mWm H ... - ■ v*a ^ffmLk " .■.-<* igjnH^f I f $h~ fiviealtaral Magazine, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN AND BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM AND CAPTIVITY. Edited by D. SETH-SMITH, F.Z.S. M.B.O.U. NEW SERIES, VOL. III. NOVEMBER, 1904, to OCTOBER, 1905. Z2<337*3 Xonfcon : R. H. PORTER, 7, Princes Street, Cavendish Square, W. b $31 THE 1905. Contents. ni. CONTENTS. Title Page .. .. .. Contents Council’s Report Alphabetical List of Contributors . . List of Plates Illustrations in the Text .. List of Members, October 1904 Rules of the Avicultural Society . . The Society’s Medal . . Magazine Index PAGE iii. iv. vL xii. xii. 1 16 19 21 383 iv. Report of the Council. REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 1904-5. It is once again with feelings of pleasure and relief that we submit our annual report; a report which we are thankful to say tells of 110 decrease either in finance, or in the quality of the Magazine. Starting the year with a balance of about £30, the receipts of the year have been close on £300. The expenditure has been kept well within this sum, and it is hoped that by the end of the year there will be a substantial balance with which to start the 1 2th volume. We have to thank the Rev. H. D. AstlEY for so generously defraying the entire expense connected with the reproduction of his charming drawing of Bourke’s Parrakeet, which appeared in the June number; Mr. T. H. Newman for the loan of the drawing of the White-throated Ground-Dove, reproduced for the January number; Mr. W. E. Renault for the blocks of his admirable photographs of nests and eggs published in the February number; and Sir William Ingram, Bart., and Mr. Collingwood Ingram for the excellent illustrations from the pen and brush of the latter gentleman, which appeared in the October number. Finally we offer our grateful thanks to those who have again this year kindly contributed to the Illustration Fund, and by their generosity greatly relieved the financial condition for the year. We think that the Magazine has been found at least equal in quality to any of its predecessors. Especially among the con¬ tributors to its contents we welcome once more Mr. Phillipps’ articles, which are always so full of interest and instruction. During the year eight coloured and numerous black and white plates and figures have been given, principally the work of Messrs. Gronvold and Goodchild, who have, we think, quite maintained their usual excellence. Mr. Gill has again most kindly given the post mortem fees for the benefit of the Society. This report would not be complete without mentioning the part taken by our member, Mr. J. E. Bonhote, in the Inter- Report of the Council. v. national Ornithological Congress held in London during the month of June. Mr. Bonhote then acted as one of the Secre¬ taries for the Congress. It is universally admitted that much of the success of this important event was due to the excellence of the arrangements. The Congress was attended by many officers and other members of this Society. Mr. Seth-Smith acted as official delegate for the Society, and read a paper entitled “The Importance of Aviculture as an aid to the study of Ornithology.” We would call attention to the work that has been accom¬ plished by members in recording the breeding habits of species which are not known to have bred in captivity in this country before : the Rev. C. D. Farrar has successfully reared young of the White-throated Finch ( Spermophila albigularis) ; Sir William Ingram, Bart., the Bare-throated Francolin {Pternistes leiicoscepus), and Mr. D. Seth-Smith the Varied Bustard Quail (Tumix varici) and the Australian Swamp Quail ( Syncectis australis). Mention may also be made of the breeding of some interesting hybrids ; Dr. Buteer has reared a hybrid Ouzel between Merula boulboul and M. merula ; Mr. Fasey, hybrid Parrakeets between Platy- cercus elegans and Barnardius semitorquatus ; and Mr. Seth-Smith hybrid Song - Sparrows between Zonotrichia leucophrys and Z. pileata ; while a Duck, bred this year by Mr. Bonhote contains the blood of no less than five species, viz., Anas boseas, melleri , pcecilorhyncha, superciliosa, and Dafila acuta, an event hitherto unknown in the annals of hybridism. We would urge our members to do their best to persuade all their friends who may be interested in birds to join the Avicultural Society. Finally our thanks are due to the members of the Executive Committee, who have worked hard to promote the welfare of the Society. R. Aecerson. Arthur Gill. D. Hamilton. T. H. Newman. W. T. Page. A. F. L. Berteing. F. L. Blathwayt. J. L. Bonhote. A. G. Buteer. D. Seth-Smith. G. E. Sheleey. O. E. Cressweee. C. D. Farrar. VI. Alphabetical List of Contributors. ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS. 7 he asterisk denotes in the Correspondence Column. AEDERSON, Miss R. The Nesting of the Solitary Ground Dove, 130 Stories from Real Life, 274 AsTEEY, The Rev. Hubert D., M.A., M.B.O.U., etc. Notes from an Outdoor Aviary 011 the Italian Riviera, 184 Bourke’s Parrakeets and other rare Australian Birds, 203 *Bathilda rnficauda , 210 ♦The Yellow-headed Gouldian Finch, 236 Bourke’s Grass Parrakeet, 239 The Princess of Wales’ Parrakeet, 248 ♦The Brotogerys Parrakeets, 320 The Red-capped Parrot, 351 Bateson, The Hon. LiEEA de Yarburgh ♦Zebra-finch feeding young Golden-breasted Waxbills, 46 Bathgate, John. ♦Change of habits in Birds under New Conditions, 115 Beebe, C. Wieeiam. *Souie notes on the Psychology of Birds, 124 Berteing, A. F. L. ♦The nesting habits of Brush Turkeys, 83 ♦Canaries rearing young Chaffinches, 84 Beamey, Joee. Bird Notes from Argentina, 171 Bonhote, J. Lewis, M.A., F.L.S., etc. The European Goldfinch, 21 The Smew, 120 ♦The forthcoming International Ornithological Congress, 207 ♦Silver Pheasants for Aviary, 345 Buteer, Arthur G., Pli.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S. ♦The Red-backed Shrike, 44 *Acridotheres mahrattensis , 84 The Yellowish Finch, 97 ♦Java Sparrow pairing with Goldfinch, 117 ♦Paddy Rice for Finches, 117 The Duration of the Period of Incubation, 151, 212, 233 ♦The Tanagridce as Finches, 169 ♦Living Birds attacked b}r Maggots, 175 Alphabetical List of Contributors. vii. Butler, Arthur G. — Continued. The Archbishop Tanager, 179 The Breeding of Tut nix nigricollis in German Birdrooms, 195 ♦Habits of the Bearded Tit, 208 The Breeding of the Turnix lepurana in German Birdrooms, 217 *Bathilda ruficauda, 235 ♦The Sex of Birds, etc., 237 Notes on the Grey-winged Ouzel, 243 ♦The Ages to which Birds live, 258 British Wagtails in Cage and Aviarj', 271 ♦Change of colour at moult, 291 Oil Breeding Hvdrid Ouzels, 301 ♦Food for Mynah, 339 ♦Breeding Pileated Finches, 341 ♦The decreased price of Birds, 34S ♦Nesting of Tambourine Doves, 376 ♦Termites and Ants as food for birds, 377 Castee-Seoane, C. ♦Nesting of Tambourine Doves, 376 CaTeeugh, W. T. ♦Paddy Rice, 81 Comyns-Lewer, Mrs. *“ Cassell’s Canaries and Cage Birds,” 288 Cresweee, W. Geo., M.D. ♦Consumption and Typhoid in Birds, 321 ♦Consumption in Birds, 344 ♦Mr. Finn on Chinese Aviculture, 347, 382 Dart, Henry. ♦Breeding Spice Finches, 346 Dutton, The Hon. and Rev. Canon. ♦The Food of Parrots, 144 ♦Blue Bonnets, 289 Ezra, David. ♦An Uncommon Parrot, 319 Farrar, Rev. C. D. The Yellow Budgerigar, 35 The Breeding of the “ Ruficauda,” 106 ♦Nesting of the Bearded Tit, 318 Successful Nesting of the Wliite-throated Finch, 358 Fasey, W. R., F.Z.S. A Parrakeet Hybrid, 333 Fieemer, Horatio R. ♦The Management of the Avicultural Society, 48, 82 *“ The Aviary and its Management,” 261 ♦Consumption and Typhoid in Birds, 320 viii. Alphabetical List of Contributors. Finn, Frank, B.A., F.Z.S. The Himalayan Goldfinch, 24 *A Finfoot in Captivity, 47 Variation in Gold and Silver Pheasants, 102, 144 *The Young of the Touracons, 117 *Monal Pheasants, 209 *Food for Young Partridges, 28S The Pekin Robin in London, 317 *Food of Cage-birds in China and Japan; Striated and Sharp-tailed Finches, 319 *Mr. Finn on Chinese Aviculture, 3S2 Gill, Arthur, M.R.C.V.S. Post mortem Examinations, 53, 86, 145, 178, 214, 238, 262, 294, 322, 35°, GORTER, Mrs. *J ava Sparrow pairing with Goldfinch, 116 ^Change of Colour at Moult, 291 Greene, W. T., M.A., m.d. ^Failure of Canaries to rear young Pseudo Finches, 42 GiiNTHER, Albert, M.A., M.D., etc. On the Breeding in Captivity of the Red-backed Shrike ( Second Notice ), 320 Gurney, J. H. *Tlie food of the Barn Owls, 291 Hamilton, Miss D. Recollections of some Bird Friends, 30, 66 Harper, R. W., F.Z.S. *Living Birds attacked by Maggots, 174 Hartley, Mrs. *Blue-bounet Parrakeets, 258 Hawke, The Hon. M. C. *Sex of Birds, etc., 237 *Virginiau Cardinals and Red-winged Parrakeets Breeding, 293 *Crimson-winged Parrakeets, 318 Horsburgh, Capt. Boyd R., D.S.C., M.B.O.U. Field Notes from Bloemfontein, 250 Ingram, Collingwood, M.B.O.U. The Little Auk in Spitzbergen, 356 Ingham, Sir William, Bart. ^Resuscitating apparently drowned birds, 84 *Breeding Francolins, 344 Breeding Gray’s Bare-tliroated Francolin, 352 Alphabetical List of Contributors. ix. Johnstone, Mrs. E. J. The Nesting of Fraser’s Touracou, 26 The Black Tory, 147 LK Souee, D. ♦The nesting habits of Brush Turkeys, 43 Meade-Waedo, E. G. B., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ♦The Rea-backed .Shrike, 45 Mieeigan, A. W. ♦Hybrid Lyre-bird and Common Fowl, 46 Myean, Dr. J. G. The Aviary and its Management, 225, 261 ♦Consumption and Typhoid in Birds, 292 *“ Consumption in Birds,” 344 Newman, T. H., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ♦The Management of the Avicultural Society, 51 ♦The duration of the Period of Incubation, 210 ♦Exeter ’Change in 1791, 231 ♦Living Birds attacked by Maggots, 235 Rough Notes from the Mediterranean, 305 “ Oneooker ” ♦Notes on the Wild Canary, 3S0 Page, W. T., F.Z.S. The Silky Cowbird, 137 Parker, Duncan. ♦Blue Bonnets, 2S9 PERREAU, Capt. G. A. ♦The Musky Lorikeet : Australian Finches, 256 ♦Australian Birds, 257 ♦Musky Lorikeets, 341 A Small Aviary in the Hills in India, 366 Phieeipps, Reginaed. Nesting of the Orange Bishop, 89 ♦The Yellow-headed Gouldian-Finch, 259 The Golden-Throated Barbet, 323 Porter, E. A. ♦Wood-Warbler in London, 381 Proctor, Major F. W. ♦The Eggs of the Smew and Mistle-Thrush, 170 The Lesser Redpoll in Berkshire, 313 PycraFT, W. P., A.L.S., F.Z.S., & c. O11 the Nestling of Phraser’s Touracou, 55 Renaut, W. E., M.B.O.U. Rambles with a Camera among our South Country Birds, 134 x. Alphabetical List of Contributors. Roberts, Mary E. ♦Notes from Tasmania, 45 ♦Importing Australian Birds, 114 Roberts, Norman B. ♦Monal Pheasants, 209 Rudkin, F. H. ♦Silver Pheasants for Aviary, 345 ♦Crimson-winged Parrakeets, 346 ST. Quintin, W. H., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ♦The Nesting-habits of Brush Turkeys, 44 The Breeding of Pterocles exustus, 64 Bearded Tits in Confinement, 149 ♦Early Nesting of Ravens in Captivity, 175 Seth-Smith, David, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens, 42, 206, 228, 255, 2S7, 374 ♦The Management of the Avicultural Society, 49, 52 *Munia flaviprymna, 53 ♦The Blaclc-backed Tanager, 83 The White-fronted Ground Dove, 87 Peter’s Spotted Firefinch, 119 The Crystal Palace Bird Show, 141 ♦The Food of Parrots, 144 The Black Dor}7, 148 The Yellow-rumped Finch, 215 ♦The Rain Quail, 234 *Bathitda rnficauda , 235 ♦The Yellow-headed Gonldian Finch, 237 ♦The Musky Lorikeet, 256 The Kagu in Captivity, 2S0 The Ornithological Congress, 2 S3 On the Breeding of Turnix varia, 295 Mautell’s Apteryx at the Zoological Gardens, 314 ♦An uncommon Parrot, 319 ♦The Brotogerys Parrakeet, 320 The Breeding of Song Sparrows, 331 The Breeding of the Australian Swamp-Quail, 363 Seth-Smith, Leslie M., b.a., M.B.O.U. Bird Notes from Uganda, 222 SlCH, H. L. ♦Habits of the Bearded Tit, 208 ♦The Rain Quail, 234 ♦Rain Quails, 261 Simpson, Archibald. ♦The Management of the Avicultural Society, 51, 52 Sopp, Winifred M. ♦An Old Bird Friend, 115 ♦The Food of Parrots, 175 Alphabetical List of Contributors. Sturton-Johnson, Miss. ♦The variation in Gold and Silver Pheasants, 143 ♦Hybrid Conures, 341 Swift, Donald. ♦Sh&mas deserting tlieir young, 339 Teschemaker, W. E. ♦The Moulting of the Red-backed Shrike, 173 Thomasset, B. C. Some Common Birds of the Seychelles, 73 Trevor-BaTTYE, A., M.A., F.R.S., M.B.O.U. ♦Short-eared Owls Breeding in Hampshire, 42 The Breeding of Hey’s Rock-Partridge, 263 ♦Hey’s Rock-Partridge, 346 TWEEDIE, Capt. W. ♦Breeding results during the Summer of 1904, 80 ♦Termites and Ants as food for Birds, 376 Waddle, Miss Peddie. ♦Food for Mynah, 339 Watson, John. Breeding Passerine Parrotlets, 34 WEST, Miss E. E. Zosterops going to Nest in Captivity, 335 Whistler, Hugh. Birds noticed during a short visit to Suffolk, 165 Whitehead, L. ♦Food for young Partridges, 2S8 Wiener, August F., F.Z.S. ♦“ Cassell’s Canaries and Cage Birds,” 259 *Tlie importation of foreign Birds, 377 Williams, Mrs. Howard. Notes on my Birds, 39 ♦Golden-breasted Waxbills breeding, 46 The Nesting of the Yellow Sparrow, 75 Wilson, T. N. ♦Blue Bonnets, 289 Workman, W. H., M.B.O.U. With the Breeding Birds of Lough Neagh, 94 ♦Parrakeets holding food iii right foot, 236 Wormald, Hugh. ♦Prolific Silver Pheasants and Californian Quails, 340 xn. List oj Plates and Illustrations. LIST OF PLATES. * Denotes coloured plates. To face page ^European and Himalayan Goldfinches .. .. •• 21 On the Nestling Turacus macr orhyuchus .. . . .. 55 *Leptoptila jamaicensis . . . . . . . . . . S7 *Lagonosticta niveiguttata . . . . . . .. .. 119 Nests of Blackcap and Nightjar .. .. .. .. 135 The Black Lory .. .. .. .. .. .. 147 *Tanagra ornata . . . . .. .. .. .. 179 * Mania flavipriinna . . .. . . .. .. 215 *Bonrke’s Grass-Parrakeet . . . . . . . . . . 239 The Common Heron .. .. .. .. .. 255 Hey’s Rock-Partridge . . . . . . . . . . 263 Turnix varia . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 *Golden-throated Barbet .. .. .. .. .. 323 *Pionopsittacus pileatus .. .. .. .. .. 351 Male Bare-throated Francolin .. .. .. .. 353 Bare-throated Francolin 6 days old .. .. .. 355 ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT. PAGE Young Turacus macrorhynchus .. . . . . . . 28 Nestling-down of Turacus macrorhynchus etc. .. .. 5S Female Inrnix varia “booming”.. .. .. .. 298 Mantell’s Ap%r^ . . .. .. .. .. .. 315 Characteristic attitudes of Cyanops franklini .. . . 237 Ten days old chick of Plernistes levcoscepus . . . . 354 Hen Bare-throated Francolin with her brood .. .. 354 The Little Auk in Spitzbergen .. .. .. .. 356 yw r n tw THE PRICE OF THIS NUMBER IS 3/-. ^CONTENTS.O-> PA(i K Council for the year 1904-5. List of Members ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Rules of the Avicultural Society ... ... ... ... 16 The Society’s Medal ... ... ... ... ... 19 The European Goldfinch (zvi'tk coloured plate') by J Lewis Bonhote, M.A. 21 The Himalayan Goldfinch, by Frank Finn, B.A. ... ... 24 The Nesting- of Eraser’s Touracou ( illustrated ', by Mrs. Johnstone... 26 Recollections of some Bird Friends, by Miss D. Hamilton ... 30 Breeding- Passerine Parrotlets, by John Watson... ... ... 34 The Yellow Budgerigar, by the Rev. C. D. Farrar ... ... 35 Notes on My Birds, by Mrs. Howard Williams... ... ... 39 Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens ... ... ... 42 Correspondence, Notes, etc. — The Red-capped Parrot, 23 ; Short-eared Owls Breeding in Hampshire, 42 ; Failure of Canaries to rear young pseudo¬ finches, 42 ; The Nesting-habits of Brush Turkeys, 43 ; The Red- backed Shrike, 44 ; Notes from Tasmania, 45 ; Golden-breasted Waxbills breeding, 46 ; Notes from Australia— Hybrids between the Lyre-bird and common Fowl, 46; Zebra-finch feeding young- Golden -breasted Waxbills, 46 ; A F’infoot in The Management of the Avicultural Society, 48 ; firymna, 53. Election of the Council The Illustration Fund Post-mortem Examinations LONDON 1 R. H. PORTER, 7, PRINCES St., CAVENDISH NOTE— A new volume commences every November. NEW SERIES. Vpl. III. No 1. NOVEMBER, 1904. Members’ Annual Subscription, 10^- ; payable in advance. 1 1 — 1| THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. II. All Subscriptions are now due and should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. ■* • Persons wishing to join the AvicueTurat, Society are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. NOTICKS TO MEMBERS. The Subscription to the Avicultural Society is 10 - per annum, due on the ist of November in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/6. The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. All MSS. for publication in the Magazine, Books for Review, and Private Advertisements should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. I). Seth- Smith, Glengarry, Canning Road, Addiscombe, Surrey. All Queries respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A. G. BuTEER, 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. All other correspondence, and Subscr iptions , should be sent to the Hon¬ orary Business Secretary, Mr. T. H. Newman, 20, Montpelier Square, London, S.W. Any change of address should be at once notified to him. Advice is given, by post, bv members of the Council to members of the Society, upon all subjects connected with Foreign and British birds. All queries are to be addressed to the Hon. Correspondence Secretary and should contain a penny stamp. Those marked “ Private” will no be published. The Magazine is published by Mr. R. II. Porter (7, Princes .Street, Cavendish Square, W.) to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers, and bound volumes (accompanied by remittance) should be addressed. Cases for binding Vol. II., New Series, of the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side) can be obtained from the Publisher, post free ami carefully packed, at 1/6 each ; or the Publisher will undertake the binding of the Volume for 2/6, plus 8d. for packing and postage. All orders must be accompanied by a remittance in full ; and Members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. BOUND COPIES OF THE “ AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE.” l'he following can be obtained from the Publisher at the prices given below. Postage 6d. per volume extra : Vol. IL, 6/- to members; 8 6 to the public. Vols. V. to VI I., 10/6 each to members ; 126 each to the public. Vol. VIII., 14/- to members ; 17/6 to the public. Vol. I., New Series, 21/- to members; 30/- to the public (revised prices). Current Monthly Numbers 1/6 each (except in special cases, such as the Number containing the List of Members, when the Committee may increase the price), by post 1/7; for back Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. Second-hand copies sometimes reach the Publisher, to whom application should be made. ( Continued on page Hi. of cover). 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Vol. 1-3, medium Svo with numerous illustrations by H. Gronvold, price £3 3s. net.. Vol. 4, completing the work, in the press. SCLATER (W. L.) The Mammals of South Africa, 2 vols., medium Svo., with numerous illustrations, price £i 10s. net. IBIS, THE. A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology. Price 32/- peryear; also a large stock of back volumes and parts. LONDON : R. Po rter, 7, Princes Street, CAVENDISH SQUARE, W. CROSS, S (Known throughout the Civilised and Uncivilised World). King Wild Beast SVIerchants Anything from “A HUMMING BIRD TO AN ELEPHANT,” TRADE SUPPLIED, TRADE SUPPLIED, GREY AFRICAN PARROTS. Fresh Arrivals Daily. FOREIGN WATER FOWL, Hungarian Partridges for turning down. Thousands of Small Foreign Birds, suitable for Aviaries. OLD ENGLISH RINGLESS PHEASANTS. CROSS’S TRADING MENAGERIE. Is always on view for Visitors who are desirous of seeing the Wild Animals. At present it contains numerous LIONS, TIGERS, ELEPHANTS, ETC. Always something New. Hundreds of arrivals weekly. 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THOMASSET EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Mr. BONHOTE, Mr. FINN, Mr. GIEE, THE HON SECRETARIES, AND THE EDITOR. HON. BUSINESS SECRETARY: Mr. T. H. NEWMAN, 20, Montpelier Square, London, S.W. HON. CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARY: Dr. BUTLER, 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. HON. TREASURER: Mr. W. H. St. QUINTIN. EDITOR : Mr. D. SETH-SMITH, Glengarry, Canning Road, Addiscombe, Surrey. AUDITOR : Mr. RUSSELL HUMPHRYS. SCRUTINEER : Mr. NICHOLAS S. O’REILLY. BRIGHTON : W. T. MOUI.TON & CO., PRINTERS, 4, CHURCH street. LIST OF MEMBERS. (Corrected to October igth, 1904 J. 1 The date following- the Member’s name is the date of his election. “ Orig-. Mem.” signifies that the Member joined the Society on its formation in October, 1894. The asterisk denotes that the Member belonged to the U. K. Foreign Cage Bird Society, either at the time of the amalgamation or at some time before. Honorary Members. Godman, F. DuCane, D.C.L., F.R.S., F.Z.S., President of the British Ornithologists’ Union ; 10, Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, W. (Oct., 1904). Gunther, Albert, M.A., M.D., Ph.D., F.R.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; 2, Richfield Road, Kew Gardens. (Sept., 1902). Newton, Alfred, M.A., F.R.S., F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., Professor of Zoology and Comparative Anatoii^ in the University of Cambridge; Magdalene College, Cambridge. (Nov., 1901). SCLATER, Philip UuTley, D.Sc., M.A., F.R.S., M.B.O.U. ; Odiliam Priory, Winchfield, Hants. (Sept., 1902). Sharpe, Richard Bowdler, LL.D., F.U.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Assistant Keeper, Zoological Department, British Museum (Natural History), South Kensington, S.W. (.Sept., 1902). Tristram, The Rev. Canon, M.A., UL.D., D.D., F.R.S., C.M.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; The College, Durham. (Nov., 1903). The Members. Abrahams, Frederick M. ; Blandford Cottage, Thames- Ditton, and 7, Crown Office Row, Temple, E.C. (May, 1901). Abrahams, Mrs. ; 192, St.. George Street, K. (May, 1S95). Aggs, Henry Gurney, F.Z.S. ; Pippbrook, Dorking. (Oct., 1897). Ainley, John William; 16, Dalton Green, Dalton, Huddersfield. (June, 1895). * Alderson, Miss R. ; Park House, Worksop, Notts. (April, 1896). Allbutt, Mrs. ; 24, Park Square, Leeds. (Jan., 1S97). Alston, Gavin; Yondercroft, Darvel, Ayrshire. (June, 1900). Amherst, The Honble. Florence M. T. ; Didliugton Hall, Brandon, Norfolk. (Aug., 1903). Anningson, Mrs. ; Walt-ham-Sal, Barton Road, Cambridge. (May, 1899 10 Aplin, Oliver Vernon, F.L.S., M.B.O.U. ; Bloxliam, Banburv. Tan.., 1902). 2 List of Members. ApplE'i'On, Miss; Rawden Hill, Arthington, Leeds. (April, 1903). Arthur, Charles P. ; Market Place, Melksham, Wilts. (Jan., 1895).* Ashfokd, Miss ; The Bilks, Branksome Wood Road, Bournemouth. (Nov., 1896). The Rev. Hubert Delaval, M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Benliam Park, Newbury. (June, 1895). * Astrey, Reginald B. ; Acton Reynald, Shrewsbury. (July, 1902). ATHERLEY, Mrs. ; Attingham Park, Shrewsbmy. (April, 1903). ATTEWELL, Harold E. ; Merriebauk, Kingston, Jamaica. (July, 1903). Baird, Sir Alexander, Bart. ; Urie, Stonehaven, Kincardine, N.B. (Oct., 1904). Baker, E. c. STUART, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; District Superintendent of Police, Dibrugarh, Assam, India. (Feb., 1904), 20 Baker, John C., M.B., B.A., M.B.O.U. ; Ceely House, Aylesbury, (June, 1903). Baldellt, La Contessa Tommasi ; 4, Via Silvio Pellico, Florence, Italy. (April, 1902). Bamford, Miss E. ; Tile Leys, Kimboltou Road, Bedford. (June, 1895). Bamford, William; Shorelea, Wellington Road, Oldham. (Mar., 1904). Barber, Mrs. ; Milestone Cottage, Wickford, Essex. (Jan., 1899). BarclayWa'TSOn, Miss F. ; The Court House, Goring, Sussex. (JuljT, 1902) . Barns, Miss, F.Z.S. ; 52, Fitzroy Road, Regent’s Park, N,W. (April, I9°3)- Bateson, The Hon. Lilla dr Yarburgh; Heslington, York. (Feb., 1900). Bathe, Frank ; 5, Montgomery Road, Sharrow, Sheffield. (April, 1903) - Bathgate, John ; c/o Messrs. Slirager Brothers, 28, Dalhousie Square, W., Calcutta, India. (Oct., 1903). 30 Baxter, Mrs. ; Ivy House, Abbey Street, Burton-on-Trent. (Nov., 1897). Bayldon, Mrs. ; Oaklauds, Dawlish. (Nov., 1902). Beardall, A. D. ; 12, Middle Hill, Weekday Cross, Nottingham. (July; 1904) . Bedford, The Duchess of, F.Z.S. ; Woburn Abbey, Woburn, Beds.; and 15, Belgrave Square, S.W. (Feb., 1903). Beebe, C. William, Curator of Ornitholog)^ ; New York Zoological Park, New York City. (July, 1903). Bentley, David ; So, St. Hubert’s Street, Great Harwood, Blackburn. (July, 1895). Berkeley, The Rev. C. J. Rowland; Belton Vicarage, Uppingham. (Nov., 1902). BerTlinG, A. E. L. ; The Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park, N.W. (April, 1S95 ; dormant 1899-1903). Braauw, F. E., C.M.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Gooilust’s, Graveland, Hilversum. Holland. (Nov., 1901). Blamey, Joel; Huasau, Andagala, Catamarca. Argentine Republic, S. America. (Feb., 1904). 3 List of Members. 40 BuThwayT, A. P. ; Frog-more, Watford, Herts. (Jan., 1895). iiTTiYnnuva The Rev. P'rancis LinrEY, M.A., M.B.O.U. ; 5, Monks Leys Terrace, Lincoln. (Jan., 1902). RewH Qte-B- John Lewis, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Litton Hall, Fen Ditton, Cambridge. (Dec., 1S94). BooThroyd, ArEred F. ; 27, Lord Street, Southport. (Sept., 1901). BoughTon-LEIGH, Henry; Brownsover Hall, Rugby. (May, 1900). Bouskiee, Geo. E. ; Romanhurst, Bramall Lane, Stockport. (April, 1896). Bowes, John, J.P., F.Z.S. ; 7, Marine Terrace, Herne Bay'. (Oct., 1900). Bowie, Miss HEEEN ; Queen’s Parade, Clifton Hill, Melbourne, Victoria. (Nov., 1903). Boyd, Haroed ; Barton House, Didsbury, Manchester. (March, 1902). Bradshaw-Isherwood, Mrs. ; Grosvenor House, 1, Grosvenor Villas, Ramsgate. (June, 1902). 50 Brampton, Miss E. ; The Moat House, Brentwood, Essex. (Feb., 1898). BrEESFORd, John; 75, Wellington Road North, Stockport. (Oct., 1902) . BrockeEhurst, Mrs. Dent ; Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, R.S.O., Gloucestershire. (March, 1904). Bromet, Mrs. Henry ; Higlifield, Tadcaster. (Oct., 1903). Brookes, Edward J. ; Inglesliam, Sutton Coldfield. (Feb., 1S99). Brooksbank, Mrs. Arthur ; Gate Helmsley House, York. (May, 1898). Brooksbank, H. L. ; Walkington Park, Beverley. (Feb., 1904). Bubb, Miss; Ulleuwood, near Cheltenham. (June, 1904). Buee, Henry J. ; 166, Upper Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, S.E. (Feb., 1903) - BURGE, SAMUEE; Ivj' Cottage, Fail-ford. (Nov., 1896). 60 BURGESS, H. W. ; High Street, Bushev, Herts. (Nov., 1900). Burton, WaeI'ER; Moresfort, East .Sheen, Mortlake, S.W. (Dec. 1901. Buteer, Arthur G., Pli.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; (Hon. Cotrespondence Secretary) ; 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. (Orig. Mem.). * Buteer, Col. Somerset, J. ; Kilmurry, Tliomastowu, co. Kilkenny. (June, 1904). Caevereey-Rudston, Miss ; Allertliorpe Hall, Pockliugton, York. (July, 1903). Camps, H. T. T., F.Z.S. ; Linden House, Haddeuham, Isle of Ely. (Orig. Mem.). * Capern, F. ; 53, Redland Road, Bristol. (March, 1903). Careyon, Mrs. ; Brockenliurst, Hants. (Dec., 1900). Carnegie, The Lady ; Crimonmogate, Lonmay, Aberdeenshire. (Feb., 1901). Carpenter, The Hon. Mrs. ; Kiplin, Northallerton. (Feb., 1898). 70 Carpmaee, Miss; The Ivies, St. Julian’s Farm Road, West Norwood. (April, 1896). 4 List of Member's. Carrick, George; io, Duugoyne Gardens, Maryliill, Glasgow. (March, 1898). Carter, Walter L. ; Summergate, Parkinson Lane, Halifax. (June, 1895). * Castellan, Victor E. ; Hare Hall, Romford, Essex. (Orig. Mem.). CastlE-Sloane, C., F.Z.S. ; Oat Hall, near Crawley, Sussex. (March, 1900) . CaTleugh, W. T. ; Clyffe, Richmond Wood Road, Bournemouth. (Dec., 1894). Cecil, The Lady William ; Hunmanby Hall, Filey, Yorkshire. (Feb., 1901) . Champion, Miss Florence ; Moira House, College Road, South Dulwich. (Aug., 1904). Chapman, P. Godfrey; 21, Lennox Gardens, S.W. (Oct., 1898). Charrington, Mrs. Mowbray ; The Warren, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent. (May, 1S96). 80 ChaTwin, Herbert F. ; 23, King Street, Nottingham. (Jan., 1902). Chawner, Miss; Forest Bank, Lyndhurst, Hants. (July, 1899). Cholmley, Miss; Place Newton, Rillingtou, York. (Feb. 1903). Clayton, C. H. ; 43, Albion .Street, Wakefield. (Aug., 1901). Clitherow, Mrs. Claud StraCEY; 20, Park Square, Regent’s Park, N.W. (June, 1903). Cockburn, Charles ; Sutton Rock, Chesterfield. (Oct., 1903). Connell, Mrs. Knatchbull; The Orchard, Brockenlmrst, Hants. (Nov., 1897). Constable, The Rev. W. J. ; Uppingham School, Uppingham. (Sept., 1901). Conyngham, The Dowager Marchioness ; 36, Belgrave Square, S.W. (Jam, 1900). Cooper, James ; Killerby Hall, Scarborough. (Orig. Mem.). 90 CoTTERELL, The Lady Evelyn ; Garuous, Hereford. (Oct., 1902). COXWELL-ROGERS, Miss; Park Gate, Cheltenham. (Dec., 1895). CRESSWELL, O. Ernest, M.A., J.P. ; Mornev Cross, near Hereford. (Orig. Mem.). CRESWELL, William George, M.D., F'.Z.S. ; Eden Lodge, Kingston- on-Thames. (June, 1900). Cronkshaw, J. ; Mansion House, Plantation Street, Accrington. (Dec., 1894). Crowfoot, Miss Ellen M. ; Blyburgate House, Beccles. (Sept., 1904). Cummings, A. ; 16, Promenade Villas, Cheltenham. (Dec., 1S96). CunliEFE, Mrs. ; 20, Eaton Gardens, Hove, Brighton. (May, 1S99). Cushny, Charles; Lauriston Castle, Lauriston, St. Cyrus, Kincardine¬ shire, N.B. (June, 1896). Darling, Alfred J. ; 52, Fore Street, Trowbridge. (March, 1904). 100 Darling, J. FFOLLiOTT, F.Z.S. ; C. M. Royal Dublin, Z.S., Salisbury, Rhodesia. (May, 1904). Dart, Henry ; 53, Richmond Road, Kingston-on-Thames. (May, 1903)- Dawbarn, Miss; Wisbech House, Leamington Spa. (Jam, 1904). List of Members. 5 Dawnay, The Lady Adelaide ; Brampton House, Northampton. (July, 1903). DELL, Charles; 9, High Street, Harlesden, N.W. (July, 1900). DE Mancha, Jose M. ; 1, Gledhow Gardens, Earl’s Court, S.W. (Oct., 1902) . DENT, C. H. ; Queen’s Hotel, Penzance. (Feb., 1899). DE Tablet, The Lady; Berry Court, Bournemouth. (June, 1902). DE Taintegnies, La Baronne LE Clement ; Cleveland, Minehead, Somerset. (Feb., 1902). Devas, George ; Hartfield, Hayes, Kent. (Oct., 1898). no Dewar, J. F. ; 2, St. Patrick Square, Edinburgh. (Orig. Mem.). De WinTon, William Edward, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Orielton, Pem¬ broke. (Aug., 1903). Douglas, William C., F.Z.S. ; 9, Trebovir Road, Earl’s Court, S.W. (Nov. 1900). Drewitt, Frederic Dawtrey, M. A., M. D., F. R. C. P., F. Z. S., M.B.O.U. ; 14, Palace Gardens Terrace, Kensington, W. (May 1903) - Druitt, Claud F. ; 2, Brighton Villas, London Road, Alvaston, Derby. (Jan 1899). DunlEath, The Lady ; Ballywalter Park, Ballywalter, co. Down, Ire¬ land. (Aug., 1897). Dunsany, The Lady ; Duustall Priory, Shoreham-by-Sevenoaks, Kent. (Feb., 1902). Dutton, The Hon. and Rev. Canon ; Bibury, Fairford. (Orig. Mem). Edwards, G. ; 151, Camberwell Road, S.E. (Aug. 1902). EgerTon, Miss; Terriugton House, York. (Nov. 1903). 120 ELLIOTT, Mrs. Fogg; Staindrop, Darlington. (Dec., 1903). ELLIS, Stephen, H. ; 34, York Street, Wakefield. (June, 1902). Empson, Miss ; 1, Mill Hill Road, Barnes Common, S.W, (Jan., 1903). Ezra, David; 59, Ezra Street, Calcutta. (June, 1902). FarmborouGh, Percy, W., F.Z.S. ; Lower Edmonton. (June, 1896).* Farrar, The Rev. C. D. ; Micklefield Vicarage, Leeds. (Jan., 1895). Fasey, William R. ; The Oaks, Holly Bush Hill, Snaresbrook, N.E. (May, 1902). Feilding, The Lady Louisa ; Broome Park, Betchworth, Surrey. (July, 1902). Feoulkes, Mrs. ; St. Melangell, Brighton Road, Rhjd. (Aug., 1903). Field, George ; Sorrento, Staplehurst, Kent. (March, 1900). 130 Fillmer, Horatio R. ; Brendon, Harrington Road, Brighton. (Dec., 1903). Finn, Frank, B.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; 22, Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill, London, N.W. (March, 1895). Finn, Harry R. ; 85, Victoria Road, St. Albans, Herts. (July, 1903). Fitz-Gerald, Miss Dorothy; c/o Colonel Fitz-Gerald, 68th Durham Light Infantry, Gliopori Lines, Poona, India. (Feb., 1903). Fletcher, Tlie Rev. J. C.iB., M.A. ; Mundham Vicarage, Chichester. ' - T c; (April, 1902). 6 List of Members. Flower, Capt. Stanley S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Director, Egyptian Government Zoological Gardens ; Gliizeh (Giza), Cairo. (Jan. 1903). Foeeett, The Lady Julia; Woodside, Old Windsor. (Oct., 1903). Foster, Wm. Hire; 164, Portland Street, Southport. (Jan., 1902). Fothergiee, Major Henry, J.P. ; Copt Hall, Hawkliurst. (April, 1900). FoweER, ChareeS ; 26, Broad Street, Blaenavon. (Dec., 1S94). 140 Fox, C. J. ; 35, Addington .Street, Ramsgate. (May, 1897). FurnEaux, Miss; 35, Banbury Road, Oxford. (June, 1S95). Gibbs, Mrs. H. Martin ; Barrow Court, Flax Bourton, R. S. O., Somerset. (April, 1904). Gibbins, Wieeiam B. ; Ettiugton, Stratford-on-Avon. (June, 1895).* Giebey, Mrs. ; 28, Seymour Street, Portman Square, W. (July, 1902). Giles, Henry M., M.A.O.U. (Orig. Mem.) ; Zoological Gardens, Perth, Western Australia. (June 1903). GiEE, Arthur; Veterinary Establishment, Bexley Heath, Kent. (Dec. 1S99). Goddard, Miss; Westrop House, Highworth, Swindon, Wilts. (Jan., 1902). Goddard, H. E. ; Rothesay, Thicket Road, Sutton, .Surrey. (Feb., 1899). Goodchild, Herbert, M.B.O.U; 66, Gloucester Road, Regent’s Park, N.W. (Oct., 1902). 150 Goodfeeeow, Walter, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Wyndale, Richmond Park, Bournemouth. (June, 1897). GoRTER, Mrs. ; The Delta, Walmer, Kent. (Nov., 1901). Grace, Gustave ; 16, Little Westgate, Wakefield. (March, 1896). Greene, W. T., M.A., M.D. ; 282, Portobello Road, North Kensington, W. (Dec., 1901). Gregory, Aubrey; Gopalichuck, Jheriah, E.I.R., India. (Nov. 1902). Gregory, Mrs. ; Melville, Parkstone, Dorset. (Dec., 1901). Griffiths, M. E. ; Fernside, Childer Road, Stowmarket. (May 1902). Gronvoed, Henrik ; 26, Albert Bridge Road, Battersea Park, S.W. (Nov., 1902). Groser, F. vS. ; 2, Belvedere Road, Alipore, Calcutta. (Sept., 1902). Guilford, Miss H. ; 23, Lenton Avenue, The Park, Nottingham. (March, 1903). 160 Gunther, Robert L- ; Park Wood, Englefield Green, Surrey. (Aug., 1904). Haeeiweee, J. ; 11, Westbourne Grove, West Kirby, Birkenhead. (Feb., 1903). Hamilton, Madame ; Les Deux Parzes, Champery (Valais), Switzer¬ land. (Nov., 1902). Hamilton, Miss ; 48, Bryanston Street, Portman Square, W. (April, 1902). Hamilton, Mrs. ; Bauuerdown House, Batheaston, Bath. (Feb., 1895). Harding, W. A., F.Z.S. ; Histon Manor, Cambridge. (Dec., 1903). Harewood, The Countess of; Harewood House, Leeds. (March, 1903). List of Members. 7 Harper, Miss; 55, Waterloo Road, Bedford. (March, 1902). Harper, Edmund Wiggiam, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 45, Water Street Georgetown, Demerara, Br. Guiana, S. America. (Feb., 1901). Harper, Frederick Wm. ; East Cottiugwood, Morpeth. (May, 1902). 170 Harris, Frank, F.R.H.S. ; Vernon Park, Stockport. (Oct. 1902). Harteey, Mrs. ; St. Helen’s Lodge, Hastings. (April, 1S97). Hawke, The Hon. Mary C. ; Wighill Park, Tadcaster. (Nov., 1900). Hawkins, L. W. ; Estrilda, 17, New Clive Road, West Dulwich, S.E. (Jan., 1899). Hay, G. B. ; Oakbourne, Sheffield. (Dec., 1903). HemsworTH, The Rev. B., M.A., J.P. ; Monk Frvston Hall, South Milford, Yorks. (June, 1901). Hesseeton, H. C. ; 86, Broolcdale Road, Sefton Park, Liverpool. (Dec., 1S99). Hiee, Mrs. Reginaed; Holfield Grange, Coggeshall, Essex. (Aug., 1903)- Hinckes, R. T. ; Foxley, Hereford. (Feb., 1899). Hindee, R. Frankein ; 34, Brunswick Road, Liverpool. (Sept., 1898). 180 Hocken, Dr. F.Z.S. ; Dunedin, New Zealand. (Jan., 1904). Hodgson, The Hon. Mrs. ; Escrick Rectorj’, York. (March, 1903). Hodgson, Richard, Jun. ; Molescroft, Beverley. (Feb., 1903). Hopson, Fred C. ; Northbrook Street, Newbury. (March, 1897). Horeick, Mrs. ; Cowley Manor, Cheltenham. (April, 1904). Horsbrugh, Capt. Boyd R., A.S.C. ; Seabrook Vale, Shorucliffe Camp, Kent. (Jan, 1898). Horton, Leonard W. ; Longfield, Bescot, Walsall. (Feb., 1902). Houe'i’On, Charges ; Laburnum House, Denton’s Green, St. Helen’s, Lancs. (Feb., 1897). Housden, James B. ; Brooklyn, Cator Road, Sydenham. (Orig. Mem.). Howard, Robert James, M.B.O.U. ; Shear Bank, Blackburn. (April, i9°3)- 190 Howman, Miss; Sherwood, Essex Grove, Upper Norwood. (March, 1897). Hughes, Mrs.; Fairhaveu, Preston Drove, Brighton. (April, 1895 Humphrys, RUSSEGE; Soutliboro’, Bickle}', Kent. (April, 1896). Husband, Miss; Clifton View, York. (Feb., 1896). HuTT, Henry T. ; 24, Cockspur .Street, London, S.W. (Nov., 1896). Inchiouin, The Lady; Dromoland Castle, County Clare, Ireland. (Nov., 1897). Ingeis, Chas. M. ; Baghownie Factory. Darblianga, Tirlioot State Railway, India. (Sept., 1902). Ingram, Sir Wiggiam, Bart.; 65, Cromwell Road, London, S. W. (Sept., 1904). Innes Bey, Dr. Francis WagTER, M.B.O.U. ; Curator, Zoological Museum, Government School of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt. (Mar., 1903)- Ivens, Miss ; Moss Bank, Cuckoo Road, Hanwell, Middlesex. (Aug., 1903)- 8 List of Members. 200 JardinE, Miss Emily; Lad}’’ Superintendent, Freed Slaves’ Home, Northern Nigeria, West Africa. (Jan., 1903). JKnnison, George ; Davonport Park, Stockport. (Sept., 1897). Johnstone, Mrs. E. J. ; Rougliam Hall, Bury St. Edmunds. (May, 1900). Jones, H. ; 13, Commercial Road, Ipswich. (Oct., 1903). KEM?, Robin; The Chase, Halstead, Essex. (March, 1903). Kestermann, Hermann ; 3, Siidstrasse, Greig, Germany. (March, 1903)- KeyTEL, P. Casper; Brighton Castle, Mouille Point, Cape Town, South Africa. (June, 1902). Kirkwood, Mrs. ; Higlifields Park, Withyham, Tunbridge Wells. (June, 1903). Lancaster, John ; Ashlawn, Rugby. (March, 1904). Lancaster, Mrs. H. R. ; 7, Victoria Terrace. Walsall. (Aug., 1897). 210 Langford, Miss; Fairlea, Upperton Road, Eastbourne. (Nov., 1902). Lasceeees, The Hon. Gerald, F.Z.S. ; M.B.O.U. The King’s House, Lyndhurst. (Oct., 1896). Lawson, Mrs. F. W. ; Adel, Leeds. (Nov., 1903). LEEDER, J. VinER ; 22, Brynmill Crescent, Swansea. (Nov., 1899). Lennie, J. C. ; Rose Park, Trinity Road, Edinburgh. (Orig. Mem.). * LEVERKiiHN, Dr. Paul, M.D., C.M.Z.S., & c. ; Director of the Scientific Institutions and Library of H.R.H. The Prince of Bulgaria; The Palace, Sophia, Bulgaria. (May, 1903). Lewis, W. Jarrett; Corstorpliine, Ryde, I. of W. (Oct., 1904). Lilford, The Lady ; Lilford Hall, Oundle, Northamptonshire. (Jan., 1898). Little, Geo. W., M.D. ; 47, Ridge Street, Glens Falls, N.Y., United States of America. (Oct., 1903). Llewelyn, Sir John T. Dillwyn, Bart., M.A., D. L., F. Z. S. ; Penllergaer, Swansea. (May, 1903). 220 Lowte, Samuel ; Albert Cottage, Buxton Road, Mile End, Stockport. (Oct., 1902). Lyon, Miss R. ; Harwood, Horsham. (Nov., 1894). MacCall, Miss ; The Rest, Church Crookham, B'leet, R. S. O., Hants. (May, 1904). McLaughlin, Lieut.-Col. H. I., R.A.M.C. ; The Neuk, Bridge of Teitli, Donne, Perthshire. (Aug., 1902). Marshall, Maj.-Gen. Sir G. H., K. C. B. ; Manor Lodge, Aldershot. (Nov., 1903). Martin, H. C. ; 178, Victoria Road, Old Charlton, Kent, and Fray Bentos, Uruguay. (Jan., 1897). Mason, Bazlinton ; 23, North Parade, Lincoln. (Nov., 1902). Mathias, H. W., F.R.H.S. ; Doone Cottage, Thames Ditton, Surrey. (March, 1900). Mayor, Cecil M. ; Holmwood, Paignton, S. Devon. (March, 1903). Meade -Waldo, E. G. B., F. Z. S., M.B.O.U.; Stonewall Park, Edenbridge, Kent. (Jan., 1S95). List of Members. 9 230 Mellor, Mrs.; Fair Fawn, Fytham, Fanes. (March, 1904). MkrryeEES, Miss; 16, Harley Street, Cavendish Square, W. (June, 1904). Michele, Mrs. ; Crakehall, Bedale. (Sept., 1898). Mitchell, Harry; The Duchy House, Harrogate. (Feb., 1904). Miller, Fady ; The Knole, Bournemouth. (July, 1S99). MoERSCHELL, F. ; Imperial Hotel, Malvern. (June, 1895). MOORE, Wm. Fawcett ; 18, Albany Street, Edinburgh. (Aug., 1903). Morse, D. S. ; Bank of Ireland, Mount Bellew, Ireland. (July, 1903). Morshead, Fady; Forest Fodge, Binfield, Bracknell, Berks. (Dec., 1894). * Mortimer, Mrs. ; Wigmore, Holmwood, Surrey. (Orig. Mem.). * 240 Mortimer, Miss ; Wigmore, Holmwood, Surrey. (March, 1903). Mumford, J. J. ; The Poplars, Kettering. (Dec., 1900). Murray, John ; 25, Glasgow Street, Ardrossan. (March, 1903). Mylan, Jas. George, M.D. ; Carlisle House, Grimesthorpe, Sheffield. (Dec., 1901). Newman. T. H., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; (Hon. Business Secretary); 20, Montpelier Square, South Kensington, S.W. (May, 1900). Nicholson, Alfred E. ; 24, Shandwick Place, Edinburgh. (Oct., 1896). * Noble, Mrs. ; Park Place, Henley-on-Thames. (Oct., 1900). Norman, Miss; Royal Hospital, Chelsea, S.W. (Jan., 1902). North, Mrs. Frederick; 8, Brvanston Street, Portman Square, W. (Aug., 1903). Norwood, Eille ; York. (Aug., 1901). 250 Oakey, W. ; The Cross Keys Hotel, High Cross Street, Feicester. (March, 1S96). * Oates, F\ W. ; White House Farm, New Feeds, Feeds. (Oct., 1897). Oberholser, Harry C. Biological Survey, Department of Agricul¬ ture ; 1454, Sheridan Avenue,. N. W., Washington, D. C., United States of America. (Oct., 1903). Ogilvie-GranT, W. R., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; British Museum (Nat. Hist.), Cromwell Road, S.W. (Dec. 1903). Ogilvy, Henry S. T. Hamilton; Biel, Prestoukirk, N.B. (March, 1900). Ogle, Bertram SavilE, M.B.O.U. ; Steeple Aston, Oxford. (Dec., 1902). O’Reilly, Nicholas S. ; 9, Royal Crescent, Ramsgate. (Dec. 1S94). Osbaldeston, W. ; 3, Tithe Barn Street, Preston. (June, 1S95). * Ostrehan, J. Eliott D. ; Bank House, Thame, Oxon. (April, 1903). Page, Wesley T., F.Z.S. ; 6, Rylett Crescent, Shepherd’s Bush, W. .(May,. 1897). 260 Pantin, Charles W. ; Heathdene, Vanbrugh Park Road East, Blacklieath. (May, 1904). Panton, Miss Alice ; 12, King Edward’s Road, Oldfield Park, Bath. (April, 1903). io List of Members. Parker, Duncan, J.P. ; Clopton Hall, Woolpit, Bury St. Edmunds. (June, 1903). Parkin, Thomas, M.A., F.R.G.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Fairseat, High Wickham, Hastings. (Oct., 1903). Parsons, Miss; Birdsall Grange, York. (Jan., 1902). PEER, Dady ; Pottertou Hall, Barwick-iu-Elmet, Deeds. (June, 1904). Peir, P. ; Box 504, G.P.O., Sydney; and 50, Bondi Road, Waverley, Sydney, N. S. Wales. (July, 1903). Penrose, Frank G., M.D., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; S4, Wimpole Street, W. (Dec. 1903). Percivar, Waiter Girbey ; Irrigation Department, El Darner, Soudan, via Egypt. (Feb., 1902). Perreau, Capt. G. A.; 2/4 Gurkha Rifles, Baldoh, Punjab, India. (Dec., 1903)- 270 Perrier, Mrs. Lumrey ; Saville House. Twickenham. (Feb., 1899). Perring, C. S. R. ; 4, Cambridge Villas, High Street, Teddington. (Sept. 1895). PERRYMAN, C. W. ; Bifrons, Farnborough, Hants. (March, 1902). Phirripps, Noer, 21, Addison Gardens, Kensington, W. (Nov. 1901). Phirripps, Reginard ; 26, Cromwell Grove, West Kensington Park, W. (Orig. Mem.) * Phirripps, Mrs, ; 26, Cromwell Grove, West Kensington, Park, W. (Orig. Mem.). Picard, Hugh K. ; 10, Sandwell Crescent, W. Hampstead, N.W, (March, 1902). Pickkord, Randorph John ; Job’s Hill House, Crook, co. Durham. (Feb., 1903). PiTT, Mrs. ; The Nest, Torquay. (Dec., 1S94). Pocock, R. I., F.Z.vS. ; Zoological Societv’s Gardens, Regent’s Park, N.W. (Feb., 1904). 280 Porter, G. C. ; 28, Mill Street, Bedford. (Dec., 1901). Powis, The Earl of ; 45, Berkeley Square, W. ; and Powis Castle, Welshpool. (April, 1902). PRICE, ATHERSTAN, E., M.B.O.U. ; Bridge Cottage, Broxbourne, Herts. (August, 1902). Proctor, Major F. W., M.B.O.U. ; Dowufield, Maidenhead. (May, 1903)- Rabbich, H. P. ; The Kraal, Paignton, S. Devon. (March, 1903). Rathborne, Henry B. ; Dunsinea, Castlekuock, co. Dublin. (May, 1901). Rathborne, Mrs. ; Dunsinea, Castlekuock, co. Dublin. (Nov., 1902). Rawson, Miss ; Millhouse, Halifax. (Nov., 1903). Reay, J. H. A. ; 7, Rosemouut, Walliugtou. Surrey. (April, 1S98). REID, Mrs. ; Funchal, Madeira. (Feb., 1895). 290 Reid, C. S. ; 4, Howard Park Drive, Kilmarnock. (Dec., 1902). Renaut, W. E., M.B.O.U. ; 15, Grafton Square, Clapham, S.W. (April, 1897). REnshaw, Graham, M. B., F.Z.S. ; Sale Bridge House, Sale, Manchester. (Feb., 1903). List of Members. ii Rice, Captain G. ; Glayquliat, Blairgowrie, N.B. (May. 1902). Richard, E. ; Hotel Metropole, Brighton. (Orig. Mem.). Ritchie, Norman ; The Holmes, St. Boswells, N.B. (Feb., 1903). ROBERTS, Mrs., M.Aust.O.U ; Beaumaris, Montpelier Street, Hobart, Tasmania. (June, 1903). Roberts, Norman B. : West Retford Cottage, Retford. (Feb., 1S9S). Robertson, Mrs. ; Bishop’s Tachbrook, Leamington. (Jan., 1900). Roe, Miss M. ; Edgmoud, Cambridge Road, Bellevue, Hobart, Tasmania. (June, 1903). 300 Rogerson, A. ; Fleurville, Ashford Road, Cheltenham. (Dec., 1902). Roswell, Irving P. ; 370 Upliam Street, Melrose, Mass., U. S. A., and (for letters only) 6 and 8, Brattle Square, Boston, Mass., United States of America. (Oct., 1903). RoTCh, Mrs. ; 3, Beach Lawn, Waterloo, Liverpool. (June, 1897). Rothera, Chas. L., B.A. ; Hazelwood, Forest Grove, Nottingham. (July, 1S95). Rothschild, The Hon. L. Walter, M.P., D.Sc., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Tring Park, Herts. (Jan., 1900). Rudkin, F. H. ; Belton, Uppingham. (Oct., 1902). Rycroft, Mark E. ; 8, Park Street, Wakefield. (Jan., 1902). ST. Ouintin, William Herbert, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Scampston Hall, Rillington, York. (Orig. Mem.). ST. QuinTin, Miss ; Scampston Hall, Rillington, York. (Jan., 1902). Salt, Dr. E. G. ; 59, George Square, Edinburgh. (July, 1S95). 310 Salter, Albert J. ; Thame, Oxon. (March, 1902). Saunders, Wm. Radcliffe, C.E., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 33, High Bank, Tunbridge, Kent. (May, 1903). Savage, A. ; 3, Rue Bihorel, Bihorel, Rouen, Seine Iuferieure, France. (April, 1895). Savege, George, M.D. ; Newbegin, Beverley. (Oct., 1896). Scherren, Henry, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; 9, Cavendish Road, Harringay, N. (Dec., 1902). Schmettau, George E. ; Redlands, Crockham Hill, Edenbridge, Kent. (June, 1903). Schweder, Paul E. ; Courtlands, Goring — Worthing, Sussex. (Nov., 1902). Sclater, W. L., M.A., F.Z.S., Director of the .South African Museum ; Capetown, S. Africa. (Aug., 1904). SCOTT, Professor Willtam E. D., Curator of Ornithology ; Princeton Museum, Princeton, N. J., United States of America. (June, 1900). Sergeant, John ; 4, Church Road, Birkdale, Southport. (Orig. Mem.). * 320 Service, Robert, M.B.O.U. ; Maxwelltown, Dumfries. (Jan., 1904) Seth-Smith, David, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (Hon. Editor ) ; Glengarry, 14, Canning Road, Addiscombe, Surrey. (Dec., 1894). Seth-Smith, Leslie M., B.A., M.B.O.U. ; Survey Dept., Entebbe, Uganda. (July, 1902). 12 List of Ad embers. SeTh-SmiTh, Mrs. W. ; Alleyne, Caterham Valley, Surrey. (Sept., 1904). Seton-StuarT, Lady ; Touch, Stirling. (Feb., 1904). Sharp, Miss; Spring Gardens, Ringwood, Hants. (Orig. Mem.). SHEEEEY, Captain George Ernest, F.Z.S., F.R.G.S,, M.B.O.U. ; 39, Egertou Gardens, South Kensington, S.W. (Aug., 1903). Shepherd, Miss B. ; The Den, Walton-on-Thames. (April, 1901). Sherbrooke, Mrs. P. ; Keldholme Priory, Kirby Moorside, Yorks. (March, 1897). SHERSTON, Mrs. Maxweee ; Alford Cottage, near Castle Cary, Somerset. (May, 1902). 330 SHOWEEE, Miss ; Park Vale. Edgbaston, Birmingham. (April, 1903). Stch, Herbert Leonard ; c/o H. C. Holman, Esq., Lydfords, East Hoathly, Sussex. (Feb., 1902). SlGVER, A BEEN ; Long Mel ford, Suffolk. (Aug., 1904). Simpson, Archibaed ; 98, Tempest Road, Beestou Hill, Leeds. (Feb., 1901). SeaTER, Arthur A. ; Prescot Road, St. Helen’s. (Nov., 1894). Smith, H. B. ; Grangefield, Park Road South, Birkenhead. (Juue, 1895). * SmiThwick, Capt. W. F. ; Youglial House, Nenagli, Ireland. (Nov., 1902). Sopp. Mrs. W. M. ; 104, Liverpool Road, Birlcdale, Southport. (Apr., 1904). Southport Corporation W. James Hathaway, Curator; Hesketli Park, Southport. (Jan., 1904). Speed, HedeEY ; 12, Victoria Park, Bangor, Wales. (Nov., 1900). 340 Spicer, The Lady Margaret ; Spye Park, Chippenham, Wilts. (March, 1903). Stansfeed, John ; Dunninald, Montrose, N. B. (Dec., 1896). S'TANYFORTH, Mrs. ; Kirk Hanimerton Hall, York. (Nov., 1S97). Stark, W. P. ; Eccleston, Torquay. (Aug., 1903). Steinberg, M. ; 57S, West Street, Durban, Natal. (Sept., 1903). Stevens, W. E. ; Punch Bowl Hotel, Lowtlier Street, York. (June. 1899). Steward, R, D. ; 6, Stanger Road, South Norwood. (Feb,, 1904). Stireing, Mrs. Chas. ; 32, Snowdon Place, Stirling, N.B. (Sept., 1904). STRICK, ChareES ; The Croft, West Cross, Glamorganshire. (June, I9°3)- SturTon-Johnson, Miss ; Oratava House, Ore, Hastings. (May, 1897). 350 Suggitt, Robert ; Suggitt’s Lane, Cleetliorpes, Grimsby. (Dec., 1-903). Sutton, Lady; Benham Park, Newbury. (Dec., 1901). SwaieES, George c. ; Beverley, Yorks. (Juue, 1895). Swan, J. A. ; 87, Lower Kenuington Lane, S.E. (June, 1902). Swayseand, WAETER ; 47, Queen’s Road, Brighton. (Orig. Mem.). * Swift, Donaed ; 58, Avenue Road, Crouch End, N. (Dec., 1S9S). Swinfen-Brown, Mrs. ; Swiufen Hall, Lichfield. (Feb., 189S). List of Members. 13 Tanner, Dr. ; Vauvert House, Guernsey. (Jan., 1904). Tate, Miss ; Bank House, Acklington, Northumberland. (May, 1900). Tennant, W. A. ; Westfield, Hoddesdon, Herts. (April, 1904). 360 Terry, Major Horace, A., M.B.O.U. (late Oxfordshire Light Infantry) ; The Lodge, Upper Halliford, Shepperton. (Oct., 1902). TeschemakER, W. E., B.A. ; Ringmore, Teignmouth, .Devon. (May, 1904). Theeeusson, Mrs. ; Brodswortli Hall, Doncaster. (Dec., 1903). Thom, A. A.; Adlington (Lancs.), Chorley. (June, 1S95). * Thomas, Henry; The Vineries, Boronghbridge, York. (Jan., 1S95). Thomas, Miss F. ; Hurworth Manor, Darlington. (March, 1899). Thomas, Mrs., W. F. ; Bishopshalt, Hillingdon, Uxbridge. (Oct., 1904). Thomasset, Bernard C. ; West Wickham, Kent. (July, 1896). Thompson, Mrs. Waedegrave ; Forest Lodge, 23, Ravenscourt Park, W. (Dec., 1S95). Thomson, Arthur ; Assistant Superintendent, Zoological Society’s Gardens, Regent’s Park, N.W. (Dec,, 1903). 370 Thornieey, Percy Wright; Shooter’s Hill, Wem, Shrewsbury, (Feb., 1902). Thorpe, ChareeS; Selborne, Chatsworth Road, Croydon. (Dec., 1901). Thorpe, F. C. ; 75, South Parade, Hull. (Jan., 1902). Thursby, Lady; Ormerod House, Burnley. (June, 1S95). * Tidey, J. W. ; 11, York Road, Worthing. (Nov., 1902). Todd, Richard Aeered, F.Z.S. ; Groombridge, Hersham, Walton-on- Thames. (June, 1895). Toye, Mrs.; Stanhope, Bideford, N. Devon. (Feb., 1897). Tomes, W., J.P. ; Glenmoor, 31, Billing Road, Northampton. (Dec. 1902) . TownEnd, Frank H.; 26, Dornton Road, South Croydon. (May 1895). * Townsend, Staneey M. ; 3, Swift Street, Fulham* ,S.W. (Sept., 1898). 380 Trestraie, Major AeEred B., F.R.G.S. ; Southdale, Clevedon. (Sept. 1903) - Trevor-Battye, Aubyn B. R., M.A., F.L.S., &c. ; Broxton, Cliilbolton, Stockbridge, Hants. (July, 1898). Turner, Thomas, J.P. ; Cullompton, Devon. (Dec,, 1895). TwEEDiE, Capt. W.; 93rd Highlanders; Stirling Castle, Stirling, N.B. (April, 1903). VAEENTINE, Ernest ; 7, Highfield, Workington. (May, 1899). Van Ueford, Ionkheer L. I- OuareES ; S, vande Spiegelstraat, The Hague (den Hagg), Holland. (Nov , 1902). VERE, The Very Rev. Canon ; St. Patrick’s Presbytery, 2IA, Soho Square, London, W. (Sept., 1903). VERRAEE, CeaudE; Leyton Lodge, Denmark Road, Carshalton. (Mav 1897). Vivian, Mrs. ; c/o M. C. Tait, 29, Massington Road, Hampstead, N.W. (March, 1903). 14 List of Members. Waddell, Miss Peddie ; 4, Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh, N.B. (Feb., 1903). 390 Walker, Mrs. Herbert; 55, Fitzroy Road, Regent’s Park, N.W. (June, 1903). WALKER, Miss; Hanley Podge, Corstorphine, Midlothian. (Jan., 1903). Walker, Miss H. K. 0. ; Cliesliani, Bury, Pane. (Feb., 1895). Wallop, The Hon. F'rederic; 48, Eaton Terrace, S.W. (Feb., 1902). Warde, The Pady Harriett; Knotley Hall, Tunbridge. (Aug., 1903). Waterhouse, Mrs. D. ; 6, Esplanade, Scarborough. (Feb., 1903). Watkins, Watkin, B.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Highfield, Harrow. (April, 1903). Watson, John; Wentbridge Podge, Pontefract. (Sept., 1900). WEBBER, Mis. Oswald ; Burwood, Pinhoe, Exeter. (Aug., 1903). Wentworth, Mrs. ; Woolley Park, Wakefield. (Nov., 1903). 400 WEST, Miss E. E. ; The Homestead, Hawthorne Road, Bickley Park, Kent. (April, 189S). * Whitaker, Joseph, PS., P'.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Malfitano, Palermo, Sicily. (Aug., 1903). Whitehead, Mrs. Henry ; Haslem Hey, Bur}7, Pane. (March, 1902). WhyTEHEAD, T. B. ; Acomb House, York. (April, 1897). Wiener, Aug. F., F.Z.S. ; 6, Northwick Terrace, Maida Vale, N.W. (July, 1896)'. Wiglesworth, Toseph, M.D., M.B.O.U1.; Rainhill, Pancashire. (Oct., 1903)- Wigram, Miss Florence E. ; Chesnut Podge, Cobliam, Surrey. (July, 1903). Wigram, Miss Madeline ; King’s Gatcliell, Taunton. (Sept., 1903). Wilde, Miss M. ; Pittle Gaddesden, Berkliamsted. (Dec., 1896). Willatt, Miss Mabel; The Podge, Draycott, Derby. (April, 1903). 410 Williams, Mrs. C. H. ; 49, Okehampton Road, St. Thomas, Exeter. (May, 1902). Williams, Mrs. Howard ; Hamilton Podge, Bickley, Kent. (April, 1902). Williams, Mrs. PesliE ; Swanswick Cottage, Bath. (June, 1895). Williamson, R. B. ; Probate House, Wakefield. (May, 1902). Wilmot, The Rev. Richard H. ; Poulton Vicarage, Fairford. (Dec., 1902). Wilson, The Rev. C. W. ; Holy Trinity Clergy House, Great Portland Street, W. (June, 1904). Wilson T. Needham; Oak Podge, Bitterne, Southampton. (Dec., 1901). Winchilsea and Nottingham, The Countess of; Harlech, Merioneth. (April, 1903). Wolff:, Miss Georgina; S. John’s, 57, Granada Road, E. Southsea. (Aug., 1904). Woods, Miss; North Grimstone House, York. (May, 1902). 420 Workman, Wm. Hughes, M.B.O.U. ; Pismore, Windsor, Belfast. (May, 1903). WrigglESWorth, Samuel B. ; 56, Stonegate, York. (Dec., 1903). List 0/ Members. 15 Wright, Mrs. ; 3, Rose Villas, Picton Road, Ramsgate. (Feb., 1898). WROTTESLEY, The Hon. Walter B., F.Z.S. ; 8, Herbert Crescent, Chelsea, S.W. (Oct., 1902). Yarborough, Mrs. ; Campsniount, Doncaster. (Nov., 1899). Yewdall, P. ; Brookfield, Calverley, Reeds. (June, 1903). i6 Rides of the Avicultural Society. RULES OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. As amended June 1904. 1. — The name of the Society shall be The Avicueturae Society, and its objects shall be the study of Foreign and British Birds in freedom and in captivity. Poultry, Pigeons, and Canaries shall be outside the scope of the Society. The year of the Society, with that of each volume of the Society’s Magazine, which shall be known as The Avicultural Magazine, shall commence with the month of November and end on the 31st of October following. 2. — The Avicultural Society shall consist of Ordinary and Honorary Members; and the latter shall be restricted in number to six, and be elected by the Council. 3. — The Officers of the Society shall be elected, annually if necessary, by the members of the Council in manner hereinafter provided, and shall consist of a President, one or more Vice-Presidents, a Business Secretary, a Correspondence Secretary, an Editor, a Treasurer, an Auditor, a Scrutineer, and a Council of Twelve Members. The Secretaries, Editor, and Treasurer, shall be ex-officio Members of the Council. 4. — New Members shall be proposed in writing; and the name and address of every person thus proposed, with the name of the member proposing him, shall be published in the next issue of the Magazine. Unless the candidate shall, within tw'o weeks after the publication of his name in the Magazine, be objected to by at least two members, he shall be deemed to be duly elected. If five members shall lodge with the Business Secretary objections to any candidate he shall not be elected, but the signatures to the signed objections must be verified by the Scrutineer. If two or more members (but less than five) shall object to any candidate, the Secretary shall announce in the next number of the Magazine that such objections have been lodged (but shall not disclose the names of the objectors), and shall request the members to vote upon the question of the election of such candidate. Members shall record their votes in sealed letters addressed to the Scrutineer, and a candidate shall not be elected unless two-tliirds of the votes recorded be in his favour; nor shall a candidate be elected if five or more votes be recorded against his election. 5. — Each member shall pay an annual subscription of 10/-, to be due and payable in advance on the 1st of November in each year. New members shall pay, in addition, an entrance fee of 10/6 ; and, on payment of their entrance fee and subscription, they shall be entitled to receive all the numbers of the Society’s Magazine for the current year. 17 Rules of the Avicultural Society. 6. — Members1 intending to resign their membership at the end of the current year of the Society are expected to give notice to the Business Secretary before the ist of October, so that their names may not be included in the “ List of Members,” which shall be published annually in the November number of the Magazine. 7. — The Magazine of the Society shall be issued on or about the first day of every mouth*, and forwarded, post free, to all the Members who shall have paid their subscription for the year ; btit no Magazine shall be sent or delivered to any Member u?itil the annual subscription shall have reached the hands of the Business Secretary. Members whose subscription shall not have been paid as above by the first day in September in any year shall cease to be Members of the Society, and shall not be re-admitted until a fresh entrance fee, as well as the annual subscription, shall have been paid. 8. — The Secretaries, Editor, and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of five years, and, should a vacancy occur, it may be filled up by the Executive Committee. At the expiration of the term of five years in every case, it shall be competent for the Council to re-elect the officer for a further term of five years, unless a second candidate be proposed by not less than twenty-five Members of at least two years’ standing, as set forth below. The members of the Council shall retire by rotation, two at the end of each year of the Society (unless a vacancy or vacancies shall occur otherwise), and two other members of the Society shall be recom¬ mended by the Council to take the place of those retiring. The names of the two members recommended shall .be printed in the September number of the Avicultural Magazine. Should the Council’s selection be objected to by fifteen or more members, these shall have power to put forward two other candidates whose names, together with the signatures of not less than fifteen members proposing them, must reach the Hon. Business Secretary by the i^ih of September. The name of the four candidates will then be printed on a voting paper and sent to each member with the October number of the Magazine, and the result of the voting published in the November issue. Should no alternative candidates be put forward, in the manner and by the date above specified, the two candidates recommended by the Council shall be deemed to have been duly elected. In the event of an equality of votes the President shall have a casting vote. 9. — Immediately after the election of the Council, that body shall proceed to elect three from its members ( ex-officio members not being eligible). These three, together with the Secretaries and Editor, shall form a Committee known as the Executive Committee. Members of the Council shall be asked every year (whether there has been an election of that body Owing to the extra pressure of work, the October and November numbers are liable to be late. i8 Rides of the Avicultural Society. or not) if they wish to stand for the Executive, and in any year when the number of candidates exceeds three there shall be an election of the Executive. The duties of the Executive Committee shall be as follows : (i.) To sanction all payments to be made on behalf of the Society. (ii.) In the event of the resignation of any of the officers during the Society’s year, to temporarily fill the vacancy until the end of the year. In the case of the office being one which is held for more than a year ( e.g ■ Secretaries, Editor, or Treasurer) the appointment shall be confirmed by the Council at its next meeting. (iii.) To act for the Council in the decision of any other matters that may arise in connection with the business of the Society. The decision of any matter by the Executive to be settled by a simple majority (five to form a quorum). In the event of a tie on any question, such question shall be forthwith submitted by letter to the Council for their decision. The Executive shall not have power (i.) To add to or alter the Rules ; (ii.) To expel anj- member ; (iii.) To re-elect the Secretaries, Editor, or Treasurer for a second term of office. It shall not be lawful for the Treasurer to pay any account unless such account be duly initialed by the Executive. It shall be lawful for the Business Secretary or Editor to pledge the Society’s credit for a sum not exeeding £\$. Should a member wish any matter to be brought before the Council direct, such matter should be sent to the Business Secretary with a letter stating that it is to be brought before the Council at the Annual Meeting : otherwise communications will in the first place be brought before the Executive. A decision of a majority of the Council, or of a majority of the Executive endorsed by the Council shall be final and conclusive in all matters. 10. — The Editor shall have an absolute discretion as to what matter shall be published in the Magazine (subject to the control of the Executive Committee). The Business Secretary and Editor shall respectively refer all matters of doubt of difficulty to the Executive Committee. \_xo oe ouuna in ajter page ioj. Rules of the A vicultural Society. i8a 11. — It shall be lawful for the Council to delegate any of their powers to a Committee of not less than three, including the ex-officio Members. 12. - — The Council (but not a Committee of the Council) shall have power to alter and add to the Rules, from time to time, in any manner they may think fit, — five to form a quorum at any meeting of the Council. 13. — The Council shall have power to expel any Member from the Society at any time without assigning any reason. 14. — Neither the office of Scrutineer nor that of Auditor shall be held for two consecutive years b)r the same person. 15. — The Scrutineer shall not reveal to any person how any Member shall have voted. ' The Society's Medal. 19 THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL The Medal may be awarded, at the discretion of the Committee, to any Member who shall succeed in breeding, in the United Kingdom, any species of bird which shall not be known to have been previously bred in captivity in Great Britain or Ireland. Any Member wishing to obtain the Medal must send a detailed account for publication in the Magazine, within about eight weeks from the date of the hatching of the young, and furnish such evidence of the facts as the Executive Committee may require. The Medal will be awarded only in cases where the young shall live to be old enough to feed themselves, and to be wholly independent of their parents. The account of the breeding must be reasonably full, so as to afford instruction to our Members, and should describe the plumage of the young, and he of value as a permanent record of the nesting and general habits of the species. These points will have great weight when the question of awarding the Medal is under consideration. The parents of the young must be the bonci fide property of the breeder. Any evasion of this rule, in any form whatever, will not only disqualify the breeder from any claim to a Medal in that particular instance, but will seriously prejudice any other claims he or she may subsequently advance for the breeding of the same or other species. Iu every case, the decision of the Committee shall be filial. The Medal will be forwarded to each Member as soon after it shall have been awarded as circumstances will permit. The Medal is struck in bronze, and measures inches in diameter. It bears 011 the obverse a representation of two birds with a nest containing eggs, and the words “ The Avicultural Society — Founded 1894.” On the reverse is the following inscription : “ Awarded to {name of donee ) for rearing young of {name of species) a species not previously bred in captivity in the United Kingdom. Members to whom Medals have been awarded. [For a list of the Members to whom Medals were awarded during the First Series see Vol. II. {New Series ) p. 18.] NEW SERIES. Vol. I., p. 317. Mr. D. Sexh-SmiTh, for breeding the Greater Button- Quail, Turnix tanki, in 1903. „ „ p. 366. Mr. L. M. Seth-Smith, for breeding the Rain Quail, Coturnix coromandelica, in 1903. 20 The Society's Medal. Vol. I., p. 393. Miss R. Aederson, for breeding the White-fronted Dove, Leptoptila jamaicensis , in 1903. „ „ p. 400. Mr. W. H. ST. Ouintin, for breeding the Ruff, Pavoncella ptignax, in 1903. Vol. II., pp. 211 and 263. Mr. D. Seth-Smith, for breeding the Brush Bronzewing Pigeon, Phaps elegans in 1904. ,, ,, p. 270. Miss R. Aederson, for breeding the Rufous Dove, Leptoptila reichenbachi in 1904. ,, ,, p. 278. Mr. D. Seth-Smith, for breeding the Scaly Dove, Scardafella squamosa , in 1904. ,, „ p. 285. Mr. D. Seth-Smith, for breeding the Tataupa Tinamou. Crypturus tataupa, in 1904. ,, >i P- 339- Dr. Aebert Gunther, for breeding the Red-backed Shrike, Lanius collurio, in 1904. , , ,, p. 353. Mr. B. Fasey, for breeding the Yellow-runiped Parrakeet, Platycercus ftaveolus, in 1904. ,, , , p. 353. Mr. C. Castee-Seoane for breeding the Talpacoti Dove, ChamcEpelia talpacoti, in 1904. AviciAural Magazine. H.Gocieliild del. etlitL A.S.Rutli imp. EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH. (Eastern form) Ga.rduelis carduelis major. HIMALAYAN GOLDFINCH. Ca.rAu.elis eaniceps. THK 21 Bvucultural flfoagastne, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. New Series. — VOL. III. — NO. 1. — All rights reserved. NOVEMBER, 1904. THE EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH. Carduelis elegans. By J. Lewis Bonhote, M.A. Of all our indigenous birds, there is not one such a general favourite as the Goldfinch, although the Bullfinch and Linnet run him very close. The former, however, although bright in colour and tame and confiding by nature, has only a soft and monotonous pipe for a song, much inferior to the present species. Those Bullfinches specially trained to whistle tunes, command so high a price in this country, that they may be left out of consideration. What the Linnet lacks in colour — for in captivity he is a bird of sombre mien — is made up for by his song, and as he may be bought very cheaply, and thrives in captivity, he has a large following of admirers. In spite, however, of these strong rivals for the position of prime favourite, the Goldfinch will be acknowledged by most to easily hold his own. His song, if not so full and varied as that of the Linnet, is none the less very sweet and pleasing, whilst in the brilliancy of his colour he easily takes first place. Brighter and more variegated than the Bullfinch, a surprise is literally ‘ held up his sleeve,’ for when flying the brilliant yellow of the wing feathers, from which his name is derived, is displayed to its full extent. Owing to his being sought after on account of these many attractions, it is not surprising that it is a much scarcer bird 22 Mr. J. Lewis Bonhote, than it was some twenty or thirty years ago. On the bird- catchers the sole blame for this scarceness has been laid, and although, especially near large towns, they have undoubtedly made a difference to the numbers of this charming bird, yet the higher conditions of farming and the ever diminishing area of waste land have probably had a far greater influence on this scarcity. Wherever suitable wild pasture laud, well overgrown with thistles occurs there will be found the Goldfinch in very fair numbers, darting from thistle-head to thistle-head with golden gleam, a veritable jewel of nature. During the breeding season it is generally to be found in small woods or copses and orchards, returning regularly year after year to the same spot, and some¬ times even repairing the old nest. Two broods are often reared in a season, and as soon as the second brood has left the nest the whole family takes flight to the open pastures. Tame and confiding at all times, the young when they first leave the nest fall an easy prey to the wiles of the bird- catcher, who at such times is generally able to capture the whole family ; but should the parents have their suspicions aroused in any way, although both old and young may remain near the nets for some considerable time, they will in all probability never be caught, and will, into the bargain, warn off any other families that may be passing. Fabulous numbers of these birds used to be caught along the South Coast about half a century ago and, according to a correspondent in the Zoologist i860 p. 7,144, no less than 1,154 dozens were sent to London from the neighbourhood of Worthing in the course of a single year. It must, however, be borne in mind that over 1,000 of these dozens were caught on migration in October and November, and consequently these numbers, large as they are, could not have affected our home¬ grown birds to any great extent. Last year, at Mr. Harvie Brown’s suggestion, many notes relating to the present status of the Goldfinch in England were published in the Zoologist , and afforded on the whole pleasant reading, for the majority of the correspondents agreed that the protection laws had caused an on the European Goldfinch. 23 increase ill its numbers, and at the present time it is apparently by no means uncommon in many parts of the country. A description of so well known a bird would be super¬ fluous. The sexes are alike in colour, but may be distinguished by the shoulders of the males being a pure and intense black, while those of the females are rusty. The young birds, known as ‘ Grey Pates,’ are similar to the adult but duller, and the head is of a uniform greyish brown. Varieties are not uncommon, and two of them are so well known as to be universally recognised. The principal of these is called the Cheverel : in this case the chin is white instead of red, the white extending upwards on either side through the black band and meeting on the occiput: although lam unable to vouch for the statement, this variety is said to have a sweeter and better song. Another well known variety is the Pea-throat, in which the white on the chin, instead of entirely replacing the red leaves a small patch the size of a pea in the centre. Intermediate varieties exist, which are known to bird-catchers as “ Bastard Cheverels.” Albinism is not very uncommon, but I have just received a curious melanistic variety in which the whole head is black, the underparts very dark brown with the exception of a white patch on the vent, back dark brown, wings normal. The so-called foreign Goldfinches, in spite of what may be said to the contrary, do not differ from our own ; but the large Siberian birds, which are freely imported from Russia, are undoubtedly a larger and brighter race, and it is this larger race which meets and interbreeds with the Asiatic Goldfinch (C. caniceps), on which species Mr. Finn is, I believe preparing an article for our Magazine. ,THE RED-CAPPED PARROT. A fine example of the Red-capped Parrot (. Pionopsittacus pileatus ) from Brazil, a very rare species, was shown at the recent Crystal Palace Bird Show. It obtained a fourth prize, commoner birds being placed before it. 24 Mr. Frank Finn, THE HIMALAYAN GOLDFINCH. Carduelis ca?iiceps. By Frank Finn, B.A., F.Z.S. Just as the donkey suffers in general estimation from the fact that he is not a horse, so is the present bird likely to be looked down upon by comparison with the Common Goldfinch, for wherever it differs from that species the difference is mostly to its own disadvantage, the want of the distinct black-and-white head marking being especially noticeable. This particular difference is not seen in the “ grey-pate ” stage of the two species, but such young birds are at once dis¬ tinguishable by the very different proportions and arrangement of the black-and-white on the quills, well shown in Mr. Goodchild’s beautiful drawing. Although this shows the Common Goldfinch as a much browner bird than the very “ mealy ” caniceps, this is not a constant distinction, as I have seen Persian skins of the former which matched the latter in the light drab tone of their colouring. The blaze is noticeably smaller in caniceps than in the other, and the beak, also though as long as the ordinary Goldfinch’s or longer, inclines to the very acute and thorn-like form of the Siskin’s. But in most respects the two birds are obviously cast in the same mould. The Himalayan Goldfinch has a wide range, inhabiting not only the Himalayas, but Siberia from Krasnoyarsk to Lake Baikal, Transcaspia, Afghanistan, and Turkestan. In habits it seems not to differ from the Common Goldfinch, but not very much can be known about it, as its nesting is unrecorded. Here then, is an opportunity for one of our members. The most interesting point about the species is the inter¬ breeding which goes on between it and its better-known ally where they meet, in Siberia and Persia. As most of our members probably know, fine specimens of these hybrid Gold¬ finches with specimens of the pure birds, are on view in a case in the Entrance Hall at the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, these are Siberian specimens presented by the late Mr. H. Seebohm. This bird in the Himalayas keeps to rather high elevations, on the Himalayan Goldfi?ich. 25 ranging, according to season, from five to ten thousand feet. So, as I was never there in the winter months, it is not astonishing that I never saw it. Perhaps Mr. Harper, who was much on the hills, may have done so. I have, however, seen a good many of these birds in Calcutta, whither they are brought from Cabul. During the first few years of iny stay in Calcutta, I only saw a few isolated specimens in Mr. Rutledge’s possession, but in 1897 a fail- number arrived, and I got six and sent them on to the London Zoological Gardens, where three arrived safely. They were new to the collection, and, I believe, to English aviculture, as I never heard of the species in England before. Dr. Sclater, in acknowledging their receipt, mentioned that he had reserved one for a private experiment in pairing it with a Common Gold¬ finch ; this should have been interesting, and perhaps he can tell us how it turned out. In 1900 a really large consignment was brought down by an Afghan — I remember the man well, as he had blue eyes, uncommon among natives — but these did not sell well, and remained a long time on the market dealers’ hands. They got into a deplorable state, losing most of their feathers : this was, I fancy, due to plucking by their companions in the store-cages, for under proper treatment, in separate cages or in a large flight- cage the birds did well, like the Common Goldfinch, which is often brought to India and stands the heat perfectly, not gasping as some even of the native birds do. Not many of these Himalayan Goldfinches have been on sale in England, but during the last year or two a few have been obtainable, though they did not meet with much favour. As they have been said to sing better than the European Goldfinch, they might prove superior to that bird for breeding mules for singing purposes ; and for all we know they may be readier to cross with the Canary — at any rate they would be worth trying. I have never seen the “ Cheverel ” or white - chinned variation among these birds, after examining many living specimens and the good series of skins in the Indian Museum, but it very likely may occur nevertheless, as allied species often vary in the same way. Nor did I see any other variation. 26 Mrs. Johnstone, In captivity this species becomes white-legged like the common one — at least this was the case with some I saw in Calcutta. With regard to their treatment there, I may mention that Mr. Rutledge used to give egg to his specimens of both species, and I should recommend it to keepers of Goldfinches generally, since they naturally feed partly on insects. THE NESTING OF FRASER’S TOURACOU. Turacus macrorhynchus. By Mrs. Johnstone. Judging by the rare reference to any species of Touracou in the Avicultural Magazine, I should say they are somewhat uncommon as aviary birds, but I think those who have kept them will agree that they are some of the most delightful and interesting birds imaginable. My birds are singularly beautiful, being a soft grass-green ; the wings and tail a glossy purple. The flight feathers are not seen until the bird flies, when a broad band of brilliant crimson is exposed and makes the bird a beautiful object when in flight. The crest, which can be erected at pleasure, has a bar of white, the tips being black. I purchased the cock three years ago, from a dealer; he was quite healthy but almost featherless, quite a baby, and had to be fed by hand, and the dealer informed me he was a Senegal Touracou. Examining the Touracous of this kind in the Zoological Gardens, I came to the conclusion that whatever my bird was, he was not a Senegal. He soon grew out of his baby plumage and throve immensely on a diet of soaked biscuit and chopped banana and sweet-water grapes. His wife came a year later, and here was a piece of good fortune not often met with in the avicultural world — the only two Touracous ever offered me — cock and hen, and the same species ! Last 3'ear they were out all the summer in a large out¬ door aviary, but the weather was too cold and wet and unpleasant, and they never attempted to nest. The cock was, and is, very fierce, and would attack me like a tiger if I presumed to offer on the Nesting of Fraser's Touracou. 27 his wife any dainty ; with a dart he would alight on my head and begin a vigorous onslaught. I caught him once as a punish¬ ment, but found him very soft-feathered, the feathers coming out in handfuls, so that this experiment was not repeated. This summer they were both turned out into an aviary with a small rhododendron bush in the centre and a little wooden hut for them to shelter in. In the bush a basket lid was fixed, and in the house a shallow cup-shaped basket, so that they might have a choice of nesting accommodation, for I had always heard they nested like pigeons, making a simple platform of sticks. African birds appear to be very shy nesters, judging from the Weavers and Glossy Starlings, so I had very small hopes of any result. I was away from home all June, and one morning received a letter to say the Touracous had laid an egg, but some days after, a shock was sent in the intelligence that after brooding most carefully for five days, the hen came off the nest with the remains of the egg adhering to her feathers. This egg was laid in the house, in the cup-shaped basket. Egg number two was laid four days afterwards, outside, on the hamper lid, and now I think my birds did a clever thing. They carried the egg by some means from the hamper lid to their old nest, the cup-shaped basket. Now the egg is about the size of a pullet’s egg, not an easy mouthful, and how they carried it I do not know, but a Touracou has an enormous gape and I can only conclude it was carried in the mouth. However, in spite of every care on the part of the most attentive parents imaginable, the second egg was broken in the same way. Undoubtedly the eggs were soft-shelled. So a large heap of lime was placed in the aviary, hoping that if another attempt was made, the egg-shell would be harder. Egg number three was laid on July 25th, and looked a much stronger egg. It was very pink and laid in the hamper lid, in the rhododendron bush. I took a peep at it in fear and trembling expecting every moment to be attacked by the cock, for all this time his temper had been very “ short,” and no interference was allowed for a moment. Another egg was added to the existing egg in three days’ time and then the hen commenced to sit. I was somewhat 28 Mrs. Johnstone, surprised at the arrival of the second egg as I had made up my mind one egg was the usual number laid, as the hen had only laid one previously and commenced to sit at once. Both birds brooded the eggs and never left them for a moment, and almost exactly three weeks after, the hen com¬ menced to sit, the first egg hatched. It was three days before I obtained a look at the baby, when the mother had left it for a moment to get some grapes just placed in the aviary. Imagine a chicken of a day or so old, covered in darkest brown fluff, bright black eyes, the skin round the eyes bare and grey, where the white streak appears in the parents ; a yellow beak and every appearance of health and strength. That the parents fed it well I have no doubt, and at intervals I obtained a peep at it, Young Turacus viacrorhynchus (f natural size). but it seemed to grow very little, and the feathers were a long time appearing. But still I hoped all would be well. The old birds were very attentive, never leaving the baby for longer than was absolutely necessary, darting down to fetch banana and grape and returning at once to look after their treasure. I never could see them feed it; my time was very much occupied and I had little time to sit and watch, but the man who looked after on the Nesting of Fraser's To?iracou. 29 them, told me he had seen the old bird squeezing a grape into the little one’s mouth.. Towards the end of September the nights turned very cold, clear, and sharp, and I often thought of the featherless condition of the baby, which at three weeks old was about the size of a five days old chicken, but the flight feathers and tail had grown well. When the bird was four weeks old the nights seemed colder than ever, and after two nights of slight frost my hopes of ever rearing the baby went down to zero. My fears were not unfounded, for in the morning, after a night of three or four degrees of frost, my man brought the poor little dead body in. The parents had seemed distressed, or at any rate excited, and followed him as he carried the body to the gate of the aviary, calling loudly. I cannot help thinking that if the first attempt had been successful, and the bird hatched earlier , there would be no difficulty in rearing the young ; but like a chicken, when cold weather sets in, it did not grow, although fat and agile, as it used to scramble about on its basket lid and put its head out when under its mother’s wing, to look about it. About a week after, another egg was laid, but I have taken it away and brought the old birds into an aviary where there is warmth at night, as it would not be good for them to sit out at this time of year. If they would nest indoors where warmth could be given on cold nights, I have little doubt the young could be easily reared, as the parents are indefatigable, and the food easy to obtain. [Seeing that very little is known of the nesting habits of the Touracous, Mrs. Johnstone’s experience is extremely interesting. The young bird above figured has been examined by Mr. Pycraft, of the Natural History Museum, and a valuable article on the subject from his pen will appear in our next issue. Mrs. Johnstone has most kindly given me the last egg laid by her Touracous, and a description of it will appear in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club. — Ed.] 30 Miss D. Hamilton, RECOLLECTIONS OF SOME BIRD FRIENDS. By Miss D. Hamilton. From my earliest years I was taught to love all living creatures But I was also told that it was cruel to keep birds in cages, so that my first feathered pets came to me as it were by accident. The first bird I ever possessed was one of a pair of per¬ forming Bullfinches which my mother bought because she thought they were being cruelly coerced into showing off their accomplishments. I cannot remember that they did any tricks while with us, but I was very small then, and I may have forgotten. The next bird to join our family circle was a one-legged Coal-tit. He (and a pair of white rats) was given to my sister and me by a young Genevese gentleman who was going to America, and had to leave his pets behind. He had rescued the bird from a trap some months before. It was very tame, and he told us to feed it on bread and milk and crushed hemp seed, which we did, nothing doubting, and the bird throve ! Fortunately, being so tame, we let him out a good deal, both in the rooms and in the greenhouse, so no doubt he found food for himself, more to his own liking. I well remember how, in the summer holidays, we children got more invitations to tea than ever before, and each one said “ Please bring your bird with you, our chalet is black with flies.” So Timothy went in his cage, and had a good tea like the rest of us. Poor bird — he had a tragic end, tlio’, in a way, a natural one. Besides our bird and rats we took back with us to Geneva a pair of marmots which a friendly guide had captured for us during our holiday in the Alps. The Coal-tit was loose in the greenhouse, and so were the marmots, and one of them made a meal of him. We never cared for the marmots after that, so we gave them to Mr. Rothschild’s game- keeper, who was a kind and much envied friend of ours at that time : envied because of all the wonderful animals he had the care of, and which we were allowed to visit on our Thursday half-holidays. Another of the pets of our youth was some great Hawk on Recollections of some Bird Frie?ids. 31 or Eagle, which I have never been able to identify. My sister says it was a Buzzard. One day a little village boy arrived with it, tied up in a large cotton handkerchief. My mother rated him soundly for robbing a bird’s nest, but he declared he found the young bird at the foot of a pine tree, at the top of which was the nest from which it had fallen. The tree was too tall and straight for him to climb, so that he could not possibly put the baby back. Willy-nilly we had to take it and do our best for it. It was the size of a good big Brahma pullet, and covered with white down. Its eyes were golden, and its feet bright yellow. My sister got an empty packing case which she half filled with hay, and in that, with a well covered hot water bottle on each side of it, the baby seemed comfortable enough. It was fed on bread and milk, and bits of raw meat and liver, and it throve and grew apace. My sister kept it in its box near the stove in her bedroom. My room opened out of hers, and had a window facing east. Every morning, no sooner did the sun appear over the Dent du Midi, than the bird came hopping along the floor straight to my bed, upon which he flew, and perched on my chest. There he would sit, gazing unblinkingly straight up at the sun. I always thought he was a fire-worshipper, saying his prayers, and to this day I can’t think what else he was doing. He never meant to hurt me, but the weight of his body drove his sharp claws through my skin, and I used to call to my sister to take her Bird-o’-freedom away. As soon as his breakfast was prepared he would cease his devotions and go of himself. As he grew older we feared he might become really dangerous. One morning I had three young rabbits in my room, in a box with a wire top. Bird-o’- freedom heard or smelt them, and flew from my bed, screaming, and striking again and again with his great sharp claws on the lid of the box, flapping his wings violently the while. The poor rabbits squealed with terror, and buried themselves in their straw. I, too, was terrified, and after that my mother ordered that Bird-o’-freedom must be confined. He had a strong light dog- chain fastened to his leg and round the balcony rail, so that he could, by dragging his chain, get up and down the whole length of the balcony. Then began magnificent combats between Birdo and a great long-haired gray cat of ours, called Gladstone. 32 Miss D. Hamilton, Gladstone was fierce and strong and loved raw meat as much as Birdo did, and always tried to steal his share. Both hissed and bit and struck with their claws, but neither ever seriously hurt the other. That year my sister and I came to England, and our parents chloroformed poor Birdo, as they dared not let him free. The peasants said he would devour all their fowls and kids, and ■even possibly, their children. Birdo was a wonderfully hand¬ some and intelligent fellow. His full plumage was reddish brown , speckled with darker brown, and his tail barred with black. One of the birds which I used to see at Mr. Rothschild’s, and which I coveted more than any, was a Crossbill. But it was not till years afterwards, when I came to London, that I had one of my own. My first London bird, however, was a Robin. Coming up Great St. Andrew Street, on my way from Charing Cross one day, in the window of a cagemaker’s shop I saw a filthy cage containing four dead Robins and one miserable live one — there was not a particle of food nor a drop of water in the cage. Burning with indignation I burst into the shop, and boldly began haranguing a yellow-haired dirty old Jew who was working therein. “ How dared he be so cruel ? A Robin too ! of all birds ! ” The old man looked surprised. He said he was “ a poor, hard-working man, who had no time to look after birds properly. He had been extra busy to-day, because his wife was ill, so perhaps he had forgotten to feed the birds. Missey could have the Robin, if she liked, for a shilling, and a beautiful cage to keep it in for five shillings more.” In those days my pocket money didn’t run to six shillings, so I paid one shilling for the bird, and carried it home in a paper bag. Once home I let it fly in my study, and gave it water and bread and milk ; but it flew on to the tea table and ate the butter ravenously, much to my surprise. It lived for some months with me, perching on the tops of my books, or hiding behind them. It lived on bread and milk and “ Lark food ” and, I suppose, on what flies and spiders it could pick up for itself. I soon had more birds than the Robin. Whether it was in the vain hope of converting the yellow-haired old Jew from the error of his ways, or because he knew many things about birds which I did not, I cannot say, but certain it is that 071 Recollections of so?ne Bird Frie7ids. 33 I paid him man}- visits and seldom came away without some new bird. A pair of Greenfinches, a Twite, a Yellow-hammer, a Blue-tit, and a Hawfinch took up their abode with me ; and last, but not least, a Crossbill, glorious in his red plumage, and singing a sweet little song. Of all my then birds (excepting the Robin, who was cheeky and confiding, as is their wont, and the Blue -tit, whose life was alas ! a very brief one) the Crossbill was far and away my favourite. For him, week by week, my sisters in Switzerland used to send me packets of fir-cones (the two-penny sample post was still in existence then) and I was never tired of watching him force them open, and take out the tiny seeds, with his strange beak, so wonderfully adapted to the purpose. He could gnaw wood like any Parrot, and quite spoiled the beauty of his mahogany cage. When I had had him about a year he moulted, and tho’ his new feathers came sleek and bright they were a sage-green colour instead of the brilliant red they had been before. The bird seemed as well as ever at that time, and I was told the change in colour occurs even in wild birds. I wonder if that is so? and why? Besides the fir cones, my Crossbill was exceedingly fond of hemp and sunflower seed, and I fear I may have given him too much of them. For, to my great sorrow, the poor bird seemed to have some brain attack, which left him blind, and paralysed in both his feet. He could not perch, and when he tried to move he only went round and round in a circle. For weeks he lived on the floor of his cage, his seed scattered in a ring round him, and a shallow drinking pan close by. At last, when I had to leave home, and could not take the bird with me, sooner than trust him to the tender mercies of servants -who might forget his needs, I chloroformed him myself. His plumage was perfect, and he was quite fat. Up to this time I had kept none but British birds owing to the fact that all my summer holidays were spent in Switzerland, and I could not take my birds with me. Therefore, at the beginning of the summer, I used to take them into the country, as far from human habitation as I could, and there let them fly. My father usually accompanied me on these expeditious, which were always most enjoyable to me, and I hope to the birds also. (To be coiithiued ) . 34 On Breeding Passerme Parrotlets. BREEDING PASSERINE PARROTLETS. By John Watson. Having had the good fortune to rear a nest of Passerine or Blue-winged Parrakeets, the Editor has asked me to write a short paper on the subject. This charming Parrotlet is a very desirable aviary bird. When at rest it is, perhaps, not very striking, but, flying in sunshine, the vivid blue patches on rump and wings combine with his otherwise grass green plumage to make a decided impression. He is gentle — harmless even to the smallest Wax- bills — never noisy, becomes fairly tame and, unlike most others of his order, does not destroy the trees or shrubs in the aviary. My pair were put into an aviary with various small birds in 1902, and until June of this year showed no signs of breeding, or rather I should say I saw nothing to excite my suspicions, for they are very shy birds, and will sit as if turned to stone if watched, but, directly they are unobserved, will fly about and chatter merrily. I11 June, however, I noticed the cock feeding his mate, and, so that they should not be disturbed by prying and meddle¬ some Zebra and other small Finches, I moved them to another aviary which they shared with Virginian Cardinals and Yellow¬ headed Troupials. On July 8th there was one egg in a cocoa-nut husk. O11 July 20th, after a few days’ absence, I found the hen sitting and took advantage of her going off to feed, to find that she had eight eggs. She probably began to sit on the 17th July. On August 6th there were six young birds, destitute of any sort of covering. Apparently incubation takes about eighteen days. As soon as any feathers began to grow, the blue tips of some of the wing feathers proclaimed that the majority of the brood were cocks. On August 22ud, as the nest was dirty, and there was such a crowd that the hen could not get in for house-cleaning, I took out all the youngsters and scraped out the husk, put rings on the birds, and put them back. On August 31st the first young cock was flying well and On the Yellow Budgerigar. 35 four days later the whole brood were out, but the last, and apparently the youngest, two, are weak flyers (September ioth). The hen did all the incubation and feeding. The only distinction between the parents and the young is, apparently, that the beaks of the latter have a pinkish tinge. The food taken during rearing consisted of bread and milk (boiled), fresh ants’ eggs, an occasional taste of orange, hemp, canary, and millet seeds and millet spray, but chiefly bread and milk and hemp. The old birds have never taken any interest in any sort of green food, but are particularly fond of plantain heads. Before breeding I never knew them take any other food than canary and millet seed and occasionally a bit of apple.* THE YELLOW BUDGERIGAR. By the Rev. C. D. Farrar. I have often asked people about Budgerigars, and I have always got some such reply as this : ‘ In order to get good breeding results you want a big flock ; a single pair will never do any good.’ Now I have been told so many queer things, and have read still queerer in books, that while not going perhaps quite so far as David as to say that ‘ all men are liars,’ (I mean, of course, ‘bird men’) yet I think that a good many have the habit, as an old woman once said to me, of ‘walking round the truth.’ I argued thus : Most birds, when breeding, like a place to themselves and are very jealous of intruders. Why should Budgerigars be an exception?! May not want of success in breeding with a single pair be due to other causes? Stupidity in management, bad nesting accommodation, or a hundred other things? At any rate, I determined to try with one pair, just from sheer cussedness. It is not everyone that can afford a 'Blackberries are now greedily eaten. I supply them on the stalks in a bottle of water.— J.W. + Most aviculturists know that single pairs of Budgerigars will breed quite success¬ fully, in fact we have even known a pair to breed in a large cage ; but the fact remains that, being naturally gregarious, they will breed often with greater success, when two or more pairs are kept in the same place. — Ed. 36 Rev. C. D. Farrar, flock of Yellow Budgerigars at twenty-five or thirty shillings a pair. I was fortunate to secure a pair of lovely birds, just over the moult, and ‘ as tight as wax,’ as Canary men say. Now, from past sad experience, I knew how easy it is to mistake a pair of old birds for young ones, especially when the latter are twelve months old. I once sold a most prolific and certain breeding hen Bengalee, intending to part with her daughter, and could never get her back again, though I charmed as wisely, so I thought, as the proverbial snake catcher. The lady to whom I sold her politely regretted my mistake, but elected to stick to her bargain ; but then ladies are so unreasonable ! I made up my mind then to ‘ ring ’ my old Budgerigars, to avoid future complications. To say that they objected to the process, is to put the matter mildly. They bit, they swore, they did everything short of taking off the offending leg. I was firm however. I said, ‘My dear birds, it is all for your good,’ as the farmer said to the pig when he was ringing him. After a few days they appeared reconciled to the inevitable. The process of ringing is quite simple when you know how. In catching Parrakeets, always mind and keep your attention on his head, that’s his busi?iess end : the wings and feet which are clawing around your wrist don’t matter. Well, then, mind the head with one part of your hand, get hold of a leg with the other and slip on the ring as quick as you can. His majesty will use some very unparliamentary language. Never mind, let him go, and apologise afterwards. I placed the Budgerigars in a nice little aviary all to themselves, and then awaited results. I had not long to try my patience. The great aim of a Budgerigar’s life seems to be strictly Scriptural, to increase and multiply the Budgerigar earth. In feeding he is no epicure. All he demands is plain sensible food. For choice he likes white millet, best Spanish canary, and a bit of my soft food mixture when there are babies about. He does not like bread and milk, or bread and water, or any other strange and fearsome compound recommended by learned societies and doctors. on the Yellow Budgerigar. 37 The courting as with us humans, is interspersed with a reasonable amount of quarrelling — which I will call euphemisti¬ cally, amantium ircz ! The cock, as is just and proper, makes the first advances. He begins by coming, like the historic spider of the story, ‘ to sit down beside her.’ This little proceeding does not always answer, as poor Master B. has to suddenly have a ‘ call elsewhere,’ as Dissenting preachers say to their flocks. After a bit, the lady grows more amenable to discipline, and Mr. B. tries a little singing. His voice is a bit harsh and grating : I know he is called poetically ‘the Warbling Grass Parrakeet,’ but somehow his voice reminds me of sounds I once heard issuing from a miner’s cottage. After the poor little hen has got used to the inevitable, the cock proceeds to offer her sundry tit-bits from his beak. These she at first indignantly refuses, but after a while thinks better of it, and accepts what he offers in a spirit of meekness and with a ready mind. Eggs are now not far off. A few days will see the hen a bit thick and puff}" ; then she will disappear into the nest, and, if all be right, emerge some fine morning as though nothing had happened. To attain this desirable end, it is most important to give a good supply of cuttle-fish bone, both powdered and in the piece. If this be neglected there will be a nice corpse to bury. The eggs are deposited every other day, and are generally five or six in number, and consequently when hatched the young are of very various ages, the eldest born in the case of six eggs being ten days ahead of his unfortunate younger brother Jacob. This does not seem to matter, as they all come right in the end. In nesting I find Budgerigars of accommodating spirit. I was going to say they will nest anywhere. I think they prefer a good roomy cocoa-nut husk, hung up long ways and with the hole at the top : but I have had equally good results in a box with a properly constructed hollow in the bottom. Budgerigars will delight anyone who loves to look at the pretty nests. We are told that some birds do not mind their family arrangements being inspected. The only bird that I know of who does not object is the Budgerigar: but do not go too far, even with him. He will allow you to lift down the husk 38 On the Yellow Budgerigar . and peep inside, but farther than that I never ventured. I do not even know whether all Budgerigars will submit thus far, but mine know me well and look upon me as a ‘ necessary evil ’ ! When the young are aboard there must be a constant supply of green food — ripe groundsel and flowering grass, the latter for preference. I believe that with all Parrakeets (and I have bred as many as most people) this is a sine qua ?io?i when there are youngsters. It is a very funny sight to see the feeding. For about five days the hen does everything, and woe betide the gentleman Budgerigar if he ventures near the nest. I notice that for some days after a hatch Master B., like Agag, ‘ goes delicately,’ and often departs with a flea in his ear. After a week the lady thinks better of her conduct, and seems to realize, with the usual inconsequence of the sex, that the gentleman is perhaps a ‘ necessary evil.’ She evidently informs him that there are babies in the husk and asks him why he is idling around instead of attending to his duties and feeding his family? Like a wise married man, the poor fellow says nothing, but pops down to the seed-tray and begins to eat as if there were no hereafter. Farly and late he visits the nest, but his labours are never done. Like the daughters of the horse leech, those youngsters ever cry ‘ More ! more ! ’ For three weeks he seems to spend most of his days apparently standing on his head in the husk. I conclude he is feeding, by the issuing sounds, but it seems a parlous proceeding to a mere human. At last there comes a morning when No. i emerges from the nest. Proud and happy are the fond parents as they ply him with dainties. At intervals of a few days the other little beauties come forth to be admired. Their color is faint primrose. In the last nest there were three. * * Since the above was written I have four more nearly ready to leave the nest. — C. D. F. Notes on my Birds. 39 NOTES ON MY BIRDS. By Mrs. Howard Williams. About thirteen years ago we gave lip keeping Canaries in favour of foreign birds. We began, as so many people do, with a fine large Crystal Palace aviary, into which we put any little foreigners which struck our fancy. The tiny finches attracted us greatly, but all sorts shared the cage, until by degrees we learned which varieties did best with us, and which were desirable companions. Eventually we gave the Palace aviary and its varied contents to a friend, and bought in its place a large flight cage, in which we kept some Pekin Robins. We found these otherwise charming birds a little trying in a sitting- room, they were so persistently cheerful and noisy, and the continual thump, thump, thump, as they joyfulty jumped down their three perches with shouts of glee proved more than we could endure. We then had a small aviary built, standing on short legs, made entirely of wood including a high gable roof, and wired only in front. This was put in a west verandah, where the Pekin Robins and a few other hardy birds spent a winter, and were in high spirits and condition. I should add that on cold nights a green baize curtain was drawn over the front. The now empty flight cage was again brought into use, when a pair of Bicheno Finches arrived. They were said to have been in this country two years, and I was anxious to have them as several newly-imported specimens had died, to my great disappointment. This pair not only lived, but proceeded to build a nest in their rush sleeping basket, and succeeded in rearing a healthy family in a sitting-room where children were constantly running about, and where the aspect left much to be desired from a bird’s point of view. About this time we moved the aviary into the conserva¬ tory and added some Gouldian Finches to our collection, and some other Australian birds, and finding they did very well there, a second aviary was made exactly like the first, but rather larger. I suspect that the reason our birds have done well on the whole in a conservatory may be that the aviaries are made 40 Mrs. Howard Williams’ entirely of wood, including the high gable roof, and wired only in front, and therefore the birds have more protection from the fierceness of the sun shining on glass, than many do where living in conservatories. Besides this, we take care to have no plants there which require much moisture. We keep the larger aviary for the larger birds, principally Australian finches, and the smaller for the Waxbills and tiny finches. One pair of Long-tailed Grassfinches fully reared thirty birds in two years. The hen is now dead, but the cock still survives, and has nested again this year with a new mate. They have generally chosen a husk for a nest, but sometimes they have preferred a travelling cage with the front taken out. We always notice that the nestlings are very much crowded, and sit in a tight row, beaks outwards, and tails sticking up behind, and are most shabby, untidy little things when they emerge from their nest. Some years ago I had one pair of Bronze-winged Manni¬ kins and a pair of Bib Finches. One of each pair died, and the survivors mated, rearing several broods of hybrids. They were more like Bibs than Mannikins, but as they were neither pretty nor sweet tempered we parted with them to a dealer. I regret to say that my husband, going in later, saw some of the youngsters marked at a high price, and with a long and original name evolved out of the dealer’s inner consciousness, awaiting the confiding and unsuspecting amateur in search of rare birds ! Our Bichenos have nested with no fuss or trouble what¬ ever. We had several broods in the before-mentioned flight cage, and many in the aviary. But just when Bichenos and Ringed Finches were nesting most successfully an unfortunate lamp accident happened in the conservatory one cold night in late spring. The fumes killed twelve birds of these two varieties alone, of every age and size ; and I have had no luck with them since. We have kept many Gouldians, but they have nested only twice with us. The first brood consisted of five youngsters, but they were killed by a red-headed cock in a fit of jealousy. We parted with him in haste, and the next season the black-headed birds hatched two young ones. Of the two the hen died at Notes 071 her Birds. 4i seven months old, still in her baby plumage ; the other, a fine healthy cock, has blossomed out into a red-headed bird. Of course one knew, from Dr. Butler’s book, that the two varieties were produced indiscriminately, but it seemed a little difficult to realize until one saw the red-headed son sitting beside the black¬ headed father. They are great friends, and since the hen’s death the two are always together. We have reared a Cherry-finch, a beautiful little hen; some Bronze-winged Mannikins, a Diamond Sparrow, and some Red-faced Finches. The Red-faced Finches, now about three months old, were quite unlike their parents on leaving the nest, except that the shape of beak and skull were the same. They were well-feathered, beautifully neat, slender in shape, and the general effect of their colouring was soft brown. They were quite without any trace of red on face or beak, neither had they any white spots on breast or throat. We have this spring started a garden aviary, and all the birds were turned into it for the summer mouths. Their health has been very good, but I do not think the breeding results will prove to be very great. The Golden-breasted Waxbills have made a nest and laid eggs, but failed to hatch. The Cordon- bleus -went so far as to hatch at least one egg, but the little bird died, owing probably to a cold wet week. The Dong-tailed Grassfinches have nested. I am writing away from home and do not know just how matters are at this moment, but I hear that the Yellow Sparrows appear to have built a nest, and also that they are eager for mealworms, a dainty I have never known them to look at before.* I have two pairs, and both cocks are in beautiful plumage, the yellow being quite canary colour in their case. I fancy they are more than usually sensitive to light, for when they were kept for a time in a dull position the yellow faded a good deal, especially on the head. I hope next season to have some good breeding results out of doors to chronicle, instead of a list of nests and unhatched eggs ; but wet weather coming at a critical time has accounted for several desertions on the part of sitting hens, and a Pin- Mrs, Howard Williams has now successfully reared young- o { Passer luteus. — ISd. 42 Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens. tailed Whydali (now transported to the Zoological Gardens), wrought sad havoc among the tiny birds, and broke up several happy homes by the simple method of murdering one of the unfortunate inmates. BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. By far the most important addition, in the way of birds at least, that has been made to the Society’s Collection for many years is the couple of King Birds of Paradise which arrived there on October 15th from Mrs. Johnstone’s aviaries. Although not in perfect plumage they appear to be in splendid health, and promise to do well. I believe these are the first examples of the King Bird of Paradise ever brought to Europe alive. They occupy one of the aviaries at the back of the Insect House, and cannot fail to prove a very great attraction. In last month’s Zoo. Notes I made a mistake when I stated that the pair of Wharton’s Fruit-Pigeons had hatched a young bird. They showed signs of nesting, but nothing came of it. It was the Imperial Nicobar Fruit-Pigeons ( Carpophaga insularis) that had hatched, but I hear that the young bird has died. The pair of Brush Bronzewing Pigeons ( Phaps elega?is) in the Southern Pheasantry have at length succeeded in hatching, and so far rearing, a pair of young ones. D. S.-S. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. SHORT-BARED OWLS BREEDING IN HAMPSHIRE. Sir, — A pair of Short - eared Owls (Asio accipitrinus ) successfully brought off two young ones on Bransbury Common this summer. I do not know of any other record of the breeding of this species in Hampshire. A. Trevor-BatI'ye. FAILURE OF CANARIES TO REAR YOUNG PSEUDO-FINCHES. Sir, — I was extremely interested by Professor Scott’s account of his experiments, but the reason of his want of success is not far to seek and is to be found not in any difference of food, or “unnatural” lining of the Correspondence, Notes, etc. 43 nest, but in the inability of a finch — a bird that feeds its young, and mate, on food regurgitated from the crop — to feed another young bird whose parents drop the food into its widely gaping mouth. If anyone will watch a pair of Canaries in the task, or duty, of attending to the requirements of their offspring, it will be seen that the old Canary holds its beak at right angles to that of the chick, and that the latter helps itself to the aliment and does not have it thrust down its throat as is the case with the pseudo¬ finches. A Canary will rear the young of any other finch as readily as it will its own, but the birds experimented with by Professor Scott are Sparrows, and not finches, hence the failure. I have experimented at different times with eggs of finches, e. g. Linnets, Goldfinches, and Greenfinches, all of which my Canaries reared successfully though they failed with Chaffinches and Cardinals. It would be desirable to restrict the appellation FINCH to birds that, like the Canary, feed their 3'oung and mate with food regurgitated from the crop, and the difference not only in the mode of supplying food but in the form of the mouth of the respective young is sufficient to warrant the separation of the two classes of birds from each other. A Sparrow might be taken as the type of the non-regurgitating class, and a Canary of the other. To briefly summarize the matter: it is impossible for a finch, using the word in its natural and restricted sense, to feed a non-finch successfully, as it is for the latter to rear a finch, and that from difference in the mode of supplying the food on the part of the old birds, as well as from inability 011 the part of the young to receive it. W. T. Greene. [We should be glad to hear what our members have to say on this subject. Our own impression is that most if not all of the finches (and we include in this term all those birds which Dr. Greene calls pseudo¬ finches) feed their young from the crop in the same way as Canaries, for the first week or two of their lives at any rate. — Ed.] THE NESTING HABITS OF BRUSH TURKEYS. Sir, — I was glad to see in your Magazine that two Brush-Turkeys ( Catheturus lathami ) had been hatched in the London Zoo., and I also hope that those at Woburn Abbey will also be successful. We have hatched and reared young birds here for some years past, rarely missing a season, and I wrote an account of them in the Ibis, 1S99, page 9. The Woburn Abbey birds and those in the London Zoo. were reared in these Gardens, and we have some young birds in hand now. The nesting habits of mound builders are always of interest, as for instance, how they can tell when the mound is of sufficient heat to lay in : but I think I have found a clue to that. D. LE Souef, April 20th, iqo4. Director, Zoological Gardens, Melbourne. 44 Correspondence, Notes, etc. Sir, — In the August number of the Magazine, Mr. Bertling gives an interesting account of the opening by the Garden authorities of the Brush Turkey’s mound at the Zoological Gardens. I, too, feeling sure that no chicks were going to emerge from the mound which my birds had raised, decided early in September to pull it to pieces. I found seven eggs, deposited much as Mr. Bertliug describes, about fifteen inches from the present base of the heap (which of course had settled a great deal), and about a yard from the interior. Three appeared to be unfertile, three seemed to have contained embryos which had perished at an early stage, while one chick had hatched but had failed to escape from the mound. Probably, as in the case at Regent’s Park, the heap had become too compact; but I think that in my case, in addition, the female had not laid her later eggs soon enough, and the heap had cooled before their incubation had far advanced. I quite think that the materials supplied should be of a loose and open nature. (In my case I supplied much grass from the lawn-mowers, which I think now was a mistake). But if Mr. Bertling provides, as lie proposes, a large quantity of dead leaves, I should fear that there will be no fermentation, which of course is indispensible. I noticed the filmy sheaths, referred to by Mr. Bertling, upon the flight feathers of the dead chick. W. H. St. Quintin. THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE. Sir, — Dr. Gunther’s interesting article on the breeding of the Red- backed Shrike in captivity should I think not be passed over with no further comment than the breeding of many foreign species calls for, inasmuch as it has established one or two points which have hitherto not been fully recognized by students of British birds. In the “History of British Birds” by the late Henry Seebohm (Vol. II. p. 607), that author argued that our common Butcher-bird impaled insects upon thorns because the feet of Shrikes were not sufficiently powerful to grasp their prey until torn in pieces by the sharply toothed bill. That this was an error I always suspected, and Dr. Gunther has effectually disposed of it by his observation that this bird does use its claws in grasping its prey whilst pulling it to pieces. In the case of soft insects like Cockroaches I pointed out (British Birds with their Nests and Eggs, Vol. II. p. 10 footnote) that no less than five full-grown specimens were swallowed entire : it would therefore seem that hard-cased insects were probably dismembered rather to render them more easily digestible, than to reduce their size; or perhaps, because a hard insect of the same size as a full-grown cockroach might injure the tissues of the oesophagus in its passage. That small feet are not necessarily weak, is evident to anyone who Correspo?idence, Notes, etc. 45 has handled a Blue-tit; the claws of which bird grasp one’s finger like steel springs. Dr. Gunther has emphasized another point which I hinted at (t. c. p. 11) : — the importance of hand-rearing the Butcher-bird, in order to reconcile it to captivity. My own bird was caught isoon after it had left the nest; yet it was so wild, that it quickly ruined its plumage; and though it ate voraciously, it did not live long. A. G. BuTEER. Sir, — I can endorse all that Dr. Gunther says in his interesting account of the breeding of the Red-backed Shrike, as to the desirability of the Shrikes as aviary birds. I have repeatedly reared the young of Grey Shrikes, notably Lanius algeriensis , L. dealbatus, and L. hcemitecicurus , and find them most docile, affectionate, and interesting. I fancy they require a good deal of room, or at any rate a certain amount of liberty, and one I had in England used to fly at liberty for hours and hunt for himself : he would, however, come a quarter-of-a-mile to a certain whistle. The habit of leaving the nest before they can fly is also common to the Grey Shrikes, who leave the nest and squat and creep about long before they can even perch. And at this early period they warble inwardly ; and it is curious to see the young being fed by the parents and then settle down in the nest and begin to sing to themselves ! When abroad, I used principally to feed the Grey Shrikes on lizards and grass-hoppers which were easily procurable : but here, at home, mostly 011 Sparrows, mice, beetles, and mealworms — and they are very large eaters. E. G. B. Meade-Waedo. NOTES FROM TASMANIA. Sir, — In the May number of the Avicultur at Magazine I noticed an interesting account of Sparrows building in Nile ferry boats, and perhaps your readers might like a few words with reference to the nesting of a pair of Welcome Swallows ( Hirundo neoxena) under somewhat similar circumstances. O11 the River Derwent we have some smart little steamers running every half-hour between Hobart and Belleside, on the eastern shore. About February, when voyaging across, I noticed Swallows flying about, when in the middle of the stream, and now and then darting beneath the upper deck. O11 arrival at my destination I asked my friend the cause of the birds being so fearless. She replied that they had a nest in a crevice over the cabin and between that and the upper deck, also close to a doorway and an electric light. On going again a few weeks later I spoke to the Captain, asking him if the young birds had been hatched ? He told me that, to his disgust, some man had pulled the nest out with his walking stick! (What senseless mischief!) Their nesting in such a place was 46 Correspondence , Notes, etc. remarkable, owing to the constant stream of passengers going on and off, and which continued until pretty late at night. I also notice in the May number the letter of Mr. J. Viner Leeder, making enquiries as to the hardiness of the Black Swan. Being natives of Australia, and also of Tasmania, they may be considered very hardy. In this State they appear to be getting more plentiful than they were, owing possibly to efforts being made to preserve the young from wholesale destruction. I have seen adult birds go about with the same freedom and with no more attention than one would give to Geese. This year I have had the chance of buying no less than three pairs at the initial cost of per pair. It is the expense of transit that makes all birds so valuable when lauded in England. Tasmania. Mary G. Roberts. GOLDEN-BREASTED WAXBILLS BREEDING. Sir, — I saw a minute creature emerge from a rush-basket nest to-day, probably for the first time, and found it was a Golden-breasted Waxbill. The basket is in the open, and it seems late for such a tiny thing to be out of doors, bnt perhaps it may live. Sept. 15 tli. L. Wieeiams. NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.— HYBRIDS BETWEEN THE LYRE-BIRD AND COMMON FOWL. The following is an extract from a letter received from Mr. A. W. Milligan, a well-known Australian ornithologist and field-naturalist : “ I have been very much interested in the notes on Australian birds that have appeared in your Magazine, particularly those relating to the Maluri and Pachycephala gutturalis. Whilst living in Victoria I kept many of the native birds in captivity. I was never able to rear Menura superba, although I made many attempts to do so. I had however hybrids between the Lyre-bird and the common fowl, and exhibited them at the Victoria Poultry Show many years ago.” Although the Lyre-birds were at one time thought to be related to the Pheasants they are now known to be quite distinct from the galli¬ naceous birds, and the production of such a hybrid is most extraordinary. We hope to hear more on the subject. Ed. ZEBRA-FINCH FEEDING YOUNG GOLDEN-BREASTED WAXBILLS. Sir, — Is it a matter of frequent occurrence that a bird of one species should feed and look after the young of an entirely different kind of bird ? I have now among my birds an instance of this. Correspondence, Notes, etc . 47 I have a good-sized box cage containing about twenty birds of various sorts — Waxbills, Canaries, Nonpareils, a Paradise Whydah, a Budgerigar, a Siskin, and a cock Zebra- finch. The latter has lately assisted a little pair of Golden-breasted Waxbills during the incubation of their eggs, and when the young birds were hatched continued to take his turn in sitting and also in feeding them. I doubted his doing the latter until to-day, when I saw him doing so more than once, the young birds having left the nest yesterday. He is as proud of them as their parents, and spends his time preening their feathers. In colour the young birds are like their mother. They are, as near as I can tell, about three weeks old, and are fully fledged and seem strong on the wing, as one escaped from the cage this morning and flew about the greenhouse in which the cage stands. They have been brought up chiefly on spiders, as I gave the parents several daily, in addition to their ordinary diet of seed and green food, with an occasional mealworm, I provided them with soaked egg-flake once or twice, but they did not touch it. The young birds look healthy and strong, and I hope they will thrive. Do you consider my feeding of the parents has been correct ? Lippa de Yarburgh Bateson. [Cases of unpaired birds feeding the young of other birds are not rare, but are always interesting and worth recording. The fact of the young Waxbills being successfully reared proves that there was not much amiss with the feeding of the parents. — Hd.] A FINFOOT IN CAPTIVITY. Sir, — That most enterprising dealer, Mr. J. Hamlyn, has just brought back with him from West Africa at the time of writing (October 15th) the most remarkable bird that has been imported for many years. This is the African Finfoot ( Podica senegalensis), a member of a very little known family numbering only three species, one African, one Asiatic, and one South American. Their affinities are with the Rails. The present species looks like a cross between a Cormorant and a Rail, having the bill and wings of the latter, with the lobed toes of a Coot, and the general form of the Cormorant, even to the long stiff tail and saw-edged middle claw— a most remarkable instance of parallelism in development. I11 size it about equals a Crow, and is greenish-slate in general colour with small white spots and a white belly; the feet are bright coral red. It is to be regretted that this extraordinary creature did not survive long, as so very little is known about the habits of these curious birds that all details are of value. Mr. Hamlyn states that the bird was fed on raw meat ; it was the survivor of several, and he found the species common at Sette Cama. Frank Finn. 48 Correspondence , Notes, etc. THE MANAGEMENT OF THE AVICULTURAE SOCIETY. Sir, — Mr. Horton and I, in our joint letter which appeared in your issue for October, were careful to avoid personalities; and I think it is to be regretted that you have not followed a like course in your reply. But, evidently feeling that little could be said in defence of the new rules on their merits, you follow the proverbial advice to the advocate with “no case,” and “abuse the plaintiff’s attorney.” I shall not reply to this personal attack, for the question at issue is not that of my delinquencies {real or imaginary) but that of the policy embodied in the new rules. Nevertheless, as you have introduced the Foreign Bird Club into the discussion, I feel that I should be wanting in my duty to the Club of which I have the honour to be one of the Secretaries, if I did not correct some of your misrepresentations concerning it. 1. It is not correct, as you assert, that I “ started a new Society ” in 1901. The F.B.C. had existed, under another name, since 1S98. 2. It is not correct, as you assert, that “ a number of our members deserted us to join the F.B.C.” I believe that those who did this could be numbered on the fingers of one hand. 3. It is not correct, as you assert, that “ as a special inducement members of the Avicultural Societv7 were allowed to join the F.B.C. without paying an entrance fee.” There was no entrance fee to the F.B.C. until the present year, and all new members and associates have to pay this. 4. It is not correct, as you insinuate, that efforts were made to induce members to leave the Avicultural Society. I challenge you to prove even a single instance in which any official of the F.B.C. advocated or suggested such a course. About half of the members of the F.B.C. have always been members also of the Avicultural Society, and they include among them j^ourself and Mr. Newman and a large proportion of the more active and devoted members of the Society. I am very far from suggesting that the original rules were perfect. I have the less hesitation in saying this, because I was mainly responsible for them. They were drawn up before the Society started upon its career, at a time when it was uncertain what form it would ultimately assume. These rules undoubtedly required revision, but they should have been re¬ vised in a different spirit and with a different object. Every effort should have been made to increase the interest of the members in the working of the Society, to broaden the basis of its government, and to add to the number of members who take part in its management. From the very beginning, the Societ}' has suffered from its affairs being too much in the hands of a very small number of men. This was tolerable, and perhaps unavoidable, at first, but as the Society grew and prospered, and the number of members willing and anxious to share in the government in¬ creased, it became more and more objectionable. The membership of the Council ought, in my opinion, to be increased to 20 or 24, meetings of the Correspondence , Notes , 49 Council should be held more frequently than they are at present, the Executive Committee should be abolished, and such of the work as must be performed by Committee should be divided among several Committees, ou one or the other of which each member of the Council (willing to serve) should have a seat. The system of government by a small Executive Committee has been the cause of jealousy and dissatisfaction, and the origin of cabals and secret manoeuvres, almost from the beginning of the Society. It is time it was done away with. I see no objection to the compulsory retirement of two or more members of the Council each year, without being eligible for immediate re-election ; but I do object to the system of official candidates for the vacancies, and the rule that requires that fifteen members must object to the official candidates, and propose others in their place. Any two mem¬ bers ought to be able to propose and second candidates, and the}7 should be able to do this without formally objecting to other candidates. One may greatly prefer A to B, without having any positive objection to B. I know from experience that to obtain fifteen signatures involves a good deal of correspondence, and the formal objection to the official candidates is re¬ garded as offensive and personal. The object of the rule appears to be to make opposition to the official candidates as difficult as possible — indeed, in the case of Mr. Horton and myself, the Hon. Business vSecretary con¬ tended that all the signatures to the objection must be on one paper, in spite of the fact that to obtain fifteen signatures in fifteen days is a practical impossibility when all the signatories reside in different neighbourhoods ! (This farcical construction of the rule was ultimately abandoned). It cannot be to the advantage of the Society that the majority of the Council should be able to prevent the election to their body of any person whom the majority of the members wish to elect. In course of time it might come about that the whole of the Council should be representative of one school while four-fifths of the members adhere to another — or that some dominating personality, by securing the election of his own supporters, should practically rule the Society, in defiance of the members. It is because Mr. Horton and I “ have the best interests of the Society at heart ” that we are desirous of checking the bureaucratic policy recently inaugurated. If, as you suggest, we, and those who think with us, were desirous of wrecking the Society, our wisest course would be to stand aside and allow the ship to drift upon the rocks. * Horatio R. Fitemer. [A great deal can be said in defence of the new rules, and especially, we think, of the new rule relating to the election of the Council. Formerly any member could get nominated to the Council without any difficulty, and when the list of candidates was published the majority of the members had not the slightest idea who to vote for, and there was a great danger of most 50 Correspondence, Notes, etc. unsuitable candidates being elected. As we stated in the last number of our Magazine, the Council necessarily know who are the most suitable members to take the place of the two retiring much better than the majority of the members can possibly know, and they are unquestionably the body to recommend the new candidates. If such a rule were not a good one it would not be, and have been for very many years, in force in most of the best societies of the countiw. Mr. Fillmer says it is not correct that he “ started a new Society in 1901.” Whether the “Foreign Bird Club” was called a new Society, or whether it was considered to be the “Foreign Bird Exhibitors’ League” under a new name makes little difference : at any rate it changed its nature and started a magazine of its own, on almost the same lines as the Avicultural Magazine. We find, on reference to the first number of Bird Notes that the special reduction to members of the Avicultural Society was only in force when the F.B.C. was known as the Foreign Bird Ex¬ hibitors’ League, and we therefore withdraw the statement that “as a special inducement members of the Avicultural Society were allowed to join without paying an entrance fee.” We certainly did not state that efforts were made to induce members to leave the Avicultural Society, but that every inducement was offered to our members to join theF.B.C., and as a natural consequence of this several of our members did leave 11s to join the new Society, or the Society with a new name and a new magazine. As to the suggestion that the Council should be increased to 20 or 24, this seems to us to be impracticable, and considering that the members are scattered over the length and breadth of the laud, and that the Society has no meeting room, the idea of frequent meetings, desirable as these would be, is out of the question. — Ed.] To the Hon. Business Secretary. Sir, — I should like to express my views on this question raised by Mr. Fillmer’s letter and the Editor’s remarks thereon in the last issue of the Society’s Magazine. I write in no carping spirit and trust I shall not be condemned as a “malcontent” simply from my inabilit}' to agree in toto with the actions of those directly responsible for the management. Personally I appreciate to the fullest extent the efforts of the present Council, and more particularly those of the gentlemen forming the Executive Committee, to make the Society and its Magazine a success ; and I unhesitatingly admit that it is in consequence of their admirable administration that we have such a satis¬ factory production each month as is the latter. But however much I may admire the devotion and self-sacrifice of those referred to, I am opposed to the adoption of unconstitutional methods to secure even that which I may be disposed to admit is the best for the Correspondence, Notes, etc. 5i Society ; and I submit that in the alteration of one or two of the rules hitherto governing it, they infringed on the prerogative of the general body of the members. I am more particularly concerned with the ruleiwhicli has practically placed the election of the Council in the hands of the existing members of that body. To me it appears somewhat “ Gilbertian ” that members originally elected to serve on the Council for a specific term, should proceed to alter the conditions of their tenure of office without reference to the members of the Society, and this is my reason for using the term “ unconstitutional methods.” That I am not far wrong is evidenced by the remarks of a learned Judge in a case before the High Courts recently. Where the Directorate of some Company had inter alia enlarged their term of office without the sanction of the shareholders. I forget the exact circumstances, but I remember at the time I read it, I concluded there was a parallel in the case in point. I further wish to express my regret that the Committee should have bracketed two names of candidates for election on the voting paper issued with the October number, with the note, “recommended by the Council.” This to me appears to be a violation of the traditions governing a vote by ballot, and I am sure it would have been in better taste had the paper contained nothing but the names of candidates in alphabetical order. In conclusion I wish it to be clearly understood that in writing the foregoing I have been entirely uninfluenced by the personal element which too often enters into a discussion of this nature. And I shall be glad if my letter is published in our next journal with a view of testing the feelings of the members on the question of principle involved by the Council’s action. Archibald Simpson. The Ho?i. Business Secretary's Reply. Sir, — Your letter received this morning. I am sorry you think that the Council have acted unconstitutionally in altering the rule re¬ garding the election of that body. I should like to point out to you that the Council were only acting in accordance with Rule 11 (on the copy enclosed). You will see that Rule 9, paragraph 2, does not fix the term of office at one or even two years, but allows two years to pass without an election, and when that election does take place, does not exclude the existing Council from another term of office. The Rule as amended last June makes provision for at least two of the Council being new every year, thus giving members a greater chance of showing their approval or disapproval of the existing Council by voting either for the Council’s nominees or proposing different candidates. This 52 Corresfio?ide?ice, Notes, etc. is the method of election which is employed by the Zoological and other well known Societies. With regard to the voting paper, it is usual to distinguish between the Council’s nominees and all others. I am certain that nothing personal was meant by it. Anyhow should you still desire your letter to be published, and will let me know, I will forward it to the Editor. T. H. Newman. To the Hon. Business Secretary. Sir, — I am obliged by your courteous letter to hand. It is quite true, as you remark, that provision is made by the Society’s revised rules for the introduction of ‘ new blood ’ on the Council each year, and that nominations may be made by the members. This is not however the point of contention and I am afraid I am not quite understood. What I wish to emphasize is, — the original rules of the Society so far as concerns the election of the Council, cannot legally (if I may use the term) be altered by the Council without a vote in favour of such alteration being given by the members of the Society. In regard to the Zoological Society’s adoption of similar methods, I am afraid this argument is rather against our CounciJ, It is quite true what you say, but the difference is this, that the rules governing the election of its officers were ratified by the Society as a body, and this of course covers my whole argument. I think therefore the fairest way of dealing with my last letter will be to send it to the Editor for publication, so that members, if they wish it, may have an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the matter, and so long as there is general satisfaction in the camp, I am well satisfied ; but I am inclined to the belief that there are many members who, whilst disagreeing with the Council’s action, lack the courage to make even a mild protest. Of course I must be absolved from any desire to be vexatious, my interest in the Avicultural Society is too healthy for anything of this nature. Archibald Simpson. [So far as we are aware the original Rules of the Avicultural Society were ratified by the general body of the Society as it existed at the time they were drafted, and those rules have clearly given the Council power “ to alter and add to the Rules from time to time in any manner they may think fit." It would seem therefore that if any mistake has been made (which we do not admit) it was made by the original framers of the Rules. However the Council do not pretend to be infallible, and, we are quite sure, will welcome the opinion of our members. We would however ask those who have anything to say on the subject to do so as soon as possible, as the pages of the Magazine are intended for matters strictly connected with birds, and this controversy can do little good to the journal if long continued. Con'espondence, Notes, etc. 53 It is practically impossible to take a vote of the Society as a body unless at a general meeting ; and the question of the feasibility of holding periodical general meetings was discussed at the last Council meeting, but the difficulties in the way seem to be well nigh insurmountable at present. Ed.] MUNI A FLAVIPRYMNA. A specimen of the extremely rare Munia flaviprymna, Gould, from North Western Australia, probably the only living specimen ever brought to Europe, was exhibited at the Crystal Palace Show (October 25th, 26th, and 27th). The judge, taking it for a hybrid, awarded it only a second prize, the first going to a specimen of the familiar Zonogastris vielba. ELECTION OF THE COUNCIL SCRUTINEER’S Elected — Votes. Mr. B. C. Thomasset . . 75. Miss D. Hamii/Ton . . 74. REPORT. Not Elected — Mr. H. R. P'ieemer Mr. L. W. Horton Votes . . . 28. . . 22. 100 members voted. One voting paper not signed, vote lost in consequence. 17 th October, 1904. ( Signed ) James B. Housden. THE ILLUSTRATION FUND. The Council acknowledge with many thanks the receipt of the following donations toward this fund : — £ s. d. Canon the Honble. and Rev. F. G. Dutton .. 200 Madame Hamilton .. .. .. .. o 10 o Miss Jardine .. .. .. .. .. 026 £2 12 6 The total now received amounts to ^31 3s. od. - POST. MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. RUEES. Each bird must be forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and postage paid, direct to Mr. Arthur Gill, M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Establishment, Bexley Heath, Kent, and must be accompanied by a letter containing the fullest particulars of the case. Domestic poultry, pigeons, and Canaries cannot be dealt with. If a reply by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclosed. Diamond Sparrow (Miss D. Hamilton). Seemed sleep)' and puffy yesterday. This morning it was found in a coker-nut shell wheezing very much. [Pneumonia was the cause of death]. 54 Post Mortem Examinations. Californian Quail (Mrs. Charrington). Moulting into adult plumage and seemed thin. Fed on canary, millet, wheat and dari, Abraham’s Mixture and a few mealworms. '[Your bird died of inanition owing to malassimilation of food. Keep in a grass run, not with Silver Pheasants as you suggest, and feed on canary, millet, wheat, dari, and hemp if birds appear thin. I was always very partial to Century Food and some game meal. These birds are largely insectivorous]. Budgerigar (MissE. M. Crowliurst). [Your bird died of apoplexy. It is very common for these birds to die in this way. My Budgerigars were fed'on equal parts canary and millet, and oats. There was always plenty of mortar rubbish and a saucer of either Century Food or Lucullns in the aviary. Green food when not wet or frosted]. bush Quail (Mr. H. L. Sich). [Answered by post]. Hen REDRUMP ParrakeET (Mrs. Williams). [Your bird died of an apoplectic fit. Evidently she had one before you bought her from the symptoms, and there was an old standing blood clot on the brain, in addition to a recent one which caused death. I fed mine on canary and millet, equal parts wheat, oats and dari, with either Century Food or Lucullus. The latter they are very fond of]. Passerine Dove (Eadv Corbet). [Answered by post]. Two Cactus CONURES (Miss Alderson). [Answered by post]. Two Red-faced Lovebirds (Mr. Clias. L. Rothera). [Answered by post]. Waxbiee, Budgerigar, and Nonpareie (Lady Carnegie). [Answered by post]. Brown-headed Conure and Red-crested Cardinae (Major A. B. Trestrail). [Answered by post. Thanks for P.O. 2/6]. Siskin (Mr. J. Bowes). Died suddenly. [Apoplexy], Long-Tailed GRASSFINCH (Mr. Barber). Noticed a cock Bronze Mannikin chasing it about yesterday. This bird was found dead to-day. [Con¬ cussion of the brain caused death]. Cock Red-headed Gouedian Finch (Miss R. Lvou). In my possession over six years, Found dying. [A lovely specimen, very fat. Died of an apoplectic fit]. Cock Liothrin (Mr. Moerschell). Food : millet, hemp, and canary seed first grade Century Food, dry ants’ eggs, a couple of small beetles, or a fat mealworm daily. [To my mind you feed your bird too liberally. Second grade Century Food would be better for a Liothrix. They are gross feeders. With this food he would not require either beetles or mealworms. Cause of death was a fit]. Hoopoe (Mr. W. H. St. Quiutin). Always fed well. For three or four days the feathers around vent have been stained, and its droppings were green. [Inflammation of liver caused death. Owiug to malassimila- tion the bird was much emaciated. Thanks for P.O. 2/6. Answered by post]. Crimson Bishop (Mr. F. M. Abrahams). Fed 011 canary' seed, Indian millet, a little hemp, and an occasional mealworm. Thrived for over four years. [Bird died of fits caused by ruptured blood-vessel on brain]. Paradise Whydah. [Too decomposed]. Arthur Giee. F. C. THORPE, ImpoFter of all VaFieties of Foreign Birds and (flaterforal. ANIMALS IMPORTED TO ORDER. All Birds kept in Aviaries not Cages, and sent on approval. Note Mess- 75, SOUTH PARADE, HULL. Stock in hand October 19, 1904. Nanday Parrakeets 15/- each, 1 Blue-crowned Coimre 10/-, 2 Yellow Budgerigars 20/- pair, acclimatised Rose Cockatoo 10/-. Also finest lot of Doves in England — 3 pairs Red Mountain Doves ^3, 1 pair Brazilian Doves (name not known) £2 10/- pair, 6 pairs Talpacoti Doves 10/6 pair, 4 pairs Allied Doves 15/- pair, 5 pairs Zebras 3/6 pair, Senegal Finches 2/- to 5/- pair, aviary-bred Cut-throats 3/- pair, 8 Blue-fronted Amazons 16/- to 30/- each, 1 Dong-tailed Gloss}' Starling 35/-, 3 Rosy Pastors fine 7/6 each, 1 pair Pileated Jays ^3, pair Scarlet Tanagers 30/- true pair, rare Yellow-bellied Grosbeak cock 30/-, 4 adult Demoiselle Cranes (pinioned) ^4 10/- pair, 4 Porto Rico Pigeons £2 10/- pair very rare, 4 pairs Cambayan Doves beauties 12/6 pair, Australian Crested Doves 20/-. Shanias, Pittas. 3 pairs Pileated Parrakeets ( Pionopsittacus pileatus ) £5 10/- pair, 1 hen Green Cardinal 12/6, x pair Red-headed Hangnests ^3, 2 rare Blue-winged Pigmy Amazons, rarest birds in England, £3 each. 3 pairs Ruddy Shelldrakes £2 15/- pair, 3 pairs Spotted-billed Ducks, £2 10/- pair, 1 pair Green-billed Toucans, £5 10/-, 3 pairs Shellducks 12/6 pair, 2 pairs Sarus Cranes £25 pair, 1 Raven perfect £1, 1 Talking Grey (been under wrong treatment but nearly right again 4 years) £2, 3 pairs Carolina Ducks 45/- pair, 2 pairs Widgeons 12/- pair, 2 pairs Garganey 12/6 pair, Muscovies good breeders 10/6 pair, 1 Gander and 2 Chinese Geese ditto ditto 40/- the trio, East Indian Ducks 15/- pair, Bean Geese 25/- pair, Blue¬ winged Teal £4 pair, Albino Wild Ducks £1 pair, 3 cocks 1 lieu extremely rare Calornis calybeus or Eastern Starlings^ 10/- pair, x pair rare White- fronted Guans or Penelope Fowl £4, 1 talking Hill Mynah £2, 1 Bell-bird £4 10/-, 8 pairs Californian Quails 12/6 pair, 1 pair BJack-breasted Rain- Quails 12/6 English bred, Jungle Bush Quails 10/- each, 1 .Stork 15/-, 3 Rufous-necked Weavers full colour 7/6 each, 5 Textor Weavers ditto 5/6eacli, 1 pair Half-masked Weavers ditto 6/6 each, 3 Baya Weavers ditto 5/- each’ 1 pair Red-head Weavers ditto 7/6 pair, 4 Oryx Weavers ditto 7/6 each, 1 Gold Sparrow hen 6/6, I pair Swainson’s Sparrows 8/-, 2 pairs Bahama Pin¬ tails £5 10/- pair, 1 pair Brent Geese 15/-, 2 pairs Anas supercilious or Austra¬ lian Wild Ducks 50/- pair, 1 Diademed Amazon tame acclimatized £2 10/-, I Brazilian Wild Canary 5/6, 1 Adult male Black Swan very fine £3 10/-, 1 pair young from same ^6 pair, 1 pair Black -backed Geese pair £6 10/-, X Saltator £2. IW Please Noth.— I wish to call the attention of my customers to the fact that I have lately added two more agents to my number, one in Central Africa, another on the River Plate, so that I hope to be able soon to offer varieties which are seldom to be got in this country. Stock Always Changing. IV. Notices to Members — Continued. Long-tailed Grassfinches, cock Grey Singing-Finch, 5/-> Zebra-Finches, 3/- ; African Silver-bills 2/- each, many aviary-bred ; pair Rain Ouails 12/-. Hen Chinese Painted Quail 15/-, or would buy a cock. SiCH, East Hoathly, Sussex. New roll ij-iuch wire netting, about 45 yards by 2ft. 6ius. wide 16/-. M. Griffiths, Feruside, Stowmarket. Eight Common Sheldrakes 10/- each ; 6 Chilian Widgeon 30/- each ; 5 Carolinas 30/- each ; 2 Gadwall 20/- each ; 1 female Red-crested Pochard 25/- ; all bred this year, guaranteed health}'. Also 2 female Red-rumped Parrakeets 12/- each. £2$ the lot. Mrs. NobeE, Park Place, Henley-on-Tliames. Pair of Blossom-headed Parrakeets— rosas — in full plumage, 25/. Canon, The Hon. and Rev. F. G. Dutton, Biburv, Fairford. Cocks: Combassou in colour 4/-; hand-reared Greenfinch 1/6; exchange for Orange -cheek Waxbills and Canary hens. Mrs. Barber, Wickford. Three Aurita Doves 20/- ; three young Golden Pheasants, cocks (1904) 10/- each ; two Blondinette Pigeons 5/- each. Lewis, Corstorpliine, Ryde, I. of W. Pairs: tame White-throats 5/- ; Steel-barred Doves 7/6 ; Cape Doves 7/6. Teschemaker, Teignmouth. Aviary-bred cock Passerine Parrotlets 6/- each; 2 Silky Cowbirds (cocks( from outdoor aviary 6/- each. John Watson, Wentbridge, Pontefract. Cock Blue Robin, 2 years in outdoor aviary, 13/6. Hawke, Wigliill, Tadcaster. Five pairs of Diamond Doves, five Indian Green-winged Doves, eight Tataupa Tiuamous, and four Scaly Doves ; all perfect, mostly aviary- bred. What offer for the lot or separately ? D. Seth-Smith, 14, Canning Road, Croydon. WANTS. (These a/ e charged for at the same rate as Birds for Sale). Hens: Virginian, Pope Cardinals, Nonpareil, Pied Wagtail,.; cock Cordon. Teschemaker, Teignmouth, Devonshire. Acclimatised cock Green Cardinal, from outdoor aviary, Hawke, Wighill, Tadcaster. Cock Virginian Nightingale from outdoor aviary. G. Porter, 38, Mill Street, Bedford. III. Notices to Members — ( Continued ' from page ii. of cover). NEW MEMBERS. Sir Alexander Baird, Bart. ; Urie, Stonehaven, Kincardine, N.B. Mrs. W. F. Thomas ; Bisliopshalt, Hillingdon, Uxbridge. Mr. W. JarreTT Lewis ; Corstorpliine, Ryde, I. ofW. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Mrs. Hoyee ; Stoke Poges Rectory, Bucks. Proposed by The Hon. I, IDEA DE YARBURGH BaTESON. Mr. W. P. Pycraet. A.L.S., M.B O.U., etc. ; British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, South Kensington, S.W. Proposed by the Hon. Editor. Mr. Neeson Turnbuee ; 30, Dewey Street, Lower Tooting, S.W. Proposed by Mr. AeEEN SlEVER. Lady Hughes ; Shelsley Grange, Worcester. The Lord Beeeew ; Barmeath Castle, Dunlear, Ireland. Proposed by the Hon. Bus. Secretary. Rev. J. W. A. Mackenzie, Whitwick Vicarage, near Leicester. Proposed by the Hon. Correspondence Secretary. Lieut.-Col. Leonard Howard Irby, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 16, Cornwall Terrace, Regent’s Park, N.W. Proposed by Dr. GiiNTHER. MEM HERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is one penny for every four words. Names and addresses of advertisers must be paid for. Each statement of price, such as 3/6, is counted as one word. Every advertisement must be prepaid, and MUST reach the EDITOR not later than the 19 th of each month. The Council reserve the right of refusing any advertisement they may consider undesirable. One cock and two hens, Black-breasted Rain Quails, aviary-bred, fi the three, or 15/- the pair. Wiemot, Poulton Vicarage, Fairford. Cock Orange Bishop, almost full colour, 6/6 ; cock and five hen Red-billed Weavers, 10/- the six, have been in outdoor aviary fifteen months, perfect condition ; about 40 young Hartz Mountain Canaries, bred for two gererations in outdoor aviary, parents out all last winter, 10/- pair. The cocks are in full song. R. SuggiTT, Suggitt’s Lane, Cleetliorpes. Avicultural Magazine for sale, what offers ? Vols. II., V., VI., VII., VIII., and Vol. I. New Series, also Zebra Finches, own rearing, 4/- pair. Aefred J. Dareing, Fore Street, Trowbridge. {Con United on opposite page). JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. QUCCESS IN BIRD KEEPING & BREEDING CAN ONLY HE SECURED BY USING 41 ABRAM AM S’ 14 WOKIJM'AM Hi > (W Specialities in BIRD FOOD. LARGE STOCK OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS. HARTZ MOUNTAIN ROLLERS, Norwich, Yorkshire and Lizard Canaries. Cock Birds in full Song now in Stock ABRAHAMS’ TONIC for Diarrhoea and Strengthening Birds. EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Cage and Aviary Appliance, Seed, etc., in stock. For complete Price List apply to — J. ABRAHAMS, 191 & 192, ST. GEORGE STREET EAST, LONDON, £. J. ABRAHAMS’ is the oldest and most reliable Establishment in England. NEW SERIES. MONTHLY. DECEMBER, 1904. voi. 111. No 2. Price is 6*1, THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. •-C' CONTE NTS./'Jj HA(ih On the Nestling- of Fraser's Touraeou (illustrated), by W. P. Pycraft, A.E.S., F.Z.S., etc. 55 The Breeding of Pterocles exustus, by W. H St. Quintin, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 64 Recollections of some Bird Friends (i continued j, by Miss D. Hamilton 66 Some Common Birds of the Seychelles, by B. C. Thomasset ... 73 The Nesting of the Yellow Sparrow, by Mrs. Howard Williams ... 75 Jottings from Scotland, by “Sylvia” ... ... ... ... 77 Correspondence, Notes, etc.— Breeding Results during the past Summer, 80 ; Paddy Rice, 81 ; The Management of the Avicultural Society, 82 : "the nesting habits of Brush Turkeys, 83 ; The Black-backed Tanager, 83 ; Resuscitating apparently drowned birds, 84 ; Acridotheres mahrat- tensis, 84 ; Canaries rearing young Chaffinch, 84. 0 The Society’s Medal... The Illustration Fund Post-mortem Examinations 85 85 86 LO N DO N 1 R. H. PORTER, 7, Princes St., Cavendish Square, W. NOTE.— A new volume commences every November. □ II. All Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the Avicurturat, Society are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. NOTICES TO MEMBERS. The Subscription to the Avicultural Society is 10/- per annum, due on the 1st of November in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/6. The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. All MSS. for publication in the Magazine , Books for Review, ami Private Advertisements should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. 1). SETH -Smith, Glengarry, Canning Road, Addiscombe, Surrey. All Queries respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A. G. Butrer, 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. All other correspondence, and Subscriptions, should be sent to the Hon¬ orary Business Secretary, Mr. T. H. Newman, 20, Montpelier Square, I/Oiidon, S.W. An)' change of address should be at once notified to him. 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So far as I am aware, until the publication of Mrs. Johnstone’s account of the partial rearing of the nestling of Fraser’s Touracou in her aviaries, in the November issue of our Magazine, nothing was known of the condition of the young of the Touracou at birth. For the unique opportunity of describing the pterylologi- cal characters of the nestling Touracou, as represented by the present species, I am indebted to the kindness of my friend, Mr. D. Seth-Smitli. Before I proceed with my description I would remark that, although, as I have said, nothing was hitherto known of the condition of the young at birth in this group, yet certain definite statements have appeared on this subject which now turn out to have been mere conjectures. Thus Seebohm, in his “ Classification of Birds ” placed the Touracous with the Cuckoos in one order, “ Coccyges,” which he diagnosed by the possession of four characters in common. Of these four, one was based on the condition of the nestling, which, he asserted was “ born helpless, and not passing through a downy stage before acquiring feathers.” This definition now proves to be true only of the Cuckoos. Dr. Gadow, in Bronn’s Thier-reichs (Systematischer theil) appears to have followed Seebohm in this matter, since, in a table 56 Mr. P. W. Pycraft, of characters distinguishing the Cuckoos and Touracous from the Hoatzin, he defines the young of the former as perfectly naked and nidicolous (echte nackte nesthocker). Thus then, Mrs. Johnstone’s success proves to be one of unusual importance, for, apart from its bearing on questions of aviculture, it has thrown new light on the difficult problem of classification. II. Pteryeosis. a. The trunk. From a reference to the figure in Mrs. Johnstone’s paper it will be apparent that the young bird, at one month old, is still completely invested in nestling down save only the wings and tail, where contour feathers have made their appearance. An examination of the skin however shows that a few feathers have begun to sprout from the scapular tracts and from the back of the neck. The rest of the body is clothed in a short black down sparsely distributed. It is not easy to exactly define the form of the several feather tracts in this nestling, and the task of tracing these is rendered the more difficult in the absence of an adult for comparison. But the head, neck, and upper part of the spinal tract can be clearly made out. The spinal tract however, on the middle of the back, spreads out so as to extend downwards and ultimately blend with the femoral tract — a very primitive character. The ventral tract, which we may reckon for our present purpose as commencing at the base of the lower jaw, is at first ill-defined. There is no interramal space as usual. On the middle of the under surface of the neck it widens considerably, and then, sending off a branch to the shoulder, is continued backwards in the form of a broad outer tract, terminating at the level of the hinder border of the sternum : and a narrow feebly developed, and ill-defined median tract, which runs backwards and downwards to meet its fellow of the opposite side in front of the cloaca. The crural or leg tract is unusually well-developed. No down appears on the apteria or spaces between the tracts. 57 on the Nestling of Fraser's Totiracou. b. The wings. The wing presents several features of considerable interest. The first point that strikes one is the great development of the quill feathers, the body being still invested in down. The form of the extended wing is peculiar, as may be seen in the plate fig. 4. There are 10 primaries and n secondaries. None of these have not yet completed their growth, the bases of the feathers being still sheathed after the fashion of growing feathers. The longest quills are those in the middle of the wing — the outermost secondaries, and the innermost primaries. So that the wing when open has -a peculiar oblong form. The thumb bears a small claw, but there is no claw on the index digit. The hand is slightly shorter than the fore-arm. The major coverts of the upper surface of the wing have not only made their appearatice, but, it is to be noticed they have completed their growth. This is a point to which we shall have to refer later. No covert feathers have appeared on the under surface of the wing. c. The feet. The first point that catches attention about the feet of this bird is their great size ; and this is rendered the more conspicuous by reason of the shortness of the “ leg ” ( tarsometa - tarsus'). The longest toe — the middle toe — measures ri inches in length, or about 27 millimetres ; whilst the tarso-metatarsus measures a little under 07 inch or about 18 millimetres. The foot in the adult Touracou is semi-zygodactylous ; in the nestling the outer toe can be turned so as to lie at right angles to the long axis of the middle toe, and is connected there¬ with by a web. The claws are hooked at the tip, and laterally compressed to a very marked degree. The planta, or back of the tarso-metatarsus is granulated, whilst its anterior surface (acrofarsiumj is covered by a series of transverse scutes, six in number. 5§ Mr. W. P. Pycraft, Explanation of Text figures. Fig. i. Highly magnified portion of one of the barbules (radii) from a barb (ramus) of a nestling down feather (pre- penna) of Fraser’s Touracou. Fig. la. A nestling down feather of Fraser’s Touracou borne on the tip of a developing contour or adult feather highly magnified. The magnified portion shown in fig. i is from the middle of one of the little thread - like processes marked — rd. The long “thread” marked r is the ramus — the rod or shaft which supports the radii or barbules. on the Nestling of Fraser's Totiracou. 59 Fig. 2. A highly magnified portion of one of the barbules from a barb of a nestling down feather of the Hoatzin. Compare this with the round bamboo-like structure of the Touracou {text fig. 1). Fig. 2 a. A nestling down feather of the Hoatzin, magnified, also borne on the tip of a developing contour feather, though only the tip of the latter is shown. III. Structure of the Nestling-down. The nestling down is represented only by what I have else¬ where called pre-penna, that is to say by down feathers which are immediately succeeded by contour feathers. Pre-plumulae, or down feathers succeeded later by down feathers, are wanting. The pre-pennse are of the umbelliform type ( text fig. 1 a), that is to say they have no distinct shaft, but are composed of a number of rami or barbs arising from a common base. These rami are relatively short and bear numerous short radii or bar¬ bules, which cease some distance from the end of the ramus (text fig. 1 a). Under the microscope each radius is seen to be made up of a series of rounded rods fitting apparent^ one into another like the sections of a fishing rod ( text fig. 1). In text fig. 1 a the pre-penna is seen in the process of being borne out by the definitive, or adult feathers (df.). Concerning the latter I would remark that there are some points which demand further investigation. It may prove that this apparently definitive feather is really what is known as a mesoptile or intermediate stage between the nestling down and the adult feather. Here we may mention that the pre-penna of Fraser’s Touracou differs conspicuously from the similar feathers of the Hoatzin ( text fig. 2). In this bird it will be noticed the barbules or radii are shorter, and more thickly clustered. Microscopically examined it will be found that, while in the Touracou the radii are in the form of jointed rods , in the Hoatzin they take the form of flattened, ribbon like plates produced, at each joint, into short processes or fila (text fig . 2 f). Moreover the segments are longer in the Touracou than in the Hoatzin. 6o Mr. W. P. Pycraft, IV. Comparison of Fraser’s Touracou with the Cuckoos. The Touracous are regarded, with almost common con¬ sent, by system atists, as more nearly allied to the Cuckoos than to any other group : and this attitude may be regarded as sound. It is well therefore that we should briefly compare the young stages of these two birds. As we have already pointed out, the young of both groups have been stated to agree in that they remained naked until the feathers break their sheaths. We now know that the young of the Touracous, on the contrary, are clothed in down during the early stages of life. The Cuckoos are generally regarded as having young which do not develop nestling down but remain naked till the feathers appear. Thus, though at first naked, they soon present a curiously spiny appearance, recalling that of the hedgehog, and this is retained till the bursting of the feather sheaths. We have yet much to learn concerning the Cuckoos, how¬ ever. It is certain that the young Touracous represent the more primitive condition. And it would seem that the Cuckoos have become highly specialized in this matter, the nestling down, from some reason not yet understood, having become suppressed. The young of Ce?itropus—the Lark-heeled Cuckoos— however yet preserve traces of the nestling down, which appears during late embryonic life in the form of long slender threads. These, on hatching, retain this peculiar form until borne out, after the fashion of nestling down, on the tips of the developing contour feathers. These hair-like structures are to be regarded as vestiges of the nestling down feathers which never burst their investing sheaths. Whilst the young Cuckoos are completely zygodactylous, the young Touracou is only partly so. V. Comparison of the Nestling Touracou with the Nestling Hoatzin ( Opisthocowms cristatusj. We may now pass on to compare the young Touracou with the young of that aberrant and extremely interesting bird the Hoatzin, Opisthocomus cristatus. on the Nestling of Fraser's Touracou. 61 Briefly, the two nestlings superficially bear a very close resemblance one to another : but this fact must be put down rather to convergence than to any very close relationship. Both are alike downy, but whereas the young Touracou is clothed only in nestling down known as pre-pennse, the young Hoatzin has, in addition, an extra covering of down feathers — the pre-plumulse. Both in the Touracou and the Hoatzin the feet are of enormous size, but in the latter all the front toes are turned forward. It is in the wing that the most striking features occur, both in the young Touracou and the young Hoatzin. The form of this organ in the Touracou can be seen in the plate accompany¬ ing this paper. The wing at this stage {fig- 4) — one month old — resembles that of the young Hoatzin (ftgsi-f) of the same age : and partly on this account and partly on other grounds, I am inclined to believe that, when we come to know more of the earlier history of the young Touracou, we shall find a similar series of the same remarkable phases of development. These we may briefly outline as follows : At hatching the wing of the young Hoatzin is remarkable for the great length of the hand, which is considerably longer than the forearm, and armed with two strong claws, one on the thumb, the other on the index finger. The quill feathers are represented only by rounded brush-like tufts of feathers. The considerable length of the hand at this stage would probably never have excited more than passing comment, whilst the claws would have been regarded as vestiges of a reptilian stage ; had it not been for the discovery of Mr. C. Quelch, who in the Ibis of 1890 published a most interesting and remarkable account of the life-history of this bird. He showed, beyond cavil, that the young are quite unlike birds hatched in an arboreal nursery generally, inasmuch as they leave the nest in a few hours and climb about the tree in which it is placed. In other words the young are precocious. In the climbing not only the toes and feet are used, but the wing also. Hence the great length of the hand, and the size of the claws (see fig. 1 on the plate.). As development proceeds the 62 Mr. W. P. Pycraft, growth of the quills follows a quite peculiar course. The primaries at the tip of the wing have their growth arrested until the inner primaries have increased sufficiently to form a parachute in the case of a fall. So soon as this stage has been reached the outermost primaries and the secondaries commence to grow, and within a very short time the claws become absorbed, and the growth of the fore-arm overtakes and exceeds that of the hand. The claws and long hand being of no further use, in short, become suppressed. In the young Fowl a similar order of growth is followed, but since flight, in a brood which has exchanged an arboreal for a terrestrial nursery, is now imperative at the earliest possible stage, the innermost primaries grow at an exceedingly rapid rate, so that flight for short distances is possible within a few hours after birth. Hence the peculiar form of the wingseen in the plate fig. 2. The free-finger-tip — though minus the claw -—is here very conspicuous. Save as an adaptation in a precocious nestling to a sometime arboreal nursery, the free-finger-tip is inexplicable. But the young game-birds possess another curious feature. In them the first flight feathers of the forearm are formed by the major coverts. Later these are replaced by the secondaries. Now it may be remembered, I pointed out that while the secon¬ daries of the young Touracou were yet partly ensheathed in their embryonic coverings (page 57) the major coverts had com¬ pleted their growth. Fiom this, and the form of the wing generally, I venture to prophesy that when we get earlier stages in the development of the Touracou we shall find the same features are produced which obtain in the young Opisthocomus, and that the first flight feathers of the forearm will be the major coverts, which, later, will be found to be replaced by the secon¬ daries. I have the more confidence in this since Mrs. Johnstone has specially remarked, in her most interesting paper, that the young bird, very early in life, “ used to scramble about on its basket lid.” But she does not however, say, whether the wings were used in this scrambling. Possibly, now that attention is drawn to the matter she may be able to enlighten us on this point. on the Nestling of Fraser' s To?iracou. 63 I have elsewhere dealt at length on the curious life-history of the Hoatzin, and the game-birds, as well as of nestlings generally, and would refer those of my readers who care to pur¬ sue this subject further to these sources of information. VI. Summary. Although this nestling seems to have been killed by the cold nights of September I do not think the growth of the feathers or nestling down was in any way appreciably retarded by this factor. Many nestlings retain the down-feathers of the trunk for a long time after hatching. Ornithologists should be grateful to Mrs. Johnstone for the care and enterprise she has shown in procuring and breeding these birds. She has moreover achieved the greatest triumph yet attained by aviculturists — horrid word — for, until the appearance of this nestling the young of the Touracou were absolutely unknown. It is to be hoped that next year she may be able to supply us with the missing links required to complete this history. Explanation of Plate. Fig. 1. Eeft wing of newly-hatched Hoatzin, upper surface, to show the long hand and large claw on the thumb and index finger. Fig. 2. Right wing of older nestling of Hoatzin, showing the accelerated growth of the primary quills and the early stages in the shortening of the hand. Fig. 3. Left wing of young chick, upper surface showing the extremely accelerated development of the inner primary quills. Fig. 4. Right wing of nestling Fraser’s Touracou, under surface, showing the peculiar oblong form of the wing and the claw on the thumb. The hand is now relatively longer with regard to the fore-arm than in the adult. References to Literature. JOHNSTONE, Mrs. E. J. “The Nesting of Fraser’s Touracou.” Avicultural Magazine , Vol. III. (New Series) p. 26. PYCRAFT, W. P. “ On the Plerylography of the Hoatzin.” Ibis, Vol. I. 1S95 .Second Series, p. 345. ,, ,, “The Claws on the Wings of Birds.” Knowledge, Vol. XXVI. 1903, p. 221. Quelch, J. J. “ On the Habits of the Hoatzin.” Ibis, 1S90, p. 327. 64 Mr. W. H. St. Quintin, THE BREEDING OF PTEROCLES EXUSTUS. By W. H. St. Quintin, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Judging from letters and notes that have appeared in the Avicultural Magazine , few of our members have kept the various species of Sandgrouse, and, so far as I know, few have been lately imported. I do not know that, except Mr. Meade-Waldo and myself, anyone in this country has bred P. alchatus, the Greater Pintailed Sandgrouse, and P. exusius, the Lesser Pin- tailed Sandgrouse, I think has not been recorded hitherto as rearing young in confinement. I succeeded with this species this summer, and perhaps a short account may be thought worthy of record. I have kept a male and two females for several years, and every summer eggs have been laid, but nothing resulted, probably because the females interfered with each other, and generally the eggs were unfertile. However, a chick was hatched in 1903, but weakly, and it did not survive more than a day or two. One year both hens laid at the same time, and incubated, and it was curious to see the male bird’s predicament. As many of our readers will be aware, each parent shares in the duty of incubation, the female by day and the male by night : although sometimes, when the female is off feeding, the male goes on for a short time during the day. The poor cock bird, in the case referred to, tried to do his duty by each clutch of eggs, sometimes sitting in one nest, and sometimes the other ; and of course the eggs got chilled and disappointment followed. At that time I was more interested in some other occupants of the aviary, and the Sandgrouse did not perhaps get the attention they deserved. However, this spring I took care that the cock and the most vigorous-looking hen had the floor of a heated aviary to themselves ; and in due course three eggs were laid, and were regularly and properly attended by the old birds. I was away from home when the three chicks emerged, and did not see them until they were several days old, and feeding nicely upon maw seed and a mixture of grass and clover seeds. The birds preferred the former : and here I may say that I have never found any harm come of a free use of maw seed in the case of on the Breeding of Pt erodes Exits his. 65 aviary birds. The Bearded Tits especially feed more on this than on any other seed ; and all kinds of Sandgrouse and Ouail etc. seem exceedingly fond of it. It seems that there is no stupe¬ fying quality in the seed of the poppy ; and I believe the drug, the name of which is associated with this plant, is obtained by crushing the seed-capsule, and not at all from the seed within it. One of the young did not grow so quickly as the others, aud died when about ten days old ; the others thriving from the first, and growing apace. Young Sandgrouse are fledged at an early age, and, being fat and heavy, are apt to seriously bruise and injure themselves if suddenly startled, unless their flight- feathers are shortened. The parents (both) brooded the young in a sunny corner of the aviary, and for the first few weeks they did not wander far, except to follow the sun-patches as they shifted across the aviary floor. Though they squatted closely when anyone approached, they soon began, when all was quiet again, to pick up the seeds which we sprinkled over and around them. I could see no difference in habit of either young or parents between this species aud alchatus, except that my exustus have never shown any inclination for shepherd’s purse, chick- weed, lettuce, or grasses, or any other green food : whereas, alchatus must be supplied with these things if it is to be kept in- health. This probably points to exustus inhabiting more arid districts than the other species.* As in alchatus the cock bird (only) waters the young, so does the male exustus. Mr. Meade-Waldo was the first to describe this most interesting habit in the case of the former species. It has been repeatedly observed in my aviaries, and now again with exustus. Whether the habit is common to all the species of this family remains to be ascertained, though in the case of the fine arenarius Mr. Meade-Waldo observed this species also visiting the troughs and puddles about the village wells in Morocco, and flying off after soaking their breast-plumage, doubtless with the same object in view. The process is so extraordinary that perhaps I may be forgiven for again dwelling upon it. The * Although closely allied, P. exustus differs from P. alchatus in not exhibiting the remarkable seasonal changes of plumage (in both sexes) seen in the latter species. W. H. St. Q. 66 Miss D. Hamilton, young no doubt are somehow able to make it clear to their male parent that they wish to drink, and he starts off to the pan, and after sipping a little on his own account, steps in and stands motionless for a minute or two watching. Then he sits down in the water, and goes through a shuffling movement very like a bird that is dusting. After remaining in the water several minutes, he gets out and hurries off loudly calling to the young, who if old enough run to meet him. Then follows what reminds one more than anything of a mammal suckling her young: the chicks push their heads amongst the breast-plumage and under tail-coverts, evidently taking the water off the feathers by passing them through their bills, moving to fresh places as the supply becomes exhausted. It is hard to understand how moisture, carried in this way, can be preserved during a lengthened flight through the arid atmosphere of the summer season in the countries affected by these birds : and one feels surprised that some simpler method has not been evolved, as in the case of the Rook, which carries food to its mate or young in the baggy pouch between the lower fauces of the beak. It is to be regretted that the members of this interesting family are not more often imported, so that their breeding habits may be compared. My experience is that if kept dry, Sand- grouse will live long in captivity, and that they are most peace¬ able towards the occupants of their aviary, do not require much space, and are in many ways desirable birds to study. RECOLLECTIONS OF SOME BIRD FRIENDS. By Miss D. Hamilton. (Continued from page 33 J. Hitherto I had looked upon all foreign birds as “tropical,” and therefore as requiring a kind of hot-house treatment which I could not have given them. But having read Dr. Greene’s “ Birds I have kept,” I changed my views, and the first foreign bird I bought was a Rosella Parrakeet. I was still somewhat under the delusion that so bright-coloured a bird must require extra warmth, and every evening I used to fill a stone hot-water bottle with boiling water, put it in a flannel bag, and stand it on on Recollections of some Bird Friends. 67 end against one side of the cage, which I then covered with a light woollen shawl. At those times, and then only, the Rosella used to utter piercing shrieks of anger and derision, and I should not have mentioned the plan, but that I have since found it a most useful one in treating delicate Gouldians or such birds as really require warmth on cold winter nights, or even on damp summer ones when the birds are moulting badly, or when egg¬ binding is feared. Two Rosellas in succession died of fits and apoplexy, brought on, I believe, by constipation and want of exercise. My third bird was tame and used to fly about my room, and he ate apples and mealworms, which I cannot help thinking was a very helpful change from a diet of dry seed only. He lived with me for several years, and then I gave him to a great admirer of his who had done me the service of taking care of a favourite dog while I was abroad. Last spring I heard that the bird was as well and as lively as ever, and I trust he is so still. In my opinion the common Red Rosella is one of the most beautiful as well as one of the most amiable of Parra- keets. It very seldom screams or makes any disagreeable noise whatever. My next foreign bird was an American Nonpareil — but if I begin to enlarge upon his beauties and graces and excellences of all sorts I shall never stop. I consider him a perfect cage bird. My original one is still living (it is six years or more since I bought him) though he quickly passed out of my possession into my mother’s. When I went for my annual holiday in Switzerland I took my Rosella and my Nonpareil with me, as in their case I could not adopt my old plan of setting free. They were much admired, but, owing to a multiplicity of cats (there were 25 cats and kittens in and about the house at the time) I kept my birds strictly in my own room. One morning I heard my mother ask my father to smoke in her glass house, as the plants were covered with green fly. I wanted my father to walk with me, so I proposed my Nonpareil as his substitute in the greenhouse. At first my mother was afraid, “ Would not the bird hurt the flowers? Might he not poison himself?” I thought not ; and he was soon flying loose among the plants, and was pronounced by my mother to be a far more effectual vermin- 68 Miss D. Hamilton, killer than tobacco smoke. He did no harm, and added life and motion to the beauties of the flowers. Day by day he won my mother’s heart more and more till at last, when my holiday was ended, I had to go back to London without my bird. Now my mother is a member of the Avicultural Society, and has about 30 birds flying in that greenhouse. I have another Nonpareil whom I find quite as charming as my first one. But they have one peculiarity which makes them unsuitable birds for keeping in one’s bedroom. Both my Nonpareils have the habit of occasionally flying up and down their cage all night. I have noticed this especially on moonlight nights in spring and autumn, and I wonder if it corresponds with their times of migration in their native land. In spring they will sing at intervals all through the night too. All the books I have seen very rightly insist upon the necessity of keeping Nonpareils well supplied with insect food. As a matter of fact I believe that if this is done in spring and summer, the bird can get through the winter months quite comfortably on seed alone. At different times of the year I have found that my Nonpareils prefer special kinds of insects. I11 early spring they are grateful enough for mealworms (though they always prefer the pupa to the larva). As summer conies on the)'- are wild after flies and grasshoppers, and in autumn they seem to like spiders better than anything else. Greenfly, and smooth caterpillars are always welcome, and flowering grasses, green oats, and weeds of almost every sort are much relished at all times. I never give my birds any bought seeds other than canary, and white and spray millet. I should think that the Nonpareils would be very useful in countries where locusts abound. Mine always catches the grasshoppers I offer him, with wonderful agility, and devours them eagerly. My first visit to a Crystal Palace Bird Show made me keen to possess some of the birds I saw there, especially Gouldian Finches and Pintail Nonpareils. At last I ventured on a pair of Goulds, which looked healthy and were in brilliant plumage. Alas ! they both died in a few days. I thought that must be through some fault in my management of them, so I asked advice as to their proper treatment and bought another pair. o?i Recollections of some Bird Friends. 69 One died at once of fits — the other lingered for a few weeks and then died of “debility,” as thin as a shadow. This was most disheartening, but did not in the least diminish my longing to keep these brilliant birds. Wandering one day in Covent Garden I discovered Robert Green’s, and to the man in charge there I confided my wish to possess a pair of Gouldian Finches who should not die. He said he thought he could satisfy me, and the pair I got from him are with me now, in excellent health and great beauty. I bought them in June, 1902. That first winter the hen began to lay, and several times I thought I should have lost her. She was very tame, and as soon as I saw her looking pufty and unhappy I used to take her in my hand and sit with her on my lap by the fire, or put her on a flannel-covered hot water bottle in a basket. She always managed to lay her egg, and then was all right again at once. She never got a chance of sitting as the cock ate all the eggs. My Goulds are very fond of green oats, and all sorts of flowering grass, and I always keep them well supplied. I11 the winter I use lark turfs, lettuce leaves, or growing canary seed. The hen devours a wonderful quantity of crushed egg shell, and when she is laying she always eats mealworms. Even the cock condescends to eat a few when he is moulting. All my Australian finches are fond of rock-salt. Just before I bought my first pair of Gouldian Finches, I had purchased a pair of little Cordon Bleus for 3/6 in Seven Dials. They were newly imported and rather bare of feathers, and very shivery at first, but they soon got well and strong. The cock I have still, but he has lost two wives — the first through an accident and the second from egg-binding. They are lovely little birds, but my cock is so fierce I cannot keep him with my cock Gould or Parrot-finch — he chases them up and down the cage and pulls their feathers out by the beakful. I have not found Cordons at all delicate nor given to eating each other’s feathers, though I have kept them with Lavender-finches and other small birds in a cage in my sitting-room. They always have insect food of some sort (green fly or small ants they like best of all) and plenty of flowering grass. As my Gouldians were thriving, I thought I might risk buying Pintail Nonpareils, and I secured a gorgeous pair. Next 70 Miss D. Hamilton, day I found the cock dead ! He had looked so well, and had been singing cheerily so it was a great disappointment. I sent his body for an autopsy, and the answer came, “ I fear your bird succumbed to a prolonged fast.” He had been plentifully supplied with spray millet and canary seed, but apparently he preferred death to anything but paddy-rice. I got some paddy- rice for the hen, but she died in three days from fractured skull. Almost in despair I went again to my friend Robert Green. He had a pair of acclimatised Pintail Nonpareils who would eat canary seed or anything. They were very beautiful to look at, but were wild, and dull, sitting perfectly still by the hour together unless I went near their cage when they would flutter wildly. I fed them on paddy-rice, oats, canary seed and spray millet, and they seemed quite well until after they had moulted, when the cock died for no reason at all, and the hen got a sort of cramp or paralysis in her feet. I have not tried Pintail Nonpareils again, much as I admire their beauty. My favourite bird is my Parrot-finch — parti}7 because I had waited for one so long, but mainly on account of his manifold merits. When I first saw the one at the Zoo, I quite lost my heart to him, and I really think nothing but the certainty of being caught in the act, prevented me from carrying him off, cage and all (he was in a small cage in the Parrot-liouse then) for I had searched for a Parrot-fincli all over London in vain. At last, when I opened my Avicultural Magazine , there actually was a Parrot-finch for sale. I could hardly believe my eyes ! Not another word did I read until I had written asking for that bird, and had posted the letter. Then followed a time of agonized suspense. Perhaps some other member had received his maga¬ zine sooner than I — or one had telegraphed instead of writing. But no; it was all right for me. Other members had written for the bird, but my letter arrived first, and he was mine. High as were my expectations it is putting it mildly to say that he has exceeded them. His brilliant beauty, his intelligence, tameness, and hardiness are, I should think, unequalled by any bird of his size. As soon as I had loosed him from his tiny travelling cage, he began singing his silvery little song, and he very soon dis¬ covered that he had only to fly to the front of his cage and on Recollections of some Bird Friends. 7i whistle in order to obtain whatever he wanted. Green oats, sponge cake, mealworms, hemp seed, lettuce leaves — almost any dainty in fact, he calls for as soon as ever it comes in sight. Lettuce he is very fond of, but directly he has had enough he tears up the rest of the leaf in wanton destruction, holding it under one foot while he tears it to shreds with his beak. He also uses his beak for digging the sprouting canary seeds out of the mould or damp sand in which I grow the canary grass for my birds. I never knew any bird so fond of his cold bath as the Parrot-fincli is. As soon as a pan of clean water is put into his cage he plunges in, splashing vigorously, and soaking himself, again and again, until there is no water left, and he looks like a little drowned mouse. I often wonder why birds are so much more particular about their bath water being clean, than they are about their drinking water. All through last winter, as soon as it got dark about 4 p.m., the Parrot-finch used to retire to bed in a cocoanut shell, which he had carefully lined with dry grass. But about ten p.111., when the candles were alight, he would pop out of bed, splash about in his bath once more, and after carefully drjdng himself, make a hearty supper of spray millet. Sometimes I got impatient, and then, a sure way of making him hurry back to bed was to blow out one of the candles. He knew he would not be able to see his way back without their light, so he would hop back and settle down in a minute. When let out of his cage he doesn’t fly round and round the room as the Gouldians do, but takes short flights, and climbs about the chairs and furniture, enquiring curiously into everything he sees. His favourite pastime is hunting up and down the plants for greenfly, and then, I think, he looks his best. For some mouths I was quite satisfied with my beautiful birds and wanted nothing more. But at length I was fired with a strong desire to win the Society’s medal, and began hunting about the bird shops for something rare and inexpensive. One day Robert Green told me he had what I wanted, and showed me some chocolate-coloured birds with milk white heads. “Why these are only common Cigar-birds,” I said contemptuously. But Robert Green pointed out that their throats were black, while in the common kind they are grayish white like the head, 72 On Recollections of some Bird Friends. and moreover he showed me their name, Munia fermiginosa, the Javan Maja Finch, written for him by Mr. Frank Finn. That decided me — my chance had come. There were only four birds, and one appeared to be dying. I took the two healthiest, and begged for the bodies of the other two if they should die, which they both did before long, and I have their skins. My two lived, and were gentle, affectionate birds, but decidedly dull. They made no attempt at nesting, and this summer one of them died just as it had finished moulting. It was very ill and weak for a long time before it died, and its wife, or brother (I don’t know the sex of the surviving bird) took the greatest care of it, sup¬ porting it by sitting close beside it, and protecting it from the other birds. He really is a kind hearted bird, and now he is nursing a delicate little Bicheno finch, sitting quite still while she cuddles up to him all day long. He never moves even to eat unless she goes first. So I have forgiven him for not earning the medal, and really feel quite fond of him in spite of his dulness. I have neverseen the Javan Maja Finches eat anything butspray millet. Another bird I am very proud of is my Himalayan Black- crested Bunting, the survivor of two I bought as a pair, again with a view to the Society’s medal. I saw these birds looking very miserable in a cage with some Brown-headed Buntings and Saffron Finches, who were pulling out the poor Black Bunting’s feathers, and sucking the moist ends of them. Although warned not to do so, as the birds were newly imported and far from well, I bought them and took them home with me. One was glossy black all over, excepting his tail and the flight feathers of his wings, which were bright cinnamon brown. The other (which I then thought was the hen, but have since discovered to be a young male) had tawny margins to all its body feathers, giving it a dull brownish look. The flights and tail were cinnamon as in the larger bird. Both birds devoured mealworms voraciously, but the older one was quite incapable of digesting anything it ate, and it died in three days. The younger one soon got better and began to sing. It moulted, but the feathers came back with brown margins as before. This summer it has certainly been getting blacker without moulting again. I think the On some Common Birds of the Seychelles. 73 feathers are changing from brown to black, as the lemon- coloured feathers on my Nonpareil’s breast changed to brighter and brighter scarlet as the spring warmed into summer. My Crested Bunting is a handsome, sprightly, tame fellow, quite harmless with the other birds, and possessed of a beautiful song. I hope one day to find a mate for him, and to win that medal at last. SOME COMMON BIRDS OF THE SEYCHELLES. By B. C. Thomasset. The following notes were made two summers ago during a short stay on Mahd, the largest island of the Seychelles group. As one would expect from their isolated position, these lovely islands possess a flora and a fauna of considerable interest. In¬ digenous mammals there are none, though one colonist, the brown rat, is now only too much at home. Birds are numerous, and there are sixteen species peculiar to these islands. Mali6 is about the size of the Isle of Wight. It is very mountainous, most of the hills being covered from the summit to the water’s edge with luxuriant vegetation. A common and striking bird is a small pure white Tern ( Gygis Candida). The Terns are not confined to the sea shore, but spend much of their time inland, hawking about the trees, presumably after insects. They breed in a clove forest, close to the bungalow where we were staying, and always roost in the trees. It is said that they lay a single egg on a bare, horizontal branch, fixing it thereto with a sticky secretion, and that in that position the egg is incubated. Very graceful and beautiful these birds look flitting about the dark clove trees, which much re¬ semble our evergreen oaks. The Tropic Bird (, Phcethon caudata) is another sea bird which nests inland (I believe in hollows of dead trees). It is white, with the exception of the two centre tail feathers which are fully a yard long and pale yellow in colour. Hence its Creole name “ Paille en queued Once, whilst fishing on the coral reef, three Frigate Birds 74 On some Common Birds of the Seychelles. (. Fregata aquila ) soared for some time above us without a move¬ ment of their huge wings. The Seychelles Bulbul ( Hypsipetes crassirostris ) is a hand¬ some and most amusing bird. It is fully as large as a Missel Thrush. The plumage is of russet brown and black — the up¬ standing crest black and the thick beak yellow. The bird has a decidedly Jay-like appearance and manner. The Bulbuls are always seen in pairs, and they are curiously tame and inquisitive. A pair of the birds often fol¬ lowed us in the woods for some time, coming almost within reach to examine us and scolding from time to time in discordant voices, quite unlike that of the Bulbul of tradition. They would, I should think, take quite kindly to captivity. Mynahs (Acridotheres tristis) are very numerous, and come every evening from far and near to roost in the clove forest. As they were settling down for the night the clatter that they made was almost deafening. These birds have been introduced. A gorgeous Fruit Pigeon ( Alectroenas pulcherrimus) had some years ago become almost exterminated. Now, on my brother’s estate, where they are protected from Creole and black sportsmen, they are quite numerous, several roosting every night on some tall trees just beside the house. The Fruit Pigeons are very strong flyers, and go through curious evolutions in the air, soaring and then dropping down great distances with closed wings. Two species of Zosterops ( modesta and semifiavd) are common and charming little birds, while a fairy-like little Sunbird would visit each flower in the verandah without in the least minding our presence. The onty representatives of the Parrot tribe which I saw were Madagascar Lovebirds (Agaporn is cand), and these have been introduced. There is, however, a Black Parrot ( Coracopsis barklyi), as well as a Green Parrakeet ( Palaeornis wardi ) found in some of the islands. Mahd abounds in exotic plants, which, after being intro¬ duced, have spread throughout the island ; several species of birds have done the same. The following is told of the intro¬ duction of the Madagascar Weaver ( Foudia madagascariensis. ) On the Nesting of the Yellow Sparrow. 75 Two neighbours went to law concerning the ownership of a rice field. The loser, vowing vengeance, procured a cageful of Weavers from Madagascar. Since then it has been impossible to grow rice at a profit in the Seychelles. At my brother’s bungalow, these Weavers and the Zebra Doves ( Geopelia striata ) which abound on the estate, come every afternoon to be fed with rice. Anyone holding out a handful of rice at the feeding place will at once have his hand and arm covered with fluttering, fighting little scarlet Weavers. The Doves are just as charming in their way, and more peaceable. They are ridiculously tame for “ wild ” birds, and when we were sitting in the verandah they would often perch on our shoulders or walk over our books. This is certainly an ideal way to keep and enjoy birds. Occasionally we saw a small Hawk, much like our Kestrel, and at night Owls sometimes flew round the house. Of these Owls the negroes have a superstitious horror. They believe that they are inhabited by evil spirits, and for fear of them they can¬ not be persuaded to enter the forest at night, or to sleep in a house from which Owls can be heard. A high price has been set upon this Owl’s head by Euro¬ pean collectors, but as it keeps almost entirely to the dense virgin forest, specimens are seldom procured. THE NESTING OF THE YELLOW SPARROW. Passer luteus. By Mrs. Howard Williams. Sometime in July of last year while on a bird hunting expedition in the East of London, I discovered some birds, then quite new to me, with bright yellow heads and bodies and brown Sparrow- like wings and tail. The dealer told me they were Yellow Sparrows, and added that he had one hen, to be dis¬ tinguished by a light-coloured beak only. I carried home a supposed pair which were placed in an aviary in the conservatory, where many young have been hatched out, and sat down to wait events. They proved exceedingly nervous birds, retreated to the 76 On the Nesting of the Yelloiv Sparrow. topmost perch in the gable roof, and were rarely seen at all. They took no interest in food, were chased by other birds if they ventured to descend in search of a seed or a drink, and led a wretched life to all appearance. After some time I happened to get a better view of them than usual, and discovered to my dismay that both bills were light ! This led to inquiry when I found that both birds were cocks. One of them became subject to fits, caused by fright I fancied, and they were caught and placed in a cage in a sitting room. There they spent a quiet winter, in perfect health, though the dimmer light spoiled their colour to some extent. In the early summer they were turned into a new garden aviary, and two hens were procured at different times, and were welcomed with great pleasure, shown by drooping wings, fan¬ like tail, and much loud chirping. The hens were pale fawn and brown, with no bright yellow about them at all. One of them, however, mysteriously disappeared shortly afterwards. In July the remaining pair began to take an interest in mealworms and soft food, and began to carry twigs from a dead Christmas tree into the inner house, and pile them in an untidy heap in a box hanging on the wall. There seemed to be no nest, only an untidy heap of fir twigs, as far as could be seen, and I dared not look closely. Just then I left home, but on my return in the second week in September I was told there were young birds in the aviary. Going to make an inspection I soon discovered two charming birds dressed neatly in pale fawn with light bills and bright dark eyes sitting together on a branch. I watched quietly and soon saw the old birds feed them, which finally established their identity, for they were not at all like the cock, though they did resemble their mother to some extent. When I ventured to examine the nest I found that the twigs hid the real entrance to it, and that it was made of dried grass and weeds mixed with many feathers, some ordinary ones which had been taken from the poultry run and placed in the aviary, but a good many tiny green ones from a pair ofTavender- headed Lovebirds which have shared the same quarters all the summer. On Jottings from Scotland. 77 At the moment of writing one young bird shows a distinct tinge of yellow on throat and breast, while the other is still unchanged, probably therefore they are cock and hen. They eat seeds now, but still go to the soft food pan, where they seem to pick out the egg flake from the other ingredients. JOTTINGS FROM SCOTLAND, By “ Sylvia.” Among the littoral birds of the Clyde estuary there are few species more familiar to the local observer than the Common Heron ( Ardea cinerea, Linn.). In my locality there is one or more of these birds, usually immature specimens, to be seen on the beach at low tide almost every day in the year, either standing perfectly motionless in the shallow water at the mouth of a burn, or strutting about among the wet seaweed in search of small crustaceans. They also resort to a small fresh-water loch among the hills a few miles distant, where I have sometimes counted ten or a dozen birds posted among the reeds at its margin ; and at the edge of a small wood close by two Herons’ nests in fir trees were regularly occupied for many years in succession. There is no lack of heronries in our western counties, nor indeed in most districts of Scotland, and in estimating the number of them, our ornithological authorities have generally been below the mark. Mr. J. E. Harting, for instance, in the Zoologist many years ago, put the number of heronries in the whole of Britain at two hundred, and Professor Newton in his Dictionary of Birds (1893-6) allowed “above fifty” to be Scotland’s proportion. Recent and accurate investigations however shew that Scottish heronries are really far more numerous, and at least two hundred nesting localities in Scotland alone have been recorded. In this district the Heron shows a preference for the Scotch fir as a nesting place ; larch, spruce, and beech are also used, and in the north of Bute, nests were found some years ago, on the tops of thick hawthorns. The eggs, it may be mentioned, are sometimes laid so early as the first week of March. Our 73 “ Sylvia,” largest heronries at present are : — At Rosneatli, Dumbarton¬ shire, about 35 nests in Scotch firs ; at Eglinton Castle, Ayr, 30 nests in Scotch firs and beeches ; at Kelburn Park, Ayr, 25 nests in beeches ; at Inverary, Argyllshire, about 20 nests in spruce, Scotch firs, and beeches ; at Mount Stuart, Rothesay, 18 nests in Scotch firs and beeches. North of the Mull of Kintyre there is a wide expanse of bleak moorland, 50 or 60 square miles in extent, where the Heron, adapting itself to circumstances, has been found to nest 011 ledges of rock and on the ground. There the late Mr. Gray on two occasions saw 100 to 150 of these birds standing close together on a hillside above a fresh-water loch, all the time keeping up an incessant harsh gabble which could be heard a mile away. During my walks along the shore I occasionally find the eggs of the Ringed Plover (SEgialitis hiaticola, Einu.) so early in the season as the first week in April, and so late as the end of June ; this surely points to the fact of there being at least two broods in the season. The eggs of the Oyster-catcher ( Hcemato - p7is ostraleg7is, Linn.) are also of frequent occurrence among the rough gravel, shells, etc., at the highest tide-marks. I some¬ times come upon the nest of the Common Gull ( Lci7r7is can7is, Linn.), usually a large well-made structure, and those of the Common and Arctic Terns ( Steri7a flitviatilis and A. macmra, Naum.). Jackdaws are daily to be seen on the shore ; thej' nest in adjacent low cliffs. Watertou might well marvel at the stupidity sometimes evinced by these birds during nidification. I have more than once watched one of these astute members, of the corvine race endeavouring to thrust a stick broadside-ou into the narrow cleft selected as a breeding-place, and after a while, unable to accomplish its object, drop the stick and go in search of another. Magpies ( Pica rustica, Scop.) have of late years become very abundant in an almost treeless locality, not many miles from here, and close to a large town ; in autumn they are frequently observed in flocks of seven or eight. I only once found a nest of this species in the neighbourhood referred to, it was placed in a straggling sloe hedge (KPr7aius spii70sa ), the only one of the kind I know of in that countryside. I may mention that in another o?i J otthigs from Scotla7id. 79 district I recently observed a pair of Starlings in possession of a deserted Magpie’s nest in a Scotch elm — an unusual nesting- place for the Starling. In this county of Ayrshire the Starling ( Stumius vulgaris , Linn.) is probably the commonest bird we have at present, yet in the Statistical Accozmt of Scotlaiid published in 1837 one is astonished to read that in Ayrshire “ the Starling is a rare bird, but not altogether unknown ” ; and in a list ol rare visitors known to have occurred in a local parish, its name appears along with those of the Quail, Roller, and Turtle Dove. It seems to have been about this time that the Starling first became a resident species in Ayrshire, and its subsequent enormous increase is pro¬ bably chiefly owing to the better draining of the land (tile¬ draining was first introduced at this period), and the consequent wealth of insect life, particularly larval forms such as Tipula oleracea and various species of Agrotides, etc., in the soil ; for insects do not abound in a cold, sour, damp medium, and Starlings instinctively shun such lauds. Then the widening of the area of pasturage must also be taken into account, and above all the natural fecundity of the Starling in suitable districts. I think it is Mr. Dixon who confesses to have taken no less than forty eggs from one pair during a single season. I have lately had a good opportunity of substantiating by personal experience the assertions of ornithologists regarding the imitative powers of the Starling in its wild state. A bird of this species, perched upon the ridge-pole of a cottage near the shore, saluted me one day with the crow of a domestic cock, then followed the wild piping note of the Redshank ( Totanus calidris, Linn.), a common bird about the coast, and the harsh cries of the Gulls which nightly assemble on our rocks, and whose noise reminds one of what old Gilbert White says of the Peacock’s cry, that “ the yelling of cats and the braying of an ass is not more disgustful ” ; the alarm-note of the Blackbird was also excellently imitated. I do not remember ever having witnessed the Starlings Swallow-like habit of catching winged insects in mid-air, but during sultry July weather I have seen numbers of Black¬ headed Gulls ( Larus ridib7t?idtis, Linn.) engaged in this So Correspondence, Notes, etc. occupation for an hour at a time, in an inland locality. These little Gulls nest in vast numbers on the sheep-moors in the north of this county. Rooks ( Corvus frugilegus, Linn.) are casual visitors to the seashore in winter. By watching near a rookery I have sufficiently verified the remark that these birds never by any chance descend to pick up a twig that may have fallen to the ground, and seldom allow one pair to build their nest at any great distance from the main body. An attempt was made here some years ago to establish a new rookery by placing Rooks’ eggs in the nests of the Jackdaws which inhabited a ruinous building in the vicinity of a group of fair-sized beeches ; but the young Rooks did not return to the spot. A couple of Rooks’ eggs were also placed in a Missel Thrush’s nest close by, and were hatched, and the young carefully reared b}r the foster- parents. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. BREEDING RESUETS DURING THE PAST SUMMER Sir, — We have had, for Scotland, a very fine summer, and an excep¬ tionally fine autumn. I turned out my birds, to the number of about fifty, into my garden aviary in April. The aviary is about 35 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8 feet high. There is a fine thick old ivy against the house, and some bushes, and a thoroughly waterproof tool shed which many of the birds took advantage of during the rainy weather. There were three pairs of Zebra finches, and the}7 started nesting at once in the tool house, which was fitted with boxes, cocoa-nut husks etc. I never disturbed the birds, but fear that I had too many birds in, as the Zebras insisted on laying batches of eggs, then covering them up with another layer of nesting material and laying a fresh batch on the top. One of the pairs died in July, but between April and October 9th, when I cleared out the tool shed, I have taken away between 120 and 130 Zebra Finches’ eggs ! Only one young bird was reared, and I never saw her until she was nearly fully fledged. A pair of Budgerigars nested in one of the cocoa-nut husks, rearing five out of seven. When the birds were three parts grown the hen bird laid four eggs among them in the same nest, and reared one young bird only. This bird was still in the same nest when she laid seven more eggs, and one Correspondence , Notes, etc. was hatched. Another pair is nesting in a hnsk in the open, and I think there are young birds, but it is high up and I have not examined it. I had four Bengalese also in the aviary, three cocks and one hen. They nested, and the hen laid four eggs. The four old birds always crowded together into the nest at night, but the hen succeeded in hatching and rearing all the youngsters. A pair of Cutthroats nested, and deserted within a few days of hatching. That was through my fault in examining the nest. They had been sitting so long that I thought nothing would come of it. I had a yellow hen Canary and some Green Singing-finches in the aviary. The Canary mated with a Green Singing-finch, and built a beautiful little nest in the ivy. She failed to hatch her first clutch of four eggs, then nested again and hatched four youngsters ; but a few mornings afterwards I found the nest pulled to pieces and the young dead. Of course I suspected a pair of Red-crested Cardinals, and caged them, but the destruction of a Cordon Bleus’ nest and two nests of Green Singing-finches’ subsequently, makes me think that I had accused the Cardinals unjustly. As usual, I made a mistake in having too many birds in the small space at my disposal. In the house I had an ordinary Crystal Palace cage with about a dozen foreign birds, among them a favourite pair of Cordon Bleus. They nested and sat most faithfully on three eggs, but the eggs were unfertile. A widow Bibfinch also laid eggs, but naturally did not hatch. I am now off to India, so am getting rid of many of my birds, though I have happily found homes for many of my favourites. I was very anxious to get a mate for my lonely cock Gouldian, a bird I brought from India two years ago, but the three hens I got at different times all died within a few months. They seemed fit and well until within a couple of days of their death, and then died straight off. The cock has moulted frequently, and is as bright in feather as when I bought him. Among the more delicate birds I had outside were a pair of Pintailed Nonpareils, a Pectoral Finch, St. Helena Waxbills, and Cordon Bleus. All were perfectly well and lively outside, though I lost one of the Cordons quite unexpectedly. Altogether, considering the fact that our climate is so uncertain, and the aviary is in the town and constantly visited by prowling cats and owls, the casualties have been very few. But should I ever be home again, I would assuredly have a heated room to winter the foreigners in. W. Tweedie. PADDY RICE. Sir, — Lately I came across a paper in which the writer advocated giving paddy rice to his Pintail Nonpareils. If any of our members keep these birds and feed them as above, do they keep in good health ? 82 Correspondence, Notes , etc. Why I write is that, some years ago several of these birds were in my possession. They' were kept in a large cage, with Waxbills and the smallest finches. Their principal food was Canary and the ordinary table rice, and they kept in very' good health. I had been try ing for more than a twelve¬ month to get paddy' rice, and at last received a consignment. A well-known bird dealer, now deceased, cautioned me not to give paddy rice, but get the birds on to canary', as they were liable to get rice ophthalmia. I did not take his advice, I am sorry to say', and the conse¬ quence was that very soon all the Erythrura prasina contracted this horrible disease, and had a spongy' sort of growth below the eyes, which rapidly spread round the mandibles. As after a time they' could only peck seed with difficulty7, I killed the whole of them. I may add that none of the other birds were affected. W. T. Cateeugh. THE MANAGEMENT OF THE AVICUETURAE SOCIETY. Sir, — I think there can be no doubt that the Council were within their legal rights in enacting the new rules. The original rules, as you point out, made the Council the sole rule-making authority, and so long as this power is not exercised in a manner entirely' contrary' to the original purpose of the Society, the members have no right of veto. But a thing may be legal without being expedient, and I agree with Mr. Simpson that the sweeping changes recently introduced should have been submitted to the members before they were definitely' carried out. Why it should be “ practically' impossible to take a vote of the Society' as a body unless at a general meeting,” I fail to comprehend. Such a vote was taken before the subscription was raised from 5/- to 7/6.* It was always customary to publish the names of the proposer and seconder of each candidate for the Council. The proposer and seconder were almost invariably well - known members, and their names were sufficient guarantee of the suitability of the candidate proposed. If your contention is correct that the Council and the Council alone is competent to select candidates, surely the right course would be to abolish popular election entirely7, and let the Council 011 all occasions itself fill up the vacancies in its own body. And if the members are not fit to be trusted with the management of the Society’s affairs, why have a Society at all ? Surely it would be better to run the Magazine by a syndicate, and turn the so-called members into mere subscribers. I am glad to see that the “ number of members” who left the Society to join the F. B. C. has now come down to “several members.” I believe When the Society was a small affair compared with its present state. — Ed. Correspondence , Notes, etc. 83 there were actually either one or two, though it is just possible there may have been as many as three. I11 the second issue of Bird Notes I wrote “the Club has no desire or intention of competing with the Avicnltural Society, or of drawing members from it. By all means let everyone belong to both Club and Society if they will.” Those words were published just three years ago, and to that attitude the F. B. C. has consistently adhered. The Club has constantly striven to maintain friendly relations with the Avicultnral Society, and will, I firmly believe, continue to do so in spite of “ pin-pricks.” Horatio Fiegmer. THE NESTING HABITS OF BRUSH TURKEYS. Sir, — -It must be very annoying to Mr. St. Ouintin to attain a certain amount of success, only to be disappointed at the last moment, and if he had observed the excitability which is usually displayed by the cock when a chick is about to be, or has hatched, and then examined the mound, I think he would have reared the youngster easily. My intention is not to supply dry leaves only next season, but to well intermix these with fresh lawn mowings, which are far too heating if used alone. By this means I hope to obtain warmth and lightness combined. It is rather a pity that Mr. Re Souef — who must be well-acquainted with the nesting habits of this bird — does not give us some information as to the material used by the Brush Turkeys in the Melbourne Zoo. ; but as the last remark in his letter savours of more to come, he may yet help us in our trouble. The great necessity is to find materials which will give a lasting heat at the bottom of the mound, as it is only the debris above which is removed and replaced by the birds; and, as we all know, heat always ascends, consequently the eggs have to depend on that which is generated at the sides of the heap. The young ones hatched at Regent's Park are now full grown and in perfect health, and as these bring our total up to six birds, I hope to have at least two mounds going next year. A. E. L. BerTeing. Zoological Gardens. THE BRACK-BACKED TANAGER. At the Crystal Palace Bird Show, held on the 18th, 19th and 21st of November, perhaps the most beautiful bird exhibited was a male Black- backed Tanager (Calliste melanonota) owned by Mr. Townsend, who is so well known for his great success with Tanagers. C. melanonota inhabits Southern Brazil, and is one of the most beautiful of the lovely genus to which it belongs. D. S.-S. 84 Correspondence , Notes, etc. RESUSCITATING APPARENTLY DROWNED BIRDS. Sir, — Perhaps it may interest some of your readers to know that Birds can be resuscitated after drowning much in the same way as human beings. A short time ago one of my Ruffs was frightened by something, aud fell into a deep ditch, and was only recovered after it appeal ed to all intents and purposes quite dead, floating with its head under water. The bird was immediately taken into the kitchen, placed in hot flannels, and its wings moved up and down with a gentle pressure on each side of its breast, accompanying the movements. After some time (more than ten minutes) a slight fluttering of the eyelids was noticed, and in about a quarter of an hour afterwards the bird began to stagger on its legs, and in a short time was quite recovered. Maybe other of your members may be induced to try the same experiment under similar circumstances. Farmers might also try resusci¬ tation when cattle and sheep are taken out of dykes or ditches apparently dead. William Ingram. A CRID 0 THE RES 31 A HR A TTENS1S. Sir, — I have received a letter from a Mr. Hargreaves, who however appears to be at present not one of our members, asking me to identify for him a Mynah which has been offered to him under the dealer’s name of a “Fuscus” Starling. Mr. Hargreaves describes the bird fairly minutely, states that it is about the size of a Blackbird aud has a pearl or grey iris. In the Museum Catalogue A. mahrattensis is said to measure ten inches (the size of a Blackbird), but A. fuscus which has the iris yellow only seven and three-fifths inches: on the other hand Dl\ Jerdon described the Southern form of the Brown Mynah as a trifle smaller than the type. It would therefore seem probable that both large and small races exist with the iris grey and these should be recognized by ornithologists. A. G. Butler. CANARIES REARING YOUNG CHAFFINCH. Sir, — As Dr. Greene was unsuccessful in rearing Chaffinches by Canaries he may perhaps be interested in the following: — One day in June last year I happened to run down to my home in Kent for a little fresh air, and during my rambles round the hedges, saw what I took to be a Linnet fly from her nest. I could not be sure of her identity as she left the hedge on the opposite side to where I stood, but on examining the nest I was almost Correspondence, Notes, etc. 35 positive of its being a Linnet’s, owing to its being a rough and very uu- Chaffinch-like structure. I abstracted two of the newly - hatched babies and popped them under a sitting Canary whose eggs were addled. She started feeding the fosterlings almost immediately on a little soft food which had been pre¬ pared for young pheasants, and consisted of old doe rabbits boiled up and mixed with a little meal, hard-boiled egg, etc. Upon visiting Kent again, about three weeks later, to fetch my Linnets, I was astonished to find a fine young Chaffinch hopping about the cage and clamouring to be fed. The other youngster had tumbled out of the nest when about a week old and was dead. The survivor was soon able to cater for itself, and w7as allowed its liberty, which it seemed very loathe to accept. A. E. L. BerTUNG. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. Mr. W. H. St. Ouintin has successfully bred the Lesser Pin-tailed Sandgrouse ( Pterocles exustus) and Mrs. Howard Williams has had similar success with the Yellow Sparrow (Passer luteus). These are believed to be the first cases in which these birds have been bred in the United Kingdom, and it is proposed to award a medal in each case. Accounts are pub¬ lished in this issue. Any member or reader knowing of a previous instance is requested to communicate immediately with the Hon. Business Secretary. THE ILLUSTRATION FUND. Mr. W. A. Harding has most kindly given £ 2 2S., Mrs. Hartley £1, Captain Perreau 9/6, and Mr. E. Valentine 5/- towards the above fund. The total now received since the fund was started amounts to ^34 19s. 6d. THE RULES. By an oversight, the last five Rules of the Society were omitted in the November number. These have now been printed on a separate page which is inserted in each copy of the present number, and members are requested to insert this between pages 18 and 19, and to see that it is bound in there at the end of the year. 86 Post Mortem Examinations. POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. RULES. Each bird must he forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and postage paid, direct to Mr. Arthur GrLL, M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Establishment, Bexley Heath, Kent, and must be accompanied by a letter containing the fullest particulars of the case. Domestic poultry, pigeons, and Canaries cannot be dealt with. If a reply by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclosed. Saffron Finch (The Lady Louisa Fielding). In outdoor aviary about fourteen months; fed on canary and millet; found dead. [Apoplexy caused death]. Parson Finch (Mr. Chas. Dell). In owner’s possession five years; fed on millet, canary, and green food. [Apoplexy caused death]. Virginian Nightingale hen (Mr. Chas. Rothera). In aviary two years ; found dead. [You are quite right — apoplexy. Without doubt your feeding is at fault. There is a great tendency at this time of the year for birds to commence laying on fat : no doubt a provision of nature against the cold weather. Birds that have protection and regular feed¬ ing should not be overdone with highly stimulating foods, and a few hours fast occasionally will be beneficial rather than detrimental to most]. Cinnamon Dove (Miss I veils). Found dead on the bottom of the cage. [Apoplexy caused death]. Cock Budgerigar and Young Diamond Sparrow (Mr. T. N. Wilson). [Budgerigar died of direct injury to the brain. The skull was fracture ! in two places, I should say by the mandibles of another Budgerigar possibly. I always advise separating the sexes during the winter, and more especially if hens are in the majority. The Diamond Sparrc died of concussion of the brain]. The following answered by post; remittances received with thanks : Pitta (Mr. Reginald Phillipps). Sydney Waxbill and Bicheno Finch (Miss Hamilton). Zebra Dove (Lady Hughes). EiDERDUCK (Mr. W. H. St. Quintin). Seven various (Lady Harriet Warde). Crested Dove and Barbary Dove (Mr. O. E. Cresswell). Three Lories (Mrs. Johnstone). Three various (Lady Carnegie). (Miss E. E. West). Arthur Gill. ; F. C. THORPE, ImpoFteF of all Varieties of Foreign Birds and (flaterfooil. ANIMALS IMPORTED TO ORDER. All Birds kept in Aviaries not Cages, and sent on approval. N",’aXdd„„~ 75, SOUTH PARADE, HULL. Stock in hand November 21, 1904. Nandav Parrakeets 15/- each, 1 Blue-crowned Connie 10/-, 1 Yellow Budgerigar cock 10/6, acclimatised Rose Cockatoo 10/-. Also finest lot of Doves in England — 2 pairs Red Mountain Doves £ 2 10/- pair, 6 pairs Talpa- coti Doves to/6 pair, 3 pairs Picui Doves 15/- pair, 8 adult Demoiselle Cranes (pinioned) ^4 10/- pair, t Sarns Crane beauty £10 10/-, 5 pairs Cambavan Doves beauties 12/6 pair. Australian Crested Doves 20/- pair. Chinese Quails 20/- pair, Pennant’s Parrakeets 40/- pair, Cherry Finches 16/- pair, Australian Lapwings ( Vanel/a pectoralis) £2, pair, Yellow Budgerigars 20/- pair. 2 pairs Ruddy Shelldrakes £2 15/- pair, 2 pairs .Spotted-billed Ducks, £2 10/- pair, t pair Green-billed Toucans ^5 10/-, 1 Raven perfect 16/-, 6 pairs Carolina Ducks 45/- pair. 1 pair Widgeons 12/- pair, Muscovies good breeders 10/6 pair, 3 Ganders and 4 Chinese Geese ditto ditto 30/- a trio. East Indian Ducks T5/- pair, Beau Geese 25/- pair. Blue-winged Teal £4 pair, AlbinoWild Ducks pair, 1 pair Californian Quails 12/6 pair, 1 pair Black-breasted Rain Quails 12/6 English hied. Jungle Bush Quails to/- each, 2 Textor Weavers in colour 5/6 each. Oryx Weavers 476 each, 1 Gold Sparrow hen 6/6, I pair Swainson’s Sparrows 8/-, 2 pairs Bahama Pin-tails ^5 pair, 2 pairs Anas supercilious or Australian Wild Ducks 40/- pair. 1 Diademed Amazon tame acclimatized £2 10/-, 1 Adult male Black Swan very fine ^3, 1 pair young £6 pair, I pair Black - backed Geese £6 10/-. White Java Sparrows 9/6 pair, Diamond Sparrows 15/- pair, Trumpeter Bullfinches 12/6 pair, Grey Cardinals 8/6 pair, Black-throated Cardinals 24/- pair. Long-tailed Grassfinches 15/- pair, English-bred Silverbills, Zebras, t and Ribbon-finches 3/6 pair, ditto .Budgerigars 5/- pair, ditto Cockatiels 6/6 each, ditto lien Green-winged Dove 6/6, ditto Diamond Doves 12/6 pair, ditto Seal}' or Graceful Doves 25/- pair, ditto White Java Doves 6/6 pair, ditto Indian Collared Doves 7/6 pair, Violet Doves 50/- pair. Spotted - winged Pigeons 45/- pair, Araucanian Doves 45/- pair, very fine birds. Rufina Doves £1 10/- pair. Crowned Black Tanagers 25/- pair, Blue-headed Orange¬ breasted Tauagers 24/- each, Orange -head Troupials 20/- each, Fuscus Mynahs 10/6 each, Rosy Pastors 2/6 each, Alexandrine Parrakeets 10/6 each, Ritigneck Parrakeets 2/6 each, Port Lincoln Parrakeets 25/- each, Pennant Parrakeets 20/- each, Mealy Parrakeet 25/- each, White-eared Conures 12/6 each, Orange-cheeked Conures T2/6 each. Various Fancy Pheasants, etc. Arriving about Jan. 7, 1905 : Quantity Blue- breasted Pittas, Fruit- suckers, Shamas, and a vari ty of Waterfowl, Cranes etc. from Asia and South America. I*" Plrasr Noth: —I wish to c .11 the attention or my customers to the fact that I have lately added two more agents to >ny number, one in Central Africa, another 011 the River Plate, so that I hope to be able soon to offer varieties which are seldom to be got in this country. Stock Always Changing. Notices to Members— Continued. Pair Alexandrine Parrakeets, ( eupatrius ), reared three young this year, 30/- ; perfect condition. A. Savage, 3, Rue Bihorel, Bihorel-Rouen, France. Avicultural Magazine , Vols. II., perfect condition, price 4/-. Workman, Windsor, Belfast. New roll J-inch wire netting, about 45 yards by 2ft. 6ins. wide, 15/-. From outdoor aviary: pair adult Zebra-finches 5/6; pair ditto, cock with damaged foot, 4/-; pair Grey Java Sparrows 4/-. Cocks: Bramble- finch, Chaffinch, Redpoll, 2/- each. Griffiths, Fernside, Stowmarket. Acclimatised birds from outdoor aviary : Himalayan Blue Magpie 40/- ; Long-tailed Glossy Starling 30/6 ; pair of Cape Doves 15/- ; Diamond Dove 5/- ; cock Saffron-finches 6/- each ; lien Long-tailed Grassfinch 7/-: 20 Zebra-finches 20/-, or3,/-pair; Grenadier and Napoleon cock Weavers, in colour, 7/- each ; adult Fgvptian Geese 35/- pair. ThornieEY, Shooter’s Hill, Wem. From outdoor aviary : pure Golden Pheasants 10/6; Cockatiels 6/6 ; cock Barnard 25/-; hen Pennant 30/-. Sai.TER, Thame. Pair adult Yellow Budgerigars 25/- ; Red-crested Cardinal 8/6. Miss Peddie Waddi.k, 4, Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh. 27 parts British Birds, their Nests and Eggs, also case for binding Vol. I.; 3 vols. Parrots in Captivity, and odd Vol. I. of ditto; The Smaller British birds, bv Adams; Canaries and Cage Birds, British and Foreign, Cassell; British Birds for Cages and Aviaries, Greene; Natural History of Cage Birds, Bechstein ; Feathered Friends, Old anti New, Greene : all clean and perfect. Splendid pair Binoculars by Goerz. cost £ 8 15/-, best glass made, perfect, very little used. Offers wanted for whole or any part of above. Cronkshaw, Mansion House, Plantation Street. Accrington. Cock Redrump, hand-reared, 2 years old, 15/-. Hon. Canon Dutton, Bibirry, Fairford, Glos. Cock Ceram Lory, 50/- ; hen Canary-winged Parrakeet, 25/-. Both acclima¬ tised and in good condition. Boyd, Barton House, Dideby, Manchester. Pair of Brush Bronzewing Pigeons ( Phaps elegans), unrelated. 50/-. D. Seth-Smith, 14. Canning Road, Addiscombe, Croydon. III. Notices to Members— ( Continued from page ii. of cover). NEW MEMBERS. Mrs. HoyeE ; Stoke Poges Rectory, Bucks. Mr. W. P. PycrafT. A.L.S., M.B.O.U., etc. ; British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, South Kensington, S.W. Mr. Neeson Turnbuee ; 30, Dewey Street, Lower Tooting, S.W. Lady Hughes ; Shelsley Grange, Worcester. The Lord BEEEEW ; Barmeath Castle, Dunlear, Ireland. Rev. J. W. A. Mackenzie, Whitwick Vicarage, near Leicester. Lieut.-Col. Leonard Howard Irby, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 16, Cornwall Terrace, Regent’s Park, N.W. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Lieut, the Hon. Richard O. B. Bridgeman, R.N., M.B.O.U.; Weston Park, Shinfal, .Salop, and H.M.S. ‘Clio,’ Australian Station. Mr. H. Wormaed ; Morden Park, Mitcham, .Surrey. Proposed by Mr. J. L. BonhOTE. Mr. R. Tauwb;ce ; 4, Petit Sablon, Brussells. Proposed by the Hon. Business Secretary. Mrs. Buckton ; 27, Ladbroke Square, London, W. Proposed by the Hon. Correspondence Secretary. Mr. John Henry Gurney, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Keswick House, Norwich, and Athemeum Club, Pall Mall, S.W. Proposed by Mr. ST. OuinTIN. Mr. Eakdeey-Wiemot Beomfif;ed Hoet ; Aslnirstwood House, East Grinstead. Proposed by Dr. GiiNTHER. Miss LlEEY AnTROBUS ; 69, Cadogan Square, S.W. Proposed by Mrs. ATTEREEY. MEMBERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is one penny for every four words. Names and addresses of advertisers must be paid for. Each statement of price, such as 3/6, is counted as one word. Every advertisement must be prepaid , and MUST reach the EDITOR not later than the 19 th of each month. The Council reserve the right of refusing any advertisement they may considet undesirable. Redrumps 25/- pair, young pair 20/- ; Zebra-finches 2/6 pair, 3 pairs 6/6. All perfect, and from outdoor aviaries. Mostly aviary-bred. Wieson, Oak Lodge, Bitterne, Southampton. Gouldian-finches : two pairs young aviary - bred Red - headed Gould’s Finches, very strong and fine birds. Also one pair Black-headed ditto. All just coming into colour ; outdoor aviarv. No cards. Miss Bamford, The Leys, Bedford. One pair Goffin’s Cockatoos, perfect, and guaranteed pair £6; 1 pair Black- throated Lorikeets ( Trichoglossus atrigularis), perfect, very rare and tame, £6. Mrs. Johnstone, Drinkstone Rectory, Woolpit. {Continued on opposite page). JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEARER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. OUCCESS IN BIRD KEEPING & BREEDING CAN ONLY BE SECURED BY USING ♦51 ABRA MAM S’ **• WO RED- FAME I) (V Specialities in BIRD FOOD. LARGE STOCK OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS. HARTZ MOUNTAIN ROLLERS, Norwich, Yorkshire and Lizard Canaries Cock Birds in full Song now in Stock ABRAHAMS’ TONIC for Diarrhoea and Strengthening Birds. EVERY DESCRIPTION OE Cage and Aviary Appliance, Seed, etc., in stock. For complete Pt ice L.ist apply to — J. ABRAHAMS, 191 & 192, ST. GEORGE STREET EAST, I.ON DO rsl , E. J. ABRAHAMS’ is the oldest and most reliable Establishment in England. JANUARY, 1905. NEW SERIES. MONTHLY. Voi. m. No 3. Price is 6d- Members’ Annual Subscription, 10/-; payable in advance. THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. •-^CONTENTS. Oj PA UK The White-fronted Ground-Dove [with coloured J>late) ... ... 87 Nesting of the Orange Bishop, by Reginald Phillipps ... ... 89 With the Breeding Birds on Lough Neagh, by W. H. Workman, M.B.OU. 94 The yellowish Finch, by A. G. Butler, Ph.D., etc. ... ... 97 Variations in Gold and Silver Pheasants, by Frank Finn, B.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 102 The Breeding of the “ Ruficauda,” by the Rev. C. D. Farrar ... 106 The New York Zoological Park ... ... ... ... no Tame Swallows ... ... ... ... 116 Correspondence, Notes, etc. — Importing Australian birds, 114 ; An old bird-friend, 115 ; Change of habits in birds under new conditions, 115 ; Java Sparrow pairing with Goldfinch, 116; Paddy rice for finches, 117 ; An aged Napoleon Weaver, 117 ; The young of the Touracous, 117. The Society’s Medal ... ... ... ... ••• 118 The Illustration Fund LO N DO N l H. PORTER, 7, PRINCES ST., CAVENDISH SQUARE, W. NOTE. — A new volume commences every November. II. All Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. * - Persons wishing to join the AvicueTurae Society are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Kditor. NOTICKS TO MEMBERS. The Subscription to the Avicnltnral Society is 10/- per annum, due on the ist of November in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is io 6. The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. All MSS. for publication in the Magazine, Books for Review, and Private Advertisements should be addressed to the Kditor, Mr. I). SETH- Smith, Glengarry, Canning Road, Addiscombe, Surrey. All Queries respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, I)r. A. G. Rutter, 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. All other 'correspondence, and Subscriptions, should be sent to the Hon¬ orary Business Secretary, Mr. T. H. Newman, 20, Montpelier Square, London, S.W. Any change of address should be at once notified to him. Advice is given, by post, bv members of the Council to members of the Societ}', upon all subjects connected with Foreign and British birds. All queries; are to be addressed to the Hon. Correspondence Secretary and should contain a penny stamp. Those marked “ Private” will no be published. The Magazine is published by Mr. R. H. Porter (7, Princes Street, Cavendish Square, W.) to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers, and bound volumes (accompanied by remittance) should be addressed. Cases for binding Vol. II., New Series, of the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side) can be obtained from the Publisher, post free and carefully packed, at 1 6 each ; or the Publisher will undertake the binding of the Volume for 2/6, plus 8d. for packing and postage. All orders must be accompanied by a remittance in full ; and Members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. BOUND COPIES OE THE “ AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE. ” The following can be obtained from the Publisher at the prices given below. Postage 6d. per volume extra : Vol. II., 6/- to members ; 8/6 to the public. Vols. V. to VII., to/6 each to members ; 12/6 each to the public. Vol. VIII., 14/- to members ; 17/6 to the public. Vol. I., New Series, 21/- to members; 30/- to the public (revised prices). Vol. II. „ „ 16/- „ 21/- Current Monthly Numbers 1/6 each (except in special cases, such as the Number containing the List of Members, when the Committee may increase the price), by post 1/7; for back Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. Second-hand copies sometimes reach the Publisher, to whom application should be made. (Continued on page Hi. of covet'). The Practical Scientific Cabinet Makers. U , T. CROCKETT & SON Established over 50 Years. MAKERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Cabinet Cases & Store Boxes TAXIDERMY IN ALL ITS BRANCHES. Apparatus and Appliances for the use of Specimens for Entomo¬ logists, Botanists, Ornithologists, Geologists, Mineralogists, Numismatists, Conchologlsts, etc., And for the use of Lecturers, Science Teachers, College Students, &c MUSEUMS FITTED AND ARRANGED. Specially made Cabinets for Birds’ Eggs and Skins, the Drawers graduate in depth and are all interchangeable. STORE BOXES, fitted with Camphor Cells, 2/3. 3/6, 4/3, 5/3 SETTING BOARDS, flat or oval, i-in. 5d., 13-in. 7d., 2-in. 9d., 2|-in. lid., 33-in. 1/2, 4-in. 1/4, 5-in. 1/8. PLAIN RING NETS, wire or cane, 1/6, 2/-, 2/3. FOLDING NETS, 3/-, 41- UMBRELLA NETS, selr-ncting, 6/9. POCKET BOXES, 6d., 8d., lid., 1/5 SUGARING TINS, with brush, 1/4, 1/10. SETTING HOUSES, flat or oval boards, 8/6, 10/-. Cork back, 12/9- BREEDING CAGES, 2/3. Improved stvle, fitted with tanks, 3/7. CO LEO PT E R I ST COLLECTING BOTTLES, 1/4, 1/6. INSP/CT and EGG CASES, from 2/3 to 10/- Best Steel FORCEPS, 1/5 pair. 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A combination of rare and expensive Seeds blended „ » to suit their natural requirements. P-r--: 1 HYDE’S [Hyde’s! '4 |ld. A Id LARK FOOD. gjjg CACE BIRDS PIGEONS &c Hyde’s Vitaz y FOR POULTRY. 1 HYDE’S NATURAL FOOD. For Aquarium Fish and Insectivorous Birds. Sold in Tins. Sample Box, Id. The latest achievement in Ornithology «S?AltR0T BMs-HkfOOD &ICH Ci q^^Species W of Parrots SffPTn.ii.il. . in | I I II ^-rrTMTtgS/ Extracts from a letter from Mr J. PARKINSON, NATUKAI.IST, BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND, Octuber lqoi. “ Your Traveller was right in saying that the three nests ot Parrots which I have reared were brought up on your Aesthetic Seeds, which were boiled for about half an hour, and the birds when old enough they fed upon your famous Parrot Food. Your Traveller has handled the egg's and seen the young ones progressing' into maturity. More than two hundred people, from all parts of the country, have visited me in order to see the Parrots ; and four gentlemen, who are Bird Naturalists, are presenting me with a "silver Cup, in commemoration of such an unprecedented accomplishment.” The “ BLACKPOOL GAZETTE” of Dec. 4th Says— “Mr. Parkinson has apparently solved the problem of Parrot -rearing, which has troubled Bird Fanciers generally throughout the country, and his skill in this direction has been recognised by the presentation of two Silver Cups at the local Bird Show.” R. HYDE & Go., Ltd., 54, LILFORD RD., CAMBERWELL, SCLATER (P. L.) & THOMAS (0.) The Book of Antelopes, 4 vols., demv 4to., cloth, with ioo hand-coloured plates, by J. Wolf and J. Smit. Price £13 10s. net. SCLATER (P. L.) & HUDSON (W. H.), Argentine Ornithology, 2 vols., with 20 hand-coloured plates. £3 3s. net. MIVART (ST. GEORGE). Monograph of the Lories or Brush- Tongued Parrots, rov. 4to, with 6i hand-coloured plates and 4 maps. £7 7s. net. 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Vol. 4, completing the work, in the press. SCLA'l'ER ( W. L.) The Mammals of South Africa, 2 vols., medium 8vo., with numerous illustrations, price £1 10s. net. IBIS, THE. A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology. Price 32/- per year; also a large stock of back volumes and parts. LONDON s R. 1^. Porter, 7, Princes gtreet, CAVENDISH SQUARE, W. )Knowii throughout the Civilised and Uncivilised World). |\ii]g of Wild Beast Merchants Anything from “A HUMMING BIRD TO AN ELEPHANT,” TRADE SUPPLIED. TRADE SUPPLIED. GREY AFRICAN PARROTS. Fresh Arrivals Daily. FOREIGN WATER FOWL, Hungarian Partridges for turning down. Thousands of Small Foreign Birds, suitable for Aviaries. OLD ENGLISH RINGLESS PHEASANTS. CROSS’S TRADING MENAGERIE. Is alwavs on view for Visitors who are desirous of seeing the Wild Animals. At present it contains numerous LIONS, TIGERS, ELEPHANTS, ETC. Always something New. Hundreds of arrivals weekly. May he viewed daily from n to 4 p.m. Admission 6d. INSECTIVOROUS BIRD FOOD. Carl Capelle’s, Hanover). Absolutely the finest food for soft-billed birds. Sole English Agent : “CROSS, LIVERPOOL.” Birds & Animals Stuffed & Preserved. National Telephones! 6491 CENTRAL and 728 ROYAL. Telegrams and Cablegrams! “CROSS,” LIVERPOOL. “CROSS” (Known throughout the Civilized and Uncivilised World). KING OF WILD BEAST MERCHANTS, GREATEST ZOOLOGICAL EMPORIUM ON EARTH. LIVERPOOL. Avicoilt/ural Ma.6a.zine . LEPTOPTILA JAMAICENSIS THE 87 Bvtcultural flfeagastne, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. New Series. — VOL. III. — No. 3. — All rights reserved. JANUARY, 1905. THE WHITE-FRONTED GROUND-DOVE. Leptoptila jamaicensis. As it is a long time since a coloured illustration of any species of dove appeared in our Magazine, it is to be hoped that the plate which is issued with the present number will be appreciated by our members, as it represents one of the most beautiful and desirable of those species which can appropriately be termed ground-doves. Miss Alderson has already given us a very full and most interesting account of the nesting of this species in her aviaries in 1903, and Mr. Castle Sloane also bred it the same year. The White-fronted Ground-Dove inhabits Jamaica, where it is known to the inhabitants by the inelegant name of “ White- belly.” It is a fairly common species, though it has probably suffered considerably from the ravages of the Mongoose, which lias proved so very destructive to all but the purely arboreal birds. Gosse gives a good account of this Dove in its wild state as it existed in the forties, which I cannot do better than quote at some length ; he writes * : “ This lovely Pigeon is chiefly confined to the upland districts, where its loud and plaintive cooing makes the woods resound. The negroes delight to ascribe imaginary words to the voices of birds, and indeed for the cooings of many of the pigeons, this requires a great stretch of imagination. The beautiful Whitebelly complains all day, in the sunshine as well as the storm, ‘ Rain-come-wet-me-through ! ’ * The Birds of 'Jajnaica (1847), p. 313. 88 On the White-fronted Ground-Dove. each syllable littered with a sobbing separateness, and the last prolonged with such a melancholy fall, as if the poor bird were in the extremity of suffering. But it is the note of health, of joy, of love ; the utterance of exuberant animal happiness ; a portion of that universal song wherewith ‘everything that hath breath may praise the Dord.’ The plumage, as usual in this family, is very soft and smooth, the expression of the countenance most engagingly meek and gentle. ..... “ This is one of those species which habitually live on the ground : in unfrequented woods, as well those which are open as those which are choked with underwood, the Whitebelly walks about singly or in pairs, picking up various seeds. About Content, a densely wooded mountain side, it is very numerous in June and July, feeding on sop-seeds, and many are taken in springes. The physic-nut forms a large portion of its food, as well as orange-pips ; and fragments of the large seeds of the mango, chewed by hogs . “ As it walks to and fro, it frequently flirts the head and tail, but not so markedly as the Pea-Dove.* If flushed it betakes itself to a low tree not far off, whence, if unmolested, it is soon down again. Often when seen in the woods it runs a few yards, and then rises to fly, but as if trusting less to its powers of flight than to those of running, alights again immediately, and runs swiftly off among the bushes . “ The aspect and air of the Whitebelly are unlike those of its kindred. Its round head, the prevalence of light hues, and its height upon the legs, contribute to this peculiarity. Essentially a Ground-Pigeon, its length of tarsus enables it to run with ease and celerity ; perhaps more rapidly than any other of the family. “ Unlike the Tree-Doves, the Whitebelly usually builds in rather a low situation ; often a logwood, a favourite tree with this, and the Wliitewing.f If in the large woods, one of moderate height is chosen. The nest consists of a few loose sticks, with some leaves in the centre ; the eggs are white.” * Zenaida amabilis. t Melopelia leucoptera . On Nesting of the Orange Bishop. 89 In the year 1901, our member Mr. Eaton Parker imported a few of these doves, together with examples of most of the other Jamaican species, and I obtained four living specimens from him. These turned out to be three males and one female. One of the males died, I gave another to the Zoological Gardens, where the species had been unrepresented since the year 1873, and kept the pair. These made several attempts to nest during the following summer, but, presumably through being disturbed by other birds, failed to sit properly. I11 the early spring of 1903 the hen unfortunately died : so that I have not had the good fortune to rear a single young bird of this beautiful species. I would strongly advise our members to re-read Miss Alderson’s article (Vol. I., N. S. p. 393, Vol. II., N.S. p. 28) while studying the charming plate which Mr. Goodcliild has drawn from the living specimen at the Zoological Gardens, and which represents the male bird in the act of cooing. D. S.-S. NESTING OF THE ORANGE BISHOP. Pyromelana franciscana. By Reginald Phieeipps. I am not acquainted with any previous instance of this species having laid eggs in the United Kingdom ; perhaps, therefore, the following case should be placed on record. On October 31st last I noticed a pair of these birds making love, on November 5th I found the completed nest, the first egg was laid on the 8th, a second on the 9th, the female commencing to sit towards the afternoon of the 10th. It is possible that a third egg had been laid that day and had perhaps been dropped owing to the thick morning fog, or it may have been stolen from the nest before I paid my visit. The weather distinguished itself by being wet, cold, frosty, clammy, foggy, dank, dark, everything that was disagreeable and undesirable for a tropical bird in an exceptionally airy nest — but the plucky little female sat through it all. The nest was built at the end of the garden, in a stack of dead boughs, and was not much concealed. During the winter 90 Mr. Reginald Phieeipps, the whole garden is thrown open to the birds in the birdroom, so the Bishops had to defend their eggs from an army of idle knaves who, with one interesting exception, having nothing in hand themselves, thought it fine fun to attempt to raid the nest. Who built the nest I do not know ; I have never seen the male with nesting material in his beak, but have occasionally noticed the female carrying hay ; probably they both worked together, the one inside the other out. The female alone sat on the eggs ; I doubt if the male ever once entered the nest. All through the day the male watched over the sitting bird, at first from a high branch several yards away, but later at the nest itself, madly flapping his wings and loudly chirping in vain endeavours to frighten away his numerous foes, and many a good fight he fought in defence of hearth and home ; it was uphill work however, and probably he would have been killed on more than one occasion had I not rushed to the rescue, for, after all, he was but a poor fighter. Towards evening he would go to roost in a thick privet clump opposite the nest ; but when I came round to drive the birds into the birdroom for the night he would accompany them, and never offered to return to the garden. The female at first but not afterwards, from habit, would also go into the birdroom along with the crowd, but recollecting herself would quickly return to the nest, and was thus left all alone throughout the long miserable November nights — alone with the cats and the (shut up) Burrowing Owls. For a few evenings she keenly felt her lonely position and would return to the bird- room ; but her maternal instincts would quickly re-assert them¬ selves and she would hurry back to her post. On the 13th, it had been bitterly cold and foggy during the morning and preceding night, and another frosty night was coming on. All the birds had been put to bed some time before when I noticed the female Bishop pleading for re-admission to the birdroom. It was so late I concluded she had really given in at last, so, letting her in but not quite closing the window, I proceeded to the nest for the purpose of saving the eggs and taking measurements, as the birds could come out at daybreak, and damage might be done in the morning before I came down. Without injuring the nest, I examined it so far as the dim light on the Nesting of the Orange Bishop. 91 would permit and then, seeing no sign nor prospect of the return of the Bishop, went to the house for a tea spoon with which to take out the eggs, but, when about to insert it, found her once more in possession. She had threaded her way in comparative darkness from the lighted birdroom through the open chink in the window, along the side of a part of the house which the next house had thrown into deep shade, just over the heads of the glaring and excited Owls now very much awake, through the opening in the division between the two aviaries which was partially blocked with a tangle of golden-elder boughs, round two sides or possibly diagonally across the over-grown inner aviary, and had safely regained the nest in the gloomy wood- pile in about the darkest corner of the whole place. The devotion to duty of these two birds was worthy of greater consideration at my hands than I extended to them. I had the other birds to think of, some valuable and many highly valued, and was unwilling to deprive them, with the long winter coming on, of the substantial benefits to be derived from the free use of the entire garden ; moreover, I was shy of confining the Bishops to the inner aviary, for, oddly enough, although there was an abundance of food near to the nest, I had noticed that it was the custom of the female to fly right away to the bird- room to feed, probably with the added purpose of getting a good warm. Somebody besides myself seems to have noticed this little peculiarity on the part of the female, and to have made arrangements accordingly. During the absence of the female, why did not her mate cover the eggs instead of standing outside flapping his wings and trying to look big? Just about this time another pair of birds were hatching out young in the birdroom and had not even been detected, but then they were running their business on the quiet in a secluded corner, not on the cock- a-doodle-do system in the most frequented resort in the whole garden. His brilliant uniform and military swagger impressed the other birds with respect for a time— but at least one had taken his measure. I suppose we must not be too hard on him though. His gaudy plumage attracts the eye at such a distance that for him to enter such a gossamer nest would be to betray its position, in this case already only too well known, and instinct 92 Mr. Reginald Phillipps, or denseness or whatever you may like to call it held him back. What is bred in the bone will come out in the flesh, and, like the typical Britisher, having been accustomed to one way of doing a thing, rather than do it in any other he would prefer to — to live on some other person’s scanty earnings. Thus in identical circumstances some succeed, and others fail because they will not take the trouble to adapt themselves to their altered Surroundings. On the 17th the two eggs wTere safe. O11 the following morning, at S.40, I found the bird on the nest with her head under her wing, a sight I had never previously beheld with any sitting bird of any species that I can remember. After break¬ fast I closely watched her. Her breathing was rather laboured but she seemed bright and cheerful, and was most unwilling to come off the nest, so I left her undisturbed. During the morning I was busy near her, and for a moment she came out ; she seemed fairly well, and on seeing who it was promptly hopped back again. The eggs must have been safe at that time ; but when I returned about 4 p.m. both had disappeared and the old birds too. The afternoon had been foggy and dark ; and lamps, and my old friends the Bee-eaters, figured April, 1902, who cannot see to feed themselves in a bad light, had fully occupied my attention. In truth I had on one occasion sallied out and driven away the male Black-headed Sibia, figured June, 1903, who had taken up a watchful position close to the nest, like a cat watching a mouse-hole, in spite of the energetic remonstrances of the Bishop. Doubtless it was this bird who secured the coveted eggs (alas for me, for I also coveted them) ; but whether it was that the female, owing to indisposition, had deserted the nest, or had only gone away to feed and warm herself, I do not know. Probably it was the latter; and one feels that the male, if he had not the gumption to sit on the eggs, might have kept the thief at bay until the female returned, as 011 former occasions ; but a male Sibia is slim, bold, purposeful, and strong, and exception¬ ally daring and quick in his movements. The nest, built solely of hay, 3ft. Sin. above the ground, was so open in construction that one could see through it in any part. on the Nesting of the Orange Bishop. 93 It was of the shape of an orange, which was characteristic, with a slice cut straight down off the front representing the aperture, which was as perpendicular as a house window, without entrance lobby, retort, or shelter of any kind whatever, circular, almost exactly two inches in diameter, and high up in the side of the nest. In a short time the lower part became slightly pressed down, with a corresponding drawing in of the sides, so that it (the aperture) became higher than it was broad. The nest proper was just about 401. high, 3^in. broad, and 2fiu. from front to back, the inside cup being a trifle over i^in. deep, so that the sitting bird could be seen at some distance. At first she would “lie low,” but soon becoming used to me would look out at me without any attempt at concealment. The nest was perfectly soft inside, being lined with the finest material, but externally it had the appearance of a chance lump of hay. It was moderately firmly attached to the sticks about it but particularly at the bottom, and, although so fragile to view, was nearly as strongly woven together as a piece of lace, the nest coming away intact leaving no trace behind. If it had not been erected on a good foundation, but instead had been suspended amongst growing stalks or the like, it is probable that the weight of the bird would have dragged it down to the purse-sliape mentioned by some writers. As it was, there was nothing about it to suggest that it is the custom of the species to suspend its nest after the manner of the Reed Warbler. The eggs could be seen, 011 a clear day plainly, through the large aperture, and I saw them nearly every day. When fresh they appeared to be of a light-blue colour, probably they were greenish blue, and I could not detect any spots ; if there had been some it is unlikely that I should have seen them in the shelter of the nest. In the morning following the robbery, a prolonged search was rewarded by the finding of two tiny specks of blue, absolutely useless, and a small piece of shell which, from the degree of concavity, I concluded had formed part of the larger end of one of the eggs. It was freely speckled with dots of brown and rusty, but these were mostly, although not entirely, removed on the application of moisture ; unfortunately the fragment suffered so much in my endeavours to hold and wash it 94 Mr. W. H. Workman, that further attempts to remove the spots became hopeless, and I remain in doubt whether they were proper to the egg or not : they had a very natural appearance. This fragment was of a darker shade than I had previously supposed the eggs to have been, quite as dark as those of the Hedge Accentor. Both of the birds were in full colour — for the female also has a sufficiently apparent breeding plumage, although this does not seem to be referred to in books. For some days the male mourned disconsolately at the site of the nest — and then suggested another, but the female declined with thanks. The latter, I regret to say, does not look well and does not improve. It was weak of me to have allowed her to continue sitting. December 12. — The male single-handed has since built a non-globular nest, with an aperture fully three inches in diame¬ ter, but like all “ cock’s nests ” constructed by Weavers, it has been picked to pieces. Now, however, both birds are busy over another nest. — R. P. WITH THE BREEDING BIRDS ON LOUGH NEAGH. By W. H. Workman, M.B.O.U. Most of us bird lovers, as the Spring comes round, begin to feel a sort of longing for the country, its hedge-rows, fields and marshes. I think this sort of thing attacks those who live in towns more than our more fortunate fellow-workers who have the country always around them ; I know it is this kind of complaint that comes to me every Spring, and I begin to make arrangements with friends, see to camera, look up maps and find out where one can get good photos and a chance of adding to one’s collection of eggs and lantern slides ; by the production of the latter a great deal of pleasure can be given to our less fortunate friends by shewing them on the screen ; and such pretty pictures they make too, when enlarged by the lantern. They are greatly appreciated by Field Club meetings, and a few bird photos thrown in amongst the many botany and geology papers give a little life to the proceedings. 95 on the Breeding Birds on Lough Neagh. It was on one of these excursions that my friend and I started by the 9.20 a. 111. train for Burgan, from which we had a rather rough drive of about six miles across a strange boggy country called the Manchus, where the road is built up with metal 10 or 12 feet above the bog. A few birds on the way however kept us amused : — Reed Buntings, Meadow Pipits, Corn Buntings, Sedge Warblers, House Martins, Swallows, Swifts, and Pied Wagtails, besides many commoner birds. Our stopping place was a little harbour where there is a ferry across one of the rivers that flow into Bough Neagh. Here we met our boat with two men and a fine Irish water-dog. It was now about 11 o’clock, so we hurried our things, which were many, into the little boat, the spritsail was got up, and away we went flying before a nice easterly breeze. The first bird I noted was an old Cormorant drying his wings on a post, after the style of the German imperial eagle. He soon flew off over the vast expanse of muddy water to his fishing, and w7e sailed on towards the isles. Numbers of Swifts and Sandmartins were hawking above our heads, and now and again a Tern or Black-headed Gull would relieve the monotony. We passed an old ruin where Kestrels nest every year, and, with our glasses, we could make out the old birds flying round the tower. The wind had fallen rather light, so our men had taken to the oars so as to hurry us to our first island, Corrigan by name ; we, in the meantime, got on our waders, as the water round the islands is so shallow that one always has to wade ashore. We pulled on till the boat stuck on the big stones ; out jumped the dog, then the men, and we followed when the lightened boat was pulled into still shallower water. My friend had for the first time visited this island about two years ago, when he found it covered with Redshanks’ nests. Bast year he went back and found no Redshanks, but in their place a great colony of Black-headed Gulls, and this year, as the reader will see, there was not very much of anything. By this time we had landed and spread out to look for nests. Over our heads were screaming Redshanks, Black-headed Gulls, and Terns, but for a while we came on nothing. At last I g6 On the Breeding Birds on Lough Neagh. noticed one of the men to my right stooping down, and when I got up to him, I found he had got a Reed Bunting’s beautiful little nest with 5 eggs, and lovely they looked, the ground stone colour, with purple-brown streaks and blotches. We now walked on a little farther and found a Sandpiper’s nest, built in the side of a clump of rushes, quite differently situated from those I found a year or two ago in Scotland, which were built in the sides of steep banks. Our next find was some nests of the Common Tern built close to water on the short grass, containing two eggs each ; and a little way on we found a nest or two of the Black-headed Gull constructed of withered reeds. On the way back I found another Reed Buntings’ nest in the centre of a tuft of rushes, which would have escaped my notice had not the bird flown off right from under my feet. It was a tiny little nest, made of grass and lined with hair. Just then the dog brought us a young Snipe just able to fly ; its markings were exquisite ; dark velvet brown, light brown, and golden yellow on the long feathers coming from the base of the wing ; the dog had not hurt it in the least, and, after examining it, we let it away. It flew for a yard or two, then dived into the rushes and was quickly lost to sight. On the western side of the island we found nests of Coots and Waterhens in most exposed places along the shore. It was now two o’clock and away to the westward had gathered a heavy black cloud portending both wind and rain. We waded out to our little boat, the men got to the oars and pre¬ pared for a long pull dead to windward, to the next island we intended visiting. After we had started a while down came the rain followed by a strong breeze of wind. Soon white waves were breaking all around 11s, and every now and then a sea would come over the side ; however here we were, and we had to make the best of it ; between the rain coming down and the sea coming over it did not prove the dryest of entertainments. I11 about three-quarters of an hour we again hit bottom, and waded ashore on a small island whose name I do not know. Here we found any amount of Redshanks flying about and screaming over-head. We came on a number of old and new On the Yellowish Finch. 97 nests, but none containing eggs or young till we were just about to leave, when my friend shouted to me that he had found a Redshank’s nest with three young and a chipped egg. I got the camera fixed up, and took a photo in a gale of wind and rain. The chicks kept moving all the time, and I was quite surprised to find that it came out fairly well. Our next find was a Lapwing’s nest with four eggs, and just as we returned to the boat one of the men found a Mallard’s nest, carefully lined with grass and down, (the latter by the way is dark brown with white centres and greyish tips), containing eight olive-green eggs. The other birds I noted were Corncrakes, Sedge Warblers, and Reed Buntings. Another half-hour’s row to windward brought us to our starting place, where our car met us to take us homewards after a most enjoyable day with the birds, our only regret being that the weather was so unfavourable for using the camera ; but we hope for better luck next time. THE YELLOWISH FINCH, Sycalis arvensis. By Arthur G. Butter, Ph.D., etc. This elegant little finch has received the name of “ Misto Seed-Finch” in Sclater and Hudson’s “Argentine Ornithology.” It is imported from time to time from Buenos Ayres, though not in very great numbers : hitherto, as far as I have been able to ascertain, it has not been bred in captivity. Dr. Russ, in his ‘ Handbuch ’ says very little about this bird, which he calls the “Yellow-bellied Finch”; and, judging from his remarks, it would appear that he never possessed healthy examples : he describes it as “ rare in the Bird-market,” and observes that “ Dr. Franken does not praise the song, and Sclrleehtendal character¬ izes it as particularly shrill, resembling both that of the Grass¬ hopper Warbler and that of the home-bred Serin. Gentle, peaceable, but without character.” From his larger work, it appears that Dr. Franken only had one example, arrd Dr. Russ only secured a pair from Jamrach 93 Dr. A. G. Butler, in the autumn of 1876, which reached him in such a sickly con¬ dition that they soon both died. He concludes with the following remarks : — “ Should the bird hereafter appear more numerously in the trade, it might indeed be regarded as a desirable gain to the bird-room ; as it shows itself by far more gentle and peaceable than its allies. Unfortunately there is up to the present time little prospect of this, as most Brazilian birds are only brought to us in small numbers.” In September 1903 Mr. James Housden was fortunate enough to secure an unusually large consigmeut of kS. arvensis, two of which came into my possession, and two into that of our Editor ; of the latter one has unhappily since died, but mine are still in excellent health although they have shown no inclination whatever to breed. Mr. Seth-Smith thinks my birds may be two males, and his may have been two females ; yet none of them have attempted to sing: in the face of the account of the bird’s habits given by Mr. Hudson this is remarkable. The following is his description : — “ This is a slender, graceful bird, less than the Canary in size, the whole upper plumage yellowish olive, with dun mark¬ ings, the lower surface of a dull yellow. The female is a little smaller than the male, and her colours are somewhat dimmer. This species is resident and gregarious in the Argentine Republic, and in autumn frequently congregates in flocks of several thou¬ sands. They are not so universally distributed as the Chingolo, and are not wood-birds, but frequent open plains abounding in thistles and other coarse herbage, which affords them shelter. In cultivated districts, where their food is most abundant, they are excessively numerous, and, after the harvest has been gathered, frequent the fields in immense flocks. While feeding, the flocks scatter over a large area of ground, being broken up into small companies of a dozen or more birds, and at such times are so intent on their food that a person can walk about amongst them without disturbing them. They take flight very suddenly, bursting into a thousand chirping, scolding notes, pursue each other through the air, and after wheeling about the field for a minute or two, suddenly drop down into the grass again and are silent as before. on the Yellowish Finch. 99 Iu August they begin to sing, here and there an individual being heard in the fields ; but when the weather grows warmer they repair to the plantations in vast numbers, and, sitting on the branches, sing in a concert of innumerable voices, which pro¬ duces a great volume of confused sound, and which often con¬ tinues for hours at a time without intermission. By-and-by these pleasant choirs break up, the birds all scattering over the plains and fields to woo and build, and it is then first discovered that the male has a peculiar and very sweet song. Apart from his fellows, he acquires a different manner of singing, soaring up from his stand on the summit of a bush or stalk, and beginning his song the moment he quits his perch. Ascending he utters a series of long, melodious notes, not loud, but very distinctly enunciated and increasing iu volume; at a height of fifty or sixty yards he pauses, the notes becoming slower; then, as he descends with a graceful spiral flight, the wings outstretched and motionless, the notes also fall, becoming lower, sweeter, and more impressive till he reaches the earth. After alighting the song continues, the notes growing longer, thinner, and clearer, until they dwindle to the merest threads of sound, and cease to be audible except to a person standing within a few yards of the songster. The song is quite unique in character, and its great charm is iu its gradual progress from the somewhat thick notes at the commencement to the thin tremu¬ lous tones with which the bird returns to earth, and which change again to the excessively attenuated sounds at the end. The nest is deep, well-built, and well-concealed, sometimes resting on the ground, but frequently raised above it. It con¬ tains five long pointed eggs, with a white or bluish-white ground¬ colour, and thickly spotted with brown. I have frequently found the eggs of the Molothrzcs in its nest, but have never been able to see this Sparrow feeding, or followed by, a young Molothrus. Possibly, if it ever hatches the parasitical egg at all, the voracious young Cow-bird is starved by the delicate food supplied by its foster-parents.” Doubtless the colouring of the eggs of the species of Sycalis led Mr. Hudson to speak of them as Sparrows, since they IOO Dr. A. G. Butler, are certainly more nearly related to tlie Serins and Siskins, as Burmeister points out. The flight of S. arvensis in an aviary differs entirely from that of the more heavily built Saffron-fiucli ; indeed it far more nearly resembles that of the Grey Singing-finch, having the dancing irregular character of a white or blue butterfly. A he only note I have heard hitherto is a rather shrill short chirp : I must confess I should greatly like to hear the elaborate Lark-like song described by Mr. Hudson ; but if it is necessary to provide an aviary sixty yards high, in order to induce the bird to sing it, I fear that will never fall to my lot. Although the nesting-habit seems to be altogether unlike that of the Saffron-finch and more characteristic of a Bunting, I see no reason why a well-authenticated pair should not breed in a rough outdoor aviary : in my birdroom, where many Saffron- finches have been bred without the least difficulty, the Yellowish Finch could not be expected to build, the floor being of concrete with a thick layer of sand and no vegetation of any kind. On November ist 1904 our former member Mr. F. W. H. Daly wrote to me for the identification of two small birds sold under the name of Saffron-finches. Mr. Daly says that some few years back a considerable number came into Southampton, apparently in one importation ; several dealers had them and sold them as “ original wild canaries.” Being satisfied that both birds were hens, Mr. Daly asked me to accept one and send him the name of the species: it arrived a few days later and I told him that it was, as I had supposed, a Yellowish Finch, but rather smaller than my birds ; so that I thought it possible it might be the subspecies separated under the name Sycalis minor : on turn¬ ing it in with my other two the discrepancy in size seemed less marked, and is probably only of sexual value. According to the “Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum ” A. arvensis measures 5-2 inches ; the female 5-5 inches, A. minor 4-6 inches in both sexes ; but Burmeister gives the measurement of the latter under its synonym of S. hilarii as 4 inches and 8 lines, whilst Dr. Sclater gives the total length of N. arvensis under its synonym of A. luteola as 5 inches. The fact on the Yellowish Finch. ioi is that it is practically impossible for two independent workers to be absolutely agreed as to the exact length of a living bird, when they only have skins to measure from ; the measurements of the culmen, wing, tail and tarsus might easily correspond because they are fixed in the fully adult bird, but stretching or shrinkage must affect the total length of a skin. Undoubtedly age greatly affects not only the size but the colouring of many species ; and I am satisfied that if a series of Saffron-finches (S. flaveola) were to be killed when one, two, three, and four years of age, they would make four as pretty distinct-looking subspecies as any of those ascribed to S. arvejisis ; whether they would show such differences in the outer tail-feathers as characterize chrysops when compared with S. arve?isis I cannot say; but in other respects there would be abundant distinctive characters. For this reason, I should regard with some suspicion the constancy to locality of any forms nearly related to an abundant species of Sycalis, with the knowledge that another species in the same genus differed at various ages in quite as marked a manner : in this I might err, but with some excuse for doing so. Inasmuch as S. aiwe?isis is a placid, slender bird, with a pleasing fluttering action on the wing; whereas S. flaveola is a tempestuous thick¬ set bird, with a headlong direct flight, I should not consider the two nearly related ; this again is evidenced by their different methods of nidification ; so that one species may have local variations, and the other only changes of plumage regulated by age ; only these facts, if they exist, need to be established. I hope that I may now have both sexes of this pretty little species ; and that, in the coming year, I may be fortunate enough to learn something from personal experience of its life-history. 102 Mr. Frank Finn, VARIATION IN GOLD AND SILVER PHEASANTS. By Frank Finn, B.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. On account of the peculiar position they occupy among domestic birds as species of recent domestication and maintained in limited numbers for ornament only, the Gold and Silver Pheasants {Chrysolophus pictus and Gennceus nycthemerus ) offer an interesting field for enquiry to the student of variation. That the former species, independently of the taint of Amherst ( Chrysolophus amherstitz) blood which has crept in of late years, varies considerably in the depth of tint of the golden portions of its plumage is patent to everyone ; but this variation is due, to some extent at any rate, I believe, to the conditions under which the individual has moulted, though not in every case. In any case, it is interesting to note that only the yellow and orange tints are affected, the rest of the plumage remaining normal. This is well exemplified in a specimen in the British Museum collection, in which the ruff even, is quite a straw- colour, while the breast is as red as in perfect specimens. This variation, to whatever cause due, is thus analogous to the “ duck¬ wing ” forms of the domestic cock, in which the red portions of the typical Jungle Fowl ( G alius gallus) plumage are replaced by various shades of yellow or by white, the black underparts and tail retaining their colour. I have, however, once seen a cock — a common rough-bred bird in the Calcutta Market, — which in addition to cream- coloured upper parts, had the under surface and tail slate- coloured, all tints being thus weakened together. To return to the Golden Pheasant ; a well-marked “sport” is known to occur in the species in captivity in the form Chrysolophus obscurus, which is regarded by Messrs. Tegetmeier and Ogilvie-Grant as a variet}' only. In this bird the throat and face are black or blackish instead of buff, the scapulars blackish instead of crimson, and the centre-tail- feathers barred with brown and black like the lateral pairs, instead of being spotted with brown on a black ground. The type of this form, in the British Museum collection, has all the on Variation in Gold and Silver Pheasants. 103 appearance of a true species, but, nevertheless, I believe, the two great authorities quoted above are perfectly right in their estimate of it. As a matter of fact, there is now in the Zoological Society's collection an intermediate specimen, in the form of one of the individuals confined in the new Canal Bank Aviary. In this the face and throat are blackish, as also are the scapulars, but the tail-feathers are marked as in the normal type. More¬ over, when in mature plumage it was indistinguishable from two birds acquired with it last February in the same garb, which have become almost normal specimens. I say almost normal, for they have dark scapulars, but to this point I shall recur later. What I want to emphasize now is the fact that the immature plumage of the dark-throated bird could hardly have been typical obscurus, since the hens of that species, and presumably the young cocks, were noticeably darker than those of the normal form, as is well shown in Elliot’s plate of the variety. (Mon. Phasianidce). The variation in the colour of the face and marking of the tail would appear to be discontinuous, but with regard to the scapulars, there appears to be a complete gradation from the blackish ones of the obscurus form, with scarcely a trace of red, to a full scarlet as light as that of the breast. The most usual tint would appear to be intermediate, a crimson, which is that shown by the fine bird recent^ in the end pen of the Eastern Pheasantry at the Regent’s Park Gardens. An equally brilliant specimen in the Canal Bank Aviary has, however, dark scapulars, in this case deep steel-blue edged with red. A similar blue-and-red coloura¬ tion of the scapulars I found in a bird in the Battersea Park covered aviary, where also there was a particularly fine bird with the light scarlet scapulars ; indeed, it was the unusually bright appearance of this bird, with his shoulders concolorous with the breast, which led me to study this variation. And it is after studying thirteen living specimens, six at Battersea, two at Victoria Park, and five at the Zoological Gardens, that I came to the conclusion that the variation in this respect is continuous, as stated above. Examination of the British Museum specimens confirmed me in this, though I did not find any normal pictus so dark as 104 Mr. Frank Finn, obscurus there, and only two with the scarlet scapulars, both fine Chinese specimens. I have no reason to believe that the colour of the scapulars varies with age, although, as the spurs develop so little in this species, the age of any fully-coloured specimen is practically impossible to make out. In the hen Gold Pheasant the only variation I have observed is a wash of yellow on the breast of one recently in the Zoological Gardens ; I may mention that the only one I saw in Calcutta imported direct from China was identical with European- bred examples, of which we had some in the Zoological Garden there. The lieu of the obscuius I have never seen, and the variety now appears, unfortunately, to be very rare, if not extinct. There is, however, in the British Museum a very remark¬ able young male, bred, long ago apparently, in the Zooiogical Gardens. This bird has a normal tail, and a body of uniform brown, rufous on the head, breast, and upper tail-coverts, with none of the bold dark pencilling normal in the hens and young of this species, except a little on the wing-coverts. This may perhaps be compared to the frequent variety of the domestic fowl in which the tail is normal, while the rest of the body is almost uniform cinnamon in both sezes, and this second instance of a tendency to a similar variation in two closely-allied genera like Chrysoloplms and Gallus is of much interest. In the male of the Silver Pheasant, on the other hand, I have never seen any marked variation ; some specimens are more strongly pencilled than others, and an immature male acquired by the Calcutta Zoological Garden in my time was rather remarkable in assuming a much longer crest and tail than an adult acquired together with it ; indeed, it was the finest bird of the species I ever saw, and only by its shorter spurs could it be known as the junior of its companion. But on the whole this sex of the Silver Pheasant is remarkably constant ; in the hen, however, I have recently observed a variation which appears to me of peculiar interest. The normal hen is a dull brown bird with the lateral tail feathers pencilled black and white; such a specimen may be seen in the Bird Gallery of the British Museum, and one such was procured in March last year by the Zoological on Variation in Gold and Silver Pheasants, 105 Society to mate with their male, and is now in the Eastern Pheasantry. Bnt along with it came another and smaller bird, with the nnderparts and flanks of a pencilled black and white very similar to what is seen in the immature male of this species- The bird is not a young male, for it has shown no signs of changing its colour, and since then — recently in fact — I have seen no less than three birds like this in the aviary at Victoria Park ; they are the only hens of the species there, and appear of the normal size. Of the two hens at Battersea Park — where, however, it is not possible to get close up to the wire of the Pheasantr}', whence close observation is difficult — one very nearly approaches this pencilled type, and the other shows a decided approximation to it, as far as I could make out. I11 the British Museum I find a very perfect example of this variety, which Mr. Ogilvie-Grant tells me he knows to be an aged bird ; it has the pencilling of the under surface very clear and distinct, and the tail very strongly pencilled. This is a Hertfordshire specimen, but another marked “ China ” has an even more boldly marked tail, with a breast inclining to that of the normal bird, with the minute black stippling, found even in the latter, more strongly marked. I may mention that three typical birds from Kuatun vary much in this tail-pencilling, and another normal one marked “ Amoy Aviary ” also has it very strong, so that this point seems altogether variable. But the type with pencilled underparts seems to represent a fairly discontinuous variation, if variation it be. Mr. Ogilvie- Grant regards it as a partial assumption of male plumage, and its similarity to the livery of the immature male strongly confirms this. But in this case it is remarkable that it should go no further, and also that out of seven living examples examined as above, at least five should display it ; the case needs more investigation, and the fact that in the domestic fowl at least three forms of female may be correlated with similar black¬ breasted red males must be borne in mind — these being the fawn¬ breasted “ Partridge ” lieu of the Jungle-fowl colour, the “ wlieaten ” type, and the pencilled-breasted hen of the Partridge Cochin, with various intermediates. At all events, I think enough has been said to show that io6 Rev. C. D. Farrar, the domestic Gold and Silver Pheasants, in addition to their great beauty, recommend themselves by exhibiting variations of great scientific interest ; for such as I have above drawn attention to would be regarded as at least of subspecific value, if found occurring locally in Pheasants in a state of nature. THE BREEDING OF THE “ RUFICAUDA.” By the Rev. C. D. Farrar. Years ago I wras looking in the window of a London bird shop, when I saw two small birds in a cage that I, at any rate, had never seen before. They were sage green on top, with red masks and curious little white-ringed spots all over the upper part of their breasts. I looked them up in a book and found the}7 were Rufous-tailed Grassfinclies from Australia. The price was something too awful. I believe the man (it was near Port¬ land Road) asked -£5 for the pair. It was many years ago, mind. Now the price is just as absurdly low. Bathilda ruficauda is a bird calculated to fill the harvest of a quiet eye, but would not please those who prefer the painful and gaudy colours of a Macaw. For years I have never been without some Rufous-tails ; and many years ago I should have got the medal for being the first to breed them but for a bit of ill luck. I kept my then Ruficaudas in a big garden aviary full of growing bushes. Here, in due course, they made a beautiful nest in a bush, but it was about as frail as the lady’s hat of to-day. I may say, in passing, that my birds never made a nest anywhere else, in fact they would never look at German cages or cocoa-nut husks. The eggs were duly hatched, and all went swimmingly for the first eight days. I could already feel that medal. The youngsters were fully fledged and just ready to fly, when one afternoon there came on such rain that, as a friend said to me grimly, “it seemed as if the angels were emptying buckets out of the sky.” Several of these buckets descended on the poor frail little nest, and when I went to look, there was only a sodden lump of hay, and five little dead Ruficaudas. As I brought them into the house I felt like on the Breeding of the “ Ruficaudad 107 Mrs. Poyser did when the Miss Irwins admired her farm. “ Oh, Mrs. Peyser,” they used to sajr, “ I envy yon your dairy and I envy you your chickens, and what a beautiful thing a farm house is, to be sure ! ” “ An’ I say, 3^es, a farm house is a fine thing for them as look on, an’ don’t know the liftin’ an’ the stan’in’, an’ the worritin’ o’ the inside, as belongs to ’t.” “ It’s your dead chicks,” as she remarked on another historic occasion, “ talc’ the longest to hatch.” But for that “little shower” I should have been “ Ruficauda ” medalist. A few months later, I read an account of the successful rearing of a brood of “ Ruficaudas” in Scotland, and as I perused the story, I thought of the words of a miner friend of mine: “When a man’s mad he loilces reading owt that’ll make him madder; he duunot want to be soothed, yo’ see.” Was it not Edgar Allen Poe who sang that he dwelt alone in a laud of moan ? Well, that was what I did, that da3^ at any rate. For two years I was forced to give up 1113'’ birds, and only began this summer with just a few. Amongst them I purchased a reputed pair of “Ruficaudas”; but the moment they came, I knew the3^ were two hens. For long enough I could not light on a cock. I was offered any number of hens as pairs, but had the strength of mind to refuse them, though most solemnly assured that I was standing in 1113" own light. At last I heard of a cock from Sheffield, and I lost no time in sending for him. I shall never forget the jo3r of that bird when I put him in with the two hens. Depend upon it, when a man— or a bird — forgets what womankind can give him, he is nearer six by three than I should care to be. He sat on a bough between the two, and told them as plain as a bird could, that if either dear charmer were absent how happy he could be with t’other. The way those two hens fought was a caution ; and to save the life of one, I had to intervene. The elder of the two hens was clearly of the opinion of a poacher I once knew : “ Fight,” he used to say, “ does seem to sweeten a man’s victuals”; for after a particularly vicious onslaught, she would fly down to the seed tray and make a hearty meal. We learn b37 our mistakes, so I registered a vow that if ever I had the luck to get a nest again, I would see that it had a ioS Rev. C. D. Farrar, cover over it ; for the weather is so erratic in Yorkshire that one never knows whether it is the morning of Eden or the eve of the Flood. It was not very long before the hen began building a pretty domed nest of hay in a bush, with a little circular hole towards the light. The foundation was fairly solid, but the dome was exceedingly flimsy, only calculated to keep out a little sunshine, but no rain I am certain. Eggs were duly laid, but I believe I foolishly touched them, for they disappeared. That piece of insensate folly had come home to roost, and it was days before Hope reset her bow of Promise. One morning when I was filling the seed pots, I happened to glance up, and saw what I thought to be a ragged bundle of hay. The performance was now lifted into what is called in the theatre a situation of suspense. I got up and went tip-toeing to the sticks and peeped a second, very much as the mate of a vessel goes to his binnacle, and then taking a look aloft, resumes his watch. This bit of luck lifted up my heart, like a bit of sunshine on a gloomy road. The nest was rather an untidy structure, as ragged, in fact, as a six-days’ beard. About this time I felt it advisable to remove the second lady, as the fighting was early and late. I was reminded of the Scotch minister who was a noted boxer, and proposed to teach his man to fight. He landed on his chest with his right — down went John. Again the minister’s left found its way to his nose. This was repeated over and over again, John meanwhile retreat¬ ing to the wall, and once there the minister continued, hammer and tongs, left, right, left, right, for ten minutes. At last he Stopped, and said “Now, John, what do you think of that?” “ Faith, minister,” said John, “ I’ll fecht 11a mail'.” Well, that was what hen No. 2 said. It’s easy to sing “ Dare to be a Daniel,” but it is none so easy to do. The morning I found that second nest I went out of the aviary with a face as cheerful as the sun. For some days I felt as nervous as a school-boy who is going to be thrashed in the near future; for I wanted to know if there were eggs, but I did not dare to look, much less to feel. However, as Mrs. “ Ruficauda ” remained on the nest, and on the Breeding of the “ Ruficauda.” 109 once or twice I caught Master “ Ruficauda” paying shame-faced visits thereto, I concluded that eggs had arrived. Once or twice I saw the hen returning to the nest from the seed tray, like a Chinese Empress returning to her disturbed dominions, and this made me happy and joyful of heart. I was watching late one evening in September, when I saw the Bearded Tits incautiously approach too near the nest. In a moment Mrs. “Ruficauda” came bouncing out like a veritable little fury, and the discomfited Tits fled incontinent. Now I felt certain that the hen was sitting hard. At the end of about three weeks I began to hear voices — voces clamantium ! — and the volume of sound increasing daily, told me that the little beggars were as wick as whins ; a healthy family of youngsters, protesting with yellow open - throated sound that they were ready for another meal. The cock now visited the nest no longer by stealth, but openljr and in a most “ brazzen ” way, as we say up North. Sometimes if he is too incautious his lady gives him a bit of her lip. It always reminds me of what I heard a little boy ask his father. “Father,” he said, “what is the difference between conversation and talk? ” “All the difference in the world, lad,” was the answer. “ Your mother converses with other folk ; but she talks to me.” I have seen Bathilda ruficauda take a bath, but it is on rare occasions. When he does, I always think of the young lady who met an old friend but lately returned from Marienbad. “Well,” she said, “ doctor, where have you been ? ” “ Oh, my dear, I’m just back from Marienbad, taking the baths, you know.” She, innocently — “Really! that was a change for you, wasn’t it?” The song of B. ruficauda is all but inaudible. It always reminds me of the remarks of a plain spoken member of his flock to the minister. “ Well, Jock,” said the minister, “how did you like my sermon yesterda}^? ” “ Weel, meenister, sin’ ye ba’e speared,” was the reply, “I maun just tell ye that I ha’e three objections to ’t. In the first place ye read every word o’ t, in the second place ye did 11a read it weel, and in the third place it warna worth bearin’.” no The New York Zoological Park. Now that the young are gone, I do not feel half as much interest in those “ Ruficaudas” as I did a month ago. Who is it that says “ The enjoyment is the pursuit, and this ceases when our hand closes down on the prize”? THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. We have received from Mr. C. William Beebe, the Curator of Ornithology at the New York Zoological Park, some copies of the valuable and beautifully illustrated Bulletin of the Zoo¬ logical Society of New York ; and some of the notes therein on the birds in the Zoological Park are of very great interest. The Park comprises about two hundred and seventy acres, part of which is in a wild, wooded condition, while much is given up to the collection of animals. The number of wild birds which, apparently attracted by the protection offered to them, nest within the boundary is remarkable; Mr. Beebe’s list enu¬ merates sixty-two species, all of which have reared young in a wild state in the Park. This seems an extraordinary number when one considers that it is actually in the City of New York. Mr. Beebe writes : — “The most interesting wild bird which has been observed breeding in the Zoological Park is the Law¬ rence Warbler ( Helminthophila lawrencei, Herrick). On June 13th of the present j^ear Dr. Wiegmann and myself found a male Lawrence Warbler mated with a female Blue-winged Warbler (//. punis), both birds carrying food to a brood of six young birds in a ground nest. The young birds all left the nest safely on June 1 6tli. This is the twelfth Lawrence Warbler to be placed on record, and the first recorded instance of its breeding.” Wild ducks frequently visit those on the lakes in the Park, and this year a wild duck paired with one of the pinioned birds, and would not desert even when the young ones were being caught up and pinioned. A pair of Black-crowned Night Herons breed each year at the top of one of the most inaccessible trees, and the young, when they begin to shift for themselves, pay frequent visits to some of the same species which are kept in a great Tying cage. Hawks, Owls, five species of Flycatchers, two Ill The New York Zoological Park. species of Cuckoos, the Belted Kingfisher and many others suc¬ cessfully rear their young nearly every year. Mr. Beebe’s notes on hatching and rearing some sea birds from eggs obtained on Cobb Island, Virginia, are specially in¬ teresting. In July 1903 be made a trip to this locality, and on his return brought home some two dozen eggs of various sea-birds, including those of the Black Skimmer, Common Tern, Laughing Gull, Clapper Rail and Green Heron, all being in advanced stages of incubation and intended for embryological study. At first no special care was taken of the eggs, and three days elapsed between the time of their collection and the date of their examination. They were brought to New York in an empty Kodak case, and several were cracked on the way. The tem¬ perature during these three days ranged from 60 to So degrees, which was sufficient to keep the embryos alive, and, when examined, their vigor was so pronounced that they were all placed in an incubator in a temperature of 102 deg. with the result that almost all of them hatched within from one to five days. The young birds which were kept under careful obser¬ vation were Terns ( Sterna hirunda), a Black Skimmer ( Rhynchops nigra), a Laughing Gull (Lams atticilla ), and a Green Heron (. Butorides virescens). All were kept together in a large wooden box, with a glass front and wire roof, and with a flooring of fine white sand. At a temperature of no deg. in the direct rays of the sun they panted violently, at 75 deg. they shivered ; and 90 deg. in the shade seemed to satisfy them best. It was noticed that while yet wholly within the shell the young Terns uttered a peep, peep, much like a young chicken, but the instant they left the shell they uttered the typical tear-r-r of the old birds, though of course in a very feeble tone. When about a week old they did not feed so well as at first, and a new diet was tried. “Heretofore,” the author writes, “ the fish (tiny kiltie-fish) was half boiled, chopped and mixed with ants’ eggs. Now a hearty meal was given to the ever ravenous Wood Ibises, and two hours later a little judicious teasing persuaded them to disgorge a mass of finely comminuted fish, sweet- I 12 The New York Zoological Park. smelling and, I hoped, adapted to the digestion of the little Terns. I was right, as it proved, for at one feeding they ate more than they had done the entire day.” At this age it was noticed that when frightened the Terns run to the darkest corner to hide, while the Skimmer gives several side flicks with his feet, “ making thus in an instant a little cavity into which he sinks, drops his head close to the sand and. — disappears, his back almost flush with the general level of the sand. It is a marvellous bit of instinctive jugglery.” At the age of iS days the Skimmer still had the white egg-tootli on the tip of his upper mandible. We are not told whether the young birds were actually reared to maturity. In conclusion, Mr. Beebe writes: “ A. — The call, food, and alarm notes of the Common Terns, Black Skimmers, and Laughing Gulls are instinctive ; not taught by the parents nor learned by imitation. The one positive proof of this would warrant the assertion. “ B. — The remarkable disparity in the length of the mandibles in the adult Black Skimmer is foreshadowed even in the embryo and in the newly-hatched bird. “ C. — My experience with a dozen Terns and Gulls showed that these individuals prefer fresh water to salt. “ D. — There is absolutely no ‘instinctive’ fear of man or other objects which enter quietly into the environment of the young birds, but a sudden shadow or loud noise causes them to perform certain acts — wholly instinctive — which have for their object an escape from supposed danger. Under such conditions the Terns (which we remember are not so protectively coloured, as the Skimmer), take time to run to the darkest corner or shadow before squatting, while the Skimmer crouches instantly, and with two or three instructive flicks of feet and legs, almost buries himself. “ E. — The sight of small but entire fish excites a newly- hatched Skimmer much more than does macerated fish. Terns are not so excited until after the first week. “ B\ — The act of pecking is instinctive to a certain extent, Tame Swallows. ii3 but is acquired very slowly in this way. By imitation it is learned quickly, and is performed successfully within a few minutes. “ G. — The art of flying is wholly instinctive. The Terns learning the use of their wings as soon as the primaries are large enough to support them.” Experiments have been tried, the object of which has been to induce Ospreys to stay, and if possible to nest in the Park, where there is plenty of water well stocked with fish ; but up to the present the young birds which have been obtained for the purpose have flown away, never to return. This publication is illustrated with admirable photographs, one of which represents several young Red Flamingoes ( Phceni - coplerus ruber) which have been obtained from the colony in the Bahamas, and are doing well in the Park. TAME SWALLOWS. A remarkable instance of the degree to which Swallows can be tamed is narrated in the Bullethi de la Sociele National d’ Accliniatation de France * for August. M. G. Pays-Mellier considers the Swallow the most intelligent, amusing, and interesting of all insectivorous birds. Every year, for some years past, he has reared from the nest, some of the early broods of Swallows. He allows them complete liberty, aud during the summer months these birds may be seen, flying at great heights, but always coming at the least call to perch on his finger, and remaining there without the slightest fear of any number of strangers. They always know their owner and fly to him whenever they catch sight of him, and very quickly despatch the mealworms or moths which he always gives them. M. Pays-Mellier allows his Swallows perfect liberty during the day time, and they may be seen flying with their wild companions to great heights, or chasing the insects which hover close to the ground. Or they may frequently be observed perched upon the house-tops, uttering their delightful little We have to thank Dr. P. L. Sclater for kindly forwarding a copy of this journal.— Ed. Correspondence , Notes, etc. 114 song. In the evening the}'- are generally put into a large cage for the night, and given their freedom again at dawn. Formerly M. Pays-Mellier kept them the whole year through, putting them into a warm aviary with his other insectivorous birds during the autumn and winter. Here they kept fairly well, but in spite of every care and attention did not seem happy, and during recent years only the earliest broods have been taken, and towards the time of their natural departure they have been allowed to join their wild companions in their flight to more congenial climes. This is a very delightful form of aviculture, which might well be practised in this country. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. IMPORTING AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. Sir, — In looking over a recent number of the “Emu” I noticed an article by E. Degen, Parson’s Green, London, entitled “Australian Birds in the Zoological Gardens, London,” in which the author states that only 60, or about one-twelfth of the 760 species are to be found there. He continues “ it may readily be inferred from this that a really splendid opportunity offers itself to an Australian visitor or a returning colonist to supplement the list and fill in existing gaps. This defect could be remedied with such species without inconvenience to an enthusiastic traveller, and without any particular risk to live stock which do not depend on insect food exclusively.” With reference to this matter I would like to say that it would give me pleasure to contribute specimens were the expenses in transit not so heavy ; but, as far as I have gone, either in exporting or importing birds, I find the freight and shipping charges so extreme, that they quite act as a deterrent. Some time back I arranged to send two pairs of Crested Pigeons ( Ocyphaps lophotes ) and one pair of Bronzewings ( Phaps chalcoptera) to a relative in London, but when on the steamer the purser demanded 10/- for each bird, and then there was in addition the same amount as a gratuity to the butcher — in all £3 10/-, without cartage, seed etc. Under these conditions I declined to send them, but when they went later on with a relative, the cost was 30/-, the purser asking £1, beside the fee to the man in charge of them. These expenses contribute greatly no doubt to the value of the birds on arrival in England. Only the other day I was surprised to see the Satin Correspondence, Notes, etc. 115 Bower-bird advertised at 90/- per pair, having bought them myself at 10/- in Melbourne. I11 conclusion I would like to add that at any time I would be willing to make exchanges, if it could be arranged for both parties to pay their own expenses in transit. Tasmania, Sept. 5, ’04. Mary G. Roberts. AN OI.D BIRD FRIEND. Sir, — Can you inform me to what age Rosellas usually attain ? I lost one early this year which was hatched out in the Australian Spring (Oct.) of 1876 ; came into my possession in April 1S77 and died 011 Feb. 22nd 1904, so that he was 27 years and 5 months old. Is this a record age ? Judging from my written description only, Dr. W. T. Greene is of opinion that ‘Joe}-’ was a cross between Platycercus pallidiceps and Platycer- cns eximius. In body plumage he was entirely A*, pallidiceps, but when I first had him his head was bright red. At the end of his first year’s moult the front half became yellow, and after the second year’s moult the whole head was yellow with the exception of a patch about the size of a shilling, which remained red all his life ; the yellow was also of a deeper hue than that of the Mealy Rosella, being about the colour of a lemon-rind. He was a cage-bird, and hung out of doors all day in Summer and for a few hours on the warmest days in Winter. He was fed on Indian corn, hemp and canary seeds, all kinds of green foods and fruits as they came in season ; but his most particular fancy was animal fat — either fat ham or bacon, or butter, and he used to have a lump about the size of a pea of one or the other two or three times a week and would leave any other food to take it. Is this liking for fat a peculiarity of Rosellas ? If so, may it not be that in their wild state and in their native land they obtain seeds of an oily nature which they miss when in captivity, and animal fat would supply the want? At any rate it agreed with ‘ Joey,’ as he never had an ailment of any kind until after he had completed his 27th year, when his digestive powers seemed to fail, and he had fits at intervals — the last proving fatal. He piped two tunes and repeated many short sentences, and was altogether a desirable little companion. Trusting these notes may prove of interest to those of your readers who may keep or breed Rosellas. Winifred M. Sopp. CHANGE OF HABITS IN BIRDS UNDER NEW CONDITIONS. Sir, — I enclose a cutting from the Australasian of 20th August, on the subject of the behaviour of the imported Starling, which may be of interest to some of your readers, if they have not already seen it, as I know many of them are somewhat sceptical of birds changing their habits under new conditions. I say I know that, from a remark not very long ago in the 1 n6 Correspondence, Notes, etc. journal, about the “alleged” sheep killing hy the Kea iu New Zealand. The word “ alleged” struck me as very funny reading in a book on birds at this late date. I was but a lad in New Zealand about 1S64-5, when the first reports came in about what the Keas were doing, and you can imagine how the idea was scoffed at, when we find forty years later it is not believed in England. I11 those early days in New Zealand the Kea was not a common bird, but with the new source of food supply it was simply amazing how their numbers increased — and at the cost of the run-holder. I remember about twenty years later being on a station where the manager had just paid for the Kea heads killed during the year on the station — and there were 600 of them at half-a-crown a piece — and I make bold to state that say thirty years previously there had not been six couple of these birds on that property, if as many. John Bathgate. THE STARLING. There have latety been some serious complaints made by sheep-owners against the Starling, on account of the habit it has of plucking out the wool of sheep. At the Ballarat Show I met with a good many sheep -owners, and I made inquiries into the matter. To my surprise I found that those who favoured the bird and those who were decidedly opposed to it were about equally divided. Mr. Frank Austen, of Avalon, stated that 011 his property the Starlings were in immense numbers, and lie had not had the wool plucked from his sheep. He said that about thirty sheep-breeders in his district lately gave evidence in this matter, and not one made a definite charge against the bird of injuring the fleece of their sheep, though a few were of the opinion that they might injure the wool, when in large numbers, by their droppings, as they have a habit of riding on the sheep’s back. On the other hand, Mr. J. Mack, of Berry-bank, stated that, owing to the Starlings plucking wool from the sheeps’ backs, the fleeces were rendered unsightly and considerably injured. The birds could not have been looking for ticks, as his sheep were quite free from them. Several persons supported Mr. Mack iu his statement as to the injury done to the fleece by Starlings. That the Starling has taken to eating fruit iu Australia is abundantly proven ; the complaints against it come from almost every quarter where the Starling lias become established. If, in addition to fruit-eating the Starling has acquired the pernicious habit of injuring the wool on the sheep's back, the feeling will grow strong that it must be got rid of, which will now be a work of some difficulty. This will be a great pity, for the Starlings’ habit of eating insects has heretofore g'ained for the bird the name of the farmers’ friend. I11 many places I have seen these birds in immense flocks, day after day, busily engaged seeking their food iu the pastures, and I have not seen them injuring the sheeps’ fleece. However, if they have acquired this habit it is but natural that the flock- owners will endeavour to destroy them. The pastoral industry has enemies enough without adding to their number. JAVA SPARROW PAIRING WITH GOLDFINCH. Sir, — I have a Java Sparrow which is paired to a lien Goldfinch. As it strikes me it is rather an unusual occurrence, I am writing to ask v’ou if you would advise 1113’ putting them in a breeding cage, as she has started building a nest iu a corner of a vetw large cage in which there are several other birds. Arts Gorter. Correspondence , Notes, etc. ii 7 following reply has been sent to Mrs. Gorter. It is a most interesting fact that a Java Sparrow should pair up with a Goldfinch, as they are representatives of two supposed families — the Ploceidce and Fringillidce, which differ in the relative length to its coverts of the so-called bastard primary. In the Ploceidce this tiny quill is longer than its coverts; and it is the rule for the species to build cave-like nests : in the Fringillidce the quill is quite as large, but it is shorter than its coverts; and it is the rule for the species to build open cup-sliaped nests. By all means put up the birds in a breeding-cage, and do your utmost to breed from them. You had better grow some rape-seedlings, and supply both these and egg-food for rearing the young, should any be hatched. Do not forget the cuttle-bone. A. G. BuTr.ER. PADDY-RICE FOR FINCHES. Sir, — In the Avicultural Magazine for December 1S97, I pointed out that, being unable to obtain paddy-rice for a pair of Pin-tailed Nonpareils then in my possession, I had substituted oats with most satisfactory results. From that time to the present I have never troubled to secure paddy-rice for any birds which, in their wild state, feed largely upon it; for experience has satisfied me that whole oats are greedily eaten by them all, and answer every purpose equals well, if not better. It is certain that what may be a natural food for a bird when at liberty, is sometimes no better than poison to the same bird when in cap¬ tivity. It is also true that what is one bird’s meat is another bird’s poison ; so that if a man argue that a Canadian Grosbeak could not be poisoned by mountain -ash berries, because his British Thrushes eat the same freely without ill-effects, his opinion is of no value to any man of wider experience. A. G. BuTPER. AN AGED NAPOLEON WEAVER. A Napoleon Weaver has just died in Dr. Butler’s aviary at the age of at least sixteen years. THE YOUNG OF THE TOURACOUS. Sir, — With regard to the young of the Touracous, it is not quite cor¬ rect that they were quite unknown until Mrs. Johnstone’s recent success — an epoch in aviculture — ■ in breeding one. In his work on “ British Central Africa” Sir Harry Johnstone states (p. 333) that he has reared from the nest the young of two species, Turacus livingstoni and Gallirex chloro- chlamys. About their condition he says “The young birds when born appear to be covered with a dark bluish grey down. Though rather sprawling they can crawl about on their legs from the first, and have more nS Correspondence, Notes, etc. activity in the nest than the young of Pigeons. In this early stage the hare-looking head is rather Parrot-like. The way these young birds clamber about in almost a quadrupedal fashion, helping themselves some¬ times with their unfeathered wings, reminded me of what I had read con¬ cerning the young of Opisthocomus, though of course the habits were not so strongly marked, and so far as I know the young of the Touracous have not the fingers of the maims so strongly developed as in Opisthocomus.'1'' Sir Harry Johnstone likewise states that there are generally two or three young birds, and that the natives say four are often hatched. Although published in 1897, this account of the young of a particu¬ larly interesting group seems to have been generally overlooked ; but I noticed it some time back, and in an article I wrote 011 these birds in the “ P'eathered World ” for August 5th of last year I mentioned the downy and partly active state of the young Touracou, though, being pressed with work at the time, I forgot to say who was my authority for the statement. I see Mr. Pycraft states that the Touracous are semi-zygodactyle, by which I take it he means that the fourth or outer front toe may be turned either backwards or forwards, or is at any rate not definitely directed backwards. I had one of the above-mentioned Gallirex chloro- chlamys under my charge for a mouth, it having been entrusted to me for the Zoo. by the late General Mathews in Hast Africa, and I have often observed other species at the Zoo. since. I find the outer toe is almost invariably behind, although it is turned back in such a way as to look as if unnaturally forced into that position. The web also between the third and fourth toes seems to show that these birds were not so very long ago non- zygodactyle, and in skins, in man}7 cases at all events, the fourth toe comes forward as in ordinary birds. Frank Finn. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. Medals have been awarded to Mr. W. H. St. Ouintin, for breeding the Lesser Pintailed Sand Grouse ( Pterocles exustus'), and to Mrs. Howard Williams for breeding the Yellow Sparrow ( Passer luteus') ; both cases being believed to be the first on record for the United Kingdom. THE ILLUSTRATION FUND. The Committee acknowledge with many thanks the receipt of the following donations towards this fund : — Mr. Duncan Parker, £1. Mr. W. B. Gibbins, 10s. F. C THORPE, ImpoFteF of all Varieties of Foreign Birds and (Qaterfoml. ANIMALS IMPORTED TO ORDER. All Birds kept in Aviaries not Cages, and sent on approval. Note AMess- 75, SOUTH PARADE, HULL. Stock in hand December 20, 1904. Nanday Parrakeets 17/6 each, acclimatised Rosy Cockatoo 10/-. Also finest lot of Doves in England — I pair Red Mountain Doves £2 10/- pair, 5 pairs Talpacoti Doves 10/6 pair, 3 pairs Picui Doves 15/- pair, 8 adult Demoi¬ selle Cranes (pinioned) £ 4 10/- pair, 1 Sarus Crane beauty ^8 10/-, 5 pairs Cambayan Doves beauties 12/6 pair. Australian Crested Doves 20/- pair. Chinese Quails 20/- pair, Pennant’s Parrakeets 40/- pair, Yellow Budgeri¬ gars 20/- pair (win anywhere). 2 pairs Ruddy Shelldrakes £2 15/- pair, 2 pairs Spotted-billed Ducks, £2 pair, Green-billed Toucan ^5, 1 Raven perfect 16/-, 3 pairs adult Carolina Ducks 50/- pair, 1 pair Widgeons 12/- pair, Chinese Geese ditto 20/- a pair, East Indian Ducks 15/- pair, Blue-winged Teal ^4 pair, Albino Wild Ducks £ t pair, 2 Textor Weavers in colour 5/6 each, 1 Gold Sparrow hen 6/6, 2 pairs Anas superciliosa or Australian Wild Ducks 40/- pair, 1 adult male Black Swan very fine ^3, 1 pair young £6 pair. White Java Sparrows 9/6 pair, Trumpeter Bullfinches 10/6 pair, Grey Cardinals 8/6 pair, English-bred Zebras, and Ribbon-finches 3/6 pair, ditto Budgerigars 5/- pair, ditto Cockatiels 6/6 each, ditto hen Green-winged Dove 6/6, ditto Diamond Doves 12/6 pair, ditto Scaly or Graceful Doves 25/- pair, ditto White Java Doves 6/6 pair, ditto Indian Collared Doves 7/6 pair, Violet Doves 40/- pair. Spotted - winged Pigeons 45/- pair, Porto Rico Doves 45/- pair, very fine birds. Crowned Black Tanagers 25/- pair. Orange- head Troupials 20/- each, Alexandrine Parrakeets 10/6 each, Ringneck Parrakeets 2/6 each, White - eared Conures 12/6 each. Various Fancv Pheasants, etc. Brush Bronzewing Doves 50/- pair, Bronze-necked Doves 20/- pair, Blue-winged GrevTanager 20/-, Chinese Zosterops 15/- pair, Black- throated Nuns 12/6 pair, Festive Amazons, very tame, talker, £4 ro /-, rare Spectacled ditto £6 101-. Goffiu’s Cockatoos, Bare-eyed ditto, 2 Hyacinthine Macaws, 2 Lear’s Macaws, Blue and Buff ditto. Red and Yellow ditto, Red and Green ditto, Illiger’s ditto 30/- each. Redrump Parrakeets 30/- pair, Many-coloured Parrakeet hen £2 5/-. Jendava Conures 30/- pair, I pair Great-billed Parrakeets ( Palceornis magnirostris ) true pair perfect con¬ dition £4. Lizard, Norwich, Crested, and Plain-head Canaries, also a few Yorkshires from 20/- pair. Crimson Weavers, full colour, 7/6 each, Half- 111 asked ditto ditto 8/6 each. Black-banded Geese £7 to/- pair, Paradise Shellducks £7 10/- pair, Australian ditto £7 10/ pair, Spur-winged Geese £5 pair, White-fronted Geese £1 10/- pair, Mandarin Ducks 35/- pair, Tree Ducks 17/6 pair. Green Cardinals 18/6 pair, show condition, 2/i 2/6 the pair. Blue Grosbeaks 10/- each. Arriving about Jan. 7. 1905 : Quantity Blue- breasted Pittas, Fruit- suckers, Sliamas, and a variety of Waterfowl, Cranes etc. from Asia and South America. Also Giant and Spine-tailed Whvdahs from S. Africa W Pleask Note — I wish to call the attention or my customers to the fact that I have lately added two more agents to my number, one in Central Africa, another on the River Plate, so that I hope to be able soon to offer varieties which are seldom to be got in this country. Stock Always Changing. IV. Notices to Members— Continued. Cock Ring-necked Parrakeet 6/6; hen Green Cardinal 10/6; both in perfect condition, outdoor aviary. G. PORTER, 38, Mill Street, Bedford. Cocks: aviarv-bred Bengalese 2/6 each (7/- three); Conihasou 3/6. Miss Barber, Wickford. Cocks: Pure White Java Sparrow 6/- ; Zebra - finch 1/6 ; Ribbon - finch 1/6 ; Canaries 8/6. Hens: Ribbon-finches 2/6 ; Canaries 3/6, 2/6. Outdoor aviary. Also various cages and fittings Miss E. Brampton, Brentwood. Pair Red-crested Cardinals, acclimatised, 14/. Mrs. Hartley, St. Helen’s Lodge, Hastings. WANTS. (These at e charged for at the same rate as Birds for Sale 1. Hen Bengalese; cock Long-tailed Grassfincli. Miss Barber, Wickford. Cock Chingolo Song-Sparrow. D. SeTh-Smith, 14, Canning Road, Croydon. III. Noticks to Members —(Continued from page it. of cover j. NEW MEMBERS. Lieut, the Hon. Richard O. B. Bridgeman, R.N., M.B.O.U. ; Weston Park, Shinfal, Salop, and H.M.S. ‘Clio,’ Australian Station. Mr. H. Wormai.d ; Morden Park, Mitcham, Surrey. Mr. R. Tauwee ; 4, Petit Sablon, Brussells. Miss Annie Bijckton ; 27, Ladbroke Square, London, W. Mr. John Henry Gurney, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Keswick Hall, Norwich, and Athemeum Club, Pall Mall, S.W. Mr. Eardeey-Wiemot BeomFieed Hoe'T ; Asliurstwood House, East Griustead, Miss LiEEY Antrobus ; 69, Cadogau Square, S.W. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Mr. George Hubbard, F.S.A., F.R.I.B.A. ; 85, Gresham Street, London, E.C. Proposed, by the Hon. Editor. Mr. H. C. HEWITT ; Saliam Mere, Walton, Norfolk. Proposed by Mr. J. L. BonhoTE. Mr. Cattee ; Thurston, Bury St. Edmunds. Proposed by Mrs. Johnstone. Mr. J. H. Hargreaves ; Drinkstone Park, Bury St. Edmunds. Proposed by Mr. DUNCAN PARKER. MEMBERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. 7 he charge for private advertisements is one penny for every four words. Names and addresses of advertisers must be paid for. Each statement of price, such as 3/6, is counted as one word. Every advertisement must be prepaid, and MUST reach the EDITOR not later than the 19 th of each month. The Council reset ve the right of refusing any advertisement they may consider undesirable. Two cock Blossom-heads, in adult plumage, 10/- each ; hen Redrump 10/- ; young Yellowrumps, not yet in adult plumage, 30/- : or would ex¬ change to equal value for the following: — hen Parrot-finch, hen King Parrot, hen Barraband. Fasey, The Oaks, Snaresbrook. (< Continued on opposite page). JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. SUCCESS IN BIRD KEEPING & BREEDING CAN ONI,Y BE .SECURED BY USING *gf ABRAM AMS’ WORE!)- FAME I) Specialities in BIRD FOOD. LARGE STOCK OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS. HARTZ MOUNTAIN ROLLERS, Norwich, Yorkshire and Lizard Canaries. Cock Birds in full Song now in Stock ABRAHAMS’ TONIC for Diarrhoea and Strengthening Birds. EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Cage and Aviary Appliance, Seed, etc., in stock. For complete Pi ice List apply to — - J. ABRAHAMS, ZZ'X, 191 & 192, ST. GEORGE STREET EAST, LON DON, £, No connection with any other firm under the same name. ABRAHAMS’ is the oldest and most reliable Establishment in England. NEW SERIES. MONTHLY. FEBRUARY, 1905. Voi. 111. No 4. price is 6^' THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. — CONTENTS. Peters’ Spotted P'irefinch ( with coloured plate) ... ... The Smew, by J. Lewis Bonhote, M.A. Some Notes on the Psychology of Birds, by C. William Beebe . The Nesting of the Solitary Ground-Dove, by Miss R. Aldbrson Rambles with a Camera among our South-Country Birds, {•with plate), by W. K. Renaui The Silky Cow-bird, by W. T. Page, F.Z.S, The Crystal Palace Bird Show The International Ornithological Congress The Society’s Medal : The Birds of Calcutta” Correspondence, Notes, etc. — Variations in Gold and Silver Pheasants, 143. The Food of Parrots, 144. Post-mortem Examinations ... , M.B.O.U. PAGE 119 120 124 130 134 137 14 1 142 142 M3 145 a fP LONDON 1 R. H. PORTER, 7, PRINCES St., CAVENDISH SQUARE, W. NOTE.— A new volume commences every November. II. ^ AH Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the AviCUETURAr, Society are requested to communicate witli either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. NOTICES TO MEMBERS. The Subscription to the Avicultural Society is 10/- per annum, due on the ist of November in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/6. The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. All MSS. for publication in the Magazine , Books for Review , and Private Advertisements should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. D. SE'i'H- Smith, Glengarry, Canning Road, Addiscombe, Surrey. All Queries respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A. G. Buti.ER, 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. All other correspondence, and Subscriptions, should be sent to the Hon¬ orary Business Secretary, Mr. T. H. Newman, 20, Montpelier Square, Eondon, S.W. Any change of address should be at once notified to him. Advice is given, by post, by members of the Council to members of the Societj', upon all subjects connected with Foreign and British birds. All queries are to be addressed to the Hon. Correspondence Secretary and should contain a penny stamp. 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The latest achievement in Ornithology Extracts from a letter from Mr. J. PARKINSON, NATURALIST, BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND, October 30//1, igoi. “Your Traveller was rig'iit in saying that the three nests ot Parrots which I have reared were brought up on your Aesthetic Seeds, which were boiled for about half an hour, and the birds when old enough they' fed upon your famous Parrot Food. Your Traveller lias handled the eggs and seen the young ones progressing into maturity. 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Hundreds of arrivals weekly. May he viewed daily from n to 4 p.111. Admission 6d. INSECTIVOROUS BIRD FOOD. Carl Capelle’s, Hanover). Absolutely the finest food for soft-billed birds. Sole English Agent: “CROSS, LIVERPOOL.” Birds & Animals Stuffed & Preserved. National Telephones: 6491 CENTRAL and 728 ROYAL. Telegrams and Cablegrams! “CROSS,” LIVERPOOL. “CROSS” (Known throughout the Civilized and Uncivilised World). KING OF WILD BEAST MERCHANTS, GREATEST ZOOLOGICAL EMPORIUM ON EARTH. LIVERPOOL Avi cultural Madazine . LAGONOSTICTA NLVEIGUT TATA THE 1 19 Bxucultural /ilbagastne, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. New Series. — VOL. III-. — NO. 4 .—All rights reserved. FE B R U A R Y, 1905 . PETERS' SPOTTED FIREFINCH. Lagonosticta niveiguttata. A living specimen of this very beautiful finch was exhibited by Mr. L,. W. Hawkins at a bird show at the Crystal Palace in February 1903, as reported in the Aviculturcil Magazine (N.S. Vol. I. p. 179) ; and the same example appeared at the Palace in November and December of the same year ; this is, so far as I am aware, the only living specimen of this species that has ever been imported. The living bird reminds one strongly of the genus Pytelia, and it is probably quite as closely related to the members of this genus as to the typical African Firefinches. Dr. Hopkinson, who has studied the Firefinches closely, and knows several of them well in a wild state, has pointed out in Bird Notes , that the genus Lago?iosticta can well be divided into three groups, the first “to include L. jiiveiguttata (and any close allies it may have), which from its general appearance and habits is more nearly related to the Aurora Finches {Pytelia) than its neighbours in the [British Museum] Catalogue.” The second group to consist of “ typical Firefinches, L. senegala , rubricata, rufopicta t and allied species from various parts of Africa, which are all alike in their food, habits, and requirements in captivity.” And the third group, “ the Davender Punches, Vinaceous Firefinches, etc., whose manners in captivity and whose habits in freedom place them in a group by themselves, a group markedly distinct from that which includes the typical Firefinches.” As the very beautiful L. niveiguttata has been imported 120 Mr. J. L. BonhoTE, alive once at least, it is sincerely to be hoped that other speci¬ mens may arrive in this country, and there seems to be no reason why they should not. According to the late Dr. Stark, the distribution of Peters’ Spotted Firefinch is as follows: “ From Inhambane in Gazaland. where according to Mr. H. F. Francis, it is not uncommon, to the Zambesi (Kirk) ; Nyasaland (White) ; Malindi, the Usambara hills and Zanzibar to East Africa (Kirk) ; extending to the Great Lakes of Central Africa.” It is said to frequent thick undergrowth, and to be in the habit of searching amongst the leaves on the ground, apparently for the seeds upon which it chiefly subsists. A coloured figure of this species appeared in the Proceed¬ ings of the Zoological Society for 1S81, accompanying a paper by Captain Shelley on some rare birds from East Africa ; but, as comparatively few of our members have access to this figure, the plate issued in the present number of our Magazine, and which represents the two sexes, will, it is hoped, be appreciated, es¬ pecially as the figure of the male was drawn from the living specimen above referred to. D. Seth-Smith. THE SMEW, Mergus albellus. By J. Lewis Bonhote, M.A. To the aviculturist the pleasure of having a new bird, or one with which both he and his fellow-men are more or less unfamiliar, is always an unmitigated delight. For some years past I had wished to possess some of the Divers, or Saw-billed Ducks, or failing them, some of the Grebes. My first chance came about two years ago when I had an opportunity of purchasing an exceedingly fine cock Smew. But alas for human hopes ! In order to reach me he had to undergo a long journey, made additionally tedious by delay on the railway, and he arrived only to die within a few hours. My next venture was with a Great-crested Grebe, a fine looking bird in good condition, and I was assured that it was o?i the Smew. 121 well on its food. I purchased it, but two days later, having refused all tit-bits, it died. Again my chance came, and I was more than ever determined to have and keep one of these birds ; this time it was a splendid cock Merganser. I looked at him and felt him and he seemed well and in good condition. Again I was assured that he fed well, and by his appearance and actions I quite thought that he had every chance of living. He reached my aviaries safely. I sent special and voluminous instructions as to his care, being away at the time ; but alas ! in two or three days he was dead. Possibly I ought now to have given up the attempt, but ‘hope springs eternal in the human breast,’ and feeling sure that there ought to be a means of keeping these birds, whose diet is comparatively simple and easily provided, in health, I determined on seeing another fine cock Smew to try my luck once more. The bird arrived safely last April, but refused food, and I felt at once that another repetition of my previous ill attempts was about to take place. I tried him with fish cut up in small pieces and forced them down his throat but with little effect, for he threw them up again. At last I tried whitebait, and gave him one which he took and swallowed, and another and another. The following day the same process was repeated, and to draw a long story short I was able to gradually wean him from whitebait to fish cut up small, and even to taking meal ; this last, however, was not put in the aviary for him but for some Gulls ; nevertheless he would occasionally eat some. He was kept in one of my Duck pens, a place about 12ft. square with a pond 8ft. square and a foot deep in the centre. At first he was very shy, remaining bunched up in the cover all day ; but eventually he became quite tame, coining up to be fed, and taking the fish from our hands. His nature was very sluggish, and he spent much of his time on land, entering the water chiefly for the purpose of bathing. Although having full use of his wings I never saw him fly or even attempt to rise from the ground, where however he could walk fairly well, and better than the true Diving Ducks. The only note I heard him utter was a kind of guttural squeak. 122 Mr. J. L. Bonhote, The adult plumage of the cock Smew is entirely white, except for the mantle and quills which are jet black. The rump, upper tail coverts, and tail are bluish grey, and the flanks are delicately vermiculated with the same colour. Stretching half way across the breast is a narrow black bar, and a shorter but broader one starts a little farther back. The head, like the rest of the body, is pure white, with the exception of a black patch on either side extending from the base of the bill to the eye, and another high up on the occiput divided from its fellow, with which it really joins by the overlapping of the longer feathers of the crown which form a small crest. Towards the end of August my bird began to show signs of assuming the eclipse plumage, and since, so far as I am aware, this plumage has not hitherto been described, I watched it with great interest. In the eclipse plumage the crown of the head becomes of dark chocolate colour as in the hen, while the sides of the head become of a brighter and redder brown, shading off into chocolate again behind the head. The black spot in front of the eye still remains, although considerably shrunk in size, as do also the two patches on the occiput. Owing, I presume, to mine not having completed his change, an irregular line of white is left from behind the eye to the occipital patch, and thence across the head to join its fellow on the opposite side. The flanks, instead of being vermiculated, are pure bluish grey, the colour reaching as far as the anterior bar, and obliterating the posterior one. A belt of the same colour extends across the chest. On the back the mantle remains black , but the white scapulars are replaced by new bluish grey feathers, f The Smew has often been kept, but only for very short periods, in the Zoological Gardens, and the only record relating * T. have since found two descriptions, neither of which are correct ; the first in Yarrell's British Birds, II. ed. ; the second in the Brit. Mus. Cat. of Birds. t This is a careful description of my bird when it died. From a comparison of it with several other skins there is little doubt that in the full eclipse plumage the head loses all the white and also the two occipital patches, but traces of the dark spots at the base of the bill are always to be found, both bars on the chest are entirely lost, but the mantle apparently always remains black and forms the most easily distinguishable character by which the adult cock in this plumage may be distinguished from the lien, and also from cocks in their first year ; these latter being often known as “ Red-headed Smews.” on the Smew. 123 to it in captivity that I have been able to find is in Yarrell’s British Birds, where it is stated that one lived for over two years on the St. James’s Park water. This would be about 1840. It apparently assumed its eclipse plumage yearly about the 15th June, and used to consort almost exclusively with a female Golden-Eye. Crosses, I believe wild-bred, between these two species have been recorded on several occasions, and have formed the basis of at least three new species. * The specimen on the St. James’s Park water just referred to was the property of what probably constituted the first “ Avicultural Society.” This Society was known by the name of the “Ornitho¬ logical Society of London,” and its objects were limited to the keeping of rare or foreign birds (and more especially water birds) in confinement. It was started in the year 1837, or thereabouts, and had very shortly enrolled some 200 members, amongst whom were the late Mr. Yarrell and the late Lord Lilford. It received the sole privilege of using the waters of the Royal parks for keeping waterfowl, and proceeded to plant them with aquatic plants and shrubs to encourage the birds to settle and breed. Beyond these bare facts, and that its first Secretary was Mr. Harry Chester and the offices in Pall Mall, I have been able to ascertain little or nothing about it. It apparently published no notes of any kind either in a journal of its own or in the other scientific periodicals of the time, and I should be extremely grateful if any reader could oblige me with any further information. In its wild state the Smew inhabits the northern regions of the Old World, migrating South to the Mediterranean, Asia Minor, and India during the winter, at which season it may sometimes be found in great numbers round our coasts and even at some distance inland, but it is essentially a sea Duck frequenting sheltered bays and estuaries. No account of this bird however brief would be complete without mention being made of the finding of its eggs which for so long had baffled collectors, by the indefatigable exertions of Newton. P.Z.S., i860, p. 336. 124 Mr. C. William Bekbe, the late John Wolley. I cannot here enter into the story of his attempts, of the doubt with which he received and examined the first clutch, or finally of the successful termination of his search. The story is however quoted in full, I think, from the Ibis, in Yarrell’s British Birds, and is well worth reading, breathing as it does the spirit of that ardent and indefatigable collector. The eggs, when found, proved to be very much like those of the Golden-Eye, and are laid in holes in trees or in boxes placed by the Lapps for that purpose. After about six months I lost my bird from causes which might easily have been avoided : two pairs of small Gulls which had been put into his aviary depriving him of much of his fish. Returning at the beginning of October, after an absence of several weeks, I soon saw that something was amiss, although I had still hopes of saving his life. The moult, however, was far advanced, and he had not sufficient strength to pull round. Still let it not be said that he has lived and died in vain, for he has added to our knowledge of his kind, and given me great reason to hope that it may be possible to keep some of these most interesting of birds well and happy although confined. SOME NOTES ON THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BIRDS. By C. William Beebe, Curator of Birds at the New York Zoological Park. [Reprinted from the Seventh Annual Report of the New York Zoological' Society, t>3' the kind permission of the Author]. Even a superficial study of the psychology of birds com¬ pels us to attribute to them a highly developed intellectual and emotional life. A few examples maj^ make this more patent, and I will mention only those which entail rather complex psychic processes. Birds have remarkable memories. It is said a pigeon will remember a person after many months, and a Bullfinch has been known to recognize a voice after a }^ear’s time. Birds often dream, and frequently sing or chatter in their sleep. There are few species of birds which do not show the emotions of love on the Psychology of Birds . 125 and sympathy, and, what is a very rare trait among animals, that sincerity of affection which causes many birds to mate for life. Even in those species which pair for only a j^ear, one of the two will sometimes pine and die with grief at the loss of its mate. Indeed, sympathy is the key-note in the growth of the higher intellectual and social qualities which find their culmina¬ tion in man, and Professor Shaler is right when he attributes to birds a higher development of this emotion than to any other creatures below man. Reptiles can be trained to know their keeper, and an alligator will defend her buried eggs ; dogs are unusually affectionate animals, and the higher monkeys have many sympathetic habits and emotions, but birds lead them all. This is not remarkable when we consider the wonderfully im¬ portant place which the family holds in this class of vertebrates. The building of the nest, the comparatively long incubation of the eggs, and the patient feeding and complex education of the young birds all are duties in which both parents often share. It is this continued association, this “ bridging over of generations,” which has made sympathy so prominent a factor in the minds of birds. In what other class of animals are vocal signals of fear, distress, or terror so widely understood, or so willingly met with efforts of assistance ? To me it seems puerile to try to believe that a bird’s affection for her young, so great that she will often give her life in their defence, can be correlated with an i?istinct, using that word in the common acceptance of the term. It is no more an instinct in the sense of an uncontrollable emotion than is the analogous action of an heroic human being. Altruism, pure and simple, has governed the action of more than one bird under my observation during the past }?ear, and that, too, in some instances, between birds of different species. Three instances come to mind : a female Red-winged Blackbird which carried a mouthful of worms to a nestful of young Red-wings near by, before pass¬ ing on to brood her own eggs, as yet unhatched ; a Boon which voluntarily risked his life to free a Pied-billed Grebe from a nearly fatal ice-trap ; and a great Crowned Pigeon which assumed the care of and sheltered a nestling Ring-Dove deserted by its parents. 126 Mr. C. William Beebe, Another aspect of the mental processes of birds shows us examples of revenge being taken after long and patient waiting for a favourable opportunity, while on the other hand Crows have been known again and again to sit in judgment upon one of their number, and to sentence and punish it with death. The language of birds is most complex, and all, from the marvellous song of the Nightingale and the imitative powers of the Mocking-bird, to the many moods and feelings reflected in the apparently meaningless chirps of our city Sparrows, tell of mental powers striving for expression. In man the various emotions depend upon language and the range of expression of the face for their outward demon¬ stration, and it is interesting to compare with this the state of affairs among birds. These creatures, handicapped by a vocal language very inferior to our own, and faces, for the most part sheathed, like those of insects, in expressionless masks of horn, yet are able by movements of their feathers, limbs, and other portions of the body, to express a wide range of emotions, and to clearly communicate even delicate shades of meaning. Interrupting, for a moment, the mention of these finer qualities which show the high mental position of birds, it is desirable to emphasize a factor common to all animals, but which in birds is very important, and developed to a remarkable degree — that of extreme individiiality . It is this plasticity or wide variation on the already high level of knowledge or “ platform of determination,” as Baldwin happily terms it, that gives to birds the numerous chances for new accidental opfiorhinities, as we may call them — stepping-stones on the road of deduction, to some new and higher expression of psychic power. Every-day acci¬ dents in the search for food may be instantly seized upon by the quick perception of birds and turned to good account. Birds had early learned to take clams or mussels in their beaks or claws at low tide, and carry them out of the reach of the water, so that at the death of the mollusk the relaxation of the abductor muscle would permit the shell to spring open and afford easy access to the inmate. Probably it needed only the accidental dropping of a few shells on the hard rocks, and a taste of the appetizing morsels within, to fix the habit which, by on the Psychology of Birds. 127 imitation, has spread so widely among birds at the present day. To how trivial an accident might the beginnings, the psychic anlage, of many modern cosmopolitan traits of birds be traced if we could but read the past clearly ! Play and courtship — while they go hand-in-hand, so to speak — afford opportunity for the vast resources of variation to be abundantly expressed. Gross, in his admirable “ Spiele der Thieve ,” has given five separate classes under the head of court¬ ship : 1. Eove-plays among young animals. 2. Courtship by arts of movement. 3. Courtship by display of unusual or beautiful colours and forms. 4. Courtship by means of noises and tones. 5. Coquetry in the female. In the Zoological Park each spring, and indeed during almost every month of the year, many examples of these court¬ ships and plays can be observed. The dances of Cranes and Eagles, the magnificent showing off of Pheasants and Ducks, the screams of Parrots and all the songs vibrant with sentiment, in which birds strive to outdo each other in the eyes of the female, show how greatly the spirit of emulation and recognition of their respective accomplishments inspire the suitors. We should also realize how pronounced must be the discriminative power and aesthetic appreciation of the females. The display of the Peacock combines the classes of movement, colour, and noise ; for the beauty of its argus-eyed feathers is made more effective by their being raised in a halo above the bird, the shivering of its wing-quills forming a castanet accompaniment. A genuine delight is taken in these various displays. So far from being intuitive or mechanical exercises they are con¬ scientiously practiced for weeks beforehand, and are kept up long after the period of courtship and nesting is over. For instance, in the Zoological Park, when a Peacock in early spring timidly erects his plumes before an appreciative Crow it is for practice in anticipation of its later use in competition with his rivals. After the period of courtship, when he struts back and forth before a line of admiring people, the exercise is from pure 128 Mr. C. William Beebe, delight and appreciation of his own beauties. The Germans, in their finely discriminating language, express the delicate shade of meaning in these acts by voriibung and ausiibung . Even in birds which pair for life, I have noticed a coquetry and pretended courtship, spring after spring. One more interesting fact about courtship among birds — another indication, perhaps, of their individuality — is that it is not always the most highly decorated suitor, nor the one victorious in combat, who wins the female for whom he is putting forth his utmost efforts. I have seen a peahen show a very decided preference for, and ultimately pair off with, a young bird who had but small display, and was almost spurless. An amusing instance also noticed in the Park was that of some Mallard Ducks. Three drakes vied with each other for the favour of a little brown duck. One of the drakes seemed to put but faint hope in his splutterings and bowings, and little wonder, for his tail feathers and the showy curl, one of the decorations of his sex, had been shot away, and shot- scars had spoiled the symmetry of other parts of his plumage. The other two were large and beautiful birds, bred in the Park. The iridescent emerald of their heads and necks, and their immaculate shining collars, made them incomparably more conspicuous than the smaller wild bird. Nevertheless, all their efforts were in vain, while the occasional pitiful attempts of the handicapped suitor to spread an imaginary tail and declare his everlasting devotion prevailed. He was accepted, and the pair were inseparable until the nest was finished and the duck began sitting on her eleven eggs. Turning from the birds in the collection to our wild native birds which make the Park their home, or pay it frequent visits, we find much of interest in their changed habits and dispositions. The sight of so many birds flying unharmed in the flying cages or walking about their ranges or swimming on the various ponds undisturbed, although in close proximity to man, is fraught with significance to the quick perceptions of wild birds, large and small. Their keen perceptions and superior powers of intelligence tell them that such unwonted altruistic conditions must offer advantages. on the Psychology of Birds. 129 The almost immediate recognition of their security in the Park is remarkable, and birds which seldom show themselves within sight of civilization have come again and again, and exhibited a tameness which deceives many people into thinking they must be escaped birds. The honoured visitation of Canada Geese will long testify to the truth of this. Wild Sea-Gulls quite often drop from their loose flocks passing overhead, and consort for a few days with their wing-clipped kindred. When they leave, the young gulls which have been hatched in the Park usually accompany them, but return in a few hours to their home and flock. Ducks, Herons, and Hawks show as quick a realization of their immunity from danger in the Park. Green Herons creep like feathered phantoms among the branches of the trees overhanging the water, while Great Blue and Black-crowned Night Herons, forgetting all shyness, clamber over the arches of the big flying cage in broad daylight, and in sight of hundreds of people, peering down at their brethren inside and uttering envious quawks as they see the bountiful repast of fish and shrimps prepared for those fortunate ones. The treatment of the tame Crows raised from the nest by their wild relations offers an interesting psychological study. Casual notes of mine show that the condition of affairs is about as follows : The tame individuals are a source of great concern to their feral friends. That no gun will be turned against them these wild birds well know, but such utter contempt as familiarity with man has bred in the tame Crows — closely superintending every important change of cages or birds, often alighting on the very head or shoulders of the attendants — this the wild Crows, viewing from a distance, seem to think is evidence of a dis¬ ordered mind, and they forthwith use every wile, every stratagem in their power, to entice the tame birds back to their ranks. Often in summer when I arrive early in the Park I surprise a company of them “ having it out” — the tame bird surrounded by a ring of his fellows, all talking at once, and giving him no chance for argument. But they have their trouble for their pains, for liis is a life of unnumbered daily meals, not to mention the opportunities for stealing and hoarding sundry keys, knives, and other bright plunder — the occupation dearest to a corvine heart. 130 Miss R. Alderson, THE NESTING OF THE SOLITARY GROUND DOVE. Leptoptila chloroauchenia. By Miss R. Alderson. The story of the nesting of these rare doves, which have bred with me for the first time this last summer, is much inter¬ woven with the history of my Rufous Doves ( L . reichenbachi) about which I wrote in the Magazine for July 1904. As some members majr not have seen this account, I fear I must retrace my steps a little, to make these notes clear. Briefly then, I purchased a supposed pair of Rufous Doves in September 1902, but the birds, though cock and hen, were otherwise quite different, though both belonging to the genus Leptoptila. The hen was a Rufous Dove, the cock a Solitary Ground Dove. At the time I wrote I did not know what the latter bird was, so for want of a better name, I called it the “ Green Dove” in my notes on the Rufous Doves. Through the kindness of Mr. Newman and Mr. Finn, who have been at great trouble to identify the doves (by comparing my two living birds with the skins in the British Museum) the unknown dove has been found to be the Solitary Ground Dove of South America. The following are quotations from Dr. Sclater’s notes on this dove:— “It appears to be nowhere very abundant, and addicted to rather a solitary (presumably in pairs) sort of life, though sometimes three or four birds may be seen together. It spends a great deal of time on the ground, where it walks about under the trees rather briskly, searching for seeds and berries. The song is a single uninflected and rather melodious note, which the bird repeats at short intervals, especially in the even¬ ing during the warm season. Where the birds are abundant, the wood, just before sunset, becomes vocal with their curious far- sounding note, and as this evening song is heard as long as the genial weather lasts, it is probably not related to the sexual instinct. The nest is a simple platform; the eggs, two in number and white, but more spherical in shape than those of most other pigeons.” I have only heard of one importation of this dove since I on the Nesting of the Solitary Grou?id Dove. 13 1 got my own birds. In this one case seven birds arrived in England, but I do not know who eventually owned them. Now, before going any further, I had better describe to 3rou what the Solitary Dove is like ; though I fear that to anyone who does not love doves as I do, the bird would be considered at first sight rather dull and plain-looking. It must be remembered, however, that in most doves the colouring is as quiet-looking as it is beautiful, and it is only after long observation of these birds that the delicacy and harmony of their plumage can be really appreciated and enjoyed. The cock Solitary Dove, then, is of upstanding shape and rounded build — about the size of a Bleeding-heart Pigeon. The general colour is greyish ; the wings, tail, and back olive-brown ; the long wing quill-feathers being of a darker shade. The outer tail-feathers are tipped with white, but the white is not notice¬ able unless looked at from below, or unless the tail is spread. The breast, throat, cheeks and forehead are a lovely soft purple tint, the sheen on the neck and back of the head are exquisite green, like the green pearl in a shell. The under-parts are white, the eyes bright orange, the bill horn-coloured and the feet pink. Underneath the wings is a beautiful copper lining, but this feature is common to many other doves. The hen Solitary Dove is very like the cock, but rather smaller, slighter, and lighter in colour. The green on the neck is not so prominent, and the purple tint on the breast not so distinct. I bought my hen for a few shillings as an odd unknown bird. Her wings were very badly cut when she first came to me, and for a long time she could not fly. The pair of Solitary Doves and the odd Rufous Dove were all three put together in the same aviary, but though two separate nests were started at the same time, and eggs were laid, no young ones were reared. However, I felt I had learnt this much : my birds were evidently a cock and two liens. Eater I procured a cock Rufous Dove (the old bird proving a hen) and this pair, and a pair each of Bronzewings and Aurita Doves, were all placed in the same aviary with the Solitary Doves. All four pairs agreed on the whole very well, and all at one time were nesting together. 132 Miss R. Alderson, The Solitary Doves nested in April, and sat very well. Two fine young ones were hatched, but both died when only a few days old. Just at this time the Rufous Doves had two strong young ones just out of the nest, and the Solitary cock, who seemed as if he must have something to love and care for, used to help to feed these young birds and preen their feathers. Soon after this the Solitaiy Doves started nesting again, this time in the Rufous Doves’ old nest (the latter having chosen another site), and I used to watch the cock Solitary Dove sitting with a baby Rufous Dove on each side of him, as pleased as possible to have them by him. For some time the little Rufous Doves kept returning to their old nursery, evidently encouraged by their old friend’s kind reception of them. This second nest was started about May 20th. Two eggs were laid, both fertile, but when the birds had sat for about thirteen days one egg un¬ fortunately got broken. The other hatched into a fine young bird, and as might have been expected, received the greatest care and attention from its parents. I left home for a short time when the young bird was a few days old, and on my return, after about ten days’ absence, found the young dove had left the nest. It did not seem much to care to return to it, as the young Rufous Doves had done, but found its way about the aviary in a most pre¬ cocious manner, apparently quite able to look after its own safety, and quickly got to fly quite well. This dove was one of the strongest and most active young ones I have ever bred, and, after a few weeks, was almost as large as either of its parents. The general colouring of the young one on leaving the nest was very like that of the old birds, but it lacked the purple tint on the breast, the sheen on the neck, and the orange eyes. In the young bird the head was greyish with light dun forehead, and the back of the neck dark grey. The breast was dun gre}^ shading into pure white on the under parts ; the back dark dun ; the wings dark brown, with two bands of copper across each (in a later nestling these bands were lacking, but the wings were spotted with copper instead, perhaps this bird being much weaker lacked enough feather to make a perfect line). I on the Nesting of the Solitary Ground Dove. 133 have noticed these same lighter markings on the wings of young White-fronted Doves (Z, . j 'amaicensis) but in both instances the light marks quite disappeared when the birds were a few weeks old. The tail of the young Solitary Dove was olive-dun, with the three outer feathers on each side tipped with white, and the next two pairs with lighter tips. The young bird was never sick or sorry, and is now a very fine specimen, and has long ago assumed the adult colouring ; I think by its shape it is a cock. In July the Solitary Doves nested again, but failed to rear any young : later still yet another nest was made and one young hatched, but when still in the nest it began to fail, and one day was found dead. This young bird was a very poor specimen, though healthy enough when first hatched, but the days and nights had begun to be very cold, and the little bird did not thrive properly. I have no doubt that had it been in summer the result would have been very different. Date hatched birds never do well, and the parents seldom look after them so thoroughly as in the case of the earlier broods. It is as well to make a rule to allow no late nesting to start after the middle of September. After that date the eggs should be destroyed, and the nests cut down, and if that will not stop the birds laying, the pairs should be separated. Remember that nests started the end of September mean that the young ones will leave the nest just as November comes in, and what chance will they have then to grow properly ? It may to some seem cruel to destroy the eggs, but it is worse to watch a young bird dwindling away day by day until it dies. Further, I have often noticed that directly a young bird begins to fail the parents take against it. It seems a law amongst birds that all that is weak should not be allowed to live and is better out of the way. I find most neglected young doves die from the same complaint. The symptoms are lameness in one or both legs, the bird becomes very relaxed, and gets thinner and thinner, until at last it dies from weakness. Young Californian Quails are sometimes affected in the same way, but in their case there is a peculiar look about the eyes, that of itself is a warning that the bird is going wrong. 134 Mr. W. E. Renaut, I have found the Solitary Doves very hardy and easy to keep, and very amiable towards others of their tribe, a great point where one cannot give a separate aviary to each pair of birds. RAMBLES WITH A CAMERA AMONG OUR SOUTH- COUNTRY BIRDS. By W. E. Renaut, M.B.O.U. It has been my wish for some time to reproduce in the pages of our Magazine a record of my work in depicting, in situ, the nests and eggs of some of our commoner British birds ; but the Editor tells me that my pictures must be accompanied by some descriptive matter. To narrate the tale of my wanderings in search of subjects for the camera among the haunts of some of our Southern birds in readable form is, to me, a work far more difficult than the making of the pictures themselves. Gladly would I yield my task to abler hands ; but as I am not to be excused, I must beg my fellow members’ indulgence. To those who, like myself, revel in the study of bird-life — be it over hill, through dale, by winding river or marshy pool, forest and copse, over wild moorland waste, or by the side of the silver sea— it is hard to find a more enjoyable way of spending a day than in close observation of the interesting habits and engaging ways of our feathered friends. I am never so happy as when I set out at sunrise in all the glory of a Spring morning, armed with a good field-glass, and a camera ; prepared for an all-day tramp, with just enough sustenance for the inner man to keep one going until sunset, and, above all, water-tight boots and old clothes ; for dews lay heavy, and bramble and tangled thicket have to be reckoned with. One of the first birds to greet the day is the Song Thrush ( Turdus musicus), pouring out his joyous notes front some coin of vantage, seeming to challenge the whole avian concert — a challenge readily answered by all within hearing. A nest of this species which I photographed last year (but which unfortunately turned out badly) was in a most unusual site, being placed on Avicultural Magazine. Fig. 1. — BLACKCAP. Fig. 2.— NIGHTJAR. on Rambles with a Camera among our South- Country Birds. 135 the ground in a field of growing clover, at some thirty or forty yards from the nearest hedge. This nest would undoubtedly have remained undiscovered but for the fact that some cattle had broken into the field, and in driving them out I flushed the bird. The Mistle-Thrush f Turdus viscivorusj, another but less common member of this musically-gifted family, is also, like the foregoing species, an early breeder, the nest often being built, the eggs laid, and sometimes the young hatched before the trees and hedgerows have burst into leaf. I have frequently noted the partiality these species have for the tangled thorns of some old dell — some disused gravel or chalk pit of days gone by — in which to build their nests. One in such a position, which I photographed last Spring, contained five, instead of the usual four, eggs. On showing the photograph to a well-known writer on British birds, he questioned its genuineness, suggesting that the fifth egg had been placed there by some mischievous boys. Unfortunately, from what I know of the average country boy, he is far more likely to take and destroy the eggs from a nest than add others to them. Still, though my friend stands by his assertion that the Mistle-Thrush, to use his own words, “ Bays four eggs, never more, and rarely less,” I found yet another clutch of five within a hundred yards of the first-mentioned nest, both nests being on private ground. Moreover, I have the assurance of several friends that they have had similar experience. * The Lapwing f Vanellus vulgaris J, the commonest member of the Plover tribe occurring in these islands, with his smart dress, has always been a favourite of mine. His plaintive cry is to be heard day and night when his breeding grounds are invaded. Equally characteristic are his wonderful aerial evolutions, and the plainly audible whirr of his broad black wings as he swoops past one again and again, while his mate meantime has slipped quietly away from her treasures, to join him directly in demonstrative but infinitely picturesque behaviour with the object of luring the intruder from their nest. My efforts to rear this bird have not, so far, been very successful. In the Spring of See illustration on page 43 of Pictures of Bird Life. Lodge. 136 On Rambles with a Camera among our South- Country Birds. last year I put four Lapwing eggs under a small Bantam. All of them were successfully hatched. The young birds were placed in a coop, with a large wire run, in a field where some hundreds of young Pheasants were being reared, receiving the same food with the addition of a liberal supply of earth- and meal-worms ; but they all four gradually weakened, and died within a few days. This species also provided me with another example of an abnormal clutch — five eggs in one nest. It is well known that members of the order Limicolce, with but few exceptions, lay four eggs. The nest in question was unusually long, and the five eggs it contained were of a very uniform type. Of course, there is always the chance that where birds breed in colonies, or where nesting sites are exceptionally inviting, one may find birds of both the same and distinct species laying together. A nest — if one may so describe a slight depression in shingle — in a colony of Lesser Terns ( Sterna mimitd), which I visited, contained five eggs of two such totally distinct types that the merest tyro could have separated them into their respective clutches. I know, too, of a case where a Common Snipe ( Gallinago ccelestis ) and a Redshank {Tot anus calidris) selected the same nesting site, and actually deposited each their full complement of eggs. I very much doubt if either of these birds could have successfully covered the eight eggs, notwith¬ standing their known skill in arranging them. Again, in places where old and hollow timber abounds, one may constantly find the Jackdaw ( Corvus moned7da) and Stock-Dove ( Columba cenas~)r and Jackdaw and Starling (Sturmis vulgaris) selecting the same quarters ; and I have even found a family of Bats sleeping the day away just above a brooding Daw. The illustration (Fig. 1) of the nest and five eggs of the Blackcap ( Sylvia atricapilla) is in a very typical situation, amongst the bramble undergrowth of a Pheasant covert, within a stone’s throw of the keeper’s cottage. When I first discovered this nest the male bird was sitting on four eggs, and, as they appeared quite fresh, I decided to wait a day or two before taking a photograph. O11 visiting the nest again two days later, I found the female bird sitting on five eggs. That the male bird should start sitting before all the eggs were laid is surely curious? On the Silky Coze- Bird. 137 The Chiffcliaff (. Phylloscopus rufus ) is another of our small Summer migrants who favours such a nesting place as that chosen by the last-named bird. He is one of our earliest visitors, and one of the commonest of the Warblers ; ye.t how few nests of this bird one conies across in proportion to the number of the species to be heard on all sides uttering their monotonous monosyllabic note throughout the day ! I fear, however, that these notes of mine are being strained to such a length that they will be even less acceptable to my fellow members. I will therefore end them with a few words respecting my illustration (Fig. 2) of the eggs of the Nightjar ( Caprimulgus europoeus). This photograph was obtained in a clearing in a small copse on some high ground in North Hants. This bird, with its protective colouring, soft owl-like flight, and curious jarring note, which is heard repeatedly at dusk, is a most elusive quest, as I have often proved, when, seeming to hear his notes quite near me, I have spent the best part of an evening in vainly trying to get a sight of their producer. THE SILKY COW-BIRD. Molothrus bonariensis. By W. T. Page, F.Z.S. This species is also known as the Silky Cow-Bunting, but it is closely related to the Meadow-Starlings, and has nothing in common with the Buntings ; it resembles the Cuckoos in their parasitical habits, but differs from our Cuckoo, in that it lays several eggs in the same nest, and after doing so sometimes smashes and devours the whole. Its Starling characteristics are readily noticed, even without very close observation, as they are so striking ; in a moderate sized aviary, their method of progression on the ground, flight, clinging to holes in walls, method of enter¬ ing a log nest, or closed nest box with only hole for entrance, is almost identical with that of our Starling, and while their song is not the same, their notes have much the same screechy character, and do not possess, as far as my observations go, one single characteristic that may be described as Bunting-like. 138 Mr. W. T. Page, These birds are indigenous to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Patagonia and Uruguay: where, as already indicated, they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, and in my aviary the hen has searched again and again, evidently for this purpose, every closed nest box or log in the aviary. According to Mr. Hudson the eggs vary much in colour: the greater number being pure white, others faintly speckled with greyish pink when closely examined; another fairly common variety being white, thickly and closely spotted (or spotted and blotched, for some spots or blotches are nearly J-incli and irregular in shape) with red, while a very rare variety is rich red entirely unspotted ; there are almost an unlimited number of other varieties varying between those described ; I have seen three specimens which are almost identical with those above described. The male is 7J inches from tip of beak to end of tail, and is glossy blue-black in colour, changing according to the way the light catches it, to bronze-green, and purplish-bronze on the head, neck, breast, back and shoulders ; the other parts being dead black, which is also the colour of the beak and feet ; iris brown. The female is several shades of umber-brown, lighter on the under parts, where it is almost greyish ; the greater part of the wings (z . e. excepting the shoulders) are rich rufous ; tail blackish ; beak and feet black ; iris brown. The pair I am describing I obtained from our member Mr. Housden, which were I believe privately imported by him September 1903, coming into my possession on December 29th. The weather was cold and frosty, followed, for nearly two months, by cold, wet, damp, or foggy weather, with only an occasional bright day. I had no indoor accommodation, so I had to turn them out at once into my outdoor aviary, which has no shed, its only shelter being the gable of the roof, yet the birds did well, though they only got seed for some months, and were in perfect trim right up to end of April, the female right through ailing nothing at all ; but in May the male was troubled with some throat affection ; this was followed by a swelling, causing a bare patch, from which there grew a substance (cheesy matter), £-inch diameter, and as large and round as an ordinary marble, standing out from the throat, on the Silky Cow -Bird. 139 only united by about a £-inch portion of tlie globular substance, this broke away, at least three times, reforming to full size in about seven days ; at end of July it disappeared altogether, and the bird is now in perfect fettle again and a handsome fellow. The only medicine I gave was a little salts occasionally in the drinking water, but I gave plenty of nourishing food : liberal supplies of egg, mealworms, and fruit, with dandelion leaves and flowers as green food. While ill he did not seem to suffer, but continued his song, though less vigorously while the trouble lasted. They were through the moult and in perfect condition by September 3rd.* Both male and female sing, the female if anything most continuously, and her song has more compass than that of the male. Dr. Butler says in “ Foreign Bird Keeping” : “ The Silky Cow-Bird is not a pleasant aviary^ pet, for although not aggressive, extremely easy to keep, and very long lived, it never becomes tame, but, after years of association with its owner, remains as wild and nervous, if he approaches the aviary, as when first turned out; even in a cage it can never be called a confiding bird.” For the first few months my experience exactly tallied with the above ; there was really no pleasure in their possession, handsome though they were, they dashed about so when anyone was near the aviary, that they could only be observed from a distance ; and I regretted their purchase, and contemplated giving them their liberty. But in June last, when our esteemed member Mr. F. W. Harper was leaving England for South America, he kindly gave me a male Indian Grey-winged Ouzel, which he had hand-reared, and which had been on deposit at the Zoo. for some months ; this was very tame, and would take fruit, insects, in fact anything eatable, from my fingers. Hitherto I had fed the Cow-Birds only on seed, but when I began to give mealworms to the Ouzel, I found them so keen on obtaining them that, when I appeared with the can containing them, they began to tolerate my presence, and soon they would come and take their share (though in a somewhat startled manner) while I * The male has had no recurrence of the tumour, and both are now (Jan. 14th, 1905) in the pink of condition, and quite tame.»W. T. P. 140 On the Silky Cow- Bird. stood looking on ; now they are gradually losing their fear and nervousness, are much more interesting, and I should be sorry to lose them : at the same time I am bound to confess they will not tolerate strangers, darting off at once to the darkest corner of the aviary, or dashing wildly about. The female is full of life and vivacity, her caudal append¬ age being a very fair example of perpetual motion on the ground ; it is mostly jerked up and down, but after a short flight, when she alights on the branches, it is mostly jerked from side to side, the feathers being spread slightly fanwise. In the male I have only noticed the tail jerked up and down ; his song when making love is loud and shrill, the notes being very rapidly repeated ; at the same time he swells himself out, causing the feathers round the neck to stand out almost straight, drops his wing to the ground, expands the tail feathers fanwise, drags these and the wings along the ground, and booms rather than sings several of his notes while doing so, then takes flight the length of the aviary away from the female, after which he circles round her, at times appearing to hover in front of her, uttering his notes incessantly the while, then to the ground and the whole process is repeated again and again. About two months before the male got over his trouble, the female commenced bullying him, to such an extent that I feared she would kill him, pulling out the feathers from the lores and stripping off those from the forehead, he screaming piteously the while ; my people named them Mr. and Mrs. Heupeck. After about a month of this bickering, they patched up their differ¬ ences, and began courting again. Shortly after I found she had built a nest (I saw her finishing it, the male supplying material and looking on) in a large log provided for my Cockateels, put¬ ting in for a foundation small tufts of grass with earth attached, arranging on the top of this a loose structure of small sticks and bents similar to that of our Starling ; no eggs were laid. In their native wilds they are gregarious, quite a number will frequently be seen perched on the back of a cow or horse ; as the animal grazes, they follow closely and snap up the insects exposed ; they also follow the plough in the spring for the same purpose. The Crystal Palace Bird Show. 141 In the aviary now they have become a little more con¬ fiding; I find them handsome and interesting, especially the male with his courting gestures and actions, and the female with her activity and vivacity. THE CRYSTAL PALACE BIRD SHOW. The Forty-sixth Annual Great National Show of Cage Birds was held from January the 13th to 17th, and the Managers are to be congratulated on a very interesting exhibition. Probably next year’s show will be better still, for we understand that in the future the “Great National ” is to be the only show held during the year at the Crystal Palace, whereas for some years past there have been no less than three shows held each winter, sometimes within a few weeks of one another, with the result that all have been poor. The class for hybrids between two British birds was an interesting one, the most notable exhibits being three Bramblefinch-Chaffinch hybrids ; while the bird catalogued as a Lark-Yellowhammer was nothing more curious than a Lapland Bunting, several specimens of which have been taken recently on our East Coast. A magnificent Waxwing, two Wrynecks, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher, Green and Greater-spotted Woodpeckers, a Tree-creeper and many other interesting birds were amongst the British exhibits, and many of them bore ample testimony to the skill of their owners in keeping the more difficult “softbills.” But the foreign species probably appeal most to the readers of this Magazine. In the class for Parrakeets Miss C. Rosa Little obtained the first prize with a Varied Lorikeet (Ptilosclera versicolor), Mr. I,. W. Hawkins came second with a Tui ( Brotogerys ini). Barnard’s, Bauer’s, Kings and Crimson-wings were also on view, as well as a hybrid Redrump- Rosella which was disqualified, a course which seemed rather hard con¬ sidering that there was no class provided for foreign hybrids and that these add considerable attraction to the exhibition. Mr. C. A. Edward’s now well known Black Cockatoo was conspicuous in her class. In the class for Waxbills, Grassfinches etc. Mr. H. E. Peir’s Yellow-rumped Finch ( Muniaflaviprymna ) received the first prize and the special for the rarest bird in the show. Mr. L. W. Hawkins showed a cock Red-faced Finch (Zonogastris me/ba), Mr. Percy Peir a pair of Bathilda rnficauda, Mr. Picard a very steady pair of Parrot Finches, and Mr. Osbaldeston a fine cock Crimson Finch [Neochmia phaeton). Two Japanese Hawfinches were shown in the class for the True Finches and Buntings, as well as both Cuba and Olive Finches and Cardinals of four species. 142 The International Ornithological Congress. The Insectivorous and Fruit-eating birds formed the most interesting part of the show. Mr. Townsend’s beautiful Black - backed Tanager ( Calliste melanonota ) received the first and a special prize. The same exhibitor, who generally has a magnificent display in this class, showed a Tricolour Tanager, a Blue-winged Green Bulbul, and a hen Dacnis cayana. A male of the latter species exhibited by Mr. L. W. Hawkins has developed whitish primaries in his old age. Mr. Hawkins sent a pair of Crowned Tauagers ( Tachyphonus coroncitus) which are distinctly rare. Mr. C. Cooper showed a Hanguest {Icterus tibialis ) which w’as entered in the catalogue as a “ Black and Gold Tanager,” and the Judge failed to notice that it was in the wrong class. In the class for any species not eligible elsewhere there was an interesting assortment. A White - throated Ground - Thrush {Geocichla cyanonotus),* a species we do not remember to have seen before at the Palace, was exhibited by Mr. Hawkins, and received the first prize. A Green-billed Toucan received the second prize. There were two very beautiful Purple-headed Glossy Starlings, a pair of Green Glossy Starlings, a very perfect. Andaman Starling which failed to get more than a V.H.C. card, and one or two other less interesting birds. THE INTERNATIONAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS. The Fourth International Ornithological Congress is to be held from the 12th to 19th of June next at the Imperial Institute, under the presidency of Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, of the Natural History Museum. Besides the ordinary business there will be excursions to Tring, Cambridge, and other places of interest to ornithologists. There is a special section devoted to aviculture and it is to be hoped that many members of this Society will do their best to be present. The subscription will be £1, including printed report of proceedings, and for ladies 10/- without the report. The Secretaries are Dr. Hartert, of Tring, and Mr. J. L,. Bonhote. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. Miss R. Alderson has bred the Solitary Ground Dove f Leptoptila chloroaiichenia) , it is believed for the first time in the United Kingdom ; and it is proposed to award a Medal. Any member or reader knowing of a previous instance is requested to communicate immediately with the Hon. Business Secretary. * cf. Avic. Mag. Vol. II. N. S. p, 179. Correspondence, Notes, etc . “THE BIRDS OF CALCUTTA.” h:> In Volume VIII. of the old series we gave a short notice of the first edition of this little book, and it speaks well for it that a second edition has already been called for. The new edition is illustrated by a number of well drawn line blocks by Mr. Goodchild, mostly from living birds in the Zoological Society’s Gardens. The chapters have been re-arranged so as to bring the birds dealt with into the order adopted in the Fa7ina of British India. The book (which can be obtained from Mr. R. H. Porter, 7, Princes Street, Cavendish Square, W.) contains twenty-four chapters, and is very brightly and interestingly written ; and, although intended primarily for the Europeans in Calcutta, will be much appreciated by English aviculturists, many of the birds dealt with being often kept in captivity over here. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. VARIATIONS IN GOLD AND SILVER PHEASANTS. Sir, — There is an interesting article in the January issue of the Avicuttiiral Magazine respecting the variations in the plumage of Golden and Silver Pheasants. Is it very unusual for the hen to assume the entire plumage of the male bird ? Some thirteen years ago three little Golden Pheasant chicks, a few days old, were given me. The mother had deserted them and they were suffering badly from cramp. With the assistance of a tame Bantam hen I successfully reared them. They turned out to be one cock and two hens. One of the hens died about two years ago in her ordinary brown attire; the other (which from the first had a slight golden tint on the head) at the next moult was adorned with the beautiful silky golden crest of her mate and a few yellow feathers in her brown neck; when she moulted again the breast and lower part of the back became }Tellow, and at this last moult, the yellow breast was streaked with scarlet, the collar a very deep orange, barred with black, the mantle on the shoulders a metallic green, and the wings a beautiful steely blue, baried with wavy lines of brown. The crest long, silky, and brighter gold than the cock’s, and the same scarlet feathers in the tail as he has. The bird was a great pet and exceedingly tame; she was taken ill on Xmas Day and died the following morning. I am having her preserved as a curiosity. We thought her more beautiful than the cock, her deep orange 144 Correspondence , Notes , etc. collar and golden breast being the only distinguishing mark. Had she lived over another moult, I believe the breast would also have become scarlet. I am aware that a very old lieu past breeding will sometimes begin to crow and assume the spurs and hackles of the cock, having had instances in my own poultry7 yard, but have never seen such a perfect example of total change of plumage as this. I/. Sturton Johnson. The following reply has been sent to Dies. Sturton Johnson: It is not unusual for hen Gold Pheasants to assume almost entire cock’s plumage, but your account is especially valuable as giving a record of the process in the case you observed. vSince writing the article you so kindly refer to, I notice that one of the hens in the Zoological Gardens, though otherwise normal, has the two- centre tail-feathers mottled as in a cock, not widely barred as they should be for her sex. Did your hen retain the dark eyes ? This seems to be, sometimes at all events, the case when this change of plumage occurs. F. Finn. [It would be interesting to know whether Mrs. Sturton Johnson’s hen Golden Pheasant continued to produce fertile eggs after she had com¬ menced to assume the male plumage, or whether, as is generally the case, the assumption of the male attire was a sign of barrenness. — Ed.] THE FOOD OF PARROTS. Sir, — Mrs. Sopp’s account of her caged Rosella and Mr. Bathgate's letter about slieep-killing Keas give rise to some reflections. The Rosella loved fat beyond anything: the Keas multiplied enormously after taking to animal food. A case was also once recorded in the Magazine of an Eclectus that would kill and greedily eat a mouse, if one happened to stray7 into its cage. I called attention once before to a remark in Mr. Setli-Smitli’s valuable work, Parrakeels, that one kind lives partly on insects. Now any7 one who has kept many Parrots will have come across cases of, not feather plucking , but feather eating. The bird is bare enough of feathers (the down is left) but you don’t find any feathers in the bottom of the cage. Neither Rosella nor Eclectus were the worse for their animal food: the Keas thrive on it. One hesitates to suggest animal food : it might be so easily overdone. But it might be worth while trying with feather-eaters. And certainly in their case it could do no harm, for I have never known them to live very long. F. G. Dutton. [It is remarkable how many Parrots one meets with which are fed on a little of everything that conies to the table, and which evidently7 thrive on this diet, for they7 are generally in fine condition, and often old birds which have been family pets for a great number of years. The Parrots in the Post Mortem Examinations. 145 Canal-bank aviary at the Zoological Gardens partake freely of the meat that is supplied to the Crows etc., and are none the worse for it. On the other hand one meets with Parrots, fed strictly in the orthodox fashion, which have developed the practically incurable habit of feather - eating. We believe that the majority of cases of feather-eating in Parrots result primarily from want of occupation, though doubtless over-stimulating food is partly responsible in certain cases. Meat is probably bad for Parrots that are allowed no more exercise than they can obtain in the ordinary Parrots’" cage, but whether a little occasionally is bad for Parrots which are allowed a fair amount of exercise seems to us very doubtful. — Ed.]. POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. RULES. Each bird must be forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and postage paid, direct to Mr. Arthur Gill, M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Establishment, Bexley Heath, Kent, and must be accompanied by a letter containing the fullest particulars of the case. Domestic poultry, pigeons, and Canaries cannot be dealt with. If a reply by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclosed. Two Crossbh.es (Mr. Clias. Rothera). [The first bird died of meningitis caused indirectly from the injury received at base of upper mandible. The bone was necrosed, and the disease had extended to the membrane on the inside of skull and to that covering the brain. The latter was much inflamed. The second bird died of apoplexy]. Cock Bueefinch (Mr. N. S. O’Reilly). Been in aviary since 1902 and has, since that time, enjoyed good health until one morning was found dead. [The bird died of apoplexy. I should be inclined to reduce the quantity of hemp]. Diamond Sparrow (Mr. T. N. Wilson). [Your bird died of pneumonia. It was unwise to turn it out again after recovery from first attack at this time of the year. Many birds will husk the seed, as you mention, and apparently have no appetite to swallow it. There was no affection of oesophagus to prevent her doing so]. Cordon Bleu and Beue Robin (The Lady Dunleath). Cordon Blen found dead. Was caged with a Bulbul, Scarlet Tauager etc. [The Cordon Bleu died of concussion of brain, and I should be inclined to suspect the Bulbul. Blue Robin died of apoplexy. These birds are usually very tame. I once had some dozen pairs, and it was a sight not easily forgotten when they would fly round one for mealworms. I think too many mealworms are likely to produce this complaint]. Cock Barnard Parrakeet (The Rev. R. H. Wilmot). Found dead. Kept with a lieu and cocks of Enpatrius and Rosa and Californian Quails. [Concussion of brain caused by direct injury. I should watch, the Quails], Goeden Oriokk (Mr. W. H. St. Quintin). [Answered by post ; thanks for P. O. 2/6]. 146 Post Mortem Examinations. Banded Goose (Mr. F. C. Thorpe). When unpacked it could not stand, but after a while it did, but walked with difficulty. [There was an extensive extravasation of blood over the back, evidently from a recent injury]. ZOS'I'EROPS (Miss E. E. West). [Bird died of apoplexy. I regret I cannot undertake to have skins preserved]. Cordon Breu (MissJ. Furneaux). [Apoplexy was cause of death]. Blue Grosbeak (Miss R. Alderson). [Apoplexy caused death]. Masked Finch (Mr. Teschemaker). No particular symptoms. Gradual failure. [Tong standing disease of the liver. Died of heart failure consequent on extreme debility. It was a lien]. Kingfisher (The Countess of Harewood). This bird is one of two or three found dead at the edge of the lake. Very dense fogs had prevailed for a whole week. [The bird died of starvation, owing possibly to being unable to find sufficient food during the foggy weather]. Diamond Finch (Mr. W. Tomes). Was seen, apparently well, a short time previously to beiug found dead on the floor of the aviary. [An apoplectic fit caused death]. Turtre Dove (Mr. T. H. Newman). Had apparently been out of health for some time, and lately its feathers had been falling out. Another is very bare of feathers and appears to be getting worse. [I have quite failed to detect any sign of parasites. I should certainly either isolate or destroy the living bird, or if you care to send it on to me I will be pleased to examine it and advise you. Please state the seeds you feed on]. Bishop (Mr. B. Mason). [The bird was a cock. Acute pneumonia was the cause of death. In future please give symptoms and full particulars]. Gourdian Finch (Mrs. Bromet). Found on the floor as if it could not use its wings or legs. Was brought in, and appeared to be getting better. Gave it sherry and water. [Your bird had a fit which caused the paralysis, and a second extravasation of blood on the brain caused death]. Sherdrake. [No letter or name of sender], Meary RoSEERA. (Mr. H. Boughton Leigh). Kept in a cage and fed on canary and hemp. Perfectly well one night, was found unable to move next morning, and died in an hour. [Apoplexy was cause of death. Am afraid confinement in a cage (want of exercise) and the liempseed (which is very fattening) may have caused it], Purpre-capped Lory (Captain W. F. Smithwick). [The body sent from taxidermist was too decomposed for examination]. The following answered by post with thanks for remittance : Budgerigar (Lady Carnegie). Ribbon Finch (Miss H. K. O. Walker). Parrot Finch (Miss D. Hamilton). F. C. THORPE, Importer of all Varieties of Foreign Birds and ttlaterfoml. ANIMALS IMPORTED TO ORDER. All Birds kept in Aviaries not Cages, and sent on approval. Noie * am ess- 75, SOUTH PARADE, HULL. Stock in hand January 22, 1905. Nandav Parrakeets 17/6 each. Also finest lot of Doves in England — 1 pair Red Mountain Doves £2 10/- pair, 4 pairs 'l'alpacoti Doves 10/6 pair, 2 pairs Picni Doves 12/6 pair, Demoiselle Cranes, only 1 pair left (unpinioned) 4 pairs Canibayan Doves beauties 12/6 pair, Australian Crested Doves 20/- pair. Chinese Quails 20/- pair, Pennant’s Parrakeets 40/- pair. Yellow Budgerigars 20/- pair. 12 pairs Ruddy Shelldrakes £2 pair, 1 Spotted-billed Duck, £1, 4 pairs adult Carolina Ducks 50/- pair, 1 pair Widgeons 12/- pair, Chinese Geese 20/- a pair, East Indian Ducks 15/- pair, Albino Wild Ducks £1 pair, 1 Gold Sparrow hen 6/6, 2 pairs Anas superciliosa or Australian Wild Ducks 30/- pair, 1 pair Black Swans very fine £5. White Java Sparrows 9/6 pair, Trumpeter Bullfinches 10/6 pair, Grey Cardinals 8/6 pair, Cockatiels 6/6 each, Scaly or Graceful Doves 25/- pair, White Java Doves 6/6, Indian Collared Doves 7/6 pair, Porto Rico Doves 40/- pair, very fine birds, Crowned Black Tauagers 25/- pair, Orange-head Troupials 20/- each, Ringneck Parrakeets 2/6 each, White- eared Conures 12/6 each. Brush Bronzewing Doves 50/- pair, Bronze-necked Doves 20/-. Chinese Zosterops 15/- pair, rare Spectacled Amazon £3 10/-, Goffiu’s Cocka¬ toos, Bare-eyed ditto, 2 Hyacinthine Macaws, 1 Lear's Macaws, Blue and Buff ditto, Illiger’s ditto 30/- each. Redrump Parrakeets 30/- pair, Many- coloured Parrakeet hen £2 5/-. 1 pair Great-billed Parrakeets ( Paloeornis magniroslris ) true pair perfect condition £4. Yorkshire Canaries 20/- pair. Half-masked Weavers 6/6 each. Paradise Sliellducks £7 10/- pair, Austra¬ lian ditto £7 10/- pair, .Spur-winged Geese £3 pair, White-fronted Geese £1 10/- pair, Mandarin Ducks 35/- pair. Green Cardinals £1 2/6 the pair. Arriving about Feb. 12 : Quantity Blue-breasted Pittas, Fruit-suckers, Sliamas. New Arrivals : 1 rare Black-throated Yellow Oriole 50/-, 1 pair acclimatised Blue Robins 20/-, 1 Yellow Wagtail, winner 7/6, 12 pairs Ruddy Sheldrakes, 12 pairs Bar-head Geese £2 10/- pair, 24 Shatnas (arrive middle Feb.) 20/- each, 6 pairs Crowned Tauagers, 1 Pied Albino Tanager, 3 Scarlet Tauagers 16/- each, 1 Monster Waxwiug 17/6, English, 1 finger-tame Cali¬ fornian Quail cock 10/6, 2 ditto cock Red-capped Parrots £3 each, I pair Cape Doves, 1 rare Barbet 40/-, 1 Blue-bearded Jay 35/-, 1 Black Tanager 20/- I Bare-eved Cockatoo 30/-, 7 pairs Mandarin Ducks 36/- pair (arrive middle Feb.), 36 Golden-fronted Fruitsuckers and other rarities from 20/- each, Blue-fronted Amazons 30/- each, perfect feather, I Tyrant 15/-. Notice. — After much difficulty and expense my Central African Agent has got down to the coast a quantity of Giant Whydahs and Waxbills, some of the latter I am hoping will be the rare Violet-eared and Jameson’s Waxbills. These birds will arrive about the time the February number is issued. Please Note. — One of my old schoolfellows has just been offered and accepted the position of Curator of Borneo Museum. He writes me that he will do his best to send me live specimens from that most highly favoured bird world. Stock Always Changing. 7 .'V III. Notices to Members — (Continued from page it. of cover). NEW MEMBERS. Mr. George Hubbard, F.S.A., F.R.I.B.A. ; 85, Gresham Street, London, E. C. Mr. H. C. Hewitt ; Saliam Mere, Walton, Norfolk. Mr. Cattle ; Thurston, Bury St. ECdmunds. Mr. J. H. Hargreaves ; Drinkstone Park, Bury St. Edmunds. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Mr. Sydney Williams, Jr. ; 275, Fore Street, Edmonton, N. Proposed by Miss E. Brampton. Miss Drummond ; Mains of Meggincli, Errol, Perthshire. Proposed by the Hon. Bus. Secretary. CANDIDATE FOR RE-ELECTION. Mr. Wieliam Topham ; The Hill, Spondon, Derby. Proposed by the Hon. Business .Secretary. MEMBERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is one penny for every four words. Names and addresses of advertisers must be paid for. Each statement of price, such as 3 /6, is counted as one word. Every advertisement must be prepaid, ami MUST reach the EDITOR not later than the \Qth of each month. The Council reserve the right of refusing any advertisement they may consider undesirable. Pair Cockatiels 10/-; hen Redrump 15/-. M. B. Lancaster. Giving up my birds: All mv cages, fittings, aviary appliances, etc. for disposal. Guaranteed free from disease. Also a few hardy foreign birds. Particulars. Miss E. Brampton, Brentwood. Crested Canaries from outdoor aviary: cocks 6/6, hens 2/6, pairs 8/-; approval. Miss R. Lyon, Harwood, Horsham. A few pairs of blue-winged and of common Pea-fowl to be disposed of, either to private individuals or to public institutions. William B. Gibbins, Ettington, nr. Stratford-on-Avon. Hen Pennant 35/- ; very fine hen Barnard, feed from hand 30 /- ; Cockatiels 10/6 pair; pure Golden Pheasants 8/6 each to clear; pair Amherst Pheasants, adult 55/-. Exchange Budgerigars. Salter, Thame. Mandarin Ducks £2 2/- per pair ; Hanging Parrakeet hen ( Loriculus galgulus ) 30/-. H. Boughton Leigh, Brownsover, Rugby. WANTS. (These are charged for at the same rate as Birds for Sale J. Wanted, true pairs: — Wonga Wouga, Njcobar, Bleeding-heart and other Pigeons, in exchange for Australian Crested Pigeons; White-fronted, Rufous and Talpacoti Doves ; all aviary-bred. C. Castle Sloane, Oat Hall, near Crawley, Sussex. Hens: — Rosella, Mealy Rosella and Pennant Parrakeets ; cock Forsten’s Lorikeet. H. Boughton Leigh, Brownsover, Rugby. JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. CUCCESS IN BIRD KEEPING & BREEDING CAN ONLY HE SECURED BY USING ABRAWAMS5 Hr WORLD-FAMED Specialities in BIRD FOOD. LARGE STOCK OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS. HARTZ MOUNTAIN ROLLERS, Norwich, Yorkshire and Lizard Canaries Cock Birds in full Song now in Stock ABRAHAMS’ TONIC for Diarrhoea and Strengthening Birds. EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Cage and Aviary Appliance, Seed, etc., in stock. For complete Price List apply to — J. ABRAHAMS, &NtX 191 & 192, ST. GEORGE STREET EAST, LON DON, E. No connection with any other firm under the same name. ABRAHAMS’ is the oldest and most reliable Establishment in England. MARCH, 1905, NEW SERIES. Vol. III. No 5. MONTHLY. Price is 6d- Members’ Annual Subscription, 10 - | payable in advance. THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. ■-C^CONTENTS.O-9 The Black Lory {with plate), by Mrs. Johnstone Bearded Tits in Confinement, by W. H. St. Ouintin, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. The Duration of the Period of Incubation, by Arthur G. Butler, Ph.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., etc. Birds Noticed during a Short Visit to Suffolk, by Hugh Whistler ’“The Rniu.” . .... ... .... ... Correspondence, Notes, etc. — The Tanagridse as Finches, 169 ; The Eggs of the Smew and Mistle Thrush, 170 ; Bird Notes from Argentina, 171 ; The Moulting of the Red-backed Shrike, 173 ; Living birds attacked by maggots, 174 ; Early nesting of Ravens in captivity, 175 ; The Food of Parrots, 175. Tlie Society’s Balance Sheet for the Year ended 31st October 1904, The Society’s Medal ... ... Post-mortem Examinations PAGE 147 149 ISI 165 169 LONDON 1 R. H. PORTER, 7, Princes St., Cavendish Square, W. NOTE.— A new volume commences every November. II. ^ A11 Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the AviCUi/l'URAT, Society are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. NOTICES TO MEMBERS. The Subscription to the Avicultural Society is 10/- per annum, due on the ist of November in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/6. The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. All MSS. for publication in the Magazine , Books for Review, and Private Advertisements should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. I). Seth- Smith, Glengarry, Canning Road, Addiscombe, Surrey. All Que/ies respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A. G. Butler, 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. All other correspondence, and Subscriptions, should be sent to the Hon¬ orary Business Secretary, Mr. T. H. Newman, 20, Montpelier Square, London, S.W. Any change of address should be at once notified to him. Advice is given, by post, by members of the Council to members of the Society, upon all subjects connected with Foreign and British birds. All queries are to be addressed to the Hon. Correspondence Secretary and should contain a penny stamp. Those marked “Private” will no be published. The Magazine is published by Mr. R. H. Porter (7, Princes Street, Cavendish Square, W.) to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers, and bound volumes (accompanied by remittance) should be addressed. Cases for binding Vol. II., New Series, of the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side) can be obtained from the Publisher, post free and carefully packed, at 1 6 each ; or the Publisher will undertake the binding of the Volume for 2/6, plus 8d. for packing and postage. All orders must be accompanied by a remittance in full; and Members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. BOUND COPIES OE THE “AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE.” l'he following can be obtained from the Publisher at the prices given below. Postage 6d. per volume extra : Vol. II., 6/- to members; 8/6 to the public. Vols. V. to VI L, to/6 each to members ; 12 6 each to the public. Vol. VIII., 14/- to members ; 17/6 to the public. Vol. I., New Series, 21/- to members; 30/- to the public (revised prices). Vol. II. „ „ 16 1- „ 211- Current Monthly Numbers 1/6 each (except in special cases, such as the Number containing the List of Members, when the Committee may increase the price), bv post 1/7; for back Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. Second-hand copies sometimes reach the Publisher, to whom application should be made. ( Continued on page Hi. of cover). The Practical Scientific Cabinet Makers. Established over 50 Years. MAKERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Cabinet Cases & Store Boxes TAXIDERMY IN ALL ITS BRANCHES. Apparatus and Appliances for the use of Specimens for Entomo¬ logists, Botanists, Ornithologists, Geologists, Mineralogists, Numismatists, Conchologlsts, etc., And for the use of Lecturers, Science Teachers, College Students, &c MUSEUMS FITTED AND ARRANGED. Specially made Cabinets for Birds’ Eggs and Skins, the Drawers graduate in depth and are all interchangeable. STORE BOXES, fitted with Camphor Cells, 2/3, 3/6, 4/3, 5/3 SETTING BOARDS, flat or oval, i-in. 5d., 15-in. 7d., 2-iu. 9d., 2^-in. lid., 35-in. 1/2, 4-in. 1/4, 5-in. 1/8. PLAIN RING NETS, wire or cane, 1/6. 2 /-, 2/3. FOLDING NETS, 3/-, 4/- UMBRELLA NETS, sell- icting, 6/9. POCKET BOXES, 6d., 8d., lid., 1/5 SUGARING TINS, with brush, 1/4, 1/10. SETTING HOUSE.S, flat or oval boards, 8/6, 10/-. Cork back, 12/9. BREEDING CAGES. 2/3. Improved stvle. fitted with tanks, 3/7. COLEOPTERIST COLLECTING BOTTLES, 1/4, 1/6. INSECT and EGG CASES, from 2/3 to 10/- Best Steel FORCEPS, 1/5 pair. TAXIDERMISTS’ COMPANION, containing eight useful articles for Skinning, 9/6. EGG DRILLS, from 3d. BLOW PIPES from 2d. to 5d. ZINC RELAXING BOXES, 8d., lid. NESTED CHIP BOXES, 4 doz. 7d. ENTOMOLOGICAL PINS from 1/- per oz. ZINC LARVAE BOXES, 8d. lid., 1/5. BEST WHITE CEMENT, 5d. a Bottle. SPECIAL CORK CARPET, 9d. per square foot. CABINET CORKS, 7m by 3jin., lid- and 1/2 per dozen sheets. The “PERFECTION” FLAT SETTING BOARDS, for English style of Setting. .Supersedes the old Boards. Same prices as ordinary Setting Boards. All Goods not approved may be exchanged, or money returned. All Goods Store Prices. All Best Wor k. Estimates given. Great Advantages in dealing direct with Makers. Send for Full Detailed Price List before ordering elsewhere. 7a, PRINCES ST., CAVENDISH SQ., (7 Doors from Oxford Circus) London, W . Factories : 34, RIDING HOUSE ST., and OGLE ST. W. HYDE’S Patent Iron Tonic Grit For all Cage Birds, Pigeons and Fowls. HYDE’S ESTHETIC SEEDS. For Song' Birds. A combination of rare and expensive Seeds blended to suit their natural requirements. HYDE’S LARK FOOD. Hyde’s Witaz ismmm fob poultry. HYDE’S NATURAL FOOD. For Aquarium Fish and Insectivorous Birds. Sold in Tins. Sample Box, Id. HYDE’S, -M pill U CAGE BIRDS PIGEONS &ljc; The latest achievement in Ornithology Extracts from a letter from Mr. J. PARKINSON, NATURALIST, BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND, October 30th, iqoi. “ Your Traveller was right in saying that the three nests ot Parrots which X have reared were brought up on your aesthetic Seeds, which were boiled for about half an hour, and the birds when old enough they fed upon your famous Parrot Food. Your Traveller has handled the eggs and seen the young ones progressing into maturity. More than two hundred people, from all parts of the country, have visited me in order to see the Parrots ; and four gentlemen, who are Bird Naturalists, are presenting me with a Silver Cup, in commemoration of such an unprecedented accomplishment.” The “ BLACKPOOL GAZETTE” of Dec. 4th Says— “ Mr. Parkinson has apparently solved the problem ol Parrot-rearing, which has troubled Bird Fanciers generally throughout the country, and his skill in this direction has been recognised by the presentation of two Silver Cups at the local Bird Show.” R. HYDE & Go., Ltd., 54, L1LFORD RD., CAMBERWELL. SCLATER (P. L.) & THOMAS (O.) The Book of Antelopes, 4 vols., demy 4to., cloth, with 100 hand-coloured plates, by J. Wolf and J. Smit. Price £13 10s. net. SCLATKR (P. L.) & HUDSON (W. HA, Argentine Ornithology, 2 vols., with 20 hand-coloured plates. £3 3s. net. MIVART (ST. GEORGE). Monograph of the Lories or Brush- Tongued Parrots, rov. 4to, with 6i hand-coloured plates and 4 maps. £7 7s. net. MIVART (ST. GEORGE). Monograph of the Canidse ; Dogs, Jackals, Wolves, and Foxes, i vol., demy 4to. with 45 hand-coloured plates. Price £3 3s. net. MIVART (ST. GEORGE). Birds; The Elements of Orni¬ thology, with 174 illustrations, 8vo. Price 10/6 net. LILFORD (LORD). Notes on the Birds of Northamptonshire and neighbourhood, with illustrations by A. Thorburn and G. E. Lodge, 2 vols., roy. Svo. Price £4 4s. net. SETH-SMITH (D.) Parrakeets ; a Handbook to the Imported Species, with 20 coloured plates, 1 vol., roy. 8vo. £2 net. WATKINS (W ATKIN). The Birds of Tennyson, 1 vol., Svo, with illustrations by G. E. Lodge. 6/- net. SHELLEY (G. E.). The Birds of Africa, vols. 1 to 3, imp. Svo, art linen, gilt tops, with 28 hand-coloured plates. Price £4 14s. 6d. net. Vol. 4, with 14 hand-coloured plates in the press. STARK (A. C.) and SCLATER (W. L-) The Birds of South Africa. Vol. 1-3, medium Svo with numerous illustrations by H. Gronvold, price £3 3s. net.. Vol. 4, completing the , work, in the press. % SCLATER (W. L-) The Mammals of South Africa, 2 vols., medium 8vo., with numerous illustrations, price £1 IQs. net! IBIS, THE. A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology. Price 32/- per year; also a large stock of back volumes and parts. LONDON s R. ID- Porter, 7, Princes Street, CAVENDISH SQUARE, W. (Known throughout the Civilised and Uncivilised World). King or Wild Beast Merchants Anything from “A HUMMING BIRD TO AN ELEPHANT,” TRADE SUPPLIED, TRADE SUPPLIED, GREY AFRICAN PARROTS. Fresh Arrivals Daily. FOREIGN WATER FOWL. Hungarian Partridges for turning down. Thousands of Small Foreign Birds, suitable for Aviaries. OLD ENGLISH RING LESS PHEASANTS. CROSS’S TRADING MENAGERIE. Is alwavs on view for Visitors who are desirous of seeing the Wild Animals. At present it contains numerous LIONS, TIGERS, ELEPHANTS, ETC. Always something New. Hundreds of arrivals weekly. May be viewed daily from n to 4 p.m. Admission ©d. INSECTIVOROUS BIRD FOOD. Carl Capelle’s, Hanover). Absolutely the finest food for soft-billed birds. Sole English Agent : “CROSS, LIVERPOOL.” Birds & Animals Stuffed & Preserved. National Telephones'. 6491 CENTRAL and 728 ROYAL Telegrams and Cablegrams! “CROSS,” LIVERPOOL. “CROSS” (Known throughout the Civilized and Uncivilised World). KING OF WILD BEAST MERCHANTS, GREATEST ZOOLOGICAL EMPORIUM ON EARTH Avicultural Magazine, CHA.LCOPSITTA.CUS ATER. Bale, Sons and Danielsson, Ltd. THE 147 Bvtcultural /IIbaga3tnet BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. New Series. — VOL. III. — No. 5. — All rights reserved. MARCH, 1905. THE BLACK LORY. Chalcopsittacus ater. By Mrs. Johnstone. Being the happy possessor of an example of this rare Lory, the first, probably, that has ever reached this country alive, I have been asked to write a few lines on my experience of him in captivity. Though by no means brilliantly coloured, Ater has a decided and most uncommon beauty of his own. At first sight he is nothing remarkable, being apparently a funereal black all over, but when in the sunshine or in a bright light, it can be seen he is really a deep purple or claret colour. The tail, flight feathers, eyes, beak and feet are black, the rump and lower back a brilliant shining blue, hardly discernable when the wings are closed, the under tail-feathers are orange and red. The adult bird has pointed feathers on the back of the neck, not unlike the hackles of a cock. The importer, Mr. Walter Goodfellow, was very proud of having imported him alive and in good condition. During his journey from N. W. New Guinea ( Ater's native place) to Singapore, his death was repeatedly prophesied by the bird dealers he met ; one old man who had been in the trade for years, told him the bird would never live. “ They are never brought further than the Celebes and Timor,” and he added, “they eat greedily of what you give at first, quickly tire of it and soon die.” The specimen is I believe a cock bird. When his feathers were coming and were in pointed sheaths on the back and neck, On the Black Lory. I introduced one of my Black-capped Lories, thinking they would make friends, and the Black Cap take the sheaths off the feathers and improve Aters plumage. A ter appeared to approve of the Black Cap’s appearance through the wires of his cage, but no sooner did I introduce him inside the cage than Ater flew at him with great fury, much to poor Black Cap’s alarm, who rushed up my arm uttering shrill screams of surprise and terror. Clearly Ater preferred to live alone. This trait is not an uncommon one amongst single birds brought up by hand. He will still, when I put my hand inside his cage, flutter his wings and utter little squeaks of pleasure much as any young bird will do when fed by the parent bird. I give him sweetened milk sop and sweet water grapes. This fruit he prefers to any other, and will eat them in large numbers. Where the difficulty arrives in importing them I cannot say. Mr. Goodfellow told me the natives feed them principally on boiled rice, a diet which I find suits few birds. He imported his Lories on Swiss milk and fruit and I think his success proves that this is the most suitable food for the majority of these birds. [Through the kindness of Mrs. Johnstone I have had the privilege of seeing her living example of this rare Lory. It is a fine specimen, in excellent condition, and very tame. The skins in the British Museum all look very dull compared with the living bird, especially in the colour of the upper tail coverts and rump which appear quite bright blue in life, but dull purplish blue in the dried skin. Dr. Mivart in his Monograph of the Loriidce writes : “ This most sombre of the whole family of the Lories is one of the oldest known, having been described and figured by Sonnerat in his account of his voyage to New Guinea, on which he set out in June, 1771. “ It is said to be common in certain localities, flying through the woods and frequenting the smaller branches and branchlets of the trees. It seems frequently to approach human habitations : hence it is often caught, when it is easily domesticated and shows itself gentle and attractive.” On the Bearded Tits in Confinement. 149 I do not know of any previous instance of this species having been brought alive to this country, but Mr. Frank Finn tells me that he has seen living examples on two occasions in Calcutta. D. S.-S.] BEARDED TITS IN CONFINEMENT. By W. H. St. Ouintin, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. I have found this delightful little bird subject to fits in a cage ; but hardy, and quite satisfactory, in a cool aviary. Mine share an aviary with some Waxwings. It has a covered wooden shed at the back, and one side is boarded up. The other side and the front are open. The roof in front of the shed is glazed, to ensure a dry floor for the Pintailed Saudgrouse and Painted Quails which are also kept here. For some reasons this is undesirable (turf will not long keep fresh in summer), but on the other hand it gives some protection against the Tawny Owls which are sometimes troublesome at this particular aviary. My birds have a small tin of maw-seed to themselves ; and they take what ants’ eggs and egg yolk they like from the Waxwings’ food pan. For three consecutive seasons a female has nested; and in 1903 she hatched young, but the latter soon died. Bast spring her mate was killed through the wire netting by an Owl ; and it was some time before I could replace him, and then with a bird which arrived in very light condition. However he soon picked up and an old Missel-Thrush’s nest fixed in a spruce-fir for the Waxwings, was lined and adapted, and a clutch of eggs laid. A single young bird left the nest (there were three at first, but for fear of disturbing the Waxwings I dare not visit the nest •often, and I do not know what became of the others). It was clever at climbing about in the spruce branches, and often returned to sit in the nest. For several days the parents continued to brood and feed the young one, which had left the nest before the flight feathers were full-grown. However it became able to flutter a few feet, and I thought all was going prosperously, when un¬ luckily a pair of Waxwings, which had lined another nest in a 150 0?i the Bearded Tits in Confinement. swinging orchid-basket, changed their minds before the eggs were laid, and the Tits took possession. I removed the attraction but too late ; and before I had quite realized how far matters had gone, first the hen, then the male, gave up feeding and brooding, and after two days’ partial neglect the little one wTas found stiff and cold, though in good flesh. I should have said that though the parents were kept well supplied with chopped egg, and fresh ants’ eggs ; the young ones were fed mainly upon mealworms. The only species of the Genus Panurus , the Bearded Tit ( P . biarmicus ) has for a long time puzzled systematic naturalists. It has, I believe, been suggested that it shows some affinity to the group of Waxbills ( Estrelda ). O11 the other hand the nest, if deep, is open ; and the egg, instead of being colourless, is faintly streaked and spotted. Neither are the quaint antics played by some of the male Waxbills while courting their mates (such as presenting a grass-bent held like a pipe in the beak, at the same time singing and displaying the plumage) to be observed in the case of the bird under notice. There is one action of the Bearded Tit which is quite to me unlike that of any other Passerine bird that I have watched. The bird runs with rapid jerks upon the, ground and scratches amongst sand or loose soil. It makes a little jump forwards, and scuffles with both feet almost simultaneously, making the sand fly. The object evidently is to uncover morsels of food, and I see my birds doing this underneath the food dishes which are mounted up off the ground. I have never been able to get my Bearded Tits to notice seeds of reeds, though they have often been supplied with bundles of reeds in the autumn. The male takes his turn upon the eggs during incubation. On the Duratioi of the Period of Incubation. 15 1 THE DURATION OF THE PERIOD OF INCUBATION. By Arthur G. Butter, Ph.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., etc. The study of this branch of ornithology has, hitherto, hardly been touched in the various faunistic works in which the life-histories of birds have appeared: in the United States alone does any serious effort seem to have been made to put on record the various periods for which the birds of that country incubate.* In the British Isles, excepting perhaps in the case of Game- birds, and others which are conspicuously brought under man’s notice by domestication or other causes, next to nothing appears to be known of this important item of avian life.f Of course the explanation of this apparent neglect, in a country which has amassed some of the finest collections of eggs in the world, is evident enough: an ardent collector of eggs or nests naturally secures his prizes while they are fresh, putting off the study of the duration of incubation to a more convenient season ; and having secured the clutches of a species which he requires, promptly forgets all about the unknown, and therefore more interesting, item. If only to discover whether the longevity of birds bears a similar relation to the period of incubation, to that which the longevity of mammals appears to bear to the period of gestation, the study of this part of their life is of interest ; but it must also be remembered, that no man who neglects a single detail, can claim to have a thorough knowledge of the nidification of any one species. To the aviculturist, who desires to be prepared for the hatching of his broods, it is of considerable importance to know when to expect this event. In order to induce aviculturists and others interested in * See Charles Beudire’s “Life Histories of North American Birds.” + After the present paper had gone to press Mr. Charles Chubb of the Nat. Hist. Museum, who is a perfect walking Encyclopedia of Ornithological literature, called my attention to two important papers on this subject, which I had unfortunately overlooked, by Mr. William Evans, F.R.S.E., in *' The Ibis” for 1891, pp. 52-93 and 1892, pp. 56-58. They are most interesting as filling up many of the gaps in the present paper with respect to British birds. Many of the results have been obtained by the use of an incubator; and although great care has been taken to ascertain the correct temperature suitable for hatch¬ ing the eggs, it may be anticipated that some of them will need revision. I11 some in¬ stances also where the duration of incubation had been counted from the laying of the first egg the statement of the observers will have (as Mr. Evans points out) to be accepted with reservations. 152 Dr. A. G. Butler, bird-life, to make notes as to the time occupied by our common wild birds, as well as by the foreigners which nest in our aviaries, in hatching their eggs ; I have thought it worth while to collate the facts at my disposal, both with regard to those groups of cage-birds respecting which little or nothing is yet recorded, so far as I have been able to ascertain, and those about which (chiefly through the agency of aviculturists) we have definite records. It seems hardly possible that the complete life-history of such familiar wild birds as the British Thrushes ( Turdus ) should not be known : I feel satisfied that somewhere there must be a record of the period of incubation of the Missel- and Song- Thrushes, both of which have been bred in cages ; but hitherto I have failed to discover it. I am under the impression, from my own observations in bygone years, that it extends to thirteen or fourteen days ; but alas ! I failed to write down the facts, and memory unaided is sometimes unreliable.* In 1891 Mr. J. E. Bertrand reared Blackbirds in captivity, but he ignored the duration of the hatch, mentioning only that the young left the nest when they were fifteen days old (Die Gefiederte Welt, XX. p. 318). Of the Wheatears, Chats, Warblers and Accentors I have failed to find a record : an Accentor which built and laid in one of my aviaries was unhappily unpaired, and consequently con¬ tinued to sit until I removed her eggs : possibly some of the volumes of the ‘Gefiederte Welt’ which I do not possess might give us some light ; but even in Germany comparatively few European birds have been bred in captivity. I have no record of the Dippers, the true Tits, Nuthatches, Wagtails (though possibly there may be a record of the breeding of these with the requisite details, in some volume of the Proceedings of the Zoological Society not in my library).! Pipits bred in aviaries (Gefiederte Welt, XX. p. 352) seem to have hatched in twelve days, but the published details are not * Professor W. E. D. Scott says of the Migratory Thrush, that it “ hatched eggs which had been laid for some twelve days.” This is a trifle vague. “13-15 days” (Evans.) + I think this doubtful ; inasmuch as in the old days, if not now, the bare mention of the fact— “ Bred in the Gardens” was considered sufficient in most cases. on the Duration of the Period of Incubation. 153 conclusive. Gould does not say liow long the Pied Grallina sits. I have discovered nothing about Chloropsis ; and in the case of the Jaj^-Thruslies and their allies breeding seems to be difficult : a hen of Garrulax si?ie?isis belonging to Mr. Peter Frank of Liverpool laid a white egg and brooded it for a time, but afterwards devoured it. I suspect that the high feeding formerly recommended for the species of Garmlax and allied genera was responsible for this cannibalism ; Dr. Russ speaks of feeding them like Thrushes or Starlings ; but he quotes Herr Hmil Linden, as giving his Spectacle-Thrush (. Leucodioptron canorum ) ants-eggs, carrot, whey-cheese, fresh or dried berries, cooked grated meat and mealworms, varied by boiled rice ; and Mr. Frank supplied his with snails, little fish, aphides, meal¬ worms, etc. It is a common error to overfeed partly predaceous birds in captivity : my example of Garrulax picticollis has been in perfect health for over five years ; and, at the outside, he gets a very little minced raw beef or a dead mouse once a week ; other¬ wise he lives upon my soft mixture, fruit, and a few cockroaches : he eats a good deal of fruit. Respecting the incubation of eggs by the Regent-bird, the Orioles, Drongos, Wood-Swallows, Flycatchers, and true Swallows, I have acquired no information, nor of the Honey- eaters, and Sugar-birds. Messrs. Oesterlin of Mannheim bred with Zosterops palpebrosus in 1884; one young one hatched, and lived for eight days ; but unhappily the breeder neglected his opportunity, and said nothing about the duration of incubation. Following the general order of the Zoological Society’s list, this will bring us to the Finches ; of which, with the Parrots and Doves, probably the life-history is more complete than in most other bird-families ; therefore I will now retrace my steps and enumerate species of the earlier groups respecting which we have definite information, and afterwards pass on to the Finches. Of the Rock-Thrushes, Dr. Russ says that Monticola cyanus sits fifteen days. Mr. Phillipps’ Sliama appears to have incubated her eggs for fourteen days (inclusively), the young 154 Dr. A. G. Butlkr, bird being hatched on the morning of the fifteenth day : unfortunately Mr. Farrar omitted to tell us about his Dliyal- bird. In the case of the American Blue-bird ( Sicilia sialis ) I noted thirteen days as the period of incubation, and Dr. Russ confirms this. Dr. Russ says that the eggs of the Mocking-bird ( Mimus polyglot tits') take from thirteen to fourteen days to hatch ; but Mr. Farrar “ at a rough guess ” says eleven days, which is hurrying up matters in a most unnatural manner 45 ; guessing in matters which demand precision is always dangerous: he gives a similar period to the Cat-bird. Eggs of the Bearded Reedling, placed under a Canary by Mr. J. R. Bonhote, hatched in thirteen days ; according to Russ, the eggs of Liothrix luteus hatch in twelve days, but Mr. Phillipps found that those of Mesia argentauris took thirteen, the young appearing early on the fourteenth day. The White-eared or Persian Bulbul ( Pycnonotus leucotis) broods its eggs eleven days according to Herr August Wiener. The Red-vented Bulbul was bred in the London Zoological Gardens in 1890, and in those of Berlin the year following, but as Dr. Russ does not state how long the eggs took to hatch, I conclude that this point was overlooked in both instances. The Chinese Bulbul (P. sinensis) went to nest in Dr. Russ’ bird-room in 1893 ; but both nest and eggs were destroyed by a Scaly Dove squatting down on them. Dr. Gunther’s observation on the Red-backed Shrike indicates the period of incubation as fifteen days ; and that of Mr. St. Quintin on the Waxwing gives fourteen days for that species. The Scarlet Tanager bred by Princess Croy in Belgium incubated for thirteen days ; yet oddly enough Dr. Russ states that Tanagers take twelve days to sit. Frau von Proscheck of Vienna had a pair of Violet Tanagers which built a nest, but without result ; so that Dr. Russ could hardly have been influenced by that. * Incubation may be extended, but hardly shortened by two to three days, excepting perhaps in unusually warm weather. One of my Canaries laid a double-yolked egg which took seventeen (instead of thirteen) days to hatch. on the Duration of the Period of Incubation. 155 In the true Finches I have the following records: — Carpo- dacus erythrinus , twelve days (according to Dr. Russ). I believe this is the case also with the European Bullfinch, as fresh eggs which I placed under a Canary were certainly hatched the day before her own produce. Mr. Meade-Waldo does not record the duration of incubation in the Trumpeter Bullfinch. From what Mr. Swailes says of his Twites, this species must sit for thirteen da}^ like the English Linnet, and probably the Redpoll, (I conclude that the Twite began to sit on the evening of the 19th May, and the young began to hatch early on the 2nd June, or during the preceding night). Siskins (as with Goldfinches), from the ease with which they can be crossed with the Canary, should occupy the same time ; but Dr. Russ, who bred Chrysomitris atcullata, omitted to record the period occupied in hatching Serimis faviventris , icterus, and lezicopygius all agree with the common Canary in sitting thirteen days, and the nearly related Alario-fincli probably does the same ; in fact Mr. Fillmer says that a hen in his possession “ began to sit on the 7th of July, and hatched on the 19th or 20th ” (Avic. Mag. III. p. 109). f The Saffron-finch (Sycalis flaveola ) takes fourteen days to hatch according to Russ, frequently confirmed by myself. Mr. W. T. Page proved in 1900 that the Chaffinch takes fourteen days to incubate its eggs (Avic. Mag. VI. p. 9). In his account of the Teydean Chaffinch Mr. Meade-Waldo omitted this detail ; but it is probable that all the species of Fringilla agree in this respect. Passer arcuatus, according to Russ, broods its eggs fourteen days : this is probably the case with all the typical Sparrows ; but owing to the hap-hazard manner in which they go to nest they evade observation, so that in the case of both our Editor and Mrs. Howard Williams the appearance of the young birds came as a pleasant surprise. I think it probable that the same number of days would hold good also for the Rock-Sparrows ; but, as my hens were unpaired, the incubation of infertile eggs may have been unnaturally protracted. * A note in the ‘ Gefiederte Welt ’ XX. p. 500, states that C. spinus sat for thirteen days, but failed to hatch. t Capt. Shelley, however, gives eleven days to this species, and fourteen to Serinus sulpkuratus in his “Birds of Africa.” Dr. A. G. Butler, 156 Sper'mopliila grisea (or more likely S. plumb ea ) is said by Russ to incubate twelve days ; he says the same of 6”. albigularis, so that this time is likely to be common to all the species. Volatinia jacarini was bred by Herr Langheinz about 1890, but he omitted the period of incubation in his account of any of the broods. Coccothraustes was bred by Herr W. Hartwig in Berlin, who recorded eleven days incubation for this large Hawfinch ! I am afraid I neglected to make a written note at the time when I bred our Greenfinch, though I know I fully expected the young after thirteen days, and was satisfied to see the parents feeding them on the morning of the fourteenth day. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak ( Hedy meles ludoviciana) takes fourteen days, as also the Virginian Cardinal, the Grey Cardinals of the genus Paroaria , and the Green Cardinal ( Gubernatrix cristatella) , the last-mentioned I confirmed in 1895. According to Thomas Gentry, the Chipping Sparrow ( Spizella socialis ) only takes ten days to hatch out; but Dr. Russ considered this an error, and said it must surely take eleven to twelve days ; as Junco hyemcilis takes twelve days ; none of the species of Zonotrichia seem to have been bred, but it is probable that their period will be the same. Respecting the species of Emberiza I have no notes. Cyanospiza ciris incubates for thirteen days * Dr. Russ seems not to have been quite sure about Phonipara , for he gives it from eleven to fourteen days ; from what Mr. W. D. Hawkins says (Avic. Mag. VII. p. 30), his hen must have sat from July 12th to 26th, on wdiicli day one young bird was hatched ; this would give fourteen clear days: possibly the youngster may have been hatched, but not noticed the day previously : Mr. Pliillipps records nearly twelve days (Avic. Mag. VI. pp. 193-4). Owing to the excitability of many of the small Weaving- finches ( Ploceidcz ) it is not often easy to discover f how soon they begin to sit steadily, or when the young hatch ; also their tendency to retire frequently to their nests, before incubation * Mr. Farrar, however, says that his Indigo-finches hatched at the end of twelve days. (Avic. Mag., VI. p. 273). t See Miss Alderson’s experiences in the case of Sporceginthus melpodus (Avic. Mag., VIII. pp. 65-67. on the Duration of the Period of Incubation. 157 really begins, is perplexing: nevertheless, in a good many cases the period of incubation has been ascertained. Neochmia phaeton is said, by Dr. Russ, to incubate from eleven to twelve days, PEgintha temporalis for thirteen days, Pytelia phcenicoptera twelve days. Of the many other Waxbills which have been bred, I can discoverno other information. For Erythrura prasina Lieut. Hauth gives thirteen to fourteen days ; according to Mr. Phillipps Poephila goiildice would seem to take quite fifteen days ; I cannot find any other record but his, as to the period of incubation, and that (being based upon hearing the young on the 1 6th day) may perhaps be not altogether satisfactory : I think the young may have been hatched a day earlier, but not heat'd. Poephila cincta takes only twelve days according to Russ ; but P. personata according to Mr. L- W. Hawkins (Avic. Mag. VII. p. 32) “ about sixteen days.” Russ gives twelve days for the Diamond-Sparrow ( Steganoplura guttata) and for Aina- dina fasciata : this I found correct. Tceniopygia castanotis only takes eleven days to hatch, and it is probable that the same is the case with Stictoptera bichenovii. The Cherry Finch ( Aideviosyne modesta) takes twelve days, Aidemosyne cantaus and malabarica eleven days, Uroloncha striata and acuticauda twelve, Munia maja twelve, and I have little doubt that this is true also of the Java- Sparrow (M. oryzivora) of which I have bred a great number, but never could be quite certain when incubation had com¬ menced. Spermestes cuc7illata and bicolor take twelve days, but S. ?ia?ia thirteen. Of the Whydah-birds next to nothing is known : Hypo- che7-a nitens incubates for twelve days. Steganura paradisea was bred by Dr. Russ, but he discovered that his birds were breeding, only some time alter the hatching of the young. Of the Weavers, Pyromelana capensis takes fifteen days ; Mr. Phillipps’ misfortune with P. franciscana unhappily leaves us in the dark as to that species (Avic. Mag. N. S. Vol. III. p. 92). Oiielea quelea and erythrops sit for fourteen days, Fo7idia 7?iad aga sea rien s is and Hypha7itor7iis 777ela7iocephahis fifteen, Sitagra hiteola eleven, and the P. baya group of Ploce7is fourteen days. We now come to the New World Starlings ; and, beginning, with the finch-like Meadow-Starlings, I have failed to obtain any Dr. A. G. Butler, 158 record in the case of the Bobolink, or the Red-breasted Marsh- bird (of which, if Russ is correct, I have hitherto been the only private owner) ; the Cow-birds, of course, do not incubate. I cannot discover that the Military Troupials have ever been bred. In Agelceus phoeniceus incubation lasts about two weeks according to Charles Bendire ; Xanthocephalus icterocephahts also “ about fourteen days” ; Sturnella magna and its western type ►S. negleda fifteen to sixteen days; Quiscalus versicolor “about two weeks. Of the Hang-nests, the so-called Baltimore Oriole {Icterus baltimore) incubates for fourteen days according to both Bendire and Russ ; but the Orchard Hang-nest (/. spurius ) only incubates twelve days according to Bendire. Only two or three of the Icterine Starlings having been bred in captivity, Major Bendire’s notes are the more valuable. Of the Sturniue Starlings (in which the bastard primary is exposed), aviculturists have done rather more breeding. Dr. Russ and Herr Wiener say that Lamprocolius chalybeus was bred in our gardens in 1872, but I can find no mention of it in the volume ot the Proceedings for that year : L. auratus is said to have been bred the year following. In neither case does Dr. Russ give any details, so I conclude that none were published. Mr. Phillipps says that with him Acridotheres cristatellus and tristis laid many eggs and a few were hatched (Avic. Mag. Vol. IV. p. 137) but he throws no light on the period of incubation : neither does Herr Wiener, who bred A. cristatellus in 1875, and Poliopsar malabaricus in 1877 and 1878. Mr. Farrar, who bred the latter species in 1900, also omits to mention the incubation ; but, with regard to P. andamancnsis he says, — “ as far as I could tell, she sat about thirteen days ” and of Temenuchus pagodartcm, — “ The sitting lasted roughly some thirteen days.” So, with regard to the Sturnidce, we have no exact data in spite of the number of species which have nested in captivity. Ptilonorhynchus violaceus, the Satin Bower-bird, takes three weeks according to Mrs. Johnstone (Avic. Mag. N. S., Vol. I. p. 64) incubation having commenced on June 7th, and food first carried to the young 011 the 28th. One would suppose that in such conspicuous birds as the Sixteen days according' to Dr. Russ. on ihe Diiration of the Period of Incubation. 159 Crows, plenty of information respecting tlie duration of incu¬ bation would be available for the information of bird-keepers, yet even the late Lord Lilford, who bred the Raven in captivity, appears to have overlooked the importance of this part of its life-history:* As these birds do not lay regularly, observations on the incubation of their eggs are doubtless not easily made ; but from what Major Bendire says of the N. American species, there can be no doubt that twenty-one days represent the general period of hatching for the genus Corvus. Dr. Russ was unable to give any information on this point. Judging by what Major Bendire tells us of Clarke’s Nutcracker, the genus Nucifraga probably incubates for sixteen or seventeen days. The Chinese Blue Magpi e (Cyanopotius) hatches out in nineteen daj^s according to Dybowski (vide Russ, “FreindL Weiclifutterfresser,” p. 695) : this species was bred in our Zoological Gardens in 1884 and 1888. In Pica incubation seems to last from sixteen to eighteen days (Bendire, Life-histories of N. Am. Birds, Vol. II. p. 354). The incubation of the species of Perisoreus seems not to have been studied, and I can find no notes as to Garrulus ; but Cyanocitta incubates about sixteen days according to Major Bendire’s records of the various species. Respecting Urocissa, Cissa, Dendrocitta, and Ptilostovms I have no notes. Lady Nevill’s Choughs laid but did not sit well ; so that she was unable to give us information respecting the incubation of that group of Crows. Of the Crow-Shrikes and Piping Crows no species appears hitherto to have brought up a family in captivity, though Baron von Comely had a pair of pinioned Piping Crows which built a large nest in the open at Tours ; unfortunately both birds were killed by a polecat before any eggs were laid : and Campbell in his splendid work tells us nothing as to the incubation of their eggs. Of the Larks hardly anything has been recorded to throw light upon the duration of the brood (‘ Brutdaiter ’ as the Germans tersely put it) : all we know is from Bendire’s note on Otocorys alpestris — “incubation, which lasts about fourteen days.” In the * Mr. St. Quintin (Avic. Mag. n. S. Vol. IT. p. 292) was unfortunately unable to settle this point in the case of his Ravens. i6o Dr. A. G. Butler, Gefiederte Welt’ for 1S91 Mr. H. Wiinn and Dr. Russ both describe nests built and eggs laid by the Skylark in their bird- rooms ; the first gentleman had two nests, but both were destroyed by a Ouail, and Dr. Russ sent his as a curiosity to the Berlin Museum. Mr. Phillipps records the nesting of Melano- ■corypha yeltoniensis in his garden aviary in 1899, and tells us that the hen began to sit with the first egg, but he gives us no information as to when this egg was laid and when it was hatched. I have looked in vain for data as to the incubation of the Pittas. Respecting the Tyrants Major Beudire tells us much, but his notes chiefly deal with genera hitherto not imported as cage-birds ; in the King-bird ( Tyrannus ) lie tells us that incubation lasts from twelve to thirteen days ; but of the incubation of Milvulus tyrannus he unfortunately could not write, the bird being only an occasional visitor to the United States. The Nightjar has been kept as a cage-bird in Germany: its period of incubation is eighteen days according to Mr. J. H. Gurney, Junr. In the Woodpeckers the period is usually perhaps about fourteen days ; this is so in the case of the Greater Spotted Woodpecker : in some of the species, the eggs not being laid at regular intervals of twenty-four hours, it is difficult to ascertain the period with certainty. Very little information is available respecting Kingfishers ; but Major Bendire says that Ceryle alcyon sits about sixteen days. Probably the only way to ascertain the period in the Hornbills would be to hatch eggs of the various species in an incubator. Of Bee-eaters and Rollers I can find no records ; nor does anything seem to be known as to the incubation-period of Toucans and Barbets, or even of Cuckoos ; but of the Touracous Mrs. Johnstone gives us valuable information with her Phaser's Touracous ( Turacus macrorhynchus) : — “ Almost exactly three weeks after the lieu commenced to sit, the first egg hatched” (Avic. Mag. N. S., Vol. III. p. 28). In the Parrots, owing to the irregularity with which their eggs are laid, it requires considerable observation and judgment to ascertain the length of time required to hatch them : coil- on the Duration of the Period of Incubation. 161 sequently in many cases where a species has been bred, no record of the period of incubation has been published. Comparing Russ’ records with those of other observers, I should be inclined to think he sometimes over estimated the period : however, I have notes of the following : — Swainson’s Rorikeet, twenty-three to twenty-six days (Russ) ; Coclcatiel, twenty-one days (Russ) ; Illiger’s Macaw, twenty-four days (Russ) ; Golden-crowned Conure, twenty-six days (Russ) ; Passerine Parrotlet, apparently eighteen days (John Watson), nineteen to twenty days (Russ); Grand Eclectus, thirty days (Russ) ; Blossom-head and Rosa Parrakeets, twenty-two to twenty-three days (Russ)* ; Nepal Alexandrine Parrakeet, about twenty-one days (Capt. Hutton); Black-tailed Parrakeet, apparently about four weeks (cf. Mrs. Johnstone’s account) ; Red-winged Parrakeet, twenty-four days (Russ) ; Madagascar Rove-bird, nineteen to twenty days (Russ); Red-faced Rove-bird, twenty-one days (Russ); Rosy-faced Rove- bird, nineteen to twenty days (Russ) ; Pennant (or Adelaide) about twenty days (Farrar) ; Mealy Rosella, twenty-one days (C. P. Arthur) ; Rosella, about twenty-one days (John Sargeant), twenty-two to twenty-four days (Russ) ; Barnard’s Parrakeet, about three weeks (Mrs. Johnstone); Many-colour, about eighteen days (cf. Seth-Smith in Appendix to ‘Parrakeets’), Blood-rump, twenty-two days (Russ) ; Bourke’s Parrakeet, about seventeen days (Groom), twenty-two days (Russ) ; Blue-banded Grass-Parrakeet, nineteen days (Robert Hall) ; Turquoisine, twenty to twenty-two days (Russ) ; New Zealand Parrakeet, twenty-four days (Russ) ; Goldeu-lieaded Parrakeet, twenty-one days (G. E. Bouskill), twenty-four days (Russ) ; Budgerigar, eighteen to twenty days (Russ). In the Columbce it is comparatively easy to note the hatching of the eggs without risk of blundering; yet Dr. Russ, speaking of the Doves as a whole, says that their period of incubation lasts from fourteen to twenty days ; and he takes no further trouble about the matter. Miss Alderson says (Avic. Mag., VIII. p. 221) “ sitting lasts seventeen to nineteen days, in some cases possibly a little I bred t lie latter in 1894 ; but, the Avicultural Society not being' then in existence, fear I neglected to take careful notes on the occurrence. 162 Dr. A. G. Butler, longer”: but of the many species this lady has bred, she gives us no definite details respecting the hatching of their eggs, which is most unfortunate. Mr. O. E. Cresswell has done so in one instance. Altogether Mr. David Seth-Smith has paid more attention to this point in the life-history than any other in our country; he has also made it evident that cold weather retards the hatching of these birds’ eggs, and thereby possibly is prejudicial to the vigour of the nestlings. The following are the few facts which I have been able to collate : — The genus Columba incubates from eighteen to twenty days, eighteen days being the regular period for the British species according to Tegetmeier, eighteen to twenty for the N. American species according to Bendire, who also gives the same period for Ectopistes migratorms, but about two weeks for Zenaidura carolinensis , and about eighteen days for Melopelia leucoptera. The Barbary Turtle sits from seventeen to eighteen days, and I should think the Necklaced-dove does the same, although (Avic. Mag. IV. p. 25) I put the time at nearly three weeks. This year a young bird (71 tigrinus x T. risorius albus) hatched on January 9th from an egg incubated since Dec. 22nd of last year.41 Geopclia cuneata incubates about twelve days according to Seth-Smith (Avic. Mag. V. p. 35) ; and Scatdafella sqzcamosa pro¬ bably fourteen days (cf. Avic. Mag. N. S., II. p. 271) ; Chamcepelict passerina , two weeks according to Bendire ; Tyzzipanistria bicolor , seventeen to eighteen days (Butler, Avic. Mag. N. S. Vol. II., p. 100) ; Phaps elegans , eighteen days in cold weather (Seth- Smith, Avic. Mag. N. S. II. p. 212 ; fifteen days in warmer weather t. c. p. 263) ; Ocyphaps lophotcs, about nineteen days (O. E. Cresswell (Avic. Mag., III. p. 204). Mr. St. Ouintin reared a specimen of Pterocles alchata in 1897 (cf. Avic. Mag. V. p. 73), but does not note the duration of incubation ; in 1900 his Sandgrouse failed to hatch. In 1899 Mr. Meade-Waldo bred Pintailed Sandgrouse (Avic. Mag. VI. p. 77) but gave no particulars as to the incubation ; nor did he again in 1893. I hope one or both of these gentlemen will be able to tell us how long these birds sit. * It left the nest on January 23rd, well feathered. on the Duration of the Period of Incubation. 163 Of the smaller Quails Coturnix coi omandelica went to nest with Dr. Russ, but failed to hatch : in May, 1903, Mr. Reslie Setli-Smith bred it, but was unable to note the period of incubation ; this was fortunately remedied by Mr. George C. Swailes ( Avic. Mag. N. S. Vol. I. p. 480) who gave eighteen days as the period. Respecting the Chinese Painted Quail ( Excalfactoria chinensis ) there seems some uncertainty, Russ giving sixteen to eighteen days as the period, Mr. Meade-Waldo nineteen days, Mr. Seth-Smith nineteen to twenty; later (Avic. Mag. N. S. Vol. I. p. 321) he says twenty-one to twenty-two, but I think that reckoning must include the morning in which the young hatched — perhaps very early, which surely should not be taken into account.*1 Perdicjila cambaiensis, according to Russ, hatches in twenty-one days, and he says no doubt P. argoondah does the same, but his young hatched when he was away from home. Of the species of Callipepla Major Bendire says that C. californica, popularly known as the Californian Quail, probably takes twenty-one days, though it has been credited with a longer period, and C. gambeli twenty-one to twenty-four ; Oreortyx pictus twenty-one days. Of the Hemipodes T. nigricollis has been bred by Rieut. Hauth and others in Germany, and all agree that incubation lasts thirteen days in the case of this species. Rieut. Hauth also bred T. lepurana , the young hatching on the thirteenth day, which gives twelve days of incubation ; T. tanki bred by Mr. D. Seth- Smith also incubated twelve days (Avic. Mag. N. S. Vol. I. p. 321). It is a great pity that we cannot obtain these interesting birds at a reasonable price, as they can in Germany. Dr. Russ speaks of 15-20 Marks for a pair of Black-necked Hemipodes as a tolerably high price ! f Some of the Tinamous being pleasing little birds for the aviary, it may be well to note that Mr. Seth-Smith gives twenty- one days as the period of incubation for Crypturus tataupa (Avic. Mag. N. S. II. pp. 287-8) ; it is however interesting to note that the hatching of the eggs in the third nest, in mid- * On the other hand Mr. Seth-Smith’s careful observations have shown on two occasions, that the period of incubation may be modified by the temperature, t Some which I had charge of for a few weeks many years ago were priced at double that amount. 164 On the Duration of the Period of Incubation. summer, was accelerated ; and took place after nineteen days. The Rufous Tinamou (. Rhynchotus rufescens ) incubates for twenty- one days, according to the late Mr. Bartlett. Taking the larger Parrots and Crows as types of long- lived birds, we find that the incubation of the former lasts between three and four weeks, or, allowing a slight margin because of the difficulty of obtaining exact data in the case of birds which lay at irregular intervals in holes, we will say three weeks ; that of the latter about the same period. On the other hand if we take the Zebra-finch and Silverbills as types of short¬ lived birds (and I have found them distinctly more so than many other Grass-finches which are less easily bred) we find that their period of incubation is only eleven days. This certainly looks as if there were some connection between the two facts. As aviary birds, whatever they may be when at liberty, doves are undoubtedly long-lived, and retain their full vitality for many years ; as is evident from the fact that one of my male Necklaced-doves, purchased in 1894, is now breeding with a white Barbary-dove ; and my Bronze-winged Pigeons, purchased in 1897, have spent the past winter in an open out-door aviary; in the large doves seventeen to nineteen days is a fair average for the hatching of the young. The typical Thrushes I believe are not naturally long- lived birds, so that one might expect their period of incubation to be short. On the other hand, I think the larger Mynahs live to a good age ; consequently their eggs should be more slowly developed. In Mr. Evans’ papers previously referred to, the following may be summarized as desiderata in the foregoing account : — Chats about 14 days; Warblers 11-16 days, but mostly 13-15 days; Wagtails 13-14 days; Swallow 15-16 days; Park 13-14 days; Nuthatch 13-14 days ; Tits 14-17 days ; Flycatcher 14 days ; Zosterops 9-10 days; Creeper 15 days; Crossbill 14-15 days; Woodpeckers 14-18 days ; Nicobar Pigeon 28 days ; Crows 17-19 days; Kingfishers 14-19 days ; Rollers 18-20 days ; Cockatoos 21 days ; but these papers should be studied carefully in con¬ junction with the present one. On Birds noticed during a short visit to Suffolk. 165 •BIRDS NOTICED DURING A SHORT VISIT TO SUFFOLK. By Hugh Whistler. On August 3rd of last year (1904) I visited the parish of St. Margaret’s, which is situated in the district of South Elniham, near the River Waveney, which is the boundary between Norfolk and Suffolk. The village of St. Margaret’s is very small indeed, only boasting one shop, so that whatever is needed that the shop cannot supply has to be got from either Bungay or Harleston, both of which are at least five miles off. The only houses of any consequence in St. Margaret’s itself are the Rectory and South Elniham Hall, the latter being built close to the ruins of the palace of Felix, the first Bishop of Norwich, and about half a mile from the Minster, an ancient edifice surrounded by a raised bank in the shape of a square, now covered with trees. The Rectory has fine grounds, and in front of the house is a moat forming an island, now partly overgrown. Without any further preamble, I will state my observations, made during a stay of nearly three weeks, occasionally referring to what I noticed in former visits ; although I have no notes by me of my earlier holidays there. The Kestrel ( Falco tinnuncuhis') is plentiful (thanks to the enlightenment of the inhabitants, who discriminate between this bird and the Sparrowliawk) and it gave me great pleasure to observe that one could practically be sure of seeing some in one’s walks abroad. I was much struck by the beautiful manner in which they hovered over the fields when searching for food, remaining in the same spot, although their wings were beating up and down. The lady whom I was staying with had several young “ Windovers,” as they are locally called, which came from a nest containing six 3^0 ling ones in a tree in front of the main doorway of South Elniham Hall. I11 this same tree was another nest containing more young Kestrels, and on inquiry I found that they had bred in it every year for many }rears, in spite of often being disturbed. There had also been another nest quite near to the other two last }^ear, the young from which, I believe, got off safeE, with the exception of one bird, which a gentleman wounded slightly and put in a cage, where It seemed i66 Mr. Hugh Whistler, to be doing quite well when I saw it. I am glad to be able to state that the Kestrel is certainly on tlie increase there. Although the Spotted Flycatchei '{Miiscicapa grisolci) seemed scarcer than usual down in Sussex last year, I was pleased to find them fairly numerous in Suffolk, but I noticed more in the latter half of my visit than I saw promise of at first. They were common in the locality of “ the Island,” and seemed to like a young tree which overhung the water, from wdience they were accustomed to dash out after passing flies. I remember one in particular which generally took up his stand on a tenuis net and occasionally used to chase passing Swallows. I always wondered whether he was trying piracy! Many years ago, on a former visit, I saw a nest of this species built in a rose tree, climbing up the house at which I stayed. This was the only Flycatcher’s nest I ever saw there. I saw a good number of Missel Thrushes ( Turdus vis civ or us)' about, in almost every instance in pairs. Song Thrushes (71 vmsicus ) and Blackbirds (71 merula ) were very common, and seem to be on the increase there, as in many other localities. If anything one saw less of our sable friend than of the Song Thrush. Robins were very common. To my mind the Hedge Sparrow {Accenior viodularis) locally known as the “ Hedgepoke,” a name which is very descriptive of its way of threading in and out of hedges, is rather a mournful looking little bird as he silently hops along the ground, occasionally flirting his wings. The Nightingale ( Dciulias luscinia ) though undoubtedly a constant visitor to the neighbourhood, confines himself to the small copses which are few and far between. One nest I remem¬ ber was found close to the Island, near the Rectory, in an over¬ grown ditch. Once or twice I saw a Resser Whitethroat ( Sylvia curruca) after insects, hovering or perching by a window of the house where I was staying. Reed Warblers frequent a water-course between the Rectory and South Elmham Hall, whence their eggs have been taken. Redstarts (Ruticilla phcenicnra) were frequently to be seen on the road leading from St. Margarets to St. Peters, and also at Flixtou. I was very pleased to see, two days before my departure. on Birds noticed during a short visit to Suffolk. 167 a family of the pleasing little Golden-crested Wrens (Regulus cristaius') busily searching for food in some evergreens by the moat in front of the Rector)''. Marsh Tits {Par us pa lus iris') were frequently to be found scattered about, most commonly I think in pairs, and one day I had an opportunity of examining one which had been shot from the Island. Besides the above-mentioned species I saw the Coal and Blue Tits {Par us ater ) and (P. coeruleus') and I remember finding a beautiful little nest of the Long-tailed or Bottle Tit ( Acredula caudata), containing eggs, in a hedge bordering 011 the tenuis court where I was staying. On August 8th I found a late nest of the Greenfinch (, Ligurinus clitoris') with four young, only recently hatched. Personally I did not come across the Hawfinch {Coccothraustes vulgaris ), but I heard of two specimens taken near St. Margaret’s. The Chaffinch (. Fringilla ccelebs ) known locally as the “ Spink ” from its call, and the Linnet ( Acanthis cannabina ) were plentiful everywhere ; but I can only remember seeing Bullfinches {Pyrrhula europced) in one locality, namely, the road from St. Margaret’s to St. Peter’s. I am afraid the Goldfinch {Carduelis elegans) is not common in the neighbourhood of St. Margarets, as, though I kept an eye open for them, I only saw a party of five all the time I was there. The perseverance of the House Sparrow {Passer domesticus) is marvellous ; for example, the owner of the house I was staying in had the Sparrows’ nests round the house (of which there were not a few) destroyed, because of the damage these birds do, and within a few days some of them began again constructing great untidy nests in the rose bushes all up the house. House Martins {Chelidon urbica ) may be seen nesting on nearly every house. South Elmliam Hall is particularly favoured by them, nests being built on it on every available place, in extraordinary numbers. I only saw Sand Martins {Cotile riparia ) on two occasions, the first being on August 10th, along the River Waveuey below Beccles ; and the second on August 19th, when I was surprised to see these birds nesting close to the beach at Lowestoft, which is much frequented by trippers, houses being close by. Pied Wagtails {Motacilla lugubris ) had evidently had a good 1 68 On Biids noticed during a short visit to Suffolk. breeding year in St. Margaret’s, as nearly all I saw were birds ot this year : but though this species was so common, I did not come across any other. Skylarks were very common. The Swift (Cy septus opus') was frequently to be seeti until the second week in August. I saw one as late as the 13th, but after that all had disappeared. The flesh of the Starling ( Sturnus vulgaris ) is very bitter in taste and smell, and it was probably for this reason that a Kestrel I once had. as a pet, refused to eat them, although he would accept other birds. I was surprised to find a Wren’s nest against the trunk ot a tree near the Island, in exactly the same place as I found one containing young two years ago ; both nests I should think were probably built by the same bird or its descendants. With regard to the so-called “ cock-nests” of this bird, I think that the Wren probably builds them for employment, as Weavers do in captivity. The Green Woodpecker fficus viridis') must be very common in Suffolk, as its laughing cry was to be heard every¬ where. Tree Creepers {Cerlhia familiar is') were not uncommon, and Turtle Doves ( Turtur communis) fairly numerous. Wood- Pigeons ( Columba palumbus ) were much commoner than Turtle Doves, and were always to be found in trees round the Minster. The nearest Rookery to St. Margarets was an old one at the Minster, which was apparently, for some unknown reason, recently deserted. The only time I saw Jackdaws was wdien I saw some in company with a crowd of Rooks. I have seen Herons ( Ardea cinereal) probably on their way to the banks of the Waveney, w'here they are frequently to be seen. On the last evening but one of my stay I had a stalk after a flock of Lapwings ( Vanellus vulgaris) 011 a plough, but did not succeed in getting a shot. The white in their plumage as they raised their wings when running about was visible a long way off. Water hens ( Gallinula chlor opus') wrere common, and distributed all over the place. In the moat in front of the Rectory they always breed, and I found a nest at the edge of the reeds a few yards from the tennis courts, which I consider a strange place for so shy a bird, as there was no fence or hedge intervening. With regard to Game birds, there did not seem to be a very good prospect for the shooting season. Correspondence , Notes, etc. 169 “THE EMU.” The Emu, tlie journal of the Australasian Ornithologists’ Union continues its useful career. The October number contains, amongst much very interesting matter, a valuable article on a trip undertaken by Mr. J. F. Kilgour to the Ord River, North-West Australia. Many of the birds met with are familiar to Aviculturists in this country, such as Zebra, Gouldian, Pectoral, Rufous-tailed, Masked, Roug-tailed and Crimson Finches, most of which were extremely numerous in certain parts where the grass was long and plentiful. Bare-eyed Cockatoos ( Cacatua gymnopisj were seen in flocks of between sixty and seventy thousand; and a eucalyptus with a large salmon-coloured flower afforded food for immense numbers of Red-collared Lorikeets ( IVichoglossus rubritorquis). A correspondent described a hybrid Parrakeet, bred in captivity between the Mealy Rosella (. Platycercus pallidiceps) and the Yellow- vented Blue-bonnet ( Psepholus xanthoi rhous) two species that have probably never been known to hybridize before. The January number contains an account of the fourth annual session of the Australasian Ornithologists’ Union, recently held at Sydney, and several of the papers read are printed in full. Captain Hutton, F.R.S., writes on the “Geographical Origin and Subsequent Development of the Rand Birds of New Zealand ; ” Colonel Regge, on “ Birds observed at the Great Lake (Tasmania) in the month of March ; ” and Mr. A. G. Campbell on “ Some Comparisons of Victorian and Tasmanian Birds.” CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. THE TANAGRIDHJ AS FINCHES. Sir, — The older Members of our Society will probably remember that in Vol. IV. of the first series (p. 181) Mr. S. Perkins asked me the question “as to whether or not it is more improper to call a Nightingale a Warbler than to call a Tauager a Finch ” ; and he proceeded to inform us that no modern Ornithologists include the Tanagridce in the Fringillidce. 170 Correspondence, Notes, etc. In looking through Ridgway’s splendid work 011 the “Birds of North and Middle America” recently, I came across the following remarks: — “ The group most closely related to the Fringillidce is, of course, that called Tanagridce, or at least certain members of the latter,” and he proposes to transfer certain genera, including Saltator, to the Fringillidce, • »as having un¬ questionably fringilline relationships. It will be remembered that Dr. Sclater speaks of the Tanagers as “ dentirostral finches” in which the beak is modified to enable the owner to feed upon fruit ; and, though we are well aware that some Tanagers will eat and are able to husk seeds, while some Finches eat a good deal of fruit, it is rather a shock to be asked to call some of the tooth-billed groups true finches. I note that in the work above referred to the family Fringillidce is again characterized as “ nine-primaried ” ; yet, unless I am very much mis¬ taken, Dr. Baird was the first to record the fact that the so-called “ bastard¬ primary ” is not absent in these birds. Later it was again called attention to by Dr. Hartert, and still later by myself (Zoologist 1S9S, pp. 241-4). Possibly it may be incorrect to speak of the tenth primary in the Fringillidce as a primary, because it is shorter than its coverts (see Pycraft “ Topography of a Bird ” Avic. Mag., New Series, Vol. I., p. 161) ; but surely in that case the family should be characterized as having “nine primaries and a remicle,” which — to all intents and purposes — is equivalent to ten : the fact is that this “remicle” iu some Fringillidce. is larger than the bastard-primary in some Ploceidce, in which however the coverts are pro- portionably smaller. A. G. Bu'i'per. THE EGGS OF THE SMEW AND MISTLE THRUSH. Sir, — In the last number of the Avicultural Magazine iu the article on the Smew, by your esteemed correspondent Mr. J. Lewis Bonliote, the eggs of the Smew are described as being very like those of the Golden-eye. This is inaccurate. The eggs of the Smew are very like those of the Wigeou (vide Yarrell and Howard Saunders). They are not at all like those of the Golden-eye, which are bright green, whereas those of the Smew are cream- coloured like Wigeons’, only with more gloss and smoother surface; they are also heavier when weighed with Wigeons’ eggs. I11 the article by Mr. W. E. Reliant I can bear him out iu his state¬ ment that the Missel Thrush lays five eggs sometimes, having found clutches of five on two occasions, though four is much more general. Perhaps this statement about the Smew’s eggs will be corrected in a future number.* F. W. PROCTOR. * I am much indebted to Major Proctor for pointing' out my careless slip. Of course he is quite right.— the eggs of the Smew resemble those of the Wigeou.— J. L. B. Correspondence , Notes, etc. 171 BIRD NOTES FROM ARGENTINA. Sir, — I duly received the Oct. number of the Avicullural Magazine a few days ago. I should be very sorry to be without this monthly visitor ; I always look forward to its coming. I have 110 aviary, though soon I intend to go in for one, but for many years have been an earnest observer, and I may say student, of the bird life around me. I have collected, taken the dimensions, descriptions and habits, as far as in me lay, of now about 130 different birds ; and I have still, I calculate, 40 or 50 more to get. I have painted copies of all these as exactly as I possibly could. Here we have the following Finches. My nomenclature is from Sclater and Hudson’s Argentine Ornithology, 1888, the only authority I have. I. Phencticits aureiventris . . (d’Orb. et Lafr.) 2. Guiraca cyanea (Linn.) 3- Spennophila ccernlescens (Vieill.) 4- Paroaria cucullata (Lath.) 5- Poospiza nigrorufa (d’Orb.) 6. ,, melanolenca (Vieill.) 7- ,, erythrophrys . . . . (Scl.) 8. Coryphospingus cristatus .. .. (Gmel.) 9- Phrygilus unicolor .. .. (d’Orb. et Lafr.) 10. Diuca minor .. .. (Bonap.) 11. Catamenia analis (d’Orb et Lafr.) 12. Zonotrichia pileata .. .. (Bodd.) I3- ,, hypochondria (d’Orb. et Lafr.) 14. Embernagra platensis .. (Gmel.) 15- Sycalis pelzelni .. (Scl.) 16. Saltatricula multicolor . . .. .. (Buon.) 17. Embernagra olivascens . . . . (d’Orb. et Lafr.) 18. Chrysomitris icterica . . (Licht.) 19- ,, atrata (d’Orb et Lafr.) 20. Phrygilus fruticeti (Kittl.) Darn. No. 1. I saw in an aviary a few weeks ago. The pair seemed very tame and healthy ; they are very scarce birds here, but I have them on my own property in one single place, and I have never seen them elsewhere. They feed here on the ripe seed of the elder tree, and come for this and go away when this is about finished. They have a most lovely song, and whistle very like our English Blackbird. No. 2. Is common here ; they are always found in pairs, and are lovely little birds : the pair being so dissimilar. The cock has a beautiful song. They should be very easy to rear in captivity. No. 3. Very common : come in flocks. No. 4. Rare here. No. 5. Rare. No. 6. Idem. 172 Correspondence , Notes, etc. No. 7. Very rare. No. 8. Rare. No. 9. Common. No. 10. Come in big flocks in the beginning of winter. I11 the summer they make their nests in the torrid plain below this place amongst the big Algarroba trees. No. 11. Rare. No. 12. The most common of all. The American .Sparrow, like bis congener in England, is always found about the houses, stores, & c., and is just as insolent. No. 13. Rare. No. 14. Common ; but always singly and in pairs. This bird is not at all shy; easy to rear I should think in captivity. No. 15. Not rare — neither common. I always have a pair or two here every year ; they are pretty birds, and the cock has a beautiful, or perhaps I should say a very powerful, song. It is a pretty bird, and the sexes are very different here. No. 16. Common here. They do a lot of harm to the vineyard, & c., like the Bullfinch does in England to the buds. No. 17. Rare. No. 18. Common. At certain times of the year in winter they come down from the hills, and go about in fairly big flocks. No. 19. Rather rare. Found only in the hills. No. 20. Common here at certain seasons ; we see them in flocks and in pairs. The cock has a most pleasant song, and is very fond of hearing his own voice. I have given you this list of the Fringillidce, as perhaps these are the easier birds to keep in captivity. As I have said before I hope soon to be able to put up an aviary and stock it, and then I will send you more if you like to hear from me. The Orange-billed Tauager (. Solicitor aurcintiirosiris), which is the subject of the coloured plate for October, is very common here. He does a lot of mischief too : he has a habit of biting the vine sprout just below the young bunch of grapes, apparently only to suck the iume of the stem, as it is not left cut, but simply flattened out. The colouring on the plate is slightly7 different from that of the bird here, but this may differ in the different localities. We are here in lat. 270 more or less, but at 4000 feet above sea level. This is an oasis, as we are surrounded on three sides by an arid plain; and to the north by high mountains — the highest peak, Aconquija, being iS,ooo feet above sea level— and of course with eternal snow ; so we get any amount of birds and a great variation in climate. Here we are full of fruits of all kinds, maize, wheat, vineyards. &c,, hence lots of birds come to the feasting. Of the Tyrannidce I have now observed and painted 30 species— and so on. I send you a description of our Saltator, so you will see it is rather different: — Above, grey7; slight olive on back and on tail coverts; top of 173 Correspondence, Notes, etc. head, dark, slate grey. Superciliary stripe, which commences above the eye, white, changing into buff, runs down each side of nape. Throat, whitish buff, becoming full buff as it goes around to join the super¬ ciliary stripe. Sides of the head, face, and throat, black. Wing, dark maroon brown, with light edgings. Tail, dark, the outside rectrices with rather deep tip of white, the second and third on each side with the slightest bit of a white tip. The buff of lower throat goes into rather brighter colour lower down. Thighs and lower tail-coverts again brighter. Feet, brownish horn-colour. Beak, orange, slightly yellower at the tip ; culmen and tarsi, black. This bird could I am sure be easily tamed, as here it is a fearless bird, alwaj’s seen around the houses, & c. Andagald Catarnarca, Jo EL Beamey. Argentina, Nov. 20th, 1904. THE MOULTING OF THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE. Sir, — In his very interesting article on “The Breeding of the Red- backed Shrike in Captivity ” in the October number of the Magazine, Dr. Gunther states that his young birds moulted “ late in the autumn, and proved to be two males and one female.” I call attention to Dr. Gunther’s observation in the hope that some o our members may be able to throw further light 011 this point. I11 the “Feathered World” recently appeared a contribution by Dr. S. H. Snell, giving notes on a young male Red-backed Shrike which he kept from August in one year to the end of the following summer. Dr. Snell says u In March he commenced to moult. First he shed his mottled brown tail and acquired the black and white one. Then the breast moulted, losing the crescentic brown markings and coming out white, with a lovely pinkish tinge. The hitherto brown streak under the eye became black, and then the brown head gradually became a beautiful blue grey — - the whole process occupying about a mouth.” In July, 1904, I obtained two young Shrikes, which I believe to have been both males, and I kept them under close observation for five months. During the whole of this time there was no material change in their plumage, except that the ground colour of the breast feathers became rather lighter. Owing to the fierce fights between my two birds they lost their tails. One of them renewed the latter appendage twice but 011 each occasion the new feathers were identical in colour with the original ones. Towards the end of December I lost both birds and sent one to Dr. Butler, who wrote me as follows under date December 2Sth, 1904 : — “The bird is undoubtedly still in nestling plumage, with barred upper surface and ill-defined superciliary streak.” Unless we ascribe the difference in the period of the moult to difference in treatment, this seems to be a point on which further informa¬ tion would be interesting. I74 Correspondence, Notes, etc. I see that Dr. Butler rejects Seebom’s theory that the Shrikes impale their prey on thorns because their feet are not powerful enough to hold it, during the process of dissection. It is quite true, as Dr. Gunther remarks, that this bird “ uses its claws in an attack upon an enemy”; but I have seen a Starling, when taken by a trained Merlin, turn on its back and clutch the little hawk with an iron grip— yet the Starling is not a predatory bird. I have also seen my birds use their feet for holding a cockroach, but not in the same manner as a Hawk. The Shrike stands on one foot, and grasps the quarry on the other. He then rests the shin bone on the perch and, leaning forward, proceeds to dissect the victim. My birds were quite incapable of tearing up a bird or mouse until it was firmly tied to a perch for them. I do not venture an opinion on this point myself, but I see that Dr. Snell adopts what may perhaps be called the more commonly received theory. He says: “The Shrike had one particular thorn, a straight upstanding spike, and to this immediately on being supplied with flesh, beetles, etc., indeed anything which it could not bolt whole, the bird always resorted, spiking the morsel, then tearing small pieces off with its beak.” In conclusion I may say that I found my Shrikes most interesting birds, full of character and well worth the little extra catering required. I believe the best food to be young mice. A shrike will eat almost anything but there is evidently a limit to what he can digest. 1 advertised for some black beetles and received some ship’s cockroaches — the most fearsome looking beasts imaginable. However, I administered several and within two da}-s both birds— hitherto perfectly healthy — were dead. W. K. Teschemaker. LIVING BIRDS ATTACKED BY MAGGOTS. fo the Hon. Correspondence Secretary. Dear Dr. Buteer, — Knowing you to be an insect specialist, I am enclosing some flies for the favour of identification. The following is their history : — A few weeks ago, I procured a nest containing two young Hangnests [Icterus xanthornis) about eight da}’s old. In a few days I found that the smaller bird had a swelling under the skin, close to the e3’e-ball. The larger bird had two such swellings on the throat, and one on the abdomen — in each case just under the skin. I soon discovered, principally from the shape, that each swelling was nothing more nor less than a live maggot, about half an inch long. All went well until the birds had been five or six da}-s in my possession, when the maggots disappeared ; upon searching under the hay upon which the birds had been nestling, I discovered about a dozen live fat maggots. I thus came to the conclusion that other maggots, as well as those I had located, had been parasitic upon the young birds. Correspondence, Notes, etc. 175 These maggots were placed in a bottle, when they soon entered the pupa state, in due course being transformed into the flies herewith enclosed. There are two sizes of the flies, which I presume are the different sexes. Unfortunately, I was unable to rear either of the young Hangaests. The smaller one died suddenly after about a week, and the other followed a few days later. I shall be pleased to send you the nest, if it will interest you. This species of Hauguest is known locally as “ plantain-bird.” It is not included in your “ Foreign Bird-keeping,” nor do I see it in the Zoo. list. Georgetown, Demerara, E- W. Harper. British Guiana. The following reply has been sent to Mr. Harper: Unfortunately the only work I ever did in connection with Dipterous insects was in 1874, when I completed the account of the New Zealand Insects — (. Diciyoplera , Orthoptera, Neuroptera, Rhynchota, Diptera, and Lepidoptera ) for the voyage of H.M.S. “ Erebus ” and “ Terror.” However I will submit the specimens of Diptera to the Specialist at the Natural History Museum, and ask him to communicate with you. It is an interesting fact that living birds should be attacked by Dipterous parasites after the manner of Cattle. A. G. But PER. EARLY NESTING OF RAVENS IN CAPTIVITY. Mr. St. Quintin writes under date February 17th : “ My Ravens have been sitting a week to-day, — or rather the hen bird, for the cock takes no share in incubation duties.” THE FOOD OF PARROTS. Sir, — The suggestion of Canon Dutton that perhaps animal fat might be used with advantage in cases of feather plucking and eating by Parrots is very interesting to me. I have often wondered whether the regular supply of butter, etc. that I gave my Rosella was the cause of his plumage remaining so thick and glossy all his life. The taxidermist was particularly struck with its beauty, and said lie had seldom had a bird — even a young one — in such good condition. This, after over 27 years of cage life, is remarkable. Winifred M. Sopp. 176 BALANCE For the Year ended £ s. d. 296 17 9 97 14 9 £ S. d. 203 o o 16 o o 32 o 6 306 33 5 o 2176 1 1 o 5 13 3 Received by Business Secretary and remitted to Treasurer : 406 Subscriptions, current. 32 „ I904-5- 61 Entrance P'ees. £ s. d. Donations : 2 2 0 Miss D. Hamilton. 0 10 0 E. G. B. Meade- Waldo. 0 S 6 Small sums. Illustration Fund. Post Mortem Fees, remitted by Mr. Arthur Gill. Sale of Original Drawing of Tataupa Tinamou. Private Advertisements. Publisher' s Receipts : 45 iS o Sales— 63 full volumes. 15 7 ir ,, 225 odd numbers. 2 14 6 vSold Artists’ Drawings and Coloured Patterns 19 10 o Trade Advertisements. Cases for binding: — £ s. d. 194 32 Old Series. 770 126 New Series. 8 16 4 - 5 S o Colouring Plates. £394 12 6 SHEET. 177 31 st October , 1904. Balance from year 1902-3 less payments proper to this year (included in items below) Lithographic Work, Tone Blocks and Printing Plates less proper to 1904-5 Paid Artists for 6 drawings and coloured patterns ,, ,, Stonework .. ,, ,, 5 pen and ink sketches ,, ,, drawings, proper to 1904-5 . . less proper to 1904-5 Chromos (3 plates this year, 2 for 1904-5) less proper to 1904-5 Colouring 5 plates for current year.. ,, 1 plate for 1904-5 ,, previous numbers less proper to 1904-5 Printers — 12 months accounts Medal account — (6 medals purchased) Cases for binding ( ^ew^edes ! ! Packing and despatching Magazines, envelopes and ) postages , . . . . . . . j Binding Insurance of Stock Publishers’ Commissions on Sales .. Buying back Volumes and Numbers Carriage, boxes, etc., between Printers and Publisher : Printers Publisher . . .Stationer}7, lists, etc. Postages — Editor, £4 is. Sd. ; .Secretary, £2 2s. od. ) Cheque Book, 2/6 .. .. .. j Miscellaneous payments by Publisher Balance — .Surplus in hand .. Transfer of advance Subscriptions £ s. d. 38 14 10 32 10 6 21 4 0 2 16 3 iS 9 6 1 1 0 3 14 0 7 12 0 30 16 6 7 12 0 73 10 0 32 0 0 50 17 10 10 0 0 5 0 4 65 is 2 10 0 0 1 18 0 3 10 6 2 17 2 12 15 14 4 16 o o £ s- d- 4 4 4 iS 7 9 23 4 6 41 10 o 55 18 2 127 S 9 260 5 S 6 44 i3 8 4 8 o 7 9 15 8 13 5 10 4 420 662 o 12 9 162 iS 2 3i 14 4 ^394 12 6 Audited and found correct, Nicholas S. O’Reilly. 1 7/1/05- D. S.-S. A. G. B. J. L. B. A. G. F. F. T. H. N. i78 Post Mortem Examinations. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL A Medal has been awarded to Miss R. Alderson for breeding the Solitary Ground Dove ( Leptoptila chloroauchenia) for the first time in the United Kingdom. POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. RULES. Each bird must be forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and postage paid, direct to Mr. Arthur Grr.L, M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Establishment, Bexley Heath, Kent, and must be accompanied by a letter containing the fullest particulars of the case. Domestic poultry, pigeons, and Canaries cannot be dealt with. If a reply by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclosed. PiNTAir, NONPAREir, (Dr. Tanner). [Your feeding was quite correct. The bird died of pneumonia]. Patagonian Conure (MissR. Alderson). The bird has been ailing a long time, eating little but green food. It used to have occasional attacks of sickness with a kind of froth coming out of its beak. It has got gradually weaker. [The bird was much wasted owing to inanition. The liver is much congested and would account for the symptoms you mention. It is a hen]. Ribbon Finch and Hen Gourdian (The Hon. Mrs. O. Hodgson). Ribbon Finch appeared at first only unable to fly and remained on floor of aviary. Not very puff)’. Then looked ill. Took him in, gave castor oil and much warmth. Began to eat again, another relapse during night. With warmth appeared to recover. Got out of cage and found dead on floor. Hen Gouldian in good health ; found dead. [The Ribbon Finch had a fit caused by blood extravasation of the brain, which was not sufficient to cause death immediately, but produced the inability to fly. It ultimately caused death. Hen Gouldian died of apoplexy. You do not say what seed they were fed on ; so I cannot assist you as to the cause of dark color of the Gouldian. It probably has to do with the feeding]. The following ansivered by post with thanks for P. O. received : Parrot. Miss G. Coxwell-Rogers. Rook. Mr. E. G. B. Meade-Waldo. F. C. THORPE, Importer of all Varieties of Foreign Birds and (flaterfoml. ANIMALS IMPORTED TO ORDER. All Birds kept in Aviaries not Cages, and sent on approval. SOUTH PARADE, HULL. Stock in hand February 21, 1905. i pair Red Mountain Doves £2 10/- pair, 5 pairs Talpacoti Doves 10/6 pair, 1 pair Picui Doves 12/6 pair, 3 pairs Cambayan Doves beauties 12/6 pair, Australian Crested Doves 20/- pair, Chinese Quails 20/- pair, Pennant’s Parrakeets 50/- pair, have laid. Yellow Budgerigars 20/- pair. 6 pairs Ruddy Sheldrakes £2 pair, 1 Spotted-billed Duck, £1, 2 pairs adult Carolina Ducks 50/- pair, Chinese Goose g'6, East Indian Ducks 12/- pair, Albino Wild Ducks £i pair, 1 Gold Sparrow hen 6/6, 2 pairs Anas superciliosa or Australian Wild Ducks 30/- pair. Trumpeter Bullfinches 10/6 pair, Cockatiels 6/6 each, Seal}’ or Grace¬ ful Doves 25/- pair, White Java Doves 6/6, Indian Collared Doves 7/6 pair, Porto Rico Doves 40/- pair, very fine birds, Crowned Black Tauagers 25/- pair, Orange-head Troupials 20/- each, Ringneck Parrakeets 2/6 each, Brush Bronzewing Doves 50/- pair, Bronze-necked Doves 20/-, Chinese Zosterops 12/6 pair, Goffiti’s Cockatoos, 2 Hyacinthine Macaws, 1 Lear’s Macaws, cock Red rump Parrakeets 30/- pair, Many-coloured Parrakeet hen £2 5/-, i pair Great-billed Parrakeets ( Palceornis magnirostris) true pair perfect condition £4., Yorkshire Canaries 20/- pair. Half-masked Weavers 6/6 each. .Spur- winged Geese £5 pair, x rare Black-throated Yellow Oriole 50/-, 10 pairs Bar-head Geese, £2 to/- pair, 20 Sham as, r Pied Albino Tanager, 2 cock Red-cappedParrots £2 each, r Blue-bearded Jay 35/-, I Bare-eyed Cockatoo 30/-, 2 pairs Mandarin Ducks 30/- pair, Golden-fronted Fruitsuckers 30/- each, Blue-fronted Amazons 30/- each, perfect feather. Black-headed Conures 20/- each, White-eared ditto 15/- each, Black Larks 12/- each, 2 rare cock White-rumped Black Chats £2 each ( Pratincola caprata ), 1 Sliama (one claw off) 20/-. 1 talking Lesser Hill Mynah, fine bird, 3 talking acclimatised Grey Parrots, one says ten words ^3 10/-, one thirty words ^4 to/-, another about seventy words £7 10/-. I Giant Wliydah 12 Barnard’s Parrakeets. Pair White Muscovy Ducks 12/-, pair adult Black Swans £6 10/-, 5 pairs Teal 10/6 pair, 7 drake Wigeons 6/- each, 4 pairs Rosy-billed Ducks /. 2 pair, 7 drake Mandarins, 2 years in England, 17/6 each, pair Magpie Geese, ditto, ^5, 1 male each Paradise and Australian Slielducks. 2 male Grey and Green Tauagers 20/- each, 1 rare Great-billed Cockatoo £8, 6 pairs Cordon Bleus 3 6 pair. Due in April: Great White Siberian Crane, Common Crane, Blue Coots, Argus Pheasants. Due in May : Sliamas, Fruitsuckers, etc. Due in about two weeks time: Giant Whydahs, etc. ; also Waxwiugs, Nutctackers, rare Waxbills, etc. from the Continent. Stock Always Changing. IV. Notices to Members — Contimied. Two hen Silver Pheasants, one year old, very healthy, 12/6 each, 22/- the two ; one cook Californinian Quail, hatched 1904, 10/- ; two Senegal Doves, sex unknown, hatched 1904, 6/- each ; two Green Canaries, hatched from imported bird. 5/- each ; six Canaries 4/- each to clear, mostly well marked. Also fine, healthy, Yellow-naped Amazon Parrot 30/-. Mrs. Charrtngton, Hever, Kent. Lady DunleaTh has Silver Pheasants (1904; for sale, quite tame, reared outside, 10/6 each. Apply, Housekeeper, Ballywalter Park, County Down. Cockatiels 10/6 pair ; 1904 cock Golden Pheasants 8/6 each, pure bred. Salter, Thame. Hen Redrump, plumage rather rough, 7/6 ; Budgerigars 5/6 pair, last year’s birds 2/- each ; cock Zebra Finch 1/6. Wilson, Oak Lodge, Bitterne, Southampton. Cock Rosella 15/- ; cock Mealy Rosella 20/- ; cock Red-vented Blue-bonnet (very rare) £3, from cool aviary, acclimatized. D. Seth-Smith, 14, Canning Road, Croydon. Pair Reeves Pheasants, hen laid over forty fertile eggs last year, £ 2 15s. Hen Alexandrine Parrakeet. had young last season, 15/-. Frank Harris, Vernon Park, Stockport. WANTS. (1 hese are charged for at the same rate as Biids for Sale 1 . Cage-bred or very tame Saffron Finch. Miss Crowfoot, Beccles. Hen Pileated Finch, also lien Pagoda Mynah. Miss R. Lyon, Harwood, Horsham. Healthy Shauia, good singer, or Blue Thrush, also hardy pair Cordon Bleus. Mrs. Char rington, Hever, Kent. From outdoor aviary — cocks : Rosella and Barnards, and hen Redrump Parrakeets. Duncan Parker, Clopton Hall. Bury St. Edmunds. Cock Rosella, hen Diamond Sparrow ; must both come from outdoor aviary. Wilson, Oak Lodge, Bitterne, Southampton. III. Notices to Members— ( Continued from page ii. of cover). NEW MEMBERS. Mr. Sydney Williams, Jr. ; Holland Lodge, Fore Street, Edmonton, N Miss Drummond ; Mains of Meggincli, Errol, Perthshire. Mr. William Topham ; The Hill, Spondon, Derby. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Miss F. V. Newall ; Ellinghani House, Cheltenham. Proposed by The Rev. R. H. WlLMOT. Mr. Tinniswood Miller ; 27, Belgrave Road, S.W. Proposed by The Hon. Bus. Secretary. MEM HERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is one penny for every four words. Names and addresses of advertisers must be paid for. Each statement of price, such as 3/6, is counted as one word. Every advertisement must be prepaid, and MUST reach the EDITOR not later than the 19 th of each month. The Council reset ve the right of refusing any advertisement they may considet undesirable. I pair Cliillian Wigeon ; Carolina Drakes 25/- each ; female Common Sheldrake 7/6 ; female Redrump Parrakeets 10/- each. All aviary-bred. Mrs. Noble, Park Place, Henley-on-Thames. Spare birds — One pair Red-faced Finches (Bathilda ruficauda) , reared young last year, 10/6 ; one pair ditto, hatched last June, 10/6 ; one pair Golden .Sparrows 15/- ; hen Cherry Finch, hatched last April, 10/6 ; one pair Bronze-winged Mannikins, reared young last year, 5/6 ; one pair .Striated Finches 8/6. Mrs. Howard Williams, Hamilton Lodge, Bicklev, Kent. Aviary-bred Californian Quails, pairs. Mrs. Connell, The Orchard, Brockenhurst. Cocks : Blue-winged Lovebirds, Silky Cowbirds, White-cheeked Bulbul, Silverbill. All wintered outside, and perfectly healthy. Purple-capped Lory, acclimatized, healthy, tame. Offers to John Watson, Wentbridge Lodge, Pontefract. Large mealworms, tooo 2/6, 500 1/6, post paid for cash with order. Wired husk nests for Budgerigars, 4d.each. Rush nests for Waxbills etc., 4d., 6d., and 9<1. each. Adult Budgerigars for breeding, cocks 2/6, liens 4/6, pairs 6/-.. C. P. Arthur, Melksham. Hen very small Dove (name unknown) 7/6, or exchange foreign birds. Miss M. Sharp, Ringwood. {Continued on opposite page). JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT PROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THPI ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. UCCESS IN BIRD KEEPING & BREEDING CAN ONLY BE SECURED BY USING 4* AIB1RA W AM S5 WORLD- FA MED ©W Specialities in BIRD FOOD. LARGE STOCK OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS. HARTZ MOUNTAIN ROLLERS, Norwich, Yorkshire and Lizard Canaries. Cock Birds in full Song now in Stock ABRAHAMS’ TONIC for Diarrhoea and Strengthening Birds. EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Cage and Aviary Appliance, Seed, etc., in stock. For complete Price List apply to — J. ABRAHAMS, 191 & 192, ST. GEORGE STREET EAST. LONDON, £. No connection with any other firm under the same name. ABRAHAMS’ is the oldest and most reliable Establishment in England. APRIL, 1905. NEW SERIES. MONTHLY. Voi. 111. No 6. price is 6^' THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. ^CONTENTS.' -tD PAGE The Archbishop Tanager, ( with coloured filate\ by Arthur G. Botlkr, Ph.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., etc. 179 Notes from an Outdoor Aviary on the Italian Riviera, by the Rev. Hubert I). Astlky, M.A., M.B.O.U., etc. 184 Rambles Among- the Wild Birds, (No. 4b The Raven, by the Rev. F. I,. Blathwayt, M.B.O.U. 190 On Breeding Turnix nigricollis in German Bird-rooms, by Arthur G. Butler, Ph.D. etc. 195 Bourke’s Parrakeets, and other rare Australian birds, by the Rev. Hubert D. Asti.ey, M.A. etc. 203 ’‘The Birds of Africa” ... ... ... ... ... 205 Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens ... ... ... 206 Correspondence, Notes, etc.— The forthcoming International Ornithological Congress, 207 ; Habits of the Bearded Tit, 208 ; Monal Pheasants, 209 ; Bathilda mficauda , 210 ; Duration of the Period of Incubation, 210 ; The Rock Grass - Parrakeet, 212 ; Bird preservation in New Zealand, 213 : Publisher’s Announcement, 213. Post-mortem Examinations ... ... ... ... ... 214 a □ LONDON i R.'H. PORTER, 7, Princes St., cavendish Square, W. NOTE. — A new volume commences every November. II. All Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the AvicueTURAI, Society are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. NOTICES TO MEMBERS. The Subscription to the Avicultural Society is 10/- per annum, due on the ist of November in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/6. The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. All MSS. for publication in the Magazine, Books for Review , and Private Advertisements should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. 1). SETH- Smith, Glengarry, Canning Road, Addiscombe, Surrey. All Queries respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A. G. B UTTER, 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. All other correspondence, and Subscriptions, should be sent to the Hon¬ orary Business Secretary, Mr. T. H. Newman, 20, Montpelier Square, London, S.W. An)' change of address should be at once notified to him. Advice is given, by post, by members of the Council to members of the Society, upon all subjects connected with Foreign and British birds. All queries are to be addressed to the Hon. Correspondence Secretary and should contain a penny stamp. Those marked “ Private” will not be published. The Magazine is published by Mr. R. H. Porter (7, Princes Street, Cavendish Square, W.) to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers, and bound volumes (accompanied by remittance) should be addressed. Cases for binding Vol. II., New Series, of the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side) can be obtained from the Publisher, post free and carefully packed, at 1/6 each ; or the Publisher will undertake the binding of the Volume for 2/6, plus 8d. for packing and postage. All orders must be accompanied by a remittance in full ; and iMembers are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. BOUND COPIES OF THE ‘‘AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE.” The following can be obtained from the Publisher at the prices given below. Postage 6d. per volume extra : Vol. II., 6/- to members ; 8/6 to the public. Vols. V. to VII., 10/6 each to members ; 12/6 each to the public. Vol. VIII., 14/- to members ; 17/6 to the public. Vol. I., New Series, 21/- to members; 30/- to the public (revised prices). Vol. II. „ „ 16 1- „ 21/- Cnrrent Monthly Numbers 1/6 each (except in special cases, such as the Number containing the List of Members, when the Committee may increase the price), bv post 1/7; for back Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. Second-hand copies sometimes reach the Publisher, to whom application should lie made. ( Continued on page Hi. of cover). The Practical Scientific Cabinet Makers. J. T. CROCKETT & SON, Established over 50 Years. MAKERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Cabinet Cases & Store Boxes TAXIDERMY IIM ALL ITS BRANCHES. Apparatus and Appliances for the use of Specimens for Entomo¬ logists, Botanists, Ornithologists, Geologists, Mineralogists, Numismatists, Conchologlsts, etc., And for the use of Lecturers, Science Teachers, College Students, &c MUSEUMS FITTED AND ARRANGED. Specially made Cabinets for Birds’ Eggs and Skins, the Drawers graduate in depth and are all interchangeable. STORE BOXES, fitted with Camphor Cells, 2/3, 3/6, 4/3, 5/3 SETTING BOARDS, flat or oval, i-in. 5d., 15-in. 7d., 2-iu. 9d., 2§-in. lid., 35-in. 1/2, 4-in. 1/4, 5-in. 1/8. PLAIN RING NETS, wire or cane, 1/6, 2/-, 2/3. FOLDING NETS, 3/-, 4/- UMBRELLA NETS, self-acting, 6/9. POCKET BOXES, 6d., 8d., lid., 1/5 SUGARING TINS, with brush, 1/4, 1/10. SETTING HOUSES, flat or oval boards, 8/6, 10/-. Cork back, 12/9. BREEDING CAGES, 2/3. Improved stvle, fittedwitli tanks, 3/7. COLEOPTERIST COLLECTING BOTTLES, 1/4, 1/6- INSECT and EGG CASES, from 2/3 to 10/- Best Steel FORCEPS, 1/5 pair. TAXIDERMISTS’ COMPANION, containing eight useful articles for Skinning, 9/6. EGG DRILLS, from 3d. BLOW PIPES from 2d. to 5d. ZINC RELAXING BOXES, 8d., lid. NESTED CHIP BOXES, 4 doz. 7d. ENTOMOLOGICAL PINS from 1/- per oz. ZINC LARVAE/ BOXES, 8d. lid., 1/5. BEST WHITE CEMENT, 5d. a Bottle. SPECIAL CORK CARPET, 9d. per square foot. CABINET CORKS, 7m by 35m., lid- and 1/2 per dozen sheets. The “PERFECTION” FLAT SETTING BOARDS, for English style of Setting. Supersedes the old Boards. Same prices as ordinary Setting Boards. All Goods not approved ?nay be exchanged , or money returned. All Goods Store F rices. All Best V/ork. Estwiates given. Great Advantages in dealing direct with Makers. Send for Full Detailed Price List before ordering elsewhere. 7a, PRINCES ST., CAVENDISH SQ., (7 Doors from Oxford Circus) LONDON , W. Factories : 34, RIDING HOUSE ST., and OGLE ST. W HYDE’S Patent Iron Tonic Grit For all Cage Birds, Pigeons and Fowls. HYDE’S ESTHETIC SEEDS. For Song Birds. A combination of rare and expensive Seeds blended to suit tlieir natural requirements. HYDE’S LARK FOOD. Hyde's Vitaz FOR POULTRY. HYDE’S NATURAL FOOD. For Aquarium Fish and Insectivorous Birds. Sold in Tins. Sample Box, id. The latest achievement in Ornithology Extracts from a letter from Mr. J. PARKINSON, NATURALIST, BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND, October 30th, iqoi. “ Your Traveller was right in saying that the three nests ot Parrots which I have reared were brought up 011 your Aesthetic Seeds, which were boiled for about half an hour, and the birds when old enough they fed upon your famous Parrot F’ood. Your Traveller has handled the eggs and seen the young' ones progressing into maturity. More than two hundred people, from all parts of the country, have visited me in order to see the Parrots ; and four gentlemen, who are Bird Naturalists, are presenting me with a Silver Cup, in commemoration of such an unprecedented accomplishment.” The “ BLACKPOOL GAZETTE ” of Dec. 4th Says— “ Mr. Parkinson has apparently solved the problem of Parrot-rearing, which has troubled Bird Fanciers generally throughout the country, and his skill in this direction has been recognised by the presentation of two Silver Cups at the local Bird Show.” P" - ** HYDE’S I . thW'Wfa dd-A 14 p TRADEMuTl feMARK CAGE BIRDS PIGEONS Slc R. HYDE & Go., Ltd., 54, LILFORD RD., CAMBERWELL. SCLATER (P. R.) & THOMAS (0.) The Book of Antelopes, 4 vols., demy 4to., cloth, with ioo hand-coloured plates, by J. Wolf and J. Smit. Price £13 10s. net. SCLATER (P. L.) & HUDSON (W. H.), Argentine Ornithology, 2 vols., with 20 liaud-coloured plates. £3 3s. net. MIVART (ST. GEORGE). Monograph of the Lories or Brush- Tongued Parrots, roy. 4to, with 6i hand-coloured plates and 4 maps. £7 7s. net. MIVART (ST. GEORGE). Monograph of the Canidae ; Dogs, Jackals, Wolves, and Foxes. I vol., demy 4to. with 45 hand-coloured plates. Price £3 3s. net. MIVART (ST. GEORGE). Birds; The Elements of Orni¬ thology, with 174 illustrations, 8vo. Price 10/6 net. LILEORD (LORD). Notes on the Birds of Northamptonshire and neighbourhood, with illustrations by A. Thorburu and G. E. Lodge, 2 vols., roy. 8vo. Price £4 4s. net. SETH-SMITH (D.) Parrakeets ; a Handbook to the Imported Species, with 20 coloured plates, 1 vol., roy. 8vo. £2 net. WATKINS (WATKIN). The Birds of Tennyson, 1 vol., Svo, with illustrations by G. E. Lodge. 6/- net. SHELLEY (G. E.). The Birds of Africa, vols. 1 to 3, imp. Svo, art linen, gilt tops, with 28 hand-coloured plates. Price £4 14s. 6cl. net. Vol. 4, with 14 hand-coloured plates in the press. STARK (A. C.) and SCLATER (W. L.) The Birds of South Africa. Vol. 1-3, medium Svo with numerous illustrations by H. Gronvold, price £3 3s. net.. Vol. 4, completing the work, in the press. SCLATER (W. L.) The Mammals of South Africa, 2 vols., medium 8vo., with numerous illustrations, price £1 10s. net. IBIS, THE. A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology. Price 32/- per year; also a large stock of back volumes and parts. LONDON : R. B- Porter, 7, Princes Street, CAVENDISH SQUARE, W. CROSS, (Known throughout the Civilised and Uncivilised World). King of Wild Beast Merchants Anything from “A HUMMING BIRD TO AN ELEPHANT,” TRADE SUPPLIED, TRADE SUPPLIED, GREY AFRICAN PARROTS. Fresh Arrivals Daily. FOREIGN WATER FOWL, Hungarian Partridges for turning down. Thousands of Small Foreign Birds, suitable for Aviaries. OLD ENGLISH RINGLESS PHEASANTS. CROSS’S TRADING MENAGERIE. Is always on view for Visitors who are desirous of seeing the Wild Animals. At present it contains numerous LIONS, TIGERS, ELEPHANTS, ETC. Always something1 New. Hundreds of arrivals weekly. May be viewed daily from n to 4 p.m. Admission ©d. INSECTIVOROUS BIRD FOOD. Carl Capelle’s, Hanover). Absolutely the finest food for soft-billed birds. Sole English Agent : “CROSS, LIVERPOOL.” Birds & Animals Stuffed & Preserved. National Telephones! 6491 CENTRAL and 728 ROYAL. Telegrams and Cablegrams! “CROSS,” LIVERPOOL. “CROSS” (Known throughout the Civilized and Uncivilised World). KING OF WILD BEAST MERCHANTS, GREATEST ZOOLOGICAL EMPORIUM ON EARTH. LIVERPOOL. Avi cultural Magazine. Mmtenx Bros, imp TANAGRA ORNATA. THE 179 Bvtcultural /Hbagasme, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. New Series. — VOL. III. — No. 6. — All rights reserved. APRIL, 1905. THE ARCHBISHOP TANAGER. Tanagra ornata. By Arthur G. Butler, Ph.D., &c. Although not so dazzling in colours as the species of the genus Calliste , the forms of Tanagra are certainly quite as beautiful, and the subject of the present article is by no means one of the least attractive. T. ornata is a native of South-Eastern Brazil, being abundant in the woodlands of the central coastal tract, especially at Bahia and its neighbourhood ; lives like all Tanagers near the settlements, comes into gardens and is not very shy, according to Burmeister. This appears to be all that has hitherto been recorded respecting the wild life of the Archbishop Tanager; but doubtless, like its congeners, it builds an open nest and lays spotted eggs. Late in the year 1903 the Rev. Hubert D. Astley wrote to ask me to identify for him a pair of Tanagers which he had purchased in Italy, and forwarded with his letter a hasty coloured sketch which he had taken from the living birds in his aviary. Not being able just then to run up to the Natural History Museum, I tried to identify the birds from the key to the genus Tanagra in the Museum Catalogue, being satisfied that they must belong to that genus ; but as Mr. Astley had told me that there was a bright emerald green metallic patch on the shoulder of the wing, I concluded that his birds must either be an aberrant variation of the Blue-shouldered Tanager, or brightly coloured females of that species : in which conclusion I was quite wrong. i8o Dr. A. G. Butler, Writing on the 20th December Mr. Astley said : — “ Dear Dr. Butler, “ I am sending you the pair of Green-shouldered Tanagers, which I hope will arrive safely. They are being sent off Monday; and I have put apples in the cage. As they are nice strong healthy birds to start with, they ought to survive the journey. I hope you will care to accept them from me, and that they will prove to be a species you haven’t before seen in the flesh. They are decidedly quarrelsome with other birds. I haven’t found them at all delicate, but then they haven’t been out of doors in England. Trusting they will reach you alive. Believe me, yours truly, Hubert D. Astley.” On Tuesday the 29th, a bitter frosty morning, the birds reached me (11.50 a.111.); and, as the cage was open to the air in front, and the birds had been nine days on their journey, I was much astonished and relieved to discover that both were apparently in the best of health. It appears that Mr. Astley did not cover up the cage, as he had written upon it “ Fruit eaters,” and hoped that some kind person would put a bit of apple or orange in for them : perhaps it was as well that this was not done ; for it is probable that, in that event, the birds would have escaped. When I slid up the wire doors they were out in a minute into a flight-cage which I had ready for their reception. Having the birds before me I again took up the Catalogue and decided that they were not referable to Tanagra cyanoptera, but to T. ornata ; and a subsequent visit to the Museum con¬ firmed this identification : having them more closely under my eye than Mr. Astley had when he described them, I saw that the centre of the green patch on the wing-coverts was bright chrome yellow, much less prominently so than in the Museum specimens indeed, but probably the size of the yellow patch increases with age. * The yellow patch is oti the long fringes of the lesser coverts, which therefore Dr. Sclater describes as edged with yellow. on the Archbishop Teenager. i8r The birds were apparently a pair, the larger and heavier bird being the hen ; as it was altogether duller in colouring, the blue of the head and neck not extending so far down the breast ; and, although Mr. Astley wrote “ They always seemed quite friendly with each other” I found that the undoubted cock went in fear of his life, and was afraid to leave the food-pan; whilst the supposed hen, in like manner, after one or two brisk encounters with its companion, in which both were more frightened than hurt (though he certainly had the worst of it in these brushes) could not summon up courage to leave the perch to eat. For about three days I was obliged to feed the latter by squeezing banana through the wires above the perch : whilst, for drinking purposes, I had to hang up a tin of water close to it : still, as this could not be allowed to go on, I decided to move the birds to a larger flight, so cleared out one measuring three feet six inches in length, with a perch towards each end. In this cage the birds were at first tolerably friendly ; and, though the cock still continued nervous when he and his companion were feeding from the same saucer, and used at times to shrink back and whimper in a truly ludicrous fashion, I hoped that all was going on satisfactorily. From the first the undoubted male occasionally had sneezing fits, but mostly after washing, whereas the other bird seemed only to suffer from ill-temper : but about the 21st of January the latter became spiteful and flew at its companion each time that he went down to feed ; so that presently I had to adopt the same plan for providing him with food and water, which I had previously adopted for his partner : the latter now drooped its wings, puffed out its feathers, and daily grew worse. On the morning of the 28th I dipped a piece of Madeira cake in castor oil and held it to the wires ; the sick bird pecked and swallowed some of this (I supposed it was only suffering from some little stomach trouble) ; in the afternoon I found food and saucer splashed all over with vivid red blood, apparently thrown up from the bird’s lungs ; and, 011 the morning of the 29th, I found it dead under its perch, — just one month after it had reached me : doubtless the cold and exposure to Irosty weather had affected its lungs. 182 Dr. A. G. Butler, Up to this date I had only heard the call-note of these birds ; a thin sibilant tseet, which somewhat reminded me of the plaintive penetrating call of a Robin or Blackbird, though not so prolonged; but the relief from persecution seemed so to cheer the cock bird, that, a day or two later, he began to sing, and this he continued to do each morning. The song begins with a sort of descending chatter like the quarrelling of Sparrows ; then follows a series of thin reedy notes, with one or two clear sharp whistles thrown out spasmod¬ ically by way of a change, recalling the recording of a Dominican Cardinal’s song : it can hardly be praised as a musical effort. On sending off the dead bird to be made into a skin, I asked the taxidermist to make sure of the sex, and, to my surprise, it was returned to me as an undoubted cock bird ; so that, if both had lived and I had essayed (as I was much tempted to do) to breed with them, I should perchance have wasted my time: yet anybody looking at the two birds when caged together, would have supposed them to belong to different sexes. It would be interesting to me to know whether the same man sexed this bird and my cock Red-headed Cardinal, which was declared to be a hen. In the case of Superb Tauagers which I have at various times sexed when alive, the post mortem examinations have invariably corresponded with my decisions ; but it would seem that the sexual differences in Archbishop Tanagers cannot be thus easily defined, and that the colouring, and the size of the individuals of the same sex, are liable to variation ; possibly in relation to the age of the birds : doubtless there is some reliable sexual difference (as in many of the true finches and the weaving finches) in the contour of the head and beak, which is at once apparent to the birds themselves; and in all probability would be recognized by the trained eye of an aviculturist, if he could compare a series of sexed specimens side by side. At first I fed these birds upon “Century Food” and preserved yolk, mixed with sweet biscuit and bread crumbs and slightly damped ; together with apple and banana ; later I tried them with orange and grapes, both of which they took to readily. At first they refused mealworms, but after about a week they ate on the Archbishop Tanager. 1S3 them readily : unlike the other Tanagers which I have kept, they did not care for cockroaches; spiders they delighted in, also green caterpillars and house-flies. The surviving bird soon lost his tendency to sneeze, and became perfectly bright and happy : he moulted very gradually about September, appearing eventually in faultless plumage. Familiarity, which is said to breed contempt, undoubtedly does develop confidence in birds ; for this Archbishop Tanager will now sometimes take a mealworm from my fingers, though not with the same boldness as my two old friends the Scarlet Tanagers ; but then I bought the latter on November 19th, 1S97, so that I have had them over seven years. The attitude of the Archbishop Tanager as shown by Mr. Gronvold will probably not commend itself to the student of skins, who usually admires a conventional attitude for his figured birds : thus a Game-bird must always be represented with one leg off the ground and the toes clenched; a Finch must be re¬ presented either out of balance sitting stiffiy, or must be pitch¬ ing forwards as if about to dive into a pond ; a Wader must have its hinder leg hitched up almost at right angles to the other, the tibio-tarsus sloped in to touch the latter, and all the claws bent backwards ; and so on* But, when I have a drawing made from life, I like to sit down with the artist and watch the bird, until we are both convinced as to what is its favourite attitude ; and in that attitude I have it represented. The ‘Archbishop’ is a very active and alert bird, almost as quick in its movements as a Liotlirix : therefore, to represent it sitting in the heavy sleepy attitude of a Bullfinch or even of the Scarlet Tanager when at rest (though it would doubtless be approved by those not familiar with it in life) would be misleading. I expect Frohawk’s illustration of my Diamond-Sparrows courting has been considered unnatural, though copied from and absolutely true to life ; and I know that the plate of my Blue- bearded Jay was spoken of as “comical,” though it represents two of the most frequent attitudes of the bird. * Good bird-artists will not always follow out these stereotyped rules, and their drawings are consequently criticized as “ unnatural.” 184 Rev. Hubert D. Asteey, Professor Ridgway is of opinion that the family Tanagridce, as it stands in the British Museum Catalogue, is too comprehen¬ sive and requires restriction (Birds of North and Middle America Vol. I., pp. 25, 26) : some of the genera he removes to the family Fringillidce (p. 26), others to the Bush-Creepers (Mniotil tided) which are the New World representatives of our Warblers (Vol. II., p. 2), on account of their slender bills. That there is great divergence in external form, colouring, and action in the various groups of Tanagers is certain ; therefore, whether they are dis¬ tributed among different families or not, it is evident that it is not correct to represent them all alike in the same attitude. If the Tanagers require breaking up and distributing amongst other groups, what will happen to the Tyrannidee , amongst which one meets with types varying almost from that of a Kingfisher to a Chat or a Flycatcher in external aspect? NOTES FROM AN OUTDOOR AVIARY ON THE ITALIAN RIVIERA. By the Rev. Hubert D. Asteey, M.A., M.B.O.U., etc. It may interest our readers to hear how foreign birds prosper on the Italian Riviera ; although there, too, in that more favourable climate, one has one’s ‘ups’ and ‘downs.’ I have three outdoor aviaries there, in a pretty garden of a truly Italian type, where orange and lemon trees grow with gladness, as also loquats and pomegranates ; where with big clusters of roses, in the foreground, on trees which clamber over the pergolas of vines, one sees the gorgeous blues and greens of the Mediterranean, on which the white sails of the fishing boats resemble flights of butterflies. The aviaries are all at different levels, like the garden. Two of them are quite small — really quite small, and the third is about eight yards square and seven feet high, with a pool in the centre through which, even in seasons of drought, the water always runs. Shelters made of wrood are slung to the ware roof, (for the whole aviary is of wire meshing,) and these shelters have a roof on an Outdoor Aviary on the Italian Riviera. 185 of zinc over the wood ; and are divided into partitions — twelve of these partitions on either side, with a hole to each, large enough to admit a Senegal Dove ; but the whole shelter is open under- neath, so that the birds can fly up to their particular partition that they may have selected for building in, if they choose ; or if disturbed at the entrance doors they can use the open space beneath as a means of exit. Each partition can be a foot square, and perches can be fastened across inside ; and on these perches the birds can roost and shelter from the rain, or with a few twigs placed crossways, they can soon construct their nests. When once the nest is made and occupied, no other birds can see into it or find it out, unless they actually trespass into the partition. Being open underneath, all foreign matter is dropped on the floor of the aviary, so that the partitions themselves never have any accumulation of dirt ; and old nests are easily removed. All kinds of birds, from tiny Waxbills to Mocking¬ birds and Doves, will avail themselves of such retreats. But I fear that in this larger aviary I have yielded to the temptation of putting in too many birds to gain any very great success in the way of breeding ; although last summer young were hatched of Virginian Nightingales, Ruficauda Finches, Bleeding-heart Pigeons, Diamond and Senegal Doves, and also the little Scaly Doves from South America, and another small Dove whose name I stupidly do not know. It is not a species I particularly admire ; its size is about that of a Thrush, its colour a sandy brown, with a white and black stripe running along the length of the wing — (What a miserable description, and how amateurish !). This Dove has a quickly-sounding coo of one note — ou-ou-ou — which can be pronounced in a whistle, ending each time in a query— (Again, what a description!). Then, too, there were young Firefinches and Avadavats ; but alas ! somebody (Pekin Robins, perhaps ?) did for all these mites when they left the nests. The Avadavats— there are three or four pairs — built repeatedly, and so did the Firefinches. The Bleeding-heart Pigeons had three nests, with two eggs each time. I tried to rear up one young one by hand, and a dear nice bird he was, but when he was quite a big fellow he died. He was very pretty with his large brown eye, and his chocolate- i86 Rev. Hubert D. Asteey, brown plumage, with the wing-bars conspicuous, and his heart still whole— for a friend always persists in calling them the Broken-hearted Pigeons ! The Yellow African Singing Finches nested three times, laying creamy white eggs ; but each time after they had nearly sat out their time some other provoking bird destroyed the eggs. The nest was built almost entirely of the soft hair of a biscuit- coloured toy Pomeranian. When he was changing his coat in the springtime there would be quite a handful after combing, and this was eagerly seized on by the Singing Finches, who, having carried up large beakfuls, padded it all down, by twisting round and round, into a compact and warm nest of a Goldfinch type. The Virginian Nightingales hatched out three nests of three young ones in each ; and every time, when the 37oung were four or five days old, those wretched unknown robbers dragged them out and killed them. I never could get my eye on the culprits. It certainly was not the parents themselves, for I have watched both of them feeding the young assiduously and with parental pride, when I was close to them. At that time I had not placed the covered shelters, with the partitions. The nests were more in the open, in frameworks of wood covered with branches of Mediterranean heath, and the frames suspended from the roof of the aviary. The Diamond Doves were most successful. From two pairs there were about twenty young ones during the spring and summer of 1904; to which I am all along referring. Perhaps the most uncommon birds in this larger aviary are the Blue-winged Grass Parrakeets ( Neophema vemista). I bought two pairs in Genoa as young birds ; one male was crippled in one foot, and one died ; but the other pair is in beautiful plumage and condition, and I do hope this couple will nest successfully this season. They are quite sedate little Parrakeets, and rather undemonstrative, but very pretty, and a hand-reared one would (like the Turquoisine does) make a nice pet. One pair of Pekin Robins built a nest in a large yellow Marguerite daisy plant growing in the aviary, and the hen sat well for ten days. Then, of cozirse ! on the eleventh morning the nest was empt\q and no one knew anything about it. If the on an Outdoor Aviary on the Italian Riviera. 187 birds could have spoken when I looked indignantly round, one or two of them would have probably tried to persuade me it was the cat, like a housemaid when a priceless Dresden figure is broken ! This Pekin Robins’ nest was a very deep one, made of withered grass, of broad blades, and the eggs were pale blue, with not very many chocolate brown spots on the broader ends I regret now that I didn’t cut the nest out of the bush, and blow the eggs, leaving them in the nest, all complete : but then one doesn’t or won't foresee catastrophes ! The Diamond Sparrows are always building, and making a great fuss over it, but hitherto nothing much has come of it, beyond fussing. The Bronze-winged Pigeons have also acted in the same way, and their mournful and rather monotonous coo sounds con¬ tinually by day and night. But this year they seem more business-like in their nesting arrangements. There is hardly a day all through the winter when some of the Doves are not cooing. Palm Doves (Senegal), Diamond Doves, Bronze-wings, Bleeding-hearts, Peaceful Doves, Scaly, and European Turtle Doves, etc. ; so that the garden resounds with cooings. A pair of Nightingales have passed the winter in the larger aviary, without any shelter, in spite of bitter weather in January, when all the geraniums and heliotrope were cut down and withered, and lemon trees suffered so dreadfully, that it will be two years before they recover ! And Nonpareils, that is, Pin-tailed Nonpareils, are there too, always roosting in the open ; the male in gorgeous plumage. They showed great signs of building last year ; but it never went farther than that. There were three days in January this year, when the snow lay thickly on the aviary wire roof, and when there was really cold weather ; so that our members who are good enough to read my poor contribution to the Magazine, must not think that it is always sunshine and genial warmth. I must say that such a thing as a fog, there never is ; not even a mist. But there come, at intervals during the winter, spells of weather which may last for three or four days, of an extremely trying descrip- i88 Rev. Hubert D. Asteey, tion. Then once more there is the gorgeous crystal clearness of the Italian sky, and the sound of my Doves’ voices is heard in the land. There were so many young Senegal and Diamond Doves that I have tried the very interesting experiment of turning them out loose in the garden, giving them a pan of seed and water under a shelter, close to the aviary in which they were born. Since last October I have had some of these Doves at liberty, as well as some of the small pale brown Dove with the white line in the wings, which I have described. In Italy it is a risky experiment, for not only are there cats galore, (and very hungry vulgar cats they are,) but also the Italian ‘cacciatori,’ who are nothing more than loafers with guns who shoot at everything they see with feathers on it, not including, or shall I say with the exception of, women with ‘ aigrettes ’ and Birds of Paradise plumes etc : at which I should like to have a shot, if one could knock off the hats without injuring (bodily) the wearers! But for the protection of my Doves in the garden I let the cats know that I am their declared enemy, and I have put up notice boards on two tree -trunks on the confines of my garden, most politely begging of the said ‘cacciatori ’ not to shoot at any Doves that they may see. These Doves, having been bred in the place and having their parents constantly cooing in the aviary, have stayed and are quite domesticated ; though, alas ! there are not so many as there should be. A pair of the little light brown Doves have a nest, (as I write, in the first week of March,) in a large fig tree ; a pair ot Diamond Doves come regularly to pick up some millet seed which I throw down on the cobble pavement outside my sitting-room, and then they fly into the orange trees. A pair of Diamond Doves in perfect condition, sitting cooing and preening their feathers in an orange tree, with the golden fruit hanging over their small grey heads, and the brilliant blue of the Mediterranean in the background is worth seeing. These Diamond Doves are, I think, about to nest. The little male bird is constantly spreading his slender tail and cooing to his mate. When we are sitting out of doors these delightful little birds will settle at our feet and run quite fear- on an Outdoor Aviary on the Italian Riviera. 189 lessly all round us ; and the Senegal Doves are almost as tame, their pretty soft Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo sounding from the orange and magnolia trees. Now I relate this experience with these Doves to show to our members the fact that it is quite possible to domesticate various species, especially if one has an aviary given up to them into which they can go in and out to obtain their food ; as such a plan would be more likely to keep them nearer home. For here in Italy, one is much more handicapped ; the garden is not a very large one, and is surrounded by public paths, and on one side the high road is quite close by. I see no reason why Crested Pigeons and Bronzewings, etc. should not also remain : of course I am speaking of birds bred on the spot where they are turned out. But I particularly recommend the Diamond Doves, so long as some others are enclosed in an aviary near by: they seem to have a homing instinct, and are, with their arrow-like flight, so beautiful on the wing. A few mornings ago, a little cock Diamond Dove was cooing in an orange tree close to me, on a level with my face, as I was standing on an upper terrace, above the wall of which grow the orange trees from below ; when suddenly he shot out and went soaring up and away over the sea, coming down again with outspread wings, rather after the manner of a Wood - Pigeon. I have seen the Senegal Doves do the same ; and indeed the Barbary Doves act likewise, when courting their wives. In these wonderful days of early spring in Italy I am awakened in the sunny mornings by the voice of a Diamond Dove, as he sits cooing on the top of a vine pergola, beneath my bedroom window. I reared up two by hand last May (1904) for my wife, and the little male bird is most devoted to her. He is constantly out of his cage in her sitting-room, and if he is perching on the curtain-rod, and she holds out her hand and says ‘Come along, Seed-Pearl,’ down he conies like an arrow to sit on her finger and coo. At other times, when she is writing letters, he is quite de trop, for he insists on running all over the sheet of paper, and 190 Rev. F. R. Blathwayt, pecking at her pen, with little sotto voce coos and inutterings, as much as to say ‘ Come now, do leave off that tiresome letter¬ writing, and attend to me ! ’ He is in most beautiful condition and plumage ; and sometimes has a flight in the garden, darting from a tree on to my wife’s shoulder or hand, when she comes out to call him. Should this account be in the least acceptable to any of our members, I might perhaps be able, on another occasion, to write something about the inmates of another aviary in the garden. RAMBLES AMONG THE WILD BIRDS. (No. IV). By the Rev. F. L. Brathwayt, M.B.O.U. THB RAVEN (Corvus corax). “The Raven himself is hoarse, That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under 1113' battlements.” Shalcspeare put these words into the mouth of Rady Macbeth, ana he only gave expression to the legend which has existed from days of old, and which is still in vogue among the credulous, that the Raven is a bird of evil omen. The field naturalist, however, though he may take an interest in the quaint stories which have grown up in connection with this bird, }^et shuns him not for his evil reputation, but takes every opportunity of making a closer acquaintance with him in his wild haunts “ far from the madding crowd.” For the Raven, alas ! is one of our vanishing birds. It is true that in many of the wilder parts of our Islands he still holds his own, and may even be increasing in numbers; but he is an outcast, an outlaw of the air, and though Parliament has in some cases extended to him the aegis of its protection, still the shepherd and farmer look upon him witli suspicion, and consider him to be a dangerous and undesirable neighbour. I have always loved this grand bird and his lonely haunts, and as possibly I have seen more of him in a wild state in our Islands than many bird-lovers, a few notes may not prove altogether uninteresting. on Rambles a?no?ig the Wild Birds. igi This species in former days nested frequently on trees, and there must be few readers of bird books who cannot claim some acquaintance with the “ Raven Trees” immortalized by Gilbert White and A. E. Knox. A great many of these inland nesting haunts on trees have now been deserted, and so perhaps I am fortunate, considering that I am still a member of the “ younger generation,” in having, not many years ago, visited an inhabited “ Raven Tree.” We were spending part of an Easter vacation at a farm house on the wilds of Dartmoor. On April 23rd, during one of our daily tramps, we heard the hoarse croak of a Raven above us, and this was soon answered by its mate, and the two flew over our heads evidently annoyed at our intrusion. From their behaviour it was evident they had a nest somewhere near* and this we thought would probably be placed in some of the wilder crags or tors in the neighbourhood. But we were nearer to the nest than we thought, for 011 looking up we saw it, a pile of large sticks, among the topmost branches of a tree almost over our heads. It was a huge Scotch Fir, towering above its neigh¬ bours, with a wide bole and not a branch anywhere near the ground. Of course we soon determined that one of us must see into that nest, but the task of scaling the tree looked a most formidable one. Fortunately there was a pair of climbing irons at the farm, a mile or so away, and so with the help of these the most agile member of the party began the assault. It was a long business and not without danger. The parent birds were very bold and swooped so close to the climber that we thought they meant to attack him, so we had to shout and clap our hands to keep them off. At length the nest was reached, and there, on a lining of soft material lay one young bird, nearly fledged, the sole occupant of the nest. We felt that now we had outwitted the crafty birds, so their ugly offspring was left in peace ; the male bird, however, seemed much upset by this unwonted intrusion ; and many a mile did he follow us over the moor to see us safely off the premises. Perhaps “ Raven Trees ” may be commoner than we think ; we only hope they are, but wTe would advise anyone who wishes to see this grand bird at home, to visit the wilder mountainous parts of Wales or the rugged sea cliffs in the South West of England. Many a nest have I seen in this latter 192 Rev. F. L. Bpathwayt, locality, placed securely on the face of a cliff above the sea, and quite inaccessible without the aid of a rope. The large black birds show to advantage among the screaming white Sea-gulls, which often nest all around them. Anyone who in early Spring has visited a Raven’s strong¬ hold on the sea cliffs must have been impressed by the scene before him. One such fortress I have in mind as I write. The Ravens have been known there, on and off, for well over half a century. Probably they have nested there from time immemorial. The site has been well chosen. The grassy Down above slopes off abruptly and then drops sheer into the sea. A deep fissure runs vertically down the face of the cliff, and half way up this, on a ledge under a huge overhanging stone the Ravens have added year after 37ear to the pile of sticks which forms the nest. The neighbourhood is a favourite haunt of sea and shore birds, but long before the Curlews and Dunlins have left for their moorland homes, long before the Sheld-duck has inspected her burrow, or the Gull has commenced her scanty nest on the cliff, the Ravens have been busy with their domestic duties. Last 37ear, storm and rain had loosened the overhanging boulder and the crafty birds were quick to discover their danger. Accordingly they set to work to build a new nest a few feet awa3r, but safe from the threatening stone. The new site was just visible from above, and by taking care I could peep into the nest. On Feb- ruary 18th this appeared just ready for eggs as the lining of soft material had been placed 011 the sticks. About two mouths later, on April 12th, the nest contained three young birds, well fledged but unable to fly. A Raven’s nest on a cliff, is in my experience, usually well hidden from above, but in this case only a steady head was required to enable one to look straight down at the young birds below, and my sister, who was with me, enjoyed the sight as easity as I did. When the young Ravens heard us above they raised their heads and opened their bills, showing large flesh- coloured mouths, but on hearing the warning croaks of their parents tlie3r crouched down and remained perfecth' still. A few years ago, soon after we had first discovered this nesting place, my brothers and I found the temptation to storm the cliff too strong to resist. The date of attack was March o?i Rambles among the Wild Birds. 193 2 1st, and we thought that by that time the nest was sure to con¬ tain eggs. A crowbar and rope were borrowed from a coasting vessel lying at anchor hard by, and we proceeded to the assault. The climber of the “ Raven Tree ” mentioned earlier, volunteered for the descent, and so he was let down over the cliff until we on the top received the signal that he had reached the nest. The voice sounded strange coming up from the depths below, but we could just catch the words “3'oung birds,” which to enthusiastic egg collectors meant disappointment. However, when the climber had reached the top of the cliff we found that he had not returned without some trophy. The nest he said contained four young birds apparently only a few da}^s old, but among these were two stale eggs which had not been hatched out, and these we still have to remind us of the adventure. Many pleasant holiday hours may be spent watching these noble birds at their ancestral strongholds on the wild cliffs above the sea. The power of their flight is very remarkable, and I have seen them soaring up into the air in spiral circles with almost motionless wings, until they were lost to sight. But even the hardy strong-winged Raven is sometimes severely buffeted by the fierce winds, and a bold bird indeed must he be, to dare to rear his brood on the wild sea cliffs before the March gales have spent their force. I have watched the birds through my glasses struggling inch by inch to reach their nest against a gale of wind, and could see by their wide-open bills that the task was taxing their powers to the utmost. The cock Raven, when at his nesting haunt, may often be seen performing curious antics in the air. He will suddenly half close his wings, throw himself on his back and drop down¬ wards for some distance before turning over again and recovering his balance. This strange performance is usually accompanied by low guttural croaks sounding rather like a hoarse laugh, which is very different from the harsh croak of alarm. It may have some connection with the “ shewing-off” displays common to the cock birds of many species during the mating season, but it must bear some other meaning as well, as I have often seen these tumbles and somersaults performed while the young have been in the nest. L,ike the frantic divings and twistings of the male 194 Rambles among the Wild Birds. Peewit, these gambols of the cock Raven are probably practised with the intention of diverting the intruder’s attention from the nest and young. Fascinating and intelligent as the Raven is in captivity, there are few naturalists who would not rather see him in a wild and natural state. His boldness and cunning enable him to take pretty good care of himself, and he knows very well how close he may approach to a dangerous looking object. I have some¬ times sat down on the cliffs above a nest and seen the old birds perched on a rock close at hand and eyeing me narrowly, but a very slight movement on my part would soon send them, croaking out of harm’s way. These birds probably keep to certain favourite rocks when devouring their prey, or at least when digesting it, as numbers of tlirown-up pellets of fur and small bones may be found in certain spots near the nest. I will end these notes of some of my rambles among the Ravens’ haunts with the account of an incident I once wit¬ nessed, and which is probably of frequent occurrence on the rocky cliffs where the Raven has only the Peregrine Falcon as a rival for the mastery of the air. The account is copied straight from my notes which were scribbled down some six years ago, at the time when I saw the incident, and the reader must pardon me if my knowledge of the terms used in falconry has been at fault. It runs thus: “April 2nd, 1899. The Ravens and Peregrines at Baggy Point were apparently nesting near to one another. The Ravens’ nest we found on March 28th on a steep precipice at the end of the Point, facing W. O11 that day we only saw one of the Ravens and both the Falcons. On April 2nd we saw both the Ravens, who were very anxious about their nest, and continually flew over our heads uttering harsh croaks. The nest almost certainly contained young birds. Every now and then one of the Peregrines, from its size probably the tiercel, appeared above the cliff, and then followed a series of tussels between Falcon and Ravens. The Peregrine towered above one of the Ravens and “waiting on” till he saw his opportunity, suddenly “ stooped ” at him, but never appeared actually to strike him. As soon as the Falcon “ stooped” the Raven turned on his back in mid-air, and presented beak and claw at the Falcon, uttering On Breeding Turnix nigricollis in German Bird-rooms. 195 harsh croaks. The Peregrine always “ checked” when about a foot from the Raven, and with incredible speed again “ mounted to his pitch” and repeated the performance. This was done over and over again, and as the Peregrine never touched a feather of the Raven’s, the object was apparently to drive him away from the vicinity of his nest. As however the performance took place before or above the very cliff on which the Ravens’ nest was placed, I think that either the Peregrines and Ravens were nesting in close proximity, or that these aerial gambols were not performed through any unfriendly spirit.” ON BREEDING TURNIX NIGRICOLLIS IN GERMAN BIRD-ROOMS. By Arthur G. Butler, Ph.D., F.E.S., F.Z.S., etc. In 1903 our Editor had the great satisfaction of breeding Turnix ianki in his aviaries, and thereby was enabled to throw considerable light upon the life-history of the Hemipodes. Recently, while looking through Dr. Karl Russ’ “ Weich- futterfresser,” forming the second but last published volume of his large work — “ Die fremdlandischen Stubeuvogel,” I came across very full accounts of the breeding of two species of Turnix in Germany — T. nigricollis and T. lepurana ; and, as I felt sure that a perusal of these accounts would be of considerable interest to English students, I consulted with our Editor, who expressed a desire that they should be detailed in our Magazine. * Dr. Russ’ works are by no means the easiest of German writings to translate ; not only because he uses words not to be found in most dictionaries, but is addicted to abbreviations and word-clippings. I believe I have elsewhere pointed out with what difficulty I discovered (no German to whom I applied could tell me) that the word spiizsat, often used in his books, was an abbreviation of spitzsaat, and stood for canary-seed : well, that is only one word, though unhappily not ke only one. Most I propose to reserve the account of T. lepurana for a later paper. 196 Dr. A. G. Butlejk, abbreviations one is familiar with, and others one can guess at ; but the punctuation is the most perplexing item ; where a full stop is used instead of a comma, semi-colon, or colon ; and invariably followed by a capital letter : so that one paragraph is broken up into a number of asthmatic gasps. Lastly, there is a difficulty in the accounts of these Hemipodes which is not peculiar to German writers, but occurs sometimes in papers by our own countrymen ; that is — the frequent abrupt change from the past tense to the present, and back again, together with an occasional lack of definition in stating whether the writer is referring to the parent or the young ; so that it is necessary to decide the point by considering the context. In translating, I have thought it better not always to follow these confusing lines, but represent the intention rather than the exact wording of the authors from whose writings Dr. Russ has compiled his account : indeed, a literal translation of German as it stands, would sound strange to English ears ; the order of the words, and the breaking up of the verbs being essentially dissimilar to ours. Somewhere about the year 1890, as far as my memory goes, the late Mr. J. Abrahams received several examples of Turnix nigricollis, which found their way into the hands of my former colleague Mr. W. R. Ogilvie Grant. As he had no place ready for them, he asked me to take care of these charming little Hemipodes until he had constructed a suitable cage for them. I had three of these for some weeks, and became thoroughly enamoured of them : indeed it was with the deepest regret that, after the completion of their cage, I had to restore them to their owner. It must have been somewhere about this date that the German dealers received the consignments from which Lieut. Hauth of Potsdam purchased his specimens, after which they arrived in constantly increasing numbers in the German market, until at length in 1895 Mr. Scliiffer of Cologne received no less than forty pairs in one consignment. First-Lieut. Hauth (says Russ) received his first pair in February 1890. The Hemipodes, together with a pair of Painted on Breeding Turnix nigricollis in German Bird-rooms. 197 Quails, were placed in the bird-room in April. Whereas the former selected the dark recess, the latter chose the lighter position near to the window. * “ Both species retained these posts from that time forwards ; yet later they made excursions as far as the middle of the bird-room. Within their own territory they exhibited no antagonism, but avoided each ’ other without actual fighting. After a few days they had settled down, consorted peaceably one with another, as well as with all their other associates, — Waxbills and Grassfinches : I never saw the Hemipodes do these the slightest injury, nevertheless they never got rid of a certain amount of nervousness ; the warning-cries of the finches were listened for with strained attention, and their hiding-place sought when danger threatened.” After three weeks Mr. Hauth had already found two eggs among the rushes f in a flattish depression furnished with a few grass-stems ; and altogether the hen laid twelve, sometimes in this place, sometimes elsewhere. Then the true nesting-fever awakened for the first time : — the hen strutted with long strides over the whole territory from dawn to eve ; and frequently and ever louder uttered its peculiar pairing note. Contrary to the statements made respecting the wild life of the Hemipodes, Mr. Hauth was able ... to observe that the latter built a true nest. From the building material usually provided for the Ornamental Finches, — various kinds of fibre, moss, etc., several completely over-arched nests were constructed. One of these consisted entirely of moss ; and a tunnel about twenty centimetres in length with a round opening five centimetres wide, led to the nesting depression about two centimetres in breadth, wherein several eggs lay upon the sand. As the passage included several obliquely placed hard rush stems, the breeder now offered some coarser building materials — stalks of straw, hay, and rush, with different kinds of dry and fresh grass-stems, * Although not so stated here, it is evident from later observations that the recess referred to above was also near to the window. — A. G. B. ■t I believe that in some German bird-rooms clumps of rushes are placed upright in corners or in boxes of sand, as shelter for the birds.— A. G. B. Dr. A. G. Butler, 198 one, to one and a half centimetres in length: these were immediately utilized for a new nest. “ From my place of concealment,” writes Mr. Hauth, “I was able to watch the process exactly : — as always previously, the female prepared a clear space on the ground for the nesting- site, among the rush-stalks not far from the window. Standing on one foot and scratching with the other, also twisting herself in a circle she had witha few turns gained the desired width between the rush-stalks. Meanwhile the resounding pairing note and the gentle call- note, sounding like kru, kru, had attracted the male; which now crept as far as possible into the space with her, and also began to twist and scratch. The hen now seized the stalks within reach with her bill, and with a rapid lateral movement flung them singly over herself, that is to say clear over her head on to her back: then the male dragged them farther towards himself. When enough stalks lay upon the back of the bird which was in the nest, these were compacted by pressing upwards and at the sides, fresh ones being constantly added, until by degrees a complete enclosing arch was erected. Meanwhile, by turning in the nest and arranging softer stems, the male had modelled the nesting-hollow. The principal work fell to the lot of the female. * After she had driven the male out and slipped inside herself, she next drew almost all the stems at the entrance hole together, so that it was almost concealed ; thereby the building from the outside appeared like a confused heap of stalks, though inside it was well-formed (whereby doubtless it affords protection to the little bird when in freedom). The latter crouched, stooping low among the loose-lying stalks before the entrance which then closed up of themselves behind her, so as to conceal the eggs and brooding cock from sight. It is noteworthy that the male showed himself extremely cautious every time he left the nest and slipped in again.” In this nest the hen laid seven eggs, which however were unfortunately deserted. She utterly destroyed the nest, and At this point the tense suddenly changes in the German original, but I have thought it better to continue in the past tense. — A. G. B. on Breeding Turnix nigricollis in German Bird-rooms . 199 constructed a new one in the same place, in which eight eggs were laid. On the sixteenth day two chicks crept out, * of which one soon died and was forwarded to me, the other throve well up to the age of about six weeks ; then it wounded itself in the head and back by nervously flapping about during its feeding in an isolated cage, and died in consequence. The other six eggs were neglected ; three were found, at the first glance, to have died, three were infertile. During the year 1S90 the female laid eight clutches ; but young were only hatched from three of them. With Langheinz also the Hemipodes built several nests before they accomplished a satisfactory hatch : — a similar over-arclied (structure) was found on the sand, with a tunnel of ribbon-grass and moss thirty centimetres in length ; and then this bird-keeper bred satis¬ factorily several times ; as also Mr. Hautli did freely later on, with Messrs. Behrens, Kemper, Krohrn, and others. The observations of all these breeders essentially agree : I enter into particulars here more especially from the records of Mr. Hautli, which are the most detailed. The eggs differ much in size, colour, and markings : they are proportionately large (21-24, 4c.m. x 18-19, 5c.m.), glossy, smooth - shelled, and delicately moulded; f with white, greenish - white, or rust- brownish ground-tint, marked with small and large points, spots and streaks of grey, brown, or black. The duration of incubation takes 13 days. The male sits and is guarded by the female : according to Hauth’s observation, exceptionally relieved by the female in brooding ; otherwise the male alone does this. In individual cases and under special circumstances only the female brooded with him, and also fed and led about the young. As a rule, however, the little cock leads, warms, and feeds the young; while the hen, particularly during the first days, shows herself spiteful towards them ; so that it seems advisable * From what follows it would seem that the cock must have begun to sit immediately after the laying of the fourth egg, and the sixteen days are counted from the commence¬ ment of the laying. — A. G. B. + I cannot find the word in my dictionary ; it should perhaps be translated “ gracefully tapering.” 200 Dr. A. G. Butler, to remove lier as soon as the cock sits, or at any rate as soon as the young have emerged, until they have become independent : then, at the age of three to four weeks they must be caught out and the old birds reunited. Entrancing is Mr. Hauth’s representation of the behaviour of his first breeding-pair after the young were hatched : — “ The hen approached the little one ; then the cock rushed off with it to hide it under its feathers: or the hen ran towards him in amicable fashion to frustrate his intention, and then quickly back again to the chick, spreading its wings over the latter. Clearly he had not much faith in her peaceful intentions. On the following day the hen ventured to approach quite close, yet he continually strove to protect the chick. It was most exciting when, on the third day, he led it towards the female ; whereupon the latter was palpably delighted and welcomed it with gentle sounds and soft tremours ; still he could not yet suffer the young one to wrarm itself under her, but pecked it carefully and gently away. After the expiration of about a week, the hen first led and fed the young one with equal solicitude to that of the male. From the first hour she was a pattern of love, attention, and gentleness towards the little chick : she never let it out of her sight, called it softly grue, grue, led it to the water and food, kept it, at each step, close under her warm abdominal feathers. The young one at first greatly needed the warmth; if it did not obtain it immediately, it piped loud, and was not silent again until it felt itself covered. When some days old its gentle piping sounded like the twittering of several young tiny birds. I am convinced that in the observation of such family life in birds consists the greatest delight, and at the same time the best solace for the manifold toil in our hobby. The feeding up of the young differed during the first eight days from that of other fowls, for instance from that of Quails. Whereas these, from the first day of their existence, are capable of picking their food from the ground unaided ; the male offers the young Hemipode first an ant’s egg, then a tiny seed which it has seized with the point of its bill ; at the same time gently on Breeding Turnix nigricollis in German Bird-rooms. 201 calling and tremulously moving its tail, until the youngster, becoming attentive, after much trying and many unsuccessful pecks, at length picks it out and eats it. Of itself it never takes the least thing from the ground : during the first days it sits a good deal on its hinder parts, and in this extraordinary upright position it also pecks at the food held in front of it. Even from the first day it pecks into water. Then he goes with rapid step to the place where loose sand invites to a bath, the young one still as a little mouse close behind him ; whereupon the young one being somewhat dis¬ concerted watches the burrowing of the old one. After a few seconds they again hurry off into the sheltering thicket. So it goes on from dawn to eve ; their activity takes a different direction every minute ; their pleasing movements and positions change almost perpetually. So long as the youngster was still quite small the female walked close to it, especially in the vicinity of the nest, with great strides, proudly erect and nodding in measured fashion, exactly as if she were ready to try conclusions with every enemy. Now the male Painted Quail was scarcely permitted to wink, before she would run towards it with lowered bill, spread wings, and bristling neck and back feathers ; still at the worst it avoided the onslaught by getting out of the way, so that such warlike exhibitions were of little consequence. The cock was extremely gentle towards the tiny finches : — Scarcely was the young Hemipode recognizable by its feeble piping before nearly the entire commonwealth of the bird-room, full of curiosity, hopped about and fluttered round the nest, sat on all the twigs and on the ground, stretched their necks, flirted their tails, and indulged in a long and lively conversation. Indeed, the most intrepid Vinaceous Waxbills were daring enough even to peep into the nest, so that they almost touched the sitting male. The latter only protested by feeble pecking, whereas a single stroke of the bill would have sufficed to put an end to their existence. In the second week the young Hemipode began now and again to pick up a little food for itself from the ground ; in the third week it ate almost unaided, was moreover little brooded, but was still led about. 202 On Breeding Turnix nigricollis in German Bird-rooms. The development of the young proceeds with just as rapid grades as in the little Quails : even after two days they run quite as quickly as a small mouse, and now and again preen their sprouting feathers. In the second week the young plumage is already clearly visible, the wings and tail are half grown. The young hen has now acquired even the carriage and walk of the old bird, begins to strike and swagger, frequently stoops and conceals itself when there is an unfamiliar noise. At the com¬ pletion of the third week it is full-feathered, more frequently tests its power of flight, and would be able if necessary to make its way in the world alone. In the fourth week the young appear to separate from the old, since the cock chased the young one whenever he caught sight of it, whereat the latter loudly crying glicklicklick easily and adroitly flew upwards : it was not hunted by the female. In size it was little behind the old birds. I now took it out and placed it in a cage, wherein it soon made itself at home and also became confiding; only when being fed it still dashed itself nervously about.” Mr. Langheinz also says that the young require a good deal of warmth, “ so that they regularly burrow deep in moss and soft hay. Even in the fifth week the old male took them under his wings. At the end of the fourth week they extended their attempts at flight as far as the ceiling of the bird-room.” Immediately after leaving the egg the young bird is covered with thick fluffy little feathers. Downy plumage : — Top of head and nape deep brown- yellowisli ; on the middle of the crown is a narrow whitish longitudinal stripe ; a similar one on each side of the forehead above the eye to below the nape ; a black stripe from the middle of the base of the upper mandible over the forehead and front of the head to the middle of the crown ; region of the eyes and ears whitish ; chin, gorget, and front of neck clear mouse-grey ; rest of under surface fawn-brownish-grey; middle of back broadly rust brownish, enclosed by black stripes and after these whitish stripes ; sides of the back clear brownish-fawn-yellowisli-grey with blackish spots ; wings hare-coloured ; shoulders, lower arm and central bones of hand darker, more rust-brownish. Under¬ side of wing fawn grey ; upper and lower shanks above with On Bourke's Parrakeets, and other rare Australian Birds. 203 dark, — below with paler hare-coloured downy feathers, and with some blackish spots : bill short, with long nostrils, black-brown ; feet three-toed, long, scaled, grey, with reddish delicate claws ; eyes black ( Hauth ). Dr. Russ also gives an account of the courting : but as it seems to correspond very closely with the method adopted by these birds in feeding the young, the hen offering a seed to the cock, but uttering its pairing note instead of the soft nursing call, I think it unnecessary to reproduce it in detail here. BOURKE’S PARRAKEETS, AND OTHER RARE AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. By the Rev. Hubert D. Asteey, M.A., M.B.O.U., etc. I feel sure that it will interest our members, and perhaps cause some of them to break the 10th Commandment, when I write to say that I have secured four Bourke’s Parrakeets { Neophema bourkei ) at Genoa. They are all in fine condition, and I should say they are all from one nest. Being not as yet in full colour it is difficult to declare their sex ; but perhaps there are two males and two females. It would seem so ; for two have smaller heads than the other two, and the lacings on the feathers of the wing-coverts are less clear. Should they all be of one brood it is a pity for breeding purposes ; but one cannot have everything in this life, and it seems to me that to receive in one day, four Bourke’s, a fine pair of Many-coloured Parrakeets, and a pair of BEG I NTH A BICTA, as well as another pair of rare Australian Finches, which I will describe; is enough to satisfy a bird-lover for the time being: not to mention a cock Gould’s Finch, with a wonderful gamboge yellow head instead of a red one. I11 this bird the green of the back is lighter, I think, than the usual type. His yellow head is, as I say, gamboge ; a different tint to the beautiful saffron yellow breast. The delicate blush rose and forget-me-not blue * Two other pairs of Bourke’s Parrakeets, probably from the same consignment, have just arrived in koudon. — Ed. 204 On B our he's Parrakeets, and other Rare Australian Birds. on the breasts and tail-coverts of the Bonrlce’s Parrakeets is most beautiful. They are apparently moulting, but extremely brisk. The AEgintha ( Emblema ) picta, or Painted Finches, are a pair ; but evidently, like the Bourkes, are not in full colour. The cardinal red is as yet dull : but they are pretty little birds, with their many white spots on the throat and breast. I do not care for the expression of the eyes, which are straw-coloured. Then, too, I secured two nice pairs of Australian Crimson Finches {Phaeton'). The Finches that I have not seen before, so far as I can remember, are Australian also. I should say they are of the same family as the Chestnut Finch : they are just about the same size, and style, and form : the tail especially so, being almost of the same colour as in the Chestnut Finch. The thick bill is bright grey ; the whole head and face and neck fawnish white ; the upper parts, with the wings, uniform chestnut brown ; the breast light cinnamon ; stomach fawn-white ; under-tail coverts deep chestnut brown, almost black ; upper-tail covert cinnamon fawn ; the tail much the same ; the feathers of the thighs deep chestnut brown ; legs and feet dark grey.* I forget whether they are figured in Gould’s “ Birds of Australia,” but I almost fancy they are. Perhaps they are not so rarely imported as I may think. All these birds were lauded at Genoa yesterday, and the bird-dealer, knowing the kind of birds I should like, most courteously wired to me, and then sent his assistant with them by train. I only regret that my health does not permit me to rush off to Genoa (an hour by rail through endless tunnels) at a moment’s notice ; as the men who had brought the Bourkes etc: from Australia were English, and they could have told me how they obtained them, and whether they are all of one brood ; but of that I feel fairly convinced. As it was they could not speak Italian, and the bird-dealer at Genoa cannot speak English. I have just looked at the Bourkes again before closing up * Gould’s Yellow-rumped Finch, Munia flaviprymna, of which a coloured plate is to appear in this Magazine shortly. A short note of this rare bird appeared at page 53 of the present volume. Mr. Hamlyn, the dealer, has just received (March 20th) no less than eleven examples at least, four of which have gone to the London Zoo.— Ed. 205 “ The Birds of A fried' this letter, and it seems to me that two of them have much less promise of the blue frontal band than the other two. It may be that the wish is father to the thought! Ligure, Italy, ioth March, /905. “THE BIRDS OF AFRICA.” The magnificent work by Captain Shelley which is being published by Mr. R. H. Porter under the above title, has now reached its fourth volume, this latter being produced in two parts, each a substantial volume in itself. For the past thirty years the author has made a special study of the African Ornis, and it is doubtful whether anyone equally suited for the task of writing such a book could have been found. The work, when completed, will rank as one of the greatest ornithological works that has ever been produced. Part I. consists of a systematic list of the birds which are to be dealt with in the work, comprising the whole of the species inhabiting the Ethiopian region, and these reach the high total of two thousand five hundred and thirty- four species, and as new species are constantly being discovered, it is probable that by the time the work is completed, this list will be somewhat extended. Volume II. treats of the Sunbirds, White -eyes, Tits, Wagtails and Pipits; Vol. III. of the Larks, Buntings, Finches, Sparrows and such like; while part I. of Vol. IV. deals with the African Weavers, Whydahs, Waxbills, etc. This volume will be doubly welcomed by aviculturists, for many of the birds it treats of are known to us at home in their living state. It appears to us that had some of the interesting notes which have from time to time appeared in the Avicultural Magazine, regarding the living birds, been quoted by the author, the value of the book would have been enhanced : for the notes on the life habits of birds made by collectors are few and far between, and certain actions, notes, breeding-habits and so on, can hardly be studied except where the birds are kept under careful observation in aviaries. 206 Birds Notes from the Zoological Gardens. The coloured plates, which are liberally distributed through the volumes, are all by Mr. Gronvold, and, although we naturally like some much better than others, they are on the whole admirably done. BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. With the advent of Spring the Zoological Gardens become particularly attractive to lovers of animals, and especially to aviculturists, for many of the inmates are turning their attention to serious duties of nest-building and the rearing of theiryoung. Even iu March, despite the frequent visitations of piercing winds or winter-like sleet, the hardier birds commence to construct their nests in earnest. In February the Griffon Vultures showed unmistalceable signs that they wished to construct a nest, and it was a curious sight to witness these ungainly creatures carrying bits of stick, to the framework which Mr. Bertling, the head- keeper, had fixed np for them. Bundles of sticks and twigs were supplied, and in a short time the birds had collected together enough to form a rude nest, and one egg was laid early in March. A serious attempt was made by the birds to incubate, but they ruined their chances of success by carrying up a bone and breaking their egg with it. It is to be hoped that they will make another attempt. The Cape Eagle Owls have laid, but have eaten their eggs, pieces of the shell being cast up with their pellets. Several species of Doves and Pigeons are already showing signs of nesting, and some are even now sitting. In the October number of this journal, for last year, the arrival of no less than five Birds of Paradise, in Mrs. Johnstone’s aviaries, was recorded, these consisting of two King Birds ( Cicinnurus reams'), a Greater {Paradisea apoda), and two Lesser (/*. minor). The two Kings were acquired by the Zoological Society in October last, and have since occupied an aviary in the Insect House, where they have done well. Quite recently the three others have been placed on deposit at the Gardens, and occupy other compartments in the same house ; so that at the present time there are no less than three species of these superb Correspoyidence, Notes, etc. 207 birds on view together ; such a collection as has never before been seen in any European collection. Mr. Bertling has had the good fortune to witness the nuptial display of one of the Lesser Birds, which was very different to that usually represented in mounted specimens and illustrations. The wings were spread horizontally, and every now and then appeared to quiver, while the plumes, instead of being arched in two tufts, were spread together over the back and tail. Besides the Birds of Paradise, the very rare Black Lory, so well figured by Mr. Gronvold in our last issue, is on deposit at the Gardens, and is, so far as we are aware, the first specimen exhibited alive in Europe. * The Parrots in the very exposed Canal-bank Aviary have mostly stood the winter well. We expected this of the Cockatoos and Broad-tails, but few would have supposed that Macaws and Amazons would have passed a trying winter in so bleak a situation without apparently suffering any inconvenience. In the centre compartment of the Western Aviary some Toucans have existed without artificial warmth, and now appear to be in the best of health. D. S-S. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. THE FORTHCOMING INTERNATIONAL, ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS. Sir, — Most members of the Avicultural Society will by this time be aware that ail International Congress of Ornithology is to be held in London next June, and we hope to give our brother ornithologists from all parts of the world a hearty welcome. As time goes on it is being recognised more and more that many of the greatest of Nature’s problems are only to be solved by a study of the living, and since England, so far as I am aware, is the only country that contains a Society like ours, solely devoted to the study of live birds exclusive of all domestic forms, I feel that our members should make a special effort to show how much may be done by a careful study of wild species in their living state. * On going- to press we learn of the arrival at the Gardens of a pair of Bourke’s Parrakeets ( Neophema bourhei), one of which has unfortunately died, and two pairs of Yellow-rumped Finches [Minna flaviprymna). 208 Correspondence , Notes, etc. In the Congress there is a special Section devoted to Aviculture, and although this term will embrace domestic forms, such as poultry and pigeons, yet I hope that a large number of members may not only attend the Congress in person but communicate some papers on Aviculture proper, in order that the possibilities and importance of careful observations on living birds may be brought home to ornithologists in general. Preliminary notices have been sent round to most of our members, but I shall be happy to give any further information in my power to anyone who will be good enough to communicate with me. J. Lewis Bonhote. HABITS OF THE BHARDFD TIT. Sir, — I was much interested with Mr. St. Quintiu’s observation in the March number of the Magazine respecting the habit of the Bearded Tit: — “ It makes a little jump forwards, and scuffles with both feet almost simul¬ taneously, making the sand fly. The object evidently is to uncover morsels of food.” Of other Passerine birds which do this I have noted the Whydahs (“ Foreign Finches in Captivity,” ist ed. p. 273) and the Song-Sparrows (“Foreign Bird-Keeping,” part 1, p. 31). A. G. Buxr.ER. Sir, — I was delighted to read Mr. W. H. St. Ouintin’s account of his Bearded-Tits, in the March issue of this Magazine. He is to be congratulated on having succeeded so far. I have often been told that these birds have several times been bred by a gentleman living near London. If this lucky gentleman really exists, he ought to publish his method, for the benefit of those who are less fortunate. The idea of breeding Bearded-Tits was a favourite one of mine long before I tried it ; my ideal aviary for them is not yet built, however. Having lost twelve birds in three years through panic, wrong food, and fighting, I considered that I had killed enough ; but since reading the above-mentioned paper I have been on the look our for another pair. The cock of my first pair lived with me about a year, by himself; the last hen lived about the same time, and was found dead one morning, pro¬ bably from a fit, or panic. The worst thing with these birds is, that they will never take shelter in the covered part of the aviary. One pair were beaten almost flat by a heavy rain storm in the night. First I tried to get succinea and pupa for them, also the seeds of the reed ; but never succeeded in finding any. I used to boil up some mixture which the birds never went near. I fancied mealworms caused swollen feet, so these were stopped. Canary-seed, soaked, the}' would not eat. The last birds were fed upon “Century Food,” mixed with bread, biscuit, or scraped carrot, maw seed, and crushed hemp being added occasionally. They do not seem to care much for the “Century Food.” Correspondence, Notes, etc. 209 The cage, in which they live, when I am not at East Hoathly, where my aviary is, measures 2ft. by i6ins. by 2iins. at the apex, is of the waggon pattern and placed in a sitting-room. The aviary, facing north and south, is 15ft. long and 6ft. wide. The north end is roofed with boards and iron, the three sides are boarded in; the south side is open and has 4111s. of sand on the bottom. The open part of the aviary is wired round and boarded to I4ins. from the bottom, and is planted out with a few sapling trees. Several dead branches are fixed in the ground for perches. There is grass, bramble, sedge, and a pond with flags and reeds growing in it. The height is 6ft., but above the pond the sides rise to 8ft. During cage-life one pair, or a single bird, will live in good condition if it is let out for a fly round the room now and again. If two pairs are put into one cage the cocks will fight to the death. On the last occasion, when I had taken away the beaten cock, which soon died, the two hens started fighting quite as fiercely as the cocks had done, until I separated them. Herbert L. SrcH. MONAD PHEASANTS. Sir , — I should be much obliged if you could give me any information respecting Monal Pheasants. Do you think they would do well here in Nottinghamshire in a run open to the South and South-East, and protected by shrubs 011 all other sides? Do they require any special treatment, or would that required by a Golden Pheasant suffice ? Could you also give me an idea of the price of a pair and where I could obtain them ? Norman B. Roberts. The following reply has been sent to Mr. Roberts : The accommodation you describe would suit Monal Pheasants well, but they would require rather different treatment from the Golden species. They are great diggers, and soon destroy turf and make their run very untidy; thus it is necessary to take particular care that it is well-drained, or it will get sloppy. They also require a constant supply of raw vegetable food, apples, onions, and potatoes, cut up in pieces, and it is advisable to give them insects or chopped cooked meat frequently also. Of course these things are good for other Pheasants too ; but Monals eat little grain when wild, feeding on grubs and roots, and thus especially need them. Wheat seems to be the favourite grain with captive birds. I11 rearing the young, if you get any, pay particular attention to a supply of insect food. See that they can get shelter from hot sun. These birds are dear to buy — fxo a pair more or less — but none are better worth the money. Mr. Jamracli or Messrs. Bailey, or Mr Castang may have some. Frank Finn. 210 Correspondence, Notes, etc. BATHILDA RUFICAUDA. Sir, — A male Australian Red-tailed Finch, that I bought along with the Gamboge-headed Gouldian finch, etc. is surely a type not usually seen. Quite half of the crown of the head (if not more) is clear bright unspotted red, from the bill. The specimens I have hitherto possessed, have a few red feathers at the base of the upper mandible (or maxilla), and all the rest of the forehead and crown is green. Is this a variety ? or a sport? There are indeed two of these birds, but in the other (although also, I believe, a male) the red does not extend quite so far. In No. I it extends, on the crown, beyond the eyes. I always think the title of “ Red-Tailed Finch” is inappropriate because it is the red face which is far more conspicuous, and of a brighter colour. * Hubert D. Asteey. DURATION OF THE PERIOD OF INCUBATION. Sir, — Our thanks are due to Dr. Butler for having collected together so many facts on this most, interesting subject. His article, taken in con¬ junction with Mr. W. Evans’ papers in “The Ibis,” covers a very wide field, though I do not think we can take all Mr. Evans’ conclusions as quite final, as many of his results were obtained through the medium of the incubator, or by the help of such birds as the Canary and Barbary Dove. I find no record of any of the Spheniscifonnes among the birds mentioned, so it may be of interest to record that Mr. Bernacchi in the “ Report on the Collections of Natural History of the .Southern Cross,” (1902) observed that the eggs of the Adelia Penguin ( Pycoscelis adelice) “ took exactly thirty-one days to incubate” at the remarkably low temperature of between 70° and 8o° Fahr. At first sight the Penguins do not seem to be very likely birds to breed in captivity, but I was much interested in watching a small flock of what I think was the Black-footed Penguin ( Spheniscus demersus) very busy feeding some half-grown young in Paris in April 1903. For the past four or five years I have always made a point of putting down the date of laying and hatching of nearly every egg laid by my Doves, and, as some of the results do not quite agree with Dr. Butler’s paper, they may be considered worth reproducing here. I will preface my observations with the remark that perhaps I have been placed in a better position than many aviculturists for knowing the exact date of laying, owing to the necessity of my having to slint all my birds up every night in the inner compartments shortly after dark (except those hens which happen to have eggs or young in the open flights). * We quite agree that the name of Rufous- or Red-tailed finch is inappropriate. Why should not English aviculturists adopt the Australian name “Star Finch”? Individuals vary markedly in the extent of the red colouring on the face. — Ed. Correspondence, Notes, etc. 2 1 1 Ill each case Incubation is supposed to have begun with the laying of the second egg. Number of Eggs. Period. 4 -&»• Species. 2 20 „ 3 13 6 14 „ 2 15 >, 1 16 „ 2 13 >. 10 14 >, 1 15 „ 2 13 1 15 » Domestic Pigeon Barbar}7 Dove ( Turtur risorius ) White Barbary Dove. . Necklaced Dove Cambavan Turtle-Dove ( T. cambay ensis) In the above Table the 011I37 Barbary Dove’s egg that took 16 da}7s to hatch was under a pair of the little Cambaj'an Dove ; 110 doubt they were unable to keep such a large egg quite up to the normal temperature. Most of the young hatched from the Barbary hens were different sorts of Turtle-Dove hybrids, but 6 of the young were pure Barbary, 5 of which hatched in 14 and one in 13 days, so I think we can say that this bird takes from 13 to 15 days to incubate, by far the greater majority hatching on the 14th day. The Necklaced Doves were, I believe, a cross between Turtur suratensis and T. tigrinus, but, as these two birds are so closely allied, one would not expect them to differ in the period of incubation. I think 15 days must not be considered the normal time for the Cambayan Dove, as in this case only one rather thin-shelled egg was laid, the young just managed to hatch and then died : 13 or even 12 days I suspect would be nearer. Another point which has been neglected, owing to the difficulty 01 knowing when an egg is laid, is what length of time elapses between the laying of the eggs of a clutch. The general opinion seems to be that Barbary and other Doves lay their two eggs on consecutive days. I have never found this to be so, one day always elapsing between the laying of the two eggs I have the following notes on this subject : Domestic Pigeons (2 hens) 11 pairs laid 011 alternate days. 1 pair with 2 days between. (I suspect a slight case of egg binding in this case). Barbary Dove (3 hens) 49 pairs laid 011 alternate daj7s. Barbary hybrids (2 different crosses) 7 ,, ,, ,, Necklaced Doves (2 hens) 5 ,, ,, ,, Senegal Turtle-Dove 1 pair ,, ,, Cambayan Turtle-Dove (2 hens) 4 pairs ,, >, 212 Correspondence , Notes , etc. The reason why the Barbary, and doubtless some other Doves, are commonly supposed to lay on successive days lies, I think, in the fact that the first egg is laid in the afternoon about 5 o’clock, or later, and is thus overlooked until the following morning. The second egg seems to follow about 10 in the morning of the next day but one ; so the conclusion is drawn that the first egg was similarly laid the day before, thus apparently some 41 hours must elapse between the laying of the two eggs in the case of the Barbary Dove. In conclusion, we shall always be liable to get conflicting accounts as to the duration of incubation of the same species, as one bird may sit closer than another, or the outside temperature may be hot or cold ; and we know, in the case of the domestic hen, that the freshness or otherwise of the eggs has its etfect on the germ. * T. H. Newman. THE ROCK GRASS-PARRAKEET. In describing a visit to Rottuest Island, Western Australia, in the January number of the Emu, Mr. F. Lawson gives the following interesting note 011 the Rock Parrakeet ( Neophema petrophila), a species closely allied to, and which has very possibly been imported under the name of, the Elegant Grass-Parrakeet ( N . elegans) : “This pretty little species is fairly common, but seems to favour the Western side of the Island, where it breeds on several small islets, and occasionally on the most precipitous slopes of the mainland cliffs. For a nesting site it takes advantage of any natural hollow in the limestone rock. I examined half-a-dozen or more nests. All of these were on the summits or slopes of islets, not in the face of the cliffs. The favourite situation appeared to be under a large slab of rock over-hung by a profuse growth of vegetation (Mesembryanthemum) . In one instance I found young in down in a slight hollow in the sandy soil, simply concealed by vegetation, and without other shelter. The eggs vary from four to six ; they are inclined to be spherical, and of the usual white colour. When the nest is being examined, the old birds fly round with great rapidity, or perch on a neighbouring rock, whence they exhibit great anxiety. Young in first plumage lack the blue forehead band. In traversing the island I often disturbed pairs or small parties of this Parrakeet, generally in the more open parts. Their chief food seems to be small round seeds, but I could not identify of what species of plant.” * On Feb. 22nd Mr. Newman sent me the above notes, and I asked him to publish them in the Magazine. On the 23rd my white Barbary Dove, paired to Necklaced Dove, went to nest at 5 p.m., and laid shortly afterwards. On the 24th she only left the nest to feed, sitting close all day; soon after 10 a.m. on the 25th she left the nest and I found a second egg had been laid. The cock then began to sit. One young was hatched on March 10th, the other egg was clear. The previous hatching was probably delayed by the cold weather.— A. G. Butler. Correspondence, Notes, etc. 213 BIRD PRESERVATION IN NEW ZEALAND. [The following note appears in the Emu for January 1905]. At the Sydney session of the A.O.U. Colonel Legge referred to the interest taken by members of the Union in bird preservation, and spoke of the lamentable extinction of interesting birds in New Zealand, such as the Notomis, the Quail {Coturnix novce-sealandice), the Macquarie Island Rail, one of the Cyanorhamphus genus of Parrakeets, & c., &c. He alluded to the praiseworthy efforts of the New Zealand Govern¬ ment to preserve other interesting endemic forms, such as Apteryx, Ocydromus, &c., in the “bird sanctuaries” of Resolution Island aud Little Barrier Island. The subject of the further preservation of these restricted New Zealand forms was dwelt with by the Committee of the Biological Section A.A.A.S., under Colonel Legge’s presidency, and as the result he took the opportunity, when in Wellington, of officially addressing Sir Joseph Ward, in whose department the subject of bird preservation is dealt with, on the preservation of the very interesting “ Flightless Rail ” of the Chatham Islands (Cobalus modestus), which has become almost extinct from several causes— clearing of low scrub, destruction of the rough pasturage by sheep, and finall)' by the ruthless onslaught of the fast-disappearing species by a collector, on behalf, it is reported of the Tring Museum, when about 20 specimens were captured. Colonel Legge’s communication, written as president of the Biological Section, A.A.A.S., was favourably received, aud he has recently received a courteous letter of thanks from the Government of New Zealand for having called attention to the matter, with a copy of the Gazette containing a notice proclaiming the species as absolutely protected, and instructing the magistrate to use every effort to preserve the Rail in future. The only doubt is whether this bird is not already extinct. If so, this will be another lamentable disappearance of a specialized New Zealand form, which is all the more regrettable inasmuch as this Rail formed an interesting link between the New Zealand aud Lord Howe Island avifauna, and an interesting testimony to the former land-connection, in past geological times, between the two localities. PUBLISHER’S ANNOUNCEMENT. After April no copies of Vol. I. New Series, can be sold separately, but only with Vol. II. 214 Post Mortem Examinations. POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. RULES. Each bird must be forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and postage paid, direct to Mr. Arthur Gill, M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Establishment, Bexley Heath, Kent, and must be accompanied by a letter containing the fullest particulars of the case. Domestic poultry, pigeons, and Canaries cannot be dealt with. If a reply by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclosed. Bullfinch (Miss Merrylees). Died immediately after a stranger handled him and was always a very timid bird. He had been failing for the last two months. [Your bird was suffering from pneumonia and no doubt the handling when in his very weak condition caused death by heart failure]. Madagascar Weaver (Mr. A. Cummings). [Apoplexy caused death]. Goldfinch (Mr. Moerschell). Fed on canary, thistle, and hemp meal, lettuce, also summer rape and occasionally a little raw food. On two occasions when ill a few drops of Parrish’s Food were given. [Your bird, like many other Goldfinches I have to examine, was much emaciated, which seems to be a very common thing with these birds when in confinement. Many of the best Goldfinches I have seen have been fed on one part canary, one part maw seed, and three parts hemp. I have kept many in perfect health on hemp seed only, which is the usual treatment by many in Cornwall. I think you will have better results if you give more nutritious food. Parrot Finch (Mrs. Robertson). [Your bird died of fractured skull]. REDrump ParrakeeT (Miss Willatt). Was apparently quite well when owner entered the aviary, but while birds were being fed he suddenly dropped off a tree and died. [Apoplexy caused death]. Zebra Finch, hen. (The Hon. Mrs. Hodgson). Died suddenly when in apparently good health. [Inflammation of the oviduct from retention of a ruptured soft-slielled egg caused death]. Grey Parrot (Reginald B. Astley, Fsq.) Until about a week before death it had been fed on boiled maize, but its owner decided to try it on a parrot mixture. It never seemed to take to this properly, [The bird died of exhaustion from want of sufficient and suitable food. Emaciation was extreme, but every organ was free from disease]. Baya Weaver (Mr. Mark E. Rycroft). Had been ailing for five or six days, appeared to get weaker, and flew with difficulty. It has been in an unlieated outdoor aviary for three years and enjoyed good health. [Bird died of inflammation of the liver caused probably from the cold wet weather]. The following ansivered by post: Red-crested Cardinal (Lady Carnegie). Red-headed Gouldian Finch (August F. Wiener, Esq.) Zosterops (H. L. Sich, Esq.) Budgerigar (Miss F. Barclay Watson.) F. C- THORPE, Importer of all Varieties of Foreign Birds and (flaterfoml. ANIMALS IMPORTED TO ORDER. All Birds kept in Aviaries not Cages, and sent on approval. v" 75, SOUTH PARADE, HULL. Stock in hand March 20, 1905. i pair Red Mountain Doves £2 10/- pair, 2 pairs Talpacoti Doves 10/6 pair, 3 pairs Cambayan Doves beauties 12/6 pair, Chinese Quails 20/- pair, Pennant’s Parrakeets 30/- each, Yellow Budgerigars 20/- pair, 1 Spotted¬ billed Duck, £1, 3 pairs adult Carolina Ducks 52/6 pair, Chinese Goose 9/6, East Indian Drake 6/6, Albino Wild Ducks 16/- pair, 1 Gold Sparrow hen 6/6, 1 pair Anas superciliosa or New Zealand Wild Ducks 30/- pair. Trumpeter Bullfinches 10/6 pair, Cockatiels 6/6 each, Porto Rico Pigeons 40/- pair, very fine birds, Crowned Black Tanagers 25/- pair, Chinese Zosterops 12/6 pair, 2 Hyacinthine Macaws, Redrump Parrakeets 30/- pair, Many-coloured Parrakeet hen £2 5/-, 1 pair Great-billed Parrakeets [Palceornis magnirostris) true pair perfect condition £3 10/-, Spur-winged Geese £3 pair, 1 rare Yellow Oriole 40 /-, 6 pairs Bar-head Geese, £2 to/- pair, 1 Pied Albino Tanager, 2 cocks and 1 hen Red-capped Parrots £2 each, 1 Blue-bearded Jay 35/-, 2 Bare-eyed Cockatoos, talking, 30/- each, 6 pairs Mandarin Ducks 30/- pair, 2 Golden-fronted Fruitsuckers 30/- each, Black¬ headed Conures 20/- each, White-eared ditto 15/- each, Black Larks 24/- pair, 1 rare cock White- rumped Black Chat £2 ( Pratincola caprata), 2 talking acclimatised Grey Parrots, one says thirty words ^"4 10/-, another about seventy words £7 10/-, 3 Giant Whydahs £1 10/- each, pair adult Black Swans £6 10/-, breeders, 10 pairs Teal 10 6 pair, 6 pairs Wigeous 10/6 pair, 4 pairs Rosy-billed Ducks 42 pair, 5 drake Mandarins, 2 years in England, 17/6 each, 1 male Australian Shelduck. Common Shellducks 20/- pair, Bernacle Geese 35/- pair. Brent 20/-, Aurora Waxbills 12/6 pair. Due in April: Great White Siberian Crane, Common Crane, Blue Coots, Argus Pheasants. Due in May : Sliainas, Fruitsuckers, etc. New arrivals this week ending March 18 th : SJ pairs beautiful Scaly Doves 20/- pair, 7 pairs Black Larks 24/- pair, 1 pair Tui Parrakeets £2 10/- 1 pair Blue-winged Teal ^4. 1 pair Scarlet Macaws, 1 talking Bare-eyed Cockatoo 30/-, t rare Tyrant 25/-, r pair Bluish Finches 15/-, io rare Crimson¬ shouldered Whydahs in colour £2 each, 4 rare Spine-tailed not in colour, 3 Crimson-collared ditto 35/- each, 5 rare Waxbills, 6 rare Weavers, 2 male Orange-breasted Waxbills 2/6 each, 1 pair Rheas, 1 rare Monkey extremely tame, 1 Azara’s Dog, 1 female Pileatus , I rare Conure, 6 rare Azure Tits, Jew Waxwings all sold. 1 pair each Silver and Golden Pheasants, Silvers 20/- pair, Golden 35/- pair. 1 male White Swan 25/-, 1 Lemon - crested Cockatoo 12/6, 23 Pekin Robins 2/6 each, 8 Budgerigars, 6 Zebra Finches, 4 Green Avadavats, and a few other common small birds. Due in next week : Rare Amazons, three varieties, also Sultan Fowls, etc. Stock Always Changing. IV. Notices to Members — Continued. WANTS. (These are charged for at the same rate as Birds for Sale!. Cuba Finches, White-eared Grassfinches, Ringed Finches, hen Violet-eared Waxbill, cock Yellow Sparrow, hen Rain Quail. Phieeipps, 26, Cromwell Grove, Hammersmith. Good healthy cock Shama, in song. Would exchange birds advertised above as part payment. Miss PEDDrE Waddeee, 4, Great Stuart .Street, Edinburgh. Wanted hen Shdma and hen Dliyal, cheap. Hedeey .Speed, Victoria Park, Bangor. Wanted Vols. I, III and IV of Avicultural Magazine, first series. Apply A. B. C., c/o the Editor. 'i III. Notices to Members— (Continued front page it. of cover). NEW MEMBERS. Miss F. V. Newaee ; Ellingham House, Cheltenham. Mr. Tinniswood Mieeer ; 27, Belgrave Road, S.W. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Mr. C. B. HorSBRUGH ; c/o Capt. B. R. Horsbrugh, Naval Hill, Bloemfontein, O. R. C. And Mr. G. U. de Viewers ; 127, St. Andries Street, Pretoria, Transvaal. Proposed by Captain R. B. HORSBRUGH. Mr. Ludeow GrESEOM ; 21, Washington Square North, New York City, U. S. A. Proposed by The Hon. Bus. Secretary. MEMBERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is one penny for every four words. Names and addresses of advertisers must be paid for. Each statement of price, such as 3/6, is counted as one word. Every advertisement must be prepaid, and MUST reach the EDITOR not later than the 19 th of each month. The Council reserve the right of refusing any advertisement they may consider u ndesirnble. Lady DuneEath lias Silver Pheasants (1904) for sale, quite tame, reared outside, 10/6 each. Apply, Housekeeper, Ballywalter Park, County Down. Three hen Olive Finches (two aviarj'-bred), very tame, 15/- each or 40/- the three; hen Bustard Quail, Turnix taigoor, 12/-; water-colour drawing by Gronvold of pair Yellow Sparrows, Passer luteiis, 30/-; various back volumes of Avicultural Magazine, including those out of print. Cash or exchange— see “ Wants.” PhieetppS, 26, Cromwell Grove, Hammersmith. Pair of Parson Finches 9/6 ; Norwich Canaries, cocks in full song, 5/- each. Miss Husband, Clifton View, York. Pair Cockatiels, nesting, 10/6; hen Pennant, perfect, 2 years old, from out¬ door aviary, 35/-. SaeTER, Thame. Cock Golden Pheasant 12/6; two Silver cocks 10/6 each. Miss AppeETOn, Rawden Hill, Arthington. Cock Red-crested Cardinal, in perfect health and plumage, 6/6, also Cactus Conure, ditto, 7/6. Miss Peddie Waddeee, 4, Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh. Large mealworms, 1000 2/6, 500 1/6, post paid for cash with order. Wired husk nests for Budgerigars, 4d. each. Rush nests for Waxbills etc., 4d., 6d., and 9d. each. Adult Budgerigars for breeding, cocks 2/6, hens 4/6, pairs 6/-. C. P. Arthur, Melksham. (' Continued on opposite page). JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. OUCCESS IN BIRD KEEPING & BREEDING CAN ONLY BE SECURED BY USING 41 ABF?AWAMS5 14 WORLD- FAME I) liar Specialities in BIRD FOOD. LARGE STOCK OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS. HARTZ MOUNTAIN ROLLERS, Norwich, Yorkshire and Lizard Canaries Cock Birds in full Song now in Stock ABRAHAMS’ TONIC for Diarrhoea and Strengthening Birds. EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Cage and Aviary Appliance, Seed, etc., in stock. For complete Price L.i.st apply to — J. ABRAHAMS, 191 & 192, ST. GEORGE STREET EAST, LONDON, K. No connection with any other firm under the same name. ABRAHAMS’ is the oldest and most reliable Establishment in England. NEW SERIES. MONTHLY. MAY, 1905. voi. 111. No. 7. Pr*ice is 6d- 1C Members’ Annual Subscription, 10/-; payable in advance. |[— 1| THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. •-^CONTENTS. Oj PAGE The Yellow-rumped Finch ( with coloured plate\, by D. Skth-Smith, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 215 On Breeding Turnix lepurana in German Bird-rooms, by Arthur G. Butler, Ph.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., etc. 217 Bird Notes from Uganda, by L. M. Seth-Smith, B.A., M.B.O.U. ... 222 The Aviary and its management, by Dr. J. G. Mylan . 225 Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens 228 Stray Notes 229 Review— “ British Bird Fife.” . . . ... . 230 Correspondence, Notes, etc.— Exeter ’Change in 1791, 231 ; The Period of Incubation, 233 ; The Rain Quail, 234 ; Tzu-hix nigricolis 234 ; Baihilda ruficauda, 235 ; Living Birds attacked by maggots, 235 ; Parrakeets holding food in right foot, 236 ; The Yellow-headed Gouldian Finch, 236 ; Sex of Birds, etc., 237 ; The Song of the Piping Crow, 237. Post-tnorlem Examinations . 238 u LONDON : y R. H. PORTER, 7, Princes St., Cavendish Square, W. NOTE.— A new volume commences every November. II. •*" All Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the A vicutTurar Society are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. NOTICES TO MEMBERS. The Subsci ipLion to the Avicultural .Society is 10/- per annum, due on the 1st of November in each \'ear, and is payable in advance. 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With the opening up of the more inaccessible parts of the Australian Continent, the homes of some of the rarest birds are invaded, and aviculturists on this side of the globe are given an opportunity of keeping and studying species which were never seen in a living state except by the most enterprising explorers. It is not many years ago that Bathilda ruficauda and Munia ped oralis were unknown to aviculturists in this country, and the same might be said of Poephila acuticauda and P. per- sonata, but at the present time all of these birds are common occupants of the foreign-bird-lover’s aviary. The subject of the present article cannot yet be called common, but the arrival of about a dozen examples in London is an important event in the history of foreign-bird keeping, considering that even the preserved skin was almost unknown before. The Yellow-rumped Munia was described by Gould in 1845, from a single specimen obtained by Dr. Bynoe during the surveying-voyage of the “ Beagle ” in 1839. All he was able to tell about the species was that “ it is very nearly allied to the Donacola \_Munia\ castaneithorax, but is specifically distinct from that as well as from every known species of this now numerous tribe of birds. I regret to add that nothing is known of its habits or mode of life.” It seems uncertain what became of the type, but an example obtained in 1856, by Mr. J. R. Elsie, is the sole representative of the species in the British Museum, and in 216 On the Yellow-rwnped Finch. fact appears to have been the only specimen in the United King¬ dom, until the arrival of the first living specimen in 1904, whose history I shall presently relate. Mr. Campbell, in his Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds writes that since Gould’s time “ there is positively nothing to record of its economy.” Elsie, who procured the British Museum specimen, pub¬ lished a few notes on the species in the Proceedi>igs of the Zoological Society for 1856. He writes : “ There are two Donacolas , flavi- prymna and a crimson and brown one, of which there are one or two varieties. The Donacolas build in some parts in low tea- trees overhanging water, making a large spouted nest, with small cavity, of dry bark of tea-trees and pandanus.” According to Mr. Campbell (1901) the eggs are as yet undescribed. In the early part of last year (1904) a few specimens of Munia flaviprymna appear to have been trapped. A pair found their way to the Melbourne Zoological Gardens, of which Mr. D. Le Souef, the Director, wrote in the Emu for July 1904 (his letter being dated March nth), that they were “just at present busily constructing a bulky dome-shaped nest of grass. The male is of a richer hue than the female. . . . They are altogether very neat trim little birds in appearance, and seem fairly hardy. This pair came from North-Western Australia, inland from Cossack.” Seven specimens arrived in Sydney about this time, and were purchased by my friend, Mr. H. E. Peir, who sent one of them to England to compete at the cage bird show at the Crystal Palace. It appeared at the show held in October last, but although it was almost certainly the first of its kind ever seen alive in Europe, it was only awarded a second prize, as the Judge, and many ethers who were present, took it for a hybrid, having the Chestnut-breasted Munia ( M castaneithorax ) for one of its parents. This bird again appeared in January at the “Great National” show where its rarity was recognised, and it was awarded the special prize for the rarest bird in the show, as well as first prize in its class. I exhibited this specimen at a meeting of the British Ornithologists’ Club, on the 16th of November, 1904. On Breeding Turnix l ep nr ana in German Bird-rooms. 217 In the last number of this magazine the Rev. H. D. Astley recorded the fact of his having secured a pair of these birds at Genoa, from a ship bound for England. On, or about, the 19th of March last this ship arrived in London, with a large consign¬ ment of Australian birds, amongst which were some Bourlce’s Parrakeets and about a dozen specimens of the hitherto extremely rare Munia fiaviprymna. So now this species can hardly be called really rare any longer. Possibly ere long it will be as common as Munia pectoralis , or even as Bathilda ruficauda. I purchased a pair from this consignment, which I placed in a very large cage with the original bird sent over last year. I believe I have two cocks and one hen, but it is very difficult to tell. There was very little difference in those I saw of the recent arrivals, but only one of mine sings, and for a Munia he has quite a respectable little song. The call note is a pretty piping note, exactly like that of its very near ally, the Chestnut-breasted Finch (. Mtmia casta 71 eith or ax') . The bird-catcher who caught the original seven specimens that went to Sydney last year, said that these birds “seem to be kings amongst the Donacolas,” going about with the Chestnut- finch, and numbering about one to every thousand of the latter species. ON BREEDING TURNIX LEPURANA IN GERMAN BIRD-ROOMS. By Arthur G. Butler, Ph.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. Respecting the successful breeding in captivity of the Ferruginous-necked Hemipode (Lepurana Hemipode of the Zoological Society’s list) Dr. Russ informs us, that several pairs were imported by G. Bosz of Cologne in 1892; and, scarcely six weeks later both Lieut. Hautli and Herr Behrens had succeeded in breeding with them. The former gentleman, to whom Dr. Russ is indebted for his account of the life-history of this species, was again success¬ ful in subsequent years ; in 1895 he hatched out, from eggs laid 2l8 Dr. A. G. Butler, by two pairs, sixteen nestlings, of which twelve grew to maturity ; and again in 1896 reared twelve young. In the following translation, where I have introduced asterisks to indicate a hiatus, the missing words merely refer to a previous page in Dr. Russ’ book. This author commences the account as follows : — First- Lieutenant Hauth wrote to me : — “ I cannot re¬ member, during my many years experience in breeding, to have attained in so unusually short a time, so rapid, decided, success¬ ful and easily acquired a brood.” Of the best Hemipodes which reached him, he, on the fifth day, placed two males and a female in the birdroom, after he had removed the other little game-birds in order to induce them to breed more quickly. “ They were extremely tame, confiding and sensible birds, and without hesitation selected the clear vacant spaces, never investigating the close coverts arranged with little trees and reed- grass. They only made use of their wings if a violent sudden scare alarmed them ; but when they had become completely domiciled, they chiefly strove to meet the threatened danger by crouching down : they were singularly more gentle and calm than their relatives. They evidently felt comfortable in their home. The room was promenaded in active manner with graceful movements, and a sand-bath was frequently taken . . . .; a titbit resigned to the male by his mate, when summoned to her side with gentle tender tones. In addition to the varieties of seed . . . . they like shelled rice and husked millet ; mealworms and fresh ants’ eggs are of course extremely welcome to them, as also egg-food. They drink in the same manner as the Black¬ necked Hemipode. In hot weather they delight to lie for a considerable time in the dry sand ; sometimes also stretched at full length in the wet sand at the bathing-place. After two or three days the breeder had already observed that one of the males was chased without malice if it approached the two other birds : he took it out, and the remaining pair were always affectionate to each other. The female seemed somewhat more excited, yet not so boisterous as the Black-throated species on Breeding T-urnix lepurana hi German Bird-rooms. 219 and frequently uttered its pairing cry. “The latter consists merely of two long-drawn penetrating notes, and is frequently repeated at short intervals ten or twelve times in succession. The first note is pitched higher and is longer sustained, the second note is about an octave deeper and rather shorter. By a longer repetition of the cry it acquires added vigour towards the finish ; although it proceeds from the closed bill it is yet audible at a good distance, sounding muffled and hollow, the direction whence it conies being difficult to determine. It is projected with the same effort and similar delivery to that of the Black¬ necked Hemipode ; moreover in preparation for it an unpleasing gasping for air chacterizes it, and with each effort the sides of the neck are blown out to a remarkable extent. This cry is only peculiar to the female: as soon as she utters it her mate approaches and pecks her coyly on the head and back with amorous intent : thus they proceed for a consider¬ able time until the pairing takes place, when the female crouches flat upon the earth. As soon as incubation begins, both old birds discontinue these antics, and recommence them just before the next laying. Sometimes the female utters a loud rattling, sometimes also a growling cry, which seems to me to be intended to call her mate to her. Even in the nesting-season the male continues almost as placid and calm as ever : I only heard a soft ick from him when the adults were in company, and an equally soft clucking whenever he called the young together. When anxious he utters loud cries sounding like tschugg ; and if he is alone he gives voice to a loud rattling cry like the hen, but more by fits and starts, and not so powerful and continuous. The pair had scarcely been a week in the birdroom before they had constructed their nest close to the entrance-door. When they had been exposed to many kinds of interruption, Mr. Hauth obviated this by repeatedly removing the building-material of the nest. They now selected a vacant spot at the edge of the reeds, and utilized all sorts of coarse and fine fibre and stalks, showing the chief preference for slender dry straw-coloured stalks. The nest was thick, with a large entrance-hole ; formed with a high arch, so that the crouching, that is, brooding bird 220 Dr. A. G. Butler, could be clearly seen. The process of nest building was carried on in the same manner as with the Black-throated Hemipode,but the old birds selected a different situation for it. “ They do not stand or crouch like the latter, but sink the breast deep on the ground, and erect the hinder part of the body, so that the tail is directed straight upwards similarly to that of the doves ; like the latter also they simultaneously make short tremulous movements with head and neck, whilst they peck immediately in front of them in the sand or their own breast- feathers ; at times also shuffling a little with tlieir wings and uttering soft notes. The female does her part more zealously and patiently : the building of the nest continues sometimes for days, sometimes only for hours. The fourth nest was not quite completed when the first egg rested in it; it had been laid early — seven o’clock — by the larger and more beautiful bird, while the male remained near to it. On each of the three succeeding days an egg was laid. On each occassion I was present, and was able to note the spasmodic movements of the bird, so that no question can exist in respect to the identification of the sex. When the third, that is the last egg but one, was laid, the male began to incubate steadily. During the first days the hen also frequently sat for some time on the clutch ; later she deputed the development of the eggs almost entirely, and in the last daj^s altogether, to the cock ; so that frequently they remained uncovered when the latter had stood up in order to reach its food. Oil the eleventh and twelfth days the male appeared to wish to discontinue in¬ cubating. Rendered wise by similar indications in the Black¬ necked Hemipode, I took away the hen, and, to my delight, the cock went back again into the nest. On the thirteenth day all four young hatched. After about two days the male for the first time led out his marvellously pretty little ones, and immediately brought them fresh ants’ eggs as food. The latter, as well as the adult birds, corresponded exactly with the allied species in nature, action, and deportment. Owing to the almost even greater trustfulness of the little cock, I was able to watch and admire, in the closest on Breeding Tur?iix le pur an a in German Bird-rooms. 221 vicinity, the charming private family life of this little fowl ; the latter is continuously busied in solicitous care for its tiny flock. If I appeared at the door with living ants, bacon-beetles and their larvae, which were accepted with remarkable pleasure,* the old bird came hurrying up to and almost took them out of my hand. At the beginning of the second week also, he led the youngsters to the egg-food and seeds, as well as to the drinking water. On the third day a young one already began to pick up ants’ eggs unaided, on the fifth day they all did so, but the male still continued to feed them freely. On the fourth day they imitated the digging in the sand of the old bird and took the most comical leaps in the air. The eggs again differ in this species, even from the same hen : they vary from almost globular to oval (20-25 x 16-19 mm.), are smooth and slightly glossy, with whitish to grey ground-tint, fairly uniformly marked with larger and smaller pale to dark brownish and blue-blackish spots and dots, which generally become larger, darker, and denser, and form a zone, towards the blunter extremity. Downy plumage (at the age of three days, after Hauth) : — “ From the upper mandible to the middle of the head a narrow red-brown longitudinal stripe ; from this point the latter is modified into two similar feebly curved stripes to the back of the head, enclosing a broad fawn-yellowish white stripe : near the aforementioned stripes on the crown 011 either side, a paler and a darker one as far as the nape. Above and below the eye a fawn- 3'ellowish longitudinal stripe. Five similarly arranged and coloured longitudinal stripes on the back. Under surface greyish white, bill brownish, darker on the upper half; feet strong and flesh-coloured ; eyes brownish.” By the second day the quills of the wings break through ; 011 the fifth day the small plumage sprouts; on the eighth day the wings already cover the back, and the small plumage is fully developed ; only the head is still covered with down. At the age of ten days the young only require the warmth of the old birds at night ; but they no longer go into the nest ; * Dermestes lardarius. It is surprising that the hairy larva: of this pest should have been relished— A. G. B. 222 Mr. E. M. Seth-Smith, they new preen and poke about much in their plumage, burrow in the sand, eat unaided, and delight to sit in the sun. In the fourth week the breeder removed the young, and they practised, according to their sex, their natural cry, which the old birds, now reunited, frequently answered ; they also gave utterance to sundry other more gentle notes. In concluding these extracts from Dr. Russ’ valuable work, it may be interesting to note that T. lepurana, particularly in its method of crouching with the hinder part of the body and tail erect, more closely corresponds with what Mr. Seth-Smith has told us about Turnix tanki than does the Black-necked or Madagascar Hemipode. BIRD NOTES FROM UGANDA. By E. M. Seth-Smith, B.A., M.B.O.U. A few notes on the birds to be seen in and around Entebbe may be of interest to the members of the Avicultural Society. Entebbe is the European headquarters of Uganda, and is situated on the north coast of the Victoria Nyansa, about 320 30' east of Greenwich, and about three or four miles north of the Equator. Birds are very numerous, and we have besides the numerous very beautiful birds, many very fine songsters. On the lake itself there are Divers and Darters innumerable, also Gulls, and perhaps the grandest bird to be seen here, the Fish Eagle. This bird is protected, as are several others, viz., Vul¬ tures, numbers of which flock down to the meat market in the evenings ; Egrets, of which there are at least two kinds, one keeping amongst the reeds on the lake shore, and the other often to be seen in large flocks following grazing cattle and picking off the ticks. The Whale-headed Stork ( Balceniceps rex), is to be found in a swamp a few miles from Entebbe, but very shy and hardly ever seen; the Saddle - billed Stork ( Xenorhynchus senegalensis) not found very near here, and a beautiful Crowned Crane, often to be seen in flocks of from fifteen to twenty. To mention some of the most beautiful birds, we must begin with the lovely Sun Birds. There are several species of on Bird Notes fro7ii Uganda. 223 these, all resplendent with their metallic purples, greens, blues, etc. glittering in the sun. Unlike the true Humming Birds, this family seems always to suck the honey while settled, although they may often be seen hovering in the air, probably to catch some minute insect. Then we come to the Bee- eaters, of which there are at least two species, one much smaller than the other. In fact, the smaller one seems to a large extent to have now (January) taken the place of the larger one, which was extremely common three or four months ago. We have also several species of Weaver birds : the com¬ monest ( Hyphantorn is abyssinicus ), being a bright yellow bird with black head. The bird is exceedingly common around the lake shore, and on one tree twenty or thirty nests may be seen. A few days ago (Jan. 14th) I was interested in watching some of these birds busily building new nests in a colony, if one may so call a group of their nests ; and after watching for some time I went and examined the nests, in several of which were eggs, but in one were two young birds just ready to leave the nest. In spite of their brilliant yellow colour these birds are not easy to distinguish at a little distance, being exactly the same colour as the flowers of the tree they nest in. Then we have a black Whydah ( Urobrachya phoenicea ) with orange upper wing coverts. These birds always seem to keep in flocks, several cocks, say ten or more, to about four times as many hens. The Kingfishers again are most beautiful. The commonest of all is a black and white speckled bird which frequents the lake and feeds probably entirely on fish. Another common one (. Halcyon cya?io!eucus ) is a lovely bird, with bright blue back, wings and tail, black shoulders, grey breast, neck, and head, and a bright-red bill. This bird is, I think, entirely insectivorous, and though they are sometimes to be seen beside the lake, I have never yet seen them touch the water. There is also a very small species about 4 inches long, with dark blue back, tail, and top of head, salmony breast and abdomen ; and I have also, on several occasions, seen a very large kind. 224 On Bird Notes fro7ii Uganda. Still keeping to bright coloured birds, we have two lovely Touracous. the Large Blue Touracou being the commonest. This bird may be seen in any of the forests around Entebbe, always several together. The last one I shot (on Jan. 13th) proved to be a female with an egg just ready to be laid, and now I am particularly anxious to find their nests, which I imagine are high up and in the middle of the forest, especially after read¬ ing Mrs. Johnstone’s most interesting account of the nesting of Fraser’s Touracou in the November number of the Magazine for last year. Songsters are numerous, but are mainly Warblers, which are very shy and keep either in the long grass or forest, making it almost impossible, without a lot of time to spare (which I regret to say I have not got) to identify, or even to catch a glimpse of them. The commonest, and perhaps finest, songster, however, is a Chat ( Thavmolcea arnotti) a black bird with white shoulders, which are entirely hidden except when the bird is flyin g. The hen is dark brown all over. These birds frequent the ant hills, flying from one to another, although they may often be seen at the top of trees in the open. Pigeons and Doves are fairly well represented. One common one, which we call the Green Pigeon ( Vinago calva), is wonderfully protected by its colour. You may see three or four, or even a dozen, fly into a tree, and not a densely foliaged one either, but when you get there, not one is to be seen. They see you and keep absolutely still, knowing perfectly well that their colour harmonises exactly with the foliage. Suddenly out fly several at a tremendous pace in the opposite direction, and it is practically impossible to get a shot in ; if you do you are certain to miss. It is quite impossible to mention all the birds to be seen here in a short account, but mention must be made of the Finches, which are well represented. The pretty Cordon Bleu is very common, hopping about back yards and in the roads, in company with Firefinches. Grey Parrots are very common, but these are usually seen flying high overhead. Only once have I yet come across them The Aviary and iis Management. 225 feeding, and then what attracted me as much as anything was hearing the continual falling of twigs ; the birds themselves being quite silent except when flying from one branch to another. THE AVIARY AND ITS MANAGEMENT. Extracts from an Address given by Dr. J. G. My can to the Sheffield and District Cage Bird Society , February md, 1905. Printed by the Author's permission. Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, — I have not come here this evening with the object of criticising the action of those who keep their birds in suitable sized and comfortable cages, but rather with the idea of helping those who might be persuaded to prefer housing their pets (especially the Foreign birds) in a moderate sized outdoor aviary. Now, the first thing the aviculturist has to consider is the position of the aviary, and so to construct it as to make his pets as comfortable as possible and help them to lead healthy lives. With reference to the position it is important that the front should face South if at all possible, and in that case the entrance doorway could easily face East. The foundation of the building should be of concrete or asphalt, and the floor of the wooden shelter or sleeping compartment should be raised one foot to a foot and a half from the ground. The whole structure should occupy a space of at least 8 feet by 12 feet. Half of the building should be for the bird house and the other half used as a flight. The bird house can have its front, two sides, roof and floor made of wood, and its back should, if possible, be at the back part of the kitchen wall where there is a fireplace with a good flue, as by this means extra heat is obtained ; and this wall, as I will show you later on, can be admirably utilised for heating and ventilating purposes. The inside woodwork ought to be covered with medicated felting, and this in turn should be lined with match-boards closely put together. To complete the aviary it should be provided with a porch and double doors, the inner one being covered with galvanized wire netting of 5 in. mesh. All doors should have simple spring attachments to enable them to be self¬ closing and then there would be less chance of birds escaping accidentally. The walls of the building should be distempered (Hall’s washable distemper is the best), cream for the top and a very light green or some other suitable colour for the side walls. The wooden roof can be covered with slates or felting, if the latter, it should be well-tarred ; glass or metal roofs are objectionable. The floor should be covered with zinc or good stout polished linoleum, the latter I prefer as it can be easily cleaned and is both warmer and cheaper. By having patent wired glass over the outer door- 226 Dr. J. G. Mylan, way and on the whole front of the wooden house at its upper half, such an aviary would be efficiently lighted. Glass panels could also be let into the outer door. The inside of house portion should be well provided with shelves. One shelf, which should be from 12 to 14 inches wide, to run the whole length of the front of the building immediately under the glazed portion, this being to put seed hoppers, etc., on; other shelves, about six inches wide, being made to go round the house; and on these nest boxes could be placed and in case any of the young birds fell out of the nests, they would thus be prevented from falling upon the floor and injuring themselves. The shelves should be made of pine and resting on metal brackets, so that they can be taken off once a week and thoroughly cleaned. The perches should be plentiful and as near an imitation or branches and twigs as possible and of different sizes to suit the various sized birds in the aviary ; pea sticks and branches of fir trees answer well for such purpose. Water for drinking ought to be kept in glass fountains (the lecturer favouring “Jones’ Hygienic Fountain,” and “ Rudd’s Globe Fountain” with china tray and stand). It is necessary that all drinking vessels should be of glass or porcelain, as if metal receptacles be used the water is liable to become impure, and if medicines are mixed in such vessels the little pets might easily get poisoned. Suitable baths should be provided. Self- feeding hoppers of metal are the best and they should have several divisions, so that the various seeds can be kept seperate ; it is strongly advisable to have a rack or two to contain cuttle fish bone, also to give a good supply of sea and, crushed egg shells, crushed mortar; a few lumps of rock salt should also be provided as this is a great aid to digestion for the birds. Nest boxes, if of wood, should be made of pine, but in all cases these should be ventilated at the bottom. In the case of foreign birds, rush nests, cocoanut husks, nests shaped like logs of wood, etc., should be hung to meet their little fancies. The bottom of the house portion of aviary to be thickly covered with pine wood sawdust; which is both cheap and antiseptic, and this should be raked over every day and changed at least once every fortnight. Now, we come to the other half of the aviary, namely the flight ; this portion should be covered with galvanized wire of \ inch mesh, and a foot or more in height from the bottom should be boarded upon the inside to prevent vermin, etc., entering. A woodeu shutter shelf (opening out¬ wards) ought to be fixed in the front portion of the house so as to enable the birds to go into the flight when allowed. The flight floor to be covered with coarse gravel, which should be raked over regularly. Round the inside of the flight there could be placed a boxed-in bit of earth, and on this could be sown grass seed, chickweed, groundsel, etc., for the use of the birds ; also you can place in pots, Box, Cypress, Spruce, Firs and on the Aviary and its Management. 227 Eucalyptus trees about five or six feet high (the latter could with advantage be kept in the house portion during the winter months). And, now Sir, I come to the most important subject matter of my discourse. Many persons could devise and build a bird house such as I have described, but, few indeed, I am afraid, would give much thought to the ventilation. Unless, gentlemen, you can devise some means whereby you can arrange for a continuous inlet supply of fresh air and an outlet for the foul air from y'our bird room the lives of your little pets would indeed be short and far from healthy. Efficient ventilation can be accomplished by admitting fresh air through an improved cast-iron Venetian inlet ventilator fixed about three feet from the floor in the outer wall of the aviary, which brings in an ample supply of fresh air; and the foul air can be extracted through a special noiseless mica-flap ventilator (Boyle’s patent) connected at the highest convenient point of the inner wall to the chimney flue of your kitchen and so arranged to have a steady up-current; both of these ventilators should be fitted with valves so that the supply' of fresh air and the outlet of foul air can be regulated to any requirements. As regards heating your bird house, this, in my opinion, can be best done by hot water pipes; oil or gas lamp arrangements are highly objection¬ able, as they absorb the oxygen from the air in the bird room and thus complicate your plans for efficient ventilation. Your bird room can be heated both economically' and efficiently by' a small low pressure hot water apparatus. Along the inner wall of brick you can run two rows of 2 inch wrought iron piping and connect these with a X inch flow and return pipe to a U-shaped pipe at the back of the kitchen fire; a sharp circulation of the water in the pipes is thus maintained without any extra cost for fuel and the aviary is kept well heated without any additional labour or expense after once being fixed. The U-shaped pipe at the back of the fire ought to be coupled up with malleable iron unions, so that during the summer months when no heat is required in the aviary this pipe can be detached and put away'. Both the heating and ventilating apparatus in my aviary were fixed by' Mr. Alfred Grindrod (of Stanley Sheen & Co., Surrey Street, Sheffield), to whom I am indebted for the loan of the specimen ventilators which I have shewn you this evening. Such disinfectants as Izal, Sylvan Pine or Jeyes’ Sanitary' Fluid could be used for washing shelves, perches, etc. When new birds are bought they should not be admitted into the aviary direct; but should be kept in quarantine for at least one week, and if at the expiration of that time they are proved to be healthy they can then be admitted to the aviary'. Unless y'ou exercise this care your healthy birds could easily contract such diseases as typhoid, consumption and diphtheria. You should also guard against overcrowding in your aviaries, for overcrowding is not only a 228 Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens. hindrance to successful breeding but detrimental to the health and happiness of your birds. If you are troubled with egg binding, get a small hypodermic syringe, such as I have here, and which can be purchased at any chemist’s for 2/6, and fill it with about 5 drops of castor oil, and after warming the nozzle of same insert it in the bird’s vent and inject the oil, and, in addition, put one drop direct into the bird’s beak and apply a hot sponge to the vent outside and this will be found to give immediate relief. For birds down in condition and requiring building up, I have found nothing better than half-a-teaspoonful of Allen & Hanbury’s “Hyno- phosphates ” mixed with their drinking water, to be given daily for about a fortnight. BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. The renovation of, and additions to the Parrot house are nearing completion, and the Parrots are now back in their old quarters. So much has been done to the old house that it seems almost a pity that, while they were about it, the Council did not see their way to erect an entirely new building of some¬ what larger dimensions. The roof has been entirely renewed, and a good system of ventilation has been instituted, but we are inclined to think that the great addition of glass in the roof is a mistake, for as a rule, birds do not do well under much glass ; the temperature is too variable, and the direct rays of the sun are disliked by almost all Parrots, which, in a wild state remain concealed amongst the foliage during the heat of the day. The addition of a range of small aviaries on the south side of this house is an immense improvement, and it is hoped that some of the Parrakeets will breed in these. A fine pair of Pytelia (or Zonogastris ) citerior, a rare form of P. melba, have been received on deposit, and placed in the Insect House. A great many of the birds are now nesting. On our last visit a pair of Whistling Thrushes, one of which is of the ordinary blue species (, Myiophoneus ccemileus') and the other Temmiuck’s (M. temmincki ) were nesting ; Barn Owls, Cape Eagle-Owls, and Griffon Vultures, not to mention several kinds of Doves, were sitting. A fine new aviary is being erected on the site of the old Stray Notes. 29 Gull Ponds, which is to be devoted chiefly to Gulls and Herons ; and another aviary, in which it is proposed to keep some of the rarer British birds, Waders of many kinds, and Grebes, has just been commenced to the north of the Lion House. This should prove a most interesting aviary as it will be arranged so as to imitate the natural surroundings of Waders and such like as nearly as possible. The Great, and one of the Lesser Birds of Paradise, have shed their plumes, but the second Lesser bird is still (April 19th) perfect, and has recently been displaying in a wonderful manner, every morning when the sun shines between 7.30 a. 111. and 9 a. 111. STRAY NOTES. It is very desirable that as many of our members as possibly can will join the International Ornithological Congress, which, as has been previously announced, is to be held in London in June next, so that the avicultural section may be well represented. It is the duty of aviculturists to show the great importance of scientific aviculture, as a branch of ornithology. Mr. St. Ouintin writes on April 1st from the South of France : “This seems to be a very late season for migrating birds, as compared with 1903 and 1904. We have only seen one Swallow (H. rnstica ) and that on March 20th. Spotted Crakes have been plentifully killed by chasseurs in the neighbouring marshes, and we have seen a few Hoopoes ; but there has been nothing like a ‘ rush ’ yet.” Mr. J. G. Millais writes to the Field of April 8th : “I have always been sceptical about “March Cuckoos,” but have just been converted. O11 April 1st I heard a Cuckoo calling for some time in an oak tree in front of Warnliam Court, Horsham, and both heard and saw another (or possibly the same) on April 2nd. Now this bird the Warnliam gardeners assured me had been calling all day on March 31st, and I see no reason to doubt their statement. They all heard it, and remarked upon the unusually early arrival of the bird.” Dr. vSclater kindly sends us a copy of the Bulletin of the French Acclimatization Society, for March, 1905, iu which appears an interesting paper by Mile. L. Reyen, on the rearing of Swallows, and other insectivorous birds. This lady has been most successful iu rearing Swallows from the 230 Review. nest, feeding tliem on a special paste, to which are added insects of all kinds. Mile. Reyen speaks very highly as to the great value of spiders for all kinds of insectivorous birds, a fact which has been pointed out several times by Dr. A. G. Butler. A large number of Swallows that Mile. Reyeu has reared and let fly, have returned, and for several summers have nested in the same place. The Rev. Hubert D. Astley writes, from the Italian Riviera : “ Have any Partridge Bronzewings ( Geophaps scripta ) arrived in England ? I have obtained a pair in Genoa, and hear that there were two or three pairs besides, and that they went on in the ship. At present mine are very shy and squat very closely on the ground.” Geophaps scripta has been kept and bred at the London Zoo, years ago, but is very rarely imported nowadays. Miss M. D. Sharp, of Ringwood, Hants, makes the following kind offer to our members: — “Having had my aviary thatched with Heather, and a quantity left, I shall be pleased to send some to any members of the Avicultural Society who may be glad of it for their Doves’, and other nests. When writing for it will they please enclose stamps for postage. It ■weighs very lightl}’, so that for even 3d. a nice size bundle could be sent.” REVIEW. BRITISH BIRD LIFE. * There are now so many works on British birds that no excuse can be found for the ignorance on the subject that one so constantly meets with ; and if the appearance of yet another book will tend to enlighten the popular mind as to the habits of our native birds, Mr. Westell will have earned the thanks of bird-lovers generally. There are one or two rather novel features about this book ; in the first place the birds are arranged in alphabetical order, so that after the Capercallie comes the Chaffinch, after the Kestrel the Kingfisher, and so on. The Author appears to consider that the only birds that are entitled to be called British are those species which regularly breed with us ; consequently such familiar species as the Fieldfare and Redwing find no place in * British Bird Life, by W. Percival Westell, M.B.O.U., F.R.H.S. With an Intro¬ duction by the Rr. Hon, Sir Herbert Maxwell, Bart, London, T. Fisher Unwin. Price 5/-. 231 Correspo?ide?ice, Notes, etc. his book. Then again, when one turns to the end of the book for an index, there is none to be found, and one has to grope about as best one can for the required information. We confess that we cannot appreciate this new style. The Author’s aim is a most praiseworthy one, namely, “ to set out the good which birds do and the protection and preser¬ vation they need ; to show what a loss the country-side would sustain without their joyous presence and voice ; their beauti¬ fully-woven homesteads and delicately-painted eggs ; their winning ways and devotion to their young.” We sincerely trust that he is right when he tells us that “the day for wanton shooting of birds is now fast passing away.” This book does not pretend to be a scientific treatise, but especially appeals to children and novices in the study of British birds ; it is pleasantly written, and the photographic illustrations of nests and birds are very good, though the majority of pen- and-ink drawings would have been better omitted. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. EXETER ’CHANGE IN 1791. Sir, — I lately liad the opportunity of examining a small collection of handbills which were the relics of a Norwegian lady who visited London in 1791 and spent a week here enjoying the sights of town. Only one has the date but the others all evidently belong to the same period, and one is so interesting to aviculturists that I have copied it out and give it verbatim at the end of this communication. The dated one was a playbill of a musical drama at Drury Lane ; evidence that popular taste has not very much changed in a century. Then there was the handbill of a Wonderful Magic Mirror, reminding one of Earl’s Court, and one of a Fortune Teller, proving the 18th century more tolerant than the 20th. But the one that interested me most was a handbill of the wonderful attractions on view at Exeter ’Change (now Exeter Hall or near that spot), and which formed the Zoological Gardens of that day. I think a com¬ parison by the readers of this journal of the Past and the Present will immensely amuse them. Think of the present Zoo. and the “ Great Room ” of Exeter ’Change with one room wider, and one room over. Fancy, also, an Elephant in a room, however large, and placed at the top of the house ! 232 Correspondence , Notes , etc. The epithet applied to the Pelicans is good — “stupendous,” — yet to an age which used strong words to express insignificant situations and to whom everything was vastly becoming and vastly entertaining it would not seem incongruous. I see also that I have written myself above “immensely amuse” — the same idea therefore but the fashion of words change. The description given by the handbill is naive, and carries us back to a delight¬ fully early period in the study of zoology, when the world was easily and often charmed and delighted by discoveries of new animals and new species. The freshness of things has passed away, we now fall back on the study of sub-species. Then there is the mention of the taking of Belgrade by Marshal Landohn. This fixes the date. The capture of the city took place in 1789, and two years is about the time it would have taken for the spoils of war to have travelled across Europe to England. The taking of Belgrade takes us back to a forgotten war, one of the many conflicts between Austria and Turkey, and Marshal Landohn, although now an utterly forgotten soldier, was one who fought so well in the better remembered Seven Years War that he earned the respect of his adversary Frederick the Great. And the Elephant also attracted in his day the affection of London siglit-seers as Elephants have been accustomed to do ever since. This one was, I believe, he who for a long time was the pet of London and whose bones we still look upon at the College of Surgeons. How different his voyage to that of one of his kind nowadays. Not on the deck of a P. and O. spending three short weeks steaming through the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, but boxed up 011 the “Rose Indiaman ” under full sail, or under bare poles rounding the stormy Cape. Even in 1791, however, both Pelicans and Elephants had ceased to be novelties, having been known from ancient times. It would not have surprised any learned man of the time to hear that the Marshal had found Pelicans in a garden of an Eastern town, or that a Warren Hastings had sent home an Elephant as a present to his countrymen. But how different was the case of the Kangaroos. It was only 21 years previousl}', in 1770, that Captain Cook had seen them for the first time, and it was in 17S8, three years before, that Captain Phillips, taking out the first batch of convicts to Botany Bay, had been made first Governor of New South Wales, and now returning in the good ship “ Atlantic,” he brings home these strange beasts, the like of which he had never seen before, to gratify the curiosity of learned and unlearned as well. Yet a reduction of 6d. on the three nights was not enough, and the grim horror of the Guillotine, which in 1791 was busily engaged in France doing its fearful work, was thrown in, so that hesitating aviculturists and zoologists might have an extra and irresitible inducement to plank down their half-crowns. Correspondence, Notes , etc. -05 “ PELICANS of the WILDERNESS. Lately Arrived, and to be Seen in a commodious Apartment under The Great Room, Exeter ’Change, In the Strand, Three Stupendous LIVING PELICANS, Two males and a female. Thefe Birds are fo remarkable in their Nature , as to be recorded in Sacred Hiftory ; they are Natives of the great Lakes and Rivers of Arabia. They were found, in the City of Belgrade, and iv ere taken by Marfhal Landohn, and by him fent to Vienna as one of the Trophies of Victory. Their food is Fifh; they have no off en five smell. In fhort, three fuch extraordinary fine Birds have not been feen together in this Kingdom for upwards op Fifty years. Admittance — One Shilling each. Alfa, to be Seen, in a Separate Room over Exeter ’ Change , A Moft Wonderful Living Male Elephant, Lately Arrived in the Rose Indiaman. — Admittance is. Likewife added to the Menagerie, now exhibiting in the Great Room as above, TWO BEAUTIFUL KANGUKOOS, Male and Female. Brought over in the Atlantic, the Vejfel in which Governor Phillips arrived from Botany - Bay. They are remarkably tame, and quite different from all other Quadrupeds. — Admittance is. each : — or the Whole to be feen for is. 6d. The Guillotine Seen Gratis by thofe who vieiv the Whole. *4* Foreign Birds and Beafts Bought, Sold , or Exchanged. Enquire as above. — Alfa, a large Quantity of Piping Bullfinches from High Germany, and Five Pair of Golden Pheafants, to be Sold as above. Printed by J. Hancock, No. 63, Barbican, Six Doors prom Alderfgate-StreetP T. H. Newman. THE PERIOD OF rNCUBATION. Sir, — Mr. Castle-Sloane sends me the following notes on the period of incubation in certain Doves, which I think it would be profitable to publish in the Magazine. A. G. Butler. 1904. Australian Crested Pigeon ( Ocyphaps lophotes ). Eggs laid May 22nd and 23rd; hatched out June 6th. 234 Correspondence, Notes, etc. White-fronted Doves ( Leptoptila jamaicensis). Eggs laid May 22nd and 25rd ; hatched out June 6th. Rufous Doves ( Leptoptila reichenbachi). Eggs laid May 25th and 26th ; hatched out June nth. Cinnamon Doves ( Chamcepelia tatpacoti). Eggs laid July 6th and 7th; hatched out July 22nd. THE RAIN QUAIL. Sir, — Can you tell me how to treat the Rain Quail during the winter? Having to take them out of the aviary about November, I have to keep them in a cage until I get back to East Hoathly in the spring. I have had the same experience for two years. As soon as they are caged the cock tries to get rid of the hen by chasing her about and pecking at her eyes and beak, preventing her breeding. Yet, when separated, the lien mopes and dies, refusing to eat. The first time I put her in with two young Painted Quail hens. Although they seemed fairly friendly towards the hen Rain Quail, she died after about three weeks. Last autumn I sent a pair up to Chiswick ; next day I had a letter saving that the cock had damaged the hen. I wrote back, saying, if the lien mopes away get somebody to kill her; which had to be done a few weeks afterwards, although she had recovered her wounds, but would not eat. I11 their natural habitat do the hens form societies or live with their broods during winter? IT. L. Sich. The folloiving reply has been sent to Mr. H. L. Sich : I have always found Rain Quails perfectly hardy, and that they do best if left out-of-doors all the year round, provided that their aviary is not in too exposed a situation, and contains a dry shelter. They are some of the most nervous of Quails, and dash themselves almost to pieces if alarmed ; consequently it is advisable to disturb them as little as possible. It is a good plan to cut the flight feathers of one wing when first intro¬ ducing them into an aviary, to prevent them flying against the wire and injuring themselves. I have had no experience of Rain Quails in cages, and should imagine that their great timidity would render them unsuited to so confined a situation. D. SeTh-SmiTh. TURNIX NIGRIC OLLIS. A CORRECTION. Dr. Butler desires us to correct two errors which appeared in his article on the above species in our last number : Page 197, line 5 from bottom, for two centimetres read ten centimetres. Page 19S, top line, for centimetres read spans. Correspondence, Notes, etc. 235 BATHILDA RUFICAUDA. Sir, — I think it will be impossible to adopt the name ‘ Star-finch ’ for this bird ; inasmuch as it was given to it in error, under the impression that it was a Waxbill, Astrild or Estrilda. I hinted at this in ‘ Foreign Finches in Captivity,’ 2nd edition, p. 155, and ‘ Foreign Bird-keeping,’ p. 47. As 3’ou pointed out, the red on the face varies considerably in extent ; and as we cannot alter the Latin name to rufifrons or stelligera, it seems to me far better that we should adhere to the translation of its Latin appellation — ruficauda, and continue to use the name by which it is generally known in the British Isles. If we could transpose the trivial names of Cyanospiza cyanea and Hypochoerci ultramarina there would, I think, be a more obvious reason for the change, because the Indigo-finch is blue, and the Ultramarine-finch indigo. A. G. Buteer. [It is very desirable that the trivial names of birds should be literal translations of the Latin appellations, where such names are appropriate ; but when inappropriate it appears to us best to adopt other names which suit the birds better, or by which the various species are known in their native lands. The Australian colonists and bird catchers know this species as “Star- finch,” and English bird-dealers often follow them. Mr. Campbell, in his Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, calls it the Red-faced Finch, a verv appropriate name, but undesirable for English aviculturists as it has been adopted for at least two other species. Although the appellations Red- and Rufous-tailed have now been proposed for a number of years, very few English aviculturists have adopted them. The species is generally known as the “ Ruficauda,” or the “ Red-faced Finch.” Ed.] LIVING BIRDS ATTACKED BY MAGGOTS. Sir, — British Guiana is evidently not the only place where young birds are liable to the attacks of these pests, for those of our members who are readers of that most interesting and instructive journal “ The Emu” will doubtless remember, that Mr. H. C. Thompson, writing in the April number for 1903, of the neighbourhood of Launceston (Tasmania), found a nest of New Holland Honey-Eaters ( Meliornis novce-hollandice j containing three young a few days old, two of the young were affected, the “maggots were just under the skin, with the larger end out and when touched would draw themselves in.” They were situated on the head, body and legs, he “ removed nine from one bird by pressing near where they were situated. When removed the wounds discharged blood and a watery fluid.” The birds seemed quite healthy, though the one from which the maggots were removed afterwards died, the other affected bird got allright. Later on another nest of the same species and one of the Grey-tailed Tliick-head ,’36 Correspondence , Notes, etc. {Pachycephala glaucura) were found with the young in a similar state, in the latter case one of the wretched young had eleven large maggots and another one four. In each case one young one was free. Mr. Thompson also mentioned that a nest of the introduced European Goldfinch ( Carduelis carduelis) was also affected. In the days when I kept a good many domestic pigeons, I remember on at least one occasion noticing some larvae just inside the vent of a squab, as far as I remember they were not smooth like ordinary maggots but seemed more in rings, theyT may perhaps also have had short liair-like processes on the body. I attributed their presence to allowing the nest to get foul. T. H. Newman. PARRAKEETS HOLDING FOOD IN RIGHT FOOT. Sir, — In our Magazine, Vol. 2, N.S., for 1903-4, at page 107, appeared a most interesting article on the Ring-necked Parrakeet, by the Rev. H. P. Edge. So interesting, indeed, that it first put the idea into my head of getting a Ring-neck for a pet. In this paper the author states that he never saw or heard of either of his birds using the right foot to hold food and that it is most unusual for Parrots to do so. Well, I carefully watched my first Ring-neck, which proved to be a hen, and, sure enough, she alivays used the left foot. She was killed by a dog just when she was getting very tame. I wrote off for another bird, and received a beautiful cock. A few days after I gave it a piece of biscuit, which, to my surprise, it took with the right foot from its bill, and held it till it had picked off all it wanted. Since then I have often fed it, audit has always been the right foot that was used. It would be interesting to have the opinion of some experienced Parrot-keepers on this subject. W. H. Workman. [A Meyer’s Parrot in our possession always holds its food in its right foot. — Ed.] THE YELLOW-HEADED GOULDIAN FINCH. Sir, — I should like to know what naturalists think with regard to such birds as my Orange (or rather gamboge) -headed Gouldian Finch. I am sure that if you saw it, you would agree with me that is apparently as distinct a variety as a red-head or a black-head. Has such a variety been scheduled ? It is said to be wild caught. The bird is a male in good condition and beautiful colouring, and I see no reason whatever why it should change its head colouring to red. Mr. Phillipps suggested it might be a hybrid, which would moult back to the usual colouring. But its colours are all so very pure and distinct, and there is not the slightest trace or suggestion of red or black feathers on the head. Correspondence , Notes , etc. 237 It is a beautiful clear orange-yellow. And why should black and red produce such a tint ? I believe it to be as distinct, after its kind, as are the “ Gouldiae” and “Mirabilis.” Hubert D. Asttey. [The Yellow-headed phase of the Gouldian Finch, named by Dr. Ramsey Poephila armitiana, can hardly be regarded as more than a rare variety of P. mirabilis. Single examples appear to occur at extremely rare intervals amongst the normally coloured birds, but it has never, we believe, been discovered in any numbers. — Ed.] SEX OF BIRDS, &c. Sir, — I have a cock Liotlirix and hen Blue Robin in the same aviary. Would they be at all likely to breed together ? I Lfmd it very difficult to sex Diamond Sparrows. Do the hens ever hold their heads down and sing in the same ridiculous way the cocks do ? Also I find it difficult to sex the Lavender Finches and Green Avadavats. My Blue Thrush is singing well, but I have a Nightingale that will not utter a note, and it is properly treated. My St. Helena Seed-eater hen, that last year made a nice nest in a cigar box, now tries to build in a food trough or anywhere. My Virginian Cardinal is sitting. April 18 th, 1905. M. C. Hawke. The following reply has been sent to the Hon. Mary C. Haivke : It is not in the least likely that Sialia and Liotlirix would interbreed ; our Robin and Hedge-Sparrow would stand a better chance, because more alike in size, but it is not in the slighted degree probable that even these would take pleasure in one another’s society. The hen Diamond-Sparrow has a pale pink narrow band across the base of the beak next to the forehead, the cock has the beak entirely deep crimson : the hens do not sing. Lavender Finches are more difficult to sex, but, as a rule, the male has the abdomen and the thighs blacker than the hen. The cock Green Avadavat is a brighter bird than the hen ; the latter is greyer above and whiter below, lateral^’ barred with smoky olive on a white ground instead of black and white. If the Nightingale is a hand-reared cock, it may never sing, and is not likely ever to sing well ; but are you sure that it is a cock bird ? A. G. Butter. THE SONG OF THE PIPING CROW. In some notes on the birds observed in the South of Tasmania, which appears in the current number of the Zoologist, Mr. J B. McClymont writes : November 25th. “ The morning carol of the Magpies is heard about one hour before sunrise. I have noted a few of the hours at which I have 23S Post Mortem Examinations. heard it. On September ist the sun rose (approximately) at 6 h. 38 m., and the carolling was heard at 5 h. 30 m. ; on the 30th, the sun rose at 5 h. 46 m., and the notes were heard at 4 h. 55 111. ; on October 20th, the sun rose at 5 h. 13 111., and the Magpies sang at 3 h. 55 111. ; to-day the sun rose at 4I1. 31 m., and the birds commenced to carol at 3 h. 30 m.” POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. RULES. Kaeh bird must be forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and postage paid, direct to Mr. Arthur Gill, M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Establishment, Bexley Heath, Kent, and must be accompanied by a letter containing the fullest particulars of the case. Domestic poultry, pigeons, and Canaries cannot be dealt with. If a reply by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclosed. BUDGERIGAR (Mr. Moerschell). Found dead in aviary ; was ailing a little the day before, but would not allow itself to be caught ; fed on canary and millet with a little chickweed. [Bird died of inflammation of the bowels]. Budgerigar (Miss Crowfoot). Died suddenly; 110 sign of previous illness. [Concussion of brain, due to injury, was cause of death]. Diamond Dove (Lady Hughes). Apparently ill one day, died the next. [Inflammation of the bowels caused death]. Cordon Beeu (Mrs. Bromet). Found dead. [Apoplectic fit caused death]. Pair of Gouedian Finches (Mr. Foster). Died a week after purchase; fed 011 white and Indian millet and canary seed. [Both birds died of inflammation of the bowels]. Budgerigar (Miss Crowfoot). Recently purchased ; kept in outdoor aviary with five others. On April 10th, which was very wet, the seed pan got empty, so when the birds fed at 1 o’clock they may have eaten rather heavily ; at 5.30 owner noticed one missing, and found her in a nesting-box, very puffy, and she did not resent handling; taken in¬ doors and carefully nursed, but died on April 12th. [Your bird died of pneumonia caused by wet and cold]. Green Cardinal (Mr. Moerschell). When entering the room in the morning it was on the floor, and its owner fears he trod lightly on it; it had, however, sufficient strength to fly about twenty feet. It died about an hour later. [There is very little doubt but that you trod on the bird, as the bowel was ruptured. The bird died of shock]. Answered by post : Lady Harriet Warde. Mr. F. L. Tanner. Mr. Lewis. Mr. Duncan Parker. ARTHUR GILL. F. C. THORPE, Importer of all Varieties of foreign Birds and (Qaterfoml. ANIMALS IMPORTED TO ORDER, All Birds kept in Aviaries not Cages, and sent on approval. Noie 75, SOUTH PARADE, HULL. Stock in hand April 20, 1905. 4 pairs Talpacoti Doves 15/- pair, 2 pairs Cambayan Doves beauties 12/6 pair, Chinese Quails 20/- pair, Pennant’s Parrakeets 30/- each, 1 Spotted- billed Duck, £1, 1 pair adult Carolina Ducks 52/6 pair, Chinese Goose 9/6, East Indian Drake 6/6, Call Ducks 12/6 pair, x Gold Sparrow hen 6/6, 1 pair Anas superciliosa or New Zealand Wild Ducks 30/- pair, Porto Rico Pigeons 40/- pair, very fine birds, Crowned Black Tanagers 25/- pair, Many-coloured Parrakeet hen £2 5/-, Spur-winged Geese £5 pair, 1 rare Yellow Oriole 40/-, 4 pairs Bar-head Geese £2 10/- pair, 1 Pied Albino Tanager, 2 cock Red-capped Parrots £2 each, 2 Pileated Jays 35/- each, 1 Bare-eyed Cockatoo 25/-, 6 pairs Mandarin Ducks 32/6 pair, Black-headed Conures 30/- pair, White¬ eared ditto 12/6 each, 2 talking acclimatised Grey Parrots, one says thirty words £4 10/-, another about seventy words £7 10/-, pair adult Black Swans £6 10/-, breeders, 6 pairs Teal 10/6 pair, 1 pair Wigeons 13/6 pair, 1 pair Rosy-billed Ducks £2 10/- pair, 5 drake Mandarins, 2 years in England, 17/6 each, 1 male Australian Shelduck £4, Barnacle Geese 45/- pair, Aurora Waxbills 12/6 pair, 7 pairs beautiful Scaly Doves 17/6 pair, 1 pair Blue¬ winged Teal ^4. 1 pair Scarlet Macaws, 1 pair Bluish Finches 10/6, 2 rare Crimson-shouldered Whydahs in colour £2 each, 3 rare Shaft-tailed not in colour, 1 pair each Silver and Golden Pheasants. Silvers 20/- pair, Golden 35/- pair, 1 Lemon-crested Cockatoo 10 6, 9 Pekin Robins 2/6 each. X acclimatized Blue-crowned Hanging Parrakeet 15/-, I ditto Salmon- crested Cockatoo ^3, 1 ditto Leadbeater’s Cockatoo £2, 1 ditto Wandering Tree Pie ^1. 1 ditto Hill Mynah ^x 10/-, 1 ditto Common Mynah xo/6, 2 Soldier Monkeys, 1 Mona Monkey, 1 Capuchin Monkey, 4 Vulturine Guinea Fowl, 1 pair White-fronted Geese £1 10/-, 7 Violet Doves 40/- pair, 1 Barbary Dove cock 4/-, i Green-winged Dove hen 6/-, few pairs Pintail Ducks 16/- pair, r Blue-fronted Amazon says 20 words ^3, 1 hen Green Cardinal accli¬ matized 12/6, 1 pair Egyptian Geese £1 10/-, 1 rare Sharp-billed Toucan £4, Rhamphastos carinatus , 2 Blue Tanagers 15/- each, 2 Tickell’s Thrushes £1 each, 3 pairs Australian Crested Doves £1 pair, 3 pairs Rufina Doves £1 5/- pair. Due on or about May gth : 1 pair only Siberian Large White Cranes ^40, x pair only Common Cranes £10 10/-, 12 pairs Blue Coots £2 pair, a few pairs See-See Partridges, and another variety (name of which I do not know until I see them), a few rare Finches from ihe Himalayan Mountains (these latter, I believe, have not been brought over before), 3 pairs Bar-head Geese, also a few Black-backed Geese and a few other varieties. Also due from Australia beginni?ig of May: An assortment of Finches and Doves, 100 Rosella Parrakeets 20/- pair, 300 Rosy Cockatoos 6/6 each. Pennant's, Kings, etc. 4 cock Pine Grosbeaks (P. enucleator ) £1 5/-, 3 Scarlet Gros¬ beaks ( P . erythrinus ) £1 5/-, pair Magpie Geese £4, Snow Goose £2 10/-. Stock Always Changing. Notices to Members — Continued. WANTS. (These me charged for at the same rate as Birds fur Sale I. Cocks : White-tliroated Finch, Blue Robin, Blue-winged Lovebird. Urns; Grey Singing-finch, Nonpareil, Red Gonldian. John Watson, Wentbridge, Pontefract. Blue Robin and Green Cardinal cocks, and pair acclimatized Cordon Bleus. M. Hawke, Wighill. Aviary, about 5 ft. high, 4 ft. 6 in. wide, 2 ft. deep, 1 or 3 sides wood, and fittings. A. Cummings, i 6, Promenade Villas, Cheltenham. Acclimatized cock Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton ) and hen Cordon Bleu. D. SeTH-SmiTh, 14, Canning Road, Croydon. III. Notices to Members— (Continued from page ii. of cover). NEW MEMBERS. Mr. C. B. HorSbruGH ; c/o Capt. B. R. Horsbrugh, Naval Hill, Bloemfontein, O. R. C. Mr. G. U. DE ViEUERS ; 127, St. Andries Street, Pretoria, Transvaal. Mr. Ludeow GrESCOM ; 21, Washington Square North, New York City, U. S. A. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Mr. E. vS. Montagu ; Trinity College, Cambridge. And Mr. Henry Munt; 83, Kensington Gardens Square, London, W. Proposed by The Hon. Editor. Mr. Hobson: Villa Delta, Beverley. Proposed by Mr. F. C. THORPE. MEMBERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is one penny for every four words. Names and addresses of advertisers must be paid for. Each statement of price, such as 3/6, is counted as one word. Every advertisement must be prepaid, and MUST reach the EDITOR not later than the 19 th of each month. The Council reserve the right of refusing any advertisement they may consider u ndesirable . i pair Glossy Starlings {Calornis me tallica), 1 pair ditto (Calornis panayensis), price 50/- ; hen Californian Quail, 6/-, aviary bred ; cock Smith’s Dove ( Geophaps smithi), 30/. Mrs. Johnstone, Driukstone, Bury St. Edmunds. Doves for disposal : Turtle, Senegal, Necklace, Passerine, Red Mountain’ Half-collared Turtle, Wells (?), and Picui ; also Sydney Waxbills, at reasonable prices to clear. Violet and White-winged Doves, also Aztec Connies expected shortly, privatel}' imported. Miss R. Aederson, Park House, Wotksop. Hen Virginian Nightingale, perfect condition, 15/-; cock Indian Yellow Bunting, 6/6 ; pair Yellow Budgerigars, 15/6. Baker, Church Street, Aylesbury. Large mealworms, 1000 2/6, 500 1/6, post paid for cash with order. Wired husk nests for Budgerigars, qd.each. Rush nests for Waxbills etc., 4(h, 6d., and 9 1. each. Adult Budgerigars for breeding, cocks 2/6, hens 4/6, pairs 6/-. ' C. P. ARTHUR, Melksham. ( Continued on opposite page). JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. QUCCESS IN BIRD KEEPING & BREEDING CAN ONLY BE SECURED BY USING 4f ABRAM AM S’ 15* WORLD-FAMED Specialities in BIRD FOOD. LARGE STOCK OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS. HARTZ MOUNTAIN ROLLERS, Norwich, Yorkshire and Lizard Canaries. Cock Birds in full Song now in Stock. ABRAHAMS’ TONIC for Diarrhoea and Strengthening Birds. EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Cage and Aviary Appliance, Seed, etc., in stock. For complete Pt ice List apply to — J. ABRAHAMS, {£££, 191 & 192, ST. GEORGE STREET EAST, LONDON, E. No connection with any other firm under the same name. ABRAHAMS’ is the oldest and most reliable Establishment in England. NEW SERIES. MONTHLY. JUNE, 1905. Voi. 111. No. 8. Price Is 6d* Members’ Annual Subscription, 10/- J payable in advance. fp^j THE JOURNAL OF THE AVIGULTURAL SOCIETY. CONTENTS. Bourke’s Parrakeet [with coloured plate\, by the Rev. Hubkrt D. Astley, M.B.O.U., etc. Notes on the Grey-winged Ouzel, by Arthur G. BOtler, Ph.D., etc. The Princess of Wales’ Parrakeet, by the Rev. Hubert I). Asti.ry, M.B.O.U., etc. Field Notes from Bloemfontein, by Captain Boyd R. Hoesbkdgh, D.S.C., M.B.O.U. Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens ( with plate) . Correspondence, Notes, etc.— The International Ornithological Congress, 256 ; The Musky Lori¬ keet, Australian Finches, 256 ; Australian Birds, 257 ; The Ages to Which birds live, 258 ; Blue Bonnet Parrakeets, 258 ; The Yellow- headed Gouldian Finch, 259 ; Cassell’s “ Canaries and Cage Birds,” 259 ; Rain Quails, 261 ; “The Aviary and its management,” 261. Post-mortem Examinations 239 243 248 250 255 262 a □ LONDON 1 R. H. PORTER, 7, Princes St., Cavendish Square, W. NOTE.— A new volume commences every November. II. ^ AH Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the AviculTurae Society are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. NOTICES TO MEMBERS. The Subscription to the Avicultural Society is 10/- per annum, due on the ist of November in eacli year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/6. The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. 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Vol. VIII., 14/- to members ; 17/6 to the public. Vol. I., New Series, 21/- to members; 30/- to the public (revised prices). Vol. II. „ „ 16 /- „ 211- Current Monthly Numbers 1/6 each (except in special cases, such as the Number containing the List of Members, when the Committee may increase the price), by post 1/7; for back Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. Second-hand copies sometimes reach the Publisher, to whom application should be made. (Continued on page Hi. of cover). The Practical Scientific Cabinet Makers Established over 50 Years. MAKERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Cabinet Cases & Store Boxes TAXIDERMY IN ALL ITS BRANCHES. Apparatus and Appliances for the use of Specimens for Entomo" logists, Botanists, Ornithologists, Geologists, Mineralogists, Numismatists, Concholog Ists, etc., And for the use of Lecturers, .Science Teachers, College Students, &c MUSEUMS FITTED AND ARRANGED. Specially made Cabinets for Birds’ Eggs and Skins, the Drawers graduate in depth and are all interchangeable. STORE BOXES, fitted with Camphor Cells, 2/3, 3/6. 4/3, 5/3 SETTING BOARDS, fiat or oval, i-in. 5d., ij-in. 7d., 2-in. 9d., 2^-in. lid., 35-in. 1/2, 4-in. 1/4, 5-im 1/8. PLAIN RING NETS, wire or cane, 1/6. 2/-, 2/3. FORDING NETS, 3/-, 4/- TTMBRELLA NETS, sell- mtmg, 6/9. POCKET BOXES, 6d., 8d., lid., 1/5. SUGARING TINS, with brush, 1/4, 1/10. SETTING HOUSES, fiat or oval boards, 8/6, 10/-. Cork back, 12/9. BREELIING CAGES. 2/3. Improved stvle. fitted with tanks, 3/7. COLEOPTERIST COLLECTING BOTTLES, 1/4, 1/6. INSECT and EGG CASES, from 2/3 to 10/- Best Steel FORCEPS, 1/5 pair. TAXIDERMISTS’ COMPANION, containing eight useful articles for Skinning. 9/6. EGG DRILLS, from 3d. BLOW PIPES from 2d. to 5d. ZINC RELAXING BOXES, 8d., lid. NESTED CHIP BOXES, 4 doz. 7d. ENTOMOLOGICAL PINS from 1/- per oz. ZINC LARViE BOXES, 8d. lid., 1/5. BEST WHITE CEMENT, 5d. a Bottle. 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The latest achievement in Ornithology hn gn .jrftfi Mrts pgSs of Parrots Extracts from a letter from Mr. J. PARKINSON, NATURALIST, BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND, October 30th, iqoi. “ Vouk Traveller was riglit in saying that the three nests ot Parrots which I have reared were brought up on your ^Esthetic Seeds, which were boiled for about half an hour, and the birds when old enough they fed upon your famous Pariot Food. Your Traveller has handled the eggs and seen the young ones progressing into maturity. More than two hundred people, from all parts of the country, have visited me in order to see the Parrots ; and four gentlemen, who are Bird Naturalists, are presenting me with a Silver Cup, in commemoration of such an unprecedented accomplishment.” The “ BLACKPOOL GAZETTE” of Dec. 4th Says— “Mr. Parkinson has apparently solved the problem ot Parrot-rearing, which has troubled Bird Fanciers generally throughout the country, and his skill in this direction has been recognised by the presentation of two Silver Cups at the local Bird Show.” R. HYDE <& Go., Ltd., 54, L1LFORD RD., CAMBERWELL. SCLATER (P. L.) & THOMAS (O.) The Book of Antelopes, 4 vols., demy 410., cloth, with 100 hand-coloured plates, by J. Wolf and J. Smit. Price £13 10s. net. SCLATER (P. L.) & HUDSON (W. H.), Argentine Ornithology, 2 vols., with 20 hand-coloured plates. £3 3s. net. MIVART (ST. GPIORGE). Monograph of the Lories or Brush- Ton gued Parrots, rov. 4L0, with 61 hand-coloured plates and 4 maps. £7 7s. net. 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Vol. 4, completing the work, in the press. SCLATER (W. L.) The Mammals of South Africa, 2 vols., medium 8vo., with numerous illustrations, price £l 10s. net. IBIS, THE. A Quarterly Journal of Ornithology. Price 32/- per year; also a large stock of back volumes and parts. LONDON : R. Porter, 7, Princes Street, CAVENDISH SQUARE, W. CROSS (Known throughout the Civilised and Uncivilised World). or iild Beast Merchants Anything from “A HUMMING BIRD TO AN ELEPHANT/’ TRADE SUPPLIED, TRADE SUPPLIED, GREY AFRICAN PARROTS, Fresh Arrivals Daily. FOREIGN WATER FOWL, Hungarian Partridges for turning down. Thousands of Small Foreign Birds, suitable for Aviaries. OLD ENGLISH RINGLESS PHEASANTS. CROSS’S TRADING MENAGERIE. Is always on view for Visitors who are desirous of seeing the Wild Animals. At present it contains numerous LIONS, TIGERS, ELEPHANTS, ETC. Always something’ New. Hundreds of arrivals weekly. May be viewed daily from n to 4 p.m. Admission 6d. INSECTIVOROUS BIRD FOOD. Carl Capelle’s, Hanover). A bsolutely the finest food for soft-billed birds. Sole English Agent: “CROSS, LIVERPOOL.” Birds & Animals Stuffed & Preserved. National Telephones! 6491 CENTRAL and 728 ROYAL. Telegrams and Cablegrams! “CROSS,” LIVERPOOL. “CROSS” (Known throughout the Civilized and Uncivilised World). KING OF WILD BEAST MERCHANTS, GREATEST ZOOLOGICAL EMPORIUM ON EARTH. LIVERPOOL. Avicult/ural Magazine . BOURKE’S GRASS-PARRAKEET . Neopkema, bourkei . Bale &Danielsson L^- Lith. THE 239 Hvtcultural fllbagasme, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. New Series. — VOL. III. — NO. 8. — All rights reserved. JUNE, 1905. BOURKE’S PARRAKEET. Neophema bourkei. By the Rev. Hubert D. Asteey, M.B.O.U., etc. To write much as yet about this most lovely member of that most lovely group of Neophema, is difficult, for those that I have the good fortune to possess have been with me a com¬ paratively short time. The genus Neophema is distinguished from other so-called Grass-Parrakeets of Australia by having the four central tail feathers of almost equal length ; whereas the Psephotus group — of which the well-known Redrump Parrakeet, and the Many- coloured are members, as well as the “Beautiful” and the “ Golden - shouldered,” have the two central tail feathers markedly longer than the rest. Of the Neophema group, seven species are known, but all lovers of these fascinating little Parrakeets live in hope of one or two more yet being added — for who knows what treasures may still be hidden in the interior of that vast continent from which they come ? Mr. Setli-Smith’s charming work on the Parrakeets will inform those who possess it about this group, but I might perhaps remind our members that the known species are these : i. The Blue- winged Grass- Parrakeet ( Neophema venusta'). ii. The Elegant Grass- Parrakeet (N. elegans). iii. The Orange-bellied Grass-Parrakeet (N. chrysogastra'). iv. The Rock Grass-Parrakeet ( N . petrophila). All these four bear a strong family likeness, the one to the other. 240 Rev. H. D. Astley, v. The Turquoisiue (N. pulchella). vi. The Splendid Grass- Parrakeet (TV. splendida). These two have a strong family resemblance. And last but not least vii. Bourke’s Parrakeet (N. bourkei), which as regards colour¬ ing is quite unlike any of its group. In this respect, it stands by itself, having struck out an original line of its own, and made one think more deeply of the mysteries of creation. It is a very protective colouring too, fo’* one can well believe that when this little parrakeet is running amongst ripe grass on sunburnt soil, it would be most difficult to see. Yet one knows that the most vividly coloured birds have a marvellous power of concealing their colours amongst their natural surroundings. But the power to select a particular colouring is indeed marvellous. To think that the Bourke’s Parrakeet and the Splendid Grass-Parrakeet have originally sprung from the same parent stock, (for so I suppose it is), makes one sing one’s Te deum with renewed energ3r ! The delicate forget-me-not blue and blush rose on the Bourke’s Parrakeet is to be seen not infrequently — for how often the same Hand paints the same colours on different portions of the great canvas of Nature — in the sky at sunset. A few evenings ago I pointed to the sky and said, “ Rook ! Bourke’s Parrakeets ! ” There were precisely the same delicate blues and pinks — rose-coloured clouds floating on a pale blue sky. Was it from that that these Parrakeets took their lovely colours ? 3? v” A- i’c V'f The male bird has a pretty warbling song, somewhat after the warble of a Budgerigar, but softer, with no shrill interludes, and the call note is also like a Budgerigar’s, but softer again. Indeed, had I not had wiser and more learned people to guide me, I should have thought that the Bourke’s and the Budgerigar were connected more closely than in merely being grass-parrakeets. There are the same scaly-looking feathers on the wings; the same manner of the male in sitting with his head close to his mate’s, and warbling for half-an-liour at a time ; the on Boiirkes Parrakeeis. 241 same way, too, of rapid fluttering of wings with that whistling sound, whilst they hold to a perch with their feet. And these characteristics are not to be seen, as far as I can tell, in other members of the genus, such as the Blue¬ winged and the Turquoisine. The Bourke’s can sit, like their cousins, very still and solemn, but then all of a moment comes in the resemblance to Budgerigars : and I have never seen my Blue-winged Parrakeets act in that way, nor do I remember that Turquoisiues do either. The Bourke’s is the only member of the genus that has the scaly feathers on the wings : the rest are all green. But of course it is sheer heresy to suggest that the Bourke had anything to do with the Budgerigar in past ages, isn't it? For all that, they do very often remind me of them : which gives me the thought — Surely, sonieda}^, another member of the genus Melopsittaats will be found. I have had the good fortune to secure a female Bourke after the arrival of the first four birds, one of which died of pneumonia, so that I have been able to put one of the males with this newer female, thus feeling assured that they are un¬ related. Along with this female there was another, which, alas! died the day after I bought it : quite a baby bird, in nestling plumage, the whole head and upperparts an uniform dusty brown, and the pink and blue on the underparts very faint indeed : evidently a bird hatched later than my others. But with this unrelated pair I hope for satisfactory results in the shape of a family. They have moulted well, and the male resembles my painting, or rather, I have tried to make my painting resemble him ! and I should suppose that with another moult his blue frontal band, and the blue on the shoulders, will be brighter. It is a different blue to the upper and under tail- coverts ; indeed, at the edge of the shoulders it inclines to violet, when compared with the forget-me-not tint of the tail- coverts. That they are, when acclimatized, easy to keep in captivity I can well believe ; being hardy, to judge from the account of the pair kept some twenty years ago by Mr. Groom in Camden Town — which pair I can well remember seeing — and easy, too, 242 On Bourke's Pairakeels. like all grass-parrakeets, to feed ; contented with canary seed and plenty of flowering grasses, sow-thistle, chickweed, etc. when in season. Probably, too, they would nest in a large cage, if a suit¬ able nesting-box or barrel be placed outside, with a hole through which they could enter. My birds are fond of dandelion flowers, and I also give them sometimes a plant of young lettuce. Let us hope later on I may be able to give an account of their nesting. As to the colouring of the sexes, whilst still in immature plumage, I am a little at sea. The hen bird seems to me to have the smaller and flatter head, with a whitish frontal band ; the cock bird, a rounder head, with a blue frontal band, and before this appears, that is, before they moult their nest-plumage, the brown feathers on the crown of the male come fully to the cere of the beak. About my unrelated pair, I am pretty sure ; but in the other two birds, the one with the flatter head and broader forehead and the whitish frontal band, has the pink on the breast much brighter than the one with the rounder head and more distinctly marked blue frontal band ; but this may mean that it is merely an older bird, and more advanced in its change of plumage. At any rate, one may take it that the female lacks the blue frontal band, and is decidedly duller in her tints than the male. I think, too, that the whitish feathers round the eyes and about the face are more conspicuous in the female. If, on some other occasion, I can furnish further notes on this lovely and rare Parrakeet, most gladly will I do so. P.S. — Since writing this article, my Parrakeets have moulted more fully. The forehead of the male bird is blue ; whilst the female has no blue, but a very narrow whitish band over the cere : her lacing on the wings is much less defined. Notes on the Grey-zvinged Ouzel. 243 NOTES ON THE GREY-WINGED OUZEL Merula boulboul. By Arthur G. Butter, Pli.D., F.E.S., F.Z.S., etc. In his account of this Blackbird published in 1898 the late Dr. Karl Russ observes : — “Although it is tolerably common and is frequently kept in cages by the Hindoos, it nevertheless counts as one of the rarest foreign visitors to our market. It has only arrived once at the Zoological Gardens of Eondon ; the catalogues of the others, and even of the Amsterdam Gardens, do not include it. Only a single time, to my knowledge, in the course of years, has it been received in the trade, and then it was imported by Chas. Jamrach of Rondou.” I believe it was in 1902 that our Member Mr. H. W. Harper imported some hand-reared specimens of this species, one of which was exhibited in our gardens (though not for the first time, as inadvertently stated in Avic. Mag., N. S. Vol. I., p. 215) on July 16th, 1902 : it was previously recorded under its synonym of Turdus poecilopterus. In 1903 Mr. Harper gave a specimen to our Editor, and in 1904 he gave other examples to me and Mr. W. T. Page. My specimen was exhibited at the Crystal Palace late in the y^ear 1903, and came into my hands on February 13th, 1904. Until the winter was well over I kept it in a cage indoors ; then, as Mr. Allen Silver kindly took the trouble to obtain for me a healthy hen Blackbird, I turned out the pair into my larger garden aviary, in the hope that I should induce them to breed. Mr. Seth-Smith made a similar attempt with his bird, but found it somewhat aggressive towards other inhabitants of the aviarjq and consequently deposited it in the Zoological Gardens. During the whole of 1904, and up to the end of February 1905, my Grey-winged Ouzel amused himself by fighting a cock Blackbird through the wirework of the aviary: the English bird was evidently attracted by the hen, which it followed over the outside of the structure, showing off and singing to her whenever not occupied in battling with her quite indifferent husband, who 244 Dr. A. G. Butler, never took the slightest notice of her, being only interested in fighting his blacker relative. Possibly, as these imported birds were hand-reared and their song self-taught; as, moreover, my hen bird was extremely wild, neither bird had any attractions for its companion ; in any case the constant attendance of a lively cock English bird with a very melodious song must have prejudiced the hen against the dismal Gregorian dirge sung by the Indian bird. After some little trouble we eventually captured and caged the cock Blackbird : it was evidently unpaired, and had begun to injure itself in its struggles to get at the Grey-wing: its removal to a cage indoors left the latter free to attend to other matters, and shortly afterwards, to my great astonishment, I discovered that it had learned an excellent song closely resembling that of our Song-Thrush, but with phrases from the songs of the Black¬ bird and Wren interspersed ; and sometimes varied by the self- taught dirge of the previous year. Mr. Seth-Smitli writes me that his bird “ sang splendidly last spring, and his song was more like that of a Thrush than a Blackbird.” To one who has hand-reared Blackbirds where they were unable to hear the wild song, it seems most curious that, after singing the wretched travesty of music invented by itself, even for one year, this Ouzel should become an accomplished musician : it tends, I think, to prove that the Blackbirds must be as capable of mimicry in song as I, some time since, discovered the Song- Thruslx to be. Since the Grey-wing has become musical the hen Blackbird has become considerably tamer: whereas previously I only had to enter the aviary for her to exhibit the wildest alarm, and fly tempestuously from one end to the other, she now remains quietly on the branch of a tree at a little higher level than my head, as I pass down the path with the daily supply of food : the Grey-wing, being hand-reared, is of course quite friendly and watches for my coming. Although two pairs of Blackbirds have settled in my garden, my captives have hitherto shown no inclination to build, but I do not yet despair. In the same aviary I have a pair of on the Grey-wifiged Ouzel. 245 Wonga-Wonga Pigeons and a pair of Bronze-wings ; but the Blackbirds take little notice of these. Captain W. Tweedie speaking of an example of the Grey¬ winged Ouzel which he purchased in Kashmir (Avic. Mag., N. S. Vol. II., p. 116) observes that “during the lovely ‘winter’ in the North-West Provinces, which is warmer than any days we have had this summer in England, the bird never sang a note and seemed to feel the cold.” For a bird found close to the snow-line this seems very remarkable, and only shows how much less satisfactory cage-life is than the comparative freedom of an open-air aviary. My own bird has not only thoroughly enjoyed himself in a tolerably exposed (though fairly large) aviary, this winter, but has bathed in the coldest weather, even when I have had to remove the ice from the pan to enable him to do so. * Unless my male is abnormal, Jerdon’s description of Menila boulboiil is a very poor one ; he describes it as having “a large wing-spot formed by the outer webs of the middle quills, and the greater wing-coverts, pale silvery ashy-grey ” : my bird has what fanciers would call a “ laced ” wing, the feathers being broadly bordered with pale buffish ash so far as I can tell without catch¬ ing and closely examining it; Dr. Russ however describes the wings as having the mantle and greater coverts yellowish- brownish white, the latter narrowly bordered with black : in either case the pale patch would not be uniform, but “ laced” iu character, f Jerdon observes “The Grey-winged Blackbird is found throughout the whole extent of the Himalayas, keeping generally to an elevation from 5,000 to 8,000 feet. It is tolerably common, but rather shy, and does not show itself in the open or in gardens so much as the Neilgherry Blackbird ; and its song is, I think, hardly equal to that of the Neilgherry bird. I obtained the nest at Darjeeling, made of twigs, roots, and moss, and with three or four eggs of a pale blue-green, with numerous light brown spots.” * The Bronze-wing Pigeons (Pkaps chalcopiera) have done the same. The aviary measures 22 feet by 9 feet 6 inches, and 14 feet to the ridge. + Further examination of my bird shows the median and greater coverts to be buffish ash, bordered with ashy white, or a distinctly whiter tint of buffish ash. 246 Dr. A. G. Butler, In his “ Hand-book of the Management of Animals in captivity in Lower Bengal ” Mr. Ram Bramha Sanyal, the Superintendent of the Calcutta Zoological Gardens, averages the duration of this bird’s life in captivity at three years ; but I should judge that the great heat in Calcutta would tend to shorten the life of a bird coming from the snow-line of the Himalayas, and that in our climate it would probably live to a much greater age if properly looked after. In Oates’ edition of Allan O. Hume’s “ Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds,” Vol. II., pp. 93-95, is a very full account of the nidification of this Blackbird, which would occupy too much space to quote in full here ; but the following may be noted as rendering these notes more complete : — “ The Grey-winged Ouzel breeds throughout the outer ranges of the Himalayas, at any rate from Darjeeling to Murree, in and about the skirts of forests, from an elevation of say 4,000 to 7,000 feet. It lays from the end of April to the early part of August, but the majority lay in May and June. The situation of the nest varies : it is sometimes placed on the ground in some hollow of a massive root, or in a fallen trunk; sometimes on a ledge of rock, and sometimes in a fork of some thick tree of moderate size, at no great elevation from the ground. * The nests of this species closely resemble those of the Nilghiri Blackbird. There is the same internal wattle-and-dab framework, the same massive external coating of moss and delicate ferns, and the same soft internal lining, in the case of this species most commonly of fine dry grac s. The specimens before me are fully 7J inches in external diameter — beautiful masses of moss, lichen, and dry feathery fern, standing some¬ thing like 5 inches high, with deep egg-cavities, 3^ inches across by 2 ^ in depth. As far as I can judge M. bo7ilboul employs less mud in the construction of its nest than tthe southern allied species; but their general appearance is very similar, though the Himalayan nests seem to be generally rather the lightest, although the largest. * I11 short it would appear in this respect to follow very closely the habits of our British favourite. — A. G. B. o?i the Grey-whiged Ouzel. 247 Four is the normal number of the eggs, but I have taken five.” “In their style of colouring the eggs most recall those of Merida unicolor , and are very different from those of the Nilgliiri Blackbird. The ground-colour, where visible, is a pale dingy green, but it is at all times thickly streaked, mottled, and clouded with dull brownish red, and in some eggs so closely as to entirely obscure the ground colour. One egg before me is an almost uniform dull red, here and there mottled slightly paler. In another egg a good deal of the ground-colour shows through, except at the large end, where the markings form a confluent irregular cap. The eggs are slightly glossy and differ little in size from those of the European and Nilghiri Blackbird, but they appear to be less commonly pointed and more commonly obtuse than those of either of these species. I11 length they vary from i*i to 1*33 inch, and in breadth from o ’83 to 0-92 inch.” I strongly suspect, from what I know of the extraordinary variability in size, form, and colouring of the European eggs, that a long series of eggs of M. boidboid would prove to be quite indistinguishable from those of our species : I have taken the two types above described and many others equally remarkable, as may be seen in my “Handbook of British Oology” and “ Birds’ Eggs of the British Isles.” I feed my Grey-wing, as I do all Thrushes, upon the same soft mixture as I give to other Insectivorous birds, with a few grapes and cockroaches in winter, small English fruits, various insects or their larvse in summer. He also digs up a good many worms in moist weather, and I add any which I chance to drop upon when gardening. 248 Rev. H. D. Asteey, THE PRINCESS OF WALES’ PARRAKEET. By the Rev. Hubert D. Astley, M.B.O.U., etc. I do not find these birds as delicate as Mr. Fulljames found them, when he possessed a pair some few years ago. A pair that I now have are in magnificent plumage and condition ; and readily eat seed of all kinds, as well as lettuce, chickweed, dandelions, and other green food. I also give them “Marie” or “ Albert” biscuits soaked, and squeezed fairly dry, and this they are also very fond of. Mr. Fulljames originally wrote in this Magazine and said that the male bird only occasionally indulged in unwelcome “ vocal villainies.” This is not my experience. My male bird screams from mere fun and from exhilaration of spirits, and it is a pity that his voice isn’t as lovely as his appearance. I think it would rival a Nightingale’s if it were ! Not seldom it represents the tune played by a “Punch and Judy” showman; at other moments, it is not unlike the warbling of a Budgerigar, but of course louder. I find that this Parrakeet likes apple very much, and will probably eat other fruits in season ; so that taking so readily to such a varied diet, one would think they ought to thrive. I fear I do not think that the coloured plate in our Maga¬ zine (September, 1899, Vol. V., No. 59) does justice at all to this most beautiful bird. The whole outline is too scraggy, and the general character is lost, not to mention that the feature of the male bird, the spatulated wing feather, is conspicuous by its absence ! They are most gracefully shaped, and their colouring is indeed beautiful, with the opaline tints of pale blue and pink, and olive grey-green, and the brilliant grass green shoulders. I wonder why, just because a bird happens to grow a peculiar shaped feather in the wing, it should be given a separate generic name? The Princess of Wales’ Parrakeet is very evidently of the same group as the Barraband (. Polytelis barrabandi ) and the Rock Pebbler (/*. melanura). Because one brother or cousin in a family has a snub-nose, and another a Roman nose, it doesn’t make him of a different genus ! on the Princess of Wales' Parrakeet. 249 I11 the Princess of Wales’ Parrakeet, the male has the third feather of the primaries of the wings notched at the end, and longer than the other feathers ; but until two or three more species have been discovered showing the same peculiarity I fail to see why this Parrakeet should be separated from the other members of the Polytelis genus. Why should it not have been named Polytelis spathopterusf keeping the name of “ Princess of Wales” Parrakeet for its title in English? Truly of making of names, there is no end ! Gould placed it in the genus Polytelis. Surely one small feather ornamentation of this kind does not justify a new generic title, or outweigh the otherwise close resemblance to an already known genus. It is not absolutely necessary for the English name to appear in the scientific title ; for instance, the Turquoisine Grass-Parrakeet is always called so by the large majority of aviculturists, but its Latin title is Neophema pulchella ; and the Blue-winged Grass-Parrakeet is called Neophema venusta; and everyone knows that venusta does not signify “blue-winged.” In all other respects, with the exception of one peculiarly shaped feather in the wings of the male bird only, the Princess of Wales’ Parrakeet closely resembles the Barraband and the Rock Pebbler. There is the very long tapering tail, the same style of bill and head, and general form, and ways, and size. In any case, whatever the names of the birds may be, it is undoubtedly a most beautiful creature, and a male bird reared by hand and kept as a cage bird by itself would make a most charm¬ ing pet, until he raised his voice, and then one would certainly say “every rose has its thorn!” * The present system of nomenclature demands strict adherence to the law of priority for the specific term ; hence the original name Alexandra cannot be altered. The peculiar character of the wing in the male (which is illustrated in Parrakeets, p. 126), was only recently discovered by Mr. North of the Australian Museum, who published the result of his discovery in the Ibis for 1895. Whether the peculiarity is worthy of generic distinction is a matter of opinion, but there was no chance of altering the specific term. The separation of this beautiful species from the genus Polytelis has at any rate served to call special attention to a feature that is worthy of especial notice. Would not a better trivial name than that of “ Princess of Wales’ Parrakeet” be “Queen Alexandra’s Parrakeet,” for it was after our present Queen that the species was named by Gould ?— Ed. 250 Capt. Boyd R. Horsbrugh, FIELD NOTES FROM BLOEMFONTEIN. By Captain Boyd R. Horsbrugh, D.S.C., M.B.O.U. I will try and send a few notes on birds as observed here from month to month, and will particularly endeavour to give some help to brother ornithologists who are keeping S. African species at home. The house I am living in at present is on a flat-topped hill or kopje overlooking the town. The rocky hillsides are scantily covered with various species of scrubby bushes and low-growing trees, which manage to exist in spite of a nearly complete absence of soil, and with very little moisture, save in the swnmer months of November, December, January, and February, when the rains occur. The flat top of the kopje is haunted every morning by several family parties of the Red Courser ( Cursorms rufiis) and Rhinoptilus bicinctics, and I have noticed that both species prefer the open ground and carefully avoid bushes. They both have a habit of taking short runs and then standing stock still, just as a Blackbird does on a lawn at home, save that the latter hops. They are extremely fast on the wing, and the Red Coursers utter a soft cry of ‘ gluck,’ ‘ gluck ’ when in flight, very like that of the Namaqua Sand-Grouse ( Pterocles namaqicus). The Red Coursers ( Cursorms rufzis) are now breeding. The easiest way to find the eggs is to canter over any rise on the veldt, and when you arrive on the top, cast a quick glance to right and left, and if a Courser is sitting it will lift its wings stiffly over its back to their full length before rising. You can then ride at once to the spot and find the two lovely eggs lying on the bare ground, without the smallest vestige of nest. The eggs very much resemble in colour certain varieties of those of the Red Grouse. During the last few days huge flocks, numbering many thousands, of the S. African Pratincole ( Glareola melanoptera) have passed swiftly over the house in one direction, and have returned going to roost in the opposite direction in the evening. I shot an adult cock and an immature bird the first day, but have not bothered them since. They are known locally as 251 Field Notes from Bloemfontein. the small locust bird, but although there are swarms of locusts here the Pratincoles seem to feed mainly on winged ants and small flying beetles. The locusts nevertheless have one very formidable enemy, the White Stork ( Ciconia. alba). Two days ago (January 27th) the locust-swarms were followed by a flock of at least five hundred of the great birds, and very fine they looked as they sailed along in wide spirals, in the same line of flight, but high over the locusts. The sides of the kopje are inhabited by various busli- loving species. The Cape Turtle Dove ( Turiur caficolal) and the Senegal Dove ( T. se?iegale?isis ) are very common and are generally seen singly, w7hile the little Cape Doves ( Gina capensis ) are nearly always in pairs. I bought six of the latter from a small boy at a farm for sixpence each, and have put a pair in my newly-built aviary. I find them very sluggish and lazy and very tame. They take almost no notice of me when I go into the aviary and scarcely bother to move out of my way. The Cape Sparrow ( Passer arcnatus ) is now breeding ; its habits seem very like those of our home bird, and I noticed several males having a free fight round a solitary female with the usual dust and uproar that one sees in any garden at home. I have also observed them vigorously chasing the Emerald Cuckoos. The latter bird is parasitic on them and frequently uses them as foster parents, but is a beautiful flier and easily evades them in the air. Two species of Shrike, the Bakbakiri ( La?iius gutturalis ) and the Fiscal Shrike (JL. collaris ) also breed on the slopes. The former being a green bird and living in a green bush is very seldom seen ; were it not for its loud and frequent call it would be thought quite a rare bird. The Fiscal is quite common, and can be seen any morning sitting on the railings enclosing the bungalow. One bird visits the aviary every day and creates great alarm among the inhabitants. I have a trap-cage outside the aviary, and on several occasions he has only just avoided capture — but he has grown very wary now. A small covey of the Red-Winged Francolin lives on the kopje and haunts the officers’ gardens. I am glad to say they 252 Capt. Boyd R. Horsbrugh, are more or less protected, and are well-known to the regiment stationed on Naval Hill. At early dawn this mornng I was awakened by the clear, ringing ‘ killy-keelie,’ ‘ killy-keelie ’ of one bird sitting almost on my doorstep, and the loud notes recalled very vividly the many sunrises I have seen in the Western Transvaal when on trek. February 7th. Large flocks of Knots are now here on their winter migration. I shot some once in the Western Transvaal during the war and found their crops full of wheat. The English Swallow ( Hirundo rustica ) and the Spotted Flycatcher are both common here at present. A pair of the Familiar Chat ( Saxicola j ami liar is) haunt the bungalow and roost in the interstices beneath the corrugated iron roofing. This little bird reminds me very much of a young Redstart in colouring only, it is of a dull brownisli-grey and it has a reddish tail. It is very tame and friendly and has the usual Chat-like habit of opening and shutting its wings several times every few moments as if they didn’t fit quite properly. A few days ago I went to see a man, living in the town of Bloemfontein, who had some birds in cages, and found he had among others some Black-fronted Bulbuls ( Pycnonottts nigricans'). This is a little bird with a note like the Red-vented {P. hcemorrhous) of India; its colouring is blackish, with yellow under tail-coverts and a curious fleshy eye-cere of a brilliant red. Their owner fed them on seed only and seemed quite surprised that they died so soon ; however, some grapes and an over-ripe plum showed him very quickly what they really wanted and I hope they will now do well. He gave me a pair which are doing well in my aviary. They feed chiefly on grapes and insects supplied from the garden, such as various beetle-larvae, etc., as well as the house-flies they catch for themselves ; and excellent flycatchers they are, too. The owner of the aviary also had several examples of the Red-lieaded Finch ( Amadina erythrocephala). This is a common bird here ; several small parties of them visit their brethren in my aviary frequently, and I trapped a fine pair in an ordinary trap cage a little time ago. I11 its habits, song, and general Field Notes from Bloemfontein. 253 behaviour it is exactly like the familiar Cut-throat (A. fasciaia), so well-known in every bird dealer’s shop at home. In the same aviary there were also Alario Finches, Cape Canaries ( Serinus canicollis ), Sulphury Seed-eater (A. sulphuratus, S. icterus, the Giant Wbydah ( Cher a progne), and a single specimen of the Cape Bunting ( Fringillaria capensis'). There are plenty of these little Buntings on Naval Hill and several of them haunt my aviary. I have caught five or six with an ordinary sieve and a stick supporting it with a fine piece of string attached to the stick. They seem stupid little things; I missed catching one and he didn’t seem to mind it at all, but merely went and sat on a stone about six yards off while I set the trap again, and then went under and was caught. One cock bird I put in the aviary was very vicious to his own species, completely scalping a hen bird and beating her brains out ; but with other species they are quite peaceable. They like to sit quite flat on a rock in the sun and look just like tiny Ouail. The cock has a pleasant little song of four notes. Last week I paid a visit to the Zoo in Pretoria and saw several fine Giant Whydalis. Dr. Gunning, the Curator, has some very nice birds in these gardens, and amongst the lovely trees and flowers and in the warm air, all the S. Africau species thrive wonderfully. I saw the Curl-crested Guinea-fowl ( Guttera edouardi ), the Cape Pochard ( Nyroca capensis') and Gallirex porphyriocephala, I have never seen this handsome Plantain-eater in captivity before. It is in a huge aviary about the size of the one in Loudon in which the Ibis and Flamingoes are kept, and I was much struck with its peculiar soft, gliding flight. It was quite tame and came down close to the bars to take a bit of apple from a child’s hand. Before leaving Pretoria for Bloemfontein I went to see an aviary in the town, and in it I noticed the following interesting species : the Bar-breasted Weaver-finch ( Ortygospiza polyzona), a queer little bird with a metallic chirp like that of a Zebra- finch. It seems to spend all its time on the ground, and why it is called a “ Weaver-Finch ” I cannot quite imagine. The owner of the aviary gave me three specimens of the Blue-breasted 254 Field Notes from Bloemfontein. Waxbill ( Estrilda angolensis'). This species is very common near Pretoria this year. I turned them into my aviary, but two unfortunately died ; the other has stood some cold nights very well and looks very cheerful. This species has already been described in a previous volume of the Magazine by the able pen of Mr. R. Phillipps, and I have as yet no new notes to add to his description. I quite agree with him that the song of the cock is sweeter and more sustained than that of the Cordon Bleu, its very near relative. I was also given the only specimen in the aviary of the Black-faced Waxbill ( E . erythronota ) a little bird that I believe has not yet been imported into England. This specimen did well in my aviary but would never roost under cover ; the consequence was that a heavy hail and thunderstorm came on one night and he was killed. I have had a somewhat indifferent skin made from him and have sent him to our Editor for a description. The bird’s song is quite sweet and it is a most attractive species. My bird would come down close to our faces when we visited the aviary and was exceedingly active and sprightly. [We have never heard of Estrilda erythronota being brought alive to this country. Its distribution is given by the late Dr. Stark as “South Africa to the north of the Orange and Vaal Rivers, ranging northward through Namaqua and Damara Land to Lake Ngami ; very generally dis¬ tributed in the Transvaal, Bechuanaland, and Rhodesia, extending as far north as Masai Land and Central Africa.” The same author describes its habits as “ very like those of the com¬ mon E. astrilda. In the Transvaal during winter these pretty litttle birds feed on the ground in small flocks, generally near bushes, to which they fly if disturbed. Their food consists almost entirely of grass seeds. They have a low, gentle, twittering note, frequently repeated when they are searching for food and also as they take flight. Towards spring the flocks break up and they remain in pairs until the following autumn.” The following is a description of this species in which the sexes are alike save that the female is slightly duller than the male: General colour grey, tinged with red and delicately pencilled with fine blackish lines, which become broader and much more conspicuous on the wing-coverts ; lower back, rump and upper tail-coverts crimson, faintly barred with a darker colour; abdomen crimson; vent and under tail-coverts and tail black; lores, ear-coverts and chin black; bill dark lead-colour, becoming black at the tip ; feet black. Total length about 4J inches. — Kd.]. « Avicultural Magazine, THE COMMON HERON. (From Official Guide to the Zoological Society’s Gardens.) Bale, Sons and Danielsson, Ltd. Bird Notes from the Zoological. Garde?is. 255 BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. Although there is nothing very special to report this mouth, numbers of the birds are nesting, and there is every prospect of the present season being a very good one as regards the number of young birds reared. The female Darwin’s Rhea, which was the mother of two hybrid Rheas which were hatched but not reared last year, has laid several eggs, her mate this year being a fine male of her own species belonging to the President of the Society. These eggs are in an incubator, and it is to be hoped that, in the event of their hatching, those in charge will be more successful in rear¬ ing the chicks than was the case last year. In the Eastern Pheasantry a pair of Wonga-wonga Pigeons have hatched two young ones which are doing well, and another pair of squabs have been bred from a male Turtur tranquebarica and female hybrid T. tranquebarica x T. risoria. The Black Vultures, in the old Argus Pheasantry, have one egg on the ground upon which, on our last visit, the female was sitting. The Crested Screamers, which bred last year for the first time in Europe, nested early this year, two eggs being laid and one chick hatched, which unfortunately only survived one day. They are now nesting again, and with warmer weather there should be a good prospect of success with the second clutch. The New Garden Guide % has now been issued, and should be obtained by all who take an interest in this fascinating corner of Regent’s Park. It is a most instructive little book, and by a careful perusal of its pages one may obtain a very fair general knowledge of the various groups, families etc. of the animal kingdom. The illustrations, which are liberally dis¬ tributed through its pages, and one of which we reproduce here, are all from photographs, and are excellent. * Illustrated Official Guide to the London Zoological Society's Gardens in Regents Park. By P. Chalmers Mitchell, M.A., D.Sc. The Zoological Society, 3, Hanover Square, W. Price 6d. Post free 7fd. Correspondence , Notes , etc. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. -256 THE INTERNATIONAL ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS. The full programme of the forthcoming Congress, containing all information likely to be of use to those who intend to participate, has now been issued and forwarded to all who have already signified their intention of being present. Copies may be obtained on application to Mr. Bonhotk, Fen Ditton Hall, Cambridge. It is intended, if possible, to arrange for a meeting of the members of the Avicultural Society during the Congress. THE MUSKY LORIKEET ; AUSTRALIAN FINCHES. Sir, — I am writing to ask if you can kindly identify a Parrakeet for me, it may be a common one but I have never seen it before, nor can I find it in the Avicultural Magazine, of which I have all the back numbers not out of print. I have written for Mr. Seth-Smith’s book and shall doubtless find it there, but am writing on the chance of its not being there. The man I got them from said they came from Australia and called them Keith’s Parrakeets, a name I have never heard, and which probably is only used in Australia. I got some Star and Blood Finches and had some difficulty in finding out their English names. Long-tailed and true Masked Finches were also received under the one name of Masked Finch. I must say that Star is a better name than Rufous-tail ; rufous is vague and to my mind covers too much ground in the colour line, besides, the little silvery spots are very star-like. Blood has an ugly sound but it does hit off the colour exactly, and from most accounts seems to fit in with the bird’s morals. However, to get back to the Keith’s. General colour grass green, band on forehead passing through the eyes to and on the ear coverts — bright red, on top of head between the red-light blue, 011 back of neck extending to inter-scapular region — glossy chestnut brown, a small stripe down from the shoulder on sides of breast bright yellow. Size, a bit smaller than a Cockatiel, but more the shape of a Blossom-liead, except as to tail, which is wedge-shaped at present in all my four birds and does not look like changing. Tail, green feathers black shafted with black tips. When the tail is spread out in anger, as it often is, there appear to be some red feathers near the base showing through when looked at from above, but there is no red to be seen underneath. The breast is the same grass green but looks as if the feathers might be yellow, tipped with green. Bill reddish black with red tip. I can send fuller details if required. At present they are in the same aviary cage (14ft. by 3ft. by 5ft. high), with Rosellas, Many-colours, Javas, Pekin Robins, &c., till the aviary is ready for them, getting the same food. It was very cold when they arrived up here and they felt it a bit, but are quite fit now. At first they fought a good bit amongst themselves, much noise and no damage, but they were Correspo?idence, Notes, etc. 257 then in much smaller quarters with much the same birds, which they left alone. They are now divided off into twos and are at peace. I have hopes that they are two pairs, as one of each two is a good deal smaller than the other, there may be other differences but I have had little time to spare lately with lots of work — work, most of the spare time from that being taken up with play-work getting the aviaries ready. Can these birds be Conures ? about which I know absolutely nothing, nor do I know much about Parrakeets except the commoner kinds, not having kept them and being without good books. G. A. Perrhau. Bakloh, Punjab, India, 10 th April, 1905. [Your description corresponds to the Musky Lorikeet ( Gtossopsittacus concinnus). These birds are often brought over on a diet of seed alone, and bird-dealers generally recommend this as the most suitable food for them. If long-continued, however, it generally results in death by fits, though we have known of cases where these birds, kept in very large outdoor aviaries, have lived for quite a long time on seed and green food alone. The most suitable diet, however, is milk sop, made with boiling milk poured over crumb of bread or powdered plain biscuit and sweetened with sugar. Plenty of ripe fruit should be given, and canary seed. A coloured figure of this species is given in “Parrakeets.” We have never before heard it called “Keith’s Parrakeet.” — Ed.]. AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. Sir,— I was very interested in Mr. Astley’s account of his Australian birds, as I was expecting that there would shortly be importations of rare birds from Australia. Worse luck, we in India only got the fringe of the exportation so to speak. However it is so hard to get any birds one wants here (my special hobby being Grassfiuches, Waxbills, & c., and in a lesser degree small Parrakeets) that I fancy I was just as delighted with my lot as Mr. Astley was with his, though I do covet his Bourke’s and Painted Finches, and almost more than all his hen Crimson Finches (called Blood Finches in Australia), the latter because I do hate having odd sexes about, my solitary hen died shortly after arrival, though the two cocks look very fit and at present are peaceable. My lot included “Keith’s” Parrakeets, Main’-coloured Parrakeets, Star (Rufous-tailed), Blood, Diamond, Gouldiau, Masked, Long-tailed Grass- finches. At the same time were received through the kindness of Mr. D. Ezra (but for whom indeed my aviaries would be very empty) some lovely Mealy Rosellas, some Yellow Budgerigars, and some other small birds. You can imagine my delight in getting all these birds, when I mention that in December last my highest hopes went little further than Zebras and Bengalese: but then the aviculturist is never quite unsatisfied. My 25S Correspondence, Notes, etc. immediate chief wants are hens of Cutthroats (don’t smile, I have had two cocks 2J years), and Blood Finches. My wants in the near future will take up too much room, and many of them will I fear be beyond my pocket, even if they should be procurable, though I might mention that I fell in love with Bonrkes when I first read their description many years ago ; I am almost afraid to see one in the flesh for fear of losing an illusion. I am glad to see that onr Editor suggests the use of the name of Star-finch. My other letter, by the way, was written before receipt of the Magazine. G. A. PERREAU. Bakloh, Punjab, India, 26th April, 1905. THE AGES TO WHICH BIRDS DIVE. Sir, — My little Reddish Finch committed suicide in the water-pan this morning, May 15th. I have no exact record of the purchase of this specimen, but I referred to it as in my possession in 1S97 which will give it at least eight years in captivity. This is a greater age than any of my other Spermophilcz have attained to, with the exception perhaps of the White- throated Finch, and is a very fair record for so tiny a bird. A. G. BuTEER. BLUE BONNET PARRAKEETS. Sir, — I should be glad to hear through these columns of any of our members who may have purchased a pair of the few young Blue Bonnets, im¬ ported in March last, and have managed to keep them alive. During my five and twenty years of aviculture I have hankered after a pair of Blue Bonnets, and had at last, as I imagined, attained my ambition, when what was my disappointment to find on arrival two poor little babies in nest feathers, with the blue only just appearing on their faces. It was not that I minded their sombre hues, but I foresaw the difficult}' there would be in keeping them alive. They seemed, however, fairly healthy (but their pretty, jaunty, little ways did something to deceive one as to their real condition), and for theffirst two days we got on pretty well, but at the end of about ten they were both dead. I was told to feed them on oats and canary, but especially the former ; after a few days they left off touching the oats, and I soon saw they were only “ cliibbling ” up the canary seed, and not really eating it. From the first I provided them with fruit, which was soon supplemented with other things, until by degrees I got a menu of eleven dishes to try to tempt them if not with one thing then with another, but all to no purpose. When they would no longer even pretend to eat I recognised they were past hope, so resorted to cramming as a dernier ressort. Being such babies I thought artificial feeding was admissible. I made a fine paste of crushed biscuit, milk, and yolk of egg, and after a little time they did not object to the Correspondence, Notes , etc. 259 process, and even tried to lick it off the end of the quill. But, as I have said before, it was of no use, and they wasted to mere skin and bone before they finally succumbed. I am half afraid not one of those few and expensive specimens of this rare and beautiful Parrakeet is by this time alive, but should be pleased to learn that other members had met with better success. E. A. H. HARTLEY. THE YELLOW-HEADED GOULDIAN FINCH. Sir, — Mr. Astley, at page 236, has somewhat misrepresented what I said. Possibly my letter may have been carelessly framed, for he has confused two different lines of thought which were present in my mind when I replied to his communication respecting various birds. Concerning the Yellow-headed Gouldian Finch, I intended to say, and am reasonably satisfied I did say, that it is found in the rvild state, and that it is regarded as the yellow phase of the Red-headed Gouldian Finch. Then I went on to refer to another matter, to abnormally coloured Gouldian Finches in general, which are usually the impure and debilitated descendants of captive Red- and Black-lieaded Gouldian Finches that have been crossed and interbred and generally mixed up together. These, by the way, usually have whitish heads and under parts, some being entirely of an impure white, others partially so, the green alone of the entire plumage maintaining its colour unaffected. Clearly these have degenerated several stages below the yellow phase. And I mentioned how that in past years I had purchased some of these queer coloured Gouldians, and how that, after they had been properly tended in 1113' aviar}', they had moulted into ordinary full coloured Red- or Black-headed Gouldian Finches. I should add that I do not refer to melauistic examples, which mostly fall into a third category, for there may be and often are good wild- caught birds that have been spoilt by improper treatment in captivit}\ Reginald Phiggipps. CASSELL’S “ CANARIES AND CAGE BIRDS.” Sir,— I was amused b)r receiving a short time ago a printed offer of copies of a separately bound edition of the Foreign Bird Section of Cassell’s “ Canaries and Cage Birds,” written by myself, 25 years ago, and would wish to state that I have nothing whatever to do with, nor had any knowledge of, this edition at a popular price. Had a reprint been intended I should have gladly looked over the book again, might have suggested a few alterations, and have found some¬ thing to say about that great favourite “ the Gouldian Finch,” which bird was not known when the book was written, and is therefore not mentioned, beyond a brief reference to the desirability of seeing arrivals of 260 Correspondence , Notes, etc. a very beautiful finch, a native of Queensland, described by Gould, but then not yet seen alive in Europe. As I wrote my treatise on Foreign Cage Birds by request, and under peculiar circumstances, and ceded my interest in the first and subsequent editions to the publishers before I bad written tlie first line, I have, andean have, no possible objection to a new edition, whether reprinted, or a sale at a reduced price of the remaining copies of the original work. Whilst I have every reason to be pleased if what I wrote very long ago has still some interest for those who care for or keep foreign cage birds, I may be permitted to say that I thought my treatise had been superseded by more recent works on the subject, notably by Dr. A. G. Butler’s fine work and by Mr. Setli-Smith’s book on Parrots, for it should be understood that what I wrote was penned fully 25 years ago. It is very curious, however, that since that rather remote period only two species of Finches have come on the bird-market which were not known then, viz., the Long-tailed Grassfincli and the Gouldian Finch. On the other hand, many kinds which were to be seen fairly often 30 years ago, have become extremely rare now. I described many birds from live specimens then in my collection, which cannot be obtained now at any price, whilst when I was a buyer of rare foreign birds, I could find them occasionally without paying extravagant sums for them. But it is fair to add that for the first pair of Liothrix which came into my hands some 30 years ago, I had to pay ^10, whilst now any number can be bought from 5s. to 10s. per pair. Some of the Waxbills have become so cheap that I fear it i cheaper for those charged with their transport to face a large percentage of loss during the voyage and whilst on sale, than to take much care of the well¬ being of the poor little birds. If the cheaper edition of my old treatise puts the book within reach of dealers and bird catchers in the Colonies and induces them to bring over varieties which have become rare in the market and would fetch a remunerative price, instead of sending thousands of common small Waxbills, where hundreds would satisfy the demand, I should be very pleased. Those who have seen my book will have noticed that the plates are rather unequal, though drawn by the same artist. The cause of this may now be stated. Some of the plates had been designed and were actually in the press before I had any idea of writing the book. These were drawn from stuffed specimens. Subsequently the artist drew the birds from live specimens in my collection, or which I procured on loan for the purpose. I leave it to those who are interested in bird portraits to find out which plates were drawn from living and which from stuffed birds. A. F. Wiener. Correspondence , Notes, etc. 261 RAIN OUAILS. Sir, — In my letter, asking how to treat Rain Quails during Winter, line 14, page 234, should read “ preventing her feeding” not breeding. The fault may be mine. The chief point which my letter was meant to convey was, if the cock prevented the hen from feeding, and pecked at her spitefully, why did she mope away and die when taken away from the bully ? The Chinese Painted Quails are easy enough to keep all the year round. The others do not die from fright or make a fuss when I go to feed them or clean out the cage. I bought the first pair of Rain Quails about September 15th, 1902. I had seen them in a shop for quite a fortnight before, with their heads all knocked about. .Seeing that they seemed otherwise healthy, I bought them. The cock I have still, but the hens have died as above. They were tame enough to take mealworms from my fingers through the wires of the cage. H. L. SlCH. “ THE AVIARY AND ITS MANAGEMENT.” Sir, — Might I draw your attention to two printer’s errors in the article you were good enough to publish in the last number of the Avicnltural Magazine on “ The Aviary and its Management.” (1) On page 226, third paragraph, 9th and iotli lines, instead of “sea and,” it should read “sea-sand.” (2) On page 228, last sentence of the article, instead of Allen and Hanbury’s “ Hyno-pliosphates,” it should read “ Byno-Phospliates.” I trust that the article has proved interesting to most of the younger members of the .Society. Jas. Geo. Myran. Sir, — Dr. J. G. Mvlan in his paper on “The Aviary and its Manage¬ ment ” published in your May issue remarks that birds “ could easily contract such diseases as typhoid, consumption, and diphtheria.” Other medical men who have made a special study of bird diseases tell us that they have never come across a case of typhoid or consumption in a bird. As a scientific man, it is to be presumed that Dr. Mylan would not have made the above-quoted remark unless his experience had been different from theirs, and I therefore venture to ask him, in the interests of the fascinating science of bird diseases, to give us particulars of the cases in which he has diagnosed these diseases in birds, and the grounds for his diagnosis. Horatio R. Eirrmer. 262 Post Mortem Examinations. POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. RULES. Each bird must be forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and postage paid, direct to Mr. Arthur Gill, M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Establishment, Bexley Heath, Kent, and must be accompanied by a letter containing the fullest particulars of the case. Domestic poultry, pigeons, and Canaries cannot be dealt with. If a reply by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclosed. Diamond Sparrow (Mr. A. Cummings). [Your bird was much emaciated, and died of syncope. The wing was considerably out of gear, inasmuch as the clavicle had been fractured and never united again]. Waxwing (Mr. W. H. St. Quinlin). In owner’s possession over three years, was in per¬ fect health and was paired, constantly showing off to and feeding its mate. For two days was dull and mopey, gradually got worse, and died. It had no symptoms of fits. [Your bird died of acute inflammation of the bowels. No doubt your feeding is cor¬ rect as it has agreed with your bird for so long-. There was no food to be found when examined post mortem. I should say probably a chill may have caused it. It was a male]. Californian Quail, hen (Rev. R. H. Wilmot). Has been in an aviary with a cock and another hen and two Parrakeets. There have been a good many eggs for a month or more, but no nest has ever been made by either hen. P'or a few days she was ailing and gradually grew worse until she died. [Your bird died of inflammation of the oviduct owing to the retention of a broken egg. I frequently found the hen Quails lay their eggs about, but as soon as I found one egg I made a nice bit of cover with bushes, or sometimes by leaning a piece of wood against the wall in the aviary, under which I would scoop out a hole, say 8 inches deep, in the damp soil, and line it with hay, and as the eggs were laid so they were put into the nest, and, invariably, by the time the third egg was laid the bird would have taken to the nest. But I never kept more than one hen with one cock, and I must say that I have successfully reared scores of young birds], Gouldian, hen (Mrs. Goiter). Died quite suddenly in the night; it did not seem to see very well. [Your bird died of cerebral meningitis caused by an injury]. Yellow Budgerigar (Mr. W. Williams). Found dead; no sign, as far as we could tell, of illness. [Your bird died of an apoplectic fit. It is difficult to say why these birds, especially during the breeding season, are so subject to apoplexy. When I was breeding these birds, I would frequently remove the seed boxes for a day or two, and scatter the seed about the aviary floor, so that they had to work for their living. They do themselves very well, and, unless in large aviaries, cannot get the necessary exercise. I sold a large flock of these birds to a lady member of our Society, and I have lately heard that they are breeding freely]. Australian Green-winged Dove (Mr. W. J. Lewis). Died this morning ; two days ago was found on the ground unable to walk or fly, with apparently no power to swallow. [Concussion of the brain from injury, the skull being dented in, which caused pressure on the brain], Whvdah (Mr Chas. L. Rothera). In outdoor aviary ; a few days ago it became Iump5r, sat on the ground with its head under its wing. [Pneumonia was the cause of death]. Budgerigar (Mr. B. Mason). In cold room all the winter. [Acute pneumonia was the cause of death]. Grey Parrot (Mrs. Barber). In owner’s possession about three weeks ; at first it was fed on soaked maize, as dealer advised, but afterwards on hemp, canary, wheat, and dari. It had diarrhoea and seemed to lose its appetite; was kej . warm, and given a few drops of brandy and chalk. [Your bird died of enteritis. I find newly imported birds do best on boiled flat maize, prepared fresh every day, as a staple food, and gradually, in the course of a few weeks, get them on to 1 mixture of canary, millet, oats, wheat, and dari. I do not give much, if any, hemp, unless I find a bird going thin, in which case you will find hemp very useful, but if given in quantity it is liable to darken the beautiful delicate grey color of the healthy bird. For diarrhoea, I find clilorodyne and chalk in the drinking water, or tamalbin in pill form, the best remedies. I have reared, or rather acclimatized, 27 out of 28 in one season, but I, of course, bought thoroughly healthy birds to commence with]. ARTHUR GILL- F. C. THORPE, Importer of all Varieties of Foreign Birds and illaterfoml. ANIMALS IMPORTED TO ORDER, All Birds kept in Aviaries not Cages, and sent on approval. Noie Eddies*- 75, SOUTH PARADE, HULL. Stock in hand May 20, 1905. i pair Talpacoti Doves 15/- pair, 2 pairs Cambavan Doves beauties 12/6 pair, cock Chinese Quails 10/- each, Pennant’s Parrakeets 30/- each, 1 Spotted-billed Duck, £1, 2 pairs adult Carolina Ducks 52/6 pair, Chinese Goose 9 16, East Indian Drake 6/6, Call Ducks 12/6 pair, 1 Gold Sparrow hen 6/6, 1 pair Anas superciliosa or New Zealand Wild Ducks 30/- pair, Crowned Black Tanagers 25/- pair, Many-coloured Parrakeet hen £2 5/-, Spur-winged Geese £5 pair, 1 rare Yellow Oriole 40/-, 2 pairs Bar-head Geese £2 pair, 1 Pied Albino Tanager, 2 cock Red-capped Parrots £2 each, 1 Bare-eyed Cockatoo 25/-, 3 pairs Mandarin Ducks 32/6 pair, Black-headed Conures 30/- pair, White-eared ditto 12/6 each, 1 talking acclimatised Grey Parrot, says thirty words £4, 2 pairs Teal 10/6 pair, 1 pair Wigeons 13/6 pair, 1 pair Rosy-billed Ducks £2 10/- pair, 1 male Australian Shelduck £4, Barnacle Geese 45/- pair, 4 pairs beautiful Scaly Doves 17/6 pair, 1 pair Blue-winged Teal £4. 6 rare Shaft-tailed Weavers not in colour, 1 pair each Silver and Golden Pheasants, .Silvers 20/- pair, Golden 25/- pair, 5 Pekin Robins 1/6 ea. 1 acclimatized Blue-crowned Hanging Parrakeet 12/6, I ditto Wandering Tree Pie £1, Hill Mynahs £\ 10/-, 1 ditto Common Mynah 10/6, 1 pair White-fronted Geese £1 10/-, 7 Violet Doves 35/- pair, 1 Barbary Dove cock 4/-, 1 Green-winged Dove hen 6/-, few pairs Pintail Ducks 16/- pair, t Blue- fronted Amazon says 20 words £2 5/-, 1 pair Egyptian Geese £1 10/-, 1 rare Sharp-billed Toucan £4, Rhaviphastos carinatus, 1 Blue Tanager 15/-, 2 Tickell’s Thrushes £\ each, 3 pairs Australian Crested Doves £1 pair, 3 pairs Rufina Doves £1 5/- pair, 1 pair Black-backed Geese ^6, 1 Siberian Large White Crane ^19 10/-, 1 Common Crane £5, 2 pairs Blue Coots £2 pair, 1 hen Pine Grosbeak*//*, enucleator ) £1, 1 Scarlet Grosbeak (P. erythri- nus) £1, Snow Geese £5 pair. 2 pairs Cliuckor Partridges £3 pair, 2 pairs Pondicherry Francolins £2 pair, Canary-winged Parrakeets 30/- pair. Diamond Sparrows 10/6 pair, 5 White-breasted Gi inea Fowl (rare) £3 10/- pair, pair Guans £3, 2 Red- rumped Cassiques £2, Budgerigars 5/6 pair, Cordon Blens, Orange Breasts, Zebra Finches 4/- pair, Orange Cheeks, Grey Waxbills, Nuns 3/- pair, 1 pair Sepoy Finches £5 Arriving in 14 days: 2 pairs Dwarf Madagascar Geese, Central African Touracoos, Shrikes, Red-lieaded Finches, Blue-breasted Waxbills, Alario Finches, Giant Whvdahs, Shaft-tailed Whydahs, another variety rare Whydah, Cabanis’ Weavers, etc. etc. Alario Doves 40/- pair, Crimson¬ winged Parrakeets £3 pair. Stock Always Changing. III. Notices to Members — (Continued from page it. op cover). NEW MEMBERS. Mr. E. S. Montagu ; Trinity College, Cambridge. Mr. Henry Munt; 83, Kensington Gardens Square, London, W. Mr. Hobson: Villa Delta, Beverley. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Herr F. Grabowsky ; The Zoological Gardens, Breslau, Germany. Proposed by Mr. F. E. BLAAUW. Mr. Arthur Larchin Buteer, M. Aust. O. U. ; Waimarie, Lower Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania. Proposed by Mrs. ROBERTS. MEMBERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is one penny for every four wot ds. Names and addresses of advertisers must be paid for. Each statement of price, such as 3/6, is counted as one word. Every advertisement must be prepaid, and MUST reach the EDITOR not later than the 19 th of each month. The Council reserve the right of refusing ' any advertisement they may consider undesirable. Fine pair Chiloe Wigeon, 70/-, exchange in birds or aviary, see wants. A. Cummings, Promenade, Cheltenham. Healthy, fully adult, unmated cock Green Budgerigars (hens sold) from unlieated garden aviary, 2/6 each ; two cock Cockatiels, 6/- each, ex¬ change liens. Mrs. Wieeiams, Emmanuel Parsonage, Exeter. Himalayan Streaked Laughing-Thrush, Trochalopterum lineatum, perfect, acclimatised, 10/-, or, with female Roufus-chinned Laughing-Thrush, 40/-. R. Phieeipps, 26, Cromwell Grove, Hammersmith, London. Cock Little Button Quail, Turnix dussutnieri, 12/6, would purchase hem. G. C. Swaiees, Beverley. WANTS. (These ate charged for at the same rate as Birds for Sale). Six Zebra Finch hens ; also aviary, see last month. Pair Parrot Finches. A. Cummings, 16, Promenade Villas, Cheltenham. Pair Nicobar Pigeons, outdoor aviary, and hen Saffron Finch. G. C. Porter, 38, Mill Street, Bedford. Hens — White Java, Bibfinch, Bengalee, Pope Cardinal, White - headed Mannikin, Magpie Mannikin (exchange cock). Cocks — Shorelark, Grassfincli. Teschemaker, Teignmouth. JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO KVKRY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. UCCESS IN BIRD KEEPING & BREEDING CAN ONLY HE SECURED RY USING 41 ABRAM AM S’ 15* WOkl.O-l-'AlVIKI) (W Specialities in BIRD FOOD. LARGE STOCK OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS. HARTZ MOUNTAIN ROLLERS, Norwich, Yorkshire and Lizard Canaries Cock Birds in full Song now in Stock ABRAHAMS’ TONIC for Diarrhoea and Strengthening Birds. EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Cage and Aviary Appliance, Seed, etc., in stock. For complete Price List apply to — J. ABRAHAMS, JS£S, 191 & 192, ST. GEORGE STREET EAST, 1.0 N DON , E. No connection with any other firm under the same name. ABRAHAMS’ is the oldest and most reliable Establishment in England. JULY, 1905. NEW SERIES. MONTHLY. vot. 111. No 9 Price Is 6d THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. CONTENTS.''!) j The Breeding’ of Hey’s Rock-Partridge ( with plate), by A. Trkvor-Battye, M.A., F.L S ., F.Z.S. Britisli Wagtails in Cage and Aviary, by Arthur G. Butlkr, Ph.D., F.I..S., etc. Stories from Real Life, by Miss Rosie Aedeuson ... The Kagn in Captivity (with illustration ) . The International Ornithological Congress . Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens . Correspondence, Notes, etc.— Cassell’s “Canaries and Cage Birds,” 288; Food for young Partridges, 288 ; Blue Bonnets, 289 ; Birds bred at the Melbourne Zoo, 290 ; The Musky Lorikeet, 290 ; Change of colour at moult, 291 ; The food of Barn Owls, 291 ; Consumption and Typhoid in birds, 292 ; Virginian Cardinals and Red - winged Parrakeets breeding, 293 ; Australian Finches, 293 ; Photographs of animals, 293 ; The Council of the Society, 293 ; The Society’s Funds, 294. Pott-mortem Examinations . 263 271 274 280 283 287 294 IS) B LONDON 1 R. H. PORTER, 7, PRINCES St., CAVENDISH SQUARE, W. NOTE.— A new volume commences every November. II. All Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the Avicueturat Society are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Kditor. 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Flower, the Director, was able to bring home a pair. I have not heard of any in private hands in this country, and perhaps our Zoo¬ logical Society’s list, which shows there were some in the Gardens in 1879, forms the last aviary record we have of them. A few words of preface will therefore not be out of place. Temminck b) tells us that he received a male and female of “ this new species ” from M. Cretschmaer, Director of the Natural History Museum of Frankfort, which had been forwarded by M. Riippel to his native town. Cretschmaer had named it “after M. Hey, Ruppel’s companion in the deserts of Acaba [Alcabah] in Arabia.” The birds, drawn in the Natural History Museum in Paris, are figured in Temminck’s work, and are recognisable. Riippel in his work <2) remarks that “ its name in the Hedjas Province is Hadjel.” Gould figures a pair of these birds b) from specimens “ brought from Arabia by Tord Robert Clinton.” Considering that these drawings were from dead specimens they are very good. (1) C. J. Temminck. Nouveau recueil de planches coloriees d'oiseaux . Fivraison 55, Paris, 1S25. (2) Dr. Eduard Riippel. Neue Wirbelthiere zu der Fauna von Abys- sinien gehorig. Vogel, p. 10. Frankfurt am Main, 1835. (3) John Gould, F.R.S. The Birds of Asia. Vol. vii. PI. 2. 1851. 264 Mr. A. Trevor- Battye, Temminck placed this bird under the genus Perdix, Tristram at first under Caccabis, justly remarking b) “The whole plumage, with the orange bill and lemon coloured tarsi, is a singular blending of the characteristics of the types of Caccabis and PerdixP But the bird entirely wants the spurs of the Red- leg, and finally gained the generic name of Ammoperdix , which seems to have been conferred on it by Gould — or I have not been able to find it so given in any work earlier than his. I have somewhere seen this bird written of as the Sand- partridge, and Mr. Ogilvie-Grant speaks of it (5) and its ally Bonham’s Partridge (A. bonhami) [the only other member of the genus] under their popular name of “See-see” Partridges. This name, said to express the call of Bonham’s, conveys no idea whatever of that of Hey’s Partridge. So I have here called them “ Rock-Partridges,” for that fitly expresses their habits. Of Bonham’s Partridge Mr. Ogilvie - Grant writes (4 5 6 7) “ This handsome little Partridge is met with at elevations ranging from sea-level to 6,000 or 7,000 feet ” ; and he quotes Mr. Hume, who says (6a) “ the barer and more desolate the ravines and gorges, the more thoroughly do they seem at home.” This is true also of Hey’s Rock-Partridge, as we shall presently see. By far the best account from first-hand observation which I have seen is this by Canon Tristram. He writes : b) (4) Rev. H. B. Tristram. Notes on Birds observed in Southern Palestine. “ Ibis,” 1859, p. 36. (5) W. R. Ogilvie-Grant. A Handbook to the Game-Birds. Vol. i. p. 49. 1895. (6) Ibid, p. 100. (6a) Oates, ed : Hume’s Nests and Eggs Ind. B. iii. p. 433. 1890. See also Claud W. Wyatt. Notes on the Birds of the Peninsula op Sinai. “ Ibis.” 1870. p. 4. Rev. H. B. Tristram. Report on the Birds of Palestine. P. Z. S. 1S64. p. 449. Heury Chichester Hart. Fauna and Flora of Sinai, Petrcea, Wady ’ Arabah . Captain G. E. Shelley. The Ornithology of Egypt. “Ibis.” P- 143- (7) Rev. H. B. Tristram. The Ornithology of Palestine. “Ibis.” 1868. p. 214. on the Breeding of Hey' s Rock-Parh idge. 265 “ This lovely little bird, smaller than the Grey Partridge, abounds in the rocks near the Dead Sea, but is never found more than a few miles from that lake, though common in Arabia Petrcea. It runs in large coveys, and is flushed with difficulty, as the birds have a habit of separating and concealing them¬ selves behind stones without rising ; but once startled it has a vigorous flight. It has a habit, singular for a Partridge, of laying its eggs in holes and fissures of the rocks. ... I once found a nest in a deep hole in the side of the cliff, containing twenty-seven eggs, sixteen of which were of the preceding year and addled, the others being quite fresh.” The two members of the genus Ammoperdix, have the following very distinct distribution. <8) A. bonhami. Bonham’s Rock-Partridge; “South-Western Asia, extending westwards to the Euphrates Valley, eastwards to North-West India, in the north to Transcaspia, and south to Aden.” A.heyi. Hey’s Rock-Partridge ; “Both sides of the Red Sea, extending north to the Dead Sea, westwards to Egypt and Nubia, about as far south as 20° N. latitude, and eastwards to Muscat, Persian Gulf.” When one looks through the skins of Hey’s Partridge in the British (Nat. Hist.) Museum one finds that they fall into two very well-marked divisions. The Palestine and Egyptian form is as I have described below, but birds from the Persian Gulf are slightly smaller and more vinaceous in general colouring. This variety Mr. Ogilvie-Grant has named A. chomleyi. (8a)- The colouring of my birds is as follows. Adult male : Bill orange ; legs dull yellow ; head, neck and throat plum grey ; ear-coverts white ; scapulars and wing-coverts reddish fawn with no markings ; flight-feathers olivaceous, the outer web barred with reddish fawn and dark grey ; croup and rump sandy yellow closely beset with dark grey bars ; tail of twelve feathers, the two central (8) W. R. Ogilvie-Grant. Vide sup. (8a) A11 example of the need of a three-name S}-stem. It is much to be wished, by the way, that before this change comes, as come it must, ■ornithologists will have dropped the mis-use of an Algebraic expression, and will call the method “ tri-nomiual.” 266 Mr. A. Trevor-Battye, same as rump, the remainder dark chestnut, slightly spotted on the inner web : upper breast vinaceous fawn ; lower breast formed of longitudinal curved stripes. The feathers composing these stripes are thus coloured, from below, upwards : edge very dark vaudyke brown (almost black) ; a line of chestnut ; a line of greyish white ; a. thin edge of brown. Towards the flanks the stripe is broken, and thence curves outwards and downwards. Female : Bill yellowish horn ; legs dull yellow ; head and neck ochreous, with wavy bands of dark brownish grey ; throat buffish white; breast light buff, with wavy bars of brownish grey ; back reddish fawn, with fainter bars of a darker colour. The birds arrived in England on the 8th of April. On board ship they became quite tame, taking food from my fingers. They were fond of apples, oranges, bananas, and any kind of fruit. At first they shared a compartment of their aviary with a pair of Spotted Sandgrouse (. Pterocles senegallus), a pair of Palm Doves (Turtur senegalensis), and a pair of Californian Quails ( Lophortyx calif or nicus J, but after a day or two I removed these other birds. I did my best to give them appropriate surround¬ ings, making clefts and crevices of stone for them to nest in. They were also given a little tunnel to run through, which pleased them very much. They constantly inspected these holes, but never took to any as a nesting-place. At the end of April they paired. The male, during the nesting season, shews himself off to the very best advantage. Raising himself to his fullest height and ruffling out all his feathers, he stands thus on the highest stone he can find, crowing repeatedly, or runs about in this Penguin-like attitude, only the tips of his toes show¬ ing below his ruffled feathers. This display I have tried to reproduce in the illustration. The call consists of a double note repeatedly uttered. On May 15th I picked up a broken egg of the same shape as that of the Grey Partridge, but slightly smaller and of a uniform fawn colour. I had placed some boughs of common furze in the corners and round a pole in the middle, and on this they were fond of perching. Later on I removed it, as I on the Breeding of Hey' s Rock- Pa rt ridge. 267 fancied the little broken-off pieces pricked the hen’s breast and prevented her from sitting. I put in its place large tussocks of coarse wood-grass. O11 May 20th another egg was dropped in the outer aviary. Meantime the birds had made a little shallow scratching near one of the inner corners; in this I placed the egg and here the hen continued to lay. By June 3rd she had laid ten eggs. Whether she would ever sit seemed very doubtful ; I therefore decided to try these eggs under a hen. Unfortunately I had then no bantams, and though I scoured the villages round I could not find a broody bantam of any sort. However, I made the best imitation I could of a common partridge’s nest in a bank among some grasses, and there I put the ten eggs in the keep¬ ing of a smallish barred mongrel hen. She sat extremely well, and on July 4th one egg was chipped. But twenty- four hours later, as the chipping had gone no farther and the other eggs showed no signs, I helped out the chipper and found a big dead embryo in every other egg. This little chick throve well until July 17th. At 11.30 of that sunny morning the chick was all right: a few minutes later the barred hen stood listening to the call of a distant game-cock, her foot on the crushed and lifeless body of my first young Hey’s Partridge. On the 10th of this month I had lost the hen partridge. She died after having laid her thirty-sixth egg. The story of my second venture goes rather better. On June 21st I had set a black bantam 011 twelve more eggs, and she had settled down well. These eggs began to be chipped on July 14th. The chicks had just the same trouble in finding their way out, and some died in the shell. Five were released by my fingers and soon grew strong. By July 8th another batch of twelve eggs had collected, but still the partridge showed no signs of settling down to sit. So on that day I placed the twelve under a game bantam pro¬ cured from a neighbour with the assurance that she had only just begun to sit. She took kindly to her new eggs and sat steadily until the last day of the month, when she suddenly threw up sitting and all those eggs were spoiled. 268 Mr. A. Trevor-Battye, So after all I had only five Hey’s Partridge chicken, but they throve well in a large wired-in run on the lawn. They were wonderful runners and very quick-sighted. The smallest insect on the wing led to a rapid race across the grass of their enclosure. Sometimes they would all squat suddenly on the ground with their heads stretched out, and then looking up I could see a hawk passing high over head. From the very first they were adepts at hiding: when only just dry from the shell, on the hen being raised so that I could move them, they had scattered in every direction, darting in under roots and grasses and flattening themselves down in the most remarkable way. Their colour, a uniform pearl drab, made them practically invisible. As nestlings they had absolutely no markings, entirely wanting the dark back stripes characteristic of most game birds, te)- They were raised entirely on ants’ “eggs.” We nearly had a tragedy one day. As we were rather short of wire netting I had only fixed up three sides of a square, the fourth being formed by the outside of an aviary compartment in which some Burrowing Owls had their young ones — an arrange¬ ment which had the disadvantage that in order to reach the partridges one had to pass through the owls’ house. Boarding 18 inches high runs all round the bottom of the wiring as a screen against dogs or other alarms. The little par¬ tridges took to running along the top of this and putting their heads through. Once I found one hanging there, caught by the head. The Burrowing Owls seemed to take too much interest in the incident, so I rigged up a screen of matting to keep things safe. But on the day in question the door insecurely fastened had swung open while my back was turned, and instantly all five small partridges were in the enemy’s quarters. The owls got very excited, and it was only by keeping them oft with my handkerchief that I managed to catch up one youngster after the other and pass them to the outside. It was not long before they were strong fliers, and on the (9) Ihose who have read Mr. Pycraft’s interesting articles in Knowledge , will appreciate the significance of this fact. 269 on the Breeding of Hey's Rock- Partridge. fourteenth day I found the black bantam and her family walking gaily along the high thatched ridge of the aviary roof. So I cut her wing. After a while the young birds were trained off on to seeds ; they liked spray millet better than any other kind. It turned out that they were three cocks and one hen. All grew up until you could scarcely tell them from the old ones. Unfortunately the little hen died ; I do not know why. The three young cocks are now (June 18, 1905) flourishing, and quite indistinguishable from the old cock. I am very sorry that I have no hen alive ; but all Captain Flower’s kind efforts to get me some more have been unsuccessful. I had hoped that this summer they would have reared their own young in the garden, in a sunny enclosure with dry banks, a pool, apple trees, flowering shrubs, coarse grasses and water plants, where last year the Californian Quails hatched their young. These partridges have a very daintily pretty way of walk¬ ing. They are also extremely light fliers, going straight up every evening to roost on a beam immediately above their heads in the aviary roof. They also perch a good deal in the branches of a dead Austrian pine. They are great grass eaters, picking out the heart of the grass most persistently. Their plot, re-turfed in the autumn with fine new turf from the down, soon became brown and dead, while that of the Spotted Sandgrouse next door has remained green and flourishing. They are also fond of chickweed, dandelion, lettuce and fruit. These birds, coming from a sunlit country, welcome every ray of sunshine. They get the first sun at dawn, and it is full on the aviary until 12 o’clock. Then as it moves behind the elm trees the partridges follow each little checkered patch that finds its way through the branches, squatting in each in turn. When startled they raise their crests. They are also able to move independently the white ear coverts. They are cautious and inquisitive. Any new object placed in their aviary — a stone, a brick, or even their green food if put in an unaccustomed place, is carefully scrutinized. It is pretty to see them then, creeping cautious!}' nearer and nearer, walking 270 On the Breeding of Hey's Rock-Partridge. on tip-toe, so to say, with heads low and necks stretched out to their fullest extent. Hey’s Rock-Partridge has two kinds of note. First, a quietly and often uttered conversational note, something like that of the Chukot but more musical. They talk constantly in this way together, and then the note has a confidential twittering sound; again, if disturbed, they make use of the same note, but then it is louder and protesting. The birds of both sexes use this talking note. Their other note is the call or “ crow ” of the male bird, a double call-note clear and ringing, but quite unreproducible in syllables. A' # •X- O- Since the above was written the birds have been liberated in the garden enclosure. There are some Scaly-breasted Quails, Chukors and Grey Francolins in the same enclosure, and it is interesting to observe the great differences in the habits of these allied birds, under comparatively natural conditions. The Chukors when they wish to hide crouch by a tuft of herbage ; the Hey’s Partridges on the other hand choose the barest part of a dry bank which just matches them in colour, or else squat flat in one of their dusting holes into which they exactly fit, their backs level with the surrounding ground. I have then often known a visitor, though standing almost over them, quite unable to see them with an unaccustomed eye. The Francolins I have only seen once in the last three weeks : you could not find them without a spaniel. On the night of the furious gale of February 28, the wind burst open the owls’ partition door. In the morning one part¬ ridge was missing, and the rest were much ruffled. They must have gone through a bad time that night, for though morning saw the owls back in their own compartment, looking preteruaturally innocent, the missing partridge was presently found half eaten in the entrance to a burrow. I have now given one of the young birds to the Zoo¬ logical Gardens. Itis in the Western Aviary, and seems to have paired with a Californian Quail. British Wagtails in Cage a?id Aviary. 271 BRITISH WAGTAILS IN CAGE AND AVIARY. By Arthur G. Butuer, Ph.D., F.L.S., etc. Of all the British Insectivorous birds suitable for avicul¬ ture, none are more satisfactory in almost every respect than the Wagtails. Graceful, lively, easily tamed, and by no means difficult to feed, they only have three faults : they are inclined to be pugnacious if two cocks are kept together ; they are some¬ times spiteful to weaker associates ; and their song, which is sweet and pleasing, is not frequently heard. As regards their food, one must give them that which experience proves to be suitable, without regard to the criticisms of prophets of evil. Some years ago, when dried flies began to be generally recognized as an excellent food for insectivorous birds, the late Dr. Bradburn violently opposed the use of them, under the impression that these insects were a species of blow¬ fly bred from putrid fish ; and, although I assured him that they were Hemipterous insects closely related to the water-boatmen of our ponds, he wrould not be convinced, but declared emphati¬ cally that he knew they were actual flies because he had seen their wings (I suppose he imagined that water bugs were destitute of these organs). Somewhat later a writer in the “Feathered World” insisted upon the absolute uselessness of dried ants’ cocoons as a food for birds : living ants’ cocoons he thought might be of some value ; but when dead he considered them w'orse than useless : I imagine that he looked upon them as the decayed corpses of insects which had died a natural death. Subsequently there was a great stir made respecting the dangerous character of bread-crumbs as a food for insectivorous birds ; one of our members considering it most deadly to all the more delicate Warblers (meaning such birds as warbled) : a long discussion ensued which convinced nobody. Yet more recently, and for the second time, egg in all its forms has been condemned as a most dangerous food, on the ground that it is a favourite food of the bacillus of enteritis ; and, provided that a bird nourished upon this food be in a sickly condition, it renders him much more likely to be attacked by 272 Dr. A. G. Butler, that disease than if this article of diet were omitted from his food. In the discussion respecting the use of bread-crumbs, biscuit was regarded as only one degree less dangerous ; so that nearly all the foods which were considered most suitable by the Russ school of aviculturists, and by the use of which they kept insectivorous birds in perfect health and condition for many years, have been condemned as dangerous: but, when one is aware that the condemnation of many articles of human con¬ sumption has led to the production of a sect of pasty-faced, frog- handed beings, who subsist upon plasmon and ground nuts, one must needs hesitate to accept their dicta as convincing, or even take them seriously. Wagtails in captivity, like other insectivorous birds, live in perfect health for years upon a combination of all the afore¬ mentioned ‘ dangerous ’ foods, with the addition of living insects, their larvae and pupae, spiders, and centipedes. Having due regard to their associates, there can be no question that Wagtails are far more pleasing when kept in aviaries than in cages ; excepting in the case of hand-reared birds which are permitted to fly about the house for a great part of each day (such home pets being naturally by far the most charming). Of the Wagtails which I kept for a time in cages, in order to study the spring development of their summer plumage were examples of the Pied, Grey, and Yellow species ; and I convinced myself that the changes took place by a gradual growth of colour in the feathers, none of which were ever moulted out at that season. I first began to take delight in the Wagtails in my birds’ - nesting days (between 1871 and 1886) when I was fortunate enough to secure nests of the Pied, Grey, Blue-headed, and Yellow Wagtails in Kent. As regards the White Wagtail which I saw on more than one occasion, it is possible that I may have taken the nest ; but, without seeing the bird go off it, could not distinguish it from that of its near relative the Pied Wagtail. The Blue- or Grey - headed Wagtail I saw on several occasions in company with the Yellow, flitting about deserted brick-fields where the excavations had filled with water and the on British Wagtails in Cage and Aviary. 273 intersecting paths were densely grass-grown, and upon saltings dotted with clumps of a tough reedy grass : it was in the latter place that my nest was obtained. I have never kept this species in cage or aviary, but my friend Mr. Staines of Anerley had a fine example some few years ago. As an aviary bird I have found the Yellow species (l Motacilla rail) the least aggressive and the Grey (M. melanope ) the most so ; but from what other bird-owners have told me I conclude that some examples of the Pied species (M. lugubris) are capable of terrorising birds far superior to themselves in strength and weight, and my own experience of associating this bird with my first Grey Wagtail resulted in the death of the latter, which was repeatedly driven from the food-dish until literally starved. Towards tiny birds, like Blue-tits or Waxbills, I found the Grey Wagtail especially malevolent ; pinning them down on their backs with one foot and viciously pecking them. The most suitable companions for Wagtails are the smaller Weavers, Java Sparrows, or other finches with powerful beaks — such as Buntings, and the smaller Doves: I never knew them to interfere with any of these, yet I have heard of a Pied Wagtail completely dominating a Blackbird. I first saw these birds in captivity many years before I took up the study of aviculture in an aviary at the end of the old fish-house at our Zoological Gardens. This first induced me, when furnishing one of my covered aviaries, to introduce a stream at the back of the enclosure with shelving sandy banks running down to the water, backed up by flags and the water Celandine. My Wagtails used to run down this bank to bathe, frequently floating off out of their depth ; but by slightly open¬ ing their wings and tails they easily and gracefully swam round upon the surface and regained the bank. Unhappily a little Cole- tit was less at home in the element and I found it floating dead upon the surface of the water, which induced me to do away with this arrangement. I11 later years I believe the Pied and Grey Wagtails were successfully crossed at our Gardens, and I understand that the hybrids proved to be fertile : if this is actually the case, it would seem that the Wagtails might prove as interesting a study for the mule-breeder as the Doves, Ducks and Pheasants. 274 Miss R. Anderson, That there is no difficulty in hand-rearing Wagtails, and that they make the most intelligent and delightful of house-pets I proved in 1892 in the case of the Pied species ; and a corres¬ pondent to the “ Feathered World*’ had a similar experience a year or two ago with the Yellow Wagtail : the late Dr. Bradburn’s failure to rear these birds was doubtless due to the fact that he gave the nestlings meat, instead of confining himself to biscuit, egg, ants’ egg and dried flies : that a little ground lentils would not be injurious seems evident, from the fact that I mixed a certain quantity of Abrahams’ food with my mixture.*1 STORIES FROM REAL LIFE. By Miss Rosie Alderson. I always think of my collection of birds in their various aviaries as if they were a small village, with all the events that go to make up life taking place amidst them just the same as if they were human beings. For birds have their various characters just the same as people — good, bad, and indifferent — their loves and hates are very genuine, as well as their other characteristics. With the nesting birds some parents are so kind-hearted that they will not only be devoted to their own young ones, but to other birds’ young ones as well, whilst others seem to weary of their nestlings and forsake or neglect them without scruple. Just at this time I have a pair of Bronzewings bringing up a forsaken young Half-collared Turtle with their own young bird, and it was put in the nest when the difference in plumage would at once be noticed by the old birds. Yet the Bronzewings, so far from resenting the stranger, are taking every care of it. But it is not about Doves I am going to tell you but about my Barnard’s Parrakeets. Some years ago. I bought a pair of these lovely birds for, if I remember rightly, 60/-, at that time they were dearer than they are now. Both were fine birds, and the cock “ Barnie” was the prettiest specimen of his kind I have ever seen. * Mr. Abrahams assured me that he did not use pea-meal, so he probably sub¬ stituted lentils. Stories from Real Life. 275 Most of you will know this Parrakeet at least by sight, but those of you who have not seen it may like to hear what it is like. Barnard’s Parrakeets are always great favourites of mine, their colouring is so very lovely and their shape so elegant. In size this bird is larger, and considerably thicker in build than a Cockatiel. The general colour is bright green, with a red fore¬ head, and a yellow band round the back of the neck, and also one across the breast. The upper back and shoulder-butts are of the richest blue. The long tail is green, while the under¬ feathers are also blue but paler than the back, and of the most lovely shading imaginable. When“Barnie” started to whistle he would open his tail like a fan, and jerk it very rapidly from side to side. It was only when he did this that one could seethe lovely blue of the tail feathers in all their beauty. This is only a brief description, but you will see from it what a very handsome bird a Barnard’s Parrakeet is, and how great an ornament to any aviary. Some day, if you get a specimen for yourself, you will see how futile it is to try and describe such a lovely bird, for it must be seen to be realized. I was very delighted with my new purchase and turned them into a large cage. Visions of nesting and young Barnard’s floated through my brain, for every bird-lover knows how in bird¬ keeping one’s thoughts run away with one. Many a castle I have built in the air has come tumbling down with a crash, and the case of the Barnard’s proved no exception to the rule. When the warm weather came I put the Barnard’s out into a compartment in my new aviary. Here they had plenty of room to fly about, or nest at will, with but few companions. Amongst these however was my favourite Masked Parrakeet “ Dick Turpin.” How I wish everyone who reads these lines could see “ Dick.” He is the brightest, most loving and intelligent Parrakeet you can imagine, and not only is he very lovely, but his ways are so pretty no one can resist him. Imagine a magnificent bird eighteen inches long in colour light emerald green, the green so rich that it fairly seems to shine. “ Dick” has a black mask over his face and wonderful orange eyes. The quill feathers of his wings are bright blue, and his breast is yellow, shading into deep orange. I could write you pages about 276 Miss R. Arderson, “ Dick,” how, if I do not notice him, he will put on a most pathetic limp, and then, when he is perched on my wrist, he will almost go to sleep in my arms with his head under my coat collar, fluffing out his feathers and crooning with joy all the time. Or, if in a lively mood, he will play at hide and seek on the aviary shelves, always giving a jump and a little cry of pleasure when he is “found.” He will let me handle him as I will, and never makes the least attempt to bite, even letting me take any¬ thing out of his beak or pick him up bodily. As I say, I could write you pages about the charms of “ Dick,” but this story is about the Barnard’s. Mrs. Barnard was a very beautiful bird, but she had a great failing common to her sex, in human beings as well as in birds — an intense love of admiration. She carried this to such an excess that, if any fresh inmate was introduced into the aviary, she at once put on all her charms and graces to captivate the new comer. Seeing “ Dick” is so handsome it is little wonder she set her heart on making him her slave. She put on a bold air and soon could do what she liked with him, for “Dick” is most «asy going until his jealousy is aroused, and the?i woe betide the offender. In the days when I kept him in the same aviary as my other Masked Parrakeet “Jack,” I could never take much notice of the latter, “Dick” would be sure to attack him, though strange to say he would never try to bite me, but would rather be especially affectionate, as if he tried to tell me it was all done out of affection for me. It was a great pity, for I am sure these Masks are a true pair. I have them still, but they live in separate aviaries. If one had not felt so sorry for “ Barnie ” it really would have been amusing to watch Mrs. Barnard and “ Dick.” I have even seen her come up to him as he was eating his biscuit and take it from him, and all the protest “ Dick” would make would be merely a mild grunt of disapproval, though if the offender had been any other bird it would probably have been promptly punished. Matters went on like this for some time without anything serious happening, and then at last the climax came. I suppose poor “ Barnie” must have felt he could stand it no longer, for it Stories from Real Life. 277 ended in a fierce fight and the injured husband got the worst of it, the hen being quite unhurt. I was out when it happened, and when I came in I found “ Barnie ” with a cut on his head, behind the aviary door, and looking very wretched. I put him in a cage, as matters were evidently too serious to leave the birds together, and considered what I should do next. At last I decided on getting another hen, for I felt very angry with the culprit and thought it would do her good to feel she was not the only hen Barnard in existence. I thought “Barnie” would take gladly to a new mate, but here I was mistaken, so great an affection had he for his faithless wife that he deeply resented the new arrival, in spite of her being a lovely bird with a very sweet whistle. I let the new comer out with “ Barnie” in another compartment of the aviary, and to my great disappointment he flew at her and fought her with angry cries, so savage was he that after one or two attempts I had to finally separate them. It is a splendid sight to see two Barnards fight¬ ing, their wings and tails spread, their colour flashing like jewels — but it has its serious side, for unless checked it means death or wounding to the combatants. You may have noticed that when Parrakeets fight they will always try to seize or bite that part of each other which is the least protected by feathers, namely, the head, feet, or legs. I have had a parrakeet (if I remember rightly, a Java) die from a fearful wound in the head, which was just gripped, the bite piercing the eye to the brain; and once another bird died from a wound in the foot, caused, I believe, by “Dick” in the first instance. I11 this last case I dressed the foot and it stopped bleeding, and put the bird in a quiet cage, hoping it might recover, but the wound must have broken out afresh, for later I found it dead, evidently from shock and loss of blood. But to return to the Barnards — here I was with three birds and all of them disagreeing. I decided on parting with the new hen, and after I had done so this bird won her new owner the Society’s medal for the first instance of this parrakeet breeding in England. The old pair I put back in their original cage, with a sliding wire partition between, so that they could see but not fight each other. After some months the Barnards became 278 Miss R. Aederson, reconciled, and I let them out together. It is true they seemed indifferent to each other, and their affection was gone, but still they lived on quite friendly terms, and never showed any signs of fighting. After a long time I turned them out again, not into the same compartment as “Dick” but in the same aviary. Dick had quite forgotten his old love, and I hoped all might go smoothly, but I ought to have known that few parrots either forget or forgive. Directly the hen Barnard caught sight of Dick, though she could not get at him, all her old hatred for her husband returned, and she at once turned on him again. As I saw poor “Barnie’s” life would really be in danger, I took the lieu away, and tired of her persistent bad behaviour I parted with her. “ Barnie ” I kept for long. He was such a pretty bird, and would take biscuit from my fingers readily, but he never recovered his spirits, and always seemed brooding over his wrongs and his lost love. Not unnaturally he hated “ Dick,” and would con¬ tinually try to fight him through the wires. So great was his animosity that he even tried to fight my other Masked when it was put in the same aviary, though the poor bird was entirely ignorant of the quarrel. Eventually I parted with “Barnie” too, so the only actor I have left in this avian tragedy is “ Dick,” who is so light¬ hearted that I think he must have quite forgotten the misery he caused ; but he never troubles about anything, and makes him¬ self so endearing that we have to forgive all his sins. And now having told you a sad story of life in my bird village I will tell you of a happier one. Some years ago I had three little Cactus Conures, “ Ping,” “Pong,” and “Jock.” They were the merriest little trio im¬ aginable, and would play with each other like children. “Jock ” was quite an amateur actor, and would make the most dreadful faces and go through the drollest antics in front of “ Ping” and “Pong” — the two latter always sitting solemnly before him in the character of audience. If a larger enemy, notably the wicked hen Barnard, showed signs of attack the three small birds would band together, and always succeeded in driving her off. All Stories from Real Life. 279 three Cactus were most friendly, and would all be climbing about my arms and shoulders at once; indeed I always had to be sure and count them before I left the aviary for fear I carried one out on my back by mistake. This nearly happened once, for the Cactus are so small and light they can easily cling to one’s coat without being noticed. One summer I put these three Couures into an aviary with the Long-tailed Glossy Starlings, and to my great surprise after a time the two Couures Ping and Pong started to nest. They had never done so in the other aviary, though I had had them for some time. The eggs which were very small, round, and white, were laid in a wooden nest box of the closed kind I always use for Parrakeets. Unfortunately all the eggs came to grief but one, and this precious survivor was most jealously guarded. The pair began to sit very steadily, and my hopes ran high, for I do not think there is a known case of this little Conure breeding in England. Jock who was most generously devoted to the other two, took upon himself to guard the entrance hole from the Starlings, who were suspected, and I think rightly, of knowing something about the fate of the other eggs. Jock did his duty most thoroughly, and even made faces at me if I came too near, and refused ofteuer than not any little dainties I offered him when on duty. The pair would often sit on the egg together and matters seemed proceeding very smoothly ; the Starlings, probably through the watchful care of Jock, apparently giving up their bad designs. One day I was much amused with Jock, he had been persuaded to so far relax as to take a piece of his favourite biscuit and had evidently much enjoyed it. I am sure birds have a language of their own, for Jock promptly told Ping and Pong to come out and get some biscuit too, assuring them that he would look after the precious egg. The little pair came out and took their tit¬ bits, going into the flight to eat. Jock clearly felt his great responsibility, and not content with guarding the hole, crept into the nest, and made the most valiant efforts to sit upon the egg. I watched him through the hole, and was amused to see how many times he failed before he got the egg under him to his satisfaction. Of course when the pair returned he retired in their favour, but continued to watch as jealously as before. 28o The Kagu in Captivity. In spite of all this devotion the egg failed to hatch. Per¬ haps it was the turning and turning Jock had given it that did the mischief, I do not know. I shall never have the chance again, for this happiest of little trios is dispersed. Ping and Pong both died, I believe from taking cold. They were not ill for long, and quickly followed each other. Jock still flourishes, but he will no longer perch on me as of old. He was always the shyest of the three. He misses the others sadly, and some¬ times goes through his quaint performances, but not often. It is rather sad in a way to see him acting, he looks such a forlorn and pathetic little figure, and one misses his friendly little audience. They were a small trio, who found life “a very pleasant thing” and their one joy was their mutual pleasure in each other’s existence. I don’t pretend to paint a moral, but there is one, if you choose to find it, in both these true stories from my bird village, but if you prefer the jam without the powder don’t look for it. THE KAGU IN CAPTIVITY. In the last number of our esteemed contemporary the Emu, appears an account of that very interesting and aberrant type from New Caledonia known as the Kagu (. Rhinochehis jubatus'), a cut of which we print herewith. About a year ago the British Museum received some eggs laid by some captive Kagus belonging to Mr. H. E. Finckli of Sydney, and the present writer corresponded with Mr. Finckli with the object of obtaining some notes and possibly photo¬ graphs of these curious birds for the Aviculhiral Magazine. Mr. Finckli had however just given his notes to the editor of the Emu, but he wrote “ I shall be pleased to send you some photos, of my birds which you are at liberty to publish. . . . I am much longing for the autumn when I shall again be able to try my luck at rearing a chick. It is heart-breaking to succeed in hatching a bird after three years work and then only to put into spirits. Anyhow I have great hopes for next year. I have four birds, but unfortunately cannot get others, hard as I The Kagu in Captivity. 281 have tried. I have a standing offer of forty guineas for two of my birds, but I am so attached to them that I could not part with one. They seem to be part of the family, and are as tame and playful as kittens, coming readily to my call, and being always ready to play with the children. . . . My photos, will follow in a week or so.” THE KAGU. (From Mivart’s Elements of Ornithology). However the promised photographs have never arrived, but an account of the Kagus, written by Mr. A. J. Campbell, has, as before mentioned, appeared in the April number of the Emu. The Kagu appears to be perfectly hardy and to thrive in cap¬ tivity, its food consisting of finely cut beefsteak which must be perfectly fresh. Large centipedes, five inches in length, are freely eaten, the squirming creature being passed “ by a nibbling 282 The Kagu in Captivity. action quickly through the bill crosswise and back a couple of times until it was pulped, then swallowed.” The birds fight by pecking at each other’s legs. The moult occurs about mid¬ summer. “ Mr. Finckh was favoured in getting a pair of his Kagus to breed. They commenced nesting in a hollow on the ground in a secluded part of the aviary, into which they threw a few coarse sticks and leaves for a day or two. When the egg was laid more sticks were placed about it. The male sits continuously on the single egg, but his mate may relieve him occasionally, possibly at night. The birds defend their nest vigorously. Mr. Finckh reckoned his birds were about seven years old when they commenced to lay. It was observed that the egg was laid four¬ teen days after ‘ mating,’ and that incubation lasted five weeks.” An egg laid on the 15th of September chipped on the 19th of October and the chick hatched two days later, but died when three days old. Normally the birds lay but one egg in the year, but if this is taken they lay again. “The egg,” remarks Mr. Campbell, “is a stout ellipse in shape ; surface slightly glossy ; shell comparatively fine ; stony- grey in colour, moderately marked with spots and blotches of amber and dull grey, the latter colour underlying the surface of the shell. Except for its fine texture and elliptical shape the Kagu’s egg might be taken for that of a Gull. Dimensions in inches 2% by 2 inches.” The Kagu has been kept in our Eoudon Zoological Gar¬ dens, and it was there that the late Mr. A. D. Bartlett noticed its affinity to the Sun Bittern of South America ( Eurypyga ) which anatomical investigation has since shown to be its nearest relative. It is about equal in size to an ordinary fowl, in colour mostly light grey, and the wings, when expanded, are seen to be conspicuously spotted with white, reddish brown and black. The bill, legs and irides are bright red. Although numerous in New Caledonia upon its discovery when the French occupied the island in 1S52, it is at the present time very scarce, and bids fair to become extinct before many years unless measures are speedily taken for its preservation. The Ornithological Congj'ess, THE ORNITHOLOGICAL CONGRESS. 283 The fourth International Ornithological Congress, which was opened at the Imperial Institute on June the 12th, is now a thing of the past, and, by those who had the good fortune to take part in it, will be long remembered as an extremely delightful and instructive gathering. The proceedings opened with an informal reception by the President, Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, on Monday evening, June 12th. On the following day a General Meeting was held at which the President gave a history of the Natural History branch of the British Museum from its earliest days. In the afternoon the first of the Sectional Meetings was held. Section IV. was devoted to Economic Ornithology and Bird Protection. Mr. J. Digby Piggott read a paper on the present state of the law regarding the Protection of Birds in the United King¬ dom, and pointed out the general state of confusion that existed, one species being protected while it was absent from our country and not when it was present. O11 the whole, however, good had resulted. Sir John Cockburn described the Protection laws in Australia, which grouped the species into three classes, namely, those that were protected throughout the entire year, those that had protection during the breeding season, and those that were “outlaws” and were granted no protection, amongst which was the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. Mr. F. E. Lemon, of the Bird Protection Society, dealt with the same subject. In the evening a social gathering of the members was held at the Naval, Shipping and Fisheries Exhibition at Earl’s Court. O11 Wednesday (June 14th) at a general meeting Mr. Frank Chapman of New York read a paper, which was illus¬ trated by lantern slides, entitled “ What Constitutes a Museum Collection of Birds?” He showed the excellent arrangments adopted in America, but remarked that our National Museum exceeded anything he had seen in its instructive value. Dr. J. Dwight, also from the United States, treated of “ Some Phases in Feather Wear.” He exhibited a series of excellent micro¬ photographic slides, showing the development of feathers, and explained how the change from dull winter plumage to the 284 The Ornithological Congress. bright garb of spring is generally due to abrasion. Dr. Otto Herman, from Budapest, contributed a most interesting paper on “ Migration,” which was read in English by Mme. Ginever. The arrival of the Swallow was noted, 011 special post-cards, by some 6,000 observers, which covered the whole area of Hungary. The points of observation were geographically determined and maps prepared showing the exact points of arrival on different days. The result showed that the arrivals commenced on March 10th, being noted at three points. On March 30th the culminating point had been reached, 343 points being noted. Then the num¬ bers began to decrease and 011 May 22nd only 15 points were noted. By such observations on various species it was a simple matter to determine the direction taken by the migrating birds, and it was found that the Swallow arrives in Hungary from the South, the White Stork travels from South-East to North-West, the Wagtail from West to East, the Woodcock from South-West to North-East, and the Cuckoo from South-East to North-West. Mr. W. P. Pycraft contributed a very important paper on “Nestling Birds in relation to Evolution.” He came to the conclusion from a study of a large series of nestlings, that all birds were at one time arboreal. Those that had from various causes taken to nesting on the ground had become nudifugous, while those that continued to nest in trees produced naked and helpless young. The author showed the great importance of studying the young of various birds, about many of which very little is known. Mr. Frank Chapman’s papers on the life- history of the American Flamingo and the Brown Pelican were illustrated by perhaps the best series of bird slides that have ever been seen in this country. The author had visited breeding colonies of both species, the former in the Bahamas and the latter in Florida. He had erected screens in the centre of the colonies and thus obtained photographic records of the whole history of the nesting birds. The colouring of these slides, done by the author himself, was most beautiful, and probably better than anything of the kind that has been seen before. O11 Thursday the members of the Congress proceeded by special train to Tring, as the guests of the Hon. Walter Rothschild. The world-famed Museum was first visited, after The Ornithological Congress. 285 which the members assembled in the Victoria Hall to listen to an extremely interesting paper by Mr. Rothschild on “ Extinct and Vanishing Birds,” which was illustrated by a wonderful collection of specimens and drawings. Mr. Rothschild divided his paper into three headings, namely, birds that were already extinct ; those on the verge of extinction ; and those threatened with extinction at no very distant date. After luncheon the members divided into three groups ; one proceeding in brakes to the reservoir, the home of many wild¬ fowl, notably the Great-crested Grebe ; a second party went into the park to see the Emeus and Kangaroos ; while a third visited the gardens and greenhouses. The members will have a lasting recollection of Mr. Rothschild’s splendid collection and the great work that he is doing. On Friday Dr. Wilson of the Discovery Antarctic Expe¬ dition gave an interesting account of Antarctic birds, illustrated by excellent photographic slides. Dr. Hartert contributed a masterly paper on “ The principal Aims of Modern Ornithology,” and Mr. Bonhote read his paper 011 “ Experiments in Hybridizing Ducks,” which was of very great interest. I11 the afternoon the members of the Congress were received by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress at the Mansion House, and in the evening the foreign members were the guests of the British Ornithologists’ Union at a dinner held at the Frascati Restaurant. O11 Saturday morning Dr. Bruce read his paper, which was illustrated by some beautiful photographic slides, on the ornithological work accomplished by the Scottish Antarctic Expedition, the most noteworthy of the slides being those illustrating the nesting of the so-called Cape Pigeon ( Daption capensis'). Although a very common species in the Southern Seas, the nest of this Petrel had never before been discovered. The only paper strictly devoted to aviculture was that read by Mr. D. Seth-Smith, on “ The Importance of Aviculture as an aid to the Study of Ornithology.” The author pointed out that cabinet ornithology, although of the utmost importance, taught nothing of the life-habits of birds, and in the case of many species it was next to impossible to study their nesting habits satisfactorily without keeping the birds under close observation 286 The Ornithological Congress. in aviaries in which their natural surroundings were reproduced as nearly as possible. He remarked upon the valuable work that had been done by Mr. Meade-Waldo in his discoveries with regard to the changes of plumage in some of the Sand-grouse, and in the method they adopt to carry water to their young. The author also described the breeding habits of the Tataupa Tinamou, which species had been shown to be polyandrous, and of two species of Turnix , from observations made in his aviaries. The chairman of this section, Mr. Meade-Waldo, remarked upon the great difference which existed between scientific aviculture and mere bird-fancy, and pointed out how many important points could be settled by aviculturists. A general meeting concluding the business of the Congress was held on Saturday afternoon, and it was announced that the permanent Congress Committee had decided that the next Con¬ gress should be held in 1910, in Berlin or other city in Germany, and that Dr. Reiclrenow should be invited to be the President. On Monday (June 19th) the members of the Congress journeyed to Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire, where they were the guests of His Grace the Duke of Bedford, and enjoyed one of the most delightful days it is possible to conceive. The Mammals and Birds in the park form perhaps the finest collection in the world. There is a flock of twenty Pere David’s Deer, of which only one other specimen exists in Europe. European and American Bison, Grevy’s Zebras,. Giraffes and Prejevalsky’s Horses are amongst the rarer Mammals; wdiile among the birds were to be seen European Flamingos, some actually swimming on the lake; Upland Geese (in flocks) ; Trumpeter Swans, with young in white down ; a large flock of Whooper Swans, several pairs of Black Swans with young ; Cranes of several species ; Ducks of many species ; Bornean Fireback Pheasants, Vulturine Guinea-fowls, Ostriches, Emeus (with young) and Rheas. A flock of Australian Crested Doves were flying loose in the grounds. On Tuesday the members proceeded to Cambridge, where they were met by Professor Newton, who showed them a fine series of eggs of the Great Auk and many rare bird-skins. The Museum and Eibrary fully^ occupied the members until two Bird Notes from the Zoological. Gardens. 287 o’clock wlien lunch was served in Magdalene College. Professor Newton in replying to the toast of his health remarked that he thought that the members had come to Cambridge with the laudable intention of birds’-nesting. They had come to the place where the nest was made and the egg was laid which hatched into the Ibis, which as everybody knows is the famous journal of the British Ornithologists’ Union. After lunch the members were invited by Mr. Bonliote to visit his aviaries at Fen Ditton, and a large number availed themselves of this opportunity of inspecting his fine collection of Ducks, Waders, Herons, Owls, Gulls, &c. After tea the party drove to the station and the greater number left for Bridlington, Yorkshire, which was reached about midnight. The following morning an early start was made for the cliffs of Flamborough Head and Bempton, the breeding place of innumerable Guillemots, Razor¬ bills, Puffins and Kittiwakes. This is one of the very few places at which cliff-climbers can be seen at work collecting the eggs on the face of the precipitous cliffs which reach a height of some three and four hundred feet. Several descents were made by the climbers while the members of the Congress were present, and the sight was one that will not be easily forgotten. Most of the members returned to town the same evening while a few remained until the following day. BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. A very large number of Pheasants have been hatched in the Gardens, and about a hundred, consisting of Amherst, Golden, Silver, Swinhoes, Reeves, Common, and hybrids between the Common and the Mongolian, may now be said to be practically reared. Several young of Sonnerat’s Jungle-fowl have also been reared, and there are some young Greek Part¬ ridges, Californian Quails, Wouga-Wonga Pigeons, & c. The Grey Struthideas have constructed a curious nest of mud and hay on a perch in the Western Aviary ; the Tickell’s Ouzels have hatched one young bird in the Southern Pheasantry ; Red-headed Ground-Thrushes are nesting ; and some hybrids between Andaman and Malabar Starlings have been hatched. 288 Correspondence , Notes, etc. The Birds of Paradise in the Insect House are doing well. The King’s are in fine plumage, and one has the tail-rackets quite perfect. The Greater Bird-of-Paradise and one of the Lesser birds are just coming into full dress, while the second specimen of P. minor has just lost his plumes. While at the Gardens on June 26th I was informed that several Kiwis ( 'Apteryx ) and some Keas were expected that day. These will be a great acquisition. D. S.-S. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. CASSELL’S “CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS.” Sir, — I see in your June issue that Mr. Wiener writes about an offer made by The Feathered World, to him and many others, of the foreign bird section of Cassell’s “Canaries and Cage-birds.” He was “amused at receiving a printed offer” . and there follows the part to which I take special objection, viz., “ Had a reprint been intended,” etc. In the circular sent out I cannot see that I in any way suggest that the book was reprinted, and in case any of those who have had a copy may think the same, I should be glad if you would allow me to state that the book was not reprinted — the copies being those that Messrs. Cassell & Co. had on hand. I may say Mr. Wiener wrote in the same way to me. I returned him his money and explained it was not a reprint. Whereupon he again remitted his money, saying he would have a copy. Under these circumstances it is, to say the least of it, bad taste on Mr. Wiener’s part to have written as he has in your columns. I enclose a circular so that you may see what the details were, and I think you will agree with me that nothing was said which could have led Mr. Wiener to his conclusion. E. Comyns-Lewer. [There appears to have been a slight misunderstanding. Mr. Wiener informs us that had the date of publication (some 27 years ago) been printed on the circular, he would have taken no notice of it beyond ordering a copy out of curiosity. — Ed.]. FOOD FOR YOUNG PARTRIDGES. Sir, — Being a member of the Avicultural Society I should be very glad if you will tell me the proper food upon which to bring up young Partridges. I have some eggs (which were forsaken by the old birds) being sat on by a Bantam, and do not know what is the best kind of food to rear them on. L. Whitehead. The following reply has been se?it to Mrs. Whitehead : Young Partridges should be fed on hard-boiled egg passed through a Correspondence, Notes, etc. 289 fine sieve mixed with chopped green-food and crashed biscuit into a crumbly state. Add also scalded ants’ eggs and dried flies to the mixture, and give canary and millet seed, also well-scoured gentles and any other small insects obtainable. As they get older and get feathered this animal food will be less necessary, but at first is very important. Frank Finn. BLUE BONNETS. Sir, — I almost wonder that Mrs. Hartley, as she is an aviculturist, had not observed how long young parrots take before they can go on to seed. Had she at once liand-fed her Blue-bonnets with sop or moistened biscuit, they would probably have been alive now. I have just had some Senegals (pceocephalus) from France. They had nothing but seed in their cage, and appeared fully fledged. I was not at home, but fortunately my man observed they were making no hand at the seed and gave them sop, which they greedily devoured. And yet there is no trace of nesting feathers about them. Many years ago a friend had a dusky Pionus from Guiana. You would never have supposed the bird was not feeding on seed. But I saw it was not doing well, and gave it bread and milk, to which it took eagerly, and soon became strong. I am convinced that Parrots need soft food much longer than most young birds. Even sick adults can often be recovered by stuffing them with sop. I have brought back Parrots which were in the very jaws of death with it. F. G. Dutton. Sir, — In answer to Mrs. Hartley’s request for information from purchasers of Blue Bonnets, as to whether any of the lot imported last March had survived, I write to sa}" I bought a pair out of a lot of eight at the end of that month (27th) ; they were then in very good condition, though of course rather dirty. Mine were kept in a cage about a fortnight and then turned out in an outdoor aviary, where they soon cleaned them¬ selves and seemed very happy. They soon paired, and I hoped were going to nest; when about ten days ago the hen bird drooped and seemed half paraE’zed one afternoon, and the next was dead. The cock did not seem to miss her very much, and continues to look in perfect health and in beautiful plumage, and sings after his fashion daily. They have been fed always with oats, canary, hemp and millet, and had groundsel and shepherd’s purse given daily. I did not notice that the other Blue Bonnets in the cage I bought mine out of were younger than mine, and, as far as I know, they never have much blue on their heads, and what they have is next the beak, so that the name Blue Bonnets is rather misleading — Bonnets usually being fixed more on the back of the head. Duncan Parker. Sir, — 111 reply to Mrs. Hartley’s letter about Blue Bonnets in this month’s Magazine, I also purchased two of these birds at the beginning of April. Their plumage was somewhat rough, but they seemed to be in fairly 290 Correspondence, Notes, etc. good health on arrival. They were turned into a large cage in my heated bird-room (kept by liot-water pipes at a temperature of 6o° to 70° Fall.), and fed on canary and oats with fresh sea-sand and water daily. A piece of cuttle-fish bone was hung in the cage. Nothing else was given. A week or ten days after arrival one of the birds began to show signs of indisposition and gradually became worse. I therefore separated them, put the healthy bird in another cage and discontinued the oats. I may mention that the healthy bird is now flying with other Parrakeets in an unheated loft aviary, is coming into good plumage and will, I hope, be turned shortly into one of my outdoor aviaries. The invalid, however, became so weak that it could only with difficulty mount its perch. It seemed incapable of supporting the weight of its head. Its excreta were yellow and watery, and its breast-bone looked like a razor under its feathers. It ate but not largely, and seemed to appreciate the cuttle-fish bone. At this stage I sprinkled its seed with a mixture of powdered chalk, dry arrowroot and bismuth. It was so ill that I expected to find it dead every time I entered the bird-room, but after a week or two of the above-mentioned treatment it began to get better and now seems to be well on the way to recovery. My bird has undoubtedly been suffering from enteritis which may have been due to septicaemia. I therefore fed it as simply as possible. If the death of Mrs. PIartle3,,’s birds was due to the same cause, I think it would have been better to withhold the yolk of egg, which has been shown by Dr. Creswell to be especially favourable to the propagation and the development of the virulence of the bacilli of septicaemia. I have been an aviculturist for nearly thirty years, but these are the first Blue Bonnets which I have possessed. I should be very glad to hear whether any of our members have kept Brown’s Parrakeets with other birds, and, if so, what their behaviour has been towards the other inmates of the aviary. I have had a pair in an out¬ door aviary by themselves for the last twelve months, but, unless they show some inclination to breed, shall be disinclined to allow them to continue its sole occupants. T. N. Wilson. BIRDS BRED AT THE MELBOURNE ZOO. According to the Emu for April, there have been hatched and reared at the Melbourne Zoological Gardens during the past season, “White- bellied Plumed Pigeon ( Lophopliaps leucogaster), Partridge Bronzewings ( Geopliaps scripta ) and many Stubble Ouail ( Cotumix pectoralis)." THE MUSKY LORIKEET. The following note appears in the Emu for April last : — “On the 9th October, 1904, in the Bacchus Marsh district, I chopped out a nest of the Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsittacus concinnus) , which, much to my disappoint¬ ment, contained a young bird. Having enlarged the nesting-hole to such Correspondence, Notes, etc. 291 an extent with a tomahawk, I decided to take the bird, which had only a few feathers. For the first few days after being brought to Melbourne it was fed 011 honey diluted with water, injected down its throat with a small glass syringe. The little thing soon learnt to feed itself from a saucer, and was 110 trouble to rear. Nothing delights it more than to be handled and played with ; its antics on the swing are most amusing. It is now in full plumage, the rusty markings just appearing on the nape and back. Occasionally it says a few words, learnt from a Rosella Parrakeet whose cage hangs near. The breeding season in Victoria appears to be far advanced in October, as two or three nests found by our party on the same occasion contained fairly well grown j'oung, always two in number. These birds were very numerous in the district, and were in company with G. pusillus. Lately they are very numerous round Melbourne, having been seen in the parks, gardens, etc., feeding from the flowering gums. The favourite nest-site seems to be about 18 inches from the opening down the main trunk of a green tree in open forest. The birds quickly betray their nest by harsh screeching, and only have to be watched for a few minutes in order to detect the nest. — Fred. P. Godfrey. 23rd February, 1905.” CHANGE OF COLOUR AT MOULT. Sir, — The following letter from Mrs. Gorter seems to me of sufficient interest to merit publication in the Magazine. As I have pointed out (British Birds, Vol. II. p. 68) a similar change sometimes takes place during the moult in our European Goldfinch ; but, as the strength of the bird increases during the spring months the golden yellow on the head gradually deepens to crimson. It is quite likely that this may happen in the case of Mrs. Gorter’s Gouldian-fincli. A. G. ButeER. Sir, — We have read about the Rev. H. D. Astley’s Gamboge-headed Finch. I had some Vermillion-headed Gouldiau Finches brought me from Northern Australia last year. They have been moulting and one of them shows distinctly new feathers of yellow hue, like a colour-fed canary. I shall write you later if there is any farther change. I thought it might interest you. Aeys v. Gorter. THE FOOD OF BARN OWLS. [ The following letter appeared in the “Field” op Jime Sir, — On June 13th I examined a tub which had been put up for a Barn Owl, when the Owl flew out the contents of its dining-room, consist¬ ing chiefly of pellets, and fragments of pellets, and the half of a young Starling were carefully collected by my man, and were afterwards soaked in water, with the following results : One young Starling, one Blackbird, one Greenfinch, eight Sparrows or finches, one Mole, fourteen small Rats, thirteen Shrews, twenty-five Field Mice, and five doubtful. As usual, there 292 Correspondence , Notes, etc. was no trace of any game bird, which bears out Mr. Buxton's contention that these birds do much more good than harm. I venture to say that if the fourteen Rats whose remains were found had grown up they would have been more destructive to young Pheasants than any Barn Owl could have been. Keswich, Norwich. J. H. Gurney. CONSUMPTION AND TYPHOID IN BIRDS. Sir, — Mr. Horatio R. Fillmer, in your last issue of the Magazine, •doubts, on the authority of some medical men, the possibility of birds •contracting such diseases as Consumption and Typhoid; and, therefore, requests me to give him the reasons for my having made the statement in the extempore address which I gave the members of the Sheffield Cage- Bird Society in February last, that, birds “could easily contract such diseases as Typhoid, Consumption and Diphtheria.” Now, in the first place, let me assure your correspondent that I do not claim to be “an authority” on the diseases of birds, but that he is quite welcome to get the result of my experience as a humble member of the Medical profession aucLa lover of foreign birds. Some time back, the death-rate amongst my birds being rather high, I decided to place the fresh arrivals in quarantine and watch them. As the result of my vigilance I soon discovered that some of the new arrivals were in bad health, and, on their dying, I made a post-mortem and bacterio¬ logical examination, and found the cause of death in two Gouldian Finches to be due to “Avian Tuberculosis,” and in two Budgerigars and one Parson Finch to “Diphtheria Avium.” Since that period, and in the same way, I found out that two Canaries died from Avian Tuberculosis and another Budgerigar from Diphtheria. In the consumptive cases the livers and spleens (not the lungs) were found to be swarming with the bacilli of Tuberculosis Avium ; and, in the diphtheria cases, the false membranes in the throats of the birds distinctly showed the modified organisms known as “Bacillus Diphtheria Columbarum.” According to Professor K. Noeard of the Alfort Veterinary College (one of the best authorities on the subject) “ Tuberculosis is a common disease among birds : the bacilli are a little longer than those met with in Tuberculosis Mammalia, otherwise they have the same characteristics, react in the same way to the same stains, and flourish on the same culture media, but they are more vigorous and grow more quickly and abundantly.” And Hewlett (another authority) points out, that, the bacilli in the form of Tuberculosis are exceedingly numerous in the lesions. Dr. Charles Porter (Lecturer in Bacteriology, University College, Sheffield) assures me that Pigeons are not the only birds that suffer from Diphtheria Avium, but that Parrots and Parrakeets are very susceptible to it; and, that, Chicken Cholera (different altogether from Human Asiatic Cholera) creates great ravages among both large and small birds. Correspondence, Notes, etc . 293 I have not had any personal experience of Typhoid fever among my birds, nor have I ever seen any modified form of the Bacillus of Eberth under the microscope; but Drs. Greene and Butler and Wallace mention this disease in their works. I am sony that want of time prevents me from going into this inter¬ esting subject more fully ; but, I think, I have written enough to convince most of the readers of the Magazine that certain very infectious forms of diseases exist amongst birds, and that therefore all newly bought birds should be kept in quarantine for a reasonable time before they are put into the aviary with the other birds. And, in conclusion, let me earnestly appeal to all those members of our Society who have bird-rooms or aviaries to see that they are efficiently ventilated. Jas. Geo. Myean. VIRGINIAN CARDINALS AND RED-WINGED PARRAKEETS BREEDING. Sir, — I am glad to say that I have reared two nice young Virginian Cardinals, now flying in aviary; and a Red-winged Parrakeet is sitting on fertile eggs. M. Hawke. AUSTRALIAN FINCHES. Mr. J. B. Housdeu of Brooklyn, Cator Road, Sydenham, informs us that he has, flying in his aviaries, some twelve hundred Australian Finches, consisting chiefly of Red- and Black-headed Gouldians, Star- Finches ( Bathilda ruficauda ), Long-tailed, Pectoral, Masked, and Bichenos. He would be pleased to show them to any member of the Avicultural Society. PHOTOGRAPHS OF ANIMALS. We have received from the Zoological Society of London a set of their new series of picture post-cards illustrating a number of the mammals and birds in the Society’s Gardens. These are admirable reproductions of Mr. W. P. Dando’s photographs, and form an extremely interesting series of animal pictures. Considering their quality the price of these cards is very moderate; a set of twenty can be obtained for tenpence, or a dozen for sixpence, from the Society’s Offices, No. 3, Hanover Square, W. THE COUNCIL OF THE SOCIETY. Mr. John SERGEANT, having gone to Africa, where he expects to remain for about three years, has resigned his seat on the Council, and Mr. A. E. L. Berteing has been appointed in his stead. 294 Post Mortem Examinations. THE SOCIETY’S FUNDS. In conversation with onr Treasurer it was mentioned that as a good many members had failed to pay their subscriptions for the year it is feared that there may be a deficit when the balance sheet is made up at the end of the year unless the quality and number of the illustrations is reduced, and our Treasurer suggested that probably many members would like to repeat their kind donations to the Illustration Fund. Our Honorary Business Secretary will be very glad to receive any donations from members, and besides a formal receipt being sent, all contributions will be acknowledged in the Magazine. — Editor. POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. RULES. Each bird must be forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and postage paid, direct to Mr. Arthur Grim, M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Establishment, Bexley Heath, Kent, and must be accompanied by a letter containing the fullest particulars of the case. Domestic poultry, pigeons, and Canaries cannot be dealt with. If a reply by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclosed. Cordon Bleu (Mr. Robertson). Found on floor of cage, unable to fly. [The bird had evidently struck its head against the cage as the skull was fractured. Your feeding was quite correct]. Cherry Finch hen (Mr. H. L. Sicli). [Your bird has been ailiug for some while, there being evidence of long standing disease of both liver and lungs. It was excessively emaciated and death was due to exhaustion], Madagascar Lovebird (Mr. Cummings). [Concussion of the brain caused death]. Budgerigar (Miss Sturton-Johnson). [Your bird had peritonitis. The black colour you noticed on abdomen was the black mortified bowel showing through the thin skin of abdomen]. Gouldian Finch (Miss Newall). [Your bird died of pneumonia. I certainly think freshly imported Gouldian Finches require a little artificial heat for a while, especially during cold weather]. Bird (The Hon. and Rev. Canon Dutton). Owing to bird being far advanced in decomposition I was unable to make a satisfactory examination]. Lady .Sutton and Mr. H. B. Rathbone answered by post. Arthur Gill. F- C. THORPE, ImpoFteF of all VaFieties of poFeign Birds and Waterfowl. ANIMALS IMPORTED TO ORDER. All Birds kept in Aviaries not Cages, ancl sent on approval. SOUTH PARADE, HULL. Stock in hand May 22, 1905. X pair Talpacoti Doves 15/- pair, 1 Spotted-billed Duck, £1, 2 pairs adult Carolina Ducks 52/6 pair, 13 Chinese Geese 19/6 pair, East Indian Drake 6/6, Call Ducks 12/6 pair, 1 Gold Sparrow lien 6/6, Crowned Black Tanagers 15/- eacli, Many-coloured Parrakeet lien 30/-, 1 rare Yellow Hangnest 40/-, 1 pair Bar-liead Geese £2 pair, 2 cock Red-capped Parrots £ 2 10/- each, 2 pairs Man¬ darin Ducks 32/6 pair, White-eared Conures 12/6 each, 1 talking acclimatised Grey Parrot says thirty words £4, 1 pair Wigeons 13/6 pair, 1 male Australian Slielduck ^4, Barnacle Geese 45/- pair, 1 pair Blue-winged Teal £4, 1 pair Shaft-tailed Weavers coining in colour, 1 pair Silver Pheasants 25/- pair, Hill Mynahs £1 10/-, 1 ditto Common Mynah 10/6, 1 pair White-fronted Geese £i 10/-, 7 Violet Doves 35/- pair, few pairs Pintail Ducks 16/- pair, 2 Tickell’s Thrushes £1 each, 2 pairs Australian Crested Doves £1 pair, t pair Black-hacked Geese £6, 2 Siberian Large White Cranes ^16, 1 pair Blue Coots £2, 2 pairs Chuckor Partridges £3 pair, Canary- winged Parra- keets 7/6 each, Budgerigars 5/6 pair, Cordon Bleus, Orange Breasts, Zebra Finches 4/- pair, Orange Cheeks, Grey Waxbills, Nuns 3/- pair. T pair Cornish Choughs ^"8, 2 pairs Patagonian Conures £3 3/- pair, 1 male Paona Conure rare £1 15/- talking, 1 Red-winged Conure rare ^1 10/-, Chinese Thrushes £1 each, White-headed Thrushes £1 to/- (Turdus castanea) White-crested Laughing Jays £2 pair, White-collared Thrushes £2 each (Turdus albocinctus), magnificent rare Hooded Jay £4 10/-, Blue Whistling Thrushes £4 each, Demoiselle Cranes ^5 10/- pair, Rosv-billed Ducks £2 10/- pair, Brazilian Jays £1 each, Black Larks ^1 pair, Himalayan Goldfinches 15/- pair, Rosy Pastors 7/6 each, Spix Macaws ^15 each, pair Brown Meadow Starlings 7/6 each, English-bred Grey Cardinals 6/- each, 1 pair Lineolated Parrakeets £1 5/-, I pair Golden-crested Mynahs 43 10/-, 1 pair Solitary Ground-Doves very rough 12/-, I pair Ruddy Shelldrakes £3, Black-headed and Red-backed Buntings 8/- pair, 46 young Ringneck Parrakeets 2/- each, Paradise Wliydahs out of colour 6/- pair, Pintail Whydahs ditto 5/6 pair, Madagascar Weavers in colour 5/6 each, White - headed Nuns 4/- pair. Quantity of Brazilian Birds due next month. Stock Always Changing. III. Notices to Members— ( Continued from page ii. op cover). NEW MEMBERS. Hei r F. Grabowsky ; The Zoological Gardens, Breslau, Germany. Mr. Arthur Earchin Buteer, M. Aust. O. U. ; Waimarie, Lower Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Mr. J. M. Goodaee ; 52, Oxford Gardens, North Kensington, W. proposed by Major Proctor. Hans von Bereespsch ; 2, Landaustrasse, Cassel, Germany. Proposed by Mr. J. L. BONHOTE. Rev. S. A. Vardon ; Langton Vicarage, Tunbridge Wells. Proposed by The Hon. Business Secretary. Miss Dougeas ; Rose Mount, Pitlochrie, N.B. And Miss J. Geadstone ; 14, Henrietta Street, Cavendish Square, London, W. Proposed by Dr. A. G. BuTEER. Captain H. J. Waeton, I. M. S ; c/o Messrs. H. S. King and Co., 9, Pall Mall, S.W. Proposed by The Editor. MEMBERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. 7 he charge for private advertisements is one penny for every four words. Names and addresses of advertisers must be paid for. Each statement of price, such as 2,16, is counted as one word. Every advertisement must be prepaid, and MUST reach the EDITOR not later than the 19 th of each month. The Council reserve the right of refusing any advertisement they may consider undesirable. Large Mealworms, 1,0002/6, 5001/6, post paid for cash with order ; wired husk nests for Budgerigars 4c!. each ; rush nests for Waxbills etc. 4d., 6d., and 96. each. Adult Budgerigars for breeding, cocks 2/6, hens 4/6, pairs 6/-. C. P. Arthur, Melksham. Cocks: Indigo 7/6, Nonpareil 7/6. Chinese White-eye 10/6, all singing. Pairs: Snow- Buntings 4/-, Saffrons 10/-, Cole Tits 8/-, Skylarks 4/-, Crested Pigeons 15/-. All from outdoor aviary. 1'eschemaker, Teignmouth, Devon. Pairs: Black-headed Gouldians 10/-, Red-headed Gouldians 15/-, Long-tailed Grassfinches 10/-, Pectoral Finches 10/-, Rufous - tailed 10/-. All in perfect health and plumage. J. B. Housden, Brooklyn, Cator Road, Sydenham. Pair Long - tailed Grassfinches, splendid condition, 12/6. Avicultural Magazine. Vols. II., V., VI., VIE, VIII., and Vols. I. and II. of New Series. What offers ? Alfred Dareing, Fore Street, Trowbridge. WANTS. (These are charged for at the same rate as Birds for Sale). Hens: Pope Cardinal, Bib-Finch, Lavender, Bengalese; and cock Cherry Finch. 'J'eschemaker, Teignmouth. Hen Cactus Conure ; pair Virginian Nightingales for outdoor aviary. Mrs. Drummond, Mains of Megginch, Errol, N.B. Two hen Bicheno P'inches, or will exchange cock for hen. Wieson, Oak Lodge, Bitterne, Southampton. Cock Blue Robin, or will sell good lieu. Hens : Indigo and St. Helena Seed-eater. M. Hawke, Wighill, Tadcaster. JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. QUCCESS IN BIRD KEEPING & BREEDING CAN ONLY BE SECURED BY USING ABRAHAMS’ IS- WORLD- FAME I) W" Specialities in BIRD FOOD. LARGE STOCK OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS. HARTZ MOUNTAIN ROLLERS, Norwich, Yorkshire and Lizard Canaries. Cock Birds in full Song now in Stock ABRAHAMS’ TONIC for Diarrhoea and Strengthening Birds. EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Cage and Aviary Appliance, Seed, etc., in stock. For complete Price List apply to — J. ABRAHAMS, K““. 191 & 192. ST. SEORGE STREET EAST. LON DON, JE. No connection with any other firm under the same name. ABRAHAMS’ is the oldest and most reliable Establishment in England. NOTICE* _ — As the Editor will be away during August Dr. BUTLER has kindly consented to undertake the editorial duties during that month. All com¬ munications for publication in the SEPTEMBER number should therefore be addressed to Dr. A. G. BUTLER, 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. NEW SERIES. MONTHLY. AUGUST, 1905. \/oi. 111. No 10 price is 6*1, Members' Annual Subscription, 10'- ; payable in advance. [p^j THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. CONTENTS. 295 30i 3°5 On the Breeding' of Turnix varia (with illustrations) by D. Sbth-Smith, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. On Breeding Hybrid Ouzels, by Arthur G. Butlkr, Pli.D ., F.L.S. &c. Rough Notes from the Mediterranean, by T. H. Nkwman, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. The Lesser Redpoll in Berkshire, by Major F. W. Proctor, M B.O.U. 313 Mantell’s Api rvx at the Zoological Gardens (with illustration) ... 314 The Pekin Robin in London.. . . ... 317 COKKKSFONDKNCK, NOTES, ETC.— Crimson- winged Parrakeets etc., 318 ; Nesting of the Bearded Tit, 318 ; Food of Cage-birds in China and Japan, Striated and Sharp-tailed Finches, 319 ; A11 uncommon Parrot, 319 ; The Rroto- tteiys Parrakeets, 320 ; Consumption and Typhoid in birds, 320 ; The Business Secretary's change of address, 322 ; Illustration Fund, 322. Post-mortrm Examinations . 322 0 Iff LONDON 1 R. H. PORTER, 7 Princes Sr., Cavendish Square, W. NOTE.— A new volume commences every November. II. ^ All Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the Avicueturae Society are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. N OT I C ICS TO M K M BKRS. The Subscription to tlie Avicultural Society is 10 - per annum, due on the ist of November in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is io 6. The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for tlie current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. All MSS. for publication in the Magazine, Books for Review , and Private Advertisements should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. D, SETH- Smith, Glengarry, Canning Road, Addiscombe, Surrey. All Queries respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A. G. BuTi.HR, 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. All other correspondence, and Subscriptions, should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary, Mr. T. H. Newman, Newlands, Harrowdene Road, Wembley, Middlesex. Any change of address should be at once notified to him. 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In the July number of this Journal for 1903 I recorded the successful breeding in my aviaries of the Indian Turnix tanki. the first of the Hemipodes, so far as I am aware, to be bred in this country ; * and I now have the satisfaction of recording a like success with the fine Australian species, Turnix varia -the Varied or Variegated Bustard Quail of some writers, the Painted or Dotterel Quail of the Australian Colonists. The adult female in this species, as in almost all of the Hemipodes, is considerably larger than the male and her plu¬ mage is beautifully marked. The feathers of the back are mostly black, edged with whitish and barred with brown ; the back of the neck bright chestnut, which forms into a conspicuous patch at each side of the nape ; the wing coverts barred and spotted with black, buff and chestnut ; sides of face, throat, and eyebrow- stripes white ; the feathers of the chest grey with whitish spots ; breast and abdomen buffish. The iris bright red. Total length about seven-and-a-half inches. The male is a little over six inches in length and his plumage is much duller. The patches of chestnut at the sides of the neck are dull and incon¬ spicuous, and the chest is buff spotted with grey. The Varied Turnix inhabits practically the whole of the Australian Continent and Tasmania, the majority arriving in the southern parts about September and leaving for the warmer portions of the Continent in March. * Two species — T. lepurana and T. nigricollis— have been bred in Germany as recorded in this Magazine for April and May 1905 (pp. 195-203, and 217-222). 296 Mr. D. Setii-Smith, Gould writes “Among the game birds of Australia the Varied Turnix plays a rather important part, for although its flesh is not so good for the table as that of the little Partridge and Quail, Synoicus australis and Coturiiix pectoralis, it is a bird which is not to be despised when the game-bag is emptied at the end of a day’s sport, for it forms an acceptable variety to its con¬ tents. Although it does not actually associate with either of the birds mentioned above, it is often found in the same districts, and all three species may be procured in the course of a morning’s walk in many parts of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, where it frequents sterile stony ridges, interspersed with scrubby trees and moderately thick grass. “ It is also very common in all parts of Tasmania suitable to its habits, hills of moderate elevation and of a dry stony character being the localities preferred ; it is also numerous on the sandy and sterile islands in Bass’s Straits. “ It runs remarkably quickly, and when flushed flies low, its pointed wings giving it much the appearance of a Snipe or a Sandpiper. The breeding - season commences in August or September and terminates in January, during which period at least two broods are reared. The eggs are invariably four in number, and are either deposited on the bare ground or in a slightly constructed nest of grasses, placed in some shallow depression, not unfrequently under the lea of a stone or at the foot of a tuft of grass.” Mr. A. J. Campbell * informs us that, although found in the same places as other Quails it is more local and prefers sandy and somewhat sterile tracts. It runs much upon the ground, and when on the wing has a wavering flight and is difficult to shoot. “ The breeding months are from September to February, when two broods are probably reared. In Tasmania it is stated that the chief months are October, November and December.” On March 22nd last I secured a pair of these birds, just arrived from Australia, which were the first and only specimens I had ever had an opportunity of obtaining, as, although this species has been represented in the Zoological Society’s collection on two or three occasions, it is so rarely imported that I am Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, p. 732. on the Breeding of Turnix Varia. 297 doubtful as to whether it has been kept before by private aviculturists. The two birds arrived in good condition, though somewhat rough in plumage, and were put into my warm aviary, being allowed to run out on to a small grassed run on fine da3rs. They soon became quite tame and would run to me for meal¬ worms, of which they are particularly fond. If they became separated the female would call to her mate with the low booming sound characteristic of the Hemipodes, but there was nothing particularly interesting to note during the first few weeks after arrival. Early in May, however, the booming note of the female was heard frequently, and my diary contains the following note for May 12th: “Noticed the female T, varia display to the male by running backwards and forwards in front of him with tail erect and crop puffed out like a pouter pigeon ; and discovered a neat round hole, evidently intended for a nest, formed in some hay and moss behind a few sticks in corner of aviary.” O11 the 13th and 14th the female spent a good deal of time in the nest, often twisting round on her breast with tail erect, and with her bill pulling bits of hay around her and over her back to form a dome. While on the nest she constantly uttered faint crooning notes if the male was near, and if he went away to any distance she immediately commenced to utter her booming call note. About this time a very interesting habit, which appears to be common to all of the Turnices, was first noticed, namely that of the female calling the male to feed. It is well known that in the true Game-birds the male, during the pairing season, when he discovers a dainty grub or other tit-bit, holds it in his bill, and, with a peculiar clucking note, calls his mate and presents it to her. With the Turnices this habit is also indulged in, but with the sexes reversed, the female, which is the larger and more brilliantly-coloured bird, offering any specially dainty delicacy to the male. A photograph, illustrating this habit was secured which, although not suitable for reproduction, has enabled our artist to prepare the plate which illustrates this paper. My diary contains the following note for May 17th : “ The female constantly ‘ booming ’ and displaying to her mate, the display, as a rule, being performed thus : the male squats amongst the grass, and the female runs round him in a circle 298 Mr. D. Seth-Smith, with tail more or less erected and crop extended and carried close to the ground. Having run round him once or twice she stands facing him at a distance of perhaps a foot or eighteen inches and commences ‘ booming ’ or * cooing’ to him like a cock pigeon, at the same time stamping and scratching with her feet, while the male responds with a faint clucking note.” The “booming” of the female is a very curious proceeding, and I have thought it worth while to have a text figure prepared from a photograph I secured of the female in the act of uttering this curious sound. She seems to puff out not only her crop but also the upper back, so that the whole upper part of the body represents a miniature balloon. FEMALE TURNIX V ARIA “ BOOMING.” On May the 20th the nest was beautifully arched over and completed, and on the following day the first egg was laid about 11 a.m. A second followed the next morning at 9.15 a.111., and at 9.30 a.m. the male went onto the nest and busied himself in re¬ arranging the hay dome, but did not appear to sit down on the eggs. The third egg was laid on the 23rd, between 7.30 and 8.30 a.m., and a fourth the next day, probably about the same time. The male was on the nest most of the day of the 24th, but apparently did not commence to sit properly until the 25th, on which day a fifth egg was laid. Four is the usual number of eggs to a clutch in the case of all the Turnices, but some writers on the Breeding of Turnix Varia. 299 have stated that clutches of five are sometimes found, which statement the performance of my birds would seem to corrobo¬ rate. The eggs of the Turnices are very unlike those of the true game-birds, being as a rule much more pointed at one end, and spotted with two or three different colours. Those of Turnix vatia are whitish, spotted, and blotched, especially at the larger end, with slaty-blue and thickly spotted all over with minute spots of light and dark brown. The eggs vary considerably in shape, some being much more pointed than others, while in some the markings are much darker than in others, although laid by the same bird. The surface of the egg is glossy and the average dimensions in inches ifs x -J. On the morning of June 7th the male left the nest with three chicks, the other two eggs, although fertile, failing to hatch. Incubation had been completed in about thirteen days. All through the period of incubation the female had taken 110 interest whatever in the nest, but had continued her booming call, evidently with the object of attracting another male, for I have no doubt, from careful observation of these birds that they, like the Tinamous, are polyandrous, the female pairing successively with several males during the breeding season. As the female took no notice whatever of the young birds, keeping in fact as far away from them as she could, except when she approached to eat their food, I thought it best to confine the male with his brood in a small run where the other occupants of the aviary could not steal their food. In this they progressed splendidly, their male parent brooding them most tenderly. From the first they were fed on fresh ants’ cocoons and small gentles, the latter being eaten with the utmost relish. After the first few days small particles of yolk of hard-boiled eggs were readily eaten. For the first week or ten days the young birds took every¬ thing from the bill of their parent, never picking anything up from the ground themselves. The young, when first hatched, are covered with down of a dark brown colour, with two stripes down the centre of the back of a lighter shade ; a single line of light brown down the 300 On the Breeding of Turnix Varia. back of the head, and narrow white stripes passing from the base of the upper mandible over the eyes to the back of the head ; chin and throat white. They grow very rapidly, and at ten days old are able to fly. On June 23rd, when sixteen days old, they were perfectly feathered and capable of existence without their parent, who was taken away from them and put back with the female. By the first of July the young were equal in size to and in plumage resembled the adult male, the only difference being that many of their feathers retained the nestling-down at the tips. As I have said, the female continued her booming call- note while her mate was occupied with the cares of incubation, and when he left the nest to feed she would immediately com¬ mence to display to him and did not give him much peace until he returned to the nest, when she would wander off and continue her booming. This showed an evident desire to pair again, which desire would without much doubt have been gratified had there been a second male available. When the male was restored to her after rearing the young, she commenced a search for a new nesting site at once, and within three days had made a nest and laid an egg, which was followed by three more during the next three days. The cock however refused to sit, and I imagine the eggs were infertile. Again the female made a nest and laid the first egg of a third clutch on July 6th, the other three being laid in various parts of the aviary. They were collected and put into the nest but the male refused to sit. * The reason for the male not sitting a second time may have been that, being a polyaudrous species, the same male would probably, under natural conditions, only be required to incubate one clutch of eggs during the season. When we consider the polyandrous habits of the Hemipodes the question naturally arises as to what becomes of the numerous progeny which must be hatched, and why is it that the Bustard Quails are not extremely numerous in their native countries ? It must be remembered, in the first place, that whereas the true Quails lay from six to a dozen or more eggs * A fourth nest was finished and the first egg laid on July 14th, and the male is now (July 22nd) sitting steadily on four eggs. On Breeding Hybrid Ouzels. 301 to a clutch, the normal clutch of Turnix is four only ; and it must also be borne in mind that all of the small ground birds form the natural prey of numerous predatory birds and mammals, hence were it not for some means of rapid propagation these defenceless creatures would be in danger of extermination. ON BREEDING HYBRID OUZELS. By Arthur G. Butter, Ph.D., F.T.S., F.Z.S., &c. In my paper on the Grey-winged Ouzel in the June number of the Magazine, after mentioning the fact that the hen Blackbird, paired up with my male, had up to that time shown no inclination to build, I stated that I did not yet despair. About the second week of June I noticed that Merulcc boulboul frequently pursued the hen, but I never observed either bird carrying about building-material : after a heavy thunder¬ storm I scraped the mud, mixed with dead leaves and twigs, from the paths, and laid it in a heap under one of the trees in the aviary ; and it is evident that this was found useful by the lien. There can be little doubt that somewhere about the 10th or nth of the month the Blackbird must have begun to build, although I was profoundly ignorant of the fact : having all materials handy, she would easily be able to complete a nest in two days (I have knowm a Blackbird to finish its nest in a single day under favourable circumstances, and I have known it to take a week in the operation) ; but, as a general rule, nests built in my garden have been completed in from two to three days. I had seen but little of the hen for about a fortnight; but this had not surprised me, as she is considerably more nervous than her mate, skulking a good deal at the back of a platform of branches placed high up at the hinder end of the aviary : it was therefore with no little pleasure that I caught sight of her on June 29th sitting in a nest built on one of the cross-bars of the aviary just on a level with the above-mentioned platform. A later examination of the nest showed that it was formed of hay and twigs compacted with the mixture of mud and dead leaves previously referred to, and lined with finer hay : being built on a 302 Dr. A. G. Butler, cross-bar of tlie frame-work and against the wire it was semi¬ circular in outline. As the back of this part of the aviary is boarded up behind the wire, excepting a small space near the ridge left for ventilation, and is protected above by glass, the position of the nest was about the most sheltered in the aviary, and evidences the intelligence of the builder. As soon as I discovered the sitting bird, I set to work to dig up some worms ; and the cock bird immediately flew down, broke them up into fragments, and carried them straight to the nest : this convinced me that the eggs must have already hatched. In like manner, when I placed a beetle-trap in the aviary, the clever bird took them one by one from this receptacle, broke off their legs and left them lying about until he had secured about half a dozen ; these he partly broke up, and with his bill filled to its utmost capacity flew up to the nest. I was not able to see whether the cock fed the young him¬ self, or whether the hen took the food from him ; but, from the rapidity with which he returned for further supplies, I thought it probable that the latter was the arrangement followed. From this time I began to supply a few worms every hour, in addition to cockroaches and the usual soft food. When utilizing the latter as nutriment for the young, I was interested to notice that, as is the case with other birds, the cock carefully selected only yolk of egg, with which he literally crammed his bill : if this food were so injurious as it has been represented to be, surely the instinct inherent in these creatures would not lead them to select it alone, as a dainty suited to the delicate digestion of baby birds. On the 3rd July I first heard the voices of the young in the nest, and was easily able to recognize three as the number of birds hatched, one voice being much stronger than the two others. On the 6th I went with our Editor to the Zoological Gardens, and left instructions for the Ouzels to be supplied with worms as frequently as possible during my absence : but un¬ fortunately the man who cleans out my cages and aviaries, was unable to attend to them so regular!}' as I could do when at home ; to which fact I attribute a serious disaster. on Breeding Hybrid Ouzels. 303 On the 7th when I first supplied food, I only heard one rather feeble voice from the nest ; and later in the day when I threw some worms into the aviary, the cock bird swallowed them instead of breaking them up and taking them to the young ; I therefore concluded that matters had gone wrong, and got a pair of steps to enable me to examine the nest. Still, the fact that both birds flew at me in fury, loudly chack-chacking the while, led me to hope that my fears might not be realized. When I touched the young none of them moved; I lifted out the nearest bird and found it dead but plump and pink, showing no discoloration ; as I put my hand on the second it gave a scream and sprang out of the nest, and I was only just in time to save it an ugly fall : its father was in such a rage that he flew straight at my face, buffeting me with his wings ; the third bird was evidently dead, or it would have been sure to leap out when its brother did so : I replaced him in the nest and came away. Examining the young bird which I had removed, I con¬ cluded that it was about eight days old, the feather of the flights just emerging from the sheaths, and only the centre of the abdomen being still uncovered : in appearance it much resembled a young Blackbird at this age, excepting that the bill was noticeably longer. The living youngster, which was rather larger than the two others, and therefore probably a cock, would not remain in the nest after its scare ; and in the evening I found it on the bottom ledge in a corner of the aviary. I tried to- persuade it to settle down in a sieve filled with hay, but it would not remain there, but flopped away to the other end of the aviary and, as it screamed and brought both of its parents about my ears every time I picked it up, I soon desisted. By some means the parents managed to get it up into a tree before night, and by the 9th it spent much of its time on a branch. At the age of ten days (as I believe) the young bird was distinctly browner, less inclined to be dusky on the back than a young cock of Merula merula at the same age; in fact a young lady who saw it declared that it was “exactly like a young thrush,” but it is possible that she may not have been familiar with the nestling plumage of the Blackbird. 304 On Breeding Hybrid Ouzels. On the twelfth day I saw it fly a distance of twenty feet, ■showing that it was fairly vigorous ; yet the cock did not feed it so frequently as on previous days, but himself swallowed most of the worms with which I supplied him. On the thirteenth day I was able to get close enough to note the colouring of the young bird: — General plumage mouse brown, slightly more buff on sides and front of neck, and with a ■distinct buff spot on centre of throat ; the throat and breast with short blackish streaks : bill brownisli-flesh, huffish at tip ; the wax-like swollen margin of the gape narrow and sulphur yellow ; feet clear flesh-pink : a little of the loose nest-down still remained ■on the crown and at centre of back ; the tail still quite short, barely an inch long. On the fourteenth day the youngster could fly nearly as strongly as his parents, but was so shy that it was almost im¬ possible to get a glimpse of it ; the cock only fed it at long intervals, probably concluding that it was almost old enough to cater for itself, I was not however able to see that it made any attempt to do so. O11 the fifteenth day I was unable to see a trace of the bird, nor would the cock carry any food to it when I was near, but made a great show of breaking up worms, flying with them to a ledge and there swallowing them. Late in the afternoon I "began to doubt whether the nestling could be alive, and therefore I went round the aviary, looking under ferns and into corners, but finding nothing : both parents abused me freely all the time, so I came out: just then I caught sight of the young bird for a minute on a branch against a background of dead sticks so like it in colouring that most persons would have failed to see it: it was as well concealed as a Red-uuderwing moth at rest on the * rough lichen-covered bark of a tree, hidden to the eyes of all but an entomologist or a hungry insectivorous bird. As it will perhaps take another week or two before the young bird will be entirely independent of its father, I think it better to close these notes for the present. After the moult it may be interesting to briefly describe the bird in adult plumage. Rough Notes from the Mediterranean . 305 ROUGH NOTES FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN. By T. H. Newman, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. I fear some apology is needed for the appearance of these meagre notes. In the first place, at the time they were taken down I did not know of the existence of our Societ}^ and I never thought that they would appear in print, and in a hurried rush from place to place (I was only away for some six or seven weeks altogether) with sight-seeing as the primary object, one has little time to watch the birds, and it is only the com¬ monest and most conspicuous which come under one’s notice ; it is also very difficult to determine the species from the hurried glance which is all one is often able to get. Also this is now quite ancient history, as it is over eight years since this little trip was undertaken in the early spring of 1S97. I will endeavour to mention all the chief birds that came under my notice in the order they were met with. We left England Feb. iSth and were to join our boat at Marseilles. The journey across France was mostly accomplished in the night. As one would expect, birds were few and far between. I only noticed a small flock of Rooks ( Corvus frugilegus), a solitary Magpie ( Pica pica), and a flock of small birds. I11 S. France the sombre grey of the olive trees was relieved by the beautiful pink of the almond and the white of the plum, pear, or cherr}r trees which were in full bloom. Feb. 20th, 7.30 a.m., Corsica was in sight, the coast is very rocky and the higher mountains were capped with snow. When we landed at Ajaccio one was struck with the thorough contrast from England which we had left only two days before still in the depth of winter, here we were suddenly transported to a semi- tropical region. A stately avenue of date palms leads up to the town ; acacia, orange, and citron trees border the principal streets, in the country round aloes and prickly pears grow in great abundance. The spring flowers were much in evidence, among which I noticed a very pretty small bluish crocus and a kind of wild arum, the steep rocky ground near the sea was covered with many low plants with a very grey looking foliage. I did not see many wild birds, but Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis ), 3°6 Mr. T. H. Newman, Chaffinches ( Fringilla c-celebs), and Blackbirds (. Merida merula) were favourite cage birds. There were numbers of Pigeons flying about the town of Ajaccio, all very tame. Feb. 22nd was spent at Naples (one of the few wet days). The top of Vesuvius was hidden by misty clouds. I have no bird notes from here. On the next morning we passed through the Straits of Messina, getting a good view of snow-covered Ftna. The following morning found us anchored in the Bay of Katokolo, from which place we took train to the famous ruins of Olympia, passing on the way fields of the low vines which produce the “ currants” of commerce. It is said that the natives cannot imagine what we use these indigestible delicacies for, but suppose we make a dye from them. The usual aloe, olive, and orange trees grow in great abundance ; birds were plentiful, but I was unable to make many identifications, though the unmis¬ takable Magpie was common ; it was about as hot as an average English summer’s day. Eizards, frogs, and butterflies were numerous. I caught a fine locust. It was w7heu we were somewhere in this neighbourhood, though I have omitted to record the exact locality, that a Red¬ breasted Flycatcher (. Muscicapa fiarva) came 011 board, and was caught by a cat, it was then taken by Canon Tristram (who was among our party), and converted into a “specimen.” I did not actually see this bird, but the Canon told me about it. I suppose it was on migration, as Howard Saunders remarks that it is “only a migrant to Italy, the islands of the Mediterranean, Greece, and Black Sea region.” Feb. 26th and 27th were spent seeing the wonders of Athens with its wealth of memories ; the weather was very warm, there had not been any rain for months. The graceful pepper trees gave a grateful shade in some of the streets, Gold¬ finches and Blackbirds were the popular cage birds. Great activity prevailed in the Piraeus, troops were being embarked for Crete, preparations for the Greco-Turkish war being at that time in progress. On the afternoon of the 28th we arrived at the entrance to the Dardanelles, giving us our first sight of Asia, which was not very imposing, as the land on that side is low Rough Notes from the Mediterranean. 307 and flat, 011 the European side it is higher. As we sailed along what might have been a river (it was so narrow), and afterwards in the Sea of Marmora, numerous flocks of those “wandering Jews” among birds, the Levantine Shearwater {Puffinus yelko- uamis') were seen flying hurriedly along just over the surface of the water, but never seeming to alight, the wind driven souls of the lost, according to the popular superstition, seeking rest but finding none. I also noticed a “ skein ” of Wild Geese flying overhead. By the next morning we had reached Constantinople, which to anyone unaccustomed to the East presents, from the water, a most fascinating appearance, with its white marble palaces, some built quite close to the water’s edge, and the domes of the numerous mosques with their innumerable minarets rising gracefully in all directions. Many Gulls were flying about the harbour, I was not able to identify the species, but Sclater and Taylor who were here in September and October,. 1875, writing in Ibis, 1876, p. 61, say: “ On the Bosphorus, at this time of the year, the commonest Gulls are certainly the Yellow¬ legged Herring Gull ( Larus leucopJuezis') * and the Black- hooded L. melanocephalus. These were, in fact, the only species noticed, except a single pair of L. puscus (the Lesser Black-backed Gull) at the entrance to the sea of Marmora.” So that probably they were referable to one or other of these species. The Common Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) was very numerous and tame. I watched one bird for some time which was swimming about and diving quite close to the side of the ship. One curious habit that I noticed here was that they used the houses near the water as resting places, sitting in rows along the cornices, they were in breeding plumage, the white flanks being very conspicuous. The Hooded Crow (Corvus comix ) was the most noticeable wild land bird, it being very common, especially in the neighbourhood of the beautifully kept cemetery at Scutari on the Asiatic side of the Bosphorus. I am sorry that I did not notice any of the Collared Turtle-dove ( Turtur douraca) which was first recorded from here in April, 1864, and is said to swarm in the autumn. Domestic Pigeons were flying about in L. cachinnans. Blit. Mus. Cat,, XXV. p. 266. 3°S Mr. T. H. Newman, hundreds, they were either Blues or Dark Checkers, I regret that I did not put down the colour of the croup whether white or blue, but this is by no means an unfailing index by which to tell from what wild ancestor the domestic form has been derived, for no one I suppose will dispute that our Eondon Pigeons are derived from Columba livia , yet the white croup is by no means in the majority, nor even is the blue colour very prevalent. One word about the world-renowned dogs, they are almost like small wolves in appearance, are mostly of a brownish yellow colour, though some are black and others pied. They lie about by day in the most crowded streets expecting every one to get out of their way and the small puppies play among the traffic, by night they roam the streets of their particular district, making them quite hideous with their howls and disputes. On March 5th we reached Smyrna, a one-horse tram took us to the railway station, whence we started for Ephesus. The train runs along a picturesque valley, the mountains rising 011 cither side ; we passed some swampy pools where a number of Coots (. Fulica atra) were disporting themselves. O11 arriving at Ephesus the attention is at once taken by the ruins of the splendid Roman aqueduct, built by Justinian : its pillars are 40 feet high built of marble blocks from ancient monuments, the brick vaults between them in many cases have fallen away, thus leaving isolated pillars which are crowned with magnificent nests of the White Stork ( Ciconia ciconia). Unfortunately we were just too early to see the birds themselves. The only one we actually saw was on March 22nd, between Jerusalem and Jaffa, where it was observed quietly feeding on the ground, but as I was in a train at the time there was not much opportunity for making a prolonged acquaintance. While waiting for our train at Ephesus station I was interested in watching a pair of very pretty little Eesser Kestrel { Tinmmciilus cenchris). They were very tame and allowed me to get within a short distance of them ; they seemed quite playful, as every now and then they indulged in a short flight round the building, returning to settle on the roof or telegraph wires ; they were evidently a true pair, as the bars on the tail of the female could be plainly seen. The wild flowers here were very Rough Notes from the Mediterranean. 309 numerous, the asphodel and the crimson anemone (the Idly of the Field) making a brave show. March 6tli was spent at sea passing down the Archipelago, Patmos being clearly visible among the numerous islands. On the next day Cyprus was the only land seen some 25 miles distant. The following morning we arrived at Beyrout, which pre¬ sented a very pretty appearance with its red-roofed houses and tall palm trees, with the snow-covered Mountains of Lebanon towering in the background all bathed in bright sunshine. From here the wonderful engineering feat of a railway over the Lebanon range to Damascus has been accomplished now some nine or ten years ; as you go up and up you get most magnificent views, now of some towering crag, now a beautiful peep at the sea with Beyrout far below opens out, then Mount Hermon is seen standing out sharply defined in the clear air, as one rises to '6,700 feet above sea-level before reaching El Muallalcali, the station for Baalbec, it can well be imagined that it gets very cold and one finds oneself surrounded by ice and snow. It was at about this height that I noticed many Eagles perched on the rocks or flying about. Eagles are very numerous in the Lebanon Mountains, six species at least may be commonly met with. Probably most of those which I saw were Golden Eagles (. Aquila chrysaetus ) though some of them may have been immature Imperials ( A . heliaca), as Canon Tristram so long ago as 1865 remarked on the extraordinary abundance of this species in this region ; anyway I did not notice the white scapulars which are -so conspicuous an ornament in the adult bird. A drive along the beautiful valley of the Lebanon with the -snow-clad heights of Lebanon on the left brings one to the famous ruins of Baalbec. I saw some Hawks perched on the lofty summit of one of the six remaining columns of the Temple of the Sun, also some Swallows or Swifts, I am not sure which — this will show the difference in the temperature here to that on the pass just left. March 14th, landed at Jaffa. I noticed many Swallows, which were presumably referable to the dark form of Hirundo rustica which is resident throughout the year in Palestine. 3io Mr. T. H. Newman, Canon Tristram supposed them to belong to the Egyptian Swallow (H. savignii), or, as he calls them in the “ Ibis,” 1867, p. 361, H. cahirica-, which is distinguished from the common Chimney Swallow by its deep chestnut under-surface, but Sharpe and Wyatt, in their Monograph of the Swallows, state their belief that H. savignii is confined to Egypt. The darker tinted non-migratory bird may well, however, constitute the Palestine Swallow as a sub-species of H. rustica. Eater on, at the end of March, the fine Red-rumped Swallow (H. rufula ) becomes very abundant all over the country. Tristram remarks that ‘‘it is a very beautiful bird on the wing, showing its chestnut collar and wings to great advantage as- it turns continually, flying much slower than the Common Swallow,” from which it can at once be distinguished by its white upper tail-coverts. On March 18th, while walking round the Pools of Solomon (which are three reservoirs situated some little distance beyond Bethlehem and were constructed to supply Jerusalem with water, and two of which are still in use and partly filled) a couple of Martins darted out from under an overgrown bank and flew rapidly backwards and forwards several times just over the surface of the water ; from their small size and brown-and-white plumage they seemed to be the Pale Rock- Martin (Cotile obsoleta) which is supposed in Palestine to be confined to the Dead Sea Basin, which is however only some ten miles distant from this spot, but they may have been the better known and larger Rock- Martin (C. rupestris) of Southern Europe, which is widely dis¬ tributed in all the glens of Palestine throughout the year ; our Sand Martin (C. riparia ) does not make its appearance in the Holy Laud until the end of March . Vultures, both Griffon (Gyps Julviis) and Egyptian (Neo¬ phron percnopterus') are very common in Palestine, though I did not find the former quite such a conspicuous object as Canon Tristram did 40 years ago ; the Neophron was mostly in the brown immature phase, but I saw some that were adult ; quite a flock of them together with a few of the nobler Griffons were always to be seen near the slaughter house outside the walls of Jerusalem. I confess that I have a weak spot for Vultures in Rough Notes from the Mediterranean. 31 1 spite of their unsavoury habits, they look very fine on the wing and a Griffon is distinguished looking anywhere. I found the large Raptores strangely fascinating to watch when at large, in England one marks with red ink the day on which anything bigger than a Kestrel is seen. March 21st, a pair of Kites swooped down quite close to me ; from their dark colour I do not think they were Milvus ictinus, which is the common species in winter, but no sooner does the Common Kite retire in the spring than its place is taken by the Black Kite {M. migrans') to which species the pair I saw very likely belonged. The Raven ( Corvus corax) was much in evidence on the road between Jericho and Jerusalem, it did not seem very wild as I saw several quite close — -it is rather interest¬ ing to note that some were seen in the near neighbourhood of the traditional site of the cave where Elijah was fed by these birds. I saw Hoopoes ( Upupa epops ) at Jericho; I do not think these birds are so conspicuous as their striking plumage would lead one to suppose, of course in flight the banded wings and tail show up clearly, but on alighting at a little distance the bird is not so easy to see as one would imagine, the black and white stripes merging together somewhat as in the Zebra, which becomes practically invisible at a comparatively short distance. On the same day that I saw the Kites I noticed a flock of Swifts, ( Cypselus apus) I believe, as this species arrives about this date ; the large Alpine Swift (C. melba ) is also a local summer migrant, but the little Martin-like (C. afjfinis ) is a permanent resident. It is rather strange that I did not notice either the Roller or Bee-eater which should have been by this time arriving in flocks, such brightly coloured birds should have obtruded them¬ selves to the least observant. But the bird which perhaps interested me most in Jerusalem was the Senegal Turtle Dove ( Turtur senegalensis). This little Dove swarmed everywhere, being quite tame, flying about the houses and open spaces just as the Wood-Pigeon does in Eondon, I did not actually see any nests, but from the way they were flying in and out of holes in the walls it seemed as if they muse be nesting there, certainly a curious site for a Turtle-Dove 312 Rough Notes from the Mediterranean. to breed in, but trees are very scarce within the walls. I watched some for a considerable time flying about the huge stones at the Jews’ wailing place, they are sometimes kept in cages as I noticed a few with some Barbary Doves, there may also have been hybrids between the two, as I have put down “ seemed to breed with the Barbary Turtle.” T. turtur and T. douraca also occur in Jerusalem. I observed that widely distributed Insect the Humming¬ bird Hawk-motli near Bethlehem. The wild flowers such as the crimson anemone and cyclamen were very pretty, the former in some places making the ground appear quite red. March 27th found us at Alexandria, en route for Cairo. Birds seemed numerous, for I noticed many Hoopoes, Kites, and Vultures, besides flocks of the Buff-backed Heron ( Bubulcus lucidus ) especially in the vicinity of cattle, they were all in the pure white winter plumage, the ornamental buff plumes not having yet been assumed, though they are said to be developed in the beginning of April. These birds are palmed off on the credulous traveller as “ Sacred Ibises,” a bird of course with which they have nothing whatever to do, Ibis cethiopica at all events at the present time being very rare in Egypt, though Mr. E. C. Taylor saw a genuine Sacred Ibis which had been killed in Tower Egypt as recently as 1877 (“ Ibis,” 1S78, p. 372). Cairo swarms with Hooded Crows and Kites, the latter was quite the most conspicuous bird, at any time dozens could be seen gracefully gliding in circles overhead or perched on some elevated situation. I believe the commonest species is the Egyptian Kite ( Milvrts cegyptius ) which is distinguished by the adult having the bill and cere yellow; some writers have stated that the Black Kite (d/. migrans) (which is the commoner bird above Cairo according to Mr. S. S. Allen) is the most numerous species in that city, but as Gurney pointed out in “Ibis,” 1879, the yellow bill of the Egyptian Kite is assumed gradually, frequently the adult plumage being attained before this has been acquired, and it is possible that birds in this phase may have been taken for Black Kites. The Senegal Turtle-Dove is also very Common, I noticed many flying about, it is so tame that it nests sometimes even On the Lesser Redpoll in Berkshire. 3 inside a room. As long ago as 1790 Latham bestowed on this- bird the name cegyptiacus, the Egyptian and North African Senegal Turtle differs from the typical form from Senegal by its large size, by the paler brown of the back and upper surface of the tail as well as by the larger and fewer black marks on the front of the neck. A third form has lately been described by Erlanger from Arabia, Abyssinia, and Somaliland, it is smaller than the Egyptian bird, hardly larger than the Senegal Dove, it is much paler throughout and the rump and upper surface of the tail are distinctly grey in tone and there are very few black marks on the neck. O11 the way to the Pyramids you cross the river by the great Nile Bridge close to which I saw written up “Zoological Gardens.” I w?as sorry that time did not permit of a visit, though then they were not so famous as they have since become. This brings my few notes to an end, I cannot do better than advise any of our Members to make a similar trip if they want to see many of our rarer birds in plenty, as well as others which do not occur here, not to mention the many other interest¬ ing things which will reward them for their trouble. THE LESSER REDPOLL IN BERKSHIRE. By Major F. W. Proctor, M.B.O.U. It is with much pleasure that I am able to report that the Lesser Redpoll ( Linota rujescens') is quite common as a breeding species this year (1905) in Berkshire ; and from the reports of friends living in the Southern Counties, who have both seen the birds and found nests, it appears to be resident in several — notably Surrey, Essex, and Oxfordshire. During ten years residence at Maidenhead, I have only once previously found it breeding in this county : this was in May 1897 on Maidenhead thicket, where the nest was built in a furze bush about four feet from the ground. I also found the birds nesting at Byfleet, in Surrey, close to the Berkshire border, the previous year. This year the birds in various districts in this county are plentiful. In one willow or rod bed I know of a colony of six 314 MantelVs Apery x at the Zoological Gardens. pairs, and in another four or five ; the nests being situated quite close to each other, near the tops of the rods, in a fork, eight or ten feet from the ground ; and, when in this situation, are always lined, and in many cases very largely composed of the vegetable down of the willow, beautifully neat compact little structures ; often a few hairs and feathers supplement the lining. As a rule the nests are not far from water, but this is not always the case, as I have found it twice this year on Maidenhead thicket — once in a hawthorn, and once in a furze bush, three feet from the ground — the nearest water being quite a mile off. They are also breeding in some of the nursery gardens near here, where I have frequently seen and heard the birds. The number of eggs varies from six to three, but I have only once found six, five or four being the usual number. It is a very tame and engaging bird, and even when you approach its nest sits on still, and if frightened off only goes a short distance away. Undoubtedly this is a Redpoll year in the Southern Counties, and it will be of interest to know if any of your correspondents living in the South have observed the birds in their neighbourhoods. iS is is iS iS Since writing the above I have discovered more Redpolls’ nests, and at the present moment three broods are hatched or are hatching out in a place where they are not likely to be disturbed, from its being very inaccessible. These may be second broods, as the birds undoubtedly have two, and Mr. Howard Saunders states in his Manual, I believe, that the young have been found in the nest as late as September. MANTELL'S APTERYX AT THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. The arrival at the Zoological Gardens of no less than eleven living examples of the curious flightless Kiwi of New Zealand is a very important and interesting event, and in all probability this is the largest number ever received at one time by any public institution in Europe. The Kiwi was first described by Shaw in 1813 from a specimen obtained by Captain Barclay on the Southern Coasts of MantelV s Apteryx at the Zoological Gardens. 315 New Zealand, and named Apteryx mistralis. This specimen being still preserved in the Liverpool Museum. There are four species recognised as distinct at the present time, namely A. australis a reddish brown bird, from the South Island, described by Shaw in 1813 ; A. oweni , also of the South Island, much greyer than the others, described by Gould in MANTELL'S APTERYX. (From Mivart’s Elements of Ornithology). 1847 ; A. mantelli a blackish bird inhabiting the North Island, described by Bartlett in 1850 ; and A. haasti of the mountain ranges of the South Island, described by Potts in 1871. The Apteriges are generally admitted to be related to the RatitcB or Strutliious birds, though they differ very markedly in several ways from these, perhaps the most notable feature which separates them from all other birds is the position of the nostrils which are situated at almost the extremity of the bill. Sir Walter Buller has given a long account of these birds in his Birds of Neiv Zeala?id (2nd ed. II., p. 313), and Rowley has also gone into the subject thoroughly in his Orinithological Miscellajiy (Vol. I. p. 2), but the most up-to-date paper is that by the Hon. Walter Rothschild in the Novitates Zoologicce for 1899, pp. 361 — 386, and the following extract will be read with interest. He writes: — “ The Kiwis are very swift runners, and can make very good use of their extremely powerful legs. They are always ready to kick at any object ayproaching them closely. In kicking they strike forward like an Emu or an Ostrich, but I 316 M ant ell' s Apteryx at the Zoological Gardens. have seen an Apteryx ajtstralis from Stewart Island frequently kick backwards as well as forwards. The blow from a Kiwi’s foot is strong enough to rip open a dog’s leg, and will cut a man’s hand to the bone. As is well known, they are nocturnal in habits, but at Tring several North Island Apteryx frequently came out of their shed and basked in the sun. The cries of this Kiwi could be heard nearly all over the little town of Tring, when I had dozens of them alive in a paddock near the Museum. They seem to cry when it pleases them, but by no means more than usual on dark and wet nights ; on the contrary, I think, most on clear, moonlight nights. They cry chiefly between eight and twelve, and are apparently silent for the rest of the night, but in winter they can be heard from about six to ten o’clock and later. The cry of the male is a somewhat hoarse, shrill whistle, often distinctly like Ki-i-wi, often shorter, more in one syllable. The female answers in a less loud, harsher and shorter, more screaming note. Sometimes, but rarely, a low cackling or grunting note is heard, probably of both male and female. When angry they hiss audibly, and when feeding make a sniffling noise with their nostrils, evidently to clear them from extraneous matter. “ Their natural food is entirely worms, but occasionally they are said to swallow seeds and fruits. I have had many alive, some now in the ninth or tenth year. They delight in earthworms, but live excellently on raw meat, chopped up in small pieces, boiled potatoes and soaked bread. In this climate it is best to allow them a free run in the open, on soft ground, where they can probe for worms, and they must, of course, have a low, dark, but dry, little room under ground, or made of a box. This hiding place must be well covered, to keep warm in winter and cool in summer, while artificial heat is quite unnecessary, except in — for England — exceptionally cold winters. “ They are nearly all, but more so the larger species, of a very pugnacious disposition.” Very little is known of the nesting habits of Kiwis ; in all probability one egg only is laid to a clutch, though it has been stated that two or three have been found together. The incu¬ bation period is also quite unknown. At the Zoological Gardens, The Pekin Robin in London. 317 in years gone by, Kiwis have occasionally laid eggs, and it lias- been ascertained that the male, the smaller bird, undertakes the duties of incubation. No young bird has ever been hatched in Europe, so far as we are aware. It is sincerely to be hoped that the specimens now at the Zoological Gardens may do well, and that in time they will breed, and so settle many points connected with the natural history of this extraordinary creature, which, there is reason to fear, is doomed to extinction before very long, thanks to the introduction into New Zealand of innumerable cats, stoats, ferrets, and other obnoxious vermin. D. S.-S. THE PEKIN ROBIN IN LONDON. Those members who, like myself, are interested in avicul¬ ture in the open, will be glad to hear that the Pekin Robins I turned out this year appear to be still doing well in the London parks. The fact of the liberation of the birds was announced in the press at the time of release of the first batch, in St. Janies’ Park before Easter. In all I turned out here about thirty speci¬ mens : and a little later, in Regent’s Park, about fifteen. Of these latter half-a-dozen were very kindly contributed by Mr. J. D. Harulyn, before his departure for West Africa. From time to time I have heard news of the birds, and this was never unfavourable, as none seem to have come to grief; a day or two before writing this (July 15th) the bird-keeper at St. James’ Park told me he had just seen one near his house, and a little before a pair in Hyde Park. In all probability they have bred in various places by this time. I have heard that His Grace the Duke of Bedford has had these birds loose on the estate at Woburn Abbey for about two- years ; perhaps Her Grace the Duchess, as one of our members,, would be kind enough to let us know how they have got on there. In conclusion, may I ask any of our members who may have a Pekin Robin which is not wanted, to liberate it in one of the parks in London, now that a nucleus has been established for 318 Correspondence, Notes , etc. a colony of this charming species. A bird which has been in an outdoor aviary could be liberated at any time of the year, as the Sparrow would show it where to find food. This, I may say, I have seen a Pekin Robin steal from a Sparrow ! — and my heart warmed tenfold to Liothrix luteus in consequence. Frank Finn. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. CRIMSON-WINGED PARRAKEETS, &c. Sir, — My Crimson-winged Parrakeets sat on three fertile eggs in a ■small tnb, after laying one batch of clear eggs on the ground, (these I put under a pigeon and so found out they were clear). I was going away the day they were hatched, and seeing them rather disturbed by a cat that walked near, I went and looked in the tub which was on the ground, and found that in coming out of the tub, the hen must have dragged two young ones away from the end, because I found them cold but still squeaking. They had food in their crops, and I took them indoors and revived them, and put them back with the other egg, which I hear hatched out next day. Once or twice the man who looks after them in my absence found them away from the corner, and he put them back. I think the Parrakeets must have hatched on Tuesday, June 20th, and one died on Friday, and the other ■on Saturday. They looked after the young one well till July 4th, then they fed it very little, and to-day, July 6th, it is getting very thin, though I Rave hand-fed it. The hen never sits on it now in the day time, and it has no feathers. . I am writing this letter in the hope that a breeder of the Crimson-wings will give me his or her experience, food, etc. Mine have strawberries, grapes, sunflower, crushed hemp, canary, millet, rape, sponge ■cake, biscuit, Quaker oats and green food. They are in quite a small aviary with three Goldfinch mule hens. I am going to try them with fresh ants’ cocoons. I have reared two Virginian Cardinals, a pair I think, but the hen has broken its leg. The old pair have two more young ones in the nest. I have also reared Desert Trumpeter Bullfinches. I should like to know how to find out an egg eater in an aviary. M. C. Hawke. NESTING OF THE BEARDED TIT. Sir, — My Bearded Tits had a nest finished on Whit-Sunday, and four eggs laid. Three of these eggs were fertile, two hatched, and one egg was clear. The young lived seven days. I am sending you one to see. They were just beginning to feather. They had flesh-coloured legs and feet, yellow bill, and most curious luminous looking spots on the inside of Correspondence , Notes , d as another’s. — A.G.B. 34§ Correspondence , Notes, etc. THE DECREASED PRICES OF BIRDS. Our Publisher sends me a little book entitled “ Bird-keeping” which he says must be at least 37 years old. At pp. 151-2 the author gives a list of the average prices of birds as sold by Mr. Edward Hawkins, of 6 Bear Street, Leicester Square, which I think will interest our members. Cockatoo, Leadbeater’s £5. Ditto, Lemon-crested ^3 5s. Mackaw ^5. Parrot, Grey African from £1 5s. to £ 2 . Parrot, Talking from ^5 to ^10. Parrot Amazon, Green from £1 to £2. Ditto, Ceylon £1. Australian King Parrot or Parrakeet from £3 to ^5. The Rose-hill and Pennant’s Parrakeets (sometimes called Lories) from 25s. to 60s. Blossom-headed or Ring-necked Bengal Parrakeets from £1 to £2 each. Cockateels £2 per pair. Ground Parrakeets ^3 per pair. Grass Parrakeets, Mauv-coloured ^3. Ditto Budgerigars from 10s. to 30s. per pair. Turquoisine Parrakeets from 40s. to 60s. per pair. Red-rumped Parrakeets from 25s. to 35s. African Love-birds (Swindern’s) 25s. Brazilian Green ditto £1. Collared Turtle Doves 10s. per pair. Troopials from £2 to £3 each. American Mocking Bird £4. Indian Mina Bird from £4 to £10. Tanager, Superb or Septicolor £3. Ditto, Scarlet from 25s. to 35s. Virginian Nightingale from 20s. to 30s. Green or Black-crested Cardinal £2. Red-crested ditto 25s. Pope £1. Nonpareil 15s. to £1. Indigo Bird 12s. Wliydah Bird from 12s. to 15s. Pin-tailed Whydah Bird from 12s. to 15s. Madagascar Bird £1. Grand Bishop Bird £1 to £1 10s. Common Bishop Bird 12s. to 16s. Crimson Bishop Bird £1. Weaver Birds 10s. to 12s. per pair. Java Sparrows from 8s. to 10s. per pair. Cutthroat or Coral-necked ditto from Ss. to 10s. per pair. Diamond Sparrow from 12s. to 15s. each. American Goldfinch 10s. each. Saffron Finch 12s. each. Cuba or Negro Finches ^1 per pair. Senegal or St. Helena Canaries 12s. pair. Green and Yellow Singing Finches 12s. per pair. African Grey ditto from 15s. to 20s. per pair. Australian or Rockhampton Finches (the Banded Grass-Finch, Chestnut- breasted Finch, and Red-tailed Finch) from 30/- to £3 per pair. Brisbane Finch from £1 to £1 10s. per pair. Combasso Birds 12s. per pair. Spice or Nutmeg Birds 12s. per pair. Silver-Beaks, African 10s. per pair. Ditto Indian 10s. per pair. Manikins, African, Bronze 10s. per pair. Ditto, Black-headed, ditto 12s. per pair. Ditto, White-headed, ditto 12s. per pair. Cordon Bleu 15s. per pair. Fire Finch 12s. per pair. Meeting of the Council. 349 Avadavat or Auiandava, 12s. per pair. Waxbills, African 10s. per pair. Waxbills, St. Helena 12s. per pair. Ditto, Orange-clieeked 12s. per pair. Ditto, Zebra or Orange-breasted 12s. per pair. Ditto, Australian ditto ^1 per pair. It will be seen that in those days there were no cheap foreign birds ; nor even when I first took up aviculture were there very many : I paid Abrahams £l for my first pair of Grey Singing-finches. Probably in a comparatively short time it will surprise bird-owners to discover that the Gouldian Finch when first imported by Abrahams, realized £10 per pair and Bathilda ruficaicda £8 (a year later I gave £ 2 for a pair, and now ios. per pair is an average price: it has gone lower). — A.G.B. OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1905-6. Messrs. Bertling and Castle-Sloaue having been temporarily elected by the Council to replace Messrs. Sergeant and Finn, who had resigned during the year; the Council now proposes them as candidates for per¬ manent election. Also, in accordance with Rule VIII., it is proposed that Miss R. Alderson and the Rev. C. D. Farrar retire from the Council, and that Mr. E. G. B. Meade-Waldo and Mr. W. P. Pvcraft be elected in their stead. Mr. W. L. Horton has also been elected by the Council as Auditor and Mr. J. B. Housden as Scrutineer. At the Council Meeting (held by kind permission of the Zoological Society at 3, Hanover Square on Aug. 18th), certain necessary amendments to the rules were proposed and agreed to. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. Mr. Seth-Smith having successfully bred the Varied Bustard-Ouail ( Turnix varia ) it is proposed to award him a medal. Any member or reader knowing of a previous instance, is requested to communicate immediately with the Hon. Business Secretar}-. ILLUSTRATION FUND. The Council acknowledges with thanks a donation of one pound to the above fund from the Rev. S. A. Vardon. 350 Post Mottem Exammations. POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. RULES. Each bird must be forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and postage paid, direct to Mr. Arthur Gill, M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Establishment, Bexley Heath, Kent, and must be accompanied by a letter containing the fullest particulars of the case. Domestic poultry, pigeons, and Canaries cannot be dealt with. If a reply by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclosed. Budgerigar. (Miss E. Crowfoot). [Concussion of the brain caused death]. Masked Finch. (Miss Gladstone). [No particulars of symptoms sent. Please observe rules. Pneumonia caused death], BUDGERIGAR. (Miss E. Crowfoot). Symptoms of diarrhoea. I gave pre¬ pared chalk and Century Food, as well as canary and millet. [Your bird died of dy'sentery. You mention that some of the young are affected whilst in the nest. If you will feed the old birds when nesting on millet, canary, and oats, with Osborne biscuit soaked in cold water and sqeuezed fairly dry, and flowering grass, I think you will not lose many. I have bred the yellow variety in quantity and rarely, if ever, lost one. The old birds feed largely on succulent green food if they can get it, and the young birds cannot stand it. I have so repeatedly drawn attention to this fact. Flowering grass is all the green food they require]. Budgerigar. (Mrs. Connell). Found dead. [Concussion of the brain]. Orange-cheek Waxbiee. (Mrs. Pitt). We have lost several birds lately. They seem to pine away and die. [Your bird died of dysentery. Do not give any green food but flowering grass until your birds get all right again]. Budgerigars. (Mr. Moerschell). Found dead. [Bird died of apoplexy and was very fat. I should think probably he has been feeding too freely on the hemp]. Two Gouedian Finches. (Mr. Dell). Seemed dull so took them indoors and gave them weak brandy and water. [Your birds were much emaciated and died of exhaustion]. Budgerigar and Linnet. (Miss Crowfoot). [Birds too decomposed to examine]. Parrakeet and FRUIT-SUCKER. (Mrs. Johnstone). [Birds too decom¬ posed to examine]. Pennant Parrakeet, young (Mr. Wilson). One of a nest of five* [Your particulars are interesting but too long to report. Your bird died of concussion of the brain. It was a male and a very fine specimen too. Hope you will be more fortunate with others. If they' continue very wild I should partly cut one wing to avoid injuries]. Answered by post: Miss Woods. Mrs. Conneee. Arthur Gild. F. C. THORPE, ImpoFter of all VaFieties of Foreign Birds and (flateFforal. ANIMALS IMPORTED TO ORDER. All Birds kept in Aviaries not Cages, and sent on approval. N'oie Me**- 75, SOUTH PARADE, HULL. Stock in hand August 21, 1905. East Indian Drake 6/6, I cock Red-capped Parrot £i io /-, 3 pairs Man¬ darin Ducks 32/6 pair, 1 male Australian Slieldnck £ 4, Barnacle Geese 45/- pair. 1 Common Mynah 7/6, 1 pair White- fronted Geese £1 5/-, 1 pair Violet Doves 35/- pair, 2 Tickell’s Thrushes 15/- each, 2 pairs Australian Crested Doves £1 pair. 2 Siberian Large White Cranes £20 the two, 2 pairs Chuckor Partridges £2 pair, Yellow Budgerigars 16/- pair, 1 Cornish Chough £3 5/-, Patagonian Conures 33/6 each, 1 male Paona Connie rare £1 5/-, talking Chinese Thrushes ^1 each, White-headed Thrushes £~i 10/- (Turdus castdnea), White-crested Laughing Jays £2 pair, White - collared Thrushes £1 10/- each (Turdus albocinctus), magnificent rare Hooded Jay £4. 10/-, 2 Blue European Thrushes 30/- each, Rosy Pastors 15/6 pair, pair Brown Meadow Starlings 7/6 each, 1 Golden-crested Mynah £2, 1 pair Solitary Ground-Doves 15/-, I pair Ruddy Shelldrakes £3, Black-headed and Red- backed Buntings 8/- pair, Female Green Cardinals 10/- each, 21 Indian Silverbills 4 /- pair, 600 Red Avadavats in colour and full song 1/6 each, pairs 2/-, 10/- doz., pair Pondicherry Francolins £ 2 , 1 Cape Canary 7/6, Diamond Doves 61- each, Cockatiels 10/6 pair, 6 Canadian Geese, English bred, 6 pairs Red-headed Finches ( Amadina erythrocephala ) £1 15 /- pair. Lot of Red¬ headed Finches, Alario Finches etc. due next month. Scarlet Macaws ^5 each, Blue and Buff ditto £5, .Severe ditto £4, very fine birds in full plumage, 5 Blue-fronted Amazons £1 and £1 10/- each, 4 pairs Grey Sparrows 6/6 pair, 1 pair Swainson's Sparrows 10/6, 5 pairs Jen- daya Parrakeets, beauties, 30/- pair, rough 24/- pair, 50 Ringnecks 2/6 each, rough 1/6 each, 1 Blue-headed Rock-Thrush 35/-, acclim. Grey Cardinal 6/6, pair Dragon Starlings 50/-, very rare Lemon-vented Cassique £3, ditto Red Howling Monkey, tame, 1 year old, ^10, ditto Red-bellied Mexican Squirrel tame, will follow you about, gem, ^3 10/-, Mona Monkeys £1 5/-, tame, White-nosed Monkeys £1 15/-, tame, Striped Small Flying Palm Squirrels £1 10/- pair, 5 Scaly Ground- Doves 20/-, 4 pairs Amherst Pheasants 17/6 each, 1 adult Reeve’s Pheasant, male, large bird, 2 Black Tanagers 15/- each, 1 Black-crowned Tauager 16/-, 1 Lavender Tanager 10/-, 1 pair Chilian Doves 40/- pair, Allied Baya Weavers in colour 8/6 pair, Cabanis Weavers out of colour 8/6 pair, only 1 pair each, Baya Weavers 4/6 each, Grey Cardinals 5/6 each, 1 pair Tambourine Doves. Stock Always Changing. IV. Notices to Members — Continued. Red-headed Finches ( Amadina ery throe ephala) 27/6 pair— a small private importation. Pair Brnsli Bronzewing Pigeons ( Phaps elegans ) 40/- ; pair Australian Swamp Quails ( Syncecus australis ) 45/: pair Australian Quails (Coturnix pectoralis) 45/-; pair Silver-eared Mesias ( Mesia argett- tauris) 60/-. D. Seth-Smith, 14, Canning Road, Croydon. Cock Rain Quail 4/-, wanting feathers on its head, have had it for 3 years ; 2 pairs Zebra, 1 pair Orange-cheeked Waxbills, 4/- pair, been out of doors two summers ; T pair Striated 3/- ; B. ruficauda, some aviarv-bred, 5/- each. H. Sich, East Hoathly, Sussex. Guaranteed pairs, acclimatised Green-winged 10/-; Crested Doves 10/-; Scaly 20/- ; Saffrons 7/6; hen Passerine 4/-. Tkschemaker, Ringmore, Teignmouth. Fine pair aviary-bred Virginian Cardinals £2 ; finger-tame 1905 aviary-bred Crimson-wing Parrakeet, great pet, 50/- ; 2 mules Serin-finch X Canary 8/- each ; young Green Cardinal 10/-. M. Hawke, Wighill Park, Tadcaster. Fine pair French Partridges fromlarge aviary : had two lots eggs this year, price only 20/- ; young Cockatiels from outdoor aviary, splendid plum¬ age, 4/6 each. R. Hindi.E, Grosvenor Road, Birkdale. WANTS. (These me charged for at the same rate as Birds for Sale I . Wanted — Pair of Parsou-finclies, two hen Grey Java Sparrows, one hen Saffron-finch, one hen Cockatiel, all for breeding. Mrs. Mortimer, Wigmore, Holm wood, Surrey, Wanted, in parts or cloth, original issue complete Swaysland’s “ Familiar Wild Birds,” also Boulger’s “ Familiar Trees,” 2 vols. Arthur A. S r,ATER, Prescot Road, St. Helen’s. One each, cocks, full colour, healthy, acclimatised — Blackhead Gouldian, Napoleon, Orange, Crimson-crowned Weavers, Paradise Whydali. Want Goat giving milk. B. Mason, Wellingore, Lincoln. III. Notices to Members — f Continued from page ii. op cover). NEW MEMBERS. Mr. Edward Brook ; Hoddom Castle, Ecclefecliaii, N.B. Mr. Wirriam Harding ; 85, Kingston Road, Wimbledon. The Earl S.ONDKS ; Lees Court, Faversliam, Kent. Mr. Rkginard R. Corv ; Duffryn, near Cardiff. The Lady Grant DuEF; ii, Chelsea Embankment, S.W. Dr. P. Charmers Mitgherr, M.A., D.Sc., F.Z.S., Secretary to the Zoological Society of London ; 3, Hanover Square, London, W. Mr. George E. lodge, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 5, Thurloe Studios, Thurloe Square, S.W. Mrs. Odring ; Duxbury, Starr}', near Canterbury. CANDIDATE FOR ELECTION. Mr. D. Dewar ; St. Heliers, Hampton Wick. Proposed by Mr. FRANK Finn. CHANGE OF ADDRESS. Mr. J. L. BonhoTE’S address in future will be Gadespriug Lodge, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. ; instead of Dittou Hall, Fen Ditton, Cambridge. Mr. B. Mason’s address will be Wellingore, Lincoln; instead of North Parade. MEMBERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for private advertisements is one fenny for every four winds. Names and addresses of advertisers must be paid for. Each statement of price, such as 3/6, is counted as one word. Every advertisement must be prepaid, and MUST reach the EDITOR not later than the \Qth of each month. The Council reset ve the t ight of refusing an y advertisement they may consider u n desirable. . Cock and lien Redrump, cold garden aviary bred, fine condition, 15/- each ; fully adult Budgerigar cocks, 2/6 each. Mrs. Wirriams, 49, Okehampton Road, Exeter. Four Green Canaries 2/- each, aviary bred ; two young Senegal Doves 5/- eacli ; two young Zebra Doves 5/- each ; two adult Zebra Doves, one Senegal 7/6; three cock Californian Quails 7/6 each, aviary bred; Yellow-uaped Amazon Parrot, with cage, ^3. All the above are very health}': sold 011 account of removal. Mrs. Charrington, Hever, Kent. Large Mealworms, 1,0002/6, 5001/6, post paid for cash with order ; wired husk nests for Budgerigars 4d. each ; rash nests for Waxbills etc. 4d., 6d., and 91!. each. Adult Budgerigars for breeding, cocks 2/6, hens 4/6, pairs 6/-. C. P. Arthur, Melksliatn. (1 Continued on opposite page). JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEARER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. OUCCESS IN BIRD KEEPING & BREEDING CAN ONLY BE SECURED BY USING 41 14 WORLD-FAMED II^ Specialities in BIRD FOOD. LARGE STOCK OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS. HARTZ MOUNTAIN ROLLERS, Norwich, Yorkshire and Lizard Canaries. Cock Birds in full Song now in Stock ABRAHAMS’ TONIC for Diarrhoea and Strengthening Birds. EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Cage and Aviary Appliance, Seed, etc., in stock. For ctrmpleU Price List apply to — J. ABRAHAMS, 191 & 192, ST. GEORGE STREET EAST, DON DO N , JE. No connection with any other firm under the same name. J. ABRAHAMS’ is the oldest and most reliable Establishment in England. NEW SERIES. The price of this OCTOBER, 1905. Vol. III. No 12. number is 2s' Members’ Annual Subscription, 10/-; payable in advance. nl THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. CONTR.NTS. PAGE Report of the Council for the year 1904-5 . i v. Alphabetical List of Contributors . vi. I.ist of Plates, and List of Illustrations in the Text . xii. The Red-capped Parrot, by the Rev. Hubkrt D. Astlf.y, M A., ( with coloured plate ) 351 Breeding Gray’s Bare-throated F'rancoliu, by Sir William Ingham, Bart., ( with two plates and two text illustrations) 352 The Little Auk in Spitzbergen, by Collingwood Ingram, M.B.O.U. ( with text illustration) 356 Successful Nesting of the White-throated Finch, by the Rev. C. D. Farrar 358 The Breeding of the Australian Swamp-Quail, by D, Skth-Smith, F.Z.S. 363 A Small Aviary in the Hills in India, by Capt. G. A. Pekkkau ... 366 Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens . 374 The Giza Zoological Gardens 375 Cork espondknce, Notes, etc.— Nesting of Tambourine Doves, 376 ; Termites and ants as food for birds, 376; The importation of foreign birds, 377; Notes on the Wild Canary, 380; Wood- Warbler in London, 381; Mr. Finn on Chinese aviculture, 382; l'he Society’s Medal, 382. Index . 383 (l — 1 1 LONDON I la R. H. PORTER, 7, Princes St.. Cavendish Square, W. NOTE.— A new volume commences every November. II. ^ AH Subscriptions should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Persons wishing to join the Avicueturae Society are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor. NOTICKS TO MEMBERS. The Subscription to the Avicultural .Society is 10/- per annum, due on the ist of November in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10 6. The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. All MSS. for publication in the Magazine, Books for Review, and Private Advertisements should be addressed to tbe Editor, Mr. I). Seth- Smith, Glengarry, Canning Road, Addiscombe, Surrey. All Que/ies respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) s1 be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A ' t'r.KR, 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent. All other correspondence, and Subscriptions, should .ent to the Honorary Business Secretary, Mr. T. H. Newman, Newlamls, Harrowdene Road, Wembley, Middlesex. An}' change of address should be at once notified to him. Advice is given, by post, by members of the Council to members of the Society, upon all subjects connected with Foreign and British birds. All queries are to be addressed to the Hon. Correspondence Secretary and should contain a penny stamp. Those marked “ Private ” will not be published. The Magazine is published by Mr. R. H. PORTER (7, Princes .Street, Cavendish Square, W.) to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers, and bound volumes (accompanied by remittance) should be addressed. Cases for binding Vol. II., New Series, of the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side) can be obtained from the Publisher, post free and carefully packed, at 1/6 each; or the Publisher will undertake the binding of the Volume for 2/6, plus 8d. for packing and postage. All orders must be accompanied by a remittance in full ; and iMembers are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. BOUND COPIES OE the “ AV1CUETURAD MAGAZINE.” The following can be obtained from the Publisher at tbe prices given below. Postage 6d. per volume extra : Vol. II., 6/- to members; 8 6 to the public. Vols. V. to VI 1., to/6 each to members ; 12 6 each to the public. Vol. VIII., 14/- to members ; 17/6 to the public. Vols. I. & II., New Series, 37/6 to members; 52/6 to the public. Vol. II. „ ,, 16/- „ 21 I- (Vol. I. is not sold separately). Current Monthly Numbers 1/6 each (except in special cases, such as the Number containing the List of Members, when the Committee may increase the price), by post 1/7; for back Numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. Vols. I., III. & IV., are out of print. Second-hand copies sometimes reach tbe Publisher, to whom application should be made. ( Continued on page Hi. of cover). The Practical Scientific Cabinet Makers J. T. CROCKETT & SON, Established over 50 Years. MAKERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Cabinet Cases & Store Boxes TAXIDERMY IN ALL ITS BRANCHES. Apparatus and Appliances for the use of Specimens for Entomo¬ logists, Botanists, Ornithologists, Geologists, Mineralogists, Numismatists, Conchologlsts, etc., And for the use of Lecturers, Science Teachers, College Students, &c MUSEUMS FITTED AND ARRANGED. Specially made Cabinets for Birds’ Eggs and Skins, the Drawers., aduate in depth and are all interchangeable. STORE BOXES, fitted with Camphor Cells, 2/3, 3/6, 4/3, 5/3 SETTING BOARDS, flat or oval, i-in. 5d., 13-in. 7d., 2-in. 9d., 2|-in. lid., 33-in. 1/2, 4-in. 1/4, 5-in. 1/8. PLAIN RING NETS, wire or cane, 1/6, 2/-, 2/3. FOLDING NETS, 3/-, 4/- UMBRELLA NETS, selr-actmg, 6/9. POCKET BOXES, 6d., 8d., lid., 1/5. SUGARING TINS, with brush, 1/4, 1/10. SETTING HOUSES, flat or oval boards, 8/6, 10/-. Cork back, 12/9. BREEDING CAGES, 2/3. Improved stvle. fitted with tanks, 3/7. COLEOPTERIST COLLECTING BOTTLES, 1/4, 1/6. INSECT and EGG CASES, from 2/3 to 10/- Best Steel FORCEPS, 1/5 pair. TAXIDERMISTS’ COMPANION, containing eight useful articles for Skinning, 9/6. EGG DRILLS, from 3d. BLOW PIPES from 2d. to 5d. ZINC RELAXING BOXES, 8d., lid. NESTED CHIP BOXES, 4 doz. 7d. ENTOMOLOGICAL PINS from 1/- per oz. ZINC LARViE BOXES, 8d. lid., 1/5. BEST WHITE CEMENT, 5d. a Bottle. SPECIAL CORK CARPET, 9d. per square foot. CABINET CORKS, 7m by 3iin., lid. and 1/2 per dozen sheets. The “PERFECTION” FLAT SETTING BOARDS, for English stvle ot Setting. Supersedes the old Boards. Same prices as ordinary Setting Boards. All Goods not approved may he exchanged , or ?noney returned. All Goods Store Brices. All Best V/o/ 'k. Estimates given. Great Advantages in dealing direct with Makers. Send for Full Detailed Price List before ordering elsewhere. 7a, PRINCES ST., CAVENDISH SQ., (7 Doors from Oxford Circus) London, 'W. Factories : 34, RIDING HOUSE ST., and OGLE ST W. HYDE’S Patent Iron Tonic Grit For all Cage Birds, Pigeons and Fowls. HYDE'S ESTHETIC SEEDS. For Song Birds. A combination of rare and expensive Seeds blended _ to suit their natural requirements. r- B2& kM.A l| p TRADE ft ilTTriMMARK CAGE BIRDS! PiGEONS &c I,- - 7 - mm HYDE’S LARK FOOD. Hyde’s Vitaz FOR POULTRY. HYDE’S NATURAL FOOD. For Aquarium Fish and Insectivorous Birds. Sold in Tins. Sample Box, Id. The latest achievement in Ornithology Extracts from a letter from Mr. J. PARKINSON, NATURALIST, BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND, October 30th, iqoi. “ Your Traveller was right in saying that the three nests ot Parrots which I have reared were brought up on your Esthetic Seeds, which were boiled for about half an hour, and the birds when old enough they fed upon your famous Parrot Food. Your Traveller has handled the eggs and seen the young ones progressing into maturity. More than two hundred people, from all parts of the country, have visited me in order to see the Parrots ; and four gentlemen, who are Bird Naturalists, are presenting me with a Silver Cup, in commemoration of such an unprecedented accomplishment.” The “ BLACKPOOL GAZETTE ” of Dec. 4th Says— “Mr. Parkinson has apparently solved the problem ol Parrot-rearing, which has troubled Bird Fanciers generally throughout the country, and his skill in this direction has been recognised by the presentation of two Silver Cups at the local Bird Show.” R. HYDE & Go., Ltd., 54, LILFORD RD., CAMBERWELL, 7N THE PRESS — 2 vols„ super royal Svo, half morocco, gilt lops. Price before Publication, £2 2s. net ; after Publication, £3 3s. net. THE BIRDS OF TUNISIA. Being a history of the birds found in the Regency of Tunis. By J. I. S. Whitaker, F. Z.S., M.B.O.U. etc. With 15 plates, coloured by hand in the best possible manner, 2 photogravures, 2 black and white reproductions of photographs, and 2 maps. BUFFER (SIR WAFTER F.) A Supplement to the Birds of New Zealand, in 2 volumes, imp. 4to, with 12 hand-coloured plates, steel - engraved frontispiece, and numerous text illustrations. Price £6 6s. net. Vol. I. now ready. SCFATER (P. F.) & THOMAS (O.) The Book of Antelopes, 4 vols, demy 4to, cloth, with 100 hand-coloured plates by J. Wolf and J. Smit, and other illustrations. £13 10s. net. SCFATER (P. F.) & HUDSON (W. H.), Argentine Ornithology, 2 vols. roy. Svo, with 20 hand-coloured plates. £4 4s. net. MIVART (ST. GEORGE). Monograph of the Fories or Brush- Ton gued Parrots, roy. 4to, with 61 hand-coloured plates and 4 maps. £7 7s. net. MIVART (ST. GEORGE). Monograph of the Cauidse ; Dogs, Jackals, Wolves, and Foxes. Demy 4to. with 45 hand- coloured plates. Price £3 3s. net. MIVART (ST. GEORGE). Birds; The Elements of Orni¬ thology, with 174 illustrations, Svo. Price 10/6 net. FIFFORD (FORD). Notes on the Birds of Northamptonshire and neighbourhood, with illustrations by A. Thorburn and G. E. Fodge, 2 vols. roy. Svo. Price £4 4s. net. SETH-SMITH (D.) Parrakeets ; a Handbook to the Imported Species, with 20 coloured plates, roy. Svo. £2 net. WATKINS (W ATKIN). The Birds of Tennyson, with illus¬ trations by G. E. Fodge, Svo, cloth gilt top. 6/- net. /■SHEFFEY (G. E.). The Birds of Africa, vols. 1 to 4, imp. 8vo, art linen, gilt tops, with 42 hand-coloured plates. Price £7 17s. 6d. net. STARK (A. C.) and SCFATER (W. F.) The Birds of South Africa. Vol. 1-3, medium 8vo, with numerous illustrations by H. Gronvold, price £3 3s. net. Vol. 4, completing the work, in the press. SCFATER (W. F.) The Mammals of South Africa, 2 vols., medium Svo, with numerous illustrations, price £1 10s. net. THE IBIS. Journal of the British Ornithologists’ Union. 32/- per }7ear ; also back volumes and parts. THE AUK. Journal of the American Ornithologists’ Union. Price 12s. 6cl. net per year, also back volumes and parts. THE EMU. Journal of the Australian Ornithologists’ Union. Price 16s. net per year, also back volumes and parts. LONDON : Pi. EE. PORTER. V, Princes Street) Gaiyeixciisl'*. Square, IfST. CROSS, (Known throughout the Civilised and Uncivilised World). of Wild Beast Merchants Anything from “A HUMMING BIRD TO AN ELEPHANT,” TRADE SUPPLIED, TRADE SUPPLIED. GREY AFRICAN PARROTS. Fresh Arrivals Daily. FOREIGN WATER FOWL, Hungarian Partridges for turning down. Thousands of Small Foreign Birds, suitable for Aviaries. OLD ENGLISH RINGLESS PHEASANTS. CROSS’S TRADING MENAGERIE. Is always on view for Visitors who are desirous of seeing the Wild Animals. At present it contains numerous LIONS, TIGERS, ELEPHANTS, ETC. Always something’ New. Hundreds of arrivals weekly. May he viewed daily from n to 4 p.111. Admission 6d. INSECTIVOROUS BIRD FOOD. Carl Capelle’s, Hanover). Absolutely the finest food for soft-billed birds. Sole English Agent : “ CROSS, LIVERPOOL.” Birds & Animals Stuffed & Preserved. National Telephones! 6491 CENTRAL and 728 ROYAL. Telegrams and Cablegrams! “CROSS,” LIVERPOOL. “CROSS” (Known throughout the Civilized and Uncivilised World). KING OF WILD BEAST MERCHANTS, GREATEST ZOOLOGICAL EMPORIUM ON EARTH. LIVERPOOL. Aviculifliral Magazine . H . GoodchilcL deL^et litK . Mintern Bros , imp . P IOTNT OP S IT TACU S PILE ATUS . <$,9 . •from life . THE 351 Hvtcultural fllbagasme, BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AV1CULTURAL SOCIETY. New Series.— \] OL. III. — No. 12. — All rights reserved. OCTOBER, 1905. THE RED-CAPPED PARROT. Pionopsittacus pileatus. By Rev. Hubert D. Asteey, M.A. I have been asked to contribute a few notes upon this species, but few indeed they must be, for I know so little about these birds. Whether they are by nature tractable I cannot say, but the male individual I possess is one of the gentlest and sweetest tempered parrots I ever saw; but alas! a cripple! In beautiful plumage and health, but a cripple. At some time previous to my purchasing him he must have had his left leg broken, somebody perhaps “took him by the left leg and threw him downstairs,” at any rate the knee-joint was not pro¬ perly set, and is quite stiff although not altogether useless, for the bird can use his foot as a prop in perching, but cannot clasp with it. So the poor little red-cap has to spend most of his time sitting still, which is sad. He will allow me to take him out in my hand, and caress or stroke him without showing any wish to pinch me. I hold his toes when he is perching on my finger, and wave him up and down to give him wing exercise. He eats canary seed, rejecting the millet and hemp that is mixed in. He loves an “Albert” biscuit sopped in tea, which I let him have once a day, and some fruits too he is fond of. His voice is a very still small voice, a little minute chirruping noise is all I have ever heard, and only then when I take him in my hand. 352 Sir William Ingram, Some people might think him a stupid bird, but bis crippled state makes it difficult to judge of him. Undoubtedly he is a beautiful one, and a gentler or less noisy member of the Parrot family could not be found. I liave’nt had him during winter-time, so I cannot say much as to his delicacy, or contrariwise, his hardiness. He doesn’t give me the idea of being a delicate bird. His large brown eye at once makes one think he is of a gentle disposition. [Tlie Pionopsittacus pileatus inhabits South-Eastern Brazil and Paraguay, but it is very rarely brought alive to Europe. A few specimens were imported about a year ago by Mr. F. C. Thorpe, the well-known dealer at Hull, and a male was exhibited at the Crystal Palace Bird Show held in October, 1904, as recorded in this Magazine for November last (p. 23). A fine pair, from which our illustration was taken, are now at the Zoological Gardens.— Ed.] BREEDING GRAY’S BARE-THROATED FRANCOLIN. Pternistes leucoscepus. % By Sir William Ingram, Bart. In February of this year I purchased four pairs of Gray’s Francolins at Hamlyu’s the bird dealer’s. They were placed in an outside aviary having access to a covered shed 12 feet broad and 24 feet in length : this shed being divided into two com¬ partments with a door in the partition which was left open. In the outside aviary, which was 40 feet long, there was a luxuriant growth of long grass and clumps of privet bushes, just the sort of thing to tempt a Francolin to make a nest in; but birds, like human beings, have their own ideas where to choose a site for their nursery, and the first choice of two of the pairs was the covered shed — one nest being made in each com¬ partment. The hen that settled upon the innermost position made her nest, or rather scraped a circular depression, amongst * It seems very doubtful whether Pternistes leucoscepus should be regarded as a good species, being merely a pale-coloured race of P. infuscatus. The latter species inhabits Somaliland, but as one proceeds northwards into Abyssinia the birds become slightly paler in colour, and these have been named P , leucoscepus by Gray; but some specimens are intermediate between the two races, and it is difficult to say to which they should be referred. Those lately imported have been of the pale-coloured race.— Ed. Avicultural Magazine. MALE BARE-THROATED FRANCOLIN. on Breedhig Gray's Bare-throated Francolin. 353 the straw that covered the cement floor, and was exposed to view during the whole time of sitting. The other concealed her “ location” effectually behind some trusses of straw, and, had it not been for the faithful attendance of her husband during her long incubation, the nest might have been overlooked. I11 each case the dutiful “ worser” half kept constant watch and guard within a foot or two of his mate, no doubt anxiously awaiting the arrival of his family. For twenty-three days the incubation continued, and at last the first lady in the inner chamber brought off seven chicks; such little mites, just like baby partridges. On the first day, however, I picked up two of the new arrivals lying 011 the floor apparently dead ; but seeing there was a flutter of life in them I brought them into the kitchen when, with the aid of warm flannel, they soon revived, and within two hours afterwards my man placed them under the mother bird. It was strange that so shy a being as a Francolin should allow a brute like a human man to touch her at all, but I suppose her maternal instincts were stronger than fear, and rather than uncover her little ones she allowed this intrusion. The bird had been* sitting 011 twelve eggs, the five that were left consisting of two addled and three with young birds in them. It is curious how different in size and shape these Francolin eggs are: I am sending some of the “bad eggs” to the Editor.* Thanks to the advantage of having a son who can sketch birds with some skill, I am able to send drawings of the young •of Bare-throated Francolins at different periods ; some of these sketches were made from birds that were hatched under ordinary domestic fowls; for a good many eggs in the first instance were laid here and there on the ground. My Francolins began to lay as early as middle of May, but the first sitting which the bird itself incubated was not completed until July 9th. I have hatched altogether under farmyard fowls twenty-three chicks, and under their natural mothers seventeen chicks, so have had plenty of opportunity to study the development of these Francolins in their infancy. * The egg-s are somewhat pyriform in shape and vary both in size and colour. The average dimensions of six eggs were if and 1-5/16 inches. The surface is smocth and the colour varies from very pale stoue-colour (almost white) to light brown. — E)d. 354 Sir William Ingram, I noticed that after the chicks were hatched the cock bird took no further trouble in the matter, and left the hen to do all the superintendence in the rearing line. TEN DAYS OLD CHICK. At eight weeks of age the young birds showed the red markings round the eye and their throats were bare, no feathers having replaced the down as had been the case with the rest of the body. At four weeks of age the back was marked with dispersed black spots, which gave the youngster a “goatsucker” kind of appearance, and no doubt in a wild state would greatly facilitate its concealing itself when squatting on the ground, a habit it early developed. The little chicks at a fortnight’s age could fly well three feet high, and from the earliest period could run like lightning. They varied much in size, the smaller birds THE HEN FRANCOLIN WITH HER BROOD. ft, Avicultural Magazine. YOUNG BARE-THROATED FRANCOLIN. Six days old (life size). Bale, Sons ami Daniclssou, Ltd. on Breeding Gray's Bare-throated F?-ancolin. 355 being much lighter in colour, thus seemingly at an early stage showing the variance of the two sexes. At the time I am writing this the first brood consists of four birds quite healthy and strong, the other three have suc¬ cumbed in their infancy. The second hen in the other compartment hatched off five chicks from her twelve eggs, and 011 the second day took her family into the open aviary where some Tinamous (B. rufescens') were running, with the disastrous result that one of the little ones was devoured and another injured by these birds ; however the Francolin and her remaining brood were caught and placed in a rabbit hutch, and they are now doing well in this confined space. I,ater 011 a third “ Bare-tliroat” hatched the five eggs she had been sitting on ; the nest being in the open aviary under a privet-tree, and she and her brood, to avoid any risk from the Tinamous, were at once caught and placed in another rabbit- hutch. All these are thriving, and the chicks are now (Sept. 3rd) ten days old. Ants’ eggs, mealworms, egg and chicken food have been their fare. The following is the result of all the hatchings of my “‘Gray’s Francolins”: — 1st. — 12 eggs under domestic fowl, 5 hatched (June 12th), two trodden 011 and killed by hen, and one killed by a cat — two living. 2nd. — 12 eggs under domestic fowl, 6 hatched (June 22nd) one trodden on by hen — five living. 3rd. — 12 eggs (a common partridge egg added) under domestic fowl in a cart-shed at a farm, all thirteen eggs hatched (June 30th) ; incubation lasting 23 days. When a fortnight old all except two chicks disappeared. I believe they joined a partridge brood in an adjoining field. The two chicks, both Francolins, are now running about with the hen in the farm yard. 4th. — 12 eggs, incubated by natural mother, 7 hatched Aug. 1st — 4 now living. 5th. — 12 eggs, incubated by natural mother, 5 hatched Aug. iotli — 3 now living. 6th. — 5 eggs, incubated by natural mother, all hatched Aug. 20th — all living. 356 Mr. Coujngwood Ingram, THE LITTLE AUK IN SPITZBERGEN. By Coujngwood Ingram, M.B.O.U. When I visited Spitzbergen this summer I procured a nestling of the Eittle Auk, Memmlus alle, and for some time succeeded in keeping it in perfect health. Had it not been for the ship’s cat I have little doubt that it would have reached England in safety but, despite all my precautions, this animal found access to my cabin and, furthermore, successfully removed the string that I had loosely tied round a box in which the bird was placed. Having reached the young Auk I presume its musty odour deterred the cat from killing it outright, at any rate, when I returned to my cabin I found the little creature still alive but so sadly mauled that it died very shortly after. When I first procured the bird it obstinately refused to take nourishment and, to keep it alive, I was obliged to force food down its throat ; in a 357 on ihe Little A uk in Spitsbergen. few days, however, it would feed freely from my hand, taking with avidity the raw fish and meat that I offered it. Subsequently it learnt to recognise the human voice as being associated with its meals and would call eagerly whenever it heard me speak. It possessed a very curious habit of wagging its head from side to side after every mouthful which served to give it an extremely comical appearance : indeed, at all times it was a quaint looking bird — a tiny round ball of black down, with a short beak and remarkably bright, beady little eyes. In summer the kittle Auk is almost entirely an Arctic species, breeding in vast colonies on some of the mountains of Spitzbergen and, according to ornithologists, also in Greenland, Novaya Zembla, Franz-Josef Land and the extreme north of Iceland. Although I found this bird so plentiful in Spitzbergen I was only able to examine a few nesting-holes : as a rule the eggs and young were so far in a crevice of the cliff that it was quite impossible to reach them ; others, again, were situated in almost inaccessible places or where the crumbling nature of the ground made it extremely dangerous to climb. The mountain which I visited during my brief sojourn in Spitzbergen was at the head of Recherche Bay, a natural harbour much frequented in the summer mouths by Norwegian whalers. Roughly speaking this mountain stands about 2,000 feet above the sea level. On all its sides thousands of Little Auks were to be found nesting, while, in one part, there was also a small colony of Mandt’s Guillemot, Uriel mandti. Both species were breeding at an altitude of over 1,400 feet. The Auks would be either sitting in closely huddled rows upon the ledges of rock, or else they would be flying round in small parties of ten to twenty or perhaps even more, thus proving that these birds are gregarious even in the breeding season. When on the wing they were continuously giving vent to weird, laughing cries that suggested the call of some Falcon — otherwise, when near to the intruder, they uttered curious little Marmot-like noises, as though talking one to the other. In their breeding haunts the birds are by no means shy, and did not take alarm until I approached within a few feet of them. When close to their nests they would come and circle very near to my head, checking their flight by holding out their 358 Rev. C. D. Farrar, webbed feet and taking short wing-strokes. Many of the birds had their throats extended with, what I presume was, food for their young, brought from the open sea. They were never numerous in the bayr itself and the few that I observed there were timid and easily frightened. Most, if not all, authorities state that the Tittle Auk lays but a single egg. Although the proportionally large size of the eggs tends to show that this is the case, in two instances I found the evidence to be contradictory. In the very first hole that I examined there were tzvo eggs. Now as most of the birds had young at the time it seems extremely improbable that these eggs should have been laid by separate females, more especially as they were perfectly fresh. Another nesting-hole contained two young apparently of the same age. To give some idea of the size of this diminutive member of the Alcidcz family I might mention that its total length is only 8^- inches. The accompanying sketch is of a bird in full summer plumage. SUCCESSFUL NESTING OF THE WHITE- THROATED FINCH, f Spermophila albigularisj . By the Rev. C. D. Farrar. Ouaud on n’a pas ce qu’on aime, il faut aimer ce qu’on a ; which being interpreted means, if you cannot get just what you want you must put up with what you have. I felt like that when I commenced bird keeping again last year, after an enforced absence through illness of two years. Was it not Sir Walter Scott who said, “Thank God for all common tilings!” When therefore I one day saw advertised a pair of White- tliroated Finches for sale, I wrote off for them at once. You may ask, “ Why did I not wait until the next day?” Because, next day anything may happen. When the true sportsman sees a trout jump within casting distance he does not wait until next day. I never throw away a chance if I can help it, and since, so far as I know, White-throated Finches have never yet been bred, I said to myself, in the words of the Ancient Mariner, why should not I be on the successful Nesting of the White-throated Finch. 359 “ The first that ever burst Into that silent sea?” I determined, at any rate, to make a good try for it. The chance of doing something exciting is a chance I have never the strength of mind to resist. Only at Whitsuntide I had met with a bitter disappointment : my Bearded Tits had gone to nest, laid, hatched and dispatched two fine youngsters at a week old. Witli the coming of the White-throated Finches hope once more set her bow in the cloud. All last year they spent their time in eating and drinking and enjoying life. Once or twice they did fly more or less excitedly about the aviary, as though searching for a suitable nesting-site, but it all ended in smoke. This year the season was well advanced before the minds of my little friends “ Biglitly turned to thoughts of love,” but when they did turn, there was no mistake about it. Up to now I had always thought them a pair of quiet little unobtrusive things, illustrating Dr. Watts’ faulty natural history — “Birds in their little nests agree.” Now, however, all was changed. The hen more especially became a perfect little fury ; she simply cleared one end of the aviary, and no other bird dared go near. If they did, they were received with an angry rush and a sound like that emitted by an exaggerated and very angry bumble bee. The spot selected for the nest was, to my eye, about the most unlikely that could have been chosen : right up against the aviaiy south window, in the full glare of the July sun. The nest itself is a most lovely structure, so fine and cobwebby that the light shines through it, and yet at the same time intensely strong. It is composed of fibrous roots, and the inside is lined with human hair, saved from our bedrooms. To such vile uses do we come at last! It was constructed very high up in a bush, near the roof of the aviary. So terrible was the glare from the sun that I felt that something must be done to protect the nest, eggs, hen, and young when hatched, or there would be no results, but only hard-boiled eggs. I accordingly nailed a large bit of felt over the glass of the window, outside ; a thoughtful attention, I hope appreciated by the little hen. At any rate, it did not disturb her in any way. 36 o Rev. C. D. Farrar, The nest was finished in about three days, and the eggs deposited duly. I should like just to have taken a ‘ pep ’ as we say up here, but at the imminent risk of something inside giving way first, I restrained myself, and was rewarded later on, as you shall hear in due course. Every morning when I entered the aviary I used to send search lights of scrutiny around, and was always thankful to see the little hen on her nest, with her tail in the air, and her soft black eye fixed on me, as much as to say “ All’s well, we are going to pull it off” ; and behaving as if I was of no more interest to her than Alexander was to Diogenes. At the end of twelve days I fancied I saw the hen slowly and cautiously lift herself up in the nest and wriggle, as though engaged in feeding something. I hoped hard, but still I feared it might only be my fancy or strongly imaginative powers, especially as I never saw the cock go near the nest. Day after day I watched closely, and felt more and more sure that the same stealthy motions were repeated; and after a time I was almost sure I could hear the unmistakable sound of very young voices. Then one day I saw the hen on the edge of the nest, and stooping down to something within ; and then I felt sure that the eggs had hatched, and that there were babies aboard. Now, I knew, that my troubles would begin. It is comparatively easy to get a nest built, a good deal more difficult to get eggs laid, harder still to get them hatched, but hardest of all to get the babies reared. There are so many slips between that cup and that lip ! I speak with feeling. I had left some ants’ eggs in the saucer for the insectivorous birds, and one day I caught Mrs. White-throat on the saucer, busily stowing away eggs. Her mouth was full, away she flew to the nest, and I heard cpiite plainly the sound of youthful voices ‘asking for more.’ Clearly White - throated Finches, like Nonpareils and Indigo-birds, are insectivorous as far as rearing their young is concerned. I knew from past experience what that meant, and prepared myself for ‘ the easy grace that makes a joke of toil.’ I realized that for a few weeks I should require no more exercise than they could give me. The worst of it was that being late in the season, and very wet, the ants, those uncanny beasts, had almost ceased to lay. I wrote on the successful Nesthig of the White-throated Finch. 361 off post haste to my friend Mr. Watson, and besought him, as he loved me, to offer his calves a willing sacrifice on the nearest ant heap. He gallantly rose to my request and though, as he said, eggs was werry scarce, he would do what he could to help me. I feel now to Mr. Watson like the native of India, who, wanting to thank a friend for some favour, said “ If I were to make shoes of my skin for your Excellency in exchange for these favours, I would think that I had not trespassed the limits of my gratitude ” ! I felt at the same time that, as eggs were so scarce, the most rigid economy must be prescribed — not a very easy matter in a large mixed aviary. Imagine then my feelings, when next I replenished the saucer, to see a lieu Yellow Sparrow hop down and begin her unholy labours on my tiny store ! I became at once a primitive man, with passions bloodthirsty and elemen¬ tal. There was something in the cool outrageous way she settled on the dish offensive in the last degree ; and when at last after, I fear, she could eat 110 more, I drove her away, she merely settled down on a neighbouring bush and used language towards me which, as James Yellowplush used to say, “ I would not demean myself by repeating.” After some days I noticed that the cock began to visit the nest, and soon his journeys were well nigh incessant. Every few minutes he would be popping in and out of the nest, like the figure in a cuckoo clock. Down to the saucer he would fly, fill his beak, return to the nest, and then away like a bee that is seeking fresh honey. How many times an hour those birds returned to the nest I should be afraid to say. I should think on the average they came every minute for eight or nine hours on end. Picture that, and then calculate the amount of food consumed and what it means to rear a nest of insectivorous birds ; and mind you, nothing else but insect food will do. If the saucer happened to be empty, the moment I entered the aviary there would be the cock and hen clinging to the wire or hopping uneasily about, and saying as plainly as they could by their actions, “ Now then, where are those eggs?” Time passed, and day by day the voces clamantiu7n grew more and more insistent, and my spirits rose correspondingly. Only late in the evening did the feeding cease. At last there came plethora, and each little bird felt satisfied. 362 On the successful Nesting of the White-throated Finch. The first youngster left the nest on August the 3rd, and the second on the following day. They were funny little things about half the size of their parents, with light brownish fawn plumage, white waistcoats, darkish legs, lead - coloured beaks, black eyes, and queer little bob tails. Both parents were most attentive to their every want, and woe betide the bird that incautiously ventured too near them ! The two little things would sit as motionless as statues for hours on end, except when being fed, when they kept up a continuous plaintive cry. The old birds always got above them to feed. One morning I had a narrow escape from losing the old cock, for he got between the glass front and the window, and but for my timely visit would have perished incontinent ; but then, narrow escapes are as good as broad ones ! The Wliite-tliroated Finch has very little voice. The ken has a solitary chirp, something like a Sparrow’s. The song of the cock reminds me of a remark of Kingslake’s when listening to a zither: “I like that music, it is almost as good as none at all.” With regard to food, these little birds are very easy to please: they prefer millet, then canary seed, and, if you can get it, flowering grass finds first favour. Cuttle - fish bone they much appreciate. I have had the nest photographed, as it is such a beautiful structure — so strong and yet apparently so fragile. The eggs are rather large for the size of the bird, and very much like those of our garden or common Sparrow. I took one out of the second nest (for the hen is sitting now), after I was sure of the first youngsters ; otherwise nothing would have induced me to look. The little hen is sitting steadily as I write, and will no doubt bring off another brood with luck. Blessings never come alone ! When I shewed the young birds to Mr. Oates, one of our members, on August the iStli, he eyed them with all the fervour usually bestowed on a holy relic. The Breeding of the Australian Swamp-Quail. 363 THE BREEDING OF THE AUSTRALIAN SWAMP- QUAIL. Syncecus australis. By D. Seth-Smith, F.Z.S. As might be expected in a species with so wide a range as the whole Continent of Australia, the Swamp or Brown Quail is subject to a certain amount of variation, and Gould considered that three distinct species existed on the mainland and a fourth in Tasmania. His S. diemenensis, the Tasmanian form he des¬ cribed as “ fully a third larger than the Synoicus australis ,” with the markings of the upper surfaces more numerous and varied. 6*. sordidus was described by him as differing from its congeners “ in the absence of any variety in the markings of its plumage, in lieu of which all the feathers of the upper surface have a broad bluish-grey stripe down the middle.” His .S', cervinus , the so-called Northern Swamp Quail he distinguished by its small size and more delicate and sandy-buff colouring. From a careful study of the large series of specimens in the British Museum Mr. Ogilvie-Grant considers it clear that the characters on which Gould relied are mere differences due to age and sex, and that all the forms are merely stages of plumage of one and the same species. Mr. A. J. Campbell, on the other hand, remarks: “If ornithological geography counts for anything, Gould’s northern varietjg N. cervinus , may be distinguished by its more delicate and sandy-buff colouring, the eggs being invariably of a uniform dull or cream-white, without markings, while the western variety, •S', sordidtis, is altogether a more sombre-coloured bird, and has reddish legs instead of yellowish, as in the other varieties. I think the fact of 6". sordidus possessing different coloured legs is at least some evidence in favour of keeping that bird separate.” Probably as soon as the coming system of tri-nomial nomenclature is thoroughly established, as it is bound to be before long, the three local races will be subspecifically dis¬ tinguished, the northern birds, which are the smallest, as N. australis cervimis and the western as N. a. sordidus , while the typical specimens from the south will be S. a. australis ; but 364 Mr. D. Seth-Smith, from the point of view of the aviculturist it is sufficient to regard S. australis as a single spcies inhabiting the whole of Australia and Tasmania. The Swamp Ouail is about 7J inches in length, and in its general appearance resembles a very small Partridge. The colour of the male is reddish-brown, most of the feathers having greyish centres, and the whole being very finely pencilled with zigzag black lines. The female is easily distinguished, being chiefly brown, coarsely spotted and streaked with black, the feathers of the back having whitish stripes down the centre. Of the wild life of this species Gould writes as follows : — “Although this bird and its allies are ordinarily known in Aus¬ tralia under the trivial name of Quails ( Coturnix ), they are really more nearly allied to the Common Partridge of the British Islands, so renowned for the goodness of its flesh, and for the healthy pastime it annually affords to all who follow the sport of the field. Although much more diminutive in size, the Austra¬ lian bird offers in many points of its economy a great similarity to its antipodean ally. The localities most suited to its habits are thick grassy flats and humid spots overgrown with herbage, by the sides of rivers and water-holes. The call is very similar to that of the Common Partridge, and like that bird it is found in coveys of from ten to eighteen in number, which simul¬ taneously^ rise from the ground and pitch again within a hundred yards of the spot whence they rose. It sits so close that it will often admit of being nearly trodden upon before it will rise. Pointers stand readily to it, and it offers perhaps better sport to the sportsman than any other bird inhabiting Australia. Its weight is about four ounces and three quarters, and its flesh is delicious.” It is only on very rare occasions that Synceacs aiistralis can be purchased in this country^ in fact I have only once had an opportunity of purchasing a pair, though I have quite recently succeeded in getting a few brought direct from Australia. It was on the 22nd of March this year that I succeeded in purchasing a pair of these quails which had just arrived with the pair of Tur?iix varia , whose history has already been related in this magazine. When first loosed into a large aviary they on the Breeding of the Australian Swamp- Quail. 365 were extremely sliy and kept in close hiding amongst the shrubs and long grass ; but before many weeks had passed they became comparatively tame. They kept close together, and if by chance they became separated they would immediately utter their call which consists of two notes only. Towards the end of May the first two or three eggs were laid, but the birds had not settled upon a nesting site. On the 6th of June I discovered one egg in what was evidently intended to be a nest. It was merely a slight “ scratch ” lined with a few stems of grass, beneath the shelter of a few sticks and a little coarse grass. The following day a second egg was laid in the nest, but later in the day both eggs had been rolled out. I re¬ placed them, and the next day a third was laid. O11 June 16th the hen commenced to sit 011 nine eggs. During incubation the cock was rarely far from the nest, and whenever the hen came off to feed he would join her and ofifer her any delicacy he chanced to find. On the 6th of July the cock joined the female on the nest, and later in the day the pair emerged with a brood of seven chicks. In size these were about equal to those of the Common or the Rain Quail ; their colour was dark brown, with the usual game-bird striping on the head and back of a rather lighter colour. Old and 3^01111 g were shut into a small wire run, a pre¬ caution I now invariably adopt with Quails, as it prevents old and young becoming separated through fright or otherwise, and safe¬ guards them against the robbeiy of their insect food by the other occupants of the aviaiy. The 3?oung of some of the Quails can be reared on little besides soft food, so long as this contains plenty of tlie yolk of fresh hard-boiled eggs; but there is nothing so good as fresh ants’ cocoons (the dried are next to useless) if these can be obtained, and in this case the young birds were chiefty reared on this diet, soft food with finel}r chopped grass and chickweed being also eaten. The young grew apace, and, as with almost all young game-birds, wrere capable of flight when about ten days old. The Swamp Quail is strictly monogamous, both parents taking charge of the young, a habit which separates them from Capt. G. A. Perreau, 366 the true Quails of the genus Coturnix which appear to be poly¬ gamous, the males of the latter genus taking no notice of nests or young, but proceeding to find other mates immediately those they have paired with commence incubation. I11 the case of Syncecus both parents continued to brood the young until the latter were too big for such attentions, and when nearly full grown old and young would keep together in one family-party. At about two months old the sexes of the young were distinguish¬ able, the plumage of the two cocks being slightly more pinkish than the hens and their markings less coarse. A SMALL AVIARY IN THE HILLS IN INDIA. By Capt. G. A. Perreau. I have alwa3^s been very keen on keeping small birds in outdoor aviaries, but until comparatively lately have not been able to indulge in the luxury in India owing to frequent changes of station. However in 1S9S I joined my present regiment at Bakloh, a small station in Chamba State, which borders on Jammu and Kashmir in the ' North-Western Himalayas. The station stands nearly 5,000 feet in altitude and is 40 miles from the nearest rail station. Like other Gurkha stations it is a permanent station, i.e., one does not move in relief to other places, but always comes back after temporary absences elsewhere (which are pretty frequent), such as garrison duty on the frontier, camps of exercise, &c. These absences are often very nice and are certainly good for one, but they form the greatest drawback to successful bird-keeping, and effectually put a stop to keeping any but hardy seed-eaters, as will be shown later on. Our Aryan brother, with few exceptions, cannot be trusted to look after birds in the prolonged absence of the owner, unless he has practically no excuse for things going wrong. I find that giving fresh water, seed and a little green stuff, with perhaps an occasional clean out and a bit of cuttle-fish bone is as much as I can expect from my Mali, who in addition to his duties in the garden, looks after the house and the biids during my absence. Of course my con¬ demnation only includes men of the lower menial class, and a small Aviary in the Hills in India. 367 even then the exceptions are most marked, but difficult to get, and when got they can hardly be spared away from oneself. I will try to give a general idea of the conditions of bird keeping up here, and it must be understood that advantages and disadvantages are looked at purely from the avicultural point of view. Take the worst first. Undoubtedly the frequent absences are the worst. Next (now happily a thing of the past) comes the still more frequent change of house. A word of explanation is required here. All the houses here are the actual property of officers, and as there are more officers than houses and no room to build more, it means that unfortunates that have no houses have to keep moving on as houses are vacant through officers being away, furlough, &c. It is very annoying, as one may have to move every three months or so. However, I am now a lucky householder. Being some distance off the rails has its drawbacks con¬ nected with supplies. Fruit, except at certain short seasons is difficult to get except at (to me) prohibitive rates. Insects are not procurable in winter, but this might be got over by drying insects in the summer. But the best remedy for both of these drawbacks is to keep only seedeaters, as the keeper in the winter (when we are nearly always away) affects this question really more than the difficulty of supply. Then there is the difficulty of getting the birds one wants. This remark generally raises the suggestion of Indian birds, but would any one kindly suggest nice Indian birds that would suit me ? I am not keen on Buntings, True Finches (?), &c., as my special hobby is Grassfiuches, Waxbills, and the smaller Parrakeets. Munias are not over interesting, the Red Avadavat I have, the Green and Pintail Nonpareil I have been trying to get for some time past. What remain ? In my opinion the nice Indian birds are non-seedeaters, and some of these are very very nice. I have reared a good many sorts from the nest, but I do not care for letting them go every autumn, handi¬ capped when they will shortly have a hard fight for a living. Just now I would willingly swop a nest of Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrushes or Pied Bush-Chats, for two hen Cut-throats 368 Capt. G. A. Perreau, This point seems to take up more room than is necessary, but I feel as if I must say a good deal as I am always being asked why I do not keep Indian birds, the usual suggestion here being the Paradise Flycatcher or the Purple Sunbird, both useful sug¬ gestions of birds which want little care. I’m afraid I some¬ times answer rather shortly to the effect that I want one sort and do not want another — a cock Bird of Paradise would be of no use to me if I had set my heart on a hen Sparrow, though I probably could not resist the former. It is not as if my hobby started yesterday : I have kept birds ever since I can remember, starting foreigners seriously in an outdoor aviary in 1888 or 1889, and kept it up till my departure in 1895 ; re-started an aviary seriously in 1901 early in the year, and now find the hobby a severe though delightful tax on my time and purse. I might also mention that I have also done a good deal of cabinet collecting, all specimens shot or trapped by myself. So though while acknowledging vast ignorance on birds, especially some of even the commoner genera, I hold that I have had enough experience to know what genera will suit me best ; suggestions as to particular species or better still as to how to get them at non¬ prohibitive cost will be thankfully received. I must apologise for having let my pen run away with me, my fear of the usual (not unnatural by the way) suggestions must be my excuse. By the way 11011-seedeaters are not taboo to me, they are charm¬ ing, but I have good reasons for not going in for them except in special cases. I shall be delighted to keep a few for special reasons, such as endeavouring to clear up any particular vexed point, and will willingly give a list of birds if required, about which I might be able to make the required observations. Many of the fairly common birds here are not apparently very well known at home. I find seedeaters pretty well fill up my spare time. Climate had better come next : on the whole I certainly score in this point over aviculturists at home, especially in the late spring and the autumn, but even at these seasons we get terrific storms, wind strong enough to blow down nests even without the usual accompanying hail. The proverbial Pigeon’s egg is not in it with our hailstones, which are in fact too big to a small Aviary in the Hills in India. 369 do harm to the birds which are protected by the ^--inch mesh wire. The summer is beastly hot even for the birds, though of course it is cool compared to the plains. The winter on the other hand is beastly cold, lots of frost and snow and biting wind. I have felt the cold much more up here than at home, but that is probably owing to the startling and trying variations of temperature. Cheap feeding is another advantage for seedeaters ; millet is only ^d. to at the most fd. a pound ; canary and hemp run to about 3^d. a pound in bulk landed up here. After the rains there is abundant wild millet (a small kind) and numerous other wild seed grasses ; green stuff is a great difficulty in the hot weather. Construction of aviaries ought to be cheap, but I have found the handy man I used to get hold of at home infinitely cheaper, and as for rapidity of work and “pukka” work there is no comparison. Natives can build an ordinary bungalow with quite decently fitting door, & c., but they cannot see why the planks on the roof should fit close together, at any rate one may watch them lay four or five planks correctly, go away for an hour or so, and you may bet that the new planking has to come off. This will happen many times. As for wire- work— the language requisite is terrible, varied with patient coaxing and sarcasm — it is very wearying ; fortunately I go in for rough carpentry a bit myself. I must own that for some time past we have been unfortunate in having great difficulty in getting mistris at all as they are nearly all required for work on the barracks. Among minor drawbacks must be counted the very limited market for young and surplus birds; this may sound grasping, but any one who has tried it will know that it is a drawback. I should be more than satisfied to get a little less than half the buying price up in this part, which in turn are (and rightly too in retail so to speak) quite half as much again as Calcutta and Bombay prices. Another drawback in a small way is solitude in avicul¬ ture. One is put down as more or less mad, and pigeons and fowls are always being suggested as more fitting animals to keep, as if anyone who has watched young own-bred Gouldiaus 37° Capt. G. A. Perreau, could ever go back to poultry. I am afraid I shall get few converts till I can show a good fat sum for birds sold, then some people will try probably with disastrous monetary results at first, yet they will be caught at any rate in some cases, and then it will be my turn to jeer ; but I shall not do it, but perhaps will show my accounts on the expense side, it would cheer up anyone who has once started, but is calculated to make outsiders shy off aviculture : however, better days are close at hand even with a very poor market. I might mention here that most of this paper was written last February, and that things have moved considerably in the bird line since then ; not only have my new aviaries been completed, but more birds have been received, and I have been considerably more fortunate in breeding. However I will try to keep as much as possible to the period before this year, as the new birds and the new aviary mark a new era for me. Now to the aviary itself, and birds. I fear it will seem uncommonly small to most of our members, and the birds very common, but it and they have given me a great deal of pleasure. The whole account is probably more suited to the early numbers of the Old Series, but editors are believed to have blue or red pencils, and something of interest may be found in this rather lengthy account in which rarities have no place. My second severe attack of bird fever was contracted in 1900, whilst at home on furlough, a pair of Zebra Finches proving my downfall, as in my first attack. It grew gradually until my departure for India in January, igoi, with a nice little cage full of Waxbills, &c. I picked up more at Bombay, making 70 in all ; about 60 reached Bakloli. The very first night a cat got at them and killed 10, of course odd birds spoiling another 10 for breeding purposes. Luckily there was a cage (6ft. by 3ft. by 2^-ft.) available, belonging to a bird-loving lady, who has since unfortunately left the station. This cage is now my property and has come in very useful. The birds were put in this till my aviary was built. The birds were in the aviary at the end of May, nearly two months after arrival in Bakloh, thanks to slow work. The whole aviary only measures in feet 14 by 4 by a small Aviary in the Hills in India. 371 6 high, and is not strictly ail outdoor one as it has always lived in a verandah, but quite outdoor enough in the winter. It is made in two parts to hook together for portability — a great consideration. The floor is of planks. A slit runs along the entire length of one side to allow of trays (tin mounted on wood) being slipped in from outside to keep the floor clean. The trays of the wire part are made in two to hook together if necessary, and I have found this half-tray very useful for slipping in small luxuries. The trays are sanded. One part (6ft. by 4ft.) is made of wood and glass, the wood being in panels covered with blanket and tarpaulin for warmth and to keep the rain off. Blanket sounds bad for insects, but as yet I have had no bother with mite except round one Canary’s nest, and this in spite of my never having had the aviary empty for a thorough disinfection. I meant to do it this spring, but the birds I put in as a temporary measure mostly started breeding, and I did not care to turn them out as I intended, so I see no chance of a real cleaning till the autumn, when the inside will be painted ; there is some difficulty in seeing into the brushwood at the far end at present. Half of the top half (near the wire part) is of glass (fixed) on each side. Besides this there is a small window (ift. square) on each side, and the back to open if required. In front, opening into the wire part is a half-glazed door, 5ft. by 2ft. wide in two parts to allow the top part (2ft. by ift.) to open separately as a window. The other half of the front is similar except that only the window can be opened. These doors and windows are open or shut according to season. The back is covered thick with brushwood. The outside part requires little description, being all of £-incli mesh wire galvanised. Add perches (natural and made, placed to give as long a fly as possible and not over food or water), boxes, nests, dishes for food and water, and you have my first Indian aviary, small, but productive of much pleasure. . A small door leads into the wire part from outside in front, i.e., a 4ft. end, so called as the birds are mostly looked at from that end, owing to being in a verandah. This fact and necessity for portability account for its comparative narrowness, though I must say I prefer this shape to an aviary of say 8ft. by 372 Capt. G. A. Perreau, 7ft. : as it allows a longer fly. I had also inner double doors 2ft. from the outer door, but took them down as being unnecessary. One hen Gouldian once dashed past me, being frightened by a newly put in Cockatiel, but she had young and was soon caught. I had meant to go into all the ups and downs of aviary keeping out here, but after all they do not differ much from the ones at home and this is already a terrible length, so I will give only an outline as brief as possible of results. In 1901 no young were fully reared, lots of eggs and a good many young hatched, the chief reason for failure being shifting house, and overcrowding. When changing houses the birds were all shut in the wooden part, the parts unhooked and carried separately to their new quarters by an army of coolies, very upsetting to a bird’s household arrangements. 1902 gave two young Java Sparrows, otherwise it was much the some as 1901, less crowding, but I had to go to Chitral in September in the middle of the best breeding time out here. Returned from Chitral in December, 1903, to find t.en odd birds left from the 60 I left behind : theft of course, probably by the sweeper I left in charge. However he departed for other and ghostly regions before my return, so he escaped my righteous wrath. Among the survivors were a pair of Goldfinches (Hima¬ layan), a Desert Finch, a nearly bald Red Avadavat (hen), an Orange-clieek, and I forget the rest. After the supposed theft, which took place in January, 1902, all my birds were put into my 6ft. cage, which is quite open except at one end (3ft. by 2jft. high) in a very exposed position as close to the sweeper’s quarters as possible. I wonder any survived especially as they were fed for some months on millet only, the boy in charge swearing that he had lots of seed. None of the birds looked too fit and the hen Avadavat still wants feathers, however she successfully reared three young in 1904. I with difficulty scraped together a few birds, Canaries, Cockatiels (who were put into a smaller cage for most of the breeding season), Red Avadavats (three cocks and a hen), Baya Weavers and Spice Birds. I also had two lovely pairs of a small Aviary in the Hills in India. 373 Gouldians, great travellers brought for me from Calcutta to Chitral by a Commissariat Agent. The Blackhead hen died egg-bound after an unsuccessful attempt to rear a brood in camp in February, 1904. With this lot I was fairly successful, three broods of Avadavats (11), and after many good attempts, five beautiful young Redheads were successfully reared to be independent, of which one died soon and one hen died in the winter. I have three splendid cocks now in full plumage, they never showed any black where the red feathers were coming. Unfortunately I lost the old cock in changing cages in the house, and he was out of the window like a flash. I put out the lieu in a trap -cage as a decoy, not noticing a hole in the cage, so I lost her too. This was in October last when I was off to camp for the winter, and my hurry must be my excuse for my careless¬ ness. I funked leaving them out for the winter, I wish I had now, especially as they had eggs nearly due to hatch then. The pair went off very happily, and I never saw them again. Four of the eggs I put into a Spice-bird’s nest, leaving four of their own as well. Judging from the noise my wife thinks that all hatched, but, as is often the case with a first nest, no young lived to leave the nest. As the only other birds that might have done anything were the Goldfinches, I was rather pleased with the results. With the exception of part of the winter of 1901-2, and a short bit at the end of 1903, I have been away every year for the winter. One pair of Zosterops ( Palpebrosa ) survived a winter chiefly on atta (coarse flour) my man forgetting my instructions. However they looked very fit and had thoughts of nesting during the next summer. These birds were generously fed while I was at Bakloh, and I fancy the wild ones up here get very little insect food in the winter, their staple being rotten wild medlar. I have often watched a flock at work when the snow has been on the ground. Very fascinating wee birds. My pair used to fly up to me with a shriek of joy, and search my fingers for flies. Their chief treat was a large broken open pupa, atlas- or moon- moth for choice. One word as to food and I am done. All my dishes are placed inside another to save mess to a certain extent. The only 374 Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens. other thing perhaps calling for mention is what I call “net- sweepings,” I have recollections of seeing it mentioned in one of Dr. Greene’s books, but it may not be generally known. Sweep an ordinary strong butterfly net over grass for ten minutes or so, giving the bag an occasional bang on the ground to keep the occupants quiet, and you will find a lovely collection of grass seeds and small insects, which when turned out in the aviary will give most birds a treat. I really did mean to finish here, but I remember two or three other things I wish to mention. Canaries out here are real beasts, I had no bother with rearing them at home, but here the programme always ends up in dead young at ages varying from two to fifteen days old. They are seldom deserted, simply die in turn. I have tried egg and no egg, solitary pairs in cages and in the aviary, also flocks — same result. The old birds look very fit and the cocks sing beautifully. I am just letting them rip now, but I may begin with a fresh stock, if opportunity offers. I expected them to pay some of my seed bills, as they are always easy to find a market for, whereas one might find a difficulty in selling even a Painted Finch. My young Goulaians left the nest — but no, my notes on moults can well wait, or I shall never finish. Hope soon to send you an account of my new aviary. BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. Since our last “notes” appeared great things have hap¬ pened at the Zoo. ; the new Wader’s aviary to the north of the Dion House has been finished and stocked, and is now by far the prettiest aviaiy in the Gardens. On the shelving beach in the foreground may be seen Plovers, Avocets, Godwits, Knots, Ruffs and other small waders, while Turtle-doves and most of the commoner European birds frequent the bushes at the back. A Swallow appears to be perfectly happy hawking for insects over the waters, and Kingfishers may be seen darting from one end of the aviary to the other or perched on twigs at the waterside. The very fine Gulls’ aviary — the largest aviary in the Gardens — has also been completed and stocked with all kinds of The Giza Zoological Gardens. 375 Gulls, Cormorants, Gannets, Herons, Choughs, and such like, all of which appear to be extremely happy in their spacious abode. Several very interesting birds have recently been added to the collection. Our esteemed member Mr. E. W. Harper, who formerly presented a large number of rare Indian birds to the Society, has lately sent a consignment of birds from British Guiana, of which the following are new to the collection: i Yellow-breasted Sugar-bird ( Certhiola chloropygia ), 4 Blue Tana- gers ( Tanagra episcopus), 4 Maroon Tauagers ( Ramphoccelus japaca), 2 Guiana Parrotlets (Psiitacula guianensis'), and 2 Guiana Tree -Ducks ( Dendrocygna discolor). Two other birds which are new to the collection may be mentioned, namely a Penduline Tit (ZEgithalus pendidinus) from China, deposited on July 28th, and a Streaked Laughing - Thrush ( Trochalopterum lineatum ) presented on August iStli by Mr. R. Phillipps. The Screamers in the Eastern Aviary recently hatched four chicks, all of which unfortunately died. I11 the Western Aviary a pair of Imperial Fruit Pigeons {Carpophaga hisularis') have hatched a young bird which appears to be doing well (Sept. 5th) and the same may be said of a young Nicobar Pigeon in the same aviary. A very notable and satisfactory event is the hatching of a brood of eight Rheas in one of the Paddocks adjoining the Ostrich House. Last year two hybrids between the Common a ' Darwin’s Rhea were hatched in an incubator, but both soon died ; the present brood has been incubated in the natural way by the male bird, and there should be no difficulty in rearing them successfully. — D. S.-S. THE GIZA ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. The Director of these Gardens sends ns a list of some important additions to the menagerie. Some members of the Staff of these Gardens left Cairo for the Sudan 011 May 10th, last, and returned on August loth with about fifty mammals (including three African Elephants, one Giraffe, and fifteen Lions), sixty-five birds, and fourteen reptiles. Among the birds special mention must be made of two Senegal, or Saddle-billed Storks {Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis ) from the Sobat River, presented by the Rev. Dr. H. T. Maclaughlan, of the American Mission. 376 Correspondence , Notes, etc. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. NESTING OF TAMBOURINE DOVES. Sir, — My Tambourine Doves laid on the 23rd and 25th of July and hatched out 011 the 6th and 7U1 of August. Unfortunately the young died 011 August 12th. Is this the first time the}' have been bred ? C. CasTee-Seoane. The following reply was sent to Air. Castle-Sloane : In the Magazine N.S., Vol. II., pp. 100, 101, I have recorded the hatching of a young Tambourine Dove in my bird-room, which lived until nine days old; when the parents ceased to feed it, and I found it dead in the nest. You will see therefore that my bird lived four days longer than yours. Since that time no eggs have been hatched. A. G. BuTEER. TERMITES AND ANTS AS FOOD FOR BIRDS. Sir, — The remarks of Dr. Butler in the Magazine for July concerning the use of “dried flies,” and dried “ ants’ cocoons” as food for insectivorous birds reminds me of a matter I wish to ask about through the Magazine. Since coming out again to India, I have started a small aviary. It has a fairly large outside flight and doubtless many flying and creeping things are captured by my insectivorous birds there. I give in addition a daily ration of the young of the “ white ant.” Those of our members who have been in tropical climates will need 110 description of these insects, suffice it to say that for their size there is nothing in the world so destructive. I11 fact, with the exception of their being a capital food for insectivorous birds it is difficult to discover any use for them in the scheme of creation. These insects raise great mud pyramids inside of which, and generally below ground level, they make their nests. The nests themselves are composed of a very delicate paper-like comb which, on being broken open, is found to contain a seething mass of pure white young ants. These the birds eat with avidity. There is, however, another species of insect which is even more greedily devoured. It is about J to \ an inch long and has four gauzy wings. It appears in the rainy season, generally after heavy rain, issuing from the ground literally in millions. One short flight is the extent of their powers, they then drop to the ground and their wings fall off, and as far as I can make out they get underground as quickly as possible. Now everything eats this insect. The natives of the country, dogs, Kites, Owls, bats, frogs, lizards and every bird. Now I think if one could discover a way to preserve these insects more or less intact, they would be a most valuable insect food. Could any of our members suggest any way ? Could they be preserved in syrup like fruit, or could they be boiled and tinned like preserved meat? Compulsory Con esp07ide?ice, Notes, etc. 377 education for natives lias not yet, thank goodness, become a law in this country, and one could employ small native children at an infinitesimal sum to collect the insects. Of course one would not need to use preserved insects in this country, but one hopes to return to one’s native land sooner or later, and then the insects would be invaluable. We call these insects “ flying white ants” but I am sure the name is quite incorrect. W. Tweedie, Captain, Poona, India . August io th, 1905. 92 nd Highlanders. The following reply has been sent to Captain Tweedie : You are probably aware that the so-called ‘White Ants’ of the tropics belong to a different Order of Insects from the true ants, although in their social pecularities they much resemble them. Young Termites (as White Ants are called scientifically) are active creatures somewhat approaching the adult insect in form ; so that your expression ‘the young’ is not inappropriate : but true ants at the same stage are like white maggots. I see no reason why the soft-bodied young of Termites should not be preserved in bottles with syrup, after the manner of preserved fruits. The adult insects which emerge from holes in the ground after rain, are, I should think, males and females of true ants, which only use their wings during the short pairing flight and then lose them permanently. With us the common garden ant swarms about the middle of August ; and thousands are eaten by our wild insectivorous birds : these insects would, I think, be more satisfactory preserved by drying in a slow oven ; and, from their rather pleasant smell of formic acid, would certainly be preferable to the evil-smelling water-bugs known as Dried Flies. A. G. BuTEER. THE IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN BIRDS. Sir, — At the discussion of one of the last papers read before the late International Ornithological Congress, I gave expression to some thoughts concerning Foreign Cage Birds. A little further elucidation of what I meant to say, may perhaps interest some of your readers. I11 some of the daily papers I was incorrectly reported to have advocated the suppression of the trade in African Finches. What I did advocate was the suppression of the evils resulting from overtrading in cage birds and especially in those of African origin. I mean by overtrading the capture of multitudes of small birds and parrots in the Colonies, and shipping the poor things to Europe in over¬ crowded cages and without proper care during the voyage. The object of the trader is to put as much of this living merchandise on board the steamers at the lowest price possible. The more closely the birds are packed, the less cubic space their cages will occuoy on the ships, hence so much less freight will the shipment of .some hundreds of 37§ Coj'respondence, Notes, etc. thousands cost. Such huge shipments reach Liverpool, Antwerp, Hamburg, Marseilles and Italian ports frequently. The overcrowding results in tainted food, foul water and great mortality during the voyage. The surviving birds are sold as quickly as possible on arrival at the European ports. If the imports are large the price falls to a very low figure. Because they are so cheap, thoughtless people who know nothing about bird-keeping bny these birds for themselves or to give them to children, in whose hands they mostly die soon from want of proper care. I wish to protest against this overtrading which consists in shipping thousands of birds on the chance of some hundreds arriving alive and sale¬ able, and which results not only in cruelty, but in the fact that many of these birds, though living on arrival, have contracted blood-poisoning or other disease and die soon after. The genuine bird lover does not want to see hundreds of one species on the market, when a few dozen would satisfy all the intelligent buyers. He is quite willing to pay a fair price for healthy birds, and does not want large numbers of sickly birds cheap, and to see them die from preventible disease contracted on the voyage to this country. Owing to the overtrading of the present day it has become exceed- ingly difficult to buy newly arrived birds in fairly healthy condition. Any one buying a dozen of the beautiful Cordon-bleu African Finches newly arrived will be lucky if with the utmost care two remain alive after a week. Our old friend, the Grey African talking Parrot, when he was brought over singly as a pet of the sailors, used to live fifty years and more with suitable care. Now he is shipped in boxes of twenty-five or more, with the result that though the price has fallen to two or three half-crowns for a just landed bird, the chance of his living is so small and the probability of his suffering from blood poisioning is so great — though he may look quite well — that a bird that has been some years in Europe is cheaper at £5 than the other at as many shillings. To stop this trade and to counteract this waste of bird-life and the attendant cruelty the United States of America have prohibited the exportation of birds altogether, and many of the Australian Colonies seem on the point of doing so, if the law has not been promulgated already. This measure seems to be too drastic to be quite wise and is perhaps not altogether opportune. A better remedy than prohibitation might have been the imposition of an Export Duty of, say, One Shilling a pair of Finches and small Parrakeets, and as much per head on Parrots. This would give the birds sufficient value before shipment to ensure proper care being taken of them on board ship, whilst the Duty would Correspondence, Notes, etc. 379 produce some little revenue which no Colony despises. It could easily be made a regulation that no cage of live birds shall be received on board ship without a label which might be the Customs receipt for paid Export Duty, and state the number of birds in the cage. It should be further within the means and sphere of influence of the many Societies for the Protection of Birds, Against Cruelty to Animals, Avicultural and Ornithological, and what else their names may be, to obtain from the Steam Shipping Companies trading all over the world, the issue of a regulation that all live birds carried on board must have cages measuring at least one cubic foot per pair of Finches, two cubic feet per pair of Parrakeets and three cubic feet per head of larger Parrots. Such or similar fiscal measures and shipping regulations would render a now pernicious trade harmless, and in many respects beneficial. This bird question is important not only to lovers of birds and students, but possibly more so to the Colonies. The latter have every interest to make their flora and fauna known in the old world. Men and women who take some interest in natural history subjects probably make good settlers in a new country. That in North America a farmyard soon attracts the beautiful Blue Robin, whose habits are similar to our Redbreasts and Redstarts, and that our European Chaffinch is represented by his much brighter cousin the Nonpareil, that in place of our Song-Thrush the graceful and melodious Mocking-bird enlivens the country side, are facts which have some value of being made widely known, for they may determine one and the other intending emigrant in the selection of the part of the world where to seek a wider field for the energies of new generations of the human race. As regards Australia, I think that it cannot be made too much known how many and what beautiful, perfectly harmless, little birds can be found there. Nearly all of those being seedeaters they can easily be kept and studied in Europe. Stuffed skins or pictures convey but a faint idea of the beauty and charm of a living bird. The great majority of foreign seed-eating cage-birds become at once reconciled to cage life, and are perfectly happy when properly cared for and thrive much better than British cage-birds. Some of the foreign finches breed readily in captivity, which is the best proof of their feeling at home and happy. But I repeat, that it is not desirable to see these pretty little creatures sold at a price which tempts children to buy and soon forget to tend them, or that thoughtless people who have neither the time nor the means to care for them intelligently, purchase them like they do a cheap toy or other novelty. The real lover of birds wants a healthy bird to begin with, for which he will pay a fair price, and he wants to keep that bird in perfect health and 3So Correspondence, Notes, etc. happiness to observe and study its habits, its song, its changes of plumage and its method of breeding. Aug. F. Wiener. NOTES ON THE WILD CANARY. A correspondent, who does not wish his name to appear, has sent the following interesting communication : Sir,— After reading the interesting paper which Dr. Creswell is contributing to Bird Notes on the Wild Canary, I was curious enough to examine the historical evidence given by him, with the result that the first four authors (in order of date) that he mentions, do not agree with his statements. I have not yet looked up any later than Willughby. On p. ioo of Bud Notes, Dr. Creswell writes: “No mention is any¬ where made of the bird showing any green in its coloration.” Taking the authorities he quotes, the first is Turner (1544), who did not write a description of the Canary, he wrote about the Siskin and finishes with “Of this kind are those which England calls Canary Birds.” The next is Gesner (I have referred to the same edition as Dr. Creswell 1585, although there is an earlier one) and he states “ all the feathers of the wings and tail being of a green colour,” with a marginal note to the effect “the Canary is a green bird,” and his friend Raphael Seiler, from whom he got the account of the bird, wrote some verses describing it “ as green as grass.” Aldrovandus (1610) simply copies from Turner’s account of the Siskin, and gives no description of the Canary, Willughby ( not Willoughby, and the date should be either 1676 or 1678, not 1667) gives no description of his own, but agrees that it is like a .Siskin and quotes from Gesner. From the above it will be seen that three of Dr. Creswell’s authors liken the Canary' to a Siskin, while the fourth (Gesner) is most emphatic in stating it to be a green bird. Dr. Creswell also gives the wrong name and title for “Adanson. Histoire Naturelle du Senegal (Coquillages). Avec la Relation ab regee d’un Voyage fait en ce pays, pendant les annees 1749-53. Published in 1757,” with an English translation two years later, and Gascoigne’s “Complaint of Pliilomene” which he states to be “about the same time” (as Turner) was not published until 1576, or 32 years later. On p. 128, Dr. Creswell continues, “ Besides in 1544, . we see from Turner that Canaries were already' so common as to be even found in English Cages.” From Turner’s and Gesuer’s statements it is very doubtful if Canaries were common at this period, as Turner writes, “ I11 England it is rare, and scarcely to be found elsewhere than in cages,” while Gesner, thirty-one years after (1585), wrote “It is sold everywhere very dear, both for the sweetness of its singing, and also because it is brought from far remote places with great care and dilligence and but rarely ; so that it is wont to be kept only' by' nobles and great men, ” and it is not until nearly 100 y'ears Correspondence, Notes, etc. 38i later that Willughby, or his Editor, writes, “ Nowadays there be many of them brought over ; nor are they sold so dear but that even mean persons can afford to buy them.” The extra-ordinary confusion concerning the habitat of which Dr. Creswell complains, does not appear to exist, at least I have been unable to trace it, the only reference I can find with any doubt expressed is in Syme’s “British Song Birds,” (1823), and his remarks were copied into Rennie’s edition of “ Montagu’s Ornithological Dictionary,” (1831), probably, as Dr. Creswell states there is a confusion, they may have been repeated in some of the handbooks of which a good number have appeared of late years, but I have not consulted any of these, nor as they are written chiefly for fanciers do I think importance would be attached to this portion of their work. The following account, by Canon Tristram in the Ibis for 18S9, pages 22 — 23, is very interesting and well worth reprinting as not many recent Ornithologists have written about the bird in its wild state. “Up to this time, though I had frequently seen the Linnet and the Goldfinch, I had not yet found the Canary bird, but at length secured one of a pair sitting in a peach-tree overhanging the path. The Canary is certainly much scarcer in Canaria than in Tenerife or Gomera. In fact it was not easy to get more than one or two in a day’s ramble, while in the other islands one might without trouble secure more in a morning than I should care to skin in a day. “I11 Canaria, though it descends lower than the Tintillon, I never saw it, as I did in Tenerife, near the sea-level ; but I was told that in winter it comes down in small flocks to the coast. I often saw Canaries feeding along with Linnets. I11 the other islands we found in May large flocks of the national bird above the forests, among the pine trees at a height of 5000 feet. They appear to be chiefly birds of the year. Their song is identical with that of the domesticated race, or perhaps finer. I listened to a singing-match between a Canary and a Linnet in two neignbouring trees, and the superior power and richness of the notes of the former were indis¬ putable. Its habits, as might be expected, hardly differ from those of the Linnet, excepting that it more affects trees and perches higher. The nest is neat and Linnet-like, abundantly lined with goat’s hair. A thriving trade is carried on at the Port with the passengers of the African and New Zealand steamers in yellow Canaries, which fetch a fancy price, as being the “ real tiling.” I was amused to find that these birds priced at from three to five dollars, while the real native, perfectly tame and singing as well as the other, could be had for half a dollar.” Onpookpr. WOOD-WARBLER IN LONDON. Sir, — This morning, September 1st, our lad found a specimen of the Wood-Warbler ( Phylloscopus sibilatrix) 011 the ledge of our Office, 7, Princes 382 Correspondence , Notes, etc. Street, Cavendish Square, W. It is a young bird and can only have been dead a very short time ; most probably it was on its autumn migration. The late Dr. Hamilton appears to have been the only writer on London Birds to have noticed this species ; he mentions it as a Spring migrant in the Zoologist for 1S79. E. A. Porter. MR. FINN ON CHINESE AVICULTURE. Sir, — I notice that in a foot note over the signature “A.G.B.,” attached to that portion of my last letter where I call attention to the tardiness of Mr. Finn’s denial of his statement, a point is made of this denial having appeared in The Feathered World of June 30th, 1905. My demonstration of Mr. Finn’s illogical position had appeared in the issue of Bird Notes published 011 June 15th, 1905, only a fortnight before. Therefore his Feathered World denial was as tardy in its inception as those which have appeared and are appearing in this Magazine and Bird Notes respectively. That for the latter was dated June 29th, and bears the post mark of despatch of June 30th, arriving therefore after we had gone to press for our fifth number. It will duly appear in the sixth. W. Geo. Creswele. Sir, — In his letter in the September number of the Avicultural Magazine , Dr. W. G. Creswell implies that I had given him the impression I had been in China, whereas my “information was only hear say.” I wish therefore to state that I have actually seen, in Calcutta, the dried flies and shelled millet I told him insectivorous birds were fed on by the Chinese, in the cages of Chinese insectivorous birds imported into Calcutta in their Chinese cages. Of course I did not attempt to pose as a traveller in China to Dr. Cresswell ; nor did I say anything about bird-feeding in Japan at all. [As no good can result from a continuance of this discussion it is now closed. — Ed.] F. Finn. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. A medal has been awarded to Mr. D. Seth-Smith for breeding the Varied Bustard-Ouail ( Turnix varia) for the first time in the United Kingdom. Sir William Ingram, Bart., has successfully bred Gray’s Bare-throated Francolin ( Pternistes leucoscepiis). It is believed that this is the first case on record for the United Kingdom and it is proposed to award a medal. Any member or reader knowing of a previous instance is requested to communicate immediately with the Hon. Business Secretary. (Post mortem Examination Reports unavoidably held over.) 383 INDEX TO SUBJECTS. A. Acanthis cannabina, 167 Accentor, 152 „ modular is, 16 6 Acredula cauda/a, 167 Acridotheres cristatellus , 158 ,, fuscus, 84 , , mahrattensis, 84 „ tristis, 74, 158 Adelaide Parrakeet, 161 Adelia Penguin, 210 ASgialitis hiaticola, 78 AEgin tha picia, 203 ,, temporalis, 157 AEgithalus pendulinus, 375 African Finches, 377 ,, Finfoot, 47 Agapomis cana, 74 Aged Napolean Weaver, An, 117 Agelceus phceniceus, 158 Ages to which birds live, The, 258 Aidemosyne cantans, 157 „ malabarica', 137 ,, modesta, 157 Alario Finch, 153, 253, 338 Alcidce, 358 Alectrcenas pulchern mus, 74 Amadina erythrocephala, 252 ,, fasciata, 175, 253 Amazons, 207 American Blue-bird, 154 „ Bob-White, 345 ,, Flamingo, 284 ,, Sparrow, 172 Amherst Pheasant, 102, 287 Ammoperdix , 264 ,, bonhami, 264 ,, cholmleyi, 265, 346 ,, heyi, 263, 346 Andaman Starling, 142, 287 Apteryx, 213, 218 ,, australis, 315 ,, haasti, 315 ,, mantelli, 315 ,, oweni, 315 Apteryx, Mantell’s, 315 Aqziila chrysaetus, 309 ,, heliaca, 319 Archbishop Tanager, 179 Ardea cinerea, 77, 168 Asia accipitrinus, 42 Astrild, 235 Auk, Great, 286 ,, Little, 356 Aurita Dove, 131 Aurora Finches, 119 Australia, Notes from, 46 Australian Birds, 257 ,, Crested Dove, 286 , ,, Pigeon, 233 ’, Finches, 256, 293 „ Zosterops, 335 Avadavat, 183 ,, Green, 237 „ Ked, 367, 372 Aviary and its Management, the, 223, 261 in the Hills of India, A small, 365 Avicultural Society, The Management of the 48, 82 Avocets, 374 B. Bakbakiri Shrike, 251 Balaniceps rex, 222 Balance Sheet, 176-7 Barbary Dove, 189, 210 ,, Turtle, 162, 164 Barbet, Blue-cheeked, 323 ,, Golden-throated, 323 Barbets, 160, 326 Bar-breasted Weaver-finch, 253 Barraband Parrakeet, 248 Barnard’s Parrakeet, 141, 161, 274, 333 Barn Owl, 228, 291 Bastard Cheverel, 23 Bathilda ruficauda, 141, 210, 213, 233, 293 Bauer’s Parrakeet, 141 Baya Weavers, 372 Bearded Reedling, 134 ,, Tit, 149, 208, 318, 359 ,, Tits in Confinement, 149 Beautiful Parrakeet, 239 Bee-eaters, 160, 223, 311 Belted Kingfisher, in Bengalese, 81, 257, 338 Bib Finch, 40, 81 Bicheno Finch, 39, 72, 293 Bird Notes from Argentina, 171 ,, ,, ,, the Zoological Gardens, 42, 206, 228, 235, 287, 374 ,, ,, ,, Uganda, 222 ,, of Paradise, 288, 368 ,, „ ,, Greater, 206, 229, 288 ,, ,, ,, Lesser, 206, 229, 288 ,, „ ,, King, 42, 206, 288 „ Preservation in New Zealand, 213 Birds bred at the Melbourne Zoo, 290 „ noticed during a short visit to Suffolk, 165 Black-backed Tanager, 83, 142 Blackbird, 152, 166, 243, 273, 291, 301, 306 ,, Neilgherry, 243 ,, Red-winged, 125 Blackcap, 136 Black Cockatoo, 141 ,, -crowned Night Heron, no, 129 ,, -faced Waxbill, 234 ,, -footed Penguin, 210 ,, -fronted Bulbul, 252 ,, -headed Gouldian Finch, 259, 293 373 ,, „ 79, 93, 96 ,, -hooded Gull, 307 ,, Kite, 311 ,, -capped Lory, 148 ,, Lory, 147, 207 ,, -necked Hemipode, 163, 218 ,, Parrot, 74 ,, Skimmer, in ,, Swans, 46, 286 ,, -tailed Parrakeet, 161 ,, -throated Hemipode, 219 ,, Vulture, 255 Bleeding-heart Dove, 187 ,, ,, Pigeon, 131, 185 Blight Bird, 336 Bloemfontein, Field Notes from, 230 Blood Finch, 236, 237 ,, -rump, 161 Blossom-head Parrakeet, 161 Blue-banded Grass-Parrakeet, 161 3^4 Index to Blue-bird, American, 154 ,, Bonnet Parrakeet, 258, 289 ,, -breasted Waxbill, 253 ,, -cheeked Barbet, 323 ,, -headed Wagtail, 272 ,, Robin, 237, 379 ,, -shouldered Tanager, 179 „ Tanager, 375 „ 'fit, 33, 167, 273 ,, -winged Grass Parrakeet, 186, 249 ,, ,, Green Bulbul, 142 ,, ,, Parrakeet, 34 ,, ,, Warbler, no ,, Whistling Thrush, 228 Bobolink, 158 Bonham’s Partridge, 264 Bornean Fireback Pheasants, 286 Bottle Tit, 167 Bourke’s Parrakeet, i6r, 203, 207, 217, 239, 257 ,, ,, and other rare Australian Birds, 203 Bovver-bird, Satin, 114, 158 Bramblefinch -Chaffinch Hybrid, 141 Breeding Francolins, 345 ,, Gray’s Bare-throated Francolin, 352 „ Hybrid Ouzels, On, 301 ,, in Captivity of the Red-backed Shrike, On the, 330 ,, of Hey’s Rock-Partridge, The, 263 ,, ,, Pterocles exusfus, The, 64 ,, ,, the Australian Swamp- Quail, 363 ,, ,, the Ruficauda, The, 106 ,, ,, Song-Sparrows, The, 331 ,, ,, Turnix varia , Oil the, 295 ,, Passerine Parrotlets, 34 ,, Pileated Finches, 341 ,, Results during the past Summer, 80 ,, Turnix lepurana in German Bird-rooms, On, 217 ,, Turnix nigricollis in German Birdrooms, On, 195 ,, White-throated Finch, 347 British Wagtails in Cage and Aviary, 271 Broad-tails, 207 Bronze-wing, 114 ,, ,, Uoves, 274 ,, ,, Pigeon, 131, 164, 187, 245 ,, -winged Mannikin, 40 Brotogerys , 320 ,, jugularis , 320 ,, tin, 141, 320 ,, tuipara , 320 ,, virescens , 320 ,, Parrakeets, The, 320 Brown-headed Bunting, 72 Brown Mynah, 84 ,, Pelican, 284 ,, -throated Conure, 341 Brush Bronzewing Pigeon, 42 ,, Turkey. 43, 83 ,, ,, Nesting Habits of, 83 Bubulcus lucidus , 312 Budgerigar, 35, 47, 80, 161, 240, 292 „ Yellow, 35, 257 Buff-backed Heron, 312 Bulbul, Black-fronted, 252 ,, Blue-winged Green, 142 ,, Chinese, 154 ,, Persian, 154 ,, Red-vented, 154, 252 ,, Seychelles, 74 ,, White-eared, 154 Bullfinch, 30, 124, 155, 167, 231 ,, Desert Trumpeter, 155, 318 Bunting, Brown-headed, 72 Subjects. Bunting, ’Cape, 253 „ Corn, 95 ,, Himalayan, Black-crested, 72 ,, I.apland, 141, 331 ,, Reed, 95, 96, 332 Buntings, 273, 367 Bush-creepers, 184 Bustard Quails, 300 Butcher-bird, 44 Butorides virescens, in c. Cabalus modes tus, 213 Caccabis, 264 Cactus Conures, 278 Californian Quail, _ . 133. 266, 269, 287, 340, 345 Callipepla, 163 ,, calif bi nica, 163 ,, gambeli, 163 Calliste, 179 ,, melanonota, 83, 142 Cambayan Turtle-Dove, 211 Canada Geese, 129 Canadian Grosbeak, 117 Canaries, 372 ,, rearing young Chaffinch, 84 Canary, 43, 81, 154, 210 ,, " Cape, 253 ,, -winged Parrakeet, 320 ,, Wild, 380 Cape Bunting, 253 ,, Canaries, 253 ,, Eagle-Owl, 206, 228 ,, Pigeon, 285 ,, Pochard, 253 ,, Sparrow, 251 ,, Turtle Dove, 251 Caprimulgus europceus, 137 Cardinal, 43 ,, Green, 156 ,, Grey, 156 ,, Red-crested, 81 ,, Virginian, 156, 237, 293, 318 Cardinals, 141 Carduelis caniceps, 24 ,, carduelis, 236, 305 ,, elegans, 21, 167 Carpodacus erythrinus, 155 Carpophaga insularis, 42, 375 Cassell’s “ Canaries and Cage-Birds,” 259, 288 Catamenia analis, 171 Catheturus lathami, 43 Certh ia fa m ilia ris, 168 Certhicla chloropygia, 375 Ceryle alcyon, 160 Chaffinch, 43, 85, 155, 167, 379 ,, 1'eydean, 155 Chaffinches, 306 C kalcopsittacus ater, 147 C hamcepelia passerina, 162 ,, talpacoti, 234 Change of colour at moult, 291 ,, ,, habits in birds under new conditions, 115 Chat, Familiar, 252 ,, Pied Bush-, 367 Chats, 152, 164, 224 Cheluion nrbica , 167 Chera progne, 253 Cherry Finch, 41, 157 Chestnut Finch, 204 ,, -bellied Rock-Thrushes, 367 ,, -breasted Finch, 217 Cheverel, 23 ,, Bastard, 23 Index to Subjects. Chiffchaff, 137 Chinese Aviculture, Mr. Finn and, 347 ,, Blue Magpie, 159 ,, Bulbul, 154 ,, Painted Quail, 163, 261 „ Quail, 345 Chingolo Song-Sparrow, 331 Chipping Sparrow, 156 Cicinnurus regius, 206 Chloropsis, 153 Choughs, 159, 375 C h rysolo ph us amherstice, 102 ,, obscurus, 102 ,, pictus 102 Chiysomitris at rat a, 171 ,, cucullata, 155 ,, icterica, 171 ,, spinus, 155 Chukors, 270 Ciconia alba, 251 ,, ciconia , 308 Cinnamon Dove, 234 Cissa, 159 Clapper Kail, m Clarke’s Nutcracker, 159 Coal Tit, 30, 167 Coccolhraustes, 156 ,, vulgaris, 167 Cockatiel, 140, 161, 275, 345, 372 Cockatoos, 164, 207 Cole Tit, 273 Collared Turtle-Dove, 307 Columba, 162 ,, livia, 308 ,, cenas, 136 ,, palumbus, 168 Columbce, 161 Common Birds of the Seychelles, On some, 73 ,, Cormorant, 307 ,, Cuckoo, 326 ,, Gull, 78 ,, Heron, 77 ,, Kite, 311 ,, Pheasant, 287 ,. Quail, 365 ,, Khea, 375 ,, Snipe, 136 ,, Swallow, 310 ,, Tern, 78, 90, hi Consumption in Birds, 344 ,, etc. in Birds, 321 ,, and Typhoid in Birds, 292, 320 Conure, Brown-throated, 341 ,, Cactus, 278 ,, Golden-crowned, 161 ,, Yellow-crowned, 341 Conures, 256 Coot, 96, 358 Coracopsis barklvi, 74 Cordon Bleu, 41, 69, 81, 224, 258, 378 Cormorant, 95, 375 ,, Common, 307 Corn Bunting, 95 Corncrake, 97 Corvus, 159 ,, corax, 190, 311 ,, cor nix, 307 ,, frugilegus, 80, 305 ,, monedula, 136 Coryphospingus cristatus, 171 Cotile obsoleia, 310 ,, riparia, 167, 310 ,, rupestris, 310 Coturnix, 364 ,, coromandelica , 163 ,, novz-zealandicz, 213 ,, pectoralis, 290, 296 Council, flection of the, 53 Council of the Society, 293 Courser, Red, 250 Cow-birds, 158 Crake, Spotted, 229 Crane, Crowned, 222 Cranes, 127, 286 Creeper, 164 ,, Tree-, 168 Crested Pigeon, 114, 189 ,, Screamer, 255 Crimson Finch, 141, 204 ,, -winged Parrakeet, 141, 318 Crossbill, 33, 164 Crow, 127, 129 ,, Hooded, 307 ,, Piping-, 237 ,, -Shrikes, 159 Crows, 159, 164 Crowned Crane, 222 ,, Pigeon, 125 ,, Tanager, 142 Cry plums taiaupa, 163 Crystal Palace Bird Show, The, 141 Cuba Finch, 141 Cuckoo, 229, 284 ,, Common, 326 ,, Emerald, 251 Cuckoos, 160, 326 Curl-crested Guinea-fowl, 253 Cursorius rufus . 250 Cutthroat, 81, 253, 258 Cyanocitta, 159 Cyanopolius, 159 Cyanops, 325 ,, asiatica, 323 ,, franklini, 323 Cyanorhamphus, 213 Cyanospiza ciris, 156 „ cyanea, 235 Cypselus affinis, 311 ,, apus, 168, 311 ,, melba, 311 D. Dacnis cayana, 142 Daption capensis, 285 Darters, 222 Darwin’s Rhea, 255, 375 Datt lias luscinia, 166 Decreased Prices of Birds, The, 348 Desert Finch, 372 Desert Trumpeter Bullfinch, 318 Dendrocitta, 159 Dhyal-bird, 154 Diamond Dove, 185, 186 ,, Finch, 257 ,, Sparrow, 41, 157, 187, 237 Dippers, 152 Diuca minor, 171 Divers, 120, 222 Diving Ducks, 121 Donacola castaneithorax , 215 Dotterel Quail, 295 Dove, Aurita, 131 ,, Australian Crested, 286 ,, Barbary, 189, 210 ,, ,, Turtle-, 162, 164 ,, Bleeding-heart, 187 ,, Cambayau Turtle-, 211 ,. Cape, 251 , , ,, Turtle-, 251 ,, Cinnamon, 234 ,, Collared Turtle-, 307 ,, Diamond, 185, 186 ,, Green, 130 ,, Necklaced, 162, 164, 211 ,, Palm, 187, 266 386 bid ex to Subjects. Dove Ring--, 123 „ Rufous, 130, 234 „ Scaly, 185, 187 ,, Senegal, 185, 187. 251 „ ,, Turtle-, 2ir, 311 ,, Solitary Ground, 130 „ Tambourine, 376 ,, Turtle, 79, 168, 187 ,, White-fronted Ground-, 87, 133, 234 „ Zebra, 75 Doves, 153, 224, 228, 230, 273, 274 Drongos, 153 Drowned Birds, Resuscitating apparently, 84 Duck, Mallard, 128 Ducks, 127, 129, 273, 286, 287 ,, Diving, 121 ,, Guiana Tree-, 375 ,, Saw-billed, 120 Duration of the Period of Incubation, 151, 210 E. Eagle, Fish, 222 ,, Golden, 309 ,, Imperial, 309 Eagles, 127, 309 Early Nesting of Ravens in Captivity, 175 Eclectus, 144 ,, Grand, 161 Ecfopisles migratorius, 162 Eggs of the Smew and Mistle Thrush, The 170 - Egrets, 222 Egyptian Kite, 312 Elegant Grass-Parrakeet, 212 Ei/zberiza, 156 Embemagra olivascens, 171 „ platensis , 171 Emblema piuta , 204 Emerald Cuckoo, 231 Emeus, 285, 286 Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis, 375 Erythrura piasina, 82, 137 Estrelda , 150 Estrilda, 235 „ angolensis, 254 ,, astrilda , 254 ,, eryihronota , 254 European Flamingos, 286 „ Goldfinch, 291 Eurypyga, 282 Excalf acioria ckinensis, 163 Exeter ’Change in 1791, 231 F. Failure of Canaries to rear Pseudo-Finches, 42 Falcon, Peregrine, 194 Falco tinnunculus, 165 Familiar Chat, 252 Furruginous- necked Hemipode, 217 Field Notes from Bloemfontein, 250 Finch, Alario, 155, 253, 338 ,, Bib, 40 ,, Bicheno, 39, 293 ,, Black-headed Gouldian, Blood, 256, 257 Cherry, 41, 157 Chestnut, 204 ,, -breasted, 217 Crimson, 141, 204 Cuba, 141 Finch, Desert, 372 ,, Diamond, 257 ,, Gamboge-headed Gouldian, 291 ,, Gouldian, 39, 68, 81, 204, 210, 257, 291, 292 ,, Green Singing, 81 ,, Indigo, 235 ,, Javan Maja, 72 ,, Davender, 237 ,, Dong-tailed, 256, 257, 260, 293 ,, Masked, 256, 257, 293 ,, Olive, 141 ,, Painted, 204, 257 ,, Parrot, 69, 141 ,, Pectoral, 81, 293 ,, Pileated, 341 ,, Reddish, 258 ,, Red-faced, 41, 141, 233 ,, ,, -headed, 232 ,, ,, ,, Gouldian, 259, 293, 373 ,, ,, -tailed, 210, 235 ,, Ringed, 40 ,, Ruficauda, 185 ,, Rufous-tailed, 235, 236, 257 ,, Saffron, 72, 101, 155 ,, Spice, 346 „ Star, 210, 235, 256, 257 ,, True, 367 ,, Ultramarine, 235 ,, Vermilion -headed Gouldian, 291 ,, White-throated, 258, 347, 358 ,, Yellow-headed Gouldian, 236 ,, Yellowish, 97 ,, Yellow-rumped, 141, 204, 207, 215. ,, Zebra, 47, 80, 164, 257, 370 Finches, 153, 170, 224, 379 ,, African, 377 ,, Australian, 256 Fiufoot, African, 47 ,, in Captivity, A, 47 Finn, Mr,, and Chinese Aviculture, 347, 382 Firefinch, 183, 224 ,, Peter’s Spotted, 119 ,, Vinaceous, 119, 201 Fiscal Shrike, 251 Fish Eagle, 222 Flamingo, American, 284 ,, European, 286 ,, Red, 113 Flightless Rail, 213 Flycatcher, 153, 164 ,, Paradise, 36S ,, Pied, 141 ,, Red-breasted, 306 ,, Spotted, 166, 252 Food for Mynah, 339 ,, ,, Young Partridg'es, 288 ,, of Barn Owls, The, 291 ,, ,, Cage-birds in China & Japan, 319 ,, „ Parrots, The, 144, 175 Fuzidia madagascariensis , 74, 157 Fraucolin, Gray’s Bare-throated, 345 ,, Grey, 270 ,, Red-winged, 251 Fraser’s Touracou, 26, 55, 160, 224 , , ,, On the Nestling of, 55 Fregata aquila, 74 Frigate Bird, 73 Fringilla , 155 ,, ccelebs, 167, 306 Fringillana capensis, 253 Fringzllldce, 117, 169, 172, 184 Fruit-Pigeon, 74 ,, ,, Imperial Nicobar, 42 ,, ,, Wharton’s, 42 Fulica atra, 308 Fuscus Starling, 84 Index to Subjects. 3§7 G. Gallinago ccelestis, 136 Gallinula chloropus, 168 Gallirex cklorochlatnys, 117 „ porphyriocephala , 253 Gallus gallus, 102 Gannets, 375 Garrulax, 153 ,, picticollis, 153 ,, sinensis, 153 Garrulus, 159 Geese, Canada, 129 „ Upland, 286 ,, Wild, 307 Germans nycthemerus , 102 Geocichla cyanonoius , 142 Geoffroyus cyanicollis, 320 Geophaps scripta, 230, 290 Geopelia cuneata, 162 ,, striata, 75 Giant Whydali, 253 Giza Zoological Gardens, The, 375 Glareola meianoptera, 250 Glossopsittacus conciuitus, 257, 290, 344 ,, pusillus, 291 Godwits, 374 Golden -breasted Waxbill, 41, 46, 47 ,, ,, Waxbills breeding, 46 ,, -crested Wren, 167 ,, -crowned Conure, 161 „ Eagles, 309 ,, -Eye, 123, 170 ,, -headed Parrakeet, 161 ,, Pheasant, 233, 287 ,, -shouldered Parrakeet, 239 ., -throated Barbet, 323 Goldfinch, 21, 43, 116, 153, 167, 236 ,, Asiatic, 23 ,, European, 21, 291 ,, Himalayan, 24, 372 Goldfinches, 305, 373 Gold Pheasant, 102, 143, 345 Gouldian Finch, 39, 68, 81, 203, 210, 257, 291, 373 Gouldian Finch, Black-headed, 259, 293, 373 ,, ,, Gamboge-headed, 291 ,, ,, Red-headed, 259, 293, 373 ,, ,, Vermilion-headed, 291 ,, ,, Yellow-headed, 291 ,, Finches, 292, 369 Grand Eclectus, 161 Grassfiucli, Long-tailed, 40, 257, 260 ,, Rufous-tailed, 106 Grassfinches, 257, 367 Grasshopper Warbler, 141 Grass-Parrakeet, 239 ,, ,, Blue-winged, 239 ,, ,, Fllegant, 239 ,, ,, Orange-bellied, 239 ., ,, Rock, 239 ,, ,, Splendid, 240 Gray’s Bare-throated Francolin, 345, 352 Great Auk, 286 ,, Blue Heron, 129 Great Crested Grebe, 120, 285 Greater Bird of Paradise, 206, 229, 288 „ Pintailed Saudgrouse, 64 ,, Spotted Woodpecker, 141, 160 Grebe, Great Crested, 120, 285 Grebes, 120, 229 Greek Partridge, 287 Green Avadavat, 237 ,, -billed Toucan, 142 ,, Cardinal, 156 ,, Hove, 130 ,, -finch, 33, 43. i56» i67, 291 ,, Glossy Starling', 142 Green Heron, in, 129 ,, Nonpareil, 367 ,, Parrakeet, 74 ,, Pigeon, 224 ,, Singing-finch, 81 ,, Woodpecker, 141, 168 Grey Cardinal, 156 ,, Francolins, 270 ,, -headed Wagtail, 272 ,, Parrots, 224, 378 ,, Partridge, 266 ,, Pates, 23 ,, Shrike, 45 ,, Strutliidea, 287 ,, -tailed Thick-head, 235 ,, Wagtail, 272 ,, -winged Ouzel, 139, 243, 301 Griffon Vulture, 206, 228, 310 Grosbeak, Canadian, 117 ,, Red-breasted, 156 Grouse, Lesser Pintailed, Gubernatrix cristatella, 156 Guiana Parrotlets, 375 ,, Tree-Ducks, 373 Guillemot, Mandt’s, 357 Guillemots, 287 Guinea-fowl, Cnrl-crested, 253 ,, ,, Vulturiue, 286 Guiraca cyanea, 171 Gull, Black-headed, 79, 95, 96 ,, ,, -hooded, 307 „ Common, 78 ,, Laughing, m ,, Lesser Black-backed, 307 ,, Yellow-legged Herring-, 307 Gulls, 121, 222, 229, 287, 307, 375 Guttera edouardi, 253 Gygis Candida, 73 Gyps fulvus, 310 H. Habits of the Bearded Tit, 208 H amatopus ostialegus, 78 Halcyon cyanoleucus, 223 Half-collared Turtle-Dove, 274 Hanging Parrakeets, 343 Hangnest, 142, 158, 174 ,, Orchard, 158 Hawfinch, 33, 156, 167 1 ,, Japanese, 141 Hawk, 75, 129, 309 “Hedgepoke,” 166 Hedge-Sparrow, 166, 237 Hedymeles ludovicimza, 156 Helminthophila lanireizcii, no ,, pzuiis, no Hemipode, Black-necked, 163, 219 ,, ,, -throated, 218 „ Ferruginous-necked, 217 ,, Lepurana, 217 Hemipodes, 295 Heron, 168 „ Black-crowned Night, no, 129 „ Buff-backed, 312 ,, Common, 77 ,, Great Blue, 129 ,, Green, in, 129 Herons, 129, 229, 287, 375 Hey’s Partridge, 264 ,, Rock-Partridge, 263, 346 Himalayan Black-crested Bunting, 72 ,, Goldfinch, 24, 372 Hirundo cahirica, 310 ,, neoxena \ 45 ,, rufula, 310 ,, rustica, 252, 229, 309 ,, savignii, 310 388 Index to Subjects. Honey-eater, New Holland, 235 Honey-eaters, 153 Hooded Crow, 307 Hoopoes, 229, 31X Hornbills, 160 House Martin, 95, 167 ,, Sparrow, 167 Humming Birds, 223 Hybrid Connies, 341 „ Parrakeet, 333 Hybrids— Bramblefinch-Chaffinch, 141 Park- Yellowhammer, 141 Redrump-Rosella, 141 between the Pyre-bird and Common Fowl, 46 Hyphantornis abyssinicus, 223 „ melanocephalus, 157 Hypochera nitens, 157 ,, ultramarina , 235 Hypsipetes crassirostris, 74 I. Ibis cetbiopica, 312 Ibis, Sacred, 312 ,, Wood, in Icterus baltimore, 158 ,, spurius, 158 ,, tibialis, 142 ,, xanthomis, 174 Icterine Starlings, 158 Illiger’s Macaw, 161 Illustration Fund, 53, 85, 118, 322, 349 Imperial Eagles, 309 ,, Nicobar Fruit-Pigeon, 42, 375 Importation of Foreign Birds, The, 377 Importing Australian Birds, 114 Incubation, The Period of, 151, 210, 233 India, a Small Aviary in the Hills of, 365 Indian Rain Quail, 345 Indigo Finch, 156, 235 J. Jackdaw, 78, 136, 168 Japanese Hawfinch, 141 Javan Maja Finch, 72 Java Parrakeet, 277 ,, Sparrow, 116, 157, 256, 273, 319, 372 ,, ,, pairing with Goldfinch, 116 Jottings from Scotland, 77 JlincPf.hy emails, 156 Jungle-Fowl, 102 „ Sonnerat’s, 287 K. Kagu, 280 ,, in Captivity, The, 280 Kea, 116, 144, 288 Keith’s Parrakeet, 236, 341 Kestrel, 165, 168, 311 ,, Pesser, 308 King-bird, 160 „ Bird of Paradise, 42, 206, 288 ,, Parrakeet, 141 Kingfisher, 160 ,, Belted, ut Kingfishers, 164, 223 , 374 Kite, Black, 311 ,, Common, 311 „ Egyptian, 312 Kites, 31 1 Kittiwakes, 287 Kiwi, 288, 314 Knots, 252, 374 L. Lagonosticta niveiguttata, H9 ,, rubricata, 119 ,, 1 ufopicta, 119 ,, senegala, 119 Lamprocolius auratus, 158 ,, chalybeus, 158 Lanins algeriensis, 45 ,, col/aris, 251 ,, dealbatus, 45 ,, gutturalis, 251 ,, hcemitrcicurus, 45 Papland Bunting, 141, 331 Papwing, 135, 168 Park, 159, 164 ,, -Yellowhammer, 141 Lams a trie ilia, in ,, cachinnans, 307 „ canus, 78 ,, fuscus, 307 ,, leitcophceus, 307 ,, melanocephalus, 307 ,, ridibundus, 79 Paughing Gull, hi Pavender Finch, 119, 237 Pawrence Warbler, no Leptoptila chloroauchenia, 130 ,, jamaicensis, 87, 130, 234 ,, reichenbachi, 130, 234 Pepurana Hemipode, 217 Pesser Bird of Paradise, 206, 229, 288 ,, Black-backed Gull, 307 ,, Kestrel, 308 ,, Pintailed Sandgrouse, 64, 118 ,, Redpoll, 313 ,, ,, in Berkshire, 313 ,, Tern, 136 ,, Whitethroat, 166 Lencodioptron canorum, 153 Pevantine Shearwater, 307 Ligurians ckloris, 167 Limicolce, 136 Pinnet, 43, 381 Linota rufescens, 313 Liothrix, 183, 237, 260 ,, liiteus, 134, 318 Pittle Auk in Spitzbergen, 356 Piving Birds attacked by Maggots, 174 Pong-tailed Finches, 256, 293 ,, ,, Glossy Starling, 279 ,, ,, Grass-finch, 40, 257, 260 ,, ,, Tit, 167 Toon, 125 Lophopliaps leucogasfer, 290 Lophortyx californicus, 266 Porikeet, Musky, 256, 290, 341 ,, Swainson’s, 161 ,, Varied, 141 Pory, Black, 147 ,, ,, -capped, 148 Pove-bird, Madagascar, 74, 161 „ ,, Red-faced, 161 „ ,, Rosy-faced, 161 M. Macaws, 207 Macquarie Island Rail, 213 Madagascar Povebird, 74, 161 ,, Weaver, 74 Magpie, 78, 237, 305 ,, Chinese Blue, 159 ,, Mannikin, 376 Malabar Starling, 287 Mallard, 97, 128 Maluri, 46 Index to Subjects. 389 Management of the Avicultural Society, The, 48, 82 Mandt’s Guillemot. 357 Mannikin, Bronze-winged, 40 ,, Magpie, 376 Mantell’s Apteryx, 315 „ ,, at the Zoological Gardens, 314 Many-coloured Parrakeet, 161, 203, 239, 256, 257 Maroon Tanager, 375 Marsh-bird, Red-breasted, 158 ,, Tit, 167 Martin, House, 167 ,, Pale Rock-, 310 ,, Rock-, 310 ,, Sand, 167, 310 Martins, 310 Masked Finch, 256, 257, 293 ,, Parrakeet, 275 Meadow Pipit, 95 ,, -Starlings, 157 Meally Rosella, 161, 257 Medal, The Society’s, 85, 118, 142, 178, 349, 382 Mediterranean, Rough Notes from the, 305 Alegalcema , 325 M elanocorypha yelloniensis , 160 Meliornis novce- hollandice , 235 Menura superba, 46 Merganser, 12 1 Mergulns alle, 356 Mergus albellns, 120 Merlin, 174 Merula bonlboul, 243, 301 ,, merula, 303, 306 ,, unicolor, 247 Mesia aigentauiis, 154 Meyer’s Parrot, 236 Military Troupials, 158 Milvulus tyrannies, 160 Milvus cegyptius, 3 1 2 „ ictinius, 311 ,, migrans, 311 Mimus polyglottus, 154 Missel Thrush, 152, 166, 170 Misto Seed-Finch, 97 Mistle-Thrush, 135 Mniotiltida, 184 Mocking-bird, 126, 154, 379 Molothrus bonariensis, 137 Monal Pheasants, 209 Mongolian Pheasant, 287 Monticola cyanus, 153 Motacilla lugubris, 167, 273 ,, melanope, 273 „ raii, 273 Moulting of the Red-backed Shrike, The, 173 Munia castaneiikorax, 216 ,, flavipiymna, 53, 141, 206, 207, 215 „ feixuginea, 72 „ maja, 157 ,, oryzivora, 157 ,, pectoralis, 213 Munias, 367 Aiuscicapa grisnla, 166 ,, parva, 306 Musky Lorikeet, 256, 290, 341 Mynah, 74, 164, 339 A lyiopkoneus cceruletis, 228 „ temmincki, 228 N. Namaqua Sand-Grouse, 230 Napoleon Weaver, 117 Necklaced Dove, 162, 211 Neilgherry Blackbird, 245 N eochmia phaeton, 141, 157 Neophema, 239 ,, bourkei, 207, 239 ,, chrysogastra, 239 ,, elegans, 212, 239 ,, petrophila, 2:2 239 ,, p7ilchella, 240, 249 ,, splendida, 240 ,, venusta, 186, 239, 249 Neophron perenopterus, 310 Neophron Vulture, 310 Nepal Alexandrine Parrakeet, 161 Nesting Habits of Brush Turkeys, The, 43, 83 of Fraser’s Touracou, The, 26 ,, Tambourine Doves, 376 ,, the Bearded Tit, 318 ,, ,, Orange Bishop, 89 ,, ,, Solitary Ground Dove, The, 130 „ ,, ,, Yellow Sparrow, The, 75 New Holland Honey-eater, 233 ,, York Zoological Park, The, no ,, Zealand Parrakeet, 161 ,, ,, Quail, 213 Nicobar Pigeon, 164, 375 Night-Heron, Black-crowned, 129 Nightingale, 126, 166, 187, 237 ,, Virginian, 185, 186, Nightjar, 137, 160 Nonpareil, 67, 379 ,, Green, 367 ,, Pin-tailed, 68, 8r, 117, 187, 367 Notes from Australia, 46 ,, ,, an Outdoor Aviary on the Italian Riviera, 184 ,, Tasmania, 43 on my Birds, 39 ,, the Grev-winged Ouzel, 243 ,, ,, Psychology of Birds, 124 ,, ,, Wild Canary, 380 Notornis, 213 Nucifraga, 159 Nutcracker, Clarke’s, 159 Nuthatch, 152, 164 Nyroca capensis, 253 o. Ocydivmus, 213 Ocyphaps Inphotes, 114, 162, 233 CEna capensis, 251 Officers for the year 1903-6, 349 Old Bird Friend, A11, 113 Olive Finch, 141 Opisthoconuis, 118 Orange-billed Tanager, 172 ,, Bishop, 89 ,, -cheeked Waxbill, 372 Orchard Hang-nest, 158 Oreortyx piclus, 163 Orioles, 153 Ornithological Congress, The International, 142, 207, 229, 236, 283 Ortygospiza polyzona, 253 Osprey, 113 Ostriches, 286 Otocorys alpestris, 159 Ouzel, Grey-winged, 139, 243, 301 ,, Tickell’s, 287 Owl, 75 ,, Barn, 228, 291 ,, Cape Eagle-, 206, 228 ,, Sliort-eared, 42 ,, Tawny, 149 Owls, 287 Oyster-catcher, 78 390 Index to Subjects. P. Pachycephala glaucura, 236 , , gutturalis, 46 Paddy Rice, 81 ,, „ for Finches, 117 Painted Finch, 204, 257, 374 „ Quail, 149, 201, 234, 295 Palceornis schisiiceps , 319 ,, wardt, 74 Pale Rock-Martin, 310 Palm Dove, 187, 266 Palpebrosa, 373 Panurus, 150 ,, biarmicus, 150 Paradisea apoda, 206 ,, minor , 206, 288 Paradise, Flycatcher, 368 ,, Whydah, 47 Paroaria, 156 ,, cncullafa, 171 Parrakeet, Adelaide, 161 ,, Barnard’s, 141, 161, 274, 333 ,, Barraband, 248 ,, Bauer’s, 141 ,, Beautiful, 239 ,, Black-tailed, 161 ,, Blood-rump, 161 ,, Blossom-head, 161 ,, Blue-banded Grass-, 161 ,, ,, -bonnet, 258, 289 ,, „ -winged, 34 ,, ,, ,, Grass-, 186, 249 ,, Bourke’s, 161, 203, 207, 217, 239, 257 ,, Canary-winged, 320 ,, Crimson-winged, 318, 346 ,, Elegant Grass-, 212 ,, Golden-headed, 161 ,, ,, -shouldered, 239 ,, Green, 74 ,, Hanging, 343 „ Hybrid, 333 ,, Java, 277 ,, Keith’s, 256, 341 1, King, 141 ,, Many-colour, 161, 203, 239, 256 ,, Masked, 275 ,, Mealy Rosella, 161, 257 ,, Nepal Alexandrine, 161 ,, New Zealand, 161 „ Passerine, 34 ,, Pennant, i6r, 333 ,, Princess of Wales’, 248 ,, Redrump, 239 ,, Red-winged, 161, 293 ,, Ring-necked, 236 ,, Rock Pebbler, 248 ,, ,, Grass-, 212 ,, Rosa, 161 ,, Rosella, 66, 161, 256 ,, Slaty-headed, 319 ,, Tovi, 320 ,, Tui, 320 ,, Tuipara, 320 ,, Turquosine, 161, 240 ,, ,, Grass-, 249 ,, Yellow-naped, 333 ,, see under Grass-Parrakeet Parrakeets, 257, 292, 367, 379 ,, holding food in right foot, 236 Parrot, Black, 74 ,, Finch, 69, 141 ,, Grey, 224, 378 ,, Meyer’s, 236 ,, Red-capped, 23, 351 ,, Senegal, 289 ,, An uncommon, 319 Parrotlet, Guiana, 375 Parrotlet, Passerine, 34, 161 Parrots, 127, 133, 160, 164, 228, 292, 326, 379 ,, The Food of, 173 Parson Finch, 292 Partridge, 288, 296 ,, Bonham’s, 264 ,, Bronzewings, 230, 290 ,, Greek, 287 ,, Grey, 266 ,, Hey’s, 264 Pams ater , 167 ,, carulezis, 167 ,, palusiris, 167 Passer arcuatus , 155, 251 ,, domesticus, 167 ,, luteus, 41, 75, 118 Passerine Parrakeet, 34 ,, Parrotlet, 34, 161 Peacock, 127 Pea-throat, 23 Pectoral Finch, 81, 293 Pekin Robin, 39, 185, 186, 236, 317 ,, ,, in London, The, 317 Pelican, Brown, 284 Pelicans, 230, 231 Penduline Tit, 375 Penguin, Adelia, 210 „ Black-footed, 210 Pennant Parrakeet, 161, 333 Perdiciila argoondah, 163 ,, cambaiensis, 163 Perdix, 264 Peregrine Falcon, 194 Period of Incubation, The, 151, 210, 233 Perisoreus, 139 Persian Bulbul, 154 Peter’s Spotted Firefiuch, 119 Phceton caudata, 73 Phalacrocorax carbo, 307 Pkaps chalcoptera, 114, 245 ,, elegans, 42, 162 Pheasant, Amherst, 102, 287 ,, Bornean Fireback, 286 ,, Common, 287 „ Gold, 102, 143, 209, 233, 287, 345 ,, Monal, 209 ,, Mongolian, 287 ,, Reeve’s, 287 „ Silver, 102, 143, 287, 340, 345 ,, Swinhoe’s, 287 Pheasants, 127, 273, 287 Pheucticus aureiveniris, 171 Phcen icopterus ruber , 113 Phompara, 156 Photographs of Animals, 293 Phrygilus f mticeti, 1 7 1 ,, unicolor , 171 Phylloscoptis rufus, 137 ,, sibilatrix, 382 Pica, 179 „ pica , 305 ,, rustica , 78 Picus viridis , 168 Pied-billed Grebe, 125 ,, Bush-Chats, 367 ,, Flycatcher, 141 ,, Grallina, 153 ,, Wagtail, 95, 167, 272 Pigeon, Australian Crested, 233 ,, Bleeding-heart, 131, 185 ,, Bronze-wing, 131, 164, 187, 245 ., Brush Bronze-wing, 42 „ Cape, 283 ,, Crested, 114, 185 ,, Crowned, 125 ,, Fruit, 74 ,, Green, 224 ,, Imperial Nicobar Fruit-, 42, 375 „ Nicobar, 375 Index to Subjects. 39i Pigeon, Partridge Bronze-wing, 230, 290 ,, Wharton's Fruit-, 41 „ White-bellied Plumed, 290 „ Wonga-wonga, 245, 255, 287 ,, Wood, 168, 189, 311 Pigeons, 224, 306 Pileated Finch, 341 „ Song-Sparrow, 331 Pintailed Nonpareil, 68, 81, 117, 187, 367 ,, Sandgrouse, 149, 162 ,, Whydah, 41 Pionopsittacus pileatus, 23, 351 Pionus, 289 Piping Crow, 159, 237 Pipit, Meadow, 95 Pipits, 152 Pittas, 160 Plantain-bird, 175 ,, -eater, 253 Platycercus eximius, 115 ,, pallidiceps, 115 Ploceidce , 117, 156, 170 Ploceus bay a, 157 Plover, Kinged, 78 Plovers, 374 Pochard, Cape, 253 Podica senegalensis , 47 Pcecephalus senega his, 289 Poephila acuticauda , 215 ,, armitiana, 237 ,, cincta , 157 ,, gouldia, 157 ,, mirabilis, 237 ,, personata, 157, 215 Poliopsar andamanensis, 158 ,, malabaricus, 158 Polytelis barrabandi, 248 ,, melanura, 248 ,, spathoptems, 248 Poospiza erythrophrys , 171 „ melanoleuca , 171 ,, nigrorufa , 171 Post Mortem Examinations, 53, 86, 145, 178, 214, 238, 262, 294, 322, 350 Pratincole, South African, 250 Prices of Birds, The Decreased, 348 Princess of Wales’ Parrakeet, 248 Prolific Silver Pheasants and Californian Quails, 340 Psephotus , 239 Psitiacula guianensis, 375 Pternistes infuscatus, 352 ,, leucoscepus, 352 Pterocles alchata, 162 ,, alchatzis, 64 ,, exustus , 64, 118 ,, ,, The Breeding of, 64 ,, namaquus, 250 ,, senegallus, 266 Ptilonorhynch us violaceus, 158 Ptilosclera versicolor , 141 Ptilostomus , 159 Puffins, 287 Puffitius yelkouanus, 307 Purple Sunbird, 368 „ -headed Glossy-Starling, 142 Pycnonotus hcemorrhous, 252 ,, lezicotis , 154 ,, nigi leans, 252 ,, sinensis, 134 Pycoscelis adelite, 210 Pyromelana cafiensis, 157 ,, franciscana, 89, 157 Pyrrhula. europeza, 167 Pytelia, 119 ,, citerior, 228 ,, melba, 228 ,, phosnicoptera, 157 Q. Quail, 79, 160, 296 ,, Australian Swamp, 363 ,, Californian, 133, 266, 269, 287, 340, 345 ,, Chinese Painted Quail, 163, 261, 345 ,, Common, 365 ,, Dotterel, 293 ,, Indian Rain, 343 ,, New Zealand, 213 ,, Painted, 149, 201, 234, 295 ,, Rain, 234, 261, 365 ,, Scaly-breasted, 270 ,, Varied or Variegated Bustard-, 295 Quails, 163, 364 Quelea erythrops, 157 ,, quelea, 157 Quiscalus versicolor, 158 R. Rail, Flightless, 213 ,, Macquarie Island, 213 Rails, 346 Rain Quail, 234, 261, 363 Rambles among the Wild Birds, (No. IV.) The Raven (Corvus corax), 190 ,, with a Camera among our South Country Birds, 134 Ramphoccelus japaca, 375 Rapt ores, 31 1 Ratitce, 315 Raven, 159, 175, 190, 311 Razorbills, 287 Recollections of Some Bird Friends, 30, 66 Red Avadavat, 367, 372 ,, -backed Shrike, 44, 154, i73> 33° ,, -breasted Flycatcher, 306 ,, ,, Grosbeak, 156 ,, ,, Marsh-bird, 158 ,, -capped Parrot, 23, 351 ,, Courser, 250 ,, -crested Cardinal, 81 Reddish Finch, 258 Redbreasts, 379 Red-faced Finch, 41, 141, 235 ,, ,, Love-bird, 161 ,, Flamingo, 113 ,, -headed Finch, 252, 373 „ ,, Gouldiau Finch, 259, 293, 373 „ „ Ground-Thrush, 287 ,, ,, Smew, 122 Redpoll, 155 ,, Lesser, 313 Redrump Parrakeet, 239 Red-rumped Swallow, 310 Redshank, 79, 95, 96. 136 Redstart, 166, 379 Red-tailed Finch, 210, 235 ,, -vented Bulbul, 154, 252 ,, -winged Blackbird, 125 ,, ,, Francolin, 251 ,, ,, Parrakeet, 161, 293 Reed Bunting, 95, 96, 332 ,, Warbler, 166 Regent-bird, 153 Regulus cristatus, 167 Reviews : — “ Emu,” The, 69 Finn," The Birds of Calcutta,” 143 Shellev, “ The Birds of Africa,” 205, 334 Westell, “ British Bird life,” 230 _ Resuscitating apparently drowned Birds, 84 Rhea, Common,, 375 ,, Darwin’s, 255 Rheas, 286 375 392 Index to Subjects , R hinochefus jubatus, 280 Rhynchops nigra, in Rhynchotus ru/escens, 164 Ring-Dove, 125 Ringed Finch, 40 ,, Plover, 78 Ring-necked Parrakeet, 236 Robin, 32, 237 „ Bine, 237 379 ,, Pekin, 39, 256, 317 Rock Grass-Parrakeet, 212 ,, Martin, 310 Rock-Partridge, Hey’s, 263, 346 ,, -Partridges, 264 ,, Pebbler Parrakeet, 248 ,, -Sparrow, 155 ,, -Thrushes, 153 Roller, 79, 160, 311 Rook, 80, 108, 305 Rosa Parrakeet, 161 Rosella, 115. 144, 175, 256 ,, Mealy, 257 ,, Parrakeet, 66, 161, 201 Rosy-faced Love-bird, 161 Ruff, 84, 374 Ruficauda, 106, 185, 235 Rufous Dove, 130, 234 „ -tailed Finch, 236. 25- ,, ,, Grass-Finch, 106 ,, Tinamou, 164 Rules, The, 16, 85 Ruticilla phcenicura, 166 s. Sacred Ibises, 312 Saddle-billed Stork, 222, 375 Saffron Finch, 72, 101, 155 St. Helena Seedeater, 237 ,, Waxbill, 81 Saltator, 170 ,, aurantiirostris, 172 Saltatricula multicolor, 171 Sandgrouse, 162 ,, Greater Pintailed, 64 „ Lesser ,, 118 ,, Namaqua, 250 ,, Pintailed, 149, 162 ,, Spotted, 266, 269 Sand Martin, *96, 167 Sandpiper, 96 Satin Bower-bird, 114, 158 Saw-billed Ducks, 120 Saxicola familiaris , 252 Scaly-breasted Quails, 270 ,, Dove, 183, 187 Scarda fella squamosa, 162 Scarlet Tanager, 154, 183 Scotland, Jottings from, 77 Screamer, Crested, 255 Sea-Gulls, 129 Sedge-Warbler, 95, 97 Seed-eater, St. Helena, 237 ,, ,, Sulphury, 253 See-See Partridges, 264 Senegal Dove, 183, 187 ,, Parrot, 289 „ Stork, 375 ,, Turtle-Dove, 211, 311 Serinus canicollis, 253 ,, flaviventris, 135 ,, icterus, 153, 253 ,, leucopygius, 153 ,, sulphuratus, 155, 233 Sex of Birds, etc., 237 Seychelles Bulbul, 74 ,, Some Common Birds of the, 73 Shama, 153, 339 Shamas deserting their young, 339 Shearwater, Levantine, 307 Short-eared Owl, 42 ,, ,, Owls breeding in Hampshire, 42 Shrike, Bakbakiri, 251 „ Grey, 45 „ Red'-backed, 44, 154, 173, 330 Siaha, 237 ,, sialis. 154 Silky Cow-bird, 157 Silverbills, 164 Silver Pheasant, 143, 287, 340, 345 ,, Pheasants for Aviary, 345 Singing Finch, Yellow African, 186 Siskin, 47, 155 Sitagra luteola, 157 Skylark, 160, 168 Slaty-headed Parrakeet, 319 Smew, 120, 170 ,, Red-lieaded, 122 Snipe, 96 ,, Common, 136 Society’s Funds, The, 294 ,, Medal, The, 85, 118, 178, 349 Solitary Ground-Dove, 130 Song of the Piping Crow, The, 237 ,, -Sparrow, 208 ,, ,, The Breeding of, 331 ,, Thrush, 134, 152, 166, 244, 379 Sounerat’s Jungle-fowl, 287 South African Pratincole, 250 Sparrow, 155, 368 ,, American, 172 ,, Cape, 251 ,, Chingolo Song-, 331 ,, Chipping, 156 ,, Diamond, 41, 137, 187, 237 ,, Hedge, 166, 237 ,, House, 167 ,, Java, 116, 157, 256, 319, 372 ,, Pileated Song-, 331 ,, Rock, 155 ,, White-eyebrowed Song, 331 ,, Yellow, 41, 75, 118 Sparrows, 291 Sparrowhawk, 165 Spathopterus alexandra, 249 Spectacle-Thrush, 153 Spermestes bicolor, 157 ,, cucullata, 157 ,, nana, 137 Spetniophjla albigularis, 156, 358 ,, ccerulescens, 171 ,, grisea, 156 ,, plumbea, 136 Spermophilce, 258 Spkeniscus demersus, 210 Spice Birds, 372 Spice Finch, 346 Spink, 167 Spizella socialis, 156 Splendid Grass-Parrakeet, 240 Sporceginthiis, 156 Spotted Crake, 229 ,, Firefinch, Peters’, 119 ,, Flycatcher, 166, 252 ,, Sandgrouse, 266, 269 Star Finch, 210, 233, 256, 257, 293 Starling, 79, 115, 136, 153, 168, 174, 291 ,, Andaman, 142, 287 ,, Green Glossy-, 142 ,, Long-tailed Glossy-, 279 ,, Malabar, 287 ,, Purple-headed Glossy-, 142 Steganoplura guttata , 157 Steganut a paradisea, 157 Sterna pluviatilis, 78 ,, hirunda, in ,, macrura, 78 Stictoptera bichenovii, 157 Index to Subjects. 393 Stock-Dove, 136 Stories from Real Life, 274 Stork, Saddle-billed, 222, 373 ,, Senegal, 375 ,, Whale-headed, 222 „ White, 284, 308 Stray Notes, 229 Streaked Laughing-Thrush, 375 Striated and Sharp-tailed Finches, 319 Struthidea, Grey, 287 Stubble Quail, 290 Sturnidoe, 158 Sturnine Starlings, 158 Sturnella magna , 158 ,, neglecta , 158 Sturnus vulgaris, 79, 136, 168 Successful Nesting' of the Wliite-throated Finch, 358 Sugar-birds, 153 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, 283 Sulphury Seed -eater, 253 Sunbird, Purple, 368 Sun-birds, 222 „ Bittern, 282 Superb Tanager, 183 Swainsou’s Lorikeet, 161 Swallow, 95, 113, 153, 164, 166, 229, 252, 284, 309, 374 „ Common, 310 ,, Red-rumped, 310 ,, Welcome, 45 Swan, Black, 46, 286 „ Trumpeter, 286 ,, Whooper, 286 Swift, 95, 168, 309, 311 ,, Alpine, 311 ,, Common, 311 Swinlioe’s Pheasant, 287 Sycalis arvensis, 97, 100 ,, chrysops, 101 ,, flaveola, 10 1, 155 ,, hilarii, 100 ,, luteola , 100 ,, minor, 100 ,, pelzelni, 17 1 Sylvia airicapilla, 136 Synoecus austtalis, 363 ,, cervinus, 363 ,, diemenensis, 363 , , sordidus, 363 Synoicus australis, 296 T. Tachyphomis coronatus, 142 Tceniopygia castanotis, 157 Tamborine Doves, 376 Tame Swallows, 113 Tanager, Archbishop, 179 ,, Black-backed, 83, 142 „ Blue, 375 ,, ,, -shouldered, 179 ,, Crowned, 142 „ Maroon, 375 ,, Orange-billed, 172 „ Scarlet, 154, 183 ,, Superb, 182 ,, Tricolour, 142 ,, Violet, 154 Tanagers, 170 Tanagra, 179 ,, cyanoptera, 180 ,, episcopus, 375 ,, ornata, 179 Tanagridce, 169, 184 ,, as Finches, The, 169 Tasmania, Notes from, 45 Tataupa Tinamou, 286 Tawny Owl, 149 Temenuchus pagodarum, 158 Temminck’s Whistling-Thrush, 228 Termites and Ants as food for Birds, 376 Tern, 95 „ Arctic, 78 ,, Common, 78, 96, hi ,, Lesser, 136 ,, White, 73 Teydean Chaffinch, 135 Thamnoloea arnotti, 224 Thick-head, Grey-tailed, 235 Thrush, 117, 303', 341 „ Blue, 237 ,, Chestnut-bellied Rock-, 367 ,, Missel, 135, 152, 166, 170 ,, Nesting in Confinement, 341 ,, Red-headed Ground-, 287 ,, Song, 134, 152, 166, 244, 379 ,, Streaked Laughing-, 375 ,, White-throated Ground-, 142 Thrushes, 153, 164 Tickell’s Ouzel, 287 Tinamou, Rufous, 164 ,, Tataupa, 286 Tinamous, 163, 299 Tinnunculus cenchris, 308 Tit, Bearded, 149, 208, 318 „ Blue, 33, 167 ,, Bottle, 167 ,, Coal, 30, 167 ,, Long-tailed, 167 ,, Marsh, 167 ,, Peuduline, 375 Tits, 152, 164 Totanus calidris, 79, 136 Toucan, Green-billed, 142 Toucans, 160, 207, 326 Touracou, 26, 326 ,, Fraser’s, 26, 55, 160, 224 ,, Large Blue, 224 ,, Senegal, 26 Touracous, 117, 160 Tovi Parrakeet, 320 Tree Creeper, 141, 168 Tricolour Tanager, 142 T rockalopterum lineatum, 375 Tropic Bird, 73 Trumpeter Bullfinch, 155 ,, Swans, 286 Tui, 141, 320 Tuipara, 320 Turacus livingstoni, 117 ,, macrorhynchus, 26, 55, 160 7 tirilus merula, 166 ,, musicus, 134, 166 ,, pcecilopterus, 243 ,, viscivorus, 133, 166 Turnices, 297 Turnix, 280, 345 „ lepurana, 163, 195, 295 ,, nigricollis, 163, 195, 295 ,, tanki, 163, 195, 222, 295 ,, varia, 295, 364 Turquoisine Grass-Parrakeet, 161, 240, 249 Turtle-Dove, 79, 168, 187, 374 ,, „ Half-collared, 274 ,, ,, Senegal, 211, 311 Turtur cegyptiacus, 313 ,, cambay ensis, 211 ,, capicola, 251 ,, communis, 168 ,, do?iraca, 307, 312 ,, senegalensis, 251, 266, 311 ,, suratensis, 311 ,, tigrinus, 211 ,, ,, x T. risorius albus, 162 ,, iranguebarica, 255 ,, ,, x T. risoria, 255 ,, turtur, 312 Twite, 33, 135 394 Index to Subjects. Tympanistria bicolor , 162 Tyrannidos , 172, 184 Tyrannus, 160 Tyrants, 160 u. Uganda, Bird Notes from, 222 Ultramarine Finch, 235 Upland Geese, 286 Upupa epops, 311 Uria viandti, 357 Urobrachya phccnicea, 223 Urocissa, 159 Uroloncha acuticauda, 157, 319 ,, striata, 157, 319 V. Vaiiellus vulgaris, 135, 168 Variations in Gold and Silver Pheasants, 102, 143 Varied Lorikeet, 141 ,, or Variegated Bustard Quaii, 295 Vinaceous Firefinch, 119, 201 Vinago calva, 224 Violet Tanager, 154 Virginian Cardinal, 156, 237, 293, 318 „ Cardinals and Ked-winged Parrakeets breeding, 293 ,, Nightingale, 185, 186 Volatiuia jacarini, 156 Vulture, Black, 255 ,, Griffon, 206, 228, 310 ,, Neophron, 310 Vultures, 222, 310 Vulturine Guinea-fowls, 286 w. Waders, 229, 287, 374 AVagtail, 284 „ Blue-headed, 2; ,, Grey, 272 ,, Grey-headed, „ Pied, 167, 272 ,, White, 272 ,, Yellow, 272 Wagtails, 152, 164, 271 Warbler, Blue-winged, 1 ,, Grasshopper, Lawrence, no Keed, 1 §6 Sedge, 95, 97 ,, Wood, 382 Warblers, 137, 152, 164, Waterhen, 96, 168 AVaxbill, 235 224 ,, Black-faced, 254 „ Blue-breasted, 253 ,, Golden -breasted", 41 ,, Orange-cheeked, 372 ,, St. Helena, 81 Waxbills, 150, 257, 260, 273, 336, 367 370 Waxwmg, 14 1, 149 Weaver, Baya, 372 „ Madagascar, 74 ,, Napoleon, 117 Weavers, 157, 168, 223, 233 Weaver-finch, Bar-breasted, 253 AVeaving Finch, 156 AVelcome Swallow, 45 AVhale-headed Stork, 222 Wharton’s Fruit-Pigeon, 42 AVhealears, 152 Whistling-Thrush, Blue, 228 >> „ Temminck’s, 228 AVhite-bellied Plumed Pigeon, 290 AVhitebelly, 87 AVhite-eared Bulbul, 154 ,, -eyebrowed Song-Sparrow, 331 ,, -fronted Ground-Dove, 87, 133, 234 ,, Stork, 251, 284, 308 „ Tern, 73 AVhitetliroat, Lesser, 166 White-throated Finch, 258, 347, 358 ,, ,, _ Ground-Thrush, 142 ,, Wagtail, 272 AVhooper Swans, 286 AVhydah, 223 ,, Giant, 253 ,, Paradise, 47 ,, Pin-tailed, 41 AVhydahs, 157, 208 AVigeon, 170 AVild Canary, 380 ,, Geese, 307 AVindovers, 165 AVith the breeding birds on Lough Neagh, 94 AVonga-AVouga Pigeon, 245, 255, 287 Woodcock, 284 AVood Ibis, in AVoodpecker, 326 „ Greater Spotted, 141, 160 ,, Green, 141, 168 Woodpeckers, 160, 164 AVood-Pigeou, 168, 189, 311 ,, -Swallows, 153 ,, -Warbler, 381 ,, ,, in London, 381 Wren, 168 ,, Golden-crested, 167 Wryneck, 141 X. Xanthocephalus icterocephalus, 158 Xenorhynchus senegaloisis, 222 Y. Yellow African Singing Finch, 186 „ -bellied Finch, 97 ,, -breasted Sugar-bird, 375 ,, Budgerigar, 35, 257 ,, -crowned Conure, 341 ,, -hammer, 33 ,, -headed Gouldian Finch, 236, 259 „ -legged Herring Gull, 307 ,, -uaped Parrakeet, 333 ,, -rumped Finch, 141, 204, 207, 215 ,, Sparrow, 41, 75, 118 ,, „ Nesting of the, 75 ,, Wagtail, 272 Yellowish Finch, 97 Young of the Touracous, The, 117 Z. Zebra Dove, 75 ,, -finch, 47, 80, 164, 257, 370 ,, ,, feeding young Golden¬ breasted Waxbills, 46 Zenaidura carolinensis, 162 Zonogastris tnelba, 53, 141 Zonotrichia, 136, 331 ,, hypochondria, 171 ,, leucophrys, 331 ,, pzleata, 171, 331 Zoological Gardens, Bird Notes from the, 42, 206, 228, 255, 287, 374 Zosterops, 74, 164 335, 373 ,, modesta, 74 ,, palpebrosbus, 133 ,, semiplava, 74 ,, going to nest in captivity, 335 Royal 8vo. Price 40/-. With 20 Superb Coloured Plates, figuring 33 species, ancl numerous text illustrations. The Standard Work on the Smaller Parrots. PARRAKEETS, BEING fl Handbook to the Imported Species, BY DAVID SETH-SMITH, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. “The exceedingly beautiful work on Parrakeets by Mr. Setli-Smitk has now been published in a complete form. It is one of the most interesting books devoted to what is termed aviculture that has appeared, and gives as far as can be done in a work of this character not only the most practical mode of keeping the birds, but a vast amount of scientific information in a popular and readable form.” — The Field. “ The work is the most complete and satisfactory treatise which has ever been published in English, dealing with any group of birds from the avicultural standpoint. It is an absolute necessity for every lover of Parrakeets. We hope that the author will see his way to deal with other groups in a similar style.” — Bird Notes. R. H. PORTER, 7, Princes St., Cavendish Sq. LONDON, W. TO TET, W. T. MOULTON & CO., PRINTERS, 4, CHURCH STREET, BRIGHTON. F. C. THORPE, Importer of all Varieties of Foreign Birds and filaterfoml. ANIMALS IMPORTED TO ORDER, All Birds kept in Aviaries not Cages, and sent on approval. Note * am, ess- 75, SOUTH PARADE, HULL. Stock in hand September 20, 1905. East Indian Drake 6/6, I cock Red-capped Parrot £i io /-, 3 pairs Man¬ darin Dncks 32/6 pair, 1 male Australian Shelduck £4, Barnacle Geese 45/- pair, 1 Common Mynah 7/6, 1 pair White-fronted Geese £1 5/-, 1 pair Violet Doves 35/- pair, 2 Tickell’s Thrushes 15/- each, I pair Australian Crested Doves £1 pair, 2 pairs Chuckor Partridges £2 pair, 1 Cornish Chough £3, Mexican Conure rare £1 5/-, Chinese Thrushes £1 each, White-headed Thrushes £1 {Turdus castanea), White-crested Laughing Jays £2 pair, mag¬ nificent rare Blue Jay ^4, pair Brown Meadow Starlings 7/6, 3 pairs Golden-crested Mynah 35/- pair, pair Solitar}' Ground-Doves 15/-, 1 pair Ruddy Shelldrakes £3, Female Green Cardinals 10/- each, 6 Indian Silver- bills 4/- pair, 400 Red Avadavats in colour and full song 1/- each, pairs 1/6, 8/6 doz., pair Pondicherry Francolins £2, 3 Cape Canaries 5/6, 6 Canadian Geese, English bred, 1 pair Red-headed Finches (Amadina erythrocephala ) 30/-, Blue and Buff Macaws ^5, Severe ditto £3, very fine birds in full plumage, 4 Blue-fronted Amazons £1 and £1 10/- each, 1 pair Grey Sparrows 6/6 pair, 3 pairs Jendaya Parrakeets, beauties, 30/- pair, very rare Lemon- vented Cassique £2, ditto Red Howling Monkey, tame, 1 year old, _£S, ditto Red-bellied Mexican Squirrel Lame, will follow you about, gem, ^3, Striped Small Flying Palm Squirrels £1 pair, 2 pairs Amherst Pheasants 17/6 each, I adult Reeve’s Pheasant, male, large bird, 1 Black Tauager 15/-, 1 pair Chilian Doves 30/- pair, Baya Weavers in colour 6/6 pair, Cabanis Weavers out of colour 6/6 pair, 1 pair Tambourine Doves £3 10/-. Indian Small Millet Seed 20/- cwt., 3/- stone, very fine seed. New arrivals — Violet-eared Waxbills £3 10/- pair, 2 odd males £2 10/- ouly 1 pair left, all the others sold. 20 pairs rare Crimson - shouldered Whydahs ^3 pair, 3 pairs Giant Wlivdalis £3 pair, 5 pairs Black-tliroated Cardinals 25/- pair, St. Helena Waxbills 4/- pair, Blue Mountain Lories £2 5/- pair, 1 young cock Shama (bred b\' Mr. Rathborne) 25/-, Somaliland Baboon ^3, 1 pair small rare Bitterns ^4, Wouga-Wonga Pigeons, hen Rosellas etc. Silver Pheasants, young, 12/6 pair, Alario Pinches 20/- pair, Pileated Finches 16/- pair, Corfu Rats 40/- each. To arrive bejore the end of December — Ostriches, Leopards’ Cubs, Central African Antelopes, Sliamas, Fruitsuckers, Moluccan Cockatoos, Crowned Pigeons, Cranes, Ducks, Lories, Lorikeets, Violet-eared Waxbills and other rare stock. Stock Always Changing. IV. Notices to Members — Continued. The Avicultural Magazine, Vols. 2, 4, 5, 6, complete, except Nos. 39 and 40, 2o/-. W. Oakey, Storigliton Street, Leicester. Cock Yellow-lieaded Troupial 25/-; lien Blue-wing 5/- pair Redrumps 30/- ; Pekin Robins 2/6; cock Lavender 3/- ; pair Avadavats 3/6. All healthy, from garden aviary. John Watson, Wentbridge, Pontefract. Aviary-bred Diamond Doves, perfect condition, 15/- pair; pair Red-lieaded Finches, 25/-. D. Seth-SmiTh, 14, Canning Road, Croydon. WANTS. (These ate charged for at the same rate as Birds for Sale). Hen Cambayau or Senegal Turtle-dove, the former preferred. T. H. Newman, Newlands, Harrowdeue Road, Wembley. Pair Parson-finches, pair Diamond Sparrows, hen Saffron Finch, hen Orange Weaver: all for breeding. Mrs. Mortimer, Wigmore, Holmwood, Surrey. Cock Diamond Sparrow and cock White Java, in exchange for hen Shatna. John Watson, Wentbridge, Pontefract. 4 Acclimatized bright coloured Tanagers, rare Weavers, and other foreign birds. J. B. Housden, Brooklyn, Cator Road, Sydenham. Cocks: Rosella, Pennant, Silver Pheasant, tame aviary birds. F. H. Rudkin, Belton, Uppingham. III. Notices to Members — ( Continued from page ii. oj cover). NEW MEMBER. Mr. D. Dewar ; St. Heliers, Hampton Wick. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Mr. C. J. Williams ; Government Offices, Bloemfontein : Mr. A. K. HaaGner (Hon. Secretary, South African Ornithologists’ Union), Dynamite Factory, Modderfontein, Transvaal. Proposed by Captain Horsbrugh. Mrs. G. W. Palmer ; Marlston House, Nr. Newbury. Proposed by Mr. J. C. Baker. MEMBERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. 7 he charge for private advertisements is one penny for every four ivotds. Names and add/ esses of advertisers must be paid for. Each statement of price, such as 3/6, is counted as one word. Every advertisement must be prepaid, and MUST reach the EDITOR not later than the 19 th of each month. The Council reserve the right of refusing any advertisement they may considet u ndesirable. I male Lesser Bird of Paradise, perfect health, £30; 1 pair Victoria Crowned Pigeons, ^30; 3 Crowned Pigeons, believed 2 hens 1 cock, ^12; 1 Kingfisher, Halcyon chloris. £$■, 1 Black-naped Oriole, hand-reared, £ 2 ; 1 pair Philippine Bulbuls, £3 ; 1 pair Calornis panayensis, 42/- ; 1 Glossy Starling, L. lessoni, 30/- ; 1 Smith’s Dove, £2 ; 1 Scarlet Lory, 30/- ; I cock Longicauda Parrakeet. £2. All in the best of health and plumage. Mrs. Johnstone, Burrswood, Groombridge. 1 Pair of Black-headed Sibias, 2 years in outdoor aviary, have nested this rear, 50/-, or would exchange good hardy foreign birds. Mrs. Noble, Park Place, Henley-on-Thames. Pairs, Aztic Conures, very rare, 20/-; Chestnut Finches, 9/6; hen Blue Grosbeak, 10/-. Doves: pairs, Picui 10/6, Brouzewings 20/-, Rufus 15/-, Violet 35/- ; Odd Doves : Senegal 5/-, Necklace 5/-, Barbarv gd., White- crowned Pigeon 10/6; Helmet Pigeon 4/-; Cockatiels 4/- ; Dove, un¬ known 8/-; Rufus 7/6. Miss R. Alderson, Worksop. A viarv-moulted Australian Finches: Gouldians (Black - headed) Rufus - tailed Grassfiuches, Pectoral Finches. J. B. Housden, Brooklyn, Cator Road, Sydenham. ( Continued on opposite page). JOHN D. HAMLYN, NATURALIST, 221, St. George’s Street East, London. THE ACTUAL IMPORTER OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS & ANIMALS DIRECT FROM OUR Indian, Australian, and African Empires. Absolutely THE ONLY DEALER who attends Shipping at London, Southampton, Plymouth, Antwerp, Bordeaux, Havre, and Marseilles. REFERENCES TO EVERY AMATEUR OF NOTE. LIST ON APPLICATION. QUCCESS IN BIRD KEEPING &{bREEDING CAN ONLY HE SECURED HY USING 4* ABRAMAMS5 14 WORLD-FAMED per Specialities in BIRD FOOD. LARGE STOCK OF RARE FOREIGN BIRDS. HARTZ MOUNTAIN ROLLERS, Norwich, Yorkshire and Lizard Canaries. Cock Birds in full Song now in Stock ABRAHAMS’ TONIC for Diarrhoea and Strengthening Birds. EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Cage and Aviary Appliance, Seed, etc., in stock. For complete Price List apply to — • J. ABRAHAMS. 191 & 192, ST. GEORGE STREET EAST. LONDON, K. No connection with any other firm under the same name. N J,. ABRAHAMS’ is the oldest and most reliable Establishment in England. y \ 3 9088 00984 0448