HE AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIRDS IN FREEDOM AND IN CAPTIVITY EDITED BY The Hon. ANTHONY CHAPLIN and Miss E. F. CHAWNER FOURTH SERIES. VOL. XIII JANUARY, 1935, to DECEMBER, 1935 Hertford STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, Ltd. STEPHEN AUSTIN AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, HERTFORD. CONTENTS PAGE Title-page .......... i Contents .......... iii Alphabetical List of Contributors . . . . v List of Plates ......... xi Officers for the Year 1935 ...... 1 List of Members ........ 3 Bules of the Avicultural Society .... 23 The Society’s Medal ........ 26 Magazine .......... 1 Index .......... 337 \ ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS Amsler, Dr. Maurice. Fertility of the Hooded Siskin and Canary Hybrid, 229. Breeding of the Amethyst Starling, 295. An Ornithologist. The Aims of the Society, 263. Appleby, Joseph. Bird Feeding, 27. Ashby, Mrs. R. G. My Birds in Scotland, 205. Softbills, 208. Banks, Geoffrey. Tame Birds, 160. Bennett, J. C. Birds of a Tasmanian Garden, 239. Blair, J. O’N. Obituary — Mr. Samuel McGredy, 30. Blythe, Hylton. British Bird Breeders’ Association, 195. Boosey, B. J. Breeding Results at the Keston Foreign Bird Farm during 1934, 72. The Princess of Wales’s Parrakeet, 119. The Grass Parrakeets — Some Facts and Fictions, 120. Gentlemen Only, 250. Chaplin, Hon. Anthony. Review — Les Oiseaux, Vol. I, 29. The Abyssinian Clijff-Chat, 33. Sunbirds Wintering in the Open, 58. The Crystal Palace Show, 88. The North Island Robin, 89. Obituary — Mr. G. B. Chapman, 118. Obituary — Major E. J. T. Housden, 149. Mr. Webb’s Collection from the Cameroons, 158. The New Zealand Tomtit, 163. The Rosy Twin-Spot, 197. Reviews — Some. Birds of the London Zoo, 236. The Birds of Midlothian, 236. The Mombasa Collared Sunbird, 267. VI Alphabetical List of Contributors Chawner, Miss E. F., F.Z.S. The History of A 1, 216. Obituary (R. W.) — Nora, Lady Dunleath, 294. North Country Memorial to Viscount Grey, 307. Editorial, 308. The Plumhead Finch, 315. Reviews — Every Garden a Bird Sanctuary, 309. Ornamental Pheasants, 309. Vogel Ferner Lauder, 310. Nature in the Wild, 335. Darnton, Mrs. The Successful Breeding of the Layard’s Parrakeet, 275. Delacour, J., F.Z.S. Bird-breeding at Cleres, 24. Breeding of Courier Water-Tyrant, 171. Notes on Pheasants, their Status at Liberty and in Captivity, 268. Dennis, Mrs. Gouldian Finches, 26. de Pledge, Miss B. Precious Has an Adventure, 215. Drake, Mrs. K. Peter’s Spotted Firefmch Breeding, 161. The Breeding of Firefinches, 198. Lives of Some Aviary-bred Birds at Mylor, Cornwall, 199. Further Successes at Mylor, 237. Essex, Countess of. Polly — My Amazon, 277. Ezra, Alfred, O.B.E. Breeding Results from Foxwarren Park, 1934, 105. Successful Rearing of the Silky Starling, 214. The Formosan Blue Magpie, 288. Parrakeet Breeding Results at Foxwarren Park in 1935, 330. Ezra, David. Successful Rearing of the Blue-neeked Crowned Crane in Captivity, 59. Goddard, Mrs. A Tame Troupial, 329. Goodfellow, Walter. A Collector on Melville Island, 316. Gordon, Seton. Grey Lag Geese, 258. Grant-Ives, Miss. The Ornamental Pheasant Society, 334. Alphabetical List of Contributors Vll Haine, J. E. Importation of Birds, 312. Hansell, Frank W. An Easily Constructed Outdoor Aviary, 108. Details for the Construction of an Outdoor Flight for Budgerigars, 241. Hinton, Thomas. Notes on the Birds of St. James’s Park, 124. Hopkinson, Dr. E., C.M.G., D.S.O. Breeding Results at Balcombe, 55. Duck Hybrids, 78. First Importation of the Carolina Duck, 162. The Greenfinch in Captivity, 173. Mr. Seth-Smith’s Contributions to the Magazine, 184. Records of Birds Bred in Captivity, 195. Chaffinches and Bramblings in Captivity, 256. Correction : Indigo Bunting X Nonpareil Hybrids, 265. Duck-Breeding Records, 280. Reported Mannikin X Canary Hybrids, 292. Zebra Waxbill X Cordon Bleu Hybrids, 293. Housden, James B. Where Rolls the Rio Grande, 114. Lambert, P. J. The Ornamental Pheasant Society, 237. Macklin, C. H., F.Z.S., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. Breeding of the Royal Parrot Finch, 245. Martin, A. Hand Rearing of the King and Pennant Parrakeet, 258. Breeding Results from The Nash, 301. Maxwell-Jackson, Miss M. The Parrot Ban, 196, 263, 314. Bird Importation, 311. Moody, A. F. The Dark Golden Pheasant, 57. Rearing of a Red-and-Yellow Macaw at Lilford, 87. Moore, H., F.Z.S. Arrival of Swallows, 161. Importation of Birds, 311. Morgano, Robert D. Waxbills, 264. Morrison, A. The Genus Sporophila, 1, 43, 69, 116. The Parrot Ban, 289. Alphabetical List of Contributors viii Naether, Professor Carl. Further Nesting Notes on Bronze-wing Pigeons, 151. Breeding Activities of Foreign Doves, 260. An Amateur Bird Photographer meets a Humming Bird Family, 325. Nicol, Hamish. Feeding the Grey Parrot, 195. Patterson, A. J. Breeding the Painted Finch, 300. Plath, Karl. The Bed-and- Yellow Macaw7, 265. Porter, Sydney, F.Z.S. Notes on New Zealand Birds, 34. Notes on Birds of Fiji, 90, 126, 164. The Parrot Ban, 156. Mice, 160. Bermudian Notes, 218. Potter, S. D. Some British Birds in New Zealand, 62. Potter, W. H. Breeding the Linnet, 57. Quincey, E. S. DE Q. The Hardiness of a Humming-bird and Other Notes on Birds at the Yern, 139. Rowe, Winston S. Some Notes on Feeding, 60. Notes from South Devon, 112. The Indian Crested Bunting, 153. Schmidt, P. A Pheasant which should Have a Great Future, 19. Scott-Hopkins, Captain C. My Pheasant Collection, 51. Seth-Smith, D., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Mice in Aviaries, 212. Sewell, II. S. Breeding the Painted Finch in Australia, 16. The Painted Finch, 57. Breeding the Dufresne Waxbill, 182. Summary of Breeding Results in South Australia, 332. Shakespeare, W. Breeding the Ceylon Bulbul, 238. Alphabetical List of Contributors ix Sherriff, A., F.Z.S. In a Hampstead Garden, 232. Sibley, Clarence L. Duck Hybrids, 118. Breeding of the Whooper Swan, 149. Sprawson, Evelyn, M.C., D.Sc. Hard-hearted Hannah, 224. Strang, Alex. R. New Zealand Zosterops in their Native Country, 32. Swan, J. C. Notes on a Voyage Home from Africa in the Winter, 177. SWEETNAM, PREB. J. E. The Evils of Mass Importation, and Some Suggested Remedies, 248. Notes from a Somerset Aviary, 303. Tavistock, The Marquess of, F.Z.S. Eye Disease in Parrakeets, 118. Notes for 1935, 227. Improper Importation, 291. Teague, P. W. Danger in Dusty Sand, 149. Tigar, Mrs. Wharton. Notes from a London Aviary, 21. Venner, Rev. P. Kingsford. Humane Aviculture, 290. Waxbills in Summer, 292. Waud, Capt. R., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Breeding Results at Bradley Court, 286. Webb, C. S. The Parrot Ban and the Future of Aviculture, 201, 338. Wilcock, James. Danger in Dusty Sand, 32. Workman, W. H., F.Z.S.* M.B.O.U. Two Tame Birds, 66. Yealland, H. Hand-rearing of the White-capped Parrot, 11. Yealland, J. J. The Parrot Ban, 262. LIST OF PLATES *Morelet’s Finch : Lineated Finch .... * Abyssinian Chiff-Chat ...... Two Stages in the Growth of the Young Blue-necked Crowned Crane . . North Island Bobin ...... * Queen Alexandra’s Parrakeet ..... ^Waterfowl in St. James’s Park .... 33 33 »••••■ Bronze-wing Pigeons ...... New Zealand Tomtit ...... *Bosy Twin-spot ....... Outdoor Aviary and Flight for Budgerigars (2) Mr. Boosey’s Planted Aviary at Keston . *Mombasa Collared Sun-bird ..... Cranes and Flamingoes at Bradley Court Ducks, Flamingoes, and Cranes at Bradley Court *The Plumhead Finch ...... Humming Birds (2) ..... » „ (3) . . to face p. 33 1 33 33 33 53 33 33 { 33 53 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 59 89 119 124 124 125 151 163 197 241 252 267 288 288 315 326 326 * Denotes a coloured plate. THE AVICULTURAL : SOCIETY : FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN & BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM & CAPTIVITY Patron : His Majesty the King. Officers for the Year 1935. President A. Ezra, O.B.E., F.Z.S. Vice-Presidents Her Grace the Duchess of Bedford, F.Z.S. The Lady Dunleath. H. R. Eillmer. E. Hopkinson, C.M.G., D.S.O., F.Z.S., M.A., M.B. Council M. Amsler, M.B., F.Z.S. E. J. Boosey. Hon. Mrs. Bourke. Miss Chawner, F.Z.S. J. Delacour, F.Z.S. T. H. Newman, F.Z.S. Lady Poltimore. Sydney Porter, F.Z.S. R. S. de Q. Quincey. D. Seth-Smith, F.Z.S. F.Z.S. B. C. Thomasset, F.Z.S. Mrs. Wharton-Tigar, F.Z.S. Capt. L. R. Waud, F.Z.S. A. Sherriff, F.Z.S. E. Sprawson, M.C., D.Sc., M.R.C.S., F.Z.S. Capt. H. S. Stokes, F.Z.S. The Marquess of Tavistock, Executive Committee T. H. Newman, F.Z.S. A. Ezra, O.B.F., F.Z.S. A. Sherriff, F.Z.S. The Hon. Secretary and Treasurer and the Editor. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer Miss E. Maud Knobel, F.Z.S. Editor Hon. Anthony Chaplin, F.Z.S. Pathologist €. H. Hicks. Auditor Col. Hamerton. Scrutineer J. B. Housden. STEPHEN AUSTIN AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, HERTFORD, List of Members 1st JANUARY, 1935 NOTICE. — Members are particularly requested to inform the Hon. Secretary of any error in the spelling of their names, addresses or descriptions, so that it may be corrected. Abell, Rev. R. B. ; SS. Peter and Paul’s Clergy House, Gloucester Road, Teddington. (Jan., 1926.) Adams, John ; Darsdale, Raunds, Northants. (Nov., 1930.) Allen, Arthur ; 38 Aylesford Street, S.W. 1. (Aug., 1933.) Allen, Miss Geraldine Russell ; Dabenham Hall, Northwich, Cheshire. (March, 1929.) Allen, M. T., F.Z.S. ; Ravenswood, North wood, Middlesex. (March, 1925.) Allenby, Field-Marshal the Viscount, G.C.B., G.C.M.G. ; 24 Wetherby Gardens, S.W. 5. (Nov., 1922.) Allison, N. G. ; 3 Ashurst Gardens, Tulse Hill, S.W. 2. (July, 1931.) Amsler, Maurice, M.B., F.Z.S. ; Eton Court House, Eton, Windsor. (Dec., 1908.) Anderson, Alistair ; Wardhead, Stewarton, Ayrshire. (June, 1923.) Appleby, Joseph; Farnley, Great Crosby, Liverpool. (Oct., 1923.) Armour, Dr. M. D. S. ; Crichton House, Anstruther, Fife. (Aug., 1932.) Arnau, Jose Julia (Ingeniero); Plaza Constitucion 15, Binisalem, Mallorca. (Jan., 1927). Arnold, Edward W. C. ; Babylon, Long Island, N.Y., U.S.A. (April, 1928.) Ashby, Mrs. R. G. ; Stanley Place, 34 Dalblair Road, Ayr. (Aug., 1932.) Astley, Mrs. Hubert ; Brinsop Court, Hereford. (Dec., 1901.) Balfour, F. R. S. ; 13 Collingham Gardens, S.W. 5. (Nov., 1932.) Balmain, Miss Mora ; Alford House, Castle Cary, Somerset. (June, 1930.) Bamford, William ; Bridgecroft, Kent Road, Harrogate. (March, 1904.) Banbury, Major Cecil E. ; Marden Hill, Hertford, Herts. (March, 1934.) Banks, Geoffrey; 76 Thornhill Road, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield. (July, 1932.) Bannerman, Mrs. David ; 7 Pembroke Gardens, W. 8. (April, 1928.) Barclay, Evelyn W. ; Whitwell Hall, Reepham, Norwich. (Aug., 1928.) Barker, Major G. H. ; Holm Isla, St. Saviours, Jersey, C.I. (Feb., 1924.) Barker, Capt. N. L., O.B.E. ; Cross Green, Otley, Yorkshire. (Dec., 1926.) 4 List of Members Barlass, J. C. ; Braxfield, St. Annes Road West, St. Annes-on-Sea. (March, 1934.) Barlow, Mrs. ; 45 Bath Road, Swindon. (Sept., 1926.) Barnard, T., M.C., F.Z.S. ; The Coppice, Eashing, Godaiming, Surrey. (Sept., 1919.) Barr- Smith, Mrs. ; Birkegate, Glen Osmond, South Australia. (Sept., 1926.) Barry, David, jun. ; 942 S. Ridgeley Drive, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. (Jan., 1928.) Bedford, Her Grace the Duchess of, F.Z.S. ; Woburn Abbey, Woburn, Beds, and 15 Belgrave Square, S.W. 1. (Feb., 1903.) ( Vice-President .) Beever, G. ; Brooklyn, Kirkheaton, Huddersfield. (June, 1923.) Benjamin, Mrs. ; Yarn Barton, West Chinnock, Crewkerne. (Dec., 1929.) Bensuade, Vasco ; 153 Estrada da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal. (July, 1931.) Beresford-Webb, G. M. ; Norbryght, South Godstone, Surrey. (May, 1906.) Biggs, F. S. ; Greystone, Lansdowne Road, Luton, Beds. (June, 1934.) Blaauw, F. E., F.M.Z.S., F.M.B.O.TJ. ; Gooilust, ’s Graveland, Hilversum, Holland. (Nov., 1901.) Blackburn, Frank ; 40 Mount Joy Road, Huddersfield. (April, 1929.) Blair, G. H., F.S.A.A. ; 71 Barton Arcade Chambers, Deansgate, Manchester 3. (Sept., 1932.) Blair, James O’Neill ; Achill, Harberton Park, Belfast. (April, 1934.) Bland, Mrs. G. L. ; The Little House, Wellesbourne, Warwick. (July, 1929.) Blay, G. ; The Manor House, Ditton Hill, Surbiton, Surrey. (May, 1934.) Bonestell, Mrs. C. H. ; 2610 Mountain Boulevard, Oakland, California, U.S.A. (Jan., 1933.) Boosey, E. J. ; Brambletye, Keston, Kent. (Feb., 1921.) Bott, William ; Gwent, Walton-by-Clevedon, Somerset. (Dec., 1928.) Bourke, Hon. Mrs. Algernon ; 75 Gloucester Place, Portman Square, W. 1. (Feb., 1911.) Bousfield, Miss ; Hazelgrove, Lymington Road, New Milton, Hants. (Jan., 1908.) Bower, Robert; Husheath Manor, near Goudhurst, Kent. (July, 1931.) Boyd, F. ; 255 North Road, Anlaby Road, Hull. (Dec., 1934.) Boyle, John ; The Farm House, Shirburn, Watlington, Oxon. (Jan., 1929.) Bracey, B. O. ; 907 Bundy Drive, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. (Nov., 1934.) Bradshaw, George ; 54 Ingram Road, Wahroonga, Sydney, Australia. (May, 1927.) Broadwater, C. C. ; 27 Highland Avenue, Piedmont, California, U.S.A. (March, 1932.) Brock, A. E. ; St. Just, Exeter. (Dec., 1929.) Brodrick, A. R. ; 12 Frognall Gardens, Hampstead, N.W. 3. (Aug., 1934.) Brookes, Miss F. C. ; Massam Hall, Old Leake, Boston. (July, 1933.) Brooksbank, Alec ; Brambletye, Keston, Kent. (Jan., 1928.) Brookson, J. ; 27 Kenton Park Parade, Kenton, Harrow. (Oct., 1934.) Brown, E. J. ; 37 Dean Road, Bitterne, Southampton. (March, 1931.) List of Members 5 Brown, F., Shalimar, 92 Wokingham, Road, Reading. (Jan., 1934.) Brown, W. Fbrrier ; 10 Ebers Road, Nottingham. (May, 1924.) Browning, William H. ; 103 Park Avenue, New York, U.S.A. (March, 1906.) Brunton, J. W. ; Inveresk Lodge, Musselburgh. (June, 1923.) Bryan, Mrs. A. H. ; P.O. Box 414, Balboa Heights, Canal Zone, Isthmus of Panama. (Jan., 1928.) Buchanan, A. ; Viewbank, 33 Townhill Road, Dunfermline. (Dec., 1928.) Burn, Lady; Rydal Mount, Potters Bar, Middlesex. (Oct., 1932.) Butler, Arthur Larchin, M.Aust.O.U. ; Lower Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania. (July, 1905.) Cairns, Hon. D. H. ; Carnach, Nairn. (Nov., 1930.) Cambessedes, J. ; 18 Boulevard Arago, Paris 18e. (Sept., 1934.) Campey, A. D. ; 117 Grovehill Road, Beverley, Yorks. (Jan., 1933.) Capern, F. ; Le win’s Mead, Bristol. (Oct., 1907.) Capron, C. Newton ; 90 Midland Avenue, Montclair, N.J., U.S.A. (Sept., 1934.) Carr-Walker, Herbert ; Almsford House, Fulwith Lane, Harrogate. (June, 1917.) Carlisle, Melville ; P.O. Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa. (March, 1930.) Case, Mrs. Alice M. ; Barncroft, Eastergate, Chichester, Sussex. (May, 1918.) Chambers, F. G. ; The Beeches, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent. (Aug., 1932.) Channer, Miss M. ; Webbery, near Bideford, N. Devon. (Rejoined.) Chaplin, E. W. ; The Heame, Great Amwell, Ware, Herts. (Sept., 1903.) Chaplin, The Hon. Anthony ; Greenacre, Balcombe, Sussex. (July, 1932.) (Editor.) Chaplin, Lady Drummond ; Noord Hoek, Cape Province, South Africa. (Rejoined.) Chapman, G. B., F.Z.S. ; 24 Tottenham Court Road, London, W. (Nov., 1922.) Chawner, Miss, F.Z.S. ; The White House, Leckford, Stockbridge, Hants. (July, 1899.) Chichester, Mrs. ; Galgorm Castle, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, Ireland. ( April, 1930.) Child, F. R. ; Braemar, Down’s Road, Luton, Beds. (March, 1920.) Christie, Mrs. G. ; Kellas, By Elgin, Morayshire. (Jan., 1913.) Clark, G. H. ; 28 Elm Grove, Orpington, Kent. (June, 1932.) Clemo, J. ; 18 Claremont Road, Redruth, Cornwall. (Oct., 1927.) Coates, Sir Edward Clive, Bart. ; 14 Sussex Square, W. 2. (June, 1929.) Coles, Clifford ; 16 Bancroft Avenue, Roseville, N.S.W., Australia. (July, 1929.) Colhoun, Major J., M.C. ; St. Elmo, Shantallow, Londonderry, Ireland. (March, 1929.) Collin, Harrv A. ; Tynrodyn, Bangor, North Wales. (May, 1928.) Collings, Miss C. ; Woodlands, 125 Harrow-dene Road, Wembley. (Nov., 1932.) Colthurst, Mrs. E. V. ; The Copse, Wraxall, Somerset. (June, 1931.) 6 List of Members Cooper, Mrs. H. Victor ; Villa d’Este, Burgess Road, Thorpe Bay, Essex. Cooper, James ; Cayton, Scarborough. (Orig. Mem.) Cotterell, Richard ; Garnons, Hereford, (April, 1928.) Cowley, H. ; The Manor House, Bubbenhall, Coventry. (Jan., 1926.) Cowper, Dr. Co M. ; Manor House, Leighton Buzzard. (July, 1933.) Cowper, G. St. John ; Rachel Lodge, Apollo Bunder, Bombay. (June, 1933.) Cox, Miss B. ; Marshwood Manor, Bridport, Dorset. Craige . Mrs. Lydia; Red Cottage, Brunswick Road, Douglas, Isle of Man. (Nov., 1934.) Crisp, Major John ; Moram House, Old Windsor, Windsor, (Nov., 1934.) Crofts, Robert T. ; The Aviaries, Reeves Avenue, Cross Heath, Newcastle, Staffs. (April, 1929.) Crowther, Charles ; 25 St. James’ Road, Ilkley. (June, 1934.) Cunningham, Dr. F. H. L. ; “ Rahere,” High Street, Chesham, Bucks. (April, 1931.) Cura, L., & Sons; Bath Court, Warner Street, Rosebery Avenue, E.C. 1. (Sept., 1928.) Currie, J. ; 54 Netherby Road, Edinburgh, 5. (Aug., 1915.) Curtis, Mrs. ; Caynham Court, Ludlow. (Sept., 1931.) Dalrymple, Mrs. A. M. ; address unknown. Dancoisne, Abbe H. ; Cure de Canaples, Canaples (Somme), France. (July, 1932.) Darling, P. Stormouth : Blackwood, Fulmer, Bucks. (June, 1928.) Darnton, Mrs. ; Sissinghurst Court, Cranbrook, Kent. (April, 1932.) Davis, Godfrey, I.C.S., F.Z.S. ; 4 Robin Grove, Westhill, Highgate, N. 6. (Aug., 1927.) Davis, Malcolm; 904 11 S.E., Washington, D.C., U.S.A. (March, 1934.) Dawson, Mrs. ; The Oaks, Great North Road, Welwyn. (March, 1934.) de Pass, Gerald V. ; The Kennels, Satwell, near Henley-on-Thames. (April, 1930.) de Pledge, Miss Beryl Isabel ; 9 Beaufort House, Beaufort Street, Chelsea, S.W. 3. Debono, P. P., M.D., F.R.C.S.(Eng.) ; 8 Windsor Terrace, Sliema, Malta. (June, 1930.) Decoux, A. ; Gery-pres Aixe, Hte. Vienne, France. (April, 1917.) Delacour, Jean, F.Z.S. ; Cleres, Seine Inf., France. (April, 1916.) Dell, Charles ; Ferndale, Moss Lane, Pinner, Middlesex. (July, 1900.) Denley, C. F. ; Winden, Brookville Pike, Rockville Md., U.S.A. (Jan., 1927.) Dennis, Mrs. Cyril ; Oakley Hall, Market Drayton, Salop. (June, 1920.) Dennis, Mrs. H. E. ; Holme Manor, Pulborough, Sussex. (March, 1903.) Denny, Mrs. Henry, C.B.E., Staplefield Place, Staplefield, Sussex. (May, 1924.) Dent, Mrs. ; The Vinery, Bury St. Edmunds. (Jan., 1934.) Dickson, Miss V. C. ; Lea Croft, Crawley, Sussex. (Oct., 1927.) Diemont, D. E. H. ; Rynvliet, Oudenryn, Holland. (June, 1927.) Director, The; Zoological Museum, Tring, Herts. (1912.) List of Members 7 Dooly, Tiiomas L. S. ; Whimbrel, Kirklake Road, Formby, near Liverpool. (.Tan., 1924.) Drake, Mrs. K. ; Garrick Cottage, Mylor, Falmouth, Cornwall. (Dec., 1926. ) Rt. Hon. Norah, Lady Dunleath, Shanes Castle, Antrim, Northern Ireland. (Aug., 1897.) Dunmore, Oscar E. ; 22 Kingsway Road, Leicester. (Oct., 1922.) Dunn, Mrs. C. T. M. ; The Nash, Kempsey, near Worcester. (Aug., 1932.) Dunseord, Miss E. M. ; The Nash, Kempsey, near Worcester. (April, 1933.) Dunster, Captain J. E. ; 34 Kensington Gardens Square, W. 2. (July, 1930.) Duveen, Mrs. ; Broadway, Limpsfield, Surrey. (Sept., 1927.) Duyzend, W. C. ; Koppelwig 151, Huize, “ Casarca,” Zeist, Holland. (March, 1927. ) Eales, Miss B. C. ; 10 Glenhurst Road, Brentford, Middlesex. (Jan., 1935.) Eckworth, Mrs. ; 155 Stephenson Avenue, Toronto, Canada. Edwards, Mrs. A. E. ; Three Elms, Kippington, near Sevenoaks, Kent. (Jan., 1925.) Elliott, F. S. ; 31 Kelvin Road, Ipswich, Suffolk. (Nov., 1925.) Elphick, George ; 118 Harley Street, W. 1. (April, 1926.) Elwes, Mrs. Robert ; Little Congham, King’s Lynn, Norfolk. (Dec., 1926.) Endtz, A., M.D. ; Loosduinen, 369 Haagweg, Holland. (Oct., 1932.) English, W. L., M.B. ; High Street, Haslington, Crewe. (Oct., 1931.) Engelbach, Docteur Pierre, Kampot, Cambodge, Indochine. Essex, Countess of ; Old Manor House, Wingrave, Aylesbury. (April, 1933.) Evans, C. E. H. ; 86 High Street, Hornchurch, Essex. (July, 1933.) Evans, James ; Elton Grove, Darlington. (April, 1934.) Evans, Miss Joan ; 8 South Eaton Place, S.W. 1. (Jan., 1929.) Evans, R. M. ; Inglewood, Ratcliffe Road, Leicester. (March, 1927.) Eustace, C. H. ; c/o P.O. Box 252, Shanghai, China. (Feb., 1927.) Ezra, Alfred, O.B.E., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; {President), Foxwarren Park, Cobham, Surrey. (1912.) Ezra, Sir David, Kt., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 3 Kyd Street, Calcutta, India. (June, 1912.) Fabian, Cyril Eric ; 29 Meadowcroft Road, Palmers Green, N. 13. (March, 1930.) Ferguson, A. B. ; 22 Duke Street, Kilmarnock. (April, 1931.) Fetherstonhaugh, Mrs. ; The Rosery, Exning, Newmarket, Cambs. (April, 1930.) Field, Mrs. Norman ; Lartington Hall, Lartington, Yorkshire. (June, 1933.) Fillmer, H. R. ; Oakfield, Hurst Road, Hassocks, Sussex. ( Orig . Mem.) Fook, H. A. ; 14 Ballygunge Park, Calcutta, India. (Jan., 1932.) Fooks, F. G. ; c/o Mon. J. Delacour, Chateau de Cleres, Seine Inferieure, France. (Jan., 1926.) Frayne, Ralph ; 28 Bramworth Road, Hexthorpe, Doncaster. (May, 1933. Freeman, A. J. E. ; 244 Hills Road, Cambridge. (Jan., 1935.) 8 List of Members Frost, Wilfred; c/o Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, N.W. 8. (Julyy 1908.) Frostick, John ; 303 High Road, Streatham Common, S.W. 16. (Aprilr 1933.) Fhrner, A. C. ; Oakdene, Whitaker Road, Derby. (Oct., 1929.) Gamble, Miss Kathleen A. ; 31 Roundwood Way, Banstead, Surrey. (March, 1930.) Gangtjli, S., C.M.Z.S. ; Superintendent Zoological Gardens, Alipore, Calcutta, India. (June, 1931.) Garcke, Mrs. C. ; Ditton House, Near Maidenhead. (June, 1916.) Gargini, G. ; The Bull’s Head Hotel, Aylesbury, Bucks. (June, 1933.) Garratt, M. R. ; District Forester, Smithton, Tasmania. (June, 1934.) Garrett, Robert ; Lannevan, Knock, Belfast. (April, 1933.) Gibbins, William B., F.Z.S. ; Ettington, near Stratford-on-Avon. (June, 1895.) {Hon. Mem.) Gladstone, Hugh, M.A., F.Z.S. , F.R.S.E., F.S.A.Scot. ; Capenoch, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire. (Dec., 1932.) Gledhill, Harold ; Mayfield, Argomeols Road, Freshfield, near Liverpool. (March, 1934.) Glenister, A. G., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; The Barn House, East Blatchington, Seaford. (June, 1928.) Glover, Percy H. ; Broadlands, Fareham, Hants. (June, 1931.) Goddard, H. E. ; Birchcroft, Fetcham, near Leatherhead. (Feb., 1899.) Goddard, Mrs. ; Fernham House, Faringdon, Berks. (Feb., 1923.) Golder, H. G., F.Z.S. ; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer Norwich Alliance All England C.B.d., 37 Crown Road, Norwich. (June, 1931.) Goodall, A. W. ; 29 Weston Crescent, Runcorn, Cheshire. (March, 1933.) Gosse, Mrs. James ; 9 Park Terrace, Park Side, South Australia. (July, 1923.) Grainger, Capt. Liddell ; Ayton Castle, Ayton, Berwickshire. (Aug., 1927.) Gray, Henry, M.R.C.V.S. ; 85 Earls Court Road, W. 8. (June, 1906.) Greed, R. E. ; Superintendent, Zoological Gardens, Clifton, Bristol 8. (Jan., 1933.) Green, H. Bareham ; The Godlands, Maidstone, Kent. (June, 1930.) Groves, Hon. Mrs. McGarel; Battramsley House, Lymington, Hants. (March, 1917.) Grunzig, B. Frank; 38 Livingstone Avenue, Avenel, New Jersey, U.S.A. (Jan., 1933.) Gubbay, Mrs. Maurice ; 30 Hill Street, Berkeley Square, W. 1. (Feb., 1928.) Gulbenkian, C. S. ; 51 Avenue d’Jena, Paris xvie Paris. (Dec., 1908.) Gurney, Daniel ; The Grange, North Runcton, King’s Lynn. (July, 1927.) Gurney, Miss Diana; North Runcton Hall, King’s Lynn. (July, 1927.) Hachisuka, The Marquess. ; Mita Shiba, Tokyo, Japan. (July, 1932.) Haggie, Mrs. E. M. ; Endcliffe Crescent, Sheffield. (Jan., 1934.) Hall, F. ; Dalkeith, 42 Chantry Road, Moseley, Birmingham. (March, 1934.) Hall, T. Walter ; 6 Gladstone Road, Sheffield. (Nov., 1926.) List of Members 9 Hamerton, Col. A. E., C.M.G., D.S.O. ; 1 Park Village West, Regent’s Park, N.W. 1. (Dec., 1930.) Hampe, Alex. ; c/o Mrs. Hillmann, Luisenallce, 8, Koenigsberg 1, Preussen, Germany. (Jan., 1927.) Hankey, Algernon A., F.Z.S. ; 71 Lissenden Mansions, Highgate Road, N.W. 5. (June, 1923.) Hansell, Frank A. D. ; The Croft, Muthill, Perthshire. (May, 1925.) Harman, Miss Knobel, F.Z.S. ; 27 Grosvenor Street, Grosvenor Square, W. 1. (Sept., 1928.) Harrington, T. J. S. ; 8 Ealing Park Gardens, Ealing, W. 5. (Jan., 1933.) Harvey, P. T. ; Farleigh, 170 King’s Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. (Nov., 1926.) Hastings, P. H. ; Locksway Road, Milton, Southsea. (March, 1930.) Hatherton, The Lady ; Hatherton Hall, Cannock, Staffs. (June, 1933.) Heal, C. H. ; Stanley Villa, Paulton, Somerset. (Sept., 1932.) Hebb, Thomas ; Croft House, Old Aylestone, Leicester. (April, 1914.) Henderson, Miss Oona ; Greystones, St. Mawes, Cornwall. (Sept., 1934.) Hine-Haycock, A. L. ; Kittery Court, Kingswear, Devon. (Aug., 1932.) Higham, Walter E., F.R.P.S., F.R.G.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; The Oaks, Clayton-le-Dale, near Blackburn, Lancs. (Jan., 1934.) Hirst, Albert ; 10 Talbot Avenue, Egerton, Huddersfield. (July, 1923.) Hirst, Arnold ; P.O., Box 262 dd, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia. (April, 1929.) Hirst, Robert S. ; Swincliffe House, Gomersal, near Leeds. (Rejoined.) Holden, The Lady ; Wiganthorpe, York. (March, 1934.) Hollas, Mrs. K. E. ; Red Scar, Grimsargh, near Preston. (Oct., 1922.) Hollond, Miss Gladys M. B. ; 5 Norfolk Crescent, Hyde Park, W. 2. (March, 1930.) Holroyd, George E., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Cardrona, Baildon, Yorkshire. (May, 1933.) Holt, Miss Esther ; Axholme, Noctorum, Birkenhead, Cheshire. (Jan., 1934.) Hopkins, W. E., F.Z.S. ; 6 Queen Street, Scarborough. (July, 1933.) Hopkinson, Emilius, C.M.G., M.A., M.B.Oxon., D.S.O. , F.Z.S. ; Wynstay, Balcombe, Sussex. (Oct., 1906.) Hopson, Fred C. ; Porchester, Newbury. (March, 1897.) Horne, Douglas Percy ; 95 Oxford Gardens, W. 10. (Sept., 1928.) Horner, Miss D. ; Riccall, York. (Aug., 1931.) Horsbrugh, C. B. ; Blessington House, Hillsborough, Co. Down. Hottsden, Major E. F., M.C. ; 126 Bessborough Road, Harrow, N. (Jan., 1934.) Housden, Major E. J. T., M.C. ; Royal Artillery Mess, Fenham Barracks, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. (Jan., 1934.) Housden, James B. ; Brooklyn, 31 Cator Road, Sydenham, S.E. 26. (Orig. Mem.) Housden, Dr. Leslie ; Caldecotts, Church Square, Basingstoke, Hants. (March, 1933.) Huckle, Mrs. K. E. ; The Bungalow, 14 Park Lane, Salisbury. (Jan., 1928.) Hue, Francois ; Grange des Pres par Pezenas (Herault), France. (July, 1934.) 3 10 List of Members Humphries, Walter John ; 32 Cedric Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, 8. (Feb., 1931.) Hunt, Norman ; Tudor Lodge, Station Road, Harpenden, Herts. (March, 1934.) Hutchinson, Miss Alice ; address unknown. (Aug., 1907.) Imparati, Dr. Prof. Edoardo; Ravenna, Italy. (Jan., 1932.) Irvine, W. J. ; 36 Ann Street, Belfast. (June, 1926.) Irvine, Mrs. Chistine ; Blakeway, Allport Road, Bromborough, Cheshire. (March, 1930.) Isenberg, A. H. ; 286 Atherton Road, Menlo Park, Calif., U.S.A. Jabouille, M. P. ; Gouvernement de la Cochinchine, Saigon, French Indo-China. (Feb., 1927.) Jarvis, Miss I. F. ; The Old Manor, Salisbury. (Aug., 1930.) Jefferson, Miss D. D. ; Rivermead, Combe-in-Teignhead, Newton Abbot, S. Devon. (May, 1932.) Jennison, George, M.A., F.Z.S. ; Barwick Lodge, Disley, Cheshire. (April, 1918.) Johnson, F. ; Downham Tavern, Bromley, Kent. (Jan., 1933.) Johnston, Robert Percy ; West House, Wigton, Cumberland. (March, 1925.) Jones, F. T. ; Peover Eye, Lower Peover, near Knutsford, Cheshire. (Oct., 1933.) Jones, H. ; 146 Victoria Street, Blackburn, Lancs. (Jan., 1932.) Jones, S. B. ; Plemont, Higher Road, Halewood, Liverpool. (Sept., 1934.) Jones, W. A. ; 54 Stockwell Park Road, S.W. 9. (Feb., 1933.) Kangieser, Henry F., jr. ; Menlo Oaks Drive, Menlo Park, Calif., U.S.A. (May, 1933.) Keator, Beverley, R.F.D. ; 12 Westport, Conn., U.S.A. (June, 1924.) Kekewicii, Mrs. Pier ; Caleb’s Brook, Kirdford, near Billingshurst, Sussex. (July, 1934.) Kemp, Robert ; 5 Rose Hill, Lostwithiel, Cornwall. (March, 1926.) Kerr, J. Ernest ; Harviestoun, Dollar, Scotland. (March, 1927.) Kewley, Mrs. M. A. ; Old Court House, Whitchurch, Aylesbury, Bucks. (Sept., 1910.) Kilnister, E. A. ; Eildon Road, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. (July, 1934.) Kingham, A., J.P., F.Z.S. ; Rounton, Mascotwood Road, Watford, Herts. (Nov., 1934.) King well, Miss Frances ; Beechfield, S. Brent, S. Devon. (June, 1929.) Kisner, Barnett; 999 Finchley Road, Golders Green, N.W. 11. (Nov., 1933.) Klaasen, Wm. ; c/o Holland-America Line, 120 Market Street, San Francisco, Calif., U.S.A. (Jan., 1932.) Knight, Ronald D. ; 144 Knighton Church Road, Leicester. (March, 1932.) Knobel, Miss E. Maud, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 86 Regents Park Road, N.W. 1. (Aug., 1916.) Hon. Mem. (Hon. Secretary and Treasurer). List of Members 11 Kuntz, P. ; 289 Edmonton Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (May, 1930.) Laidlay, J. C. ; Lindores, Fife, Scotland. (April, 1929.) Lambert, Paul ; Nawton, Yorkshire. (Sept., 1929.) Langham, Sir Charles, Bart. ; Tempo Manor, Co. Fermanagh, Ireland. (July, 1932.) Lauder, P. : c/o Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, 9 Grace- church Street, E.C. 3. Law, Dr. Satya Churn, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., M.A., B.L., Ph.D. ; 50 Kailas Bose Street, Calcutta. (1919.) Lax, J. M. S. ; Southfield, Crook, Co. Durham. (Jan., 1930.) Leach, C. F. ; Vale Lodge, Leatherhead, Surrey. (June, 1914) Legendre, M. ; 25 Rue La Conaamine, 17e, Paris. (June, 1928.) Leigh-Smith, Miss N. ; Crotestei, Headley Down, Borden, Hants. (Jan., 1934.) Lemp, Edwin A. ; Cragnold, Kirkwood, Missouri, U.S.A. (March, 1929.) Leslie, Clement M. ; 22 Meadowside, Dundee. (Jan., 1932.) Lesse, Maurice de ; Villa “ L’oustalet ”, Parc Santa Lucid, Saint Raphael, Var, France. (Jan., 1933.) Lewis, E. H. ; Box 192, Avalon, Catalina Island, California, U.S.A.. (Sept., 1928.) Lewis, Colonel F. E. C. ; The Inadown Game Farm, Newton Valence, Alton, Hants. (Rejoined.) Lewis, J. Spedan, F.Z.S. ; Leckford Abbyss, Stockbridge, Hants. (Sept., 1924.) Library International Institut d’Agricolture, Villa Umberto 1. Rome, 10. Lightfoot, J. G. ; The Gables, Upton Heath, Chester. (May, 1927.) Lilford, The Lady ; Lilford Hall, Oundle, Northants. (Jan., 1898.) Lincoln, E. R. W. ; c/o Cage, Birds, Dorset House, Stamford Street, S.E. 1. (July, 1932.) Littledale, Mrs. ; Moorend Park, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham. (Rejoined.) Lloyd, Major E. G. R., D.S.O. ; Tour, Kilmaurs, Ayrshire. (June, 1934.) Lloyd, Mrs. ; Greenmore Hill, Woodcote, nr. Reading. (Jan., 1928.) Lockey, R. ; Creighton House, Morpeth. (July, 1927.) Lodge, George, E., F.Z.S. , Hawkhouse, Park Road, Camberley, Surrey. (May, 1923.) Longdon, Mrs. C. A. ; Arreton, Epsom Road, Guildford. (Feb., 1909.) Longueville, Mrs. ; The Sherriffs, Lyonshall, Hereford. (May, 1934.) Losky, R. F. ; Chiclayo, Peru. (Jan., 1930.) Lovelace, The Countess of ; Wentworth House, Chelsea Embankment, S.W. 3. (May, 1906.) Lowe, Rev. J. R. ; The Vicarage, Coin St. Aldwyn, Fairford, Glos. (June, 1927.) Lupton, Miss E. M. ; Beechwood, El mete Lane, Roundhay, Leeds. (Aug., 1933.) Lynde, Dr. Roy; Ellendale, North Dakota, U.S.A. (June, 1931.) Lyon, Capt. the Hon. Michael ; Glamis Castle, Glamis, Forfarshire. (May, 1927.) 12 List of Members McCance, David ; Strand Town, Belfast. (July, 1932.) McCorquodale, Mrs. ; Cound Hall, Shrewsbury. (Jan., 1920.) McCullagh, Crawford ; Lismara, White House, Belfast, Northern Ireland. (June, 1930.) McCutchan, William A. ; 18 Selby Lane, Menlo Park, California, U.S.A. (Oct., 1931.) Mack, William ; 26 Wasley Street, Mt. Lawley, Western Australia. (Feb., 1931.) Mackie, Philip C. ; Tudor Cottage, Orville Gardens, Headingley, Leeds. (Jan., 1926.) Macklin, C. H., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., F.Z.S. ; 23 Church Street, Ampthill, Beds. (May, 1923.) McMillan, Arnold Dr. ; Ivy House, New Bomney, Kent. (March, 1930.) McLintock, Miss M. H. ; The Grove, Catton Grove Road, Norwich. (July, 1927. ) Mairaux, E. (Ingenieur Agronome I.A.G.) ; 41 Rue de la Ruche, Bruxelles, Belgium. (July, 1929.) Malone, Mrs. M. L’Estrange; West Lodge, Malton, Yorks. (Dec., 1931.) Manchester Public Libraries ; Charles Nowell, F.L.A. (Chief Librarian), Central Library, St. Peter’s Square, Manchester 2. (July, 1913.) Mansbridge, Captain H. ; Gellibrands, Chalfont St. Peter, Bucks. (July, 1933.) Manwaring, Mrs. ; Crossway, Knole Paddock, Sevenoaks, Kent. (Jan., 1933. ) Maresi, Pompeo M. ; 36 W. 9 Reimer Road, Scarsdale, New York, N.Y., U.S.A. (June, 1924.) Marsden, J. W., F.Z.S. ; Greylands, Lower Heysham, Lancs. (March, 1914.) Marshall, Archibald McLean, F.Z.S. ; 6 Warrior Square Terrace, St. Leonards-on-Sea. (Jan., 1906.) Marten, L. H., O.B.E., F.Z.S. ; Tilton, near Battle, Sussex. (June, 1930.)' Martin, A. ; The Nash, Kempsey, near Worcester. (Oct., 1930.) Martin, F. ; Boltro Road, Haywrards Heath, Sussex. (July, 1933.) Martindale, Gerald ; The Marldon Aviaries, near Paignton, S. Devon. (Jan., 1933.) Mason, Miss Eva Inglis ; Peppercorn Cottage, Burton, Christchurch, Hants* (Aug., 1934.) Matsunaga, Yasumori ; Kashima-Machi, Fujigun, Shizuoka-ken, Japan. (March, 1928.) Maxwell, C. T. ; 1 Shardcroft Avenue, Herne Hill, S.E. 24. (Dec., 1908.) Maxwell, P. H. ; Ebberley Hill, St. Giles, near Torrington, N. Devon. (Oct., 1929.) Maxwell-Jackson, Miss M. ; Percy House, Scotton, Knaresborough, Yorks* (Jan., 1913.) Mayer, F. W. Shaw; Wulfruna, 88 Concord Road, Homebush, Sydney, Australia. (Aug., 1922.) Maynard, C. Gordon ; Springfield, Northaw, Potters Bar, Herts. (Aug., 1928. ) Melvill, Mrs. E. G.; Orchard House, Mount View, Ruxley Heights* Claygate, Surrey. (Jan., 1934.) Middlemost, H. Edwin ; Foxholme, Birchencliffe, Huddersfield. (Dec.* 1934. ) List of Members 13 Middleton, John; 121 Heath Hoad, Uttoxeter. (Jan., 1934.) Miller, S. P. ; Northend, Gloucester Road, Teddington. Mintman, Dr. D. ; 138 Stoke Newington Road, N. 16. (Aug., 1932.) Mitchell, Mrs. E. W. ; Rosetiles, Le Touquet (Pas de Calais), France. (Dec., 1933.) Mitchell, Mrs. ; Postlip Hall, Winchcombe, Glos. (May, 1933.) Moody, A. F. ; Lilford, Barnwell, Peterborough. (July, 1926.) Moore, H. ; Chapel Road, Tadworth, Surrey. (July, 1928.) Moore, Robert T. ; Room 120, Throop Hall, Pasadena, California, U.S.A. (July, 1928.) Morrison, A. ; The Oaks, Paddockhall Road, Haywards Heath, Sussex. (Jan., 1932.) Moss, Mrs. W. E. ; The Manor House, Sonning-on-Thames, Berks. (March, 1928.) Mott, B. ; 11 Wheeleys Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. (Rejoined.) Mountain, Capt. Walton; Groombridge Place, Kent. (Feb., 1923.) Moyser, E. H. ; 25 Manor Road, Darlington. (Jan., 1934.) Mullick, Jitendro, F.Z.S. ; Marble Palace, Calcutta, India. (Aug., 1933.) Murphy, John (District Commissioner) ; Kipini, Tana River, Kenya Colony. (Oct., 1932.) Naether, Professor Carl ; 4442 Woodman Avenue, Van Nuys, California, U.S.A. (June, 1934.) Nelson, Richard, 735 Holderness Road, Hull. (April, 1925.) Newill, Dr. D. S. ; 402 First National Bank Building, Connellsville, Pa., U.S.A. (Oct., 1930.) Newman, T. H., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Yerulam, 46 Forty Avenue, Wembley Park, Middlesex. (May, 1900.) Newmaech, C. T., F.Z.S. ; Damage’s Ltd., Holborn, W.C. (Aug., 1915.) Nicholas, B. Melville ; Nancegollan, Helston, Cornwall. (Feb., 1934.) Nicholson, Alfred E. ; Blenheim, Forthview Terrace, Blackhall, Edinburgh. (Feb., 1925.) Nicholson, Norman. ; Edenvale, Weardale Place, Grange Estate, Stockton-on-Tees. (Feb., 1931.) Nicol, Hamish, F.R.C.S., F.Z.S. ; Hillside, Christchurch Road, Hampstead, N.W. 3. (Jan., 1926.) Nightingale, F. B., F.R.I.B.A. ; 73 Albert Bridge Road, S.W. 11. (Dec., 1933. ) Norcross, Herbert ; Normanhurst, Mount Road, Middleton, Lancs. (March, 1930.) Norris, H. M. ; Lowood, 17 View Road, Highgate, N. 6. (Oct., 1931.) Oberholser, Harry C. ; 2805 18th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C., U.S.A. (Oct., 1903.) Oqilvie, Mrs. Brenda ; Bonaly Tower, Colinton, Midlothian. (May, 1927.) Orr, Mrs. G. I. ; Westfield, West Heath Road, Hampstead, N.W. 3. (April, 1934. ) Ostrehan, Clement ; Kington Rectory, Worcester. (Jan., 1928.) Otari, T. ; 48 Pembroke Road, Seven Kings, Essex. (Rejoined.) 14 List of Members Palmer, G. E., E.Z.S. ; 83 Park Street, Camden Town, N.W. 1. (March, 1926.) Pam, Major Albert, F.Z.S. ; Wormleybury, Broxboume, Herts. (Jan., 1906.) Parker, Windsor D. ; Clopton Hall, Woolpit, Suffolk. (March, 1930.) Partridge, W. R. ; Larches, near Fladbury, Pershore, Worcestershire. (April, 1934.) Patrick, Leon, M.D. ; Smith Grote Building, Orange, California U.S.A. (Dec., 1926.) Patterson, A. J. ; Ripon, Ruxley Lane, Ewell. (Jan., 1933.) Patton, J. V. ; Hollister, California, U.S.A. (Oct., 1930.) Pearse, Mrs. ; Channel View, Bembridge, Isle of Wright. (Rejoined.) Peart, Miss; Edgarley, Broomfield Avenue, Palmers Green, N. 13. (March, 1927. ) Peers, Edgar R. ; Lee Cottage, South Nutfield, Surrey. (Rejoined Jan., 1932.) Pembleton, Thomas ; Sudbury Aviaries, 120 Watford Road, Wembley, Middlesex. (March, 1930.) Peterson, Mrs. ; Applehill, Kelling, near Holt, Norfolk. (July, 1929.) Phillips, Dr. John C. ; Wenham, Mass., U.S.A. (March, 1910.) Pickford, Randolph John ; Etherlev Lodge, Nr. Bishop Auckland. (Feb., 1903.) Pierre, Mrs. Lillian C. ; Hotel Pierre, Fifth Avenue and 61st Street, New York City, U.S.A. (April, 1932.) Pike, L. G., F.Z.S. ; King Barrow, Wareham, Dorset. (1912.) Pitt, W. S. ; Southdene, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. (March, 1934.) Plath, Karl ; 2847 Giddings Street, Chicago, U.S.A. (July, 1924.) Poltimore, Lady ; Court Hall, North Molten. (Jan., 1926.) Port, Miss J. ; Twisly, Catsfield, Battle, Sussex. (Oct., 1928.) Porter, Sydney, F.Z.S. ; The White Gates, Stenson Road, Derby. (April, 1920.) Potter, Dr. A. Radford ; Church Square, Basingstoke, Hants. (July, 1934.) Potter, Bernard E., M.B., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., F.Z.S. ; 17 Portland Place, W. (Mar., 1914.) Potter, W. H. ; Whetherill, Fitzillian Avenue, Harold Wood, Essex. (July, 1926.) Princeton University Library ; U.S.A. Pycraft, W. P., A.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., etc. ; British Museum (Nat. Hist.), Cromwell Road, S.W. 7. (Nov., 1904.) (Hon. Mem.) Pyman, Miss E. E. ; West House, West Hartlepool. (June, 1919.) Quincey, R. S. de Q. ; The Vern, Bodenham, Hereford. (April, 1913.) Reeve, Capt. J. S., F.Z.S. ; Leadenham House, Lincoln. (March, 1908.) Reventlow, Axel ; Zoological Garden, Kobenhavn F., Denmark. (Jan.» 1928. ) Richards, H. ; 22 Southgate, Redruth, Cornwall. (March, 1929.) Rieveley, John W. ; St. Oswald’s Gate, Fulford, York. (June, 1929.) Risdon, D. H. S. ; Oakdene, Downham Avenue, Northwood, Middlesex. (Jan., 1934.) List of Members 15 Roberts, Miss Ida ; Beaumaris, Montpelier Street, Hobart, Tasmania. (Jan., 1923.) Robinson, Miss Elsie ; Oatlands, Camberley, Surrey. (Sept., 1929.) Robinson, John H. ; 23 Cavendish Street, Ramsgate. (Sept., 1927.) Rogers, H. E., E.Z.S. ; Zoological Park, Emswood Road, Mossley Hill, Liverpool. (June, 1919.) Rogers, Col. J. M., D.S.O., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (late Royal Dragoons) ; River- hill, Sevenoaks. (April, 1907.) Rooper, Mrs. F. ; 11 Maze Hill, St. Leonard’s-on-Sea. (Aug., 1924.) Rothschild, James de ; 46 Park Street, W. 1. (March, 1923.) Rothschild, Lionel de ; 18 Kensington Palace Gardens. (Nov., 1913.) Rouse, R. F. ; Mountlands, 64 Westfield Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. (Nov., 1932.) Rowe, Winston S. ; St. Lawrence, Lansdown Road, Torquay. (Jan., 1934.) Roy, Ananto Kumar ; 59 Upper Chitpore Road, Calcutta, India. (March, 1934.) Royston, Mrs. R. C. ; Kibore, Sotik, Kenya. (Jan., 1932.) Rudkin, Francis H. ; R.I., Box 31, Fillmore, California, U.S.A. (May, 1929.) Rumsey, Lacy ; 23 Rua de Serpa Pinto, Villa Nova de Gaya, Oporto, Portugal. (April, 1919.) Rushworth, Mrs. Cynthia ; Beechfield, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. (Aug., 1932.) Ryan, B. J. ; Executive Engineer, P.W.D., Jaipur State, Rajputana, India. (Aug., 1926.) Ryan, G. E. ; 6 Stanhope Terrace, W. 2. (June, 1931.) Rycroet, Mrs. ; Stratton Rise, Cirencester, Glos. (Oct., 1927.) Salter, Frank H. ; 5 The Crescent, Scarborough. (April, 1930.) Schutze, Eduard ; Humboldestr. 25, Kassel, Germany. (Feb., 1927.) Sarabhai, Ambalal ; The Retreat, Shahibagh, Ahmedabad, India. (Jan., 1934.) Schmidt, Paul ; Senta, Yugoslavia. (March, 1934.) Schuyl, D. G. ; Kralingscheweg 332, Rotterdam, Holland. (Jan., 1914.) Sclater, W. L., M.A., F.Z.S. ; 10 Sloane Court, S.W.3. (Aug., 1904.) Scott, A. H. ; Blissford Pool, Fordingbridge, Hants. (March, 1934.) Scott, C. B. ; Whitton, New South Wales, Australia. (Aug., 1932.) Scott-Hopkins, Capt. C. ; Low Hall, Kirby Moorside, Yorks. (July, 1928.) Selsdon, Anne Lady; 203 Knightsbridge, W. 1. (Aug., 1934.) Seppings, Lieut. -Col. J. W. H., F.Z.S. ; c/o Lloyd’s Bank, Ltd., Cox & King’s Branch (K. Section), 6 Pall Mall, London, S.W. 1. (Sept., 1907.) Seth-Smith, David, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, N.W. 8. (Dec., 1894.) Hon. Mem. Seymour, Mrs. ; Kilbers Farm, Winkfield, Windsor. (Rejoined.) Shakespeare, Walter : Sefton, St. George’s Hill, Weybridge. (Aug., 1926.) Shearing, A. P. ; The Aviaries, Foxwarren Park, Cobham, Surrey. (Dec., 1931.) 16 List of Members Sherbrook, William ; The Old Vicarage, Tadworth, Surrey. (April, 1931.) Sherriff, A., F.Z.S. ; Edge Hill, 8 Ranulf Road, N.W. 2. (March, 1923.) Sibley, C. L. ; Sunnyfields Farm, Wallingford, Conn., U.S.A. (Jan., 1934.) Silver, Allen, F.Z.S. ; 18 Baneswell Road, Newport, Mon. Simpson, Archibald ; Stone Gappe, Bardsey, Yorks. (Feb., 1901.) Simpson, H. W. ; 6 Barry Road, Stonebridge, Willesden, N.W. 10. (Nov., 1924.) Simson, Capt. Rupert, O.B.E. ; Rickham, Bray, Berkshire. (July, 1932.) Sissons, H. P. % 8 Potter Street, Worksop, Notts. (April, 1927.) Slade, G. J. ; Shenley, 21 Wilton Crescent, Southampton. (Feb., 1915.) Smith, A. St. Alban, F.Z.S. ; Peradin Estate, Pontian, Johore, Malaya. (Feb., 1929.) Smith, Mrs. D. N. ; The Friars, Rye Close, West Worthing. (June, 1934.) Smith, H. B. ; 3 Claremont Road, Redruth, Cornwall. (Oct., 1927.) Smith, Paul H. ; 11 Parkhill Road, Hampstead, N.W. 3. (June, 1927.) Smith, W. Proctor, F.Z.S. ; Moorlands, Broad Road, Sale, Manchester. (Nov., 1917.) Smith, Mrs. Wikoff ; Morris Avenue, Bryn Mawr, Penna, U.S.A. (Jan., 1935.) Smith, William Ralph ; 28 Tindale Road, Artarmon, N.S.W., Australia. (Nov. 1934.) Snell, Mrs. Norris ; Redcote, Paget Road, Ipswich. (Feb., 1928.) Southoff, George de, C.M.Z.S. ; 9-11 Via S. Spirito, Florence, Italy. (1921.) {Hon. Mem.) Southport Corporation, Curator of ; Hesketh Park, Southport. (Jan., 1904.) Sowden, Norman ; Kirklands, Menston, near Leeds. (Feb., 1930.) Spalding, Mrs. Keith ; 90 South Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena, California, U.S.A. (July, 1929.) Spencer, Henry ; Yew Court, Scalby, Yorkshire. (Sept., 1928.) Spicer, Dr. G. Evan ; Fifield House, St. Albans, Herts. (Feb., 1933.) Sprawson, Evelyn ; M.C., D.Sc., M.R.C.S., F.Z.S., Cranford, Welcomes Road, Kenley, Surrey. (June, 1923.) Spurway, N. B. ; Glenwood, Stoneygate, Leicester. (April, 1923.) Stallard, P. J. ; Bryanston, Blandford, Dorset. (Sept., 1934.) Stark, J. ; Woods Cottage, Haddington, Scotland. (Jan., 1924.) Stephens, John ; Kingswood Chase ; Hindhead, Surrey. (Sept., 1932.) Sterrett, H. R. ; 67 York Road, Paignton, S. Devon. (Rejoined.) Stevens, Noel ; Chapel Farm, Elmley Castle, Pershore, Worcestershire. (Aug., 1934.) Stevens, Ronald ; Chapel Farm, Elmley Castle, Pershore, Worcestershire. (Feb., 1932.) Stewart, John ; The Hermitage, Elstead, Surrey. (Rejoined.) Stigand, Mrs. Pearsall ; Antica Casa Colonica, 19 Via Augusto Baldesi, San Gervasio, Florence, Italy. (Dec., 1932.) Stileman, Gerald R. ; 8a Florence Road, Southsea. (Rejoined Feb., 1932.) iStokes, Capt. H. S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., M.C. ; Longdon, Rugeley, Stafford¬ shire. (Oct., 1922.) List of Members 17 Strombi, Miss Dora A. ; East Bank House, Brechin, Angus. (April, 1930.) Suggitt, Robert; Suggitt’s Lane, Cleethorpes, Grimsby. (Dec., 1903.) Summrrskill, G. C. ; 19 Alma Road, Winton, Bournemouth. (March, 1925.) Swan, J. C. ; Clare Lodge, Witley, Surrey. (Nov., 1933.) -Sweetnam, Rev. J. E. ; The Vicarage, Taunton. (Feb., 1931.) Sykes, John ; Home Park Poultry Farm, Musselburgh, Midlothian. (Jan., 1912.) Symes, Iv.ee T. J. ; Bridge House, Tadley, Hants. (July, 1930.) Taka-Tsukasa, Prince Nobusuke, F.Z.S. ; 1732 Sanchome, Kamimeguro, Megurotu, Japan. (Feb., 1914.) Talbot-Ponsonby, 0. G. ; Glebe House, Lindfield, Hayward’s Heath, Sussex. (May, 1927.) Tanner, Dr. Frank L. ; Vanvert House, Guernsey. (Jan., 1914.) Taronga Zoological Park Trust ; Mosman, Sydney, Australia, (Aug., 1913.) Tavistock, The Marquess of, F.Z.S. ; The Place House, Peasmarsh, Rye, Sussex. (1912.) Taylor, F. W., J.P. ; 34 West Sunniside, Sunderland. (April, 1933.) Teague, P. W. ; The Knoll, Kilpeck, near Hereford. (June, 1930.) Tennant, Hon. Stephen ; Wilsford Manor, Salisbury, (April, 1926.) Theobald, E. W. W. ; 1 Bushey Mill Lane, Watford, Herts. (July, 1934.) Thom, Alfred A. ; Whitewell Lodge, Whitchurch, Salop. (June, 1913.) Thomas, F. E. ; “ Edendale,” Creswick Road, Springfield Park, Acton, W. 3. (Oct., 1931.) Thomasset, Bernard C., F.Z.S. ; Seend, Near Melksham, Wilts. (July, 1896.) Thomson, Dr. ; Bankstown, near Sydney, Australia. (Jan., 1926.) Thompson, Mrs. A. C. ; Glaisdale, Ely, Cambs. (Dec., 1924.) Thompson, Capt. G. W. ; Ardwell, Steel Cross, Crowborough. (March, 1930.) Thornton, John Robert ; Picture House Chambers, 4 Thornton Road, Bradford. (July, 1930.) Thorpe, D. Losh, M.B.O.U., F.Z.S. ; The Aviaries, Loshville, Etterby Scaur, Carlisle. (Aug., 1930.) Todd, Horatio, J.P., M.P.S.I., F.C.S. ; Bromleigh, Neill’s Hill, Belfast. (Aug., 1924.) Townsend, T. A. ; Sherwood Nurseries, Clipstone Road, Mansfield, Notts. (Jan., 1935.) Transvaal Museum ; The Director, Transvaal Museum, Pretoria. (Jan., 1921.) Travers, Mrs. J. ; Windmill Cottage, Mayfield, Sussex. (Dec., 1903.) Tuma, F. L. ; Riegrovo nab 34, Prague 2, Czechoslovakia. (May, 1933.) Turner, A. Geoffrey ; Hungerford Park, Berks. (July, 1934.) Turner, H. B. ; Malverleys, near Newbury. (April, 1928.) Turner, Walter, 476 Pitt Street, Sydney, N.S.W. Tyebjee, Abde Amiruddin Shalebhoy ; Little Gibb’s Road, Malabar Hill, Bombay. (Sept., 1934.) Tyser, Mrs. ; Dudbrook, near Brentwood, Essex. (Jan., 1934.) Uppingham School : the school library, the Old School House, Uppingham. (Nov., 1920.) b 18 List of Members Valentine, Ernest ; 7 Highfield, Workington. (May, 1899.) Van Heyst, A. F. C. A. ; Westersingel 68, Rotterdam, Holland. (March, 1934.) Venner, Rev. P. K. ; Gosfield Vicarage, Halstead, Essex. (April, 1923.) Venning, H. C. ; Willett, Bicknaller, Taunton. (Jan, 1927.) Verey, Mrs. A. Florence ; Hare Hollow, Middleton, Bognor Regis. (June, 1934.) Vierheller, Geo. P. ; St. Louis Zoological Parle, St. Louis, Mo., U.S.A. (March, 1928.) Voigt, Walter; 13, Feodorastrasse, Jena, Germany. (Jan., 1926.) Vroom, Mrs. Douglas E. ; 555 South Wilton Place, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. (Rejoined.) Wade-Gery, Mrs. M. ; Bushmead Priory, near Bedford. (May, 1934.) Walker, Miss H. K. O. ; Chesham, Bury, Lancs. (Feb., 1895.) Watkins, T. R. Holmes ; Shirley, Griffithstown, Monmouthshire. (May, 1932.) Watson, Miss ; Field Burcote, Towcester. (Jan., 1933.) Watson, A. D. ; c/o Feather Hill Ranch, 1595 East Valley Road, Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A. (June, 1930.) Waud, Capt. L. Reginald, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Bradley Court, Chieveley, near Newbury. (May, 1913.) Waxman, A. E. Wright de Berri ; Maitai, Murray Road, Beecroft, N.S.W. Webb, C. S. ; Thirlmere, Beachborough Villas, Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone, Kent. (March, 1928.) Webb, Patrick B. ; Barney’s Brae, Randalstown, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland. (Aug., 1929.) Westmacott, Captain G. R., D.S.O. ; Rodwell Farm, near Lewes, Sussex. (Feb., 1933.) Westmacott, Lady ; Hotel Vendome, Place Vendome, Paris, le. (Dec., 1928.) Wharton-Tigar, Mrs. N., F.Z.S. ; 67 Haverstock Hill, Hampstead, N.W. 3. (July, 1932.) Whitburn, Mrs. ; Amport, St. Mary’s, Andover, Hants. (July, 1934.) White, John York ; Chaseley, 22 Willett Way, Petts Wood, Kent. (Jan., 1925.) Whitley, Herbert, F.Z.S. ; Primlev Hill, Paignton, S. Devon. (Sept., 1923.) Whittingham, W. Neville ; Stonefall Hall, near Harrogate. (Feb., 1928.) Wilcock, John, B.A., M.B.O.U. ; Hill Crest, Weston Coyney, Stoke-on- Trent. (April, 1931.) Wtldeboer, Dr. H. G. ; Burnbrae, Holderness Road, Hull. (1924.) Wilkins, A. ; Rendcombe, Chesham, Bucks. (April, 1930.) Wilkinson, Mrs. ; The Hollies, Royston, Herts. (Oct., 1932.) Williams, Sidney, F.Z.S.; 19 Beechdale, Winchmore Hill, N. 21. (Oct., 1910.) Williamson, T. F. M. ; 339 McGee Avenue, Mill Valley, California, U.S.A. (Aug., 1917.) Wilson, And., F.Z.S. ; 233 Argyle Street, Glasgow. (April, 1927.) Wilson, Mrs. Maitland ; Blackdown House, Deepcut, near Aldershot. List of Members 19 Wilson- Jones, Mrs. Kathleen ; Lanivet, near Bodmin, Cornwall. (Jan., 1934.) Winter, Dwight ; Center and Negley Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., U.S.A. (1922.) Wolf, M. W. ; c/o Wolf Zoo, Dresden N., Albert Platz 10. (Rejoined.) Wood, Dr. Casey, F.Z.S. ; McGill University Library, Montreal, Canada. (Sept., 1922.) Wood, Miss Ellen ; Nokhroy, 27 Scott’s Avenue, Shortlands, Kent. (Aug. 1933.) Wood, Mrs. Muriel ; 8 Lambolle Road, N.W. 3. (July, 1927.) Woodcock, George ; Bingwood, Hillside, Green Curve, Banstead, Surrey. (Jan., 1933.) Workman, William Hughes, F.Z.S. , M.B.O.U. ; Lismore, Windsor Avenue, Belfast. (May, 1903.) Wright, R. N. ; 24 Clinton Road, Redruth, Cornwall. (Feb., 1930.) Yealland, John; The Place House, Peasmarsh, Sussex. (July, 1934.) Younger, Major Charles Arthur Johnston (Retired) ; Green Walls, Rake Hanger, near Lyss, Hants. (July, 1932.) Younger, Mrs. Charles ; Green Walls, Rake Hanger, near Lyss, Hants. (Feb., 1932.) Zoological Society of Philadelphia ; 34th Street, and Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Penn., U.S.A. (Jan., 1920.) 20 List of Members THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA List of Affiliated Members Bickerton, Hugh ; 6 Hopetoun Road, Toorak, S.E. 2, Melbourne, Victoria. Clendinnen, Dr. L. J. ; {Hon. Secretary) ; 105 Collins Street, Melbourne, C. 1, Victoria. Davies, Dr. F. L. ; High Street, Malvern, S.E. 3, Melbourne. Donald, Dr. B. P. ; Wanacknabeal, Victoria, Australia. Gilpin, 0., 50 Finch Street, East Malvern, S.E. 5, Melbourne. Jacques, Alan ; Balwyn Road, Balwyn, E. 8, Melbourne. McPherson, W. E.; 43 Mount Albert Road, Canterbury, E. 7, Victoria, Australia. Moore, — ; 375 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe, Victoria, Australia. Niall, K. M. ; 125 William Street, Melbourne, C. 1, Victoria, Australia. Nicholas, A. M. ; 5 Harcourt Street, Auburn E., Melbourne. Picking, Douglas ( President ) ; Dromana, Victoria. Smeal, Dr. J. A. ; 3 Moonga Road, Toorak, S.E. 2, Melbourne. Tucker, E. R. ; Rosebank, Canterbury Road, Blackburn, Victoria. Young, J. T. ; 11 Howitt Street, Caulfield, S.E. 7, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA (ADELAIDE) List of Affiliated Members Barnard, H. G. ; Hindmarsh Building, Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, South Australia. Basse, Frederick, 29 Dutton Terrace, Medinde, Adelaide, South Australia. Benn, J. E. ; 2 Laureate Street, Pt. Pirie West, South Australia. Bennett, C. E. ; Park Terrace, Parkside, South Australia. Coles, D. Ross ; 138 Alexandra Avenue, Toorak, South Australia. Dunstone, Dr. ; Woodville Road, Woodville, Adelaide, South Australia. Hagley, S. V. ; Renmark, South Australia. Hamilton, Dr. Wm. ; Wakefield Street, Adelaide, South Australia. Harvey, S. {Hon. Secretary) ; St. Austell, Burnside Road, Kensington Gardens, Adelaide, South Australia. Kitchen, F. C. ; P.O., Box 16b, Broken Hill, N.S.W., Australia. Lewis, G. ; c/o A. & E. Lewis, Pirie Street, Adelaide, South Australia. Lienau, C. H. A. ; Newbury, 23 Victoria Avenue, Unley Park, South Australia. Minchin, R. ; Zoological Gardens, Adelaide, South Australia. Penney, W. K. ; “ Mount Cooper,” Anzac Highway, Plympton, Adelaide, South Australia. Sewell, H. S. ; 140 Grant Avenue, Toorak, Adelaide, South Australia. Shepherd, Rev. H. E. G. ; Waikerie, South Australia. White, A. L. ; Chisholm Avenue, Erindale, Adelaide, South Australia. List of Members 21 THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA List of Affiliated Members Highnan, H. V. (, Secretary ) ; Dawne, 6 Karoo Street, South Perth, Western Australia. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND List of Affiliated Members Ainsworth, A. ; 7 Samoa Street, Kilbirnie, Wellington, N.Z. Allen, W. ; Helensville South, N.Z. Anderson, A. ; St. John’s Hill, Wanganui, N.Z. Anderson, Mrs. E. ; Roseberry Poultry Farm, Birkenhead, Auckland, N. 5, N.Z. Arbtjry, J. W. ; (P.O. Box 23) Pollen Road, Thames, N.Z. Auckland City Council ; Mr. Griffin, Representative, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland, S.E. 1, N.Z. Batten, E. R. L. ; (Surgeon Dentist) Broadway, Stratford, N.Z. Black, J. W. ; P.O. Box 102, Dunedin, N.Z. Blakey, H. P. ; Dentist, Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland, S.E. 1, N.Z. Bull, H. B. J. ; 1 Erin Street, One Tree Hill, Auckland, S.E. 3, N.Z. Bullock, Mrs. E. ; 6 Clifton Road, Hamilton, Waikato, N.Z. Campbell, Mrs. J. P. ( President ) ; 16 Arney Road, Remuera, Auckland, S.E. 2, N.Z. Collins, Mrs. G. ; 433 South Road, New Plymouth, N.Z. Corbet, G. M. ( Vice-President ); P.O. Box 183; Invercargill, N.Z. Court, John, Ltd. ; Queen Street, Auckland, C. 1, N.Z. Cousin Davie, Dr. P. ; Cnr. Robe and Powderham Streets, New Plymouth, N.Z. Crowther, W. J. ; Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland, N.Z. Cruickshank, R. ; 9 Westbourne Road, Remuera, Auckland, S.E. 2, N.Z. Danby, S. L. ; Pollen Street, Thames, N.Z. Dixon, H. ; Stratford Borough Council, Stratford, Taranaki, N.Z. Edmunds, H. E. ; P. 0. Box 396, Palmerston North, N.Z. Edwards, Howard (Dental Surgeon) ; Wanganui, N.Z. Ewen, Mrs. A. ; 618 Cargill Road, Dunedin, N.Z. Ewens, Mrs. J. F. ; Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland, S.E. 2, N.Z. Field, A. E. ; Stoke, Nelson, N.Z. Forster, Robt. ; 401 Hastings Street, Hastings, H.B., N.Z. Frith, A. ; Hinau Street, Frankton Junction, N.Z. Gardener, Geo. ; 39 Ellesmere Avenue, Miramar, Wellington, N.Z. Gilbert, A. E. R. ; P.O. Box 34, New Plymouth, N.Z. Gilfillan, Mr. S. E. ; 3 Muritai Road, Takapuna, Auckland, N. 2, N.Z. Henley, A. E. ; 66 Victoria Street, Auckland, C. 1, N.Z. Holden, L. ; 29 Wapiti Avenue, Epsom, Auckland, S.E. 3., N.Z. Hughes, Miss K. ; Jubilee Private Hotel, Currie Street, New Plymouth, N.Z. Hutchinson, G. Roland (Hon. Secretary and Treasurer) ; 5 Keith Avenue, Remuera, Auckland, S.E. 2, N.Z. List of Members 22 Ironmonger, A. L. ; Waiuku, N.Z. Jonassen, N. ; Pollen Street, Thames. N.Z. Jones, Mrs. E. ; 337 Victoria Street, Hamilton, N.Z. Just, A. W. ; 30 College Street, W., Palmerston N., N.Z. Kinley, Wm. ; c/o Northcote Vehicular Ferry Office, Beaumont Street, Freeman’s Bay, Auckland, C. 1, N.Z. Lucas, Mrs. N. 0. ; Woodlands Road, Glen Eden, Auckland, N.Z. Mainland, A. ; 29 Hollywood Avenue, Mt. Roskill, Auckland, S.E. 3, N.Z. Martin, J. T. ; c/o Box 24, Bluff, N.Z. Mayze, Miss M. ; Matron, Mental Hospital, Auckland, W. 3, N.Z. McKay, D. ; P.O. Box 53, New Plymouth, N.Z. McNeill, Chas. ; Devon Street, New Plymouth, N.Z. Nathan, Mrs. Chas. ; 19 .Arney Road, Remuera, Auckland, S.E. 2, N.Z. Osborne, E. J. ; 11 Airedale Street, Auckland, C. 1, N.Z. Osborne, J. S. ; 6 Brougham Avenue, Wellington, N.Z. Parker, Mrs. T. ; 1 Oakley Road, Hamilton, Waikato, N.Z. Pascoe, J. ; Thames Road, Paeroa, N.Z. Pollard, F. ; Police Station, Henderson, Auckland, N.Z. Porter, E. ; 4 Arney Crescent, Remuera, Auckland, S.E. 2, N.Z. Potter, S. 1). ; “ Ideal Dairy,” Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland, S.E. 2, N.Z. Pratt, Douglas ; Sharpe Road, Epsom, Auckland, S.E. 3, N.Z. Priscott, John; Hood Street, Hamilton, Waikato, N.Z. Reid, Geo. ; “ Grassington,” Rotherham, North Canterbury, N. 2, N.Z. Richardson, R. S. S. ; Eliot Street, New Plymouth, Taranaki, N.Z. Robertson, D. ; Oak Quick Lunch Ltd., Dixon Street, Wellington, N.Z. Smith, Jas. ; 5 Dunbar Road, Mt. Eden, Auckland, S. 2, N.Z. Spencer, Mrs. L. C. ; 11 Dilworth Avenue, Remuera, Auckland, S.E. 2, N.Z. Starr, D. ; 11 Avon Street, Frankton Junction, N.Z. Strang, Alex R. ; Frankleigh Park, New Plymouth, N.Z. Sutherland, Mrs. B. ; Homewood Avenue, Karori, Wellington, N.Z. Tattersfield, F. ; “ Puriri Puke,” Allendale Road, Mt. Albert, Auckland, S.E. 2, N.Z. Taylor, F. G. ; P.O. Box 26, Kaiapoi, Canterbury, N.Z. Thomson, Mrs. H. M. ; P.O. Box 152, New Plymouth, N.Z. Thorburn, R. L. ; 51a Victoria Avenue, Remuera, Auckland, S.E. 2, N.Z. Verran, J. ; Hauraki Road, Birkenhead, Auckland, N. 5, N.Z. Wadham, P. ; Chudleigh Estate, Waihou, Te Aroha, N.Z. Walker, Mrs. C. ; Beach Road, Te Horo, Wellington, N.Z. Wallace, Geo. ; Mersey Street, Gore, N.Z. Walters, L. A. ; Manaia, Taranaki, N.Z. Watson, E. J. ; P.O. Box 131 (8 Wood Street), Palmerston North, N.Z. Welson, R. ; Kerepeehi Hotel, Kerepeehi, Hauraki Plains, N.Z. Whitney, Grey ; 21a Victoria Avenue, Remuera, Auckland, S.E. 2, N.Z. Wilson, Master C. M. ; 23 Portland Road, Remuera, Auckland, S.E. 2, N.Z. Wood, Brett ; Randolph Downs, Amberley, Christchurch, N.Z. Young, H. G. ; 24 Firth Street, Hamilton East, Waikato, N.Z. Rules of the Avicultural Society 23 Rules of the Avicultural Society As amended , November , 1930 1. — The name of the Society shall be The Avicultural Society, and its object shall be the study of Foreign and British Birds in freedom and in captivity. Poultry, Pigeons, and Canaries shall be outside the scope of the Society. The year of the Society, with that of each volume of the Society’s Magazine, which shall be known as the Avicultural Magazine, shall commence with the month of January and end on the 31st of December following. 2. — The Avicultural Society shall consist of Ordinary and Honorary Members, and the latter shall be restricted in number to six, and be elected by the Council. 3. — The Officers of the Society shall be elected, annually if necessary, by members of the Council in the manner hereinafter provided, and shall consist of a President, one or more Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, an Editor, a Treasurer, an Auditor, a Scrutineer, and a Council of eighteen members. The Secretary, Editor, and Treasurer shall be ex officio Members of the Council. 4. — New Members shall be proposed in writing, and the name and address of every person thus proposed, with the name of the Member proposing him, shall be published in the next issue of the Magazine. Unless the candidate shall, within two weeks after the publication of his name in the Magazine, be objected to by at least two Members, he shall be deemed to be duly elected. If five members shall lodge with the Secretary objections to any candidate he shall not be elected, but the signatures to the signed objections must be verified by the Scrutineer. If two or more Members shall object to any candidate, the name of such candidate shall be brought before the Council at their next meeting, and the Council shall have power to elect or to disqualify him from election. 5. — Each Member shall pay an annual subscription of £1, to be due and payable in advance on the 1st of January in each year. New Members shall pay, in addition, an entrance fee of 10s. ; 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. 6. — Members intending to resign their membership at the end of the current year of the Society are expected to give notice to the Secretary before the 1st of December, so that their names may not be included in the “ List of Members ”, which shall be published annually in the January number of the Magazine. 24 Buies of the Avicultural Society 7. — The Magazine of the Society shall be issued on or about the first day of every month, and forwarded, post free, to all the Members who shall have paid their subscriptions for the year ; but no Magazine shall be sent or delivered to any Member until the annual subscription shall have reached the hands of the Business Secretary or the Publishers. Members whose subscriptions shall not have been paid as above by the first day in November in any year shall cease to be Members of the Society, but may be re-admitted, at the discretion of the Council, on payment of the annual subscription. 8. — The Secretary, Editor, and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of five years, and, should a vacancy occur, it may be temporarily filled up by the Executive Committee (see Rule 10). At the expiration of the term of five years in every case it shall be competent for the Council to nominate the same officer, or another Member, for a further time of five years, unless a second candidate be proposed by not less than twenty-five Members of at least two years’ standing, as set forth below. In the November number of the Magazine preceding the retirement from office of the Secretary, Editor, or Treasurer, the Council shall publish the names of those members whom they have nominated to fill the vacancies thus created ; and these members shall be deemed duly elected unless another candidate or candidates be proposed by not less than fifteen Members of at least two years’ standing. Such proposal, duly seconded and containing the written consent of the nominee to serve, if elected, in the capacity for which he is proposed, must reach the Secretary on or before the 15th of November. The Council shall also publish yearly in the November number of the Magazine the names of those members nominated by them for the posts of Auditor and Scrutineer respectively. 9. — The Members of the Council shall retire by rotation, two at the end of each year of the Society (unless a vacancy or vacancies shall occur otherwise) and two other Members of the Society shall be recommended by the Council to take the place of those retiring. The names of the two Members recommended shall be printed in the November number of the Avicultural Magazine. Should the Council’s selection be objected to by fifteen or more Members, these shall have power to put forward two other candidates, whose names, together with the signatures of no less than fifteen Members proposing them, must reach the Hon. Secretary by the 15th of November. The names of the four candidates will then be printed on a voting paper and sent to each Member with the December number of the Magazine, and the result of the voting published in the January issue. Should no alternative candidates be put forward, in the manner and by the date above specified, the two candidates recommended by the Council shall be deemed to have been duly elected. In the event of an equality of votes the President shall have a casting vote. Rules of the Avicultural Society 25 If any Member of the Council does not attend a meeting for two years in succession the Council shall have power to elect another member in his place. 10. — -Immediately after the election of the Council that body shall proceed to elect three from its Members {ex officio Members not being eligible). These three, together with the Secretary, Treasurer, and Editor, shall form a Committee known as the Executive Committee. Members of the Council shall be asked every year (whether there has been an election of that body or not) if they wish to stand for the Executive, and in any year when the number of candidates exceeds three there shall be an election of the Executive. The duties of the Executive Committee shall be as follows : — (i) To sanction all payments to be made on behalf of the Society. (ii) In the event of the resignation of any of the officers during the Society’s year, to fill temporarily the vacancy until the end of the year. In the case of the office being one which is held for more than one year (e.g. Secretary, Editor, or Treasurer) the appointment shall be confirmed by the Council at its next meeting. (iii) To act for the Council in the decision of any other matter that may arise in 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 any Member ; (iii) To re-elect the Secretary, Editor, or Treasurer for a second term of office. It shall not be lawful for the Treasurer to pay any account unless such account be duly initialled by another Member of the Executive. It shall be lawful for the Secretary or Editor to pledge the Society’s credit for a sum not exceeding £50. Should a Member wish any matter to be brought before the Council direct such matter should be sent to the Secretary with a letter stating that it is to be brought before the Council at their next meeting, otherwise communications will in the first place be brought before the Executive. A decision of a majority of the Council, or a majority of the Executive endorsed by the Council, shall be final and conclusive in all matters. 11. — The Editor shall have an absolute discretion as to what matter shall be published in the Magazine (subject to the control of the Executive Committee). The Secretary and Editor shall respectively refer all matters of doubt and difficulty to the Executive Committee. 26 The Society's Medal 12. — The Council (but not a committee of the Council) shall have power to alter and add to the Rules, from time to time, in any manner they may think fit. Five to form a quorum at any meeting of the Council. 13. — The Council shall have power to expel any Member from the Society at any time without assigning any reason. 14. — Neither the office of Scrutineer nor that of Auditor shall be held for two consecutive years by the same person. 15. — The Scrutineer shall not reveal to any person how any Member shall have voted. The Society’s Medal RULES The Medal may be awarded at the discretion of the Committee to any Member who shall succeed in breeding, in the United Kingdom, any species of bird which shall not be known to have been previously bred in captivity in Great Britain or Ireland. Any Member wishing to obtain the Medal must send a detailed account for publication in the Magazine within about eight weeks from the date of hatching of the young, and furnish such evidence of the facts as the Executive Committee may require. The Medal will be awarded only in cases where the young shall live to be old enough to feed themselves, and to be wholly independent of their parents. No medal can be given for the breeding of hybrids, or of local races or sub-species of species that have already been bred. The account of the breeding must be reasonably full so as to afford instruction to our Members, and must appear in the Avicultural Magazine before it is published or notified elsewhere. It should describe the plumage of the young, and be of value as a permanent record of the nesting and general habits of the species. These points will have great weight when the question of awarding the Medal is under consideration. In every case the decision of the Committee shall be final. The Medal will be forwarded to each Member as soon after it shall have been awarded as possible. The Society's Medal 27 The Medal is struck in bronze (but the Committee reserve the right to issue it in silver in very special cases) and measures 2^ inches in diameter. It bears on the obverse a representation of two birds with a nest containing eggs, and the words “ The Agricultural Society— founded 1894 On the reverse is the following inscription : “ Awarded to [name of recipient] for rearing the young of [name of species], a species not previously bred in captivity in the United Kingdom.” The Council may grant a special medal to any member who shall succeed in breeding any species of bird that has not previously been bred in captivity in Europe. Messrs. Hastings 4 Sfileman (AVICULTURISTS), LTD., 11 Marmion Rd., SOUTHSEA, PORTSMOUTH, HANTS. Messrs. Hastings and Stileman (Aviculturists), Ltd., beg to offer you the following, subject to being unsold. All birds listed are actually in stock and complete satisfaction is guaranteed in all transactions. SOFTBILLS Cock-of-the-Rock (Cup Winner) . Green Grosbeaks (or Masked. First importation) Superb Manakins ..... Red-headed ditto ..... Blue Sugar Birds ..... Cayenne Crakes. ..... Golden-fronted Fruitsuckers Rufous-bellied Bush Chats .... Blue-wing Sivias ..... King Bird of Paradise .... Superb Tanagers ..... Scarlet ditto ...... Blue and Black ditto ..... Blue Grosbeaks ..... Green-billed Toucan ..... Red-billed Jays (U. Sinensis) Royal Starlings . Spreo Starlings ...... Magpie Tanagers ..... Hunting Cissas ...... Military Starlings ..... Nemosia ....... £45 £ 5 each £2 each £4 pair 30/- each 25/- each 55/- each £5 each £5 each £2$ each 35/- each 35/— each 35/- each 25/- each £5 £4 each £4 each 50/- each 70/- each £8 each 25/- each £4 each HARDBILLS Aurora Finches .... Red-headed Parrot Finches . Fischer’s Lovebirds .... Cockatiels ..... Diuca Finches ..... Black-throated Cardinals Hen Green Cardinals Cuban Finches ..... Zebra Finches ..... White Java Sparrows .... Hen Long-tailed Grass Finches . Red-crested Finches .... Green Avadavats .... St. Helena Waxbills .... Pope Cardinals .... Zebra Doves ..... £5 pair £12 pair £6/10/- pair £8 pair 30/“ pair 70/- pair 30/- each 35/” Pair 12/6 pair 35/- pair 25/- each 25/- each 35/- Pair 9/6 pair 10/- each 70/- pair MEMBERS’ ADVERTISEMENTS The charge for Members' advertisements is one penny per word. Payment must accompany the advertisement, which must be sent on or before the 20 th of the month to Mr. T. H. Newman, 46 Forty Avenue, Wembley Park, Middlesex. All members of the Society are entitled to use this column, but the Council reserves the right to refuse any advertisement they consider unsuitable. SALE AND EXCHANGE Vulturine Guinea-fowl (one) acclimatized ; in good condition ; £3, carriage paid. — H. Spencer, Yew Court, Scalby, Yorks. Pheasants, Impeyan, Swinhoe, Amherst, Reeves, Golden, also Bamboo Partridges, Californian Quail, Budgerigars (various colours). — H. Spencer, Yew Court, Scalby, Yorks. Few cock Red Jungle-fowl for disposal. — Reeve, Leadenham, Lincoln. For Sale, 13 Pintail X Tufted Diver; hatched 1934 ; pinioned. What offers? — Windsor Parker, Clopton Hall, Woolpit, Suffolk. For Sale, a few sets of Beebe’s Monograph of Pheasants ; fifty wonderful coloured plates ; £2 2s. ; the two volumes carriage paid. — Beever, Brooklyn, Kirkheaton, Huddersfield. WANTED Wanted, two hen Pekin Robins, hen Diamond Dove, cock Cinnamon Dove, hen Scaley Dove. — Mrs. Dawson, The Oaks, Great North Road, Welwyn, Herts. Wanted, an Egyptian Gander. — H. C. Yenning, Willett, Bicknoller, Taunton. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. Members are reminded that the annual subscription to the Avicultural Society (£1) becomes due on January the First. Members who have not already paid are asked to kindly send their subscription without delay to the Hon. Treasurer, Miss Knobel, 86 Regent’s Park Road, N.W. 1. Cheques should be made payable to the “ Avicultural Society5’. To those members living abroad a money order is the most convenient form of payment. FOURTH SERIES VOL. XIII. No. 1 JANUARY, 1935. THE Avicultural Magazine CONT ENTS PAGE PAGE Officers for the year 1935 . 1 Notes from a London Aviary, by List of Members 3 Mrs. Wharton Tigar . 21 Rules of the Avicultural Society 23 Bird-breeding at Cleres, by J. Delacour .... 24 The Society’s Medal 26 Gouldian Finches , by Mrs . Dennis 26 The genus Sporophila {with col¬ Bird Feeding, by Joseph Appleby 27 oured plate), by A. Morrison The Hand-rearing of the White- capped Parrot [Pionus senilis), 1 Review : Les oiseaux. Yol. I. Second edition ..... Obituary : Mr. Samuel McGredy Correspondence, Notes, etc. : 29 by H. Yealland . Breeding the Painted Finch in 11 30 Australia, by H. S. Sewell . A Pheasant which should have 16 Danger in Dusty Sand ; New Zealand Zosterops in their a Great Future, by P. Schmidt 19 Native Country 31 The Price of this Number is 5/“, THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOUNDED 1894 Patron : His Majesty the Kino NOTICE TO MEMBERS The Subscription to the Avicultural Society is £1 per annum, due on the 1st of January in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/0. 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 SUBSCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HONORARY SECRETARY I AND TREASURER, Miss Knobel, 86 Regent’s Park Road, London, N.W. 1. All Queries respecting Birds (except post-mortem cases) and all other correspondence should be sent to the Hon. Secretary, at the above address. Any change of address should he notified to her. POST-MORTEM EXAMINATIONS Rule 1. — A short account of the illness should accompany the specimen. All birds to be sent as fresh as possible to Mr. C. H. Hicks, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Rule 2.- — A stamped addressed envelope must be enclosed with the bird. Rule 3.— No body or skin of any bird will be returned under any circumstances whatever. The Magazine is published by Messrs. Stephen Austin & Sons, 1 Fora Street, Hertford, to whom members should address all orders for extra copies, back numbers for 1917 and after, and bound volumes. Cases for binding the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side) can be obtained from the Publishers, post free and carefully packed, at 3/- each ; or the Publishers will undertake the binding of the Volume for 5/6, plus 9 d. for packing and postage. Members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. Telephone: Hertford 546 and 547. AH Inquiries for ADVERTISEMENTS and TRADE SUPPLIES should be made direct to STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, Ltd., FORE STREET, HERTFORD. All communications intended for publication in the Magazine should be addressed to the Editor : — The Hon. Anthony Chaplin, c/o The Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Miss E. MAUD KNOBEL’S ACCOUNT as TREASURER of the AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. CO rH rH o o o o 00 CO o CO o o us 00 CO cs co T— 1 rH H rH P? CO CO CO o *o oa csj rH CO O 00 rH cq 00 rH o o o 0 0*0 rH o 1 — 1 cq rH rH Cl rH t- us cq 00 O ci cq tH rH r— ( 7— I C« o ir, ON 03 f-i O 03 • CO 8 r* .2 I 03 a x 03 CD PS H 03 £r -t-3 cS s- 1 o o ?-* in Ph 03 .3 .2 ’-5 cS f_l .3 *§ cS o -4-3 ^3 s Ph «4H o 03 P3 03 T3 cr\ 'to ■+3 -4-3 2 On c cS bxi cS £ 03 03 03 03 03 03 -4-3 o -4-3 p o rp P P O -43 03 3 • cS rH ^t-H » - pq ~ o o pH Pj c n h O £ Ph m CO CD CO nd Sh Cj £ S-l o pq rH O o US O o o rH o cs o o o 00 O cq to co rH o o rH o o o us 30 o rH cs cs rH cq t- P p c3 d P h ^P pog^^.PcsA o eh . Checked and found correct, Avicultural Magazine. John Bala Sons & Danielsson. LV* London . Morelet’s Finch Sporophi/a more/eti (Bp.) Lineated Finch Sporophi/a americana (Gm.) From a drawing by the Hon ^(e Anthony Chap/in. / THE Avicultural Magazine THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY Fourth Series. — Vol. XIII. — No. 1. — All rights reserved. JANUARY, 1935. THE GENUS SPOROPHILA By A. Morrison The Sporophilse are a family of little Grosbeaks inhabiting the warmer parts of Central and South America. Some twenty-one species are known in captivity and, as they are hardy, pretty, and invariably good songsters, they form very suitable subjects from an avicultural point of view. For some reason they are not a very popular group in captivity and but little is known about them. It is with a view to stimulating interest in the genus that I have written this article and I can but hope that it may arouse some interest. No claim to originality is advanced. All descriptions have been taken from the British Museum Catalogue , vol. xii, or Neunzig. I have merely endeavoured to rearrange and simplify where possible. I am indebted to Dr. Hopkinson for supplying me with the references which may be of use, and for the loan of a manuscript translation of Neunzig. References are as follows : — “ Russ ” = Vol. i of Die Fremlandishe Stubenvogel, 1870. “ Neunzig ” = Die Fremlandishe Stubenvogel , 1921 (a fifth edition of Russ). “ Butler ” = Yol. i of Foreign Birds for Cage and Aviary. “ Foreign Finches ” = Butler’s Foreign Finches in Captivity, first edition, 1894. “ Records ” = Records of Birds Bred in Captivity, 1926, by Dr. E. Hopkinson. 1 2 A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila “ Zoo List ” = List of Birds in the Collection of the Zoological Society , 1929, by G. C. Low. “ Bird Notes ” = Journal of the Foreign Bird Club , 1903-1924. “ Avic. Mag.” = Avicultural Magazine, 1895- Management Sporophilse are inclined to be delicate when first imported and should be kept warm, out of the reach of draughts. When once acclimatized, they are perfectly hardy and practically all species can pass the winter in an unheated outdoor aviary with impunity. For food they should be given canary seed, white and spray millet. Not more than one pair should be placed in one aviary, as although harmless with other birds, they are frequently quarrelsome among themselves. Every collection of Grass Finches and other weaving finches should contain a pair of Grosbeaks by way of variety and in such a collection they will be found absolutely harmless. As they all possess excessively powerful bills they may be safely associated with much larger birds. If two Sporophilae quarrel, they must be separated or a death will result. They take their fights very seriously. White -throated Finch ( Sporophila albigularis) Male. — Upper surface, slate grey, the crown and sides of head, darker ; forehead, lores, eye region, and ear coverts, black ; feathers of the upper back and shoulders with darker centres ; cheeks, throat, sides of neck, and under parts, white with a broad black band across the chest ; flanks, grey ; first primary quills with white bases forming an oblong patch on the folded wing ; bill, horn yellow ; feet, grey ; iris, black. Juvenile Male. — Similar to the female, but paler above and with a more distinctly whitish throat ; bill, yellow. Female. — Upper surface, greyish-brown with blackish centres to the flight and tail feathers ; a whitish wing patch ; under parts, white with a greyish belt across the chest ; bill, blue grey. Plate. — Butler, Foreign Finches, p. 90 (male and female). Habitat. — Eastern Brazil. References. — Butler, p. 144. Butler, Foreign Finches, p. 90. Buss, vol. i, pp. 569, 685. Neunzig, p. 244. Bird Notes, vol. iv, p. 154 ; A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila 3 vol. vi, p. 69. A vie. Mag., vol. i, p. 56 ; vol. iv, p. 231 ; 1905, p. 385 ; 1908, p. 88 ; 1931, p. 328. Breeding Records , 3. Little is known of the wild life of this species and even skins are rare in collections. The British Museum only possessed the skins of four adult males when the Catalogue was published in 1888, and these four remain the only skins in the collection. It is, however, commonly imported and is a most charming and desirable aviary bird. Its plumage is smart, it is extremely hardy, and is a fine songster. Males of this species have the reputation of being extremely vicious, but this is only so with closely related birds and in a collection of Weaving Finches, for example, it is usually peaceable and harmless. As with all Sporophibe, hens of the White-throated Finch are very rare. The catchers never seem to bother to trap them and most of the “ females ” sold in this country are young males with yellow bills. The White-throated Finch has bred in captivity, the first record in this country being that of the Bev. C. D. Farrar, in 1905. The nest is an open cup made lightly but strongly of fibres and grass, and in this is deposited three or four eggs, bluish white in colour, flecked and spotted with brownish markings. Both parents share in the incubation which lasts twelve days and the young leave the nest after a further thirteen days. Soft food and ants’ eggs should be given to the nesting birds. White-throated Finches are long lived, and one has been known to survive in captivity for eleven years. Bluish Finch (S. ccerulescens) Male. — Very similar to the male White-throated Finch, but is slightly smaller, possesses a black chin patch, and has no white patch on the wings ; bill, yellow. Juvenile Male. — Similar to female but a more ashy grey, with a whiter breast and belly ; ashy grey chin spot and chest band ; bill, yellow. Female. — Above, olive brown ; feathers under the eye dirty white ; cheeks and under-surface, ochre brown washed with yellow ; paler on 4 A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila the breast and yellowish white on the centre of the belly ; wing and tail feathers, dark brown edged with yellow ; bill, blue grey. Plate. — Butler, Foreign Finches , p. 90 (male). Neunzig, pi. 8. Habitat. — South Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentine. References. — Russ, vol. i, pp. 562, 570, 685. Butler, Foreign Finches , p. 90. Butler, p. 146. Neunzig, p. 234. Avic. Mag., vol. ii, p. 58 ; vol. iv, p. 131. Bird Notes , vol. vi, p. 92. This bird is occasionally imported but is probably frequently eonfused with the last species. It is a lively active little bird, and in the southern part of its range is migratory. It prefers to keep in small plantations and does not associate in very large flocks. The song is not so good as that of the White-throated Finch and consists of half a dozen notes delivered with great rapidity. One of its synonyms is that of Screaming Finch. The plate in Neunzig is of a northern sub-species ( S . ornata), which possesses a white wing patch. Grey Finch (S. grisea) Male. — Above, dark slate grey, darker and blackish on the head, sides of neck, throat, lores, and cheeks ; a tinge of brown on the upper tail coverts ; under parts, white ; sides of body and thighs, dark slate grey ; lesser wing coverts, slate grey ; greater wing coverts, black washed with brownish ; rest of wing feathers, black grey with a white wing patch at the base of the inner primaries ; tail, blackish with the central feathers edged with ashy grey ; bill, yellowish ; feet, dark grey ; iris, brown. Juvenile Male. — I can find no description of this, but it is probably similar to the female with a yellow bill. Female. — Upper surface and sides of body, pale olive brown, darker on the crown ; sides of head and under surface, pale olive yellow ; centre of belly, breast, under tail coverts, and thighs, whitish ; lesser wing coverts like the back ; the other wing feathers, grey brown with olive-brown edges (the primaries with ash-grey edges) ; tail, brown edged with olive brown ; bill, black. Plate. — Russ, vol. i, pi. 12. Neunzig, pi. 8. Habitat. — Guiana, Trinidad, Venezuela, Columbia. A. Morrison— The Genus Sporophila 5 References. — Russ, vol. i, pp. 563, 685. Neunzig, p. 242. Breeding Records , p. 3. Butler, p. 144. Bird Notes, 1912, pp. 115, 197 ; 1913, p. 139 ; 1915, pp. 65, 95 ; vol. vi, pp. 61, 88. This bird is occasionally imported and, although not very striking, it appears to be very desirable being harmless and a good songster. They were bred by Dr. Russ, and in 1880 by Jantzen, of Hamburg. Page was the first to breed this species in England, in 1912, and it has been bred once or twice since. The Grey Finch appears to build the usual fragile looking little nest in a bush, and incubation lasts thirteen days. The young leave the nest after a further period of fourteen days. The eggs are lead grey with sharply defined blackish scrawls, and spots overlaying indistinct violet and grey ground patches. Eulers Finch (S. superciliaris) Male. — Above, olive green, darker on the top of the head ; lores, eyelid, and eyebrow streak whitish yellow ; ear coverts, olive brown with whitish shaft lines ; cheeks and throat, white washed with yellowish ; sides of neck like the upper surface ; breast, grey washed with yellowish ; lower breast and centre of belly, white ; sides of body, greyish brown shading into olive ; under tail coverts, pale brownish yellow with the bases of the feathers darker and washed with olive ; thighs, brownish olive ; lesser wing coverts, like the upper surface ; inner coverts, dark brown with olive edges and whitish ochre tips ; rest of wing feathers and those of tail, dark brown edged with olive ; axillaries and under -wing coverts, white with olive yellow edges ; irides, dark brown ; bill, brownish grey, heavy, and strongly curved with a larger lower mandible which overlaps the cutting edges of the upper ; feet, brownish grey. Juvenile Male. — Resembles female. Female. — Above, darker than the male ; eyelid and lores, olive yellow ; ear coverts, throat, and sides of face, dull olive ; breast and sides of body, olive brown, washed with yellowish ; centre of belly,, yellowish white ; under tail coverts, brown ; wings and tail, as in the male, but with the pale markings greyish ; irides, brown ; beak, blackish brown ; feet, blackish grey. Hah itat.— Brazil . 6 A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila References. — Buss, p. 571. Breeding Records , p. 4. Neunzig, p. 241. Butler, p. 145. This is one of the largest of the Sporophilse, but little is known of its habits in a wild state, although it is said to live on the outskirts of forests and marshes. Eulers Finch is occasionally imported but does not appear to be a particularly attractive bird. It nested with Buss about 1874, but it is uncertain whether full breeding success was attained or not. They built a large, untidy, open nest in a bush. The song is a noisy rattling chatter interspersed with some long drawn notes and short trills. They appear to be harmless, good-tempered birds. Half White Finch (S. hypoleuca) Male. — Upper surface and sides of neck, slate grey ; cheeks, throat, and rest of under parts, white ; thighs, white, merging into grey behind ; lesser wing coverts, slate grey ; the others, black edged with dark grey ; bastard wing, primary coverts, and flights, black edged with pale grey ; axillaries and under -wing coverts, white, with a blackish patch near the wing border ; the outer webs of the base of the inner primaries are white and form a large wing patch, in some cases extending to the outer secondaries ; tail feathers, blackish bordered with ash grey ; feet, grey ; irides, grey brown. The deep bill is waxy yellow, becoming more orange in colour with old age. Female. — Above, olive brown, paler and yellower below ; middle of belly and under -tail coverts, whitish ; wing and tail feathers, dark olive brown edged with olive grey ; feet, greyish flesh colour ; bill, yellowish brown. Habitat. — East and Central Brazil. References. — Buss, pp. 565, 685. Neunzig, p. 243. Butler, p. 144. Avic. Mag., vol. ii, p. 56. The Half White Finch is another large but rarely imported Sporophila. In a wild state it inhabits open plains, where it feeds mainly on grass seeds. It is a common cage bird in its native land, where it is prized for its song. I have two males at the present time and find them most charming birds. One, which is cage moulted, is very tame and sings beautifully. A. Morrison — The Genus Sjporojphila 7 The song is quite simple but loud and sweet. It appears to be a very good-tempered bird, even when caged with other Sporophihe. This is fortunate for it is the possesser of a fiendishly powerful bill quite out of proportion with the size of the bird. A single nip will practically draw blood and it is not a pleasant bird to handle. Plumbeous Finch (jS. 'plumbed) Male. — Above, ashy grey, lighter on the lower rump ; upper tail coverts, blackish edged with ashy ; tail feathers, blackish, narrowly edged with grey brown, which becomes pale grey towards the ends ; lores, black, extending to the base of nostril ; ear coverts and cheeks, dark ashy, the former with whitish shaft lines ; small white streak at base of cheeks ; lower eyelid, white ; throat and breast, ashy grey ; centre of breast, belly, and under-tail coverts, white ; sides of body, ash grey ; thighs, white in front, ashy behind ; lesser wing coverts, like the back ; rest of wing feathers, blackish, edged on the primaries with dirty white ; on the others with ashy grey ; pale edges very broad on the inner secondaries, while a white wing patch is formed by the inner primaries ; axillaries and under-wing coverts, white, with a dark patch at the wing border ; bill, blackish, with a pale flesh- coloured tip ; feet, dark brownish grey ; iris, bright, greyish brown ; in some cases the bill is yellow and this feature is probably variable. Juvenile Male . — Much browner above and on the margins of the wing coverts and quills ; under parts, suffused with brown, which also deadens the white on the throat and abdomen. Female . — Yellowish grey brown, paler below, with the centre of the belly whitish and no white wing patch. Plate. — Bird Notes , vol. vi, p. 87 (male), uncoloured. Habitat. — Brazil to Bolivia. References. — Buss, pp. 564, 685. Neunzig, pp. 241, 242. Butler, p. 144. Bird Notes, vol. vi, p. 89. Avic. Mag., vol. ii, p. 57. Two sub-species have been described : — Whiteley’s Finch (S. plumbea whiteleyana) Similar to the typical race but with the chin and base of cheeks white. Habitat. — Guiana, Venezuela, and Amazonia. 8 A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila Colombian Plumbeous Finch (S. plumhea colombiana) Similar to the typical race but with the chin, throat, and forepart of cheeks white. Habitat. — Colombia . In a wild state the Plumbeous Finch has been observed in small parties in the open pampas and in bushes in swampland. It possesses a loud, clear song, and is greatly valued as a cage bird in its native land. I only know of the typical race having been imported, but I have given the two sub-species as a matter of interest. The Plumbeous Finch appears to be a very desirable bird and has the reputation of being one of the best songsters in a very tuneful family. Unfortunately it is very rarely imported. Neunzig states that it has once been bred but unfortunately gives no particulars. Lined Finch (S. lineola) Male. — Above, black, glossed with greenish, with a band of white feathers across the rump a little mixed with grey ; a broad, longitudinal, white stripe extends over the crown from the base of bill with a similar streak at base of each cheek ; throat, black ; under surface and breast, pure white ; thighs, externally black, internally white ; sides and flanks washed with grey ; wing feathers, blackish with glossy edges ; a double white wing patch on primaries and secondaries, the latter being obscured by the greater coverts ; tail, black ; iris, brown ; feet, lead grey. Juvenile Male. — Similar to the female but more fulvous below ; a little black on the wing and tail feathers and under the throat feathers which form a dusky patch, followed by a whitish patch on the lower throat. Female. — Above olive brown, lighter on the under surface, lores, eyelid, cheeks, and throat, pale huffish ochre ; back of the head browner ; breast and abdomen, washed with huffish ochre ; sides and flanks, olive brown ; thighs, yellow brown ; lesser wing coverts, as above ; under¬ wing coverts, dirty white washed with yellowish ; other wing feathers, dark brown with olive brown edges to the secondaries ; bill, black ; iris, grey brown ; feet, fleshy brown. Plate. — Bird Notes , vol. vi, p. 87 (male), uncoloured. A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila 9 Habitat. — Brazil, Guiana, Venezuela. References. — Russ, pp. 567, 685. Neunzig, p. 232. Butler, p. 148. Cassel’s Cage Birds , p. 416. Bird Notes, vol. vi, p. 90. Avic. Mag., vol. ii, 59 ; vol. iv, p. 131. 1931, p. 328. The Lined Finch is occasionally imported and is a most delightful little bird. In a wild state it prefers open country and associates in flocks. It is a very pretty species, speedily becomes tame, and confiding, and is a good songster. It is inclined to be vicious with closely related birds, but is otherwise absolutely harmless. It has never been bred. Black-headed Lined Finch ( S . ocellata) Male. — Similar to the Common Lined Finch but with the top of the head black, though in the middle of the forehead there are sometimes a few irregular white streaky markings ; ear coverts, black, and only the cheeks white ; the feathers over the crop, black, with white dot-like markings at the tips ; feathers on the sides of the body, white, with black bases which are sometimes visible ; whole upper surface of the wing, black, with a greenish gloss ; upper tail coverts and tail, black, with glossy, greenish edges ; feet, black ; bill, black. Juvenile Male. — I can find no description of this, but it is presumably very similar to the young male Lined Finch. Female. — Similar to female Lineola but with the whole fore neck pale ochre yellowish ; under-wing coverts, whitish ochre washed with yellow ; sides of body and flanks, yellowish ochre ; median and greater wing coverts with paler ends forming an obsolete white wing bar. Plate. — Bird Notes, vol. vi, p. 61 (male). Habitat. — Upper Amazonia, Guiana, Venezuela, and Colombia. References. — Bird Notes, vol. vi, p. 62. Butler, p. 147. Neunzig, p. 234 (?). This handsome little bird is very rare in captivity. Some were imported in 1906 and 1907 to this country and this September I was offered some by a German dealer. In its ways it probably resembles the Common Lined Finch, but its song is said only to consist of a sparrow-like chirping. 19 A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila Lineated Finch (S. americana) Male. — Lower back and rump, ashy grey flecked with black ; rest of upper surface, lores, sides of face, and ear coverts, glossy black with greenish sheen ; ash grey margins to upper -tail coverts ; lower eyelid, spot below each eye, cheeks, chin, throat, under-tail coverts, centre of breast and belly, white ; sides of breast and band across fore¬ neck, black ; sides of body, grey ; thighs, blackish grey ; wing feathers, black, with whitish-grey edges to the lesser coverts, and white tips to the other coverts ; bases of inner webs of inner primaries white, forming a speculum ; tail feathers, black, with narrow, grey edges to the ends ; iris, dark ; bill, lead grey, whitish towards tip ; feet, black. Juvenile Male. — Undescribed, but probably like female with grey bill. Female. — Above, olive brown, slightly rusty on the rump ; lores and eye region, whitish grey ; ear coverts, pale olive brown, streaked with whitish-grey ; under surface, yellowish-buff ; centre of breast and abdomen, whitish, tinged with yellow ; wing coverts, quills, and tail feathers, dusky brown, edged with paler brown ; iris, dark ; bill and feet, horn brown. Habitat. — Guiana, Amazonia, and Tobago. References. — Russ, p. 570. Butler, p. 146. Neunzig, p. 236. Bird Notes, vol. vii, p. 263. In its native land the Lineated Finch is ubiquitous, living both in the high-lying, grassy plains, and in the damp lowlands. It is very rarely imported. The Berlin Zoo had it in 1913 and some were imported to England in 1909. The London Zoo has had it. Spectacled Finch (S. ophthalmica ) Male. — Upper surface, glossy black, lower back and rump, white, but mottled with black and grey ; lores and sides of head, black, with a tiny white spot below eye ; cheeks, throat, and sides of neck, white ; fore-neck crossed by a black band, widening out on the sides of the chest ; breast and abdomen, white, as well as the sides of body and flanks ; latter mottled with black ; thighs, under -tail coverts, under¬ wing coverts, and axillaries, white, with a small patch of black near the edge of the wing ; lesser wing coverts, black, edged with white ; the others, black, with white streaks along the edges of the ends of the H. Yealland — Hand-rearing of the White-capped Parrot 11 inner primary coverts, forming a wing bar ; tail, black ; iris, dark 5 bill and feet, black. Juvenile Male. — I can find no description. Female. — Above, light brown, tinged with grey on the top of head and upper back ; lores, rust-coloured ; eyelid, buffy white ; ear coverts, cheeks, and under surface of body, light, fulvous brown, whiter along the centre of the breast and abdomen ; sides of body, the flanks, thighs, and under -tail coverts, pale brown ; lesser wing coverts, like the upper surface ; others, blackish, edged with light brown and tinged with fulvous ; tail, pale brown. Habitat. — Ecuador. References. — Euss, p. 570. Neunzig, p. 236. Butler, p. 146. A vie. Mag., vol. ii, p. 57. Bird Notes, vol. vi, p. 186. The Spectacled Finch is extremely rare in captivity. A few were imported in 1912, and it has a place in the Zoo list, where it is included as a sub-species of Sporophila aurita. (To be continued.) THE HAND-REARING OF THE WHITE- CAPPED PARROT (. Pionus senilis ) By H. Yealland The disappointment of the failure of Lord Tavistock’s pair of White-capped Parrots to rear their young successfully last summer was, at the time, mitigated by the hope that a second nest might be forthcoming, and it was with this expectation that we substituted two tall logs for the tall box in which the previous brood of two young ones had come to grief. All hope of breeding this charming species in 1934 had, how¬ ever, gone by the time I went for my holiday in early August, for, a few days before I left, I noticed that the cock had commenced to moult and had actually dropped a secondary. It was, therefore, with surprise that I learnt on my return of a new effort on the 12 H. Yealland — Hand-rearing of the White-capped Parrot part of the White-capped and the probability of eggs due to hatch in about a fortnight. How many eggs there were we did not know, for the hen rarely comes off from the time she settles down in the nest (and I believe this is a long time before the first egg is laid) until the young are some days old. At about the time Lord Tavistock left for Scotland in early September he told me he thought the eggs would hatch in about a week, and, as there was little hope of the successful rearing of the family (for in addition to the parents’ persistent failures from one cause or another, the autumn seemed to be already upon us, and the nights were quite chilly), he wanted me to try to hand-rear at least one of the young. It was difficult at the time of the expected hatching of the eggs to tell what was going on in the nest, for I could never find the hen off, nor could I hear any sound of young ones : it seemed, however, certain that all was well with the hen, because the cock spent a lot of time sitting outside the nest. On account of the cold weather I did not like to take the cock away, because this would mean that the hen would probably come off for food and might stay off long enough to spoil the eggs : moreover, as it had previously taken not less than a week for the cock to get bored with the young ones, to the point of biting them into small pieces, I decided that to leave him was the safer course. A few days later I had my chance when I found the hen off, and on looking into the log I found three eggs, two of them fertile and apparently fairly near hatching and the third quite definitely clear. I had no other chance of looking in for a week, and then I found that neither of the eggs had hatched. I feared that they contained dead young ones, for it seemed that the hatching was long overdue. I did not catch the hen off again, but about eight days later, on 30th September, I noticed the cock eating grass, and this meant that in all probability there were young, for the cock very rarely eats grass at any other time. The difficulty of the moment was how to get the hen off, and, as H. Yealland — Hand-rearing of the White-capped Parrot 13 she declined to move when the log was tapped, it was clear that any young ones there might be would need to be rescued by bold methods. I took off the lid, and even so could see nothing but the defiant hen : it was then a choice between removing her and chancing desertion, and leaving her and risking whether the potential young survived until I could catch her off. I decided on the former course and, by lowering a twig into the nest so that the hen clung savagely to it, I was able without much difficulty to get her out. I found one young one about four days old, and the other fertile egg contained a dead chick, for a lot of dark liquid could be seen moving about inside when the egg was turned. I took the young one into the hospital and put it into a small box containing a thick layering of soft, crumbled, decayed wood, and on the top of this a piece of flannel. The flannel was not absolutely necessary, but by changing it twice daily the box could be kept very clean, and it was also useful for the better observation of the state of the young one’s bowels. The temperature of the hospital at that time was between 80° and 85° F., and so, with another piece of flannel laid on the young one, its body warmth was, I conjectured, quite well maintained. The parents seemed to feel their loss considerably, for the hen was very sulky for some days, while the cock took on a special fury and it was evident that he regarded such interference with his privilege to kill his own young a positive outrage. When I brought the little bird in it had a small quantity of food in its crop, and this lasted it until the early afternoon. I at first thought that it would be impossible to supply semi-solid food to so small a bird, and accordingly I started to give egg and milk, but found that a meal of this lasted only about two hours and it was clear that something more sustaining was needed. The following mixture was then tried, and it is upon this that the bird has been successfully reared : 1 part soaked monkey nuts, \ part soaked shelled sunflower seed, 1 part brown bread, § part peeled sweet apple, small quantity of green food (such as the leaves of the soft milk thistle, lettuce, dandelion, and cabbage), a small quantity 14 H. Yealland — Hand-rearing of the White-capped Parrot of Allinson’s food prepared with milk (as for lorikeets), into which has been mixed the yolk of an egg, about J teaspoon Radio-malt and J teaspoon of Marmite. The wdiole of the solid ingredients of this mixture were thoroughly chewed up each morning, and by being kept in a pot in a cold place remained fresh the whole day. The red skin on the monkey nuts was, of course, removed, and only the tender leaves of the green food were used. The complete mixture should not be made too liquid, but should conform as nearly as possible to the consistency of the food normally supplied by a parrot to its young. The only way of feeding the young of parrot-like birds with any degree of facility is to warm the food in the mouth and feed the bird from the mouth — this process is much easier and less revolting than it might sound, and by this method there is no danger of deforming the beak, as there is by feeding with a spoon. It is, of course, essential that the food should be given warm. From the very first the little parrot has flourished on this treat¬ ment and has evaded all the maladies of the sick birds that have been brought into the hospital since it has been there. I have fed the bird four times each day, including once at about 11.00 p.m., and presumably this is better treatment than parent birds would normally provide at this time of the year. At about ten days the eyelids showed signs of separating, and at about fourteen days the eyes were open. At about this time, too, feathers were making their appearance beneath the skin : the most advanced were the scapulars and the wing coverts. I found that at this stage the little bird needed an abundance of food for, in addition to the growth of feathers, the body continued to grow at a rapid pace. At all meal times, excepting the first morning one, the bird had some food left in its crop (a fact of which, to judge by its lusty cries when I approached, the little parrot was not aware — indeed, it continued to clamour for food even when its crop had assumed what seemed to me alarming proportions), and I feared that there might be a danger of this food becoming sour, but as this never happened, there was, presumably, no danger. H. Yealland — Hand-rearing of the White-capped Parrot 15 The bird continued to thrive, and was of such aggressive health that I had hopes of a successful rearing. As more and more “ pin feathers made their appearance, I wondered if the heat of the room was too great, and partly for this reason, and partly because the covering was often trampled underfoot by the young one, I dis¬ continued the covering altogether. At about four weeks the bird was fairly well covered with feathers, and I thought it would be better for its health to be kept in the next room, the temperature of which is maintained at 65 to 70°, and to this end I lowered the hospital temperature by about one degree each day. I never succeeded in getting the temperature below 76° before another sick bird had to be brought in, and the heat increased to 85° again. On 12th November I moved the bird to another open-topped hox containing a depth of about 2 inches of crumbled decayed wood. The flannel was dispensed with, and the box was stood inside a cage. At about 9 inches above the decayed wood was the entrance hole of the box, and I nailed some pieces of bark on the side leading up to this. The next day the little parrot climbed up and looked out of the hole, and for a further two days spent most of its time looking out. I am sure it was quite capable of climbing out, but lacked the confidence to climb on to the thin perch I had arranged near the hole, and so on the morning of 15th November I fixed up a strip of stout bark across the cage near the hole, and during the afternoon the bird climbed out. It went back into the box to roost, and at the time of writing (24th November) it has continued to do so. During the day, however, it climbs about the wire and the perches, and only goes into the box to exercise its wings. It has considerable strength in its beak and has already bitten off a lot of bark. It has also been eating some shelled monkey nut and has shelled sunflower seed and eaten some of it, but has not so far touched any of the other soaked seed which I have put in a dish hanging on the side of the cage. I think this bird will be fully as large as its parents when it has finished growing. The coloration of the back, upper tail coverts, and wings is Cinnabar green with a bronze shading on the wings ; the breast and 16 H. S. Sewell — Breeding the Painted Finch in Australia under parts are of a lighter, more bluish, green, with none of the slaty-blue shown by both the parents. The under tail coverts are of whitish-green, darker towards the centres. The white “ cap ” is so far a mere frontal band not more than \ in. in width The feathers on the top of the head are green with dull blue edges, and those on the sides of the head are more slate-coloured. The bastard-wing, primaries, and lateral tail feathers are deep cobalt blue, but the tail feathers have the inner webs towards the base of salmon pink. The secondaries are green and blue, and the central tail feathers are bluish-green. The beak is of bone colour, with a blackish area on either side of the upper mandible; the legs and feet are also of bone colour, with the claws black. The irides are a fairly dark brown. In spite of the dry heat of the hospital, the feathers are of excellent quality and are quite glossy. A curious habit of this little parrot is that of always going into the box to exercise its wings : it also stands on the perches with a very upright pose and with its chest expanded as though it fully expects at any moment to receive a decoration of some kind. BREEDING THE PAINTED FINCH IN AUSTRALIA By H. S. Sewell Being the first member of the Avicultural Society of South Australia to breed the Painted Finch ( Emblema picta) I thought perhaps a few notes on this species and its nesting activities may be of interest to the readers of your splendid magazine. The Painted Finch is one of our rarest finches and has for many years been practically unprocurable, in fact some years ago it was freely rumoured that the species were extinct. Fortunately, however, this rumour was exploded this year, by a number of those rare birds making their appearance from the far north of this State (South Australia). I quickly secured a few pairs in the early winter and set about the task of trying to breed them. H. S. Sewell — Breeding the Painted Finch in Australia 17 It was not until our early spring that the first pair showed •signs of nesting by taking possession of a small box which I had partly filled with soft grasses. In this they constructed a domed nest which they lined with flock and wadding, definitely discarding feathers. Three white eggs were laid but unfortunately proved to be unfertile. The birds were apparently immature, as they were not nearly in full colour when they first began nesting. An adult male bird .carries on his chest a broad splash of dazzling scarlet on a black background together with the usual white spot markings. They soon laid again, however, and this time I was greeted with ;a little more encouragement, as later they were undoubtedly feeding young; however, bad luck still persisted. One morning I found two young birds, fourteen days old, thrown out of the nest, not through intrusion on my part, but through inadequate feeding which I later rectified. The third nest was duly completed this time ; six eggs were laid, five being the usual number. This nest was a little more open than the previous two, so I could observe the •eggs without interference to the nest. Sixteen days from the last •egg the young appeared ; nineteen days later three young birds left the nest ; the next day three more made their appearance which more than delighted me, and proved a grand tonic to my frayed nerves. One young one, which had appeared weak, died, however, but the remaining five are remarkably strong and doing well at the time of writing. The colouring of the young is as follows : Head, light brown ; beak, black and very much shorter than that of an adult bird ; »eyes, black, where yellow in the adult ; lower back, reddish brown ; rump, scarlet; extremity of tail feathers, black, edged with red; wings, light brown ; throat, breast, and under parts, black, with well defined white spots ; beneath the throat and extending down •each side of the body one or two of the young are carrying a few spots of crimson on the breast, presumably these are male birds ; the legs, pale biscuit shade. These finches are not so particular as to their nesting sites as .are Gouldians, who usually prefer a hollow log. I have one pair of 2 18 H. S. Sewell — Breeding the Painted Finch in Australia Painted Finches that have built a rough dome-shaped nest among some gum branches, and another pair that selected a hanging fern basket out in the middle of an open flight. They burrowed into the soil in this and made a cup-shaped nest. Incidentally I am inviting Mr. Harvey to take a moving film of this pair feeding their young; being right in the open in an open cup-shaped nest, we have a splendid opportunity for this experiment as one may observe the young, which are a few days old, from a distance of 6 feet. But I am of the opinion that a small nest-box is their favourite site. I consider these finches to be among the hardiest of our birds as they prefer to roost out during the cold and wet nights of our winter without any ill effects. For freshly caught birds I consider this the supreme test of hardiness. The song of the male bird, if it could be called such, consists of a peculiar loud clucking noise. Their food consists of seeding grasses, sprouted seed, aphis, and small mealworms. I am now concentrating on breeding the beautiful Firetail Finch ( Zonseginthus bellus). Unfortunately these delicate little finches require skilful handling to keep them alive, which is no doubt due to environment and feeding. The Red-eared Firetail Finch ( Z . oculatus) is somewhat similar, but I trust with our increasing- knowledge of this species we shall overcome these difficulties soon. I am interested in all rare finches and waxbills ; some of the- foreign birds I have are Melbas, Violet-eared, Roufous-backed Mannikins, Dufresne’s and Black-cheeked Waxbills, Giant Magpie Mannikins, Green Avadavats, etc. If I have any further out¬ standing successes later I will be pleased to let you have particulars. [Our members will always be interested to read of Mr. Sewell’s successes. That of rearing young of the Painted Finch is a triumph indeed. — Ed.] P. Schmidt — A Pheasant which should have a Great Future 19 A PHEASANT WHICH SHOULD HAVE A GREAT FUTURE By P. Schmidt The Dark Golden Pheasant ( Thaumalea picta var. ohscura) Though it was known already before the War that there exists a beautiful colour-variation of the Golden Pheasant ( Thaumalea picta) and the Dark Golden Pheasant ( Th . picta var. ohscura ), the great majority of bird keepers and lovers are not aware of the existence of this bird. So, as the dark variety of the Golden Pheasant is known only in a small circle of bird lovers, I think my fellow aviculturists will be glad if I give a short description, as follows : — The colours of the adult cock are roughly the same as those of its ordinary relation, but every colour is much brighter and darker ; its cheeks and throat are black, and the tail, unlike that of the ordinary Golden cock’s net-like design, is provided with wavy cross stripes. Under the throat a greenish-yellow spot is to be seen, right down to the crop region. The chief colour of the hen is chocolate brown, with black spots and stripes as in the ordinary Golden hen. The colour of the feet of both sexes is olive greenish-brown, but one may come across some yellow-greenish-footed specimens too. All the so-called Dark Golden Pheasants, which do not correspond to this description, are not real, being either ordinary birds or mixtures of ordinary and dark-colour variations and, as such, quite worth¬ less. As most people do not know the bird and so may send off a wrong consignment in the best faith, the necessary precaution should be taken on the part of the buyer. When newly-hatched the chicks of the Dark Golden Pheasant can easily be distinguished from chicks of the normal type, isasmuch the down of the chicks is dark brown, the throat having a light, pale spot, which later disappears. Some mistaken ideas exist as to the origin of the Golden Pheasant’s dark variation, some contending that it is due to the intersection of some Colchicus species. But those who have kept pheasants, and know to a certain extent the laws of crossing, will be 20 P. Schmidt — A Pheasant which should have a Great Future able to establish that this is impossible, because, as in the case of the not entirely unmixed Amherst, or the continued breeding of other crossed specimens, some can be found among the descendants which resemble the original ancestors. In the same way set-backs should occur in the Dark Golden Pheasants if this theory were true, though this has never happened. The Dark Golden Pheasant always remains Thaumalea, both in colour and in form. So it is absolutely true that it is the result of a mutation, which, however, is unknown in the wild state. Unfortunately I do not know who first bred this colour-variation. It is to be noted that one sometimes finds somewhat lighter specimens among the Dark Golden Pheasants as well, but they are still easily distinguished from the ordinary colour shades or from the mongrels of the ordinary and dark birds. At the further breeding it is recommended to cross a light hen with a darker cock and vice versa, else you may discover among the descendent cocks some specimens with yellowish shade feathers on the belly and side, and that would certainly be at the expense of beauty. I possess at present a similar cock, which, being matched with a lighter hen, presented descendants of a perfect colouring. The Dark Golden Pheasant belongs to the prettiest of fancy pheasants, and even those who know the ordinary type are struck by the first sight of the dark-throated variety. In any case it is evident that there is an increasing interest in these pheasants on the part of bird lovers, which is no Avonder, considering that even its common relation, owing to the cock’s call-plays during almost the whole year, its modesty in feeding, and satisfaction with even a small place, will always be welcome in the aviaries of bird lovers, especially in those of the less wealthy bird keepers; and it is only natural that a bird, prettier than its relation and possessing all its good qualities, should secure for itself a lasting place with almost every bird lover. The chicks of the Dark Golden Pheasant can be reared with the same easiness as those of its ordinary relation. If properly fed the fancy plumage will be equally pretty under any climate and there is no fear that the colours will lose their intensity. Our bird will Mrs. Wharton Tigar — Notes from a London Aviary 21 endure perfectly well the cold, heat, and drought, so they will prove to be ideal aviary birds for those who cannot afford luxurious dwelling places such as are usually arranged for the less acclimatized rare pheasants. NOTES FROM A LONDON AVIARY By Mrs. Wharton Tigar What a wonderful time the end of May is for aviculturists ! Hope runs high, and we dream of our wonderful successes in breeding the rarest birds. We see our chimney pieces adorned with medals won for us by birds bred for the first time in the British Isles, or even Europe; avicultural enthusiasts are incurable optimists, and surely it is right that we are, otherwise, I fear, but few of us could survive. When May came along, I had a promising collection of the rarer birds suitable for a London aviary. Among softbills I could boast of a pair of the Crested Tanager ( Tachyphonus cristatus) ; these were let loose in a fairly large planted aviary. It took the best part of the summer to get them into breeding condition, and just as the time came to move them indoors the cock began to display to the hen in the evening. Most handsome he looked as he flew to and fro, and reminded me of a huge red-admiral butterfly in his colours of red, black, yellow, and white ; the hen is a plain little thing in brown. I also had a pair of the attractive New Hebrides Zosterops ( Zosterops flavifrons), but I found that they did so much damage to the foliage of plants in my greenhouse that they had to be caged again ; they were active little creatures, very bright yellow, especially the cock. Among finches, I had pairs of the gorgeous Royal Parrot Finch (. Erythrura cyanovirens regia). They arrived in England in April, brought over from the New Hebrides by Messrs. Walter Goodfellow and Shaw Mayer. I never shall forget my excitement when first I saw them. Unfortunately, owing to difficulties wflth their food and 22 Mrs. Wharton Tigar — Notes from a London Aviary transport, they were nearly all damaged in flights and tail. I had first choice of the collection soon after they were landed, and I chose four of the brightest specimens I could find — my greediness resulted in all four being cocks ! Afterwards I secured others that turned out to be hens. When these birds are in full colour there is a very decided difference in the sexes; the red of the head extends farther in the cocks, and the hens have green flanks. Their colours certainly are vivid, with brilliant peacock-blue bodies, bright green sheen on wings, and red tails and heads. Among the hens I secured were two that Mr. Goodfellow had hand-reared. These were delightfully tame and followed me about the aviary; one would even perch on my hand and eat a mealworm while sitting there. On the whole, I found the Regias active in the aviary, and the hens paid frequent visits to the nests, but it went no further. The cocks utter a sound like a guard’s whistle, much the same as the call of the Red-headed Parrot Finch (E . psittacea). I secured at least one pair of all the little finches brought back from East Africa by Mr. C. S. Webb. Among these pride of place belongs to the Hartlaub’s Spotted Waxbill ( Mandingoa nitidula nitidula). No importation of this species had before been reported, the reason being that these birds are widely distributed, and even isolated specimens are rare ; it is their habit to keep to the thick tropical undergrowth, and consequently they are very difficult to locate. In general colour they rather resemble a Green Avadavat, but are of a more cobby shape ; the cock has a bright yellow rump, orange red cheeks, and black spots on his sides on a white back¬ ground ; his beak is black, with a red tip, and the feet are brown. The hen is very similar but altogether paler. When caged, my hen plucked the cock bare of feathers on back and forehead. In the aviary they got on well, and were always together ; they are not so retiring in their habits as the Peter’s Spotted Firefinch ( Hypargos niveoguttatus), but are like them in many ways. Their call is similar, and both these species spend most of their time hunting on the ground for insects. The cock Mandingoa carried grass about, and once I saw him displaying to the hen in the usual manner, bobbing up and down, straw in beak, getting closer and closer all Mrs. Wharton Tigar — Notes from a London Aviary 23 the time. This happened in July, and the hen began to moult soon after, which put an end to their courtship. Later, if the weather had not turned so cold, forcing me to remove them indoors, I feel confident that their fancy would have gently turned to thoughts of love. The Red-eyed Crimson-wings ( Cryptospiza reichenowi sanguino- lenta) are gentle and somewhat retiring in the aviary. My pair attempted nesting, but the cock sickened suddenly and was only restored to health by a careful course of mealworms soaked in olive oil. After this they did not attempt to nest again, although they were always together. My pair of Purple Grenadier Waxbills ( Granatina ianthino- gaster ianthinog aster) were very fit and eager to go to nest from early in the season but seemed unable to fix upon a site for their nest ; eventually this difficulty was overcome, and they nested three times. On the last occasion three eggs were laid, but the birds deserted. When I examined the eggs I found three dead chicks, nearly ready to hatch. My greatest hopes were centred all the summer upon a pair of Pytelia afra— the Red-faced Waxbill. They were in exceptionally fine condition and most eager to nest. They started in May and made the usual domed nest among twiggy dead branches hanging in the aviary. The nest seemed small for the size of the birds, but they sat well, and all went merrily until their one youngster was 14 days old, and then one morning I found him dead in the nest. The birds began again at once and my hopes ran high. But, alas ! the same thing happened and I found three youngsters dead in the nest when two weeks old. This occurred in all four times. The last time I removed the three fertile eggs and placed them under a good pair of Bengalese which had successfully reared Gouldians and Diamond Sparrows. At exactly the same period the youngsters died. Each time I supplied every food I knew of for rearing the young birds, including absolutely fresh ants’ eggs. As these birds nest in the rainy season in the wilds the want of moisture may possibly have been the cause of these disasters. My Violet-eared Waxbills ( Granatina granatina), Blue-headed 24 J . Delacour — Bird-breeding at Cleres Waxbills ( Urasginthus cyanocephalus), and Tanganyika Melba Finches ( Pytelia melba grotei) did well in the aviary and were easy to keep in fine condition, but did not attempt to breed. Two other species, perhaps less well-known, are the Kenya Fi refinch ( La go - nosticta rubricata hildebrandti ) and the Yellow-bellied Waxbill ( Coccopygia melanotis kilimensis), closely related to the Dufresne’s Waxbill. Both these, though they did well in my aviary, surprised me by making no attempt to nest. Against my lack of success in breeding any of these rarer species,. I had particularly good results with the commoner birds. My Gouldians and Long-tailed Grass Finches were in excellent formr and my Diamond Sparrows produced sixteen youngsters in five- nests ! In conclusion I can only hope that Dame Fortune will favour me more kindly next year. BIRD-BREEDING AT CLERES By J. Delacour The two very dry years which we have just had in Normandy have been favourable in many ways, but also had their drawbacks in aviculture ; many birds did not lay as well as usual, and the shortage of insects in the summer was decidedly detrimental to certain species. The large flightless birds, Emus and Rheas, have done well ; some thirty white and grey Rheas were raised in 1933, but only eight in 1934, owing to the loss of the best breeding female. My Emus and Darwin’s Rheas are not properly paired, and naturally did not breed. Many Cranes laid clear eggs, but each year three pairs of Demoiselles nest, always at the same places, very far distant, and rear their young without difficulty. They are fascinating to watch, as they are such wonderful parents, catching insects all day long for their chicks. This year, an old hen Eastern Sams, who never had produced fertile eggs as long as she had a cock of her own species, hatched and reared two fine hybrids with an Australian J. Delacour — Bird Breeding at Cleres 25 Crane. They grew very quickly, and at two months of age were just as big as their mother. One cannot say yet what they will look like. White-necked Cranes laid unfertile clutches; Crowned Stanley’s, White Asiatic, and Manchurian Cranes did not lay, although most of them live in pairs in very large paddocks by themselves. Waterfowl have done well, although I am afraid that many eggs have been eaten by Cranes, Brush Turkeys, and other birds which live at liberty. If accidents overcame to the broods of Emperor and Ross’s Snow Geese, quite a few Ashy-headed, Cereopsis, Magellan, Blue-winged, and Bar-headed Geese were reared, and this year three Andean Geese. Sheldrakes have been particularly successful ; in the last two seasons over fifty Paradise, South African, hybrid Rajah, Ruddy, and Common Sheldrakes were bred. Ducks were bred in numbers, the rarest being Brazilian, Green-winged, and Cinnamon Teal, Black-billed, Fulvous, and true Red-billed ( autumnalis ) Tree-ducks, and Madagascar White-eyes. Game birds, at liberty in the park — Brush Turkeys, Black¬ shouldered Peafowl, Wild Turkeys, Silver Pheasants, and Jungle Fowl — breed plentifully. Among others, we have bred some Manauls, Blyth’s Tragopans (6), Rheinarte’s Argus (4), Gemani’s Palawan (4), Bronze-tailed Polyplectrons, Blue Crossoptilons (25), Mikado, Copper, Edward’s, Imperial, and White-crested Pheasants. One hybrid Koklars ( darwini x macroloplix) unfortunately died when three months old. One pair of Grey Polyplectrons has produced no fewer than eighteen young ones in two seasons. Roulrouls were hatched, but not reared. No rare Parakeets were reared ; only the different Love¬ birds; but a good many Pigeons were bred: Nicobar, chrysia, Bronze-winged, Blue-headed Pigeons, Long-tailed, Jobis, amabilis, Mourning, Talpacotis, Diamond, Senegal, and this year Galapagos Doves. Although these w~ere provided with rocks and miniature caves, they preferred to use small baskets fixed high up in trees. Of the smaller birds, Madagascar Weavers bred regularly, and two broods of Hooded Pittas were reared in a greenhouse, as I have already recorded. 26 Mrs. Dennis — Gouldian Finches GOULDIAN FINCHES By Mrs. Dennis A few notes about my mixed collection of small foreign finches may be of general interest. The aviary is divided into two portions, the inner division being one side of a large wooden building 20 by 4 feet. This opens into a flight 18 by 8 feet, partly glazed, leaving one end open to the winds and weather. In the spring I purchased some Cordon Bleus, Cut-throats, Fire-finches, Avadavatg, Nuns, Bengalese, and Silver- bills, and last, but not least, some Gouldian Finches. In the spring I bought fifteen pairs of newly-imported birds. I knew the risk I was taking, but determined to try the experiment. This particular lot were indeed very fine specimens, and hopes of success flashed high in consequence ! I had partitioned off one end of the inside aviary in readiness for these little travellers. It was in a warm corner near a stove which heated a water-pipe running through their new quarters. For two or three days all went well, and they ate well and were full of song, but on the fourth day one was dead, and the following day two more, and again another one the next day. I sent up two of these for a post-mortem, though I knew quite well what the verdict would be. The same old trouble with all these newly- imported birds, “ pneumonia.” A note completed this report: “ Newly-imported birds are a very risky experiment ! ” Of course, I knew this, but had determined to see what I could do, but I must say I felt somewhat depressed, as the survivors almost daily got fewer ! However, I did not mean to lose heart, and after I had lost fourteen or fifteen in three or four weeks, there were no more casualties for a few days, and in fact after this I only lost one more, and then found I had seven pairs left, in addition to a pair I had had in a cage in my house for three years. This pair had never shown any signs of breeding, but now that they had their freedom I saw that they were continually in and out of the nesting-boxes. I was also somewhat surprised to see one of the newly-imported birds J . Appleby — Bird Feeding 27 going round with bits of grass. Very soon these two pairs had each a nest of eggs, and to my joy both hatched and reared three young birds. I have read in various articles that Gouldians cannot be reared with other birds, but I have not found this to be the case, as I have bred this year (besides the Gouldians) several nests of Zebra Finches, Cut-throats, and Gordon Bleus. At the time of writing (i.e. the 4th November) I have four Gouldians nearly fledged, and another nest just hatched. On 15th October I shut all the birds into the inside enclosure, but did not light up the heating apparatus till the last day of the month, when the temperature dropped in the night to 39 degrees, but it was quite cold enough, and I think they all greeted the warmth with pronounced vigour and extra song. The birds are all strong and in ■splendid condition; I put this down to a portion of their diet of which they are very fond : canary-seed steeped in cod-liver oil. This seems to keep them healthy and well, and they revel in it. My original pair of Gouldians have become so tame that the cock bird will sit on the finger of the man who feeds them when he holds out a tit-bit for him. I hope now to concentrate more or less on the Gouldian, as I think few birds come up to this beautiful little finch, with its exquisite colouring and delightful habits. BIRD FEEDING By Joseph Appleby The question of the correct feeding of aviary birds seems to be a source of anxiety to many aviculturists, and as the subject has not been ventilated, at any rate of recent date, in the Magazine, I venture to open the subject, with a view of drawing some information which will be of general use to members of the Avicultural Society. Every bird keeper has some pet theory, and the sum of them would be of incalculable value to all interested in the well-being of their birds. I have been keeping birds for the last twenty years or more, in the way I fancy most of us do, not so much with the idea of breeding for sale, but for the pleasure of studying their habits and ways. If some do 28 J. Appleby — Bird Feeding breed so much the more interesting, but I make no claim to be a breeder. My collection of about 120 is of birds common to most aviaries,. Canaries, Diamond Doves, Budgerigars, Peking Robins, Whydahs, Weavers, Grass Finches, Gouldians, Buntings, and Waxbills, etc. They are divided into hardy and tender. The former are housed in shelter and flight 30 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 10 feet high, which is not heated. The latter have a room 15 feet by 12 feet by 10 feet high, which is maintained at a temperature of not less than 55° Fht. the year round, and a flight 12 feet square by 8 feet high, and these are driven in each night winter and summer and include Grassfinches,. Gouldians, some of the Buntings (Rainbow and Versicolor), and Waxbills. Now, I have tried many mixings of seed and after segregating the seeds least acceptable, have for some years used the following with, so my friends tell me and I think, excellent results. White millet 561b., small yellow millet 141b., small canary seed 28 lb., groats 7 lb., hemp 2 lb., teazle 2 lb., maw 2 lb., niger 1 lb. Total 1121b. I am often asked why I mix such small seeds and small quantities- of niger, maw, and teazle with the others and not give them in separate containers. If I did they would be devoured at once by a few strong birds to the exclusion of the weaker ones. Whereas when mixed they are obliged to search and scratch to fin'd them. The feeding tables being of ample proportion (2 ft. 6 in. by 2 feet) there is room enough and each bird has a fair chance. The hardy birds, Canaries, Budgerigars, Weavers, Whydahs, etc.,, have about 25 per cent giant sparies canary seed added to the above mixture. A soft food is provided for those birds which will take it, by no means all, made of Spratt’s cod-liver oil, cage-bird food, to which is added a little Bemax and Atora or shredded suet. Two tablespoonful of C. L. A. Food is damped to a crumbly consistency with boiling water ; to this is added a teaspoonful of Bemax and one of suet and well mixed by stirring with a flat piece of wood or a fork. This quantity will fill two shrimp pots and in my case is used up in one day. Review 29 Bemax, sold by chemists, is the proprietary name for prepared germ of wheat, and is one of the chief sources of Vitamin B. I use the shredded suet because of its convenience, beef suet gratered would do just as well. Pekings are very fond of this and their coats indicate the value of the fat in their tightness and shininess. Now comes the important question of green food. For nine months out of twelve, there is no trouble to anyone with a garden. Anything green is acceptable, hence all weeds of whatever description may be scattered on the floor of the flight. For the three dead months — January, February, March — when it is often difficult to obtain anything green except grass, a few sods are given and as pecked bare renewed. With regard to the floor of the flight I prefer earth to concrete and then it can be raked over once a week, all rubbish removed, and forked over every three months where there is bare soil. There is no doubt birds find lots of interest in soil and about plant roots. As to water, have it running if you can, and in any case see that there are no perches immediately over any receptacle containing it for drinking. I keep a meal-worm box going and supply a few now and then but not as a regular part of diet. I hope other members will follow my example and give me the benefit of their experience. REVIEW LES OISEAUX, Vol. I, Seconde Edition This is a completely new edition of the work issued in 1925, which was the French version of our own Aviculture , vol. i. It will be remembered that this manual of aviculture was published conjointly by the Avicultural Society and la Societe nationale d’Acclimatation de France, and was the work of various writers, all authorities on their subjects. This new edition has been completely revised, in fact almost rewritten by MM. Delacour and Legendre, and is a masterpiece of compression and information. The volume now under con¬ sideration deals with the Passeres, the account of which is preceded 30 Obituary by an Introduction dealing fully with the feeding, housing, and all the needs of birds in confinement. The families, from the Crows to the Tyrants and other Anisomyodi, are dealt with in order, and every species of avicultural interest receives due attention, the most modern classification being followed, and the nomenclature generally brought right up to date. The original plates are repro¬ duced and a few additional coloured ones included. Its authors deserve the thanks of everyone interested, and we can only hope that the Council of our Society will be able to take advantage of their work and produce a translation as the new edition of Aviculture , vol. i. OBITUARY MR. SAMUEL McGREDY Mr. J. O’N. Blair writes : — As a member of the Avicultural Society, I wish to draw your attention to the death of Mr. S. McGredy, Ashton, Portadown, N.I. Mr. McGredy was a member of our Society, an ardent Aviculturist, and a great public figure. He was the head of the famous firm of S. McGredy & Son, Portadown, whose famous nurseries are known throughout the world. I think I can safely say they are the largest rose growers in the world, and the firm have carried off for years all the premier awards in every country they have exhibited in. Mr. S. McGredy, who has just passed away, had a very fine aviary at the nurseries that was a great attraction to all who visited them, and there were thousands annually. He also had a fine aviary at his house, “ Ashton.” He was a most popular man with everyone ; generous and courteous to all who came in contact with him. He also was a great breeder of smooth-haired fox terriers, and here again won premier awards at home and in the principal shows in England. His loss is a great one in every respect. He was just in the prime of life, and leaves a widow and three children. I thought you would care to know these facts. Correspondence 31 It was through Mr. McGredy’s enthusiasm that I got interested in aviculture, and there are many interested likewise through coming in contact with him and seeing the love he had for all his feathered friends. He was always most anxious to give advice and assistance to amateurs who asked for same. Personally, his generosity and kindness to me, and I am one of many, are never to be forgotten. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. DANGER IN DUSTY SAND Probably many of us have lost birds at times in circumstances which baffle us. I had a case in point last year when a Parrot Finch died and the post-mortem showed pneumonia. Now this bird had been kept in an aviary the temperature of which was thermostatically controlled at 60° F. and a maximum and minimum thermometer was always in the aviary and showed that the temperature had never been below this. It is a well constructed place, nicely ventilated but definitely without any draughts. The bird had been in fine form for quite a time. However could it get pneumonia ? And what could one do more to prevent a recurrence ? I venture to suggest that we often invite lung trouble in our birds by the sand we use on the floors of cages and aviary shelters. Sand consists almost entirely of silica, and it has been known for a long time that silica dust breathed into the human lung has a most harmful effect and eventually proves fatal through silicosis. In industries handling materials with a high silica content very elaborate precautions are taken by means of ducts to draw away this fine silica, dust, and compensation to the next of kin has to be paid for deaths resulting from this cause. The silica itself is not harmful, of course, unless it is in such fine particles as to be carried about in the air and these fine particles are most easily air¬ borne when it is perfectly dry. Now one of the easiest ways of getting it perfectly dry is to place a thin layer, as we do, on the aviary floor, and a certain way of making sure that the silica dust does not lie there, but is wafted into the air, is to have a number of small creatures with efficient winnowing implements in the form of wings flying down on to it and rising up from it. I am informed that in humans the complaint is not easy to distinguish from the ordinary condition of tuberculosis ; with lungs as small as those of a bird the task would perhaps be more difficult, or even impossible, but Mr. Gray would perhaps kindly give us his opinion on this. However, to avoid the risk certain precautions can be taken. One should procure a 50-mesh sieve or riddle, and test in a perfectly hone dry state the sand one uses with this (a 50-mesh sieve is one which has 50 apertures to the linear inch). One can soon prove to one’s own satisfaction that any 32 Correspondence grains of sand so fine as to pass through the 50-mesh sieve are capable of resting in suspension in the air for a long time. Sand varies considerably in different districts, but there are few that do not contain a considerable proportion of the harmful fine grains unless these have been washed out. Washed sand is produced in most parts of the country, but is not often so thoroughly washed as to eliminate everything below the 50-mesh sieve, so that even if one is using a washed sand regular testing and sieving will be necessary. Since I have taken these precautions, I have had no case of pneumonia, and I feel certain that we have in the sands we use a potential source of lung trouble. John Wilcock. NEW ZEALAND ZOSTEROPS IN THEIR NATIVE COUNTRY I have just read Mr. J. W. Taylor’s notes on the breeding of the little New Zealand Zosterops. Curiously enough I had been for a walk through some bush this afternoon and had found no less than five Zosterops’ nests. We usually call them “ Wax-eves ” here. I have noticed that their nests are usually built in a young totara tree about 4 to 10 feet from the ground. They are not built in a fork of a branch but are woven into the prickly foliage itself. The nests are all the same, i.e. moss on the outside with root fibre and horse hairs on the inner surface. I think that a branch or two of ordinary yew tree would be very similar to the totara. I think it is important to have the correct sort of foliage for them to nest in — I was unable to find a single nest in any trees other than totara. I have not bred these little birds myself although I had some for a short while. I found that they did well on apple, bread and milk, and an occasional fatty bone. I have noticed them very busy about one of my apple trees which is covered with “ woolly aphis ” and am inclined to think they are very useful in keeping down blight such as this and rose aphis, etc. They are very tame and during winter will come to the door to be fed. I hope that these few notes may be of some help. Alex. R. Strang. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION Hylton Blythe, Rowan Tree, Corbet Road, Ewell, Surrey. Proposed by D. Seth-Smith. Docteur Pierre Engelbach, Kampot, Cambodge, Indochine. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Frank Grant, Parklands, Stoughton Lane, Evington, Leicester. Proposed by A. F. Moody. Mrs. Muriel Huth, 243 Goldhurst Terrace, N.W. 6. Proposed by N. Nicholson. I. F. M. Lloyd, Cottage, Cuckfield, Sussex. Proposed by Alastair Morrison. J. A. Pearson, 10 Brompton Square, S.W. 3. Proposed by H. C. Venning. D. H. S. Risdon, Oakdene, Downham Avenue, Northwood, Middlesex. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. NEW MEMBERS Miss B. C. Eales, 10 Glenhurst Road, Brentford, Middlesex. A. J. E. Freeman, 244 Hills Road, Cambridge. Mrs. Phipps, Hailey Manor, Witney, Oxon. J. Potts, 7a Cambridge Road, Southport. Mrs. Wikoff Smith, Morris Avenue, Bryn Mawr, Penna, U.S.A. CAM ACES SS2 HAVE ALWAYS A VARIED STOCK OF Foreign Birds, Parrots , Lovebirds , etc. We can now offer : — Ruficauda Finches, Dufresnes Waxhills, Diamond Doves, Royal and Superb Spreo Starlings, Java Sparrows, Zebra Finches, Red-crested Cardinals, Red- face Lovebirds, Silver- ear Messias, Pileated Finches, Grenadier Weavers, White-wing Whydahs, Rufus-back Mannikins, Violet-ear Waxbill, Thick Bill Weavers, Saffron Finches, Red Acadavats, Shamahs, Persian Bulbuls, Indian Bulbuls, Striated Tanagers, Macaws, Amazons and Grey Parrots, Queen, Yellow Naped, Red Collar, and Giant Whydah, Crimson Crown and Black Head Weavers, Superb and Scarlet Tanagers, Virginian Cardinals. BEST FOODS. Mealworms Spray Millet, large 6/6 ; Ants’ Eggs Dried Flies Pure Egg Yolk . Insectivorous Food Cuttlefish Bone LOWEST PRICES . . 3 1b. 18/6, 6/6 per lb., Jib., 3/6 Postpaid, small 3/6 per bundle. Approx. 50 Heads. 3/- per lb. 1/9 2/6 1/6 1/3 41b., 10/6 41b., 6/6 41b., 10/6 41b., 5/6 41b., 4/6 Specialities in CAGES, AVIARIES, NEST-BOXES and al! appliances. GAMAGES, HOLBORN, LONDON, E.C.l. '■ 1 1 ' 1 1 ’ PHONE : HOLBORN 8484. - ■ ™ “AVICULTURE” Volumes II and III Completing the Work. PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED. Bound in Red Cloth. Price 15/- each, postage 9d. (same for one and two volumes). CONTENTS. VOLUME II Woodpeckers. Wrynecks. Toucans. Barbets. Trogons. Colies. Cuckoos. Touracous. Humming Birds. Nightjars. Motmots and Bee-eaters. Hornbills. Hoopoes. Kingfishers, Rollers. All Species of Parrots. Cockatoos. Keas. Lories. Macaws. Conures. Eclectus. Australian Parrakeets. Owls. Birds of Prey. Pelicans. Swans, Geese, Ducks, Teal, etc. VOLUME III Diving Duck. Flamingos. Cariamas, Trumpeters, Sun-Bitterns, etc. Cranes. Bustards. Small Waders. Rails. Sea-Birds. Pigeons. Doves. Sand- grouse. Quail. Game Birds. Tinamous, Turkeys. Ostrich-like Birds, Emus, Screamers. Herons, Storks, Ibis, etc. Order with remittance to — STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, Ltd., Fore Street, Hertford. STEPHEN AUSTIN AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, HERTFORD. crm i r»~ 5 FOURTH SERIES VOL. XIII. No. 2 THE FEBRUARY 1935. Avicultural Magazine CONT PAGE The Abyssinian Cliff-Chat ( with coloured plate) . . . 33 Notes on New Zealand Birds {cont.) by Sydney Porter . 34 The Genus Sporophila {cont.), by A. Morrison ... 43 My Pheasant Collection, by Captain C. Scott Hopkins . 51 ENTS PAGE Breeding Results at Balcombe, by Dr. E. Hopkinson, C.M.G., D.S.0 . 55 Correspondence, Notes, etc. : The Dark Golden Pheasant; Breeding the Linnet ; The Painted Finch ; Wintering Sun- birds in the Open . . 57 Errata ..... 58 The Price of this Number is 2/6. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOUNDED 1894 Patron : His Majesty the King NOTICE TO MEMBERS The Subscription to the Avicultural Society is £1 per annum, due on the 1st of January in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/-. 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 SUBSCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HONORARY SECRETARY I I AND TREASURER, Miss Knobel, 86 Regent’s Park Road, London, N.W. 1. I All Queries respecting Birds (except post-mortem cases) and all other correspondence should be sent to the Hon. Secretary, at the above address. Any etiangH of address should be notified to her. POST-MORTEM EXAMINATIONS Rule 1.— -A short account of the illness should accompany the specimen. AE birds to be sent as fresh as possible to Mr. C. H. Hicks, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Rule 2.— A stamped addressed envelop© must be enclosed with the bird. Rule 3.— No body or skin of any bird will be returned under any circumstances whatever. The Magazine is published by Messrs. Stephen Austin & Sons, 1 Fore Street, Hertford, to whom members should address all orders for extra copies, back numbers for 1917 and after, and bound volumes. Gases for binding the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side) can be obtained from the Publishers, post free and carefully packed, at 3/- each ; or the Publishers will undertake the binding of the Volume for 6/6, plus 9d. for packing and postage. Members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. Telephone ; Hertford 646 and 647. AH Inquiries for ADVERTISEMENTS and TRADE SUPPLIES should be made direct to STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, Ltd., FORE STREET, HERTFORD. All communications intended for publication in the Magazine should be addressed to the Editor The Hon. Anthony Chaplin, c/o The Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Avicultural Magazine. John Bale Sons &. Danielsson. Lld London THE Avicultural Magazine THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY Fourth Series. — Vol. XIII. — No. 2. — All rights reserved. FEBRUARY, 1935 THE ABYSSINIAN CLIFF-CHAT ( Thamnolrea cinnamomeiventris albiscapulata , Rupp.) This species was imported a few years ago. I saw four or five pairs at a dealer’s and bought the lot. They were in poor condition and only two pairs survived, one of which was presented to the Zoological Society and the other to Mr. C. H. Heal, who, I believe, still has both birds. Practically nothing is known of the species in a wild state, but Mr. C. S. Webb has observed an allied race ( T . c. cinnamomeiventris) in Portuguese East Africa, which, he says, is only found flitting about rocks, where its movements are singularly graceful and delightful to watch. The song is loud and may be heard at a considerable distance. Strangely enough in captivity I have only heard the female sing. The Plate gives an altogether excellent idea of the grace of the bird, the tail being raised and spread partially almost with every movement. The male has the head, neck, back, upper breast, wings, and tail black ; the lower breast and abdomen cinnamon, and the scapulars pure white. The female differs only in having the scapulars black. The range of the species is from Bogosland to Harrar, and to the Sudan border at Fazogli on the Blue Nile. A. C. 3 34 Sydney Porter — Notes on New Zealand Birds NOTES ON NEW ZEALAND BIRDS By Sydney Porter The Sooty Shearwater or <£ Mutton Bird ” (Puffinus griseus) [Continued from Vol . XII, page 237) One of the most interesting periods spent in New Zealand was a sojourn amongst the “ Mutton Bird ” Islands in the far south of that country. Through the kindness of Mr. Corbet, of Invercargill, a member of the Avicultural Society, arrangements were made for me to go to Stewart Island and to be picked up there by the owner of a yacht and to cruise for a period around the islands off the south of Stewart Island. We were held up for several days at Half Moon Bay, the one and only settlement on Stewart Island and probably the most southern township in the world. The “ Mutton Bird ”, otherwise the Sooty Petrel or Shearwater, is an important article of commerce amongst the Maoris of Stewart Island and the extreme south of the South Island. The small islands where the Petrels nest have been held by certain families for many centuries and the right of taking the birds is held by their descendants. At the beginning of the Southern summer the birds gather from all quarters of the globe, coming from as far as Greenland, Alaska, Labrador, and many parts of the Arctic Ocean, traversing many thousands of miles of ocean spaces and in time arriving at the tiny islands in the far south where they first saw the light of day. The gathering of the Petrels from all quarters of the globe is truly one of the greatest of bird mysteries. A long burrow is excavated in the loamy soil amongst the dense scrub which covers the islands. These vary greatly in length, some being only a few feet long, while others are from 10 to 15 feet in length, the longer ones being no doubt old burrows in which fresh excavations have been made each year. It is an amazing thing that the birds are able to tunnel through the very fibrous mould with their seemingly fragile beaks and weak legs. The space being so limited, the same nesting holes are used year after year. Often the entrance hole is made under the roots of a tree or a fallen log. The young are hatched about Christmas time and are ready for Sydney Porter-— Notes on New Zealand Birds 35 the “ mutton birders ” who arrive about the first week in April, and immediately take samples of the birds. The Maoris can usually tell whether the birds are ready by the presence of down adhering to the roots at the entrance of the nesting hole. This means that the young one is getting past the downy stage and is coming to the entrance of the burrow each night to shake the down from the plumage. Some of the “ mutton birders ” possess dogs who scent the birds which are then dug out. Usually the depth of the tunnel is tested by a long stick and an entrance is dug from above where the young one is judged to be. The birds are killed by hitting them with the fist on the back of the skull until it is broken. A heap of birds are collected and stripped of their body feathers, great heaps of downy feathers in the bush denoting where the men have been working. The work is started at 7 a.m. and is continued until 2 p.m., when each person has collected from sixty to seventy birds, which are then tied into bundles of ten. Arriving at the hut or place where the work is done, the birds are dipped into boiling water and the remaining down plucked off. They are then hung up in bundles and allowed to stiffen, this is because the birds are so tremendously fat that it is necessary for them to harden before they can be dealt with. After hanging for two or three days, the Petrels are taken down, the head, wings, and tail cut off, the body split out, and the inside taken out. The birds, or rather what is left of them, are then packed flat into barrels, each layer being salted. These are then left for two or three days, after which they are taken out and packed with salt into bags very ingeniously made out of the stems of a giant kelp, a species of seaweed, which attains a gigantic size in the seas in the far south. When each bag is full it contains from 30 to 100 birds, according to the size. These bags when full resemble great transparent yellowish bladders. Birds which are small or in poor condition are boiled in their own fat and also put into the kelp bags. When the sacks, which are pear- shaped, are full, they are covered with Totera bark and the base is then placed in a Maori “ kit ” or bag of woven flax. The birds are now ready for the market and will last, preserved in this way, for over twelve months. The price varies from 9 d. downwards. Now 5 \d. is the price paid per bird to the “ mutton birders ”. 36 Sydney Porte? — Notes on New Zealand Birds The “ torching 55 seasons begins about the 2nd May. The young birds which have not been caught in their holes now come out at night to preen their plumage and get rid of the down which still adheres to the plumage prior to taking their first flight to sea. The nestlings are dazzled by the light of the torches and get too confused to return to their homes. During this season 300 birds are often taken in a single night by one man. A family of three people will take from 6,000 to 7,000 birds in a season. One old “ mutton birder ”, who had been plying his trade since 1875, told me that the birds were on the increase, but I can hardly see how this is possible as the birds only lay one egg in the season. I think he thought I was a Government inspector, down to make inquiries respecting the protecting of the birds. The young birds are fed by their parents during the night only, upon an oil-like liquid which the young bird vomits up when handled or frightened. They get enormously fat and are, after a time, deserted by their parents ; the young birds gradually get thinner until at last, having got rid of all the down and in perfect plumage and a normal weight, they then make their way from the nesting holes towards the edge of the cliffs or rocks, from whence they throw themselves into the air, and so the adventure of Life starts, and what an adventure it is ! For nine months of the year they are wanderers on all the seven seas, never once touching land in all that time. On one of the islands, I forget its name now, I met an old Maori, 90 years of age, a rare relic of the pre-British area. He explained to me the old Maori method of procuring the birds, which differed considerably from the methods employed to-day. The birds after being hung for two days were boiled in their own fat in an elaborately carved wooden vessel known as the “ Hipu-titi ”. It was hollowed out of a tree-trunk and shaped like a small canoe with a swan-heck shaped spout at one end for pouring the oil out. The method was to put into the vessel a certain amount of mutton-bird oil rendered from the offal of the birds, then the cleaned bodies were placed in this and the whole brought to a boil by placing red hot stones in the fat. After a time the bodies were taken out, placed in the kelp bags, and the whole filled up with oil. Earthen or iron pots were unknown to Sydney Porter — Notes on New Zealand Birds 37 the Maoris, neither was salt. The old Maori and his family were some of the few still practising the old method of killing the birds by bending the head forward and biting through the spinal column with the teeth. I was told of albino birds being sometimes found, also more rarely khaki-coloured ones. The nest of the birds seemed more plentiful in the dense under¬ growth of a peculiar plant superficially resembling rhubarb. It was impossible to walk through these parts without falling down the holes. The most remarkable thing is that after the birds have fed the young ones during the night, they cannot take flight again off the ground but have to shuffie (these birds cannot walk owing to the weakness of the legs) through the undergrowth to the edge of the cliffs or rocks often a quarter of a mile away where they throw themselves into the air. The nesting habits of the Petrels are one of the most fascinating studies of any known bird, and the more one studies them the more strange and mysterious do they appear. Why these birds should gather from all parts of the oceans to these small islands and go to so much trouble and spend so many months every year in the process of reproduction when they could easily nest as Sea-gulls do, for they have no natural enemies that we know of, is a mystery that we shall never fathom. During the nesting season the birds keep together in flocks not far from the coast, though, of course, odd ones are often seen. The birds during their fishing look exactly like giant Swifts ; they are the same shape, colour, and their flight is very similar, for the birds possess the small, narrow, sickle-shaped wings which they flutter in the same manner as a Swift. I think a great deal of the food is taken on the wing, for the birds circle round and round seeming just to skim the surface of the ocean with their bills. The birds are also able to dive and swim under the water. Their food consists of low forms of marine life which float on the surface of the water, plankton, cephalopods, the eggs of various molluscs, etc. I could write a great deal more about these fascinating birds, but space forbids. The New Zealand Zosterops ( Zosterops halmaturina) The little “ Silver-eye ”, “ Blighty ”, “ Wax-eye ”, etc., as it is variously called in New Zealand, has for many years been the subject 38 Sydney Porter — Notes on New Zealand Birds of discussion, firstly on account of its origin and secondly as to whether it is beneficial or detrimental to the country. Prior to 1856 the bird was unknown in New Zealand. After that date small numbers were observed in the South Island which, as time went on, multiplied exceedingly until at the present time, with the exception of the introduced Sparrow, it is certainly the commonest bird in the country. The question arises, how did these birds get to New Zealand ? It is difficult to think of these fragile little creatures crossing a thousand miles of ocean without a resting-place. If they did cross it could not have been by their own efforts, they must have been either blown over by some strong wind or carried by human agency, for apart from the effort required they would be unable to subsist without food for such a length of time. The Zosterops are not migrants in the true sense of the word, for though they are nomadic in some countries they never migrate long distances. Then again, it is a strange thing how these birds which belong to a tropical genus could manage to acclimatize themselves to a comparatively cool climate where conditions in winter are often very severe. But be it as it may, we shall never solve the mystery, like the creation of the world it will always be a matter of conjecture. That the bird does feel the severe conditions in the winter there is little doubt, for I have been told by some of New Zealand’s hardy “ he-men ” who lived in huts and tents at high altitudes during the winter-time that the birds would upon occasion crowd into the tents and huts for the little extra warmth and in one case, when the conditions were very severe, the birds crept in under the flaps of the tent until the place was simply crowded with them. This was no joke for the campers, as the mess caused by several thousands of these birds is very considerable, also they ate every bit of food left about. In the southern districts the birds will enter houses in bad weather and consume everything edible, butter, bread, meat, or anything lying about. Needless to say there must be a very heavy mortality in hard weather, especially in the far south and in Stewart Island, though perhaps they would not be so badly affected in the latter place, which is still covered with the magnificent native forest. When hard pressed nothing seems to come amiss to these birds Sydney Porter- — Notes on New Zealand Birds 39 in the way of food. In fact at all times their appetite is prodigious, as I have found to my cost. The New Zealand Zosterops is an exceedingly active and restless bird. Living in small flocks they pass through the undergrowth minutely searching every leaf, nook, and cranny for the tiny insects upon which they mainly feed. On their first appearance in New Zealand they were looked on as a great blessing, for they speedily cleared gardens and orchards of all manner of minute insects and pests, especially the blight upon apple trees. Loud were the praises sung of these feathered benefactors, but when the birds took payment for their services, ah, well, that was another thing altogether. We humans do not mind how much is done for us, but how loath we are to give recompense, especially when our servants belong to the animal kingdom. After a while this little bird was reviled on every hand for the damage it did to the fruit crops. That a flock of these birds can play havoc with a crop of fruit I have little doubt, for when through the kindness of a friend in New Zealand I became possessed of fifty of these birds, I was amazed at the quantity of fruit which they consumed. Besides a large amount of soft food they devoured at least half a dozen bananas and about a pound of apples per day, in fact their food bill amounted to something like £1 a week. In feeding on the apples, a small hole was pecked in one side and the whole flesh devoured leaving the skin intact. At first I thought the birds must dislike apples, as I saw what appeared to be the whole fruit intact, but on taking it down I soon found my mistake. The Zosterops are to be found everywhere, from the North Cape to Stewart Island and from the limit of the alpine vegetation to the forests which come down to the seashore. In severe weather it is to be found in gardens, round about houses, and in the centre of the large cities themselves. During the whole time the flock is moving about they keep up an incessant twitter, which is exceedingly sweet to listen to. In fact a large flock of these birds can be heard from a considerable distance from the shore, providing that the sea is calm. The birds have also a very soft, sweet, warbling song. I have never heard this song from the wild birds, they never seem to have time to 40 Sydney Porter — Notes on New Zealand Birds utter it, being too busy searching for their living. But captive birds I had, when they had finished one of their numerous repasts, would all start and sing together in a beautiful soft warble, making one of the most enchanting bird choruses I have ever listened to. I have never heard single birds sing, neither did the few birds which I eventually kept. I almost wish that I had kept the whole flock so sweet was their melody. In captivity they are charming little birds, always tame and full of the joy of life ; they always keep in wonderful condition, except if they begin to pluck each other. In fact I know of no bird more addicted to plucking its fellows than this one. The strange thing is that the birds seem to enjoy being plucked. Some years ago a small consignment of these birds arrived in this country. New Zealand birds had always been scarce in England, and it was the first time the Zosterops had been offered for sale, so I was anxious to get hold of a few. About forty were landed, but in a very sorry state. When I heard from the person who had purchased them from the captain of the ship who had brought them over, there were only six left. I was anxious to have them, but was told that they were in poor condition, and one of the conditions of the sale was that I should come up to London and bring them home with me as they were unfit to stand a long rail journey. Some time elapsed before I got to town, and by that time very few were left. Well, I got a shock when I saw them, it was the first time I have ever seen a bird totally plucked of its feathers and still alive. I have certainly never seen such derelicts, either before or since. One bird certainly had about a dozen feathers, but the others were just miserable palpitating little pink bodies, shivering and drooping with the cold. How they had lived in that state is a mystery. I hadn’t the heart to leave them, for I knew that in the morning there would be several little pink and unlovely corpses. As soon as they were packed up I hurried across London, paying several more calls for birds, and eventually arrived at the station in the late evening. Getting into one of the front carriages, I kept on the heat despite the protests from the other occupants, and arrived home some hours later on a bitterly cold winter’s night, expecting to find in the package Sydney Porter — Notes on New Zealand Birds 41 several pathetic little corpses, but though they were nearly “ passing to that last strange change ” their frail and wilting little bodies revived somewhat when placed over a radiator with a temperature of 80 degrees ; a light was left burning so that they could feed before settling down for the night. The next morning instead of corpses there were several very lively little naked bodies, though two of them seemed to be shaking with a palsy. Each bird was caged separately, fed on ripe pear, banana, and a good insectivorous food. In each cage was placed a spray of privet in lieu of perches, which was kept alive by being placed in a test tube of water, for I am a great believer in live branches helping to restore a bird when in bad condition. I think it is the Hindus who speak about “ prana ”, the life, from the soil which is obtained through walking barefoot. I think the same sort of thing is transferred to a bird from the living branches. Each cage was placed over a radiator, and in a few days each bird was washed in warm soapy water to get rid of the sticky glutinous mess- which partly covered their bodies. This gave them another setback but, after being wrapped in flannel for a while, they recovered. In a week’s time each could boast of about half a dozen pin feathers, they were brighter, and did not shake so much. I am sure anyone seeing them at first would have been unable to tell their species. They might have been plucked Willow Warblers, Wrens, or anything else for that matter, only their beaks gave any indication that they were at all Warblerlike. In a few days the white feathers around the eyes appeared and so in a few weeks the derelicts were saved. No soul of a lost sinner required as much effort to save as those frail little lives ! But to me that is the greatest joy of bird keeping, to restore to health a dying bird. I find that it is a mistake to feed Zosterops on the usual sunbird food, that is the Mellin’s, honey and milk. It is too stimulating, and in time seems to affect the bird’s brain, and they become mentally deranged. It is certainly useful as a “ pick-me-up ” for these birds after a long voyage, but should not be continued for long. A good insectivorous food and plenty of ripe fruit is all that any species of Zosterops require. Plenty of water is necessary, for they are great bathers. In dry weather in New Zealand one usually sees crowds 42 Sydney Porter — Notes on New Zealand Birds around any available little pool, bathing and making a very thorough toilet. These Zosterops, like most other New Zealand birds, are quite tame and fearless when at liberty. The nest is a frail but beautiful little cup-shaped structure, and is fastened to the branches of a small shrub by the edges. Usually there is little attempt at concealment. Three blue eggs are usually laid, very much resembling those of a Hedge Sparrow ; the young are hatched, grow up, and leave the nest in an incredibly short space of time. This species is found in South Australia and Tasmania. The Rock Wren (Xenicus gilviventris) One of my reasons for going into the Southern Alps of New Zealand was to see and make a study of the Kea and the Rock Wren. My efforts to make the acquaintance of the latter bird were thwarted, owing to an attack of bronchitis, when I was in the very regions where it was found, in fact I could plainly see its habitat as I lay in bed watching the fleeting shadows of clouds as they darkened the immaculate white face of Mount Cook. So all my information is second-hand, obtained from the alpine guides and from a distinguished lady mountain climber. These hardy birds inhabit the regions of alpine scrub just below the snow line between 5,000 and 7,000 feet, and are in fact seldom seen below that altitude. Around the Aimer Hut at a height of 6,700 feet this bird is plentiful and is exceedingly tame, coming within a few feet of the traveller and picking up scraps of food thrown to it. It is a peculiarly built bird, rather resembling a very compact Dipper with a very short and stumpy tail. It also has the peculiar bobbing motion of that bird. It is entirely terrestrial, living amongst the rocks and sparse alpine scrub. How it manages to find enough insect life to sustain itself in those inhospitable regions is rather a mystery. In the winter I dare say they feed to a large extent upon insects which they find in a state of torpor in the crevices of the rocks. That these birds are extremely hardy goes without saying, or they could not brave the severe storms which rage in the high Alps in the winter time, for from information gathered it would seem that the bird never A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila 43 descends below its usual habitat no matter how severe the weather conditions. I was told that the bird was often seen examining and pulling to pieces the flowers of the mountain ranunculus, no doubt in search of insects. Mountain climbers tell me that it is a most attractive creature and looked on with favour by all those who enter its domain. The only danger to this species is from wild cats, which I have seen at a height of from 4,000 to 5,000 feet : they would make short work of these interesting birds should they reach the districts where they live. Being of feeble flight and of a very confiding nature, it would stand no chance whatever. Already one interesting species of New Zealand Wren has been entirely exterminated by cats, the Stephen Island Wren (T raver sia lyalli). (To be continued ) THE GENUS SPOROPHILA By A. Morrison ( Continued from, 'page 1 1 ) Hick’s Seed-eater (S. aurita) Male. — Upper surface, mantle, wings, upper tail coverts, tail, lores, sides of face, ear coverts, cheeks, throat and upper breast, glossy black with a greenish sheen ; a half -moon shaped patch on sides of neck and an irregular band across the rump, white ; a double white patch on base of primaries and secondaries, only the former being visible on the closed wing ; breast and abdomen, white ; sides of body and flanks, black tipped with white ; thighs, black, internally white ; under tail coverts, white ; bill and feet, black. Out of the breeding season the general colour is brown, with which colour all the feathers are tipped. These tips are gradually shed and the bird assumes its full plumage. Juvenile Male. — I can find no description. Female. — Above, olive brown ; cheeks and under parts pale olive buff, lighter on the abdomen, which is yellowish white ; sides of body 44 A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila and flanks, olive brown ; thighs and under tail coverts, olive buff ; wing feathers are dull brown edged with olive. Plate. — Sclater, Ibis, 1871, p. 14, pi. 2, figs. 1, 2. Habitat. — Central America, from Guatemala and Costa Rica to Panama. References. — Russ, 568. A vie. Mag., vol. ii, p. 57. Bird Notes , vol. vi, p. 188. I know nothing of this bird, but it has been included in the Zoo list. Guttural Pinch (S. gutturalis) Male. — Above, dark olive green, paler and greyer on the rump, and with black bases to the feathers there ; head and neck, black ; breast and belly, pale sulphur yellow, spotted with black on the sides owing to the black feather bases showing ; under tail coverts, pale yellow ; thighs, yellow with their hinder parts black ; wing feathers, blackish with olive-green edges, broadest on the inner flights ; a yellowish white wing patch is formed by the bases of the inner secondaries ; tail, brown edged with olive green ; iris, brown ; bill, whitish ; feet, brownish grey. Juvenile Male. — Similar to the female, but shows a good deal of black on the throat and crown ; all, however, concealed by the over- lying greenish plumage. Bill probably similar to that of the male. Female. — Above, olive brown ; lores and feathers round eye, buffy white ; cheeks and under surface of body, ochreous buff ; breast and abdomen, buffy white with yellowish tinge ; sides of body and flanks, olive brown ; thighs and under tail coverts, whitish tinged with ochre ; lesser wing coverts like the back ; rest of wing and tail feathers dark brown with olive brown edges, broader on the inner secondaries ; median and greater coverts have brownish white ends, which form two indistinct wing bars ; bill, horn grey and much finer and more conical than that of the male. Plate. — Bird Notes , vol. vi, p. 60 (male). Habitat. — Brazil, Guiana, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, Trinidad, and Lesser Antilles. References. — Russ, 569. Neunzig, 233. Breeding Records, p. 4. A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila 45 Butler, 147. Bird Notes , vol. vi, p. 68 ; 1913, 139. Avic. Mag., vol. ii, p. 58 ; vol. iv, p. 131 ; 1917, p. 28 ; 1931, p. 328. In a wild state the Guttural Finch congregates in small flocks in open country, particularly along river banks where there is abundance of grass, on the seeds of which it subsists. It is a familiar bird, coming quite close to houses, and it sings continually. The nest is usually placed in a low bush and is somewhat loosely made of grass stalks. The clutch is said to consist of two eggs, pale greenish white in colour, marked with various shades of brown. The Guttural is quite freely imported and is a most charming bird in captivity. It is hardy, pretty, very good tempered, and a delightful songster. In an aviary it is inclined to be rather retiring if there is any cover available. It has been bred occasionally, for the first time in this country by Page in 1912. A German aviculturist obtained eggs from a cross between the hen Guttural and cock White- throated Finch. Collared Finch (S. cucullala) Male. — Upper surface black with shoulders and lower back grey, the latter washed with ochre ; rump, a deep ochre brown ; upper tail coverts, blackish edged with dark grey ; lores with a creamy buff spot ; ear coverts and feathers round eye, black with a creamy buff spot below the fore-part of eye ; cheeks and throat, creamy buff washed with ochre ; sides of neck rich ochre, extending backwards so as almost to form a collar ; fore-neck with a broad black band ; chest and under surface, pale tawny buff ; thighs white, black posteriorly ; wing coverts, black with grey edges ; inner lesser coverts and tips of inner median coverts, bright ochre ; rest of wing feathers, black edged with grey ; inner primaries externally white at the base, forming a white wing spot ; under wing coverts, white ; tail feathers, black edged and tipped with brown ; irides, brown ; bill, horn grey, with a dark base and yellowish tip ; feet, pale horn colour. Juvenile Male. — Similar to female, but the black feathers show at an early age. Female. — Above, brown edged with olive on the head and back ; upper tail coverts, dark brown with paler margins ; sides of head and 46 A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila under surface light tawny buff, paler on the abdomen and deeper on the under tail coverts ; under wing coverts, whitish washed with yellowish buff ; lesser wing coverts like the back ; rest of wing feathers greyish brown edged with olive, or on the coverts with pale brown ; tail, dark brown with paler margins. Plate. — Neunzig, p. 237. Habitat. — North Brazil to Guiana. References. — Buss, 568. Neunzig, 237. Butler, 148. Breeding Records , p. 4. Bird Notes , vol. vi, p. 183. The Collared Finch has been occasionally imported, but not, I think, of recent years. A pair bred with Dr. Buss, laying two eggs in a small deep nest built in a bush. Two would appear to be the regular number for the clutch with Sporophilse. It is a peaceable, good-tempered species and it possesses a pleasant soft little song. The Southern Collared Finch (S. collaris) is included in Neunzig and Buss as being occasionally imported. It is also in the Zoo list, possibly in error for cucullata. The male differs from cucullata in having the upper surface, sides of neck and rump, whitish, and the lower back and thighs ashy grey. For all practical purposes the female is probably indistinguishable, but is differentiated by being more sandy above and more tawny below, with the wing spot formed by the bases of the inner primaries a more yellowish white. Curiously enough collaris is said to be a much finer songster than cucullata. It comes from South-Eastern Brazil. Black-banded Finch ( S . torqueola) Male. — Crown, nape, neck, mantle, and back, black ; rump, cinnamon brown ; throat, whitish ; a black band across the fore-neck ; a large patch of white on the sides of the neck forming a half-collar ; cheeks and under surface, pale rufous buff ; thighs white, black posteriorly ; wing feathers, black with a white patch at the base of the outer web of the inner primaries ; tail feathers, black fringed with pale brown ; iris, brown ; bill and legs, blackish. Out of season, all the black feathers become edged with brown, and the white half-collar is tinged with sandy buff. Juvenile Male.' — Similar to the adult male, in seasonal plumage A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila 47 being brown instead of black ; the black collar is absent ; the colour below is much paler. Female. — Above pale olive brown, slightly ashy on the head and neck ; sides of head and under surface olive brown, paler than the upper surface ; abdomen, lower flanks, and under tail coverts, pale sandy buff ; lesser wing coverts like the back ; wing feathers, dusky brown edged with olive brown ; under wing coverts, dirty yellowish white ; bill and legs, blackish. Habitat. — Mexico . References ~ Russ, 572. Butler, 146. Neunzig, 237. Bird Notes , vol. vi, p. 186. This pretty little species was first imported in 1895, and was formerly very rare. This year, however, at least two large consignments have been imported and at present there must be a good many examples in the country. The Black-banded Finch is also known as the White- collared Finch and the Cinnamon Bumped Seed-eater. It is rather a nervous little bird, but is hardy and absolutely harmless. The cock which I possess allows itself to be bullied by almost anything. It has a quiet but pleasant little song, which is, however, very rarely uttered. I have had four females presumably of this species that all varied a good deal in colour. Although they could not very well have been anything else, they were all much darker than the skins at the Museum. Some of the “ hens ” that I saw for sale were yellow-billed birds, undoubtedly the immature cocks of some other species. Moreleti Finch {S. moreleti) 1 Male. — Upper surface and sides of head, black with a broad white band across the rump ; moustache streak, throat, and sides of neck white, the latter extending backwards and forming a half-collar ; fore¬ neck, black forming a broad collar ; remainder of under side, white with a slight tinge of ochreous buff ; under tail coverts, creamy white ; thighs, black tipped with white ; wing coverts, black tipped with white ; middle primaries with the bases of both webs white, forming a double wing bar ; under wing coverts and axillaries, white ; upper 1 See plate for January. 48 A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila tail coverts and tail feathers, black ; bill, black ; iris, dark ; feet, blackish brown. Juvenile Male . — At first resembles the adult female and gains the full male plumage in a single moult. Female. — Above ochreous brown, darker and washed with olive on the top of the head and upper back ; lores and eye patch, ochreous white ; ear coverts and sides of neck, pale ochreous brown ; cheeks and under surface ochreous buff, paler on the centre of breast and abdomen ; sides of body, flanks, thighs, and under tail coverts, pale ochreous buff as well as under wing coverts and axillaries ; lesser wing coverts like the back ; median and greater coverts dusky brown edged with ochreous brown and tipped with yellowish white forming a double wing bar ; rest of wing feathers dusky brown, with paler fringes, innermost secondaries tipped with yellowish white ; tail, brown edged with ochreous brown ; iris, dark ; bill, dark horn colour ; feet, blackish brown. Habitat. — Mexico to Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica. References. — Russ, 572. Neunzig, 235. In a wild state the Moreleti Finch inhabits farmland, frequently consorting with Jacarini Finches. It is common near houses and is a friendly bird. Seeds, berries, and insects are eaten, and it breeds in January and February, building an open nest low down in thick bushes. The clutch consists of two or three greenish-white eggs with brown markings, and the hen alone incubates. It is occasionally imported, but is quite one of the most delicate Sporophilse. It is probably confused at times with the Black-banded Finch, which it somewhat resembles. Mrs. Wharton-Tigar exhibited a cock at the Palace two years ago, but it did not live for very long. The one specimen I have had only lived a week. It might possibly prove easier if fed principally on insectivorous food. Rufous-collabed Finch ( Sporophila rujicollis) I can find no description of this extremely rare Finch. There is only one skin at the British Museum, that of a not fully adult male, and I have not had an opportunity of taking a description of this. Habitat. — Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and N. Argentine. A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila 49 References. — Russ, 570. A vie. Mag., 1931, pp. 228, 289. The one and only example of this Finch which has ever been imported came into the possession of Captain Hammond about 1930. It was a pretty little bird, and its owner kept it for several years in perfect health and condition. Although I saw it several times it was in the days before I was interested in Sporophilse, and I can remember nothing about it. It is unlikely that such an extremely rare bird will ever again be imported save by accident. (Does any member know what became of this bird ? — A. M.) Marsh Finch (S. palustris) Male. — Top of head, hind neck, upper back, and shoulders, blue grey, marked with indistinct dark feather centres ; rest of upper surface, bright bay ; tail coverts, blue grey ; lower eyelid, sides of head and neck and foreneck, white ; rest of under surface, bright chestnut brown with ashy grey thighs ; wing coverts, blackish edged with dirty grey ; rest of wing feathers, blackish with slate grey edges, paler on the primaries and white on the inner secondaries ; bases of the inner primaries are white, forming a wing patch ; under wing coverts, whitish ; axillaries, chestnut brown ; tail, blackish with whitish grey edges ; irides, dark ; bill, black ; feet, brownish black. Juvenile Male. — Undescribed. Female. — Above, dull olive brown ; paler on the top of the head and upper back and slightly mottled with dusky bases to the feathers as are also the ear coverts ; lores, lower eyelid, cheeks, whole under surface, and thighs, pale ochreous buff washed on the sides of the body with brown ; lesser wing coverts like the back ; other wing feathers, blackish edged with pale brown ; wing patch as in the male but smaller ; under wing coverts, whitish washed with yellow ; axillaries like the breast but edged with olive yellow ; upper mandible, dark horn colour, lower, paler ; irides, dark ; feet, brownish black. Plate. — British Museum Catalogue, vol. xii, plate 2 (male and female). Habitat. — Argentine. References. — Neunzig, p. 239. Avic. Mag., 1924, p. 117. This rare Finch appears to have been imported only once, in 1912 4 50 A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila to Germany. I do not think it has been imported to this country which is to be regretted as it is a very pretty species. Reddish Finch (S. bouvreuil) Male. — Above, reddish cinnamon deeper on the lower back and rump ; top of head, glossy black ; lores, whitish ; eyelid, black above, cinnamon below ; ear coverts, cheeks, and under surface of body, reddish cinnamon, deeper on the sides of body, thighs, flanks, and under tail coverts ; wing coverts, black ; rest of wing feathers, blackish edged with brownish ; above the bases of the inner primaries there is a white wing patch ; under wing coverts, white with a black patch at the angle of the wing ; upper tail coverts, black, tipped with brown ; irides, dark ; bill, black ; feet, dark blackish brown. Juvenile Mole. — Similar to the female but darker with a rusty brownish under surface ; darker wings and tail with a white patch on the wings. Female. — Above, olive brown ; lores, feathers round eye, ear coverts, cheeks, throat, and foreneck, ochreous buff with an olive tinge ; centre of breast and abdomen, yellowish white ; sides of body and flanks, olive brown ; thighs, yellowish white ; under-tail coverts, ochreous buff, tinged with olive ; lesser wing coverts, like the back, the others brown with olive edges and whitish tips ; rest of wing feathers, brown with olive edges except the innermost flights where the edges are greyer ; under wing coverts, white washed with olive yellow ; tail feathers like the flights but with paler edges ; feet, dark blackish brown ; bill, black. Plate. — Neunzig, pi. 8 (male). Habitat— Brazil. References. — Russ, p. 567. Neunzig, p. 238. Butler, p. 146. Bird Notes, vol. vi, p. 145. Avic. Mag., vol. ii, p. 57 ; vol. iv, p. 131 ; 1931, p. 328. This delightful species, which always puts me in mind of a miniature Bullfinch, is very common in its native land and ought to be freely imported. Unfortunately this is not the case and it only comes to this country very rarely. I believe that it is more commonly imported to the Continent, where perhaps its charms are better appreciated. Captain C. Scott-HopJcins — My Pheasant Collection 51 Mrs. Wharton-Tigar brought over quite a large number from Brazil last year. When newly imported the Reddish Finch is inclined to be delicate, adult cocks to a greater extent than immature birds. Once acclimatized it is quite hardy. In a cage it becomes very tame, and as it is a fine songster, a single cock makes a charming pet bird. It is good tempered though inclined to bully closely related birds. A fine male in my posses¬ sion which in a flight cage severely persecuted a Black-banded Finch, has in a smaller cage been quite put in his place by an immature Fire-finch. MY PHEASANT COLLECTION By Capt. C. Scott-Hopkins It is some time since I wrote an article on Fancy Pheasants in this Magazine. It is so seldom that one reads anything on these delightful birds in the Avicultural Magazine, that I feel sure there must be many Pheasant enthusiasts who long to see an article on this most interesting subject. It is not often that I put pen to paper for the public to read, as I do not like publicity, but on this occasion I really feel that the delightful and fascinating hobby of keeping Fancy Pheasants should be brought more fully to the attention of the bird- loving public. My friend, Mr. P. Lambert, is writing weekly articles on Ornamental Pheasants in Cage Birds, thereby doing his best to interest the public in this hobby. He has been the means of stimulating the public interest in Pheasants and he tells me that the demand for these birds has increased tremendously ; and what is more, the intelligent interest that people are taking is most encouraging. Mr. Lambert’s expenses in stamps alone, in answering the many questions he is asked, is astounding. I feel that a description of my collection and my experiences published in the Avicultural Magazine will catch the eye of still more enthusiasts who are wavering and wondering whether it is worth while to sink a little money in this venture, or just be satisfied with 52 Captain C. Scott-Hopkins — My Pheasant Collection reading about them and wondering if what is said about these wonderful birds from time to time is really true. Yes, every word that is put in print describing their beauty and attractiveness is true. But it is quite impossible to describe them on paper. One must see to believe, and then I am sure that many will not be able to resist the fascina¬ tion and longing to own a pair. I feel that I can talk with a little real experience behind me. I have kept these birds for many years and I think I am safe in saying that I have the finest private collection in Great Britain. I have kept in my aviaries nearly every known variety of Pheasant. Unfortunately there are some of the very rare varieties which it is exceedingly difficult to replace when they die, partly because they are rarely exported and the price is too high. There are over thirty species that one could keep if one includes the commoner varieties, such as the Ring-necked, Black¬ necked, Melanistic Mutant, etc. I have kept all these, but I cannot spare the aviaries now. My present collection includes the following : Silver, Golden, Amherst, Reeves, Bels, Pure White, Edwards, Soem¬ mering, Elliot, Swinhoe, Monaul, Chinquis Peacock Pheasant, Germain, Peacock Pheasant, Mikado, Satyr Tragopan, Temmink Tragopan, Blyth Tragopan, Borneo Eireback, Siamese Eireback, Vieillot Fireback, Crestless Eireback, Rheinart Argus, Malay Argus, etc. I have had Bulwer’s Pheasant and the Palawan Peacock Pheasant, both very rare birds, and the Imperial, also very rare. The White - crested and Black-crested Kaleege Pheasants are rather dull coloured birds, so I do not keep them now. The Cheer Pheasant, which I have seen but never possessed, is also rather dull in plumage but a nice tractable bird. The Koklass, which I have also seen but never kept, is an attractive bird and very pretty, but I am told they are not too easy to keep alive in this country. These two varieties are not easy to procure as they are seldom exported. I hope, however, to be able to find them soon. Many of these Pheasants are beyond the purse of most fanciers, but there are very many beautiful Pheasants that can be purchased at a low price. Goldens, Silvers, Amhersts, Bels, Reeves, and Swinhoes are easily obtainable at a price well within the means of most people who are desirous of starting this hobby. Pure Lady Amhersts are very Captain C. Scott-Hopkins — My Pheasant Collection 53 difficult to find and anyone who is fortunate enough to be in possession of pure birds should do his best to keep them pure. I think for beauty and gracefulness the Amherst takes top place. My favourite is the Satyr Tragopan. His colouring is superb and he becomes so tame in a very short time. I think the Reeves and the Elliot are the most timid of all Pheasants, although my Elliots are exceptionally tame. Do not run away with the idea that Fancy Pheasants are on the whole delicate. I think, perhaps, it is this fear that prevents many people from keeping them. They are very hardy. The only two varieties which may require a little extra care during the winter months are the Argus and the Palawan Peacock Pheasant. I have had two pairs of the latter (imported) and I have never been able to keep them alive for long. They are truly delightful little birds, being the most beautiful and the rarest of the Peacock Pheasants. They are only found on the island of Palawan in the Philippines. All my Pheasants roost out in the open throughout the winter. The house, with which each of my aviaries is provided, is used far more during the summer, as Pheasants do not appreciate the midday sun and prefer to be in the shade. My aviaries are 12 yards long by 4 yards wide and about 6 feet high. I have ever¬ green trees in every aviary to provide shelter and a pretty appear¬ ance. Each aviary has a scratching shed. Some are gravel mixed with sand and some are grass. I am not going to say which are preferable, because both have their good points. It is much easier to keep gravel aviaries clean and sweet. I rake mine every week and once a year I put fresh gravel down. Grass aviaries are more natural and look very nice as long as the grass lasts. It will not last long with Monauls. I should always advise match¬ boarding allround the sides of aviaries as Pheasants are very pugnacious birds, especially during the breeding season. It will increase fertility and save many a beautiful tail from being broken. Always have plenty of shelters in your aviaries for the hens to take refuge in. Woe betide any Amherst hen who cannot escape from the male bird. This is a very important point to remember. Pheasants which show no hostility and are very docile in the winter 54 Captain C. Scott -Hopkins — My Pheasant Collection turn into real fiends when the breeding season draws near. I keep Silky Bantams to sit on the eggs. They are light, very good mothers, and will sit on the hard high road when broody. I do not recommend Game Bantams for, although they are good mothers and splendid foragers, it means instant death for any other chick to enter her coop. I know from experience. The only Pheasants I allow to sit on their own eggs are the Peacock Pheasants. If a hen Pheasant will sit, let her, but take away the first three lots of eggs she lays (six eggs in all), and let her sit on the seventh and eighth. Do not put any other Pheasants with the Peacock Pheasant tribe or you will lose them. They are most pugnacious little creatures, but at the same time most attractive. I feed my adult Pheasants on wheat, crushed maize, and dari, with a little buckwheat and hemp thrown in, mostly during the winter. Be sparing with your maize in the summer. You will find that Pheasants eat far less than poultry, except, perhaps, the Silver, which I think eats twice as much as any other Pheasant. Pea-nuts they love ; I give these as an extra delicacy. Plenty of green food is essential. Lettuce and dandelions in the summer and cabbage in the winter. Fresh water every day ; don’t be content with just giving them fresh water, but first run your hand round the inside of whatever you put your water in, to clean it before replenishing it. A little Condy’s Fluid is advisable in the water once a week. Fruit such as bananas, apples, and grapes are greedily devoured ; Argus Pheasants must have bananas every day. Some people give them raw meat, I believe they do at the London Zoo, and very well they thrive on it. When building your aviaries be sure that Sparrows cannot get in or your corn bill will soon double itself ! Just give your birds enough to eat and no more. I hate to see com lying about the aviaries. I hope that what I have said will encourage still more people to go in for this delightful hobby. Just try it, you will not regret it. Dr. E. Hopkinson — Breeding Results at Balcomhe 55 BREEDING RESULTS AT BALCOMBE By Dr. E. Hopkinson, C.M.G., D.S.O. The following record of the last few years breeding, though con¬ taining nothing remarkable, is perhaps of interest as showing what I rather think is the average happening in the ordinary aviary. The aviaries were started about 1929 with a house 10 by 12 feet and a flight about the same size ; the following year a larger aviary with only box shelters measuring about 15 by 15 feet was added and this extended to about double the size in 1933. Besides there are about six small aviaries (movable) each with ground space of about 18 to 20 square feet. Budgerigars. — 1931 : Four pairs nested ; a good many young reared and most disposed of. 1932 and 1933 : Much the same results. 1934 : Started with three pairs ; only five young birds hatched out, of which four were reared and they are not good ones. Lovebirds (Fischer’s -Masked Hybrids). — 1932 : One pair nested ; nine young reared. 1933 : Two pairs nested ; nine young reared again, one of which showed signs of being partly Peachface, a hen of which shared the aviary. 1934 : Only two hybrids left ; in the autumn of 1933 I thought I had kept a true pair of the hybrids and a hybrid cock and a hen Peachface. The last and one of the hybrids died in the winter and the two remaining have done nothing in the nesting line. I expect both are hens. Greenfinches. — 1932 : One pair had two nests and one young one left the nest from each, but only one was alive in November, and still survives. 1933 : Two pairs nested, six young left the nest, three alive in November. 1934 : Two pairs nested, twelve young left the nest ; nine still alive and well over the moult in October when they were moved to an aviary to themselves. Then they began to die, going light one after the other till only three were left, which were returned to the big aviary, where they and the parents still survive. One of each of the 1934 parents was aviary-bred here, the cock in one case, the hen in the other. Cape Canary (Grey-necked Serin). — 1932 : Two mules from a hen 56 Dr. E. Hopkinson — Breeding Results at Balcombe Canary hatched from two nests. One still alive. 1933 : The same. 1934 : No young, but the two earlier mules still flourishing. Alario Finch. — 1932 : One mule, Alario X Green Singing Finch, reared and still alive, December, 1934. It is an ugly all-brown bird, more like a hen Alario than anything, but cannot be that, as this cock is the only bird of the species I have ever had. Yellow Sparrow. — One pair 1934, three nests. First, eggs only ; second, three young hatched, which when about ten days old and showing three long clamouring necks and fat bodies died from neglect, and having a third nest built over them ; from this one young bird flew in October and is still alive and indoors for the winter. Grey Cardinal and Popes. — A very old cock Grey Cardinal which I have had since 1922 and which has been twice to Africa and back was given two hen Popes in 1932. Two well-made nests were built (mostly the work of the cock) and two clutches of eggs laid, both hens sitting a little, but not for long and nothing resulted. 1933 : Only rough nests and an odd egg or two. 1934 : Neither nests nor any inclination to breed, but the three old birds still thrive. Cordon Bleus. — 1930 : Seven survivors of birds I had brought from Gambia, five cocks and two hens. 1932 : Three survivors, all cocks and all at least five years old. 1933 : One paired with a new hen : eggs only. 1934 : A new pair built three nests and laid three clutches of eggs but none hatched, or, if any did hatch, only lived a day or so. Zebra Finches. — 1932 : One old pair and two young hens. The pair had young hatched but killed by a Budgerigar. 1933 : Two pairs ; both nested ; about a dozen young left the nest but only three of the young were alive in November. 1934 : Two pairs nested, one in the big aviary with a crowd of other birds, one in a small aviary to themselves. Many hatched and fourteen young flew ; nine young and the two old pairs still alive, December. One of the pairs had two nests of four young in each, but in each family there was one deformed bird with no bastard-wing, which soon died. Correspondence 57 CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. THE DARK GOLDEN PHEASANT In last month’s issue of the Magazine there appeared an account of the Dark Golden Pheasant ( obscura ). This article is of course very interesting, but considering that the form is purely an artificial one, may I as a member of the Society suggest that too much prominence be not given to these forms ; I say this because already with nearly every change of blood these varieties crop up and spoil the true T. picta. Further, that being in the same category as White Mice, White Pigeons, and Canaries, they are rather outside the scope of this Magazine. A. F. Moody. BREEDING THE LINNET In the December issue of the Avictjltural Magazine I note that Dr. E. Hopkinson in his Breeding Records asks if there is any really good record of the Linnet having been bred. I have been a breeder of British birds since 1923, and during the period from this date have bred at different times the following : Linnets, Bull¬ finches, Lesser Redpolls, Chaffinches, Yellowhammers, Greenfinches, Gold¬ finches, and Siskins. At the present moment I have the following young birds just finishing their first moult : four Greenfinches, four Linnets, three Lesser Redpolls, all fit and in fine health. The four Linnets are ringed as follows : 7-5-34, 11-5-34, 28-7-34, 2-8-34. I have had three nests from parent birds, the cock being 2\ and the hen 1J years old. W. H. Potter. THE PAINTED FINCH By this further letter of mine you will be thinking no doubt that they will never end. The fact is, however, that I have discovered another point relative to the breeding of the Emblema picta which I think is worthy of note. If so, you may add to my former article. The hen bird leaves her young at night from ten days old, unlike the Gouldian Finch they are not night feeders. I have observed these facts from a nest built right in the open flight in a hanging basket (fern) ; the young have practically no protection other than a sheet of iron directly above the cup- shaped nest to protect it from rain. The last few days from the time of writing the weather has been particularly cold and wet, and I fully expected the young to have perished, but such was not the case. The hen, however, is to be found on the nest first thing in the morning, possibly to revive the young a little as they were showing just the first traces of pin feathers. I consider their resistance to the cold most remarkable ; this apparently rough treatment to their young no doubt accounts for the hardiness of this species. 58 Correspondence Most of the nests of these birds are dome-shaped and the young would not be exposed to the extent of the unusual nest I have depicted. I have observed other nests of this species and have found that they abandon their young at nights from ten to twelve days after hatching. The crops of the young are well filled at dusk. I trust these final notes will be of some value to you. H. S. Sewtell. Beehive Buildings, Rundle Street, Adelaide, South Australia. SUNBIRDS WINTERING IN THE OPEN It may interest aviculturists to learn that I have two Sunbirds in unheated out-of-door aviaries. They are Nectarinia tacazze jacksoni and Cinnyris mediocris usambaricus. The former was out all the summer, but the latter was only put out in November. Both birds are in fine condition and roost out each on a bare twig in all weathers. Cold and wet have no effect on them at all, and on the worst days they may be heard singing as soon as it is light and throughout the morning. I have no doubt that many species are equally hardy and will do well all the year round out of doors. Indeed, last winter I turned a specimen of JEthopyga seherce seherce into an unheated, unsheltered aviary in January, where it was quite unaffected by frost on the very first night, although it had previously been kept in a warm greenhouse. It did well until it made its escape in the early Summer. Certain Humming-Birds, too, would very probably winter in the open in a sheltered aviary. A. C. ERRATA p. 11. Mr. Yealland’s initial should be J, and we wish to apologize for the mistake. p. 28, h 27. Read Spanish for sparies. p. 28, 1. 32. Read C. L. 0. for C. L. A. Messrs. Hastings & Sfileman (AVICULTURISTS), LTD., 11 Marmion Rd., SOUTHSEA, PORTSMOUTH, UAWTC TCI p" f PHONE s 74231 PORTSMOUTH. I O. 1 \ GRAMS s “ STIMULITE,” PORTSMOUTH. Messrs. Hastings and Stileman (Aviculturists), Ltd.., offer you the followings subject to being unsold. All birds listed are actually in stock and complete satisfaction is guaranteed in all transactions. SOFTBILLS Cock-of-the-Rock (Cup winner) Female ditto ..... The pair ...... Hunting Cissa (H.M.) .... Royal Starlings ..... Spreo Starlings ..... Magpie Tanager ..... Military Starling ..... Nemosias (one Hen only, first importation) Red-billed Blue Magpies (U. sinensis) Red-billed Toucan .... Superb Tanagers ..... Scarlet Tanagers ..... Blue and Black Tanagers Golden-fronted Fruit-suckers (H.M.) Blue Sugar Birds ..... Red-headed Manakin (immature plumage) Cayenne Crakes ..... King Bird of Paradise .... £45 £35 £jo & £4. each 50/-- each 70/- 25lr 50 h £4 each £5 35/-- each 35/” each 35/— each 55/- each 30/“ each 3°/~ 25/- each £20 HARDBILLS Green or Masked Grosbeaks (first importation) Blue Grosbeaks ..... Black-throated Cardinals (first prize winners) Pope Cardinals ..... Red-crested Finches .... Aurora Finches ..... Red-headed Parrot Finches Cock Cuban Finch .... Zebra Finches ..... Green Avadavats ..... St. Helena Waxbills .... Zebra Doves ..... Fischers Lovebirds .... Cockatiels ...... Red-headed Gouldians .... Black-headed Gouldians Bichenows ■ . Pectoralis Finches .... Masked Grass Finches .... Long-tailed Grass Finches White Java Sparrows .... One Cock Hooded Siskin Mule £5 each 25/- each £4 Pair to/- each 25/*- each £5 pair £12 pair £1 13/6 pair 35/“ Pair 9/6 pair jo/- pair 130/-- pair 160/™ pair 85/- pair 65/- pair 65/“ pair 65/- pair 55/" Pair 55/- Pair 40/-- pair 40/” MEMBERS* ADVERTISEMENTS The charge for Members' advertisements is one penny per word. Payment must accompany the advertisement, which must be sent on or before the 20 th of the month to Mr. T. H. Newman, 46 Forty Avenue, Wembley Park, Middlesex. All members of the Society are entitled to use this column, but the Council reserves the right to refuse any advertisement they consider unsuitable . SALE AND EXCHANGE Pheasants. — Impeyan, Swinhoe, Amherst, Reeves, Golden ; also Bamboo Partridges, Californian Quail, Budgerigars (various colours). — H. Spencer, Yew Court, Scalby, Yorks. For Sale, young Diamond Doves, unsexed, outdoor unheated aviary ; would exchange for Waxbills or Finches (indoor), not Zebras. — Mrs. Edwards, Three Elms, Kippington, Sevenoaks. Royal Parrot Finches, £16 pair ; Red-headed Parrot Finches, £10 pair ; Red-faced Waxbills ( Pytelia afra), £7 pair ; Gouldians, Red-headed X Black¬ headed, £3 pair. All these birds are in perfect condition and mostly aviary-bred. — B. Mott, 11 Wheeleys Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. WANTED. Hens in exchange for cocks : Impeyan Pheasants, Swinhoe Pheasants. — H. Spencer, Yew Court, Scalby, Yorks. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Dr. Evald, Sonderborg, Denmark. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. G. F. Faibweather, Altadore, Eastwick Drive, Great Bookham, Surrey. Pro¬ posed by L. A. Wilkins. Eric Gardner (Executive Engineer), Bombay Busoda and Central Railway, Royal Bombay Yacht Club, Bombay. Proposed by Godfrey Davis, I.C.S. Herrn Helmut Hampe, Braunschweig, Steintorwall, Nr. 11, Germany. Pro¬ posed by Eduard Schutze. Wolfgang Merck, Johnsallee, 42, Hamburg, 13, Germany. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. J. A. Pearson, 10 Brompton Square, S.W. 3. Proposed by H. C. Venning. Mrs. Philip Spalding, c/o C. M. Cook, Ltd., Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. Pro¬ posed by E. H. Lewis. Ruddy F. Tong, 1113 Smith Street, Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. Proposed by E. H. Lewis. NEW MEMBERS Hylton Blythe, Rowan Tree, Corbet Road, Ewell, Surrey. Docteur Pierre Engelbach, Kampot, Cambodge, Indochine. Frank Grant, Parklands, Stoughton Lane, Evington, Leicester. Mrs. Muriel Huth, 243 Goldhurst Terrace, N.W. 6. I. F. M. Lloyd, Cottage, Cuckfield, Sussex. J. A. Pearson, 10 Brompton Square, S.W. 3. D. H. S. Risdon, Oakdene, Downham Avenue, Northwood, Middlesex. The following should have been included in the list of members in the January Magazine, but in error were overlooked, for which we apologize. Harvey Stephens, Greville Hall, Evesham. Avicultural Society of New Zealand. Master John Sutherland, Homewood Avenue, Karori, Wellington, N.Z. CHANGE OF ADDRESS. W. Neville Whittingham, to 2 Park Avenue, Harrogate. DONATIONS. £ s. d. Miss Chawner . .10 0 Mrs. Edwards . . 10 0 J. Spedan Lewis .450 CAMACES d?p? HAVE ALWAYS A VARIED STOCK OF Foreign Birds , Parrots, Lovebirds, etc. We can now offer : — Ruficauda Finches, Dufresnes Waxhills, Diamond Doves, Zebra Finches , Red-crested Cardinals, Pileated Finches, White-wing Whydahs, Violet-ear Waxbill, Thick Bill Weavers, Red Avadavats, Shamahs, Persian Bulbuls, Red Collar Whydahs, Virginian Cardinals, Honey Eaters, Blue-headed Parrot Finches, Black- and Red-headed Gouldian Finches, Long Tail and Masked Grass Finches, Bicheno and Pectoralis Finches, Peters Spotted Fire Finches , Melba Finches, Crimson- faced Waxbills, Black Head Siskins, Golden Fronted Fruit Suckers, White Java Sparrows, Scarlet Tanagers, Pekin Robins. BEST FOODS. LOWEST PRICES. Mealworms Spray Millet, large 6/6 ; Ants’ Eggs Dried Flies Pure Egg Yolk . Insectivorous Food Cuttlefish Bone . 31b. 18/6, 6/6 per lb. , |lb., 3/6 Post paid, small 3/6 per bundle. Approx. 50 Heads. ,, 3/-perlb. 41b., 10/6 1/9 ,, 41b., 6/6 2/6 ,, 41b., 10/6 1/6 „ 41b., 5/6 . . 1/3 ,, 41b., 4/6 Specialities in CAGES, AVIARIES, NEST-BOXES and all appliances. GAMAGES, HOLBORN, LONDON, E.C.I. ■■ ’ PHONE : HOLBORN 8484. — — “AVICULTURE” Volumes II and 111 Completing the Work, PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED. Bound in Red Cloth. Price 15/- each, postage 9d. (same for one and two volumes). CONTENTS. VOLUME II Woodpeckers. Wrynecks. Toucans. Barbets. Trogons. Colies. Cuckoos. Touracous. Humming Birds. Nightjars. Motmots and Bee-eaters. Hornbills. Hoopoes. Kingfishers, Rollers. All Species of Parrots. Cockatoos. Keas. Lories. Macaws. Conures. Eclectus. Australian Parrakeets. Owls. Birds of Prey. Pelicans. Swans, Geese, Ducks, Teal, etc. VOLUME III Diving Duck. Flamingos. Cariamas, Trumpeters, Sun-Bitterns, etc. Cranes. Bustards. Small Waders. Rails. Sea-Birds. Pigeons. Doves. Sand- grouse. Quail. Game Birds. Tinamous, Turkeys. Ostrich-like Birds, Emus,, Screamers. Herons, Storks, Ibis, etc. Order with remittance to — STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, LTD., Fore street, Hertford. STEPHEN AUSTIN AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, HERTFORD. km FOURTH SERIES VOL. XIII. No. 3 MARCH 1935. THE Avicultural Magazine CONTENTS PAGE Successful Rearing of the Blue¬ necked Crowned Crane in Cap¬ tivity (with ‘plate ), by David Ezra . 59 Some Notes on Feeding, by Winston S. Rowe . . .60 Some British Birds in New Zealand, by S. D. Potter . . . 62 Two Tame Birds, by W. H. Work¬ man . . . . . 66 | PAGE The Genus Sporophilia (cont.), by A. Morrison . . . .69 Breeding Results at the Keston Bird Farm, by E. J. Boosey . 72 Duck Hybrids, by E. Hopkins on 78 Rearing a Red-and-Yellow Macaw at Lilford, by A. F. Moody . 87 Correspondence, Notes, etc. : The Crystal Palace Show . . 88 The Price of this dumber is 2/6. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOUNDED 1894 Patron : His Majesty the King NOTICE TO MEMBERS The Subscription to the Avicultural Society is £1 per annum, due on the 1st of January in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/—. 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. I ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HONORARY SECRETARY 1 AND TREASURER, Miss Knobel, 86 Regent’s Park Road, London, N.W. 1. fi All Queries respecting Birds (except post-mortem cases) and all other correspondence should be sent to the Hon. Secretary, at the above address. Any change of address should be notified to her. POST-MORTEM EXAMINATIONS Rule 1. — A short account of the illness should accompany the specimen. All birds to be sent as fresh as possible to Mr. C. H. Hicks, The Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, N.W. 8. Rule 2. — A stamped addressed envelope must be enclosed with the bird. Rule 3. — No body or skin of any bird will be returned under any circumstances whatever. The Magazine is published by Messrs. Stephen Austin & Sons, 1 Fore Street, Hertford, to whom members should address all orders for extra copies, back numbers for 1917 and after, and bound volumes. Cases for binding the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side) can be obtained from the Publishers, post free and carefully packed, at 3/- each ; or the Publishers will undertake the binding of the Volume for 5/6, plus 9 d. for packing and postage. Members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. Telephone : Hertford 546 and 547. All Inquiries for TRADE ADVERTISEMENTS and SUPPLIES should be made direct to STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, Ltd., FORE STREET, HERTFORD. All communications intended for publication in the Magazine should be addressed to the Editor : — The Hon. Anthony Chaplin, c/o The Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Avic. Mag. 1935. Frontispiece .] Two Stages in the Growth of the Young Blue-necked Crowned Crane. THE Avicultural Magazine THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY Fourth Scries. — Vol. XIII. — No. 3. — All rights reserved. MARCH, 1935 SUCCESSFUL REARING OF THE BLUE¬ NECKED CROWNED CRANE IN CAPTIVITY (. Balearica regulorwn) By David Ezra I have had several pairs of these handsome birds for some years, but as they are kept in a garden of less than an acre, with Sarus, Demoiselle, and Stanley Cranes, as well as Swans, Geese, Ducks, a few antelope and a large elephant tortoise, I never dreamt that they would breed under such difficult conditions. One pair nested last year but the young were not reared owing to an accident. This year the first two eggs were not hatched, but the second two both hatched out. One of the young was a weakling and did not live long, and was killed and eaten by rats. The other one was a healthy, strong bird, and was well looked after by the parents. To protect this one from rats, I had a very powerful electric lamp burning all night in their pen, and this I am pleased to say, was most successful. The light also attracted a good many insects, which the parents caught and fed the young bird on. The young Crane is six months old now, and is fast coming into colour. He is fed on hard-boiled eggs, grasshoppers cut up, boiled rice, gentles, cockroaches, mixed grain, and breadcrumbs. He is perfectly tame, and feeds from the hand. I am delighted at my unexpected success, and wonder if this Crane has ever been bred and successfully Teared in captivity. [The breeding of this Crane is an achievement, although it may have been bred on the Continent. — A. C.] 5 60 Winston S. Rowe — Some Notes on Feeding SOME NOTES ON FEEDING By Winston S. Rowe I have just set myself the pleasant task of reading the Avicxjltural. Magazine from 1894 to 1930. After a rapid perusal of the later volumes- I find that the species in which I am greatly interested are not always, discussed at length as regards the feeding. Whereas the species in which I am not greatly interested, have full details ! However, by the- time I have read thirty-six volumes I shall have found what I require. Meanwhile a few notes as to my own way of feeding may be of interest. Firstly, however, I have only kept Foreign Birds for just two years,, so that I am far from being able to dogmatize. Redrump Parra keets Age 18 months ; aviary 8x6x7 feet high. Food : 1 dessert¬ spoonful sunflower daily and a pinch of hemp. If the aviary were of larger dimensions I should increase the amount. Access to canary,, white and Indian millet, of which only canary and Indian millet is eaten, therefore I provide a separate dish of Indian millet. After three months they have just commenced to eat soaked oats. These- are soaked for 48 hours, approximately two teaspoonsful are provided daily. Groundsel is the only green food appreciated. Apple provided daily, but still untouched. I live in hopes ! Fresh water daily. A fair amount of cuttlefish is eaten but no grit, no doubt sufficient of this is found on the groundsel roots. Alexandrine Parrakeets Cock aged 2J years, hen over 3 years. Aviary 17 X 4J- x 7 feet high. Access to canary, white and Indian millet, of which only canary is eaten. Soaked oats daily, same quantity as before. Six peanuts daily. Five or six grapes and half an orange or half an apple. Sun¬ flower and hemp are provided in a tin hopper holding 3 lb. This makes the availability* rather more difficult and so tends to obviate the risk of feeding solely on these seeds (?). One or two fresh branches are provided weekly and so far the woodwork has remained free from having chips taken out. I have not yet seen them bathe, they prefer to cling upside^ Winston S. Rowe — Som,e Notes on Feeding 61 down to the netting in the rain. Netting used is heavy gauge \ in. I once watched the hen practically walk through some very light netting in a way which made me think my cutters must be blunt ! Lovebirds At present only Fischers are kept . I have had Masked, Blackcheeked, and Peachfaced. The Peachfaced were only retained for three months. They all had, and the Fischers still have, access to sunflower and hemp mixed, canary, and white millet. Millet sprays occasionally given. Soaked oats daily. Fruit is eaten spasmodically, sometimes none is- touched for six or eight weeks. Groundsel is the best liked of all the green foods. An orange seems to be appreciated more in summer. Lovebirds do more damage to their aviary than the Alexandrines. The aviary is also 17 X 4| X 7 feet high. I have been very lucky in the past when I mixed some pairs of Lovebirds, i.e. Fischers and Masked, in a large aviary with small Finches. Provided they had branches and canary travelling cages to bite up, no damage was done, but it was hopeless in a small aviary 6 feet square. The question of supplying sunflower and hemp ad lib. was very debatable. However, I thought that if Primley Zoo could do it, I could ! I never found my birds excessively fat when in a large aviary. In the small 8x6 aviary I lost three Blackcheeks in quick succession from being over fat. When supplying hemp in a separate dish, Love¬ birds have a spell of eating large quantities of it and then eat very little for a while. Blue Crowned Conures Aviary 14 X 4 X 7 feet high; age unknown. At present the only seeds eaten are sunflower and hemp, with two to three peanuts. Greenstuff and soaked oats not touched as yet. Half an apple and half an orange or one or the other substituted by grapes or banana are greedily eaten. They frequently bathe. Only being in my possession a month, it is too early to state their likes and dislikes. Both are very intelligent and tame. The Alexandrines, by the way, do not appear very intelligent. I am not quite sure whether these are the true Blue Crowned Conure (C. hcemorrlious) as the beak is of a medium dark horn colour. The 62 S. D. Potter — Some British Birds in New Zealand forehead and vertex being blue distinguish it from the Sharp Tailed Conure. The orbital skin is white. White Breasted Caique Obtained with the Conures. Very intelligent and amusing. At present caged in the house. Has exercise on the floor daily. My pet Fischer Lovebirds enjoy chasing him on the floor until rebuked by his larger beak ! Simply relishes fruit of all kinds ; only touches sunflower and hemp so far. Enjoys being sprayed. There is another aviary, at present empty, which no doubt may become full of youngsters if my wishes become horses ! SOME BRITISH BIRDS IN NEW ZEALAND By S. D. Potter, Editor Avicultural Society of New Zealand Towards the end of last century a veritable epidemic set in to introduce and establish in a wild state alien species of birds. The principal driving force behind most of these liberations is not hard to find. With the opening up of the country vast areas of virgin forest were cleared, and, as nearly all the native land birds are forest dwellers, they retreated with the forests before the onslaughts of colonization. Consequently these newly cleared lands were practically birdless and therefore had no natural checks on the various insect plagues which periodically descended upon them. In all, some 130 species were liberated either by Government Departments, private individuals, or Acclimatization Societies. But of this total (perhaps fortunately) no more than thirty have become really established. Many of these introduced species were chosen for their usefulness, | but others were to provide sport, or for sentimental reasons, and some i for no apparent reason at all. In the maift these feathered aliens have behaved well. They are, I generally speaking, confined to the cultivated areas and, never pene¬ trating far into the forests, do not encroach upon the somewhat restricted j strongholds of the indigenous birds. S. D. Potter — Some British Birds in New Zealand 63 Two -third of the successful species hail from Britain but actually some of these are decidedly rare and local. The Cirl Bunting, for instance, had not been recorded for some years until in 1934 an unblown egg was handed to me, which undoubtedly belonged to this species. The Bullfinch and Linnet after a decided increase have now practically disappeared. In fact, the former is probably extinct. The Bedpoll is now making rapid strides and like the Hedge Sparrow slowly but surely extending its range northward. The Starling has multiplied at a phenomenal rate and is now un¬ doubtedly the commonest bird in Hew Zealand to-day. This increase is all the more remarkable when we consider the acute housing problem of this bird. With few exceptions colonial dwellings do not provide nesting sites for birds, neither are there old ruins, suitable cliff faces, or a plentiful supply of old timber in the cleared areas where the Starling abounds. In rural districts we find that rabbit-burrows, especially those in banks or roadside cuttings, are the most favoured sites, closely followed by rural mail-boxes. Even those adorned with a loose flap over the slot are not proof against the Starling when he is house-hunting. He just lifts up the flap and hops in. To come out he has only to push against it. I once discovered a nest in a thick box-thorn hedge. It is an untidy and loosely constructed affair which was only held together by the density of the surrounding twigs. However, a brood of. youngsters was safely reared therein. It would be interesting to know if the Starling has been forced to adopt an “ open ” nest in Britain. With most farmers the Starling is considered a friend. It haunts areas where the grass-grub is prevalent and also devours the cattle-tick. In orchard districts, however, he is becoming a nuisance and before very long the vast numbers of this bird may become a serious problem. Once the breeding season is over it is a wonderful sight to see huge armies of Starlings winging their way across the sunset sky to a common roost. There used to be (and may still be) one of these favoured spots near Arapuni where flock after flock would arrive calling as they alighted, while those already there joined in until one had to shout to be heard above the din. 64 S. D. Potter — Some British Birds in New Zealand In addition to the insects already mentioned the Starling, in Auckland at any rate, has acquired a decided taste for snails, and cracks their shells in the same manner as a Thrush, but lacks the expertness of that bird, and does not return with each victim to a favoured stone. The Thrush and Blackbird are both firmly established and the former is highly esteemed both as a songster and for the good he does. Although the Thrush undoubtedly does some damage to fruit, he is by no means the raider the Blackbird is. Consequently every orchardist’s hand is against the latter, but his natural wariness and cunning stand him in good stead and he increases in numbers just the same. In and about many of the larger towns and in most country districts as well are small areas of “ bush ”, a few acres in extent, known as “ reserves ”. These areas are not sufficient to support native bird life and being usually far removed from the forest areas are rarely visited by them. It is in these reserves that the Thrush and Blackbird carry on the work normally done by the indigenous species. Plants, such as the fuchsia, coprosma, and other berry- and drupe-bearing plants, de¬ pend upon birds for the dispersal of their seeds. And in these areas a marked increase in the plants of these families is to be seen. Unfortunately they also disperse the seeds of that terrible weed the blackberry as well. And it is a common sight to find young plants growing in the nests soon after the youngsters have flown. On the mud-flats thrushes may be seen hammering the shell from the back of a winkle on a rock just as they do from snails in the garden. When one realizes how hard the shell of a winkle is, one cannot but marvel at the power of this bird in breaking it. The Greenfinch, Chaffinch, and Goldfinch are all firmly established, especially the latter. Goldfinches may be said to be abundaot. Flocks of two or three hundred are by no means uncommon during the winter when bands scour the countryside for weed-seeds. The Greenfinch is more thinly dispersed while the Chaffinch is the most local of the three. The Pheasant is a common object of the New Zealand countryside, though of recent years a marked decline in its numbers has been apparent. The decrease originally coincided with the use of rabbit poison. Pheasants entirely disappeared from districts where previously they S. D. Potter — Some British Birds in New Zealand 65 had been common, and since then in spite of annual liberations, closed .areas, and limited “ bags ” in the shooting season, they have never recovered. In New Zealand only cock Pheasants are shot, the hens being pro¬ tected by law. I very much doubt if this policy is altogether wise, as in many districts there are far too many hens for the number of cocks, the result being very poor broods of young. And I know of one definite instance where an old matron, presumably well past the breeding age, wilfully destroyed the eggs of a more fortunate lady. Judging by the contents of the various pheasants I have examined, insects appear to be their principal food, especially grass-grub, grass¬ hoppers, crickets, and, in a lesser degree, wood-lice. Of the wild fruits, blackberry and cape gooseberry seem to be the most sought after. One curious trait I found with the Pheasants in New Zealand, they .almost invariably roost on the ground ! The reason for this I cannot ascertain. The Grey Duck, which is the commonest native duck, inhabits the larger areas of water during the non -breeding season. Consequently those interested in shooting clamoured for a bird that would dwell all the year round in any little creek or stream. In due course the Mallard was introduced as the answer to their prayer. It is with some hesitation I include the Mallard in the present article as its establishment is something of a joke on the one hand and a tragedy on the other. Within a fortnight of their liberation in the Auckland Province almost every bird was feeding in somebody’s back¬ yard. They were caught up and again released. But they resolutely refused to be turned out into the hard, cold world when there was food in plenty in the nearest fowl-yard. However, at last some evidently lost themselves and became established in the wild state but, although they were not averse to the little creeks and streams during the breeding season, they agreed with the native Greys that the larger waters were much more desirable during the shooting season. In fact, so closely did they adopt the habits of the Grey that the two have now commenced to hybridize and, if the powers that be continue to liberate Mallards, New Zealand lakes are likely to be populated with a race of mongrels. 66 W. H. Workman — Two Tame Birds The Skylark is very common in the open country, and except perhaps in grain-growing areas and in market gardens does very little damage. This bird was presumably introduced for sentimental reasons and, personally, I consider it an acquisition. Our farm lands, unavoidably destitute of native bird-life, would undoubtedly be dreary indeed without the Lark carolling about. I once had a rather curious experience with a Skylark and, although it has nothing to do with the present article, it may be of interest. Crossing a paddock I discovered a Lark's nest containing three eggs, which I decided to photograph. Dropping my hat near it to mark the spot I returned home for a camera. On my return, some ten minutes later, imagine my surprise to find the nest empty ! Searching the immediate vicinity a Lark flew up and going to the spot I found an egg quite intact. About 12 yards from the nest was a second egg, but this was broken. The third was never recovered. Has anyone else known Larks to remove their eggs to safety ? For I presume the presence of my hat caused them grave concern. TWO TAME BIRDS By W. H. Workman I wonder how many of our members have kept in their outside aviaries really tame birds ; I mean by really tame embarrassingly tame. Certainly, up till 1934, I never knew what a really tame bird was like, until one day in the autumn of 1933 Lady Dunleath showed me her Shama and G-olden-fronted Fruit Sucker. They were very tame, sitting on her hand and eating mealworms from her fingers. I there and then made up my mind that I would get one of each on the first opportunity. I asked Mr. Chapman to let me know when he had a really good importation of the above species from India and sure enough in April I heard from him and eventually received a beautiful Shama and Fruit Sucker, thinking these two would agree in a very large flight cage till the weather was warm enough to put them in one of the aviaries. I put them together : for a day or so all was well, till “ Jimmy ", the W. H. Workman — Two Tame Birds 67 Shama, got his tail up literally and metaphorically, so that when a meal¬ worm was put in the cage Jimmy, not taking any chances, darted first at the Fruit Sucker and, catching him by the neck, knocked him off his perch on to the bottom of the cage. After putting him out of action he would return to his mealworm. This, of course, could not go on as sooner or later the poor Fruit Sucker would be put out of action for good and all or else die for want of live food. I therefore had to separate them, and another flight cage, not quite so large, was procured for the Fruit Sucker. They became fairly tame but they really are not good cage birds ; so very soft feeders make an awful mess of the cage and surrounding carpet, etc. Whilst in the cage my method was to put a thick layer of sawdust on the cage tray over which a piece of newspaper the full size of the tray was spread. This newspaper had to be changed every day, otherwise things got smelly. By the end of May the weather began to get really warm so I took the opportunity of turning the two villains out, thinking that, in a really large aviary having a flight of 20 by 10 ft. well planted with a large shelter house 10 by 10 ft., there would be room for both to live at peace as in Lady Dunleath’s aviaries, but not a bit of it. The Shama went for the other bird like a spitfire, so again we had to separate them, and strange to say they don’t interfere much with other birds of the seed-eating variety. From that time on these two birds became excessively tame. In fact, the Shama is embarrassingly so ; immediately I enter the aviary he makes a dash at me, and lights on my wrist so as to be absolutely on the spot when the mealworm box is opened. It is impossible to get rid of him ; throw him off one’s wrist and in half a second he is back again, tail cocked up, chatting away. Off comes the box lid and, before I can pick out a mealworm, he has his head between my fingers and down go two or three at a gulp. By this time I have managed to get hold of one, put the lid on the box, while he is on my wrist again and his morning allowance of about six mealworms is a thing of the past. I may say he gets the same in the evening five days out of the seven. The difficulty now is to get out of the Shama ’s aviary and into the Fruit Sucker’s, but eventually I get rid of Jimmy and successfully make my exit unfollowed. 68 W. H. Workman — Two Tame Birds The Fruit Sucker is waiting for me on a branch. He is much more of a gentleman and quietly lights on my finger while I pick out the mealworms and give him his allowance, his little white tongue darting in and out like a snake’s. He is in absolutely perfect plumage, a picture, every feather in place, and as close and compact as a really healthy bird should be. This has undoubtedly been achieved since he got into the large aviary where he has free access to the open flight and a shallow bath in all weathers, but at night he comes into the slightly heated shelter and goes to sleep in an old box cage which I think gives him extra protection. The Shama, too, is in perfect blue-black, white, and chestnut plumage with a glorious long tail, so different from the miserable one all frayed with which he arrived in April. Many people are frightened of insectivorous birds because of the soft food that has to be made up daily for them, but this fear is more imaginary than real because soft food can be made up in a few minutes from a few staple ingredients. They are as follows : — (1) The dry insectivorous food which keeps indefinitely. (2) Boiled rice, boiled by the cook dry as for curry. (3) A good carrot for grating. (4) A simple sponge cake also made by the cook. (5) Mealworms. (6) Fruit. To make up the insectivorous food for these birds I take about two dessertspoonsful of the dry food, add about a teaspoonful of the rice, and crumble in sponge cake about the size of two walnuts. Grate in about \ in. of a good thick carrot to supply moisture. If you have no carrot handy use water, but carrot is best. Mix well together into a crumbly mixture and fill a shrimp pot for each bird, which is enough for a day. The Fruit Sucker must have fruit and I give him the following variety as obtainable but only one sort each day : one-quarter orange, one-quarter small red American apple, 1 inch of banana, two or three green grapes, or a bit of pear or two strawberries. The Shama does not care for fruit although I give banana or apple to him, but I think the Pekin Robins take it. I hope the above notes on these two delightful species will encourage A. Morrison — The Genus Sporophila 69 members like myself who are, perhaps, a little frightened to attempt to keep tropical soft-billed birds ; they will be well repaid for the little extra trouble by the wonderful confiding tameness of both, and if kept as I have described in an outside aviary with slightly heated shelter, say up to 45° on cold nights, they seem to do well . They get plenty of •exercise and I believe in not too many mealworms. I believe a large number to be harmful, especially in the summer, when in a planted aviary small flies, etc., are always flying in and out from the surrounding garden. The following are the proportions by measure for No. 1 “ dry insectivorous mixture ”, which I find so handy : - 4 parts fine biscuit meal 2 parts chick rearing meal 1 part dried flies 1 part ants’ eggs 1 part medium meat meal. THE GENUS SPOROPHILA By A. Morrison ( Continued from page 51) Fire-Red Finch ($. minuta) Male. — Above brown with a slight wash of ashy olive ; lower back and rump chestnut ; lores dusky brown ; ear coverts light olive brown ; cheeks and entire under surface chestnut ; a small spot of white at the base of the cheeks ; thighs brown washed with chestnut ; under tail coverts chestnut ; lesser wing-coverts brown ; median and greater coverts blackish with broad greyish olive edges to the latter ; other wing feathers blackish brown edged with ashy, whitish on the margins of the primaries, the inner ones of which have a half -concealed spot of white at the base ; under wing-coverts whitish ; upper tail coverts ashy •olive washed with chestnut on the edges ; irides brown ; bill blackish (or sometimes brownish white), paler below ; feet dark horn. The brownish bill phase is possibly in seasonal plumage when the 70 A. Morrison — The Genus Sporopliila feathers are generally browner with the edges to wing and tail feathers much broader and deeper brown in colour. Juvenile Male. — Similar to the female but more olive above with traces of cinnamon on the rump and under surface. Also it presumably possesses the white wing spot of the adult male. Female.- — Above pale olive to yellowish olive, lighter on the rump ; under surface lighter and yellower ; wings and tail blackish brown edged with olive ; bill brownish, pale below. Plate. — Bird Notes, vol. vi, p. 60 (male). Habitat. — From Panama through Columbia and Venezuela to Guiana and N.E. Brazil ; Trinidad and Tobago. References. — Buss, 570. Neunzig, 240. Butler, 145. Bird Notes, vol. vi, p. 62. The Fire-red Finch was first imported in 1906 when quite a number came into the country. It has a pretty little song and appears to be a most desirable species in every way and it is unfortunate that it should be so rare. Lavender-backed Finch (S. castaneiventris) Male. — Upper surface and sides of head blue grey ; a small white patch at base of bill ; whole under surface deep chestnut brown ; sides and thighs blue grey ; lesser wing coverts blue grey ; rest of wing feathers black with blue grey edges ; those of the greater coverts and inner secondaries with grey tips as well ; the bases of the inner primaries form a white, but usually concealed, wing patch ; axillaries and under wing coverts white becoming grey towards the edge ; tail feathers, blackish margined with grey ; irides dark brown ; bill and feet brown. Juvenile Male. — Undescribed. Female. — Above olive brown, pale on the rump and under surface sides of head and foreneck paler olive brown ; sides of body darker breast, centre of belly, under tail coverts and thighs pale ochreous buff ; lesser wing-coverts like the upper surface ; rest of wing and tail feathers dark brown with pale brownish edges ; feet brown ; bill yellowish brown. Plate. — Bird Notes, vol. vi, p. 61 (male). A. Morrison — The Genus Sporoph ila 71 Habitat. — Guiana, Columbia, Peru, and Amazonia. References. — Neunzig, 240. Butler, 145. Bird Notes , vol. vi, p. 62. This is by far the prettiest Sporophila that I have seen and it is in every way a most delightful little bird. It was first imported privately in 1906 but this year a good many have been imported. The price is fairly high, but even so the bird is well worth it. It is a hardy bird and in disposition resembles the Reddish Finch. It is said to be a pretty songster, but as I have only possessed a hen, I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the statement Natterers Finch (S. pileata) Male.— Above, pale brown mottled with blackish, rump tawny brown ; crown, nape, and lores black ; under parts pale reddish, darker on the sides and flanks ; centre of abdomen white ; wing feathers blackish edged with pale brown ; inner primaries white at base of outer webs forming a white patch ; tail feathers dark brown with paler edges and whitish tips ; legs and feet greyish brown ; bill black. Juvenile Male and Female. — I can find no description. Plate. — Ibis , 1871, plate 1 (male). Habitat. — S.E. Brazil. References. — Ibis , 1919, p. 83. Russ, 570 In the Ibis mentioned above Mr. Blaaw gives an interesting account of a male of this species which he bought in 1911 in Santos and brought home to Holland with him. It possesses an interesting eclipse plumage when the black cap and reddish under parts are replaced with plain buff colour, the bill becoming brown. It is a fine songster but appears to be excessively vicious with other birds. In addition to the twenty-one species given already, Russ mentions the following though they are not known to have been imported : Sporophila hypoxantha, S. cinnamonea, S. nigrorufa, S. telasco, S. bicolor. 72 E. J . Boosey — Breeding Results at Keston Foreign Bird Farm, 1934 BREEDING RESULTS AT THE KESTON FOREIGN BIRD FARM DURING 1934 By E. J. Boosey Breeding results here during the 1934 season have been quite up to standard, any disappointments among the Parrakeets being amply compensated for by the rearing of broods of the very rare Splendid Grass Parrakeet for the first time in Europe and the almost equally rare Yellow-fronted New Zealand ; detailed accounts of both these events having appeared in the November issue of the Magazine. Perhaps it will be as well to start with the disappointments, chief among these being the Many-colours. These started with the rosiest prospects, so that their ultimate failure was all the more unexpected. Three pairs hatched what must surely be a record number of young ones for this species, namely seventeen ; but, though the parents had been given their nest-boxes at the same time as last year, when we did very well with them, this season the nights elected to be abominably cold just when the young ones were hatching and, the cold weather continuing for some time, all but three of the young ones died. The survivors were three of a brood of five hatched by an imported hen and a cock which we have had ever since the farm was started, and which we know to have lived in aviaries for nineteen years, though, being wild-caught, his full age is uncertain. His original wife died last year of old age. The old pair of Barrabands reared four young ones, but a second pair hatched six, only to let them die at various ages, the last to succumb being quite well feathered. Fifteen young Stanleys were reared. A pair of Yellow-rumps pro¬ duced the amazingly large clutch of ten fertile eggs, but the hen deserted after sitting for a fortnight, possibly from sheer terror at the thought of having to rear ten children all at once ! A pair of Rosellas reared nine young ones, but the Golden-mantles, a supposed young pair, turned out to be two cocks, though one of them has, compared with the other, a definitely small and feminine¬ looking head, and in juvenile plumage looked an undoubted hen. E. J. Boosey — Breeding Results at Keston Foreign Bird Farm , 1934 73 Fortunately, Lord Tavistock’s pair reared a brood of six, of whicb we obtained two young ones. The star turn of the season was undoubtedly twenty-one young Bourke’s reared from four pairs, and it is interesting that nineteen of these were produced by three of the pairs, these consisting of two adult imported cocks and one young one we bred last year, mated in each case to a young hen about twelve months old, also reared here last season. As against this, an imported pair we have had for several years, reared only two. The same also applies to Blue-wings, of which fifteen were reared. That is to say, two of the hens were our own last year’s breeding, and the third imported. The largest and finest brood was produced by one of these young aviary-bred hens. By this we don’t seek to prove that aviary-bred Parrakeets always breed better than imported specimens, which would be absurd ; but merely that, provided they come from carefully bred stock that has not been allowed to degenerate, they do breed every bit as well. No Elegants or Turquoisines were reared, the eggs in the case of the former being unfertile, while one pair of Turquoisines had fertile eggs which the hen deserted, a second paid had infertile eggs, while a third hen failed to lay at all. The chief difficulty in breeding Turquoisines is that pairs are very inclined to squabble in the breeding season, and one gathers from watching them that this is chiefly due to the cock’s fussy inquisitiveness. No sooner has the hen disappeared into the nest-box, obviously hoping to be left in peace, for a while, than the cock either goes and pokes his head in the entrance hole, or else goes right inside, when a heated argument takes place, ending usually in the cock being unceremoniously bundled out again, while the hen, half in, half out of her nest-box, glares angrily at her tiresome husband. All this is not particularly conducive to marital peace, or the successful hatching of eggs. Splendids, to a certain extent, share this trait, being distinctly inquisitive ; while Elegants, Bourke’s, and Blue-wings, curiously enough, are quite the opposite, being usually great respecters of their wives’ privacy. 74 E. J. Boosey — Breeding Results at Keston Foreign Bird Farm , 1934 One of the most interesting and satisfactory events was the breeding of Hooded Parrakeets at the right time of year. This lovely and shapely little bird has scarcely ever been bred, though this is not because they are difficult to rear or unwilling to go to nest. The reason is their almost invariable refusal to adapt themselves to our seasons. They usually spend the proper breeding season moulting hard and, although all their neighbours are busy rearing families, Hooded refuse so much as even to examine a nest-box. Then, at last, about October, as soon as they begin to feel an autumnal nip in the air, they decide that the ideal time to start thinking about raising a family has arrived. To allow them to breed at such a time is, of course, quite hopeless, the few young ones that have been reared in heated shelters proving, even if they live long enough to leave the nest, so weakly and rickety as to be hardly worth the trouble of rearing. The hen that bred this year was mated in spring, 1933, to a cock Red-rump, who, to her outraged astonishment, suggested that she should lay in April. To this fantastic proposal she opposed a curt negative but, in doing so, failed to take into account the reactions of a cock Red-rump who considers his wife is attempting to thwart him. He, too, was amazed and indignant, so much so that he literally drove his wretched wife (who was just looking forward to a nice- quiet moult) into the nest-box, and kept her there until she promised to set about immediately preparing it for the reception of eggs. This, with extreme reluctance she did, the result being a brood of four hybrids, all successfully reared. This spring a Hooded husband was provided for her and, as they went to nest in April, one can only suppose that she must have told her husband about her successful experiment of the previous year. For some reason, possibly because she must by now be getting pretty old, she only laid two eggs, but these were both hatched and reared into two very fine young cocks. A short description of the aforementioned hybrids — a cross which has, we believe, never been obtained before — might be of interest, as the birds are now fully adult. The hen takes after her father, and is not unlike a paler and slimmer edition of an ordinary hen Red-rump. The three cocks have slightly bluish emerald-green breasts, dark-grey E. J. Boosey — Breeding Results at Keston Foreign Bird Farm, 1934 75 backs, with a faint suggestion of grey where the hood should be, a good deal of dark blue on the lower part of the wing, with a pale bronze- green rump, the tail shading into blue-black at the tip. In the case of two of these cocks the wing is adorned with a fair-sized red patch on each shoulder, this area being orange in the remaining one. Four young Eing-necks, and several young Cockatiels were reared, as also numerous Lovebirds of the various species. Incidentally, two very fine broods of five and four respectively of Nyasa and Masked Lovebirds were fledged about 14th November, their nest-boxes being hung in the open run with only slight overhead protection from the rain. Both pairs have young in the nest again as we write (4th January) . A pair of Swainson’s Lorikeets go on breeding steadily the whole year round, invariably laying two eggs and hatching one ; and the single young one remains in the nest for months. At the moment they have a half -grown youngster. Pairs of Barnards, Mealy Kosellas, and Eock Peplars were obtained too late in the season for breeding, while the “ hen ” of a supposed pair of Crimson-wings, the cock of which we have had for some time, turned out to be a young cock, starting to show the black back and crimson wing patches early in June. Last October we obtained a consignment of ten very young Plum- heads from India. They have now mostly completed a moult, though at least a further one will be necessary before the cocks assume their red head colouring. At present it looks distressingly as though we are going to have seven cocks and only three hens ; though the latter have always, for some unexplained reason, been so scarce that one would hardly have been surprised if the whole consignment had turned out to be cocks. It used to be considered that hens were hardly ■ever sent over owing to their duller colouring ; but that this is not the case is proved by our experience with this consignment of nestlings. The breeding results with the Finches and Diamond Doves were satisfactory, although there is nothing particularly spectacular to record. Zebra Finches did well, and hundreds of young ones were reared, .a white hen bred in 1933 mated to an ordinary cock rearing nineteen 6 76 E. J . Boosey — Breeding Results at Keston Foreign Bird Farm , 1934 ordinary young ones and one white one, which has turned out to be a cock. Ruficaudas and Bichenos reared a number of young ones and Long-tailed Grass Finches did very well during the latter part of the season ; this being no doubt due to the fact that earlier on we found that we had got some of the sexes wrong, which unfortunately is only too easy to do with this otherwise delightful little finch. Every now and again one comes across a pair in which the cock’s black bib is particularly large, and the hen’s particularly small, and then, of course,, the distinction is obvious. But in the vast majority of cocks and hens the difference in the size of their bibs is so infinitesimal as to be practically useless for sexing purposes. One pair of Red-headed Parrot Finches did excellently, producing nine young ones in two nests. Another pair reared two and a third always deserted their eggs. Even so, however, it was satisfactory to have started the season with six and ended up with twenty-one (four under Bengalese). Most of these, of course, we are keeping, so that next year we should have a nice breeding stock of them. Once again it is interesting to note that the hen who did so well was one bred by us last year, and the one that deserted her eggs was an imported bird. The Red-headed Parrot Finch is a delightful little bird, its chief characteristics being its tremendous energy and tit-like vivacity, SO' much so that unless one is careful they are a little inclined to knock their heads against the wire roof of their aviary. They are very willing indeed to go to nest, but even more willing to desert their eggs- unless allowed real privacy. It has always seemed to us that the diffi¬ culty of sexing them has been considerably exaggerated. True, this is a difficult matter if one happens to have a rather bright hen and a rather dull cock, but, generally speaking, the cock’s red mask is un¬ mistakably brighter than his wife’s ; also the cocks continually utter their little trilling song, while hens have no particular song. Gouldians did badly, the fourteen or so young ones that were reared being very good ones, but quite a number of pairs failed to get beyond laying numerous eggs, mostly unfertile, before they had to have their nest-boxes removed for the winter. Of all finches, Gouldians are the E. J. Boosey — Breeding Results at Keston Foreign Bird Farm , 1934 77. most mysterious and inexplicable in tbe way in which they will breed extremely well one year, very badly the next, and then probably well again, some pairs going to nest some years much earlier than others, and all, so far as one can tell, for no apparent reason at all. A fair number of Parrot Finches’, Gouldians’, Ruficaudas’, and Long-tailed Grass Finches’ eggs were placed under Bengalese and successfully reared by them. A very interesting point here is that Parrot Finches and Ruficaudas, when they have broods of their own, consume large quantities of mealworms, whereas their young ones under Bengalese were naturally given nothing but seed and green food by their foster-parents, who will hardly ever eat mealworms. Yet there seems no difference in the size and brightness of colouring in the Parrot Finches and Ruficaudas reared on an insectivorous diet and those reared on a seed diet. A fair-sized planted aviary, about 26 feet long by 15 feet wide by 8 feet high, containing Green Avadavats, most of the various Waxbills, Paradise Whydahs, Gouldians, Cuban Finches, White-throated Finches, Tambourine and Maiden Doves, etc., failed to yield any breeding results, though numerous nests were made and eggs laid. This, however, was scarcely surprising, as the aviary was only completed in April. Even so, however, we are inclined to put a good deal of the blame on to the cock White-throated Finch. This little bird, an industrious though monotonous songster, is a perfect little devil in a mixed collec¬ tion, usually killing anything at all closely related to him and contenting himself with chasing the other birds about and pulling their nests to pieces. Anyone thinking of keeping a member of the genus Sporophila would be well advised to start with the Lined Finch. Not only is he far handsomer than his White-throated cousin but, in our experience, not nearly so aggressive, and an infinitely finer songster. About 3,000 Budgerigars of all colours were reared during the season. 78 Dr. E. Hopkinson — Duck Hybrids DUCK HYBRIDS By Dr. E. Hopkinson The number of Anatidae hybrids which have been bred in confine¬ ment is very large, and the possibilities in this line seem almost unlimited. The following list of crosses of which I have records may be of sufficient interest to publish and perhaps produce additions, so that a really complete record may be obtained. The authorities for these records can be found in my Records of Birds Bred in Capiiuity, published by Witherby in 1926, and later ones in the Field, Avicultural Magazine, etc., and in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club for 1929 (vol. xlix), where (pp. 93-9) two large series of Duck-hybrid skins by Lord Bothschild and Mr. Kinnear are described. These were exhibited at the May meeting of the Club of that year. Lord Boths- child’s consisted of “ 103 skins of hybrid Ducks of 49 distinct crosses and 2 reverse crosses ”, all but three of which had been bred in captivity — “ artificially bred, mostly in Holland, but a few at Netherby Hall (Sir Bichard Graham) ; Ditton Hall, Cambridgeshire (J. L. Bonhote) ; Lilford Hall (Lord Lilford) ; and the London Zoological Gardens.” Mr. Kinnear’s series contained about thirty skins, all but one bred in confinement, at the Zoo, St. James’ Park, by Lord Lilford, Sir Edward Grey, Mr. Bonhote, and others. The last-named gave a full account of his experiments with five species of Anas in the Proceedings of the 4th International Ornithological Conference, 1905 (pp. 235-264). In the list below (Both.) and (Kinn.) refer to the exhibitions .mentioned above, and when both parents are printed in Capitals the record (or records) I have are good ; when only one parent is so printed I consider the record sufficient, while a (?) indicates the few in which there may be doubt as to whether the cross bred in captivity was fully reared. List of Duck Hybrids a. Whooper Swan X Whistling Swan. b. ,, ,, X Trumpeter Swan. c. ,, ,, X Domestic Goose. Dr. E. Hopkinson • — Duck Hybrids n a. b. a. b; c. a. b. a, b. a. b. c. d. e. f. a. a. Whistling Swan with the male Whooper. ■ • Trumpeter X Common Swan. And with the male Whooper. Common Swan X Domestic Goose. „ • 35 X Bernacle = Canada Goose hybrid. And with males of the Trumpeter and Black Swans. Black Swan x Common Swan. 3 3 ,3 X Domestic Goose. 33 33 X Canada Goose. Spurwing Goose x Egyptian Goose. 3 3 ,3 X Upland Goose. And with the male Egyptian Goose. Muscovy Duck x Domestic Duck. 33 33 X Shelduck. ,3 3, X Egyptian Goose. And with males of the Domestic Goose and Duck. Carolina Duck X Australian Wild Duck (superciliosa). 33 3, x Spotbill Duck. 33 55 X Gadwell. 3, 55 X Pochard. 3, 55 X White-eyed Pochard. ,, ,, X Tufted Duck. And with males of the Mandarin, Sheldrake, Wild Duck, Spotbill, Yellowbill, Gadwall, Wigeon, Chiloe Wigeon, Chilian Teal, Chilian Pintail, Bahama Duck, Kosybill, Pochard, and White-eyed Pochard. Mandarin Duck X Carolina Duck, and with the male Wild Duck, White-winged Wood Duck (. Asarcornis scutulata ) X Domestic Duck. Comb Duck ( Sarkidiounis melanonota ) with the male Kosybill Duck. Orinoco Goose x Egyptian Goose. Snow Geese a. Blue -winged Snow Goose x Lesser Snow Goose. b. ,, „ x Greater Snow Goose. c. 33 ,3 x Bean Goose. d. Snow Goose (■ nivalis or hyperboreus or both) X Domestic Goose. And with males of the Domestic, Chinese, and Emperor Geese. 80 Dr. E. Hopkinson — Duck Hybrids a. b. c. d. a. a. b. a. a. b. c. d. e. a. a. Domestic Goose x Snow Goose. „ „ X Muscovy Duck. „ „ x Chinese Goose. ,, „ X Egyptian Goose. And with males of the Black Swan, Blue-winged Snow Goose, Bean Goose, Chinese Goose, and Canada Goose. White-fronted Goose with males of the Bean and Bernacle Geese. Lesser white-fronted Goose x Bernacle Goose (?) and vice versa. Bean Goose X Wild Goose ( ferus ). „ „ X White-fronted Goose. And with the male Blue-winged Snow Goose. Bar-headed Goose x Shelduck. And with the male Australian Shelduck (?) and Chinese Goose. Chinese Goose x Blue-winged Snow Goose. ,, ,, x Domestic Goose. ,, ,, X Bar-headed Goose. ,, ,, x Canada Goose. ,, ,, X Egyptian Goose. And with males of the Domestic, Bernacle, Sandwich Islands, and Spurwing Geese. Emperor Goose x Snow Goose (Boss or Blue). Canada Goose x Domestic Goose. And with males of the Chinese Goose and Black Swan. Hutchins’s Goose with the male Bernacle. Bernacle Goose X White-fronted Goose. ,, ,, X Lesser White-fronted Goose. ,, ,, X Hutchins’s Goose. ,, ,, X Chinese Goose. Sandwich Island Goose x Chinese Goose. Upland Goose x Buddy-headed Goose. ,, ,, X Egyptian Goose. And with males of the Buddy-headed, Black-banded Upland, and Spur wing Geese. Black-Banded Upland Goose X Upland Goose. Buddy-headed Goose x Upland Goose and vice versa. Maned Goose X Egyptian Goose (?) Dr. E. Hopkinson — Duck Hybrids 81 a. b. c. d. a. b. c. d. a. b. d. e. f. a. a. a. b. d. f. g- Egyptian Goose X Spurwinged Goose. „ ,, X Chinese Goose. ,, „ X Shelduck. ,, ,, X Wild Duck. And with males of the Orinoco Goose, Spurwing, Domestic Chinese, Maned, and Upland Geese, Domestic and Muscovy Ducks, Sheldrake and Ruddy and Grey-headed Sheldrakes. Sheldrake x Grey-headed Shelduck. „ X Ruddy Shelduck. ,, X Wild Duck. ,, X Egyptian Goose. „ x Carolina Duck. And with males of the Muscovy Duck, Bar-headed Goose, and Egyptian Goose. Ruddy Sheldrake x Egyptian Goose. „ ,, X Common Shelduck. ,, ,, X Grey-headed Shelduck. And this hybrid X New Zealand Shelduck. „ „ X Australian Shelduck. ,, ,, X Falcated Duck. And with males of the Common, Rajah, and Grey-headed Shel¬ drakes. Grey-headed Sheldrake ( cana ) X Ruddy Shelduck. And with the male Common Sheldrake. New Zealand Sheldrake ( variegata ) X Ruddy Shelduck, and vice versa. Australian Sheldrake ( tadornoides ) X Bar-headed Goose (?), Wild duck or Mallard (Domestic Duck included). Mallard x Muscovy Duck. (Roth., Kinn .) ,, X Carolina Duck. (Roth.) ,, X Mandarin Duck. ,, x Meller’s Duck. ,, X Dusky Duck (rubripes late obscurus). (Kinn.) ,, x Australian Wild Duck. ,, x Yellow-billed Duck. And this hybrid X Wigeon. 82 Dr. E. Hopkinson — Duck Hybrids h. Mallard x Spotbill Duck. And further crosses : r. Mallard-Spotbill hybrid X Meller’s. s. „ „ X Australian Wild Duck x Meller hybrid. t. „ ,, X Australian Wild Pintail. u. ,, „ X Pintail x Wild Duck. And further crosses up to Mallard-Spotbill-Pintail trigen to 3rd generation. M X S X P X Australian ^Vild Duck tetragen. M X S X P X Australian Wild Duck X Mellers pentagen. See Bonhote’s paper. 1. j- k. m. n. o. P- a. b. c. Mallard X Gadwall. This hybrid X Gadwall. ( Kinn .) „ X Wigeon. „ X American Wigeon (?). ,, X Teal. (Roth.) „ x Pintail. (Roth., Kinn.) ,, x Chilian Pintail (Roth.) „ X Shoveler. „ X Red-crested Pochard. ,, X Egyptian Goose. ,, X Rosybill. (Roth.) ,, X Bahama Duck. (Kinn.) And with males of the Dusky Duck, Australian Wild Duck, Yellowbill, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Rosybill, Pochard, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Asarcornis , and Muscovy. Dusky Duck x Wild Duck. „ ,, X This hybrid. ,, ,, X Yellowbill Duck. And with the male Mallard and Yellowbill. a. Australian Wild Duck x Meller’s Duck. b. ,, ,, X Wild Duck. (Kinn.) c. ,, ,, X Rosybill. d. ,, ,, X Pintail. Dr. E. HopJcinson—Duck Hybrids 83 a. a. a. b. c. d. e. a. b. c. d. e. a. b. c. d. b. c. d. e. And this hybrid X Meller’s Duck. „ „ X Chilian Pintail. ( Kinn .) And with males of the Mallard, Luzon Duck, Pintail, Chilian Pintail, Carolina Duck, and Red-crested Pochard. Meller’s Duck X Wild Duck. And with males of the Mallard, Australian Wild Duck, Yellowbill, and Pintail. Luzon Duck X Australian Wild Duck. Yellow-billed Duck X Wild Duck. „ ,, X Dusky Duck. „ „ x Meller’s Duck. „ „ X Spotbill. „ ,, X Carolina. And with the male Mallard and Dusky Duck. Spot-billed Duck X Carolina Duck. (Roth.) And with the male Mallard, Yellowbill, and Carolina. Falcated Duck X Gadwall. ,, ,, X Wigeon. ,, ,, X Chiloe Wigeon. ,, ,, X Australian Teal (casta nea). „ 55 X Shoveler. And with males of the Ruddy Sheldrake and Australian Teal. Gadwall X Carolina. (Roth.) ,, X Wild Duck. (Kinn.) ,, X Meller X Pochard hybrid. ,, X Pintail. (Kinn.) And with males of the Mallard, Falcated Duck, and Wigeon. Wigeon x American Wigeon. „ X Chiloe Wigeon. (Roth.) „ X Gadwall. ,, X Carolina. (Roth.) ,, X Wild Duck. (Kinn.) „ X Pintail. ,, X Common Teal. ,, X Australian Teal. (Roth.) ,, X Baikal Teal. f. 84 Dr. E. Hopkinson — Duck Hybrids Wigeon x Tufted Duck. [Roth.) ,, X Red-crested Pochard. ( Kinn .) And the female Wigeon with males of the Mallard, Falcated Duck, American and Chiloe Wigeons, Baikal Teal, and Pintail and Chilian Pintail. a. American Wigeon x Wigeon. „ ,, X Wigeon-Wild Duck hybrid. [Kinn.) ,, ,, X Bahama Duck. (Roth., Kinn.) And with males of the Mallard, Wigeon, and Bahama Duck. a. Chiloe Wigeon x Chilian Pintail. b. „ ,, x Wigeon. c. ,, „ x Carolina Duck. ,, ,, X Bahama Duck. (Roth.) And with males of the Wigeon, Pintail, and Falcated Duck, a. Baikal Teal x Wigeon. And with males of the Common and Versicolor Teal, and Wigeon. a. Common Teal x Wild Duck (?). „ „ X Baikal Teal. And with males of the Chilian Teal, Garganey, Wigeon, and Wild Duck. a. Australian Teal x Chilian Teal. And with males of the Grey and Brazilian Teals, the Wigeon, Bahama Duck, and Falcated Duck, a. Grey Teal (gibberifrons) x Australian Teal. a. Chilian Teal (flavirostre) X Common Teal. b. „ ,, X Carolina Duck. And with males of the Australian Teal and Bahama Duck, a. Brazilian Teal x Australian Teal. And with the male Bahama Duck. a. Pintail x Wild Duck. b. ,, X the above hybrid. ,, X Chilian Pintail. (Roth.) c. ,, x Meller’s Duck. d. ,, x Australian Wild Duck. e. ,, x Wigeon. (Kinn.) ,, X Chiloe Wigeon. (Roth.) Dr. E. Hopkinson — Duck Hybrids 85 f. Pintail x Common Teal. g. „ X Garganey. „ x White-eyed Pochard. (Roth.) And with males of the Chilian Pintail, Wigeon, Gadwall, Wild Duck, and Australian Wild Duck. a. Chilian Pintail x Pintail. b. „ „ X Bahama Duck. (Roth., Kinn.) c. ,, ,, X Australian Wild Duck. ,, ,, X Gadwall. (Roth.) „ ,, X Wigeon. (Roth.) „ ,, X Chilian Teal. ,, „ x Carolina Duck. (Kinn.) And with males of the Wild Duck, Australian Wild Duck, Chiloe Wigeon, and Pintail. a. Bahama Duck x American Wigeon. ,, „ x Carolina Duck. (Roth.) b. ,, „ X Brazilian Teal. (Kinn.) c. ,, ,, x Chilian Teal. ,, ,, x Australian Teal. (Roth.) And with males of the Wild Duck, American Wigeon, Chiloe Wigeon, and Chilian Pintail, a. Versicolor Teal X Baikal Teal. a. Garganey X Common Teal. b. ,, X Shoveler. And with the male Pintail. a. American Blue -winged Teal x Cinnamon Teal, and vice versa. a. Cinnamon Teal X American Blue-winged Teal and vice versa. a. Marbled Duck X White-eyed Pochard (Roth.) and vice versa. Shoveler with males of the Mallard, Falcated Duck, and Garganey. a. Bed-crested Pochard x Bosybill. ,, ,, X Pochard. (Roth.) „ ,, X White-eyed Pochard. ,, ,, X Australian Wild Duck. And with males of the Wild Duck, Wigeon, Pochard, and Rosybill. a. Bosybill Duck X Wild Duck. b. „ ,, x Bed-crested Pochard. (Roth., Kinn.) 86 Dr. E. Hopkinson — Duck Hybrids Rosybill Duck x Pochard. (Roth, Kinn.) c. „ ,, X Tufted Duck. (Roth.) „ ,, X Carolina. (Roth.) „ ,, X Comb Duck (Sarkidiornis) . (Roth.) And with males of the Wild Duck, Australian Wild Duck, Red- crested and White-eyed Pochards. a. Pochard x Wild Duck. b. „ x Red-crested Pochard. c. ,, x White-eyed Pochard. d. ,, x Scaup (?). „ X Lesser Scaup. (Roth.) e. „ x Tufted Duck. f. ,, X Carolina Duck. And with males of the Red-crested Pochard, Rosybill, and Tufted Duck. American Pochard with males of the Lesser and Ring-necked Scaups. a. White-eyed Pochard X Carolina. b. ,, ,, x Rosybill. c. ,, ,, x Marbled Duck. d. ,, „ x Tufted Duck. And with males of the Pintail, Marbled Duck, Pochard, Red- crested Pochard, Scaup, and Tufted Duck. a. Common Scaup x Lesser Scaup. b. ,, ,, #X White-eyed Pochard (?). ,, ,, X Canvasback Duck. And with the male Pochard. a. Lesser Scaup X American Pochard (?), and vice versa. a. Ring-necked Scaup X American Pochard (?). a. Tufted Duck X Pochard. (Kinn.) b. ,, „ X White-eyed Pochard. c. ,, „ X the above hybrid. And with males of the White-eyed Pochard, Rosybill, Wigeon, and Carolina Duck. Canvasback Duck with the male Common Scaup. A. F. Moody — Rearing a Red-and- Yellow Macaw at Lilford. 87 THE REARING OF A RED-AND-YELLOW MACAW AT LILFORD By A. F. Moody Particulars of our nesting Macaws ( Ara chloroptera) at liberty have already appeared in this Magazine,1 but I hope that a few supple¬ mentary notes referring to a young bird which was reared here this autumn may be of interest. Although the parents had been engaged at the nest from May onwards no certain knowledge was possessed that young had been hatched ; it came as a pleasant though not unlooked-for surprise, therefore, when, on the evening of 27th September, four Red Macaws were seen flying instead of the usual three. When first seen, on what was probably its first flight, this youngster was quite a quarter of a mile from home, the parents vainly endeavouring to entice it back to the nest. This was only accomplished by easy stages the next day, the young bird, meanwhile, roosting for the first night in a roadside tree. For the next few days it sat about in the vicinity of the nest, the parents visiting it at intervals and supplying food from the crop. This method of feeding was continued for some weeks, 18th November being the first date on which the young bird was seen partaking from the food pans. Viewed casually on its first appearance, the youngster was hardly distinguishable from the parents, being equally brilliant in colouring ; but on a closer examination it was seen to be more slenderly built, with a shorter tail and less massive bill, the dark part of the under mandible being more grey — a description which tallies with that of the young bird which left the nest on 19th December of last year. It is quite impossible to give the period of incubation or the date when the young were hatched. All the data available is that the female disappeared within the hollow tree about 30th May and remained there, more or less continuously (she was fed by the male), until a week or two before the young bird appeared. At the time of writing, 30th December, our youngster is very like the adults in appearance and behaviour, but it is still noticeably more slender, and has a rather different facial expression and a darker eye. 1 April, 1934, p. 103. 88 Correspondence CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. THE CRYSTAL PALACE SHOW In some respects this year’s show of foreign birds was less interesting than that of last year, for although there were some outstanding exhibits, it seemed to us that the variety of species was more restricted in one or two classes. Nevertheless, it can only be said that such a show is a supremely good one. As last year, the star turn was provided by a Humming-Bird, Mr. Ezra’s lovely Waterton’s Wood-Nymph, a species still rare in museum collections and in Gould’s day known only from the type specimen. A Short-tailed Ant- thrush was perhaps the most interesting bird we saw, while a female Hart- laub’s Spotted Waxbill, of the Southern race which ranges from Natal to Mombasa, and therefore the first to be imported, afforded undoubtedly a great surprise. Mrs. Pearse’s handsome Abeille’s Grosbeak, although a fine bird, is perhaps less striking than the more northern Evening Grosbeak ; several examples have lately been imported from Canada, none of which were shown. We noticed a fine specimen of Rothschild’s Grackle and the Paradise Birds were well represented, in particular by the Lesser Superb and more than one Wilson’s. There were two Cocks-of-the-Rock, we venture to think a somewhat overrated bird in captivity, for the curious habits it indulges in in its native fastness are by no means apparent in confinement, while its shape can scarcely be called elegant. Among the Tanagers we were delighted to see the rare Calliste Boliviana for the first time, and the less uncommon, though more beautiful, Calliste vieilloti, also shown last year, likewise Mr. Maxwell’s old black and red Phlogothraupis sanguinolenta. There were more than one pair of Purple Sugar-Birds and of the Sun-Birds the rarest were the Senegal Scarlet-chested and Mombasa Collared, both in fine condition. The Kenya Malachite was slightly disfigured by some white wing-feathers. Among the Parrots Mr. Maxwell’s pair of Banksian Cockatoos took a well-deserved prize, and Mr. Ezra’s Princess of Wales Parrakeets were very lovely. In conclusion we have only space to mention a wonderful pair of Eclectus Parrots and an equally beautiful Green-winged Shining Parrakeet, as well as a pair of New-Hebridean Kingfishers in perfect condition. A. C. Messrs. Hastings &Sfileman (AVICULTURISTS), LTD., 11 Marmion Rd.( SOUTHSEA, PORTSMOUTH, m*|UTC TFI p-/PHONE: 74231 PORTSMOUTH, n /-\ 1 N I O - I C. L_EL ^ GRAMS . STI M U LITE,” PORTSMOUTH. Messrs. Hastings and Stileman (Aviculturists), Ltd., offer you the following, subject to being unsold. All birds listed are actually in stock and complete satisfaction is guaranteed in all transactions. SOFTBILLS Cock-of-the-Rock (Cup winner) .... • £45 Female ditto ....... • £35 The pair ........ • £70 Hunting Cissa (H.M.) ...... . £8 Royal Starlings ....... . £4 each Spreo Starlings ....... . 50/- each Magpie Tanager ....... . 70/- Military Starling ....... . 25/- Nemosias (one Hen only, first importation) . 50/- Red-billed Blue Magpies ( U . sinensis ) . £4 each Red-billed Toucan ...... . £5 - Superb Tanagers ....... . 35/“ each Scarlet Tanagers ....... . 35/- each Blue and Black Tanagers ..... . 35/- each Golden-fronted Fruit-suckers (H.M.) . 55/- each Blue Sugar Birds ....... . 30/- each Red-headed Manakin (immature plumage) • 30/- Cayenne Crakes ....... . 25/- each King Bird of Paradise ...... . £20 HARDBILLS Green or Masked Grosbeaks (first importation) Blue Grosbeaks ..... Black-throated Cardinals (first prize winners) Pope Cardinals ..... Red-crested Finches .... Aurora Finches ..... Red-headed Parrot Finches Cock Cuban Finch .... Zebra Finches ..... Green Avadavats ..... St. Helena Waxbills .... Zebra Doves ..... Fischers Lovebirds .... Cockatiels ...... Red-headed Gouldians .... Black-headed Gouldians Bichenows ...... Pectoralis Finches .... Masked Grass Finches .... Long-tailed Grass Finches White Java Sparrows .... One Cock Hooded Siskin Mule £5 each 25/- each £4 Pair 10 j— each 25/- each £5 Pair £12 pair £1 13/6 pair 35/- pair 9/6 pair 70/“ pair 130/- pair i6o/~ pair 85/-- pair 65/- pair 65/- pair 65/- pair 55 h Pair 55/- pair 40/- pair 40/- MEMBERS’ ADVERTISEMENTS The charge for Members' advertisements is one penny per word. Payment must accompany the advertisement, which must be sent on or before the 20th of the month to Mr. T. H. Newman, 46 Forty Avenue, Wembley Park, Middlesex. All members of the Society are entitled to use this column, but the Council reserves the right to refuse any advertisement they consider unsuitable. SALE AND EXCHANGE Avicultural Magazine, 1927, bound half-leather, 30s. — Stephen Austin and Sons, Ltd., 1 Fore Street, Hertford, Herts. Pheasants, Impeyan, Swinhoe, Amherst (pure), Reeves, Golden. — H. Spencer, Yew Court, Scalby, Yorks. Bamboo Partridges, £3 10s. pair ; Cockatiels, £7 10s. pair ; Californian Quail (cocks), £1 10s. each ; Virginian Cardinals (cocks), £1 each ; Zebra Finches (aviary-bred), 15s. pair; Budgerigars, 15s. to 20s. pair; carriage paid. — H. Spencer, Yew Court, Scalby, Yorks. Cockatiels, true breeding pairs, really outstanding and guaranteed, £7 7s. pair ; also pair Long-tailed Grass-Finches, 40s. — Knight, 144 Knighton Church Road, Leicester. Cocks, Crimson Finch, Gold-fronted Fruit Sucker, £3 each ; cocks, Rufous- backed, Black-headed and Half-masked Weavers, 12s. 6d. each ; pairs Green Avadavats, 40s. ; Olive Finches and young one, 25s. ; Long-tailed and Masked Grass Finches, 45s. pair ; pair Melba Finches, 2nd Palace, £5 ; Mivart’s Mono¬ graph of the Lories, £8 ; Avicultural Magazines, 1896 and 1914, bound, 15s. each. — Mrs. R. G. Ashby, 34 Dalblain Road, Ayr. Three pairs Gold and three pairs Silver, 1934 Pheasants, 40s. pair ; one cock and two hens Silver, adult, 70s. ; one cock Red-rump, 84s. — Brunton, Inveresk Lodge, Musselburgh. White Javas, pied and greys, all home-bred, 48 in all ; the lot, £20 ; Zebra Finches, 60 in all, £15 ; would separate ; all bred here. — Percy Glover, F.Z.S., Fareham, Hants. New Electricity Tubular Heating installations, suitable for aviaries ; only used for a few weeks ; six 8 ft. tubes (Unity make), 230 volts A.C., with thermostat and all fittings. — H. Spencer, Yew Court, Scalby, Yorks. WANTED. Parrakeets, also unusually coloured Budgerigars for experimental purposes. — Percy Glover, F.Z.S., Fareham, Hants. Adult Elliots Pheasants and Peacock Pheasants. — H. Spencer, Scalby, Yorks. Hen Red-rumped Parrakeet, cock Green Cardinal, outdoor aviary. — Windsor Parker, Clopton Hall, Woolpit, Suffolk. Hens, Rock Peplar, Crimson-wing, Bauer ; cocks, Stanley, Barnard Parrakeets. — A. Decoux, Aixe-sur- Vienne, H. V. France. Hens in exchange for cocks, Impeyan Pheasants, Swinhoe Pheasants. — H. Spencer, Yew Court, Scalby, Yorks. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Mrs. M. S. Benn, Newton Lodge, Potter Newton, Leeds. Proposed by Mrs. A. A. Pearse. Denis Berry, 7 Princes Gate, S.W. 7. Proposed by Lionel de Rothschild. Thomas Bolton, Trelawn, North Bar, Banbury. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Maurice A. Coulson, 48 Ripon Street, Lincoln. Proposed by H. P. Sissons. Ralph Ellis, 2420 Ridge Road, Berkeley, California, U.S.A. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Dr. J. E. Haine, Elmdon, London Road, Guildford. Proposed by C. H. Heal. Garnet R. Halloran, Harley, 143 Macquarie Street, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia. Proposed by D. Seth-Smith. Fred Hopkins, Apple House, Horley, Surrey. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Mrs. Violet Tanqueray Todd, Wentworth, Victoria Drive, Bognor Regis, Sussex. Proposed by Mrs. A. A. Pearse. NEW MEMBERS Dr. Evald, Sonderborg, Denmark. G. F. Fairweather, Altadore, Eastwick Drive, Great Bookham, Surrey. Eric Gardner (Executive Engineer), Bombay Busoda and Central Railway- Royal Bombay Yacht Club, Bombay. Herrn Helmut Hampe, Braunschweig, Steintorwall, Nr. 11, Germany. Wolfgang Merck, Johnsallee, 42, Hamburg, 13, Germany. J. A. Pearson, 10 Brompton Square, S.W. 3. Mrs. Philip Spalding, c/o C. M. Cook, Ltd., Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. Ruddy F. Tong, 1113 Smith Street, Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. CHANGE OF ADDRESS. D. P. Horne, to Pinefield, Church Road, Addlestone, Surrey. DONATION. E. Valentine . £1. CAMACES HAVE ALWAYS A VARIED STOCK OF Foreign Birds, Parrots, Lovebirds, etc. We can now offer : — Ruficauda Finches, Dafresnes W axbills, Diamond Doves , Zebra Finches, Red-crested Cardinals, Pileated Finches, White-wing Whydahs, Violet-ear Waxbill, Thick Bill Weavers, Red Avadavats, Shamahs, Persian Bulbuls, Red Collar Whydahs, Virginian Cardinals, Honey Eaters, Blue-headed Parrot Finches, Black- and Red-headed Gouldian Finches, Long Tail and Masked Grass Finches, Bicheno and Pectoralis Finches, Peters Spotted Fire Finches, Melba Finches, Crimson- faced W axbills, Black Head Siskins, Golden Fronted Fruit Suckers, White Java Sparrows, Scarlet Tanagers, Pekin Robins. BEST FOODS. LOWEST PRICES Mealworms . 3 1b. 18/6,6/6 per lb., i lb ., 3/6 Post i Spray Millet, large 6/6 ; small 3/6 per bundle. Approx . 50 Heads. ,, Ants’ Eggs . . . 3/- perlb. 41b., 10/6 Dried Flies 1/9 } * 41b., 6/6 Pure Egg Yolk . 2/6 41b., 10/6 Insectivorous Food 1/6 41b., 5/6 Cuttlefish Bone 1/3 , , 41b., 4/6 Specialities in CAGES, AVIARIES, NEST-BOXES and all appliances. GAMAGES, HOLBORN, LONDON, E.C.l. - — - ’ PHONE : HOLBORN 8484. 11 “AVICULTURE” Volumes II and III Completing the Work. PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED. Bound in Red Cloth. Price IS/- each, postage 9d. (same for one and two volumes). CONTENTS. VOLUME II Woodpeckers. Wrynecks. Toucans. Barbets. Trogons. Colies. Cuckoos. Touracous. Humming Birds. Nightjars. Motmots and Bee-eaters. Hornbills. Hoopoes. Kingfishers, Rollers. All Species of Parrots. Cockatoos. Keas. Lories. Macaws. Conures. Eclectus. Australian Parrakeets. Owls. Birds of Prey. Pelicans. Swans, Geese, Ducks, Teal, etc. VOLUME III Diving Duck. Flamingos. Cariamas, Trumpeters, Sun-Bitterns, etc. Cranes. Bustards. Small Waders. Rails. Sea-Birds. Pigeons. Doves. Sand- grouse. Quail. Game Birds. Tinamous, Turkeys. Ostrich-like Birds, Emus, Screamers. Herons, Storks, Ibis, etc. Order with remittance to — STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, LTD., Fore Street, Hertford. STEPHEN AUSTIN AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, HERTFORD. APRIL 1935 FOURTH SERIES VOL. XIII. No. 4 THE Avicultural Magazine CONTENTS PAGE The North Island Robin ( Miro australis longipes) (with plate) . 89 Notes on the Birds of Fiji, by Sydney Porter ... 90 Breeding Results from Foxwarren Park, 1934, by Alfred Ezra, O.B.E . 105 An Easily Constructed Outdoor Aviary, by Frank W. Hansell 108 PAGE Notes from South Devon, by Winston S. Rowe . .112 Where Rolls the Rio Grande, by James B. Housden . .114 Supplement to the Genus Sporo- phila, by A. Morrison . .116 Correspondence, Notes, etc. . 117 Obituary ..... 118 The Price of this Number is 2/6. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOUNDED 1894 Patron : His Majesty the King NOTICE TO MEMBERS The Subscription to the Avieultural Society is £1 per annum, due on the 1st of January in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/—. The Avieultural 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 SUBSCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE SINT TO THE HONORARY SECRETARY I I AND TREASURER, Miss Knobel, 86 Regent’s Park Road, London, N.W. 1. | All Queries respecting Birds (except post-mortem cases) and all other correspondence should b© sent to the Hon. Secretary, at the above address. Any ©hang© of address should be notified to her. POST-MORTEM EXAMINATIONS Rule 1.— A short account of the illness should accompany the specimen. All birds to be sent as fresh as possible to Mr. C. H. Hicks, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Rule 2.— ~A stamped addressed envelop© must be enclosed with the bird. Rule 3.— No body or skin of any bird will be returned under any circumstances whatever. The Magazine is published by Messrs. Stephen Austin & Sons, 1 For® Street, Hertford, to whom members should address all orders for extra copies, back numbers for 1917 and after, and bound volumes. Cases for binding the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side) can be obtained from the Publishers, post free and carefully packed, at 3/- each j or the Publishers will undertake the binding of the Volume for 5/6, plus 9 d. for packing and postage. Members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. Telephone : Hertford 546 and 547. All Inquiries for TRADE ADVERTISEMENTS and SUPPLIES should be made direct to STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, Ltd., FORE STREET, HERTFORD. All communications intended for publication in the Magazine should be addressed to the Editor : — The Hon. Anthony Chaplin, c/o , The Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. □ i A vic. Mag. 1935. North Island Robin. Frontispiece.] THE Avicultural Magazine THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY Fourth Series*— VoL XIII.- — No. 4 .—All rights reserved. APRIL, 1935 THE NORTH ISLAND ROBIN (. Miro australis longipes , Lesson) As this species is now very rare and photographs of it equally so, we thought it worth while publishing a plate which may be considered to accompany the article on the species in Mr. Sydney Porter’s “ Notes on New Zealand Birds ”, published in the Magazine for December, 1933. Although this subspecies has never been imported, the South Island Robin (M. a . australis) is included in the Zoo list. The male has the head, neck, and upper surface dark slate grey, plumbeous beneath, the shafts greyish white, forming lines on the crown and nape ; frontal spot pure white ; throat, fore-neck, and sides of the body paler slate grey ; lower breast, vent, under tail-coverts, and abdomen white, blending on the flanks with the other parts ; wings dull brown with paler shafts ; tail dull brown, shafts pale brown. Irides dark ; bill blackish ; tarsi pale brown. The total length is 6 inches. The female is smaller and duller, with the under parts paler. A. C. 7 90 Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Fiji NOTES ON BIRDS OF FIJI By Sydney Porter “ Green Islands in Glittering Seas ” is a fitting name for those wondrous paradises of the Southern Pacific. It is among these enchanted islands that one finds the South Sea Islands of the story books, islands of emerald green, of swaying palms by surf -ringed shores, of the scarlet hibiscus, of wonderful multi-coloured coral reefs, of breezes laden with the heavy exotic perfume of a thousand tropical blossoms, of gleaming white coral beaches lapped by crystal waters whose touch to the body feels like liquid velvet. We perhaps see pictures of the South Sea Islands at the cinema, or in a story book, or often a pen-picture is drawn of a tropical island paradise in a cheap novel, where two lovers, after chasing each other round the world, at last find their haven of refuge ! Beautiful as these representations may be, they cannot adequately portray the original, for how can they capture the radiant sunlight which drenches these happy islands or bring to the nostrils the exquisite scent of the gorgeous tropical flowers or above all convey to the mind that languid restful peace which makes one feel that at last one has found the land of one’s dreams ? There, the Englishman never speaks of the wretched climate as he does in most colonies, or bemoans his fate as an exile from his native land. He speaks of these emerald islands as one speaks of a lover, tenderly, respectfully, and always in the hopes that there will never be a parting. It was to Fiji that I went in search of the wonderful Parrakeets for which those islands are so famed. These birds are amongst the largest and most brilliant of their kind. I had specimens of the gorgeous “ Splendens ” at home and, fired by their great beauty, I resolved that at the first opportunity I would try to visit their native habitat. The chance came when I was in New Zealand, for the Fiji group of islands is only 1,200 miles from that country. I hoped to see something of all these splendid birds in a state of freedom, but alas, I was doomed to disappointment. My stay was too short and the Parrakeets were all too rare. When I was in New Zealand, I was Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Fiji 91 thrilled beyond measure to find that a specimen of the very rare “ Personata ” was being sent to Auckland for me. Alas, owing to lack of attention on the boat, the bird arrived dead. I felt heart¬ broken as I handled the beautiful body and thought of the wonderful might-have-been. As there seemed not the slightest chance of ever getting another of these extremely rare birds, I determined to go myself and try to secure another specimen if not a pair. Preparations were made to have certain Parrakeets collected in Suva to await my arrival, but unfortunately we did not appreciate the local conditions. Upon arrival I found that four specimens of beautiful Kandavu bird, known in this country as the Red-shining Parrakeet, and which is the most plentiful of the six forms inhabiting the Fiji group, were waiting for my arrival. There were also two baby Kulas or Ruffed Lories. There were also three other Kandavu birds belonging to Indians which it was thought I might be able to buy, also an odd bird of the Taveuni form. The birds mentioned had all been brought up from the nest, as the Fijians know nothing of catching any birds. The only way they ever obtain them is to mark down the tree where the nest is and eventually take the young which are hand-reared. After some days in Suva I heard of a specimen of the very rare form from the island of Ngau. It belonged to an Indian and, needless to say, I soon took a taxi and arrived at the very filthy abode of the vendor. It was a splendid specimen, a hen, and was confined in a miserably inadequate cage, in the bottom of which were a quantity of stale crusts, its sole food. With little bargaining the treasure was secured and I bore it away in triumph. At first sight Fiji is like New Zealand, rather a disappointing place to visit for the ornithologist, in spite of its luxuriant tropical forest. Yiti Levu, the largest of the Fijian Islands and once the home of some of the most brilliant feathered creatures, is being sadly denuded of its extraordinary bird life. On every hand one hears of depredations of the imported mongoose which has overrun both Viti Levu and Yanua Levu, where it has played havoc with all bird life. Originally imported to combat the rat menace in the sugar-cane fields, it soon turned its attention to easier prey. In the smaller 92 Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Fiji islands, such as Kandavu, Taveuni, Ngau, and Koro, there are still quite a . large number of birds left and especially on the Lau Archipelago ; all these places are quite free from the mongoose and the whites who kill for killing’s sake. On none of the islands are the wonderful Parrakeets common. By reports from various government surveyors to whom I spoke, I learnt that the Masked Parrakeet is not extinct as it is supposed to be, and that a few still linger in the dense forests on the mountain ranges in the centre of the island of Yiti Levu. In the old days before the mongoose had thinned its ranks, this bird was reckoned a pest owing to its eating the sweet corn and various tropical fruits and was killed in large numbers by the fruit planters. I tried to get those in authority to try and capture a few and release them on some of the smaller uninhabited islands which were free from the mongoose, and I think that this may be done. The distribution of the Fijian Parrakeets is very strange and is something like that of the large West Indian Parrots. Each of the five larger islands has its distinct species. There is no hope that these beautiful Parrakeets will ever grace our aviaries again, for strict protective laws have been recently passed and the capture or keeping of any species is forbidden. My birds were procured from Indians who had the birds before the protective laws were passed ; these they had originally purchased from the Fijians who had hand-reared them and brought them from the other islands for sale. Once there was quite a trade with the Parrakeets from the different islands, the birds being brought over by the natives in canoes and sold on the quay. Now all this is forbidden. I had rather a difficulty in getting the Government of Fiji to allow me to export any of these Parrakeets, but eventually I got permission to take the birds away with me and I persuaded them to allow me to receive a pair of the Masked Parrakeets should at any future time a pair be secured, but of this I am not very hopeful. There is no danger now that any of these birds will become extinct except the “ Masked ”, for unlike most parts of the world to-day there is no active destruction of bird life by either the natives or the whites. The forest will never be felled as in New Zealand, for the Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Fiji 93 mountains are far too steep for cultivation and the general vegetation is too wet to burn. None of the Indians who possessed Parrakeets seemed anxious to part with them, even though they were kept under very bad conditions, and there was a general “ take it or leave it ” attitude, and often if one attempted to argue about the price they would refuse to sell it at all. Often we heard of birds belonging to Indians. The actual deal had nearly always to be done by proxy, and we always offered to take the birds at the price mentioned or even higher, but when it came to the question of delivery very few of the birds ever materialized, though I knew the people had them. Very often they would say that the bird belonged to a child of two or three years old and it refused to sell it. It may really have been that the Indians thought I was a govern¬ ment agent trying to find out who had the birds. There was one old woman in the fruit market in Suva who had four lovely Eed-shining Parrakeets. They were beauties and in perfect condition owing to, no doubt, being fed on fruit. We went day after day to see if she would sell, but no price would tempt her, so at last we told her that the only plan was for us to steal them, and with true Eastern philosophy she said, “Ah well, if you steal them I can't help it : it’s the only way you will ever get them because I shall never sell them.” Nearly all the ground birds on Viti Levu and Yanua Levu have nearly been exterminated and a once common Megapode is now com¬ pletely extinct. The imported Eed-vent Bulbul and the Common Mynah are now superseding the ordinary native birds. In fact, about Suva, these are the only two birds to be seen. The forests on the smaller islands have not been fully explored and I think that there are still many new species of birds to be found. The wonderful Flame and Golden Doves are all too rare on most of the islands, though I met the King of Ban and he told me that the Flame Dove was still found on his island and he invited me to come over and procure some, but owing to lack of time I was unable to do this. The Fijian Parrakeets seem to stand a far better chance of survival than most of the other Parrakeets of the world, providing that the bloodthirsty mongoose is kept from their islands. 94 Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Fiji Perhaps it is as well that we shall never see these lovely creatures in our aviaries again, for it is sad to think of these brilliant gems torn from their proper setting in those earthly paradises of sun-drenched coral strands and tall green waving palms, being imprisoned for life behind the bars of some inadequate parrot cage in a miserable northern climate where the sunshine of a whole year does not amount to that of one single month of their native islands. I for one shall be glad to think of these gorgeous birds’ freedom, living out their own lives in those far distant isles of enchantment in the blue southern seas where one day perhaps when my ship comes in I may travel again, never to return. The Masked Parrakeet (Pyrrhulopsis per sonata) As mentioned before, my chief object in visiting Yiti Levu was to try to obtain examples of the supposed nearly extinct Parrakeet which is confined to that island. Various agents had been endeavouring to obtain specimens before I arrived on the island. Upon my arrival I realized that the quest was wellnigh hopeless. I went on several trips into the interior in search of this bird, hoping that I might catch a fleeting glimpse of it in its native forest, but my luck was certainly out this time. After a great deal of questioning and tracking down owners of Parrakeets I found that a gentleman in Suva had one. Would he sell it ? Why, yes. The price ? Oh, about eighteen shillings or a pound. I only just managed to control myself and say, “ Yes thanks, I’ll have it ” ! But like horses, there are Masked Parrakeets and Masked Parra¬ keets. This bird only just managed to be one at all. I was told that he was moulting, but I knew better. He was kept in a wooden cage similar to those in which Thrushes and Blackbirds are to be seen on the walls of country cottages in England. The top was of corrugated iron. That may not sound very dreadful, but when I mention that the temperature in the sun is often over 160° F. and that the cage was in the sun all day and that I couldn’t bear my hand on the top, and that wretched bird was fed solely on hard maize and what appeared to be poultry meal, and that it had no bath or water of any sort with which to wet its plumage, its state may be imagined ; especially when Sydney Porter — ■ Notes on Birds of Fiji 95 I mention that the birds live in the damp forests where there is as much as 300 inches of rain in a year. When the feathers did appear on the birds they just withered and fell off. (I was assured by the over-anxious manager of the tourist bureau in Suva that Fiji was not a tropical country because the equator did not run through it and that the daily temperature of 100° F. while I was there was nothing to that of tropical countries. I mentioned about coco-nut palms only growing in tropical countries, but was told that they grew anywhere ! !) I am convinced that all the Parrakeets of the genus Pyrrhulopsis need a lot of moisture on their plumage when they moult, for in the forests where the birds live it rains almost continually. The Parrakeet in its wretched prison had been almost half-baked by the terrible heat, but in spite of his condition I took him and I made his late owner promise to put him in an outdoor aviary where he could get the rain on his plumage during the time I was away in Kandavu, until the time I called to take him away with me. When I came back from Kandavu Island the bird was still in its wretched prison. It was an old male and was almost as yellow on the back as on the breast. I thought at first that it was possibly a semi- lutino but I have since found out that if not given sufficient nourishing food when moulting the Pyrrhulopsis Parrakeets will grow yellow feathers which eventually wither and drop out. The bird had a very strong and goat-like odour, which I have never smelt with any bird before. I am sure this was due to the bird not being able to bathe and also not having the right food. Before leaving Viti Levu, the person from whom I purchased the bird told me that he knew of another pair at Lautoka which were for sale. Owing to shortage of time I was unable to procure them but he said that he would use every effort to send them on to me later ; at all events I never heard any more about them and I rather doubt that he was telling the truth. After a lot of trouble about a permit, for which I had to see the acting governor and answer a great many rather awkward questions, I got my treasure away on the boat. To say that the journey from Fiji to New Zealand was a nightmare 96 . Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Fiji is putting it mildly. I gave up a first-class passage on one of the large luxury liners, which ply between America and New Zealand, for a berth on a cargo boat belonging to the same line who advertise that they carry eight passengers on the “ intermediate liners By doing this it gave me more time in Fiji and I thought that I should have better accommodation for the birds and be able to look after them better. I was sadly disillusioned — the ship was literally a “ floating slum ” as far as accommodation was concerned. The captain ordered the birds (I had sixteen Parrakeets, two Lories, three Pigeons, and four Rails) to be put in the most exposed position on the deck. We struck a cyclone the first day out, which continued until we almost reached New Zealand. I had a bad dose of malaria, and through tearing my leg on some rusty wire in Viti Levu had contracted blood poison. There was no one to look after the birds, so twice a day I had to crawl out of bed literally on my hands and knees, to look after them. It was almost impossible to get any water on the boat either to wash or give the birds. I was too ill to clean the birds out and the wind was so strong that it blew both the food and water out of the food pots in the cages. The captain refused to have the birds moved. Fotunately, before leaving Suva I managed to get a supply of sweet corn or maize in the ear, and upon this the Parrots mainly lived. But alas ! the journey was too much for the Masked ; as we reached Auckland I could see that he was dying. Mr. Rowland Hutchinson was on the docks to meet me in, so was Dr. Hopkinson who was then visiting New Zealand, and we soon had the birds up in Mr. Hutchinson’s bird rooms. Every attention was given to the Masked but he didn’t last long. Had I known the beneficial effects of beaten-up egg, milk, and brandy I might have saved him. Gradually all the splendid Kandavu Island Red-shinings went as well ; we did everything possible for them, at least Mr. Hutchinson didy but all to no avail, one by one they dropped off until only three were left when I was ready to sail. I took these with me but they only lingered for three weeks. It was the same with all of them, lung trouble, pneumonia contracted on the ghastly voyage from Fiji. It was heart-breaking to think of all these splendid birds gone after I Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Fiji 97 had been to so much trouble and expense to procure them. I had one consolation — I still have my three splendid Ngau Island birds. Some few years ago the American Expedition, already referred to, did great slaughter amongst the few remaining Masked Parrakeets, The Island of Viti Levu was simply combed out for them. Every bird seen was shot ; on their own account twenty-six specimens are reported as taken, not counting the ones wounded or dropped into the dense vegetation which were never recovered. When science and commercialism combined are let loose on the Pacific Islands, heaven help the birds. Several surveyors who were working in the interior said that they had at odd times seen an occasional bird but that they were exceedingly rare and very timid. So with the present restrictions, combined with the continued depredations of the mongoose, I think that we have seen the last of the Masked Parrakeet in this country. In fact I doubt if there is a single one in captivity in the world. The Red-shining Parrakeet (. Pyrrhulopsis splendens) When in Fiji I was naturally anxious to see something of the splendid Red-shining Parrakeet, one of the largest and most gorgeous of living Parrakeets and the best known of the Fijian Parrakeets. Like all the other Pyrrhulopsis Parrakeets, this species is, or was, confined to one island, namely Kandavu Island, but escaped birds I was told have now become established on Yiti Levu, but I did not see any there. Kandavu is the third largest island in the Fiji group and is quite large as South Sea islands go. The difficulty was how to get there as there was a complete lack of communication between Suva and Kandavu. There is no postal service, no telegraph in fact, only one white missionary resides there ; so these facilities, should they be installed, would be quite wasted. The island is visited only by small native trading boats at intermittent periods. After some inquiries on the part of the person who had been getting some of the Parrakeets for me, I was able to fix up to go on a small trading schooner which was going down to get hold of a cargo of bananas for shipment to an Australian port. The voyage from Suva 98 Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Fiji to Kandavu was more like a chapter from a tale of the South Seas of a century ago than anything belonging to the present day. The schooner, a- vessel of about 80 tons, had been built — well, I never found out the date, but it must have been far back in the dim and distant past. It would never do to sail anything but an old derelict in those waters for owing to every island being encircled by coral reefs, the mortality amongst the ships is very high and I doubt if any company would ensure them, if indeed the natives have heard of insurance, except from the missionaries, who charge a pretty high premium for the insurance of their souls ! In a few years’ time nearly all the boats come to the same end : they get their backs broken on some uncharted coral reef. We (the dusky captain, the agents, myself, etc.) occupied what was ironically called “ Stateroom No. 0 ”, and what a stateroom it was ! It was also the pantry, general store, and incidentally the home of hundreds of huge cockroaches about three inches long and an inch wide across the back, which travelled at an incredible speed all over everything, ourselves included. Sometimes there was a general panic amongst them, or it may just have been an extra exuberance of spirit, for they would simultaneously all rush out of their hiding places and career all over the cabin. At night they were most active and fed upon our hair, eyebrows, and the skin on the soles of our feet ! When we retired to rest, or at least got into our bunks, one could see them poking their wicked looking heads over the sides and waving their long antennse to see if one was asleep. No one seemed to mind these creatures very much and in time I got quite used to them. The menu was not very varied, it consisted of stale bread, at least what the cockroaches left, tinned bully beef, and boiled green bananas. I chose the latter. On the way over the small auxiliary engine broke down, there was no wind, and we just drifted at the mercy of the currents. My heart sank into my shoes when the captain, a hefty Tongan Islander, told me that he had never been in these waters before and knew nothing about the positions of the reefs which abounded on every hand. A wind sprang up at last and we decided to return to Suva to have the engine repaired ; so, apparently, vanished my hopes of seeing this Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Fiji 99 Parrakeet in its native haunts. However, half-way across the engines started up again, so back we went and our banana trading began in earnest. That Kandavu is intensely picturesque goes without saying, also that it would satisfy the most ambitious imagination as to what a South Sea island should be like. About 32 miles long and varying from one to eight miles in width, it is composed entirely of steep razor backed mountain ranges covered for the main part with dense tropical forest, which has yet to be explored. There are limpid blue lagoons where the graceful green palms for ever look down at their own beautiful reflections mirrored in the calm waters beneath ; there is a narrow strip of gleaming white coral strand and then the emerald green jungle, mysterious and fascinating to a degree. The villages are all one expects, and are typical of the islands. On an area of close-cropped, vivid green grass, situated by the seashore and beneath a canopy of waving coco-nut palms with their ever trembling fronds and tall spreading native trees as often as not covered with a profusion of sweet scented blossoms, are a dozen or two picturesque and spacious native houses made of reeds and beautifully thatched. All around are set bushes of the scarlet hibiscus, sweet-scented lilies, and various flowering shrubs whose perfumed blossoms are used to decorate the enormous bushy heads of hair of the native belles, while the men, or at least some of the handsome village beaux, pencil round their eyes with charcoal and sometimes wear behind an ear a hibiscus blossom. Both the men and the women take an immense pride in their mops of frizzy hair and the combs they use have teeth about 8 inches long ! The women mostly dye their hair red with some kind of earth. The natives are a delightful crowd and one would little dream that their grandfathers were the most ferocious and bloodthirsty cannibals ever known. Their cannibalistic orgies make one sick to read about. Fortunately that is, all past now and their descendants hardly seem to have a care in the world, except the trouble of finding the excessive Government tax. This is £2 2s. per annum, which to us over-taxed people seems small enough. But the native has no income and no money, neither does he know the value of it ; half the sum for which the bananas are sold has to be paid by the trader to the 100 Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Fiji Government, and the other half to the missionaries. The price of bananas is about 2s. 6d. for 400, allowing for rejects, which means that the native has to grow something like 500 to 600 to get 400 perfect ones which the trader will take. So to pay the tax he has to produce something like 8,000 bananas each year. At all events he doesn’t show his troubles to the outsider. The currency is usually coco -nuts,. thirty-six of which are needed to buy one box of matches from the insidious Chinese storekeeper. One can imagine the procession needed to carry the cash when the lady of the house does her Christmas shopping ! To row up one of the mangrove rivers is an experience not easily forgotten. It looks rather like an oak forest which has been flooded to a height of eight or nine feet. The mangroves arch over the river channel and form a wonderful green tunnel while the waters look dark, deep, and mysterious. One can often paddle miles up a river like this. Ever so often arms branch off from the main stream and if one follows them they lead to some delightful native village or banana plantation. The whole effect of these mangrove rivers is extremely weird and can never be adequately described. Stopping at the first village, we heard the loud cries of these wonderful Parrakeets which reached us as we lay at anchor over half a mile from the shore. I found the bird quite abundant even around the native villages. It always betrays its whereabouts by the loud raucous cries. It was a great treat to see this splendid bird in a state of freedom. No bird I have ever seen looks more superb when in flight than this one. The brilliant scarlet, the intense blue, and the vivid glittering green show up to the best advantage when the bird in flying. It is not timid as Parrakeets go, which I suppose is owing to the bird being in no way persecuted by the natives. Years ago the Kandavu people reared a great many birds from the nest and did quite a trade with them in Suva, where they took them for sale. The birds were mainly purchased by the Samoan residents and traders who plucked them of their scarlet feathers, which they used to decorate their mats and make into “ lais ”. I met someone in Suva who quite recently had a female Eclectus stolen and killed by the Samoans so that they could obtain its scarlet feathers for their Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Fiji 101 mats. In an old book on Fiji published about the middle of the last century I came across the following : “ For nearly a hundred years past the Friendly Islanders have traded with Fiji. The scarlet feathers of a beautiful paroquet were the leading attraction, the birds abounded in one part of Taveuni [this would be P. taviunensis] where they were caught by nets and purchased by the Tongans, who traded with them in exchange for the fine mats of the Samoans. They paid the Fijians for the paroquets with small articles of European manufacture, bowls, and the loan of their women 55 ! Fortunately, the sale of the Parrakeets has now been stopped, a measure which I heartily agree with, for if the wretched birds were not purchased by the Samoans to be periodically plucked, they were bought by Indians who kept them in terribly inadequate cages until they died of semi-starvation. True, a few are now smuggled into Suva but nothing like the numbers which came over a few years ago. I never saw the birds in flocks, only in odd ones or pairs. They are not birds of the open country, but of the dense forests and the thick jungle bordering the native clearings. I never saw them low down but always on the tree-tops or in the higher branches. Near the village of Talaulia we found the Parrakeets in the mango trees feeding upon the ripe fruit. They seemed to waste a terrible lot, for under the trees lay a large amount of half -eaten fruit, but no doubt the so-called “ flying foxes ”, or fruit bats, were also to blame. Very often the brilliant colouring of tropical birds harmonizes with the foliage of the trees but not so with this one, the brilliant scarlet and blue are always most conspicuous when the birds are in the trees. I should imagine that the dark species such as P. tabuensis, etc., are even more easy of observation with their almost black under parts and even more brilliant blue. All the time the birds fed in the trees they uttered their loud harsh cries. I don’t suppose that the birds do much damage to the native crops which, as far as I could see, consisted of bananas which were always picked and eaten in a green state, usually baked over an open fire (no bird would ever eat a green banana), coco-nuts, and various root crops, such as yams, etc. Fortunately I was able to obtain twelve of these gorgeous birds : 102 Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Fiji six came from a white person who had reared them from the nest, but they were in a terrible condition. The whole six had been kept in a by no means large packing case and fed solely upon dry maize. They were poor undersized specimens and the wonder was how they had managed to survive, especially as they had been kept in a semi-dark out-house. The other six, though obtained from various natives and Indians, were in almost perfect condition and one or two were very tame. I intended bringing two females home with me for the two cocks I already had in England and also an extra pair, making me six birds in all. The others I was leaving in New Zealand. Alas, I was doomed to disappointment, as related in the previous chapter on the Masked Parrakeet. Not only did I lose all my birds as a result of the unfortunate voyage from Fiji, but when I arrived home in England some months later I found that the two cock birds had also died through failure on the bird-man’s part to give them the proper food ; he had fed them solely on seed. At all events since then I have become possessed of seven more of these beautiful Parrakeets. I had no intention of keeping all the birds but I cannot dispose of any owing to the foolish restrictions of the Parrot ban, but perhaps I am not alto¬ gether sorry for they make a gorgeous spectacle in their aviary and are without a doubt the last which will leave Fiji officially. My friend said in his letter, “ I have just received a very curt note from the Eijian Government stating that the one who sent me the Fijian Parra¬ keets will not be permitted to export any more Fijian birds. . . . They state, however, that the Eijian Government has decided that for the present no more permits to export any Fijian birds will be issued.” As no birds now come over from Kandavu, and no tourists and very few white people go to that island, it looks as though we shall never see any more Red-shining Parrakeets in our aviaries. Dr. Greene in his admirable book Parrots in Captivity has a chapter on this bird, but he evidently knew very little about it, neither had he kept it, which is very evident when he says, It is by no means a delicate bird and when fairly acclimatized can stand any weather and almost any kind of treatment ” ! Neither did the famous Dr. Russ know much about it when he stated that “ the birds do much damage to the maize crops and are consequently hateful to the farmers, who pursue Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Fiji 103 them without mercy”. There are no maize crops, neither are there farmers on Kandavu. The Hon. F. 0. Dutton, who had kept the birds, was more to the point when he said, “ I have reason to think that this and the Masked Parrakeet are peculiarly liable to decline. I .do not think any specimen has lived very long in captivity and I cannot but suspect that we have not yet discovered its right diet.” He also tells us that as long ago as 1888 its price was £5. To get back to their treatment in captivity. I find that of all the known Parrakeets these are the most difficult to keep in a state of perfect health for a lengthy period of time. My experience with the birds has had to be bought at a very heavy cost. All together I have possessed twenty-four of these splendid birds, comprising three species, and at the present moment I have ten birds of two species. Owing to their superficially resembling some of the Australian Parrakeets such as the “ King ”, one is rather apt to think that the same treatment will do for both birds. I did until I found to my cost that they are probably the most delicate and difficult of Parrakeets to keep in anything like condition, at least in this country. They cannot exist on the ordinary Parrot seed. To get to know anything about their requirements one has to study them in a state of nature. Unfor¬ tunately little has been written about them except data concerning the collection of skins for museums, so to get to know anything about these birds one must visit their native habitat. Unfortunately each species has a very restricted range, some inhabiting islands only a few square miles in extent. After a brief acquaintance with this bird in a state of freedom I realized how mistaken I had been in its treatment. In the first place the climate of Fiji is exceedingly warm and humid ; during the period I was there the thermometer was seldom below 100° F. It rains intermittently nearly every day and nearly always during the night : in some parts in the interior of Yiti Levu the rainfall is something like 300 inches a year, compared with an average of 30 which we get in this country, so that damp moist heat is essential to their well-being. Birds kept in a dry atmosphere cannot moult out properly ; the feathers become brittle and break off soon after they are formed. The birds should be kept outside in the summer having a warm shelter for the nights. It is essential that during the warm summer 104 Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Fiji showers the birds should be prevented from entering the shelter so that the rain can thoroughly soak their plumage. Indoors in the winter the birds if they don’t bathe, and some individuals refuse to, should be sprayed every day with a fine spray. Cold the birds cannot stand, and to expose them to frosts and undue cold winds is to gamble with the lives of these rare and costly birds. In their wild state they seldom leave the hot and steamy forests except to raid the mango trees of the natives, who by the way seem quite content to let the birds have their share. And then, their food. While the Australian Parrakeets live to a large extent on the dry seeds of grasses and various plants, these birds live entirely, as far as I could see, on fruit — not the hard dry wild fruits of the temperate climates, but on such soft luscious fruits as mangoes, pawpaws, etc. So it is logical that they cannot exist on hard dry seeds such as we are wont to give them in this country. I find that the best food is as follows : as a staple mixture to 14 lb. of a good parrot seed add 7 lb. of large canary seed, 3J lb. of hemp, 3J lb. of white millet, 2 lb. of clipped oats, and 2 lb. of pea-nuts in the shells. In addition to this they require an abundance of ripe fruit, sweet apples, ripe pears, ripe bananas, cut up into small lengths with the skin left on ; they are also particularly fond of the small sweet green grapes which can be bought so cheaply in the autumn ; green corn in the ear such as maize, wheat, oats, etc. ; groundsel, sow-thistle, lettuce, peas in the pod, etc. Mine are given, every other day, half a sponge cake per bird which is soaked in beaten-up egg and milk, sometimes with a drop of brandy in, and on the days when they don’t get this I give a good insectivorous mixture, mixed with grated carrot and chopped hard-boiled egg. It is also essential that the birds have fresh twigs to bite up : mine are given branches from apple trees and hawthorn with the berries on. Given this food and well looked after they will live for years, becoming in time very tame and affectionate. Two birds which I possess can talk quite distinctly and one evidently knows what he says. Alfred Ezra — Breeding Results from Foxwarren Park, 1934 105 BREEDING RESULTS FROM FOXWARREN PARK, 1934 By Alfred Ezra, O.B.E. Chinese Blackbirds (T urdus mandarinus). — Seventeen eggs were laid in four separate clutches and, although they were incubated and several young were hatched, not one young bird was reared. Crowned Starling ( Galeopsar salvadorii). — Three eggs were laid by the 16th May. Two young were hatched by the 30th May. One died on the 7th June, but the other left the nest on the 28th June. . Slenderbilled Starling ( Cinnamopterus tenuirostris) . — This pair of birds only laid two eggs, both of which were broken. Shama (Kittocincla malabarica). — These birds laid several eggs, which were broken. One egg was incubated and the young hatched out on the 9th June, left nest 20th June, but was found dead on the 23rd June. Two more eggs were laid by the 25th June and one young was hatched out and the other egg was infertile. The young one left the nest on the 21st July and was found dead the following day. Another egg was laid on the 23rd July which hatched out on the 19th August. As the parents would not feed it, we took it away to try to hand-rear it, but without success. These birds will not feed their young once they leave the nest, as they go to nest again at once. Water Thick-knee (Burhinus vermiculatus) . — -One young one was reared in August and an account of its breeding with photographs appeared in the November number of the Magazine on page 301. Boulroul Partridge ( Rollulus roulroul). — Three eggs were seen on the 21st July and one young one was hatched on the 10th August. The other two eggs contained dead chicks. The young one was almost fully reared but died suddenly. Madagascar Partridge [Margaroperdix madagascariensis) . — Eight young were hatched under Bantams and fully reared. Two young were hatched out by the parents and reared. Fytche’s Partridge (Bamhusicola fytchii). — Six young ones were hatched out but only two of them were reared. Bronze-winged Pigeon ( Phaps chalcoptera) . — Nine young ones were 8 106 Alfred Ezra — Breeding Results from Foxwarren Park , 1934 hatched out but only four reared ; the other five were killed, by Madagascar Partridges, after leaving the nest. Swinhoe’s Pheasant-tailed Pigeon ( Macropygia swinhoei). — A good many eggs were laid but only three young were reared. The rest of the eggs were broken by the other birds in the aviary. Crowned Lapwing {Stephanibyx coronatus). — Only one egg was laid which was hatched out on the 27th August. The young one was doing very well, but four days later it was killed and eaten by a Kingfisher. Wonga Wonga Pigeon ( Leucosarcia picata). — These birds have done much better this year, and managed to fully rear four young ones. Chinese Painted Quail {Excalf actor ia chinensis). — Several eggs were laid in different parts of the aviary. On the 4th July a nest was found, in some long grass, containing six eggs. All these hatched out and were at once removed to a coop with a small run attached. All were successfully reared by the parents. Indian Green-winged Dove (Chalcophyes indica). — Two eggs were laid by the 22nd April, which were broken a few days later. Two more eggs were seen on the 17th May. Both hatched out, but one young was found dead when five days old. The other one was successfully reared. Several more eggs were laid but none were hatched. Grenadier Weaver {Pyromelana oryx). — From three males and several females, seven young were successfully reared. This was exceptionally good considering the number of nests that were destroyed by other birds in the aviary. Orange-headed Ground Thrush ( Geocichla citrina). — Although three clutches of eggs were laid none were fertile. White-cheeked Bulbul [Otocompsa leucogenys). — A nest containing three eggs was found in some ivy, and one young was hatched out on the 19th July. The rest of the eggs were infertile. The young one left the nest on the 5th August only to be killed four days later by a male Orange-headed Ground Thrush. Chestnut-breasted Bock Thrush ( Monticola erythrogastra) . — We had great hopes of breeding this handsome Thrush. Two eggs were laid by the 18th June. Both birds took turns in incubating. Unfortunately the eggs were infertile. No further attempt was made at nesting. Tambourine Doves ( Tympanistria lympanistria). — Although I have Alfred Ezra — Breeding Results from Foxwarren Park, 1934 107 two pairs of these pretty Doves no young were fully reared. Many eggs were laid and young hatched, but they will always leave the nest too soon and the parents give up feeding once they are out. Californian Quails (Lophortyx calif ornicus) . — Two pairs of these birds laid between sixty and seventy eggs but none were hatched. One pair laid all over the aviary without having any nests. The other pair had a nest which was destroyed by Madagascar Partridges. Superb Starling ( Spreo superbus). — Several young were hatched but none reared. African Wattled Plover ( Lohivanellus lateralis). — These very hand¬ some birds only laid two eggs this year, both of which were broken a few days later. Pied Grallina ( Grallina picata). — These birds made a perfect nest but made no attempt at laying and the nest was taken over by a Sun Bittern. Hair-crested Bunting. — Two eggs were laid by the 14th June and after the birds had incubated them for some time both the eggs disappeared. Three more eggs were seen on the 16th July and one young hatched out on the 25th July. After five days the young one and all the eggs had disappeared. Sun Bittern. — Although we have three pairs of these amusing birds only one pair looked like nesting. They got as far as making a nest in a hole in the ground, and after placing a few leaves in it they put a small round stone in and incubated this for about a month. Among the small Waxbills numerous eggs were laid, but no attempts were made at incubating. In the animal enclosure I reared successfully the following birds Carolina Ducks . 16 Meller’s .... 1 Fulvous Tree Duck . 1 White-eyes 2 Rosybills . 6 Hybrid Carolina X Pintail . 5 Hottentot Teal . 2 Bahamas . . 2 1 Orinoco Geese . 5 Chestnut-breasted . 2 Barheaded Goose 1 Mandarins . 20 Blue Snow Goose 1 1 One white one. 108 Frank W. Hansell — An Easily Constructed Outdoor Aviary Most of the Mandarins and Carolinas are full winged and as many as sixty were seen on the pond feeding. The Sarus Cranes again nested. One pair in the usual place across the river and brought back one young one. Another pair nested in a field about 4 miles away and brought two young ones back. A third pair also reared one young one away from home. In all four fine young were reared. It is a lovely sight to see as many as seven on the wing at one time. I am afraid I am getting very disliked by my neighbours on account of the row the Cranes make at night. I get letters of complaint very often, but unfortunately, as the birds are full winged, I cannot catch them. I hope it will not end in my having to shoot them. My Stanley Cranes hatched out two young ones but these only lived seventeen days. AN EASILY CONSTRUCTED OUTDOOR AVIARY By Frank W. Hansell With a hobby of any kind it gives to the enthusiast an added interest and pleasure in the pursuit thereof if he can make by hand as much of the apparatus necessary to his hobby as possible. In the case of the bird fancier there is an unlimited amount of the equipment which the average individual can make for himself, without any expert knowledge of carpentry or technical skill, nor does he require an elaborate kit of tools. After endeavouring to breed and rear Budgerigars (Milopsittacus undulatus) in small cages the writer found that the only satisfactory and successful method was an outside aviary, details and the con¬ struction of which he will try to describe. It might be said that, while situated at an altitude of about four hundred feet in central Perthshire, he has bred Budgerigars during December with the temperature of the atmosphere at 10 degrees of frost, and he attributes his success to the fact that the birds had plenty of room for exercise and flight. One peculiar feature in the habits of the writer’s birds of both the green and blue varieties, which have been reared in the aviary, is Frank W. Hansell — An Easily Constructed Outdoor Aviary 109 their dislike for the summer sunshine, and it is most noticeable the quietness of the birds during the day, as compared with early morning and late evening. Even with plenty of shade provided they seem to prefer a secluded corner of the house, rather than show a wing in the flight. Probably this is due to the fact that the birds have got thoroughly acclimatized to the cold, and take badly to the hot weather. Commencing with the construction of the aviary, it is of great importance to select a good situation for the house, and to have it Fig. 1.— Plan. facing south or west, if possible in a corner where two walls meet, i.e. a wall at right angles to a wall running east and west, as shown on plan (Fig. 1). The protection given by the walls helps to break the cold wind. The ground should be levelled, at least the area occupied by the house. It is also necessary to have the house well founded: this is done by sinking four old railway sleepers, the ends of which are half checked, as shown on plan. As it is sometimes necessary to remove the aviary, it is advantageous to have it built in sections, the sections made to bolt together with f by 5J in. bolts at points marked “ B ” on sketches, and the whole house being held down to the sleeper founda¬ tions with six 4 in. wood screws at points W.S. (see plan). The sections are made up of 2 by 2 in. deal batten framing, and 6 by f in. 110 Frank W. Hansell — An Easily Constructed Outdoor Aviary weather boarding. As there is a scale provided on the plan the writer will not go into details of the various sizes of the sections. It might be mentioned, however, that on the back and front section the weather —/ -4 / 7 ■ — / Fig. 2. — Back Elevation. Fig. 3. — Inside View of Back showing 2" x 2" Framing with W.B. boarding is carried § in. beyond the edge of the 2 by 2 in. standard of the frame ; this overlap covers the end of the weather boarding on the side section, which has a 2 in. overlap. This arrangement can be Fig. 4. — Front Elevation. clearly seen in Fig. 8, and makes a draught-proof joint. The front section has half fitted with glass and half open netting § in. mesh. Two doors are provided, one for the birds and one for the attendant. Frank W. Hansell — An Easily Constructed Outdoor Aviary 111 Netting is, of course, fitted on the inside of the portion fitted with glass. The roof is in two halves and should be the last section to be made. After the four other sections are bolted together, two of the 3 by 2 in. Side Section. battens are bolted to the sides (see Fig. 5), 1 inch clearance above the 2 by 2 in. of the end section. The other 3 by 2 in. battens are half checked to fit the front and back, and spaced as Fig. 7 . The A. D D. B. 3" x 2" Battens l" x 4" Flooring I' x 5F Bolt TT W.B W.B. I I I I r-“ i ir:> Nail. — ("r\ Back SectionlJ overlap on 2" x 2") TTTT TT (End Section (2" overlap on 2" x 2” Fig. 7. — Roof. Fig. 8. — Not to Scale. 4 by | in. tongued and grooved flooring nailed on, the roof is then sawn in two, between points “ A ” and “ B ” (Fig. 7). The two halves are held together with three bolts. The outside covered with good quality felt, and strapped down. 112 Winston S. Rowe — Notes from South Devon The roof is rather heavy for the average house of its kind, but it has been found that the extra thickness in the timber gives the birds a benefit in warmth during cold weather., The whole house is surrounded with | in. mesh netting sunk into the ground to a depth of 15 inches, and is taken 3 inches up the first weather board : this prevents rats and nice from burrowing into the interior. The outside of the house is well treated with creosote, as a preserva¬ tive against the weather, the inside being painted with an eggshell blue shade of oil paint. The total cost of an aviary of this size should work out at approx¬ imately £13, which may seem expensive, but if bought ready made of the same quality would cost much more. NOTES FROM SOUTH DEVON By Winston S. Rowe About a year ago (March, 1934) I purchased two pairs of imported Long-tailed Grassfinches ; in no time three died. I then purchased another cock and two hens, being determined to start the season with two pairs. However, three weeks later one pair died, leaving me with one pair, having lost two pairs and a hen. They were placed in a bedroom facing due south, at night an electric heater was brought into action, and the temperature never fell below 45° F. This taught me a good lesson, i.e. (1) buy acclimatized stock in the winter, or (2) have a proper bird-room so fitted that the temperature can be retained at never under 60° F. until they can be gradually hardened off ; (3) the alternative is to buy imported stock in the summer. The remaining pair of Grassfinches, however, gave me five fully reared young ones. The nest was built in a Hartz Canary cage. A liberal supply of meal-worms was given soon after hatching and was kept up until the young fed themselves. Some time in July I purchased a pair of Masked Grassfinches which persisted in sleeping out until September and the beginning of October. They did not seem to be as wild as the Long-tail Grassfinches. Winston S. Rowe — Notes from South Devon 113 Green Avadavats, of which I had two pairs, were also rather wild, flying into the shelter immediately anyone approached them. Pintail Nonpareils were also culprits in this respect. A hen Bullfinch which I purchased in July, 1933, laid four clutches of eggs in that summer. All hatched, but not one was reared. Her companion was also a Bullfinch. She then spent the whole of the winter (October to late February) in an aviary to herself, out by day and shut in by night. She had complete freedom and always completely dis¬ appeared until dusk. Having sold the cock I thought she might like her freedom, but evidently she preferred it on a fifty-fifty basis. She was not seen again after 3rd March. I think that this part of South Devon (Torquay) is very suitable for aviculture. Until February of this year on no day have we had weather which might cause distress to the fairly hardy species. Each night my aviaries have been left open, the large windows into the flights being entirely removed. When February and the frosts came, the windows, and in some cases the doors, were replaced. At present I have Redrumps, Alexandrines, a pair of Blue Crowned Conures, and Weavers. Until recently there were Peachfaced, Masked, and Fischer’s Lovebirds in three aviaries. My most successful breeding of Lovebirds has been in the winter : in only two cases have they troubled to lay in the summer, both being fully successful, however. The nest boxes, 16 inches deep and 7 inches square, are left hanging up all the year round. One condition of the fledgelings has always baffled me, that is, the state of their feathers when they leave the nest. Sometimes all the youngsters would be fully feathered and at other times only feathered on the head and wings. In all cases they were fed the same. Green food ad lib. and always sufficient so that there was some to be cleared away early in the morning. I noticed this fact particularly because of one pair of Fischer’s which sometimes had fully fledged young while at others they were half -naked. Last winter they were fully feathered, this winter only half -fledged, that is, with this one pair. Another point I noticed was, if a youngster was due to fly off the nest in a week and I happened to take him out to see how things were going, he would not stay in the nest on being put back and then 114 James B. Housden — Where Rolls the Rio Grande they all came out. So I made it a rule never to examine the nestlings after they had been hatched roughly a fortnight. One other point. I have a young Fischer, believed a hen, which was hatched 24th October, 1934, and which is kept in the house in a box cage because her (?) flights have not fully developed. Every night at approximately 8 p.m. she comes out of her little box and feeds for five to ten minutes. I think this is a strong point for providing artificial light in aviaries, although I do not do so. Her “ little box ” is 8 by 3 by 3 inches high, top taken off and inverted, with a small entrance hole. This she always sleeps in. She comes out entirely on her own for her “ supper ”. She has, incidentally, palled up with a cock White-breasted Caique and they both play together on the Caique’s cage for a few minutes daily. The Fischer always puts an end to the fun by nipping the Caique’s feet. My Caique is undoubtedly a cock, the outer ring around the irides being reddish. I have noticed three White-breasted Caiques at Primley, two of which have the outer ring reddish, the other bird having a yellowish ring. Two have more or less paired up, at least they tolerate each other, and one has a reddish ring around the irides, and the other a yellowish ring. My Caique is without doubt a male, as unfortunately he behaves like one with some people. I may be wrong in the exact colouring “ yellowish ”, as I only had a quick glance a few weeks ago. WHERE ROLLS THE RIO GRANDE By James B. Housden It has been the writer’s pleasure and privilege to visit the Rio Grande River on two different occasions. Taking the southern route (one journey is about 1,000 miles by Southern Texas Railway), the journey is a most interesting one to the naturalist. One passes through vast cattle ranges, also large tracts of cactus, sage, and mesquite desert land. At other parts large tracts of irrigated land where the traveller may see flocks of the spring migrators — Meadow Larks, Redwings, Blackbirds, Cow-birds, Bluebirds, James B. Housden — Where Rolls the Rio Grande 115 Song Sparrows, and others. I arrived in Southern Texas at the end of March ; at that time (before I began my journey to El Paso) thousands of the beautiful Cedar Waxwing were passing on their spring migration to the north. El Paso is a very fine city in Southern Texas, a frontier city of 77,000 inhabitants ; a bridge connects the Mexican city Jaurez (8,000 inhabitants). Before we left the train a little excitement occurred. Two very dark men with long black hair were marched through the train, in chains, by three American and Mexican armed soldiers. American soldiers guard one end of the Rio Grande River, Mexican the other side. I found no trouble in crossing into Mexico. There is something particularly exciting to the lover of birds when he first visits a tropical or sub -tropical forest ; neither have I found the feeling to wear off by repetition. One is always expecting something new in bird life. One of the first impressions of the Eio Grande Eiver one gets is its beautiful sunsets. The steep forest-covered valleys going from east to west are very beautiful and abound in bird life of great variety. In the spring migration one meets large flocks of Eobins, Eed Cardinals, Bluebirds, Crow-blackbirds, Meadow Larks, Kingfishers, Cedarbirds, Purple Finches, and various other kinds. At times one feels strangely moved ; familiarity certainly breeds an increasing love for all these beautiful hills and birds. Often I have found myself in one of these forest tracts (almost reminding one of the hothouses of Kew Gardens at home). One forgets the heat in beginning a new work in a new locality. Some of the birds are very interesting. The Red-winged Tanager At a little village on the Rio Grande the song of this little bird is heard more frequently than at any other point. Close by a ranch house there is a small stream bordered by low woods, a favourite resort for these birds. As day was breaking (on the dead branch of a small tree) they would pour forth their morning song. This bird is one of the most attractive of the family of Tanagers. 116 A. Morrison — Supplement to “ The Genus Sporophila ” The Black-crowned Night Heron This interesting and peculiar Heron breeds and also winters from the Gulf States southwards. It is commonly called the Qua bird or the Squawk, because of its unpleasant note. In some localities the Night Herons nest among the flags of large swamps, in other localities they are very shy and retiring, nesting and roosting in the tallest trees in dense woods in swamps near water courses. The Night Herons nest in large colonies, and after sunset may be seen flying to their feeding grounds. In some places the nests are built (amongst thick growths of rushes) in company with the small Blue Heron and Louisianian Heron ; these nests are composed of old corn¬ stalks and rushes, placed on the tops of the broken-down tops of the standing cane stalks. American Egrets In years that are past probably no species of bird has suffered more from the depredations of the plume hunter than the Egrets. Now that strict laws have been framed and provision made for their preser¬ vation, these birds are becoming as numerous as in former years. SUPPLEMENT TO “THE GENUS SPOROPHILA” By Alastair Morrison Spectacled Finch (S. ophthalmica ) This was described as a definite species in error. It is in reality a very doubtful subspecies of Hick’s Finch, quite indistinguishable for purposes of Aviculture. I do not personally believe that it is even a valid subspecies. Rufous-collared Finch (S. ruficollis ) Male. — Head grey, shading into brownish on the back ; throat and upper breast dark chocolate brown ; rest of under parts and rump brownish chestnut ; wing and tail feathers blackish with a white speculum on the former ; bill and legs blackish. In case it may be of interest, I append short descriptions of the males of the five species mentioned by Russ, although there is no Correspondence 117 proof that they have been imported. There is no reason, however, why some of them should not be imported in the future. Rufous-bellied Finch (S. hypoxantha) Similar to the Fire-red Finch but the chestnut of a paler tinge and the brown of the upper parts considerably greyer in colour. Habitat. — South Brazil and Paraguay. Black and Chestnut Finch (S. nigrorufa) Similar to the Reddish Finch but the cock has black upper parts. Cinnamon Finch (S. cinnamonea) An extremely doubtful subspecies of the Fire-red Finch. Chestnut-throated Finch (S. telasco) Greyish brown above with a whitish band across the rump ; wing and tail feathers darker with a white bar on the former ; throat chestnut brown ; rest of under parts whitish ; bill blackish ; legs and feet greyish brown. Habitat. — West Peru and Ecuador. Black and White Finch (S. bicolor ) Glossy black above, white below with a white patch across the rump ; legs and feet blackish brown ; bill yellow. Size about that of the Half -white Finch. Habitat. — Brazil. CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC. DUCK HYBRIDS Dr. Hopkinson’s excellent article on hybrids of the Anatidce in the March Avicultural Magazine is of more than passing interest to me as we have had so very many of the hybrids he lists in our own collection of waterfowl. This seems especially true during the last ten or a dozen years. One almost feels that each succeeding generation of tamed, hand-reared birds increases the tendency to hybridization. I have observed that wild-caught males, introduced for a fresh infusion of blood, almost never mate with females other than their own sort (with the exceptions of the ubiquitous Mallard and the Muscovy) but that with continued captive breeding (and possibly the constant association with other species which it brings about) the tendency to hybridize seems much more apparent. Last season we had a curious example of hybridization. A male Pink¬ footed Goose (A. brachyrhynchus), already well mated with a female of his own species, conceived a violent passion for a female Hutchins’ Goose ( B . canadensis hutchinsii) which lived with her mate in an adjoining enclosure. Being curious to see what might ensue, the Pink-foot male was let into the 118 Correspondence enclosure with the Hutchins’ pair, and immediately paid violent court to the Hutchins’ female. In spite of being severely beaten by the Hutchins’ male, he persisted in his attentions to the Hutchins’ female, continuing through the nesting and rearing period. Evidently mating took place, as two of the four young reared from the Hutchins’ eggs were an obvious cross of the Pink-foot and Hutchins’ while the other two goslings were typical Hutchins’. The hybrids partake about equally of the characteristics of the parents, and except for size, strongly resemble the cross of the common Canada Goose with the domestic Gray Goose. While we have tried every plan of re-mating the Pink-foot male with a female of his own species, he is still unmated, although confined with two Pink-foot females at a distance from any Hutchins’. If an occasional call reaches him from any Hutchins’, male or female, it is immediately answered. A friend reared young some seasons ago from a cross of the Paradise ( variegata ) and Ruddy ( ferruginea ) Shelducks. Last year one of the female hybrids mated with a Paradise male, and hatched and partially reared a brood of young which fell victims to turtles. This fertile hybrid is very much what one would expect among the various sorts of Shelducks, for they are all so very similar in spite of their diverse habitats, that it is easy to think of hybrids proving fertile within the genus Casarca. I understand the hybrid female mentioned above is still mated with the Paradise male, so perhaps this season will see young reared to maturity. The matter of hybridism is so very interesting to anyone absorbed in breeding problems, and Dr. Hopkinson’s article is such a real addition to the none-too-complete writings on the subject, that it should be of more than passing interest to anyone who enjoys the large, varied, and colourful family of the Anatidse. Clarence L. Sibley. EYE DISEASE IN PARRAKEETS From time to time various treatments are recommended for the trouble¬ some eye disease which attacks Australian Parrakeets when they are kept under dirty conditions. It may be useful to put on record that the 1 in 1,000 solution of mercurochrome continues to prove the only really effective cure for Grass Parrakeets, while Acriflavine which I have been recommended has, like everything else, proved useless. Tavistock. OBITUARY MR. G. B. CHAPMAN It is with the deepest regret that we have to report the death of Mr. G. B. Chapman, which took place on 16th March. Mr. Chapman was one of the best known importers of birds and animals, and was latterly associated with the new Zoological Gardens in Belfast. His death will certainly come as a shock to the many aviculturists who knew him. BOOKS ON BIRDS Just Issued CATALOGUE OF BOOKS — on — British and Foreign Birds including a Fine Series of Gould’s Works, Dresser’s Birds of Europe, and other Famous Monographs Post Free on Request fliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii: Francis Edwards, Ltd., {Booksellers since 1 855 83 High Street, Marylebone, London, W. 1. Telephone : WELbeck 9221 SCARCE , OUT-OF-PRINT STANDARD WORKS ON AVICULTURE, ETC. Mostly with magnificent coloured plates, many of which are hand -coloured. Shelley’s Monograph of the N ectariniidce (Sunbirds) ; Martin’s Humming Birds ; Butler’s Foreign Finches in Captivity, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd editions ; Butler’s Foreign Birds for Cage and Aviary ; Gedney’s Foreign Cage Birds ; Greene’s Favourite Foreign Birds ; Greene’s Birds of the British Empire ; Greene’s Notes on Cage Birds ; Cassell’s Book of Canaries and Cage Birds ; Cassell’s Book of Birds, 4 vols. ; Newton’s Dictionary of Birds ; Evan’s Birds ; Adam’s Bird World ; Reichenow’s Papageien (Parrots) ; Mivart’s Monograph of the “ Loriidce ” (Lories) ; Greene’s Parrots in Captivity, 3 vols. ; Selby’s Parrots ; Russ’s Speaking Parrots ; Baker’s Indian Pigeons and Doves ; Alderson’s Foreign Doves and Pigeons ; Astley’s My Birds in Freedom and Captivity ; Buller’s Manual of New Zealand Birds ; Kirk- man’s British Bird Book, 4 vols. ; Morris’s History of British Birds, 6 vols. ; Butler’s Birds of Great Britain and Ireland, 2 vols. ; Swaysland’s Familiar Wild Birds, 4 vols. ; Yarrell’s History of British Birds, 3 vols. ; Bechstein’s Cage and Chamber Birds ; Dixon’s Game Birds and W ild Fowl, 2nd edition ; Ogilvie Grant’s Game Birds, 2 vols. ; Carnegie’s Practical Game Preserving ; Tegetmeier’s Pheasants ; Barton’s Pheasants ; Moody’s Wild Fowl', Horne’s Pheasants for Amateurs; Hubbard’s Ornamental Waterfowl, Coursing and Falconry (Badmington Lib.) ; Beautiful Butterflies of the Tropics ; Hudson’s Naturalist in La Plata ; Sibree’s Naturalist in Madagascar ; Dewar’s Bombay . Ducks ; Royal Natural History, 6 vols. ; Lloyd's Natural History, 16 vols. ; Living Animals of the World ; Animal Life and the World of Nature, 2 vols. ; Scherren’s Zoological Society of London ; Peel’s Zoological Gardens of Europe ; Avicultukal Magazines, 14 consecutive yearly vols., 1902-1916 bound publisher’s cloth ; 15 vols., 1902-1917 unbound ; Bird Notes, 13 vols., 1907-1919, bound publisher’s cloth. Please state exact requirements — no lists. JOHN FROSTICK, Nat“ra"st ± import.* Hampton House, 303 High Road, Streatham Common, S.W. 16 MEMBERS’ ADVERTISEMENTS The charge for Members ’ advertisements is one penny per word. Payment must accompany the advertisement , which must be sent on or before the 20 th of the month to Mr. T. H. Newman, 46 Forty Avenue, Wembley Park, Middlesex. All members of the Society are entitled to use this column, but the Council reserves the right to refuse any advertisement they consider unsuitable. SALE AND EXCHANGE Pheasants, Impeyan, Swinhoe, Amherst (pure), Golden. — H. Spencer, Yew Court, Scalby, Yorks. Bamboo Partridges, £3 10s. pair ; Cockatiels, £7 10s. pair ; California Quail (cocks), £1 10s. each ; Zebra Finches (aviary-bred), 15s. pair ; Budgerigars, 15s. to 20s. pair ; carriage paid. — H. Spencer, Yew Court, Scalby, Yorks. - Acclimatized Spreo Starling, 50s. ; hen Long-tailed Grassfinch, acclimatized outside, 20s. ; exchange Shamas or Gouldians. — Banks, 76 Thornhill Road, Sutton Coldfield. Yellow-billed Cardinals, fine pair, £3 ; Yellow-rumped Finches, 30s. pair ; Yellow-shouldered Troupial, 30s. ; Long-tailed Grassfinches, £1 each. — Mrs. Wharton-Tigar, 67 Haverstock Hill, N.W. 3. Primrose 1223. Royal Parrot Finch cock, £7 ; Red-faced Waxbill cock ( Pytelia afra), £2 10s. ; Red-headed X Blue-headed Parrot Finch cock, £5 ; Gouldians, aviary-bred, Red-headed cock and Black-headed hen, £4 pair ; Black-headed cock, £1 10s. Will exchange any of the above for Lovebirds to value. Wanted : Blackcheek, Peachfaced Nyasa, Fischers, and Masked, true pairs only. — Bernard Mott, 11 Wheeleys Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. Hen Green Cardinal, 30s., Wanted ; pair Chinese Painted Quail. — Tyser, Dudbrook, Brentwood. Aviary-bred adult Longtailed, Masked, Zebra, Bengalese Finches. Wanted ; Hens Zebra Dove, White Java, definitely sexed. — Wilson- Jones, Lanivet, Bodmin. Prebendary Sweetnam, The Vicarage, Taunton, has for disposal several surplus Avicultural books, including Green’s Parrots in Captivity (three vols.). Seth-Smith’s ParraJceets, Baker’s Indian Pigeons and Doves, Bird Notes, etc. — Particulars on application. Birds, cocks, Pigmy Dove, 30s. ; Reddish Finch, 12s. 6 d. ; Peaceful Dove, £1 ; Bengalee, 6s. 6 d. Would exchange or purchase hens. Birds of British Guiana, by Chubb (two vols.), roy. 8vo, published 4 gns. unbound for £3 15s. ; bound in green, unscratched. — Rowe, St Lawrence, Lans- down Road, Torquay. New Electricity Tubular Heating installations, suitable for aviaries ; only used for a few weeks ; six 8 ft. tubes (Unity make), 230 volts A.C., with thermostat and all fittings. — H. Spencer, Yew Court, Scalby, Yorks. WANTED. Hens, Diamond Dove, Long-tailed Grassfinch, Bengalese, cock Red-headed Gouldian, preferably home-bred. — Thomasset, Seend, Wiltshire. Adult Elliots Pheasants and Peacock Pheasants. — H. Spencer, Scalby, Yorks. Hens in exchange for cocks, Impeyan Pheasants, Swinhoe Pheasants. — H. Spencer, Yew Court, Scalby, Yorks. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. J. C. Bennett, The Hollies, Sandhurst, Berks. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Mrs. Henry Duys, 15 Prospect Avenue, Montclair, New Jersey, U.S.A. Proposed by C. Newton Capron. Mrs. W. M. Mathews, Sarsdenfield, Camberley, Surrey. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Conde da Povoa, 108 Rua do Sol, Ao Rato, Lisbon, Portugal. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Wilfrid Beckwith Ward, Edenholme, Cliffe Park, Sunderland. Proposed by F. W. Taylor. NEW MEMBERS Mrs. M. S. Benn, Newton Lodge, Potter Newton, Leeds. Denis Berry, 7 Princes Gate, S.W. 7. Thomas Bolton, Trelawn, North Bar, Banbury. Maurice A. Coulson, 48 Ripon Street, Lincoln. Ralph Ellis, 2420 Ridge Road, Berkeley, California, U.S.A. Dr. J. E. Haine, Elmdon, London Road, Guildford. Garnet R. Halloran, Harley, 143 Macquarie Street, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia. Fred Hopkins, Apple House, Horley, Surrey. Miss Violet Tanqueray Todd, Wentworth, Victoria Drive, Bognor Regis, Sussex. DONATIONS. Lady Poltimore . .£400 Thomas Hebb . . .£100 CHANGE OF ADDRESS. G. Brookson, to Mekko, South Heath, Great Missenden, Bucks. CAM ACES HAVE ALWAYS A VARIED STOCK OF Foreign Birds, Parrots, Lovebirds, etc. We can now offer — Ruficauda Finches, Diamond Doves, Red » crested Cardinals , Red Avadavats, Shamahs , Persian Bulbuls, Virginian Cardinals , Honey Eaters, Blue-headed Parrot Finches , Long Tail Grass! inches, Pectoralis Finches , Melba Finches, Crimson- faced Waxbills , Golden Fronted Fruit Suckers , White Java Sparrows, Pekin Robins, Rainbow, Nonpariel and Indigo Buntings, Rufous-bellied Niltavas, Hardwick's Bulbul, Hang Nests and Troupials, Blue-breasted Waxbills, Bengalese Red-face Lovebirds, Fischer Lovebirds, Bauer Parrakeets, Red Rumps and Alexandrine Common Waxbills, Weavers and Whydahs, etc. BEST FOODS. Mealworms Spray Millet, large Ants’ Eggs Dried Flies Pure Egg Yolk . Insectivorous Food Cuttlefish Bone LOWEST PRICES . 31b, 18/0, 8/6 per lb., Jib,, 3/6 Post paid.. 5/6 ; small 3/6 per bundle. Approx. 50 Heads. ,, . . . . 3/«perlb . 41b., 10/6 . . . . 1/9 „ 41b., 6/6 . . 2/6 ff 41b., 10/6 1/6 „ 41b., 5/6 . . . • 1/3 „ 41b., 4/6 Specialities in CAGES, AVIARIES, NEST-BOXES and all appliances. GAMAGES, HOLBORN, LONDON, E.C.L - * PHONE : HOLBORN 3434, “ AVICULTURE ” Volumes 11 and ill Completing the Work, PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED. Bound in Red Cloth . Price IS/- each, postage 9ch (same for one and two volumes). CONTENTS. VOLUME II Woodpeckers. Wrynecks. Toucans. Barbets. Trogons. Colies. Cuckoos,- Touracous. Humming Birds. Nightjars. Motmots and Bee-eaters. Hornbills, Hoopoes. Kingfishers, Rollers. All Species of Parrots. Cockatoos. Keas. Lories.. Macaws. Comires. Eclectus. Australian Parrakeets. Owls. Birds of Prey. Pelicans. Swans, Geese, Ducks, Teal, etc. VOLUME III Diving Duck. Flamingos. Cariamas, Trumpeters, Sun-Bitterns, etc. Cranes. Bustards. Small Waders, Rails. Sea-Birds. Pigeons. Doves, Sand- grouse. Quail, Game Birds. Tinamous, Turkeys. Ostrich-like Birds, Emus,. Screamers. Herons, Storks, Ibis, etc. Or dor with remittance to — STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, LTD., FORE STREET, HERTFORD- STEPHEN AUSTIN AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, HERTFORD, y. , v , 5 Avicult ural Magazine Jubilee Dumber YS MAY 1935. FOURTH SERIES VOL. XIII. NO. 5 MAY 1935 THE Avicultural Magazine CONTENTS PAGE PAGE The Princess of Wales’s Parra- Notes on Birds of Fiji, by Sydney keet {with coloured plate), by Porter .... 126 Edward Boosey • . . 119 The Grass Parrakeets — Some Facts and Fictions, by Edward Boosey . . . .120 Notes on the Birds of St. James’s Park {with plates ), by Thomas Hinton . . . .124 Correspondence, Notes, etc. . 149 Hardiness of a Humming-bird and other Notes on Birds at The Vera, by It. S. de Q. Qutncey 139 Obituary . . 149 The Price of this Number is 2/6, THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOUNDED 1894 Patron : His Majesty the Kin© NOTICE TO MEMBERS The Subscription to the Avicultural Society is £1 per annum, due on the 1st of January in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/-. 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 SUBSCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HONORARY SECRETARY | I AND TREASURER, Miss Knobel, 86 Regent’s Park Road, London, N.W. 1. | All Queries respecting Birds (except post-mortem cases) and all other correspondence should be sent to the Hon. Secretary, at the above address. Any change of address should he notified to her. POST-MORTEM EXAMINATIONS Rule 1. — A short account of the illness should accompany the specimen. All birds to be sent as fresh as possible to Mr. C. H. Hicks, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Rule 2.— A stamped addressed envelope must be enclosed with the bird. Rule 3. — No body or skin of any bird will be returned under any circumstances whatever. The Magazine is published by Messrs. Stephen Austin & Sons, 1 Fore Street, Hertford, to whom members should address all orders for extra copies, back numbers for 1917 and after, and bound volumes. Cases for binding the Magazine (in art cloth, with gold block on side) can be obtained from the Publishers, post free and carefully packed, at 3/- each ; or the Publishers will undertake the binding of the Volume for 5/6, plus 9 d. for packing and postage. Members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. Telephone : Hertford 546 and 547. All Inquiries for TRADE ADVERTISEMENTS and SUPPLIES should be made direct to STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, Ltd., FORE STREET, HERTFORD. All communications intended for publication in the Magazine should be addressed to the Editor : — The Hon. Anthony Chaplin, c/o The Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8 Avicultural Magazine. John Bale Sons & Danielssoa Lt