Hini!lSNI-JNVINOSHllWS S3 mvaan^LIBRARI E S^ SMITHSON IAN-* INST ITU' r~ „ z; r— -r r— ro TO > [pi TO W m W ^ 2 >>• > 5 x*osv^ >■ ■*— (/) * ft 2! CD "7 uniusNi_NviNOSHims saiavaan libraries Smithsonian institut ~ ' CO CO _ _ '6y __! jVAST^X o _ \iVASr^ Q 3 RAR I ES ^SMITHSONIAN^INSTITUTION NOIlfllllSNI^NVINOSHlIWS ^53 | y VU l l , | /^x 5 ^ i ji > ro ' - /<$ST5x m * TO > TO - Yc m — co __ liniliSNI NVIN0SH1IIAIS S3 I HVH 9 11 LIBRARIES 'SMITHSONIAN “ INSTITU ~ - - - zl Z . C/) -7 ^ w | ' i i 1:1 3 RAR I ^S SMITHSON IAN __ INSTITUTION ^N 01 JLD1 1 JLSNI^NVINOSHIIWS^S 3 I a Vi ^ 2 - ^ 00 _ ~ CO S5^ - w 5 g 2 linillSNI^NVINOSHill/MS _^S 3 laVHail LIBRARI ES*2 SMITHSONIAN^ IN ST ITU m '' W ^ 'XiVAS^X m XiAjOMAVX ^ m 3 RAR I ES^SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOIlfUllSNI ~ NVINOSHIIWS^S 3 I B V U I 1 I w’/^' S IC^l- i/v- y X- ^ 2 j£y > 2 x^osvv^x > IfllllSNI NVIN0SH1IWS^S3 I id V H Q I ~I _ L I B RAR I E S^SMITHSONIAN JNSTITU1 co «V. 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'■/&■ J/A O X X CO *P 3^ CO /// /';#/ CO X CO £ 9 § x ^ t \y54A?loy z ''/'iMw t n$«Dc z ;> xXdc/ j, 'jqf* ;> ^ > Xcyixst^y 2 CO 2 CO * 2 CO I BRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOIlfUllSNI NVIN0SH1IWS S3l9Vi CO 2 _ 10 _ “ .._ , CO ♦ 9 O 2 DlinillSNI NVIN0SH1IINS SBlUVUan LIBRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITU r~ z r~ 2 r- BRARIES SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NOlinillSNI NVIN0SH1IINS S319V* co _ z t co z co 2 ^ ^ E - /£22J ^ _i z /$£«n y< x Vy 2 , /V > Yn > ' 5 X^osvoy' > DlinillSNI NVINOSHlIIrtS^SaiUVaan^LlBRARIES^SMITHSONIAN INSTITU — p S ^ C/) v<£Trr7Ts. **“ \- 111 v<^TIT7I>v It I ^ /OQ ^ joiinius . I B R A R I E oiinmsh / 8,4 o v-j — Aviealtaial Magazine, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN AND BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM AND CAPTIVITY. EDITED BY DAVID SETH-SMITH, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. —AND — FRANK FINN, B.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. NEW SERIES, VOL. VII. NOVEMBER 1908, to OCTOBER 1909. T H E ‘EonDon : R. H. PORTER, 7, Princes Street, Cavendish Square, W. 1909. -2-14^36 Contents. CONTENTS. Title Page Contents Council’s Report Alphabetical List of Contributors List op' Plates Illustrations in the Text List of Members, October, 190S Rules of the Avicultural Society The Society’s Medal Magazine .. Index PAGK iii. IV. xi. xii. 1 16 20 21 365 IV. Report of the Council. REPORT ©F THE COUNCIL For the Year igoS-g. The completion of the present Volume brings our second series to a close, the Committee having considered it desirable to commence a new series with the issue for November. We believe that the present Volume will be found equal in every way to those that have preceded it, and to contain a large amount of valuable avicultural matter. The usual number of plates, both coloured and otherwise, have appeared, and are well up to the Society’s high standard. The year has seen some considerable changes as regards its officers. In May last Mr. Seth-Smith, being obliged to resign the post of Hon. Editor, on his appointment as Curator of Birds at the Zoological Society’s Gardens, the Committee thought it advisable to appoint an Editor at a small salary, and were fortunate enough to secure the services of Mr. Frank Finn, certain members of the Society having generously con¬ tributed to a fund raised for this purpose. The Committee regret to announce that the Hon. Business Secretary, Mr. T. H. Newman, having served for five years, has decided that he will not seek re-election for another term. They are pleased to announce that Mr. R. I. Pocock has kindly con¬ sented to fill the post. Mr. Frank Andrews will act as Secretary’s Assistant at a small remuneration. As we are about to embark upon a new series, the Com¬ mittee sincerely hope that the members will make a great effort to increase the size and usefulness of the journal by their con¬ tributions. We want, not only records of the breeding of rare birds, but accounts of common species of foreign birds and of British Birds. The latter seem to have been somewhat neglected by aviculturists lately, but our members are reminded that the Report of the Council. v. Avicultural Magazine includes in its scope British as well as foreign birds, and the Editor will always be glad to receive con¬ tributions on this subject for publication. Members are reminded that they can always help the Society by introducing the Magazine to those who are un¬ acquainted with it, and by proposing them as new members, for only by this means can the numbers of the Society be increased. Finally, the Committee desire to thank all those members who have helped to produce the present volume by contributing to its pages. Signed for the Council, T. H. Newman, H on. Business Secretary . VI. Alphabetical List of Contributors. ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS. The asterisk denotes in the Correspondence Columns. Arthur, C. P. *The Sex of Stanley Parrakeets, 223, 276 Asti.ey, Hubert D. On four well-known Thrushes of North America, 99 The Hardihood of Gardener Bower Birds, etc. 156 *A Blue Rock Thrush from Cuba, 173 The Hermit Thrush and Wilson’s Thrush, 177 *A Paradise in a Crater, 195 *A rare Hybrid Australian Grassfinch, 199 *The Abyssinian Lovebird, 200 Nesting of Red-capped Parrakeets and a hybrid Stanley-Rosella, 291 *A rare Indian Flycatcher, 30S Townsend’s Flycatcher or Solitaire ( Myiadestes townsendi), 319 Nesting of the Magpie Tanager (Cissopis leveriana ), 323 *l'he Otange-lieaded Ground Thrush ( Geocichla citrina ) as an aviary bird, 333 The Breeding of White-crested Touracos, 351 *Our Illustrations, 363 ATTEWEEE, H. K. The ‘Mosquito Hawk ’ or Jamaica ‘ Give-me-a-bit,” 96 Barber-STarkey, F. Peculiar Nesting Site of Mallard, 243 Beaauw, F. E. On the Breeding on some Birds at Gooilust, Holland, 36 *The Black-cheeked Lovebird. 53 Blathwayt, Rev. F. L. Rambles among the Wild Birds: (No. 5.) The Chalk Cliffs of Yorkshire, 64 Bonhote, J. Lewis. *“ The Breeding Habits of Heck’s Curassow,” 81 The Giza Zoological Gardens, 268 *Seesee Partridges, 333 Alphabetical List of Contributors. Vll. Brook, E. J. The Value of Failures, 159 ♦The Hardiness of Birds of Paradise, 175 ♦The White-rum ped Lory, 308 ♦Black Lories Breeding in Captivity, 308 ♦A Consignment of New Guinea Rarities, 336 Butler, Dr. A. G. The soft parts of the Blue-uaped Colv, 94 More about the Mountain- Chat, 131 ♦Birds and Rowan Berries, 143 Breeding of the Yellow Conure, 192 ♦An Unrecognized Amazon, 198 The Pintailed Nonpareil, 296 Morality in Birds, 325 ♦A remarkable family of Blackbirds, 364 Cockell, Norman F. Notes on Breeding the Jungle Bush-Quail, 234 D’Evelyn, Dr. F. W. The Tragedy of the Whistling Swans at Niagara Falls, 92 Dewar, D. The Paradise Flycatcher, 260 Farmborough, Percy W. ♦“The British Rail,” 112 ♦Water-Rails in Kent, 306 Fasey, William R. ♦Another success with Pileated Parrakeets, 307 Nesting of the Bine-winged Grass Parrakeet, 357 ♦Breeding of Pileated Parrakeets, 364 Finn, Frank. Aviculture at the Zoo, 249, 294, 329, 358 Stray Notes on Indian Birds, 263, 299, 331, 352 ♦Notable Importations, 274 ♦The Wellington Zoo, 276 A Notable Importation, 362 ♦Albinistic Variations in the Melba Waxbill ( Pytelia rnelba ) and Zebra Finch ( Taeniopygia castanotis), 364 Fortescue, Col. H. ♦Young Black-cheeked Lovebirds dying in shell, 247 Alphabetical List of Contributors. viii. Gifford, E. W. The Avicultural Society of California, 193 Giee, Arthur. Post mortem Examinations, 54, 82, 114, 144, 248, 336 Gregory, Mrs. A Stanley Crane, 83 Gurney, Gerard H. Some short Notes on Cento-opus supercitiosus in Captivity, 119 *The Black-winged Hangnest, 196 Harper, E. W. *The Black-crested Yellow Bulbul, 275 The Verditer Flycatcher, 277 Harteey, Mrs. E. A. H. ^Destruction of Bird Life at Lighthouses, 81 ^Peculiar Coloration in a Lovebird, 175 Hawke, Hon. Mary C. *Orange-headed Ground-Thrushes, etc , 30S Horsbrugh, Major B. R., A.S.C. Birds of a Bloemfontein Garden, 244 Levaillant’s Barbet, 337 Hutchinson, Miss Aeice. ^Keeping various kinds of birds together, 142 Ingram, Coleingwood. My Japanese Rose-finches, 241 Ingram, Sir Wieeiam, Bart. Prince Rudolph’s Bird of Paradise, 60 *Quail Finches Nesting, 174 Johnstone, Mrs. E. J. The King Bird of Paradise, 21 *An escaped Rifle Bird, 82 LEE, Mrs. M. A. •^Starting Outdoor Aviaries, 1 14 Alphabetical List of Contributors. ix. Meade-Wai.do, E. G. B. ♦The Water Rail, 176 Mieeer, Tinniswood. ♦Forthcoming Bird Show, 53 Momber, Lt.-Coe. G. A. ♦Sexual Selection in Birds, 335 Newman, T. H. Geotrygon chrysia, 39 Nesting of the Partridge Bronzewing Pigeon, 40 Bartlett’s Bleeding-heart Pigeon, 225 Ogievie-Grant, W. R. ♦Seesee Partridges, 305 Page, Weseey T. ♦Breeding of Grey-winged Ouzels, 334 Payne, W. H. ♦The Sex of Stauley Parrakeets, 248 PERREAU, Capt. G. A. My Indian Aviary, 88, 122 The Cinnamon Tree-Sparrow, 201 Phieeipps, R. Breeding of the Black-cheeked Lovebird, 31 The Coach-Whip Bird, S5 Further Notes on the Black-cheeked Lovebird, 148 The Ruby-throated Bulbul, 215, 236 The Pied Rock-Thrush, 279, 311 Breeding of the Blue-breasted Waxbill, 339 Pocock, R. I. O11 the Breeding Habits of Heck’s Curassow, 23 The Display of the cock Ostrich, 286 Reid, Mrs. Breeding of the African Grey Parrot in Captivity in Madeira, ST. OuinTin, W. H. The Waxwing, 115 Nesting Notes from Scampston for 190S, 147 129 X. Alphabetical List of Contributors. Seth- Smith, d. Notes on my Visit to Australia, 45, 73, 133, 161, 209, 256 Foreign Birds at the London Cage-Bird Association’s Show, 108 Notes on the Crystal Palace Bird Show, 167 The Rainbow Bunting, 220 Valedictory Note by the Editor, 224 Aviculture at the Zoo, 251 SlCH, H. L. Notes on a Hybrid Grass-finch, 166 Smith, C. Barnby. ♦The Breeding. of the Partridge Tinamou, 52 Notes on Rock Ptarmigan, Harlequin Duck, etc., 55 ♦The Himalayan Snow-Cock and the Blood Pheasant, 113 The Display of the Monal Pheasant, 160 ♦Rearing Demoiselle Cranes under hen, 247 Notes on Willow-Grouse, 252 “Sundhaui,” 309 Temper, W. R. ♦Precocious Parrot Finches, 52 A Novice’s Aviaries, 69 ♦Lories, Lovebirds and Parrot Finches, 196 Teschemaker, W. E. The Nesting of the Cinnamon Tree-Sparrow, 205 Nesting of Pelzeln’s Saffron Finch, 298 Nesting of the Rufous-backed Mannikin ( Spermestes nigriceps), 321 ♦Breeding Blue Grosbeak, Blackcap, etc., 334 Nesting of Jerdon’s Accentor, 359 Ticehurst, N. F. ♦“The British Rail,” 113 Trevor- Battye, A. Some Great Bustards, 184 ♦The Water Rail in Hampshire, 196 Workman, W. H. ♦Prolific Budgerigars, 52 ♦Green and Yellow Budgerigars, 199 Wormai.d, Hugh. The Californian Quail, 145 Colour of Redpolls in confinement, 352 List of Plates. xi. LIST OF PLATES. The asterisk denotes a Coloured Plate. ♦King Bird of Paradise, Cicinnums regins. Rock Ptarmigan, Lagopus rupestris . . Mr. W. R. Temple’s Aviaries, Plate I ,, ,, ,, ,, Plate 2 Mrs. Gregory and her Stanley Crane Plan of Captain Perreau’s Indian Aviary, Fig. r. ♦The Waxwing, Amp elis garr ulus, Linn. *JEgg of Waxwing (Avipelis garrulus) laid in aviary at Scampston, 1903 .. Australian Stone Plover, Burhinus grallarius .. Brush-Turkey’s mound in the Melbourne Zoological Gardens Mr. Wormald’s hand-reared Snipe Studies of Californian Quails Werribee Gorge, Victoria Watching Musky Lorikeets on flowering Gum-tree .. ♦Wilson’s Thrush and Hermit Thrush At the head of Fern-tree Gully, Victoria.. Magpie Larks or Pied Grallinas Black and white Fantail Flycatchers ♦Bartlett’s Bleeding-heart Pigeon, Phlogcsnas crinigera Bartlett’s Bleeding-heart Pigeon The Small Bird House at the Zoological Gardens ♦Verditer Flycatcher, Stoparola melanops . . Display of cock Ostrich Courtship of Skylark . . Red-necked Phalaropes Courtship of the Rook *Levaillant’s Barbet, Trachyphonus caper .. FACK PAGE 21 55 69 7i §3 89 115 117 137 14: 145 163 165 177 209 213 214 225 22S 244 249 277 2S7 3°r 309 335 337 XU. Illustrations in the Text. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT. Hen of Heck’s Curassow feeding her 10 weeks old chick PAGE 27 Coach-Whip Bird . . 86 Plan of Captain Perreau’s Indian Aviary, Fig. 2 . . .. 89 » Fig- 3-- 90 Cuban Trogon, Prionotelus temnurus . . in Centropus superciliosus . . .. 119 ■Quail Finches’ cage .. 174 Plan of Great Bustards’ enclosure . . .. 185 Paradise Flycatchers 261 Shining Flycatcher, Phaenopepla nitens •• 295 Townsend’s Solitaire .. .. 320 Umbrella-bird, Cephalopterus ornatus • • 339 NOVEMBER, 1908; The price of this number is 3/- Members’ Annual Subscription, 10/- | payable in advance. NEW SERIES. Voi. VII. No. 1 THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. •C CONTENTS.^ PAGE Officers foi the Year 1908-g. List of Members... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Rules of the Avicu Itural Society ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 The Society's Metlal ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 The King Bird of Paradise, with coloured plate, by Mrs. Johnstone 21 On the Breeding Habits of Heck’s Curassow 1 illustrated ), by R. I. Pocock, F.I..S . M.BO.U. 23 Breeding' of the Black-cheeked T.ovebird, by Reginald Phillipps 31 On the Breeding of Some Birds at Gooilust, Holland, by F. K. Bi.aauw, C.M.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 36 Geotrygon chrysia, by T. H. Newman .. ... ... ... ... ... 39 Nesting of the Partridge Bronzewing Pigeon, by T. H. Newman, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 40 Notes on My Visit to Australia, by David Skth-Smith, F.Z.S , M.BO.U. 45 Nightjars Breeding in Captivity . ... 51 COKKKSPONDENCK : Prolific Budgerigars, 52 ; Precocious Parrot Finches, 52 ; The Breeding of the Partridge Tinamou, 52 ; The Black-cheeked Lovebird, 53 ; Forthcoming Bird Show, 53. The Society’s Medal . S3 Rost mortem Examinations . 54 LONDON : R. H. PORTER, 7, Princes St.. Cavendish Square, NOTE— A new volume commences every November. II. ^ AH Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the AviCULTURAE Society 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. 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 PIditor, Mr. D. Seth-Smith, 14, Canning Road, Addiscombe, Surrey. All Queries respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A. G. Butter, 124. Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. All other correspondence, and Subscriptions , should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary, Mr. T. H. Newman, Newlands, Harrowdene Road, Wembley, Middlesex. Any change of address should be at once 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 be addressed to the Hon. Correspondence Secretary and should contain a penny stamp. Those marked “ Private ” will not be published. The Magazine is published by Mr. R. H. PORTER (7, Princes Street, Cavendish .Square, W.) to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers, and bound volumes (accompanied by remittance) should be addressed. Casas for binding Vol. VI., New Series, of the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block 011 side) can be obtained from the Publisher, post free ami carefully packed, at 1/6 each ; or the Publisher will undertake the binding of the Volume for 2/6, plus 8d. for packing and postage. All orders must be accompanied by a remittance in full ; and members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. BOUND COPIES OF The “ AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE.” The following can be obLained from the Publisher at the prices given below. Postage 6d. per volume extra : Vol. II., 6/- to members ; 8/6 to the public. Vols. V. to VII., to/6 each to members ; 12/6 each to the public. Vol. VIII., 14/- to members ; 17/6 to the public. Vols. I. to IV., New Series, (sets only) net to members; £5 to the public. Vol. II. „ ^ 16/- 21/- „ Vol. III. „ „ 16/- 21/- Vol. IV. „ „ 16/- 21/- Vol. V. ,, ,, 16/- 21/- Vol. VI. » 16 /- 21/- Cut rent Monthly Numbers 1/6 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 1/7; for back Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. Second-hand copies sometimes reach the Publisher, to whom application should be made. 1 Con tinned on page in. of cover.. THE flviealtafal Society FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN AND BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM AND IN CAPTIVITY. OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR, 1908-9. PRESIDENT: THE HON. & REV. CANON DUTTON. VICE-PRESIDENT : HER GRACE THE DUCHESS OF BEDFORD. COUNCIL : Miss R. AEDERSON. Mr. W. R. OGIEVIE-GRAN Mr. H. D. ASTEEY. Mr. ALBERT PAM. Mr. C. castee-seoane. Mr. W. P. PYCRAFT. Miss D. HAMILTON. Mr. W. H. ST. QUINTIN. Mr. COEEINGWOOD INGRAM. Mr. C. BARNBY SMITH. Mrs. E. J. JOHNSTONE. Mr. W. E. teschemaker Mr. E. G. B. MEADE-WAEDO. Mr. B. C. THOMASSET. Mr. A. TREVOR BATTYE. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Mr. ASTEEY, Mr. MEADE-WAI.DO, Mr. OGIEVIE -GRANT, THE HONORARY SECRETARIES AND THE EDITOR. HON. BUSINESS SECRETARY: Mr. T. H. NEWMAN, Newlands, Hakrowdene Road, Wembley, Middlesex. HON. CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARY: Dr. A. G. BUTLER, 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. HON. TREASURER: Mr. J. E. BONHOTE. HON. EDITOR: Mr. DAVID SETH-SMITH, 14, Canning Road, Addiscombe, Surrey. AUDITOR : Mr. ARTHUR GIEE. SCRUTINEER : Mr. E. W. HORTON. TV. T. MOULTON & CO., PRINTERS, 4, CHURCH STREET, BRIGHTON. I LIST OF MEMBERS, ( Corrected to October 12th, 190S). Notice. — Members are particularly requested to inform the Hon. Secretary of any error in the spelling- of 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 U. K. Foreign Cage Bird Society, either at the time of the amalgamation or at some time before. Ainley, John William; 16, Dalton Green, Dalton, Huddersfield. (June, 1895.)* AiTChison, Archibald, J. T. F., M.A., F.Z.S. ; Druuiniore House, Bournemouth. (April, 1906). AlderSON, Miss R. ; Park House, Worksop, Notts. (April, 1896). Alexander, Mrs. William ; 14, West Thirty-Seventh Street, New York City. (June, 1906). Alston, Gavin; Yondercroft, Darvel, Ayrshire. (June, 1900). Andrews, Frank F. ; Zoological Society’s Gardens, Regent’s Park, N.W. (Jan., 1907). Anningson, Mrs. ; Walt-liam-Sal, Barton Road, Cambridge. (May, 1899). Antrobus, Miss Lily; 69, Cadogan Square, S.W. (Dec., 1904). Appleton, Miss; Rawdeti Hill, Arthington, Leeds. (April, 1903). 10 Arthur, Charles P. ; Marketplace, Melksham, Wilts. ( Jan., 1895).* Ashford, Miss ; The Birks, Branksome Wood Road, Bournemouth. (Nov., 1896). Astley, Hubert Delaval, M.A., P'.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Benham-Valence, Speen, Newbury. (June, 1S95).* Astley, Reginald B.; Acton Reynald, Shrewsbury. (July, 1902). ATHERLEY, Mrs. ; Hampton Court, Leominster. (April, 1903). ATTKWELL, Harold E. ; Merriebanlc, Kingston, Jamaica. (July, 1903). Bahr, Philtp H., B.A., M.B.O.U. ; Perrysfield House, Oxted, Surrey (Nov., 1907). Baird, Sir Alexander, Bart.; Urie, Stonehaven, Kincardine, N.B (Oct., 1904). Baker, E. C. Stuart, F.Z.S. , M.B.O.U. ; District Superintendent of Police, Morven, Shillong, Assam, India. (Feb., 1904). BAKER, John C., M.B., B.A., M.B.O.U.; Ceelv House, Aylesbury. (June, 1903). 20 Baldelli, La Contessa Tommasi ; 4, Via Silvio Peilico, Florence, Italy. (April, 1902). Bamford, Miss K. C. ; The Leys, Kimbolton Road, Bedford. (June, 1895; dormant). Bamford, William; The Coppice, Windsor Road, Oldham. (March, 1904). 2 List of Members. Barber, Mrs. ; The Mill House, Wiston, Nayland, Suffolk. ( Jau., 1899). Barber-Starkey, F. W. G. ; Aldenliam Park, Bridgnorth, Shropshire. (June, 1906). BarclayWaTson, Miss F. ; The Court House, Goring, Sussex. (July, 1902). Barrow, Alfred ; Superintendent, Alexandra Park, Oldham. (April, 1908). Bateson, The Hon. Libra de Yarburgh; Heslington, York. (Feb., 1900). Bathe, Frank ; 5, Montgomery Road, Sharrow, Sheffield. (April, 1903; dormant, 1904-5). Bathgate, John ; c/o John Miller & Co., 1/1, Vansittart Row, Calcutta, India. (Oct., 1903). 30 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). BERREW, The Lord; Barmeatli Castle, Dunleer, R. S. O., Ireland. (Nov., 1904). BenTREY, David; So, St. Hubert’s Street, Great Harwood, Blackburn. (July, 1895). BekESFORD-Webb, G. M. ; Norbryght, South Godstoue, Surrey. (May, 1906) . Berrepsch, Freiherr Hans von ; 2, Sandaustrasse, Cassel, Germany. (July, 1905). Berkerky, The Rev. C. J. Rowland; Belton Vicarage, Uppingham. (Nov., 1902). Birch, Francis J. Peregrine; Old End, Forest Row, Sussex. (Nov., 1907) . Braauw, F. E., C.M.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Gooilnst, ’sGraveland, Hilversum, Holland. (Nov., 1901). Braine, G. ; Whitedale, Hanibledon, Hants. (Oct., 1908). 40 Brake, Lady; Myrtle Grove, Youghal, Co. Cork, Ireland. (Aug., 1908). Brandy, Graham Frederic; Funchal, Madeira. (Dec., 1906). Brathway'T, A. P. ; The Grange, Northwood, Middlesex. (Jan., 1895). Brathwayt, The Rev. Francis Linrey, M.A., M.B.O.U.; 1, Stonefieldi Avenue, Lincoln. (Jan., 1902). Brathwayt, F. W. ; Pelham House, West P'olkestoue. (Feb., 1907). Bonhote, John Lewis, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Gadespring Lodge, Hemel Hempstead, Herts; and 113, Blenheim Crescent, Notting Hill, W. (Dec., 1894). Booth, H. B., M.B.O.U. ; Ryhill, Ben Rliydding, Yorks. (March, 1906). Boothroyd, Arfred E. ; Lord Street, Southport. (Sept., 1901). Boughton-Leigh, Henry; Browusover Hall, Rugby. (May, 1900). BOWES, John, J.P., F.Z.S. ; East Hill House, Herne Bay. (Oct., 1900). 50 Bowie, Miss Helen ; Queen’s Parade, Clifton Hill, Melbourne, Victoria- (Nov., 1903). Box, E. A. Granville; 28, Garfield Road, Lavender Hill, S.W. (Nov., 1907). List of Members. 3 Boyd, Haroed ; Barton House, Didsbuiy, Manchester. (March, 1902). Boyks, Frederick ; Beverley, Yorkshire. (Sept., 1907). Bradshaw-Isherwood, Mrs.; Maidstone Road, Headcorn. (June, 1902 ; dormant). BraiThwaiTE, A.; Clare House, Horsfortli. (Jan., 190S). Brampton, Miss E. ; 8, Chesterford Gardens, Frogual, Hampstead, N.W. (Feb., 1S98). Bridgeman, Lieut, and Commr. The H011. Richard, O.B., R.N., M.B.O.U. ; Weston Park, Shifnal, Salop. H.M.S. Bramble, China Station. (Dec., 1904). Bridgeman, Colonel, The Hon. Francis C. ; Neacliley, Shifnal. (Oct., 1905). Brockeebank, R. H. R. ; 9th (Queen’s Royal) Lancers, near Roscote, Heswell, Cheshire. (Jan., 1908). 60 Bromet, Mrs. Henry; Highfield, Tadcaster. (Oct., 1903). Brook, E. J. ; Hoddom Castle, Ecclefeclian, N.B. (August, 1905). Browning, Wieeiam H. ; 18, West 54th Street, New York City. (March, 1906). Bruce, Miss Augusta ; Clievet Park, Wakefield. (Aug., 190S). Bubb, Miss; Ullenwood, near Cheltenham. (June, 1904). Buekeeey, The Lady Magdaeen Wieeiams; 24A, Portland Place, W. (Nov., 1906). BURGESS, H. W. ; 26, Recreation Road, Guildford, Surrey. (Nov., 1900). Burnett-Stuart, George E. ; Minister of Finance, Cairo. (Dec., 1906). Burton, WaeTer ; Moorefort, East Sheen, Mortlake, S.W. (Dec., 1901). Butekr, Arthur G., Ph.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (Hon. Cor¬ respondence Secretary) ; 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. (Orig. Mem).* 70 Buteer, A. L., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Superintendent of Game Preservation, Khartoum, Soudan. (Aug., 1906). BUTEER, Arthur Larchin, M. Aust. O. U. ; Waimarie, Lower Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania. (July, 1905). BiiTTlKOFER, Dr. J., C.M.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Director of the Zoological Gardens, Rotterdam, Holland. (Oct., 1907). (Hon. Member). CampbeEE, The Hon. Ian, M. ; Stockpole, Pembroke. (Dec., 1905). Camps, H. T. T., F.Z.S. ; Linden House, Haddenliam, Isle of Ely. (Orig. Mem.) * Capern, F. ; Avenue House, Cotham Park, Bristol. (March, 1903). Carpenter, The Hon. Mrs. ; 22, Grosvenor Road, S.W. (Feb., 1898). Carrick, George; 13, King’s Terrace, Maryliill, Glasgow. (March, 1898). CasTEEEAN, Victor E. ; Hare Hall, Romford, Essex. (Orig. Mem.) CASTEEE, Mrs. G. B. ; Fleetwood Cottage, Rye, Sussex, and Villa Stella, via Montebello, Rapallo, Riviera di Levante. (Dec., 1906). 80 CasTEE-Seoane, C., F.Z.S. ; Oat Hall, near Crawley, Sussex. (March, 1900). Cattee, C. F. ; Thurston, Bury St. Edmunds. (Jan., 1905). 4 List of Members. Cecil, The Lady William; Huumanby Hall, Filey, Yorkshire. (Feb., 1901). Charrington, Mrs. C. ; Frensham Hill, Farnhain, Surrey. (Jan., 1907). Charrington, Mrs. Mowbray; How Green, Hever, Kdeubridge, Kent. (May, 1906). Chawnkr, Miss; Forest Bank, Lyndhurst, Hants. (July, 1899). CLiTHEROW, Mrs. Claud STRACEY; 20, Park Square, Regent’s Park, N.W. (June, 1903). CLOSE, Mrs. M. Farnham; 17, The Causeway, Horsham. (Feb., 1906). CoCKELL, Norman Forbes; 21, Camac Street, Calcutta, India. (Nov., 1905). Connell, Mrs. KnaTCHBULL; The Orchard, Brockenliurst, Hants. (Nov., 1897). 90 Constable, The Rev. W. J.; Uppingham School, Uppingham. (Sept., 1901 ; dormant 1905-6). Cookson, Kenneth; Oakwood, Wylam, R.S.O., Northumberland. (Nov., 1906). Cooper, James ; Killerby Hall, Scarborough. (Orig. Mem.) Cooper, William; Aislaby Hall, Pickering, Yorks. (March, 1907). Corbet, Lady ; Acton Reynold, Shrewsbury. (Oct., 1905). Cory, Reginald R.; Duffryn, near Cardiff. (August, 1905). C0XWELL-R0GERS, Miss ; Park Gate, Cheltenham. (Dec., 1895). CREEVEY, George M., M.D. ; 40, East 63rd Street, New York City. (Jan., 1908). Croft, A. B. ; The Clock House, Ashford, Middlesex. (May, 1907). Cronkshaw, J. ; 218, Burnley Road, Accrington. (Dec., 1894). 100 Cross, W. Simpson, P'.Z.S. ; 18, Earle Street, Liverpool. (Jan., 1908). Crowfoot, Miss Ellen M. ; Blyburgate House, Beccles. (Sept , 1904). Cummings, A.; 16, Promenade Villas, Cheltenham. (Dec., 1896). Cuningham, Martin; Goffs Oak House, Chesliunt, Herts. (Oct., 1908). Currey, Mrs. ; The Pit House, Ewell, Surrey. (Feb., 1906). Curtis, Thomas ; 67, Frith Street, Soho Square, London, W. (Nov., 1907) . Cushny, Charles; The Bath Club, 34, Dover Street, Piccadilly, W. (June, 1906). Dai.gleish, Gordon ; Brook, Witlev, near Godaiming, Surrey. (Oct., 1906.) Davies, Amos ; Tour House, Audenshaw, near Manchester. (Jan., 1906). Dawnay, The Lady Adelaide ; Brampton House, Northampton. (July, 1903). no Dawson, The Hon. Mrs. ; Holne Park, Ashburton, Devon. (Tune, 1908) . Dell, Charles; 12, High Street, Harlesden, N.W. (July, 1900). Dennis, Mrs. H. E. ; St. Leonard’s Park, Horsham. (March, 1903). Dent, Mrs. ; Luscombe Castle, Dawlish. (March, 1907; dormant). De IainI'EGnies, La Baronne, Le Clement ;~ Cleveland, Minehead, Somerset. (Feb., 1902). List of Members. 5 D’EvELYN, Dr. Frederick W., Pres. G. S. Cal., etc., etc. ; 2103, Clinton Avenue, Alameda, California, U.S.A. (June, 1906). Dewar, D., I.C.S. ; 38, Abbey Road, St. John’s Wood, N.W. (Sept., 1905). Dewing, Miss ; Rougham House, Bury St. Edmunds. (Sept., 1906). De Winton, William Edward, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U, ; Orielton, Pembroke. (August, 1903). Donated, C. H. ; c/o The Alliance Bank of Simla, Ltd., Simla, India. (March, 1906). 120 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, I9°3b Drummond, Hay, Colonel; Seggieden, Perth, N.B. (July, 1907). Drummond, Miss; Mains of Megginch, Errol, N.B. (Feb., 1905). DuEF, The Lady Grant; East Soham Grange, Framlingham, Suffolk. (Aug., 1905). DunlEATh, The Lady; Ballj'walter Park, Ballvwalter, co. Down, Ireland. (August, 1897). Dutton, The Hon. and Rev. Canon ; Bibury, Fairford. (Orig. Mem.) Edwards, G. ; 377, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, S.W. (August, 1902). Edwards, Stanley, B.A., F.Z.S, ; c/o E. B. Trotter, Esq., 64, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W. (Sept., 1906; dormant). 130 Ezra, David; 59, Ezra Street, Calcutta. (June, 1902). Fanshawe, Capt. R. D. ; Admiralty House, Portsmouth. (Aug., 1907). 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, Snaresbrook, N.E. (May, 1902). Feilding, The Lady Louisa; Broome Park, Betchworth, Surrey. (July, 1902). Field, George ; Sorrento, Stapleliurst, Kent. (March, 1900). F'illmer, Horatio R. ; Brendon, Harrington Road, Brighton. (Dec., I903)- Finn, Frank, B.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 29, Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, Loudon, N.W. (March, 1895). Flower, Captain Stanley S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Director Egyptian Government Zoological Gardens ; Gliizeh (Giza), Cairo. (Jan., I903)- 140 Fockelmann, Herr August; Tier Park, Gross-Birstel, Hamburgh. (Nov., 1907). Follrtt, The Lady Julia; Woodside, Old Windsor. (Oct., 1903). FORTESCUE, Col. H. ; Falmouth House, Newmarket. (Oct., 1908). Foster, Wm. Hill; 164, Portland Street, Southport. (Jan., 1902). FoTHERGiLL, Major Henry, J.P.; Copt Hall, Hawkliurst. (April, 1900). Fowler, Charles ; 26, Broad Street, Blaenavou. (Dec., 1894). 6 List of Members. Frost, Wilfred; 103, Goldhawk Road, Shepherd’s Bush, W. (July, 1908). Galloway, P. F. M. ; Durban, St. Peter’s Avenue, Caversliani, Reading. (March, 1907). Gibbs, Mrs. H. Martin ; Barrow Court, Flax Bourton, R.vS.O., Somer¬ set. (April, 1904). Gibbins, William, B. ; Ettington, near Stratford-on-Avon. (June, 1S95).* 150 Gifford, Edward W. ; Assistant Curator of Oruitholog)’-, Californian Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, U.S.A. (April, 1908). Gilbey, Sir Walter, F.Z.S. ; Elsenham Hall, Elsenliam, Essex. (Dec., 1907). Giles, Henry M., M. Aust. O. U. (Orig. Mem.) ; Zoological Gardens, Perth, Western Australia. (June, 1903). Gill, Arthur, M.R.C.V.S. ; Veterinary Establishment, Bexley Heath. Kent. (Dec., 1899). Gilroy, Norman, M.B.O.U. ; 95, Claremont Road, Forest Gate, E. (July, 1906). Gladstone, MissJ.; The Lodge, Parkstone, Dorset. (July, 1905). Goddard, H. E. ; Rothsay, Thicket Road, Sutton, Surrey. (Feb., 1899). 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). {Honoi ary Member ). Goodall, J. M. ; 52, Oxford Gardens, N. Kensington, London, W. (July, 1905). Goodchild, Herbert, M.B.O.U.; 66, Gloucester Road, Regent’s Park, N.W. (Oct., 1902). 160 Goodfellow, Walter, M.B.O.U.; Montrose, New Park Road, West Southbourne, Hants. (June, 1897). Gorter, Madame; The Delta, Walmer, Kent. (Nov., 1901). Gow, J. Barnett ; 21, West Nile Street, Glasgow and Ledcamerocli, Bearsden, Glasgow. (Feb., 1906). Grabowsky, F., Director of the Zoological Gardens; Breslau, Germany. (June, 1905). Gray, Henry, M.R.C.V.S. ; 23, Upper Phillimore Place, W. (June, 1906). Green, Robert ; Covent Garden, London. (Nov., 1907). Gregory, Mrs. ; Melville, Parkstone, Dorset. (Dec., 1901). Griffiths, M. E. ; 4, Temple Road, Stowmarket. (Maj% 1902). Griscom, Ludlow ; 21, Washington Square North, New York City, U.S.A. (April, 1905). Gronvold, Henrik ; 26, Albert Bridge Road, Battersea Park, S.W. (Nov., 1902). 170 Guilford, Miss H. ; 23, Lenton Avenue, The Park, Nottingham. (March, 1903). Gunning, Dr. J. W. B., F.Z.S., Director of the Transvaal Museum and Zoological Gardens ; Pretoria, South Africa. (Sept., 1906). List of Members. 7 Gunther, Albert, M.A., M.D., Ph.D., F.R.S.. F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 2, Lichfield Road, Kew Gardens. (Sept., 1902). ( Honorary Member). Gunther, Robert L. ; Park Wood, Englefield Green, Surrey. (August, 1904). Gurney, John Henry, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Keswick Hall, Norwich; and Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall, S.W. (Dec., 1904). Haagner, A. K., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., Transvaal Museum, Pretoria, South Africa. (Nov., 1905). Hamilton, Madame; Les Deux Parzes, Cliampery, (Valaise), Switzer¬ land. (Nov., 1902). Hamilton, Miss; 2, Upper Wimpole Street, W. (April, 1902k Hanley, W. F. ; Lloyd’s, Royal Exchange, London, E.C. (June, 1908). Harding, W. A., F.Z.S. ; Histon Manor, Cambridge. (Dec., 1903). 1S0 Harding, W. ; The Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, 85 &S7, Kingston Road, Wimbledon. (August, 1905). Hardy, Lawrence, M. P. ; Sandling Park, Hythe, Kent. (Nov., 1906). Harewood, The Countess of ; Harewood House, Leeds. (March, 1903). Harper, Miss ; 55, Waterloo Road, Bedford. (March, 1902). Harper, Edward William, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 55, Waterloo Road, Bedford. (I*eb., 1901). Harrison, J. H. ; Ellerslie, East Beach, Lytliam. (Sept., 1906). Hartley, 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. ; Estrilda, 206, Clive Road, West Dulwich, S.E. (Jan., 1899). 190 Hazelerigg, Sir Arthur ; Noseley Hall, Leicester. (March, 1907). Hemsworth, The Rev. B., M.A., J.P. ; Monk Fryston Hall, South Milford, Yorks. (June, 1901). HESKETH, F. Fermor ; 9th (Queen’s Royal) Lancers ; Cantonments, Potcliefstroom, Transvaal, S. Africa. (Jan., 1908). Hewitt, H. C. ; Hope End, Ledbury, Herefordshire. (Jan., 1905). Hill, Mrs. E. STAVELEY ; Oxley Manor, Wolverhampton. (Oct., 1905). Hinckes, R. T. ; Foxley, Hereford. (Feb., 1899). Hincks, Miss E. Marjorie; Barons Down, Dulverton. (Feb., 1908). Hindle, R. Franklin; 34, Brunswick Road, Liverpool. (Sept., 1898). Hobson, F. G. ; Villa Delta, Beverley. (May, 1905). Hocken, Dr.; Dunedin, New Zealand. (Jan., 1904). 200 Hodgson, The Hon. Mrs. ; Clopton, Stratford-on-Avon. (March, 1903). Holden, Ralph A. ; 5, John Street, Bedford Row, London. (May, 1906). Holt, Eardley-WilmoT Blomfield, F L.S., F.Z.S. ; Asliurstwood House, East Grinstead. (Dec., 1904). Hopkinson, Emilius, D.S.O., M.A., M.B. Oxou. ; 45, Sussex Square, Brighton ; and Bathurst, Gambia, West Africa. (October, 1906). Hopson, Fred C. ; Northbrook Street, Newbury. (March, 1897). Horsbrugh, Major Boyd R., A.S.C. ; Tempe, Bloemfontein, S. Africa. (Jan., 1898). 8 List of Members. Horsbrugh, C. B. ; 7, Kensington. Bath. (Jnue, 1905). Horton, Lronard W. ; Hill House, Compton, Wolverhampton. (Feb., 1902). Housdkn, Jamks B. ; Brooklyn, Cator Road, Sydenham, S.E. (Orig. Mem.) Howard, Robert Jamks, M.B.O.U. ; Shear Bank, Blackburn. (April, 1903)- 210 Howard-Vysk, H. ; Stoke Place, Slough. (Nov., 1906). Howman, Miss; Sherwood, 6, Essex Grove, Upper Norwood. (March, 1S97). HoYivK, Mrs.; The Vicarage, Stoke Poges, Bucks. (Nov., 1904). Hoztk, P. S. ; Duulewey, Seymour Road, Plymouth. (May, 1908). Hubbard, Gkorge ; 1x2, Fenchurch Street, E.C. (Jam, 1905). Hubbard, The Hon. ROSE; Seven Gables, Winslow, Bucks. (Dec., 1895 ; dormant 1S97-1906). Hughes, Lady; Shelslev Grange, Worcester. (Nov., 1904). Humphreys, Russeux, ; 2S, Threadneedle Street, E.C. (April, 1896). Hunter, Frank; 7, York Place, Edinburgh, and Kuockhill, Eccle- feclian. (Feb., 1906). Husband, Miss ; Clifton View, York. (Feb., 1896). 220 Hutchinson, Miss At.ice ; Alderton Vicarage, Chippenham, Wilts. (August, 1907). Inchiouin, The Lady ; Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare, Ireland. (Nov., 1897). Ingram, Coux.ingwood ; The Bungalow, Westgate-ou-Sea. (Oct., 1905). Ingi^am, Sir Wiixiam, Bart. ; 65, Cromwell Road, London, S.W. (Sept., 1904). Innes, Bey, Dr. Francis Wax.TER, M.B.O.U. ; Curator Zoological Museum, Government School of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt. (March, I903)- Isaac, Charges ; Somerton, Bath Road, Slough. (March, 1906). Ivens, INIiss; Moss Bank, Greenford Avenue, Hanwell, Middlesex. (August, 1903). jARDrNE;, Miss B1mit,y ; Znngeru, Northern Nigeria, West Africa. (Jam, 1903). Johnstone, Mrs. E. J. ; Burrswood, Groombridge, .Sussex. (May, 1900). J ones, H. ; 13, Commercial Road, Ipswich. (Oct., 1903). 23° Jonexs, Major H. ; Blast Wickham House, Welling, Kent. (Jam, 1906). Keith-M u r ray, A. I,. ; 1, Chudleigh Villas, Bideford, N. Devon. (Aug., 1908). Kexmp, R. ; c/o Mrs. Warner, Long Sutton, near Langport, Somerset¬ shire. (March, 1903). Kennedy, Ewen ; c/o Messrs. Hamilton & Morrison, Iquique, Chile. (Feb., 1907). Kennedy, Lt. G. ; 4th Gurkha Rifles. Bakloh, Punjab, India. (Jam, 1 90S). KERR, N. ; Primrose Club, Park Place, London, W. (Oct., 1906). List of Members. 9 Lancaster, John; Overslade, near Rugbv. (March, 1904). Lasckllks, The H011. Gerald, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; The King’s House,. Lyndhurst. (Oct.. 1896). Lawson, Mrs. F. W. ; Adei, Leeds. (Nov., 1903). Lee, Mrs. K. I).; Hartwell House, Aylesbury. ( J11I37, 1906). 240 Leech, J. R. ; Brvu Ivor, Abertillerv, Moil. (March, 1908). Leigh, Cecil; Lyburn Park, near Lyndhurst, Hants. (Nov., 1906). Lewis, W. Jarrett ; Corstorphine, Ryde, I. of W. (Oct., 1904). Library of Princeton University; Princeton, New Jersey, U.S. A. (Nov,, 1907). Lilford, The Lady ; Lilford Hall, Oundle, Northamptonshire. (Jam, 1898). LiTTEE, Geo. W., M.D. ; 47, Ridge .Street, Glens Fall, N.Y., U.S. A. (Oct., 1903). LiTTEE, Miss C. Rosa; Baronshalt, The Barons, East Twickenham, Surrey. (May, 1907). Leeweeyn, Sir John T. DieEWYn, Bart., M.A., D.L., F.Z.S. ; Penllergaer, Swansea. (May, 1903). Locicyer, Alfred; Ashbourne, Selsden Road, Waustead. (Dec., 1905). Lodge, George PL, P'.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; The Studios, 5, Thurloe Square, S.W. (Aug., 1905). 250 Long, Mrs. ; vSherrington Manor, Berwick, Sussex. (T’eb., 1907). Longdon, Mrs. ; Arreton, Epsom Road, Guildford, Surrey. (March, 1 905) . Lovelace;, The Countess of; Wentworth House, Chelsea Embankment. London, .S.W. (May, 1906). Lyon, Miss K. ; Harewood, Horsham. (Nov., 1S94). MacCall, Miss; The Rest, Church Crookham, Fleet, R.S.O., Hants (May, 1904; dormant). McDonald, Miss BERYL; Meadow Bank, St. Leonards-on-Sea. (Dec., 1906) . McGhaGh, Dr. R. T. ; 23, Breeze Hill, Bootle, Lancs. (Aug., 1908). McGkh, The Rev. Father; Keppel Street, Bathurst, N.S.W. (July, 1 905) . McLkan, Colin ; The Heath, Blast Dereliam, Norfolk. (Nov., 1906). McWilliam, Miss ; 5, Den Crescent, Teignmoutli, S. Devon. (Dec., 1907) . 260 Magneac, Claude: ; The Cottage, Ashtead Park, Aslitead, Surrey, (March, 1908). Manson, John J., L.D.S., F.P.S.G. ; 167, Canning .Street, Bridgeton Cross, Glasgow. (Oct., 190S). MarchanT, Walte:r ; Weston Bank, Weston-under- Lizard, Sliifnal. (July, 1907). Marshall, Archibald McLean; Crogen, Corwen, N. Wales. (Jan., 1906) , Martin, H. C. ; 147, Victoria Road, Old Charlton. Kent; and Saladero, Liebig, Fray Bentos, Uruguay. (Jan., 1897). Martore:lli, Dr. GiacinTO, M.B.O.U., etc. ; Collezione Turati, Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Milan, Italy. (July, 1906), [Honorary Member ). io List of Members. Meade-Wardo, K. G. B.. F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Stonewall Park, Eden- bridge, Kent. (Jan., 1895). MEEEOR, Mrs.; Fair Lawn, Lytham, Lancs. (March, 1904). MlCHERE, Mrs. ; Crakeliall, Bedale. (Sept., 1S9S). MlERER, Tinniswood ; 27, Belgrave Road, S.W. (March, 1905). ■270 Mires, The Hon. VioreT; Wilderness, Sevenoaks. (Oct., 1907). MiTCHERR, Harry; Holniefield, Lyndhurst, Hants.. (Feb., 1904). MiTCherr, P. Charmers, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S., Secretary to the Zoo¬ logical Society of London ; 3, Hanover Square, W. (Ang., 1905). Moerschecrr, F. ; Imperial Hotel, Malvern. (June, 1895). Momber, Lt.-Col. G. A., F.Z.vS. ; La Junia, San Remo, Italy. (Sept., 1907). Montagu, E. S., M.P., M.B.O.U. ; Trinity College, Cambridge, and 12, Kensington Palace Gardens, W. (May, 1905). Moore, Wm. Fawcett ; Ballyanchor Poultry Farm, Lisniore, co. Waterford. (Aug., 1903). Morshead, Lady; Forest Lodge, Binfield, Bracknell, Berks. (Dec., 1894).* Mortimer, Mrs. ; Wigmore, Holmwood, Surrey. (Orig. Mem.) * Murray, John; 25, Glasgow Street, Ardrossan. (March, 1903). 280 Myran, Jas. George, B.A., M.B. (Univ. Cal.); L-R.C.P. & L.R.C.S., (Ed.) &c., 90, Upper Hanover Street, Sheffield. (Dec., 1901). Newman, T. H., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Newlands, Harrowdene Road, Wembley, Middlesex. (Hon. Business Secretary) . (May, 1900). Nichors, War'TER B., M.B.O.U. ; Stour Lodge, Bradfield, Manningtree. (Jan., 1907). Nicorr, Michaer J., M.B.O.U. ; Zoological Gardens, Giza, Cairo, Egypt. (July, 1906). Nichorson, Arfred E. ; Blenheim, Forth View Terrace, Blackball, Midlothian. (Oct., 1896.) * Nobee, Mrs.; Park Place, Henley-on-Thames. (Oct., 1900). Norwood, Eirre ; 28, St. Stephen’s Mansions, Smith Square, West¬ minster, S.W. (Aug., 1901). Oakey, W. ; 34, High Street, Leicester. (March, 1S96.) * Oates, F. W. ; White House Farm ; New Leeds, Leeds. (Oct., 1897). Oberhorser, Harry C. ; 1445, Girard Street, N.W., Washington, D. C., United States of America. (Oct., 1903). 290 Odring, Mrs.; The Shepherd’s Cot, Tankerton, Kent. (Aug., 1905; (dormant 1906-7). Ogirvie-GranT, W. R., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; British Museum (Nat. Hist.), Cromwell Road, S.W. (Dec., 1903). Ogirvy, Henry S. T. Hamirton ; Biel, Prestonkirk, N.B. (March, 1900). Ogre, Bertram Savire, M.B.O.U. ; Steeple Aston, Oxford. (Dec., 1902). Oriphant, Trevor; Teston Rectory, Maidstone. (May, 1908). O’Reirry Nichoras S. ; 9, Royal Crescent, Ramsgate. (Dec., 1894). List of Members. n Osxrkhan, J. ELIOTT D. ; Bank House, Thame, Oxon. (April, 1903). Page, WESLEY T., F.Z.S. ; 6, Rylett Crescent, Shepherd’s Bush, W. (May, 1S97). Palmer, Mrs. G. W. ; Marlston House, near Newbury. (Oct., 1905). Pam, AlberX, F.Z.S. ; 35, Chester Terrace, N.W. (Jan., 1906). 300 Parker, Duncan, J.P. ; Cloptou Hall, Woolpit, Bury St. Edmunds- (June, 1903). Parkin, Thomas, M.A., F.R.G.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Fairseat, High Wickham, Hastings. (Oct., 1903). Payne, WalXER Henry; Lyncombe Hill, Bath. (March, 1907). PEEL, Lady; Potterton Hall, Barwick-in-Hlmet, Leeds. (June, 1904). Peir, P. ; Box 504, G.P.O., Sydney; and 50, Bondi Road, Waverley, Sydney, N. S. Wales. (July, 1903). Pennanx, Lady Edixh Douglas ; Soham House, Newmarket, Cambs. (Sept., 1908). Penrose, Frank G., M.D., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Wick House, Downton, Salisbury. (Dec., 1903). Pekcival, Wat/XER Gilbey ; El Darner, Soudan. (Feb., 1902.) PERREAU, Capt. G. A.; 12, Sion Hill, Bath. (Dec., 1903). Perking, C. S. R. ; Melic House, Waldegrave Road, Teddington. (Sept., 1895). 310 Phillipps, Noel; 21, Addison Gardens, Kensington, W. (Nov., 1901).. Phillipps, Reginald; 26, Cromwell Grove, West Kensington Park,W. (Orig. Mem.) * Phillipps, Mrs. ; 26, Cromwell Grove, West Kensington Park, W. (Orig. Mem.) Phillips, Mrs. E. LorX, F.Z.S.; 79, Cadogan Square, S.W. (April,. 1907). Picard, Hugh K. ; 10, Sandwell Crescent, W. Hampstead, N.W.. (March, 1902). Pickford, Randolph John ; Job’s Hill House, Crook, co. Durham. (Feb., 1903). Pocock, R. I., F.Z.S. ; Zoological Society’s Gardens, Regent’s Park,. N.W. (Feb,, 1904). PorXer, G. C. ; 38, Mill Street, Bedford. (Dec., 1901). Power, Miss Consxance E. ; 16, Southwell Gardens, S.W. (Nov., 1906). Powis, The Earl of; 45, Berkeley Square, W. ; and Powis Castle, Welshpool. (April, 1902). 320 Price, Axhelsxan, E., M.B.O.U.; 61, Great Cumberland Place, W- (August, 1902). Proctor, Major F.W., M.B.O.U.; Downfield, Maidenhead. (May, 1903), PYCRAFT, W. P., A.L.S., M.B.O.U., &c. ; British Museum (Nat. Hist.),. Cromwell Road, S.W. (Nov., 1904). Rathborne, Henry B. ; Dunsiuea, Castlekuock, co. Dublin. (Mayr 1901). RaxXigan, G. E. ; Lanarkslea, Cornwall Gardens, S.W. (Aug., 1908)- Reid, Mis.; Funchal, Madeira. (Feb., 1895). 12 List of Members. RenauT, W. E., M.B.O.U.; 17, Emanuel Avenue, Friar’s Park, Acton, W. (April, 1897). Rice, Captain G. ; Glayquliat, Blairgowrie, N.B. (May, 1902). RiLEY, Joseph H. ; U.S. National Museum, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. (June, 1906). RiPEEY, Miss; Bedstone, Bncknell, Shropshire. (March, 1908). .330 Ritchie, Norman; The Holmes, St. Boswell’s, N.B. (Feb., 1903). Robbins, Henry: 25, Campden Hill Square, W. (April, 1908). Robert, Madam; Hartlaud House, Sutton, Surrey. (June, 1906). Roberts, Mrs., M. Aust., O. U. : Beaumaris, Montpelier Street, Hobart, Tasmania. (June, 1903). Roberts, Mrs. Norman; The Beeches, Baslow, Derbyshire. (Nov., 1907). Rodon, Major G. S. ; Dharwar, Bombay Presidency, India. (Mar., 1906). Rogers, Ft.-Col. J. M., D.S.O., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (Fate Royal Dra¬ goons); Riverhill, Sevenoaks. (April, 1907). Rogerson, A.; Fleurville, Ashford Road, Cheltenham. (Dec., 1902). Rotch, Mrs.; Sunnycliff, Cholmondeley Road, West Kirby. (June, 1S97). Rothschild; The Hon. F. Walter, M.P., ID. Sc., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; The Museum, Tring, Herts. (Jan., 1900). 340 Rudkin, F. H. ; Belton, Uppingham. (Oct., 1902). ST. Quintin, William Herbert, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Scampston Hall, Rillington, York. (Orig. Mem.) ST. Quintin, Miss; Scampston Hall, Rillington, York. (Jan., 1902). Salter, Albert J. ; Nevill Street, Abergavenny. (March, 1902). SAVAGE, a.; 3, Rue Bihorel, Biliorel, Rouen, Seine Inferieure, France. (April, 1S95). Scharff, R. F., Pli.D., Secretary to the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland; Plicenix Park, Dublin. (Oct., 1905). Scherren, Henry, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 9, Cavendish Road, Harringay, N. (Dec., 1902). Sclater, Philip Lutlky, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S., M.B.O.U.; Odiham Priory, Winchfield, Hants. (Sept., 1902). ( Honorary Member) . SCLATER, W. I/., M.A., F.Z.S.,E1 Paso Club, Colorado Springs, Colorada, U.S A. (Aug., 1904). Scott, Professor William E. D. ; Worthington Society, Shawnee-011- Delaware, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. (June, 1900). .350 Sebright, Mrs. Guy; 82, Eaton Place, S.W. (Dec., 1907). Seppings, Captain J. W. H. ; The Army Accounts Office, Cork, Ireland. (Sept., 1907). Seth-Smith, David, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., (lion. Editor) ; Glengarry, 14, Canning Road, Addiscombe, Surrey, (Dec., 1894). Seth-Smith, Fes lie M., B.A., M.B.O.U.; Allevne, Caterham Valley, Surrey; and Kampala, Uganda. (July, 1902). Seth-Smith, Mrs. W. ; Allevne, Caterham Valley, Surrev. (Sept., 1904). Sharp, Miss; Spring Gardens, Ringwood, Hants. (Orig. Mem.; List of Members. 13 Sharpe, Richard Bowdler, U,.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., Assistant Keeper, Zoological Department, British Museum (Natural History); South Kensington, S.W. (Sept., 1902). (Hon. Member). Shelley, Captain George Ernest, F.Z.S., F.R.G.S., M.B.O.U. ; 39, Egerton Gardens, South Kensington, S.W. (August, 1903). Shepherd, Miss B. ; Tlie Deu, Waltou-on-Thames. (April, 1901). Sherbrooke, Mrs. P. ; Doutliwaite Dale, Kirbymoorside, Yorks. (March, 1897). 360 Sich, Herbert Leonard ; c/o Rev. K. Watson, Bepton Rectory, Midhurst, Sussex; and Corney House, Chiswick, Middlesex. (Feb., 1902). Sieve R, Allen; ii, Foulser Road, Upper Tooting, S.W. (Aug., 1904k Simpson, Archibald; Blackgates House, Tingley, near Wakefield. (Feb., 1901). Singh, H.H. The Rajah Sir Bhuri, K.C.S.I. ; Cliamba, via Dalhousie, Punjab, India. (Jan., 190S). Skea, E. M. ; (Box 373), Pretoria, South Africa. (Jan., 1907). Slater, Arthur A. ; Prescot Road, St. Helen’s. (Nov., 1894). Smith, C. Barnby; Woodlands, Retford. (August, 1906). Smith, Miss E. L. Dorien ; Tresco Abbey, Isle of Scilly, Cornwall. (August, 190S). Smith, The Rev. James, M.A.; The Vicarage, Baslow, S.O., Derbyshire. (Maj', 1907). Sondheim, Edward; Welford House, Arkwright Road, Hampstead, N.W. (April, 1907). 370 Sornborger, J. D. ; Rowley, Mass., U.S.A. (Oct., 1905). Southcombe, Ewart ; Hamdoii House, Stoke-sub-Hamdon. (Oct., 1908). SouThesk, The Countess of; Kinnaird Castle, Brechin, N.B. (Feb., 1901) . Southport Corporation; W. James Hathaway, Curator; Hesketh Park, Southport. (Jan., 1904). Speed, Hkdlky ; 12, Victoria Park, Bangor, Wales. (Nov., 1900). S’TANSEELD, Captain John; Dunninald, Montrose, N.B. (Dec., 1S96). STanyforth, Mrs. ; Kirk Hamerton Hall, York. (Nov., 1897). Staples-Browne, R. ; Bampton, Oxfordshire. (Aug., 190S). Stark, W. P. ; Hillstead, Basingstoke. (August, 1903). Stirling, Mrs. Charles; Old Newton House, Doune. (Sept., 1904). 3S0 Stockport Corporation: Frank Harris, F.R.H.S., Superinten¬ dent; Vernon Park, Stockport. (Oct., 1902). Sturton-Johnson, Miss; Orotava House, Ore, Hastings. (May, 1897). SuGGiTT, Robert; Suggitt’s Lane, Cleetliorpes, Grimsby. (Dec., 1903). SUTCLIFFE, Albert ; Field House, Grimsby. (Feb., 1906). Sutton, Lady; Benham-Valeuce, Speen, Newbury. (Dec., 1501). Swan, J. A.; Meadow View, Northcote Road, Sidcup, Kent. (June, 1902) . Swaysland, Walter; 47, Queen’s Road, Brighton. (Orig. Mem.) * 14 List of Members. SwiFT, Donald; 58, Avenue Road, Highgate. (Dec., 1898). SwinfEn-Brown, Mrs. ; Swinfen Hall, Richfield. (Feb., 1898). Tanner, Dr. Frank I/.; Vanvert House, Guernsey. (Jan., 1904). Tanner, Mrs. Slingsby; 62, Cheyne Court, Chelsea, S.W. (Oct., 1906). Temple, W. R. ; Ormonde, Datchet, Bucks. (June, 1907). Terry, Major Horace a., M.B.O.U. (lane Oxfordshire Right Infantry) ; The Rodge, Upoer Halliford, Sliepperton. (Oct., 1902). Teschemaker, W. E., B.A. ; Ringmore, Teignmouth, Devon. (May, 1904) . Thom, A. A. ; Harcourt, Reigliton Buzzard. (June, 1S95). Thom, Mrs. Walter; Wirswall Hall, Whitchurch, Salop. (Aug., 1908). Thomas, Henry; The Vineries, Boroughbridge, York. (Jan., 1895). Thomas, Miss F. G. F. ; Hurwortli Manor, Darlington. (March, 1899) Thomas, Mrs. Haig; Creech Grange, Wareliam. (August, 1907). ThomasseT, Bernard C. ; Hawkenbury, Staplehurst, Kent. (July, 1896). ThomasseT, H. P. ; Cascade Estate, Malie, Seychelles Islands. (Nov., 1906). Thompson, Mrs. F. F. ; Canadaigua, N.Y., U.S.A. (July, 1907). Thomson, John; Officers Orders, Powder Mill Rane, Waltham Abbey, Essex. (March, 1908). Thorniley, Percy Wright; Shooter’s Hill, Wem., .Shrewsbury. (Feb., 1902). Thorpe, Charles; Selborue, Springfield Road, Wallingtou, Surrey. (Dec., 1901). Thorpe, F. C. ; Eden Villa Zoo, Hedon, Hull. (Jan., 1902). Thursby, Rady ; Ormerod House, Burnley. (June, 1895.)* TicehursT Norman Frederic; M.A., M.B., F.R.C.S., F.Z.S.; 35, Pevensey Road, St. Reonards-on-Sea. (Dec., 1906). Tomes, W., J.P. ; Glenmoor, 31, Billing Road, Northampton. (Dec., 1902) . Townsend, Stanley M. ; 3, Swift Street, Fulham, S.W. (Sept., 189S). Toye, Mrs. ; Stanhope, Bideford, N. Devon. (Feb., 1897). Trestrail, Major Alfred B., F.R.G.S. ; Southdale, Clevedon. (Sept., 1903) - Trevor-BaTTYE, Aubyn B. R., M.A., F.R.S., etc. ; Broxton, Cliilbolton, Stockbridge, Hants. (July, 189S). Turner, Thomas, J.P. ; Cullompton, Devon. (Dec., 1895). TwEEDiE, Capt. W., 93rd Highlanders; c/o Messrs. Cox & Co., 16, Cliaring Cross, S.W. (April, 1903). Valentine, Ernest; 7, Highfield, Workington. (May, 1S99). Vardon, The Rev. S. A. ; Rangton Vicarage, Tunbridge Wells. (July, 1905) - VERK, The Very Rev. Canon; St. Patrick’s Presbytery, 2IA, Soho Square, Rondon, W. (Sept., 1903). Vernon, Mrs. E. Warren; Toddington Manor, Dunstable, Bedford¬ shire. (Nov., 1907). List of Members. 15 VlEEiERS, Mrs.; The Shielding, Ayr, N.B. (August, 1906). 420 Vivian, Mrs. ; Timber Hill Lodge, Caterham Valley, Surrey. (March, ^903). Waddeiee, Miss Peddie; 4, Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh, N.B. (Feb., 1903). Waeke:r, Miss; Hanley Lodge, Corstorphine, Midlothian. (Jam, 1903). Walker, Miss H. K. O. ; Chesham, Bury, Lancs. (Feb., 1895). Waeeop, The Hon. F'reideric; (Feb., 1902). Wards, The Lady Harriet; Kuotley Hall, Tunbridge. (Aug., 1903). Waterhouse, Mrs. D. ; 6, Esplanade, Scarborough. (Feb., 1903). Watson, S. ; 37, Tithebarn .Street, Preston. (Feb., 1906.) * WEST, Coein; The Grange, South Norwood Park. (Jan., 1906). WEST, Miss E. E. ; The Homestead, Hawthorne Road, Bickley Park, Kent. (April, 1898.) * 430 Whitaker, Joseph I. S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Malfitano, Palermo, Sicily. (August, 1903). Whitehead, Mrs. Henry; Haslem Hey, Bury, Lancs. (March, 1902). Whitman, Prof. C. O. ; The University of Chicago, U.S.A. (Mar., 1908). Wigeesworth, Joseph, M.D., M.B.O.U.; Rainhill, Lancashire. (Oct., I903)- Wigram, Miss Madeline: ; King’s Gatcliell, Taunton. (Sept., 1903). Wiede, Miss M. ; Little Gaddesden, Berkliampstead. (Dec., 1896). Wieeford, Henry; Upland View, Haven Street, Ryde, I. of W. (Nov., 1907). Wieetams, Mrs. C. H. ; 49, Oakehampton Road, St. Thomas, Exeter, (May, 1902). WlEEiAMS, C. J. ; Government Offices, Bloemfontein, O. R. C. (Oct. 1906). Wieeiams, Mrs. Howard; Oatlands, Sundridge Avenue, Bromley, Kent. (April, 1902). 440 Wieeiams, Sydney, Jum, F.Z.S. ; Holland Lodge, 275, Fore Street, Edmonton, N. (Feb., 1905). Wiemot, The Rev. Richard H. ; Poulton Vicarage, Fairford. (Dec., 1902). Wieson, Maurice A., M.D. ; Kirkby Overblow, Pannal, S. O., York. (Oct., 1905). Wieson, T. Needham; Oak Lodge, Bitterne, near Southampton. (Dec., 1901.) Winchieseia and Nottingham, The Countess of; Harlech, Merioneth. (April, 1903). Wor.FE, Miss Georgina; S. John’s, 57, Granada Road, E. Southsea. (August, 1904). Workman, Wm. Hughes, M.B.O.U.; Lismore, Windsor, Belfast. (May, 1903). Wormaed, H. ; The Heath, Dereliam, Norfolk. (Dec., 1904). lb Rules of the Avicultural Society. RULES OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. As Amended January 1908. 1. — The name of the Society' shall be The Avicue'i'urae 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 Societ}', 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 011 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 Scrutineer, 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 more 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 pa}'able in advance on the 1st of November in each year. New Mem¬ bers shall paj', 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. Rules of the Avicultural Society. 17 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 “ last 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 da)' of every month,* and forwarded, post free, to all the Members ivho shall have paid their subscriptions for the year ; but no Magazine shall be sent or delivered to any Member until the animal subscriptions shall have reached the hands of the Business Secretary* 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 subscription, shall have been paid. S. — 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. In 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 yot 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 yearly in the September number of the Magazine the names of those gentlemen nominated by them for the posts of Auditor and Scrutineer respectively. 9.— The 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 the September number of The Avicultural 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 fifteen Members proposing them, must reach the Hon. Business Secretary * Owing' to the extra pressure of work, the October and November numbers are liable to be late. 1 8 Rules of the Aviculiural Society. 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. In the event of an equality of votes the President shall have a casting vote. If any member of the Council does 110c 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 on behalf of the Society ; (ii) . In the event of the resignation of any of the officers during the Society’s year, to temporarily fill 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. To act for the Council in the decision of any other matters 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). I11 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 exceedi Should a Member wish any matter to be brought before the Council direct, such matter should be sent to the Business Secretary Rules of the Avicultural Society. 19 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. 20 The Society's Medal. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. RULES. 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. Any 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. The 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 weight when the question of awarding the Medal is under consideration. The parents of the young must be the bona 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 silver in very special cases), and measures inches in diameter. It bears on the obverse a representation of two birds with a nest containing eggs, and the words “ The Avicultural Society — Founded 1894.” On the reverse is the following inscription : “ Awarded to ( name of donee } for rearing young of ( name of species), a species not previously bred in captivity in the United Kingdom. Meynbers to zvho77i Medals have bee7i Awarded. For a list of the Medal awards during- the first series see Vol. II. (New Series ), p. 18. For a list of the Medal awards during the first five volumes of the present series see Vol. VI. (New Series), pp. 20-22. Vol. VI., p. 26. » P- 79- „ „ P- 92- „ ,, P- 3°2. Mr. W. E. Teschemakbr, for breeding the Chingolo Song-Sparrow ( Zonotrichia pileata ) in 1907. Mr. T. H. Newman, for breeding the Madagascar Turtle- Dove (Turtur picturatus) in 1907 . Mr. W. E. Teschemaker, for breeding the Hedge Accentor ( Accentor modnlaris) in 1906 and 1907. Mrs. C. H. Williams, for breeding the Browu-tliroated Conure ( Conurus cerugmosus) in 1908. KING BIRD OF PARADISE 42. dcmmiT'us t e gins . H. Goodchild, del. et liti. Hutb., imp 21 THE Hvlcultural flftagasine, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Neiv Series — VOL. VII.- No. 1. — All rights reserved. NOVEMBER, 1908. THE KING BIRD OF PARADISE. Cicinnums regius. By Mrs. Johnstone. I do not think I shall ever forget the excitement in our household produced by the first arrival of two King Birds of Paradise in 1904. They arrived in the autumn of that year, and were two lovely cocks in glorious plumage and condition. They were looked at a dozen times a day to make sure they were alive and well, and I used to waste hours watching their pretty move¬ ments and admiring the smoke grey plumes tipped with vivid green which, when resting, they spread out like dainty fans from under the wings. They were admired and envied by all, and Mons. L’Hoest of Antwerp made a special journey to Rougham to see them. Finally Mr. Pocock carried them off in triumph to the Gardens, where they lived, I hope, happily, but not as long as their successors have every appearance of doing; for four more perfect specimens it would be hard to find than are at present in the New Bird House of the Zoological Gardens.* Mr. Goodfellow, their importer, was successful in obtain¬ ing several pairs ; the following year his example was followed by other importers, who also brought pairs to England. Of these birds, from what I can hear, not a large number remain alive. The Zoological Society possess two pairs in perfect con¬ dition, and beyond this, including my own, only three aviaries possess pairs of these lovely birds; and it is of my own five birds (two cocks and three hens) I am asked to write a short account. Most unfortunately the two adult males in the Zoological Gardens have quite recently died.— Ed. 22 On the King Bird of Paradise. Not an easy task as, of all birds I have ever kept, these are the most difficult and yet the most interesting to study. I do not think I need describe them, the beautiful plate gives a splendid idea of the beauty of the bird ; but of one thing there is no doubt no pen could describe, no artist paint, the marvellous glea?n on the red feathers of the King Bird of Paradise. The feathers are more like hairs, a gleaming shining crimson, shading to orange plush on the top of the head. The cock in the aviary is exceedingly shy. Now and again he can be seen in the thick bushes, in the outside flight of the aviary, and then it is a pleasure to watch the quick dancing movements, up a slender bough, springing from side to side or hanging head downwards, eagerly scanning the long grass in search of insects. The instant he realises he is being watched there is a flash of crimson and he is gone — to the dark, quiet fir boughs thickly placed at the top of his aviary. The hen is a most entrancing little bird, very lively and comparatively tame. She has the same quick dainty movements as the cock, but does not in the least mind being watched. These birds when they were first imported arrived in fairs, or so-called pairs. I quite realised that the young cock does not assume the red plumage for some time (I believe three years), so it was not a matter of great surprise to me when, in the following spring after their importation, one of my hens turned into acock. Since then another hen has assumed the red plumage, and as I was unable to keep so many cocks, I sold them, and at intervals have heard of them at various great birds shows, causing much admiration and interest. If now I was asked to choose a hen King bird from amongst several apparent hens, I should choose a small bird, not very clearly marked and not a very yellow bill. Both my hen birds, who eventually became cocks, were fine bold birds, large, and I should have said particularly fine hens. The immature cock is not shy, only when he assumes his very brilliant plumage does he become so, a wonderful instinct, and a great protection against birds of prey, etc. These birds have many and varied calls. I thought I knew them all — from the gurgling little song to the long clear call — On the Breeding Habits of Heck's Curassow. 23 but just lately I have heard many other calls, and there has been much excitement in the aviary, the cock constantly displaying to the liens, and all the birds showing that something unusual is taking place. Can it be that this is their breeding season and nesting may be contemplated. Mr. Goodfellow who has seen a nest and eggs of this bird, describes it as composed of small sticks and lined with fibre and placed in low scrubby bushes. As to whether or no they are polygamous is unknown. Mr. Goodfellow thinks it probable; it is certain he says that the hen rears the young birds when hatched, alone, the cock being driven away, but whether or no he nests again with another mate is uncertain. A young bird brought to him by the natives in an almost featherless condition was hand reared by him on hard-boiled egg and banana, for a time, until one of the caged hens took the youngster and com¬ pleted the rearing, feeding entirely on egg and banana. This bird was for over a year in Mr. Astley’s aviaries, and finally returned to mine; it was in perfect health and condition, so there should be no difficulty in rearing the young if the birds nest. There will not be that exhausting drain on both purse and patience which the constant supply of live insects necessitates in the rearing of the young of the majority of insectivorous birds. ON THE BREEDING HABITS OF HECK'S CURASSOW. ( Crax hecki'). By R. I. Pocock, F.R.S., M.B.O.U. Superintendent of the Zoological Society1 s Gardens. Perhaps the most interesting event in bird-breeding during the past summer in the Zoological Gardens has been the hatching and, up to the present time, successful rearing of two Curassows. In the Society’s fine collection of these birds, the Globose Curassow ( Crax globicera ) has been represented for some years by three specimens, a cock and two hens. As is the rule in gallinaceous birds the sexes differ considerably from one another. The cock not only has at the base of the beak a large clear 24 Mr. R. I. Pocock, yellow globular caruncle, whence the technical and trivial names of the species are derived, but is also fairly uniformly black in colour with the belly and vent white. The lieu, on the contrary, which is but little inferior to the cock in size, has no excresence and no yellow upon the base of the beak, and is totally differently coloured. The feathers of the head and upper part of the neck are black with white bars ; the lower part of the neck is black and unbarred, and the black tint gradually fades into the brown black mottled hue which pervades the rest of the body with the exception of the breast and belly which are ruddy-buff. In the compartment of the Eastern A.viary usually occupied by these birds there has also been for some years a hen example of another species of Cnrassow, which was named by Reichenow Crax hecki, in honour of Dr. Heck, the distinguished Director of the Zoological Gardens in Berlin. So far as the colour of the plumage is concerned this is a very different looking bird from the hens of the Globose Curassow. On the head and neck the white predominates to such an extent that the feathers may be described as white with black bars; while those of the upper side of the body are mostly black and brown, barred with white and buff, the lower side being wholly of the latter colour. Yet in spite of the differences between the hen birds, there is no doubt that the two species are nearly allied. Indeed the presence or absence of bars on the feathers of hen Curassows may be an uncertain and deceptive guide to affinity; for. as has been recorded by Mr. Ogilvie-Grant, in the hens of Sclater’s Curassow ( Crax fcisciolata ), of which there is an example now living in the Gardens, the white bars appear to decrease with age whereas, according to Reichenow, they became more pronounced during the two years that the typical example of Heck’s Curassow lived in Berlin. I do not know the meaning of the difference in colour between hen Curassows with white - barred, and those with uniformly darlc-toned plumage. But when one compares the striped hens of Sclater’s and Heck’s Curassows with the un¬ striped dark liued specimens of the Globose and Yarrell’s Curassows exhibited in the Gardens, the suspicion arises that the differences must coincide with some differences of environment on the Breeding Habits of Heck's Curassow. 25 or habit, and probably have a protective, or to be more accurate a procryptic, significance. Perhaps indeed the striped species frequent forests where the foliage is comparatively thin and allows the light to flicker and filter through ; while the unstriped species, may-be, occur in places where the dense foliage shuts- out the light and produces sombre surroundings in harmony with the dusky plumage of the birds. Now our cock Globose Curassow never displayed any special friendliness towards either of the hens of his own species ; but, on the contrary, seemed to be more attracted by the hen of Heck’s Curassow. Why this preference for an alien I do not know. A taste for a variegated pattern of plumage, sexual selectionists might suppose. Possibly ; rather do I suspect, how¬ ever, that the guiding factor in the choice was some subtle sense whereby he learnt that this particular hen was a likely breeder. However that may be, when in 1906 the Curassows were placed for the summer months in our great aviary, this pair bred and a chicken was hatched, which unfortunately did not live for long. While the breeding and incubation were in progress, the pair proved impossible inmates of the aviary where other birds had to be kept. The cock wanted the entire place for himself and his mate, and there was no peace from sunrise to sunset. During 1907 they were left in the Eastern Aviary, and no inclination to pair was evinced by either bird. In the spring of the current year, a compartment of our Northern Pheasantry was set apart for them,, all other birds being excluded except a pair of White-crowned Pigeons, which we thought — wrongly as it turned out — would not interfere with them. Our expectations that they would breed were verified. Towards the end of June the cock bird made a nest of willow twigs up in the branches under the shed at the back of the enclosure ; and in this two eggs, which by the way were white, were laid. But the White-crowned Pigeons also wanted to make use of the nest, and the disturbance caused by the Curassows' resentment of this trespass, resulted, it is believed, in the smash¬ ing of both eggs. I11 any case they were found broken on the nest. This accident was soon remedied. The pigeons were taken away, fresh willow twigs were supplied and were woven into the 26 Mr. R. I. Pocock, nest by the cock, and about a week after the loss of the first eggs, the hen laid a couple more. This was on July 12th. During the first ten days of incubation the hen was frequently off the nest during the day but sat all through the night. After that time she sat close during the day, only leaving her post to feed. The cock, be it noted, although diligent in constructing the nest, took no part in the incubation of the eggs ; nor did he feed his mate while sitting. Early in the morning of the twenty-eighth day after the eggs were laid, that is to say on August 8th, the chicks were found sitting on the edge of the nest, with the ben on the ground below calling upon them to descend. This they soon did, dropping without hurt a height of about five feet, and presumably breaking the fall by means of their wings which were furnished with flight feathers perhaps about an inch long, and resembling in this particular the wings of newly-hatched Brush Turkeys. Their wings however were not strong enough to enable them to get up into the nest again ; and I do not know whether at that time they would have availed themselves, as they did afterwards, of facilities for climbing up, had they been provided. For the first five nights the hen brooded them on the ground. After that she roosted high up on the perch ; and they, left to take care of themselves, roosted on a branch below, but as near to her as they could get. Extra branches were then put in. Of these they at once took advantage, and thereafter climbed to the perch and roosted every night by her side. When the three were about 011 the ground together during the day time the chicks ran to their mother’s wings for shelter in case of alarm or if rain came on, just like the chickens of pheasants or fowls. When food was given to them the hen picked up the pieces in her beak, and in response to her crooning call the chicks ran up and took it from her. Some¬ times she made no attempt to tender the food to them but merely stood still and let the first one that reached her take it. At other times she would deliberately present it to one or the other. This method of feeding the young is intermediate between the method ordinarily practised by rasorinal gallinaceous birds and that adopted by ordinary passerine species. They were fed at first upon mealworms and hard boiled yolk of egg. The white of the egg the mother would not touch. Afterwards they took to 27 on the Breeding Habits, of Heck' s Curassow. vegetable food, and I have frequently seen the mother sum¬ mon them for pieces of bread and broken up ground-nuts given to her by passing visitors. Whether the cock bird would have taken any part in feed¬ ing the chickens I do not know. He had to be taken away because it was impossible to attend to the wants of the hen and Hen of Heck's Curassow, feeding her io -weeks old chick. 28 Mr. R. I. Pocock, •chickens on account of the vigour with which he assaulted the keeper * When six weeks old the chickens were about the size of Partridges, but looked larger on account of the great develop¬ ment of the long feathers of the wings and tail. The crest was showing like a little top-knot on the head. The general colour of the wing feathers was black clouded with brown and speckled and vermiculated with white; the white, by the way, being more abundant in one specimen than in the other. The latter will probably prove to be the cock bird. The back and the head, apart from the incipient crest, still retained the down. Along the ■spine extended a rather broad black-edged brown stripe set off on each side by a dirty white stripe, which was itself bordered externally by a much thinner blackish brown stripe. At the time of writing (October 20th) the chicks, although over ten weeks old and of considerable size, still take food from their mother’s beak, but they peck of their own accord as well. The larger of the two is as big as a Pheasant, and resembles almost exactly the hen of the Globose Curassow, except that the feathers of the well-developed crest are black, with a small white spot at the bottom of each. The other, which is a much ■smaller and altogether more backward bird, takes after its mother 11 colour but has a good deal less white about the head, neck, and wings, and practically none on the interscapular area of the back. This bird appears to be delicate and mopish and less likely to thrive than its twin. Special attention may be drawn to the following facts con¬ nected with the nesting habits of Heck’s Curassow : — 1 The nest is built in a tree, and consists of twigs. .2 The hen does not build it but leaves this task to the cock. 3 The latter takes 110 share in incubation, nor so far as is known in brooding or feeding the chicks. After making the nest his part in domestic affairs appears to be restricted to the expulsion of intruders. * For the details above given of the mode of life of these Curassows during- the three weeks subsequent to the hatching of the eggs, I am indebted to the Society’s Pheasant keeper, Angus Macdonald, who had charge of the birds. I was away from I.ondon at that time, but I place complete reliance upon the trustworthiness of his records, and upon the •dates with which he furnished me. on the Breeding Habits of Heck' s Curassozv. 29 4 The eggs, two in number, are white and rough. 5 The incubation period is twenty-eight days. 6 The wings of the newly hatched young have distinct flight feathers which grow very rapidly. 7 The chicks leave the nest and follow the mother to the ground the first day after hatching. 8 She broods them on the ground for a few nights and at intervals during the day. After this they spend the nights perched by her side on a branch well above the ground, reaching their position by climbing. 9 They feed at first upon insect food, and afterwards take to the diet of their parents. 10 For several weeks they do not peck food from the ground but take it from their mother’s beak. At ten weeks old they feed themselves and are also fed by her. One or two circumstances mentioned in the above given account give me the excuse to introduce a subject connected with bird-breeding which is, I think, of the greatest scientific interest. The Curassows in question furnished an admirable illustration of a phenomenon, familiar no doubt to most aviculturists, but one which is none the less remarkable for all that. I refer to the wonderful extent to which the repro¬ ductive activities of birds appear to be influenced, both in the way of suppression and stimulation by what seem to us to be trivial factors in their environment, factors indeed which the inexperienced would declare to be quite inadequate to produce the results that apparently follow from them. For instance, the pair of Curassows bred in 1906 and in 1908 when a suitable site and nesting materials with which to build were at hand. In 1907 they evinced no sign of even wishing to breed when these desiderata were not available. Again when the first two eggs of 1908 were smashed, the loss was made good in a few days ; and no one will suppose that the second lot would have been pro¬ duced but for the accident which robbed the birds of the first clutch. This suggests that incubation acts upon the organisation of the hen in some way adverse to the development of eggs, and 30 0?i the Breeding Habits of Heck' s Curassow. conversely that the cessation of incubation and of family cares act as a stimulus to the organs concerned in egg-formation, pro¬ vided that the time of the year be favourable. Similarly the breeding of the birds in 1906 and 1908 and their sterility in 1907, under the conditions mentioned above, show that what is true, if true it be, of incubation, is no less true of nidification. The two indeed apparently influence the hen in a manner analogous to that pro¬ duced upon some female mammalia by lactation. But the intimate physiological connection between lactation and reproduction in mammalia brings this phenomenon within the scope of our comprehension. Nidification and incubation on the contrary are merely manifestations of particular instincts; they are occupa¬ tions followed in obedience to certain innate promptings and, as such, fall into the category of psychical not of physiological phenomena. Yet if the supposition be correct that the repro¬ ductive activities are affected by these occupations, the fact con¬ stitutes a problem in physiology which, so far as I know, cannot be quite matched in the mammalia, although an approach to it is seen in the internal effects produced by the emotion of fear or in the stimulus to salivation supplied by the sight of appetising food. I have merely cited nidification and incubation as possible causes in determining the maturation of eggs, because the Curassows furnished the data. I do not doubt that other factors, apart of course from food and bodily health, produce the same apparent results, The question, however, is clearly one for in¬ vestigation ; and perhaps some of my avicultural colleagues may be induced to record their experiences and opinions on the sub¬ ject so that the suggestions above put forward may be finally refuted or confirmed. That the question at issue is worth dis¬ cussion must be admitted ; and I have ventured to draw attention to it in the pages of our magazine largely because it brings us face to face with physiological possibilities of importance outside aviculture and ornithology, and shows that the cult of birds may have a value beyond the gratification of the tastes and interests of those who practise it, beyond even the new facts in natural history it is constantly revealing. On the Breeding of the B lack- cheeked Lovebird. 31 BREEDING OF THE BLACK-CHEEKED LOVEBIRD. Agapornis ?iigrige?iis. By Reginald Phillipps. ( Co7icluded from page 329, Vol. VI.) When I, for the second time, peeped into the log, just a month later (July 23), I found that the nest had been covered over , only a little slit at the extreme back of the roof having been left open, barely large enough, not large enough one might have supposed, to allow of the passage of the birds to and fro. Four eggs were laid, presumably on June 20, 22, 24, 26; thus the complete roofing in of the nest, and the blocking up of the side aperture, would appear to have synchronized with the laying of the fourth egg. On and from the 20th, the female had been sitting so far as her house-building labours had allowed her to, but, on the 26th, was not seen at all — she had commenced to sit in earnest : we now see why she was so anxious to have her work finished off by the 26th. How was the roof supported ? The roof was just below the level of the top of the log — nothing at that time had been placed across the top: all the support was from below. Doubtless, upright sticks, like those already mentioned, acted like pillars and kept it from falling in. But the work must have been per¬ formed with quite remarkable cleverness for, up to the very last, it was perfectly intact, and never once betrayed the slightest sign of weakness. The female pretty frequently carried in additional material, but it was used in keeping the aperture small; for the climbing of the birds, especially of the nestlings, up and down, tended to enlarge the aperture ; and the duty of keeping this hole as small as possible, unquestionably for the purpose of hiding the treasures within, was faithfully attended to so long as a single nestling remained to be concealed — and after ! ! I When I last saw the nest, the aperture was barely large enough to allow of the entrance of a mouse ; the thickness of the roof, too, had been increased — for Mine. Nigrigenis had ulterior motives. There were one or two “pillars” near the entrance hole; and one day I found a sparsedly feathered nestling on the roof, who, boy-like, 32 Mr. R. Phillipps, had climbed up one of the pillars and got out. Some time later, when taking a peep, one youngster, probably the same precocious urchin, three times climbed up this perpendicular stick, hand over hand as it were, and climbed down again in like manner on finding my face so near. Another point that struck me was the large amount of space the nestlings seem to have inside the nest, shewing that the supports must have been few in number — but how firmly they must have been fixed ! The Rosy- faced Lovebird used to sit well on her eggs. The Red-faced Lovebird sat like a stone : I never saw such a creature. I remember well my first experience. The female had entirely disappeared ; and I, supposing that she must be dead, instituted a thorough search for the body. On reaching into a sloping log which was hidden away and difficult of access — and I must have made much noise and shaken the place well — I found a chilly little morsel of feathers inside (the log was too large and the nest of little account), with wings partially out¬ stretched over the eggs. I pulled her out, and she lay on the palm of my open hand, with wings apparently rigidly outspread, like a prepared specimen. I thought she was paralysed and helpless — when suddenly she took wing and flew rapidly away. But the Black-cheeked Lovebird is a very shy sitter ; she seems to be unceasingly expectant of the advent of some deadly forest foe; and this fear is seen reflected in the care with which she endeavours to conceal her eggs and young. In early days, when I crept into the birdroom, I used to notice that invariably she would be sitting in and filling up the side aperture. After this aperture had been closed, she was always to be found crouching on the top of the log, ready to dart off at a moment’s notice ; and even now as I write, in respect of her second nest, although she has learnt to have full confidence in me and never flies, the old instinct prevails, and she is invariably to be found on the top of the log when I enter the room. I have had cases in which the female, not satisfied with the nest, has in a like manner kept watch over the safety of her eggs but never at¬ tempted to incubate them ; and I feared that this might be another such a case ; but one day I did succeed in getting within sight of the log so quietly that I was in time to see her appearing on the Breeding of the Black-cheeked Lovebird. 33 at the top, coming up from the inside, shewing that she had been on the nest until the moment that she became aware of my presence: certainly she is a very watchful bird. She is quite silent during the nesting period, never uttering a sound. The other female, too, who is sitting in the garden, flies quietly and rapidly away if her nest be approached. The male did not assist in the work of incubation. He did not, at that period, give me the impression of being a par¬ ticularly devoted lover; indeed, he looked exceedingly bored, and spent most of his time in the garden, but always sleeping in the birdroom. I do not know that he fed the female while she was sitting, perhaps not ; but he fed her assiduously after the young were hatched. During her first “sitting,” whenever the female went into the garden, she almost always carried a strip of wood or piece of broom back with her to the nest; but in many little ways she is now behaving differently. Perhaps she regards the nest as in¬ capable of improvement — and she never seems to leave it! It was on or about July 15 that I noticed a change in the state of affairs, the apathetic male waking up and becoming more active, and occasionally visiting the birdroom ; on the 23rd, the female commenced to come into the garden, and was fed there. From the 29th, she passed a good deal of time daily out¬ side, away from the nest; but it was not until the 30th that I saw her take food herself. It was 011 July 23 that I first saw a young bird in the nest. One could only see a portion of the inside, but a nestling a few days old was visible. O11 the 26th, I saw two nearly naked little things squatting side by side, like a couple of young pigeons. On the 29th, Mr. Seth-Smith inspected the nest, and reported four young of different ages, all right. On August 4 I first noticed a touch of colour, one sturdy youngster having a pale yellow-red beak. O11 the 12th, the crowns of the nestlings had all the appearance of being fully feathered. By this time, the young birds had become as it were “ con¬ scious” ; and, when I peeped in, I would find the whole lot with their heads and necks extended and stretched straight out along the bottom of the nest, after the manner of Thicknees. From 34 Mr. R. Phiujpps, what natural enemy did instinct teach them to conceal them¬ selves? The females sit on their eggs in fear and trembling, and are ever ready to take refuge in flight. The nestlings, unable to fly, try to save their skins by squatting flat and remaining im¬ movable. Is their hereditary foe to be looked for in the snake or in the monkey tribe ? Perhaps the latter. And here I can pic¬ ture to myself some shallow pated clever-one asking the question, quite innocently of course, “ To what species of monkey did they recognise a resemblance in Mr. Phillipps?” Imbecile , how could it be but to Colobiis caudatus, for is not this species universally acknowledged to be the most handsome of all the handsome monkeys ! On August 13 the two elder, after playing ’possum for a moment, stood boldty up, raising their heads towards the open¬ ing. Along their backs and down their necks there were the usual tracks of feathers, but they were far from being fully covered ; their tails, less than an inch being visible, shewed the subterminal band of black quite well marked, especially in the eldest where the markings were of a deeper black and much more clearly defined. The forehead shewed the colour of the adult, or seemed to ; and the salmon-red patch on the chest was conspicuous. The nostrils were quite covered and hidden ; I could not manage to get a glint of light on to an eye — in the shade of the log, the irides seemed to be quite black. So far as I was able to observe, the young in the nest were practically mute : I never heard them either call for food or audibly respond to its arrival. Once or twice I fancied I heard a sort of whimpering when I took hold of the log — and that is all- I took care, of course, only to approach the nest during the absence of the parents. The first young bird to leave the nest, probably the pre¬ cocious youth already referred to, appeared 011 August 22 ; but, for a few days at any rate, he returned to the nest after a short outing. For some time, the fledgelings regarded the log as a haven of refuge; their first thunder-storm, for instance, sent them cowering back to the log with great precipitancy. No. 2, I think a female, appeared on the 25th. The green of the general plumage of these two birds was at first very dull, but on the Breeding of the Black-cheeked Lovebird. 35 rapidly became brighter, and the flanks yellower ; the breast- patch at first was very bright ; the brown of the forehead ex¬ tended farther back in “A” than in “ B,” and then there came some green or greenish. The black on the sides of the chin seemed to be as deep as in the parents, but only a little colouring extended upwards behind the eyes. The head of B seemed to be broader than that of A, and, although the younger, “ she ” seemed to be the larger bird. But all the differences of shading quickly assumed a dull level — the young and the old, as seen in the garden, became very much alike. Even the yellow in the red of the beaks of the fledgelings seems to have gone. No. 3 had joined the group on the 27th, as usual in the quiet of the early morning; and the fourth and last came out on the following day, carefully tended by one of its parents. I think the latter must have been “ hurried” out of the log, for it was less forward than the others, and was fed by the male for some days after the others were feeding themselves. They quickly took to nibbling at green food, but on and from the 30th the three were feeding on dry seed, &c., with their father. The four young birds are fond of climbing and gambolling about, and, with their father, form a pretty group. They are now, young and old, quite amicably inclined towards the other birds, though often sparring among themselves. And where is mother? Once more she is on her nest, having laid the first egg of a second clutch probably on August 30. She is sitting very steadily, never leaving the birdroom, and has at length come to have such confidence in my integrity that, after climbing up and inspecting me, she will return to her eggs without waiting for me to leave the room. On September 5, noticing from the movements of the odd female that she had nothing of value in her nest, I got a step- ladder and made a hurried examination. On a sheltered sloping shelf, divided into sections, there were three large “ mounds” of various nesting materials, amongst which millet stalks and sticks from the birch brooms were noticeable. I had marked the one from which she had fled, and did not stop to examine the others. As usual, she had slipped quietly from the nest and had dis¬ appeared in the recesses of the “forest” (birdroom). I11 the far Mr. F. H. Blaaw, 36 distance I heard a wailing cry, reminding me of that of the Hobby, under similar circumstances, when there are only eggs or very young nestlings in the nest : but she was disturbing the other sitting female, so I could not linger. The nest proper was low down, in a corner, at the very back of the sheltering heap of stuff, and contained one egg, a glance at which betrayed its con¬ dition. It is rather slender in shape, with prolonged ends, the smaller end being almost pointed, and just a trifle smaller and slimmer in character than are those in my collection of the Red¬ faced Lovebird. This female has not returned to her nest — yet ; but she and the male are always together, and are now quite friendly. September iS : — This female has not returned to her nest, a nest that has been profaned by the hand of man. She is sitting as far away from the spot as possible, in a small travelling cage stuck up in a high corner of the garden aviary. The young birds seem as if they would come to ^a-sf-maturity at an early age; one has been singing regularly for some days. ON THE BREEDING OF SOME BIRDS AT GOOILUST, HOLLAND. By F. E. Blaauw, C.M.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Amongst the birds that have been bred at Gooilust this season the following are, perhaps, worthy of being noticed. My Wattled Plovers {Sarciop horns pectoralis'), which reared a pair of young ones last year, have again laid this season and reared a couple of young ones. The number of eggs was again two, so that I suppose this is the usual number. A pair of Emerald Doves ( Chalcopelia chnlcospilos ) which nested successfully the year before, have again reared a pair of young ones, which have moulted and are in full plumage now. Needless to say that the metallic spots on the wings of all the young ones are green, just as they are in the parents. The old birds are very prolific and have a pair of babies for the third time at the present moment. The chicks, when still on the nest, feel on the Breeding of some Birds at Gooilust, Holland. 37 a cold wet day very much, and often die if the sun is obscured too long. The pretty Turtur humilis is the most prolific and most successful breeder of all the exotic doves I know ; all the summer the broods succeed, one upon the other, and the young ones are nearly always reared. A pair of Sonnerat’s Jungle Fowl was very successful in its breeding operations, and I succeeded in rearing ten chicks, which proved to be five cocks and five hens. The hen laid three times, each clutch consisting of four eggs. The first two clutches I took away and put under bantam hens, whilst I left her the third clutch on which she sat herself, hatching four chicks. One of these died and the other three are now nearly half grown. The two first clutches produced seven chicks which are now almost full grown. The chicks are beautifully marked with rich chestnut markings on orange yellow and are reared on antsr eggs. The cocks of these two earliest broods are now assuming their full dress plumage. The waxy yellow spots of the back are the first to appear, and are almost complete now ; in the oldest birds the ornamental neck feathers and those of the tail are now only just beginning to sprout. The old cock when moulting after the breeding season is over, does not get his yellow-spotted neck feathers in the first instance, but assumes a sort of eclipse plumage, the new neck feathers being short and plain grey. At the present moment (Sept. 8th) the cock is assuming his breeding or nuptial dress, and all his ornaments are growing again. Incubation lasts 18-19 days. Amongst the Waterfowl that bred here I may mention the breeding of a pair of Golden Eyes (Clangula glaucion , Linn). The birds had been on my pond six or seven years, but in May last the female laid for the first time. She laid three beautiful green eggs in two boxes placed on poles in the water, but did not sit herself, so that the eggs had to be hatched by a domestic hen. The three eggs hatched, but one chick died the first day, the two others growing into a fine pair of young birds which are now full 38 On the Breeding of some Birds at Gooilust, Holland. grown. I believe this is the first instance of Golden Eyes having bred in captivity. The White-eyed Ducks ( Nyroca ferruginea) were not so successful this year as usual, many eggs being clear. Amongst the geese I may mention three fine Orinoco Geese ( Chenalopex jubata') which have been reared under a domestic hen, and are the offspring of a pair which were born here some eight years ago. Tittle Orinoco chicks are beautifully marked with black stripes and spots on a yellowish ground, with rich brown shading between the two colours. Ashy-headed ( Bernicla poliocephala') and Ruddy-headed Geese ( B . rubidiceps) raised a couple of broods. The female of a pair of Lesser White-fronted Geese laid one single egg, shaped much like a German sausage, and sat on it until it burst. Needless to say that nothing could possibly have come of it. My Sandwich Island Geese bred so very early this year that most of the eggs were spoiled by the frost, so that only two chicks hatched on a bitterly cold day. One of them died, but the other one lived and is now quite full grown. It has even moulted into the adult plumage. I have now four pairs of these rare geese. Tike last year and the year before my pair of White-necked Cranes bred two chicks, but this year I was not so successful as usual in rearing them. One died when quite small on a cold day, and the second one, when about two feet high, stuck fast in the mud of the pond, broke both its wings struggling to get out, and died a couple of days later. The White Indian and Australian Cranes both laid, but the eggs did not hatch. On Geotrygoji chrysia. GEOTRYGON CHRYSIA. 39 A short time back I received from Mr. H. D. Astlejr a letter asking me if I could find out for him the name of a dove he had lately received along with a pair of Blue-headed Pigeons ; as these latter come from Cuba the probability was that the unknown dove also came from there. A drawing of the head showed that the bird belonged to the genus Geotrygoji , and as only two or three species inhabit Cuba I soon found out that it was the species known as chrysia. About a fortnight later a small parcel arrived, containing the somewhat mangled remains of the bird. I was able to have a skin made of it, so that I could take it to the Museum to be sure that it was identified correctly. It is a very rare bird, only three skins are at South Kensington, and what was interesting to find out was that one of them had formerly lived in the Zoo¬ logical Gardens, so that this is probably the second time this beautiful bird has been imported alive. No mention of “ chrysia ” will be found in the “ List of Animals,” so that the specimen at the Gardens probably was entered under the name montana , by which this species has often been called. It is rather a small bird, not being much larger than the well known Red Ground Dove ( G . montana), in fact Mr. Astley’s Bird is actually smaller than a specimen I have of montana, but one of the skins in the Museum was a good deal larger and brighter coloured. In colour the wings are light chestnut, the head and neck are glossed with metallic green and violet re¬ flections, whilst the mantle is adorned with the most brilliant metallic purple ; a whitish band passes under each eye, the chin and throat are also whitish, the breast is vinous. It is a pity that this group of Ground Doves is not more freely imported, as nothing can exceed the brilliant metallic hues of many of the species. Mr. Astley’s bird was sexed as a female. In life its bill had a curious downward curve, but this is not borne out by the Museum birds, so was probably the result of an accident. It is also known from Haiti, the Bahamas and Florida Keys. T. H. Newman. 40 Mr. T. H. Newman, NESTING OF THE PARTRIDGE BRONZEWING PIGEON. Geophaps script a. By T. H. Newman, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (i Concluded from page 343, Vol. VI). To return to the history of the second young one. July 13th was very wet, the young bird was sitting under the shelter, it spends most of its time there if the weather is not fine, but seems to prefer sitting ou the grass among the shrubs when fine. It ran into the flight when I went into the aviary, some time later I heard it chirping among some ivy, soon it came into sight, and one of its parents ran to it and seemed to talk to it for a minute or two, in the way these Pigeons do, and as the young one wanted to be fed, uttered a low note (all Pigeons seem to have a special note when about to feed their young) which was heard by the elder young one which was some distance off; it ran up and the parent fed both at once., The young do not flap their wings much when being fed, though they are sometimes quivered a little. The old bird then left the young ones, which remained sitting facing one another ; the elder bird pecked a grain or two of seed, which remained sticking to the bill of the 3'ounger. The second bird was now seventeen days old and about the size of a small Quail, the white markings 011 the face were getting quite conspicuous and the white stripes on the side of the breast were beginning to show. The young bird at this stage chirps very like a young game bird, a sort of soft twitter, though it can be heard some distance off; the chirping note is replaced by a more pigeon-like squeak when being actually fed. If the young wander about much one wonders how the parents find them when in the wild state, they are certainly very active and the old birds do not keep by the young. A pair of young which have lately left the nest seem to keep constantly together, though they move from place to place, and their parents seem to keep a watchful eye on them. July 14th. The young one was very active stretching and flapping its wings ; it was pecking about ou a sanded path a good deal. Its tail was short, just reaching beyond tip of wings, very on the Nesting of the Partridge Bronzewing Pigeon. 41 unfledged and bare under its wings and on sides of body, and a bare space without feathers on each side of upper surface of head. It does not seem able to fly yet ; when jumping down about two feet it only seemed just able to break its fall, though the quills are well developed. The green speculum of the adult is represented by blackish feathers only washed with green. July 16th. Young one growing fast: tail beginning to lengthen and showing beyond the wings. July 20th. Twenty-four days old, beginning to fly, saw it flutter about four feet up wire netting ; it is getting wilder, still very bare under wings and on sides of top of head, both egg teeth still in position. July 2 1st. Young one walks about more like its parents when frightened squats down beside a clump of grass, etc., but runs away as soon as it thinks itself unobserved. One of the old birds offered to feed it, but it did not seem hungry ; the elder young bird came running up and was fed, though it was now two mouths old and nearly as big as its parents. July 24th. Second young one is four weeks old and has got the proportions of the adult bird, as its wings and tail have grown. The white marks on the face are as conspicuous as in the adult; it is about half the size of its parents. The feathers are coming on the sides of the head and are nearly ready to burst their sheaths ; white line behind eye now very plain ; chin, throat and space a little below eyes and ears still almost bare of feathers, both egg teeth in place but becoming very worn and small \ sides of body and under surface of wings very bare, but feathers coming. When frightened it flies strongly for several yards. July 28th. Very vigorous and able to fly well ; feathers on side of head very nearly full grown, a black row of feathers has appeared over each eye, more white feathers on throat, but chin and sides of lower mandible quite bare, bare skin greyish flesh colour ; egg tooth from upper mandible gone, lower one still in place, but seems now almost to project from end of mandible, so near to tip is it ; underneath wings still showing bare skin but many feathers nearly full grown. July 29th. The young resembles its parents in shape and proportion, but is fully a third smaller, the tail also appears 42 Mr. T. H. Newman, longer in proportion ; chin and throat still very bare, the bare skin extends in a line down centre of throat and branches off on each side, in a line extending to a point under each ear ; this bare space is edged with white and is all white in the adult. The primaries are already being renewed, the tenth (innermost) is nearly an inch long and the ninth has just been dropped ; lower egg tooth still retained. August 5th. Young one growing very plump, central portion of under surface of wing still bare ; chin and base of bill to eye quite bare of feathers, bare skin dark purplish grey, eighth primary (new feather) showing plainly but not yet burst its sheath, the first primary in each wing (first feather) is still growing, tail feathers seem to be full grown, feathers on top of head are now quite long and practically full grown ; skin round the eye getting white, just a speck of lower egg tooth left, the rest seems to have been worn away. August nth. Young one now between six and seven weeks old, growing, though still very far from being full grown, chin more covered with young white feathers in sheath ; sides of lower mandible and space between bill and eye still quite bare without any trace of feathers. A general moult is now in pro¬ gress, numerous new feathers, especially 011 the breast are com¬ ing up between the first feathers, some being half grown, tenth (new) primary full grown, ninth about half grown, last trace of egg tooth has disappeared, the central tail feathers, basal half of the others and upper tail coverts are freckled with light brown. In the adult these parts are solid brown, the first plumage is very similar to the adult, the chief difference being that all the brown feathers of the upper surface are indistinctly vermiculated with light brown, the edges are paler as in the full grown bird, which has these feathers solid brown with lighter tips, the breast of the young bird is not so grey, and the speculum on the wing is a mixture of brown and black, the black portion being tinged with green but not like the bright metallic glossy green of the adult. This brings my notes on the second young bird to an end, so I will now go back to the first young one hatched on May 23rd. O11 the 7th of July it was between six and seven weeks old, just at the age at which we left No. 2. It was very like its on Nesting of the Partridge Bronzewing Pigeon. 43 parents but slimmer, so that the tail seemed longer in proportion, it rather reminded me of a pea-chick. On July 24th, nearly nine weeks old, it was perched on a thick triangular perch about a couple of feet off the ground with the old cock bird ; it seemed in a playful mood, it jumped from one side to the other several times, after each jump it drew itself up stiffly, all the time the feathers on the crown were erected so as to form quite a crest. Presently it flew to the ground and up again, standing in front of its parent with feathers of crest and back rather raised, it lowered and raised itself several times in quick succession ; it did this two or three times, the old cock cooed to it with the usual three notes. I have never seen the old birds indulge in these antics, they may be the actions of the female when courting. Hen doves and pigeons often show off to the cock bird when mating in a way seldom seen at other times, from this I take this elder bird to be a hen. It was still being fed as I saw five days later; it was now only very little smaller than its parents, but still slimmer looking. In colour it is almost the same, just a shade greyer in tone, the crest seems distinctly longer than in the adult. Does this show that the ancestors of Geophaps were crested like the closely allied Plume- doves ( Lophophaps ) ? August 1st. Ten weeks old, it was now practically as large as its parents, the skin round the eye had turned bluish white as in the adults, four primaries had nearly been renewed, and about six of the green speculum feathers had been grown,, beginning at the end nearest the body, the two central tail feathers had been moulted and were just starting to grow again,, many of the small body and wing feathers had been renewed. August 5th. The eldest young bird has filled out and now seems as plump as its parents. August nth. Between eleven and twelve weeks old it has now moulted most of its small body feathers, a few of the first feathers remain about the middle of the scapulars and are dis¬ tinguished by their mottled ends and faded lighter tips, the sixth primary is growing, seventh to tenth have been renewed, second¬ aries just beginning to be moulted, central tail feathers about two thirds grown, the next pair have been shed, the green speculum 44 On Nesting of the Partridge Bronze-wing Pigeon. is now complete, the feathers round base of bill are fully de¬ veloped. The colours of the soft parts are : iris , dark brown ; skin round eye bluish white, slightly tinged with green behind and •carmine in front of eye ; bill, dark brown, dusted with greyish at base and on cere; feet, scales purplish grey, soles, back of tarsus and joints of scales ashy ; claws, dark brown. Its actions remind me very much of a pea-hen when walking slowly, on turning, the tail is often bent to one side, just as I have seen pea fowls do, .and when running the head is held very high, the neck being stretched out to its full length, while the wings are drooped and ■the tail is slightly raised, being kept tightly folded. On the 1 2th and 14th July two eggs were laid in different parts of the aviary, the birds made no attempt to sit. O11 the 15th I put the eggs under some other doves: on the 20th one was cracked and the other deserted. I put the sound egg under -another pair; it hatched 011 August 1st. Incubation again seven¬ teen days, counting from July 15th when the egg was set. This young one was never properly fed, as I had not got any birds which were due to hatch about this date, and on August 4th I found it on the ground, dead some hours. It is this bird that I sent to the Museum. On July 21st and 23rd the hen again laid in her old nest, and on August 8th two young were hatched, being the sixteenth day of incubation. I am afraid the above notes read like a collection of statistics, but I thought it best to put them down in full, so that there can be no excuse in the future for not knowing what the 37oung of Geophaps are like. I have no reason to doubt that the young birds were quite normal in every way, they seemed per¬ fectly strong and healthy from the very first, and the conditions under which the birds are kept, in a large aviary, with grass, -growing shrubs, with stones and thick branches to perch on, are sufficiently like their natural habitat not to materially interfere with the habits of the species. We have traced the young from the egg until it is virtually full grown. I11 summing up I do not think that anything has been noticed to merit this group being separated from the more typical Pigeons. The mode of incubation thoroughly accords with that 'Of other members of the group Columbce, the young when hatched 0?i my Visit to Australia. 45 resemble other pigeons ; true they leave the nest and run actively at an early age, but this is to be expected in the young of such a terrestrial species. It would be very unsafe for the young to remain helpless on the ground for a lengthy period. Though the young leave the nest so small they take a long time, over two months, to attain full growth. The unexpected points were the discovery of a second egg tooth, which is retained apparently till it becomes worn away, and the fact that the young begin to inoult before the first plumage is complete, so that by the time the bird has reached its full size it has also attained its adult plumage. I have not heard of any young ones being hatched in this country since those whose fate we were reminded of last year. In P.Z.S., 1892, p. 77, we read that one of the young “about fourteen days old . . . was actually killed by falling from a slight elevation.” This would be about the time the young bird would naturally wish to leave its nest, but from the description of the young I do not think they were so strong as mine, doubtless owing to their having been hatched under Bar¬ bary Doves. Young were reared in Melbourne Zoo in 1904. NOTES ON MY VISIT TO AUSTRALIA. By David Seth-Smith, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. [Continued from page 313, Vol. VI). O11 January 22nd I had the pleasure of meeting our member Mr. C. B. Horsbrugh at Perth, who was on his way to New Guinea in quest of living Birds of Paradise. Much to my regret he had been unable to book his passage in time to travel out to Australia with me, and had followed by the next mail-steamer. We went round the Perth Zoo together in company with Mr. L. Le Souef, and in the afternoon went to Fremantle where Mr. Horsbrugh rejoined his ship and Mr. Le Souef and I sought out Mr. Wallace’s collection of birds, etc., which he had been getting together to take home. After some trouble we discovered him in a small house in a back street. Two rooms of the house were occupied with numerous large cages containing a wonderful col¬ lection of Parrakeets and Finches, Kingfishers, Honeyeaters and Doves ; in the back premises were Wallabies and Lizards, while 46 Mr. D. Skth-Smith, the back garden was used as a run for Emus. I am glad to hear that Mr. Wallace had good luck in bringing this interesting collection home. .The following day Mr. E. A. Le Souef and I started for the forest country of the Margaret River district, celebrated for its wonderful limestone caves, where we expected to be rewarded by the sight of many interesting birds. We left Perth early in the morning and travelled due south to Busselton, a small seaside town, about one hundred and fifty miles from our starting point, the journey occupying the greater part of the day. I was ever on the look out for birds as we journeyed along. We passed through many miles of country where every tree in sight was leafless and dead, a truly dreary sight, but one dear to the eyes of the settlers, for it means that the forest trees have all been ring-barked and thus killed for the purpose of converting the forest into rich pasture land. A small party of seven or eight Budgerigars ( Melopsittacus undulatus ) flew along parallel with the train for a short distance, giving me the only view I ever had of this familiar little Parrakeet in an absolutely wild state. As we approached the end of our train journey, many birds were seen from the carriage windows. Bee-eaters ( Merops ornatus) were sitting on the telegraph wires and hawking for insects, the railway embankments being favourite nesting sites of theirs. Honey-eaters, Friar-birds, Wood-Swallows and “ Magpies ” were seen, the latter being quite numerous. We reached Busselton about six o’clock in the evening, but still had a drive of some thirty-five miles before us. We decided that it would be best to get this over the same evening as the time at our disposal was limited. My companion had given instructions for a telegram to be sent ordering a carriage to be ready for our drive, but this had either been forgotten or had miscarried, and we had considerable difficulty in finding a conveyance of any kind. However, the local chemist had a buggy and two good horses, but these had already had one long journey that day and were not fresh enough for another run of thirty-five miles, but we were told that by going a longer way round we could change horses at Yallingap, where one of the caves is situated, and there is a Government accommodation house. on his Visit to Australia. 47 This route added ten miles further to our journey, but it was a beautiful evening, and we knew that a few hours later the moon, which was almost full, would be up, so we looked forward with considerable pleasure to a long midnight drive. After an excel¬ lent dinner at the well-equipped hotel I joined some of the^hotel visitors in a turn at “ diabolo,” until our buggy arrived. We left Busseltou about eight o’clock, our two steeds pull¬ ing us along at a good pace in spite of their having already had a twenty mile run the same day ; but it is extraordinary what these Australian horses will do. The grass on all sides appeared to me to be absolutely burnt up, hardly a green blade being anywhere visible, yet its quality is such that sheep fatten wondrously upon it, and horses, fed on nothing else, look sleek and fit, and will accomplish journeys which very few English horses, though fed on the best of corn, could approach. We had not gone far before I noticed a large owl-like bird hawking about in the gloaming, which, on our approach, flew on to the top of a telegraph pole and there remained motionless, neither did it move when we drove right past it, and I perceived that it was a Frogmouth ( Podargus ), one of the most interesting of Australian birds. Our driver, with the characteristic instinct of the colonial, remarked that it was a pity we had not a gun with us ! We had a small rifle in our baggage, but we did not tell him so, and the bird, which I admit I wished I had been able to capture alive, was left in peace. From the pasture land which stretched away on either side of the road we heard the wee-loo zvee-loo of the so-called Peewit, the Australian Stone Curlew or Thick-knee Plover f. Burhinus grallarius), and the zno-poke of the Boobook Owl was heard in the distance. We reached the half-way house of our drive about 11.30 p.m. where we waited about twenty minutes to change horses. Mr. Le Souef and I left the buggy and strolled into the precincts of the accommodation house, where the barking of a dog roused the attendant from his bed on the verandah. There was, of course, no time to see the cave, neither could the attendant be expected to show it to us at that time of night, though he told 11s something of its wonders. I questioned him as to whether he ever saw Black Cockatoos in the neighbourhood, and he assured 48 Mr. D. Seth-SmiTh, me that hardly a day passed without one or more flocks passing overhead ; only that afternoon he had seen a large flock. We resumed our journey about midnight, the moon having just risen, without which we could hardly have proceeded, as the road here became a mere track through the forest of huge eucalyptus trees. There were numbers of Opossums in this forest but, al¬ though the moon shone brilliantly, it was extraordinarily difficult to see them, and I doubt if I should have seen any had not my companion, whose eyes were as sharp as a bushman’s, pointed them out to me. A small excrescence would appear on the side of a tree trunk, and this would very rapidly ascend until it reached the branches where it would generally disappear alto¬ gether, hiding behind some limb. Mr. Le Souef was very anxious to try a shot at one with a small rifle he had brought with him, but however easy it may be to pot these little creatures with a shot gun, to shoot them with a rifle at night, when it is impossible to see the sights of one’s weapon is a totally different matter. The shot had no effect so far as the bullet was concerned, but the report was answered by loud cries of gnoolark gnoolark as a party of Black Cockatoos ( CalyptorhyucJnis baudiui ), disturbed from their rest in the tree tops, took flight. For mile after mile we continued through the forest, and reached our destination at 3 a. m., our arrival being heralded by the loud barking of dogs which awakened a trusty old servant known as “ Dutcliy,” who turned out and conducted us to the house where, late as the hour was, our kind hostess welcomed us and provided us with comfortable quarters. The next morning we were out fairly early for a long walk in the forest. A family party of small grey Fantails {Rhipidura preissi) were busy capturing flies around some stables, taking no notice of our presence; most graceful little birds are these, con¬ tinually drooping their wings and their tails outspread swaying from side to side. The party consisted of the two old birds and three young ones, the latter being constantly fed with flies by their parents. Western Australia must be almost unsurpassed for the beauty of its wild flowers at the right season, that is in the winter on his Visit to Australia. 49 and early spring. In the hot dry summer vegetation is practically dormant. At the time of my visit I was able to form some slight idea, by the number of withered seed pods, of what the flowers had been. As it was, the blue Lobelia was growing everywhere and the ground in places was carpeted with maiden-hair fern. A fox- terrier which accompanied us started a monitor Lizard, locally known as a “guano,” which hurriedly scampered up the trunk of a large eucalyptus, carefully keeping on the opposite side of the tree to where we were. These lizards grow to a very large size, some measuring as much as six feet in length. A bird which interested me considerably, and which was common in the forest country was the Leaden Crow-Shrike {Strepera plwnbea), known in the district as the “ Squeaker,” a name which suits it well. It is about the size of a Piping Crow, of a dull black colour, the tail-feathers being broadly tipped with white. It is shy and very noisy and disliked by the settlers on account of its partiality for fruit. However I am told that, if taken from the nest and hand-reared, Squeakers make most delightful and intelligent pets. During the heat of the day practically no birds were to be seen or heard, but in the afternoon a great change took place, and bird life was much in evidence. We heard the uumistakeable and frequently repeated cry of the Black Cockatoo, at first in the far distance and then nearer, until a party of more than twenty of these magnificent birds passed within a hundred yards of us, their white ear-patches showing very conspicuously. They passed on over the tops of the trees and settled on the leafless branches of some huge forest giants which had undergone the process of ring-barking. We soon heard others approaching and, within a very short space of time, three or four parties of Calyptorhyncluis baud ini had passed us. They are very noisy birds ; their cry, which sounds like “ gnoolark,” being constantly uttered as they fly, and also when settled, if danger is suspected. These birds are very rarely kept in captivity in Australia, and most of the settlers go so far as to assert that they cannot be kept, a statement which however is by no means correct. Nevertheless there is undoubtedly a great difficulty in getting newly-caught birds, or young birds taken from the nest, to feed ; and this fact 50 On his Visit io Australia. made me very anxious to ascertain exactly as to what constituted the chief food of these birds in a wild state. I therefore shot a specimen the following day and opened its crop, which contained one mass of large whitish grubs, and nothing besides. These grubs live under the bark of dead or dying Eucalyptus trees, those that have been killed by ring-barking showing, as a rule, clear evidence of the work of the Black Cockatoos, the bark being torn off in strips. The very handsome Yellow-collared or “Twenty-eight” Parrakeet (Barnardius semitorquat7is') was constantly i 11 evidence, and at times the call-note, sounding like “ twenty-eight ” was frequently uttered. Most of those I saw were in pairs, and on two occasions I saw the cocks showing off to, by slightly droop¬ ing the wings and spreading the tail, and feeding their mates. As we walked across some swampy ground, thickly covered with wattle-scrub, through which the tracks of Wallabies ran in every direction, we flushed a pair of Brush Bronze-wing Pigeons (Phaps elega?is) from almost under our feet; they flew with low rapid flight and were soon lost to sight in the forest beyond. A large grey Friar Bird or Leather-head was next seen, perched on a leafless bough, but it did not allow of very close approach. A family party of White-browed Wood-Swallows ( Artanms super ciliosus) interested me very much. The country where we found them was fairly open, the ground covered with low scrub, and here and there medium-sized trees. The old birds were constantly taking short flights after insects with which they re¬ turned to the branches of one of these trees and fed the chicks. The flight of these birds is very graceful and pretty. (To be continued). Nightjars Breeding in Captivity. 5i NIGHTJARS BREEDING IN CAPTIVITY. The Field , of October 17th, publishes an interesting account of the breeding in captivity of a pair of Nightjars belonging to Dr. 0. Heinroth of Berlin, who, with the able assistance of Mrs. Heinroth, keeps a good collection of native insectivorous birds. I11 November 1906, a male bird was obtained which had been fed entirely by being crammed, a practice which had to be continued for nearly a month, when it commenced to take food presented to it with tweezers, and finally was per¬ suaded to take food from the ground. During the spring of last year this bird tried to make a nest, and its owner did his utmost to procure a mate for it. In July two young birds were obtained, which proved to be a pair. Of these the male was sent to the Frankfort Zoo, as the original male would not agree with it. The remaining pair were kept in a large cage during the night and morning, but were allowed the free flight of Dr. Heinroth’s study or dining¬ room during the rest of the day. Pairing took place at the end of May, and the male com¬ menced to form a nesting place on a peccary-skin rug in the dining-room, by twisting round and round and scraping with his feet. Eggs were laid on the 2nd and 4th of June, the female sitting well, her place being taken by the male when she left to obtain food. Incubation lasted sixteen and a quarter days, both eggs hatching successfully. The young were fed by the parents by the latter inserting their bills as far as the nostrils into those of the chicks. Both young were successfully reared as were a second brood of two, hatched in July, incubation in this case occupying nearly two days longer than in the previous instance owing to the birds leaving the eggs for longer periods. These Nightjars are described as being extraordinarily tame. 52 Correspondence. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. PROLIFIC BUDGERIGARS. Sir, — I starLed an aviary last spring, but so far have only tried Budgerigars. I reared about 60 this year from four pairs. One bird had ten eggs in the setting and brought off nine young birds successfully ; as far as I can hear this is a record, and if you think so it might interest readers of the Magazine. W. H. Workman. [We have known of a case in which ten young birds were reared from one nest, the eggs being all laid by the same bird. — Ed.] PRECOCIOUS PARROT FINCHES. Sir, — Is not this something of a record ? I had five young Parrot- Fiuclies hatched on June \\th. They are all now fully moulted and like their parents. I removed them to another aviary to give their parents a chance of a second brood. Two of these young ones have built a nest and it now has two eggs in it. Is this a record ? W. R. TkMPTE. THE BREEDING OF THE PARTRIDGE TINAMOU. Sir, — I was at the Natural History Museum yesterday and from skins produced to me by the authorities there it is clear that my Tinamous are not really “ perdicaria ” but “ NolhoprocLci maculosa.'" I think it best to let you know this at once and I feel that I owe the Council an apology for the mistake. At the same time I never had the slightest doubt until yesterday as to the name “ perdicaria" being correct — especially as the Birds have a very Partridge-like appearance. As there seem to be between sixty' and seventy different sorts of Tinamous — most of them very little known — a mistake is not surprising, particularly' when the best books on the subject are only obtainable by the experts. Whether or not it will be well to have a note on the matter in next month’s Magazine is of course for you to say'. I should be very sorry to mislead anyone. C. Barnby Smith. [Several of the species of Tinamous so closely resemble one another that unless one can actually' compare specimens with properly identified skins it is very difficult to be sure of the species ; and it is hardly surprising that such a mistake should have occurred. In the last number it was announced that a Medal had been granted to Mr. Barnby Smith for rearing young of Nothoprocta perdicaria , the Medal however was not ready' when the above letter was received so lias been withheld. The Society' s Medal. 53 In the ninth edition of the Zoological Society’s “ List of Vertebrates ” there is an entry to the effect that an example of IV. maculosa was “ Bred in. the Menagerie, July 2nd, 1SS8.” — Ed.] THE BLACK-CHEEKED LOVEBIRD. Sir, — In the last number of the Avicultural Magazine, Mr. Hubert D. Astlev believes that Mr. Pliiliipps and himself are the only possessors of specimens of Agapornis nigrigenis. Allow me to state that I saw recently two pairs in the Zoological Gardens of Berlin and that I myself am the happy owner of another pair. Gooilust, Oct. 17, 190S. F. E. Blaauw. FORTHCOMING BIRD SHOW. Sir, — May I be permitted, as a member of your Society and chairman of the Loudon Cage Bird Association, to direct the attention of your ex¬ hibiting members to the forthcoming show of the L.C.B.A. at the Royal Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster, on Dec. 4th and 5th next. I shall be happy to furnish particulars to any one applying to me. 27, Be/grave Road, S.IV. T. Milder. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. Referring to the Medal that it was decided to award to Mr. Barnby Smith for breeding Nothoprocta pendicaria (Vol. VI., p. 348); from a note in our correspondence columns it will be seen that the birds were wrongly identified, and the Medal has consequently been withheld. O11 page 257, (Vol. VI.), Mr. Teschemaker gave an account of the successful breeding in his aviaries of the Dwarf Ground Dove ( Chamcepelia griseola), and it seems probable that this species had not previously been bred in captivity in the United Kingdom. At page 337. Mr. Newman commenced his account of the successful rearing of young of the Partridge Bronze-wing Pigeon (Geophaps scripta). Two specimens of the species were hatched at the Zoo. in 1891, but the records of the Zoological Society show that these were incubated by Barbary Doves and were not reared so probably Mr. Newman is the first ta rear this species successfully in this country. On page 345 Mr. C. Barnby Smith records the successful nesting in liis aviaries of the Black Francolin (Francolinus vulgaris ) a species which, very possibly, has not before reared young in captivity in the United Kingdom. 54 Post Mortem Examinations . It is proposed to award Medals in each of the above cases. Should any member or reader know of a previous instance of any of the above species having reared young in the United Kingdom it is requested thatthe Hon. Secretary may be immediately communicated with. A NATURE STORY FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. We have received from Messrs. Witherby & Co. a book entitled “The Changeling.” It is from the pen of a well-known naturalist, Sir Digby PiGOTT, and describes the adventures of the hero, a small boy with a love for natural history, who, under fairy guidance, proceeds to the haunts of birds and beasts, himself changed into one of them, and has many thrilling adventures. The book is delightfully written, and the habits of the creatures dealt with are faithfully portrayed; it is also well illustrated and will prove a great delight to all boys and girls who are fond of natural history. It can be obtained from Messrs. Witherby & Co., 326, High Holborn, W.C. for 2/6. POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. RULES. Each bird must be forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and post¬ age paid, direct to Mr Arthur Gill, Lanherne, Bexley Heath, Kent, and must be accompanied by a letter containing the fullest particulars of the case, and a fee of 1/- for each bird If a reply by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclosed. Domestic poultry, pigeons and Canaries can only be repotted on by post. ScarekT Tanager. (Mrs. Noble.) This bird died of apoplexy, there being extensive cerebral haemorrhage. Answered by post : His Grace the Duke of Bedford. Captain J. W. H. SeppinGS. Mr. E. G. B. Meade-Wai.do. Mr. W. H. ST. QuinTin. Mr. Gerard Gurney. Mr. H. D. ASTEFY. Arthur Gibe. III. Noticbs to Members — (Continued from page ii. of covert. NEW MEMBERS. Lieut. N. G. B. Hashed ; King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry ; 3rd B11. Egyptian Army, Khartoum. Mr. G. Blaine; Wiiitedale, Hambledon, Hants. Mr. OLIVER J. CALLEY ; Figlieldean Vicarage, Salisbury. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Mr. W. Percival WastelL, F.L.vS. ; Chester House, Wilbury Road, Lethworth, Herts. Proposed by the H011. Business Secretary. Mr. Hugh Buxton ; Fritton Hall, Norfolk. Proposed by Mr. W. H. ST. QuinTin. Mr. Maurice Amsler ; High Street, Eton. Proposed, by Mr. W. R. TEMPLE- Mr. Louis J. Arrighi; Harrison View, Watson Crescent, Edinburgh. Proposed by Mr. GEORGE Carrick. ILLUSTRATION FUND. The Council acknowledge with many thanks the following donations. s. d. Captain Perreau 4 6 Rev. Father McGee 9 6 Mrs. Hartley 10 0 MEMBERS’ 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. j Advertisements must reach the Editor on or before the 26th of the mo7ith. The Council reserve the right of refusing any advertisement they may consider undesirable. Owing to lack of room— Young Francolins and Tinamous, also young jcock Satyra Trapogau, all home reared. Barnby Smith ; Two large aviary-bred Virginian cock Cardinals, flying in large out- |iloor aviary with small birds, over moult. 40/- each ; two handsome Yellow Siskin-Canary mules, singing, 12/6 each. M. Hawke; Wighill Park, 'l'adcaster. ( Continued on opposite page). JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. _ _ _ _ _ ' 1 I < THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. TROWER & CO., WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS, 442, 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 ether Shows. PRICE LIST. SAMPLES FREE. Mealworms, Ants’ Eggs, Dried Flies, etc., of the finest quality. SPECIALITIES “ CECTO,” the best Insectivorous Food on the Market, 1/4 per lb. Ground Silk Worm Pupae, imported at frequent intervals from Italy. new series. Vol. VI I . No 2 DECEMBER, 1908 *-*> ■CONTENTS. O- Notes oil Rock Ptarmigan, Harlequin Duck, etc., with plate, by C. Barnby Smith Prince Rudolph’s Bird of Paradise, by Sir William Ingham, Bart. Rambles among- the Wild Birds, No. V., by the Rev. P. I,. Blathwayt, M.B.O.U. A Novice's Aviaries, with photographs, by W. R. Tkmpi.k Notes on My Visit to Australia, bv David Ski h -Smith, P.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Notices of Nkw Books, etc. : Foreign Birds for Cage and Aviary . 78 Bird Migration ... ... ... ... ... ••• 79 Haagner on South African Birds of Prey . 79 The Emu . . . 80 CORKE-SPONDBNCK ! Destruction of Bird I.ife at lighthouses, 8i ; “ The Breeding Habits of Heck’s Curassow,” 8i ; An Escaped Rifle Bird, 82. Post mortem Examinations . A . 82 LONDON : R. H. PORTER, 7, Princes St., Cavendish Square, W. NOTE — A new volume commences every November. MONTH LY Price Is- 6d Members' Annual Subscription, 10 payable in advance. THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. n "" All Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Seoretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the Avicuetural SOCIETY 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 jst 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. 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. D. Seth-Smith, 14, Canning Road, Addiscombe, Surrey. All Queries respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A. G. Bu'i'EER, 124. Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. All other correspondence , and Subscriptions , should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary, Mr. T. H. Newman, Newlands, Harrowdene Road, Wembley, Middlesex. Any change of address should be at once 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 be addressed to the Hon. Correspondence Secretary and should contain a penny stamp. Those marked “ Private ” will not he published. The Magazine is published by Mr. R. H. PORTER (7, Princes Street. Cavendish Square, W.) to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers, and bound volumes (accompanied by remittance) should be addressed. Casas for binding Vol. VI., New Series, of the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side) can be obtained from the Publisher, post free and carefully packed, at 1/6 each ; or the Publisher will undertake the binding of the Volume for 2/6, plus 8d. for packing and postage. All orders must be accompanied by a remittance in full ; and members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. BOUND COPIES OF THE “ A VICULTU R AD MAGAZINE." The following can be obtained from the Publisher 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 ; 12 6 each to the public. Vol. VIII., 14/- to members ; 17/6 to the public. Vols. I. to IV., New Series, (sets only £4 »et to members; ^5 to the public. Vol. II. 16/- ,, 21/- ,, Vol. III. 16/- ,, 21/- Vol. IV. 16/- „ 21/- ” Vol. V. 16/- 21/- Vol. VI. 16/- „ 21/- „ Current Monthly Numbers 1/6 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 1/7; for back Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. Second-hand copies sometimes reach the Publisher, to whom application should be made. ( Continued on page Hi. of covet). Aviculiural Magazine. HOCK PTARMIGAN. Lagopus rupestris. THE 55 Hv (cultural fllbagastue, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. New Series — VOL. VII. — No. 2. — All rights reserved. DECEMBER, 1908. NOTES ON ROCK PTARMIGAN, HARLEQUIN DUCK, ETC. By C. Barnby Smith. In the June number of the Magazine I mentioned that I was about to visit Iceland and hoped to bring back some birds. The most satisfactory result of my visit from this point of view was the arrival at my house on the 5th of October of five healthy Rock Ptarmigan ( Lagopus inpestris ). These Ptarmigan, which are usually regarded as a circum¬ polar species nearly related to the Common Ptarmigan, have a strange fascination for me and, as probably few members of the Avicultural Society have had opportunities of seeing them both in their native land and in captivity, I am writing a few notes about them. The Rock Ptarmigan, formerly very abundant in most parts of Iceland (except the interior desert), is now getting scarce in the South West, but it is still abundant in the North though much persecuted by Falcons, and the last few j^ears a good deal thinned by shooting for exportation. The hen birds are of greyish brown plumage in summer, the cocks retaining a good deal of white, and both cocks and hens of course turn white in winter. When I arrived in the My vatu District on the 19th of June I rode some thirty miles without seeing a single hen as they were then all sitting. Three weeks later they were to be seen all over the district marshalling their little broods out of the way of intruders. 56 Mr. C. Barnby Smith, The cocks are wonderfully tame at this time of year and •often sit on a lava rock within a few yards of a passer by, and make a weird croak not altogether unsuggestive of the affliction of “ mal-de-mer.” It is wonderful how the plumage of the cock Ptarmigan seems to tone with the surroundings. It is illegal to take Ptarmigan in Iceland until September, and later in the year they grow very wild. A very courteous Icelandic farmer accordingly promised to try and capture me some birds in September. I myself had to return to England in mid July, and on my return I despatched to Iceland string netting to catch the Ptarmigan, wire netting to make an aviary pending the sailing of the ship, and lastly I sent many sorts of likely and unlikely foods in the hope that some would be appreciated. After some difficulty seven Ptarmigan were netted early in September but they declined at first to take readily to artificial food. My Icelandic friend accordingly collected them some natural food for a time and gradually got them to take more and more of the artificial. In a letter which he sent me with the birds he says : “ What I call grass leaves which the Ptarmigan like is called in “ Latin Drycis octopeLala, and heather Betula nana. They like “ also very much Poligonum vivi-parium. The berries I send “with the birds are grown on Uva ursi. The other kind of “berries the Ptarmigan are fond of are growing on what they “ call in Latin Empetrum nigrum, Vaccinium uliginosum and V. myrtillusP The idea of sending bear-berries to give the birds a little natural food aboard ship seemed to me excellent, and the birds stood the voyage well. On arrival they were already in a three quarters winter plumage, and the effect of change of latitude and climate on their future plumage will, I venture to think, be of interest to those who care for game birds. A few days after arrival I pinioned the Ptarmigan (losing one as the direct result) and turned them down into a large grass uncovered run. I feed them on small seeds (a mixture known as Chiklco,”) dari and a few berries. They are very fond of the 57 on Rock Ptarmigan, Harlequin Duck, etc. ends of grass leaves, also clover flowers and many seeds of different weeds which they find amongst the grass. They do not move much in the middle of the day but feed very actively for about an hour at sunset. One thing puzzles me, namely, that about dusk each evening they repeatedly tap with their bills the larch poles which support the wire netting of their enclosure. If the object is to get insects they can scarcely have acquired the habit in Iceland as there are virtually no trees there. I have given the birds some pieces of rock to perch on, and of course keep them supplied with plenty of water. In their enclosure is a large bare sandy spot where they are fed. They are exceedingly tame and come running to be fed. It may be that English summers will be trying to the birds but Icelandic summers are much hotter than most people suppose. Last sum¬ mer was exceptionally hot and I had good opportunities of watching Ptarmigan, which seemed by no means distressed by a temperature which I felt uncomfortably hot. The trouble of getting these birds has been very great, but if they live and breed in this country I shall feel amply repaid. I hoped to bring back with me from Iceland some Harle¬ quin Ducks, or at any rate some Harlequin Duck eggs to hatch in this country. Judging from Messrs. Pearsons recorded ex¬ perience I thought there would be no difficulty in getting fresh eggs in the North of Iceland at the time of my visit. However, I learnt on the 20th June that almost all the Harlequin Ducks in the district where I stayed had already brought off young, and only one nest was known, and the duck in this case was already sitting. This nest was on a good large island in the middle of a rapidly flowing river — the island being covered with low bushes in the middle and grassy round the edges. The nest was under a bush about fifteen yards from the water and contained only four eggs (the others having been taken by a farmer). After some difficulty I got a sitting hen (these are very scarce in the locality), and having proved her earnest desire to sit, I took some cotton-wadding with a hot water bottle in, a basket and, committing myself to the back of a small Icelandic pony and to the care of a still smaller Icelandic boy, I forded to the island and brought back the eggs in triumph. The eggs 53 Mr. C. Barnby Smith, were still unhatched when I had to leave the country, and all I could do was to leave behind many injunctions as to feeding,, etc. What happened is best told in the words of the farmer contained in a letter received by me this Autumn “ Now about the Harlequin chicken rearing. It was quite , “ a failure. The chickens came out of the eggs bonnie and lively “but we could not get them to eat anything. We tried every “kind of food, worms, etc., and we tried to put the food in a “ water dish which we put out for them which they were swim- “ ing in, all in vain. We took them out to the Spring close by “ with the hen and were watching them there but it did not seem “ to do them any good, they were only wanting the food from the “ hen, always stretching their bills up to the hen. No doubt the “ Harlequin Duck feeds the chickens with the food they get in or j “ under the water, but what kind of food it is I cannot say. I “ am sorry to say that after four days they were all dead.” I may mention that the writer of this letter (who is an observer of nature) told me that Harlequin Ducks sit about five weeks, and when I pressed him to diminish the time he said that at any rate they sat much longer than any other duck he knew. Since the new Game Laws came into operation in Iceland Harlequin Ducks have rapidly increased and are now very common on the fast running rivers in the North. As they are very tame in the breeding season they present a most charming sight. In the immediate vicinity of Lake Myvatn ducks of all kinds simply swarm. The ducks most in evidence being the “ Long-tails,” but Scoters, Pintails, Golden-eyes, Teal, Mallard, Wigeon, Scaups, and other varieties are in abundance. Whether or not the eggs of the rarer sorts could be got over and hatched in this country I do not know. It might be worth a trial next year if a steamer were coming direct from the North at the right season. I was informed by the owner of a well known “ Eider Duck farm ” that the broods of Eider Ducks often get hopelessly mixed, and that one old bird will attempt to look after twenty or thirty young ones. The nests of the Eiders are exceedingly thick in favourite spots near the coast, but Falcons and other enemies are 59 on Rock Ptarmigan , Harlequin Ditck, etc . numerous. I myself caught on a fly a four-pound brown trout that had previously swallowed two Eider chicks. I brought back with me from Iceland a pair of Falcons taken from the nest, and it was interesting to note the gradual growth of the feathers and alteration in the birds’ disposition as they grew older. There seems no difficulty whatever in rearing these birds, but I was surprised to see a pair which had been reared in Iceland on fish diet were quite as fine as others reared on meat. Many intelligent Icelanders say that the Grey-White Falcons (said to be “Greenland Falcons”) are really the same as the Icelandic Falcon which, they say, changes to grey and white plumage when a few years old. I only saw one of these grey- white birds. It was darker than the specimen “ Greenland Falcon ” in the South Kensington Museum. Perched on a point of lava rock its plumage harmonised precisely with its surround¬ ings, but when seen near at hand the bird presented a magnificent •spectacle. Red-necked Phalaropes are very plentiful at present in the neighbourhood of Myvatn, and in the latter part of June their nesting operations were in full progress. All the nests I found were in small tufts of grass within a few feet of water. In one case the sitting bird returned to his nest whilst I remained watching within a distance of five yards. In another case the parent bird, alarmed at my approach, took a solitary chick to swim into the middle of a little pool about eight yards across. After a minute or so, finding nothing happened, he brought the chick ashore and began to brood it in full view of me on the other side of the pool. I do not know whether Red¬ necked Phalaropes have been much observed brooding their young, but this was a very pretty sight, the chick standing up¬ right and reminding me (though of course on a very different scale) of the little Avocet at the Zoo in 1907. I happened to come across a Dane who was stationed in Iceland to collect skins, and he showed me, in his bedroom, a Phalarope running about the floor. I asked him to catch it for me, which he did, and I found it in good condition. He told me it was a bird he had winged when shooting three weeks previously, and it since then lived in his bedroom, being fed on maggots and 6o Sir William Ingram, flies. I have no reason to doubt the truth of his statement ; at any rate there was the Phalarope in good health. I reasoned thus: if a wounded Phalarope will live in a bedroom in Iceland for three weeks is it not possible to get healthy Phalaropes to survive the journey to England, if suitable food is provided on the voyage ? If kind fates permit me to go to Iceland next summer I hope to make the attempt. Doubtless there are many difficulties, but the Phalarope is such a charming little wader he is worth a good deal of trouble. PRINCE RUDOLPH’S BIRD OF PARADISE. Paradisornis rudolphi. By Sir Wirriam Ingram, Bart. During nearly fifty years before the y^ear 1904, only sixteen Birds of Paradise had been received at the London Zoological Gardens, and these only arrived one or two at a time. Dr.. Wallace, the great naturalist and traveller, although he made several attempts, was never successful in keeping, for any length of time, those birds that were brought to him alive. It was only in the year 1904 that any satisfactory result was achieved in keeping any number of these lovely birds in captivity. Mr. Goodfellow, who had had much experience in importing tropical birds, such as Lories, Parrots, Pigeons, etc., landed in England two King Birds, two Paradisea minor and one Paradisea apoda all of which eventually found their way to the Regent’s Park Zoological Gardens. In the following year I was successful in landing at Genoa, for my aviaries near Monte Carlo, twenty Birds of Paradise, three King Birds, one Paradisea minor and sixteen. Paradisea apoda. Again in 1907 I imported twelve pairs of King Birds, and six females of the Great Bird ( P . apoda ) ; and this year I have been the means of introducing alive into this country more than fifty Birds of Paradise belonging to seven different species never before imported, including one specimen of that exceeding rare and beautiful bird, the Blue Bird of Paradise ( Paradisornis rudolphi). It was after viewing the case of stuffed Birds of Paradise in the Natural History Museum that I was first stirred with the on Prince Rudolph's Bird of Paradise. 61 intense desire of seeing alive a Blue Bird of Paradise, and also a Six-plumed Bird ( Parotia sexpennis) ; there is something so beautiful and attractive in these stuffed specimens, even in their attenuated glory, lacking as they do the gloss and radiance of the living bird, that it is no wonder that I was eager to try, if it were possible, to follow up my former successes by securing living examples of these gorgeous birds. The result of my enthusiasm has been that, in the year 1908, there have been specimens of both of these rare and exquisite birds on view at the Zoological Gardens. Alas! the sojourn of the Rudolphi was brief indeed, as he survived only three weeks after arriving in London. It is of the story of the importation of this Blue Bird that I have been asked to write. Carl Hunstein, the adventurous gold-miner and naturalist, first discovered the Blue Bird of Paradise, which proved to belong to quite a new genus and was called Paradisornis rudolphi, being named after that well known ornithologist, the late Crown Prince of Austria. Carl Hunstein found the bird in the far interior of British New Guinea, on the "Stanley Owen Range, about 8000 feet above the sea level. He had to penetrate, with only one or two native followers, into the country of the cannibals. From the time of its discovery very few dead specimens have reached Europe, and it is pretty well known that, to procure this bird, one would have to travel far into the Interior. I knew that I had given my collector an exceedingly difficult task to get this bird. However I was most fortunate in the choice of the gentlemen whom I selected to undertake this arduous journey. Mr. C. B. Horsbrugh, the head of the expedition, had already had much experience in travelling and collecting in South Africa, and it was fortunate that I found him at liberty to undertake the duty. Mr. Stalker, who accompanied him, had already had some experience in col¬ lecting in Central Australia and also in British New Guinea. I was indeed lucky in persuading the heads of the Zoological Society to join with me in the enterprise; they gave me the greatest assistance by using their influence in getting important members of the Commonwealth Government of Australia to give their support to the expedition, and render much assistance which proved of the greatest value. 62 Sir Wiixiam Ingram, The district which Mr. Horsbrugh eventually chose, acting on the advice of the Governor of British New Guinea, was that lying to the east of Mount Yule, near the head of the St. Joseph River. I will not here recount the numerous adventures and difficulties that Messrs. Horsbrugh and Stalker encountered before getting together a sufficient number of Birds of Paradise, that is, as many as they could conveniently manage on their long journey home, but suffice to say that after some weeics collecting they had obtained several specimens of the lovely Count Raggi’s Bird (. Paradisea raggiana), Lawe’s Six-plumed ( Parotia lawesi), Hunstein’s Magnificent Bird ( D . hunsteini), the New Guinea Rifle Bird (. Ptilorhis inter cedens), and some Manucodes, but no example of P. rudolphi. By this time they had learned that this species was far away; some of the natives from a distance recog¬ nised the bird from a colour drawing which was shown to them, but they assured Mr. Horsbrugh that it lived many miles away, far in the interior, and they made him understand that even in its native haunts the bird was very rare; therefore Horsbrugh and Stalker were in a great dilemma, but they eventually decided on the wisest course, that was for them both to return to the coast, one to take the valuable consignment they had collected to England, the other to remain and make a great effort to reach the place where the Blue Bird might be found, and if possible to secure some specimens. As Mr. Stalker was ill, suffering from bad sores in his hands and legs, it was decided that he should rest at Yule Island and recuperate there, and Mr. Horsbrugh should return to Europe. The latter was successful in bringing home safely the most varied and important collection of birds that had up to that time ever reached this country. Some time afterwards I had news of Stalker’s movements, he had recovered from his illness and had started alone for the interior ; he had many difficulties to overcome, having to cut his way through a tropical forest, the inhabitants of three villages being engaged for ten days cutting a path. Stalker had taken with him ten natives, skilled in capturing live birds, and when at last he had reached the locality where the Blue Bird might be found he was confronted with the most serious obstacle he had yet met. His native followers refused to go into the bush in 63 on Prince Rudolph's Bird of Paradise. search of the birds, as they had learnt that the chief of the district resented their intrusion into his country and had threatened literally to “eat them up” if he caught them. There was only one alternative to returning empty handed with all the labour of months wasted, and that was to beard the Lion in his Den. I am glad to say that Stalker, who is a plucky little Englishman, chose the latter and, with only an interpreter, boldly went into the chief’s,! village and demanded a palaver. At first the Potentate refused to believe Stalker’s assurance that they had come with no evil intent but simply to catch alive a bird ; and it was only after he was told that there was a great white chief who had more white warriors than there were trees in the forest, who desired to see a live specimen of this particular bird, and had told Stalker to get one, and had sent as a present to the chief a splendid toma¬ hawk, that he was induced to give his consent to the strangers hunting in his province. Stalker had to persuade the chief to remain in his camp as a sort of hostage before his hunters would agree to go out in search of the Blue Bird. They only saw one flock of six, three of which were captured, but unfort¬ unately two of them were so much injured that they both died the next day. Although the surrounding country was searched for fourteen days longer no more specimens were seen, and Stalker had to start back on his long journey to England, more than sixteen thousand miles. The captured bird was a very fine male, exceedingly healthy, and never seemed to suffer at an)'' time during the months he was spending in a small cage on board ship, passing through several different climates ; and it seems sad indeed that he only survived three weeks after he was deposited in the Zoo, dying of Protozoan enteritis. I cannot but think that, as he came from the higher ranges of mountains in British New Guinea, where the climate is not so relaxing, the New Bird House, where he was placed in the Zoo, was of too high a temperature and too enervating. When I first saw the live Blue Bird I was somewhat disappointed with his appearance; he resembled in colour and shape a small Jackdaw with a very comical expression, arising from the clown-like effect caused by the two slightly curved and narrow lines of white feathers, one just above and one just 64 Rev. F. R. Blathwayt, below each eye, his plumes too were not “ en evidence ” having been considerably reduced by his confinement for so many months in a small cage. It was only after he had been placed in one of the large aviaries in the New Bird House at the Zoo that I was able to inspect him more closely; when he flew from his perch down on to the ground, the magnificence of his azure blue plumage was most conspicuous ; the sheen of the feathers on his back was like spun glass, glistening like the ripples of the water of the blue Mediterranean sea. The dull black plumage too, in certain lights, reflected the various hues of the rainbow. It is remarkable that the black plumage of several of the Paradise Birds has this peculiarity of changing in certain reflected lights into iridescent colours, green, blue and copper; this may be observed on any day in the case of the Parotid lawesi now in the Zoological Gardens. It must be a wonderful and entrancing sight to see the Rudolphi displaying with his full plumage in the sunlight amidst the foliage of his dancing tree. The natives who caught the bird say they saw him displaying on a creeper, climbing up the face of a cliff in a ravine. There were six birds altogether disporting on the same plant. I very much doubt if we shall ever see his like again ; the expense and risk in procuring this bird are too great for any private person to undertake, but, as long as I live, I shall always think of what might have been, had my bird lived to renew his plumage and to give an exhibition of his display. RAMBLES AMONG THE WILD BIRDS. (No. V.) By the Rev. F. L Blathwayt, M.B.O.U. THE CHALK CLIFFS OF YORKSHIRE. “ Though rising' gale and breaking foam And shrieking sea-birds warned him home.” Byron. A bang on the door at 4.45 a.m. on June 17th last, roused me up for my first visit to the cliffs about Flamborough Head. My first thought was “Is it a fine day?” No, the rain was pouring down from a leaden sky. It poured incessantly during a three-and-a-half hours railway journey. It came down harder than ever during the five hours we tramped from Bridlington along the summit of the great cliffs, and, driven in from the sea by a on Rambles among ihe Wild Birds. 65 stiff breeze the rain-water found its way through every garment, wetting us to the skin and leaving the sandwiches limp and sodden in our pockets- “ A pleasant ramble indeed ! ” someone will say; but the bird enthusiast is not kept indoors by the vagaries of the weather. What we saw on those cliffs amply repaid us for dripping garments and even for sitting more than three hours, waterlogged, on the homeward journey. What are the chalk cliffs of Yorkshire? Few bird-lovers need to ask the question. Their fame reaches far and wide. Look at a geological map of England and you will see that the chalk formation running across England from Dorset to Norfolk, with branches to Dover and Beach)'' Head, is continued along the Lincolnshire Wolds into Yorkshire and faces the North Sea at Flamborougli Head with a magnificent rampart extending for some eleven miles along the coast, and rising in places to an elevation of well over 400 feet. The grandeur of this white wall alone repays the trouble of a visit, but it was the desire to see the teeming bird-population of the cliffs that urged us on to battle with the unfavourable elements on that day in mid-June. Seven miles of cliffs thickly populated with rock-birds ! Is not that sight good enough to make up for much personal discomfort? As we walked along those chalk cliffs stretching from Flamborougli Head Lighthouse towards Filey, four species of birds were much in evidence. These were Guillemots, Puffins, Razorbills and Kitti wakes. The first- mentioned species was by far the most numerous, the Puffins coming next in point of numbers. The sea, hundreds of feet below, was dotted over with the rock-birds, of which, numbers were constantly hurrying in front of the cliff face or dashing with that peculiar swift flight to or from the sea, while from time to time a perfect avalanche of startled birds would pour headlong from a ledge of the cliffs into the waves which lashed the boulders below. The stiff sea breeze buffeted the birds when on the wing and seemed to in¬ convenience their flight considerably, sometimes blowing them right over in the air and turning them from the course they had shaped towards some favourite ledge. Sometimes they would hang in the air against the wind a few feet from the cliff top, so close to us that it seemed we could catch them in a butterfly net ; 66 Rev. F. L. Blathwayt, at other times they would dash down wind like a shower of meteors. Though the rain was pouring down upon us we con¬ stantly found ourselves lying full length on the edge of the cliffs and, with field-glasses quivering in the wind and blurred by rain¬ drops, trying to learn something of the busy life on the faces of those walls of chalk. And what a wonderful sight it was! The rock-birds and the little grey Kittiwakes seemed to have taken advantage of every available ledge and cranny on the face of the cliffs. In spite of the fresh breeze, a fishy odour pervaded the air, and no wonder, for as we peered over the cliffs or gazed at their faces from some projecting promontory a wonderful sight met our gaze. The Guillemots were clustered on some of the wider shelves like swarms of bees ; on other cliffs they were scattered more sparingly over the entire surface as the narrow ledges afforded resting places for themselves and their eggs. Sometimes on a mighty white wall sheer and smooth for several hundred feet, a dark horizontal or diagonal bar might be seen traversing its surface. This line on closer inspection proved to be formed of hundreds perhaps thousands of Guillemots, sitting by their mates or on their eggs, on the only resting place the particular cliff could afford them. The Puffins for the most part seemed to prefer those parts of the cliffs where they could find a little soil in which to burrow and bring up their solitary offspring. The Razorbills mingle with the Guillemots, but are not nearly so numerous, and lay their eggs half hidden in crevices and sheltered places. The Kittiwakes during our visit were not very much in evidence on the wing, as they seemed anxious to shelter from the force of the wind, but we saw several colonies of these birds, the members for the most part busy incubating their two eggs or brooding over their newly- hatched chicks in the scanty nests stuck to tiny ledges of the cliffs. Now and again a screaming Kittiwalce would chase away a marauding Jackdaw, and a pair or two of Herring Gulls might constantly be seen wheeling about the cliff face on the look out for exposed eggs. A confused babel of chattering cries and wailing screams was constantly rising up from below, notes of anger, jealousy, defiance, welcome and love mingling together and harmonizing with the raging elements and the general weirdness of the scene. on Rambles among the Wild Birds. 67 Rock Doves and Stock Doves were also breeding in the caves and on the cliffs, but the four species first mentioned in this “ ramble ” are those which especially claim these cliffs as their summer home, and which chiefly delight the bird-loving visitors. Such wTas my first impression of these famous white walls, but it only whetted my appetite to see them again on a fine day. Accordingly a few days later, June 23rd, I managed to snatch another holiday, and journeying this time alone, found myself at mid-day once more on the edge of those sea cliffs. And how different were the conditions of the weather! In place of the driving rain a warm sun shone down from an almost cloudless sky, the heat being tempered by a light N.E. breeze. The cliff- climbers were busy with their work, which consists of gathering for sale the sea birds eggs which in hundreds and thousands are laid on the ledges and crannies of the cliffs. This right of egg gathering is granted by the neighbouring farmers to about four gangs of men, who keep strictly to their own ground. The season for gathering begins about the third week in May and finishes at the end of June. After that date the birds are allowed to lay their eggs and hatch out their young in peace. It is stated that from these cliffs some 130,000 eggs, chiefly Guillemot’s, are taken in a season, but in spite of this the birds are said to in¬ crease yearly. Most of the eggs are used as food, being sold at a wholesale price of about twelve or sixteen a shilling ; others are applied to the processes of clarifying wine and dressing patent leather. Visitors to the cliff top can pick ordinary specimens from the men’s baskets at twopence apiece, but exceptionally well marked varieties have been sold for seven shillings and six¬ pence each or even more. Razorbills and Guillemots produce only one egg at a lay¬ ing, but if this is taken a second or even a third is laid at intervals of from seventeen to twenty days. These last facts I have gathered from an authority who knows these cliffs well. It afforded me great interest to watch the gangs at work. The process appeared to be as follows. A member of the gang (consisting of about five men) first drives an iron stake into the ground at the cliff top, to which a hand-rope is attached and the loose end flung over the cliff. The ‘dimmer,’ as the 68 Ra?)ibles among the Wild Birds. man who descends is called, tlien sits in a hemp sling attached to a second rope which is passed round the body of a man, wearing a leather apron, who does the lowering. This man sits on the ground and digging his heels well into the soil pays out the rope as the ‘ dimmer’ walks backwards to the cliff edge. At the extreme edsre the latter sticks into the soil an iron stake with a revolving wheel at the top, and passing the body-rope over the groove of the wheel is lowered quickly over the cliff by his companions above. A code of signals by jerking the rope regulates the ‘ dimmers ’ movements on the cliff face, and when the command ‘up’ is given he is hauled straight up by those above, and empties the eggs he has gathered, from the canvas bags slung around him, into large baskets. The process is then repeated, until all the ledges to be visited that day have been thoroughly worked. This is done sjcstematically, and some cliffs, if in danger of being over-gathered are allowed to lie ‘ fallow’ for a time. It is no doubt owing to the systematic gathering that only fresh eggs are taken and the numbers of the birds are not diminished. The only danger the ‘dimmer’ has to face is from falling stones, and that is guarded against by a hard hat stuffed with grass. Guillemot’s eggs vary in colour and marking to an enor¬ mous extent, and the men say it is impossible to find two exactly alike. Large basketsful of eggs just brought up make a pretty picture, ranging from pure white through various shades of green and greenish blue, unmarked, blotched, streaked, and pencilled in endless variety, up to dark eggs smeared over almost the entire surface with chocolate and reddish brown. Razorbill’s eggs are far more constant in their markings and never show the green varieties. On the day of my visit a large excursion party was watch¬ ing one of the gangs at work, and to quiet one or two of the more lively spirits who were in constant danger of falling over the cliffs, the men consented to let them down to try their hand at egg'ng- The first shaped very well, but the second youth provoked a roar of laughter, as on being hauled up it was found that he had managed to get his ropes in an extraordinary tangle about his body. That particular gang must have done a good trade that day, as they had brought up some hundreds of eggs Avicultural Magazine. TEMPLE’S AVIARIES. A Novice's Aviaries. 69 and many of the excursionists were buying them as souvenirs of their visit, at prices ranging from twopence apiece. “ Are you going to eat them ? ” I said to one, who had bought half-a-dozen or so. “ No thank you,” said he, “ I’m much too dainty.” He ■ told me however that someone had just ordered several dozen eggs to lay by for the winter. I cannot speak of the flavour of these eggs from personal experience, but I see no reason why they should not be as palatable as Penguin’s eggs from the Cape, 'which have lately been on sale in London as table delicacies. The demand however for Guillemots eggs in one way or another seems equal to the supply, and judging from the countless swarms of birds haunting the cliffs, there is little danger, so long as a close season is observed, of the numbers of the Guillemots j being seriously diminished. - A NOVICE’S AVIARIES. By W. R. Temple. Among the many interesting and instructive articles in the \\Avicultural Magazine I have never seen a description of the first 1 attempt in avicultural management by a novice : and as I have been asked by several members of the Society to write an account of my experience, I propose, with great diffidence, to write of the doings in my aviaries this season. Perhaps it would be best if I briefly describe the aviaries first. There are four of them alto¬ gether. Three, which I will call A B and C. consist of indoor flights about 12 ft. square and 9 ft. high, which open into outdoor flights of rather larger dimensions. The indoor parts are heated { with hot-water pipes, and the flights are laid down with turf and planted thickly with shrubs. These three aviaries are at the bottom of the flower garden, built against a high wall facing South. The fourth avian’- D is in the kitchen garden. It has an outer flight 36 ft. long, 24 ft. wide and 12 ft. high. This flight opens at one end into a glass shelter about 12 ft. long, 9 ft. wide and 8 ft. high, which again i opens into a similar glass covered shelter heated with liot-water 1 pipes. The heating apparatus is usually set going about the end of September and kept on till the end of March, but plenty of ! ventilation is given. m 70 Mr. W. R. Temple, I got my small stock of birds together last autumn and this spring. They consisted of what I believed to be three pairs of Parrot Finches, one pair of Long-tailed Grassfinches, one pair of Masked Finches, six pairs of Gouldians (mostly Red-headed cocks), one pair of Pintailed Nonpareils, two pairs of Ruficaudas, and some small fry in the shape of two pairs of Orange-cheeked Waxbills, a pair of Amaduvades, a pair of Cordon Bleus and a pair of African Firefinches. I next devoured all the articles I could come across in the Aviculhiral Magazine . and among others, one written by Mrs. Johnstone, in which she said that “ to breed Parrot Finches they must have an aviary to themselves.” Up to the end of March my six Parrot Finches were all together, and they seemed to spend most of their time in fighting and chasing each other about. When several Parrot Finches are together I think I have discovered an infallible method of distinguishing the pairs. I have a box cage hung up, with a sliding front of wire bars, heavily weighted. This drops very freely into a groove. I raise it up and fasten it with a long cord, and put all the seed pans inside. I then watch for a Parrot Finch to go inside. He (or she) is presently joined by another. If they are a pair they will proceed to quietly eat out of the same pan and down goes the trap ; if they are not a pair one at once chases the other out. Acting on this principle I put one pair of Parrot Finches in A, another in B, all the other birds in C, except the Gouldians, Pintailed Nonpareils, a pair of Cordon Bleus and the other pair of Parrot Finches, which I put in D. I hung up a number of nest boxes and a few cocoanut husks in the inside part of the aviaries only ; and every evening, just before dusk, all the birds were driven in. This I did not do at first, but one night a terrific thunderstorm killed several Gouldians, and others were frightened to death by the ubiquitous cat. Inside A and B there were three boxes, and these the two pairs of Parrot Finches at once commenced to stuff full of hay. They continued to make nests and pull them to pieces till the beginning of June, when they commenced to sit in earnest. Those in A made their nest in a box very high up at the top of the aviary, and those in B in a box within 3 ft. of the ground. I Avicultural Magazine. A Novice's Aviaries. 7* know that there were young ones in the nest in A on June 14th and in B on June 25th. In A three young ones left the nest on July 5th, and in B five left the nest on July 15th. Now a curious thing about these young birds was that, whereas the whole five in B were green all over , in A one was green and the other two were marked with red almost as plainly as their parents. I found when the young leave the nest they all sit in a row at the highest point of the aviary, packed as close together as possible. They were all terribly wild and the moment I went near the place to feed them the young ones would fly madly about the place till they were absolutely exhausted. I have come to the conclusion that a young Parrot Finch is about as tough as they make them. I was away from home for five weeks from August 2nd, and on my return found that the old hen and two of the young ones in A had died, but all those in B were flourishing and almost as red on the head and tail as their parents. The pair in B showed signs of wanting to nest again, I therefore removed the odd cock (the widower) from A and put the five young ones from B into A with the other young bird : thus six young ones were altogether in A and the original pair in B. The behaviour of these young birds astonished me. It must be remembered that five of them left the nest 011 July 15 and the other on July 5. Four of these young birds paired and each pair built a nest, and on Sept, inid (when they were about three months old) there were five eggs in each nest. They did not attempt to sit, however, so I removed all the eggs. I gave two of them to a friend in Eton who put them under a hen Gouldian Finch, and she hatched them both but would not feed them. Surely this is early precocity.* The original pair in B nested again and five strong young ones left the nest on Oct. 28 and are doing well, f I ought to mention that I have the electric light laid on in the aviaries and can turn it on from the house. This is done at six o’clock every morning and enables the old birds to feed their young. The letter appearing- on page 52, was written some weeks before publication, t The old birds are now (Nov. 14,) sitting again on five eggs. 72 A Novice’s Aviaries. Now as to feeding these birds. I give Canary, white and brown millet (in three separate pans), spray millet, and eight mealworms per pair. When they have young I give, in addition, some of Trower’s improved “ Cecto ” food, hard boiled egg, and fourteen mealworms. The two Parrot Finches in D, I fancy are two cocks, as they showed no signs of breeding and are not too amiably dis¬ posed towards each other. Of the other birds the Gouldian Finches laid over fifty eggs. For the most part they seemed to lay about in any of the nest boxes in the most haphazard waj^ and, having deposited their eggs, took no further interest in them. I had, however, very bad luck with them, as on the night of the heavy thunder¬ storm before mentioned, three hens were all inside sitting on eggs and their unfortunate dissolute husbands were out all night. They all perished and the hens forsook their nests. I succeeded in the end in getting ten young ones flying about in the aviary, but of these six died. The Pintailed Nonpareils laid but did not sit. The Cordon Bleus had very bad luck. They built a beauti¬ ful little nest of hay and pine-needles against the wall in the inside aviary. They laid several clutches of eggs, but were always interfered with by the Gouldians, who picked their nest to pieces. Finally they gave up the nest and built in one of the nest boxes, where they hatched four young ones, but the cock died the day they hatched. I doubt if he ever saw his offspring. The hen, single-handed, reared two of them till they were ten days old, and then they died. I forgot to mention that there is a separate division in the inner compartment of D, and in this was a cock Red-headed Finch and a hen Ribbon Finch. These hatched four nests of young hybrids, but always threw them out of the nest when a couple of days old. A pair of Harlequin Quails in the outside flight of D reared a family also. These gave no trouble, and it was not until they could fly that I discovered they were there. Of the birds in C three nests of Ruficaudas and two of Long- tailed Grass-finches were reared. The Amaduvades and Orange¬ cheeked Waxbills also hatched out but failed to rear their young. On the whole I do not think I can be said to have done so On my Visit to Australia. 73 badly for a beginner. The photographs of the aviaries may give some idea of what they are like. The whole of the frame-work of the flights is of iron, and the wire-work is the strongest make of ^-inch mesh. NOTES ON MY VISIT TO AUSTRALIA. By David Seth-Smith, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ( Continued, from page 50). THE CAVES OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA. The third day of our visit to the Margaret River district of Western Australia we decided to devote to a drive through the forest to the caves, the nearest of which was situated about seven miles from where we were staying. The country here contains many subterranean streams running through limestone rock, the result being that, where this has been worn away by the action of the water, large caverns have been formed under¬ ground which have been marvellously decorated by nature. While the underground stream has been at work hollowing out the cave, the rain-water soaking through the soil from above becomes charged with carbonic acid which, when it reaches the porous limestone becomes again highly charged with this, together with a certain proportion of iron oxide. This solution, constantly dripping from the roofs of the caves, deposits its lime, and gradually forms the curious fantastic ornaments such as stalactites, stalagmites, shawls, rock-snow and so forth ; objects of the most extraordinary beauty, many of which are delicately coloured by the oxide of iron which is frequently present in the solution. During our drive to the Caves we again encountered two large parties of Calyptorhy?ichus baudini as well as numbers of “Twenty-eight” Parrakeets, Leaden Crow-shrikes or “Squeakers” were also constantly seen and heard. I noticed one or two other Parrakeets which I could not identify, so during a halt in our drive, during which our driver went to see a friend whose shanty was some little distance from the road, I strolled into the forest with a gun to endeavour if possible to shoot, for identification, one of these Parrakeets. They were very shy, perching as a rule on 74 Mr. D. Seth-Smith, the highest branches of the trees, which here grew to such a height that their topmost branches were practically out of range of a shot gun. However I soon secured a specimen which proved to be the beautiful Pileated Parrakeet, Porphyrocephalus pileatus. After this I was able to identify many of these birds which generally flew about in pairs or small parties of three or four individuals. Fantail Flycatchers, White-breasted Robins (. Eop - saltria leucogaster), several species of Honeyeaters and Thick¬ heads ( Pachycephahis ) were also noticed. On arrival at the entrance to the Mammoth Cave I strolled round amongst the giant Karri trees which there grow profusely, and was rewarded by the sight of a large flock of small Lorikeets which came swinging into the tree tops at a tremendous pace. They were very wild, and dashed off again as I approached the foot of the tree. It was impossible to see their colours, but they were doubtless Purple-crowned Lorikeets ( G/ossopsitlacus porphy¬ rocephalus). On approaching close to the entrance to the Cave a party of four Stanley Parrakeets ( Pl'atycercus icterotis) flew up from the ground and settled amongst the high branches of a tree. We saw several of these pretty Parrakeets, they were not at all timid, allowing us to approach them fairly closely as they fed on the seeds of the various wattles. The Mammoth Cave is so called on account of its large size. My pen is not capable of adequately describing its wonders, so I will quote the following description by Mr. Erskine May, from the Western Australian Year Book for 1900-01 : — “This cave . . . has been given the name of “ Mam¬ moth ” on account of its majestic proportions and its colossal - formations. The entrance to the cave has an Eastern aspect, and, surrounded as it is by an exuberant growth of ferns, roughly hidden amongst the giant trees of Australia — the noble Karri — is most charmingly and imposingly situated. Passing through it, an enormous dome is entered, which contains many stalactites of the greatest beauty. This portion of the cave is best seen at night time, as otherwise the daylight prying through the entrance detracts considerably from the mysterious beauty of the scene within. From the door of the cave to its furthermost recess, wonder after wonder presents itself at almost every step, but on his Visit to Australia . 75 throughout the whole of this subterranean fairyland its bewilder¬ ing beauties can only be adequately appreciated by those who have had the good fortune to be able to examine for themselves these exquisite specimens of Nature’s handiwork. The most prominent features that claim attention are: (i) “ The Eagle’s Wings,” two huge formations which have a most striking resem¬ blance to an eagle with slightly raised wings perched on an immense boulder ; (2) “ The Tree,” a marvellous little stalagmite about three feet in height, with twig-like projections of lateral stalactites growing in a complete circle, the very semblance of a young tree throwing out its branches ; (3) “The Cathedral and Organ Pipes,” the latter of which not only resemble an organ in form, but on being struck by the hand fill the cavern with clear, melodious notes of a particularly unique and weird sound ; and (4), last but not least, this cave possesses “ The Mammoth Shawl,” which, with its artistically blended colours, hangs gracefully between two walls, with a careless-looking fold in the centre, its edges being most delicately and beautifully scalloped.” A drive of a mile and a half brought us to the entrance of “ The Lake Cave,” which is considered the most beautiful cave that has yet been explored. To enter it one has first to descend into an enormous hollow in the ground, which has been formed, long ago, by the subsidence of part of the roof of the cave. This great circular pit, some acres in extent, is over 300 feet in depth, the sides being sheer cliffs. Ferns and other vegetation grow luxuriantly in this hollow, and several huge Karri trees, whose highest branches reach to about the surrounding ground level, Kangaroos and Wallabies occasionally fall into this huge hole, and on one occasion the skeleton of a large Kangaroo was dis¬ covered, and beside it the remains of a Dingo which had evidently been chasing the Kangaroo when both fell into this hollow. The entrance to the cave itself is by a mere hole just large enough for one person to descend at a time. The roof is domed, and from it hang myriads of pure white stalactites which, when illuminated by the magnesium lantern, present a wonderful ap¬ pearance, being reflected in the clear water of the stream which here covers the greater part of the floor of the cave, and has given it the name of the “Lake Cave.” In the middle of the 76 Mr. D. Seth-Smith, lake, about two feet above the water is the “ Suspended Table.” It is 15 feet long by 7 feet wide and about one inch in thickness and is hung from the ceiling of the cave by two enormous stalactites. During our drive home we made two captures, the first being a Stump-tailed Lizard ( Trachysaurus rugosus) which lay in the centre of the roadway and only opened its big mouth as the horses passed over it, fortunately without touching it. These lizards or “ Yarners,” as the Aboriginals call them, are about twelve inches in length and covered with large scales which vary much in colour according to the hue of the soil upon which they are found. They are very slow movers, trusting for safety to their wonderfully protective coloration, and merely opening their great mouths when one goes to pick them up. Our second capture was a young “ Squeaker,” which had evidently just left the nest. I saw this bird fly up from the roadway on to a mound at the side, and, jumping down from the buggy, gave chase. It could fly a little and gave some trouble in catching, but I finally secured it, and deposited it in a basket in the buggy. I fed this bird on raw meat and bread and milk and it got on well, being almost able to feed itself when I left Perth a few days later. But, alas, on my return three months later to take away my Western Australian stock, I learned that my “Squeaker” had died. During our drive home a large Kangaroo crossed the road¬ way in front of the buggy, going at a great rate. It belonged to the Western form of the Great Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), which has been separated as a sub-species under the name of M. vielanotus. The following morning a very young Rat Kangaroo ( Betton - gia penicillata ) was brought in by a man who had heard that I wanted any kind of living creatures that could be procured. This was a charming little animal and showed no sign of fear. It wanted a pouch to sleep in, so we procured an old tea-cosy which it immediately took a “ header ” into and curled up to sleep. I fed it on warm milk from a spoon, and it got on well and was eventually reared to maturity in the Perth Zoo, and formed part of the collection that I brought home. The sea-shore was within two or three miles of 11s, and on his Visit to Australia. 77 one afternoon we walked over to it, crossing moor-land covered with a kind of heather and low scrub. We found two Stump¬ tailed Lizards which went into our pockets. An Australian Bustard or so-called Wild Turkey (. Eupodotis australis ) was seen flying over the moor and settled some distance from us. With my field-glasses I watched the bird closely, and could see that he was also watching us, as he kept perfectly still with head raised in the air. My companion endeavoured to stalk him while I remained where I was. Needless to say the bird rose and dis¬ appeared long before my friend was within gun shot. These magnificent birds are getting very scarce as everyone tries to shoot them for “ the pot.” But every year a few visit this neigh¬ bourhood about midsummer to feed on the myriads of grass¬ hoppers. The Short-tailed Wallaby abounds here, and their tracks through the scrub and on the sand of the sea-shore run in every direction. A pair of Brown Hawks came sailing out to¬ wards the sea as we stood on the beach. The evening before we left this neighbourhood we went for a row along the Margaret River. By the footpath close to the river I noticed several Sacred Kingfishers ( Halcyon sa?icta). The river banks were steep and wooded on one side, and quite a number of “Squeakers” accompanied us along the river bank uttering loud cries as if in protest at our appearance. White- fronted Herons (Ardea novcz-hollandicz ) were numerous along the margin of the stream and rose at our approach ; and overhead a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles {Aquila audax) floated on motionless pinions. Early in the morning of January 28th we left on our return to Perth. During the drive of some 35 miles to Basselton we saw several interesting birds. Parties of Pileated Parrakeets, called in this district “ King Parrots,” were often seen as they dashed through the forests and “Twenty-Eights” were everywhere. The Western form of the White-backed Piping Crow was quite common, and we saw several Wedge-tailed Eagles. One large party of Purple-crowned Lorikeets ( Glossopsittaais porphyroce- phaius ) passed over us, uttering the cries so peculiar to Lorikeets of all kinds ; but, like those we saw near the Mammoth Cave, they were as “ wild as hawks,” dashing away when I walked towards the tree into which we saw them go. 78 Notices of New Books, etc. Near Basselton I saw a bird which I had been constantly on the look ont for since my arrival in these parts, namely the M a turns pulcherrimus, the beautiful Bine Wren peculiar to Western Australia. It was a male in full plumage, from head to tail of different shades of blue and purple, and was hopping about the grass on the road side as we approached. This species is very much rarer than its relative of the Eastern States. The last day of my stay in Western Australia was chiefly spent at the Museum, where the Director, Mr. Bernard H. Woodward was most kind in showing me the fine collection of Western Australian fauna. Mr. A. W. Milligan, who probably knows the birds of this State better than anyone else, also kindly met me there and pointed out the birds of special interest. On January 30th I set sail on the R.M.S. “Orontes” for Adelaide. (To be continued). NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS, ETC. FOREIGN BIRDS FOR CAGE AND AVIARY. * Dr. Butler’s articles 011 Foreign Birds which have been appearing for some time in Canary and Cage Bird Life have doubtless been read by most of our members, who have probably long since discovered their value and looked forward to the time when they should be republished in a permanent form. Part I has now appeared in the form of a handsome volume of 205 closely printed pages, in which the author treats of about 400 species, from the Thrushes to the Weavers, describing their plumage, habits, food, and general management in captivity. This book will be found of the greatest service to all aviculturists, the author’s wide knowledge of birds, both from the strictly ornithological and the avicultural standpoints, having been used to produce a most reliable and exhaustive treatise. There are many text illustrations, the majority of which * Foreign Birds for Cage and Aviary, by ARTHUR G. Butler, Ph.D., F.L.S., &c. Part X. The Smaller Foreign Birds. I.ondon : The Feathered World Office, 9, Arundel Street, W.C. Price 6/-, post free 6/6. Notices of New Books , etc. 79 are good, though a few of these might with advantage have been omitted ; and the value of the book is much enhanced, by the addition of an index to scientific names. There is however na index to the popular names which, in our opinion, is a great omission, as the majority of aviculturists know their birds only by these. BIRD MIGRATION. The Committee appointed by the British Ornithologists’' Club, to investigate the difficult subject of the immigration of birds to these islands, are doing some very valuable work. During the migration periods, observers in all parts of the United Kingdom regularly send in their Reports week' by week, of the arrival of migrants, and Reports are also received, by permission of the Master and Elder Brethren of Trinity House, from the various lighthouses round the coast. The information thus obtained is worked out and tabulated bv the Ornithologists who form the Committee. The Third Report of the Committee, which forms Volume XXII. of the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club (Witherbv & Co., price 6/-) is now to hand, and deals with the Spring immigration of 1907. The season was somewhat exceptional, wintry weather being experienced throughout April, after a fine and warm spell in the latter part of March. The migration was therefore un¬ usually late, being at its height in the first half of May. On the 15th of that month the largest and most important immigra¬ tion of the season was recorded at St. Catherine’s Lighthouse in the Isle of Wight when individuals of no less than eighteen different species killed themselves against the lantern. The species are dealt with separately in the report, and maps are published showing the dates of arrival at various points. A chapter is added at the end on the Autumn move¬ ments of migrants in 1906. HAAGNER ON SOUTH AFRICAN BIRDS OF PREY. Ornithologists in South Africa recognise to the full the importance of teaching the agriculturalists to differentiate between 8o Notices of New Books, etc. the harmful and the useful species of birds. “Hawks” and Owls have a bad time of it in almost all parts of the civilized world, until the farmer is forced to recognise that plagues of voles, rats and mice are the direct result of the indiscriminate slaughter of his best friends, the birds that alone can keep them in check. Moreover persecution is augmented by foolish super¬ stition, the Boers looking upon the Barn Owl as a bird of ill- omen, the popular belief being that if one of these birds screeches on a house top at night one of the inhabitants is sure to die soon. The same superstition being also applied to other species of Owls. The pamphlet before us is issued by the Bird Protection Committee of the South African Ornithologists’ Union, the author being Mr. Alwin Haagner, the Hon. Secretary of that Union. For convenience the author divides the birds of prey into two groups : Nocturnal (Owls), and Diurnal (Hawks, Fal¬ cons, Kestrels, Buzzards, Kites, &c.) The Owls are, with hardly an exception, extremely useful and harmless, and the very best friends of the farmer. Of the large group of Diurnal Birds of Prey the author points out which species are useful and which are harmful. THE EMU. The October number of our Australian contemporary con¬ tains an instructive article by Mr. A. H. E. Mattingley on the habits of the Uowan or Mallee Hen ( Lipsa ocellata ), one of those interesting megapodes or mound-builders characteristic of the Australian region. The author describes the bird’s habitat, the curious habit of constructing mounds, partly composed of decomposing vegetation, by the fermentation of which the eggs are incubated, and traces the bird’s curious nesting habits back to its reptilian ancestors. Mr. D. Ue Souef describes some rare Australian birds eggs ; Mr. C. G. Gibson gives some notes on the birds of the Abrolhos Islands off Western Australia, illustrated by some excellent photographs of nesting Noddy Terns ; Mr. Stuart Dove treats of the birds of the Essendou district, while Messrs. E. F. Stead and C. F. Cole deal with the habits of Cormorants in New Zealand and Australian Waters. The Montague Island Correspondence. 81 Gallery is described by Mr. Bassett Hill, and Miss J. A. Fletcher sends some bird-notes from Clevelands, Tasmania. - The subject of Bird Protection is fully dealt with, the importance of which is beginning to be thoroughly recognised in Australia ; and various notes and letters go to make np a very interesting number. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. DESTRUCTION OF BIRD LIFE AT LIGHTHOUSES. Sir, — The terrible destruction of bird life against the Lighthouses in the migratory season is sad to contemplate, and yet, I suppose, nothing can be done, or surely it would have been done before this. Is it known to many of onr members, I wonder, that tens of thousands of birds of all kinds meet their death against one lighthouse alone during the year? St. Catherine’s (Isle of Wight) and Heligoland being particularly fatal. I have seen literally heaps of them brought in to onr clever naturalist and taxider¬ mist here, Mr. Bristow, for a few specimens to be “ set up ” for collections. Only yesterday he showed me Meadow Pipits, Gold-crests, Wagtails, White- throats, Wheatears, Redstarts, Garden Warblers, Blackcaps, Grasshopper Warblers, Nightingales, Willow Wrens, Chiffchaffs, besides any amount of Blackbirds, Thrushes, Swallows, Robins, and sea birds of all sorts, indeed almost every wild bird one could name. Eight}'- had been brought in that morning alone, all in faultless plumage and condition. Bird-trappers’ destruction is jnst a drop in the ocean compared with this wholesale slaughter. I understand netting has been tried, but the swiftness of flight still renders the impact fatal. I did not understand, however, if it were wire or string netting, which latter might possibly make all the difference in the world. I should be glad if this appeal would arouse the sympathy and desire to help onr feathered friends, I myself feel, among our members. E. A. H. HARl'r.iCY. St. Helen's Lodge, Hastings. “THE BREEDING HABITS OF HECK’S CURASSOW.” Sir, — I have been much interested by Mr. Pocock’s article in the November Magazine on the breeding of the so-called Heck’s Curassow at the Zoological Gardens, but surely this is a very loose and unscientific way of describing the mating of a cock Globose Curassow and a hen Heck’s Curassow? For even if we grant that they are very nearly allied, they are at all events distinguished as distinct species, and such a heading is most misleading, apart from its inaccuracy. Perhaps I may have misread the article— though I have been through 82 Post Mortem Examinations . it carefully several times — for if the young birds are hybrids one would have expected some reference as to which parent they took after most or other similar notes. At all events I think it would be as well for the matter to be made clear in your next issue. J. Lewis Bonhote. AN ESCAPED RIFLE BIRD. Sir, — Just about ten weeks ago a hen Rifle-Bird, just arrived from New Guinea, escaped from its cage, was seen for a few days about and then disappeared, and we all made up our minds it was dead. Last night I had a telephone message from a keen naturalist, who lives at Langton, a village two miles away, to say that a strange bird had been brought to her, and asking if we had lost one. It had dashed against the Vicarage window and so had been caught. I told her of this Rifle Bird, but thought it was impossible it could be the lost bird. However, from her description it sounded so like it that I sent up and had the bird brought down. It was the lost lieu Rifle-Bird in ver}' fair condition though a little weak and dazed. This morning it appears perfectly well although rather thin. We have had ip of frost, and cold wet nights, and for ten weeks this bird has lived in the woods and is apparently none the worse. After this I think we over coddle our Paradise Birds, and next year I believe they could be wintered in a cold avairy without heat. This bird was freshly imported and had been caged for mouths before it escaped. Groombridge, Nov. 19, 1908. M. A. Johnstone. POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. RULES. Each bird must be forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and post¬ age paid, direct to Mr Arthur Gill, Lanlierne, Bexley Heath, Kent, and must be accompanied by a letter containing the fullest particulars of the case, and a fen of 1/- for each bird If a reply by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclosed. Domestic poultry, pigeons and Canaries can only be reported on by post. Beue-Winged Love-Bird. (Major A. B. Trestrail). This bird died of acute inflammation of the liver. Answered by post : Capt. J. W. H. Seppings. Miss A. Bruce. Arthur Giee, M.R.C.V.S. III. Novices to Members — f Continued from page ii. of covert. NEW MEMBERS. Mr. W. Percivae Wasteu., F.L.S. ; Chester House, Wilbury Road, Leth worth, Herts. Mr. Hugh Buxton ; Fritton Hall, Norfolk. Mr. Maurice Amseer ; High Street, Eton. Mr. Louis J. Arrighi; Harrison View, Watson Crescent, Edinburgh. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Mr. R. N. WriGHT; Aston Hall, Aston-bv-Stone, Staffordshire. Proposed by Mr. W. T. Page. Mr. Wiefred STAEKER ; Loughrigg House, Anibleside, and Mr. C. S. Guebankian ; 38, Hyde Park Gardens, Loudon, W. Proposed by Mr. C. B, HorsbruGh. Mr. Anthony R. KusER ; Bernardsville, New Jersey, U.S. A., and Mr. K. V. Painter ; 2508, Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. A. Proposed by Mr. C. W. BEEBE. ILLUSTRATION FUND. The Council acknowledge with many thanks the following donations. £ s. d. Mr. W. T. Browning .. .. .. 100 Mr. W. B. Gibbin .. .. o 10 o MEMBERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is sixpence for eighteen words or erss, and one penny for every additional three words or less. 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 pair Reeve’s Pheasants, also three young Cockatiels, supposed to be males, in fine plumage. Reeve’s 42/-, Cockatiels 10/- each. Apply Lady Grant Duff; Earl Soliam Grange, Framlingham. Pairs: — Tufted Ducks, 20/-; Pochards, 20/-; Gadwall, 17/6 ; Pintail, 12/6; Shovellers, 14/-; Teal, 7/6; Widgeon, 12/-; Wild-ducks, 3/- each; Amherst Pheasants, adult, 30/- pair; ditto poults, 25/- pair; Golden, adults, 25/- pair; poults, 20/- pair; Bankiva Jungle Fowl, 15/- pair. H. Wormaed ; Heatlifield, Dereham, Norfolk. Pairs: Diamond Doves, 10/6; Chinese Quails, 30/-; Cape Doves (rough) 5/6; Orange-breasted Waxbills, 7/-; Green Avadavats (moulting) 7/6; Aurora Waxbills, winners, 13/6; Chestnut Finches, winners, 16/-; Combassous, 6/6; Giant Magpie Mannikins, 9/- : Japanese Buntings, 10/- ; Bearded Tits, 15/-; five pairs various acclimatised Waxbills and Mannikins, 3/- to 4/6 pair; cock Parrot finch, 37/6; cock Blue Tanager, 35/-; Shama, flies loose about room, 63/-. Wanted cocks, Festive and Maroon Tanagers, and Elegant Grass Parrakeets. Can recommend good bird-keeper, dis¬ engaged now. Henry Robbins; 25, Campden Hill Square, London, W. Harlequin Quails, hatched September 9th, two cocks, one hen, full grown. In outdoor aviarv, 10/- each. Mrs. Howard Wieeiams; Oatlands, Bromley. Pair of Satin Bower-birds, full adult plumage, absolutely perfect, £4. 10/-. Pair Blue-crowned Hanging Parrakeets, 25/- ; pair Australian Crested Pigeons, 15/-; hen Harlequin Quail, good breeder, 7/6; hen Rock- pepler Parrakeet, 20/-. D. Skth-SmiTH; 14, Canning Road, Croydon. JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. I . Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. TROWER & CO., WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS, 442, 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. Mealworms, Ants’ Eggs, Dried Flies, etc., of the finest quality. SPECIALITIES. CECTO,” die best Insectivorous Food on tlie Market, 1/4 perl)). Ground Silk Worm Pupae, imported at frequent intervals from Italy. CONTENTS. O- A Stanley Crane, with plate, by Mrs. Grkboky . The Coach-Whip Bird, illustrated , by Kkginald Phillipps ... My Indian Aviary, with plans , by Captain G. A. Perrkau ... The Tragedy of the Whistling Swans at Niagara Falls, by Or. Frederick W. D’Evelyn 92 The Soft Parts of the Blue-naped Coly, by Dr. A. G. Butler 94 The ‘Mosquito Hawk’ or Jamacia ‘ Give-nie-me-bit,’ by H. K. A TT EWELL 96 O11 Four Well known Thrushes of North America, by Hubert D. Astley, M.A. 99 Foreign Birds at the London Cage- Bird Association’s Show, Illustrated 108 The Society’s Medal . . 112 Correspondence : “The British Rail,” 112 ; The Himalayan Snow - Cock and the Blood Pheasant, iij ; Starting Outdoor Aviaries, 114 Post mortem Examinations . ... . 114 LONDON ; R. H. PORTER. 7. Princes St., Cave impish Square, W. NOTE— A new volume commences every November. new series, Vel. VII. No. 3 MONTHLY Price Is- 6d- JANUARY, 1909; Members’ Annual Subscription, 10/- j payable in advance. THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. II. ~~ AH Subscriptions ql^oMld be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the AvicultUrat, Society 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. 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. far publication in the Magazine , Books for Review, and Private Advertisements should be addressed t„o the Editor, Mr. D. Seth-SmiTh, 14, Canning Road, Addiscombe, Surrey. All Queries respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A. G. BUTEER, 124. Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent All other correspondence , and Subscriptions, should be sent to tile Honorary Business Secretary, Mr. T. H. Newman, Newlands, Harrowdeue Road, Wembley, Middlesex. Any change of address should be at once 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 be addressed to the Hon. Correspondence Secretary and should contain a penny stamp. Those marked “ Private ” will not he published. The Magazine is published by Mr. R. H. PORTER (7, Princes .Street, Cavendish Square, W.) to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers, and bound volumes (accompanied by remittance) should be addressed. Casas for binding Vol. VI., New Series, of the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side) can be obtained from the Publisher, post free and carefully packed, at 1/6 each ; or the Publisher will undertake the binding of the Volume for 2/6, plus 8d. far packing and postage. All orders must be accompanied by a remittance in full; and members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. BOUND COPIES OE THE “ AVICUETURAL MAGAZINE.” l'li e following can be obtained from the Publisher at the prices given below. Postage 6d. per volume extra : Vol. II., 6/- to members; 8 6 to the public. Vols. V. to VII., to/6 each to members ; 12 6 each to the public. Vol. VIII., 14/- to members ; 17/6 to the public. Vols. I. to IV., New Series, (sets only) £/\ net to members; £5 to the public. Vol. II. >. 16/- 21/- „ Vol. III. 16/- 21/- Vol. IV. „ „ 16/- 21/- Vol. V. ,, ,, l6/- 21/- Vol. VI. » » 16 /- 21/- Cm rent Monthly Numbers 1/6 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 1/7 ; for back Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. Second-hand copies sometimes reach the Publisher, to whom application should be made. ' Continued on page Hi. of covet',. Avicultural Magazine. MRS. GREGORY AND HER STANLEY CRANE. Photo by W. Hazel, Bournemouth Bale & Danielsson, Ltd. THE 83 Bvtcultural fllbagasme, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCI ETY. Neiu iViw.t-VOL, VII. — NO. 3.— All rights reserved. JANUARY, 1909. A STANLEY CRANE. By Mrs. Gregory. I have lately bought a very beautiful and extremely tame Stanley Crane. As soon as he arrived and was let out of the travelling crate he began to dance with joy and spring up in the air with his bill wide open. He seemed delighted with his new home, and soon went straight to the pond and bathed. Then he made friends with the other birds and wisely gives way to the Crowned Crane, who always has and always will “ rule the roost ” — thus peace is maintained. From the first the Stanley attached himself to me, and very soon I could do anything I liked with him except induce him to come into the house. Full of suspicion, he would stand on the door mat peering in, but no further would he venture. So I waited until he had sufficient confidence to follow me in of his own accord, and now he will walk from room to room after me, like a dog. He is full of curiosity, as most Cranes are, and touches the furniture, curtains, etc. with his bill. Silver orna¬ ments interest him, and he can never resist pulling my thimble off my finger, or carrying off scissors if I am sewing. I think the Stanley is the gentlest of all the Cranes. At the same time he likes to try to frighten strangers by rushing at them with wings outspread and sometimes pecking their shoes. He is a tall bird, about 4ft. 6in. in height, the plumage of a soft bluish grey shade, the top of the head is white, and the eyes are large, dark, and expressive. The lanceolate feathers on the breast are the same colour as the body, unlike those of the Demoiselle which are almost black. I am told that these Cranes 84 A Stanley Crane. require a little meat sometimes, but I cannot get mine to eat any. I feed him on grain, equal quantities of wheat, dari, and husk rice, and less of maize. At first he ate worms but now does not care for them and only searches for insects. At night he sleeps in a comfortable shed, separated by a wire door from my Crowned Crane. At seven in the morning they are both let out. The head of the Stanley Crane is very peculiar. The feathers on it are short and thick and very close, and the bird puffs them out when pleased or excited, and this gives the look of a swollen head. I have had some extremely tame Cranes, but none more so than this one. I have even opened a window in the dusk and called to him by name and he has answered each time with a “cluck.” Sometimes I hide in the garden and watch him (unseen) searching for me, until he walks in triumph to the shed or summer-house or wherever I may be. Then he is so companionable! If I sit writing or reading he stands close by my side preening or looking up at me until I say, “Now, Beu, come for a walk,” when he paces up and down the gravel walks, following so closely that I sometimes feel his bill touching me. Since I began to write this account my Stanley Crane has been seized by a sudden and very violent illness, caused we think by his having eaten something poisonous, probably found on a large load of manure on which he had been searching for insects. For nearly three days he took absolutely no food, only drank water. His eyes were closed most of the time and his bill rested on his breast. I felt I must make some effort to save him or he would die from weakness. In vain I tried food of many kinds, he would not open his bill, even for spiders. So, very gently, I did it for him, at the same time, pushing in a live insect. He took a large number and swallowed them all. Next day he seemed a little stronger and less drowsy. I fed him every few hours in the same way and occasionally gave well boiled maize. Gradually I got his strength back until he could pick up food for himself. The insects I gave were wood-lice, which I was able to get in large quantities from a friend who has a small pine wood in his grounds. He had some trees cut down and the The Coach - Whip Bird. 85 bark split off. Between the bark and the tree these creatures were collected in hundreds, and I brought some of the pine needles and bark away to keep them alive in. An old doctor ■once told me that wood-lice contained iron, and years ago used to be put into medicines for human beings. There must be some special virtue in them, as this is the second Crane I have saved by giving plenty just in time. It was touching to see this dear bird trying to crawl after me, but too weak to go above a few yards. Now, I am glad to be able to say, he can once more flap his wings and preen his feathers and walk up in his stately way to meet me at the garden gate. THE COACH-WHIP BIRD. By Reginald Phillipps. During the last few months, references to the Coach-whip Bird (. Psophodes crepitans ) which is now at the Zoological Gardens have appeared in various papers, all more or less inferring, some positively stating, that it is the first living example of the species that has reached this country. But such is not the case, for Mr. Carrick had brought over a male six years previously, which passed into my hands ( per Mr. Hamlyn) on the day following its arrival — on the 27th of May, 1902. Judging by my specimen, the male, although it cannot •stand undue exposure to cold, is a good liver, and is, by nature and habits, well adapted to aviary life, at any rate during the warmer months of the year. In a cage, it is thrown away and quite out of place. According to my own experiences of the two species, it is a far better liver than the Pied Grallina (Magpie Lark), and yet, when I visited the Gardens this last summer, I found the latter in an aviary and the former mewed up in a cage in the hot New Birds’ House. No wonder that the unhappj' creature has never (so it is stated) been heard to utter its call ! The male Coach-whip Bird is a man of affairs, and passes much of his time bustling about among the trees, or “digging away” (to quote from my notes) on the ground in search of insect life, &c., very much to the benefit of his health and spirits. 86 Mr. Reginald Phillipps, And I cannot help feeling strongly that the authorities at the Zoological Gardens would have done better with their Whip Bird if they had cautiously introduced it into one of the Western Aviaries, or some other good-sized aviaiy with a sheltered portion and a natural outdoor attachment; for, if properly managed, it becomes a bold and impudent fellow ; and, as it has a good supply of self assurance, it soon makes itself at home, and can hold its own in the company of any ordinary large birds. Being of local habits, it should not be moved about from place to place, but should be left alone and allowed to settle down, so that its natural ways may be brought out. My Whip Bird arrived in excellent condition, saving a slightly clipped wing, and was loosed into the birdroom, with garden aviary attached, on June ist, and soon picked up full life and vigour. If the Zoo. bird had been similarly treated during oil ilu Coach- Whip Bird. 3 7 the warm weather, supposing it to be a healthy specimen, it too would have become developed in body and mind ; and the comical way in which a good male suddenly pauses in the midst of his many affairs, lifts up his head, opens his mouth, blows his whistle, cracks his whip, and whacks his beast, would have given huge delight to thousands of young people (for he is not shy nor easily abashed) — and to many an old one too. The Coach-whip Bird is mainly insectivorous, and obtains most of its food on the ground. I was informed that, on the voyage over, a little scraped raw meat was regularly given to my bird ; but probably in captivity this species is better without it when good insectivorous food is obtainable ; however, a little scraped cooked meat (beef or mutton) is often of great value to a bird of this kind. I noticed that my Whip Bird had a little weakness for hunting any lame duck that might chance to be in the aviary ; and I suspect that, in the wild state, it is not averse to helping itself to a nestling, a mouse, and the like, when it happens to light upon one in the bush. It is not a bird I should care to trust in an aviary of small finches, or even with breeding quails — the chicks would “mysteriously disappear,” I expect. My Whip Bird was first heard to utter his call, and that pretty frequently, on June 16, three weeks after arrival, in the early morning before we were up ; and, afterwards, it was so commonly repeated as to cease to attract especial attention; although it was always interesting to watch the bird while uttering it — and of great interest to my neighbours on one side who regarded him as a curiosity, but a cause of much grumbling on the part of others who were systematically unamiable. His favourite “ coach road ” was a bare pole or perch, some yards long, and fixed up some 8ft. above the ground. My note runs: — “ He bustles about and then stops, raises head rather high, ■opens his mouth, gives a whistle (sometimes high, sometimes low), then a sudden shake or jerk of the head and out comes the crack.” The preliminary whistle would be prolonged for the space of a good breath before the crack came, and usually was on a moderately high note, but not infrequently on a much lower one ; the mouth would be opened as wide as by a fledgeling Thrush asking for food. There were occasional curious and pleasing variations to the usual calls. 88 Captain G. A. Perreau, It is a pity that a female has not been brought over, for, if I may judge by my own male, it is a species that would readily breed in a good-sized, natural, thickly wooded garden aviary ,- and the question, if still a question, as to the part taken by the female in the calls of these birds in the Australian bush would be set at rest. My poor bird met with a sad coach accident, from the effects of which he died on the 20th January, 1904, after having been with me little more than a year and a half. If it had not been for this accident, there is no reason why he should not have been alive now, for, as I have already remarked, at any rate the male is a good liver — but beware of a too generous application of the Fresh Air treatment, for it is possible for British weather to be too bracing even for the Coach-whip Bird ! MY INDIAN AVIARY. By Captain G. A. Perreau. In the AviculUiral Magazine , Vol. III., New Series, page 366, I gave an account of my small aviaries, and promised a further account of my new aviaries which were just completed at that time. The accompanying plan and elevations will, I hope, explain the general idea. Our house is square, facing south, with a verandah all round it. Portions of the verandah have been con¬ verted into the rooms, dressing rooms, See. The ground falls away to the South-East. The main Bakloh ridge runs North and South on the West, near enough and high enough to give shelter from storms without shutting off the evening sun. A spur runs down close behind the aviary on the north side. The house shelters the aviary on the East. So it can be seen that the posi- tion is almost ideal in a place where storms and cold are more to be feared than heat. The climate I have mentioned before, but would like to add that the winter, cold as it is, is far more favourable to aviculture than the English one; we are not often long without sun. The aviary was added by me to the house with the idea that it could be turned into an office room when I leave. I expect Avicultural Magazine, i \ Fig. 1 PLAN OF CAPTAIN PERREAU’S INDIAN AVIARY. Bale & Danielsson, i-td. — ----- - My Indian Aviary. 89 that future generations will wonder at the door and window arrangements. It is a span-roof building fitting into the West roof of the house and is as large as possible, having due regard to the light and “ breeze ways ” of the house. I should have liked another six feet at least in length to givens another aviary, but had to cut away a good bit of khud as it was. The verandah is apt to drip in bad weather in a couple of places owing to the slight slope, not enough to worry about. I am a great believer in getting as much verandah space as possible. Referring to the plan (see separate plate), A. A. A. are small windows a foot square, about 4ft. off the ground. B. is a 6ft. by Fig. 2. Section on C. D. 3ft. door, three-quarter glass, opening out in two parts. This would have been better placed opening out of the storeroom. C. is rather a complicated window with four openings out of the four aviary cages G. G. My original intention was to have two out-door flights at the back, but the space was unsuitable and I feared draught. D. is a glass window (see Figs. I. and III). E. E. are three-quarter glass doors. The top nine inches is fixed. The next fifteen is hinged separately to open as a window. The remaining four foot opens as a door and is usually kept shut in the winter only. F. is a three-quarter glazed door, 6ft. by 3ft., hinged down the middle so as not to obstruct the view into the aviary verandah when left open, as it generally is by day. go Captain G. A. PkrrKAU, G. G. are aviary cages (see Figs. I. and III.) four in number, in two tiers. Each has a door 2ft. by 2ft. 6in. high, in the bottom of which is a 6iu. high door to allow safe feeding, There was a large door between each pair, but this was taken away as it was such a nuisance having to go into the Parrakeet shelter to feed birds in the far aviary cages. The floor of the top * tier is of zinc sheets fixed on 1 in. planks. H. is a set of shelves 6 by i£ by 8ft. high, which I had j used previously as shelves and cages. The two bottom shelves are still used as shelves, the remaining top ones form cages i^ft. high, each of which can be partitoued into three. The top of the top shelf is covered with zinc and the space above is at the disposal of the birds in the Finch aviary. Corners more or less cosy are formed by boarding in the near corner of the Finch aviary and the far corner of the Parrakeet aviary, and a foot wide plank runs along the top of the aviary cages (see figures). There are two small 6in. square openings in the wall on the ground level between the verandah and the shelter. The idea was that these openings would be useful for ground birds, odd cripples or young, but they are a bit too small. Shelves (gin. at sides and i2iu. at end) cover all available wall space of store-room. Fig. 3. Section on B. A. The work-table is usually untidy with tools, bits of wood and wire, food tins in use, &c. Underneath it really is untidy. “ Please don’t look ” is the Mem-sahib’s warning, while “ please My Indian Aviary. 9i don’t touch ” is the Sahib’s request. Much of the rubbish there is the result of much labour, logs and odd bits of wood for nest- boxes, experimental cages and traps, &c. The chair is com¬ fortable enough to laze in, but solid enough to sit on while doing- carpentry (?) odds and ends, cages, nest-boxes, &c. A stout empty box gives me a useful carpenters’ bench. A small moveable table, close at hand here for books, writing material, &c., completes the watching portion of the aviary, to my mind almost the most important part, indirectly at any rate. The bow- window in the drawing-room is useful in cold weather orto watch new or shy birds. Seed in bulk, chiefly millet, is stored against the wall. The table by the old aviary has a shelf underneath, and is most useful for putting out things to be cleaned and for the servants to leave eggs, vegetable, &c., for insect food which I mix. A tin for rubbish to be thrown away is by the table, also two large water cans to be kept filled. The bliisti cleans and refills the water dishes every morning, and the tap is just along the walk past the walnut tree, but I find wateris often wanted for odd jobs, hence the filled cans. The old aviary I have already described, so I think I have gone all over the ground outside the aviaries proper ; “live food ” breeding may be touched on later, also vermin. The ground under the covered portion is stone flagged. The walls are stone masonry ijft. thick. The roof is of 1 in. pine planks, covered with iron sheets, painted. Gutters carry off the rain and snow water. Verandah posts are of wood (painted) set in stone. Uprights in the flight are of wood about qin.by 3m. let into the ground ; they are tarred below and painted above ground. Similar uprights are fixed against the walls about 4ft. apart. I have fastened cross pieces on these where required, and have found them most useful for fixing up branches, nest-boxes, & c. I have seen aviaries condemned by authorities as being too woody. Of course iron looks nice and is more permanent, but wood is much more “ amenable” for those who do odd jobs about the aviary themselves, and mite is not much to be feared in aviaries. All wire work is £in. mesh galvanised wire netting. Glass 92 Dr. Frederick W. D’ Evelyn, is everywhere protected on one side with wire net on light wooden frames to take off when glass requires cleaning. A foot plank runs along the bottom where cats could do damage. Where the ground is not masonry round the outside of the flight, there are attached to the bottom of this plank L-shaped pieces of perforated zinc i8in. down and i8in.out. The ditch thus formed * is filled with stones to help drainage. Wire netting would have been cheaper and equally efficient as a protection against under¬ ground vermin. THE TRAGEDY OF THE WHISTLING SWANS AT NIAGARA FALLS. By Dr. Frederick W. D’Evelyn, President Cooper Ornithological Society, San Francisco. Ships’ masters, light-house keepers, signal tower men, and others often relate tales of bird destruction which, as far as the general public are concerned, are dismissed with the passings tribute of a sigh. Seldom indeed, however, are we fated to hear of a tragedy in migration of such an unique character as that which comes to us from Niagara Falls. Through the courtesy of Mr. James H. Fleming — {Auk. July) — and Mr. James Savage,. Buffalo, N.Y., we are in possession of facts concerning the disaster. On the morning of March 14th, a flock of some 300 or 400 Swans ( Olor . columbianus), rare migrant along Niagara River, lit upon the upper reaches of the river, probably attracted by the open water. All day the birds remained on the river, numbers of them at times could be seen floating down the river, carried along by the current until the proximity of the cataract caused them to rise and fly back to a place of safety. The day following (March 15th) was stormy, rain and thunder at intervals. The birds appeared in distress, and not being able to obtain food,, added to the constant exertion necessary to keep them out of danger no doubt weakened them. Shortly before noon, a work¬ man who was engaged in removing some lumber from the ice- bridge, was startled by a loud cry. Turning around he saw a Swan struggling at the upper edge of the ice-bridge, but on look¬ ing towards the Falls he saw a great mass of struggling Swans in ! on the Tragedy of the Whistling Swans at Niagara Falls. 93 evident distress being swept by the current and floating ice to¬ wards the bridge. Helpless after their terrible plunge over the Canadian Falls the unfortunate birds were indeed in a terrible plight. Many had been killed outright, many others badly injured were unable to recover themselves, they were prisoners and, conscious of their helplessness, their cries were heart-rend¬ ing. Soon the news of the catastrophe spread, the Game Laws of Ontario permitted the taking of Swans until April 30th, and it was not long until men and boys, armed with guns and sticks, hastened to the scene and rapidly completed — as Mr. Savage says — the closing scene of nature’s great tragedy — the sacrifice of the Swans. The number of Swans taken on March 13th was 102; the following day some more were taken, only about 15a yards from the Horse-shoe Falls. On the 22nd, twelve more came over the Falls, nearly all of these were captured, three were seen to rise from the broken waters between the base of the Falls and the ice-bridge and fly back over the Falls into the river. It was thought that several of the birds would have re¬ covered had they been left alone, but the destruction was com¬ pleted by the watchers on the shore-line. Mr. Savage secured one specimen in a stunned condition, which he sent to the Zoo in Buffalo, where under the care of the Curator it finally recovered, and is now a celebrated specimen, at home on the placid waters of Park Lake. Mr. Fleming secured thirty-three specimens which he care¬ fully measured, adding the sterna to his collection. An exami¬ nation of the Swans showed that several had broken wings, others had clavicles dislocated, and oneortwo had the sternum crushed, while iu a number the lungs were markedly congested. The birds were iu good condition, but the stomachs were empty. The weights varied from 12 to 18 lbs. Many were first year birds, while some were very old. One specimen, a female, and not the largest, measured 51^ inches in length and 81 inches from tip to tip of its extended wings. A friend writing me from Buffalo informs me that to his knowledge 152 birds were taken. The total weight of the victims exceeded one ton. It was a matter of much regret that no effort was made to protect or aid the unfortunate victims : it is reasonable to believe that many might have been rescued. 94 Dr. A. G. Butler, The birds were reported as ‘ good eating,’ that was the final judgment that ‘ overcame ’ and completed the doom of the birds. Each year, from the middle to the end of March, a number of Swans are washed over the Falls. In 1906, sixteen ; 1907, six ; and in this tragedy, 1908, one hundred and fifty-two. THE SOFT PARTS OF THE BLUE-NAPED COLY. By Dr. A. G. Butler. Of the various species of Colies or Mouse-birds the follow¬ ing have hitherto been imported as cage birds: C. slriatus, C. 7iigricollis, C. leucotis , C. castanonotus , C. colius , C. erythromelon , and C. macrurus. When reading up the different published accounts respect¬ ing the wild life of the last-mentioned : — C. macrurus, I was struck by the many dissimilar descriptions of the colouring of the soft parts ; and it has made me wonder whether, as in the case of the little Passerine Dove, these differences may not have local significance and indicate the first steps towards the sub¬ division of this species or, in other words, represent what are now regarded as subspecies. I think it would be interesting, if one could secure a good series of specimens from different parts of its range, to see whether there was not some other local difference either in the shades of the plumage, the size of the blue spots on the nape, or the various measurements, which would support this view. Aviculturists at home are not in a position to settle this point ; for I believe the Blue-naped Coly has hitherto only reached the Zoological Gardens of Amsterdam and Copenhagen (unless Mr. A. L. Butler has sent home living examples recently), but curators in Museums might, with a little trouble, secure good series from the various collectors in Northern and Western Africa and so settle an interesting question. The description of the soft parts of C. macrurus in the British Museum “ Catalogue of Birds ” is that given by Von Heuglin, who appears to have secured his specimens at Khartoum ; it runs: “Feet rosy crimson, the soles bluish yellow; iris and orbital ring crimson.” on the soft parts of the Blue-naped Coly. 95 I have not the remotest notion what “bluish yellow” can mean, unless it means green. Heuglin says “ coerulescente- flavidis” which is a trifle more vague. In an article describing an Expedition to the White Nile (. Ibis , 1901, p. 264) Mr. H. F. Witherby thus describes the soft parts: — “Iris red; bill — upper mandible pinkish red with black tips ; legs and feet purple ; orbits bare, lake-red.” In the same volume Mr. A. E. Pease (p. 670) says: “ Iris brown, naked skin round eye dark red ; bill red at base, black at the tip : legs dull red.” The following year (Ibis, 1902, p. 42S) Mr. R. Me. D. Hawker says “ Iris hazel ; bill red, black at tip, legs and feet purplish red.” I11 1906 Mr. J. Jackson “On birds collected during a journey to the Ruwenzori Range” (Ibis, p.522) thus describes the soft parts : — “ Iris crimson ; bill coral, tip and lower mandible black ; bare patch round eye plum-coloured ; feet heliotrope- coloured.” Combining these descriptions we learn that, in life, this Coly has the bill with the upper mandible red, blackish horn at base and tip, lower mandible black ( Heuglin ) ; “upper mandible pinkish-red with black tip, lower mandible black ( Witherby ) ; “red at base, black at tip” (Pease and Hawker ) ; “ coral, tip and lower mandible black ” (Jackson) ; feet “rosy crimson with bluish yellowish soles” (Heuglin')-, “purple” (Witherby)-, “dull red” (Pease) ; “ purplish-red ” ( Hawku ') ; “ heliotrope ” (Jackson) ; iris “ crimson ” (Heuglin) ; “ red ” ( Witherby’) ; “ brown ” (Pease) ; “hazel” (Hazvker); “crimson” (Jackson)-, orbital naked patch “crimson” (Heziglin); “lake red” (Witherby)-, “dark red” (Pease); plum-coloured” (Jackson.) With all this apparent inconstancy of colouring in the soft parts it would be somewhat perplexing for a taxidermist to stuff a specimen correctly, for exhibition in a Museum ; or for an artist who had to prepare a coloured plate of the species. All the above naturalists describe with authority, from birds before them in the flesh; and though we may allow a little latitude for varying conceptions of colour, it would be absuid to suppose that the same bill could be described by one man as pinkish-red 96 Mr. H. E. Attewell, and by another as coral-red ; that the feet should be called by one man rosy-crimson, by another purple, by a third purplish red, and by a fourth heliotrope; that the same iris should be described variously as crimson, red, brown, and hazel ; or the same orbital ring as crimson, lake-red, dark-red, and plum- coloured, though perhaps this last might be possible. Therefore, as I said before, there seems here to be evidence that C. macrurus possesses certain local races differing in the colouring of the soft parts, and it is quite possible that other characters may be discovered by which they may hereafter be distinguished, if a sufficient number of specimens from all parts of the range can be compared. I think it quite likely that the size of the beak may vary in the races, as it does in the species; but it must be borne in mind that this difference occurs also between the sexes. THE ‘MOSQUITO HAWK’ OR JAMAICA ‘ GIVE-ME-ME-BIT.’ * By H. E. Attewell. From a bird’s point of view the honour must be a very doubtful one. At any rate, the bird under discussion is no can¬ didate for the honour even the most exalted cagedom can confer. Because of its complete unsuitability for confinement of any kind I fear the Magazine readers’ interest in my subject will •consequently be small. My notes have the merit of freshness, however, of being quite recently made, therefore I pass them on. The ‘ Give-me-me-bit ’ does not stop to explain what ‘ bit ’ it is demanding. I take it to be a matter of fourpence half-penny ! The old fold in Jamaica will tell you that, say eighty years ago, when Spanish silver was current here and larger coins more plentiful than small, these bigger ones were cut with shears and the pieces called ‘ bits.’ Though no longer seen nor current, reckonings, particularly amongst the country folk, still include the ‘ bit.’ To describe the bird would be but to repeat what any good * The Cuban Nightjar Chonieiles virginiauus minor ; inhabiting Southern Florida, Cuba and Jamaica.— Eu. on the ‘ Mosquito Hawk ’ or Jamaica ‘ Give-me-me-bit.' 97 book on Ornithology would tell. I therefore refer any curious to such an extent to a Natural History. A gully here (Jamaica) famous for its Green Todies, has, amongst its other habitues, a number of ‘ Give-me-me-bits,’ that is during their stay in Jamaica. At the proper season, say June or July, one may come across the bird’s domestic arrangements. On June 14th, and of course on the bare ground, somewhat higher than the ground around, yet still in the gully bed, which but ten days earlier was in full flood, I surprised a ‘ Give-me-me- bit.’ Clumsily rising from a yard or so before me she alighted, maybe fifteen yards distant and, although so near, an inex¬ perienced eye would not have easily detected her, so well does the bird’s coloration and its studied deshabille lend to the shade of soil and trash around. With ruffled plumage and extended wings the bird felt satisfied no doubt of its own security and also its egg. This, after some search, I was pleased to find. When found one at first wonders why the search has been in any way difficult. It is at the same time conspicuous and the reverse. A11 object of great beauty lying on the bare soil and withal a pebble! Either end of the egg is equally obtusely rounded, and it is somewhat larger than an average domestic pigeon’s egg. It resembles a variety of marble, a polished mottled grey. Now the native belief or superstition around the handling of a Mos¬ quito Hawk’s egg is ‘ Tek (take) up liegg, tele up trouble, Put it down, put down you (your) luck.’ I did not know this at the time. A dilemma is suggested anyway. A pair of Barbary Doves found themselves ‘up a tree’ eleven days later. I carried home this egg and, distributing the evil consequences, placed it in their nest. The egg was most indifferently brooded aud I feared. One bird — the hen — being naturally a little shortsighted covered it each night, but the cock being (also naturally) more sagacious, appeared less ready to lend support to the general scheme. He seemed to like it beside him rather than beneath him. Sure enough, however, after eleven days of these proceedings there was the new baby ! Its feeding was as great a problem to me as to the foster- parents. The foster mother protested when asked to give up her 98 on the ‘ Mosquito Hawk ’ or Jamaica ‘ Give-??ie-me-bit.' child, while her better half, with the superior wisdom already referred to, seemed to look 011 with enjoyment at the thought of the ‘picnic’ somebody was going to have over that baby. Eighty- eight grains was that baby’s weight. Eighty-eight grains of liveliness and loveliness, quite blind yet able to make sundry little shuffling runs. The bird’s down, in colour, being a sandy grizzle, would even better harmonize with its natural surround¬ ings than would either old bird or egg. For two days, and with some difficulty, we kept the little stowawa_v going with moths; then the inevitable happened. Dusk is the time when ‘ Give-me-me-bits ’ are mostly in evidence, and there must be singular aberration somewhere. Noctural birds usually seek darkened resorts for repose and nidi- fication do they not? Like some others of his kin, the ‘ Give- me-me-bit ’ differs, yet who can understand the reason for such an opposite extreme? Instead of the shade and darkness with consequent comparative cool this bird seeks the very hottest site for incubating and also the most exposed. The glare and heat reflected from such a situation as is usually chosen are enough to blind the sitting bird and cook the egg. A thermometer laid on the ground beside them would no doubt register upwards of i20y Fahrenheit. Does the bird cover the egg by day to keep it cool ? When disturbed while so engaged I have known the ‘ Give-me- me-bit ’ to take wing and, flying to and fro, to swoop immediately overhead, making behind one such a startling whirr as to make a nervous native almost justifiably superstitious, a whirr such as a pheasant makes. Not the least extraordinary habit of this bird is that of choosing a conspicuous (yet inconspicuous again) roosting place ; conspicuous when once noticed but only then. For some days a forked branch of a lignum vitce tree, about nine feet from the ground and but slightly oblique, nor more than xjin. in diameter was the sleeping place of one in our garden. Quite aware of one’s presence, the Mosquito Hawk made no other movement than to blink his big eyes, a butterfly net would have captured him quite easily. Kingston , Jamaica , Sept. 1st, 1908. 0?i four well-knozvn Thrushes of North America. 99 ON FOUR WELL-KNOWN THRUSHES OF NORTH AMERICA. By Hubert D. Astley, M.A. During a visit which I paid to the United States in September and October, I received a very warm, courteous and kindly welcome from some of the best known and most enthu¬ siastic naturalists and ornithologists, notably, Professor H. Fairfield Osborn who is the Head of the New York Natural History Museum and Zoological Park; Mr. C. William Beebe, a member of our Society and Curator of the collection of living birds at the Zoological Park ; Mr. Chapman a well-known writer of ornithological works, who is also at the Natural History Museum, and others. I can never forget the kindness of these gentlemen, and the trouble they took in writing to me, not once but several times, in order to ensure their welcome to me being a certain one, in spite of each and all being busy men, who could ill-afford the time they sacrificed for my benefit. I was anxious to obtain and carry away a Hermit Thrush, and on writing to Mr. Beebe about it, he immediately answered to the effect that not only would he be delighted to present me with some, but that he would also give me other species. It ended in my bringing home the following Thrushes: Hermit's, Wilson’s, Wood Thrushes and Migratory Thrushes, which latter are far better known as ‘ Robins.’ They, along with some Blue Birds, Baltimore Orioles and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, were brought down to the docks by the head-keeper [Mr. Stacey, an Englishman] with an ample supply of food for the voyage, and safely deposited on board the floating Hotel, the Lusitania, These North American Thrushes are far tamer than our English Thrushes would be under similar circumstances, for the day7 after I reached home, one of the Wilson’s and a Hermit were hopping about my bird-room as if they had been there all their lives, coming to me to take a mealworm from my fingers, and splashing in a bath close to my feet. They are wild-caught birds, and in beautiful condition. The Hermit Thrush ( Turdus pallasi) is not very much IOO Mr. Hubert D. Asteey, larger than a well grown Nightingale, being 6.7 inches in total length. A dainty- looking bird ; a true aristocrat. Its shape and demeanour, as well as its upper colouring, remind one strongly of our famous songster, but the throat and breast are spotted as in our Song Thrush. This bird has the singular habit of raising its tail, which is in proportion longer and more slender than that of our Song Thrush, and allowing it to fall slowly back into its natural position, which movement generally follows the act of perch¬ ing. It is, like the Thrushes of North America, migratory ; breeding from the northern United States northwards, and being well-known in the eastern United States; then moving south. A few winter even as far north as the Hudson River. Mr. John Burroughs in his charming book ‘Wake-Robin,’ gives a very beautiful description of its song. He observed the bird especially in the Adirondac Mountains. He writes : — “Ever since I entered the woods, even while listening to the “ lesser songsters, or contemplating the silent forms about me, “ a strain has reached my ears from out of the depths of the “ forest that to me is the finest sound in nature— the song of the “ Hermit Thrush. “ I often hear him thus a long way off, sometimes over a “quarter of a mile away, when only the stronger and more per¬ fect parts of his music reach me; and through the chorus of “ Wrens and Warblers I detect this sound rising pure and serene, “as if a spirit from some remote height were slowly chanting a “ divine accompaniment. “ This song appeals to the sentiment of the beautiful in me, “and suggests a serene religious beatitude as 110 other sound in “ nature does. It is perhaps more of an evening than a morning “hymn, though I hear it at all hours of the day. “It is very simple, and I can hardly tell the secret of its “ charm. ‘ O spheral, spheral ! ’ he seems to say ; ‘ O holy, holy ! “ O clear away, clear away ! O clear up, clear up ! ’ interspersed “ with the finest trills and most delicate preludes. It is not a “ proud gorgeous strain like the Scarlet Tauager’s or the Rose- “ breasted Grosbeak’s; suggests no passion or emotion — nothing “ personal — but seems to be the voice of that calm sweet solemnity on four well-known Thrushes of North America. ioi “ one attains to in liis best moments. It realises a peace and a “ deep solemn joy that only the finest sonls may know.” Mr. Nehrliug writes: — “The highly interesting Hermit “ Thrush might be called the ‘ May-Blossom ’ of our birds. Its “ charms are manifold, but the enthusiastic observer and lover “of birds is rarely able to penetrate the solitude of its swampy “ northern woodland home.” Dr. Hatch, in his ‘Birds of Minnesota,’ observes : — “My “ earliest personal observation of the time of its arrival in the “ vicinity of where I reside was April 5, 1875. It seldom sings “immediately after its arrival, but in due time those which “ remain to build nests overflow with the ebullition of fervid “ melodies. “ I have often listened to the delicious notes, which in my “ ear are in no way inferior to those of the Wood-Thrush. I am “ not surprised that those who have heard him for the first time “should be ready to exalt him higher than the other in the scale of song, when I remember the associations amid which they are “ found. “The silence, the delicious solitude of this clioristry under- “ neatli the shadows of the grand leaf-canopied forest, awaken “ feelings, sentiments, and inspirations, eminently calculated to “ lend enchantment to his liquid silvery bell-toned notes.” The nest of the Hermit Thrush is always built 011 the ground, another connection of similitude to the habits of our Nightingale, generally under low bushes in swampy places. American ornithologists are inclined to the idea that this bird’s song is, in its own peculiar way, not inferior to that of the Nightingale. There is one interesting fact to remember with regard to the songs of the North American birds compared with those ot Europe, which is that whilst many are continuous in their strains, the great majority of their American cousins sing in separated strophes, with very distinct pauses between each one. It remains to be proved whether the graceful and charming little Hermit Thrush will live well in captivity or not. Wilson’s Thrush ( Turdus fuscesccns ) known also as “ The Veery,” and the “ Tawny Thrush ” is very much like the Hermit 102 Mr. Hubkrt D. Astrry, in shape, size, and demeanour, but may be recognised by its grey flanks and uniform tawny-brown, or russet-brown colour, the tail being of the same tint as the back. The throat is pale buff with very light dusky spots. 1 Its summer quarters are in the Eastern United States, extending beyond the frontier into British North America. It „ goes north to Hudson’s Bay, and west to the Saskatchewan. It is, with the exception of the American Robin, the commonest of the Thrushes in Southern New England during the season. It enters Connecticut about the last week of April, and reaches Massachusets early in May. Some of Mr. Nelirling’s notes are as follows : — “According “to my experience the Veery is shy and circumspect, more re- “ tiring and fonder of solitude than the Wood-Thrush, and con¬ sequently rarer in woods often frequented by man. As a rule “ it is found in the deepest seclusion. It chooses for its haunts “and nesting place more swampy and damper spots than its “congener, the Wood-Thrush. “ It is always found in the neighbourhood of water, either ; “close to a rushing rivulet, wandering under thick shrubbery, “ near a thick gurgling spring or a pond. In the sunlight falling “ through the high trees myriads of mosquitoes, gnats, and other “ water-loving insects hover. The whole forest ground is covered “ with old completely moss-grown logs which have almost turned “to soil. One sinks almost to the knees into the decomposing “ mass, which is the very life-spring of the rich plant-growth. “ In this silent solitude the Veery must be sought, if the friend “ of nature and especially of bird-life would make its acquaint¬ ance. The Veery is one of the most exquisite songsters of its “ forest solitude. It is in truth a rival of the Hermit, the Olive- j “ back, and the Wood-Thrush. One hardly knows to which to “ award the palm. In many respects the Veery’s song reminds “ one of the Wood-Thrush, but it is not so loud and flute-like, “and seems to be more modulated. The bird sings so diligently, “that it is often heard long after sunset. Hence in some places “in New England this bird has been called the ‘ Nightingale.’” The song has been described as consisting of an inexpres¬ sibly delicate metallic utterance of the syllables ta-weel’ah,. on four well-knozvn Thrushes of North America. 103 ta-weel’ali, twil’ah, twil’ah, “accompanied by a. fine trill wliich rendered it truly seductive.” The Wood Thrush (T. vmstelimis). I fancy I am correct in saying that the Hermit Thrush and the ‘ Veery ’ have not been represented in the Regent’s Park Zoological collection for some time ; but not very long ago, four or five Wood Thrushes were sent over with a collection of other birds of the United States, and at least two of these pretty Thrushes are still alive. They are easily distinguished by the foxy-red colour of the upper surface, especially 011 the crown of the head and nape of the neck, and by the black spotting on the sides of the body, the whole of the ground work of the underparts, from throat to vent, being very white. It inhabits the Eastern United States to the Plains, north to Ontario and Massachusets, south in winter to Guatemala and Cuba. It breeds from Virginia and Kentucky, northwards. In captivity this Thrush seems to be remarkably tame, hopping close to one in the aviary, and quickly making itself at home. For a description of this pretty Thrush in its wild state, I must again avail myself of Mr. Nehrling’s work on North American Birds, where he writes: — “ It is found chiefly in low damp woodlands which are “ thickly covered with undergrowth, and prefers for settlement “the shady interior to the noisy and busy neighbourhood of man. “ Here one can hear the wonderful, harmonious, flute-like song “ from early dawn until the fall of the evening twilight. “In the mountains of North Carolina and elsewhere, it “ loves to nest in the grand evergreen rhododendrons. The Wood “Thrush rarely appears in its northern home before the middle “of May — often some days later — at the time when the first “ flower-buds open upon the apple-trees. “It usually remains for the first few days after its arrival “ in dense undergrowth. Were it not for hearing repeatedly the “ far-sounding ‘ Eolie ’ or ‘ Hallowlee,’ one would hardly know “that this famous vocalist had returned home again. Only when “ it sings does it perch on a tree-top and pour forth its exquisite “ song.” Mr. Stearns in his ‘ New England Bird Fife ’ writes : — “The song of this Thrush is one of its most remarkable 104 Mr. Hubert D. Asteey, “and pleasing characteristics. No lover of sweet sounds can “have failed to notice it, and, having once known its source, no “one can fail to recognise it when heard again. The melody is “one of great sweetness and power, and consists of several parts, “ the last note of which resembles the tinkling of a small bell, “ and seems to leave the conclusion suspended. Each part of its “song seems sweeter and richer than the preceding.” The nest of this Thrush is a firm compact structure, chiefly composed of decaying deciduous leaves, closely packed together. They are strengthened by an intermingling of a few dry twigs, and the whole is lined with fine roots and dry grasses * sometimes mud is used for the intermediate lining. In my aviaries this Thrush moves about on the ground in a very similar manner to the English Song Thrush, cocking its head on one side to listen for the movements of a worm and then hopping off to repeat the same manoeuvre elsewhere. It is smaller than our bird, being 7.5 inches in total length. It is curious that those birds which are tamest and most confiding in their wild state are oftentimes by no means so trust¬ ful in captivity ; whilst those that prefer to shun the habitations of mankind, seeking the solitudes of nature’s recesses, quickly lose their timidity. Such is the case with the three Thrushes about which I have written, whilst the fourth species, the Ameri¬ can ‘Robin,’ which everywhere in the United States and Canada is as familiar a bird as our Blackbird and Song Thrush, seems inclined to act as do his English cousins, who when taken from their wild state are by no means particularly tameable for some time after their capture. Not that I would infer that the Ameri¬ can Robin is truly resentful and irreconcilable, but he seems at first to be less completely fearless than his confreres of the more untrodden ways. The American Robin or Red-breasted Thrush (T. migratori-iis) is very widely distributed in North America, breed¬ ing from Mexico to Alaska and Hudson’s Bay. The pilgrim fathers of Massachusetts called this Thrush the Robin, or Robin Redbreast, because it reminded them of the beloved and familiar bird of their English homes. No doubt one of the first birds they saw was this Thrush with his breast very on four well-knozvn Thrushes of North America. 105 similarly coloured, and to this day he is highly prized by the people of New England, who have protected him so that he has,, like they themselves, multiplied greatly and taken up his abode in towns and cities. This Thrush is extremely handsome with his dark ashy- grey upper parts, inclining to black on the head, his white throat streaked longitudinally with black, his chestnut breast, white abdomen and under tail-coverts. His shape, size, and general bearing, remind one strongly of our Blackbird, as well as of the Fieldfare, but the American birds flock together in very much greater numbers on migration. Let Mr. Nehrling again help us with his original observa¬ tions upon this Thrush. “The early spring flowers still sleep beneath snow and ice, “the cold north and west winds still wildly sweep the northern “ part of our country. All nature seems dead. Suddenly, and “entirely unexpectedly, a loud song of jubilation is carolled from “the top of a neighbouring elm. There, in the top of yonder “ dark green pine is perched another one of these singers. They “are Robins, just returned from their winter quarters, heralding “ in reverberating jubilation the approach of spring. This, our “ beautiful familiar Thrush, certainly merits the name ‘harbinger “of the vernal season,’ for it is one of the first of our birds to “arrive from the south . Usually it will remain in “spite of the wintry garment covering nature, searching for “ food in spots where the snow has melted, and enlivening its “ habitation with its powerful music. . . . All our Thrushes, “ with few exceptions, are timid and shy, and shun the society of “man. Most of them retreat to the deep woodland solitudes “ far from the abodes of man. All this is different with the Robin. “ Though originally a true forest bird, it has now everywhere “ attached itself to man, and, though still retaining its former “ sagacity and vigilance, has become quite confiding and fearless. “ You can find the Robin everywhere, in field and forest, in “ meadow and marsh, 011 hills and in valleys, in parks and gar- “ dens, and even high up in the mountains.” . . . The same writer goes on to describe the bird’s song. “It is during the breeding-season that the Robin’s truly ‘ melodious and pleasing song is loudest. io6 Mr. Hubert D. Astlky, “A harbinger indeed, it is the first bird to carol from the “ tree-tops the near arrival of spring. The song, though simple “and modest, is not without effect at such a time in the suow- “ covered, sadly silent landscape ; it fills desolate nature with in- . “describably ioyous life and gives voice to man’s longing for the “ warm, soft, and mild breezes of spring and the odour of opening “flowers. The Robin’s manner of singing is significant. “ While man)'- of our birds choose a concealed bushy spot “ where they sing, and moreover accompany their song with lively “ movements, the Robin selects an exposed spot, usually the top “ of a tree and pours forth its song for hours from this lofty “ perch. “ It sits quietly with its bill directed to the sky, and sings “ most earnestly and persistently early in the morning, as soon “as the dawn appears in the east, and in the evening long after “ the fading of the bright sunset. “ Many students of bird-life, and even our great Audubon, “ compare the Robin’s song to that of the European Blackbird, ; “and maintain that the song of both birds is very similar. “Judging from my own experience, which is confined to caged “ Blackbirds, I would say that this is only conditionally true, viz., “ so far as the voice, the note itself, is concerned. Both birds, “which are very near relatives, have a powerful and beautifully “flute-like whistle, but the Blackbird’s song is more continuous, “ more modulated ; the Robin’s briefer, more monotonous. The “Blackbird is one of the very best and most superb of songsters, “ and the comparison of the two birds shows that our Robin is to “be classed with the finest of singers.” The American Robin nests quite readily in an aviary, a pair at our Zoological Gardens having done so twice during the summer of 1908. In their native country they are to be seen hopping about in gardens, orchards, and meadows, in precisely the same fashion as do our Black Ouzels (Blackbirds) in England. Their return in the breaking forth of the springtime is to the New Englanders much like the return of the Swallows and Cuckoos to us. After the long severe winter, when the earth has been snow-bound for many many weeks, one can picture the extreme on four well-known Thrushes of North America. 107 pleasure of those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, when the beloved Robins return from the south, and fill the air once more with their warblings. I should like to quote again, in conclusion, from Burroughs’ “Wake Robin,” where he writes with regard to these four Thrushes, and his words are selected from different portions of his opening chapter “ The Return of the Birds.” “ If we take the quality of melody as the test, the Wood “Thrush, Hermit Thrush and the Veery Thrush stand at the “head of our list of songsters.” Discoursing upon the talents of the Mocking Bird as a songster, he continues: — “The emotions excited by the songs “ of these thrushes belong to a higher order, springing as they do “ from our deepest sense of the beauty and harmony of the world. “ The Wood-Thrush is worthy of all, and more than all, “the praises he has received, and considering the numbers of “ liis appreciative listeners, it is not a little surprising that his “relative and equal, the Hermit Thrush, should have received so “ little notice. “ It is quite a rare bird, of very shy and secluded habits, “ being found in the Middle and Eastern States, during the “ period of song, only in the deepest and most remote forests, “ usually in damp and swampy localities. O11 this account the “ people in the Adirondac region call it the ‘Swamp Angel.’ Its “ being so much of a recluse accounts for the comparative iguor- “ance that prevails in regard to it. The cast of its song is very “ much like that of the Wood Thrush, and a good observer might “easily confound the two. But hear them together, and the “difference is quite marked: the song of the Hermit is in a “higher key, and is more wild and ethereal. His instrument “is a silver horn which he winds in the most solitary places. “The song of the Wood Thrush is more golden and leisurely. “The Wood Thrush is the handsomest species of this “ family. In grace and elegance of manner he has no equal. “Such a gentle, high-bred air, and such inimitable ease and “composure in his flight and movement! How plain, yet rich “his colour, — the bright russet of his back, the clear white of his “ breast, with the distinct heart-shaped spots ! 10S Foreign Birds at the London Cage-Bird Association's Show. |j “ It may be objected to Robin that he is noisy and demon- “strative'; he hurries away or rises to a branch with an angry “ note, and flirts his wings in ill-bred suspicion. The Wood “ Thrush has none of these under-bred traits. He regards me “ unsuspiciously, or avoids me with a noble reserve, — or, if I am “ quiet and incurious, graciously hops towards me, as if to pay “ his respects, or to make my acquaintance. . “ The soft mellow flute of the Veery fills a “place in the chorus of the woods that the song of the vesper- “sparrow fills in the chorus of the fields. It has the Niglitiu- “ gale’s habit of singing in the twilight, as indeed have all our “ Thrushes. “Walk out toward the forest in the warm twilight of a “June day, and when fifty rods distant you will hear their soft “reverberating notes, rising from a dozen different throats. It is “one of the simplest strains to be heard, — as simple as the curve “ in form, delighting from the pure element of harmony and “ beauty it contains, and not from any novel or fantastic modu- “ lation of it.” FOREIGN BIRDS AT THE LONDON CAGE-BIRD ASSOCIATION’S SHOW. This Show was held on December 4th and 5th in the Horticultural Hall, Westminster, a hall that is eminently suit¬ able for such an exhibition, being exactly the right size, well- lighted, free from draughts, and of a comfortable temperature * in fact the present writer knows of no more suitable place for a bird-show in the Rondon district. So far as the British and foreign section were concerned (we did not take particular note of the Canary section) the exhibition was a great success, the foreigners being perhaps the rarest lot that have ever been seen together at a bird-show. Mr. Frank Finn acted as judge of this section and had no light task in some of the classes, where almost every bird was perfect. The first of the Foreign Classes was devoted to Budgeri¬ gars, Rove-birds and Hanging Parrots. None of the latter were however present. The first prize went to Mr. C. T. Maxwell Foreign Birds at the London Cage-Bird Association' s Show. 109 for a solitary specimen of the rare Black-cheeked Love-bird ( Aga- pornis nigrigenis ), a species so well figured and described a few months since in this journal ; the second and third places being won by Mrs. Leslie Miller with pairs of Guiana Parrotlets ( Psitta - culce guianensis') and Rosy-faced Love-birds respectively. The next class w'as for the Larger Parrakeets, Lori¬ keets and Lories, and here were shown some decided rarities. First came a fine specimen of the rare Black-throated Lorikeet ( Trichoglossus nigrigularis )* one of the rare New Guinea species- introduced to aviculturists by Mr. Walter Goodfellow. This was shown by Mr. Maxwell, who also took third prize with an Elegant Grass Parrakeet ( Neophe?na elegans), a species which appears to be approaching extinction, being practically unknown now to Australian catchers and aviculturists. Mr. O. Millsum was awarded the second prize for a fine specimen of the rare Black¬ winged Lory ( Eos cyauoge?iys), a species practically unknown to aviculturists in this country. A Varied Lorikeet (. Ptilosclera ver¬ sicolor ), a Sun Conure ( Conurus solstitialis ) a very rare bird now- a-days. Many-coloured Parrakeets and White-eared Conures completed the notable exhibits. Of the Larger Parrots a Hawk-headed Parrot was the most interesting exhibit, and well deserved its first prize. The class for the commoner Waxbili.S obtained only six entries, which called for no especial notice. The next class was for the rarer Waxbills, Mannikins, etc. and contained some very good birds. Mrs. Leslie Miller’s perfect pair of Painted Finches {Emblema picta') came first, followed by a beautiful pair of Violet Eared Waxbills ( Granatina granatina')r owned by Mr. Maxwell, who also obtained third prize with an equally good pair of Red Faced or Melba Finches ( Pyteliamelba ). A nice hen Vinaceous Firefinch (fourth) was sent by Mr. W. Cook. Other good birds in this class were : — Australian Crimson Finches (pair), Australian Waxbills, and single specimens of the same species as some of the prize-winners. The class for Grassfinches, Weavers and Whydahs was not very well patronized. The first-prize winner called a “ Gaboon * A colour plate of this species appeared in the Avicultural Magazine, Vol. IV. [New Series], facing page 21. iio Foreign Birds at the London Cage Bird Association' s Shozv. Weaver,” was a fine male specimen of a species of Sperviospiza, doubtless A. guttata, one of the Blue-billed Weavers, the first we have seen alive. This was another of Mr. Maxwell’s rarities, as were also the second prize winners, a pair of Painted Finches •( Emblema picta). This species won in both this and the class before, but as it is difficult to say whether it is a “ Waxbill” or a ,j ‘‘Grassfinch” the judge, in our opinion, was quite right in noticing it in both classes. Probably it is more of a Grassfinch than a Waxbill, but so is the Crimson-finch and perhaps the Australian ‘'Waxbill,” which would be more correctly termed, as the Australians term it, the “ Red-browed Finch.” The third prize in this class went to Mr. Galloway for his beautiful pair of the uncommon Scaly-crowned Finches ( Sporo - pipes squamifrons) ; and there was also shown as perfect a pair of Pintail Nonpareils as we have ever seen. In the class for Grosbeaks, True Finches and Buntings Mrs. E. Galloway obtained first prize with a fine Black-faced Serin ( Serinus capistratus ) (?) ; Mr. Townsend’s Rock Bunting ( Fri ngillaria tahapisi) came second, and a Diuca Finch ( Diuca diuca ) belonging to the same gentleman was third ; while Mr. Maxwell won fourth place with a cock Cuba Finch: The Tanagers were a grand lot and competition was very keen, Mr. Maxwell again won the chief honours, his four ex¬ hibits being placed ist, 2nd, 4th and li.c. These comprised a Red-tliroated Tanager ( Glossipiila rjtficollis), the first we have ever seen on the show-bench ; a Black-throated, a Spotted Emerald ( Calliste gzUtaia') and a Maroon. Mr. W. R. Pickles took the third prize with a Maroon Tanager, while those that failed to obtain prizes, but were rare and interesting were Mr. Townsend’s team of Tricolor, White-capped, Archbishop, and Magpie; Mr. Millsum’s pair of Magpie Tanagers, Mr. Watts’ Olive and two Superbs. The class for all species of Sugar Birds, Honey-eaters, etc. contained three specimens, a pair and a single male, of the Black-faced Sugar-bird ( Chlorophanes spiza ), a well-known South American species, but one that is almost unknown to avicul- turists. The pair, which were awarded first prize, belonged to Mr. Townsend, who informed the writer that they have nested Foreign Birds at the London Cage Bird Association^ s Show, in and produced eggs in a cage. Here then is a very beautiful Sugar-bird that apparently would be very likely to nest success¬ fully if given a chance in a fair-sized aviary. Mr. Galloway sent a nice Blue Sugar-bird (. Dacuis cay ana ) and there were two Golden-fronted Chloropsis. The most interesting class in the show was that for all species not catered for elsewhere. Here were some extremely rare birds, possibly the most choice collection ever seen together at a bird show. Cuban Trogan (. Prionotelns temnurus). The first prize winner was a Cuban Trogan (. Prionotelns temnurus ), the first Trogan we have ever seen alive. It was most interesting from the point of view of its rarity, but it seemed a 1 12 Correspondence. dull and uninteresting bird otherwise. The chief colours are metallic green above, pale grey on the breast and red on the abdomen. Curious liair-like filaments extend from the ear- coverts. This bird was shown, like most of the other rarities in the show, by Mr. C. T. Maxwell, and bore testimony to his great skill in keeping and exhibiting soft-bills in first-rate condition. The second prize winner was a fine Giant Barbet belonging to Mr. Townsend ; the third a very steady cock King Bird of Paradise (Mr. Maxwell) ; fourth, a fine pair of White-spotted Jay Thrushes ylanthocincla ocellaia ) from the Himalayas, fine birds for an aviary but too large for a show-cage. These were sent by Mr. O. Millsum. This class also contained two Mexican Jays, a splendid Niltava Flycatcher, Blue-winged Siva, Plumbeous Redstart, Dhyal-bird and two Shamas. The class reserved for members of the London Cage Bird Association contained such rarities as a White-capped Redstart, pair of Colies, Black-headed Sibia and Archbishop Tanager. D. S.-S. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. In accordance with the notice printed on page 53, medals have been awarded to Messrs. Tescliemaker, Newman, and Barnby Smith. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. “ THE BRITISH RAIL.” Sir, — Kindly allow me a short space in order to reassure Dr. Ticelmrst with regard to the birds I saw in Kent. They were A 'alius aquations, as a matter of fact I only noticed one Moorhen (Galliuu/a chloropns) on that occasion. I know of course that Rails do not usually shew themselves in such a manner as to be seen by the unobservant eye, but I was readily able to detect the presence of those I saw. Personally I cannot understand the statements that the Water Rail is uncommon ; rarely seen would hardly be a statement of fact because I feel sure that anyone who has had any ■experience of this bird either in the field or aviculturally would readily Correspondence. 1 13 discern and distinguish them in their natural surroundings. There appears to he a very great interest taken in these birds judging bv the number or letters I have received since the publication in the September number of the Magazine, of my notes, asking either for further information or to their behaviour and treatment in captivity, or else enquiring where they can be purchased. I am personally acquainted with at least one instance of their breed¬ ing iu^tlie county of Kent, as I saw the young ones in one of the ponds close by Rishburgh Castle, near Sandwich, curiously enough within two miles of the sea. This, however, is some few years ago, and I cannot recollect the exact lyear; the fact cannot constitute a scientific record. There can be little doubt that the Water Rail.must'breed every year within the confines of the county', but naturally' the y'oung as well as the old birds are not always seen by those qualified to make the observation or who are sufficiently interested to record the same. Pkrcy W. Farmbokough. Through Mr. Farmborough’s courtesy I have been able to see his reply to my letter re Water Rails in Kei:t, before publication. Since he now states definitely' that the birds he saw were Water Rails we must accept his observation, but I cannot regard it as other than an unique experience to see seven of these birds at one time in one field and close to a railway' line and a passing train. I am very glad however to have drawn from him a definite record of the Water Rail breeding in Kent, and since it is of importance and would no doubt be of great interest I would ask him to be so good as to publish a full and detailed account of the circumstances. N. F. Ticehurst. THE HIMALAYAN SNOW-COCK AND THE BLOOD PHEASANT. Sir,— I have a friend in Nepal who has special facilities for getting birds from there, and who would try and get me the “ Blood Pheasant” ( llhagenes crueutus ) and the “Himalayan Snow-cock” ( Tetraogallus him- alayensis) if there is a reasonable probability of the birds surviving the journey to England and living in confinement. As regards the Snow-cocks I never heard of their being kept in captivity. As regards the Blood Pheasants, the Prince of Wales when in India had some given to him but I am told they all died owing to being sent to Calcutta in the hot season. I am also told that several dealers have made attempts to get Blood Pheasants over but without success, though I do not quite see why. I should like to ask if any' members have had any experience of either Snow-cocks or Blood Pheasants, and if so would they give the benefit of such experience. A little actual practice is worth a lot of theory. C. Barnbv Smith. Post Mortem Examinatiojis. 1 14 STARTING OUTDOOR AVIARIES. Sir, — I have been so much interested in Mr. Temple’s article on his experiences in starting an out-door aviary. I think members hardly realise what a help to others, when described, struggles are, and many hints they give are the greatest assistance to others. Would any member give their experiences of starting an out-door parrakeet aviary ; it would be most use¬ ful if someone of experience would tell others what Parrakeets have been found to agree together, especially through the nesting period. Could some experienced member say if they have found it possible to keep say a pair of finches, such as Parrot-finches or Gouldian Finches, with Parra¬ keets, such as Stanley and Kings. I should much like to keep even a pair of these but do not know if it is safe to put them together at breeding time. I have found Budgerigars most vicious with Canaries. Hartwell House, M. A . LEE. Aylesbury. POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. RULES. Each bird must be forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and post¬ age paid, direct to Mr Arthur Gill, Eanherne, Bexley Heath, Kent, and must be accompanied by a letter containing' the fullest particulars of the case, and a fee of 1/- for each bird If a reply by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclose. Domestic poultry, pigeons and Canaries can only be reported on by post. Tree Partridge and French Partridge. (Mr. C. Barnby Smith). No. 1 : This bird died of inflammation of the bowels. It had been ailing some time, there being much emaciation. No. 2 : This birt| died of pneumonia, and had been ill some few days. Rufous Finch. (Miss Dewing). Jaundice was the cause of this bird’s death. Ansivered by post : Captain J. W. H. Seppings. Miss K. Currey. Miss E. L. Dorien Smith. Mr. C. Barnby Smith. Mr. Reginald B. Astley, Mr. Hubert D. Astley. Miss A. Bruce. Arthur Gire, M.R.C.V.S. III. Noticks to Members — (Continued from Page ii. of cover). NEW MEMBERS. Mr. R. N. WrighT; Aston Hall, Aston-by-Stone, Staffordshire, Mr. Wilfred Stalker; Louglirigg House, Ambleside , Mr. C. S. Gulbankian ; 38, Hyde Park Gardens, Loudon, W. Mr. Anthony R. Kuskr ; Bernardsville, New Jersey, U.S. A. Mr. K. V. Painter; 2508, Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. A. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Miss Sybil Miller Mijndis ; Sliiplake Park, Derby. Proposed by Mrs. E, D. LEE. Mr. W. W. Cooley ; Secretary to Avicultural Society of California ; 2119, Central Avenue, Alameda, Cal. Proposed by Mr. E.j W, Gifford. MEMBERS’ 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. 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. Exceptionally fine outdoor aviary-bred Budgerigars, cocks 3/6, hens 4/-, pair 7/-. Mrs. Hartley; St. Helen’s Lodge, Hastings. Two pairs and odd cock aviary-bred Bronze-winged Australian Pigeons 50/- pair, or exchange. Cooper ; Cayton, Scarborough. A member in India wishes to exchange Indian Birds for British : will members who would like to do so, kindly communicate with the Hon. Business Secretary. Pair Cinnamon Finches (Himalayas) first imported, 12/6 ; pair Pelzeln’s Saffrons, rare, 12/6. Wanted — hen Pope. Tkschemakkr; Ringmore, Teignm'outh. Yellow Budgerigars, fine birds, from outdoor aviary, 8/6 pair, hens 5/- each. Mrs. W. Seth-Smith; Alleyne, Caterliam Valley, 1 pair Antelopine Kangaroos, bred in Bath, age 12 to 15 months, price £25 ; 1 Great Gray, age 12 months, price ; 1 pair Agile Wallabies, pair £\(s ; 1 Male Wallaby (Agile) £~] 10/- ; 1 pair Stanley, out-door, £4 ; 1 hen Many Color 25/- ; Diamond Doves 15/- ; Peaceful Doves 7/6 pair; Bronze¬ wing Doves £3 pair ; I Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, reared from the nest very same, £3. Payne & Wallace; The Little Zoo, Bath. WANTS. 'I he charge for members’ advertisements under this heading is four pence for twelve woriis or under, and one penny for every additional three words or less. Wanted hen Stanley Parrakeet in exchange for full plumaged cock, Seth-Smith ; 14, Canning Road, Croydon. JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. TROWER & CO.. WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS, 442, 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. Mealworms, Ants’ Eggs, Dried Flies, etc., of the finest quality. SPECIALITIES. “ CECTO,” the best Insectivorous Food on the Market, 1/4 peril). Ground Silk Worm Pupae, imported at frequent intervals from Italy. NEW SERI ES, Vol. VII. No. 4 MONTHLY Price Is 6d- FEBRUARY, 19091 Members’ Annual Subscription, 10 - J payable in advance. I THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. •_OCONTENTS.Oj PAGE The Waxwing', with plates, by W. H. St, Quintin, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ... 115 Some sliort notes on Centropus superciliosus in Captivity, illustrated, by Gerard H. Gurney, F.Z.S . 119 My Indian Aviary, by Captain G. A. Perrkau ... . 122 Breeding of the African Grey Parrot in Captivity in Madeira. by Mrs. Reid i2q More^about the Mountain Chat, by Dr. A. G. Bdit.er . 131 Notes on my Visit to Australia, with plate, by David Skth-Smith. F.Z.S. , M.B.O.U. 133 A Hand-reared Snipe, with plate . 141 Notices of New Books, etc. ; j Travel and Exploration ... I42 Correspondence : Keeping various kinds of .Birds together, 142 ; Birds and Rowan Berries, 143, □ Post mortem Examinations LONDON o R. H. PORTER, 7, Princes St., Cavendish Square, W. NOTE— A new volume commences every November. LI. All Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the Avicultural Society are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor.* NOTICES TO MEMBERS. l'he Subscription to the Avicultural Society is 10/- per annum, due on the 1st 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. 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. D. 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Casas for binding Vol. VI., New Series, of the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side) can be obtained from the Publisher, post free ami carefully packed, at 1/6 each ; or the Publisher will undertake the binding of the Volume for 2/6, plus 8d. for packing and postage. All orders must be accompanied by a remittance in full ; and members are requested to state whether thev want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not BOUND COPIES OE The “ A VICtJLTU R A I. MAGAZINE.” The following can be obtained from the Publisher at the prices given below. Postage 6d. per volume extra : Vol. II., SI- to members; 8/6 to the public. Vols. V. to VII., to/6 each to members ; 12/6 each to the public. Vol. VIII., 14/- to members ; 17/6 to the public. Vols. I. to IV., New Series, (sets onlv) £4 net to members; ^5 to the public. Vol. II. „ „ ' 16/- 21/- ,, Vol. III. „ „ 16/- 21/- Vol. IV. „ „ 16/- 21 /- ,, Vol. V. „ „ 16/- 2 1 /— Vol. VI. » 16 /- 21/- Cnirent Monthly Numbers 1/6 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 1/7 ; for back Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. Second-hand copies sometimes reach the Publisher, to whom application should be made. 1 Continued on page Hi. of cove t). Avicultural Magazine THE WAXWING. Ampelis garrulus, Linn. Bale, Sons aud Damelsson, Lid. THE H5 Hvtcultural fllbagastne, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCI ETY. New Series— VO L. VII. — No. 4. — All rights reserved. FEBRUARY, 1909. THE WAXWING. By W. H. St. Quintin. F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. The Waxwing (. Ampelis garrulus ), the subject of this paper, is one of three species of the genus Ampelis, which is generallj’' placed near the Shrikes. It is circumpolar and, alone of the three species which inhabit Europe, at irregular intervals visits these islands. Its near ally, A, cedrorum, is found in the whole of North America, migrating iu winter as far south as Jamaica and Cuba, and is by no means as boreal as our bird. It is smaller than the latter; and, besides other characteristics, as Dresser points out, can always be distinguished by its under tail coverts being “yellowish, instead of being bay” in colour as in A. garrulus. The third species, A. phoenicopterus, the Japanese Wax¬ wing, has red ends to the tail in place of golden-yellow, and has no wax tips to the secondaries, and their outside webs are red instead of white. It breeds in Japan, and in winter wanders into North China. But to return to A. garrulus, or the Bohemian Waxwing, or Chatterer, as it used to be called. Surely no bird was ever worse named ! It is no more Bohemian than British and, as to garrulity, anyone who has kept the Waxwing will agree that its silence is remarkable. Its only note is a shrill, weak, trilling, cry, which has been compared to the call of the Blue-tit. As will be seen by the accompanying illustration, the Waxwing is an extremely pretty bird, and the decorations that it wears are very unusual and showy. There is no seasonal change, n6 Mr. W. H. St. Quintin, the plumage being the same winter and summer. Nor is it by any means agreed amongst authorities that there are any external indications by which the sexes can be distinguished. The skin of a juvenile in the Natural History Museum in London has no wax tips or yellow markings on the wings, only the j'ellow band on the tail. But Dresser figures a nestling which, in August, carried five wax tips, but the secondaries had no white edges. In the adult the shafts of the secondaries are prolonged into horny, narrow points, like red sealing wax, seven or less in number. Occasionally (in the large series of skins in the Museum there are three examples), there are scarlet wax tips at the end of the yellow band on each tail-feather. Very probably this is not so much a mark of age as of exceptional vigour in the in¬ dividual : for the unusual decoration is apparently usually corre¬ lated with very broad rich yellow tail-bands. In one of the above mentioned three skins (a Norwegian one), the yellow edges of the primaries are veiy pale, perhaps denoting that the bird is in its second year. Of a pair which twice hatched young in my aviary in 1903, I could onljr distinguish the female by the accidental fact that she had a few feathers permanently disarranged on her shoulder by the claw of some nocturnal assailant, probably a cat or Tawny Owl. Both she and the cock were in equally brilliant plumage, and I could detect no difference in their notes. But with regard to the skins at the Museum ; each of the three with scarlet tail tips is a male.; and, on the whole, the very finest gold and scarlet ornaments seem to be worn by males, as might be ex¬ pected. I have described (. Avic . Mag., Vol. II., New Series) how we failed to rear the young hatched here in June and July 1903; mainly I believe owing to the unfortunate position of the nest, which was fully exposed to the sun. I have always felt that if the birds had been in a larger, cooler aviary, well provided with bushes, grass, &c. we should have done better. I am still hope¬ ful of better success ! I think it may be interesting to some of ny fellow members to see the accompanying reproduction of an accurate portrait by Avicultural Magazine. EGG OF WAXWING (Ampelis garrulus) laid in aviary at Scampston, 1903. H. Gronvold, flinx. Bale, Sous aud Dauielsson, L.ta on the Waxwing. 117 Mr. Grouvold, of one of the eggs laid here ; the first, so far as I can learn, that has ever been laid in confinement by the Wax¬ wing. There now remains on the British list no bird which is a tolerably frequent visitor, about whose eggs and nesting habits, it has to be said that nothing is known ; much, even in the last year or two, having been learnt about several species breeding in the vast “Tundra” swamps of Siberia, but which visit these islands more or less regularly in spring or autumn. But it was very different half a century ago. And about no conspicuous and easily identified species was there more com¬ plete ignorance than about the subject of this paper. It was not till 1856 that Mr. John Wolley was able to announce that, as the result of several arduous journeys to Lap- laud, he had discovered the secret of the Waxwing ; and one can imagine the gratification of the great Oologist, when he told his audience the now familiar story of the peasant Ludwig’s finding the nest and eggs, which he himself was able to verify the next year. One of the original nests brought home by Mr. Wolley can be seen in the National Collection in Cromwell Road. It is of dark tree-lichen, interwoven amongst dry spruce twigs, and lined with dead grass and a few feathers. Mr. Phillipps has given the whole narrative, as well as further information about the Wax¬ wing and its allies, in this Magazine (New Series, Vol. I.) One great obstacle to studying the habits of the Waxwing has been the irregularity of its movements ; not only when it wanders south to avoid the severity of the arctic winter, but also when it is selecting a district to breed in. One can understand why its appearance here should be uncertain, as its visits depend upon the conditions of the weather far north and east of us. But it is less easy to understand why, in the breeding area, it is in some years quite plentiful ; while in others, on the same ground, it can hardly be found. In 1856 we read that Mr. Wolley received from his collectors twenty-nine eggs ; and one may be sure that, for such a prize, the district was well searched. In 1857 he him¬ self, with all his ardour, could not “ get a sight of” a single pair of the birds; and his nearest approach to success was the dis¬ covery of one forsaken nest, with broken eggs lying on the ground below. I11 the next year the bird was abundant, and about 700 eggs were sent out of the Muoniovara district. 1 18 On the Waxwing. The Waxwing has some structural affinities with the Starlings, and it resembles the Rosy Pastor in being sociable in the breeding season ; and, like that bird, its presence in any particular district at nesting time is extremely uncertain and cannot be counted upon. A colony of Rosy Pastors will follow a horde of locusts, and breed amongst them. It may be that the Waxwing’s selection of a locality to nest in is connected with its food supply. Both young and adults feed largely in summer upon insects — mayflies, craneflies, &c., as well as upon certain berries. That this species is a plentiful one can be assumed from the fact that enormous quantities are sometimes brought into the northern cities for food. We read of “thousands” exposed for sale in the flower market of St. Petersburgh ; and of “ cartloads ,r in the game market of Christiania in January, 1872. \_Cf, Dresser’s" “ Birds of Europe.”] The Waxwing is not in much favour in this country as a subject for aviculture; chiefly, I think, because it has often been kept under unsuitable conditions. It has been condemned as being sluggish, greedy, and dirty ; but this is only true if the bird is kept in a cage. In an aviary, not too much exposed to the full sun, at any rate, where there are plenty of shady places, where the bird can take refuge from the glare of an English mid¬ summer day ; with variety of perches, and yet with plenty of space between to invite exercise, I think there can be no more charming occupants of a garden aviary than a pair or two of Waxwings. As might be expected, in this climate the bird can be considered absolutely hardy, errors of diet excepted ; and this question of diet need really present no difficulty. My experience has taught me to discard all food of a farinaceous nature ; and I feed my Waxwings upon “ Insect food,” as supplied by one of the firms advertising in this magazine, with always plenty of currants, either Zante or Sultana. When in season I hang up berried sprays of hawthorn, privet, &c., and when breeding I gave my birds yolk of egg (flakes) and mealworms witli discretion. But the bird in captivity, it must be remembered,- is subject to fits brought on by indigestion ; and too generous a diet is as mis¬ chievous as in the case of other (unfeathered) bipeds. I have- Some short notes on Centro pus superciliosus in Captivity. 119 only once been fortunate enough to see this delightful bird at liberty. I had been examining a salmon pass on the river Ure (Yorkshire) on Jan. 17th, 1893, and when near Westwick Dam, I came upon a couple of Waxwings feeding on the hips of the dog- rose in an old ragged hedge. The snow lay deep, but the sun was shining, and I have a vivid recollection of the appearance of the beautiful birds, as with very considerable effort they swallowed the bright coloured berries. I have a note that they allowed me to stand within seven or eight yards, and that I left them feeding. SOME SHORT NOTES ON CENTROPUS SUPERCILIOSUS IN CAPTIVITY. By Gerard H. Gurney, F.Z.S. In May last I brought home with me from British East Africa, an example of the White-eyebrowed Lark-heeled Cuckoo ( Centropus super ciliosus), which rare and curious species has, as far as I am aware, never been brought before alive to England, though some of the other species of Centropus have been kept from time to time in the Gardens at Regents Park ; my specimen 120 Mr. Gekakd H. Gukney, has become a charmingly tame and interesting bird and is, at present, in very good order and health. This Concal as it is often called is a common species in East Africa, frequenting the dense bush, generally in the vicinity of water and living principally amongst the reedy and jungly edges of lakes and rivers, in which it crawls about searching for food. They appear to be able only to fly a very short distance at a time and seem unwilling to take to flight unless obliged to, crawling in and out of the reeds and undergrowth almost like the Rails. They have a beautiful loud, bubbling note, which sounds like gurgling water being poured out of an inverted narrow-necked bottle, and the natives call it the “ water-bottle bird ” and some¬ times “ Rain bird ” because they say they call more loudly before wet weather. Away from civilization they appeared to be extraordinarily tame and fearless of man, and my bird was caught by my native gunbearer who saw it sitting in a small tree and, knowing my predilection for anything alive, went into the bush and caught it with his hands with hardlyany difficulty, the bird barely attempt¬ ing to resist, merely hopping from one bough to another; at first I thought it must be ill or hurt in some way, but I presently found that it was simply its utter fearlessness of man which made it appear to be so tame. We were on a shooting expedition at the time and being continually on the move I did not think there was much likelihood of my being able to keep it alive, as I imagined in any case it would be a difficult bird to feed ; however it seemed so extraordinarily tame and quiet that I determined to try, and from the very first I had not the least trouble with it. It began to feed at once on sopped bread, certain berries, grass¬ hoppers, and the ever valuable “Abrahams’ Egg Yolk,’’ several tins of which I had taken out to Africa with me. In a tiny cage I brought my Centropus safely back to England, and though when he arrived he looked very dirty and bedraggled his wonderful crimson eye being the only clean bright bit about him, three weeks in a large outdoor aviary soon did wonders with his plum¬ age, and he is now in as perfect feather and condition as anyone could wish to see a bird in. Possibly from having been all the summer in too large an on Ce?itropus superciliosus in Captivity. 121 aviary he lias lost a good deal of his wonderful natural tameness, though he will still come and take a mealworm from my fingers, but it frightens him now to be handled and stroked as I could do at first. He is very secretive and retiring in his habits, lurking and hiding among the thick foliage of a small tree in the aviary, though on a sunny day he loves to climb up to the highest branches and sun himself, spreading out each wing to get as much heat as possible ; if anyone conies he at once crawls down into the leaves again, where he remains motionless, only occasionally flirting his long green tail. I have only twice heard my bird call or whistle any of his wonderfully melodious notes since he has been in cap¬ tivity ; the first time was 011 the journey home, at Marseilles Railway Station at ten o’clock at night, when I was getting into the “ Rapide” for Paris, the Centropus suddenly burst forth into a crescendo-like scale of bubbling notes, greatly to the amaze¬ ment of the French porters, who had 110 notion that the large brown paper covered parcel, which they had to carry so carefully, contained anything alive ; his only note now is a low guttural kind of hiss, which is frequently uttered if anyone goes into the aviary, possibly from nervousness, but more likely I think, as a mark of annoyance. My bird is very fond of water and likes a large bath, especially on a bright sunny day he enjoys paddling about in the shallow pan, not apparently searching for food, but simply as an enjoyment; when he is engaged in this occupation he holds his tail up quite high and is very careful to keep it perfectly dry, occasionally he will put his head right down into the water and if it is a very warm day, throws the water over his back and wings; when he has finished his ablutions he walks round and round the aviary with drooping wings and expanded tail and presently finishes the drying by hopping up into a tree until he can get the sun’s rays upon his feathers. He is very inquisitive, and if anything new is put into the aviary he at once hops down and examines it in the most comical way, something like a Magpie does. When he first arrived I put him into a large outdoor cage in which were a pair of small Ground Doves ; all went well for a week, when one morning my man told me that there must be a mouse in the cage as one of the Doves had been killed and half 122 Captain G. A. PERREAU, eaten in the night; although I doubted its being the work of a mouse, traps were set, but with no result. Two mornings later, on going early to the aviary, I found the Centropus on the ground, standing on the dead body of the second dove, which he was tear¬ ing to pieces with his sharp bill and devouring with evident relish ; since then I have constantly given him a dead Sparrow or a mouse and he has always eaten them ; he is a voracious and by no means particular feeder — insects, egg, sopped bread and fruit are all part of his daily menu, but he loves a bit of chopped rabbit’s liver more than anything else. He does not appear to feel the cold much, and though in a heated aviary at night, during the day he always is out in the enclosure in front ; his condition and order at present are very good and I see no reason why, with care, he should not live for a long time. Since writing the above notes I hear that Mr. Hamlyn has received a pair of Centropus from South Africa, which maybe the same species as mine, and if so my bird has no longer the honour of being the only living example of this species in England. MY INDIAN AVIARY. By Captain G. A. Perreau. ( Concluded from page 92). Rats give no trouble and cats not much. The latter some¬ times cause a scare in the old aviary, when the catch-em- alive box trap in the verandah is set and the obnoxious one is per¬ manently removed. For practical purposes the few tame cats in the station may be ignored, as they have not bothered me. Any Hawk or Crow attracted to the aviary usually waits long enough for a gun to be got out, and the trouble ceases. Snakes cannot be kept out, but they seldom come, and the birds will soon let you know and also locate the reptile for you. Owls would be a nuisance perhaps if the birds roosted outside, but with an occasional exception they roost undercover, having no encourage¬ ment to do otherwise. Mice are the most apt to give trouble ; though, bar eating seed, they have done no damage that I can trace to them for certain. A tin or box placed in a corner close 123 My Indian Aviary. enough to the walls to just allow a mouse to run round behind with a set out unbaited “ Nipper” trap at each end of the run is deadly. They seem soon to learn the danger of a baited trap, especially a “ Catch-em-alive ” one. If I find from their traces that they circumvent a trap probably by jumping, I put an extra one close to it with perhaps a third at the back, and virtue com¬ bined with a little guile is rewarded. A couple of dozen “Nippers” cost little, give little work, and set with a little intelligence, occasionally changing the locatity, will keep the pests practically down to vanishing point. Any trapping inside is done with a wire-fronted box cage without a back. Three or four set “ Nippers” are placed on the bottom and the whole hung or placed over the hole of ingress. On return from any absence all nests and boxes are carefully examined and if necessary steps are taken for destruction of intruders, but I generally find that the enemy prefer to have their headquarters in the house walls, and then they have to run the gauntlet of traps on the store-room shelves. I have had no trouble from lizards, or insect vermin large or small. The ground in the flight is an nature l, or nearly so, i.e., the clay soil and stone is left trampled as it was by the workmen when building the aviary. Three or four feet along the outer edge is turfed with growing sods changed as convenient or necessary. This is watered from the outside with a little help from the bhisti when changing the water inside. Flowering or seeding plants, such as false Marigold, lettuce, beetroot, spinach, etc., clump of wild millets and other seed bearing grasses are roughly planted in the turf when available. The birds soon cut them down to bare sticks, but it is seldom that they cannot be replaced with something or other. Green or budding branches are nailed or stuck up among other branches and are much liked ; wild medlars and fir are most used as they are easily got and are popular with the birds. Branches cover the under roof of the covered portions and the walls. Corners are stacked with branches to form bushes or brush from floor to roof. Artificial perches run all the way round the flight a few inches from the wire and about 5ft. from the ground, one or two are also placed higher to allow the birds to 124 Captain G. A. Perreau, enjoy the early morning sun as soon as possible. There is no incentive to roost or nest in the open. Nest boxes in detail would require an article to them¬ selves and I must content myself with little more than mentioning a few. I am sure one cannot have too many or too great a variety. For small finches all sorts of domestic boxes and tins come in useful; Liptou’s one-pound tea tins are most handy, with very little faking, to hang on wire netting. I must confess to liking nests which easily satisfy my curiosity, so prefer the above when fitted with doors, and which can also be easily taken down to look at, but I use all sorts as well, husks and cocoanut shells, home-made willow basket-nests, old hats, straw wine- bottle covers on wooden ends, sections of hollow branches both upright and horizontal, &c. Boxes for Parrakeets are of even greater variety as these birds are more exigent. I have found a log, or a box with “ log-wood ” bottom and entrance at the end, the best. I generally screw in a bit of “ log-wood ” inside the entrance, to allow the Parrakeets to make their own chips. By “ log-wood ” I mean wood from a hollow tree, from which the inside rotten wood has come away naturally. I have found tinder or cheesy rotten wood to be useless except as a toy. A good log of tinder set up against a post with a few holes bored in it makes a splendid toy, and is generally worth watching, especially when there are young Budgerigars about. Budgerigars and Cockatiels have bred with me in “ gritty” rotten wood logs, but have never reared full broods, the wood comes out in small chunks which seem good neither for eggs nor young. I much regret money wasted in a variety of small barrels. My Budgerigars have bred in husks, but they much prefer boxes. Husks are, in my opinion, much over-rated, picturesqueness is their only advantage over boxes for any birds. Young birds are (or should be) caught out as soon as they are really able to look after themselves ; Parrakeets with a net, others with the sieve traps except when they are wanted in a hurry when the net is used for them too. The net is a large butterfly net on a cane frame with practically no handle. The sieve trap is a large wire-covered box held up by a cord which runs on pulleys to a nail in the wall close to my chair. It has a My Indian Aviary . 125 small door in one side to run captures into a small cage. This is always left set. Difficulty in procuring good grit is a great drawback in many parts of India, but luckily we are free from this. The floor in the covered portions is thickly strewn with good river sand really coarse and fine grit, from which only the larger stones are taken out. There are a few large rough stones on the ground in the flight, put in as “ perches” for Chats ; many birds, especially Gouldians, like rubbing their beaks on these. Large lumps of rock salt are placed on flat stones in the verandah and occasion¬ ally damped ; a little is sometimes given crushed. Bits of cuttle fish are always present and some, cut up fine, is given about every other day and is much appreciated and, to my mind, is a requisite for Grass-finches, especially when they are moulting or have young. Two iron pans, tinned, about i8in. in diameter, and about 2in. deep go to each flight for water. The bhisti cleans and re¬ fills these every morning. A third, with a flat stone in it to form an island, makes an excellent place for undesirable live stuff such as white ants and “net-sweepings.” Green stuff is simply thrown on the ground. I might mention that this is given all the year round regardless of frost. I have not my previous account by me but am nearly sure I gave there a pretty full list of green stuff, seeds, &c., in use and, as this account will be longer than I intended, I will not go over them again, but will only mention my labour and seed saving arrangement. Three earthenware dishes go comfortably in one pan similar to the ones for water, one pan for each sort of seed, pans kept in the verandah. I can comfortably carry four of the homely “Delhi flour” tins full of seeds at once. Waste seed is turned out of dishes into the pans and the dishes refilled. As the pans fill up the contents are removed to kerosine oil tins (the ubiquitous and ever useful), and screened in the compound when sufficient has collected. I am purposely omitting insectivorous birds as I only started keeping these in earnest in July, 1907. The3^ “ sort of” form another phase in my bird-keeping, and also no attempt was made at breeding from them. The aviaries have generally been rather overcrowded and the inmates a bit mixed, but I do not 126 Captain G. A. PERREAU, complain about breeding successes. There are usually at least two pairs of Parrakeets breeding or thinking about it in the Finch Aviary, but I cannot recommend this mixture without careful watching. My Mealy Rosellas brought four broods in rapid succession without a mishap to the weaker inmates. Then the cock wished to go on, but the hen thought she had done her duty and I paid dearly for not watching the cock more carefully or, to be more accurate, for disregarding the signs of a storm brewing. I think that the inmates of my aviaries will best be shown by giving my breeding results, successful or otherwise, from June 1905 to March 1908. Meal)’’ Rosellas, one pair successfully reared eighteen in four broods between April, 1906, and April, 1907. They showed signs of wanting to nest again in March, 1908. Cockatiels have bred continuously (or nearly so) since April, 1905, seldom rearing more than three at a time. Budgerigars, Green and Yellow, have bred ad lib. at all seasons. Madagascar Lovebirds, one pair, have reared two broods in each of the two cold weathers I have had them. Blue-winged Parrotlets : the hen several times retired to nest boxes for three weeks at a time but never even laid, so I parted with the only pair I had. I must say I do like allowing birds to make their own choice of mates, even one alternative mate is something. Blue-crowned Hanging Parrakeets and Musky Lorikeets I believe would have got as far as eggs this year had I not come home in March. It was only in April, 1907, that I was able to procure (through the kindness of Mr. Ezra) cock Rosellas and hen Red- rumps, both of these were ardently wishing to nest when I left. Other Parrakeets have had no chance of nesting. True Finches do not appeal to me much, and I have not paid them much attention and, probably for this reason, have no successes to record. Even Canaries, with which I did take some trouble, have reared very few. The handsome Desert Finch (also called Trumpeter Bullfinch) I believe from Afghanistan My Indian Aviary. 127 (. P . obsolete!) hatched, hut the young died in about a week. A cock Desert Finch and a hen Himalayan Linnet did likewise. Himalayan Greenfinches, Pink-browed Rose-finches (and Jerdon’s Accentor) had no chance, but were pairing in March, 1908. Himalayan Goldfinches did nothing beyond feeding each other. Other finches and buntings had no chance. White Java Sparrows reared a fair number from spring to autumn, the young becoming more splashed as the season went on. The Grey only thought of nesting when I was leaving, though I had them three years. I believe they nested almost at once in a friend’s aviary after my departure. Pekin Robins got as far as carrying grass when they were banished for egg- stealing. I think that those who depreciate the song of this bird cannot have heard a good one ; I have not since my arrival in England. Baya Weavers have had little chance at even nest¬ building beyond giving the Parrakeets amusement in cutting off their beginnings. With my favourite “ Ornamental Finches ” I have had a very good proportion of successes. Zebras have bred ad lib. at all seasons. Bengalese not far behind. Sharp-tailed have bred freely in the comparatively short time I had them, both amongst themselves and with Bengalese. Striated after longdelay reared two small broods towards the end of 1907. Long-tailed Grassfinches have reared a good number during the last two years at irregular seasons ; I have found the Yellow-billed the freer breeders. Parsons and Cordon Bleus I have not had over long, they each reared one small brood of three after repeated failures. Cherry Finches reared one bird during the short time I had them. Gouldians have reared a fair number each year between August and March, the best pair raised fourteen in one season, in broods of six, three, and five. I have had six or seven pairs going the last two seasons in the same aviary and, according to my experience, sexual selection had nothing to do with the colour of the head. Spice-birds and Red Avadavats reared some small broods in spring and autumn. My solitary Bronze-wing had two young by a Striated hen. Diamond Sparrows I have found delicate at first and liable to ulcers on the beak, and it was only last year that I got a hen 128 My Indian Aviary. acclimatised ; they got as far as eggs and were nesting again when I got rid of them, prior to my departure. During the short while I had them Green Avadavats and Tricoloured Nuns got as far as young, and Black-headed Nuns and Chestnut-breasted as far as eggs. Other ornamental finches had no chance, being odd birds. Bustard Quail laid several times but the cock would not sit. Jungle Bush Quail laid and the hen sat well, and they had bad luck in hatching the very day I had to clear out the aviary. I only went in for Quail since 1907, but certainly shall not be with¬ out them in future if I can help it. I think I have now gone over all birds of which I have kept pairs long enough to give them a chance to breed. I find I have said nothing about heating. The first winter I kept a Sunrise oil-stove burning at night. The second, I was away and no heating was attempted, with apparently no harmful results. The third, the stove was only used in especially bad weather. Only once did the stove go wrong, and then fortunately the smell of smoking oil penetrated the bedroom and the flaming- stove was carried outside before harm was done. The room was black all over and it could be seen for some time after which birds had roosted inside. I own that I should like to heat the aviary in winter if it could be done safely and economically, but after all very many birds prefer roosting in the verandah, for instance Gouldians and Hanging Parrakeets. These, one would think, of all the birds, would require warmth the most, yet they have kept as fit as anything. However I feel that heating might be bene¬ ficial and that it could certainly do no harm, always provided that the apparatus did not go wrong. Even in England this has happened. Anglo-Indians (from the Punjab at any rate) can easily understand my preferring to use heat as seldom as possible. I have before given my reasons for not ‘-going in for” Indian birds and I fear many of our members will not care Pu¬ tins account of common birds, but rarity is comparative and I think I can safely say that I have had more difficulty in pro¬ curing my common birds than most aviculturists have had over their prizes. Actual expenditure, though not small, was the Breeding of the African Grey Parrot in Captivity. 129 least troublesome part. Some members, who have obtained consignments from abroad through the agency of an obliging but non-avicultural friend, may sympathise with me without for¬ getting their obligation to that friend. BREEDING OF THE AFRICAN GREY PARROT IN CAPTIVITY IN MADEIRA. By Mrs. Reid. In the month of April, 1908, my hen Grey Parrot quite un¬ expectedly laid a soft egg and was very ill, but got quite well in a few days. On the 3rd of August the pair of birds were noticed to be feeding each other and very affectionate. I therefore began using much lime, old mortar broken up and cuttle fish bone, which was grated over all their food. On the 6th a nice sound egg was laid ; on the 8th a second ; after an interval of five days a third egg. The hen sat steadily from the very first, only leaving the nest for about fifteen minutes in the morning, generally bathing then, and for another ten minutes in the evening before sunset. The male bird fed her constantly and most regularly, and was extremely good and devoted. O11 the 6th Sept, a chick was hatched ; on the 7th another; and the third chick did not come out till five days later, when I was beginning to feel sure the third egg was bad. For the first week the male bird did not feed the young at all, he fed the mother continually and she transferred the food to the chicks, but after about a week I noticed he was also feeding them and working very hard at it. Their usual food is Indian corn soaked for twenty-four hours, then well washed and given to them damp; they also have hemp seed with a sprinkling of canary and millet, and a spoonful or two of rice, tapioca, or any other milk pudding that is going, and plenty of ripe banana, of which they are very fond. For the first fortnight they seemed to give the chicks no¬ thing but soft food, later they gave much hemp, some canary or millet and ground or monkey nuts. I was sorry, however, to 130 Breeding of the African Grey Parrot in Captivity. notice very soon that the parents were not attending properly to the youngest chick ; they visibly neglected it and even some¬ times pushed it quite away from them into a corner by itself. It died when about a fortnight old, and I then found its legs and feet were very much deformed and twisted. I do not know if this was the reason its parents turned against it, but I thought it most unnatural and wicked of them. About the middle of December, not earlier, the young birds began to come out to the edge of their nest barrel, and were quite tame and nice with me, readily taking food from my hand. They now come right out, and try to go all over their aviary, but when I see they look tired I catch them in a strong cloth (their beaks are already pretty powerful), and put them back in their nest. It is, I suppose, too soon to judge with certainty, but they look like a male and female, one having a much smaller hen-like head than the other. Their eyes are almost black, at least, very dark slaty. They are very strong and healthy, in fact, in splendid condition. These parrots occupy a small aviary to themselves, but during the day the door generally stands open, and they, like all my other parrots, have been accustomed to go about the garden and grounds for hours. I cut a few feathers in one wing every two months and they seldom stray far. During the time of incubation the hen bird never came outside the aviary and the male bird very seldom. They nested in a small barrel fixed on its side inside a box, open in front and high up in one corner of the aviary. They had been accustomed to sleep in this barrel before they adopted it as a nest box. I had put a good thick layer of sawdust in the bottom and before laying the hen covered this with soft down which she took from her breast. In front of the barrel runs a strong perch which goes right across the aviary, so that the birds step right out of it without trouble. I am afraid I am writing at too great length, but sincerely hope some of my fellow aviculturists will be interested to know that Grey Parrots really can be successfully bred in confinement. More about the Moimtain-Chat. 131 MORE ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN-CHAT. Saxicola monticola. By Dr. A. G. Butler. It will be remembered that, when sending me a pair of this species Major Horsbrngh promised, in the event of their living, to forward all his notes on the species for publication in the Magazine. In August I received a letter in which Major Horsbrugh says: — “ I am so sorry to hear the cock is dead, as the changes in plumage would have been most interesting to watch. “ I did not send you any notes, as the last letter I had from you informed me that the birds had only been with you a few hours and I took it for granted you would write again ; not hearing from you I concluded the birds were dead. “The pair I sent you were hatched in an empty paraffin tin which I found lying on the veldt. The nest was a very large affair and was chiefly constructed of mud. It contained three eggs when I found it, and, owing to the heavy rains which had just fallen, was very wet indeed. “ When I took the youngsters on Nov. 26th, — 07, there was no trace of the third egg. “The father of these birds had a white cap and black body, but no white stomach, and I have found males breeding in all the last six stages of plumage mentioned in your article. “ The male bird I sent you was getting grey at his first moult, which apparently upsets the remarks on page 194, Sclater and Stark.” “The cock had just assumed this plumage on March 5, when he left here for England. From my notes I see, that another cock bird, one of a brood of two, was reared in the Garrison Club, Potchefstroom, and these two birds have haunted the Club verandah up to date (March 5th). This cock bird has white stomach, grey cap and white shoulder-knots with black body, just like a bird I received in Bloemfontein that had a similar plumage at its first moult. “ Do you agree with me that in this species there must be two colour phases for the male bird, all my observations tend to prove this theory?” i32 More about the Mountain Chat. I then wrote and tried to induce Major Horsbrugh to write a full account of this species, from personal observation, for the Magazine ; but I suppose he was weary of this particular species, or had no more to add respecting it; at any rate I heard nothing further from him and have at length decided no longer to keep back the interesting notes in his letter. The hen Chat is in very vigorous health and does not seem to grieve over the loss of her brother : she moulted without trouble about the end of August and beginning of September, becoming — at this her second moult — perhaps a trifle more smoky in tint — but still in no sense what anybody with an eye for colour could call black. I found that she accepted red currants with as great plea¬ sure as grapes, but they seem to have been scarce in 1908 as I only twice succeeded in obtaining them for her: grapes she eats ■every day of her life, tearing a hole, catching them by the edge of it and slinging them away, thus gradually breaking them up and swallowing them piecemeal. The commonest call-note of this bird appears to be a rat¬ ling and rather shrill “ Hrrreet,” with which I am often greeted when I approach the flight-cage in the morning. On one occa¬ sion this was followed by a succession of about six not unpleasing notes almost amounting to a short song. One other note, which struck me as being either indicative of alarm or perplexity, was uttered for the first time on January 2nd of the present year while the floor of the conservatory was being scrubbed, it sounded like the sharp yap of a little dog and was repeated at intervals for about a quarter of an hour. When I look at the perfect condition and abounding health ■of this neat little Wheatear, I must confess that I often feel annoyed to think that the male bird also was too far gone for restoration when it reached me. The slight nervousness which the lieu bird exhibited at first when I changed her food has en¬ tirely passed away, though she often takes exercise in the same manner. I have never seen others of my birds act quite like it when taking flying leaps : — she starts from one perch across to the opposite end of the cage which she uses as a spring-board from which she returns to the opposite end and then to the perch On my Visit to Australia. 133 from which she started : by this means the full length of the cage is taken advantage of. As a general rule birds fly from perch to perch ; and it is, I suppose, only the rapidity with which the Chat strikes the wall with the soles of its feet and flings itself back which prevents it sliding on the smooth surface. NOTES ON MY VISIT TO AUSTRALIA. By David Seth-Smith, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.. ( Continued from page 78). The voyage from Fremantle to Adelaide occupies four days, and there is no means of travelling from the Western to the Kastern States except by sea, though the construction of a trans¬ continental railway, traversing the mighty desert( is seriously contemplated. When this railway is constructed two or three days will be saved in the journey from home to Victoria or New South Wales, and the Great Australian Bight, dreaded by those who do not love the sea, will be feared no longer. Fortunately the Bight was 011 its best behaviour when I •crossed it in the good ship “ Oroutes,” and one was able to observe in comfort the bird- and animal-life of the Australian seas. As we left Fremantle Harbour great numbers of Silver Gulls (La?ns nova tree with a something attached to the end of each of its multitudinous branclilets. Several inches, occasionally more than a foot, had disappeared from the end of every branchlet, the terminal portion having been gnawed off, leaving a ragged and untidy tip which produced the effect re¬ ferred to. When a bird has secured its prize, it flies with eager haste * When shut off from the garden and leaves are not to be had, these birds frequently carry millet stalks to their nest, and often fix a spray hanging out of the aperture of a log or receptacle that has but one way of entrance and which cannot be stopped up, especially if the hole be a little large or too much exposed. This is manifestly not accidental ; and it occurs to me that they probably make use of the sprays as the best substitutes obtainable for well-leafed branclilets — R. P. 152 Mr. R. Phillipps, to the nearest bare perch, and thence to the outlet from the gar¬ den, from which point there is a straight fly to the bird room window. Here it momentarily pauses to arrange the branchlet in its beak, and here it is usually attacked by a rival builder, and many a tug-of-war takes place; but our little bantam is as tena¬ cious of its stick as a bull-terrier would be and rarely loses it. At any rate now, it is never balanced in the mouth as a dog or a Bower-Bird carries a stick, but is grasped at the thick end — and away our little friend hurries in a bee-line for its nest. The stick, being held at the end, is dragged through quite a small aperture into a log, the bird going backwards in tight places; and in acting thus the Black-cheeked Lovebird exhibits a higher in¬ telligence even than such a cute bird as the Jackdaw, who, hold¬ ing a stick about the middle, will drop it over and over again, and often abandon it, because it cannot manage to shove the stick either crossways or sideways into the hole or crevice in which it is building its nest. With the Rosy species, I noticed that only the female carried material. The Black-cheeked male sometimes helps his mate, but to what extent he does so I am unable to determine. Perhaps not very much, for I sometimes think that the female is the larger and the more strongly built bird of the two, her heavy work having developed her frame more fuliy, as is not improbable. Since I last wrote, I have looked into several nests, some built in upright logs with only a side entrance, but with a revolving top for examination purposes. The sticks, placed perpendicularty, were arranged all round the interior, leaning inwards towards one another, so as to leave only a narrow hole or funnel down the centre ; and in the depths below could be dimly seen the eggs all close together in a snug little nest of bark. This is a common type of nest, especially where the diameter of the log is small. One nest of the old mother, in a large log with open top, was deserted before it had been com¬ pleted, and the engineering work by which the roof was to have been supported exposed to view. The structure was being erected on the corkscrew staircase principle, and was being strongly and substantly builded. In another case, in a tall log of small diameter with only a side entrance open, there was such a nest as the first Furhter Notes on the Black-cheekecL Lovebird. 153 one described ; a few days later, on taking a second peep, I found that a “ corkscrew” had been arranged, which to a considerable extent shut off the interior of the nest from view. Some of the nests have been built on concealed ledges, and in boxes lying sideways. A vast amount of stuff is used in- some of these cases, varying according to the size of the place, but all of these are constructed on the same principle. The receptacle is closed up towards the back by a wall or barrier, with a regular glacis externally, only just a tiny hole being left, on the most sheltered side, at the extreme top of the breastwork; then an abrupt fall to the very bottom in the interior, where, in a small and carefully lined nest, the eggs are deposited. The second nest of the cripple (p. 36 of last November) was built in such a box, in the garden, at the top of the open aviary. Then came frost, the rime lying on the roof within a few inches of the nest ; and, fearing disaster to mother and child (three clear eggs, one nestling), I took down the box. Being unable to insert my hand from the front, I prised off the back, and the interior was fully exposed to view, The brave little cripple, not able to gather bark, had built the bulk of the very solid barrier of hay, which was closely compacted together, the nest being as cleverly lined with the same material as that of any Lark or other soft-bill might have been. But in this as in every case sticks were like¬ wise used, chiefly to top the barrier and protect the entrance hole. I may mention here that I carried the cripple’s nestling into the birdroom, placing it in various receptacles, out of each of which it clambered and hid itself away. Times without number I drove the broken-hearted mother from where the nest had been into the birdroom, occasionally shutting her in for a while, but three days elapsed before she found out and recognised her lost child. From the moment of recognition, she practically never left it, and succeeded in rearing a splendid bird. For some three days I had to mouth-feed this little imp ; and I am very proud of m}'- foster child. The eggs of this species vary considerably in shape, even in the same nest : elongated and pointed and also short stout ovals, and likewise the perfectly true oval, may be found. The usual number of a clutch is four ; but the mothers would seem 154 Mr. R. Phiujpps, to be in the habit, after disposing of the first clutch, to lay immediately a supplementary clutch of three in the same nest, which is not used a third time. But, with me, these supplemen¬ tary young have seemed to exhibit a lack of robustness, and certainly a lack of colour, the facial region not being dark, and the breast patch only feebly represented by a faint smudge of whity-brown — all pointing to exhaustion. On one occasion, I came across a clutch of five. As a rule, now that the birds know me so well, the females sit closely ; but this does not always continue, at any rate in the birdroom. One. thing they lack, like too many humans : they fail to see the necessity for the cleaning of their living-room. In their African forests, they got on very well without any old woman coming along with mop and pail ; and they, or some of them, resent the visit of the bird-woman, which they regard in the light of an intrusion and an aspersion on their character. Not always so, however. On one occasion, supposing that all the birds were in the garden, I lifted down a log, and found in it such a typical nest as already described. On peering down into it, I paused, and might have exclaimed with R. B. — “Wee, sleekit cowetin, timorous beastie, O, what a panic ’s in tliy breastie !” but my timorous beastie, instead of starting awa wi’ bickering brattle, played ’possum as, with partially extended wings, she concealed her treasures from my gaze ; but it was noticeable that her head, extended down on the nest, was laid sideways, and that one large dark eye was very wide-awake indeed. I gently re¬ placed the log, and she did not come out. This was the fledge¬ ling No. 2 referred to at the bottom of p. 34 of last November. The same thing occurred this January with the cripple, who so entirely disappeared that I feared she might be dead, but, on examining her nest. I found her sitting complacently — and neither did she fly. And down the aperture of a rather exposed log I now sometimes catch a glimpse of a tail disappearing, like that of a rabbit diving into its burrow, save for the absence of the white scut. The cripple has no mate; and, when there is but one male to two females, the course of events does not always run quite Further Notes on the Black-cheeked Lovebird. 155 smoothly. One day, during the time that she was sitting in the garden, the old pair were seated on a high perch, cheek by jowl, barely a yard away from the nest. Suddenly she came ont and,, with all the effrontery and vulgar assurance of a Hagar, plumped herself down on the unoccupied side of the male and solicited food. Now a man is a very patient being, and can stand a great deal ; but there are limits even to his endurance. When he is alone, well, a visit from No. 2 may be endurable ; but for No. 2 unblushingly to link on to his left arm while No. 1 is hanging on to his right is going a little too far. Virtuously holding his head aloft in indignant protest, and looking painfully shocked, the male slowly opened his mouth, and she, like a shot, dabbed her mouth in. With all the suddenness of a steel trap, his mandibles snapped upon hers, and she, in her turn, was caught. Dangling in the air, in vain she struggled and kicked like any suffragette, and something like a half-minute must have elapsed ere she fell fluttering to the ground. Instantly gathering herself together, she scuttled back to her nest with more speed than dignity ; and many weeks passed before she again trusted herself to his tender mercies. The incident, or rather its result, is of value as it proves that a solitary female can and will rear at any rate one young one without receiving the usual regurgitated food from the male. After young have left the nest, sometimes two will begin to keep company at quite an early age ; and when once two have taken up with one another, although still children, they remain true to one another, and almost immediately commence to set up housekeeping together. Towards evening, they may be seen hunting about for a suitable unoccupied sleeping box. If it prove acceptable, they will continue to occupy and eventually will nest in it. If they like it not, each afternoon they may be seen searching diligently for a new place, until they find one to their liking. Thus it is that, while they live in communities, and regularly congregate and feed together, yet they scatter in pairs over the forest in order to find separate sleeping and nesting quarters. I particularly notice that each declared pair of birds strive to the uttermost to settle down at some spot which is far removed from any other home. Mr. Hubert D. Asteey, 156 Why should the colour around the beak of this species be so dark, so different from the brilliant colouring of the faces of so many of the genus? The Masked Lovebird ( A . pet sonata) is the only one like it in this respect, as far as I know, Fond as it is of trees, it is also very fond of the ground. Sometimes my flock of Black Cheeks will have disappeared, no trace of so much as one of them in house or garden. Whither have they gone? Then I become aware that the grass is being agitated by some¬ thing other than the wind, and I find that the whole lot of them are grubbing about under the grass, as a mole may be seen to do if you are clever enough to catch him at it, sprouting seeds, etc., not insects, however, being the probable attraction. And even now that winter is here and the garden so bare, they may often be seen spread over the ground like a flock of Larks searching for food or some aid to digestion. If their faces were bright, the colour would become dimmed or marred ; consequently Nature has painted them so as to suit their mode of life'. Even cutting and carrying sticks is apt to soil the hands. Some hypercritics may say that I have put the cart before the horse! Well, we will not spend time, like our friend in the hollow tree, debating in our minds which came first, the egg or the mother Owl. It has all been most beautifully and suitably arranged ; and our little friends the Black Cheeks, notwithstanding their habits, always look clean, and trim, and tidy. Moreover, not infrequently I see them tubbing in the ordinary washing saucers on the ground, so no wonder their faces are sweet, and smiling, and lovable. THE HARDIHOOD OF GARDENER BOWER BIRDS, ETC. By Hubert D. Astley, M.A., F.Z.S. During those dreadful days of fog and biting frost in the last week in January, when the wind was in the east, and all was damp and drear, my two Gardener Bower Birds proved their hardi¬ ness. One remained out of doors, with the thermometer 2iv, and the other kept in the roosting house with the window open, where the temperature was only 36° because the hot air pipes are on the Hardihood of Gardener Bozver Birds, etc. 157 but an off-shoot from the larger aviaries, and consequently do not give out much heat. When the blizzard of snow came in the last week of December, 1908; one of these Bower Birds sat out all day on an exposed branch, having on his head a cap of frozen snozv ! The bird could have sheltered inside had he chosen ; but he did not choose. I take it that these birds are very solitary in their wild state, for they do not agree together, and if one approaches any¬ where near the other, there are angry grating cries, not unlike those of a Jay. They are extremely shy and untractable, although the one that is always in the open part of the aviary is becoming more docile. If however any stranger appears, the bird is down amongst the bushes in a moment, and will sit either on the ground or crouch beneath foliage, remaining perfectly still and becoming quite invisible, it’s yellow-brown plumage, that is dark brown with a yellow tinge, assimilating closely with the earth beneath it. Birds that are very timid, sometimes become extremely bold. I am hoping for this change with my two specimens of Amblyornis subalaris. I lost a splendid A. inornata , at least I believed him to be of that species, through the bird dashing wildly out of a bush against the wire-meshing; whereupon he died of concussion of the brain. A great shock to both him and me! He ; for a post mortem proved his sex ; was decidedly larger than the other birds, and his loss was a disaster, as he was with¬ out much doubt the only one in captivity, at any rate in Europe^ With regard to the birds at the London Zoological Gardens being able to resist and thrive in the winter cold, as they can in the purer air of the country, one feels doubtful. The air is un¬ doubtedly not so clean, and the begrimed fog on their feathers must to a certain extent handicap them. They cannot derive the same benefit from bathing, and if they peck about in a grass enclosure, they pick about on very grimy grass! One has only to look at Town Cranes in the Zoo, compared with Country ones. The former never look really clean and glossy, whereas my Manchurians are white as driven snow. My pair of White-crested Touracos have practically passed 158 On the Hardihood of Gardener Bower Birds, etc. the winter out of doors, both their plumage and condition being in the perfection of that of wild birds. It is true they perch a good deal in the roosting house which is warmed, but the large windows are always wide open, and I have seen them hopping and bounding outside from branch to branch on the coldest da}*- in winter in evident enjoyment. My extremely rare Purple - breasted Parrot (Triclar ia cyanogaster ) has passed the winter in an unlieated outdoor aviary, along with a female Red-capped Parrot, both birds having a sheen on their plumage which is generally only to be seen in wild birds. I so seldom saw them, that I brought them into the house in January, caging them in the conservatory. The following day the Red-capped Parrot had commenced to pluck her breast; and had alieady laid bare a patch of a square inch of flesh. Either she was indignant at being imprisoned in such small quarters, or else the unaccustomed heat irritated her skin. I liberated her again and she at once ceased to pluck. My pair of Queen Alexandra Parrakeets ( Spathopterus . alexandrce ) have also passed the winter in an unlieated aviary with a sheltered house to go into when they choose. A pair of Red-capped (Pileated) Parrakeets are in splen¬ did condition, and are almost always out in the open in fog, snow and rain. A Tantalus Ibis from India is to be seen under the same conditions, making use of a kennel to sleep in. On the other hand, certain species of birds, such as Curassows and Guans cannot be left out in hard weather as their feet become frozen ; and yet Pheasants and Peafowl are un¬ affected in this way, and also Rheas. In conclusion, one knows how much better one feels for going out even in a thick fog and a hard frost, rather than sitting in a stuffy room near a fire; how much more brisk one is in the morning for open windows in one’s bedroom. Many tropical birds live at high altitudes, and experience cold nights and mists, if nothing worse: and yet they are not always allowed even the luxury of an open window. 159 The Value of Failures. THE VALUE OF FAILURES. By E. J. Brook, M.B.O.U., F.Z.S. Probably in Aviculture as in most other matters, one learns as much from mistakes and failures as from successes, and it is the knowledge that we can learn many matters from out- failures, that makes our disappointments easier to put up with. Do not let the beginner in Aviculture loose heart because some rare and beautiful bird that he thought was thoroughly acclimatised and safe, suddenly takes ill and dies, or is seen lively and healthy one moment and the next is found dead on the ground, such things have happened to all of us, and it is from such “ beautiful corpses ” that we must learn lessons for future guidance. My own method when I find a bird dead, and the reason for death is not obvious, is either to send it away for examination or to skin it and place the body in 7 per cent, formalin or methylated spirits for preservation till some medical friend comes along, and then we examine it together and talk 011 any disease or injured part we may find and discuss possible means to prevent another such case. A case in point was that of a very fine Six-plumed Bird of Paradise that fell dead from its perch, examination showed an annurism on the heart had burst. Nothing could have saved the bird, but I learned from the condition of the body that the feeding was evidently right, and so I knew there was no necessity to treat the others any differently than I had been doing. Last autumn or early winter I lost certain birds from lung troubles. These birds were with others in various compartments of a large aviary, and the ones that died had all been for some months during the summer in a small aviary with a floor of cinders where they were doing very well when I went to Perth¬ shire in August. Early in October my aviary keeper noticed that the birds in this small aviary were not looking well, so he moved them, but they all gradually dropped off till only two Gouldiau Finch cocks and one Toucan were left. The fault in this case was undoubtedly housing the birds in an aviary with a floor that was not impervious to moisture, all went well so long as the weather was dry, but the exceptional rain of September 160 The Display of the Monal Pheasant. and October soaked the ground to such an extent that the air in the aviary was damp and chilly. No more makeshift aviaries for me. It may be remembered by some readers of the Aviciiltural Magazine that I have recommended barley water as a constituent in the food for Lories. I may perhaps mention that I am more than satisfied with this method of feeding. My Lories never give any trouble and I should not be surprised if the milk in the food could not be still further reduced in quantity. THE DISPLAY OF THE MONAL PHEASANT. By C. Barney Smith. That metallic beauty, the Monal Pheasant, is by no means uncommon. It is however not so commonly kept in captivity but that I considered myself fortunate when, on the ioth of January, I witnessed a cock bird give a striking courting display. He lowered both wings, stiffened the copper-red feathers on his neck to look like a small ruff, drew his bill under his chin so as to display his crest better, and then crept slowly round a grassy mound to look if the hen was observing him. Finding this to be the case, he crouched low on the ground, dropped his wings even further, and spread out his tail into a fan-shape as far as it would go — which was a long way. He then suddenly raised his tail upwards and bristled up all his feathers, the head being lowered near the ground. He next lowered his tail, still keeping it spread out fan shape, and commenced such a loud rattling and rustling of all his feathers (accompanied by a plaintive whistling) that I could scarcely believe it was the bird making so much noise. He then closed his feathers, except the tail (which he still spread to its utmost extent) and gave several frog-like leaps forward in the direction of the hen, stopped short, jerked himself suddenly right-about- face, gave a flourish of his fan-tail in front of the hen, suddenly closed his tail and then ran away. Apart from natural interest in such grotesque movements, two things strike me (i) whether it was not unusually early for such courting display and (2) whether Monal Cocks when dis¬ playing do not ordinarily keep their feathers closed. On my Visit to Australia. 161 NOTES ON MY VISIT TO AUSTRALIA. By David Seth-Smith, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (■ Continued from page 140). During my stay in Melbourne, Mr. Archibald Campbell very kindly arranged to take me for a delightful week-end trip to a Station on the Penton Hills, owned by the Messrs. Brittle- bank, two keen ornithologists of the best type who do everything in their power to encourage and protect the wild birds. On the 8tli of February, 1908, Mr. Campbell and I left Melbourne by an afternoon train for Bacchus Marsh, about thirty miles out, where we expected to meet Mr. Brittlebank and drive out with him. However we received a message to the effect that he had had to go into Melbourne and would be returning by the next train. So we had some time to wait, which we turned to account by going for a bird -observing stroll. There is a large public park situated near to the railway station, and in this we had ample opportunity of doing some bird-watching. We had not gone many steps before we heard the characteristic pee-wee , pee-wee of the Pied Grallina or Magpie-lark, a family party of which we soon discovered on the muddy banks of a small lake, the water of which, on account of the drought, was very low. There was an adult pair with three young ones, the latter occasionally being still fed by their parents, though they were very well able to take care of themselves. The male, with his black face, was easily distinguished from his white-faced mate and young. O11 our approach the entire family flew up on to an old leafless willow stump, but as we remained still all flew down again to the mud except the male, who kept guard on the tree, every now and then, as he detected a movement on our part, uttering loud cries and flapping his wings as a warning to his family. Close at hand, as we sat on the bank of the lake, a soft twittering came from a clump of thick bushes, which might have been made by a party of English Gold Crests. “ M alums ” whispered my companion, and I fixed my attention on the bush. Soon two minute forms, with long tails held erect over their backs, came from below the bush and hopped about quite close to 11s on the grass, busily capturing tiny insects. Soon others 162 Mr. D. Seth-Smith, came forth, and we watched a whole family of six Blue Wrens, but not one in colour unfortunately, all of a soft brown, the most dainty and aristocratic looking little creatures. The English Goldfinches’ twitter made one imagine one’s self back at home, and’ as we approached a cottage the flocks of house-sparrows that rose up reminded one more than ever of home. But the illusion was soon dispelled .as a party of some dozen or more “Yellow-tails ” (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa ) flew up from the grass, auda perfect cock Blue Wreu ( Malurus cyaneus) appeared on some low bushes in front of us. The males of this lovely little bird seem to be very irregular in the time at which they change their dress: some were com¬ pletely in undress plumage at this time while others, such as the solitary male above-mentioned, were in full dress. Mr. Brittle- bank arrived after dark, and we drove out to his Station. The following morning Mr. Campbell and I rose early and went out. A short distance from the house the ground com¬ menced to slope away to a creek with thickly wooded sides, and towards this we made our way. White-backed Piping Crows, or “ Magpies,” as the Australians call them, and as we will call them here, were about the farm-buildings in numbers, looking out for any chance of plunder. These are the only birds that Messrs. Brittlebank do not strictly preserve as they sometimes become too numerous and are nearly as bad as our Jackdaws are here in the way of stealing. We soon had abundant evidence of the drought which was becoming more serious here than it had been for many years. During the famous drought of a few years ago this part of Victoria did not suffer; grass was plentiful, and sheep and cattle from affected districts were being brought here to feed on the abundant supply. At the time of my visit all of this was changed. Out¬ side the rabbit-proof fence one looked in vain for grass. The hill sides were bare red soil, from which the rabbits had eaten every green blade. Within the fence the herbage was becoming dried up, but there was still some left, and the rodents had taken to climbing the fence, and were all too numerous within the boundary. As we descended the slopes towards the creek we came oh his Visit to Australia. 163 into a region of birds innumerable. Wood-swallows sat above us 011 the trees or hawked around for insects. Tiny Spotted Parda- lotes (Pardalolus punclatus) were busy searching the leaves of the gum-trees for insects. Rosella Parrakeets ( Platycercus eximius') were numerous, and below, in the creek, we heard the notes of Pennants (P. elegans.) The very merry note of the White- throated Thickhead ( Pachycephala gutlziralis') was constantly heard and the bird seen. The charming little Blue Wren was common enough, many males being seen in full plumage, but these were often solitary, while at times a whole party would be met with, all females or young males, or adult males in undress plumage. With the aid of field-glasses the sexes can easily be distinguished when in undress plumage, as the males retain the bluish tail and have no reddish skin round the eye, a character possessed by the females. I11 the creek we met with the Grey or melodious Shrike-thrush ( Collyriocincla hartno?tica), one of the best songsters in the Australian bush. Several Pennant Parra¬ keets were seen, and I watched them for some minutes through my field glasses as they fed on the seeds of various Wattle bushes. Most of these were in immature plumage of green, splashed with crimson. A little bird that was quite common there was the White- shafted Fan-tail, a charming and tame little grey flycatcher with a conspicuous white eye-stripe. Another tame species which was common here was the Yellow-breasted Robin ( Eopsaltria australis ), somewhat larger than our red-breast, but quite as tame ; a brownish bird with a pale yellow breast. We stayed here but a short while as we had arranged for a long ramble after breakfast. On our return up the banks of the Creek we listened to the coo of the Bronze-winged Pigeon ( Phaps chalcoptera'), and saw the little Red-browed Finch (AEgintha temporalis ), well-known to aviculturists at home by the erroneous name of “ Sydney Wax- bill.” Honey-eaters of some half-a-dozen species were identified, thanks to my having as a companion one of the very best of Australian field ornithologists. Furnished with the very important billy can, and pro¬ visions for our lunch, camera, and field glasses, the Messrs. Brittlebank, Mr. Campbell and I set out early in the forenoon for 164 Mr. D. Seth-Smith, tlie Werribee Gorge. We started down into the aforementioned creek and followed the nearly dry stream bed until we came to the approach to the gorge. As we approached a large flowering Eucalyptus tree we heard the note of Lorikeets, and soon discovered numbers of these birds busily working at the flowers. Most were Muskies ( Glossopsittcicus concinnus'), but after watching for some time we were able to identify several specimens of the Little Lorikeet (G. pusillus). These honey-sucking Parrots are remarkably tame and take hardly any notice of one, feeding industriously on the flowers within a few feet of the observer. We watched this in¬ teresting tree for some time as the birds kept arriving singly or in twos and threes. The Eucalyptus trees are very irregular in flowering, only perhaps a few scattered trees being in flower at the same time in a whole forest, and these are sure to be visited by the honey sucking birds such as Lorikeets, Wattle-birds and Honey-eaters of many kinds. Pennant Parrakeets, mostly in immature plumage, were common in this gorge, and allowed of a fairly close approach. The little Red-browed Finch ( SEgintha tempo? alis) was very common in places, but by no means easy to see though their note was constantly heard. They nest all about here, being especially partial to clumps of mistletoe which grow in the Wattle bushes. A Whistling Eagle ( Haliastur sphenurus ) flew past 11s, being mobbed by a Brown Hawk ( Hieracidea o?'ie?italis ) ; the loud cries of the Black Magpie or Grey Crow Shrik ^{Strepera ciuieicaudata) came from the wooded sides of the gorge. While we “boiled the billy” and did justice to the ample provinder which our kind hostess had provided, we watched the little Scrub- Wrens, small birds something like our Hedge Spar¬ rows, Blue Wrens, Tree Runners, Spine-billed Honeyeaters, and other small f ry which appeared to take very little notice of our presence. On our return that evening we saw more rabbits than I had ever seen together before. The station had been surrounded by a so-called rabbit-proof fence of wire-netting let well into the ground, and under ordinary conditions this is quite effectual, but in times of drought, when almost every blade of grass outside the Avicultural Magazine. WATCHING MUSKY LORIKEETS ON FLOWERING GUM-TREE. Photo by A. J. Campbell, Melbourne, February, tqoSJ. BlIc Sit Danielsson, Btd» on his Visit to Australia. i65 fence is demolished, rabbits will climb quite a high fence rather than starve, and we witnessed that evening what they had done in this way. As we approached they ran before us in droves, the majority making for the fence, knowing that their home lay on the other side. We had no dogs with us but suc¬ ceeded in capturing several rabbits with our hands as they ran backwards and forwards trying to find an exit. There were one or two black or sandy-coloured ones amongst the host we saw, proving their descen t from tame stock. What would not the Australians give to be rid of this link with the old country, this introduced pest? The species of birds we identified 011 this trip may be perhaps worth enumerating as follows: — Whistling Eagle ( Haliasiur sphenurus ), Brown Hawk ( Hieracidea orientalis), Raven ( Corone australis). Grey Crow-shrike ( Strepera cuneicau- data), Magpie Lark (Grallina picta), Grey Shrike-thrush ( Collyriocincla harmonica), Scarlet-breasted Robin (Petrceca leggiij, Blue Wren ( M alums cyaneus), White-shafted Fautail (. Rhipidura albiscapa), Black and White Fantail ( R . tricolor). Striated Tit ( Acanthiza lineata), Yellow-ruuiped Tit {A. chrysorrhoa), White-browed Scrub Wren ( Sericornis frontalis), White- fronted Chat ( Ephthianura albifrons). White-backed Magpie ( Gymnorhina leuconota), Yellow-breasted Shrike Robin ( Eopsaltria australis), White- throated Thickhead ( Pachycephata gutturalis), Rufous-breasted Thickhead (P. lufiventris). White-throated Tree-creeper ( Climacteris leucophoza), Spine- bill ( Acanthorhynchus super ciliosus), White-naped Honey-eater ( Melithreptus lunula Ins), Brown-lieaded Honey-eater (M. brevirostris), Fuscus Honey-eater (Ptilotis fusca). Yellow-faced Honey-eater (P. chrysops), White-bearded Honey-eater ( Meliornis novce-hollandce), Yellow Wattle-bird ( Acanthochcera carunculata), Spiney-cheeked Honey-eater ( A . rufigularis), Spotted Parda- lote (Pardalotus punctalus). Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) , Pipit (Ar.thus australis). Wood Swallow (Arlamus sordidus), Red-browed Finch (xEgintha temporalis). Musky Lorikeet (Glossopsittacus concinnus), Little Lorikeet (G. pusillus). Pennant’s Parrakeet (Platycercus elegans), Rosella (P. eximius), Black-breasted Plover (. Zonifer tricolor) Bronze-winged Pigeon ( Phaps chalcoptera), and Laughing Jackass ( Dacelo gigas). 1 66 Notes on a Hybrid Grass-finch. NOTES ON A HYBRID GRASS-FINCH. Aidemosyne modesta x Poephila personata. By H. L. Sich. This bird was brought up entirely by a pair of Masked Finches, neither of which I believe to be a parent. On May 30th, 1908, I turned into my aviary a pair of Masked Finches, an odd hen, and a hen Cherry Finch. I could not get a cock Cherry Finch until July 7th. On July 30th, after a lot of coaxing, this bird left the Masked Finch’s nest, coloured like no other bird in the aviary. The upper parts were dark biscuit brown, the top of the head darker. Throat and chest lighter brown, nearly white on the belty. Wings rather darker than the back, especially towards the tips, as seen when the bird was perching. Tail blackish, bill lead colour, tarsus and toes pinkish brown. On the 31st a real young Masked Finch left the nest, but it was not in good health at the time and died a few days afterwards. It was marked much like its parents. The other bird, being stronger and larger, probably got most of the attention and food. The hybrid left the nest in very good condition, it could fly well and had good legs and tail, it was and is rather a slim long-legged bird, showing a great amount of tibia beyond the body. A description taken at the end of September shows the parentage. It has the song of the Masked Finch, also the beak is the same size and shape as in that bird. Mask black, narrower than that of the Masked Finch, throat, breast and underparts like the Masked Finch, but without the rose tinge; under tail coverts and between the legs nearly white. The black patch behind the legs has appeared, in front of which are a few short black bars. On the sides of the breast are a few short bars a shade darker than the ground colour, lower down these mingle with the black bars. Tail very dark brown. Bill flesh colour. Toes and tarsus brown. On January nth I took down the following description : — Mask rather narrow, does not meet on the top of the head. Cheeks and sides of head paler than the crown. The bird looks very much like a Masked Finch at a little distance, but the sides Notes 07i the Crystal Palace Bird Show. 167 of the breast are barred with short bars only a shade darker than the ground colour, lower down some of them become black. The black band is placed behind the legs and is reduced to a patch on each side and mixed up with brownish feathers. The tail is rather thin looking. The two central feathers are a little longer than the others and the webs are very narrow for the last I inch, a fact which I did not notice in the Masked Finch until this year. Bill very pale yellow ; from the base to the tip of the upper mandible runs a dark line, almost a ridge. At the sides near the base of the lower mandible is an orange-yellow circular patch. Toes and tarsus dark brown. I think this bird must be a hybrid between the cock Cherry Finch and the odd hen Masked Finch, as the other two were nesting at the time. It seems curious that this hybrid should now be coloured so like a Masked Finch, when on leaving the nest there was hardly a feather in common between them, especially as a young Masked Finch is marked almost exactly like its parents. My Cherry Finches nested, but during my absence the nest was destroyed, so I have no young Cherries to compare my bird with. Un¬ fortunately the mother of the hybrid disappeared one day. NOTES ON THE CRYSTAL PALACE BIRD SHOW. The London and Provincial Ornithological Society held their fiftieth annual exhibition of Cage-birds at the Crystal Palace from Friday, February 5th, to Tuesday the 9th, and the number of entries was said to be the largest ever obtained at one of these Shows. There were some five hundred specimens of British birds alone, and the judges must have had a very difficult task. A fair number of birds in the British Classes were obviously Continental specimens, such, for instance, as the Waxwings, Grey Shrikes, Meadow Buntings or Black Redstarts; but, as there was no special Class for Continental birds, and all birds included in the British list are, presumably, eligible to compete in the British Classes, there can be no objection to their doing so, and their inclusion certainly adds interest to the Show. Notes on the Crystal Palace Bird Shozv. 1 68 There were four beautiful Choughs ; and one of the Wax- wings shown was as perfect a specimen as it is possible to imagine. Grey Shrikes, Meadow Buntings, Black Redstarts, and a Middle-spotted Woodpecker ( Dcndrocopus medius ) were all of great interest, though the last-mentioned bird, which is not British, should not have been entered as such, and was rightly passed by the judge. Tree-creepers, Goldcrests, and such like mites testified, by their generally excellent condition, to the skill of their owners. Mr. H. T. T. Camps judged the Foreign Birds which comprised an extremely rare and beautiful collection. His first Class was that devoted to Lovebirds, Budgerigars, and Hanging Parrots, and was remarkable from the fact of there being no less than five pairs of Black-cheeked Lovebirds (Aga- po??iis nigrigenis) present. This species, as most of our readers are probably aware, was unknown in this country a year ago, and the only museum specimens known were two skins at Cape Town.* But it is no more a rarity, and can now be purchased at a very moderate figure. One pair escaped from its cage during the Show ; the female of another pair occupied her time by laying eggs in the cage. The Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot ( Loriculus galgulus ) was represented by five specimens, but there were no full- coloured males amongst them. In the Class for the Larger Parrakeets and Lorikeets Mr. C. T. Maxwell’s Black-throated Lorikeet (Trichoglossus nigzigularis) obtained the first prize, but it is questionable whether it deserved to be placed above the fine pair of the rarely imported (3rd prize) Pileated Parrakeets ( P orphyrocephalus spurius) belonging to Mr. Beaty, albeit these were very shy, as these birds, unsuitable as they are for a caged existence, generally are. The second prize went to Mr. Millsum’s Black-winged Lory a rare bird, but one has seen it before. Mr. C. T. Maxwell’s pair of Rock Grass Parrakeets (. Neophema petrophila ) (v.h c.) greatly took my fancy. A few of these have been imported by one firm of dealers within the last 3^ear or two, but they are really See Avicultural Magazine Vol., VI. p 290, also p.p. 317 — 329. Vol. VII., p.p. 31 — 36, and present issue. i6g Notes on the Crystal Palace Bird Show. •extremely rare birds, and belong to quite the most delightful group of Australian Parrakeets, of which some of the most lovely, e.g., the Turquoisine, the true Elegant, and the Splendid Parrakeets are, I fear, almost gone, and gone for ever. Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Millsum each sent a pair of Stanley Parrakeets (. Platycercus icterotis), quite the best of the Broad¬ tails in my opinion, from an avicultural point of view. Other good birds worth noticing were a Violet-necked Lory, a very fine King Parrakeet, a Purple-capped Lory, and a Lineolated Parrakeet. The Class for True Parrots, Macaws and Cockatoos came next, but there was no single specimen of either a Macaw •or a Cockatoo present, and nothing very extraordinary in the way of Parrots. The Rev. G. H. Raynor sent a very nice tame little Meyer’s Parrot which easily carried off the first prize. The second prize went to a magnificent Grey Parrot which, when I Erst saw it, was busy enjoying a mutton bone. Its owner said it had a bone, and by no means a dry bone, almost daily, and he had had the bird eight years. Certainly it could not have been in finer condition in spite of a portion of its diet consisting of meat which, we are told by some of our most learned friends, is about as bad as it can be for Parrots, and certain to start feather¬ eating ! A Black-headed Caique took the third, and a nice pair of Blue-headed Parrots ( Pionus me?istruus) the fifth prize. I could not find the fourth prize winner — probably it had eaten its card. The Class for the commoner Waxbilus, Grasseinches, Weavers, &e., contained nothing of special interest, and I have no notes regarding it ; that devoted to the raven species however contained some interesting exhibits. Mr. Maxwell took the first, second, fourth and fifth prizes here with (i) a beautiful pair of Australian Painted Finches {Eviblenia picta ) (2) his “ Gaboon Weaver” which I mentioned in my report on the London Cage-bird Show as probably being the Sperviospisa guttata ; a black and red bird with a bluish tint on its stout bill ; (4) a fine pair of Melba Finches, and (5) a perfect cock Violet-eared Waxbill. 170 Notes on the Crystal Palace Bird Shozv. Mrs. E. Galloway obtained third prize with a pair of the charming little Scaly-fronted Weavers ( Sporopipes squamifrons ) from South Africa. Mr. Maxwell had yet another rare exhibit in a pair of Fire-tailed Finches (Zoticegizifhus bellus'). These little finches are extremely rare here, and these are the first I remember seeing at a Show. Why the the judge only awarded them v.H.C. is quite incomprehensible. They occur in the South of Australia and Tasmania and are said to be very delicate and difficult to import. I started from Tasmania last April with eight specimens and only lost one on the voyage of seven weeks and have not found them delicate, but for all this they are very rarely imported. There were Parrot-finches, Gouldians, and a nice pair of Australian Crimson Finches here also. In the Class for Grosbeaks, True Finches and Buntings, Mrs. E. Galloway secured the first prize with a nice Black-faced Serin ( Serinus capistratus), the same bird that obtained similar honours at the recent London Cage Bird Show. Mr. Maxwell’s charming pair of Cuba Finches obtained an easy second prize ; while a nice pair of Indigo Buntings, the cock in winter garb (Mr. W. Cook) came third. A pair of some species of Spermophila belonging to Mr. A. Sutcliffe obtained fourth prize. There were three specimens of “ Yellow-browed Buntings,” a pair of Japanese Hawfinches, Green Cardinals, a Diuca Finch, and one or two commoner birds. The Tanager Class is generally an interesting one, and on this occasion was no exception to the rule. Mr. Maxwell carried off the first three prizes with (1) a Black-throated, (2) the rare Red-throated and (3) a Spotted Emerald Tanager, truly a magnificent trio, and all in the pink of condition. Fourth and fifth prizes were taken by Mr. Townsend with a fine Magpie Tanager, and a Tri- colour Tanager respectively. A second Magpie Tanager owned by Mrs. P . Smith, was very highly commended, an Archbishop Tanager sent by Mr. R. J. Watts was highly commended, and an uncommon Black-cheeked Tanager, belonging to Mr. O. Millsum, commended. There were eight entries in the Class for Sugar-birds, &c., and they formed a very interesting and showy class. Mr. Townsend’s fine pair of Black-faced Sugar-birds ( Chlorophanes Notes oil the Crystal Palace Bird Shoiv. 17 1 spiza ) here, as at the London Cage-bird Show, were awarded the first prize which they well deserved. The same exhibitor’s Yellow- winged Sugar-bird (2nd prize) was in most lovely plumage and condition and beautifully shown. A single male Black-faced, owned by Mr. Millsum, came third; another Yellow¬ wing (Mr. Maxwell) fourth, and a Blue Sugar-bird (Mr. Millsum) fifth. This Class contained perhaps the most delicate birds in the Show and some of the most valuable, but they were placed in the most draughty corner in the whole place from which even thickly clad humans preferred to move on to the risk of catching a bad cold. It was not to be wondered at that several of the delicate foreigners looked anything but well on the second day of the Show. The last Class that I have to mention was that for are OTHER species, and this is generally the most interesting Class in the Show, though a terribly disappointing one formally of the exhibitors. It was no exception in this case. There were birds that had probably never before been seen on the Show-bench at all, and the owners might reasonably have expected good awards for them, but there was also present a King Bird of Paradise, and although the species is quite well known to aviculturists now-a-days, and has proved itself to be easity kept ; still the fact of its being a Bird of Paradise practically ensures its receiving a first and several special prizes. Mr. Maxwell is the owner of the King Bird and so received the first prize. A Touracou belonging to Mr. A. Burrows came second. Considering what an unsuitable bird lor a cage a Touracou is, the very fair condition of this bird possibly accounted for the judge’s decision. Mr. O. Millsum’s “ Rusty-cheeked Babblers” ( Po7?iato)hi?ius erythrogenys') which took third prize were very nice birds, as were also his White-spotted Laughing Thrushes which took the fifth prize. A very perfect specimen of the Niltava Flycatcher belongingto Mr. Maxwell was awarded fourth prize. This is certainly one of the most lovely birds one can wish to see. Next to it, but for some unaccountable reason without a card of any sort, was a beautiful White-capped Red¬ start belonging to the same owner ; a very rare bird and well 172 Wild Birds in the Giza Zoological Garde?is. shown. Mr. W. Cook’s Yellow-eyed* and Scimitar Babblers were both almost new to aviculture and extremely interesting. This was a wonderful Class, for there were several more birds of great rarity and interest and one could not help feeling for the exhibitors in their bad luck at receiving no prize. Mr. J. Dewliurst sent a very good pair of Mouse Birds or Coley’s, most difficult birds to keep in clean condition in a cage. A nice Black-headed Sibia was shown by the same exhibitor. Mrs. Sandy sent a beautiful pair of Mexican Green Jays, Mr. Maxwell a Blue-winged Siva,f Mr. Cushing a Pitta, Mrs. Frostick a very fine Sulphur-breasted Toucan and Mr. Millsuni a Rufous-chinned Laughing Thrush. I was very sorry to hear from Mr. Maxwell that his Cuban Trogon which caused a sensation at the London Cage-bird Show, had died shortly after it was entered for the present exhibition. D. S.-S. WILD BIRDS IN THE GIZA ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. Captain .Stanley S. Flower, in conjunction with Mr. Michael J. Nicoll, has prepared a very instructive report on the Wild Birds observed in the Egyptian Zoo. at Giza. For the last ten years great care has been taken to encourage and protect the wild birds in these Gardens, with the result that both species and individuals seem to have increased considerably, no less than 166 species having visited these Gardens of their own accord. I11 song-birds Egypt is not deficient as has been stated “a visit to the Giza Gardens when the Nightingale, the Rufous Warbler and the Olivaceous Warbler are in song will at once dispel this illusion.” The Report is divided into two sections, viz., Species of birds found wild in Egypt, which have visited the Giza Zoological Gardens of their own accord ” ; no less than 155 species being contained in this list, and “ Foreign Species of birds, which presumably must have escaped from captivity else¬ where in Egypt, which have visited the Giza Zoological Gardens of their own accord. October 1S98 -October 1908.” A great many of the species enumerated in the first list are European species on migration. Even the Fieldfare and the Redwing occasionally go * An account of this species -with coloured plate appeared in this journal Vol. 1 (N.S.) page 83. t Avicultnral Magazine Vol. VIII. (First Series), p. 243. Correspondence. 173 as far south as this to escape the rigours of their northern homes in winter. The Olivaceous Warbler ( Hypolais pallida ) nests in large numbers in the Gardens, and its sweet song is constantly heard throughout the summer. The Graceful Warbler [Dryrnceca gracilis) is an abundant resident, and its persistent note is one of the most familiar sounds in the Gardens. The Goldfinch also nests there regularly, as does the House Sparrow, Hooded Crow, Barn Owl, Southern Little Owl and Palm Dove, while the Moorhen and Stone Plover have also reared young there in a wild state. An extraordinary increase has taken place in the numbers of Night Herons and Shoveller ducks which frequent these Gardens in autumn and winter. I11 the case of the former birds 108 individuals were counted on January 15th, 1901, 360011 December nth, 1902, and now it is impossible to count them. Up to 1902 twenty was the largest number of Shovellers seen on the lake. Now it is estimated that over 500 take up their quarters there. Of the introduced or escaped foreign species the following list is given: Amaduvade Waxbill visited the Gardens in August and September 1905 to 1908— and breeds there ; Java Sparrow recorded 011 four occasions- Spice Finch twice recorded; Striated Finch three times; Indian Silver-bill two seen ; Common Waxbill twice seen ; Cordon Bleu twice; Madagascar Weaver three times; Grey Headed Lovebird six times observed; Rose- ringed Parrakeet probably breeds in the Gardens ; there are at least fourteen birds, but six are known to have escaped and three have been liberated. A larger Green Parrakeet, probably the Indian Ring-neck, has been observed in 1902 and 190S. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. A BLUE ROCK THRUSH FROM CUBA. Sir, — Along with a fine specimen of Mimocichla rubripes, the red- legged Cuban Thrush, there was sent me, on approval, a Blue Rock Thrush, whose identity I have not been able to discover. It is said to be also a Cuban bird. Anyone who knows the European Blue Rock Thrush, [or ‘Chat,’ to be nearer the mark,] can easily picture it. A bird of exactly the same size, and, speaking generally, of a similar colouring. The differences are these: the bill is longer and more Starling¬ like, the feathers 011 the throat and upper breast being, as in the Starling, narrower and more pointed than in the European Blue Thrush. The pale powdery blue upon the head which distinguishes that bird, extends in the case of his Cuban cousin to the throat and breast, whilst a broad black line, shewing up quite distinctly against the surrounding sil vered-blue, runs from the beak through the eyes, and these are very distinctive, being of a bright but rather deep orange-red. I did not keep the bird because my cage-birds already numbered more 174 Correspondence. than I could comfortably do with, but I could see that, like his European relative, he would have become very tame, and when in really good feather¬ ing, would be decidedly handsome. Now will someone let us know his exact name? In the index of the Ibis I can find no Petrocincla, (which this bird undoubtedly is), mentioned as being found in the part of the world from which he came. Hubert D. Asteey. OUAIL FINCHES NESTING. Sir, — My pair of Quail Finches have made a nest, and incubation has been going on for five days. Can you tell me how many days incubation lasts? What would von give as food if the young ones are hatched. It is very interesting to watch these sweet little birds — the labours of nestmaking and incubating seem in this case to be reversed, the female brings the materials, feathers and grass, the male makes the nest, and up to this time it is the male alone that sits on the nest, but he has a way of leaving the nest for an hour or two at a time while he preens his feathers and has his meals ; this makes me rather anxious about the hatching of the eggs. The birds first made a nest between two pieces of turf which had been placed in the cage. This spelt disaster, as the top piece of turf dried up and lumps of earth fell upon the nest and broke the eggs. Then all the turf except the bottom layer was removed and dry grass placed in the cage; the birds soon built another nest just like a Wood Wren’s, with a little opening just like the entrance of a Wren’s nest. You can just see the white marks on the bird’s cheeks and his red bill, l'he eggs now being incubated aie four in number, and are pure white, rather long. Wii.EI am Ingram. l'he following reply was sent to Sir William Ingram . The period of incubation would probably be from twelve to fourteen days. It will be very difficult to provide living insects at this time of year Correspondence. 175 and so you will liave to rely chiefly upon good insectivorous food, contain¬ ing plenty of the best ants’ cocoons procurable and good yolk of egg ; and yon might give as many small mealworms as the birds will take while they are feeding young. Even at this time of year the common annual flowering grass can be obtained in places, and I should be inclined to provide as much of this as possible. You might give the small Indian millet seed in addition to the white millet and Canary seed. D. SRTH-SMITH. THE HARDINESS OF BIRDS OF PARADISE. In a letter to the Editor Mr. E. J. Brook writes : — “I am very' glad to hear that the Paradise Birds at the Zoological Gardens are to have out¬ side houses and flights.* I find that my Paradise Birds are most lively at a temperature of between 40° and 50° Falir., but they do not seem to feel cold at about freezing point. If the houses get too warm they get dull. These birds should have plenty of shade in summer as nearly all of them dislike strong sun. I give all my Birds of Paradise (except the Six Plumed) some finely cut up raw meat once a week, I think they are better for it. My “Lesser Bird ” is very fond of a mouse and eats it in such a systematic manner that I think they must eat such things in nature.” PECULIAR COLORATION IN A LOVEBIRD. Sir, — The colour change in a hen Madagascar Lovebird seems to me remarkable enough to record. After the moult last autumn it changed completely, and instead of being all green it had no green about it at all. Flying about in a large outdoor aviary' I could scarcely tell what colour it was, only that its back and wings seemed dark, its breast ruddy’, aud the whole plumage of a bronze hue. Not until it died, which it did about a month ago (it had been in the aviary some years and was old, that is for a Madagascar Lovebird) had I an opportunity of examining it closely’, then I found that the back was trying, as it were, to be black, the breast red, and the upper part of the tail feathers orange. Surely a singular change in an all green bird ! A few of the little feathers were quite black, quite red, and quite orange. It would have been interesting to see what another moult would have brought forth ; it was in good condition so far as flesh was concerned, and I wish it had not died. The cock, equally old, remains quite normal in colour. E. A. H. Hartricy. * Mr. Brook refers to the outdoor flight aviaries which are being erected 011 the south side of the small Bird House, in which it is intended to keep some of the Birds of Paradise. 176 Co? respo?ide?ice. THE WATER RAIL- Sir, — Residing as I do in Kent, the correspondence re Water Rails*" has been of considerable interest to me, and I have often wanted satis¬ factory evidence of their breeding in the County. In some of our marshy ponds, adjoining old mill ponds, are many Water Rails, but beyond seeing the tracks of their feet on the soft mud and hearing an occasional chorus of squeals and grunts in the evenings their presence would hardly be expected, and it very unusual to see one show itself, except by long waiting or when put up by a dog. I can quite agree with Dr. Ticehurst, that to see so many Water Rails feeding in meadow's, and in one instance no less than seven together, is an unique and I should think an unusual occurrence, and Mr. Farmborough is much to be congratulated for having been the first to be able to record such a one. t There can be no question as to the Water Rail being common enough, especially in winter, but I must disagree with the statement that the I, and Rail is now a common bird, with I believe the exception of some localities in the west of these islands. The Land Rail or Corn Crake has become a rare, or comparatively rare, breeding species, mainly, I presume, owing to- their being almost all annihilated year after year by mowing machines. In the autumn a certain number appear, but in most localities very few breed. E. G. B. Meade-Wai.do. THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDF1NS. The very fine male Great Bird of Paradise, that has for some four years been one of the great attractions in the Gardens, died quite recently. The post mortem examination revealed no sign of disease, but every indication of old age. A pair of Cape Barren or Cereopsis Geese brought fiom Tasmania with the Australian collection have a nest, and the female has been sitting some time: and a pair of Australian Winking Owls (Ninox connivens ) also have a nest. “THE WAXWING.” — a correction. Page 115, first paragraph, line 3, should read : “ It is circumpolar and alone of the three species inhabits Europe, and, at irregular intervals, visits these islands.” [* See Vol. VI., pp. 303, 347, and present volume, p. 112.] [+ It lias been suggested by one of our members that the Rails that Mr. Farmborough saw feeding in the meadows must have been young Moorhens. — En.] III. Notices to Members— (Continued from page ii. of cover). NEW MEMBERS. The Countess of Suffolk and Berkshire ; Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Mrs. Stanley Flower : Kedah House. Giza, Egypt. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Mr. Fritz Drughorn ; “ Banavie,” 27, The Avenue, Beckenham, Kent. Proposed by Dr. BUTLER. Miss L. M. ST. A. Wait ; 12, Rosary Gardens, S,W, Proposed by the Hon. Business Secretary, Major J. Manners-Smith; The Residency, Nepal, India. Proposed by Mr. C, BARNBY SMITH. Mr, Gerard H. Gurney, F.Z.S. ; Keswick Hall, Norwich. Proposed by the Editor. CHANGE OF ADDRESS. Capt. Pkrreau ; to 2/4, Gurkha Rifles, Bakloh, Punjab, India, ILLUSTRATION FUND. The Committee acknowledge with many thanks a donation from £ s- a. Mrs. Reid .. .. .. .. .. 1 10 o MEMBERS’ PRIVATE SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is sixpence for eighteen words or dess, and one penny for every additional three words or less. Trade advertisements are not at,i,owkd in this column. Dealers zvho are members , wishing to advei 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. Hon. Lady Harvey has for sale five pairs Yellpw Budgerigars 10/- pair; 1 pair Green Budgerigars 8/-, and 2 odd hens 4/6 each. All bred in outdoor aviary. Requires I hen Cockaliel. Apply H. Osborn ; Langley Park, Slough. Fine pair Carolina Ducks, perfect, 50/-; drake Versicolor Teal, 70/., perfect. A. Cummings; 16, Promenade Villas, Cheltenham. f Continued on opposite page). JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. TROWER & CO., WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS, 442, 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 ether Shows. PRICE LIST. SAMPLES FREE. Mealworms, Ants’ Eggs, Dried Flies, etc., of the finest quality. SPECIALITIES. “ GECTO,” the best Insectivorous Food on the Market, 1/4 per 11). Ground Silk Worm Pupae, imported at frequent intervals from Italy. NEW SERIES. Vol. VII. No. 6 MONTHLY Price Is- 6d- APRIL, 1909. Members’ Annual Subscription, 10/- ; payable in advance. THE JOURNAL OF THE AVIGULTURAL SOCIETY. •-TCONTENTS.Oj PAG E The Hermit Thrush and Wilson's Thrush (7 viih hand-coloured plate) by Hub Eii r D. Astlky, M.A., F.Z.S i/7 Some Great Bustards ( illustrated ), by Aubyn Tkkvor-Battye, M.A., F.Z.S r84 Breeding of the Yellow Cotiure . 192 The Avicultura! Society of California ... 193 Notices of New Books, etc. : 1'he Eggs of European Birds ... 194 Report of Irish Zoological Society ... 194 COKUESPONDENCK, NOTES, ETC. I A Paradise in a Crater, 195 ; Ivories, Lovebirds and Parrot-Finches, 196; The Black-winged Hangnest, 196; The Water Kail in Hampshire, 196 ; An unrecognised Amazon, 198 ; A rare Hybrid Grassfiuch, 199; Green and Yellow Budgerigars, 199; The Abyssinian Lovebird, 200. Post mortem Reports . Page IV. continuation of cover □ R, LO N DO N 1 H. PORTER, 7, Princes St., Cavendish Square, NOTE.— A new volume commences every November. W. II. All Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the AvicUETURAr, Society are requested to communicate witli either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Kditor. 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BOUND COPIRS OE THE “ AVICULTURAL MAGAZINK.” The following can be obtained from the Publisher at the prices given below. Postage 6d. per volume extra : Vol. IT., 61- to members; 8/6 to Lhe public. Vols. V. to VII., to/6 each to members ; 12 6 each to the public. Vol. Vlir., 14/- to members ; 17/6 to the public. Vols. I. to IV., New Series, (sets only) £ 4 net to members; £5 to the public. Vol. II. Vol. III. „ „ Vol. IV. Vol. V. Vol. VI. 16/- 16/- 16/- 16/- 16/- „ 21/- ,, „ 21/- „ 21/- _ ,, „ 21/- ,, » 21/- Cu> rent Monthly Numbers 1/6 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 1/7; for back Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances; Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. .Second -hand copies sometimes reach the Publisher, to whom application should be made. ( Continued on page Hi. of covet). The Editor much regrets the late appearance of the present number. The printed matter was quite ready in time, but has had to wait for the coloured plate, which appears to have been a somewhat difficult one to colour and has taken longer to produce than was anticipated. Avi cultural Magazine From living specimens in MF Halbert D . Astiey^s aviaries. WILSONS THRUSH. Tardus fuscescens THE HE RM I T THRU S H . Tardus pallasi. Bale Sc D am els s on ,L^ imp . THK *77 Hvtcultural fllbaga3tnet BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. New Series — VOL. VII. — NO. 6. — el /I rights reserved. APRIL, 1909. THE HERMIT THRUSH {Turdus pallasi). WILSON’S THRUSH ( Turdus fuscescens). By Hubert D. Asteey, M.A., F.Z.S. The Hermit Thrush, known as the Eastern Hermit Thrush, to distinguish it from Audubon’s Thrush, and the Dwarf or Unalaska Thrush, which closely resemble it ; con¬ stitutes the Eastern race of North America. It is said to have occurred in Heligoland, in Germany, and in Italy, Its breeding range extends over a wide area, for it has been found nesting in British Columbia round Lake La Haclie. It breeds from the Northern United States northward, and winters according to Mr. Ridgway (“ Manual of North American Birds”) from about 40° to the Gulf Coast. In Manitoba it is a common summer resident, and it has been recorded in Ontario in spring and autumn. Dr. Hart Merriam found it nesting near Points de Monts in Quebec, and it is common along the south shore of Labrador and again on Anticosti Island. Mr. Dwight, in his paper on the summer birds of the Pennsylvania Alleghanies, writes as follows : — “ Among some “ scattered pines at the top of Wopsonouock Mountain I found “ a pair feeding their young. As the abundance of this species “ can best be determined about sunset, when every male is “ pouring forth its evening song, I cannot say how abundant it is “ at this point. Often it was possible to distinguish a dozen “ singing at the same time in the early morning or the late “ evening hours.” i78 Mr. Hubert D. Astley, Dr. Elliott Coues, in the “ Birds of the Colorado Valley,” writes: — “ Great injustice would be done were the Hermit’s “ musical powers overlooked in any sketch, however slight, of its “ life history. The earlier authors were evidently unaware of “ its accomplishments, for its melody is lavished on the gloom “ of the swamp, or lost in the darkening aisles of the forest, “ where years passed by before the ear of the patient and toiling “student of nature was gladdened by the sweet refrain. “Wilson denies its song; Audobon speaks of ‘ its single “ plaintive note.’ ” “ Nuttall seems to have first recognised the power and “ sweetness of the lay of our Hermit : he compares it to the famous “ Nightingale, that sweet princess of song, and ranks it far above “ the Wood Thrush. Later writers agree in this high estimate of “ the bird’s powers . The weird associations of the spot “ where the Hermit triumphs, the mystery inseparable from the “ voice of the unseen musician, conspire to heighten the effect of “ the sweet, silvery, bell-like notes, which, beginning soft, low, “ and tinkling, rise higher and higher, to end abruptly with a clear, “ ringing intonation.” In another place the same author writes : — “ How quietly “ and with what solicitude for privacy the nesting of the Hermit “ Thrush is accomplished ! Such care is taken to conceal its “ nest in the recesses of tangled uudergrowth, that few are the “ Ornithologists who have found it . The manner “ in which the nest of the Hermit Thrush is built, its situation, “ and the eggs are all so similar to the Veery’s, (Wilson’s “ Thrush) that one must detect the shy parents themselves before “ being sure which has been found. The nest is built on “ the ground or near it, generally in some secluded low spot ; “ no mud is used in its composition, the whole fabric being a rude “ and inartistic matting of withered leaves, weed stalks, bark “ strips, and grasses — the coarser and stiffer substances outside, “ the finer fabrics within. The cup is small in comparison with “ the whole size, owing to the thickness of the walls and of the “ base. The eggs are like those of the Robin ( T. migraiorius ) or “ Wood Thrush in their uniform greenish-blue colour, but “ smaller, measuring about nine-tenths of an inch in length, by on the Hermit Thrush a?id Wilson's Thrush. 179 “ five-eights in breadth ; being thus not distinguishable from the Veery.” I am quite in love with my Hermits, of which I have five. Graceful in their movements, they are also extremely fearless -and gentle, as well as apparently hardy in captivity, for two of mine have passed the winter in an outdoor aviary, and I have seen them bathing when the sun was setting on a gloomy afternoon in December or January. They keep themselves in beautiful condition, looking sleek and compact. In my bird-room one of them will hop about as un¬ concernedly as if he were in the depths of his far-off forest home, ever watchful for the opening of the mealworm or cock¬ roach box, flitting to one’s feet witli noiseless wings, his large brown eyes expectantly watching. In January one Hermit commenced to sing, of course he sang sotto voce , but there were the sweet pure tinkling notes and stanzas ; short stanzas following quickly one upon another, yet uttered very deliberately ; a voice quite unlike any of our English birds. Another of my Hermits suddenly commenced to moult in January, a complete, quick, healthy moult ; which I presume was an abnormal one, yet his food is the same as that of the •others, although it is true that he lives in my sitting-room where the temperature in winter is higher than in the bird-room.* Viewed from the back, a Hermit Thrush when hopping on the ground is exceedingly like a Nightingale, both in colouring and style, only rather larger. * Since writing- this account another Hermit Thrush has moulted in February. The change of feathers has been a complete one, so that one may presume the vernal moult to be normal in this species. Usually when birds have a fresh plumage in the spring, there is a change of colouring, as in the case of the Rock Thrush ( Petiocincla saxatilis ), but if I remember right, the primaries and tail feathers are not shed, which are so with the Hermit Thrush. In the latter species however there is no marked change of colour, the breast spots maybe some¬ what larger and bolder, though on the other hand, this may be due to the freshness of the feathers. Again, as I have only had my Hermit Thrushes since the commencement of November, 1908, I have had no opportunity of observing the autumnal moult. The vernal moult may possibly be a little premature with the caged birds, for the two out-of-door birds have shown no signs of casting their feathers up to the time of writing [Mid- February] and I have been out of England since then. 180 Mr. Hubert D. Astuey, The Hermit has the same length of shank, and the same carriage. It is curious that these beautiful little Thrushes have scarcely ever been imported to England in days when such importation was permitted, for they can be captured in fair numbers on the autumnal migration. As a single cage pet I can really imagine no bird more charming in every way. They are very steady in a cage and do not knock their tail-feathers about as is so often the case with Nightingales. The call-note of this species is a pretty low “chuck.” The male is perhaps slightly longer than the female, but it is extremely difficult to distinguish the sexes apart. My Hermits feed on an insectivorous mixture, a very excellent one supplied by Mr. Galloway, of Caversham, but like all insectivorous birds, fresh insect food is necessary for their welfare ; not many mealworms, but cockroaches, gentles, flies, spiders, wood lice, etc., and also fruit. They are very fond of grapes, skinned, and cut into very small pieces, which can be mixed with their every day food. One of my Hermits most unfortunately had a wing' broken : it was one of the outdoor aviary birds. Something had probably chased him, and the wing was perhaps knocked during flight against a bough. I brought him into the house and for some days tried in vain to support the broken member by tying, it up. I passed some soft knitting-wool round his body in front of the legs, underneath the uninjured wing at the back of the shoulder and over the broken one, tying the ends of the wool firmly together. The little Thrush was quite undismayed under such treatment, and hopped back into his cage when I loosed him from my hand at the door of it ; he took up his position on a perch and looked at me very deliberately. I went out of the room to return in five minutes. The strand of wool was lying in the sand, and the little Hermit was sitting on his perch with his drooping wing, looking at me as if he were Maskelyne or Cook, ready to make his bow after having been firmly tied up with ropes before his audience, and having stepped out free again ! I tried him again with silken thread, but again he picked it off, shook out his ruffled feathers and remained unshaken himself. on the Hermit Thrush and Wilson's Thrush. i8r But I conquered at last, fori wrapped him round with a strip of plaster, plaster which adheres to itself directly the gummy sides come in contact with each other, and the wing mended, but it droops somewhat, as it had no doubt commenced to set before I was able to support it in its right position. It was fractured, a simple fracture, at the shoulder. Wilson’s Thrush, known also as the “ Veery,” and the “ Tawny Thrush ” is not really perhaps a larger bird than the Hermit, but a slightly lo?iger, that is from 6‘8 inches to 7, whilst the Hermit is from 6’4 to 67 inches, according to the sexes as a rule. Its habitat is much the same as that of T. pallasi. I have two, which I hope and believe are male and female. In their nature and temperament, they closely resemble the Hermit Thrush, sitting unconcernedly when out of their cages in the birdroom, close to one and often watching one’s movements with apparent interest. I11 my former article entitled “ Four well-known Thrushes of North America,” I have quoted writers, such as Mr. Nehrling, upon the song and habits of this Thrush. (January, 1909). L,et me however further quote Prof. Elliot Coues. He writes: — “ The Veery’s mating and nest-building season, when “ the bird is in full song, is the genial month of May, in most parts “ of the United States ; and two broods may be reared under pro- “ pitious surroundings. But further northward, where alone have “ I myself found the bird in its home, and heard its seductive “ epithalamium, the shorter span of the summer season suffices “ for but a single brood. “ The heavy growth of timber that fringes the streams in- “ eludes many nooks and dells, and broken ravines overgrown with thick shrubbery, from out of the masses of which the tall trees “ tower, as if stretching forth their strong arms in kindly caress- “ ing of the humbler and weaker vegetation, their offspring. In ■“ such safe retreats, where the sombre shade is brightened here “ and there with stray beams of sunlight, in the warmth of ■“ which myriads of insects bathe their wings and flutter away “ their little span of life, humming a quaint refrain to the gurgle “ of the rivulet, the Veery meets his mate — the song rises — the 182 Mr. Hubert D. Astley, “ wooed is won — the home is made. Should we force our un- “ welcome presence upon the bird who is brooding her newly- “ found treasures with the teuderest solicitude, she will nestle “ closer still, in the hope of our passing by, till we might almost “ touch her ; when, without a word of remonstrance or reproach, “ she takes a little flight, and settles a few yards away, in silent “ appeal. If the time, the place, the scene, suffice not for our “ forbearance, with what poor words of hers may we then be “ moved ? “ The nest will be at our feet, most likely beneath some “ bush, resting upon a bed of leaves, or supported in the forks “ of some stems which spring directly from the ground. It “ seems large for the size of the bird, and perhaps not so neat “ and finished as we might expect ; for the Veery, though a “ patient and faithful housekeeper, cares little for appearances* “ . The nest may contain four, perhaps five eggs, “ like those of the Hermit-Thrush, greenish-blue, without “ marking, except in rare instances, when a few specks appear, “ specially about the larger end. “ Varying estimates have been made of the Veery’s powers “ of song. For myself, I rate this bird as one of the sweetest of “ our songsters, of whose clear bell-like notes, resonant, distinct, “ yet soft and of indescribable sadness, I have spoken on a' former “ occasion.” I nearly lost one of my Veerys on board the “ Lusitania,” in spite of the great kindness of the purser, who gave over to me, key and all, a pantry in which to keep my birds. The delicately- made and aristocratic little Thrushes were unused to being huddled together in a stuffy travelling cage along with Cat Birds, Blue Birds, etc. ; besides which if my poor Veery was anything like oneself, that horrible slow and determined roll of the huge ship deprived him of his appetite. Anyhow he sat huddled in a corner, so that surreptitiously I contrived to convey him to my cabin where his wants could be attended to, and where he could rest in peace. Undoubtedly had I not done so he would have succumbed, and I realised how difficult it must be to bring home birds which have to be caged up on board ship for several weeks oil the Hermit Thrush and Wilson's Thrush. 183 instead of for one, and under circumstances far less advantageous to their welfare. I had another anxious experience and a mauvais quart d' he7ire of a different kind when my American birds were first brought on board at New York. The keeper was seeing that they had water to drink, when a hen Blue Bird slipped out of the cage-door and fled off round the huge kitchen of the “Lusitania,” which happened, as it generally does happen, to be overflowing with head cooks, under cooks, pastry cooks and scullions. The Blue Bird flew over them, and I through them, dimly conscious of being dangerously near to knocking some of them over, and of the clattering of kitchen utensils which stood in my path. Fortunately I managed to keep the fugitive in sight by doubling as the Blue Bird doubled, and finally ran her to ground in a large but dark aperture in the wall which seemed a receptacle for lead pipes and various pieces of matting. I had to clamber on to the dresser and could then only grope blindly in dusty unseen corners. I had begun to despair, when I thought I felt feathers ! Squeezed under a pipe, which was by no means cold, was the Blue Bird ! She seems happy enough now in an outdoor aviary, where she, along with others, has passed the winter. I feel relieved indeed that the two species of beautiful little Thrushes, about which I have written, are apparently so con¬ tented in captivity. Had they fluttered against their cage bars or moped, one would have hated to have brought them from their native land across the desert of water. I hope they, like other birds, live in the present with no memory of the past. No memory of still shady forests and dells luxuriate in moss and overshadowing ferns, where streams trickle and deer mice leap. No memory of tales that were told of their forbears who tinkled their bell-like and silvery notes as the Red Indians bivouacked near by, or crept stealthily on moccassined feet through the dense underwood. The Indians have all but gone, and the forests over many a mountain and vale have been felled, but the people of that great country are waking up to a sense of their responsibilities, and with that let us hope to sympathy for their birds, of which they may justly be proud. 184 Mr. Aubyn Trevor- Battye. SOME GREAT BUSTARDS. By Aubyn Trevor-Battye, M.A., F.L.S. Seven years ago when we came to live in Hampshire our first care was to make a home for Flamingoes and Great Bustards. We made it out of two pieces of kitchen garden, separated by a gravel walk. One piece was to remain as the birds’ lawn, the other to be transformed into “ hills, valleys and lake ” (literally banks, hollows, and a little wading pool). It was not an easy job, for we had to work down, first through clay, then through chalky gravel and then through flints, shaping the banks and levels as we went, till we found the water. It took four men and two horses most of the winter to do it ; and when they had finished it looked like nothing so much as a working at Kimberley, but almost dirtier and more depressing. As soon as it had dried out sufficiently the gardeners came in and sifted it over with fine soil, and by the summer it was covered with light short grass ( Feshica ovina var, tenuifolia). It soon began to look quite a pretty little place. In order that the birds might feel at home it was planted with things from Spain and Morocco. Cistus grew there, Spanish and Moorish Broom, Rosemary, wild Lavender, Asphodel, and the little Blue Iris of the Hastern Mediterranean. The big outer bank was soon covered by a dense low growing Sunflower ( Harftcdium rigidunt), smaller ridges by wild Thyme and wild Pink ( D . deltoides), while elsewhere Bamboo, Tree Lupins and Bog Myrtle formed excellent shelter. In one corner a forest of Jerusalem artichoke made an admirable screen, useful even after it was dead. The retreat was so arranged that blow the wind whence it might complete shelter was always obtainable by the birds. The banks were extra high against the South-West, the quarter of our prevailing wind, which birds and plants so much dislike. Then the Flamingoes came ; but as we were still without Bustards we went off to Andalucia to see what we could find. Though not successful in obtaining any captive birds we arranged with Vicente Saccone, of Coria del Rio, to raise us some from the nest. Some Great Bustards. 185 Time went on and we heard no more. But in the spring of 1907 I happened to meet Vicente, in Seville, and he told me he had two hens read}'-, which he had reared by hand. This good news made me look with still greater interest not only on the wild birds on the cornlands, but also on a fine lot that walked about a beautiful garden in Jerez de la Frontera. They came to the steps every morning to feed from a lady’s hand, and were quite indifferent to the presence of the two great Spanish mastiffs and the terrier that shared their food. They belonged to Mr. Walter J. Buck, well known as one of the authors of that delightful book Wild Spain. A. BUSTARDS’ HOUSE. B. BUSTARDS’ LOOK-OUT POINT. C. ENTRANCE GATE. D. SECONDARY BANK. E. FOOD HOUSE. Soon after my return home I received a letter from Mr. Buck saying that he was sending with Saccone’s hens the finest male bird from his own collection. My delight at this generous present was however soon to be damped by a letter in which Vicente said he was despatching the hens, but that the male was so seriously ill that he was keeping him back. The hens, two beautiful birds, duly arrived. One had been hatched in 1904, the other in 1905. This bird was smaller than the former and had a brown nape and top to her head, but she lost these feathers at the next moult and assumed the lavender head of adult life.* Some weeks went by and then the * Mr. St. Quintiu informs me that a hen bird in his possession, nearly twelve years old, has a “ rufous fawn nape and top to her head” i86 Mr. Aubyn Trevor- Battye, male bird came. He was extremely weak and in very poor con¬ dition. From the first he would never go to the bowl for food, though he would take from the fingers pellets of poultry food and barley meal, but often I had to make much demonstration in front of his face before he would open his mouth. The enclosure was full of weeds, such as hawkweed, which others have found that Bustards like, and a fresh cabbage was always kept for them, tightly fastened down so that they could, if they so chose, pull at it satisfactorily. For a long while, however, they would not touch green food, but were absolutely ravenous for mice. Unfortunately after two years of vole plague our voles and garden mice had become so scarce that there was great difficulty in supplying their wants. So I had to initiate a Parcel Post Mouse Service with farms that lay at a distance, and regularly each morning the little boxes containing two dozen came in with the letters. The price at first was4d. the dozen, but later rose to 6d. To give an idea of a Bustard’s mouse capacity I may say that one day following a “ sheening ” (this is Hampshire for a threshing) the school children kept coming with little bundles of mice till the mice totalled 150 ; yet the three birds polished them all off while still quite fresh, and this in the hottest weather. The diet was varied with nestling Sparrows, but mice they liked best. At no time would they eat any cut up rat or mole. Given a small and tender rat about the size of a field mouse they would eat it, but cut up pieces they would only pick up and drop again, sometimes making a half angry, half fearful noise as they did so. The sight of blood is evidently disturbing to a bird which never breaks up its food, but bolts it whole. I had forgotten to say that at first the birds ate a great many earthworms. The smaller worms they swallowed at once, but the very largest lob worms they would first pinch, and would occasionally shake one violently from side to side, holding it by the head, and sometimes barking at it. I used to think they took these big worms for snakes. Yet they never caught a grass snake who lived in this enclosure. Under a secondary bank was some thorn and bracken in which Quails and Partridges nested. Here four years running a Willow Wren brought off her young. This summer the snake took one of the Some Great Bustards. 187 young Willow Wrens in its mouth, and the gardener, attracted by the demonstration of the old birds, rescued it only just in time. The snake retreated through the bracken into a mole’s run in the bank. I always thought that sooner or later the Bustards would kill that snake, but they never did. They * caught many moths, and were always picking up out of the grass some infinitesimal objects which one would not have supposed it worth their while to trouble about. They always refused dor beetles. So we nursed the male Bustard into something like better health, but he was always light, flat-chested, and a poor thing at the best. Then his heart began to go wrong, and he would sit I down with palpitations. At a distance of three paces or more yon could hear his heart knocking like taps on a kettledrum. Then he took to falling over from seizures of the heart, which naturally frightened him very much. We righted him several times and he rallied more or less, but one morning he was dead in their house. To return to the hens. When they first came they were exceedingly shy and never ventured out into the open, but hid in the artichokes. One could always find them there, squatting close to the ground, their necks stretched out in front in the manner of the Thick-knee. When roused they would walk or run along close against the wire netting. At first the only way they could be got to feed was by rousing them gently and then throwing pellets of food into the run in front of them. By the end of about ten days or a fortnight they were taking food well from the hand but even then, feeding over, they would again move away and hide. But that gradually wore off, and from extreme shyness they passed to great boldness, mixed, for 110 evident reason, with sudden fits of panic. When being fed they would suddenly utter their grunting bark of alarm and move away. I had not pinioned them but had cut all the primaries excepting two from one wing of either bird ; but the Great Bustard is remarkably powerful in its wings and this proved to be in¬ sufficient, as shall be told. They were constantly practising flight, running like Ostriches with outspread wings. One day in a higher wind Mr. Aubyn Trevor-Battye, i 88 than usual one of the hens was heard by the gardener flying. She flew the length of the enclosure, passed over the high wire netting, over a run inhabited by five eager greyhounds (into which most mercifully she did not drop) and disappeared from view. The alarm given, I picked up a cloak and ran out. Three men and I scoured the land that lay between the garden and the river half a mile away. In particular we spent much time in searching every yard of a rough tussocky hummocky stretch in which even an Ostrich might be invisible. All this to no purpose. But as we returned disappointed we suddenly came upon her in the only spot we had not yet searched, in a rough bit of grass by the side of the cricket ground not 150 paces from the garden fence. There she was, flattened down on the ground with outstretched neck, and curiously invisible till you come right upon her. The cloak was dropped over her, she was carried back and both birds were immediately pinioned. On February nth, 1908, I received from His Grace the Duke of Bedford the kind gift of a male Great Bustard, and as I hope that before long he may be the father of a family I may here say a little about him. I consider him the finest example of this noble species I have ever seen in captivity. I have seen larger birds (the male in the Zoo. is larger) but for vigour, smartness and hard condition I have never seen his equal. He has been in fighting humour ever since he came, and although after the breeding season he lost his ruff and whiskers, he has kept up his display all through the year. Even on that Wednesday, the coldest day of the year, taken with a fit of vanity he reversed his feathers over his back and turned about like a weather vane. From the first he has been extremely bold, and has never, like the others, been the victim of groundless alarm. At night when it threatens wind and wret we always walk the others into their shelter. But this male bird has never allowed himself to be driven ; lie stands his ground and will not budge an inch. We have two ways of getting him into the shed ; either by offering him a cap, on to which he immediately fastens, and so is led along, or by allowing him to seize a corner of one’s jacket or fold of one’s knickerbockers, when he will push one back and Some Great Bustards. 1S9 back until at last be has pushed one into the shed. There one has to disengage oneself as best one can, escape, and close the door,. He pushes with his breast, bringing his whole weight against one with surprising force. (Bustards of course fight exactly as Turkeys do : they interlock their bills and then bear against one . another.) He attacks anyone who enters the enclosure. There are two apple trees on the Bustards’ lawn, and while one gardener was gathering apples another had to keep guard. His method of attack is always the same. As soon as anyone enters the enclosure he comes up at a run and confronts him. Then lie halts and gradually works himself up into a rage ; when this is at its height his wings droop, their shorter feathers are erected, and his tail and certain body feathers point forward. He is ready for combat. The next move is to advance sideways and “ lay for a chance.” If you turn away a little, or even if your attention is momentarily diverted, he whips round, lowers his head and charges home. A nip from his strong bill is very effective. This fighting transformation, which is continued through the autumn and winter, is precisely that of the spring display, excepting that the neck is not distended, nor the head and neck retracted. He has one little game which always amuses me. The bird’s accustomed position is on the highest part of the outer bank at the point marked B. Here they have, as it were, their citadel ; to this point they have made runs through the dense Harpalium , and here they spend most of the day preening their feathers, dusting themselves, and looking out across the river on to hills once tenanted by others of their race. Well, when I enter the enclosure the male runs up and challenges as usual ; but if I spend some time cleaning up the shelter house he gets tired and finds his way back to the acropolis. When I have finished and leave the house he comes down the bank, and lowering his head runs along out of sight under cover of bank D, so as to head me off before I can get to the gate. Then suddenly he comes bouncing out at the end of the bank and often gets between me and the gate, and cuts me off, laughing his hoarse laugh. He most evidently enjoys this Mr. Aubyn Trrvor-Battye, 190 This guttural laugh of the male is one of the only three sounds I have heard these Bustards’ make. Another is the short bark by which both sexes express fear and possibly also anger. The male also has a call. George Taylor who feeds them has •often heard it, I have only heard it once or twice. It is a difficult sound to describe, but it is something like the whine of a dog, ■only fuller, more musical, and curiously ventriloquistic. When Taylor first heard it he thought it was made by one of the grey¬ hounds some distance away. It is only uttered once and always under the following conditions. When Taylor has fed the birds he comes out by the gate, along the path (see diagram) on his way to the food hut. The bird stands with lowered head and straight neck, and watches him round, and when he has almost reached the hut calls after him — just the one call. If faced — if Taylor looks round at him — he will not call. The bird never •calls after me, nor will he call if I go down and walk back with Taylor.* Others have kept these birds longer, and know more about them than I ; but as every little helps perhaps I may here give some conclusions I have formed about Great Bustards in ■captivity. I think their enclosure should contain as great a variety as possible of ground. They are specially fond of getting up on to mounds and hillocks, no doubt for sentry purposes. When riding along in the evening in Spain you will see the Bustards scattered all over the higher land. This is not to say that you never see one in a hollow, you do exceptionally, but they like to keep their look out from high points ; broken ground, then, makes their •captivity so much more interesting. When they are playing they like to run up and down a bank, and round the corners and ends of banks. They are fond of dusting in the banks and making holes there in which they can squat : and of course the radiated heat from a bank is very good for them. I do not think that if kept in an ordinary flat paddock they would be in such good spirits. * A remark made in a letter by Mr. St. Quintin is interesting- as bearing upon this. He says “ Youug' Bustards ‘whine’ when hungry, or if one gets over the fence, and is separated from its fellows. I expect the hen parent can find her youug by this cry in the standing corn, etc.” A. X-B. Some Great Bustards. 191 My impression is that if these birds are to breed it is better that they should not be kept in a very large place. The object is to get them absolutely indifferent not only to men, but to dogs, and other possible visitors. At the same time the enclo¬ sure should not be so small that they would ever feel themselves » cornered. Perhaps 50 yards x 25 yards is a good size for a Great j Bustard enclosure. About food. My own birds are fed morning and evening. The staple of their food is Spratt’s Poultry Food ( without the oyster shell) and barley meal. The first is wetted in the morning and remains in soak till the evening, that it may swell thoroughly, and not inside the birds. Then the meal is gradually stirred in till the whole is nearly dry and will, when pressed, just hold together in pellets. I11 the same way in the evening preparation is made for the morning meal. This regime is varied by bits of bread or toast, for birds, like human beings, get tired of always having the same food. I11 the wild state no doubt Great Bustards eat a great variety of animal food, such as mice, locusts, and insects generally. A captive bird denied this will, as we have seen, on the first opportunity take it ravenously, and until it has satisfied this want it will scarcely look at fresh vegetable food ; but, the craving satisfied, it will then as greedily eat fresh cabbage. It is orthodox to give them rock salt, and a large block has always lain on their gravel path. But although constantly under observation of myself or others, they have never been seen either to peck at it or even to pick up any of the salted grit that lies about it. It is easy enough to keep sun and rain from the food bowls, but not Sparrows and Starlings, and here I may point to the gratitude, and I think profit, that awaits the inventor of such an apparatus. I have little doubt that with patience Great Bustards could be induced to feed from a modified form of the ordinary trap-door pheasant-feeder, only of course these birds ,^w©uld not step up on to a ledge. The lever must be set in motion from a good large platform on a level with the ground, and depressing into a hollow. Few birds become, under favourable.conditions tamer than ig2 Breeding of the Yellow Conure. a Great Bustard. My male bird is impudently, the liens gently tame. Of course the fact that they are actually in the garden itself is greatly in their favour ; for all day long they see the men at work, or people passing along the paths by their enclosure. Twice each morning five greyhounds go by that way, and then the male Bustard runs up to the wire wall of his lawn and challenges them. I believe in all their world there is but one thing of which they are really afraid (though they are rather shy of the children) and that one is the Chow-Chow “Muffin,” The)7 have never grown even a little used to her. The very first time she came tearing down the path they fled, and ever since have held her in deadly fear. I feel sure they take her for a fox. And the children ? Well children dart about un¬ accountably and have frocks that whisk and whirl. BREEDING OF THE YELLOW CONURE. Conurus solstitialis. While looking up facts respecting the Connies for the second volume of the book now in hand ( Foreign Birds for Cage and Aviary ) I came across an account of the successful breeding in captivity of C. solstitialis in Russ’ “ Handbuch fiir Vogelliebliaber,” pp. 200 and 201. The account runs as follows : — “Bred in 18S3 by Madame de Cerville of Rouen (France). M. H. Gadeau de Cerville states that a pair was in the possession of his wife, from 1872 ; which in summer was confined in an open-air aviary ; from October to April in a heated room. For four years the female did not lay in the aviary, but during the following four years laid no less than 29 eggs, four to six to a clutch. When, in 1881, the male died, it was immediately replaced, and this pair, after two years nested successfully. The female laid four eggs in July and three in August; incubated alone; the duration of incubation was three weeks. The young were fed by both male and female ; they remained in the nest-box three months. Nestling down short, whitish grey. At four months the young plumage was green above, slightly mixed with yellow ; wing- and tail-feathers pale yellow at base, deep blue at tips ; crown, back of head, and sides of head orange-yellow, more or less greenish ; under surface greenish yellow; abdomen pale red; eyes dark brown ; naked orbital ring pale flesh coloured, encircled by reddish feathers; beak brownisli-black, claws black.” Russ says that this Conure is easy to tame and gifted as a talker; The Avicultural Society of California. 193 therefore it is evident that when Canon Dutton stated that “ Russ makes no remark upon their qualities as pets,” he must have overlooked the note in the Handbook. As the above account of the breeding of the Yellow Contire in cap¬ tivity seems to have hitherto passed unnoticed, our Editor expressed a wish to publish a translation in the Magazine, in order that it might be available for reference. From the account of the breeding in captivity of the Yellow-headed Conni e ( C.jendaya ) quoted in Mr. Seth-Smith’s “ Parralceets,” p. 34, it seems probable that the three mouths which elapsed before the young Yellow Connies flew, must include the period of incubation. Even then it seems slow work; but the Parrakeets do not seem to be in a hurry when rearing a family. A. G. BuTKER. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA. Our members will be interested to read the following letter from the Secretary of the newly-formed society of aviculturists in California ; it was written to our Honorary Secretary in reply to a letter wishing the new society very great success, in which we feel sure one and all of our members would wish to join. “ 717, Market Street, “San Francisco, Caeieornia, February 5, igog. “ Dear Sir, — Your kind letter of December 14, 190S, was duly received. “ The Avicultural Society of California was formed on Novembers, 1908, by a number of enthusiasts in the City of Alameda. Since that date the membership has been considerably increased, some of the new members living in remote parts of the State. The membership is not to be limited in number, nor is the place of residence to be taken into account, it being the object of the charter members to found a cosmopolitan and not merely a local society. Taken as a whole, the society has been patterned after * The Avicultural Society’ which certainly offers a most excellent model. Its organization is practically the same, and its object is the study of American and foreign birds in freedom and in captivity. Poultry and pigeons, however, are to be excluded. “ At present meetings are held at the homes of the members about San Francisco Bay in order that the various aviaries and their occupants may be examined to the benefit of all attending. “ Beginning with 1909 it is hoped that the Society will be able to give an annual bird show. “The publication of a small bulletin is about to be undertaken, and it is hoped that in due time it will develop into something larger. i94 Notices of New Books, etc. “ Any lady or gentleman interested in the objects of the society may present their application for membership to the Secretary-Treasurer. The dues are six dollars per annum. All communications should be addressed to The Avicultural Society of California, 717, Market Street, Sail Francisco, California. Very truly yours, B. W. Gifford, Corresponding Secretary. NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS, ETC. THE EGGS OF EUROPEAN BIRDS* Part III. of Mr. Jourdain’s magnificent work on the above subject is to hand and is in every way equal to its predecessors. The extremely careful way in which the author has noted and described the characteristics of the nests and eggs of the various species and geographical races of each species makes his book a most valuable one and indispensible to oologists and ornitho- gists generally. The present part contains some eighty pages of letterpress and thirteen coloured plates, the latter being of very high quality. - THE DUBLIN ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. The seventy-seventh annual Report of the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland is to hand and deals with the work of that Institution during 1908. Financially the year was not a very successful one, which fact is probably due to the extreme depression in trade and consequent limitation of the spending powers of the public. The gardens however have been kept in a high state of efficiency and the animals have done remarkably well on the whole, the mortality being extremely low. No less than nine Lion cubs were born and reared during the year. But more interesting to us as aviculturists is the account given of the rearing of the Rhea chicks. Rheas are allowed to roam freely about the grounds, and early in the summer, some twenty-three eggs were laid, though one only of the two male birds seemed inclined to sit. Eleven eggs were therefore given to this bird, ten of which were hatched after an incubation period of tliirty- * The Eggs of Euiofean Birds. By the Kev. Francis C. R. Jourdain, M.A., M.B.O.U. Part III. Price 10/6 per part. London: R. H, Porter, 7, Princes Street, Cavendish Square,. W. Corj-espondence. 195 eight days. Six of the chicks were weakly and died while the other four were successfully reared. Of the remaining eggs Professor A. Scott took charge of eleven with the idea of placing them in an incubator and endeavouring to rear the chicks by hand. His account of the result of this experiment is published in the Report and is decidedly interesting, though too long for reproduction in extenso here. Six of the eggs proved fertile ; four unhatched, of which two were reared. The temperature of the incubator was regulated to the normal temperature of an Ostrich — 9920, that of a Rhea being then unknown to the experimenter, but this proved to be much too low, and Professor Scott has since ascertained that the temperature of a Rhea’s body is at least 1050 F. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. A PARADISE IN A CRATER. Sir, — -An American friend of mine wrote to me from San Salvador, Central America, liis letter being dated 13th January, 1909. “ I made a most “ remarkable expedition the other day. I climbed to the edge of the crater “ of a volcano a few miles distant from this city, and about 6000 fee: above “ the sea level. The interior of the crater is like a huge bowl with a light “ green bottom, the bottom being formed by a lake. The lake by actual “ measurement with an aneroid was 1560 below the edge of the crater; and “ the trail leading down, precipitous, and at times dangerous ; but within “ the bowl it seemed like an enchanted world. The luxuriant tropical “ foliage shaded the path, there were countless wild flowers and orchids “ growing on the steep slopes, some with the heavy perfume of lilacs, and “ humming-birds darted from flower to flower. Birds were singing in “ the trees, and I noticed a gorgeous species with black head and “ Prussian-blue plumage. Mv guide told me there were monkeys and “ parrots in abundance, but I saw none. The lake had no beach, but the “ sides of the crater plunged abruptly into the green waters. I took a swim “ to the horror and amazement of my guide, but the sensation of looking “ up at the cliffs which encompassed one, was worth while; and the water “ proved to be quite refreshing . ” I have written, asking if it is possible to find out what some of the species of birds are. This extremely interesting, but all too brief description, savours of one of the voyages of Sindbad the Sailor ! Hubert D. AsT'eey. 196 Coirespondence. LORIES, LOVEBIRDS AND PARROT FINCHES. Sir, — Would you mind telling me if you think a pair of Red Lories ill an aviary iSft. square would interfere with three pairs of Black-cheeked Love-birds? I find the latter very dangerous with small birds. They will seize them by the leg and hold them struggling head downwards till they bite their leg off. My old pair of Parrot-finches that hatched fifteen young ones last season have now been sitting for a week on five more eggs. These are the o?ily birds that I have as yet allowed to start breeding. March 15, 1909. W. R. Tkmppk. [To introduce a pair of Lories into an aviarv where Lovebirds are kept would seem to be a somewhat dangerous proceeding, though of course they might agree. Lovebirds cannot be trusted with the small Finches.- — Ed.] THE BLACK- WINGED HANGNEST. Sir, — I shall be glad to know whether any of your members can tell me whether the Black-winged Hangnest is a common species in captivity? I bought a Hangnest a few weeks ago which was new to me (though this is not saying much, as I know little or nothing about them) and was at first unable to identify it. Mr. Meade-Waldo, however, most kindly made out that it was Icterus giraudi, the Black-winged Hangnest. The following is a description of the bird. Bright-yellow, more or less tinged with orange; front and sides of the head, throat down to the middle of the breast, and wings and tail black. The dealer I purchased it from assured me it was a seldom imported species and I certainly do not think I have seen one before. Keswick Hall, Norwich. Gkrat„d H. Gurney. Unless I. giraudi has been received quite recently by the London Zoological Society it is quite unknown as a cage-bird in Europe. We get few Central American birds and it is only of late years that, owing to the energy of one or two aviculturists, the birds of Venezuela have been brought prominently to the notice of the aviculturists of this countiy. A. G. Butekr. THE WATER RAIL IN HAMPSHIRE. Sir, — As you have admitted some correspondence about Water Rails in Kent I wondered whether it might be of interest to add something about them in Hampshire, written from a district that probably holds as many Water Rails as any area of equal size in England. Mile upon mile of reed- fringed streams and water-meadows, of alder, osier, and quaking beds of reeds, and of water-tangle generally, make the valley of the Test a paradise for birds that are essentially liiders in swamps and streams. The pursuit of natural history, or the claims of fishing or of shooting, take me to the river lauds at all seasons of the year ; so I may almost be said to Correspondence. 197 live with the Water Rails. When waiting for a rise of fly the fisherman may have to nurse his patience for an hour or even more, and then, if a naturalist, he sits very still and sees many things. I am very fond of the Water Rail, admiring its daintiness, its distinctiveness, and its address in the presence of danger. Its elusive habits have led me to spend much time over it. Not even the Grasshopper Warbler is more secretive than the Water Rail. One will not find the bird if one “ goes after it,” if one looks for it as one may look for a Duck, a Coot ora Moorhen. We shall never see it at all if it has the slightest suspicion that we are anywhere about. But if you put on your best protective resemblance clothes, have no white linen showing, sit down in the likeliest place and remain perfectly still, then you have a chance. Should you be fortunate you will before long notice here and there a bit of grass or reed close to the water moving a little, and then may catch momentary glimpses of a small object threading about through the runs in the herbage. If you did not know the Rail and its ways you might easily take this for a water rat. As the day wears 011 the Rails begin to cry or call, and you will seldom have heard in the stillness of a summer evening a more startling sound. The voice of the Water Rail is amazing in volume and variety, out of any proportion to the size of the bird. It is quite impossible to attempt to phrase it syllabically. There are squeals, sometimes with a shiver in them, there are gurgles and there are grunts. I have never been able to see the bird clearly enough when calling, but one of the sounds suggests a greatly dilated throat. In the winter it is far more silent. When the water is falling in a “carrier” [irrigation channel] and it is about half full, one sometimes sees a Water Rail, under the shelter of the overhanging banks, coming daintily along on the wet mud, flirting its tail and rapidly picking up small things, such as water snails. Occasionally you surprise one sitting on a fence rail over the water, or on the low bough of a willow. They distract the j’oung dogs a good deal when they are looking for dead or wounded Snipe, twisting about all round them in the most mystifying way. One Monday in December of last year when we were shooting Snipe, a dog put up a Water Rail under my feet out of a very thin fringe of low reeds by a side stream of the river. The bird dropped into the water when half way across and swam to the opposite bank. It swam very easily and prettily, jerking itself like a Red-necked Phalarope. I have never yet seen a Water Rail feeding away from the water, or for that matter feeding in the open at all. With us it is, for instance, far more of a water bird than the Snipe and, as far as I know, feeds only in the shallow water and on the wet mud by the water’s edge. In the next valley the railway runs for several miles along the edge of the water-meadows, sometimes close to the river. I have not seldom, from the carriage window, seen .Snipe feeding by the carriers, but never a Water Rail. ig8 Correspondence. On the day of the great blizzard in tiie beginning of this year I pnt on my ski and went out over the downs. I came to the edge of a high down commanding a wide and long expanse of water-meadow. All was white, relieved only by glimpses of leaden water and by one vivid green ribbon of grass, perhaps four yards wide and about two hundred long. Here the water, turned into a carrier, had flowed so strongly that it had not frozen but had overflowed, melted the snow and soaked the glass to right and left. 1 noticed that many birds were feeding here and took them to be Starlings. I dropt down the steep hill, and as I reached the road, which at this point runs along some thirty yards from my green ribbon, I heard a Snipe ‘ scape,’ then another and another. I looked carefully over the low hedge and then to my amazement saw that, with the exception of a few Thrushes and a Meadow Pipit or two, all these birds were .Snipe. They were very busy, hurrying about, probing here and there and then getting up, sometimes •silently, sometimes with a quiet ‘scape,’ to settle but a few yards further on. As near as I could judge there were some seventy of them come in from all around to the only good bit of feeding ground left. I need not detail the •sequel to this, as it is not in the story ; it was a remarkable sight and it is pretty safe to say I shall never see anything like it again. But the point is this, that among all these birds I did not observe a single Water Rail. In view of this letter I have spoken to a friend who was born on the river, has lived on it all his life, and for fifteen years fished it on four days in every week. He is a keen and accurate observer, and thoroughly well acquainted with the birds of our valley, for when not fishing he was watching birds. He assures me that he has never seen a Water Rail out on the grass, or any where but close to the edge of the water, excepting on one occasion. One day in the early summer he was sitting very quietly, waiting for a rise, when a Water Rail came out of some cover closely followed by another. The second was, no doubt, the male for he went through very curious antics, fanning his tail and flirting his wings. They only came out for about two feet and then returned to their hide. A (JB YN TrEVO R-BA'JLTYE, io/Vz March, 1909. Chilbolton, Hants. AN UNRECOGNIZED AMAZON. Sir, — In Russ’ Haudbuch fur Vogelliebhaber (p. 236) I find an Ama¬ zon Parrot described by the author under the name of Psittacus hagenbecki (the trivial name “ Hagenbeck’s Amazon Parrot” being added below. Of course the type was a specimen without locality purchased from Hageubeclc of Hamburg. Russ says that it differs from ochrocephalus in its white beak with blackish tip, the almost entire absence of red from the edge of the wing and from the tail, as well’as the different marking of the latter (each feather with an ill-defined reddish spot); from panamensis by its clearer green Correspondence. 199 under surface, the lack of the blue-green spot on the abdomen, yellow' thighs and superior size. Salvadori does not mention a blue-green spot on the abdomen, but he does mention yellow thighs as a characteristic of C. panamensis, and I see no imoortaut difference in the colour of the beak — “ white with blackish tip ” {Russ), yellowish with lead-coloured tip (Salvadori) ; then the amount of red in Amazon Parrots is certainly variable in some at least of the species. Russ says that C. ochrocephalns and C. panamensis come in to the market mixed together and are not usually distinguished. As both occur in Colombia this is quite likely. Is it not also probable that where the two species occur together they may at times interbreed and thus produce inter- grades to puzzle the systematist ? As C. hagenbecki of Russ is not mentioned in Salvadori’s Catalogue, I thought it might be well to call attention to it. A. G. BuTr.ER. A RARE HYBRID AUSTRALIAN GRASSI-INCH. Mr. Hubert 1). Astlev writes from his villaon Lake Como: “ I arrived here yesterday (Feb. 2bth) to find the whole place like the Swiss Mountains, at this time of the year. “ My gardener, who is 27, says he never remembers anything like it in all his life, and the consequence is that eleven small birds were picked up dead in the aviary — frozen in the snow — including, alas and alack, a beautiful and interesting family. Father, mother and five adult off-springs. “ For two years an odd male Australian Crimson F'inch (Neochmia phaeton) and a single female Australian Star Finch (BathilJa ruficauda) have tried to nest. This year they succeeded, only to succumb with the whole family the day before my arrival ! It is curious that one should have shewn no trace of it’s father’s blood, whilst the rest were all rather darkly coloured above, i.e., much darker than the mother, but all had pale yellow stomachs, and (to a certain extent) under tail-coverts, with dark red-brown flanks. None of their tails are, I think, as long as the Australian Crimson Finch’s. “ One can quite understand a new species gradually appearing from Hybrids like these. Is it not a great pity to have lost them ? “ I have had the parent birds for at least four years in an unheated aviary — two years here and two years on the Riviera. “ The whole place is deep lin snow, and the birds would not make use of the shelter provided for them.” [Mr. Astlev is much to be congratulated on obtaining this most interesting hybrid. The loss of the whole family through the very exceptional severity of the weather is most unfortunate. Ed.] GREEN AND YELLOW BUDGERIGARS. .Sir, — Could you let me know, if I get a pair of yellow Budgerigars and put them in with four pairs of green ones, say after I had put the nests in for a week, would there be very little chance of their crossing with the green birds? 200 Correspondence. Could you put me on to a pair of Rosellas for breeding later on, have no room at present. Are Redrumps dangerous with other birds? I got your Parrakeels some time ago, it is a lovely book. I hope you will write some more like it ! W. H. Workman. The following reply was sent to Mr. Workman : If the green Budgerigars are all paired before y'oti introduce the yellows, and provided the latter are a pair, there is not much likelihood of the 1 wo varieties crossing, though the young would doubtless cross, and after a few seasons you would probably have a very mixed lot. You would probably get a breeding pair of Rosellas without difficulty if you inserted a “Wants” advertisement in the magazine. Redrumps are often spiteful to other birds. I am glad you like the book Parrakeels. D. Srtk-SmiTH. THE ABYSSINIAN LOVEBIRD. Sir, — I am writing to ask you whether you can tell me what species of Agapomis I have been given. A lady' has presented me with a pair, which she purchased in Genoa last November, and she tells me that there were several of them at the bird-dealer’s where she acquired them. About the size of the Rosy-faced Lovebird, certainly no smaller. General colour: Bright grass-green. Primaries green with a sage- brown tinge. Secondaries and up the edges of the shoulders deep blue- black. Tails, dull green, with a blue-black band near the extremity. Male : Forehead, and narrow edging round the eyes, orange-scarlet. Female without the orange-scarlet forehead. Bill in both sexes rose-scarlet and wax-like. Lower mandible pale pink. The bill of the male being decidedly more massive than that of the female. Feet grey; eyes deep brown. They have very' pretty notes, sometimes a little resembling the Rosy- faced Agapomis ; at other times the male has quite a twitter like the Ben¬ galee or some such small finch. Their heads are rather on a broad, large scale. They are most certainly some species of Agapomis. I have no books of reference here, but fancy \ have seen the bird figured in the Ibis. I have never seen it before in the flesh. They are inclined to be quarrelsome, and I should be sorry to trust them with small birds. As there were several at Genoa, one would have thought that some of them would have put in an appearance in England. Perhaps they have ? Hubert D. Asti.ry. [This is undoubtedly the Abyssinian Lovebird ( Agapomis taranta ) (.Stanley). It is the largest of the group, being over six inches in length, and one of the few in which the sexes differ in colour. It occurs in North East Africa from Abyssinia to Shoa, and, so far as we are aware, has not yet reached England alive. Mr. Astley writes from Italy. Ed.] Members are asked to kindly note two annoying printers’ errors which crept into the last number of the Magazine. Page 152 second line from bottom — for substantly read substantially. Page 169, line nine front bottom — for raven read rarer. IIJ. Noticks to Members — (Continued from page ii. of coven. NEW MEMBERS. Mr. Fritz Drughorn ; “ Banavie,” 27, The Avenue, Beckenham, Kent. Miss L. M. ST. A. Wait; 12, Rosary Gardens, S.W. Major J, Manners-Smith ; The Residency, Nepal, India. Mr. Gerard H, Gurney, F.Z.S. ; Keswick Hall, Norwich. MEMBERS’ PRIVATE SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is sixpence for eighteen words or i.ess, and one penny Jor every additional three words or less. Trade advertisements are not allowed in this column. Dealers who are members , wishing to advei tise, should apply to the Publisher for terms. Advertisements must reach the Editor on or befoie the 26th of the month The Council reseiwe the right of refusing any advertisement they may consider undesirable Vols. V. and VI., new series. Miss Husband; Clifton View, York. Fine coloured cock Stanley Parrakeet £2 ; good pair Breeding Red- rumps 27/6; cock Australian Crested Dove, real pet, comes on shoulder, 15/-; cock Japanese Hawfinch 13/6 ; pair Yellow Budgerigars, good breeders, 8/6; two pairs Green ditto 6/- pair; Green cock, Yellow hen, 7/-; cock Long-tailed Grassfinch 5/- ; pair Bramble-finches 2/6 Alston ; Youdercroft, Darvel, Ayrshire. P'ine pair Australian Companion Cranes, perfect plumage, very tame, £16 16/-. Mrs. Harold Dennis; St. Leonard’s Park, Horsham. Handsome hybrid between cock Adelaide and hen Rosella Parrakeet, price 20/-; fine aviary-bred cock iZebra-finches 2/6 each; four aviary-bred Masked-finches 20/- ; parents of same 15/-, cost 17/6. Hens wanted of Pen 11 ant. Many-coloured, Yellow-collared, Rosella, etc., adults fit for breed¬ ing, cheap for cash. C. P. Arthur; Melksham. TRADE ADVERTISEMENyS- 1 pair Antelopine Kangaroos, bred in Bath, age 12 and 15 months respectively, price £23; 1 Great Gray, age 12 months, price ^15; r pair Agile Wallabies, price f 16 ; I Male Agile Wallaby £-/ ; 1 pair Stanley Parra- keets, out-door, £4; 1 hen Many Color Parrakeet, 25/- ; Diamond Doves 15/- pair; Peaceful Doves 7/6 pair; Bronze-wing Doves £5 pair; 1 Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, reared from the nest, very tame, £3 ; also a fine large pair of Spotted Emus, /35. Payne; & Wallace; The Little Zoo, Bath. JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. TROWER & CO., WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and BIRD . FOOD SPECIALISTS, 442, 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. Mealworms, Ants’ Eggs, Dried Flies, etc., of the finest quality. SPECIALITIES “ CBCTO,” the best Insectivorous Food on the Market, 1/4 per lb. Ground Silk Worm Pupae, imported at frequent intervals from Italy. MAY, 1909 NEW SERIES. MONTHLY Voi. v/ii. No 6 Price iSi 6^’ r Members' Annual Subscription, 10--; payable in advance. fni FHI lli.I.iL ijI TH! 11..TU»L .EI!II CONTENTS.^ PAGE Tne Cinnamon Tree-Sparrow, by Captain Perkkau . 201 '1'lie Nesting- of the Cinnamon Tree-Sparrows, by W. E- Tkschkmakkk, B. A . 205 Notes on My Visit -to Australia {illustrated ), by David Seth-Smith, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 209 The Ruby-throated Bulbul, by Reginald Phillipps . 21^ The Rainbow Bunting... ... . . ... ... 220 Notices of New Books, etc. : The British Warblers . 22I The Emit ... ... ... .. ... ... ... 222 Bird News . 22, The Birds of Kent . . 22n , Correspondence, Notes, etc. i The Sex of Stanley Parrakeets, 223 ; Rare Birds from South Africa, 224 Valedictory Note by the Editor . 224 y LO N DO N 1 3 R H. PORTER, 7, Princes St., Cavendish Square, W. NOTE— A new volume commences every November. Please note new Editor’s Address : n. £ z z" o Q Z o ■J X 4) tn o t- 2 cu ■+-> 5 o <« 4) t- o o w 15 6 OS z" z fa I W z » Vol. III. 16/- 21/- ? f Vol. IV. 16/- 21/- Vol. V. 16/- 21/- Vol. VI. 16/- 21/- >. Cm rent Monthly Numbers 1/6 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 1/7; for back Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. Second-hand copies sometimes reach the Publisher, to whom application should be made. (Continued on page Hi- of cover). Avicultural Magazine Drawn from life . Bale 8c Danielsson, L. . imp- BARTLETT S BLEEDING-HEART PIGEON. Phlogoenas cnnigera, d" et jav: THE 225 Hvtcultural fllbagastne, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. New Series — VOL. VII. — No. 8. — All rights reserved. JUNE, 1909. BARTLETT’S BLEEDING-HEART PIGEON. Phlogccnas crinigera. By T. H. Newman. Probably no member of the great and beautiful order Columbse attracts so much attention from the general public as the common Bleeding-heart Pigeon, Phlogcenas luzonica, which is certainly a startlingly beautiful bird, giving the impression of having recently come out of a sanguinary battle, in which it has apparently come off second best. But what shall be said of the larger and far richer coloured subject of these notes? A glance at Mr. Gronvold’s very careful and exact drawing will show the distribution of the colours, though no artificial process can re¬ produce the exquisite sheen of the living bird. It must certainly be reckoned one of the most harmoniously coloured birds in the world. It differs from its near ally by its larger size, the bars on the wing are practically the same; in the common species the general appearance is of a bird with an ashy grey upper surface more or less tinged with green or pink according to the light ; in crinigera the top of the head, back of neck and mantle are of a most beautiful green, glowing emerald-like in the sun ; the back, scapulars, rump, upper tail-coverts and central tail feathers are rich purple chestnut, the smaller feathers edged with metallic green or pink according to the angle seen; the chin and throat are pure white, which descends in a narrow line down each side of the breast, dividing the green of the sides of the neck from the beautiful large crimson maroon patch on the breast : this patch, the £ heart,’ is much larger than in the common species, 226 Mr. T. H. Nkwman, and, as the late Marquis of Tweedale noted in 1877, *s composed of feathers of an even harsher and stiffer texture ; their bases in both species are white. I notice that these feathers appear to reach their full length before their sheaths burst ; these then present a curious appearance, being curved and narrower at each end, rather resembling a miniature banana in shape. The under surface is of a rich fawn colour, lighter on the middle of the abdomen and under tail-coverts. The iris of both species has been described as dark brown, this is more or less right for the common bird, but even it has the iris tinged with bluish or purplish; but Bartlett’s bird has it of a most beautiful lilac colour which perhaps most resembles the bloom found on hothouse grapes and on some dark varieties of plums ; this adds very much to the beauty of the bird. According to the British Museum Catalogue of Birds the genus Phlogceuas comes under the head of those with “ Tarsus covered anteriorly with transverse scales or scutellae” ; this is hardly correct at any rate for this member of the genus, as the scales diminish rapidly in size from the toes upwards, so as to leave about the upper third part of the tarsus ■entirely devoid of scales. The type in Paris was said to have come from the Sooloo Islands, which locality seems to be incorrect; it does, however, •occur in the neighbouring island of Basilan and in the large island of Mindanao. The first specimens seen in this country were purchased by the late Mr. Bartlett from a dealer in Liverpool, in August, 1863, ■consisting of one male and three females. Dr. Sclater, believing them to be a new species, called them Phlogceuas bartletti, hence the vernacular name ; an excellent plate by Wolf is given in P.Z.S. for that year. In P.Z.S., 1865, p. 239, Dr. Sclater describes the nesting of the bird in the Gardens: — “I11 the following spring (1864) the single male paired with one of the females, and bred five times during the summer of 1864. The female deposited only one egg on each occasion, making a very slight nest of small sticks in a .flat basket placed 8 ft. above the ground in the Western Aviary. The period of incubation was fifteen days; two of the young birds were successfully reared, and are now in adult plumage, two on Bartlett' s Bleeding-heart Pigeon. 2.27 others died immature and are now in the British Museum. O11 the remaining occasion the egg was addled. The bird I now exhibit is the breeding female, which, unfortunately, died a short time since; but as the old male has mated with another female, and the young male likewise shows symptoms of wishing to pair, there seems every prospect of continuing to propagate this highly interesting species in our aviaries.” This pious wish only seems to have been partially realized ; several specimens were hatched in 1865 and one in 1867, after which the flock appears to have died out, and the species has not been represented at the Gardens since. My pair reached me on 23rd July, 1907, from Mrs. Johnstone, who had very kindly allowed me to have them. Three days later I received the following most interesting letter from Mr. Walter Goodfellow: “ Mrs. Johnstone writes me this morning that you have purchased a pair of Bleeding Heart Doves from her and re¬ quests that I will give you any information that I can about them. I fear that it is very little I can say ; I brought them to England from Mindanao two years ago and believe they have always enjoyed good health. They are by no means common in their own country, and are very locally distributed around the somewhat drier parts of the coast lands. I never shot any on either of my expeditions to Mindanao, but I think I saw a pair on one occasion. They are forest birds, but do not perch in the trees. You will see they are far more beautiful than the ordinary Bleeding Hearts. It is not at all likely that there are others in England like them, for no birds come here from Mindanao or to anywhere in Europe. I think I have brought over the only specimens of these birds — two five years ago and three two years ago. Sir W. Ingram had the first pair. One of these is still alive in Monte Carlo. The other one of the last three got accidentally killed I believe at Mrs. Johnstone’s. When I was bringing them home one got into a very weak state, and a few scraps of raw meat a day, which I gave it, quite pulled it round. I believe they seem to have done perfectly well on seeds alone, but they used, when I had them, to be very fond of a little soaked bread or soft food.” The above letter contains all that I know about their wild life ; it is evident that they spend most of their time on the ground 228 Mr. T. H. Newman, among thick bushes, flying at the sligliest noise so as easily to be overlooked. They doubtless roost and nest in bushes and. low trees at no great distance from the ground. My birds spent nearly the whole of their time on the ground, and had a wonderful way of hiding behind bushes and of putting objects between themselves and the observer ; later on they became much tamer and would hardly take any notice of an intruder. They know full well how best to make use of all their beauty when displaying ; the cock had a curious habit, turning in the direction of the hen, he would stand quite still, and at regular intervals of a few seconds, would slowly raise his wings to their full extent above his back ; this would be continued, often for a considerable time, I think it was meant to attract the lien towards him, he only did it when he could see her. The display proper would begin by the cock lowering his head and arching the wings so as to cause the bars to become very con¬ spicuous ; he would then often pursue the hen, when quite close he would suddenly stop, and, as it were reverse, that is to say he would squat down in an upright position almost on his tail, with head thrown back and breast fluffed out and protruded so as to exhibit the “ heart,” the buff flank plumes, which are very long and soft, standing well out on each side. Meanwhile he would utter his curious rumbling coo. The sudden change from lowered head and raised wings to the upright position was very marked ; as is usual in such cases, the hen did not seem at all impressed, but rather anxious to get out of the way ; they were not very affectionate, and generally kept rather apart. The birds came to me as a doubtful pair, though one (the cock) was much larger and brighter coloured than the other, which proved to be a hen. As the cock took to chasing its companion, who could not fly, owing to an injury in the right wing which seemed to prevent the primaries from growing, I separated the birds in the late summer of 1907 for some time. Early in 1908, the birds began to assert themselves more, so that I suspected they were a pair, which was proved by my finding, on 17th of June, an egg in a rough nest built in some ivy only about 18 inches from the ground. The egg is large for the size of the bird, decidedly tinted with cream-colour, and very Avicultural Magazine. 1 BARTLETT'S BLEEDING-HEART PIGEON $ ON NEST. 2 B-1e St Daiiielsson, T t l. on Bartlett's Bleeding-heart Pigeon. 229 long in shape, one end being rather sharply pointed ; the shell is rather smooth and glossy in texture. This first egg was broken on the 23rd, when it was found to be addled. On July 5th, another egg was laid in a nest made quite close to the first. On the 8th an accident happened which might have ended fatally, for I found the hen hung up by one leg to some of the material of the nest which had become twisted round the foot ; the nest was dragged out of place, and the egg was on the ground, the poor hen went lame for a day or two, and then quite recovered ; one would have thought that this would have put her off nesting for some time. I put the egg under some other doves, it also proved to be addled ; I think it had got cracked from its fall. It is this egg that is described above. O11 August 12th a third egg was found, which was probably laid the previous day, the first nest being again used. On the 27th of August, being a very wet day, a young bird was found in the nest dead, with head injured and yolk-sac not properly absorbed ; (I rather think the egg must have been broken just before it was due to hatch). I placed it in spirits ; it is scantily clad with very pale down, the bill is long with only a very small egg-tooth on the upper mandible, the breast is very plump for so young a bird, and the legs are enormously developed ; it altogether presents a very strong contrast to an infant Partridge Bronzewing ( Geophaps scripted) which is its bottle-companion. Nothing daunted, the birds soon made another nest, this time on the top of a small bush about 3 feet high ; how the hen got there I never knew, but I certainly saw her jump off one day. On September 14th, I found a broken egg on the ground, so that nest came to nothing. It will be noticed that only one egg is mentioned for each sitting, thus confirming the experience at the Gardens over 40 years before; it is very curious that crinigera should only lay one egg, while luzo7iica and platcnce , another allied Bleeding Heart, should lay two at a clutch. Some time before I had fixed a round hamper lid among the ivy near to where the first nests had been made ; sticks were arranged so as to make it quite easy for the lieu to get up to it ; it was not three feet from the ground. Although I had never seen the birds go near this provided nest, to my joy I found an 230 Mr. T. H. Newman. egg in it on September 26th. The birds sat splendidly ; from the first the hen would let me stand quite close to her when sitting without minding. On October 13th, both birds were sitting together on the nest, which I had not seen them do before, and I found the egg had hatched, making the period of incubation 17 days. On October 15th, I noticed that the young one was spar¬ ingly covered with pale yellow down ; the flight feathers were beginning to show through the skin. The hen did not leave the nest, and resented my looking at the young one. On the 17th, I first saw the young bird clearly; the male flew off the nest making a good flutter, he raised his wings and ran out of the bushes near me, evidently to attract my attention from the nest. The young one was growing fast, the down on the upper surface of body seemed rather darker (pale fawn), the primaries and secondaries were sprouting well with other feathers in the wings, no feathers visible anywhere else, eyes beginning to open. 20th, young one looking very well, feathers in wings getting long, a few of the greater coverts just bursting and showing dark fawn tips, the bill, which was flesh-coloured at first was getting darker, two rows ot feathers on back, and tail feathers beginning to show ; it was now one week old. 22nd, sharp frost in the night ; primaries beginning to burst, showing dark chestnut tips contrasting with the fawn ones of the greater coverts, head and crop-region beginning to show feathers in sheath. 23rd, a great change since the previous day, many of the small feathers on the wings having burst their sheaths, showing dark brown with chestnut edges, three distinct fawn coloured bands showed across the wing, which correspond to the grey ones of the adult ; bill and tarsus pinkish-grey, toes leaden- grey, claws flesh-coloured. This was the first day I noticed the old birds voluntarily leave the young one ; the weather was milder than on the previous day. 26th, young one looking well, wings now quite fledged, mantle and scapulars dark brown with narrow chestnut edges; the blackish wing-coverts with their light tips form three broad dark bands, separated by narrow buff ones, crop-region dark brown with chestnut edges to the feathers, top of head chestnut, the feathers having darker bases. 27th, cold damp morning after 3 Avicultural Magazine. BARTLETTS BLEEDING-HEART PIGEON, 16 DAYS OLD. Bale & Danielsson, Ltd. on Bartlett's Bleeding-heart Pigeon. 231 much rain, }roung one fortnight old. First saw the hen feeding- it, she stood on the edge of the nest with the young one in front of her; it reached up to be fed, stretching its wings to their fullest extent, so as to balance itself, one wing being stretched out on each side of the parent’s neck; it looked almost like some big brown butterfly with its conspicuous wing bands; one wing was often clinging round the mother’s neck as if it was embracing her, the wings were only flapped a little, and it occasionally uttered a soft prolonged whistling squeak ; it was now almost too large to be covered by the sitting parent, so that at least one wing could be seen ; it never seemed to be left alone for a minute. 28th, wet and foggy morning but warmer. The young one was alone in the nest, when approached it suddenly got up and fluttered out of the nest, its wings and legs were very well developed, but the tail was very short, only just beginning to show; there was a pale, whitish patch of feathers below the bare chin, no sign of red on the breast, in fact this area was still bare; when replaced in the nest it again flew out, this time settling quite lightly about two yards away, and fluttered rather unsteadily along a path. 29th, mild day, sun shining ; when first seen the female was on the nest with the young one, she soon left it, when it walked to the edge of the nest and seemed to wish to fly, presently it flew strongly, though rather slowly, for about twelve feet, alighting 011 a thick log about a couple of feet from the ground ; this was the first time I had seen it stand right up 011 its legs, which were very long, the toes also seemed enormously developed. It had not been there a minute, before it began to raise its wings at intervals of a second or two, exactly as the old cock does when he can see the hen ; it flew to the ground, and when approached, flew the whole length of the flight, over 30 feet, against the wire at the end, showing it could have gone further, and yet it was only sixteen days old ; later on it flew up to a branch, 8 feet high. When the young one was awa3% its mother went up to the nest to look for it ; she did not use the sticks I provided for that purpose, but hopped up on to the top of a heap of stones on the other side of the clump of ivy, and having gained a horizontal branch, walked along it until she was above the nest, and then ' jumped down into it. 232 Mr. T. H. Newman, About this time the hen frequently cooed ; she would run after another bird, then suddenly stop, fluffing out her feathers, and throwing herself back would utter her rattling coo; it seemed to be the same as that of the cock, but not so loud, also she did not throw herself so far backwards ; I have not seen her arch her wings as the male generally does, before he coos. When walking the cock usually carried his tail slightly pointing downwards following the curve of the back; on the other hand, the hen invariably had hers rather raised. The 29th was the last night the young one spent in the nest with its mother. October 30th, the young bird very active on its legs; the feathers on the cheeks are now beginning to expand and show paler, but the whitish patch is inconspicuous unless the neck is stretched upwards ; when crouching on the ground the bird is very difficult to see ; the female is very attentive to it, picks about on the ground as if trying to teach it to feed itself, but I expect she was only picking up stray grains which had fallen when feeding the young one. She frequently gently arranged the feathers on the back and head of her offspring; this night was spent on the ground with the hen brooding it, which speaks very highly for the mother’s devotion. I am quite sure the birds never roost on the ground in the ordinary way. 31st. The young one spent the day on the ground, alter¬ nately brooded and fed by both its parents. The hen seemed anxious to get it to go under a heap of brushwood in the corner which is piled up so as to form a shelter, but it did not seem to understand, though she stood at the entrance and nodded her head to it as though she wanted to feed it. When the hen left the young one the cock came and sat by ; it afterwards it followed him behind some bushes, he cooed in the usual rattling way but softer than usual, then he uttered several low single notes which I had not before heard. I think this must be the note used when wishing to feed the young, but I had not heard the hen use any note when feeding it. The young bird seemed very small to leave the nest ; it was barely half as large as its parents, but, by the way, it could fly it would be able to get away if danger threatened. Whenever the male approached the female she retired ; for some days past he had been chasing her with arched a"*N* Avicultural Magazine. BARTLETT’S BLEEDING-HEART PIGEON, 16 DAYS OLD 6 on Bartlett's Bleeding-heart Pigeon. 233 wings, doubtless thinking of nesting once more. I saw the cock feed the young one, but he was much shyer about it than the hen and did not like being watched. About five o’clock the young one flew up to a thick perch where it passed the night alone and quite iu the open. The next morning it was being brooded on the ground by its mother; that night was passed in a willow near its parents. The young one now spent its days on the ground, gradually becoming more active and independent, always flying up to a perch and roosting alone at dusk ; at four weeks old the tail was getting noticeable and the first beginning of the “heart” began to appear. As the nights of November the 9th and 10th were very cold and frosty I put the young one under shelter. It began to feed itself when about a month old ; the nape and back of neck began about this time to assume a green tint, which became gradually brighter ; the crown, however, still remained chestnut. The red patch on the heart began to show when about six weeks old, there was a distinct groove down the centre of the breast, which up to now had been bare of feathers ; the red patch at first appeared in the form of red stripes down the breast. I last saw the young one fed by the cock on Dec. 4, when it was over seven weeks old. On Dec. 18 I had the shock of finding the old hen dead ; she had seemed perfectly well, and I was very sorry to lose her, as, apart from her rarity, she had proved herself such a devoted mother that I had become quite attached to her. A little over a week later the young one followed her ; it had been hatched too late and the wonder was it had lived so long and done so well. During the very severe weather in January last the toes of the cock became slightly frosted ; during the whole of the time I had these birds they would always persist in roosting in the open, and, though the first winter seemed to have been gone through I without any ill effects, the exceptional severity of the last one was I think too much for them. They certainly seem much hardier than the common species. The cock died on the 18th of March of this year. Thus sadly ends the history of this most delightful and interesting family. If only a sufficient number could be imported before they 234 Mr. Norman F. Cockerl, become extinct there is no reason why the life of this species should not be indefinitely prolonged. It is most beautiful, hardy and willing to breed in our aviaries ; where will you find its equal ? The nearest ally to Bartlett’s would seem to be Keay’s Bleeding-heart (Phlogcsnas keayi), which is somewhat interme¬ diate between it and the common species. It comes from the Island of Negros, which lies between the habitats of its two allies ; it resembles crinigera in its green head and neck and purplish chestnut upper surface, while it has the bright red patch on the breast like luzonicci, but differs from both by the absence of dark bars on the wing and its white abdomen, while a conspicuous white baud crosses the lesser wing-coverts. Though this fine bird was only made known to science in 1900, Mr. Keay had known it for nearly twenty years before and had kept it in cages several times. NOTES ON BREEDING THE JUNGLE BUSH-QUAIL. Perdicula asiatica. By Norman F. Cockerl. I am not aware whether or not this very interesting little bird has been successfully bred in captivity in England. I have been very successful in breeding it in an out-door aviary in Calcutta, and a short account of my experience may be found of interest. My aviary is merely a patch of ground, 24 feet square, enclosed and roofed with wire netting, and with a covered shelter at one end. I have dotted the enclosure about with a few shrubs and tall grass, and its occupants are a variety of small finches, together with some Waxbills, Weavers, Ground-larks of kinds and several varieties of Quails. Among the latter, I had a dozen Jungle Bush-Quail (three cock birds and nine hens) and on the ground at the sides and corners of the aviary I placed a few small baskets filled with soft grass. Two of the Bush-Quail hens selected one of these baskets as a common nesting-place and having laid ten eggs in it, 235 Notes on Breeding the Jungle Bush- Quail. proceeded to sit jointly on them. Every two or three hours- during the day, one or the other of them would leave the nest for ten minutes or so, to feed and roll in the dust. The cock birds, I noticed, never approached the nest during the incubation period, but on the eighteenth day I found the whole flock of twelve Bush-Quails huddled together on and around the nest, and about two hours later they left the spot followed by nine young birds. Thenceforward, the whole of the adult birds appeared to constitute themselves the common parents of the new arrivals, the cock-birds however taking the larger share in looking after and feeding the latter and brooding them. For the first week the chicks fed mainly on gentles. After that, they took to grain, though they were also quite partial to small grasshoppers.. Within three weeks they were fully fledged, though it was not until some six weeks later that the distinctive markings of the male birds made their appearance. From first to last I had no trouble in the bringing up of the young birds. Soft food of some kind for the first few days of their existence is apparently a sine qua 7io?i , and, according to my experience, both with the first and the subsequent broods which I have succeeded in rearing, gentles admirably answer the purpose. The cock Bush-Quail at all ordinary times is an exceedingly pugnacious bird,* but, as soon as young birds make their appear¬ ance, the adult cocks temporarily sink their differences with each other in order to join in the quaint patriarchal system of family- rearing which I have described above. I should like very much to know whether this bird has been successfully bred by any other member of the Avicultural Society. It is one of the species kept by the natives of India as a fighting bird. — Ed. 236 Mr. Reginald Phillipps, THE RUBY-THROATED BULBUL. Rubigula dispar. (Cat. B. Brit. Mus. VI., 167 ; Hand-list III., 334.) WITH REFERENCES TO SOME KINDRED SPECIES. By Reginald Phillipps. ( Concluded from page 219.) My Ruby, poor little woman, has led a very lonely life. I have kept many different Bulbuls in my time; but, in a place like mine with but limited accommodation, most Bulbuls become a nuisance sooner or later, and I have discarded them, but mak¬ ing an exception with the present case because it is rare and so little known. And so it is that she has had no allied species to associate with, no kindred spirit — with but one exception. Even the presence of the second Ruby I have mentioned did not seem to appeal to her ; but at that time she was not quite up to the mark. During the period of over five years she has passed with me, with one brief interval she has been alone in a crowd, she has not made friends, she has not sought the company of any bird, neither has any’ bird sought hers. For quite a long time, among the most spiteful and pertinacious of her tormentors were the two Silver-eared Mesias which were written about in the October and November issues of 1903. In course of time the female died ; and, in October, 1905, the male Mesia and the female Ruby-tliroated Bulbul commenced a friendship which continued until May, 1906, when, owing to his loud voice, I had to send the Mesia away. During the first two (see below) of the Bulbul’s broody fits, which dated from January, 1906, she had the Mesia for her mate. He would often come and sit by her, but I fear was not very sympathetic ; he seemed to think that she must be a jolly fool to go to nest in mid-winter, and to sit so diligently upon nothing. “I should like to see the colour of your eggs” he would say, and intimated plainly that a sex which could give way to such childish vagaries proved itself thereby to be con¬ stitutionally unfit to have the vote. During her third broody period, she keenly felt the loss of his companionship, and would sometimes be very noisy, coming off her “nest” with a loud on the Ruby-throated Bulbul. 237 twit, too-wit, tiddle-de-wink, tell-me-where-are-you, and other calls, quite unlike her usual self. This restlessness continued all through the summer ; she would have been off and away after a mate if she had had the chance, after the manner of the mate¬ less free bird. It was at this time that she gave utterance to those wild bell-like calls which I have already alluded to. For long long after the departure of the Mesia, his well known call Wife : you -just -covie- here (N.S. I., p. 381) might still be heard in the garden and bird room — not, indeed, as of yore, shouted in imperative dictatorial voice, in a voice so masterful, and yet so precious because so masterful, but borne softly on the wind, like a whisper in the ear, as a murmur in the trees, a dream in the stillness of the night, in a tone soft and still, in a note passing sweet and gentle, so full of love and tender reminiscences* Whence came it ? was it from his wraith ? an echo from the tomb? Was he haunting his old beloved home where he had spent so many happy hours? Alas! no; it was his poor little widowed Ruby, disconsolate, forlorn, mourning over his dis¬ appearance, and repeating to herself his familiar words. Who shall say that her appealing calls for a mate were for any mate ! peradventure they were intended but for one ear ! And the fact remains that from that time up to this day she has remained isolated and alone, happy enough in a quiet humdrum sort of way, but — alone. Commencing in January, 1906, and continuing for about a fortnight, again in March for some twelve days, yet again in July, 1 and lasting on this occasion for over three weeks, and once more I • in August for many days, my Ruby-throated Bulbul became broody and went to “nest,” and sat as diligently and persever- 1 ingly as any barn door fowl ; and at recurring periods during I 1907 and 1908 she behaved in a similar manner. At first I used to drive her off, as I feared her health might suffer, but my ! efforts to stop her were in vain ; sometimes she just wouldn’t move but showed fight, more often she would flit on to the nearest perch, give a twttter, stretch her limbs, take a “ taste,” and return to duty with unruffled composure. No attempt to build a nest was made ; and not an egg was laid, as far as is known, until 1908. The “ nest ” in every case was Mr. Reginald Phielipps, 238 •simply a scratch in the sand 011 the floor of one or other of the “ houses ” in the birdroom ; at first she would scratch in the sand with her feet like any old hen ; but little by little she became less careful in this respect, and at times made use of any depression that might appear suitable. It is in these “houses ” that I place rock-salt, etc. ; and she usually selected a spot under the shelter of a large lump of this substance. O11 rare occasions I have seen her searching in the garden for a nesting-site, but nothing pleased her, and she invariably returned to the shelter of the birdroom. It is likely that she feels safer there than elsewhere. As a rule, the other birds did not interfere with her. Once she elected to nest in a house which is near to the domains of the Varied Lorikeets. At pretty regular intervals, the male Lorikeet, followed at a prudent distance by the female, would climb down and invade this house and attack the Bulbul ; then would follow such a hullaballoo, wild scream ings on the one side and indignant twitterings on the other ; then the Lorikeets, unable to lay hold of her, would solemnly retire to their den, the Bulbul, like an alchemist of the Middle Ages, would return to her pathetic task of endeavouring to change grains of sand into infant Rubies, and Silence would reign supreme once more. The Lorikeets were as unsuccessful as I was in endeavouring to stop her sitting, for, hardly waiting for the tail of the last to clear out of the way, she would give an impudent twit-too-wit and return to her post forthwith. One day last autumn, I entered the birdroom and put up a fledgeling Lovebird, who chanced to alight not very far from the sitting Bulbul. With a wild unearthly scream, she attacked the Lovebird so suddenly and savagely that the poor beast dashed heedlessly off anywhere in frantic terror as for its life. This frightful shriek seems to be a recognised weapon in the armoury of the Bulbuls. In July, 1902, at page 185, I mentioned a similar ear-splitting shriek emitted by a Brown-eared Bulbul, Hemixus flavala, for a nefarious purpose, in which it, too, was quite successful in the object it had in view. Only one egg is known to have been laid by my Ruby- throated Bulbul, and this was found in her scratch on August 27 of last year. This egg is of a reddish puce colour (of a lighter on the Ruby-throated Bulbul. 239 shade towards the smaller end) mottled and spotted all over with a darker shade of the same. I find that it is intermediate in size between the egg of the Silver-eared Mesia and that of the Black Lark — but bulkier in shape. This species is only known from the islands of Java and Sumatra. - I will now briefly refer to the Indian Ruby-throated Bulbul, and to two other kindred species : for my bird has been mistaken for at any rate one of the latter, and that by those who might have known better. The Indian Ruby-throated Bulbuu, Rubigula gu laris, is almost a duplicate of R. dispar. It is stated to be a little smaller, with a less clear black chin-spot, to have more yellow in the plumage above and less orange in the yellow below. The Museum Catalogue (VI., 167) gives the throat patch as “orange scarlet,” Jerdon (II., 87) as “ beautiful shining ruby-red,” and “the rest of the plumage beneath bright yellow,” and “ irides light yellow.” As regards the latter, I do not know if there is any difference between the sexes. Jerdon says of the throat, “ the feathers much divided and somewhat bristly.” The Museum Catalogue does not mention this, but says of R. dispar, “ feathers of the throat loose and stiffened.” This species is found only in the forests of the South Indian Peninsula, and, as a live bird, seems to be little known. It does not seem ever to have been brought to this country; possibly it has never been seen in the Indian bird markets. Mr. Frank Finn once wrote me that he knew the species only as a skin, adding “ I see Oates gives it as a rare forest bird even in India.” Jerdon tells us, — “ This pretty species is found only in the forests of Malabar, extending from Travancore to North Canara. It is found from the level of the sea nearly to about 2,000 feet of elevation. It is not common, frequents the more open spots and glades in thick jungle, and is usually found in the neighbourhood of water. It lives in small families, is sprightly and active, hopping about the smaller branches of trees, and uttering now and then its pleasant twitter, much in the manner of the crested Bulbuls. Its food consists chiefly of fruits and berries.” These two are the only species in Rubigula which have the ruby throat. 240 On the Black-headed Bulbul, etc. The Black-headed Bulbul, Rubigula melanidera, with the entire head black, is a trifle smaller than the foregoing, and generally like them, but has the throat yellow like the rest of the under surface. Sexes alike, but with the female the smaller. It is said of the iris of the adults — male, dull red ; female , dark brown ; and also of the legs and feet — male , blackish ; female, deep plumbeous or blackish blue. The British Museum Catalogue (VI., 168) says further : — “The Black-headed Bulbul is peculiar to the island of Ceylon, inhabiting the forest tracts in most parts of the island, and, in the Kandyan province, attaining a height of 5,000 feet.” When we consider what a vast number of steamers of all kinds touch at Colombo, it seems strange that this species also should be unknown in this country except as a skin.* The Black-crested Yellow-Bulbul, Otocompsa flavi- ventris (Mus. Cat. VI., 161), the Rubigula flaviventris of Jerdon (II , 88), was brought to this country in 1906, two examples being deposited at the Zoological Gardens in April of that year by one of our members. The likeness between this species and my bird is only general, and the two may be distinguished at a glance by any observant person. For instance, the Black-crested Yellow- Bulbul has a real and conspicuous crest, instead of a mere knob, and a black instead of a red throat ; moreover, it is not nearly so yellow as either of the Ruby-throated Bulbuls. This species has a wide range. The Museum Catalogue tells us that — “The Black-crested Yellow-Bulbul inhabits the Himalayas, and also occurs in the forests of Central India. Eastwards it extends through the Burmese countries into Cochin China ; ” and the more recent Hand-Eist — “ Himalayas (Sutlej Valley to Assam); Indian Peninsula; Indo-Chinese Provinces; Malay Peninsula.” Although so comparatively common, the two birds mentioned above seem to be the only two that have so far reached this country alive ; and the dealer in Bombay from whom they were purchased, who called them “ Nepal Bulbuls, ’ stated that they were rare, and charged a higher price for them than for a pair of Silver-eared Mesias. * According to my experience, hardly any birds are to be picked up in Colombo, the only noteworthy species X have seen on sale there is the Ceylonese Bat-parrot ( Loriculus indiczis). — Ed. 24I My Japanese Rose-Fmches. MY JAPANESE ROSE-FINCHES. By Colling wood Ingram. The path followed the folds of the azalea-clad mountain, now near, now far from the noisy torrent, but ever trending upwards towards the snows that sparkled in the distant sunlight. At last it took a sharp bend and opened to view a little brown village, nestling in a grove of pines and spruces. As we drew nearer I noticed that three bamboo cages were hanging from the walls of one of the houses — the village tea-house as it afterwards proved to be. Upon closer acquaintance I found that these cages contained a Varied Tit, a Japanese Bullfinch and two other birds; one of the latter, obviously the male, being surprisingly beauti¬ ful. These were Japanese Rose-Finches, known to ornithologists by the unlovely title of Uragus or Carpodacus sanguinolentus. Personally I prefer to think of a pretty bird by a pretty name and A’oy^-Finches certainly do not seem as sweet to me by their other and scientific name! Now, when I first came to Japan, I had earnestly resolved to resist all temptation in the form of live birds — for full well did I know what trouble they meant when travelling from country to country ! Had I not resisted the superb Ruby-throats and dear little Suthoras at Shanghai, and again the handsome Blue Flycatchers and the rare Temminck’s Robins at Nagasaki ? But these Rose-Finches were more than the heart of an aviculturist could forego ! I did not even demur when the inn-keeper asked me a comparatively large figure for them. I was only too well pleased to think that he would part with them at all. Well, having completed the first part of the bargain I next had to consider the question of food. Being away from any town and in the wilds of the mountains, it was essential that I should buy some seeds for the birds there and then, while the opportu¬ nity offered. I, therefore, again negotiated with the ridiculously- polite inn-keeper — and by the twinkle in his eye I believe the old fellow again had the best of the deal! From that moment the two Rose-Finches never left us. In their flimsy bamboo-cage, that had once hung on a tea-house in the far away Niklco mountain, they travelled with us to many places in Japan — then they crossed to Vladivostock. From Via- 242 On Japanese Rose-Finches. divostock the train carried them westward across the steppes of North Manchuria and through the flower-studded plains of Siberia, to Moscow. From Moscow they went to Berlin ; from Berlin to Ostend, and, before the summer was out, they reached the shores of England. And how many times, during those long, dreary days in the Trans-Siberian train, did we feel grateful that these little birds were with 11s, to keep us entertained by their cheery ways and lively twitterings? When the train pulled up at some countryside station (which, alas, it did only too frequently) I would sometimes venture away to gather grasses and weeds for them — and on more than one occasion I was nearly left behind ! Apart from the delicate colouring of the male’s plumage — silvery white, pink, rose-red and fawn — these Finches were very attractive to the eye, for they were extremely graceful in form and their movements were both elegant and sprightl}’’. The male in particular had a pretty habit of frequently erecting the feathers on the crown of his head, and this was especially the case when he was uttering his short melodious little ditty. This song was certainly not striking, being hardly more than a pleasant twittering or low warble, but at the same time it had the merit of being a gay and cheerful sound. The female, of course, was a more soberly-clad bird and lacked the beautiful carmine tints that characterised her spouse. After the autumn moult the male lost much of his beauty, as is the case with so many of the Palsearctic Finches, and he never regained the bright dress that he wore in the days of his freedom. But when the spring came round he was nevertheless inclined to court his mate and both birds kept toying with their grass and carried bits of it round the cage, evidently seeking a nesting-site. At the moment I had no suitable aviary to give them, but I intended to have one made immediately, and even went so far as to give the order. However, I was then called away from home, and later, I went to Norway for a month’s salmon fishing. So the summer slipped by and a golden oppor¬ tunity was lost, alas ! never to be repeated. During the winter months the female died. I think I have observed elsewhere that the Japanese are fond of keeping birds, and during my two visits to their islands, 243 On a peatliar Nesting Site of Mallard. I saw a number of species in captivity ; but my two Rose-Finches were the only ones that came under my notice. I fancy this species must be fairly rare, or else of very local distribution, for I never met with it in a wild state, although I devoted much of my time to ornithology and visited widely separated districts. It is probably a mountain bird, breeding in the pine-forests of the more northern ranges; but I believe its eggs are still unknown to science. In summer the adult male has the head pearly or silvery white, with the forehead and lores, close to the base of the bill, rose-red. The upper surface shades from pinkish to rosy-carmine on the rump, the back being streaked with dark brown. The breast is also rose-coloured but is whiter about the throat and neck. The female, of course, is much duller, brown or fawn being the prevailing hue. Both sexes have two more or less distinct whitish bars across the wings. The tail, which is com¬ paratively long, is blackish with the outer feathers white ; it is usually carried in a slightly raised position, and is frequently being flicked to and fro, a habit that serves to give the birds a perky and almost insolent appearance. On the continent of North-east Asia, this species has a near ally in Uragus sibiricjcs, a rather larger and less brilliant bird. PECULIAR NESTING SITE OF MALLARD. By F. Barber-Starkey. On April 5th, while walking round one of our ponds, I happened to see a Mallard duck fly out of a large oak tree grow¬ ing on the side of a pool. I returned for a ladder, and on climbing up was surprised to find a duck’s nest containing six eggs. The eggs, which were placed in a natural hollow in the fork of the tree, were quite exposed, and what nest there was consisted of small pieces of bark and twigs off the oak tree. Once more I returned home, this time for my camera and a measuring tape. To photograph the nest I had a good deal of bother fixing up my camera in the tree, as half a gale was blow- 244 Capt. B. R. Hoksbrugh, ing, but eventually, by securely binding the legs of the camera to boughs, I managed to make some exposures. No. i gives a good idea of the site (the nest being just behind where the egg is held), and No. 2 shows the nest and eggs “ in situ.” On measuring the height I found the nest to be fourteen feet from the ground. Unfortunately, being in such an exposed place the eggs were all frosted and spoilt. It would be interesting to know in what manner the duck would have managed to get her young down to the water. [It is not very uncommon for Mallard to nest in trees, especially in the heads of pollard willows ; sometimes also the deserted nest of another large bird is utilized. In cases like this the young are simply allowed to jump out and take their luck, which is usually good, as the fall does not seem to hurt them. — Ed.] BIRDS OF A BLOEMFONTEIN GARDEN. By B. R. Horsbrugh. Among the visitors to my garden in Bloemfontein, one of the most interesting is the Bacbakiri Shrike (Laniarius gutturalis). A pair usually come in the early morning before I get up and waken me with their loud ringing call-note as they hop about in the leafy pepper trees. This tree ( schinus molle) is an in¬ troduction from Australia, I believe ; it is an evergreen and in winter bears long bunches of dry, reddish-coloured, hot-flavoured berries, which are largely eaten by the various fruit-eating birds, like the Pied Barbet (7 richolaevia melanoleucus ), Pale White-eye ( Zosterops pallida ), Bayards’ and the Blackish Bulbul (Pycnonotus layardi and P. ?iigrica?is') and the Red-faced Coly ( Colius erythro- melori ), all of which are to be seen from my windows at various times of the day, both in the trees and at a bird-table which holds decayed potatoes, old bananas, bird-seed, etc. The Red-backed Shrike (. Lanins collurio ) visits us on mi¬ gration, but its cousin the Jack Hanger or Fiscal ( L . collaris ) is always here, the usual post of observation being the top of one of the poles holding up the wire-netting surrounding the tennis- court, from where morning and evening the cock gives us his song — a song which would be quite pleasant were it not for the TREE SHOWING POSITION OF WILD DUCK’S NEST. NEST AND EGGS IN SITU. Danielsson, Ltd. 245 j oil Birds of a Bloemfontein Garden. harsh note which runs through it and sounds like — ‘ Shadrach — oh leave it — Shadrach-rack-rack oh leave it’ constantly repeated. Three species of doves are very common : the Senegal, Cape Turtle Dove {Turtur capicola) and the charming little Cape or Namaqua Dove ( CEna capensis~). I found two nests of this latter species last June, which is nearly the middle of winter here ; one of the nests was on top of a furrow in a ploughed field and not a bush near it. I presume the eggs must have been near hatching time, as the little hen would only go a few feet away from her treasures, and as soon as I moved away she flew to them at once and settled herself down in the most confidential manner. The Cape Sparrow ( Passer arcuatus) and a little Fantail Warbler ( Cisticola ) nest in the creepers on the verandah; the latter shows marvellous skill in just avoiding the cat. Its eggs show great variations, blue with reddish spots being the usual type, but I have seen white, white with red spots, pale blue, deep blue and greenish with no spots; from different nests of course, those from each nest being of the same general type. Cabanis’s Thrush ( Turdus cabanisi ) a bird much resembling our hen Blackbird of home and the Ground Scraper Thrush ( 'Tur - dus litsitsirupa ) come occasionally, but are always very shy and rather uninteresting, especially as I have never heard them sing. Jan Friedrick or the Cape Robin ( Cossypha cafra ) on the other hand, sings beautifully though not very loudly, and every evening its clear melancholy notes can be heard from the depths of a thick pepper-tree. I find this species difficult to ‘ meat off,’ but once used to captivity it stands cage life well and sings well. One I took home in' 1906 sang finely during the voyage and was doing well when I gave it to the Zoo. It is quarrelsome to a degree with its own kind, but harmless with other species.* The common Weavers (. Hyphantornis velatuas and Quelea russi) swarm, and do much damage to the farmers, but the only thing i .that I dislike about them is their song. i G The Cape Wagtail ( Motacilla capensis) is a resident here and sings quite sweetly ; it is a dull coloured little thing, but its i| cleverly-concealed nest is always interesting, as it is so frequently the host of the Didric or Green Cuckoo. \ * The specimen alluded to by Captain Horsbrugh is still alive at the Zoo, where also may be seen the Red-capped Lark and Blackish Bulbul, recently received there. -Ed. 246 On Birds of a Bloemfontein Garden. The little Red-capped Lark ( Tephrocorys cinereal) simply swarms here and is found in winter in flocks like our English Skylark, which it much resembles in flight and note, except that it does not sing. I picked up a very feeble one in immature plumage, which was quite weak through having its ears and head smothered in huge ticks. These I cleaned off and the bird was soon quite flourishing in my aviary, where it shared the floor with another common species here, the Grey-backed Finch-Lark {Pyrrhulauda verticalis). I was in the Kalahari Desert some time ago, and while waiting at a water-hole to shoot Sandgrouse hundreds of these little Pyrrhulaudas , both of this species and the little dark one called the Dark-naped Lark (Z5. australis ) came for their morning drink, and it was most remarkable to notice their great numbers and extreme tameness. The little Streep Kopje (stripe-head) or Cape Bunting (Fruigillaria capensis ) is always pottering about on the stones, singing his monotonous little song, and this little bird and his cousin the Lark-like Bunting ( F impetuani ), who is equally common, frequents all the gardens. Three species of Starlings are here in winter: the Green Glossy Starling (. Lamprocolius phcenicop terns bispecularis), locally called ‘ glass-eye ’ from its orange irides, the Common Spreo (Spreo bicolor ), and the interesting Wattled Starling ( Dilophus canmculatus), which goes about in company with .S. bicolor in the winter. In the summer it goes off to the thickly bushed part of the country, where it builds a nest like a Magpie, but breeds in colonies or collections of nests. It is on the protected list through¬ out the year ; I don’t quite see why it is necessary to protect it, as no one shoots it or worries about it, and it is very wild and well able to take care of itself. Moreover, I do not believe it kills as many locusts as the framers of the law for its protection give it credit for. Spreo bicolor nests in holes in banks as a rule, and lays a large blue egg of the usual Starling pattern. This list comprises most of the commoner birds that are seen from time to time, but I have taken 110 account of the various hawks and eagles that come by day, nor of the owls that worry the birds in my aviary by night; I trust, however, these notes will be of some interest to aviculturists at home. Correspondence. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. 247 REARING DEMOISELLE CRANES UNDER HEN. Sir, — My Demoiselle Crane is now laying for the first time, and, as I think the eggs will be fertile, I shall be glad of information as to whether or not it is possible to rear these birds with a hen. I think that Mr. Hubert D. Astley, when writing in the Avicullural Magazine about Cranes, a year or two since, said that in was the custom in some parts of Europe to collect the eggs of these birds for the purpose of rearing under hens. On the other hand, I understand that Mr. St. Qnintin, who has reared young Demoiselles with the parent birds, says that the young do not flourish unless the parent birds can find them plenty of natural food for the first twelve days. My Crane has at present only laid one egg, but I suppose I may expect another ; I doubt if she will sit well. I should be glad of information as to whether it is possible to rear with a hen, and as to how long the eggs take to hatch, and how the young should be fed. Are earthworms, maggots, etc., good? C. Barney Smith. The folloiving reply has been sent to Mr. Barnby Smith:— I do not think you would have any difficulty in rearing j'oung Demoiselle Cranes under a hen ; the incubation period is about four weeks. The hen should be a gentle, quiet one, as the young Cranes will need to be fed by hand for the first week or two. I should give earthworms and maggots (well-scoured), with mealworms, crickets, and cockroaches if procurable, but artificial food, such as is given to young Pheasants, can also be used, since you, and not the old ones, will do the feeding. YOUNG BLACK-CHEEKED LOVEBIRDS DYING IN SHELL. Colonel Henry Fortescue would be much obliged if he can be given any explanation regarding the following case. He has had a pair of Black¬ cheeked Lovebirds since last December. They have been kept in a large cage in a conservatory with an average temperature of 50 p to 55 p during the winter months. Both birds seem in excellent health. I11 January the’ hen laid seven eggs in a large cocoanut shell. She sat hard for fourteen days, then less regularly for three days, and then left the eggs altogether. Inside the eggs the young birds were fully formed and apparently almost ready for hatching. In the second half of April the hen again laid three eggs. .She has sat for fourteen days. Yesterday one egg was thrown out of the nest and replaced, and again thrown out this morning. It contained a dead chick nearly ready to leave the shell. The hen shows every inclination to desert the remaining eggs. Colonel Fortescue would be grateful for any information to account for this behaviour on the part of the birds. P.S. — Colonel Fortescue has a large outdoor aviary, roofed with glass and sheltered. 248 Co? respondence. Possibly the birds might breed better if turned out; in this case would it be too early in the year to put them outside ? The lowest temperature in the outdoor aviary at night is not at present ever lower than between 50 0 and 55 Q. The following reply has been sent lo Colonel Fortescue : — I am strongly inclined to think your Lovebirds have been disturbed. I have found these birds shy sitters, and if the eggs were left too long, the young would die in the shell and the nest would be deserted as you describe. I11 the early days of sitting, if the hen were disturbed or frightened, it would not matter much, but just when the young are due to hatch, it is of great importance, as they die quickly if the eggs get cold. If you turn the birds outdoors, a warm morning must be chosen, with every probability of a warm night ; it would, too, be advisable to keep them in an unheated room for a day or two before turning them into the aviary, so that they would feel the change less. The cocoanut husk should be hung in a sheltered place in the aviary, and in all probability, the birds will nest successfully. Marion Johnstone. THE SEX OF STANLEY PARRAKEETS. Sir, — 111 the May number of the Avicnllural Magazine, you have a letter from Mr. Arthur, of Melksham, concerning the Stanley Parrakeet, in wdiich he stated I assured him, when he bought a pair about thirteen months ago, that there was no difference between the male and female. This statement is incorrect; I told him at the time there was as much difference in the sexes of the Stanleys as there is in the Many-Colours. W. H. Payne. THE NEW APPOINTMENT AT THE ZOO. The regret which all our members will feel 011 parting with Mr. Setli-Smith as our1 Editor, will no doubt be considerably modified by the knowledge that the duties which have caused him to resign the Editorship are those of Bird Curator and Officer of Works at the Loudon Zoological Gardens, which he has now undertaken. The personal qualities which have made Mr. Setli-Smitli so popular with all of us in his Editorial capacity, to say nothing of his avicultural experience, will be of even more service to the avicultural community in his greatly widened sphere of activity at the Gardens; indeed, his appointment there is the greatest avicultural event that has happened of recent years, and we may justifiably look to him for a renewal of the old days when the Loudon Zoological Society stood in the van in matters avicultural. POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. Canary. (Miss Hutchinson). The bird died of hsemorrhage. Answered by post : Mrs. Johnstone. Mrs. Noble. Lady Morsliead. Arthur Giee, M.R.C.V.S. III. Notices to Members- — (Continued from page ii. of covert. NEW MEMBERS. Colonel T. D. WALTERS-; Rougemont, St. John’s Park, Ryde, Isle of Wight. Miss Dorothy Leekk ; 9, Hertford Street, Mayfair, W. Mr. Charles E. Garland; Bradley House, Market Weighton, El. Yorks. Sergt. C. G. Davies, M.B.O.U. ; Cape Mounted Rifles, Bizana, Pondoland, S.A. 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 column. Dealers who are members , wishing to advei tise, 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. Hen Quail Finch 30/-; Red-sided Tit 12/6; cock Cape Dove 5/-. Wanted : cock Blue Tanager. Teschemakkr ; Ringmore, TeiguinouLh. Guan Pheasant hen; Cabot’s Tragopan lien; Pair Canadian Geese; sell or exchange for other birds. P. Thornirey; Shooter's Hill, Weni., Salop. Writer can secure pair Gigantic Samoan Dodo Pigeons (Didunculus strigh ostris) f 25. Invites correspondence early. P. Peir; Box 504, G.P.O., Sydney, New South Wales. WANTS. 'the charge for members' adver tisements unde) this heading is four pence for twelve: words oj under, and one penny for every additional three wonts or less. Hen Plumed, Diamond and Picui Doves. T. H. Nicwman ; Newlands, llarrowdene Road, Wembley. Cock Quail Finch. Phirripps; 26, Cromwell Grove, Hammersmith. T R A D E A DVH R T I S E M E N T S . Earl Stanley Parrakeet (P. icterotis ) ^4 4/- pair ; I hen Many Color 30/- ; Diamond Doves 15/- pair; Peacefid Doves 10/- pair; Bronzeneck Doves 25/- pair; Sulphur-crested White Cockatoo, taken from the nest, talking, £$ 10/-, all acclimatized; also Great Bower-bird’s bower, complete, £3 10/-. Payne & Wallace; The Little Zoo, Bath. JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. TROWER & CO., WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS, 442, 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 Fanoiors and Exhibitors at the Crystal Palace and other Shows. PRICE LIST. SAMPLES FREE. Mealworms, Ants’ Eggs, Dried Flies, etc., of 'the finest quality. SPECIALITIES, “ CECTO,” the best Insectivorous Food on the Market, 1/4 per lb. G und Silk Worm Pupae, imported at frequent intervals from Italy. NEW SERIES. MONTHLY. JULY, 1909, Voi. vn. No. 9. price is> 5^' THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. •-OCONTENTS.O* PAGK Aviculture at the Zoo. I. By Frank Finn . 249 , II. By D. Skth -Smith . 251 Notes on Willow Grouse, by C. Baknby Smith . ... 252 Notes 011 My Visit to Australia, by David Skth-Smith . 256 The Paradise Flycatcher, by D. Dkwau . 260 Stray Notes 011 Indian Birds, by Frank Finn . 263 The Giza Zoological Gardens, by_J. T,kwis Honhotb . 268 Cor r E8i>ondknck , Notks, ktc. : Notable Importations, 274; Marking- Migrating Birds, 274 ; The Black- Crested Yellow Bulbul, 275; The Sex of Stanley Parrakeets, 276; The Wellington Zoo, 276; Correction, 276. LONDON I H. PORTER, 7, Princes St., Cavendish Square, NOTE.— A new volume commences every November. Note Editor’s new address : 35, St. George's Road, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. n. w All Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the Avicuetural Society are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. NOTICKS TO MEMBERS. I'he 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. 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. fo r publication in the Magazine , Books for Review, and Private f Advertisements should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. Frank Finn; 35, St. George’s Road, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. All Queries respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A. G. BuTr.KR, t 24. Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. All other correspondence, and Subscriptions , should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary, Mr. T. H. Newman. Newlands, Harrowdene Road, Wembley, Middlesex. Any change of address should be at once 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 be addressed to the Hon. Correspondence Secretary and should contain a penny stamp. Those marked “ Private ” will not be published. The Magazine is published by Mr. R. II. PORTER (7, Princes Street. Cavendish Square, W.) to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers, and bound volumes (accompanied by remittance) should be addressed. Cases for binding Vol. VI., New Series, of the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side) can be obtained from the Publisher, post free and carefully packed, at t 6 each ; or the Publisher will undertake the binding of the Volume for 2/6, plus 8d. for packing and postage. All orders must be accompanied by a remittance in full ; and members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. BOUND COPIES OR The “ AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE.” l'he following can be obtained from the Publisher at the prices given below. Postage 6d. per volume extra : Vol. II., 6 - to members; 8 6 to the public. Vols. V. Lo VII., 10/6 each t© members ; 12 6 each to the public. Vol. VIII., 14 /- to members ; 17/6 to the public. Vols. I. to IV., New Series, (sets only) £ 4 net to members; £$ to the public. Vol. II. 16/- ., 21 /- ,, Vol. III. 16/- 21/- Vol. IV. 16/- „ 21/- ,, Vol. V. , 16/- 2l/- Vol. VI. 16/- 21/- Current Monthly Numbers 1/6 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 1/7; for back Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. Second-hand copies sometimes reach the Publisher, to whom application should be made. 1 Continued on page Hi. of cover). Avicultural Magazine. Photo copyright. W. S. Berridge. THE SMALL BIRD HOUSE AT THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS, SHOWING THE NEW FLIGHTS ON THE SOUTH SIDE. These flights are each 20ft. by 11 ft. 6in., communicating with spacious back compartments, tbe latter provided with hot-water pipes. Five species of Paradise birds, and numerous smaller foreigners, at present occupy these new aviaries. Bale, Sons and Danielsson, Ltd. THE 249 Hvtcultural /Ifoagastne, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCI ETY. Nesv Series — VOL. VII. — No. 9. — All rights reserved. JULY 1909. AVICULTURE AT THE ZOO. By Frank Finn. The outside attachment of the Small Birds’ House, shown in our frontispiece this month, will no doubt be the great attrac¬ tion for avicultural visitors, and I think most people will agree that it is, in plan, about a model of what an aviary of the lean-to type should be. I have heard that the flights have been criticized as not being high enough, but with this I do not agree, as a too high flight is a great nuisance when birds have for any reason to be caught, and if higher than the I'oosting-house it is always a temptation for the birds to roost outside, and makes it very difficult to drive them in. This defect has always been a great objection to the fine centre dome of the Western Aviary at the Zoo. In the new aviaries are to be seen some very beautiful species, which appear to great advantage among green outdoor surroundings ; among these may be specified Raggi’s and Lawes’s Birds of Paradise ( Paradisea raggiana and Parotia lawesi ), Scarlet Tanagers, Yellow-winged Sugar-birds, Australian Blue Wrens, and Parrot Finches. In one of the detached aviaries on the Canal Bank, which is appropriately fitted up with rocks and boughs, four Keas (Nestor notabilis), the sheep-killing Parrots of New Zealand, are disporting themselves with the restless and meddlesome energy so characteristic of this bird. Their movements, both on wing and on foot, are not at all like those of other Parrots, but much resemble a Raven’s. They seldom use their bills in climbing, and frequently hop both among boughs and on the ground, while their wing-action is Crow-like. 250 Aviculture at the Zoo. In the big Waders’ aviary, opposite the Eastern Aviary, a pair of the curious Tufted Umbre or Hammerkop ( Scopus umbrella') are engaged in nesting, but seem undecided as to their site. I have several times seen them pair; at this time they utter a chattering scream, a point worth noting, as noisiness when pairing is characteristic of birds of prey, and this curious Stork has a strangely Buzzard-like plumage and a soft light flight, more like a Hawk than a Wader. In the small Wader’s aviary a Reeve is sitting, and the very old and shabby-looking Lapwing who has for years been mated to a Ruff, has made another unsuccessful attempt to hatch out an egg. It is a pity she cannot succeed, for a Ruff- Lapwing hybrid would be worth looking at! Two Secretary-birds have been pinioned and turned out in the Elands’ paddock, where they look very impressive stalking about. I believe that this is the best way of keeping all birds which use their legs more than their wings — that is to say, if a large space is available ; in a small area they are better kept under wire with full wings. Some recent additions new to the collection, or rare, may be noted : — Green Troupiae ( Ostinops viridis) from Venezuela. A large species, as big as a Jay ; olive-green with yellow side tail-feathers, and bright blue eyes. It is hand-reared and very tame, perching on the hand. I do not know of any other having been imported. South- American Flamingo (. Phcenicopterus ignip a Hiatus). Very similar to the European Flamingo, but much smaller, and with the thighs and shanks lead-colour, only the hocks and feet being pink. This has been exhibited before, but never in my time. Townsend’s Solitaire (_. Myiadesies townsendi). A plain grey bird about the size of a thrush, with a very short bill ; a “soft-bill” and a fine singer. It comes from Mexico, and is known as the Clarino. Mr. W. Frost had one some time back. White-RUMPED Lory (Eos fuscaia). A very dark Lory, mostly black, but with some red markings, especially below, and with a white patch on the lower back, unique among Lories. It is new to the collection, and to British aviculture. Aviculture at the Zoo. 251 Black- winged Dory (Eos cyanogeuys). A very beautiful species of a subdued red with black wings and sides of the head violet-blue. It is new to the Zoo, but I have seen one other specimen of this in England, at Mr. Hamlyn’s. *- * * By David Skth-Smith. The month of June, the most important month of the year for nesting birds, has this year been most disappointing in the way of weather conditions and extremely trying for the more ■delicate of the foreign birds. The most suitable aviary for breeding at present in the gardens is the enclosure between the Monkey House and the Ape House. This is divided into four compartments and at the present time, birds are nesting in each of these. In one, a pair of Austra¬ lian Rails (Rallies pectoralis') made a nest in a tuft of grass at the foot of a small bush, and on June 7th, brought off five chicks, tiny black mites like young Moorhens. One was found dead the following morning, but the other four are now half as large as their parents. They are wonderfully clever at hiding themselves. I have sometimes seen the mother brooding the four in the open, have seen the hen leave them and the chicks remain for a ■moment huddled together in a bunch. Presently they all disappear in a twinkling; each one running in a different direction, and hiding in the grass, and though one may enter the aviary and make a careful search it is practically an impossibility to discover their whereabouts. A Grey-winged Ouzel is sitting steadily in the same compartment as the Rails, her Blackbird-like nest built on the stump of an old mulberry tree. I11 another compartment is a hen Australian Ouail, ■Coturnix pectoralis , mated to a cock Rain Quail. She has been sitting her full time of sixteen days, and to-day I noticed two ■empty egg-shells outside her nest though she had not yet left with her brood. A cock Varied Hemipode sits within a few yards of the Quail, his mate taking no further notice of him now that she has once deposited her eggs and left them to his care ; and, not far from the Tutnix is a Tatanpa Tinamou, another species in which the 252 Mr. C. Barnby Smith, male performs the duties of incubation and nursing. Here the cock is sitting on five or six beautiful pink eggs. A common Partridge has just brought off a brood of no less than nineteen chicks from twenty eggs, an extraordinary clutch indeed, and all laid by the one bird. A pair of Malabar Mynahs are sitting in a nest in a box in one of these aviaries. The new flight cages to the Bird House are more suitable for exhibiting birds than for their nesting, but we hope some may succeed in rearing broods here. At present two young Black Tanagers have been hatched in a nest in a small box tree in one of these flights, and one so far appears to be doing well. Several pairs of birds from the Bird House have been transferred to the Pheasantries for breeding, and two pairs of St. Helena Seed-Eaters have young. A full-winged Wigeon made her nest in the middle of a flower bed near the Three-island pond and hatched off eight ducklings on June 6th ; three of these vanished, probably as the result of the visits from Carrion Crows, but the other five are doing well. Amongst recent additions to our stock may be mentioned a fine Cape Ground Hornbill ( Bucorax cafe r) and a pair of Mexican Tiuamous ( Tinamus robustus). NOTES ON WILLOW-GROUSE. Lagopus l a go pus. By C. Barnby Smith. It has long been one of my small ambitions to keep grouse, and on March ist of this year there arrived for me three Swedish Dal-ryper, or Willow-Grouse, sent from Copenhagen by Captain George Lindesay. I had ordered a cock and two hens, intending to try and mate one of the hens with a cock Rock-Ptarmigan. All three birds arrived in excellent condition, but as they were in absolutely snow-white winter plumage it was quite impossible to distinguish a cock bird from a hen. I at once turned the birds out into a grass run and fed them on oats, wheat, dari and hemp seed ; and, of course, supplied fresh on Willow Grozise. 253 water and flint grit, also providing birch branches Jwith catkins on. These catkins the birds ate greedily from the first, and even ate an inch or so of the ends of the birch twigs — often being compelled to give great tngs to get the twigs broken. At the end of three days I saw something was evidently wrong, as one of the birds was in a state of frantic terror, rushing up and down against the wire without any apparent reason, and not eating freely. As the birds were all wild and shy, I could only ascertain what was happening by careful watching from a distance. By this means I found that one of the other birds was bullying this one, and guessed (as proved to be the fact) that I had got two cocks and one hen, and that the approach of the breeding season was the cause of the disturbance. I at once put the cock that was being bullied into another enclosure, and he soon settled down. At the end of a few days he commenced to moult into breeding plumage — turning speckled brown on the head at first, then going chestnut on the chest and neck, and this chestnut gradually shaded into dark grey-brown on the back — indeed this bird was unusually dark and looked at one time as though he were going to change to black on the back. The flight-feathers and under-parts remained white. The moult of this bird was com¬ pleted by the middle of April. The other cock and hen began to moult about the 25th March, but the breeding plumage of this cock turned out much lighter in colour than that of the first one. The breeding plumage of the hen, when completed, was very interesting in the way of rendering her invisible when squatting even a few yards distant. About the middle of March, for about a mouth, I supplied the birds with willow catkins and twigs, as they seemed to like these a good deal better than birch. The willows that are known in the trade as “ soft rods ” are very suitable. I noticed the birds eat grass for the first time on the 27th March, and after that they seemed to prefer it (when obtainable) to birch and willow twigs. About the 20th of April a friend kindly changed me my first moulted cock for a hen. This last bird (which was a very fine one) arrived in full winter plumage and did not complete her moult until the beginning of June (about five weeks later than the other two birds). I may mention that, when the new 254 Mr. C. Barnby Smith, hen arrived, I placed her with the other birds, and the first hen attacked her for a time, but as the enclosure was spacious, and provided with retreats in the way of fir and birch branches, nothing serious happened. The cock had developed a good deal of loose red skin over his eyes in April. About the middle of that month I noticed him showing off to the first hen. During April and May he was very fierce, constantly running hastily about and spreading his tail and crowing and cackling defiantly if anyone came near the enclosure. When the two hens quarrelled he often intervened and chastised them in turn. The birds’ enclosure was an uncovered triangular run, about twenty yards each side, but I found that cats, or some other enemies, visited it at night and terrified the birds, so I was compelled to make in the middle of the run a small place a few yards square, covered at top and sides with fine wire, and the birds were driven into this every night. This of course did away with my hopes of breeding, but I dared not risk losing the old birds by leaving them out at night. To my great surprise and delight I found on the 23rd of May that the first-moulted hen had scooped out a little sandy hollow at the foot of a broom in the outer enclosure, and. laid an egg. Being anxious to secure this for hatching in due course under a fowl, I took it from the nest and substituted a Plover’s egg. This was probably a rather stupid thing to do — anyhow the bird for¬ sook the nest and did not lay again until the 30th May, when she made another little hollow a few yards distant from the first and laid again. I did not disturb the second nest, but it was also deserted. This was perhaps not surprising, as there was a good deal of traffic through the enclosure about this time, necessitated by a hatch of little Mouals in another run beyond. However, I think it quite possible that the second hen Willow-Grouse may still nest and, I hope, with better results. The eggs already obtained I am sending to Mr. Hugh Wormald, knowing his skill in rearing game-birds. My idea of a suitable place for, say, three pairs of Willow- Grouse, is an uncovered grass enclosure about twenty-five yards square, on a northern slope and gravel soil. It is natural to these birds to have a good range, and, though they may survive for a on Willow Grouse. 255 time in a very small space, yet they are not in the same spirits and are far more likely to be attacked by disease. The enclosure might be surrounded by wire netting about nine or ten feet high, supported on larch poles — the netting at the top being turned at least two feet horizontally outwards so as to prevent climbing by cats, etc. As to the mesh, the three feet near the ground should be three-quarters of an inch and for the rest 2-inch mesh should suffice ; of course the netting should be let a foot or so into the ground. I should dig a few irregular hollows (throwing the exca¬ vated earth into mounds alongside) and in and near the hollows place some large blocks of limestone. The birds love to crouch alongside these. As to planting, I should suggest 75 birches about 3 ft. high, topped and planted at an angle of 45 degrees — also groups of Pimis montana , savins and other junipers, a few Irish and winter heaths, crowberry, white and other brooms, roses of sharon, etc. These will soon form a pretty picture and the birds will feel infinitely more at home than if in strange surroundings. Moreover, shelter from the hot sun in summer is, I think, essential — hence my preference for a northern slope. No planting should be done within a few feet of the outside wire, or the birds will be tempted to lie near the wire and so attract passing enemies. I11 the breeding season the enclosure would have to be divided, but wire netting about 4 ft. high could be temporarily put down for this purpose. As to feeding on birch and willow twigs in winter and spring, I think it is quite hopeless to grow these in the enclosure itself ; the best plan is to get a stock of branches and lay them in trenches in a sheltered part of the garden and give to the birds when wanted. The branches will keep fresh for months. I have found it necessary to cut the feathers of one wing as well as pinioning the birds, as, if the situation is exposed a gale will occasionally carry even a pinioned bird to a great height. One or two recent attempts to introduce Willow-Grouse into Scotland have been unsuccessful — the white winter plumage of the birds having proved too attractive a mark for natural enemies. However the Willow- Grouse give one such charming visions of wild life that I would venture to strongly urge their claims on all aviculturists who can give the necessary space. 256 Mr. D. Seth-Smith, NOTES ON MY VISIT TO AUSTRALIA. By David Seth-Smith, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (■ Continued from page 214). Having completed arrangements with the Melbourne Zoo. for obtaining by exchange a number of animals from that Insti¬ tution, and having secured permission from the Victorian Government to employ catchers, and made arrangements with them to get birds for me, I was anxious to push on to Sydney. A journey of some seventeen hours by rail brought me to the metropolis of New South Wales. Comfortable sleeping-cars are provided on these trains, but the railways, in one particular at least, are behind those of the younger state of Western Australia in that dining-cars are not provided. Dinner-time having arrived, the train pulls up at a station ; there is a rush of passengers to the dining-room on the platform, where a limited number of waitresses are ready to serve a host of hungry travel¬ lers, eacli one of whom wishes to be attended to first, in order that he may be able to satisfy his appetite before the bell rings and the return rush to the train commences. As we approached the New South Wales Capital a wonder¬ ful change in the aspect of the country presented itself, for the drought from which Victoria was suffering had not been ex¬ perienced here, and the country was beautifully green. Three out of the four Zoological Gardens of Australia are managed by one of the brothers Le Souef, and on arrival in Sydney Mr. Sherbourne Le Souef, the Secretary of the N.S.W. Zoological Society, very kindly met me and we proceeded to his Zoo., which is situated in Moore Park, close to the famous cricket ground. The gardens are small, only about fifteen acres in area, and the stock kept is limited ; Australian animals, with the exception of a fairly good collection of Kangaroos, being almost absent. The larger Carnivora do very well here and breed freely, though I understand that the stock has dwindled somewhat of late. Three half-grown Tiger-cubs, which were not doing par¬ ticularly well in their dens, were put out on collar and chain, and the change seemed to suit them well, for they became so strong that every now and then one would break his chain and com- oh his Visit to Australia. 257 liience to rove the gardens until his keepers coaxed him back to captivity. A female Indian Elephant, which daily added to the revenue of the Society by carrying children, was remarkable from the fact that she carried quite a coat of long hair ; she was quite the most hairy Elephant I have ever seen. Amongst the birds, the Crane family was the best repre¬ sented, Japanese White-necked, Manchurian, Asiatic White, Sarus, Demoiselle and Native Companion being all present at the time of my visit. The collection of Waterfowl was poor, but one exhibit worthy of record was a pair of hybrids between a Black Swan atid domestic Goose, ugly-looking birds, clearly betraying their parentage. The houses in the Sydnejr Zoo. are small and in many cases unsuited for their inhabitants, and the whole Zoo. is not worthy of the fine city to which it belongs. The site in fact is ill-adapted for a Zoological Garden. During my stay in Sydney there was a talk of moving the Zoo. to a new site on the opposite side of the harbour to that on which Sydney itself is situated, and if this can be done there is no reason why Sydney should not some day possess perhaps the finest Zoological Garden in the world. There are hundreds of acres of land here, at present thickly covered with native bush, where the Coach-whip bird can be heard any day and the Blue Mountain Lorikeet sucks the nectar from the flowering gums. Ring-tailed Opossoms have their nests in the Wattle trees, and all is as it was before the white man commenced to destroy Nature’s handiwork. This site, which has been, I understand, a government military reserve, has been left untouched by the speculative builder who has planted villas on almost every other available site on the banks of this superb harbour. It is a site for a Zoo that would be worthy of the oldest, and in many ways the finest, city in Australia. The wild birds in the Sydney Zoo. were very interesting to me and afforded me some entertainment in endeavouring to add some of them to my collection. I noticed that every evening, just about closing time, quite a number of Pied Grallinas came into the gardens and disported themselves upon the lawns and round the ornamental ponds. I was very anxious to take some 258 Mr. D. Seth-Smith, of these home, so tried to conceive some method of capturing them. The best method I could think of was by means of the ordinary bird-catchers’ clap-nets, and as I found it impossible to purchase these in Sydney I set to work to rig up a pair with some netting I was able to buy. One day I discovered several dead specimens of this bird, and ascertained that poisoned grain had been laid down for the Sparrows, and the “Pee-wees” had taken this and succumbed to its effects. However there were plenty more left, and a couple of the dead birds, propped up with sticks, made capital decoys. One evening, as soon as the visitors had left the Gardens, I set my nets with the decoys in position, and within five minutes two birds came flying overhead and pitched right in the nets close to the decoys. I pulled the string and secured one bird; the other, flying straight upwards, managed to clear the nets. This was encouraging, but I soon found that the nets Iliad made were rather too heavy, and as these birds have a habit of jump¬ ing vertically into the air when disturbed, instead of flying low, they generally managed to clear the nets before they could be pulled over. I secured two birds that evening, and the following day had to leave Sydney on a trip to Brisbane, so my catching was postponed for the time being. Curiously enough, on my return, ten days later, the Pee- wees had departed except for an occasional single bird or a pair. Probably they are to a certain extent migratory, and I had struck a number of migrants on the first occasion. I sub¬ sequently captured two more, four being my total catch. The introduced Indian Mynah is as common here as in Melbourne, and every afternoon a small flock would appear, but not being native birds they did not interest me particularly. Quite the most charming birds in the Gardens were the Blue Wrens, which were always present. On several occasions I saw a female feeding young birds close to the Secretary’s Office, and the gorgeous little males were to be seen hopping about on the grass, never far from a clump of bushes, at almost any time. White-eyes fZosterops ccerulescensj were the commonest of the native birds met with in the Sydney Zoo., and their plaintive on his Visit to Australia. 259 note was heard in almost every bush. In the capture of these I found no difficulty. I procured a trap-cage with four compart¬ ments at the top. At first I thought I should require a call-bird in the bottom part of the cage reserved for this purpose, but, although the species swarmed all round Sydney, none of the bird-dealers knew how to procure one for me, so I proceeded without one. I placed two bananas, one on each of the two clumps of bushes close to the Secretary’s office, and in a short time I found that the skin of these alone remained, the inside having been eaten completely away. I then set the trap-cage in one of the bushes, baiting each of the four compartments with a piece of banana, and when I examined the trap about lialf-an- liour later it contained four White-eyes. I had no difficulty whatever in catching as many specimens of Zosterops as I wanted and very soon had a cage full. These did very well, and I should doubtless have brought nearly all of them home, but 011 our return journey, during a gale in the Indian Ocean, a huge sea smashed in the side of our bird-house on the steamer’s deck, some thirty feet above water line, and completely swamped the cage containing these fragile birds, which resulted in the loss of all. Blue Wrens sometimes got into the trap-cage, but always managed to squeeze out through the bars. But I was not particularly anxious to catch these, as I had arranged with a professional bird-catcher to secure all I wanted, and it would have been a pity to rob the Sydney Zoo. of one of its, to me, most charming occupants. The Black and White Fantail Flycatcher was always to be seen near the stores shed where, by the kindness of the Secretary, I was permitted to keep most of my live stock. Flies frequented this shed literally in millions, so the Fantails had a splendid time, and it was delightful to watch the clever manner in which they snapped up their prey. These house flies were much appreciated by a cage-full of Garrulous Honey-eaters ( Manorhina oarnila') which proved themselves to be extraordinarily clever at capturing them, and I should hardly be exaggerating if I were to say that no fly that was foolish enough to enter this cage was quick enough to escape from it. 26o Mr. D. Dewar, My collection grew by leaps and bounds, and a carpenter who was specially employed in making travelling boxes and cages was unable to keep pace with the number of animals which kept on arriving. I paid daily visits to three or four animal dealers’ shops in Sydney, and secured many interesting creatures, while every now and then a snake catcher, who was known as “ Snaky George,” would arrive with some venomous Tiger Snake or Black Snake coiled up in a sack, which he would hold open with the utmost unconcern. (To be continued] . THE PARADISE FLYCATCHER. By D. Dewar, I.C.S. The Editor has asked me to write for the Journal of the Avicultural Society a short account of the Paradise Flycatcher ( Terpsiphone paradisi'). With his request I gladly comply, for this Flycatcher is a bird of which I am exceedingly fond. As regards beauty of form and grace of motion it can hold its own against all comers. A cock, in the full glory of his white plumage, as he flits like a sprite through some shady plantation, is a sight never to be forgotten. The movements of his long tail-feathers, as he pursues liis course amid the green foliage, are as graceful as those of the folds of the garments of a skilled serpentine dancer. Imagine a very-slenderly built Whydah-bird, provided with a metallic steely blue-black crest and arrayed in snowy white, having the tail feathers longer and more attenuated than the Whydali, and you have some idea of the appearance of the Paradise Flycatcher. Set this in a frame of rich leafy green and you have him as we see him in India. Substitute for the white a rich chestnut and you have a cock in an earlier stage of plumage. Knock off the long median tail feathers and you have a hen or a young cock. According to Oates, the cock assumes his white livery after the autumnal moult of his third year. I have never seen a live cock in the stage of transition, but there is in the Madras Museum a specimen in which some of the feathers are white and the others chestnut. Terpsiphone paradisi occurs in most parts on the Paradise Flycatcher. 261 of India, but undergoes a certain amount of local migration. In the summer it ascends the hills to a considerable height. I11 the Punjab it is a hot-weather visitor, coming viirabile dichi to that parched country to breed ; but it invariably nests in a tree grow¬ ing by a river or in some well-irrigated orchard. In the hot weather of 1906 a pair of Paradise Flycatchers built a nest in a pear tree in my garden within eighty yards of the bungalow, so that I had an excellent opportunity of observing their habits. The pair in question consisted of a hen and a white cock; but I have seen several pairs of which the cock is chestnut. 262 On the Paradise Flycatcher. This, of course is very annoying for those who believe that the differences in the plumage of the sexes of some species are due to sexual selection. If it is the preference of the hen for white birds that has caused the cock Paradise Flycatcher to become white, how is it that the old-fashioned chestnut gentlemen are able to secure wives quite early in the breeding season? But this is not by any means the only way in which Fapsiphone sets at nought the theories of orthodox biologists. It seems to do everything which a bird ought not to do. The liens mock Darwin by sometimes fighting over a cock. I myself have seen them do this. The snowy white cock derides the theory of Wallace by sitting on the open nest. When so occupied Iris two long tail-feathers hang down several inches below the bottom of the nest. Anglo-Indian schoolboys when out after the eggs of this species keep a sharp look-out for the sitting cock, who reveals from afar the presence of the nest. This latter is usually attached to one of the lowest branches of a tree, no care whatever being taken to conceal its whereabouts. It is usually built in a fork near the extremity of a slender branch, for it, even when it contains the brood of four, is nearly as light as the proverbial feather. It takes the form of an inverted cone, the downwardly directed point of which is usually prolonged into a kind of stem. The chief materials used are fine dried grass stems and fibres, kept together by cobweb — the most approved cement of bird masons. Exteriorly the nursery is well plastered over with spider’s web and on to this a number of tiny white cocoons are sometime stuck. Both the cock and the lieu work at the nest. Both seek materials, the cock going off in one direction to secure them and the hen in another. Sometimes one of the pair returns with material in the beak while the other is sitting in the nest working fibre into it or moulding it into shape. O11 such occasions the last to arrive squats patiently 011 the edge of the nest or beside it until its mate has finished. The cock gets through more work than the hen, and when the eggs are laid he does a considerable part of the incubating in the day time. I find from my notes that I visited the nest in question in my compound sixteen times between the laying of the eggs and Stray Notes on Indian Birds. 263 the appearance of the first young bird, and found the hen sitting 011 ten occasions and the cock on six. I paid the nest a visit once about 10 p.111. taking with me a bicycle lamp, and found the hen on the nest ; she was fast asleep and did not stir, although I turned the light on to her and stood under the nest and talked. I could not discover the whereabouts of her lord and master. When excited the Paradise Flycatcher utters a curious harsh note — a chit- clutter— difficult to describe but easy to identify. The cock sings a sweet little lay at the breeding season. They hawk flies, after the manner of their kind, but usually among the foliage of an orchard or wood in preference to the open. I have sometimes seen them pick an insect off the surface of the water, just as Martins do in England. I once witnessed one of these flycatchers chase a butterfly — not a usual quarry for a professional catcher of insects. STRAY NOTES ON INDIAN BIRDS. By Frank Finn. The rather scrappy nature of these notes will, I hope, be forgiven by aviculturists in consideration of the possible interest of some of them, at a time of year when copy for the Magazine is short. I would particularly direct their attention to the notes on the production — or otherwise — of pellets by birds, as this point has not received very much attention from ornithologists. I follow the nomenclature and order of the Bird volumes of the Fau?ia of British India. Jungle-Crow. Corvus macrorhynchus. In adults of this bird the mouth is black inside; in the fledged young pinky-red, while their eyes are dark-grey instead of dark-brown. House-Crow. Corviis splendens. Although this is usually a bird of the plains, I have seen a pair at Darjeeling (in April. 1898). It is a curious habit of these birds to interrupt each other when pairing. The quids or pellets they used to leave on the verandah I have found contained large bits of bone and seeds of the peepul fig, a favourite wild fruit with many Indian birds and beasts. 264 Mr. Frank Finn, Striated Babbler. A rgya earlii. Two of these birds I got in December, 1897, fed freely on cockroaches (the large tropical kind), holding their prey in one foot. They cast no pellets. In a cage they hopped when on the ground, but when one escaped in the garden I saw it run. Other specimens I kept refused small millepedes of a light-brown colour, and smelling strongly of essence of almond, which are common in Calcutta during the rains, going in troops in the open. Jungle Babbler. Crateropus canorus. Two fledged young ones I procured on June 30th, 1898, had the eyes brown, instead of white as in the adult. This bird casts no pellets, even after eating cockroaches and tipaii berries. I once saw one, in 1902, hop some yards after a white butterfly and spring up at it. Although always on the watch for such occur¬ rences, I rarely saw a bird attack a butterfly, on the average once a year, I should think. One of these birds presented by our member, Mr. E. W. Harper, to the London Zoo was “ isabelline” or greyish cream- colour ; eyes, bill, and feet normal. A white one Rutledge had (also normal in above-mentioned parts) changed partly to the normal colour, and when still in a speckled state escaped, and, he told me, went off with a wild flock. I once caught by hand a wretched, though adult, specimen of this bird in a verandah at Dehra D0011 on a wet day. These birds both bathe and dust. By the way, the name Jungle Babbler, which Oates gives this bird is not at all appropriate ; it is the common garden species wherever it occurs. Yellow-eyed Babbler. Pyctorhis sinensis. My friend Mr. B. B. Osmaston once wrote to me about some he kept: “They are wonderful little acrobats — like the Tits. It is very comic to see Pyctorhis hanging on with both feet to the tail of Argyct caudata [Common Babbler or Rat-bird] which frequently happens in the cage. I had a pair of Temenuchus in my cage too, but they were so bullied by Pyctorhis that I had to take them out ! ” He also told me that they used their feet in feeding, which I later saw frequently myself, when I was able to get live specimens of this most amusing little bird. Stray Notes on Indian Birds. 265 Black-headed Sibia. Lioptila capistrata. This bird holds its prey in or under its foot like Liothrix. Blue-winged Siva. Siva cyanuroptera. In captivity I found this bird fed on fruit as well as insects, and held its food in its foot like Liothrix ; I have seen it put its foot on food when wild — in Darjeeling. It is also sociable like Liothrix. Black- Chinned Yuhina. Yichina nigrimentnm. I once had two of these little birds ; they were very sociable together ; and fond of caressing each other, but bullied other species. They sipped up sweetened sop readily with their long tongues, and were very much given to bathing. Swinhoe’s White-Eye. Zosterops simplex. I have seen one of these birds use its foot in feeding on about two occasions, but the action is rare. They are very sociable, even with different species, in captivity. Red-billed Liothrix [Pekin Robin]. Liothrix Intea. I found this species also refused the millepedes mentioned as refused by the Striated Babblers. Common Iora. Aegithina tiphia. A tame bird I kept recalled in its actions both Chloropsis and Liothrix ; it had much greater swallowing power than the former, and grasped food in one foot like the latter or a Shrike. It was shy at first, but soon got tame, like Liothrix. I was told adults could not be kept, and mine was a hand-reared one, the only specimen I had then seen caged (in November, 1897) though I afterwards saw a few others. It cast no pellets. I have seen it dart out suddenly when the aviary door was opened, as Liothrix will do. I did not see it show any sociability, and it seemed able to take care of itself with other birds. Silver-eared Mesia. Mesia argeiitauris. I bought the first specimen of this I ever saw alive. It feeds in confinement on fruit, insects and seed, and holds food in one foot like Liothiix. It was sociable. Bengal Red-vented Bulbul. Molpastes be?igalensis. This bird casts no pellets, either when old birds are fed on tipari berries, or young on flies, which they prefer to fruit. I have seen a pair in the London Zoo., one of this species, and the 266 Mr. Frank Finn, other another red-vented form, expand their red under-tail-coverts when excited, apparently courting. White-eared Bulbue. Molpastes leucotis. I have found this species very tame ; one which had only been recently purchased escaped and came back to its cage ; it prefers sleeping in a box. Bengae Red-whiskered Buebul. Otocompsa enmia. I once saw a wild pair quarrelling with one of the previous species in the Indian Museum garden, and all expanded their red under-tail-coverts. I think it was this pair which bred in the Indian Museum grounds, the only pair I noted as breeding there ; they fed their young on small dragon-flies. Southern Red-whiskered Buebue. Otocompsa puscicaudata. I have known one of these birds live in Bombay for five years, caged with finches, and having access to nothing but fruit and seed ; yet it was in good condition when shown me. Beack-CRESTED Yeeeow Buebul. Otocompsa ftaviventris. A specimen lived for about six years in the Calcutta Zoo. ; it was very tame and would feed from the hand ; the species was rarely on sale in Calcutta. White-beelied Drongo. Dicrurus coeruiescens. The late Mr. W. Rutledge, our well-known Calcutta dealer, told me he had heard a caged specimen whistle a native tune. Racket-tailed Drongo. Dissemurus paradiseus. This bird will eat, in captivity at any rate, small vertebrates as well as insects, and also vegetable food. I found it liked the leaves of Boitgainvillea. It casts pellets. Tailor- Bird. Ortho tomus sutorms. The young of this bird are not brighter than the parents, as in so many Warblers, but duller, and have the chestnut cap scarcely evident. I kept a young one (which I picked up in the Indian Museum compound) for about a week, and often gave it large flies and small dragon-flies, which it took easily ; it got tame and apparently affectionate. It did not cast pellets; neither does our Blackcap. Ashy Swallow-Shrike or Wood-Swallow. Artamus fuscus. I noticed that a bird of this species I fed on cockroaches cast no pellets. Stray Notes on Indian Birds. 267 Maroon OriolK. Oriolus traillii. Oates gives the iris of this bird as pale buffy yellow ; this is right for adults; but one I saw in immature dress in captivity had dark eyes. The species is much steadier in a cage than the Yellow Orioles, and sits more erect, with the feathers of the crown raised, not lying flat as in the others. Glossy Calornis. Calornis chalybeius. This species hops when on the ground, like the Hill Mynahs. I have seen two types ; those I saw in India had dark red eyes like a Collared Dove’s ; but some I have since seen imported here had scarlet irides. Rosy Pastor. Pastor rosezis. Captive birds of this species in India become much sullied with black and very dull in the rosy tinge. One I had turned nearly all black while on deposit with others at the Calcutta Zoo ; yet all were fed alike on satoo (coarse pea-meal). The black one was a particularly fine and healthy specimen ; I noticed 011 ex¬ amining it that the abnormal blackness was on the edges of the feathers on the upper surface, which looked uniform black, and on their bases on the lower surface, which was less completely black. Gold-crest Mynah. Ampeliceps coronatus. This bird is, in my opinion, quite wrongly placed by Oates among the typical Starlings or Mynahs. It should go among the Hill-Mynah section, which it resembles ill its hopping gait on the ground, in its heavy build, and in its style of plumage ; but I think there is no sufficient reason for making a family distinction between these two groups. There is a specimen of this bird at the London Zoo at the time of writing, and the dealers have had a few of late 3/ears, but I never saw it caged in India but once. Bank Mynah. A cridotheres ginginianus. Oates says of this bird “The young have the head and wings fulvous brown” ; but I have found that many have black heads, and generally resemble the adults, except for being duller. The species evidently shows a tendency, which I have observed in some other Indian birds, to “skip” the young plumage. Oates also gives the iris as deep maroon red, but I have seen one with a yellow eye. I have also found the bill orange, not gamboge as he gives it. ( To be continued). 268 Mr. J. Lewis Bonhotk, THE GIZA ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. By J. Lewis Bonhote, M.A., F.Z.S.. It has been my privilege, as the guest of Mr. M. J. Nicoll, the Assistant Director, to spend three months of last winter in the Giza Zoological Gardens, and to a zoologist primarily devoted to living animals, it formed a treat not easily forgotten. The Zoological Gardens were formerly the gardens attached to the Palace and Harem of Ismail Pasha, who laid them out regardless of expense. Large ponds crossed by rustic bridges, fantastic grottoes, and an abundance of trees and other vegetation combine to make an ideal retreat in the midst of a flat and bare country. By the enterprise of the Egyptian Government and the energy of Capt. S. S. Flower, the Director, these gardens now contain a very representative collection of African fauna, one of their main features being the extremely good collection of Antelopes, which in the dry and warm climate of Egypt do ex¬ tremely well and breed freely. However, we are here concerned with the birds, so passing over very many interesting and rare animals and reptiles we come to our subject. The ‘ rara avis’ of the collection is of course the Whale-headed Stork ( Balceniceps rex), of which this garden contains the only examples in cap¬ tivity, except for one in the Palace Gardens at Khartoum. They share a large paddock with the Cranes, in which they stalk about solemnly and with very slow and deliberate strides. It can hardly be said that they are extremely attractive, as their movements are so slow and ungainly, still, to the Ornithologist, they are very interesting as showing what this peculiar form of bird is like in life. The next in order of rarity is probably a very fine example of the Secretary Bird from the Sudan. Those usually seen in Zoological Gardens come from South Africa, where the species is by no means common and strictly preserved, and in the Sudan, though well protected, it is decidedly scarcer. The collection of Vultures is very good ; five species* — the Sociable, Riippells, Cinereous, Griffon and Egyptian — all living * O to gyps auricularis. Gyps riippelli, Vultur monachus, Gyps ftilvus, Neophron percnopterus. The Giza Zoological Gardens. 269 amicably together in a very fine flight, and when I left in April several of them were showing signs of nesting. Ostriches, being almost in their native habitat, do very well, and there were examples of two distinct races; a pair from the Sudan were laying and it was hoped that they might be induced to sit and hatch. On the large pond, which is crowded during the winter with several kinds of wild duck, were some Pelicans (. Pelecamis o7iociotahis and P. rufescens) in splendid feather and condition — the former especially showing that delicate pink hue so seldom seen in captive birds. These bred and reared young last year (1908) but had not yet commenced nesting this year. They have a peculiar way of driving the fish, in which the pond abounds. They all swim up together in a line, generally ending up in one of the narrow bays, when they quickly scoop up what fish they can and then proceed to drive another part. The collection contains a fair number of Doves, though the number of species is not very great and those mostly of the commoner kinds. The Herons and Ibises are fairly well represented and there is an especially nice aviary of Buff-backed Herons ( Ardea bubulcus ) which used to breed freely, but have now become rather too crowded to do so. There are single examples of the Sacred Ibis, Black-necked Ibis, Australian Ibis, Purple and Night Herons, Tittle Bittern and several common Herons. The Game-Birds are represented by several Pheasants of the species most commonly kept ( e.g . Golden, Silver and Amherst) and two very fine hens of the Javanese Peafowl, as well as a very fine lot of Hey’s Rock Partridges (. Ammoperdix heyi). A good des¬ cription and plate, of this species was given in the Magazine by Mr. Trevor Battye a few years back. * Mr. Battye correctly identified his birds as A. heyi, but the following month, at the instance of Mr. Ogilvie Grant, he stated that they belonged to the Southern form ( A . cholmleyi ). This latter form may be recognised from the true A. heyi, which comes from Southern Palestine, by its much darker colour and by the absence of the white forehead. Avic. Mag., Ser. II., Vol. III., pp. 263 & 346. (1905). 270 Mr. J. Lewis Bonhote, Examples from Egypt resemble the Southern form in lacking the white forehead, but in all other respects they are indistinguishable from typical Palestine birds, and as I have seen a skin from Palestine, in which the white forehead was absent, there is little doubt that the Egyptian form should be known as A. heyi , and that Mr. Battye’s article is perfectly correct. Other orders of birds are not so well represented ; among the seedeaters there are some nice Buntings ( e.g . Black-headed Ortolan, Cretclimar’s, etc.), the Persian Desert Bullfinch (Rhodos- piza obsoleta), the Yellow Sparrow ( Passe r luteiis') in which species Mr. Nicoll points out that the hens seem to be dimorphic, and many common birds such as Cutthroats, Zebra-finches, Bengalees, Java Sparrows, Serins, etc., etc. The Corvidae are represented by two species only, viz., the Brown-necked Raven ( Corvus umbrinus ) and the Pied Crow (C. scapulatus ) and the other families of the Passeres, including all the insectivorous birds, are entirely unrepresented, an omis¬ sion which will probably shortly be remedied. Owls and true Hawks are also conspicuously absent, being each represented by a single example (1) of the Little Owl ( A . gla,7tx) (2) of a lovely Peregrine which has been in the gardens for about seven years; there are however a few nice Eagles and Buzzards, which were in very fine condition. Owing to foxes and wild cats hardly any ducks are kept, but as this deficiency is abundantly made up by Nature during the winter, there is no necessity to keep them. The large Order of Limicolse is represented by only three species, the Stone Curlew, Common Plover, and Black-tailed Godwit, and the Laridse by a single pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and one Black-headed Gull. As time goes on, however, the collection will doubtless be improved in these respects, as several schemes for some fine new aviaries are only waiting till sufficient funds are available, to enable them to be carried out. As regards the aviaries themselves there is not much that need be said. In a delightful climate with a practical absence of rain and no need for artificial warmth, aviaries may be of the simplest form, and an open wire flight boarded at the back and along half the sides and partially roofed, proves ample protection 271 The Giza Zoological Gardens. for most species; but if the more delicate insectivorous birds were kept they would require further protection during the winter nights. To the ornithologist, however, the wild birds of the gardens will far transcend both in interest and numbers those kept in aviaries — what an ideal and unique boast for any Zoological Gardens — but such is the case, nor is the reason far to seek ; in a practically treeless (except for date palms) and waterless country where every blade of vegetation has to be cultivated by con¬ tinuous irrigation, a garden abounding in trees, bushes, and water, forms a veritable oasis to which birds will flock, and finding a sanctuary there, will remain. The two most numerous species are the Egyptian Kite and Hooded Crow, which are resident throughout the year, and are so numerous as to prevent the rearing of any young ducks or other birds unless carefully enclosed ; yet the incomparable flight of the Kites and the boldness and impudence of the Crows more than counterbalance, to my mind, any mischief they may do. During the winter. Thrushes, Robins and Chiffcliaffs are the commonest of the small birds, and as spring comes on and the migrant stream slowly flows northwards, Eesser Whitethroats appear, to be shortly followed by Redstarts and Nightingales, so that by the beginning of April the whole gardens are resounding with the songs of numerous Warblers ; and as the migration reaches its height, Shrikes, Bee-Eaters, Orioles and Flycatchers stop for a brief visit and then pass on. A list of all the species that have been known to occur has just been published by the Director and his assistant, so that it would be waste of time to recapitulate them.* Passing on therefore from the Passeres, one of the sights is the large pond, for here in winter the ducks are so thick as to almost obscure the water. Teal are by far the commonest, next to them come Shovellers, and finally Pintail. Mallard are very rarely seen, and occasionally a Garganey, White-eyed or Tufted Duck may come, but they rarely stay more than a few days. These ducks are absolutely tame and afford splendid opportu- * Wild Birds of the Giza Gardens, by S. S. Flower and M. J. Nicoll, 1908 ; see also Avic. Mag-., New Set'., Vol. VII., p. 172 (1909). 272 Mr. J. Lewis Bonhote, nities for studying their various plumages, habits, etc. At dusk they rise in small parties and all leave the gardens to feed in the surrounding country. On one side of this pond is a large thick bush, which, grows out over the water and forms an island ; this is the winter retreat of hundreds of Night Herons, which, like the ducks, pass the day peacefully roosting, unmindful of the continuous stream of visitors, and then at dusk fly off with much squawking into the open country. Among the many pleasant memories of last winter, few are more cherished than those of the short twilight, which succeeds the glorious sunsets of that country. The air is cool and refreshing after the heat of the day, the visitors have gone, and the gardens are given up to Nature ; Kites and Crows congregate to roost, the former entering a thick fir plantation without a sound, while the latter congregate in large numbers on some leafless tree and chatter for a few moments before taking refuge among thicker foliage. Kestrels coming in from the fields fly round a few times uttering their sharp ‘kelc-kek’ and then quietly drop to where some big bough leaves the trunk, and there, silent and invisible, pass the night. The twilight deepens ; Thrushes and Blackbirds scuttle about the bushes, calling out in their familiar way, a few small bats appear, hawking over the water with uncertain flight, the flute-like ‘Chi-ou’ of the Little Owl is heard, and as he sees us he bobs up and down in his peculiar manner and then darts off to another perch. The loud and shrill whistle of the Norfolk Plover rings out as they fly swiftly over the Gardens, a few ducks are seen on the wing, and then comes the squawk of the Night Herons as they fly out into the open country. A common Heron will probably be seen flying round, and then, with outstretched wings, slowly drop down to seek its food by the edge of some water¬ course. It is now nearly dark, two noiseless shadows over our head shows the track of the Barn Owl, and the well-known ‘ ring’ of ducks’ wings tell us more clearly than our eyes that the ‘flight’ is in full swing. It is soon dark ; the busy period when The Giza Zoological Gardens. 273 the night birds wake and the day birds settle to sleep is over, quiet among the wild birds reigns once more, and another pleasant memory of nature is stored up in one’s mind. One is accustomed to think of the ancient Egyptians in the light of almost prehistoric creatures, and to marvel at the greatness of their civilisation, considering its antiquity; but, great as that may be, it helps us, I think, to realize how com¬ paratively modern a product man is ; for here mummified by them or portrayed in their paintings are the identical species that we find living or migrating through the country to this day, and having apparently hardly changed at all during the 6,000 or 7,000 3^ears that divide us from the Pharaohs. Quail regularly pass through Egypt and are caught in thousands as in the days of the children of Israel, and the Conies (. Hyrax ) still inhabit the rocky hillsides. Nature still goes on, ever conservative yet nevertheless slowly evolving towards per¬ fection ; and probably in another 6,000 years, when a future race will visit the Nile and will point to the great dam at Assouan as a mark of the great civilisation at that period of the world’s history when the British Empire was at its zenith — that race will still find the Eagle Owl and Lanner Falcon nesting on the Pyramids ; Bee-eaters and Nightingales will still break their journey — as now — near Giza, and yet man marvels at the antiquity of his own works which are as nothing compared with the antiquity of Nature’s evolving species. However, I have digressed, but the idea is perhaps worth a passing thought, and I would suggest that a series of living examples of the species mummified in former ages, would add a further attraction to these already delightful Gardens, which no visitor to Egypt should miss. 274 CoiTespondence. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. NOTABLE IMPORTATIONS. YKr.r.ow Toucan, Andigena bailloni. Specimens of this bird have lately been received by Mr. Hanilyn ; it is easily known from any other Toucan by its colour, which is dark yellow on the face, throat and under¬ parts generally, and yellowish olive above. In size it about equals a Jay ; its habitat is .South-East Brazil ; two have been acquired by the Zoological Garde ns. In the consignment was a hen of the Spotted-billed Toucan ( Selenidera maciili) ostris), previously only known to aviculture by two cocks in the London Zoological Gardens, one of which still survives. The Toucans of this group differ from most of the family in showing a sex-difference ; thus, in the present bird the cock’s head and breast are black and the hen’s brown. Verdixer Flycatcher, Stoparola melanops. A pair of this Indian bird have lately been sold by Messrs. Willson to one of our members; they are the first I have seen for sale in England myself, though a few were, in my time, brought regularly to Calcutta every winter, and others have, I believe, reached this country before. In size this bird about equals our common Flycatcher; the cock is silvery-blue, with a black patch on the face; the hen dull greenish-blue, with no noticeable face-markings. Japanese Waxwing, Ampelis japonicus. In Cage Birds of June 19th, p. 587. Mr. William R. Hardie records having imported a specimen of this bird; he does not say when he had it, but gives a good description. I know of no other importation. This species is smaller than our Wax¬ wing, and has no red wax-tips on the wing, though there is a red band there, and the tip of the tail is also red. It inhabits the mainland of Eastern Asia, as well as Japan; Mr. Hardie’s specimen was brought from Nagasaki. F.F. MARKING MIGRATING BIRDS. The following leaflet has been sent out with the June issue of British Birds : — “ A short while ago a Stork was shot in Rhodesia bearing upon its leg a metal ring, which proved that the bird had been marked in Prussia, when it was a nestling, by the Rossitteu Bird Observatory, while more recently a Stork similarly ‘ringed’ in Hungary was shot in the Kalaliary Desert. Mr. H. F. Witherby, the Editor of British Birds , is inaugurating in connection with his Magazine a scheme for marking birds in a similar way in this country. It is hoped by this means to gain a more exact idea of the movements of individual birds than has ever been possible by any other method, and this should not only throw light upon the more general aspects Correspondence. 275 of migration, but it should tell us a great deal that is at present obscure with regard to particular points. For example, while we may know the general distribution of a species in winter and summer, we do not know the extent of the migration of individual birds ; or, indeed, whether in such cases as the Song-Thrush and Robin, certain individuals migrate at all. The movements of sea-birds are very little understood, and much might be learned from marking a large number. This plan might also tell us what influence age has upon plumage, etc. ; where a young bird, whose birthplace is known, breeds; whether individuals return to previous nesting haunts, and whether pairs come together again in successive breeding seasons. A number of the readers of B/itish Birds are taking the matter up, and it is expected that a large number of birds of all kinds will be ringed this summer. The rings are extremely light and do not in any way interfere with the bird’s power of flight; each is stamped ‘ Witherbv, High Holborn, London,’ and bears a distinctive number, which in the smaller sizes is stamped inside the ring, and it is hoped that anyone into whose hands should fall a bird so marked will send the bird and the ring, or, if this is not possible, then the particulars of the number on the ring, the species of bird, and the locality and date of capture to the address given. For further details see the June, 1909, issue of British Birds." [In connection with this I need hardly impress upon members the importance of not killing marked birds ; it is far more important to catch them alive, note their species and ring number for report, and let them go again for future report. A spring net-trap baited with a mealworm will be found most effective in catching. — E)d. THE BLACK-CRESTED YELLOW BULBUL. Sir, — May I be allowed to correct a slight error in the interesting notes, by Mr. Reginald Phillipps, under the above heading, in the June number of our Magazine ? O11 page 240 Mr. Phillipps writes: “The Black-crested Yellow Bulbul, Otocompsa flaviventris, . was brought to this country in 1906, two examples being deposited at the Zoological Gardens in April of that year. . . . . Although so comparatively common, the two birds mentioned above seem to be the only two that have so far reached this country alive . ” On March 8th, 1901, I had the honour of presenting to the Zoological Society a specimen of this species ; and in the Report of the Council of the Zoological Society for that year it is included in the list of birds new to the collection. The error is quite excusable, when one remembers that the last published List of the Animals at the Zoo. is dated 1896. I may add that I never observed the Black-crested Yellow Bulbul on 276 Co? ?espo?ide?ice. sale either in Burmah or in the Mala}' Peninsula; but have come across it a few times in the bird-market at Calcutta and at Bombay. E. W. Harper. THE SEX OF STANLEY PARRAKEETS. Sir,— Having myself been a breeder of various kinds of Parrakeets for twenty-five years, and Being anxious to breed the Stanleys, I will leave members to judge whether I would have taken two similar Stanleys for a pair, if Mr. Payne had told me (as he says he did) that there was as much difference in the sexes of the Stanleys as in the Many Colours. This state¬ ment Mr. Payne made to me by post card when refusing to exchange one of them after Mr. Seth-Smith had seen them and identified them as two cocks, although promising to do so at time of purchase. I admit I did not apply to them to exchange one of them for twelve months after purchase, but it was as soon as I found I had two cocks instead of a pair. Chari.es P. Arthur. THE WELLINGTON ZOO. Members will be interested to hear that a Zoological Gardens has been established at Wellington, New Zealand — the first in that Colony — and that Mr. A. E. L. Bertling, formerly Head Keeper at our Zoological Gardens, is managing it. Mr. Bertling, whose success with the birds at Regent’s Park attracted a good deal of attention, went out to New Zealand with the Chamois presented to the Colony by the Emperor of Austria, and landed them successfully. After this he was for a time Game Ranger to the New Zealand Government, until appointed to his present office. — Ed. CORRECTION. The young Bartlett’s Bleeding-heart Pigeon represented in figure 6 in the June number should have had its age stated as thirty days old, not sixteen days. Its age when drawn for the coloured plate was about six or eight weeks. III. Notices to Members — (Continued from page ii. oj cover). CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Mr. L. J. Dobik; Moorland House, Heswell, Cheshire. Proposed by Mr. W. R. TEMPLE. Miss Barbara Henderson Younger; 4, Douglas Gardens, Edinburgh. Proposed by Miss E. G. B. Peddib Waddell. CHANGES OF ADDRESS. Mr. D. Seth-Smith ; to 34, Elsworth Road, South Hampstead, London, N.W. Mr. Frank Finn ; to 35. St. George’s Road, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. MEMBERS’ PRIVATE SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for p / ivate advertisements is sixpence for eighteen words or i,ess, and one penny for every additional three words or less. Trade advektiseiments are not ai.i.owkd in this column. Dealers who are members , wishing to advei 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. Cock Garden Warbler, tame and perfect, 8/6 to good home. Miss Crowfoot; Blyburgate House. Beccles. WAN T S . 7 he charge for members' advertisements unde / this heading is four pence For twelve words or under, and one penny for eveiy additional three zvords or less. Wanted: Crested Wood Partridges (liollulus roulroul). Hubert D. Astley; Benham-Valence, Newbury, Berks. T R A D E A D V E R TIS EMEN TS. Earl Stanley Parrakeet ( P . icterotis) ^44/- pair; 1 hen Many Color £2 2/- ; Diamond Doves 15/- pair; Peaceful Doves 10/- pair; Bronzeneck Doves 25/- pair; Sulphur-crested White Cockatoo, taken from the nest, talking, ^3 10/-, all acclimatized; also Great Bower-bird’s bower, complete, £3 10/-. Payne & Wallace; The Little Zoo, Bath. JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Plavre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. TROWER & CO., WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS, 442, 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 Fanoiers and Exhibitors at the Crystal Palace and other Shows. PRICE LIST. SAMPLES FREE. Mealworms, Ants’ Eggs, Dried Flies, etc., of the finest quality. SPECIALITIES. “ cac ro,” the best Insectivorous Food on the Market, 1/4 peril). Ground Silk Worm Pupae, imported at frequent intervals from Italy. NEW SERIES. MONTHLY. AUGUST, 1909; Vol. V 1 1 . No. 10. |S. THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. ■-C'CONTENTS.Oj PAGE I he Verdi ter Flycatcher, with coloured plate, hv K. W, Harper ... 277 The Pied Rock-Thrush, by R. Phu.mpps . 279 The Display of the cock Ostrich, with, plate, by R. I. Pocock, F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 286 Nesting of Red-capped Parrakeets and a Ilyhiid Stanley-Rosella by Hcbert I). Asti.ky, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U . 291 Aviculture at the Zoo, illustrated, by Frank Finn . 294 The Pintailed Nonpareil, by Dr. A. G. Buti.ku ... . 296 Nesting- of Pelzelu's Saffron Finch, by W. R. Tkschkmakur, B.A. ... 298 Stray Notes on Indian Birds, by Frank Finn ... ... ... ... 295 Reviews : The Making of Species . 301 Correspondence, No ins, etc.: Seesee Partridges, 305; Water-Rails in Kent, 306; Another success with Pileated Parrakeets, 307 ; A rare Indian Flycatcher, 308; The White-rumped Lory, 308; Black Lories Breeding in Captivity, 308; Orange-headed Ground -Thrushes, etc., 308. B R. LONDON 1 H. PORTER, 7, Princes St., Cavendish Square, NOTE.— A new volume commences every November. W. a n. *•" AH Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. ♦ • Persons wishing to join the AvicutTURAT, Society are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. NOTICES TO MEMBERS. l'lie Subscription to the Avicultural Society is 10/- per annum, due on tli e ist of November in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is io 6. The Avicultural 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. Frank Finn ; 35, St. George’s Road, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. All Queries respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A. G. BUTTER. . 124. Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. All other correspondence, and Subscriptions, should be sent to t' Honorary Business Secretary, Mr. T. H. Newman, Newlands, Harrowde" Road, Wembley, Middlesex. Any change of address should be at o' notified to him. 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BOUND COPIES OF THE “ AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE.” The following can be obtained from the Publisher at the prices given below. Postage 6d. per volume extra : Vol. II., 6/- to members ; 8,6 to the public. Vols. V. to VII., to/6 each to members ; 12 6 each to the public. Vol. VIII., 14/- to members ; 17/6 to the public. Vols. I. to IV., New .Series, (sets only) ^4 net to members; £5 to the public. Vol. II. „ „ 16/- „ 21/- Vol. III. „ „ 16/- „ 21/- Vol. IV. „ „ 16/- „ 21/. Vol. V. „ „ 46/- „ 21 /- Vol. VI. „ „ 16/. „ 21 /- Cut rent Monthly Numbers 1/6 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 1/7 ; for back Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. Second-hand copies sometimes reach the Publisher, to whom application should be made. ( Continued on page in. of covet). V VERDITER FLYCATCHER. THE 277 Bxncultural flfcagastne, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. New Series — VOL. VII. — No. 10. — All rights reserved. AUGUST, 1909. THE VERDITER FLYCATCHER. Stoparola melanops. By E. W. Harper. I11 the spring of 1894, after broiling for three summers on the plains of India, I ascended the Himalayas to Naini Tal (. Nainee , a godess ; tal, a lake)— a beautiful settlement 7,000 ft. above sea level — and there I first saw a Verditer Flycatcher. One day, soon after my arrival, whilst riding a sturdy hill-pony up a zig-gag path near the summitof a hill ata considerable heightabove the lake, I saw a small light-blue bird, about the size of an English Flycatcher, dart from the moss-grown trunk of a tree growing near the path. The bird was a Verditer Flycatcher. After dis¬ mounting and securing the pony, I climbed the tree and found a cup-shaped nest, composed of moss and roots, stuck in a hollow of the trunk, about 9 ft. from the ground. The nest was empty ; and was promptly deserted by the birds after my visit. A few weeks later, I frequently saw a pair of Verditers near the lake, and concluded that they must have a nest close by. After watching repeatedly, I saw one of the birds come out of a large drain or water-way about six feet high — constructed of masonry, and used for draining the race-course in the rainy season. It was an easy matter to walk inside the then dry drain, and to discover the mossy nest built on a ledge about five feet from the ground. The nest contained four pinky-white eggs, speckled with red. As in the case of the first Verditer’s nest I found, this was also deserted after my interference. Some weeks afterwards, I was walking round the edge of the lake ; and, when near a place called “ Smuggler’s Rock,” saw a Verditer carrying food in its mouth. After concealing myself 278 On the Verditer Flycatcher. I watched it enter a small cave formed by immense boulders of rock. Although a diligent search was made, the situation of the nest remained a secret. A subsequent visit, however, was rewarded by the discovery of the nest — again of moss — in a corner between two large rocks. The nest contained three or four young birds, almost ready to fly. They were greenish grey, spotted on the under surface witli fulvous. I removed the nest from its resting-place and carried it and its contents to my residence about a quarter of a mile away, the parents following. Having placed the young birds in a cage which was hung outside, I was gratified to see their parents industriously feeding them through the wires. In order to minimise the danger of molestation by enemies — feathered and human — I carried the cage inside the house. But this did not in the slightest affect the feeding of the young by their parents ; and passers-by were astonished to see two beautiful blue birds flying fearlessly in and out through the open window. And now fora sad sequel to the story of my first Verditers. Some naturalists assert that red and black are “warning” colours, observed in poisonous and otherwise objectionable insects. I noticed that the young Verditers were fed cjitirely upon an insect about three-quarters of an inch long, stiiped with black and flaming red. Always more food was brought than the young birds ate ; and each evening I found about a dozen of these red-aud-black insects on the bottom of the cage. After a few days all the young Verditers died ! I do not go so far as to say that they were deliberately poisoned by their parents — who might, perhaps, have preferred death to imprisonment for their offspring — but merely state the facts as they occurred. Perhaps this hint at avian infanticide can be endorsed by some of our members. I understand that this paper is to accompany a coloured plate in our Magazine ; so that a detailed description of the species would be superfluous. It will suffice to say that the male is of beautiful verditer blue, with a black eye-streak extending to the beak. The female is of a duller colour than her mate, and lacks the black eye-streak. Not having a specimen of the bird by me, I make the following quotation from Oates’ Fauna of On the Pied Rock- Thrush. 279 British hidia ; Birds : “ Bill and legs black ; iris brown ; mouth flesh-colour; claws black ; length about 6 in. ; tail 2’8 ; wing3-2 ; tarsus ’65 ; bill from gape 7.” The Verditer breeds during the summer in the Himalayas up to 8,000 feet or more, and descends to the plains in winter. Although so strikingly and beautifully clad, it is far from being conspicuous amongst the green foliage of its native haunts. I have never observed it wild except in the vicinity of trees. I11 confinement, the Verditer is a delightful pet. It has a soft sweet song, something like that of our Hedge Accentor. I have kept three pairs in the same enclosure along with smaller birds, but never found it quarrelsome or aggressive. It thrives on any good insectivorous mixture, supplemented by live food ; indeed, it might be almost called hardy. The usual Flycatcher characteristics are well developed in the Verditer, viz., weak feet, rendering walking more or less an effort; horizontal hairs extending from the forehead beyond the nostrils ; non-gregarious habits, the birds being found singly or in pairs. As our worthy Editor — at whose request this paper is written — remarked to me several years ago in India, the Niltava and the Verditer might appropriately be called the “Oxford” and “Cambridge” Flycatcher respectively. THE PIED ROCK-THRUSH. Monticola saxatilis. (Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. V., p. 313.) By Reginald Phillipps. The presence of two fledgeling Pied Rock-Thrushes in my aviary this summer, strong on the wing and fully weaned, even from mealworms, must be my excuse for “rushing” into print once more. Young of this species have been obtained from time to time by some of onr members, but I am not aware that pre¬ viously any have been reared, — I mean reared according to the standard of the Avicultural Society ( see p. 20), a standard which it is greatly to be hoped will be fully maintained and upheld, and not allowed to lapse into a farce and a comedy — but that is by the way. 28o Mr. R. Philupps. This is an interesting species, but is not so well known as it might and as it deserves to be. It is true that a few of our members know it well, and refer to the bird as if they supposed that all are equally intimate with it. It seems to me, however, that this is far from being the case ; and I have a suspicion that if three unnamed coloured plates, respectively, of a good male in nuptial plumage, of the same bird after the July-August moult, and of his trim little mate, were published in our Magazine, barely one of our readers in a score would be able to say either what species was represented, or if any and what relationship existed between the three figures. Ret me, therefore, say a few words about the Pied Rock-Thrush, a not uncommon bird, and one which has been an inmate of my aviary pretty frequently since I first invested in some specimens now over sixteen years ago. A detailed if not too accurate description of this little Thrush, which with its congeners connects the Ousels with the Chats, may be found in almost any work on British Birds, although only nominally a British species ; so I need but say that the adult male, in breeding plumage, has the entire head and neck “ cobalt blue,” or “greyish blue”; a large irregularly shaped patch of what I will venture to call brilliant white occu¬ pies much of the back region, very conspicuous when the bird flies or displays ; the tail is chestnut with the two centre feathers brown ; and “ the whole of the underparts below the neck chest¬ nut.” Bill black. Indeed, a fine healthy male in spring and early summer is a handsome fellow; and his sprightly gait, his lively movements, his upright watchful carriage, his chestnut “ wag” and cheerful warbling notes cannot fail to attract admir¬ ing attention. But he must be supplied with a mate, and plenty of space in an outdoor aviary, if he is to be seen to the best advantage. Rate in June or early in July the adult male falls into moult, and for a time becomes an ordinary speckled Thrush more or less like the female. Individuals differ ; at this period, it may be really difficult to sex one bird while the sex of another may be determined without hesitation. Some males seem to lose the white back-patch entirely, while on others it is always more or less visible ; and they may have as much white on the throat on the Pied Rock- Thrush. 281 as a female ; and, on the other hand, a female may display as much chestnut as a male. The Museum Catalogue at page 315 tells 11s — “ After the autumn moult the male has the feathers of the upper parts with chestnut tips and dark -brown subterminal bars, which almost conceal the white on the back” ; and — “ the female also has conspicuous pale tips to the feathers of the back.” In November, 1898, Mr. St. Ouintin wrote to me — ‘‘The breeding colours are assumed by a change of the feathers of the body, which goes on through the winter — the flight feathers of the wings and those of the tail being retained.” I think it is the bird of the year only that shows so much colour duringt he autumn and early winter, and that the fully adult male does not begin to moult into colour until the beginning of January, or sometimes later. I make the statement with hesitation, as I have neglected to watch this point. With me, the adult male has usually been coming into colour during January and February, often not finishing the process until March. Referring to the interesting point as to the mode in which the breeding colours are obtained, it is stated in the Museum Catalogue (V., 2), as regards the Turdin^ generally as distin¬ guished from the Syrviin^R — “ Instead of two moults in the year, there is only one, in autumn, the spring plumage being obtained by abrasion, or by casting the points of the feathers.” This statement is not contravened or added to, nor in any way adapted to the particular species under consideration at pages 314-5, where the several plumages of the Pied Rock-Thrusli are described. The more closely I watch these birds, the more I apprehend how much abrasion has to do with the matter. Probably I do not exaggerate when I say that from autumn until the succeeding mid-summer, irrespective of the winter moult, owing to abrasion or point-casting or both combined, the plumage of the male is ceaselessly changing. To instance only a few phases: — From about mid-August to mid-February or March, the white back- patch is continuously increasing in size and purity of colour, whereas all the numerous edgings and glints of white in other parts, which at times add almost a silvery gleam to the plumage, disappear before the winter moult sets in. And the beautiful 282 Mr. R. Phillipps, “rippling” effect on the early nuptial cap and coat, given by light tips on both the new blue and the new chestnut feathers, disappear by June, leaving the colours deep, dead, and lustreless. And a curious indefinable “glamour” or haze of white («o/down) which overhangs or clings to the plumage of my eldest fledgeling when on a high perch in a good light , causing its mother to look black by comparison, must I think be caused by very light tips to the feathers (see below) ; probably it is this 1 something ’ that causes them both (the other is more secretive and keeps much in the shade) to look so dingy, and that it will not last, for the Catalogue tells us that the “ Young in first plumage resemble birds of the year, wdtli the spots somewhat exaggerated,” which at present does not fit my youngsters, so presumably abrasion here also steps in and plays its part. Nevertheless all this does not alter the simple fact that “ The breeding colours are assumed by a change of the feathers of the body,'’ as was first stated by Mr. St. Quintin, and as I have myself observed on many succeeding winters. The female is a neat, trim, brownish bird, mottled below, some chestnut about the flanks and tail-coverts, the tail, with its characteristic wagging up and down, chestnut, of a slightly lighter shade than the male’s, with the two centre feathers brown, and the bill brown. As Mr. St. Quintin has also observed, the female likewise has a winter-spring moult of the small feathers or of most of them. With me, the moult of the female has commenced later than that of the male, sometimes not even till March ; the moult of the breast feathers can always be observed and followed. Both male and female have a full moult in the autumn. The fledgeling, on leaving the nest, as it squatted on its latter end in a shady corner and looked up at one like a gaping, wide-mouth, anything but a waddling, frog, appeared to be a very dingy little fellow, and was scarcely distinguishable from its surroundings. The underparts were and are obscurely mottled, the flight feathers broadly but dimly edged with sandy buff, and some rufous appeared round and about the tiny tail, which was wagged correctly and with discrimination on its first hopping without any preliminary Council schooling. In a day or so it sat on dry clods of earth, which it closely resembled, on the Pied Rock-Thiush. 283 and very shortly on low thick perches in lieu of rocks. But a few days afterwards, sitting side by side with its mother on one of the highest perches in the aviary, all the fore parts above and below were seen to bear an aspect of light gray, the mother looking quite dark and, later, black by comparison ; and this gray cloud which enveloped the fledgeling was only accentuated if examined through a binocular. When it first left the nest at seventeen days of age, it carried but a few specks of down, and these on the crown only. This obscurity of plumage did not extend to the tail-coverts, which very soon shewed up bright and clear, chestnut and rufous ; and the tail itself quickly shot out, so that at a distance the nestling might have been taken for its mother ; but a glance through the binocular shewed that the tail was more shady ; and the bill, of a yellow-brown colour, retained its nestling characteristics for what seemed to be an unusual time. Just at first, the crown and nape of the first nest¬ ling were considerably darker than the rest of the body plumage, whereas in the second no difference was apparent ; but the differ¬ ence in plumage between the two birds at a later date, although still there, was scarcely noticeable. The crown region in a dead nestling was deep bluish ; probably this becomes obscured as the feathers develop. I observe that I have a note respecting a ten- day-old nestling which died here years ago that round the inside of the open mouth, at the front, there was a circle of yellow, doubtless for the assistance of the parents when feeding in a dark place. Unfortunately I omitted to examine the mouths of the two nestlings which died this year. The fledgelings were very strong on their legs from the moment they left the nest, bounding along like kangaroos, when alarmed helping their onward flight with outstretched wings.* They were very quiet, both before and after they had left the nest ; and. when they opened their mouths at the approach of a parent, their little cry of sk e-e-e-e could not be heard at any distance, and would not attract the attention of a non-aviculturist. This cry developed later into a simple skwee. We are told that — “ Birds of the year much resemble the * The adult bird does not hop. It often flies to the ground after an insect, &c., but does not stay there, and uses its wings when moving from place to place. If, say, it has to scurry after an escaping insect, it will make short darts and runs, but I have never seen it hop. — R. P. 284 Mr. R. Philupps, female; but the ground-colour of the upper parts of the young male is much bluer, and of the underparts much more chestnut.” From its habit of wagging its tail up and down, I notice in an old book that this species is called the Rock Wagtail. This is a misleading title, as one associates a “ Wagtail ” with a bird that has a long tail which is always on the go. The tail of our bird is rather short than long ; and the wag is occasional, and so far dog-like as to seem to be a wag of intelligence rather than a merely mechanical action. The Pied Rock-Thrush is a widely distributed species, and may be found in open rocky country through southern Europe to northern China during the breeding season, going southward on migration to Africa, &c. According to Dixon, it has a moderate migration flight of 3000 — 5000 miles. The song of the male, at any rate of the male in captivity, is a pleasing little warble but hardly deserving the name of “song.” At other times than when actually breeding, it will give utterance to a soft sweet “recording” sort of song, often whilst squatting in some sheltered corner, very pleasing to listen to. I have known it “ record ” in this way after sunset, when so dark that only its white back could be distinguished. The female will also occasionally record. Both male and female have a plaintive mournful single note, which is often heard during the breeding season. An approach to the nest, the sight of a cat, anything which causes anxiety will lead to its utterance. This note becomes more and more frequent and urgent as the young become older. As soon as the young have left the nest, this note is accompanied and shortly superseded by a Blackbird — Fieldfare cuck-cuck-c7ick note. O11 one occasion recently, this call was being uttered with such frequency and vehemence that I went out with the set purpose of interviewing that cat. But no cat was to be seen, the father was composedly preening his feathers, mother was not doing anything in particular, and the young were reposing. But the mck-cuck was being poured forth more strenuously than ever. On following the sound up to a sheltered corner, I found that it proceeded from that exquisite mocker and irrepressible joker the Regent Bird, whose great delight is to get a rise out of his poor old dad. on the Pied Rock- Thrush. 285 The display of some of the males is very fine, while that of others scarcely attracts attention. The bird, with feathers all ruffled out, will pursue the female slowly, uttering a chirping cry ; at one time he will dash after her vigorously ; and then, on a perch just below her, with head down and greatly extended, with wings and tail (especially the latter) expanded, shewing off the full colours of the tail and head contrasted with the pure white of the back and dorsal scapulars, he will make love for some minutes. I think it is Mr. Astley who tells of a solitary male that used to come and display to him. These birds go to roost at a late hour, especially when winged insects are about, after which they will hawk until nothing of them can be seen but the male’s white back. When a shy male in colour desires to escape observation, he “ points ” at one in just the same manner as 1 lie Pitta (O.S., VIII., p. 25S). Examples differ, but some of these Rock-Thrushes become exceedingly tame, and will fly on to one’s hand, head, or shoulder without hesitation. My present female, with outstretched wings, will scur-r-r and rush at and peck my hands if I do not bring her what she wants ; and when I enter the aviary with cockroach traps she is all about me, and I have to exercise care lest I should injure her. When the time came that the male turned upon her, and tried to kill her, and hunted her so that she could not feed, I used to place a dish of food on the ground between my straddled legs and literally stand over her while she fed, and finally carried her into the adjoining aviary perched on the edge of a food- saucer. I do not know any bird that is so watchful and sharp of sight as the male of this species when he has young. He is one of the few birds which can see a person at a distance through the glass of a window even when one stands well back. The 1899 father (see below) was the most difficult to watch. With a meal¬ worm in his bill, he would wait motionless for any time rather than carry it to the nest while any one could be seen. The male of this year seemed to think I was hardly worth taking into account, and watched rather the occupants of my neighbours’ gardens, which interfered no little with the carrying of food to 286 Mr. R. I. Pocock. the young'. It is during the nesting season, irrespective of courtship and displaying, that these birds bear themselves with greatest distinction ; they are then never lumpy or inert but are invariably slim and tight, drawing themselves up to their highest so as to have the more extensive view, and holding themselves, the male in particular, so erect and upright that he may not infrequently be seen within a shade of being absolutely perpen¬ dicular. ( To be continued) . THE DISPLAY OF THE COCK OSTRICH. By R. I. Pocock, F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Superintendent of the Zoological Society's Gardens. The display of cock birds in the breeding season, when both sexes are normally at the height of their physical vigour, has always appeared to me to be one of the most fascinating side issues of aviculture. It is, moreover, a phenomenon in the natural history of birds, which, apart from its intrinsic attractive¬ ness, is worth the closest attention, for as yet no satisfactory explanation of it has been suggested. Important contributions to this end can be made by aviculturists who have the opportunity of making and recording observations upon species in captivity which naturalists, for the most part, have no chance of studying in the wild. It may be objected that research into such matters is, strictly speaking, not the province of aviculture at all. Per¬ haps it is not ; but since I am of the opinion that the scope of aviculture should be extended to embrace all the ornithological phenomena that fall under the notice of those who keep birds in captivity: and since I feel convinced that a large number of the members of our Society are as interested in the subject of the courtship of birds as I am myself, I offer no apology tor occupy¬ ing a few pages of our magazine with some cursory remarks upon the subject, prefacing them by a description of the very wonder¬ ful display of the cock Ostrich as I have seen it in the Zoological Gardens; and I do this the more readily because the majority of our members will probably never be given an opportunity of witnessing this impressive spectacle. ■ ■ . . Avicultural Magazine. spread, and head thrown on the Display of the cock Ostrich. 287 The facts I have to record are in themselves not new to science. I saw the display myself for the first time in June, 1906, and sent a brief account of it to the Field , which was published on July 7th of that year. I have seen it a few times since, and long ago asked Mr. W. S. Berridge, F.Z.S., to be good enough to watch for a chance of permanently recording the bird’s attitudes by means of the camera. This he has at length succeeded in doing. It is indeed to his enterprise and perseverance that I owe the opportunity of publishing the photographs accompanying this paper, which show, in a most realistic manner, the extraordinary poses of the bird while so occupied. Taking a position facing the lien, the cock bird drops to his hocks in a squatting attitude, spreads his wings to their fullest extent and lowers his tail till the long feathers touch the ground. Then with his neck curved like a capital S and inclined backwards over his shoulder, the vocal sac at the same time being distended, he sways slowly and rhythmically from side to side, touching the ground first on one side then on the other with the tips of his wings, and not infrequently setting their white plumes ashake when they reach his highest point, his neck the while being swung from right to left and swept with a backward move¬ ment over the base of each wing in turn as it is lowered towards the ground. This action is kept up for ten minutes or more. The bird then suddenly rises to his feet, rushes towards the hen with wings outspread, and sometimes recommences the perform¬ ance at close quarters, sometimes brings it to a close by stamping on the ground like a soldier rapidly ‘ marking time.’ I have never myself seen the birds pair at the finish of the display. Perhaps under natural conditions this is the final episode of the show. And I have never heard the bird make any sound while display¬ ing, despite the distention of his vocal sac, although it is no uncommon thing to hear him roar at other times in the spring and summer, as he struts about with inflated neck. One other fact of interest is this : the hen does not seem to pay the slightest attention to the cock during his performance. On the contrary she treats him and his behaviour with the most supreme indifference. That the main facts above described are not new has 288 Mr. R. I. Pocock, already been stated. Mr. Frank Finn tells me that the display of the South African Ostrich has already been described and figured in the Zoologist , by C. Schreiner ; and in the issue of the Field , for August 31st, 1907, my description published in 1906 was supplemented by an account by Mr. Scherren of two previous records. One of these was given Mr. A. D. Bartlett ( Wild Animals in Captivity , p. 279) who observed the display of the South African Ostrich (Stiuthio australis) ; the other was given by Dr. Paul Kam merer ( Zool . Garten, 1904, p. 203) who described that of the pink-skinned African Ostrich (, Strut kio came his), the specimen observed being one of the birds of the Matarieh Ostrich Farm, near Cairo, which was said to have been trained by the keeper to show off at command. However that may be, it is interesting to note that practically the same actions accom¬ pany the display in all the different kinds of Ostriches in which the phenomenon has been recorded. It may be added that the Somaliland Ostrich that has come under my notice is called Struthio molybdophanes and is grey- or blue-skinned like the South African bird to which it is nearly allied. I have briefly alluded to the fact that the hen Ostrich, so far as can be judged by her behaviour, exhibits complete indiff¬ erence towards the displaying cock. Similar indifference on the part of hen birds of various species has been repeatedly noticed by myself. It is indeed a matter of common know¬ ledge to many observers of birds ; and this indifference is one of the most baffling facts to be faced in attempting to reconcile the phenomena of sexual display with Darwin’s theory of sexual selection, or rather with that part of the theory which deals with the mode of sexual selection which Lloyd Morgan has aptly called Preferential Mating. Darwin’s idea was that the beautiful ornaments of many cock birds have been gradually perfected in the course of ages by the hens preferring to mate, generation after generation, with those cocks which possessed the most gorgeous colours 011 luxuriant plumes. Thus the brilliantly tinted cock birds secured mates and transmitted their beauty, sometimes in an accentuated form, to their young; while the duller individuals were forced to remain, for the most part, bachelors, and failed to hand on on the Display of the cock Ostrich. 289 tlieir ornamental imperfections. For a variety of reasons this hypothesis has only met with the partial approbation of naturalists. For although there is a good deal to be said in its favour, there are also many difficulties in the way of its acceptance. One difficulty has been already pointed out, namely the apparent indifference hens evince towards displaying cocks; I say “apparent” because they may, unknown to us, be taking stock all the time of the beauty-points of their suitors. Nevertheless it must be admitted that they do not watch them with the attentive air they show towards other things that attract their notice. Another difficulty in this: birds, as well as mammals, have their likes and dislikes in the matter of mates. A cock will take to one individual lieu and not to another, or vice versa. That, I am sure, is well known ; but, I believe, it is no overstate¬ ment to say that the reason for the preference is never apparent to us. At all events it has never been so to me ; and so far as I am aware no direct observations have been made which show or even tend to show that cock birds chosen as mates are more beautiful than those that are rejected. Again, cock birds when in full feather will not uncommonly go through all the display characteristic of their species when hens are nowhere at hand- Sometimes they display to one another; sometimes to nothing at all. I have seen a Peacock in full show for the benefit apparently of half-a-dozen Sparrows feeding from a trough ; and I have no reason to doubt the veracity of a friend who told me he had witnessed such a display before an old felt hat on the ground. Some birds also, in which the two sexes are alike, behave at the breeding season in a manner that would be called display¬ ing if there was any special ornamentation to show. For instance Sea Gulls and Cockatoos bow and curtsey, and pose in other eccentric ways towards one another. Albatrosses do the same ; and many more examples could be cited. Now the facts that ornamented cock birds show off in the absence of hens and that the unadorned individuals also have the instinct to pose are not inexplicable on Darwin’s hypothesis; but they suggest very forcibly that posing at the breeding season preceded, in an evolutionary sense, the development of ornamen- 290 On the Display of the cock Ostrich. tation, and that ornamental patches, whether of colour or crest, were developed on those areas that the posing cock naturally presented to the hen. Attitudinising, or the performance of antics, is perhaps the natural outcome of the disturbance that overtakes the organism when the breeding fever holds sway, as Wallace pointed out. It is ecstatic in the true etymological sense of that term. In other words the cock birds appear to be beside themselves and to behave as if struck with temporary insanity; possibly, indeed, at that time their faculties are somewhat de¬ ranged, if I may make use of so anthropomorphic an expression, One would expect different birds to be affected in different ways by the organic disturbance above alluded to, and to show it by differences of pose. Perhaps indeed at one time peculiarities of pose were characteristic of families or, at all events, of genera; and this consideration brings me to another interesting question connected with display, namely, to what extent resemblances and differences in display are to be regarded as indications of affinity between birds. That some closely allied species, like, for example, the Gold and Amherst Pheasant, display in exactly the same way is known ; but perhaps it may not have occurred to some of my readers that the display of the cock Turkey is almost identical with that of the Peacock, although the former has no resplendent train to raise with his tail-feathers. Now, has the similarity in the pose of these two birds when displaying been in¬ dependently acquired or is it a sign of near relationship between them ? Questions such as these are of great interest to naturalists as a whole, and have an important bearing on ornithology; and my reason for touching briefly upon the subject is the hope that I may induce aviculturists to furnish additional data relating to the courtship and display of birds. Especially would facts be welcomed that helped to confirm or refute Darwin’s hypothesis of sexual selection. I have not mentioned the facts that lend it support, and have only briefly touched upon one or two which tend to break it down, because several of these, both pro and con, have nothing directly to do with Birds. So far as Birds them¬ selves are concerned the theory stands, I believe, almost exactly as it was left by Wallace’s criticism in “ Darwinism.” It remains. On the Nesting of Red-capped Parrakeets, etc. 291 from want of evidence, in the unsatisfactory condition of being quite unsubstantiated and, at the same time, insusceptible of rejection ; and new facts bearing upon it, such as aviculturists can supply, are badly needed. NESTING OF RED-CAPPED PARRAKEETS Porphyrocephalus spurius, AND A HYBRID STANLEY - ROSELLA. By Hubert D. Asteey, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. On my return from Italy on the 1st of June I found that my fine pair of Red-capped Parrakeets had nested in a deep box, and when I looked in there were six fine eggs, of a size which seemed fairly large in proportion to the parents. The aviary attendant told me the hen bird had been sitting for some time. On the 7th of June I heard a faint squeaking when the hen bird was off, and immediately considered it my duty, although I am averse to prying into other people’s affairs, to run for the aviary ladder, climb up and peep in. Four young ones ! apparently about four or five days old, covered with grey down, which must have hatched a day or two after I looked in the nest, but no trace of the two eggs which had not hatched ; not a remnant of a shell as far as I could see. Having, when counting these chickens before they were hatched, determined to take one to rear up by hand, on the 2nd of July I again looked in, and found that the eldest of the brood was just beginning to show his feathering on the secondary quills, a good age for beginning his education, so I dived my hand down and extracted him. Uncommonly like a young vulture, ugly, exceed- ingly ugly to other people’s eyes, but to mine most beautiful. I proudly thought as I held him in my hand, “ Perhaps this is the first Red-capped Parrakeet that will be reared in England, or indeed maybe in Europe,” until I heard, a few days later, that the same species was nesting in Mr. FasejCs aviaries. Covered thickly with grey fluff, and a patch of the same at the nape of the neck of dull white, the quills breaking through like a porcupine, he certainly looked a queer object. Those of the under tail- 292 Mr. Hubert D. Astley, coverts were as red as red could be, which gave me every hope that I had selected a male bird. Then came the question as to his food. The parent birds were feeding almost entirely on green grass seeds — principally of the kind known as ‘Tinker-tailor,’ — as well as dandelion, sow¬ thistle and lettuce. Generally, as far as I could see, the female was assiduously and gallantly fed by the male directly she came out of the nest-box, and then she passed the meal on to her progeny. There was very nearly a slip between the cup and the lip, for one day — that was before I took the young one under my care — I heard within the nest-box a terrific row — not downstairs but upstairs. Such a scuffling and a scolding. I looked in the aviary for the old birds, neither of them were to be seen. Had the father of the family suddenly turned into a murderer? for someone was shouting murder within, without much doubt. Someone was decidedly ruffled, and certainly / felt so ! Seizing the ladder, and all but tumbling over in my anxious haste, I unhooked the box, which hangs high up in a dark corner of the roosting house, and removing the lid at the top, it was a case of “When the pie was opened” — within were the two parent birds, their four babies, and a Rosella ! ! After he had been extracted, the verdict was “ Not guilty,” for I am convinced he had gone in to assist in feeding the young, but like people who interfere in other's households, however well-meaning, he had not been welcomed. It was the only time I ever saw the male Red-capped Parrakeet in the nest, though I cannot positively say he does not assist in feeding his young. But I was speaking of the food for the young bird that I had taken from the nest. I had failed a fortnight previously to rear a young Bourke Parrakeet on “Marie” biscuit soaked in boiled milk, although I think this species is a difficult one to bring up by hand, and so I thought I would try a food recommended to me by Mr. O. Millsum, of Regent Street, Swindon, which he manufactures himself, and which he has named “Banana Crystals ” ; composed of banana and fresh eggs, cooked and pre¬ pared in an especial manner, and looking in the dry state like powdered biscuit. This food can be boiled in milk and sweetened, and this I did. I was afraid it might be too liquid, and cause the on the Nesting of Red- capped Parrakeets , etc. 293 young Parrakeet to scour, but all has gone well. It is a splendid food for birds with inflammation, with the addition of five drops of brandy or whisky to a desert-spoonful of the mixture. Another interesting brood — of two only — is that of hybrids between a “Splendid” Rosella and a Stanley Parrakeet. The “Splendid” Rosella is distinguished from the ordinary species by the feathers on the back, which have a very brilliant yellow edging to each one ; indeed I fancy the bird is altogether brighter. Last year the Stanleys reared one young, but this spring a divorce took place, and the hen Stanley forsook her lawful hus¬ band to mate with the Rosella. Perhaps she was taken by his more gorgeous appearance, but it is hard luck on her former husband, or perhaps it is’nt ! ! One has known such cases ! and I have been rearing by hand one of these hybrids. Now the father has white cheeks and the mother yellow ones ; why then should those of their progeny be pale blue ? The bird that I have been rearing seems otherwise to favour the Stanley more than the Rosella, both in size and colour, although his breast runs from scarlet to yellow and apple-green on the underparts. He might be dubbed the “ Blue-cheeked ” Stanley Parrakeet. Unlike many hybrids, he is quite as beautiful as either of his parents. It was the father of the hybrids which trespassed into the house of the Red-caps, perhaps in an absent fit of mind. There is one point to be noticed in the young Red-capped Parrakeet, and that is that the whole head and cheeks are of an almost uniform green, with a dull baud of red over the nostrils, instead of the cherry coloured cap and yellow-green cheeks of the adult. The breast is of a very dull-coloured fawnish mauve : otherwise the colouring is similar to the parent birds. 1909. Red-capped Parrakeets. [summary]. On 1st of June. Hen sitting on six eggs. Aviary attendant said she had been in nesting-box some time. On 7th, heard squeaking of young ones. Found four, of at least four or five days old. No trace of other two eggs. On 2nd of July took one to rear by hand. Covered with thick grey fluff, whitish patch of same on back of neck. 294 Mr. Frank Finn, Scarlet quills to under tail-coverts, green feathering on secon¬ daries, etc. Size of a large common Quail (circa). 17th of July. Looked in the nesting box, and found two out of the three that I left, to be larger than the hand-reared one. The largest was a fine bird, which immediately on being released, flew as strongly as its parents, and would evidently have left the nest before had the box not been a very deep one, and had the parent birds not gnawed away all the perches which had been placed inside to enable the young to get out. This bird ate some seed the same day that it was put out. AVICULTURE at the zoo. By Frank Finn. The most important event in breeding to be recorded is the hatching of four young Willow-Grouse in the end compartment — that nearest the Reptile house — of the Southern Pheasantry. Two of them have died, but the survivors are now as large as quails, and feathered all except the head. A pair of Indian Bank Mynahs ( Acridotheres ginginianus ) have a young one in a box in the Western Aviary; this is not only a record, so far as I am aware, for the breeding of this species in this country, but is of especial interest; first, because this bird naturally breeds in banks and burrows out its owu nest-liole, like a sand-martin ; and secondly, because the young one was hatched about a fortnight before the keepers found it out, and so the old ones had no live food to feed it with at first. The Pectoral Rails in the paddocks outside the Apes’ House have another brood ; Mr. Seth-Smith, I am glad to say, promises to give us a full account later on. The young Black Tanager is fully fledged and independent now ; it is much paler and duller brown than the lieu. Among recent additions, a very important one, new to the collection, is to be noted : — Shining Flycatcher ( Phaenopepia nitens). This species is referred by American ornithologists to the Waxwings ( Ampelidce ) ; it is, says Cones in his key to North American Birds, “ a bird of on Aviculture at the Zoo. 295 remarkable characters and appearance, restless and vigilant ; feeds on berries and insects ; sings beautifully.” The appearance may be well judged of by our figure, as the male bird — the sex represented — is entirely glossy black, except for white inner webs Shining Flycatcher ( Phaenopepla nitens). to the primaries, concealed in repose. The eye is red, and the bill and feet black. The hen is drab, with the white on the primaries reduced or absent. In size this species may be compared to a Skylark ; it ranges from the Middle United States to Mexico. The nest, it 296 Dr. A. G. Butler, seems, is slight and shallow, “ saddled ” on a bough, made of twigs, fibres, and down ; the eggs range from one to five, and are “ greenish- white, distinctly and profusely speckled with blackish or dark brown.” THE PINTAILED NONPAREIL Erythrura prasina. By Dr. A. G. Butler. Whereas the Parrot-Finch (E. psittacea) seems to be tolerably hardy and quite easy to breed in captivity, the much commoner but more elegantly formed and, in my opinion, more beautiful Pintailed Nonpareil is generally admitted to be exceptionally delicate and, so far as I can ascertain, has only been bred in Germany in the artificially heated birdrooms of that country. It is of no use to ask ourselves why this little bird is short¬ lived in English aviaries and to adopt all the suggestions which even the most experienced aviculturists can offer ; for, when we have done everything, the birds still die, and I believe they always will do so unless we either keep them at a high tempera¬ ture or else buy a large number, turn them out into a sunny sheltered outdoor aviary at the beginning of the summer, keep them there until after the early frosts have commenced and then confine them for the winter in a moderately warmed indoor aviary : by this means it may be possible to save the stronger individuals and perhaps breed a vigorous race from them in the following summer. Altogether I have had ten of these birds ; of these the first two — healthy-looking cock birds, both died in three weeks; then a pair was purchased ; the hen died six months later and the cock only survived for seventeen months. Of six birds sent to me in 1896 one died three days after its arrival, two within a fortnight, one in less than nine months. I turned the surviving pair into a sheltered outdoor aviary in May 1907 and brought them indoors again in October: they never attempted to breed throughout the summer, and in April 1908 the cock bird died ; the hen, however, had been so far invigorated by her summer out-of-doors that she survived until May 1909. on the Pintailed Nonpareil. 297 The late Mr. Wiener was of opinion that delicacy in any bird was always attributable to the lack of some article of diet; he expressed this opinion in the case of the Gouldian Finch, which we now know to be quite hardy and long-lived if kept during the summer months and through the early frosts in an outdoor aviary ; moreover young birds born under these con¬ ditions are as robust as any other Grassfinch. Nevertheless I consider it only right to try every means to lengthen the lives of our birds, and therefore when my first two Pintails, fed upon paddy-rice, white millet, spray-millet, canary, and with a large patch of turf to pick over, died in three weeks, I determined to try different food with the pair bought subsequently ; I therefore, in their case, substituted oats for paddy-rice, and wrongly attributed their greater longevity to that cause. With those given to me later I gave oats mixed with the rice, but found that only the paddy was eaten: then I saw in Mr. Frank Finn’s excellent little book “ Pets and How to keep them ” that he recommended fruit — orange and banana as a necessary food for these little finches. I gave them orange, banana, and later grapes and red- currants, but not one of them took the least notice of these delicacies; they simply confined their attention to the paddy and millet; and, unlike Gouldian Finches, they evidently much preferred the white to the spray millet. The Pintailed Nonpareil is an interesting little bird from the fact that there are (as in the Gouldian Finch) two types of male; and, unless the different coloration is due to age in the latter sex, also two types of female. The ordinary male, with sap-green upper surface, crimson rump and tail, smalt-blue forehead, sides of face, throat and fore chest, golden-brown to cinnamon fore-breast, sides, flanks, thighs, and (paler) under tail-coverts and bright scarlet hind breast and abdomen, is well known to us all, but the male which I turned out moulted from the young plumage into a bird of a much deeper green above with golden ochreous rump and tail (the latter becoming blackish long before the extremity), the forehead very faintly bluish, the breast much more smoky and the abdominal patch bright golden ochreous instead of scarlet. The less gaudy female of the ordinary type is also well- 298 Nesting of Pelzeln' s Saffron Finch. known, with its huffish under surface suffused with pale dusky ashy on the breast; but my hen which survived for over three years is altogether darker, has the sides of the head, throat and breast suffused with dull blue, which passes imperceptibly into the dull ochraceous brownish or muddy clay-colour of the re¬ mainder of the under surface. I believe the second type of male is well known to scient¬ ists, but the female I had not previously heard of, and it occurred to me that it might represent one of those instance of gradually acquired melanism which one meets with from time to time in very vigorous individuals of a species when they attain to an unusual age : certainly a life which can hardly have exceeded four years does not strike one as very venerable, but the Pintailed Nonpareil may be naturally short-lived ; the introduction of blue on the sides of the head, throat, and breast, might be acquired as an approach to the male colouring, if the bird suffered from atrophy of the functional ovary, but then one would have expect¬ ed to find the forehead also washed with, blue and the abdomen with scarlet. I believe that, in the case of the Zebra-finch, about three years would represent the natural life, though in captivity I have kept these birds for seven or eight years ; in the latter case they always deepen in colour, though I have seen no such strikingly melauistic forms in that species as the male Gouldian Finch which I described in the Ibis for 1903, or the female Pintailed Nonpareil described above. NESTING OF PELZELN’S SAFFRON FINCH. Sycalis pelzelni. By W. E. Teschemakek, B.A. This species differs rather markedly from Sycalis flaveola. It is only about two-thirds of the size of the latter, and the female, instead of closely resembling the male, is grey in colour with darker striations, the only yellow she shows being the narrow margins of the flight feathers. I had a little difficulty in identifying my birds because this species is described in Dr. Butler’s “Foreign Finches” as “very similar to the common Stray Notes on Indian Birds. 299 one,” but I have since heard from Dr. Butler that this was an oversight. Had not that very accurate writer, W. H. Hudson, stated that the song resembles that of ►S. flaveola I should have noted this also as a point of difference, for certainly my male sang a rather sweet, low, and distinctly plaintive refrain, but I can only conclude, in view of W. H. Hudson’s statement, that this was exceptional. I obtained my pair of Pelzelns from Mr. Cross, of Liver¬ pool, and turned them out in May of last year. They commenced to sit on 13th June and the young (three) flew on 10th July. I have the following note of their colour — “like the hen but have a rather warmer shade on back ; beak dark horn colour.” Both the nests built in my aviary were of the small, neat, compact Serin type but were constructed inside nest boxes. The eggs — in each case five in number — were very handsome, being richly and thickly spotted with dark chocolate. They were apparently entirely reared on live insect food, although this species is quite content with hard seed when not breeding. I have, however, long since found it best to discard all general principles and pre¬ conceived ideas in dealing with breeding species. 6'. pelzelni seems to be rarely imported and, probably only for this reason, I have not as yet heard of any instance of young having been reared, because there is little doubt but that this hardy little bird could be quite easily bred even in a cage. STRAY NOTES ON INDIAN BIRDS. By Frank Finn. {Continued f tom page 267). Paradise Flycatcher. Terpsiphotie paradisi. Although so widely distributed in India, this bird must be very local, as, although it is a species which would hardly escape anyone’s observation, and I was particularly anxious to see it, I only saw it twice in the free state, two individuals at Dehra Doon, and one which came on board the ship when I was going out to India for the first time, on the afternoon of October 7th, 1894. No land was in sight, and the ship’s position at noon was 15.19 N., 82.36 K. ; we had been at Madras on the previous day Stray Notes on Indian Birds. 300 and entered the Hooghly two days afterwards. All these specimens were females or short-tailed immature males. I once bought a brood of three young birds and tried, unsuccessfully, alas! to rear them; they showed a remarkable graduation in plumage, one being completely chestnut brown above, even on the head, one having the orthodox immature plumage, and one being intermediate. The first-named no doubt represented the primitive immature plumage which the species is losing; we had a similar one in the museum. A male I kept for two days 011 insects cast a pellet after that time. I either let it go then or gave it to our member, Mr. F. Groser, — I forget which. By the way, that gentleman told me he had observed this bird feeding on butterflies commonly, cutting off their wings with the snap of the bill by which it caught them. I11 view of the rarity of the observed attacks 011 butterflies by birds, this observation is of interest. Hume’s Weaver. Ploceus megarhynchus , Hume. The Ploceus megarhynchus of Oates should be P. atrigula , as I showed in the Ibis, for 1901. The true P. megarhynchus is the biggest of Asiatic Weavers, as large as the Rufous-necked Weaver ( Hyphantornis textor) of Africa, and i 11 plumage is nearly all yellow except the wings and tail. On March 13th, 1902, I noted a dozen specimens of this large Indian Weaver in the Tiretta Bazaar, the chief bird market of Calcutta. They were in undress plumage and had come from Lalkua, near Kathgodam. Next day I found they had been sold for training ; they were said to be better for this purpose than the common Weavers, so some natives knew them. The man who brought them evidently did, as he said they would become very yellow. Some at an}' rate of this consignment reached England, and were exhibited there, ultimately, I believe, coming into Mr. W. Rothschild’s possession. Eastern Baya Weaver. Ploceus atrigula. This species frequently shows some yellow in the breast, which should be buff even in the breeding plumage ; no doubt this is due to admixture with the typical or Yellow-breasted Baya (P. bay ah). Gold-headed Black Finch. Pyrrhoplectes epauldia. On 111 y first visit to Darjeeling, in 1895, one of the first Avicultural Magazine. From 11 The Making of Species.’ Reviews. 301 species I saw was this beautiful Bullfinch, a male and two or three females ; but I never saw any subsequently, nor did it appear in the bird trade. Claret Finch. Carpodacus vinaceus, Brit. Mus. Catalogue. This is supposed to be a Chinese bird, but it appears to occur in the Himalayas, for our member, Mr. Eh W. Harper, procured a live male specimen in 1892 from a consignment of birds from the neighbourhood of Naini Tab He kindly lent it to me for examination, and I compared it with the figure and description in David and Oustalet’s Oiseaux de la Chive , and so identified it without doubt. Its measurements were : 6 inches long; bill from gape \ inch; closed wing 2'S inches ; shank fat back), 1 inch. The beak is rather Sparrow-like, not so Bullfinch like as in the common Rose-finch, the general colour uniform dark crimson or claret, not striated anywhere, the abdomen paler; there is a broad eyebrow, from eye to nape, <-f pointed pink- tipped feathers; the wings and tail are very dai k brown, with pink tips to the tertiaries (which quills were, however, mostly missing in this specimen). (To be continued ) . REVIEWS. THE MAKING OF SPECIES.*1 It has been said by many that to keep up such celebrations as Primrose Day, Trafalgar Day, and Empire Day shows a de¬ generation of the age, and that no ships were ever built by saying what fine men we had in olden days, nor was any Empire made or maintained by ‘ flag-wagging.’ No more complete reputation of this attitude of mind could be found than the result of the Darwin celebrations of the last two years. In commemorating the Jubilee of the ‘Origin,’ or the centenary of Darwin’s birth, scientists have rendered an account of their stewardship during the last fifty years, and it must be acknowledged by those not too obsessed with pet theories that the advance has been comparatively small, and that the By Douglas Dewar & Frank Finn. Loudon, 1909 : John Lane. 7s. 6d. net. Reviezvs. 302 main theory of evolution stands to-day where Darwin placed it in 1858. True many more ‘ bricks ’ have been made in the shape of new facts brought to light, and new species discovered, but this has proved such a fascinating pursuit and so easy of accomplish¬ ment that no architect has troubled to build up a new and more solid edifice with these materials, but when they did not fit into the existing building they have been either hammered into place or left among the rubbish at the foot of the building to be covered up with the dust of time. The first sign of ‘ renaissance,’ if we may so term it, took place in iqoo, when from this so-called rubbish, De Vries, Correns, Tschermak and Bateson re-discovered Mendels’ Law ; but although the effects of this discovery will have a wide and far-reaching effect on the thought and trend of modern zoological science, practical breeders will realise that it is but one of many factors which go to make up the very complex but all important laws of heredity. Now, however, thanks to the several books commemora¬ tive of Darwin’s work, we can clearly see how far we have progressed, and in what direction further advance must be made, so that there is evety reason to hope that the next 50 years will see a permanent and substantial increase in our knowledge of Nature’s laws. Dewar and Finn’s book on ‘ The Making of Species ’ is the latest of the books called forth by the Darwin celebrations, and although many may not entirely agree with its tenets, it must at the same time give cause to think to all who read it with an open mind. It deals with most of the generally accepted facts of Darwinism and argues in simple, fair-minded and moderate language the cases both for and against them. There is nothing much that is new in the book, but, on the other hand, there is much valuable information, and the facts have been marshalled in such a manner that not only can the ‘ man in the street’ form his own conclusions — not necessarily accep:ing those of the authors — but the fair and open-minded biologist will be obliged to concede that there is much force in many of the arguments, even though he may not altogether agree with the deductions drawn therefrom. Reviews. 303 It is impossible in a short review to deal in detail with a book so abounding in facts and of so controversial a nature. Its main themes are as follows: — (1) That great as is the power of Natural Selection it cannot originate varieties, but must use and perfect those varia¬ tions which arise. (2) That there is a limit to the perfecting power of Natural Selection, since, as soon as a variety is sufficiently ‘pro¬ tectively’ coloured to escape its pursuers, Natural Selection cannot go on perfecting it in the minute particulars in which such resemblances are often found, as, for instance, in the case of a Kallima butterfly, which mimics a dead leaf even to the venations and possibly also the fungus spots ! (3) That Natural Selection cannot perfect or eliminate varieties when they are as yet too slight to be of any service or harm to the individual. (4) That variations tend to be correlated, that is to say, two or more variations tend to be inherited together, so that Natural Selection in perfecting one variety may, at the same time be permitting other varieties (provided they are not harmful) to persist. Hence varieties may develop which are of no special utilitarian or other service to the animal. (5) That ‘to prey or be preyed upon,’ which are usually con¬ sidered the chief factors through which Natural Selection acts, are only one of the several causes leading to the limitation in the numbers of any particular species. The authors point out that isolation, climate, food supply, and so forth, have a much more limiting effect than is generally allowed, and if this be so it seems doubtful if the colouration of many animals is due to the modifying action of Natural Selection. Only two new suggestions or ideas are brought forward, neither of which, in the writer’s opinion, seem to bear much weight. The first is that inheritance may be due to what is termed ‘ Biological Molecules.’ For instance, there is supposed to be a Biological Molecule of colour made up of atoms, each of which 304 Reviews. controls the colour of a certain part of the body, and in the same way there will be a biological molecule for other characters. Now it is supposed that the atoms in the molecules of each individual have a definite arrangement, which, as a ncle , is not altered in the progeny when two individuals of the same species pair together, but it is suggested that the arrangement may be altered and thus give rise to a mutation. The process is considered analogous to well known facts of chemistry, in which connection alcohol and ether are instanced as having the same formula C2 Ho O, but entirely different pro¬ perties owing to the different arrangement of the atoms in their molecules. The authors allow that this idea is merely a suggestion (not even a hypothesis), but it seems a pity to have introduced it without calling up more facts to support it aud elaborating it further, and we are surprised to find no mention of Weismann’s biophors, ids, or determinants, as the last two seem to us to be the molecules and atoms of the present work. On the very debatable topic of sexual dimorphism, the authors, after entering into the pros, and cons, of sexual selection, suggest that sexual dimorphism arose as a mutation, and when not detrimental to the species it was not eliminated by Natural vSelection. With this view we cannot agree for the fact that it was merely not detrimental would not be sufficient reason for its development and perfection by Natural Selection. To persist and swamp the original form it would have to be beneficial to the race, and the author’s themselves allow that the percentage of deaths among bright-coloured males is probably greater than among their more soberly clad brothers, so that for it to have survived, if it arose by mutation, the whole foundation of evolu¬ tion by Natural Selection would have to be abandoned. Enough, however, has been said to show the main features of the book, and, in conclusion, the authors are of opinion that the line of future advance will lie in the study of the living rather than the dead. With this idea we are entirely in accord ; avi- culturists, breeders, and fanciers know only too well that most, if not all, of their results are got by experimental breeding. There is as yet no definite series of rules by which we can make sure of Coi respondence. 305 breeding any particular type, although that type has already been produced so that we know it to be a possible form. The Laws of Inheritance are still in a sealed book, and those that have been brought forward still ‘unproven.’ Here then is aline of research in which anyone can assist by merely recording accurate facts. We heartily recommend this book to all aviculturists (it is written in quite simple and popular language) for they will get a com¬ prehensive idea of what has been done, and realize where existing theories 'require further elucidation and where further knowledge is needed. There is just one point in this otherwise excellent book to which we must add a word of protest, namely the Preface. Luckily for the authors, their bark is considerably worse than their bite; but with the evidence in the book placed so fairly before readers, surely it was unnecessary to condemn in a bunch all ‘cabinet naturalists ’ and to set themselves up on a pinnacle from which to judge scientific thought? This Preface cannot fail to set many of their more scien¬ tific readers against the book from the beginning and will thus greatly militate against the acceptance of their arguments. We lay special stress on this because the body of the book is so essentially a fair criticism of the facts that we cannot but consider the Preface very ill advised. Nor do we think that the book ‘ will come as a shock to many scientific men,’ for it cannot fail to convince the open mind by the genuineness of its argu¬ ments. J, L. B. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. SEESEE PARTRIDGES. Sir, — In the July number of the Avicullural Magazine [ (2) vii. pp. 269-270 (1909)] Mr. J. L. Bonhote has published some notes on the animals living in the Giza Zoological Gardens. I11 these he has made some very inaccurate and misleading remarks regarding the Seesee Partridges (Ammo- perdix heyi, Tenim. and A. cholmleyi. Grant) which require correction, lest they should lead others astray. Mr. Bonhote writes: “The Game-Birds are represented by several Pheasants of the species most commonly kept (e.g. Golden, Silver and Amherst) and two very fine liens of the Javanese Peafowl, as well as a very fine lot of Hey’s Rock Partridges ( Ammoperdix heyi). A good description and plate of this species was given in the Maga- 3°6 Corresponde?ice. zine by Mr. Trevor Battye a few years back.* Mr. Battye correctly identified bis birds as A. heyi, but the following month, at the instance of Mr. Ogilvie- Grant, he stated that they belonged to the Southern form ( A . cholmleyi). . . “ Examples from Egypt resemble the Southern form in lacking the white forehead, but in all other respects they are indistinguishable from typical Palestine birds, and as I have seen a skin from Palestine, in which the white forehead was absent, there is little doubt that the Egyptian form should be known as A. heyi , and that Mr. Battve’s article is perfectly correct.” A. heyi, which inhabits the Eastern shores of the Bed Sea, ranges from the Dead Sea southwards throughout Arabia to Muscat on the Persian Gulf. The male birds have the forehead and lores zvhite ; and, as a rule, even in freshly moulted birds the plumage is paler than A. cholmleyi. A. cholmleyi inhabits the Western shores of the Red Sea, and ranges through Egypt and Nabia, as far south as the Erba Mountains and Suakin. The male birds have no Irace of zvhite on the forehead and lores. The plumage is, as a rule, darker than in A. heyi, and the head, mantle, and breast are washed with vinaceous. It is clear from the above quotation that Mr. Bonhote could not have understood what he was writing about. x. The character which distinguishes A. cholmleyi from A. heyi is the absence of zvhite on the forehead and lores. A glance at Mr. Trevor- Battve's plate is sufficient to show that the male bird figured there is certainly an example of A. cholmleyi and not of A. heyi. I subsequent^ examined Mr. Battve's living birds and found that such was undoubtedly the case. 2. In the British Museum there are two male examples from Egypt, which does not differ in any marked degree from the type-specimens of A. cholmleyi which were procured near Suakin. 3. It would be interesting to know where Mr. Bonhote has “seen a skin from Palestine, in which the white forehead was absent,” as it is cer¬ tainly not to be found among the British Museum series of seven males, which he has examined. W. R. OGir.viE-GRANT. WATER-RAILS IN KENT. Sir, — I regret that several causes have prevented an earlier reply on my part to Dr. Ticeluirst’s request for an account of the breeding of the Water-Rail (ll a Hits aquaticus ) in Kent, and I trust that he will hold me guiltless of intentional discourtesy in the matter. First of all, then, it must be quite eighteen years ago that I saw the young Water-Rails of which I spoke in my letter that appeared in the January number of the Avicnltural Magazine. The date can only be fixed approximately, and not exactly, for the following reason. I was partly * Avic. Mag., Ser. II., Vol. III., pp. 263 & 346. (1905). Correspondence. 307 educated — “ finished off,” I believe is the correct term — in Paris, and I spent three of my holidays (two summers and one winter) in travelling about Europe; the summer of 1889 I spent in Eastern Europe, going from Buda- Pestli to the Black Sea in the company of one of my professors — an ardent ornithologist— who was studying the avian life of Hungary and the Balkan Provinces, especially that of the vast marshy tracts which lie on either side of the River Danube and its tributary streams. Now I cannot remember whether it was in the following year or the one after that that I was staying at Sandwich in Kent and saw the young Water-Rails ; and it is for that reason my observation cannot constitute a scientific record, as I hold that all records must be exact both as to time and place. Anyhow, while fishing one day during the early summer of 1890 or 1S91, in what are known as the Ricliborough Ponds, so-called from their close proximity to the ruins of Richborough Castle, the ancient Roman fortress of Rutupiae, I saw a Water-Rail and her young ones pass by within six yards of where I was sitting motionless on the bank ; they came from a patch of reeds on the castle side of the pond and disappeared into the main body of reeds on the opposite side. They were in full view for quite a minute, and I am absolutely certain of their identity, because I saw so many in Eastern Europe in that enormous marsh that stretches from Kalarash as far as Ibraila, in Great Wallachia, a distance of about 150 miles. Although I saw these birds, it did not strike me as being anything out of the way, and even now I can hardly realize that it is not only uncommon, but the fact that the Water-Rail has nested in Kent has not previously been recorded bv some observers. Had this been known to meat the time my observations would certainly have been recorded with fuller data than I am able to give at this late period of time after the event. I trust that this imperfect account of what may reasonably be considered an instance of the breeding of the Water- Rail in Kent — for the young were only a few days old when they were seen by me, and could not possibly have come in from another county, as Sandwich lies on the extreme east of Kent — may prove of interest to Dr. Ticehurst. PtCRCY W. Parnborough. ANOTHER SUCCESS WITH PILEATED PARRAKEETS. Under date July 2nd, Mr. W. R. Fasey writes : — “ Sir, — I have a nest of four young Pileated Parrakeets about three weeks old now. If they leave the nest I will wriLe again.” And 011 July iSth : — “ Following my last letter the young Pileated Parrakeets have left their nest, and if some other member is not before me, I think I am entitled to the medal.” Wir.UAM R. Fasky. [Members who do not give a full account of the breeding are not entitled to the medal, which on this occasion would appear to be due to Mr. Astley, as his birds were apparently hatched before Mr. Fasey’s. — Ed.] 308 Correspondence. A RARE INDIAN FLYCATCHER. There lately came into my possession a beautiful Flycatcher, which I believed to be “ Muscipeta brevirostris .” It is either that bird, or M. flammeus. Its colour is of a glossy black with deep bluish reflections on the head and upper parts, whilst the breast, underparts, patch on wings and outer tail feathers are brilliant nasturtium orange-red. It has the short legs and small feet of a typical Flycatcher, as well as the broadened grooved bill. Habitat, portions of Himalayas and forests of India. Hubert D. Asteky. [No doubt this is the Short-billed Minivet ( Pei icrocotns brevirostris ) a few of which used to be on sale ever}' winter when I was in Calcutta.— Ed.] THE WHITE-RUMPED LORY. Sir, — It is possible that you may like to know that you made a very slight error in ‘Aviculture at the Zoo,’ in this month’s Avicultmal Magazine. Eos fuscata in not quite new to aviculture as one was imported by Mr. Goodfellow, two years ago, for Mrs. Johnstone; this bird, however, died soon after it came into my possession. There is also another Eos cyanogenys in the country, viz. in my aviaries. E. J. Brook. BLACK LORIES BREEDING IN CAPTIVITY. Sir, — As I believe no species of Lories — not Lorikeets — have so far been hatched in confinement it may be of interest to note that my Black Lories (Chalcopsittacus ater) have young. I will write again if the young are successfully reared. E. J. Brook. ORANGE-HEADED GROUND-THRUSHES, &c. Sir, — Will some one who keeps Orange-headed Ground Thrushes kindly write an article how to keep them in health and song. I should like to know what amount of cold they can stand, and if they have ever been wintered outside in an unheated aviary. Also I should like to know the name of a finch similar to the St. Helena Seed Flater, but larger, as I bought a pair and the hen has hurt her beak, aud I want to advertise for a new hen. They come from South Africa. Are the Mexican Blue Thrushes that one sees advertised good singers ? M. C. Hawke. [Your finches seem to be the Large Yellow Seed-eater ( Serinus sulphnratus). The Mexican Blue Thrushes ( Melanotis ccerulescens ) are said to be good singers. — PId.] III. Notices to Members. — (Continued from page ii. oj coven. NEW MEMBERS. Mr. L. J. DobiK; Moorland House, Heswell, Cheshire. Miss Barbara Henderson Younger; 4, Douglas Gardens, Edinburgh, CANDIDATE FOR ELECTION. Mr. O. Mrr.LSUM; Regent Street, Swindon. Proposed by Mr. HUBERT D. A ST LEY, 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 advei 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. Pair Blue Waterhens 40/- ; pair Mandarins 40'-; one odd hen 20/- ; pair Pin- tails 17/6; pair Carolinas 50/.; pair Bleeding Heart Doves 45/-; hen Nicobar Pigeon 25/- ; one cock American Junco 15/-, caught 400 miles at sea; one cock American Song Sparrow 15/- ; one cock “ Mountain Witch,” the very rare and beautiful Jamaican Dove, £5; one cock Jamaican Bald pate 20/-. Capern, Cotham Park, Bristol. Doves; White-fronted (or Violet) Aurita, White-winged, at very low prices as room is wanted ; all strong and hardy kinds. Miss R, ALDER SON ; Park House, Worksop. WANTS. '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 : Crested Wood Partridges ( Rollultts roulroul). Hubert D. AstlEy; Benham. Valence, Newbury, Berks, Cock Long-tailed Grassfinch in exchange for Hen. Miss R. Tryon, Harwood, Horsham, Wanted: King Parrakeet. Hon. Lady Harvey, Langley Park, Slough. T R A D E A D V K RTISEM E NTS. Earl Stanley Parrakeet [P. icterotis) ^44/- pair; 1 hen Many Color £2 2/- ; Diamond Doves 15/- pair; Peaceful Doves 10/- pair; Bronzeueck Doves 25/- pair ; Sulphur-crested White Cockatoo, taken from the nest, talking, £$ 10/-, all acclimatized; also Great Bower-bird’s bower, complete, ^3 10/-. Payne & Wallace ; The Little Zoo, Bath. JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. TROWER & CO.. WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS, 442, 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. Mealworms, Ants’ Eggs, Dried Flies, etc., of the finest quality. SPECIALITIES “ CECTO,” the best Insectivorous Food on the Market, 1/4 per lb. Ground Silk Worm Pupae, imported at frequent intervals from Italy. new series. Vol. Vll. No. 11 SEPTEMBER, 1909; MONTHLY. Price Is 6d- THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. ■-^CONTENTS. PAGE 3°9 3” 3i9 321 “ Sundhani,” by C. Bahnby Smith . The Pied Rock-Tlirush, by R. Phii.i.tpps Townsend’s Flycatcher or Solitaire, illustrated . by Hubert D. Astley, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U Nesting of the Rufous-backed Mannikin, by \V. E. Tkschicmaker, B.A Nesting of the Magpie Tanager, by Hubert D. Astley, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 323 Morality in Birds, by Dr. A. G. Butler . 325 Aviculture at the Zoo, by Frank Finn ... . . 329 Stray Notes on Indian Birds, by Frank Finn . 33° Correspondence, Notes, etc.: The Orange-headed Ground Thrush ( Geocichla citrina ) as an Aviary bird, 333 ; Seesee Partridges, 333 ; Breeding of Grey-winged Ouzels. 334 ; Breeding Blue Grosbeaks, Blackcaps, etc., 334 ; Sexual Selection in Birds, 335 ; A Consignment of New Guinea Rarities, 336, Post mortem Examinations . 33$ BT LON DON 1 R. H. PORTER, 7, PRINCES St., Caven m M . PUH I tK, (, rmriuts SI., o»»tnDISH SQUARE, W. MOTE.— A new volume commences every November. II. All Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the AviCur.TURAr, Society are requested to communicate witli either of the Hon. Secretaries or the PIditor. NOTICKS TO MEMBERS. The Subscription to the Avicultural Society is 1 0 /— per annum, due on the ist of November in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is io 6. The Avicultural 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 Kditor, Mr. Frank Finn ; 35, St. George's Road, Regent's Park, London, N.W. All Queries respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A. G. Rutter, 124. Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. All other correspondence , and Subscriptions, should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary, Mr. T. H. 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All orders must be accompanied by a remittance in full ; and members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. BOUND COPIES OE THE “ AVICULTURAL The following can be obtained from the Publisher MAGAZINE.” at the prices given below. Postage 6d. per volume extra : Vol. II., 6/- to members ; 8/6 to the public. Vols. V. to VII., to/6 each to members I 12 6 each to the public. Vol, VIII., 14/- to members ; 17/6 to the public. Vols. I. to IV., New Series, (sets only) ^4 net to members; ^5 to the public. Vol. II. „ „ 16/. „ 21/. Vol. III. „ „ 16/. „ 21/- Vol. IV. „ ,, 16 /■ „ 21/- Vol. V. ,, ,, 16/. „ ill- Vol. VI. „ „ 16/. „ 21/- Cnirent Monthly Numbers 1/6 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 ]/ 7 ; for back Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. Second-hand copies sometimes reach the Publisher, to whom application should be made. ( Continued on page Hi. of cove *>. Avicultural Magazine. From Patten’s “ Aquatic Birds of Great Britain and Ireland. THK 309 Hvtcultural fllbagasine, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCI ETY. New Series— VOL. VII. — No. 11 .—All rights reserved. SEPTEMBER, 1909. “ SUNDHANI." Bv C. Barnby Smith. Sundhani (the swimming cock) is the popular name in the North of Iceland for the Red-necked Phalarope. As there are probably several members of the Avicultural Society who are interested in these charming little waders, I am writing a few notes as to how I recently brought over some of them from the North of Iceland. As travel in Iceland is very difficult and slow, the first thing was to make provision for the birds whilst I remained in the island. I accordingly took out with me some three-quarter inch mesh wire netting, and in the first place covered in a short length (about 12 ft.) of a little stream running near the farm where I stayed. I, of course, included a strip of grass on one bank and at each end of the enclosure, at and below water level, piled stones so that the waste could run between them but the birds not escape. I found some Phalaropes in the places they like best — that is small low grassy islands in the middle of a large river. The birds, although absurdly tame, are by no means as easy to cap¬ ture as one who has not tried would suppose. The way I tried was to take a small square of fine string netting attached to the middle of a piece of fishing line about 60 feet long. I got an Icelandic boy and we each took one end of the line and, wading in the river, floated the net in the water to the edge of an island where Phalaropes were swimming. They are usually near the bank for the purpose of catching the flies that fall into the water. When the net had floated sufficiently near the bird, we suddenly “ Sundhani .” 310 raised and pulled forward the net by pulling the line. As a matter of fact the birds usually evaded the net by a few inches only (their movements are exceedingly quick) and settled down again a few yards off. However, we captured five birds and got four more caught by a local farmer and put them all in the wire enclosure. When these last four birds arrived, a gentleman, skilled in the English language, remarked to me, “ I should think you have now got your fill of these philanthropes '' I agreed, as my food supply was limited. Two of the birds died almost at once (probably from injury or shock of capture), but the others, after the first day, settled down and became quite happy. One of the hens laid several eggs and all the birds swam, basked in the sun, chatted incessantly and quarrelled, just as they do when at liberty, except that, being kept in a limited space, their disputes were naturally more frequent and violent, though no harm resulted. As to food. I took over with me to Iceland some dried ants’ eggs, dried flies and live mealworms. The latter were a total failure, as they would not keep long enough to be useful. The birds at once readily took the ants’ eggs and dried flies, but their main food supply was live maggots procured from several 3 lb. trout placed in the sun at a discreet distance from the farm. I had the maggots well cleaned in sand from time to time in an old biscuit tin and the birds ate them greedily; indeed there seemed practically no limit to the numbers they would take. At the end of a fortnight, after the first bird had been caught, I had to move down to the coast, and the birds had to endure an eight hours journey of violent shaking on the back of an Icelandic pony. The track was very rough, but I gave the birds a swim twice e?i roide, by having their travelling-box taken off the pony and sunk a few inches in the edge of a stream. A delayed steamer made the whole journey last eleven days, but only one bird died, the others reaching Retford in good condition. I may mention that I had the bottom of the birds’ wooden travelling-box covered with a layer of the fibrous turf which the Icelanders use for pack saddles. This, made in sections which could be turned over, and each piece in duplicate, gave a good soft clean floor, which the birds seemed to like very much. I The Pied Rock- Thrush. 3ii had ordered a large supply of cleaned maggots at the port of embarkation, and these maggots lasted throughout the voyage. I have given my six Phalaropes to members of the Society far more skilled than myself in the management of aquatic birds, and I sincerely hope the birds will flourish, as more charmingly active, vivacious little fellows I have never seen. Personally I am disposed to think that, given fair con¬ ditions, with some rough grass and a little pool of water, the Red-necked Plialarope should readily breed in captivity; perhaps it has already done so. It is, above all things, a water-loving bird and well merits the name of “ swimming-cock.” I may mention that, according to my observation, Phala¬ ropes in their native haunts are by no means close sitters on the nest, and often leave the eggs long before you get near, so the nests are not easy to find. On the other hand, the old birds are most devoted to their chicks, and will not leave them far if danger threatens. The Grey Plialarope, as far as I can ascertain, is very scarce indeed in the north of Iceland. THE PIED ROCK-THRUSH. Monticola saxatilis. (Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. V., p. 313.) By Reginald Phillipps. ( Continued f ront page 2S6). Although only a summer visitor to Europe, this cannot be described as a delicate species. When in perfect health, in a good-sized aviary, it does not appear to mind any ordinary cold, presupposing of course that there are suitable shelters ; but there is nothing to be gained by unnecessarily exposing it. On the other hand, I question its being as hardy as is usually alleged. Why does the wild bird select such sunny climes for its habita¬ tion if it is really hardy ? Why keeps it not to the same latitudes as the Fieldfare and the Redwing, or even as our own Song Thrush? Why do my fledgelings rush after every gleam of sun, of which so little has appeared since they have been in the 312 Mr. R. Philupps, world? People are far too fond of asserting that a species is hardy when it does not die off straight away on the first spell of cold, or during a winter. But the seeds of death are often sown only too surely; and months later the bird goes wrong and dies of consumption, of kidney or liver disease, or some such ailment. The constant wet and cold are certainly having an adverse effect upon my two young ones which have survived, and may have had much to do with the death of the two that did not. The bird, however tame, is by nature shy, and it loves the open, and it cannot be trusted to seek such shelter as is needful for the preservation of its health. In another sense, it is certainly delicate. There are few species with which I am acquainted that suffer so seriously from the effects of a too generous diet. Do not give your Rock- Thrusli, as a regular article of food, either mealworms or gentles, nor even wasp-grubs. Let it have cockroaches and other insects, and spiders as many as you can supply. Vegetable food in some form is of importance ; it takes fruit occasionally. I think that winged insects, such creatures as daddy-long-legs, & c., must be of great value. Like hay and chaff to a horse in the stable, so do the legs and wings act as “dispersers” in the stomach, and greatly aid digestion ; the indigestible portions are cast in the ordinary way. So desirable is something of this kind for the Pied Rock-Thrush that, if it be not supplied, it will swallow rag, string, &c., all of which should carefully be kept away from the aviary: string has quite a fascination for this bird. For the most part, the Pied Rock-Thrush in the aviary is amiably disposed towards other birds not nearly related— with these there may be war to the death ; a male will even kill a female of his own species, so watchfulness and care must be exercised. In the spring-time, if there be any prospect of nest¬ ing, the male will often hunt any large bird irrespective of species. This year I had to remove a Waxwing, or it would certainly have been killed. Years ago a female was sitting, and whenever she needed a little relaxation or diversion she would emerge and chase my old father Black Lark (O.S. V., p. 170). Even with little birds they may be tempted beyond their strength. One year there was a nestful of young Grey Singing- on the Pied Rock-Thrush. 3i3 Finches, but all were lifted, as I supposed at the time (so my notes tell me) by some odd. Pied Rock-Thrushes. At page 327 of the number for last October, in a foot-note, I mention the behaviour of my present female towards some nesting Cuba Finches. She was not free from suspicion in two previous cases ; but little by little I have cultivated her natural good manners and hope that she is now fairly safe. Anyway this summer, while she was herself nesting and her mate so alert, not six feet away there was bred and successfully reared a little Waxbill, the first of its kind ever bred in this country as I believe. So these Rock- Thrushes are by no means a bad sort 011 the whole. Probably she picked up her evil habits at the dealers’ before she came into my hands. And so of the mouse-killing male referred to by Mr. Meade-Waldo at page 189 of last year. When a dealer has a mouse or a dead bird, it is usually chucked to some bird near by, who thus learns bad ways. When one comes to think of it, this craving is not unnatural. The bird, cut off from suitable food and correctives, swallows these little extras as aids to digestion ; like the captive Cuckoo, of which we read from time to time such remarkable statements, advanced for the purpose of proving its affinity with the hawk. A person who cannot tell a cuckoo from a hawk, on the wing or otherwise, must be a gowk. But to the Cuckoo in captivity as to the Pied Rock-Thrush, a baby canary might often be of real benefit. How some people do wander from the subject in hand ! I can’t understand it. This species is a very free wester in captivity ; and there should not be any difficulty in successfully breeding it where the aviary is sufficiently private and otherwise suitable, and when a plentiful supply of insects can be obtained. If the nesting-box be too exposed the female, at any rate with me, will either not sit or will drop her eggs about anywhere, though even to this rule there comes the exception, as will be seen by and by. With me, the nest has invariably been built in some box fixed up as high as possible, and has been constructed of hay (without mud), only on one occasion rootlets having been added. If the receptacle be large, or not correctly shaped, leaves or rubbish of any kind may be carried to form a foundation for the nest proper. The 3r4 Mr. R. Philupps, male will fly about with hay in his bill, but it is the female who does the work, which with me has always occupied her parts of three days ; and she alone sits on the eggs and young — period of incubation 13, 13^, and 14 days in three cases of which I have notes. The eggs are greenish blue ; I have never seen a spotted egg, but it is said that they sometimes occur ; the number is usually given as 4 or 5, but I fancy that the former is the more common, though I am by no means sure. Nest-building here has generally commenced 011 April 26 or 27, when there has been no disturbance nor undue access of cold weather. I have had three nests of young, and I find that the treat¬ ment by different parents is not uniform on two important points, although the circumstances in 1S99 a,'d 1909 to all outward appearances were identical. I11 1899, the female alone fed the young for the first few days ; this year both fed from the very first day. Again, in 1S99, although I watched the female closely when she flew up to the nest and momentarily paused on a perch outside, I could never detect the presence of food either in bill or pouch, and I formed the conclusion that she fed from the crop. This year, from the very first, both male and female carried the food conspicuously in the bill. I expect that some of these details depend upon the health, strength, and disposition of individual birds, and that they are not stereotyped. As I have already inferred, this species, for a soft-bill, is an easy one to breed. Some one will doubtless say, “ Then why didn’t you breed it sooner?” To this I make answer, “ Cats ! ” Although generally almost exceptionally sharp and intelligent, in the matter of cats the Pied Rock-Thrush is an a — s — s ! The aviary here takes in the entire garden so that I, in the garden, am confined with the birds to the inside, and am unable to get at the outside to put up defences. The cats climb on to the wire¬ netting roof from my neighbours’ trees, and all I can do is to bombard them with stones, as stealthily as may be, from upper windows of the house. Instinct teaches this bird the erroneous doctrine that the cat will attack from the ground, so it nests and roosts at the highest available spot ; all of the nesting-boxes and many high roosting-places are carefully protected and absolutely safe. But the Rock-Thrush roosts in the open, barely a foot on the Pied Rock- Thrush. 315 below the netting, so that he may watch for the enemy, who of course goes straight for him, and off he dashes in the dark full tilt against the wire sides of the aviary, cutting his face, creating a panic, which is only too apt to spread to the sitting female and cause her to leave the nest and disfigure herself in like manner. In 1899, when the nestlings were some ten days old, the female was frightened off her nest in the dark and couldn’t or was too scared to return to it — on the following night I found some five cats rampaging on the top of the aviary. A bitterly cold east wind was blowing, and the nestlings perished in the cold. I11 1900, the female was frightened from the nest when the eggs were on the point of hatching and was afraid to return. I then transferred the pair to the miscellaneous aviary, where there was a very mixed company of doubtful character. To my surprise they went to nest again, and, notwithstanding incessant fighting with other birds, hatched out at least two youngsters. When these were beginning to get their feathers, I found them one morning in the birdroom, over eleven yards from the nest, lying one on the top of the other, dead. Whether it was the parent or some other bird that had carried them thither I know not. In olden days, a German dealer in London used to let us have birds of this species, often birds of the year, in perfect Dlumage, before a feather had been marred. The British dealer of to-day offers the bird for sale after the new flight and tail feathers have been ruined ; so that we have to keep the imperfect creature some ten months before it is in full plumage and fit to be seen, and another eight months or so before the season comes round and we can breed from it. This is what the British trades¬ man calls “business” I suppose. My present male, a tailless flightless creature, reached my hands on September 24, 1906, and the female, a still more miser¬ able specimen, on October 3, 1907, so that the latter, that is, the pair, were not in breeding condition until this spring: comment is superfluous. They were transferred to the reserved aviary on April ir, built a little, were stopped by the inclement weather, but settled down to work in May. But on the night of May 12 — 13 this was Mr. R. Phillipps, 316 stopped by a raid of cats ; the cut faces of both birds were an eyesore all through the subsequent breeding period. On May 19, the female recommenced building, this time in a box that was partially hidden by the top of a lime tree, the shelter of which, continuously on the increase, must have given a sense of security to the sitting bird. For myself, I was a little vicious, and hurled heavy missiles at the invaders during the quiet of the nights and early mornings, one of which, as good fortune would have it, lighting on the head of a large nail in a long sheltering board, not only produced a loud reverberating report but so respectable a flash of fire that the place, at a feline council especially convened to consider the matter, was declared by common consent to be an unhealthy one for cats, and was abandoned for two or three weeks. As usual, the female took parts of three days, 19 — 21, to construct the nest ; and she commenced to sit on the morning of the 26th. On the evening of June 7, I took out mealworms to test the birds, but there was no response. O11 the following morning, about 9.45, I again appeared with mealworms, and was immediate¬ ly assailed by the excited parents. The female frantically seized a mealworm, crunched it up, then a second, a third, a fourth, crunching up each in succession, and then flew off with the four to the nest; again and again she returned to the meal¬ worms, crunching them up and carrying them as before, but not swallowing one. After the hurry and scurry caused by my tardy arrival had subsided, and the birds had settled down to their work, only one mealworm was carried at a time; and it was always held conspicuously in the bill, both by the male and by the female — there was nothing whatever to indicate feeding from the crop : the crunched mealworms were carried up as they were from the very first. Cockroaches, duly prepared, were likewise held openly in the bill. As is customary, the parents were unwilling to carry small insects to their young ; but after a little the female relaxed and took small things, and these she conveyed in the pouch of the throat ; artificial food she carried in the same wajr. At the first, the male betrayed hesitancy and uncertainty on the Pied Rock- 7h? ush. 3i7 about visiting tlie uest, but be soon joined in ; for a day or so, the female resented the intrusion ; and if she had shewn firmness and decision like her predecessor of 1899 I think she would have carried the day ; but a second class bird she was when received, and a second class bird she remains, and she had to give in — to her own undoing as will be seen later ; he was altogether too masterful for her. The devotion of the male to the young, both as feeder and nurse, was pretty to behold but ill-timed and ill-directed. We want our mothers to look after their bairns themselves and not to betray the trust reposed in them ; and little by little this mother gave up work and the father took sole charge. This was unfor¬ tunate, for the mother quickly realised the danger of a mealworm diet and would carry other things, but the male would feed the young on nothing but mealworms. As I have already said, they usually carried but one meal¬ worm at a time. On June 27, the female brought four mealworms to a fledgeling who was on the path in the front. She “ pecked ” at its gaping mouth with caution, so that it might not grab them all at once. At the first peck, the youngster obtained one ; the second was a miss ; at the third, one of the worms fell to the ground ; then came another miss, and at the next two were grabbed and bolted; and lastly the dropped mealworm was picked up and duly delivered. A little later, I saw the male acting in a similar way. Previous to the hatching of the young birds, the parents had been mute, but on and from their introduction into the world the male recommenced to warble. I also noticed that, as the 1899 male had done, he began carrying hay to another box, and before long there was some flirting and pursuing — but of that anon. On the evening of the 20th I felt in the nest-box, and found four nestlings settled down for the night. There was no semblance of a nest — it had been trampled into a platform of hay. The four nestlings were arranged in pairs, with a little space between each, two facing to the front and two the back of the box ; they were then all alive. On the 24th, one was out; on the 25th, a second appeared ; On the Pied Rock- Thrush. 318 the dead bodies of the other two were picked up later. Of the latter, one must have died in the nest, unless it had been carried out prematurely. The other was much better feathered, and may have perished after it had left the nest from the cold and wet ; and this is the more probable as it seems to have come down into some wheat-grass a foot high just before a prolonged downpour of thunder rain ; could it but have reached the path it might have been all right, if we may judge by the survivors who were so strong on their legs. At first it was the custom of the young to squat, face up, on bare ground, from which they were not readily distinguishable; a thousand persons might have passed close by without observing them. The elder bird, a supposed male, was on the wing on the 26th, went to roost on a perch 011 the 28th, and took to the trees on the 30th. The other, a very secretive creature, perhaps a female, was first seen to fly on the 30th. Both love to lie on the corrugated iron roof of a low shed, as it were on a warm rock, basking in the sun. Both have taken to the trees ; an adult bird of this species has never been seen in a tree here; do these youngsters, reared amidst trees, intend to develop into tree- lovers? Books tell us that the Pied Rock-Thrush often rears two broods in the year. As on former occasions, as soon as the young were hatched the male commenced to prepare another box for breeding, which the female often visited and seemed to accept. At one time I thought she must be laying a second clutch, and was not surprised that she should be leaving so much of the feeding of the young to the male. But the pursuit of the female by the male became more and more savage, and at length I could not hide from myself that he was hunting her viciously with intent to murder, and at last, on July 3, with much reluctance, I transferred her to the adjoining aviary. We need not go far to seek for the cause of this change of face. That the birds had arranged for a second brood is clear ; but time had not been standing still, and the season of moult was at hand. Moreover, my notes tell me that the pairs break up pretty soon after this. The female fell into moult rather earlier Townsend' s Flycatcher or Solitaire. 319 than the male and cried “off,” which irritated the latter; and was he not the self-constitnted guardian of the young? She was now a stranger, and must not be allowed to remain in their vicinity and must go, and if she won’t go she must die. It was but a modification of a principle not rare amongst birds. Although he no longer feeds them, the male still plays the part of Defender of the Fledgelings, and is constantly bristling up to the front of the aviary and breathing out threatenings and slaughter through the wire against the female who, sitting but a few inches distant, casts longing eyes towards her offspring, for her maternal instincts would seem to be far from dormant — and thus we must leave them. TOWNSEND’S FLYCATCHER OR SOLITAIRE. (, Myiadestes townsendi). By Hubert D. Astley, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Not much can be said as yet of this decidedly interesting bird, of which I possessed a specimen, now to be seen in the New Bird House at the London Zoological Gardens, where it is, I fancy, new to the collection. His native home, or at any rate, one of them, is California, and he is credited with sweet elarionette-like notes. I believe he is called the clarionette bird by the German ornithologists. In size about that of a lark, perhaps somewhat smaller (comparisons are difficult), with the broad head, short bill and tarsi of the typical Flycatchers. The tail is longisli. His general colour is a rich soft grey, with a gleam of white in the wings, and a ring of the same encircling the eyes. In a cage he is inclined, poor fellow, to sit still for many half hours at a time, because I suppose that if he were at liberty he would fly forth from his perch, catch an insect, and return again. Flycatchers are not hoppers — they dart forth and they glide, so that really our friend from California should not be caged, but placed in a large aviary where his darting and gliding powers may be enjoyed. This Flycatcher — “Solitaire” they call him in his native land — is not difficult to keep, being a great fruit-eater, and fruit 320 On Townsend' s Flycatcher or Solitaire. nowadays is as easy to obtain as canary seed, besides which, he can do on good, insectivorous food. With me he became very tame, and would eagerly seize a morsel of grape from my fingers. When let out in the bird-room, he would pounce down — hawk-like — upon a mealworm or cockroach, carry it up to his watching-post, knock it well on the head against his perch, and swallow it. When he first came into my possession, his plumage was decidedly “ shantantery ” (I think that describes it) but he moulted splendidly, and being one who loves his matutinal dip, was sleek and shiny, but the feathers are very soft and with handling would easily be dislodged. Sometimes — only sometimes — he sang, but I do not. suppose that he ever sang his loudest and fullest. The notes were sweet, very sweet, what few there were, but probably even when he sings his best in his native land, they do not equal in brillaucy Nesting of the Rufous- backed Mannikin. 321 those of the Mazatlan Solitaire ( Myadestes obscurus occidentalis') of Mexico, about which Mr. C. William Beebe writes so charmingly in his interesting book — “Two Bird-lovers in Mexico” — which I recommend to all aviculturists. He says — “Without warning, from the green depths at “ one side, there came several notes, creaky and harsh in tone, “ and suddenly these seemed to melt and run together into a “volume of marvellous sweetness .... excelling the songs “ of all other birds in depth of feeling and sweetness. It was “ the mystery and beauty of these tropical ravines embodied in “song. Such was the song of the Solitaire, one of the marvels “ of Mexico, for which we had hoped. It came and died away “ before we had realized what we had heard . “ .... It was a song impossible to describe — a gradually “ ascending strain of interlacing, silvery notes, the tinkling “ melody rising, as rises the sound of a crystal vessel filling with “ water .... Now and then he plucked a small berry from a “ twig near him, but his song grew no less clear, as he uttered it “again and again.” Townsend’s Solitaire is a bird which at once attracts attention in a collection, for he is so unlike anything that English eyes have ever seen, albeit so soberly dressed. His chief beauty is in his eyes, which are particularly large and lustrous. NESTING OF THE RUFOUS-BACKED MANNIKIN ( Spermestes nigriceps). By W. E. Teschemaker, B.A. The first young bird successfully reared in my aviaries this season was a Cape Dove and, after taking two seasons to breed this species and having at last succeeded, I was unlucky to come across by pure chance an instance of its having been bred once before. This was in April. In the first week of May two S. nigriceps left the nest. I quite think that I bred this species in May, 1907, at which date I saw a fine young bird flying, but it was not independent. I was then laid up by an illness and, two months later, when I looked for it, it could not be found. 322 On the Nesting of the Rufous-backed Mannikin. Early in 1907 a small consignment of this species reached this country and were sold for rather a high figure. I have since, however, seen it stated that years ago it used to be regularly imported and sold for a few shillings a pair. There seems to have been a sort of “ Golden Age” of aviculture when rare and interesting species could be picked up quite cheaply in the Loudon bird-shops. It must certainly have been long before my time for, goodness knows, it is difficult enough now to come across anything of any interest at a moderate price or indeed at any price. The Rufous-backed Mannikin appears to be quite well known to the Kaffir “ boys,” by whom it is called the “ Zanzibar fret,” to distinguish it from the Bronze Mannikin or “fret,” and there is no reason why it should not be imported in numbers. In 190S I had one male and two females, but for some obscure reason I had 110 eggs from them. Early this year Mr. Hamlyn imported over a score, from which I selected another male, and this summer I have had several nests and altogether seven young, all of which are now doing well. The eggs are pure white and as small as those of some species of Humming-birds. One now in my cabinet measures *50 by *31. The young when they leave the nest are dull brown on the back and greyish on the breast, merging into dirty white on the abdomen, beak almost black. I have before now called attention in our Magazine to the startling changes of colour that some of the Mannikins undergo during the three or four weeks subsequent to leaving the nest, and one could hardly find a better instance than S. nigriceps. The adult is bright rufous 011 the back, black 011 head and throat, pure white on chest and abdomen, flank feathers black tipped with white, primaries speckled with white. It will thus be seen that the young bird has to accomplish a complete moult or change of colour of every feather — and this is done in the short space of one month ! I made the following notes of one particular bird: — July 8. “ Left nest. ,, 19. “Almost white on abdomen and under tail coverts. ,, 24. “ Has all throat black, with clearly marked margin, and some black feathers 011 crown. 323 Nesting of the Magpie Tanager. July 28. “ Flank feathers appearing. Aug. 1. “ Rufous on back ; completed moult except spots on wings. ,, 10. “ Quite in full colour.” It is curious that Mr. Hatnlyn had several individuals in immature plumage which seemed to change quite slowly, but I take it that in their case the moult had been arrested by the change of climate. Unfortunately I have not at the moment completed my notes on the change of colour. The fact is I have had several species nesting this season which have occupied every moment of my spare time and I have not been able to give the less interesting species the attention they deserve. All that I can definitely say is that the feathers of the head and throat are com¬ pletely shed and replaced, and that the flank feathers can be seen coming down. I have now brought a later brood into the house to see how the change of colour of the back, abdomen, aud es¬ pecially of the primaries is accomplished. When the adults go out of colour I have noticed that the white tips of the flank feathers are broken or worn off, so that the sides of the breast are at this period completely black. Altogether this little species is quite an interesting one, and its changes of plumage are well worthy of careful study. NESTING OF THE MAGPIE TANAGER. Cissopis leveriana. By Hubert D. Astlry, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Certainly there are grievous disappointments in aviculture, and they have to be borne philosophically, otherwise one would be a burden to oneself and to others! In the early days of July, in spite of the wretchedly cold and wet weather, my pair 6f Magpie Tanagers commenced to build a nest in the small aviary where they are. On the exposed summit of a box bush it was placed, and was composed of heather- twigs as a foundation, with an addition of dead leaves and fresh bamboo leaves, and finally lined with hay. On the 14th and the 16th of July respectively, two eggs were laid. These eggs were 324 On the Nesting of the Magpie Tanager , very handsome, of the size of a Hawfinch’s, in colour a deep cream, thickly spotted with rufous brown, a broad zone of the same around the larger end. They were long in shape. O11 the 30th of July one young one was hatched, the other egg, which disappeared two days afterwards, having failed to hatch. The young bird was fed upon banana and grapes, and throve for four days. Then it completely disappeared! and a medal with it!! for I do not think that these Tanagers have ever been known to breed in captivity in Europe. Their nesting was extremely unexpected, for I had only possessed them about three weeks, and they were very shy at first, and even now are anything but tame. I11 the same aviary were two of my beautiful little North American Hermit Thrushes, a hen Blue Bird, and a Gardener Bower Bird, as well as a pair of Malayan Fairy Blue Birds — a collection of rarities. When the poor little Blue Bird (American) was found dead with her head knocked in, I suspected the Tanagers, which were then commencing to nest. For one thing they look savage, with their clear and brilliantly yellow eyes. When a few days after¬ wards I found both the Hermit Thrushes dead and mangled, I was in despair. All had been peace hitherto. The Fairy Blue Birds (Ire?ia cyanea ) kept in the roosting- house, and no one seemed to pay them any attention. Then one morning the female was found with her neck all but dislocated, and unable to hold her head up, so that she had to be fed by hand for at least three weeks : and her mate was removed. There remained only the pair of the Magpie Tanagers and the Gardener Bower Bird ( Amblyornis stibalaris ). This individual generally made its appearance only in the early morning and evening, sitting during most of the day in the roosting-house, concealed amongst the branches of Scotch fir. On the fifth day of the young Magpie Tanager’s existence I looked into the nest to see how its inmate was progressing, and behold the house was empty ! ! If the culprit was not a mouse, it was the Gardener Bower Bird. That individual has been removed, and it is to be hoped the Magpie Tanagers will again nest before the cold autumn days are with us. Morality in Birds. 325 These Tanagers are very fine showy birds of the size of a lark, with long tails. Their general colouring may be roughly compared with that of a Magpie, and the gloss on their heads and neck is most beautiful, with the gleaming yellow eyes showing conspicuously against the blue-black of the surrounding feathers. It is a rare thing to obtain a true pair, so that it is much to be hoped their next efforts at reproducing their kind will be suc¬ cessful. It would in part atone for the anxiety one has gone through, and the losses one has suffered. MORALITY IN BIRDS. By Dr. A. G. Butler. As we understand it, I believe birds are wholly deficient in moral sense: they murder one another for the pure joy of showing their power; and the screams of their victims, I verily believe, give them pleasure ; they are utterly reckless as regards the choice of mates, with one exception ; and that, so far as my experience has shown me, is a peculiarity confined to the female sex. At the same time, as is well known, many birds mate for life and are faithful to their partners. Touching the choice of mates, a male bird will often voluntarily ignore the presence of females of his own species, and select a partner belonging to another species: it is owing to this fact that one sometimes meets with wild hybrids such as those between the Linnet and Greenfinch, which are not rare ; and it is well-known that most of the hybrids produced in aviaries between foreign finches are the result of voluntary selection on the part of the parents. When two species are put together, with a view to breeding hybrids, in a large flight- cage, the result is usually a disappointment. I know, because I have tried it repeatedly and have hardly ever been successful excepting when the depraved domesticated Canary has been the mother. When no examples of the same species are present, male birds will sometimes attempt to mate with hens of different families and even orders, as I pointed out many years ago in the case of a Rosella Parrakeet which tried most earnestly to win 326 Dr. A. G. Butler, the affections of a hen Red-crested Cardinal; and of a Passerine Dove, which so tormented a hen Zebra-finch with his attentions that I had to remove it to an aviary, where it immediately trans¬ ferred its affections to a hen Bronze- winged Pigeon, to which it has remained constant to the present day ; lastly a cock Grenadier Weaver has, for two years, paid constant court to a cock Senegal Dove, evidently not discerning its sex. But, whereas male birds are totally deficient in selective sense and seem to care very little what mate they secure, so long as they are not doomed to a celibate life, female birds undoubtedly exercise choice and refuse to accept husbands which are un¬ pleasing to them. Nor is it only in birds that one may observe the process of selection in relation to sex, for with the common white Cabbage Butterfly ( Ganoris rupee) I have seen a female refuse four males in succession and at once accept the fifth ; proving that the assumption that insects (let alone birds) are not intelligent enough to have any choice in the selection of mates is a fallacy. The disputes over hen Sparrows and the choice by the hen of a favoured mate may be witnessed by any¬ one possessing a garden, every spring ; nor is the chosen one always the most brightly coloured, so that it may be that, in this species, the most courageous suitor is selected. In domesticated birds like the Canary, I believe it is possible to pair up males and females as one pleases, and (with a few exceptions), what man selects the birds accept ; but with species as occurring in nature this appears not to be the case. Doubtless it is the rule, where no adverse influence intervenes to check the tendenc}', for brothers and sisters to mate ; and I have noticed, as probably others have done, that since the enforcement of the Wild Birds Protection Acts there has been a considerable increase in the number of wild pied and albino birds, as a natural result of the uninterrupted inbreeding which must have followed, where whole families have been preserved to carry on the species. Such wholesale protection must eventually interfere materially with the productiveness of our native birds ; for it must be borne in mind that predatory birds have been thinned out by game-preservers and poultry-farmers to such an extent that their influence in breaking up families of youngsters on Morality in Birds. 327 has become insignificant; nor does the domestic cat have much effect in checking the inbreeding of birds from the same nest, for when she discovers a nest of young birds she kills the whole of them, but rarely eats any. Now although, as I have said already, male birds are per¬ fectly willing to accept any female as a wife, no matter what relationship she may bear to them, I have had strong evidence in the past few years that the hens are by no means so complacent, and that a mother resents all amatory advances by her son, as also a daughter does from her father. In February 1906 I purchased what looked like a very fine pair of Red-headed Gouldian Finches, both sexes with the scarlet extending over the crown, lores, cheeks, and ear-coverts, and I hoped to have bred from this pair a fine family of Poephila mirabilis. I was not then aware that the hen only attains to the colouring of the cock, as regards the amount of red on the face, in old age. Both were old birds and, though in excellent health up to the daj^ before their death, the hen died on May 2nd and the cock two days later. I therefore had to breed with a hen P. mirabilis which in 1905 had shown just a trace of red on the head, but which had produced a male youngster with the full colouring of the Red¬ headed variety ; she had a little more red on her face in 1906, and still more in 1907, when the Black-headed husband was foolish enough to break his wing and die. I11 1908, when the amount of red on the head of the female was quite respectable, it occurred to me to see whether she would breed with the son born in 1905 ; I therefore turned them out together. However whenever the male bird attempted any flirtation with his mother, she flew at him, pecked him viciously and chased him to the other end of the aviary : I kept them outside until after the commencement of the early frosts, but without result, and the hen died in January 1909. In 1905 I bred one female hybrid between the Grey-winged * Ouzel and hen English Blackbird, and this bird (together with one of the cocks bred in 1906) I retained. In 1909 I thought I would see whether, by pairing up this female with her father, I could get young reverting to Morula boulboul. I gave them a small aviary to themselves, hung up a large nest -box in one 328 On Morality in Birds. corner, and, when I saw the cock bird carrying hay into the box and the hen sufficiently interested to go up and inspect his work, I thought I was in a fair way to attain success. I soon discovered, as Morula boulboul did, that the hen was only laughing at us; for no sooner did her father attempt to chase her, than she stood her ground and brought him to a sense of his wrong-doing : she would not even let him feed until she was satisfied, and it was only at the middle of July that he recovered sufficient courage to defend himself. I came down one morning and found th._ aviary a perfect litter of feathers, and it was easy to see that the hen was the sufferer : he has vindicated his position as parent and with that he now seems content. In 1908 I bred two Diamond Doves, of which only one lived and that a male. When in 1909 I caught up my examples of this species in order to turn out a pair for breeding, I selected the larger male, under the impression that it was sure to be the father, and I turned it out with the hen. From the first she attacked this male whenever he began to coo to her, pulling out his feathers wholesale. However, as is usually the case when two Doves are kept together (even when both are hens) she laid, and he sat so steadily that for some time I thought he was dead ; the eggs, however, were of course not fertile, and eventually he came off and recommenced his pursuit of the hen. She was more furious than ever and persecuted him so persistently that I was not surprised when, one morning,. I found him dead on the floor of the aviary. His coo was very weak compared with that of the other male bird, and I do not doubt that I inadvertently paired up mother and son with disastrous results. Touching the question of vieum and tuum we all know that birds have no conscience ; they rob one another whenever the chance offers, and believe to the full in the doctrine of the survival of the fittest. They do, however, sometimes seem to be ^ compassionate towards young birds left orphans, for I have known a Robin to help to rear young Thrushes when a cat had killed her own young and one of the parent Thrushes had been shot ; yet it is probable that this was only a way in which the arrested feeding-fever was working itself out, and no more credit¬ able than is the love of female children for dolls. Aviculture at the Zoo. 329 If, therefore, there is any moral sense in birds, it would seem to be limited to the female sex, and as a guard against pairing between parent and child : however, as I have only three instances to bring forward as evidence, it cannot be assumed that this is a general law among cage-birds until many more proofs have been brought to light. In the case of fanciers’ birds — Canaries, poultry, pigeons, and even Barbary Doves, I have little doubt that all moral sense is lacking, owing to man’s constant supervision, high feeding, and other things which encourage an unnatural condition ; all experiments, therefore should be con¬ ducted with birds which retain their wild character and have not been long under man’s care. AVICULTURE AT THE ZOO. By Frank Finn. The most notable additions to the collection during the past month, as far as size and imposing appearance go, are a fine pair of Goliath Herons ( Ardea goliath ) — a species which has only once before been in the collection, though this identical pair are actually captive-bred, from parents kept in the Amsterdam Zoo¬ logical Gardens. This species, which is African, is the largest of the herons, and the Zoo specimens look about twice as large as the common herons which are also in the Gulls’ aviary, where the new comers have been placed. In colour this species more resembles the Purple Heron ( A . purpurea') than the common heron, having much of a vinous maroon hue on the neck and underparts. Mr. A. Pam has presented a fine consignment of birds from Venezuela, including a specimen of the curious Helmeted Curassow ( Pauxis galeata) which is remarkable for having a blue excrescence, much like an oval blue pebble, on its red bill. It has been in the collection before, but not often. A novelty in this Venezuelan collection is the Rustic Tyrant ( Elainea pagajia ), a very humble-looking little olive- brown bird with two light markings on the wings, much like the colouring of our hen Chaffinch, but of interest as representing a very widely-spread and numerous American group, the members 330 Mr. Frank Finn, of which are but very rarely imported, though the large Sulphury Tyrant used to be fairly common, and some of this species have come into the trade again of late. Another is the Grey-backed Ouzel ( Merula carbonaria), which resembles a small blackbird with a grey back and the legs yellow as well as the bill. Mr. W. Frost has returned from the Aru Islands, with 50 Greater Birds of Paradise (. Paradisea apoda) collected, with other specimens, for Sir William Ingram. These have remained at Southampton, as it is intended to send them to Sir William’s estates in Trinidad for liberation, but two fine males, an adult and a young bird, are on deposit at Regent’s Park, together with the rest of the collection, which includes some very good things. Especially notable is a Flame - breasted Flower - pecker (. Dicaeum ignicolle ) from Aru, a minute creature, blue black above and cream-coloured below, with a wash of orange-red on the breast. This species is new to the collection, as also appear to be two Honey-eaters as yet undetermined. Another charming novelty is a tiny Fruit Pigeon, the Eilac-crowned ( Ptilopus coronulatus), not larger than a Thrush, and having green for its prevailing colour. STRAY NOTES ON INDIAN BIRDS. By Frank Finn. ( Co?iti?iued ft om page 301). Himalayan Goldfinch. Carduelis caniceps. This specimen was seldom to be had in the Calcutta Bazaar in my time ; but on one occasion a number were on sale, and I sent some to the Rondon Zoo ; these were, I believe, the first to reach England alive. Eastern Rinnet. A cant his fringillirostris. This race — I cannot see that it deserves to be called a species — has dark brown legs and bluish bill like our Rinnet ; it also loses the red in captivity in India, as our bird does here. The Himalayan Greenfinch. Hypaca?ithis spinoides. I found the bird common at Darjeeling in April, 1898, going in flocks. Stray Notes on Indian Birds. 33i Yellow-throated Sparrow. Gymnorhis flavicollis. Oates says about the bird that “ its affinities for the Sparrows are not very great.” I have only studied it in captivity, but from what I saw of it I should call it a most obvious Sparrow. Tree- Sparrow. Passer montanus. This bird takes the place of the House-Sparrow in Darjeeling ; in Mussoorie I found no Sparrows at all, though the House-Mynah ( Acridotheres tristis ) was there. Large Pied Wagtail. Motacilla maderaspatensis. This is given in the “ Fauna ” as a permanent resident throughout India, I only once saw one at Calcutta, in winter. Grey Wagtail. Motacilla melanope. A specimen with the two inner tertiaries white, forming a V when the wings were closed, appeared in the Indian Museum grounds for at least three winters consecutively. On February 16th, 1902, I saw a similar one by the Rhinoceros tank in the Calcutta Zoo ; I had previously seen what I took to be the original bird by the Museum poud. Crested Lark. Galerita cristata. Oates gives the bill of this bird as yellowish ; I have found it horny blue. Specimens I bought were much infested with ticks, though I never found these vermin on any other birds. Fulvous-breasted Pied Woodpecker. Dendrocopus macii. Some nestlings I kept were plantigrade, and readily ran backwards ; they had a warty pad on the hocks. They were very tame. Golden-backed Woodpecker. Brachyptemus aurantius. The young of this bird, like the last, are plantigrade, with a warty heel-pad. The barbs on the horny tip of the tongue are not developed by the time the feathers are showing. These young have the white underparts tinged with yellow, and the feet leaden blue, not dark green as Blanford gives them, pre¬ sumably for the adult. Young females, as Blanford says, usually want the white spots on the forehead, this being plain black ; but in July, 1906, I got one which had the spots — another 232 Stray Notes on Indian Birds. case of “ skipping ” the young plumage. These birds are easy to rear and very tameable, but very pugnacious at times with each other. The fourth toe is reversible, and will come sideways or even forwards when the bird is climbing ; I have noted this also in other Woodpeckers. Beue-THROATED Barbet. Cyanops asiatica. The young of this species begin to call while yet nest¬ lings ; the throat swells when they are calling, and the call, as I have observed in these young birds, is kept up for hours. The young fight much with each other, but adults are the least quarrelsome of all Indian Barbets I have seen. Crimson-breasted Barbet. Xantholaema haematocephala. The young want the black on the head as well as the crimson. They have the bill pale at base, orbital skin livid fleshy instead of red, and legs also dull fleshy. One I kept began calling before the tail was full grown. I have reared both this species and the last on banana only. Correction. — I see in my last month’s notes that I gave the date of my meeting with a specimen of the Claret Finch as 1892 ; it should be 1902. (To be continued). OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1909-10. The Council recommend, in accordance with Rule 9, that Miss D. Hamilton and Mr. B. C. Thomasset should retire from that body by seniority, and that Messrs. E. J. Brook and D. Seth- Smith should be elected in their places; also that Mr. W. P. Ogilvie-Grant be elected as Auditor, and Mr. Arthur Gill is Scrutineer. Correspondence. 333 CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. THE ORANGE-HEADED GROUND THRUSH (GEOCICHLA CITRINA) AS AN AVIARY BIRD. Sir, — In answer to Miss Hawke’s enquiry, it seems to me that these Thrushes are very fairly hardy when once acclimatized. A pair lived in one of my aviaries all through last winter, and remained a great deal out of doors, although by flying through the open window into the roosting-house, where there are hot pipes, they could find a warmer temperature. Of course they require plenty of shelter in the shape of fir-branches, or living shrubs, etc. They are most beautiful songsters. They require a good insectivorous food, and are all the better for tit-bits in the way of fruit, cockroaches, etc. They are very fond of cut-up grapes. Timid at first, they gradually quiet down and finall}' become quite bold, as can be seen in the specimens in the Western Avaries at the London Zoological Gardens. I have two true pairs and an odd male. The hens are not so easy to obtain. HUBERT D. ASTLEY. SEESEE PARTRIDGES. Sir, — In your last issue Mr. Ogilvie-Grant calls in question some remarks of mine re the Egyptian form of Hey’s Partridge. For the benefit of other systematists, who may be working on the group, the facts are these : A. cholmleyi, which was described from near Suakim, differs from A. heyi in lacking the white forehead and lores and in being much darker on the head, mantle and breast. Specimens from the Mokattam Hills, near Cairo, resemble A. ehohnleyi in the absence of the white on the forehead and lores, but in other respects they are indistinguishable from A. heyi. A careful examination of \ series of the latter from Palestine and Arabia shows the amount of ■Hie white to be variable, and in one specimen from Palestine the white yas entirely absent and this specimen was indistinguishable from Cairo xamples. Under these circumstances there is no alternative but to consider specimens from the Mokattam Hills as A. heyi, with which they agree in general colour and more nearly approach geographically. J. L. BonhoYE. 334 Correspondence. BREEDING OF GREY-WINGED OUZELS. Sir, — At the third attempt I have succeeded in rearing two young Grey-wings to maturity. The Zoo. have also succeeded in rearing two young of this species at the second attempt, which however flew two days later than my brood. It may be of interest if I note one or two details : ist Attempt : A typical nest of mud and bents was constructed on a shelf in the inner compartment of their aviary. This nest was fully completed but not used ; a second nest was constructed, not anything like so substantial as the first, in a parrakeet nest-box — three young were hatched out, one was thrown out when three days old, the second lived to age of ten days, the third died two days later. Though they had access to soft food, milk sop, ripe fruit in variety and adlib., and meat and preserved egg were also supplied, they would take none. They only fed with live food — though eating heartily of fruit and soft food, they refused to feed with same. 2nd Attempt : Similar to above, nest was constructed in a box hung up for Cardinals, two young were hatched out, but were deserted at the age of ten days. . . . My business engagements were such at the time, that I could not be at hand every hour to supply live food — had they got some live food every hour they may very probably have supplemented this with artificial food and success have been obtained. In an aviary containing a mixed series, an unlimited supply of live food is a practical impossibility. 3rd Attempt : The nest used for the second attempt was repaired, a clutch of three eggs laid, of which they hatched out two ; I made provision for them to have a supply of live food every hour and there was no check ; the young left the nest when seventeen days old and are now independent. They were reared on earthworms, mealworms, shelled snails, and any beetles, spiders, caterpillars, etc., that the garden produced. I have noted the following : The young do not resemble the adult female. The sexes can be distinguished in the nestling plumage. This is the first time this species has been bred in this country. Weseey T. Page. BREEDING BLUE GROSBEAK, BLACKCAP, ETC. Sir, — I should esteem it a great favour if any of our members who may know of any previous instance of the breeding of the following species would kindly let me have a post card to that effect, which course will save me the trouble of writing accounts : — Blue Grosbeak, Blackcap, Sulphury Seedeater, Grey-headed Sparrow (P. diffusus) and Red-wliiskered Bulbul. Ringmore, Teignmouth. W. E. Teschemaker. Avicultural Magazine. From “ Ornithological and other Oddities.” Correspondence. 335 SEXUAL SELECTION IN BIRDS. Sir, — Mr. Pocock’s interesting article in our August number prompts me to offer a few remarks in answer, or in supplement. There should be no difficulty in reconciling Darwin’s theory — that ornaments in male birds have become developed through selection by the females — with the generally observed indifference the female shows to the courtship display of the male. Darwin’s theory need not and cannot be taken as the only and final ex¬ planation of ornamental development. Otherwise, one might ask, has no selection been allowed the males, and is the uniformly sober garb of the hens the expression of the male taste in mating? The necessity of being beautiful and the striving towards beauty which all facts in Nature underlie is nowhere more marked than in the form and colour of birds. “ If eyes were made for seeing, Then beauty is its own excuse for being.” Female preference would seem only an assistant factor, not the primary cause, of the end in view ; other causes act and react. The most beautiful males are probably also the most vigorous; hence the most likely to drive off rivals and to emphasize their points on their progeny in the long run. The objection that sometimes a more beautiful male is observed to be rejected in favour of a less beautiful one, might be met by the reminder that the brightest coloured individuals of a species are invariably old males, which conceivably might not always be the most tireless in the strenuous competition for the hens, and so may, on occasion, get left behind. This would be the rule-proving exception. It seems more than probable that the indifference of the hens to the display of the cocks is only a seeming one — Mr. Pocock admits the possi¬ bility of this. Beyond the fact that throughout the animal kingdom, in the drama of pairing, an active role is assigned the male, a passive role the female, there is another premiss, namely, that the former’s part is essentially objective, the latter’s subjective. Allow for female coyness, another natural phenomenon, and the indifference becomes transparent. Will not Mr. Pocock’s difficulty, that birds as well as mammals have their likes and dislikes in the matter of mating, vanish before a statement of the great natural law, that like will draw to like? With reference to the occasional display of a male when no hens are about, is this more remarkable than that song birds should habitually sing when alone ? It may be a rehearsal ; it may be a challenge to a rival ; it may be a spontaneous expression of the bird’s pent-up feelings. All birds pose, during courtship, whether the sexes are alike or not. Who has not smiled at the amorous cock sparrow (and been reminded of gestures sometimes witnessed in human society) with his grotesque hopping and chirping and wing-trailing and tail-cocking around his fair one ? A 336 Correspondence. starling never sings without displaying or posing, and he sings at any time of year. The soaring of the skylark or tree pipit is a display, and not one made exclusively in wooing; but instead of being a grotesque, it is a graceful display, like the aerial gyrations of the diurnal raptores, and of storks and others. G. A. Momber. A CONSIGNMENT OF NEW GUINEA RARITIES., Sir, — I write to let you know that Mr. Goodfellow has returned from New Guinea with the following, which are now in my aviaries in good condition. 1 pair 3 S 2 ? 3 i 4 ? i _ Whydahs, 10/- ; Weavers and Whydahs in full colour. Aii a..- except Mealv Rosellas, Manv-colour, and Love-birds, are in unheated aviaries ; the others have artificial heat in winter. Am going abroad early November. K. Cookson, Oakwood, Wylaui, Northumberland. Three fine young Red-capped (Pileated) Parrakeets ( Porphyrocephalus spurius), first to be hatched in Europe, born in June of this year; also a hybrid Stanlev-Rosella (var. splendid) beautiful bird, same age as above. A fine adult Crimson-wing Parrakeet, fully acclimatized from cold aviary. A magnificent Cuban red-legged Thrush ( Mimo - cichla rnbripes) very tame. Must part with these; overstocked. Hubert D. Asti.ey, Benham-Valence, Newbury, Berks. A supeilative Grey Parrot, finger-tame, an excellent talker and very quick learner, £7 7/-; only sold because it wants more petting than owner has time to give it. Presumablv a male. Hon. and Rev. Canon Dutton, Bibury Vicarage, Fairford. Lesser -Lemon-crested Cockatoo, excellent talker and mimic, extremely tame and amusing, £$ 10/- ; cock Pekin Robin, good songster, 10/- ; cock Ruficauda 10/- ; Orange Weaver (brilliant colour) 7/6; lieu Pink¬ billed Weaver 5/-. The above in excellent condition from outdoor aviary. Miss Lasceedes, Lyndhurst, Hants. For Exchange : Eight pairs full-grown Yellow Budgerigars, outdoor aviary. Hon. Lady Harvey, Langley Park, Slough. Aviary bred Black-cheeked Lovebirds, 20/- each; pair Yellow .Sparrows (Passer luteus), 25/-; female large Whydah (? Long-tailed). 10/-. Phieeippk, 26, Cromwell Grove, Hammersmith. Doves, Violet (or White-fronted) Aurita, White-winged ; hen Red Mountain Dove; all at low prices as room is wanted. Miss R. Ai.derson, Park House, Worksop, Notts. JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. TROWER & CO.. WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS, 442, 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 Palaoe and other Shows. PRICE LIST. SAMPLES FREE. Mealworms, Ants’ Eggs, Dried Flies, etc., of the finest quality. SPECIALITIES, “ CECTO,” the best Insectivorous Food on the Market, 1/4 per lb. Ground Silk Worm Pupae, imported at frequent intervals from Italy. NEW SERIES. Vol. VII. No. 12. The price of this OCTOBER, 1909» number is ^s. 6d- Members’ Annual Subscription, 10/-; payable in advance. THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. •-Cn'CONTENTS.^5 Report of the Council for the Year 1908-9 Alphabetical List of Contributors... List of Plates Illustrations in Text ... kevaillant's Barbet, by Major B. R. Horsbrugh . Breeding; of the Blue-breasted Waxbill hy Reginald Phili.ipps The Breeding- of White-crested Touracos, by Hubrrt D. Astley Stray Notes 011 Indian Birds, by Frank Finn Nesting of the Blue-winged Grass Parrakeet, by W. A. Fasey Aviculture at the Zoo, by Frank Finn . Colour of Redpolls in Confinement, by H. Wokmald . Nesting of Jerdon’s Accentor, by W. E. Tkschkmaker, B.A. ... A Notable Importation, by Frank Finn . Correspondence, Notes, etc.: Our Illustrations, 363 ; A remarkable Family of Blackbirds, 363 j Breeding of Pileated Parrakeets, 364 ; Albinistic Variations in the Melba Waxbill (Pytelia melba ) and Zebra Finch ( Taeniopygia castanotis) 364 vi. xi. xii. 337 339 350 352 357 35« 359 359 362 □r Q LONDON 1 R. H. PORTER, 7, Princes St., Cavendish Square, W. NOTE — A new volume commences every November. Mr. R. I. POCOCK. ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. REGENT’S PARK. LONDON. n. fc. CS All Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Seoretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the Avicul'x'URAT. Society are requested to communicate witli either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. 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THE 337 Hvtcultural fllbagastne, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. New Series— VO L. VII. — NO. 12. — All rights reserved. OCTOBER, 1909. LEVAILLANT’S BARBET. Trachyphonus cafer. By Major B. R. Horsbrugh. This fine Barbet is common in the Rustenburg district of the Transvaal. I have only been in Rustenburg a few times, and then had no time for ornithology, and consequently saw this species but once. Residents, however, told me it was abundant at certain seasons, especially when the grapes were ripe and that it was most destructive to fruit crops, and this I can well believe, as it is both large and greedy. It has been recorded from Natal, Rydenburg, Bechuanaland, Rhodesia and Portuguese East Africa. According to Shelley, this genus contains four species, but the present is the sole S. African representative, and a very beautiful one it is. There are two of these birds in the huge flying aviary in Pretoria and I had often admired and coveted them, but in spite of all enquiries I could never hear of any being offered for sale. My joy was great, therefore, when, looking in at the window of a small bird-dealer’s in Johannesburg, I saw two young ones. I went in and was promptly told that the two young Woodpeckers —all Barbets are called Woodpeckers in S. Africa— were going to be sent on approval to somebody living in the country ; but I left the shop with them in a small cage. They had been hand- reared by a Boer woman, and were dirty and thin and in wretched plumage, which was not to be wondered at, as they had been fed 33§ On Levaillant’’ s Barbet. on rotten peaches only. A bath and a good feed of live locusts, white ants and grapes made them look different birds. They were fairly tame and would take an insect from the hand with a stealthy, Jay-like action ; and as a rule, after insects, they burst into their very loud and peculiar note, which sounded something like a hollow rattle and something like an alarum clock. This was the song of thanks or joy. They had another squeaking rattle when they saw strange dogs, and especially when they saw their hated enemy, Timothy the Suricate. Timothy, poor fellow, never bothered his head about them except to steal their locusts or mealworms if he got the chance, but as long as he was in sight they kept up their squealing rattle. They were perfectly easy to feed and keep, but I found them dangerous in a mixed aviary, and when I put a Meyer’s Parrot in their large cage they would have killed him very quickly had I not been watching. I fed them on white ants and any living insects, fruit of all descriptions (they liked banana best) and occasionally a little chopped cooked meat. They are most susceptible to cold, and in winter I brought them in at night, but all day they had the benefit of a sheltered verandah and the warm South African sun. They always let one know when they thought it time for bed b}' calling vigorously. I had great difficulty in bringing them home, as they felt the cold so much that I thought I should lose them. However, I got them stowed in a room near the boilers as soon as we reached Pas Palmas, and after that they did well ; and as an electric bulb was glowing permanently within a foot of their cage they fed night and day. I have no aviaries and parted with one specimen to Mr. Astley, and with the other to the Zoo, where it can be seen in the Small Bird House next to an Indian Blue-throated Barbet. [This is, so far as I am aware, the first appearance of this species in British aviculture. — Rd.] Breeding of the Blue-breasted Waxbill. 339 BREEDING OF THE BLUE-BREASTED WAXBILL. Estrilda angolensis. Cat. Birds Brit. Mils. XIII., p. 402. A vie. Mag. N.S. I., p. 120. Stark’s Birds of South Africa , I., p. 102. By Reginald Phillipps In 1902, when I took up my pen to write about this ■species, it was accounted rare. In 1909, when I take up my pen once more with a like purpose, it is accounted common ; thus turns the avicultural wheel. But though it may now be moder¬ ately common, and although it may be well known to many of our readers, I have not yet seen an announcement of the success¬ ful breeding in this country of the Blue-breasted Waxbill. There are hindrances over here to the breeding of this •charming little bird, to some of which I may refer. At certain times or seasons, it may be easy to sex correctly a couple of these Waxbills; at other times or seasons, it may be quite as easy to sex them incorrectly. One cannot sex them by their head, one cannot sex them by their tail ; one cannot sex them by the shape of the beak, nor yet can one invariably sex them by the depth of the blue in the plumage. One can some¬ times sex them by the width of the light drab stripe down the centre of the abdomen, but by no means always. One cannot be sure that a male will play or sing even to his own particular female, though one can generally be sure that if you give him the wrong one when his favourite is within hail he will make things unpleasant for the former, and thus lead you to suppose that she too is a male. The size may often be a guide ; but a first-class female may be a better bird than an ordinary male. And it is not an uncommon circumstance for a solitary female to sing. Altogether, this little Waxbill can be exceedingly provoking in the matter of sex. Having caught your hare, I mean your pair, you will find that, do what you will, some of these birds will want to go to nest in the winter or early spring, and, unless you take care, will spoil themselves for successful breeding before the warm weather sets in. 340 Mr. R. Phillipps, And when you have your nest, and you have your eggs in the nest, and you look for fertile eggs, and, behold, clear eggs. Or it may be that you have your nest and your fertile eggs, and your birds are sitting as tight as wax, and you look for chicks, and you have your chicks — dead chicks in the shell. I think that our cold climate and dry east winds have much to do with the failure in these cases. And when your birds are placed in the natural garden aviary, they will nest in the open, in some bushy tree top from preference; and the rains descend and the winds blow — and you are more likely to decrease than to multiply the number of your Blue-breasted Waxbills. And when all is progressing favourably, and you have as nice a brood of nestlings as ever were hatched — then comes the most unkindest cut of all. But here I had better quote Stark,, lest I speak unadvisedly with my lips: — “Although the adults appear to subsist entirely on grass-seeds, the young, before they leave the nest, are fed on small grubs and insects .” The italics are mine; if Stark had ever had to rear a brood, he would have used capitals ! ! ! I began life last winter season with five Blue-breasted Waxbills. Of these, two paired up in mid-November ; and all through the winter they were a nuisance. If separated, they moped and pined away as if they would die; if placed together,, even in a flight cage with several other birds, they plucked one another’s heads and necks bare. These were Jacob and his be¬ loved Rachel. Of the others, two appeared to be males, and looked as clear-cut rakish-looking knaves as ever entered a bird¬ cage ;. while No. 5, a Reah-like female, despised by the others,, was left to herself. Picking out one of the Rakes, I placed him in a small cage with L,eah ; but he treated her with contumely, to which he added personal insult and affliction ; so I removed Real], and placed the two Rakes together. Over and over again I closely examined these two birds, and there was not a pin to choose between them. They seemed to be exactly alike in every line, in eveiy contour, in every hue, in every feather ; I doubt if any human eye could have detected 34i on Breeding of the Blue-breasted Waxbill. a difference at that time. They never kissed, nor cuddled, nor danced, nor quarrelled — but one did occasionally sing, and that was important. They were perfectly quiet and self-contained, and never let themselves go nor gave themselves away. They were like two experienced runners who were waiting on, and biding their time, knowing that their turn would come in due course. But I had too many small cages to attend to, and was pressed for room, so set them free in the birdroom : whatever the sex, they were splendid birds. Judging that the half-naked pair could not possibly nest before the summer, and that they would come into condition with better results if allowed liberty, during March the others were turned loose ; and so it came about that April found the five Blue-breasted Waxbills flying in the birdroom and in the adjoining garden aviary. It had always been my custom, as soon as the season came round, to chuck these Waxbills into the reserved aviary, and to leave them to sort themselves out as they might prefer ; it seemed to be folly to expect such timid delicate creatures to breed in such a treeless arid desert as the general aviary, with its doubtful company; for “They prefer localities which are partly open, partly overgrown with scrub or low trees, and are specially fond of scattered mimosa bushes ” ; and “ The nest is invariably built in a bush.” But success does not wait upon carelessness ; and the results were incomplete. This year a pair stole a march upon me and forced my hand, with results which were eminently satisfactory to both parties. It is one of the distinguishing marks of old age not only to be garrulous with tongue or pen but to count heads when one goes into the aviary ; and so I might have been seen, day after day and many times a day, counting one , two , three , four — one, two, three, four, reminding one that there had been a time when little sisters practised upon the schoolroom piano, one, two, three , four — one, two, three, four ; if I turned to the right, it was one, two, three , four ; and if I turned to the left it was still one, two, three, four ; whether in birdroom or aviary, in garden or house, it was one, two, three, four — o?ie, tzvo, three, four — I never could get beyond the “four” when counting the Blue-breasted Waxbills ; 342 Mr. R. Philupps. and it was with a sore heart that, on May n, I turned the four survivors into the reserved aviary, for I cannot bear that a bird should die. And this case was the more annoying' and uncom¬ fortable as the missing Rake had appeared to be in perfect health, and there did not seem to be any adequate cause for its departure. While driving the Waxbills into the reserved aviary, I had noticed in a sort of way that the lonely Rake was unwilling to go and all the rest of the day it sat at the door pleading to be allowed to return ; but that seemed to be not unnatural in the circum¬ stances, and I thought little of it — some people are so dense ! Early on the following morning I heard the call of a Blue¬ breasted Waxbill, and, on peeping out of my bedroom window, was just in time to see the much lamented deceased give an uneasy turn or two and disappear amongst some birch brooms: — the missing bird was sitting, and I had separated the two birds ! After restoring the Rake to its mate, there remained three in the reserved aviary ; of these I have little to say, for the foliage became very thick, and I could see but little of what was going on. Jacob was a deceiver as of old, and he threw over the dis¬ figured Rachel and took up with Reah — and small blame to him, for if damsels will make such Guys of themselves little wonder if sensible people treat them as toys and turn elsewhere. I have the simple note, under the date of the 28th May,, that Jacob and Leah had a nest in such and such a place. This spot had been specially prepared and arranged with the view of enticing tree-loving birds to seek its shelter for nesting purposes, so it was not by chance that the Blue-breasted Waxbills set up housekeeping in this protected and well-favoured situation in preference to their usual bush or tree-top. They commenced to sit on May 31. I have not another note respecting them until July 8; nor, indeed, had I many thoughts for them, as the Pied Rock- Thrushes and one or two other species were occupying my attention at that time. On July 8, desiring to look into some matter, I intruded farther than usual into the inner recesses of the reserved aviary. At the end, there is a large thickly branched lime bush-tree. on Breeding of the Blue • breasted Waxbill. 343 planted this spring, which had died before the leaf-buds had unfolded; and hopping about the bare limbs of this tree was a little fair-complexioned drab-coloured bird, whose short square tail and awkward movements under my gaze proclaimed its juvenility: — it was the first aviary-bred Bhie-breasted Waxbill! As far as I was able to examine it, when viewed sideways, not a speck of blue was to be seen except a little on the cheeks ; when seen from the front, the throat and centre of the chest were blue, but this colour did not extend far downwards to¬ wards the abdomen. The tail seemed to be darkish washed with blue. Beak black or blackish. It was about July 23 that this fledgeling seemed to be rapidly assuming the plumage of the “adult.” It soon became much more blue; but the beak was still black and the abdomen pale pinkish drab. As I write, this fledgling, or bird of the year, a perfect bird, may still be dis¬ tinguished from the adults by its smaller size, by the shade of blue being less deep, by its darker tail, and by its exhibiting generally considerably more of the drab-brown, which too is of a lighter shade. I do not find that, at any age, the legs and feet are black as stated in Stark’s work ; they are of a slightly less pale brown than in the adults — that is all. And so here, as in the days of old, it was not the beautiful Rachel who bore off the first prize but the despised Leah. And now we must take up the story of the two Rakes. In the aviary of mixed birds where we left them, no trees can exist because of the rather large flock of Black-cheeked Lovebirds. These irrepressible creatures do not, with me at any rate, injure the other inmates of the aviary, but they are all over the place, nothing restrains them, and they are a great hindrance to the breeding of other species ; and for the latter I could do little more in the spring than put up nesting-boxes, nail pieces of wood across the entrance in the hopes of keeping the large birds out, and hide them away as best I could. The first nest of the Rakes, although not in a box, was in a fairly safe place; but there were no signs of young, so I turned the sitting-bird off and took the two eggs, each of which con¬ tained a dead chick. During a temporary change in the direction of the wind. 344 Mr. R. Phiixipps. these birds built a second nest in a protected box facing due east. The Lovebirds could not get in, but the east wind could, and nothing came of it. I have so far not been able to examine the nest. This is the first occasion with me that a Blue-breasted Waxbill has built a nest in an artificial receptacle. Some little time elapsed before they could agree upon another site, but eventually they took possession of a well con¬ cealed box which is perfectly sheltered from wind and rain. On June 24 they were building, and they commenced to sit on the 27th or 28th, doubtless on or about the time of the laying of the first egg. The young presumably commenced to hatch out on July 13, as it was on that day that the male for the first time became importunate, and demanded live insects with nearly as much insistence as the Pied Rock-Thrushes had done five weeks earlier. Just about the same time, a pair of Cuba Finches (. Phoni - para canora ) were nesting not far away. The positions of the two nests were practically identical ; the birds were in the same aviary, with the same enemies, and with access to the same food ; both species are seed-eaters, if anything, the Blue-breasted Wax- bill might be supposed to confine itself more strictly to a diet of seed than the Cuba Finch. Some of the differences between the two species while breeding were so marked as to be deserving of being placed on record in the Avicultural Magazine. All through the period of incubation, and during the first few days of the lives of the nestlings, at almost any time that one might chance to look into the aviary there would be seen usually both of the old Cubas and assuredly only one of the Waxbills. In past years, I had noticed the remarkable way in which strange Cuba Finches would appear in the aviary quite unexpectedly, springing from somewhere or nowhere without warning, and Minerva-like bursting upon one fully feathered, and fluttering about like moths, a trifle larger it may be but infinitely more perky and self-assured ; so this year I especially watched the old birds. The male was fond of collecting material — but only to drop it ; he was never seen to take it anywhere. Then I would count heads — for the moment I might see only one, but, on look¬ ing again, there they would be, both of them, quietly pecking 345 on Breeding of the B lue- breasted Waxbill. about the most innocent of all the innocents. They were so very innocent that I strongly suspected them, especially when the mother, flying repeatedly backwards and forwards to and fro between the aperture and the nearest perch, would persist in trying to persuade me that she had young in a particular box which was yards away from the actual spot. And in the end they diddled me so successfully, these tiny imps, that when the noise proceeding from a certain place became more and more pro¬ nounced I placed the brood to the credit of a pair of Yellow Sparrows, and was not undeceived until the actual moment that I beheld the. baby Cubas flitting about. As for the Blue-breasted Waxbills, one bird absolutely disappears — two are never seen. Both sit in turns until the young are hatched : you can never detect them changing guard ; and then the female keeps mostly to the nest, and the quiet unassuming male becomes a veritable Nimrod — a mighty hunter after insects. The Cuba Finches, in and out of the nest, are noisy little mites, while the Blue-breasted Waxbills are usually mute ; it is not until they have been flying about for some days that they begin to find their voices to any effect. The Cubas seem to feed their young on seed alone ; at least they have never come to me for insects, nor did they this year take any interest in those which were supplied for the Wax- bills. On the other hand, the Waxbills did all that birds could do to obtain live insects, searching garden and birdroom, following me about even into the house, and fighting birds treble their size over the cockroach traps, tackling not only baby cockroaches but insects as large as earwigs; the so-called live ants’ eggs they would take, but egg-flake and other insectivorous foods were ignored. The parents continued to feed their young on insects, when they could get them, for some time after they had left the nest — for as long as they fed them at all in fact. As evening approached, the Cubas hid away their young in good time in a dark corner some 4 ft. from the ground and retired to rest elsewhere. All of the Waxbills, young and old, would swarm together in a heap at a late hour, in a lofty open place which was fully exposed to the cold and wet. They were wonderfully tame and confiding ; and one bitter evening I fetched 346 Mr. R. Phiixipps, tlie “steps” and, gathering the chicks np in my hands, placed them for the night in a snug retreat. Keeping as a rule to higher perches and more in the open than the Cuba Finches, they felt the cold much more; and I doubted if they could survive; happily on August 4 there was a change in the weather, which gave them a new lease of life. But to take up the thread of my story. On the morning of July 28th, with the help of a caudle, I managed to look into the Waxbills’ box. For a moment there was a gleam of blue, but this vanished, and the box appeared to be empty, the nest having been trampled down flat. A closer scrutiny revealed certain light-brown grave-like mounds, scattered about without any order; for the moment I hardly realised that these were young birds, squatting about fully extended like Thicknees on the bottom of the box: each was so tight that they were evidently alive, so, having ascertained that there were five of them, I quietly withdrew. Having put down my caudle, etc., I re-entered the aviary, and, looking up towards the nest, found that the eldest had come out ; this was at 9.50. It was a fine little fellow, and shewed more blue on leaving the nest than Leah’s young one had done when some weeks older. The blue patch on the side of the face was well defined and extended boldly around and over the eye; that on the chest did not go downwards but swept round along the sides and flanks ; lower back and upper tail-coverts blue ; above drab brown ; below lighter and almost pinkish ; beak and eyes black; legs and feet brown, with the claws a trifle darker but not in any sense black. Doubtless it was the blue chest of this bird of which I had obtained a glimpse when I peeped into the box ere it sank down prostrate on the floor. The second, also shewing a fair amount of blue, appeared at 11.30, the third at 7 p. 111 ., and the fourth at 7.15. All of these could fly ; and they collected on a perch above the nest, although the plumage of the latter two was none too forward. The fifth I picked up off the ground on the following forenoon ; but it also was on a perch before the evening. The last three were little balls of light pink-drab, very light below, washed feebly here and there with blue — but not a suspicion of blue was visible on the sides of the body for a few 347 on Breeding of the Blue-breasted Waxbill. days. All had light blue on the lower back and upper tail-coverts.. The tails varied according to the light; the}'’ were dark with concealed blue, which gradually developed. The legs of some were lighter, of a pale flesh colour. The shades of both brown and blue were lighter than in the parents. The old birds had a very poor time ; that they should have succeeded in rearing these little delicate creatures under the trying circumstances in which they found themselves is very wonderful, for all of the five are alive and well, flying and pecking about freely, and practically independent. As if there were not enough troublesome and worrying birds to plague them,. I must needs add to the number by transferring to their aviary the four Pied Rock-Thrushes about which I have been writing lately ; for the unexpected appearance of an unusual nest in the reserved aviary constrained me to clear them out. The young Rock-Thrushes, accustomed to shelter and privacy, were very wild in this open aviary, especially the youngest, who would become ridiculously frantic should I venture to look at him through the binocular ; and these and other comparatively large birds flying and occasionally dashing about terrify the Waxbills, over and over again scattering the whole brood to the winds, not infrequently after they have settled down for the night. The old Rock-Thrushes were still more aggravating, though in another way, for, being too tame to be frightened off, they pounced down upon and gobbled up insects and special food enough to have reared many dozen of baby Blue-breasted Waxbills. The old Waxbills tended and shepherded their little brood, and, indeed, still do so, with unremitting devotion, attention, and patience ; nothing discouraged them nor caused them to lose heart. The young keep a good deal together, sometimes in a lump, sometimes with the baby Cuba Finches, sometimes paired off in couples as far as may be ; they are charmingly confiding and tame, and rarely move as one approaches : — and thus let them, make their little bow and retire behind the curtain. But the birds in the reserved aviary had not been idle all this time. I reckoned that their new nest was three days behind the one I have just been writing about. I have an earlier note referring to Leah’s first fledgeling — “A good deal of squeaking. 34§ Mr. R. Philupps, as if several about, but can see only one.” On August 9th, there was a very great deal of squeaking, and I was tempted to explore. The Blue-breasted Waxbills were flitting and pecking about in a rather open space, and, after several counts, I satisfied myself that there were not less than seven — a further addition of three — all looking perfect.* This brings the total of young ones up to nine, the result of careful preparation in the spring, and an exemplification of the old law, too often forgotten in these days of idleness and pleasure-seeking, that as a man sows so shall he also reap. In this case, the male had regularly applied for food at the aviary door. I have referred to the young of the Rakes being so silent, and to those in the reserved aviary being noisy: — why this difference? I may suggest two theories : — (1) The young in the reserved aviary are mostly in a thick leafy clump of bushes and bushy trees, and need to be incessantly calling out in order that the parents may know of their whereabouts and that the flock may not become scattered. In the open aviary, where the birds can see one another, to call out would be superfluous and would serve no useful end. (2) In the reserved aviary, the young have neither fears nor cares, and can open their little joyous hearts without restraint. In the mixed aviary, there must always be a little weight on their minds ; at any moment, some heavier bird working off his exuberant spirits, or it may be only a blundering Waxwing, may fall like a bomb into their midst and scatter them as by an explosion ; they cannot be quite such thoughtless child¬ like children as their fellows amidst the leaves. The nest of this species is a large domed structure of hay, usually lined with feathers. While building, the birds become very tame, especially the male, who will boldly come to one for feathers or anything he may require. They can be watched while building, but later become secretive — though, as the male may generally be found sitting on a perch close to the nest, he unwittingly betrays its situation. “Three or four eggs are laid,” according to Stark — but he refers to a nest that had been found by Andersson which con¬ tained five. * There were four iu this batch, bringing- the total of young at that time up to ten. — K. P., Sept. 15. on Breeding of the Blue-bi'easted Waxbills. 349 And now I may bring my story to a close by relating a little incident that occurred last night, August n, — a very little incident, but one which may be interesting to those who love birds. The Rakes have been rebuilding their last nest, and yester¬ day both were on guard on a perch just outside, so presumably an egg had been deposited. A little before dark, I peeped into the aviary to see if all were right. Round a projecting corner of the house, and quite away from and out of sight of the nest, at the very top of a corner of the aviary, with sheltering boards, there are some perches which are arranged one below another in the form of steps. On the little top step, the two elder fledgelings were asleep, side by side. On the next step below was one of the young Pied Rock- Thrushes, “ pointing.” The baby Blue-breasted Waxbills had ousted it from its usual perch, and with great amiability it had taken a lower seat. On the next step were the three younger fledglings, all rolled up together in a lump. And below were the parents — the whole forming, on this lovely summer evening, a beautiful picture of sweet repose. But there was one uneasy spirit in that little flock, for the loving mother had a divided heart. The father understood that he was in charge of the children, and he planted himself down in a most determined manner: he was not going to be tempted from the post of duty. The mother nestled down at his side; then, starting up,, she darted off round the corner to inspect the nest ; having satisfied herself that all was right, back she came, only again and again to start up and dash off on a visit of inspection. But darkness was coming on apace, and she must needs decide between her two loves without further delay — and this is what she did. Just opposite to the corner of the house, far removed from both of the sacred spots but commanding a view of each, is a dead tree; and, finally, in a fork of this tree she settled down for the 35° Mr. Hubert D. Asteey. night all by herself, separated indeed from those she holds most dear, but with a loving eye which embraced all her treasures. Later. — Towards the end of August, the bills of the fledge¬ lings became like those of the adult but not so bright; and early in September the plumage of even the youngest had become fairly blue. Two grew some young feathers in their tails, but it was difficult to detect any signs of actual moult. The elder two, who had been very blue from the time they left the nest, com¬ menced to build a natural nest (a specimen of which they had never seen) about mid-August, a circumstance which would seem to point to a direct connection in this species between the vigour of the bird and the amount and depth of the blue in the plumage. The younger fledgelings are ridiculously tame, perching on me anywhere when I am in the aviary. On Sept. 5, No. 4 sang for the first time — whilst he was sitting on my shoulder; and 011 the following morning, as soon as I appeared, he came 011 to my shoulder with chirps of welcome, and then burst forth into song; and for quite a time he was on my head singing whilst I was going about attending to food and water. THE BREEDING OF WHITE-CRESTED TOURACOS. ANOTHER FAILURE ! By Hubert D. Asteey. Twice this summer has my female Touraco nested, and twice her brute of a husband has wrecked her hopes, and all but wrecked her too ! On the first occasion she was diligently sitting on one or two eggs, when without a word of warning he went for her, damaged her head, plucked out feathers and smashed the eggs. But she forgivingly allowed him to make it up, and not long afterwards she again nested on a large basket-lid which was placed high up in a dark corner of the roosting-house, where she again sat for three or four weeks, indeed, for so long that I climbed up one day to see what was happening, but as she refused to stir off the nest, pecking and hissing at me, I left her alone. on the Breeding of White-crested Touracos. 351 A few days afterwards, the wretched male bird (whom I now realise I ought to have shut up by himself) again went for her, drove her off the nest and damaged her. I happened to be just leaving home for the day, and only heard the news at midday, when it was too late for me to go and see into things, nor was I aware that the hen Touraco was so ruffled that she could not get up to the nest again. I merely had time to order the incarceration of the male bird. As I was leaving home, the thought occurred to me that there might possibly be young ones in the nest, but I was not home until too late to look. The next morning I mounted a ladder, when to my horror I found two young birds of the size of newly hatched Bantams, and marvellous to relate, still alive, although they had been without food or warmth for about twenty hours ! ! I held them in my hands to warm them, although the life within them was all but gone, and to my delight both birds after about twenty minutes began to show signs of reviving, but one (the smaller of the two) collapsed in about an hour. The other quite regained its strength, and I put some small pieces of grape down its throat, which it swallowed well, only to bring all up again in five minutes. Then I tried some bread scalded in milk with “ Banana Crystals,” and it kept some down, seeming to do fairly well; but it was not the right thing, and the poor nestling died the following morning. Had I only incarcerated the male bird sooner, I feel sure the mother would have successfully reared them, for she never left them, and they must have been full of vitality to endure so long under such adverse circumstances. As I wrote last year, the young are covered thickly with deep brown fluff, and the gape of the mouth is very large. 352 Mr. Frank Finn, STRAY NOTES ON INDIAN BIRDS. By Frank Finn. {Continued from page 332). Indian Roller. Coracias indica. This bird usually hops when on the ground, but sometimes walks a few steps; it stretches out the legs behind in flight. It often moves its tail down, but not up. Nestlings are plantigrade, though without well-marked heel-pad ; they move by alternate steps, and can go backwards as readily as forwards. This Roller has two calls, a single note like “ tchok” and a cackle, rather like a laugh, uttered with head erect ; even nestlings give this note. This is one of the birds which cast pellets. Indian Pied Kingfisher. Ceryle varia. A specimen I kept had some white spots on the black tail- band and some black on the white base of the tail, such markings, according to Blauford, being characteristic of the African race. I had it for a little time flying at large, having hand-reared it. There were three in the batch I bought, all of which had two gorgets — the sign of masculinity — but the second was a mere line. This species runs when on the ground like our Kingfisher,* and does not hop like the Laughing Jackasses (. Dacelo ). I noticed the young birds moved their short tongues, which were fleshv- red, freely, often licking their tips, as it were. Common Kingfisher. Alcedo ispida. I do not know where Howard Saunders got hold of the information that this bird’s feet are “ reddish brown ” (Manual of British Birds, second edition, p. 2S0) ; I should have thought everybody knew they were bright vermilion-red, in the adult; in the young they are dull black, as I have observed here as well as in India, where this bird is very common and tame; one can watch it as easily as one can a robin here. Indian Stork-billed Kingfisher. Pelargopsis gurial. Young birds have the beak, which is red in the adult, * Of course Kingfishers seldom move about on their feet at all, but as I have noticed the hopping- gait of the large species of Dacelo, I thought it as well to put on record the difference in the movement of the others, as it seems strange that birds so much alike in structure and general habit should show a difference in their gait, especially as they use their feet so little. Stray Notes on Indian Birds. 353 largely clouded with black except at the tip. This species walks, and does not hop. White-breasted Kingfisher. Halcyon smyrnensis. The young have the bill blackish, instead of red, with the tip and the middle of the ridge orange; the feet blackish instead of red, orange behind and on soles. They also show narrow dark edgings to the white breast feathers. This species has an undulating flight, and runs when on the ground, not hopping. Although chiefly a land-feeder — I have seen it alight on a road, at Debra Dun, and pick up a worm — it bathes by plunging, as all Kingfishers seem to do, whether fishers or otherwise. It expands its drooped wings when court¬ ing so as to show the white patch on the primaries. Great Hornbice. Dichoceros bicornis. I once saw at Rutledge’s establishment in Calcutta a quite unfledged bird, only about as large as a common duck, and with feathers only on the head, wings and tail. There was no down, and the bare skin was dark purplish blue. There was no heel- pad. The casque, of course, was not visible, as is the case with all young Eastern Hornbills I have seen, though fledged. Indo-BurmesE Pied HornbilL. Anthracocei os albirost?'is. A young bird I had was keen on insects, and was as fond of raw meat as of fruit, if not more so. These birds are known to be particularly fond of animal food. European Hoopoe. Upupa epops. The Common Hoopoe is only a winter visitant to Calcutta, and not abundant ; 1 never saw the richer-coloured Indian race ( U indica') there at all ; nor were specimens of this ever brought to the Bazaar. This bird utters a “swearing ’’ or jarring call when alarmed. I noticed that, at about sixty yards distance, this bird, so conspicuous close at hand, is quite invisible on the soil, not that it can need concealment much, as it easily escapes from hawks. A friend of mine once slipped two Shikras ( Astur badius) at one and the same Hoopoe, and it dodged them both. Indian Swift. Cypselus affinis. It is usually stated that in the typical Swifts, like this, the toes are all directed forwards, but in this species, as I have often 354 Mr. Frank Finn, seen when holding a bird by the wings, when it will open and close its toes, these act in pairs, the two inner being opposed to the two outer, only the action is lateral, not fore-and-aft as in most pair-toed birds. The bird is easily captured, as it often comes into rooms; I have tried to see the position of the legs in flight, and by watching a rather tired bird as it flew round show¬ ing its feet, noticed that these were carried rather behind than before, whereas Swallows carry their feet forward, like the rest of the passerine group to which they belong. Horsfirld’s Nightjar. Caprimulgns macrurus. This bird hops when on the ground, whereas most Night¬ jars runs. Common Coucal. Centropus sinensis. A bird of this species in the Calcutta Zoo, which had been reared by me, and had never to my knowledge seen a snake, attacked one when given, making for the head and neck, and mortally injured it. Immediately after this, although usually fond of being caressed and fondled, it was averse to being handled. In feeding this bird puts its foot on a large morsel like a crow. It casts no pellets. Barn Owl. Slrix flammea. Two skins of the Andamanese race of this bird were in the Indian Museum. These had the wings short and rounded ; those of one (No. 1866, Anikhet) did not nearly reach the end of tail ; the first quill was half an inch shorter than the second ; the second, third and fourth were sub-equal. This was, however, I think, barely full-fledged. I11 the second, received by myself alive on Ross Island (No. 21732) the wings just reached the end of the tail ; the skin however was not so well made ; the first quill was a very little longer than in the other, the second and third sub-equal and longest; the fourth sub-equal to the first. The wings are thus on the whole shorter and broader than in the typical Barn-Owl, but I may add the bird is 011 the whole quite as big, being more stoutly and powerfully built, with stronger bill and claws. This was also easily seen in a living bird which was kept in the Calcutta Zoo along with a ordinary mainland specimen. This, like the two Museum birds, was dark in plumage, as described by Blauford for this race, but the Stray Notes ok Indian Birds. 355 Andamanese bird looks very different from the dark Galapagos Barn-Owl (Strix pnnctatissoma) of which there was a specimen in the London Zoo some time ago, for this individual was a sort of bantam Barn-Owl, much smaller, but preserving the true slender proportions. I should almost feel inclined to call the Andam¬ anese form ( S.flammea deroepstorfii ) a true species ; it is certainly tli e most distinct race of Barn-Owl I have seen. Neither of the Indian Museum specimens, by the way, had the pectination of the claw of the third toe characteristic of Barn-Owls in general. Grass-Owl. Strix Candida. Two young received and reared in the Calcutta Zoo had the facial disk vinous or brownish pink ; their down was buff, not white as in the young Barn-Owl. Short-eared Owl. Asio accipitrimis. I saw a specimen flying round the ship I was on in the Bed Sea, in the autumn of 1897 1 it was in the day-time, and I noticed it carried its feet extended behind. Spotted Owlet. Athene brama. I observed a couple pairing in the Museum grounds in January, 1897. The male fluttered his wings, but appeared also to take hold with the bill. They kept up a low chattering note. Collared Pigmy Owlet. Glaucidium brodiei. Mr. B. B. Osmaston had a pair of these in captivity ; the larger bird, presumably the hen, killed the male one day by gripping him by the throat with her foot and choking him, and then showed a desire to eat him, although they had been fed. She was afterwards brought to England. Osprey. Pandion haliaetus. I think systematists make too much of the supposed reversible outer toe of this bird as an Owl-like characteristic. I11 a specimen they had at the London Zoo, in 1901, I noticed that as the bird sat on a thick perch this toe was merely at right angles with the middle one, not reversed, and the claw was turned forward, resting flat on the perch ; whereas in an Owl the set of this fourth toe is decidedly backwards. Small White Scavenger Vulture. Neophron ginginianus. I saw plenty of these birds about Mussoorie in the summer 356 Stray Notes on Indian Birds. of 1895 ; and observed that as they soared they carried their legs behind and rather drooping. Although this yellow-billed species, or rather race, is supposed to be replaced by the black-billed N. peicnopterus in Afghanistan and Baluchistan, the Afghan-Baluclr Commission of 1896 got a specimen of the Indian form gingin- ianus, among the birds they collected there. Bearded Vulture. Gypaetus barbahts. A pair haunted Mussoorie when I was there ; they flew low, and near enough, on one occasion at least, for me to see the beard of bristles under the bill. The bird has a magnificent appearance on the wing, and it and the Scavenger ( Neophron ) resemble each other far more than either does a typical Vulture. Blauford has also observed the resemblance between these two forms. Common Pariah Kite. Milvus govinda. This bird abounded in Calcutta in my time, and was as bold as a London pigeon ; I often saw it robbed of its food by a couple of Crows, one keeping in front, and the other behind to jerk the Kite’s tail at a critical moment. I once saw a Crow snatch food, without artifice, from a Kite, which in this case was a young bird in immature plumage. I even saw a Kite, however, behave in a very intelligent way. The bird, an adult, was feeding on some chicken entrails on the corner of a flat roof, these trailing a foot from it over the surface of the roof. On the close approach of two Crows, the Kite stopped eating, and pulled in the entrails, and packed them under its feet; it then resumed its meal without concern, while the disappointed Crows flew away, the Kite’s strategic position 011 the corner of the roof making a rear attack out of the question. Marsh Harrier. Circus aerugitiosus. I once saw a full-plumaged male walking about 011 the ground looking for food near the water in the Calcutta Botanical Gardens ; I noticed it particularly, as one seldom sees a hawk walk much in the wild state, and several naturalists seem to think that they hop, a gait to which I think they only resort when wanting to move fast, like the typical Crows and Starlings. (To be continued]. 357 Nesting of the Blue- winged Grass Parrakeet. NESTING OF THE BLUE-WINGED GRASS PARRAKEET. Neoph cm a veil us la. By VV. A. Fasey. In the spring of 1904 I purchased seven Grass Parrakeets from Mr. Jamrach (the whole of the importation). He described them as Blue-banded Grass Parrakeets ( Neophema venusta). I still have two pairs of these who annually nest and only on one occasion have they hatched young, but not reared to leave the nest. A year or two ago Messrs. Payne and Wallace brought over a number of so-called Rock Grass Parrakeets ( Neophema petrophila ) of which I obtained two pairs, and it is one of these pairs that has succeeded in rearing one young one to leave the nest. Now these “ so called ” Rock Grass Parrakeets are absolutely the same as the Blue-winged Grass, at least as far as I can see, and I have most carefully examined them together, so I have not the least doubt that they are wrongly called Rock Grass Parrakeets. Moreover, on reference to Mr. Seth-Smith’s book, ‘‘Parrakeets,” both Mr. Jamrach’s and Messrs. Payne and Wallace’s importations answer more to description given for the Blue-winged Grass Parrakeet. Perhaps some of our members interested in Parrakeets would care to examine my pairs, in that case I shall be pleased to give them the proper facility to do so. However, whichever species they belong to, I am equally entitled to the Society’s Medal as neither has been previously reared in England. The pair of birds has occupied alone an aviary fifteen feet by seven feet, one half of which is an open flight turfed with grass. Early in the spring of this year they nested without success, and on the second occasion succeeded in hatching and rearing one young one. The young one is marked exactly like the parents, but with nothing like so brilliant tints. The Blue-winged Parrakeets are very quiet and showy birds, although not so interesting or lively as the Platycercus or 358 Aviculture at the Zoo. Psephotus (Blue Bonnets being especially interesting; my two pairs play and run about like young kittens) I would, however, like to see some of their near relatives imported, such as the Turquoisine and Splendid. I am the proud owner of one Turquoisine (perhaps the only one in Europe) which is mated to a Bourke, and nesting, but Ido not anticipate successful results as they have had many previous clutches of eggs. AVICULTURE AT THE ZOO. By Frank Finn. Two arrivals during the last month are so remarkable that everything else seems insignificant by comparison. One is the Great Monkey-eating Eagle of the Philippines ( Pithecophaga jejferyi ) a bird only recently discovered, and so rare that even the known skins in collections can be easily counted on the fingers of one hand. The Zoo specimen, the first to be imported, is dark brown above and white below, with the thigli-coverts and the long liackle-like head-feathering streaked with brown and white. The eyes are pale grey, like those of the South American Harpy-eagle, to which this species is supposed to be allied. In size, the Zoo specimen about equals the Golden Eagle, and its feet are about equally powerful, but the large bill must be quite twice the size of the Golden Eagle’s; the unfeathered shanks and short wings give the bird much the appearance of a gigantic Goshawk. The other bird, though not new to the collection, has not been represented there for many years, and is of more interest from an avicultural point of view, being the splendid Ocellated Wild Turkey of Honduras, ( Meleagris ocellata). In this bird the prevailing tint is green, not bronze as in the ordinary Wild Turkey, the tail feathers and their coverts being grey, with blue and copper tips. The head is bare and blue, with red and yellow warts, and the legs red. Although not so splendid as the fine stuffed specimen at South Kensington, the Zoo bird is yet a magnificent creature, and will no doubt be finer as it improves in condition. Although it is considerably smaller than the common Turkey, this bird is so beautiful that if it could be domesticated it would certainly become very popular. On the Nesting of Jerdons Accentor. 359 COLOUR OF REDPOLLS IN CONFINEMENT. By H. Wormald. It is, I believe, a generally recognised fact, that Redpolls, Linnets, etc., almost always lose the rose tints on breast and flanks during their first moult in confinement, so that I hope the following may be of some interest. I bought two immature Redpolls in the early autumn of 1907. That autumn and last they moulted, and as I expected showed no colour. But this autumn they have both moulted and attained the red on the head and pink on the breast. I have never before known a case of their assuming colour in confinement, and only one case of their retaining it ; this was a wild-caught bird in colour belong¬ ing to a cousin of mine, who kept him in a cage in rather a dingy bedroom for three years, during which period he retained a most beautiful colour ; he died this spring, and the skin is in my collection. I attributed the reason of my birds coming into colour this moult to the fact that I keep them in my Waders’ Aviary, where this spring I planted a lot of reeds and rushes, on whose seeds they have fed for the last month or two, and I believe the seeds of rushes to be the natural food of Redpolls at this season. Mr. St. Ouintin tells me that his male Pine Grosbeaks never lose their colour, but then his birds are an exception ! NESTING OF JERDON’S ACCENTOR. Tharrhaleus jerdoni. By W. E- Teschemaker, B.A. Two pairs of this charming little species came into my possession on the 4th May, 1908. having been brought home by our member Capt. G. A. Perreau. They proved to be quite hardy little birds, as may be inferred from the fact that they breed up to a considerable altitude in the Himalayas. They are rather smaller than our European Accentor, with darker striations on the back, a white stripe over the eye and a bright rufous chest. The female is much lighter on the chest, so much so that, after one has become acquainted with the species, one can pick 360 Mr. W. E. Teschemakek out the sexes at a glance. Nevertheless, neither Capt. Perreau nor I could be sure of the sexes at first, and I have noticed the same thing in many other cases. They nested in July, laying a single egg in a large untidy nest in an Aucuba. The egg is rather smaller than that of A. modularis and distinctly lighter in shade: dimensions .81 x .55. An average egg of A. modularis measures .84 x .61. This egg hatched on 23rd July, after an incubation-period of eleven days. Nothing but live insect food was carried to the nest, and much of this was not provided by me but brought to bag by the parents themselves, who were most industrious in turning over leaves and investigating odd corners. The young bird, who resembled his parents except that he had no rufous on the chest, which was grey lightly spotted with brown, left the nest 011 5th August, and in a day or two could fly strongly. Unfortunately his career was destined to be a short one, for, just before he became quite independent, he was seen one day with the lower mandible broken and hanging loose. His sorrowing parents tried hard to feed him but the poor little fellow gradually died of starvation. It is worthy of note that, when I caught the young bird, to see if I could do anything for him, the adults instead of manifesting any anxiety perched on an apple tree only a few inches from my hand and appeared to be solicitously awaiting the result of my diagnosis, so true is it that, in their last extremity, the animals associated with man seem to realize that his superior reasoning powers may be of use to them. Capt. Perreau, Mr. W. T. Page and myself held a sort of inquest 011 the poor little corpse, but, though many explanations were sug¬ gested as to the cause of the accident, we none of 11s guessed the true explanation which only came to light some twelve months later. The mandible appeared to have been not only broken but twisted with some force, and there was a good deal of blood on the throat. This concludes the first chapter of the history of my Accentors, which Chapter may be entitled “The Tragedy.” The next Chapter opens more brightly, for on the 12th July this year (1909) the same pair of birds hatched another youngster, this time building an exceedingly neat and artistic nest, lined with the feathers of Sonini’s Colin, in a Cupressus and on the Nesting of Jerdon's Accentor. 361 laying two eggs. This youngster was fully reared. It was a female, and with the other adult male (from which and a female A. modularis I had been unsuccessfully trying to obtain some hybrids) was purchased by our member, Mr. H. Willford. We now come to Chapter No. 3, which we may call “ The Aftermath,” which explains, after the fashion of the good old Railway Novel of our youth, how the tragedy really happened in Chapter No. r. Elated by their success the same pair of birds again built, laid three eggs and brought off two young. One morning I heard a tremendous hubbub in the aviary. The Blue-bearded and Green Jays in the division next to the large aviary were yelping with excitement, the Magpie Tanagers and Bulbuls were screaming, and the White-crested Jay Thrushes shouting themselves hoarse. Above all the din I heard the notes of distress of the Accentors. I quite thought a Weasel had found its way in, but, on reaching the scene of action, the only thing I could see was the Accentors excitedly dashing themselves against the netting which separated them from the Jays’ aviary. This however limited the issue, as Sherlock Holmes used to say; clearly it had to do with the Jays and the Accentors. Adopting the methods of that celebrated investigator I began to examine the ground and there at my very feet lay the ‘ causa causans ’ — one of the young Accentors dying and with both' mandibles torn off! Evidently the unfortunate victim had flown against the netting and the Jays had done the rest. I must not conclude without pointing out the apparently close affinity between A. modularis and T. jerdoni. The habits of the two species are almost identical, the same nervous, jerky action, the same shuffling of the wings, the same low, rippling song, the same diet ; for, whereas our Accentor is the only one of our softbills which will live for any length of time without some soft -food, Jerdon’s Accentor will flourish for an indefinite period on small seeds and an occasional mealworm. There are certain mannerisms also which precede the act of pairing in the case of A. modularis , which will be familiar to those of our members (if any) who are students of British birds, and we find these identical mannerisms in T. jerdojii. Now, seeing that the two species do not quite over-lap as breeding species, one can 362 A Notable Importation. only conclude that, just as ethnologists tell us that there was a common ancestor of all the Indo-European peoples — some race which was located on the great Tableland northward of the Himalayas, so there must have been a common ancestor of the Accentors, from whom they have inherited some of the marked characteristics which we note in widely separated species to-day. A NOTABLE IMPORTATION. According to information in Cage Birds , (September 4th, p. 129) there has recently appeared a specimen of the Umbrella Bird of South America ( Cephalopterus ornatus ), which has passed UMBRELLA BIRD. From M mart's Elements of Ornithology. into the hands of a private aviculturist, Mr. H. C. Molineaux ; un¬ fortunately this gentleman has stated that he has no intention of showing it, a resolution which most aviculturists will regret, as it is a most interesting bird, and has not, as far as I know, been Correspondence. 363 imported alive before. It is about the size of a Rook, glossy black, with a large expansible crest and a pendulous feathered cylindrical wattle on the breast. Belonging to the group of American Chatterers ( Cotingidce ),. it is largely a fruit-eater, and ought to be easily kept. A speci¬ men can be seen at the South Kensington Museum of Natural History. F.F. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. OUR ILLUSTRATIONS. Sir, — If I am not mistaken the illustration of the Red-necked Phalaropes which stands as the frontispiece of the September Magazine, represents three stuffed birds, and if this is so, I cannot help thinking that a great many of our members will agree with me that such “ faked ” photo¬ graphs are undesirable and also unworthy of reproduction in a periodical which is devoted to recording the culture of living birds. To begin with, I think that our frontispiece, at any rate, should be a representation of an original drawing, painting, or photograph, and not something borrowed from some other work, but if the latter has to be resorted to, let us at least have a representation of living birds. I11 “ Our Rarer British Breeding Birds,” by R. Kearton, there is a very pretty photo, of a Red-necked Phalarope (p. 84) and on p. 81 an equally good one of its nest and eggs : both done from life. I have at all times a very strong dislike to photographs of stuffed birds, unless it is impossible to obtain any from living ones, and then the stuffed ones must be mounted to perfection. If the representation in the September Magazine is done from life, the birds certainly grouped them¬ selves very unnaturally, standing one behind the other and all staring in the same direction : personally I cannot believe they did pose like that, for to begin with there would probably be more than one young bird, and secondly such babies would be hiding amongst the rushes or the grass. Then again, at the risk of being considered cranky and tiresome, I am afraid I think it is a pity to take up valuable space with an illustration (again borrowed) of two common Rooks, whose courtship most people in England can see without much trouble in the last weeks of winter, or early ones of spring. Hubert D. Asti.ey. A REMARKABLE FAMILY OF BLACKBIRDS. Sir, — In my' article last month I pointed out that the wholesale protection of birds now enforced was responsible for the great increase of albinism noticeable in some of our more familiar species during the past ,64 Corre'spon dence. decade. In some cases this albinism is only partial, and is represented by pied, cinnamon, or partly cinnamon sports. On the 3rd and 4th of the present month I saw a very remarkable instance of this partial albinism in my garden, in which an entire family of Blackbirds, of four (if not five) individuals, had the head and neck of a brownish clay-colour ; all the birds had acquired their adult plumage and the abrupt transition from clay-brown to jet black in the male birds gave them a most extraordinary appearance : in the females it was of course not quite so striking. A. G. BuTEER, BREEDING OF PILEATED PARRAKEETS. Sir, — With reference to your note in the Magazine as to Mr. Astley’s bird being first hatched — I am unable to say the date mine were hatched, as I did not discover them until they were several weeks old, of which I wrote you on July 2nd. I again wrote yon July 18th the young had fled; they had, however, at this date left the nest several days previously. O11 July 16th Mr. Astley’s birds were still in the nest, so that mine undoubtedly were the first young birds reared. You did not reply to either of my letters, so I did not send an account of the breeding; I am however quite clear as to the procedure, having had several previous medals. When you decide which birds are first, I shall be pleased to send a full account. Wm. .R. Fasey. ALBINISTIC VARIATIONS IN THE MELBA WAXBILL ( Pytelia inelba) AND ZEBRA FINCH ( Taeniopygia castanolis). Major B. R. Horsbrugh has sent me an interesting skin of the Melba Waxbill, obtained in Pretoria, which has secondaries in both wings pale yellow, as are also the bases of the primaries, 'while a broken yellowish- white collar encircles the nape. “ I was reminded of it,” he writes, “ by seeing a young robin with one white wing hopping about on my lawn.” Some time ago, Mr. C. W. Ginn showed me a stuffed cock Zebra Finch, which was all white, except for the orange and bay colouring on the cheeks and flanks, and for the fact that the black markings 011 the breast and tail- coverts were represented by pale drab. The beak seems to be red as usual. The bird was bred from a normally-coloured pair. Frank Finn. INDEX TO SUBJECTS. 365 A. Abyssinian Lovebird, 199 Acanthis fringillirostris, 330 Acanthizu, 214 ,, chiysso> rhoa , 162 Acnuthohyrnchus tenuirosti is, 213 Accentor, Jerdon’s, 127, 359 Accentor modular is, 361 Acridotheres ginginianus, 267, 294 „ tristis, 331 A Egintka temporalis. 163 AEgithina tiphia, 265 African Firefinches, 70 Agapornis nigrigenis, 31, S3, 109, 140, 148, 168 ,, personata , 156 ,, roseicollis, 149 ,, taranta, 199 Albatross, Black -browed, 135 ,, Flat-billed, 135 ,, Sooty, 135 ,, White-capped, 135 • ., Yellow- nosed, 135 Albatrosses, 134 Albinistic Variation in the Melba Waxbill and Zebra Finch, 364 Alcedo ispida, 352 Amadnvades, 70 Amazon, An unrecognized, 198 Amblyomis inornata, 157, 336 ,, subalaris, 157, 324, 330 American Robin, 104 ,, Wigeon, 147 Amherst Pheasant, 269 Ammoperdix cholmleyi, 269, 305, 333 ,, heyi, 269, 305, 333 Ampeliceps corouatiis , 267 Ampelis cedrorum, 113 ,, garni lus, 115 , , japouicus, 274 ,, phcenicopterns, 115 Andigena bailloni, 274 Another success with Pileated Parrakeets, 307 Anthracaceros albirostiis, 353 Aquila audax, 77 Archbishop 'L'anager, no, 170 A idea bubulcus, 269 „ goliath. 329 ,, uovce-hollandue, 77 ,, purpuiea, 329 Argya earlii, 264 Artamus, 213 ,, fuscus, 260 ,, sordidus, 140 ,, supercili >sus , 50 Ashy-headed Geese, 38 ,, Swallow Shrike, 266 ,, Wood-Swallow, 266 Asiatic White Crane, 257 Asia nccipitrinns, 355 Astuuchia stephanice, 336 Athene brama, 355 ,, glaux, 270 Australia, Notes on my Visit to, 45, 73, 133, 161, 209, 256 Australian Birds, List cf, 163 ,, Blue Wren, 249 ., Bustard, 77 „ Crane, 38, 139 ,, Crimson Finch, 109, 170, 199 ,, Ibis, 269 ,, Owls, 140 ,, Painted Finch, 169 Australian Quail, 231 ,, Kail, 251 ,, Star Finch, 199 ,, Stone-Curlew, 47 ,, ,, -Plover, 139 ,, Waxbill, 109 ,, Winking Owl, 176 Avadavat, Green, 128 ,, Red, 128 Avadavats, 143 Aviaries, A Novice’s, 69 ,, Starting Outdoor, 114 Aviary, My Indian, 88, 122 Avicultural Society of California, The, 174 Aviculture at the Zoo, 249, 294, 329, 358 B. Babbler, Jungle, 264 ,, Kusty-eheeked, 264 „ Scimitar, 172 ,, Striated, 264 ,, Yellow-eyed, 172, 264 Bacbakiri Shrike, 224 Baheniceps rex, 268 Baltimore Oriole, 99 Bank Mynah, 267 Barbet, Biue-throated, 332 ,, Criiusou-breasted, 332 ,, Giant, 112 ,, Levaillant’s, 337 ,, Pied, 244 Barnai divs semitorquatus , 50 Barn Owl, 272, 354 Bartlett’s Bleeding-heart Pigeon, 225, 276 Bathilda iiificauda, 199 Baya Weaver, 127 Bearded Vulture, 356 Bee-eaters, 46 Bengalese, 127 Bengal, Red-vented Bulbul, 265 ,, ,, -whiskered Bulbul, 266 Bernicla poliocephala, 38 ,, rubidiceps, 38 Bird of Paradise, Blue, 33S „ „ Greater, 176, 330, 336 ,, ,, Hunstein’s, 62, 336 ,, ,, King', 21, 60, 1x2, 171 ,, ,, I, awes’ Six-plumed, 62, 249 ,, ,, Prince Rudolph’s, 60 „ ,, Kaggi’s, 62, 249 ,, ., Six-plumed, 61, 159 ,, ,, Superb, 336 ,, Show, Forthcoming, 53 Birds and Rowan Berries, 143 ,, of a Bloemfontein Garden, 244 ,, ,, Paradise, 175 Bittern, Little, 269 Black and White Fantail Fl}rcatcher, 214, 259 Blackbird, 140, 327, 363 Black-browed Albatross, 135 Blackcap, 334 Black-cheeked Lovebird, 31, 53, 109, 140, 148, 168, 196, 247 ,, ,, Tanager, 170 Black-chinned Yuliina, 265 ,, Cockatoo, 47 ,, -crested Yellow Bulbul, 240, 266, 275 ,, faced Serin, no, 170 ,, ,, Sugar Bird, no, 170 ,, Game, 144 Index to Subjects , 366 Black-headed Bulbul, 240 ,, ,, Bunting, 269 ., ,, Caique, 169 ,, ,, Gull, 270 ,, ,, Nun, 128 ,, ,, Sibia. 112, 172, 265 ,, Lories breeding" in Captivity, 308 „ Lory, 308 ,, Magpie, 164 ,, -necked Ibis, 269 ,, ,, Swan, 139 ,, Redstart, 167 ,, -tailed Godwit, 270 ,, ,, Waterhen, 214 ,, Tanager, 252, 294 ,, -throated Lorikeet, 109, 168 ,, 1, Tanager, no, 170 ,, -winged Hang-nest, 196 ,, ,, Lory, 109, 168, 251 Blackish Bulbul, 244 Bleeding-heart Pigeon, 225 Blood Pheasant, 113 Blue Bird, 90, 324 ,, ,, Malayan Fairy, 324 ,, ,, of Paradise, 336 ,, -breasted Waxbill, 339 ,, -crowned Hanging Parrakeet, 126 ,, ,, ,, Parrot, 168 ,, Flycatcher, 241 ,, Grosbeak, 334 ,, -headed Parrot, 169 ,, Mountain Lorikeet, 257 ,, -naped Coly, 94 ,, Rock Thrush from Cuba, A, 173 ,, Sugar-bird, 171 ,, -throated Barbet, 332 ,, -winged Grass-Parrakeet, 357 ,, ., Parrotlet, 126 ,, ,, Siva, 1 12, 172, 265 ,, Wren, 78, 209, 213, 258 Boobook Owl, 47 Bourke’s Parrakeet, 338 Bower Bird, Gardener, 156, 324 Brachypte.rnus aurantius, 331 Breeding Blue Grosbeak, Blackcap, etc., 334 ,, Habits of Heck’s Curassow, 23, 81 ,, of Grey-winged Ouzel, 334 ,, ,, Pileated Parrakeets, 364 ,, ,, some Birds at Gooilust, Holland, 36 ,, ,, the African Grey Parrot in Captivity in Madeira, 129 ,, ,, the Black-cheeked Lovebird, 31 ,, ,, ,, Blue-breasted Waxbill, 339 ,, ,, ,, Partridge Tiuamou, 52 ,, ,, ,, Yellow Couure, 192 ,, ,, White-crested Touraco. Another P'ailure, 350 ,, the Jungle Bush Quail, Notes on, 234 British Rail, The, 112 Bronze-wing Pigeon, 139, 163, 326 Brown-eared Bulbul, 238 ,, Gannet, 134 ,, Hawk, 164 ,, -necked Raven, 270 Brush Bronze-wing Pigeon, 50 ,, -Turkey, 138 Bucorax cafer , 252 Budgerigars, 46, 52, 124, 126, 143, 199 Buff-backed Heron, 269 Bulbul, Bengal Red-vented, 265 ,, ,, ,, -whiskered, 266 ,, Black-crested Yellow, 240, 266, 275 ,, Black-headed, 240 ,, Blackish, 244 ,, Brown-eared, 238 Bulbul, Indian Ruby-throated, 239 ,, Layard's, 244 ,, Nepal, 240 ,, Red-whiskered, 334 ,, Ruby-throated, 215, 236 ,, Southern Red-whiskered, 266 ,, White-eared, 266 Bullfinch, 143 ,, Japanese, 241 ,, Persian Desert, 270 ,, Trumpeter, 126 Bunting, Black-headed, 269 ,, Cape, 246 ,, Cretchmar’s Bunting, 269 ,, Illdig'O, 17O, 221 ,, Lark-like, 246 ,, Meadow, 167 ,, Ortolan, 269 ,, Rainbow, 220 ,, Rock, 110 ,, Yellow-browed, 170 Burhi)ius grallarius, 47, 139 Bustard, Australian, 77 ,, Great, 184 ,, Quail, 128 Buzzards, 270 c. Cabanis’s Thrush, 245 Caique, Black-headed, 169 Californian Quail, 145 Calliste guttata, 1 1 0 Calomis ckatybeius, 267 Calornis, Glossy, 267 C alyptorky nchus baudini, 48, 73 Cape Barren Geese, 176 ,, Bunting, 246 ,, Dove, 245 ,, Ground Hornbill, 252" ,, Robin, 245 ,, Sparrow, 245 ,, Turtle Dove, 245 „ Wagtail, 245 Cardinal, Green, 170 ,, Red-crested, 326 Carduelis caniceps, 330 Carolina Duck, 147 Carpodacus sauguinolentus, 241 ,, viiiaceus, 301 Cassowary, Mountain, 336 Cent} opus, 119 ,, sinensis, 334 ,, superciliosus, 119 Cephalopterus omatus, 362 Cereopsis Geese, 176 Ceryle varia, 352 C halcopelia chalcospilos, 36 Chalcopsittacus ater, 308 Chalk Cliffs of Yorkshire, 64 Chat, Mountain. 131 Cheiialopex jubata, 38 Cherry Finch, 166 Chestnut-breasted Nun, 128 Chlorophanes spiza. no, 170 Chloropsis, Goiden-fronted, in C hordeiles virginianus minor, 96 Choughs, 168 Chrysotis ochrocephalus, 199 „ panameusis, 199 Cicinnurus regius, 21 Cinclosonia punctatum, 211 Cinereous Vulture, 268 Cinnamon Tree-Sparrow, 201. 205 Cissopis leveria)ia, 323 C isticola, 245 C/ungii/a giaucion, 37 Claret Finch, 301, 332 Index to Subjects. 367 Coach-whip Bird, 85, 210, 257 Cockatiels, 126 Cockatoo, Black, 47 Colies, 94, 112, 172 Colitis castanotus, 94 „ colitis, 94 ,, erytlu omelott, 94, 244 , , leticotis, 94 ,, macrurus, 94 ,, nigricollts, 94 ,, striatus, 94 Collared Pigmy Owlet, 355 Collyriocincla harmonica, 163 Colour of Redpolls in Captivity, 339 Coly, Blue-naped, 94 ,, Red -faced, 244 Common Coucal, 354 ,, I ora, 265 ,, Kingfisher, 352 ,, Pariah Kite, 356 ,, Plover, 270 ,, Snipe, 141 ,, Spreo, 246 ,, Wood-Swallow, 140 Consignment of New Guinea Rarities, 336 Conure, Sun, 109 ,, White-eared, 109 ,, Yellow, 192 ,, ,, -headed, 193 Contirus jendaya, 193 ,, solstiiiahs, 109, 192 Coots, 214 Coracias tndica, 352 Cordon Bleu, 70, 127, Corn Crake, 176 Corvtis macrorhynchus , 263 ,, scapulatus, 270 ,, splendetts, 263 „ umbrinus, 270 Cotingidce, 363 Coturnix pec /ora l is, 139, 251 Coucal, Common, 354 Count Raggi’s Bird of Paradise, 62 Crane, Asiatic White, 257 „ Australian, 38, 139 ,, Demoiselle, 247, 257 ,, Japanese White-necked, 257 ,, Manchurian, 157, 257 ,. Sams, 257 ,, Stanley, 83 ,, White Indian, 38 ,, ,, -necked, 38 Crateropus canorus, 264 Crax Jasciolata, 24 ,, glcbiceta, 23 ,, hecki, 23 Crested Dark, 331 Cretclimar’s Bunting, 269 Crimson-breasted Barbet, 332 Crow, Hooded, 270 ,, House, 263 „ Jungle, 263 ,, Pied, 270 ,, -Shrike, Grey, 164 „ „ Leaden, 49, 73 ,, White-backed Piping, 77, 140, 162 Crystal Palace Bird Show, Notes on the, 167 Cuba Finch, no, 170, 344 Cuban Nightjar, 96 ,, Trogon, m, 172 ,, Thrush, 173 Cuckoo, Didric, 245 ,, Green, 245 „ White Eyebrowed Lark-lieeled, 119 Curassow, Globose, 23. 81 ,, Heck’s, 23, 81 ,, Helmeted, 329 ,, Sclater’s, 24 ’, Yarrell’s, 24 Curassows, 158 Curlew, Australian Stone, 47 ,, Stone, 270 Cyaitops asiatica, 332 Cyanosptza, 220 ,, cyattea, 221 ,, leclancheri, 220 Cypselus affitiis, 353 D. Dacuis cayana, in Demoiselle Crane, 247, 257 Dendrocopns iitacii, 331 ,, medius, 168 Desert Finch, 126 Destruction of Bird Life at Lighthouses Dhyal-bird, 112 Diamond Dove, 328 ,, Sparrow, 127 Dicienm hirundinaceum, 213 ,, ignicolle, 330 D ichoceros bicotnis, 353 Dicrurus coerulescens, 266 Didric Cuckoo, 245 Dilophus cartincitlaius, 246 Diomedea exulans, 135 ,, melanophrvs, 135 Diphyllodes hunsteini, 62, 336 Dissemurus paradiseus, 266 Display of the Cock Ostrich, 286 ,, * ,, Monal Pheasant, 160 Diucaditica, no Diuca Pinch, no, 170 Dove, Cape, 245 ,, .1 -Turtle, 245 ,, Diamond, 328 ,, Emerald, 36 ,, Namaqua, 245 ,, Passerine, 326 ,, Plumed, 139 ,, Rock, 67 ,, Senegal, 245, 326 ,, Stock, 67 Drongo, Racket-tailed, 266 ,, White-bellied, 266 Duck, Carolina, 147 ,, Eider, 147 ,, Harlequin, 57 ,, Long-tail, 58 ,, Mandarin, 147 ,, Tufted, 270 „ White-eyed, 38, 147. 27° ,, Wild, 214 E. Eagle, Great Monkey-eating, 358 ,, Owl, 273 ,, Wedge-tailed, 77, 139 ,, White-bellied, Sea-, 139 ,, Whistling, 164 Flagles, 270 Eastern Baya Weaver, 300 ,, Linnet, 330 Egyptian Kite, 270 ' ’, Vulture, 268 Eider Duck, 147 Elainea pagana, 329 Fllegaut Grass Parrakeet, 109 Eviberiza stewarti, 204 ,, stmcheyi, 204 Emblema picta , 109, 169 Phnerald Dove, 36 Ennis, 139 368 Index to Subjects . Eopsaltna australis, 163, 212 ,, leucogaster, 74 Eos cyanogenys, 109, 251, 30S ,, fuscaia, 250, 308 Epimachus vieyeri , 336 Erythrura prasina, 297 ,, psittacea, 297 Escaped Rifle Biri, An, 82 Estrilda angolensis, 339 Eupodotis australis, 77 European Flamingo, 137, 139 „ Hoopoe, 353 F. Fair Lorikeet, 336 Falcon, Greenland, 59 ,, Iceland, 59 ,, Lanner, 273 Fantail Flycatcher, 74. ,, White-shafted, 163, 214 ,, Warbler, 245 Fantails, 48 Finch, Australian Crimson, 109, 170, 199 ,, ,, Painted, 169 ,, ,, Star, 199 ,, Cherry, 166 „ Claret, 301, 332 ,, Cuba, no, 170, 344 ,, Desert, 126 ,, Diuea, no, 170 ,, Fire-tailed, 170 ,, Gold-headed Black, 300 ,, Gouldian, 70, 127, 159, 170, 213 ,, Japanese Rose, 241 ,, Long-tailed Grass-, 70, 127 ,, I, ark, Grey-backed, 245 ,, Masked, 70, 166 ,, Melba, 109, 169 ,, Painted, 109 ,, Parrot, 52, 70, 170, 196, 249, 297 „ Parson, 127 ,, Pelzelti's Saffron, 298 ,. Pink-browed Rose, 127 „ Quail, 174 ,, Red-browed, no, 163 ,, Red-faced, 109 ,, Red-headed, 72 ,, ,, ,, Gouldian, 327 ,, Ribbon, 72 ,, Scalv-crowned, no ,, Sharp-tailed, 127 ,, Striated, 127 ,, Zebra, 127, 326, 364 Firefinch, Vinaeeous, 109 Eirefinches, African, 70 Fire-tailed Finch, 170 Fiscal Shrike, 244 F'lame-breasted F'lower-pecker, 330 Flaming'O, European, 137, 139 „ South American, 250 Flamingoes, 184 Flat-billed Albatross, 135 Flower-pecker, 213 ,, ,, F'lame-breasted, 330 Flycatcher, Black and White B'antail, 214, 259 ,, Blue, 241 ,, F'antaii, 74 ,, Niltava, 112, 171 ,, Paradise, 299 ,, Shining, 294 ,, Townsend’s, 319 ,, Verditer, 274, 277 Foreign Birds at the Loudon Cage-Bird Association’s Show, 108 B'orsten’s Lorikeet, 336 Four well-known Thrushes of North American, On, 99 Friar-birds, 46, 50 Friugillaria capensis, 246 ,, impetuani, 246 ,, tahapisi, no Frogmouth, 47, 140 Fulvous-breasted Pied Woodpecker,' 331 G. Gaboon Weaver, no, 169 Galerita cristata , 331 Gallinula chlnropus, 112 Gannet, Brown, 134 Gannets, 134 Gardener Bower Bird, 156, 324 Garganev, 147, 270 Garrulous Floney-eater, 259 Geese, Ashy-headed, 38 ,, Cape Barren, 176 ,, Cereopsis, 176 ,, Lesser White-fronted, 38 ,, Orinoco, 38 ,, Ruddy-headed, 38 ,, Sandwich Island, 38 Geocichla citnua, 333- Geophaps scripta, 229 Geotrygon chrysea , 39 Giant Barbet, 112 Gin-gin Bird, 214 Giza Zoological Gardens, The, 268 Glaucidiiim brodiei , 355 Globose, Curassow 23, 81 Glossopsittacus conciunus, 136, 164 ,, porphyrocephalus, 74 ,, pusillus, 164 Glossoptila ruficollis, no Glossy Ca lorn is, 267 Godwit, Black-tailed, 270 Gold-crest Mynah, 267 Goldcrests, 108 Golden-backed Woodpecker, 331 Golden-eyes, 37, 38 ,, -fronted Chloropsis, m ,, Pheasant, 269 Goldfinch, 140, 143, 162 ,, Himalayan, 127, *330 Goldfinches, 212 Gold-headed Black Finch, 300 Goliath Heron, 329 Gouldian Finch, 70, 127, 159, 170, 213 G> ana/ ina granatina,, 109 Grass-finch, Hybrid, 166 „ Owl, 355 Great Bustard, 1S4 ,, Horn bill, 353 ,, Monkey-eating Eagle, 358 Greater Bird of Paradise, 176, 330, 336 Green and Yellow Budgerigars, 199 ,, Amadavat, 128 ,, Cardinal, 170 ,, Cuckoo, 245 ,, Glossy Starling, 246 Greenfinch, 143, 325 ,, Himalayan, 127, 330 Green Parrot, 143 ,, Troupial, 250 Grenadier Weaver, 326 Grey-backed Finch- Lark, 245 ,, ,, Ouzel, 330 ,, Crow Shrike, 164 ,, -headed Sparrow, 334 ,, Parrot, 129, 109 ,, Phalarope, 311 ,, Shrike, 167 ,, ,, -Thrush, 163 ,, Wagtail, 331 ,, -winged Ouzel, 251, 327, 334 Griffon Vuiture, 268 Index to Subjects. 369 Grosbeak, Blue, 334 „ Pine, 143, 359 „ Rose-breasted, 99 Ground Scraper Thrush, 245 ,, -Thrush, Harmonious, 209 ,, ,, Orange-headed, 308, 333 ,, ,, Spotted, 2ir Grouse, Willow, 294 Guans, 158 Guiana Parrotlets, 109 Guillemots, 66 Gull, Black-headed, 270 „ Herring, 66 ,, Lesser Black-backed, 270 ,, Silver, 133 Gyntnorhina leuconota, 140 Gymnorhis fiavicollis, 331 Gypaetus barbatus, 356 Gyps futons , 268 ,, riippelli , 268 H. Halicistur sphemu~us, 164 Halcyon sancta , 77 ,, smymensis, 353 Hanmierkop, 250 Hand-reared Snipe, A, 141 Hangnest, Black-winged, 196 Hardihood of Gardener Bower Birds, etc., The, 156 Hardiness of Birds of Paradise, 175 Harlequin Duck, 57 ,, Quail, 72 Harmonious Ground-Thrush, 209 Harrier, Marsh, 356 Hawk, Brown, 164 ,, -headed Parrot, 109 Hawfinch, Japanese, 170 Heck’s Curassow, 23, 81 Helmeted Curassow, 329 Hemipode, Varied, 251 Hemixus Jlavala, 238 Hermit Thrush, 99. 177, 324 Heron, Buff-backed, 269 „ Goliath, 329 „ Nankeen Night, 140 ,, Nig'lit, 214, 269 ,, Purple, 269, 329 ,, White-fronted, 77, 214 Herring Gulls, 66 Hey’s Rock-Partridge, 269 H ieracidea orienialis, 164 Himalayan Goldfinch, 127, 330 ,, Greenfinch, 127, 330 ,, Linnet, 127 ,, Snow-Cock and the Blood Pheasant, The, 113 Honey-eater, Garrulous, 259 Spine-billed. 164 ,, White-tufted, 213 ,, Yellow-tufted, 213 Honey-eaters, 46, 74, 140, 330, 336 Hooded Crow, 270 Hoopoe, European, 353 Hornbill, Cape Ground, 252 „ Great, 353 ,, Indo-Burmese Pied, 353 Horsfield’s Nightjar, 354 House-Crow, 263 ,, Mymjh, 331 ,, Sparrow, 138, 140 Hume’s Weaver, 300 Huusteiu’s Bird of Paradise, 62, 336 Hybrids : Aidemosyne modesia x Poephila personaia, 166 Black Swan x Goose, 257 Hybrids : Mouaut x Silver Pheasant, 139 Neochmia phaeton x Bathilda luficauda, 199 Stanley x Rosella Parrakeet. 291 Tragopan satyra x T. temmincki, 147 H ypacanthis spinoides, 330 Hyphantornis textor, 300 ,, velatus, 245 I. Ianthocincla ocellaia, 112 Ibis, Australian, 269 ,, Black-necked, 269 „ Sacred, 269 ,, Straw-necked, 139 ,, Tantalus, 158 ,, White, 139 Icterus giraudi, 196 Indian Bank Mynah, 294 ,, Birds, Stray Notes on, 263, 299, 330 „ Pied Kingfisher, 352 ,, Mynah, 258 ,, Roller, 352 ,, Ruby-throated Bulbul, 239 ,, Swift, 353 Indigo Bunting, 170, 221 Indo-Burmese Pied Hornbill, 353 Iora, Common, 265 Irena cy tinea, 324 Ithagenes cruentus, 113 J. Jackass, Laughing, 137, 140, 212 Jackdaw, 66 Jack Hanger, 244 Jamaica Give-tne-me-bit, 96 Jan Eriedrick, 245 Japanese Bullfinch, 241 ,, Hawfinch, 170 ,, Rose-finch, 241 „ Waxwing, 274 „ White-necked Crane, 257 Java Sparrow, 127 Javanese Peafowl 269 Jay, Mexican, 112 ,, ,, Green, 172 ,, -Thrush, White-spotted, 112 Jerdou’s Accentor, 127, 359 Jungle Babbler, 264 ,, Bush Quail, 128, 234 ,, Crow, 263 „ Fowl, Sounerat’s, 37 K. Kea, 249 Keening various kinds of birds together, 142 Kent, The Birds of, 223 King Bird of Paradise, 21, 60, 112, 171 Kingfisher, Common, 352 ,, Indian Pied, 352 ,, ,, Stork-billed, 352 ,, Sacred. 77, 212 ,, White-breasted, 353 King Parrakeet, 169 Kite, Common Pariah, 356 ,, Egyptian, 270 Kittiwakes, 65 370 Index to Subjects. L. M. Lagopus lagopus, 252 , , rupestris, 55 Lamptocolius phcenicoptents bispecularis, 246 Land Kail, 176 Laniaruis gutiuralis, 244 Latiius collaiis, 244 „ collurio , 244 Lanner Falcon, 273 Lapwing;, 250 Large Pied Wagtail, 331 ,, Yellow Seed-eater, 308 Lark, Crested, 331 ,, -like Bunting, 246 ,, Red-capped, 245 Lams vovce-hollandice, 133 Laughing- Jackass, 137, 140, 212 ,, -Thrush, Rufous-cliinned, 215 ,, - ,, White-spotted, 171 Lawes’ Six-plumed Bird of Paradise, 62, 249 Layard’s Bulbul, 244 Leaden Crow-Slirike, 49, 73 Leather-head, 50 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 270 Levaillant’s Barbet. 337 Lilac-ctowned Fruit-Pigeon, 330 Liueolated Parrakeet, 169 Linnet, 325 ,, Kastern, 330 ,, Himalayan, 127 Lioptila capistrala , 265 Liothrix lutea , 265 Liothrix, Red-billed, 263 Lipoa ocellata, 139 List of Australian Birds, 165 ,, ,, Members, 1 Little Bittern, 269 ,, Lorikeet, 164 ,, Owl, 270 London Cage-Bird Association Show, Foreign Birds at the, 108 Long-tail Duck, 58 Long-tailed Grassfinch, 70, 127 Lon a mar ice, 336 Loiiculus galgulus, 168 Lories, 60, 160 ,, Lovebirds and Parrot F'inches, 196 Lorikeet, Black-throated, 109, 168 ,, Blue Mountain, 257 ,, F'air, 336 „ B'orsten’s, 336 ,, Little, 164 „ Musky, 126, 136. 164 ,, Purple-crowned, 74 ,, Varied, Tog, 238 Lory, Black, 308 ,, Black-winged, ioq, 168, 251 ,, Purple-capped, 169 ,, Red, 196 ,, Stella’s, 336 ,, Victoria, 336 „ Violet, 169 ,, White-rumped, 250, 308 ,, Wilhelmina’s, 336 Lovebird, Abyssinian, 199 ,, Black-cheeked, 31,53, 109, 140, 148, 168, 196, 247 ,, Madagascar, 126, 175 ,, Masked, 156 ,, Red-faced. 32 ,, Rosy-faced, 32 Lowans, 139 Lyre Bird, 139, 210 Madagascar Lovebird, 126, 175 Magpie-Lark, 85, 161 ,, Tanager, no, 170, 323 ,, White-backed, 137 Magpies, 46 Malabar Mynah, 252 Malayan Fairy Blue Bird, 324 Mallard, 58, 243, 270 Mallee F'owl, 139 Malurus, 161, 209 ,, cyaneus, 162 ,, pulcheriimus, 78 Manchurian Crane, 157, 257 Mandarin Duck, 147 Mannikin, Rufous-backed, 321 Manoi hina garrula, 259 Manucodes, 62 Many-coloured Parrakeet, 109 Marking Migratory birds, 274 Maroon Oriole, 267 ,, Tanager, no Marsh Harrier, 356 Masked F'iiich, 70, 166 ,, Lovebird, 136 Meadow Hunting, 167 Mealy Kosella, 126 Medal, The Society’s, 20, 53, 112 Melba Finch, 109, 169, 364 Melanotis ccerulescens, 308 Meleagris ocellata, 358 Meliornis novce-hollandice, 136 Melodious Shrike-Thrush, 163 Melopsittacus undulata, 46 Metiura alberti, 211 ,, superba, 211 ,, vie to rice, 21 1 Merops ornatns, 46 Merula botilboul, 327 ,, carbonana, 330 Mesia argentauris , '265 ,, Silver-eared, 236, 265 Mexican Blue Thrush, 308 ,, Green Jay, 172 ,, Jay, 112 ,, Tinamou, 252 Meyer’s Parrot, 169 Middle-Spotted Woodpecker, i63 Migratory Thrush. 99 Milvus govinda, 356 Mimocichla rubnpes, 173 Minivet, Short-billed, 308 Molly Hawk, 135 Molpastes bengalensis, 265 ,, leucotis, 265 Monal Pheasant, 160 Mouticola saxatilis, 279, 311 Moor-hen, 112 Morality in Birds, 325 More about the Mountain Chat, 13 Mosquito Hawk, 96 Motacilla capeusis, 245 ,, maderaspatensis, 331 ,, melauope, 331 Mountain Chat, 131 ,, Cassowary, 336 Mouse-birds, 94, 172 Muscipeta brevn ostris, 308 ,, Jlammeus, 308 Musky Lorikeet, 126, 136, 164 Mutton Bird, 153 Aiyiadestes townsendi, 250, 319 My Indian Aviary, 88, 122 ,, Japanese Rose-finches, 241 Mynah, Bank, 267 ,, Gold-crest, 267 ,, House, 331 ,, Indian, 258 Index to Subjects, 37i Mynah, Indian Hank, 294 ,, Malabar, 232 N. Namaqua Dove, 245 Nankeen Night Heron, 140 Native Companion, 257 Neochmia phaeton , 199 Neophema elegans, 109 „ petrophila, 168 Neophron percnopterus, 268 Nepal Bulbul, 140 Nesting Notes from Scampston for 1908, 147 „ of Pelzeln’s Saffron Finch, 298 ,, ,, Red-capped Parrakeet, 291 ,, ,, the Cinnamon Tree-Sparrow, 205 ,, „ „ Magpie Tanager, 323 ,, ,, ,, Partridge Bronzewing Pigeon, 40 ,, ,, ,, Rufous-backed Mannikin, 321 New Appointment at the Zoo, The, 248 ,, Guinea Rarities, A consignment of, 336 ,, Rifle Bird, 62 „ Holland Honey-eater, 136 Night Heron, 214, 269 Nightjar, 51 ,, Cuban, 96 Nightjars breeding in Captivity, 51 Niltava Flycatcher, 112, 171 Ninox con n ivens, 176 Nonpareil, Pintailed, 70, 29(7 Notable Importations, 274 Note by the' Editor, Valedictory, 224 Notes on a Hybrid Grass-finch, 166 ,, Centropus superciliosus in Captivity, Some Short, 119 ,, Indian Birds, Stray, 263, 299, 33°, 352 ,, my Visit to Australia, 45, 73, 132, 161, 209, 256 ,, Rock Ptarmigan, Harlequin Duck, etc., 55 ,, the Black-cheeked Lovebird, Further, 148 ,, ,, Crystal Palace Bird Show, 167 „ Willow Grouse, 252 Nothoprocta maculosa, 52 ,, perdicaria, 52 Novice’s Aviaries, A, 69 Nun, Black-headed, 128 ,, Chestnut-breasted, 128 ,, Tricoloured, 128 N ycticorax caledonicus , 140 Nyroca ferruginea, 38 o. Ocellated Wild Turkey, 338 (Ena capensis, 245 ’ Officers for the year 1908-9, 1 „ „ „ 1909-10, 332 Olive Tanager, 110 Orange-cheeked Waxbill, 70 ,, -headed Ground Thrush, 308 as an Orinoco Geese, 38 Oriole, Baltimore, 99 „ Maroon, 267 Oriolus trailing 267 Orthotomus sutorius, 266 Aviary Bird 333 Ortolan Bunting, 269 Osprey, 355 Ostinops viridis, 250 Ostrich, 139, 286 Otocompsa emeria, 266 ,, flaviventris, 240, 266 ,, fuscicadata, 266 Otogyps auricularis, 268 Ouzel, Grev-backed, 330 „ -winged, 151, 327, 334 Owl, Australian Winking, ,, Barn, 272, 354 ,, Boobook, 47 „ Eagle, 273 ,, Grass, 333 ,, Little, 270 ,, Snowy, 147 Owlet, Collared Pigmy, 355 „ Spotted, 355 Owls, Australian, 140 P. Pachycephala, 74 ,, gutturalis, 163, 21 1 Painted Finch, 109 Palceornis longicauda, 336 Pale White-eye, 244 Pandion haliaetus, 355 Paradise Flycatcher, 260, 299 . ,, in a Crater, A, 195 Paradisea apoda, 60, 330, 336 . , minor, 60 A, raggiana, 62, 249 Paradisornis rudolphi, 60, 336 Pardhlote, Spotted, 214 ,, Tiny Spotted, 163 Pat da lotus punctatus, 163 Paiotia lawesi, 62, 249 ,, sexpennis, 61 Parrfkeet, Blue-crowned Hanging, 126 „ -winged Grass^iog Bourke’s, 358 Elegant Grass, 109 King, 169 Lineolated, 169 „ Many-coloured, 109 ,, Pennant, 137, 163 „ Pileated, 74, 168, 307, 364 ,, Queen Alexandra, 158 ,, Ked-capped, 158, 291 ,, Redrump, 157 ,, Rock Grass, 168, 357 ,, Rosella, 137, 163, 293, 325 ,, Stanley. 74, 169, 224, 248, 276, ,, Turquoisine, 358 ,, Twenty-eight, 50, 73 „ Yellow-collared, 50 Parrakeets, 124, 137 Parrot, Blue-crowned Hanging, 168 „ ,, -headed, 169 . ,, Finch, 52, 70, 170, 196, 249, 29- ,, Green, 143 ,, Grey, 129, 169 ,, Meyer’s, 169 ,, Purple-breasted, 158 ,, Red-capped, 158 Parrots, 60 Parrotlet, Blue-winged, 126 „ Guiana, 109 Parson Finch, 127 Partridge, 252 „ Bronzewing Pigeon, 40, 22 „ Hey’s Rock, 269 „ Pigeon, 139 „ Seesee, 305, 333 „ Tinamou, ,52 293 372 Index to Subjects. Passer arena tus, 245 ,, assimilis, 202 „ cinnamomeus, 201 „ diffusus, 334 ,, domesticus, 140, 205 „ luteus , 270 „ montanus, 130 ,, rutilans, 204 Passerine Dove, 326 Pastor rosens, 267 Pauxt's galeata, 329 Peafowl, 158 „ Javanese, 269 Peculiar Colouration in a Lovebird, ’175 ,, Nesting' Site of a Mallard, {243 Pectoral Kail, 294 Peewit, 47 Pekin Robin, 127, 143, 265 Pelargopsis gurial , 252 Pelecanus onocrotalus, 269 ,, rufescens, 269 Pel2eln’s Saffron Finch, 298 Pennant Parrakeet, 137, 163 Perdicula asiatica , 234 Peregrine, 270 Pericrocotus brevirostris , 308 Persian Desert Bullfinch, 270 Petrel, Sharp-tailed, 133 Petrels, 133 Petroeca leggii, 212 Phaenopepla nitens, 294 Phalarope, Grey, 311 „ Red-necked, 59, 309, 363 Phaps chalcopte)-a, 163 ,, elegans, 50 Pheasant, Amherst, 269 „ Golden, 269 ,, Monal, 160 ,, Silver, 269 Pheasants, 158 Phlogoenas ciinigera, 225 ,, keayi. 234 ,, luzonica, 225 ,, platenoe, 229 Phoebetria fuliginosa, 135 Phcenicopterus ignipalliatus, 230 Phonipara canora, 347 Pied Baibet, 244 ,, Crow, 270 „ Grallina, 85, 161, 214, 257 ,, Rock Thrush, 279, 3 ri Pigeon, Bartlett’s Bleeding-heart, 235, 276 ,, Bronze-wing, 139, 163, 326 ,, Brush Bronze-wing, 50 ,, Common Bleeding-heart, 225 ,, Iyi'ac-crowned Fruit, 330 ,, Partridge, 139 , , ,, Bronze-wing, 40, 139, 22g Pigeons, 60 Pileated Parrakeet, 74, 168, 307, 364 Pine Grosbeak, 143, 359 Pink-browed Rose-finch, 127 Pintail, 58, 147, 270 Pintailed Nonpareil, 70, no, 296 Pionus menstruus, 169 Pithecophaga jefferyi , 358 Pitta, 172 Platycercus, 137 ,, elegans, 163 ,, eximius, 163 ,. icterotis, 74 Ploceus atrigula, 300 ,, megarhvnckus, 300 Plover, Australian Stone-, 139 ,, Common, 270 ,, Spur-winged, 139 „ Thick -knee, 47 ,, Wattled, 36 Plumbeous Redstart, 112 Plumed Dove, 139 Podargus, 47, 140 Poephila mirabilis, 327 Pomatorhiu us erythtogenys, 171 P01 phyrocephalus pileatus, 74 ,, spurius , 168, 291 Post Mortem Examinations, 54, 82, 114, 144. 248, 336 Precocious Parrot Finches, 52 Prince Rudolph’s Bird of Paradise. 60 Pronote Ins temnm us, m Prolific Budgerigars, 52 Psephotus , 137 Psittacula guianensis, 109 Psitfacus hagenbecki, 198 Psophodes crepitans, 85, 210 Ptarmigan, Rock, 55, 232 Ptilopus coronulatus, 330 Ptilorhoris intercedens, 62 Ptiloscleia versicolor, 109 Puffins, 66 Puffinus tenuirostris, 133 Purple-breasted Parrot, 158 ,, -capped Lory, 169 ,, -crowned Lorikeet, 74 ,, Heron, 269, 329 Pycnonotus layardi , 244 ,, nigricans, 244 Pyctorhis sinensis, 264 Pyrrhoplectes epauletta, 300 Pyrrhulaudas, 246 Pytelia melba, 109, 364 Q. Quail, 273 ,, Australian, 251 ,, Bustard, 128 ,, Californian, 145 ,, Finches Nesting, 174 ,, Harlequin, 72 ,, Jungle Bush, 128, 234 ,, Rain, 251 ,, Stubble, 139 ,, Swamp, 139 Queen Alexandra Parrakeet, 158 Qitelea russi, 245 R. Racket-tailed Drongo, 266 Raggi’s Bird of Paradise, 249 Kail, Australian, 251 ,, Land, 176 ,, Pectoral, 294 ,, Water, 112, 176, 306 Rainbow Bunting, 220 R alius aquations, 112, 306 ,, pectoralis, 251 Rambles among the Wild Birds, (No. 3) The Chalk Cliffs of Yorkshire, 164 Rare Birds from South Africa, 224 ,, Hybrid Australian Grassfincli, 199 ,, Indian Flycatcher, 308 Raven, Brown-necked, 270 Ravens, 147 Razorbills, 66 Rearing Demoiselle Cranes under Hen, 247 Red Avadavat, 127 ,, -backed Shrike, 244 „ -billed Li'othrix, 265 ,, -breasted Thrush, 104 ,, -browed Finch, no, 163 ,, -capped Lark, 245 ,, - ,. Parrakeet, 158, 291 ,, -crested Cardinal, 326 ,, -faced Coly, 244 ,, - ,, Finch, 109 Index to Subjects. 373 Red-faced Lovebird, 32 ,, -headed Finch, 72 „ - ,, Gouldian Finch, 327 „ Lory, 196 ,, -necked Phalarope, 59, 309, 363 Redpoll, 339 Redrump, 126, 137 Redstart, Black, 167 ,, Plumbeous, 112 ,, White-capped, 112, 171 Red-throated Tanager, no, 170 „ -whiskered Bulbul, 334 Reeve, 250 Remarkable Family of Blackbirds, A., 363 Reviews : Bird News, 223 Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club,Vol. 22, (Third Migration Report) 79 Butler (A. G.) Foreign Birds for Cage and Aviary, Part I., 78 Dewar (D.) and Finn (F.) The Making of Species, 301 Emu, The, 80, 222 Flower (Capt. S. S.) and Nicoll (M. J.) Wild Birds in the Giza Zoological Gar¬ dens, 172 Haagner (A. K.) South African Birds of Prey, 79 Howard (H. E.) The British Warblers, Part 3, 221 Jourdaiu (Rev. F. C. R.) The Eggs of European Birds, Part 3, 194 Pigott (Sir Digby), The Changeling, 54 Report of the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland for 1908, 194 Travel and Exploration, 142 Rheas, T58 Rhipidura preissi, 48 Rhodospiza obsoleta, 270 Ribbon Finch, 72 Rifle Bird, 82 Robin, 328 ,, American, 104 „ Cape, 245 „ Pekin, 127, 143, 265 „ Scarlet -breasted, 212 ,, Temminck’s, 241 ,, White-breasted, 74 ,, Yellow-breasted, 163, 212 Rock Bunting, no ,, Doves, 67 ,, Grass-Parrakeet, 168, 357 ,, Ptarmigan, 55, 252 „ Thrush, Pied, 279, 3x1 Roller, Indian, 352 Rook, 363 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 99 Rosella Parrakeet, 137, 163, 293, 325 ,, ,, Mealy, 126 Rosellas, 126 Rosy-faced Lovebird, 32, 109 ,, Pastor, 267 Rubigula dispar, 215, 236 ,, ftaviveniris, 240 ,, gularis, 239 ,, melanictera, 240 Ruby-throated Bulbul, 215, 236 Rubv-throats, 241 Ruff, 250 Ruficaudas, 70 Rufous-backed Mannikin, 321 ,, -chinned Laughing-Thrush, 172, 215 ,, -necked Weaver, 300 Rules of the Avicultural Society, 16 Riippell’s Vultures, 268 Rustic Tyrant, 329 Rusty-cheeked Babbler, 171 s. Sacred Ibis, 269 ,, Kingfisher, 77, 212 St. Helena Seed-eater, 252 Sarciophorus pectoralis, 36 Sarus Crane, 275 Saxicola monticola, 131 Scaly-crowned Finch, no ,, -fronted Weaver, 170 Scarlet-breasted Robin, 212 ,, Tanager, 249 Scaup, 58 Scimitar Babbler, 172 Scopus umbretta, 230 Scoters, 38 Scrub Wren, 164 Secretary Bird, 250, 268 Seed-eater, Large Yellow. 308 „ „ St. Helena, 252 „ „ Sulphury, 334 Seesee Partridge, 305, 333 Selenidera maculirostris, 274 Senegal Dove, 245, 326 Serin, Black-faced, 110, 170 Serinus capistratus, 110, 170 ,, sulphuiatus, 308 Sexual selection in birds, 335 Sex of Stanley Parrakeets, 223, 248, 276 Shama, 112 Sharp-tailed Finch, 127 ,, ,, Petrel, 133 Shining Flycatcher, 294 Short-billed Minivet, 308 ,, -eared Owl, 353 Shovellers, 147, 270 Shrike, Bacbakiri, 244 ,, F'iscal, 244 ,, Grey, 167 ,, Red-backed, 244 ,, -Thrush, Grey, 163 ,, ,, Melodious, 163 Sibia, Black-headed, 112, 172, 265 Silver-eared Mesia, 236, 265 „ Gull, 133 ,, Pheasant, 269 Siva, Blue-winged, 1x2, 172, 265 Siva cyanuroptera, 265 Six-plumed Bird of Paradise, 61, 159 Small White Scavenger Vulture, 355 Snipe, Common, 141 Snowcock, Himalayan, 1x3 Snowy Owl, 147 Sociable Vulture, 268 Society’s Medal, The, 20, 112 Soft parts of the Blue-naped Coly, The, 94 Solitaire, Townsend’s, 250 Some Great Bustards, 184 Sonnerat’s Jungle Fowl, 37 Sooty Albatross, 135 South American Flamingo, 230 Southern Rea-whiskered Bulbul, 266 Sparrow, Cape, 245 „ Cinnamon Tree, 201, 205 „ Diamond, 127 ,, Grey-headed, 334 ,, House, 138, 140 „ Java, 127 ,, Tree, 140, 331 ,, Yellow, 270 ,, „ -throated, 331 Spathopterus alexandrce, 158 Spermestes nigriceps, 321 Sperviophila, 170 Spermospiza guttata, no, 169 Spice-bird, 127 Spine-bill, 213 ,, -billed Honey-eater, 164 Sporopipes squamifrons, 110, 170 374 Index to. Subjects. Spotted-bill Toucan, 274 ,, Emerald Tanager, no, 170 ,, Ground-Thrush, 211 ,, Owlet, 355 ,, Pardalote, 214 Spreo bicolot, 246 Spreo, Common, 246 Spur-winged Plover, 139 Stanley Crane, 83 ,, Parrakeet, 74, 169, 223, 248, 276, 293 Starling, 138, 140 ,, Green Glossy, 246 ,, Wattled, 246 Starting Outdoor Aviaries, 114 Stella’s Lory, 336 Stock Doves, 67 Stone Curlew, 270 Stoparola melanops, 274, 277 Stork, Whale-headed, 268 Straw-necked Ibis, 139 Stray Notes on Indian Birds, 263, 298, 33L 352 Streep Kopje, 246 Strepera cuneicaudata, 164 ,, plumbea, 49 Striated Babbler, 264 ,, Finch Strix Candida, 355 ,, flammea, 354 ,, ,, deroepstorfii, 355 ,, ,, punctatissima, 355 Stubble Quail, 139 Sugar-bird, Black- faced, no, 170 ,, ,, Blue, in, 171 ,, ,, Yeilow-rumped, 171, 249 Sula serrator, 134 ,, sula, 134 Sulphur-breasted Toucan, 172 Sulphury Seed-eater, 334 Sun Conure, 109 Sundhani, 309 Superb Bird of Paradise, 336 ,, Tanager, no Sutlioras. 241 Swallow Dicseum, 213 ,, -Shrike, Ashy, 266 Swamp Quail 139 Swan, Black-necked, 139 ,, Whistling, 92 Swift, Indian, 353 Swinhoe’s White-eye, 265 Sycalis flaveola, 298 ,, pelzelni, 298 Sydney Waxbill, 163 Syncecus australis , 149 T. Taeniopygia castanotis, 364 Tailor-bird, 266 Tanager, Archbishop, no, 170 ,, Black, 252, 294 ,, -cheeked, 170 ’, ,, -throated, no, 170 ,, Magpie, no, 170, 323 ,, Maroon, no ,, Olive, no „ Red-throated, no, 170 ,, Scarlet, 249 „ Spotted Emerald, no, 170 ,, Superb, no ,, Tricolour, no, 170 ,, White-capped, no Tantalus Ibis, 158 . ' Tataupa Tiuamou, 251 Tawny Thrush, 101, 181 Teal, 58, 270 • T : Temminck’s Robin, 241 Tephrocotys cinerea • 24; Terpsiphone patadisi, 260 Tetraogallus himalayensis, 113 Thalassogeron caudatus, 135 ,, chloroi hyncha, 135 ,, . culminatus, 135 Tharrhaleus jerdoui. 359 Thickhead, White-throated, 163, 211 Thickheads, 74 Thick-knee, 139 ,, „ Plover, 47 Thrush, 328 ,, Cabanis’s, 245 ,, Cuban, 173 ,, Ground Scraper, 245 ,, Hermit, 99, 177, 324 ,, Mexican Blue, 308 ,, Migratory, 99 ,, Red-breasted, 104 ,, Tawny, roi, 181 ,, Wilson’s 99, 177 „ Wood, 99 Thrushes, 140 Tinamou, Mexican, 252 ,, Partridge, 52 ,, Tataupa, 251 Tiny Spotted Pardalote, 163 Tit, Varied, 241 Toucan, 159 Spotted-billed, 274 ,’ Sulphur-breasted, 172 ,, Yellow, 274 Touraco, 171 ,, White-crested, 157, 350 Townsend’s Flycatcher, 310 ,, Solitaire, 250, 319 Trachyphonus cafer, 337 Tragedy of the Whistling Swans at Niagara Falls, The, 92 Tragopan satyra. 147 ., temmincki, 147 Tree-creepers, 168 ,, Runners, 164 ,, Sparrow, 140, 331 Tribonyx ven trails, 214 T richoglossus nigrigularis, 109, 169 T richolcema vielanoleucus , 244 Tnclaria cyanogaster, 158 Tricolour Tanager, no, 170 Tricoloured Nun, 128 T rochalopterum rufigulare, 215 Trogon, Cuban, in, 172 Trumpeter Bullfinch, 126 Tufted Duck, 270 ,, Umbre, 250 Turdus cabanisi, 245 ,, fuscescens, 101, 177 ,, litsitsirupa, 245 ,, migratorius, 104 tnustelinus, 103 *, pal Iasi, 99, 177 Turkey, Ocellated Wild, 358 Turquoisine Parrakeet, 358 Tuttur capicola, 245 ,, humilis, 37 Twenty-eight Parrakeet, 50, 73 Tyrant, Rustic, 329 U. Umbrella Bird, 362 Unrecognised Amazon, A11, 198 Upupa epops, 353 Uragus sanguinolentns, 241 ,, sibiricus, 243 . ' \W v V Index to Subjects. 375 v. Value of Failures, The, 159 Varied Hemipode, 251 „ Lorikeet, 109, 238 ,, Tit, 241 Veery, 101, 181 Verditer Flycatcher, 274, 277 Victoria Lory, 336 Vinaceous Fire-finch, 109 Violet-eared Waxbill, 109, 169 ,, -necked Lory, 169 Vultur monachus, 268 Vulture, Bearded, 356 ,, Cinereous,'" 268 ,, Egyptian, 268 ,, Griffon, 268 ,, Ruppell’s, 265 „ Small White Scavenger, 355 ,, Sociable, 268 w. Wagtail, Cape, 245 „ Grey, 331 „ Large Pied, 331 Wandering Albatross, 135 Water-hen, Black-tailed, 214 Water-Kail, 112, 176, 306 ,, ,, in Hampshire, The, 196 „ ,, in Kent, 306 Wattle-birds, 164 Wattled Plover, 36 ,, Starling, 246 Waxbill, Australian, 109 ,, Blue-breasted, 339 ,, Melba, 364 ,, Orange-cheeked, 70 ,, Sydney, 163 ,, Violet-eared, 109, 169 Waxwing, 115, 167, 176 „ Japanese, 274 Weaver, Baya, 127 ,, Eastern Baya, 300 ,, Gaboon, no, 169 ,, Grenadier, 326 ,, Hume’s, 300 ,, Rufous-necked, 300 ,, Scaly-fronted, 300 Wedge-tailed Eag-le, 77, 139 Wellington Zoo, The, 276 Whale-headed Stork, 268 Whistling Eagle, 164 ,, Swan, 92 White-backed Magpie, 137 „ „ Piping Crow, 77, 140, 162 ,, -bearded Honey-eater, 136 ,, -bellied Drongo, 266 ,, ,, Sea-Eagle, 139 ,, -breasted Kingfisher, 333 1, „ Robin, 74 ,, capped Albatross, 13s ,, ,, Redstart, 112, 171 ,, ,, Tanager, no ,, -crested Touraco, 157, 350 ,, -eared Bulbul, 266 ,, ,, Connie, 109 White-eye, 209 ,, ,, Pale, 244 ,, ,, Swinhoe’s, 265 White-eyebrowed Lark-heeled Cuckoo, 119 „ „ ,, Wood-Swallows, 30 ,, -eyed Duck, 38, 147, 270 „ -eyes, 258 „ -fronted Heron, 77, 214 „ Ibis, 139 ,, Indian Crane, 38 ,, -necked Crane, 38 ,, -rumped Lory, 250, 308 ,, -shafted Fantail, 163, 214 ,, -spotted Jay Thrush, 112 ,, ,, Laughing Thrush, 171 ,, -throated Thickhead, 163, 211 ,, tufted Honey-eater, 213 Wild Duck, 214 Wigeon, 58, 252 ,, American, 147 Wilhelmina’s Lory, 336 Willow-Grouse, 252, 294 Wilson’s Thrush, 99, 177 Woodpecker, Fulvous-breasted Pied, 331 ,, Golden-backed, 331 ,, Middle-Spotted, 168 Wood-Swallow, Ashy, 266 ,, ,, Common, 140 ,, „ White-eyebrowed, 50 „ -Swallows, 46, 163, 213 ,, Thrush, 99 Wren, Blue, 78, 213, 249, 258 ,, Scrub, 164 X. Xantholcema hczmaiocephala, 332 Y. Yellow-breasted Robin, 163, 212 „ -browed Bunting, 170 ,, -collared Parrakeet, 50 ,, Couure, 192 ,, -eyed Babbler, 172, 264 ,, -headed Connie, 193 ,, -nosed Albatross, 135 ,, Sparrow, 270 „ -tails, 162 ,, -throated Sparrow, 331 ,, Toucan, 274 ,, -tufted Honey-eater, 213 ,, -winged Sugar-bird, 171, 249 Young Black-clieeked Lovebirds dying in shell, 247 Yuhina nigrimentum, 265 z. Zebra Finch, 127, 326, 364 Zonceginihus bellus , 170 Zoological Gardens, The, 176 Zoo, Aviculture at the, 249, 231, 294, 329, 358 ,, , New Appointment at the, 248 Zosterops , 209 ,, ccerulescens, 238 ,, pallida, 244 ,, simplex, 265 Brighton : W. T. Moulton & Co., Printers, Church Street, III. Notices to Members — (Continued from page ii. oj cover J. NEW MEMBERS. Mr. A. Denman, M.A., F.S.A. ; 29, Crauley Gardens, South Kensington, London. Captaiai P. A. Wilson ; Manor House, Droxford, Hants. Mrs. Masson Martin ; Praslin Island, Seychelles. CANDIDATE FOR ELECTION. Mr. A. A. Goodall, 35, Croxton Road, East Dulwich, S.E. Proposed by Dr. A. G. But ERR. 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 adve> 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. Three fine young Red-capped (Pileated) Parrakeets ( Porphyrocephalus spur ins), first to be hatched in Europe, born in June of this year; also a hybrid Stanlev-Rosell a (var. splendid) beautiful bird, same age as above. A fine adult Crimson-wing Parrakeet, fully acclimatized from cold aviary. A magnificent Cuban red-legged Thrush (/ Mimo - cichla rubripes ) very tame. Must part with these; overstocked. Hubert D. ASTLEY, Benham-Valence, Newbury, Berks. Pair Bronzewing Pigeons, thoroughly acclimatised, have bred, 45/-; wanted hen Parson Finch. Carrick, 13, King’s Terrace, Maryhill, Glasgow. Pair acclimatised white cheeked Bulbuls, built in cage, perfect, tame, £1/2; Siskin Canary Mule, 7/6 ; Bordeaux Pigeons, parents imported South France, grand table birds, very prolific, 6/- to 10/- pair. M. Hawke, Wighill, Tadcaster. Lesser Lemon-crested Cockatoo, excellent talker and mimic, very amusing bird, £3; Cock Ruficauda, 10/-; hen pink-billed Weaver, 5/-; both the above have wintered in out-door aviary. Miss LascellKS, Lyndhurst. Hen, many colour, 25/-; pair Black-faced Love-birds, 45/- ; pair blue-winged Love-birds, 10/- ; pair Madagascar Love-birds, 5/- ; 4 young Pennants, 15/- each; cock Stanley Parrakeet, 30/-; cock Indian Rock Parrakeet, 15/-; pair Ruficauda Finches, 25/-; pair green Budgerigars, 4/6; various Weavers ; Napoleons, Grenadiers. Russes, red-billed Textor, etc. All birds in splendid condition, am going abroad. K. Cookson, Oakwood, Wylam, Northumberland. A number of Black-cheeked Love-birds, 20/- each; Three pairs Chinese painted Quails, 25/- pair ; Four hybrid Quails, between African Harlequin and Australian, 10/- each ; about twenty pairs of Zebra Finches, 5/- pair; all the above bred here this season. Also magni¬ ficent pair Many-coloured Parrakeets, here three years, ^3/10; or will exchange any or all the above. W. R. Temple, Ormonde, Datcliet, Bucks. Black-cheeked Lovebirds, 15/- each, 12/- each if four or more be taken. Phillipps, 26, Ciomwell Grove, Hammersmith. Doves, Violet (or White-fronted) 18/- pair, room wanted. Miss R. Alderson, Park House, Worksop. Aviary bred Doves — White-winged, Senegal, Ruddy Turtle, and common Turtle Doves; also one hen Red Mountain or Partridge Dove. All bred in unheated aviary. P'or sale cheap, overstocked. Dr. Wilson, Kirkby Overblow, Pannal, Yorks. JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles, REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. TROWER & CO.. WHOLESALE SEED MERCHANTS and BIRD FOOD SPECIALISTS, 442, 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 Palaoe and ether Shows. PRICE LIST. SAMPLES FREE. Mealworms, Ants’ Eggs, Dried Flies, etc., of the finest quality. SPECIALITIES. “ CECTO,” the best Insectivorous Food on the Market, 1/4 per lb. 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