"y 7 1 i ( ' "^ LAr\^/i^y^^ '-^v i ^ FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BIRD NOTES ^ ^^ 'two ^«4jfc. ^\^ H.Good^Mn.Ld del.ei liiii Huth^imp- B L U i; n 1 J I) G E RI GAR . Melopsittacus -unduLatus, var. caenilea. from a living specimen m the eollection of R-.Pa'uv\'-els Esq'T? BIRD NOTES THE JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. FOE THE STUDY OF ALL SPECIES OF BIRDS, IN FREEDOM AND CAPTIVITY VOLUME 11.— KEA\' vSERlES. By inidual confidence and mutual aid Great deeds are done and great discoveries made.'' EDITED BY WESLEY T. PAGE, F.Z S., M.B.N.H.S. <^ta ASHBOUENE : J. H. Henstock, Market Place. 1911. //, Ph- rat inn. vui'u ii; .i/.i.n' Erratum. " Birds of Gambia," p. 250— Coiitimierl from p. 140— slionUl reatl Continu&d from p. 198. P. 297, line 4 — •Drooj'tin.s,''- winded— should read Drooj/lnfj- iniled, P. 299, line 12 — 1)ut fo do so — should read hitl hi niiiil same. P. 300, line 41— Vol. V.— should read Vol. 17. P. 314, line 15 — {E. scintiUafus) — should read (0. .•<('inli!- hfus). P. 32(5, line 10-~(AIav(ula arvensis) — should read (AInuda arvensis) . P. 326, line 30— At the same the^— should read ,4^ the mme tim.?- the. // Slpf-^.c/M^f Contents. ni. Contents. Page. Title Page I Erratum II Contents ITI Alphabetical List of Contributors IV List of Plates X List of Illustrations in the Text XI Magazine 1 Indices 359 Inset Green Pages iv. Index to Contributors. Index to Contributors, * The aslerisJc is affixed to those Contributions which appear as C orrespondence. Amsler, Dk. Maueice. Nesting- Notes for 1910, 13. *Avicultural Puzzles, 292. Aviary Notes. 308. Aemstein, M. Nesting of Hoopoes, 221, 257. AsTLEY, H. D., M.A., F.Z.S., etc. Bourke's PiaiTakeet, 48. The Loo-choo Eobin, 65. The Nightingale, etc., in Italy, 124. Queen Alexandra Parrakeet, 217. Nes'ting- of Eose-breasted Grosbeaks, 234. Loo-choo Jay, 343. Austin, W. E. *Tlao Magazine, 126. Bailey, W. Shoee. My Fii-st Season (1910), 38. *Wintering Birds out of Doors, 159. Blair, Dr. Charles. [ *Parrots and Feather Pulling-, 26. Beook, E. J. *Poisonous Plants, 91, Chawner, Miss E. F. Nesting of Eufous-throated Blue Sug'ay-bii-d, 275. Clare, Miss Lydia. *My Pet Birds and How I keeij them, 28. Cra:ndall, Lee S. The Sonnebergi Aviaries (U.S.A.) 333. Dean, H. S. My Aviaries and Their Inmates, 246. *Vagaries of the Nesting* Season, 293. Dewar, Douglas, I.C.S., F.Z.S. Indian Sunbirds, ' 129. DuTTON, Hon. and Eev. Canon F. G. *Feather Biting, 91. Editorial. Our New Volume, 20. The Giza Zoo, 21. A New Indigenous Species, 22. Jackson's Whydah, 60. Hipped -wing, 60. Budgerigars at Liberty, 84. ' Index to Contributors. v. Editorial — Continued Intelligence Displayed by Short-billed Minivet, 85. The Si:otted Munia and Indian Eed Munia, 86. The Maturing of Black-cheeked Lovebirds, 87. Nesting Notes, 87, 123, 151, 183, 185, 237, 259; 325. Bii'd Protection, 87. Fish Diet for 'Insectivorous Birds, 87. The Aviaries at the L.M. Treloar Cripiples' Hospital, 88, 124, 152, 186, 215, 239. Erratum, 88, 187, 214. ■ . Cutthroat, 123. Hybrid Doves, 123. Diamond Doves, 123. Hybrid Parrakeets, 123. The Nightingale, etc., in Italy, 124. Amiability of Bulbuls, etc., 124. A Eare Amazon, 125. " Eifie Bird, 151, 185. Purpie -capped Lories, etc., 151. An Interestingi Ei:iisode, 152. A Eare Consignment of Indian Bii'ds, 153. Infertile Clutches, 154. Food Items, 154. Aviary Notes, 155. Sugar -Birds and Cold, 155. Mr. Willford's Aviaries, 155. The Late Mr. Scherren, 156. *A Club Library, 157. ♦Nesting Notes, 159. Diuca Finches and Mexican Buntings, 183, 214. Silver -eared Mesias, 184. E verb erg Aviaries, "^184. Pileated Finches, "184, 212. Private Consignments, 185. Hatching of Stork at the Zoo, 186. Garden Aviary, 186. A Unique Consignment, 187. Malabar Starlings, 210. Lineolated Parrakeets, 210. Nesting of the Indian White -eye, 210, Painted Finches, 211. Black-cheek Lovebird x Budgerig'ar Hybrids, 211. An Annoying and Unusual Episode, 211. Blue Tanagers, 212. Grey-!winged Ouzels, 212. Foreiign Birds in Cages, 212. Club Badges, 213. vi. Index to Conirihutors. Ediboria] — Continued Gold-fronted Green Bulbiils, 214, 238, 260. Eose-Ibreasted Grosbeak, 214. Breeding of Tanagers, '215, 237. Australian Finches and Parrakeels, 237. Yellow Hammer, 238. General Notes, 238. Gouldian Finches, 238, 259. Medal Records, 238. Hybrid Grassfinches, 239, 260. Eed-naped Lorikeets, 259, 263. Stanley Parrakeets, 260. Grassfinches, 260. Fii-e -tailed Finches, 260. Queen Alexandra, Parrakeets, 260. Orange -headed 'Ground Thrushes, 261. Cuban Colins, 261. London Zoo, 261. Successes and Failures, 262. *Avicultural Puzzles, 264. Successful Breeding of Nightingale in Captivity, 264. A Wasp Incubator, 288. Palm Tanager, 289. ' Eats and Mice in Aviary, 289. Green food. Budgerigars, etc., 289. Chinese Painted Quail, 290. Love'bii-ds, 290. < Passerine Parrakeets, 290. Zoo. Notes, 290, 353. A Yorkshire Aviary, 291. Breeding of Eclectus Parrot, 324. Dealers and Popular Names, 325. Club Medals, 32*5. Th© Grey Finch, 325. Windsor and Eton Show, 354. The Maig'azine, 354. FiLLMER, Horatio R. *The Legal Position of a Purchaser of Birds, 354. Galloway, P. F. M. Th© Tree Creeper, 22. Late Nesting of Starlings, 358. GOODCHILD, H., M.B.O.U. Crimson-ringed Whydah, 299. Jackson's Whydah, 301. GossB, Dr. Philip. *Marked Birds, 328. Freely Imported Species, 349. Index to Contributors. vii. Gkay, H., M.R.G.V.S. Post Mortem' Reports, 30, 64, 94, 126^ 160, 188, 215, 239, 295, 330, 356. Post Mortem Reports — Inset, 37, 45. *Re Post Mortem Examinations, 125, 158. *Food. Items, 154. Hadley, T. R. Bii-mingliam Show, 18. Haggie, G. E. My Aviary and Birds, 248. Hawkb Hon. Maey C. *Nesting' Notes, 158. Aviary Notes, '315. Hawkins, L. W. Sunbirds in Gaptivity, 161. HiNCKS, Miss Maegeey. *Aviary Notes, 27, 355. HoPKiNSON, E., D.S.O., M.A., M.B. Bii'ds of Gam'bia, 11, 43, 70, 138, 198, 250, 310, 339. * Stray Notes, 126. Johnson, H. V. Notes on the Pin-tail Nonpareil, 68. *Re Post Mortem Examinations, 157. Kennedy, Lieut., G. A Visit to Mr. Willford's Aviaries, 149. Maggs. Miss Venie. *Notes from a Beginner, 88. Mahon, Mrs. Breeding W. E. and Red Whiskered Bulbuls, Shamah, pnd i ' Pe'kin Robin, 50, 73. MAKEINEE, J. SUMNEE. Freely Imported Species and Their Treatment, 171. Pennant X Rosella Hybrids, 317. Matiiias, H. W., F.R.H.S. Breeding of Ruficauda, Painted, and Olive Finches, ,195, 222. Successes and Failuees, 262. Maxwell, C. T. Red-rmxiped Weaver, 100. The Purple Suhbird and Great-billed Flycatcher, 166. Member^ A. Doves and Pigeons, 92. Miller, Tinniswood, F.Z.S. Everett's Parrot, 10. MiLLSUM, O. Sky Blue Budgerigar, 1. *Display of Lesser Bird of Paradise, 187. yiii Index to Contributors. Newman, T. H., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U; Brown-necked Pan'ot, 312. Oak'ey, W. . • *A Club Library, 156. Page, Wesley, T., F.Z.S., M.B.N.H.S. Freely Imported Species and Their Treatment, 4, 103. LevailLant's Barbet, 46. L.P.O.S. Show, 52. Foreign Birds, 74, 140, 175. *A Bclginner's Notes, 90. The Great White-headed (Ecd-rumpcd) Weaver, 99. Winter Visit to Members' Aviaries, 111. A Consignment of Bare Indian Birds, 128. Treatment of Sunbirds in Captivity, 133. The Aviaries, L.M. Treluar Crijiples' Hospital and College> 136. ^ ■ . The Great-billed Flycatcher, 165. The Aviaries and Birds at Hoddam Castle, 177, 189, 233, 241, 313, 342. A Unique Consignment of Indian Birds, 201. Nesting of the Indian White -eye, 226. A Yorkshire Aviary, 243. Visits to Members' Aviaries, 265, 302, 344. Two Rare Whydahs, 297. L.C.B.A. Show, 331. Patekson, Rev. J. M. Nesting Notes, 208. Peacock Miss, L. ■. My Aviaries and Inmates, 8. Pereeau, Capt. G. a., F.Z.S. Birds In and About the Station, 116, 168, 205, 231, 254 329, 338. PiTuiE, Miss Dorothy E. ♦Marked Birds, 295. PoLTiMORE, Lord. Breeding of Guii-a Cuckoo, 273. Eattigan, G. E. Breeding of Green Cardinals, 320. Raynor, Rev. G. H. Everett's Parrot, 9. Reeve, Capt. J. Suerard. Avicultural Piizzles, 263. Reviewer, The CaJiaries, Hybrids, and British Bii-ds, 20, 59, 84, 118, 151, 183, 210, 259. Birds of the British Islands, 59, 323. Aeronautical Classes, 118. British Birds in the Haunts, 119. List of Animals Giza Zoological Gardens, 122. Index to Co7itrihutors. ice. The Reviewer — Continued. Household Pets, 123. Photography for Bii'd Lovers, 150. My Poreign Doves and Pigeons, 183. The Life of the Common Gull, Told in Photographs, 291. ROGEKS, W. T. The Club Dinner and Testimonial Pund, 62. *A Club Library, 157. Row, C. H. Aviary Notes for 1911, 281. Scott, B. Hamilton. Freely Imported Species and their Treatment, 117. Scott, De. J. Easton. Preely Imported Species and their Treatment, 77. Aviary Episodes — 1911, 134. SxcH, H. L. An Aviary Meant for Waders, 27 7. SlLVEE, A. L.C.B.A. Show— British Section, 37. *The Black Seed Finch, 61. *Bii^d Protection Vagaries, 61. Smyth, Miss Alfbbda B. *A Beginner's Notes, §9. Odd Notes on British Birds, 287. * Stray Notes, 294. SoAMEs, Rev. H. A. *Library of Bird Books, 92. Speank'LIng, E. Breeding of Goldflnches-1911, 352. SUGGITT, R. Freely Imparted Species and theii' Treatment, 34. SUTCLIFFE, A. A Holiday in the West Indies, 109. SWAYSLAND, W. *Stray Notes, 328. British Bird Notes, 358. Temple, W. R. Breeding the Tnree -Creeper in Confinement, 281. Teschemak'EE, W. E., B.A. Nesting! of the Ruddy Finch, 101. *Incubation Period (Quails), 263. Netsting of the Dickcissel (B. T. Bunting), 268. Weston, G. E. British Birds at the C.P. Show, 81. WiLLFOED, H. My Waders' Aviary, 31, 95, Bird Life Through the Camera, 326. Williams, Sydney, F.Z|'.S. Gre,ati White-heiaded Weaver, 99. index to Plates. Index to Plates. ^Denotes Coloured Plale. To face page *Blue Budgerigar Frontispiece. Miss Peacock's Aviary 8 Parlj of Mr. Willford's Waders' Aviary (3) 30 Mv. Willford's Waders' Aviary 30 Mr. W. Shore-Baily's Aviaries 38 Levaillani's Barbet 4G Cock of the Bock' 54 Bourke's Parrakeet 54 *Thc Loo-Choo (Temininck's) Kobin 65 Mandarin Ducks 95 Redsliank, Green Plover, Oyster Catcher, Black -headed Gull and Mexican Rail 98 Great; White-headed (Eed-rumped) Weaver 100 Sunbird's Nest 129 The Aviaries at L.M.T. Cripples' Hospdtal and College ... 136 Ground Plan for L.M.T. Criioples' Hospital and College... 137 Facsmile of Addi'ess Presented to Hon. Editor 151 *Purple Sunbird and Great-billed Flycatcher 162 Hoddani Castle Aviaries 177 179 Nesting of ytorks. Gulls' Aviary, Loiidun Zoo 186 Greatw Bird of Paradise 189 Plumbeous Redstart 204 Green-'backed Tit 204 *Queen Alexandra Parrakeet 217 Indian White-eyes 226 Nest of Indian White-eyes 227 Mr. W. T. Page's Aviia^iy^— Exterior and Interior 229 Princess Stephanie's Bird of Paradise 233 Myer's Sictle-billed Bird of Paradise 234 Lesser Superb Bii-d of Paradise ^234 Red -collared Lorikeets 241 Mr. C. H. Robinson's Finch Aviary 244 Mr. Dean's Aviary, No. 1 246 Mr. Dean's Aviary, No. 2 247 Mir. G. E. Haggle's Ncav Aviary 248 Capt. Reeve's Aviaries 265 Dickcissel's Nest and Eggs 269 Nest of Guira Cuckoo 273 Guira Cuck|oos--Pa.rents and Young 274 Feeding the Young (four days old) 291 *Crimson-Tinged Wliydah 297 Jackson's (Drooping-tailetl) Whydah 300 Nest and Eggs of Skylark 326 Ii/iistrati()iiH in Text. .ri. Hen Skylark Incubating- 326 Young Skylarks Rushing Out for Food 327 C'rowneci Jays 331 Illustrations in Text. ' sPage. Elevation and Plan of Garden Aviary 5 Ground Plan — Miss Peacock's Aviary 8 Tree (Common) Creeper 23 Ground Plan — Miss Hinck's Aviary 27 „ Mr. W. Shore Baily's Aviaries 39 „ „ Mr. W. Shore Baily"s Aviaries 40 ,, ,, Mr. W. Shore Eaily's Aviaries 41 „ Mr. W. Shore Baily's Aviaries 42 The Black Seed-Finch :. 61 Ground Pla,n,^Miss Venie Maggs' Aviary 89 Eleviation and Plan — Outdoor Cage 104 Gruunci Plan — Mr. Matluas' Aviaries 114 The Garden Warbler 120 The Wryneck 121 Head of Green-throated Tanager {H. chalyhea) 175 Small Birds' House — Hoddam Cast'e 180 Grouno Plan — Hoddam Castle Aviaries 181 Lesser Bird of Paradise 190 King Bird of Paradise 191 Ground Plan— Mr. W. T. Page's Aviary 230 Ground Plan — Mr. C. H. Robinson's Aviary 244 Ground Plan — Mr. G. E. Haggie's Aviary 249 Plan of Nest Arrangement — re Hoopoes 258 Ground Plan — Capt. J. S. Reeve's Aviaries 266 Ground Plan Mr. H. L. Sich's Aviary 279 Queea Whydah (V . regia) '298 Ground Plan — Dr. M. Amsler's Aviary 305 AU rights reserved. . January, 1911. BIRD NOTES: THE JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. Sky Blue Budgerigars. By O. Millsum. Hanging alongside other illustrations of charming birds in Mons. Pauvvels' birdroom, is a picture of Budger- rigars, depicting the original green, a pair of the now also common Yellow, and a pair of Blues. When I iirst saw that picture the idea struck me as being the work of some imagin- ative brain. Blue Budgerigars had been heard of in the past, as evidenced by the illustration just mentioned, and the fact that the plate is by no means of recent production, neither is the colour represented nearly as beautiful as that of the present specimens, still, I always had the impression it was one of the things we should hear of but never see. Often have I gazed at that picture, with longing eyes, but not once did I dream of ever seeing a living specimen, much less to keep a team, line, robust, breeding somewliat freely, and always true to colour. It is, nevertheless a dream now fully realized. I well remember being called to Mons. Pauvvels' side and the (][uestion asked — How would I like Blue Budgerigars ? How indeed ! was it possible > Was there such a specimen living? If so, was it an isolated specimen and a freak? Such thoughts and many others crowded my mind with lightning rapidity, and for a few minutes I could scarcely think the question asked was made in all sincerity. Yes, indeed, I would like them, but again, was it possible to secure them ? It was. Mons. Pauvvels, with that keen avi- cultural zeal of his had discovered the whereabouts of the original strain, heard of by many, but seen by very, very few. We were fully cognisant that a Dutchman some 25 years ago had produced this charming variety, but at his death they had been disposed of, to whom and to what place they had been transferred remained unknown, until by 2 Sky Blue Bvdgprigarfi. sheer t>f)()(l hu-k utkI watchfnbiess, Moiis. Panvvels unearthed their obscurity. \^'h('ii once this kiKUvlodirr' liad befome ours, the next question was to secure all partioulars, whieh were rjuickly forthcomin.i^, only to confii'in the faots already known, that the then luck^' possessor, a lafly living in a remote district of another country had secured the two pairs belonging to the Dutchman at his death, and not being deeply interested in aviculture, but like many others, kept l)irds for the love of them and their beauty, had during' the intervening years kept these birds in her possession steadily, very steadily. I should imagine, breeding them. Mons. Pauvvel's desire in bird life being to possess the unique, the next move was either to secure the existing lot, or as many as possible, and ai-ranse for the monopoly of the others remaining in the lady's possession. The latter was the offer accepted, as the lady would not part with her old breed- ing pairs, and that is exactly how matters stand —the monopoly of these charming, unique, beautiful birds, remain in our hands at least for a few seasons, so it is unlikely they will become at all common for some years. Blue Budgerigars — and a beautifid sky blue at that — no wonder they created a sensation at the recent L.C.B.A. Show. Admired by everyone, and more especially the ladies, for it is connnon knowledge that the delicate tint of sky blue always commands admiration from the fair sex. Such a colouring is rarely seen in natural plumage, so imagine if you can the beauty of a team of about twenty — with their body colouration of this charming and attractive colour, the deep royal blue chin spots, the clear white crown and finely picked out black and white Avings — flitting about from perch to perch in a large outdoor aviary. Tt is a sight worth taking much trouble to see. Baby Blue Budgerigars are equally charming, the nest feathers are of the same beautiful shade, but ])a.lei-, the crown is finely pencilled with black, the dec]) bhu- chin siots arc only slightly developed, and the lilack and white wing mark- ings are somewhat indistinct. The lirst moult, however, i-e- places all these baby imperfections with tlii> nei'icd adult plumage, so beautifully depicted in the plate aceomnanying this article. Sliy 111 III- Budr/pri(/a.)'i^. 3 Thoi'O is no qu(\sti(>ii l)ut that W(^ nrc on the ovo of most interesting' experiments, Avith this ever ])opular, always pleasing and delightfully charming little bird— one of the small- est of the Parrot family. It is most satisfactory to be able to say, this newly acquired rarity is no freak, it is assured and established, its colour is absolutely fixed, and they breed true to colour and type. They are not lacking any way, but fine, robust speci- mens, whilst the type is even an improvement upon the original imported strain. Whilst to some extent they have been inbred, no signs of such are in evidence, because each generation has more and more fixed the pigmentary tissues in the production of this strain, by freely crossing with the Green and Yellow varieties. In each instance where this cross has been made the young have been true to the colour of the respective varieties, by which I mean where the blue and green have mated the young truly represented either the Blue or Green type — no sports or freaks, no mismarked or unsightly young. Personally, I am hoping, sincerely hoping, for a few of the former, so that I may by careful study and hy systematic mating, create something equally startling as the Blues. Before me as I write I have a cage containing four specimens of the Green variety, two imported specimens, the other two having been bred from Blue and Green parents. As I sit and watch them they appear of similar hues, ])ut closer (com- parison in the hand reveals quite clearly a deeper and richer yellow in favour of the cross-l3reds, somewhat closely resemli- ling a clear goli. This is rather pronouncei in all th;' yellow mafkings — whilst the green plumage is equally intense, it also favours a ri('her and purer emerald tint. The questioiis we may now ask ourselves are — why is the cross-bred specimen su])erior in its colouring? Fi'om what source does it emanate, considering the parents are sky l)lu(i and green? These are questions I cannot answer now, for I cannot bring myself to believe the colour of pigments eliminated from the original stock can have any latent power. At present I believe the whole of the Blues living to-day are in three hands only — the lady already spoken of, Mons, Pauvvels, and the London Zoological Society, a pair having 4 Frrclji It)ip()rlt'd Species and their Tre(it)tH'tit. been presented to tliein by Monsieur Pauvvels. 1 do not think il will remains so. Keen as Mons. J'auvvels is to hold nnicjne specimens, his interest in our mutual lioljby and study of bird life, will i)reveut him reservin;^- the study of this interesting variety to himself — his main object in this instance Will be to restrict, as far as possible, their becoming at all common for some years. Tlieir treatment is precisely the same as the common varieties, excepting at breeding time, they liave a little special mixture, containing insect matter in a small degree. This has proved an ad\antagc in giving stamina to l)oth old and young. Their housing is just as required for the dreen and Yellow varieties, good out -door aviary in spring and summer, enclosed cold aviary or birdroom for the winter. The piatc accompanying this ai'tidc w c have not seen at time of wi-iling, but as Mr. Goodchild studied these birds at the l..('.r).A. Show, we can be sure they will be faithfully l)orl rayed, especially aller having heard from oui' worthy Editor that the drawing is life like and does full justice to these unique feathered gems. Freely Imported Species and their Treatment. [The (Jutthroat.] By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S., etc. The title needs a little explanation— a strong desire has been expressed for a chapter in each issue dealing with the common or fi'eely imported birds, and as no copy^ is in for the lii'st histalment, I am Idling the gap — personally T hope this feature will take the form of many fully detailed accounts of breeding and keeping these charming species, for among them are to l)e found .some of the most beautiful birds which reach our shores. As your Editor, I may be pardoned if I say that unless all take part in this series and the accounts sent in are comprehensive, its chief purpose and usefulness will be lost, however interesting it may prove. How I Kept and Bred the Cutthroat (Amadina Jasciata). I am going back some 25 years, to a period when my accommodation was very limited, though I had previously kept a Freely Iin})i>rt<'(l Speeies (did their Trrahiieiif. •) crowd of foreigners in a well liglited shod, at a former residence. At this period Budgerigars and certain cornnion Weavers were fetching almost remarkable prices as compared with present day values. This particular aviary was a very modest affair, and was my first out-door or garden aviary; this is also a record of my first breeding success with Foreign Species. I think perhaps a diagram of the aviary may be use- ful, as it may 'encourage others, who can make but small beginnings. EUeVATfO/V S^cllir ^^d Co Gr7?OU(VI3 yLhU. A. D. Shelter shed, with floor as per dotted line, and holes (a. a. a.) for ingress and egress to and from flight, these holes had small platforms for the birds to alight on, l)oth inside and out. Outer door to shelter shed, covering inner wire-netting dooi- fitted with hinged flaps for cleaning purposes. 6 Freely I))rpo)'ted Speciet^ and their Treattnent. B. Area under slielter shed I'e.so'ved for food lioppers, dry sand, grit, etc. ('. .Square of plutc glass in front of B. E.E.E.E. Hinged flaps Uw feeding, and rieaning jmrposes, without going inside aviary. E. Uoor to aviai'y, was only used twice a year, foi- i-enewing branches and genei'al clean out. G. C(tvered end, quite open to flight, under which nesting I'eceptacles were arranged. H. Open portion of flight, which was covered witli panels of ivire- netting of half-inch diamond mesh. It only remains to say the framing was vei>' light, the woodworlc all iialf-inch matching, and that the aviary was a great success for three years, when it was replaced by a much largei' one. It contained Java SparroAvs, Cutthroats, Ava- davats, Bronze and Tri-coloui' Mannikins, Redpolls, Chalfinches, Crreenfinclies, Bullfinches, and Bramblefinch; the Java Spar- rows, Cutthroats, Ihonze Mannikins, a,nd Bulllinches, all l)red and rearcMl young, but my slory for this month is about tlie (Cutthroats only. This pail' of birds was i)rocured in July l.S.S"), and phiced out of doors at once. There were a number of nesting receptacles in the enc.dosure from among which they choose a three comi)artment box, almost filling one of the outer compartments with hay, grass, withered chickweed, groundsel stems and feathers : tliree eggs were laid and all duly hatched out, incubation lasting fourteen days; when the young were about three or four days old the cock died, apparently in a fit, for he was in [lerfect plumage, and showed no outw^ard evidence of any ailment whatever. I was very verdant as to breeding topics in those days, and my pi-evious high excitement became very near akin to despair, but the hen continued to feed and at the age of twenty-one days three fine young birds left the nest, two hens and one cock, for the young males possess the ruby collaret in the nestling plumage. I cannot attempt to describe my excitement, but it was very real, and the memory of it is still very fresh; their mother shared my excitement, and would not let any of the other aviary inmates come near her precious offspring. It was the same while the young were in the nest, not a bird Avas permitted to approach the nest, if one looked in he left in a great hurry — on one occasion Freely Imported Species and theh- Treatment. 7 a male Zebra Finch did enter tlie nest while she was gathering IDrovender for her chicks, l)Ut she saw him enter, and she tlew straight in, did not pause to alight on the front perch, Mr. Zebra came out in a great hurry, v/bile Mrs. Cuttnroai jjut her head out of the entrance of " Ci.tthroat Castle " with her beak full of feathers I The young, up to the time of leaving the nest were reared so far as I could observe, on dried ants' " eggs " — every hour a tablespoonful of these was scattered over the aviary floor, and till these were all gathered up and her precious chicks fed, Mrs. Cutthroat was busy indeed. The old birds thrived on canary, white millet, spray millet and kibbled oats, with greenfood, cuttlebone, and an occasional insect. They never took soft food, and only partook of the dried ants' " eggs " when young were in the nest — the young after they left the nest were fed entirely on seed and greenfood. These three birds remained in my possession for four years. Cutthroats are really, though so common, hand- some and interesting birds. I have always found these birds quiet and inoffensive, though well able to take care of them- selves in any company. While on Cutthroat topics I should like to digress and ask some of our members to try crossing this species with the Ked-headed Finch (A. erythrocephala), a very handsome hybrid is the result, the males of which possess both the ruby collaret and the red -head and in size are about intermediate between the two species. According to the late Dr. K. iluss, the hybrids are fertile, so that with a little perseverance a permanent variety should soon be the result, especially if several members made the attempt, and exchanged young, so as to secure unrelated pairs. I purpose myself attempting again to get the cross, and if successful, then to try the fol- lowing season to breed from the hybrids. The chief difficulty is, that the E,ed-headed Finches are bad parents, both lag to incubation duties and feeding their young, but either Java Sparrows or Cutthroats would hatch and rear if a transference of the respective clutches could be effected without too much disturbance of the respective pairs. To be continued. S My Aviary and Inmates. My Aviary and Inmates By Miss L. Peacock. The accompanying photo and ground plan are so fully descriptive as not to call for furtlier remark, save to say that on the whole the arrangements have answered well, and the birds have been contented and happy, but breeding results have been practically nil. It is very probable that there will be but little in these few notes to interest experienced aviculturists, but they may be of interest and possibly helpful to beginners like myself. Ground Plan of Miss Peacock's Aviary. As I was able to ])rocuro them I have turned in the following at intervals during the year, either pairs or odd birds. Waxbills: Common, Gold-breasted and Scarlet Tiger (Amada- vats) ; Green and Yellow Budgerigars, Chinese Painted Quails, My Aviary and Inmates. 9 Firefinches, Cordon Bleus. Bronze-wing-ed and Blaok -headed Mannikins, Nutmeg Finches, Bullftnehes, Goldfinches, Redpolls, Canaries, and Madagascar Weavers. I have sought to get a pair of Red-headed Gouldian Finches, as I greatly desire to possess a pair of these lovely birds, but so far without success. I put in for the Waxbills a Cineraria plant covered with blight, and the next morning my two Avadavats were dead, one in each corner, with a lot of feathers about. [I think the cause of death is obvious, the poor mites had been scared by a cat or some similar vermin, and had flown about till exhausted and then perished miserably— it is usually the new arrivals that these pests of our gardens scare to death. — Ed] The Chinese Painted Quails were very wild at first in spite of clipped wings, but they are now becoming quite tame and run about the flight in the daytime. The Budgerigars have done a lot of nesting Avith practically no result, there has also been some cross -mating with odd birds, but so far nothing reared. As regards dietary, I supply millet and canary seed, also a mixture of rape, teazle and hemp. For green food they get seeding grass, shepherd's purse, chickweed, thistle -heads, etc. This diet appears to suit them, as apart from new arrivals, my losses have been small. I had a fair number of losses with new arrivals, during the cold spells of this summer, but in spite of these and other discouragements my birds have given me infinite pleasure and interest, and T am now putting up a small enclosed aviary as winter quarters for them. Everett's Parrot. By Rev. G. H. Raynor. I have become the fortunate possessor of what I believe to be a rare bird, Tanygnathus cveretfi. In his excellent liook on Parrakeets, p. 90, Mr. Seth- Smith tells us that the genus Tanycpiathns Wagl " is distinguished by the bill being very deep and powerful, with a very broad anterior surface to the 10 Everett's Parrot. lower mandible. It is distributed over the Philippines, Salu, and Sanghir Islands, Celebes, the Moluccas, the Tenimber Islands, and the North-west of New Guinea. Eleven species are known, of which only three appear to have been imported into this country. In captivity they should be fed on the usual seeds, nuts, and fruit." He then goes on to describe the three above-mentioned species, viz. T . luzonensis, T. megalorliynchus, and T. muelleri (of which T. albirostris is probably but an aberrant form). A woodcut of the head of T. megal- oryJmchus on p. 92 gives one a very good idea of the formid- able nature of the beak of Tmiygnathus. My friend and fellow -member, Mr. Tinniswood Miller, F.Z.S., has kindly given me the following information about my bird. " There is a description and coloured plate of the species in the British Museum Catalogue Vol. xx, p. 432 plate X. Tanyyuathus everctti. " Whole head grass -green, neck and under parts paler green, slightly yellowish; inter-scapular region dark green with the edges of the feathers blue; lower back and uropygium deep turquoise -blue; upper tail-coverts green, more or less edged with blue; all others, as well as the secondaries, edged with yellowish -green; tail above green with pale tip, underneath golden olive-yellow, bill red, feet grey, total length 13 inches. Habitat, Philippine Islands, Samar, Panay, and Mindanas." The specimen I own came to me lately from my fellow - member, Mr. S. Beaty, of Alderley Edge, who writes about it as follows: "The Parrot seems very healthy. I had no trouble in moulting it, and he is now in good feather. I have had him since July, but I did not get him from a dealer. The bird is very quiet and extremely hardy. I feed on sunflower, hemp, canary, millet, a few nuts, dry biscuit, and apple. I have kept it in a parrot cage in my greenhouse bird -room, heated to about 50 to 55 degrees." Should the bird do well with me and be in good plumage next February, I hope to send it to the Crystal Palace Show, where I trust many B.N. readers interested in the Parrot family will avail them- selves of the opportunity of seeing it. Later: Mr. Tinniswood Miller informs me he has lately visited the Zoo, and finds " they have several species of Birds of Gambia. 11 Tanygnathus, and among them is an everetti, which, accord- ing to th(? label, was purchased by the society in February, 1904. From this they appear to be good livers " My Inrd has settled down well in his new home, and takes things very quietly, being by no means excitable, and will eat almost anything, but is especially keen on spray millet, oats, sun- flower, and various nuts. As his beak is horn -coloured, i.e. greyish -white, I presume he is an immature specimen. Birds of Gambia. By E. HoPKiNsoN, D.S.O., M.A., M.B. C(>iiHiii(f(^ fi'iiiii pctije ooo. I'll/ /., Xc/r Series. PICIDAE. Woodpeckers are very common here, but I only know three different kinds (two large and one small) out of the ten species whose range should include the Gambia. The two larger birds I take to belong to the genera Campothera and Mesopicus, the smaller one to Dendroplcus, but of the actual species lam very uncertain. Our largest Woodpecker {Campothera) seems to get nearly as much of its food on the ground as from the trees. Small parties are frequently to be seen searching about on the ground under trees or in the open on the clearings, especially in the old millet-fields, where the corn-stalks of the previous crop remain for months; among these they diligently hunt for insects, hopping about and splitting the dry stalks with their powerful beaks, if they are lying on the ground, or climbing up those that are still standing. Our small Woodpecker (? Dendroplcus) is much more arboreal in its habits. I cannot remember ever having seen one of them on the ground. Both make a loud tapping noise with their beaks or the trunks of trees and in other respects resemble in their habits our own woodpeckers at home. The Mandingo name for all Woodpeckers is Yiro-kongkonna (Tree-knocker). As I know so little about the differences between tnese Woodpeckers, I must content myself by giving a description of the specimens of the two species which I have shot and a list of all the species whose range, as given in 'the Hand -list, includes the Gambia. " McCarthy Island, November 21, 1905. Shot one of our largest Woodpeckers, which I take to be one of the Campofherae. Description. A light olive-green speckled bird with a red head but no red rump. Above, head from base of bill over crown to nape, crimson, the feathers long, fluffy, and with grey bases. Streak from lower mandible to beneath the eye also crimson; cheeks and ear-coverts, pale olive with small spots of black, like the chin; 12 Birds of Gambia. back of neck like the cheeks, but with lar,i,^er bLvk spots. Mantle- long loose feathers — olive speckled with dark brown and pale fawn, back and rump much the same, but the feathers barred rather than spotted. Upper tail-coverts the same but paler, the light base:.- being more distinct. Tail, sharp -pointed stiff feathers, central shafts yellow, webs above pale brown barred with darker, below reddish -yellow shaded pnd barred with brown. Wing-coverts and flights above olive spotted and barred with pale fawn, below gre.y-brown, shafts yellow. Under surface: chin, and throat pale olive spotted with small black spots, breast yellower and also spotted, centre of abdo- men olive-yellow, without spots ; sides and under wing-coverts duller, paler and spotted; under tail-coverts pale olive-yellow with a few black spots. Bill lead-colour, lower mandible the paler. Feet olive-grey; iris burnt sienna. Length, 9^ inches. Next day I shot another, probably the female. The plumage the same, except that the forehead was not red, but from the base of bill to middle of crown (where the red began), the feathers wei-e black with small pale olive-yellow spots; the oblique red cheek- stripe also w^as only represented by a faint greyish line without any red, and the back was perhaps a brightei- shade oY olive than in the bird first shot." " April G, 190G. Another Woodpecker shot. This, I think musf 1)0 Mesopicusi r/oerfan. Above, forehead grey, crown feathers red mingled with grey, nape grey. Mantle olive-green, loose long feathers with grey bases; rump and upper tail -coverts red, loose long pointed feathers with olive and grey bases. Wing-coverts olive; remiges brownish with olive outer edges, especially marked after the first four; cream-coloured spots on both edges, larger on the inner; below grey-brown, with broad wiiite margins; under wing- coverts barred with grey-brown and white. Below, chin, face, and throat grey, breast grey tinged witii pale olive, as are also the abdomen and vent. Tail feathers still' ami i>ointed, brown alinve, below brown, slightly tinged with olive. Bill and feet dark lead coloured; iris, sepia. Length, 7J inches. List of Woodpeckers likely to occur in Gambia (from the the British Museum Hand-list). Campothera punctata. Range. Senegambia to Nigeria. (H.L.) C. maculosa. Range. Senegambia to Gold Coast; Equatorial Africa. (H.L.) C. nivosa. Range. Senegambia to Congo. Fernando Po. (H.L.) Dcnropicns minutus. Rinige. AVest .\frica, Senegambia. {H.L.) />. Jiemprichi. Range. North-east Africa? Senegambia. (H.L.) D lafresnayi. Birds of Gambia. 13 Range. West Africa, Senegambia to Angola; Equatorial Africa. {H.L.) These three nieinbers of the genus Dendropicus are small mottled olive Woodpeckers, red naped in the males, but not in the females. Length 4-^- to 5 inches. Our little Woodpecker 1 expect is one of them. lyngipicus obsoletus. Range. North-east and West Africa. (H.L.) The markings of this species are more black and white and it is altogether more like the European Smaller Spotted Wood- pecker. I once shot a bird which 1 thought at the time was this species, but 1 kept no particulars of it. Mesopicus goertan. Range. Senegal. [H.L.) M. poiocephalus Range. Senegambia to Angola. {H.L.) lynx torquilla. WRYNECK. Range. Europe, Asia, North-east Africa; West Africa (Sene- gal). {H.L.) TJae Wryneck no doubt comes as far South as the Gambia in winter, but I have never seen it here. To be continued. Nesting Notes for 1910. By Maurice Amsll;r, M.B. In the September issue of Bird Notes will be found a few lines by our kindly but mistaken Editor, on breeding successes in my uviaries. 1 hasten to take up my pen to undeceive my fellow members, and to inform them that the successes referred to should have been called failures. As a matter of fact, Mr. Page must have misread my letter, and has given me credit for broods reared, whereas I only wrote of 7iests — a distinction with a great difference, as we all know to our cost. My only noteworthy success was the rearing of one Eed- whiskered Bulbul, of which full notes have appeared in the Avicultural Magaziiie for December. This youngster |was hatched in May, from the first clutch of four eggs, and was fed entirely by the hen bird on gentles and mealworms, as long as he was in the nest. When he flew, which he did on the 13th day ; the cock bird helped the hen in the arduous task, 14 Nesting Noirs. and soon weaned the vouii.i^' Idrd to soft food and fruit. When 24 days ohl the youiin Bull)ul couM feed, l)m preferred to rely on his parents — pure laziness, I feel sure. The hen laid four clutches, from whicli she hatched eleven chicks, but for some reason on each occasion the young were all thrown out at periods varying from one to ten days. I feel sure that they could be reared successfully by placing the eggs under a Thrush or Blackbird, but the value of the Red -whiskered Bulbul would hardly repay one for the trouble of the subsequent hand-rearing. I see that Mrs. Mahon has reared the species, and it would be interesting to hear that lady's exact method of feed- ing.* The other species mentioned l>y Mr. Page are Siberian Bullfinches, Pelzeln's Saffrons, Amadavats, Golden -breasted Waxbills, Chinese Quails, and Parrot Finches. With the first four I got as far as young hatched, but after that — disappointments! The Siberians showed signs of liuilding early in June, and as they could not decide on a building-site, I gave them a canary travelling-cage, containing a Green Cardinal's nest — this they quickly lined — and the hen laid her first eg<^ on the 18th, and the fourth on the 22nd. Incubation began on the 21st, but finding a few days later that two eggs had been pecked, I put the remaining two under a canary, which sat for ten days, and came off just as the eggs were due to hatch. They were both fertile. On July 19th I found the hen again sitting on four eggs, this time she was so steady that she would allow me to stroke her without getting off the nest. The cock spent most of his time on a twig close by, and never allowed any of the otiier l)irds, of which tliere was a large number in the same aviary, to approach the nest. On August (ith two chicks hatched out, and were fed from the first liy both i)a,r('nts. On the Sth f found one of the youngsters dead in the outer llight, five or six yards away from its nest, and I have always suspectOil a certain Saffron Finch, whi(Mi was both a clown and a knave, and who was sent away shortly afterwards. The remaining young l)ird was fed on shepherd's purse, dock, chickweetl, and mallow, the favourite seed-foods being sunflower and hemp. I was * Mrs. Maliou lias promised an account for a later issue, — Ed, Nesting Nnfps. 15 much disappointed on the 18th to find this chick had also died. He was fully quilled, and seemed to me an enormous bird for his age. Had he lived, could I have exhibited him as a British hardbill? My Pelzeln's Saffrons, which T bought from Mr. Willford in 1909 were identical in plumage, and I was for a long time uncertain as to their sex until T actually saw them pair in June. They had built and laid four white eggs in April, but these were not incubated. On June 25th I found three eggs of a bluish -white ground colour, with brown speckles at the broader end. The nest box chosen was, oddly enough, one I had made for some Waxbills, with an entrance hole of f inch diameter, with the express purpose of keeping the Saffrons out, as I rather suspected them of a penchant for eggs. As I was passing the nest on July 11th, T was greeted by a strong but unattractive scent, and on looking into the nest, found three dead chicks about two days old. Their crops were full, but their condition was such as to discourage any further post-mortem examination. The male bird moulted in August, and in September had assumed his full plumage. When I left for my holiday in August pairs of Avadavats and Golden -breasted Waxbills were sitting, the nests in both cases being built in some ivy. While away, T heard with pleasure from my friend, Mr. Temple, that the Waxbills had hatched out, but later news informed me that two young birds had flown at the age of three weeks, had spent their first night out, and had been drowned by heavy rain. The Avadavats' first clutch came to nothing, luit fi-om three eggs laid in mid -September, two young were hatched, which were fed for about ten days, when I found them dead on the ground below the nest. They had, I think, been killed by the early frosts. A pair of Chinese Ouail in the same aviary laid the rather unusual number of eight eggs, towards the end of July, and brought off five chicks on August 9th, only three of these reached maturity, and all turned out to be males. On September 17th, I found a nest of seven eggs, which had evidently been laid some time, but which the hen had not incubated, doubtless because she was disturbed by the young 16 testing Notes. birds of the lirst nest. It would be wise, I think, to remove the young of gallinaceous birds as soon as they are able to fend for themselves, I shall certainly do so next year if I breed any Quails sufficiently early, and the season gives one reasonable hopes of a second clutch. Of other Quails, a pair of Californians built a iiest under a box wherein 24 eggs were laid in a month. Half of these I sent to Mr. D. Setli Smith. They all proved infertile, the remaining half 1 put under a bantam, which was not sufficiently broody, and they also were therefore unproductive. My Rain Quails spent the summer dashing about and trying to break their necks against the wire ends of their runs. While on the subject of Quails it is interesting to note, that whereas growing grass is said to be necessary for their successful nesting, my Painted Quails chose on each occasion the only spot in their run which was not grass -covered, and the Cali- fornians built their nest on a little patch of gravel, although most of the aviary, was planted with grass a foot or more high. A pair of Parrot Finches began nesting operations on March 1st, but were disturbed on at least two occas- ions by an unniated cock. On May 1st they were placed in an outdoor aviary, where they brought off three broods. The first, however, left the nest too early, and did not survive long; the second and third broods, each time consisting of three youngsters were quite vigorous and remained outdoors until the middle of November. A pair of Painted Finches built a nest in a canary cage and laid three eggs in early June. Both birds sat steadily but some feathered ruffian took a liking to their nesting materials', and caused tliem to forsake. A second nest was built in the ivy, and on July 2nd, they were again sitting on three eggs. On July 11th the male bird was found dead, and the female thereupon promptly forsook the eggs, which all contained fully formed chicks. I obtained another cock shortly afterwards, but the lady objected to him, possibly because he had a " hipped " wing. (By the way, I should be much interested if Mr. Gray, M.R.C.V.S. would tell us the anatomical significance of this common injury). Nesting Notes. 17 My Ciouldian Finches have been a failure, at least threo of mj^ hens have died in the nest from egg-binding- and allied troubles. I am sure that the importation of 1910 was much less vigorous than Payne and Wallace's of three years ago. The last two failures I have to chronicle are the nesting of Fire -finches, who built and laid twice, but did not sit; and Crimson Finches who hatched four young but did not feed. Zebra Finches, as usual, were very busy trumpeting, building, and driving away all the rest of the community, but, perhaps on account of the wet season, they seldom brought off more than one or two young at a nest. On one occasion theie was a clutch of twelve eggs in, what I am certain, was not a communal nest, and, as far as I rememljer, only two young were reared, doubtless the hen was quite unable to cover such a large number of eggs. I have only two more facts to record, both interesting, but disappointing to me. In the early spring I bought what I thought was a pair of Scarlet Tanagers — an adult hen and a young cock. These I turned out of doors in May, and in June I had sudden visions of a medal, a certificate, and world-wide notoriety, for the hen had built quite a nice nest in a Privet bush. She sat for a day or so, and then deserted. I then found that the whole performance was make-believe, and that she had not laid a single egg. It was only some weeks later that I discovered her to be a hen Black Tanager, and that my supposed young male was really a hen Scarlet Tanager. The other event I referred to was what I took to be an attempt at building on the part of a hen Golden -fronted Fruitsucker, but it may only have been play, for these birds are, to my mind, very " un- birdlike." The bird in question spent hours daily for tlie best part of a week winding a piece of tow round the branch of a bush; no sooner was this important work finished than it was carefully unwound and begun again. I offered her other and more substantial materials, but she literally turned up her bill at them. I should much like to know if others who have kept Chloropsis have had similar experience, and whether the habit is confined to any particular sex. Another curious feature of these birds is the pulling off of leaves and playing " catch " with them. I have heard from a well-known avi- 18 Nesting Notes. culturist that he also has noticed this ti'iek with his Fruit- suckers. I suppose their abhorence of settling on the ground is notorious, but I never knew of it until I kept the species out of doors, and suppose it must be on account of the bright contrast they would make if they I'un al)out, starling-like, on the brown and parched soil of their native India. Before I bring- this lengthy paper to a close, a story with a moral may not be out of place. A.t the beginning of the year, when I was trying to get a pair- of C. anrifrons I was offered one by a dealer at a good deal less than the usual price, " because it was out of feather." The bird arrived and tallied perfectly with the dealer's description, it w^as, in fact, balder than any vulture. However, as it was fairly wild and lively, and fi\sr> because I did not like the idea of sending it back to its smelly shop, I kept the bird; he improved greatly Avith soap and warm water, and quickly grew a wig, and jiroved himself to be a C. jerdonii. of which, I believe, there is only one other in the country at present. If I have been guilty of writing too fully on matters of small importance, I must disclaim all blame, which must fall on the shoulders of our esteemed and energetic Editor. I have written to him asking him to clip my article to any extent, and to keep it for some rainy day, when he is short of subject-matter for Bird-notes. Birmingham Show— Foreign Section. The Birmingham St-ciety held their aiuiual show on Wednesday and Thursday, November 30 and December 1; the dates coinciding with the Cattle Show, as may be expected, there was a large attendance of " out of town " fanciers, and of the public generally, in fact during the evening tho show room was uncomfortably crowded, and a larger hall W(-uld have be?n a distinct advantage. This is the fij-st year that this Society has gone past the the two class classification, and, I regret to say, with lamentable results. Really, if exhibitoi-s will not support a society which endeavours to cater for them, they have only themselves to blame if classification is again cut down. Six classes were given, and F.B.C. patronage obtained. Only three F.B.C members exhihited. Birmingham Show. 19 Xc doubt the chief cause of the downfall was that it came too soon after the L.C.B.A., but all the birds were not at London, and the management 1 understand did their best to obtain entries. As is customary, it was easy to see that the Foreigners and British softbills were the chief attraction to non-exhibitors, and the section was invariably the centre of an enquiring crowd, whose remarks on the birds were very edifying Parrakeets, &c. — Cancelled, not a single entry. yhort-tailed Parrots, &c.— One entry only, a very fine Grey Parrot, in lovely plumage, and an accomplished talker, rather slim in build. Avadavats, and Common Seedeaters, G. — 1 Howe, large and good pair of Diamond Finches, in lovely trim, but might be better spotted and riclier in colour ; lucky to be on top, 2 Howe, very lovely pair of Orange -breasted Waxbills, large, clear zebra max'kings, good back colour, clear eye mai'ks, and a broad expansive rich breast; an easy first, but possibly down on account of the slight lameness of the cock bird. 3 Hadley, smart pair of Orange -cheek Waxbills, perfect in feather, and condition, large birds, beautiful display, might have been 2nd. 4 Baker, very fine large pair of Grey Javasi in lovely condition. V.H.C. Hadley, good pair of Black-head Nuns, sleek and tight, might be stouter. H.C. Shaddock, White Java, large fine bird, might be cleaner, and better shown. A small, but very interesting class. A.O.V. Seedeaters, 8. — 1 Howe, very fine Melba Finch, an easy win in beautiful condition, nice colour. 2 Howe, very good Crimson Finch, also in lovely condition, clearly spotted, good face, bright tone of colour, but might be less grey on the back. 3 Hadley, fine large Painted Finch, good face, nice tone of colour, profusely but somewhat irregularly spotted, minus one or two head feathers. 4 liose, lied Headed Gouldian, distinctly lucky, his only merit being a wonderfully long tail, fully four inches in length. Pinched in head, and short of a quantity of neck and back feathers. V.H.C. Hadley, a very fine pair of Cuban Finches, the hen having a number of Hank feathers stuck together, evidently the cause of jplacing; otherwise in good condition, hard as nails, and of very fine colour. H.C. Bakei-, two very good hen Cordons, in nice condition, but badly shown. C, Meredith, Paradise Wliydah, moderate condition only, nice colour, shown in far too large a cage. Tanagers, &c., 2. — 1 Hadley, large and brilliant Superb Tana- ger, in perfect feather, and condition, exquisite bloom, constantly sur- rounded by an admiring crowd. 2 Hadley, large and good Magpie Tanager, needs a moult, slightly damaged tail. A.O.V. 4. — 1 Williams, very fine Green Billed Toucan, a constant attraction, in good colour, and the pink of condition. 2 Ford, a very pretty pair of Painted Quails, perfect legs and feet, beautifully staged, well worth their place. 3 Williams, a good Lesser Hill Mynah, in perfect order. 4 Baker, we did not notice. 20 lilniiiiiipuun SJioiv. BRITISH SECTION. In I hi' Uritisli lust'rlivonms werr: IjAK(.k. 1 Llityd, a very lino Chouyh, luiyht bo .stoutrr ill build, but otluTwise perfect, good coloured legs and bi';ik, faultless feather. 2 Williams, a grand MagjMe, very attract ive. 3 Shaddock, Hoopoe, nice (■onditit)n, but only rarilv and dillicnlly in keeping to make it attractive, indistinct in markings, poor in colour. 1 l?aseley. a very tine Redwing. Alst> exhibited another good Chotigh, hut very soft and with a crossed beak; a poor Waxwing, no doubt a hen, and a very nice Starling. Sm.vi.i,, 4. -1 Shaddock, a large, beautiful, and richly coloured Hearded Tit. "J Shaddock, very I'aii' Hlackcap, nice caji. Tair condition only, o Shaddock, a Nightingale, small, poc r feather and colour, shown in a Norwich style cage. 4 Shaddock, as poor a White-throat. T.R.H. This rt'iiort ica.^ troirdcti out of la.'|iecially mention good figures of Stonechat, Wliiuchal aiul Wlieatear among many t>tliers 'i'iic text is practical and compreliensi\ c the ciiapter on " Xoiwieh Canaries " is com- pleted and others on " Breeding the Norwich Canary " and " breeding Evenly-marked Canaries " included. Editorial. Oru Nkw \'oi.imk: 'lMii8, our lirst issue, signifies the conimcucciuont of auotlicr a\iculliira[ year, ^^'llat will it be for our JMayaziue and l'M3.0. generally? Juftt what its mem- bers make it! Shall we get 100 new members? Yes, if every member shares in the effort to obtain them. Will our Magazine niaiutain its present standard ? Yes, if every member keeps that objeei in view. To this end, so that our records may be of general value— elates should be kept (exact or as near as can be obtained) ; descripti(.)n of nestling plumage ; age they leave the nest ; age they were able to fend for them- Editorial. 21 selves; ai^a when, and mothofl by whirlj they carne into adult plumage. In addition full details should be given as to clietary and treatment previous to nesting operations; description of nest and whether both sexes assisted in its construction or only one; also if possible colour of eggs should be given, this can often be ascertained by getting a reflection of the interior of nest in a hand mirror while the birds are away feeding, or by watching for the ejected shells after incubation is complete. Comprehensive records pf the doings of our birds are much needed and asked for, and all should feel that they are under an ohligation to share the duty of supplying same. Records both of Common and Rare Species are required. The new featui'c " Common Species and How to Keep Them " will be niaintHiiicd Thrdii^liout the volume, with, I hope, eacli iustnl- ment from a different pen. If we each do our part, then the volume just connnenced will be in advance of its predecessors — Watchwords are common —Shall the watchword of F.B.C. for 1911 be FORWARD? No association or individual can stand still — it is either progressive or retrogressive. If the above is too plainly stated — our excuse must be, we desire the progress and improvement of our Cluli. Attention of members is also drawn to " Notices to Members " in inset (notice re club dinner). The Giza Zoo: Our esteemed member Capt. S. S. Flower, the Director of these gardens, after a holiday spent ill I'Jirupe, I'd III iieil lo Kyy|)t in the late siiniuie)' and then entered upon his annual collectinu ex|)e(|itioii to the Sudan. IVoiu this expedition he lias recently returned, bringing wiih him 170 live animals, all in excellent health, also a large amount of material foi' ^lusenni purposes. Tlius tlm Menagei-ie collec. tion is increased by many notable additions including many rare Mammals, Reptiles and Birds — it is with the latter we are most concerned. The ai. variegated with Ijufiish -white and lilack; tail feathers brown witli reddish shaft streaks; bill dark brown; feet brown; ii'is hazel. Length over all 5| inches of which the tail measures nearly 2 and the bill j. 24 British Birds. It is resident in practically ovei-y j)art of the British Isles and also throughout Europe, in fact is found over the whole Pala^arctic region. In spite of its specific name it is not by any means a familiar bird to the field naturalist, but it is always an object of interest when the opportunity to ob- serve it foraging for small insects, in the pursuit of which it actively climbs and runs about the trunks or branches of trees . [The British-Creeper has been given specific distinction by Ridgway as C. britannica, but it is more generally known by its Linnean name. The Continental species is certainly greyer and less tawny than our indigenous ppecies. — Ed.] To rear by hand a tiny Tree Creeper within an hour or so after hatching, sounds rather a tall order, which some may con- sider an impossible task to attempt; but it can be done and without any difficulty. In order to successfully rear by hand such an atom of bird life as a Tree Creeper just out of the sliell, three important things are required. 1. Natural warmth. 2. Natural live insect food, such as the parents would carry to them. 3. Patience and plenty of it. How I came to attempt the hand -rearing of this species when it was so young, was this way: In the summer of 1909, I knew of a few Tree Creepers nests, which is not surprismg, as 1 had previously placed in the woods properly construete:! homes for them to breed and rear their young in, and nearly all were tenanted by Creepers ; from some young had just flown : otlu'i' nests containing e^'gs which were being incubated. Again, other of the iit^sts luul young just showing pen feathers. On going to one of the nests which I knew contained six eggs, and which were due to hatch that day, I heard, and saw the old birds and knew at once something was amiss. They were flying back- wards and forwards from tree to tree close to the nest and uttering a peculiar note, which may be taken as a call of distress and is a certain indication of something wrong. On looking into the nest, or what was left of it, I found, as T expected that vermin (mice) had been at work, on the ground British Birds. 25 lay one young bird, half eaten; in the nest were two more young, and one egg with a young one in it, the egg shell had been torn oijen, and the bird was of course dead, having been bitten. Of the two others in the nest one had a wing bitten off, the other had escaped injury, was still alive and able to move its legs, but was almost cold, evidently the mice had been doing their destructive work only a short time before 1 got there; .certainly within a quarter of an hour this bird would have been dead also. However, I took the bird and thought 1 would try the experiment of rearing at this age. I kept it in my warm hands until 1 reached home, by which time it was becoming quite lively. I had two Tree Creepers at that time, which I was rearing and which were pen feathered. I dropped the newly hatched one into this nest, with the other two, and by so doing, I was able to supply it with just the natural warmth necessary and within a short time the naked youngster was holding its head up and mouth open for food. I supplied it with small, green catterpillars from beds of nettles, also with small " Daddy-long-legs," small moths and a very small beetle found upon the trunks of trees. I do not know the name of the latter, but in colour it looks as if it had been painted with a bright yellowish -green powder, like gold paint, only green, it is about the size of a Ladybird. The insects mentioned being exactly the same kind of food as supplied by the old birds in a state of nature, I was therefore rearing on the same lines as the wild birds, and the youngsters did well from the commencement and grew rapidly. I gave it nothing but this live food, until it was twelve days old, then its inenu was increased by fresh live ant eggs, and small mealworms (bruised), soon after giving the latter, I reduced by degrees the catterpillars, &c., and when it was three weeks old I began to feed the bird with small quantities of my insectivorous food, " Life," in addition to live food. As soon as he was full grown and could look after himself, I placed him (for it was a cock bird) in one of my aviaries, with the two other Creepers reared at the same time. I was obliged to clip off the points of the two centre tail feathers m order to be able to recognize him from the other two. 26 British Birds. I intended to have a photograph taken of the bird just hatched and another when full gi'own. I aranged with a man come up and do this for me, but he did not come until nearly a week after and as the bird had grown so much, it was too late. They were exceedingly tame and interesting birds. The Tree Creeper thrives well in an aviary and can stand a con- siderable amount of cold weather providing it is given a fair amount of live food in addition to the insectivorous mixture, a small quantity of York cream cheese, chopped fine, and added to the soft food, is a most useful item of diet and the birds do well upon it. I consider the Tree Creeper is a species that would not be at all difficult to get to breed in an aviary, lifted up in a manner suitable to the habits of these birds, but it must be an aviary for them alone, they would not tolerate the presence of other birds when nesting. After the breeding season, Long-tailed, Blue, Cole, and Marsh Tits, and also Gold-crested Wrens, could be placed in the same aviary with the Creepers, as these .birds associate together during the winter months, in a wild state. When placing birds in the aviary they should always be watched for the first time to sec that they readily find the vessels containing their food, and if fresh birds are put into an aviary, containing others who know the food vessels by heart, then more careful watching than ever is required, not so much because of seeing that the new comers And the pots containing the soft food, but to see that there is live food there when they do find them, for the established occupants will have devoured all the live-food, before the fresh birds will have found their way to the food vessels, and that is why some birds go off so soon after being turned into an aviary. Correspondence. PARROTS AND FEATHER PULLING. Sir, — We have had a Green, I think West Indian, Parrot for about thirty yeaj-s. About ten years ag-o it began to pull out its feathers, and has continued to do so intermittently ever since. It has very fretiuently been, except for its head, like a plucked fowl Cnrresi)on(lcnce. 27 without a feathei- on its body, and joerhaps a few or none I'emaining in the tail. When this condition has been reached, the bird has been satis- fied for a while and let ths plumage grow again up to a certain, extent. Soon, however, the same would happen again. About eight or nine years ago we had one of the keepers of the Zoo to see it and followed his directions with some benefit. Soon, however, eithor from want of care in carrying out the directions or for some oth3r reason, the Parrot got as bad as ever. About fifteen months ago we began to spray the bird freely with a weak solution of Fir Tree Oil twice a week. This had the desii-cd effect, and in two or three months the plumage was nearly as fine as it had ever been, and the bird seemed to have lest that irritation which evidently was the cause of the feather pulling, the application apparently destroying the parasites which produced the irritation. For about the last six months no application has been used and the "bird is showing signs of relapsing into its old habits. "We have thought lately of returning to the fir tree oil spray. (Dr.) CHARLES BLAIR. AVIARY NOTES. Siii, — If you tliink the following of intejest perhaps you will use it. I decided to put up a new aviary this summer, chiefly for the benefit of three Pekin Robins— a cock and tAvo hens — which I felt sure would do much better outside than in a cage. A site was chosen just below the garden at the top of a wood, which slopes steeply to the river. The aviary was erected against the garden wall, after this had been carefully cemented as; a protection against rats. It consisted of a wire flight, made with half-inch mesh wire netting stretched on 6ft. x 6ft. iron poultry hurdles, and a shelter mado of matchboarding, roofed with " Ruberoid." Wall ■I>oo\ ^ V ic Shelttx- VaS'Sa.qa- Vl Groiind Plan. In June the following birds were iiut out— three Pekins, pairs cf Orange -checked WaxbiUs and Avadavats and a hen Grey Singing Finch. In July, while I was aAvay from home, the rats 9S Correspondence. made tlieir way through the cement of the wall and carried oft" one of the Pekins. Fortunately this was soon discovered, and the other birds caught and caged. Since then the wall has been covered with wire-netting, and the birds put out again. Being so ner.r the trees the aviary is well provided with insects in summer. In September the Waxbills seemed to be feeling the cold so much that they were brought into the house. It was not until after this that I discovered that both pairs had built nests in the aviary — the Ava- davates in a nest basket in the shelter, the Orange-cheeks in a whin branch outside. After discovering thc^ nests, the Orange - cheeks were caged separately, and provided with a basket nest and some dry grass. They were soon busy with these, l)oth birds building. The hen laid five eggs, and then for two days my hopes rose high, for they sat fairly steadily, or at any rate the' hen did so — the cock was rather fussy, and could not b:'ar anyone near the cage when he was in charge. At night the hen sat, the cock keeping guard just outside. After those two days all my hopes were quenched, for it seemed to have been too much for the hen, she became puffy and listless, and would take no more notice of the nest. Since the Waxbills were taken out of the aviaiy I Jiave put in a family of four young Saffron Finches, and iatei', their mother, as she would try to nest outside inHhe cold weather. The noise the young Saffrons made wh mi the old bird was jnit in with them was exactly like the scolding of House Sparrows when they are mobbing another bird, and they peeked her most unmercifully. How- ever, the old bird soon put h?r children in their place. Two of the young birds appear to be ratlier darker than the others — is this likely to be any indication of their sex? They are about five months old. [ should be much interested to know if other members have found the Spieebird to be a good foster-mother? In the summer of 1909 I had in my aviary a solitary hen Spieebird, which had made attempts to nest on several occasions. I had several Zebra Finches in the same aviary. One of the Zebra Finches nested in a ooco-nu*. husk, but when the young ones were only about a week old the hen Zebra died. Her place was taken by the Spieebird, which 3'eared the young ones most .successfully, the cock Zel)ra Finch never taking the smallest notice of them. (Miss) E. MAR.IOEIE HTXCKS. MY PET BIRDS AND HOW I KEEP THEM Sir. — A few notes of my avian pets and how I keep them may interest readers of " Bird Notes." My pets are 20 in number, both British and Foreign species, as follows: — 4 Bullfinches. 1 Gcldflnch. 1 pair Blue Tits. Correspondence. 29 1 Olive Tanager. 1 Paradise Whydah. 1 pair Zebra Finches. 1 pair B.H. Gcaildiaii Finches. 1 pair Orange-breasted Waxbills, 1 pair Eed-billed Weavers. Blue Tits: These I find most interesting and they live in perfect harmony with the rsst. Zebra Finches: These are very quaint and interesting, but though they have lived and loved, and also laid a number of eggs in a " Record box " which I placed in their cage, no young have been reared. I have a large aviary-cage which can bs carried into the garden in fine weather; last spring I procured and placed therein two pairs of B.H. Gouldian Finches — one pair were soon busy ccinstructing a nest and I shook hands with myself and said we shall see. My hopes were dashed to pieces by the death of the hen through Qgg trouble and in the moult I lost another cock and hen. My grief was great at the loss of these the most beautiful of all birds. Orange-breasted Waxbills: These run the Gouldians very close for beauty, but it is their minute size, loveable and confiding demeanour, which cause these feathered gems to appeal to me perhaps more than any of my pets. Red-billed Weavers: These have interested me greatly by their weaving skill and the numerous nests they have built have made snug sleeping quarters for the smaller birds. Paradise Whydah: This bird has done really Avell with me and has a fine tail — I must procure a mate and try and get^some youngsters during the coming season. Olive Tanager: This bird is very good tempered, in fact is really the policeman of my aviary — he lets the others feed and bathe first and at the least sign of fighting, interposes his superior strength and soon puts matters right. The Bill of Fare: My birds get the usual seeds— canary, white millet, spray millet, rape, teazle, etc.; green grass seed, chickweed and groundsel; also fruit of difi'erent kinds. The green grass seed is greedily eaten and is very good for the birds. My pets are now all in perfect condition and are a source of endless pleasure and interest to me. This year I hope to do better as I am arranging for a natural garden flight. (Miss) LYDIA CLARE. :30 P'«/ Mortem Rrporfs. Post Mortem Reports. Vide Rules. For TfipJIra Jifi pufit, a fee of 2s. ad. uninf he unit: this ntle irJIl noi he hr()l:cn itnder aiiij coitditioii. Pofit-Hlortem Reports can only appear in next issue wticn bodies are received by Mr. Gray prior to the 31st of any month. It ivould greatly lielp him to elucidate contagious diseases in birds if members of F.B.C. in sending me dead birds, ivcre to state the source they obtained the birds from and irhen. The names of the sellers would be kept a secret. Two Lizard Canaries. — (Miss Hinoks, Dulverton). Although the two birds were already undergoing post mortem changes, I could make out that their spleens were very much swollen (about six times their normal size), and crammed full of yellowish nodular look- ing bodies, indicative of the so-called true bird-fever, which is very deadly. You should isolate your remaining birds, .singly, in cages, burn all dead birds, thoroughly scrape, wash, scrub, disinfect and finally paint the inside of the aviaj'v, remove the top soil, and allow no Oirds in for three mouths. If a l)ird should die in a single cage, either burn tlie cage or immerse it in a 10 per cent, solution of carbolic acid. Scald the drinking utensils, immerse the seed-boxes if wooden in carbolic solution. Take care that none of the recovei-ed birds are not the source of further infection. Have you bought any fresh l)irds of late? If so, from whence? CoRDOx Bleu and Avadavat. — (Miss Peacock, Kent). Pneu- monia was the cause of death. Newly purchased birds have a happy knack of departing this world on or soon after arrival at their new quarters. Cock Red-headed Gofldian Finch^ (Lady Kathleen Pil- kington). Cause of death, inflamation of the bowels and lungs. WooDLARK.— (The Hon. M. C. Hawke, Tadcaster). The cause of death was an injury to the brain. The safest remedy for red mite or lice on birds is an infusion of quassia or stewsacre. In the former case use quassia as bathing water and in the, latter immerse the bird in the .stewesacre infusion and dry in front of the fire. Many Coloured Parrakeet 9- — (^- Edmunds, Wareliam), Cause of death, inflamation of bowels, probably induced by a chill. Black-headed Gouldian Finch $. — (Miss Augusta Brucr')- The cause of death was apoplexy of the liver. Ansivered by post: — Mr. Nicholson, Glenoe, Walt'^ni-oii- Thames, Lady Kathleen Pilkington, Chevet Park, "Wakefleld. H. GRAY, INI.R.C.V.S. 03 :^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ All riijlils resfirvfid. i-'KP,RT\vi;v. 1911. BIRD NOTES: THE JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. My Waders Aviary. j-)y H. WiLLFORD. Some onfinirit's for notes on keepin.n' Waders in cai:)tivity liavin.i;' been made to our Editor, he lias asked me for an article dealing with these deliglitful birds, and of course I am only too pleased to comply with his request. Although my study of these birds in captivity is not of long duration, I have for a number of years lieen interested in them in a wild state, coming across many of them whilst wild fowling along the coast. Perhaps a few notes on the consti'uction of my latest Waders Aviary may l)e of interest : — It is ))uilt at the l)ack of some other aviaries and measures seventy-one feet long ))y seventy-one feet wide l)y nine feet high, a l^rick foundation stand- ing about one foot high runs all round, and on this rest sections twelve feet long, constructed of three by two inch quartering and bolted together ; these sections have match-boarding two feet high, which form some little protection from the weather as well as stray cats or dogs. At one side the roof is raised and pitched to allow four or five large apple trees to grow without lopping their l)ranches. The whole of this sti-ucture is covered with one inch mesh wire netting, l)ut to any one tliinking of l)uilding such an aviary, I would suggest that they use half inch mesh, for most Wadei'fe appear harmless to small finches, and where there are plenty of trees and bushes one might keep some of the freely imported Finches or Buntings, or for that matter even Tanagers. In the centre of the Aviary is a pond measuring twenty feet by nineteen. This consists of a hole dug out three feet deep and concreted all rountl the sides and bottom to hold water — when the concrete was set quite hard, sandy earth was filled in to form a gradual slope from the sides to the centre, this earth also allows of '.]2 Ml/ M'ntJcr.s' Anidry. bullrusht'S iiiul water-i-eeds being plantetl — tlie cost of this pond, not including the removal of the earth, which of course took my men some little time, was al)Out six ]>onnds. The next thing I had to work out was how to keep the water fairly fresh ; this was managed by a sort of rock work stream (which can be seen in the photograph) supplied l)y a tap and town water, the hwwlc lieing fii'st Imilt of earth excavated from the pond and well ramnicil and tlieii on top of this was placed some old half inc]i nicsli wire netting on wliich was formed a sort of cement gutter witb smallisli pieces of rock placed here and there: the l)ank sides were *dien inrfeil aiid |i]ante(l with A'arions wild ]ilants, primroses, iris, etc. Now apart fnnn this water supply I have devised that all the rain water falling on the luiildings at tlie l)ack, also waste water used in the coach yard, and overflows from the Wilderness Aviary water supi)ly are conducted by means of field pipes to the top left hand corner of the aviary, this lieing the highest level, and then after percolating tln-ough a sti'eani of tightly ])acked rushes, enters the pond. So much for the inflow of watei. the next tiling to be arranged was the outflow. Here again I provit^led two means of egress, the first consisting of a drain on the bottom of the pond which will seldom l)e required, l)ut, if necessary will allow the pond being drained quite dry by means of a plug, the second out- let is a continuation of the stream wdiicli when the pond is full takes aw'ay any surplus water. This stream is banked with gi'ass and as a good deal of water runs down, it leaves a muddy bottom for the waders to explore. There is a sloping I'Caeh to one side of the })ond, on wliich several loads oi shore sand and fine shingle is spread. The plants in the aviary consist entirely of Laurels, Firs, grass and rushes. The wood-work is painted with " Penetras " a product sold by Randolph Meech, of Poole, Dorset, who also makes some very cheap and useful bird houses and shelters. 1 believe Messrs. Majors, of Hull, manufacture a wood preservative called '■ Soligniurn," which can be obtained in green, or broAvn. This I mention in passing, as it is so much cheaper than paint, lasts just as long, and is much easier to a})ply. In this aviary are two houses or shelters for any birds that care to My Waders' Aviary. 33 use them, but waders seem to have a dislike for any kind of shelter except perhaps those formed by hunks of earth on tree roots. The estimate given for building this aviary was, for brick foundations, all woodwoork (not including shelters), wire and all labour connected with the building, apart from levelling ground, etc., £40; the pond as before stated £6 — and to this must be added another £25 for gardeners laying turf, sand for beach, digging out i)ond, making paths, bridges, steps, etc., bringing the total cost to about £70 Having thus gone into the details of construction roughly, I may now pass on to the more exciting business of stocking the aviary, although I must admit that filling our pond by means of the water-fall rock stream after a good deal of time and labour had been spent on its formation, was quite exciting enough and reminded one of some of the creations seen at the Hippodrome. The first birds I turned into my new Eden happened to be two solemn Marabou Storks, which I christened Adam and Eve (but I T3elieve they are two males) . These were closely followed by an unnamed Ibis, some Black -headed Gulls, and a South American Water Rail; of course these were only temporary residents, and as soon as the first batch of Waders came to hand, the aliove were removed to less roomy quar- ters, much to their disgust. Now there are many points in favour of keeping Waders if one has the accommodation, the very reasonable price and ease in procuring them being two of the first; they are easily fed, and appear hardy, and for general interest regarding their habits and little ways are to my mind unsurpassed by any other kind of bird. All the foods required to keep Waders in health are fine scalded biscuit meal and chopped raw meat (liver for preference), of course worms, and insects of any kind are acceptable, but in a large enclosure numbers of these must be picked up by the birds themselves; soaked bread crusts, and boiled rice are also useful foods to give. The one drawback to Waders is the frequency with which they seem to injure their legs. I think this is done by their being suddenly startled, and unlike most birds when they fly up and strike the wire, instead of injuring their heads, it M Mji Adders' Avlarji. is their sleiulcr legs that suHVm' ;iiul yet sti'aiin'fl. Kcgai'ding the kinds of birds one \\\iiy keep, there are (juite a uuinl)er lo clioose from, sonic of which I give photographs of." Amongst otliers, the i'nlh)wing do well to.uetluT : l-Jed- shanks; Green, Grey, Ciolden, anrl Ringed IMovei-s; Knots, Dunlins, Oyster-eatchei's, ('ui'h'ws; Black-headed, and Little I i alls: Godwits, Avocels, Sandpiiiers, and most of the Ducks, such as Jhulily, and Common Sheldrakes, Shovellers, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Pochards, Carolina. Mandarin, etc. The great drawdiack to keeping the Black-headed Gulls and Ducks with small \\'adei's is that they will, without special precaution is taken, eat up all the food and leave the ^^^aders to practically starve, so it would be better to keej) only the sma,ll Waders together. (To hr Cnulinucd). *Will be reproduced with next instalment. — P^D. Freely Imported Species and their Treatment. THE YKLLOW SPARROW (Passer luteiis). By R. Suggitt. Many of the Foreign Sparrows, of which there are uji wards of twenty species, are very handsome and interesting birds, and although they are too active and restless for cage life, they are charming as aviary birds. Not more than one pair should l)e put into the same enclosure, and a watch should l)e kept on individuals associated Avith birds weaker than themselves, as they are sometimes liable to run amok. From my experience of the two or three species I have kept I should say that most of them would readily nest in a faif sized aviary. The Yellow Sparrow is not on the market as regularly as could be desired, but it is often obtainable at a reasonable, price, and may be called fairly common. It is much smaller than our old friend the House Sparrow, and far more brightly coloured, but it is an unmistakable Sparrow. The male has the head, neck, and the whole of tne underparts pale primrose yellow, which however deepens with each successive moult, Frcelfi Tmporied Sprcirs and their Trenimcnt 35 and in very old specimens is almost orange; back rich chocolate-brown; lower back yellow; fli,e:hts and tail dark brown; two white bars on wing. The female is fawn-brown above, and greyish-white below. A fine coloured plate appeared in Bird Notes, Vol. 3. Some indiduals of this species are credited with a murderous disposition, but those I have possessed have been quite harmless, even yoing out of their way to avoid trouble. Their greatest fault is that they Avaste a tremendous lot of seed, and soft food, throAving it right and left with their beaks. An ordinary seed hopper hanging on the aviary wall will l)e emptied of its contents in 10 minutes, apparently for pure mischief : a deep sided seed tray should be used. Food: Canary, white, and Indian millet, Avith a few insects and a little soft food. The song is a sparrow -like chiri:» and is very monoton- ous, it is however only heard during the breeding season (April to September). After the moult the birds are very shy and are only to be seen occasionally during the winter. The nest of this species is externally a rough untidy structure of the usual sparroAV-type. The foundation is made of coarse sticks, the ne-^t itself of hay, warmly lined Avith feathers, and protected outside Avith a large quantity of sticks, pointing in every direction. Any site that will support a nest will suit them. In my aviary nests have been built in bushes, and coco -nut husks, but Hartz cages Avith all fittings removed, were most favoured, and the nesls built in thes(^ had usually a substantial platform of sticks hi front of the entrance. The male chooses the site, and Avitli the exception of a little assistance given Ijy the female with the lining, builds the nest, spending his spare time chirping and flapping his Avings al the entrance. The eggs usually four in number (one nest contained five), are smaller and rounder than those of the House SparroAv, but iii colour they arc very similar, and they A'ary to about the same degree. Probably the female alone incubates, but they are such nervous sitters that I only once caught her actually leaving the nest, in fact it comes as a surprise to learn that young have been hatclie 1, for the eggs are apparently neglected and must often be cold. ;U) Frcclji hnporlcd Spcc'icH and Ihrir Trcdlmeni The youn,!,'' leave tlic tiesl about a rortniuiit after lliey ai'e iiatehed. Their plumage resembles that of the female, l)ut is slightly paler. AVhile in the nest the young are fed almost entirely on live food, mealworms, gentle-;, spiders, flies, eto., Avlien the su])ply beeomes exhausted they readily feed on soft food. I should say the Yellow Sparrow would rear young in almost any enclosure, unless it is that I have lieen exroption- ally fortunate with my individuals. With everything' in their favour, they should rear three oi' e\en four nests in the season. Live food in the shape of mealworms or gentles should ibe sui)plied as soon as the eggs are hatched, though I do not think these are necessary to success if the old lairds will feed on a good soft food mixture. My lirst specimens wei'c pui'chased as a jiair of young l)irds in the late summer, ))ut as they l)oth l)uilt nests and laid eggs the following- spring, I concluded both were hens, I could not get hold of a male just then, so I turned; a 'Tree Sparrow into the aviary with them. He eventually paii'cd Avith both hens, and a line crop of hybrids would have resulted had it not been for the interference of a pair of Swainson's SparroAvs (a far more powerful bird) w^ho murdered at least two promising 1_n"oods. However one hybrid was reared, which proved to be a hen. She was very plainly clad and resembled her mother, with the Tree Sparrow markings shcAving- faintl.y about her head. I got a cock Yellow Sparrow before that season was over and released the Tree, who Avould not leave the vicinity of the aviary for weeks, spending most of his time trying to iind a weak spot in the wire netting. The hens inside however barely gave him a second thought, accepting the attentions of the Yellow, and four pure bred youngsters were reared before the parents commenced to moult. One of the hens died during the winter. The other pair successfully reared 9 youngsters the following season. The hen died in the spring of 1908. She had reared two young ones and was again incubating four eggs. An incident in connection with the death of this hen may be of interest. Some time after she had disappeared I L.C.B.A. Show. 37 noticed a dome of coarse sticks on the ground at the roots of the hedge wliich runs through the aviary. Thinlving it was the top of a mouse nest, I turned it over and there lay the body of the hen Yellow Sparrow. I remembered afterwards that I had seen the cock carry- ing stic-ks about, and chirping in a mournful way, and I liave not the slightest doul)t that it was he who had built the tomb over her. L.C.B.A. International Show.— British Section. By Allen Silvek The classes devoted to native birds and their hybrids on the occasion of the •22nd Annual Show contained a goodly number of interesting and attractive birds. Nearly one hundred hybrids com- peted, and in the open sections devoted to British Finch-like Birds, we counted eleven Greenlinclies, Ave Hawiinches, nineteen Gold- finches, thirteen Challinches, ten Brambleflnches, fourteen Linnets, sixteen Bullfinches, and seven female ditto. The Siskin, Redpoll, and Twite Class contained twenty-two birds, the Bunting Class eleven and the class for hen Seed-eating British Birds fourteen entries. Among the Buntings we noticed some exceptional examples of E. ciirinella, E. milaria, E. cirlus, Plectrophenax nivalis, and a line male Calcarius lapponicns. A genuine British taken female of the latter species was exhibited by Air. Prior, of Brentford, in the class for hens. Fourteen birds competed in the Pied Albino and E,are- feathered Class, the winner being a pure albino Sparrow shown by Afr. Schliiter of Xorbury; AI. Pauvvels of Belgium won second with a most attractive Cinnamon Greenfinch; third went to Mr. Landlow's White Thrush; fourth to Airs. Troove's Black Bullfinch. A Aligratory Thrush (T. miyratorius) was shown in this class as a British bird, and was of course ruled out. Other birds of interest were Afrs. Cooper's White Robin, a Cinnamon Redpoll, a Cinnamon Linnet, a Pied Sparrow, Blackbird, Robin, and ix Cinnamon Jjark. Ten birds were shown in the Continental Class —a section devoted to birds not recognised by the N. Brit. Bird Club, the winner being an excellent specimen of the Kingfisher shown by Air. H. G. Page, of London. Air. J. Frostick obtained secxjnd with a Two -barred Crossbill, a genuine British specimen caught in the north of England, and moreover, although twice cage moulted, shown in pink plumage; third and h.c, went to Air. Otto Puck's Hypolais Warbler, and Sprosser respectively and, fourth to Air. J. Dewhurst's Eose-coloured Starling. Airs. G. E. Weston obtained v. h.c. for a beautiful non-moulted example of the Pine Grosbeak (the same lady winning premier honours in the Gold- ns L.C.B.A. Shcnn. fincli Class Willi oiu' of the lincst birds rver scon cii IIh' slmw-brMiolO . Mr. Maxwi 11 exhibited a nice Groat Encd AVarliler iu this y Mi'. l)ew- hur^t's Magpie. in the i;hickl>ii-d, 'I'liru^h, I'lr., CImss. Mr. Prior won lirst with a, rraii,\ g I i;la,i-khii'd, Mi-. !{. ,) . ijnwc, of Wi'lling- boro running- liim i-l-is;' wilii ;\ prrlVrl, S:ing 'i'hi'usli, a, Starling, and t\\(i iithiT S nig 'riirusln's, also (■:ini|>i'li-d. The J;ark ('lass contain; il rlcM'u Inid-^, lirsl goiiig ti a i-e,ina,rkably line Sky!a.rk, shown by All-. .McA'ay, of .Xnrlli Slii-lds; .Mr. T.otI, nf LmidMn, winning second, third, rourlh. and li.r.. with 'J'ree-pipils. and Shore- larks. Eleven birds also \\rvr shown in the class I'or Nightingales and P>la(d^>; --/FjCr- WirJo,~ po2.f,>^rf^r 5\ y i'uUy indieatf the aeconiniodatiou .uivcn to these intei-estin.u birds. Tlie Qua]-:cr Pari'alvcets huilt an immense nest of sticks and were most interesting to observe, l)ut no eggs were laid. Tlie Uoelvat(^els nested twice, but botli attempts were al)ortive. Tlie Califoi-nian (^)ua,ils laid 32 eggs, ])ut were prevented from sitting by the interference of the Blue Bonnet Parrakeets, who persistently covered the eggs with a mass of sticks. None of the other sj)ecies attempted to nest. No. 3. Aviary (40ft. x 15ft. x 8ft.) contains Partridge Bronze-wing Doves (Geopliaps .scripta), Goiildian Finches (L'oephila nilrahllis). Masked Finches (P. personata). Spice Finches {Miiiiia j)i(ncti(l(da). Zebra Finches {IV'nioi/gia casta- notis), Silverbills (Aidemosi/iie cantans), Orange-checked Wax- hills {tSponrijiiitliKs iiielpodiis). Cordon Bleu {^Estrildd phw. nicofia), and St. Helena \\'axbills (E. a.strllda). The ground plan figured above indicates that the birds have' had ample space and also plenty of cover. The JAirtridge Bronze-winged Doves nested very readily, but after they liad been incubating four days, I found four eggs and conse- quently both were hens. The Gouldian Finches nested and fully reared three youngsters. The Zebra Finches lilched the Gouldians' nest after tlie young had llown, re -lined it, laid and fully hatched out and reared to maturity two young. My First Srasnn (1910), 41 None of the other .species attempted to nest. No. 4. Aviary (30ft. x 15ft. x 15ft.) contains Crested Cardinals (Parnaria niriillnta), Californian Quails (Lnphorhix calif oruieus), Madagascar Lovebirds (Agaporni'i ca)ia). Aurita Doves (Zcnaida aurita). Peaceful Doves (\Genpelia f ran qu ilia). Zebra Doves (G. striata). Diamond Doves (G. nincata). Cinnamon Sparrows (Passer cinnaniomcus), Java Sparrows (Mania oriizivora) Madagascar, Orange, Yellow- and Red -billed Weavers, White-headed Mannikins (Mania maja), Tri-colour Mannilcins (M. malacca). Grey Singing-finches (Serinus leucopiigias), C!reen Singing-finches (^. icterus) and Canaries. The following ground plan again indicates the ample a 6 or Opi.y ^ydftr o 4: f)£i5J7r/5/r .Ik— /^yH accomodation, natural cover etc., given to this varied and interesting series. The Californian Quails did better in this aviary, not 42 71/// First Season (1010), having any large ))ir(ls to interfere^ with them ; they nested twice, on the first occasion hatching one fonrteen cliiclvS, of which they only fully reared three. Their second atteinpt was abortive owing to the nest being flooded during heavy rains. Tlie Diamond Do\'es nested fi\-e times, hatdiiiig out a l)air of squabs eaidi time, bnt on ea;.-h occasion deserting 1hem before they were a1)le to fend for themselves. [This is very nnusual, a,s this species are iii\-ariahl\- excel- lent parents. — Ed.] The Weavers Avo\e endh'ss n(.\sts and were most interest- ing to Avatch, but no eggs were laid. None of the other species attempted to nest. No. o. Aviary ( 4Uft . x ;-!()[t. x i\ -K^ ir>oor; 7 X .7/^..h ^off-- 0 rcyd ftT£(o'/v J^rory foyt^ Sd Wfnte- winged ])oves, [Mchijirl in /fiicoplr/'d). Australian Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lopholcs), and C!aml)iaii (^uail. Z?/;v7.s' a I Gamhia. 43 'Phis Hviary was coiisd-urted too laiu in tlio auluinn to i^'ivo the l)ii'ds any chance of nesting', ).)ut as this is one of tlie most natui-al of my avia,i'ies I am ho])in.g' to do well in it this coming season. The above ground ])lan indicates tliis in a measure, It- .is spacious, (^ontains a )'unning stream, and many jdants and shrubs, and certainly ought to give good results. Birds of Gambia. By E. HoPKiNsox, D.S.O., M.A., M.B. Cdiil'niiirtl from pdijc 13. COLUAIBIDAE. Pigeons and Doves are extremely plentiful here, forming a large proportion of the comarmly seen birds and taking an almost larger share in one's ordinary bush menus. Vlnago nndiroslris. (.rUEKX fMGEON. HaiKje. Senegamf)ia; North-east and East Afi'ica. (H.L.) These lovely Emit Eigeons, clad in green, golden yellow and mauve, are common all the yeai' round and are good to eat as tliey ai-e to look upon. They are wandei'ing ]>irds, going ahout in parties and moving from place to place, as the dilfei'cnt fruit-trees on which they feed ripen. At the beginning of the rainy season a more delinite migration occurs, and large Hocks, consisting almost entirely of young l)irds, pass over I3athurst, travelling more or less northward up the coast. These flights continue for about a week or a fortnight and then cease till the end of the rains, when again Green Pigeons are seen passing over Jiathurst, but in much smaller numbers. With us most of them commence to breed about April, —by the middle of Afay there are always numbers of young about — but some must nest much earlier, as some young are about quite early in April. I have shot young Green Pigeons as early as April 10, and once found a nest as earlj' as the second of that month, while I also have a note in 190i) that a female shot on Eebruary 3 dropped a fully formed egg. The nest is the most flinrsy structure possible, consisting merely of a few twigs and rootlets twisted to- gether to form such a bare apology for a nest, that one wonders however the eggs can remain in position and safety; they can always be easily seen from below. When the youiig are liatched they maintain their hold in the nest, which they are so quickly and constantly outgrowing, by automatically gripping with their feet one of the leaf-twigs to which the nest is fixed. This clutch is a very powerful one, and I should think quite instinctive and passive. The habit of holding tight to the perch persists in the young for long after they leave the nest, so that when one is shot from a tree^ 44 Birds of Gamhia. it nearly always remains hung up, gripping by its feet for some considerable time, though it may 1)e quite dead and the grip entirely due to muscular contraction. All the nests I liave seen have been in Tabu trees (a large-leaved evergroen), and ]"tlared among the leaves at the extreme end of tlie wide-spreading l)rnnr-hos, generally about 12 feet from the ground, Avhere it sways about with every breeze, but is comparatively safe fi'om mai'auding animals, owing to its insecure pcjsitioii among the thiu weak terminal liranches. The lien sits vei'y closely and se(uns not a wliit tlisttu'bed by people continually passing underneatli, aS haj)pens, wlioi the nest, as is so often the case, is placed in a tree round which the huts of -a .Commissioner 'is conipouiiI(1 ones and will return again and again to llieir feast, in spile of losing one or more of their number at every shot. The note of these Pigeons is a peculiar one, a sort of chiudcling laugh, not very easy to imitate, but oiu'c heard never forgotten or to be confused with that of any other bird, and most useful as a guide to their wherealiouts. It may more (;,■ less be I'l^pi-eseiiled thus: "Boo-WIioo; whu, wliu, whup," the last short note being Birds of Gambia. 45 accented and going suddenly up and followed by a sharp break, after which the strain is repeated. Mandingo names for the Green Pigeon are " Puto-puto " or " Puror-puror," while in some parts of the country a different name altogether, " Teyto-preto," is given to the young.* DESciurTiON. Adult. Head and neck greenish -grey, mantle bright olive green, upper tail -coverts tlio same but washed with yellow and having a yellow bar ac^ross tlie primaries; the greater part of the wing-coverts a lovely purple -mauve. Tail slaty-blue above, black with pale grey ends to tlie feathers l)elow. Breast brighr. yellow, abdomen bull, under tail-coverts reddish -brown edged with fawn. Bill and bare patcli on forclicad l)lue-grey. Tlie legs, which are feathered nearly all the way down the tarsus with pale fawn feathers are yellow-ochre, exactly the colour of good pie-crust. Iris magenta Avith a mauve-blue inner ring. Length 12J inches. The young dilfer considerably from the adults. They are distinctly smaller and lack the yellow breast, this part being entirely green; the shoulder-patch also is smaller and a paler duller mauve. The bill is pinkish grey at the end with a waxy red base and cere. Legs as in the adult. Lis brown. One often sees birds intermediate in plumage between the red-beak('d yf)uug and the full yellow - breasted adult. In these the beak is pale brown in life but turns blue-grey after death. The breast is yelloAV Init much paler and less extensive than in the adult and all tlie rest of the jilumage, both green and mauve, is altogether duller. The iris is entirely magenta without any blue inner ring. The full plumage is prob- ably not obtained till the bird is more than a year old_, at any I'ate l>irds in young plumage are t'j be found neisting. Columba guiniensis. GUINEA PIGEON. Range. West Africa, Senegamliia to Nigeria; North-east and East Africa. (H.L.) This species (also known as the Triangular spotted Pigeon) is commonly called here the Rhun-Pigeon, because it roosts and nests among the stalks of the huge fan -shape leaves of the tall bulbous -trunkcd Bhun-palnis and is only found in those parts of the country where these palms gmw. They are therefore only locally distributed in the Gambia, but where found are quite common. They are particularly numerous in the McCarthy Island Province, though in certain places here, near trading stations Avhich have recently sprung up or increased in size, they are much less common than they wei'c when I first came to the country eii;-lit years ago. Unlike our other pigeons they seem easily frightened by the near * In the Small Bird House at the Zoo there is this year (1910) Tj young Green Pigeon, and two years ago there was another specimen in the Western Aviary, ]>oth from another ]iart of AYest Africa. I have had several alive for short periods, Init none liavc survived to reach home. 4G LovnUUiiiV>^ Barhei. noiglil)ourIinod nf man, allliouuli llioy ai-(^ never inuoli snu.qiit aflor l)y gunners, a,s tlieii- llcsli is di'y ami tasleless al its hcst, \vhil<' at. certain seasons it. is almost unca.tal>l(>. They ai-e. generally round in pair> or in small ])arti("s of not more than .six, ])roljabIy the old Itii'ds with perhaps two nests of young, as tiie lattei' ]-emain with their parents for some time after leaving the iirst. Their flight is sti'ong l)ut ratlu'i' slow and they often soar and wlieel about high in the air above the ti.»i)s of the ilhuns, just as tame pigeons arc fond (d' doing. Their note is a rapidly I'ejjejdod '" Ivon-ku-ku-ku," the later notes getting shorter and short(U' and following each othei' vei'y ([uiidvly. Tlu'y do well enougli in captivity but arc not often canghi by the natives. Tlicir .Maudingo name is Kallawiiri. The b'.lmii Pigeon is the largest tiambian I'igeon and is (list iiiL^iushed )>\ having the iiccdv- feathers bifui'catcd at the ends and by the while tria.iri^ular spots on tln^ wings. The head, back and under siu-f;ice from chin to vent are asliy-grey, the m^pe, mantle and throat being washed with laifous, while a patcli of bifurcated glossy Idack and wliite feathers ornaments the junction of the neck and breast. The wing-coverts are deeji rufous and spotted with tri- aiiguhu' white spots; the tpiills are grey bordered externally with red-brown; the under .surface of the wings is pale .slate. The tail-feathers ai-e grey streaked and tipped with black above, brown below. Bill lead-coloured, feet black, iris a dirty pale amber colour. Length 14 inches. To he cothliwicd. Levaillant's fiarbet. ( TiacJi yph on u.s cafer) . Br We,sley T. Page, F.Z.S., Etc. Tliougii i^ractically so far a.s I can call to mind at the iiiouieiit, only two living' si)ocini(Mis have 'been imported into this country, one of these being- in the possessiori of tlu' Loiuhui Zoo, and the other jKissed into the liands of Air. II. 1). Aslly. then to Mi'. (). jMillsuni, who exhibited it at the L.C.IkA. Show of r.lOD, eventually parting with it to Mr. S. Beaty, who exliibited it recently at the Edinburgh National Sliow, where the drawing- which accompanies these notes was made, by our worthy artist, Mr. H. Goodchild. It is nevertheless quite common in its native country, l)ut is not held in repute in the cultivated districts it frequents, as it levies a heavy toll on all ripe fruits. It ranges over the Transvaal, Natal, Bechuanaland, lihodesia, and Portug-ese East Africa. BUU) XOTKS. *it.*«^ X ^ LEVATLLANT'S BARBET. [Trachyphomts cafe). Drawn from life from a specimen exhibited by S. Beaty, Esq at the Scottish National Show. LcvaillanVx lUirhet. A7 Diet: Ripe fruit ad. lih., any Iciiicl tlicy will tak(3, tlie more varied the better, also a liberal supply of live iiiseets, soft food, and occ'a,ssionally a little niiueed meat. Bf)iled rice (sweetened), stewed fruit, and milk sop, miglit also be given as a change. The a-bo^'e menu would sullicc for most of the Barbcts, but they have individual tastes, and you must supply -mmX permit them to choose fi'om some such dietary as the above. They must, however, cither be kept to themselves, or with similar strong and robust l)irds, for they are well able to account for birds much stronger than themselves — their importer (our esteemed member Major B. E. Horsbrugh) states that when he put a Meyer's Parrot into their large cage they would have killed it very quickly had he not been watching! They are susceptil)le to cold, and are the better for a retiring l)ox or log in their cage (jr flight, and if ke])t out of doors during the sunnnei' months nuist be brought, in as soon as the nights turn cold. With Mr. Goodchild's drawing before us, description will be a simple matter : — Crest and band across the chest black; upper Ijack, wings, and tail black, scaled and barred with white; the black chest I)and is followed by a band of ■white, narrow in the centre, but nmch br(jader at the sides; remainder of plumage is light sulphur-yellow, the feathers of the head and sides of the face having dark centres and red tips, there are also a few red striations on the bi-east, and the upper tail-coverts are more or less tipped wdth red. Beak yellowish horn coloui', legs blackish-grey, iris deep red. From the above it will be I'eadily seen what a beauti- ful and striking bird this species is; })Ossibly our esteemed member, Mr. 8. Beaty, will kindly send us a few notes of the treatment and demeanour of this bird in his bird-room, 48 Bourke'^ P((nakeel. Bourke's Parrakeet {jSleo2ihe)iia Bourl'd). By Hubert D. Astley, M.A., F.Z.S., AI.D.O.l . Whilst six of tlie seven si)ecie.s of the family of Mcophcuia which are known, liave green as the prevailing colour; J'ourkc's Parralceet, the seventh, strikes out a line of its owji, with the upper parts of soft niou,('- brown, and the delieate rose and forget-me-not blue of the underparts, and the mouse -brown has Budgerigar-like seallopings of a pale yellow on the wings, with a touch of blue at tiie shoulders. 1 have had as many as twenty -two of these beautiful little birds, which after all, are not so eery much larger than a Budgerigar, in my aviaries. Quiet and inoUensive amongst other species, they hold their own amongst each other at nesting time, an old male driving away his fellows, ii they came too near the hollow log or coco-nut husk in which his mate is sitting on her four or five round white ^'i^'t^'-^. When he is courting, he si)reads his wings out at the shoulders as a display, and his tail feathers too, uttering subthied chirrups, which are not unlike ehose of a Budgerigar, l)ut of a softer and less shi'ill tone. There are also faint warbling iioics. but the Buurke is altogether an extremely yentle, ([uiet iutlc bird, and his gaiety is very inoffensive and restrained. Ife is never boisterous: he is almost dull at times. If he could suddenly become incarnated in a human l»ody, I feel he would suddenly join a body of old-fashioned Quakers, and certainly never kick over the traces, or appear hi connection with any society scandal! His wile has (lisa])peared and commenced her maternal duties before you are awai'c there had been nuicli thought about it, and the same duties are generally in full swing before February is out. 1 think 1 have two breedhig pairs, who generally produce at any rate two broods, and I have known three, between February and August. The young birds are almost counterparts of their parents, on issuhig from the nest, and almost more lovely, so sleek and plump are they. Their tails and wings are shorter pro tern, and the rose and blue underparts less brilliant. I have seen four or live in a row outside a coco -nut, and wondered whethei- it could have held them all. Bonrhe's Pdrrakeet. 49 I have tried to rear one or two by hand after they have k'ft the nest, but they are timid, and have not taken kindly to their foster-father. One ought to be able to do it, for I remember that a lady (Mrs. Ffoukes) used to rear Turquoisines by hand, one of which I had for some time; the dearest little bird, which would liy on to my shoulder, and which was like his liourkc cousin, charmingly restrained and " well-bred." j3ourke's I^irrakeets, like all f^arrakeets, need plenty of good and varied green food, besides seeds of dill'erent kinds; neither do they scorn a nibble at a dish of Insectiverous mixture. They are to a large extent birds that become very much more active as the evening approaches, for in the day time they will sit for a long time looking as if they: had no " go " in them at all; but towards sunset, and afterwards until it is almost dark, they run swiftly over the ground, uttering theii' soft chirrups, and feeding hi a little flock. Upon dry ground they must be completely invisible when about amongst the grass in the Australian bush, and when they rise on the wing, their llight is swift. 1 find the I^ourke's very hardy, for although they have a heated inner house into wliich they can go through an always open window, they often in winter time seem to prefer to sit exposed on perches out of doors in fog or rain, and sit still, too; which is more than I should care to do 1 In an aviary they are fearless, often hardly moving when one walks up close to them. They are certainly bii'ds to whom a close proximity improves, for it is only then that one can ai^preciate the delicate tints of their colouring, and they look their best when they are perched above you; then the wonderiul contrast of the underparts shows to the highest advantage; the pink is that of a lovely blush rose, and the blue of the forget-me-not. Only in the Green Alexandra Parrakeet can these delicious and delicate colours be seen, and there they are on the throat and head. Bourke's Parra- keets, like Budgerigars and others of their tribe, seem to prefer to breed in little colonies; perhaps they are stimulated by a spirit of competition and natural jealousy: but my Bourkes were with me for four years before they nested — '){) Breeding the 'BulhnL Shama, and Pehui Uol>w . that was some four years a^i'-o, since whioli time they liave .sfone ahead, Init thci'e are always two or tlirec (Icalli.- cacli year, with young- l)ir(ls falling' out of thi'ii' nests Ix'foi'c Ihcir duo time has arrived, to keep doAvn Ihcii' inunliers; olli-Twi,;,' I ought to have al)Out thirtv 1)V now! Breeding White-eared and Red- whiskered Bul- buls, Shama, and Pekin Robin. By Mi;s. A. Mahon. Whtte-EARED BuLP.UL (Pui-nonidus h'lictdis) : Passing- tiirough Boml)ay in lUOS on my way to Simla, out of pity I bought two mis(M'al)lr White-eared I]uH)uls, jnt-re haliics; thoy over-eat themselves and in'arlj' died of indigestion. I fed them every hour a.ll the wa.y to Simla, and they got on splendidly all through tiie year. At the ))eg-inning (d' 1 !)()'.), when I hoped they might laiild, (iiic, the larger (d' the two, dropped dead. I 'Aroto to frie]ids in Cawnporc; to get me another; I was (piitc um-ertain wliicli sex I required, and the friend who bought it for me- - Major . just took the lirst offered and despatched it; it arrived safely and was very lit ami lively. I'he two ))irds soon became inseparable, but, it had now become t(Jo late for them to build. I brought- all \\\\ bii'ds home in January, ]'.)f(), and in May h't them loose in a room which was well li.i.;hti'd with two windows, placing a ver}' thick old box-tree (planted in a tub) in the centre. Building operations commenced at once and to my tielight the Wliite-eared built a beautiful nest, quite rotind, with a crimson perfumed pencil cord wo\en in, the tasslo hanging out at the side. My expectations were marred l)y many hopes and fears for the hen seemed egg-bound, and very drooping, but she got over it all right and patiently incubated her clutch of eggs for eleven days. 1 then tried to look in the nest but this they would not permit, coming round and pecking at my finger when I attempted to feel therein. She patiently sat for twenty-one days in all and then gave up. On examina- 'U I found two eggs, both being infertile. The nest was Brrrdivf] fhr PyiilhfiJ, Shawn, and Vclrni Tiohin . 51 oonstructod of hay, horse hair, dry grass, and fine shavings. Very shortly afterwards another nest was built in the same tree, of much the same type and decorated tliis time with pale hlue wool. When incubation had lasted twelve to fourteen days, without as I thought any result, I had decided to steal an egg from the Red -whiskered Bulbuls nesting in the same tree and transfer it to the White -ear. Tthen found they were feeding two young as I thouglit, it must have Iteen three, as T found a dead fledgling thrown out on the third day, and on getting on a chair and looking in the nest saw two very lively chicks still in the nest. As parents tliey jiroved most self-denying ancl careful, so unlike the Eed -whiskers, Avho Avould eat nearly a clozen mealworms each l^efore feeding their bal)ies; the White-ears never ate one till they had satisfied the wants of llieir hungry brood! Two delightful young l)irds left the nest Avhen about fourteen days old. Their plumage was brown, with the white ear patches, ((uite distinct, and very minute crests. yVt a very early age they were able to tend for themselves arid rapidly developed into very tine and well feathered specimens. Imagine my feelings when I went into the aviary one after- noon, when I found one of the ])arent White -ears holding down one of 'the young birds and killing it — it died the next day, and I then sold the other >'oung l)ird; the latter event Avas at the end of Octol)er, the bird Avas then full ^Town, an'l in beautiful plumage. I conclude jealousy Avas the cause of the other bird's slaughter, for more afTectionatc or careful j^arcnts 1 have never seen in all my experiences of bird life* The young Avere reared entirely on nu;a,hvorms I'ov more than a week; then they began to make use of banana, vgg, and bread and milk. T should add the old birds Avere very tame, and I could do almost anything Avith them. To be Confbmed. [The male parent of many species of birds, l)f)tli Britisli and Foreign, l-cill oft the young males Aviien the.v l)egin to come into adult ])lumage. In a state of nature, at a given jierind the young birds sepai'ate IVnm' their parents and distril)utc them- selves over the country. — Ed.] 52 L.P.O.S. f^hon^. L.P.O.S. Show. By Wesltoy T. Paok, F.Z.S., Etc. The 52nd annual SIioav was held at the Crystal Palace from Feb. 3rd. to 7th, inclusive. As in past years the management left nothing to be desired, practically everything that could be done, was done, to make the conditions perfect, and Mr. Ramsden and his colleagues must be congi'atulated on having achieved another well deserved success. The Foreign Section I do not Inwever, consider e(|ual to past years, though many I'are and heautifnl birds w(M'e staged — for this I Idnme the Imildiiig, and tlie f n'ci.i;-!! l)ii-d exhiltitors will at any rate I'cjoice when tlie i-i-mi 'it the shmv is <'Iianged for some moi'i' suitable l>u'lding than tlie liistirii' ghiss liMUse, notwithstanding the associations connected therewith, ff)r the draught nuisance evidently cannot be remedied in spite of all that human ingenuity can suggest, and not only did the visiting public suffer discomfort, but that the l)irds of this section also suffered from the ocnditions was only too palpable by their demeanour, and caused the exquisite beauty and attractiveness of many of the exhibits not to be fully realised. The precautions taken against draughts unfortunately obscured the light. These remarks, a strict sense of duty compels me to make, though I regret to offer any de- preciatci-y observations concerning a society of which I am a member, the sole fault is the unsuitable character of the C.P. for such an exhibition. Draught is as deadly poison to all .•species of birds! The Rare Exhibits: Many of these have already lieeu noted in Bird Notes in earlier reports, and only those not previously noted will be chosen for special mention. The Cock of the Rock (Rupicola crocea): This bird, though now well known to visitors to the London Zoo, was a first appearance on the Show bench, and naturally a centre of great interest the whole period of the Show. It was one of the birds collected by Mr. W. Frost, for Sir William Ingram, in the early part, of last year, and passed into the possession of Monsieur Pauvvels about October, and he is certainly to be congi-atulated on the pierfect condition in which the l)ird was staged. A few notes on their Avild life and treatment in captivity will doubtless be of interest. Mr. Frost wrote an account of his experiences in collecting the birds, in the Aviculiural Magazine, from which 1 glean the foil iwiiig interesting notes: — Mi'. Frost found the species on the northern slii)es of the Merume Mountains, British Guiana the formation of the Merume range reminds one of a iiigantic sbjiie wall, from whicli the top coui'ses have InnMi dislo.lg^'d, farming a 1' 'i|' (!' delM'is all al'iig the foot ovei' ;ill is the thick dark tangle of l)ush \ nest was found, it was stuck to L.P.O.S. Shoir. 53 the face of an nverhanging boulder, about 14ft. up, on a small sloping edge . . . .the hen sat very close. . . .on examination the nest appeared t;:> be built of fibrous material, worked up with some gelatinous substance, and plastered on the outside with dried lichen or moss; in shape forming about two tliirds of a circle. It contained two eggs, about the size of a pigeon's, dirty white, with large I'usty coloui-ed lilotches at the larger end numerous daneing jilare-^ were found The dances were always stai'ted by an old cock who, taking up a position on .a horizontal or slightly .sloping branch, ]>referal)ly a fallen one, at a height of 3 to 4 feet, would start isquawking out a ofiallenge Presently he would start jumping back and forth from his perch to the ground, giving a (piick swirl wjth open wings and tail, as he struck the gi-ound and turned to regain the branch others joining in, until with seven or eight birds flashing up and down, faster and faster, it began to look some- thing like a dance no hens Avere observerl, though they may have been watching overhead, hidden among the thick foliage. At the Zoo T noticed a somewhat similar performance, with the addition that as the bird regained the top perch the iwings were dropped, the tail outspread, the crest opened at the front and brought forward till the beak was almost obscured. ■Mr. iNIillsum at the Show described to me a similar performance, which he said was frequently indulged in. The specimen is kept in Monsieur Pauvvels' l)ird-room in a cage about 30 inches square by 3 feet high. In captivity they require a diet of ripe fruit, soft food, and live insects. The soft food or insectivoi-ous mixture is best given in the form of small pellets or it is I)ut seldom taken. Mr. Frost also found them to be fond of boiled rice, isweetened with condensed milk, and r-oloured with black-currant or blackberry jam. Description is scarcely necessary, as in Mr. Goodchild's drawing, form, and character are well rendered. It will suffice to staff; the light areas in drawling are fiery orange, with the exception of a white wing patch; all the dark ]5atches are black. Beak and legs also orange, iris of the eye de(>p ruddy-orange. The female is blackish l;rown, which is also the coloui' of the crest, beak and legs; the middle of abdomen and Aciui'al region atre wa^h^d with orange and there is a large patch of orange on the underside of wings. The crest is mucli smaller than that of the male. The 'greatest credit attaches to the owner of this liird, in placing it u]5on the bench in practically full natural colour, as after the moult in cai)tivity their plumage is whitish-orange; ^fr. Millsum informed me that they had managed to retain the natural colour by colour-feeding— pellets of red feed and insectile mixture, being place'd inside grapes and readily taken in this form. ]\Ionsieur 54 C.P.O.S. Show. Pauvvpls is to bo rnngratulaterl on so uniquo a possession. It carried ofl' premier honours and a special. The Purple Sun-Bird (Arachnecthra asiatica): A perfect specimen of this unique feathered gem was staged by Mr. C. T. Maxwell, and he certainly deserves every credit fur successfully moulting it; the species now lieing seen in full nuptial dress for the first time as a living bird — out of colour it was exhibited at the recent L.C.B.A. Show at the Horticultui'al Ffall. Space will not pcrniit me to linger as I fain would do, and it is almost impossible to describe its iridescent i)lumagc by pen painting, (u- for that matter by Inrush eitlier. The best description 1 'ia\(' yet .seen is from the pm nf our esteemed member I). Dcwar. and I here (luote it in full, from his interesting book " iJinis of the Plains." "Of the fiKd-;s of the lii'st and second species (A. lolcus " and (isiulicit) it may perhaps be s.iid that tliey are (dothed in "purple and tine linmi, for their plumage is a deep, idrh luu'ple " Avith a slieen and a. gloss like that on a brand-iu'w silk hat. " Sometimes the bii-d looks Idack, at others gri'cn, and nnrc fi-e- " quently mauve, according to the intensil\' of the li,i;ht and the " angle at which the sun's rays fall upiin it . . .If the cmd^s of above "are clothed in pvu'ple and line linen, that of th;.- yellow spe.des ''(A. zeylonica) may be said tn be arrayed in a enat (if -many "colours, each of which is so beautiful as t) did'y imitalimi l)y the " painter. Thei'e is a pat(/h on the ernwn, which appears nr'tallic "lilac in some lights, and emei'ald-.ureen in (dhers. Mis neek and " uppei' back are dull ciinrs;))!, the l-iwcr baek, chin, and thr: at "are brilliant metallic pui'ple. Tin- tail and wing /eathers are "dark brown. There is a maroon colhii' below the thi'oat and " the plumage from this collar doAvnwards is blight yellow. Verily, " Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Those who had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Maxwell's bril- liant gem will I am sure agree with me that the above is not too laudatory. Their diet in captivity is similar to that of tiie Sugar-birds; ripe fruit, such as sweet grajx's, banana, etc., milk sop sweetened with honey and a few small insects. Some give a little pure honey as Avell. Tlieii' food in a. state of nature consists (jf the nectar of flowers ami minute inseid life. Awai'ded pi-emier honours and three specials. f*]vEKiTT's J',\i!i;()T (Tail >/(j 11(1 Ihiis crcriUi): .Vnolhei' unii|ne .spicidineii whiidi 1 Ixdieve has not been exhibited before, I)ut as this spit'cies was only recently described by its foi'tunate owner, tlv R/'v. G. Id. Raynor, T must refer readei's to January issue (■f Bird Nofes, cui rent volume. Black-tiikoatkij Haxomost (Iclcrvs uickovicUis): .\ line sp'3c',men cf this uncommon species, which I akso beli(-ve to be a first appearance, was shown I'y cur esteemed member Mi'. S. M. Tnvnsend. .^.11 the Hangnests are beauliful and stikin';;' birds, full of c'-iai-act-'i', ani Bnu) Notes. ^ ^^'" # iim^ ■'i COCK OF THK ROCK. (RupkoJa crocea). Drawn from life by H. Goodchild, from a specimen exhibited by Mons Pauvvels, at the L.P.O.S. National Show. r>iiii) Xoi'Ks. BOU K K E'S PA lUi A KEET. Drawn from life by H. (iuodchild, from specimens exhibited by Miss Peddle Waddel, at the Scottish National Show. L.P.O.S. Show. 55 as rago pnts are •.■jiequalli.'tl, Ixu^oiiiiuy very oluimmy, fearless, and tricky. ^[oreovpr, once they have got over tlie first few critical weeks in this country are not difficult to keep fit, and are then fairly long-lived. They are natives of South America, and can bo successfully wintered in a cold ;-oom without artificial heat, but I consider them the ])ett8r for a minimum temperature of 45 degrees F. during that period. The hues of the plumage of most of the species ai'e either rich yellow and black, or orange, and black, distributed in varying propoi'tions. This specimen was in exquisite condition and an cxti'emely ))nautiful bird, in its garment of rich orange-yellow and bh( 'k, the former c )lour predominating. Anothei- I'ai'c Hangiiest, the White-win.ucd (Iclcnif^ hiillnrl-i), was sh;i\vii by our csteomed menibiT, Mr. A. .1. U. O'Xcil, it was in perfect condition, and a vei'y beautiful bii-d, whidi f do urjt I'emember to have seen on tlu^ lionch Ixd'ore. Sr(;AU-iuiM)S: Xo less than six s]iciiniciis (if tiiese bively " Blue C!re('])i^i-s " A\-i'i-e stagcfl, ii:il (iiic of whii'li was in ])oor condition, but tlu' ]>alm for tightness of |)lunuage and rich colouration must go to Mr. Townscirrs (■x(|uisite Yellow-winged, this specimen , is getting almost pa,triarch;d, the present being its sixth annual appearance.' at tlu^ Palaci; Slmw. The Pur|)le .Sugar-bii'd till (piite recently has l)cen much rai'cr than the Yelldw-winged species, which is well known, and of -which a coloured ])late appeared in Vol. VI. of the Clulj .I('UrnaJ. 'I'lie ruri»le as its name Avould indicate, has an iri(b'^cent gai'nieiit of purple ,ni 1 bl;i-k, llashiii'-i' like s])ark- ling gems. The dainty i^i-ace and iniiuite fm-ni of these birds as well as their extreme l)eauty endeai- them t) all l>ird lovers. Like many other s])ecies, they are difficult to establish, but once this is accomplished, they are not difficult to keep fit. Diet: Milk .sop, made from either fresh ov condensed milk, crumbled sponge cake, and Mellin'.s food; ripe fruit— grapes and banana, with an occasional mealworm or other small insect. The space at my disposal for the rarer birds, has been more than occupied, and T aiuist now j)roceed to review the respective classes. H. T. T. Cami)s, K.Z.S. judged the Parrot classes, and F. Finn, M.A., F.Z.S. the remainder, their awards with one or two exceptions being well received. BuDGKKiaAKS Han(;i\(; Pakkots, Etc. (5): This class, con- taining only five entries, l)ut all were of exceptional merit. The Blue Budgerigars l)eing one nf the attractions of the Show- -it only remains to say the bii'ds were vei'y fit and beautiful, and to refer readers to the coloured ph-itt; and Mr. Millsum's article in oiu" last issu'. Ml'. S. M. Townscnd's remarkable Blue-crowned Hanging I'aia-ot, was looking better than ever, most certainly one (■f the richest coloured specimens ever seen. 1 I>. I'auvvels, ti-ue pair Blue Budgerigars; 2 S. M. T( wiiscnd, P)lue-croAvned Hanging Parrot; 3 Colville and Son. tiue i^ao' VelloAv Budgerigars; 4 E. J. Watts, Red-faced Lovebird; v.h.c. C. T. MaxAvcIl, Eed-crowned Hanging Parrots. 5G L.P.O.S. Slhoin. AlI: Specirs T\\ui;.\ki;i:ts Louies, Etc. (7): Aiiolhoi- smal! class, but. containing some birds of exceptional merit. The most notable perhaps being Monsieur Pauvvels' Hooded Pari-akeet, this specimen was in exquisite i)Iumage aiil of a vni-y rich colour, being certainly one of the most attractive l)ii'ds in the Parrot classes— but they were fully dealt with in oui' last v;ilnme. Mr. Maxwell's pair of Brown's Parrakeets wcit- also unconiiinii and very fine. 1 and 2 and s|n'cial R. rauvvcls, cock Hcodcd Par- rakeet and true pair P,(.urke's PaiTakccts ; :j (;. T. Maxwell, true pair Brown's Pairakcets; I A. J p O'Xeill, Uw pair Oei-ani Lories, wcc lit )• mii;1i : wli.c. ('. T. Maxwell, (.Hieen Vlexandra's ran-akee(, Mce hit soft; Ii.c., C. Cushney, Eedrump Parrakcet; c L. S. B. Clarke, Pingneck Parrakeei. All Species Parrots, Cockwtoos, Etc. (10): What would have been one of the rarest birds in the Show, viz., the Pigmy Parrot, unfortunately escaped during the process of unpacking, and thus the sight of a rara ari.^ was lust. The sympathy of all the members will l)e with Monsieur Pauvvels in his great loss. The next rarity was an Everitt's Parrot, which we have already noted. Next we must note a good specimen of the very uncommon Hawk-headed Parrot, one of two personally brought over from British Guiana by our esteemed member E. W. Harper, F.Z.S., about three years ago. A coloured plate of this species with descriptive article appeared in Vol. VI. of the club journal. 1 R. Pauvvels, Hawk-headed Pari-ot ; '2 and 3 Bev. G. H. Raynor, Meyer's and Everett's Parrots, both rare; 4 Mrs. T>. Thorpe, Yellow-iiaj^ed Amazon, very uncommon; v.h.c. J. Mackenzie, very fine Seiif>gal P.u'i'ot: h.c. Tjcacli and Leckie, Leadbeater's Cockatoo; c. W. S. Smith, true pair Grand Eclec- tu.s Parrots. A INlaeaw, and Siilphur-ci'esled Cockatoo also competed. AvADAvATS AND Certaix Namki) SvEciKs (11): Alwajys an interesting class, for many veiy beautiful birds aic t(j be found among the fi-eely imported species, and it is a matter of great surprise that this class does not assume huge proportions — practi- cally the whol(> of tlie exhibits were in the best of condition. 1. 2, and ••<, F. Howe, G dd-breasted Waxbi'ls, grand colour; good pair Diamond Finches, and one of the best pairs of St. Helena Waxbills ever staged; 4 A. C. Young, true pair Ribl-on Finches, large and r>erfect; v.li.c, R. J. Watts, Diamond P'inch; h.c. Rev. J. M. Paterson, Java Sparrow; e. Allura Bros., Ribbon Finches. Good specimens of Cutthroats^ Java SparroAvs, and Spice Finches also com]ieied. Alt, Species Waxhills, Gu.vsseixciies, etc. (K't: The largest foreign class in tli" show and ( ontainiii.i;' many ex(|uisitely beautiful species, the ra'-ities of wliicli a] pea" ti be the Red- I'umped Weaver, noted in the J;.C.B.A. i-epot and a If tie .Jamieson's Waxbill, which appeared veiy unha|)|)y in its draughty cornei-. Other birds we may mention as of exceptional merit were a pair of Painted Finches and an exquiste Mtdba Finch. 1 F. Howe, Meli)a Fincli, one of the liidiest cohmi'ed specimens we have ever seen; 2, R. Pauvvels, t'ue pair Paintr-d L.r.n.S. Sham. 57 Finches, vp-y rich in colour; ." C. T. Maxwell, E.ed-headed Gouklian Finch, very rich colour, never seen better; 4 H. Blotting, true pair Rufous-hacked Mannikins; v.h.c, and h.c. J. M. Walsh, Violet-eared Waxbill and Red-headed Finch; c, C. T. Maxwell, Red-rumped Weavei', wee-bit rough. Good :sl>ecimens nf Blue -breasted Waxbills, wee-bit rough. Good Painted and Red-headed Finches, Pintail Nonpareil, Jamieson's Waxbill, Chestnut and Parrot Finches also competed. All Species Gkosiie-Vks, Thue Finches. (\^: The smallest class we remember for many years, and calls for no special mention, save perhaps to remai'k th;it mie was glad to see the Xonpareil Bunting once more. 1 ('. T. Ma.wvcii, X inpa-"'! T^-nt'i'g, ^■el•y tiiilit lUnd ht, lut xrry ]);ilc (■:■!■ u": 2 Mi's. F Gal'Ava^-. g) d pnii- Blue Grosbeaks; Pi R. P;uiv\-ri-^ t u' ].;ij- \::ii|;;u-cll limiting, slightly rough but almost full iiatui'al colour. All Species op Taxaoees. (11^: Nothing new was exhibited here, but we may note two Rufous-throated Blue Sugar-birds were passed by the judge as in their wrong class. This we consider distinctly hard lines without due notice being given, seeing that for two seasons the species has been accepted in the Tanager class, though it is an undoubted Sugar-I^ird and strictly speaking the judge's act was perfectly correct. 1 Pitchford and Stocker, Necklace Tanager, ex- cellent .specimen, but showing signs of the wear and tear of the show season; 2 J. M. Walsh, Black-throated Tanager, exquisite colour and condition, in the writer's o])inion should have heen first; 3 S: -i C. T. Maxwell, Black-backed and Petre's 'Tanagers, both in exquisite condition; v.h.c. J. M. Walsh. Maroon Tanager, rich colour; h.c. and c. S. Beaty, Black- backed and Tri-colour Tanagers. Fxcellent specimens of Superb Tanagers also competed. All Species Suoak-rirds, Hoxeyeaters, etc. (10'): All exquisite exhibits, l)ut my readers are all acquainted with the nespective species and the Purple Sun- and Sugar-birds have been aire ad J' noted. 1 C. T. Maxwell. Pur])lo Sun-bird; a glowins' gem, i"ts iridescent plumage flashing like brilliants; 2 S. M. Towns- end, Banana Quit, uncommon and perfect; 3 A. Morris, Purple Sugar-bird, rich cofour, very tight; 4 S. M. Townsend. Yellow- winged Sugar-bird, perfect in every respect, never seen better; v.h.c. and c. C. T. Maxwell, Black-headed vSugar-bird, very silky and tight, and Purple Sugar-bird; h.c, Pitchford and Stocker, Gold -fronted Gi'een Bulbul. Other excellent speci- mens of Purple and Yellow-winged Sugar-birds also competed. Ali, Species, Smaller than Kixg Bikd oe Pakadisi:. (11) Several lairds of great interest and I'arity were included here, but space Avill not permit comment, most have been already noted and a coloured plate is to appear in the current volume of Mr. Max- well's exquisite Great-billed Flycatcher. Mr. Beaty experienced rather hard luck in having his unique Bevalliant's Bai'bet passed r)^ L.P.O.S. S]inv\ ;is Ivoiiig too largo for this class, for it is outs'.dc by a very small margin indeed. 1 C. T. Maxwell, Great-billed Flycatcher, beautiful and perfect; 2 and 4 J. M. Walsh. Wl)it:'-eyebrowed Wood Swallow and pair of Black-headed Sibias, b^tii in perfect condition, steady, and richly coloured; ;5 A. J. P.. O'Xeill, White-winged Hangnest, rare and beautiful; v.h.c, C. T. Alaxwell, Blue- winged Siva, a very interesting and beautiful species, which was first introduced to English aviculture by our esteemed member E. W. Hai-per; h.c. S. M. Townsend, Black-throated Hangnest, very bciiuiful aiul ravc^; c. Otto Pack, good Shama. Good s]>ecimeiis of Chinese Painted (j)na.ils. Afexicaii (irecn Jay, T;evalliant's liarbct, and Slniiia, also c ini])eted. A.LI, Species LA]t(;i:u tiiax Kixc Biiid of Pahadisl: ((i): The Cock of the Bock was one of the greatest attractions of the Show, and the aisle in its vicinity was in a more or less con- gested state during th;' whole ]i;'i-i(id of the cxliibilion. Other exhibits were: Gold-crested Mynahs, Crested Wiiod Parliidge, and a Black-billed Toucan, ninstly already noted. 1 B,. l-auvvi'ls, (Jdck i.f the Rock, staged in .ui-and condition, and in full ua'ural colour; '2 S. AA'ats m, Plack-billed Toucan, vei'y lit, rare and beautifnl: '.) ('. T. Maxwell, Crested Wood Pai'tridge, vei\v stead\ , hands(inie. and rai'c: 4 C'. Cushney. Pu"pl"-lieaded Glossy Stalling, jierfei t and beautiful; v.h c. C. Cushney, Ind'an Pitta, pei-fect cnndition, ouiiut and handsome, a ]>lack and Aviiite figure of tins siveies was ^ix-en in Vol. I. New Series, of oui' Club ./(Mirnal; h.c. .1. M. Walsh. Gold-crested iNlynalis, \-ei\' urn' nnincii and lit. SPECIAL WINNERS. Pier's trophy for Best Austi'alian Bird: B.. Pauvvels- Hooded Parrakeet. Championship Diploma foi- Best Foreign Bird: C. T. Maxwell- Purple Sun -bird. Abraham's Memorial Trophy: B. Pauvvels -Cock of the Bock. Palace Silver Medal for Best Bird, other than winners of specials, 102 and 163: C. T. Maxwell- Queen^ Alexandra Parrakeet. Palace Bronze Medal fm- best v.h.c in classes lot; to 112: C. T. Maxwell—Black -headed Sugar-bird. FiViC Shillings by G. Ci'abb, Es(|., for Best h.c.: S. P.eaty Black- l)acked Tanager. F.B.C. Silver Challenge Cup and Medals: See Inset, page 24. Trower Gold Medal foi- ^lost Points: "\ Trower Silver Medal fm- Seernid Mf)sl [No I'eeurd a,t time of Points: r ^.,i„^. ,-,, p,.,,,,, Ti'owei" B''onze Medal foi' third Most P lin^s: ,) Bound Volume (X. Pearsfin, Ltd.) for Best Bii'd slv)wn by a lady: Mrs. L. Thorpe— Yellow-naped Amazon. Tlie write)' wishes to congi'atulate the members on the beau- tiful and rai'e 1)irds staged, bn' with tli(> exception of some half dozen entries, all the exhibits were sent by members of F.B.C. Book Notices and Revieivs. 59 I must ask their forebearance, hut owing to the date of the Show coinciding with the time of our i;:)ing to press, this report Jius liad to be written against tinie_. it is too lengthy, and time has been altogether too short for either research or revision. For list of Club Specials see report of our esteemed Exhibiticnal Secretary on page 2\ of inset. Book Notices and Reviews Caxaiuks, HvBiajJS, a><\> Bkitisji JiiiMj.s in CAdK AND Av[Arvr Cassell and Co. In monthly })arts, 7d. net. Part XI. The interest is well maintained, and the text is illustrated with many practi.cal diagrams of W|iugs, etc. The chapter on " Breeding evenly marked Canaries " is completed, and chapters on " The Green Canary " and '" The Common Canary " are included. The frontispiece is a coloiu'ed plate of dark mules, liguring four varieties, viz: Yellow Siskin, Yellow Linnet, Yellow Goldlinch, and Bull Twite. There are also excellent black and white illustrations (.f typi(;al specimtuis of the- varieties dealt with ill tin; text. Tin-: BiiiDS ok Tiir; liiuTisii Islands. By (Jiiarl; s Stonhaiu, C.M.C., F.R.C.S., F.Z.S., with illustrations by L. M. .Mediand, F.Z.S. I'art xvii. Koy. ({uarto, 7s.. Gd. Grant Richards, l^td. This part, bringing us witliin an appreciable distance of the completed work, deals witii the six Terns which are more or less well known as migrants to our .shores; with seven more recorderl ;is rare and accidental visitors; witii Sabine's Gull; and witli the True Gulls down to the Herring Gull. No fewer than twenty-one plates are given; eight ispecies being accorded two each, and one, the Black-headed Gull, being illustrated in adult summer, in adult winter, and in three stages of immature, plumage. And it is scarcely too much to say that, good as Miss Medland's work has been in the past, it has now come to such a pitch of excellence as fully to warrant the opinion expressed by one of our most distinguished artists, that she is unrivalled in her delineation of feather effects. Aloi'e than that one cannot help seeing that, while her accuracy as to feather is due to careful study of skins, it can only be by an equally care- ful study in many cases of the live bird itself, that she has been able to catch its gi^aceful attitudes, and life-like expression under various conditions. Take for instance the charming pictures of the Little Tern, just about to dip for its prey, and the Black -headed Gull standing over its nestling and uttering its clamorous note. These alone would make an artist's reputation. The letterpress is equally gratifying to the student. Mr. 60 EdiforlaJ. Stonham has the enviable faculty of goiny over a wide range of information in terse, yet smootlily writli'ii sentences, giving evidence on every page, not (inly of a full acquaintance with the literature of his suliject, hut also of much loving and single-hearted research at lii'st hand, especially with I'egard to the halhts of tlie birds. The only fault in c jiinection with f.liis l)o:)k is the unconscion- able delay in tiie appearance of the part-;. The pi-osi)ectus issued to th? subscribers stated that the work would sec completion in about two years. That was early in liiOo, but at the rate which has latterly obtained, we may onl.v hope to see the last of three remaining parts issued some time in 1912! Editorial. Foreign Birds: In reply to several enquiries we beg to state that this series will be resumed in March issue. Hipped Winu: Mr. Ciray kindly promises to give full details with diagrams at as early a date as possible. .Jai'kson's Wiiydah (L)epra)ioplcctns jacksoni) : During a recent visit to the Zoo with a friend. 1 liad an opportunity of oliserving this line and rare species, and also of witnessing their display. The male is black, save for some buff -brown margins to the wings feathei's. The general appearance of the 1/irds greatly resembles that of the Giant Whydah (Chcra procnc), I'Ut the tail is not so long, and the feathers jare distinctly curved longitudinally. The female 'is a brown bird, lighter on the surface, with very sharply defined dark brown striations, legulariy di.^trilu.ed all over the body; eye-streaks above and below the eye whirl h. When displaying, the wings are dropped, the piunuigc, jiariicularly that of the head, shaken loose, the back appearing to be quite incurved and the head and neck stretched upwards, almost at right angles to the body, and the feathers of the tail carried in the form of a crescent — the whole attitude is somewhat stiff and ludicrous, accompanied as it is by a sort of prancing dance. Though not so showy as some of its confreres, it is nevertheless a very handsome and inteiesting species. 11 o luire so, niainj claims upon our space this issue, that the ustubl notes under this tieading, must be Jheld over till March. Corre.spo7idence. Correspondence. 61 THE BLACK SEED-FINCH 8iu.— Amoii" lec-L'iit airivals I c;ime across this interesting species. Luer, of East Street. Walworth, has a few examples of the Black Seed- Finch (Mflopiirrlin //njni . two of which T bought. These little ("uban birds resemble minature Bullfinches with a good conduct stripe on their " arms "' of white. Their man- ners, however, are those of a Waxbill. The male of the Thick-l)illed Seed Finch, although nuich bigger and with a much larger bill, resembles the cock of this species a little. The fe- male however of the Black Seed- Finch is almost i- dentical with the male, whereas as you no don!)t know the female of the Thick-billed Finch is ;mi olivaceous bird very unlike the male. The birds re- semble the (Phdni- pariiiae) in manner- lihicl' l-'niiUij lent hij KilUnv iif ( \i mt ri/ <(■ CiKje li'inl Li/r. isnis and are rightly included in that group not having the uprijjht carriage of a SpfniKipJula. ALLEN SILVER. BIRD PROTECTION VAGARIES. Sir. — In consequence of a recent judical interpretation of the Acts relating to Wild Birds, the possession, sale, and purchase of such birds legally and lawfully taken elsewhere is in danger of becoming prohibited in the County of London. The Bye-Law in question was intended for the protection of birds in that district, and not to prevent citizens possessing legitimately acquired property, in the shape of birds caught in other districts and sold to them. On this account the N.B.B. and M. Club deputed a small body to approach the S.P.B. and ll.S.P.C.A. with a view to getting these Acts 02 Tlir r.hih Dinner. placed oil a Imsiiiess-like basis. ;ui(l at tlie saiiio time to susjgest matters of reform in eDniiection with Live Stock ami l>ii(l Sli(>])s. Their efforts in this direction having ])r()ved frnitless, a petition has l)(jen drawn np to approach the Home Secretary on the matter, with a view to some amendment of the Bye-law. and the iiaL^-itioii of jjlai-ing Bird slnjis nnder the control of the Sanitary Anthorities will lie sugiJested. 1 need hardly jioint out tliat the hobby of keeping a few birds for i)lt'asiire or study will Ijc seriously cur- tailed in time should this deputation not lie successful, mid I /r/is/ tlmt (t/l tli(ixi> (cliti iiKlji <-iiiiH' ill coiiliii-l irilh lli'tn /ir/il/iJii ifill. i ■! //ir iii/rrrx/x nfthi'ir hdlilii/, Hiiiii il. It is indeed uid'ortunate tha> iiecause of a few otfenders, that bird-keeping in general should lie considered e(iually undesirable by a certain settion of the community, many of whom encourage and support great cruel- ty to birds by wearing feathers and wild birds ]ireferiiiig to conform to fashion tlian to lessen cruelty, and yet are membei-s of the S.P.B., and R.S.P.C.A . ! 1 I am afraid unless we try to get scmie rei»resentation of our interests, the matter will shortly get extended to Foreign Birds and so on, until our present hobby (which has from small beginnings reached consid- eralile prominence) will be entirely annulled. ALLEN SILVER. The Club Dinner and Testimonial Fund. This function took place at the t Crystal J 'a lace on Saturday, February 4th, notice of which was published in .January issue of Bird Notes. The gathering was of a very pleasurable character, and it is lioped also a profitable one, as chili inatlers wen' discussed and new ideas were ventUated, which may prove helpful to the future progress of the F.B.C. The foUfiwing toasts wei-e jiroposed: The King (Mr. W. T. Rogers). Our Guest (Mr. W . T. Iltigers), Success to the Foreign Bird Club (Mr. Sutclill'e). All wei'c enthusiastically received and I'e- sponded to . The occasion was of peculiar interest, as it alVorded the chairman the opportunity of making a Presentation t) our Hon. Editor (Mr. Wesley T. Page), on behalf of those who had pub- scribed to the Testimonial Fund, which had reached a total of £88. The presentation took the form of an Illuminated Adilress, with the names of the subscribers engrossed thereon. It was greatly admired by those present, and regarded as a suitable expression of the esteem and kindly sentiments entertained towards the Hon. Editor. After the presentation had been made, Mr. Wesley Page, in response, stated that he rose to acknowledge the presentation with very mixed feelings, and that it was impossible for him to adequately express the keen appreciation ho did and ought to feel. He was entirely taken by surprise, as he was under the impression that he had vetoed anything of the kind, when The Chih Dinner. 63 stipulating- that the only recog-nition lie could accept for any small services he had been able to render the club (it had been, a "labour of love" if such a term were permissable), was the raising' of a sum of money to put the club's fHian:?es in an easier position, as stated in the circular sent round. While fully appre- ciating the members' kindness and the great honjui- conferred upon him, he had a feeling of regret that money had lieen spent upon swch an object, esi>ecially as the full sum stated on circular (£125) was needed to make the Avorking of the club easy. At the same time he gratefully accepted the beautiful address which had been pneisented to him that night, and also the sentiment expressed. Ho found himself utterly at a loss to express what he really felt, and must ask the donors to accept a hearty English " thank you." In regard to the work he had done for tlie club, ho must insist that with him must be associated his colleagues during his term of office, viz., ]\Irs. K. Leslie Miller, Messrs. S. JNl. Townsond, TinniswooQ Miller, H. Wilford, the Magazine Committee, and Council — ^also the work of his predecessors in the editorial chair — Mr. H. E. Fillmer, Mr. H. Goodchild, and Dr. W. G. Creswell, all of whom had contributed to the present day position of the Foreign Bird Club. Seme of the suggestions made were as follows: — That a series of meetings be held during the winter season in some central position, and that a lecture and discussion on avicultural topics form the basis of these gathei'ings. A collection to be made at each to defray the necessary expenses, which would be very small. It is hoped that members will communicate their views to the Hon. Editor at once — suggesting time, locality, and character — it is quite possible to arrange for one in late March or April if such be done. That the meetings at the Zoo, commenced last year, be Glontinued and extended in other directions as far as possible. That every member be urged to secure another member, so that the number required — about 400 — to comfortably meet the needs of the club, be quickly attained; as unless the bulk and illustrations of the Magazine were reduced, the amount representing any shortage of that number, must be the total of an annual 'deficit I A permanent increase of our subscriptions was neither necessary nor desirable — as above all it was desired that our member - shi^J should be truly national. It was suggested l)y several that the difficulty might be got over by each member paying the cost of postage and distribution of the magazine, viz., Is. 9d. per year, which would produce a sum of about £15 annually at our present membership. It was also suggested that in the middle of each y&ar, a small donation to the Illustration Fund be sent, till such times as our membership reached the required 4 00. The character of the coloured plates w^as mooted, and the (»4 Pufit Morion lif'jjnt't.s. oi)inion was expressed, that tliey should be of such species, as far as ])r)s.sible, that liad not been ■ iig-ured iu popular woi'ks or by the " fancy " i^ress. It was hoped by those present at the gathering that the mcml)ers generally would freely express their opinion by corre- sijondencc. Avhich may be sent cither to the Hon. Editor or Bus. Secretary. ]\Ir. W. T. Eogers presided, and made the presentation. By request a facsimile of the address will appear in next isisue cf " B.N." W. T. E. Post Mortem Reports. Vide Rules. Yellow-wixged 8rfiAE-]?]ui) c\ (The Hon. Mrs. Bourke). The cause of death was chronic double nncumonia with conse- quent enlarged liver. This typ/e of pncumjnia. with consolidation is rare in birds. DrAMoxD Finch cf. (Miss Drummond, Errol, N.B.) Septic fever was the cause of death. The liver and spleen were full of yellow nodules, which caused these organs to become very much enlarged. Eefer to answer to " Two Lizard Canaries " on p. 30, Bird Notefi, January, 1911. Iarkot Fixch 9- (^I- Bousfield, Bournemouth). When writing in future give species of bird sent for post mortem. The ovary was in an active state of ovulation. Some of the ovules were almost as large as a small marble. There was also nome chronic diseases of the lungs, accompanied by a few figseel-like i^odules. CiiESTXUT Breasted Fixcii. (Eev. John M. Paterson, Sussex). The cause of death was inflammation of Iung.>, i)rol)ably stimulated into activity l)y excitement. Two Bishops axd White Java Sparrow. (IMiss .Edith Brickwood). The cause of death seems to me to be due to want of a sufficient supply of food, and perhaps also from the effects of cold. Madagascar Love-Bird 9- (^">y. Philip Gosse, Hants). Cause of death, inflammation of right lung. r)rA]MOXD Fixch. (Miss Di'ummond. Errol. X.R.). Death was du( to sei^tic or bird fevei'. "The liver ami sjileen wore affected in the same manner as in the cock mentioned' above. White Java Sparrow rf. (Clias. H. Eobinson, Grosmont, R.S.O.) Cause of drath, inflammation of lungs. Cut-throat Q. Death was due to constipation. If recognised early, dui'ing life, this constipation might have been overcome by a clrop or two of castor oil. A.nnivered by posl. ^-Miss E. Mai-jorie Hincks. Errafiiin :~ne F.M. Eer,nrt on Wo'xllark on p. .10 of last issue, the w^ords " stewsacre " should read fiiarc>luer and brighter grey. The eyelids too arc fuller and bright, not a dull crimson in colour. These, I suppose, are the oldest birds, as one frequently gets a biixl in plumage intermediate between the light and dark phases. T. vinaceus. RINGNECK TURTLE-DOVE. Range. "West Africa, Senegambia to I-oango ; Xortli-east Africa (H.L.) These are by far the commonest Doves in the Gambia and are found everywhere in large numbers, — on the cultivation round 'the towns and on the rice-fields often in flocks of hundreds, and in smaller parties in every clearing throughout the bush. In appearance they resemble a very dark variety of the common cage-dove; they have the same black neck -ring and arc a1)out the same size as that bird, and only differ in colour, which is vinous -brown, ])aler below, instead of the pale chocolate fawn of the cage variety. Their Mandingo name is " Jettero " or " Jettero Purali," (" Purah " being the general Mandingo name for any Dove, as " Mpetah " is in Joloff), the name being derived from its note, wliich is trisyllabic, and supiaosed to resemble the word " -lettero." In some places the boys say the bird is always calling tiie doctor, " Doctor-oh, Doctor-oh." T. senegalensis. SENEGAL TURTLE-DOVE. Ikinge. Africa generally, to Palestine. Socotra. (H.L.) This species, though not quite so common as the preceding, is however very plentiful in the Gambia, where it is essentially a village bird and always tame and trustful. They frequent the com- pounds and clearings in the immediate vicinity of the villages feeding mainly on what they pick up in the yards, I'ound the corn •ea .ing p a e . an i refuse heaps, getting their water from the wells .Aid Wat a--pots and ne .ting u.ua ly in the thatch of huts and "kwiangs" (grass-roofed slieiters from tlie sun) or less commonly in shallow depressions in the forks of large trees in or close to a village. They have two distinct notes, one a coo, the other a sort of chuckle. Their Mandingo name is " Dumbokango -purah." Birds of Gambia. 73 The Senegal Turtle is a rather smaller and slimmer Ihrd than the Eingneck Dove and resembles more or less a bi-ight coloured edition of the European Turtle Dove. Above, the plumage is greyish pink washed in places with chestnut, the flights are dull brown, coverts rufous internally, grey externally. Upper tail -co verts dark grey; in the tail the two centra) feathers are very dark grey, almosl. black, the others tipped with white; below, the white is inore extensive. The chin, throat, and upper breast are vinous, round the sides and front of the neck is a collar of bifid black feathers tipped with reddish-mauve; the lower breast and sides arc slaty-blue fading into white on the belly and under tail-coverts. The eyelids arc bluish, the irides brown. Bill dark slate tinged with purplish, legs t'cull red. Length 10! inches. In the young the colours are paler and the markings less distinct, the greater part of the plumage being more or less washed with pale brown. To he continued. Breeding White-eared and Red-wliiskered Bul- buls, Shama, and Pekin Robin. By Mks. a. Mahon. (Contiimcd from p. .51j. The Eed-whiskeked Bulbul (Otocompsa jocosa) : This interesting species is equally well known as the Red -eared Bulljul, and like the White -ear, makes a delightful pet, be- coming absolutely tame and fearless. The plumage is brown above and white below; the head and crest are black; the ear-coverts are white, with a narrow border beneath of blade; a tuft of silky hair -like feathers lie over the ears. Tlie inner webs of most of the quill and tail feathers are white. The sexes are very much alike, but the cock is slightly larger and slimmer than his mate, his bill is much more powerful than that of the hen. First, I must give an account of my success in l^reeding this species, not unique, as our members, Mr. W. E. Tesche- maker and Dr. Amsler both reared young birds last sea;-;on. The details are so similar to those of the White-ear, that there is but little to relate. They were the first to commence nesting operations and also the first to rear their young, for the White -ears failed with their first nest. They were fed exactly as leucotis, and 74 Breeding the Bulbid, Shama, ajid Pekin Robin. two fine young birds were soon fending for themselves and their parents again nesting, though their male parent still assisted them a little. Incubation lasted 12 to 14 days. The eggs are much like those of the common House Sparrow, pinkish -white ,in colour, lined, IMotched, and spotted with purplish -brown. The clutch usually numbers three. Sometimes only two and occasionally four. The Red -whiskers are excellent parents, very perse- vering, but not so good as the Icncotis, who never ate a mealworm themselves, till they had fed their young, but the jocosa always satisfied their own hunger first, then fed their babies, but as they usually reared their young, one cannot complain of them on that score. They had four nests and reared two young on each occasion . I was charmed with the tameness of these birds — a young one I had partly hand reared used to fly up and down stairs after me, and bathe on my fingers in ray basin, when I was washing my hands; he used also to run up and down the table at dinner among the silver and dessert "for bread pills, and haying secured one would be off to the clock or curtain to enjoy his repast. He would sit for half an hour at a time on my left wrist while I wrote letters, .singing softly, looking into my face the while. His end was tragic- he was killed by another pair of Bulbuls! [Mr. W. E. Teschemaker informs me that several pairs of this species will nest together in the same aviary. — Ed.] To he Continued. Foreign Birds. By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S., Etc. (Continued frotn page 361, Vol. I., N.S.) Chapter III.— Sub-family EUPHONIIN^— Section III. This section, consisting of E. violacea and its allies was commenced on page 359 of Vol. I. N.S., with E. violacea, and the following heading was omitted: Foreign Birds. 75 Cap yellow, and undersurface of body wholly yellow. Also on same page (Vol. 1, p. 359), Chapter II, should be Chapter III. Diet: Soft food, ripe fruit, milk sop, and an occasional mealworm for such individuals as care for them — full details as to diet and treatment for the Euphoniince, was given in Vol. I., N.S., p.p. 137-8. Steel Blub Euphonia {E. hinnidinacea). I cannot trace any instance of living specimens having reached this country — it is therefore only necessary to give a description. Adult Male: Upper surface bluish -black; crown yel- low, but not extending to the nape; undersurface of body bright yellow; bill black; legs and feet dark -brown'. Total length 4 inches, tail If. Female: Upper surface light olive-green; under sur- face greyish -white, washed on the chin; sides of breast, abdomen, and vent, with pale yellowish -green. Habitat: According to the B.M. Cat. it is distributed over Southern Mexico and Central America to Costa Rica. E. gnatho. I have not attempted to give this species a popular name as it is very doubtful if it is entitled to specific rank. It is a replica of hirundinacea, but has a larger and stouter bill. It is a native of Costa Rica. TmcK-BiLLED (E. laniirostris) : This species has been on view in the Small Birds' House at the London Zoo, and a few other specimens have leaked through, and so far as I have been able to observe it, its demeanour and general character- istics appear to be identical with those of the well known Violet Euphonia (E. violacea), it only remains therefore to give its description. Adult male : Upper sui'face lustroufe blue-black ; crown yellow, extending to the nape and rounded off behind; under surface of body bright yellow; bill, legs and feet blackish - brown. Total length 4 inches, tail 1^ Female: Upper surface olive-green; under surface yel- lowish-green, much brighter on the middle of abdomen and ventral region. 7(5 Porcign Birds. "Haiwta'I' : Veragu;i., Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Upper Ama- " zonia, Peru, and Bolivia. Occasional in Costa Rica, where E. hiriDidui- '' acea is the prevalent species." — (B.M.C. Vol. XT.) This species may be disting-uisliecl by the shajDe and e..tent of the yellow on the crown. hinin(li}iacea : YeHow ci-own tevminatiii{.i- at eyes and ilniost straight from eye to eye. Janiirostrls : Tellow croAvn terminating" at nape and the hind portion quite round — Tliese features appear to he fairly constant in (piite a number of skins. Violet and Yellow Eupiionia (E. hiipo.vantha) : A beantiful species which i.>, I believe, still unknown to English avicultnre. Its habitat is ^^^ Ecuador and N."\V. Peru. Adult male: Upper surface rich vioIet-blue; crown yellow, extending beyond the nape where it widens out; under surface rich yellow; bill, legs and feet l)roAvnish-bla'-k. Total length 4 inches, tail 1;|. Female: Not yet knowiL but douljtless an olive-green bird above and yellowish -green beneath.. Black-tailed Euthonia (E. melanara) : Not yet known to English aviculture. Adult male: Violaceous -blue above and rich golden-yel- low beneath; underside of tail black. Total length 4 inches, tail 1 and one -third. The female is olive-green above, and yellowish-green beneath, much brighter in the middle of abdomen. Their range is Upper Amazonia and Colomlna (B.AI.C.) Section IV: Entire upper surface and throat sliining black. Rufous -vented Eutuonia (E. rufiventris) : Also un- known to English aviculture. Adult male: Upper surface lustrous purplish-black, or a better description would be black, with shining purplish reflections, according to the angle at which the light strikes the plumage; throat and extending to the chest black Avith purplish reflections; abdomen orange, strongly washed with rufous; underside of tail black; bill blackish with a steely sheen; legs and feet brownish-black. Total length 4^ inches, tail 1 and 1/3. The female is olive -green above, very dark on the nape Foreign Birds. 77 and ashy -olive below, washed with yellowish on the sides of neck, breast, and flanks; ventral region rufous. Habitat: Upper Amazonia and Rio Neg-ro (E.M.C.)- Yellow-banded EunioNiA (E. vittata) : The trivial name I have given this species, forms perhaps the least dis- tinctive feature of its beautiful plumage, viz., a slight yellow bar or baud across the forehead, but it is distinctive in being the only yellow l)and the bird possesses. Unknown to English aviculture. I have examined the Aluseum skin, but in this case I prefer quoting from their catalogue in full: " Above shilling pnii)lish black, with a slight yellow bar across the " forehead ; below, throat and foreiieck bluish-black ; abdomen deep " orange, more yellowish on the sides and Ijreast and flanks ; tail beneath " black, with a small oval white spot on the inner web of the outer f ea- " ther ; under wing-coverts and inner webs of wing-feathers white. Whole "length 4'2 inches, wing 2'4, tail 1'4. " Habitat : Brazil." " I have never yet met with a second specimen of this apparently "distinct species, which in general resembles E. rtifirpi/tris. but is at once " distinguishable by the narrow frontal band and white spots on the outer "tail-feathers (B.M.C., Yob XL) To be continued. Freely Imported Species and their Treatment. By J. Easton Scott, M.A., M.B. Waxbills: The Waxbills comprise a fairly large family, and number amongst their members some of the most charming birds, both for the beginner, and for the experienced avicul- turist. They are eminently suited for being kept in cages, for they very quickly adapt themselves to confined surroundings, and settle down without that air of discontent that is so evident in many birds kept under the conditions of cage life ; nor do they become dull and listless, but, on the contrary, they seem to retain all their vivacity and attractive demeanour. At the same time, though this may be true, there is no doubt that if one can give them comparative freedom in a large outside aviary, the interest in keeping them is greatly enhanced. Perhaps no birds are more freely imported than many members of the Waxbill group, and for this reason very few of 78 Freely Imported Species and their Treatment us have begun bird-keeping- without very soon possessing one or more species of the family. It is often said that they are very delicate birds, and consequently they are frequently considered short lived, and difficult to keep. But this idea should be qualified, for two reasons: First, because they are so easily obtained they often fall into the hands of the novice, who simply through lack of experience may himself be the cause of many of his birds dying. Anyone who looks back upon his early losses will more frequently have to blame his own ignor- ance, than the delicateness of his stock; and in the second place these birds are often to be found crowded by the hundred into small cages, in the dealers' shops, where much is to be desired both in the matter of cleanliness and fresh air, and birds obtained from such sources are frequently infected with disease before they are bought. But given healthy birds and suitable environment, these birds compare very favourably both in hardiness and longevity, with many so called stronger birds. As with almost all other birds, the difficulties in keeping them are chiefly at the beginning, when the birds are newly imported, for though they live largely on a diet of Canary and millet seed when once acclimatised, we must remember that in a state of nature they are largely insectivorous, and it is this difficulty of suddenly restricting them to a hard dry food, which accounts for many deaths among [newly imported birds. If they can be kept in a large aviary out of doors, they very easily get the insect food they Avant; but if this cannot be done, it is well to supply some form of insectivorous food. It is one of the good reasons for keeping a mixed aviary, that thereby all the birds get a much greater choice of food, and though the seed-eaters may not take much of the soft foods or fruit, yet they will often be found to pick it over, and take out such tit-bits as they like. It is most interesting to watch what varied tastes the small seed-eating Finches have, and how often they will visit the soft food dishes or fruit trays. This desire for insect food is, of course, especially evident during breeding operations, and if such things as mealworms are given out regularly, it is extraordinary how bold and insistent the birds become. So far as my own observations have gone, the young are fed to a large extent on millet seed Preety Imported Species and their Treatmejii 79 which is regurgitated by the parents, but I must add that they have had free access to various soft foods, and mealworms have been supplied liberally, and the failures in rearing mostly occurred at a time when I did not myself realise the necessity for an abundant supply of the soft and insect foods. When one gives one's own methods and experiences in keeping any species of birds, it is not with the object of implying that they are always the most correct, or that they even coincide with the opinion of the majority of bird keepers, but in a paper such as this, it is interesting to give one's personal experiences, both from the point of view of success and failure. So far, the weather during this winter has been about as unsuitable for bird-keeping as any weather could be, but in spite of rain, snow, frost and wind all my Waxbills have been out of doors all the time (Surrey), and out of a consider- able number, the losses have been very few, and compare very favourably with the days in the past, when these birds were brought indoors and caged during the winter months. The species thus treated include the Grey, Orange - cheeked, Violet-eared, Golden-breasted (Zebra) and St. Helena Waxbills ; Fire finch, Cordon Bleu and Scarlet and Green Avadavats. Frequently for several mornings in succession I have had to break the ice in their drinking fountains, both in the shed and flight, and yet in spite of the cold, these birds have kept fit and vigorous. They are always driven into the shelter shed before dark {i.e. in winter), which shed I may mention, is large and roomy and light, so that they can get plenty of exercise when they are shut in, and it \v\ double lined and quite draught -proof. It is also fitted with electric light, which is left on till well on in the evening, so that the birds can see to move about and feed — and thus the long night is shortened. There is no heating of any kind, and my impression is that if these birds have a roomy flight outside, and a shelter free from draught in which to spend the night, they care little about the weather. In summer the windows are all left open, and I find the majority of the birds prefer to sleep outside. Their favourite roosting places always seem to be the laurel bushes, where the broad leaves 80 Freely Imported Species and their Treatment make splendid cover and act as nmbrellas if it is wet. Inside the slied they have a choice of various nest boxes and coco-nut husks, but few of the Waxbills seem to use them. I have few breeding results to record among my Waxbills, for fast season. The Golden -breasted nested, and got the length of eggs, but did not hatch them out. Their choice of nesting place was a, coco-nut husk. Green Avadavats have reached the stage of eggs several times, but only one bird has been hatched, and this they did not rear. A pair of Coi'don Bleus built a, nest of hay and moss, lined with feathers, in a laurel bush, and three young Avere hatched out. Only one however, was fully reared. The further history of that family is somewhat interesting. The hen parent died, soon after the young bird was on the wing — but the cock bird continued to feed it until it could look after itself. It turned out to be a hen, and now the father has paired up with it, and at tlie time of writing (February 20th), they are engaged in inculcating a clutch of three eggs, each 'faithfully taking a turn— a condition of things to shock our code of morals, but " autres animaux, autres mosurs " to pervert a well-known French phrase! The nest they have made this time is composed chiefly of some kind of fibrous root, wedged in between a coco -nut husk and the wall of the shed, and lined with a few feathers. Nesting materials have been purposely Avitheld thus early in the season. Perhaps the most interesting breeding result among the Waxbills last year was the successful rearing of four Golderi- breastcd x Scarlet Avadavat hybrids. These were bred in August, and the nest was built in a laurel bush, of hay and feathers, and was semi-domed. The l)ack was well sheltered by leaves, but during a spell of wet days, two feathers were arranged in front to run off the wet, which they did most effectively. Both birds shared the duties of incubation. The eggs were quite white, and the clutch of four were all duly hatched out and the young birds fully reared. It was curious that these birds should pair, as each could have chosen ^ mate of its own species. When the young left the nest they were very unassuming little birds— quite a dull brown in general colouring with slightly lighter broAvn on the breast. The wings were barred with brownish -yellow markings, and Freely Imported Species and their Treatment 81 the bill was black. They now more closely resemble the Avadavat than the Goklen-breaKt, both in general colouring, and in size. The cock, at its present stage of development, is almost indistinguishable from a cock Avadavat out of colour. The back and wings are a dark greenish -brown, the latter with white spots. Tail black, with the two outer feathers edged with white. The upper tail coverts are a rich brownish - red, with several white spots. The breast, abdomen and vent are a dull yellow, and the flanks shew indistinct zebra markings. At present the throat and cheeks show signs of the crimson marking of the Avadavat, but the area round the eye is darker. The beak is red, but the upper mandible still has a dark median line. The female birds are somewhat similar to the cock in general colouration, but the wing spots are absent, and the tail coverts are a much duller red, and also lack the white spots. The breast and abdomen are little more than a dullish -grey. The above description can scarcely be said to be satis- factory, as the birds are evidently in a sort of transition stage of their colour change. Considering the parentage of these hybrids it would be interesting to see whether it would be possible to breed from them. British Birds at the Crystal Palace Show. By G. E. Weston. It seemed to be the general opinion that the British Bird section lacked nothing in the matter of interest by comparison with the shows of previous years. And in this opinion as a whole I concur. It is a great temptation of the " old stager " to call up visions of the " glorious past " to the detriment — inevitable detri- ment, one might almost say — of present-day institutions. "Even bird shows are not exempt from this "law"; and, needless to say, I am undergoing my temptation right now. The Goldfinches— first favourites with all who love a combination of beauty and daintiness and who can forgive mannerisms by turns charmingly simple and annoyingly inexplicable — mustered in satisfactory numbers (40) but I saw none amongst them which roused in me the hunger, of pos- session. In short, I failed to discover a " champion of champions " that could have laid low the champions I have seen in the past. What'B that? Yes; quite right— in the misty past I did 82 British Birds at (lie Crystal Palace Shoir. once win a first myself in the Goldfinch class. But I was not thinking of my own bird — really I "n^asn't. Still, I feel that readers won't believe me; so I'll st^er clear of the olden times. TJie Goldfinches were a nice lot, anyway, and the same may be said of the Bullfinches, both cocks and hens. The cock class once again evidenced the difficulty experienced by even the cream of the house-moulted specimens in defeating a field-moulted rival which excels in those "point," which go to make up the fancier's ideal. The 2nd prize Bullfinch (Mr. G. Lawrence) was a gem in every way; yet he had to "strike his colours" (in more senses than one) to a bird in field-plumage (Mr. Longden) and a grand example of the species, too. The season 1910—1911 has had its uncommon aspects; for instance, Mealy Redpolls have been exceptionally plentiful and Wax- wings readily obtainalile. It has been also a rare year for Lesser Redpolls, Greenfinches, and Linnets, fine classes being the rule up and down the country. At the Palace, however, by some strange means the Linnet class turned out to be the weakest .seen for many years, and may even have been the smallest on record. In certain of the other classes, too, the entry can only be described as meagre. Possibly this is due to the fact that at this late period of the season owners can to a certain extent gauge the chances of their exhibits, and so refrain from entering except where they think the possibility of a prize exists. But " form " on the show-bench is often as little reliable a guide to the placings as is " form " on the turf. Thus the Avinning Mealy Redpoll at the Scottish National (Edinburgh) Show, in a record class of fifty, here failed to get even a card; and the same fate befel the winning colour- fed Greenfinch. The second prize Ypllow-Jiammer was down to " highly commended," and the winning Twite Jth, beaten by a bird which, I believe, stood cardless behind it at the great Scottish event. Thus it seems clear that exhibitors ought never to take defeat too much to heart— take, instead, another judge's opinion as to the merits of their birds. Mr. Allen Silver went very strongly for perfection of plumage and high condition. iLn incident was the dismissal of a protest against a Yellow- hammer for alleged trimmed head-markings (the clearing of the centre of the V) ; a happy ending for the exhibitor, and a curious one by reason of this identical bird having been disqualified on the same allegation at the Scottish National Shov,\ Some representatives of species which occasionally visit England had a cold time of it, a Crested Lark (Gal&rita cristata) a very rare and interesting bird, a Black-headed Bunting (E melanoce- phala), and a Meadow Bunting, failing to attract carxls from the judges. ' In the insectivorous section, I noticed several very good birds obviously handicapped through being staged in cages too small for them— Blackbirds, Starlings and Thrushes in particular require a British Birds at tke Crystal Palace Show. 83 reasonable amount of space in which to display their graces of shape and carriage. In each of the above-mentioned classes, new faces were seen behind the coveti'd first prize tickets. The win- ning Song Thrush proved that even the most charming representa- tive of the gentler sex is liable to be beaten should an Adonis of the sterner sex put in an api>earance. " Border Queen " (2nd prize for Mr. Bruce) has proved her m?rit by winning three firsts at the Palace, but to-day just sujcumbed to a splendid male staged by Mr. Fletcher. The winner in the JSTightingale class I thought a verj' fine example of the species, and it was beautifully shown by the Hon. Mrs. Bourke. Mr. Frostick's justly celebrated Dartford "Warbler scored easily in the class for small resident species and annexed the Championship Diploma for the best British bird. The perfect condition in which this dainty little creature has appeared at various shows this season does infinite credit to Mr. Frostick and his methods of feeding and management. (A drawing of this bird by Mr. Goodchild and an article from the pen of its owner were published in Bird Notes, March, 1910). I hope Mr. Frostick will succeed in breeding the Dartford Warbler in captivity, which I understand is one of his ambitions. Mr. May's came second with an absolutely ^perfect Golden Crested Wren. This Gold Crest has been house-moulted five times by its owner, who is a past-master in the art of man- aging delicate insectivorous birds, and it has regularly been either first or second at the Palace Show. Yet there are people who hold that bird-keeping is necessarily and essentially " cruel " 1 In the class for small migratory birds, Mr. May's took both 1st and 2nd prizes, one of the best Wheatears seen for several seasons leading the way, with a beautiful and perfect Yellow Wag- tail as runner-up. A fine Great Grey Shrike scored for Mr. J. M. Walsh, in the class for the larger insectivorous species. It was claimed by a young Metropolitan enthusiast at £6, but unfor- tunately sickened and died during the course of the show. Very hard lines. A high price (£12 10s.) was also cheerfully paid by a I'ii-d-lover from Huddersfield for the Dartford Warbler. Many other British Birds, too, changed ownership, the most notable sales being. Lesser Redpoll (1st) £3 3s., Siskin (1st) £4 10s. 6d. and Song Thrush (1st) £2 5s., while Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Linnets, etc., round aboud £2 in price were quickly snapped up. I heard, too, on excellent authority, that for the fourth prize Waxwing no less a sum than £13 was paid by its present owner, who noiW' klso num- bers the Dartford Warbler amongst his stock. The rare-featherd birds are always interesting, and this year the class was an excellent one, though containing nothing absolutely novel, with one possible exception. The winner was a really beauti- ful S'lver Starling, and an exceedingly pretty, almost White Gold- finch stood second. The third prize bird, a fine White Song Thrush enjoyed several hours of freedom on the Monday, being eventually 84 Book Notices and Rcvieios. captured in the Royal Box overlooking the show-room by a lady visitor. Fourth came an almost clear White Bu'lfinch, a very taking exhibit; and extra fourth the " possible exception " noted above, a Black Hawfinch. This bird is a curious creature, a little under the normal size, and almost solid black throughout. It was steady and in nice condition. Amongst tlie " also rans " figured Pied and White Blackbirds, a Pied EedpoU, Linnet, and House-Sparrow, a Black Bullfinch, Cinnamon and Silver Greenfinches, a Fawn Chaf- finch, and another almost White Goldfinch. In conclusion, I may say that I have endeavoured to touch only upon points which are of general interest (vide the instruc- tions of our esteemed Editor), and I trust I have fulfilled my mission. Book Notices and Reviews. Caxaiues, Hybrids, and Bkitish B[i;ds in Ca(;e and Aviai;v. — Cassell & Co. In Monthly Parts, 7d. net. Part XII. The chapter on " The (Jinnamon Canary " is completed, and one on the " Crested Canary" is commenced, the latter containing the experiences of many well-known and successful breeders. The part contains figures in the text of various types of Crests, and there is a good coloured frontispiece figuring the Yellow Piebald and Clear Butt" Scotch Fancy and Clear Yellow Belgian Canaries. Several Revieivs imavoidahly held over •till next issue. Editorial. Budgerigars at Liberty: Our esteemed meml)er, Dr. P. Gosse, of Beaiilieu, Hants, has liberated his small liock of Budgerigars, the following extract is from a private letter: " I have let all my fifteen Budgerigars out. They look " charming flying about, rather like Swallows. They come home " to roost at nights. I saw a large Hawk after one, but the Hawk " did not stand a chance." The incident of the Hawk amply demonstrates the lightning-like flight of the Budgerigars, of which our con- ception is, I fear very dim, from our aviary experience of the species. There is a strong probability that the birds will remain in the garden, and breed as soon as the grass begins to seed. If they can only be induced to stay they will form a handsome feature of our member's well wooded garden. Editorial. 85 Ths following note^, reprinted from the "Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society," will we are assured prove of general interest. Intelligence Displayed by Short-billed Minivet (Pen'rrocotus hrevirostris) when their nests are in danger " The following extracts from my journal may, ])erhaps, be "of some interest to ornithologists. " 12th April, 1907. —To-day's result was and " a nest of the short-billed Minivet (F. hremrosfris) containing " four young partly fledged. " The nest was placed on the upper surface of a horizontal " branch of a medium Himalayan Cedar (C. decdara), at a height "of 30 feet from the ground, and was well concealed." It was "only discovered by watching the movements of the parent birds " I was gi-eatly disappointed at not having found the " nest, before it contained the eggs, but to malve up for the loss, I " had the good fortune of being the spectator of the following " incident, which clearly demonstrates the sagacity of birds. " When my man had climbed up the tree close to the "nest, the parent birds (as I afterwards discovered them to be) " began to behave in a most singular manner. They would turn " their tails inwards between their legs, sj^read out their wings, and " flutter down from a neighbouring tree on to the ground, just as " young birds, which could scarcely fly, would do. I thought at " first that these birds were the young ones from some dther nest " which may be close by, and began chasing them about in order " to catch them. As soon as I got close to one of them, it would " steady itself, and fly to the branch of a neighbouring tree, only " to repeat the performance again. After watching them for some " time, and observing them closely, I discovered to my astonishment " that they were the parent birds ! Their object in behaving in " this extraordinary manner apparently was to entice us away " from the spot by trying to delude us into the bdief (as they un- " doubtedly did at first), that they were the young birds from the '* nest. " I did not disturb the nest that day, but when I visited the " spot again a week later, the young ones were quite fledged " and flew off the nest long before my climber had got up to it. " The old birds repeated the performance mentioned above. Of " course I was wiser this time. " 31st May, 1908. — I had another interesting experience " with these birds to-day, exactly similar to the one related above. " On our way back home after a long ramble, we were " passing along a, hill covered with Himalayan Cedars, and hearing " a twittering quite close to us, I suspected that there was a nest " and accordingly began to search the trees, but could not locate -it 86 Editorial. " anywhere. That ithere was a (uest I was certain, for the old birds " had something in their months, and after flying a few yards off " would return to a particular ti-ee (the one next t > that in which " the nest was situated), and would fly off again. Determined to " find the nest, I ordered my man t > climb each tree in turn, and "make a systematic search on all the branches. While he was " thus employed I examined som-^ of the branches with a pair "of binoculars. After a fruitless search lasting over an hour and " a half, I decided to go home, and visit the spot^^ on the following " day. We had just gathered up cur guns and other things, and " on taking the ' last look,' I happened to spot the nest. Tt was " placed on the surface of a horizontal bough of a Cedar, about " 25-30 feet from the ground. Its outline could only just be " seen from below. Needless to say, my climber was up the tree " like a monkey, and wlien he got close to the nest, the birds (who apparently knew for certain by this time that their family " was in danger), became quite desperate, and began to behave " in exactly the same manner as previously related. The nest in " this case contained two young ones, fully fledged, both of them "flew off the nest as scon as my man got close to it" (.J.B.N.H.S. " Vol. XX, No. 2.) " P. T. L. DODSWORTH, F.Z.S. The Spotted Munia (Vrolovcha pu7ichilata) and the Indian Eed Munia (Sporceginthns amandava). " This afternoon, after a, heavy shower of rain, termites started " to fly out of a hole near one of my aviaries. They flew straight " through the wire-netting, and whilst watching them, I noticed " some of the Spotted Munias* pick them off as they went through " and two or three of the Red Muniasf caught them in the air " with their bills and devoured them whilst hovering. I can find no " note of any of these birds doing this before, and it seems to "be most interesting. J (J.B.N.H.S., Vol. xx., No. 2) : Laheri Sirai, 18th June, 1910. " CHAS M. TNGLTS."' *Spice or Nutmeg Finch. fCommon Avadavat. J Signifi- cant of the extent to which insect life plays a part in the " bill of fare " when wild. The Maturing op Black-cheeked Lovebirds (Aga- pornis nigrigenis). From a recent letter received from our esteemed member, Rev. J. M. Paterson, it is apparent that this species becomes fully mature within the twelve months. He states that a pair of Black-cheeks which were hatched in either March or April, 1910, laid the first egg of a clutch on Febru- ary 23rd, so that this pair has started nesting before they are twelve months old, This species appears to be very hardy, as Editorial. 87 Mr. Paterson has more than one pair with eggs already, all the birds are in garden aviaries, their only shelter l;cing an open fronted shed. Our esteemed member, Mr. Mathias, has bred them more or less all through the winter, some of the young being fully reared. Eakly Nesting Notes: Mr. Mathias has Diamond Finches with eggs, while Cuban Finches and Eafous-tailed Grassfinches are building. Dr. Gosse has also a pair of Bearded Tits showing signs of going to nest. Several mem- bers have Black-cheek Lovebirds, with eggs, and with others such as Zebra Finches and Cutthroats are incubating. Bird Protection: A slip (petition) is enclosed in this issue, a letter also appeared in our last issue, upon this subject (see p.p. 61-62), a reference to this will make the position clear. It is hoped that all members who have not already signed the petition, will sign and return same to Mr. Allen Silver, 3, Gateley Eoad, Brixton, London, S.W., at their early convenience. Fish Diet for Insectivorous Birds : In the Febru- ary issue of the Avicultural Magazine, (mv esteemed membei', Mr. R. E. Rattigan, records an interesting episode of captive birtl-life. He had in a store-room adjoining his aviaries a glass aquarium containing minnows (originally prcnided for a now defunct King- fisher). A Shama often followed him there (cupboard love), and on one occasion he noticed it perching on the edge of the aquarium regarding the fish with interest, soon he captured one, killed it with a few blows on the head and devoured it piecemeal with evident relish — so long as the supply lasted Mr. Shama got two or three each morning and he was quite adept at capturing them either from a deep or shallow vessel. We opine that fish in some form would constitute excellent addition to the mejiu of insectiv- orous, partially insectivorous and some frugivorous species, es- pecially fresh water fish. In a state of nature undoubtedly many more of our indigenous species so indulge than is generally sup- posed. The writer never tried his Shamas with living fish, but well remembers that his esteemed friend and fellow member, Mr. E. W. Harper, when in Georgetown, British Guiana, fed his Tana- gers on fresh water shrimps and found them very keen on such diet. There are many other species, sugh ag Dhyals and the 88 Editorial. Water Rollins (Redstarts) which would l)e eqTially keen on small fish, shrimps, and other small fry from fresh water. Undoubtedly the roes of fish, either fresh or preserved, would prove a whole- some addition to the menu of many sjiecies, and also in a preserved form prove a valuable item of tlie insectile mixture. The Aviaries at the Treloar Cripples Home and College : It has been tlie writer's privilege to have a part in the re-arranging and re-fitting of these roomy aviaries, of which we shall hope to have a photo-reproduction in a near issue. The Hon. Editor will be glad to lie ir from any Member willing to donate a pair or more birds, towards the stocking of same. Any of the following would be specially welcome : Budgerigars, Red- ramj), Bourke, or Rosella Parrakeets ; Black-cheeked, Madagascar and Blue- winged Love-birds ; Zebrn, Ribbon, Cuba, Jacarini, Bib and Red-headed Finches ; Avadavats, Green and Common ; any species of Mannikins, Grassfinches, or Cardinals : Diamond or Passerine Doves, and Australian Crested Pigeons. The above are named as indicating character of stock i-equired. The two aviaiies are roomy and well arranged with plenty of natural cover etc., and it is hoped that many of our members will take a share in providing a little interest and pleasure for the crippled inmates of the above homes. The Hon. Editor will have much pleasure in arranging for the dispatch and reception of the birds, if intend- ing donors will communicate with him. Erratum : On page 4'.', line 7 from bottom, "Green Alex- andra Parrakeet " should read Queen Alexandra Parrakeet. Correspondence. NOTES FROM A BEGINNER. Sir,— I thought some of our members would be interested to know that I have two male Scarlet Bishops, that have survived two hard winters in our bad climate. They passed through the moult the last two years successfully, eat well, and seem content and happy. I bought two pairs in October, 1909, but unfortunately the hens died soon after arrival. They are very timid, restless birds, do not seem to make friends with each other, and are constantly on the move. I did very well with Green Budgerigars last season, so much so that I gave several pairs away to friends. Also I did not do badly with my Canaries, but should have done even better, if I had found out Correspondence. 89 earlier that a Red-capped Cardinal amused himself spring-cleaning Canaries' nests, as soon as the eggs were laid; however, several young ones were reared and are singing very lustily now. The Canaries seem to prefer to live outside in preference to a cold glass-house, which I have attached to the flight. My aviary is not 3 A/O-L-S very large but is comfortable, one end of the open flight being close up to a hot-house, with two lights over the end, next the hot-house. Then I have a wood shed, through which the birds can pass into a cold glass-house,* where the canaries build their nests in some dead bushes and dried isticks. The Canairies are very tame but the other birds do not seem to be as friendly as I should like. I have a White Java Sparrow (hen) who will insist on laying her eggs in other birds' nests; I found no less than 16 eggs inside a cocoa-nut with two little half-fledged Budgies trying to be happy under uncomfortable conditions. I am looking forward to the spring and summer, as it is a great pleasui-e to me to watch the birds and their pretty ways. (Miss) VENIE MAGGS. Birstall, Yorks, February 7th, 1911. *The glass-house would answer bettor if the roof were covered with roofing felt over the glass, at any rate for two -thirds of its area; the sides of house would supply ample light. — Ed. A BEGINNER'S NOTES. Sir,— I have read with interest your article on Cutthroats in the January issue— I should be glad if you would state size and style of nest most suitafle, as there is evidently something wanting in my eurrangements, as the following notes will indicate. 90 Correspondence. CcTTHiiOATs (A. fasciata) : They started laying on December 5th, 1910, the nest receptacle being a small coco-nut shell, Iiang- ing in a cige containing sixteen other foreign birds. After sitting closely for some time they crushed the eggs. I then put them in a cage by themselves, with a nest-box 6in. x 4in., filled witli luiy. This nest they seemed to lapprove of, and by December 24th they had three more eggs. They incubated closoly till January 22ad, when 1 found two crushed eggs and a dead bird, evidently also crushed. I then put them back into the other cage again, and almost at once they began nesting again, making us3 of a small coco-nut shall and a',- present a -e bu?y incubating another clutch of three iiixg.i. Both birds are genei-ally in the nest, and w'ill allow no, otlier birds near their domicile; int aiders being quickly driven off by Mr. Cutthroat minus a portion of their plumage. CocKATEELS (Calopsittac'us novfe-holland/a') : These ,'ilso Jiave nested, the hen laid her first egg on December 24th, I'JIO, in a box 9in. x 7in., partly filled with hay, in an open cage two feet long. For some time she sat on two eggs and then laid again, and I found her incubating four eggs, and as 1 could not tell the first clutch from the last I had to leave them all. Howevi-r, neither proved good sitters, the eggs were very irregularly ineuljated and conseciuontly none hatched out. Madaua.scar LovEBiKDS (AgapoTuis cana): On December 26th, my pair started nesting, the hen laying her first egg on that day, six in all were laid on alternate days— none havj hatched for a hon Yellow Budgerigar took a fancy to her nest, drove off the hen Madagascar and threw out the eggs, three of which contained fully formed chicks. It was a great disappointment l>oth to me and the birds, and they have seemed very dull since. The male Madagascar was always in close attendance, but never entered the nest. Incubation commenced with the first i^gg. I have now moved the Budgerigars and liopc they will nest again. Yellow Budgeeigars (Melopsittacus undulahi.s : vnr. htieus). Those are now nesting and I hppe there will be sonic la^sult — incubation commenced with the third egg. In June last I had one pair of Yellow Budgerigars; f now have 60 or more Foreign Finches, Pekin Robins etc., besides those .named above. I am now having an indoor avairy built that the small foreigners may get plenty of exercise. (Miss) ALFREDA B. SMYTH. The following reply has been sent: Cutthroats like a large nesting receptacle— a box "with a base 6 inches x 8 inches x 6 inches high is none too large- they also favour a full sized coco-nut husk, or a Hart/, travelling; cage. From the latter the fittings must be removed, and a couple of the bai's cut away to give the birds ingress and egress. CorrespondcMce. 01 Cockatcels need a lai-ge husk, or a nest liox with a concave hottom, which forms a slight hollow for the egg?- to liei in, otherwise they roll about and get spoiled. They require no nesting materia} and the hay in the box evidently con'tributed tu their faiiui'e to hatch out. The Madagascar Lovebirds and Budgerigars will doubtless do l>etter now they ai'e separated. It is not always easy to make adeciuate arrangements in a cage, Init there sli)uld be two nest receptacles for each pair of birds in any cage or aviary. WESLEY T. PAGE. FEATHER BITING Sir, — The following facts may interest Parrot keepers. I have two Senegals (Pccocephalus senegalensis) in a cage 3 feet x H. I noticed one afternoon that feather picking was going on. They are in my dining-room, so I see them every day. As the back of the head of one bird w\as picked and not the othei-, it was clear one was the culprit. I separated them, and the picker continued its bad habit. I hoped to stop it by turaingi it loose, but the weather was not suitable till to-day (March 1st), and last night it bit off all its flight feathers. Now I wisli to remark that it was not irritation of skin. For it bit the feathers off, and l)it Ihem off the other bird. It was not depraved appetite, for it did not eat them. And as the cage was large enough for it to fly from perch to perch, and it had a breeding box and nesting material, and fresli apple boughs to bark, it could hardly have been boredom. It seems to have suddenly discovered that Inting feathers in two was fascinating. I have turned it into an aviary — unheated, but it must take the consequences of its own misdemeanours. But I have no hope of cure. As it does not pull the feathers out, but bites them off, i,t will have to stop soon for want of material. A sweep In Cheltenham undertook to cure feather pickers, ft was said he covered them with soot. I think this case shows that sometimes people are a little too off-hand when they at once assume that feather picking is the result of wrong feeding. It may be the result of a too active brain. F. G. BUTTON. POISONOUS PLANTS. Sir.— In my new Tanager and Sugar-bird Aviary I have a small fountain in each compartment. I told my gardener to have the basins surrounded with moss and small ferns. The moss used was Lpcapodium — all went well for a few' days, when two Superb 92 Correspondence. Tanagers were seen pulling al the moss and evidently eating it. Shortly after this the Tanagers were very ill and scouring freely, the excienient being bright green— tlicre was evidently oonsidorable pain. One Tanager died in about three hours, the other recovered and is now quite well. I have never heard that Lycapodmm was poisonous but, I cannot blame anything else. It is a fortunate circumstance that the damage was not more extensive. It would be very heljjful if either a list of plants suitable for the purpose, or a list of known poisonous ones could be published for general use. E. .J. BROOK. We will arrange for su.cJi. a list or lists to appear as early as possible. — ^Ed. LIBRARY OF BIRD BOOKS. Sir, — 1 think it would ho a very great advantage to many members if the club had a library from wJiich members could borrow. There are so many books on one branch or another of our hobby, that one would be plad to read and yet it is not worth while, or in many coses expedient to buy them; and in other cases one is unable to tell if the book is suitable to buy without first seeing it. About 200 books would make an ample library for the present, and no doubt some member could be found who would give them house room and forward them as required. Will others let us have their views on the subject? Yours truly, H. A. SOAMES. [If taken up heartily, this sliould pi'ove most useful and practical, and I certainly will assist with loan or gift of books.— Ed. J DOVES AND PIGEONS. Sir, — From the various notes and accounts of aviaries, appeai'ing from time to time in Bird Notes, it would appear that many species of foreign Doves and Pigeons are being kept in captivity. I am suie it would be of genci-al interest if those keeping the Colwnbida, would send in accounts of the species they kee]), with b reeding successes if any, and full details of treatment. The group of Fruit Pigeons are heautiful and interest- ing, but are very seldom imported, and consequently costly, and only a few aviculturists have had the opportunity of studying them in Correspondence. 03 captivity; will such describe tliei:' birds and give details of diet, etc.? Such would be greatly appi'eciated by their fellow members. I have only kept a few species and have found them of much interest, and tne soft colouring of many species is very varied, chaste, and beautiful. If the species are not too closely related several pairs may be kept in one aviary. I have kept at one time and anotlier the following with varying success : Doves: Senegal Turtle, Diamond, Passerine, Peaceful, Zebra, and Tolpacoti. These lived principally on Canary and millet seeds, but I have seen them picking half-heartedly over the larger seed mixture provided for other birds in their enclosure, consisting of crushed oats, hemp, dari, rape, etc. They also had access to cuttlebone, rock salt, and green fojd, and I have seen them eat small earthworms and slugs. Pigeons: Australian Crested, Wonga Wonga, Triangular Spotted and Bronzo-v.'lnged. These had access to the same food as the Doves, but partook more freely of larger seeds and also small maize. The above are all interesting, and do not interfere with birds of the Finch-tribe in the least, and form a most pleasing and inter- esting addition to the mixed aviary; and I for one should be glad lo see more about them in the Club Journal. I would add to the above the common Barbary Turtle Dove makes an excellent foster-parent for the young of the rarer species, and where the periods of incubation coincide it is well to change about the respective clutches. A MEMBER. [We hope there will be a large response to the above and that members generally will describe, and give their experiences with the species they keep. Perhaps our esteemed members, Miss R. Alderson and Mr. T. H. Newman, will kindly contribute some notes on the Colurnbidce.—ED.] 94 Post Mortem lieports. Post Mortem Reports. Vide Rules. Fo7' repUti hy post, a fee of 2s. 6d. imist he sent; this rule will not he hroken under any condition. Post-Mortem Reports can only appear in next issue ivhcn bodies are received hy Mr. Gray prior to the 31st of any month. It ivould greatly help to elucidate contagious diseases in hirds if memhers of F.B.C. in sending me dead birds, loere to state the source from luhich ttiey obtained the birds and when. The names of the sellers would be kept a secret. Zebra Finch (9). (Eev. John M. Paterson, Sussex). Cause of death egg-binding-. This is generally brought about by a chill, contracted during damp or chilly weather. Egg-binding is, in my experience, always due to a chill. I have, however, never noticed it during intensely cold or hot weather, if dry. It has always occurred during chilly weather or easterly or northerly winds. If the egg had been burst, your bird's life might have been saved. In future, when you find a hen bird on the ground, panting, and having ruffled feathers, always examine the hinder pai't by means of index finger and thumb, for an egg, which gerberally cannot, in these cases, pass through the sphincter or ring of th*^ cloacal outlet of the oviduct. Military Starling (Philip Gosse, M.R.C.S.;, Hants. I liis bird had been suffering some time from bird -fever. Tlie liver and spleen were crammed with innumerable nodules. It is highly con- tagious by direct and indirect means. Adopt strict methods of disinfection. No doubt the companion bird died of the same complaint. Jacarini Finch (cf). (Miss H. Louise Morgan). Cause of death was pnemonia. Californian Quail ($). (The Hon. Lady Harvey, Slough). Cause of death, pneumo-enteritis, but without history of other birds in contact with it cannot say whether it is of the infectious type. It was somewhat emaciated. Superb Tanager (cf). (Mrs. Easton Scott). The cause of death was inflammation of the bowels. I do not consider the diet in any way contributed towards the bird's death. When fru- givorous birds are a bit down, try malute of iron in the water and give them extract of malt. Violet Tanager (Mrs. C. H. Longdui). The cause of death was caseous or cheesy pneumonia, and must have been of some standing. Ansivered by Post. — Miss Venie Maggs, Countess von Hahn, and ;he Hon. Mary C. Hawke. H. GRAY, M.R.C.V.8 All rights reserved. Apeil, 1911. BIRD NOTES: THE JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. My Waders' Aviary ' ' . By H. Willfokd. (Continued from page 34^. In the previous instalment I described my aviary, but I am not confined to my Waders' aviary alone for these birds, as I have a medium sized pond, with ruslies, etc., in my original Wilderness Aviary: here are located my smaller Waders, also a very fine pair of South African Crowned Cranes, and up to the present they have taken no notice of the small birds occupying that enclosure. In this instalment I purpose describing a few suitable species, repeating my former warning that if Gulls and Ducks be kept with the smaller Waders, some provision must be made for keeping a supply of food for the latter, which the former cannot reach. Several species I have photographed in the aviary, some of which illu.strate these notes. The Mandarin Duck (.Ex galerieulata, Salvaclori). This exquisite species should be in every collection of water- fowl, its small size and gorgeous plumage make it par excel- lence, the duck for such a purpose, and it is not even out of place in the ordinary aviary where the bath is large enough for it to wade about in, moreover the quaint decora- tions of the male, as well as his plumage make him an object of interest— a bird to be noticed — under any conditions. Desceiption: Adult male. "In full plumage is a most " extravagantly decorated bird, his general ' get up ' being sug- " gestive of a Bird-of-Par,adise rather than a duck. His crest, " very long and full, is copper-red in front and metallic-green " behind, and white at the sides, the white also occupying the " upper part of the face, but shading into buff as it nears the " ruff of bright chestnut hackles which adorns the neck. The " breast is purplish-maroon, and the abdomen white. "But the wings are the most remarkable part of the bird; the " innermost quill is expanded on its inner side into a chestnut Of) My Waders Aviary. " fari three inches broad, while the outer web is of ordiuary size "and bright stoel-bliie; tlie ])iirion ([uills are silvcu-y-gi'cy on the "outer and stccly-lilue on the inner webs. There are other " elegancies in tliis little haiiequiiTs ])!uinago, l>ut it would take " too much space to describe them here, and the presence of the "orange ruff and wing-fans, or of eitlier separately, is ciuite " enough for identification. The bill is rose-red, tlic eyes dark, " ana the feet dull orange with black webs." The fevinic is a sober-looking but dainty little bird, liut " always recognisable by the conspicuous silvery-grey and steeiy- " blue primary quills, wliich are like those of the male. Her "general colour altove is i)lain brown, without any markings, " shading to grey on the head and crest. Thei'c is a narrow " white line round the eye, prolonged back into a streak. Her " side.- are mottLed with creamy-buff, and the abihinien white as " in the male. She has a horn-coloured 1)111 and olive feet. "The vinle in undress is almost exactly like tiie fi^nale, more " so than in any other Duck, which is cui-ir/us, seeiing his ex- " travagance in attire when in full plumage. Tiie white round " the eye, however, is less pronounced, and I he head is greyer. " The only easy distinction, however, is the colour of the feet — "in a ifresh specimien — for they always remain orange in the male; " though his bill sometimes turns dull like tlie female's and some- " times retains the beautiful rose tint of the full dress. Young " males are like the old male in undress, and the young females "like their mother." (Water fotrl of India and Asia.—V. Finn). The energetic demeanour of these birds forms one of their most interesting characteristics, they are always in evidence, the male displaying to or caressing his mate, or again engaged in foraging; it is almost elegant! But T cannot linger, or these notes will reach an undue length, it simply remains for me to say, that if you have a Waders' aviary, include a pair of Mandarins. iThe Knot (Tringa camHus. LINN.) Knots are un- doubtedly the waders most frequently met with in captivity, and I think they merit their popularity, for apart from being hardy and readily accommodating themselves to a more or less restrained existence, they are of a very attractive appearance and soon become tame and confiding. Description: In breeding plumage the head and neck are reddish -brown, with darker streaks; feathers of the mantle brow.ii- ish-black, spotted with chestnut and margined with w.hite; upper tail coverts white, barred with black; cheeks, throat and breast rusty-red; remainder of under surface lighter rusty-red, with the My Waders Aviary. 97 flanks and under tail coverts whitish mottled with black. Total length 10 inches, bill Ih. In winter the plumage is ash-grey above, and whitish flecked with grey below. In a wild state these liirds are to be found around our coasts in the winter months only, for towards the com- mencement of spring they mi^i^rate to their breeding haunts in Iceland, Greenland, and Arctic America. In captivity they thrive and keep fit on small biscuit meal and chopped raw liver, and are also very fond of earth- worms, insects, etc. To anyone starting a Waders' aviary this species is to be strongly recommended. Their value varies from Gs. to 15s. per pair, accord- ing to condition, whether freshly caught, etc. Ttie Gkeen Plovrii (Vanellus vulgaris, Bech.j. Prob- ably the next in popularity are the Plovers, and of these the Grreen Plover or Lapwing is tlie most frequently kept and per- haps the best known. This species, like the Knot, readily becomes accustomed to captivity, and thrives on the same food. The Green Plover breeds in England, and although it has never, so far as I know, been bred in captivity, yet itt strikes one as being a likely species to do so. DESCRirTioN: Adult male. In breeding plumage the crown and crest are greenish-black; sides of neck whitish; upper parts metallic-green, glistening with purple and bronze reflections; tail whi'e with a sub-tterminal black band; throat and breast black with a blue sheen; belly and abdomen white; upper and under tail-coverts light fawn-colour. Total length 12^ inches. Ringed Plover, (^l^Jnialiti^ liiaticola, LINN.) It is fairly common round the coast, but not so easy to procure or to meat off as the other species. Tliey seem to require an abundance of small insect life, and when first put with other Waders, are liable to be starved by their larger companions, unless well looked after. The value of a pair ranges from 15s. to 25s. The Grey (Squatdrola helvetica, LINN.), and the Golden Plovers (Charddrius pluvidUs, LINN.}, are very similar in build and very hardy; the difference being in the ground colour of the back, grey in the former and golden-yellow in the latter. The Grey Plover is only met with in England during the 98 My Waders' Aviary. winter and spring, whereas the Golden stays with us to breed. Both are interesting and beautiful species for the Waders' aviary, and the dietary given for the preceding species will suffice for these also. The value of a pair varies from 10s. to 20s. The Oyster Catcher (Rcematopus ostralegus, LINN.), is another very interesting and handsome species to Iceep; it is fairly hardy, and soon settles down to aviary life, but a liberal meat diet is necessary to its general well-being. This species is also known as the Sea -pie and Mussel Catcher. Description: Adults. Head, nape, upper part of breast, back, wiiig-s, and end of tail black; collar, base of tail feath'eir.s, priimaries, wing band and under surface of body whitet; bill orange -vermilion; irides crimson; feet I'eddish-ilesh colour. Total length 16| inches. The young have the black areas mot/tied with brown; the white areas dingy; bill and orbits dusky; feet greyish. The arrangement of the colour areas is well shown on the plate (fig. 3). The eggs are olivie-brown, blotclied and spotted with ash-grey and black. The clutch is usually three, but occasionally four leggs are depositied in the nest. In a ^vild state their food consists of mussels and other bivalves, limpets, Crustacea, small fish, and marine plants. The value of a pair is about 25s. The Redshank {Totanus cdlidris, LINN.) A most in- teresting species, very handsome as will be seen from fig. 1 of plate, in which the markings of the plumage and a characteristic posture of the bird is shown. Description: Summer plumage. Upper parts buffish-brown profusely barred and streaked with rich umber -brown; tail white, thickly barred with dusky-black; under parts white, spotted an/^ streaked with dusky-black; bill black, with the basal half of both mandibles red; legs and feet vermilion -red. Total length 11 inches, bill Ij-. In the winter the upper parts are ash-brown; rump white; undefi' parts wliitish-ash-grey, vith a few ashy streaks and spots. The female is a little larger than tJie male and is more rufous-brown on the mantle. The eggs usually number four and are greenish -yellow, blotched and spotted with purplish-brown. In a wild state they feed on aquatic insects generally, worms, Crustacea, small molluscs, and any animal matter to be found on the sea-shore. In captivity it can be fed as the other species described in these notes. Bird Notes 1. Redshank. 2. Green Plover. 3. Oyster Catcher and B.H. (In Us. 4. Black-headed Gnll. 5. Mexican Kail. Tlie Great White-headed (Bed-^nimped) Weaver. 99 Gulls, Dunlins, Sanclerlings, Sandpipers, Curlews, etc., I must leave for next instalment. (To be continued). The Great White-headed (Red-rumped) Weaver (DinemeUia dmemelli) . By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S. A specimen of this rare species (as a living bird) was exhibited by our esteemed member Mr. C. T. Maxwell at various shows during the season 1910-11, where it was de- scribed as the Eed-rumped Weaver, but as its original cog- nomen is equally descriptive, this had better be retained, and therefore must still be known as the Great White-headed Weaver. Our esteemed member Mr. S. Williams, jun., drew this bird at the L.C.B.A. exhibition, adding a few finishing touches thereto at the recent L.P.O.S. show at the Crystal Palace. He has kindly lent us the drawing for reproduction. Mr. Willford, our esteemed Bus. Sec. and Treasurer, has kindly taken a photo of the drawing, from which the block has been made. Mr. Williams also sends me the following notes, culled from the late E. Bartlet's book. " Text or dinemcUi or Great White-headed Weaver. This " first seems to have been known about 1844-5. Gray-et- " Mitchell. Gen. of Birds II. " Habitat: N.E. and E. Africa. Between about 12 deg. " N.L., and 7.5 deg. Lat. from Shoa Tomiti to Mamboio Female- " similar but not so large as the male. First specimen obtainied by Major Harris in Shoa, Abys- " sinia, 1845. In their native haunts they feed on berries, millet " and insects. It is found flying in small flocks and utters whfen " on the wing a cry " Kuk Kuk," something like a Woodpecker, " thei" flight is awkward and clumsy. " Their nests which are usually placed in the summit of " thorny Acacias, consist of large untidy tufts of grass, feathers " and leaves, and are entered by an opening in the lower side. " Capt. Shelley writes in the " Ibis," 1885 — These birds "breed "in colonies; the eggs are green, thickly speckled with " dark brown, 0.95 long'." This species, though a handsome bird, is heavilv built 100 The Great While-headei (ned-ridnped) Weaver. and of large size, being about the size of the Hawfinch, but with a less formidable beak. It is an easily described l)ird, the upper parts being brown, excepting the head, neck, and rump, the two former being white, and the latter red; the undcrparts are white, tinged with dusky h^ere and there. It has quite a formidable appearance and should be introduced among smaller birds with caution. It appeared, apart from its rarity, rather uninteresting in a cage, appearing to be dull and listless in denieuuoui-, but the limits of a show-cage make it difficult to form an opinion. A true pair, in a roomy, natural aviary, would d(jnbt- less make u tine show ; their contrasty plumage would cer- tainly make them conspicuous, and under such conditions their robust form would be merged in the general proportion of things. I have generally noticed this with other similar species, that a bird wdiicli appears robustly formed, almost to ugliness, in a cage, appears exactly the reverse when it is seen, under the conditions of aviary life. Many of its near relatives are certainly more gorgeously apparalled and of more elegant form, yet this species in the garden aviary, enjoying semi-freedom, disporting itself amid the living greenery, would I opine be a sight to enthuse over. At any rate, I hope the opportunity of sucli an experience comes my way. In response to my enquiry, Mr. C. T. Maxwell kindly sends me the following notes, which, however, did not arrive till after the above was passed to printer. " I am very glad you are giving an illustration of my " Red-rumpcd Weaver, in this month's Magazine, yet I am quite " at a loss to know what to say about it, excepting that so " far as I can gatlier, it was the only ono to roach the Lon- ■' dou dealers out of a number that came int43 the hands of a " continental lirm last summer. I disposed of tiiis bird some " little time since to a fellow member whom I am pleased to " say occasionally exhibits at our shows, so doubtless the bird " will be heard of again on the show-beiicli, W'here it w[as so " successful last season. " While in my possession, I fed it on canary seed, iusectile " mixture, and a few me^alworms daily. It had a ^hort loud '■■ and ratlier curious kind of song. "I had but little opportunity of studying its habits as " I only kept it in a small cage— it I'oaily looked too formid- " able a bird to put with anything smaller than itself in a limited '"space, and my room is very lira '-tod." c h- 1 Nesting oj the Ruddy Finch. 101 Nesting of tlie Eiiddy Finch (Carpodacus 7nexiccmus) . By W. Tesciiemaker, B.A. This handsome FMnch is a native of Mexico, l)ut is very closely allied to, or, more probably, a local race of C. frontalis of California. There are presumably several of these local races because I have noted well marked dilTorences of type in individual specimens. It has some general resemblance to our Linnet, but it is a longer, larger bird, with stouter beak and broader head. The back and wing coverts are asliy, streaked and mottled with dai'k brown; flights and i-ectrices dark brown; rump, forehead and throat crimson. Hens are brownish, but some show a trace of red on the rump. This species closely resembles the EuroiJeun Carmine t'incli (C. erythrinus) but the latter has a good deal more crimson in the plumage, especially on the lower breast. Any bird which is called Carpodacus is sure to be partial to buds, and the Ruddy Finch is no exception, its depredations in fruit gardens causing it to lie as much de- tested by gardeners as the Bullfinch is in this country. A single pair in the course of a very few days so completely stripped a privet hedge in my aviary of its leaves, that they left absolutely nothing but bare twigs and even these they severely pruned. I had a nest of this species in 1909 but the eggs did not hatch. Last season I obtained another pair from Mr. Cross and turned them out on 20th March. Although they came into my hands only a few days after they reached this country the crimson of the male's plumage had already turned into a sickly yellow. They may possibly have ])een kept in confinement for some time before exportation, but tliere is no doubt that this shade is the most evanescent of all. In this connection it may be of interest to mention that our Editor very kindly gave me on the 10th March last year a Pink- browed Finch (to replace one that I had lost), which had been imported in the spring of 1908 (having therefore under- gone two autumnal moults in this country) and had completely lost its handsome crimson plumage. It was indistinguishalile from one that I had moulted in the house and another that 102 Nesting of the Ruddy Finch. had been kept in an outdoor aviary with a heated annexe. I kept this bird out all last autumn and winter in my breeding aviary, which has no shelter, and it has completely resumed not on\y the bright crimson of the superciliary streak Imt the clear rose-colour of the l)reast: it is in fact as richly coloured as any wild specimen. I believe this to be very nearly if not quite, an unique occurrence. It has been generally assumed that an artificial diet is the cause of the loss of this colour after a moult in captivity, but T am inclined to think that it is largely due to too dry an atmosphere. Under date 19th April, I have the following jiote: " Mex. Ruddy Pinches very restless: is this their migi'ation period " ? However, they soon settled down in their new quarters, and proved a very steady pair; all the other speci- mens that I have had have been rather wild. My next note is as follows: " 15th May. C. Mex. laid one Q^^: large, deep nest in privet, lined with some feathers : eggs bluish-wliite, with l)lack spots : much resembling that of the White-throated Seedeater." The sweet and clear notes of the male (which have earned for this species in its own country the popular name of "Californian Linnet ") could be heard in the aviary from early morning till sunset. The song has not much variety but the liquid, piping notes can be heard at considerable distance, and are distinctly musical — in fact, I cannot at this moment call to mind any Carpodaciis, known to me, that sings so *well. The hen laid three eggs, but on the 1st June I examined the nest, and found only two, so presumably one had hatched, and the S(iuab had perished. I tested the remaining eggs and found them infertile. On the 12th June I found the hen in a badly collapsed condition— in fact only an immediate dose of whisky and two days careful nursing saved her life. However, after laying a soft egg she pulled round, and was turned out on the evening of the 13th, and on the IGth she commenced to sit, in a new nest, on a clutch of three eggs. This nest was also destined to failure and on the 5th July I removed two eggs, there being no trace of the third egg, which had possibly hatched, Nesti7ig of the Ruddy Finch. 103 On the 12th the hen was again in need of medical attention and had to be brought into the house, where I suc- ceeded in taking an eg^ from her, turning her out on the following day. On the 15th, she commenced to sit in the same nest on one Qgg. On the 27th, two young were hatched; they were thinly covered with remarkably long, greyish down. The 28th was a wild, stormy day, with a strong S.W. wind and torrents of rain, which proved too much for one of the newly hatched young. The fate of the remaining youngster hung in the balance for several days. It did not grow, and this 1 have always regarded as a certain indication that the result would be failure; but there is always an exception and to my great surprise the infant turned the corner and, on the 10th August, it was sitting up in the nest with that peculiar expression, which the aviculturist has no difficulty in interpreting: it means that the fledgling has made up its mind to leave the old home, and see for itself what the wide world is really like. On the 14th it Avas flying strongly and looked the exact counterpart of the female, except that it was rather lighter in shading. My last entry is: " 19th September. Sent two pairs of Carjj. Mex/' to " (one of our members). If I recollect aright, the young bird was a female and, as I happened to have an unrelated male, I hope our member may this season succeed in rearing a few broods, for this is a species which is well worth keeping, its one and only bad quality being its taste for buds. Freely Imported Species and Their Treatment. By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S., Etc. Zebra Finches, Silverbills, and Bronze Mannikens: At the request of several, I am giving further notes of my early experience in Foreign Bird keeping. I am also describing a portable three compartment, outdoor cage, which I found to be a useful adjunct to a small aviary. From the rough sketches given below, it will be seen that its construction was 104 Freeh/ Imported Species a7id their Treaimeni. very simple; it stood twelve inclie-^ al)Ove the i^roiincl and the height was about -U feet from the lloor of tlie I'agc to apex of gable; the centre compartment having a lean-to roof. The sides, back, and roof were constructed of lialf-inch tongucd and grooved matching, the framing of one- inch quartering. Ihe roof was covered with felt over the matching, and llic fronts consisted of half- inch diamond mesh, hand woven netting. There was a hinged llaj) at the front of eacdi compartment, for feeding and cleaning purposes, also a large door in the back of each comixirtment, for distempering.;', iiiscrfinu' ])ranc']ics, nt^st receptacles, etc. ^XW^h^ ^ It will bo seen from the above rough diagrams, that each Freely Imported Species and their Treatment. 10 > compartment was about 1^- feet square, with a heiglit of '■) to 4J- feet, further description is unnecessary, save perhaps to add that at the back of each compartment, a Hartz travelling-cage was fixed, as high up as possible, as a nest receptacle; and in this portable outdoor cage I bred the three specMCs described in this paper. The above cage stood in my garden under a large Victoria Plum tree, and faced the small garden aviary, figured and described on page 5 of current volume. Tnp; Zebra Finc:h {Tceniopygia castanotls},: This, one of the best known of Australian Finches, has not been iSO freely imported of late years. While not gorgeous in plumage it certainly is not plain, and its characteristics and demeanour are distinctly interesting. It is found freely in all i)arts of Australia, save perhaps in the East. Desckjption: Top of the head, neck, and fore [lai't of back pearl-grey, gradually merging into the bi'ownish-grey of the lowei back; rump and upper tail coverts white bari'ed with black; tail black; sides of face whitish-grey, separated from the ricli chestnut ear-coverts by a narrow black streak; throat and forechest silvery grey, barred with black; mid-chest black; remainder of under surface white, slightly washed with buff; sides of body rufous-chestnut spotted with white; beak bright red; feet reddish-flesh colour. The hen is a pretty l)tit unas- suming brownish-grey bird, lighter on the under pai'ts and entirely lacking the black and chestnut markings of the male. Wild Life: They are usually found in small Hocks, and mostly on the ground, as their main diet consists of the seeds of various grasses. The nest is flask-shaped and is usually found at a low elevation. In Captivity: In cage or aviary, they will avail tliein- selves of any box, travelling cage, or husk that is available or fdch the nest of some other bird; the eggs are white and the clutch varies from three to seven. I have had a brood of six robust youngsters leave the nest simultaneously though the number is usually three or four, and there are usually three and sometimes four broods during the year. Incubation lasts thir- teen days, and the young are always interesting. After they have left the nest, they follow their parents about, throw them- selves sideways, turn the beak upwards, and " yell blue -murder for grub " (one of our members will recognise this descriptive lOG Freely Imported Species mid their Treatment. remark), a sight which I am never tired of observing. They are general favourites, and a pair are mostly to be found in every garden aviary, where with their cheeky, self-assertive ways and penny trumpet sort of song, they are always in evi- dence, and are nearly always interesting or amusing. In the cage already described they reared two broods during the season, liuilding a domed nest in a Hartz travelling-cage, fully rearing eight youngsters, which " yelled blue-murder " for food long after they were able to fend for themselves. Diet: Canary, white millet, millet-sprays, greenfood, cuttlebone, and grit, and when they are feeding young a little soft food: tliey will, nevei'theless, rear their yoan.y- on seed alone. I, however, have noticed the parent birds, both in this cage and in the aviary, catching files and taking them to their young. They have l)een crossed with numerous other allied species Tht: Silviorbill (Aidemosyne eantans). This Inrd calls for but little notice, lieing well known; is plainly but prettily clad, and forms a pleasing addition to the garden aviary. A pair in a roomy cage are also interesting, and if the trouble be taken to provide them with nesting accommodation, will readilj nest, and bring up several broods in the course ,of the year, without fuss or trouble for they are most excellent l^arents, and usually fully rear all they hatch out. Description: Upper surface golden-brown, lightly washed with grey on the mantle and middle of back, with lighter margins to all the feathers, imparting a pretty scaled appearance to the bird; flight and tail feathers blackish -l)rown, the tail is long and pointed; under surface sandy -buff, with light margins, to most of the feathers; centre of abdomen and under tail-coverts white; beak silvery-blue-grey; beak blue-grey; feet greyish. The female is slightly smaller and her plumage is less lustrous, though the difference is not great and of course only applies to adult birds. Wild Life: This species is partial to the banks pf streams and cultivated areas, and often uses the nests of Weaver-birds for reproducing its kind, lining them with feathers, wool, etc., and depositing therein three to five white eggs. From the observation of naturalists it would appear that this species does not spend much time on the ground, as Freely Imported Species and their Treatment. 107 it is mostly seen in hedges and scrub and but seldom on the ground, and I am of the opinion that insect life plays a larger part in its " bill of fare " than is generally admitted. The nest has been found in nearly every month of the year, so that several broods must be reared each season. In Captivity: These appear to nest readily, certainly in the instance I am describing they did so, and in the middle compartment of the cage, took to the Hartz travelling-cage at once, and constructed a domed nest therein, laying five white eggs, of which they hatched out and fully reared four; immedi- atel}' going to nest again, and laying six more; of this brood only three were fully reared. ,Incubation in each instance lasted twelve to thirteen days. The young were fed largely on regurgitated seed, though soft food was eaten freely, and they were very keen on catching Hies, also during the time they were feeding young grcenfood was greedily eaten. A more extended acquaintance with this species confirms me in my first observations, as to its fondness for insect food. It has a pretty soft rippling song, is hardy and long lived Diet: Canary, white millet, millet sprays, grcenfood, grit, and cuttlebone, with the addition of soft food when they are feeding young. The Bronze Mannikin (Spermestes cuculhUa) : An- other charming African species, which ought to be in every collection of small birds. Jt is but little larger than, an Avadavat, but is more stoutly built, with a really formidable beak, but is neverless quite amiable, though well able to take care of itself if interfered with; a charming species either for cage or aviary. Dbsceiption: Upper surface dark brown; top of head blackish with greenish sheen; forehead black; rump and upper tail-coverts brown, barred with white; tail black; shoulder band metallic green; sides of head, chin, throat, and chest bronzy -brown, glossed with purplish; breast, and abdomen white, sides of body barred with black and brown; beak leaden -grey; feet dark brown. The female is similar, has a narrower head, more tapering beak, the glossy areas of the male are slightly smaller in the female and less lustrous also, when comparing adult birds. Wild Life: But very little has been recorded concern- 10(S Freely Imported Species mid their Treatment. ing these charming little 'birds, and I am only able to glean the following meagre facts: it is fond of the Mango tree as a nesting site — the ,nest is spherical and very large in propor- tion to the bird — very strongly woven together of fine grasses. Th(! same nest is used several times in succession; the clutch is usually four wliite enii^. The birds are met with in Hocks. In Captivity: In these notes I am speaking mainly of its breeding in the cage I have described and figured, and onlj" making passing reference to its later behaviour in the aviary. They were put into the cage in May, and in the following month a nest was commenced in a Hartz travelling- cage, the only nest receptacle provided, and a clutch of four &QQ^ was laid, and duly incubated, but did not hatch out, why I cannot tell, for each e^^ contained a dead chick. In July the last nest was pulled to pieces, and a fresh nest constructed and again four eggs were laid, and after being incubated for thirteen days all hatched out, and all were fully reared, mainly on seed, soft food, and greenstuff. They caught some insects, but none were supplied. "With later broods, since reared in the aviary they have .-tlways managed to secure a share of the mealworms, etc., supplied to the other occupants, and have fed with these, as well as the larger number of flies captured in the aviary to wliat was pos.-nble in the cage. Their gener^al demeanour under all circumstances has been amiable, unless interfered with, when they will not only defend themselves, but administer a severe beating to birds much larger than themselves. In my avnary \t has crossed with the Magpie Mann ik in, and several liroods of hybrids have resulted. Diet: Same as for the other species described in this article, but this species is very keen on getting some live food, and it is certainly the better for a little. In conclusion I wish to point out that I did not use the cage in the winter, only as summer quarters, the birds going into the aviary each October, and it answered its purpose well— lessening the congestion of the aviary, and increasing the breeding results. It was only discarded when a larger aviary and bii'di-oom were put up, as too many enclosui'es and cages required more time than I could give them. A Holiday in the West Indies. 109 A Holiday in the West Indies. By a. Sutcliffe (Concluded from page 295, Vol. I., N.S. My holiday was now drawing- to a close. \Ve had made many nice friends, who Avanted to show us different parts of the Island of Ti-inidad. We accepted an invitation to pass a week end at a friend's house up in the hills, and set out in a Ijuggie early in the morning. It was a lovely drive of ahoul eight miles. I was surprised at the numlier of Tanagers in the cofoa plantations, the Blue, Black, Maroon, and Scarlet, were very luimerous, liehaving' in a very similar way to our Blackbird. Desmarest and Yellow-liellied Tanagers were not so numerous. The Violet Tanag-er, whose native name is Louis D'or, could be seen in flocks of quite a hundred. There were many Finches, l)ut they were difficult to identify. The Yel- low-hciided Marsh Bird we met with in small parties. I only once re:"ognised the Red-breasted Marsh Bird, although there we;'(^ hup.di-cds of birds I could not identify. On the Tuesday I saw a few Spotted Emerald Tanagers, quite close to our friend's house. On the Monday we set out on a l>athing expedilion to Mazaresch Bay, one of the most lovely spots in the ^Vo ;t Indie^i. There are huge cliffs on each side, with a perfect white coral beach, blazing hot with the vertical sun and th(> water as clear as crystal. Here we spent about two hours, roaming about in the beautifully cool water, under the shade of the clilfs, amusing ourselves trying to dive deep enough to touch the rocks, which only looked to be a few feet down, but were really about 20 feet from the surface, the clearness of the water made it very deceptive, one could see the fish swimming about. There were scores of Pelicans wdiirl- ing round and above us, and when they " spotted " a fish down they came, quite 100 feet just like a ball, and when a few feet from the water shot out their lony- neck and went down without a splash. They returned to the surface practically every time with a fish, often nearly as big as themselves, it was most interesting to watch them, in fact my friend .nearly had to dress me to get me away. We had a mishap before we left, our dog was bitten by a snake, and died almost instant- aneously, so we had to leave him for the John Crows, who 110 A Holiday in the West Indies. were already looking for a meal. How the poison would eflfect them we did not wait to see. AVe returned to our friend's house, and commenced cutting bananas and amusing ourselves generally in the Cocoa Plantation close to the house, while the younger members of the household went catching birds for me; they got quite a cage full of Tanagers and Finches. These I carefully conveyed to our Hotel to add to my fairly largo collection there of about 200, and then came the sight we did not wish to see. As we drove along the coast we sav/ our ship anchored in the ofFmg, and knew tliat within 24 hours we should be ploughing our way home to the doMr old country, and what was worse still for mo lo icor/:. Tlie next morning found me l)nsy packin.^' my l)ir<]s and traps, and after a good lot of tipping got them safely aboard, then came the ordeal of interviewing the Biilcher. I had four cages each four foot long, and several smaller ones. A wink and bottle, of Black and While did the trick, and 1 got my birds safely stowed away in the spacious l)utcher's sho]), whicli was about six feet square. I now had to bid farewell to all the good fellows I had met, which is rather a strenous ordeal in a hot climate where one can always raise a thirst, and the Homeward bound Mail Steamers' sailing day spells holiday for the young bloods of the Island, and this [ think was a red-letter day for them but rather a costly one for us. Now a few lines about bird keeping al)oard ship, which is no sinecure, as to do it properly and succeed in landing your captives means do it yourself. I religiously attended to them twice daily, cleaning all cages out once daily, fed and watered them and took out the dead ones, but, I must say all went well with mine until we reached the Azores, when in the middle of the night a gale sprang up, and the cages were thrown about the butcher's shop. The cage containing my choicest Tanagers which was on top sulTered the worst, it was broken up and I lost every bird in it. They were Desmarests, Vieilotts, Spotted Emeralds and I believe three different Manakins; they were a beautiful lot. The cages were of course put square before I .saw them, but the death roll that night was quite 100 birds, This was very disap- pointing and I can assure you I almost wept. I now set to and made all the cages fast and secure. The gale raged A Wifiter Visit to Members' Aviaries. Ill all the way home from the Azores, and made it difllcult for me to get down to the birds which were quartered oh the lower deck, and it was a case of run between the waves as she was shipping heavy seas all the time, and if a wave did catch you it was a case of into the scuppers every time, and well, you would bo no wetter overboard. If you got to the door it was difficult to get inside Avithout taking a sea with you. You can imagine the language of a 'Cockney East End butcher when one day I let a sea in with me he even made the birds sing. I can only say every bird landed ,is valuable and that importing is not all milk and honey, espec- ially if one suffers from mal-de-mer. Winter Visit to Members Aviaries. By Wesley T. Pagi.;, F.Z.S., Etc. In February it was my privelege to pay a visit to ^he aviaries of our esteemed members Messrs. A. Sutcliffe and R. Suggitt, and though at this season there is not much to report, yet all was in excellent order and the birds fit and well. Mr. Sutcliffe's aviaries are roomy and well arranged, the largest and latest being empty, for refitting and alterations. When completed this will make a fine roomy enclosure, it is about 48 X 20 feet and lofty. His earlier aviaries have already been described in our pages, and as we hope to have photos and plans a little later, further description had better be left till then . The birdroom was well arranged and contained four roomy flights, as well as a few cages; it was kept at a com- fortable heat by a H. W. radiator, and the birds were all very flourishing and fit. I noticed here Maroon, Palm, Blue, Black, and Violet Tanagers; Yellow -winged Sugarbirds, Black and Yellow Creepers (Banana Quits),, a very interesting series of Spermo- philoe — Black -headed Lined, Grey/ Lined, Lavender -backed, and Fire -red Finches, and all in pairs, which by their fitness, give great promise of breeding during the coming season. There were also some Tropical Seed Finches, Black Grosbeaks, Thick - billed Seed Finch, and several other unidentified species; 112 A Winter Visit to Members' Aviaries. besides a whole host of Grassfinches, AVaxbills, etc. I also noticed excellent pairs of Indigo and Nonpareil Buntings, and an odd specimen of C?/anospiza, which, Ijeing out of colour I M^as unable to identify. In the outdoor aviary were several species of Cardinals, White-throated Laughing Thrushes, Malabar Slarlings, Glossy Starlings, Black -Avinged Grackles, quite a number of Doves and Pigeons, including several rare species, as well as many other species I cannot call to mind, as I did not make out a list at the time. Mr. Suggitt's aviaries also have been fully described. His birds were looking very fit and sleek, here again were quite a number of interesting pairs, including the Spermophilce mentioned in list of Mr. Sutcliff's birds, several Grosl)eaks, Red- throated Blue Sugarbirds, Banana Quits, Yellow-Aving Sugar- birds, Blue, Palm, and Maroon Tanagers; Anrericaii Catbirds, Olive-backed Thrushes; Indigo and Nonpareil Tiuntings, as well as an unidentified specimen of the genus Cyanospiza. Quite a varied series of Doves and Pigeons were disporting them- selves in the outdoor flight, also quite a numlier of other Finches, Buntings, etc. With a modicum of luck several breeding medals should be secured by our esteemed members during the season now close upon us. Early in March I made a visit to the I. of W. and saw the aviaries and birds of our esteemed Hon. Business Sec, and after spending a few days here, made a passing visit to Mr. Mathias, at Stubbington, and also to Dr. Philip Gosse, at Beaulieu, Hants. At Mr. Willford's, I found the outdoor aviaries being overhauled and put in thorough trim for the breeding season. These aviaries have already been figured and described in our pages, so it must now suffice to say that they have since matured, and are full of excellent natural cover and provide full accommodation for the birds' needs; 'their usefulness has been greatly enhanced by the provision of roomy shelters, the old Wilderness aviary* now possesses a reedy pond, with a good sandy beach, and with the other birds are now associated some Waders, and while I was there a grand pair of African Crowned Cranes arrived, which were turned into this enclosure. * &ee large coloured plate forming frontispiece to last Vol, A Winter- Visit to Members' Aviaries. 113 These were a grand pair of birds, and save for cut flights, were in marvellous condition for birds just having made a journey from Portugal. Apart from the cut wings, the phmiage was marvellously tight and silken, and the birds entrancing objects to feast the eyes upon. The photos of the Waders' aviary recently reproduced (see February issue) certainly do fiot flatter this enclosure, which in a few months will be a fine sight indeed. Another Wilderness aviary 71ft. x 33ft. was nearly complete and will be ready for the season now ,so near at hand; several of the smaller enclosures are to be amalgamated, so that this season there will be four or five large wilderness enclosures. There are two large bird -rooms for the winter housing of the more delicate species, and there certainly ought to be some notable results. As to the birds apart from these already mentioned I noted in the bird -rooms and aviaries : — Tanagees: Magpie, Superb, Gold and Green, Blue, Scarlet, Maroon, Black, and Crimson -crowned. Sugar Birds : Eed- throated Blue, Yellow -winged. Purple and Black-headed. Finches: Diuca, Jacarini, Black-headed Lined, Rufl- cauda. Painted, Cuba, Pileated, Aurora, Dusky, Gouldian, Par- rot and many others. Buntings : Indigo, Hair-crest, Black-headed, and Ked- headed. Doves : Of these I noticed Diamond, Passerine, Tal- pacoti. Plumed Ground, but there were many others. I also noticed White-crested Touracous, Maroon Orioles, Olive Saltators, Lettered Aracari, Black- headed Sibias, Common Mynahs, Red-breasted Marshbirds, Silver-eared Mesias, Blue- bearded Jays, Brown's Parrakeets, Ceram (Yellow -backed) Lories, and others too numerous to mention. Mr. Mathias' Aviaries: These aviaries have also been described, but not fully figured, so that I think a ground plan may be of practical use, as they have been materially in- creased, altered and re-arranged since then. Aviary A. — This' is a new erection, only just completed. The heated house is a green -house, which has been lined inside and outside the glass with roofing felt; it is fitted with a range of hot -water pipes and forms admirable winter quar- ■1 .2i^fr. % ^rn y fi ^ > rn y r^ bJ .^ :A^ vt w o o 0 o < ^ ^ w <-^ n ^ -t r^ P 0 M c c^ i^^;::3^%^'^' A Winter Visit to Members' Aviaries. 115 ters for such species as need a little warmth. The flight has been arranged and planted as a garden, with a bank running along one side for the use of ground birds. It has been |)lanted with Rambler Roses, Evergreens, Privet, Perennial Sunflowers, Michaelmas Daisies, and other herbaceous plants, the centre portion is turfed, and there is a cemented bath with soak-away underneuth. AviAKY B. — This does not call for description, as both elevation and ground plan were figured on pages 68 and 09 of Vol. viii, B.N., and a full description given. For the benefit of new readers I had better say that the flight has a covered roof, but the garden flight (B.n.) which has been added since the plans, etc., appeared in Vol. VIII., has added greatly to the value of this aviary. During the winter months the birds are shut off from the garden llight, and their quarters are certainly very snug and comfortable, and there are but few species that would not winter safely therein. Here again I made no list of the birds, but I noticed several species of Grassfinches, including good pairs of Gould - ian, Painted, Red-headed, Pileated, and Cuba Finches; also a grand Painted Finch (cf), this is one of the best I have seen, the areas of red were large, and the white spottings very clean and regular. There were also gathered together here var- ious Waxbills, Mannikins, Finches, as well as Stanley Parra- keets, Black-cheeked Love-birds, Budgerigars, and a very line female Red -vented Blue -bonnet Parrakeet, as well as many others, and there appeared to be every promise of a successful season. The Black -cheeked Lovebirds have successfully reared young during the winter, and Mr. Mathias promises us an account of same for a near issue. My last call was at Dr. P. Gosse's, at Beaulieu, Hants. Here was a nice roomy garden aviary with a shelter all along the back, and a roomy garden-like flight, divided into several sections, in which were numerous Finches, Waxbills, Buntings, Quails, etc. There were also two pairs of Bearded Tits, one pair of which were evidently thinking of setting-up housekeeping, and this pair were certainly a picture to feast the eyes upon — their rich colouration, tight and silken plumage, were magjiificent, and I don't ever remember to have 116 A Winter Visit to Members' Aviaries. seen their equal — they have been out of doors all the whiter. Dr. Gosse has also a number of Californian Quails, which wei'C very fine. I also noted Cape and Diamond Doves, Red-backed Buntings, Common Indian Mynahs, Bib Finches, Pintail Non- pareil and various Cardinals. I was much interested here in the indigenous species, which were to be seen around, the Pied Wagtail is with them all the year round. I was pleased to see that Chatlinchcs were more abundant than Sparrows. I also noted the Nuthatch, Tree Pipit, Water-hen, while Thrushes, Blackbirds, and Star- lings abounded on every hand. On the river at the bottam of the garden were a number of Waders, Redshanks, and )nany others. I was also interested to see the Budgerigars at liberty in the garden, they come regularly for food, and some still go to a small shed, attached to the aviaries at night for shelter. It was most interesting to note their evolutions on the wing, and witness the marvellous rapidity of their unrestrained [light. I trust our esteemed member, will send us an account of his aviaries and birds, with photo and plan for a near issue. Birds in and about the Station (Bakloh, India) By Captain G. A. Peiikeau, F.Z.S. Continued fro7n p. 358, Vol. I., N.S. The Black-headed Sibia (Malacias \_Liu2)tila'\ capis- trata), is a distinctly handsome bird of slim build and sprightly habits. I have only kept them in a travelling cage, where they were no favourites of mine, as they were messy and nervous. In an aviary I should think they would be delightful, but fancy that they would want watching if placed with small birds. With me, they ate a certain amount of insect food, but greatly pre- ferred fruit, especially oranges. In the aviary I should certainly allow them access to bread and milk; live insec^ts, and mealworms are much appreciated. They do not seem to mind heat and certainly are indifferent to cold. In a w'ild state I have never seen them below about G,000 feet, they Birds in a?id about the Station. 117 seem to be residents at that height and upwards. Iti spite of thei]' retiring habits, I certainly should have notieed them if they, like many hill birds, came dowji lower in winter. Description: Below bright rufous; above greyish brown; head black; tail rufous with a black band near the blue tip; the wing pattern has white, blue, chestnut, and black in it Length nearly 9 inches, tail 4. Since writing the above, I have seen more of these fascinating birds in a wild state. A small party visited the compound this winter, and were very much in evidence, quite contrary to my previous experience of them higher up in the summer. 'Ihey proved easy to capture, especially after the first one fell a victim, being very sociable birds, They took very well to captivity, getting on to bread and milk at once. The Indian Wiiite-uie (Zoaierops palpebrosa) . J have already written about at some length. Our esteemed Editor, in the Editorial of the June number, mentioned that a pair of mine had nested. In continuation I can add that incubation lasted ten days and that the three young only lived a few days. Times were too strenuous to give them a chance. As regards my notes about a seasonable change ol plumage, Major Harrington writes in the Bombay Natural History Journal that he made a somewhat similar observation in Burinah, but the chestnut was found to wash out on the application of a damp cloth, indicating that the colouring was due to pollen. 1 think that is the correct solution as I found the same with a bird caugh: this year. This bird had very little colour on it, in fact I saw no really bright birds this year; the chestnut was not noticeable except in the hand, and was readily removed with a damp cloth. •The colour on the birds I got last year did not wash out, not easily at any rate. The Fike-cap (Cephalopyrus flammiceps), 1 saw for the first time in Bakloh in May, 1909, apparently on their way up the hill. They were on, a floAvering shrub with some White- eyes. I caught one to have a closer look at it. It was not nearly so lovely as another of that party, and others 1 have since seen in Dalhousie quite eclipsed this bird, Avhich jnust have been in the moult. ^I was very tempted to keep some I caught, but at that time I was trying hard to avoid the 118 Birds -hi and about the Station. great temptation to keep any insectivorous birds except the very easiest. Still, I regret my decision, as I fancy they would be no more difficult to keep than White -eyes, and they would have made a nice addition to the little collection ^^[r. Kennedy took home in March. The fact that the egg is not known would have proved an additional attraction to avi- culturists. Jt summers in the hills, being common or fairly so ac about 8,000 feet in Dalhousie. Rough Description: Front of head flaming orange-red; uppei" plumage olive-yellow, Ijrighter on the rump; wings and tail brown edged with yellow; sides of head, throat, and breast golden yellow, the chin suffused with bright red; remainder of lower plumage dull yellow. The female is duller and has no red on the head and chin. Length about 4 inches, tail 1 and one -third. This is the only member we get of the Liotrlchinae family, which contains many most desirable birds. To be continued. Book Notices and Reviews. Cakaeies, Hybrids, akd British Birds in Cagk and iA,viAEY.— Cassell and Co. In montlily parts, .7d. net. Pari XIII. Another very practical and interesting part, con- taining cliapters, " The Border Fancy Canary,"— the Lizard Canary and " The London Fancy Canary." The text is terse and clear, and is illustrated with many iigure.s, showing typical and defective 'birds as to exhibition points. The frontispiece is a good coloured plate, figuring the White-throat, Gold-crested Wren, Redstart, Black- cap and Nightingale. The part is a good one and certainly excel- lent value. Aeronautical Classics.— No. 6. The Fligut of Birds. By Giovanni, A. Borelli. London, King, Sells, and Olding, Ltd. 27, Chancery Lane, W.C., Is. net. Though written in the intea'est of aei'onautics, bird lovers will find much of interest in this excellent little booklet. The headings of the various sections are as undor, and the text is illustrated with many diagramatic figures. The wing structure and its component parts. Tlie order and manner wherin Birds move tlieir wings during flight. A Bird's centre of grarity must be low. Book Notices and Reviews. Il9 The quantity of air acted upon by the wings in flight is in shape of a solid sector swept out by a radius equal to the span of the wing. Wherein is exjilained in what manner the air offers resistance to the stroke of the wings. If the velocity wherewith the wings of a Bird i i flight aie bea'en isequal to the velocity wherewith the underlying air recoils to the beat of the wing, the Bird remains in the same place. Again, if the velocity wherewith the wings are beaten is greater than the velocity wherewith the underlying air recoils to the beat, the Bird will ascend, and the rate of its ascent will be equal to the difference between the two velocities. The power of the muscles that beat the wings is greater by ten-thousand timos than the weight of the Bird. Wherein are set forth the reasons for the immense power of tlie wings In what manner an oblique transverse force may proi.el straightly a body unaffected by the motion. If a Bird suspended in the air strike with its outspread wings the undisturbed air with a motion perpendicidar with the horizon, it will fly with a transverse movement parallel to the horizon. Wherein is explained the way in which the horizontal flight of Birds is affected. The use of the tail of the Bird is to direct the course of flight upwards and downwards; but not to the right and left. How and by what means Birds, when Hying, alter their course to.the right or to the left. If the body of the Bird A.C. be moved at an acquired speed through the air in a long- itudinal direction from 0 towards A, and if while flying it bends its outstretched neck with its head B.A. towards the left side B.I. the course of ti e entire Bird is deflected towards B.I. It does not appear possible that birds flying horizontally, can depart quii'kly from their course by the transverse flection of their head and neck. How Birds without flapping their wings, can sometimes ride in the air for a short time not only horizontally, but also obliquely upward. Haw the flying impetus acquired by a bird is checked on landing. ■ . .• It is impossible that men should be able to fly craftily by their own strength. The 'booklet runs into 40 pages, is well and cleatly pt-inted on good paper. The author deals with his suhject in a terse a»nd practical manner. The book is excellent value at the published price, and will be read with interest by bird-lovers, as well as by tlio.'fc interested in aeronautics. British Birds in their Haunts, by the late Rev. C. A. Johns, B.A., F.L.S., The Society for Promotmg- Christian Knowledge, Northumljerland Avenue, London, W.C. — .5s. This is a new edition (twelfth), and the following quo- tation from the perface clearly defines the Author's purpose: " The Author begs expressly to disclaim all idea of pro- " posing the present volume as a substitute • for the comprehen- " sive work of Yarrell .... which must always remain the " indispensible book of reference for the British Ornithologist. " Yet he does venture to hope that he has provided/ tlie lover " of nature with a pleasant companion in his country walks, " and the young Ornithologist with a Manual that will supply " his present need and prepare him for the study of more " important works." This the Author has certainly accomplished, and the re- sult is a very readable and well got up book, the text pro- 120 hook Notices and lievieivs. fusly illustrated with woodcuts (drawn by Wolf and engraved by Whymper) and sixteen coloured jDlates of sufficient merit to clearly portray the birds figured — several species appear on each plate. A most useful Synotsis of Genera follows the preface. We can best give a general idea of the work by one or two quotations therefrom : — THE GAKDEN WAEBLER. Curruca hortensis. " Upper parts greyish-brown, slightly tinged with olive ; orbits white ; below the ear a "patch of ash-grey ; throat dull white : breast and flanks grey, tinged with rust colour ; rest "of the underparts dull white. Length five inches and three-quarters ; breadth eight inches " and a half. Eggs graenish-white speckled with two shades of greenish-brown." " Though tolerably well dispersed throughout Eiiglan:!, t!iij " l)ird is by no means so abundant as the lilackcap, which ,it " resembles in sizj " and habits. Jts " song is little if " at all inferior to " that of the bii'd " just named, and it " is far from im- " probable that some " of the sweet " strains for whic.i " the Blackcap g. t; " c. edi% jiarticular- " ly late in the " summer, may be " produced by the " Garden Warbler; " I have heard its THB GARDEN WARBLER. SOllg SO I atC aS " the fifth of October. By some Authors it is called the Greater " Pettychaps, by others Fauvette, this latter name is by :sbme " ornithologists applied to the group containing this bird, and -several allied speicies. Its nest and eggs are as like those *' of the Blackcap as to be discriminated with difficulty." THE WRYNECK. Yunx [torquilla. "Upper plumage reddish-grej, irregularly spotted and lined with brown and black; a ■' broad black and brown band from the back of the head to the back ; throat and breast yel- "lowish-red, with dusky transverse rays; rest of under plumage whitish, with arrow shaped " black spots ; outer web of the quills marked with rectangular alternate black and yellowish " red spots ; tail feathers barred with black zigzag bands ; beak and feet olive brown. Length " six inches and a half, breadth eleven inches. Eggs glossy white." " The note of the Wryneck is unmusical, and is so peculiar Boole Notices and Reviews. 121 " that it can be confounded with none of the natural sounds of ' the country ; a loud, ' rapid, liarsh cry on ' one note, repeated ' several times by a l)ird ' about the size of a ' lark may be re ferried ' without hesitation to ' the Wryneck. Yet it " is a pleasant sound 'after all, for the un- ' tuneful minstrel is the " pame bird which is ■' iknown by the name " of " Cuckoo's Mate," " ,and so is associated " 'with May days .... " This name it derives " because it " both arrives and de- " parts with the Cuckoo. " In haljits THE WRYNECK. " It bcars no marked re- Sem.blance to the Woodpeckers; it is not much given to cUmbjng anu never taps the trunks of trees; yet it does seek its food on decayed trees and employs its long horney tongue for that purpose It indeed, dai ts its tongue with in- conceivable rapidity into an ant-hill and brings it out as rapidly with the insects and their eggs adhering to its viscid point. These constitute its principal food, so that it is seen more frequently feeding on the ground than hunting on trees .... Besides this, the proper call -note of the bird, it utters, when disturbed in its nest, another which resembles a jhiss; whence, and partly, i>erhaps, on account of the peculiar structure of its neck, it is somieldmes called tlie Snake-bird. Nest, properly speaking, it has none; it selects a hole in a decaying tree and lays its eggs on the rotten wood The Wryneck is a common bird in the south-eastern counties of England, and to the west as far as Someirseit; but I have never heard its note in Devon or Cornwall ;■ it is rare also in the northern counties. The foregoing- will indicate the scope of the work and its interesting and practical character. Though too large for the pocket, it is not unwieldy and certainly not too large to form a pleasant companion in many a country jaunt. To the young student of the birds of his native country, it should 122 Book Notices mid Reviews. prove invaluable, and we cordially commend it to students of our indigenous species generally. We are indebted to the publishers for the loan of blocks illustrating this review. List of Animals, Giza Zoological Gakdijxs. r)s. {2rjd Edition). By Stanley S. Flower, Director, National Piinting Dept. Cairo. This list, from the pen of our esteemed member is well arranged, comprehensive, practical, and interesting. Contents: List of plates; Preface; Remarks on Arabic names of animals; Notes on the system of nomenclature used in this list; Table of numbers of animals; Systeina,tic ■ ' '■ • list of the species and varieties of animals wliieh liave been exhibited alive in the Giza Zoological Gardens Iroii; the 6th of October, 1898, to the fith of Oelol^er, l'.)10. Part I. — Mammals. Part IV.— Batrachians. Part II.— Birds. . Part V.— Fishes. Part III. — Eeptiles. Part VI. — Invertebrates^ •' Alphabetical index of Genera. ,' There are twenty half-tone plates, reproduced from' photos from life, as under: Young Hippopotamus, male from E.iht Africa (2 plates)., ,, Rbinoceros, female, from Sontlieru huila'i. Wild Donkeys, female, from the Atbaia. Gr.^■a Niier Ox (! plates'. . . Young Kudu, male, from Kordo'an. Kudu, fema e, from Kovdof.iu. Kordofan Kudu, male, bred in Giza. •■ t Sabre-horned Oryx from Kordofan. •/!■ Defassa Waterback from Blue Nile. .;.. Afale Ibex — Capra nubiana. Nubian Ibex with young kid. Kordofan Giraffes Young Bhie Nile Giraffe, male. Ant-Bear from Kordofan- Or>c'eropu.s (Rthiopicus. Shoebill - Balaeniceps rex. Marabou Storks on tlicir nests. Birds of Prey Cages. The systematic list is vary practically and instructively arranged— we quote a record to illustrate this, as typical of the whole: f Year first exhibited I 1907. Number of registered speci- mens 9. xMaxiinuni length of life of an individual speci- men 2 years 3 m'ts and 3 daj's, and still alive. Number of specimens now [ living here 2. At the annual stocktaking on October 6th, 1910, there were Emlieriza inehuiocepliala Scopoli 1769. Black-headed Bunting, Le Roi des Ortolang, on le Crocote. Der Kappenammer. Habitat : Europe, Asia, Syria. Editorial. 123 living in the gardens, 506 Mammals, 841 Birds, 231 Reptiles, 17 Bati-achians, 193 Fishes. Birds are well represented and varied, as will be seen from the following talde : Passeres 386, Picariac 11, Psittiaei 58, Striges 12, Accip- iti-es 35, Steganopodes 14, Herodiones 53, Anseres 64, C dumboe 35, Pteroclebes 24, Gallinoe 58, Fulicarioe 10, Alectorides 17, Limicoloe 8, Gavioe 2, 8tri!tlu')nes 4. Total 841. The list is well printed and got up and is good Value a,t iJio published price, 5s. Household Pets: Household Publishing Co., Ltd., 62-65^ Avenue Chambers. Bloomsbury Square, London, W.C. Id. weekly. A weekly journal of comparatively recent origin, dealing witli Household pets generally. One of the earlier issues is before us, and contains sections for Dogs, Cats, Mice, Rabbits, Pigeons, Cage Birds, also anecdotes and notes, referring to animal life, and keeping In general. The Cage Bird Section contains an in- teresfint:: article by Mr. F. Finn. Thei-e are also some notes on the Zoo, evident y irom the same pen. Tlie is?ue was co;nprefieasive, p/tractical, and of general interest. Editorial. Nd-sting Notes: The season appears to have begun quite early witli some of our members; as the following' instances will show: — ^OiTTTfjr.oAT (Amadina fasciata). Mr. T. (1. Nicol- son, Walton -on -Thames, informs me that he had young of this species on the wing on March 11th, in an unheated indoor (stable) flight. Here a number of species have been safely housed during the cold weather — Tanagers and a variety of Finches, Waxbills, etc. — losses have been practically nil. He also informs me that Bronze-wing Mannikins are incubating a clutch of egffs tob' Hybrid Doves (Turtle x Barbary). Mr. Suggitt, Clee- thorpes, informed me that a young squab was hatched on March 4th, in his out-door aviary, a later report states that' the young bird is on the wing and doing well. Diamond Doves: Dr. P. Gosse informs me that his' pair have laid and are closely incubating. Hybrid Parrakeets (F. docilis x torquatus). The Hon. and Rev. Canon Dutton informs me that he has three young Rose-ringed x Ring-nec|ied Parrakeets hatche/i out, 124 Editorial. which are doing well, and there appears every prospect of their being fully reared. From several aviaries come reports that Zebra, Ribbon and other common species are incubating; also several roomy and natural aviaries are in course of erection, and the season 1911 promises to be a very active one, and we also hope a successful one among our members. The Nightingale, Etc., in Italy: Our esteemed jnember, Mr. H. D. Astley, writing from Varenna, Lago di Como, on March 29th, among other matters, gives the following notes, which we take the liberty of publishing here: " Ycstei'day I heard a Nightingale; which is early even " for Italy — especially as the snow is low still on the surrounding " mountains, and the bird was singing at about 800 feet from " the lake, wliich is itself 600 feet above sea-level. " I also saw two or three House Martins on the 24th. • " In the spring, a few Hoopoes are always to be seen in " my garden for a day or two, resting, betfore passing " fui'ther north. Amiability op Bulbul,<^, Etc.: Mrs. Mahon, says in a letter referring to her article and our note " Mr. Teschcmaker " informs me that several pairs of this species will nest to- " gather in the same aviary," comments as follows : The Bulbuls which killed my tame Red- whiskered Bul- bul were not of the same species, but the Black -headed (Mol- pastes hengaleiisis), I suspected a Red-crested Cardinal, and quite wrongfully placed it in confinement for a few weeks, when I caught the Black-heads " red-handed " in the act of killing a second Red- whiskered Bulbul. However, I find all Bulbuls mischievous, and quarrelsome with any other Bulbul during the nesting season; that is, when they are not actually hatching or feeding their families. The above notes coin- cide with our experience, and it would be of interest if others would record. The AviAKiESi at the Teeloar Cripples' Hospital AND College: In response to our note in last issue (page 8S)i the following have been promised: 1 pair Green Budgieti\igars, Dr. J. Easton Scott. 1 pair Silverbills, Dr. J. Easton Scott. 1 pa^r Green Budgerigars, Mr. J. H. Henstock. 1 pair Hybrid Mannikins, Mr. W. T. Page, Editorial. 125 1 pairj Turtle x Barbary Doves, Mr. W. T. Page. 1 Hybrid Harlequin x Rain Quail, Mr. W. T. Page. Mr. H. D. Astley has sent a cheque for one guinea towards the purchase of birds. It would be rather nice for the F.B.C. to stock these aviaries and we should be glad to hear from any member will- ing to assist with the gift of birds. Any of the following would be most welcome: Cockateels, Rosella and Red-rump Parrakeets; any species of Grassfinches, Singing Finches, Ava- davats, Waxbills, Mannikins, Cardinals, and Quails. Also Diamond and Passerine Doves, and Australian Crested Pigeons. The Hon. Editor will have much pleasure in arranging for despatch and reception of the birds, if intending donors will communicate with him. A Rark Amazon: Our esteemed member Mrs. K. Leslie Miller, has recently acquired an almost if not quite unique Golden-crowned Amazon (Chrysotis octeroptera), of which she kindly sends the following description: Beak white, shading to horn colour at tip of upper mandible; forehead white; crown rich golde.i-yellow; skin round eyes white; eye region yellow; cheeks blue; breast light green, washed with blue (very irri- descent, glistens like a Tanager); flanks yellow; back and wings are variegated with rich blood-red and dark blue; tail feathen- green with black tips; underside of tail lovely sky blue and shining blue-green; eyes almost ruby-red; feet horn colour. He (for I take it to be a young male) is rather small for an Amazon, but he is in fine condition — he laughs, crys, and chatters in French a few names and sentences. Mrs. Miller states that she alone is allowed to handle him, and that he fights all others. We shall make further reference to this rare species in our next issue. Correspondence. RE POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. Sir,— In your last issue of "B.N." TVIr. H. V. .Johnson asks two questions, viz: — 1. — Ought not the post mortem examinations to help 'us to cater for these birds? 2.— Do they? If Mr, Johnson will kindly explain to what he intends 12G Correspondence. these conundrums to refer, I shall ha most happy to answer them to the Ijcst of my ability. ■'. At present, 1 don't (|uite undei'stand their pui-port. HENIU' GRAY. THE MAGAZINE Sir, — Ee the suggestion (in Feljruary issue) that members should pay tlie cost of postage on the Magazine, I think it an excelleni. one, and should be very pleased to do so,, but I am unable to piomise much in the way of a donation, but I will do my best. W. E. AUSTIN. STRAY NOTES. In the G.F.W. for December 22 of last year, there is la most interesting article by Dr. Otto, on the " Wonders of Radium." He considers that Radio -thel'apy would be of great value in the treatment of certain diseases of valuable cage-birds, particularly Parrots, and describes the case of an Amazon, w'hich had been ill fo.' some time with an enormously swollen crop, and liability ito frequent choking fits. These eventually became so severe that death seemed imminent, so exposure to radium emanations was tried, and witli the happiest results — total disappearance of the swelling in two months, and a complete cure within six. (Dr.) E. H. In another number Nightingalie-song records -for the gramophone are advertised. How interesting a series of such records, both of British and foreign birds would be! (Dr.) E. H. Post Mortem Reports. Vide Rules. For repliti by post, a fee of 2s. 6d. must he sent; this rule will not he broken under any condition. PostMortem Reports can only appear in next issue when bodies are received by Mr. Gray prior to the 31st of any month. It ivould greatly help to elucidate contagious diseases in birds if members of F.B.C. in sending me dead birds, loere to state the source from which they obtained the birds and when. Tlie names of tfie sellers would be kept a secret. Redrumt (cf). W. D. Marmont, Gloucester. Sorry to say this bird died of true bird -fever. The liver and spleen were crammed with very small yellowish nodules. Isolate birds singly in cages, cleanse, disinfect, aviaries, etc. It is very highly contagious. From whence did you introduce it? King Parrakeet. Miss M. Bousfield, Bournemouth. This handsome bird died of true bird-fever. The liver and spleen were crammed with innumerable small yellowish nodules. These organs were very much enlarged^ Have you purchased any fresh birds? Post Mortem Reports. 127 Have you lost any other birds? As a rule fanciers only send birds for post mortem examination when they have lost several or many. Post mortem examination of every bird should be made as it would put fanciers' on their guard as soon as the disease was detected. This disease is very prevalent in many aviaries in various parts of the kingdom. There is no doubt it is spread by the purchase of birds from dirty bird-shops or from infected aviaries. Some shops are so filthy and the birds are so crowded that they stand as an indicator to the way somie sanitary authorities do their duty and to the vigilance of the E.S.P.C.A. It may not be considered active cruelty to keep birds in a filthy, overcrowded, nai-iowly confined, or insanitary condition; but it should be looked upon as passive cruelty to submit them to such treatment and thus unnecessarily endanger thoir happiness and •destroy their lives Ijy the thousand. Sucli an iiifiuential society as the F.B.C. should take steps to put down this foi'm of cruelty. Tlie majority of deaths arising in unacclimatised birds ,ii-e not due to contagious disease but tj auto-infection set up by misery, excitement, fatigue, or exposure to inclement weather. Suscepti- bility to auto-infection or infection arising from within the i)ird's ■own body varies not only according to the species but also to the individual. The more highly coloured the bird, especially of the finch-tribe, greater the susceptibility. Easterly, or north-easterly winds account for many deaths; they lower the birds' temperature and upset the defensive system, and thus allow the normal microbes of the intestine to gain the blood stream, to infect the body and to cause death. Cutthroat (9). C. H. Eobinson, Yorks. Death was due to pneumo-enteritis. Geassfinch (9). Miss Alfreda B. Smith, Calford. Cause of death was pneumonia. This complaint has killed hundreds of the recently imported Australian Finches. Yours, however, has been in your possession since last September, and kept in an indoor aviary Masked Gkassfinches (pair). W. T. Rogers, Brentwood. These two birds were killed by pneumonia, which has destroyed hundreds of such like birds last week. Don't purchase birds when easterly winds are prevailing, especially in the spring of the year. Hooded Siskin (cf). Miss E. F. Chawner, Hants. This bird died of chronic pneumonia, and an enlarged liver. Continual artificial heat or none at all is better than intermittent warming of a shelter which tries the heat regulating apparatus of such a delicate bird kept in confinement. There is no doubt in my mind the bird caught a chill on the journey. Bird diseases are easier to prevent than to cure. Yellow Budgerigar. (Countess von Hahn). This bird had a very much enlarged liver. No doubt the abscess had something to do with it. In future, when you notice such swiell'ings paint 128 Post Mortem Reports. them with tincture of iodine daily and give 5 grains of Iodide of Potassium and 30 grains sulphate of magnesia in two ounces of drinking water. Of course, a bird undergoing this treatment would hav(i to be caged and no plain water given until the bird had finishea up the medicated water. Violet Tanager (cf). (Thos. G. Nicalson). The bird died from pneumonia. His testicles were enlarged, indicating that the sexual function was becoming active, when a bird is more pre- disposed to develop a disease of such as this one died. In some species the males are more susceptible, in others the females. I do not believe egg-food wlien fresh is injuinous to birds; nor does it cause bird-fever of which your bird did not suO'er. There are a great number of diseases. Bird-fever is only one; it some- what resembles acute tuberculosis of the liver and spleen, which is a comparatively rare disease in birds. Greex BrDGEKiGAK (cf) . D. Croisdale Kirk, Cardiff. The cause of death was hcemorrhage under the cranium. St. Helena Waxhill (cf). (Capt. Sherard Reeves, Lin- coln). The bird was in a good condition, but death was due to pneumonia affecting lioth lungs. It is dilTicult to prevent this malady although a bird may be bred in our climatu. It is a very common disease in our native birds, when kept in confinement, especially out of doors. W. R. Temple, Bucks. Although draughts are a common cause of pneumonia, this disease may arise from changeable weather, even though a bird may be kept in a temperature of 60 deg. to 65 deg. Easterly on north-easterly winds or dam]-) chilly weather are a fruitful predisposing factor in the causation of pneumonia. Philii' Gosse, M.R.C.S., Hants. No birds have arrived. Answered by Post; A. Sutcliffe (2), Mrs. Turner Turner, H. T^lllford, W. R. Temple, H. L. Sich. Erratum — Re report on Superb Tanager (Mrs. Easton Scott) "malute" should read malate. H. GRAY, M.R.C.Y.S. A CONSIGNMENT OF RARE INDIAN BIRDS. Just on . going to press, I was privileged to see about 30 birds, which landed on April 12th last, but for the gale and bliz- zard which raged during the last few days of the voyage the con- signment would havei been an unique one. The birds consist Of Giant Barbets (M. marsJiallorum), Blu,e-cheeked Barbet, Crested Black Tits, Grey-headed Ouzels, Black Bulbul, Streaked Laughing Thrushjes, T^lue-fronted Redstart, Dyhal, Orange-headed Ground Thrushies, and Rosefinches, and White-eyes (Z. palpebrosa). Seventy bodies were thrown overboard between Gibraltar and the mouth of th(e Thames, consisting of Sunbirds, Flycatchers, Shamas, Green Bulbuls, Bush- Chats, Robins, etc. Lieut. Kennedy certainly met with very laard luck during the last stages of the voyage. A full account of the consignment will appear in next issue. Bird Notks. Sunbird's Nest From photo kindly sent by D. Dewar. (.('.S. Note thf (lark area nf r/(jlit sii/i' at' jihotu, /> ihetnnil'