FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY THE AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIRDS IN FREEDOM AND CAPTIVITY. EDITED BY D. SETH-SMITH, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., AND R. I. POCOCK. F.R.S. THIRD SERIES. VOL. XII. JANUARY, 1921. to DECEMBER, 1921. Hertford. STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, Ltd. 1«X-V>\^<\ &*-■*■ CONTENTS PAGE Title-page i Contexts . . . . iii Council's Report ..... iv Alphabetical List of Contributors . y Officers . ....... 1 List of Members ...... 3 Rules of the Avicultural Society . ■ 15 The Society's Medal ■ 19 Magazine ........ 1 Index ........ . 186 COUNCIL'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1921 The year which ends with this number has been one of the most difficult of the so-called ': peace " years ; but the Society has come through the ordeal, and rather than look back at the trials of the past we should look forward to the future with confidence and hope, seeing the signs that are visibly pointing to a real revival of aviculture. Several large consignments of birds have come into this country in the course of the year, and the importation of foreign species is the most important factor in the support of the Society, for without birds to keep aviculture alive we can neither get contributions to our Magazine nor hope to secure new members. The difficulties of the present time have caused many aviculturists to give up their hobby and resign their membership, and unless these resignations can be made good, it will be impossible to enlarge the Magazine so long as the cost of production remains as high as it is at present. It is to be hoped, therefore, that members will do their best to induce their friends to join the Society and will send the Editors accounts of the doings of their birds, so as to help to get back to the davs of a Magazine of thirty-two pages and a coloured plate. Signed for the Council, J. Lewis Bonhote, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer. ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS Amsler, Maurice, M.B., F.Z.S. Diet for Rearing Young Birds, 1 Breeding of the Yellow-billed Cardinal, 160 Breeding of the King Parrakeet, 163 Sepoy Finch recovering its Colour, 184 Astley, Hubert D., M.A.. F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Chestnut -winged Starlings, 14 Avieultural Notes, 84, 97 The Vociferous Robin-Chat (Ccssypha birolor), 124 The Queen Alexandra Parrakeet (Polytelis Alexandra), 158 Young Alexandra Parrakeets, 159 The Kagu (Rhinochetus jubatus), 183 Breeding of Gang-gang Cockatoos, 186 Bailey, W. Shore. My Patagonian Parrots, 11 A Strange Friendship, 90 South African Grosbeaks, 93, 110 Scarlet Ibis, 95 The Cape Bishop, 183 Bellchambers, T. P. The Mallee Fowl of Australia, 1 9 BoNHOTE, J. L. Report for the year 1921 Bourke, The Hon. Mrs. Algernon. The White-starred Bush Robin, 105 Bright, Herbert. Breeding of the Saltator Tanager, 161 Successful Breeding Results, 176 Burgess, Mrs. M. A., F.Z.S. Breeding of the Black-capped Lory, 116 Butler, A. G., Ph.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Longevity in Cage Birds, 62 Chawner, Ethel F. Jardine's Owl, 12:5 The Marsh Owl, 123 A rare Brazilian Owl, 175 vi Alphabetical List of Contributors Cooper, Raymond. The Hawfinch as a Pet, 104 Crandall, L. S. Blue Birds of Paradise in New York, 59 Delacour, Jean. My Long -tailed Roller, 17 Some Birds in my Aviaries, 68 Birds in the Park at Cleres, 1 13 Gosse, Philip, M.B.O.U. The Songs of the Girl Bunting and Lesser White-throat, 48 Gurney, G. H., F.Z.S. A visit to Brinsop Court Aviaries, 53 Hedges, F. G. Breeding Gang-gang Cockatoos, 176 Hopkinson, Dr. E., D.S.O. The Cape Bishop, 125 The Yellow-backed Whydah (Colius passer macrourus), 135 Shrikes as Cage-birds, 167 Knobel, E. Maud, F.Z.S. Sexing Parrots, 4 Differences in Character in Blue-fronted Amazon Parrots, 71 A Curious Feather, 92 Lambrick, Prebendary. Story of a Tame Rook, 6 Le Souef, A. Siierbourne. Australian Zoological Control Board, 108 Meade-Waldo, E. G. B., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Ornithology and Aviculture, 34 The European Sparrow Owl, 65 Habits of the Moorhen, 143 Notes on Coloration and Voices of some Owls, 177 Newman, T. H., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. The R.ose-grey Turtle Dove and others, 100 Pocock, R. I., F.R.S. The Value of Insectivorous Birds, 91 Divorce amongst Wrens, 91 Sparrows and Motor Traffic, 92 Verreaux's Glossy Starling, 121 Two interesting Oriental Birds, 122 Alphabetical List of Contributors Portal, Major Maurice. Chukor Partridges from Crete, 118 Porter, Sidney. Some Gorsican Birds, 36 Grey Tanagers, 45 Lucian Conures and African Waxbills, 109 Pycraft, W. P. Note on a Curious Feather, 93 Rattigan, Capt. Gerald E. Breeding the Yellow-billed Cardinal, 125 Nesting Notes on the Yellow-billed Cardinal (Paroaria capitata), 133 St. Quintin, W. H., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. The White Asiatic Crane, 33 The Incubation Period of Cranes, 160 Seppings, J. W. H. Food of Swainson's Lorikeet, 76 Seth-Smith, D., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. [D. S-S.]. Stray Notes, 28, 41, 59, 87, 106, 153 Practical Handbook of British Birds (Reviews), 44 The Cedar Wa::wing, 49 The Scarlet -breasted Sunbird, 58 The Life of Professor Newton (Reviews), 125 A fine Collection from South Africa, 172 Australian and New Guinea Birds : A fine collection, 181 Silver, Allen, F.Z.S. Glossy Starlings and others, 45 Odd Notes, 149 Smith, C. Barnby. A visit to the Birds at Wellington Zoo, 63 Notes on New Zealand Birds, 79 Taka-Tsukasa, N. Quail breeding in Japan, 24 Tavistock, The Marquess of. My Pigmy Owl, 50 The Colour of the Scarlet Ibis in Captivity, 75 Chukor Partridges, 110 On Individuality, 129 Zebra Finches at Liberty, 145 The Breeding of the Passerine Parrotlet at liberty, 178 Violet-eared Waxbills at liberty, 183 Alphabetical List of Contributors Welch, Frederick D., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. Andean Geese, 46 Quails in Conflict, 47 An Amusing Amazon and also a Parrakeet, 56 Raven versus Rat : Action due to Instinct, 75 Lorikeets, 94 Book Description of White Ibis, 109 Voices of Jay Thrushes, 109 Theories of Distinguishing Sexes, 111 Bateleur Eagles, 147 Voices of some Owls and Remarks on Coloration, 154 Remarks and Queries about the Kagu, 157 Unrelated Companions, 184 Wormald, Hugh. Long-tailed Tits, 66 THE AVICULTURAL : SOCIETY : FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN & BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM & CAPTIVITY OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 192 1 President H. D. Astley, M.A. Vice-President Her Grace the Duchess of Bedford. Council M. Amsler, M.B. The Hon. Mrs. Algernon Bourke. Miss Chawner. J. Delacour. A. Ezra, O.B.E. Dr. P. Gosse. G. H. Gurnet. Miss Knop.el. E. G. B. Meade-Waldo. T. H. Newman. The Marquess of Tavistoci B. C. Thomasset. A. Trevor-Battye, M.A. H. Wdllford. M. Amsler, M.B. A. Ezra, O.B.E. Miss Knobel. Executive Committee E. G. B. Meade-Waldo. The Hon. Secretary and Treasurer,, and the Editors. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer J. Lewis Bonhote, M.A. Hon. Editors R. I. Pocock, F.R.S., and D. Seth-Smith. Pathologist Professor G. H. Wooldridge, F.R.C.V.S. Auditor II. Mint. Scrutineer W. P. PVC'KAI T. HERTFORD STEFHEN AUSTIN AND SONS, LTD. List of Members JANUARY 1, 1921 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 pays the subscription through a bank. Members are requested to adopt this method of payment if convenient. Ainley. John William ; 16 Dalton Green, Dalton, Huddersfield. (June 1895.) Amsler, Maurice, M.B., F.Z.S. ; Eton Court House, Eton, Windsor. (Dec, 1908.) *Astley, Hubert Delaval, M.A., F.Z.S. , M.B.O.U. ; Brinsop Court, Hereford. (June, 1895.) {President.) Atherley, Mrs. ; Croft Castle, Kingsland R.S.O., Herefordshire. (April, 1903.) Bailey, W. Shore ; Boyers House, Westbury, Wilts. (Feb., 1910.) Bainbridge, W. A. ; Tarrant, Keyneston Manor, Blandford. (1913.) ♦Baker, E. C. Stuart, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 6 Harold Road, Upper Norwood, S.E. 19. (Feb., 1904.) ♦Baker, John O, M.B., B.A., M.B.O.U. ; Ceely House, Aylesbury. (June, 1903.) *Baldelli, La Contessa Giulia Tommasi ; 4 Via Silvio Pellico, Florence, Italy. (April, 1902.) 10 Bamford, William ; Dunelm, Cornwall Road. Harrogate. (March, 1904.) Barclay-Watson, Miss F. ; The Court House, Goring, Sussex. (Julv, 1902.) Barlow, Alfred ; Superintendent, Alexandra Park, Oldham. (April, 1908.) 4 List of Members Barlow-Massicks, Miss F. M. ; The Friary, Tickhill, Yorks. (1913). Barnard, T., M.C., F.Z.S. ; Kempston Hoo, Bedford. (Sept., 1919.) Bedford, Her Grace the Duchess of, F.Z.S. ; Woburn Abbey, Woburn, Beds ; and 15 Belgrave Square, S.W.I. (Feb., 1903.) (Vice-President.) Beebe, Capt. C. William ; Curator of Ornithology, New York Zoological Park, New York City, U.S.A. Bell, B. C. ; 235 Eighth Street, San Francisco, Cal., U.S.A. (1919.) Bentall, George A. ; Woodlawn, Kingston Vale, Putney, S.W. 15. (March, 1918.) Bentley, David ; 80 St. Hubert's Street, Great Harwood, Blackburn. (July, 1895.) 20 Beresford Webb, G. M ; Norbryght, South Godstone, Surrey (May, 1906.) Bhuri Singh, His Highness Rajah Sir, Chamba, Punjab, India. (Jan., 1908.) Blaauw, F. E., C.M.Z.S , M.B.O.U. ; Gooilust, 's Graveland, Hilversum, Holland. (Nov., 1901.) Blackburn, H. R. ; Woodlands, Surrenden Road, Preston, Brighton. (1913.) Blagg, E. W. H. ; Greenhill, Cheadle, Staffs. (Sept., 1911.) Bonhote, John Lewis, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. : Park Hill House, Carshalton. (Dec, 1894.) (Hon. Ser. and Treasurer.) Borthwick, Alex. ; Vereena, Canonbury Grove, Dulwich Hill, Sydney, N.S.W. (Feb., 1909.) Bourke, Hon. Mrs. Algernon ; 75 Gloucester Place, Portman Square, W 1. (Feb., 1911.) Bousfield, Miss M. ; 58 Southbourne Road, Bournemouth. (June, 1914.) Bowring, Miss Clara ; Ascot Heath Lodge, Ascot, Berks. (August, 1919.) 30 Boyd, Harold ; Box 374, Kelowna, British Columbia. (March, 1902.) Briggs, T. H. ; Rock House, Lynmouth, N. Devon. (June, 1918.) Bright, Herbert ; Lynton, Eaton Road, Cressington Park, near Liverpool. (June, 1914.) *Brook, E. J. ; Hoddam Castle, Ecclefechan, N.B. (August, 1915.) Browning, William H. ; 16 Cooper Square, New York City, U.S.A. (March, 1906.) Bufton, Lieut. R. P. ; Caerlyn, Llandrindod Wells. (Feb., 1914.) Burdon, Mrs. W. ; Hartford House, Bedlington, Northumberland. (1913.) Burgess, Mrs. J. H. ; Hilston House, St. John's Road, Clifton, Bristol. (June, 1917.) Butler, Arthur G., Ph.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 124 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. (Orig. Mem.) Butler, A. L., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; St. Leonard's Park, Horsham. (August, 1906.) 40 Butler, Arthur Larchin, M.Aust.O.U. ; Waimarie, Lower Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania. (July, 1905.) Butter, J. K., M.D. ; Highfield House, Cannock, Staffs. (April, 1918.) Buttikoffer, Dr. J., CM Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Director of the Zoological Gardens, Rotterdam, Holland. (Oct., 1907.) (Hon. Mem.) List of Members 5 Campbell, A. 0. Drelincourt ; Andover House, 30 Queensland Road, Boscombe Park, Bournemouth. ♦Carpenter, The Hon. Mrs. ; 22 Grosvenor Road, S.W. 1. (Feb., 1898.) Carrick, George ; 13 King's Terrace, Maryhill, Glasgow. (March, 1898.) Carr-VValker, Herbert ; Pannal Hall, Pannal, near Harrogate. (June, 1917.) Case, Mrs. Alice M. ; Holmburv, Silverdale Road, Eastbourne. (May, 1918.) Cash, J. J. ; Foxley Mount, Lymm, near Warrington. (August, 1918.) Castellan, Victor E. ; Fairkites, Holm, Essex. (Orig. Mem.) 50 *Cecil, The Lady William, Baroness Amherst, of Hackney ; Stowlangtoft Hall, Bury St. Edmunds, and 6 Onslow House, S.W. 7. ' Chamberlain'. Walter, Pendock Grove, Cobham, Surrey. (1912.) Chawner, Miss; Forest. Bank, Lyndhurst, Hants. (July, 1899.) Colton, R. ; 9 Birkendale Road, Sheffield. (Feb., 1917.) Connell, Mrs. Knatchbull ; The Orchard, Brockenhurst, Hants. (Nov. 1897.) Cook, Mrs. Alice M., F.Z.S. ; 5 Lancaster Road, Hampstead, N.W. 3. (Sept., 1917.) ' Cooper, Sir Edward E. ; Berrydown Court, Overton, Hants. (1912.) Cooper, James; Killerby Hall, Scarborough. (Orig. Mem.) Cooper, Raymond W. ; Maylands, Haywards Heath, Sussex. (Aug., 1920.) Cory, Reginald R. ; Duffryn, near Cardiff. (August, 1905.) 60 Cross, W. Simpson, F.Z.S.; Otterspool House, Aigburth, Liverpool. (Jan. 1898.) Currey, Mrs. ; The Pit House, Ewell, Surrey. (Feb., 1906.) *Cushney, Charles ; The Bath Club, 34 Dover Street, Piccadilly, W. (June, 1906.) Davies, G. ; 96 Greenfield Terrace, New Tredegar. (July, 1914.) Dawson. W. Leon ; Museum of Comparative Oology, Santa Barbara, Cal., U.S.A. (Oct., 1919.) Decoux, A. ; Gery-pres Aixe, Hte. Vienne, France. (April, 1917.) Delacour, Lieut. Jean ; 28 Rue de Madrid, Paris. (April, 1916.) Dell, Charles ; 9 Greenhill Road, Harrow, Middlesex. (July, 1900.) Dennis, Mrs. II. E.; c/o Mrs. Mortimer, Wigmore, Holmwood, Surrey. (March, 1903.) DePass, Miss O. ; 6 The Orchard, Bedford Park, W. (March, 1914.) "De Winton, William Edward, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Southover Burwash, Sussex. (August, 1903.) Director, The; Zoological Museum, Tring, Herts. (1912.) Donald, C. H. ; c/o The Alliance Bank of Simla, Ltd., Simla, India. (March, 1906.) List of Members Douglas, Miss ; Rose Mount, Pitlochry, N.B. (June, 1905.) Dowson, E. M. ; United Universities Club, Suffolk Street, S.W. 1. (June, 1915.) Drake, G. Tyrwhitt, Cobtree Manor, Maidstone. (June, 1918.) Drewitt, Frederick Dawtry, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 14 Palace Gardens Terrace, Kensington, W. 8. (May, 1903.) Dunleath, The Lady; Ballywalter Park, Ballywalter, Co. Down, Ireland. (August, 1897.) Eckstein, F. ; Ottershaw Park, Ottershaw, Surrey. (1912.) *Ezra, Alfred ; Foxwarren Park, Cobham, Surrey. (1912.) 80 *Ezra, David ; 3 Kyd Street, Calcutta. (June, 1912.) Falkner, Guy; Westbourne House, Belton, Uppingham. (Oct., 1915.) Fasey, William R. ; The Oaks. Holly Bush Hill, Snaresbrook, E. 11. (May, 1902.) Field, Miss Hilda, Ashurst Park, Tunbridge Wells. (1912.) Finn, Frank, B.A. ; 23 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, N.W. 1. (Hon. Member.) Frost, Wilfred ; 6 Ward's Avenue, Fulham, S.W. 6. (July, 1908.) Ghigi, il Prof. Allessandro ; Via d'Azeglio, Bologna, Italy. (Mar., 1911.) Gibbard, R. N. ; Mearbeck, Westbury Road, New Maiden. (Oct., 1918.) Gibbins, William B. ; Ettington, near Stratford-on-Avon. (June, 1895.) Giles. Henry M., M.Aust.O.U. (Orig. Mem.) ; Zoological Gardens, Perth, Western Australia. (June, 1903.) 90 Goodall, Lieut. A. G, R.F.A. ; 64 Park Road, West Dulwich, S.E. 21. (April, 1918.) Goodliffe, Capt. M. H. S. ; Cavalry Club, Piccadilly, S.W. 1. (Sept., 1918.) Gosse, Philip, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. ; Savile Club, Piccadilly, W. (April, 1911.) Gray, Henry, M.R.C.V.S. ; 23 Upper Phillimore Place, W. 8. (June, 1906.) Greening, Linn^us ; Fairlight, Grappenhall, near Warrington. (Jan., 1911.) Gregory, Mrs. ; Melville, Parkstone, Dorset. (Dec, 1901.) Grey, Lord, of Falloden, K.G. ; Falloden, Nestbury, Northumberland. (1913.) Griffiths, M. E. ; Caizley House, Temple Road, Stowmarket. (May, 1902.) Grossmith, J. L. ; The Grange, Bickley, Kent. (Nov., 1912.) Guilford, Miss H. ; 23 Lenton Avenue, The Park, Nottingham. (Mar., 1903.) 100 Gulbenkian, C. S. ; 27 Quai d'Orsay, Paris. (Dec, 1908.) Gurney, G. H. ; Keswick Hall, Norwich List of Members 7 Haagner, A. K., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., Director National Zoological Gardens ; Box 754, Pretoria, South Africa. (Nov., 1905.) Hamilton. Mrs. ; Villa Alexandra, Chernex sur Montreux, Switzerland. Harcourt, Rt. Hon. Lewis, P.C. ; 69 Brook Street, W. 1. (1913.) Harding, W. A , M.A., F.Z.S. ; Histon Manor, Cambridge. (Dec, 1903.) Harper, Edward William, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Post Box 86, Calcutta, India. (Feb., 1901.) Hartley, Mrs. ; Lynchfield, Bishops Lydeard, Somerset. (April, 1897.) ♦Harvey, The Hon. Lady; Langley Park, Slough, Bucks. (Oct., 1906.) Hayes, Miss Phyllis; Harcourt, Stanton, Shrewsbury. (1915.) 110 Hebb, Thomas; Brooklea, The Downs, Luton, Beds. (April, 1914.) Hemsworth, The Rev. B., M.A., J.P. ; Monk Fryston Hall, South Milford, Yorks. (June, 1901.) Heumann, G. A. ; Ramona, Bucroft, Sydney, N.S.W. (Sept., 1913.) Hewitt, Harald, F.Z.S. ; East Sooke, Vancouver Island, B.C. (Jan., 1905.) Hevwood, Richard ; Narborough, Norfolk. (Oct., 1911.) Hill, Arthur W. ; Assist. Director, Roval Gardens, Kew, Surrey. (Oct., 1915.) *Hill, Mrs. E. Staveley ; Oxley Manor, Wolverhampton. (Oct., 1905.) Hindle, R. Franklin ; 34 Brunswick Road, Liverpool. (Sept., 1898.) *Hopkinson, Emilius, M.A., M.B.Oxon., D.S.O. ; Bathurst, Gambia, West Africa. (Oct., 1906.) Hopson, Fred C. ; 65 Northbrook Street, Newbury. (March, 1897.) 120 Horne, Arthur; Bonne-na-Coile, Murtle, Aberdeenshire. (Dec, 1917.) Horsbrugh. C. B. ; Blessington House, Hillsborough, Co. Down. Housden, James B. ; Brooklyn, Cator Road, Sydenham, S.E. 26. (Orig. Mem.) Howard, Robert James, M.BO.U. ; Shear Bank, Blackburn. (April, 1903.) Hunter, W. G. ; West Street, Sydney, N, N.S.W. (Nov., 1917.) *Hutchinson, Miss Alice ; Alderton, Chippenham, Wilts. (Aug., 1907.) Hyde-Clarke, Lionel E. H. ; Woodlands, St. Olave's, Great Yarmouth. (1919.) Ick-Hewins, T. J., M.D. ; Leeston, Canterbury, New Zealand. (June, 1918.) *[\v.ram, Capt. Collingwood ; The Bungalow, Westgate-on-Sea. (Oct., 1905.) *Ingram, Sir William, Bart. ; The Bungalow, AVestgate-on-Sea. (Sept., 1904.) 130 Jeakins, A. E. ; The Studio, Simla, India, (March, 1915.) Jennison, George, M.A. ; Zoological Gardens, Belle Vue, Manchester. (April, 1918.) Knobel, .Miss E. .Maid; 32 Tavistock Square, W.C. 1. (Aug, 1916.) KrsER, J. Dryden ; Faircourt, Bernardsvillc, New Jersey, U.S.A. (1912.) 3 List of Members Lambrick, Prebendary M. ; Blagdon Rectory, Bristol. (Jan., 1921.) Law, Satya Charan ; 24 Sukeas Street, Calcutta. (1919.) Lawrence, S. A. ; 132 Alma Road, Caul field, Victoria, Australia. (Sept., 1916.) Leach, C. F. ; Vale Lodge, Leatherhead, Surrey. (June, 1914.) Lecallier, Madame ; 109 Rue de la Republique, Caudebecdes-Elbeuf, France. (April, 1918.) Le Sou'ef, A. Sherbourne ; Zoological Gardens, Sydney, N.S.W. (Aug., 1913.) L40 Le Soue'f, Dudley ; Zoological Gardens, Royal Park, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia. (1912.) Lewis, D. Thomas ; Oaklands, Aberkinfig, Glam. (1917.) Lienau, C. H. A. ; Newbury, 23 Victoria Avenue, Unley Park, South Australia. (Oct., 1917.) *Lilford, The Lady ; Lilford Hall, Oundle, Northants. (Jan., 1898.) *Lockyer, Alfred ; St. Monica's Lodge, Elm Park Road, Winchmore Hill, N. 21. (Dec, 1905.) Lovelace, The Countess of; Wentworth House, Chelsea Embankment, S.W. 3. (May, 1906.) Lovett, C. ; Glendale Park, Nashville, Tenn., U.S.A. (Dec, 1912.) Low, George E. ; 14 Royal Terrace East, Kingstown, Ireland. (Mar., 1913.) Lucas, Dr. N. S. ; 19 Westbourne Terrace, W. 2. (Jan., 1913.) McCorquodale, Mrs. ; Cound Hall, Shrewsbury. (Jan., 1920.) 150 Macdonald, Miss Violet ; Ipley Manor, Marchwood, Hants. (Feb., 1920.) *McGeagh, R. T., M.D. ; Mona Lodge, Lezayre, near Ramsey, Isle of Man. (Aug., 1908.) *McGugan, J. M. K. ; Northern Bank Buildings, Donegal Square, Belfast. (April, 1920.) Malone, Mrs. M. L'Estrange ; West Lodge, Malton, Yorks. (Jan., 1902.) Manchester Public Libraries , Reference Library, Piccadilly, Manchester. (July, 1913.) *Manners-Smith, Mrs. ; The Residency, Nepal, India. (1911.) *Manson-Bahr, Dr. Philip H., B.A., M.B.O.U. ; 32 Weymouth Street, W. 1. (Nov., 1907.) ♦Marshall, Archibald McLean ; Chitcombe, Brede, Sussex. (Jan., 1906.) Marshall, F. ; 34 Stirling Road, Bournemouth. (1916.) Martin, H. C. ; 147 Victoria Road, Old Charlton, Kent ; and Saladero, Liebig, Fray Bentos, Uruguay. (Jan., 1897.) 160 Maud, Mrs. Charles E. ; Hotel del Monte, Monterey, Cal., U.S.A. (July, 1913.) Meade-Waldo, E. G. B., F.Z.S., M.B£).U. ; Hever Warren, Hever, Kent. (Jan., 1895.) Miller, R. Scott; Clydeneuk, Uddingston, Glasgow. (1919.) Millsum, O. ; 79 Northdown Road, Cliftonville, Margate. (Aug., 1909.) Moir, J. K. ; Normanton, Young Street, Albury, N.S.W. (July, 1918.) List of Members 9 Montagu, Hon. E. S., M.P., M.B.O.U. ; 24 Queen Anne's Gate, S.W. (May, 1912.) Mortimer, Mrs. ; Wigmore, Holmwood, Surrey. (Orig. Mem.) Mi'ndy, Miss Sybil Miller ; Grendon Hall, Grendon, Northampton. (Jan., 1909.) Mint, Henry ; 10 Ashburn Place, S. Kensington, S.W. 7. (1912.) Murray, Mrs. E. G. Dewar ; Inchrye House, Lindores, Fifeshire. (1919.) 170 Murray, R. H. ; Brook Lodge, Woodlands Park, Altrincham, Cheshire. (Feb., 1920.) Mylan, James George, B.A., M.B. (Univ. Coll.), L.R.C.P. and L.R.C.S. (Ed.), etc. ; 90 Upper Hanover Street, Sheffield. (Dec, 1901.) National Zoological Park (The Superintendent) ; Washington, Dt., U.S.A. Neilson, Major Geo. M. ; Boraston Knowe, Blackhall, Midlothian. (June, 1918.) Neville, Capt. T. N. C. ; Bramall Hall, near Stockport. (July, 1917.) Newman, T. H., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Newlands, Harrowdene Road, Wembley, Middlesex. (May, 1900.) Newmarsh, C. T. ; Gamage's, Ltd., Holbom, W.C. (Aug., 1915 ) *Nichols, Walter B., M.B.O.U. ; Stour Lodge, Bradfield, Manningtree. (Jan., 1907.) " Noshomu " ; c/o Maruzen Co., Tokyo, Japan. (1919.) Oakey, W. ; The Anglers' Inn, 4 Pole Street, Preston. (March, 1896.) 180 Oberholser, Harry C. ; 2805 18th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C., U.S.A. (Oct., 1903.) Ogilvie-Grant, W. R., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Farley Hill Cottage, near Reading. (Dec, 1903.) Ogle, Bertram Saville, M.B.O.U. ; Mill House, Steeple Aston, Oxford. (Dec, 1902.) Onslow, The Countess of ; Clandon Park, Guildford, Surrey. (July, 1910.) O'Reilly, Nicholas S. ; 144 Eastern Road, Kemp Town, Brighton. (Dec, 1894.) Pam, Albert, F.Z.S. ; Wormleybury, Broxbourne, Herts. (Jan., 1906.) Pam, Hugo, C.M.Z.S. ; National Match Factory of Venezuela, Ltd., Caracas, Venezuela. (Sept., 1911.) Parmenter, Miss; Sedgemere Hall, Roydon, Essex. (Nov., 1917.) Penrose, Frank G., M.D., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Rathkeale, 51 Surrey Road, Bournemouth. (Dec, 1903.) Peecival, Walter G. ; Kalnangi, Chania Bridge, British East Africa. (Feb., 1915.) 190 Phillips, John C. ; 79 Mount Vernon Street, Boston, Mass., U.S.A. (March, 1910.) I'n kford, Randolph John ; Thorn Lea, Carmel Road, Darlington. (Feb., 1903.) Pike, L. O. ; Kingsbarrow, Wareham, Dorset. (1912) *Pocock, R. I., F.R.S., F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Zoological Society's Gardens, Regent's Park, N.W. 1. (Feb , 1904.) (Hon. Editor.) 10 List of Members Porter, Sidney ; Selwyn House, Old Normanton, Derby. (April, 1920.) Potter, Bernard E., MB., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. ; 26 Park Crescent, Portland Place, W. 1. Princeton University, Library of ; Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.A. (Nov., 1907.) Pycraft, W. P., A.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U, etc. ; British Museum (Nat. Hist), Cromwell Road, S.W. 7. (Nov., 1904.) (Hon. Member.) Pyman, Miss E. E. ; West House, West Hartlepool. (June, 1919.) Radcliffe, Major A. Delme ; 105th Maratha Light Infantry, c/o Messrs. C >x & Ca.. Army Agents, 16 Charing Cross, S.W. 1. 200 Ramsay, Lucy ; 23 Rua de Serpa Pinto, Villa Nova de Gaya, Oporto, Portugal. (Nov., 1919.) Rathborne, Henry B. ; Dreenan, Boa Island, Pettigo, Co. Fermanagh. (May, 1901.) Rathmele, James E. ; 24 Milk Street, Boston, Mass., U.S.A. *Rattigan, Lieut. G. E. ; 29 Caroline Street, Eaton Terrace, S.W. 1. (Aug., 1908.) Reid, Mrs. ; Funchal, Madeira. (Feb., 1895.) *Rice, Capt. G. ; Persey House, Blairgowrie, N.B. (May, 1912.) Richings, Rev. B. G. ; Barton Vicarage, Cambridge. (June, 1919.) ♦Robbins, Henry ; The Maisonnette, New Oxford Street, W.C. (April, 1908.) Roberts, Mrs. Mary G., C.M.Z.S. ; Zoological Gardens, Beaumaris, Mont- pelier Street, Hobart, Tasmania. (June, 1903.) Rogers, H. E. ; " Arequipa," 7 Aigburth Road, Liverpool. (June, 1919.) 210*Rogers, Col. J. M., D.S.O., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (late Royal Dragoons) ; River- hill, Sevenoaks. (April, 1907.) Rothschild, Hon. Lionel de, M.P. ; 46 Park Street, W. 1. (Nov., 1913.) Rothwell, James E. ; 153 Sewall Avenue, Brookline, Mass., U.S.A. (Oct., 1910.) Royal Zoological Society of Ireland ; c/o Royal College of Science, Dublin. (Oct., 1905.) Rumsey, Lacy ; 23 Rua de Serpa Pinto, Villa Nova de Gaya, Oporto, Portugal. (April, 1919.) *St. Quintin, William Herbert, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Scampston Hall, Rillington, York. (Orig. Mem.) Sakai Tatsuzo'; 2 Chrome, Kano Cho, Kobe, Japan. (1919.) Samuelson, Lady ; Hatchford Park, Cobham, Surrey. (July, 1916.) Sclater, W. L., M.A., F.Z.S. ; 10 Sloane Court, S.W. 3. (Aug., 1904.) Scott, Capt. B. Hamilton, R.F.A. ; Hamildean, Ipswich. (1912.) 220 Sebag-Montefiore, Mrs. ; 2 Palace Houses, W. 2. (1913.) *Seppings, Major J. W. H., A.P.D. ; The Castle, Cape Town. (Sept., 1907.) *Seth-Smith, David, F.Z.S. , M.B.O.U. ; 34 Elsworthy Road, South Hampstead, N.W. 3. (Dec, 1894.) (Hon. Editor.) List of Members 11 *Seth-Smith, Leslie M., B.A., M.B.O.U. ; Nagunga, Kampala, Uganda. (July, 1912.) Sich, Herbert Leonard ; Corney House, Burlington Lane, Chiswick, W. 4. (Feb., 1902.) Silver, Allen, F Z.S. ; 18 Baneswell Road, Newport, Mon. Simpson, Archibald ; Oakfield House, Stanks, Crossgates, near Leeds. (Feb., 1901.) Smalley, F. W., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; North Cove Hall, near Beccles, Suffolk. (1912.) Smith, C. Barnby ; Woodlands, Retford. (Aug., 1906.) Smith, O. C. ; 73 Audley Street, Reading. (March, 1915.) 230 Smith, Philip ; Haddon House, Ashton-on-Mersey, Sale, Manchester. (Dec, 1917.) Smith, W. Proctor; Haddon House, Ashton-on-Mersey, Sale, Manchester. (Nov., 1917.) Snape, Major A. E., R.A.F. ; Langwyd, Sunningdale, Surrey. (June, 1918.) Southport Corporation, Curator of ; Hesketh Park, Southport. (Jan., 1904.) Sprange, Sergt. D. H. ; Terranova, Chinderah, Tweed River, N S.W. (Feb., 1918.) Sproston, Mrs. ; Elm House, Nantwich, Cheshire. (June, 1917.) *Stansfield, Capt. John ; Dunninald, Montrose, N.B. (Dec, 1896.) Staples Browne, R. ; Bradfield House, Bicester, Oxon. (Aug., 1898.) Stevens, H. ; Gopaldara Mirik P.O. via Kurslong D.H.Rly., Bengal, India. (Oct., 1911.) Stockport Corporation ; Superintendent, Vernon Park, Stockport. (Oct., 1902.) 240 Suggitt, Robert ; Suggitt's Lane, Cleethorpes, Grimsby. (Dec, 1903.) Sutcliffe, Albert ; Fairholme, Grimsby. (Feb., 1906.) Swaysland, Walter ; 47 Queen's Road, Brighton. (Orig. Mem.) Takano, J. ; 67 Shichome Honcho, Yokohama, Japan. (Jan., 1921.) Taka-Tsukasa, Nobusuke ; 106 Honmura-Cho, Azabu, Tokyo, Japan. (Feb., 1914.) *Tanner, Dr. Frank L. ; Van vert House, Guernsey. (Jan., 1914.) Tavistock, The Marquess of ; Warblington House, Havant, Hants. (1912.) Temple, W. R. ; Ormonde, Datchet, Bucks. (June, 1907.) Terry, Major Horace A., M.B.O.U. (late Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry) ; Compton Grange, Compton, Guildford. (Oct., 1902.) Teschemaker, W. E., B.A. ; Ringmore, Teignmouth, Devon. (May, 1904.) 250 Thom, Alfred A. ; Whitewell Lodge, Whitchurch, Salop. (June, 1913.) Thomas, F. Inigo ; 2 Mulberry Walk, Church Street, Chelsea, S.W. 3. (June, 1914 ) Thomas, Miss F. G. F. ; Weston Hall, Towcester, Northants (Mar., 1899.) Thomas, Henry; 15 Clinning Road, Birkdale, Southport. (Jan., 1895.) 12 List of Members Thomasset, Bernard C, F.Z.S. ; The Manor House, Ashmansworth, near Newbury. (July, 1896.) Thomasset, H. P. ; Weeness, Natal, South Africa. (Nov., 1906.) Thompson, Mrs. F. F; ; Canandaigua, N.Y., U.S.A. (July, 1907.) Thorniley, Percy Wright; Hole Head, Dawlish. (Feb., 1902.) Ticehurst, Norman Frederick, M.A., M.B., F.R.C.S., F.Z.S. ; 24 Pevensey Road, St. Leonard's-on-Sea. (Dec., 1906.) Tilley, G.D. ; Darien, Conn., U.S.A. 269 Transvaal Museum; The Director, Transvaal Museum, Pretoria. (Jan., 1921.) *Trevor-Battye, Aubyn, B. R., MA , F.L.S., ; Ashford Chace, Petersfield, Hants. (July, 1898. Tunnicliffe, Mrs. Katherine A.; 42HeskethRoad, Southport. (Sept., 1919) Tweedie, Lieut. -Col. W. ; c/o Mrs. Tweedie, 8 Glebe Crescent, Stirling. (April, 1903.) Uppingham School ; c/o The Head Master, The School House, Uppingham. (Nov., 1920.) Urwick, Douglas R. ; Prior's Barton, Winchester. (Mar., 1913.) Valentine, Ernest ; 7 Highfield, Workington. (May, 1899.) Van Oort, Dr. E. 1) : Museum of Natural History, Leiden, Holland Van Somerkx. V.G.L., L.R.CP. & S, Edin, L.R.F.P.S., Glas., L.D.S. ; c/o Dr. Hart it'., Tring, Herts. (June, 1915.) Wachsmann, A. E.Wright de Berri ; Maitai, Murray Road, Beecroftr N.S.W. (Aug., 1914.) 270 Wait, Miss L. M. St. A. ; 12 Rosary Gardens, S.W. 7. (Feb., 1909.) Walker, Miss H. K. O. ; Chesham, Bury, Lanes. (Feb., 1895.) Watekftki.i). Mrs. Noel E. ; Blvburgate House, Beccles, Suffolk ; and Port Sedan, Red Sea. (Sept., 1904.) Waud, Capt. P. Reginald ; 203 Knightsbridge, S.W. 1. (May, 1913.) Weir, J. ; Douglas Cottage, Upper Ashley, New .Milton, Hants. (July, litis.) Welch, F. D., M.R.C.S., L.R.CP. ; Hartley, Longfield, Kent, (March,. 1920.) Wellington. Her Grace the Duchess of ; Ewhurst Park, Basingstoke. (Oct., 1913.) Whitaker, Joseph I. S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ,- Villa Malfitano, Palermo,. Sicily. (Aug., 1903.) Whitlaw, Miss Rosa M. ; Amerden, Taplow. (Aug., 1914.) Willford, Henry ; Sans Souci, Havenstreet, Byde, Isle of Wight. (Nov., 1907.) 280 Williams, Mrs. C. H. ; Emmanuel Parsonage, Exeter. (May, 1902.) *Wilson, Dr. Maurice A. ; Walton Lodge, Pannal, Harrogate. (Oct., 1905.) *Winchelsea and Nottingham, The Countess of ; Haverholme Priory* Sleaford. (April, 1903.) List of Members 13 Winn, The Hon. Mrs. ; Nostell Priory, Wakefield, Hants. (Nov., 1920.) Woodward, Kenneth M. ; 1 Madison Avenue, New York, U.S.A. (March,. 1915.) Wooldridge, Prof. G. H, F.R.C.V.S. ; Royal Veterinary College, Camden Town, N.W. (1912.) Workman, William Hughes, M.B.O.U. ; Lismore, Windsor Avenue, Belfast. (May, 1903.) ♦Wormald, Hugh ; Heathfield, East Dereham, Norfolk. (Dec., 1904.) Yealland, James ; Binstead, Isle of Wight. (July, 1913.) ► Young, H. R. ; 77 Mitcham Lane, Streatham, S.W. 6. (April, 1920.) Rules of the Avicultural Society Rules of the Avicultural Society As amended July, 1920 1. — The name of the Society shall be The Avicultural Society, and its object shall be the study of Foreign and British Birds in freedom and in captivity. Poultry, Pigeons, and Canaries shall be outside the scope of the Society. The year of the Society, with that of each volume of the Society's Magazine, which shall be known as The Avicultural Magazine, shall commence with the month of January and end on the 31st of December 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 Secretary, an Editor, a Treasurer, an Auditor, a Scrutineer, and a Council of fifteen members. The Secretary, 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 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. Meiiilii rs 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 he in his favour ; nor shall a candidate be elected if five or more votes be recorded against his election. i*>. — Each Member shall pay an annual subscription of £1, to be due and payable in advance on the 1st of January in each year. New Members shall pay, in addition, an entrance fee of 10s. (3d. ; and, on payment of their entrance fee ami 16 Bides of the Avicultural Society subscription, they shall be entitled to receive all the numbers of the Society's Magazine for the current year. 6. — Members intending to resign their membership at the end of the current year of the Society are expected to give notice to the Secretary before the 1st of December, so that their names may not be included in the " List of Members ", which shall be published annually in the January number of the Magazine. 7. — The Magazine of the Society shall be issued on or about the first day of every month, and forwarded, post free, to all the Members who shall have paid their subscriptions for the year ; but no Magazine shall be sent or delivered to any Member until tin annual subscription shall have reached the hands of the Business Secretary or the Publishers. Members whose subscriptions shall not have been paid as above by the first day in November 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. 8. — The Secretary, 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 time of live 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 November number of the Magazine preceding the retirement from office of the Secretary, Editor, or Treasurer, the Council shall publish the names of those gentlemen whom they have nominated to fill the vacancies thus created ; and these gentlemen shall be deemed duly elected unless another candidate or candidates be proposed by not less than fifteen Members of at least two years' standing. Such proposal, duly seconded and containing the written consent of the nominee to serve, if elected, in the capacity for which he is proposed, must reach the Secretary on or before the 15th of November. The Council shall also publish yearly in the November 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 November 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 Bides of the Avicultural Society 17 Hon. Secretary by the \~)lh of November. The names of the four candidates will then be printed on a voting paper and sent to each Member with the December number of the Magazine, and the result of the votingpublished in the January 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 not attend a meeting for two years in succession the Council shall have power to elect another member in his place. 10. —Immediately after the election of the Council that body shall proceed to elect three from its Members (ex officio Members not being eligible). These three, together with the Secretary, Treasurer, 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 fill temporarily the vacancy until the end of the year In the case of the office being one which is held for more than one year (e.g. Secretary, Editor, or Treasurer) the appointment shall be confirmed by the Council at its next meeting. (iii) To act for the Council in the decision of any other matter that may arise in connexion with the business of the Society. The decision of any matter by the Executive to be settled by a simple majority (five to form a quorum). In the event of a tie on any question, such question shall be forthwith submitted by letter to the Council for their decision. The Executive shall not have power (i) To add to or alter the Rules ; (ii) To expel any Member ; (iii) To re-elect the Secretary, 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 initialled by the Executive. It shall be lawful for the Secretary or Editor to pledge the Society's credit for a sum not exceeding £15. Should a Member wish any matter to be brought before the Council direct such matter should be sent to the Secretary with a letter stating that it is to be brought before the Council at their next meeting, otherwise communications will in the first place be brought before the Executive. A decision of a majority of the Council, or a majority of the Executive endorsed by the Council, shall be final and conclusive in all matters 18 Rules of the Avicultural Society 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 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 an}" person how any Member shall have voted. The Society's Medal 19 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 disqualify 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 2£ 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 recipient] for rearing the young of [name of species], a species not previously bred in captivity in the United Kingdom ". THE Avicultural Magazine BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN & BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM & CAPTIVITY Third Series.— Vol. XII— No. 1.— All rights reserved. JANUARY, 1921. DIET FOR REARING YOUNG BIRDS By Maurice Amsler, M.B., F.Z.S. I see from notes by Mr. Seth-Sniith in the November issue of the Journal that 1920 has been a very poor breeding season. Although my fellow-members have my sympathy, I must admit that the statement brought me some measure of comfort and consolation. The past season has been the worst in my experience since I first took up foreign birds. A few Diamond Doves and four Swainson's Lorikeets are all I can boast of after months of care and attention. Orange-headed Ground Thrushes looked promising ; the male gave all his titbits to the female even after the moult was completed in October, but beyond the carrying of a few straws there was no attempt at reproduction. My present pair are both young and vigorous birds, and my failure is all the more disappointing as in previous years I have seldom failed to get at least two nests of young. It may not be out of place here to advise those who may be keeping these (or allied) species to separate the male from the female when all breeding is over. My experience with more than one pair is that the male is more attentive during the breeding season, but that jitter the moult he chases the hen about, prevents her feeding, and by generally bullying her either causes her death or finally kills her, unless separated in time. When springtime comes round the hen will turn the tables on the cock if he is introduced to her too early. 1 2 Maurice Amsler — Diet for Rearing Young Birds As 1 proposed saying something about the feeding of birds in this article, I may perhaps mention that these Thrushes and also the American Robin (Turdus migratorius) do not require a large quantity of mealworms in rearing young. Two or three dozen should be given daily for the firsl three days, after which the quantity may be gradually reduced, their place being taken by small earthworms. The latter are best supplied in a large shallow box containing plenty of damp moss. The worms live indefinitely , and the parenl birds have a continuous food supply. Gentles 1 nave already mentioned and advocated in the .Magazine. 1 bave used millions in my time with no untoward result, bu1 they musl be properly scoured, preferably in meal or flour, until they have losl their central black line. Cockroaches or blackbeetles are, 1 know, said to " scour " the young birds. My experience is that the only use the smaller insects, and the results have always satisfied me. Lastly there is raw meat ; my last brood of Orange-headed Ground Thrushes, reared in 191 1. weir fed very largely on it. and left the nest very tit and strong and were fully reared. ! think a good deal depends on its preparation. My method wa j to pass the meat through a mincer, together with stale bread ; the mixture is then quite crumbly, and does nol ■ m to lisgusl the birds like a La of pure meat. The parent birds in question had been in my possession for some three years, and it is possible that their long captivity had caused them to forget the aversion, which we all know, to feeding with anything but live food. The above points may appear a trifle laboured, but mealworms arc at the presenl costing Is. per ounce. Given liberally a pair of feeding Thrushes could dispose of an ounce daily, and a good deal more when the youngsters were balf-grown. I tremble to think what my bill would bave been at t be presenl price when 1 had young of Occipital Blue Pies and Yucatan Jays ! The price of " soft food" at 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. a pound also "gives us to think". 1 bave completely given up buying the made-up article, and find that biscuit-meal (preferably grocer's biscuits) mixed with a small quantity of minced cooked meat suits the larger insectivorous birds perfectly well. To this may be added twice weekly as a treat some well-crushed hard-boiled eggs. \\\ addition to this all my birds get a daily ration of the Lorikeets' food mentioned below, and I think it is to this that their fitness is partly due. Maurice Amsler — Diet for Bearing Young Birds 3 I mentioned earlier that the Swainson's Lorikeets had reared four young in 1920. Two eggs since, laid in August, were clear ; but there are two more in the nest-box due to hatch in a day or two. So I may yet beat my own record and rear six in the year. This would make a total of sixteen young in three years — a pretty good record, seeing that the clutch is never more than two in number. For this I take no credit. I merely happen to have bought a breeding pair, not an invariable occurrence with this genus. When these Lorikeets first arrived I was told to feed them on a mixture containing Mellin's food, condensed milk, honey, and crumbled biscuit or sponge-cake made up with boiling water ; some of the ingredients were not very easy to obtain during the War, and all were expensive in the long run. However, I continued their use until the birds had reared their first chick. This bird grew very slowly, although the above food was supplemented with cane- sugar, which Mr. E. J. Brooke told me was very important ; he left the nest at the age of twenty iveeks, and was of about the same size as other young birds I have since reared, which left the nest at five weeks. I could not help thinking that in the case of these birds (I am not referring to Sun-birds, Sugar-birds, and such like delicate fry) there was something lacking in the condensed milk which handicapped the growth of the young. Whether I was right or wrong, I decided at the time to try a simpler food. I had noticed that the old birds were fond of sweet rice pudding, but as this takes hours to make properly I tried ground rice boiled for a few minutes with fresh cow's milk and sweetened with honey-sugar. This has been my staple food ever since, some two and a half years, and the birds get scarcely anything else, very occasionally a little fruit or perhaps a little custard. But they do not care much for these " treats ". We have heard and read a good deal about " Vitamines " of late, and I am wondering whether the usual mixture given to Sun-birds, etc., may not be lacking in some such substance. It is known that the lack of a Yitamine affects young and growing animals and birds much more than it does adults, and the use of fresh cow's milk might make all the difference in the rearing of some rarity, such as a Sun-bird or Fruitsucker. 1 know, of course, that both these and other genera feed their young 4 E. Maud Enobel — Sexing Parrots large)}' with insects, but in the case of the Gold-fronted Fruitsucker, which T nearly bred on three different occasions, the old birds used both the condensed milk mixture and also pure honey, in addition to insects, in feeding the young, which never lived beyond twelve days. Perhaps my ground rice and milk might have brought me success. AM the above is, of course, merely theory, but in the feeding of all except the hardiest birds we must remember that the diet is largely artificial, and when failure occurs we must hear in mind what are called for want of deeper knowledge " accessory food bodies ". An intensely interesting article appeared in L'Oiseau some months ago. The writer dealt in a very convincing manner with the lack of Vitamines as the cause of death in many of the more delicate African Finches. Perhaps Ah-. Delacour would allow a verbatim translation of the article for the Avicultural Magazine. To refer again to the ground rice mixture, it is this which I mentioned earlier in these notes as being used to supple- ment the insectivorous birds' food. All the birds gel a. small quantity daily. Amongsl those which I know eat freely of it. I may mention ills, King Parrakeets, Jays, Thrushes, Tits, Whydahs, and even, mally, t he I >iamond Doves. 1 am sure the birds thrive on it, it is a welcome change for them, and as it contains milk il may be taken as a sorl of substitute for insect food; this in the case of the smaller Waxbills, who seldom eai mealworms, is an important point during the winter mouths when gnats, »reen-fly, and such like small fry do not exist. Having opened the subject of food and diet, might I ask other members for their views thereon. A number of useful and interesting facts on feeding might be brought to light I y a series of articles on this topic SEXING PARROTS By E. Maud Rnobel The question of sexing birds whose plumage is the same in both cock and hen has often been discussed, and various theories put forward for distinguishing them. It is said that a practised eye can easily tell the sexes when a pair of birds are together, and the methods E. Maud Knob el — Sexing Parrots 5 hitherto employed are by carefully noting any differences that may occur. Even then it is very difficult if you have an old hen and a young cock, say, for example, of a Blue-fronted Amazon, and one can never be quite sure. May I venture to put forward another suggestion for determining the sexes ? In doing so I should like it to be borne in mind that I am speaking of parrots only, for it is solely in this family of birds that my experience lies. This is by carefully feeling the bird in the neighbourhood of the pelvis. In the cock bird you will find the pelvic bones taper down to a point and lie so close together that they are practically to aching, whereas in a hen bird the pelvic bones are wide enough apart to allow an egg to pass through. In my Alexandrine Parrot, which I know is a cock bird by the black and rose collar, the pelvic bones lie close together, and I find the same in my small Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, which has black eyes, and whose general demeanour pronounces him a cock bird. Out of the eight Blue-fronted and two Yellow-fronted Amazons I have kept I believe only two were male birds, and I am inclined to think that the majority of birds that come over to this country are females. Mr. C. P. Arthur, in his account of Grey Parrots in his book Parrots for Pleasure mil Profit, says much the same thing, i.e. that he has not found a single male among the many he has dissected. Last year I had a charming Yellow-fronted Amazon (Judy), which I subsequently determined to be a hen. I must say the first time I saw her in a shop I was not greatly taken with her, but the next day I visited her again, when she promptly stepped off her perch on to my hand. I at once bought her and carried her home. The very first morning I let her out she flew across the room on to my shoulder, and never have I had a bird which formed so great an attachment as she did. She was really never happy unless she was on me, and she was the most gentle and playful little creature I have ever had. Yet she was undoubtedly a hen, and this entirely does away with the theory that male birds like women and females men. In her case, from outwrard examination, the pelvic bones were quite an inch apart, and dissection after death, which came all too soon, proved her unquestionably to be a hen. I missed her so much and was so unhappy at her loss that two days after i replaced her-- if one can say such a thing, for one never 6 Prebendary Lambrick — The Story of a Tame Booh replaces, really — with a baby Blue-fronted Amazon, a funny little thing with no wing or tail feathers, in fact very few feathers at all, but mostly down. In this bird the pelvic bones lie close together, touching each other, and I have no hesitation in pronouncing him a cock. I tamed him in two days, that is to say, lie would come on my hand, lie on his back on my lap, and let me kiss and stroke him, but he will nevei adore me in the way Judy did. and has a very independent , but he has moulted into a handsome bird and promises to be an excellent talker and whistler. My little Seneg ho in poinl of size and colouring is quite as beautiful as the one so many of us know and admire in the Parrot- house at the Zoo, with the exception that in mine the head is a trifle smaller, has the pelvic bones about fin. apart, and I feel quite sure in my own mind that she is a hen. In the very few dead specimens that I have been able to examine I have not, found that the pelvic bones of either sex look very different, and 1 am inclined to think that what one Eeels in a live cock bird is not so much bone matter as cartilage or gristly matter, extending on beyond the pelvic bones down to a fine point, and which in a dead bird gets quickly shrivelled up so that one cannot find it. There may nol be much in tins theory, but certain it is that in some birds the bones are wide apart, in others close together, and one lly asks oneself if this does not denote sex. Why, then, should it be? Perhaps some other members who have had more experience and opportunity of studying these things will be able to help in determining this question. THE STORY OF A TAME ROOK By Prebendary Lambrick One of the prettiest features of our country rectory is its beautiful avenue, but what we appreciate more than its beauty is the large colony of Rooks that inhabits it. We have more than fifty nests, and the birds are an unfailing source of interest. The old birds, the patriarchs, live at the top end, near the road, the younger ones near the house. Is it possible that what we often hear Prebendary Lambrick — The Story of a Tame Book 7 described as robbing each other's nests of sticks is, in fact, a splendid system of fagging ? It is, at any rate, noteworthy in our case that it is always the " road " birds that commandeer the " house " birds' sticks. The cocks seem to take it as a matter of course, but sometimes the little ladies resist the demand on their youthful spouses. The heads of the clan seem to control the number of nests that are built, and it is not an uncommon sight to see them pull nests to pieces and drive birds away. The sentries are well posted, but never disturb the birds for any of our household passing up and down the avenue at night, but if a stranger comes the conversation is very general, and not always polite. We know immediately the whortleberries are in on the hills by the droppings under the trees. Last year in the autumn the great parliament was held in a big field alongside their houses. Two or three thousand birds came, arriving about ten o'clock in the morning and settling in long lines across the field. From time to time companies rose out of the line, circled in the air, and alighted in another line, for all the world like going to attend another committee. On one occasion a great sorrow befel us. Two crows came and settled among the rooks, and although sitting, the whole colonyrose into the air one Sunday afternoon, divided into three bodies, and deserted the nests. One section went off to the Mendip Hills, and we were able to observe the interesting fact that they built in separate isolated trees, covering a fairly large area, and not congregating together as usual, and began again to lay, and brought up their young families. So much for the wisdom of the agricultural committee of a county council who suggested beating drums, lighting fires, collecting noisy boys to drive sitting birds off their nests, and so put down the pest ! They may be wise, but they have not " cornered " Rookie yet ! But now I must come to the great day. On the 1st of May, 1912, I was going up the avenue when I heard a most fearful cawing, and on the ground there were two tiny fledglings, perfectly bare except for their wing-quills. One was injured and died, the other, the screecher, I took up in my hands and brought into the house. The next day I went to Ireland, and when I came back after a month Rookie had taken over the rectory, which she has ruled ever since. My housekeeper, Miss Latcham, was the foster-mother, and the bird always goes to her 8 Prebendary Lambnck — The Story of a Tame Rook with her ailments now, and she also much prefers to be put to bed by her nannie. She is absolutely free of the house, never has her wing cut, and asks for all she wants, and we can always tell whether it is her bath, food, bed, or change of air that she requires. She has a far more acute sense of hearing than we have, and can detect the noise of an aeroplane or motor-car many seconds before we do. She is, moreover, always certain of the direction from which it is coming, whereas we are often confused She is very accurate in distinguishing sound, and always knows whether I ring the bell for daily service or my colleague. If he rings she takes no further notice ; if I do she lights on the window and waits anxiously for me to come down the garden. When we were billeting troops during the War, she took great delight in the horses and men, and much appreciated the officers of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers because of their fleches, which her keen eye had detected before they entered the bouse, and which she had a continuous desire to remove all the time they were with us. She builds her nesl every year in the workroom. Her first was constructed entirely of what could be goi in the house. She started with twigs out of the housemaid's box, then impounded four work- scissors, my 2 ft. rule, three silver teaspoons, the receipt file, reels of cotton and silk, two tape measures, a strap, string, and tape. All these were wonderfully worked in, the interlacing being most clever and laborious. Having satisfied herself with the outside, she proceeded to line the nest, the first precious prize being a new chamois leather ; this was followed by three cleaning-cloths, a pair of stockings, pieces of linen, flannel, silk, a newspaper torn to shreds and taken piece by piece. Bright colour was a great attraction, and always preferred to white or brown goods. Each year since then we have put a box with sticks and remnants in the room for her. She has always liked me to help, and this year she was more than ever exacting, her scheme being that I should bring the material and she build the nest, which she put together in a very cosy corner of the wardrobe. I am expected to feed her when she is nesting. Her memory is most remarkable. The Rev, E, F, Turner left Prebendary Lambrick — The Story of a Tame Book 9 Blagdon in 1914 and came back in 1919 for the first time after being demobilized. I was sitting with the bird when she suddenly began to fly about madly, and we heard a footstep outside. She could not have seen him, but remembered his step, and there was no rest till she was allowed to welcome her old friend and show him he was not forgotten. In the old days it was great fun to see the little rook and the tall big man walking demurely up the avenue together. She shows great accuracy in measurements. At one time she was very fond of taking pins out of the packet, would hold as many as fifteen in her beak, and then plant them in twos and threes under different objects. If we moved them or changed them when she was out of the room she never failed to detect there were three where she had put two, or to note any other alteration that had been made, and was never satisfied till she had replaced them all in their original positions. I feel I must tell one story against myself. I was doing some sermon work one morning, and had put down a note on a small scrap of paper, when suddenly " Jinnie " went off with it. When I went for her she calmly swallowed it. In righteous indignation I caught her and smacked her on the claws with a pencil. She then skipped on to the inkstand and, to my horror, proceeded to drink ink in a most suicidal manner. When she had swallowed as much as she could hold I found that death was not her object, but vengeance, for she spat the whole of it over my face and collar ! It took my wife some time to recover from the effect of uncontrollable fits of laughter at my appearance. She has established an ascendancy over our kitchen cat, and it was great fun the other day to see poor pussy a prisoner under the copper and Rookie, like a sentry, marching up and down in front keeping her in, at the end of her beat always going about facing her charge in correct style She appreciates getting a letter through the post. She cleverly opens the envelope with her beak, draws out the enclosure and stands on it, and soon Lets everyone know that that piece of paper is her own especial possession, and must not be touched. As with the letter just described, so is her dealing with a bit of dough or a piece of bacon- 10 Prebendary Lambrick — The Story of a Tame Book rind thrown down to her. She waits for the cook, after placing her pastry in the oven or her bacon in the frying-pan, to present her with scraps for similar treatment. Her imitation of two cats fighting is so realistic that the girls have rushed into the kitchen thinking a strange cat had caught her, only to find her on the gas-bracket giving a musical sketch. If you go out without saying anything she flies madly about the room. If you say to her, " Coming back soon," she quite understands and remains peaceful and satisfied. She is very fond of putting things in the tuck of my trousers. One day in church 1 heard faintly the sound of a silver bell during service, and it turned out to be a thimble her ladyship had stolen and put in her usual store-cupboard, which had shaken out on to the marble floor of the chancel. We hardly ever lose anything by her thefts, as all she steals she endows me with. One of her greatest friends is Mr. Gilbert Day, our plumber. He always ignores her sex and calls her " Jack ". There is a wonderful freemasonry between them. He gives her most fascinating things out of his bag, but if he happens to want the particular thing he simply says "" Conie on, Jack", and the bird comes straight up, gives over what she has got^ and receives a substitute from him. The way she pokes her beak into all his work and down the pipes is a perfect lesson to a clerk of the works. One word as to her digestion. She has survived two tabloids of pyrogallic acid and half a dozen Beecham's pills ! But a saccharine tabloid does not appeal to her at all. No words can describe the bird's devoted affection. If I am out for a few minutes, there is a joyous welcome back; if I return after a few weeks' absence, such a greeting ! So much to tell me ! She knows the true meaning of love, for it is always " giving " with her, not " getting ". She brings her first bit of food for me to share, and is only too delighted if I ransack her little treasury, which no one else may even look at. She is happy for hours on my shoulder, greets me the first thing in the morning, is so disappointed if I cannot give her an hour before the rest are up, and has a last word for me before I go to bed ; and I can close this letter as I did a letter to the Spectator three years ago : " As I write she is on my wrist, talking to me all the time." W. Shore- Baihj— My Patagonian Parrots 11 MY PATAGONIAN PARROTS By W. Shoee-Baily One day last autumn T was wandering through one of the large Wes1 End bird stores, when my attention was called to a cage full of Parrots. On asking the attendant what they were called he said Patagonian Conures, and that they had only lately been landed, together with some Blue-crowned Conures. Amongst the five birds in the cage were two birds considerably larger than the others and of a lighter colour. It is true that one of these birds had very few feathers on it at all, and the other was in bad condition, but in view of their possible rarity I decided to take the lot. On getting them home and examining the two large ones carefully, I made them out to be C. bryoni, although they differed in one or two important points from the description of this bird, especially in the absence of the white band across the chest, as described in both Seth-Smith's and Butler's books. The smaller birds were also without this white band, although in all other respects they answered to the description given in the books. The question is. does this white band exist in either species ? It is not shown in the capital drawing in Mr. Seth-Smith's book, nor can I see any trace of it in the print in Dr. Butler's work. I wrote to the Magazine on this subject a short time since, and it was suggested by both Lord Tavistock and Mr. Seth-Smith that the larger birds were hybrids. At that time I could think of no possible cross except between "('. pataganus" and " C. hosmorrhous " , but the difficulty in my. mind was the large size of my Parrots. Dr. Graham Etenshaw thought that the size of my birds did not affect the question, mentioning the fact that the hybrid is often larger than either of its parents ; but my experience with hybrids in birds does not bear this out, as although 1 have bred many hybrids I have never had oneyel thai was larger bhan the bigger of its parents. I have now come to the conclusion that i he smaller birds are pure "C. palagonus", and the vo the offspring of a cross between the LittleMacaw, "Arasevt ra," and the Blue-crowned Conure, "C.hcemorrhous." Their description is as follows: genera] body colour above and below. Light grass green ; primaries, bluish-green; a small patch on wing butts, and a garte] 12 W. Shore- Baily — My Patagonian Parrots scarlet ; under side of tail-feathers, red ; a narrowband across forehead, dark chestnut brown ; front of head, light brown ; upper mandible, white, with tip black ; lower mandible, black ; patch of bare skin around the eye white ; size about equal to the Alexandrine Parrakeel . It will be noticed that the forehead, wing-butts, and tail correspond very closely in colour with the same parts in "A. severa ", and the rest of the body with that of "C. hoemorrhous ". I have always considered this latter bird to be closely allied to the smaller Macaws, especially in regard to the size of its bill. This bill, by the way, is a most formidable weapon. The bird uses it very effectively on the woodwork of the aviary, and if you have occasion to handle it, very stout gloves are advisable. In my hybrids the bill is still larger, and they easily bite through the wire netting of their aviary. One Sunday morning early this month I was aroused early in the morning by the screams of Parrots outside my bedroom window, and on looking out I was in time to see a little flight of five just disappearing over the tops of some high elm-trees. One of the hybrid Macaws had eaten a large hole through the roof of the aviary and let its companions out. For three or four days they remained together, visiting all the neighbouring villages, and subsisting, apparently upon leaves and bark, for as far as 1 know they were never .seen upon the mound. They looked very pretty soaring 40 or 50 yards in the air, and their loud calls could be heard half a mile away. "Keminds one of India,"] heard one comrade say to another as the birds flew over their heads, and it is really a pity that it is not safe to leave this kind of bird at liberty, as even if one could train them to come back regularly to food, they would, as things are now, sooner or later fall victims to the man with the gun. Of my birds, the wire-cutter found its way back after five days' liberty, two others were captured in neighbouring villages, and two are still missing. These birds are quite hardy, and I was surprised that they made no attempt to breed. In their own country they nest in holes in cliffs and river-banks, so I had some nest-boxes sunk into a bank in their aviary, but they made no use of them ; possibly they may have been interfered with when on the ground by my Mantchurian Pheasants, or they may not be true pairs. Another Patagonian Parrot, or, at any rate, an Argentine one, is the Maximilian Parrot. "Pioims maximiliani," Of these rare birds I have Bevieiu I'd three specimens. In shape they closely resemble the African Grey Parrot, but are hardly as large. Their general body colour is green ; primaries of wings edged with black ; outer webs of tail-feathers bright blue ; under tail coverts, scarlet ; head, brown ; cheeks, brown, each feather edged with brown, giving it a pretty scaly appearance ; bill, yellow ; bare skin around eye, white. They are rather quiet and apathetic in their demeanour, but this may be due to their rather rough condition. If they improve I shall try and breed from them next season. REVIEW A NATURALIST IN HIMALAYA1 The author of this book is a very keen observer, and has made most careful and minute studies of the habits of the creatures around him during a residence in the Himalayan Valley of Hazara, between the years 1915 and 1916. The accounts he gives of the. life-history of the various species of ants, spiders, butterflies, and such-like creatures are fascinating, but all point to the following of a blind propelling instinct with complete lack of reasoning power. The author describes the method employed by the Harvester Ants in collecting their winter store of grain ; how the carnivorous species, Phidole indica, on finding its prey, hurries back to the nest to communicate the intelligence to the army of workers and soldiers waiting for such a call ; how the geometrical spider constructs its wonderful snare with mathematical precision. These and other small creatures have the secrets of their lives divulged in this fascinating volume, which, however, is not entirely confined to these small fry. The author has a chapter of observations on mammals, in which he deals with the leopard, Himalayan monkey, and flying squirrel, and another on birds, in which his remarks and deductions on soaring flight, migration, nesting instinct, and so forth are particularly interesting and instructive. There is not much aviculture in this volume, but as the majority of aviculturists are naturalists first, it will appeal to many readers of this journal. 1 A Naturalist in Himalaya, by Capt. R. W. G. Kingston, M.C., I. M.S. Demy 8vo, cloth; 16 page illustrations. Price 18s. net. H. F. and <;. Witherby, 326 High Holborn, W.C. 1. 14 Correspondence CORRESPONDENCE CHESTNUT-WINGED STARLINGS Sirs, — With reference to your footnote on my letter in the December Magazine with regard to my Chestnut- winged Amydrus, may I point out that in Gould's Birds of Asia, vol. v, there is a coloured plate of A. t fist rami exactly resembling my pair of Amydrus from Africa. I cannot find Hagiopsar tristrami in Gould's works. He names it Amydrus tristrami, with no synonym, and wrote : " There cannot be the slightest doubt as to Amydrus Irish-ami being a good species. It is nearly allied to A.fulvipennis of South and South- Western Africa. The size of both species is the same." That my birds may be A. morio I do not dispute, but judging by Gould's plate they appear as identical with A. tristrami. These birds seem to be hardy, for although only lately imported they arc t briving in an outdoor aviary, and even moulted in November, Hubert D. Astley. [Sharpe separated the Palestine species from the African birds {Amydrus), calling it Hagiopsar, of which genus it is the only repre- sentative.— Eds.] THE AviCULTURAL MAGAZINE BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN & BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM & CAPTIVITY Third Series.— Vol. XII— No. 2.— All rights reserved. FEBRUARY, 1921. MY LONG-TAILED ROLLER By Jean Delacour If I was asked which I prefer of the birds I actually possess, I think the reply would be : " My Long-tailed Roller," although there are some good birds in my cages, such as Cuban Trogon, King Bird of Paradise. Giant, Hoary, and Black-collared Barbets, Cossyphas, several species of Sun-birds, Black-backed Tanager (Calliste melanonota), etc., and nearly all of them are very tame and amusing. The only bird which might almost surpass the Roller is a charming purple-capped Lory, whose affection for my attendant and myself is really wonderful, and makes one think of a pet dog. But the Roller possesses altogether the four most important qualities for a bird in captivity : beautiful plumage, tameness, sensibility, and rarity. Rollers are amongst the most difficult birds to keep in good condition. At liberty they feed mostly on the wing, and they need much exercise to keep in good health. As they fear the cold and can only be kept in summer in an outdoor aviary, it is rather difficult to give them enough room to fly about and a good temperature all the year round, unless the bird is so tame that it can be handled at any time, and this is the case with mine. Another thing is that it is often difficult to accustom Rollers to captivity ; Major Millet-Horsin, Medical Officer to the French Colonial Army, who has spent years in studying and catching birds in Africa, 2 18 Jean Delacour — My Long-tailed Roller and is a great authority on the fauna of that part of the world, told me that it was only last year, after about twelve years' trial, that he succeeded in keeping a Koller in captivity, in the native country of the bird! When I obtained my Long-tailed Roller, in January, 1920, he was a very ugly greenish-grey creature, with dreadfully dirty feathers. But his tameness, coupled with the pleasure I found in acquiring a Roller, which was certainly not the well-known Indian species, was quite sufficient to make me happy. I did not know exactly which species he belonged to, as several are found in Africa, and the information I had about his native country was somewhat uncertain. As my bird-rooms were not quite ready at the time, Mme. Lecallier kindly took the Roller en jjension and at my next visit I saw some lilac feathers appearing amongst the grey ones of the breast, showing that beyond doubt the bird was the Long- tailed Roller, Coracias caudatus. He went through the moult within two months, and was in full plumage in April. His tameness soon made him a pet and he flew about loose in Mme. Lecallier's bird-room until May. But then, the bird-room having been closed for some reason, the Roller was confined in a cage, and three weeks later had a fit and very nearly died. No doubt that was occasioned by lack of exercise. My place being ready by this time, I took the Roller with me and let him out in one of the bird-rooms. He recovered in a few days, and has never ceased to be in perfect health since. He moulted again in August, and is now in perfect plumage. He has a roomy wooden cage, where he sleeps, and is left until 11 a.m., when the cleaning of the room is finished ; then he is let out and enjoys liberty in the room until 8 p.m. He sits on the cages and on the top of the aviaries, has some discussions with the Giant Barbet through the wire of the aviary, and takes a flight almost every two minutes. When I come in he flies to me, opens his wonderful blue wings in salute, uttering his loud crow-like call, and he takes the keenest interest in everybody and everything. His diet consists of insectile mixture, a little raw meat, and half a dozen mealworms a day. He touches apples sometimes, and altogether wants rather a large quantity of food. I believe that the only Long-tailed Roller which has ever been T. P. Bellchambers — The Mallee Fowl of Australia 19 imported alive into Europe before was the bird that the Berlin Zoological Gardens had in 1912, and I think it did not live very long there. The Long-tailed Roller is common throughout Central Africa, from Angola to Zanzibar. It is a shy bird, living in hilly, wooded countries. Like all its congeners it feeds on insects caught on the wing, and nests in holes of trees. The plumage of the Long-tailed Roller is extremely handsome : top of the head and hind neck, dark green ; white eye- brows ; cheeks, violet chestnut ; throat and chest, rich lilac streaked with white — especially on the throat in my bird, this beautiful lilac colour extends up to the cheeks, and there is very little difference in the colouring of the cheeks and that of the breast ; underparts, light turquoise blue ; back, greenish cinnamon ; wings, bright light blue and rich dark blue ; light blue tail with central feathers dark greenish blue, and the two outermost rectrices elongated, very pale blue with black thin ends ; bill, black ; feet, grey. The males and females of this species have the same plumage, so that I have no idea of the sex of my bird. THE MALLEE FOWL OF AUSTRALIA By T. P. Bellchambers, South Australia The crime of civilization is its callous disregard of the wasteful exploitations of wild life, which go on in the name of sport and of commerce. What better off will the world be that the fur-seals and right whales have ever existed on this planet when the last moth-eaten garment is thrown on the rubbish-heap and the last cask of oil exhausted ? What shall repay future generations for the barbarous destruction of the beautiful Egrets and the ill-used Penguins that are driven alive along roads ending over boiling caldrons in Maquari Islands ? Who can tell what evils we are laying up for future generations by this wanton destruction of Nature's guardians of sea and land ? A chain has but the strength of its weakest link. Slowly and surely man is undermining the foundations on which life itself rests. We know that there are some live forms whose work is so important to man that living they are worth their weight in gold, 20 T. P. Bellchambers—The Mallee Foivl of Australia whereas, dead, their value is counted in pence or at most a few paltry shillings. Think of Australia, the wonderful world museum of antiquities, with its living fossils, the one open living page of an otherwise long- closed book ; of its faunal and floral types of a long-dead past ; its aboriginal inhabitants belonging to the Stone Age ! Australia in the past has not proved worthy of this great charge, which should have been held in trust for the whole world. Already some of her unique treasures have gone into the eternal silences ; others are perilously near the vanishing point. To many of her scientists engrossed in the study of bones, relics and fossils, to which so many give the higher value, are failing in their duty to the valuable living types that are theirs to save — the Marsupialia, Monotremata, Flightless Birds, and the Mound-builders. One of the most interesting of these living types is the Mallee Fowl {Lipoa ocellata), inhabiting the waterless Mallee-lands of Western and South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales, and subsisting upon seeds of the acacia, berries and insects, and drinking, apparently, only dew-drops hanging from the leaves. Apart from the menace of the fox and gun, the bird is doomed by the advance of settlement, for it cannot exist in the open lands. For many years I made a special study of this bird, making periodical trips into the Mallee-lands, suffering heat, hunger, and thirst in the big lone lands, sleeping beneath the stars with the scant tracery of leaves overhead, and the scent of the broom in my nostrils, listening to the solemn booming notes of the cock Mallee Fowl and pondering the mysteries of creation. It was thus I learnt much of the life-history of these wonderful birds, even the art of mound-building, which I then occasionally built and successfully worked at my camp. The absorbing interest attaching to such a work was a sure preventative of any feeling of loneliness, and four, five, and sometimes six weeks would slip by ere I broke camp and left these solitudes. Expenses had to be met by capturing and supplying to various zoological societies a few of these same Mallee Fowl. This removal of pairs from the mounds finally settled the sex habit and proved them not communistic as supposed, but solitary. It was in T. P. Bellchambers — The Malice Foiol of Australia 21 these wilds I early disproved the statement (found in some of our leading works on Australian birds) that the wing is used to sweep the material together for the mound. This is never the case, the feet alone being used. Much of my work had to be done over and over again, but slowly the life-history of this bird was unravelled. It is monogamic, and apparently mates for life. The construction and maintenance of mounds, chiefly performed by the male, entail a labour of about nine months' duration. The birds choose a site that will be exposed to the sun's rays during the heat of the day, preferring a slope that faces the sun. A pit is dug about 12 inches deep, the soil being banked around the edge, and the measurement from bank to bank being from 7 to 9 feet. The thick accumulation of debris (fallen leaves, bark, etc.) is then raked from under the Mallee into the more open ways that lead to the pit. By preference this is taken from the higher side of the pit, it being much easier for the birds to rake it downwards than up the slope. When the required material has all been raked into the clear open runs that lead to the pit, the male, starting nearest to the pit, but facing outwards, proceeds with a sweeping throwing motion of the foot to pass the material behind him, a few strokes with each foot, then he moves forward, keeping this up until he reaches the end of the row. Then retracing his steps to the pit, he proceeds as before, keeping this going at frequent intervals until the whole of the material is heaped high in the pit, which is left awaiting the rains, and beyond occasional stirrings of the surface there is not much done for a time. Then, as spring approaches, the desiccation of the surface and core commences. This work lasts a considerable time. We will suppose spring is here and the hour is 9.30 a.m. The male appears, proud and dignified of mien, the female sedately following, always, at this time of laying, uttering at very frequent and regular intervals a low, soothing and pleasing note, to which the male occasionally responds in a deeper tone. Proceeding to the top of the mound, the birds, relieving each other at intervals, make an excavation reaching into the loose core or egg-chamber, terminating the excavation in a small cup-like hole. Placed against its solid wall, the female, with legs straddling across this small hole, head down along her breast and facing the wall, presses 22 T. P. Bcllchambers—Thc Malice Fowl of Australia forward, opens her wings, slightly withdraws her head, and with that movement the large pink egg slips into its prepared place. Her part is now done — she quietly glides away into the shade of a bush. The male now gives his attention to the egg, which has probably fallen a little out of the perpendicular. Choosing a spot about an inch away from the egg, he thrusts his beak into the sand up to his forehead, then pushing forward and using this sand as a cushion, he brings the egg to an upright position. With the withdrawal of his head the sand falls and keeps the egg upright and on its small end, in contact with the solid wall of heating material. The reason for this action is twofold ; first, the shell is too fragile for direct contact with the bird's head, and second, the falling sand prevents the egg from again falling forward. All eggs in the egg-chamber must be so placed that the chicks emerge in the right direction to gain their liberty. On their sides they would meet their death against the hard walls of the egg-chamber. The male now replaces the blanket of sand and fine leaf-material, sometimes covering the eggs to a depth of about two feet. The thickness of this covering has been noticed to vary with weather conditions. This hard and laborious work during the heat of the day is done in several shifts, and intervals of rest are taken. The period of incubation is about fifty- five days. The heat required is from 85 degrees to 96 degrees Fahr. The eggs are laid at intervals varying from three to seven or even eight da vs. The number is about thirty, varying according to the age of the bird and the season. There is also a big variation in the incubation period, the extreme noted being in one case ninety-nine days. This must have been due to retarded incubation. In addition to bottom heat, a very frequent use is made of solar heat, the mound being frequently opened out to within an inch or two of the eggs, and, as the material gathers heat, it is replaced layer by layer, the intervals allowing for the next layer to become heated. I have seen the male putting on extra covering by moonlight as late as 8.30 p.m. on the approach of a change in the weather. This is done to conserve the heat that has been gathered during the day. Both birds frequently test the heat of the egg-chamber. This is done by thrusting the beak up to the forehead into its walls, and holding it there for several seconds. I think they are guided by this test as to ' the amount of sun heat required. T. P. Bellchambers—Tlic. Mallee Fowl of Australia 2:i We will suppose that two months have expired. The mound now contains nine eggs and a chick which broke its shell at noon yesterday. That it is near the surface we know by that slight depression. Its shoulders are upward, and with them it is boring through the loose sandy covering, ever pressing the falling sand under its feet. Its head is bent down along its breast ; its nostrils protected by a shield of bristles. There is a heaving motion with falling sand in the depression. Another heave and a little head shoots into view, and a staggering chick drops back into the hollow from which it has emerged. Its eyes are closed ; it is perfectly still, resting after its subterranean journey, which had lasted for twenty hours. It is 8 a.m., and the shadows of the nearby mallee are just leaving the mound. The long journey upward seems to be always made in the night. I have never known a chick emerge during the heat of the day. They would surely perish in the attempt, let alone clashing with the male's duty of testing the sun's heat. Always they come in the cooler, quieter hours of early morn. The chick lifts its head and takes its first long look around. Then with a staggering run it disappears into the bushes. A Bronzewing Pigeon barely alights on the mound, when from an adjacent bush the cock Mallee rushes forth, crest up, plumage ruffled, wings open, and dashes at the sacrilegious intruder. There is a sharp clap clap of wings, and the pigeon is gone. Then comes a softly uttered warning from "the bushes, and with one eye turned skyward the cock gently lowers his body to earth. There he lies perfectly motionless, his colours blending perfectly with the leaf-scattered soil. See ! just a dark speck high in the blue ; it is a Wedge-tailed Eagle. Unwinking, the eye of the Mallee follows the moving speck right into the glare of the sun ; not a movement until that monster of the skies has passed from view, then, with a softly uttered who-how, he again ascends the mound. The female comes forth from her hiding and proceeds to scratch around the base of that structure, intent on a beetle-hunt among the loose (h'bris and coarser material there scattered. Meanwhile the male is busy opening the mound. The chick we saw run into the bushes has already taken up the burden of life. Should we give him a fright lie will rise and fly a full hundred yards and again hide in a bush. Independent and capable, he quickly acquires the wisdom of the bush 24 N. Taka-Tsukasa — Quail Breeding in Japan folk. His third season finds him calling and listening up and down the long green aisles, ever seeking his kindred spirit that shall walk and work with him through the ever changing seasons. Should he find a mate some preparation is made for the coming season, but usually it is the fourth season before domestic duties are taken up in earnest. And now, though my wanderings in the Mallee have come to an end, and much of the Mallee is a waste of shifting sand, yet the solemn booming wh-whoo-oome, whoo-oome of the Mallee cock still falls upon my ear ; in the silence of evening and early morn it is heard, and the sound recalls the days of my wanderings. I do not now need to hunt the lonely bush-lands for this beautiful creature and its wonderful mounds, for. within 30 yards of where I sit and write there are two complete mounds, one of which has been producing chicks for the past six years. The other belongs to a young pair, and is their first attempt. The birds are content, and would not leave, but because of the foxes they have to be enclosed in netted yardsr which include plenty of shady bush-cover. Here, with our shyest of wild creatures, I have proved that we can save from utter destruction Australia's valuable fauna. I have had good success with other species, but I am proudest of the fact that I have won the confidence of this most shy and retiring of Nature's children of the bush, and done what was said to be an impossibility — bred these birds in captivity. Eggs that I have weighed averaged two to the pound. They are of good flavour, and are frequently hunted by the settlers for food. The laws of nature are wise laws. The representatives of wild life, native to each land and sea, we know, hold an important place in nature, seemingly fitting into their places like bits of mosaic, each important to all, all to each ; and subject to certain modifications, due to civilization, the fauna of each country is best fitted to control the balance of that country. QUAIL BREEDING IN JAPAN By N. Taka-Tsukasa, Tokyo, Japan For many years the Japanese have kept Quails in captivity for the sake of their song. Hence the song of the domesticated Quail has N. Taka-Tsukasa — Quail Breeding in Japan 25 become very different from that of the wild birds. The domestic birds sing " Qua grrrr ", instead of " Qua kali ", the usual wild song. The Japanese praise this style of song, i.e. " Qua grrr ". It reminds one of the sound of distant thunder, and high prices are asked for birds which prolong the sound of " grrr " longest. Those who like the Quails or to hear their song often meet together with their Quails at a club, restaurant, or similar place, and judge the song of the Quails, the best birds receiving a prize and being registered. Many people name their Quails as they do race-horses. Such meetings were often held in the Middle Tokugawa period, and the daimyos and rich people of that period kept their favourite Quails in cages made of precious wood, ivory, or raised lacquer, inlaid with gold, silver, and shells, and decorated with beautiful coloured silk braid. It was said that such cages were usually made in pairs, and the meetings were held in the early morning, for the Quails sing their song best in the morning or the evening. It is true that the Quails sing best at those times, but at present many people disregard the time, for the Quails sing quite freely at all hours while on show, performing repeatedly against each other. During recent years an added interest in keeping Quails is that the hen lays at least 150 to 250 eggs in one year, and the laying season can be arranged at the will of the keeper. A further interest lies in getting the Quails to lay in small cages, made of bamboo bars, and measuring four-fifths of a foot square, the top being netted over and the floor strewn with sand, the Quail being a species of game- bird and addicted to sand-baths. The birds are fed like the canary of England, in the sense that the food is suspended at an opening at the side of the cage. Quails are fed on a kind of soft food, called by the Japanese " Suriye ", which is composed of river fish smoked, dried, and ground to a powder, and mixed with meal of roasted rice and chaff. Bean-meal is sometimes added to this. The animal food is called " Namaye " and the meal '; Kinako ", or " Ko ". The silver carp and a kind of dace (Leuciscus macropus) are commonly used for " Namaye ", but the dace is said to be preferable to any other fish. " Kinako " is composed of equal parts of roasted rice-meal and chaff, and the quantity of bean-meal is left to the will of the person who uses it. The usual proportions for the 26 N. Taka-Tsukasa — Quail Breeding in Japan mixture are one part of fish-food to two parts of meal. When the Japanese wish the birds to lay they put the cage under artificial light for about two or three hours after dark. At the same time the proportion of animal food is sometimes increased by nearly one-half, but according to my experience that is rather too strong for many birds. Some people also put the birds all night long under artificial light, but I think this also is not necessary, for I find no better results from this method. After the birds have been fed with an increased proportion of animal food for about a week or two the male birds begin to sing and the females to utter a cry, something like the cry of the barn-door hen when she wishes to lay. Sometimes the female lays an egg without any preliminary announcement. When the males begin to sing and the females to utter the cry, they are mated every morning by setting the cages side by side and opening the entrances. After this the females lay their egg once every day. Another way of testing the female's readiness to lay is to place one's hand on the top of the cage, when if the females are broody they lie down on the floor of the cage and utter a cry which resembles the scolding cry which a hen utters when sitting. The females lay six to seven eggs in succession, then cease for a day or two before beginning again. I think it is better to stop the laying after the keeper has obtained from fifty to sixty eggs and rest the birds three or four weeks. It is very surprising that the eggs have increased from one-third to twice their size since Quail breeding was first favoured. It is very easy to stop the birds from laying by removing the cages from under the artificial light at night, and keeping the birds in the dark. The birds left in the dark very soon begin to moult. During the moult we feed the birds with seeds. It is very interesting to note that the time of laying is an hour later every day, and that when the female finishes she announces the fact by a few cheerful cries. The cages are washed and cleaned every two or three days, and if the climate is hot and wet every other day, because the cages are small and the food juicy, and the Quails need dry ground to stand on, like other game-birds. The egg of the Quail is as large as the first thumb- joint, measuring about one inch in length, and its colour is a pale yellowish olive, splashed with dark-brown markings, which are some- times large, sometimes small, sometimes dense, and sometimes sparse, A7. Taka-Tsukasa — Quail Breeding in Japan 27 and the egg of a properly treated bird is chalky on the surface. Some people say the egg which is not chalky is not fertile, but this is not always true, for I have obtained chicks from some which were not chalky. The eggs can be hatched under a bantam-hen or in an incubator, which I find answers equally well. The chicks come out from the eggs in about sixteen or seventeen days. After leaving the shell they are kept without any food or treat- ment by the keeper for about twenty or twenty-four hours. The chicks which are under twenty or twenty-four hours' old are too weak to be left alone, though they are very active soon after hatching, and if we transfer such young birds from the foster-mother to the nursing-box they will at first run about here and there, seemingly very happy, but alas ! one by one they become faint and die from exhaustion. Some- times they survive the exhaustion, but many such birds have malformed legs, and are quite unable to stand or walk, owing to imperfect ossification of the legs. When the chicks are put in a nursing-box another clutch of eggs can be placed under the hen. The hen can sit on two consecutive sittings. The chicks in a nursing-box are fed with the paste mentioned in the former paragraph, by plastering it on a board which leans diagonally against the wall of the box. The one thing the breeder should always bear in mind is that the paste often adheres to the chick's bill and covers the nostrils and eyes. This often blinds or suffocates the birds. Hence the breeder must watch them, and if he finds the paste sticking to the bill he must remove it without delay. If the paste on the bill hardens it can be removed with ease by cleaning the bill with a piece of wet cloth. The nursing-box, in size 1 foot by 2| feet, is partitioned into two chambers by a screen, one chamber measuring 2 feet, and the other 6 inches. The latter, heated by a lamp or other apparatus such as is used in a vivarium, is the bedroomfor the chicks, which when put in the box can already run about easily, and soon find their food and learn how to eat. I find it better at first to put the food board at a distance of about two-thirds of the length of the large chamber from the screen, and to draw it further away as the chicks grow, and to have the paste at first very moist, then by degrees to get it drier, until the ordinary consistency is reached. 28 Stray Notes When the chicks grow as large as the chick of a domestic fowl, we stop heating the bedroom, except on cold or wet days. When they change their down to feathers the chicks are treated in the same manner as the parent birds. They mature at the end of three months. In this way the Japanese easily propagate their Quail families from a small stock, and obtain in a short time many eggs to eat and birds to give them song. The eggs are very good to eat when put in soup or jelly, boiled, and also fresh. I find the fresh, uncooked egg nicer than the hen's egg, since it is richer, although not so strong as the duck's egg. Some persons are over confident that Quail's eggs have more nourishment than the hen's, and in the olden times the Japanese thought them a good medicine for a paralytic. The flesh of the Quail fed on soft food is not good for eating purposes. They must be fed upon seeds and grains some weeks before being used for the table. Then the flesh is very delicious. STRAY NOTES Breeding the Kagu. — Our member Mr. G. A. Heumann, writing from his home in New South Wales, tells of the successful breeding of the Kagu in his aviaries. When he wrote in November the young bird was nine weeks old, and still being fed by its parents, who were most attentive to its needs, one or other being always with it. The young bird, he says, always runs between its parents, and unlike most chicks which follow their mother, the young Kagu makes its parents follow it. The Amethyst Starling. — The Zoological Society has received a beautiful specimen of the South African form of the Amethyst Starling (Pholidauges leucogaster verreauxi), presented by its corre- sponding member, Dr. Harold Miller, Superintendent of the Zoological Gardens at Durban. The Society has only once before possessed an Amethyst Starling, a specimen of the typical form from West Africa presented by Dr. Hopkinson, but these are not the only ones that have been imported. Mr. Hamlyn had some four or five specimens in one of his South African consignments some few months ago, which were, I believe, bought by Mons. Delacour. Amethyst Starlings are some of the most beautiful of the Glossy Starlings, the whole of the upper surface Revieivs 29 being of a brilliant metallic copper colour with purple and violet reflections, while the under-surface from the chest downwards is pure white. The typical form Pholidauges leucogaster occurs in West as well as in North-east Africa, while P. I. verreauxi, which differs in having white on the outer tail-feathers, is confined to South Africa, and a third form, P. sharpei, occurs in East Africa. Sexing Birds. — I think there is a great deal in the theory put forward by Miss Knobel as to the distance apart of the pelvic bones in the sexes of birds. It is well known amongst poultry-keepers that these bones are considerably farther apart in a bird that is in laying condition than in one that is not laying, in fact, hens and pullets are constantly examined to ascertain if they are laying or not. At the Zoological Gardens a few hens are kept as foster-mothers for young Pheasants, etc., and during last year a fair number of young Silkies were reared for this purpose ; there are three cockerels and a number of pullets, and I have examined these. I find that in the cocks the two bones are barely half an inch apart, this dimension being exceeded by all of the pullets. Some of the latter have commenced to lay, and these have the pelvic bones more than an inch apart ; in one case the distance was an inch and three-qaurters, while in those birds that had not commenced to lay the distance was about three-quarters of an inch. D. S.-S. REVIEWS The Auk. Vol. XXXVIII, No. 1. 1921. This number of the organ of the American Ornithologists' Union opens with an interesting account of the habits of the Diekcissel (Spiza awiericana), otherwise popularly known as the " Little Meadowlark ", or Black-throated Bunting, of the prairies of Illinois, by Dr. Alfred 0. Gross, This first instalmant deals with the geographical range of the species, its distribution in Illinois and its migrations, its sexual and seasonal coloration, measurements, etc., its general behaviour and song. The paper is illustrated with four photographic plates, three pf which show nests in situ with eggs or nestlings. 30 Reviews Equally interesting is the first part of a paper by Mr. Harrison F. Lewis on the nesting of the Philadelphia Vireo (Vireosylva philadelphica). This is couched in the form of a diary of observations extending from June 11 to July 3, 1919, and the facts recorded attest a degree of perseverance and patience on the part of the observer which will appeal to all lovers of wild birds. Mr. H. Mousley continues his notes on the birds of Hatley, Stanstead Co., Quebec, adding five species to the list published in 1918'; and Mr. Horace W. Wright publishes the known records of the occurrence of the Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla (jarrula) in New England, frequently in the company of the Cedar Waxwing {Bombycilla cedrorum). Other papers dealing with systematic ornithology call for no special notice ; but it may be added that the part concludes with more than twenty pages of general notes on American birds and with reviews of recent literature. Early Annals of Ornithology. By J. H. Gurney, F.Z.S. London : H. F. & G. Witherby. 1921. Price 12s. 6r/. net. Members of the Avicultural Society familiar with Mr. J. H. Gurney's book on the Gannet will not be disappointed with his latest achievement, Early Annals of Ornithology. Starting in the first chapter with the prehistoric sketches left by men of the early and later Stone Ages, the pictures of ancient Egypt and the bas-reliefs of Babylon, with references to the written records in the Bible and classical literature, Mr. Gurney deals in order with the centuries of the Christian era, telling us about the birds known in Britain to the Komans, Saxons, and Picts, and so on down to the eighteenth century, finishing up with Pennant. There are numerous quotations from ancient writers and many reproductions of old engravings, and naturally there is a good deal to be said about hawking in the past ; but perhaps, if a selection be made, the most interesting section of the book is the chapter dealing with the history of the Crane, Bustard, Spoonbill, and Bittern in Great Britain, a chapter sandwiched in between those treating of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. From what has been said it may be inferred that the bibliographical work involved in the compilation of the volume has been considerable, Reviews 81 and Mr. Gurney is to be congratulated upon having compressed his extensive subject-matter into some 230 pages. After the Monotonous publication of book after book upon British Birds, each one little more than a repetition of its predecessor, it has been a great treat to us to read Mr. Gurney's work, and we most cordially recommend it to members of our Society. It is well produced in every way, and is illustrated with maps and photographs as well as with the copies of old engravings above referred to. IV. H. St. Quintin. ASIATIC WHITE CRANE To face p. 33.] THE AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN & BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM & CAPTIVITY Third Series.— Vol. XII.— No. 3— All rights reserved. MARCH, 1921. THE WHITE ASIATIC CRANE By W. H. St. Quinton, F.Z.S. Anthropoides leucogeranus Mr. F. E. Blaauw, in his beautiful monograph on the Cranes, while protesting against the further splitting up of the family, admits three genera, and places the White Asiatic Crane in the second genus, Anthropoides, with the Demoiselle, Wattled, Stanley, and the White- naped species. According to Mr. Blaauw's views, the White-naped and the Crane under notice are closely related. Extremely little is known of the habits of the A. leucogeranus, except what has been written about it by Mr. A. 0. Hume ; and all subsequent writers quote at length from his very detailed and graphic description, for there is no other information accessible about the bird in its wild state. Hume wrote of the bird as he knew it wintering in Northern India, hut not very much is to be learned of birds which we only know as winter visitors, as then they are mainly occupied by questions of food and self-preservation Pallas describes the nest, which he found in 1773, and I believe no recent writer has seen this Crane in its summer home in the Siberian morasses. I have had four or five of these Cranes at various times, but, apart from its beauty, have found the bird less friendly to its owner and generally less interesting than most members of the family. But I have not had the fortune to possess a good pair and we never had a nesl here. At Lilford I believe eggs have been laid, hut they were unfertile, and the splendid pair at the London 3 31 E. G. B. Meade-Waldo — Ornithology and Aviculture Zoological Gardens have often nested and incubated steadily, with no better result, and I think this Crane has not bred in cajitivity in Europe. There is one portion of Hume's description of this bird to which I should like to draw attention. He says that he examined over twenty specimens (killed between October and March), and that he never found a trace of any animal food in their stomachs. He considered it exclusively a vegetable feeder, for he only found " rush seeds, bulbs, conns, and even leaves of aquatic plants ", but never found remains of fish, reptiles, or grain. But though this was the case in India and in winter, I have seen enough of this bird to cause me to feel sure that it is otherwise at other seasons of the year. I have found it a confirme< I egg- stealer, and I believe that this has been the case at Lilford also. I once haw one of my White Cranes carrying off a Great Bustard's egg, with the contents dripping on to the ground while the disconsolate mother followed mournfully behind the robber at a few yards distance, and I have elsewhere in the Magazine recorded the intelligent way in which my White Cranes stationed themselves at dusk near some high wire netting fences and strode off when they heard the netting struck to pick up the beetle before it could get on the wing again. My impression is that this Crane requires at least as much animal food in confinement as the other species. It also should, if possible, have access to some pond or shallow stream, for it is very aquatic in its habits. ORNITHOLOGY AND AVICULTURE By E. G. B. Meade- Waldo, F.Z.S. The sciences of ornithology and aviculture are intimately con- nected. Each has much to learn from the other. Many of the problems of the lives of birds can only be solved through the keeping of them in confinement. I think there are amongst ornithologists some who do not set much reliance on the behaviour of aviary birds in such matters as seasonal changes of plumage, the assumption of mature or breeding plumage, periods of incubation, breeding habits, the manner of rearing their young, etc. The skilled aviculturist can tell at once when con- finement, diet, or environment in any way alters the natural order of his charges' lives. E. G. />'. Meade-Waldo — Ornithology and Aviculture 35 The ages to which birds live in a purely natural state can only lie uric, but as many species, including small passerine birds, live long lives in confinement, it may be assumed that without accident at least the same ages would be attained in a wild state. Keepers of Waterfowl can note the changes of plumage of both sexes in their birds far more correctly than it is possible to note them from skins or from observing wild birds, as it is impossible to tell the ages of the latter with any certainty. Wildfowl, of course, can be kept in a condition almost the same as in nature. The extraordinary habits of the Sand- grouse in conveying water to their young by the male saturating his breasl could never have been discovered except by accident in a wild state, while the curious seasonal changes of plumage would have remained a puzzle. The age to which these birds live could never have been guessed by those who only know them wild or as skins. The aviculturist has. I believe, not by any means overcome some of the problems of aviculture. Why do the Flamingoes keep their rose- coloured feathers in full beauty for years in confinement, often under extremely unnatural feeding, while the Scarlet Ibis loses its colour at once and never recovers it, but remains dull pink ? I am not sure that sy to get the Linnet to retain its rose colour after having moulted out in a cage ? While the Rose Finches never do ; the i.mes the full red colour after moulting. The Pine Grosbeak keeps in perfect colour for years. Yellow and pink are the i wo colours which remain a puzzle ; in many cases when lost these never are regained in their full brilliance. An example of this is in the Great and Lesser Birds of Paradise. The yellow of the head in the adult birds is replaced in confinement by a yellowish cream, all other colours are replaced as in nature : the same applies to the twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Seleucides niger. It is by studying birds in confinement alone that the question of hange in feathers can be proved. My own experience is that is no change in the colour of any feather when it is once grown beyond that of intensity of colouring dependent on the vigour of the bird, all change must come through moult, tip-moulting, or abrasion. It is to be hoped thai these various questions may be taken up by members of the Society. There is much of real interesl in them both to the aviculturist and the ornitholo 86 Sydney Porter — Some Corsican Birch SOME CORSICAN BIRDS By Sydney Porter While staying for a short period this year in Corsica I was able to observe a few of the birds there ; but unfortunately my notes are brief and unscientific, for I had two handicaps — first, having no binoculars with me and, secondly, having with me a friend who took not the slightest interest in ornithological matters ; this latter was perhaps the most trying. How different is Corsica in the way of bird life from Southern France and Italy, where most of the sweet songsters are transformed into !i petits oiseaux ", as they are called on the menu. Corsica is teeming with bird life and one could spend a delightful holiday in the spring time "bird- watching". How so many of these so-called ornithologists can go about as I have seen them do shooting down every feathered creature whose species they are not sure of is beyond me. If on a holiday 1 were to kill only one bird T should feel the " pangs of conscience " for the rest of the time. One of the first of the feathered tribe that meets the eye is the Chaffinch — he seems everywhere, and is much commoner than the sparrow ; the latter seems to keep on the outskirts of the towns, and is much cleaner and lighter in colour than his English brethren, and several I saw had black crescent-shaped marks on the Hanks; indeed, Passer domesticus looked so different that my friend was sure that they were Whitethroats ! Another very common finch is the lovely Goldfinch. Around Calvi there were literally hundreds. They frequented the waste ground by the sea, and seemed to he feeding from the dead heads of the thistle and teazel ; but upon examination of these heads there was no trace of seed in them . Unfortunately one sees many of these bright songsters in tiny cages hanging outside the poorer class of houses in Corsica. Greenfinches are also numerous, and at Ajaccio flocks were seen in the orchards near the town. In these orchards were also seen the lovely little Citril and Serin Finches. The types of these finches inhabiting Corsica are supposed to differ from those on the mainland ; they are cheerful, restless little birds, always moving from the ground to the Sydney Porter — Some Corsican / 37 lives and back again. I saw them often in the company of Green- finches : their song was heard from an olive- or orange-tree, and it was something like that of the Goldfinch. Another bird that was noticed near Ajaccio was the Crossbill, hut of the species I am not sure. I dare say it was the common kind. These birds we saw in the fir- and pine-trees, and they first attracted our attention by their incessant chatter which was kept up all the while they were feeding. Several pine cones that seemed to be torn to pieces were found under the trees. This was no doubt the work of the Crossbills. Several Marsh Buntings were seen, or at least I think thatthev were. These birds are somewhat like the Reed Bunting, but larger and darker in colour. A very common bird just outside the towns was the < »i tolan Bunting. One saw little parties of about three to six searching for food on the roads. They seemed very tamo, and would allow approach within about ten yards of them. There were many other kinds of Buntings, but I was quite unable to distinguish their species. There were also Pipits which haunted the seashore, but the Pipit family air usually dark and with very little difference between the species, so they are hard to identify at a distance. Skylarks were common, too. Thrushes and Blackbirds were far from being numerous, their scarcity being due to the fact that they were in demand for the " pet ". 1 noticed several Thrushes on the rocks by the sea at Ajaccio. They were about the size of a Blackbird and of a dark-brown colour with the chin, throat, and breast rufous. They moved about in the same manner as a Dipper, jerking the tail and flirting the wings. Whal species they were 1 do not know; perhaps some other member of the Society can enlighten me. The most charming bird to my mind was the sweet little Sardinian Warbler. He seemed everywhere — away in the mountains, by the sea- shore, and even in the hotel gardens, lie is somewhat after the same style as the Dart fold Warbler, only stouter in build. The head is jet black and the whole of the underparts pure white ; the upper parts are delicate grey, the long tail is dark grey with the outer feathers white, the iris is bright yellow, which gives the bird a rather unique appearance He is a restless and lively little bird, and hops continually through the low bushes of rosemary and cistus thai cover the un- 38 Sydney Porter — Some Gorsican Birds cultivated parts by the seashore, and every now and then flies on to the topmost branch of a bush and surveys the world, swelling his white throat and jerking his tail meanwhile, but as soon as one approaches dives into the bushes again. The coloration of this little bird makes him one of the most noticeable of the smaller Corsica n birds in the winter time, though in the summer time he would be outrivalled by the gorgeous Rollers and Bee-eaters. The Dartford Warbler I only saw once, and that was near Calvi. It was behaving in the same way as the Sardinian Warbler. Blackcaps are very common, and one sees them everywhere, especially in the palm- trees, searching for insects at the base of the huge leaves. Numerous yellowish green warblers were seen in the trees and bushes near the towns. These may have been Yellow-browed Warblers. Great Tits and Blue Tits were comparatively common in the orchards, as was the familiar Robin, which looked quite out of place perched on the cactu The Stonechat was very noticeable everywhere one went. One was sure to see him either perched on some dead plant or on the telegraph wires uttering his strange no Wagtails were numerous, especially the yellow ones. I think these must have been Grey-headed Wagtails. These were one of the few birds one saw in the streets of the towns ; Pied Wagtails were also seen, Inn wh I hey were ! il<> not know, for ornithologists have divided the Pied Wagtails into so many different races that I hesitate to identify them. A bird that I was very glad to see was the Kite. One evening we counted more than a dozen sailing gracefully over the little mountain town of Corte ; they remained for hours sailing on outstretched pinions ; their long forked tails seemed to be on a pivot, for while the bird seemed to be perfectly still hovering in the air, the tail was moving from side to side all the time and sometimes seemed to be almost at right angles to the body. I suppose we should see these graceful birds in Britain and many others as well if it were not for the wretch with the gun. Buzzards were not very common. I only saw two and they were flying very low down over the fields, evidently looking for food. Kestrels were very much in evidence, and were much tamer than those in England. Evidently they are not persecuted Sydney Porter— Some Corsican Birds 30 so much. Their favourite perch seems to be the telegraph wires by the roadside. Hooded Crows are very common, but they seem to be a differenl race from those we see in England and France ; they are much lighter in colour, and at a distance seem black and white. Indeed, my friend often mistook them for Magpies. Round the sea coast they swarm* d, rinding their food no doubt from the various mollusca thrown up by the tide. With these Crows were often one or two Carrion Crows, which seemed never to wander very far from the seashore. I have just noticed in The Practical Handbook of British Birds that the Common Hooded Crow is " replaced by another form in Corsica ". Of wading birds and gulls we saw very little; the Black-headed and Herring Gulls were the only ones seen. I may mention here, if it is not out of place, that while staying in the Maritime Alps in France I saw several examples of that charming bird, the Wall Creeper, flying about over the snow, the rich crimson of the wings making a pleasing contrast with the white surface of the rocks. Surely these little birds cannot be so very delicate to endure such cold. This brings to a close the list of birds that I was able to identify. There were many more seen, but, as I have stated before, having no glas es and an uninterested friend, I was unable to devote much time to watching the birds, but some time in the future I hope to visit Corsica again and to spend a longer and a more profitable time amongst the birds, not with the object of collecting sub-species, but to get a glance at their lives and uot £0 take those lives on the mere excuse of benefiting science. Do we not get infinitely more pleasure studying these feathered jewels in their own sittings than comparing musty skins 1 Have we gained much knowledge in comparison to the thousands and thousands of lives that have been taken to supply our collectors' cabinets and museums { I venture to say no. But 1 have v andered off my subject. Corsica is surely one of the mo it fascinating places for the bird-lover, for there so many different kind- of birds are found, and yet it is so near England. It was winter time when 1 was there, and a1 a time no doubt when the bird population was at its lowest. What must it- be like in the summer, when all the gorgeous migrants come from the South '. What a vast field of study for the 40 Another Medal for Breeding Bare Birds. observant one around the great reedy lake of Biguglia or the high towering cliffs of Porto ! Some day, when I have been again, I may be able to add something interesting to these scrappy notes. ANOTHER MEDAL FOR BREEDING RARE BIRDS In the January number of VOiseau the following note appears. The larger of the two medals, it will be observed, may be won by aviculturists in any European country. "In addition to the awards which the Societe Nationale d'Acclimata- tion already bestows annually for work appertaining to ornithology and aviculture, a medal (large size) may henceforth be won by anyone succeeding in rearing in Europe a species of bird or a hybrid bird which has not previously been reared in captivity. A medal (small size) may also be bestowed on the breeder who shall rear, under the same conditions, the first bird, or hybrid bird , in France. These medals will be awarded by the Award Committee of the Society. On every medal the name of the breeder and of the bird will be inscribed. Anyone desiring to compete must send to the president of the ornithological section, within a period of approximately two months of the birth of the bird, a detailed report, which will be published in VOiseau. The report must give a complete description of the nest, the eggs, and the chicks. All proofs, and any possible details which might be inquired into, should be given. The young bird will be considered reared when it is in a position to feed itself without the help of the parents. The hi ids bred must be the property of the breeder, who may, however, cede his rights to the award to the person who controls his breeding establishment. " The medals will be awarded as soon after the receipt of the report as possible ; they will be distributed at a special award meeting. In all cases the Award Committee will be the only judges as to whether a medal should in any particular case be awarded or not, and their decisions must be regarded as final." Stray Notes 11 STRAY NOTES Australian Birds.— It is doubtful whether aviculturists will avail themselves to any extent of the offer of Australian birds made by the Australian Zoological Control Board, for the prices asked are, to say the least of it, high. It appears that a few persons have been entrusted by the Government with the whole of the wild animal trade of Australia . and they have been thus enabled to corner the market. Nothing must be sold out of the country except by them, and they can charge what prices they like. Moreover, the prices asked are for the stock on board ship in Australia, the purchaser to take all the risk on the voyage and to pay the freight. Thus, for a pair of newly caught White Cockatoos, birds which are regarded as vermin in wheat-growing districts, and are worth no more than £5 or £6 a pair in England, we are asked to pay £6 before the specimens have started on their voyage. Very few aviculturists will buy birds under these conditions, and if the Control Board wishes to do business they must send a consignment in charge of a qualified attendant, to be sold here for what they will fetch. South African Birds.— Messrs. Gamage have been receiving collections of South African birds lately, and several rarities have been offered at prices which in these days arc not excessive. On a recenl visit I noticed a cage containing a number of Pied Starlings (Spreo bicolor), a brown and white bird with a very conspicuous whitish yellow iris and yellow base to the otherwise black bill. The species has never before been imported so far as 1 am aware, although it is abundant in many parts of South Africa. Another cage contained some six or seven Amethyst Starlings (Pholidauges I. verreauxi), of which 1 wrote in these notes last month. There was one fine example of the splendid Black-collared Barbel [Lybius torquatus), two Levaillant's Barbets,and a large number of Red-collared and Red-shouldered Whydahs. Young Kagu. — Mr. Heumann sends me further information about his young Kagu, which he says is now as big as its parents and quite able to take care of itself. The parents, he says, " are teaching it to .sing out in the mornings, which is very funny, as its voice is cracking.*' One envies Australian aviculturists their splendid climate, where the breeding of foreign birds seems to be a much easier matter than it is 12 St ran Notes here. Mr. Heumarm has bred, in addition to the Kagu, " quite a lot, such as Parrot Finches, Cordon Bleus, Lark Finches, Crested Cardinals, and nearly all the Australian Finches, and many others." A New Book ox Australian Birds. — Messrs. H. F. & G. Witherby announce the publication immediately of volume i of A Manual of the Birds of Australia, by Gregory M. Mathews, the author of The Birds of Australia. It contains about 300 pages, and is illustrated with ten coloured and thirty-six monochrome plates, and the price is £3 3s. per volume. Volume i deals with the Orders Casuarii and Columb^e. Mandarin Ducks and Japanese Teal. — During the past few- weeks both Mandarin Ducks and Japanese Teal have been imported and offered at a reasonable price. These are wild caught birds and unpinioned and a very valuable addition to the ornamental waterfowl in this country, as none had been imported since pre-War days, and stocks which have not died out altogether or been disposed of on account of the impossibility of providing food during the period of food-shortage have become in-bred. Moreover, these species are two of the most beautiful of the ornamental dinks. Carolina Ducks. — Perhaps the most beautiful of all the ornamental waterfowl is the Carolina, or Wood Duck, of North America. The War has reduced its numbers in Europe in the same way as it has affected all oaptive birds that were not considered useful as food-providers, and it is not easy to obtain these birds now. In America, their habitat, they had been nearly exterminated when the Bird Protection laws saved them, and in parts the species is slowly recovering. But they will never again be imported, and we must rely upon those bred in Europe to keej} up the stock in this country. Fortunately the species was well established in Europe before the War, and probably it may be obtainable on the Continent. I do not know what has happened to the large numbers that formerly frequented the Berlin Zoological Gardens, where they were full-winged and bred freely in nest-boxes and natural hollows in the trees. In the New York Zoo. — Mr. L. S. Crandall has kindly sent me a copy of the latest issue of the New York Zoological Society's Bulletin, in which are described some recent collections of birds, and a splendid Stray Notes 43 lot they make. The finest lot was received in November Erom thai well-known collector Mr. E. S. Joseph, and included species Erom every part of Australia, as well as from Tasmania, New Zealand, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and the Caroline Islands. Shipping difficulties had prevented transportation since 1917, so that the accumulation of several years was ready when space finally became available, and the collection is the finest that has been received in America for many years. Thirty-five species had never before been represented in the Zoological Park, and several were quite new to aviculture. The birds received include a pair of Prince Rudolph's Bird of Paradise (Paradisornis rudolfi), the beautiful blue bird from the Owen Stanley Mountains in South-East New Guinea, three Six- plumed Birds of Paradise (Parotia sefilata), two Rifle-birds, and a green Manucode. Alexandra and Turquoisine Parakeets arrived, the former having been thought to be extinct. Keas and the rare Kaka came from Xew Zealand, while the collection of Pigeons included the very rare White-fronted Bronze-wing (Henicophaps albifrons) from New Guinea . Mr. Joseph. — It is to be hoped that before long Mr. Joseph will favour this country with a visit and bring with him a collection such as he has recently conveyed to America. He is described as " tall in statue, big in heart, a marvellous engine of energy, intelligent, fair and square". He is said to possess an "almost fanatical devotion to the pursuit and care of zoological rarities ". He had in his poss in Australia a living Duck-billed Platypus, which he was about to take with him to the States, but the New South Wales Governmenl prevent ing. '" Mr. Joseph is L8 years of age, stands 6 Ee< I in height, and weighs 275 lb. He is at home everywhere in the Southern half of Africa, in Australia, New Zealand, England, America, Panama, and the Pacific tslands. He handles all kinds of wild beasts and greal snakes, und be is as proud of a feather-tailed marsupial opossum as some bants. To see him reach into a crate. seize a 1 >ilt kangaroo by I be tail, drag il Eorl b struggling and kicking and bold it up in mid-air for your admiration, is a daily incident possible only to him." D. B ^ 41 Revieiv REVIEW A Practical Handbook of British Birds. Pt. x, vol. ii, pp. 81-176. Witherby & Co., 326 High Holborn, W.C. 1. Price is. U. net. We are favoured with a copy of part x of this excellent publication. which is to be completed in eighteen parts, and will form by far the most up-to-date and practical handbook of the day on British birds. The subject has been treated of extensively and books on British birds are numerous, but there are very few that one can name as being absolutely reliable and free from the common fault of copying from previous authors. Saunders' Manual was the best book of its day, and at the present time we know of no other that excels it in usefulness and reliability ; but the last edition appeared in 1899, since which date not only has much been added to our knowledge regarding the various local races of species, but the habits of certain species have somewhat changed, their range extended or decreased, and it was quite time that another work by the best authorities on the subject was produced. We are glad that this presenl production is not the work of one author alone, for no one person can know all there is to know on so large a subject even as that of British birds, for the term includes every species which at any time visits this country. The present book has been divided into sections, and these have been placed in charge of the following six authors, each of whom is an authority on one or more particular group : Dr. E. Hartert, Miss Annie C. Jackson, Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain, Mr. C. Oldham, Dr. N. F. Ticehurst, and Mr. H. F. Witherby. The form of the work is eminently practical and under the name of the species we find a full description, both of the adult male, adult female, nestling, juvenile plumage (in some cases both of the male and female), winter and summer plumage, measurements, characters, and allied forms, field characters, breeding habits, food and distribution, both in the British Isles and abroad. The part before us deals with the birds of prey, and contains many excellent figures of a particularly useful kind, showing the difference between allied forms or species. Thus, on page 131, we have outlines of the bills and middle toes of the Golden and Sea Eagles, showing at ( 'orrespondende |.~> a glance some of the chief distinguishing characters, while a plate by Mr. Lodge shows half a dozen species of hawks in flight. D. S.-S. CORRESPONDENCE GREY TANAGERS Sirs, — Could you tell me whether the Tanager described below is an Olive Tanager or a Blue Tanager ? The whole plumage except the wings and tail is lavender grey, the wings and tail are glossy light- bluish green, the wing coverts are not the same shining blue as in the Blue Tanager. Sydney Porter. [There are several species of the bluish-grey Tanagers which are closely allied, and it is difficult to say to which the bird referred to belongs without close inspection. Tanagra episcopus has the lesser wing-coverts whitish, while these are more bluish in T. collesiis, bright blue in T. cana and T. cyanoptera, and violet in T. sclateri. — D. S.-S.] GLOSSY STARLINGS AND OTHERS Sirs, — T have recently had several small Glossy Starlings {Lanijrocolias) which 1 do not remember possessing before. They are the smallest I have ever had, and at first, without reference, I thought t Ley were L. chalcurus. As far as one can possibly describe changeable- hued birds of this kind, the salient features are small size, prevailing shining golden green plumage, noticeably dark patch surrounding eye and ear coverts and rump feathers exactly s