j THE AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIRDS IN FREEDOM AND IN CAPTIVITY EDITED BY DAVID SETH-SMITH, F.Z.S., etc. FOURTH SERIES. VOL. V. JANUARY, 1927, to DECEMBER, 1927. Hertford. STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, Ltd. STEPHEN AUSTIN AND SONS, LTD. PRINTERS, HERTFORD. CONTENTS PAGE Title-page .......... iii Contents .......... v Report of the Council for 1927 ...... vi Alphabetical List of Contributors ..... viii List of Plates ......... xi Officers for the Year 1927 ...... 2 List of Members . . 5 Rules of the Avicultural Society . . . . -17 The Society’s Medal ........ 20 Magazine .......... 1 Index .......... 349 REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR 1927 It is satisfactory to be able to record that the year 1927 has been a record in the annals of the Society. In the February number of the Magazine will be found a Note, kindly furnished by Mrs. Prestwich, on the last record year, 1909, when the Society’s membership reached 451. The present year brings the membership up to 529. The Magazine, under the able editorship of Mr. Seth-Smith, has now attained a very high standard, and we have issued with this volume ten coloured plates. We are very glad to find more members making use of the Correspondence column of the Magazine, for it is here that one of its chief uses may be found. We beg to tender our best thanks to all who have helped to further the interests of the Society, and especially we should like to mention the following who have given coloured plates, defraying the cost of both artist’s fee and reproduction costs : Lord Tavistock ( Barnardius crommelince), Mr. Ezra (Renauld’s Ground Cuckoo and the Yellow-breasted Cissa). We again offer our best thanks to Miss Chawner for the translation from the French of many articles, and to Mr. Newman for managing the Sale and Exchange column, and at the same time we wish to express our appreciation of the work done by Mr. Hicks in making post-mortem examinations of a large number of birds sent him by our members. (Signed for the Council) E. Maud Knobel, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer. December , 1927. ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS Abell, Eev. R. B. Breeding the Blue Tanager, 323. Allen, M. T., F.Z.S. Nesting of Lovebirds, 201. Breeding the Masked Lovebird, 250, 348. Amsler, Maurice, M.B., B.S., F.Z.S. Breeding of the Grey Francolin, 289. On Colour-breeding in Budgerigars, 327. Breeding the Hermit Thrush, 334. Behaviour of Blue Robins, 343. Appleby, Joseph. Notes from a Lancashire Aviary, 136. Bailey, Lieut.-Col. F. E. E. Escaped Birds, 53. Barnett, Walter. A Hybrid Cardinal, 105. Bearby, Wm. K. H. Rosy-faced Lovebirds, 311. Bedford, Duchess of. Red-breasted Geese Breeding in Captivity, 65. Beever, G. Public Aviaries, 138. Boosey, Edward J. Rosy-faced Lovebirds, 347. Brunton, John D. Notes from Inveresk Lodge Aviaries. 66. Chatterton, Alice. Colour Breeding in Budgerigars, 53. White Budgerigars, 201 . Chawner, Miss E. F. Owls, 117. Christie-Miller, L. Rosy-faced Lovebirds, 347. Decoux, A. Breeding the Red-crested Finch in France, 22. Delacour, Jean, F.Z.S. Mons. Delacour’s Collection, 203. Pelicans and their Allies, 215. Renauld’s Ground Cuckoo, 229. The Yellow-breasted Cissa, 313. Dickison, D. A Checklist of Australian Birds, 142. Dooly, Thos. L. S. The Common Quail, 88. Eustace, H. C. Green Indian Corn as Food for Birds, 346. The Derbyan Parrakeet, 346. Evans, B. M. Macaws and a Hawk-headed Parrot, 227. VI 11 Alphabetical List op Contributors Ezra, Alfred, O.B.E., V.P.Z.S. The Nesting of Renauld’s Ground Cuckoo, 231. The Yellow-breasted. Cissa, 314. Finn, Frank, B.A., F.Z.S. Drawing of head of Javan Jungle-fowl cock, 56. The Sulphury Tyrant, 144. Species and Sub-species, 158. Maturing of the Snowy Owl, 200. Goddard, Mrs. G. K. Breeding the Blue-rumped Parrotlet, 338. GOODFELLOW, WALTER, F.Z.S. Wallace’s Bird of Paradise, 57. Grey of Fallodon, Viscountess, F.Z.S. The Rook, 70. The Rearing by Hand of Young Rock Peplars, 235. Rock Peplars at Liberty, 316. Gurney, G. H., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., F.E.S. The Black Rail, 69. The Chestnut -headed Buarremon, 90. Keeping Bee-eaters, 115. . Notes from Keswick Hall, 142. The Birds of Prey, 162, 177. Some Bird Notes from Tenerife, 267, 285. Nyasa Lovebirds, 309. Rare Birds, 311. Hartley, E. A. H. Grey Singing Finch and Canary Hybrid, 278. Hopkinson, E., M.B., C.M.G., D.S.O. Birds at the Primley Zoo, 1927, 317. Bird-catching in Senegal, 329. Housden, James B. American Bird Gossip, 5. Jackson, A. E. Blythe. Lead Poisoning, 250. Rosy-faced Lovebirds, 310. Jackson, B. An Automatic Lighting Device, 55. Kershaw, Miss M. E. Passerine Parrotlets, 139. Knobel, Miss E. Maud, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. The Smaller Macaws, 187. A Short Account of the Owls at Wargrave, 325. Marriner, J. Sumner. Hybrid Lovebirds Breeding, 116. Marriott, Irene M. Masked Lovebirds, 280. Marsden, John W., F.Z.S. Colour Breeding in Budgerigars, 52, 116, 251. The Smaller Macaws, 246. Nicholson, Alf. S. Breeding Rosy-faced Lovebirds, 276. Plath, Karl. The Thick-billed Parrot, 89, 141. Alphabetical List of Contributors ix Porter, Sydney. Waxbills from East Africa, 24. Notes on Birds of Mount Selinda, 27. Aspidistra for Weavers, 143. A Tame Honey- Guide, 152. Two Rare Weavers, 155. Notes from Portuguese East Africa, 208. Honey-Guides, 283. Prestwich, Mrs. Lovebirds, 133, 147, 185, 221, 232, 339. Honey-Guide Death Lure, 150. A Proposed Library, 203. The Nesting Habits of Honey-Guides, 247. The Australian Gin-Gin, 284. The Aviaries at Winsor, 305. Breeding Successes in France, 309. Reeve, Captain John S., F.Z.S. Breeding the Abyssinian Barbet, 226. Scott, Captain B. Hamilton. Hybrid Black-headed (Brazilian), Siskin £ and Canary £>, 279. Seth-Smith, D., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (D. S.-S.). The White-fronted Bee-eater, 1. Colour-Breeding in Budgerigars, 23. The Blue-breasted Roller, 25. Avicultural Notes, 51, 86, 111, 172, 195, 224, 272, 308. Birds in North-Western Australia, 74. Foreign Birds at the Crystal Palace Bird Show, 84. Arrival of the Masked Lovebird, 146. Layard’s Parrakeet, 177. The Tragopan’s Display, 193. Review, Birdroom and Aviary, 198. ,, How Birds Live, 199. , , Cage Bird Hybrids, 274. ,, Among our Banished Birds, 341. , , The Birds of Bute, 342. Rare Birds from the East, 199. The Budgerigar and its Colour Varieties, 205. Steamer Ducks and Sheathbiils at the Zoological Gardens, 245. Shore-Baily, W. 1926 in the Boyers House Aviaries, 91. Nyasa Lovebirds, 114. Some Rare Mexican Birds, 130. The American Siskin, 200. The Breeding of the Spotted Francolin, 220. An American Siskin and Tanager, 227. Sigh, H. L. Desert Bullfinches and Others, 202. A Hybrid Swan, 203. The White-cheeked Finch-lark, 243. The Breeding of the Lepurana Bustard- Quail, 264. The Nesting of the Orange Weaver, 274. Silver, Allen. Memorial to the Late Mr. H. D. Astley, 252. Smith, W. W. Hardihood of Some Common Foreign Birds, 174. X Alphabetical List of Contributors Stokes, Captain H. S., F.Z.S. The Small Bird House at the Zoo, 2. An Importation from Portuguese East Africa, 26. The Clarino or Clarinet Bird, 91. Two New Rails, 114. The Arrival of Fischer’s Lovebirds, 257. The Unsuccessful Nesting of the Senegal Touracou, 270. Tavistock, The Marquess of. Keeping Bee-eaters, 55. The Perfect Gentleman, 107. King Parrakeet Imitating Barraband, 115. A New Race of Barnard’s Parrakeet, 145. Passerine Parrotlets, 174. Swans, 218. Parrakeet Nesting Sites, 238. Lovebirds 248. The Derbyan Parrakeet, 248. The Breeding of the Bib Finch at Liberty, 248. Notes on the Perfect Lorikeet in Captivity, 258. The Breeding of Hybrid Crimson- winged X Sula Island King Parrakeets, 259. Yellow-rumped Parrakeet Nesting Twice during the Same Season, 275. Nesting Boxes for Parrakeets, 282. Use of Nesting Material by Roseate Cockatoo, 282. Young Parrakeet re-entering the Nest to Sleep, 283. The Breeding of the Malabar Parrakeet, 301. Tanygnatkus luconensis, 308. Fischer’s and Masked Lovebirds, 309. Rosy-faced Lovebirds, 311. The Sula Island King Parrakeet, 344. An Intelligent Crimson-wing, 344. Fischer’s Lovebirds, 345. Tavistock, The Marquess of, and Blaauw, F. E. Geese, 293. Tavistock, The Marquess of, and Delacour, Jean, F.Z.S. Eclectus and Other Parrots and Parrakeets, 10. Australian Parrakeets, 43, 75, 94. Thomasset, B. C., F.Z.S. The Tyranny of the Owl, 139. Tod-Boyd, H. Colour-Breeding in Budgerigars, 281. Waud, Captain Reginald. Notes from My Aviaries, 194. Welch, Frederick D., M.R.C.S. Birds Return to Deserted Nest, 54. The Beautiful Wood Hawk, 228. Food of Crossbills, 275. Weston, Denys. Nesting Box for Lovebirds, 175. Whitley, Herbert, F.Z.S. The Breeding of the Crowned Wood Partridge, 253. Wilson, And. The Gin Gin Bird, 345. LIST OF PLATES * White-fronted Bee-eater . . . . . .to face p. 1 Bine-headed, Meyer’s, Vinaceous, Greater Vasa, Hawk¬ headed, and Grey Parrots . . . . . ,, 17 '^Blue-breasted Roller . . . . . . ,, 25 '^Wallace’s Bird of Paradise . . . . • ,, 57 Red-breasted Geese . . . . . . ,, 65 “ The Geese of Medum ”...... 66 * Thick-billed Parrot . . . . . . ,, 89 Nest and Eggs of Reeve . . . . . . ,, 93 Reeve Incubating . . . . . . ,, 93 Great Eagle-Owl ....... .. 117 Milky Eagle-Owl . ..119 Eraser’s Eagle-Owl . . . . . . .,121 Nepalese Eagle-Owl ...... .. 125 Barn Owls ........ ,, 129 *Barnardius crommelince . . . . . . ,,145 One-Streaked Hawk . . . . . . „ 170 Harpy Eagle ........ ,, 172 *Layard’s Parrakeet ...... .. 177 Golden Eagle ........ 179 *Some Colour Varieties of the Budgerigar . . . „ 205 Trumpeter Swans ....... „ 219 Hybrids between the Nutmeg Finch and Java Sparrow ,, 221 Spotted Francolin incubating . . . . . ,, 221 *Renauld’s Ground Cuckoo . . . . . ,, 229 Lady Grey with some of her Pets . . . . ,, 236 Cock Southern White-cheeked Finch-Lark . . ,, 243 Sheathbill ........ „ 245 Steamer Duck ....... „ 245 ^Crowned Wood Partridge or Roulroul . . . ,, 253 Bewick’s, Black, Black-necked, Coscoroba, and Trumpeter Swans . . . . . . ,, 285 Ross’s Snow-Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Cereopsis Goose, Semipalmated Goose, Maned Goose, Hutchin’s Goose ..... „ 292 *Yellow-breasted Cissa ...... „ 313 * Denotes a coloured plate. THE AVICULTURAL : SOCIETY : FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN & BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM & CAPTIVITY OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1927. President A. Ezra, O.B.E., F.Z.S. Vice-Presidents Her Grace the Duchess of Bedford, F.Z.S. Her Grace the Duchess of Wellington. The Lady Dunleath. H. E. Fillmer. E. Hopkinson, C.M.G., D.S.O., F.Z.S., M.A., M.B. Council W. Shore-Baily, F.Z.S. W. Bamford. Hon. Mrs. Algernon Bourke. H. E. Bright. Miss Chawner. J. Delacour, F.Z.S. J. Spedan Lewis, F.Z.S. E. G. B. Meade-Waldo, F.Z.S. T. H. Newman, F.Z.S. Major A. E. Snape, O.B.E. Capt. H. S. Stokes, F.Z.S. E. Suggitt. A. Sutcliffe, F.Z.S. The Marquess of Tavistock, F.Z.S. B. C. Thomasset, F.Z.S. Capt. L. E. Waud, F.Z.S. Sidney Williams, F.Z.S. Executive Committee A. Ezra, O.B.E. The Hon. Secretary and T. H. Newman, F.Z.S. Treasurer and the Editor. Capt. H. S. Stokes, F.Z.S. Capt. L. E. Waud, F.Z.S. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer Miss E. Maud Knobel, F.Z.S. Hon. Editor D. Seth-Smith, F.Z.S. Pathologist C. H. Hicks. Auditor M. Amsler, M.B., F.Z.S. Scrutineer E. I. Pocock, F.E.S., F.Z.S. STEPHEN AUSTIN AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, HERTFORD. List of Members 1st JANUARY, 1927 NOTICE. — Members are particularly requested to inform the Eon. Secretary of any error in the spelling of their names, addresses, or descriptions, so that it may he corrected. The date following the Member’s name is the date of his election. “ Orig. Mem.” signifies that the Member joined the Society on its formation in October, 1894. The asterisk denotes that the Member pays the subscription through a bank. Members are requested to adopt this method of payment if convenient. Abel, Rev. R. B. ; 83 SS. Peter and Paul’s Clergy House, Gloucester Road, Teddington. (Jan., 1926.) Ainsworth, A. ; 7 Poro Street, Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand. Allen, M. T., F.Z.S. ; Ravenswood, Northwood, Middlesex. (March, 1925.) ♦Allenby, Field-Marshal the Viscount, G.C.B., G.C.M.G. ; Naval and Military Club, Pall Mall, S.W. (Nov., 1922.) American Museum of Natural History ; 77th Street and Central Park West, New York City, U.S.A. Amsler, Maurice, M.B., F.Z.S. ; Eton Court House, Eton, Windsor. (Dec., 1908.) Anderson, Alistair ; Tullichewan Castle, near Balloch, Dumbartonshire. (June, 1923.) Appleby, Joseph ; Farnley, Great Crosby, Liverpool. (Oct., 1923.) Arnau, Jose Julia (Ingeniero) ; Plaza Constitucion 15, Binisalem, Mallorca. (Jan., 1927). *Astley, Mrs. Hubert ; Brinsop Court, Hereford. Atkin, Harold T. ; 6 Psalter Street, Sheffield. (Jan., 1927!) Atkinson, R. M. ; 23 Carlton Mansions, Portsdown Road, W. 9. (May, 1926.) Bailey, Lieut.-Col. F. G. G. ; Lake House, Salisbury. (Aug., 1926.) *Baily, W. Shore-, F.Z.S. ; Boyers House, Westbury, Wilts. (Feb., 1920.) * Baker, E. C. Stuart, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 6 Harold Road, Upper Norwood, S.E. 19. (Feo., 1904.) * Baldelli, La Contessa Giulia Tommasi ; 4 Via Silvio Pellico, Florence, Italy. (April, 1902.) Bamford, William ; Bridgecroft, Kent Road, Harrogate. (March, 1904.) Barker, Major C. H. ; The Gables, Lvminge, Kent. (Feb., 1924.) 4 List of Members Barker, Capt. N. L., O.B.E. ; Chevin House, Otley, Yorkshire. (Dec., 1926.) Barlow, Mrs. ; 45 Bath Hoad, Swindon. (Sept., 1926.) Barlow-Massicks, Miss F. M. ; Kelhara House, Newark, Notts. (1913.) ♦Barnard, T., M.C., F.Z.S. ; Duncoto Hall, Towcester. (Sept., 1919.) Barnes, A. H. : 2 Carlton Road, Putney Hill, London, S.W. 15. (May, 1921.) Barr-Smith, Mrs. ; Birkegate, Glen Osmond, South Australia. (Sept., 1926.) Bath, Marchioness of; Longleat, Warminster. (May, 1921.) Bearby, W. R. ; 34 Church Street, West Hartlepool. (Aug., 1923.) Bedford, Her Grace the Duchess of, F.Z.S. ; Woburn Abbey, Woburn, Beds ; and 15 Belgrade Square, S.W. 1. (Feb., 1903.) ( Vice-President .) Beever, G. ; Brooklyn, Kirkheaton, Huddersfield. (June, 1923.) Bell, W. D. ; Glenrock, Brough, East Yorkshire. (May, 1926.) Beresford Webb, G. M. ; Norbryght, South Godstone, Surrey. (May, 1906.) Best, Cyril ; Brampton, Ashfield Avenue, Mansfield. (Aug., 1921.) Blaauw, F. E., C.M.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Gooilust, ’s Graveland, Hilversum, Holland. (Nov., 1901.) Blackburn, H. R. ; Woodlands, Surrenden Road, Preston, Brighton. (1913.) Blackburn, Miss 0. ; Rock End, Torquay, S. Devon. (May, 1922.) Blazer, ; 9 Schiedamschedijk, Rotterdam, Holland. (Aug., 1926.) ♦Boosey, E. J. (Feb., 1921.) Borbidge, Harry M. ; Cloucemeath, Darling, Melbourne, Australia. (Feb., 1925.) Borman, Major F. W., M.B.O.U. ; Zoological Gardens, Giza, Egypt. (Oct., 1925.) Borwick, Hon. Mrs. ; 51 Charles Street, Berkeley Square, W. 1. (Aug., 1926.) Bourke, Hon. Mrs. Algernon ; 75 Gloucester Place. Portman Square, W. 1. (Feb., 1911.) Bousfield, Miss ; Hazelgrove, New Milton, Hants. (Jan., 1908.) Bradshaw, J., M.Sc., A.I.C., F.C.S. ; Ruhebank, Sulby Grove, Bare, More- cambe. (Feb., 1925.) Breitenbach, J. M. ; 35 E. 84th Street, New York, N.Y., XJ.S.A. (Jan., 1925.) Bright, Herbert ; Woolton Tower, Woolton, near Liverpool. (June, 1914.) Bright, Mrs. Herbert; Woolton Tower, Woolton, near Liverpool. (Sept., 1925.) Brown, W. Ferrier ; 57 Barras Lane, Coventry. (May, 1924.) Browning, William H. ; 16 Cooper Square, New York City, U.S.A. (March, 1906.) Brunton, J. W. ; Inveresk Lodge, Musselburgh. (June, 1923.) Bryant, Horace H. ; Melrose, Boynden Road, Maidenhead. (Feb., 1924.) Butler, Arthur Larchin, M.Aust.O.U. ; 126 Collins Street, Hobart, Tasmania. (July, 1905.) Buttikoffer, Dr. J., C.M.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Hallnvlstrasse 32, Berne, Switzerland. (Oct., 1907.) ( Hon . Mem.) List of Members Calvocoresi, P. J. ; Holme Hay, Croxteth Drive, Liverpool. (Oct., 1916.) Campbell, Mrs. J. P. ; 16 Arney Road, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand. (May, 1924.) Caperin', F. ; Le win’s Mead, Bristol. (Oct., 1907.) ♦Carpenter, The Hon. Mrs. ; 9 Hay Hill, Berkeley Square, W. 1. (Feb., 1898.) Carrick, George ; 1,682 Maryhill Road, Glasgow. (March, 1898.) Carr -Walker, Herbert ; Almsford House, Ful with Lane, Harrogate. (June, 1917.) Case, Mrs. Alice M. ; Heatherwode, Buxted, Uckfield, Sussex. (May, 1918.) ♦Chaplin, E. W. ; The Firs, Great Amwell, Ware, Herts. (Sept., 1903.) Chapman, G. B., F.Z.S. ; 17 Tottenham Court Road, London, W. (Nov., 1922.) Charters, Major W. C. M. ; No. 6 Civil Lines. Roorkee, TJ.P., India. (Nov., 1926.) ♦Chatterton, Mrs. ; 3 Kingsend Avenue, Ruislip, Middlesex. (Jan., 1915.) Chawner, Miss ; The Arches, Wargrave, Berks. (July, 1899.) Child, F. R. ; Braemar, Down’s Road, Luton, Beds. (March, 1920.) Christie, Mrs. G. ; Kellas, By Elgin, Morayshire. (Jan., 1913.) Clark, Mrs. Alfred ; Warren House, Iver Heath, Bucks. (Sept., 1925.) Clayton, Robert A. ; The White House, Adwick-le- Street, near Doncaster. (July, 1925.) Cockell, N. F. ; Karrageen, Cricket Field Road, Torquay. (1922.) Cooper, Mrs. H. Victor ; 8 Hamstel Road, Southchurch, Southend-on-Sea. (May, 1926.) Cooper, James ; Killerby Hall, Scarborough. (Grig. Mem.) Cory, Reginald R., F.Z.S. ; Duffryn, near Cardiff. (August, 1905.) Cotterell, R. ; Garnons, Hereford. (April, 1926.) Cottrill, Mrs. H. L. ; Seven Barrows, Lambourn, Berks. (April, 1924.) Cowley, H. ; The Manor House, Rubbenhall, Kenilworth. (Jan., 1926.) Cremfr, C. H. ; Am Dobben 130, Bremen, Denmark. (March, 1926.) Cunnington, Mrs. H. J. ; Queenborough, Braintree. (April, 1923.) Currey, Mrs. ; The Pit House, Ewell, Surrey. (Feb., 1906.) Currie, J. ; 54 Netherby Road, Edinburgh. (Aug., 1915.) Cushny, Charles ; Bath Club, 34 Dover Street, Piccadilly, W. 1. (Dec., 1926.) Czarntkow, Horace, F.Z.S. ; Hollington House, Newbury. (March, 1924.) Decoux, A. ; Gery-pres Aixe, Hte. Vienne, France. (April, 1917.) Delacour, Jean, F.Z.S. ; Cleres, Seine Inf., France. (April, 1916.) Dell, Charles; Chenies Eastcote, Pinner, Middlesex. (July, 1900.) Denley, Charles F. ; Rockville, Md., U.S.A. (Jan., 1924.) Dennis, Mrs. Cyril; Oakley Hall, Market Drayton, Salop. (June, 1920.) 6 List of Members Dennis, Mrs. H. E. ; Lisle Court, Wootton Bridge, Isle of Wight. (March, 1903.) Denny, Mrs. Henry, C.B.E., Staplefield Place, Staplefield, Sussex. (May, 1924. ) Dickinson, Mrs. G. W., Upper Slaughter, Bourton-on-the- Water, Gloucester¬ shire. (Jan., 1918.) Director, The; Zoological Museum, Tring, Herts. (1912.) Donald, C. H., F.Z.S. ; Egerton Hall, Dharmsala Cantt., Kangra District, Punjab, India. (March, 1900.) Donovan, H. B. ; 184 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (May, 1925. ) Dooly, Thomas L. S. ; Boyne Lodge, Eormby, near Liverpool. (Jan., 1924.) Drake, Mrs. F. W. ; 9 Clydesdale Road, Colville Square, W. 11. (Dec., 1926.) Drake, G. Tyrwiiitt, F.Z.S. : Sandling Farm, Maidstone. (June, 1918.) *Drewitt, Frederic Dawtrey, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P., F.Z.S. ; 14 Palace Gardens Terrace, Kensington, W. 8. (May, 1903.) Dunleath, The Lady ; Bally waiter Park, Bally waiter, Co. Down, Ireland. (August, 1897.) Dunmore, Oscar E. ; Saxonholme, Oadby Road, Wigston Magna, Leicester¬ shire. (Oct., 1922.) Edmonds, Harry ; The Limes, Tolworth Road, Ipswich. (Jan., 1926.) Edwards, Mrs. A. E. ; Drayton Cottage, Ruislip, Middlesex. (Jan., 1925.) Edwards, J. C. ; 629 So, Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. (June, 1926.) Elliott, F. S. ; Westfield, Kelvin Road, Ipswich, Suffolk. (Nov., 1925.) Elphick, Dr. George ; 118 Harley Street, W. 1. (April, 1926.) Elwes, Mrs. Robert ; Little Congham, King’s Lynn, Norfolk. (Dec., 1926.) Embleton, Miss ; Holmhurst, Bishop’s Down, Tunbridge Wells. (Jan,, 1925. ) Entwhistle, Miss N. ; Oak Tree Cottage, Wash Common, Newburv. (May, 1926. ) Evans, G. ; 85 Parliament Hill Mansions, N.W. 5. (April, 1926.) Eyton-Jones, R., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., L.R.F.P.S. ; Holly Lodge, Broadway, Peterborough. (Sept., 1926.) ♦Ezra, Alfred, O.B.E., F.Z.S. ; Foxwarren Park, Cobham, Surrey. (1912.) ♦Ezra, David, F.Z.S. ; 3 Kyd Street, Calcutta. (June, 1912.) Fasey, William R. ; The Oaks, Holly Bush Hill, Snaresbrook, E. 11. (May, 1902.) Fillmer, H. R. ; Brendon, 22 Harrington Road, Brighton. (Orig. Mem.) Filmer, Hon. Mrs. Wilson, F.Z.S. ; 27 High Street, W. 1. (Nov., 1920.) Finn, Frank, B.A., F.Z.S. ; c/o Grindley & Cc., 54 Parliament Street, S.W. 1. (Hon. Mem.) Flower, Mrs. Stanley ; Sjiencer’s Green, Tring, Herts. (July, 1926.) Follett, Miss R. ; 2 Alston Terrace, Exmouth, S. Devon. (Oct., 1926.) List of Members 7 Fooks, F. G..; c/o Mon. J. Delacour, Chateau de Cleres, Seine Inferieure, France. (Jan., 1926.) Fox, Miss; c/o Lilfordia (Private bag), Salisbury, Rhodesia. (July, 1926.) Frost, Mrs. E. K. ; Glebe House, Hayes, Kent. (Jan., 1926.) Frost, Wilfred ; 6 Wardo Avenue, Fulham, S.W. 6. (July, 1908.) Garcke, Mrs. C. ; Wye Lodge, Maidenhead. (June, 1916.) Ghigi, 11 Prof. Allessandro ; Via d’Azeglio, Bologna, Italy. (Mar., 1911.) Gibbins, William B., F.Z.S. ; Ettington, near Stratford-on-Avon. (June, 1895.) Gladding, Walter, F.R.H.S., N.R.S. ; Old Mill Gardens, Wannock, Polcgate, Sussex. (Dee., 1926.) Goddard, H. E. ; Birchcroft, Fetcham, near Leatherhead. (Feb., 1899.) Goddard, Mrs. ; The Lawn, Swindon. (Feb., 1923.) Goodwin, T. J. ; 185 Old Kent Road, London, S.E. (Jan., 1920.) *Gosse, Philip, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., F.Z.S. ; Savile Club, Piccadilly, W. (April, 1911.) Gosse, Mrs. James ; 9 Park Terrace, Park Side, South Australia. (July, 1923.) * Gray, Henry, M.R.C.V.S. ; 1 Redfield Lane, Earls Court Road, S.W. 5. (June, 1906.) Green, Roland, F.Z.S., The Ruskin Studio, 7 New Court, Carey Street, Chancery Lane, W.C. 2. (Sept., 1926.) Gregory, Mrs. ; Melville, Parkstone, Dorset. (Dec., 1901.) Grey of Fallodon, Viscountess, F.Z.S. ; Mulberry House, 37 Smith Square, S.W. 1. (April, 1926.) Grey, The Viscount of Fallodon, K.G., F.Z.S. ; Fallodon, Lesbury, Northum¬ berland. (1913.) Grossmith, Mrs. J. L., F.Z.S. ; The Grange, Bickley, Kent. (Jan., 1923.) Grove, Hon. Mrs. Julian ; 57 Tregunter Road, London, S.W. 10. (March, 1917.) Groves, Alfred G. ; 5 Upper East Hayes, Bath. (Aug., 1926.) Guilford, Miss H. ; 23 Lenton Avenue, The Park, Nottingham. (Mar.. 1903.) Gulbenkian, C. S. ; 27 Quai d’Orsay, Paris. (Dec., 1908.) * Gurney, G. H., F.Z.S. ; Keswick Hall, Norwich. Haagner, A. K., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., Director National Zoological Gardens ; Box 754, Pretoria, South Africa. (Nov., 1905.) Hall, A. John ; Home Farm, Savernake Forest, Marlborough. (Feb., 1926.) Hall, Walter T. ; 6 Gladstone Road, Sheffield. (Nov., 1926.) ■^Hamilton, Mrs. ; Villa Alexandra, Chernex sur Montreux, Switzerland. Hampe, Ai.ex. ; c/o Wm. Meyerink and Co., 66 Szechuen Road, Shanghai, China. (Jan., 1927.) Hankey, Algernon, A., F.Z.S. ; 71 Lissenden Mansions, Highgate Road, N.W. 5. OTune, 1923.) Hansell, Frank A. D. ; Nairnbank, Nuthill, Perthshire. (May, 1925.) Hargreaves, Miss Molly ; Nazeing Park, Essex. (Nov., 1922.) 8 List of Members Harmon, Dr. Byron M. ; Essex Co. Sanatorium, Verona, N.Y.,U.S.A. (Dec., 1924. ) Harper, Edmund William, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; c/o Thos. Cook & Son, Calcutta, India. (Feb., 1901.) Harrison, T. 0. ; 127 Hastings Road, Sunderland. (March, 1918.) Hartley, Mrs. ; Lynchfield, Bishops Lydeard, Somerset. (April, 1897.) Harvey, A. ; Rapparee, Bristol Hill, Brislington, Bristol. (May, 1926.) Harvey, P. T. ; Farleigh, 170 King’s Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. (Nov., 1926. ) Harvey, S., jun. ; Northgate Street, Millswood, Adelaide, South Australia. (Feb., 1925.) ♦Harvey, The Hon. Lady ; Langley Park, Slough, Bucks. (Oct., 1906.) Hawkins, L. W. ; 20 Norton Folgate, London, E. 1. (June, 1924.) Hayley, J. Newton, F.Z.S. ; Colne Lodge, Cromer. (March, 1924.) Herb, Thomas ; Brooklea, The Downs, Luton, Beds. (April, 1914.) Hedges, George ; Courtlands, Beaconsheld, Bucks. (April, 1926.) Henstock, J. H. ; Market Place, Ashbourne, Derbyshire. (March, 1907.) Heumann, G. A. ; Ramona, Bucroft, Sydney, N.S.W. (Sept., 1913.) Hewitt, T. W. G. ; The Old Hall, Weelsby, Grimsby. (April, 1909.) Hewlins, Miss Mary R. ; The Howe, Saint Ives, Huntingdonshire. (Jan., 1927. ) Heywood, Richard, F.Z.S. ; Pentney House, King’s Lynn, Norfolk. (Oct., 1911.) Hinks, Mrs. Arthur ; 1 Percy Villas, Campden Hill, W. 8. (April, 1923.) Hirst, Albert ; 10 Talbot Avenue, Egerton, Huddersfield. (July, 1923.) Hirst, Robert S. ; The Royds, Cleckheaton, Yorkshire. (April, 1926.) ♦Hollas, Mrs. K. E. ; Orta, Stuart Road, Preston. (Oct., 1922). Holton, Oliver W. ; Twin Brook Game Farm, Middleton, N.J., U.S.A. (June, 1925. ) Hood, Harry S. ; Keith Theatre Building, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A. (April, 1925.) ♦Hopkinson, Emilius, C.M.G., M.A., M.B.Oxon., D.S.O., F.Z.S. ; Bathurst, Gambia, West Africa. (Oct., 1906.) ♦Hopson, Fred C. ; Porchester, Newbury. (March, 1897.) ♦Horsbrugh, C. B. ; Blessington House, Hillsborough, Co. Down. Horsford, D. M. ; Bosvathic Penryn, Cornwall. (Aug., 1922.) Housden, James B. ; Brooklyn, 31 Cator Road, Sydenham, S.E. 26. (Orig. Mem.) Howard, Robert James ; Shear Bank, Blackburn. (April, 1903.) Hunting, T. Carlton ; Gaybird Pheasantry, Great Missenden, Bucks. (June, 1925. ) ♦Hutchinson, Miss Alice ; Alder ton, Chippenham, Wilts. (Aug., 1907.) Inglefield, Mrs. [R. R. C.] ; 27 Cadogan Square, S.W. 1. (Jan., 1924.) Irvine, W. J. ; 36 Ann Street, Belfast. (June, 1926.) Isenburg, A. H. ; 282 Atherton Road, Menlo Park, California, U.S.A. (Aug., 1926. ) List of Members 9 Jackson, B, ; 33 Church Street, Bingley, Yorks. (Jan., 1926.) Jackson, Major A. E. Blythe ; Glenholmc, Bladon Drive, Belfast. (Sept., 1924. ) Jennison, George, M. A., E.Z.S. ; Zoological Gardens, Belle Vue, Manchester, (April, 1918.) Johnston, Robert Percy, Longthwaite Road, Wigton, Cumberland. (March, 1925. ) Johnstone, Mrs. ; Burrswood, Groombridge, Sussex. Keator, Beverley, R.F.D. ; 12 Westport, Conn., JJ.S.A. (June, 1924.) Kemp, Robert ; Holne Cott, Stafford Place, Weston-super-Mare. (March, 1926. ) Kershaw, Miss Mary E. ; 7 Westcliffe Road, Birkdale, Southport. (June, 1924.) Kewley, Mrs. M. A. ; Bar wick House, Yeovil, Somerset. (Sept., 1910.) Kinkead, George, W., F.Z.S. ; 9 Donegal Square, S. Belfast. (June, 1924.) Knobel, Miss E. Maud, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 32 Tavistock Square, W.C. 1. (Aug., 1916.) (Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.) Kuser, J. Dryden ; Faircourt, Bernardsville, New Jersey, U.S.A. (1912.) Lambrick, Prebendary M. ; Blagdon Rectory, Bristol. (Jan., 1921.) Lancaster, Mrs. ; 7 Victoria Terrace, Walsall. (Dec., 1923.) Lauder, P. ; 646 Barker Road, The Peak, Hong-kong, China. Law, Satya Charan, F.Z.S. ; 24 Sukeas Street, Calcutta. (1919.) Leach, C. F. ; Vale Lodge, Leatherhead, Surrey. (June, 1914.) Lecali.ier, Madame, F.Z.S. ; 109 Rue de la Republique, Caudebec-les- Elbeuf, France. (April, 1918.) Lewis, Arthur, F.Z.S. ; Brambleside, Ferndown, Dorset. (Jan., 1926.) Lewis, J. Spedan, F.Z.S. ; Chairman’s Office, Messrs. Peter Jones, Ltd., Sloane Square, S.W. 1. (Sept., 1924.) Lewis, W. ; 37 Somerset Road, Teddington, Middlesex. (Jan., 1923.) Leyland, C. J. ; The Mead, Beal, Northumberland. (Sept., 1926.) Library International Institut d’Agricolture, Villa Umberto, 1. Rome 10. Lienau, C. H. A. ; Newbury, 23 Victoria Avenue, Unley Park, South Australia. (Oct., 1917.) *Lilford, The Lady ; Lilford Hall, Oundle, Northants. (Jan., 1898.) Little dale, Mrs. ; Ravenhurst, Pittville, Cheltenham. (April, 1926.) Lock, R. G. ; Wilcox Street, Adelaide, South Australia. (April, 1926.) Locker-Lampson, Oliver (Commander, R.N.V.R.), C.M.G., D.S.O., M.P. ; 4 North Street, Westminster, S.W. 1. (Aug., 1926.) *Lockyer, Alfred ; High Croft, Eversley Park Road, Winchmore Hill, N.21. (Dec., 1905.) Lodge, George E., F.Z.S. ; Hawkhouse, Park Road, Camberlev, Surrey. (May, 1923.) Longdon, Mrs. C. A. ; Arreton, Epsom Road, Guildford. (Feb., 1909.) 10 List of Members Longlands, F. ; 66 East Street, Chichester. (May, 1925.) Loomis, H. B. ; 464 California Street, San Francisco, California, U.S.A. (March, 1926.) ♦Lovelace, The Countess of ; Wentworth House, Chelsea Embankment, S.W.3. (May, 1906.) Lovett, C. ; Glendale Park, Nashville, Tenn., U.S.A. (Dec., 1912.) Low, George E. ; 14 Royal Terrace East, Kingstown, Ireland. (Mar., 1913. ) Ludwig, Herr Otto; Merseburgerstrasse 20, Halle a.d. Saale, Germanv. (Jan., 1925.) Luig, Dr. Bruno ; 105 Avenue du Diamant, Bruxelles. (Nov., 1924.) McCall, C. Home, C.B.E. ; Primrose Cottage, Walberswick, Southwold. (June, 1923.) McCorquodale, Mrs. ; Cound Hall, Shrewsbury. (Jan., 1920.) McCullagii, J. C. ; Lismara, Whitehouse, Belfast. (Sept., 1926.) McDonald, Miss B. ; The Cottage, Hollington Park, St. Leonard’s-on-Sea. (Jan., 1922.) Mackay, K. Stewart ; The Manor House, Esher*, Surrey. Mackie, Philip C. ; Spe-Cott, Ancaster Road, Far Headingley, Leeds. (Jan., 1926.) Macexin, C. H., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. ; 90 Dunstable Street, Ampthill, Beds. (May, 1923.) Malone, Mrs. M. L’Estrange ; West Lodge, Malton, Yorks. (Jan., 1902.) Manchester Public Libraries ; Reference Library, Piccadilly, Manchester. (July, 1913.) Maresi, Pompeo M. ; 36 W. 44th Street, New York, N.Y., U.S.A. (June, 1924.) Marriner, John Sumner ; Newlands Cottage, Eynsham, Oxon. (Oct., 1923.) ♦Marsden, J. W., F.Z.S. ; Bank’s Lane, Heysham Harbour, Lancs. (March, 1914. ) ♦Marshall. Archibald McLean, F.Z.S. ; Chitcombe, Brede, Sussex. (Jan., 1906.) Mason, D. ; Anglet, B.P., France. (Jan., 1926.) Mavrogordato, Mrs. T. ; Tanglewood, South Godstone. (July, 1923.) Maxwell, C. T. ; 1 Shardcroft Avenue, Herne Hill, S.E. 24. (Dec., 1908.) Maxwell- Jacks on, Miss M. ; Berry End, Knaresborough, Yorks. (Jan., 1913.) Mayer, F. W. S. ; Woodstock Road, Canowindra, N.S.W. (Aug., 1922.) Meade-Waldo, E. G. B., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Stonewall Park, Edenbridge, Kent, (Jan., 1895.) Metzger, C. T. ; 6312 So. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, Ill., U.S.A. (1923.) Miller, Miss L. Christie ; Clarendon Road, Salisbury. (May, 1926.) Miller, Rev. T. W. T. ; The Rectory, Southwick, Sussex. (Sept., 1924.) Miller, S. P. ; Northend, Gloucester Road, Teddington. (May, 1926.) Moody, A. F. ; Lilford, Barnwell, Peterborough. (July, 1926.) List of Members 11 Mortimer, Mrs. ; Wigmore, Holmwood, Surrey. (Orig. Mem.) Mott, B. ; 1 Lee Bank Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. (Dec., 1920.) Mountain, Brian ; Norbury Park, Dorking, Surrey. (Feb., 1923.) Mountain, Capt. Walton ; Groombridge Place, Kent. (Feb., 1923.) Mulvey, W. E. ; 5 Overleigh Road, Chester. (Jan., 1921.) Muntz, Major A. Truing ; Ecchinswell House, Nr. Newbury. (Nov., 1926.) Murat, Prince Paul, F.Z.S. ; 68 Rue de la Faisanderie, Paris NVI. (July, 1923. ) Museum of Comparative Zoology ; Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A. Mylan, James George, B.A., M.B. (Univ. Coll.), L R.C.P. and L.R.C.S. (Ed.), etc. ; 90 Upper Hanover Street, Sheffield. (Dec., 1901.) Napier, Mrs. Everard ; The Vicarage, Old Windsor. (Aug., 1926.) National Zoological Park (The Superintendent) ; Washington, Dt., U.S.A. Nelson, Richard, 735 Holderness Road, Hull. (April, 1925.) Nevill, Capt. T. N. C.. F.Z.S. ; 48 Sloane Square, S.W. 1. (July, 1917.) Newman, T. H., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Verulam, Forty Lane, Wembley Park, Middlesex. (May, 1900.) Newmarch, C. T., F.Z.S. ; Damage’s Ltd., Holborn, W.C. (Aug., 1915.) New York Zoological Society, New York, U.S.A. Nicol, Hamish, F.R.C.S., F.Z.S. ; Hillside, Christchurch Road, Hampstead, N.W. 3. (Jan., 1926.) *Nichols, Walter B., M.B.O.U. ; Stour Lodge, Bradfield, Manningtree. (Jan., 1907.) Nicholson, Alfred, E. ; Blenheim, Forthview Terrace, Blackhall, Midlothian. (Feb., 1925.) Norman, J., jun. ; 333 Fulham Road, S.W. 10. (Jan., 1925.) North, W. N. D. ; Meadow Court, Stoughton Drive, Leicester. (Dec., 1924. ) “ Noshomu ” ; c/o Maruzen Co., Tokyo, Japan. (1919.) *Oberholser, Harry C. ; 2805 18th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C., U.S.A. (Oct., 1903.) Ogle, Bertram Saville, M.B.O.U. ; Mill House, Steeple Aston, Oxford. (Dec., 1902.) O’Reilly, Nicholas S. ; 144 Eastern Road, Kemp Town, Brighton. (Dec., 1894.) Packer, George F. ; 38 Croydon Avenue, Croydon, Sydney, Australia. (April, 1925.) Painter, K. V. ; 3240 Fairmont Boulevard, Shaker Heights, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. (April, 1926.) Palmer, G. E. ; 83 Park Street, Camden Town, N.W. 1. (March, 1926.) *Pam, Major Albert, F.Z.S. ; Wormleybury, Broxbourne, Herts. (Jan., 1906.) 12 List of Members Patrick, Leon, M.D. ; Smith Grote Building, Orange, California, CJ.S.A. (Dec., 1926.) Penrose, Frank G., M.D., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Woodbury, 9 Grove Road, Eastcliff, Bournemouth. (Dec., 1903.) Perreau, Mrs. G. A. ; 16 Evelyn Court, Lansdowne Terrace, Cheltenham. (Sept., 1916.) Pettigrew, M. ; 6 Fifth Avenue, Kelvinside, Glasgow, W. (Jan., 1920.) Phillips, John C. ; Wenham, Mass., U.S.A. (March, 1910.) Phillips, L. L. *Pickford. Randolph John ; Etherlev Lodge, Nr. Bishop Auckland. (Feb., 1903. ) Pike, L. G., F.Z.S. ; King Barrow, Wareham, Dorset. (1912.) Pithie, Miss D. E. ; 68 Clarendon Road, Southsea, Portsmouth. (Jan., 1918.) Plath, Karl ; 2847 Giddings Street, Chicago, U.S.A. (July, 1924.) *Pocock, R. I., F.R.S., F.L.S.. F.Z.S. : 33 Torrington Square, W.C. 1. (Feb., 1904. ) Poltimore, Lady ; Court Hall, North Molten. (Jan., 3926.) Pond, Mrs. T. ; Wylfa, Llangollen. (Nov., 1902.) Porter, Sidney, F.Z.S. ; Selwyn House, Old Normanton, Derby. (April, 1920.) *Potter, Bernard E., M.B., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., F.Z.S.; 17 Portland Place, W. Potter, W. H. ; Whetherill, Fitzillian Avenue, Harold Wood, Essex. (July, 1926.) Powell, Miss M. M. ; Roselyn, Oakhill Park, Liverpool. (1914.) Prestwick, Mrs. Arthur A., F.Z.S. ; Kent’s Farm, Winsor, Nr. South¬ ampton. (May, 1924.) Princeton University Library ; U.S.A. Procter, Mrs. ; Cullecoats, The Ridgeway, Asten Wood, Gerrard’s Cross. (Sept., 1926.) Purvis, Mrs. C. J. ; West Acres, Alnwick, Northumberland. (Oct., 1920.) Pycraft, W. P., A.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., etc. ; British Museum (Nat. Hist.), Cromwell Road, SW.7. (Nov., 1904.) (Hon. Mem.) Pyman, Miss E. E. ; West Hartlepool. (June, 1919.) Quincey, R. S. de Q. ; The Vern, Bodenham, Hereford. (April, 1913.) *Rattigan. Capt. G. E. ; Tenby Lodge, Paignton, S. Devon. (Aug., 1908.) Reeve, Capt. J. S., F.Z.S. ; Leadenham House, Lincoln. (March, 1908.) Reid, Alfred Robert ; Curator of the Beaumaris Zoo., Hobart, Tasmania. (Nov., 1925.) Reid, W. J. G. ; Funchal, Madeira. (Feb., 1895.) Ricardo, Mrs. ; Colbrook, Aldwick. (July, 1926.) Roberts, Miss Ida ; Beaumaris, Montpelier Street, Hobart, Tasmania. (Jan., 1923.) List of Members 1 S Rogers, H. E., F.Z.S. ; “ Arequipa,” 7 Aigburth Road, 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.) Rogers, Mrs. ; Keston Mount, Talbot Road, Bournemouth. (Feb., 1925.) Rooper, Mrs. F. ; 11 Maze Hill, St. Leonard’s-on-Sea. (Aug., 1924.) Rothschild, James de ; 34 Park Street, W. 1. (March, 1923.) Rothschild, Lionel de, M.P. ; 46 Park Street, W. 1. (Nov., 1913.) Rothwell, James E. ; 153 Sewall Avenue, Brookline, Mass., U.S.A. (Oct., 1910.) Royal Zoological Society of Ireland ; Phoenix Park, Dublin. (Oct., 1905.) Rudd, W. A. ; 180 Bishopsgate, E.C. 2. (Jan., 1927.) Rumsey, Lacy ; 23 Rua de Serpa Pinto, Villa Nova de Gava, Oporto, Portugal. (April, 1919.) Russell, Mrs. ; Oakland s, Hook, Basingstoke. (Aug., 1926.) Ryan, A. S. ; Executive Engineer, P.W.D. ; Jaipure State, Jaipure, India. (Aug., 1926.) Rycroft, Harry C. ; 113 Balmoral Road, Morecambe, W.E. (July, 1926.) *St. Quintin, William Herbert, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Scampston Hall, Rillingon, York. (Orig. Mem.) Sakai Tatsuzo ; 2 Chrome, Kano Cho, Kobe, Japan. (1919.) Salkeld, William ; Ravenswood, Kirkoswald, R.S.O., Cumberland. (June, 1922. ) ♦Samuelson, Lady ; Hatchford Park, Cobham, Surrey. (July, 1916.) Sandbach, Miss Violet ; 48 Cadogan Square, S.W. 1. (Dec., 1926.) Sawrey-Cookson, Miss June ; 186 Cromwell Road, London, S.W. 5. (Sept., 1923. ) Schulz, C. ; Arusha, Tanganyika Territory. (July, 1926.) 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, Capt. B. Hamilton; Hamildean, Ipswich. (1912.) Scribe, Monsieur Rene ; 38 Coupure, Gand, Belgium. (Oct., 1925.) ♦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. Editor.) Shakespeare, Walter ; Sefton, St. George’s Hill, Weybridge. (Aug., 1926.) Shannon, Mrs. W. J. ; Commandant’s House, Lydd, Kent. (1915.) Shenstone, Mrs' ; Chantry House, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex. (April, 1925.) Sherriff, A., F.Z.S. ; Edge Hill, 8 Ranulf Road, N.W. 2. (March, 1923.) Shiers, Mrs. P. H. ; Brookfield, Cheadle, Cheshire. (Jan., 1926.) *Sich, Herbert Leonard ; Grayingham, Farncombe Road, Worthing, Sussex. (Feb., 1902.) Silver, Allen, F.Z.S. : 18 Baneswell Road, Newport, Mon. u List of Members Simpson, Archibald ; Stone Gappe, Bardsey, Yorks. (Feb., 1901.) Simpson, H. W. ; 6 Barry Road, Stonebridge, Willesden, N.W. 10. (Nov., 1924.) Slade, G. J. ; 34 Milton Road, Fitzhugh, Southampton. (Feb., 1915.) Smallwood, Miss Valentine; 14 Buckingham Gate, S.W. 1. (Jan., 1926.) Smetz-Mondez, Dr. J. G. ; La Hetraie, Genval, Belgium. (Aug., 1924.) Smith, Paris ; 3 Forest Rise, Walthamstow, E. 17. Smith, W. Proctor, F.Z.S. ; Moorlands, Broad Road Sale, Manchester. (Nov., 1917. ) Smith, W. W. ; Cranmer, Dower Avenue, Wallington, Surrey. (April, 1920.) Snape, Major A. E., O.B.E. ; Malvern, Lower Walton, Warrington. (March, 1918. ) 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.) Speed, Mrs. J. E. ; Mearacot, Ruislip, Middlesex. (Sept., 1926.) Sprawson, Evelyn ; M.C., M.R.C.S., F.Z.S., 68 Southwood Lane, Highgate, N. 6. (June, 1923.) Sproston, Mrs. ; Elm House, Nantwich, Cheshire. (June, 1917.) Spurway, N. B. ; Glenwood, Stoneygate, Leicester. (April, 1923.) Stark, J. ; Woods Cottage, Haddington, Scotland. (Jan., 1924.) Stent, Stirling ; Beechlands, Bedhampton, Havant, Hants. (March, 1924.) Sterrett, H. R. ; Roseway, Hoopern Avenue, Pennsylvania, Exeter, S. Devon. (Feb., 1926.) Stevens, H. ; c/o Midland Bank, Ltd., Tring. (Oct., 1911.) Stewart, John, M.B.O.U. ; The Hermitage, Elstead, Surrey. (June, 1926.) Stileman, G. R. ; Stamford, West Byfleet, Surrey. (Dec., 1925.) Stillman, Paul F. ; 545 Westminster Avenue, Elizabeth, N. J., U.S.A. (Nov., 1923.) Stokes, Capt. H. S., F.Z.S. ; Longdon, Stafford. (Oct., 1922.) Storey, Mrs. A. ; Hawling Manor, Andoverford, Glos. (Nov., 1912.) Strubf.n, Mrs. F. ; Spitchwick Manor, Ashburton, S. Devon. (Jan., 1923.) Sturdy, Mrs. Alan ; Carey, Wareham, Dorset. (Aug., 1926.) Suggitt, Robert; Suggitt’s Lane, Cleethorpes, Grimsby. (Dec., 1903.) Suggitt, W. E. ; Suggitt’s Lane, Cleethorpes, Grimsby. (Jan., 1915.) Summerskill, C. C. ; 19 Alma Road, Winton, Bournemouth. (March, 1925.) Sutcliffe, Albert, F.Z.S. ; Beechfield, Grimsby. (Feb., 1906.) Swayne, Henry A. ; 29 Percy Place, Dublin. (Jan., 1913.) Sykes, John ; Home Park Cottage, Inveresk, Musselburgh. (Jan., 1912.) Takano, T. Z. ; Koyama, 28 Asagaya, Soginamimachi Toyotamagun, Tokyo-fu, Japan. (Jan., 1921.) Taka-Tsukasa, Prince Nobusuke, F.Z.S. ; 106 Honmuracho, Azabu, Tokyo, Japan. (Feb., 1914.) List of Members 15 ♦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. ; Warblington House, Havant, Hants. (1912.) Tennant, Hon. Stephen ; Mulberry House, 37 Smith Square, S.W. 1. (April, 1926.) Teschemaker, W. E., B.A. ; Ringmore, Teignmouth, Devon. (May, 1904.) ♦Thom, Alfred A. ; Whitewell Lodge, Whitchurch, Salop. (June, 1913.) Thomas, Henry ; 15 Clinning Road, Birkdale, Southport. (Jan., 1895.) Thom asset, 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.) Thornhill, Col. C. J. M., C.M.G., D.S.O. ; Sevenacres, Binfield, nr. Bracknell, Berkshire. (Oct., 1925.) Todd, Horatio ; Bromleigh, Neill’s Hill, Belfast. (Aug., 1924.) Tokuda, S. ; 97 Nakamura-Machi, Yokohama, Japan. (Aug., 1926.) Tomlinson, Malcolm R. ; Shepherd’s House, Inveresk, Midlothian. (April, 1913.) Townsend, S. M. ; 3 Swift Street, Fulham, London, S.W. ( Orig . Mem.) Transvaal Museum ; The Director, Transvaal Museum, Pretoria. (Jan., 1921.) Travers, Mrs. J. ; Windmill Cottage, Mayfield, Sussex. (Dec., 1903.) Turner, Herbert J. ; Tremadoc, Keyberry Road, Newton Abbott. (Jan., 1925). Uppingham School ; the School Library, The Old School House, Uppingham. (Nov., 1920.) Valentine, Ernest ; 7 Highfield, Workington. (May, 1899.) Van Heyst, A. ; Wyk by Duurstede, Holland. (July, 1924.) Van Tomme, Ernest ; 4 Rue de Mouseron, Courtrai, Belgium. (Jan., 1923.) Venner, Rev. P. K. ; c/o Mrs. Rockett, Chart Corner, Chart Lane, Reigate, Surrey. (April, 1923.) Venning, H. C. ; Willett, Bicknaller, Taunton. (Jan, 1927.) Voigt, Walter ; 13, Feodorastrasse, Jena, Germany. (Jan., 1926.) Waddell, Miss E. G. R. Peddie ; 4 Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh. /Teb., 1909.) Walker, Miss H. K. 0. ; Chesham, Bury, Lancs. (Feb., 1895.) Wall, Mrs. ; Meadowside, Marlborough, Wilts. (Nov., 1924.) Ward, Mrs. Nelson ; Stoke Dorothy, Westburton, Pulborough, Sussex. (Sept,, 1926.) ♦Warneford, Walter W. H., O.B.E.; The Wyndhams, Torbay Road, Torquay. (Oct., 1926.) ♦Warneford, Mrs. ; The Wyndhams, Torbay Road, Torquay. (Oct., 1926.) Washington, S. ; 47 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S.A. (Jan., 1924.) 16 List of Members Waud, Capt. L. Reginald, F.Z.S. ; Falcon Close, Woolton Hill, near Newburv. (May, 1913.) Waverte.ee, Lady; Sussex Lodge, Regent’s Park, N.W. 1. (Aug., 1926.) Waxman, A. E. Wright de Berri ; Maitai, Murray Road, Beecroft, N.S.W. (Aug., 1914.) Weaver, Mrs. H. H. ; New Hope, Bucks Co., Penna, U.S.A. (Dec. 1924.) Wedge, E. ; Overdale, Chorley Wood, Rickmansworth, Herts. (Feb., 1915.) Weil, Harry ; 443 West 13th Street, New York City, N.Y., U.S.A. (Feb., 1924.) Weir, J. ; Douglas Cottage, Ashley, New Milton, Hants. (July, 191S.) Welch, F. D., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. ; Hartley, Longfield, Kent. (March, 1920.) * Wellington, Her Grace the Duchess of ; Ewhurst Park, Basingstoke. (Oct., 1913.) Weston, Denys ; 19 Strand, Dawlish, S. Devon. (Feb., 1926.) Whale, Cyril M., F.Z.S. ; 289 Brixton Road, S.W. 9. (Feb., 1925.) Whipham, Mrs. XT. F., F.Z.S. ; 34 Westbourne Park Road, W. 2 ; and St. Loyes, Heavitree, Exeter. (July, 1921.) White, John York ; Celandine, 138 Verdant Lane, Catford, S.E. 6. (Jan., 1925.) Whitley, Herbert, F.Z.S. ; Primlev Hill, Paignton, S. Devon. (Sept., 1923.) Wtldeboer, Dr. H. G. ; Burnbrae, Holderness Road, Hull. (1924.) Willford, Henry ; Sans Souci, Havenstreet, Ryde, Isle of Wight. (Nov., 1907.) Williams Williams, Sidney, F.Z.S. ; Oakleigh, 110 Riverwav, Palmer’s Green, London, N. 13. (Oct., 1910.) Williamson, T. F. M. ; 580 5th Avenue, San Francisco, California, U.S.A. (Aug., 1917.) Willis, Mrs. ; Lymecrest, Coleraine Road, Portrush, Ireland (North). (Aprils 1925.) Wills, Lady ; Littlecote, Hungerford. (March, 1924.) Wilson, Miss F. M. ; 15 Goldsmith Avenue, Acton, Middlesex. (March, 1906.) * Wilson, Dr. Maurice A. ; Walton Lodge, Pannal, Harrogate. (Oct., 1905.) Winter, Dwight ; Center and Negley Avenue, Pittsburg, Pa., U.S.A. (1922.) Wood, Dr. Casey, F.Z.S. ; McGill University Library, Montreal, Canada. (Sept., 1922.) Woodward, Kenneth M. ; Chappaqua, New York, U.S.A. (March, 1915.) Workman, Willtam Hughes, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Lismore, Windsor Avenue, Belfast. (May, 1903.) *Wormald, Hugh, F.Z.S. ; Heathheld, East Dereham, Norfolk. (Dec., 1904.) Worsley, Rev. H. M. ; Burneston Vicarage, Bedale, Yorks. (May, 1925.) Wykfs, W. H. ; Cricklewood, Dandenong Road, Frankston, Victoria , Australia. (Oct., 1926.) Zoological Society of Philadelphia : 34th Street, and Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Penn., U.S.A. (Jan., 1920.) Zug, Mrs. Charles Gordon ; 925 Ridge Avenue, N.S., Pittsburg, Pa., U.S.A. (Jan., 1926.) Buies of the Avicultural Society 17 Rules of the Avicultural Society As amended , December , 1921 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 (but less than five) shall object to any candidate, the Secretary shall announce in the next number of the Magazine that such objections have been lodged (but shall not disclose the names of the objectors), and shall request the Members to vote upon the question of the election of such candidate. Members shall record their votes in sealed letters addressed to the Scrutineer, and a candidate shall not be elected unless two-thirds of the votes recorded be in his favour ; nor shall a candidate be elected if five or more votes be recorded against his election. 5. — Each Member shall pay an annual subscription of £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. 6 d. ; 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. 18 Buies of the Avicultur.al Society 6. — Members intending to resign their membership at the end of the current year of the Society are expected to give notice to the Secretary before the 1st of December, so that their names may not be included in the “ List of Members ”, which shall be published annually in the January number of the Magazine. 7. — The Magazine of the Society shall be issued on or about the first day of every month, and forwarded, post free, to all the Members who shall have paid their subscriptions for the year ; but no Magazine shall be sent or delivered to any Member until 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, and shall not be re-admitted until a fresh entrance fee, as well as the annual subscription, shall have been paid. 8. — The Secretary, Editor, and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of five years, and, should a vacancy occur, it may be temporarily filled up by the Executive Committee (see Rule 10). At the expiration of the term of five years in every case it shall be competent for the Council to nominate the same officer, or another Member, for a further time of 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 Buies of the Avicultural Society 19 issue. Should no alternative candidates be put forward, in the manner and by the date above specified, the two candidates recommended by the Council shall be deemed to have been duly elected. In the event of an equality of votes the President shall have a casting vote. If any Member of the Council does not attend a meeting for two years in succession the Council shall have power to elect another member in his place. 10. — Immediately after the election of the Council that body shall proceed to elect three from its Members (ex officio Members not being eligible). These three, together with the Secretary, Treasurer, and Editor, shall form a Committee known as the Executive Committee. Members of the Council shall be asked every year (whether there has been an election of that body or not) if they wish to stand for the Executive, and in any year when the number of candidates exceeds three there shall be an election of the Executive. The duties of the Executive Committee shall be as follows : — (i) To sanction all payments to be made on behalf of the Society. (ii) In the event of the resignation of any of the officers during the Society’s year, to fill temporarily the vacancy until the end of the year. In the case of the office being one which is held for more than one year (e.g. Secretary, Editor, or Treasurer) the appointment shall be confirmed by the Council at its next meeting. (iii) To act for the Council in the decision of any other matter that may arise in connexion with the business of the Society. The decision of any matter by the Executive to be settled by a simple majority (five to form a quorum). In the event of a tie on any question, such question shall be forthwith submitted by letter to the Council for their decision. The Executive shall not have power (i) To add to or alter the Rules ; (ii) To expel any Member ; (iii) To re-elect the Secretary, Editor, or Treasurer for a second term of office. It shall not be lawful for the Treasurer to pay any account unless such account be duly initialled by the Executive. It shall be lawful for the Secretary or Editor to pledge the Society’s credit for a sum not exceeding £15. Should a Member wish any matter to be brought before the Council direct such matter should be sent to the Secretary with a letter stating that it is to be brought before the Council at their next meeting, otherwise communications will in the first place be brought before the Executive. A decision of a majority of the Council, or a majority of the Executive endorsed by the Council, shall be final and conclusive in all matters. 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. 20 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. Rive 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. 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 Medal is struck in bronze (but the Committee reserve the right to issue it in silver in very special cases) and measures 2^ inches in diameter. It bears on the obverse a representation of two birds with a nest containing eggs, and the words “ The Avicultural Society — founded 1894 ”. On the reverse is the following inscription : “ Awarded to [name of recipient ] for rearing the young of [name of species], a species not previously bred in captivity in the United Kingdom.” The 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. JANUARY, 1927. & OURTH SERIES. VOL. V. No. 1 THE Avicultural Magazine CONTENTS. PAGE Officers for the year 1927 ... 1 List of Members . ... 3 Rules . 17 Medal Rules ... ... 20 The White-fronted Bee-eater. (With Coloured Plate) . 1 The Small Bird House at the Zoo, by Captain Stokes ... ... 2 PAGE American Bird Gossip, by James B. Housden . 5 Eclectus and other Parrots, by the Marquess of Tavistock and J. Delacour. (With Plate) 10 Breeding the Red-crested Finch in France, by A. Decoux ... 22 * Colour-breeding in Budgerigars... 23 Waxbills from East Africa ... 24 The Price of this Number is 5/' THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. FOUNDED 1894. The Magazine can be had from the Publishers by NON-MEMBERS at a Subscription of 25/- per annum. 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 10/6 The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. *■ ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HONORARY SECRETARY AND TREASURER, Miss Knobel, 32 Tavistock Square, London, W.C.l. 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 Prosectorium, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Rule 2.-— Should any member require an immediate reply, 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. Reports have been sent by post to : — W. Shore Baily, G. Beever, C. Best, Mrs. Cottrill, Mrs. Henry Denny, Dr. G. Elphick, A. Ezra, J. Newton Hayley, B. Mott, Mrs. F. A. Procter, A. Sutcliffe, Mrs. J. Travers. The Magazine is published by Messrs. Stephen Austin &, Sons, 5 Fore Street, Hertford, to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers for 1917 and after, and bound volumes (accompanied by remittance), should be addressed. Current Monthly Numbers 2/- each (except in special cases, such as the Number containing the List of Members, Index, etc., when the Committee may increase the price), by post 2/1; for back numbers a higher price is charged according to circumstances. 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: 46 Hertford. BACK VOLUMES of the AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE previous to 1917. Application for these should be made to the Editor of Cage Birds, 154 Fleet Street, E.C. 4. All Enquiries 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 bbould be addressed to the Editor : — Mr. D* Seth-Smith, Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Miss E. MAUD KNOBEL’S ACCOUNT as TREASURER of the AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. rp 00 tH t> xo co i — 1 1 — 1 «« t> CO o u- Htl CO o 'co co t> oq 05 rH 1 — 1 O 05 05 05 t— CO oo oq rH r— I <=« N On » f-i c3 P * P cO H-S •g P t> 00 H (M Of p ft 03 © *5h 03 © co P o P CO 03 © © CO P2 P P *-4-=> CO c3 SH -l-=> '-+3 c3 P 5-1 © > © HP p O nO c3 S_l © np c3 H-=> 13 o co co SO 2 2 ■fe o o3 m 5-i JO 2 -I c3 P T3 P O ^ co u> .8 •p s» Examined with vouchers and found correct. James B. Housden, Auditor. Zith January , 1928. JUST PUBLISHED. RECORDS OF BIRDS BRED IN CAPTIVITY EMILIUS HOPKINSON, C.M.G., D.S.O., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. Demy 8vo. Fifteen Shillings net. H. F. and G. WITHERBY 326 HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON. W. C. 1 . 1 CHAPMAN’S 17 TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, Telegrams: “ BLACKBIRD PHONE, LONDON Telephone: MUSEUM 9838 and 9839. LONDON, W. 1. Cables: “ BLACKBIRD ” LONDON. Animal and Waterfowl Depbt : 11 HIGH STREET, BARNET. Telephone: BARNET 2082. Quarantine Station : 5 SAGE STREET, E. 1 . VISITORS TO LONDON who are interested in Aviculture should make a point of calling, as such a visit cannot fail to be of interest, as we have in stock at the present time the finest collection of Foreign Birds which can be seen at any dealers throughout the entire World, more different species being represented than have ever been seen under one roof before, the collection including Blue- winged Grass Parrakeets, Mealy Rosellas, Bauers Parrakeets, Pennants, Rosellas, Redrum ps, Yellow-bellied Parrakeets, Stanley Parrakeets, Yellow-rumped Parrakeets, Zebra Finches, Blue Mountain or Swainson’s Lorri- keets, Cockatiel, Black=cheeked Lovebirds, Nyasaland Lovebirds, Long-tailed Grass Finches, Masked Finches, Double-banded Finches, etc., etc. Our Mexican collector arrived last month with an unrivalled collection of Rainbow, Indigo and Nonpareil Buntings, Red Cardinals, Humming Birds, etc., and all interested should write for a complete list which will be issued immediately upon arrival. Those especially interested in Budgerigars should call and see our splendid collection of White, Mauve, Lilac, Cobalt, Blue, Jade, Olive, Yellow, Green and Blue-bred varieties of these most charming Birds, we having more of these in stock than every other dealer in this country put together. In the event of any readers having any of the rarer colours for sale we shall always be pleased to hear from them, as we are open to pay the highest possible market value for same, spot cash. Write, phone, wire or call upon us. REMEMBER CHAPMAN’S 1 7 Tottenham Court Rd., London, W. 1 , is the firm for ANIMALS and BIRDS of every description . ii BIRDS FOREIGN PARROTS, PARRAKEETS. Most wonderful Talking Grey in England . £20 Other A 1 Grey Parrots £3to£15each. Talking Festive Amazon Parrots £3 10/- ,, Giant Mealy Amazon Parrot . £ 5 Blue-fronted Talking Amazon . £2 10/- Blue-fronted Clever Talking Amazon . . . . £3 10/- Macaw, young Blue and Yellow £3 10/- Scarlet Macaws . . £ 7 to £ 1 0 each. Rose Cockatoos (special price to trade) . £ l , , Rock Parrots or Alexandrines .2 5/- , , Ringneck Parrakeets . . .15/-,, Orange-flanked Parrakeets (finger- tame) . . . . £ 1 , , Scarlet-spotted Conure . . £ 1 Pennants (show condition) . .45/- , , Rosellas , , , , . .45/-,, Swainson’s Lorrikeets . .90 -pair. W. African Red-faced Lovebirds £5 ,, 1 pr. Baraband Parrakeets . . £ 2 5 1 Cock Crimson-wing Parrakeet . £ 7 Charming pr. Golden-fronted Tui Parrakeets, finger tame . £3 10/- BUDGERIGARS : LOVEBIRDS. White, Cobalt, and Blue Budgerigars few only. Imported Australian Budgerigars Magnificent adults, many years since any were imported and important for breeding and propagations of new varieties . . . 15/6 pair. BIue=bred Budgerigars, genuine guaran¬ teed records. Green that actually throw Blues . . . . £2 pair. Budgerigars, adult breeding Greens . . . .11/-,, Budgerigars, young outdoor bred 9/- ,, Budgerigars, adult nesting Yellows 12 6,, Red-faced Lovebirds (W. African) £ 5 , , Lavender or White-headed Love¬ birds . . . . .10-,, Black-cheeked Lovebirds . £6 ,, Nyassaland Lovebirds . . £ 5 , , Peach-faced Lovebirds . . £10,, Cocoanut Husk Nests, sterilised, prepared, assorted sizes for Budgerigars or Parrakeets, 2/- each or 1 8/- dozen. Wanted. — White, Blue, Cobalt, or other rare varieties Budgerigars. AVIARY BIRDS. Nonpareils, extra fine, 2 5/- each or 4 5/- pair. Zebra Finches, excellent . .15/- ,, Grass Finches, long-tailed . .3 5/- ,, Chestnut-breast Waxbills . .4 0/- ,, Peaceful Doves . . . . 20/- ,, Dominican Wydahs, long tails .12/6 ,, Shaft-tail Wydahs, long tails . 10/6 ,, Ribbon Finches and Cordon Blues 6/6 ,, Fire Finches and Silverbills . 5/6 ,, Singing Finches, Green and Grey 7/— , , Weavers, Red or Yellow-billed . 6/6 ,, Bishops, Orange, Scarlet, and Yellow . . . 6/6 ,, Java Sparrows, Combassoos, and Chocolate Manikins . . 6/- ,, Red-crested and Pope Cardinals .21/- ,, Pelzelni Finches . . . 2 5/- ,, Black-headed Gouldian Finches, cage-moulted . . . £5 ,, Pectoralis Finches, cage-moulted £5 ,, DOVES, QUAIL, WATERFOWL, Etc. Bronzewing Pigeons, Australian £5 pair. Plumed Ground Pigeons . . £ 7 Peaceful Doves . . . . £ 1 Zebra Doves . . . .15/- Vinaceous Turtle Doves . . 20/- White Doves . . . £ 1 Ring Doves . . . .1 2/6 Senegal Doves and Collared Doves 12/6 White-crowned Pigeons, West Indies . . . .3 5/- Yulturine Guineafowls . .£12 Mitred Guineafowls . . . £ 3 Californian Quail . . .3 0/- Emerald Spotted Doves . £ 1 Pelicans, Crown Cranes, Egyptian Kites, Chilian Sea Eagles, Owls, etc. SPECIAL ARRIVAL. — Rare Toucans, S. American Horned, Burrowing and Pigmy Owls, Tree Ducks, Little Blue Herons, Black Ibis (new), Crissicus (new), Rufous Tinamou, Rare Parrots, Armadilloes (three varieties), Paraguayan Opossums, Night Monkeys, Agoutis, Coatimundis, Viscachas, etc. All kinds of REPTILES as well as Pet Animals of many varieties always in stock. TRADE SUPPLIED. WRITE FOR FULL LIST. H. E. ROGERS, “Arequipa,” 1 Aigburth Road, Liverpool, Telephone: “LARK LANE 467,’ Cables and Telegrams : “AREQUIPA, LIVERPOOL.’ Now Ready TO BE COMPLETED IN TWO VOLUMES. VOLUME I. “AVICULTURE” Price 15/- net. Order with remittance to — STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, LTD., FORE STREET, HERTFORD. “L’OISEAU ” PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE Societe Nationale dTAcclimatation de France, 198 BOULEVARD ST. GERMAIN, PARIS (VIP). A French Magazine on Aviculture, for the study of European and Foreign Birds in captivity and at liberty. With coloured and black and white plates. ONE YEAR - 30 FRANCS. Medals for first breeding of a species in captivity in France or other countries are awarded if a detailed account is sent to the Society. iv . v .Mx. Avicultural Magazine, 1927. JohnBale.Sons &. DaruelssoruL1^ White -fronted Bee - Eater » Me/ittophagus bul/ockoides. THE Avicultural Magazine BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN 8c BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM 8c CAPTIVITY Fourth Series. — Vol. V. — No. 1. — All rights reserved. JANUARY, 1927 . THE WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER The White-fronted Bee-Eater, known to science as Melittophagus bullockoides or albifrons, belongs to the group which has the tail neither forked, as in the genus Dicrocercus, nor elongated as in Merops, but square. It inhabits South Africa from Natal to the Zambesi, extending into East Africa, and appears to be a resident species in those districts in which it is found. Its food consists of diurnal winged insects, especially small beetles, the wing-cases of which are subsequently ejected. These Bee- Eaters are said to be found near water, singly or in pairs, perched on twigs on the look-out for insects which are always captured on the wing. They make deep nest-holes in sand-banks, and are said to use such holes for sleeping as well as nesting quarters. Five specimens of this very beautiful Bee-Eater were brought home by Mr. Webb in June last for Messrs. Gamage. They were probably the first examples of the species to be imported to Europe. The splendid condition in which they arrived showed Mr. Webb to be a master in the art of caring for difficult birds, for Bee-Eaters are certainly by no means easy birds to keep. Captain Stokes secured a pair, of which he gave us a very interesting account last October, and Mr. Ezra the remaining three. I was privileged to see these birds in their owners’ aviaries last summer, and more delightful birds one 1 2 Capt. D. S • Stokes — The Small Bird House at the Zoo could not wish to possess. But the secret of keeping Bee-Eaters success¬ fully is to be found in the ability of their owner to keep up a plentiful supply of live insects, and this is difficult, if not impossible, during an English winter. Mealworms, when thrown into the air, are captured with great precision, and during the warm months of the year every fly, bee or wasp that enters the aviary is caught and swallowed, and a piece of meat, hidden in some shrub, will attract an endless supply of blue-bottles. But when winter comes the difficulty commences. Having fed during the summer months on an abundant supply of live food, these birds do not readily take to artificial food and, unless fed four or five times a day with mealworms, will probably come to grief. And it is a question whether mealworms alone will maintain any bird in health indefinitely. Bee-Eaters have not often been kept in captivity, so we have very little experience to go upon. In the Zoological Gardens a pair of Australian Bee-Eaters (Merops ornatus), obtained in the spring of 1911, lived in splendid health throughout the summer in an outdoor aviary. They were taken into the Small Bird House for the winter, which they survived, and again spent the summer of 1912 in the outside aviary, but both died in the autumn of that year. D. S-S. THE SMALL BIRD HOUSE AT THE ZOO By Capt. D. S. Stokes The pleasant winter task of reading through the Avicultural Magazine for the last twenty years brings to mind that whereas a good deal was written in former days about bird-keeping at the Zoo, little has recently appeared on the subject in the Magazine. And as the Small Bird House at present contains a very choice collection of birds, some remarks may not be inopportune. In the first place let no one think they can’t keep birds there. They can and do. You can see a Jackson’s Whydah which has come gaily into colour for eighteen years, a Golden Hangnest caged eleven years, and many other old friends. It is, of course, primarilv an exhibition in which as many species Capt. D. S. Stokes — The Small Bird House at the Zoo 3 as possible are displayed for the pleasure of fellows and the genera] public, so that the birds are very numerous, though not crowded. And if at the end of the day the cages look dirty and untidy it does not mean they are not properly kept. When Shamahs are fed on showers of monkey nuts, when Toucans are proffered buns complete with paper bag by a well-meaning public, how can tidiness be maintained ? Bather let us be thankful that the birds do not die of fits from such misguided attentions. No ; but go into the bird house in the early morning (if they will let you), when feeding and cleaning operations are in progress, and you will see the care and attention that all the birds receive. Every cage and aviary is scraped and swabbed and sponged as clean as a new pin ; the food is of the best, and by eleven o’clock all is ready for the visitors. And here let me acknowledge a debt of gratitude I ow^e to all the people responsible for the birds. However busy they may be, however silly the questions I ask, the three keepers, Tanner, Eaggett, and Woods, are always kind and attentive and helpful. To return to the birds ; pre-eminent is the series of Paradises. There are now eight species of these, all the fruits of Mr. Goodfellow’s two recent trips to New Guinea. For rarity and splendour the Prince Eudolph’s or Blue Bird takes pride of place. Its lovely turquoise back and wings are but a prelude to the glorious opal plumes, like filmy seaweed, which are to follow when the bird shall reach maturity. The Princess Stephanie’s was recently illustrated in these pages ; there are a pair of Greater, a splendid red-plumed Eaggi’s, a Hunstein’s Magnificent, a King Bird, and a Lesser Superb with wondrous pectoral shield, who will display almost for the asking, changing himself from a bird into a catherine- wheel of black velvet and emerald and aquamarine, and riveting your attention by a loud whacking noise mysteriously made by some movement of the legs and tail. There is a Wallace’s Paradise, discovered in 1858, and described in that great book The Malay Archipelago , but never till now imported alive. At first sight it is an ugly bird, but doubtless wonderful in display. More plainly coloured than the rest of the tribe, it has a large green pectoral fan and from each shoulder two long cream pennants which can be raised at any angle. The Toucans are there in force. A Toco from Guiana with incredibly huge orange beak spotted with black, replaces the late lamented 4 Gapt. D. S. Stokes — The Small Bird House at the Zoo i(' Billy ”, the well-known Toco from Wembley, who used to fly loose in the British Guiana section. There are three Red-billed, two Ariel, three Green-billed, and a Sulphur-breasted which has never looked otherwise than perfect for the last seven years. Hornbills come next in four species ; the White-crested from West Africa, like an old lady with a lace cap and black brocaded dress, the Black and White, the Undulated from Sumatra, and the Great Indian Hornbilh He is the largest bird in the house, an ungainly creature of some 4 feet, wearing a cardboard fireman’s helmet and appropriately called 4 4 Baby ”, but gentle as a lamb. With his huge bill he will take a grape as delicately as you could wish from between your lips, swallow it, and then even offer it to you again if he likes you. Barbets include a Lineated, a Javan Great-billed, a handsome species with yellowish green head and a red throat, and a very attractive small one called the Crimson-breasted, known in India as the Copper¬ smith. Of Touracos there are a Violaceous Plantain-eater, recently brought from the Gambia by Dr. Hopkinson, a Frazer’s, some Donaldsons, and some White-breasted, demure grey and white people, lacking the lovely colours of other races of Touracos. Rollers include the Blue-breasted, a beautiful species from Gambia, some European, Indian, and Senegal, as well as an Indian Broad-billed. The lovely Long-tailed South African is not at present represented, but the last specimen lived six years. Other interesting occupants of cages or indoor aviaries include Bengal Pittas, Guira Cuckoos, and a Solitary Cuckoo from Africa, Verreaux’s Amethyst Starlings, some Chats, and two species of’ 'Sugarbirds. Tanagers are not as well represented as in years gone by, but rare species seem to come over so seldom. However, there are the Desmarest’s, green with a red head, the Yellow, the Superb, and one or two other small ones, and among larger species two very beautiful White-capped Tanagers. Birds of deep indigo blue, shading up to white on the head, in the midst of which is a crimson blotch. Living in the five central flight cages are birds arranged more or less by size. Two of small Finches include a Blue-billed Weaver, a Hooded Siskin, Red- James B. Housden — American Bird Gossip 5 crested Finches, and Parrot Finches of two species. Of larger soft-bills there are a Eegent Bird, Bine Bobins, Indian Great Reedwarbler, a Coach-whip bird from Australia, numerous Bulbuls and Babblers, and a very attractive Glossy Calornis from New Guinea, green with brilliant ruby eyes and beautiful copper and purple reflections on the head and back. There are also superb Spreos and Royal Starlings from Abyssinia. The five southern aviaries with outdoor flights contain a large mixed collection. In one a Stilt from South America, a Blacksmith Plover from South Africa, very smart in plumage of grey and black and white, and Yellow-backed Whydahs. The next compartment has Roulrouls, a wonderful ground Pigeon called the Grey-naped, as large as a Pheasant and of similar shape and gorgeous colouring ; Pied Grallinas, which built a nest and laid eggs, beautiful Spreos, and a pair of Regent Birds. Fruit Pigeons come next, though only three species are represented at present. Another compartment has a pair of Sun Bitterns, and a Wood Thrush from North America, and the last contains various Bulbuls, Cedar Birds, Baltimore Hangnests, a Hermit Thrush, and Red-collared Whydahs. Altogether the collection numbers close on a thousand birds, truly a Mecca for aviculturists. The very noises are a delight to me. The yapping bark of the Toucans, the crow of the Touracos, the ringing wauk-wauk of the Greater Paradises and the silly Mynahs imploring you to tell the time. The house is condemned to be pulled down to make way for the large new ape and monkey house, and the birds are to be transferred to the old reptile house, where, let us hope, the authorities will provide as good quarters and as attractive a display as we have at present. AMERICAN BIRD GOSSIP (Concluded from Vol. IV, p. 139 ) By James B. Housden The Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campophilus principalis) is in size, though hardly in beauty, the Prince of Woodpeckers ; its length ranges from 19 to 21 inches. .It is found in Western Mexico, north along the Sierra Madre. G James B. Housden — American Bird Gossip The Ivory-billed is rare, almost restricted to the extreme southern states, especially those bordering the Gulf of Mexico. It is of a wild and wary disposition, making its home in the dark swampy woodlands, the dense cypress swamps of Florida being among its favourite haunts. The nest of the Ivory-bill is built in a hollow excavated in a tree, from 30 to 40 feet from the ground, the cavity often being nearly 2 feet in depth. Three or more eggs are laid. This bird does not remain long in one place, and during the day ranges over an extended territory. Its call, “ Yap-yap-yap ” sounds in the distance like the note of a small trumpet. All Woodpeckers are of value to cultivators and farmers, two- thirds of their food consisting of insects, chiefly noxious wood-boring beetles, both adults and larvae, caterpillars, mostly species that burrow into trees, and ants, which are particularly harmful to timber. In Mexico I found countless swarms of both red and black ants every¬ where and was not able to sit down and rest on any fallen tree. One day I put my hand into a very beautiful nest— found no eggs, but my hand covered with ants. In one of the gateposts on the plantation a pair of English Sparrows had reared young ones ; their last nest of young ones I found all dead, killed by the ants. The Downy Woodpecker (Dry abates pubescens) is the smallest of all those inhabiting the Gulf States. I met with it almost everywhere, it being very sociable in its habits, far more so than other species, and often found in company with the White-breasted Nuthatch and the Brown Creeper. Early in the spring the “ Downies ” seek out their nesting places. Their holes are usually excavated in dead willow-, poplar-, or oak-trees. The entrance to the nest is about 2 inches in diameter, and the depth of the nest hole varies from 8 to 12 inches. The eggs are four or five, sometimes six in number, and are pure glossy white. The Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is one of the most beautiful of the twenty-five species of American Woodpeckers. This bird is known in many parts as the “ Zebra Bird ”, from the black and white markings of the back and tail ; head and breast scarlet in the male ; the female only partly so. The Blue-grey Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila ccerulea) is found almost James B. Housden — -American Bird Gossip 7 everywhere in the southern states, inhabiting chiefly open, high woods, skipping and darting about among the topmost branches of the trees, his long tail elevated and jerking in Wren-like fashion, always moving about and ever uttering his wheezy squeaky notes. This bird is a most beautiful nest builder ; the nest, in fact, having few equals. It is rather a frail structure, usually built on the small horizontal limbs of trees, generally at an elevation of about 10 to 20 feet The interior is deeply cupped, and the exterior is beautifully ornamented with lichens. The eggs are four or five in number, greenish or bluish white, speckled with chestnut. The Yellow-breasted Chat ( Icteria virens) is one of the largest of the Warblers, often called the Yellow Mocking-bird. In the mating season he is the noisiest bird in the woods. At this time he may be observed in his wonderful aerial evolutions, dangling his legs and flirting his tail, singing all the while a sweet song. He imitates the mewing of a cat, the barking of a dog, and other sounds, and in the variety of his notes he is surpassed only by the Mocking-bird. The song is often heard on bright moonlight nights. This bird migrates in winter to Eastern Mexico and Northern Central America. The cheerful little Phoebe is found nearly everywhere, and known also as the Pewee, Barn Pewee, and Pewit Flycatcher. There are few plantations or farmyards without a pair of Pewees. It is a familiar, confiding, and gentle bird (something like our English Bobin), attached to localities and returning to them year after year. Its nest is found in sheltered situations, such as under a bridge, a projecting rock, in the proch of a house, etc. I found one nest with young in the main street of a small town in the Southern Kockies, built by an open window in full view of the family, quite unmoved by the presence of the latter at mealtimes. In New Mexico I found another nest built in a house on one of the rafters ; a cat took possession of this nest and broke all the eggs, so I brought home the nest. Motmots are peculiar to the new world, being found from Mexico throughout the whole of Central America and the South American continent. The general plumage is green, and the majority of the species have large racquets at the end of the central tail feathers. The Mexican Motmot is locally known as the Houton. To observe 8 James B. Housden — American Bird Gossip this beautiful bird in his native haunts one must be in the forest at dawn. The thick and gloomy forests are preferred by the Houton. In the far-extending wilds, about day-break, you hear him call in distinct tones “ Houton, Houton ! ” his tail moving from side to side like a pendulum every time he calls. He makes no nest, but rears his young in a hole in the sand, generally on the side of a hill. The Purple Martin, with glossy violet black plumage, known also as the Purple Swallow, American Martin, and Violet Swallow, is very plentiful in the southern and many other states, wintering in Mexico and the Bermudas. No bird is more deserving of protection and of encouragement to live about the habitations of man than the Purple Martin. One pair will destroy vast quantities of insects in the season. Little nesting-boxes are fixed on the tops of poles for the Martins. I saw many of these when travelling through the Middle States to South-West Texas. One may see calabashes hung up by Indians, also a hollow gourd attached to a pole near a negro hut ; the nesting-box on our plantation was often the scene of disputes between the Martins and the English Sparrows. Bullock’s Oriole ( Icterus bullocki), one of the most handsome of the Orioles, is found in Mexico all through the year. It is very plentiful in the rolling prairie country traversed here and there by small streams fringed with groves of cotton-wood trees. I found some very beautiful nests when camping on the banks of the Gila River, North Mexico. It is also found in Southern Arizona and Western Texas, and frequently builds in bunches of mistletoe growing on the mesquit e-tree. The genus of American Orioles or Hangnests ( Icterus ) contains about forty species, the greater number being natives of Central and South America. The plumage of nearly all the species is more or less coloured with shades of yellow, orange, and black. Audubon’s Oriole ( Icterus auduboni ) is another beautiful bird found in Texas. .It is more numerous in the valley of the Rio Grande and southward in Mexico to Oaxaca. It is more common in central and eastern Mexico than in any other part of its range. In the summer it frequents the denser forests of its Texas home, but during the winter months it will approach the inhabited regions. It is said that these beautiful birds (with other Hangnests) are James B. Housden — American Bird Gossip 9 frequently called upon to become the foster-parents of other birds, and in the forest near the plantation I found a beautiful nest containing seven eggs, two of these belonging to the Red-eyed Cowbird (Molothms). The Baltimore Oriole ( Icterus Baltimore) is locally known as the Golden Robin and Hangnest Bird. There is a story to the effect that when, in 1628, Lord Baltimore was exploring in America, worn out and discouraged, he wTas so much cheered by the sight and sound of the Oriole that he adopted its colours as his own, hence the name “ Baltimore Oriole This bird is fond of building near the habitations of men. He weaves artistic habitations in lofty trees, choosing strong flexible material for the pendant bag¬ like nest, the strongest and best material being used for the part by which the whole is suspended. A native boy brought me a very beautiful nest, but I was sorry to find he had accidentally broken all the eggs in descending the tall tree in which he found it. The Orioles are very fond of unripe maize. We had a mealy patch ” on the plantation, and I have often watched these beautiful birds feeding on the soft cobs. The San Pedro Park (San Antonio), with natural springs and blue lagoons, an old camping ground of the Comanchees, contains a large number of wesach-trees, under which the Indians encamped in days of old ; a most delightful spot for Humming Birds and many others. The nest of the Hummers I have mentioned in an earlier chapter was blown out of the tree during a storm, both nest and young being- destroyed. I have many happy memories of the four months spent on my journey, bird life everywhere was wonderful ; one could write much more of the many species found in Texas and the Gulf States, New Mexico, and Mexico. 10 Aviculture ECLECTUS AND OTHER PARROTS AND PARRAKEETS By the Marquess of Tavistock and M. Delacour The group of the Palceornithince contains several species of Parrots and Parrakeets, which vary greatly both in size and shape. Some are large and have fairly short, square tails : others on the contrary have very long and slender tails ; while there are yet others which are very small and short-tailed. Nearly all are seed-eaters. They are generally very handsome birds, with the plumage differing according to sex. They live well and some breed freely in an aviary. They are found in Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Eclectus Parrots The Eclectus Parrots are remarkable for the extraordinary difference in colour of the sexes. The male is fine shining green, with red sides, the wings and tail having blue markings, and the upper mandible being red ; the female is red, with part of the back and wings, breast and belly blue ; the tail is tipped with yellow and the beak is black. On the whole the hen is far showier than the cock. Both sexes are very handsome, but with their large bodies and short tails they are not elegantly shaped, and they are inclined to be dull and morose in confinement. But it must also be allowed that when thoroughly tame they are often very docile and affectionate and can be taught to say a few words. Their voice, which luckily is rarely heard, is the most powerful and unpleasant imaginable, and completely eclipses that of a Macaw or Cockatoo at its worst. The hen often lays in confinement and has sometimes reared her brood successfully. The Eclectus Parrots, except when nesting, are gentle and harmless with other birds, but male and female, unless they know one another, do not agree if caged together. They will live on a seed mixture of two parts canary, one part oats, one of hemp, one of sunflower, with monkey nuts and plenty of ripe fruit. They should be allowed to bathe. When they are kept in a cage, they should be let out every day for exercise, but they do better in an indoor or outdoor aviary. Eclectics and other Parrots and Parrakeets 11 Eclectus Parrots are very susceptible to cold on first arrival and need warmth and care ; when acclimatized and in an aviary, they only need heat in winter. They are very subject to contagious diseases, and their abode must be kept perfectly clean, and they should never be associated with any doubtfully healthy bird. They do not stay well, and cannot be trusted at liberty. All the species and varieties require the same treatment. Six have been imported, often under the name of “ Lories Eclectus pectomlis from Papua is the species already described ; it is frequently imported. Eclectus roratus from the Moluccas (Halmaheira) also arrives pretty frequently. It may be known from the above by the male being slightly more yellowish green ; the female is red, with nape, mantle, chest and belly purplish violet. E. cardinalis from Amboina, Ceram and Bourou is small and darker. E. westermani, E. riedeli, and E. Cornelia, all very similar, have likewise been imported. Great-billed Parrakeets The Tanygnathus Parrakeets are nearly related to the Eclectus ; the differences of plumage between the two sexes are, however, less striking. Two species have been occasionally imported and two others very rarely. Mueller’s Parrakeet (T. muelleri ) from the Celebes is a fine yellowish green : the wings are vividly marked with blue and yellow. The male has a red beak, the female’s is white, she is also not so brilliantly coloured. They should be given two parts of canary seed to one of hemp and one of sunflower, with monkey nuts and plenty of fruit. It is exceptional for one of these Parrots to show intelligence or affection for its owner ; as a rule they are dull, silent, stupid and uninteresting in captivity, though they are long-lived. Probably they are not happy, and have quite a different temperament when at liberty, as is shown in the case of an allied species, the G-reat-billed Parrot. Mueller’s Parrakeet needs heat at first, but afterwards is satisfied with protection from wind and damp. They are peaceful in disposition. The Great-billed Parrot or Parrakeet (T. megalorhynchus) is also 12 Aviculture uninteresting when caged, but when allowed its liberty its peculiar appearance and strange call, together with the bright colours of the male, render it attractive. It is a native of New Guinea and the vicinity ; the male is a beautiful green with wings delicately and beautifully marked with blue and yellow ; the beak is red. The female is decidedly smaller and duller, with blue only on the rump and the marking on her wings is less distinct. This Parrot should be released at the beginning of summer with one wing clipped ; it is fairly hardy, but should be watched in frosty or snowy weather. This species is destructive to fruit when at liberty and it may be necessary to shut it up while the apples are ripening. Individuals have paired with Alexandrine Parrakeets. They should have the same food as Mueller’s Parrot. When they are at liberty, both sexes, on fine hot days, indulge in an extraordinary sort of “ song ” accompanying it with absurd movements, most comical to watch. The courting of the female by the male is likewise very amusing ; he leaps into the air with strange cries. T. luzonensis from the Philippines has blue and yellow wings and the top of the head is blue. T. everetti, also a native of the Philippines, has a green head and blue markings on the wings mingled with yellow. Racquet-tailed Parrots The Racquet-tailed Parrots ( Prioniturus ) are known by the two spathulate tips of their middle rectrices. These are “ difficult ” birds : that is to say, they die for no apparent reason, even with the most careful treatment. They should be given canary seed, hemp, millet, oats, sunflower seed, monkey nuts and fruit. Both sexes have these curious spathulated feathers from which they derive their name but in other respects their plumage may be very different. I have found this Parrot a gentle bird, but have never owned a pair in breeding condition ; there was once a tame and gentle hen bird at the Zoological Gardens of London, and an adult pair was imported in the autumn of 1926. The most freely imported species, though even this is very rare, is P. platurus from the Celebes. The male is bright green, with a red- Eclectus and other Parrots and Parrakeets 18 banded bead, tbe mantle is silvery grey, and the tail washed with blue. The female has neither red nor grey, and her racquets are shorter. Some years ago I had a pair of these birds. As they came over during winter I kept them in a well-warmed room. They moulted successfully but the hen died of aspergillosis some weeks later. The male bird was turned into an aviary when summer came, but in a few months he died of the same complaint. Had the aviary been movable they would probably have done better. They were pretty birds of agreeably soft and unusual colouring. Long-tailed Parrakeets The Long-tailed Parrakeets (Palceornis) have given their name to their whole group. They are well-known birds with very long narrow tails and fairly well developed heads and beaks ; almond green predominates in the plumage of most of them. They are chiefly Asiatic. Some are extremely beautiful, and nearly all do well in cage or aviary. They become very tame and often learn to speak a few words and to do tricks. Males are to be preferred to females, being more gentle and prettier. Parrakeets do not like to be handled, but unlike the Platycerci they become very much attached to their owner. Un¬ fortunately many are noisy. Their food should consist of a seed mixture of two parts of canary, one of hemp, one of sunflower, with monkey nuts and plenty of all kinds of fruit ; they do not care much for green stuff. The Ring-necked Parrakeet (P. torquata) which is found from Baluchistan to Cochin China, is of medium size, almond green, with a double black and pink collar and red beak. Hens and young birds are green all over and have no collar and no dark spot under the beak. They do not acquire full adult colouring until the third year, but they will breed while still in immature plumage. The Ring-necked Parrakeet does well both in cage and aviary and goes readily to nest, but in close confinement the eggs are often clear. Once acclimatized it is very hardy and may be wintered out of doors, but the young need more care than the adults in the way of shelter from wind and damp. 14 Aviculture Outside the breeding season the male and female show no affection for each other : the females, indeed, are often so spiteful that it is unsafe to leave the males with them. This species nests twice a year when at liberty, but this does not often happen in confinement. It often breeds very early, in February or March. It is not as quarrelsome as the Australian Parrakeets, but when she is nesting the female is sometimes dangerous to other birds. Young birds reared together generally agree pretty well when adult, but if they are not separated into pairs they may destroy each other’s young. In an aviary they damage all exposed woodwork. The Ring- neck is decidedly capricious in its behaviour when at liberty, and its size is not sufficient to protect it altogether from attacks by Owls. Some specimens are good stayers ; others stay for some time and then take their departure ; others have no idea of staying and stray at once. A pair which mean to stay usually find a hole to breed in if there are old trees about. Their flight is pretty and graceful : even their cries, which are unbearable in a house, are rather agreeable than otherwise in the open. They are not destructive to trees, but are prone to eat too many apples. They should be let out when they are hungry, or the male bird may first be released by himself during the nesting season, when he feels affection for his mate and does not want to go away from her aviary. Tame cocks will talk quite well and can be taught all kinds of tricks. Yellow, cream coloured, variegated and blue varieties appear occasionally, and are very handsome. The yellows are usually hens and are just as hardy and prolific as normally coloured birds. The African Ring-necked Parrakeet (P. docilis) only differs from the Indian Ring-neck in having a blackish beak, and has exactly similar habits. It is found from Senegal to Abyssinia. The Alexandrine Parrakeet (P. nepalensis ), which inhabits North and Central India, resembles the preceding in both sexes and to all ages, but is just about twice as large and has a red bar on the shoulder. The Alexandrine Parrakeet is very hardy and is like the Ring-neck in its ways. It is more gentle, however, and is one of the most inoffensive Parrots, never hurting smaller birds, and rather letting itself be bullied by its companions. It is, however, apt to be a nuisance Eclectics and other Parrots and Parrakeets 15 in an aviary as it destroys the woodwork very quickly ; also the perches and even the wise netting if they he not sufficiently strong. When at liberty it behaves like the Indian Ring-neck, but is large enough to be safe from owls. It likes to gnaw branches, but does not do a lot of damage, as it prefers the larger and commoner trees. The Alexandrine does well in a cage, will learn to say a few words, and becomes very fond of its owner. Occasionally one comes across very beautiful yellow or blue individuals. There are several sub-species of this bird which have been imported : P. eupatria from Ceylon, which is smaller ; P. indo-burmanica from Burma and Cambodia ; P. magnirostris from the Andaman Isles, which has a larger beak. They all have the same habits as the Alexandrine, and are very often mistaken for it. Another species was formerly imported, but now is all but extinct, from the Mauritius, P. eques , like the Ring-neck, only larger and a darker green. The Plum-headed Parrakeet (P. cyanocephala) is one of the prettiest members of the family and would command a high price were it not so freely imported. It is a native of India and Ceylon. It is rather small and its body is a slightly yellowish green, with a purple head passing into violet blue at the back, and there is a black collar edged with greenish blue ; the very long tail and the wings are shaded with yellow and pale blue ; it has a red bar on the shoulders, the beak is yellow and black. Hens and young birds have lavender coloured heads and no red on the shoulders. There does not seem to be any reason why hens should be so scarce, but among fifty lots not even one hen may be present. It is a hardy species and will nest readily, in a cage as well as in an aviary. It is not noisy, and in the nesting season the cock utters a kind of whistle, which at all events in the open air is quite musical. It does not often gnaw or spoil the shrubs in its aviary. It does not stay well when at liberty. Yellow individuals are sometimes found, with more or less rose-coloured heads. It requires the same food and treatment as the Ring-necked Parrakeet. The Blossom-headed Parrakeet (P. rosa) takes the place of the 16 Aviculture Blossomhead in Burma and Indo-China. It is slightly smaller and has a pretty lilac rose-coloured head. The hen als® has red on the shoulders. Lutinos sometimes occur. Its habits are the same as the above- mentioned. The Slaty-headed Parrakeet (P. schisticeps) from the Himalayas is larger, has a longer tail, and its head is a pretty deep violaceous grey, beak red. The sexes are alike. P. finschi from Burma and Indo-China is somewhat more yellowish. Both kinds are very pretty, but rare in captivity. The Malabar Parrakeet (P. peristeroides) from Southern India is one of the prettiest, only too rarely imported. Its head, back, and breast are a beautiful ashen grey with a black collar bordered with greeny 'blue, and there is some green round the eye ; the wings and tail are bluish green, the beak red. The hen has a black beak and no bluey green round her black collar. This is a hardy species if provided with a shelter against wind and rain, but, like all the King-neck family, goes early to nest, and if the hen is allowed to lay in cold weather she generally dies of egg binding. To rear these Parrakeets one must either give them a heated shelter, or not provide them with a log before the middle of April. Malabars are noisy and do not thrive in a cage. They should have the same treatment as the Ring-neck. Layard’s Parrakeet (P. calthropce) is a rare and pretty species from Ceylon, which may easily be recognized by its lavender-grey head, violet-grey mantle and rump and tail of the same tipped yellowish green. The under parts and the wings are green, beak red. The hen has a black beak. Its great drawback is its piercing and monotonous call, which is intolerable in a house. An old male which I have is tame, amiable and inoffensive to other birds. He is always at liberty and does not attempt to go away, but this doubtless is because he is so tame. This is a delicate species when it first comes over and requires heat and care, but once acclimatized can winter outside. It should be fed and treated like the King-neck, and is very fond of fruit. The Derbyan Parrakeet (P. derbyana) from China is a large bird ; it is green, with a grey head, a wide black band round the neck and a violet breast, the male has a red beak, the female a black one. Avicultural Magazine. Blue-headed Parrot, Meyers Parrot (P ion us menstruus ) (Poeocepha/us meyeri). JohnBal&Sons &. Damelsson.L1^ Zinaceous Parrot (Amazona v/nacea ) Greater Vasa Parrot (Coracops/s vasa). Hawk- headed Parrot (Deroptyus accipitr/nus). Grey Parrot (Psittacus erythacus). Eclectus and other Parrots and Parrakeets 17 This species would probably prove as hardy as the other members of its family. The Moustache Parrakeet (P. fasciata) is freely imported into Europe. Of medium size, it has a large beak, and a rather short tail, and it is not elegantly shaped. It is green shading into yellow, with a grey head, a large black moustache and a rosy lilac breast. The male has a red beak ; the female a black one. Young birds have green breasts. The species is found from the Himalayas to Tonkin. It is a hardy and prolific species, but noisy and aggressive. It does well at liberty but has little to recommend it as a cage bird. Young birds in their intermediate plumage are often sold as rarities. F ood and treatment should be the same as for the Ring-neck. The Javan Parrakeet (P. alexandri) only differs from the above in being smaller ; the female has a red beak, which makes it hard to distinguish the sexes except by the more feminine look of the hen. I had a pair which nested several times but did not rear the young. This hen always finished the nesting season by starting to murder the male. This pair seemed to feel the cold and could not stand the winter out of doors. The Grey-headed Parrakeet (P. canicejps) from the Nicobar islands only differs from the Moustache Parrakeet in its larger size and in the absence of pink on the breast. The Modest Parrakeet (P. modesta ) from Sumatra is also rather large ; it is green with a black moustache ; the cheeks and nape are bright rose colour and the crown is reddish and the breast brown ; the beak is red. The Nicobar Parrakeet (P. nicobarica) is like it but has a green breast and green crown to the head. Tytler’s Parrakeet (P. tytleri) from the Andaman Islands, is a near relative, rather smaller, with a back less tinged with yellow. All these three species are rare and susceptible to cold as are also the following : — The Malaccan Parrakeet (P. longicauda) is a delightful bird, rather small, having a very long tail. Its colours are a beautiful light green, cheeks and nape bright rose ; it has a large black moustache and the crown of the head is deep green. The large wing and tail 2 18 Aviculture feathers are blue, as well as the middle of the back. The beak is red. The female is a little less brilliant and has a black beak. It eats the same food as the Ring-neck, but it feels cold more than any other Parrakeet. It requires a temperature of not less than 70°, and is likely to die should it fall below 60°, for which reason we cannot hope to keep and breed it in this climate unless in a specially constructed and heated room as for Humming Birds. It is a native of the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. The Blue-rumped Parrakeet Here should be placed a very pretty little Malayan Parrakeet, Psittinus incertus, which is rarely imported. It has a short tail and large head. The head and neck are grey blue ; back dark grey, rump bright blue, wings variegated with green, blue, yellow, and red, tail green ; the under parts are olive tinged with grey blue, the beak red. The female has a green back and brown head. It is decidedly delicate and must be kept very warm. It should be fed like a Lovebird with the addition of plenty of fruit. The Lovebirds The Lovebirds (Agapornis) make up a small family of miniature Parrots, natives of Africa. In size they are about the same as or a trifle larger than a Sparrow. They have short, broad tails. They thrive and breed freely in aviaries, but do not live long in a cage. Some species are quarrelsome among themselves, and pairs should not be kept together. Some have a curious habit of lining their nests with strips of fine bark which they put on their backs between their wings ; in this way they sometimes carry quite a load. The Grey-headed Lovebird (A. cana) from Madagascar is the best known in Europe. The sexes are easily distinguished, the hen being green, lightly washed with olive all over and paler underneath, while the cock has a pale grey head and neck. Young cocks may be recognized from the first although they are greener than adults. This Lovebird goes readily to nest : the hen bird lines her nest with strips of bark or little twigs. They should be fed on millet, canary, and hemp, and some green stuff. The males are fairly peaceful with other birds, but the females Eclectics and other Parrots and Parrakeets 19 are very spiteful and dangerous to weaker birds. Grey-beaded Love¬ birds may be bred at liberty during tbe summer, but they are not entirely bardy, and as a rule cannot winter in tbe open : if they are exposed to much cold they are apt to contract an incurable disease of tbe lungs. The Peach- or Rosy-faced Lovebird (A. roseicollis) from South- East Africa is a charming bird, rather larger than tbe above. Its colour is a pretty almond green, paler below, with tbe front of tbe crown, tbe cheeks and tbe throat a pretty rose colour which gradually merges into tbe green ; all tbe lower back and tbe rump are light blue ; tbe tail is green, mingled with blue and red ; tbe beak is ivory white, greenish at tbe tip. Tbe sexes are similar, but tbe male has perhaps a slightly larger expanse of rose colour on bis bead. This is a very free-breeding species, but is spiteful towards its own kind as well as with other birds. It is quite useless to try and keep two pairs together. Feeding and general treatments should be tbe same as given to tbe preceding species ; like tbe Madagascar, this bird is not altogether bardy, and only certain individuals can pass tbe winter in tbe open air. Although it does not always stay well, the Peach-faced Lovebird can be kept at liberty ; it is necessary to accustom it thoroughly to an artificial type of nest before releasing it, as in a natural state it is said to use tbe nests of tbe sociable Weaver Bird and it does not find nesting places readily in an English garden. The Red-faced Lovebird (A. jpullaria) from West Africa is smaller than tbe preceding species, grass green with forehead, cheeks, and throat vermilion orange-red ; beak also red. Tbe lower back blue and tbe tail marked with red. Tbe male has much more red on bis face and is brighter than tbe female. Although often delicate and susceptible to cold when first imported, this Lovebird is quite bardy when acclimatized and can stand bad weather. It does not breed freely, even under tbe best conditions ; it does well at liberty and can be left out through tbe winter provided Owls are not too numerous. It should have tbe same food as tbe preceding species, with tbe addition of a little apple. The Abyssinian Lovebird (A. taranta) is rather large ; it is brilliant green with part of tbe wings and tail black. Tbe male has part 20 Aviculture of the head carmine red, but the head of the female is green. Both sexes have red beaks and the young resemble the female. Until quite recently this was an exceedingly rare bird in Europe, but it had once been bred. Lately it has been imported in large quantities. It seems inclined to go to nest, but is very quarrelsome with its own kind. It should be treated like the Grey-headed Lovebird. The Black-cheeked Lovebird (A. nigrigenis) from Bhodesia was only discovered some years ago. It has recently been imported in large numbers and proved an excellent aviary bird, very hardy and very prolific. Several pairs can be kept together and agree like Budgerigars. This little Lovebird has black cheeks and is rather dark green elsewhere, paler underneath ; the points of the wings are black ; the head and neck are brownish green, and the face is brown ; the eye has a white circle round it, the beak is pink, deeper in colour towards the tip. Its breast is a pretty tawny orange. Male, female, and young are alike. It should be fed like the Grey-headed Lovebird ; it uses the green bark of trees as well as hay and straw to line its nest, but it is wise not to let it nest during winter months. The Black-cheeked Lovebird cannot be kept at liberty because it is a migrant and departs in August after it has stayed for some time and bred. The Nyasa Lovebird (A. liliance) is a very recent importation. It is rather like a small Peach-face with a green rump and a white circle round the eye. It seems remarkably hardy and prolific, and resembles the Black-cheeked Lovebird in disposition. Two rare species of Lovebirds have recently been imported to America, and went through London. Both live on the highlands of the Tanganyika ; one, A. per sonata, somehow resemble the Black- cheeked Lovebird, but has a dark brown head with a definite yellow collar ; the other, A. finschi, is larger and resemble the Peach-faced Lovebird, but has an orange red head. Hanging Farrakeets The Hanging Parrakeets ( Loriculus ) form a very distinct branch of the Palceornitince. They are tiny birds, with slender beaks. They feed on nectar like the Lories to which they are related, but their Eclectus and other . Parrots and Parrakeets 21 tongues are not furnished with brushes. They have a curious custom of sleeping head downward hanging by their claws. They are to be found in tropical Asia and Oceania, and are seldom imported and not much sought after by amateurs. It cannot be denied that they are difficult to keep, but they are not very difficult to feed and their voices are not unpleasant ; they are inoffensive with other birds and their habits are interesting, and when in good condition their plumage is exquisite, making the prettiest Lovebird appear coarse. All who do not fear the trouble of keeping “ difficult ” birds should try to obtain Hanging Parrakeets. The stock food is banana mixed with an equal quantity of crushed sponge cake, ripe fruit, canary seed, and a few mealworms. A shallow bath should be hung on the wires of their cage, and the Hanging Parrakeets rarely descend to the ground. They are delicate when first introduced and always remain subject to enteritis and pneumonia, yet when acclimatized they can stand a little frost without suffering. They should be taken in about the middle of October and pass the winter either in a sunny heated aviary or in a large cage, which must be kept scrupulously clean and protected from draughts and changes of temperature. It is not easy to detect the first symptoms of illness in a Hanging Parrakeet, for they breathe heavily at all times, and when sleepy raise their head feathers and half close their eyes. One of the chief difficulties with them comes from their trouble with wire netting : they climb it easily, but when they want to fly they are hung up as if their claws were too long ; the result is that they lose their equilibrium, dash against something and hurt themselves. I lost many in this way, and was eventually obliged to keep their aviary lined with string netting and to cover all the wooden parts with soft stuff. Every effort should be made to prevent their claws from getting overgrown. The Vernal Hanging Parrakeet ( L . vernalis ) from India and Indo-China is green with a red rump, the throat and under the tail pale blue. The sexes are alike. Some of our specimens are more slender and have darker eyes than the others. One of the larger, lighter-eyed individuals took an interest in a log. The autopsy showed that it was a female. L. jpusillus from Java has a yellow spot on the throat, and 22 A. Decoux — Breeding the Bed-crested Finch in France L. flosculus from Timor has the nape tinted orange and an elongated red spot on the throat. Except for these differences they resemble L. vernalis . L. chrysonotus from Cebu (in the Philippines) is green with red forehead and rump, the crown, nape of the neck, and the upper part of the back yellow, and a red spot on the breast. L. pJiilippinensis from Luzon has a red spot on the head, another on the nape, and a larger one on the throat is orange ; the rump is red. All these species have only been very occasionally imported. The Ceylon Hanging Parrakeet (L. indicus) is pale green with a red rump, and in the male a red spot on the head. It is fairly often imported. The Blue-crowned Hanging Parrakeet ( L . galgulus) is one of the prettiest and most freely imported. It has a black beak, differing from all the species hitherto described, which have yellowish red beaks. The young, with dull and often soiled plumage, are not very attractive on arrival, but an adult male clad in bright green with an intensely blue spot on the crown of his head and throat and rump of dazzling red, reminds one of a tropical flower when he hangs up by his feet and the sun shines on him. The female has no red throat and scarcely any blue on her head. Those which I have are pretty quarrelsome among themselves and with their relations ; but are harmless to little birds and seem rather afraid even of Waxbills. The courtship of the male is pretty and strange : he runs rapidly along the perch uttering a kind of buzzing noise and suddenly raises the red feathers on his throat and rump. Sclater’s Hanging Parrakeet ( L . sclateri ) of the Isle of Tula is like the above : it is green, with all the back red and yellow and a red stripe on the throat. I had one male some years ago which only lived a few weeks. I never saw a handsomer little Parrot. BREEDING THE RED-CRESTED FINCH IN FRANCE By A. Decoux At last I have been successful in breeding the Red-crested Finch (Coryphos'pingus cristatus). My pair have been in my possession for Colour Breeding in Budgerigars 23 four years, and had made several attempts during the last three years, but had been unable to rear their young ones. During 1926, however, seven young have been reared from three nests. The nests were built by the hen alone ; they were made of blades of grass pulled out of the lawn of the aviary, and lined with horsehair and coco-nut fibres. The first clutch consisted of three eggs ; the following ones of two each, the eggs being pure white. The hen sits for eleven days, the cock taking no part in incubation. When hatched the young are dark red with a pale greyish down. They are chiefly fed by their mother with small insects, seeds, and green food. They leave the nest when nine days old, when they resemble their mother, though of a darker hue ; their heads are almost bare of feathers, and they have very short tails. But they can fly well and like hiding among the branches. They feed them¬ selves when about twenty-five or thirty days old, at which time the feathers of the head have completely grown, but they still lack the crest, which does not appear until the first moult, which takes place about nine weeks after they have left the nest. The Red-crested Finches are good aviary birds, very handsome and sufficiently hardy to be wintered out in an unheated aviary. Their call note is low and plaintive, and repeated frequently. The song of the cock is uninteresting, and very similar to that of Coryphospingus pileatus ; it is composed of some sharp notes and ends in a trill. I think that this species has not been previously bred in captivity. COLOUR BREEDING IN BUDGERIGARS The Budgerigar in its various colours of green, blue, cobalt blue, mauve, violet and white provides an ideal subject for scientific breeding on Mendelian lines. Plenty of people are breeding Budgerigars, but is anyone doing it scientifically in this country ? The Budgerigar Club is certainly working in the right direction, and we are indebted to the secretary for a copy of an admirable booklet, written by Professor Hans Duncker and Mr. J. Bradshaw. That this subject has been taken seriously in Germany is shown in the first part of this booklet where Professor Duncker sets out his 24 Correspondence methods and conclusions in studying colour-strains in Budgerigars. The subject is dealt with most minutely after a large amount of very careful experimental work, and all who are contemplating the breeding of Budgerigars in their various colours and perhaps producing new colours should carefully study this little book, which can be obtained from the Hon. Secretary of the Budgerigar Club, Mr. Fred C. Longlands, 66 East Street, Chichester, Sussex, price 2s. 6d. CORRESPONDENCE WAXBILLS FROM EAST AFRICA. Sir, — I was interested to read the letter in the last issue of the Magazine in regard to a new species of Waxbill from East Africa. I brought some Waxbills myself from the Island of Mozambique this summer and also received some more this autumn from my friend, Mr. Schulz, of Tanganyika Territory. These Waxbills resembled the Common Waxbill but were considerably smaller, of a darker colour, more distinctly marked and had the areas which are pink in the ordinary Waxbill replaced by vivid red ; the difference between the two species was very apparent when they were compared side by side. Unfortunately they proved to be very delicate and all died within a few months ; this was no doubt due to the great differences of tempera¬ ture between here and East Africa. During the time I was at Mozam¬ bique the thermometer was seldom below 110° F. Sydney Porter. CANDIDATES FOB, ELECTION. Walter E. Barnett, Bed Hall, Croxley Green, Herts. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Mrs. A. L. Bruce, Brooke Hall, Brooke, Norfolk. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Miss D. Coombe, Earnshill, Curry Rival, near Taunton, Somerset. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Hugh Dudley, Stradishall Manor, Stradishall, Newmarket. Proposed by The . Marquis of Tavistock. H. C. Eustace, c/o Brunner, Mond & Co. (China), Ltd., Shanghai. Proposed by A. Hampe. M. P. Jabouille, Protectorat de L’Annam, Cabinet du Resident Superieur. Proposed by J. Delacour. Ansel W. Robinson, 1072 Market Street, San Francisco, U.S.A. Proposed by G. B. Chapman. Eduard Schutze, Eystrup, Weser, Germany. Proposed by Walter Voigt. F. S. Le Blanc Smith, Cairns, 7 Laburnham Road, Maidenhead. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Mrs. T. L. Villiers, Steuart House, Colpetty, Colombo, Ceylon. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. The Very Rev. Dean Charles A. Webster, The Deanery, Rosseurbery, Co. Cork, Ireland. Proposed by C. B. Horsbrugh. NEW MEMBERS. Capt. N. L. Barker, O.B.E., Chevin House, Otley, Yorks. Charles Cushny, Ruthin Castle, North Wales. Walter Gladding, F.R.H.S., N.R.S., Old Mill Gardens, Wannock, Polegate, Sussex. Frank Lake, West Park Road, Cleadon, near Sunderland. Stewart S. Lang, 22 Blenheim Road, N.W. 8. B. Mott, 1 Lee Park Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. Leon Patrick, M.D., Smith Grate Building, Orange, California, U.S.A. CHANGE OF ADDRESS. Miss Chawner, to The Arches, Wargrave, Berks. W. H. Potter, to Whetherill, Fitzillian Avenue, Harold Wood, Essex. Denys Weston, to 19 Strand, Dawlish, S. Devon. DONATIONS. W. H. Browning F. Child . H. Cowley Mrs. A. Hinks . £ s. d. 10 0 0 10 0 12 0 0 5 0 MEMBERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for Members' advertisements is one penny per word, and no > advertisement must exceed thirty -six words , name and address included. Payment must accompany the advertisement , which must be sent on or before the 20th of the month to Mr. T. H. Newman, “ Verulam,” Forty Lane, Wembley Park, Middlesex. All members of the Society are entitled to use this column. FOR SALE. Cock Pileated Finch, perfect condition.— -Apply, A. John Hall, Home Farm, Savernake Forest, Marlborough. GAMAGES &?p? IMPORTERS . 60/- Robin Chat 60/- King . £6 „ Townsend Solitaire 80/- Red rump . 45/- „ Shamas .... 60/- Rock Peplars ,, . £7 10/- „ Orange Bishops - 10/6 Lineolated ,, . 30/- ,, Grey and White Javas - 40/- Ringneck ,, . 15/- „ Saffron Finches 5- « *• COCKATIELS - 30/- „ Zebra ,, - - 7/6 • t Black Cheek Lovebirds £4 15/- pair. Spice Pirds 3/6 » « Nyabsaland ,, £3 15/- „ Blackhead Nuns 3/6 Peach Pace ,, £8 „ Queen Whydahs 15/- * » Blue Wing 20/- „ Giant 25/- » • Madagascar 12/- „ Redheaded Finches 7/6 Abbysinian ,, £4 „ Green Cardinals 3 5 /-each. Selection of Amazon Grey Parrots,. Virginian ,, - 45/- „ Macaw Cockatoos, and Small Mammals. Choice variety Weavers, Waxbills, and Senegal Finches, Canaries, 61- lb., 4 lb., 23/- 2/6 „ „ 9/- 1/6 „ ,, 5/6 1/6 „ „ 5/0 1/6 „ „ 4/6 Clean Mealworms .... 6/- lb. , 4 lb., 23/- Postpaid. New Ants’ Eggs Dried Flies Insectivorous Food Cuttlefish Bone New arrival Spray Millet, extra large bundles approx. 50 sprays, 3/6 bundle,, post paid. 1 doz. bundles, 36/-, carriage paid. A. W. GAM AGE, Ltd,, HOLBORN, LONDON, E.C. 1 . DE VON & CO. Our weekly PRICE LISTS will interest you. FOREIGN. Firefincbes . . 5/- pair. Weavers . . 4/- ,, Silverbills . . 6/6 ,, Combassous . . 4/6 ,, Steel finches . . . 6/- ,, Perfect Madagascar Lovebirds 10/— ,, Blue-winged Lovebirds . 14/- ,, Californian Quail . . 3 5/- ,, Bullfinches . . . 8/6 ,, BUDGERIGARS. Budgerigars, rich adult Greens 1 2/6 pair, young 9/-pr., Yellow 1 2/6 pr. All Aquatical requirements, including GOLDFISH & FANCY FISH, AQUARIUMS from 3/6, REPTILES, PET MONKEYS, MONGOOSE, ARMADILLOS, GUINEA PIGS, etc. Free Weekly Price Lists. Illustrated Catalogues, post paid, 6d. Grey and Amazon Parrots, from 4 0/— each. ROLLERS. Heymann’s First-class Singing Club Rung Hartz Roller Canaries, 1926' birds, tutored by parents of this famous strain, Gluck and Schoekle Birds.. Cocks 20/- each, Hens 1 5/- each. MEALWORMS. Large, clean, fat worms, 1 Od. 6/- Jb. Postpaid. OLDEST DIRECT IMPORTERS, 127 King’s Cross Road, London, W.C. 1 Phone : Museum 767. Telegrams : Oiseaux London. CONTENTS. PAGE The Blue-breasted Boiler (with coloured plate). . 25 An importation from Portu¬ guese East Africa, by Capt. H. S. Stokes . 26 Notes on Birds of Mount Selinda, by Sydney Porter . 27 Australian Parrakeets, by the Marquess of Tavistock and J. Delacour . 43^ PAGE Avicultural Notes . 51 Correspondence : An Automatic Lighting Device ; Keeping Bee- eaters ; Colour - breeding in Budgerigars ; Escaped Birds ; Birds returning to Deserted Nest 52 The Javan Jungle Fowl ... 56 The Price of this Number is 2/6 THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. FOUNDED 1894. ^ The Magazine can be had from the Publishers by NON-MEMBERS at a Subscription of 25/- per annum. NOTICE TO MEMBERS The Subscription to the Agricultural Society is per annum, due on the ■ 1st of January in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/S. 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. 1 ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HONORARY SECRETARY I I AND TREASURER, Miss Knobel, 32 Tavistock Square, London, W.C.l. ' Ail 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 Prosectorium, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Rule 2.-— Should any member require an immediate reply, 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. Reports have been sent by post to : — M. T. Alien, W. Shore- Daily , G. Reever, W. Clark, Mrs. Cottrill, Mrs. Cyril Dennis, Mrs. Grossmith, A. John Hall, J. Newton Hayley, W. N. D. North, Sydney Porter. The Magazine is published by Messrs. Stephen Austin & Sons, 5 Fore Street,' Hertford, to whom all orders -for extra copies, back numbers for 1917 and after, and bound volumes should be addressed. 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 2d. for packing and. postage. Members are requested to state whether they want the wrappers and advertisements bound in at the end or not. Telephone : 46 Hertford. BACK VOLUMES of the AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE previous to 1917. Application for these should be made to the Editor of Cage Birds, 154 Fleet Street, E.C. 4. All Enquiries 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 Mr. D. Seth-Smith, Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. HARRODS ZOOLOGICAL SECTION HARRODS make a feature of foreign birds for . Aviaries and Exhibitions. Try our Insectivorous Food. Write for List or ’ phone Sloane 1234. HARRODS Ltd LONDON SW 1 MEMBERS' SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for Members ’ advertisements is one penny per word, and no advertisement must exceed thirty -six words, name and address included. Payment must accompany the advertisement , which must be sent on or before the 20th of the month to Mr. T. H. Newman, ‘‘ Verulam,” Forty Lane, Wembley Park, Middlesex. All members of the Society are entitled to use this column. FOR SALE. Very fine aviary-bred cock Pennant’s Parrakeet, from outdoor aviary. Wanted, hen (Brazilian) Black-headed Siskin. — Captain Hamilton Scott, Hamildean, Ipswich. Perfect pairs Rose-breasted Grosbeaks., £6 ; Rainbow Buntings, £3 10s. ; Hartlaub’s Weavers, £2 ; Pintailed Whydah cock, 10s. ; hen Red-rump, £2 10s. All garden aviary, moulted.— -Mrs. Denny, Staplefield Place, Sussex. Mrs. Goddard has a few Blue-bred Green Budgerigars, 1926 birds, for disposal. The parents of these birds produced one or two Blues in each nest.— Apply, The Lawn, Swindon. Golden Pheasants, full plumage, hatched 1926. Brown Marsh Bird, hen Blue Tanager, cock Pileated Finch, Bicheno Finches, Yellow Grosbeak ( Pheucticus chrysopeplus )., all at £1 Is. each; approval; from outdoor aviaries.— Miller, South wick Rectory, Sussex. WANTED. Two hen Monauls and one cock Versicolor, hatched 1926.— A. van Heyst, Marienhoven, Wijk-by-Duurstede, Holland. Male Rosses’ Snow Goose, offers of other Snow Geese and Snowy Owls.—- Moody, Lilford, Barnwell, Peterborough. i CHAPMAN’S 17 TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, Telegrams: “ BLACKBIRD PHONE, LONDON.’ Telephone: MUSEUM 9838 and 9839. LONDON, W. 1. Cables: “ BLACKBIRD ” LONDON. Animal and Waterfowl Depbt : 11 HIGH STREET, BARNET. Telephone: BARNET 2082 . Quarantine Station : 5 SAGE STREET, E. 1 . VISITORS TO LONDON who are interested in Aviculture should make a point of calling, as such a visit cannot fail to be of interest, as we have in stock at the present time the finest collection of Foreign Birds which can be seen at any dealers throughout the entire World, more different species being represented than have ever been seen under one roof before, the collection including Blue=winged Grass Parrakeets, Mealy Rosellas, Bauers Parrakeets, Pennants, Rosellas, Redrumps, YeIIow=bellied Parrakeets, Stanley Parrakeets, Yeilow=rumped Parrakeets, Zebra Finches, Blue Mountain or Swainson’s Lorri= keets, Cockatiel, B!ack=cheeked Lovebirds, Nyasaland Lovebirds, Long=tailed Grass Finches, Masked Finches, Double=banded Finches, etc., etc. Our - Mexican collector arrived last month with an unrivalled collection of Rainbow, Indigo and Nonpareil Buntings, Red Cardinals, Humming Birds, etc., and all interested should write for a complete list which will be issued immediately upon arrival. Those especially interested in Budgerigars should call and see our splendid collection of White, Mauve, Lilac, Cobalt, Blue, Jade, Olive, Yellow, Green and Blue=bred varieties of these most charming Birds, we having more of these in stock than every other dealer in this country put together. In the event of any readers having any of the rarer colours for sale we shall always be pleased to hear from them, as we are open to pay the highest possible market value for same, spot cash. Write, phone, wire or call upon us. REMEMBER CHAPMAN’S 1 7 Tottenham Court Rd., London, W. 1 , is the firm for ANIMALS and BIRDS of every description. Now Ready , TO BE COMPLETED IN TWO VOLUMES. VOLUME I. “AVICULTURE” Price 15/- net. Order with remittance to — STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, LTD., Fore Street, Hertford. “L’OISEAU ” PUBLISHED MONTH LY BY THE Societe Nationale d’Acclimatation de France, 198 BOULEVARD ST. GERMAIN, PARIS (VIP). .A French Magazine on Aviculture, for the study of European and Foreign Birds in captivity and at liberty. With coloured and black and white plates. ONE YEAR - 30 FRANCS. Medals for first breeding of a species in captivity in France or other countries are awarded if a detailed account is sent to the Society. NOW READY. PARRAKEETS A Handbook to the Imported Species. REVISED EDITION By DAVID SETH-SMITH, F.Z.S. Roy. 8vo, pp. xx, 295, with 20 coloured plates ; cloth, gilt top, 1926. £4 4s. Od. BERNARD QUARITCH, Ltd., 11 Grafton St, London, W.L Avicultural Magazine, 19 2 7. John Bale. Sons A. Dajiielsson, Blue -breasted Roller. Coracias cyanogaster. THE AVI CULT URAL MAGAZINE BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN & BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM & CAPTIVITY Fourth Series. — Vol. V. — No. 2. — All rights reserved. FEBRUARY, 1927. THE BLUE-BREASTED ROLLER ( C0RAC1AS CYANOGASTER) The very fine Roller depicted in the accompanying plate was brought home from the Gambia by Dr. Hopkinson in July, 1925, and lived in the Zoological Gardens until December, 1926. It appears to have been the first living example of this species to reach this country. The Blue-breasted Roller is readily distinguished from the other species of the genus by its buff-coloured head and upper breast, blackish back and rich ultramarine-blue under parts. It is a resident species in Senegambia, but very little appears to have been recorded of its habits, though probably these do not differ from those of the other species of the genus. Rollers, in spite of their great beauty, are not very often kept in captivity, neither are they particularly easy birds to keep. They are very quarrelsome and, as a rule, each individual must have a cage or aviary to itself, that is to say so far as others of its own kind are con¬ cerned. They will not, generally speaking, disagree with birds that are unrelated to them. The food of Rollers in nature consists of insects, especially beetles, small frogs, and probably newly-hatched birds, the method of feeding being to sit motionless on some bare branch of a tree and to scan the surrounding ground for any creature moving on the ground within the range of vision. Slow flying insects are also 8 26 Gapt. H. S. Stokes — Importation from Portuguese East Africa taken on the wing. In captivity they should be fed upon a good insectivorous mixture in which there is a fair amount of fresh raw meat, also mealworms and cockroaches. They thrive better in an aviary, where they can indulge in flight and, incidentally, exhibit the striking colours of their wing feathers, than in a cage, and a Roller with full powers of flight, in an outdoor aviary, forms a very beautiful exhibit during the summer months. D. S-S. AN IMPORTATION FROM PORTUGUESE EAST AFRICA By Captain H. S. Stokes A small but choice collection of birds has recently arrived at Messrs. Gamage’s under the care of Mr. Webb, who has put in some months of arduous work trapping under difficult conditions, and a good deal more work getting his birds home to England in the beautiful condition we have come to associate with this collector. Species new to aviculture in this country include the Purple Crested Touracou (Gallirex porphyriocephalus) f three specimens, of usual Touracou colouring, with an irridescent crest of green and purple. These have gone to Mr. Ezra and Mr. Spedan Lewis. The Natal Robin Chat (Cossypha natalensis) is very beautiful in shape, and coloured grey and orange. There are several Black Rails (Limnocorax niger) of small size, and blue-black colour and (alas) only a hen of the Rufous Crake (Corethrura rufa), a tiny species no larger than a Painted Quail, chestnut and black, spotted with white. The Blue Necked Rail ( Rallus ccerulescens ) is also represented by one specimen. Two species of Sunbirds are also thought to be imported for the first time, though the naming of Sunbirds seems to be in some confusion. They are a tiny one called the Plum Coloured (Anthrothreptes longuemarii nyassce) and the Zambesi Collared ( Anthrothreptes collaris hypodilus ), both in beautiful condition, and happily sipping their nectar out of tooth-powder tins. 1 [This is not quite new to aviculture, Mr. Whitley has a pair. — Ed.] Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Mount Selinda 27 Also new is the Water Dikkop, one pair ( Burhinus vermiculatus) , a small Stone Curlew. Not for many years have we seen a consignment of Peters’ Spotted Firefinch ( Hypargus niveiguttatus),1 a very beautiful species as large as a Grass Finch, red boldly spotted with white, and Jameson’s Firefinch ( Lagonosticta jamesoni), of which there were several pairs, as also the very rare Red-faced Waxbill ( Pytelia afra ). These Finches all appear to be solitary, and never found in flocks, so the trouble of catching them must have been immense. Kurrichaine Button Quails ( Turvix lepurana) were in some numbers. Desert birds of the Hemipode family, the hen considerably bigger than the cock, and of polyandrous habits. They will require dry sandy conditions. Our editor bred both an Australian and an Indian species some years ago in an indoor aviary. NOTES ON BIRDS OF MOUNT SELINDA By Sydney Porter ( Concluded from Vol. IV, p. 305) The Brown-hooded Kingfisher ( Halcyon albiventris) belongs to the genus Halcyon , the species of which do not keep exclusively to the water like the other Kingfishers. These birds will sit for hours on the branch of a dead tree or in some other conspicuous spot where the vegetation is rank and luxuriant, and which is conducive to an abundance of insects, on the look-out for m their prey, which consists of large insects, lizards, etc. ; the birds sit perfectly motionless except for the occasional turning of the head. These Kingfishers frequently chase each other through the bush with loud resounding cries. They would make ideal cage birds, being intelligent, very beautiful, and easy to cater for. 1 [A coloured plate of this species appeared in the Magazine for 1905 (Vol. Ill, New Series, p. 119), the figure of the male being drawn from the first example imported. Since then one or two specimens have reached Europe, but never until now has any number arrived. — Ed.] 28 Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Mount Belinda Speckled Mouse Birds ( Colius striatus ) always remind me of Parrakeets, both in flight and general demeanour. They live in the dense bush in small parties of about a dozen or more, and I have often noticed that a little party of three or four would fly single file into a bush, and a few minutes or so afterwards a few more would come, until quite a number were gathered together. They usually sit very close to each other, either lying on a branch or hanging underneath it, and when in the latter position they half open their wings, puff out their feathers, and sun themselves. The Mouse Birds seem to be possessed of very little intelligence, for great numbers visit orchards and get shot, yet there is always a con¬ tinuous stream of newcomers, just as though nothing had happened. They eat hard green fruit, especially peaches, which would kill any other bird ; they eat these when hardly the size of a walnut, and in fact seem very partial to them, for when they can get these they leave other ripe fruit untouched. In this way they are a great pest to the fruit growers and no amount of scaring will keep them away. Hundreds can be shot in a single day, and yet their numbers never seem to diminish ; this is strange, for they cannot be called common in any district. The flight though swift is rather laboured and heavy. The Trumpeter Hornbills ( Bycanistes buccinator ), which are bub little inferior in size to the Crested Hornbills, frequent the wooded slopes of the mountain and the dense bush lands at the foot. I have seldom seen them in the forest itself like that bird, except for a short time in the year wdien certain berries are ripe on the forest trees, then they are seen in small parties. Outside the confines of the forest the Hornbills consort in pairs or small parties composed of three or four birds, and they are seen on the tops of the large fruit or berry bearing trees. They are tolerably tame, and let one approach within a good distance for observation. They sometimes sit for hours scarcely moving, with a very dreamy expression in their eyes, no doubt due to the long black eye-lashes. The cry, which is fairly loud, has nothing like the volume of that made by the Crested Hornbill. Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Mount Belinda 29 The Crested Hornbills (Bycanistes cristatus), which are amongst the largest of the Hornbills, are very rare in South Africa, Mount Selinda being one of the few places in which they are found, and there they are seen in pairs or small flocks in the environs of the forest. In the forest itself the birds live in the tops of the tallest trees, feeding upon their fruit. The first time I was in the forest I was startled by a noise similar to that made by an engine when letting off steam, this was made by a large flock of these birds, which I had disturbed in a tree over my head. I doubt if there is another bird in the world which makes such a noise when in flight ; the noise made by a flock of these birds flying over head is incredible. The call, too, is extremely loud, and it would lead one to think, if he did not know, that it was made by some large mammal rather than a bird ; it is a very loud braying bark, and is one of the well-known sounds of Mount Selinda. The first birds that I saw on the mountain were a pair of these Hornbills, which flew out of the forest into the blue gum-trees near the homestead as soon as we arrived. I don’t know whether this was due to inquisitiveness, for I never saw the birds again there, they are usually very shy on account of their huge size. During the time that I was at Mount Selinda the majority of the Hornbills there frequented one large tree in the forest, and at any time of the day one was almost sure to see a flock of them there, either feeding upon the fruit or resting. Owing to the great height of the tree, over 200 feet, it was necessary for me in order to observe them to lie on my back, a by no means pleasant business especially when an army of the fierce black forest ants passed in the vicinity. After feeding the birds pair themselves off, and sit affectionately side by side. One would think that the preening of the feathers would be a difficult task for the birds, owing to the enormous size of the beak, but this is not so, in fact they seem to be able to preen even the neck feathers with the greatest of ease. It is a wonderful sight to see, a flock of about twenty or more of these huge birds feeding in the forest trees. It is very amusing to watch them courting, the hen squats down on a branch, the cock 30 Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Mount Belinda meanwhile hopping about among the branches in a state of great excitement, and every now and then bringing his intended mate a small berry in the tip of his great beak ; at other times he squats by her side and preens her feathers and keeps eyeing her with many loving glances. During this performance both birds look singularly grotesque. I have questioned the natives through an interpreter — which is always a very unsatisfactory business — in regard to the nesting habits of these birds ; they state that the nest is made in a large hole at the top of one of the great forest trees, the female entering and the male then plastering the entrance up with dung ; she is fed by him during the lengthy period of incubation and the rearing of the young. The natives say that the hen moults during the time she is imprisoned in her nest. [The colour of these birds is glossy greenish black, the feathers of the back having a scaled appearance, the feathers of the head are elongated, and form a full loose crest, the feathers at the front are lavender grey, with the basal half black. The ear coverts are grey, the feathers of the neck and throat tipped with that colour ; the lower back, the tail coverts, the lower abdomen, the back of the thighs, white ; the two central tail feathers are black, the rest broadly tipped with white. The enormous casque is light horn colour, the beak dark horn. The naked skin round the eye pink, the eyes themselves are very large, and there are long sweeping black eye-lashes, which give the bird a very gentle expression. The casque of the female is much smaller and darker than that of her mate. The beak and casque of this Hornbill is of a very fine texture, almost like tissue paper, and when the bird is flying between one and the sun the light shines through and it appears fco be a rose pink colour ; this is due to the presence of fine blood vessels in the structure. These Hornbills in common with the rest of the family are very poorly feathered, the under wing and under tail coverts being hardly visible, and are little more than down, this I suppose accounts for the noisy flight. The wdiole body too is very poorly feathered, the feathers being thin and of a poor quality. Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Mount Selinda 81 Though the flight seems to be very heavy and laboured when the birds fly short distances, yet when they pass from hill to hill or from one mountain to another, the flight seems remarkably light and buoyant, and they sail long distances with outstretched motionless wing. The Ground Hornbill (Bucorax caffer) has been previously mentioned , so I will say little else in regard to it. The natives in Gazaland believe that the bird can detect any animal that may be in a hole in the ground by its sense of smell, they say that the bird then proceeds to blow down the hole, the foul breath of the bird causing the unfortunate inhabitant to come to the entrance for fresh air, when it is at once seized and devoured. A pair of these birds were kept by a man at a native trading store, some twenty miles from Mount Selinda, and when they were full grown they developed the most voracious appetite. There were large numbers of cats at this store kept to check the increase of rats, and, like all members of the domesticated feline tribe, they were extremely prolific, but the small community never increased in spite of numerous additions from time to time ; the reason for this was discovered one day by the proprietor, who saw one of the Hornbills seize upon a whole family of cats, and one by one throw them into the air (as they do with all their food) and gulp them down alive. These birds live in small parties of uneven number, either five, seven, or nine, seldom more or less. I spoke to many people about this curious fact, including people who had lived in Rhodesia many years, and had seen hundreds of them, but they all said that they had never seen a party composed of an even number. Perhaps the odd one acts as a chaperon ! The Narina Trogon (Hapaloderma narina). The Trogons are very beautiful and delicately coloured birds with very loose fine plumage, tiny feet and small curved wings, which are usually hidden beneath the long silky feathers of the back. They only inhabit the recesses of the forests, and are never seen in the open country. They are found in nearly all the tropical countries of the world, and live entirely upon insects. One species only is found in Southern Africa, namely the Narina Trogon. 82 Sydney Porter — • Notes , on Birds of Mount Belinda The first time I saw this beautiful creature at Mount Selinda was when I was on the road through the forest to the Mission. Station. I had been watching Green Bulbuls when I heard the coo of a Dove as I thought which I had never heard before ; I went in the direction of the sound, and was greatly surprised to find that the sound was made by a Trogon. The note was almost identical with that made by the English Wood Pigeon, and while uttering it the Trogon sat upright on a branch, the feathers being compressed against the body, making the bird look extremely slim. I watched the bird for a short time until it flew away, when I endeavoured to follow, but the undergrowth proved too thick ; it continued to call for a considerable time, the sound getting fainter and fainter as it retreated to the heart of the forest. Afterwards I saw these birds from time to time, always being attracted in the first place by their dove-like notes. They live singly, and inhabit the tallest trees in the gloomiest part of the forest, where they pass from tree to tree with a silent and ghost-like flight. These Trogons, at least the males, have patches of loose bare skin of a brilliant bluish green colour above and behind the eye, at the base of the beak, and on the throat ; these are capable of erection, for I have noticed that when the bird is uttering its cooing notes these patches stand out very vividly against the rest of the plumage, and I believe they are used in the display. In colour the males are a wonderful golden metallic green above, also on the upper breast and throat, the rest of the under parts being a lovely shade of rose pink. The primary feathers are remarkably narrow and sickle shaped. The wings are a mixture of black, white, grey, and green, the wing-coverts being very finely vermiculated. The four central tail feathers are dark glossy green, the rest are white with black bases. The bill is pale green, and the bird has a very wide gape, like that of a Nightjar. The female is somewhat similar to the male in plumage, but is of a browner colour, and the rose pink under parts, are not so brightly coloured. The Golden-tailed Woodpecker ( Campothera ahingdoni) was only met with once or twice on some of the thinly wooded slopes of the mountain, where it at once attracted my attention by its loud full cry. It is a very active bird, and runs with great speed up and down Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Mount Selinda 38 the tree trunks, stopping every now and then to hammer at the bark or to extract some grub, but it feeds principally upon a small species of tree ant, licking them up with its long tongue as it runs along ; in a specimen that was secured I found the plumage full of these ants. The Cardinal Woodpecker (Dendrojpicus cardinalis ) was exceedingly common on the mountain, always busily engaged in running about the tree trunks in search of small insects which inhabit the bark. Some¬ times these birds had singing parties in the trees, a dozen or so would gather together and indulge in the most hilarious behaviour, in fighting, chasing each other from tree to tree, and making a great noise. They have no real song, but have a series of rich pleasant calls. The Cardinal Woodpecker is the smallest of the South African Woodpeckers. The Scaly-throated Honey Guide (Indicator variegatus) is rare, and I only saw it once deep in the forest, where it was hopping about the branches of a tall tree, uttering the strange notes wdiich are characteristic of the family. I know nothing of its habits beyond that it is a very quiet and unobtrusive bird, and is very rarely seen. Levaillant’s Barbet ( Trachyjphonus cafer) are found but sparingly in the districts lying at the foot of Mount Selinda, where they at once attract attention by their loud cries ; they are very seldom seen, and keep to the thick bush as though conscious of their loud colouring. They never associate in parties like the Black-collared Barbet. The Emerald Cuckoo ( Chrysococcyx smaragdineus). When a child I once saw a stuffed skin of this bird in a taxidermist’s window, and I was so struck by its extraordinary beauty that from that day I cherished a great desire to see the bird in its native haunts. Later on, I again made its acquaintance ; unfortunately — as part of millinery impedi¬ menta — once in Paris I saw no less than seven skins of this wonderful bird forming in conjunction with a chaotic mass of material what is usually called a hat, but it was not until coming to the Mountain of Selinda that I made the acquaintance of this exquisite bird in its forest home. One usually thinks of the Cuckoos as sombre-coloured birds, in fact, most of them are, but the genus Chrysococcyx proves the exception, in fact, they can boast of few rivals in the avian world, especially the Emerald Cuckoo, whose colour is the most remarkable glittering 34 Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Mount Belinda emerald green, the feathers having the appearance of scales ; the lower parts are delicate canary yellow, the tail feathers are tipped with white, the under tail coverts white barred with emerald green. The female is marked with brown and is white on the under parts barred with green. These Cuckoos are essentially forest birds, inhabiting the tops of the highest trees, where they find most of their food, which consists mainly of hairy caterpillars, and I have frequently seen them consume quite large ones. The presence of the bird (the male) can easily be detected by its loud, clear, and very distinct whistle, which consists of three notes, “ chu — chu— chit,” which is uttered very slowly and repeated at frequent intervals. When about to call the bird chooses some thick straight branch in the shade, then straightens himself out horizontally, and as he calls he turns slowly round and round, moving his tail up and down, and appearing to put his utmost strength into the production of the song. The bird continues the call sometimes in the same position for over an hour at a time, then it will fly to another tree close by, and on alighting give utterance to a particularly loud alarm note, which is very different to its usual song, and when it has found a suitable branch it commences to call again. Unless in the sunlight, the bird is very difficult to see in spite of its brilliant plumage, which seems to tone down in the shadows and harmonize with the surrounding foliage. The female is an extraordinary illusive creature, and very difficult to observe, for she cannot be detected by any note, for she is com¬ paratively silent and very few white people seem to have seen one. Eain and mist do not seem to damp this bird’s ardour, for I have frequently heard its loud ringing notes when the whole forest has been enveloped in dense rain clouds, so thick that the tops of the trees were invisible. These Cuckoos are parasitic, laying their eggs in the nests of other birds. The Klaas Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaasi) is another of the exquisite Golden Cuckoos that I have occasionally seen on the lower wooded slopes of the mountain. Like the Emerald Cuckoo it has a Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Mount Selinda 85 remarkable loud clear call, and also like the latter bird it is hard to see owing to its plumage harmonizing so well with the foliage. It is never seen in the forest, but seems to prefer the more open country. Owing to its comparative tameness, I have had very good oppor¬ tunities of observing it. It betrays its presence by its flute-like whistle of three notes. The hen too has a distinctive note, but it is quite different to that of her mate. The birds seem to go about in pairs, the cock being an exemplary husband. The hen seems to be very lethargic, at least she assumes that pose whilst her husband makes a very energetic search of the thorn-trees for the hairy caterpillars upon which these birds feed. As soon as he has found one he brings it back to his mate, approaching her with great ceremony, drooping his wings and raising and fanning his tail, and, holding his head up as if to say, “ Look what a fine one this is,” he gives it to his mate, but I regret to say that she like many humans shows little or no appreciation of what her husband does, but simply snatches the food as soon as he is within reach and without more ado swallows it. If the hen has moved to another tree before the cock returns, he shows great concern when he finds that she has gone, and hopping about all over the tree, he utters his call note, “ Where is it, where is it ? ” until she answers in a low whistle, “ Here, here, here.” I once saw a male feed his mate during the whole of a morning, and even then she was not satisfied. The feathers on the thighs of the male are very long, and make him appear as though he wore a pair of long white trousers. In colour the male is shining emerald green, glossed with golden copper, and marked with white above, the lower parts being white too . The female is barred with creamy buff and brown, and looks very much like a small edition of an immature European Cuckoo, except that she has metallic green on some parts of her plumage. Burchell’s Coucal (Centropus burchelli) is very common, and is found in the dense bush and reed beds which border the fast-running mountain streams. Its peculiar loud bubbling note, like the noise made by water running out of a narrow-necked bottle, is often heard in the early mornings 36 Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Mount Selinda and evenings ; it is one of those strange exotic noises that are so pleasing to the ear of the bird-lover in the tropics. Burchell’s Coucal differs in its habits from the Senegal Coucal, which is the common Coucal in Rhodesia, in being practically terrestrial, this being shown by the highly developed hind toe which resembles that of a lark. When disturbed the bird rises up out of the undergrowth, and flies a short distance, then dives again into the dense vegetation, where it creeps about in search of the insects upon which it subsists. Occasionally I saw the birds on the edge of the forest, low down in the dense jungle. In colour, these birds are glossy greenish black on the head, nape, and upper back, the mantle and scapulars chestnut with white shaft streaks, the lower back is finely barred grey and white, the tail-coverts greenish black, barred with white, the tail-feathers greenish black, tipped with white, the entire under surface creamy white. Livingstone’s Touracou (Turacus living stonii). Touracous are large, splendid birds, quick and graceful in their movements, and wonderful in their colouring, which is usually a harmonious combina¬ tion of green, purple, blue, and carmine. Their attractive qualities make them very suitable birds for aviaries. The Livingstone’s Touracou is a forest-loving bird, and only frequents the densely wooded districts, and is seldom found outside the confines of the dark forests, where it lives in the sunshine on the tops of the great forest trees and never descends to the ground. It betrays its presence by its extremely loud raucous cry, which resembles the caw of a rook, but is very much louder and quicker, and when a party of these birds form chorus the noise is perfectly deafening. These Touracous seem to indulge in dancing and “ singing ” parties in the high tree-tops. I have often watched parties of six or more birds playing together, sometimes they all run together, one behind the other, along a horizontal branch until they come to the end, when they fly in single file across to another tree, where they fly from branch to branch displaying their splendid carmine wings. If one sits quietly they continue to play about, but sometimes in the middle of the play they remember that they are being watched, and suddenly crouch down in a clump of leaves and become almost invisible. Sydney Portei — Notes on Birds of Mount Belinda 87 At times the forest seems to swarm with these birds, judging by the noise they make. They give full vent to their vocal powers about sundown. 1 They live almost entirely on fruit and berries, but are especially fond of a small orange green berry which grows upon a large forest tree ; this berry is relished by most fruit-eating birds, it has the most horrible taste, and I can hardly see how birds can have any sense of taste if they eat it ; it is called the Guniti-berry. If one happens to be near one of these Touracous when flying, a remarkably loud rustle is heard even if the bird makes no motion with its wings ; I noticed this especially when a bird of this species shot past me with closed wings down the mountain side. In colour both sexes are rich grass green, dark metallic green on the wings, lower back and tail, there is a white mark above and below the eye. The head has a long upstanding crest of decomposed feathers, green tipped with white. The flight feathers are intense carmine red, edged with dark metallic purple. The feet are black, and the bill crimson. It has often been stated that the carmine pigment in the flight feathers of the Touracous is soluble in water, but I am afraid that I cannot believe it, for I have tried many times with the feathers of several species, using both cold and hot water, and also different kinds of soap and soda, but I never washed any of the colour out. The Purple-crested Touracou (Gallirex porphyreolophus) cannot be called common in the Mount Selinda district ; it is found rather sparingly in the thickly wooded districts on the lower slopes of the mountain, and I was fortunate in seeing quite a few during the time I resided at Selinda. These Touracous are of a tame and confiding nature, and will come within close proximity of the homesteads, where they visit the fruit-trees and feed upon the fruit, being especially partial to plantains and bananas. When at rest in the trees, they look very inconspicuous, their brilliant colouring seeming to tone down and harmonize with the surrounding foliage ; they then look like large grey Pigeons, the crest being depressed and the bird sitting close up to the trunk of the tree, but in spite of their apparently lethargic attitude, their brilliant eye is always fixed upon one. 88 Sydney Porter — Notes on Birds of Mount Selinda They live principally upon a certain kind of wild fig, which grows in great clusters upon the trunks of the tree, and in the vicinity of one of these trees one is almost sure to find a pair of these birds. The cry is rather pleasing, and is totally different to that made by the Livingstone’s Touracou. It wanders about the country in pairs, and is not migratory like the latter bird. If the weather is very wet, these birds seem to be incapable of sustained flight, for the natives sometimes capture them by chasing them from tree to tree until they fall exhausted to the ground. A young bird of this species was captured in this manner by the natives, and kept for me by some friends. “ Charlie ” was his name, and a most charming pet he made, he was fed upon fruit and cake, and in time became exceedingly tame, but unfortunately one night a wild cat attacked him, and tore half the lower mandible off, we fed him on soft food for a time, but he lingered a few days and died. In colour these birds are dark rich metallic green on the lores, eye¬ brows, and on the frontal band, the long loose crest is brilliant purple, under the lower mandible is a patch of metallic blue. The throat and breast are green with a pinkish bloom, the rest of the under parts are slate grey, the back of the head, the whole of the upper parts, and the tail either brilliant metallic purple or grey according to the angle at which one looks at the bird, the flight feathers are brilliant carmine, edged with brownish purple. The tail-coverts are dark purple. The legs, feet, and beak are black, the eyelids are edged with bright pink. Both sexes are the same in colour. Levaillant’s Parrot ( Poeocephalus robustus) is a large and handsome Parrot, and only found at certain times of the year, especially wheu the “ Mahobahoba ” fruit is ripe ; this is a small round fruit, about the size of a wralnut, with an exceedingly sickly sweet flavour. The birds associate either in pairs, or in small parties, and can be easily dis¬ tinguished from all the other African Parrots when on the wing by the brilliant green of the under parts and the red edging of the wings. When flying they are extremely noisy, uttering all the time their loud raucous shrieks. Every morning from 7.30 to 8 a.m. they could be heard passing over the homestead on their way from the lowlands where they roost Sydney Porte ) — Notes on Birds of Mount Selinda 89 to the forest to feed upon certain fruits. Their shrieks can be heard half a mile away. Of an extremely wild and wary nature they will not tolerate the presence of a human being, and consequently it is well nigh impossible to observe them in the wild state. During their flight to and from the forest, they frequently rest on the way in certain high trees. It is a very easy matter to capture any number of these birds by finding out the tree where they spend the night and then putting bird lime on the branches on which they roost, and in this way the settlers frequently capture large numbers ; but very few ever seem to reach these shores. The Crested Hawk Eagle ( Lophocetus occipitalis). This very beautiful and unique Eagle is seen but occasionally in the lowlands around Mount Selinda, generally in pairs. It is a very conspicuous bird when in flight owing to the black and white marking of the wings and tail, and when in the distance I have frequently mistaken it for one of the large Hornbills. It frequents the well-timbered and well- watered districts, where it is to be seen sitting motionless on the top of some large bush or tree raising and lowering its long crest. When at rest it appears to be quite black, but upon close examination is seen to be of a general dark sepia brown, the wings and tail being broadly banded with white, the cere, the gape, and the feet bright yellow, the legs are feathered down to the toes, and the unusually large eyes are yellow. The Bateleur Eagle ( Helotarsus ecaudatus) can be distinguished at once from all other Eagles when on the wing, even though soaring at a great height, by the white underwing coverts, the very short tail, the end of which appears to be on a level with the secondary wing feathers, and by the bright coral red cere and legs which are discernible from a great height. When on the wing this bird is to me the grandest and the most beautiful of all the Eagles ; the very embodiment of aerial grace, it soars with the ease and lightness of a feather blown in the wind. The African Buzzard Eagle (Asturinula monogrammica) resembles at a distance a light-coloured Sparrow-hawk rather than an Eagle, it is comparatively common in Gazaland, where it haunts the trees bordering the rivers and larger streams, and is usually seen in pairs. 40 Sydney Porte r — Notes on Birds of Mount Belinda It is not at all shy, and will allow one to approach within a few yards. It is a pretty and inoffensive little bird, and seldom if ever preys upon the farmyard poultry, but it is always shot in common with the other Hawks by the farmers. Waterfowl are conspicuous by their absence in the district immediately around Selinda, the reason being that even though there is an abundance of water, the rivers and streams are extremely fast flowing, and therefore are not conducive to an extensive bird life, I mean of aquatic fowl, who like swamps and broad shallow rivers where they find an abundance of food. The only bird besides small Crake, etc., that I saw was the Black-headed Heron ( Ardea melano- cejohala), a bird which resembles the Common Heron in colour, but is larger in size and when on the wing can be distinguished by the pure white under wing-coverts. The Tamborine Dove (T ympanistria bicolor) is met with usually singly in the thick undergrowth in the forest. It is exceedingly shy and timid, and very difficult to observe. It might easily be mistaken for a Thrush by the casual observer as it grubs about in the dead leaves under the bushes, for both in demeanour and colour it resembles a bird of that family. Occasionally I have seen it in the cultivated lands of the Kaffirs on the edge of the forest, but even there it is very hard to observe, flying upon the slightest provocation into the dense bush. The Emerald-spotted Dove (Chalcopelia afra) is the commonest Dove in the Selinda region except the Bed-eyed Dove, which is almost the commonest of all the birds. It is found in small numbers in the densely wooded kloofs, and as it usually sits motionless in the dense vegetation it is very hard to find. It is shy and retiring, and if disturbed in fairly open country it will fly into a tree and sit on a thick branch close up to the trunk, and in that position is rendered almost invisible owing to the grey colour harmonizing so well with the lichen-covered bark. It is a strange thing that all the Doves of Mount Selinda are so shy, because they meet with no persecution ; the Lemon Dove ( Haplopelia larvata) is no exception, for it is the shyest of birds, and one only gets a very fleeting glance of it as it flies away at one’s approach. Upon Sydney Porter— Notes on Birds of Mount Belinda 41 seeing the bird for the first time I mistook it for a Thrash, owing to its olive. brown colouring and mode of flight. The Lemon Dove only inhabits the parts of the forest where the undergrowth is the thickest, and there it can be heard walking about on the dead leaves, but it is a hopeless task to try and watch it, for upon the slightest sign of danger it flies up and after a short flight dives down again into the dense vegetation. I once came across a bird of this species, caught in a native trap in the forest, it was hanging in the air by its legs, with the wings almost touching the ground, and in its straggles it had worn all the scales off its legs and the flight feathers from the wings. I brought it back to the homestead, where I kept it for a short time, but it eventually died, having I think, sustained some internal injuries when in the trap. These Doves are practically terrestrial and only at rare intervals have I seen them perch in the trees, and this was only when they were disturbed from the ground. At one season of the year these Doves gather together under a certain kind of forest tree, from which fall berries upon which they feed, the birds create quite a noise by grabbing about in the dead leaves ; it sounds from a distance as though it were raining, often thirty or forty birds can be seen in a space of a few square yards. The flight is very heavy and noisy. The East African Guinea-fowl ( Numida mitrata) is exceedingly numerous on the lower slopes of the mountain, where it lives in flocks of a dozen or more. From the terrace of the homestead, flocks could always be seen in the old cultivated lands. Frequently these birds indulge in a kind of play, chasing each other round and round, and jumping high into the air over the others backs. At night if one goes out into the bush- veld, the number of Guinea-fowl one disturbs in the trees is amazing. Usually they roost in small flocks, but occasionally I have seen them in pairs or singly. On one farm that I visited were some ordinary Guinea-fowl, and very often a flock of wild ones would join them and come right up to the homestead. It was when the two species of birds were together that the great difference could be seen between them, the wild species is entirely black, whereas the other is grey, the spots on the feathers of 4 42 Sydney Porter — -Notes on Birds of Mount Belinda the former are much larger and more distinct, the helmet and wattles are larger and of a different shape, also the whole neck is rich blue, and the wild bird is also much slimmer in build. I brought a bird of this species home with me, he was picked up when a tiny chick, and we thought that he was a young Francolin, and it was not until he began to get his spotted plumage that we found out our mistake. When on board the ship he showed great character, and proved to be a great pet, but on getting home he lost a great deal of his tameness, and struck up a friendship with a male Impeyan Pheasant, who had just previously murdered his wife. The Crested Guinea Fowl {Gutter a edouardi ) is only found in the deepest recesses of the forest, where it is more often heard than seen. After the Crested Hornbill it is the noisiest of the forest birds, its cry is very much like the noise made by the old-fashioned wooden rattle, which was used in the good old days for scaring birds and if one happens to be in close proximity to a flock the noise is simply deafening. Its presence can only be detected by its call ; it . is a hopeless task to try to find it otherwise, for it only creeps about in. the densest undergrowth. Taken young, these birds (so I was told) make delightful pets. A lady living in the vicinity of Mount Selinda told me that one she had would follow her about like a dog, even on long walking trips ; it also kept order in the farmyard, stopping any dispute between the poultry, and seeing that the chickens’ food was not eaten by the adult birds — a truly useful acquisition to any farmyard. This species is in my opinion by far the handsomest of the Guinea- fowl, being preferable I think even to the blue Abyssinian Guinea-fowl. The bird wanders about in the forest in small parties of five to twelve, feeding upon seeds, berries, insects, etc. When disturbed, it flies up into the trees, mounting from branch to branch until it gets to the top. Australian Parrakeets 48 AUSTRALIAN PARRAKEETS By The Marquess of Tavistock and J. Delacour Australia and its neighbouring islands are inhabited by many splendid Parrakeets which may be divided into two groups, Polytelis and Platycercus. The Platycerci are all birds for the aviary rather than for the cage, and win favour by their exquisite colouring, their power of enduring cold, their readiness to breed, and their comparatively agreeable voices. They are quarrelsome, especially with individuals of the same or nearly related species. When a male and female are put together for the first time, they must be watched ; if the male appears to be pleased with his com¬ panion, or indifferent, it should be all right, but if he shows signs of anger and attacks her, they must be separated at once if her life is to be saved, for there is little or no chance of their ever agreeing. With a male Platycercus hatred at first sight is generally enduring except in cases where he still remembers the mate from whom he has been parted. If the female gains the upper hand, they may live without serious fighting, but there is little likelihood of their going to nest. Although the majority, if in good condition, can stand a low tempera¬ ture, broad-tailed Parrakeets are sensitive to draughts and cold winds, and it is wise to make certain that they use their shelter, shutting them up in it at night, and during very bad weather. For satisfactory breeding results a movable aviary not less than 24 feet by 8 feet by 8 feet is desirable. They will nest in much smaller aviaries of the usual fixed type, but the young, if any are reared, are usually worthless for stock purposes. I. The Polytelis Parrakeets The genus Polytelis bears some resemblance to the Palceornis Parrakeets, in which they were included for a long time ; they are very fine birds, and easily kept when their requirements are understood. They are found in Australia and some of the Oceanic Isles, Barraband’s Parrakeet ( Polytelis barrabandi) inhabits east and south-east Australia. The sexes can be easily distinguished. The male is brilliant grass-green, black under the tail, the flights and Beatrices washed with blue ; forehead, cheeks, and throat golden yellow, with a 44 Aviculture wide red stripe below the yellow of the throat ; beak red, irides yellow, and feet pale grey. The female is a duller green, has no yellow on the head nor a red throat, but beneath the tail she is black and pink, and she has red thighs. The young resemble their mother, but the males from the first show faint indications of yellow and red where those colours will eventually appear ; at first they have red thighs, but these disappear as they grow older. They are about the same size as the Ring-neck Parrakeet, and have small beaks and long pointed tails. Barrabands do not scream, but their call is too piercing for indoors, and although they will live in a cage it is a pity to shut up a bird, one of whose chief features is its immensely powerful flight. They thrive infinitely better in an aviary, and several pairs can be kept together, either by themselves or with odd birds of either sex ; it is not even necessary always to separate them when breeding, though a hen will sometimes sulk and refuse to lay if another takes possession of the nest which she covets. Barrabands are very ready to breed in confinement, but unless their aviary is roomy they will only lay a few eggs and most if not all of these will be clear. Once acclimatized they are quite hardy. Now and then a delicate individual may take cold, but this is the exception rather than the rule. The young need more protection than adults during the first winter, but do not usually require artificial heat. Freshly imported specimens are liable to two troublesome diseases. The first is paralysis of the feet and legs, which may come on suddenly. The cause would seem to be too dry and heating diet after semi¬ starvation caused by fear, which prevents them from eating freely during the voyage. Many newly caught Barrabands die in this way, and the danger is not over for two months after their landing. Escaped individuals recaptured when tired and half-starved may suffer in the same way unless they are fed on soaked canary seed and fruit and some kind of purgative is mixed with their drinking water. I do not know a certain cure for paralysis, but cod-liver oil in their drinking water may do some good. A still worse trouble among freshly imported Barrabands is a disease which causes swelling round the eyes, which irritates the bird, and in Australian Parrakeets 45 time brings on weakness, blindness, and eventually death. It appears to be contracted in the dirty travelling boxes used by the Australian catchers and dealers, and often makes its appearance on the voyage. It is contagious, though not extremely so, but a diseased bird may pass it on to another in the same aviary. ' It usually appears some days or weeks after landing, but occasionally it lies dormant for months, and a bird may even have moulted and shown a desire to nest before it develops. I do not know any positive cure for this disease. If the weather be fine the birds are better in an outside aviary, with perches that can easily be cleaned with a non-irritant disinfectant. Everything should be done to improve the general health of the sufferers, and there is reason to hope that after a long time some of the less serious cases may recover completely. Birds which are badly affected are best off in cages where they have their food close at hand. A cock Barraband whose hen is shut up in an aviary is a delightful bird to have at liberty, but care must be taken to ascertain that he is really paired, or he may leave if he has a companion of his own sex at liberty with him. A cock Barraband may court and even feed a hen without being actually mated to her, but once this has taken place he is the most faithful and devoted of husbands. A pair should never be liberated together, or they will certainly be lost. Owls are to be feared, but it is not difficult to train a cock Barraband to return to his aviary through an inward-pointing funnel of wire netting for his evening feed ; once inside he cannot find the way out again, and will stay in until he is let out the next morning. Barrabands should be fed on canary, oats, and millet seed, with fruit and green stuff ; some of them like mealworms. They do not often damage shrubs in their aviary. The Rock Peplar Parrakeet (P. melanura) from South and West Australia, is another very beautiful species, slightly larger. The male is yellow, deepening to olive on the head and back, the tail bluish, flights of the same colour but the lesser wing coverts are yellow, and the greater red or black ; the mantle is olive green, beak red, feet olive grey. The female has her yellow parts very olivaceous and a dark green tail edged with pink. The young resemble the female, but the 46 Aviculture males may be distinguished by their thicker and bolder heads. They also soon begin to chatter and call as they sit on a perch in a way that hens never do. These Parrakeets do not live long in close confinement, and suffer from heart disease, but if allowed a spacious, movable aviary, they do very well, and are hardier than Barrabands. They are equally willing to nest, but unless their aviary is really large, most of the eggs will be clear. This species is more quarrelsome than the Barraband, and adult pairs do not live peaceably together. The cocks can be kept at liberty in the same way as Barrabands. The rapidity and agility of their flight are positively astonishing, and it alone would make them desirable even were their plumage no more ornamental than a Crow’s ! They are not hard to tame, and some have even learnt to speak and whistle. Their food should be the same as given to the Barrabands, with the addition of hemp and sunflower. Newly imported birds are liable to eye disease, but I have never seen a case of paralysis of the feet among them. Queen Alexandra’s Parrakeet (P. alexandrce), perhaps better known as the Princess of Wales’s Parrakeet, has been removed from the genus Polytelis by North, and placed in a separate genus, Spathopterus, on account of the presence of spatules at the tips of the second flight feathers. There is no doubt, however, that it is a Polytelis. Although abundant in its native place — the deserts of central and west Australia — it has always been rare in Europe and has never been freely imported. It is one of the most beautiful and graceful of the whole family, its colouring being exquisitely soft and harmonious. The male of this species is slightly smaller than the Barraband, and has the back of the neck, the mantle, back, and flights ashy olive green, washed with blue and yellow ; the wing coverts are pale greenish yellow ; the rump is pastel blue, the median rectrices golden green ; the others blue grey outside, pink inside ; the top of the head grey blue, the face, throat, and front of the neck pink, as are also the thighs ; the under parts pearly grey ; the beak bright pink, eye yellow, feet pinkish grey. The hen bird is smaller, and her colours are not so bright, her head and rump are grey rather than blue, and she lacks the curious spatules Australian Parrakeets 47 which the cock wears on one of Ms flights. This species is not as hardy as the Barrabands and Rock Peplar and requires more protection from the cold ; it- is a good plan to shut it up at night, and watch it carefully in bad weather and during the moult. Acclimatized specimens can, however, do without artificial heat. Queen Alexandra's Parrakeets are quite ready to go to nest in an aviary, but unless it is really spacious few eggs are laid and the male birds are often sterile. Several adults will usually agree together, but pairs kept by themselves in the breeding season are more likely to be successful. They should be given the same food as the Rock Peplar, with addition of a few mealworms, of which they are very fond. They are particularly gentle and confiding, and will feed from their master’s hand ; they like to be noticed and spoken to, although, like many Parrakeets, they object to being handled. They can occasionally be taught to speak and whistle, but it is a mistake to make a pet of a cock from whom one wishes to breed, as in all probability he will come to prefer his master to his own mate. The late Mr. Astley was the first to breed this species, and until his lamented death in 1925 he kept a small flock in his aviary. Hybrids have been obtained between Barraband and Rock Peplar, and between Barraband and Queen Alexandra ; also between this last and the Crimson- wing. We now come to the genus Aprosmictus , of which the King Parrakeet is the typical representative. They are larger than the preceding species, with more ample wings and less pointed tails. The genus contains several species and sub-species, but only one •is freely imported. The King- Parrakeet, A. cyanopygius , is a magnificent bird, and comes from South Australia. The male bird has the head, neck, and under parts of the body dazzling scarlet, the wings and mantle are deep green, with a pale green stripe across the shoulders ; a spot at the back of the neck, the lower back and rump are dark blue ; tail bluish black, beak red and black ; yellow irides, feet black. The female has a green head and neck, and her beak is blackish. The young of both sexes strongly resemble the adult female, but the upper mandible of young cocks turns red before their plumage changes. A well-defined 48 Aviculture pale green stripe across the wing of a green-headed bird is a possible sign of a cock, but not a certain one, as some hens also have this stripe, though it is lacking in the majority of cases. They assume adult colour¬ ing more or less after the first moult. A yellowish tinge in the red parts of a cock bird is either a sign of illness or abnormality, and is not, as some dealers assert, due to youth. The King Parrakeet is hardy and easily kept, if protected from wind and wet, and can stand any amount of cold when once acclimatized. It should have the same diet as the Rock Peplar with addition of monkey nuts and a generous allowance of mealworms. It goes to nest readily, but clear eggs are the rule in a small aviary. The hen may refuse to lay in the ordinary type of log or box nest ; she often prefers a very deep one something in the style of a tall clock case with a hole near the top, where the dial would be. The box should be lined inside with wire netting to enable the bird to climb up and down ; a natural log of the right shape is best of all. The King will live in a cage, and is not noisy, but kept in this way they mope and become apathetic, and are neither happy nor interesting. Pairs of Kings are not very satisfactory at liberty, but a cock whose hen is kept shut up is ideal and can be strongly recommended to a beginner. He is a good stayer, does no damage, and is too big to be attacked by birds of prey ; he is wonderfully handsome, too, with his fine plumage and elegant flight. He is also quite peaceable at liberty with his own kind and sex. He may perhaps eat a few ripe apples, but will not do serious harm in a garden. In the aviary Kings hardly ever molest small Pinches. The Green- winged King Parrakeet (A. chloropterus ) from south¬ east New Guinea resembles the above, but the pale green band across the wings and the blue spots on the nape and rump are much larger. The hen has a green head and neck. The Amboina King Parrakeet (A. amboinensis ) has a carmine red neck and under parts and green wings ; the back, rump, scapulars, the edges and underneath the wings deep blue ; the tail bluish black : the hen is like him, only smaller and less brightly coloured. The Sula King Parrakeet (A. sulaensis) is smaller than the above, the sexes are practically alike. A female in my possession has Australian Parrakeets 49 lived several years in an outside aviary and has laid and sat twice in a year, even when unmated. The Crimson- winged Parrakeet ( Ptistes erythropterus) from north and west Australia, is very nearly related to the King. The male is slightly smaller than his mate, and is a very splendid satiny green, with black mantle and scapulars ; the middle of the back is brilliant blue, and all the wing coverts are scarlet. The beak is yellowish red ; eye red brown, feet grey. The female has no black and has less red about the wings. Although it is liable to eye disease when freshly imported, like its relative the King, and to attacks of contagious fever, the Crimson- wing may fairly be called hardy. It goes to nest readily, has the same requirements as the King, but it is not always easy to obtain a fertile male bird. Although it is one of the gaudiest and most brilliant of Parrakeets, it must be admitted that the beauty of the male is wholly exterior. He is quarrelsome and unfaithful. When a pair are put together, the cock often attacks his mate, and drives her about viciously. Sometimes, just when one is about to take her away, he will begin to make advances, and directly afterwards they become good friends. At times he drives her about for a month or more, and then makes up to her, or he may never take to her at all, although they are both in breeding condition. They require a large aviary in order that the hen can get away from the cock, and if he becomes too aggressive a few wing feathers may be clipped so as to limit his power of attack. If unprovided with a “ clock case ” or deep natural nest, the hen will sometimes prefer to lay on the bare ground sooner than use an ordinary log. Though Crimson-wings may roam rather far away from their homes, they would really be very good birds at liberty, were it not for their inveterate habit of going down chimneys. Every now and again one comes across a cock who lacks this fatal curiosity, and he will live out for years, to the great delight of his owner. This species should be fed on the same mixture as the King. It has been crossed with the King and with Queen Alexandra. The splendidly coloured Parrakeets of the genus Pyrrhulopsis are natives of the Fijian Isles. Although in appearance they slightly 50 Aviculture resemble the King, their habits are very different. They have stronger beaks. The Red-shining Parrakeet (P. splendens) from Viti Levu and Kandavu has a carmine head and under parts ; a blue stripe on the nape ; black and rump green ; wings blue and green ; tail blue ; iris orange ; beak and feet black. The sexes are alike. This is a delicate species in captivity, being subject to a kind of chronic enteritis as well as to tuberculosis and other diseases. It does better in a room or a large indoor aviary than in a cage, especially if it is timid, which is sometimes the case. The diet should consist of canary, hemp, oats, and sunflower seeds, along with monkey nuts and plenty of fruit. This species utters two different calls, a soft cry and a strident scream. Some specimens learn to talk. I found them gentle in an aviary, but other people complain that they are aggressive. It is said that in its own country it is often tamed, and can then be left at liberty. The Tabuan Parrakeet (P. tabuensis) from Vanua Levu differs from the preceding in having its head and under parts rich mahogany purplish red ; it is occasionally imported together with an allied species P. taviunensis from the Island of Taviuni which may be dis¬ tinguished by its smaller size and absence of blue on the nape, and another intermediate species P. koroensis from Koro Island. These are all very choice and fine birds. The Masked Parrakeet (P. personata) has been practically exterminated by Mongooses. It is green, with a black face, the middle of the breast yellow, and the middle of the belly orange, the wings and tail washed with blue. I once owned a very old specimen who was allowed his liberty during the summer. Although he hated being handled, he was friendly and liked sitting on one’s arm or shoulder, but at times he would viciously attack women’s ankles. He was afraid of other birds, and avoided them, but I once saw him happily feeding at the same dish with an enormous rat ! He ate everything he could find, and drank ink, cod liver oil, and every kind of medicine, so that it was astonishing that he lived so long ! Avicultural Notes 51 His only natural cry was piercing and harsh, but he made up for it by speaking fluent English, and imitating dogs and cats. He walked more like a Pheasant than a Parrakeet, and his heavy flight was very peculiar, and not at all like that of other Parrakeets ; it consisted of a succession of slow wing beats followed by a glide. AVICULTURAL NOTES We would commend to the notice of our members a very excellent book that has been recently published entitled Notes on the Game Birds of Kenya and Uganda (including the Sand-grouse, Pigeons, Snipe, Bustards, Geese, and Ducks). It is written by Sir Frederick J. Jackson, K.C.M.G., C.B., etc., than whom there is no one better qualified for such a task, for he has spent a great part of his life in East Africa and, during more than thirty years there, has spent his spare time in the pursuit of natural history. Although Sir Frederick will always be remembered as a very successful Governor of Uganda, he is perhaps better known to many as an ornithologist, and we are very pleased to hear that he hopes later on to be able to deal with all of the birds of Kenya and Uganda. The present volume is published by Williams and Norgate, Ltd., at 25s. net. Mrs. Prestwick kindly sends the following notes : — The membership of the Society now numbers 433, the highest since 1910, with 444 ; the record year was 1909, with 451. The 500 mark should be reached by the end of this year, if members will make a special effort. The Society is now in its 33rd year, and it is pleasing to note that there are still six original members (October, 1894), namely, James Cooper, H. K. Fillmer, James B. Housden, Mrs. Mortimer, W. H. St. Quintin, and S. M. Townsend. There are seventeen members wdio joined before 1900, including our worthy Editor, December, 1894 ; Nicholas S. O’Reilly, December, 1894 ; E. G. B. Meade-Waldo, January, 52 Correspondence 1895 ; Henry Thomas, January, 1895 ; W. J. G. Reid, February, 1895 ; Miss H. K. 0. Walker, February, 1895 ; William B. Gibbins, June, 1895. Long may their membership continue. La Societe Nationales d’Acclimatation de France has awarded silver medals to our members as follows : — Mr. Herbert Bright for breeding Grayson’s Dove ( Zenaidura gmysoni ) and Wells’ Dove (Leptoptila wellsi). Captain H. S. Stokes for breeding the Nyasa Love¬ bird ( Agapornis liliance ), all for the first time in Europe. Members will be sorry to learn that Mr. F. G. Hedges has lost his famous hen Gang-Gang Cockatoo “ Tut ”, the first of its kind bred in Europe. Death was from pneumonia. It will come as a pleasant surprise to many to know that Madam Pavlova is an ardent bird lover. On her return from Australia, a few months ago, she brought a large collection of Australian Finches and a very fine pair of Grass Parrakeets. The Finches are now housed in a super indoor aviary, erected by one of our Beaconsfield members. CORRESPONDENCE COLOUR BREEDING IN BUDGERIGARS Sir, — I was very pleased to see your notice on the Budgerigar Club booklet, and should like to point out a very essential item that Professor Duncker appears to have missed. In colour breeding in all stock, there are two ways of producing new colours and shades, first by sports and selection, and second by crossing these shades and colours to get other shades and colours. From the table at the bottom of page 15, it might appear that all the colours and shades were produced from sports or selective breeding, whereas Cobalt, Mauve, and Maygreen (apple-green) are produced by crossing two or more of the other colours or shades. About thirty years ago I produced Blue Japanese bantams and have always been interested in colour breedings, and I consider this point should not be lost sight of. John W. Marsden, F.Z.S. Correspondence 58 Sir, — Although only Budgerigar episodes, perhaps the following notes will be interesting to the members of the Avicultural Society. All my Budgerigars are blue-bred greens from well-known strains, and during 1925 did very well in turning up several blues and at that time I had no blues in the aviary, but during 1926, without any selection whatsoever (other than the birds themselves), a pair of my own young ones of 1925 produced in their first nest one good blue, two greens, and two white. The white are as pure as any I have seen at the shows, the dark markings almost eliminated and just a tinge of the palest delicate blue on the under parts and between the wings. They are a very clean white too, not looking like a washed-out and dirty blue, as some so-called whites do. All my birds live summer and winter in an entirely unheated garden aviary ; there is a shelter shed attached, but that is only closed in on three sides, the birds fly in and out at will, and often spend the night on the open flight. The whites seem very hardy and bonny. In another rather interesting nest two hens laid and nested together, they laid eleven eggs, nine of which hatched out and were fully reared. Two of these were good yellows, one a nice deep blue, and the other six greens. I have other blues, but these came from a blue pair in another enclosure similar, the hen being one of my own from 1925 and the cock from the late Mrs. Dalton Burgess’s strain, but of course, being a blue pair not at all remarkable, but that a pair of greens should produce whites seems worthy of comment. The whites I believe to be a pair. Alice Chatterton. ESCAPED BIRDS Sir, — The following coincidences will, I think, be of interest to your readers : — (1) In the early summer a hen Flamingo flew away from my aviary at Lake in the Avon Valley, seven miles north of Salisbury, in an easterly gale, and, in spite of much advertisement, I have heard nothing of it until now. 54 Correspondence Mr. McEuan, of Richmond House, Hayling Island, wrote a letter in The Times on the subject last week, and has been good enough to wuite to me personally in addition. He tells me that the bird was first seen by one of the punt gunners in the neighbourhood last August, and has since frequented Hayling Bay. It is very wild owing to the frequent attempts which have been made to shoot it. Sir Thomas Troubridge also writes to me from Beaulieu that a Flamingo was seen there on the 21st September, which flew in from the east and pitched near the mouth of the Beaulieu river, and remained for a day. (2) Further, a Scaly-breasted Lorikeet escaped from my outdoor aviary in September, was seen about the garden for a day or two, and then disappeared. A naval friend of mine who was in H.M.S. Royal Sovereign told me the other day that a bird of this description flew on to the ship when she was eighty miles from land in the North Sea and was captured, and is now safely at the home of the captain of the ship. Unfortunately the bird was not ringed, so it is impossible to prove anything. Owing to the rarity of the species in England, it is extremely likely to have been my bird. F. E. E. Bailey, Lt.-Col. BIRDS RETURN TO DESERTED NEST Sir, — So far as my own experience of birds during nesting has been, the usual proceedings have been that when a pair deserted a nest, which they had made considerable progress with in building, and then chose another site, that pair has deserted the original nest finally and for the rest of the season. But last year a pair of Robins acted differently in that they started early in March to build a nest in a shed in the garden, where several bits of netting were stored up, some placed against the wall ; and soon a large collection of dead leaves, about 15 inches long, were placed on top of a heap of netting, just where it touched the wall. Now as Robins will build in all sorts of peculiar places, there was nothing unusual in such position, nor in the fact that as the nest got disturbed (by the netting being later accidentally moved a little by a man) the Robins retired from it and started a second nest Correspondence 55 outside the shed, this second nest being in a hedge several yards away. Then came what seems to me the peculiar part of their behaviour. After working for about ten days in this second building, where they were undisturbed and collected a mass of leaves larger than a coconut — during which time they were never seen to re- enter the shed above mentioned — they suddenly, one day, both re-entered the shed, and began again to work at the original nest, where they soon reared a brood (all of which flew in safety). There was no doubt that it was the same pair of birds ; and nothing was added to the second collection of leaves in the hedge after the day when the pair returned to the shed. Frederick D. Welch. AN AUTOMATIC LIGHTING DEVICE Sir, — It may be of interest to our members to hear of a lighting' arrangement that I have adopted for one of my aviaries, and which is giving every satisfaction. I have a six-volt 60 amp. accumulator (the bigger the amperage the better) and a small Osram lamp and an electric timing clock such as is advertised for wireless. I set the clock to light up at 5.30 a.m., and to shut off at 8 a.m. The birds are busy feeding by 6 a.m., and can continue to do so, for when the light shuts off it is daylight. The clock can be set to any time that is required, but I have found the above times very suitable for breeding Budgerigars- during the long nights. B. Jackson. KEEPING BEE-EATERS Sir, — In the January number of the Magazine I notice a reference to the probable difficulty of keeping such birds as Bee-eaters through the winter, when mealworms are the only available live insect food. I wonder if it would be possible to supplement the mealworms diet with the cluster fly (Pollenia rudis) ? This insect, which is somewhat o6 Correspondence larger than the house-fly, enters many country houses in autumn in very large numbers for the purpose of hibernation, and is easily captured on windows. There is no difficulty in keeping it alive until the spring if it be confined in a place which is sunny, but not too hot, and be supplied with moisture and a little sugar. Water is an absolute necessity to the flies, and must be provided in a way which will ensure their finding it without drowning themselves. Being a perfectly clean feeder, the cluster fly is not unpleasant to keep and handle, and should be a wholesome food for delicate birds. Tavistock. The above drawing of the head of the Javan Jungle-fowl cock ( Gallus varius) is by Mr. Frank Finn, and we are grateful to him for permission to publish it, as it illustrates the chief characteristics of this species, namely, the un-serrated comb, single wattle, and the short, truncate feathers of the neck. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Jose Julia Arnau (Ingeniero), Plaza Constitucion, 15, Binisalem, Mallorca. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Lady Curzon of Kedleston, 1 Carlton House Terrace, S.W. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. W. C. Duyzend, 123 Goudsche Singel, Rotterdam, Holland. Proposed by D. G. Schuyl. Roger Martin Evans, Inglewood, Ratcliffe Road, Leicester. Proposed by Albert Sutcliffe. C. Heydon, 5 Corvedale Road, Craven Arms, Shropshire. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Mrs. B. Hooley, 11 Newhouse Road, Grangemouth, N.B. Proposed by Capt. G. Rattigan. J. Ernest Kerr, Harviestoun, Dollar, Scotland. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Laurence Kirk, Swalecliffe, Banbury, Oxon. Proposed by Bernard C. Thomasset. George Lewis, Morning Side, Stockton Lane, York. Proposed by R. Nelson. Ronald A. Nops, 4 Amherst Road, West Ealing. Proposed by C. Whale. Miss Peart, Edgarley, Broomfield Avenue, Palmers Green, N.18. Proposed by Sidney Williams. Wm. Oye Rae, P.O. 59, Kobe, Japan. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. K. Shinano, 18 Suehirocho, Kitaku, Osaka, Japan. Proposed by C. Whale. Mrs. Vlasto, Binfield Park, Bracknell. Proposed by W. Lewis. NEW MEMBERS. Walter E. Barnett, Red Hall, Croxley Green, Herts. Mrs. A. L. Bruce, Brooke Hall, Brooke, Norfolk. Miss D. Coomre, Earnshill, Curry Rival, near Taunton, Somerset. Hugh Dudley, Stradishall Manor, Stradishall, Newmarket. H. C. Eustace, c/o Brunner, Mond & Co. (China), Ltd., Shanghai. M. P. Jabouille, Protectorat de L’Annam, Cabinet du Resident Superieur. Ansel W. Robinson, 1072 Market Street, San Francisco, U.S.A. Eduard Schutze, Eystrup, Weser, Germany. F. S. Le Blanc Smith, Cairns, 7 Laburnham Road, Maidenhead. Mrs. T. L. Yilliers, Steuart House, Colpetty, Colombo, Ceylon. The Very Rev. Dean Charles A. Webster, The Deanery, Rosseurbery Co. Cork, Ireland. CHANGE OF ADDRESS. T. T. Barnard, to Milner Road, Nondesboseh, Cape Town, South Africa. Miss CHAWNF.R, to Thatched Holme, Wargrave, Berks. CORRECTED ADDRESS. Harold T. Atkin, 105 Psalter Lane, Sheffield. Miss L. Christie-Miller, Clarendon Park, Salisbury. DONATIONS. Mrs. G. Cristie £ s. 10 d. 0 A. Ezra . 11 15 0 T. Hebb . 10 0 J. Sped an Lewis 19 0 0 E. G. B. Meade-Waldo 1 2 0 A. Sherriff . 1 1 0 H. L. Sich . 2 0 0 Mrs. Speed . 1 0 GAMAGES SS2 IMPORTERS of High-class BIRDS andANIMALS. PARROTS, PARRAKEETS, FINCHES, LOVEBIRDS, Etc. R0 SELL, AS 45/- each. Green Cardinals 3 5 /-each.. Mealy ,, - - 100/- Pope - Violet Tanagers 10/6 Bauer Parrakeets * £5 15/- ,, Blue Wing Grass ,, £6 Superb ,, - 50/- „ King Parrakeets £6 l * Pekin Robins - 7/6 Redrump , , 45/- ** Blue Jays - £6 Rock Peplars ,, £7 10/ i * Shamas - 60/- „ Lineolated ,, 30/- » * saferon Finches - 5/- Ringneck ,, 15/- Zebra ,, - 7/6 COCKATIELS 30 h Queen Whydahs - 15/- lr Swainsons Lorikeets 601- Giant „ 30/- „ Peach Pace Lovebirds Blue Wing £8 20/- pair. « * Redheaded Finches 7/6 ,, Madagascar 12/- * * Selection of Amazon Grey Parrots Abbysinian £4 Macaw Cockatoos, and Small Mammals # Choice variety Weavers, Waxbills, and Senegal Finches, Canaries, Piping Bullfinches. Clean Mealworms .... 6/- lb. , New Ants’ Eggs .... 2/6 ,, Dried Flies . . . 1/6 ,, Insectivorous Food 1 /G , , Cuttlefish Bone . . . . 1/6 ,, 4 lb., 23/- Postpaid. „ 9/~ » 5/6 „ 5/0 » 4/6 New arrival Spray Millet, extra large bundles approx. 50 sprays, 3/6 bundle, post paid. 1 doz. bundles, 36/-, carriage paid. The PORTUGUESE EAST AFRICA STOCK arrived January 3rd in excellent condition. Owing to the diffiulties of collecting in this territory, the- numbers were insufficient to meet the demands, therefore it is regretted that so many of our patrons were disappointed. A. W. GAM AGE, Ltd., HOLBORN, LONDON, E.C. 1 . DE VON & CO. Our weekly PRICE LISTS will interest you. FOREIGN. Firefincbes 5/- pair, i Weavers 4/- „ Silverbills 6/6 ,, Combassous . 4/6 ,, Steelfinches . 6/- „ Bullfinches . 8/6 ,, Cordon Bleus, gorgeous. 7/6 „ | Avadavates, Full Colour. 6/6 ,, Saffron Finches . 10/- „ Spicebirds 6/6 ,, White-headed Nuns 8/6 „ Tiger Finches, gorgeous colour 5 /-each . ; Cardinals Pope 10/- ,, Rare White Capped Shama, beautiful condition, Cock . £3 PEKIN NIGHTINGALES. Pekin Robins 8/- Cocks, 6/- Hens,. 12/- pair. Grey and Amazon Parrots, from 40/- eaeh. ROLLERS. Heymann’s First-class Singing Club- Rung Hartz Roller Canaries, 1926 birds, tutored by parents of this famous strain, Gluck and Schockle Birds. Cocks 20/- each, Hens 15/- each. MEALWORMS. Large, clean, fat worms, 1 Od. oz.. 6/- Jb. Post paid. All Aquatical requirements, including GOLDFISH & FANCY FISH, AQUARIUMS from 3/6, REPTILES, PET MONKEYS, MONGOOSE,. ARMADILLOS, GUINEA PIGS, etc. Free Weekly Price Lists- OLDEST DIRECT IMPORTERS, 127 King’s Cross Road, London, W.C. 1. Phone : Museum 767. Telegrams : Oiseaux London. FOURTH SERIES. VOL. V. No. 3 MARCH, 1 927. CONT PAGE Wallace’s Bird of Paradise, by Walter Goodfellow, F.Z.S. (With Coloured Plate.) . 57 Bed-Breasted Geese breeding in captivity, by the Duchess of Bedford. (With two Plates.) 65 Notes from Inveresk Lodge Aviaries, by John D. Brunton 66 The Black Bail, by G. H. Gurney, F.Z.S . 69 ENTS. PAGE The Book, by Viscountess Grey of Fallodon . . 70 Birds in North-Western Australia 74 Australian Parrakeets, by the Marquess of Tavistock and J. Delacour . . 75 Foreign Birds at the Crystal Palace Bird Show . . 84 Avicultural Notes . 86 Correspondence : The Common Quail . . 88 The Price of this Number is 2/6 THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. FOUNDED 1894. 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 10/6 The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HONORARY SECRETARY AND TREASURER, Miss Knobel, 32 Tavistock Square, London, W.C.l. 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 Prosectorium, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Rule 2.- — Should any member require an immediate reply, 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. Reports have been sent by post to : — M. T. Allen, G. Beever, C. Best, W. Clark, A. Decoux, F. S. Elliott, J. Newton Hayley, D. Mason, Capt. B. Hamilton Scott, Capt. H. S. Stokes, and the Duchess of Wellington. The Magazine is published by Messrs. Stephen Austin & Sons, 5 Fore Street, Hertford, to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers for 1917 and after, and bound volumes should be addressed. 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 : 46 Hertford. BACK VOLUMES of the AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE previous to 1917. Application for these should be made to the Editor of Cage Birds, 154 Fleet Street, E.C. 4. All Enquiries 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 : — Mr. D. Seth-Smith, Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8 HARRODS ZOOLOGICAL SECTION HARRODS make a feature of foreign birds for Aviaries and Exhibitions. Try our Insectivorous Food. Write for List or 3 phone Sloane 1234. HARRODS Ltd LONDON SW 1 MEMBERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for Members' advertisements is one penny per word, and no advertisement must exceed thirty-six words, name and address included. Payment must accompany the advertisement, which must be sent on or before the 20th of the month to Mr. T. H. Newman, “ Yerulam,” Forty Lane, Wembley Park, Middlesex. All members of the Society are entitled to use this column. FOR SALE. Mrs. Goddard has two Shamas for disposal, outdoor aviary-bred, 1926 birds, strong and very healthy, cock and hen, former already sings beautifully ; price £6 each. — Apply, The Lawn, Swindon, Wilts. From cutside unheated aviary, fine cock Shama, 50s. ; hen Guianian Parrotlet, 25s. — -Smith, 5 Forest Rise, Walthamstow. WANTED. Hun Pennant, also Blue-bred Budgerigars, or would exchange aviary- moulted Black-headed Gouldian Finches.— Edmonds, Limes, Tohvorth Road, Ipswich. Vols. i-v, First Series, Avicultural Magazine. — Mrs. A. A. Prestwich, Kents Farm, Winsor, Southampton. CHAPMAN’S 17 TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, LONDON, W.l. Telegrams: “BLACKBIRD PHONE, LONDON.” Telephones : MUSEUM 5272, 5273, 5274 and 5275. Cables: “BLACKBIRD,” LONDON. Animal and Waterfowl Depot : 11 HIGH STREET, BARNET. Telephone: BARNET 2082. Quarantine Station : 5 SAGE ST., LONDON, E. 1 . East End Depot : 3 SAGE ST., LONDON, E.l VISITORS TO LONDON who are interested in Aviculture should not fail to make a point of calling upon us, as they will be able to see the Finest Collection of Different Varieties of Foreign Birds which can be seen under any one roof throughout the whole World. The First Place of Call of all Aviculturists, Naturalists, Dealers and Hunters visiting* London from all over the World is 1 7 Tottenham Court Road. At the time of the appearance of this advertisement we shall have actually on view the following very fine collections, besides many others too numerous to be detailed here, and a full List will be forwarded to anybody making application for same. j AUSTRALIAN SPECIES. KAGUS, BLACK SWANS, WHITE COCKATOOS. Swift Lorrikeets, Long=tailed Grass Finches, Norfolk Island Parrakeets, Zebra Finches, Crimson=wing Parrakeets, Parson Finches, King Parrakeets, Gouldian Finches, Rosella Parrakeets, Diamond Sparrows, Meally Rosella Parrakeets, Chestnut=breasted Finches, Blue=banded Parrakeets, Yel!ow=rumped Mannikins, ] Redrump Parrakeets, Bicheno Finches, Blue=bonnet Parrakeets, Diamond Doves. ” CHAPMAN’S 17 Tottenham Court Rd., London, W.l, is the firm for all different species of Litre ANIMALS and BIRDS. ii CENTRAL and SOUTH AMERICAN SPECIES. Humming Birds, Rainbow Buntings, Nonpariel Buntings, Indigo Buntings, Red=crested Finches, Pileated Finches, Virginian Nightingale, Violet Tanagers, Superb Tanagers, Troupials, Red=crested Cardinals, Pope Cardinals, Green Cardinals, Amazon Parrots, Macaws, etc., etc. INDIAN SPECIES. Tragopan Pheasants, Monaul Pheasants, Kalitz Pheasants, Blood Pheasants, Ruddy Shellducks, Spot=billed Ducks, Shamas, Niltavas, Pittas, Drongos, Fruitsuckers, Whistling Thrushes, Bulbuls, Barbets, Scarlet Minivets, Blue Flycatchers, Blue Rollers, etc., etc. FOREIGN BIRDS PARROTS, PARRAKEETS. Most wonderful Talking Grey in England . . £20 Other A 1 Grey Parrots £ 3 to £ 1 5 each. Talking Festive Amazon Parrots £3 10/- ,, Giant Mealy Amazon Parrot . £ 5 Blue-fronted Talking Amazon . £2 10/- Blue-fronted Clever Talking Amazon . . . £3 10/- Macaw, young Blue and Yellow £3 1 0/- Scarlet Macaws . . £ 7 to £ 1 0 each. Bose Cockatoos (special price to trade) . . . . . £ 1 , , Bock Parrots or Alexandrines .2 5/- ,, Bingneck Parrakeets . . .15/-,, Orange-flanked Parrakeets (finger- tame) . . . . £1 ,, Scarlet-spotted Conure . £ 1 Pennants (show condition) . .4 5/- ,, Bosellas ,, ,, . .4 5/- ,, Swainson’s Lorrikeets . .90/- pair. W. African Bed-faced Lovebirds £5 ,, 1 pr. Baraband Parrakeets . . £ 2 5 1 Cock Crimson-wing Parrakeet . £ 7 Charming pr. Golden-fronted Tui Parrakeets, finger tame . £3 10- BUDGER1GARS : LOVEBIRDS. White, Cobalt, and Blue Budgerigars few only. Imported Australian Budgerigars Magnificent adults, many years since any were imported and important for breeding and propagations of new varieties . . . 15/6 pair. Blue=bred Budgerigars, genuine guaran¬ teed records. Green that actually throw Blues . £2 pair. Budgerigars, adult breeding Greens . . . .11/-,, Budgerigars, young outdoor bred 9/- ,, Budgerigars, adult nesting Yellows 12/6 ,, Bed-faced Lovebirds (W. African) £5 ,, Lavender or White-headed Love¬ birds . . . . .10 - , , Black-cheeked Lovebirds . £ 6 , , Nyassaland Lovebirds . . £ 5 , , Peach-faced Lovebirds . . £10 ,, Cocoanut Husk Nests, sterilised, prepared, assorted sizes for Budgerigars or Parrakeets, 2/- each or 1 8/- dozen. Wanted. — White, Blue, Cobalt, or other rare varieties Budgerigars. AVIARY BIRDS. Nonpareils, extra fine, 2 5/- each or 4 5/- pair. Zebra Finches, excellent . .15/- , , Grass Finches, long- tailed . .3 5/- ,, Chestnut-breast Waxbills . .4 0/- ,, Peaceful Doves . . . .20/-,, Dominican Wydahs, long tails .12/6 ,, Shaft-tail Wydahs, long tails .10/6 ,, Bibbon Finches and Cordon Blues 6/6 , , Fire Finches and Silverbills . 5/6 ,, Singing Finches, Green and Grey 7/- ,, Weavers, Bed or Yellow-billed . 6/6 ,, Bishops, Orange, Scarlet, and Yellow .... 6/6 ,, Java Sparrows, Combassoos, and Chocolate Manikins . . 6/— ,, Bed-crested and Pope Cardinals .21/- ,, Pelzelni Finches . . . 2 5/- ,, Black-headed Gouldian Finches, cage-moulted . . . £5 ,, Pectoralis Finches, cage-moulted £5 ,, DOVES, QUAIL, WATERFOWL, Etc. Bronzewing Pigeons, Australian Plumed Ground Pigeons Peaceful Doves .... Zebra Doves .... Yinaceous Turtle Doves White Doves . . . Bing Doves .... Senegal Doves and Collared Doves White-crowned Pigeons, West Indies .... Vulturine Guineafowls Mitred Guineafowls . Californian Quail Emerald Spotted Doves £ 5 pair. £1 „ 15/-„ 20/- „ £1 ,, 12/6 „ 12 6 ,, 35 - ,, £12 ,, £3 ,, 30 - ,, £1 ,, Pelicans, Crown Cranes, Egyptian Kites, Chilian Sea Eagles, Owls, etc. SPECIAL ARRIVAL. — Bare Toucans, S. American Horned, Burrowing and Pigmy Owls, Tree Ducks, Little Blue Herons, Black Ibis (new), Crissicus (new), Bufous Tinamou, Bare Parrots, Armadilloes (three varieties), Paraguayan Opossums, Night Monkeys, Agoutis, Coatimundis, Yiscachas, etc. All kinds of REPTILES asJwell |as- Pet Animals of many varieties always in stock. TRADE SUPPLIED. WRITE FOR FULL LIST. H. E. ROGERS, “Arequipa,” 1 Aigburth Road, Liverpool. Telephone: “LARK LANE 467.” Cables and Telegrams: “AREQUIPA, LIVERPOOL.” ill REGENT PET STORES (Proprietor : GEO. E. PALMER, F.Z.S.) ’Phone : Telegraphic Address : HAMPSTEAD 8856. “DOMESTIPET, NORWEST, LONDON.” iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Direct Importers of Foreign Livestock iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiitii Anything Alive Purchased Wanted : Blue and other Colour Budgerigars Our Specialities : TALKING PARROTS, SINGING CANARIES, GOLDFISH, - TORTOISES, Etc. CONTRACTOR to the LONDON ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY WE CLOSE AT 1 O'CLOCK THURSDAY LIST OF BIRDS AND FOODS ON REQUEST lllllllllllllllMllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillllMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIilllllllllllllllllllllllllllilllll lllllllllll III 83 PARK STREET, CAMDEN TOWN, LONDON, N.W. 1. IV Now Ready, TO BE COMPLETED IN TWO VOLUMES. Volume i. “AVICULTURE” Price IS/- net. Order with remittance to — STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, Ltd., Fore Street, Hertford. “L’OISEAU ” PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE Societe Nationale d’Acclimatation de France, 198 BOULEVARD ST. GERMAIN, PARIS (VIIe). A French Magazine on Aviculture, for the study of European and Foreign Birds in captivity and at liberty. With coloured and black and white plates. ONE YEAR - 30 FRANCS. Medals for first breeding of a species in captivity in France or other countries are awarded if a detailed account is sent to the Society. NOW READY PARRAKEETS A Handbook to the Imported Species REVISED EDITION Bs DAVID SETH-SMITH, F.Z.S. Roy. 8vo, pp. xx, 295, with 20 coloured plates ; cloth, gilt top, 1926. £4 4s. Od. BERNARD QUARITCH, Ltd., II Grafton St. , London, W.l. vi Avicultural Magazine, 1927. JbhnBale.Sons & Danjelsson. Wallace's Bird of Paradise, Semioptera wallacei ( Gray). THE Avicultural Magazine BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY ♦ FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN & BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM & CAPTIVITY 'Fourth Series.— V ©L V.— No. 3. — All rights reserved. MARCH, 1927 . WALLACE'S BIRD OF PARADISE (SEMI 0 P TER A WALLACEI ) By Walter Goodfellow, F.Z.S. For many years I had had a great desire to see this bird alive, and intended when an opportunity came, to make an expedition to its island home and be the first to introduce it to Europe, but the war and other things intervened, and my hopes were not fulfilled until 1926. It is certainly not one of the most beautiful members of this gorgeous family, but there was always something about its eccentric appearance which appealed to me irresistibly, and now that I have succeeded in capturing and safely landing over here five examples, I confess that far from being disappointed, I am more in love with it than ever. In fact, I may as well say at once, that of all the Paradise Birds I know so far, this is my favourite. Therefore, if I seem to some who have now seen it to be too enthusiastic, they must excuse me. At the same time I am sure that anybody who has kept one as long as I have will understand my infatuation for it. Their tameness, inquisitiveness, and merry ways, could not fail to appeal to everyone. They seem entirely without fear, and this applies to them equally in their native jungle. They take an intelligent interest in all one does, and at the same time keep up a merry chatter ; in fact, their repertoire of notes is extraordinary, 5 58 Walter Goodfellow — Wallace's Bird of Paradise sometimes reminding one of onr English. Starling on the chimney stacks, bubbling, gurgling, and producing occasional explosive sounds which shake their whole body. Other notes are reminiscent of the King, and still others of the Rifle Bird. Wallace first discovered the bird in the fifties of last century on the island of Batchian, or,, to write it more correctly, Bat j an, one of the Moluccan islands ; perhaps the most beautiful of them all. Having been almost all over the globe, I think I can say that these islands are the most exquisite in all this world of ours. Later, it was found to occur also on the much larger neighbouring island of Halmaheira, or as we write it on our maps, Gilolo ; although Gilolo (or, rather, Djailolo) is only a small town on the western side, nearly opposite to the better known island of Ternate. My birds came from Halmaheira and belong to the sub-species halmaherce, which has longer shoulder plumes than those from Bat j an, and a more metallic violet shade on the top of the head. Perhaps, apart from the wonderful emerald green, resembling rich silk, of the elongated breast shield, the first thing to strike one about the bird, is its long flat head, which gives it a rather reptilian appearance. In spite of this flatness, the bird is by no means stupid, quite the contrary. The two long feathers which spring from each shoulder, arise from two horny sheaths and are elongated spatula, whitish towards the ends. These when at rest hang straight down towards the feet, but when the bird is excited, and even at other times, stand out at right angles to the body with a wild-Indian-like effect. I had always understood the Malay name for the bird was “ Burong poelet ”, the Epaulet Bird, but on Batjan X failed to find anyone who knew it. The island has only a very small population, including five whites, and is everywhere covered with dense virgin jungle, right to the top of the mountains ; the most conspicuous peak being Goenong Zibella. Failing to find anyone there to give me information about the bird, I continued on up to Ternate, where reside many merchants in the Paradise plume trade. Still among them I found only one who knew the “ Burong poelet ” by name only. He said he must have had some of the skins, although he could not recall what they were like, and he believed they came from Patani, South-East Halmaheira. So to Patani Miss E. MAUD KNOBEL'S ACCOUNT as TREASURER of the AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. T— 1 1— 1 O CD CD CD cq o CD o GO rH CO co CO T— 1 O cq i— i 03 O 03 tH o 14 «5 *\ — 1 00 rH 00 CD <3* 03 rH 67 GO 30 GO i— 1 CO Cft rH 10 rH o 00 JO GO i—i CO CO 03 00 <=« VO ON V. ft ft ^ PP w S3 .2 • 4-3 eg S3 . a eg 03 • a 03 -+3 S-J 03 2 &o S eg * • ($5 C3i * O m m TS o o S ft ft co S 03 2 | 03 eg 2 H3 43 © 03 3ag > S3 10 eg eg ,-Q 03 O S3 eg "eg PQ ^3 <=« US o o o o tH o o CD 00 o rH o CD o 00 rH rH l> o o o o rH CO »o cq rH o CO o CD rH T— 1 rH rH rH rH rH rH CO rH 1— 1 rH tH rH o o CD 00 rH cq cq CO CO rH rH 00 00 03 rH i—i cq 03 rH CO rH 00 <=* CD CM 03 □Q EH Ph HH Q P3 03 C3 S3 «g "3 o EH (M « Tf( >0 CO t> (M N 51 (M Ol d 03 03 03 03 03 03 <33 • 03 M-t 03 2 03 0Q <33 O S3 eg $_l 31 .2 4= eg ~s 03 S3 t> S3 o no 03 rO eg O m rQ D co 03 <73 03 nO O m -3 03 S3 02 co • O CJD CQ S3 rO GQ — 3 03 s -+= CO rS £ eg SH nO fl ’3) ‘S o Examined with vouchers and found correct. Maurice Amsler, Auditor. Eton, 25 th January , 1927. ■r? • ' y.i > . - ■ i .! j.v •( :: Walter Goodfelloio — Wallace’s Bird of Paradise 59 I booked by the first monthly boat, and so elusive did the bird seem, it was like chasing a will-o’-the-wisp. Everywhere I inquired, all told the same tale, “ No Birds of Paradise were found on the island.” At length, when calling at Tobello on the north coast, where the Dutch have a military post, I came across a man who had been a plume hunter in New Guinea. He knew the bird and correctly described it. From him I learnt that the local name was “ Vecca-vecca ” (nearly all birds’ names are doubled out there), that he had seen a few occasionally in the jungle, knew nothing whatever of their habits, and thought it would be very difficult to catch them alive. As this information did not seem very promising, I thought it best to continue the journey to Patani, several days further on. We arrived at Patani early one morning, and I was quickly on shore, having left all my baggage and stores on board until I had made further inquiries. I went to the house of the “ Kampong Kapala ”, or head man, who seemed very surprised when I told him what I was searching for. “ Oh yes,” he said in Malay, “ you mean the Wacca-wacca, there are many here.” Naturally I took this to be the local pronunciation of “ Yacca-vecca ” up north, so hurried back to the boat and landed all my gear. About an hour later the boat having already left, and as I was arranging myself in a native house, I received a visit from several of the head men of the village to know exactly what it was I wanted. I explained that I had come from my country on the other side of the world to get “ Wacca-waccas ”. One replied : “ There they are,” and on looking through the open door, I saw many large black crows among the coco-nut palms outside ! My ship was barely out of sight, but had it been still in port I am sure I should have gone back with her instead of being obliged to waste a whole month with no better prospects than crows. Vainly I tried many times later to make them understand the bird I wanted, minutely describing it. At length I made a fairly good sketch of one, when one old man present exclaimed “ the Burong Piet ” (but sometimes they pronounced it “ Pleti ”). Hunters from Tidore had been there years before and shot some. Still I could not hear how far away I should have to go to find them ; therefore I engaged several men to go in different directions to try and locate them. These men were most uninterested in the whole affair. I doubt if some 60 Walter Goodfeltoiv — Wallace's Bird of Paradise of them went at all, but others did report the results of their search. I learnt that at one place five birds had been seen, and in another three or four, but what I wanted them most to find were the feeding trees, or dancing places, otherwise I did not see how I could catch them. In this I had no success. One morning at daybreak I started off with the men, when after a four hours’ scramble and climb over sharp coral trails, tumbling repeatedly, cutting hands and feet, we at length came to rather high jungle where at last I did see three or four birds very high up in the trees, looking very small in the distance ; but there was no doubt about their really being Wallace’s. They all had green breasts, and seemed to be just moving along, and were soon out of sight. The following day I visited another locality in the opposite direction, with still worse luck, for we did not see even one bird, but finding a small palm leaf shelter there I got my Indian boy to stop the night there with one man to see if they could come across any in the very early morning, the distance from Patani being too great to get there early enough when the birds might be about. When he returned the next day he informed me he had seen one or two birds, but could not find any feeding trees. Things remained in this unsatisfactory state for a long time. The people lost all interest, and evidently had no knowledge how to catch birds, and in vain I tried to enlist their help. These people are not jungle folks, but purely coast dwellers, cultivating little beyond coco-nuts, and feeding chiefly on sago and fish. The whole of the interior of the island seems to be uninhabited by any tribes. During this time I was not idle myself, and as far as I could, wdthout a guide or trails to follow up, I made many short journeys to the jungle- clad hills at the back, till all my shoe leather was worn through on the sharp outcrop of coral which one encounters everywhere. My body also ached with rheumatism all over, through being constantly wet, and sometimes sleeping out all night in the rain. By the beginning of the third week I think I had abandoned all hope of ever getting Wallace’s Standard Wing ; then one night a man came to me mysteriously, and said he knew a place where they abounded. How many did I want, and what would I pay for them ? etc., etc. All this sounded too good to be true, especially as he was not willing to take me along with him. Then another week, and still no Walter Goodfelloiu — Wallace’s Bird of Paradise 61 further news. The weather too was very wet and stormy. Real south¬ east monsoon. I had just one week left before the boat was due to call for me, and the only Birds I had managed to capture so far were a pair of Insular Lories ( Eos insularis) and their young one, caught on the nest ; four Sun Birds, and a good number of Three-coloured Parrot Finches ( Erythrum trichroa). This was the sum total of my collection, but nice as these were, I had not come all that long journey just to get them. I had other islands still to visit, and it was now the end of June, and I naturally wanted to get home before the cold weather set in over here. Then the man I have mentioned turned up again. He said the birds were still there, but he could not catch them, so came to enlist my help. I arranged to go with him early the next morning, and he insisted that we must start before daylight, so that the villagers should not see the way we went. Before daybreak we were off ; the party consisting of the man and his young son, myself and my Indian servant . After the same hard climbing up and down, perhaps three hours, of it, we came to a stunted kind of jungle. A few enormous trees grew here and there, but the majority were saplings of 30 or 40 feet high, straight, and with few branches, and these quite short ; very little undergrowth, in some places none at all. Perhaps after being dis¬ appointed so many times, my surprise may be imagined when I saw in comparatively low trees at the very least thirty Wallace’s Birds. I really could hardly believe my eyes, and out of all this number possibly not more than two females, or birds in brown plumage. The others seemed to be all fully adult males. My guide had certainly done his best to catch them. He must have put up scores of limed twigs, some being long tapering bamboos 20 or more feet long, with lime on the extreme ends. This bird-lime is made out of the sap of the bread- fruit-tree, and in the Aru Islands I have myself caught apodas with it. In the present case I think it had been badly prepared, as he said birds had repeatedly settled on it and were not held. The birds were all constantly on the move, flying backwards and forwards from tree to tree with a great fluttering of their wings, and at times hanging in all sorts of positions from the slender branches, some turning round and round like a cartwheel, and all the time making a variety of squawks and calls. Wallace, in his Malay Archipelago, speaks of their restless 62 Walter Goodfellow — Wallace's Bird of Paradise movements, and emphasizes a habit they had of clinging to tree trunks after the manner of Woodpeckers. I think from his description I had always imagined this was a common habit of theirs, therefore I was looking for it, but never once saw them do it. I can quite believe, however, that they may do so, for even in a cage they are constantly hanging upside-down, turning round and round the perch, and assuming all manner of queer attitudes. Wallace also says : “ The females and young males far outnumbered the fully plumaged birds, which renders it probable that the extraordinary accessory plumes are not fully developed until the third or fourth year.” This was the opposite to my experience, for I did not see one half-plumaged bird among any I came across. It may be that the females were away nesting during June and July, and that the one or two entirely brown birds which I took to be females were really young males. Although we were plainly visible, the birds were not in the least alarmed at our presence ; in fact, some came lower down to look at us, and one or two came within 15 feet. Neither then nor on subsequent visits could I find any fruit-trees in the neighbourhood, and I never did find out what they live on. Of course, it would have been easy enough to have shot one to see what it had in its stomach, but this would have frightened them away, the very last thing I wanted to do. Wallace, again, says “ They seem to feed principally on fruit, but probably take insects occasionally ”. My experience now is that they are very insectivorous, and certainly prefer green-coloured insects, with a pronounced partiality for the large soft-bodied grasshoppers, nearly 5 or 6 inches long, which live on the branches of the coco-nut palms. It was a lesson in anatomy to watch the expert way they dissected these insects, and also the large tropical cockroaches. These preferences were, of course, noted in the early days of their captivity. They naturally change later. Looking at the birds from below, in the jungle, they appeared to be so very light in colour, almost white. The under sides of the wings are whitish, but I don’t think that accounted for it all. After we had caught the first bird, the man remarked : “ There must be two kinds, for the others are white.” I saw some of the birds with their green breast- shields elevated, not horizontally, but perpendicularly, so that the head Walter Goodfellow — Wallace's Bird of Paradise 63 only is seen looking through at the deep V-shaped base of green feathers. At this time the long shoulder plumes stand out at right angles below the shield. These whitish plumes are constantly raised and depressed. The short scalelike feathers on the top of the head, which are silvery purple, also seem to undulate with a curious effect. Of course, this I only noticed in captivity, as it requires a certain position of the head to show it off, otherwise this colour effect is not even suspected. As I have before said, I was always looking for their dancing places in the jungle, but I now feel certain that these low trees formed a dancing place, and what I saw there, the display, otherwise why did they frequent it more than any other spot, for it certainly was not their feeding ground ? I spent the remainder of the first day at this place and noticed that at midday all the birds disappeared. A few, I believe, remained in the dense top of one of the great trees near by, and came out again for a short time later in the afternoon. It did not take me long to note that certain trees were more frequented than others, so the next day we started to put up the nets. The trees were far too slender to allow of anyone but a very light person climbing them, so I sent my Indian boy up. As he was arranging the first net one bird came within 3 yards of him to watch the proceedings and as soon as the boy came down it went and shook the net with its bill. I was standing at the base of the tree and at once gave it a shake, when the bird flew right into the net , so I got my first Wallace, and this is the bird now in the Zoo. It was so inextricably entangled, the whole net had to be taken down with the bird in it. As the boy was coming down with it its screams brought all the other birds around, and I am sure if I had then had all the other nets up my scoop would have been a large one. This habit of coming to a companion in distress is not, of course, peculiar to Paradise Birds, but I have many times seen plume hunters in the Aru Islands and in New Guinea take advantage of this and deliberately wound a bird and keep it tied up out of sight under a dancing tree for its cries to attract the other birds, so that they could more easily shoot them. After catching the first bird there was great excitement in the village. Men, women, and children crowded around my house en masse, possibly thinking it would be on public view. Needless to say, they were 64 Walter Goodfelloiu — • Wallace's Bird of Paradise sadly disappointed. Advice was freely given as to what I should, and should not, feed it on, and this from people who had not only never seen the bird before, but did not even know such a bird inhabited their island. Many were now anxious to try their hands at bird catching, tempted by the reward I had given to the man who showed me the place, and all sorts of rases had to be adopted to avoid giving the locality away. Others were curious to know how I, a foreigner, knew these birds lived there. As one man said : “We don't know the birds in your country." This last week of my stay was unfortunately very wet, and during rain or dull weather no birds came out at all. This further convinces me that I had found a real dancing place ; but with one ray of sunshine, birds suddenly appeared from somewhere, and at such times during the remainder of the week, we managed to secure four more birds, three males and one female. I was at first very doubtful if such restless birds would take kindly to cage life, especially in comparatively small travelling cages. All fears, however, were soon set at rest by the birds feeding at once , and showing no signs of fear whatever. They greedily snatched green grasshoppers from my fingers the first day. When the boat came to fetch me away the weather was so bad that it was quite impossible for the ship’s launch to get through the raging surf, although several attempts were made to do so. A native in his catamaran managed to reach the ship, and by him the captain sent me a note to say that if I could manage to get over the mountains to the other side of the peninsular, he would pick me up there. In spite of the pouring rain, I had instantly to hunt up men to carry all my kit over ; no light task, and after endless trouble I got some forty carriers, the bulk of them being anything but volunteers. Cases had to be hurriedly broken open and the contents distributed almost anyhow among them, for so steep are the mountains that not even moderately bulky packages can be carried over. The journey took about four hours in almost continuous rain, and water poured down the steep trail like a waterfall. Two of my birds had been caged less than twenty-four hours, and yet they came through it all in perfect condition. That is the great charm about Wallace’s Birds, their tameness and good sense makes them ideal birds to move about. When crossing the range Avic. Mag. 1927. To face p. 65.] Duchess of Bedford — Bed-Breasted Geese Breeding in Captivity 65 * I several times heard others calling in the jungle, and at these places I noticed an abundance of wild nutmeg trees growing, which inclines me to think that they may feed on this fruit. In New Guinea I have found the Raggianas and Rifle Birds very fond of it. They swallow the nut whole with the lacelike mace encircling it. After the latter is digested the nut is ejected. Without counting any Bower Birds, this makes twenty-two species of Paradise Birds that have been in captivity over here ; while no other country has yet had even half that number. I have brought twenty species, and seventeen of them for the first time. I have counted in this number only two species of Manucodes, although I am sure we have had more. RED-BREASTED GEESE BREEDING IN CAPTIVITY By the Duchess of Bedford Nine of these birds were obtained, some from Mr. Carl Hagenbeck and some from Mr. Falzfield, between 1911 and 1913. They showed no signs of nesting until July of 1926. One of the birds was then missed, and on search being made was found sitting on six eggs. The eggs were lifted and put under a hen. Four goslings were hatched, one of which died after three days. Another nest of six eggs was found, all of which had been destroyed. This probably accounted for a single egg which was found a week later and proved fertile. The eggs were removed from the hen and put in an incubator to hatch out to avoid the danger of the hen killing the young birds by trampling upon them. The period of incubation was twenty-five days. The young birds were put in a foster- mother on a grass lawn. They were a dull grey brown all over when in down, except the face, which was dark brown. They did well, feeding on grass only. In six weeks’ time they showed a good deal of colour on their feathers, and by the end of September were in full plumage as regards colour and markings. At this day, 17th January, all survive. Woburn Abbey. [The Red-breasted Goose, Branta ruficollis (Pallas), is an inhabitant of Siberia, breeding on the banks of the Yenesei, where nests were found 66 John D. Brunton — Notes from Inver esh Lodge Aviaries by Mr. H. L. Popham at the foot of cliffs, the clutches consisting of from seven to nine creamy white eggs. It migrates south in winter to the southern shores of the Caspian and even as far as the northern portions of Africa. It occasionally wanders to the British Isles, to Sweden, Denmark, Northern Germany, Holland, and France. That it was known to the ancient Egyptians is proved by the picture known as “ The Geese of Medum ”, for a photograph of which I am indebted to my friend, Mr. F. L. Berney, who when sending it wrote as follows : “ The photo is of what is said to be the oldest picture in the world. The age is early fourth dynasty, say, 3,000 years b.c. Found in a chamber tomb at Medum on the Nile, where it formed part of the wall decoration. The birds depicted are, first and last, Anser cinereus , first pair Anser albifrons, second pair Branta ruficollis. It is pleasant to think that in those far-off times there must have been ornithologists and painters of birds, Thorburns and Keulemans. Wealthy Egyptians of those days had the walls of their tombs decorated with scenes such as had interested them during life, their work, their hobbies, pastimes, and so on ; and the owner of the tomb was evidently one who took pleasure in watching the rare and interesting birds he kept in captivity. When one realizes that the painting is nearly 5,000 years old it has to be acknowledged that it is a wonderful piece of work.” The Bed-breasted Goose is very rare in living collections at the present day, and a female received by the Zoological Society in 1858 appears to have been the only example that that institution has possessed. The breeding of the species at Woburn is an event of very great interest.— Ed.] NOTES FROM INVERESK LODGE AVIARIES By John D. Brunton The breeding season of 1926 was like all others, in that it did not come up to expectations. Still some interesting results were obtained ; and the following notes may be of some interest to members of the Avicultural Society. First may be mentioned White Peafowl. These do quite well here, and each season since their arrival has seen some young hatched, the A vic. Mag. 1927. [To face p. 66. (Meyer); first pair, Anser albifrons (Scopoli) ; second pair5 Branta ruficollis (Pallas); John D. Brunton — Notes from Inver esk Lodge Aviaries 67 total this year being seven. Some of these have been disposed of. A sufficient breeding stock has been retained, but an infusion of new blood would be an advantage. These birds roost out summer and winter on large trees in the park. It is an interesting fact that, about a year ago the birds abandoned their favourite perch, and took to an adjoining tree. About a fortnight later the original tree, which had shown signs of decay about the roots, broke off short and fell to the ground. It looks as though the birds had some feeling that all was not well with it. Red Junglefowl, of which I received a trio from Rangoon a few years ago, do very well here, and a considerable number of young has been hatched. They are “ as hard as nails ”, and give no trouble. The hens hatch their own eggs and are excellent mothers. This year they got little encouragement and only eight were reared, though a large number of eggs was laid. Pheasants have been rather disappointing, only five Golden, ten Silver, and six Amherst having been reared. Reeves were a blank, one adverse factor having been an inveterate egg-eating hen ! By accident two Amherst-Golden hybrids have also been obtained. I am still hoping to get, at some future time, eggs from a nice pair of Monaul Pheasants, though these, I understand, are likely to be few and far between. The only other species represented here at present is the Crestless Pireback, of which two odd hens are in residence. Ducks, which comprise Japanese Teal, Pintail, White-faced Whistling Tree Ducks, an odd Widgeon, Mandarin, Carolina, and Yellow Bills, have not done much, there being only four young each from the two last named. The Yellow Bills have had a few young in previous seasons. A very interesting acquisition to the collection arrived from Wellington, New Zealand, recently, in the shape of a pair of “ Pukekos ” or “ Swamp Hens ”. These are Blue Rails native to that country and with their glossy black-green backs and indigo blue breasts they are very attractive looking birds. It should be possible, given more natural surroundings, to breed these birds, but as they are confined meantime in an ordinary Pheasant run there is little prospect of doing so. I am rather loth to turn them into the Waders’ aviary, where they would find water and a considerable amount of rough cover, as I fear they would 68 John D. Brunton — Notes from Inver esk Lodge Aviaries make short work of the contents of any small Finch nests that might be built in the bushes. These birds appear quite healthy, but do not relish frosty weather much. As might be expected, there are no results to report from Waders, though some excitement was occasioned in the spring when a Knot was seen squatting in a hollow beneath a grass tuft. It may have been broody, but no further developments took place. Each year some of these birds assume the full breeding plumage. The small Finch fry flying in the Waders’ aviary never seem to have much luck with their numerous nests. Two or three broods of Zebra Finches were, however, hatched in boxes, and two or three young Waxbills also appeared. Most, if not all, of these seem to have died out. While the above results may seem meagre, some very interesting hybrids have been hatched in addition to the Pheasants already mentioned. From a Vulturine Guinea Fowl cock and a Common Guinea Fowl hen fifteen eggs were obtained and hatched by various foster- mothers. The hen, it may be mentioned, is itself a curiosity, it being a pale lavender-coloured “ freak ” bred here from ordinary coloured stock. The young “ favour ” the male in their first plumage. The Vulturine, in common with his progeny, seemed hardly hardy enough for this climate, and he unfortunately succumbed after a frosty night. Another interesting cross was obtained from cock Bed Junglefowl and a common hen Pheasant, which for want of other accommodation was turned down with them. There was a considerable overplus of young cocks in the pen at the time, which fact no doubt favoured the fertilization of the Pheasant’s eggs. A last year’s bird of this cross (unfortunately a hen) is now a very robust bird. It is even larger than its mother, which it generally resembles, though the brown body colour is considerably richer or redder. The head and neck are black. There are two young this year from this mating, one of which I am in hopes may turn out to be a cock. Has anyone heard of this cross before ? A most interesting hybrid, which I believe is undoubtedly the first of its kind, was obtained in the Waders’ aviary. Amongst the miscellaneous Finch oddments was a large Yellow and Black Grosbeak, said to be from South America. It was described as a “ Giant Yellow- bellied Grosbeak ”. There was also an odd green Cardinal hen which G. H. Gurney — The Black Bail 69 had lost its mate. This bird was seen to be carrying food, but for a time it was only observed to be assisting a hen Blackbird, attending to its Grey-winged Ousel hybrid progeny. One day, however, the Cardinal was seen, after visiting the Blackbird’s nest, to pop into an adjoining compartment. From its actions it appeared to be feeding there also, and when the Grosbeak was seen to lend a helping hand from time to time it was surmised that something out of the common was happening. (It may be explained that the nests were situated right on top of the wall in the shelter, much too high up for any inspection.) In due course one young hybrid Blackbird flew from the first nest, and some days after a young bird from the second nest was found on the floor in the shelter. It had apparently made rather a premature departure from its home, as it was little more than half-fledged and quite unable to fly. It was well looked after by its parents, however, the cock bird particularly, which kept continually packing it with food. It soon acquired sufficient strength to clamber about the bushes and finally to fly strongly about the aviary, where it quickly developed into a strong, bold bird. It considerably resembled a Cardinal in dull plumage, but had a larger beak, intermediate in size between those of its parents. It eventually became pretty much the “ boss ” in the aviary, from which it appears likely that it was a cock. It is very much to be regretted that one has now to speak of this interesting bird in the past tense. It was picked up dead early in January. It may have fallen foul of its male parent, which bird was showing signs of coming into breeding condition, and had been standing up to its precocious offspring more boldly ! Most unfortunately the body of the young bird was too much damaged by mice to make the skin worth preserving. THE BLACK RAIL ( LIMNOCORAX NIGER) By G. H. Gurney, F.E.S. Amongst the very interesting consignment of African birds recently imported by Messrs. Gamage, Ltd., were several examples of the little Bail (Limnocorax niger). In their printed list, which was sent to many members of the Avicultural Society, these birds were classed as new to Aviculture. But I brought one back alive from East Africa in 1908, and Monsieur Delacour had two in his aviaries at Cleres six years ago ; 70 Viscountess Grey of Fallodon — The Book this pair he gave to me and I still have one of them in the best of health, the other escaped soon after it came here, and was never seen again. The bird I have at present is a hen, and has laid single eggs on two occasions, making a nest of broken pieces of rush, close to the pool of water in its aviary ; needless to say that they did not hatch, though the old bird sat assiduously. But now that several have come over, there should be no difficulty in breeding this charming little species. With me it is quite hardy, which one would expect, as certainly in some parts of Africa it lives at a considerable elevation, where the nights are very cold. I have seen it at various places in ^ast Africa ; on Lake Naivasha it was abundant, and much less secretive in its habits than the Rails generally are, differing much in this aspect from its big cousin, the Green-headed Porphyrio, which was equally common on Naivasha, but seldom observed owing to its skulking habits. The Black Rails ran freely about on the leaves of the blue water-lilies in company with Jacanas. I sometimes caught them in traps baited with cheese, set for small mammals, and once I dislodged one from a large Weaver Bird’s nest, built in tall reeds hanging over the water. In the streams and rivers they did not appear to be so common, although Crakes of other species were obtained ; probably the Black Rail prefers a wider expanse of water. I find mine are great vegetable feeders, and probably require a considerable amount of green food. THE ROOK By Viscountess Grey of Fallodon Reprinted from 11 English Life ” by permission of the Author “ Light thickens, and the crow Makes wing to the rooky wood.” Macbeth. A high chalk ridge of downland, once primeval turf, but now much of its surface cultivated, transected by farm tracks set between the wide fields ; the margins thick with sandfoin, rest harrow, broo m rape, and other furrow weeds. The centaury and yellow agrimony grow with the tall grasses ; here and there high bushes of sloe take Viscountess Grey of Fallodon — The Book 71 the line of a hedge. Then a large wood of beech trees, laid across the ridge, like a great mantle thrown over one shoulder of the landscape, and a chalk-pit set at its foot ; which, facing west, at sundown becomes filled with rose colour. This is the Rooky wood, which gives shelter to a large community ; and it was from this wood Rookster came to us. One of my children who, when very young, had the pretty idea that it was customary on one’s own birthday to give presents to others, brought him to me as a gift. With the candour of childhood that renders it unable to keep a secret, he had spoken daily of this surprise for some time before the right date fell. “ It isn’t out of a shop, you know,” he would say, a silken head nodding wisely : “ It is nothing that you can buy.” Then, with a sudden largesse of confidence, with both hands tightly squeezed the better to keep back a part, at least, of the previous news : “ It is something that Glod is making nicer and nicer for you, every day ! ” This meant that Reuben, the garden boy, had said that the rook was as yet too young to be taken ; and so another week would have to be passed in this struggle for silence. Then one morning the day arrived. I saw them coming from far off across the open valley, threading their way by the narrow plank bridges set over the runlets and glittering streams that feed the water meadows, brilliant with marsh marigold. There was the tall figure of the nursery maid, the small figure in a blue overall, Reuben, stout in corduroy, with a ladder, and — when they were nearer — the young Rook. He was easy enough to rear. He would take large pieces of milk¬ sop, thin shreds of meat, soaked biscuit, anything ; and soon he was sitting comfortably enough on the edge of his wastepaper basket, that was weighted against overturning by containing a large flint. He was crafty from the first. He would be intrigued by the clefts between the closed fingers of my hand, and he would prise them apart with an investigating bill, and an air of great secrecy. Anything slightly hidden or an outline suggesting concealment would hold his attention at once. As he grew older this led to trouble, for he was more destructive than a Jackdaw, and, if not cleverer, more alert than a Raven. “ To hoard,” this was his motto ; and he remained as thin as a bone, because anything that he liked eating, he immediately hid. He would take the smallest portion, and then in a series of long elastic leaps or a sidling 72 Viscountess Grey of Fallodon — The Booh walk, lie would be off with the remainder. So his whole life was one long-drawn-out starvation, enhanced by delicious concealments, and crafty storings in garden cupboards. If no further food had been forthcoming, would he, I wonder, have remembered where he had hidden those bones ? The pleasantest part of his character was his sense of companionship. This led him not only to occupy himself ceaselessly with our feet, shoe leather presenting pleasant beak-work, but also to accompany us on a walk. He was never shut into a cage. His cage was what all cages should be, a place of rest and security wherein he could sleep, or find food, or drink if he wanted. So he would suddenly appear in the air beside us, as we started on a walk ; he would fly about eight feet above the ground, alighting ahead of us. There he would sit till we reached him, then he would take another flight, and so on, about twenty or thirty feet away. He always flew on our left. But after a certain distance the territory instinct arrested him — he did not care to go far from the house. This is curious when one considers how far afield are the flights of the wild Rooks. He was mischievous, and more inquisitive than Fatima. He never outgrew the interest that carpets aroused. What was underneath ? This is what intrigued him. The edge of a rug which could be easily lifted was a matter for peering investigation. He took great trouble to undo one’s shoelaces, he would even unlace a shoe. Thus he passed his life in ceaseless investigation, and when he died it was from eating what even his powerful gizzard found indigestible. He had stolen a pin-cushion from one of the bedrooms, and, taking it to pieces, had made too light of the pins. I would never have another Rook ; not from sentiment, except in so far as sentiment means right feeling, but because Rooks are more beautiful in their setting of wild life, in their own environment. Here, on Salisbury Plain, they are seen to great advantage ; large numbers out on the open Down, gleaming in the winter sun ; or some few, near at hand and looking unexpectedly large and noble, alighting on the lichen-grown railings that surround a lonely dew pond, the summer sunlight waking bronze or purple lights in their sombre plumes. Or again in November, printing the sunset sky with their dark forms, as they cross the valley, passing overhead in steady battalions ; one or Viscountess Grey of Fallodon—The Book IS two leaders, then the full company, and a straggling few bringing up the rear. On summer nights, about ten o’clock, in the warm twilight, they make their sonorous tumult in the trees ; a sound that has some¬ thing in it of the volume of the sea. In March the Rooks make their joy-flights. It is as much a sign of spring as the scent of moss in the copses, or the sight of snowdrops spearing through last year’s leaves ; and it accords well with the song of the Missel-thrush that has so much weather in it ; for the Rooks let themselves be blown about the sky. Every year one should save the young of the Missel-thrushes from the Jackdaws, in recognition of their song in February and March. W. H. Hudson is right when he tells us that our attitude towards creatures should be expressed in the injunction : “ Pet none, persecute none.” Yet how far easier it is not to persecute than not to pet ! Every spring, as it comes round, I am tempted afresh to bring birds up by hand. ' I get such pleasure from this. I love their dependence on me ; I love, through this, to learn their ways. I had a hand-reared Wren this spring, a rare achievement. It would play about the rose bushes gathering aphis, and return to one’s hand as to a chosen abode. The delicacy of its ways cannot be described, nor the beauty of its face. Shakespeare says somewhere, as a term of endearment : “ Here comes the youngest of nine Wrens ” ! He knew what it looked like. If I wore a silken dress it bathed on its surface ; it appeared to be enchanted by the soft touch of the material. It would go into a perfect folly of movement, making all the gestures of throwing water-drops over its back, just as a bird does when it bathes among wet leaves. I should never have known wild birds have this custom had I not once brought up a Blue Tit by hand. This Tit would take its bath in the watercress on the breakfast table. One day I was sitting in the aviary. That pest of quiet summer hours arrived, a face fly ; the fly that will occupy itself pertinaciously with one’s face, and goes from eye to eye, as if undecided into which to plunge. The Wren was playing around me, so I stooped and took it in my hand ; then I held my Wren up to my face, and caught the fly with it. It was most neatly done ; and — as one is usually the helpless victim of such a fly — extraordinarily satisfactory. I brought up a Wood-pigeon last year ; this year my care is a young 6 74 Birds in North-Western Australia Rock Peplar. It is of the species called the Black-tailed Parrakeet ; two others with it were hatched in the aviary here. I took it from the nest when it was still in down, which was like eiderdown in quality, with just a hint of lovely fruit-coloured feathers showing from the quills. I feed it from my lips, with bitten-up brown bread and rasp¬ berries ; with banana, and gooseberry pulp ; sometimes biscuit moistened by a bite of a peach, varying this with lettuce. It connects the sight of my face now with nourishment, though it is still uncertain what exactly is the point of happy contact, for it sometimes makes a hopeful dive into my ear. It holds its head high, swaying on a rope- neck, making the while a rasping noise with its brilliant persimmon- tinted beak held open. It shall fly free in the garden when it is fully grown. None of our birds have their wings cut. Those small African Finches, called Cordon Bleus, fly free among the trees, returning to eat and bathe in their cage on the window sill. Their blue feathers look exquisite against the green of an ilex tree. BIRDS IN NORTH-WESTERN AUSTRALIA A very interesting account of an interview with a bird and animal dealer, Mr. Foglia, of Adelaide, appeared in the Adelaide Register of 20th November last. Mr. Foglia had just returned from a collecting trip to the Kimberley district, in the far north of Western Australia, where bird life appears to be exceedingly abundant, but where occasional seasons of drought result in great mortality : — “ As far as bird life is concerned in those parts, he said, an abundance of feed and water had resulted in remarkable increases in the bird population, including the larger types, such as Ibis, Native Companions, Turkeys, Geese, and Ducks ; and the area could only be described as ‘ Nature’s sanctuary ’. Untouched by the ravages of the white man for the greater part of the year, the Kimberleys especially had become their natural feeding ground. Mr. Foglia said he had been in other parts of Australia, but he had never had any idea of the extent of bird life existent there. It was amazing, and he could not understand, after a Australian Parrakeets 16 visit to those parts, why people agitated for the protection of Australian natural animal and bird life. A sojourn in the far north of Australia convinced one that there was little need for a policy of protection along those lines. Of course, those people engaged in the pursuit of birds were protectionists in themselves. To take 100,000 birds away was a mere drop in the ocean ; but there was now the danger of an epidemic wiping the birds out over the coming wet season and during the succeeding months. The birds multiplied to such an extent during a succession of good seasons that when subsequently feed became short, nature in her own way counter-acted this influence through disease, leaving the fittest to act as the rejuvenators of the species. There was thus always sufficient feed to satisfy the wants of the bird community. Disease was manifesting itself at the moment, for all the birds caught were thin and miserable looking ; but, when fed well during three weeks of captivity had recovered. He felt sure that a trip next year would be comparatively futile. His investigations showed him that these diseases occurred about every six or seven years.” AUSTRALIAN PARRAKEETS By the Marquess of Tavistock and J. Delacour ( Continued from p. 51) II. The Platycercinae Besides certain anatomical distinctions the Platycercinse are recognizable by their short beaks which may be light or dark grey, but never red, their longish legs and long broad tails. The genus is peculiar to Australia and Tasmania. The Rosella Parrakeet (Platycercus eximius), from South-East and South-West Australia is the best known member of its genus, and one of the most beautiful. Its cheeks are white, its head, neck, and breast and the feathers under the tail are red ; its belly is yellow, and the mantle greenish yellow, every feather having a black centre ; wings blue and black ; rump and back green ; tail blue and green ; beak whitish ; feet grey ; eyes brown. It is the same size as the Ring¬ necked Parrakeet. The sexes are very much alike, but the male is a trifle bigger and brighter coloured, with a thicker head and larger beak ; 76 Aviculture the most reliable distinction lies in the colouring of the little feathers at the back of the eye ; they are brownish green in the normal adult female, while in the adult male they are invariably red. Most females have their flights spotted with white, and there is a green bar from the back of the neck to the centre of the head ; these two latter features are rarely found among adult males, though immature specimens may display them. The young on leaving the nest resemble their parents, but the red covers a smaller area, and all the colours are paler and the black marks less distinct. The full colouring appears gradually, and is complete after the first moult. If kept in a large aviary and well cared for Rosellas may breed when a year old, but more often do not nest until the following season. This applies also to the whole family of Platycerci and Barnardii. Rosellas, like all the family, are quarrelsome when paired and in good condition, single and weakly birds are less spiteful. They specially dislike their own and closely allied kinds, but are dangerous with all weaker Parrakeets ; they will not usually molest small Passerine birds as long as these keep out of the way, unless the aviary is over¬ crowded. Rosellas should be fed on admixture of two parts of Canary to one of hemp, one of millet, one of sunflower seed, and one of oats, together with monkey nuts ; they require green food and fruit, preferring apples, cherries, and gooseberries. They do not care for grapes or oranges, which are liked by the Palaeornis. Groundsel, chick- weed, sprouting oats, flowering grass, and lettuce are all acceptable, and they love a fresh branch of some non-poisonous tree, of which they will eat the buds and nibble the bark. Rosellas are fond of bathing and should never be without water. They are perfectly hardy once they have moulted, and can be wintered out of doors if they have protection from rain and wind. Most Platycerci are stupid about using their shelter and often will not enter it, and prefer to freeze outside : they must therefore be accustomed to their shelter by being shut into it for some days at the start by being fed there. It is also wise to shut them up every night. Young birds of the year need more protection than adults. Platycerci do well in a movable aviary such as I have described in my general notes on Parrots. Failing this, they should if possible be Australian Parrakeets 77 placed in a fixed aviary, with a cement floor. They are long-lived if given room to use their wings even in a small aviary, but it is cruel to shut them up in a cage, and under these conditions few survive longer than two or three years. A large aviary is needed if they are to breed satisfactorily, for if confined in a small space they often rear only sickly or crippled young ones. Hollow logs or boxes make good nests for them, but there should be at least two for each pair, as the hen often lays a second time before the first family is fledged, the male parent taking entire charge of the latter. If the hen bird has to wait until the first brood have flown she may pluck them in the nest, or she may herself start moulting, in which case all hope of a second brood is lost. There is no fear that the father will neglect his youngsters. The young must be separated from the old birds as soon as the male begins to grow impatient with them and drives them off. The usual clutch is from four to six eggs. Rosellas cross freely with allied species, and the hybrids are generally fertile. The Yellow-Mantled Parrakeet (P. splendidus), described by Gould as a distinct species, is really only a local variety of Rosella, and is even prettier and more brilliantly coloured. The edges of the feathers of its mantle are golden yellow, with little or no green tinge. It is rarely imported, and I have only seen four cocks and one hen alive. A cock Platycercus whose hen is shut up can be safely given his freedom and will not go farther than half a mile from her aviary. He may bite off some fruit buds in spring and nibble apples in the autumn, but he will not do much mischief, and it is easy to shut him up for a few weeks when necessary. The Platycerci will breed at liberty, but pairs are sometimes inclined to wander and nothing smaller than a cock Rosella is safe from the attacks of the Tawny Owl, who is the worst enemy of exotic birds which have been set at liberty, and is the cause of many mishaps. If it is desired to set a pair at liberty it is wise to wait until they have bred once in an aviary. The cock should then be let out on a calm evening, somewhere where he can see and hear the hen and where he will not be afraid to come down and visit her ; his food should be placed on the top of the aviary. Some days later the hen can be released, also in the 78 Aviculture evening, taking particular care that she sees her mate as soon as she is let out. Nesting places must be put up and Starlings, which take possession of these, must be shot, for, strange to say, these birds can overcome Parrakeets, even as large as Pennants. All Platycerci have a great fondness for exploring chimneys and must be prevented, as far as possible, from amusing themselves in this way. The worst danger is that a bird may come out in an uninhabited room, where it may die of hunger before it is discovered. A movable wire netting top to the chimneys will not interfere with the sweeping, and prevents Parrakeets from entering, which they will do at all times of year. Young birds reared at liberty must be caught up as soon as they can feed themselves, or they become too independent, take long distance flights and annoy the neighbours by robbing their orchards. It must not be forgotten that a pair of Platycerci are far more spiteful at liberty than a cock whose hen is shut up, and more disposed to drive away all their fellows. If a Parrakeet at liberty happens to die, if its mate is not replaced, it must be caught up at once, or it will stray and be lost. Pennant’s Parrakeet (P. elegans) is decidedly larger than the R-osella ; it is a native of East and South Australia. Its colour is a fine carmine red, with pale blue cheeks, wings, and tail ; the flights and rectrices are in part blackish green. The feathers in the mantle have black centres. The sexes are alike, but the hen is smaller and her head and beak are slighter. This species ranges over a wide territory, and there are local varieties which vary in size and the amount of black in their plumage. The beak is grey and white, iris brown and feet greyish black. When the young leave the nest they are deep green, with blue cheeks, have a few red feathers on the throat, and some blue ones on the wings and tail. The red feathers appear gradually through the green ones during autumn and winter, and the adult plumage is com¬ pleted after the first moult. Young birds have been known to leave the nest wearing the adult red plumage, but this is exceptional. Pennants are the least quarrelsome of the large Platycerci, but this does not mean that they are amiable with other birds ; they are merely the mildest of a very quarrelsome family. They should be treated in the same way as Rosellas. A cock bird whose hen is shut up Australian Parrakeets 79 in the aviary does well loose, has nothing to fear from Owls, and produces a very fine effect in a garden. A pair at liberty very often disappoint their owner by staying several months and disappearing when they appear on the point of nesting. In order to succeed with a pair it is necessary to have a very steady cock, for among the Platycerci it is the cock bird who decides the movements of the pair. The Adelaide Parrakeet (P. adelaidce), from South and Central Australia, is classed by certain authorities as a variety of Pennant. In my opinion it may very well be a hybrid between P. elegans and P. flaveolus, which has become fixed and now comes true. The Adelaide differs from the Pennant by the paler red of its plumage, which has a yellowish tinge, and the mantle has pale orange red edges. Individuals vary much in colour ; some are very like Pennants, but the majority look very different and wear a mixture of colours which makes them appear at once beautiful and remarkable. The sexes are alike, the head and beak offering the only distinction. Young birds are like Pennants, but their green is more golden in shade. They require the same treatment as the preceding species. The Yellow-rumped Parrakeet (P. flaveolus) comes from the same locality, but is very rare in confinement. It may be described as a small Pennant, whose red has everywhere been replaced by pale yellow tinged with olive. The sexes are much alike in colour, but the young seem to be much greener than the adults. A male which I possessed was exceedingly quarrelsome. The same treatment as the above. The Yellow-bellied Parrakeet (P. flaviventris), from Tasmania, only differs from the last named by having the back, wings, and rump dark green. Both sexes are alike in colour, but the hen may readily be known by her weaker beak and small head. The young are distinguish¬ able by their green breasts and more uniformly green backs. This species is the most delicate of the Platycerci. Although easy to feed and not much affected by cold, it is very subject to septicaemia, tuberculosis, and other diseases. It does best in a movable aviary with plenty of grass, and the site must be changed annually. It must not be too much exposed to the sun in summer, but enjoys it at other times of the year ; besides seed and fruit, it should have some meal¬ worms. It resembles the Rosella in disposition. 80 Aviculture The Mealy Kosella (P. pallidiceps) inhabits the east and the interior of Australia ; it has the top of the head and back of the neck pale yellow, the cheeks white, mantle greenish yellow mixed with black, the under tail feathers red, the lower back, rump, and all the under parts are pale blue. The hen is smaller and not as brightly coloured as her mate. The young are less distinctly marked, and there is a shade of green in their plumage. This species should be treated like the others. Once acclimatized, it is as hardy as any other of the family, but when newly imported they are subject to chills and need watching. With ordinary precautions they are not difficult to breed at liberty or in an aviary. A variety (P. amathusia) living in North Australia has blue cheeks and a greener mantle. It is very rarely imported, although very beautiful. Brown’s Parrakeet (P. venustus) from North Australia is smaller than the above-named species. Many people consider this the most beautiful of its genus ; its head is black with white cheeks ; under parts, lower back, and rump straw coloured, each feather narrowly edged with black ; sub-caudals red ; the feathers of the mantle are black edged with straw colour ; the wings and tail violet blue. The female is smaller and not as brightly coloured as the male. They require the same treat¬ ment as the rest of the genus. But, like Palliceps, they must be protected from cold on first arrival ; afterwards they may be looked upon as quite hardy. They do not breed as freely as the other Platycerci, being slow to accustom themselves to our seasons, persistently moulting in May and laying in September. Young birds hatched during autumn and reared in a heated aviary rarely makegood specimens ; it is better to exercise patience and only to provide nesting boxes in April and to remove them at the end of August. If this plan be rigorously persevered with the birds will moult earlier every year and finally go to nest in July. Needless to say, it is quite useless to allow Brown’s to nest outside in cold weather ; if the hen does not die of egg binding the young will certainly perish soon after they are hatched. For no apparent reason, many more hens than cocks are imported. There is a blue-cheeked variety which also has a yellow breast. The Stanley Parrakeet (P. icterotis) is a native of South-West Australia ; it is the smallest of its genus, and the only one in which the Australian Parrakeets 81 cock and hen have very different colouring. In the cock the cheeks are light yellow, the rest of the head, the neck, and all the under parts of the body are bright red ; the back and rump are green ; the tail and wings green and blue. The hen is distinguishable by her dull red head and breast, speckled with green and yellow. Young birds resemble their mother and gradually change their colouring like the other Platycerci. By the middle of January their sex can easily be determined. This species should have the same treatment as the Rosella ; it breeds freely in an aviary, but is as spiteful as its larger relatives. Parrakeets of the genus Barnardius may be distinguished from the true Platycerci by certain structural details ; but to the ordinary amateur they belong to the same class. They are, however, larger and have thicker and shorter beaks ; they are usually green. Barnard’s Parrakeet ( B . barnardi) from South and South-East Australia is a beautiful bluish green, with a red forehead, head and mantle tinged with dark grey ; a half-collar round the nape of the neck and lower breast is yellow ; the wings and tail are variegated blue and green. A variety exists which has no yellow on the breast. The sexes are alike, though the hen is sometimes duller ; the only sure distinction lies in the size of the head and beak. When the young leave the nest they are less brightly coloured, and are greener and duller than the adults. Barnard’s bear a bad reputation in Australia for dying in quantities on being captured, but those which reach us are usually strong and hardy. They go to nest readily, either in an aviary or at liberty. They should be treated like Rosellas. Bauer’s and Yellow-naped Parrakeets (B. zonarius and B. semitorquatus), held by Gould to be two species, are only local races of the same bird. It is true that there is a great difference in the size, colouring, and even the voice of the large Yellow-nape, all green with a red forehead, and the little Bauer with a yellow belly and black forehead ; but between the two extremes is every possible gradation, so much so that it is impossible to say where one begins or the other ends. Yellow-napes inhabit the south-west and Bauer’s the south and interior of Australia. Bauer’s are green, with blue on tail and wings ; the belly yellow, a half-collar of the same colour and a black head, shading into blue on 82 Aviculture the cheeks. Yellow-napes are larger and have the under parts wholly green and the forehead red. The sexes are alike, but the hens have narrower beaks and smaller heads. Both Bauer’s and Yellow-napes are perfectly hardy. They should be treated like Bosellas. They are terribly quarrelsome, and have a habit of biting off their adversaries’ beaks. Therefore, they must not be allowed their liberty where there are other Parrakeets bold enough to join battle with them. These Parrakeets can learn to whistle a tune, and even to speak a few words in a hoarse voice, but none of the Platycerci nor Barnardii talk really well, nor can they be made real pets, for as soon as they lose their fear of man they usually grow vicious and aggressive and show no real affection for their owner. The natural voice of Yellow-napes, though too powerful for indoors, is agreeable in the open, and the wild whistling calls of a male bird when flying are charming. None of the Platycerci actually scream unless wounded or frightened, and as I have already said, their voices are usually musical. A blue and white colour variety of Bauer’s Parrakeet has been met with. The Red-capped Parrakeet (Porphyriocephalus spurius) occupies an isolated position and differs from the genuine Platycerci in its shape, its colour, and its manner of life. It is the same size as a Pennant, with a long and pointed tail and a long, narrow, peculiarly shaped beak. Its plumage is unique ; the top of its head is red, as are also the belly and sub-caudals ; cheeks green, changing to yellow on the sides of the neck ; the back is green ; wings and tail green and blue ; the breast is a pretty shade of slaty purple. This species is to be found in West Australia. Its range is restricted and its numbers are rapidly decreasing, owing to cultivation and the war waged on it by the owners of orchards. If it be not bred in con¬ finement it will probably soon cease to exist. The sexes are easily recognized, for the hen always has more or less green mixed with the red on her head and her cheeks are much duller. Young birds have entirely green heads, but attain adult plumage after their first moult. The Red-capped Parrakeet is rare and is troublesome to manage in confinement in this country ; if caught when adult, it is very wild and never becomes really tame even after years of aviary life. Young birds taken from the nest are, however, easily tamed. The species needs a Australian Parrakeets 83 great deal of exercise ; if shut up in a cage it quickly becomes too fat and dies of fits ; tame birds, which seem more greedy than timid ones, should, when not breeding or moulting, be given only a teaspoonful of plain seed a day with unlimited fruit and green food. This bird must be carefully protected from chills, and although it may, once acclimatized, winter out of doors, it should be shut up for the night. When newly imported it requires a very high temperature and plenty of exercise. At first it must not be placed in an unheated aviary, even in summer, for the first cool night will kill it. The shelter of its aviary must always be heated whenever the weather is chilly or damp and also at night. It is a quarrelsome species, and as it is no more amiable towards its own kind than towards other Parrakeets, it is imprudent to put several couples together, even when travelling. In spite of its shyness, it is not difficult to persuade it to nest ; it has been bred in England. One of my specimens lived for a long time at liberty. A Red-capped Parrakeet’s aviary must be very strongly built, for although some individuals do not bite through ordinary wire netting, others quickly make themselves a way of escape. Young birds are very delicate, for which reason the nest-box must be hung in a very sheltered position and the shelter well warmed. The Blue Bonnet is the name given to two varieties at least ; the one has a red belly (Northiella hcematog aster) and the other a yellow one ( N . xanthorous). They are peculiar little Parrakeets, which were formerly included among the Psephoti, but have now rightly been placed in a separate genus, for they are no more Psephoti than Platycerci or Barnardii. The yellow-vented Blue Bonnet which is the more frequently imported, inhabits South Australia. It is mainly mouse-coloured, with cheeks and part of the wings and tail sky blue and the wing-coverts olive yellow ; the middle of the belly is red ; sides straw-coloured ; the lower belly and sub-caudals are yellow. It is about the size of a Cockatiel, and has a long tail. The red-bellied variety, which is to be found in the south-east of the continent, wears a chestnut red spot on the wings, and its sub-caudals are red ; it is the more brightly coloured of the two. A new sub-species has recently been discovered ( N . narethce) further north, which has no red at all on the under parts. Many intermediate specimens are met 84 Foreign Birds at the Crystal Palace Bird Show with ; the sexes are alike, but the hens are smaller and duller. The young are very much the same as the adults, only slightly less brightly coloured. Blue Bonnets are very active and playful, they are not suitable for a cage, but would make admirable aviary birds but for their susceptibility to infectious diseases, especially two kinds of septicaemia. They are very spiteful and can kill birds a good deal bigger than themselves. Some aviary keepers have found them amiable with small birds, but not all. Blue Bonnets should be fed like Rosellas ; they can stand cold well, even wThen first imported if they are in good plumage, and they seldom require heat. In consideration of their liability to disease, it is best to keep them in movable aviaries. A cock whose hen is shut up stays well, and notwithstanding his small size, escapes the attacks of his enemies through his agility, caution, and his power of biting savagely. Pairs, however, rarely succeed well at liberty, and are disposed to wander away. FOREIGN BIRDS AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE BIRD SHOW The annual cage-bird show at the Crystal Palace was held from 3rd to 5th February, and was said to beat all previous records so far as numbers and value were concerned. The foreign bird section was quite up to the average, and contained a most interesting collection of birds. The Dulwich and Peckham Cage Bird Society and their energetic Show Manager, Mr. A. W. Smith, are to be heartily congratulated on the success of their enterprise. Amongst the Lories was a splendid pair of Musky Lorikeets which won a 1st prize for Mr. Maxwell, Mr. Frostick taking second with a good pair of Yellow-backed Lories and Mr. Whitley third with a Black-cap. The class for Lovebirds, Brotogerys, etc., contained no less than twenty -two entries, and almost all were in show condition, and as there were only four prizes many excellent birds had to go without a card. In the class for Conures (excepting Golden and Whitleys), Mr. Whitley showed a fine Patagonian, a rare bird nowadays (first Foreign Birds at the Crystal Palace Bird Show 85 prize), as well as a pair of Red-masked, while Mr. Frostick sent a good Green and a pair of Golden-headed Conures and Mr. Holdstock a pair of Jendayas. Two fine pairs of King Parrots were shown by Mr. Whitley and Mr. Jackson (first and third), while Mr. Adams’ Pennant came third and a fine pair of Bauer’s (Mr. Frostick) fourth. The “ All Other Species ” class contained Whitley’s Conure, of which we recently had a coloured plate in our Magazine. It received the first and a special prize. Mr. Whitley’s beautiful Alexandra Parrakeet, which took second prize, was a superb bird, while Lord Tavistock’s Norfolk Island Parrakeet, which obtained third prize, was a great rarity. Mr. Frostick sent a fine pair of the Tasmanian Yellow-bellied Parrakeets and Lord Tavistock a fine Yellow-rumped. The class for Hybrids and abnormally coloured birds was, as usual, a very interesting one. Lord Tavistock sent his exquisite Lutino Blue- fronted Amazon. It is a wonderful bird, of a bright canary-yellow with crimson markings. His hybrid Alexandra Crimson-wing is also a beautiful and most interesting bird. Mr. Whitley’s hybrid Glossy Starling is a great curiosity, the male parent being a Burchell’s Starling and the female a Chestnut- winged Starling. There were two Black Cockatoos, one sent by Mr. Whitley (first) and the other by Lord Tavistock (second). Mr. Hawkins sent a Spix, Macaw (third), in a cage that was too small for it. In the class for “ All other species of Parrots ”, Mr. Whitley took first prize with a pair of the very rare Yellow-headed Poeocephalus (P. citreicapillus) from Abyssinia. Mr. Maxwell’s Yellow-billed Pionus , which took second prize, is also a rare species. Third came a very good Hawk-head, and fourth a Brown-headed Parrot, of which species there was a second example in the class. The class for Quails, Doves, etc., contained but two entries, both belonging to Mr. Whitley, a pair of Black-headed Caccabis and a Ground Dove, of which I do not know the species. The class for rare Grassfinches, Waxbills, etc., contained two pairs of Peters’ Spotted Firefinches, the first shown for many years, the first prize going to those shown by Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Berry, and third to those belonging to Mr. C. T. Maxwell. Mr. Timberlake took second prize with a good Violet-eared Waxbill, of which species two others 86 Avicultural Notes' were shown. There were also some good Rainbow Buntings, a Versicolor Bunting, Gouldian, and others, but the rarest thing in the class, though perhaps the least conspicuous, was a small Waxbill sent by Mr. Whitley. It belonged to a species described as recently as October last and named Estrilda xanthophrys by Mr. W. L. Sclater in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. It was therefore the rarest bird in the show, though the judge may well be excused for not spotting it. A very fine Mariqua Sunbird belonging to Mr. Maxwell very rightly took first and special prize in the class for these birds, and the smaller Tanagers and Sugar-birds. In the Glossy Starling class there were two pairs of Royals, some Superbs, and a very good Purple-head. The class for Crows, Jays, and Toucans was interesting. Mr. Fro stick was lucky in securing first for a Red-bellied Toucan against Mr. Maxwell’s very rare and beautiful Green Toucanette, which was awarded second prize. Mr. Whitley’s pair of Pileated Jays were beauties, and his very small Aracari was a rarity. The “ Any other small species ” class contained some very good birds. Mr. C. T. Maxwell sent a lovely Minivet which obtained first- prize, a rare Indian Shrike, shown by Mr. Whitley, coming second and a beautiful Rufous-bellied Niltava (Mr. C. S. Dunstan) third. In the “ Any other larger species ” class Mr. Whitley took first with a very beautiful pair of White-breasted Touracous, a species that is a bad liver as a rule, though Mr. Whitley seems to have solved the difficulty of keeping it in excellent condition. Why the second prize should have gone to a Donaldson’s, a common species nowadays and easily kept, instead of to the very rare Green-necked Touracou, which was also in the class and probably the first ever exhibited, is not clear. D. S-S. AVICULTURAL NOTES The popularity of the blue variety of the Budgerigar in Japan has resulted in the most remarkable rise in value of these birds in Europe. Their value is now about twelve times as much as it was two years ago or less, and several breeders of these very attractive birds have made small fortunes during the past year. And this rise in value is not entirely confined to the blue and other coloured varieties of the Avicultural Notes 87 Budgerigar, the normally coloured birds being also affected, though to a lesser degree. Their value may fluctuate, but at the time of writing these are about four times their normal value. There is a danger that the high prices offered for these birds may result in valuable stock birds being sent out of the country, and this, I fear, has taken place to a considerable extent, especially in the case of the Cobalt birds. The Turquoisine was comparatively common as a cage-bird in Europe many years ago, and it might with care have been conserved and multiplied instead of being allowed to die out as it did, while unfortunately no trouble was taken to protect it in its limited habitat in South-Eastern Australia. The youths of Sydney were in the habit of proceeding to the country on Saturday afternoons in order to shoot Parrakeets for “ Parrot-pie ”, much of the “ bag ” consisting of Turquoisines ! Sheep farming was also a very potent factor in the diminution of this species, for the grass seed which formed the food of these Parrakeets was not allowed to form when the sheep came and ate the grass. But the Turquoisine is not extinct, as was at one time feared, and it is satisfactory to hear that our member, Mr. Simon Harvey, jun.,of Adelaide, has reared a brood of Turquoisines in his aviary. Mr. Blaauw has for many years kept a wonderful collection of waterfowl at Gooilust, in Holland, and he has bred most of the rare species of Geese and Ducks. One of his latest successes has been with the Blue-winged Goose of Abyssinia (Cyanochen cyanoptera), a rare species of which he published an account in our journal in July, 1925. Mr. Blaauw has also bred the rare Slight-billed Parrakeet (Henicognathus leptorhynchus), from Chili, from a pair he brought home in 1911. That the Californian Quail is not perfectly hardy may have been discovered by some of our members. While dry cold does not seem to affect it much, it cannot stand damp cold. Mr. Maurice Portal writes to me : “ I had three pairs which laid some eighty-five eggs in 1925. 88 Correspondence, I hatched sixty, and brought up the chicks in the Pheasant field. They vanished in October. In 1926 I hatched thirty-seven. Ten were kept in a movable pen in the field. The balance I let go as they liked. Seven roosted by the keeper’s house in a yew-tree, and about ten in some birch scrub in the wood, and a few in an old Scotch fir. All were dead after a thick white fog which froze about 1 a.m., and ended in 9 degrees of hoar-frost. All were fat with full crop and gizzards full of grit. This accounts for my friends telling me they migrated 1 ” D. S-S. CORRESPONDENCE THE COMMON QUAIL Sir,— I purchased a pair of Egyptian (presumably Common) Quails the other day. Though I have kept Californian Quails for years on ordinary seed and corn, I would be much obliged if you could let me know something about the common species, which I have never had before, though I have tried to get them for ages. (1) What is the sexual difference ? (2) Correct feeding ? (3) Are they likely to breed in an outdoor “ Parrakeet ” Aviary, with only a sandy ground, and about 12 feet by 8 feet ? (4) Anything further you can tell me. Thos. L. S. Dooly. [(1) When adult the sexes of the Common Quail may be distinguished by the two dark brown bands which descend from the ear-coverts and terminate in a blackish patch on the throat of the male. The female is slightly the larger bird. (2) Canary and millet seed or almost any small grain and green food. They also readily devour insects. (3) To breed Quails successfully a fairly large outdoor aviary in which grass is allowed to grow long is essential. Although they may lay eggs, they will never incubate them unless the nest is in a very secluded spot, such as beneath a tuft of long grass, approached by a tunnel through the grass. (4) The young are not difficult to rear providing plenty of live ants’ cocoons can be obtained, but they are not likely to thrive on purely artificial food. The Common Quail is the wildest and least attractive of any of the genus Coturnix. — Ed.] CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Lt. -Colonel J. Baldwin-Webb, Denmark House, Olton, Warwickshire. Proposed by Capt. H. S. Stokes. H. Tod Boyd, 80a Fordwych Road, N.W. 2. Proposed by J. W. Marsden. Miss Chapman, 92 High Street, Birmingham. Proposed by Capt. H. S. Stokes. Hon. Masa U. Hachuisuka, Mita Shiba, Tokyo, Japan. Proposed by D. Seth- Smith. Hon. Mrs. Llewellyn, Pew Hill House, Chippenham, Wilts. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. f Mrs. Pilkington, Dean Wood, Newbury. Proposed by Capt. Waud. Samuel Rae, 64 Muslin Street, Glasgow. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. H. P. Sissons, 8 Potter Street, Worksop, Notts. Proposed by F. S. Elliott. Rev. C. Squire, Warblington House, Havant, Hants. Proposed by Lord Tavistock. And. Wilson, F.Z.S., 233 Argyle Street, Glasgow. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. NEW MEMBERS. Jose Julia Arnau (Ingeniero), Plaza Constitucion 15, Binisalem, Mallorca. Lady Curzon of KedlesTon, 1 Carlton House Terrace, S.W. W/C. Duyzend, 123 Goudsche Singel, Rotterdam, Holland. O'. Heydon, 5 Corvedale Road, Craven Arms, Shropshire. Mrs. B. Hooley, 11 Newhouse Road, Grangemouth, N.B. J. Ernest Kerr, Harviestoun, Dollar, Scotland. Laurence Kirk, Swalecliffe, Banbury, Oxon. George Lewis, Morning Side, Stockton Lane, York. Ronald A. Nops, 4 Amherst Road, West Ealing. Miss Peart, Edgarley, Broomfield Avenue, Palmers Green, N. 13. Wm. Oye Rae, P.O. 59, Kobe, Japan. K. Shinano, 18 Suehirocho, Kitaku, Osaka, Japan. Mrs. Ylasto, Binfield Park, Bracknell. CHANGE OF ADDRESS. Prince N. Taka-Tsukasa, to 2 Fukuyoshicho, Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan. George Washington, to Franklin Farms, Mendham, New Jersey, U.S.A. CORRECTED ADDRESS. Paris Smith, 5 Forest Rise, Whipps Cross, E. 17. DONATIONS. s. d. 1 £ s. d. Lady Bath . 1 0 | W. B. Gibbins 2 0 0 Mrs. J. P. Campbell ... 10 0 Lord Tavistock 20 0 0 H. Edmonds . 1 0 | E. Valentine 1 0 0 GAMAGES S?p?. IMPORTERS of High-class BIRDS andANIMALS. THE BEST FOR ALL KINDS OF Foreign Birds, Canaries, Parrots, etc. A VERY FINE SELECTION AND COLLECTION ALWAYS ON VIEW AT THE RIGHT PRICES. Specialities in CAGES, AVIARIES, NEST-BOXES and all appliances. Don’t forget us for foods. Finest quality. lowest price. Mealworms ..... 6/- per lb. , , 4 1b., 23/- Carr. paid. Spray Millet, large bundles 3/6 each, ' 1 doz., ■ 36/- 9 9 Ants’ Eggs ..... 2/6 per lb. ,4 1b,, , 9/- 9 9 juried Flies . . . / 1/6 9 9 9 9 5/6 9 9 tire Egg Yolk . 4/6 9 > 9 9 16/- 9 9 Insectivorous Food 1/6 9 9 9 9 5/0 9 9 Cuttlefish Bone .... 1/6 9 9 ” 4/6 i 9 A. W. GAMAGE, Ltd., HOLBORN, LONDON, E.C. 1 . phone: HOL. 2700. _ DE VON & CO. Our weekly PRICE LISTS will interest you . FOREIGN. Firefinches 5/- pair. Weavers 4/- „ Silverbills 6/6 ,, Combassous . 4/6 ,, Steelfinches . 6 h „ Bullfinches . 8/6 ,, Cordon Bleus, gorgeous. 7/6 ,, Avadavates, Full Colour. 6/6 ,, Saffron Finches . 10/- „ Spicebirds 6/6 ,, White-headed Nuns 8/6 „ Zebra Finches 18/- „ Tiger Finches, gorgeous colour 5/- each. Cardinals Pope 10/- ,, Bare White Capped Shama, beautiful condition, Cock . £3 PEKIN NIGHTINGALES. Pekin Bobins 8/- Cocks, 6/- Hens, 12/- pair. Grey and Amazon Parrots, from 40/- each. ROLLERS. Heymann’s First-class Singing Club Eung Hartz Eoller Canaries, 1926 birds, tutored by parents of this famous strain, Gluck and Schoclde Birds. Cocks 20/- each, Hens 15/- each. MEALWORMS. Large, clean, fat worms, 1 Od. oz. 5/6 lb. Postpaid. All Aquatical requirements, including GOLDFISH & FANCY FISH, AQUARIUMS from 3/6, REPTILES, PET MONKEYS, MONGOOSE, ARMADILLOS, GUINEA PIGS, etc. Free Weekly Price Lists. OLDEST DIRECT IMPORTERS, 127 King’s Cross Road, London, W.C. 1* Phone : Museum 767. Telegrams : Oiseaux London. FOURTH SERIES VOL. V. No. 4 APRIL, 1927. THE Avicultural CONTENTS. PAGE The Thick-billed Parrot, by Karl Plath. (With Coloured Plate) 89 The Chestnut-headed Buarremon, by G. H. Gurney ... ... 90 The Clarino or Clarinet Bird, by Capt. H. S. Stokes ... ... 91 1926 in the Boyers House Aviaries, by W. Shore-Baily. (With Plate) . 91 page Australian Parrakeets, by the Marquess of Tavistock and J. Delacour . 94 A Hybrid Cardinal, by Walter Barnett . 105 The Perfect Gentleman, by the Marquess of Tavistock ... 107 Avicultural Notes . . Ill The Society’s Medal . 113 Correspondence ... ... ... 114 The Price of this Number is 2/6 THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. FOUNDED 1894. 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 10/8. The Avieultural Magazine is sent free to me racers 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 AND TREASURER, Miss Knobel, 32 Tavistock Square, London, W.C.l. 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. 0. H. Hicks, The Prosectorium, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N. W. 8. Rule 2.-— Should any member require an immediate reply, 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. Reports have been sent by post to J. Appleby, G. Beever, Mrs. A. L. Brace, Mrs. Chatterton, E. S. Elliott, A. Ezra, T. W. G. Hewitt, W. J. Irvine, A. E. Moody, Mrs. Prestwich, Mrs. Shenstone, Major Snape, D. Weston, and C. M. Whale. The Magazine is published by Messrs. Stephen Austin & Sons, 5 Fort Street, Hertford, to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers for 1917 and after, and bound volumes should be addressed. 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 : 46 Hertford, BACK VOLUMES of the AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE previous to 1917. Application for these should be made to the Editor of Cage Birds, 154 Fleet Street, E.C. 4. AH Enquiries 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 Mr. D. Seth- Smith,. Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. HARRODS ZOOLOGICAL SECTION HARRODS make a feature of foreign birds for Aviaries and Exhibitions. Try our Insectivorous Food. Write for List or ’ phone Sloane 1234 . HARRODS Ltd LONDON SW 1 GALLOWAY’S Celebrated Insectivorous Food LIFE A Perfect diet for all Insect and Fruit-eating Birds, Foreign Finches, Waxbills, etc., etc. As supplied to Lord Tavistock and the Hon. Mrs. A. Bourke. This food is invaluable for feeding- foreign seed-eaters given in addition to their seed diet ; Parrot and other Foreign Finches will rear their young almost entirely on it. Used by a great number of leading aviculturists both here and abroad. It will keep good for any length of time if turned out of the bag and kept in a dry place. Prices carriage paid to any part of the United Kingdom : — 11b. 2/6, 21b. 4/8, 31b. 6/10, 41b. 9/-, 51b, 11/2, 61b. 13/4, 7 lb. 14/10, 141b. 27/4, 281b. 47/10, | cwt. 95/8. No Agents . To be obtained solely from the Maker. Send postcard for descriptive leaflet with testimonials. P. F. M. GALLOWAY, 1 Rectory Road, Cavershara, Reading, England. CHAPMAN’S 17 TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, LONDON, W.l. Telegrams: “ BLACKBIRD PHONE, LONDON:'. Telephones : MUSEUM 5272, 5273, 5274 and 5275. Cables: “BLACKBIRD,” LONDON. Animal and Waterfowl Depbt : 1 1 HIGH STREET, BARNET. Telephone : BARNET 2082. Quarantine Station : 5 SAGE ST., LONDON, E. 1 . East End Depot : 3 SAGE ST., LONDON, E.l VISITORS TO LONDON who are interested in Aviculture should not fail to make a point of calling upon us, as they will be able to see the Finest Collection of Different Varieties of Foreign Birds which can be seen under any one roof throughout the whole World. The First Place of Call of all Aviculturists, Naturalists, Dealers and Hunters visiting London from all over the World is 1 7 Tottenham Court Road. At the time of the appearance of this advertisement we shall have actually on view the following very fine collections, besides many others too numerous to be detailed here, and a full List will be forwarded to anybody making application for same. INDIAN SPECIES. CENTRAL and SOUTH Tragopan Pheasants, AMERICAN SPECIES. Monaul Pheasants, Kalitz Pheasants, Humming Birds, Blood Pheasants, Rainbow Buntings, Ruddy Shellducks, Nonpariel Buntings, Spot-billed Ducks, Indigo Buntings, Sh a m as, Red-crested Finches, Niltavas, Pileated Finches, Pittas, Virginian Nightingale, Drongos, Violet Tanagers, Fruitsuckers, Superb Tanagers, Whistling Thrushes, Troupials, Bulbuls, Red-crested Cardinals, Barbets, Pope Cardinals, Scarlet Minivets, Green Cardinals, Blue Flycatchers, Amazon Parrots, Blue Rollers, Macaws, etc., etc. etc., etc. AUSTRALIAN SPECIES. KAGUS, BLACK SWANS, WHITE COCKATOOS. Swift Lorrikeets, Long-tailed Grass Finches, Norfolk Island Parrakeets, Zebra Finches, Crimson-wing Parrakeets, Parson Finches, King Parrakeets, Gouldian Finches, Rosella Parrakeets, Diamond Sparrows, Meally Rosella Parrakeets, Chestnut-breasted Finches, Blue-banded Parrakeets , Yellow-rumped Mannikins, Redrump Parrakeets, Bicheno Finches, Blue-bonnet Parrakeets, , Diamond Doves. REMEMBER CHAPMAN’S 17 Tottenham Court Rd., London, W.l, is the firm for all different species of Live ANIMALS and BIRDS. ii Now Reader TO BE COMPLETED IN TWO VOLUMES. Volume i. “AVICULTURE” Price 15/- net. Order with remittance to — STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, LTD., Fore Street, Hertford. “L’OISEAU” PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE Societe Nationale d’Acclimatation de France, 198 BOULEVARD ST. GERMAIN, PARIS (VIIe). A French Magazine on Aviculture, for the study of European and Foreign Birds in captivity and at liberty. With coloured and black and white plates. ONE YEAR - 75 FRANCS. Medals for first breeding of a species in captivity in France or other countries are awarded if a detailed account is sent to the Society. NOW READY PARRAKEETS A Handbook to the Imported Species REVISED EDITION By DAVID SETH-SMITH, F.Z.S. Roy. 8vo, pp. xx, 295, with 20 coloured plates ; cloth, gilt top, 1926. £4 4s. Od. BERNARD QUARITCH, Ltd., 11 Grafton St, London, W.l. IV Avicultural Magazine, 1927. John Bale Sons &Danie]sson.LM Thick -billed Parrot. Phyn chops ittacus pachyrhynchus. Length, 17 inches. THE Avicultural Magazine BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN & BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM 8c CAPTIVITY Fourth Series. — Vol. V. — No. 4. — All rights reserved. APRIL, 1927. THE THICK-BILLED PARROT (. RHTNCHOPSITTA PACHTRHTNCHA) By Karl Plath (Chicago) The Thick-billed Parrot is the monotype of the genus Rhynchopsitta and is placed between the genera Ara and Conuropsis in Ridgeway’s classification of American Psittacidae. It is a medium-sized parrot about the size of the Yellow-headed Amazon and is slightly reminiscent of the Military Macaw in appearance. It’s bill is large and heavy and black in colour. The habitat of this fine Parrot is in the pine belt of the mountains of northern and middle Mexico and it occasionally wanders northward into Southern Arizona. Mr. Lee S. Crandall, curator of birds in the New York Zoological Park, says he knows of no record of its ever having been kept in captivity and diligent search on my part fails to reveal this fact. In colour it is a deep green with none of the dusky colour edging to the feathers. The cheeks are brighter green and the under parts lighter green and slightly duller. The forehead and a broad stripe, over each eye is deep carmine and the bend of the wing and lower part of thigh is bright geranium red. The under surface of wing and tail is slate colour and the under primary coverts are clear yellow. The body feathers have a highly polished effect. 7 90 G. H. Gurney — The Chestnut -headed Buarremon Our bird, which we call “ Mickey ”, is very tame and affectionate, especially with our young son, but it does not seem to take to the ladies. It delights in snuggling around one’s neck and rubbing its cheek against one’s ear. It has a decidedly unpleasant voice which, if my memory serves me right, is similar to that of the Rose-breasted Cockatoo. THE CHESTNUT-HEADED BUARREMON {BUARREMON BRUNNCINUCHA ) By G. H. Gurney I have lately received a pair of these birds, which I believe are new to Aviculture. The genus Buarremon is composed of a group of Tana- grine Finches, closely allied to the Saltators and to the Magpie Tanagers (Cissopsis). They range over the whole of Central America, from Mexico fco Peru, and are especially common in the Andean area. My birds, which arrived in fairly good condition, have now settled down well, they are at present in a large flight cage, but no doubt later on they will be put into an aviary. They are rather larger than a Scarlet Tanager, but much more sturdily built, the wings are short, and very square looking in flight, and the bill is considerably longer and more elongated than in the majority of the Tanagridse. There is a slight difference in colour between the two birds, one being somewhat lighter than the other, and the black spots on the front of the head are not so pronounced, this is presumably the hen. Above and on the lower parts of the breast they are a dull yellowish green colour, wings and tail brown, the crown of the head is a rich chestnut red, sides of the head and forehead jet black, with three white longish spots, the throat down to the pectoral collar is snowy white, the collar black, upper parts of the breast grey ; this description of their colouring will show that they are very showy birds, the black and white of the throat and head and the rich red brown top making them very conspicuous. My pair are very tame, and extremely active and inquisitive, always on the move, jerking their heads continually and flicking their rather short tails in quite a Shrike-like way ; they are so square looking and thickset, that they remind one almost of a Dipper, and as the;y Capt. H. S. Stokes — The Clarino or Clarinet Bird 91 appear to be somewhat terrestrial, this adds to the similarity. So far I have not heard them utter any note. They are doing well on ordinary insectivorous mixture, are very fond of mealworms, and eat a good deal of fruit. THE CLARINO OR CLARINET BIRD (MTIEDESTES UNICOLOR ) By Captain H. S. Stokes Mr. Chapman has lately received a fair quantity of these from Mexico. It is also known as the Grey Solitaire, and has been exhibited before at the Zoo, while an allied species, Townsend’s Solitaire (M. townsendi), was described by the late Mr. Astley, and well illustrated in this journal in 1919 (New Series, Vol. VII, p. 319). According to Dr. Hopkinson’s book, it was bred in Moscow in 1912. It is about the size of a Scarlet Tanager, of dark slaty blue, with a ring of white feathers round the eye. It sings very attractively and continuously. Two or three in a room remind me of a chime of little silver bells, or of those Japanese glass chimes which clash and tinkle in the breeze. (I am also bound to admit that one of my birdy friends described the song as like the scraping of a wheelbarrow wheel in need of oiling !) The Clarino seems to be largely frugivorous, mine preferring soaked currants and chopped apple to anything else. The hens sing also, and have a “ feminine look ” and a narrower head than the cocks, and care should be taken to see they get their fair share of food when the sexes are put together as the cocks are very spiteful towards them. 1926 IN THE BOYERS HOUSE AVIARIES By W. Shore-Baily I am venturing to send you these few notes on the happenings in my aviaries during the last season, as they may be of interest to our readers. In a Society with a membership of something like 500, it is astonishing how few write anything about their birds. 92 W. Shore-Baily — 1926 in the Boyers House Aviaries Occasionally if there is a medal in view we get an account of some success, but how often do we hear about the failures. I venture to think that in many cases the failures or partial successes are quite as interesting as complete successes, and beginners are certainly more likely to learn something from them. With this apology I will commence my diary. 15th March. Olivaceous Thrushes laid three eggs. Mud-lined cup¬ shaped nest in a laurel bush. 29th March. Olivaceous Thrushes hatched two eggs. 2nd April. Peacock Pheasant laid two eggs in a scrape on the ground. 8th April. Black Tanager sitting, four eggs. Infertile. 13th April. Bay Cowbirds sitting on four eggs. Cup-shaped nest in a willow. Eggs infertile. 15th April. Two Olivaceous Thrushes left nest. 17th April. Rufous Tinamou sitting, five eggs. 9th May. Rufous Tinamou hatched three young. 17th May. Cinereous Tinamou sitting, five eggs. 18th May. Green Cardinal sitting, four eggs. Cup-shaped nest in privet bush. Infertile. 20th May. Grey-fronted Dove (Leptoptila rufaxilla) sitting. This bird was mated to an Aurite Dove. Eggs proved infertile. 21st May. Rufous Tinamou sitting. 23rd May. Red-headed Conures sitting. 24th May. Bay Cowbirds sitting in coco-nut husk. 26th May. Red Mountain Dove sitting. 27th May. Hybrid Necklace Doves sitting. 30th May. Two Peacock Pheasant chicks hatched. 31st May. Cabani’s Weaver sitting. Nest over pond. 31st May. Abyssinian Lovebird sitting, four eggs. 31st May. Mexican Rose-finches sitting, four eggs. 2nd June. Tataupa Tinamou laid four eggs. Infertile. 12th June. Mexican Rose-finches hatched four young. 15th June. Abyssinian Lovebirds hatched. 15th June. Olive Finch sitting. Dome-shaped nest in a bush 6 inches from the ground. Avic. Mag. 1927. Nest and eggs of Reeve. . — . . - V Si 1 ^ fjKt. ~£ * Lm . v ’ »V^9K£ 'iw: 0 .. . — - ' ■ 3L ^ .■* . » ■ wv^^»Ar:.^ . ..-^. twr -• _ iM FF. Shore-Baily . Reeve incubating. To face p. 93 .] W. Shore- Baily — 1926 in the Boyers House Aviaries 98 15th June. Olivaceous Thrushes sitting in old nest. 16th June. Red Mountain Doves sitting. 18th June. Yellow-breasted Seed-finches sitting, four eggs. Cup¬ shaped nest in creeper. 20th June. Reeve sitting, four eggs. Nest a scrape in ground, in grass about 6 inches long. Bird entirely concealed when incubating by the grass being pulled over the back and head. 21st June. Cabani’s Weaver threw two dead young out of nest. 26th June. Four young Rose-finches left nest. 27th June. Grey-fronted Dove sitting. Infertile. 27th June. Olive Finch hatched. 29th June. Four young Yellow-crested Seedfinches hatched. 1st July. Four young Abyssinian Lovebirds hatched. 2nd July. Mexican Rose-finches sitting. 3rd July. Green Cardinal sitting. Eggs infertile. 4th July. Hybrid Doves left nest. 5th July. Cinereous Tinamou sitting. 6th July. Two young Reeves hatched. Forty-eight hours solid rain drowned these little birds. 8th July. Two young Cinereous Tinamous hatched. 15th July. Cayenne Rail sitting, four eggs. 18th July. Green Cardinal sitting. Eggs infertile. 21st July. Four young Mexican Rose-finches left nest. 23rd July. Four Abyssinian Lovebirds left nest. 24th July. Six Cinereous Tinamous hatched. 27th July. Four Yellow-breasted Seedfinches left nest. 1st August. Rufous Tinamou sitting. 4th August. Cayenne Rail hatched, four young. 2nd September. Red-headed Conures left nest. 2nd September. Two Hybrid Doves left nest. 3rd September. Rufous Pigeon sitting. Egg infertile. 7th September. Olive Finch sitting. 9th September Two Rufous Tinamous hatched. 16th September. Black-cheeked Lovebirds sitting. 18th September. Olive Finch hatched. 10th October. Black-Cheeked Lovebirds hatched four young. 94 Aviculture if 24th October. Yellow-backed Whydah laid. Eggs infertile. 26th October. Nyasa Lovebirds laid. Eggs infertile. 29th October. Four Black-cheeked Lovebirds left nest. 15th November. Black-cheeked Lovebirds and Nyasa Lovebirds sitting. Young died in shell. AUSTRALIAN PARRAKEETS By the Marquess of Tavistock and J. Delacour ( Concluded jrom p. 84) The genus Psephotus is a well-defined group of small Parrakeets whose chief characteristic is the striking difference in plumage between the sexes ; the hens are nearly as plainly clad as hen Pheasants are when compared with cocks. Their wings and tails are long but their beaks and feet are small. The Psephoti have very weak and musical voices which could not annoy the most sensitive ear, and are besides graceful and pretty. They are, however, very quarrelsome. They succeed very well in aviaries but should never be confined in cages for any length of time. To keep any Psephotus permanently in a parrot cage is exceedingly cruel. The Red-rumped Parrakeet ( Psephotus hcematonotus) is the commonest of the group ; it is very hardy and easy to breed when acclimatized. The male bird is a fine green tinged with blue on the head and wings, with a greyish mantle ; his belly is yellow passing into white on the sub-caudals and the rump is red, the outer retrices are blue and white. The female is greyish green. Young males can be told by their greener hue and by a little red on the back. The length of this species is about 15 inches. Red-rumps should have the same treatment as Rosellas ; they do not care for fruit but eat green food freely. They are charming at liberty and stay well, breed readily, do no harm to fruit and never go down chimneys ; they look particularly fascinating running about on a closely-cut lawn. Unfortunately they can only be kept safely where there are no Tawny Owls. If Australian Parrakeets 95 a Red-rump loses his mate he will disappear after a few days if another is not provided at once. On letting out a pair the same precautions should be taken as advised for the Platycerci. Red-rumps are natives of South and South-East Australia. The Manycoloured Parrakeet (P. multicolor) inhabits the South and interior of Australia ; it is the same size as the Red-rump and the male is really magnificent. His colour is satiny green shading into blue, with a yellow forehead. The nape is sometimes brick red, the wings are blue and green with a yellow mark on the shoulders, the belly is red, wings blue and green bearing a yellow spot on the shoulders ; the tail is blue and white, green at the base ; there is a red spot on the rump and the belly is red, the sub-caudals yellow. The female is grey green with nape, rump and shoulders spotted with brick red ; wings and tail tinged with blue. They fly very gracefully. They should be fed like the previously mentioned species, omitting hemp and sunflower. They are nearly as ready to go to nest in confine¬ ment but not so easily kept in good health. They can be kept out of doors when acclimatized, but when first imported must be kept warm. Manycolours must be shut up at night when kept in an aviary. Their chief trouble is their habit of contracting contagious diseases, especially septicaemia. But as the germs of this illness are local, one amateur may succeed very well with this species while another cannot save them. Movable aviaries are very desirable for them, indeed almost essential. Manycolours may be let fly like Red-rumps, but are more inclined to stray and it is necessary to take more precautions. The Hooded Parrakeet (P. dissimilis) is one of the prettiest Parrakeets in the world, and when flying, looks like a huge butterfly. The male has a black top to his head, his cheeks, throat, breast, belly, and rump are turquoise blue ; his back and mantle are greyish brown, tail and wings deep blue green ; the small wing-coverts are golden yellow and the sub-caudal feathers orange-red. The female has a greenish grey head ; back, wings and breast pale green ; the belly is blue, sub-caudals orange-red, tail green and blue. The female is a light brownish olive, washed with pale blue on the cheeks, breast, and under parts. This species is a native of North Australia. 96 Aviculture The Hooded Parrakeet should have the same food as the preceding species. As it comes from the tropics, it needs to be very carefully acclimatized, and on first arrival it requires a high temperature ; later it should be shut up for the night and in bad weather healthy specimens may be kept outside throughout the year. Unfortunately the Hooded Parrakeet often retains the habit of moulting and breeding according to Australian seasons and to cure this it should be treated like Brown’s Parrakeet. In its native land it breeds in the nests of the termite and consequently some hens are difficult to please and will not make use of the ordinary nesting logs, and must be tempted with other shapes. Where there are no Owls these Parrakeets can be given their liberty and a pair of them will charm their owner more under those conditions than a whole aviary full of other birds. When they have settled down they never stray, but a good deal of care must be exercised in liberating them. Young cocks are like the hens except that their cheeks are a little bluer ; the black and yellow colouring appears after the first moult. A dealer will occasionally offer a young bird, apparently in good health, but minus flight and tail feathers. On no account should it be bought, for not only do the missing feathers never grow, but in time the bird loses even the feathers which it has. The Hooded Parrakeet has always been a rare species in Europe. Golden-shouldered Parrakeet (P. chrysopterygius ) is found farther south in the interior of Australia ; it is much like the above, but can be distinguished by its smaller hood and by a yellow band on the forehead. The hen also shows traces of this band. It is even more rarely imported than the Hooded. The Paradise Parrakeet (P. pulcherrima) from East Australia is a delightful bird which was believed to be extinct but which has recently been rediscovered in small numbers. The male has a red forehead and a black crown ; his back and wings are deep grey-brown with red shoulders ; the sides of his head and neck, the throat and breast are green ; his eyes are encircled with yellow ; his flanks, rump, and tail-coverts are turquoise blue tinged with green ; his belly and sub- caudals are rosy red ; tail deep green and light blue. The female is Australian Parrakeets 97 distinguished by the sides of her head and neck, and her breast being fawn or beige ; her belly is pale blue with red spots. There is now very little chance of this species being imported, although it is said that one or two have reached America. Former amateurs who had them found them not particularly susceptible to cold and quite easy to breed, but that they seem to have been liable to contagious diseases like Manycolours and would appear to require the same treatment. Bourke’s Parrakeet (Neopsephotus bourkei) from South Australia superficially resembles the genus Neophema but in reality it is very distinct and has no very close affinities. It has none of those faults which make some people dislike Parrakeets. Its plumage is not gaudy but softly shaded, rosy grey on the head, neck, and breast, grey edged with green on the mantle and wings, the folds of which are light blue ; the belly is pink, the under tail-coverts sky blue, the tail blue and dark grey. It has a melodious voice, does not bite when handled and does not destroy shrubs. The sexes are alike in colour but the difference in the size of the head is sufficiently pronounced to enable them to be distinguished. Bourke’s Parrakeets inhabit desert country and never bathe in confinement nor eat green stuff ; they feed exclusively on millet and canary seed. There is no harm in offering them groundsel or flowering grass but they seldom touch it. Sometimes they like a turf of grass, especially when it begins to wither. Once acclimatized they stand cold fairly well if protected from wind and damp. They go to nest readily but must only be allowed to breed during the warm months. Breeding pairs should be kept by themselves as the cocks may kill each other or if they do not go as far as that, the weaker will be badly plucked. The bottom of their log must be quite near the entrance hole, for this species, unlike most other Parrakeets, is not a climber. Bourke’s Parrakeets are susceptible to disease, particularly tuber¬ culosis, and need a clean sunny aviary. Their worst fault is their inveterate habit of banging themselves against the roof and sides of their aviary in flight if they are frightened, or, in the case of the young birds, when they leave the nest. It is absolutely necessary to have 98 Aviculture an inner lining of string netting and to see that it is always perfectly tant. I have found this species inoffensive with other birds. The Grass Parrakeets (Neophema) include some of the most interesting small Australian Parrakeets. They are, generally speaking, harmless to other birds, do not bite, and their voices are not disagree¬ able ; they are extremely pretty and breed quite readily in an aviary. Unfortunately they are excessively rare and competent observers assert that they are on the way to complete extinction ; but for all that it has for years been believed that certain species had entirely disappeared, and yet they have come to light again either in little scattered flocks or isolated pairs. The Blue-winged Grass Parrakeet ( N . venusta) is found in Tasmania and specimens still occasionally arrive in Europe and America. Its colouring is olive green, yellower on the cheeks and belly, which last is sometimes tinged with orange ; a narrow band across the fore¬ head ; the wings and part of the tail are very bright blue. The feet and beak are small and delicate. Its length is about 10 inches. The blue band across the forehead is duller and less marked on the hen, and she has also greenish feathers in the blue patch on her wings. Young birds have less blue than adults, but assume their full plumage long before they are a year old. Adults are quarrelsome ; the hens being more pugnacious and stronger than the cocks and a watch must be kept lest a hen take a dislike to a new mate, for she may injure him severely. Bluewings require heat when they first come over, but once acclimatized they will live out of doors if they are shut up at night and during cold weather. These Parrakeets are liable to septicaemia and it is advisable to house them in movable aviaries. Like Bourke’s they have the annoying habit of hitting themselves against the wire and require an inner lining of string netting to keep them from biting the roof mesh. A smooth plank on which they cannot hang should be fixed just underneath ; they do not gnaw hanging head downwards as they are not good at climbing. Bluewings are rather liable to sunstroke in great heat for they are apt to expose themselves most rashly. A few leafy branches should be laid on the roof of their aviary so as to intercept the direct rays, but in winter they need all the sun they can get. Like other Australian Parrakeets 99 members of the group they are subject, when first imported, to the same disease of the eyes which causes losses among Barrabands ; with Grass Parrakeets it is always fatal. Grass Parrakeets eat millet and canary seed with a little hemp and plenty of groundsel and flowering grass. They usually lay four eggs but unless they are kept in a spacious movable aviary, male birds bred in captivity are mostly infertile. As already mentioned when dealing with Bourke’s Parrakeet, the entrance hole should be near the bottom of their nesting log. The Elegant Parrakeet ( N . elegans) from South-West Australia is much like the foregoing but the blue strip on its wings is much narrower and of two shades, and the green more golden. It is now very rare but in former times it was well known and has been bred in aviaries. Old males may have an orange patch on the abdomen like Bluewings and Orange Bellies. The Orange-bellied Parrakeet (N. chrysog aster) is a native of Tasmania and South and South-East Australia. It is like the Bluewing but is greener and the blue area on the forehead is wider, more indefinite, and less brilliant in colour. The species is almost unknown in aviaries, and is probably on the verge of extinction. The Rock Grass Parrakeet ( N . petrophila) is much like Venusta but is duller and more olive and has less blue in its wing. It is the dullest-coloured member of the group. This species inhabits certain coastal districts in South-West Australia and nests in holes under large stones. It is being exterminated by cats and rats, and is now very scarce. I had two males in my possession for several years ; they were sensitive to the cold and could not be wintered out of doors. One of them paired with a hen Venusta, but the eggs were clear. It has been bred in Germany. The Turquoisine ( N . pulchella) is a native of South and South- East Australia. It is a tragedy that this lovely little bird was not preserved in Europe, for it bred freely and might have been domesticated like the Budgerigar. For years it was believed to be extinct but latterly a few specimens have been discovered and two or three have reached Europe and the United States. The male bird is olive green above with blue forehead, cheeks, and wings, a red patch on the shoulders, 100 Aviculture and all the under parts and the tail yellow. The female has no red on the shoulders and only a trace of blue on the cheeks. Young birds have even less blue than their mother but attain their full plumage when a few months old. These Parrakeets should be fed on millet and canary seed with flowering grass and groundsel. They have the same habits and diseases as Bluewings. Turquoisines in former days were commonly in the market. The Splendid Parrakeet (N. splendida) is more beautiful even than the Turquoisine Parrakeet ; it was a native of South- West Australia and has always been very rare. It is, however, reported to have bred in the Zoological Gardens of London. Its back, mantle, and tail are green, the latter being yellow underneath and at the sides. Its head is brilliant cobalt blue ; its breast bright red ; its wings a mixture of light and dark blue ; its abdomen golden yellow. The hen has no red breast. This species which was thought to be extinct has lately reappeared. It is said that two specimens were caught and eaten by a farmer whose granary they had entered during a drought ! Owing to the destruction of its refuges in times of drought and the increasing colonization of the country, there is no hope that the bird will maintain itself permanently even in the deserts of the interior. The Cyanoramphus Parrakeets come from New Zealand and Oceania and are about the size of a Rosella. They are usually green but their heads are adorned with red or yellow and their wings tinged with blue. The New Zealand Red-fronted Parrakeet (C. novce-zelandice) was formerly very frequently met with in aviaries, but owing to its scarcity in its native country and to the strict protection afforded it, it is now hardly ever seen here. It is a fine grass green, has its flights marked with blue and all the crown of the head bright red as well as the lores and a small patch on the flanks. The sexes are alike, but the hen’s beak and head are smaller and weaker. This species has often been bred and used to be considered hardy and prolific. I once had two males and one female but one cock injured the hen and the other killed her, so the species is not always as gentle Australian Parrakeets 101 as some writers declare. It does as well in a cage as in an aviary and learns to speak. Its food should consist of two parts of canary to one of hemp and one of oats, together with apple and green food. The Norfolk Island Parrakeet ( C . coolci) strongly resembles the Red-fronted but it is much larger and it has a stronger beak. It is now almost extinct, having been exterminated by rats. They appear to be gentle but are apt to feel the cold : they should not be allowed much hemp or sunflower seed. The Yellow-fronted New Zealand Parrakeet ( C . auriceps) is even rarer than the above. It differs in not having red cheeks, but a wide yellow band on the top of its head while its forehead is red, and there is a red patch on the rump. It was freely imported in former times and was scarcely less prolific than the Red-fronted ; it was bred several times in France, especially by Delacour. Besides these species the following have been imported : C. saisseti from New Caledonia, C. unicolor from the Antipodean Islands, and C. erythronotus from the Society Islands. The first may be dis¬ tinguished from the Red-fronted by its larger size, and yellow cheeks and throat ; the second is all green ; the third has a black forehead and the lores ; a spot on the ear-coverts and the rump are reddish brown ; its body is olive green freely marked with blue on the wings and tail. The two species belonging to the genus Nymphicus differ from the Cyanoramphus by their pointed crests. They are pretty, interesting, and inoffensive. They have been bred in confinement but very seldom, as they are usually most difficult to keep alive. Occasionally one may come across an individual who lives many years without special care ; but for one like this a dozen and more will die off most vexatiously. The Uvean Parrakeet (N. uvceensis) from the Loyalty Islands is grass green, yellowish underneath and on the rump ; it has a crest composed of six curved dark green feathers, becoming paler towards the extremities ; the feathers on the forehead are dark green with red tips ; wings and tail partly blue ; the face, cheeks, and chin are dark green. I believe the sexes to be alike, unless there is some difference in the size of the head and beak. 102 Aviculture Those which I had did not live long ; some which were in my aviaries died of anaemia and softening of the bones ; while others,, living in cages, succumbed to aspergillosis. It would seem that the best method of keeping them in good health is by giving them very nourishing and varied food ; hemp, canary, millet, oats, sunflower, monkey nuts, fruit, green food, and mealworms. This Parrakeet has a peculiar but not disagreeable voice ; it is active and interesting and becomes perfectly tame. The Horned Parrakeet (N. cornutus) from New Caledonia is even larger and handsomer. Its chief difference lies in its head and crest. This last is composed of two long narrow feathers which point backwards and are black with red tips. The top of the head is red, black at the base of the feathers ; the nape and flanks are yellow ; face and cheeks black ; the remainder is grass green tinged with yellow on the rump and with blue on the wings and tail. It is rarer than the Uvean and has not been imported for a long while. It was bred several times in France by Cornily, who also reared the Uvean Parrakeeet and hybrids between the two ; but breeding them at all must have been due to a lucky chance combined with uncommon skill. The Swift Parrakeet ( Nanodes discolor ), very widely distributed throughout South-East Australia and Tasmania, is an attractive and very distinct little species. It is the same size as the Grass Parrakeets ; it has a yellowish beak and feet and golden yellow eye ; the forehead and throat are red, the latter surrounded by a yellow line ; the crown of the head is bluish and all the rest brilliant green above, paler beneath, save for the wings and tail, which have blue and red markings. This Parrakeet is interesting in many ways but hard to keep alive in confinement and may die off without reason in spite of every care. Although it feeds in the same fashion as the Lories, and is, like them, active in climbing, it really has very little in common with that family in its habits and character, but reminds one rather in some ways of the Barraband. The sexes are alike and very difficult to distinguish ; but the cocks are brighter and have a yellower iris. Swift Parrakeets are gentle and do not quarrel among themselves even when breeding. Australian Parrakeets 103- Their diet should consist of bananas and sponge cake in equal parts,, crushed and mixed together ; soaked canary seed, fruit and all sorts of green stuff ; a few mealworms may also be added. They bear cold fairly well but should have some meat in the severest weather. A form of enteritis, due neither to chill nor to irritants in the food, is their most serious disease and they may contract it suddenly when in perfect condition. We do not know how to prevent nor cure this complaint. Formerly this species was bred in France in large quantities especially by Rousse ; he kept several pairs together in outside aviaries provided with good shelters ; he fed them on seed* fruit, and bread and milk. In their wild state they, like the Lories,, feed chiefly on nectar from the flowers of the Eucalyptus. The Budgerigar ( Melopsittacus undulatus) is too well known, to require description. It is a native of Australia, where it is migratory,, as are also many of the preceding species. The sexes are alike but the cere (the skin covering the base of the beak) is blue in the male- and cream or brown in breeding hens ; bluish white when the female is. breeding. The young have their foreheads streaked with black* while those of the adults are pure yellow. The wild type is green with a yellow head, the face marked with deep violet blue, and the wings, and tail partly blue ; the mantle, crown, and sides of the head are barred and streaked with dark grey. In confinement many different colour varieties have been bred, some very beautiful. The most striking are light blue, deep blue, mauve, grey, yellow, .olive, and white. When Budgerigars are kept in flocks they breed very freely. It may chance that a hen here and there may turn vicious and kill her neighbours, but this is quite exceptional. Odd hens, however, should be removed as they disturb nests, but surplus cocks are seldom a nuisance. Some amateurs allow Budgerigars to breed all the year round, but it is wiser to rest them during the cold months either by separation of the sexes or simply by taking away the nest-boxes. Some strains, are very hardy, but others having been kept and bred indoors for generations have become tender and are as subject to chills as Waxbills. Budgerigars are not to be recommended as companions for small birds, and they destroy shrubs in an aviary. The Budgerigar is 104 Aviculture & delightful species at liberty and well worth the trouble it may give in establishing it. It is necessary to procure several strong, healthy pairs which have been bred in an outside aviary and to keep them shut up for several months on the spot where it is intended to release them. They can then be let out a few at a time, with food at hand and nest-boxes in the trees. It is wise to catch up young birds directly they can feed themselves ; otherwise they stray. They should be fed at first on soaked canary seed and kept in a sheltered aviary. In the middle of September all old cocks should be caught up and placed in aviaries. When it is certain that no young remain in the nests the hens can also be caught. They are easily taken if they have been accustomed to be fed in trap cages which can be closed by pulling a string. It is not safe to let Budgerigars winter at liberty on account of owls. Budgerigars do no harm to the garden and never touch either buds or fruit. The species is completely domesticated in Europe, and breeding it has become a considerable business, particularly in France, where tens of thousands are raised every year. They are fed on canary and millet with all kinds of green stuff and a little soft insectivorous food with bread and milk when they are nesting. Old wall mortar is indespensable for them. In southern parts, Toulon in particular, where they are chiefly bred, they are given Thuya boughs and lettuce leaves. Before leaving the Parrakeets we must mention those strange Australian birds distantly related to the Platycercinse which are remarkable for their terrestial habits, and live on the ground, where they run with great rapidity on their long legs. They fly rapidly but never perch. The Ground Parrakeet (Pezojporus terrestris) is found in South and West Australia and Tasmania. It is 12 inches long with a well- developed tail, and it has a very short beak. Its plumage is green watered with black and tinged with yellow on the abdomen and tail ; its forehead is orange red. The sexes are alike. It is becoming more and more rare and is hardly ever imported. It is active by day and nests in tufts of grass and herbage. The Night Parrakeet ( Geopsittacus occidentalis) may be known Walter Barnett — A Hybrid Cardinal 105 from the above by its short thick nails and shorter tail ; it is also slightly larger and a greyer green without any red on the forehead. It inhabits South and South-West Australia but is believed to be extinct. It spent the day crouching in tufts of herbage, only coming out under cover of darkness. It has been imported once or twice. A HYBRID CARDINAL By Walter Barnett In the spring of 1922 I bought a pair of Green Cardinals and turned them out into the aviary in May. The cock bird, apparently quite healthy, I found dead one morning about three weeks later. Here, I may say that the aviary is built against a wall facing south-west. It is open to all weathers, winter and summer, except that one end is roofed in with glass to keep the food dry in wet weather. Prior to the arrival of the Green Cardinals I had a Virginian Cardinal (male), but it was not until the summer of 1925 that the Green Cardinal hen showed signs of nesting. In that year, at the end of June she built a nest of sticks and grass, rather an untidy structure, inside a wire basket hanging from the roof under the end that was covered in with glass. She laid four eggs, blue spotted with dark brown, and began to sit. At the time, there was a spell of very hot weather, and she was in full sun directly under the glass, I put a bit of canvas shading over the glass to give her some protection. My attention, however, was not appreciated, for she at once deserted her nest. I had no idea at that time who her mate was, or whether the eggs were fertile. On breaking one of them I discovered that they were. She was not many days before she got busy again, carrying up bits of fresh grass to the old nest, and then laid three more eggs. This time, something took the eggs, and I have never to this day discovered who was the culprit. I rather suspected a pair of Spreo Starlings (wrongly as it proved later) for I had seen one of them take a Zebra Finch’s egg out of a nest-box. Nothing daunted, the Green Cardinal laid a third time. So I caught up the Spreos and caged them inside the aviary. However, 8 106 Walter Barnett— A Hybrid Cardinal the eggs again disappeared, so the Spreos were once more set free. So each attempt at nesting that year ended in disaster. Last summer, however, she built again in the same basket, laid four eggs and again they were taken. There was not even a trace of broken shells. Soon after I saw her again carrying bits of grass, so I took the basket away, in the hope that she would shift elsewhere. She then built a nest in a small fir-tree, laid three eggs, and this time was not molested and hatched them in July. There was no doubt during incubation as to her mate, for whenever any mealworms were thrown in, the Red Cardinal at once took them up to her and fed her while she was sitting. As soon as the young hatched he at once went on to the nest when she came off to feed and both parents fed the young ones in turn. One young bird died in the nest, another I found dead below on the ground. The third became fully fledged, almost ready to leave the nest, when there was a violent thunderstorm. The nest got drenched and next morning the last remaining young one was dead. This was at the end of July. Early in August, she began building again in the basket which I had replaced, so I moved it at once into a small wooden shelter inside the aviary, a much more secluded spot with a roof over her head in case of storms. My hope that she might follow her partly-built nest to its new locality was fulfilled. She finished the nest, laid two eggs at some days interval, and duly hatched one. The other egg came to nothing. Both parents again fed the young one. There was the usual soft food available and I gave them a liberal supply of fresh ants’ eggs and gentles, but was sparing with mealworms. In due course the young one left the nest. The first morning I found it out on the ground I had rather an anxious moment. Both the Spreos were standing over it and I was much afraid that they were going to kill it. My fears, however, were quite unwarranted, for I soon discovered that the Spreos were feeding it even more assiduously than its own parents. The Spreos, usually gluttons for mealworms, flew down to the young bird, holding the mealworms in their beaks, at the same time giving vent to a loud twittering song. As soon as the young one opened its mouth, the mealworms was popped down its throat. It continued to thrive, and until it could fly I caught it The Marquess of Tavistock — The Perfect Gentleman 107 up at dusk and put it in the nest. It then stayed there, or on a branch near by under shelter for the night. In colour now it is rather a rich olive brown without any distinctive marking, except for the black round the base of the beak, which rather resembles the male parent. The crest is large and erect, but identical in colour with the rest of its plumage. It is quite tame and very quick and sprightly in its movements. I imagine now that it is six months old that it has attained its full plumage. THE PERFECT GENTLEMAN A TALE OF A BARNARD’S PARRAKEET By the Marquess of Tavistock I have, this winter, added one more to the list of the Barnard’s Parrakeets of my acquaintance who have possessed abnormal tempera¬ ments. There was one that despised matrimony and devoted himself to the unpleasant hobby of biting human noses ; another whose devotion to his mate always turned to furious resentment if she left his company for a few days, even against her will ; a third who hated all Broadtails irrespective of sex and loved all other Parrakeets, likewise irrespective of sex. The Perfect Gentleman came to me last summer, but at first I did not realize he was in any way unusual. For several years I have had two hen Barnards for whom I have vainly tried to obtain mates. Barnard after Barnard has been sent on approval, only to turn out to be another female ; if the new one did happen to be a male it was some wretched little aviary-bred degenerate of no possible use and whenever I got on the track of a really good cock, someone else had always snapped him up before me. Meanwhile the ladies, deprived of the wholesome influence and discipline of the opposite sex, became more and more uppish and unfeminine in their demeanour, a circum¬ stance which I foresaw would not add to their charms in the eyes of the husbands I hoped to provide for them, for if there is one thing a cock Broadtail cannot stand it is a minx. Last spring I at length secured a good imported cock and paired him to one of the hens, and 108 The Marquess of Tavistock — The Perfect Gentleman later in the year I got hold of a second cock, who is the Perfect Gentle¬ man, as a mate for the green-breasted hen whose portrait is to appear in the Magazine at a later date. In buying the Perfect Gentleman from a fellow member I heartlessly arranged to have him separated from the wife with whom he had lived happily for some time — a dirty trick for which my conscience has reproached me since I have come to realize the sterling merits of his character. Many cock Barnards on being parted from their lawful spouses and introduced to a strange female of unattractive habits would have murdered her without loss of time, but that was not the way of the Perfect Gentleman. Although he did not pretend to be greatly impressed with his new companion, he evidently came to the conclusion that there was some excuse for the poor thing and he lived with her on terms of kindly tolerance. Early in the winter I made arrangements for giving both cock Barnards their liberty. The feeding and management of my Parrakeets at liberty is complicated by the fact that one set have to be shut up every night to protect them from Owls and consequently must know of no feeding places except those inside an aviary, while the other set, which is composed of birds too powerful to need protection, or too spiteful to be confined together at night, have to be trained to feed in places where the seed is not visible to those that have not been taught where to look for it. Most of the Parrakeets that roost at liberty are fed inside specially constructed boxes and the second cock Barnard was educated to the use of the box, but I trained the Perfect Gentleman, who was the first to be released, to enter the shelter of a small aviary up the garden, the top of the flight of which is always open. Soon after being set free the Perfect Gentleman paid a civil visit to his former companion, but instead of being pleased, the ill-natured hussy flew at him and tried to attack him through the wire. He was not at all afraid of her, but his feelings were naturally hurt. From that day on he has never settled on the top of her aviary ; it is undignified to engage in a brawl with a female ; if she is rude to you, it is best to avoid her. The hen has long ago repented and calls seductively to him, but although he often looks at her from a distance he will not come within 30 yards of her home. When the time came for the release of the second cock I was a little anxious lest there should be The Marquess of Tavistock — The Perfect Gentleman 109 a bad fight between the two males, for all normal Broadtails love a row when they are in perfect health and spirits. A few hours after the second bird’s release I noticed a cock Barnard in the small aviary up the garden already referred to. He was looking inside the little door of the shelter where the Perfect Gentleman’s food was kept. On getting near I was surprised to see that it was not the Perfect Gentleman but the second cock and still more surprised to discover the Perfect Gentleman himself inside the shelter, feeding amicably within a foot or two of the other. Instead, therefore, of flying at him the moment he set eyes on him as any ordinary cock Barnard would have done on meeting a strange male on his ground, he had civilly conducted the newcomer round the garden and asked him in to lunch ! In the afternoon the Perfect Gentleman showed his companion round the aviary field, called on the second cock’s wife, refused to be embroiled in the fight which that lady tried hard to precipitate, wished the couple good day and flew off to his tea. Some time later, it is true, there was a temporary break in the amicable relations between the two cocks, but the Perfect Gentleman was in no way to blame. He had simply flown into a tree near the second cock and the latter was rude enough to make an unprovoked attack upon him. In the melee which ensued the Perfect Gentleman proved himself by no means lacking in courage and came off victorious, but he bore no ill-will, for on subsequent meetings with the second cock he was as good-natured as ever, clearly having decided to let bygones be bygones. It might be imagined that the Perfect Gentleman’s good humour was simply due to the fact that he was not in breeding condition, but nothing could be further from the case. I have never seen a more active and virile bird. All day long he was whistling and tail-waggling and examining holes which might do for a nest. And yet never once have I seen him attack another Parrakeet. Barrabands, Ringnecks, Kings may settle close to him, but however excited he may be there is no attempt to drive them off. On Christmas Day a tame cock Hooded Parrakeet escaped from his aviary and flew up the garden. When I went to look for him I found that the Perfect Gentleman had taken him under his care. He looked on while I coaxed the Hooded into a cage, followed us back to the bird-room, came close to the cage when I put it down at 110 The Marquess of Tavistock — The Perfect Gentleman the bird-room door, expressed the hope that the Hooded was not tired by his excursion, wished him goodnight and flew away. Not the least striking feature of the Perfect Gentleman’s conduct is his delicacy in never forcing himself unduly upon any of his neigh¬ bours. He can be sociable without ever being a bore. A predecessor referred to at the beginning of this article, aroused one’s astonishment by the large-heartedness he displayed to all distant connexions, but his best friend could not have denied that he was ill-mannered and eccentric. He may have meant well, but it was not really nice of him to pester the old Masked Parrakeet with offers of half-digested food, when it was obvious that “ Georgie ” feared and disliked the entire feathered race and only cared for the company of human beings and rats ; nor, if he had had any tact, would he have forced his society on a Barraband at the precise moment when the latter was wooing the lady of his choice ; nor if he had had any sense of humour, would he have finally laid his heart at the feet of an enormous and elderly Amazon Parrot more than three times his size. Another remarkable fact about the Perfect Gentleman is that he never uses bad language. Every other robust male Broadtail I have come across has only to hear or see a rival, to start a rapid clicking noise with his beak, low, malevolent, and most expressive. The Perfect Gentleman, living, as he does, in charity with all birds, is blameless in thought and consequently in speech. . . . The short winter day is closing in and the birds rouse themselves to that last period of activity which precedes bedtime. A Ringneck, tilting slightly from side to side, crosses the aviary field in swift, direct flight, his appearance evoking a chorus of excited cries from his companions below. Kings pass backwards and forwards with restless grace. The two hen Barnards break out into loud, sweet whistling in which the Perfect Gentleman joins. There is a pause and very far away there comes the whistle of a fourth Barnard. The chorus is renewed and a few seconds later the second cock swings into a tree above the aviaries. The Perfect Gentleman flies to the same tree and settles a few yards from the newcomer. He bows to him three times and addresses him in gentle chuckling tones. “ I hope, sir,” you can hear him say, “ that you have spent an agreeable day ? Well, it is getting late, Avicultural Notes 111 so I will wisli you goodnight/’ He leaves the tree and goes dipping across the garden to his roost. A few moments later the second cock has taken a rather different line to his own chosen sleeping place. The Kings, all together this time, pass overhead once more ; there is a Crimson-wing with them, but he leaves them and makes his way to a tall cypress while they keep on to the evergreen oaks behind the house. The Roseate Cockatoo, ceasing at length from his misdirected efforts to destroy his mate’s aviary and murder his son, launches himself into the air, circles round once and then heads for a garden half a mile away, his screams growing fainter and fainter in the distance. If his night’s repose is as peaceful as the Perfect Gentleman’s it is a great deal more than he deserves ! AVICULTURAL NOTES Authentic records of the length of life attained by birds in captivity are always of interest. Here is one concerning a Red-crested Cardinal which belonged to, Mr. Melville, of Sutton Bridge, who writes: “ I bought it twenty-five years ago next May at Rosario, River Plate, and it died on the 20th February, 1927.” Mrs. Prestwick says that she hears that a blue Lovebird was exhibited at a recent show at the Hague, the owner being, apparently, a German. Can any member supply further particulars ? A scientific test of the value of ultra-violet rays to chickens is being carried out by Mr. Will Hooley, F.Z.S., the well-known poultry judge, at his research farm in Kent, where he is rearing one brood under ordinary glass and another under the new glass which admits the ultra-violet rays of the sun. He is also making experiments in feeding chickens on foods that have been exposed to ultra-violet rays. We shall look forward with much interest to the results obtained by Mr. Hooley because we believe that the application of these rays 112 Avicultural Notes to young animals of all kinds may have a most beneficial effect, and we know of more than one aviculturist who has installed the system, either by means of vita-glass or special electric lamps, into their aviaries. Bone-weakness is very prevalent in young animals that are reared artificially, especially during the winter months in our dull climate, and there is little doubt that this is accounted for to a large extent by the absence of ultra-violet rays. The application of artificial sunlight by means of electric lamps made with special glass that admits the ultra-violet rays to tropical sun-loving birds, should prove very beneficial, and the new Bird House at the Zoological Gardens is to have such an installation. For nearly six months a white Cockatoo has been living wild with a flock of Rooks in a park near Reading, so the Daily Mail informs us. It was formerly the pet of a lady living at Fleet in Hampshire, but being frightened by a dog, flew away, and is now as shy as the Rooks with which it lives quite happily. The Editor of British Birds desires to make it known that his readers have placed rings on the legs of over 170,000 wild birds during the last seventeen years. Each ring is stamped Witherby, High Holborn, London, and bears a distinctive number. Any person finding a bird bearing such a ring is asked to communicate at once details of the number and the date and place of the finding or capture of the bird to the address named, in order that its migration and other history may be recorded. This system of ringing young birds has proved of immense value in adding to our knowledge of the migration of birds. Two Kittiwake Gulls ringed as nestlings, one in 1923 and the other in 1924, in the Fame Islands, have been reported from Newfoundland in 1924 and Labrador 1925 respectively. The Society's Medal 113 Mr. Shore-Baily, in the interesting diary of his successes and failures, mentions the fact, which is only too true, that members are slow to record their failures, whereas these are often as helpful to fellow members as are records of success, as they often show where a fault has been, and what should be avoided. Members are urged to write full accounts of the many incidents that happened in their aviaries and which may be of interest to other members, and not to wait until they think they are entitled to a medal before putting pen to paper. In a recent consignment of birds from Mexico, received by Messrs. Chapman, were three species which are apparently new to aviculture, namely the Crested Grey Bird (Ptilogonys cinereus), a bird superficially resembling the Clarino, but more closely allied to the Waxwings ; the Thick-billed Cardinal (Pyrrhuloxia sinuata ) ; and the Mexican Barred Partridge (Philortyx fasciatus) all very desirable species from the avicultural point of view. THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL It is proposed that both the Society’s medals, namely, that for the first case of breeding in Great Britain and that for the first case in Europe, be awarded to : — Captain H. S. Stokes, for breeding the Nyasa Lovebird (Agapornis liliance (1926, page 169). Mr. Herbert Bright, for breeding Grayson’s Dove ( Zenaidura graysoni) (1926, p. 223). It is proposed to award a medal to the following members for the first case of breeding in Great Britain : — Captain Reginald Waud, for breeding the Golden-crowned Conure ( Conurus aureus) (1926, p. 327). Dr. Wildeboer, for breeding the Guiana Parrotlet ( Psittacula guianenses) (1926, p. 244). If any member or reader should know of a previous instance, the Hon. Secretary would be' glad of information without delay. 114 Correspondence CORRESPONDENCE TWO NEW RAILS Sir, — The smaller Rails have always attracted me, and I am glad to have had the chance of acquiring two species rare to Aviculture. Limnopardalis rytirhynchus is given in the B.M. Handlist as hailing from Brazil and Peru, though my four specimens are said to have come from Guatemala. Length, 9 inches ; olive green above, deep slaty grey below ; bill very long, pale green, spotted with red and blue at the base. The Black Rail of Africa, of which Mr. Gurney wrote last month, is very attractive on account of its small size (7 inches) and neat shape. I have two pairs and a baby, from Messrs. Gamage’s collection. Although not an authority on the keeping of Rails, I believe they are pretty hardy, wanting a soft floor covering such as peat-moss, plenty of branches to climb amongst, both indoors and out, and a small pond fringed with coarse grass and rushes to induce them to nest, which apparently they do readily. A coarse and not too rich insectivorous food with boiled rice and potato and a little raw meat seems to satisfy them. H. S. Stokes. NY ASA LOVEBIRDS Sir, — Some time last July, Messrs. Chapman brought over a large consignment of these birds. Amongst them were a number having a good deal of black on the face and throat. Our Editor in the August issue of the Magazine suggested that these were wild-bred hybrids, between the Nyasa and Black-cheeked Lovebirds. In order to test this theory I procured two pairs of the darkest-faced birds I could find. These have nested several times but unfortunately no young have been reared, but strange to say they have now entirely lost the black on the face and could not be distinguished from birds of the normal colour. Does not this do away with the hybrid theory ? Wm. Shore-Baily. [These dark-faced birds are rather puzzling. I have seen several young aviary-bred Nyasa Lovebirds and some show no dark colour Correspondence 115 on the cheeks, while others are nearly as dark as a hybrid which Mr. Whitley bred and exhibited at the recent Crystal Palace Show. The fact would seem to be that the Black-cheeked and Nyasa Lovebird have comparatively recently sprung from a common ancestor and have barely arrived at the stage when they can be regarded as distinct species ; at any rate one still occasionally exhibits in its young stage traces of a character which, in the adult stage, is only present in the other. — Ed.] KING PARRAKEET IMITATING BARRABAND Sir, — Among the birds I have kept at liberty this winter is a young male King Parrakeet in immature plumage. As his companions of the same species are adult and much taken up with matrimonial affairs, he has associated a good deal with a Barraband, a playful youngster with tastes similar to his own. Lately he has started to imitate perfectly the calls of the Barraband. Most of the larger Parrakeets possess to a greater or lesser degree the faculty of mimicry, but it is interesting that the King should have acquired another language while living at complete liberty with others of his own kind. Tavistock. KEEPING BEE-EATERS Sir, — With reference to Lord Tavistock’s letter in the February number of the Magazine, suggesting feeding delicate birds like Bee- eaters throughout the winter on cluster flies. I have used these flies for years for certain birds, with, I am sure, most beneficial results : there is a quick and noticeable result in the condition of my Crimson¬ breasted Shrikes, to give only one example, when they have them. As Lord Tavistock says, the flies are very easily captured when they enter the house in the autumn, which in my case they do in swarms, and I easily keep them alive in the small wire meat safes, which one sees everywhere abroad ; the difficulty of giving them sufficient moisture I get over by placing a small sponge in a saucer, which it must exactly fit, of water. In this way the flies cannot drown themselves and obtain all the moisture they need. G. H. Gurney. 116 Correspondence COLOUR BREEDING IN BUDGERIGARS Sir, — I am a great believer in in-breeding to produce any colour in all stock. I have in-bred my strain of Budgerigars (with what I consider judgment) more than most people, and with no bad results. My birds are not coddled in any way, it has always been the survival of the fittest. Mr. Bradshaw bred a very good white (as whites go at present) from a pair of blue Budgerigars he got from me, and I am not surprised that Mrs. Chatterton has bred whites, as she got her male birds from me, and her females from two gentlemen who got their original birds from me. For my own protection I may say I have no birds to spare. John W. Marsden. HYBRID LOVEBIRDS BREEDING Sir, — Last. year my hybrid Black-cheeked — Peach-faced Lovebirds, breeding inter se, produced two of their own peculiar progeny. J. Sumner Marriner. [The discovery that these two quite distinct Lovebirds are capable •of producing fertile hybrids is of great interest. — Ed.] CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. George Bradshaw, Ingram Road, Wahroonga, Sydney, Australia. Proposed by F. W. S. Mayer. Norton H. Danby, 4 Carlton Terrace, W. Ealing. Proposed by C. Whale. R. Illingworth, Hawthorn House, West Meadows Road, Cleadon. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. William Kadota, 1016 Geary Street, San Francisco, California, U.S.A. Proposed by F. F. M. Williamson. J. G. Lightfoot, The Gables, Upton Heath, Chester. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Captain The Hon. Michael Lyon, Glamis Castle, Glamis, Forfarshire. Pro¬ posed by B. Horsbrugh. Mrs. Brenda Ogilvie, Bonaly Tower. Colinton, Mid-Lothian, N.B. Proposed by E. Nicholson. C. G. Talbot-Ponsonby, Glebe House, Lindfield, Hayward’s Heath, Sussex. Proposed by E . Maud Knobel. William Ernest Wood, 2 Daleside, Lincombe Drive, Torquay. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. NEW MEMBERS. Lt. -Colonel J. Balwin-Webb, Denmark House, Olton, Warwickshire. H. Tod Boyd, 80a Fordwych Road, N.W. 2. Miss Chapman, 92 High Street, Birmingham. Roger Martin Evans, Inglewood, Ratcliffe Road, Leicester. Hon. Masa U. Hachuisuka, Mita Shiba, Tokyo, Japan. Hon. Mrs. Llewellyn, Pew Hill House, Chippenham, Wilts. Mrs. Pilkington, Dean Wood, Newbury. Samuel Rae, 64 Muslin Street, Glasgow. H. P. Sissons, 8 Potter Street, Worksop, Notts. Rev. C. Squire, Warblington House, Havant, Hants. And. Wilson, F.Z.S., 233 Argyle Street, Glasgow. CHANGE OF ADDRESS. A. Ainsworth, to 7 Samoa Street, Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand. E. J. Boosey, to Woodside, Keston, Kent. Mrs. F. W. Drake, to Caniek Cottage, Mylor, Penryn, Cornwall. MEMBERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for Members' advertisements is one penny per word, and no advertisement must exceed thirty-six words , name and address included. Payment must accompany the advertisement , which must be sent on or before the 20th of the month to Mr. T. H. Newman, “Verulam,” Forty Lane, Wembley Park, Middlesex. All members of the Society are entitled to use this column . FOR SALE. One West African Love-bird hen {A. pullaria). Wanted, one or two hen Cockatiels. — Heydon, Corvedale Road, Craven Arms. For sale, Pair Redrump Parrakeets (outdoor). For sale or exchange, Bauer, Blue Bonnet, Cactus, Conure, Cocks, Californian Quail, hen.— Mariner, Eynsham, Oxon. WANTED. A complete volume of Avicultural Magazine for 1925. — J. A. Swan, Meadow View, Northeote Road, Sidcup, Kent. GAMAGES SS2 IMPORTERS o f High-class BIRDS and ANIMALS. THE BEST FOR ALL KINDS OP Foreign Birds, Canaries, Parrots, etc. A VERY FINE SELECTION AND COLLECTION ALWAYS ON VIEW AT THE RIGHT PRICES. Specialities in CAGES, AVIARIES, NEST- BOXES and all appliances. Don't forget us for foods. Finest quality , lowest price. Mealworms ..... 6/- per lb., 4 1b., 23/- Carr, paid. Spray Millet, large bundles 3/6 each, I doz., 36/- . ,, Ants’ Eggs . 2/6 per lb., 4 lb., 9/- 9 9 Dried Flies ..... 1/6 i, 5/6 V Pure Egg Yolk ..... 4/6 ,, 16/- 9 9 Insectivorous Food .... 1/6 „ 5/0 f I Cuttlefish Bone .... 1/6 ,, 4/6 1 1 A. W. GAMAGE, Ltd., HOLBORN, LONDON, E.C. 1 . PHONE : HOL. 2700. DE VON & CO. Our weekly PRICE LISTS will interest you . FOREIGN. Firefinches 5/- pair Weavers 4/- 1 1 Silverbills 6/6 1 1 Combassous . 4/6 j » Steelfinches . *1- ? f Goldfinches . 16/- 9 9 Bullfinches . 8/6 9 9 Red-eared Waxbills 41- 9 1 Cordon Bleus, gorgeous . 7/6 9 I Avadavates, Full Colour. 6/6 9 9 Saffron Finches . 10/- 9 f Spicebirds 6/6 ? 9 Cardinals, Pope and Crested 10 /- 9 9 PEKIN NIGHTINGALES. Pekin Robing 8/- Cocks, 6/- Hens, 12/- pair. Grey and Amazon Parrots, from 40/- BUNTINGS, ETC. Nonpareil Buntings . 2 5/- each. Virginian Cardinals . 30/- ,, In excellent gorgeous bright plumage. Green Plover (Lapwings), perfect condition . 10/- each. MEALWORMS. Large, clean, fat worms, 1 Od. ok. 5/6 lb. Postpaid. All Aquatical requirements, including GOLDFISH & FANCY FISH , AQUARIUMS from 3/6, REPTILES, PET MONKEYS, MONGOOSE, ARMADILLOS, GUINEA PIGS, etc. Free Weekly Price Lists. OLDEST DIRECT IMPORTERS, 12V King’s Cross Road, London, W.C. 1. Phone : Museum 767. Telegrams : Oiseaux London. Mr. and Mrs. Ezra have again very kindly invited all members of the Avicultural Society to spend the afternoon of Saturday, 28th May, at Foxwarren Park, Cobham, Surrey. a The Char-a-banc will leave 17 Knightsbridge (two doors west of the Hyde Park Tube Station) at 2.15 punctually. Those who intend to be present are requested to notify the Hon. Secretary, Miss Knobel, at 32 Tavistock Square, W.C. 1, not later than 23rd May, so as to enable her to make the necessary arrangements. MAY, 1 927, V' FOURTH SERIES. VOL. V. No. 5 THE Avicultural Magazine f M3S?1 ST CONTENTS. PAGE Owls, by Miss E. F. Chawner. (With five Plates) . 117 Some rare Mexican Birds, by W. Shore-Bail y ... ... 130 Lovebirds, by Mrs. Prestwick 133 Notes from a Lancashire Aviary, by Joseph Appleby . 136 Correspondence: Public Aviaries ; Passerine Parrotlets ; The PAGE Tyranny of the Owl ; Notes from M. Decoux’s Collection ; The Thick-billed Parrot ; A Checklist of Australian Birds ; Notes from Keswick Hall ; Aspidistra for Weavers ... 138 The Sulphury Tyrant, by Frank Finn ... . 144 The Price of this Number is 2/6 THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. FOUNDED 1894. 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 10/6. The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. I ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HONORARY SECRETARY I | AND TREASURER, Miss Knobel, 32 Tavistock Square, London, W.C.l. § 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 Prosectorium, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Rule 2. — Should any member require an immediate reply, 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. Reports have been sent by post to : — J. Appleby, Mrs. Barlow, G. Beever, C. Best, E. J. Boosey, Mrs. Chatterton, Mrs. Cottrill, H. N. Danby, A. Decoux, Mrs. Henry Denny, A. Ezra, Mrs. Grossmith, A. J. Hall, J. Newton Hayley, Mrs. Mavrogordato, W. Salkeld, J. Stewart, the Duchess of Wellington, D. Weston, and J. York White. The Magazine is published by Messrs. Stephen Austin & Sons, 5 Fore Street, Hertford, to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers for 1917 and after, and bound volumes should be addressed. 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: 46 Hertford. BACK VOLUMES of the AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE previous to 1917. Application for these should be made to the Editor of Cage Birds, 154 Fleet Street, E.C. 4. All Enquiries 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 : — Mr. D. Seth- Smith, Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8 HARRODS ZOOLOGICAL SECTION HARRODS make a feature of foreign birds for Aviaries and Exhibitions. Try our Insectivorous Food. Write for List or ’ phone Sloane 1234. HARRODS Ltd LONDON SW 1 GALLOWAY’S Celebrated Insectivorous Food LIFE A Perfect diet for all Insect and Fruit-eating Birds, Foreign Finches, Waxbills, etc., etc. As supplied to Her Grace The DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON, Her Grace EVELYN DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON, LORD TAVISTOCK, and The Hon. MRS. G. BOURKE. This food is invaluable for feeding foreign seed-eaters given in addition to their seed diet ; Parrot and other Foreign Finches will rear their young almost entirely on it. Used by a great number of leading aviculturists both here and abroad. It will keep good for any length of time if turned out of the bag and kept in a dry place. Prices carriage paid to any part of the United Kingdom : — 11b. 2/6, 21b. 4/8, 31b. 6/10, 41b. 9/-, 51b, 11/2, 61b. 13/4, 71b. 14/10, 141b. 27/4, 281b. 47 10, | cwt. 95/8. No Agents . To be obtained solely from the Maker. Send postcard for descriptive leaflet with testimonials. P. F. M. GALLOWAY, 1 Rectory Road, Caversham, Reading, England. CHAPMAN’S 17 TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, LONDON, W.l. Telegrams: “ BLACKBIRD PHONE , LONDON ” Telephones : MUSEUM 5272, 5273, 5274 and 5275. Cables: “BLACKBIRD,’’ LONDON. Animal and Waterfowl Depot : 11 HIGH STREET, BARNET. Telephone: BARNET 2082. Quarantine Station : 5 SAGE ST., LONDON, E. 1 . East End Depot : 3 SAGE ST., LONDON, E.l. VISITORS TO LONDON who are interested in Aviculture should not fail to make a point of calling upon us, as they will be able to see the Finest Collection of Different Varieties of Foreign Birds which can be seen under any one roof throughout the whole World. The First Place of Call of all Aviculturists, Naturalists, Dealers and Hunters visiting London from all over the World is 1 7 Tottenham Court Road. At the time of the appearance of this advertisement we shall have actually on view the following very fine collections, besides many others too numerous to be detailed here, and a full List will be forwarded to anybody making application for same. INDIAN SPECIES. Tragopan Pheasants, Monaul Pheasants, Kalitz Pheasants, Blood Pheasants, Ruddy Shellducks, Spot=billed Ducks, Shamas, Niltavas, Pittas, Drongos, Fruitsuckers, Whistling Thrushes, Bulbuls, Barbets, Scarlet Minivets, Blue Flycatchers, Blue Rollers, etc., etc. ; AUSTRALIAN SPECIES. KAGUS, BLACK SWANS, WHITE COCKATOOS. I Swift Lorrikeets, Long-tailed Grass Finches, Norfolk Island Parrakeets, Zebra Finches, Crimson=wing Parrakeets, Parson Finches, ! King Parrakeets, Gouldian Finches, Rosella Parrakeets, Diamond Sparrows, Meally Rosella Parrakeets, Chestnut=breasted Finches, Blue-banded Parrakeets, Yellow-rumped Mannikins, Redrump Parrakeets, Bicheno Finches, Blue=bonnet Parrakeets, Diamond Doves. CENTRAL and SOUTH AMERICAN SPECIES. Humming Birds, Rainbow Buntings, Nonpariel Buntings, Indigo Buntings, Red-crested Finches, Pileated Finches, Virginian Nightingale, Violet Tanagers, Superb Tanagers, Troupials, Red=crested Cardinals, Pope Cardinals, Green Cardinals, Amazon Parrots, Macaws, etc., etc. REMEMBER CHAPMAN’S 17 Tottenham Court Rd., London, W.l, is the firm for all different species of Live ANIMALS and BIRDS - FOREIGN BIRDS. PARROTS, PARRAKEETS. Most wonderful Talking Grey in England . £20 Other A 1 Grey Parrots £3 to £ 1 5 each. Talking Festive Amazon Parrots £3 10/- ,, Giant Mealy Amazon Parrot . £ 5 Blue-fronted Talking Amazon . £2 10/- Blue-fronted Clever Talking Amazon . . £3 10/- Macaw, young Blue and Yellow £3 10/- Scarlet Macaws . . £ 7 to £ 1 0 each. Bose Cockatoos (special price to trade) . . . . . £ 1 , , Bock Parrots or Alexandrines .2 5/- ,, Bing neck Parrakeets . . .15/-,, Orange-flanked Parrakeets (finger- tame) . . . . £ 1 , , Scarlet-spotted Conure . . £ 1 Pennants (show condition) . .4 5/- ,, Bosellas , , , , . .45/-,, 1 pr. Baraband Parrakeets . . £2 5 1 charming pr. of Prince Lucian Parrakeets . . . . £3 10/- 1 beautiful Cock Manycolored Parrakeet in full color . £ 1 2 BUDGERIGARS: LOVEBIRDS. White, Cobalt, and Blue Budgerigars few only. Imported Australian Budgerigars Magnificent adults, many years since any were imported and important for breeding and propagations of new varieties . . . 3 7/6 pair. Blue-bred Budgerigars, genuine guaran¬ teed records. Green that actually throw Blues . . . . £4 pair. Budgerigars, adult breeding Greens . . . .3 5/- Budgerigars, young outdoor bred 2 5/- Budgerigars, adult nesting Yellows 3 5 Bed-faced Lovebirds (W. African) £7 Lavender or White-headed Love¬ birds . . . . .10- Black-cheeked Lovebirds . £ 6 Nyassaland Lovebirds . . £ 5 Peach-faced Lovebirds . . £ 1 0 Cocoanut Husk Nests, sterilised, prepared, assorted sizes for Budgerigars or Parrakeets, 2/- each or 1 8 - dozen. Wanted. — White, Blue, Cobalt, or other rare varieties Budgerigars. AVIARY BIRDS. Nonpareils, extra fine, 2 5/- each or 4 5 /— pair. Zebra Finches, excellent . .15/- ,, Grass Finches, long-tailed . .3 5/1 ,, Chestnut-breast Waxbills . .4 0/- ,, Peaceful Doves . . . .20 /- ,, Dominican Wydahs, long tails . 12/6 ,, Shaft-tail Wydahs, long tails . 10/6 ,, Bibbon Finches and Cordon Blues 6/6 ,, Fire Finches and Silverbills . 5/6 ,, Singing Finches, Green and Grey 7/- ,, Weavers, Bed or Yellow-billed . 6/6 ,, Bishops, Orange, Scarlet, and Yellow . . . . 6/6 ,, Java Sparrows, Combassoos, and Chocolate Manikins . . 6/— ,, Bed-crested and Pope Cardinals .21/- ,, Pelzelni Finches . . 2 5/,, , , DOVES, QUAIL, WATERFOWL, Etc. Bronzewing Pigeons, Australian £5 pair. Plumed Ground Pigeons . . £7 Peaceful Doves . . . . £ 1 Zebra Doves . . . .15/- Yinaceous Turtle Doves . . 20/- White Doves . . . . £ 1 Bing Doves . . . .12/6 Senegal Doves and Collared Doves 12/6 White-crowned Pigeons, West Indies . . . .35 /- Vulturine Guineafowls . .£12 Mitred Guineafowls . . . £ 3 Californian Quail . . . 30/- Emerald Spotted Doves . £ 1 Pelicans, Crown Cranes, Egyptian Kites, Chilian Sea Eagles, Owls, etc. S. AMERICAN ARRIVALS.— Quakers, Cardinals, Falcons, Jays, Golden Conures, Screamers, pure White Bheas, Tegus Lizards, Macaws, etc. ABBYSI NI AN ARRIVALS. — Hama- dryas Baboons, Olive Baboons, Gelades, Totas, Gorozas, Wild Pigs, Leopards, Cheetahs, Hyaenas, Porcupines, Soemmer¬ ing Gazelles, Oryx Antelopes, Kudu Ante¬ lopes, Vulturine Guineafowl, Bucorax, Ostriches, and a large number of rare birds, etc. All kinds of REPTILES as well as Pet Animals of many varieties always in stock. TRADE SUPPLIED. WRITE FOR FULL LIST. H. E. ROGERS, “Arequipa,” 7 Aigburth Road, Liverpool. Telephone: “LARK LANE 467.’ Cables and Telegrams: “AREQUIPA, LIVERPOOL.’ NOW READY PARRAKEETS A Handbook to the Imported REVISED EDITION By DAVID SETH-SMITH, F.Z.S. Roy. 8vo, pp. xx, 295, with 20 coloured plates ; cloth, gilt top, 1926. £4 4s. Od. BERNARD QUAR1TCH, Ltd., 11 Grafton St., London, W.l. “L’OISEAU ” PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE Societe Nationale d’Acclimatation de France, 198 BOULEVARD ST. GERMAIN, PARIS (VIP). A French Magazine on Aviculture, for the study of European and Foreign Birds in captivity and at liberty. With coloured and black and white plates. ONE YEAR - 75 FRANCS. Medals for first breeding of a species in captivity in France or other countries are awarded if a detailed account is sent to the Society. dine u lit i rat yt Magazine Photo D. Seth Smith Great Eagle-Owl ( Bubo bubo) THE Avicultural Magazine BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN 8c BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM 8c CAPTIVITY Fourth Series. — Vol. V.— No. 5. — All rights reserved. MAY, 1927. OWLS By Miss E. F. Chawner Few people keep Owls or take any interest in them, but those who do find them so charming that they can only marvel at the indifference of the rest. When it is realized that all Owls are beautiful, many quite hardy when once acclimatized, long-lived, and easily kept in health and perfect plumage, quickly become tame, and are often warmly attached to their keepers, their many merits should establish them firmly in the affections of bird lovers. As a rule their requirements are simple. My Owl’s aviaries are merely wooden structures of various sizes with wire-netting fronts. The small species have their houses wired underneath as well, for fear of rats. A stump or two and some perches of various sizes with the bark on are all that is necessary inside with a barrel or box in the darkest corner. All the floors are thickly strewn with coarse gritty gravel. Owls need plenty of room if they are to do themselves justice. An ideal position is one facing south, under large deciduous trees. During summer the trees provide the necessary shade, and when the leaves are off the birds have the benefit of any sun which may be granted us, and are protected from north and easterly winds. If they have a dry abode and are safe from draughts (this is very important) they do not mind cold weather as long as their food is not frozen. They should be given a bath, for 9 118 Miss Chawner — Owls though certain species have no use for water in any form, most of them, especially the Wood Owls and Pigmies, are great bathers. The staple food of all my Owls is rabbit, preferably wild ; they thrive on it and do not seem to tire of it ; but of course they do better if their food can be varied. Large species thoroughly enjoy a plump rat now and then ; birds, drowned kittens, and mice are appreciated by them all, though I have found that they soon tire of mice if they are supplied in quantity, but as a titbit now and then they are eagerly taken. Small Owls appear to be largely insectivorous. Pigmy and Scops Owls are mostly fond of cockchafers, though there are exceptions. My hen White-faced Scops ( Scops leucotis) will catch and eat as many cockchafers as are turned into her aviary, but the male bird will not touch them. I have several times induced a sick bird to feed by giving it cockchafer larvae, hand-feeding and even cramming it until it was strong enough to feed itself. Owls are not often on the sick list when they are properly housed and fed, but care must be taken until they are acclimatized. Tropical or southern species are much easier to manage than Arctic or Northern kinds, the latter being very susceptible to cold and damp. The hens are rather subject to egg-binding after they have been some years in con¬ finement. The best, if not the only remedy, is heat. All kinds must have fur or feather in some shape. Owls pair for life, and are usually very faithful and affectionate. They begin to take an interest in each other as soon as the moult is over, and by early spring are generally ready to go to nest. Eagle Owls nest in a scrape made by the male bird on the ground ; Burrowing Owls either tunnel into the earth for them¬ selves or take possession of and adapt some other creature’s burrow. Wood Owls like hollows in trees, as do also certain Scops and Pigmy Owls. Some kinds like a tree from which the top has been blown off, and nest on the stump. The male bird digs the scrape or burrow or carpenters at the chosen hollow, and when the hen is incubating or has young it is his business to cater for the family while she stays and guards her eggs or young. It is pretty to see the male return with his prey and alight by the nest and give his mate what he has brought. She feeds the young while he watches with the utmost pride and delight. Incubation lasts four weeks, and the young are usually white or grey AvicuLtural Afagazine >■ iiuio u. beta Smith Milky Eagle-Owl (Bubo lacteus ) Miss Chawner — Oivls 119 when first hatched ; some resemble their parents as soon as their feathers have grown, others have an intermediate plumage which often differs considerably from that of the adult, which they do not attain until the second moult. The larger kinds do not breed until they are three years or more old ; they lay two eggs in a clutch, and may have two to three clutches in a season. Incubation starts as soon as the first egg is laid, and with some species the second clutch and even the third may be laid before the first brood has left the nest, so that it may contain at one time fledgelings, newly hatched young, and fresh eggs. Pigmy and Scops Owls often lay three or more eggs in a clutch. In confinement Owls usually seem willing to go to nest, but the eggs are often infertile ; in all probability one great cause of this is want of exercise, for Owls are mostly rather sedentary birds, unless spurred by the necessity of hunting for food, which does not exist in an aviary. Another cause may be inbreeding ; the pairs which come over are frequently taken from the same nest, and unless a sufficient number arrive at once to ensure a thorough shuffling, in all probability brother and sister will be sold together and very few fertile eggs will result from such a union. If they do hatch the young Owls must be left to themselves as much as possible ; the less they are looked at the better. Interference generally results in the young being devoured by their parents. When all goes well, the young remain in the nest until well feathered, usually about a month ; for the first week or ten days the mother broods them continually and scarcely leaves the nest at all, unless to defend them against some real or fancied enemy, for this she will do to the utmost of her power, choosing death rather than desert her offspring. While they have young to feed, the old birds live very sparingly, but make up for it during the autumn when they fatten themselves up in preparation for cold weather. European Eagle Owl ( Bubo maximus), found throughout the mountainous districts of Europe. Very large fine-looking birds, with long ear4ufts, feathered legs, and beautifully variegated and vermiculated plumage in shades of brown, black, and tawny, with a white patch under the chin. Their irides are orange. Their call is a fine, bell-like single hoot from the male, usually answered by his mate 120 Miss Chawner — Owls with a double hoot pitched much higher. These Owls are very long- lived if properly treated. They have been bred ; they are all the better for a fast day once a week ; quite hardy and very fond of bathing. They nest in a scrape prepared by the male, the clutch consists of two large round white eggs ; incubation lasts four weeks. The young have no intermediate plumage. The Virginian Eagle Owl (B. virginianus and B. articus), from South and North America, which are smaller and differ slightly together with B. ascalephus from North Africa, are generally imported, as are also the following : B. bengalensis, from India ; B . capensis, from South Africa ; B. cinerescens, from West and East Africa ; B. lacteus , from South Africa ; B. blakistoni, from Japan. The Spotted Eagle Owl ( Bubo maculatus), from South Africa, is' the smallest Eagld Owl ; a handsome bird, particularly the form which is grey, thickly spotted all over with black. There is also a brown variety, in which the spots are not as plentiful nor so distinct looking. The ear tufts are short and broad, beak strong and black, eyes bright buttercup yellow, legs covered with grey down, claws black. Quite hardy, it is not very particular as to diet and not a very large feeder. It nests in a scrape on the ground, and lays two eggs to the clutch. Its note is a soft hoot, almost a coo. It is fond of bathing. Fraser’s Eagle Owl ( Bubo poensis ), from West Africa. A very beautiful and distinct species, not often imported. In the intermediate stage has a white downy head and breast, the back fawn colour mixed with white, and black barred shoulders. Wing-coverts fawn. The flights and tail yellow-barred black. Adult plumage : Head, wings, tail, and back tawny yellow, barred with black, long ear-tufts of the same ; breast white, finely barred with black ; legs the same ; claws white ; eyes large and full, deep soft black, fringed vrith very long lashes. Length when full-grown about 17 to 20 inches. It is not very hardy, and requires a sheltered aviary with protection from cold in winter. Its diet should consist of rabbits, young rats, mice, etc. It is very fond of bathing. If kindly treated it becomes very tame, and fond of its owner, but is capable of strong and lasting dislikes, and is jealous of other birds. It likes to have its head scratched like a Parrot. The two white eggs are laid in a scrape on the ground. Among sand or dried Avicu I tm ui / Ala gazlne Photo D. Seth Smith Fraser’s Eagle-Owl ( Bubo fioensis) Miss Chawnei — Owls 121 grass a sitting bird would be practically invisible. The call is a rather feeble hoot. The Scops ( Otus ) are miniature Eagle Owls, possessing longer wings. They are charming little birds, with beautiful plumage shading into every tone of brown, grey, and black, and are easily kept and bred in confinement. They are largely insectivorous. They are found all over the world, save in Oceania. The plumage of many species varies between individuals. The Common Scops (Otus scops), native of Europe, is too well known to need description. It is enough to say that owing to its small size and docility it is a favourite cage bird. We have only space to enumerate the various species of Scops which figure from time to time in our aviaries : 0. pennatus, from India ; 0. semitorques, from Japan ; 0. bakJcamcenq, from India, and its varieties lettia, from China, and lempiji , from Indo-China and the Malay States ; 0. asio, from North America. White-eared African Scops (0. leucotis). These beautiful little birds are not quite hardy and cannot stand damp cold, but thrive perfectly in an enclosed unheated aviary. They are about the size of a Song Thrush, have large faces, white cheeks, and grey beaks very thickly covered with long white hair, hiding the nostrils ; crown of the head grey speckled and vermiculated with black and a black outline round the face. The eyes are large, glowing copper. The breast is streaked grey on white, legs white, feet large, lead coloured, back and wings streaked and mottled grey and black. The general effect is singularly beautiful and rich. They have the curious habit of bowing rapidly many times in succession while uttering a continuous husky chattering sound, this appears to denote pleasure, and is used to greet friends, the offer of food, or merely in answer to a word in passing. The breeding call is a soft grunting coo, and the anger note a savage growl. They spend most of the day dozing on a high perch, and if disturbed open their wonderful eyes to the fullest extent and lunge forward at the enemy with open beaks, at the same time swearing like an angry cat- It can easily be guessed that a squirrel or any other enemy coming suddenly upon them in a tree would get the fright of its life when con¬ fronted with such threatening gestures. 122 Miss Cliawner — Owls Probably they nest in a state of nature on a lofty tree whose top has been blown off, but in my aviary they adopted an enamelled iron pie-dish filled with sawdust, laid two eggs, one of which proved addled, and reared a young bird. Incubation lasted a month, during which the male collected and carried food to his mate. When the young hatched the hen wTas very fierce, and flew straight for my face when I fed her. The nestling was covered with greyish white down, and remained in the dish for four weeks, by which time it was well feathered. Its call for food was a low hissing croak, and it did not bow like its parents until after it could feed itself and was quite independent. Its plumage was like its mother’s ; the cheeks were grey instead of white, the back darker and breast greyer. The ear-tufts did not show until it was quite well feathered everywhere else. These Scops never bathe nor apparently do they drink. I have never seen them dust, but they are always snowy white and speckless. Like all of that genus they are enormous feeders, and cannot fast like other Owls. They cannot digest rats or very old rabbit, are fond of birds, mice, which last they usually swallow whole, and field voles, also young kittens. They are not often imported. v Cyprean Scops (0. cypreus). These lovely little birds are peculiar to Cyprus, and are strictly protected. My pair were hand-reared and brought over by the late Major Horsburgh ; I have never heard of any others being imported. Their plumage is full and very soft, all shades of soft grey, beautifully mingled until they look like a piece of lichenous bark ; eyes black. They are tiny creatures. My pair were very tame and accustomed to be hand fed ; they had very large appetites, were particularly fond of mealworms and cockchafer-grubs, and would gulp down seven or eight full-grown ones at a meal — no small feat for such tiny birds. They also had mice, Sparrows, or chopped-up rabbit, but preferred the two former. They proved fairly hardy, and came safely through the winter in a sheltered aviary with a box to retire into in bad weather. They were very silent, but occasionally uttered a low croak when hungry. They bathed occasionally. The Wood Owls (Asio) are of medium size, have well-developed facial disks, and long ear-tufts. The Long-eared Owl (Asio otus). This very handsome bird is not Miss Chaivner — Owls 123 uncommon in fir-woods in England. It is rather smaller than the Tawny Owl, and more elegantly shaped. Its face is round and ornamented, with two long erect ear-tufts. The eyes are orange. The ground colour of its plumage is brown, but it is beautifully streaked and mottled in the most protective style, so that when it sits motionless pressed close up against a fir-tree trunk with its eyes closed it is exceedingly difficult to discern even if the observer is looking directly at it. It nests in hollow trees ; there are usually two young in a brood. It hunts chiefly by night, and is a friend to the farmer, since it destroys a great many mice and rats. It is vociferous, and has a variety of notes, screams, mews, and other noises. It does well in confinement. The Short-eared Owl (A. accipitrinus) is another European species, it frequents marshes and moors, and nests on the ground. It is slightly larger than the above, and carries short thick ear-tufts. The plumage is rusty brown, mottled with dark brown. Eyes yellow. It endures confinement well. The Brazilian Long-eared Owl (Asio clamator) has only lately been imported. It is larger than the English kind, and very handsome. Probably it has much the same habits in its natural state ; in con¬ finement it is fairly docile and lives well ; is fond of bathing. Is drowsy by day, and usually feeds at dusk ; is fond of rats, mice, and birds, but will eat rabbit. The back and long wings, which project beyond the tail, are yellowish brown mottled and vermiculated with pale black. The belly rather bright buff, also the legs and feathered feet ; toes long and slender, claws black. The breast is yellowish, with a large dark centre to each feather. When young the facial markings are very striking ; the head is buff, bright chestnut, with a faint black spot just over the eyes ; cheeks darker, but still bright chestnut ; a broad white stripe forms a St. Andrew’s Cross between the eyes down to the black beak ; chin white, with a few black spots ; the whole enclosed by a thin black line ; ear-tufts very long ; eyes black. In voice and habits it is very much like the English Long-eared Owl. Is quite hardy, and thrives on the same food. The Brazilian Short-eared Owl (Asio stygius), from Brazil, is rarely imported. It is an exceptionally beautiful bird of very elegant shape, the size is about the same as a Barn Owl. Its colour is golden- 124 Miss Chaivner — Oivls brown, with a dark centre to each feather. Ear-tufts short and thick, face very round, eyes black with a bright golden ring. Mine was a greedy, rather lazy bird, and was all the better for a weekly fast. It bathed occasionally, and was crepuscular in its habits. Its call was a sharp, rather melodious “ wow ”, several times repeated. It never became really tame. A. grammicus, a closely allied species, has been brought over. The African Swamp Owl (Asio nisuella), from North Africa and South Spain. Quite a number were imported by the late Mr. Hamlyn in 1921. They varied very much in character ; a female which I bought has never become at all tame or tractable, but a young male was as tame as any bird in my collection, and very playful. It is dark chocolate brown, with dark brown eyes. Some have short ear-tufts, which usually lie flat but can be erected. The beak and claws are black. It is quite hardy and lives well on rabbit with an occasional bird or mouse. The note is a harsh loud squawk or bark, frequently repeated. It is crepuscular. The Fishing Eagle Owls ( Ketupa ), with long ear-tufts, are to be found in Asia and the adjacent islands. They may be known by their long and very powerful, almost bare, legs. They live near watercourses and feed on fish, but in captivity they will thrive on meat, and are long- lived. From time to time K. ceylonensis has been imported. It is found from Palestine to Indo-China ; also K. ketupa indigenous to the Malay Peninsula and the Sondian Isles. The Scotopelia only differ from the above in not having ear-tufts. They are natives of Africa. S. peli and S . oustaleti have been imported. The birds of the genus Huhua differ from those of Bubo in having transverse stripes across their breasts. They are very handsome, and four species have been imported. H. shelleyi from the Gold Coast ; H. nipalensis from the Himalayas ; H. orientalis from Malay ; and H. pcensis from West Africa. The Snowy Owl (Nyctea nyctea) is a magnificent Arctic Eagle Owl without ear-tufts, having white plumage when full adult, and more or less streaked and spotted with ashy brown while immature. It inhabits the Arctic regions and the Himalayas. It is sometimes met Avicultural /Magazine i'hoto U. beta Smith Nepalese Eagle-owl ( Huhua nepalensis) Miss Chawner — Owls 125 with in the temperate zone during severe winters. It does well in captivity, and has been bred, but needs care. The Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata) , from South America, is also known as the Downy Owl, and is a very distinct and handsome species. It is perhaps the most easily tamed of all Owls, being very fond of having its head and neck scratched like a Parrot. This charming bird is larger than the Tawny Owl, has a black face with white “ spectacles ” round the bright yellow eyes, and a white beak thickly fringed with hair. The top of the head and back are brownish black, tail and wings brownish black faintly barred with grey ; breast, belly, and legs bright tan, claws black. It has a faint white half-circle round the front of the throat. Perfectly hardy and easily kept in health, fond of bathing. Nests in hollow trees. The call of the male in the breeding season is a kind of rattle, rather like a miniature machine- gun, at other times a gruff sort of growl, and a gentle twitter when greeting its friends. Young birds have the top of the head white and a black mask over the face, the breast much paler, and the back and wings brownish faintly barred. They should be fed like the foregoing. All too rarely imported. Anyone fortunate enough to own one of these delightful birds should house it where it can enjoy human society, as it soon mopes when it is left to itself. The genera Ninox and Sceloglaux form a group of small Owls which are probably widely spread over Asia and Oceania. They do very well in confinement, and some of them, especially the Australian species, have been imported from time to time. The Marbled Owl (Ninox ocellata), from West Australia, is now very rarely imported. It is a pretty little bird, about the same size as the Little Owl, gentle and confiding in an aviary. The plumage is full and very soft, general colour dusky brown, breast lighter, and streaked with warm brown. The wing-coverts and the scapulars are “ marbled ” with round white spots ; the eyes are greyish but sometimes when the light catches the pupils they look as red as rubies. A dark patch just behind the eyes adds very much to their beauty. They are fond of cockchafers and mealworms, and will pick up and eat large smooth-skinned caterpillars and those large brown spiders which live 126 Miss Chawner- — -Owls among rubbish. They nest in hollows and lay three to four rather large wdiite eggs. Their call is a double hoot, which sounds very much like a Cuckoo gone flat. They are great bathers, and should be fed like the Tawny Owls with the addition of insects when obtainable. My cock bird is 17 years old this summer. As far as I know, the other species hitherto imported are N . boobook and N. connivens , from Australia ; N. novas zealandice and Sceloglaux albifacies from New Zealand. The Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) is a widely spread, very well-known bird commonly distributed throughout England and Europe. It is round-headed, the plumage very full and soft. Its colouring is shades of brown and tawny, breast paler, all finely mottled and vermiculated ; on the wings a series of large, cream-coloured, or white spots. Eyes black, beak greyish or horn-coloured, legs feathered with grey down. Call a loud ringing hoot several times repeated, and a sharp “ kiwick, kiwick A fine, strongly flying bird, which hunts chiefly by night. Hand-reared specimens become very tame, and can be allowed their liberty at night, returning to their aviary for the day. They nest in hollow trees or in barrel-shaped boxes, have from two to four young in a brood, and nest twice in the year. They are great bathers, and perfectly hardy. Their food in confinement should be fur or feather, but they are not dainty. Sharpe’s Wood Owl (Strix nuchale ), from West Africa. Another very handsome species, a typical Wood Owl, round headed, with black eyes and cinnamon coloured plumage. Its habits and requirements are similar to the Tawny Owl. It is not often imported, but appears to be quite hardy and becomes very tame. It is a size larger than the Tawny Owl. S. woodfordi , an allied species from East Africa, has also been imported, as have the following : S. uralensis , from Siberia and Russia ; S. nebulosa , Central North America ; S. seloputo, India, China, and Malay ; S. indrani, India ; S. lapponica , from South America ; and Ciccaba virgata, Central America. Besides these, the following have lived in confinement in Europe : Gisella harrisi , from Colombia ; Nyctala tengmalmi , Northern Europe and Asia ; N. acadica, N. America ; Surnia ulula , Europe ; S. Miss Ghawner — Owls 127 caparoch, from North America ; all handsome birds, having their plumage delicately marked with grey, brown, and white. The Little Owl [Athene noctua). A common species on the Continent, was introduced into England by the late Lord Lilford, and has become naturalized. It is gradually spreading all over the country and has given rise to much controversy, many people considering it a dangerous pest, others protesting that it destroys more vermin than game, and should therefore be protected. It is a small bird, rather larger than a Thrush, grey, thickly speckled with white ; its eyes are round and staring, rather pale yellow, eyelids white. It is very active, bobbing up and down in a ludicrous manner when it sees anyone approaching. It hunts by day and destroys a great many birds as well as mice' and beetles. It nests in holes and there may be three or four eggs to the clutch. It has a variety of calls, ranging from chuckles to loud shrieks, interspersed with cat-like mewing. It has been bred in confinement. An allied species from India (A. hr amah) has likewise been imported. Burrowing Owls (Speotyto cunicularia), South America, are occasionally imported and make amusing pets. Their habits are well known from many illustrations and articles. In America they share burrows with “ Prairie Dogs ” and (possibly) rattle-snakes, and bob up and down excitedly at the approach of a stranger. They are about the size of Athene noctua , but stand higher, being longer in the leg. Their heads and backs are speckled brown, the wings brown barred with white, as is also the tail. Under parts and legs pure snowy white, in spite of their burrowing habits. The young have brown heads without any markings. The eyes are bright yellow, beak pale. Their call is a harsh croak, but if disturbed or alarmed they spread their wings and screech loudly for several minutes on end. They also “ swear ”, which sounds like a tap being suddenly turned on. They run very swiftly. My pair constructed a burrow in their aviary but did not go to any great depth, and the soil fell in several times until I put a drain-pipe inside the burrow. They worked hard at deepening and enlarging it, and finally started nesting. To my regret the hen died egg-bound with her third egg. The cock lived many years longer, but I was unable to get another mate for him. They are quite hardy, and do well on rabbit and other fur and feather. None have recently been imported 128 Miss Chawner — Owls to my knowledge. They have been bred in confinement. An allied species inhabiting California and Central America ( S . hypogcea) has been imported. The Sparrow Owls (Glaucidium) are tiny birds scarcely larger than a Sparrow. The Passerine Owl ( G . passerinum). Mountains of Europe, particularly Switzerland. They have no ear-tufts and are much more diurnal and active than the somewhat lethargic Scops. They are great bathers, very quick in all their movements, eaten up with curiosity, and interested in all that goes on. They have rather long tails, which they wag from side to side, while they bob up and down with excited chirps. Their eyes are light yellow, head and back dark brown thickly speckled with lighter spots and marks, wings brown with a reddish tinge on the flights, with paler bars, tail the same ; the feet are heavily feathered, claws black. The eyes are ringed with pale grey and the eye¬ brows and facial disk are white, as is the beak. Breast light grey, with dark streaks. They need a good deal of exercise, and should be given a larger aviary than their diminutive size would indicate. They are hardy in the South of England. They should have Sparrows and mice. Mexican Pigmy Owl (G. fishery, habitat Mexico. About the same size as the last, and with much the same habits and colouring, but closer feathered. A bold, fierce little creature with bright yellow eyes. On the back of the head, which is brown wdth small speckles, it has a curious grey-brown crescent-shaped mark. The unpaired male during the breeding season utters a metallic clinking cry, like the sound of a hammer on metal, nine or ten times repeated. It was very rarely imported, but last year several pairs came over. Mine went to nest in a wooden nest-box, and sat steadily for four weeks, but either the eggs were clear or went bad, as they did not hatch and the birds did away with them when they had sat their full time. Food and treatment should be the same as for the Sparrow Owls. Jardines’ Pigmy Owl (G. jardinii), Venezuela and Colombia. This bird also much resembles the last named, but the colour of the wings and tail is more rufous. It requires the same treatment and food. Mine went to nest in a small box and reared two young, a third vanishing when about two days’ old. The nestlings are tiny creatures, covered Ai’iciillural Alagazine Barn-owls (Tyto alba) J. l’Hermitte Miss Ghawner — Oivls 129 with snowy white down, and unlike their parents are very clamorous. The first few days of their existence mine were continually brooded by their mother, but afterwards could plainly be seen beside her in the box. They were fed on mice and Sparrows. When fledged the young are paler copies of their parents, the white less pure, and the brown not so warm in tint. Their call is a little trilling twitter. Both of mine lived to grow up. Besides the above, the following species have been imported : G. phaloenoides , from Trinidad, and G. perlatum, from South Africa. Photodilus badius , which inhabits the Himalayas, is a small brown Owl, which forms a link between the preceding groups and the Barn Owls. It has been brought over alive. The Barn Owls ( Tyto ) differ from all other birds of prey in their anatomy. They chiefly inhabit barns, belfries, or caves in cliffs, and are exceedingly useful in destroying rats and mice. They are to be met with all over the world. The Barn Owl {Tyto alba) is a very beautiful bird, having yellowish tawny plumage mingled with silvery grey, and lightly marked with small black spots. The under parts and breast are snowy white. The facial disk is well developed, the eyes are black and deep-set ; the beak white and partly covered with a thick fringe of hair, legs rather long and knock-kneed covered with white down, claws black. It is entirely nocturnal and therefore not very interesting in an aviary. It is a smaller, closer feathered bird than the Tawny. It nests in a barn or hollow tree, and it is not uncommon to find fresh eggs in the nest at the same time as young birds. Barn Owls do not bathe and appear not to drink often. They utter a loud screech and sometimes a hissing call. They will eat rabbits, rats, and mice, etc., and are quite hardy. They have been bred in confinement. These are most useful birds to farmers and countrymen, as they destroy enormous numbers of rats and mice, and are too nocturnal to take chickens or young birds, which are all under cover by the time the Owls start hunting. Other species which have been imported are : T. pratincola, North America ; T. delicatula , Australia ; T. punctatissima, Galapagos Islands ; T. capensis, South Africa, and T. arfaki , from New Guinea. 130 W. Shore-Baily — Some Bare Mexican Birds SOME RARE MEXICAN BIRDS By W. Shore-Baily Some time last November Mr. J. Bruce Chapman, to whom we aviculturists owe so much, for his enterprise in bringing over so many rare birds from all parts of the world, imported a fine consignment from the port of Yera Cruz in Mexico. Amongst these were about a dozen of the little Lark Sparrow ( Chondestes grammacus strigatus), which I secured. This little bird has the upper parts brownish grey, streaked with blackish and the under parts white, the head prettily striped with grey, white, and chestnut. Its habitat is California and Western America, but it apparently finds its way also into Mexico, unless my birds should prove to be a sub-species resident there. Some of my specimens have the throat and breast washed with yellow. I noticed when I bought them that some of them had a small spot of yellow on the throat, and thought that these would be the males, but on dissection this has proved not to be the case. I have examined all the skins in the British Museum and none of them show any trace of yellow, and I cannot recollect ever having seen any with this marking in California, where they were quite common. I am hoping to get them to breed this year, and may then be able to find out something more about them. Another interesting bird was the Dickcissel (Sjpiza americana) or Black-throated Bunting. This is a pretty bird, and hardy. The upper parts are mixed grey, brown, and black ; chin and throat white, with a black patch in centre ; breast bright yellow. I secured two or three specimens, but I am afraid all males, and these are now in full song. This species was bred by Mr. Teschemaker a good many years ago. In this consignment were quite a lot of Thrushes, of which I bought about a dozen. I found on getting them home that there were three different species, but it took some time to separate them, as they were in such rough condition, some of them being almost denuded of feathers through fighting. The most interesting was a Wood Thrush ( Hylocichla meistelina). This little Thrush is very like our own bird, but is not much more than half the size. It is a native of the U.S.A., migrating to Mexico in the winter. I think that my bird must be a hen, as it has made no attempt at singing yet. Another Thrush turned W. Shore-Baily — Some Bare Mexican Birds 181 out to be Turdus tristis, a bird not unlike a ben Blackbird. It did not live long. The other proved to be Turdus flavipes. These have the upper parts olivaceous brown, breast and abdomen greyish bull, throat white, chin striped with black ; as the white on the throat extends below the stripes, it gives the bird the appearance of carrying a white collar, which makes it look not unlike our Ring Ouzel. It is impossible to sex the five birds that have survived, but I am hoping that I shall find a true pair amongst them. Early in January Mr. Chapman had another important con¬ signment of Mexican birds, amongst them being, I think, several species new to aviculture. The most interesting is the Rose-breasted Cardinal, a bird that I am inclined to think will be found to be a new species. These birds are about the same size as the Common Cardinal, but are totally unlike them in colour. They differ in having the crest buff, a patch on the cheeks buff, a patch under the black throat yellow, and the abdomen pink. About eighty came over, besides a lot of the Common Cardinals, including a good many hens, but as the latter had not been separated from each other, it was impossible to say to which of the two species these belonged. It has been suggested by some ornithologists that these birds are merely immature specimens of the Common Cardinal, but I cannot believe this, as this latter bird has bred on more than one occasion in this country and the young are said to be like the hen. It is my belief that the birds are adults, and this seems to be borne out by the fact that a bird imported last year has not changed colour. However, Mr. Chapman is taking steps to bring over some more with the females, and then we shall have a chance of breeding them and learning something more about them. In the meantime, they appear to be lacking a scientific name.1 Another interesting importation was that of the Thick-billed Cardinal, and I secured a true pair of these. Their scientific name is Pyrrhuloxia sinuata sinuata. They appear to be very closely allied to the Cardinals. Their colour is dark grey, wuth a red crest and tail, under parts huffish pink or red, the hen not so bright in these parts. Their most curious feature is the beak, which is very short and thick, like that of the Bullfinch, hence one of the trivial l1 A coloured illustration of this “ sport 55 of the Virginian Cardinal appeared in this Magazine for December, 1924. — Ed.] 132 W. Shore- Baily — Some Bare Mexican Birds names — the Bullfinch Cardinal. This bird is found in Texas and Arizona, as well as in Mexico, and its habits seem to be very similar to those of the Red Cardinal. They appear to have a rather peculiar body scent, similar to what one finds in the Petrels. I do not know whether this has been previously noted. I also secured half a dozen specimens of the Californian Scarlet Tanager, which differs considerably from the common Scarlet Tanager, more usually seen in this country. The cock has the back, shoulders, wings, and tail more or less striated with huffish yellow, head and throat crimson, under parts yellowish. Female olive green, under parts yellow, two bands of dirty white across the wings. This bird is common on the wooded slopes of the Sierras in California, and presumably migrates to Mexico, unless it is resident there also. I do not think that it has yet been bred here in captivity. Another purchase was a pair of small Hangnests (Icterus spurius), about the size of our Brambling. These are mostly black and yellow, but are not yet in full colour, so am unable to describe them. They appear to be good aviary birds, as they partake freely of Thrush food, and do not seem to require much fruit, so should be easy to care for. My last acquisition was a pair of small black and yellow Siskins (Chrysomitris tristris). They are most charming little birds, black on top and bright yellow underneath, with a white spectrum on the wing. I fear that they are rather delicate, but if they live shall hope to breed them.1 I don’t think that any of the birds mentioned in these notes have been bred here, so I am looking forward to an interesting season in my aviaries this year. Just as I had finished writing these notes I recollected one species that I had not mentioned, and that a not unimportam me, the Mexican Barred Partridge (Philortyx fasciatus). This is a s; : ird, about the size of the Scaly Quail (Callipepla squamata), an. ts habits appear similar, as it is fond of roosting in trees, like all tne Crested Quail. I don’t know whether I have secured a true pair, as the sexes appear to be alike. Time alone will show. p An excellent coloured plate of the American Siskin appeared in Yol. Y, page 125 (June 1889). — Ed. Mrs. Prestivick — Lovebirds 133 LOVEBIRDS By Mrs. Prestwick Now that the breeding season is once more upon us, some notes on the management and breeding of Lovebirds may not be out of place. The genus Agapornis belongs to the sub-family Palseornithinse, and as far as is known at present consists of ten members : (1) the Madagascar or Grey-headed (A. cana) ; (2) the Abyssinian (A. taranta ) ; (3) the Red-faced (A. pullaria) ; (4) the Rosy-faced or Peach-faced (A. roseicollis) ; (5) the Black-cheeked (A. nigrigenis) ; (6) the Nyasa (A. liliance) ; (7) Fischer’s (A. fischeri) ; (8) the Masked (A. personata) ; (9) Swinderen’s (A. swindereniana) ; (10) the Black-collared (A. zenker i). The first six are all well known ; Fischeri and the Masked are exceedingly rare and swindereniana and zenkeri have not yet reached this country alive. The genus is confined to the continent of Africa, and a few adjacent islands. Once acclimatized, they are all very hardy, and can be kept in unheated outdoor aviaries throughout the year with safety, provided they have good, dry, draught-proof shelters. They are simple feeders, and no elaborate mixtures are needed ; most are satisfied with canary seed and white millet, with the addition of a little white sunflower and a few good oats, millet sprays, and seeding grasses are very acceptable ; hemp should be avoided, except sparingly in very cold weather, as it appears to make them fat and sluggish. Fruit of all kinds is despised by most, a few, however, will eat apple and pear in minute quantities ; some will eat lettuce with apparent relish. When possible they should be kept in aviaries, as their chief charm lies in the way they climb and scramble about, besides which their full beauty is only seen when in flight. In cages they are apt to mope at their loss of liberty and become dull and listless, sitting side by side and taking very little interest in life in general, only moving to visit the seed and water-pots. If, however, no other accommodation is available, and it is desired to keep a pair of Lovebirds, possibly Red-faced are the most suitable, being the least active of the group ; Mr. W. T. Catleugh kept a hen of this species in a cage for nearly ten years, and several for about six years, so it will be seen that pullaria can be successfully kept 10 134 Mrs. Prestwick — Lovebirds as a cage-bird. Given very little encouragement in the provision of nesting sites and receptacles, cana , nigrigenis, roseicollis, and liliance will all commence breeding operations and once started are almost as prolific as Budgerigars and as little trouble ; the same cannot be said of taranta and pullaria, as the former has only been reared successfully on two or three occasions and there is no record of complete success with the latter. They readily take to coco-nut husks, but a nest-box is more suitable for sanitary reasons. The various species of Agapornis agree together fairly well, provided there are no odd birds, and a few pairs of each make a most attractive Lid projects 1" at front and is fastened suitably underneath. Entrance 2" dia. Height from base 8". Climbing stay (inside) ¥ X r X 6*. Perch §* dia. , projects 4*. Height from base 7§ . Spherical recess in base 3^ dia., f" deep. Base made from 1\" wood. All other parts from §* wood. Nesting Box. display. They are not to be trusted with smaller and weaker birds, having a passion for breaking the legs of any unfortunate they can get hold of. The various species will be dealt with in the order given at the head of this paper. The nest-box illustrated is eminently suitable for Lovebirds, and will be found to meet all requirements. The spherical recess in the base can be omitted if desired, and is not really necessary, owing to the nest¬ building propensity of the group. It is as well, however, to construct the boxes with the recess, then when occasion arises they can be used for any of the smaller Parrakeets. Mrs. Prestwick — Lovebirds 135 AGAPORNIS CANA The Madagascar or Grey-headed Lovebird is probably the best known of the group, having been imported in enormous numbers for some years. No detailed description of this species is needed : it will suffice to say that the cock is distinguished from the hen in having the whole of the head, neck, and upper breast grey, and under wing-coverts black, whereas the hen has the head and under wing-coverts green. The first importation was in 1860, and a pair was on view at the London Zoological Gardens in that year. They are quite unsuitable for cage life and when thus kept, as a rule, crouch in a corner and utter harsh scolding notes whenever anyone approaches. In an aviary they remain very timid, and seldom get really tame. Madagascars are very spiteful with weaker birds, especially when thinking of nesting, the hens more so than the cocks. They associate well with Budgerigars and Passerine Parrotlets, with only occasional sparring. They do best in an aviary by themselves, however, otherwise in mixed company, especially if they are at all crowded, they are liable to play at nesting. In the wild state they associate in large flocks, often as many as a hundred together, and sometimes do considerable damage to the rice crops. The nest is constructed in a hole in a tree, being completely lined with pliant strips of bark, carried under the upper tail-coverts ; this method of carrying material is usually adopted in captivity, but some carry pieces of bark, splinters of wood, fragments of millet sprays and strips of leaves in their beaks. The hen alone usually cuts the bark, etc., and carries it to the nest, the cock meanwhile keeping guard. A nest-box similar to the one illustrated is usually accepted by this species, although some shun boxes of any kind, and lay their eggs anywhere but in the proper place. Mrs. Charrington had a pair some years ago that burrowed under a tub, containing a box-tree, in an aviary where they constructed a nest in the usual manner, on the ground ; just a slight hollow filled with cuttings of leaf. The first nest contained clear eggs ; they nested again, but with the same result. The eggs of Madagascars vary considerably in size, the average being 18*4 mm. by 13‘8 mm., and the number from four to six or even more. Incubation seems to take nineteen to twenty days, the hen alone doing this, the cock feeding her. The cocks can be picked out in nesting plumage, as their heads are a mixture of greyish 186 Joseph Appleby — Notes from a Lancashire Aviary green and green. On leaving the nest the young cocks have darker beaks than the parent birds, the hood is apparent, but not very defined. Fully adult plumage is donned at the first moult. The first to be success¬ ful in breeding this species in Great Britain was F. W. Oates, who had four young reared in 1900. In this case the hard- worked hen was deserted by the cock for a Passerine Parrotlet, but she managed to rear the brood alone nevertheless. Amongst others to be successful with this Lovebird may be mentioned the late Dr. Lovell Keays, the late Mr. Wesley T. Page, Mr. W. Shore-Baily, Dr. P. Gosse, and Mrs. F. G. Hedges. Aviary-bred birds are apt to be delicate, many suffering from a form of asthma. The Marquis of Tavistock states that “ Madagascars breed freely at liberty, but in a state of freedom are liable to become paralysed in the legs ”. The reason for this is not known, as aviary birds do not suffer in this way. Madagascars may be left out all year with perfect safety, provided they are not allowed to roost in the open as they are susceptible to lung trouble. (To be continued .) NOTES FROM A LANCASHIRE AVIARY By Joseph Appleby That tropical and semi-tropical birds can be accustomed to our British climate is generally recognized. But as a rule there is some qualification attached to this statement, such as special accommodation or feeding, so perhaps an account of how some of the common and less expensive seed eaters have been wintered on this bleak south-west Lancashire coast, may be of interest to those readers of the Avicultural Magazine, who like myself, do not profess to be experts, nor wealthy enough to maintain large and elaborate aviaries. My bird census on 15th September, 1926, was 64 birds of 22 species. All seed-eaters, such as Waxbills, Buntings, Finches, Canaries, Pekin Bobins, Whydahs, Weavers, Siskins, etc., all reasonably priced birds that one might experiment with. My census to-day, 30th March, 1927, is 56 birds, 24 species (I bought 6 birds in January, 4 Lavender Finches and 2 Avadavats, thus increasing the kinds by 2). The losses are 19 all species, 9 from pneumonia, 4 from Joseph Appleby — Notes from a Lancashire Aviary 187 old age, and 6 from attacks by other birds, egg-binding or accident. During the six months I have bought 6 birds, the natural increase being 5, these are Silverbills and Zebra Finches, 3 and 2 respectively. The conditions under which my birds are kept were described in the October, 1924, Yol. II, No. 10, Avicultural Magazine, but I might state that with the exception of an oil lamp kept burning during the months October to date in the shelter, the birds have had no other protection against the damp and cold of this last winter. They are fed on a mixture of canary, hemp, white millet, Indian millet, sunflower and teazle, together with soft food made of Spratts cod liver oil and softbill foods, to which is added maw seed. They get unlimited supplies of greenstuff, mostly garden weeds, etc., and the floor of the flights are grassed. They can sleep inside or out as they choose, for though the shelter window is lowered, it is never closed. Fire Finch, Siskin, Grey Singing Finch, Saffron Finch, Orange Weaver, and one pair Zebras have slept out all winter, and seem to prefer to do so, whatever the weather. The Javas, Whydahs, Nonpareil Buntings, and Cordon Bleus are more discriminating, and go indoors if the weather is stormy. PekinBobins, Canaries, Combassous, Silverbills, Lavenders, Waxbills, and Fire Finches prefer the warm bedroom. I don’t know if my losses from pneumonia are due to the change of temperature from outside to inside, but I don’t think this is entirely the cause, for the shelter is seldom more than 50° F. and in frosty weather has fallen to 40°. I rather put them down to the fog and damp we get so much of here, along with cold damp winds. The losses from old age we are all liable to, for we can seldom tell the age of an adult bird when bought. I generally look at the length of the upper mandible, and the state of the tarsus, but this method is not infallible. All these four birds were in splendid plumage and condition. The murders and accidents were preventable. A Green Singing Finch cock was responsible for three ; he wiped out the Siskin family, father and two sons, and himself died of fright when I caught him after the event. The other two were egg-binding, which I should have seen to earlier. The moulting times are the critical ones so far as I can see, and if we can get our birds through without loss, we have 188 Correspondence our reward in perfect plumage and greater resistive power. For instance, a cock Cordon Bleu which I have had three years is much more brilliant in colour and thicker in the feathers than others I have had only one year. The same applies to one of my Nonpareil cocks, he is much brighter now than when I first received him. I wonder if any one can tell me when a Nonpareil cock gets his adult plumage. I have a bird, bought as a hen, now showing unmistakable male colour. This bird I have had two years, bought in July, 1925. The Pekin Eobins are in excellent fettle, and are busy with domestic duties, as are some of the others. A cock Combassou gives the Whydahs a very anxious time ; he will not allow them to feed at the same time as he and his wives, and though, of course, they are much heavier birds, he goes for them like a terrier ; with this exception, since the Green Singing Finch cock deceased, the inhabitants of the aviary get on well together. CORRESPONDENCE PUBLIC AVIARIES Sir, — Cannot the Avicultural Society do something to improve the conditions and management of Public Aviaries. At a few aviaries I have visited in the north of England there was a deplorable lack of interest shown by those responsible for the stocking and management of these aviaries. A man is put in charge of an aviary who knows nothing about birds and he has to take instructions from Town Councillors who know less. At one place I saw Pheasants being kept in a glass house in which were Parrots and monkeys. A Silver Pheasant hen was laid on the floor and had lost the use of its legs. I asked the keeper why it was allowed to live in that state, and he told me that he could not do any¬ thing without instructions from the Borough Engineer. At a seaside place I visited they have some ideal aviaries with running water in. In one of the aviaries were a few Canaries and a Golden Pheasant cock in a dilapidated state. In another was a Silver cock too fat to walk with a pure-bred Amherst Pheasant hen, a rather scarce and valuable bird to be wasted. Correspondence 139 Even what is supposed to be a Lancashire Zoological Garden has no fancy Pheasants, the only one I saw being a Ring-neck, which seemed to be in the last stages of consumption. In my opinion it is the duty of every member of this society to offer advice and help to the councils who own public aviaries. In two cases my advice has been accepted and an improvement has taken place. There must be aviaries in other parts of England where advice is needed. I think a list of all public aviaries should be published in the Magazine and reports sent in by members of the birds kept and their conditions. It cannot be any help to aviculture to have birds shown under such wretched conditions. An official letter from this Magazine suggesting that some member living near would be pleased to give advice, would do an immense amount of good. G. Beever. PASSERINE PARROTLETS Sir, — Will some member kindly give a novice some information as to the keeping of Blue-winged Lovebirds in a cage ? An article in the Magazine some time ago said it was cruel to keep this species shut up. Would that apply to two box-cages put together, each 24 by 12 by 18 inches high. Would it be best to keep to the Finch tribe ? They would go into a small covered aviary for the summer months, but are chiefly kept as house pets. Any information would be gratefully received. M. E. Kershaw. [There is no cruelty in keeping these birds in cages, provided that these are not too small, and the accommodation suggested above should be ample. — Ed.] THE TYRANNY OF THE OWL Sir, — This country of old elm-trees is much favoured by Tawny Owls, and a pair nests each year just outside my garden. These birds harry the nests of their weaker neighbours, and most of the early hatched Thrushes and Blackbirds fall victims. 140 Correspondence For the past two seasons several kinds of birds which usually nest in the open have built in the climbing plants on the house walls. Besides Flycatchers and Robins, several Thrushes and Blackbirds now nest close under the eaves ; and last year, a Goldfinch built in the wistaria close to a bedroom window. Already this spring, a Thrush and a Blackbird have tucked their nests under the low eaves of the well-house, which adjoins a back door. Their object seems to be to have cover above them and to be near a frequented path. At one time the house gave shelter to the following nests : Sparrow, Starling, House Martin, Blackbird, Thrush, Kobin, Wren, Flycatcher, Goldfinch, and Cole-Tit. (The last appropriately in the coal-house wall.) The giant elm, which houses the Owls, provides homes for Jackdaws and Stock-doves. Strangely enough, the Pigeons more than hold their own against the Daws. I have seen several battles between them, and the Stock¬ doves have always been victors. B. C. Thomasset. NOTES FROM M. DECOUX’S COLLECTION Sir, — In the November issue of the Magazine, Mr. F. R. Child asked whether the Prince Lucian Conure had been bred in captivity. It has been many times in France, as Delacour has written in his article on Conures. I saw a brood of this species in Madame Lecallier’s aviaries, about 1918 and later. (See UOiseau, 1920, p. 31.) I myself possessed a pair of the young bred by Madame Lecallier ; they have laid several times, but the young were never reared to maturity, likely because the parents were troubled by other large birds, which lived in their aviary (Glossy Starlings, Jays, etc.). Last winter I received, among other birds, a fine pair of Chalcomitra senegalensis, now in fine condition, and a pair of Hedydipna platura ; but the cock died and I have only the hen left. I have just received from Senegambia some Masked Fire Finches, a young Zonogastris citerior, and an albino Fire Finch ; this bird is completely white, except on the tail, which is tinged with brown, and on the lores and chest, which are of a delicate pink colour. J. Decoux. Correspondence THE THICK-BILLED PARROT 141 Sir, — Since writing my article I have heard from Mr. Mann, curator of birds in the National Zoological Park at Washington ; he says the bird may be considered very unusual in captivity and none too common in a wild state. It is represented in their collection. The dealers from the far west do not know the bird. I have never seen a parrot more affectionate or playful than this one with my young son, aged 7. He is restless or noisy until Warren appears, when he utters sounds which most certainly express affection. Unfortunately he does not talk, but the various sounds he makes are amusing. He delights in crawling all over the boy, snuggling in his bed and kissing him on the mouth (when permitted). He follows him about like a dog, with a queer shuffling gait, and shaking his tail from side to side. The plumage since his moult is beautiful, and of a rich mossy green colour, and the red variations are brilliant. When the wings are spread, the yellow area is quite conspicuous. I do not think the bird can fly well, as when he flaps his wings one does not open as fully as the other, but there is no suggestion of deformity when the wings are closed. I should like to sell the bird, as the family will be away the greater part of the summer, and I have other plans for the fall. I am offering it at £40. Mr. Metzger of this city, also a member of the Aviculture Society, is the only one I can give as a reference relative to the bird. My identification is based on a comparison with the mounted specimen in the Field Museum here, and from the detailed description in Ridgway’s Birds of North and Middle America. Should you know of anyone who might be interested in this purchase, I think I can arrange with Mr. Crandall of the New York Zoological Park in forwarding it to London from New York. Karl Plath. [The above letter was not intended for publication, but is printed here as it contains some interesting observations on a very uncommon bird. — Ed.] 142 Correspondence A CHECKLIST OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS Sir, — The Council of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ Union is desirous of specially bringing under the notice of its members the new Checklist of the Birds of Australia, published last year. It represents the untiring efforts of a committee during a period of about 10 years. In addition to the scientific and vernacular names of the birds, it gives direct references to the work of Gould, Mathews, and others, states the range of each species, supplies lists of synonyms, and is furnished with a very complete index. It also contains a lengthy article by Mr. H. Wolstenholme on the derivations and pronunciations of the scientific names, which adds greatly to the value and interest of the List. Owing to the great amount of matter and the numerous references the list contains and the high cost of printing, production of the List has involved an expenditure of more than £400, and therefore it could not be made a part of, or supplement to the Emu. The price of the List has been fixed at 12s. 6 d., and each member of the Union is requested to purchase a copy in order to meet the cost of printing. A copy will be sent forthwith to any member who forwards 12s. 6 d. D. Dickison. 376 Flinders Street, Melbourne. NOTES FROM KESWICK HALL Sir, — I have just returned from six weeks spent in the Canary Islands, which are an Earthly Paradise for an ornithologist ; possibly at some later date I may write an account of the birds there, as they are of the very greatest interest. But this note is merely to record the death, while I have been abroad, of my Indian Adjutant under rather unusual circumstances. He withstood the cold of a Norfolk winter remarkably well, being out almost every day, walking about in a large yard, which was also tenanted by a pair of Vulturine Guineafowls. Although perfectly friendly with one of the Guineafowls, the Adjutant had always looked with hatred on the other one, and at the least opportunity was quite ready to seize it, which on two occasions it did, though the Guineafowl managed to escape with not much more than Correspondence 143 a shaking. I suppose it was very stupid of me not to have removed them, but I thought they would be able to take care of themselves as they had plenty of room. However, while I was away a tragedy happened ! The Stork seized the hated Yulturine, and killed it, and then swallowed quantities of its feathers, so much so that they apparently formed a kind of wad inside him, and he was not able to digest his own food of rats and fish, though continuing to feed as greedily as ever. My man tells me that for a week after he had killed the Guineafowl, he kept on feeding, the undigested meat inside him smelling horribly, but eventually it killed him. A real loss, as he was such an entertaining bird, and a loss which could easily have been avoided. The weather here is dreadfully damp and cold at present (11th April), still Giant Kingfishers have eggs, and Alpine Choughs are busy carrying vast quantities of nesting materials into a barrel, while Crested Australian Doves have already reared one brood. The cock Rheas are booming loudly, much earlier than usual. G. H. Gurney. ASPIDISTRA FOR WEAVERS Sir, — At last I have discovered a use for the aspidistra, that bane of the middle-class parlour. I don’t know whether the majority of readers know that all the large weavers of the genus Hyphantornis, Sitagra, etc., only build their nests of long strips of palm leaves, etc., which they tear from the tree. They cut a small incision at the base of the leaf, then holding a piece of the leaf above the cut firmly in their beaks they fly away, thus tearing a long narrow strip from the leaf. With this they make their wonderful hanging nests. Dry grass, leaves, etc., are never used, being far too brittle, the green leaf being pliable and yet very tough. In captivity the birds use hay, etc., but they never use this very readily, neither do they build nests as perfect as when in the wild state. One day I put several aspidistra plants into an aviary containing some rare Weavers that I had had for a year or more, and, though the birds had been in a large outdoor aviary all the summer, they had 144 Correspondence made no attempt at nest-building, except to weave hay into the wire netting ; but upon getting the plants they at once commenced to cut up the leaves and in a few days time had made perfect nests, and lam hoping that they will shortly breed. Sydney Porter. THE SULPHURY TYRANT As Jack-of -all-trades Kiskadee Quite long ago got his degree From Darwin and from Hudson too, Who wrote as no men else could do. And if he favoured politics He’d thrive by all the trimmer’s tricks, For though he mocks the bitter shriek Of bourgeois bled by Bolshevik, He hides a crest like gold to see And shouts for slogan “ Pedigree ! ” Frank Finn. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. T. R. Berry, Stratford, 239 Hills Road, Cambridge. Proposed by E . Maud Knobel. MRS. T. R. Berry, Stratford, 239 Hills Road, Cambridge. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. D. E. H. Diemont, Rynvliet, Oudenryn, Holland. Proposed by A. Van Heyst. J. S. Greenshields, 225 East Foothill Building, Pasadena, California, U.S.A. Proposed by Dr. Leon Patrick. Rev. T. R. Lowe, 115 Wells Street, Camberwell, S.E. 5. Proposed by W. L. Sclater. MRS. Marriott, The Grange, Oddingley , near Droitwich. Proposed by Captain Stokes. Paul H. Smith, 11 Parkhill Road, Hampstead, N.W. 3. Proposed by Captain Stokes. Yasushi Ohno, Hanky u Kotoyen Teiryujo-Kita, Nisliinomiya Post Office, Kobe, Japan. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. NEW MEMBERS. 'George Bradshaw, Ingram Road, Wahroonga, Sydney, Australia. Norton H. Danby, 4 Carlton Road, W. Ealing. R. Illingworth, Hawthorn House, West Meadows Road, Cleadon. William Kadota, 1016 Geary Street, San Francisco, California, U.S.A. J. G. Lighteoot, The Gables, Upton Heath, Chester. Captain The Hon. Michael Lyon, Glamis Castle, Glarnis, Forfarshire. Mrs. Brenda Ogilyie, Bonaly Tower Colinton, Mid-Lothian, N.B. C. G. Talbot-Ponsonby, Glebe House, Lindfield , Hayward’s Heath, Sussex. William Ernest Wood, 2 Daleside, Lincombe Drive, Torquay. MEMBERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for Members' advertisements is ONE penny per word, and no -advertisement must exceed thirty-six words , name and address included. Payment must accompany the advertisement, which must be sent on or before the 20th of the month to Mr. T. H. Newman, “ Verulam,” Forty Lane, Wembley Park, Middlesex. All members of the Society are entitled to ■use this column. FOR SALE. Pair Nyasaland Lovebirds, nesting pair Blackcheeks, pair Red -headed Finches, Greenfinch x Canary, Goldfinch x Canary, and Green Singing Finch ; also birds for hybrid breeding. — Miss Follett, 2 Ashton Terrace, Exmouth. Pair Redrump Parrakeets (outdoor). For sale or exchange, Bauer, two Abyssinian Lovebirds, Cactus Conure, Cocks, Californian Quail hen. — Mariner, Eynsham, Oxon. GAM AGES dS£ ! IMPORTERS of_ High-class BIRDS andANIMALS. THE BEST FOR ALL KINDS OF Foreign Birds, Canaries, Parrots, etc.. A VERY FINE SELECTION AND COLLECTION ALWAYS ON VIEW AT THE RIGHT PRICES. Specialities in CAGES, AVIARIES, NEST-BOXES and all appliances. Don’t forget us for foods. Finest quality, lowest price. Mealworms Spray Millet, large bundles Ants’ Eggs Dried Flies Pure Egg Yolk . Insectivorous Food Cuttlefish Bone 6/- per lb,, 4 lb., 23/- 3/6 each, 1 doz., 36/- 2/6 per lb., 4 lb., 9/- 1/6 „ ,, 5/6 4/6 ,, ,, 16/- 1/6 ,, ,, 5/0 1/6 ,, ,, 4/6 Carr. paid. A. W. GAM AGE, Ltd., HOLBORN, LONDON, E.C. 1 . _ PHONE : HOL. 2700. BE VON & CO. Our weekly PRICE LISTS will interest you. FOREIGN. Weavers 4/- pair Silverbills 6 6 ) J Combassous . 4 6 ? y Steelfinclies . 6/- ) ? Goldfinches . 1 0 5 > Bullfinches . 8/6 5 f lled-eared Waybills 41- y y Cordon Bleus 7/6 Avadavates . 61- Saffron Finches . . 10/- y y Spicebirds 6/6 y y Cardinals, Popeand Crested 1 01- y y Black headed Nuns 6/6 y y White ,, ,, . 10/- y y PEKIN NIGHTINGALES. Pekin liobins 8 - Cocks, 6/- Hens, 12/- pair. Grey and Amazon Parrots, from 4 0/- each. PLOVER. Green Plover (Lapwings) . 7/6 each HAWKS. Kestrel Hawks . . 10/6 , , REPTILES Land Tortoises . 2/-&3/-each Water Tortoises, Green Tree Frogs, Lizards, Snakes etc., from 6d. each MEALWORMS. Large, clean, fat worms, 1 Od. oz. 5/6 lb. Postpaid. All Aquatical requirements, including GOLDFISH & FANCY FISH, AQUARIUMS from 3/6, REPTILES, PET MONKEYS, MONGOOSE, ARMADILLOS, GUINEA PIGS, etc. Free Weekly Price Lists. ! OLDEST DIRECT IMPORTERS, 127 King’s Cross Road, London, W.C. 1 . Phone : Museum 767. Telegrams : Oiseaux London. THE ANNUAL MEETING AND GARDEN PARTY. This will be held on Friday, 8th July, in the Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park, London. Tea will be served in the Fellows’ Pavilion at 4 p.m., and all members are cordially invited. FOURTH SERIES. VOL. V. No. 6 JUNE, 1 927. THE CONT PAGE A new race of Barnard’s Parrakeet, by the Marquess of Tavistock. (With Coloured Plate.) ... ... ... 145 Arrival of the Masked Lovebird, by D. Seth- Smith ... ... 146 Lovebirds, by Mrs. Prestwick. 147 Honey-guide Death Lure, by Mrs. Prestwich . 150 A Tame Honey-guide, by Sydney Porter ... ... 152 ENTS. PAGE Species and Sub-species, by Frank Finn, B.A. The Birds of Prey, by G. H. 158 Gurney, F.Z.S. Plates.) ... ... (With two 162 A vi cultural Notes, by The Editor ... ... . Correspondence : Par serine 172 Parrotlets ; Hardihood of some common Foreign Nesting box for Birds ; Lovebirds 174 Errata ... ... . 176 The Price of this Number is 2/6 THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. FOUNDED 1894. NOTICE TO MEMBERS The Subscription to the Avicultural Society is i£l per annum, due on the 1st of January in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/6- The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HONORARY SECRETARY AND TREASURER, MiSS Knobel, 32 Tavistock Square, London, W.C.l. 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 Prosectorium, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Rule 2. — Should any member require an immediate reply, 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. Reports have been sent by post to : — C. Best, Mrs. Chatterton, Mrs. H. L. Cottrill, H. Norton Danby, A. Decoux, Mrs. R. Elwes, Mrs. E. K. Frost, T. 0. Harrison, J. Spedan Lewis, B. Mott, Mrs. Prestwich, Capt. B. Hamilton Scott, Mrs. J. E. Speed, Capt. H. S. Stokes, Mrs. Wade, the Duchess of Wellington, Denys Weston, 0. M. Whale, J. York White. The Magazine is published by Messrs. Stephen Austin & Sons, 5 Fore Street, Hertford, to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers for 1917 and after, and bound volumes should be addressed. 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: 46 Hertford. BACK VOLUMES of the AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE phevious to 1917. Application for these should be made to the Editor of Cage Birds, 154 Fleet Street, E.C. 4. All Enquiries 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 : — Mr. D. Seth-Smith, Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. HARRODS ZOOLOGICAL SECTION HARRODS make a feature of foreign birds for Aviaries and Exhibitions. Try our Insectivorous Food. Write for List or ’ phone Sloane 1234. HARRODS Ltd LONDON SW 1 GALLOWAY’S Celebrated Insectivorous Food LIFE A Perfect diet for all Insect and Fruit-eating Birds, Foreign Finches, Waxbills, etc., etc. As supplied to Her Grace The DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON, Her Grace EVELYN DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON, LORD TAVISTOCK, and The Hon. MRS. G. BOURKE. This food is invaluable for feeding foreign seed-eaters given in addition to their seed diet ; Parrot and other Foreign Finches will rear their young almost entirely on it. Used by a great number of leading aviculturists both here and abroad. It will keep good for any length of time if turned out of the bag and kept in a dry place. Prices carriage paid to any part of the United Kingdom : — 1 lb. 2 '6, 21b. 4 8, 31b. 6 10, 41b. 9/-, 51b, 11/2, 61b. 13/4, 71b. 14/10, 141b. 27 4, 281b. 47 10, 4 cwt. 95/8. No Agents. To be obtained solely from the Maker. Send postcard for descriptive leaflet with testimonials. P. F. M. GALLOWAY, 1 Rectory Road, Caversham, Reading, England. i CHAPMAN’S 17 TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, LONDON, W.l. Telegrams: “BLACKBIRD PHONE, LONDON." Telephones : MUSEUM 5272, 5273, 5274 and 5275. Cables: “ BLACKBIRD ,” LONDON. Animal and Waterfowl Depot : 11 HIGH STREET, BARNET. Telephone: BARNET 2082. Quarantine Station : 5 SAGE ST., LONDON, E. 1 . East End Depbt : 3 SAGE ST., LONDON, E.l . VISITORS TO LONDON who are interested in Aviculture should not fail to make a point of calling upon us, as they will be able to see the Finest Collection of Different Varieties of Foreign Birds which can be seen under any one roof throughout the whole World. The First Place of Call of all Aviculturists, Naturalists, Dealers and Hunters visiting London from all over the World is I 7 Tottenham Court Road. At the time of the appearance of this advertisement we shall have actually on view the following very fine collections, besides many others too numerous to be detailed here, and a full List will be forwarded to anybody making application for same. INDIAN SPECIES. CENTRAL and SOUTH Tragopan Pheasants, AMERICAN SPECIES. | Monaul Pheasants, Kalitz Pheasants, Humming Birds, j Blood Pheasants, Rainbow Buntings, Ruddy Shellducks, Nonpariel Buntings, j Spot-billed Ducks, Indigo Buntings, j Shamas, Red-crested Finches, j Niltavas, Pileated Finches, j Pittas, Virginian Nightingale, Drongos, Violet Tanagers, i Fruitsuckers, Superb Tanagers, 1 Whistling Thrushes, Troupials, Bulbuls, Red-crested Cardinals, Barbets, Pope Cardinals, Scarlet Minivets, Green Cardinals, Blue Flycatchers, Amazon Parrots, Blue Rollers, Macaws, i 1 etc., etc. etc., etc. j AUSTRALIAN SPECIES. KAGUS, BLACK SWANS, WHITE COCKATOOS. Swift Lorrikeets, Long-tailed Grass Finches, Norfolk Island Parrakeets, Zebra Finches, Crimson-wing Parrakeets, Parson Finches, King Parrakeets, Gouldian Finches, Rosella Parrakeets, Diamond Sparrows, Meally Rosella Parrakeets, Chestnut-breasted Finches, Blue-banded Parrakeets, Yellow r u m ped Mannikins, Redrump Parrakeets, Bicheno Finches, Blue-bonnet Parrakeets, , Diamond Doves. REMEMBER CHAPMAN’S 17 Tottenham Court Rd„ London, W.l, is the firm for ail different species of Live ANIMALS and BIRDS. ii REGENT PET STORES (G. E. PALMER, F.Z.S.) 83 Park Street, Camden Town, London, N.W.l ’Phone : Telegraphic Address : HAMPSTEAD 8856. “BOMESTIPET, WORWEST, LONDON.” iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiJiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiim Importers of Foreign Livestock. .iiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiitiiimitiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiitimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimii Always a good selection of Parrots, Parrakeets , Foreign Finches, etc., on view at reasonable prices. WE SPECIALISE IN CAGES, AVIARIES & APPLIANCES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION AT LOWEST PRICES. Pure Egg Yolk .... Spray Millet (Selected) Mealworms .... Ant Eggs, No. i quality 33 33 NO. 2 5, . . Cuttle Fish Bone (Best White) Dried Flies .... Falmeris Noted Insectivorous Food (F able) for Large Species For Small Species 3/- lb., 4 lb. 11/- • 3 /- per bundle 5/6 lb., 4 lb. 2i/~ 2/6 lb., si lb. 7/6 2/- lb., si lb. 5/6 . i/6 lb., 3 lb. 4 /- . i/6 lb., 3 lb. 4 /- nest obtain- . i/6 lb., 7 lb. 6/~ 2 /- lb., 7 lb. io/6 iiiiiiiiiiiniiiifiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiniiniiiiiiimmmmmiiiiimiiimmiiimimimiiiiiiimmmmmiimiiiiimiiiiiuiiiniiiiiimiiiiiiijiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiii We Buy Anything Alive. Exchanges Entertained. in NOW READY PARRAKEETS A Handbook to the Imported REVISED EDITION By DAVID SETH-SMITH, F.Z.S. Roy. 8vo, pp. xx, 295, with 20 coloured plates ; cloth, gilt top, 1926. £4 4s. Od BERNARD QUARITCH, Ltd., 11 Grafton St., London, W.l. “L’OISEAU ” PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE Societe Nationale d’Acclimatation de France, 198 BOULEVARD ST. GERMAIN, PARIS (VIIe). A French Magazine on Aviculture, for the study of European and Foreign Birds in captivity and at liberty. With coloured and black and white plates. ONE YEAR 75 FRANCS. Medals for first breeding of a species in captivity in France or other countries are awarded if a detailed account is sent to the Society. Avicultural Magazine. 19 2 7. John Bale Sons &Danielsson.Lt.i Barnard/us cromme/inae Mathews THE Avicultural Magazine BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN 8c BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM 8c CAPTIVITY Fourth Series. — Vol. V. — No. 6. — All rights reserved. JUNE, 1927. A NEW RACE OF BARNARD’S PARRAKEET (BARN. ARB IUS CROMMELINCE) By the Marquess of Tavistock The plate of a new race of Barnard’s Parrakeet which Mr. G. Mathews has named after my wife, Barnardius crommelince, has been done from a female bird imported by Mr. Frost some years ago and at present living in my collection. The locality where it was captured appears unknown. Barnardius crommelince differs from the ordinary form in its wholly green breast. There is only a small patch of yellow on each side of the neck in place of the almost complete half-collar and the general shade of the plumage is a very pronounced blue- green. [The following note on this bird, by Mr. Gregory M. Mathews, appeared in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club of 4th November, 1925 (vol. xlvi, p. 21) : — - “ While inspecting the aviaries of the Marquess of Tavistock, I was struck by the appearance of a Barnardius somewhat like Barnardius barnardii Vigors and Horsfield, but noticeably without the yellow band on the lower breast — which, in my opinion, is a new species. It is as large as barnardii and richly coloured, with an abundance of blue, the cheeks being only less blue than in whitei ; entire breast 11 146 Arrival of the Mashed Lovebird blue-green ; the yellow collar only faintly indicated by a small yellow patch on each side of the neck ; crown of the head pale green ; a dark Y-shaped mark of dull blue-green at the back of the head ; red frontal band well developed. The bird is an adult female. “ Locality : Australia (?). “ I propose to call it Barnardius crommelince , sp. nov., in honour of Lady Tavistock.”] ARRIVAL OF THE MASKED LOVEBIRD Mr. Chapman is to be congratulated on having at length succeeded in importing several pairs of the very fine Masked Lovebird (Agapornis personata) from Tanganyika Territory. It is perhaps the most striking of the group, and, so far as I am aware, has never previously been offered for sale in this country, if indeed in Europe. The only specimens that have previously reached this country were three that Mr. Painter brought through London on his way to the United States in 1925, as recorded in this journal for June of that year. This species, in which the sexes are alike in colour, has the face blackish brown, a very broad collar on the nape and breast of yellow, the upper breast reddish orange, the wings, back and under parts green, and the upper tail-coverts ultramarine blue. The bill is bright red and there is a conspicuous ring of whitish skin round the eye. Mr. Painter had no difficulty in breeding those he took to America, and there is little doubt that this species will prove to be a good breeder like the Black-cheeked and Nyasa Lovebirds. Mr. Chapman’s Tanganyika consignment contained a few other birds, two of which were new to Aviculture, namely the Blue-headed Waxbill ( Urceginthus cyanocephalus) , which may be described as a Cordon Bleu with a red bill and the blue extending over most of the head. And the Buff-crowned Whydah (Linura fischeri) , a small and very" dark-coloured Whydah with a distinct huffish crown. D. Seth-Smith. Mrs. Prestwick — Lovebirds 147 LOVEBIRDS By Mrs. Prestwich * ( Continued from p. 136) Ag-apoSis tar ant a The Abyssinian Lovebird has never been very popular with avi- culturists, probably because it is considered quarrelsome and very disinclined to reproduce its kind. Although it had been described nearly a hundred years previously, it was unknown in the living state in England until the late Mr. H. D. Astley brought a pair from Italy in July, 1909. This pair was given to him by a lady who apparently thought them quite common ; they were part of a small consignment which reached Genoa in November, 1908. A few had been imported into Germany two years before, but had gone to the aviaries of an Austrian enthusiast. Mr. Astley’ s pair formed the subject of a plate in the Avicultural Magazine, Third Series, VoL I, No. 1. Abyssinians remained scarce until 1923, when they started to come over in fairly large numbers, and are now readily obtainable. The mortality in newly-imported birds is very heavy ; they usually arrive in a very poor state, crowded in filthy cages, and it is little wonder that disease is rampant. In many cases they are entirely devoid of feathers on the head. I once had the misfortune to see the survivors of a very large collection : they were all in an exceptionally bad way and died in dozens during the few days following their arrival in England from enteritis and kindred troubles. In this case cocks and hens alike were absolutely bald, in addition they had developed cannibalistic tendencies. It is common for the cocks to nibble and pluck the crimson feathers from the foreheads of each other, but these had long passed that state, and when a bird fell from a perch through weakness, several would immediately attack the unfortunate, and after putting it out of its misery, eat the major portion of its head. Fortunately birds imported direct by the English dealers do not arrive in such a shocking state, but only the birds from Continental dealers, who are not as particular as the majority of our importers. If newly-imported birds are obtained they should be kept moderately warm and given soaked millet and canary seed for a week or so, they can then be accustomed 148 Mrs. Prestwick — Lovebirds to the staple diet of canary seed, white millet, oats and white sun¬ flower, the last named they are especially fond of. Their water for the first few days should be slightly tepid. If the plumage is very soiled they may be sprayed with lukewarm water after they have had time to settle down provided they are kept warm and given an opportunity to dry thoroughly before dark. They should not be put outdoors until the beginning of May, unless the weather is exceptional. They will settle down very rapidly and are very hardy. A dry draught-proof shelter is absolutely essential, as A. taranta , in common with all the other members of the family, cannot stand draughts or damp. The Abyssinian is the largest of the group, but is not very active and rather shy. They have rather pretty notes, sometimes resembling Peach-faced Lovebirds, and sometimes the cock has quite a twitter, after the fashion of the Bengalese. No difficulty is experienced in sexing this species, as the cock has a cap of the richest crimson, which is wholly absent in the hen. Nevertheless, breeding successes recorded in England are few, but several have been reported abroad. The late Mr. Astley stood a very good chance of being successful with his original pair, as contrary to general experience they showed signs of desiring to nest almost immediately after their arrival. Unfortunately the cock was unable to climb out of an exceptionally deep nest-box, which he had been exploring ; he was not missed for several days, and it was then too late. The unmated hen laid eggs the following year. In 1925 Mr. W. Lewis claimed to be the first to succeed in Great Britain. The old birds took to a husk towards the end of June and laid four eggs, which they duly hatched, but only reared two young, which were like the hen when Mr. Lewis disposed of them at three months old. Incubation was thought to take sixteen days. Soon after Mr. Lewis had made known his success, Mr. Alfred G. Groves, of Bath, claimed priority. In response to a request by the Editor for particulars, Mr. Groves wrote as follows : “ The Abyssinian Lovebird bred last year left the nest the second week in June. The parents came from the late Mrs. Dalton Burgess’ collection. Three eggs were laid, but only one was fertile and the youngster remained in the nest for a long period ” (A.M., Fourth Series, Yol. IV, p. 190). So it would seem that the honour of being first goes to Mr. Groves. In both cases details Mrs. Prestwick — Lovebirds 149 are very meagre, but an excellent account appeared in the Avicultural Magazine, June, 1926, to which members should refer. The account in question is a translation from the German publication “ A.Z.” and concerns the experiences of Herr Ed. Schiitze. The following extracts are for the benefit of new members who may not possess this number : “ The hen appeared to be incubating at the end of January, 1925. An inspection on 17th February showed three almost round eggs, by the 23rd two young had hatched, the third egg being fertile. Size of eggs 23' 18 mm. Incubation period about eighteen days. The hen alone fed the young for about the first week. The young were almost feathered by 16th March, looked out of the box for the first time on the 19th, and the first left the nest on the 29th, the second, four days later. Both resembled the female, except the red of the beak was paler ; both proved to be females. On 9th April the young began to feed themselves, but were still fed by their parents ; 27th April, young independent, though still fed occasionally until 4th May. For the first few weeks the young birds were given soft food, containing ants’ eggs and hard-boiled egg ; on this food they thrived and later took to eating seed, especially millet. A very interesting point observed was that these birds built no nest as other Lovebirds do, but the female plucked the feathers from her breast with which to form a nest founda¬ tion.” This was not the first occasion on which Abyssinians had been bred on the Continent as Neunzig (p. 715) writes : “ In 1906 some were imported by an Italian dealer and came into the possession of an Austrian aviculturist. They bred, two young were hatched, which were fully coloured at ten months old. In another brood three young were hatched.” Another account of the successful rearing of this species, but this time in America in the aviaries of Mrs. J. Bamfields, of Los Angeles, appeared in the Avicultural Magazine of August, 1926. “ In 1925, four eggs were laid, but only one youngster reared to maturity. In 1926 four eggs laid, three hatched, two young reared. The eggs were laid on a nest made of pieces of paper and canvas which they pulled off the front protection of their cage. This pair is in an aviary with some Softbills, and Mrs. Bamfields reports that they partake greedily of the mealworms and gentles intended for the other birds, and believes that her success is partly due to this insect food.” It will be noted that 150 Mrs. Prestwick — Honey -Guide Death Lure both Herr Schiitze and Mrs. Bamfields provided insect food and both have been successful, so it would seem that this species benefits by the provision of a good insectivorous mixture. In the wild state the Abyssinian is said to make use of the nest of a species of Weaver, in the same way as the Peach-faced is said to use the nest of the Sociable Weaver bird. As regards its life in the wild, Heuglin says ( Ornithologie Nord-Ost Africas , pp. 747-8) : “ It usually lives in families of three to eight individuals, most abundantly in the so-called Woma-Dega (7,000 ft. above sea-level), yet it descends to the lowest limits of the Abyssinian olive-tree and the Qolqual Euphorbia, and in Semien and Wogara we still met little parties at 9-10,000 ft. altitude. The isolated companies lead a tolerably independent life, but keep close together among themselves. They affect the crowns of the higher trees, especially of Juniperus and the Chandelier Euphorbise ; at the season of the ripening of the fruits of the Cordias and Sycamores they also settle upon them. The call-note consists of a shrill, at times chattering, chirp, very like Agapornis pullaria. The males when in flight often utter a sharp pfiff. The flight itself is usually high, straight and humming ; these birds also climb with great facility.” Heuglin thinks the pairing season must be at midsummer. Abyssinans are given a very bad name as regards their quarrel¬ someness, but they agree fairly well with other members of the genus ; Softbills they ignore, but it is not safe to associate them with small Finches, etc., especially at breeding time. Two pairs of Abyssinians should on no account be kept in the same aviary unless it is of very exceptional size. {To be continued .) HONEY-GUIDE DEATH LURE By Mrs. Prestwich “ A Honey-guide lured a native workman at Nchanga to a tree, where the workman was struck by a deadly snake and died in a few minutes.” Probably many members read something similar to the above in Mrs. Prestwick — Honey-Guide Death Lure 151 the recent daily papers, and possibly some wondered to what bird this referred. The following extracts are taken from Newton’s Dictionary of Birds and throw some light on the matter : — “ Honey -guide 5 a bird so called from its habit or supposed habit of pointing out to man and to the ratel ( Mellivora capensis) the nests of bees. . . . Yet Mr. Layard says ( B . S. Africa , p. 242) that the birds will not unfrequently lead anyone to a leopard or a snake, and will follow a dog with vociferations,1 so that at present judgment may perhaps be suspended on the matter, though its antics and noisy cry unquestionably have in many cases the effect signified by its English name. If not its first discoverer, Sparrman, in 1777, was the first who described and figured this bird, which he met with in the Cape Colony, giving it the name of Cuculus indicator , its feet with the toes placed in pairs — two before and two behind — inducing the belief that it must be referred to that genus. Vieillot in 1816 elevated it to the rank of a genus, Indicator ; but it was still considered to belong to the Family Cuculidm (its asserted parasitical habits lending force to that belief) by all systematists except Blyth and Jerdon, until it was shown by Mr. Blanford and Mr. Sclater that it was more allied to the Capitonidce (Barbet) and, in consequence, was then made the type of a distinct Family, Indicatoridce. ... In the meanwhile other species had been discovered, some of them differing sufficiently to warrant Sunde vall’s foundation of a second genus, Prodotiscus , of the group. The Honey-guides are small birds, the largest hardly exceeding a Lark in size, and of plain plumage, with what appears to be a very Sparrow- like bill. Captain Shelley in 1891 (Cat. B. Br. Mus xix, pp. 1-12) recognized nine species and one sub-species of the genus Indicator , and two of Prodotiscus. Four of the former, including I. sparrmani, which was the first made known, are found in South Africa, and one of Prodotiscus . The rest inhabit other parts of the same continent, except I. archipelagicus , which belongs to Borneo and Malacca, and L xanthonotus , which occurs on the Himalayas from the borders of Afghanistan to Bhotan. The interrupted geographical distribution of this genus is an instructive fact.” 1 This is also a well-known habit with some Corvid*, the Jays and Pies for example. 152 Sydney Porter — A Tame Honey -Guide A possible explanation of the antics of the Honey-guide is given by a correspondent in the Daily Mail , who writes, “ A honey -bird will lure a man to a tree where there is a snake because the snake is in the vicinity of its nest. My brother had an experience of this sort. A honeybird led him to a tree and fluttered round the stem where a snake was coiled. My brother shot the snake, and the honey-bird cheerfully settled on its nest.” Perhaps some member who has had personal experience with this genus would give his observations. A TAME HONEY-GUIDE By Sydney Porter If it had not been for a shower of rain William and I would not have met, which would have been William’s loss. I will explain. Wandering one day in the Bush, in search of new birds, I encountered a shower (they are called showers in that part of the world where 4 inches of rain in an hour is no uncommon thing, but in England it would have been called a torrential downpour). So not wishing to retrace my steps 7 miles in a soaking condition and swim a swollen river I sought shelter for the night at the homestead of a friend a few miles away. When the ever-welcome pot of tea was brought in by a dusky chef, a small feathered creature dropped on to the floor from somewhere out of the said gentleman’s attire and protested forcibly as it hopped across the floor. This was William. There was a general scramble, and I caught him first ; then the dusky “ gentleman ” protested — the bird was the only titbit for the evening to augment the monotony of the usual mealie pap — but as possession is nine points of the law as they say, I stuck to William and he spent the night under a wire meat cover and was regaled with a diet of flies mixed with golden syrup. That was how William and I met. Now the reason that I stuck to William was — because he was a very rare bird, far from common even in his native haunts. His other name was the Yellow-throated Honey-guide, his proper name Indicator major. Sydney Porter — A Tame Honey -Guide 158 He was carried to his future home in a cardboard box, but owing to the humidity at that time of the year the box went to pulp and he got lost several times. He proved to be the most charming pet I have ever had in the tropics. In a few days he was perfectly tame and would follow one about or sit near one in the garden sunning himself or uttering the strange querulous cry which birds of the genus Indicator utter when trying to attract the attention of a traveller to a bee’s nest. In colour he was dark moss-green above, the lesser wing-coverts having a golden green wTash, a broad stripe from the middle of the rump through the upper tail-coverts primrose yellow, the three outer tail feathers the same yellow tipped with dark green ; the whole under parts primrose yellow except the throat, which was golden yellow ; there was a broad ring of naked blue grey skin round the eye ; the eyes dark brown ; the feet which are zygodactyl are greyish blue. The Honey-guides, only three species of which I have studied in their native haunts, the Sparrman’s Honey-guide in Mozambique, the Scaly-throated in Gazaland, and the present species in Mashona- land, are quiet and unobtrusive birds, living in the thickly-wooded Bush and seldom obtruding themselves upon one’s notice unless there is a bees’ nest in the vicinity ; then matters are reversed, and upon the sight of a human being, either black or white, the bird gets into a great- state of excitement, flying round within a few yards and uttering its curiously loud cry ; if it sees that one intends to follow, the bird will fly from tree to tree a few yards ahead of one until it eventually reaches the nest. When it does actually reach the nest it utters an entirely different cry to the one which it has been uttering whilst it has been leading one on. It is always the custom to leave a portion of the comb for the bird as a payment for its services. The natives have a superstition that if one does not leave anything for the bird, the next time they follow a Honey-guide it will lead them to a poisonous snake. It is a fact that these birds do lead human beings to snakes as several of my friends have proved, but this is done no doubt with the object of getting someone to kill the snake, for undoubtedly these birds possess a large share of intelligence, as I proved by my pet. 154 Sydney Porter — A Tame Honey -Guide To get back to William, the native who caugbt him said that if ever a Honey-guide drinks water it gets intoxicated and be found tbis bird “ drunk ” on tbe pathway leading to tbe native store. I tbink that tbis nigger must have belonged to tbe local branch of the R.S.P.C.A., for instead of breaking tbe bird’s wings and legs as tbe natives always do whenever they find a bird (I have known natives to catch birds and treat them thus, leaving them all day in tbe boiling sun so that they would be fresh for tbe evening’s meal, cruelty being inherent to tbe African nigger), tbis fellow only cut its wing feathers off. William bad an insatiable appetite. I am sure that be ate several times bis own weight in a week, even if tbe last grub was banging out of bis mouth, because there was no more room inside, he would call for more. We fed him on all manner of soft insects and honeycomb. Tbis is a very easy matter in a country where insects abound and wild bees’ nests are found everywhere. But bard insects and artificial food be would not touch. There is a certain kind of hornet in tbe tropics which is a great asset to the amateur bird keeper. It builds large mud nests on the walls of rooms, usually preferring the kitchen where it is extra warm. These nests consist of from one to thirty compartments, the hornet lays an egg in each one and then stuffs it full of green caterpillars or large spiders, which it renders in a state of suspended animation by the injection of some subtle preservative, and as the hornets are continually building these wonderful nests, there is provided a never-ending supply of food, and upon the contents of these nests William was regaled. If the egg in the hornet’s nest had hatched and the insects were eaten there was a huge juicy grub in their place which was relished even more than the insects. William would follow after one anywhere if he were hungry and several times he was lost in a banana plantation, but upon being called he soon disclosed his whereabouts by uttering his strange cry. He was frightfully inquisitive, prying into every dark nook and corner, and if a newspaper was lying on the floor he would get under¬ neath it and come out at the other side. He liked to roost in some dark corner on the floor, usually under a chest of drawers. His favourite perch was on my foot, and once comfortably settled there he would Sydney Porter — Two Bare Weavers 155 make funny little contented noises as though he were speaking to himself in an undertone. I was hoping to bring him home to England, but as I had to make a detour of over two thousand miles because of a railway bridge being washed away, I found this absolutely impracticable owing to the impossibility of getting live food for a week’s train journey, so I left him with a friend whom I knew would take care of him. Perhaps it was a good thing that he didn’t come to this land of sunless grey skies and cold hearts, or like the writer he might have suffered from a perpetual heart-ache for that far away country of brilliant sunshine and eternally blue skies and — Freedom ! TWO RARE WEAVERS By Sydney Porter Reichenow’s Weaver ( Othyphantes reichenowi) A few of these beautiful Weavers were brought down from the interior of Tanganyika Territory in Central Africa by my friend Mr. Schulz, and given to me in the spring of last year at Antwerp. I have never heard of their being imported before, and there is very little likelihood of their ever having been brought to Europe before, for they are rare even in the very remote part where they come from, and as notes on rarely imported birds are asked for I venture to send these very meagre ones. The Beichenow’s Weaver is rather a large bird, and at first sight might be mistaken for a small Oriole, and this is accentuated by the fact that the beak is not at all Weaverlike, being thin, long, tapering and glossy black. The birds were caught on a volcano where Mr. Schulz makes his African home. In size they are rather larger than the Black-headed Weaver ( Hyphantornis nigricejps), but more slender in build. They made delightful aviary birds, exceedingly active and cheerful in demeanour, also very tame and confiding, always ready to take mealworms from out of one’s hand even though they were in a large outdoor aviary. 156 Sydney Porter — Two Rare Weavers These Weavers are mainly insectivorous in a state of freedom, and eat very little seed. On board the ship they killed and partly ate several of the rare Black-thighed Weavers that were confined to the same cage ; they also plucked all the yellow feathers from out of the cock birds, and greedily devoured minced raw meat which was put into the cage for other birds. In captivity they eat a great deal of soft food and many mealworms. In the aviary they spent most of their time searching the bushes and the ground for insects and weaving, but they never made a perfect nest. They moulted out into perfect specimens, but alas ! they were killed at the end of the summer by the wretched cats chasing them on the aviary at night. In colour the Reich enow’s Weaver is bright golden yellow on the whole of the lower parts, somewhat greener on the flanks, the feathers having a remarkable satin-like texture in the living bird, the upper parts jet black, the lower back and tail olive green, the wings marked with olive yellow ; the iris is white, which gives the bird a very cruel expression, as indeed it deserves. There seems to be a seasonal change in which the front half of the head changes to golden yellow. I hope to receive some more of these birds later this year. The Black-thighed Weaver ( Pyromelana capensis xanthomelaena) This very pretty little Weaver seems to have been seldom if ever imported, though it may have been confused with its very near ally, the better-known Cape Black and Yellow Weaver ( P . capensis), a bird that it closely resembles and which it replaces north of the Limpopo River in South Africa. When in breeding plumage the male is velvety black all over except the shoulders and lesser wing-coverts, which are bright yellow, and a broad band on the lower back which is brilliant golden yellow; the feathers are elongated and cover the wings in repose ; there is also an irregular line of white in the centre of the abdomen ; the legs are black, also the upper mandible, the lower one is white. The hen is much smaller than the cock, and is the usual streaky brown with no trace of yellow. I bought my birds on the Sydney Porter — Two Bare Weavers 157 Island of Mozambique on the East African coast. I bought them with twenty other birds for the sum of 6s., including the cage ! These Weavers are very conspicuous objects in the landscape in the regions where they live owing to their brilliant coloration and comparative tameness, though they cannot be called common. In the breeding season each male takes possession of a certain area, either part of a reed bed or one of the huge anthills which are covered by a dense tangle of tropical vegetation composed of thorn bush, reeds, asparagus fern, etc., but always in the vicinity of water. Here he reigns as a little king with his harem, chasing any other bird of the same or allied species from the immediate neighbourhood. When in full plumage the male has a very peculiar “ slow motion 55 flight. He first puffs out his feathers until he resembles a black and golden ball and appears to be twice his real size, and then sails with a strange jerky motion very slowly from bush to bush, and upon alighting each time utters his harsh rasping song. He is usually so engrossed with his performance that he takes very little notice of human beings. Although the males are so much in evidence the females are very seldom seen, for upon one's approach they slip away quietly into the dense undergrowth, the male meanwhile chasing first one and then the other. These birds feed upon the seeds of weeds, grasses, etc., and also small insects. The nest is like that of the Scarlet Weaver, a most beautifully woven structure of fine texture, attached to several reed stems. The eggs, five in number, are pale blue. Out of the breeding season, a few join flocks of other Weavers' when they can at once be distinguished from the others by the yellow lower back and wing- coverts, this colour being retained all the year round. The majority of the birds, however, do not wander very far from their breeding haunts. These Weavers are quite charming birds in captivity, lively and vivacious, singing the whole day long their rather harsh and rasping song. They are wonderful nest builders, having constructed many perfect nests exactly resembling those built in the wild state, and if I had only 158 F . Finn — Species and Sub-species left them long enough in my outdoor aviary doubtless they would have nested, but I was compelled to take them indoors for the following reason : morning after morning to my great chagrin I found the bodies of my beautiful Weavers stiff and cold on the ground, first one and then another, all apparently in perfect health and feather, and I only discovered the reason when three out of my twelve birds were left : it was that arch-enemy of all bird keepers, cats. The brutes had climbed over the aviary all the night, causing the birds in their fright to batter themselves against the wires. The more the birds fluttered the more the cats chased them ; but this year I have a sure remedy — arsenic and kippers ! Indoors the birds still continued to build, and at the present moment the remaining hen and two cocks are still building perfect nests. SPECIES AND SUB-SPECIES. By F. Finn, B.A., F.Z.S. Aviculturists may be able to give us some light on this subject, since by breeding from abnormal birds they often throw light on the heredity or otherwise of variations. Their experiments have often shown that a sudden variation or “ mutation ” is either inherited completely or not at all ; this is the case, for instance, with the black¬ winged form of the Peacock when crossed with the common type, and the young bird bred at the Zoo from a Zebra Curassow ( Crax globicera. feminine mutation Inecki) and a typical Globose Curassow cock was an ordinary Globose Curassow hen, figured by our Editor with its female parent in the Avicultural Magazine years ago. Yet yellow Budgerigars appear to owe their present far too strong tinge of green and too pronounced markings to crossing with greens, and I can well remember when Silver Sebright Bantams, as described in Wright’s Poultry Book a generation ago, had become straw-coloured by crossing with the golds, though the first crossing of golds and silvers reproduces the original colours truly, and true silvers have long ago been re-bred and are now common. Moreover, I believe that I can see in some of the present light blue Buderigars a tinge of green, and this mutation can be better likened to F. Finn — Species and Sub-species 159 a wild form than can the yellow, for the light blue Budgerigar corre¬ sponds to the green very much as the Indian Grey Tit ( Parus major cinereus) does to our Great Tit ( Parus major), the yellow element in the plumage being eliminated in the Indian bird. Do we know, moreover, that such mutations as the new and interesting Dark Common Pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus, mutation obscurus Hachisuka), of which latter a nice pen are now exhibited at the Zoo, will not ultimately produce intermediate forms if persistently bred back to the typical birds ? If they did, we could envisage the production of sub-species as follows : First the type produces a mutation, which, if isolated or possessing some advantage of constitution, character, or adaptation to surroundings, becomes a constant local form. Then it breeds back, through some extension of range, locally to the type, and intermediates arise, all such intermediates being, as we know them to be in the case of our common British Pheasants, in the case of which imported sub¬ species have been crossed in, of hybrid nature.. If this be ever recognized and proved as a fact, it will reduce sub¬ species to the level of full-species hybrids, and render it as unnecessary to load our museums with series of sub-specific forms as it would be now considered unnecessary to fill them with avicultural full-species- hybrids, albimistic varieties, etc. It may be argued that what I have been saying only concerns colour-forms, which are not now — and rightly in my opinion — regarded as full species ; but one gets the same intergradation where structure is concerned, as between the common Reed-Bunting ( Emberiza schoeniclus) and the large pale Bullfinch-billed Reed-Bunting of Central Asia, which Sharpe actually put into a distinct genus, Pyrrhulorhyncha.. He also separated the Flightless Moorhen of Tristan da Cunha as a genus (Porphyriornis) from the common Moorhen, though it chiefly differs in reduced wings and stronger and yellow-coloured feet. Here also we can find a parallel in domestic birds. If anyone goes to one of our great poultry shows and looks at the Fawn Runner Ducks, which are the truest representatives of the Penguin Ducks studied by Darwin, it will be seen that these birds differ from Mallard in much the same way as the Flightless Moorhen does from our bird. They 160 F. Finn — Species and Sub-species are shorter-winged and longer and stronger-legged, and although not so true to type as wild birds, they certainly have evolved incidental differences in coloration. The Drake is like a Mallard with subdued colours, dark olive bill, olive-orange legs, deep bottle-green head, dull grey body, dull wing-bar, the white neck collar reduced or absent, and the chocolate breast-patch paler and less well defined. The Ducks are usually warm fawn, with a bronze wing-bar instead of blue, black bills and pure olive feet, and the black markings of the plumage reduced to small longitudinal streaks even on the upper parts. Most interesting is the fact that the Drakes not unfrequently, even when having only a small white collar or none, have white wing- coverts like Wigeon, and that such white wing-coverts occasionally appear in the Ducks. Altogether these birds, although a domestic race, look remarkably like a full wild species evolved by isolation where flight and swimming were both at a discount. Yet if they did exist as wild birds — as some fanciers actually imagine — and an invasion of Mallard took place in their home, interbreeding would no doubt occur and sub-specific forms would arise. I do not mean to imply that the structural points of the Flightless Moorhen and Bullfinch-billed Reed-Bunting arose by sudden mutation, any more than Mallard parents could suddenly produce Fawn Runner offspring complete in all points — though I have seen a Mallard Duck in Regent’s Park with the Runner carriage ; the structural peculiarities of such birds have no doubt arisen by the adding up of such small variations as we know to occur by natural selection (the Runner Duck, no doubt, was not deliberately bred to the shape it shows, poultry being usually compelled to forage for themselves in the East). The coloration of such structurally different races often does not differ much from that of the type, and has no doubt arisen incidentally by being correlated with successful structural or constitutional variations. Yet when structurally different forms of recent common origin meet, we can see that they interbreed just as colour-mutations do, as in the case of the Kaleege Pheasants. In Assam, we have the Purple Kaleege (Gennceus horsfieldi) evidently a melanistic male mutant from the Lineated Kaleege of Burma (G. F. Finn— Species and Sub-species 161 lineatus) with, its grizzled back and streaked breast. These species are prick-crested and hen-tailed, but China has evolved the well-known large, drooping-crested, long-tailed, white-backed Silver Pheasant (G. nychthemerus) which certainly would not have arisen suddenly in its complete form from the Lineated. Yet it interbreeds both with this and with the Purple where they meet — though about thirty species were once made of the hybrids, of which some (of the Purple-Silver cross) are not even alike on the two sides of the body. To be developed as distinctly as it is, the Silver Pheasant must, in its infancy as a species, have been isolated from its fellows for a considerable period ; while extension of range has apparently brought them together again, producing hybrid sub-species. If this view be correct, all sub-species are simply mongrels ; and full species are those forms which have been so long isolated as to have developed a dislike to mating with their relatives when by some cause they are brought into contact. This is evidently the case with the Golden and Amherst Pheasants ( Chrysolophus pictus and C. amherstice) which do not interbreed when wild, or even, though living in the same country, haunt the same localities, being indeed enemies ; yet aviculture has shown us that they will produce completely fertile hybrid offspring. Indeed, a captive sub-species has been developed, for most Amherst cocks nowadays show a touch of Gold blood, though this comes out, curiously enough, in an excess of red, not of yellow, in the plumage, as well as in the breaking up of the black tail-bars. How, then, does one recognize a true or full species ? I think Wallace’s definition — one that differs from another in more than one point — is very near the truth, but not quite exact, for intermediate forms may exist between two of such, as we see in the case of the Kaleege Pheasants. The decisive points must apparently be at least three, as we see in the case of the Buffed ( Chrysolophus ) Pheasants, which differ in colour, structure of ornamental plumage, feathering of face, and note, and have ceased to regard each other as kindred in the wild, though they will mate when man pairs them, and still produce, as I have said, quite fertile offspring. 12 162 G. H. Gurney — The Birds of Prey THE BIRDS OF PREY By G. H. Gurney, F.Z.S. The diurnal Birds of Prey (Falconiformes) are divided into two sub-orders, the Cathartse and the Accipitres. The former contains the New World Vultures (Cathartidse) with its sub-family Polyborinse (Carrion Hawks) ; the latter the Secretary Bird (Serpentaridse), the Old World Vultures (Vulturidse), the Carrion Hawks, Hawks, Eagles, Falcons and their allies (Falconidse) and the Ospreys (Pandionidse). The Accipitres alone consist of nearly four hundred different species. Although the Raptores are not nearly so often kept in aviaries as many other species, still probably from their use in hawking, they were some of the earliest birds to be kept in confinement. Possibly also their some¬ what sombre colouring, and their general reluctance to breed, may also account for the fact, that but few aviculturists go in for them, or it may be the difficulty of providing animal food for them, or again their reputed fierceness and untameable natures may be the reason ; and yet they are an extremely interesting group, and if properly under¬ stood, are generally easy birds to feed and cater for. Many of them stand confinement extremely well, and live to a great age, whilst many are perfectly hardy, and will become very tame, and as those who do keep them will know, possess a charm and interest quite different from any other class of birds. It is quite impossible in a short article of this description to describe all the various species which have been kept in confinement : I can only give a short account of those which are more commonly seen, with a very brief description of their plumage. Owing to there being but a small demand for them, no numbers of any one species are imported, odd examples of all kinds of different sorts, many of them very scarce, arrive at the dealers, and may or may not be sold. In this article I propose to describe (1) - suitable aviaries, (2) food, (3) species which have been kept in captivity. Aviaries No Birds of Prey of any kind are suitable for cages, they must be housed in aviaries. It is quite a mistake to suppose that they are all hardy ; like all birds they will become acclimatized, and very many- G. H. Gurney — The Birds of Prey 163 will stand any amount of cold, but the smaller tropical and sub-tropical species are often very delicate and must be treated accordingly. To begin with, the aviary must be (for all species) in a sheltered place, if possible facing south ; it is nearly always useless to have an open flight, with an elaborate heated house, as very few Hawks will go into such a shelter of their own accord. The aviary should be open only in front, and boarded at the sides, back, and over the greater part of the top ; for the more delicate species, the whole of the top may be boarded and a glass front, covered on the inside with wire netting, fixed to the front of the aviary in the winter time. The size of the aviary must depend a good deal on the bird it is to hold, but personally I am in favour of large aviaries for the Birds of Prey : certainly for the bigger Vultures and Eagles they can hardly be too large, though I must admit I have seen large Hawks (Buzzards and Kites) kept in quite small places, and looking the picture of health. The perches should be placed well apart and at some distance from the ground, so that the bird must use his wings to get from one to the other. They should be of good strong wood, of different thickness, and I find pieces of cork bark nailed round the perches in separate places very much appreciated by the birds for standing on. A large steady block of wood, a couple of feet high, let firmly into the floor of the aviary is also much liked. It is a great mistake to overcrowd an aviary with perches, but there should always be one at the back, where the bird will get the most shelter. As regards the floor of the flight, it may be covered with sand, but I much prefer the natural earth : in some of my Hawk’s aviaries half of the floor is of bricks, which are certainly easier to clean, and as these birds do not spend much time on the ground, it does not appear in any way to affect their feet. In an aviary of this description most species of Kaptores, with the exception of the Secretary Bird, and the smaller and more delicate tropical species, may be kept throughout the year. Food The all-important question of food is often misunderstood in the Birds of Prey. All my Hawks, except the small delicate ones, are starved for one day in the week, and they are never given more food than they 164 G. H. Gurney — The Birds of Prey can consume at a meal, all food left uneaten is removed. They are fed once a day only. The best food is small birds, rats, mice and rabbits, and for the larger vultures horse flesh, fowls’ heads may also be occasionally given. Whenever possible it is essential that fur and feathers should be left on ; as a substitute for natural feathers, tow cut up into small lengths and mixed with the meat may be used. This plan is, or was, carried out at the Giza Zoological Gardens, and appeared to answer very well, though I must say I have never tried it. Birds of Prey are always lethargic in confinement and if they are to be kept really well and in perfect condition, the different forms of food for the various species cannot be too closely considered. It is often supposed that all a Hawk requires is a large hunk of flesh thrown into its cage and left there until it is consumed. It is quite unnecessary, as many people imagine, to feed Vultures on carrion ; they do perfectly well on fresh meat, but the bones should be given with the meat. The very small Hawks, tropical and otherwise, some not much larger than Sparrows, are almost entirely fed on worms, beetles, moths, cock¬ chafers, mealworms, and pieces of meat cut up very small ; others rather larger may be given small birds, mice, lizards, and small fish, in fact many Hawks of all kinds delight in fish occasionally. The day before I starve my birds I generally give them an extra feed, but not always. Of course, when a bird is moulting he will require rather a more liberal allowance of food, but by feeding as I have described, the majority of Baptores may be kept perfectly well and fit. As regards drinking and bathing, I have seen it stated that Hawks never drink in confinement. This is incorrect. A pair of small Black¬ winged Kites (Planus) I had were constantly drinking, and a Black Vulture also occasionally did so. They are certainly not great drinkers as a whole, but should always have easy access to a large pan of fresh water, and the same applies to bathing. It is, as a rule, better to keep the Birds of Prey in separate aviaries, even if they are the same species (unless one is especially trying to breed them), one is often stronger than the other, and will take all the food : I think they do better also if apart. Vultures and possibly the Ki^tes, which have rather different habits, may, however, be allowed to live together. I will deal first with the New World Vultures. G. H. Gurney — The Birds of Prey 165 CATHARTIDiE Family Cathartidce Distinctive characteristic, bill strongly hooked, nostrils pervious, claws clumsy and unfit for grasping. Head and neck bare, or covered with thin down, sexes alike. The Condor (Sarcorhamphus gryphus) , plumage black, with a ruff of white down round the neck, bare skin on the head and neck a dull red. This magnificent species, one of the largest of the Birds of Prey, is perfectly hardy in confinement, and lives to a great age. It principally inhabits the great mountain ranges on the Western Coast of South America. It is very seldom seen in private collections. They are voracious, and somewhat stupid birds, and in a wild state, when gorged after feeding, can be easily captured with a lasso. This species has nested in captivity, incubation taking fifty-four days, and a single specimen has been known to live for fifty-two years, in confinement. Sub-family Caihartes The Black Vulture (Catharistes atratus ), black with a slightly brownish shade on the primaries. Occasionally imported, like all the Vultures extremely hardy in captivity. It inhabits South America where it is very common. An interesting account of the attempted breeding of this species at the London Zoological Gardens is given in the Avicultural Magazine for 1920, Vol. XI, p. 115. The Turkey Buzzard (C. aura), black with a purple gloss, skin of head and neck bright red. Several have been kept from time to time at the London Zoological Gardens. The only specimen I ever had did not do well and soon died. A very common bird all over the South American Continent. I have also kept the closely allied species G. uruhitinga. The King Vulture ( C . papa), feathers round neck deep slaty grey inclining to black, no ruff, wings black, back, rump and tail black, under parts white. Has been kept at the Zoological Gardens. Family S erpentariidce Distinct characteristic, blue grey, wings black, crest grey and black, cere yellow. 166 G. H. Gurney — The Birds of Prey The Secretary Bird (Serpentarius Secretarius) has been imported and kept in captivity from the very early days of aviculture. The first specimen to reach Europe alive was in 1770 and many of the early English menageries had specimens. The enclosure for a Secretary Bird can hardly be too large, and in such a place, they will take a great deal of exercise and keep themselves in good health ; the enclosure should be surrounded by a wire fence at least 10 feet high, with a large dry shed facing south, the floor of which should be well covered with peat moss litter. Kept under these conditions they are generally pretty hardy, and may be allowed out, except in the hardest weather. They are tremendous feeders, and a diet of rabbits, given broken up, but of course with the fur and bones, rats and small birds suits them well, if given perfectly fresh, while they are very fond of hens’ eggs. I shall never forget the excitement of three Secretary Birds at the Buda Pesth Zoo, when five large live snakes were turned into their enclosure. They were promptly killed, but not immediately devoured- These birds have not yet been bred in captivity, but I believe a nest was made at the London Zoological Gardens more than once ; and there appears to be no reason why they should not breed in a suitable enclosure, under favourable conditions. The sexes are alike, except in size, the male being somewhat the smaller. They inhabit Southern and Central Africa. The Accipitres Family Vulturidce Distinct characteristic. Bill strongly hooked, cere horny, no ridge over the eye, a ruff of down or plumes covers the shoulders. The Black Vulture ( Vulture monachus). Entirely black with dark brown reflections, head covered with thick velvety down, the neck is bare, of a livid flesh colour. Not infrequently kept in confinement, and though eggs have been laid, the species has never been reared. A specimen lived at Lilford for thirty-nine years. Its headquarters are in the Mediterranean region, whence it extends into Africa and as far east as China. The Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) . Fulvous grey above, ruff white, lower back and rump dark brown, tail black. This species has lived G. H- Gurney — The Birds of Prey 167 for considerably over twenty years in confinement. Young have also been hatched in captivity. I have found it a dull heavy bird, and not particularly attractive. It extends through Southern Europe and North Africa as far as India, where it is replaced by the larger form G. himalayensis. Kolb’s Vulture ( G . Jcolbi) and Kuepell’s Vulture (G. ruepelli). Both these species have occasionally been kept in confinement. A pair of Kolb’s Vultures nested at the London Zoological Gardens in December, 1912. After incubation lasting for fifty-four days, the young one was hatched, but was unfortunately devoured by its parents two days later. They are found in West and South Africa. The Bengal Vulture ( Pseudogyps bengalensis) is another closely allied species, which has been kept at the London Zoological Gardens, and in one or two private collections. It often makes an extraordinary barking noise and becomes very tame. The lower part of the back in adult specimens is white, remainder black. Other species which have been imported from time to time include the Pondicherry Vulture (Otogyps calvus), the Eared Vulture (0. auricularis), and the Occipital Vulture (Lophogyps occipitalis). The Egyptian Vulture ( Neophron percnopterus). White, primaries black, naked head, and neck bright yellow. This is one of the smallest of the Vultures, and has often been kept in captivity. Though some¬ what of a morose disposition, I knew one which would come to the bars of its cage to be scratched and was perfectly tame. This species requires a day shed for winter. The two examples V have kept appeared to feel cold rather considerably, and I do not consider it as hardy in confinement as most of the other Vultures. Hooded Brown Vulture ( N . monachus). Dark brown, tail black, neck covered with thick down of a pale brown colour. This South African species occasionally finds its way into European Zoological Gardens, but I have no records of how long it has lived in captivity. Family Falconidce Distinct characteristics. Nostrils not pervious, muscles syringeal, metatarsi flattened. 168 G. H. Gurney — The Birds of Prey Sub-family I. Gypcetince Tail wedge-shaped, feet and bill blue grey. The Bearded Vulture (Gypcetus barbatus). The magnificent Lammergier is greyish black, with white streaks, top of the head white, pale brown lanceolate plumage on the neck and lower parts. This species has been kept at Lilford, at the London Zoological Gardens, and at Catton by my grandfather, where one lived to a great age in a comparatively small aviary. It is, however, very seldom imported. It inhabits mountainous countries bordering the Mediterranean, and extends through Central Asia to China, and is widely spread over Africa. Sub-family II. Polyborince Tarsi elongated and bare ; somewhat terrestrial. The Cara-Cara (Polyborus tharsus), dull blackish-brown, wTith whitish neck and breast, crown of head crested, back and rump dark brown, with narrow white cross bars, cere and bare space round the eye red. This species does very well in confinement, becomes very tame, and lives to a great age, one specimen having lived for over forty-one years in captivity. They are frequently imported and inhabit the whole of South America. The very similar species P. cheriway is also occasionally to be obtained. These species walk and run with the greatest ease. They have a very noticeable and peculiar habit of throwing their heads right back and uttering a loud grating note, this is generally done when they are excited or startled. Brown Carrion Hawk ( Milvago chimango) . Rufous brown, tail ashy grey, head and neck with black centres to the feathers, giving a striped appearance, under surface brown, cere pale pink. Very similar in habits to the two preceding species. These Carrion Hawks are very fond of fish, and will also greedily devour large worms. Inhabits the southern parts of the South American continent. M. chima chima. Brown, head, neck, tail and under parts creamy white, rectrices barred with brown. Like the preceding species, very terrestrial in its habits, in a wild state frequenting grassy plains ; not infrequently seen in captivity. Sub-family III. Accipitrince Tail much elongated. Short-toed Eagle (Circcetus gallicus). Above dark brown, under G. H. Gurney — The Birds of Prey 169 surface cream, face black. This species has been kept at Lilford, at Knowsley, by myself, and in the London Zoological Gardens, but unlike the majority of Eagles does not appear to be long lived in captivity. It is very fond of fishes, snakes, and mine would also eat frogs. Its range is very wide, inhabiting all the countries bordering the Mediterranean and over a great part of Central Asia. An interesting account of Spilornis cheela in captivity in India, by Mr. Stuart Baker, appears in the Avicultural Magazine, Yol. V, p. 154, and a specimen is living in the Paris Zoological Gardens, given by Monsieur Delacour. Hen Harrier ( Circus cy emeus) . Adult male grey blue, rump and under parts white ; adult female, above brown, beneath pale buff with dark brown markings. This and the two following species are not infrequently seen in captivity. Personally I have only kept the Marsh Harrier. They are amongst the least desirable of the larger Birds of Prey, as they never become used to confinement, and always knock themselves about on the slightest provocation. They should, therefore, never be kept in an open aviary. Montague’s Harrier (C. cineraceous). Marsh Harrier (0. ceruginosus) . Three other species of Harrier have been imported, viz. Gould’s Harrier (C. gouldi) from New Zealand, Swainson’s Harrier ( C . macurus) inhabiting North Africa, India, etc., and the Moor Harrier (C. maurus) from South Africa. The Red-necked Hawk (Micrastur ruficollis). Brown or blackish above, marked with grey and white, white below. I once kept a Red¬ necked Hawk,- and a very nice bird it was. It was fed entirely on Sparrows, and much preferred them to rats and mice. The species has also been kept at the London Zoological Gardens, and one of the London dealers had three beauties a year ago. It is found in Central America. The Many-zoned Hawk (Melierax polyzonus). Grey brown above, primaries black, tail black and white. This very pretty Hawk is sometimes imported. It lives in Abyssinia, in Ethiopia, and is rather a delicate species. The Chanting Hawk (M. canorus). This species is supposed to have a mellow piping song or whistle, the only individual I ever knew was 170 G. H. Gurney — The Birds of Prey always absolutely silent. Like the preceding species it comes from Africa. The One-streaked Hawk ( Asturinula monogrammica) . Above dark grey, primaries blackish, tipped with white, tail black, broadly tipped with white, under parts ashy brown. An adult and an immature bird lived for some time at the London Zoological Gardens in 1878. It inhabits Western and North-Eastern Africa. The Goshawk ( Astur palumbarius). Above ashy brown, four dark bands on the tail, which is tipped with white, below it is barred with brown and white. Perhaps one of the most widely kept Baptores. It may generally be seen at the London Zoological Gardens and becomes very tame and quiet in captivity. Four other species of Goshawks (Astur) have occasionally been imported, they include the Allied Goshawk (A. approximans) from Australia, the Gambian Goshawk (A. tibialis) from West Africa, the Tachiro Goshawk (A. tachiro) from South Africa, and the White Goshawk (A. novce-hollandice) from Tasmania. The latter is one of the most beautiful Hawks there is and a fine addition to any collection. Pure white in colour, with black bill, yellow cere and legs, and bright red iris, a wonderful combination of colour. The Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter nisus). It is hardly necessary to give a description of this well-known species, which extends throughout Europe, North Africa, into Asia, north of the Himalayas. It is not a desirable species for captivity, being always exceedingly wild and fierce, and never becomes tame, even if taken when quite young from the nest. Small birds are the only food on which this species will do well in confinement. The Black and White Sparrow Hawk (A. melanoleucus ) from South Africa is a handsome black bird, which had been kept at the London Zoological Gardens. The Pileated Sparrow Hawk (A. pileatus) and the Bed-bellied Sparrow Hawk (A. rufiventris) have also been kept in con¬ finement. Sub-family IV. Aquilince Tail nearly even. Feathers of the neck often lanceolate ; tarsus generally feathered to the feet. The Guianan Crested Eagle ( Morphnus guianensis). Black, head AviculturciL Magazine Pnoto u. Seth Smith One-Sheaked Hawk ( Asturinnla monogrammica ) G. H. Gurney — The Birds of Prey 171 and upper breast brown, crest brown with black tips. I have twice seen this bird in Continental Zoos, and it has been occasionally brought to England. It has very long legs, and in a wild state haunts thick forests near water. It is found in Central America. The Harpy ( Thrasaetus harpyia). Upper parts black and grey, tail with six black bars, under parts whitish grey. This splendid bird has been kept rather frequently. One lived for many years at North- repps in quite a small aviary, it was out in all weathers and appeared to be perfectly hardy : it was in perfect condition when it died. It was fed entirely on rabbits. Like the preceding species it inhabits Central and the northern part of South America. The Monkey Eating Eagle ( Pithecophaga jejferyi ). For an interesting account of this fine forest Eagle see a paper by Mr. D. Seth-Smith in the Ibis for 1910, vol. iv, p. 285. The Bateleur Eagle ( Helotarsus ecaudatus). Black, back and tail rich red brown, much crested, cere, lores and feet bright red. This very conspicuous bird is often seen in confinement. It is one of the mostly frequently imported of the Birds of Prey ; and by reason of its distinctive colour will always command attention. Hardy, quiet, and becoming very tame, it is one of the most attractive of the larger Hawks. One that was kept at Northrepps followed its owner about every¬ where like a dog, and nothing pleased it more than to join the chickens when they were being fed, and actually pick up the corn which was being given to them. It would occasionally throw a grain of corn up in the air in play, but it was never observed to swallow any. It never attempted to molest the fowls in any way. Another Bataleur that I knew had the same habit as a Cara-Cara of throwing back its head, over its neck, and uttering a loud cry. A specimen of this species lived for fifty-five years in confinement in Amsterdam. The following species of Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus) have all been kept in confinement occasionally, but they are rare and seldom imported. They are fairly hardy, and do well on the same food, and under the same conditions as most of the described species. The Crowned Hawk Eagle ( Spizaetus coronatus ) inhabits South and West Africa. The Martial Hawk Eagle (S. bellicosus), habitat South Africa ; 172 Avicultural Notes the Spotted Hawk Eagle (S. nipalensis), habitat India ; the Ceylonese Hawk Eagle (S. sphinx), habitat Ceylon ; the Malayan Hawk Eagle ( S . limnatus), habitat Borneo ; and the Eastern Hawk Eagle ( S . orientalis), habitat Japan. The Booted Eagle ( Nisaetus pennatus). Brown above with distinct white patch on the shoulder, head, neck and under parts pale fawn, much barred with brown. Legs much feathered. This pretty little Eagle has been kept by a number of private aviculturists. A pair made a large nest in one of the aviaries at Catton, but no eggs were laid. It is found in South Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Bonelli’s Eagle (N. fasciatus). Colouring very similar to the preceding species, but without the white shoulder patch. This species has been kept at the London Zoological Gardens and at Lilford. I have never had it. In a wild state it is very fond of eating snakes. Its range is much the same as the preceding species. It has lived for sixteen years in confinement. (To be continued .) AVICULTURAL NOTES By the Editor The new arrivals at the Zoological Gardens include a very beautiful pair of Mot-mots from Trinidad presented by Miss Bvatt. The species found on that island and Tobago, Momotus swainsoni, is somewhat smaller than most of the mainland forms and more brilliantly coloured, and is recognized by its rich chestnut undersurface which extends to the throat. The Mot-mots are allied to the Bee-eaters and have very similar habits such as that of nesting in holes in banks, and capturing their prey on the wing, but the tail of the Mot-mot is unique. The two central features are considerably longer than the others and when they are first grown they are normal feathers, but after a short time the barbs for an inch or so disappear, leaving the bare shaft with a tuft or racquet at the end. d ( hcu llura l Alaqazi ne Photo D. Seth Smith Harpy Eagle ( Trasaetus harpyia) ■ • • -a S'Ak. Avicultural Notes 178 For long it was supposed that the Mot-mot carefully trimmed its tail to this peculiar shape after every moult, but both Mr. Beebe and the late Mr. Astley have proved that at this particular part of the feather the barbs, where they join the shaft, are degenerate and brittle, and that they either fall off without assistance, or are assisted in the ordinary process of preening. Whether further consignments of the Masked Lovebird will be imported we cannot tell, but in any case the small collection that has arrived should be sufficient to establish the species in this country for some years to come provided they are well looked after and prove to be free breeders. It would be as well if those members who have secured pairs of these would get into touch with one another with a view to exchanging stock after the breeding season. It would be a great pity if this beautiful species, now that it has come to us, should be allowed to die out. In the meantime we shall look forward to publishing the first account of the successful breeding of the species in captivity, and hope that those fortunate possessors of these birds will not forget to keep careful notes of their nesting habits. Mr. Ezra’s wonderful collection at Foxwarren Park contains at the present time no less than twelve species of Birds of Paradise, namely the Twelve-wired, Greater, Lesser, Count Raggi’s, Red, Princess Stephanie’s, Magnificent, Hunstein’s, Wilson’s, Lawe’s Six-plumed, Wallace’s, and the Lesser Superb. Amongst the new arrivals are two Wilson’s in perfect plumage, and one had not before realized what a wonderful little bird this is, as those imported some years ago by Mr. Pratt were none of them in such exquisite condition as these. 174 Correspondence CORRESPONDENCE PASSERINE PARROTLETS Sir, — As the possible originator of the statement that it is cruel to keep Passerine Parrotlets (Blue-winged Lovebirds) shut up, I should like to say that I quite agree with the Editor that a pair should be happy in a flight cage 48 X 12 X 18 inches, especially if they were turned into a small aviary in summer. What is cruel is to keep Parrotlets, Lovebirds, or the small Broadtailed Parrakeets of the Redrump type permanently in a Parrot cage, or cage of similar dimensions, on hard fixed perches, with no fresh twigs to nibble and no facilities for nesting. But “ the little more and how much it is ” ; while a Parrot cage is an abomination for them, they may be perfectly content and even try to breed in properly furnished flight cages and aviaries of the most modest dimensions. Tavistock. HARDIHOOD OF SOME COMMON FOREIGN BIRDS Sir, — I read with much interest the article by Mr. Appleby in the May number, and thought perhaps a few observations on the subject of mortality among the less expensive foreign seed-eaters might be of interest. My aviary is absolutely unheated and is situate in Surrey. Unfortu¬ nately the only choice of position was one facing north, and only the open flight gets any sun. The shelter is in two parts, one altogether open in the front and the other screened off so that no cold wind can penetrate. The roof of this latter part is lined with loose straw tucked under laths and that is the only protection from frost. The roof itself is a high-pitched gable. In this I have Orange-cheeked and common Grey Waxbills, also Cordon Bleus, and the only deaths for three years have been from accident, such as flying against a branch or from old age. My Grey Waxbills were purchased in 1921, and three out of four are alive and in perfect condition. I also have kept Zebra Finches, yellow and green Budgerigars, an odd Java Sparrow — the other hanged itself in a forked twig, and some Cutthroat Finches. Correspondence 175 I lost the hen Zebra Finch also through flying into a twig, and have since removed the fatal branch which projected across the opening from the inner shelter to the covered part of the flight. Since then there have been no more accidents. The water supply is a cement and pebble pool in the open flight and has to be freed from ice regularly in the coldest weather. The seed supplies are in hoppers in the covered flight and consist of canary seed and Indian millet only. Green foods such as flowering grass, chickweed and groundsel are freely given, but the latter is not much appreciated. All is scrupulously removed when withered. The covered flight is floored with about a foot of sand so that there is no damp. To this dryness I attribute the freedom from illness of my birds. There were some small bushes of wild plum, and a small sycamore in the open part of the flight, more for the purpose of harbouring insects than for anything else, as I find the Waxbills and Cordon Bleus are very keen in catching small flies. The wire roof of the open flight is pitched as high as possible so as to get all the sun that is possible, owing to the north aspect. I find the Waxbills, etc., appreciate a cosy box with plenty of dry straw in it as a winter roosting place in the inner shelter. I may say this inner shelter is not dark as there is an obscured window in it besides the opening from the covered shelter shed. I have come to the conclusion that when acclimatized the most serious dangers to this class of birds are damp and draughts. Cold by itself is not to be feared so long as the birds have plenty of room for flight. These remarks are merely platitudes, but some beginner may perhaps pick up some useful hint. W. W. Smith. NESTING BOX FOR LOVEBIRDS Sir, — As a very interesting article is now running in the Avicultural Magazine, dealing with Lovebirds, I thought it an opportune moment to send you a description of a nest-box that I have designed. 176 Correspondence It seems a general trouble that the young of both Black-cheek and Nyasas die in the shell, and a foundation of damp moss or other substance seems a remedy. In the nest that I have designed, which follows usual shape, a perforated zinc bottom is used, to allow the damp air to percolate from a zinc tray at the bottom. In this tray is placed either damp spagnum moss or sponge. It should be noted particularly that the damping fluid should consist of a weak solution of Sanitas or other compound that will prevent decay. Denys Weston. ERRATA Page 133, for Prestwick read Prestwich. Page 136, for Mrs. F. G. Hedges read Mr. F. G. Hedges. Plate facing p. 170, for One-sheaked Hawk read One-streaked Hawk. CANDIDATES FOE ELECTION. C. Bennett, Park Terrace, Parkside, Australia. Proposed by S. Harvey, jun. Miss Jessie N. Collinssplatt, Brimptsmead, Princetown, Devon. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Alan Fullerton, Polshot, Elstead, Godaiming, Surrey. Proposed by J. Stewart. Daniel Gurney, The Grange, North Euncton, Kings Lynn. Proposed by Mrs. Elwes. Miss Diana Gurney, North Euncton Hall, Kings Lynn. Proposed by Mrs. Elwes. Dr. W. Hamilton, Wakefield Street, Adelaide, Australia. Proposed by S. Harvey, jun. H. C. Humphries, 29 Pearfield Eoad, Forest Hill, S.E. 23. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. D. F. Jopson, Goff Nook, Barrowf ord , Nelson. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. E. Lockey, Creighton House, Morpeth. Proposed by W. E. H. Bearby. MISS M. H. McLintock, . The Grcve, Catton Grove Eoad, Norwich. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Mrs. W. E. Moss, Manor House, Sonning-on-Thames , near Beading. Proposed by C. T. Newmarch. The Hotel Pancoast, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.A. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. E. G. Theaker, 115 Palmerston Street, Derby. Proposed by G. Beever. NEW MEMBEES. T. E. Berry, Stratford, 239 Hills Eoad, Cambridge. MRS. T. E. Berry, Stratford, 239 Hills Eoad, Cambridge. D. E. H. Diemont, Eynvliet, Oudenryn, Holland. J. S. Greenshields, 225 East Foothill Building, Pasadena, California, U.S.A. Bev. T. E. Lowe, 115 Wells Street, Camberwell, S.E. 5. Mrs. Marriott, The Grange, Oddingley near Droitwich. Paul H. Smith, 11 Parkhill Eoad, Hampstead, N.W. 3. Yasushi Ohno, Hankyu Kotoyen Teiryujo-Kita, Nishinomiya Post Office, Kobe, Japan. f’’1- V " CHANGE OF ADDBESS. E. M. Atkinson, to Flat 7, 34 Emperor’s Gate, Kensington, S.W. 7. E. W. Harper, to c/o Miss A. L. Harper, 20 Howbury Street, Bedford. DONATION. s. d. A\ YAN HEYST . . . 1 6 MEMBERS’ SALE AMD EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for Members' advertisements is one penny per word, and no advertisement must exceed thirty-six ivords, name and address included. Payment must accompany the advertisement, ivhich must be sent on or before the 20th of the month to Mr. T. H. Newman, “ Verulam,” Forty Lane, Wembley Park, Middlesex. All members of the Society are entitled to use this column. WANTED. Complete Volume of Avicultural Magazine for 1925, or Numbers January’ February, March, April, June, and October for 1925 ; also Bird, Notes for 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924. — J. Ernest Kerr, Harviestown, Dollar. Pairs Pennants and Bosellas. — Mrs. Lancaster, Victoria Terrace, Walsall. FOE SALE. Two hen Peach-face Parrakeets, one cock Bosella, one hen Binged. All outdoor. — Apply Miss L. Christie- Miller, Clarendon Park, Salisbury. Pair King Parrakeets, £12 ; one cock two hens Crimson- wings, £18 ; pair Swainson Lorikeets, £6 ; outdoor and in exhibition condition. — JACKSON 33 Church Street, Bingley, Yorkshire. Advertiser is receiving in June specimens of the very rare Fischers and Masked Lovebirds, and will have a few pairs to dispose of. Would those interested kindly communicate with Sydney Porter, Selwyn House, Old Normanton, Derby. GAMAGES SS2 ALWAYS ON VIEW AT THE RIGHT PRICES. Foreign Birds, Canaries , Parrots, etc. AT THE PRESENT TIME WE OFFER Nonpariel Buntings . . . 25/- each. Rainbow , , 35/- ,, Versicolor , , 50/- ,, Indigo , , Crimson Cardinals 20/- ,, . - • 45/- ,, BEST FOODS . LOWEST PRICES Mealworms 61- per lb.* 4 lb., 23/- Carr. paid. Spray Millet, large bundles 3/6 each, 1 . doz., 36/- Ants’ Eggs 2/6 per lb., 4 1b., 9/- , , Dried Flies 1/6 > 5 5 9 5/6 9 9 Pure Egg Yolk . . . 4/6 9 9 16/- Insectivorous Food 1/6 ? 9 9 9 5/0 Cuttlefish Bone . . 1/6 9 9 9 9 4/6 9 9 Specialities in CAGES, AVIARIES, NEST-BOXES and all appliances. A. W. GAM AGE, Ltd., HOLBORN, LONDON, E.C.l . _ PHONE: HOL. 2700. _ _ DE VON & CO. Our weekly PRICE LISTS will interest you. FOREIGN. Weavers 4/- pair Silverbills 6/6 9 9 Combassous . 4/6 Steelfinches . 6/- 9 9 Goldfinches . 10/- 9 9 Bullfinches . 8/6 9 9 Red-eared Waxbills 41- 9 9 Cordon Bleus 7/6 9 9 Avadavabes . 67— 9 9 Saffron Finches . . 10/- 9 9 Spicebirds 6/6 9 9 Cardinals, Popeand Crested 10/- 9 9 Black headed Nuns 6/6 9 9 Zebra Finches 20/- 9 9 PEKIN NIGHTINGALES. Pekin Robins 8/- Cocks, 6/- Hens, 1 2/- pair. Grey and Amazon Parrots, from 40/- each. RUSSIAN BIRDS. Magni ficent consignment Large Siberian Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Crossbills, etc. Please send for complete list. Tame Baby Russian Bears £2 5 each. REPTILES Land Tortoises . 2 /- & 3 /- each Water Tortoises, Green Tree Frogs, Lizards, Snakes etc., from 6d. each MEALWORMS. Large, clean, fat worms, 1 Od. oz. 5/6 lb. Postpaid. All Aquatical requirements, including GOLDFISH & FANCY FISH, AQUARIUMS from 3/6, REPTILES, PET MONKEYS, MONGOOSE, ARMADILLOS, GUINEA PIGS, etc. Free Weekly Price Lists. OLDEST DIRECT IMPORTERS, 127 King’s Cross Road, London, W.C. 1. Phone : Museuai 767. Telegrams : Oibeaux London. THE ANNUAL MEETING AND GARDEN PARTY. This will be held on Friday, 8th July, in the Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park, London. Tea will be served in the Fellows’ Pavilion at 4 p.m., and all members are cordially invited. ( p * FOURTH SERIES. VOL. V. No. 7 THE JULY, 1927. Avicultural Magazine r CONTENTS. PAGE Layard’s Parrakeet. (With Coloured Plate) ... ... 177 Birds of Prey, by G. H. Gurney. (With Plate) ... ... ... 177 Lovebirds, by Mrs. Prestwich 185 The Smaller Macaws, by Miss E. MaTd Knobel ... ... 187 The Tragopan’s Display, by D. Seth-Smith ... ... 193 Notes from my Aviaries, by Capt. R. Watjd ... ... 194 Avicultural Notes ... ... 195 PAGE Beviews : Birdroom and Aviary ; How Birds Live ... ... 198 Rare Birds from the East ... 199 Correspondence : The American Siskin : Maturing of the Snowy Owl ; White Budgerigars ; Nesting of Lovebirds ; Desert Bullfinches and others : M. Delacour’s Collection ; A Hybrid Swan ; A Proposed Library ... 200 Obituary-— The Duchess of Wellington ... ... ... 204 The Price of this Number is 2/6 THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. FOUNDED 1894 NOTICE TO MEMBERS The Subscription to the Avicultural Society is per annum, due on the 1st of January in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/6 The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. I ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HONORARY SECRETARY AND TREASURER, MlSS KNOBEL, 32 Tavistock Square, London, W.C.l. 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 Prosectorium, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Rule 2. — Should any member require an immediate reply, 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. Reports have been sent by post to : — R. M. Atkinson, G. Beever, Mrs. Chatterton, H. Cowley, A. Decoux, Mrs. Henry Denny, F. S. Elliott, Mrs. Frost, A. J. Hall, T. 0. Harrison, J. Newton Hayley, D. M. Horsford, Mrs. Procter, Capt. B. Hamilton Scott, Mrs. Shenstone, C. M. Whate, and J. York White. The Magazine is published by Messrs. Stephen Austin & Sons, 5 Fore Street, Hertford, to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers for 1917 and after, and bound volumes should be addressed. 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: 46 Hertford. BACK VOLUMES of the AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE pkevious to 1917. Application for these should be made to the Editor of Cage Birds, 154 Fleet Street, E.C. 4. All Enquiries 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 — Mr. D. Seth-Smith, Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. HARRODS ZOOLOGICAL SECTION HARRODS make a feature of foreign birds for Aviaries and Exhibitions. Try our Insectivorous Food. HARRODS Ltd LONDON SW 1 GALLOWAY’S Celebrated Insectivorous Food LIFE A Perfect diet for all Insect and Fruit-eating Birds, Foreign Finches, Waxbills, etc., etc. As supplied to Her Grace The DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON, Her Grace EVELYN DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON, LORD TAVISTOCK, and The Hon. MRS. G. BOURKE. This food is invaluable for feeding foreign seed-eaters given in addition to their seed diet ; Parrot and other Foreign Finches will rear their young almost entirely on it. Used by a great number of leading aviculturists both here and abroad. It will keep good for any length of time if turned out of the bag and kept in a dry place. Prices carriage paid to any part of the United Kingdom : — 11b. 2/6, 21b. 4/8, 31b. 6/10, 41b. 9/-, 51b, 11/2, 61b. 13/4, 71b. 14/10, 141b. 27/4, 281b. 47/10, i cwt. 95/8. No Agents. To be obtained solely from the Maker. Send postcard for descriptive leaflet with testimonials. P. F. M. GALLOWAY, 1 Rectory Road, Caversham, Reading, England. i CHAPMAN’S I Telegrams: “BLACKBIRD PHONE, LONDON." Telephones : MUSEUM 5272, 5273, 5274 and 5275 . Cables: “ BLACKBIRD LONDON. Animal and Waterfowl Depot : 11 HIGH STREET, BARNET. j Quarantine Station : 5 SAGE ST., LONDON, E. 1 . East End Depbt : 3 SAGE ST., LONDON, E.l VISITORS TO LONDON who are interested in Aviculture should not fail to make a point of calling upon us, as they will be able to see the Finest Collection of Different Varieties of Foreign Birds which can be seen under any one roof throughout the whole World. The First Place of Call of all Aviculturists, Naturalists, Dealers and hunters visiting London from all over the World is 17 Tottenham Court Road. Within a week or so of the appearance of this advertisement we shall be opening our New Premises at 1 7 Tottenham Court Road, which will be The Finest Emporium for the Sale of Live Animals and Birds in the World. At the time of the appearance of this advertisement we shall have actually on view the following very fine collections, besides many others too numerous to be detailed here, and a full List will be forwarded to anybody making application for same. CENTRAL and SOUTH AMERICAN SPECIES. Rainbow Buntings, Nonpariel Buntings, Indigo Buntings, Red=crested Finches, Pileated Finches, Blood=stained Finches, Virginian Nightingale, Blue Grosbeaks, Troupials, Cassiques, Pope Cardinals, Mexican Yellow Buntings, Amazon Parrots, Macaws, etc,, etc. AUSTRALIAN SPECIES. KAGUS, WHITE COCKATOOS. Leadbeaters Cockatoos, Blue=bonnet Parrakeets, Rock Pepplar Parrakeets, Long=tailed Grass Finches, Crimson=wing Parrakeets, Zebra Finches, j King Parrakeets, Diamond Sparrows, 1 Rosella Parrakeets, Chestnut=breasted Finches, Meally Rosella Parrakeets, Yellow-rum ped Mannikins, Blue=banded Parrakeets, Bicheno Finches, Redrump Parrakeets, Pectoralis Finches. CHAPMAN’S 17 Tottenham Court Rd., London, W. 1, is the firm for all different species of Live ANIMALS and BIRDS. INDIAN SPECIES. A Collection of Ducks, Shamas, Niltavas, Pittas, Drongos, Fruitsuckers, Whistling Thrushes, Bulbuls, Barbets, Babblers, Scarlet Minivets, Blue Flycatchers, Woodpeckers, Blue Rollers, 17 TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, LONDON, W.l. FOREIGN BIRDS PARROTS, PARRAKEETS. AVIARY BIRDS. Most wonderful Talking Grey in England . . £20 Other A 1 Grey Parrots £ 3 to £ 1 5 each. I Talking Festive Amazon Parrots £3 up. Mexican Amazon Parrots .£4 1 0/-- each. Blue-fronted Talking Amazons £2 1 0/- ,, Blue-fronted Clever Talking Amazons . . . £3 10/- ,, MACAWS. Finger-tame full wings and tail Blue and Yellow Macaw, extra fine . . . . £ 1 0 Other Blue and Yellow Macaws from £5 Red and Blue also Red and Yellow Macaws . . from £5 1 0/- each Military or Green Macaw . . £20 ,, Illiger’s Macaws . . . £5 ,, Rose Cockatoos (special to trade) £1 , , Rock or Alexandrine Parrots . 2 5/- ,, Ringneck Parrakeets . . .15'- , , Tame Orange-flanked Parrakeets £ 1 , , Scarlet-spotted Conures . . £ 1 , , Rosellas, Yellow-bellied . £3 10/- ,, 1 pr. of Prince Lucian Parrakeets £3 1 0/- 1 pr. breeding Redrumps . . £ 4 1 pr. Rare Swift Parrakeets . £20 BUDGERIGARS: LOVEBIRDS. White, Cobalt, and Blue Budgerigars Blue-bred Budgerigars, genuine guaranteed records, greens that actually throw blues . £4 pair. Adult breeding Greens . .2 5/- , Young outdoor-bred Greens . 17/6 , Adult nesting Yellows . . 3 0/- , Lavender-head Lovebirds . . 1 0/- , Black-cheek Lovebirds . . £ 6 , Nyassaland Lovebirds . . £ 5 , Peach-faced Lovebirds . .£10, Cocoanut Husk Nests, sterilised, prepared, assorted sizes for Budgerigars or Parrakeets, 2/- each or 1 8/- dozen. Wanted. — White, Blue, Cobalt, or other rare varieties Budgerigars. Indigo Buntings . . . £ 1 each. Nonpareils, extra fine . . £1 ,, Little Bronze Manikins . .12/6 pair. Orange-breast Waxbills . .10/6 ,, Zebra Finches, excellent . .15/- ,, Pectoralis Finches . . . 4 5- ,, Yellow-rumped Manikins . .4 5/- ,, Dominican Wydahs . .12/6 ,, Shaft-tail Wydahs . . . 10/6 ,, Ribbon Finches and Cordon Bleus 7/6 ,, Fire Finches and Java Sparrows. 5/6 ,, Combassoos and Choc. Manikins 5/6 , , Green Singing Finches . . 8 6 ,, Weavers, Red or Yellow-billed . 6/- ,, Bishops, various' . . . 6/- ,, Pelzelni Finches . . . 20/- ,, Saffron Finches . . . . 7/6 ,, Red Averdavats and Nutmeg Finches . . . . 5/- ,, DOVES, QUAIL, WATERFOWL. Hen Bronze-wing Pigeon . . £4 Peaceful Doves . . . . £ 1 pair. Zebra Doves . . . . 15/-,, Yinaceous Turtle . . £ 1 ,, Ring Doves . . . . 12/6 ,, White Doves . . . £1 ,, Stock Doves . . . .25 /- ,, Senegal Doves and Collared Doves £ 1 ,, White-crowned West Indian Pigeons . . . .50-,, Vulturine Guineafowls . . £8 ,, Californian Quail . . . 30/-,, Jap. Bar-shouldered Peafowl £ 1 2 1 O/- ,, Nigerian Black-necked Crow Cranes . . . £22 10/-,, Caracara Vultures . . . £5 each. Virginian Horned Owls . . £5 ,, SPECIAL ARRIVALS. CANADIAN : Pet Baby Bear, Striped Gophers, Racoons, Fox and Flying Squirrels, Virginian Owls, Turkey Vultures, Prairie Wolves, Odourless Skunks, also Egyptian Kites, Caracara Vultures, Abyssinian Baboons, Gelades, Hamadryas and Anubis. TRADE SUPPLIED. WRITE FOR FULL LIST. H. E. ROGERS. F.Z.S., “ Arequipa 7 Aigburth Road, LIVERPOOL. Telephone: “LARK LANE 487,’' Cables and Telegrams: “AREQUIPA, LIVERPOOL.” iii REGENT PET STORES (G. E. PALMER, F.Z.S.) 83 Park Street, Camden Town, London, N. W. 1 ’Phone : Telegraphic Address : HAMPSTEAD 8856. “DOMESTIPET, NORWEST, LONDON.” iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Importers of Foreign Livestock • IIIIIIIIIIII!IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!IIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIII!IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!MIIMIIIIII III llllllllll III lllllllllllllllllllllll III! Ill llllll imilllllllllllllllllllllMMIIIIIIIIIII OUR OFFER OF FOREIGN BIRDS AT REDUCED PRICES. Spice Birds 4/6 pair. Cordon Bleus 61- pair. Avadavats 4/6 33 Lavender Finches 7/6 33 Blackheaded Nuns 4/6 33 Cuthroats . 5/- 33 Grey Java Sparrows . 6/- 33 Fire Finches 5 h 33 Red-eared Waxbills . 3/6 33 SlLVERBILLS . • 4/6 33 Tricolour Mannikins 10/- 33 Green Avadavats . 20 1- 33 Pekin Nightingales, Cocks, 8/6; Hens, 6/-; 12/6 pair. Green Budgerigars, Young, 15/-; Adult, 20/- pair. Yellow Budgerigars „ 17/6 ; „ 22/6 „ Ahvays good selection of Parrots , Parrakeets , Foreign Finches , Monkeys , etc.0 on view at reasonable prices. WE SPECIALIZE IN CAGES, AVIARIES & APPLIANCES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION AT LOWEST PRICES. Pure Egg Yolk .... Spray Millet (Selected) Mealworms .... Ant Eggs, No. 1 quality ,, ,, No. 2 ,, . . Cuttle Fish Bone (Best White) Dried Flies .... Palmer’s Noted Insectivorous Food (Finest obtain¬ able) for Large Species For Small Species iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiimiimiiiimimti 3/9 lb., 4 lb. 14/- • 3/- pet bundle 6/- lb., 4 lb. 22/- 2/6 lb., si lb. 7/6 2/- lb., 31 lb. 5/6 . 1/6 lb., 3 lb. 4/- 1/6 lb., 3 lb. 4/- . 1/6 lb., 7 lb. 6/- 2/- lb., 7 lb. 10/6 mimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiimmmiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii We Buy Anything Alive. Exchanges Entertained. IV NOW READY PARRAKEETS A Handbook to the Imported REVISED EDITION By DAVID SETH-SMITH, F.Z.S. Roy. 8vo, pp. xx, 295, with 20 coloured plates ; cloth, gilt top, 1926. £4 4s. Od. BERNARD QUARITCH, Ltd., 11 Grafton St., London, W.L “L’OISEAU” PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE Societe Nationale d’Acclimatation de France, 198 BOULEVARD ST. GERMAIN, PARIS (VIP). A French Magazine on Aviculture, for the study of European and Foreign Birds in captivity and at liberty. With coloured and black and white plates. ONE YEAR - 75 FRANCS. Medals for first breeding of a species in captivity in France or other countries are awarded if a detailed account is sent to the Society. Now Ready TO BE COMPLETED IN TWO VOLUMES. Volume i. “AVICULTURE Price 1 5/- net. Order with remittance to— STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, LTD., 99 Fore Street, Hertford. Avicultural Magazine. 19 2 7. JohnBaleSons A Danielsson. L-.^ Layard's Parrakeet Pa/seornis calthorpae THE Avicultural Magazine BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN & BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM 8c CAPTIVITY Fourth Series . — Vol. V. — No. 7. — All rights reserved. JULY, 1927. LAYARD’S PARRAKEET (PAL&ORNIS CALTHROPM) This is one of the most beautiful of the genus to which it belongs, and is confined to the island of Ceylon, where it is not uncommon in the forest-covered hills. It is very seldom imported to Europe, which is to be regretted. In its native country this Parrakeet is said to associate in moderately sized flocks and to be noisy and restless, uttering a harsh “ crake ” on the wing as it dashes up and down the forest-clad glens of the Ceylon mountains. It is said to be very partial to the wild fig. The coloured plate renders a description of this species unnecessary. The bird figured is a male, the female being very similar in colouration, but somewhat duller with the bill dusky black. D. S-S. BIRDS OF PREY By G. H. Gurney (Concluded jrom p. 172 ) The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaelus). A description of this well- known bird is hardly necessary. It is not so often kept in captivity as might be supposed. It has nested on two occasions at Lilford and, although eggs were laid and incubation took place, both birds sitting alternately, there was no result. 13 178 G. H. Gurney — Birds of Prey Imperial Eagle (A. imperialis). Adult blackish -brown above, tail ashy-grey, head and neck light fulvous. This very handsome species has been kept rather frequently in confinement. Three were kept at Northrepps, one of which had been there over thirty years. A hen laid several eggs in a scrape made on the floor of the aviary, but would never sit. Their range extends through Southern Europe to China and India. Tawny Eagle (A. rapax). Above deep brown, primaries black, tail brown, entire under surface dark brown. Occasionally imported. It is found all over Africa, extending occasionally into Southern Spain. The White-Shouldered Eagle (A. adalberti). Crown of head black, upper part of neck sandy-brown, upper parts black, entire under surface blackish. A pair of these Eagles were kept at Northrepps for many years. They were obtained from a nest in Spain by Lord Lilford in May, 1872. One of these Eagles was killed by an accident when about twenty -three years old, the other died from natural causes in December, 1916, after forty-five years in captivity. Other species of Eagles (Aquila) which have been kept in confine¬ ment are : the Spotted Eagle (A. clanga), habitat South Russia, Persia, and India ; the Wedge-tailed Eagle (A. audax), habitat Australia ; and the Yulturine Eagle (A. verreauxi), habitat South Africa. The White-tailed Sea-eagle (Haliaetus albicilla). Generally brown, tail white, the fully adult plumage is not attained in this species until it is nearly six years old. Most of the Sea Eagles appear to do well in captivity and, though not often imported, specimens may generally be seen, of one species or another, in Zoological Gardens, and occasionally in private collections. This species is generally distributed over the Old World. The American form (H. leucocephalus) and H. leucogaster, the closely allied Australian species, have also both been kept in confine¬ ment. H. branickii, the Corean Sea Eagle, and H. leucoryphus, the Fishing Eagle, have been represented at the London Zoological Gardens. The Vociferous Sea-eagle (H. vocifer). Head and neck and entire breast pure white, tail white, remainder of lower parts rich chestnut, primaries black. This very handsome species, although so common all over East and Central Africa, does not appear to be often imported, though it has been kept at Lilford and in one or two other places. It A i dcu 1 1 Lira t Ala gaz i n e * w j u < W z w ( A \ <3 8 G O S' > Photo D. Seth Smith G. H. Gurney ■ — ■ Birds of Prey 179 appears to do well in confinement, and lias lived for ten years or more. There are three specimens at present in the London Zoological Gardens. Sub-family Buteonince The Rough-legged Buzzard ( Archibuteo lag opus). Light brown with darker markings, the tail has a white base with three or four dark brown cross bars. Specimens which have been trapped or caught may occasionally be seen in captivity, and I have had two or three at one time or another. Like all the Buzzards, they vary very much inter se ; some birds become remarkably tame, while others appear never to lose their natural wild habits. This well-known species frequently occurs in Great Britain in the autumn, is common all over Northern Europe, migrating south in the winter. The North American form, A. sancti-jokannis, has been kept at the London Zoological Gardens. The Common Buzzard (Buteo huteo ), I suppose the commonest of all the birds of prey in confinement and one of the easiest to cater for. Nothing comes amiss to them in the way of food and many live to a great age. The Jackal Buzzard (B. jackal ). Black, tail chestnut red, sub¬ terminal band black, chest rufous white, mottled with black. A very handsome species, which is fairly frequently imported, it has been bred at Keswick on two occasions, a full account appearing in the Aviculttjral Magazine. I have never seen this species drink. It is perfectly hardy and appears to be long-lived in captivity. In a wild state this species feeds freely on snakes. It is found all over Central and Southern Africa. The African Buzzard (B. desertorum) and the Augur Buzzard ( B . augur), the latter a very handsome bird, are both brought over occa¬ sionally, and have been kept by several aviculturists, while the following species have been known in captivity. The Long-legged Buzzard (B. ferox ), the Augural Buzzard (B. auguralis ), the Lineated Buzzard (B. lineatus ), the Red-tailed Buzzard (B. borealis ), the Penn¬ sylvanian Buzzard (B. latissimus), the White-tailed Buzzard ( B . albicaudatus ), and the Red-backed Buzzard (B. erythronotm). The Shining Buzzard-Hawk (Asturina nitida) and the Grey Buzzard- 180 G. H. Gurney — ■ Birds of Prey Hawk (A, plagiata) have both been kept at the London Zoological Gardens. Natterer’s Hawk ( Rupomis natteri), very close to Asturina. A rare bird in captivity. It is found in Brazil. The Chilian Eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus) . Black, wings grey, under parts white barred with grey. This species was kept at Northrepps. It preferred carrion to fresh food, occasionally it uttered a shrill piercing note. It has also been kept at the London Zoological Gardens. The Dark-winged Buzzard (Leucopternis scotoptera) and the Mantled Buzzard (L. palliata) have been imported. They inhabit South America, and the Zoological Gardens has also had representatives of the Ash-coloured Hawk ( Urubitinga anthracina) and the Banded¬ tailed Buzzard (U. zonura) from Mexico and Chili. The Crowned Harpy ( Harpyhaliaetus coronatus). Chocolate brown, wings grey, a long occipital crest, rump brown, tail black, under parts brown. Two Crowned Harpys were kept at Catton many years ago. It is a powerful and savage bird, very much of a carrion feeder. It ranges over the greater part of §outh America. The Black-necked Buzzard (Buteogallus nigricollis). Chestnut with black markings, head grey, remainder of the body black. Another rare species from Brazil, solitary examples of which, however, have once or twice been brought alive to England. The Brahminy Kite ( Haliastur indus). Chestnut with darker wings, head, neck and lower parts white, streaked with black. This Indian bird is sometimes seen in captivity. Its flight is wonderfully easy and buoyant ; one that was kept at Northrepps spent the greater part of its time on the ground in preference to a perch. This form has com¬ paratively weak feet. Two other closely allied species of Haliastur have been imported, viz. H. intermedia, the Javan Brahminy Kite, and H. sphenurus , the Whistling Kite. The Bed Kite (Milvus milvus). This noble bird still breeds, thanks to strict preservation, in Britain. Centuries ago it was common even in the streets of London, acting as a scavenger. Its broad wings and deeply forked tail are always distinctive when it is seen in the air. In captivity it adapts itself to a sedentary life, but is easily kept, and G. H. Gurney — Birds of Prey 181 with proper treatment will live for years. I do not think, however, it is so often seen in confinement as the next species. The Indian Kite (M. govinda). The smallest Milvus and a common Indian bird. Brown above, head and neck somewhat rufescent, wings and primaries darker brown, tail brown, tipped with white and distinctly barred with black, under surface dull rufous brown. This species is rather frequently imported. I have known it to be sold as the Egyptian Kite, but its much smaller size would serve to identify it. It has often been kept at the London Zoological Gardens. The Black Kite (M. migrans). Above dark brown, tail dark brown, inclining to rufous at the tip, head and throat whitish, under surface rufous brown. This species has been known to live twenty -two years in captivity, and is frequently seen in collections of birds of prey. It is found in Southern and Western Europe, accidental in England, the greater part of Africa, and probably extends into Central Asia. The closely allied M. cegyptius is also imported. The Black-winged Kite (Planus ccendeus). Above ashy grey, forehead and sides of face white, wings grey and black, tail grey-white, under surface pure white, iris brilliant carmine. This very beautiful and distinctive little Kite is an admirable bird for an aviary. I brought three back alive from East Africa, and have never kept more attractive Hawks. They became absolutely tame, and as soon as they saw me would run up to the side of their aviary, whistling loudly and fluttering their wings, in the hopes of getting a mealworm, of which they are very fond. It has frequently been kept at the London Zoological Gardens, but I do not think it a very long-lived species in captivity. It is found over the whole of Africa. The Sociable Marsh Hawk ( Rostrhamus sociabilis). Slate-grey all over, wings blackish, iris red. This very aberrant form has been imported a very few times. It feeds entirely on shellfish, and its extraordinary long slender bill with a large terminal hook is no doubt very useful for extracting the molluscs from their shells. It ranges through the northern parts of South America. As far as I know, only two species of Pernis have ever been kept in confinement in England, viz. The Honey Buzzard (P. apivorus) and the Crested Honey Buzzard (P. ptilorhyncha ), and these did not live for 182 G. H. Gurney — Birds of Prey any length of time. These species would require plenty of grubs, bees, and wasps as food if they were to do well, but no doubt would take small birds and rats as well. Mr. J. G. Millais kept a Honey Buzzard for some time on a diet of French plums and honey, the only things it would eat, while almost more extraordinary was a specimen kept by Lord Lilford, which was fed on rice pudding. Sub-family Falconince — maxilla notched The Crested Black Kite (Baza lophotes). Above glossy greenish- black, varied with white and chestnut on the wings, a broad band of white across the chest, below white banded with chestnut. This Indian species has been kept at the London Zoological Gardens. The White-legged Falconet ( Microhierax melanoleucus). Above bluish-black, under surface white. This tiny Eastern species, and the next one, require artificial heat, at any rate in the winter ; they are certainly delicate, but if they can be acclimatized they make the most delightful birds in a small aviary. They feed entirely on worms, beetles, moths, small lizards, and will eat small fish too. Both species have been seen at the London Zoological Gardens, and I once kept a specimen of the Pigmy Falcon, but it did not live long. The Pigmy Falcon (Poliohierax semitorquatus) . Blue-grey above, forehead, cheeks, rump and under parts white ; habitat Central Africa. The Kestrel (Tinnunuculus alaudarius). The Common Kestrel is too well known, both in captivity and in a wild state, for any descrip¬ tion of it, or its habits, to be necessary. The most plentiful of British Hawks, its range extends as far east as China and as far south as Mombassa in East Africa. The Lesser Kestrel (T. cenchneis). Claws white, back of male un¬ spotted. Very similar in habits to the Common Kestrel, but not particularly hardy in confinement. It is widespread over the African Continent, and reaches the Pyrenees. Other species of Kestrel ( T . gracilis ), the Nankeen Kestrel (T. cenchroides), the American Kestrel (T. sparverius ), and the South African Kestrel (C. rupicola). The latter species I have kept for several years. They want a dry enclosed aviary (unheated) for winter. All the Kestrels are long-lived in confinement. The Red-footed Falcon (Erythropus vespertinus) has been kept at G. II. Gurney — Birds of Prey 183 Lilford, but I do not think elsewhere. The male is blue-grey, tail brownish, thighs chestnut ; the female is barred with blackish above, head, nape and under parts rufous. Legs and feet red. The Hobby ( Falco subbuteo). Fairly often seen in confinement. The Red-thighed Hobby (F . femoralis) . I have had a pair of these beautiful little South American Hawks for over two years. They have shown no signs of breeding. They have to be kept shut up in winter as they are not hardy. I do not think this species has been previously kept in confinement. The Eleonora Falcon (F. eleonorce). Everywhere dark brown inclining to black, tail brown. The late A. E. Jamrach imported these Falcons as far back as 1860. One of these birds lived at Northrepps till 1867, and there is a beautiful picture of it by Wolf, the great animal painter, when it was in entire bright Hobby-like plumage. The very similar Ash-coloured Falcon (F. concolor ) has been kept at the London Zoological Gardens. Other species which have been kept in confinement are the Rufous-throated Falcon (F. rufigularis) from Mexico and the Orange-thighed Falcon (F. fusco-coerulescens) also from South America. The Merlin (F. cesalon) is a lively and interesting little species in captivity, constantly uttering its shrill note when excited or alarmed. There seems to be no reason why this bird, which nearly always nests on the ground, should not breed in captivity if suitable accommodation was provided for it. Young birds taken from the nest and brought up by hand make delightful pets, but they must be kept in an indoor aviary large enough for them to take plenty of exercise in during the winter. I have never, however, found this species very long-lived. The Peregrine ( Falco peregrinus) . This well-known bird has been kept at one time or another in most private collections of Raptores. Perhaps I have been unfortunate, but of the six or seven I have kept only one was what may be called a satisfactory bird. Like so many of the British Hawks, unless reared from the nest they are probably brought to one after having been winged or caught in a trap and therefore are slightly damaged, as unfortunately the Peregrine is one of the most persecuted of the birds of prey. I always feel a Peregrine is in a wrong place in an aviary, however large a one. It is essentially a bird of the air, and anyone 184 G. H. Gurney — Birds of Prey who has seen it stooping at a Pigeon or a Teal, or dashing with tremendous courage and fierceness at an intruder molesting its nest, must realize that a wild Peregrine is a very different bird from one cooped up in an aviary. It may be said to be one of the oldest birds kept in confinement, as it has been used in Falconry from very remote times. » The Lanner (F. feldeggi). Above ashy-brown mottled with fulvous} whitish crown and lower surface mottled with brown. Many have been kept in confinement. The longest record that I have is six years, but it may have been kept for a longer period at the Zoological Gardens. This Falcon is greatly used in Hawking by the Arabs. Other closely allied species which from time to time are seen in captivity are the Black-cheeked Falcon (F. melanogenys) from Australia, the Bearded Falcon (F. biarmicus) from South Africa, the Barbary Falcon (F. barbarus) and the Juggur Falcon (F.jugger) from India. The Saker Falcon ( Hierofalco saJcer). Head pale rufous, upper surface pale brown, all the feathers margined with rufous, tail pale brown, under parts whitish. Has been kept at Lilford and more than once in the London Zoological Gardens. A young female in the Society’s collection some years ago was almost as dark as a Falco subnig er and had the mantle of a very similar hue. This bird had been brought from Alexandria in Egypt. Two species of the Arctic Falcons are fairly often imported. They are the Greenland Falcon ( H . candicans) and the Iceland Falcon (H. islandus), but I can find no authentic record of the Gyr Falcon (H. gyrfalco) ever having been kept in captivity ; though in 1885 Lord Lilford obtained a Falcon which he considered to be this species, it was captured at sea off Cape Finisterre. Family Pandionidce, distinct character. Outer toe reversible, tibia closely feathered. The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). Above dark brown, crest, head and lower parts white. Has been kept at the Zoological Gardens, but I have no other records of it, and it must be very seldom imported. Mrs. Prestwick — Lovebirds 185 LOVEBIRDS By Mrs. Prestwich ( Continued from p. 150) Agapornis PULLARIA The Bed-faced Lovebird of West Africa was described as long ago as 1758, and has had a number of names bestowed upon it, such as “ Little Bed-headed Parrakeet ”, “ Guiney Sparrow ”, “ Bed-headed Guinea Parrakeet ”, “ Ethiopian Parrakeet ” and Agapornis xanthops. It is generally regarded as being the most difficult of the family to acclimatize, though when this is accomplished it is acknowledged to be fairly hardy. Certainly when first imported the mortality is very high. On arrival they look very well and seem pretty tame, but this is induced partly by the crowded travelling conditions and partly by their each having a clipped wing. Why this bird alone amongst the Lovebirds should be clipped is a mystery. It is best to keep them caged and let them moult the stumps naturally ; but if an attempt is made to draw them great care should be exercised, as any sudden shock may prove very injurious to this highly sensitive bird. Only two or three stubs should be drawn at a time, the operation being repeated at the end of a week. They are frequently brought over from Africa on rice in the husk, but, in the absence of this, ordinary rice will do just as well. They take readily to white millet and canary, the former generally being preferred. Some will also eat a little sunflower and a few oats. Fruit they do not seem to care for, except occasionally a little sweet apple. Little trouble will be experienced with this species if it is kept caged until full-winged and is not put out of doors until May is well advanced. They can then be left out the whole year. Bed-faced are rather uninteresting aviary birds as they spend the greater part of their time sitting in a group in the shelter, seemingly disliking the glare of the sun. Occasionally, however, they have bursts of energy, when they see how much damage they can do, stripping a small tree in an incredibly short time. In flight they are a j oy to behold, possibly being the most beautiful of the family in this respect. They are quite easy to sex, the under wing-coverts being black in the male and green in the female ; the hen can also be distinguished by the 186 Mrs. Prestwick — Lovebirds paler colour of her face, it being more of a yellow-orange than orange- red, also the blue spot on the rump is paler than in the cock. Although this bird has been known to aviculturists for so long, and has been exported to Europe in such numbers as to make it compara¬ tively scarce in its own country, no record exists of it having been bred in captivity. Mr. G. C. Porter very nearly succeeded in 1904 ; he was unfortunately away at the time, so was unable to give many particulars. They nested in a small box with half a cocoa-nut husk cemented inside. On his return he found two fine youngsters, full feathered, lying dead on the ground. They were very fat and appeared to be as large, if not larger, than the old birds. He attributed his failure either to the mice which infested the aviary or the excessive heat at the time. The young of this species are like the adult female, except that the forehead is yellow, with no orange tinge, and the yellow-orange near the base of the bill and on the throat is paler. In 1880 Mr. W. T. Catleugh put some into a large cage, and almost immediately a hen took possession of a cocoa-nut husk and began to lay eggs. Some Budgerigars in the same cage, however, threw them out. Eggs were obtained both by Mrs. Anningson and Mr. R. Phillipps in 1902 and by Mr. Shore-Baily in 1915. There have been several instances of partial success in Germany, which show that the clutch is from three to five eggs, which the hen alone incubates for about twenty-one days ; the young in down are scantily covered, white, with pure white feet and beak. Concerning their life in the wild, Mr. George Bates ( The Ibis, 1905, p. 89) writes : — “ They resemble miniature Parrots in their tones and actions, as well as in their appearance. They go about in small flocks, making little metallic squeaky cries, which yet have something in them recalling the screams of Parrots. They like open country, and especially the tall grass called ‘ ukae ’, from which they get their Bulu name of ‘ Kos-ukae ’ (‘ Kos ’, meaning Parrot) ; hence they are more common inland, for grass is scarce within a hundred miles of the coast. At the back of my house at Efulen was a sort of wild fig-tree, and when its fruit was ripe a flock of these little birds often visited it. Among them were apparently young birds, which would sit on a limb making a great racket and fluttering their wings till the others brought them food.” E. Maud Knobcl — The Smaller Macaivs 187 In the wild state they apparently lay their eggs in a nest in a hole in a tree, though definite observations on this point are lacking. Red-faced Lovebirds agree well together and with kindred species, but are not to be trusted with small passerine birds. Errata. — Page 149, line 8. For fertile read infertile. [To be continued .) THE SMALLER MACAWS By E. Maud Knobel A great deal has been written from time to time on the larger Macaws, but I wonder how many aviculturists know the fascination of the smaller Macaws and what charming and delightful pets they can make. There are some six or seven different species of the smaller Macaws, including the Spix, a very beautiful species, of delicate blue and grey in colour. All the others are green with bright patches of colour about them. They vary greatly in size, even those of the same species. Mine have the same food as the Amazon Parrots, i.e. equal parts of giant canary seed and white sunflower, mixed with a good corn mixture containing wheat, oats, dari and maize. When young they require bread and milk, and even when adult I give it to them now and again. Of course, water and fruit, chiefly apple, dry biscuit, toast, and pea-nuts. I must confess that for years I looked at these Macaws and found they left me “ cold ”. The ones that one generally saw in dealers’ shops did not seem to me to be very interesting. They never seemed very tame or friendly, nor did they show very much intelligence, and it was a long time before I was attracted by them. Then one day, going into Chapman’s, I saw a tame Severe, which came on to my hand and allowed me to do what I liked with it. He very soon made a conquest of me. The dark green of his plumage with the brilliant scarlet on the inside of the wings, the darker red on the under side of the tail made him a most beautiful and attractive creature. I longed to possess him, but hesitated on account of his voice. I had always understood Macaws could scream and were unendurable in a room. 188 E. Maud Knobel — The Smaller Macaws I finally decided to go and consult the Zoo on this point. Their opinion was that they did not think he would be more noisy than many of the Amazons, so I decided to risk it and returned post haste to Chapman’s. Alas ! how often one has missed things by hesitating. It is fatal in the bird world. If you see something and want it you must have it now and never pause to think. When I got back to Chapman’s, and I had only been away half an hour, the Severe was sold and destined for a home in India. However, before he departed there he was put on deposit at the Zoo, where I had an opportunity of visiting him several times. What happened there I do not know, for he was not on show to the public, and was kept in the inner room, but somehow this affected his temper, and one day when I put my hand up to take him out he bit me through the finger. This was a surprise I did not expect, and after that I never touched him again. The head keeper, who was not there when it happened, could hardly believe it, and took him out to show me how mistaken I was, whereupon he flew at him and bit him through the lip. I have often wondered whether in India he recovered his previous good temper. After that I began to “ cool off ” Macaws, and it was some time before I thought of possessing one. Then one morning as I was dressing I heard the voice of a Parrot across the square. I thought to myself, “ Well, someone else must have set up a Parrot and put it in the window.” Its cries were incessant, and after a time they seemed to come nearer, but even then it did not occur to me that it was an escaped bird. It was not until after breakfast, when I was just starting to clean and feed my own birds, that the cries of the Parrot seemed suddenly to have come close at hand. I looked out of the window and there on our balcony rail was an Illiger Macaw and a woman on the next balcony with an enormous broom. How she hoped to catch it with a broom was a mystery. I immediately ran down to the balcony, and I heard the woman say, “ Ah ! Now she’ll catch it.” I put a Blue-fronted Amazon that was in the room on to the balcony hoping that that would attract it while I went for an empty cage. This I soon procured, and returned, having put plenty of food at the bottom of the cage. I need not have bothered much, for no sooner did the little Illiger see the cage than he ran straight into it and was very glad to find himself once more in safe quarters. By this time there was E. Maud Knobel — The Smaller Macaws 189 quite a crowd below the balcony, and as I turned to go in two people came round the corner each armed with a cage, and great was their disappointment when they saw that he had already been successfully secured. He turned out to be a dear little friendly bird, and soon made himself quite at home and had a good square meal. He was in nice condition, but had a damaged foot. Of course, whenever one finds anything these days one has to give notice to the police, and this we duly did, but I must say I did hope that no one would claim him. Two days went by and nothing happened, and I was really beginning to think he was safely mine when one evening a policeman arrived with a working man and his wife, who said they had lost a little Macaw. I went down and saw them, and when they described the injured foot I knew all my hopes were gone, and I sadly went up to fetch the bird. Never shall I forget the scene that followed, the joy of that woman and the bird. She put it round her neck and kissed it over and over again. A mother having found her long lost child could not have been more delighted than was this poor working woman. The man then explained how they had no children, and he had saved up and bought the bird from Chapman because she was so lonely while he was out at work. They lived in a tenement in Somerstown and the bird had never been in a cage, but was allowed to wander about the room free. The woman had thrown up a window to speak to a child in the street, and the bird had taken fright at something and darted through the window and was gone in a moment. It apparently had been out three days before I caught it, so no wonder it was glad at the sight of food, though I still marvel that it so quickly went into a cage when it had not been used to one. And what touched me more than anything was that the man offered to pay me for the care I had given it. However, I gave them some advice and told them if they wanted to keep it always loose about the room they had better cut one wing — that would make it quite safe, and I gave them the old cage that it was in. They went away a very happy trio, and a big smiling policeman looking on. Well, that little bird quite decided me that when opportunity offered I must have an Illiger. However, it turned out that a Severe was to be my first venture into the Macaw world. I was at Chapman’s one day when a lot of 190 E. Maud Knob el — The Smaller Macaivs Parrots arrived, and amongst them a most beautiful specimen of the Severe or Brown-fronted Macaw. Why they should be called Severe I cannot imagine. He seemed in perfect condition and talked a little I was told by the man who brought him over. But all he seemed to say was “ Buck up ”. I carried him home in triumph, and for a few hours was very happy, but my happiness did not last, for my beautiful bird seemed to be drooping and ill ; he would not eat. I went back to Chapman and learned that the consignment had been beautifully brought over and well housed as far as Havre, but there they had had to tranship, and for the last part of the journey the birds had been put on the deck and many of them had caught a severe chill. By this time Bucky, as I called him, seemed very ill indeed ; he could eat nothing and seemed to be in pain and suffering from stoppage. I tried a good dose of salad oil, an hour after I tried castor oil and put him on a hot bottle and kept him in my lap near a fire. Then I tried a dose of Glauber salts, which had the desired effect, and then he tried a little warm bread and milk. After that I knew I had saved him, but it had been a “ near go ”, and had he been left in the shop or gone to someone who did not understand, his life in England would have been indeed brief. He has just turned out one of the greatest successes one has ever had. He literally adores me. Overjoyed when I come into the room and hysterically ecstatic if I go near his cage, and cries when I leave him. If he is out, which he often is, playing on my swinging dog chain, he is only happy on it for a short time and then flies on to my shoulder, letting himself slide down until he lies like a baby on his back on my lap. That is his favourite place, and he will remain there for hours while I try and answer inquiries of the Society on what to do with a Parrot who has plucked himself bare, or why we cannot supply sample copies of the Magazine, etc. Bucky never knows a dull moment ; he is the merriest bird of all my collection, always busy about something, either swinging in his swing, playing with a piece of chain, or lying on his back at the bottom of his cage playing with a piece of wood and laughing to himself all the time. He talks quite a lot, but not real wmrds, and he tries desperately hard to whistle. But do Macaws whistle ? I have an idea they cannot. Anyway, he is a great success. E. Maud Knobel — The Smaller Macaws 191 My next venture in this line was an Illiger. On looking through a lot of packing cases filled with Amazon Parrots at Chapman’s, I saw that three of them each contained one Illiger Macaw. They were all most miserable birds. One was almost bare of feathers and in a very poor way. The next was a little better, but wild and inclined to bite. The third was also a little misery, soiled all over by the droppings of the bigger birds, and every time he tried to feed a Blue- front gave him a savage peck and he retired to the back of the crate. Still he had managed to exist during the long voyage over. I brought him home, and really when I looked at him I almost felt ashamed of him. He had no wing feathers and no tail whatever, and was a thoroughly miserable creature. In fact, during the week that followed I was several times asked if he was dead yet ? The first thing I did was to feed him up on good boiled maize, bread and milk, apple, and Parish’s food in the water. Then I washed him in warm water and put him by a fire to dry. At the end of a week he began to put on some flesh and fill out a bit, and his plumage began to look a little less like wire and to take on a more silky appearance. He soon proved himself an amusing little beggar, and very soon took to water like a duck. Now the Severe Macaw never bathes, and hates being sprayed or anything to do with water. Not so the Illiger. He will get into quite a big basin and literally lie down in the water, first on one side and then the other. He often gets so wet that I have to turn on the gas-fire to dry him up a bit or else roll him in a towel. He is quite different in character to the Severe, though he loves playing about, and will run about the floor as quick as lightning, and likes being on the floor, which the Severe does not. He gets into the waste paper basket and will carefully take pieces of paper out and strew them over my floor. I have sometimes come in and found my floor looking like a snowfield covered in white envelopes from members of the Society. He has one horrid habit, and that is he likes to come and give you a nip in the back of your ankle. I think it is only play : still it is a nip. Now he can say quite a lot of words, but mostly talks in a loud whisper. I have heard that whispering is one of the characteristics of Macaws. Is this so ? He constantly asks “ What are you doing ? ” — and is so fond of the word “ doing ” that he will repeat it half a dozen 192 E. Maud Knobel — The Smaller Macaws times before answering “ I’m busy When I first had him he showed no red on the lower breast and very little on the rump, and only a feather or so on the frontal. Now, of course, he is perfect, with his plumage glossy like silk, far more so than the Severe. This I put down to the constant bathing. But his tail is his weak point. He seems to grow the feathers and then they break off or are malformed. I suppose why people do not keep Macaws more is their voice, for they have voices and can use them. Taking them all round they are no worse than a Ring-neck or an Alexandrine, but they can be persistent, though I have always found a remedy to stop it, either covering them over or letting them out. But, like all the Parrot tribe, they generally like a good scream about sunset, when, in a wild state, I imagine they are returning to their roosting-places for the night. The two I have are far more gentle and reliable than most Amazons, and there is no doubt about their devotion to one. I have several times had an opportunity of seeing very tame and charming Spix Macaws. Of the smallest of all this tribe there is a delightful little specimen of the Noble Macaw now at the Zoo. It is very tame and talks a little in spite of a defective beak. It is a beautiful little bird, not unlike a miniature Severe, though the head is very different, but the scarlet on the top of the shoulder and inside the wings gives it a very striking appearance. Of the other smaller Macaws at the Zoo there is a nice Yellow Collared, but he always seems rather a dull bird, perhaps it is because he is rather high up and one cannot get at him to pet him. But the pair of Illigers that live at the end of the house are really a fine pair of birds. One wishes they could be seen in an aviary where an attempt at breeding might be tried. They are most amusing in the way they play with each other, and the other day when I was watching them the cock was feeding the hen. They are not tame, and will not allow one to touch them. This is probably because they are sufficient unto each other. I have written these few remarks in the hope that others who may have kept this group may be induced to give us their experience and so help to widen our knowledge. The Tragopan' s Display 198 THE TRAGOPAN’S DISPLAY The male of the Horned Tragopan ( Tragopan saiyra ) has the head mostly black, the neck and the whole of the under surface bright orange-carmine, the back and tail being brownish. Over the whole of the body plumage are distributed spots of white, with black edgings. The skin of the throat is blue, more or less obscured by black hair -like features. A peculiar wattle is situated on the throat, but this is so contracted as to be invisible except on such rare occasions as during the courtship display. The same may be said of a pair of wattles growing from the top of the head, which are completely hidden by the plumage except on rare occasions. The female of the Tragopan is of an inconspicuous mottled brownish hue. During the breeding season the cock Tragopan may frequently be seen to perform a lateral display, walking round the hen with his tail and body plumage more or less depressed laterally, a form of display that is common to many Pheasants. But the full frontal display of this bird, which is seldom seen, is one of the most remarkable exhibitions in Nature ; quite as extra¬ ordinary a transformation as that of the display of either the Argus Pheasant or the Great Bustard. For the past twenty years and more I have known Tragopans in captivity, but only on rare occasions have I seen the full display, and I will endeavour to describe what I saw on a recent occasion, and only regret that no description can adequately convey the thrill that this wonderful spectacle gave me. The hen Tragopan was walking unconcernedly out into the open and I had not noticed the cock bird in the darkness of some under¬ growth in the background, until suddenly out he came with a run, his body erect, with the white-spotted carmine feathers of the breast and flanks spread out like a skirt ; his black face surmounted by two erect horns of vivid verdeter blue, and from his throat a large bib of intense blue, barred with red. Thus he ran forward looking like a little Mephistopheles. Probably he saw that he was being watched, for he soon stopped, shook his head, and both horns and bib quickly contracted and disappeared, and the Tragopan became once more a normal bird. 14 i 94 Capt. Reginald Wand — Notes from my Aviaries These peculiar wattles on the head and throat are found in all of the species of Tragopans, and no doubt the display is similar in all, though the colours and patterns differ in the various species. D. Seth-Smith. NOTES FROM MY AVIARIES By Captain Reginald Waud The birds in one’s aviaries at this season are so very interesting that I thought some members might like to hear of my doings. One aviary, inhabited by small Finches, so far is doing very well. One pair of Three-coloured Parrot-Finches have built the most attractive nest. They took to a box nest made from a stump of a tree, and hung on the wall, with quite a small hole for them to get in and out. They completely filled this with fine grass, twisting the grass round the small entrance hole in the most wonderful way, making it impossible for one to see in, so that I have no idea if there are even eggs in it, but I feel pretty certain there are, as the hen is sitting tight.1 I hope in the course of a few days I may hear the voices of young birds. The second pair of Three-coloured Parrot-Finches laid seven eggs in a box on the wall, and then started to build. They covered all the eggs and eventually forsook the nest, and I felt they were pretty hopeless from the first. They then started a half moult, and now have recovered and are in fine condition, and I hope they will go to nest again before the end of the season. I have two pairs of the ordinary Parrot Finches, both nesting, and the eggs should hatch in a few days. Diamond Doves also are sitting in this aviary. I find my pair very free breeders. In another aviary I have a pair of Shamahs ; the hen is sitting on five eggs. As soon as these hatch I intend opening the door of the aviary into the garden and letting the cock out to find live food for the young. My Blue Birds in another aviary had a nest of five eggs, but unfortunately a mouse got in and ate all the eggs. They went to nest again about a fortnight after this calamity, and now the hen is sitting 1 Since the above was written three young Three-coloured Parrot Finches have left the nest, (12th June). Avicultural Notes 195 again. As she has changed her nest-box to a much more secluded place, which I trust is impossible (if any place can be) for a mouse to get at, I hope she may bring off some young. Last year I had no luck with this pair. They will feed the young on nothing but live insects, and unfortu¬ nately will not touch gentles — nothing but mealworms — and I find they will not thrive on only mealworms, but must have live ant eggs, caterpillars, grasshoppers, etc. In another aviary I have a beautiful pair of Royal Starlings. These I have seen carrying grasses, but so far there are no signs of anything further. I also have seen the Niltavas doing the same thing, but as the season is not very far advanced, I hope they will progress farther. I have only one Spreo Starling flying about. The old hen only laid two eggs, and one young one died when only a few days old. The hen has started building again, and probably will do better with the second lot. Several species of Broadtail Parrakeets are nesting. The Golden - crowned Conures are again nesting this year and have laid two eggs. The pair of White-cheeked Conures are very interested in a log nest- box. I hope they will do something. I have been very lucky this year with all nesting birds. I have never had any trouble over egg-binding, and this I put down to always giving gin and glycerine in their water when I see them starting to nest. I believe it to be a most excellent thing, especially in this very changeable climate. AVICULTURAL NOTES By the Editor Some fifty members of the Society accepted Mr. and Mrs. Ezra’s kind invitation to spend the afternoon of Saturday, 28th May, at Foxwarren Park. The weather was delightful, and much time was spent in viewing the wonderful collection of birds in the aviaries and the birdroom. After tea a visit was paid to the large enclosure of some 45 acres, in which one saw Antelope, Deer, Patagonian Cavies, Kangaroos, Cranes, Pheasants, Brush Turkeys, and Chukar 196 Avicultural Notes Partridges under very natural conditions. A Monaul hen Pheasant was seen with her newly-hatched chicks, while another was sitting on her nest on the thatched roof of a shed. Our members will be interested to hear that Mr. Herbert Whitley has opened his fine Zoological Collection at Paignton to the public, and all who visit South Devon should make a point of seeing it. Besides being an expert aviculturist and possessing a superb collection of rare foreign birds, Mr. Whitley has a large number of mammals and a remarkable collection of the choicest domestic stock of Rabbits, Pigeons, Cavies and so forth. In the King’s Birthday Honours List appears the name of David Elias David Ezra, late Sheriff of Calcutta. We very heartily congratu¬ late Sir David, the brother of our President and member of our Society since 1912. The Scarlet-chested or Splendid Parrakeet (Neophema splendida) of Western and South Australia, the most beautiful of a beautiful genus, has always been regarded as a great rarity, and for several years has been thought to be extinct. Now a few examples have been noted in New South Wales, so that although extremely rare it appears to have a very extensive range and may hold its own. A good coloured plate of this species appears in the Emu for April, 1927. Another of the nearly extinct Parrakeets of Australia and perhaps an even more wonderful one than that first mentioned, has also been recently noted in New South Wales, namely the Paradise or Beautiful Parrakeet (Psephotus pulcherrimus). A writer in the Emu described the appearance of a little party of five of these, driven out of their ordinary habitat by the drought which has recently been very severe in the interior. It is much to be hoped that the Australian Ornithologists’ Union will use their influence to persuade the Government to take up seriously the question of breeding some of these fast disappearing Parrakeets in suitable aviaries in Australia. If put in charge of competent avicul- turists, there is no reason why some of these birds should not be saved. Avicultural Notes 197 Mr. Heumann contributes some interesting Bird Notes to the current number of the Emu, and from these we extract the following : — “ The rarer species of Parrakeets could be bred most assuredly in numbers if aviculture were not looked upon as vandalism. Turquoise Parrots are supposed to be almost extinct. As a fact, when I lost my cock bird of this species I had to pay £30 for another specimen. Out of the young which I reared, my friend, Mr. Harvey, jun., of Adelaide, who has a pair of them, again reared eight young this season in two broods of two pairs each. Mrs. Mellor, of Adelaide, bred about a dozen Princess Alexandra Parrots ; so also did Mr. Lienau. Out in the open these birds have not nearly the same chance, as Hawks especially cause havoc amongst them. But catapults and pea-rifles and the scientific and unscientific egg-collectors do their share in the speedy extermination of anything that may be rare.” Mr. James Charles Edwards, of 629 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California, is probably the largest breeder of Budgerigars in the United States. Commencing about fifteen years ago with one hundred pairs, he has now 1,500 pairs. His aviaries are 100 feet by 100 feet, divided into ten compartments, each housing 150 breeding pairs. He is also breeding Blues, Whites, and Cobalts. Besides the Budgerigar aviaries Mr. Edwards has others in which he is breeding Bleeding-heart, Cuban and other species of Doves, Cockatiels, Redrumps, Lorikeets, Pennants, Blue-wing Grass Parrakeets, and several species of Lovebirds, as well as many of the ornamental Finches, and he greatly prizes some Tabuan Parrakeets given to him by the Marquess of Tavistock for experimental purposes. We are very pleased to receive a copy of the first issue of The Budgerigar Bulletin, published by the Budgerigar Club. In it will be found much useful advice and many valuable tips for those who would produce the various colour variations to which this most wonder¬ ful of Parrakeets is subject. 198 Reviews Those who are rearing Budgerigars should remember that a weakly youngster, providing he is not denude of flight-feathers, if caged and petted will become perfectly tame and make the most delightful of bird pets. He will delight to sit on one’s head, shoulder or hand, and will actually repeat several words with very little training. A tame talking Blue Budgerigar will delight all who come in contact with him. REVIEWS BIRDROOM AND AVIARY1 The older members of the Society will recollect the instructive and often humorous writings that appeared in our Magazine a good many years ago by the Rev. C. D. Farrar and will welcome the appearance of a new book on his reminiscences as an aviculturist. It is full of delightful humour and sound advice, and he does not mind recording his failures as well as his successes. His accounts of interviews with the dealers of the past will bring back vivid memories of some of our old friends of twenty years ago, such as Joseph Abrahams, of St. George’s Street, East, and Maschke, of Islington. He reminds us of the high temperature and lack of ventilation of the latter dealer’s shop, which those of us who visited it will recall. But both Abrahams and Maschke sometimes had birds which we never see nowadays. From Abrahams Mr. Farrar bought a pair of Poes, better known perhaps as Tuis, but they are not Australian birds, as we are told, but New Zealand. Mr. Farrar’s reminiscences go back to the time when Turquoisines could be obtained without much difficulty, and that is a long time ago. He was fortunate enough to obtain two pairs, both of which bred, though one nest full of young birds died through the cock-bird feeding them on elder. He tells us that for some years he was not without the species, but not knowing what was coming he sold them all, as many other people did. Now they are on the point of becoming extinct. Aviculturists will find much to interest and amuse them in Mr. Farrar’s book. 1 Birdroom and Aviary : Trials and Triumphs of a Yorkshire Parson, by the Rev. C. I). Farrar, M.A. London: F. V. White & Co., Ltd., Link House, Greville Street, E.C. 1. Price 6s. net. Reviews 199 HOW BIRDS LIVE1 Although this is a small book and produced at an extremely low figure, it is one of the most interesting books we have read for a long time . Why do birds sing ? Why migrate ? Why do some species require a considerable area of territory for each breeding pair while others nest in colonies ? Such questions may never have occurred to some of us, but they are of great importance, and are ably discussed by the author, who has for many years made a special study of these problems. The book, in short, is the view of an observer who has carefully studied the writings of the latest and best observers and put them thoroughly to the test. The territory theory, for instance, for which credit is due to Mr. Eliot Howard, applies to such birds as the Warblers, which have a very restricted feeding area, but does not apply to those which range far afield for their food. Gatke’s theory of the speed and altitude of flight during migration has been shown by recent observers to be at fault, the movement of birds at such time being much like that at other times, but in a straight line and towards a definite goal. RARE BIRDS FROM THE EAST On Mons. Delacour’s recent return from Indo-China and the East he brought with him a collection of very rare birds, amongst which the following are especially worthy of mention : — 2 pairs of Rheinardt’s Argus Pheasants. 1 pair of Ghigi’s Peacock Pheasants. 2 pairs of Merlin’s Wood Partridge. 3 pairs of Cognacx’s Wood Partridge. 1 pair of Fytch’s Bamboo Partridge. 1 Daird’s Jay-Thrush. 1 Pasquier’s Jay-Thrush. 3 Renauld’s Ground Cockoos. 1 pair of Bornean Argus Pheasants. 2 pairs of Bornean Crestless Eirebacks. 2 pairs of Charlston’s Wood Partridge. 1 How Birds Live, a brief account of Bird Life in the light of modern observation, by E. M. Nicholson. London : Williams and Norgate, Ltd., 14 Henrietta Street, W.C. 2. Price 3 that of the male being pale yellow-brown, and of the female dark yellow-brown. This difference probably proves correct in many instances, but cannot be relied on as an infallible guide, as the iris will vary in colour in any particular bird according to its state of health, age, light, and various other causes. When a number are seen together pairs can be picked out with certainty by observing the shape of their heads and beaks, which are noticeably broader across the top in the males. The female would also appear to be slightly smaller and Mrs. Prestwick — Lovebirds 283 duller in colouring, the forehead and front of crown is darker and duller ; the orbital ring narrower ; the beak less suffused at base with white ; while the front edge of the wing is slightly yellow in the male and green in the female. Black-cheeks nest very readily, and I have before me the names of some twenty successful breeders. Mr. Phillipps was the first, a pair of his original three birds went to nest about two months after their arrival, laid four eggs, all of which hatched and the young reared. Mr. Phillipps has written in a most interesting manner on A. nigrigenis, and members should refer to his various accounts in the Avicultural Magazine as follows New Series, Yol. VI (1908), pp. 206-10, 318-29 ; Yol. YII (1909), pp. 31-6, 148-56. The nesting arrangements are similar to those of A. roseicollis , except that the nesting material is usually carried in the beak, the bulk of the work being done by the female. The eggs vary considerably in shape, but are usually rather elongated and pear-shaped and approximately measures 22'3 mm. by 16*9 mm. The usual clutch is four, but the females seem to be in the habit, after disposing of the first clutch, to lay immediately an additional three in the same nest. The female alone incubates for seventeen to eighteen days, the male not seeming to feed her until after the young are hatched. The following description of the young is taken from one of Mr. Phillipps’ articles (Avicultural Magazine, 1909, pp. 33-4) : — “ It was on 23rd July that I first saw a young bird in the nest. One could only see a portion of the inside, but a nestling a few days old was visible. On the 26th I saw two nearly naked little things squatting side by side, like a couple of young pigeons. On the 29th, Mr. Seth-Smith inspected the nest, and reported four young of different ages, all right. On 4th August I just noticed a touch of colour, one sturdy youngster having a pale yellow-red beak. On the 12th, the crowns of the nestlings had all the appearance of being fully feathered. On 13th August the two elder, after playing ’possum for a moment, stood boldly up, raising their heads towards the opening. Along their backs and down their necks there were the usual tracks of feathers but they were far from being fully covered ; their tails, less than an inch being visible, showed the subterminal band of black quite well 284 Mrs. Prestivich — Lovebirds marked, especially in the eldest, where the markings were of a deeper black and much more clearly defined. The forehead showed the colour of the adult, or seemed to ; and the salmon-red patch on the chest was conspicuous. The nostrils were quite covered and hidden; I could not manage to get a glint of light on to an eye — in the shade of the log, the irides seemed to be quite black. “ The first young bird to leave the nest appeared on 22nd August ; but, for a few days at any rate, he returned to the nest after a short outing. No. 2, I think a female, appeared on the 25th. The green of the general plumage of these two birds was at first very dull, but rapidly became brighter, and the flanks yellower ; the breast-patch at first was very bright ; the brown of the forehead extended farther back in “ A ” than in “ B ”, and then there came some green or greenish. The black on the sides of the chin seemed to be as deep as in the parents, but only a little colouring extended upwards behind the eyes. The head of “ B ” seemed to be broader than that of “ A ”, and, although the younger, “ she ” seemed to be the larger bird. But all the differences of shading quickly assumed a dull level — the young and the old became very much alike. Even the yellow in the red of the beaks of the fledglings seems to have gone. No. 3 had joined the group on the 27th, as usual in the quiet of the early morning ; and the fourth and last came out on the following day, carefully tended by one of its parents. I think the latter must have been “ hurried ” out of the log, for it Was less forward than the others, and was fed by the male for some days after the others were feeding themselves. They quickly took to nibbling at green food, but on and from the 30th the three were feeding on dry seed, etc., with their father.” I am afraid the foregoing is rather long, but it seemed of sufficient interest to stand reprinting. Black-cheeks are exceptionally shy when breeding and on no account should the nest be interfered with in any way. The young in the nest appear to be practically mute, neither calling for food nor audibly responding to its arrival. Among the more successful with this species may be mentioned the late Mr. H. W. Mathias, the late Dr. Lovell Keays, Capt. G. E. Battigan, Mr. J. Sumner Marriner, Mr. H. Willford, and Mr. W. Shore- . Avic. Mag. 1927 Lady Grey with some of her Pets. To face p. 235. 3 Viscountess Grey — Bearing Young Bock Peplars 285 Baily, the last-named having been extraordinarily fortunate in the number bred. The Marquess of Tavistock has tried this species at liberty and found that although it readily nested it almost invariably migrated in August or September after breeding. Black-cheeks agree well together and with other members of the family ; non-nesting pairs, however, seem inclined to interfere with the young of nesting pairs. THE REARING BY HAND OF YOUNG ROCK PEPLARS By The Viscountess Grey of Fallodon A basket is required 14 inches long, 6 or 7 wide, and 6 inches deep, closed with a lid, with a stick that runs through the wicker staples. It should be of a light wicker-work, so as to be airy. Have two squares of mackintosh for the bottom of the basket, and keep one dozen flannel squares for loose lining. Lift the young birds out of the nest in the aviary from time to time, to see their stage of growth, and take the one (or the two) you intend to rear while still in down, with the feathers in quills, the colour just showing, while the bird is at the age when it is ready to gape for food, and can raise itself on its feet. Two are easier to rear than one ; for they keep each other warm. Place one rubber square in, and lay one of the flannel squares into the basket loosely ; have more of the flannel under the birds than over them ; there should only be one light “ flap-over ” of the flannel to cover them, and as they get older they will not need even this. It is essential they should be in a warm hole with air round them, rather than folded closely. They must be able to potter about, inside the flannel-lined basket and not be swaddled tight. Between the wall of the basket and the flannel, keep a fresh bit of brown bread in a wisp of tissue paper, so that it keeps clean, and that you may always have it handy. Bite a little up into small bits, and moisten it well in your mouth, and when it is in a soft, porridgy con- 236 Viscountess Grey — Bearing Young Bock Peplars dition, it is ready to give to the birds. Lift the one you want to feed, and hold it carefully in both hands, place its bill between your lips. It if does not take at once, touch its bill with your lips lightly. Never close your lips over its nostrils. Place its bill to your lips sideways. If they both take well, you can rear them ; if only one does so, put the other back in the nest, and try another bird, who may take food better. Brown bread, mouth-moistened — almost fluid — is enough at first ; but as they get older you must mix it with little mouthsful of bitten and peeled apple — or chewed lettuces — or the pulp of grapes, or bananas and a hard-boiled egg occasionally. Even from the first, small drinks of warm water are good. As they get older this is essential. You will know when they want feeding by their calling for it. Never force them to feed, but persuade them ; once they get the habit they will let you know when they need it. For the first four or five days feed them every three hours or so. I took mine about with me in its basket, while it was still in down — and when in the house it is wise to take the basket from room to room with one, so that one can hear them when they need feeding. Change the flannel squares repeatedly ; it is important to keep them clean ; be sure the clean squares you put in are quite dry. When their feet got clotted at all, I stood them for a minute or so in a soap dish of warm water. Do not line the basket with hay, as this fosters disease of their lungs. Let them have exercise as they get older ; climbing about your lap and up to your shoulders. Be very careful not to let them drop out of your hands, nor let the basket drop ; a fall kills a bird from shock. I think this is why fledglings picked up in spring, having fallen from the nest, so seldom live. I tied a label on to the handle of my basket with a big notice — with care — live bird. This protects them from tidying housemaids, and being casually shifted or jarred in ignorance. When almos^ fully plumed four meals a day suffice — but leave a millet spray in the basket. Let the basket stand somewhere near your bed, so that you can hear them when they wake, and feed them. I found that mine slept till seven a.m., or later. When feeding them, always give a little Viscountess Grey — Bearing Young Bock Poplars 237 at a time ; and take time over it. Feeding three, I found, took twenty minutes. At a month old they should have millet in the spray put in their basket with them, so that they can nibble the seed when they like. They should often be lifted out of the basket and allowed to potter about ; they like to stretch their wings, which they repeatedly do, strengthening the muscles in preparation for flight, by winnowing the air. The advantage of bringing up by hand in this manner is that you have birds so absolutely and entirely tame that you are able to know them from a new angle. You see their ways, their movements, their pretty loves and jealousies, their playfulness, and their exquisite beauty, at close range. And all their feelings they expend on you, flying to meet you as you enter the aviary, and not only tame to you, but regarding all humans as their friends. In fact, it is a question if birds thus reared will mate. They appear to become disoriented from their own kind. This is true of the bird I reared last year ; but it may be because I reared one, by itself. It will be interesting to see if this will be the case equally of the three I have reared this year. They have now grown to full size, and are in no whit different from the three I left to the parent birds, except in the matter of tameness. The parent birds were given me two years ago by Lord Tavistock ; they bred the first year I had them, hatching three out of four eggs ; but the only one that lived was the one I took to bring up by hand. At the next attempt in their breeding I had the great advantage of Lord Tavistock’s expert advice ; the male bird being one of his liberty- trained birds, that can be released in the morning, returning to an annexe of the breeding aviary through a wire funnel ; a system that has been, I believe, described by Lord Tavistock in the pages of this magazine. The female, he tells me, is an older bird than her mate, and bears evidence of some years of previous life in a cage. She is certainly tamer than he, and whistles a snatch of one of the more jaunty tunes of the songs of Chevalier, but only in moments of stress or anxiety. She sidles along the perch, if one looks at her young, whistling this tune 238 Marquess of Tavistock — -Parrakeet Nesting Sites in hurried anguish, which gives a funny effect of conflict, just as you might say “ a merry Christmas ” in a flood of tears. But her alarm soon dissipates, and on the whole she trusts me, as indeed she may ; for I would never take the whole clutch from her ; and, judging by her decrease in vitality now, she has found rearing three birds sufficiently exhausting. The success we have had this year in hatching these six young Bock Peplars, the full clutch of eggs, I attribute entirely to having had the great advantage of Lord Tavistock’s advice in the matter of the right kind of nest-box, as well as in other nesting details. He recommended a tall construction in appearance like a grandfather’s clock, filled up to within a foot and a half from the hole with dry wood pith — the light, porous stuff you find inside a hollow tree that is invaded by decay. The hen nested in April, the eggs hatched on the 18th of May. I took the three young I intended to rear by hand out of the nest on the 5th of June, and freed them into another larger aviary on the 7th of July, flying well and able to feed themselves. Of the three I left to the parent birds to rear, one already flies free, with its father returning through the funnel, to feed ; and I shall bring the other two on to do the same. The extreme beauty of these birds in flight cannot be described. I have not a wide experience, but among the species of the Parrot tribe that I do know, I give the Bock Peplars the palm, for they are without the two great disabilities of their race — they are not noisy, and their beaks are too soft to be able to hurt. They have also a further quality of grace — one by no means of small account in the communal life of an aviary — they are gentle and peaceful birds, and do not molest their neighbours. PARRAKEET NESTING SITES : SUITABLE AND UNSUITABLE By the Marquess of Tavistock ■ The past few seasons have taught me some severe but interesting lessons about the extreme importance of securing the right kind of nest for the successful rearing of Parrakeets : especially remarkable Marquess of Tavistock — Parrakeet Nesting Sites 239 lias been the evidence of the overwhelming superiority of the perpen¬ dicular hollow tree trunk with a natural bottom or with no bottom at all, the cavity being filled up to the required height with earth and mould taken from the interior of a decaying tree. Hollow tree trunks are terribly heavy and cumbersome to move and often difficult to obtain, but the results more than justify their use in districts where the climate is none too favourable to aviculture. When first I started my birds in the new movable aviaries I provided artificial nest-boxes with wooden bottoms covered with a layer of dry, decayed wood and hung up in the flight. Those for Kings and Crimson- wings were nearly 6 ft. deep and the bottom rested on the ground. In these boxes the first season I bred two or three lots of very healthy Kingnecks, a few healthy Barrabands, and one healthy Rock Peplar. Kings and Crimson- wings, however, were a dismal failure, the young either dying of pneumonia at an early age or becoming hopelessly rickety about the time they began to feather. One young Crimson-wing was bred in a natural tree trunk with an artificial wooden bottom. When she left the nest she was so rickety that she was quite unable to fly and could scarcely crawl and remained in this condition for several weeks ; but strange to say she slowly improved and in the end became quite a decent bird with good use of her limbs : indeed, I believe she eventually laid eggs. This proves that it was her early environment and not inherited weakness of constitution that was the cause of her feebleness. The two following seasons yielded less satisfactory results with the birds using the artificial boxes. In only one out of four Barraband nests were all the young reared. One hen, though a good and attentive mother, lost all her brood from pneumonia at about ten days ; another lost three out of four, a third two out of four. The Rock Peplar, also an excellent parent, lost all her young and a breeding pair of Ringnecks died of pneumonia while laying. The Crimson- wings, however, in natural tree trunks with natural bottoms or hollows half filled with mould, reared vigorous young with no sign of weakness. Next year, in the hope of preventing losses from pneumonia, I put artificial boxes in the aviary shelters which were very warm and dry. Many-colours, Blue-winged Grass-Parrakeets and Yellow-rumps reared healthy young under these conditions, but in the main the experiment ii40 Marquess of Tavistock—Parrakeet Nesting Sites was a failure. All the young Ringnecks, Barrabands and Rock Peplars died of pneumonia quicker than they had done in the flights, and young Browns, Crimson-wings and Ringnecks were crippled with rickets, although they had nearly a foot of earth at the bottom of their nests, separating them from the wooden floor. As on the former occasion, however, the Crimson-wings made surprising progress when they were taken out of the aviary shelter. This season I substituted Vita glass for ordinary glass in all the shelters, and removed the trays at the bottom when the birds were breeding, admitting far more air and moisture. These alterations were, in the main, Useless so long as natural perpendicular tree trunks were not employed. Two pairs of Ringnecks had artificial boxes in the shelters. One lot of young died when a few days old ; the others died of rickets soon after leaving the nest, though they were nice strong birds at the start. Another pair had a natural log hung horizontally in the shelter. The hen — a good mother — lost both her broods when a few days old. Yellow-rumps were given a bottomless, mould-filled, perpendicular box in the shelter for their first nest, and in it reared five strong young. For their second nest they had a horizontal natural log in the shelter and the young died when a few days old. But in a similar log, similarly placed, Rosellas reared a healthy brood. A Red- rump Parrakeet paired to a Hooded had an artificial box in the shelter with the trays left in. Her two young hybrids lived to fend for them¬ selves, but were weak on the wing and are now dead. The Rock Peplar had a bottomless, mould-filled perpendicular box in the shelter, and lost her young of pneumonia when about ten days old. Another hen who laid on the ground in the open flight reared a strong brood. Crimson-wings lost their first brood in a rather small, draughty, bottomless natural log in the open flight, but reared a second brood well in a good tree trunk in the flight. Malabars reared a strong brood in the shelter in a natural perpen¬ dicular tree trunk with a natural bottom. Barrabands reared a strong brood in a bottomless, mould-filled perpendicular box in the flight. The results go to prove that the natural perpendicular tree trunk with natural bottom or mould gives good results either in flight or Marquess of Tavistock — Parrakeet Nesting Sites 241 shelter, preferably in the former, for hardy species not subject to egg¬ binding. The artificial box with no bottom but partly filled with mould may give good results with the hardier species but in the shelter it is no Use for Rock Peplars. The horizontal natural log is, in the shelter, little better than the artificial box and will only do for very hardy birds and for species (oddly enough in most other ways delicate), which, like Many-colours and Grass Parrakeets, are resistant to the normal ill-effect of the combina¬ tion of artificial box and shelter. Pneumonia is not encouraged by the moist and mouldy character of the interior of a natural tree trunk, and it is not in the least discouraged by the Use of disinfectants, nor by the extreme dryness of the nest and its immediate surroundings. Rickets seem primarily due to artificial wooden floors, even when these are covered with a thick layer of earth, and it makes no difference whether the nest stands out in the fresh air and sunshine or whether it is in a dark place with a closer atmosphere : diet makes no difference either. Experiences with Crimson-wings are especially telling. Hen No. 1 in 1921 reared in the flight a rickety young one in a natural tree trunk with an artificial wooden bottom. In 1922 and 1923 she reared healthy young in the flight in a perpendicular tree trunk with a natural bottom. In 1924 she lost hybrid young by a Princess of Wales’ Parrakeet in an artificial box in the flight. In 1925 she reared healthy hybrids in the natural tree trunk which had been the scene of her previous successes. Hen No. 2 in 1926 had rickety young in a box in the shelter and, after a failure in a rather poor log, reared healthy young in a perpendicular mould-filled tree trunk in the flight in 1927. Results may be summed up as follows : — Artificial Box in Aviary Flight Barrabands. — Successes 2, partial successes 2, partial failures (part of brood died) 2, failures (entire brood died) 1, cases of rickets nil. Rock Peplars. — Successes 1, failures 1, rickets nil. Crimson-wings. — Successes nil, failures 1, rickets 1. Kings. — Successes nil, failures 1, rickets 1. Princess of Wales. — Successes nil, failures 1, rickets nil. Ringnecks. — Successes 2, failures nil, rickets nil. 242 Marquess of Tavistock — Parrakeet Nesting Sites Artificial Box with Wooden Bottom in Aviary Shelter Barrahands. — Successes nil, failures 1, rickets nil. Rock Peplars.- — Successes nil, failures 1, rickets nil. Crimson-wings. — Successes nil, failures nil, rickets 1. Sula Island King. — Successes nil, failures 1, rickets nil. Ring necks. — Successes njl, failures 4, rickets 1. Malabar s. — Young killed by an accident at ten days. Many-colour s. — Successes 2, failures nil, rickets nil. Hooded and Redrump. — Young reared but not very strong. Yellow-rumps.—- Successes 1, failures nil, rickets nil. Blue-winged Grass Parrakeets. — Successes 3, failures nil, rickets nil. Brown's. — Successes nil, failures 1, rickets 1. Roseate Cockatoos. — Successes 1, failures nil, rickets nil. Artificial Box in Aviary Flight , without Bottom and Partly Filled with Mould Barrahands. — Successes 1, failures nil, rickets nil. Artificial Box in Aviary Shelter , without Bottom and Partly Filled with Mould Rock Peplars. — Successes nil, failures 1, rickets nil. Yellow-rumps. — Successes 1, failures nil, rickets nil. Natural Log hung horizontally in Aviary Shelter Ringnecks. — Successes nil, failures 2, rickets nil. Yellow-rumps. — Successes nil, failures 1, rickets nil. Rosellas. — Successes 1, failures nil, rickets nil. Perpendicular Hollow Tree Trunk with Natural Bottom or Mould-filled Cavity , in Aviary Flight. Crimson-wings. — Successes 4, failures 1 (in a poor log), rickets nil. Sula Island King. — Successes 1, failures nil, rickets nil. Perpendicular Hollow Tree Trunk with Natural Bottom in Aviary Shelter Malabar s. — Successes 1, failures nil, rickets nil. Eggs Laid on the Ground in Aviary Flight Rock Peplars. — Successes 1, failures nil, rickets nil. It is rather curious that the type of nest which suits young Ringnecks well enough ■ Avic. Mag. 1927. [To face %>. 243. Cock Southern White-cheeked Finch-lark with two young in nest. H. L. Sick— The White- cheeked Finch-lark 243 in, the aviary flight should be sure death to them in the aviary shelter. In the case of Crimson- wings an artificial bottom to the nest is equally fatal in flight or shelter. I may say in conclusion that I do not suggest that my experiences with nests need necessarily be those of all other aviculturalists. In the healthier climate of Foxwarren Park, Mr. Ezra has reared healthy young Barrabands under conditions which would be fatal here, and I believe Madame Lecallier has reared Crimson-wings successfully in artificial boxes — I wonder if she could tell us if these have wooden bottoms ? However, it is probable that there would be a tendency in most places for young birds to flourish, or the reverse, as mine have done. I would particularly warn aviculturalists who lose young Parrakeets in the nest not to be too ready to blame the weather and still more not to be too ready to blame the parents, who are very seldom guilty of neglect. In nine cases out of ten when young Parrakeets die before they are fully fledged it is the fault of the owner who has provided the old birds with an unsuitable breeding place. THE WHITE-CHEEKED FINCH-LARK By H. L. Sich These birds are generally called Pyrrhulauda or Eremopteryx leucotis, but the author of Birds Bred in Captivity says that they are almost certainly the southern species, smithi, and mine are probably the same. In the early part of 1925 a fair number were imported, but all I could find in London were cocks ; however, by writing to various dealers, I obtained a cock and two hens by 8th May. The cock consorted with one hen, but drove the other one away ; this bird showed a few black feathers on the lower part of the breast which the other bird had not got. There was no further change when I let my birds out into the flight of my new aviary at Worthing at the end of May, 1926. These birds do not care for the grass and spend most of their time on two gravelly patches just inside the two doors leading from the passage into the flight ; in very dry weather they sometimes go on to a strip of bare earth at one end. Under these circumstances 244 H. L. Sick — The White-cheeked Finch-lark I have not found them very interesting. About the middle of June last year I suddenly noticed that I had two full plumaged cocks, so 1 conclude that they take two years to reach maturity. If this bird comes from the south of the Equator it may have been hatched about November, 1924, which would make it about eighteen months. When watching my birds on 9th June last I saw a harmless-looking Turnix strolling over the grass : as it came close to the stem of a small cupressus tree the pair of Finch-larks suddenly flew up and attacked it, one bird perching on its back and pecking at its head ; this could only mean a nest. On examination I found the cock bird squatting on the ground just where the grass meets the soil close to the stem of the tree. A yard in one direction the Turnix had a nest ; in the long grass close by a hen Harlequin Quail was incubating seven eggs, due to hatch in about a week. There was ho chance of a ground bird rearing any young with a lot of Quail chicks scrambling over everything, so a risk had to be taken. I formed a fence with wire-netting about 2 feet away all round the nest ; of course, the birds flew away during the process, but a few minutes afterwards the hen was back again. The nest was only a slight hollow, rather thickly lined with hay, and contained only one egg, coloured very much like the dark brown variety of that of a Skylark, much smaller, rather longer, and less pointed in shape. Both birds incubated till 21st June. I fancied that my going into the aviary to feed the Quail chicks had disturbed them, but there was no signs of a chick in the egg when blown. On 23rd June they were incubating one egg again, in the same nest. On 7th July they had deserted it : there was no chick in that either. They have not nested since. Only laying one egg seems rather curious, but a single bird was reared in 1917 by Mr. Shore-Baily, and Avicultural Magazine, August, 1924, pp. 183-4 : “ Witherby found a nest above Khartoum. . . It contained one egg.” Perhaps insects to feed the young with are scarce in their habitat, and one at a time is all they can manage. [The Southern White-cheeked Finch- lark bred successfully in the London Zoological Gardens in 1917, and the accompanying photo¬ graph shows the cock bird about to feed the two nestlings. The nest was on the ground at the foot of a small bush. The young birds were A vic. Mag. 1927. Photo — D. Seih-Smith. Sheathhil! ( Chionis alba). Photo— D. Seth-Smith Steamer Duck (Tacky eres cinereus ). To face p. 845.) 1). Seth- Smith — Steamer l)ucks and SheathbiUs feathered in very dark brown, the feathers having paler brown tips, and according to notes made at the time, as the young birds sat huddled together in the nest, their colouring was wonderfully protective. It was most difficult to detect them, and when found they resembled small toads rather than birds. — Ed.] STEAMER DUCKS AND SHEATHBILLS AT THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS Through the kindness of Dr. Stanley Kemp and Mr. A. Gr. Bennett, of the “ Discovery ,5 expedition the Zoological Society has received four examples of the Steamer Duck (Tachyeres cinereus) and five of the Yellow-billed Sheathbill (Chionis alba) from the Falkland and South Shetland Islands. The Steamer Duck is a large, heavily built bird with a dark brownish head and the body more or less spotted with grey, the bill of the drake orange yellow and that of the duck greenish yellow, the feet also being yellow. The under surface is white in both sexes. There would appear to be two distinct types of this Duck, the one greyish in colour, in fact in very old birds the head as well as the body becoming light grey, the other type being mostly reddish in colour and smaller. Moreover, the larger grey or greyish birds have short wings and are flightless, whereas the smaller redder birds have longer wings and are capable of flight. The larger type is met with in the Straits of Magellan and the open sea, whereas the smaller birds frequent more the inland lakes of Southern South America. These two types or races of Steamer Duck have long been a puzzle to ornithologists, for it is known that the one is not the young of the other as has been suggested, and, moreover, it has been observed that the two sometimes interbreed. Steamer Ducks are so named on account of their habit of swimming with great rapidity with the aid of both wings and feet, a mode of progression that has been likened to “ steaming 5?. They spend a good deal of their time sitting on the rocks, and have their nests beneath the cover of some bush or rock. 18 Correspondence 246 The bill of the Steamer Duck is very powerful and capable of crushing shells such as mussels ; shell-fish, in fact, forming a consider¬ able part of its food. On four occasions only has the species been exhibited at the Zoological Gardens, the last being forty years ago. The Sheathbills ( Chionis ), of which there are two if not three species, superficially resemble large white pigeons, though in reality they are related on the one hand to the Plovers and on the other to the Gulls. But they are very distinct from all other existing species of birds. Their bills are powerful and carry a peculiar sheath, the use of which has never been satisfactorily determined, and the feet are not webbed. C. alba inhabits the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, where it has some three or four species of Penguins as its companions, and the eggs of which form the chief food of its young. It is an omnivorous feeder, a scavenger to which little comes amiss from Crustacea and sea-birds’ eggs to the excreta of Seals and Penguins. Sheathbills have been imported previously on rare occasions, but not for a number of years. D. Seth-Smith. CORRESPONDENCE THE SMALLER MACAWS Sir, — In Miss Knobel’s very interesting article on the smaller Macaws, she asks for experiences. I had a Severe who could whistle and say “ Come hon ” : he hated water, except to drink. He was pinioned when I got him, and in summer-time he spent most of his time at liberty in the garden. If it rained he made for the nearest shelter. One day a heavy shower came, and I could not find him anywhere : after a time I heard his usual call, “ Come hon ” ; he had climbed over the fence into the waterfowl enclosure, and was sitting with a Duck under a nest-box. He was on good terms with the fox terriers, so I had no fear of cats and vermin. I have had two Spix Macaws. One, I think, was an adult-caught bird and was never tame ; the other was very tame, but seldom made a sound. Correspondence 247 A pair of Illiger’s Macaws I got from Mr. A. Zache were very steady, but were all in all to each other, and cared little for me and would not be handled. I have had at one time or another all the large Macaws, except the Glaucous. I cannot remember ever hearing any of them whistle. I have a Scarlet (Yellow Saddle-back) Macaw who whispers to you ; he is a good talker and sings songs composed by himself. John W. Marsden. THE NESTING HABITS OF HONEY-GUIDES Sir, — Mr. Sydney Porter is to be envied his acquaintance with such a charming bird as “ William ”, the Yellow-throated Honey-guide : at the same time he is to be commiserated with, in that he was unable to bring him back to England. Concerning the parasitic nesting of Indicator, Lydekker writes (Wild Life of the World, vol. iii, pp. 150, 151) : — “ According to a recent account, the widely distributed African Yellow-throated Honey-guide ( Indicator major) in most cases makes use of the nesting-hole of Spreo bicolor, a bird which, like the Honey- guides themselves, lays white eggs. The Honey-guide’s eggs are, however, less elongated than those of its hosts, among which are certain species of Swallows, as well as other birds laying white eggs. Whether the Honey-guides lay more than one egg in the Spreo’s nest is not mentioned, but it is stated that these birds whenever possible break the eggs of their hosts with their beaks, thus ensuring that their own egg or eggs shall alone hatch. The most remarkable point connected with this egg-breaking business is that the Spreos or other hosts should continue to sit. Their parasitic habits being apparently well known, the Honey-guides are in most cases fiercely attacked by the owners of the nests visited, and in some cases the resistance prevents the intruders from breaking the original eggs. In such instances the young Honey- guides probably eject their fellow-nestlings, and it is noteworthy that the beaks of the former are furnished with powerful hooks, which disappear in the adult. This, it is conjectured, is a provision to assist them in ejecting the other occupants of the nest. It has also been 248 Correspondence noticed that a young Honey -guide taken from the nest of a Diamond Sparrow (Petronia petronelia) was very large for its age; here again exhibiting a Cuckoo-like feature. The mention of a single nestling in this instance suggests that the Honey-guides lay only one egg in a nest. As Indicator is common to Africa, Malaya, and the Himalaya, it would be interesting to ascertain if the parasitic habits of the African species are shared by their Asiatic cousins ; but as the Himalayan bird is believed to lack the ‘ honey-guiding 5 habit of the South African species, it may also differ in the matter of egg-laying.55 Perhaps Mr. Porter, if he has had the opportunity of studying the nesting habits of the Indicatoridse, would be so good as to comment on the above, and make known his own observations. D. Gr. Pkestwich. LOVEBIRDS Sir, — There is a slight error in Mrs. Prestwich’s article, where I am credited with finding the Peach-faced Lovebird a poor stayer at liberty. It is the Black-cheeked that gave disappointing results. While I cannot say that I have never lost a Peach-face by straying, I got very fair results with them when free in the garden. Many young were reared, and the old birds did not appear to be migratory in the autumn. Tavistock. THE DERBYAN PARRAKEET Sir, — With the acquisition of two new specimens by the Zoological Society the number of this rare Parrakeet in captivity in this country would appear to be raised to four. A male bird came into my possession a few months ago, and has since done well. He was in perfect con¬ dition on arrival, although he had evidently been closely confined for a very long time as he had the cage-cramped habits of a bird which has forgotten how to Use its wings or even climb. For several days after he had been turned into an aviary it was necessary to hold his seed and Water up to him on the perch, as he would have starved before he ventured to descend the wire to the food dishes. He is perfectly Correspondence 249 tame, and very amiable in disposition, having the little courtly mannerisms characteristic of male Palceornis Parrakeets that have been treated as pets. On the approach of a friend he keeps bowing and touching the perch with his beak, moves his lower mandible very rapidly, and makes a little sound between a puff and a hiss. When excited by the presence of visitors he utters very loud, harsh, and strident calls which would render him intolerable inside a building. Judging from appearances, the nature of its habitat and the fact that it is a glorified edition of the Moustache Parrakeet, the Derbyan is probably an excessively hardy bird which it would be difficult to kill except by violence. Mine is fed on the Usual seed mixture, together with monkey nuts and apple, of which latter he is very fond. Like most Parrakeets he greatly enjoys a rain bath. Tavistock. THE BREEDING OF THE BIB FINCH AT LIBERTY Sir, — Last May I obtained two or three pairs of this soberly-coloured but not unattractive little bird, and after training them to enter an aviary shelter through a little door a few inches in diameter, gave them their liberty. They stayed and did well, and after some weeks my aviary attendant reported that they had bred. On my return home in August, almost the first small birds I saw in the garden were two young Bib Finches on the feeding tray, very well grown, and only differing from their parents in the lack of bib. I have yet to winter them, but I do not anticipate great difficulty in this, and it would appear that the Bib Finch can be added to the list of small, common birds whose presence at controlled liberty can be made to add beauty and interest to a well-planted garden. In spite of its diminutive size and quiet coloration the Bib Finch is by no means inconspicuous at liberty, as it is tame and not at all retiring in its habits. Tavistock. 250 Correspondence LEAD POISONING Sir, — Some time ago I bought lead wire for fastening labels on roses, and, unthinkingly, used this for fastening drinkers on cages. I use the cages for isolating birds for a few weeks after receiving them from dealers. All went well with ordinary hard bills, but latterly I have taken up Lovebirds and Parrakeets. About a month ago I got a pair of Masked Lovebirds from Chapmans, and put them in one of these cages, and found, on the second morning, they had eaten the wire through and spilt their water. I fastened the drinker up again with stronger steel wire, and thought no more about it. On going to feed them the following day I found the cock completely paralysed in the legs, and so he still remains after three weeks, although in other respects quite fit. The same thing happened to a pair of Budgerigars before I found out my mistake ; one Budgerigar died after severe contortions. Perhaps you may think it worth while publishing this as a warning to fellow aviculturists, who may, like me, find soft wire very easy to use. I have a young Black-cheeked Lovebird on its own, hatched 16th June, and should like to know if this is the first breeding success in Ireland. A. E. Blythe Jackson. BREEDING THE MASKED LOVEBIRD Sir, — Just a line to say that I have had a hatch of the Masked Lovebird (Agapornis per sonata). Doubtless other enthusiasts can report a success as early, if not earlier. The hen began to sit on 8th July, and was still on three eggs when I left home on 4th August, on my return to-day, 17th August, I found two young ones. Incubation must have lasted at least twenty-five days. Two other nests, which were started about the same date, appear to contain addled eggs. These young are covered with the orange- coloured down characteristic of the Lovebirds. It remains to be seen how long they remain in the nest, provided all goes well. M. T. Allen. Correspondence 251 COLOUR BREEDING IN BUDGERIGARS Sir, — The first three lines of your most interesting article in last mouth’s Magazine recall my own experience ; my elder sister had a pair given to her when I was about 5 years old. I was 11 years old when I got my first Budgerigars, and that is more years ago than I care to think about. You refer to percentage of blue young ; several of us tried this theory many years ago, with greens and yellows, but the 25 per cent and 50 per cent did not turn up, and I have tried it with blue and green since, without success. On the other hand, one member, Mr. Danys Weston, has proved it to work out with blues and greens. Now he used blues that had been bred from blues for several generations, whereas I used blues bred from blue-bred greens. I like a dark blue (not cobalt) better than a sky blue, and as I do not show, nor breed for the market, I seldom pair two blues together. I think this proves that unless the blues are bred from blues and the green blood bred out, they are not potent enough to prove this theory. I was the first to introduce a blue-bred strain, and I find that the better the pedigree of the blue-breds, more blue young are produced ; in breeding it is not so much the colour of the birds, but pedigree that counts. I have known young of other colours produced in an aviary of only blue birds ; these would be the best of blue birds, of course ; when producing a new colour, you would give consideration to the colour of breeding stock, as well as pedigree. I think the olive was produced by selection, so now we really have four shades of colours for crossing green, yellow, blue, and olive. It is a long time since I had any Pennants, or saw any young ones, but as far as I can remember, the nest feather is nearly all olive green, so generations ago the Pennant must have been an olive-green bird. Now we have olive Budgerigars and the mauve has a pink shade showing in the blue, so we are sure to get pink or red Budgerigars in time. I have already heard of two cases of birds that show a few pink feathers. John W. Marsden. 252 Memorial to the Late Mr. H. D. Astley MEMORIAL TO THE LATE MR. HUBERT DELAVAL ASTLEY Mr. Allen Silver writes : — “ In peaceful Herefordshire, where no sound but the notes of birds and the rustle of leaves in a hay-scented breeze broke the stillness of a beautiful afternoon, stands the small church of St. George, situate in the parish of Brinsop. “ A little before 3 o’clock on the afternoon of 30th July, a bell could be heard calling to those who were gathering together in memory of our much esteemed and friendly late member. “ The almost mediaeval atmosphere of this little church with its sounds of ancient pipe organ and viols was most impressive, and the Bight Reverend Dr. Trollope, in dedicating a window to the late Hubert Delaval Astley, alluded in his address to the great interest that was taken and the love that was shown by him for all things beautiful. “ One has only to look through a series of volumes of our Magazine to know how true this was, and to many of us who knew him personally his memory will be long cherished like the sunshine and breezes of a beautiful summer afternoon.” CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. J. H. Arnold, 4002 Massachusetts Street, Long Beach, California, U.S.A. Proposed by Dr. Leon Patrick. F. Clemo, 3 Claremont Road, Redruth, Cornwall. Proposed by D. M. Horsford. Miss V. C. Dickson, Bryn Afon, St. Asaph, North Wales. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Victor Justice Evans, Victor Buildings, Washington D.C., U.S.A. Proposed by G. Beever. Frank Gambo, 5 Broadway, Flushing, Long Island, U.S.A. Proposed by P. M. Maresi. J. H. van Hoboken, Rotterdamsche Ryweg, 193 Oberschie, Holland. Proposed by A. van Heyst. Mrs. Ryecroft, Purton, near Swindon. Proposed by Mrs. Goddard. H. B. Smith, 3 Claremont Road, Redruth, Cornwall. Proposed by D. M. Horsford. W. S. Wood, 1 Maison Dieu Road, Dover. Proposed by F. G. Hedges. NEW MEMBERS. A. Nelson Allen, The Rambles, Salfords, Horley, Surrey. H. W. Bowden, Hergest, 13 Hampstead Hill Gardens, N.W. 3. H. H. Carpenter, 540 South Hill Avenue, Pasadena, California, U.S.A. Dr. L. J. Clendinnen, 105 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia. Mrs. Geoffrey Duveen, Broadway, Limpsfield, Surrey. Mrs. C. A. D. Fisher, The Grange, Sutton Road, Erdington, Birmingham. Lady Guillemard, Tower House, Tite Street, S.W.3. Mrs. Cecil Harmsworth, 13 Hyde Park Gardens, W.2. Mrs. A. Harvey, Aucheneoyle, Prestwick, Ayrshire. John H. Robinson, Sunnycote, St. Mildred’s Road, Ramsgate. CHANGE OF ADDRESS. N. F. Cockell to Durbungah, Coach Road, Newton Abbot, S. Devon. George Jennison to Barwicke Lodge, Disley, Cheshire. DONATION TO ILLUSTRATION FUND. Mrs. K. Currey R. Lockey C. Home McCall £ s. d. 12 0 1 0 1 0 GAMAGES SS2 ALWAYS A VARIED STOCK OF Foreign Birds, Parrots, Lovebirds, etc. We can now offer : — Red-face, Nyassa, and Masked Lovebirds, Blue-wing Grass Parrakeets, Pennant Parrakeets, Blossom Heads, Crimson-crown Weavers, Red-collar Whydahs, Zebra Finches, Bleeding Heart Pigeons, Rainbow and Nonpariel Bantings. BEST FOODS . LOWEST PRICES. Mealworms .... 6/6 per lb. , 4 lb., 25/- Carr. paid. 9 9 Spray Millet, large bundles Ants’ Eggs .... 3/6 each, 1 doz., 36/~ . 3/-; per lb. , 4 1b., 11/- 9 9 Dried Flies .... 2/6 9 9 99 8/6 9 9 Pure Egg Yolk .... 3/6 9 9 9 9 12/6 9 9 Insectivorous Food 1/6 9 S 9 9 5/0 9 9 Cuttlefish Bone 1/6 9 f 9 9 4/6 Specialities in CAGES, AVIARIES, NEST-BOXES and all appliances. A^VS^GAM^ LONDON, E.CJL _ _ _ PHONE: HOL. 2700. _ _ DE VON & CO. Oar weekly PRICE LISTS will interest you. FOREIGN. Golden-breasted Waxbills 10/- pair. Golden Sparrows . 10/- ,, Masked Weavers . 6/6 , , Bronze-wing Mannikins 5 6 9 9 Weavers 4/- 9 9 Silverbills 6/6 9 9 Combassous . 4/6 9 9 Steelfinches . 61- 9 9 Red-eared Waxbills 2/6 Cordon Bleus 7/6 9 9 Avadavabes . 5/6 9 9 Spicebirds 6/6 9 9 Black-headed Nuns 6/6 9 9 Zebra Finches 18/- 9 9 FOREIGN ( continued ). Grey Parrots . . £ 4 each. Grey S. Finches . . 6/- pair. Special Offer : — By taking 6 pairs of mixed Finches from above, 17/6 carriage paid. RUSSIAN BIRDS. Magnificent consignmentLarge Siberian Goldfinches, Crossbills, etc. Please send for complete list. MEALWORMS. Large, clean, fat worms, 1/3 oz. 7/- lb. Postpaid. All Aquaticai requirements, including GOLDFISH & FANCY FISH, AQUARIUMS from 3/6, REPTILES, PET MONKEYS, MONGOOSE, ARMADILLOS, GUINEA PIGS, etc. Free Weekly Price Lists. OLDEST DIRECT IMPORTERS, 127 King’s Cross Road, London, W„C. 1. Phcme : Museum 767. Telegrams : OiSEAUX LONDON. FOURTH SERIES. VOL. V. No. lO. OCTOBER, 1927. THE Avicultural Magazine CONTENTS. PAGE The Breeding of the Crowned Wood Partridge, by Herbert Whitley, F.Z.S. (with Coloured Plate)... ... ... 258 The Arrival of Fischer’s Love¬ bird, by Capt. H. S. Stokes 257 Notes on the Perfect Lorikeet in Captivity, by the Marquess of Tavistock ... ... ... 258 The Breeding of Hybrid Crimson¬ winged x Sula Island King Parrakeets, by the Marquess of Tavistock . 259 PAGE The Breeding of the Lepurana Bustard-Quail, by H. L. SiCH 264 Bird Notes from Tenerife, by G. H. Gurney, F.Z.S. ... 267 The Unsuccessful Nesting of the Senegal Touracou, by Capt. H. S. Stokes . 270 Avicultural Notes . 272 Review : Cage Bird Hybrids . . . 274 Correspondence ... ... 274 The Price of this Number is 2/6. the avioultural society. FOUNDED 1 894 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 10/6. The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. JALL SUBSCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HONORARY SECRETARY AND TREASURER, MiSS Knobel, 32 Tavistock Square, London, W.C.l. 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 Prosectorium, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Rule 2.— -Should any member require an immediate reply, 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, 5 Eore Street, Hertford, to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers for 1917 and after, and bound volumes should be addressed. 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: 46 Hertford. BACK VOLUMES of the AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE previous to 1917. Application for these should be made to the Editor of Cage Birds, 154 Fleet Street, E.C. 4. All Enquiries 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 : — Mr. D. Seth- Smith, Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. HARRODS ZOOLOGICAL SECTION HARRODS make a feature of foreign birds for Aviaries and Exhibitions. Try our Insectivorous Food. Write for List or 5 'phone Sloane / 234. \ HARRODS Ltd LONDON SW 1 GALLOWAY’S Celebrated Insectivorous Food LIFE A Perfect diet for all Insect and Fruit-eating Birds, Foreign Finches, Waxbills, etc., etc. As supplied to Her Grace The late DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON, Her Grace EVELYN DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON, LORD TAVISTOCK, and The Hon. MRS. G. BOURKE. This food is invaluable for feeding foreign seed-eaters given in addition to their seed diet ; Parrot and other Foreign Finches will rear their young almost entirely on it. Used by a great number of leading aviculturists both here and abroad. It will keep good for any length of time if turned out of the bag and kept in a dry place. Prices carriage paid to any part of the United Kingdom 1 lb. 2/6, 21b. 4/8, 31b. 6/10, 41b. 9/-, 51b, 11/2, 61b. 13/4, 71k 14/10, 141k 27/4, 281k 47/10, \ cwt. 95/8. Ants Eggs No 1 Quality, 3/- per lb. post paid. Best Dried Flies, 2/- per lb. post paid. No Agents . To be obtained solely from the Maker . Sand postcard for descriptive leaflet with testimonials. P, F. M. GALLOWAY, 1 Rectory Road, Caversham, Reading, England. i CHAPMAN’S 17 TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, LONDON, W.l. Telegrams: “ BLACKBIRD PHONE, LONDON." Telephones : MUSEUM 5272, 5273, 5274 and 5275. Cables: " BLACKBIRD LONDON. Animal and Waterfowl Depbt : 11 HIGH STREET, BARNET. Telephone: BARNET 2082. Quarantine Station : 5 SAGE ST., LONDON, E. 1 . East End Depot : 3 SAGE ST., LONDON, E.l. OUR NEW BUILDING IS NOW OPEN where the Finest Collection of Birds ever gathered together may he seen Exhibited in Modern Show Cages under perfect hygienic conditions - At tlie time of the appearance of this advertisement we shall have actually on view the following very fine collections, besides many others too numerous to be detailed here, and a full List will be forwarded to anybody making application for same. Qhapman’s Zebras. Eared Owls. Amherst Pheasants. Hamadryas Baboons. Vultures. N'ght Apes. Amazon Parrots. Emus. Pekin Robins. Rosella Parrakeets. Elephants. Macaws. Yaks. Lemurs. Antelope. Tanagers. Elegant Parrakeet. Nonpareil Buntings. Hartebeeste. Pumas. Snakes. Ibex. Hyathwche Macaws. Ibis. Spreo Starlings. gSlyassa Lovebirds. Amardillo. Grey Parrots. Nigger Monkeys. Touracous. T rumpeters. Hawk-headed Parrots. Abyssinian Lovebirds. Troupials. Eagles. Lizards. Ocelet Cats. Hornbills. Indian Pheasants. Aye-Aye. Orioles. Vervet Monkeys. Undulated Grass Parrakeets. Soft-billed Birds. Egrets. Elk. Orowned Cranes. Anaconda. j Fischers Lovebirds. Norwich Canaries. Flamingoes. Red Cardinals. Anubis Baboons. Ostriches. Orinocco Geese. Rheas. Rhesus Monkeys. Marmosets. Yellow Conures. REMEMBER CHAPMAN’S I 17 Tottenham Court Rd., London, W.l, is the firm for all different species of Live ANIMALS and BIRDS . REGENT PET STORES (G. E. PALMER, F.Z.S.) 83 Park Street, Camden Town, London, N.W.l ’Phone : Telegraphic Address : HAMPSTEAD 8856. “DOMESTIPET, NORWEST, LONDON.” iiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimmiiiiiiimmiiu Importers of Foreign Livestock. ii in in i! iiiiii iiiui iiiii i ii i iiiiin mi min i! i in mu in i ii i n 1 1 1 1 in in nmi n 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 hi in in in in i n i mm in i ii mu i in 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ii 1 1 mi i mm im;n mi in 1 1 1 n i in in i M n; i Always good selection of Parrots, Parrakeets, Foreign Finches , Monkeys, etc., on view at reasonable prices. WE SPECIALIZE IN CAGES, AVIARIES & APPLIANCES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION AT LOWEST PRICES. Pure Egg Yolk . 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Medals for first breeding of a species in captivity in France or other countries are awarded if a detailed account is sent to the Society. Now Ready. TO BE COMPLETED IN TWO VOLUMES. Volume i. “AVICULTURE” Price IS/- net. Order with remittance to— STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, LTD., Fore Street, Hertford. IV Avicultural Magazine. 1927. Crowned Wood Partridge or Rou/rou/ . Roll ulus rou / rou! . THE Avicultural— Magazine BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF FOREIGN & BRITISH BIRDS IN FREEDOM & CAPTIVITY Fourth Series. — Vol. V. — No. 10. — All rights reserved. OCTOBER, 1927 THE BREEDING OF THE CROWNED WOOD PARTRIDGE By Herbert Whitley, F.Z.S. Our worthy Editor informs me that there is to be a plate of the Crowned Wood Partridge ( Rollulus roulroul) in the Magazine, and that as I have been fortunate enough to breed this beautiful species, it is my duty to record my experiences with it. To those Unacquainted with the adult birds, the excellent plate accompanying these notes gives such a life-like representation that further description is Unnecessary. The Roul-roul is the sole member of its genus which is characterized by the presence in both sexes of long hair-like bristles springing from the middle of the forehead. All the Wood Partridges, and there are two other genera, have the claw of the first toe rudimentary. The home of the Roul-roul is in “ South Tenasserim, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo ” (B.M. Catalogue), and I under¬ stand that it is upon the well-wooded hillsides at an elevation of from 3,000 to 4,000 feet, that it is usually to be found in “ coveys ” of from six to a dozen. 19 254 Herbert Whitley — To the late Sir William Ingram belongs the credit of being the first to hatch the Roul-roul in captivity, and twenty years ago he was so far successful in that he reared a chick so hatched to the age of three weeks in one of his aviaries at Monte Carlo. A drawing of the chick and an interesting account of the nesting habits of the bird appear in Avicultural Magazine, New Series, Yol. YI, p. 38. I purchased my first pair of Roul-roul from Chapman in the late summer of 1924. These were shortly afterwards turned out into a fairly large aviary thickly planted with shrubs and in which there was a good deal of undercover. The cock bird never seemed to thrive, and about six weeks after¬ wards he was found dead under one of the bushes. The hen, on the other hand, appeared to improve and later came through a good moult. She passed the winter in this aviary to which was attached a lofty shelter, without artificial heat. She frequently roosted in the open, and except in very severe weather the door of the shelter was never shut, whilst the large window near the top of the shelter was continuously open night and day. I must here interpolate the remark that I do not recommend this spartan treatment for Roul-rouls, as this last winter during a prolonged spell of wet I found that the damp earth “ balled ” on their feet, and that both parents and chicks seemed happier and naturally more active when brought to a somewhat drier atmosphere where their feet soon recovered from the chaps which were starting to form on the under¬ side of their toes. As a mate for the hen I purchased, in December, 1925, a cock bird from Mr. Hebb, of Luton. The weather being bad and the time of the year unfavourable, I kept this bird for some time shut in a roomy cage, but eleven days after his arrival he had the misfortune to break a leg — this was on the 29th of the month. Having set the bone to the best of my ability, with a bandage soaked in white of egg, I kept him in the dark until 3rd January, 1926, when preferring to risk the weather rather than he should disturb the setting of his limb, I turned him out in the big aviary with the hen. I have mentioned these details in order to show that, whilst these birds probably prefer rather more warmth than an average English winter brings, they are certainly not delicate. The Breeding of the Crowned Wood Partridge 255 On 3rd May the aviary attendant’s notice was drawn to the cock bird standing Under a laurel and near him a small mound of sticks and dried leaves towards the centre of the bush. This mound was shaped like a tunnel, with a small entrance hole in the front ; upon closer observation the green body feathers of the hen bird were visible within. Later in the evening the aperture was completely sealed and the cock had gone to roost in the laurel above. Some few days afterwards the hen was seen to be feeding, and a visit to the mound disclosed the fact that she was therein incubating three white eggs, almost round, with the shell having almost the same texture and substance as the egg of the Guinea Fowl. The size of the egg is given by the late Mr. Astley as diameter 1‘25 in., axis 1*55 in. The hen proved a very close sitter, and this was the only occasion upon which she was found away from her nest. Every night she was walled up inside and presumably she did this herself from within, but it is possible that the cock lent a hand as he was invariably on guard. Herein my experience differs from that of Sir William Ingram, who found that his male bird kept “ as far as possible from his partner’s abode ”. After three weeks the hen was gently driven from her nest, and the eggs were found to be unfertile and removed. About this time I considered it advisable to take off the bandage which still adhered to the male bird’s leg, and on 17th July the hen Roul-roul was reported missing. After a prolonged search — and I would here emphasize the marvellous way in which the domed nest blends with the surrounding foliage — her whereabouts was discovered on the other side of the aviary, at the foot of an old disused feeding shelter, and seventeen days later the mother made her appearance with four tiny chocolate-coloured chicks. One of these was noticed to be weaker than its fellows, and was found dead later in the day. About a week after this one of the remaining three chicks disappeared and was never found, the other two reaching maturity and proving to be one of each sex. Sir William Ingram gives the period of incubation as eighteen days, and with me the hen might have been sitting a day or two before she was reported absent. 256 The Breeding of the Crowned Wood Partridge Apart from the Boul-roul’s ordinary food (grain, insectivorous food, bread, and milk, and cut-up fruit) there was supplied finely chopped egg and bread crumbs, chopped green food, and mealworms or gentles. Both the old birds took a hand in feeding the young, but the hen alone brooded them and this she was never seen to do except under the cover of the nest. It might be of interest here to remark that, as far as my knowledge goes, green as a colour is unknown amongst the gallinaceous birds, save in the female of this species, and in the males of the Blood Partridges or Blood Pheasants ( Ithagenes ). Did the hen Boul-roul acquire her comparatively bright plumage (i.e. for the brooding sex amongst game birds) because she builds a domed nest for herself or does she build a domed nest because she has put on somewhat gaudy attire ? Perhaps those interested in “ protective coloration ” will give their opinion. Doubtless she is “ protectively coloured ” whilst moving about amongst the changing lights in heavy woodland, but presumably her vivid green tint would be conspicuous when at rest. At a fortnight old the chicks were able to fly into the low bushes and roost with their parents. In their first plumage the young birds had the body chocolate brown with speckled wings and a small creamy fawn spot on each tail feather. As the moult took place the sexes became discernible, and in three months or so they were almost indistinguishable from the old birds, except in size. The white band across the top of the head of the adult male bird took some time in manifesting itself in the chick of the sterner sex. In the early months of this year, when I brought the family under cover for the reason stated above, the young male was if anything a finer bird than his father. Presumably four eggs would be the normal clutch for these birds. Capt- H. S. Stokes — The Arrival of Fischer's Lovebirds 257 THE ARRIVAL OF FISCHER’S LOVEBIRDS (AGAPORNIS FISCHERI ) By Capt. H. S. Stokes For the third time in eighteen months a new species of Lovebird has come to Us, through the enterprise in each case of Mr. Chapman. This species hails from Tanganyika, and was recently depicted in colour in the Magazine. But we find on comparison with the living bird that it is not green on the back of the head as painted, but the same bright orange colour as on the face and neck. It has a blue rump, and is the same size as the Nyasa Lovebird, and not so highly coloured, or in our opinion so attractive. Probably it will breed equally freely, and in this connexion it may be useful to mention the experiences of this year. During the spell of dry, cold winds in April and May all Lovebird eggs, Nyasa and Black-cheeked, proved Unfertile. They were thought to need a cool, damp atmosphere more like their rain-soaked native haunts. Mr. Denys Weston devised a nest-box with a false bottom, below which is a drawer packed with sphagnum moss which can be moistened as necessary. One of these boxes was given to one pair of Nyasas and an ordinary Budgerigar box to another pair. Large baths filled with long grass and groundsel were placed in each aviary and damp moss also thrown on the floor. The result from both boxes was just the same, each pair having reared a clutch of five young from as many eggs. The bath should be big enough to oblige the birds to get into it among the damp herbage, which is bitten off and taken into the boxes, and doubtless supplies the necessary moisture. The Black-cheeks reared one young only out of four eggs, and this one unfortunately died after leaving the nest. Lovebirds are rather a problem in the winter : they do not do very well in cages ; if their aviary is quite cold they need sleeping boxes, in which case they insist on perpetually breeding, and if a paraffin lamp is used, as in my case, to exclude frosts and provide a little comfort, the atmosphere probably becomes too dry. 258 Marquess of Tavistock — The Perfect Lorikeet in Captivity NOTES ON THE PERFECT LORIKEET IN CAPTIVITY By the Marquess of Tavistock Last winter, while visiting Mr. Lewis’ fine collection, I was interested to see three specimens of this lovely little bird, Psitteuteles euteles, recently imported, and practically new to aviculture. Although I had given up keeping Lorikeets some years before, as Mr. Lewis did not want them himself, I was tempted to buy them. Unfortunately before I was able to take charge of them one of the cocks died. The pair I took home myself, not caring to leave such delicate treasures to the tender mercies of the railway company. They arrived in good condition but further ill-luck was in store. I told my aviary attendant to give them Lorikeets’ food. He misunderstood me and gave them Hanging Parrots’ food — mashed banana and sponge cake — which they would not touch. The result was that next morning I found them in a very shaky condition and before the proper diet could be obtained the cock collapsed quickly and died. The hen soon revived on Dr. Allinson’s Food prepared as for infants and sweetened — the only diet on which I have been able to persuade all Lorikeets to thrive and keep free from fits. On this, with the addition of a few sweet grapes, she has lived ever since. After a considerable period of quarantine in the hospital the Lorikeet was moved to the warm bird-room and thence, late in May, to a large outdoor aviary with a heated shelter, of which latter she has made full Use. When in the cage she was quite tame and almost inclined to be friendly, but after a summer in the aviary she has become very wild. In her movements and behaviour she resembles the Trichoglossine Lorikeets, as also in her sharp cries, though being no larger than a Tui these naturally have little power. Her general plumage is bright glossy green, somewhat paler on the breast. On each cheek there is a curious patch of yellow feathers interspersed with blackish ones in a manner to give the former a streaky appearance. In the centre of the upper part of the rump is a small patch of brilliant, deep blue. The pointed tail feathers are first green, then red, and at the tip yellow. The beak is red and the feet and legs, unlike those of any other living The Breeding of Hybrid Parrakeets 259 Parrot I have seen with the exception of the Queen of Bavaria Comire, are reddish pink, like a Barbary Dove’s. The gorgeous little cock was quite differently coloured, having dark blue cheek patches instead of yellow and black ones. It is a thousand pities that an unlucky accident has robbed me of the chance of breeding this interesting species. THE BREEDING OF HYBRID CRIMSON¬ WINGED X SULA ISLAND KING PARRAKEETS By the Marquess of Tavistock This article might also be entitled “Per ardua ad astra”, for although I have had my Sula Island hen nearly nine years and she has laid once and sometimes twice most seasons and sat diligently, she has been a very difficult bird to mate with success. Her first partner was a Red Shining Parrakeet, but her eggs with him were never fertile, perhaps because he was twice her size which is considerably less than that of a Common King. When the Red Shining died I attempted to pair her to an Alexandra Parrakeet, but he never took to her and she was afraid of him, which was odd, as she was by far the more powerful bird of the two. I next tried her with Australian Kings, but she bullied the life out of them although she was nearly a third smaller than they. I believe they took her for a cock by reason of her plumage, and the insult to her sex was more than she could endure ! Parrakeets are apt to be strangely stupid in such matters and by no means so Unerringly guided by instinct as one would expect. Adult Cock Barrabands will display to cocks in first plumage with the greatest energy and are obviously quite deluded into the belief that they are hens. Finally, noticing that the Sula Island seemed attracted by the cock Crimson-wings I had at liberty, I decided to offer her a Crimson-wing as a mate. She obviously admired the fine male I introduced into her aviary, although she was a little afraid of him, and had he possessed the disposition of a gentleman all might have gone well from the beginning. Unfortunately, however, a Crimson-wing has no manners at all and considers it a necessary preliminary to married life to impress his hen with his fine, masculine qualities by pursuing her with curses 260 Marquess of Tavistock — up and down the aviary, biting her whenever he is able to catch her. A female Crimson-wing understands this method of courtship and apparently quite enjoys it, but hens of other species do not. When the cock flies at them with his beak open, calling them unmentionable names, and endeavours to pull a mouthful of feathers out of their backs, they conclude that he dislikes them, and the more persistently he declares his passion with strange oaths, the more hurriedly they flee before him. This happened in the case of the Sula Island. When the breeding season arrived her companion, I am sure, really quite liked her. He got very thrilled over her visits to the nest -box and even displayed to her at times, but he could not bring himself to forego the formality of the preliminary thrashing, even when she was most anxious to be on intimate terms with him, and she on her part could not screw up her courage to the point of allowing him to bite her. So the end of it was that the eggs were unfertile. During the winter, however, the Sula Island made herself master of her turbulent partner, and I had great hopes that the change in their relationship might spell better fortune during the following spring. Once, indeed, it seemed as though an accident would restore the former position : in moving her we allowed a hen Crimson-wing to escape and she flew to the aviary occupied by the cock Crimson-wing and the Sula Island King. The cock was thrown into transports of excite¬ ment at the unexpected appearance of a lady of his own race, and at once fell upon the Sula Island and quickly put her to flight. We captured the disturbing visitor as quickly as possible, and when her presence no longer excited him to deeds of valour I was relieved to find that the cock Crimson-wing once more accepted the domination of the King, to which he had become accustomed. However, no better fortune was in store, for the Sula Island King’s eggs were again clear. Worse still, as soon as she started to sit the Crimson-wing made himself master and when the eggs were removed began to harry the hen so unceasingly that in disgust I separated them and allowed him to set up house with the female of his own kind already alluded to ; this he did without a moment’s hesitation or regret for his late com¬ panion. So relieved, indeed, was he to be rid of the Sula Island that he scarcely addressed a single cuss-word to his new bride and for the The Breeding of Hybrid Parrakeets 261 first few weeks showed her more affection than I have ever seen in a Crimson-wing before or since ; I fear I must, however, add that he- has proved unable to keep it up indefinitely, although he is still with her and is rearing a family at the moment. About a fortnight after the Crimson-wing had been removed, the now solitary Sula Island laid two- more eggs, one of which, to our intense astonishment, proved fertile- and hatched ! The triumph was, however, short lived, as the chick died when only a few days old, owing, as I now know, to the unsuitable- nature of the nest, an artificial box in the aviary shelter being, in thi& place, a perfect death-trap for any young King or Crimson-wing. In spite of the belated and unexpected measure of success attained with the cock Crimson-wing, I felt it Useless, now that he had settled down with a mate of his own species, to try further experiments with him and the King. I therefore obtained a new Crimson-wing, choosing a two-year-old bird not quite in full colour, in order that the Sula Island might be able to discipline him and teach him manners before age had developed the hooligan disposition of his race and sex. All went well during the autumn and winter, the Sula Island keeping the Crimson-wing well in his place. Early in March they became friendly and paired and although she had no nest the King insisted on laying two eggs on the sand on a zinc tray in the shelter immediately under the feeding dish. This was not at all what I wanted as I planned to give her a natural tree trunk in the flight as soon as the weather became mild. My aviary attendant put the eggs on a concave wooden nest bottom and the Sula Island proceeded to incubate them with great steadiness, only flying off for a few moments when the little door above her head was opened to replenish the food dish. I was, however, far from satisfied about the probable fate of the chick which might hatch from the one fertile egg. Young Aprosmictus Parrakeets develop cramp and rickets on an artificial wooden floor as surely as Ducklings, so I decided to try the Sula Island’s patience by yet another interference with her domestic arrangements. With great skill and by dint of Herculean labours, the gardener and two assistants cut a gigantic turf about 4 ft. square and 18 in. thick. I turned the Sula Island gently off her eggs and shut her out of the shelter. Then we removed the wooden block, established the turf, bottom upwards, in its place, and 262 Marquess of Tavistock — put the eggs in a hollow on the top. As soon as I pulled up the slide the hen, who had been quietly eating monkey nuts most of the time we had been banging about in her home, went back to her eggs and new nest, I was going to say “ like a lamb ”, but as lambs are not noted for steadiness during incubation, “ like a broody Dorking hen ” might be a better simile. That is the best of Parrakeets : they will stand any reasonable and often quite a lot of most unreasonable interference with their nests without deserting. They are wise birds, and, with rare exceptions, devoted parents, very different from those addle-pated Finches and Softbills that desert, at the most trivial disturbance, even their helpless young. Unfortunately all our trouble was once more in vain. The Sula Island sat over her full time, but the chick was dead in the shell. I forgot to mention that soon after she had begun sitting the Crimson-wing developed bad manners, made himself master and bullied her so incessantly whenever she came off to feed that I removed him to another aviary. With the failure of the first batch of eggs there was nothing for it but to return him in the hope that solitude had improved his temper. If anything, however, it had made him worse : directly he got over the fright of his transfer he was after the Sula Island for all he was worth, driving her up and down the aviary with open beak and torrents of his choicest Billingsgate ; I could have wrung his neck ! In desperation I resolved to apply to him the final discipline reserved for hopelessly savage cocks. I told the aviary attendant to catch him and cut his wing, not enough to stop him from flying altogether, but sufficiently to restrict his capers pretty severely. He was exceedingly annoyed at the indignity to which he had been subjected, and for some days sulked inside the aviary shelter, swearing at the Sula Island when she approached him. However, it turned out eventually that the punishment had done him a world of good. In a few weeks’ time he was quite a reformed character and on excellent terms with his companion whom I had provided with a piece of a natural tree trunk for her next attempt. It was not an ideal nest, having no bottom and being little more than 2 ft. 6 in. high, but it was the best I could get hold of. I placed it in a sheltered corner of the aviary flight and put plenty of mould and decayed wood in the interior. The Sula Island laid three eggs which hatched a few days before I left The Breeding of Hybrid Parrakeets 263 home in May. Shortly before I lost a brood of young Crimson-wings in a very similar but rather more draughty log and my hopes of the hybrid nest were at a very low ebb and were not raised by what little I could see of the young ones when I got the chance of a peep with the aid of an electric torch. Young Parrakeets when in good health usually sit very upright and very close together with their funny little “ arms ” round each others’ necks and their heads wobbling over each others’ shoulders. But as far as I could see only one young hybrid was moving, and that feebly, and the biggest lay very still and appeared to be dead. I went away with a heavy heart, daily expecting to hear that X, the evil spirit who appears to take a special delight in frustrating the hopes of aviculturalists, had done in one or all of my greatest treasures of the season — the hybrids, a Lutino Ringneck and a nest of Malabars. X made no mistake with the Lutino and duly destroyed the lovely golden bird I had toiled for twelve years to produce, a few days after it left the nest, but for some reason the bad news of the hybrids never came. The result was that when I got back in August I found sitting on the perches three as sturdy and handsome young birds as one could wish to see. They are not Unlike rather slender young Common Kings, but all their colours are much more brilliant ; indeed, I have never seen any Parrakeets in first plumage with such rich tints, and if they live to be three years old they should be gorgeous birds, indeed. Their heads, necks, wings, mantles, and breasts are green, the tint on the breast being slightly paler. The upper part of the rump is brilliant blue and the belly is very rich, dark crimson, streaks of the same colours running upwards towards the breast and mingling with the green subcaudal feathers. The cock has a few red feathers on the crown. The tail feathers are green above and black below with pinkish-yellow tips. The beaks of the young birds are of a pinkish colour, becoming yellower towards the tip of both mandibles. Eyes large and very dark. The Sula Island, encouraged by her success, went to nest a third time and now (September 13th) has another young one about half grown. The newly-hatched young were covered with long white down. It seems a great pity that the wonderful Aprosmictine Parrakeets, the sexes of which are coloured alike, should remain practically unknown 264 H. L. Sich — Breeding of the Lepurana Bustard-Quail to aviculture, for, judging from my Sula Island, they are both hardy and prolific. She has never had a day’s illness since her arrival and never, after her first winter, any artificial heat, and she must have laid nearly thirty eggs. THE BREEDING OF THE LEPURANA BUSTARD-QUAIL ( TURNIX LEPURANA ) By H. L. Sich Of the very few of the twenty-odd species of Turnix which I have been able to pick up nearly all have been hens. As far as observation has gone they all appear to have similar habits, which have been described before. I have never had more than three eggs in a clutch and sometimes only two, with paired birds as well as odd hens, although I have heard of four chicks having been hatched and reared. It is impossible to say how many clutches are laid by one hen in a season in nature. My two species, both paired, this year have laid one five clutches, the other four, and the latter is booming again now. Lepurana is, according to Ogilvie-Grant, a sub-species of sylvaticay differing only in being smaller, and having a more southern range in Africa. But his description of the latter does not quite describe the pattern of my lepurana . I can see no difference in the two sexes except size, and that the breast of the hen is a little brighter yellow. The Upper parts are mottled and streaked with two shades of brown. The throat, breast, and Under parts are yellowish buff, a streak down the middle of the head ; the sides of the neck and sides of the breast are very nearly white in ground colour but each feather has a black centre, giving a scaly appearance. The bill, which is rather long, is lead coloured, the toes, and tarsus yellowish white. The black of the eye is surrounded by pale yellow, which gives the birds a very scared look. Having got two tanJci hens last year and failing to find a cock any¬ where I offered another bird in exchange for a Turnix which I saw in the Small Bird-house at the Zoological Gardens, and thought that I H. L. Sick,— Breeding of the Lepurana Bustard-Quail 265 had been told that it was a cock. My offer was kindly accepted. Not long after the bird was in my aviary it started booming, then I knew it was a hen. Only then did I inquire its name and found it was lepurana. I could see from the first that it was too different from my hen to be a cock tanki , but it was better than nothing. In the autumn some more lepurana were advertised. The first lot which I bought were all dead in two days. I was just in time to save one cock of the second lot. A hen Chinese Painted Quail had taken a dislike to them, being, I suppose, too much like herself in colour, and hunted them round the shelter in which all the birds were shut up in for the winter. Having caught up the remaining cock and the old hen for safety • — she had not been attacked, being there before the Quail had arrived — I put them in a small run 7 by 4 feet in the shelter of the other division. By 11th April she had laid three eggs behind a board. These I removed besides three more laid by 23rd April as there was no live food for the chicks, even if the cock had hatched them, and there was nowhere to put the hen if I had removed her. On 30th April they were let out into the flight. On 4th June I discovered that what appeared to be a handful of hay tumbled out of a privet bush was the dome of a nest : being placed in short grass it was more elaborate than usual, and looked much like a large nest of the Quail Finch. It contained two eggs, a third being laid about midday and the cock began to incubate soon after. The eggs are about 11 lines by 9 lines of a white ground heavily mottled with dark olive brown and much smaller blotches of pale brown and lavender grey. By 7.30 a.m., 18th June, all three eggs were hatched. Going in to feed some Quail chicks, the cock ran off the nest and the chicks tried to follow. I collected them and put them back. When I went again at 9.30 the nest was empty and the egg-shells which were there before had gone ; the nest was never Used again. Did the cock eat them to cover up all traces ? I never expected these eggs to hatch. The cock was always off the nest when I came in the morning, and came off regularly at about 6 p.m. for what seemed in my anxiety to be about half an hour. Besides that about every quarter of an hour all day long he would leave the eggs for five or ten minutes to feed or have a dust 266 H. L. Sick — - Breeding of the Lepurana Bustard-Quail bath. I could see the nest a good way off from the outside of the aviary, so his coming off was not due to fear of me. He sat more closely the last few days, which raised my hopes. What summer weather we have had this year was over by the middle of June. The three chicks were still alive on the 19th, after a soaking wet and stormy night, but on the 22nd after a similar night there were only two left. I caught up the cock and these two and placed them in a small run in the passage about 6 by 3 feet and had no more trouble, feeding them on live ants’ eggs and gentles. I had to cover half the run over with roofing felt to keep them moderately dry ; that and the drenching weather made observation rather difficult. I noticed that even when quite young when the sun shone the chicks would sit together apart from the cock. At first they were dusky white with two darker stripes down the back and the whole of the eye appeared black. At six days old the wing quills were visible. At about ten days old they began to pick up food off the ground. By 3rd July at fifteen days old the body was covered with feathers and a little tail was showing ; the head was still covered with down. On the 5th I first noticed that the irishadbecome pale. On the 17th they were about two-thirds the size of the cock and coloured much the same but very much whiter looking and without any yellow on the under parts. I put them in a run by themselves, inside, where they have been ever since. They are now, 1st September, the size of the cock and coloured like him except the breast which only shows a tinge of yellow. As they are both the same size they are probably both the same sex and I expect cocks. The hen has laid twice since, once in a small run where the cock refused to sit, and in the aviary where he hatched out on 16th August, but I could not find even the cock bird and in a week he appeared alone, so the wet and scarcity of food, which I could only scatter broadcast, which the other birds ate, killed them. My other species, nigricollis, hatched out two from two eggs early in May, but on an isolated wet day and only lived a few hours. They have nested since but the eggs did not hatch. The young chicks were a few shades darker than lepurana but just the same pattern and size. G. H. Gurney — Some Bird Notes from Tenerife 267 SOME BIRD NOTES FROM TENERIFE By G. H. Gurney, F.Z.S. To the Naturalist, whether he be ornithologist, botanist, or entomo¬ logist, no group of islands present a more fascinating and interesting field for his particular hobby than the Canary Island Archipelago. The various species peculiar to the islands, or in several cases to one particular island, offer problems of surpassing interest, and added to the magnificent climate which one nearly always enjoys there renders a stay on any one of the islands one of peculiar enjoyment. I spent the greater part of February and March this year at Puerto Orotava on the coast of Tenerife, and no better centre could be found from which to work the birds which are found on that island. Puerto Orotava is situated on the west coast of Tenerife, the largest island of the group, and is reached by a drive through splendid scenery of 30 miles from Santa Cruz, the principal town and port of the island. The island of Tenerife roughly covers an area of over 900 square miles, and is 50 miles long by 32 miles broad. A long Unbroken range of mountains running roughly from Esperanza to Guia, forms, as it were, the backbone of the island, and culminates in the well-known peak, the Pico de Teide, which reaches a height of 12,180 feet. The sides of this long ridge of mountains are deeply cut by barrancos (ravines) which run down on either side, some of them of very large size. The entire surface of the island is composed of basaltic rocks, lava, cinders, and scorrise, though on the fertile LagUna plateau there is a fine rich mould. Owing to the mountains there is a considerable amount of moisture which renders the island far less arid than some others of the group ; indeed, many of the barrancos are most luxuriant with brilliant almost tropical vegeta¬ tion, and it is only in the extreme south of the island where typical African desert conditions exist that sandy, stony tracts of desert country are to be found, and it is on these desert-like plains that some of the most interesting insular birds are to be found. The extremely picturesque town of Orotava is situated 1,500 feet above the sea, overshadowed by the snow-capped Peak of Tenerife ; El Puerto, where I stayed, is 3 miles lower down, at sea-level. The country all round is now largely devoted to the cultivation of the banana, and a great deal of what was formerly good country for birds. 268 G. H. Gurney — Some Bird Notes from Tenerife lias gone for ever. The banana plantations extend for miles all round Orotava, and stretch up to some 2,000 feet, where one gets into the region of the chestnut and laurel forests. There has been in the past considerable differences of opinion amongst scientists as to the origin of the Canarian Archipelago, and various theories have been put forward : (1) that they are merely of volcanic origin ; (2) that they were originally joined to the mainland of Africa ; (3) that they are the remaining peaks of the submerged fabled continent of Atlantis ; but it is now, I think, generally agreed that they were formed by volcanic action in the late Tertiary period. The Archipelago is made up of some twelve islands, forming an eastern group and a western group. The eastern islands are mainly composed of arid stony deserts and extinct volcanoes, with a very scanty vegetation ; the two large islands of the western group, viz., Gran Canaria and Tenerife, are also purely of volcanic origin, but on them water is fairly abundant, and consequently vegetation is much more luxurious. The whole of the island of Tenerife can be divided up into very distinct zones of vegetation, which bear a marked influence on the distribution of the birds. These zones may be differentiated as follows : — (1) The Maritime Zone , which extends from sea-level to 1,000 feet, and includes the desert-like plains. This zone is characterized by a semi-desert flora, where such arid-loving species as O'puntia and the wonderful Tree Euphorbias flourish, and is the habitat of suchinteresting birds as the Courser and the Trumpeter Bullfinch. (2) The Monte Verde or Zone of Cultivation, including the remains of the chestnut and laurel forests, between 1,000 and 3,000 feet. There the vegetation, whether indigenous or introduced, is of the utmost luxuriance : vines, oranges, loqUats, and bananas all thrive, and wild flowers of every description clothe the sides of the barrancos, while the gardens of the villas and houses are more like outdoor conservatories than anything else, with an extreme wealth of magnificent plants and shrubs ; the brilliant yellow and scarlet Bignonia venusta, red and purple Bougainvilleas climb in profusion over roofs and balconies, flaunting crimson Hibiscus grow side by side with Daturas with their enormous white trumpet-like flowers, while the beautiful blue Thun- bergia grandiflora climbs over the dracaenas and palms, all making Up a picture of surpassing loveliness. Special birds peculiar to this zone G. H. Gurney — Some Bird Notes from Tenerife 269 are the Superb Redbreast, Spectacled Warbler, and till the destruction of the laurel forests, the wonderful Pigeon, Columba bollei. (3) The Pine Forest Zone , 3,000-4,000 feet, and the habitat of one of the most remarkable of Tenerife birds, the Teydean Blue Chaffinch, about which more will be said later on. (4) The Cumbres, or high mountain zone, extending from 4,000 to 7,000 feet; vegetation here is very poor, though the characteristic plant Escobon (Cytisus prolifer) grows freely. Large tracts of the more rocky parts of the island (Zone 1) are given over to the Prickly Pear of two species, viz. Optuntia coccinellifera and O. dillenii, the former, which in the past was largely cultivated, is the food-plant of the cochineal bug, which previously was bred by the inhabitants for the sake of the well-known dye ; this industry was killed, however, in the Canary Islands by the discovery of aniline dyes in 1878. However, I was told that recently an effort has been made to restart the cochineal industry in Gran Canaria, principally because it is an industry which requires very little heavy labour, and in consequence suits the tempera¬ ment of the indolent Canarian peasants. The larger Birds of Prey are very common in Tenerife : Buzzards and Red Kites may be seen at any time, and are remarkably tame, though they do not haunt the vicinity of the towns in the way they did twenty years ago. The Egyptian Vulture is also an abundant species, but keeps to the more mountainous parts of the island. It is a fine sight to see three or four of these large Vultures wheeling over one’s head, the black and white plumage of the adults standing out finely against the brilliant blue sky. Occasionally I saw them being mobbed by Buzzards, which in their turn were mobbed by Ravens. The little Canarian Kestrel ( Tinnunculus tinnunculus canariensis ), which is a resident sub-species, was extraordinarily abundant and breeding in the barrancos ; they were absurdly tame, and would sit oji a small tree, or on the top of a wall by the roadside, and hardly bother to fly away as one passed. I think they feed almost entirely on the Lizards which swarm every¬ where. A few years ago the Osprey was a comparatively common bird, and lived in the cliffs quite close to Orotava ; I was disappointed not to see it at all. [To be continued.) 20 270 Capt. H. S. Stokes — Unsuccessful Nesting of Senegal Touracou THE UNSUCCESSFUL NESTING OF THE SENEGAL TOURACOU ( TURACUS PERSA) By Capt. H. S. Stokes Two years ago I related in these pages how a single Senegal Touracou had surprised us by laying a clutch of eggs. There followed the difficult search for a cock, rather like looking for a needle in a haystack, for Senegal Touracous are very few and far between. However, through the kindness of friends we succeeded in getting a beauty, and the two birds were duly put together. The hen went for him like a tigress, and they had to be separated. They were kept in separate aviaries, but within sight of each other through the winter, and on Whit-Mondav, 1926, were put together, both in a fresh aviary. They at once began to feed and kiss and make charming crooning noises, and soon started a nest in some ivy outdoors, about 5 ft. from the ground. A clutch of two eggs was laid and the birds sat steadily in June but the eggs proved to be clear. We had been warned by the previous experience of Mr. Delacour of the exuberance of the cock, who would certainly kill the first brood of young, but we did not remove him as he regularly took his turn on the eggs by day, after the manner of pigeons, and being also rather lame with rheumatism was not addicted to wife-beating. A second clutch of eggs was laid on the same nest in August, 1926, and one egg hatched about 9th September. On this date I went abroad, as I have learnt to do when any specially precious birds are breeding. Letters from my aviary girl reported the good progress of the baby, Upon whom she lavished endless care and thought and trouble, and on my return on 10th October I was shown the young with great and justifiable pride. It was not yet out of the nest, about half grown, and about the size of a pigeon, and covered with black down. It was about six o’clock in the evening and just getting dark, when pleased to be home and elated at the birth into the world of another Senegal Touracou, I stood outside the aviary and talked to the mother, who is attached to me and will feed from my hand. She came to the wires for a grape, and the cock joined her, and both became very excited and began to crow. Alas, it was the death Capt. H. S. Stokes — Unsuccessful Nesting of Senegal Touracou 271 knell of the poor little one : in their excitement they left it that night to its fate, and in the morning it was dead. I learnt my lesson, and vowed never more to pet them. This spring about April the hen showed signs of wishing to lay, so we made every effort to induce her to do so indoors. Boxes and baskets were put up, and heather and dead damson branches strewn about, but she would have none of them. Back she went to the old spot, and though the nest of last year had been demolished and we had put fresh heather up for her, it was all pulled out and the nest rebuilt entirely of branches broken off a small tree in the aviary by both birds. One egg only was laid, and after two days it disappeared. One more was then laid after a fortnight, and I caught the cock red-handed eating it. Another egg was laid in July — observe that the clutch was invariably only of one egg this year as against the normal two in 1926 — and this time both birds sat splendidly. The hen would come off every morning about nine for breakfast and a bath, the cock taking her place till six in the evening. We were very careful to keep them quiet and to make no fuss of them. Indeed, I again removed myself from the temptation of meddling by going to London. About the twenty-first day of incubation — I think the full period is twenty-four days — we began an extra feed of banana and bread and milk. On my return home I was horrified to find both birds flying about and my bird girl almost in tears. Fragments of egg, evidently a clear one, had been found beneath the nest on the very day they should have hatched. For the second year, therefore, we are cheated of success and robbed of the great joy of rearing so beautiful and delightful a bird, so rare too in English aviaries. No praise is too high for the Senegal Touracou. It is steady and sensible and most beautiful in its dress of green and purple, with carmine red in the wing. The sexes are by no means easy to distinguish apart, but the cock is slimmer and longer than the hen, his green crest tipped with purple, and a broader streak of white below the eye than she possesses. These birds lay very large and almost round eggs, and on more than 272 Aviculturcil Notes one occasion the hen was so ill with the effort that she could scarcely reach the nest to lay. However, she allowed herself to be placed on it, and would feed from the hand on banana rolled in olive oil. She would also let my bird girl take the egg from beneath her to examine it. We have now stopped breeding operations for this year as the nights are getting cold. Next year if both birds are still with us we shall consider removing the cock directly the eggs are laid, but I am by no means certain how this will answer in the case of birds of which both sexes share the task of incubation. Mr. Delacour was successful in breeding the species in France before his aviaries were destroyed in the war, but it has not been bred in England, no doubt owing to the great difficulty of obtaining pairs. AVICULTURAL NOTES By the Editor Mr. Webb returned home from Costa Rica on 21st August, with a number of Humming Birds, which he had collected for Mr. Spedan Lewis. Mr. Lewis most generously presented seventeen of these to the Zoological Society, and as they required special lighting and heating arrangements, special cages were arranged for them in the Insect House. There are at least five different species, namely Pha'ethornis longirostris , Campylopterus hemileucurus, Thalurania colombica, Amazilia dubusi, and Elvira chionura. Humming Birds will live for a time upon syrup only, but a certain quantity of insect food would seem to be necessary for most species at any rate. There is a very small white fly which is extremely numerous on the underside of the leaves of some marrow plants in my garden. It is a regular blight, and appears to be responsible for a very poor crop of vegetable marrows. But the Humming Birds love these tiny insects which they capture on the wing in a very dexterous manner. A pair of very beautiful Conures arrived in a recent collection made by Mr. Chapman’s representative in Central Brazil, and were purchased by the Zoological Society. They belong to the species known as Pyrrhura rhodogaster of Sclater — the Crimson-breasted Conure, which Avicultural Notes 273 is represented in the Natural History Museum by Mr. Sclater’s type- specimen only. It is slightly larger than the White-eared Conure, and in many respects resembles that species, but its chief distinguishing feature is its bright crimson lower breast and abdomen. Mr. Frost has returned to England after an absence of three years, and has brought with him a very fine collection, including several birds new to aviculture. The Raja Lory (Chalcopsittacus insignis) somewhat resembles the Black Lory, but is clothed in delicate shades of purple, bronze, and red. Rosenberg’s Lorikeet ( Trichoglossus rosenbergi) is one of the most beautiful of its genus. The Javan Kingfisher ( Halcyon cyaniventris), the New Guinea Kingfisher ( Sauromarptis gaudichaudi ), and the very interesting Malayan Falconet (Microhierax fringillarius) all appear to be the first of their kinds to be imported. The collection includes thirty-three Birds of Paradise, belonging to six species, no less than nine Great Black Cockatoos (Microglossus), seventy Lories of various species, twenty-four Fairy Blue Birds, seven Blue-tailed Pittas, forty Crowned Pigeons of three species, two Casso¬ waries, twelve Egrets, and so on; a really remarkable collection. These are temporarily housed at the Zoological Gardens, and those who wish for rarities should communicate with Mr. Frost, c/o the Zoological Society of London. The question is often asked as to what is the best method of catching birds from an aviary. For my own part I dislike nets in any shape or form, though they are necessary in certain cases. A catching cage of some form is much to be preferred. The birds are fed into this, and a door is operated with a string. A combined feeding tray and cage can be devised so that it is always available for catching any bird when it visits the food-tray. This would be a rather large cage with a large door at either end, which would be left open normally, but when a bird was wanted, one door would be shut and the other worked with a string. Nets must be used for some kinds of large birds, and these should be of large size, the shape of a butterfly net with a strong cane or wooden hoop and a light deep string net of half inch or one inch mesh netting. 274 Correspondence REVIEW CAGE BIRD HYBRIDS1 Those who are interested in the breeding of Canary mules and hybrids between the various species of British Finches, will be glad to possess the new edition of Mr. Houlton’s book edited by Mr. C. A. House, both author and editor being experts in hybrid breeding. While the breeding of Canary mules does not quite come within the scope of our journal, we may well consider the production of hybrids between two British species, such as the author deals with. Some of these are extremely beautiful, as well as interesting, and the list of those that have been produced is quite a formidable one, the most remarkable being perhaps that between the Chaffinch and Bramble- finch. Many have claimed to have crossed the Canary with the Chaffinch or with the Yellow-hammer, but no bona fide specimen of either of these has been produced. CORRESPONDENCE THE NESTING OF THE ORANGE WEAVER Sir, — About the middle of July my Orange Weaver had completed a nest suspended to the outside twigs of a holly bush. I thought it worth photographing. As the entrance faced the interior I was going to remove a bundle of hay, of which the nest was entirely made, from the middle of the bush, when the hen flew out. On 18th August I saw the hen hunting round for insects, so I wrote for some mealworms. In the meantime I beat the garden bushes for insects which were very few and mostly plant bugs. One young bird left the nest on 23rd August. It was well feathered, but had no tail, and seemed quite bare under the throat, otherwise it was a paler edition of the hen and showed a slight yellowish streak above the eye. Now, 1st September, it is darker than it was and has a tail ; it is still being fed by the hen. What the hen found to feed the nestling on in the earlier stages among a host of other birds puzzles me. Now the cock has entirely picked the nest to pieces, which felt quite clean inside when the bird had flown. H. L. Sich. 1 Published by Cage Birds, Link House, Fetter Lane, E.C. 4, price 10s. 6d. net. Correspondence 275 YELLOW -RUMPED PARRAKEET NESTING TWICE DURING THE SAME SEASON Sir, — It may be worth recording that my breeding pair of Platycercus flaveolus , after rearing a fine brood of five young birds, laid again and hatched two more, which unfortunately died when a few days old owing probably to the unsuitability of the nest. I have always found the Yellow-rump’s very near relative, the Adelaide Parrakeet, to be single-brooded, even at liberty, whereas the Pennant, like most of the other Platycercus (including apparently the Yellow-rump) is normally double-brooded under favourable conditions. Tavistock. FOOD OF CROSSBILLS Sir, — Observations on the food of a species when wild are sometimes of value to aviculturists because, as remarked by E. G. B. Meade- Waldo, F.Z.S., of Kent, “ The sciences of ornithology and aviculture are intimately connected. Each has much to learn from the other ” (Avic. Mag. Yol. 1921, p. 34, beginning of article). Therefore it may be of use to some member to state that on 5th August a bird was brought to me (which had been accidentally shot in mistake for a common species) and which I recognized as a Crossbill, evidently a this year’s bird, breast with dark streaks ; and on going round to the land where the bird was seen I found four Crossbills feeding on the leading-shoots of fruit-trees, plum and apple (while the peculiar voices of two others, presumably parents, were heard quite close). Up to that morning I thought the food of Crossbills consisted only of vegetarian matter such as seeds of various fir-trees, mountain ash, alder, hawthorn, etc., but these four birds were obviously clearing off and eating greenfly from the leaves of the fruit-trees, and during the time the owner of the land, Mr. Percy Dennis, and myself watched them, for about half an hour they systematically “ worked over ” the top shoots of young trees, holding the head sideways, almost flat, against the leaf in doing so, and using beaks to pull themselves up the boughs. With mandibles not meeting at the tips I should have thought that eating aphides would have been very difficult for Crossbills, but these 276 Correspondence four evidently accomplished the feat quite easily judging from the way they climbed Parrot-like all up one twig after another ! There was no sign of them interfering with the fruit, plums or apples. All were very tame, one reddish on breast apparently a young male, and presumably hatched in North Kent ; and Mr. Dennis informed me on 15th August that the birds were still feeding chiefly along the tops of trees as stated above. Aviculturalists may find such food Useful for any young birds hatched out in future years. Frederick D. Welch. [There has been a large immigration of Crossbills to these islands during the past summer, and they have been recorded from many parts. We noted a number feeding upon thistle seed in South Devon¬ shire, but their usual food is the seeds of various firs. — Ed.] BREEDING ROSY-FACED LOVEBIRDS Sir, — I note with interest in the August number of our Magazine the article on the Rosy-faced or Peach-faced Lovebird, and as my experience at present with this species is almost wholly at variance with what is there recorded, I appear to be in possession of an exceptional pair. They are housed in a cage of which the inside measurements are 22 in. high, 18 in. wide, and 10 in. deep. I had no idea of them going to nest in a space so limited. They were provided with a husk in which to sleep, and after a time I noticed the hen got a little rough in plumage. I blamed the husk and had it removed. One morning, on attending to their wants, I noticed the cock would not move from the bottom of the cage. His gaze was transfixed on something in which he appeared to take great interest. On closer examination I discovered that the object of his infatuation was an egg. I took the hint, returned the husk, and with the aid of a teaspoon deposited the egg therein. Along with that egg disappeared the cock bird. For weeks he was rarely seen. I got anxious as to whether he was being fed, and thought also that perhaps he was wasting time and strength on one egg. Suspense prompted action. After some difficulty he was induced to leave the husk, which was found to contain Correspondence 277 seven eggs and a chick which appeared to be newly hatched crawling over them. Of this clutch six hatched ; one did not, and the other egg disappeared. Of the six that hatched three appeared not to have been fed at all ; the other three are now in perfect health and plumage, larger than their parents, and fortunately able to do for themselves. The parents have again gone to nest, and would not tolerate the presence of their offsprings. First the cock showed his resentment, and a few days later the hen stopped feeding them and also became aggressive, so they were separated. The colour of the foreheads of the young reminds one of the head of a hen Blossom-head, or a sort of dove grey : the throat and breast are paler shades of those of the adult, but the beautiful blue of the rump is quite as deep, and the tail when spread shows all the beautiful markings of the mature specimen. The striking difference is the colour of the Upper mandible : the upper two-thirds appearing to the eye to be black, but closely examined would, I think, be found to be a very dark brown. This is gradually disappearing from the point towards the cere. The eggs are white, large for the size of the bird, and round rather than pointed. One of the drawbacks mentioned in the article to A. roseicollis does not apply to my parent birds. They never screech, or give vent to ear-piercing sounds, but their progeny take turns at drowning each other down. I thought this contrast to their parents would prove a passing phase, and due to the exuberance of youth. As they have not with me had an opportunity of displaying temper towards their own or other species, I cannot express an opinion as to their disposition in this respect. But to each other as a pair they are Lovebirds indeed. The necessity of removing the young at the succeeding periods of nidification of parent birds apply to so many different species as to exonerate A. roseicollis from being on that account considered spiteful. The hay or rye grass supplied as part of their dietary was conveyed by the cock, after being securely fixed in the lower back feathers, to the husk and used as a lining. It was interesting and amusing to watch this performance. He would fix about a dozen grasses, and then pass 278 Correspondence in through the narrow aperture without shedding one. This appeared to me as no mean feat. Incubation, unfortunately, commences when the first egg is deposited, consequently “ hatching out ” may extend over a week and prove calamitous to the younger members of the brood. The cock, and the cock bird alone , incubates, and will not allow the hen to enter the nest when he comes off to drink. Time and again, under this circumstance, I have seen the hen move up towards the nest. He would emit a short, sharp command, which judging from her action in response clearly meant “ stop ” and stop she always did. During incubation the hen carries the food to her mate in the nest. After the young are hatched she feeds him on the perch, and when the young leave the nest both parents feed the young. Their food consisted of canary, white and Indian millet, and a little sunflower. Nuts and all fruits they ignore. Hay tops I have already mentioned. When the weather is propitious their cage is taken into the garden. This procedure appears not to disturb in the least the serenity of the cock bird, who sits tight through it all, while the hen is making the most of the fresh air. Beyond the size of the cage, I presume there is nothing remarkable in this case, but it proves that however limited the accommodation offered, A. roseicollis will increase and multiply. The cock is now, 29th August, sitting on four eggs. Alf. S. Nicholson. [We should be glad of the opinion of others who have bred Agajpornis roseicollis as to the alleged incubation by the cock bird, and would suggest to Mr. Nicholson that he may possibly be mistaken in supposing the sitting bird to be the cock. If he is correct then he has made a very interesting discovery. — Ed.] GREY SINGING FINCH AND CANARY HYBRID Sir, — If a cross between a cock African Grey Singing Finch and a hen Canary is unique, or even sufficiently unusual to be of interest to record in the Avicultural Magazine, I may state that I found two Correspondence 279 smart little birds of that parentage in my aviary lately. Larger than the father, smaller than the mother, and markings something like a hen sparrow. Unfortunately one was killed by a stoat the next day, the other lives and thrives. E. A. H. Hartley. HYBRID BLACK-HEADED (BRAZILIAN) SISKIN & AND CANARY Sir, — In the autumn of 1925 I obtained from a local dealer, who was unaware of their identity, two cock Black-headed Siskins (Chrysomitris icterica). They were not in the best of condition, but soon improved in health and appearance after being turned into a large flight cage and given only plain canary and teasel seed, which latter had been previously soaked for ten minutes in boiling water. This was given to the birds in a damp state, not hot of course. It was amazing to note the improve¬ ment it effected, and they soon began to sing. As a matter of fact, this species is quite a fine songster, and in my opinion is superior either to the Goldfinch or Brown Linnet, or as far as I know any other small Finch. In the following spring they became more vocal and used to sing incessantly, one against the other, with lowered wings, showing off the beautiful golden yellow of the wing feathers. I tried in vain to secure hens of their own race for that season (1926), and both ultimately spent a bachelor existence in an aviary with other Finches. It seems there are very few hens imported. Those avicul- turists who have this species have only cocks. I saw two fine birds at Mr. Ezra’s in May. This year I introduced a hen yellow Canary to one of the cocks. In June she went to nest and laid one egg, which was clear. Then she laid three more and two young were hatched on 17th July. Fourteen days later the elder left the nest. The general colouring was yellowish brown with darker markings on the back, and lighter under parts — typical young bird colouring — resembling a young Brown Linnet but of rather a yellower tint. The second was similarly coloured but had more yellow in the wings and tail, 4 4 variegated ” I believe is the Canary breeder’s term. 280 Correspondence I should be interested to hear if this hybrid has been bred before. I know the Hooded Siskin has been crossed with the Canary and I believe the Sikkim Siskin too. The hen Canary is sitting on four more eggs and the young are now independent of their parents. B. Hamilton Scott. MASKED LOVEBIRDS Sir, — I think perhaps the following incident might possibly be interesting to aviculturists with regard to the hardiness of the beautiful Masked Lovebird (A. per sonata). I recently bought a pair of these fascinating Lovebirds from Miss Chapman, of Birmingham. I did not think they were sufficiently acclimatized to put outside altogether, as the weather just then was anything but good ! However, I wanted to put them in an outdoor aviary as soon as possible for breeding purposes, hoping to get them to go to nest before too late this year. I decided, therefore, in order to accustom them to oUr changeable climate to put them out in the garden for a little each day, just as they were, in the wire cage in which I bought them. After a few days, as the weather seemed suitable, I decided to harden them off a little more by leaving them out until after dinner. This particular evening about 8.30 p.m. I went out to fetch my birds in, when to my horror an open door and an empty cage greeted me ! They had somehow managed to open the door with their beaks ! A pair of Black-cheeked Lovebirds of mine did this in the early spring but fortunately in that case escaped into a room. This door, however, seemed too secure for it to be possible. Feeling utterly helpless and scarcely daring to breathe even, I called to them. As they already seemed to know me a little, I hoped by this means to keep them in the garden for the moment ! The smaller one answered at once from a tree just over the cage. He was perching on a coconut husk, which I had hung up for wild birds to nest in, and was apparently studying the accommodation therein ! However, the next minute the larger one called from the very top of a fir-tree close by, and the smaller one flew to it immediately, while I stood with bated breath waiting for their next move. Needless to say they had a perfectly glorious time flying from tree to tree, and to my joy always within sight ! One bird flew once to the very tip of a poplar-tree quite Correspondence 281 a hundred yards away from the cage, and I never thought to see it back again. However, he returned, and so on, until too dark to watch any more. Eventually they both went to roost in the fir-tree close to their cage — which I had not moved, of course — and there I had to leave them for the night. I think, of the three, I spent the most miserable one ! We have a great many owls here, and I felt sure they would never survive for this reason, even if they managed to stand the cold and dampness of the night air. The next morning I was awake at 5.30 a.m. ! From then onwards I watched from a window overlooking the garden for any sign of my Lovebirds. I did not see or hear either of them until about 7.30, although the wild birds had been awake for a long time. My birds did not believe in rising too early apparently ! Suddenly the smaller one flew down from the fir-tree on to the top of their cage, and struggled unsuccessfully for several minutes to pull a millet spray through the bars. At last giving up the struggle he actually went inside the cage, and so was soon captured. The other one followed suit soon afterwards, much to my joy. Neither of them were any the worse for their adventure in spite of a very thick mist in the early morning and a very cold night. This, I think, proves that the Masked Lovebird is not at any rate delicate, also that they show a certain amount of intelligence, and would, I believe, become very tame. They fly very swiftly, and are a truly beautiful sight to watch, but, even so, I hope never to see mine at large again ! All the same, it does make one feel rather sad, of course, to see them shut up, after one has seen them at liberty ! This incident happened about a fortnight or so ago, when the evenings were lighter. I venture to send it to you in case you might consider it to be of any interest. Irene M. Marriott. COLOUR-BREEDING IN BUDGERIGARS Sir, — YoUr suggestion that Budgerigar breeders, particularly those of Cobalts and MaUves, should give some of their experiences, prompts me to send a few notes. To the experimental breeder it is not always the striking varieties which prove to be the most valuable in colour breeding. The Olive, for example, is not to some a very attractive colour, yet there is no doubt 282 Correspondence that it has so far proved to be the most useful. In the same way the Mauve, which is probably, as you say in your article, “ less striking ” than the Cobalt (although many prefer it to all others), may prove also to be of immense value. As yet this colour is hardly a true “ mauve ”. It should contain more pink in its composition. Improvement, however, is being made all the time, and already birds bred this season from crosses with the Mauves which Mr. Roland Green painted for our coloured plate are better in this respect. It is the ambition of many breeders to go still further in this direction and produce a pure Pink. This I believe to be quite possible, but it will be some time before it is attained, although many secretive and admittedly speculative crosses are being tried ! One variety that I hope soon to establish is the Silver-Grey. Some crosses produce a beautiful French grey colour, but only those with grey face-spots are likely to moult out true Greys, those having darker spots moulting into light Mauves. Apart from their attractiveness, two most valuable varieties would be the Cinnamon and the Brown or Bronze. From experiments already being made these are apparently well on the way. Their value for colour crossing would, of course, be inestimable. H. Tod-Boyd. NESTING BOXES FOR PARRAKEETS Sir, — I should like to supplement my article on Parrakeet nesting sites by a further short note. I find that moisture is apt to be another factor essential to the healthy development of the young. If the nest gets too dry, even though it consists of a natural tree trunk filled with mould and set up in the open flight, rickets are still liable to appear. It is therefore desirable to place the tree trunk under the open sky where the rain will fall on it and not to attempt to give it the protection of any kind of overhead shelter. Tavistock. USE OF NESTING MATERIAL BY ROSEATE COCKATOO Sir,- — Few members of the Parrot family are of much account as nest builders ; least of all the Cockatoos. I was under the impression that all Cockatoos laid their eggs on the bare wood or mould at the Correspondence 288 bottom of their tree hollow, with at most an accidental bed of chips formed by their biting off the entrance and sides of the cavity. I was therefore surprised when this year my breeding pair of Roseates cut slivers of wood from the perches, carried them into their barrel, and by twisting them round the bottom made quite a presentable attempt at a nest. Tavistock. YOUNG PARRAKEETS RE-ENTERING THE NEST TO SLEEP Sir,— It is unusual for young Parrakeets, as distinct from Lorikeets, Conures, etc., to re-enter the nest once they have flown. It is somewhat curious therefore that this year a young Barraband and also a young Malabar Parrakeet did so for some days. The Barraband was a single bird, but the Malabar is one of three. None of the Barraband’s brothers and sisters of former years have ever gone back to their nest after leaving it, nor have the other two members of the Malabar brood attempted to follow the example of the third. It appears to be only another instance of the remarkable amount of variation in individual conduct observable among the more intelligent birds. Tavistock. HONEY-GUIDES Sir, — In regard to Mrs. Prestwich’s letter respecting the nesting habits of the Honey-guides, I must confess that from personal experience I know nothing whatever. The nesting habits of all parasitical birds are very difficult indeed to study, the Honey-guides especially, because these birds inhabit the bush ” district of Africa and roam about in areas comprising hundreds of square miles of thick bushland, they are also very hard to find, being shy and retiring birds unless engaged in the pursuit of bees’ nests, when they elicit the aid of human beings. And again they only lay their eggs in the nest of birds which breed in deep cavities in trees such as Wood Hoopoes, Glossy Starlings, etc. I could never glean any facts from the Europeans out there, for their apathy towards bird-life is appalling. Very few people in Africa know the correct name of any single bird ; true they know the difference between a Parrot and an Eagle, or between those Useful for the “ pot 284 Correspondence and the remainder which prove useful as living targets for shooting practice. I might mention in passing that the skin of the Honey-guides is extremely thick and tough and resembles leather, which is no doubt a protection against the stings of bees and wasps. These birds also co-operate with the Ratel, a honey-eating Badger which lives in Africa. The Honey-guides have an extremely gentle expression which is no doubt caused by the beautifully coloured brown eyes and the per¬ fectly shaped head. In weight they are heavier than any other bird I know in proportion to their size. There is a very fine plate of two species of Honey-guides by Kueleman in Ornithological Miscellany. Sydney Porter. THE AUSTRALIAN “ GIN-GIN ” Sir, — Reading through the back volumes of the Avicultural Magazine I noticed the following — “ On going to press we have received from Mr. George Carrick a cutting from the Glasgow Evening News of 27th April relating to the sale of Bostock’s Menagerie. The most extraordinary bidding took place when ‘ The Australian Gin-Gin bird, a small bird of the Parrot kind ’ was put up. The bidding commenced at 10 guineas, and the bird was knocked down for 260 guineas. This bird was said to whistle many tunes. Can any member enlighten us as to the proper name of the ‘ Gin-Gin ’ bird ? ” (Avicultural Magazine, 1909, p. 214). Apparently no member could, as the query remained unanswered. Can any reader solve the problem now ? The only name I can trace with any semblance to “ Gin-Gin ” is an obsolete name used by Latham for the Cingalese Alexandrine Parrakeet (Palceornis eupatria), namely, Gingi Parrot. Whatever the bird, it fetched an exorbitant price. (Mrs.) A. A. Prestwich. CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION. Richard Abenheim, 65 Palace Court, W. 2. Proposed by Henry Gray. Capt. Montague G. B. Bennett, Farnham Cottage, Bury St. Edmunds. Proposed by D. Seth-Smith. David A. Bigger, M.D., Rock Hill, South Carolina, U.S.A. Proposed by E . Maud Knobel. Godfrey Davidson, Caxia Postal 68, Beiim do ParA, Para, Brazil, Proposed by D. Seth-Smith. Capt. T. N. Howe, 169d Gloucester Terrace, W. 2. Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. W. Wallace Nichols, 1263 W 98th Place, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A, Proposed by E. Maud Knobel. Miss E, M. Ormsby, The Cottage, Silverfields, Harrogate. Proposed by J. W. Marsden. NEW MEMBERS. J. H. Arnold, 4002 Massachusetts Street, Long Beach, California, U.S.A. F. Clemo, 18 Claremont Road, Redruth, Cornwall. Miss V. C. Dickson, Bryn Afon, St. Asaph, North Wales. Victor Justice Evans, Victor Buildings, Washington D.C., U.S.A. Frank Gambo, 5 Broadway, Flushing, Long Island, U.S.A. J. H. van Hoboken, Rotterdamsche Ryweg, 193 Oberschie, Holland. Mrs. Ryecroft, Purton, near Swindon. H. B. Smith, 3 Claremont Road, Redruth, Cornwall. W. S. Wood, 1 Maison Dieu Road, Dover. CHANGE OF ADDRESS. Dr. E. Hopkinson, C.M.G. , D.S.O. , to Wynstay, Balcombe, Sussex (July to October) ; Gambia, West Africa (November to July). Rev. P. K. Venner, to 17 Bisham Gardens', Highgate, N. DONATIONS TO ILLUSTRATION FUND. £ s. d. H. C. Eustace . 17 1 Viscountess Grey of Fallodon ... 2 10 0 Hon. Stephen Tennant . 2 10 0 MEMBERS’ SALE AND EXCHANGE COLUMN. The charge for Members' advertisements is one penny per word, and no advertisement must exceed thirty-six words , name and address included. Payment must accompany the advertisement , which must be sent on or before the 20th of the month to Mr. T. H. Newman, “ Verulam,” Forty Lane, Wembley Park, Middlesex. All members of the Society are entitled to use this column. SALE AND EXCHANGE. Budgerigars, healthy young outdoor-bred birds, from blue-bred parents, 22s. a pair ; a few yellows and olives from same nests and a few last year’s blue- bred cocks. — Mrs. Edwards, Drayton Cottage, Ruislip. Three Little Bitterns, £4 lot; female Black-necked Swan, £11 ; Crowned Cranes, £30 pair ; Black Swans, £20 pair; Monauls, £8 each; White Swans, £2 each. — A. van Heyst, Marienhoven, Wyk by Duurstede, Holland. Budgerigars, outdoor aviary-bred. Blue-bred greens, young, 30s. pair ; two blue-bred adult green hens, £1 each ; young yellows, fine condition, 17s. 6d. pair; two pairs Zebra Finches, 18s. 6d. pair. — W. H. Potter, Whetherill, Harold Wood, Essex. Outdoor aviary-bred, one pair Hybrid Pennant X Adelaide Parrakeets, one pair Golden-crowned Conures and two young ones, one pair White-eared Messias, several pairs White Call Ducks. — Waud, Falcon Close, Woolton Hill, Newbury. GAMAGES SS2 ALWAYS A VARIED STOCK OF Foreign Birds, Parrots, Lovebirds, etc. We can now offer : — Meyers Parrots, Hawk-headed Parrots, Dusky Parrots, Pale-headed Caiques, Jendaya Conures, Tui Parrakeets. Lovebirds-— Masked, Fischers, Nyassa, Abyssinian, Red-face, Blue-wing Spreo Starlings , Longtail Grass Finches, Zebra Finches, Royal Starlings. BEST FOODS. LOWEST PRICES. Mealworms Spray Millet, large bundles Ants’ Eggs Dried Flies Pure Egg Yolk . Insectivorous Food Cuttlefish Bone 6/6 per lb., 4 lb., 25/- 3/6 each, 1 doz., 36/- 3/6 per lb., 4 lb., 13/- 2/6 „ „ 8/6 3/6 ,, ,, 12/6 2/6 „ „ 8/0 1/6 ,, ,, 4/6 Carr paid. Specialities in CAGES, AVIARIES, NEST-BOXES and all appliances. A^wTgAMAGE, Ltd., HOLBORN, LONDON, E.C.l. _ PHONE : HOL. 8484. _ DE VON & CO. Our weekly Illustrated PRICE LISTS will interest you. FOREIGN Spicebirds Black-headed Nuns Grey Parrots Grey S. Finches . ( continued ). 6/6 pair. 6/6 ,, £4 each. 6/- pair. . Special Offer : — By taking 6 pairs of mixed Finches from above, 17/6 carriage paid. FOREIGN. Golden-breasted Waxbills 1 0/- pair. Golden Sparrows . . 1 0/- Masked Weavers . . 6/6 Bronze- wing Mannikins 5/6 Weavers . . . 4/- Silverbills . . . 6/6 Combassous . . . 4/6 Steelfinches . . . 6/- Bed-eared Waxbills . 2/6 Avadavates . . . 5/6 Bibbed Finches . . 10/- Madagascar Lovebirds . 12/6 MEALWORMS. X&LveWs : i Th m «, Abyssinian Lovebirds . 22/6 ,, 7/ lb. Postpaid. All Aquatical requirements, including GOLDFISH FANCY FISH, AQUARIUMS from 3/6, REPTILES, PET MONKEYS, MONGOOSE, ARMADILLOS, GUINEA PIGS, etc. Free Weekly Price Lists. OLDEST DIRECT IMPORTERS, 127 King’s Cross Road, London, W.C. 1. Telegrams : Oiseaux, London. Phone : Museum 767. NOVEMBER, 1927. \V^ FOURTH SERIES. VOL. V. No. 11. THE Avicultural Magazine CONTENTS. PAGE Some Bird Notes from Tenerife, by G. H. Gurney, F.Z.S. . 285 Breeding of the Grey Francolin, by Maurice Amsler, M.B. . 289 Geese, by the Marquess of Tavi¬ stock and F. E. Blaauw *. 293 The Breeding of the Malabar Parrakeet, by the Marquess of Tavistock . . . 301 PAGE The Aviaries at Winsor, by Mrs. A. A. Prestwich . . . 305 Avicultural Notes, by the Editor 306 Correspondence .... 308 Election of Officers . . .312 Two Plates. The Price of this Number is 2/6. THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY. FOUNDED 1894 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 10/6 The Avicultural Magazine is sent free to members monthly. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back numbers for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription. SALL SUBSCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HONORARY SECRETARY g AND TREASURER, Miss Knobel, 32 Tavistock Square, London, W.C.l. 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 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 Prosectorium, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. Rule 2. — Should any member require an immediate reply, 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, 5 Fore Street, Hertford, to whom all orders for extra copies, back numbers for 1917 and after, and bound volumes should be addressed. 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: 46 Hertford. BACK VOLUMES of the AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE previous to 1917. Application for these should be made to the Editor of Cage Birds, 154 Fleet Street, E.C. 4. All Enquiries 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 : — Mr. D. Seth-Smith, Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 8. HARRODS ZOOLOGICAL SECTION HARRODS make a feature of foreign birds for Aviaries and Exhibitions. Try our Insectivorous Food. Write for List or ’ phone Sloarte 1234. HARRODS Ltd LONDON SW 1 GALLOWAY’S Celebrated Insectivorous Food LIFE A Perfect diet for all Insect and Fruit-eating Birds, Foreign Finches, Waxbills, etc., etc. As supplied to Her Grace The late DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON, Her Grace EVELYN DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON, LORD TAVISTOCK, and The Hon. MRS. G. BOURKE. This food is invaluable for feeding foreign seed-eaters given in addition to their seed diet ; Parrot and other Foreign Finches will rear their young almost entirely on it. Used by a great number of leading aviculturists both here and abroad. It will keep good for any length of time if turned out of the bag and kept in a dry place. Prices carriage paid to any part of the United Kingdom : — 1 lb. 2/6, 21b. 4/8, 31b. 6/10, 41b. 9/-, 51b, 11/2, 61b. 13/4, 71b. 14/10 141b. 27/4, 281b. 47/10, 4 cwt. 95/8. No Agents. To be obtained solely from the Maker. Send postcard for descriptive leaflet with testimonials. P. F. M. GALLOWAY, 1 Rectory Road, Caversham, Reading, England. CHAPMAN’S 17 TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, LONDON, W.l. Telegrams: “ BLACKBIRD PHONE, LONDON." Telephones : MUSEUM 5272, 5273, 5274 and 5275. Cables: “BLACKBIRD,” LONDON. Animal and Waterfowl Depbt : 11 HIGH STREET, BARNET. Telephone: BARNET 2082 Quarantine Station : 5 SAGE ST., LONDON, E. 1 . East End Depbt : 3 SAGE ST., LONDON, E.l OUR NEW BUILDING IS NOW OPEN where the Finest Collection of Birds ever gathered together may he seen Exhibited in Modern Show Cages under perfect hygienic conditions - At the time of the appearance of this advertisement we shall have actually on view the following very fine collections, besides many others too numerous to be detailed here, and a full List will be forwarded to anybody making application for same. Chapman’s Zebras. Hamadryas Baboons. Amazon Parrots. Pekin Robins. Macaws. Antelope. Nonpareil Buntings. Snakes. |bis. Spreo Starlings. X rumpeters. Hawk-headed Parrots. Eagles. Hornbills. Ormles. Undulated Grass Parrakeets. Soft-billed Birds. Egrets. Flamingoes. Ostriches. Rhesus Monkeys. Eared Owls. Vultures. Emus. Rosella Parrakeets. Yaks. X anagers. Hartebeeste. |bex. Nyassa Lovebirds. Grey Parrots. Abyssinian Lovebirds. Lizards. Indian Pheasants. Vervet Monkeys. Elk. Fischers Lovebirds. Red Cardinals. Orinocco Geese. Marmosets. Amherst Pheasants. Night Apes. Elephants. Lemurs. Elegant Parrakeet. Pumas. H.yathwche Macaws. Amardillo. Nigger Monkeys. X ouracous. X roupials. Ocelet Cats. Aye-Aye. Crowned Cranes. Anaconda. Norwich Canaries. Anubis Baboons. Rheas. Yellow Conures. REMEMBER CHAPMAN’S 17 Tottenham Court Rd., London, W.l, is the firm for all different species of Live ANIMALS and BIRDS . FOREIGN BIRDS PARROTS, PARRAKEETS. Most wonderful Talking Grey in England . £20 Other A 1 Grey Parrots £3 to£ 1 5 each. Talking Festive Amazon Parrots £3 up. Mexican Amazon Parrots . £4 10/- each. Blue-fronted Talking Amazons £2 1 0/- ,, Blue-fronted Clever Talking Amazons . . . £3 10/-,, MACAWS. Finger-tame full wings and tail Blue and Yellow Macaw, extra fine . . . £ 1 0 Other Blue and Yellow Macaws from £5 Bed and Blue also Bed and Yellow Macaws . . from £ 5 10/- each illiger’s Macaws . . . £5 ,, Bose Cockatoos (special to trade) £ 1 ,, Bock or Alexandrine Parrots . 2 5/- ,, Bingneck Parrakeets . . . 15/- ,, Tame Orange-flanked Parrakeets £ 1 1 pr. of Prince Lucian Parrakeets £3 1 0 - 1 pr. breeding Bedrumps . . £4 2 White-crested Cockatoos £3 1 0/- each. Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoos £2 Dusky Parrots . . . £3 Ornamental Lorikeets . £ 3 Bock Pepplars . . £ 1 2 Cockatiels . . . . £ 4 1 Bed-headed Bosella 10/- ,, 10/- ,, 10/- pair. 10/- „ 10/- „ £3 BUDGERIGARS: LOVEBIRDS. Adult Breeding Blue Budgerigars £ 5 0 pair. White ,, £125 ,, Young Blue ,, £37 10/-,, Abyssinian Lovebirds . £210/- , , Bed-faced Lovebirds . . £ 5 , , Blue-bred Budgerigars, genuine guaranteed records, greens that actually throw blues . £4 ,, Adult breeding Greens . .2 5/- ,, Young outdoor-bred Greens . 17 6 ,, Adult nesting Yellows . . 30 - ,, Lavender-head Lovebirds . 10-,, Black-cheek Lovebirds . . £ 6 , , Nyassaland Lovebirds . . £5 ,, Peach -faced Lovebirds . . £10 ,, Cocoanut Husk Nests, sterilised, prepared, assorted sizes for Budgerigars or Parrakeets, 2/- each or 1 8 dozen. Wanted. — White, Blue, Cobalt, or other rare varieties Budgerigars. AVIARY BIRDS. Dazzling White Java Sparrows £5 pair. Bed-billed Heck’s Long-tailed Grass Finches . .£4 10/- ,, Grey Java Sparrows . 7/6 ,, Military Starlings 25/- „ Crested Cardinals 1 6/6 ,, Pope Cardinals .... 25/- ,, Indigo Buntings £ 1 each. Little Bronze Manikins 12/6 pair. Orange-breast Waxbills 10/6 ,, Zebra Finches, excellent . 15/- ,, Pectoralis Finches 4 5/- ,, Yellow-rumped Manikins . 45/- ,, Dominican Wydahs 12/6 ,, Shaft-tail Wydahs 10/6 ,, Bibbon Finches and Cordon Bleus 7/6 ,, Fire Finches and Java Sparrows. 5/6 ,, Combassoos and Choc. Manikins 5/6 ,, Green Singing Finches 8 6 ,, Weavers, Bed or Yellow-billed . 6/- „ Bishops, various 61- „ Saffron Finches .... 7/6 ,, Bed Averdavats and Nutmeg Finches . 51- ,, DOVES, QUAIL, WATERFOWL. Peaceful Doves . £ 1 pair. Zebra Doves .... 1 5/-,, Vinaceous Turtle £1 ,, Bing Doves .... 12/6 ,, White Doves . . . . £1 ,, Stock Doves . . 25/- ,, Senegal Doves and Collared Doves £1 ,, Vulturine Guineafowls £8 ,, Californian Quail 3 0/- „ Jap. Bar-shouldered Peafowl £ 1 i 2 10 - ,, Caracara Vultures . . £ 5 each. Virginian Horned Owls £5 ,, 1 Pileated Black-capped Egret . £5 Chinese Purple Galinulles . £ 5 pair. Crown Cranes . . £2 2 10/- ,, SPECIAL ARRIVALS. CANADIAN : Pet Baby Bear, Striped Gophers, Bacoons, Fox and Flying Squirrels, Virginian Owls, Turkey Vultures, Prairie Wolves, Odourless Skunks, also Egyptian Kites, Caracara Vultures, Abyssinian and Hamadryas Baboons, Ord’s Kangaroo Bats, Canadian Porcupines, American Badgers, Magnificent Female Chim = panzee, Talapoins Monkeys, Lemurs, Marmosets. REPTILES. Terrapines, Diamond and Carpet Snakes, Crocodiles, Alligators, Tortoises, always in stock. TRADE SUPPLIED. WRITE FOR FULL LIST. H. E. ROGERS, F.Z.S., “ Arequipa,” 7 Aigburth Road , LIVERPOOL. Telephone: “LARK LANE 467.” Cables and Telegrams: “ AREQUIPA, LIVERPOOL.” ill REGENT PET STORES (G. E. PALMER, F.Z.S.) 83 Park Street, Camden Town, London, N.W.l ’Phone : Telegraphic Address : HAMPSTEAD 8856. “DOMESTIPET, NOR WEST, LONDON.” iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Importers of Foreign Livestock- iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Always good selection of Parrots, Parrakeets, Foreign Finches , Monkeys, etc., on view at reasonable prices. WE SPECIALIZE IN CAGES, AVIARIES & APPLIANCES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION AT LOWEST PRICES. Pure Egg Yolk . Spray Millet (Selected) Mealworms Ant Eggs, No. i quality „ „ No. 2 „ Cuttle Fish Bone (Best White) Dried Flies .... Palmer’s Noted Insectivorous Food able) for Large Species For Small Species iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimmiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMmiiimiiiiiiimiiiiiiimmiiiiiiiimiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiimmmiiiiiiimiini (Finest 3/9 lb., 4 lb. 14/- . 3/- per bundle 6/- lb., 4 lb. 22/- 2/6 lb., 31 lb. 7/6 2/- lb., 31 lb. 5/6 . 1/6 lb., 3 lb. 4/- . 1/6 lb., 3 lb. 4/- obtain- . 1/6 lb., 7 lb. 6/- 2/- lb., 7 lb. 10/6 We Buy Anything Alive. Exchanges Entertained. IV NO AVIARY should be without Qaperivs Nature Food Fo p CeLCje Birds The no Eggs and no Trouble Food. CAPERN’S NATURE FOOD is being used very extensively by the leading breeders and exhibitors every¬ where as a rearing and conditioning food. CAPERN’S NATURE FOOD is a complete food requiring no addition whatever, and its excellence as a tonic food is such that no aviary should be without it. CAPERN’S NATURE FOOD is a sure preventative of loss. Sold in packets at 3d 6d.f Is., 2s., and 5s. A 5s. packet, which will be sent post free, will convince you of its unique qualities. F. CAPERNy Manufacturer, BRISTOL. “L’OISEAU” PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE Societe Nationale d’Acclimatation de France, 198 BOULEVARD ST. GERMAIN, PARIS (VIIs). A French Magazine on Aviculture, for the study of European and Foreign Birds in captivity and at liberty. With coloured and black and white plates. ONE YEAR - 75 FRANCS. Medals for first breeding of a species in captivity in France or other countries are awarded if a detailed account is sent to the Society. Now Ready. TO BE COMPLETED IN TWO VOLUMES. Volume I. “AVICULTURE” Price 15/- net. Order with remittance to — STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS, LTD., Fore Street, Hertford. Avicultural Magazine .. o c; '*J M <0 ^ t. a OS'® * «o M to ts to C; tt) <0 , k-$ <0 (0 Cl * 0 0 $ s §J ^ CQCj <0 a 5 ^ k Co ^3 Qj o