tWotes VOL II. I §^ijii{Cu^suiiJiiit(Uiiuatoi^^ FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE 1 LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BIRD HOTES. VOLUME II. BRIGHTON : THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB, 52, SHIP STREET. 1903-4. BRIGHTON : W. T. MOULTON & CO., PRINTERS, 4, CHURCH STREET. I Chera procne). From a drawinsf bv Miss Elkanok Bkooksbank. Zbc Xong^taile& Mbvbab. By RANDOI.PH QUIN. ~His handsome South African Wh3^dah, Chera proc?ie, is described by Dr. Butler as follows : — " When in colour the male i|X;^^^ I ^^^^^^ ^^ gloss}^ black, the underparts it.^fe>-^<^?^l| having the appearance of watered silk : a large patch of brilliant scarlet covers the lesser wing-coverts, the medium coverts being yellowish white, the greater coverts and flights edged with white or pale brown, but the primaries only near the end of the outer web : the legs and beak are dull red, iris brown. Length, including the tail, usually averaging igi^ inches, though specimens sometimes occur in which the tail alone attains a length of i8 inches ; probably only in very old birds." This description, together with the excellent drawing by Miss Brooksbank, here reproduced, should enable the reader to form a good idea of the bird. The female, and the male in winter plumage, present the sparrow-like appearance of Whydahs out of colour. In its native land this species isknov^n by various names, such as Kaffir King, Kafhr Chief, Kaffir Fink, Sackabuller, and Long-tailed Widow-bird. It is called at the Zoo the " Long-tailed Weaver-hivd,'' and I have met with the names " Brown-shouldered Whydah," and "Twelve-tailed Whydah," (the last rather a good one.) A few Long-tailed Whydahs were imported about ten 3^ears ago, and some were sold by the late Mr. Abrahams at high prices. One or two were exhibited at shows. They received an example at the Zoo in 1870, and another in 1891. I do not remember seeing the bird since 1894 or 1895.^ Though a very handsome bird, it is not very well suited for either cage or aviary. Like all Whydahs it is timid, and apt to dash madly about, and its large size makes its wild flutterings more dan onerous to itself and other birds than are those of the smaller species. It is a common and striking species in all the South African Colonies. Its great tail renders it almost unable to fly in very wet or windy weather, and it can then be caught without much difficult}'. * There was a .specimen in the Western Aviary at the Zoological 'Gardens last summer. See Vol. I., page 251.— J. A. S. 16riti6b JSir&6 an^ tbeir 1I3v>bri^6 at tbc Crvstal palace. By Geo. E. Weston. ^rpi^T the great show the worthy Secretary of the JhI N. B. B. & M. C. invited me to give my im- I JL pressions of the British and Hybrid sections. ^ Knowing the risk involved in so doing, I think it very uncharitable of him to button-liole me for such a task. Unfortunately, however, in what I feel was a weak moment, I consented — so here goes. In the first place, be it said, it was to me — a non- exhibiting, though none the less keen, fancier — a far from unadulterated pleasure to contemplate some of the decisions of the judges. There will always be difference of opinion, and it is as well there should be, for the uncertainty due to its existence is one of the charms of exhibiting. And a good fancier, even though his own bird is beaten in a. struggle where it might have won, does not mind much so long as there is something about the winner which justifies its position. But when we see, at this show of shows, winners of premier honours with feathers either missing or ragged, or lacking all bloom and condition, it makes one almost groan aloud. Again, that burning question " to colour-feed or not to colour- feed " was dealt with in a very unsatisfactory manner — in one class non-fed birds beat otherwise superior colour-fed birds, and in another the pepper-fed ones had it at the expense of equally good natural coloured specimens ; both under the same judge, too ! When the arbiter of our fate doesn't know his own mind, what are we exhibitors to do ? With the exception of the judge, the Hybrid section introduced us to few genuine novelties. The reputed Chaffinch-Canary reminded one strongly of the exhibits in the German Roller class, and a self- coloured hen Canary I certainl}^ think it to be. Mr. Colton's Chaffinch-Greenfinch, or Greenfinch-Bramble- finch, or something-or-other, was a bit more of a puzzle, though careful scrutiny failed to reveal other than a Goldfinch-Canary curiously niis-niarked with patches of black feathers — troubled, doubtless, with some form of melanosis. The much-discussed cin- namon Canary-Bullfinch made its bow to a Palace audience ; the first of a long series let us hope, for it is a truly delightful bird. Mr. lyambert Brown has evidently seen fit to "right-about-face" his opinion concerning the parentage of these birds, for we re- member him as a vehement opponent of their right to their present appellation. This gentleman is to be congratulated on awards that gave general satisfaction. In two or three cases individual opinions favoured other birds for premier honours ; but even the cogno- scenti most interested admitted the merit of the declared winners. Personally I took serious exception to one award only — the winning dark lyinnet-Canary — and this, as it is at direct variance with the opinions of far more competent judges, must be taken simply for what it is worth. This cinnamon-coloured speci- men seemed to me to win only because it was rare- feathered. The cinnamon Canary-BuUie, probably the best all-round specimen of its cross for shape, contour, and size, gets but the second award, and rightly so too, as it obviously lacks, owing to its colour, the correct fancy properties possessed by the winner. But this cinnamon Linnet-Canary, (not near the size of some of its competitors, and lacking almost entirely the verve and go so characteristic of its variety, besides suffering under the same disabilities as the cinna- mon Canary - BuUie as regards the correct fancy properties), is adjudged the winner, and a really typical specimen, for colour shape and polish a picture, is relegated to second position. Why? Coming to the British Birds, the Goldfinches and Bullfinches were excellently well judged, but, with the exception of the winning Bullie, were a somewhat disappointing lot. What a falling off from the winners of some five seasons ago. Really the lack of lustre on the plumage of the Goldfinches was most marked. Many good birds, too, appeared fagged out, hopelessly sick of life, and it is pretty safe to predict a plentiful crop of casualties 'twixt now and the autumn. The Chaffinches introduced us to a winner minus primary flights in the right wing! The winning Linnets, too, were steady and of good size shape and feather, it is true, but as devoid of polish as an unglazed flower pot, short of markings, and of weak, waslied-out colour. Lower down in the class, and among the unnoticed rabble, were birds of good size and type, richly nutty- brown in colour, and well-polished and pencilled — which is one of those things past comprehension. In both these classes I thought the Land o' Cakes had very hard lines indeed. In the next class, restricted to the Lesser Redpoll and Twite, we find a freshly- imported Mealy Redpoll, as big as a bucket, placed second, while a little gem of a genuine Lesser has to be content with fourth. In Siskins the judge pegs back the colour-fed, and clearly superior (bar the feed), specimens, among the commended cards. In the Greenfinches, on the contrary, the winners, with perhaps a single exception, were palpably colour-fed ; some of those singled out for notice so much so that, though unbiassed on the matter, I considered them positively unsightly. Yet there were some really fine unfed Greenies in the class. One of Roberts and Laing's unnoticed pair was very unlucky indeed. In Bramblefinches, too, the why and wherefore of the winner were hard to see— certainly a large one, and steady, but with a broken crescent of breast colour, and badly ditched in neck feather. The second. beautifully feathered and polished, might easily have scored, though there were some rattling birds in the commended cards once again. Last year's winning Haw^finch again came out on top, in fresh hands this time, and I think him unbeatable except in point of size. The grand old champion Yellowhammer, too, once more demonstrated his superiority, and except that he has developed " leggings" in his old age, looks as well as when I first saw him — is it five or six years ago ? The A. O. S. Bunting class contained some champions ; a marvellous Corn Bunting, but handi- capped by being badly staged. The winning lyark, by virtue of iis immense size, scored easily, though some sweet exhibits followed. An old form and voice, I believe, greeted me in the Robin class, as sprightly and full of music as ever. I don't like to see a Robin in a cage, though. The melancholy sadness of the ex- quisite song seems accentuated, and chills me as though the little singer were voicing his regrets of happier days, alas ! long past. The Blackbird, the Song Thrush, the Starling, and the Magpie, etc. classes were a veritable triumph for condition and perfection of plumage ; birds excelling in these qualities scoring in many instances over birds that, considered technically, were, perhaps, better specimens. This was strikingly exemplified in the Song Thrush class. The second prize winner struck me as a real marvel, quite one of the best ever seen for massive build, bold carriage, and regularity of mooning, and yet, apart from his frayed outer wnng- flights, he was well-beaten by polish and condition alone. The rare- feathered exhibits, too, on the whole, were in poor feather and condition, though the winners themselves were excellent ; in fact, had I been allowed my choice of the wdiole section I think I should have carried the Albino Yellowhammer home— it is a curiously captivating bird. The Insectivorous and Migratory classes saw a well-known name once again to the fore with grand exhibits faultlessly staged, but contained nothing new — a very nice Pied Flycatcher, however, was somewhat of a rarity, at least in a cage. A wonderful little Jenny Wren, excelling in colour and condition, must have gone very close to winning in one class. A loveh^ specimen of the Bohemian Waxwing was staged hereabouts, whether in its correct class I know not, as, for the moment, I am unable to lay hands on my catalogue. If not wrongly entered, however, I fail to see why it was passed unnoticed. A strikingly beautiful bird, and in fine condition — I admired it immensely. In the A.O.V. migratory class it certainl}^ deserved a place. It was pleasing to note the great improvements made in the staging of the British Birds and their Hybrids. A few years ago and there were but a few pioneers in the art of artistically staging a British Bird. Now the great majority of exhibitors have followed in their footsteps, and smashed up their old dirty cages. The small minority that remain will have to follow suit — they will never win until they do. ^be Ikinofiebcr. By J. H. CUI.I.EN. ^ ^/Jl' BIRD very properly excluded from the N.B.B. JHJ and M.C's. list of British Cage Birds, is the I J^ subject of this paper, the Kingfisher; which, ^ as Mr. Frostick says in his booklet, is "painted with nature's glorious tints that no human hand could approach." Poor little fellow ! because he is dressed in gorgeous arra}'- he is hunted and hounded from pillar to post, even to his death. By whom ? B}' some lazy pot hunter, whose only object is slaughter and to have his poor little inanimate carcass stuffed, and setup in a glass case in the most unnatural style, or perhaps sold to some ignorant curiosity-monger for a shilling. What harm does he do? He simply lives on a few little fish that are of no service to man as food, although some of my gamekeeper friends, whose duty it is to watch trout streams, think otherwise. The trout generally hatch out about the same time as the Kingfisher is rearing its young, viz., in the month of May or June. I have always tried my best to convince those men of the error of their ways, and sought to persuade them that it is wrong to destroy such beautiful creatures simpl}^ because they take a few little trout, that are preserved, not for a staple article of food for mankind in general, but lor the occasional sport of a favoured few ; at the same time pointing out that the all ruling power, divine providence, has provided an abundance of food for all His creatures, as well as sports without wilful destruction. M}" arguments have not been without result, for I am proud to say that one of my gamekeeper friends, after candidly admitting that the fishing was not made much use of b}' the proprietor, and owning that he had Ikmafisbers. {Meal time). P'rom the original sketcli Iw K. K. BaiLKY. (15y special permission of Mr. W. H, Vale). To face page 9. 9 sliot inaii}^ merely for people to stuff, promised never again to point his gun at the poor little Kingfisher. Two word pictures I will paint as witnessed by myself. My point of 'vantage is a large hawthorn ])usli on the banks of a silvery stream. Resting there in tlie cool shade, after a long round or naturalising walk, about thirty yards in front of me, looking up stream, is a pole or lug (as it is called in this district) stretched across the stream to prevent the cattle from wading through the water and getting into other pastures. As the banks are about six feet high, at intervals the ground is sloped out in order to allow the cattle to get to the water for drinking. I have not sat there many minutes when aloug flashes his royal highness the Kingfisher, who, coming up stream, takes his stand upon the pole, and settles himself down for business after a preliminary plume of his feathers. He is facing me, looking down stream with head bent down. He sits motionless for some little time. I turn my head, and on looking back he has vanished. The eddying waters tell their own tale. Another moment and up he comes, flashing in the sunlight, like a beautiful emerald with pearls and diamonds dropping from him. He has been successful in his plunge, as the struggling fish, held crosswise in his long powerful bill, testifies. It is probably a small roach, as there are no trout in this part of the stream. A few vigorous strokes on the pole, from side to side, in order to stun or kill his prey, two forward movements of his head, the first of which turns the fish from crosswise to lengthwise in his bill, and the second sends it down his throat. He sits as before, motionless, waiting for the next fish to come along. I make amove to resume my journey, he sees me as I emerge from the shelter of the bush, and takes himself off up stream uttering his wild screeching ^' Chee, chee, chee," and is soon lost to sight. lO On another occasion, walking on the banks of the same stream, about a mile from the above- mentioned spot, what is it I can see on the large root of an ash tree, growing on the banks ? (The floods and storms have washed the bank away, leaving tlie root exposed some distance from the bank). What is it that I see? Five little inanimate emerald balls of fluffy feathers, some with their heads pulled well down between their shoulders, as it were, some with their bills turned under their wings. Five young Kingfishers, not long out of the nest, waiting to be fed, having a nap. As the bank slopes, I lay myself down so that can I see the root, for there is no friendly bush to form a point of 'vantage for observa- tion. This time I have to be cautious, and I have not long to wait before I hear " Chee, rhee, chee," coming down the stream : the five little inanimate balls of emerald fluJBf hear it also— they are all alive now, looking round and uttering their nest call, a note like pronouncing the syllable, " Zip, zip, zip," in a hoarse guttural tone. They are all life and activity now, mouths wide open and wings shaking. Only one is fed, but a moment or two later the other parent arrives, and another is fed. Down goes the fish with a gulp. In the course of about half-an- hour two more are fed. I raise my head and cough. I am detected, and away the lot goes up stream, both the parents and little ones being soon lost to sight. This spot would be about five or six hundred yards from the nesting place. There are some of the many peeps of nature that it has been my delight and privilege to witness, all through being a country bumpkin, fond of rambling in woodland and moorland, and by streams. (To be contimied) . II ^be Sorrows of ffiirSs* By Margarkt W11.T.IAMS. IN no cheerful spirit can most lovers of Gouldian Finches review the past progress of their fancy for these lovel}' birds. There is hardly a more engaging, or more brightly beautiful little being to be found than this, with the yolk-of-egg waistcoat, the lilac-purple tippet, and cherry-red or velvet-black toupet, and the wife a paler shadow of his own glory, clothed in feather like a sunset flush. But all the ills that beset other foreign cage birds seem to press with extra severity upon the poor little Australian Rainbow, and one or two he has, besides, all to him- self. That cancerous growth about the beak that Gouldian admirers know so well, and the terrible egg-binding that besets the poor tiny hens— how fatal and how frequent ! I speak with feeling, having just lost a hen that had had several sets of eggs in safety, and now, after nearly three years, is dead in the usual grievous way. A large cage all to themselves, no crowding with other birds, rock salt to peck, crushed egg shell, lawn grass seed in mixture, white and spray millet, and canary seed, kept the small couple in perfection of health and plumage since the spring of 1900, but though the hen laid eggs freely in their cocoanut husk, they never hatched anything. Whether these small birds feel much or not, is a question still undecided. Mentall}^ I think they do not ; physically, I hope they do not. The whole soul of the cock, in the case of my pair of Goulds, seemed to be in the frequent nests his hen started. When, after being absent to undergo treatment for her final illness, she was returned to the cage, he showed no pleasure at her return, but attacked her, scolding fiercely at her dereliction of dut}-, and driving her to the cocoanut. 12 Now, a widower, he eats and sleeps well, but is anxious and uneas}' about the renewed failure of his project. Of actual acute pain I believe small birds feel little. The}' will allow their lesions to be touched, anointed, and bathed, in a placid way that would be impossible to a creature feeling, as, for example, a dog would. And the dog would patiently bear in silence what would wring cries from any human being, no matter how stoical. The doctors say it is a matter of anticipation. The restless misery of a Goldfinch in one of those horribly-invented bell-shaped wire cages that are painted in gaudy colours and sold to poor people by oilshops, always seems to me to be the extreme of what a bird can suffer. In these cages, and in others not quite so evil in shape or material, but still perfect!}- unsuitable, there is no to and fro hop, so essential, apparently, to any bird's caged content. Monotony, which would be the crazing torment to us, does not seem to distress birds, witness the way in which the Canary, after a fly, returns to the prison which, if it were an Archbishop, or even a plain mortal, it would about as willing!}^ revisit as would that unfortunate historical gentleman of the Church who was once hung up for seven 3'ears — or was it fourteen? — in a bell-shaped cage in the well-like area of a certain French Castle. The dietary is what, I think, makes most for a bird's happiness or woe. Thrushes and Blackbirds fed on hemp and bread. Nonpareils and Indigo-birds forced to subsist on seed : seeing their own beauty and bright colours fade day by day, and, at last, knowing themselves bald with the anaemic baldness that follows a moult on a seed diet— this is, indeed, misery! To eat is practically the only active pleasure our prisoned birds have, bar the bath and sunshine : and I believe all the faculty of keen enjoyment they have is mainly concentrated in the sense of taste and comfortable repletion. Monotony, again, however, does not seem to trouble them in respect of the staple food they exist upon, and if this is suitable — as the two millets to the Gouldian Finch — they never seem to tire of it. But the joy in finding unexpected, new, or uncommon dainties provided for them is most evident. How many people keep Bullfinches and never give them gooseberry or currant branches in bud or fruit? The former please them best, but the fruit is acceptable, and all manner of berries are welcome to many caged birds, which never reach them. 35riti5b :J6irD5 at tbc Crvetal palace* Classes 109 & no by H. J. Fui.ljamks. Remainder by W. A. Lott. RULY "the old order hath changed," and the Show of 1903 seems to have almost severed the last link between the old time shows of the big tent, and the new generation of shows in galleries, orchestras, etc. I am glad, however, to note, in the personality of one of the judges, just one connecting link with the past. Mr. Hills formed this connection in judging for the twenty-sixth time at the Palace. Whether this show was ever held in the gallery in the earlier years of its existence, I cannot say, but, if so, it must have been years ago. Like all changes, the present one wants getting used to. One ver}^ great improvement resulting from it is in the light during the day, but it was certainly not so good at night as in the old tent. An item that was very much missed this year was the old practice of raising the number of each class on a wooden standard that could be seen across the benches. The class numbers were there, but were put parallel with the cages, so that one could not read the ticket unless right opposite to it. For the first time in 1113^ memor\' the absentee birds were not marked in the catalogue, and I saw several persons endeavouring to find birds that were not in the Show at all. The suggestion of the N.B.B. and M.C. that a class should be provided for hen Bullfinches was accepted, and this Class should, in another year or so, prove as good a source of income to the L. & P.O.S. as that for Greenfinches, and it is to be hoped that this will encourage the Society to pro- vide still more classes for individual species. There are many birds which stand no chance in a mixed class, and which would be shown much more freely if the}^ had a class to themselves. The members of the N.B.B. & M.C. have reason to congratulate themselves upon the fact that, with onh' two exceptions, Classes 91 and 113, our members secured nearly every possible prize. Is it in the memory of the oldest exhibitor to have seen so many as five Chotighs at any Show, Palace or elsewhere? Surely this is a record for these birds. One great pleasure of the Palace Show is the opportunity it affords for the interchange of opinions between town and countr\' members, and I much en- joyed the opportunit}^ of meeting so man}^ members of our Club. Whether the artists, professional and otherwise, were more in evidence this year because of the narrower space between the rows, I cannot say, but there certainly seemed to be more persons sketching than in past years, and I hope this is a sign of more ireneral outside interest in the annual Show. Class 97. Bullfinches (33) opened the British bird section. Nine short of last j-ear, but, withal, a good class, ist went to 1248, Lloyd James, not the deepest in color, but a very fine bird, very big indeed for a Eritisher. 1251, Hazell, H.C., I greatly admired. 1262, White, 4tli, as rich a coloured Bully as any in the class. 1270, Davies Bros., unnoticed, I considered badly treated. 1250, Webb, 2nd, another good one. We had eight members showing in this class, and they took first, second, fourth, and extra fourth. Class 98. Hen B7cllfi7iches (13) very good for a new class, should be doubled next year as so many ex- hibitors keep hen Bullfinches for hybrid breeding. There w^ere some nice birds among them, but the judge had an easy task in placing the winners. Several were making Ing attempts to "sing" to the cock birds opposite. Class 99. Goldfinches (51 only). One of the lowest records for this Show. We have seen nearly as many again. Seven prizes were given, and our members secured every one. 13 n, Gough, ist, a real tip top beauty — upper mandible a little bit off, but the bird had the fine rich brown so t3^pical of a good Britisher. In fact all the winners were conspicuous by that beau- tiful nut brown colour which is so often ignored. 1318, Foster, a Cheveril ; 1305, Webb, 4th, rather coarse in blaze. Mr. Judd possesses some good finches, his second prize being a real tip-top finch. Was 1290 a Britisher? The V.H.C.s in this class seemed to have been rather indiscriminately distributed. 1331, poor moons, otherwise a good bird. Class 100. Chafifinches (29). A falling off again in numbers. Our members captured second, third, and fourth, and were unlucky not to get first. I made Mr. Townes' 1350 (second) a much superior bird to 1338, Ellis (first), although not showing quite as much white. 1340, Maxwell, third, a nice bird and very steady. 1348, Clark, unnoticed, will want some beat- ing when he gets steady. Class loi. Linnets (39), five less than last year. We took five prizes out of the six. Winner, 1382, i6 Turnber, is a good one, but was certainly luck\' here, lovely bloom, but too light. Others well chosen. 1388, Longden, unnoticed, a well-marked hen — cock in catalogue. 1381, Fowler, unnoticed, rare size and chubby type. 1375, Prior, 3rd, splendid bird, well marked. Although not so large in number as pre- vioush', this class was, as usual, a collection of well- known winners meeting in the final round for honours. Class 102. Lesser Redpoll or Twite (" Redpole " in Catalogue again ! ). Although the class was for Lesser Redpolls there were several Mealies, and, what is more, they got into the money. Class 103. Siskiji (22). The best birds were non- fed and the judge went for these, greatly to the delight of our anti-colour- feed fanciers. Certainly some Siskins are entirely spoilt by over-colour feeding. 4th, Walsh, 1442, was very hot indeed. The showing days of 1447, Raine, 2nd, ought to be over. Class 104. Bra77iblefi7ich — great favorites of mine, but only sixteen on show. I have seen much finer quality birds at previous Shows. 1461 and 1462, both Pringle, were the winners of ist and 2nd. 1463, Judd, 3rd, too hot again. 1456, Clark, C, should have been higher. Many Bramblings lack that nice spotted colouring down the side which is so much to be admired in a show bird. I am told that age increases the density of the black mantle. Class 105. Hawfiiich (13). Very grand class in- deed; members taking first, second, and third. 1470, Howe, I St, was not the biggest, but he was a perfect bird in every other point. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, well- known winners. This class should be more popular. Class 106. GreeiifincJies, numbered fort}', and our members only secured first and fourth. An unenviable task to find the winners out of such an array of 17 " Greeiiies." Such size, wing markings, and colour, colour, colour. I did not think the first, 1484, Maxwell, was the best in the class. 1502, Livingstone, 2nd, was more than equal. Others well placed. A. grand all round class. 1509, Dawson, might have had a card. Class 107. Yellow Buntiiigs — only eleven. Mem- bers ist, 2nd, and 3rd, all good ones. I quite env}^ the owner of the winner, 1520, Llo3'd James, for he will always want stopping if in condition, but colour, colour again. Others all good fine birds, and all winners awa}- from each other. Classics. A. O. S. of Bunting. (12). ist, 2nd, and 4th, members. An interesting class, but I could not follow the judge. I preferred 1533, Lowne, a Snow Bunting, unnoticed, to 2nd, Lloyd James, Snow Bunting. Class 109. Any species of Lark or Pipit, (16). ist went to Mr. Alloway's Palace winner of 1901 ; a fine, upstanding bird that well deserved its position. 1544, in the same ownership, and ist at Palace in 1902, had to put up with H.C. One feather in each wing was twisted, and this probably kept him out of the prize-money, as the color and markings are perfect. 1550, Lowne, 2nd, a very fine Shorelark, not so bright in color as, but larger than, 1551 (C), same owner. 1549, Ride, 3rd, a good Meadow Pipit well placed. 1554, Miss Hawkes, 4tb, a remarkably good Skylark, showing colour feeding — could easily win in any other competition. 1550, Groves, V.H.C., a nice Skylark (not Shorelark as catalogued) good size, colour, and markings, but very wild. 1549, Mays, V.H.C., I missed noting. A very good class. Class no. Robi7i. (10). ist to 1561, Pringle, a long way first. An exceptionally fine bird, singing strongly, notwithstanding the crowds pressing within a few inches of his casre. This bird is a very strong i8 commentar}^ against the popular prejudice that it is cruel to keep Robins in cages. I remember a lady once begging me to sell her a Robin, and, when she had bought it for lo/-, letting it fly immediately, saying it was "bad enough to keep birds in cages at all, but absolute cruelty to cage a Robin." If this lad}^ had seen the Robins at the Palace I think she would have changed her opinion. 1565, Pretty, 2nd, loses in color to ist, and a little rough in feather, should have changed places with 1564, Miss Laskey, 3rd, a very typical bird in beautiful colour and feather. 4th, Webb. V.H.C., Baker. H.C., Jeffrey. C, Miss Hop wood. Class III. BlacJzbird. (13). 1571, Morgan, H.C. last year, ist this. 1573, 3rd, a grand fellow, same owner ; 1568, 2nd, Law, another good one. Class 112. Thrush. (19). A collection of grand birds. 1587, Morgan, ist, in right place. 1590, Sharp, 2nd, another gem. 1588, 3rd, another of Mr. Morgan's grand stud of Britishers. Class 113. Starling. (16). A very good class and the judge found the best four. 1607 should have a chance as a performing Starling— a perfect acrobat. (To be continuedj. 19 Ibvbri^ 1Rotc5 from tbe palace Bv R. Browning. ^-vr^NOTHER Palace Show is past and gone, — with Jh] its lessons and disappointments, its pleasant I JL surprises and consequent joys — that the latter ^ may far outweigh the former, is the wish of at least one, whose interest in Hybrids seem to increase as the difficulty of their culture become more apparent. Fanciers having asked on many occasions for a class for Light Linnet Hybrids, I fully expected, now that this wish has been granted, to find a decent class of rare birds, but was sorry to see only five entries : a poor encouragement, surely, to the Society which pro- vided this Class for us. The first Class under notice— " clear, ticked, or even marked," should certainly be divided, for no judge can please himself — much less the exhibitors — where " varieties" meet. The first and second prize winners, being clear, and the Derby crack " even mark," 3rd, the Sheffield Champion must fall 4th. This is in accordance with some fossilized ideas, I dare say, but it is not right to my way of thinking. In my opinion, if the first half-dozen in a class are all " clears," and good clears, they should stand in front of the "even marks" be they ever so good. Or why call the "clears" the highest standard of merit in mules? The two Classes for "uneven marked or varie- gated" had some splendid birds, the winners standing right away for colour, size and near approach to per- fection in marking, combined with condition — quite right too for these classes. Some smart birds followed the winners, but lost in size. The winning light Linnet was a splendid bird ; and there was not much to choose between the 2nd and 4th. The Greenfinch Mules here I did not care for. 20 Dark 3'ellow and dark buff Goldfinch - Canary classes were small in numbers compared with what I have seen here, but the winners were found fairl}^ well I think. Stoutness, good shape and size (with good feather and colour) made up the birds for top tickets — the winning 3'ellovv being one of the best I have seen for many a day ; and but for a missing hind claw nail, and age, would not have been long unclaimed. Dark Greenfinches were not over strong ; and although some nice birds were there, there was not a bird with anything like the " short, chubb}^ chest, short tail and flights" of the bird I like for a Greenfinch Mule. A fair lot of Yellows — sweet birds, but none so large as the\^ can be got. Dark Linnets were a most interesting lot. Is it fair for those Cinnamons to be here ? Should they not go in the A.O.V. Class and fight it out with some- thing else just as rare? They frighten away good normal coloured birds. The second prize bird, a dark yellow, good all round, a champion on its own grounds — larger, stouter, grand feather and colour — with absolutel}^ no fault except that it is jiormal coloured. Oh, the pity of it ! to be thus normal ^^/^z<;r instead of rare or Cinnamon. By the way, why allow these Cin- namon Mules along with ordinary ones, more than Cinnamon or rare feathered British birds with the normal specimens of their species — when a Class is provided for them ? I liave no prejudice against these rare coloured Mules, but ask for fairness for the normal ones — that is all. Siskin, etc., got together 16 entries, and I noticed the winner to be an exceptionally fine 5^ello\v Siskin Mule, far the best of the lot, but far behind those two beauties Air. Lambert Brown used to show us. Ah ! those Canary-Bullies. The two now well- known ones have been seen and heard of before : the Cinnamon bird is thought by some to be a 21 Greenie-Bully. Now, I take it to be what the breeder says it is, viz., " Ciiiiianioii Canary and Bullfinch." Greenie - Bullies have larger, flatter heads, are browed like a Crest-bird, have shorter tails, and the tails and flights are barred like the Greenfinch's : but none of this is found in the Cinnamon bird, and it is my firm opinion the bird in question is of the cross it is claimed to be. Other Bullfinch Hybrids had a poor entry also, but what was lost in numbers was made up in qualit}^ for never in my little experience have better birds than the first three met together anywhere. Of course I have not seen those larger and better ones we were told of last year. The champion Linnet-Bully deserved a win, if onh^ for the sake of its war record. I expected more colour on this bird, but even now it has few equals. The Class for any variety Hybrid, bred from two British birds, had some charming and interesting little cage birds ; Goldy-Greenie winning as usual. This is not a hard bird to breed, and its favour with most judges (on account of size, I suppose) tends to dis- courage other crosses. But variety classes are bound to cause a difference of opinion. I thought Mr. Coutt's Siskin-Greenie, and Mr. Ward's Gold-Greenie the best of the lot, but perhaps I do not well under- stand them. Now, taking the Hybrid classes from start to finish, I have no hesitation in saying " Far worse work might have been done by an older man than was done this year by a 'prentice hand." Fanciers should drop self- interest once a year and try to make the Palace Show a truly representative one. Here we have a classifi- cation such as is provided nowhere else, yet Hybrid entries are few. Surely exhibitors can support one Show in a season without caring for the profits. Mind, 22 I am not one to preach showing other than to win, while I strive to win all I can ; but think we could give better support than we do to the Hybrid classes, this once a j^ear. If w^e cannot — then I fear we shall not be catered for as we have been — instead of yet still better — and we shall have ourselves to thank — nobody else. IforeiGn BirDs at the Crv^tal IPalacc. '■^^^ HERE is much in a name. The February Show (Q\ of the L. & P. O. Society held at the Crystal V^ Palace is "the Palace Show" — and so long as it bears that name it will remain the inheritor of great traditions, and continue to be the chief annual festival of bird exhibitors, in spite of a restricted classification and some other obvious deficiencies. This explains the fact that a foreign bird classification of only nine classes (we do not count those for foreign Goldfinches and Bullfinches) attracted an entr}' of 134, while at the Aquarium in November twelve classes contained only a little over 100 entries. The Show commenced on the 13th of February, 1903, and concluded on the 17th. This year it was held upstairs, in a draughty gallery — the change did not appear to meet with the approval of the exhibitors. The onl}^ advantage was the better light during the day. Over 100 of the exhibits belonged to members of the F. B. C, who obtained all the prizes except four, and all the cards except six. The first prizes, without exception, were awarded to members of the Club. The Parrots were judged by Mr. Camps, the other classes by Mr. Russell Humphrys — and, as might be expected, their awards seem to have given satisfaction on the whole. Class 121. Budgerigars and all species of Love- birds. Eleven entries. Mr. Storey's well-known pair of Peach-faced were, as usual, first. Mr. Howe's Red-faced was second. Mr. Osbaldeston obtained 3rd and 4th for his pairs of Budgerigars and Peach-faced respectively. V.H.C, Thorne ; H.C., Osbaldeston; C, Mrs. Cooper — all for Budgerigars. Class 122. All species of Parrakeets. Seventeen entries, of which two appeared to be absent. First, Mr. Hawkins' Varied Lorikeets — very charming little birds of which a few examples have come over lately. These specimens w^ere looking rather out of sorts, and judging from the contents of their food vessels, were not being judiciously dieted. Second, Mr. Osbaldeston's fine King. Third, Miss Edith Castell's Pennant. Fourth, Mr. Howe's very nice Rock Peplar. V.H.C, Osbaldeston, for a pair of Crimson Wings, and Ritchie for a Rosella. H.C., Morgan, for a King Parrakeet. C, Thwaites and Eloyd for a King. Class 123. Grey Parrots and all species of Amazons, Cockatoos, Macazvs,a2Ld Lories. Thirteen entries. First, Mr. Osbaldeston's Blue and Yellow Macaw — certainly a very fine creature — the blue was of a wonderful tint. Second, Mr. K. Young's Amazon, which we took to be the Yellow- fronted. Third, Mrs. C. Cooper's Blue and Yellow Macaw. Fourth, Mr. Fox's Grey Parrot. V.H.C. Mr. Osbaldeston's Yellow-naped Amazon. H.C. Mr. Babbs' Swainson's Lorikeets, which, being Lorikeets and not Lories, should have been " wrong- classed." The class also contained Mr. Cushny's well-known old Blue-eyed Cockatoo, a Red and Blue Macaw, a Rosy Cockatoo, and some Blue-fronted Amazons. It will be observed that the classification adopted relegated all the true Parrots other than Greys and Amazons to the A. O. S. class. 24 Class 124. Doves and Quails. Cancelled. Class 125. Various {named) co7fiinon Seed- Eaters. Seventeen entries, of which we think three were absent. First, Messrs. Thwaites and Lloyd's pair ot Parson Finches, of not very conspicuons merit. Second, Mr. Townsend's Golden-breasted Waxbills. Third, Mr. Hawkins' Diamond Finch — we question the expediency of awarding a prize to a single bird in this class. Fourth, Mrs. Skey's Silverbills, which might have been higher up. V.H.C., Osbaldeston (Spice-birds), Hawkins (Golden-breasted Waxbills) ; H.C., Picard (Diamond Finch). Mr. Swaysland ex- hibited a pair of White-headed Mannikins, the male of which was certainly not the ordinary' Munia inaj'a, in fact, it looked more like a cross between the White- headed and the Black-headed species, and such we were at first disposed to regard it, but on looking up the genus we found it to be an example of the rare Javan Ma\'a Finch. It differs from the White-headed Mannikin in having a black throat. Class 126. All species of Waxbills, G?assfinches, and Mannikins, not comprised in the above. Twenty- one entries. First, an '' unknown Waxbill" entered by Mr. Hawkins. This was one of the greatest attractions of the Show — it bore some resemblance to the Painted Finch, but was evidently not of that species. I find that Mr. Seth- Smith considers it one of the Fire Finches (^Lagonosticta niveignttata). Second, Mr. Hawkins' Red - faced Finch. Third, Mr. Osbaldeston's Rufous - tailed Grassfinches. F'ourth, Mr. Hawkins' Black-rumped Finches. V.H.C. Townsend (Long-tailed Grassfinches), Osbaldeston (Pin-tailed Nonpareils), H.C., Picard (Aurora Finch), Howe (Black-headed Gouldian), C, Townsend (Laven- der Finches), Osbaldeston (Black-headed Gouldians). Mr. Hawkins exhibited in this class a pair oi Estrilda angolcnsis — a near relation of the Cordon Bleu, from which it is distinguishable b}' the absence of the red ear patch in both sexes. This entr}^ was marked in the catalogue "111" — in fact one of the birds was obviously suffering from that curious nervous com- plaint which sometimes attacks birds in captivity, and causes them to twist their heads about in a strange and distressing manner. Class 127. All species of Grosbeaks, True Finches, and Buntings. Nineteen entries, of which we failed to find two or three. First, Mrs. Cooper's Virginian Cardinal, which did not strike us as a particularly good specimen. Second, Mr. Hawkins' Olive Cuba Finches. Third, Mr. Hawkins' Grey Singing Finches. Fourth, Mr. Housden's Virginian Cardinal. V.H.C. Cooper (Pileated Finch). Osbaldeston (White-throated Finches). H.C. Housden (Dominican Cardinal), Osbaldeston (Olive Cuba Finches). C, Smith (Black- headed Buntings — two cocks). Smith (Red-crested Cardinal). Mr. Swaysland exhibited a pair of un- common Sparrows, which ma}^ have been Passer luteus—\i so the male (which died at the Show) w^as in immature plumage. Class 128. All species of Tanageis, Sicgar Birds, Honeyeaters, Zoster ops, and Bulbicls. First, Mr. Townsend's Tri-coloured Tanager. Second, Mrs. Skey's Scarlet Tanager (certainly lucky to attain the position in such company). Third, Mr. Townsend's Blue-winged Green Bulbul. Fourth, Mr. Swan's White-capped Tanager. V.H.C, Swan (Blue Sugar- bird — out of colour, but a good specimen). Osbaldeston (Golden - fronted Green Bulbul). H.C, Townsend (Yellow Tanager), Richell (Scarlet Tanager), C, Townsend (Japanese Zosterops), Townsend (Chinese Zosterops). Mr. Hawkins' Purple Sun -bird — not look- ing so well as at the Aquarium — was again wrong- classed. It seems a pity that the judge did not feel at liberty to interpret the word " Honeyeater " a little 26 more liberally. The class also contained a Striated Tanager, a Warty-faced Honeyeater, two more pairs of Japanese Zosterops, and some more Scarlet Tana- gers and Green Bulbnls. This was a very fine class. Class 129. All species not comprised in the above. Thirteen entries. First, Mr. Hawkins' charming pair of Silver-eared Mesias. Second, Mr. Osbaldeston's Green-billed Toucan — one of the best Toucans ever exhibited. Third, Mr. Hawkins' Blue-winged Siva. Fourth, Mr. Townsend's Andaman Starling. V.H.C., Osbaldeston (pair of Indian Shamahs), H.C., Osbal- deston (Blue- cheeked Barbet), C, Smith (Purple- headed Glossy Starling). The class also contained a cock Shamah, a Red-headed Starling, an unnamed Indian Starling much resembling our British species, and a Rosy Pastor. Also a pair of White Java Sparrows and a Zosterops— both wrong-classed. A NONPAREIIv'vS ADVENTURE. Sir,— The other evening I went down to my aviary to shut it up for the night, and the wind, which was very rough, blew the door wide open. This frightened the birds very much, and a beautiful Nonpareil darted out through the open door-way. I tried to catch it, but it flew right over a high bank, and away towards the meadows near, I put some food in a cage and fixed it up against the outside of the aviary. 27 The next morning I went ont early to see if the bird had returned, and, to my delight, I saw it sitting on a fence near the aviary. It was rather frightened when I came, near and flew away. I put the cage (which the wind had blown over during the night) up again, and went away. In about a quarter of au hour the bird came back and rushed into the cage. I quickly secured him and took him into the aviary, and he seemed delighted to be at home again. He had been out in a dreadful storm of wind and rain all night, but seemed not a hit the worse for it. 1 think he must be a very intelligent bird as I have never before known a foreign bird to return after having escaped. The bird has always been a great favourite of mine, but I think more of him than ever now, after his adventure. M. E. Baker. THE CHOUGH'S ESCAPADE. The well known Cornish Chough belonging to our member Mr. Morgan, and the winner of some 50 first prizes, had, apparently, heard of the pleasures of an outdoor London life enjoyed so long by the late lamented famous Brixton Jackdaw, for on the afternoon of February 9th last, he went for an excursion on his own account, and led his pursuers a nice chase over the roof-tops of the New Kent Road. He seemed to quite enjoy his spell of freedom, whittling his beak on the chimney - tops, and preening his flights in evident appreciation of his unwonted liberty. Travellers on the tram- cars were considerably amused at his antics, and at the efforts of his pursuers to recapture him. He led a small army of these a nice run of about four hours, after which he took it into his head to explore a room, of which the window had been left open, and was restored to his cage, none the worse for his escapade, W. A. LoTT. 28 TLo our IRcabcrs, •r^^-vT'E hope and ( (^\ ziiie will iVI vSwAN ha ^^^\ artiistic I 'E hope and believe that the alterations in our Maga- ineet with your approbation. Mr, J. A. las generously borne the expense of the block for the cover — having first obtained the consent of the owners of the copyright (INIessrs. Thomas Nelson & Son) to the reproduction of the design. We have to thank Mr. Swan not merely for the block but for invaluable advice and assistance in all the details of our new arrangements, and it is not too much to say that the improved aspect of " Bird Notes" is chiefly due to his initiative. We should like to avoid, this year, the necessity for making constant appeals for " more copy " — and will therefore say, we hope once for all, that we can make use of all, and more than all, the suitable matter we receive. We trust that you will bear in mind the fact that "Bird Notes" is written dy the members of our Clubs as much as /or the members, and beg that all of you, who can, will make an effort to share in the work of contributing to its pages. It is intended that the plates which accompany this issue shall become a regular feature of the Magazine, and we shall be glad to receive drawings and photographs for reproduction. H. R. FlT.LMER. W. A. LOTT. THE ALARIO FINCH MALE*. Alai-io alar to. From a drawing !)>' Miss Klkanok Bkooksbank. ^iMf -J', ... ^be aiario jfincb. By H. R. FiT,r,MKR. colouring of this charming South African songster is b}^ no means brilliant. The male has the whole of the back, wing coverts, and tail, reddish brown (the colour of a bay horse). The head and throat are black, and the black extends down each side of the body forming an irregular black band on each side of the breast and leaving the centre of the breast and abdomen dirty white. The white colour extends upwards, over the shoulders — almost meeting at the back of the neck. The quill-feathers are black. In the female, the bold masses of black and white and brown, which distinguish the cock, are absent, and the general colour is a greyish brown washed with reddish brown on the upper parts. The female is usually markedly smaller than the male. Young males resemble the females, and assume the distinctive plumage of their sex gradually after a moult. M}^ aviar3^-bred cock came into full plumage after the first moult, when onl}' a few weeks old — and I presume that this is the normal habit of the species. But I have once or twice possessed young imported males which had black heads but were not in full plumage — and one of these moulted several months after importation and then came into full plumage. When I first acquired this bird he was quite unlike a hen (or a cock in its nest feathers) ; and 3'et he differed greatly from a full plumaged cock — the colours being much less clearly defined. Is this intermediate stage of plumage merely an accidental condition caused b}^ the shock of importation — in fact simph' a prolonged moult — or is it natural for some Alario Finches to moult twice before acquiring full adult plumage ? Five or six years ago the Alario Finch was fairh^ common — but of late, especialh^ since the beginning of the Boer war, it has been practically unobtainable. Hens were alwa3\s difficult to bu3\ There seems no reason wh\' this bird should be so seldom imported, for it is a vevy common species in South Africa, and frequent!}^ kept as a cage-bird there. According to Dr. Butler, the bird is "a long liver and ver\' hard\%" btit a fairly extensive experience of the species, some years ago, brought me to an opposite conckision. I find it decidedly more delicate than the Singing Finches. White millet seed should never be given to this species fnor, indeed, to any of the True Finches). Canary seed should form the staple of its diet, with the addition of summer rape seed» and a little hemp occasionally. The following account of the In'eeding of the Alario Finch has been published before — but as it relates the onl}- recorded instance of the species nesting sticcessfully in Britain (if not in Europe), I nia}", perhaps, be pardoned for reprinting it here. 31 Hybrids with the Canary hen have been several times obtained. In the autumn of 1S95 I .succeeded in obtaining two females from Mr. Swaysland : one of these was a 3'oung bird in good plumage and perfect health, which I placed in an aviary with a male which had been in my possession for some time. The male sang to the hen, but she never attempted to build. The other female was considered by Mr. vSwaysland to be a bird which had recently nested in a state of freedom— he came to this conclusion from the state of her plumage. This bird was in very shabby condition, and, instead of improving after I purchased her, she went from bad to worse, until she was almost bare of feathers, and I feared she suffered from some feather disease. How- ever, about May, she moulted, and came into splendid plumage. Shortly after this I obtained from Mr. G. C. Swailes, in exchange for another bird, a remarkabl}^ vigorous male Alario Finch, which I immediately placed with this hen, in a good-sized indoor aviar\^ all to themselves, and almost immediately had the pleasure of seeing her begin building. The nest was built in an open Canary nest-box with a perforated zinc bottom, which I had hung up high on the wall at the back of the aviar}'. The nest was a beautiful little structure of hay, neatly lined with hair from a common Canary nest-bag. I never saw the eggs, but I believe that only two w^ere laid ; for two young were hatched, and no eggs were left in the nest when I examined it after the young had flown. The hen began to sit on the 7th of July (1896) and hatched on the 19th or 20th. The young left the nest on the morning of the 2nd of August, when, to my great .surprise, I found them at the bottom of the aviar3^ They could not fl\' for several da^'s after. While the young were in the nest the parents partook of hard-boiled egg and biscuit, and Abrahams' preserved egg, but afterwards very little if any egg was eaten, and I think the young were mainly reared on crushed hempseed and green food. Considerable quantities of chickweed and lettuce were consumed, but not very much of anything else. The young birds were much like their mother, but greyer and more speckled. One turned out to be a cock and the other a hen. I thought for a few days that the mother would have laid a second time, as she became rather busy with nesting material ; but colder weather set in, and all inclination to nest passed away. Next year the same hen hatched two or three young ones— one or two of which, if I recollect rightly, lived to be almost independent of their parents, but died soon after they began to feed them- selves. After this I was very unlucky with the species, and before long my whole stock had died out. The Alario Finch is a most attractive bird. Although plainly attired, it is decidedly pretty, and is of a most gentle and confiding disposition. It seems to be naturally fond of human society, and free from that dread of mankind which possesses most birds. There is no bird which will sing more in- dustrioush^ than a health}- cock Alario, and his sweet warble is so gentle that even the most sensitive person would not be disturbed by it. He is specially adapted for keeping as a pet in a roomy cage by himself, and under such conditions will speedily become most delightfully tame, and entertain his owner with a cheerful and musical song. In the aviary with other birds the Alario Finch is perfectly harmless — but not very capable of defending himself from more aggressive birds. Zbc 1luiu3fi£ibei\ V>y J. H. Curj^EN. (Continued from page w). Young Kingfishers have their full plumage and colour from the nest : the adult may be a little brighter, but I have failed to notice any great difference. No one can possibly conceive the difference between the beautiful sheen and lustre of living specimens and the comparative dulness of a dead or stuffed specimen. In death the sheen and lustre depart after a few days, never to return. The nest of the Kingfisher is usually placed in a hole in the bank of a stream or river ; sometimes in the hole of the masonry of a bridge; but other sites are sometimes chosen. In one instance, I knew the Kingfisher to build its nest in a high bank, in a field, quite a quarter of a mile from the stream it frequented — the banks of the stream being very low and the land flat, there was no facility for the birds to nest, as in a storni}^ time the land was often covered by the stream overflowing its banks. Another strange site for a nest was pointed out to me by a man whose dut}' it is to keep clear of water-weeds and other obstructions the water courses of the large dykes or phines (as they are called in this district) that drain the moors. On the banks are some very large willow or withy trees. In the head of a pollard about eight feet high, about five years ago, a Kingfisher built its nest, and hatched and reared a brood successfully. It has never built there since. The Kingfisher, if undisturbed, frequently occu- pies the same hole jear after year. That I can prove, for in the season of 1900 1 obtained seven eggs out of a nest. (If I had not had them someone else would — I took them to induce the birds to seek safer quarters^ 34 wliicli they did;. The second week in June, 1901, the same site was occupied, and tlie brood were reared and ^ol off successfully. A<^ain, in the season 1902, llie same site was chosen, and eight young ones were hatclied ; but were destroyed Ijy some one, when not sitions of the nests, four in nuni))er, which I have observed in the banks of this ])articular stream, were })etween ten inches and two feet from the top level. The burr(nv or entrance is about three inches in diameter, and tiie depth in twfj instances about twenty inches, and in two others about thirty inches. The burrows slope upwards, and the nest, being at the end of the burrows, is only about eight or nine inches from the surface of the ground. My ]>lan i'ov examining the nest is to cut out a square turf (it is grass land; about four or five inches square, and about sixteen inches from the entrance to the burrows. I can tlien ])Ut my hand in and take out either eggs 01 young. I am inclined to endorse Mr. N(jrman Oillroy's o])inion that the Kingfisher niakes its own burrows, as the banks in which the nesting places are situated are composed of haid red marly clay, rather smooth, and almost per])endiciilar — so that it would be almost impossible for them to be the deserted holes of the water rat or vole, for they could not possibly climb the banks, which are often overhanging; and there are 35 no vSand-Martins liore in tliis district. As regards the ncstin<^ nialerinl, it is j^^eiicrally stated to be small fish hones, but all the nests I have examined seemed to he; composed (;( the husks or outside skins of the fresh water sliiimps, with which the stream abounds. I have seen oue b'-auhful S{)ecimen of a nest iu the ])ossession of a gentleaian, Mr. Kidgesford, late of Wraxal Court, uow residin;;- in Cliftou, J>ristol. This nest was like a. tea-saucer, about fivn inches in diameter, and about half to three quarters of an inch in thickuess, eulirely eompos'.-d of small fish bones cemented together. It was (;bt;nned in the Midland Counties by a gamek(;eper, and must have been a nest that had been occupied year after year ; hence its perfect form and unusual thickness. The ej^j^s are ])iire wliite, nearly round, usually from six to ei;dit in numl>er, as f,ir as f c lu ascertaiu. 'i'liere is but (Uie species of the Kin<^fisher in Jiritain : /Xustralia and South America jn'oducing the greatest numb'-r of s])ecies. 'i'he ornithological or Ivatin name of our ivnglish species is Alcejlo ispida. I came acifjss one record of the Incited Kin;^fisher (Alcedo alcyov.) bein;( found in Ireland, in the counties of Meatli, y\ntiim, and Wicklow, but no da.t'- was ^iven. As this is .'i South y\merican species, so I have been told, I should think it must have been an imported bird tlirit had escaped. To hand-rear these birds, they siiould be taken from the nest when about twenty-one days old ; it takes tliem a long time to get their feathers, so it is quite thiity d.'iys before they I'-ave the nest. They should be ]>laeefl in a box prop'-i ly ventilated, on some moist or fresii eaitli, and fed about every three (piartei'S of an hour. The food, if pf>ssible, shoid'! be live minnows or small ^old fish cut smrdl, or fresh fish, such as ]>laice or wliiting, cut in strips — raw lean beef, minced very fine, may be given for a change. The ones I reared had to be crammed, as they would have left the nest in a day or two when they were taken. I should never have taken them in hand, but someone broke open the nest and removed three of them. (He did not succeed in rearing them — I was afterwards told that he tried to feed them on barley meal). So I removed the other tliree to save them from a like fate. I was persuaded to do it by a friend who knew the nest; as some one else was going to have them if I had not come to the rescue. I only had them a few days before they showed signs of feeding them- selves. I then placed them in a box about five feet long by six feet wide, and fifteen inches deep, covering the top with wire netting. There was a perch about nine inches from each end and a shallow dish in the centre for water. I fed them on lean raw beef soaked in water overnight to extract the blood, and cut in strips, fresh whiting and other fish, and such live fish as I had time to go and catch. When they could peck, the food was put into the water, as they would not pick it up oflf the bottom of the box. They would dive from one perch into the dish and take it to the perch at the other end of the box, always seizing the food crosswise in their bills and striking it, no matter whether a strip of beef or a fish, from side to side on the perch. A jerk of the head to throw it lengthwise in the bill, and gulp, down it went. When they wanted food, they would call for it, " Zip, zip, zip," and they got very tame and familiar, and when I talked they would raise the feathers on the back of their head, like a crest. They seemed to have the power of sticking out, like whiskers, the short feathers under their chin or lower mandible, at will and pleasure. They got so tame that we used to let them out for exercise in the wash- house. When on the ground they did not hop like most birds, but shuffled along with a sidelong move- ment, and then would readily come upon the hand 37 when placed on the ground and peck your finger. I could carry them about the house and they would make no attempt to fly away, and on pointing my finger at them, and talking to them when not hungry, the'y would look up with their bold brilliant eyes, seize my fingers in play, and utter their " Zip, zip ; " but if a stranger came and looked at them they immediately shouted their wild alarm, " Chee, chee, chee," and beat themselves about. When I talked to them they had a way of bobbing their heads up and down, and from side to side. It was a very troublesome job, the rearing of the young Kingfishers, though it afforded me a splendid opportunity for studying them ; but I shall never undertake it again, and in conclusion I am of the opinion that it is utterly impossible to make, in the proper sense, a cage bird of the Kingfisher. But those who have a fancy for keeping them could manage it in an aviary, with plenty of room, and an artificial pond of running water plentifully supplied with live fish. They would not do long with stagnant water, and it is impossible to keep them long on dead fish, such as we get at the fishmongers. They will not survive long, for I only kept the ones we had for about two months ; they dropped off one after another, much to my sorrow% as they were so tame. I repeat that I consider the decision to exclude the Kingfisher from the cage bird list a very righteous one. 3« Iparrote an^ parrahccts. By Dr. C. vS. Simpson. (Continued jrom Vol. i, page 30^ J. '9^' HE Grass Parrakeets (^Neophema) are another f(7\ Australian group which in beauty of plumage V^ rival the Psephotus Parrakeets, and are vers' much more easily kept in confinement. The best known species are the Turquoisine {N. piilchella) and the E^legant (A^. elegans), but the former has been very scarce of late years, and the latter quite unobtain- able. The Turquoisine is an exceedingly beautiful bird ; the upper parts of the bod}^ are of a deep green, the breast and abdomen rich 3'ellow, the forehead, cheeks, and chin brilliant verditer blue, the outer upper wing coverts and the under surface of the wing are also blue, and there is a chestnut spot on each wing. The female is less brightly coloured than the male. The Turquoisine will stand the coldest weather out of doors, and a pair in a roomy aviary provided with hollow logs will readily breed. They feed on Canar}' seed and spra}^ millet. I have found this species ta be rather dull and quiet in a cage. The Elegant Parrakeet re.sembles the Turquoisine closel}^ but the blue on the head is confined to a band on the forehead. The two species readily inter-breed, but I am not able to say whether the young of such unions are fertile. The splendid Parrakeet (A", splcndidd) resembles the Turquoisine, but is distinguished by the rich scarlet of the breast. The Orange-bellied Parrakeet (A', chrysogastra) more closely resembles the Elegant, but has a patch of bright j-ellow on the abdomen. Bourke's Parrakeet (A^. boiiykei) is another species which used to be imported, but seems to be un- procurable now. The upper parts of this bird are reddish-brown, the under Darts rose colour, the fore- 39 head, outer wing coverts, and under tail coverts are blue. The Swift Parrakeet (Na?iodes disco/or) is an Aus- tralian species which appears to be somewhat closely related to the Psephotus Parrakeets, and it requires similar treatment in confinement. It is curious that although this bird is extremely common in South Australia and Tasmania i); is both rare and costly in England. Those who have kept this species report that it is not delicate. It is rather smaller than the Many-coloured. Its general colour is bright green ; the face, forehead, under wing coverts, and under tail coverts scarlet, the crown blue, a band bordering the red of the cheeks and throat yellow, the tail feathers brownish-red. The Budgerigar (^Melopsittacus undulaUis) is the commonest of all foreign cage birds. Great numbers are imported ever}^ year from Australia, and many are bred in England and on the Continent. It is the hardiest of birds, appearing perfectly indifferent to the coldest weather. Its diet is Canary and millet seed. It is the easiest of foreign birds to breed, and a single pair will often rear young even in a small cage. In order, however, to breed them successfully, it is desirable to turn at least three pairs into a roomy aviary provided with cocoa nut husks ; under such conditions they will often rear a large number of 3^oung. I have never been able to understand or appre- ciate the misguided ingenuity which has succeeded, at the cost of much trouble and patience, in effacing the rich colour and beautiful markings of the normal Budgerigar, and producing that sickly washed-out albino, the yellow variety. A blue variety has also been produced. A great many Budgerigars are im- ported every year from the Continent, and are sold very cheaph'. Amateurs should avoid buying them. 40 For some reason (probably persistent in-breeding), they are of a feeble constitntion, and many of them die from French moult, that is, inability to reproduce new feathers after the moult. Cyanorhamphus. — The Parrakeets of this genus inhabit New Zealand, New Caledonia, and the Society Islands. The New Zealand Parrakeet (C novce zealaiidicc) is the species usually kept, and though formerly common enough has been rare lately. It is of a rich green colour, the forehead, crown, and a streak across the eye crimson. It is a quiet, shy bird. One which I kept for some time ran very quickly about the floor of the bird-room, almost like a rat, and, if frightened, would run behind a box or piece of furniture, but it seemed to have little power of flight. It was a very silent bird. It would allow itself to be handled but never appeared to know one person from another. The New Zealand Parrakeet will breed in an aviary. A few years ago a good many examples of C. aiiriceps were imported, and the species nested successfully in an aviary at Stockport. The Cockatoos {Cacatuidcc) number nearly thirty species, which inhabit Australia, Tasmania, and the East Indian Archipelago, including the Philippine Islands. Here they live in great flocks, the screams from which are said to be audible even when the birds are flying so far overhead as to be invisible. They do great damage to the crops, as, like all Parrots, they are very destructive, injuring far more than they actually eat. They breed generally in hollow trees, but some- times in holes in rocks and cliffs, the larger species laying two eggs, the smaller species from four to six. All the Cockatoos are crested, but in some species the crest feathers are not long enongh to be noticeable except when erected. They are mostly birds of large 41 size, and are, as a rule, particularly tame and affec- tionate in confinement, and they are among the most intelligent of the Parrots, but many of them are incorrigible screamers, and they are all terribly destructive. Tliey are hardy and long lived, and they require only a diet of maize, hemp, oats, and other grain, with an occasional biscuit and piece of apple. About fifteen species are imported. The biggest of all the Cockatoos is the Great Black Cockatoo (^Micro- glossus aierrhmis), a native of New Guinea, which measures no less than thirty inches in length. It is of a slaty black colour, excepting the naked skin of the cheeks, which is pale red. A smaller variety of the same species comes from the Aru Islands, and seven other species of Black Cockatoos are known. The Gang-gang Cockatoo {Callocephaloii galeatiim) is gre}^ with a scarlet head and crest. It is found in South-East Australia and Tasmania, and is rarely seen in confinement. A pair were exhibited at the last Show at the Aquarium. The Rosy Cockatoo (^Cacatua roseicapilld) has the upper surface gre}^ and the under parts rosy red. It is the commonest and cheapest of the Cockatoos, and a terrible screamer. The feathers of the head are erectile, but can hardly be said to form a true crest. The general colour of all the other Cockatoos is white, the plumage being also full of a whitish powder. The Great Salmon-crested Cockatoo (C violuccensis) is one of the most splendid of the Parrots, being Avhite with a delicate rosy tint, the long inner feathers of the crest edged with orange vermilion. The Blue- eyed Cockatoo (C ^/)//;«/w/<:«) derives its name from the circular patch of naked blue skin round the eye. It is a large species, not less than eighteen inches in length. Ducorp's Cockatoo (C diicorpsi) also has a naked blue patch round the eye, but is distinguished from C. opthalinica by its much smaller size. Goffin's 42 Cockatoo (C goffini) is very much like Ducorp's, and the two are sometimes confounded, but the naked skin in ihe Goffin is white with onl}^ a tinge of bkie. This species is said to be the most affectionate and companionable of all. The Bare - eyed Cockatoo (C gymnopsis) is another species which has the peri- opthalmic region bare of feathers, but in this bird the naked space instead of being circular is prolonged downwards so as to be irregular in shape. The Nasecus or Slender-billed Cockatoo (^Licmetis nasicd) is distinguished by the projecting upper mandible. M}^ space will only allow me to mention the Great Sulphur- crested Cockatoo (C galerita), the Lesser Sulphur- crested (C sulphured), the Great White Cockatoo (C alba), and Leadbeater's (C ■leadbeateri). (To be con tinned J. IBritisb Bir&5 at tbc Crvstal palace {Co7iiifiued from page 18) By H. J. FuLTjAMES. Class 114. Magpie, Jackdaw, Jay and Chough, {15). In this class the Judge was instructed to give one prize to each species, and not to consider a second bird of a kind until after the four prizes had been awarded. A most unfair regulation, which resulted in the prizes being given very differenth' from the way in which they would otherwise have gone. Given good birds of each species, wdiich is of course a certaint}- at the Palace, the positions were a foregone con- clusion— Chough ist, Magpie 2nd, Jay 3rd, Jackdaw 4th, and this, naturalh% is how they were placed. It is strange that owners can be found willing to pay 2/- €ntry fee, and the expense of conveying large cages to 43 and from the Show, for a chance of winning a prize of 2/- or 5/-, as were the owners of Jackdaws and Jays respectively. Mr. Morgan's old champion won well (his 501I1 win) in finer condition and colonr than ever. There were no less than fonr Cornish Chonghs in the class, one of which, 1615, Gibbins, was V.H.C., and one, 1614, same owner, H.C. These cards might have been reversed ; in fact, the V.H.C. might, without injustice, have gone to 1616, Mr. Plumbridge's old champion, which lost in colour only to the winner. 2nd, Snow, a fine Magpie. 3rd, J. and R. Lewis, a good Jay in perfect feather. 4th, Plumbridge, a nice Jackdaw, well shown. C, 162 1, Howe, another Magpie. Class 115. Pied, A Ibmo, or Rare-fcathcred specivien of British Bird not being a Hybrid (17). As usual, one of the most interesting classes in the Show. The judge had an easy task in finding the winner, 1635, Steel, an Albino Yellowhammer, in beautiful con- dition, and one of the most discussed birds in the Show. 1638, Jones, 2nd, a Cinnamon Blackbird, not such a good colour as some of these rarities we have seen. 1632, Webb, 3rd, a very light pied Goldfinch, nearly all white, might have been 2nd. 1639, Morgan, 4th, a fine White Blackbird, might also have been before the Cinnamon specimen. 1637, Jones, H.C, a " White" Blackbird, was neither white nor cinnamon. 1641, Lawson, H.C, another "White" Blackbird, was much nearer white, perhaps only wanted washing. 1630, Best, V.H.C, a very typical Linnet, only a few light feathers. 1634, Fowler, V.H.C, another nice Linnet, rather wild. 1636, Steel, an Albino Sparrow, would certainly have been in the money but for two -unsightly bare patches on the rump. If the feathers missing were of normal color the bird would still have been good enough to win, but their absence put it completely out of court. 44 Class ii6. A?ij' other ''Variety''^ Resident (21). When will the L. & P.O.S. Show Committee drop the word " Variety" in connection with British and Foreign Birds, and use the proper expression " Species " ? In some of the classes the correct word is used, but the letters" A.O.V." seem, like the Crj'stal Palace spelling- of " Redpole" for "Redpoll, to die very hard, and they still crop up in Classes 116 and T17. We had in this class the ver\' interesting opportunity of studying at close quarters three different species of Woodpecker ; the Lesser Spotted, Greater Spotted and Green. Two of these, the Lesser Spotted, ist, and the Green, 4th, were shown b}' Mr. Maxwell in his best style. In the staging of show-birds Air. Maxwell stands out by him- self, and his birds always show that with proper attention and feeding no cruelty whatever is involved in keeping birds in cages. His other exhibits in this class were a fine Stonechat, 1649, H.C., and a Wren, 1648, unnoticed. I failed to see why this latter bird was not in the money — it was in perfect feather, beautifully shown, and in my opinion better than 1652, Snell, another Wren, which won 2nd. This latter was a beauliful little l)ird, but I prefer 164S of the two. 1657, Gough, 3rd, a grand Missel Thrush, looked well. 1655, Stockhausen, Y.H.C., a good Greater Spotted Woodpecker, referred to above. 1660, Howe, V.H.C., a very beautiful Blue Tit, well worthy of his card, and a bargain at catalogue price; no chance to be higher in such company. A good Nuthatch, Sampson and Exton, was H.C. 1659, a Lapwing, is surely not a cage bird, and was very rightly passed without a card. A curiosity, as an exhibition bird, in this class was a common House Sparrow, and there were also a Hedge Sparrow and a Tree Sparrow. A suggestion to the L. and P. O. S.— why not take a hint from the success of the Greenfinch class, which this year had no less than forty entries, and provide a class for Any Species 45 (not "Variety") of Sparrow? Tlie plumage of the Sparrow is beaiuiful, if of sober colours, and we should see what some of our exhibitors could do with these familiar ])irds. Class 117. Mig}atory (16), Showed us another fine team from Mr. Maxwell's bird room, ist went to his old champion Wryneck, paler in colour than we have seen him ; must have been run very closely by 1668, same exhibitor, one of the finest Redstarts one could wish to see. 1677, Hepwood, 3rd, a Spotted Flycatcher, which well deserved its position. This bird, like some other of the insect-eating birds in this class, and in Class 116, was looking for more insect matter in his food, 1678, Rothwell, 4th, a nice Nightingale; no chance to be higher in such com- petition. 1680, J. Brown, V.H.C., a good Fieldfare, but with a broken tail. 1681, same owner, V.H.C., a fine Redwing in perfect feather, but a little wild. 1675, Howe, H.C., a well-staged Blackcap outclassed in this company. Where is the old Crystal Palace class for these and Nightingales ? 1673, Howe, a perfect Waxwing in the finest possible condition, passed without a card. This class, with Classes 115 and 116, afforded material for a day's stud}^ but the gregarious instincts of the many friends one meets only at the annual re-union at the Palace rendered this impossible to anyone who was at all well-known, especially under the conditions of lighting in the new locale, which, while they were all that could be wished for during the day, rendered some of the birds in- visible after the electric light was switclied on. 46 H few BiiOs at the Zoo. Ey Jame.S McDonagh. j^ KING a regular visitor to the Zoo, I see maii}^ \q\ new animals and miss many inmates that have ^-^^ joined the majority. I have been there twice quite recently, and I was surprised to notice on my last visit how many birds had gone, that were looking well a short while ago. The bird that I missed most of all was the Emerald Bird of Paradise, which was kept in the Insect House ; I am sure all who saw it will be sorry to hear that it died of "tuberculins" as the keeper called it, early in the 3^ear ; it had been ailing for some time, and it never got accustomed to its food ; it had a slight injury under one wing, probabh' caused by the natives while effecting its capture. In the same house there were two beautiful Mynahs, one of which could just speak a few words; these birds evidenth^ do well in captivit3% as one of them has been in the Zoo since 1885. The yellow patches round their necks were especially brilliant. Their food consists of meat very fineh' chopped up, fruit, and rice, and a little maw seed is given •occasionalh\ Next to the Mynali was an Indian Pitta, a curious looking bird, which gives one the impression of having no tail. The breast is fawn-coloured and its back is very brilliant. The Natural History Museum has four or five beautiful specimens of this bird, but their colouring is very much more gorgeous, so they must be of the insular species. Pittas are occasion alh^ seen in the market, and they generally fetch about £^ each. 47 The next cage contained a Yellow-eyed Babbler froni China. It was looking ver}' healthy and was^ most affectionate and tame, and if you put your finger in the cage it would immediately come to you and ruffle up its feathers to allow you to scratch its poll. The other birds in the house consisted of two Japanese Tits, which were looking far from well, and two varieties of Woodpeckers, the White-headed Wood- pecker and the Golden-backed Woodpecker. The former is quite an old resident and still looks ver}' well Any very rare specimen of bird brought to the Zoo is generally put into the Insect House. I mention this because many people leave that house out, and mark it as uninteresting. The parrot house was, as usual, noisy — but the noise in the afternoon is man}' degrees worse than it is in the morning. The greater number of birds in this house belong to the order of Psittaci formes, and many of the specimens are very good, including many rare Lorikeets and Parrakeets, There was only one pair of Undulated Grass Parrakeets. and their colour was of a yellow-green, probably it is a variet}', but I have never seen tliem quite so light before. None of the birds in this house ever seem to breed, although mojt of them are in pairs. Just recently two of the Ornamented Lorikeets laid eggs, but the Society did not take the trouble to see whether the}' were fertile or not. The finest bird in this house was undoubtedly the Yellow-winged Sugar Bird, now looking at its best, with its glossy black and Oxford blue colouring and one patch of Cambridge blue on its head. The under-surface of the wing is yellow. Its food consists of fruit, rice, chopped up carrot, soaked bread, and an occasional mealworm. Close to this bird were four or five cages contain- ing Tanagers : none were looking very well, and the 48 only representative of the Superb Tanager died a short time ago. Tlie Blue-winged Siva and the Silver-eared Mesia were in very good form. The two Bell Birds have been removed to larger cages, and their note can be clearh'' distinguished above the perpetual noise of the Parrots. The note much more resembles a hammer strking an anvil than a bell ringing. The Touracous, Toucans, and Troupials or Hang-Nests, are always well represented. The Finches were not so good and not so numerous as usual — which is not surprising, considering how small their cages are. The only tliree species which were at all worth admiring were the Parrot Finch, two Bicheno Finches, and three Gouldians. Being a cold day and rather dreary, most of the birds in the large aviary were inside, but nearly all the Pigeons were out, and many Cardinals. A Red-crested Cardinal had escaped that morning through a hole in the netting, but had not flown far and was always hovering round the aviary. Curiously enough, though birds sometimes escape they never fly far and are generally caught again. Near this aviary is the post-ntortem room, and here there are many skins of different birds that have died in the gardens : they are always kept there for reference but, needless to say, the beautiful colouring of the living specimens is lost. I mention this, because anyone can get leave to examine the skins, and study the different species and varieties. 49 lRcview5. " The Bird,'" by Jules Michelet, with 210 illustratiojis, by Giacomelli. Thomas Nelson of Sons, London and Edinburgh, " ' Iv'Oiseaii,' or ' The Bird,' was first published *' in 1856, .... a work .... which few " writers have surpassed in grace of style, beauty of " description, and suggestiveness of sentiment. *' ' L'Oiseau ' may be briefly described as an " eloquent defence of the Bird in its relation to man, " and a practical exposition of the attractiveness of " Natural Histor}^ It is animated by a fine and '' tender spirit, and written with an inimitable charm *' of language." Such is the opening sentence in the translator's preface, and accurately describes, in a few words, the manifold beauties of the book. And liere let me at once confess that this is less a review than an appreciation, of the most charming work dealing with the life of our feathered friends it has ever been my pleasure to possess. Jules Michelet, the author, was a Frenchman, and it is, perhaps, the peculiar gracefulness of his native tongue, that has enabled him to express his thotights with stich delicate touches of light and shade. He appears to have sunk his individuality in that of a bird, and as a result has given us all the joys, sorrows, and aspirations that animate and direct the feathered race. But though poetical, Michelet is none the less practical, and he has dealt with each and every side of a bird's nature and existence. With him we visit the King Penguins in the frozen North, the Humming Birds in the tropics, the lordly Kagle, the industrious Weavers, the giant Condors, and the tiny Sun Birds : from regions of ice, to regions of burning heat — from the greatest to the least : he knew their habits and their wants, their life and their deatli, and every incident is portrayed with the hand of a master and the mind of a genius. In endeavouring to choose an extract which will fittingly illustrate the nature of the work, one is somewhat at a loss to know which to take from such a rich store. Usten to his description of the Frij;ate Bird. •• . . . at an elevation of ten thousand feet royally •• floats a little bird ... It is the Ocean-F;agle, first " and chief of the winged race, .... tlie lord of the •' tempest, the scorner of all peril — the man-of-war or " frigate bird. We have reached the culminating point " of the series commenced by the wingless bird. Here we '• have a bird which is virtually nothing more than wings: •■ scarcely any body — barely as large as that of tlie domestic " cock — while his prodigious pinions are fifteen feet in " span. The great problem of flight is solved and over- " passed, for tlie power of flight seems useless. Such a •' bird naturally sustained by such supports, need but "'allow himself to be borr.e along. The storm bursts ; he '• mounts to lofty heights, where he finds tranquility. " The poetic metaphor, untrue when applied to any "other bird, is no exaggeration when applied to him: " literally, he sleeps upon the storm. When he chooses to •' oar his' way seriouslv, all distance vanishes, he breakfasts " in Sene«^al : he dines in America envy " seizes us, when amid the glowing azure of the Tropics, at •' incredible altitudes, almost imperceptible in the (lim '' remoteness, we see him triumphantly sweeping past us, '• this black solitary bird, alone in the waste of heaven." Of the Weavers, a long account is supplemented by an extract from Levaillant respecting the Sociable Weavers (^PJiiletccrus sociiis) and their wonderful nests, of which we may be able to give our members a description in a future issue. Michelet was fortunate in having a most exquisite and lifelike delineator of birds and their surroundings, to illustrate his work. Giacomelli excelled in depicting birds in their 51 native haunts. In themselves, the sketches are worthy of being prized as affording glimpses of bird life in all conditions and under all climes^' Allied, as these are, with a perfect literary style, they comprise a work which has long been the pleasure l-'roni "THii BiR The Tailor Bird. of the bird-lover, and the delight of the poet and idealist. At times, as one reads, one falls into a reverie ; and the thoughts, untrammelled by time or space, roam over distant seas and far off lands side by side with the wizard Michelet. And then, recalled to life by our surroundings, we long for the power of the Bird, and echo with wistful earnestness the solemn and beautiful words of Riickert. *We hope to obtain permission from the Publisliers to reproduce some of these gems of art in our ISIagazine, from time to time. " Wings ! uiiigs ! to sweep O'er mountain high and valley deep. Wings ! that my heart ma}' rest In the radiant morning's breast. " Wings ! to hover free O'er the dawn-empurpled sea. Wings ! 'bove life to soar And beyond death for evermore." J. A. Swan. " Parjakccts, being a practical Handbook to those species kept in Captivity:' by David Seth-Sviith, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. We have received Part 4 of this excellent work, now appearing in serial parts. Tlie Parrakeets dealt with are tlie Crimson-wing and the King, the gentis Pyrrhulopsis, the Love Birds, and the Hanging Parra- keets, while a beginning is made with the Platycerci. There are three excellent coloured plates, one (of Hanging Parrakeets) by Mr. Gronvold, and the others (figuring the Pennant's, the Yellow-rumped, and Brown's Parrakeets) b}^ Mr. Goodchild. The rampant attitudes of Mr. Gronvold's birds are not to our taste, but his delineation of the plumage is skilful. Mr. Seth-Smith considers the Crimson-winged Parrakeet a delightful and desirable species, but he has not found it a safe companion for smaller birds. " It is a moderately haidy species when acclimatised, al- '• though of course it needs some warmth during the winter •• months in this country. vSome people boasl of keeping " birds which hail from hot climates, in outdoor, exposed "aviaries during the Avinter mouths; but although man}- " birds will exist under such conditions, they feel the cold " keenly, and the practice is little short of cruelty." The King Parrakeet is described as "a somewhat lazy and uninteresting bird." Both the Crimson-wing and the King have bred several times in this countrv. 53 The following account of the nesting habits of the true Lovebirds is very interesting. '• Parrots, with very few exceptions, select a hole in some -' tree-trnnk or limb^ which has been formed l)y the decay " of the inner part of the wood, in which to rear their " brood, the great majority makin<( no nest whatever, bnt •• merely layiii.i^- their eggs' on the bare decaying wood. "The t'rne Lovebirds, however, are not content with so " rude a bed for their offsprin<,^ but carefully construct a " soft, warm nest, with fine strips of the pliant green bark of " trees, which is peeled off by the female by a succession " of nips as she passes her beak along sideways. Havin<^- " secured a strip of about three inches in length, she gives " it a nip in the centre to bend it into a V-.shape, and " turning her head and l)ending her back, she tucks it "away under her somewhat lengthy upper tail -coverts. " This process, of which the present writer has frequently '* been an e^-e-witness in the case of A^aponiis roseicollis " in captivitv, is continued until a considerable quantity " of material has been collected, when the bird flies off. '• looking like an animated ball of hay, to her nesting hole, -'■ into which she climbs by the aid of her bill and feet. •' The site selected for the nest is generally the hollow of a " tree, as in the case of other Parrots, but according to " Anderson, one species sometimes takes possession of the " large nests formed by the vSocial Weaver-birds, in which " it doubtless forms its own nest. " The reason for the adoption of the remarkable method " above described of conveying the material to the desired '•' spot is not far to seek. Parrots of all kinds use the bill " nearly as much as the feet in climbing, and if this is " occupied in carrying a quantity of material, the bird " would have j