taken by honey-sucking birds such as lories, sunbirds, and I believe humming-birds, and is easy to get ; in fact, it is in most cases the only milk one will get at sea, as cows and goats are seldom carried. Meat cut up into bits is taken by large insect-eaters, and will keep the purely insectivorous kinds, such as land-kingfishers and rollers, by itself. Fish-eaters will also live on meat, though it is not good as a permanent diet. Fruit-eating birds can be got to take dry-boiled rice and boiled potatoes cut up ; they can also have soaked bread and biscuit and soaked dried fruit. Grain-eaters should be got on to crushed biscuit or stale bread in case grain or seed of the proper sort is wanting. A bird may eat some kinds of seed and starve on it ; I have been told this is the case with common pigeons when fed on paddy-rice. Green food can be supplied by chopped raw roots or apple, or sprouted seeds. With regard to live food ; some kinds of tropical fish, such as the Koee ( A?iabas scandens ) and Sin gee ( Saccobranchus fossilis) of India, will travel well in but little water, and would come in well for feeding carnivorous or fish-eating birds; cut up, they would be better for insect-eaters than flesh meat, being less heavy. Earthworms will travel well in damp soil in well-cleaned kerosene tins ; frogs can also be transported in such tins with turf and fresh water. Water -snails should prove equally easy of 340 Mr. Frank Finn, carriage, while laud-snails are no trouble at all : put them in a box and they will seal themselves up away for hibernation or “ aestivation,” its substitute in the tropical dry season. Cock¬ roaches can be got on many, perhaps most ships; the large American sort is the usual one, and is good for feeding large birds, the small German cockroach is, however, a nicer insect, and does well for small birds, but I only remember getting these on one ship. House-flies often abound in port or soon after leaving it, and it is as well to have a few balloon fly-traps. Crickets are also, if I remember right, numbered among ship- insects. So, certainly, alas ! are those beastly little yellow ants, which birds, as far as I know, won’t eat ; while they will eat the bird’s food and annoy them generally. Mechanical digestives, like grit for ordinary, especially seed-eating, birds, and feathers or fur for birds of prey, can be temporarily dispensed with ; but it is best to provide them if possible; chopped tow will do instead of fur or feather. If grit cannot be supplied regularly it is better withheld, and the birds weaned on to it again on landing. Water can be dispensed with by some birds, such as Hawks, Owls, Kingfishers, Bustards, and Horubills. but it is best to offer it daily even to these. Others should of course have it always by them, and in the case of waterfowl the food should be placed in it, especially for ducks. With all our care in housing and feeding, however, there remains what I have previously alluded to as the most insuper¬ able difficulty in bird importation — changes in temperature on the voyage, and especially the change from heat to cold. It is generally colder at sea than on land, in our latitudes very much colder; and a bird packed for shipment must necessarily be below par in most instances, owing to insufficient exercise and food which may not be of the most absolutely suitable character. Moreover it may have been only recently captured, thus, even if by nature an inhabitant of a temperate or even cold region — a mountain bird for instance — it is not in a condition to resist cold successfully ; and hence as much warmth and comfort as can be secured should be a first consideration with all who import any kind of birds. It is in the matter of cold that failure is most to on the Transport of Birds. 341 be feared ; heat may cause discomfort in some places, as in the Red Sea in the summer months, but if direct sun — which of course in the tropics is deadly dangerous — be avoided, heat is less risky than cold. A bird may be panting for days and not seriously upset; far otherwise if he has been shivering. It must, therefore, be clearly understood, that success must depend to a very great extent on facilities for keeping the stock warm and sheltered ; but, of course, the better the birds are fed, and the more comfortably they are housed, the better can they resist the ordeals that may come. But, on the whole, I think that small cages, which can be put inside somewhere, are far safer speculations in most voyages than large ones which must stand on deck, although in these the stock can exercise better. With regard to attendance, one will, I should hope, always feed and clean one’s birds one’s-self : I always did, and welcomed the work as a relief from the monotony of shipboard life. But the functionary — butcher or “stock topass ” — who is supposed to do these things, should in all cases be conciliated by a fee; his interest should be secured, and any money laid out in this way is well spent. But I object to letting these people look after birds if I possibly can — if any blunders are made I prefer to take the risk of my own rather than other people’s; though, of course if there is much stock, or very dirty work, assistance is of some use. In the case of sending birds in the charge of a ship’s butcher or other maritime employe, the same principle of paying well should be observed ; parsimoniousness in these matters is fatal as well as unfair. The best plan is to give the man a lump sum and a percentage on sound arrivals. An intelligent and conscientious man, well treated, will get as good results, often, as one could one’s-self. A few words as to what to select in the matter of stock may not be amiss in conclusion. Throughout this article I have tried to provide for the unexpected that proverbially always happens ; so I will assume that our importer knows little about the avicultural possibilities of the country he is going to, and little of the trade in the home country. I therefore advise, on general principles, avoiding anything one knows to be in the trade already, unless this is rare or usually arrives in poor con- 342 Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens. dition. But do not despise the common birds of a foreign country because they are common there ; they may be, and often are, particularly uncommon in the bird trade, or even new to avicul¬ ture. Insectivorous birds are of course the hardest to manage, but on that account the most likely to be worth taking. Fruit- and honey-eaters are on the whole the best speculation, being usually attractive and not unduly hard to carry with good atten¬ tion. Finally, on the whole, a small bird is to be preferred to a large one, a bright-coloured species to a dull one, and a collection of several sorts to a large lot of one kind. I am speaking, of course, for people who want to sell their surplus ; for scientific aviculture I should say, specialize on birds of types not usually kept at all. BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. By The Curator. During the past two months several of the birds in the Summer aviary have nested and reared their young. Bronze¬ winged Pigeons, Scaly Doves, White-fronted and Senegal Doves have bred freely. The two young Magpie Tanagers mentioned in the August number progressed well for a time. While I was away in August I heard that one had disappeared, but that the other had left the nest and was feeding itself. On my return we searched for the one young bird. The cover was so thick that it was difficult to find anything in this particular compartment, and although we did not discover the young Tanager I still had hopes of seeing it later. But now I have given up hope, and fear that the cold wet weather of August was too much for it. In spite of the bad weather the pair of Crimson Finches brought off three young birds, which are now full grown and closely resemble their mother. A pair of Peale’s Parrot-Finches have also reared two young birds. These are green with yellowish bills, exactly like the young of the New Caledonian Parrot Finch (E. psittaceaf). Both the Crimson Finches and Parrot Finches are nesting again. The Douglas Quail ( Lophortyx douglasi) from Mexico is an extremely rare bird, and the male with his plume of long reddish Co 77 espondence. 343 feathers on the head is one of the most handsome of the Quails. The hen laid ten eggs in a nest in the thick grass, approached through a tunnel under the grass. She was apparently acci¬ dentally disturbed and refused to sit, so the eggs were taken and hatched in an incubator, The chicks which were if anything less in size than those of Californian Quails, were placed in a “ Hearson’s Foster Mother,” and six of them have been success¬ fully reared to maturity, a feat deserving of great praise on the part of MacDonald, the keeper who was entrusted with their care. The same foster-mother now contains fifteen other young Quails hatched from eggs laid by Colinus pec/oralis and Eupsychortyx nigrigularis , both very rare American species. The young birds are about half-grown and in first-rate health and condition. Quails so often lay numbers of eggs, but refuse to sit in captivity, and the question of the hatching and rearing of the chicks is often a puzzling one. Hens are altogether too large for such frail mites, and the most careful ones rarely rear more than a small per¬ centage of those hatched. It is, therefore, very satisfactory to find that the eggs hatch perfectly in an incubator at the same temperature as hen’s eggs (104° Fahr.) and that with care the young can be reared in a “foster-mother.” D. S.-S. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. A medal has been awarded to Mr. W. F. Tescliemaker for breeding the Black Redstart (. Ruticilla titys), an account of which appeared in the September number. We regret that by inadvertence a medal was awarded to Mr. Cosgrave for breeding the Laughing Kingfisher (. Dacelo gigas ) see p. 125. Although Mr. Cosgrave earned the medal, it cannot be awarded as he is not a member. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. NIL TA VA CYA NO M ELLEN A ? Sir, — When Mr. Goodfellow brought over the Mikado Pheasants for Mr. and Mrs. Johnstone, he also brought a beautiful Niltava from Southern China, which has come into my possession. Is it N. cyanomelcenci ? The 344 Correspondence. bird is the same size and style as the chestnut-bellied Niltava, but the colouring is even more striking. The crown of the head and the whole of the back is a brilliant turquoise blue, the wings and tail being darker, each feather edged with blue. Cheeks, throat and chest black ; underparts pure white; flanks greyish. This Niltava has an exceedingly sweet and varied song ; some stanzas being not unlike an English Robin’s, others more resembling the bird voices of the wild moors, as uttered by different Buntings and Pipits. Its notes are superior to those of its chestnut-bellied cousin. My azure blue, black and white Niltava flies about in my bedroom of a morning, and is already becoming tame, darting down for a mealworm, which he will very soon take from my fingers. If it is N. cyanomelcena it is also a native of Japan. No doubt the female is a duller coloured bird. Hubert D. Astley. NESTING OF THE CRESTED LARK. Sir, — I send you herewith a photo, of the second nest of the Crested Larks. It was not possible to photograph the first nest satisfactorily on account of the close proximity of a Yellow Wagtail incubating a clutch of eggs. This second clutch hatched on the 5th of August. The four eggs were much alike and do not resemble those of the first clutch ; their dimen¬ sions are .89m. by .65in. I gave two young Larks of the first brood to Mr. C. Harrison, whose name was mentioned in my recent notes. For years past he has been making experiments with a view to obtaining a seed¬ eating bird which will correctly imitate the song of the Nightingale and, in my opinion, there is nothing so likely to perform the feat as a Crested Lark, caged as a “runner ” before it has heard the song of its own species. These two birds differed markedly, one being larger, greyer and having more crest, the smaller one (which I took to be a hen) being much more richly mottled with buff terminals to the feathers of the back, They were extremely wild in the aviary and injured their heads severely, but became quite steady when caged. The natural flight of this species is of the rising and falling type, like that of our Skylark, and it was interesting to note that, while the young always flew in this way, the adults flew in a straight horizontal line, having evidently learned by experience that there was not room in the aviary for the former method. There were several typographical errors in my notes, as printed, which did not occur in the MS. This was due to the fact that the latter was sent in very late and that there was not tune to send me the proofs. W. E. Teschemaker. The Avicultural Magazine. _ _ , West, Newman proe. 3hoto by W. E. Teschemaker. NEST AND EGGS OF THE CRESTED LARK. Practical Bird-Keeping. REVIEW. 345 GAME BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. * The second part of this book, which we have previously noticed in our pages is now to hand, and fully bears out the promise of the former part. It deals with twelve species of Francolin and four species of Quail, all of which are figured in a series of excellent coloured plates drawn by Sergeant C. G. Davies. The notes given under each species are clear and con¬ cise, so that no sportsman, be he ornithologist or not, should find any difficulty in identifying any bird lie may get. The author seems rather doubtful as to the proper use of trinomials. He uses them, quite correctly in our opinion, when dealing with the two races of the Red-necked Francolin, but treats the Orange River and Buthkoger’s Francolins as distinct species. This technical error, however, does not in any way detract from the practical utility of the book. PRACTICAL BIRD-KEEPING. XX. — CRANES. By R. Cosgrave. The various accounts written of Cranes do not give much practical advice to the amateur who seeks help with regard to the management of these most satisfactory aviary birds. In the first place, my advice is not to purchase a cripple at any price. See that the birds are sound and healthy, do not trouble if the plumage is rough, that comes all right at the first moult. Most dealers tell us that all Cranes must have fish ; that is by no means necessary, as I have tried to show from time to time. When you get a fresh acquisition, by all means give it a little fish, but decrease the quantity daily for a week or two, finally dropping it altogether. Only in one case is it essential to give a little fish occasionally, namely, to the Asiatic or White Crane (Gras leucogeranus ), for it is the most aquatic of all the family and an expert fisherman. Feed on good wheat, barley, * The Game Birds and Water Fowl of South Africa, Part II., by Major Boyd Horsburgh, with coloured plates by Sergeant C. G. Daviks, to be completed in four parts. London ; Withf.rby & Co. 21/- net. 346 Practical Bird-Keeping. small round maize, barley meal (English), and, if £ s. d. permits, give bread cut up in small pieces, which can be swallowed easily ; do not give cheap corn, it is penny wise and pound foolish to do so. The natural times of feeding are in the early mornings and evenings, hence this is the best rule to follow with birds in confinement. All Cranes, without exception, require a good grass run, the larger the better, and, where possible, they should be located near a lake, pond or stream so that the birds can wade or wash at pleasure ; to enjoy a wash or bath they like a good depth of clear water, from one to three feet, according to the size of the bird ; the Sams and Manchurians like it still deeper. A natural bottom in all cases is most important; concrete being much too hard as the birds spend a good deal of time wading about, and at night roost knee deep in water, no matter how cold and wet the weather may be. With regard to housing in winter, one must be guided by local climatic conditions. Those that require protection in this locality, particularly at night, it may be as well to mention, viz , Cape Crowned Crane, West African Crowned Crane, Stanley Crane, Demoiselle Crane, Wattled Crane, and Sarus Crane ; these are driven in pairs into houses at night after the ist of November each year, and are only allowed to remain out when the winter is well over. During the day we keep them in as little as possible, although the houses are good in every way. By careful housing during the winter you can keep the birds in good health and, as the nesting season comes along, you stand a much better chance of having nests with fertile eggs, a most necessary point to mention. Under no consideration, while the birds are indoors, place water or food on the ground, but put it into pans in a convenient light corner, where the birds can see them well, and raise them at least twelve inches from the ground, as by so doing the birds cannot foul them. Bed down with peat moss, and do not forget to have plenty of overhead ventilation, as well as that from the windows, and when hard frost and perhaps deep snow is on the ground admit as much sunshine as you can, and all will go well. Should it so happen that the snow lies more than two days, we sweep a good piece, say twelve yards The Avicultural Magazine. Photo by R. Cosgrave. West, Newman proc. CANADIAN AND WATTLED CRANES WITH HYBRID YOUNG. Practical Bird- Keeping. 347 by four 3\ards or thereabouts in a sheltered corner, and this the birds make good use of if let out. The period of incubation of Cranes varies. The species which have bred here are: Canadian, White-necked and Man¬ churian, and incubation takes 30 days ; Wattled 36 days. A pair of Stanley Cranes at present have a nest here with the usual complement of two eggs ; they have been sitting 32 days, and as we have no idea of the time these birds take to incubate, j^ou can imagine our hopes and fears. Both male and female sit well and take turn on the eggs. All the Cranes’ eggs that I have seen bear a strong family likeness and are small for the great size of the birds ; the colour of the eggs varies slightly, and they are deposited with the same regularity, viz., one clear day between the first and second eggs. The nest is merely an apology, a few bents of grass or any rubbish handy is pulled together ; sometimes this is not done until the first egg is laid. The Siberians take the most pains, and are not satisfied unless a considerable heap is got together, especially if they can get flags of any kind, which the}^ pull up by the roots. Owing to their aquatic habits, the nest is built as near the water as possible, hence the idea of a large nest to keep well above the water-line. Both species of Crowned Cranes have made nests this year, and we have daily expected to see an egg from the Cape Crowned ( Grus chrysopelargus). These elegant creatures are a joy for ever, when seen, as they are here, in the very best of health and plumage ; they are perfectly tame, and are pleased to welcome one and make friends at all times. The graceful way in which they dance about to amuse one is most entertain¬ ing; no matter how many people witness the performance, they appear to enjoy laughter; in fact, the more you laugh, the more they dance, bow, and skip about with half-open wings, showing all their wonderful variation of colours. They may be very highly recommended for any lawn or garden, being perfectly harmless, and they do not dig up the turf like most of the Cranes. The long life and hardiness of this family in confine¬ ment should appeal to all lovers of birds who can afford to keep them. 34S Practical Bird-Keeping. My humble remarks will, I hope, be of help to attain success, and are meant as such, not that I want to imply that my way is the best, I merely state the conditions that answer admirably here. The call of the different species of Crane differs consider¬ ably, no two are alike ; to describe them correctly requires the skill of an artist, and it would be a complete failure on my part, not knowing a note of music, to attempt it. The male and female are so much alike that, unless you know what sign to look for, it is a difficult matter to tell them. When the birds are calling or showing fight the pair usually stands together and the female holds her head quite upright, not a movement of her body takes place ; on the other hand, the male stands likewise, but at each note he throws up both wings from behind, leaving his back and tail quite exposed : this goes on for a minute or two with auto¬ matic regularity. The fighting attitude of the Asiatic Crane is most amusing : he stands quite still, with his great bill hidden iu his tail and end of wing-feathers, and when about to be attacked by anything, and the foolish being comes within striking distance, out conies the bill like a flash of lightning, and is used with terrible effect. This action puts one in mind of a man drawing his sword from its sheath in haste to defend himself. The males of the Demoiselle and Crowned Cranes are not so easy to determine, one has to be guided by the action of the birds : they usually are slightly larger, and with well-defined lines of plumage and also the voice of the male is much deeper in tone and more prolonged. During the migration period, in spring and autumn, all Cranes, without exception, get very excited in the hope of getting away, making determined attempts to get on the wing, in spite of being pinioned, especially if a strong wind is on. You will see them go down wind to the extreme end of the enclosure, then start to run and fly their hardest up wind, and very often clear the fence and land in another enclosure, when they are promptly attacked by the rightful owners. At these times the call is much more shrill, the Sat us can be heard several miles away down wind. The photographs of the Demoiselle Cranes, reproduced with this article, was kindly sent by Mr. J. C. Phipups, of Knobfields, Wenhatn, Mass. 349 INDEX TO SUBJECTS. A. Aco»ttis erythrophthcilmus , 252 African Tantalus, 170 Age of Robins, 142 A it hunts polytmus, 69 Albinos at LC.B.A. Show, 67 American Barn Owl, 37 ,, Nonpariel, 63, 325 ‘‘American Robin,” 308 Amethyst-rumped Sun-Bird, 140 Amydrus niorio, 124 Appointment of post-mortem examiner, 152 Apteryx oweni, note on, 231 Apteryx, Owen’s, note on, 231 A ra severa, 199 Arachnechthra asiatica, 63 Arachnechthra zeylonica , 63 Arboricola charltoni, 253 Argus Pheasant, 252 Artamus superciliosus, 120 Ashy-headed Goose, 170 Asiatic Crane, 345 August, 1912, 329 Aurora Finch, 62 Australian Bee-eater, 286 ,, Quail, 78 ,, Silver x Blackhead Gull, 285 ,, Swamp Quail, 78 Avadavat, 32q Aviary and Nesting Notes, 280 ,, Notes, 189 ,, ,, August, 1912, 329 outdoor, Wintering birds in, 72 ,, sms ' for beginners, 248 Avicultural Society, List of Members, 3 ,, Society’s Medal, Awards, 40, 78, 125, 145, 254, 288, 343, 314 ,, Society’s Medal, Rules, 21 ,, Society, Officers for 1911-12, 1 1912-13, 314 ,, ,, Rules, 17 Aviculture, Experiences in, 186 B. Baikal Teal, 142 Balceniceps tex , 285 Banana Bird, 69 „ Quit, 68 Barbet, Coppersmith, 65 Barred Owl, 37 Baya Weaver, 224 Bearded Vulture, 199 Bee-eater, Australian, 286 Bell-bird, Naked-throated, igo ,, ,, and his battles, 246 Bicheno, 188 Bird-breeding, Luck in, 266 Bird Cages, 25 Bird-keeping, Practical : IX. Living food for insectivorous birds, 41 X. Quails, 78 Bird-keeping, Practical : XI. The feet of birds in captivity, XII. The Crow Tribe, 125 XIII. Touracous, Bower Birds and Birds of Paradise, 145 XIV. How to Breed Birds, 174 XV. Larks, 205 XVI. Bulbuls, 234 XVII. Waders, 260 XVIII. The Smaller Waterfowl, 289 XIX. The Game Birds, 314 XX. Cranes, 345 Bird Notes from the Zoo, 36, 71, 124, 141, 169, 197, 226, 251, 285, 342 Birds of Paradise, Huustein’s, 181 ,, ,, on keeping', 145 ,, Fresh Air for, 307 ,, in Sutherland, 283 ,, seen on White Nile, Diary, 157, 182, 218 ,, Transport of, 298, 336 Black and Yellow Grosbeak, 63 ,, -backed Kilij Pheasant, 226 ,, bird, Savannah, 68 ,, Bishop’s Weaver (?), 224 ,, -breasted Colin, 37 ,, „ Quail x Chinese Quail, 282 ,, -cheeked Cardinal, 63 ,, ,, Love-bird, 61 ,, -headed Gull x Australian Silver Gull, 285 ,, -headed Weaver, 224 ,, -necked Crackle, 336 ., ,, Swan, 197 ,, Redstart, 67 ,, ,, Nesting' of, 293, 330 ,, -tailed Water hen, hatching of, 227 ,, -throated Crested Quail, 124 Blue-bird, Malayan Fairy, 65 ,, -breasted Waxbill, 18 ,, Chaffinch in Teneriffe, 195, 229 ,, -crowned Conure, 61 ,, ,, Hanging Parrakeet, 61 ,, -crowned Hanging Parrot, 253 „ Jay, 37 ,, Quit, 68 ,, Robin, 86 ,, -throated Flycatcher, 65 ,, Thrush, 308 ,, ,, and Hangnest, 156 Blyth’s Tragopan, Display of, 228 “ Bob-white,” 37 Bouquet’s Amazon Pairot, 194 Bower Birds, on Keeping, 145 Brackypodidce, 234 Breeding Birds, Practical Notes on, 174 ., in captivity of Red-backed Shrike, 335 ,, of ,, Green, Notes on, 129, 165, 228 Pintailed Nonpareil, 63, 325 Pipit, Rock, 67 Pitangus derbianns, 36 Peale’s Parrot Finch, 285 Platycercus browm, 61 flaveolus x Yellow-naped or Port Lincoln, 281 flaviveniris, 121 Ploceus baya, 224 Poe Bird, 137 Polyplectron bicalcaratum, 252 Polytelis melanin a, 121, 265 Practical Bird-keeping IX. Living food for Insectivorous Birds, 41 Practical Bird-Keeping : — X. Quails, 78 XL The Feet of Birds in captivity, 103 XII. The Crow Tribe, 125 XIII. Touracous, Bower-birds, and Birds of Paradise, 145 XIV. How to breed Birds, 174 XV. Larks, 205 XVI. Bulbuls, 234 XVII. Waders, 260 XVIII. The Smaller Waterfowl, 289 XIX. The Game Birds, 314 XX. Cranes, 345 Practical Bird-keeping— Correspondence, 150 Procella ria pela gi'ca ,111 Psephotus cucullatus nesting, 122 Pseudo leistes guirahuro , 141 Pseudotanialus ibis, 170 Psiitinus incertus, 139 Ptilopus perousei, 56 Ptilonorhynchus violaceus , 148 Ptilopus, 66 Purple Jay, 198 ,, -headed Jay, 91 Pycnonontince, 234 Pycnonoius leucotis, 234 Pyrango rubia, 57 Pyromelana afra, 224 ,, fiatnmiceps, 224 ,, franciscuna, 224 ,, orijc, 224 Pyrrhulopsis personalus, 53 ,, splendeus, 49, 55 , , tabuensis , 55 ,, taviuensis, 49, 55 Q- Quail, Black-breasted x Chinese, 282 ,, ,, -throated Crested, 124 ,, Douglas, 342 Quails, Californian, nesting, 282 ,, On keeping, 78 Queen Alexandra Parrakeet nesting, 37, 288 ,, ,, Parrakeets, Breeding of, 243 Quelea quelea, 224 Quit, Banana, 68 ,, Blue, 68 B. Racket-tailed Drongo, 169 Raggi’s Paradise-Bird, 64 Rainbow Bunting, 63, 124 Rain Quail, 78 Random Notes, 200 Reception of Members, Council’s, 227, 253 Red-backed Shrike breeding in Captivity, 335 ,, -billed Weaver, 224 ,, -breast, Japanese, 64, 140 ,, Grouse, 318 ,, in confinement, 92 Jungle Fowl, 253 ,, Tanager, 57 Report of Council Meeting, 152 Retirement of Mr. Arthur Gill, 127 o54 Index to S u bjects . Reviews : — Abbott, Clinton G., B.A. The Home Life of the Osprey, 100 Beebe, C. W. and Crandall, Lee S. The Yucatan Jay, 145 British Birds,’ Jnly-Octobcr, 1911, 40 ,, ,, Itec., Jan., Feb., 144 ,, ., March, April, May, 233 ,, ,, June-August, 310 Bull, de la Ligue Krancaise pour la Pro- tection des Oiseaux, 173 Coward, T, A. Migration of Birds, 171 Dalgliesh, Gordon. Familiar Indian Birds, 255 Finn, Frank, B.A., F.Z.S. Talks about Birds, 102 Headley, F. W. The Flight of Birds, 255 Hartert, Ernst ; Ticehurst, N. F. ; Jourdian, F. C. R. ; Witherby, H. F. ; A Handlist of British Birds, 258 Horsbrugh, Major Boyd. Game Birds and Water Fowl of S. Africa. Part I. 232 Part II. 345 Howard, H. Eliot. The British Warblers, 257 Keartou, Richard. British Birds Nests, M3 Bureau, Ur. Louis. 1 L’ age des Perdrix' 74 Lowe, Dr. P. R. A Naturalist on Desert Islands, 99 North, Alfred J. Nests and Eggs of Birds found Breeding in Australia and Tasmania, 38, 102 Nicoll, Michael, J. Wild Birds of the Giza Gardens, 232 Pag-e, Wesley T. Aviaries and Aviary Life, 309 Parkin, Thomas. The Great Auk, 101 Report of Giza Zoological Gardens, 39, 202 Revue Francaise d’Ornithologie, 203, 287 Revista Italians di Ornitologia, 144 Rubow, C. ‘ Life of the Common Gull,’ 75 Sclater, William Lutley. Birds of Colo¬ rado, 201 Sixth Annual Report of B.O.U. Migra¬ tion Committee, 76 Smith, Amy. Rarer Birds of Somerset, 233 7 'he Emu. April, July, Oct. 1911, 77 „ ,, Jan. 1912, 143 ,, ,, April, July, 311 Uppingham School Natural Science Report, 204 Year Book of the Amateur Menagerie Club, 310 Rhizothm a long irostris, 253 Ridgwayia pinicola, 118 Ringed Teal, 37 Ring-neck Parrakeet, 61 Robin, American, 308 Blue, 86 Brown-backed, 253 Chat, Cape, 124 Temmiuck’s or Loo-choo, 65 White, 67 ,, -capped, 169 Age of, 142 Roccolo in Italy, 81, 143 „ ,, , a Suggestion, 123 Rock Peplar Parrakeets, 121, 265 ,, Pipit, 67 ,, Thrush, 308 Rollulus roulroul, 233 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, breeding, 40 Rose-breasted x Greater Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, 269 Ruffed Lorikeet, 71, 226 Rufous-necked or Atlas Weaver, 224 ,, -tailed Fire-back Pheasant, 252 Ruticilla titys , nesting" of, 293, 330 s. Saffron Finch, 329 Sarus Crane, 346 Satyra Tragopan Pheasant, Display of, 153, 228 Savannah Blackbird, 68 Scaly-crowned Weaver, 140, 68 Scottish National Cage Bird Pixhibition, 119 Secretary Bird, Some notes on, 105 Serpentarius secretai ius, 105 Severe Macaw, 199 Sexual Display, 229 ,, Selection, Notes on, 2og, 237 Shamah Nesting", 288 Shoebill, 283 Shore Lark, 67 Shrike, Red-backed, breeding" in captivity, 335 Stalls stalls , 86 Siberian Jay, 127 Silver Starling, 67 Siskin, Mexican, 63 Sitagra luteolst, 224 Small aviarjr for beginners, 248 South African Red-winged Starling, 124 ,, American Grey Finch, 329 Sparrow, Diamond, 62 Spatkopterus alexandree, breeding of, 243 Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea, 37 Sphenocercus sphenurus, 129, 165, 228 Spindalis pi etrii , 63 Sprosser, migration of, 58 Stanley Crane, 346 Starling, Military, 164 ,, Silver, 67 ,, South Africa, Red-winged, 124 St. Helena Seed-Eater hybrid, 266 Stoparola vielanops, 65 Stork, White, hatching at Zoo, 226 Storm Petrel in captivity, in Streaked Laughing Thrush, display of, 229 Strix flamniea per latum, 37 Sugar-birds at Crystal Palace Show, 140 Sunbirds at the Crystal Palace Show, 140 Sun-Bittern, Notes on, 254 Sutherland, Among the Birds in, 283 Swan, Black-necked, 197 ,, Coscoroba, 72 Swainson’s Lorikeet x Red-collared Lorikeet, 189 Swallow, White eye-browed Wood, 120 Synoecus australis, 78 Syrniuni aluco , 271 ,, nebulosum, 37 T. Tauager, Magpie nesting, 283, 342 ,, Fed, 57 Tanagers, 63 ,, at Crystal Palace Show, 140 7 'anagrella cyanomelceua, 63 Index to Subjects. 355 Tantalus, African, 170 Tanygnathus everetti, 61 Tawny Thrush, 36 Teal, Baikal, 142 „ Ringed, 37 Temminck’s Robin, 65 ,, Whistling Thrush, 120 Terpsipkone paradisea a flint's, 302 Thamnob\a cambaieusis, 253 Thrasher, Grey, 98 Thrush, Blue, 308 ,, ,, and Hangnest, 156 ,, Chestnut-bellied Rock, 253 ,, Himalayan Blue Whistling, 120 ,, Mexican Ground, 118 ,, Orange-headed, 288 ,, Rock, 308 „ Tawny, 36 ,, Streaked Laughing, display of, 229 ,, White-throated Ground, 285 Tickbird, 68 Tit, Indian Yellow-cheeked, 65 Touracous, on keeping', 145 Tragopans, 319 Transport of Birds, 298, 336 Tree Partridge, 253 Tribonyx ventralis, hatching of, 227 Tnchoglossns rubritorgnes , hybrid, 189 Tricoloured Parrot-Finch, 62 Tringa canutus, breeding of, 199, 230 Trochaloptenim lineatum, display of, 229 Trogon, Cuban, 65 Trupialis defilippia, 164 Tuberculosis in Cranes, 31 Tui, 137 Tuidus nigniorius , 308 ,, poecilopterus, 118 Turkey, Ocellated, 253 Turtle-dove, Cambazau, 308. Twite-Greenfinch, hybrid,. 68 Two-barred Crossbill, 67 Tyrannus caudifarc iatus , 68 u. Ural Owl at Zoo, 226 Uveau Parrakeet, 61 Y. Verditer Flycatcher, 65 Vervian Humming-Bird, 69 Victoria Crowned Pigeon, 37 Violet Ear, habits of, 187 Violet-eared Waxbill, 62 Virginian Cardinals, nesting', 281 Vulture, Bearded, 199 w. Waders, Practical notes on keeping, 260 Wallcreepers, 66 Warbler, Dartford, 67, 119 ,, Grasshopper, 67 Water Hen, Black-tailed, hatching of, 227 Wattled Crane, 346 ,, and Canadian Cranes, breeding, 23 Waxbill, Blue-breasted, 188 ,, Violet-eared, 62 Waxbills at Crystal Palace Show, 139 Weaver, Scaly -crowned, 140 ,, Birds, notes on, 224 Weavers, Dinemelli’s or White-headed, 66 ., at Crystal Palace Show. 139 Wedge-tailed Fruit Pigeon, 226 ,, Green Pigeon, 228 , , ,, ,, notes on, 129, 165 West African Crowned Crane, 346 Westermann’s Kclectus, 56 White Crane, 345 ,, Nile, Diary of Birds seen, 157, 182, 218 ,, Stork hatching at Zoo, 226 Whitethroats, Greater and Lesser, 67 White-capped Robin, 169 ,, -crested Jay Thrush, 63 ,, -eye, Cape Green, 124 ,, ,, Indian, Breeding of, 114 ,, -eyebrowed Wood Swallow, 120 White-fronted Dove, 37 ,, -throated Ground Thrush, 285 Whooping Crane, 223, 288, 312 Whydah, Jackson’s, 62 Willow-grouse, 318 Wintering Birds in an Outdoor Aviary, 72 ,, Cranes in New England, 222 Wood Owls, 271 Woodpecker, Cuban Banded, 124 ,, Cuban Green, 124 ., Golden-wing'ed, 37 Wryneck, 67 X. XnntholtEwa kamatocephala , 65 Xiphidiopicus percitssus , 124 Y. Yellow Budgerigar, 61 ,, -collared Parrakeet, 286 ,, -hammer “ Lutiuo,” 119 ,, -naped or Port Lincoln x Platyctrcus flaveolus, 281 ,, -rumped Hangnest, 141 Yellowish Weaver, 224 z. Zebra Finch, 329 Zoological Gardens, Bird Notes from, 36 71, 124, 141, 169, 197, 226, 251, 285, 342 Zosterops palpebrosa, 64 ,, ,, breeding of, 114 ,, Virens, 124 W T. Moulton £r Co., Ltd-,, : Printers : : 4. Church Street, Brighton. Noticks to Members — /Continued from page ri. of coven. NEW MEMBERS. Mr. John Drvdkn Kuskr, Faircourt, Bernardsville, New Jersey* U.S.A. Mr. R. A. DvoTT, Freeford, T.iclifield. Mr, B. Hamilton Scott, Hamildean, Ipswicli. Mr. F. W. Smat.LKY, Challan Hall, Silverdale, nr. Carnforth, Lanes. CANDIDATES FOR ERECTION. Mr. Walter Chamberlain, Pendock Grove, Cobh am, Surrey. Proposed by Mr. D. Seth-SmiTh. MEMBERS’ PRIVATE SAI.E AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. 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