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ftviealtaFal JWagazine,
BEING THE JOURNAL OF
THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY
FOR the; STUDY OF
FOREIGN AND BRITISH BIRDS
IN FREEDOM AND CAPTIVITY.
Edited by
J. LEWIS BONHOTE, M.A., F.L.S , F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
XonDon : 23oA-3tf
Messrs. WEST, NEWMAN & CO.,
54 Hatton Garden, E.C.
1912.
Contents.
CONTENTS.
Title Page..
Contents
Council's Report ..
Alphabetical List of Contributors List of Plates
Errata
List of1 Members, October, 1911 .. Rules of the Avicultural Society
. . vii.
. . xi.
. . xii.
1
18
The Society’s Medal
Magazine ..
Index
22
•• 349
Repo)t of the Council.
v.
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL
For I9II-I9I2.
During the past year the progress of the Society has been steady and satisfactory. No important changes in the adminis¬ tration have been made, except the appointment of Prof. G. H. Wooldridge, F.R.C.V.S., as Hon. Veterinary Surgeon in suc¬ cession to Mr. Arthur Gill, M.R.C.V.S , who was compelled to resign that post on his departure for Canada.
The membership shows a slight but encouraging increase, as compared with the last few years; and thanks to the ready co-operation of those members who have contributed articles and notes on birds, and of those who have kindly subscribed to the illustration and general funds of the Society; the Magazine, under the editorship of Mr. J. L,. Bonhote, has fully maintained its standard of excellence in every particular.
The desire of the Council that Members of the Society should be given the opportunity of becoming personally ac¬ quainted was again practically expressed by holding an informal reception, followed by tea, in the Zoological Gardens after their meeting in June. To further the same object, they propose to have a dinner — the date and particulars of which will be an¬ nounced later — at a London restaurant in the winter.
Signed for the Council,
R. I. Pocock,
Hon. Business Secretary.
VI.
Alphabetical List of Contributors.
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.
The Asterisk detiotes in the Correspondence Column.
A in ley, John William.
The Parson Bird, 137
A STICKY, Hubert D., M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
♦More nesting notes of Queen Alexandra Parrakeets, 37 A Roccolo in Italy, 81
A Jay new to Aviculture ( Lalocitta lidthii ), 91
♦The Grey Thrasher (Harporhynchus cinereus), 98.
The Mexican Ground Thrush (Geocichla pinicola), 118 ♦■Nesting of Hooded Parrakeets ( Psephotus cucnllatus), 122 The Blue Chaffinch of Teneriffe ( Fringilla teydea ), 195
Breeding of Queen Alexandra Parrakeets {Spathap terns alexandi eg), 243 ♦Young Queen Alexandra Parrakeets, 288 * Nil iav a cyanomelcena , 343
AtherlEy, Mrs. Helen.
The Blue Thrush and Hanguest, 156
ATTEWELL, H. E.
Notes on some Jamaican Birds, 68
Bahr, Phirip H., M.A., M, B., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
Notes on some Fijian Birds in Captivity, 49
Baker, K. C. Stuart, F.L-S.; F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
♦The Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, 228
The Paradise Flycatcher, ( Terpsiphone paradisea affinis), 302
Bampfyi.de, The Hon. Mrs.
My Experiences in Aviculture, 186
Bentley, David.
The Linnet as a Songster, 242
Berridge, W. S.
♦Notes on a Herring Gull, 199
Alphabetical List of Contiibulors.
vii.
Bonhote, J. Lewis, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S.
The L.C.B.A. Show. II. Hybrids and British Birds, 66 Editorial, 97 *A Roccolo, 143
Review of Mr. T. A. Coward’s ‘ Migration of Birds,’ 171 Practical Bird-Keeping. — XIV. How to Breed Birds, 174
Brook, E. J.
Hnnstein’s Bird of Paradise, 181 ♦The Feeding of Rories, 3T3
Buti.HR, Dr. A. G., F.L.S., F.Z.S.
Practical Bird-Keeping. — IX. Living food for insectivorous birds, 41 Practical Bird-Keeping. — XV. I.arks, 205
Practical Bird-Keeping, — XVI. Bulbuls, 234 Luck in Bird-Breeding, 266
BuTi.BR, A. L., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
Notes on the Migration of the Sprosser and Common Nightingales, 58
Connhue, Mrs. KnaTChbui.e.
Aviary and Nesting Notes, 280
Cosgrave, R.
Breeding of the 3 Canadian and ? Wattled Cranes ( Grus canadensis and Grus carunculata), 23
Nesting of the Laughing Kingfisher ( Dacelo giganiea), 88 ♦The Breeding of Knots, 230 *Owen’s Apteryx, 231 Breeding of Hybrid Cockatoos, 269 ♦The Whooping Crane (Grus americana), 312 Practical Bird Keeping. — XX. Cranes, 345
Currey, Katherine.
Bird Cages, 25
A Red Tanager (. Pyranga rubra), 57 The Blue Robin (Siala sialis), 86
Practical Bird-Keeping.— XI. The Feet of Birds in Captivity, 103 Pet Owls, 113 Bullfinches, 136 *Tlie Mocking Bird, 228 Wood Owls ( Syrniuni aluco), 271 Fresh Air for Birds, 307
Alphabetical List of Contributors.
viii.
Denman, Arthur.
*Sexual Display, 229 *Notes on the Sun-bittern, 254
Dodsworth, Pelham T. L., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
Notes on some Habits of the Kokla or Wedge-Tailed Green Pigeon (. Sphenocercns sphenurus, Vigors), 129, 165
Finn, Frank, B.A., F.Z.S.
The L.C.B.A. .Show. I. Foreign Birds, 61 *Errata in L.C.B.A. Notes, 98 Notes on Sexual Selection, 209, 237
The Transport of Birds, 298, 336
The Two Nonpareils ( Cyanospiza ciris and Erythrura prasina), 325
Goodchiud, Herbert.
British and Foreign Birds at Edinburgh, 119
Gosse, Philip.
'^Wintering Birds in an Outdoor Aviary, 72 Gunther, Dr. A.
On the breeding in captivity of the Red-backed Shrike, 335
Gurney, Gerard, H., M.B.O.U.
Breeding of the Coronated Guineafowl {Gut tera pucker ani), 35
Harding, W. A., M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S.
On the Breeding of a Hybrid Lorikeet and other Aviary Notes, 189
Hincks, Miss E. M.
August, 1912, 329
HorsbruCh, Major.
Some Notes on the Secretary Bird {Serpentarius seci etarius), 105 Hutchinson. Miss Alice.
*A Suggestion on the Destruction of Birds in Italy, 123 Jeffrey, J.
*The Breeding of Nightingales, 170 Johnstone, Mrs.
Practical Bird-Keeping. — XIII. Touracous, Bower Birds and Birds of Paradise, 145
Alphabetical List cj Contributors.
IX.
Meade- Waldo, E. G. B., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
♦Mandarin Ducks at liberty, 122 Practical Bird-Keeping. — XII. The Crow Tribe, 125 ♦The Blue Cliaffiuch of TenerifFe, 229
Page, Wesley T., F.Z.vS.,
Breeding of the Indian White-eye {Zosterops palpebrosa), 114 Phillips, John C.
♦Practical Bird-Keeping. — Iuipeyan Pheasants, 150 Wintering Cranes in New England, 222 ♦The Whooping Crane, 288 ♦Tuberculosis in Cranes, 3T3
PHir.LiPrs, Reginald.
The Naked-throated Bell-Bird — and his Battles, 246
Pocock, R. I., F.R.S.
Report of the Council Meeting, 152
S'P. Ouintin, W. H., F.Z.S.
Some Notes on the Secretary Bird [Serpentarius secretarius), 109 Practical Bird-Keeping. — XIX. The Game Birds, 314
Seth-Smith, David, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
Bird Notes, from the Zoological Gardens, 36, 71, 124, 141, 169,
197, 226, 251, 285, 342
Practical Bird-Keeping. — X. Quails, 78 Foreign Birds at the Crystal Palace Show, 138 ♦The Dipper as a Cage Bird, 143 Practical Bird-Keeping. — XVIII. The Smaller Waterfowl, 289 Review of the Report of Giza Zoological Gardens, 202
Sherbrooke, K.
Among the Birds in Sutherland, 283
Staples-Browne, Richard.
Diary of Birds seen on the White Nile, 157, 182, 218
Smith, C. Barnby.
♦Food of the Little Grebe, 73 ♦Age of Robins, 142
The Display of the Satyra Tragopau Pheasant (Ceriornis satyra), 153 ♦The Breeding of Knots, 199 Practical Bird-Keeping. — XVII. Waders, 260
X.
Alphabetical List of Contributors.
Tb.schemakkr, W. E., b. a.
The Nesting of the Hawfinch ( Coccothrausles vulgaris), 28
Nesting of the Crested Lark, 27 3 *344
Nesting of the Black Redstart (. Ruticilla tilys), 293, 330
TiCEHTJRST, C. B., M.A., M.R.C.S., M.B.O.U.
Notes 011 a Storm Petrel in Captivity, 111
Trenow, Evelyn.
Cerebral Investigation, 60
Vernon, Mrs. E. Warren.
Military Starlings, 164
Waddell, Miss Peddie.
Rock Peplar Parrakeets, 265
Williams, Sidney, F.Z.S.
Weaver Birds, 224
Workman, W. H.
A small Aviary for beginners, 248
Wormald H.
Red Grouse in Confinement, 92
Younger, Miss Barbara. ♦Random Notes, 200
List of Plates.
xi.
LIST OF PLATES.
* Ihe Asterisk denotes a Coloured Plate.
TO FACE PAGE
Female Wattled Crane and Male Canadian Crane, and Hybrid
Chick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Ring-necked Teal [Nettium torquatuni) .. . 36
*The Fijian Parrot Finch ( Erythrura pealei ) . . . . . . 49
The Fiji Tory {Calliptilus soli tar ms) .. .. . . . . 52
Tichodroma mili aria, Irene turcosa . . . . j g_
Halcyon smymensis, Dineinellia dinemelli I
A Roccolo in Italy . » .. .. .. .. .. 81
Tower of Roccolo . . . . . . ' . . . . . . 84
Laughing Kingfishers and their Aviary . . . 90
The Secretary Bird {Serpen tar ins secretarius) . . . 105
The Melba Finch ( Pytelia melba) . . . . I Q
The White Eyebrowed Wood Swallow ( Artamns superciliosus) !
* Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon (, Sphenocercus sphenurus) . . . . 129
Blue-rumped Parrakeets {Psittinus incertus) .. . 139
Outside of Mr. Page’s Aviary.. ) j
Nest of Indian White-eye . . 1
[This plate wilt be found facing p. 150).
Satyra Tragopan [Ceiiornis satyr) .. .. .. .. 153
Peacock Pheasant in full display
African Tantalus {Pseudotantalus ibis ) .. .. . 170
*Hunstein’s Bird of Paradise {Diphyllodes hunsteini) . . 1S1
Black-necked Swan {Cygnus melanocoi yphus) and young . . 198
Courtship of the Herring Gull .. .. .. .. 209
Owen’s Apteryx on a Reeves Pheasant’s Nest . . . . 231
*Tlie Amherst Pheasant in Display .. .. .. 237
Side View of Aviary showing feeding box . . . . . . 249
*Tlie Rock Peplar Parrakeet {Polytelis melanura) . . 265
Australian Bee-eaters ( Me> ops ornatus) at the Zoological Gardens 286 Nest and Eggs of the Black Redstart . . . . . . . , 293
The Whooping Crane (Grus americana) .. .. .. 312
^American Nonpareil Bunting ( Cyanospiza ciris) and Pintailed
Nonpareil {Erythrura prasina) .. .. .. .. 325
Nest and Eggs of the Crested Lark .. .. .. .. 344
Demoiselle Cranes and young . . . . . . . . . . 344
Canadian and Wattled Cranes, with Hybrid young .. .. 346
ERRATA.
p. 91, lines 5 & 9 for Calocetta read Lalocetta. p. 164 line 1 for (Trapealis de pliillippi) lead (Trupialis defilippia). p. 273, 12 lines from bottom, for galeritus read galerita. p. 322, line 8, for splendeus read splendeus.
SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW DUE.
AVI CULT URAL MAGAZ I N E .
Edited by J LEWIS BONHOTE, IV1.A., F.L.S.
CONTENTS. pack
Officers for the Yea i 1911-12 List of Members Rules of the Avicultural Society The Society's Medal Breeding of the $ Canadian and ? Wattled Cranes, by R. CoSGRAVE 23 Bird Cages, by Katharine Currey .. .. .. .. 23
The Nesting of the Hawfinch, by W. E. 'i'ESCHEMAKKR. B.A. .. 28
Bleeding of the Coronated Guineafowl,
By Gerard H. Gurney, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. .. 35 Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens by the Curator .. 36
Correspondence, Notes, etc.
Reviews
The Society’s Medal Practical Bird Keeping :
IX. Living Food for Insectivorous Bird
The price of this
THIRD SERIES, Vol. III. No 1.
n u m be r is
NOVEIVI BER, -19 11.-
NOTE. — A new volume commences every November.
All Subscriptions
should be sent to the Publishers,
Messrs. WEST, NEWMAN &, Co., 54, Hatton Garden, E.C
AVICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Persons wishing to join the AviCUr.TURAr, SOCIETY are requested to communicate with either of the Hon. Secretaries or the Editor.
NOTICES TO MEMBERS.
The Su'bsciintion to the Avicultural Society is 10 - per annum, due on the ist of November in each year, and is payable in advance. The entrance fee is 10/6. The Avicultural ‘Magazine is sent free to members monthlv. Members joining at any time during the year are entitled to the back nnmhets for the current year, on the payment of entrance fee and subscription.
All MSS. for publication in the Magazine , Books for Review , and Private Advertisements should be addressed to the Editor, Mr. J. Lewis Bonhote ; Gadespring Lodge, Heme) Hempstead, Herts.
All Queries respecting Birds (except post mortem cases) should be addressed to the Honorary Correspondence Secretary, Dr. A. G. Butter, 124. Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent.
All other correspondence, should be sent to the Honorary Business Secretary, Mr. R. I. Pocock ; Zoological .Society’s Gardens, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. Any change of address should at once Vie notified to him.
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ftvieultaral Society
FOREIGN AND BRITISH BIRDS
Officers for the Year, I9II-I2.
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Mr. II. WOKMAI.D.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Mr. SETH -SMITH. Mr. T. H. NEWMAN. Mr. E. G. 15. MEADK-WAT.DO.
THE HONORARY SECRETARIES ANTI) THE EDITOR.
HON. BUSINESS SECRETARY:
Mr. R, I. POCOCK. Zoological Sccikiy's G.ARnKxs, Regknt's Park. X. W
HON. CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARY
Dr. A. G. BUTLKK, 124, Bkckkxham Road, Bkckknham, Kent.
HON. TREASURER:
Mr. J. L BOXHOTE-
ED ITO R :
Mr. J. LEWIS BOXHOTE. Gadkspring I.odgr, Humki. HhmpaTRad, Hurts
AUDITOR :
Mr. ARTHUR GILL.
SCRUTIN EER :
Mu. W. P. PYCRAFT.
Brighton :
W. T. Moulton & Co., T,n>., Pkinti
4, Church Street.
3
LIST OF MEMBERS
(■ Corrected to October 26th, ign).
Notice, —HJembers are particularly requested to inform the Hon. Secretary of any error in the spelling op their names , addresses, or descriptions, so that it may be 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 belonged to the Lb K. Foreign Cage Bird Society, either at the time of the amalga. mation or at some time before.
Abraham, Miss Beatrice; Grove Lodge, Muswell Hill, N. (Feb., 1 9 1 1 ) -
Ainlky, John William ; 16, Dalton Green, Dalton, Huddersfield. (June. 1S95).
Ai.dkrson, Miss R. ; Park House, Worksop, Notts. (April, 1896). Alston, Gavin; Yondercroft, Darvel, Ayrshire. (June, 1900). Amst.hr, Dr. Maurice; 39, High .Street, Eton, Windsor. (Dec., 1908). Andrkws, Frank F. ; 2, Attwell Villas, 20, Lower Common South, Putney, S.W. (Jan., 1907).
ANNINGSON, Mrs.; Walt-ham-Sal, Barton Road, Cambridge. (May, 1899). Arthur, Ciiari.ks P. ; Market Place, Melksham, Wilts. (Jan., 1895).* AsTr.KV, II 11 b K R T DeLaval, M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Benham-Valence, Speen, Newbury. (June, 1S95) *
10 Astt.rv, Reginald B. ; Acton Reynold, Shrewsbury. (July, 1902). ATHERLKY, Mrs. ; Hampton Court, Leominster. (April, 1903). ATTKWKLL, Harold K. ; “ Cassia Grove,” Halfway Tree, P.O., Kingston, Jamaica. (July, 1903).
Bahr, Philip H,, B.A., M.B.O.U.; Perrysfield House, Oxted, .Surrey. (Nov., 1907).
Baity, W. Shore ; Boyers House, Westbuiw, Wilts. (Feb., 1910). Baird, Sir Alexander, Bart; Urie, Stonehaven, Kincardine, N.B. (Oct., 1904).
Baker, H. C. Stuart, F.Z.S , M.B.O.U. : c/o Messrs. H. S. King & Co., 9, Pall Mall, S.W. (Feb., 1904).
Baker, John C., M.B., B.A., M.B.O.U. ; Ceely House, Aylesbury. (June, 1903).
Baldelli, La Contessa Tommasi ; 4, Via Silvio Pellico, Florence, Italy. (April, 1902).
Bamford, William; The Coppice, Werneth, Oldham. (March, 1904). 20 BampFYLDE, The Hon. Mrs.; Court Hall, North Moltou, N. Devon. (Oct., 1910).
4
List of Members.
Barber Starkey, P. W. G. ; (no permanent address). (June, 1906).
Barclay- Watson, Miss F. ; The Court House, Goring, Sussex. (July, 1902).
Barlow, Alfred; Superintendent, Alexandra Park, Oldham. (April, 1 90S).
Bedford, The Duchess of, F.Z.S. ; Woburn Abbey, Woburn, Beds. ;
and 15, Belgrave Square, S.W. (Feb., 1903).
Beebe, C. William, Curator of Ornithology; New York Zoological Park, New York City. (July, 1903).
BKLLEW, The Lord ; Barmeath Castle, Dunleer, R. S. O., Ireland. (Nov., 1904).
Bentley, David; So, St. Hubert’s Street, Great Harwood, Blackburn. (July, 1S95).
Bekesford-Webb, G. M. ; Norbrvght, South Godstone, Surrev. (May, 1906b
Berkeley, The Rev. C. J. Rowland; Sibbertoft Vicarage, Market Harborough. (Nov., 1902).
30 BERRIDGE, W. S., F.Z.S. ; 24, P'ortismere Avenue, Muswell Hill, N. (Dec., 1909).
Blaauw, F. E., C,M.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Gooilust, ’sGraveland, Hilversuni, Holland. (Nov., 1901).
Bi.agg, E. W. H. ; Greenhill, Cheadle, Staffs. (Sept., 1911).
Blaine, G. ; Whitedaile, Hauibledon, Hants. (Oct., 1908). Blathwayt, A. P. ; The Grange, Northwood, Middlesex. (Jan., 1S95). BonhoTE, John Lewis, M.A., F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; (Editor);
Gadespring Lodge, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. (Dec., 1894). Bonhote, Mrs. ; 29, Bramhaui Gardens, S.W. (Sept., 1910). Borthwick, Ai.EX.; Vereena, Canonbury Grove, Dulwich Hill, Sydney, N.S.W. (Feb., 1909).
BosCawen, The Hon. Vere Douglas; 2, St. James’s .Square, S.W. (Nov., 1910).
Bough ton- Leigh, Henry ; Brownsover Hall, Rugby. (May, 1900).
40 Boulenger, Edward G. ; S, Courtfield Road. S. Kensington, S.W. (Oct., 1911).
Bourke, Hon. Mrs.; 75> Gloucester Place, Portmau Square, W. (Feb., 1911.
Box, E. A. Granville; 76, Broo.mwood Road, Battersea, S.W. (Nov., 1907).
Boyd, Harold ; Box 374, Kelowna, British Columbia. (March, 1902). BOYES, Frederick; Norwood, Beverley, Yorkshire. (Sept., 1907). Brampton, Miss E. ; 31, Church Crescent, Church End, Finchley, N. (Feb., 189S).
Bridgeman, Lieut, and Commr. The Hon. Richard, O.B., R.N., M.B.O.U.; c/o Mr. E. A. Porter, 7, Princes Street, Cavendish Square, W. (Dec., 1904).
Bridgeman, Colonel, The lion. Francis C. ; Neachley, Shifnal. (Oct., 1905).
Brook PI. J., Hoddam Castle, Ecclefechan, N.B. (August, 1905).
List of Members 5
Browning, Wieeiam II.; 18, West 54th Street, New York City. (March, 1906).
50 Burton, Walter ; Mooresfoot, East Sheen, Mortlake, ,S.W. (Dec., 1901).
Buteer, Arthur G., Pli.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. (Hon. Corres¬ pondence Secretary) ; 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent.
(Orig Mem.) *
Butukr, A. I,., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Superintendent of Game Preservation, Khartoum, Soudan. (Aug., 1906).
Buxr.HR, Arthur Larchin, M. Aust. O. U. ; Waimarie, Lower .Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania. (July, 1905).
BuTXIKOFKR, Dr. J., C.M.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Director of tlie Zoological Gardens, Rotterdam, Holland. (Oct. 1907). (Hon. Member) .
Buxton, E. Hugh; Fritton Hall, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. (June, 1909).
Camps, H. T. T., F.Z.S. ; Uinden House, Haddenham, Isle of Ely. (Oiig. Mem.)
Capkrn, F. ; Avenue House, Cotham Park, Bristol. (March, 1903). Carpenter, The Hon. Mrs. ; 22, Grosveuor Road, S.W. (Feb., 1898). Carrick, George; 13, King’s Terrace, Maryhill, Glasgow. (March, 1898).
60 Caste EE an, Victor E. ; Hare Hall, Romford, Essex. (Orig. Mem,) CaTTEE, C. F. ; Thurston, Bury St. Edmunds. (Jan., 1905).
CHCIE, Lady WiEETAM ; Baroness Amherst of Hackney ; Didlitigton Hall, Stoke Ferry, Norfolk, and 23, Queen’s Gate Gardens, S.W. Chamba, H. H. Sir Bhuri Singh, K.C.S.I., Rajah of; Cliamba, via Dalhousie, Punjab, India. (Jan., 1908).
CharringTON, Mrs. C. ; Frensliam Hill, Farnliam, Surrey. (Jan., 1907).
CharringTon, Mrs. Mowbray ; How Green, Hever, Edeubridge, Kent. (May, 1906).
Chawner, Miss; Forest Bank, Lyndhurst, Hants. (July, 1899). CEITHKROW, Mrs. Ceaud Stracey ; 20, Park Square, Regent’s Park, N. W. (June, 1903).
Cocke EE, Norman Forbes; 21, Camac Street, Calcutta, India. (Nov., 1905).
Connhee, Mrs. KnaTChbuee ; The Orchard, Brockenhurst, Hants. (Nov., 1S97).
70 ConsXabee, The Rev. W. J. ; Uppingham School, Uppingham. (Sept. 1901).
Cookson, Kenneth; Oakwood, Wylam, R.S.O., Northumberland. (Nov., 1906).
Cooper, James ; Cayton, Scarborough. (Orig. Mem.)
Cooper, Wieeiam ; Aislaby Hall, Pickering, Yorks. (March, 1907). Corbet, Lady; Acton Reynold, Shrewsbury. (Oct., 1905).
Corbet, Sir ItOEAND J., Bart. ; Lathburv Park, Newport Pagnell. (May,. 1911).
Cory, Reginald R. ; Duffryn, near Cardiff. (August, 1905).
6
L ist of Mem ha s.
Cranlky, Viscountess; Beech worth, Hampstead, N.W. (July, 1910). CROFT, A. B. ; The Clock House, Ashford, Middlesex. (Mav, 1907). Cronkshaw, J. ; 193, Manchester Road, Accrington. (Dec., 18941.
80 Cross, W. Simpson, F.Z.S.; iS, Earle Street, Liverpool. (Jan., 1908). Cummings, A.; 16, Promenade Villas, Cheltenham. (Dec., 1896). Cuningham, Martin; Goffs Oak House, Waltham Cross. (Oct., 1908). Currky, Mrs. ; The Pit House, Ewell, Surrey. (Feb., 1906).
Cushny, Charles; f No permanent address). (June, 1906).
Davies, Claude G., M.B.O.U. ; “ D” Squadron, Cape Mounted Rifle¬ men, Matatiele, E. Griqualaml, S. Africa. (July, 1909).
Dawnay, The Lady Adelaide; Brampton House, Northampton. (July, 1903).
Dell, Charles; 12, High Street, Harlesden, N.W. (July, 1900). Denman, Arthur, M.A., F.Z.S , F.S.A., 29, Crauley Gardens, South Kensington, S.W. (Sept,, 1909).
Dennis, Mrs. II. E. ; St. Leonard's Park, Horsham. (March, 1903).
90 De Tain’TEGNIES, I/a Baronne Le Clement; Cleveland, Minehead, /Somerset. (Feb., 1902).
Dewar, I)., I.C.S. ; c/o Messrs. Grindley & Co., 54, Parliament Street, >S.W. (Sept , 1905).
dr Winton, William Edward. F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Southover, Burwasli, Sussex. (Aug., 1903).
Donald, C. H. ; c/o The Alliance Bank of Simla, Ltd., Simla, India. (March, 1906).
Douglas, Miss; Rose Mount, Pitlochry, N.B. (June, 1905).
Douglas, William C\, F.Z.S. ; 9, Trebovir Road, Earl’s Court, S.W. (Nov., 1900).
Drewitt, Frederick Dawtrey, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P., F.Z.S. , M.B.O.U.; 14, Palace Gardens Terrace, Kensington, W. (May,
1903).
Drummond, Miss ; Mains of Meggincli, Errol, N.B. (Feb., 1905). Duff, The Lady Grant; Earl Soliam Grange, Framlingham, Suffolk. (Aug., 1905).
DunlEaTh, The Lad}’ ; Ballyvvalter Park, Bally waiter, co. Down, Ireland. (August, 1S97).
100 Dutton, the II011. and Rev. Canon; Biburv, Fairford. (Orig. Mem.)
Edwards, G. ; 377, Coldharbour Lane, Brixtou, S.W. (August, 1902). Elliot, Mrs. C. Fogg ; Staindrop, Darlington. (Dec., 1910).
Ezra, David; 3, Kyd Street, Calcutta. (June, 1902).
Farmborough, Percy W., F.Z.S.; Lower Edmonton. (June, 1896).* Farrar, The Rev. C. D. ; Micklefield Vicarage, Leeds. (Jan., 1895). Fasey, William R. ; The Oaks, Holly Bush Hill, Suaresbrook, N.E. (May, 1902).
List of Members.
7
Fkthk RSTONH.auGH, The Hon, Mrs. ; 'i'lie Mill House, Wimbledon Common, S.W. (Sept., 1910).
Field, GEORGE ; Sorrento, Stapleliurst, Kent. (March, 1900).
Finn, Frank, B.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 36, St. George’s Road, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. (March, 1S95).
110 Fik KBRACE, Mrs.; 26, Old Queen .Street, Westminster, S.W. (Feb. 1911).
Flower, Captain STANLEY Smyth, F.L.S., F.Z S., M.B.O.U. ; Director, Egyptian Government Zoological Gardens; Giza, Cairo, Egypt, (Jan., 1903).
Fi.owhk, Mis. Stanley: Longfield, Tring, Herts. (March, 1909). FockUMann, Hkrr August; Tier Park, Gross-Birstel, Hamburgh. (Nov., 1907).
For, r,R,TT, The Lady Julia ; Woodside, Old Windsor. (Oct., 1903). Forth; SC UK, Col. II.; Falmouth House, Newmarket. (Oct., 1908). Foster, W.m. Hir,r, ; 164, Portland Street, Southport. (Jan., 1902). Fowler, Charles; 26, Broad Street, Blaenavon. (Dec., 1894).
Frost, Wilfred ; c,'o Zoological .Society, Regent’s Park, N.W. (July, 190S).
Galland, Chari.ES E- ; Bradley House, Market Weigh ton, E. Yorks. (May, 1909).
120 Galloway, P. I1’. M. ; Durban, Rectory Road, Caversliam, Reading. (March, 1907).
Ghigl M. le Prof. Alessandro ; Via d’Azeglio, Bologna, Italy. (March, 1911).
Gibbs, Mrs. H. Martin; Barrow Court, Flax Bourtou, R.S.O , Somer¬ set. (April, 1904).
Gibbins, William B. ; Ettington, near Stratford-on-Avon. (June, 1895). *
Gifford, Edward Winslow; California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, U.S.A. (April, 1908).
Gilbey, Sir Walter, F.Z.S. ; Elsenliam Hall, Elsenham, Essex. (Dec., 1907).
Giles, Henry M., M. Aust. O. U. (Orig. Mem.) ; Zoological Gardens, Perth, Western Australia. (June, 1903).
Gir,L, Arthur, M.R.C.V.S. ; Veterinary Establishment, Bexley Heath, Kent. (Dec., 1899).
Gladstone, Miss J. ; The Lodge; Parkstone, Dorset. (July, 1905). Goddard, H. E. ; Rothsay, Thicket Road, Sutton. Surrey. (Feb., 1S99). 130 Godman. F. DuCane, D.C.L., F.R.S., F.Z.S. ; President of the British Ornithologists’ Union; 45, Pont Street, S.W. (Oct., 1904). (Honorary Member).
Goodall, A. A.; 12, Udersley Grove, West Dulwich, S.E. (Nov., 1909). Goodai.L, J. M. ; 52, Oxford Gardens, N. Kensington, London, W. (July, 1505).
Goodchild, Herbert, M.B.O.U. ; 66, Gloucester Road, Regent’s Park, N.W. (Oct., 1902).
8
List of Jl [embers.
Goodferrow, Wai.tkk, M.B.O.U.; Mont Fleuri, Southbounie Grove, Bouniemoutli. (June, 1897).
GoRTER, Madame; The Della, Walmer, Kent. (Nov., 1901).
Gosse, Phirip, M.R.C.S. ; Castlemead, Beaulieu. Hants. (April, 1911). Gow, J. Barnett ; S6, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, and Ledcamerocli, Bearsden, Glasgow. (Feb., 1906).
Grabowsky, F., Director of the Zoological Gardens ; Breslau, German}'. (June, 1905).
Gray, Henry, M.R.C.V.S. ; 23, Upper Phillimore Place, W. (June, 1906).
140 Greening, Linn^uS ; Fairliglit, Grappenhall, nr. Warrington. (Jan., 1911).
Gregory, Mrs. ; Melville, Parkstone, Dorset. (Dec., 1901).
Griffiths, M. K. ; Caizley House, Temple Road, Stowmarket. (May,
1902) .
GriSCOM, Dudi.ow; 21, Washington Square North, New York City, U.S.A. (April, 1905).
Gronvoi.d, Henrik; 26, Albert Bridge Road, Battersea Park, S.W. (Nov., 1902).
Guirford, Miss H. ; 23, Lentou Avenue, The Park, Nottingham. (March, 1903).
Gui.benkian, C. S. ; 38, Hyde Park Gardens, London, W. (Dec., 1908). Gunn, W. CECIR; The Red House, Bicklev, Kent. (Jan., 1910). Gunning, Dr. J. W. B., F.Z.S., Director of the Transvaal Museum and Zoological Gardens; Pretoria, South Africa. (.Sept., 1906). Gunther, Ai.bkrt, M.A., M.D., Ph.D., F.R.S., I-.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; 2, Lichfield Road, Kew Gardens. (Sept., 1902). ( Hanoi ary Member) . 150 Gurney, John Henry, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Keswick Hall, Norwich; and Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall, .S.W, (Dec., 1904).
HaaGnkr, A. K., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., Transvaal Museum, Pretoria, South Africa. (Nov., 1905).
Harked, Lieut. N. G. B. ; King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry ; 3rd Battalion, Egyptian Army, Khartoum. (Dec., 190S).
Hamirton, Miss; 2, Upper Wimpole Street, W. (April, 1902). Harding, W. A., M.A., F.Z.S. ; Histon Manor, Cambridge. (Dec.,
1903) -
Hardy, Lawrence, M.P. ; Saudling Park, Hvthe, Kent. (Nov., 1906). Harewood, The Countess of ; Harewood House, Leeds. (March, 1903), Harrey, Mrs. F. ; Brampton Bryan, Herefordshire. (1908).
Harper, Miss; 6, Ashburnham Road, Bedford. (March, 1902). Harper, Edward Wirt.iam, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Government Road, Nairobi, British East Africa. (Feb., 1901).
160 HarTREY, Mrs. ; St. Helen’s Lodge, Hastings. (April, 1897).
Harvey, The Hon. Lady; Langley Park, Slough. (Oct., 1906). Hawke, The Hon. Mary C. ; Wighill Park, Tadcaster. (Nov., 1900). Hawkins, L. W. ; 206, Clive Road, West Dulwich, S.E. (Jan., 1899).
9
List of Members.
Hazeeerigg, Sir Arthur; Noseley Hall, Leicester. (March, 1907).
1 1 rmsworth, The Rev. B., M.A., J.P. ; Monk Fryston Hall, South Milford, Yorks. (June, 1901).
HkTrey, Dr.; Beaufort House, 114, Church Road, Norwood, S.E. (Sept., 1911).
HeTrry, Mrs. Henry; Beaufort House, 114, Church Road, Norwood, S.E. (July, 1910).
Hewitt, H. C. ; Hope End, Ledbury, Herefordshire. (Jan., 1905). Heywood, Richard; Narborough, Norfolk. (Oct., 1911).
170 Hire, Mrs. E. Staveeey; Oxley Manor, Wolverhampton. (Oct., 1905). Hincks, Miss E. Marjorie; Barons Down, Dulverton. (Feb., 1908). Hinder, R. Frankein; 34, Brunswick Road, Liverpool. (Sept, 1898). Hodgson, The Hon. Mrs. ; Clopton, Stratford-on-Avon. (March, 1903).
Hoedrn, Raeph A., F.Z.S. ; 5, John Street, Bedford Row, London. (May, 1906).
Hoeeis, Bernard; 9, George Street, Hull. (Sept., 1910).
Hopicinson, Dr. EMirjUS ; D.S.O., M.A., M.B. Oxon., 45, vStissex .Square, Brighton. (Oct., 1906).
Hopson, Fred C. ; Northbrook Street, Newbury. (March, 1897). Horsbrugh, Major Boyd R., A.S.C. ; Morristown Biller, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland. (Jan., 1898).
Housden, James B. ; Brooklyn, Cator Road, Sydenham, S.E. (Orig. Mem.)
180 Howard, Robert James, M.B.O.U. ; Shear Bank, Blackburn. (April, I903)-
I Ioward-Vyse, H. ; Stoke Place, Slough. (Nov., 1906).
Howeee, Thos. A. ; 109, Wall Street, New York, U.S.A, (April, 1910). Howman, Miss; 6, Essex Grove, Upper Norwood. (March, 1897).
Hoy EE, Mrs. ; The Vicarage, Stoke Pogis, Bucks. (Nov., 1904). Hubbard, George ; 112, Fenchurch Street, E.C. (Jan., 1905). Hughes, Lady ; Shelsley Grange, Worcester. (Nov., 1904). Humphreys, Russeee; Bryn Court, Woldingham, Surrey. (April, 1896).
Husband, Miss; Clifton View, York. (Feb., 1896).
Hutchinson, Miss Alice ; Alderton Vicarage, Chippenham, Wilts. (August, 1907).
190 Inchiquin, The Lad}’ ; Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-Ou-Fergus, County Clare, Ireland. (Nov., 1897).
Ingram, Coeeingwood; The Bungalow, Westgate-ou-Sea. (Oct., 1905). Ingram, Sir Wir.EliM, Bart. ; 65, Cromwell Road, London, S.W. (Sept , 1904).
Isaac, Charles; Somerton, Bath Road, Slough. (March, 1906). Ivens, Miss; 13, Rua da Piedada, Campo d’Ourique, Lisbon, Portugal. (August, 1903).
io List of Members.
Jardine, Miss Fmiry; St. Michael’s Home, Kimberley, S. Africa. (Jan., 1903).
Johnstone, Mrs. E. J. ; Burrswood, Groombridge, Sussex. (May, 1900).
Kemp, R. ; c/o Mrs. Kemp, Long Sutton, near Langport, Somerset¬ shire. (March, 1903).
Kennedy, Lieut. G. ; c/o Mrs. Kennedy, 7, Albion Road, Sutton, Surrey. (1911).
Kirchnkr, Mrs.; Sea Copse Hill, Wootton, Isle of Wight. (Jan., 19TX).
200 Kuser, Anthony R. ; Bernardsville, New Jersey, U.S. A. (Dec., 1908).
Lancaster, John ; Dunchurch Lodge, near Ruglw. (March, 1904). J/ascerres, The Hon. Gerard, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; The King’s House, Lyndhurst. (Oct., 1896).
Lawson, Mrs. F. W. ; Adel, Leeds. (Nov., 1903).
LEE, Mrs. E. I).; Hartwell House, Aylesbury. (July, 1906).
Leeke, Miss Dorothy; 9, Hertford .Street, Mayfair, W. (Ma)', 1909). Leigh, Cpicir ; Lyburn Park, near Lyndhurst, Hants. (Nov., 1906). Lery, Mrs. G. PEER; Woodlands, Beckenham, Kent. (Feb., 1910). Lewis, W. Jarrett ; Corstorpliine, Ryde, I. of W. (Oct., 1904).
Lireord, The Lady; Li 1 ford Hall, Oundle, Northamptonshire. (Jail., 1898).
21c LlTTRE, I)r. G. W. ; 47, Ridge Street, Glens Falls, New York, U.S. A. (1911).
Lroyd, Lieut. A. M. ; 1/24U1 Regiment, Chatham Barracks, Chatham. (April, 1911).
Locicykr, ArEred; St. Monica’s Lodge, Elm Park Road, Winchmore Hill, N. (Dec., 1905).
Long, Mrs. ; Sherrington Manor, Berwick, Sussex. (Feb., 1907).
Love RACE, The Countess of; Wentworth House, Chelsea Embank¬ ment, London, S.W. (May, 1906).
Lyon, Miss K. ; Harewood, Horsham. (Nov., 1894).
McGeagh, Dr. R. T. ; 23, Breeze Hill, Bootle, Lancs. (Aug., 1908).
McGee, The Rev. Father; Keppel Street, Bathurst, N.S.W. (July, 1908).
Marone, Mrs. M. I/EstrangE, The Manor Cottage, Clewer Green, Windsor. (Jan., 1902).
Manners-Smith, Lieut. -Col. ; The Presidency, Nepal, India. (1911). 220 Mappin, Stanrey ; 12, Albert Hall Mansions, Kensington Gate, S.W. (April, 1911).
Marsharr, Archibard McLean ; Chitcombe, Brede, Sussex. (Jan., 1906).
Martin, H. C. ; 147, Victoria Road, Old Charlton, Kent; and Saladero, Liebig, Fray Bentos, Uruguay. (Jan., 1897),
Martin, H. J.; Clock House Farm, Woodmausterne, Surrey. (June, 19H).
List cf Members.
ir
MakTin-Masson, G. J. ; 5, Can ickblacker Avenue. Partadowu, Ireland.
Martokkm.i, I)r. GrACiNi'o, M.B.O.U., etc.; Collezione, Tnrati, Museo Civico di Storia Natnrale, Milan, 1 1 al \- (July, 1906). ( Honor ary Member/.
Mathews, Gregory M., F.R.S., Ediu., F.L.S.; Langley Mount, Watford, Herts. (Dec., 1909).
Mathias, Hayward W., F.R.H.S. ; Lucerne, Stubbiugton, Fareham, 1 f ants.
Meade-Waldo, 1C. G. 15., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. ; Stonewall Paik, Ldeu- bridge, Kent. (Jan., 1895).
Miller, Tinnisyvood; 27, Belgrave Road, S,W. (March, 1905).
230 Mir.r.S, The Hon. ViOLET; Wilderness, Sevenoaks. (Oct., 1907).
MlLLSUM, O; Everburg, Brabant, Belgium. (Aug. 1909).
Mitch el r,, Harry; Holmefield, Lyndhurst, Hants. (Feb., 1904).
MOERSCHELL, F. ; Imperial Hotel, Malvern. (June, 1895).
Momeu'r, Mrs. ; 77, Harley Street, W. (Sept., 1907).
Money, C. G. Chiozza, M.P. ; Tyhurst, Chaldon, Surrey. (Oct., 1911).
Montagu, Hon. E. vS.. M P., M.B.O.U.; 59, Bridge Street, Cambridge, and 12, Kensington Palace Gardens. W. (May, 1905).
Moore, Wm. Fawcett; (No permanent address). (Aug., 1903).
Morrison, Hon. Mrs. McLaren ; Kepwfck Park, Northallerton, Yorks. (Sept., 1911).
Morshead, Lady; Forest Lodge, Binfield, Bracknell, Berks. (Dec., 1894). *
240 Mortimer, Mrs.; Wigmore, Holmwood, Surrey. (Orig. Mem.)*
Mundis, Miss Sybil Miller; Shipley Hall, Derby. (Jan., 1909).
Murray, A. L. Keith; i, Chudleigli Villas, Bideford, N. Devon. (Aug. 190S).
Mylan. Jas. George, B.A., M.B. (Univ. Cal.); L.RC.P. and L . R.C.S., (Ed.) &c., 90, Upper Hanover Street, Sheffield. (Dec., 1901).
New ALL, Mrs.; Red Heath, Croxley Green, R.S.O., Herts. (June, 1911).
Newman, T. H., F.Z.S., M.B O.U. ; Newlands, Ilarrowdeue Road, Wembley, Middlesex. (May, 1900).
Nichols, Walter B., M.B.O.U. ; Stour Lodge, Bradfield, Mauningtree. (Jan., [907).
Nicholson, T. G. ; ‘Glencoe,’ Walton on Thames, Surrey. (Oct., 1911).
NiCor.L, Michael J., M.B.O U. ; Zoological Gardens, Giza, Cairo, Egypt. (July, 1906).
Noble, Mrs.; Park Place, Henley-on-Thames. (Oct., 1900).
250 Oakey, W. ; 34, High Street, Leicester. (March, iSgb).’1'
Oates, 1C W. ; White House Farm, New Leeds, Leeds. (Oct., 1897).
Oberholser, Harry C. ; 1445, Girard .Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., United States of America. (Oct., 1903).
12
List of Members.
Ogilvie-Grant, W. R., F.Z.S., M.B.OU. ; British Museum (Mat. Hist.), Cromwell Road, S.W. (Dec., 1903).
Ogle, Bkrtram Saville, M.B.O.U. ; Steeple Aston, Oxford. (Dec., 1902).
OliphanT, Trevor; Teston Rectory, Maidstone. (May, [90S). O’Reilly, Nicholas S. ; S, Marine Parade, Brighton. (Dec., 1894). Ostkkhan, J. Eliott D. ; Bank House, Thame, Oxon. (April, 1903).
Pagk, WeslEyT., F.Z.S. ; Gleufield, Graham Avenue, Mitcham, Surrey. (May, 1 897 ' •
Painter, K. V. ; 2508, Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. (Dec., 1909).
260 Palmer, Mrs. G. W. ; Marlston House, near Newbury. (Oct., 1905). Pam, Albert, P'.Z.S. ; Malting Farm, Little Hallingbury, Bishop’s Stortford. (Jan., 1906).
Pam, Hugo, C.M.Z.S. ; 65, Bishopsgate, PTC. (Sept., 1911).
Parker, Duncan, J.P. ; Clopton Hall, Woolpit, Bury St. Edmunds. (June, 1903).
Parkin, Thomas, M.A., F.R.G.S., P'.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Fairseat, High Wickham, Hastings. (Oct., 1903).
Pauwkls, R. ; Everberg, par Cortenberg, Brabant, Belgium. (Dec., 1904).
Peir, P. ; c/o W. G. Peir, Esq., 60, Elizabeth Street, Sidney, N. S. Wales. (July, 1903).
Pennant, Lady Edith Douglas; Soliam House, Newmarket, Cambs. (Sept., 1908).
Penrose, Frank G., M.D., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Wick House, Downton, Salisbury. (Dec., I903(.
Perreau, Capt. G. A.; 2/4 Gurkha Rifles, Bakloh, Punjab, India. (Dec., 1903).
270 Peering, C. S. R. ; 1, Walpole Road, Twickenham. (Sept., 1895). Phillipps, Reginald; 26, Cromwell Grove, West Kensington Park, W. (Orig. Mem.)*
Phillips, John C. ; Kuobfields, Wenliam, Mass., U.S.A. (March, 1910).
Phillips, Mrs. E. LorT, P'.Z.S. ; 79, Cadogan Square, S.W. (April, 1907).
Picar d, Hugh K. ; 298, West End Lane, N.W. (March, 1902). Pichot, Mons. Pierre AmedeE; 132, Boulevard Hausmaun, Paris. (Sept., 1910).
Pickkord, Randolph John ; Thorn Lea, Carmel Road, Darlington. Pocock, R. I., F.R.S., F.L.S., P'.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Zoological Society’s Gardens, Regent’s Park, N.W. (Feb., 1904). (Hon Secretary). Powis, The Earl of; 45, Berkeley Square, W. ; and Powis Castle, Welshpool. (April, 1902).
Princeton University, Library of; Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.A. (Nov., 1907).
280 PvCRAFT, W. P., A.L.S., F.Z.S., M.B.O U., &e. ; British Museum (Nat. Hist.), Cromwell Road, S.W. (Nov., 1904).
List of Members. 13
RadcliFFE, Capt. A. Dkpme; iostli Maratlia Light Infantry, Poona, India.
RaThborne, Henry B. ; Duiisinea, Castleknock, co. Dublin. (May, 1901).
Rattigan, G. E. ; Lanarkslea, Cornwall Gardens, S.W. (Ang,, 1908). Raven, W. H.; 239, Derby Road, Nottingham. (Dec., 1909).
Reid, Mrs.; Funchal, Madeira. (Feb., 1895).
Renshaw, Dr. Graham, M.B., M.R.C.S. ; Bridge House, Sale, Man¬ chester. (Jan., 1910).
Rice, Captain G. ; Glayqnhat, Blairgowrie, N.B. (May, 1902).
RlEEY, Joseph H. ; U.S. National Museum, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. (June, 1906),
Ritchie, Norman; The Holmes, St. Boswell’s, N.B. (l'eb., 1903).
290 Robbins, Henry; Billacy View, Mill Hill, Middlesex. (April, 1908). Robert, Madam; Hartland House, Sutton, Surrey. (June, 1906). Roberts, Mrs., M. Aust. O.IT. ; Beaumaris, Montpelier .Street, Hobart, Tasmania. (June, 1903).
Roberts, Mrs. Norman; 8, Holbeck Hill, Scarbotough. (Nov., 1907).
Rogers, Lt.-Col. J. M., D.S.O., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U, (Late Royal Dra¬ goons); Riverhill, Seveuoaks. (April, 1907).
RoGERSON, A.; Fleurville, Ashford Road, Cheltenham. (Dec., 1902). RoTCH, Mrs.; SunnyclifF, Cholmondeley Road, West Kirby. (June, 1S97).
Rothschh.d, The Hon. L. Walter, M.P., D.Sc., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; The Museum, Tring, Herts. (Jan., 1900).
Rothwei.L, James E- ; 153, Sewall Avenue, Brookline, Mass., U.S.A. (Oct., 1910).
ST. Quintin, William HERBERT, F'.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; Scampston Hall. Rillington, York, (Orig. Mem.)
300 Savage, A. ; 16, Rue Gibert, Rouen, Seine Inferieure, France. (April,
1895).
Scharff, R. F., Pli.D. ; The National Museum, Phoenix Park, Dublin. (Oct., 1905).
SchluTER, John C. ; “ Hammerbrook,” Pollard’s Hill East, Norbury, S.W. (Dec., 1910).
Sc LATER, W. L., M.A., F.Z.S. ; 10, Sloane Court, S.W. (Aug., 1904). Sclater, Philip Lutley, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S., F'.Z.S , M.B.O.U. ; Odiham Priory, Wiuchfield, Hants. (Sept., 1902). (Hon. AfemberJ .
SeppinGS, Captain J. W. H. ; The Army Pay Office, Bootham, York. (Sept., 1907).
Seth-Smith, David, F'.Z.S., M.B.O.U.; 34, Elsworthy Road, South Hampstead, N.W. (Dec., 1894).
Seth-Smith, Leslie M., B.A., M.B.O.U. ; Alleyne, Caterham Valley, Surrey; and Kampala, Uganda. (July, 1902).
Seth-Smith, Mrs. W. ; Alleyne, Caterham Valley, Surrey. (Sept., 1904). Shelley, Captain George Ernest, F'.Z.S., F.R.G.S., M.B.O.U.; 39, Egerton Gardens, South Kensington, S.W. (August, 1903).
14 List of Members.
310 Sherbrooke, Mrs. P. ; Ravenswyke, Kirbvmoorside, Yorks. (March, 1897).
Sich, Hkrbekx Leonard ; c/o Dr. L. Lovell-Keays, Park Podge, East Hoathly, Sussex. (Feb., 1902).
SrLVER, ArpriN; 3, Gatelev Road, Brixtou, S.W. (Aug., 1904).
Simpson, Archibald; Blackgates House, Tingley, near Wakefield. (Fel>., 1901).
Slater, Arthur A.; Keswick Road, St. Helen’s. (Nov., 1894). Smith, C. Barnby ; Woodlands, Retford. (August, 1906).
Smith, Miss K. L. Dorien; Trescoe Abbey, Isle of Seilly, Cornwall. (August, 1908).
Sornborger, J. I). ; Rowley, Massachusetts. (Oct., 1905).
Southesk, The Countess of ; Kimiaird Castle, Brechin, N.B. (Feb., 1901).
Southport Corporation ; Curator; Hesketh Park, South nort. ( Jan., 1904).
320 Stansfeld, Captain John; Duuninald, Montrose, N.B. (Dec., 1896). S'l'ANYFORTH, Mrs. ; Kirk Hamerton Hall, York. (Nov., 1897). Staples- Browne, R. ; Bampton, Oxfordshire. (August, 190S). STEkckmans, Dr C. ; 28, Rue de la Station, Louvain, Belgium. (Sept,
1910) .
STEVENS, H. ; Silouibari, P.O , Lakhimpur North, Upper Assam. (Oct.,
1911) .
Stirling, Mrs. Charles ; Old Newton House, Donne. (Sept., 1904). Stockport Corporation; Superintendent; Vernon Park, Stockport. (Oct., 1902).
Stu rTON-Johnson, Miss; Oratava House, Ore, Hastings. (May, 1S97 STYi.it, G. M. ; 9, Smith Square, Westminster, S.W. (Jan., 1911). SUFFOLK and Berkshire, The Countess of; Charlton Park, Malmes¬ bury. (Feb., 1909).
330 SuGGiTT, ROBERT; Suggitt’s Lane, Cleetliorpes, Grimsby. (Dec., 1903). Sutcliffe, Albert; P'ield House, Grimsby. (Feb., 1906).
SUTTON, Lady ; Beuham-Valence, Speen, Newbury. (Dec., 1901). Swaysi.and, Walter; 47, Queen’s Road, Brighton. (Orig. Mem.) *
Tanner, Dr. Frank L. ; Vauvert House, Guernsey. (Jan., 1904). Tanner, Mrs. Slingsby; 48, Lower Sloaue Street, S.W. (Oct., 1906). Temple, W. R. ; Ormonde, Hatchet, Bucks. (June, 1907).
TERRY, Major Horace A., M.B.O.U. (late Oxfordshire Light Infantry) ; The Lodge, Upper Halliford, Shepperton. (Oct., 1902).
TksChemaicer, W. E., B.A.; Ringmore, TeignmouLh, Devon. (May, 1904).
Thomas, Henry; 15, dinning Road, Birkdale, Southport. (Jan., 1895). 340 Thomas, Miss I*'. G. F. ; Hurworth Manor, Darlington. (March, 1899). Thomas, Mrs. Haig; Moyles Court, Ringwood, Hants. (August, 1907).
Thom ASSET, Bernard C., P'.Z.S. ; Hawkenbury, Staplehurst, Kent. (July, 1896).
List of Members.
15
ThomasseT, H. P. . Cascade Estate, Malie, Seychelles. (Nov., 1906). Thompson, Mis. E. F. ; Canandaigua, N.Y., U.S.A. (July, 1907). Thoknii.ky, PKRCY Wright; Shooter's Hill, Weni., Shrewsbury, h'eb., 1902).
Thorpe, Chari.ES; Selborne, Springfield Road, Wallington, Surrey. (Dec., 1901).
Thorpic, h'. C. ; The Zoo, Sunuyside, Worksop. (Jan., 1902). Ticehurst, Norman Frederic, ALA., AI.B., F.R.C.vS , h'.Z.S. ; 35, Pevensey Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea. (Dec., 1906).
Tomics, W., J.P. ; Gleimioor, 3 r , Billing Road, Northampton. (Dec., 1902).
350 Townsend, Stan i, u y AI. ; 3, Swift .Street, Fulham. (Sept., 1S9S).
Toy ic, Airs.; Stanhope, Bideford, N. Devon, (h'eb., 1S97).
Tricnow, Evki.yn Henry, h'.Z.S.; Ivy I.odge, hipping, Essex. (Nov., 1910).
TresTraie, Mrs.; Southdale, Cievedon. (.Sept., 1903). Trevor-BatTYK, Aubyn, B. R., AI.A., h'.L.S. ; Stoner Hill, Peters- Held. (July, 1S9S).
Turner, Airs. Turner ; Beaulieu Springs, Beaulieu, Hants. (July, 1910).
Twee DIE, Capt. W., 93rd Highlanders; Stobs Castle, Slobs Camp, By Hawick. (April, 1903).
Vat.entinic, Ernest ; 7, Highfield, Workington. (May, 1899).
Van Oort, Dr. E. I). ; Museum of Natural History, Leiden, Holland. Vernon, Airs. FI. Warren ; Toddington Manor, Dunstable, Bedford¬ shire. (Nov., 1907).
360 ViLLiKRS, Airs.; The Shielding, Ayr, N.B. (August, 1906).
Waddici.t,, Miss PeddiE; 4, Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh, N.B. (h'eb., 1903).
Wait, Aliss L. AI. St. A. , 12, Rosary Gardens, S.W. (Feb., 1909). Walker, Aliss; Persey House, Blairgowrie, N.B. (Jam, 1903). Walker, Aliss H. K. O. ; Chesliam, Bury, Lancs. (Feb., 1895). Wallop, The Hon. P'rederic; (h'eb., 1902).
Wards, The Lady Harriet, Knotley Hall, Tunbridge. (Aug., 1903). Waterfiklo, Airs. Noel E. ; Port Soudan, Red Sea. (.Sept., 1904). Waterhouse, Airs. I). ; 6, Esplanade, Scarborough, (h'eb., 1903). Watson, S. ; 37, Tithebarn Street, Pieston. (h'eb., 1906).
370 West, Colin; The Grange, South Norwood Park. (Jam, 1906).
Whitaker, Joseph I. S., h'.Z.S., AI.B. O.U. ; Alalfitano, Palermo, Sicily. (August, 1903).
Whitehead, Mrs. Henry ; Haslem Hey, Bury, Lancs. (March, 1902).
WigelsworTh, Joseph, API)., AI.B.O.U. ; Rainhill, Lancashire. (Oct., 1902).
Wili.ford, Henry; Upland View, Haven Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight. (Nov., 1907).
1 6 List oj Members.
Williams, Mrs. C. H., 49, Okehampton Road, St. 'l'liomas, Exeter. (May, 1902).
Williams, Mrs. Howard; Oatlands, Sunbridge Avenue, Bromley, Kent. (April, 1902).
Williams, Sydney, J n 11 ., P'.Z.S. ; Holland Lodge, 275, Lore Street, Edmonton, N. (Beb., 1905).
Wir.sON, Captain P. A.; Down Firs, Hambledon, Hants. (Sept. 1909).
Wit.son, Maurice A., M.I). ; Kirkby Overblow, Pannal, S. O., York. (Oct., 1905).
80 Wieson, T. Needham; Oak Lodge, Bitterne, near Southampton. (Dec., 1901).
Winchilska and Nottingham, The Countess of; Harlech, Merioneth. (April, 1903).
Witherbv, The Rev. T. C. ; 15, High Street, Poplar. (July, 1910).
Wolfe, Miss Georgina ; S. John’s, 37, Granada Road, E. Southsea. (August, 1904).
Workman, Wm. Hughes, M.B.O.U. ; Lismore, Windsor, Belfast. (May, 1903).
Wormald, H. ; I'll e Heath, Dereham, Norfolk. (Dec., 1904).
Wright, R. N. ; Church Hill, Robert Road, Handsworth, near Birming¬ ham. (Dec., 1908).
Younger, Miss Barbara Henderson; 4, Douglas Gardens, Edin¬ burgh. (July, 1909).
Rules of Ihe Avicultural Society.
17
RULES OF THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY
As amended January , 1908.
1. — The name of the Society shall be Thk 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 November and end on the 31st of October following.
2. — The Avicultural Society shall consist of Ordinary and Honorary Members ; and the latter shall be restricted in number to six, and be elected by the Council.
3. — The Officers of the Society shall be elected, annually if necessary, by members of the Council in manner hereinafter provided, and shall consist of a President, one or more Vice-Presidents, a Business Secretary, a Correspondence Secretary', an Editor, a Treasurer, an Auditor, a Sciutineer, and a Council of fifteen Members. The Secretaries, Editor, and Treasurer, shall be ex officio Members of the Council.
4. — New Members shall be proposed in writing, and the name and address of every person thus proposed, with the name of the Member proposing him, shall be published in the next issue of the Magazine. Unless the candidate shall, within 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 Business Secretary objections to any candidate he shall not be elected, but the signatures to the signed objections must be verified by the Scrutineer. If two or mote 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 10/-, to be due and payable in advance on the Tst of November in each year. New Mem¬ bers shall pay in addition, an entrance fee of 10/6 ; and, on payment of their entrance fee and subscription, they shall be entitled to receive all the numbers of the Society's Magazine for the current year.
1 8 Rules of the Avicullural 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 Business Secretary before the first of October, so that their names may not be included in the “ List of Members,” which shall be published annually in the November number of the Magazine.
7. — The Magazine of the Society shall be issued on or about the first day of every 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 .September in any year shall cease to be Members of the Society, and shall not be re-admitted until a fresh entrance fee, as well as the annual sub¬ scription, shall have been paid.
8. — The Secretaries, Editor, and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of five years, and should a vacancy occur, it may be 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 term of five years, unless a second candidate be proposed by not less than twenty-five members of at least two years standing, as set forth below.
I11 the September number of the Magazine preceding the retirement from office of the Secretaries, Editor, or Treasurer, the Council shall publish the names of those gentlemen whom they have nominated to fill the vacancies thus created ; and these gentlemen 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 Business .Secretary, on or before the 15th of September.
The Council shall also publish yeaily in the September number of the Magazine the names of those gentlemen nominated by them for the posts of Auditor and Scrutineer respectively.
9- — 1'he 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 tne September number of The Avicullural 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
* Owing to the extra pressure of work, the October and November numbers are liable to
be late.
Rules of the Avicullural Society.
19
fifteen Members proposing them, must reach the H011. Business Secretary by the 15 th of September. The names of the four candidates will then be printed on a voting paper and sent to each Member with the October number of the Magazine, and the result of the voting published in the November issue. Should no alternative candidates be put forward, in the manner and by the date above specified, the two candidates recommended by the Council shall be deemed to have been duly elected. I11 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 Secretaries and Editor, shall form a Committee known as the Executive Committee. Members of the Council shall be asked every year (whether there has been an election of that body 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 011 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. I11 the case of the office being one which is held for more than one year (e. g. Secretaries, Editor, or Treasurer, the appointment shall be confirmed by the Council at its next meeting.
(iii) . To act for the Council in the decision of any other matter that may
arise in connection with the business of the Society.
The decision of any matter by' the Executive to be settled by a •simple majority' (five to form a quorum). In the event of a tie on any question, such question shall be forthwith submitted by letter to the •Council for their decision.
The Executive shall not have power
(i) . To add to or alter the Rules;
(ii) . To expel any’ Member ;
(iii) . To re-elect the Secretaries, Editor, or Treasurer for a second term
of office.
It shall not be lawful for the Treasurer to pay any account unless such account be duly initialed by' the Executive.
It shall be lawful for the Business Secretary or Editor to pledge the Society's credit for a sum not exceeding ^15.
20
Rules oj the Aviculhiral Society.
Should a Member wish any matter to be brought before the Council direct, such matter should be sent to the Business Secretary with a letter stating that it is to be brought before the Council at 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 Business Secretary and Editor shall respectively refer all matters of doubt and difficulty to the Executive Committee.
12. — The Council (but not a Committee of the Council) shall have power to alter and add to the Rules, from time to time, in any manner they may think fit. Five to form a quorum at any meeting of the Council.
13. — The Council shall have power to expel any Member from the Society at any time without assigning any reason.
14 Neither the Office of Scrutineer nor that of Auditor shall be held for two consecutive years by the same person.
15.— The Scrutineer shall not reveal to any person how any Member shall have voted.
The Society's Medal.
21
THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL.
RULE S.
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. Ail}' 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.
'fhe account of the breeding must be reasonably full so as to afford instruction to our Members, and should describe the plumage of the young and be of value as a permanent record of the nesting and general habits of the species. These points will have great weigh when the question of awarding the Medal is under consideration.
'fhe parents of the young must be the bond fide property of the breeder. An evasion of this rule, in any form whatever, will not only dis¬ qualify the breeder from any claim to a Medal in that particular instance, but will seriously prejudice any other claims he or she may subsequently advance for the breeding of the same or any other species.
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 silve.i 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 Avicutural 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.”
22
The Society's Medal.
Members to whom Medals have been awarded.
For a list of the Medal awards during the First Series see Vol. II. [Arew Senes), p. 18). For a list of the Medal awards during the New Series see Vol. VI. [A’ezu Series', pp. 20-22
|
SKRIES II. Vol. VI., p. 257 |
Vol. VII. (A’ezu Series 1, p. 20. Mr. W. E. TesCHKMAKRk, for breeding the Dwarf Ground Dove ( Chamcepelia griseota), in 1908. |
|
>. » P- 337 |
Mr. T. H. Newman, for breeding the Partridge Bronze¬ wing Pigeon ( Geophaps scripta), in 1908. |
|
» .. P- 345 |
Mr. C. Barnby Smith, for breeding the Black Francolin ( Francolinus vulgaris), in 1908. |
|
Vol. VII., p. 20S |
Mr. W. R. 'l'KSCHKMAKSR, for breeding the Cinnamon Tree Sparrow (Pas set cinnainomeus), in 1908. |
|
.. „ p. 321 |
Mr.W. F'h ThsChemakbr for breeding the Rufous-backed Mannikin (Spennestes uigt iceps), in 1909. |
|
,, „ p. 334 |
Mr. W. T. Page, for breeding the Grey-winged Ouzel (Merida bonlboul). in 1909. |
|
Series III. Vol. I., p. 2S |
Mr. E. J. Brook, for breeding the Black Rory (Chalcop- sittacus a ter), in 1909. |
|
,, ,, p. 8i |
Mr.W. E. 'l’ESCHEMAKER for breeding the Giant Whydah (Cher a procne), in 1909. |
|
,, ,, p. 120 |
Mr. T. H. Newman for breeding the Deceptive Turtle Dove (Tin tur decipiens), in 1909. |
|
„ ,, PP-I58) and 194 1 |
Mr. T. H. Newman for breeding the White-throated Pigeon (Columba albigularis), in 1909. |
|
,, ,, p. 267 |
Mr. P. W. Thornibey, for breeding the Argentine Black¬ bird (Turdus fuscater), in 1910. |
|
Vol. II., p. 173 |
Mr. T. H. Newman, for breeding the Snow Pigeon (Columba leuconota), in 1910. |
|
,, ,, p. 269 |
Mr. Duncan Parker, for breeding the Red- Vented Blue Bonnet (Psephotus hczmatori hous), in 1911. |
|
» >, P- 3T7 |
Mr. W. E. TKSCHEMAKER, for breeding the Sprosser (Daulias philomela) in 1911. |
|
„ „ P- 368 |
Mr. H. D. Asti.EY, for breeding the Orange-headed Ground Thrush (Geocichta cttrina), in 19:1. |
The Avicultural Magazine.
FEMALE WATTLED CRANE AND MALE CANADIAN CRANE AND HYBRID CHICK.
THE
23
Hvtcultural flfcagasme,
BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE
AVICULTURAL SOCI ETY.
Third Series — VOL. III. — No. 1. — All rights reserved. NOVEMBER, 1911
BREEDING OF THE
$ CANADIAN AND ? WATTLED CRANES.
Gi ns canadensis. Grus carunculata.
By R. COSGRAVE.
In 1909 and 1910 these most interesting birds failed to incubate their eggs. This year they were successful in doing so during the last week in April and the first week in May. Nest- making was a very serious business with them ; after a good deal of hesitation as to site they settled down in earnest on the grass, about four yards from the pond, and got together a considerable heap of grass, sticks, hay, and any sort of rubbish that happened to be handy.
O11 May 7th one egg was laid, which was the usual Wattled size but the colour of the Canadian, and to my knowledge no more were added. Taking equal shares both birds at once com¬ menced to incubate the egg — the period was 35 days. We did not take any special care or interest in the nest, just merely left the egg as a natural amusement for the birds.
The young remained on or quite close to the nest for two days and appeared to be very feeble; from the first it was most carefully fed and nursed by both parents, and while one hunted the long grass for insects the other brooded. It began to take artificial food at ten days old ; although we gave a good variety of this it preferred the sheep’s heart and rabbit’s flesh, and was always ready to take it, although the amount of insects taken from the parents was extraordinary — the search for these con¬ tinued practically all day.
24 Bleeding of the s Canadian and ? Wattled Cranes.
In appearance, the young when hatched differed consider¬ ably from any young Cranes that I have seen. The whole body colour was chestnut, leading to cinnamon on the breast and belly ; bill, legs, and feet light horn ; eyes dark. Instead of the legs being long and awkward to propel, they were quite stumpy ; the head and neck were to all appearance two sizes too large which gave the little creature the most absurd top-heavy look. At five days old it was lively and active, following its parents everywhere they went, but it remained stumpy and the same colour for about four weeks, then a great change took place, the head and neck fined down and the bird began to grow fast; particularly noticeable was the remarkable rapidity with which the legs grew. At present (Sept. 23) it leads its father in height by at least three inches. The body plumage is dark grey; primaries and tail black ; legs and feet dark horn ; head and neck fawn ; eyes dark hazel ; bill red at base, darkening towards the point. Taking into consideration its size and carriage, although there are no traces of Wattles showing yet, the probabilities are, that it will be like its mother. The photograph shows the young at three weeks old with the parents, whose previous history is worth recording.
The Canadian was bred here in 1899, and is very active and attractive. He likes to show what he can do in dancing, going round and round with both wings expanded, now and again picking up a piece of turf or stick ; these he will throw up in the air time after time and occasionally catch them in mid-air. He has a majestic step of his own, and this, combined with his dark grey uniform and red cap, gives one the impression of a youthful military sergeant. However, he is not war-like, we find him peaceful with other Cranes and various birds. On the other hand, Mrs. Wattled likes a good fight and is not particular what with. She arrived here in rather bad health in 1893, and being in fully adult plumage we could not estimate her age. When sufficiently recovered from her journey she was placed in the company of all our other Cranes, and all went well for a few days. Then came a tragedy ! she actually killed three very fine Demoiselles and, when discovered, was actually getting 011 with more. That of course spelt solitary confinement during the
Bi/d Cages.
25
remainder of her natural life. For several years she lived alone in a rather cramped aviary, apparently in the best of health, making a nest and producing usually an egg or two each year. About four years ago her health broke down, and it was quite plain that if she did not have a change of residence her life would be a short one. It was decided to give her a certain amount of liberty once again — but under police supervision so to speak — in a large compartment at the Cranes pond. Here she began to look her former self and commenced to make love to Mr. Canadensis, who happened to want a wife at that time : it was a joyful meeting when he was admitted to her company. Like her mate she is an expert dancer and appears to get excited when laughed at by spectators. Her waltz is quite of au advanced type, she keeping up the swing for several minutes, only stopping to come up to the fence for a word of praise, or if asking, “ How is that?” and then starts off again to renew the performance. Since her release from prison her dancing exhibitions have ceased, owing doubtless to the cares of married life.
BIRD CAGES.
By Katharine Currey.
I keep several of my birds in a double set of cages, which involves a little trouble, but they thrive wonderfully well and their intelligence is greatly developed by this mode of life, which, however, would not answer for breeding birds, as they must then be in a stationary aviary or cage.
I will explain as briefly as I can how I manage this. The bird’s home is an ordinary large cage that can be lifted about, and in which he has his food and roosting perch under a covered- in end. I have light wooden shelters to cover permanently one end of the cage of all my birds, for it is most cruel not to give them a hiding-place.
In the garden I have large, light movable aviaries screwed or hooked together, and they can betaken to pieces and put away flat against a wall. They are made of small-meshed wire, painted green, and have a door at either end, one door large enough to admit a person. In these aviaries, which are of different sizes
26
Mrs. Katharine Currky,
(the largest 5ft. 4m. high to top of gable, 5ft. 4m. long and 2ft. 6in. wide), I place boughs of the trees the birds are partial to, and there are movable perches as well — of wood with the bark on. On the ground (unless it is on a smooth lawn that would be injured) I place logs and stones for insects, beetles, woodlice, worms and slugs to collect under, and move them every two or three days to let the bi ids catch them. They have a large flower-pot saucer of fresh water to bathe in, and in hot weather I water the aviaries well to have the atmosphere damp. The boughs keep fresh for a few days by placing them in long tins of water hung on to the wire inside the aviary, the water changed every day or two.
Every morning, after cleaning out the cages, I place one of them on the ground against a door of one of the aviaries. Up against the larger door I hang a wire-netting screen on the aviary to fill up the space between the top of the door and the top of the cage; the cage keeps it firm in its place. I open the cage door into the aviary and the bird has a large pleasure-ground to fly in and enjoy himself in all day till sunset, when I merely have to tap with a stick on the aviary and they hop into their home- cage on to the roosting-perch. The advantage of the aviaries being movable is that the birds’ pasture-ground can thus be changed, and their position in the garden, on a lawn, or in an orchard, with a warm aspect in winter and a cool shady one in summer, and a sheltered one against March winds. The aviary is easy to lift about and can be placed so as to enclose a little tree or shrub or a tangle on an old stump or bit of rockery, where the birds can have a happy hunting-ground. My birds very soon learnt to understand their mode of life, and clamour to get out every morning, and generally go in to roost of their own accord.
I take them in out of the way of cats, rats, owls or weasels, for I have had some sad experience of leaving them out all night in the aviary. They go out all the year round, in almost all weathers; some birds stand the hardest frost and the coldest winds, if provided with plenty of food and water, but others do not. I have to take in my Rock Thrush (I have had him about fifteen years) whenever there is a cold wind, especially now that
Bi/d Cages.
27
lie is old, but lie lias perfect health and is moulting capitally. I11 stormy or rainy weather I cover the house-cage with a painted piece of tin. The wild birds come and talk to the aviary birds, and they all sing together. My birds are never ill and live for many years.
With regard to keeping birds in little cages, where they have 110 room to move their wings, and 110 protection to retreat to, I have no words to express the horror I feel at such real cruelty, and I consider the caging of Larks fiendish. Among all the wonderful and beautiful works of Creation the bird is almost the most marvellous, and the power of that exquisitely constructed wing destroyed and paralysed in a wired box is the refinement of torture, for a bird that is capable of such intense joy must be equally sensitive to suffering.
I am an enthusiastic aviculturist and my birds are my friends, and for this very reason I feel so strongly about their being treated in a manner wholly antagonistic to their nature and requirements. If anyone wishes to understand something of the miracle of flight in a bird, “The Airy Way,” by Mr. Dewar, will illustrate what I mean. The imprisonment of birds has been allowed to go on unchecked far too long, and in an enlightened country it should never even be possible. The cottager in the country and the tenement dweller in London has no idea that he is inflicting cruelty on the bird he keeps as a pet in an unprotected cage (very rarely sanitary) fed im¬ properly and never allowed a bath. How often have I seen it in villages and country towns, and have bought the poor little half-starved bird to rescue it. And scores of times I have seen it in London, — tiny boxes, in which the bird’s feet are so clogged with dirt that his little toes drop off, and he has to peck up his food in the filth in the cage, and to squeeze his neck through the hole in the wire to get the drop of dirty water. The con¬ dition of the majority of birds so kept is deplorable, as also their lot in too many bird-dealers’ shops. How can it be otherwise if there are many hundreds of birds to tend and keep clean ? A small army of cleaners would be required to keep them properly, and an experienced ornithologist to regulate their diet. It is short-sighted policy in a dealer, for he not only injures the stock
28
Mr. W. E. Teschemakek,
lie sells but his own health, for dirty cages are thoroughly unhealthy to have in a house. The matter requires very thorough investigation, and as an aviculturist I feel the respon¬ sibility of it.
THE NESTING OF THE HAWFINCH.
Coccothrausles vulgaris.
By W. E. Teschemakek, B.A.
The Hawfinch, with its robust physique and iron consti¬ tution, has all the appearance of being a bird of the Northland: one might expect to find it in the great Siberian forests in company with the Waxwing and the Pine Grosbeak. As a matter of fact, however, it is found in greatest numbers in Southern Europe, ranging from the Atlantic to the Black Sea ; it is rare in Northern Russia and Scandinavia, and in the far East gives place to a subspecies, C. japonicus . South of the Mediterranean it is found, though only in small numbers, in Algeria and Tunisia. In Great Britain it nests in every county south of the Border, except Cornwall, hardly ever in Scotland and never in Ireland. Thus we may infer that this species likes a warm climate and a generous diet and has not proved itself very adaptive to other conditions, which is a matter for some surprise seeing that the Grosbeaks, as a family, are able to adapt themselves to almost any climate. For instance of three American species, the Evening Grosbeak, the Rose - breasted Grosbeak and the Yellow-bellied Grosbeak, the first is found in the silent forests of the remote North-west, where the hardy trapper and ‘prospector’ have never ventured to set foot, the second in the States and the third is a tropical bird.
The Hawfinch is a bird of most irregular distribution and of peculiar roving habits — a wildern creature, rejoicing in its wild¬ ness. Here to-day, it is gone to-morrow ; one year it will breed in a district in some numbers : the next, not one nest will be found there. As it is to-day, so it has apparently always been. In an old work dealing with the birds of Sussex, as observed during the first half of the last century, I find the following note: — “Of uncertain occurrence, being not unusual during some years and
on the Nesting oj the Hawfinch.
29
comparatively rare in others : is generally observed about autumn when haws, cherries and stone fruit are in season. Bred in Stanmer Park during the summer of 1847, The young after they had left the nest frequented the neighbourhood of the gardener’s cottage and were all caught by his children in brick traps baited with peas.” Old and young generally seem to stay in their nest¬ ing locality until well on in the winter but, as soon as the food supply becomes scanty, away they go, wandering about the country with others of their race in scattered bands and next year selecting quite a different locality for a summer residence, possibly in deference to the well known principle that one should never repeat a success. One of these flocks, which foraged in the neighbourhood of Paignton during the latter part of last winter, numbered some thirty individuals and was by far the largest gathering of this species that I have ever heard of in this county.
It is unnecessary to give any technical details of plumage because these may be found in any of the bird-books, but one point may be noted in respect of which the bird-books (or some of them) are misleading. I refer to the colour of the beak in the breeding season, which is stated by Howard Saunders to be “leaden blue at the base, dull black at the tip; in winter pale horn-colour.” Morris says: “ Bluish in summer, the tip dusky.” My attention was called to this matter by an exhibitor who came to have a look at my birds one summer. Such is the popularity of Teignmouth as a watering-place that every season a good many aviculturists find themselves in my neighbourhood and frequently give me a look up. (One season I had forty-five visitors besides some who called in my absence). Some of these are members of our Society, some are artizans, and others do not favour me with their names ; they come from the unknown and pass away into the unknown. This particular aviculturist bowed himself in and, after introducing his wife, flattered me with the information that he had seen my name in an advertise¬ ment. As a general rule my visitors are not specialists and do not cross-examine me very severely, so that I geneially come through the ordeal without exposing my ignorance too palpably. But this time I was in the hands of a specialist in British birds
30
Mr. W. K. Teschemaker,
from an exhibition point of view — my weakest point, because I rarely keep birds in cages. I got through the first series of questions fairly well but I felt that disaster was at hand. When we came to the Hawfinches my examiner suddenly said : — “ Have you noticed the colour of the beak of a Hawfinch in summer?” Iliad not; but I plunged, following Saunders, and I was lost.
Quite wrong,” said my friend severely, “ it is entirely black, and if it is not black the bird is not in breeding condition.” Subse¬ quent experience has led me to think that my visitor was right; in the spring the beak becomes black in patches, and later in the season I have seen the beak almost entirely black. Of course the exposure of my ignorance was galling but I was some¬ what consoled to find, on my next visit to the Natural History Museum, that the beaks of the pair of birds in the case illus¬ trating the nesting of this species had not been painted black and, when in the Central Hall I came across a clutch of Creeper’s eggs with the statement that this species nests “ in holes,” I felt better.
I quite expect to hear that the Hawfinch has been bred, though I do not myself know of an instance. There are, however, certain difficulties to be overcome. One of these is its remarkable shyness which would probably prevent it from bleeding in an aviary not provided with suitable covert. Another is its sullen, savage disposition which has made it unpopular with aviarists. There is a rough and ready method of testing the disposition of any species which I have found very useful and, for a rule of thumb method, singularly accurate, namely, to take the bird in one’s hand and try if it will bite. If it bites even a little, watch it very carefully when turned in amongst other birds ; if it bites hard, never associate it with other birds. Grosbeaks show re¬ markable differences of disposition when tested in this way. Not long since I handled half-a-dozen Blackdieaded Grosbeaks (//. vielanocephalus) and could not induce one of them even to nibble ; subsequent experience has proved the species to be absolutely peaceable despite its large size and formidable beak. But the bite of the Hawfinch is a thing one can never forget — a sort of super-bite: it hangs on like a bull-dog and generally draws blood. And the Hawfinch lives up to its bite. Should any
on the Nesting of the Hawfinch.
3 1
unfortunate small bird come within reach of its ugly beak, it will assuredly depart with a broken wing or leg and, even when Hawfinches aie kept apait from other birds, it is extremely difficult to induce a pair to live together peaceably. The first pair which I kept under these conditions had not been more than a week or two in their aviary before the male killed the female and, when I obtained another female, the latter promptly polished off the male. I released this female and obtained two young birds in the autumn of 1909 which settled down comfortably together but did not breed in the following year, either because they were immature or because they had not yet overcome the constitutional nervousness of their race.
The division in which I have kept my Hawfinches for the past few years is not part of the aviary ; it used to be a path surrounding the aviary and in the early days I used to sit and watch the birds from this path but, as I never have time for such luxuries now, I wired it in. It is about 35ft. long, 8ft. wide and 12ft. high. Being just under my bedroom window I am always able to have an early peep at the Hawfinches when desired, which is fortunate because this and the late evening are the only periods of the day when this species shows any activity ; with its dipping flight, large size and handsome colouring it is far too conspicuous a bird to go abroad at mid-day.
I11 mid-March I heard the male singing and this — I may remark — is not a song that is heard every day. It is distinctive though impossible to describe; its shrill whistling call-note is also unlike that of any other bird. An old gardener, of whom I once made enquiries concerning this species, asked me if I meant the bird “ which squeaked like a mouse.” After hearing the song of the male I kept a close eye on the Hawfinches, for I said to myself that an amorous Hawfinch would be a thing worth seeing — indeed it seemed hard to imagine that this, the most sullen, taciturn and unsociable of all British finches, ever could flirt. On the nth April my patience was rewarded. The advances came from the lady who, standing facing the male with drooping wings, commenced to swing her body from side to side uttering a low crooning note and then ventured to gently nibble the tip of the male’s beak. The male stolidly stared at his partner and appeared
Mr. W. E. Teschemakek
32
to be considering whether he ought to submit to such an indignity or whether it would not be more consonant with his dignity to give the amorous maiden one in the eye.
After this my log-book records but little concerning the Hawfinches until the 28th May, when I found that they had pulled up some coarse grass in a corner of their enclosure. On the 29th they cairied some of this grass to a fork of a Py vacant his about nine feet from the ground ; the male displayed a little, swinging his body to and fro, as a Goldfinch does, and singing. O11 the 30th, I observed that the female looked queer, and on examining her ladyship more closely came to the conclusion that she medi¬ tated laying an egg. This was serious because there was no nest. Apparently they either did not know how to construct one, being as I have said before young birds, or else they considered that it was part of my official duties to provide one. The only two nests that I have seen have been large, flattened structures composed of twigs and roots lined with finer roots and, after several attempts, I produced something distantly resembling this type of nest and fixed it up with wire in the position they had chosen ; as the latter was so exposed I surrounded the nest with a screen of cupressus and holly. Having finished my job I retired to a distance to see what the Hawfinches would think of it. It took them a long time to find their way through the screen but, when they did succeed in reaching the nest, their expressions were a study. They stood in solemn silence and gazed at that nest and gazed again ; apparently their thoughts were too deep for words. I must admit that it was a somewhat weird structure. However they finally decided to accept it and soon set to work and relined it with green grass — I wonder why.
On the 2nd June the female commenced to sit; she alone incubated and she sat so steadily that I never got a glimpse of the eggs. She was fed on the nest by the male and, if she ever left it, it must have been very early in the morning or at some time when I was not watching. I fixed up a ladder in the adjoining enclosure and, as the latter was loftier than that con¬ taining the Hawfinches, I was able to look down 011 the nest but, even so, I was not able to see the young for several days after they were hatched because the female refused to leave the nest.
on the Nesting of the Hawfinch.
33
I think that the adults must have devoured the egg-shells of which I could not find a trace.
It was not till the 22nd that I obtained a good view of the young which were most singular objects — three fine, healthy nestlings, surrounded by a perfect halo of long white down, with which the dark brown of the dorsal tract and the blackish flights contrasted strongly ; they looked rather like young Sparrow- hawks. I was annoyed to see that the nest, which I had fancied so secure, had commenced to sag on one side; owing to the situation selected by the adults it had not the advantage of what engineers call “ three-point-suspension.” On the 23rd the com¬ bined weight of the adults and young proved too much for the nest, half of which fell right away, but the young with much philosophy, squatting side by side, balanced themselves skilfully on what remained of their home. On the 24th — one of the few wet days of this tropical summer — so little remained of the nest that one squab was compelled to take up a crosswise position on the backs of the other two, and the female, when brooding them, had to sit 011 the top of this one. This led to a tragedy. On the morning of the 251I1 I saw the female perched beside the nest whittling away at something. Standing beneath the nest I could see a ghastly, distorted corpse and no sign of the other young. In course of time one becomes hardened to these shocks so, with philosophic calm, I fetched a ladder to bear away my dead. However, matters were not so bad as I had thought ; the weight of its superincumbent family had caused the smallest of the young to be impaled on one of the formidable thorns of the Pyracanthus , the other two had lost their hold on that part of the nest, which alone remained in situ, and had slipped down on to the collapsed part.
The corpse was so firmly impaled that it required a good pull to dislodge it. This was evidently what the female had been endeavouring to do, and some idea of the strength of her mandibles may be obtained from the fact that she had whittled away quite half of the squab’s beak, which was so stout that it would have resisted a blunt knife. The squab weighed exacily one ounce. Its beak (which was very large but more flattened than that of an adult) and legs were pinkish. It was bare on
34
on the Nesting of the Hawfinch.
the lower neck, centre of breast, abdomen and sides ; elsewhere it was well covered. The crown and upper back were brown ; the rump lighter ; axillaries rufous; primaries black. Three of the secondaries were blue-grey on the anterior margins; the prominent white margins of the coverts formed a bar of white on the wing. The breast, flanks and abdomen were huffish -white, many of the feathers being tipped with brown, giving the whole of the underparts a very distinctive mottled appearance. The tail was very short, the three outer rectrices showing white on the inner margins. The mottled feathering and white* ground¬ colour of the breast made the young very conspicuous, even at a little distance, and here again, as in the case of the Sprosser, I must confess myself unable to see that the nestling plumage can by any possibility be protective.
The young Hawfinches flew on the evening of the 26th, and were so tame that I had no difficulty in inducing them to pose before the camera. After a time, however, they became even wilder than the adults, and when, about six weeks later, I netted and brought them into the house, they severely damaged their heads by dashing against the netting. They were reared on gentles and green peas. Only the small, tender peas were touched but these were consumed in great quantities.
A young bird examined on the nth August had the two centre rectrices olivaceous, the others white on the inner margins; the primaries, from the fifth to the ninth, had jagged blue tips ; the secondaries blue outer margins. The greater and lesser coverts had white margins ; the rump was yellowish with darker tips to the feathers ; the saddle was dark brown; the head and cheeks yellowish ; no black on the throat.
* in
wild state the ground-colour is pale-yellow.— Ki>.
Bleeding of the Coronated Guineajowl. 35
BREEDING OF THE CORONATED GUIN EAFOWL.
Gutter a pucker uni.
By Gerard H. Gurney, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
My pair of Coronated Guineafowls (G. pucherani ), which I caught and brought home with me from British East Africa in 190S, have nested and reared young this year for the first time. For some time they have had their entire liberty, wandering about where they choose and roosting 011 the topmost boughs of a tall fir tree, but they are naturally delicate birds and in the winter are run into a dry shed at night, though generally out during the day; they fly down into an enclosure to be fed, and the nest was made in this enclosure, amongst long grass, under a large rhubarb bush, the first egg being laid on June 2nd. The nest was a slightly hollowed out “ scrape” in the ground, with a few pieces of bent grass in it, but was entirely hidden from prying eyes by large rhubarb leaves hanging over it. Eleven eggs were laid, generally one each morning, they very much resemble a Domestic Guineafowl’s egg, but are smaller, paler in colour, and not so much spotted, neither is the shell so hard. The eggs were taken and placed under a hen, the first one hatching on July 14th, another the following day, the remaining nine eggs were un¬ fertile. Only one of the chicks lived, the second one dying two days after it had hatched. The survivor, when four days old, was a beautiful little thing, covered with rich red-brown fluff, the head striped with dark brown and white, underparts lightish.
From the first we fed it almost entirely on fresh ants’ eggs, on which it appeared to thrive, eating an enormous quantity every day. When only twelve days old it had developed its wing feathers to an extraordinary degree and was able to fly easily over a wall eight feet high ; it presented a most comical appear¬ ance at this time, the feathers only just beginning to appear on its breast and neck, its wings looking far too large and developed for its tiny body and a ridiculous little sprouting tail, sticking straight up behind. It grew rapidly during the glorious hot weather we had in August and spent most of its time catching small insects amongst the long grass in its enclosure.
When a month old the blue feathers began to appear and the bare skin 011 the neck became more distinct, though it was of
36 Bird Notes from the Zoological Gadens.
a greyish colour, not blue like the adult birds; it also refused to roost any longer with its foster-mother in the sheltered sleeping- place provided, but every night went up 011 to quite a high bough and spent the night in the open. It is now practically full-grown and nearly as large as its parents. I believe this to be the first time this species has been bred in confinement.
The old hen Guineafowl laid six more eggs and began to sit on August 15th. I was determined to see if she would rear them herself, so did not take them away and I have never known any bird sit tighter or better, and on September 8th she was walking about followed by four beautiful chicks.
Expecting them to hatch about this date, I had, on the previous day, removed the cock bird, fearing that he might interfere with the young ones ; however on going to look at them early the following morning we found that he had flown back over the wall — both the old birds are full- winged — and was brooding the chicks himself. He proved to be a most careful and solicitous parent, more often brooding the young ones than the hen.
Both old birds were very savage, flying furiously at anyone who daie to go too near, and the hen on the slightest approach of a possible danger, would at once collect her chicks under her ; but alas, the hot weather changed, and the rain for which every¬ one, except myself, had been longing, came, and with it a spell of very cold, damp weather, and, one by one, when only three days old, the little Guineafowls died off; and although we moved them, with the old ones, into a heated dry house, it was then too late and we lost the lot ; their now fully fledged half-brother evincing much curiosity at the little corpses of his brothers and sisters lying on the ground.
BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
By The Curator.
By exchange with the New York Zoological Society we have received another consignment of American birds, amongst which may be mentioned a pair of Tawny Thrushes (. Merula tamaulipensis'), a pair of Derby Tyrants ( Pilangus derbia?ius) closely allied to the well-known Sulphury Tyrant, and a pair of
The Avicultural Magazine.
Photo by D. Seth-Smith. West, Newman proe.
Cot / espo/iclence.
37
Black - breasted Colins or “Bob-whites,” ( Colinus pectoralis). These three are new to the collection. A fine pair of Barred Owls ( Syrnium nebulosum ), four American Barn Owls (, Strix flammea. perlatam ), four of the northern race of the Burrowing Owl ( Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea ), four Blue Jays, a pair of Golden-winged Woodpeckers and some White-fronted Doves.
The Society has for some time possessed a solitary Victoria Crowned Pigeon, the only example of this fine group. Two more specimens, as well as a pair of the so-called Common Crowned Pigeon have now been acquired, bringing our stock of these magnificent birds up to five, which we hope to increase by breeding next year.
One of the most interesting arrivals consists of a pair of the extremely rare and beautiful Ringed Teal (. Net Hum lorquatuni) from South America. This is a rare species even in its own country and is new to the Zoological Society’s collection and probably to this country. It is something like the Brazilian Teal but much more beautiful, the male having bright chestnut- red scapulars, pale grey flanks, metallic green wing-coverts and a black band passing from the top of the head down the nape and dividing into a collar round the neck. A few males of this species reached the Berlin Gardens some few years ago but there were no females.
CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.
MORE NESTING OF QUEEN ALEXANDRA PARRAKEETS.
Sir, — I have to record another failure. To-day — the 30th of August —I have looked into a nesting-box in which another of my hen Queen Alexandra Parrakeets had been sitting on three eggs for three weeks, only to find one egg addled, one scratched out of the hollow in which it was laid and quite cold, and the third squashed and half open with a young bird inside it ready to hatch, but dead. The hen bird is a bad mother, and I suspect her of eating her eggs, for I found some chawed shells in addition to the three eggs. She has had two former clutches this year, and in each case the eggs had holes eaten in them ; yet she sat well, and the same male — which was the father of the fortnight old bird by another hen — fed her and mated with her. HUBERT D. A STUB Y.
33
Reviews.
REVIEWS.
NORTH’S “NESTS AND EGGS.” *
One of the most useful features of Mr. North’s book (of which we have just received Part II. of Vol. III.) is the inclusion, not only of a description of the nidification of the species, but its life history, hence it is of the utmost interest and value to all students of the avifauna of the Island Continent. It is, however, unfortunate that those species whose nesting habits are unknown are entirely omitted from the work, hence we have no mention of such species of the Genus Psephotus as P. chrysoplerygius or of Mr. North’s excellent species P. cucullatus. The part just issued concludes the Order Psittaci, and treats of several of the Cockatoos and of those most delightful Parrakeets which are not surpassed by any in their popularity with aviculturists.
It is strange that Australian ornithologists will persist in calling so many of the true Parrakeets “ Tories,” a name that is almost as absurd when applied to Plistes or Aprosmidus as it is when used for the African Touracous. Inappropriate popular names will, however, probably continue to be applied until the end of time, even if ornithologists agree to use only those that have a sensible meaning.
A remarkable and most regrettable fact about some of the most beautiful Parrakeets is that they are rapidly becoming ex¬ tremely scarce, though only a few years ago they were numerous. During the present writer’s stay in Australia he made many inquiries as to the present whereabouts of the Turquoisine (Neophema pulchella) with the result that nobody could give any satisfactory information. The bird had been plentiful twenty years ago and less, but for years no individual had been heard of. Mr. North fully corroborates the opinion then arrived at that this beautiful species is now on the verge of extinction. No specimen has been received or heard of since 1885, though a few years before that the species was common a few miles from Sydney.
The beautiful scarlet-chested Splendid Parrakeet ( Neophema splendidtz ) which has been impoited to England many years ago,
* Nests and Eggs of Birds found breeding in Australia and Tasmania. By Alfred J. North, C.M.Z.S. Vol. III. Part II. Sydney: F. W. White, 344, Kent Street.
Reviews.
39
is regarded as the rarest of the genus Neophema. It seems to be unknown in Western Australia at the present time, though the type was procured there. But this species has always been rare, and possibly it is not scarcer now than formerly.
Notes from various correspondents on the nesting habits of the species naturally form the bulk of the matter contained in this book, and deeply interesting they are. D. S-S.
THE GIZA ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. *
The Report of the Giza Zoological Gardens for the year 1910, being compiled on the lines of the previous reports, enables the reader to see at a glance how the year compares with pre¬ vious years. We note that the number of visitors shows an increase of over 19,000 pointing to the continued and increasing interest taken by the inhabitants of Cairo. The number of animals, birds and reptiles in the Gardens at the time of the annual stock-taking was 1464, representing 391 species, and is the largest number that have hitherto been on exhibition.
Among the birds the more notable additions during the year were six White-headed Oxbirds ( D . dine nielli), three Bifas- ciated Laiks ( A . alaudipes ) and two Red-billed Hornbills (A. erythrorhynchus ), one Savigny’s Bearded Vulture ( Gypaetus bar- batus ossifragus), three Crowned Saudgrouse (Zb corotiatus), none of which, except the Bearded Vulture and Hornbills, have been on exhibition in the London Gardens. The number of species of birds bred in the Gardens was not very great; the most important being two Crowned Pigeons (Or. coronata ) and two Senegal Stone Curlews ( CEdicnenius senegallus) , and we fancy this is the first time that any Stone Curlew has successfully reared its young in captivity. The Griffon Vultures and the Lark-lieeled Cuckoo ( Centropus ) laid eggs but failed to hatch them.
The Report also includes many interesting details respect¬ ing the food and the expenses, as well as a list of scientific papers concerning the collection, which have been published by various authors during the year.
On reading the Report one cannot help being struck by
Zoological Gardens, Giza; Report for the year 1910, by the Director. Cairo: National Printing Department.
40
The Society s Medal.
the thoroughness with which Capt. Flower and his able assistant Mr. Nicoll undertake their duties, for not only does the com¬ paratively slight percentage of losses show the care bestowed on the animals themselves, but the list of publications in connection with the Gardens by the staff or others proves that the scientific side is not forgotten, and this without in any way detracting from the Gardens as a popular resort, as shown by the increase in the. number of visitors.
“BRITISH BIRDS.” *
“ British Birds” contains as usual a large number of notes of interest to those whose special study is our native birds. In the four numbers under review the article of greatest interest is that of Miss Turner on the nesting of the Bittern in Norfolk during the past summer. This marsh-loving bird has not nested in this country since 18S6, while the last nest of what may be termed the original stock was found in 1868. On this occasion we are glad to say the birds successfully reared their young, photos of which and of the nest are given. Early in August they left their breeding quarters and we must hope for their return next 3rear. Other articles deal with the late Mr. Robert Service, the Recovery of Marked Birds and numerous short notes, which we have no space to notice in detail.
Publications received: B.O.C. Migration Report for 1910; The Emu, April and July; E’age des Perdrix, by Dr. Louis Bureau; Life of the Common Gull by C. Rubow.
THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL.
We much regret that an unfortunate mistake was made in awarding Mr. Astley a medal for breeding the Cuban Bobwliite. Mr. Astley’s birds were reared under a Bantam, and are, therefore, not eligible for the medal. Mr. Astle\r, however, is apparentl}' entitled to a medal for rearing the Rose¬ breasted Grosbeak ( Hedymeles ludovicianns) as decribed in the last volume, pp. 333 and 370.
Mr. Tescliemaker is also apparently entitled to a medal for breeding
■‘British Birds.” July, August, September and October. Monthly, i/- IyOiidon : Withekby & Co.
Practical Bird-Keeping. 41
the Hawfinch (Coccolhraus/es vulgaris), the article on which appears in this number.
If any Member knows of any previous instance of either of these species having been bred in this country will he kindly communicate with the Hon. Sec.
PRACTICAL BIRD-KEEPING.
IX.— LIVING FOOD FOR INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS.
By Dr. A. G. Butlkk.
All aviculturists who have attempted to breed insect-eating birds have spoken of the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient quantity of suitable food for this purpose : this is partly due to want of knowledge of those insects, their larvae, or pupae, which are suitable for the purpose ; partly to ignorance of the best methods of obtaining these in abundance. I therefore propose in the present paper to indicate first what kinds to select and then to explain how they can be acquired.
Spiders are not true insects, but all of them are much sought after by insectivorous birds and are greedily devoured : they are moreover the best, medicine for ailing birds and have saved the lives of not a few of my pets when they were too ill to be tempted by any other food. Four or five of the common garden spider ( Epeira diademala), or failing these two or three examples of a common greenhouse spider ( Fegenaria atrica), or even the repulsive looking house-spider (71 domestical) with its wide spread of legs will speedily restore a sickly bird to health and activity.
Birds have not the slightest fear of spiders, but rush upon them with the greatest eagerness as soon as they are offered, even that ugly little beast ( Dysdera ca?nb> idgei) being most attractive to avian taste. Harvest-spiders ( Phalangidea ) are also accepted, although not with the same enthusiastic pleasure.
When one considers that the food of spiders consists entirely of insects, one can understand that when eating an Arachnid a bird gets insect-food in a concentrated form ; there¬ fore, although I was scoffed at some years ago for speaking of spiders as a sort of bird’s Bovril, I don’t think the comparison was in the least degree a ridiculous one.
42
Practical Bird-Keeping.
Of the Mvriopoda, which also are not insects, the centi¬ pedes are eaten with avidity, but the millipedes are refused. The broad centipede ( Lithobius forficatus) is sometimes met with when separating a cask of flower-pots for greenhouse work, but these little animals are not so abundant as to be of great im¬ portance to the aviculturist ; nevertheless they should not be thrown away when much food is needed for rearing young birds.
Of the Thysanura the abundant little so-called “Silver- fish ” (. Lepisma ) may often be obtained in abundance under boxes or tins or even in the mealworm-pan, and though it is so active and brittle that it cannot well be picked up and offered to a bird, it may be brushed into a basin and the latter placed in an aviary when the whole collection will speedily be devoured.
Mayflies ( Epliemeridce ) and caddis-worms ( Phryganeidce ) are, as is well-known, favourite food for all insect-eating creatures, the latter can be obtained in a dried form from Germany and from some of the English dealers, but in this case they must be scalded before they can be used as they are very hard when received in their tinned form. The smaller Dragon flies are eaten, but are not easily obtained in quantity.
Termites or so-called White-ants would be excellent food for our pets if we could only get them preserved in quantities : they are one of the plagues of tropical countries and could easily be collected and dried for importation as bird-food, but nobody seems to have had sufficient enterprise to make use of them. Earwigs ( Euplexoptera ) are well known to be acceptable and these can easily be obtained in the autumn, by crumpling up paper and ramming it into a flower-pot inverted over the sticks or stakes used as supports for Delphiniums, Dahlias, &c. Remove the pots to an aviary or large cage and open the paper, when the insects will drop out in numbers and form a pleasing variety in the dietary of your insectivors.
The Orthoptera generally are acceptable to birds, but in this country few can be secured even in fair quantities ; perhaps grasshoppers are most numerous, but only in certain districts, while crickets seem only to abound in the kitchens of old houses: yet why locusts, which are a plague in the tropics, are not dried, deprived of their legs, heads, and wings, and ground into meal
IX. — Living Food for Insectivorous Birds.
43
as food for cage-birds, is a mystery : surely they would pay for importation. In meadows of long grass where grasshoppers occur, they might he swept up with a butterfly-net, emptied into glass bottles, and turned out for the delectation of an aviary of insectivorous birds. This reminds me of the value of the entomological sweeping net, of canvas on an iron ring, for collecting quantities of small insects, their larvae, and spiders, from weed-filled ditches and hedgerows: sweeping the herbage with a net of this kind one secures a vast store of insect-life in a very short time ; and, for Warblers and other small birds, a collection of this kind is invaluable.
The Cockroaches ( Blattarice ) are excellent food for all in¬ sectivorous birds, although some birds will only accept them in the very young larval stage; the commonest form Periplaneta a?nericaua may be easily captured in hundreds with the ordinary so-called beetle-trap. In Madagascar a gigantic species is com¬ mon and if imported and bred in a greenhouse would doubtless be most useful for feeding the larger species such as Mynahs, Bower-birds, Crows, See. It is a most curious insect with feet padded like those of a cat, for which reason I gave it the generic name FEluropoda ; the largest specimens are from 69 to 73 millimetres in length, and 31 to 34 millimetres in width at the widest part of the body, or the size of a tolerably large mouse.
The plant-bugs, with the exception of the Aphides (green¬ fly) are not generally much liked by birds, but there are excep¬ tions, as in the case of the so-called Water-boatmen ( Corisidce ) of which vast quantities are imported from Mexico under the name of ‘‘dried flies” and form an ingredient in all the best
insectivorous mixtures put upon the market. I believe these
insects are chiefly caught when flying over the water in the evening in dense clouds ; but the presence of small fish among them shows that they are followed by the net even after their return to their native element. It is probable, I think, that
Cicadas would also be acceptable to birds, but I have had no¬
opportunity of testing this : the Membracidce to which family our cuckoo-spit (frog-hopper in its adult form) belongs, are certainly eaten when offered, and I believe that some birds will even eat mealy-bugs ( Coccidce ).
44
Practical Bn d- Keeping.
As already stated, the smaller Dragon-flies are relished and •doubtless the larger forms, when they can be captured, are also devoured by the more powerful insectivores ; most Neuropterous insects are probably suitable tor food, but I should think the lace-winged fly ( Chrysopa ) with its slow fluttering flight, metallic golden eyes, and most offensive smell would be an exception, which is just as well, seeing that its larva subsists entirely upon plant-lice.
Of all insects, probably the Depidoptera (Butterflies and Moths) are most appreciated by birds, as caterpillars, chrysalides, and perfect insects, but to this general rule there are numerous exceptions of which, in the case of the more abundant species, it may be well to indicate a few : — Spiny caterpillars, like those of the Vanesscs , as for instance those of the Peacock Butterfly and the small Tortoiseshell (which abound on stinging-nettles) are naturally regarded as objectionable, but tlieir more or less metallic chrysalides are eaten, as also are the perfect insects. I however object to destroying these beautiful and useful butterflies when abundance of the far commoner and noxious white butterflies: — Gaiioris b/assiccs, rapes, and napi can always be captured with ease in our gardens after they have settled for the night upon white flowers or pale leaves. I often go round my garden in the evening and pick up cpiite a number of these (the only really mischievous butterflies which we have and the least beautiful) and give them to my Hangnests and other birds which will accept them. This year, when our wild birds have been hard put to it to find sufficient food out of doors, I have frequently seen Sparrows hunting down these butterflies, snipping off their wings and eating the bodies.
Hairy caterpillars like those of the Tiger and Ermine Moths ( Arctiidce ) are not generally accepted, although the Crows, typical Thrushes and Cuckoos will eat them, the two first rubbing them backwards and forwards first to remove the hair, but the larvae of the Buff-tip moth (. Pygcera bucephala) which often is so abundant that it strips limes and sallows of their foliage is re¬ jected by all excepting our Cuckoo, which eats it with avidity.
Many of the larger and commoner stick-caterpillars ( Geomeiridce) are refused ; not, I believe, on account of their
IX. — Living Food for Insectivorous Biuis. 45
resemblance to pieces of twig, nor because they are unpleasant to the taste, although the latter may partly explain the rejection by some birds of the caterpillar of the Swallow-tailed moth ( Urcipteryx sambucaria ) when it has been feeding upon Irish ivy, but rather because they are extremely tough. I have seen some of my birds trying to break up caterpillars of this character for a considerable time and giving it up in the end as hopeless; only birds with powerful bills are successful. The black caterpillar of the Brindled beauty ( Bislon hirtaria), by no means a pretty moth by the way, is easily collected from the trunks of lime-trees, but is one of the toughest of its kind. On the other hand the little cater¬ pillars of the V. -moth (Halia vauaria) a gooseberry pest, are a favourite food of the Titmice; indeed I once watched a Blue-tit for quite half an hour feeding its young upon these caterpillars alone : on the other hand the spotted larvae of the common Gooseberry-moth (Abraxas grossulariata) are rejected with disgust by most birds, as well as by lizards, frogs, and spiders, although Mr. Page says that he has seen his Weavers eating them : the cry- salides of the same moth, with their wasp-like colouring are also generally refused, but the moths are occasionally accepted and my male Blue-bird was very fond of them. In like manner the cater¬ pillars of the large white butterfly (Ganoris brassicce) are generally refused, but the chrysalides and perfect insects devoured without hesitation. Size does not seem to alarm birds, for a Blue-tit in one of my aviaries captured in the air a full-sized female of the Poplar hawk- moth (Smerinthus populi ) tore off the wings and carried it to a perch to eat it; neither does the so-called terrify¬ ing attitude of certain caterpillars of hawk-moths seem to affect the nerves of birds to the slightest extent. The caterpillars of the Puss-moth, common on willows and poplars, is approached with caution by all birds excepting the Tits, which are familiar with it and recognize it as providing an excellent meal ; un¬ doubtedly its very bizarre shape and colouring and the existence of two tentacles on the last segment from which it can eject an acid liquid renders most birds wary of it.
No doubt a cabbage-field is the best place in which to seek for edible caterpillars, those of the common Cabbage-moth (Mamestra brassicce ) in various shades of green and brown, some
46
Practical Bird- Keeping .
of the Apatueas and the velvety green catterpillar of the small White butterfly ( Ganoris raped) being always in evidence.
Caterpillars of the Dot-moth (Mamestra persicariee) common on the fronds of the well known male and female ferns are always greatly relished ; they vary in ground-tint from lavender greyish, through chocolate and clay-colour to green, but may always be recognized by the dark crescentic markings on the anterior segments.
Wood-boring caterpillars are not generally liked, although the larger Thrush-like birds aud probably the Crows will eat them ; they, however, render the cage offensive for some time afterwards : they should prove excellent food for Black Cockatoos, since the latter eat them in Australia with relish. The perfect insect of the Wood-leopard moth ( Zenzera eesculi) is more often than not refused by birds, I think because of its rather startling coloration reminding one a little of a Pierrot ; but all the small brown night-motlis as well as the more or less metallic Plusicz including the Burnished-brass moth are accepted at once.
The languid white caterpillars of some of the Ghost-moths (. Hepialidee ), which I have found in quantities feeding on the roots when removing Peonies from one part of my garden to another, are very much relished by all insectivorous birds.
The leaf-rolling larvae of Pearl-moths ( Pyralides ) are always eaten, as are those of the more typical Micro-Tepidoptera the Tortrices and Tineina , including even those of the common clothes-moths.
Most two-winged flies ( Diptera ) are devoured in all their stages and it is well known that maggots of the common blue¬ bottle fly are well worth breeding in meat and, after sconring by keeping for a day or so in sand, form excellent food for rearing young birds. It might be supposed that Sun-flies, Rat¬ tailed flies and Bee-flies from their more or less near resemblance to wasps, honey-bees, and humble-bees, w'ould be refused, but in the case of the two first at any rate this is not the case, though it is a sin to destroy the first (the larvae of which destroy plant- lice) while the last, which fly like Humming-birds, are not easily -captured : but Rat-tailed flies (. Eristalis tenax ) are easily picked
47
IX. — Living Food for Insectivorous Birds.
off Michaelmas daisies and, in spite of their angry buzzing, are taken at once from the fingers and eaten.
By far the greater number of the beetles ( Coleoptera ) may be given to birds, but the common Stag-beetle (_ Lucanus cervus) which, when approached by a bird throws itself into an attitude of defence, raising itself on its front legs and holding its powerful mandibles wide open, makes its opponent very cautions; I think any of the Crows would be able to master it, but a Thrush seems only able to fling it on its back and then cannot break through its horny covering. The Soldier and Sailor beetles ( Telephoridce ) are not relished by birds, nor are the tiny metallic blue Cabbage beetles (. Phesdon brassicce ) of which I once had several ounces sent to me to test my birds with ; these beetles have a strong sour smell like red ink and I did not wonder at their rejection. Bloody-nosed beetles and Oil-beetles would also probably prove equally objectionable. Larvae of Cockchafers are eaten, but they make a disgusting mess of a cage in which they are broken up.
Although some of the Carabidce such as Carabus violaceus have a most offensive odour, and on that account would probably be generally refused in the beetle stage, their larvae, obtained when digging up the earth, are greedily accepted, and I found them most useful when my young Ouzels were being reared. Pterostichus madidus, though a liard-shelled beetle, is eateir by some of the larger birds.
The smaller Rove-beetles ( Staphylinidee ) are, I should think, generally accepted ; but it would need a strong bird to tackle the Devil’s Coach-horse ( Staphylinus olens ) which always curls up its tail and opens its jaws when touched, a really terrify¬ ing attitude, and I should not expect it to be a tasty morsel.
The larvae of Spring-back beetles (. Elateridce ), which some¬ what resemble mealworms and are generally known as wire- worms, are much liked by all insectivorous birds ; as of course are the true mealworms ( Tenebrio ) of the family (Te?iebrio?iidce), and the hairy larvae of the Bacon-beetle ( Dermestes lardarius) of the family Dermestidce the perfect insect being also eaten with pleasure.
Of the four-winged flies (, Hymenoptera ) I do not think birds
48
Practical Bird - Keep ing.
have any instinctive dread, for we know that, in tropical countries, many weak species build their nests, for protective purposes, close to the nests of the most virulent wasps ; still the number of birds which feed upon bees and wasps is limited; although the grubs of all wasps are recognized as excellent food for rear¬ ing young birds; the Laughing Thrushes after breaking the stings against their stiff tail-feathers eat wasps with impunity, while the Bee-eaters probably crush the bodies in their bills before swallowing examples of Hyvienoptera , but most insec¬ tivorous birds leave these insects severely alone, and this should cause our friends who make too much of mimetic resemblance to pause before they assume that a wasp-like or bee-like aspect in another insect is invariably a protection, when we who keep birds know that it is nothing of the kind ; it may be some pro¬ tection against a bird which is not hungry, but not against one which is pressed for food : a hungry bird investigates closely.
Ants are well-known to be excellent food, both in the pupal and perfect stage, and nests of the red ant (Formica rufa) common in many woods, may be removed entire in a sack for the benefit of the inhabitants of a large outdoor aviary.
Sawflies ( Ten th i ed in idee) are generally rejected by birds in all stages, although their larvae much resemble those of Lepidop- terous insects ; they have, however, the front segments rather more swollen and the cocoons are tough and paper-like as a general rule.
The smaller Crustacea and Mollusca are well known to be a favourite diet with many soft-feeders, also, of course, earthworms ; the latter should always be offered to all Thrush¬ like birds when nesting, as they are easily obtained in quantity and with very little trouble as a general rule.
Noticks to Mkmhkks — (Continued from page ii. of coven.
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AVICULTURAL MAGAZ INE.
page;
49
57
CONTENTS.
Notes on some Fijian Birds in captivity (with coloured plate)
Bv Philip H. Bahk, M.A., M,B., F.Z.S., etc
A Red Tanager, by Katharine CurrEY . , , . , „
Notes on the Migration of the Sprosser and Common Nightingales,
By A. L. Butler, F.Z.S. 58 Cerebral Investigation, by Evelyn Trenow .. .. .. 60
The E.C.B.A. Show {illustrated). I. Foreign Birds, by Frank Finn 61
II. British Birds and Hybrids, by J. L. Bonhote, M.A. 66
Notes on some Jamaican Birds, by H, E„ ATTEWELL . . , , 68
Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens by the Curator . » 71
Correspondence, -Notes, etc.
Wintering Birds in an outdoor Aviary, 72; Food of the Little Grebe, 73
Reviews : L’Age des Perdrix, 74; The Common Gull, 75 ; Migration of Bir<ls, 76; The Emu, 77
The Society’s Medal .. . . ,, , , ,, 78
Practical Bird Keeping :
X. Quails, by D. Seth-Smith .. 78
THIRD SERIES, Vet. III. No 2,
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DECEMBER, —19 11,—
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Avicultural Magazine.
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THE FIJIAN PARROT FINCH. Erythrura pealei.
THE
49
Hv (cultural flfcagastne,
BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE
AVICULTURAL SOCI ETY.
7 hint Series— V OL. III. No 2. — All rights reserved. DECEMBER, 1911.
NOTES ON SOME FIJIAN BIRDS IN CAPIIVITY.
By Philip H. Bahr, M.A., M.B., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
The following is a short account of some experiences with a limited number of native birds during a fifteen months stay in the Fiji.
Several species were successfully brought home to Eng¬ land, amongst which the finch (E> ythrura pealei), the lory (Calliptilus solitat ius) and the parroquet. (. Pyrrliulopsis taviuensis ) are, I believe, the first to be brought to this country alive.
Fiji is but poorly supplied with bright-coloured birds, and in this respect the subject of the accompanying plate, so admir¬ ably executed by Mr. Goodchild, affords an exception.
The Parrot, Peale's, or lure -tailed Finch is the proud possessor of a native name, Oigi (pronounced Ng-ghi-ng-ghI), a term which appears to be applied loosely by the Fijians to any small bird, but to this species in particular.
It is a curious fact that the Fijian knows nothing or cares little for any bird ; the paucity of native names testifies to this fact ; consequently but little assistance can be gained from natives by those anxious to collect or trap birds.
The plumage of these birds is an admixture of blue, green and red, a livery also adopted by the two more familiar species of parrot, ( Pyrrliulopsis splendens and Calliptilus solitarius ), peculiar to these islands.
The Fiji group comprises nearly 250 islands of all sizes in many of which the physical conditions are extremely variable. This finch confines its range to the three largest, Viti Eevu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni ; on the first-named island it is an
50
Mr. Philip H. Bahk,
extremely common and familiar bird, and its numbers do not appear to have suffered from the attentions of the Mongoose which is responsible for the extinction of many forms of life on the islands to which it was introduced some twenty-five years ago.
It is a familiar species, frequenting the gardens of the European residents, to whom it is known as the Croton Finch from its partiality to those bushes.
In their natural state it feeds to a great extent on grass seeds, especially a most pernicious kind, well known to every inhabitant of these islands. This seed is provided with a long terminal spine which works its way into every article of clothing and constitutes one of the curses of the colony. In the months of March and April they frequent the rice fields, tilled by the imported Indian coolies, and are then said to be caught in great numbers.
During my stay in these islands, however, it had always been my intention to procure as large a number of these birds as possible. One day an Indian brought six of these birds in a basket and offered them for sale. They had evidently been starved for some time and a few died almost immediately. One survived, and him we used as a call bird with some considerable success. In the absence of any other practical means a sparrow trap was erected, consisting of the baby’s bath propped up with a stick, under which seed was spread, and our captive was placed in an improvised cage alongside as a lure ; a string was then run from the prop of the trap to some handy window in the bungalow. By these simple means we soon caught a few more ; the bath, however, proved unsatisfactory in many ways, and was replaced by a more serviceable wooden framework covered with fine mesh wire and provided with a door at one side through which the prisoner could be with safety abstracted. This proved a great success, and, during the months of September and October, the bag was swelled by additions of two, and sometimes three or more Finches every day; my wife becoming an adept at working the trap.
During this time the greater number were young birds accompanying their parents in family parties; they were nil-
Notes on some Fijian Birds in Captivity. 51
suspicious and were consequently easy to capture. The plumage of these young birds is uniformly green, with a small spot of red colouring situated at the base of the bill — on one occasion three were caught in the trap at once.
During the months of December and January they were in full moult, this being the period of hot weather, and in these months we had no success.
When the time came to return we had no less than forty of these birds. They throve well in a roomy cage made out of old packing cases. Travelling via Sydney and Colombo (an eight-weeks journey) no less than twenty-one arrived safely in this country ; the only ones lost were drowned in a great storm in the Bay of Biscay, during which the cage broke loose from its moorings and a large wave swept the deck.
Turned into an outside flight in the middle of April they throve exceedingly ; they seemed to have considerable difficulty in completing their moult which had commenced at sea; how¬ ever, in June they were in good condition and had commenced nesting operations.
I11 addition to boxes, many old straw hats, the crowns of which had been perforated by holes of various sizes, were fixed up; a similar plan having proved successful with the new Cale¬ donian Parrot Finch in the hands of Mr. Seth-Smith.
During August vigorous pairing was noted. The cock bird then utters a peculiarly silvery drawn-out note and chases the female, until quite exhausted she submits to his attentions. A number of nests were built, some in hats and boxes, but others in trees and bushes placed in the aviary for this purpose. The nests in the boxes were domed and built of grass and dead leaves and lined with feathers, those in the bushes were frail open structures.
On entering the aviary 111 October to catch up the birds for the winter, I noticed with great regret that the nests appeared to have been ransacked by mice, which had obtained entrance through cracks in the ground consequent on the summer drought. The birds are now in magnificent condition and are undergoing a partial moult of the red head-feathers. There is, however, one specimen whose head remains a peculiar greenish-blue colour.
52
Mr. Philip H. Bahr,
They appear to have become thoroughly acclimatized and feel the cold very little. Their food in captivity consists solely of millet seed, and they require plenty of water for drinking and bathing.
Calliptilus solitarius, the Fijian Tory, the “Kula”of the natives, and no doubt mis-named solitarius, because it is always seen in parties, and never singly, flying and screaming about the cocoanut palms. In Mongooseland it is becoming extremely rare and confines its range to belts of high trees and low lying swampy places, where it is free from the attentions of this pre¬ dacious little animal.
It is extremely abundant in some of the smaller islands, notably Kadavu and Taveuni. Possessed of the most magnificent plumage of scarlet and green with an erectile Elizabethian ruff, it has every quality of becoming a charming pet.
On enquiry I learned that no success had attained any efforts to keep them in captivity. They were said to become very tame, but that they never lived long and died in convulsions without any previous warning. The diet recommended was mummy apple (pawpaw), honey or sugar water. In their wild state they appear to feed mostly on the flowers of the cocoa-nut palm. I quite despaired of procuring any to experiment with. No one in the colony had any for sale; advertisements in the local papers and appeals to the natives were unattended by any success. In November I despatched my native assistant “Jesse”" to his own island to see what he could do. He brought back three young specimens of Pyri hulopsis splendens , and one adult “ Kula,” which the natives had caught as it emerged from its. nesting-hole. This was a magnificent specimen, but it entirely refused to feed in captivity.
On a visit to the island of Taveuni in Dec., 1910, I was more fortunate; one of the planters there is an ardent aviculturist and knew of a number of nesting-holes of this species. He had, however, not had much success himself with this species in cap¬ tivity. These holes were situated low down in dead stumps which had been left in his cocoa-nut plantation. An opening had been cut away opposite the nest and cleverly closed up with stones. This site was, in the majority of cases, on a level
The Avicultural Magazine.
Photo by P. H. Bahr. West Newman p,.oe
ATotes on some Fijian Birds in Captivity.
53
with the ground thus explaining, in all probability, the ease with which the Kula becomes wiped out by the Mongoose in other localities. In one such nest we found a young bird partially feathered 2 J inches long. Though undoubtedly too young to be removed, I attempted to rear it.
Nests are said to be very hard to find, as the old birds are very wary about entering any hole while under observation. At finding nests, natives are much more expert than white men. Another bird, almost fledged, was brought in by a party of Solo¬ mon Island labourers which had been sent out for the purpose. At first I attempted to rear these young birds on honey, but they did not take very kindly to it. One of them, however, on being placed on the breakfast table, made a bee line for the porridge and commenced feeding on it with great alacrity with, his brush¬ like tongue. Tea with sugar and milk he absolutely could not resist, though milk and sugar alone or Nestle’s milk he was not at all partial to. Henceforward the younger bird was fed by means of a spoon on sweetened tea and milk, and became very fat and grew rapidly ; porridge and gruel he would not or could not take. The older bird became extraordinarily tame and familiar and never attempted to fly away.
Subsequently five more young birds were brought in by a Fijian ; they were half-starved and were being fed on mummy apple, which did not agree with them. So infested were they with white mites that I also became covered with these creatures whose bites caused considerable inconvenience. Frequent baths with dilute lysol effectually cleansed the birds of these parasites. Though the weather was very warm they required a considerable amount of extra heat; the youngest bird especially was never so happy as when placed in the incubator at 97P Falir. Of the new arrivals I lost one, which vomited all food and died in convul¬ sions. The others lived in a large cage and became very tame and familiar. They were always lively and cheery, tumbling about the floor quarrelling like monkeys and greeting others of their kind with shrill cries as they winged their way over our house.
The youngest of the family came to a sad end. I had had him for over a month and he had then become completely fledged. One day, in its anxiety to reach the others, he fell out of the
54
Mr. Philip H. Bahr,
cigar box, which was his home, on to the floor, a distance of some four feet. The fall seemed to knock all the breath out of his body, his legs became paralysed and useless. He vomited all food, but recovered temporarily and lingered on for another week. I was greatly distressed at losing this bird after having succeeded in rearing him from such an earl)'' stage.
I was told I should have considerable difficulty in bringing these birds home via Canada in March. The hot weather was reigning when I left Fiji. The five “Kulas” were placed in a cage in the stern of the ship under cover. For the first week all went well and they seemed to enjoy the ship’s porridge and ship’s milk. One morning, after having crossed the line, and when still three days from Honolulu, no less than four were seized with cramp in their feet and one died in convulsions. There was no heating on board ship and indeed the weather was quite warm enough. They were taken into the cabin and placed in a drawer where they huddled together for warmth.
After Honolulu a great storm arose and lasted three days, during which I feared I should loose all my birds. I only man¬ aged to save them by placing the four survivors in a small box and taking them to bed with me to keep them warm. An electric radiator was provided in the saloon, and by placing them in front of this in the day time I managed to reach Vancouver with three, another having died suddenly in convulsions. These three, two with their feet hopelessly cramped, I managed to snuggle across the Canadian Pacific. Though the temperature outside registered twenty degrees of frost, they kept warm over the steam-heating apparatus, and one recovered from the cramp during the journey.
On the Lusitania a steam-heated room with a temperature of 70° Falir. was provided, where they felt themselves quite at home, but one more invalid died soon after reaching this country. The two survivors have now assumed magnificent adult plumage, with an outstanding ruff of red and green. Their beaks, which at first were brown, became bright yellow when three months of age. In May they underwent a partial moult of the head and breast feathers and a complete moult in August ( i.e . when eight months old). All summer they have been kept in a large cage in the house, and on warm days in the open.
Notes on some Fijian Birds in Captivity.
55
They feed now almost exclusively on porridge, though they are very partial to fruit, especially grapes, apples and cherries. They partake of a warm bath daily and are extremely lively. During the colder weather we are now experiencing I find that they require to be placed in a warm cupboard at night. So far they have shown no desire of breeding though they have the appearance of being a pair. They are indeed fascinating pets and would doubtless become very popular could they be successfully transported to this country. The pair have been deposited in the Zoological Gardens, and may be seen in the parrot-house.
Of the larger parrots, I successfully kept in captivity the following species : — Pyrrhulopsis splendeus, P. personatus , P. taviuensis and P. tabuensis.
Of P. spletideus I had three specimens from the island of Kadava. On the larger islands they are now very rare and are confined to the hill tops, having fallen an easy prey to the Mongoose. My birds were nestlings and never became tame. Travelling via Australia they landed in this country in full moult, one unfortunately broke a leg in the train during transportation from Tilbury. The weather being warm at the time I turned them out in an outside aviary, when they apparently throve well for about two months, but in June they all died in convulsions within a few days of each other.
P. tabuensis. This species differs from splendens in having a maroon-coloured head and chest in the place of scarlet. In Fiji its range is limited to the island of Vanua Levu, there its numbers have also been seriously diminished by the Mongoose. They are said to be numerous on the island of Eva in the Tonga group, whither they are supposed to have been introduced from Fiji. I was given a fine specimen in full plumage by the Governor, Sir Ev. itn. Thurii, K.C.M.G., and this is now in the Zoological Gardens.
P. taviue?isis. Quite a distinct species, having a much thicker bill, larger head and shorter tail than the aforementioned birds. The chest is maroon-coloured and the blue nuchal collar is lacking. They are still abundant in the unsettled parts of Taveuni to which it is peculiar, and where the Mongoose has
56 Notes on some Fijian Buds in Captivity .
fortunately not been introduced. They are noisy birds in a wild state. Two young birds were procured in Taveuni. One died soon after arrival in this country and the other is now in the Zoological Gardens.
P. personatns is a local species; its range being confined to the island of Viti L,evu. It used to be the commonest of all the parrots in that island, but it is now on the verge of extinction, for which the Mongoose is again responsible. I11 fact it is said that all the individuals extant are old birds and that no young have been reared for a considerable time. In the neighbourhood of Suva a few are still seen in the Mangrove swamps, and several were seen round the house after the great hurricane of March 23rd, 1910; the heads of specimens shot were covered with lice. I kept one bird in captivity, this had been captured as a nestling several years before. It lived for over a year, but died suddenly a few weeks before I left Fiji. A curious point about these birds is their remarkable goat-like smell, which is especially pungent when kept in captivity and renders their propinquity unpleasant. This emanates apparently from some secretion and is quite inde¬ pendent of the cleanliness of their surroundings. My specimen was in fine green and yellow plumage which, in addition to his docility, made him a very winsome pet.
All these parrots can be easily fed on green maize, vege¬ tables of various sorts and fruit; they do not take kindly to hard food.
I made several attempts to keep the brilliantly-coloured doves, so characteristic of Fiji, in captivity ; a recently-fledged Chtysoena luteovirens was captured in one of the hospital wards, and by forcible feeding with berries I managed to keep it alive for a week.
On another occasion I winged a fine female Ptilinopus pero7isei . which only lived a few days refusing all food whether native berries, bananas or other fruit.
Of other Pacific birds I procured a lory ( Lorius flavicerciis') and a male Westermanu’s Eclectus from the Solomon Islands and a Pacific Imperial Fruit Pigeon ( Carpophaga pacified) from Samoa, all of which are doing well.
A Red Tan age} .
57
A RED TANAGER (Pyranga rubra).
By Katharine Currey.
I kept a Red Tanager for several years, and should have had him longer, as he was in perfect health, had he not played the truant, opening his cage-door and flying away to a neigh¬ bouring garden, where he was drowned in a watering-pot.
His successor, “Tanny II.” was very tame and most in¬ telligent. He sang a few bars of a sweet song and, like his predecessor, made himself quite happy and very much at home in a good-sized double cage that stood in a south window which was always open, so that he was in the air all day long. He bathed perpetually and, curiously enough, was very shy of alight¬ ing on the ground. If I put any tit-bit into his cage he would crane his neck and try to reach it from a perch and, failing this, he would pounce on it, hurriedly returning to his perch.
“ Tanny ” was very quick and clever and always greeted me, if I had been away, flying about his cage, calling loudly, with many manifestations of joy. He was very jealous if I attended to the other cages in the morning before liis and scolded me well. If he needed clean water he took his drinking glass in liis beak and shook it. Others of my birds have done the same. Of course he soon 'learned where the mealworms were kept, and if anyone went anywhere near the little cask they were in he peeped round the corner of his cage and screamed, spreading out his glossy black tail and flirting it from side to side. I tried to make him spend the summer in an aviary, but nothing would induce him to leave his cage ; if he came out into the room for a flight he hastened back to it. One corner wras covered in over a perch and there he loosted. His rich crimson colour, especially bright on his head and neck, never lost its brilliancy. Well does he deserve his name — the ‘ Red Bird of America.’
I fed him on egg-food, fruit and ants’ eggs, with as many insects and grubs as I could get. Mealworms he slowly chewed into little bits in his beak — a most unpleasant proceeding. Flies and earwigs were a great delicacy.
He died of old age, gradually losing consciousness till he ceased to breathe. “Tanny” had a sweet disposition and loved his home and human friends. Such bird-friends leave a gap when they go and a bright memory behind them.
58 Mr. A. L. Butler,
NOTES ON THE MIGRATION OF THE SPROSSER AND COMMON NIGHTINGALES. By A. L. Butler, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.
In his excellent paper on the Sprosser ( Daulias philomela) in the Aviculiural Magazine for September, Mr. Tescheniaker gives some very interesting notes on the recorded migrations of this bird and the Common Nightingale ( Daulias luscinia).
I have collected and observed birds in the Sudan for eleven years (1901 — 1911), and my experience of these two species has been as follows.
Sprossers annually arrive in Khartoum in large numbers at the beginning of September, and throughout that month and the first half of October they are to be seen under bushes and among the lime trees in nearly every garden in the town. They are exceedingly tame, keeping principally to the ground, and hop¬ ping away under cover rather than flying when approached. They have a harsh, ‘ churring’ alarm note. Many of them arrive in a weak and exhausted condition and, judging from the number of their feathers seen lying about, frequently fall victims to cats. O11 three or four occasions I have known them enter houses. About the middle of October their numbers decrease, and I have 110 note of them later than October 28th, on which date I shot a specimen in 190S. Their disappearance is then complete until the next September, and they seem to winter south of the Sudan altogether. At any rate, I have never come across them after this, though I have collected on many trips, as far south as Mongalla on the White Nile, south to Fazogli on the Blue Nile, in the Bahr-el-Ghazal Province, in Kordofau, and on the Red Sea coast. I have never seen a single Sprosser in the spring, either in the Nile Valley or on the Red Sea coast — our two great migration routes — and my belief is that this species returns north 011 a totally different line, perhaps west of the Sahara.
Daulias luscinia , the Common Nightingale, hardly seems to pass along this part of the Nile Valley at all. In eleven years I have only obtained one example, a female, shot on the Bahr- el-Ghazal River 011 January 12th, 1907. On the Red Sea Coast near Suakin, where I have collected in the spring when Black¬ caps, Barred and Garden Warblers, Thrushes, Chats, Redstarts,
Migration of the Sp/ osser and Common Nightingale. 59
Bluethroats, etc. were all passing northwards, I have never seen a Nightingale at all.
As to the passage of these two species through Egypt I may quote that very close and reliable observer Mr. M. J. Nieoll. “ Daulias philomela. I have only twice met with the Sprosser “Nightingale in Egypt. On May 5th, 1907. I watched an “ example perched on a wire fence in the Zoological Gardens,, “and on November 1st, 1908, I obtained a specimen at Giza. “The latter example had both feet considerably swollen, and “this probably had retarded its passage southwards.”
“ Daulias luscinia. Nightingales begin to arrive in Giza “ towards the end of March, and for a fortnight they abound. “ Great numbers frequent the Zoological Gardens, and I have “seen as many as fifteen together close to the verandah of my “house. In the autumn I have only met with this species on “ three occasions. I think it is probable that the birds follow a “different route on their way south from that taken on the “passage northwards in spring.”
To sum up these records :
I. Egypt. Common Nightingales ( D . luscinia') arrive in large numbers in the spring, passing north, but wherever they come from they do not seem to come down the Nile Valley past Khartoum. The Sprosser {_D. philomela ) is a com¬ paratively rare bird in Egypt. There is no appreciable southward migration of either Nightingale through Egypt in the autumn.
II. Sudan. Sprossers ( D . philomela ) arrive at Khartoum in large numbers in the autumn, rest for a while, and then disappear, but these birds are not noticed in any quantities passing through Egypt on the way. Their return migra¬ tion in the spring does not seem to passthrough the Sudan at all. and must, I think, follow a route west of the Sahara. Daulias luscinia is only a rare straggler in the Sudan part of the Nile Valley, and the large numbers which pass through Egypt in spring do not appear here previously. Possibly they work up the west coast and spread across Africa north of the Sahara before crossing the Mediterranean. But the facts may be more useful than conjectures!
bo Cerebral Investigation.
CEREBRAL INVESTIGATION.
By Evelyn Trenow.
Biids and animals will generally use their weapons of offence or defence at the time of capture, either from a sense of fright or in their endeavours to make escape from their captors, but, until they are more or less used to their altered surround¬ ings, it is unusual for them to turn their attention to even their natural enemies or prey. Thus, the newly-caught Owl will ignore the mouse running around its cage in its search for liberty, and the stoat and rat will glare ferociously at one another for some time before the inevitable battle begins.
If, however, one may judge from the following, it would appear that the Great Tit, although difficult to keep alive in captivity, is the most self-possessed of live things, at all events of the feathered sort, at the moment of its acquaintance with its prison.
A desire to add some smaller British birds to an aviary some years since induced me to set traps of various sorts on the snow-covered ground. The birds were feeding voraciously on anything they could find and were easily caught. One fall of the sieve — and the old sieve trap wants a lot of beating — added a Chaffinch, a Greenfinch, two Sparrows and a Great Tit to a good morning’s bag. These were all turned into a large cage to be sorted out as soon as catching had finished for the day, when those unlikely to live in captivity were to be released.
Some earlier occupants of the cage, which had arrived but half-an-hour or so before, included a few Blue Tits. These had been dashing about wildly trying to escape, but at the time the Great Tit and his fellow prisoners of the sieve were introduced, were resting exhausted on the lower perches.
The Great Tit, however, had no two minds concerning his mission in life, whether in a cage or outside, for he straightway made for the top perch, balanced himself there for a few seconds, then descended with a swoop on to one of the Blue Tits, burying his beak in its skull. The Blue Tit of course was no more, and the fear of another similar performance obtained for the Great Tit his immediate freedom with the opportunity of continuing in a wider sphere his craze for cerebral investigation.
The L.C.B.A. Show.
61
THE LC.B.A. SHOW.
I. FOREIGN BIRDS.
By Frank Finn.
The show of P'oreign Birds at the London Cage Bird Association’s Exhibition — November 24th - 27th — was far the finest of any I have seen at the Horticultural Hall, both as regards the number and the quality of the exhibits; the judge was Mr. H. D. Astley.
Parrots were not numerous, but good ; in the class for Budgerigars, Love-birds and Hanging Parrakeets, all exhibits were in perfect form. Mr. Townsend’s exquisite Blue-crowned Hanging Parrakeet (Lot iculus ga/gulas) took first ; Black-cheeked Love-birds second and third, and a good pair of Yellow Budgeri¬ gars fourth ; equally fine greens had to be content with v.li c. There were other birds in the class, and it seems to me very hard on Budgerigars to make them compete with such birds as Loriculi, which ought to go in the Lory class, being soft-food eaters,, although not true Lories.
In the class for other Parrakeets, Mr. Ezra’s beautiful lutino Ring-neck only got “very highly commended,” much to some people’s surprise, it being so rare an exhibit; if its abnormal yellow colour was the objection, this should have had no weight, as white Javas, blue and yellow Budgerigars are allowed to pass muster. There should really Ire a class for abnormally coloured prize birds, or these might go in the same class as Foreign Hybrids, which are never numerous. To return to the Parra¬ keets : first went to a Brown’s (, Platycercus browni ), second to Mr. Maxwell’s Elegant, and third to a very nice Blue-crowned Conure^ shown by Mr. S. Williams. M. Pauwel’s Uvean Parrakeet only got fourth; yet, though not so lively as some of the others, it was in good form. There were only two entries in the Lory Class, a nice Ceram Lory (A. gat ruins) shown by Mr. Mackenzie, and a pair of Dark-throated Lorikeets, not in show form, as their tails were rough.
In the class for other Parrots a lien Everett’s (TonygnatJms everetti) took first, a Meyer’s second, though there was a fine Hawk-head in the class which only got fouith, to say nothing
62
The L.C.B.A. Shorv.
of the rare Amazon ( Chrysolis ochroptera ) ; both these last were shown by Mrs. K. L. Miller. C. ochroptera is very like the Blue- fronted of which a specimen was also shown ; but it has the blue front very pale and the beak whitish, not black. The Blue-front took third ; its rare relative only v.li.c. ! These were all the entries.
The class for common small finches was extremely well filled and every exhibit was in good form — no less than twenty- two cages of pretty birds. Green Avadavats were first, a cock Cordon Bleu second, a pair of Gold-breasted Waxbills third, and a pair of Orange-cheeks fourth. The others need no comment here, being all of well-known species.
In the class for the rarer Waxbills, Mannikins, &c., there were a dozen entries ; a pair of Melba Finches taking first, second also went to a Melba Finch, and third to a Crimson Finch; fourth fell to the share of a pair of Violet-eared Waxbills. In this class also the birds were nearly all in fine form. An Aurora Finch was v.li.c., and the same honour fell to a third pair of Melbas. All species of Grasshoppers, Weavers and Whydahs, not included in the above, made a fine collection of seventeen beautiful exhibits. The most remarkable was the beautiful Jackson’s Whydali ( Dreponoplectes jacksoni ) a black species of rather large size with a curved tail strikingly-like that of the common cock; in fact, cock-tailed Whydali would be the best name for it, for in its display, which can be seen at the Zoo, the tail is raised and expanded till it nearly meets the back-bent head, and the resemblance to a bantam cock is most striking. The tail of the Whydali, however, diverges above instead of below when fully expanded. This beautiful bird, new to the show-bench, only got third ; it was shown by Mr. Maxwell. First and second went to Fire-tailed Finches, shown by Mr. Temple and Mr. Ross; they were good, but it seems to me a mistake in these mixed foreign bird classes, to give more than one prize to the same species if this can fairly be avoided. A Tri-coloured Parrot-finch (. Erytliruia trichroa) of Mr. Maxwell’s took fourth, but it was not in such good form as Mr. Howe’s common Parrot Finch (E. psittacea ) which only had v.li.c. Gouldian and Long-tailed Grass Finches and Diamond Sparrows also figured in this class.
The L.C B. A. Show.
63
Grosbeaks, True Finches and Buntings numbered ten — a good lot. First went to the Mexican Siskin, a pretty strangely- marked species, black above and yellow below ; second to Mrs. Miller’s well-known lovely Rainbow Bunting; third to Mr. Maxwell’s Black-cheeked Cardinal ( Patsaria nigrigenis) ; this, I may say for the benefit of those who have not seen it at the Zoo, is very like the Yellow-bellied, but has black sides to the head and a crest expanding transvei sely. A beautiful Green Cardinal took fourth ; but Mr. Pauwel’s Black-and-yellow Grosbeak might well have gone above it, as much rarer. A pair of Pintailed Non¬ pareil was also shown in this class and a good pair of the true or American Nonpareil, the lien a perfect gem. A Lavender Finch was h.c. but should have been wrong-classed, its place being with the rarer Waxbills, of course.
There was a splendid series of Tanagers in two classes. One for the common sorts — Superb, Tri-colour, Violet, Scarlet, Blue, Palm and Black — and one for all the rest. All were in good form. I11 the first class, a Blue of the Tobago race took first, and second and third both went to Superbs. I11 the class for rarer Tanagers, which was much better filled, Mr. Townsend’s Gold and Green ( Calliste /lava') was first, Mr. Maxwell’s Pretre Spindalis pretrii) second, while Lady Pilkington took third and v.h.c. with a pair of All Greens ( Chlorophonia viridis ) and a Blue and Black ( Tanagrella cyanomelaena) \ Mrs. Miller’s Emerald- spotted was fourth, and the Festive, Necklace and Maroon weie also shown.
No less than sixteen entries were in the class for Honey- eaters, and formed a most attractive collection, all well shown. Mr. Ezra’s Amethyst-rumped Sunbird ( Arachechthra zeylonica ) was the best of this species I ever saw in England, and well deserved its place; there were two good Purples (. A . asialica ) which species is far easier to keep, as I found out when I brought the first imported Sunbirds to England in 1S97 ; I only had one Purple, which arrived safely at the Zoo, but my last of several Amethysts died en route from Plymouth to London ; they are very susceptible to cold. Mrs. Bouike’s Purple or Yellow-legged Sugar-bird was second ; this species, by the way, appears not to go into undress, in spite of sometimes putting out green feathers
64
The L.C.B.A. Show.
— one cock that lived over a year at the Zoo recently never showed any green. One of the Purple Sunbirds, out of colour, but very strong and lively, was third ; it seemed to be showing off, raising and expanding its tail. Mr. Townsend’s magnificent veteran Yellow-winged Sugar-bird was fourth, and a v.li.c. went to that gentleman’s Jerdon’s Green Bulbul ( Chlotopsis jerdoni), a lovely hen. This species is very rare in aviculture, even in India I never saw it alive that I remember, but Mr. Harper sent a cock to the Zoo that lived there for years, and somewhere about 1903 I saw another hen at Abraham’s establishment. The cock is like a Gold- fronted (C. aurift oils) without the gold front ; the hen is all green but for a turquoise throat-patch. There were also two fine cock Hardwicke’s Green Bulbul (C. hardwickii ) in this class, besides a Banana Quit, a Rufous-throated Sugar-bird — formerly called a Tanager ( Glossopti/a ruficollis ) and two cock Dacnis, one the common cayana, and the other I think D. ni gripes, as it had the dark (instead of flesh-coloured) feet characteristic of that species, but it was smaller than cayana instead of larger as the British Museum catalogue measurements make it. It was shown by Mr. Townsend, and might well have got more than li.c. if recognised as a distinct species, which I admit was difficult at first sight. An Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosa') bred this year by Mr. W. T. Page, and shown by Miss L- Clare, was an interesting exhibit, and took “commended.”
The next class was a fine mixed collection, being for Shamas, Starlings, Troupials, Jays, and other hardy soft-bills. Mr. Pauwel’s Long-crested Mexican Jays were first, and deserved ; they seem to be Cyanocitta diademata. They were smaller than the English Jay, with daik, long-crested head, white eye-marks, and blue body— plumage barred with black on wings and tail. A Shama was second, and a Larger Hill Mynah third, a Glossy Starling fourth.
The class for “all other species not comprised in the above” was well filled, and, as might be expected, particularly interesting and numbered nearly two dozen. A splendid Raggi’s Paradise-bird ( Paiadisea raggiana) shown by M. Pawvels, natur¬ ally took first; Mrs. Miller’s Japanese Redbreast ( Eri/hacus alsahige ) was second, but I piefet red Mr. Ezra’s specimen of the
The Avicultural Magazine,
H , Goodchild del.
IRENE
TICHODROMA MURARIA. TURCOSA. HALCYON
D1NEMELLIA DINEMELLI.
West, Newman proe.
SMYRNENSIS.
The L.C.B.A. Shozv.
65
same bird, which only took v.h.c. This bird is very like our Robin, but has a short reddish tail and sooty abdomen ; Mrs. Miller’s bird was coloured in other respects just like our Red¬ breast, and had a similar plump shape ; the other specimen was darker and much slimmer, more like a Nightingale in build — I really don’t know which type is correct, however, in such a rare bird! There were two Temmiuck’s or Loo-choo Robins ( E . homadori) in the class, of which Mrs. Miller’s took v.h.c. M. Pauwel’s Malayan Fairy Blue-bird ( Irena turcosa) was third, a most magnificent creature in its enamelled blue and velvet black plumage ; but as the said plumage was rough on the underparts, I should have preferred Mr. Maxwell’s quaint little Coppersmith Barbet (Xantholcema haemaiocephala), the first ever shown, though the commonest of Barbets in the wild state, being heard even in street trees in Calcutta. Not bigger than a Greenfinch, its green plumage is diversified on the head and throat by scarlet and 3’ellow. It is easy enough to keep and feed on fruit and bread- and-milk, but will not stand satoo. Besides these rarities, this wonderful class contained a Blue-throated Flycatcher, a Cuban Trogon, an Indian White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis ) a Hauxwell’s Hangnest, a pair of Verditer Flycatchers (Stoparola melanops), an Indian Yellow-cheeked Tit ( Machlolophus xantho- genys) and a White-crested Jay-thrush. The Kingfisher was particularly interesting, as belonging to a group rarely shown, but was not in show plumage, the tail being rather rough ; but it is a young bird, and will doubtless improve in steadiness. This species feeds as much or more on land animals as fish ; in plu¬ mage it is blue and chocolate with white breast. The belt and feet are coral-red in the adult, dusky in the young.
The Foreign Hybrid class contained only two kinds, two ugly little crosses between the Zebra Waxbill and Silver-bill, brown with black short tails, dull yellow bills, and a Tit inter¬ mediate between Pleske’s Tit (Pams pleskei) and the lovely Azure Tit (P. cyanus ) presumably a wild-bred hybrid. Pleske’s Tit is much like a Blue-tit, but paler, the Azure is white with blue wings and tail, the latter being longer than in other members of the genus Parus. Both are Continental.
The “ Pairs for Foreign Hybrid breeding” class had five
66
The L.C.B.A. Shotv.
entries, blit calls for no comment. I cannot see the use of such a class, especially when, as hinted above, the abnormally-coloured foreign birds badly need accommodation in a separate section. Nor is it necessary to say anything here about the Selling class, the exhibits being not rare, although in good condition.
The two classes for members of the L.C.B.A. only, how¬ ever, contained some good birds. In the Seed-eater class M. Pauwels won first well with a lovely Dinemelli’s or White- headed Weaver (. Dinemellia dinemelli ) a bird as big as a Song- Thrush, white with black wings and tail and a rump vent which should have been scarlet, but was orange. Among the soft-food eaters the same gentleman showed one of the gems of the show, a pair of fruit-pigeons of the genus Ptilopus, green with rich yellow abdomen; a unique and beautiful exhibit well worthy of the first prize they obtained, and a fit one with which to conclude what I fear is a very imperfect notice of a veritable festival of aviculture.
II. HYBRIDS AND BRITISH BIRDS.
By J. L. Bonhote.
The British Birds were as usual well represented at this Show, and the glorious trim and condition of many of our common birds must have convinced the most sceptic that our country can, in its avifauna, show as beautiful an assortment as many others more favoured from the climatic point of view.
We have not time or space to go into detail over the well- filled classes of Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Linnets, Redpolls and others, but must confine our notes chiefly to the rarer kinds. We were sorry to notice that three Classes (Song Thrush, Wagtail, A.O.V. Thrushes and Woodpeckers) had to be cancelled from lack of entries. All these species make most satisfactory cage- birds and, especially the Thrushes, are widely kept, and it is disappointing to see that where such a good and liberal classifi¬ cation is offered fanciers do not support it.
The gem of the collection was undoubtedly Mr. Pauwels fine pair of Wallcreepers, a species we do not remember to have previously seen in confinement, and from their condition and feather they certainly did credit to the owner and Mr. Milsum.
The L.C.B.A. Show.
67
Another rarity was a very nice Grasshopper Warbler in good condition, though, we understand, that it had found the journey rather trying ; the same Class contained Dartford Warblers, a Wry¬ neck and a splendid adult Black Redstart in beautiful plumage. Among the Larks and Pipits were several Shore Larks and two Rock Pipits, the last named being quite a rarity in a cage, although common enough round our shores. Class 160: European Birds, contained beside the Wallcreepers, a Two-barred Crossbill, which we fancy we saw last year, an Icterine Warbler, a Red-breasted Flycatcher and a Snow Finch, as well as one or two commoner species. Class 157 contained a Sedge Warbler, a Willow Warbler, and a Greater and Lesser Whitethroat. On walking through a Show such as this one cannot help wishing that some of those who so persistently decry bird-keeping could be present, most of their arguments would at once fall to the ground, for the excellent health and condition of these delicate birds, and their reappear¬ ance at the same Shows in successive years is sufficient proof that kindness, care and attention, and not starvation and cruelty has been bestowed upon them. Unfortunately these people never come to look for themselves! The Pied and Albino Class con¬ tained a fine Silver Starling, which has been, if we remember right, seen on the show bench for several years past. There was a white Robin and a white Hedge Sparrow, both showing a tinge of yellow on the breast, and a Bullfinch with a white cap suffused with a delicate pinkish tinge. Hybrids were a strong lot ; the Bullfinch hybrids included Redpoll, Linnet, Greenfinch, Goldfinch; there were also Greenfinch-Redpoll, Redpoll-Gold¬ finch, Siskin-Greenfinch, Bramble-Chaffinch, Twite-Greenfinch, Goldfinch-Siskin, Siskin-Redpoll and Greenfinch-Chaffinch.
This last is probably the greatest rarity, and is the first and only one that has so far been bred. In general bulk and shape it takes after the Greenfinch, the colour of the back is brown and we could not detect auj^ trace of the bluish head of the Chaffinch. The breast was pale vinous, clearly showing the Chaffinch origin, fading off to yellow on the vent, The wings showed the white bases to the primaries characteristic of the Chaffinch. We see no reason to doubt the parentage of this bird, the only other possibility is a Bramble-Chaffinch, but the build is so much that
68
Mr. H. E. Atteweee,
of a Greenfinch that this species must, in our opinion, have been one of the parents. The bird was bred by Miss Reeves, to whom the fancy is already indebted for many rare hybrids. In this case hen Chaffinches were put in an aviary witli cocks of the following species : Hawfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Canary, so that it is obvious that the bird could have had no other origin than from a Greenfinch and Chaffinch. We much regret that among the many good things we omitted to make any notes on Mr. Vales Twite-Greenfinch, a cross, which though not unique, is but seldom seen.
NOTES ON SOME JAMAICAN BIRDS.
By H. E. Attewele.
'I he Savannah Blackbird or Tickbird (C? olophaga (ini') is not one of the few species to which Jamaica claims exclusive rights : it is found in many tropical parts and its main character¬ istics are pretty well known. Gosse portrays it very accurately,, and being so much in evidence there are multitudes who can confirm his writing on the bird.41
Some C. ant have recently been engaged in nesting near my house, and we have to some extent been able to follow the birds’ habits.
May I be allowed to draw, say, two-tlrirds of a circle with approximately fifty yards for the radius and the house as a centre. There will be included an ebony tree, a tamarind, a genip, another tamarind, next a guango and then a yokewood tree. A few others of smaller size and im poi lance punctuate those named. At the time I write, the first mentioned, the ebony, contains a Blue Quits ( Euphonia Jamaica') nest, the next has still the nest of a Banana Quit ( Cerlhiola flaveola) hanging from a twig, the young birds having quit two weeks previously. The genip tree and its next neighbour have both been favoured by C. atii, while high on the guango, which grows almost into the last, the “ Roggerhead” ( 1'yrannus caudifascialus) has very recently reared a young bird, and the last-named tree of my list — the yoke- wood — a week ago had at its top the hammock-like nest of the
* See Series II., Vol. i, p. 22.
Notes on some Jamaican Birds.
69
Banana Bird ( Icterus leucopteryx), whose two young resolutely refused to be hand-reared. If you will follow me less than one hundred yards from this imaginary arc-end I will show you one more nest — also in an ebony tree — it is that of the Ground Dove { Chamcepelia passerina), a poor platform nest the size of a small man’s palm, in which the fully-fledged young can be seen side by side, making as charming a picture as one could wish. No doubt if we looked around a little, more than one Mocking Bird’s nest could easily be found, and just over there in that bank it is safe to say at least one Tody’s eggs or young could be found. We are satisfied further that a pair of Long-tailed Humming Birds (Aiihurus polytmus) have nested in the Banana Quit’s tamarind tree, and, judging from the scores of Vervain Humming Birds (. Mellisnga minima) that resort to its blossoms, there must be several nests of such birds not far away, the size of which may be incidentally mentioned as being, when the young has flown , no bigger on the top than a two-shilling piece! I have proved this, nor did the coin slip from the top into the nest. While digres¬ sing let me just add one other nest that is to be found in the particular trees named. It is that of the common brown rat driven to an arboreal life by the mongoose. I more than suspect this animal has interfered with my Blackbirds in one instance and ‘improved’ on the birds architecture to its own purpose.
Nor is the Savannah Blackbird’s nest much to brag about. Let it be remembered the bird is nearly related to the Cuckoos, and all honour to the Cuckoo that makes a nest. We may congratulate the creature on its higher sense of duty ; it may, however, be an open cpiestion as to whether the bird is 011 the upgrade or the reverse.
Popular belief allows quite a number of these birds to designedly assist each other in nidification. My own examples do not completely confirm the argument, for in neither of two instances was an unusually large structure made nor more than eight eggs laid. I have examined several old nests, and in every case have found one or more old eggs buried in the materials, such being ebony and lignum vitae twig ends with upholstery of maseberry leaves.
Did not a company of C. ani remain interested in what was
70
Notes on some Jamaican Birds.
going on, it might be suspected that they were but one remove better than the familiar Cuckoo proper, whose propensity for shirking maternal cares is so well known and, but for this interest, one might infer that, having found another of the family so minded as to build for herself and to incubate, the opportunity is seized to add to the proposed complement of eggs. There is,
I think, some evidence of hesitation for, on one occasion, I dis¬ covered an undoubted Savannah Blackbird’s egg in an undoubted Mocking Bird’s partially-built nest scarcely beyond one’s natural reach.
It is well the bird’s egg is so coated with calcareous matter, for the scratches and raspings tell the rough treatment it receives from this most clumsy-footed creature. Indeed, so strongly is the egg put together that I have had several dropped, say thirty feet, on to a lawn without fracture ! It is the ungainly bird’s clumsiness that makes him so conspicuous an object; he cannot perch with a balance until a see-saw exercise has been gone through. Were not the arched culmen of the upper mandible as good as wanting in the naked coffee-coloured and open-eyed chick, one might conclude the exaggeration was of use as a lever in helping them from the hard egg-shell.
At the risk of life, limb (and law) it was possible to keep a brood of these birds under observation ; they were raised and lowered pulley wise in a cage, and our hopes they would not be neglected were realized. Seeds, berries and insects are the Tick- birds chief diet, which also includes a lizard. There is also no reason why a fully-grown mouse should not be relished, but it surely shows a lack of discernment to present such to young birds; this animal, a lizard and a very large grasshopper were all found tramped underfoot by the caged brood. The morsels were far too large. Elsewhere than in Jamaica ‘ home remedies’ are fearful and wonderful, but I think mouse- tea for whooping-cough beats all. I was presently asked by one, who proved to have been a spectator, for the mouse ! Asking its use, I was assured it was when made into tea a certain cure for the complaint named.
Whilst on the bird’s bill of fare, it seems to me more than likely very many small snakes, reputedly scarce in Jamaica, find their way to C. ani's digestive organs. It is wonderful how
Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens.
7i
length without breadth lends itself to a bird’s claw. With the digression I close. Quite recently, screams from a kitchen filled the household with alarm— the terror-stricken cook could only point to a partly-dressed fowl. Quiet having been obtained the cause proved to be a freshly-swallowed snake, 172 inches long, partly within the unfortunate chicken’s gizzard !
To return to the Blackbirds, and in self extenuation let me just add they were duly liberated and will I hope live to a good old age.
BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
By The Curator.
The most important additions during the past month con¬ sist of three very rare Lories deposited by Dr. Philip H. Bahr, namely, a Green -tailed Lory (Lorius chlorocercus') from the Solo¬ mon Islands, and a pair of extremely beautiful Ruffed Lorikeets ( Calliptihis solitarius) from Fiji. The first of these is not new to the Society, a pair having been purchased as long ago as 1867, from which Wolf made a coloured drawing which was published in the Proceedings for that year. The prevailing colour of the bird is red, the wings and apical half of the tail green. The top of the head and a patch on each side of the neck black, while the breast is crossed by a band of yellow.
More beautiful still, and quite new to the Society’s collec¬ tion, is the Ruffed Lory or Lorikeet, which Latham called the Solitary Lory — a name which is most inappropriate, as the species is gregarious and anything but solitary. In Fiji it is known as the “Kula,” and is said to be trapped in numbers by the natives for the sake of its bright feathers which are used for the personal adornment of the Tongans and Samoans. The F'ijians keep them in captivity, and the native girls are said to feed them on sugar-cane which they (the girls) chew, and allow the birds to take from their lips.
The Ruffed Lory is about the size of the Ornate Lorikeet, but has a short rounded tail. It is green on the upper parts, bright red below with a very dark blue cap and a band of the same colour on the abdomen and thighs. Its chief beauty, how-
72
Correspondence.
ever, lies in the collar or ruff of long pointed green and crimson feathers on the nape which give it a quite unique appearance.
Besides the foregoing, Dr. Balir has very kindly presented the Society with four of the beautiful Parrot Finch from Fiji, Erythrnra pealei, which, I understand, is shortly to be figured in this journal.
A pair of the curious Coscoroba Swans ( Coscoroba Candida) from southern South America have been received by exchange, and make an interesting addition to our collection of waterfowl, as the species has not been represented in the Gardens of late years.
I have often thought that it would be interesting to en¬ courage the nesting of wild Tits in the Zoological Gardens by providing them with suitable nesting sites, and we have now been enabled to do this by the generosity of Mr. J. M. D. Mackenzie, who has obtained from Germany more than a dozen of the ex¬ cellent nesting-logs designed by Herr von Berlepsch, and placed them at our disposal for use in the Gardens. Fortunately there are plenty of suitable trees, and the logs have been fixed in various parts of the Gardens, and we hope they will be occupied in the Spring.
CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.
WINTERING BIRDS IN AN OUTDOOR AVIARY.
Sir, — In the April number of the Avicultural Magazine you asked for information about birds that had successfully wintered out in member’s aviaries.
The following have lived through one or more winters here : — .Silky Cowbird, Java Sparrow, Rose Pastor, Malabar Mynah, Pope Cardinal, Common Cardinal, Saffron Finch, Cut-throat Finch, Diamond Dove, Senegal Dove, Zebra Dove, Californian Quail, Rain Quail, Common Quail, Madagascar Lovebird, Passerine (blue-wing) Parrakeet, Blood-rumped Parrakeet, Budgerigar (green yellow), Coclcatiel, Pileated Song Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Common Canary, Greater Spotted Wood¬ pecker, Orange Bishop, Masked Weaver, Russ’ Weaver, “ Pekin Robin ” and Crossbill.
A Ring-neck Parrakeet has been at large in the garden for eighteen months.
Cori espondence.
73
Mv aviaries are built in rather a rustic maimer facing south-west, backing out on an estuary of the Solent, (the Beaulieu River).
The laud, slopes down to the water so that the avaries get very wet in the winter.
The largest aviary is twenty-seven feet square, with two sheds at the back, and the birds can always go in or out of these at their pleasure.
The sheds are rather draughty, and in prolonged wet weather the rain comes through the roof. The birds do not seem to mind though and always look in the pink of condition. I do not think I have had a single •case of a bird dying from cold pure and simple.
Before I had the aviary properly boarded up at the ends, I lost some birds after several days of continual south-west gale with driving rain.
My onl}' fad is to under feed my birds. That is to say, they are fed every morning and by the next day every seed is eaten and they have evidently got healthy appetites for their breakfast.
Their menu consists of Canary seed (the best) French millet and ■spray millet and a few Sunflower seeds. In cold weather they have in addition, a little hemp.
I cannot help thinking that many birds in captivity are over-fed. .Since feeding mine less they have looked much better and are much more active.
All the birds can pick over the soft-food which consists of “ Cecto,” bread and cake crumbs, currants, sultanas, suet (in cold weather), any fruit that is in season and green stuff. Mealworms in winter only, as the birds ■catch so many insects amongst the bushes and tall grass.
Philip Gossk.
FOOD OF THE LITTLE GREBE.
Sir, — I should be much obliged if you could put me in touch with ■some member of W\o. Avi cultural Society who has had practical experience in keeping Dabehicks (Little Grebe).
All the birds I get die within a few days and I evidently do not understand how to get them started in captivity.
I have sent several to the Zoo, but the results there also were ■disappointing.
I shall probably have an opportunity of getting several more birds -shortly and should like to know how to treat them. C. Barnby Smith.
74
Revieivs.
REVIEWS.
17 AGE DES PERDRIX. *
As year by year the number of new species to be discovered becomes less and less, so, by slow degrees, ornithologists are beginning to find out that the mere describing and naming of some hitherto unknown species adds but little to our real knowledge of birds.
If any further proof were needed to drive home what is really a self-evident proposition this work of Dr. Bureau, the eminent French ornithologist, should be of itself sufficient to dispel any doubts on the matter. Dr. Bureau has taken one of our commonest species, and one, moreover, which is perhaps the most frequently shot of any of our native birds, not to mention hand-rearing, importation and other factors which bring this bird to the notice of sportsmen, game-keepers, ornithologists, caterers, cooks and others, and yet how many of these people, to whom such matters are, or should be, of considerable import¬ ance, can tell an old from a young bird in December?
This work is devoted entirely to questions of plumage and moult. Dr. Bureau has made exhaustive notes by watching and marking coveys in their wild state and has further called in aviculture by checking his results and getting more precise data from captive birds. The result is a very careful and complete account of their plumages and methods of moult, especially during the first six months of their lives.
Of the main facts brought forward there can be no doubt. The author shows that a partridge in its first year may always be told by the first two primaries being pointed and not rounded as in the case of the old birds. This is due to the fact that these first two primaries are not moulted in autumn with the others and thus form remnants of the juvenile plumage. Until October or November, Dr. Bureau holds that the age of any young bird can be told almost to a day by the length and development of the growing primaries. We are inclined to think that sufficient allowance has not been made for individual variation in this
L' Age des Perdrix, by Dr. I.ouis Burkau. Nantes, Vie Dibraire, 28 Passage Pommerage, 8vo., 124pp. and numerous illustrations. 7ft-. 70c.
Reviews.
75
respect, but, according to the facts given, the case is clearly made out, and must, therefore, be accepted, at all events for that part of the country (West of France) where the observations were made.
'File young birds make their first flight when thirteen days old, by which time seven primaries and eight secondaries are fairly well developed, the third primary is still in the quill, and the first two have not yet made their appearance; at the age of twenty-three days the tenth primary is cast, and the second primary, which has not yet grown, makes its appearance ; five days later the ninth primary is cast and the first appears, and thus the moult continues till all, except the first two, have been renewed. Apart from the primaries, which, from the point of view of age, are the most important character, other details of the moult and plumages are well and carefully dealt with, and we notice that while accepting the differences in the wing coverts, as first described by Mr. Grant in the Field , as the best means for distinguishing the sexes, the author is careful to point out that this distinction by no means holds good for nil cases. The book is one to which justice cannot be done in a short critique, it bears the mark of most accurate and painstaking work, adds greatly to our knowledge of the species, and is well worthy of a place on the bookshelves of every lover of the ‘little brown bird.’
THE COMMON GUEE. *
This is a book of photographs showing various phases in the life history of the Common Gull, and although it can hardly be said that the pictures are very descriptive, or tell us anything new about the life history of these interesting birds, the book forms a nice addition to the pictures of bird-life of which we see so many now-a-days. Some of the photographs are not as ‘sharp’ as we should like and appear to have been touched up ; and others, as for instance ‘ Following the Plough ’ is a most artistic picture, but the birds are rather small. A short account of the species, translated from the Danish, is given at the end of the book.
Life of the Common Gull, by C. Robow. Loudon; Withhkby & Co. 1/6 net.
76
Reviews.
MIGRATION OF BIRDS.*
The Sixth Annual Report of the B. O. C. Migration Com¬ mittee is brought out ou similar lines to the previous Reports. We are, however, pleased to notice one very beneficial change, namely, the summarising of the autumn records, where possible, into a connected account, instead of the interminable list of records given in the previous Report. Besides economy of space, this new method will prove much more interesting and intelli¬ gible to the general reader. These Reports only deal with the actual records received during the year, and no attempt is made to generalize or draw any deductions for the present, though, as we are told in the introduction, this will be done to some extent when material over a sufficient number of years has been got together. The main facts of interest during the spring of 1910 appear to have been the absence of any great ‘ rushes,’ and the extremely late arrival of certain species, e.g. the Spotted Fly¬ catcher.
The scarcity of the Land Rail in the southern and eastern counties is well shown by the occurrence of only one record (Norfolk, May 6th) east of a line extending from Wilts to York¬ shire. Within the last ten years it was a common bird in Cambridgeshire, as well as in many other of the south-eastern counties, and its almost complete disappearance in so short a time is very remarkable. The autumn notes contain records on a large number of species; of the common birds, a fairly full and connected account of their movements is given, while in other cases we have the records of solitary rare wanderers, such as the Barred Warbler, Golden Oriole, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Lesser Kestrel, Honey Buzzard, and many others.
We recommend this Report to all students of our native birds, it will bring home to them the movements and travels of the bird world, which are going on in practically every month of the year, and which may be noted by anyone who cares to observe and note the different species met with in any particular area,
* Report on the immigrations of summer residents in the spring' of 1910; also notes on the migratory movements and records received from Lighthouee and Light Vessels during' the autumn of 1909, by the Committee appointed by the British Ornithologists’ Club. London : Withekby & Co. 6/- net. 8vo. 313pp. and maps.
Reviews.
77
and in addition we would ask them to help in the work by pur¬ chasing the Report. These volumes are expensive to print and bring out and the Committee is dependent on voluntary sub¬ scriptions and sales to meet these expenses.
THE EMU '*
The numbers of this Journal under review contain, as usual, many interesting articles on the Australian and New Zealand fauna. In the April number Mr. Jackson gives an in¬ teresting account of his search for the nest of the Rufous Scrub Bird (. Atrichornis rufescens), a very rare and skulking species. The article is illustrated by numerous photographs showing the nature of the bush and situation of the nest. Mr. Jackson also met with the Tyre Bird and gives photographs of its nest and dancing ground.
The July number contains, among many other notes, a long and interesting paper by Mr. S. C. McLean on the Bush birds of New Zealand, and by Mr. Barnard on Field notes from Cape Yoik.
In the October number we have a nice coloured plate of the Yellow Shrike Tit (. Falcunculus whitei). Mr. McLean con¬ tinues his notes on New Zealand Birds; Mr. Cleland writes a valuable paper ou the stomach contents of many species of native birds, and Mr. Buturlin, the well-known Russian Orni¬ thologist, gives an account of the Australian Birds lie met with in Siberia, and there are also many articles and notes on other Australian Birds. Our friends in Australia are evidently keen ornithologists, and they are fortunate in possessing a most in- teiesting avifauna, about which we have still much to learn.
Publicatiotis received : — A Naturalist on Desert Islands by P. R. Lowe; Home Life of the Osprey by C. A. Abbott; Canaries, Hybrids and British Birds by John Robson and others.
* The Emu, Journal of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ Union. April, July and October, ign. T.ondon : K. A. Porter.
78
Practical Bird-Keeping. — X. Quoils.
THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL.
Medals have been awarded to the following gentlemen for breeding ■species for the first time in this country.
Mr. H. D. ASTr.EY for breeding the Rose-breasted Grosbeak ( Hedy - metes Indovicianus ) Ser. III., Vol. 2, pp. 333 and 370.
Mr. W. E. Tkschkmakkr for breeding the Hawfinch (Coccothraustes vulgaris), Ser. III., Vol. 3, p. 28.
Mr. R. Cosgrave is apparently entitled to a medal for breeding the Laughing Kingfisher {Dacelo gigas) an account of which will appear in our next number. Will any Member, who knows of a previous instance of this species having been bred, kindly communicate with the Hon. Sec. ?
PRACTICAL BIRD-KEEPING.
X. QUAILS.
By D. Seth- Smith, F.Z.S.
The Quails and their allies form a group of little birds that are very attractive inmates of the aviary. They are mostly hardy, and many of them will breed quite readily in captivity providing the aviary in which they are kept possesses certain necessary features. It should be of fairly large size, or rather should cover a good sized area, though it need not be very lofty. If possible it should not be less than from thirty to forty feet square, but if twice or three times this size, so much the better. The greater part should be turfed and planted with clumps of bushes, and the grass allowed to grow to its full height during the summer. The birds should have access to a well-lighted dry shed where they can indulge in a dust bath whenever they feel so inclined.
The species of Quails and Quail-like birds are very numerous, and it is impossible here to mention them all or to go into details as to the special treatment necessary for some of the rarer kinds. Those which are most likely to be kept in cap¬ tivity are the Common Quail ( Coturnix coturnix) and its allies the Rain Quail, the Harlequin Quail, and the Australian Quail ; the Chinese Quail ( Excalpactoria chinensis) ; the Australian Swamp Quail ( Sjnoecus australis') ; the Jungle Bush Quail {Per-
Practical Bird-Keeping. — X. Quails.
79
dicula asiatica), and some of the American Ouails, amongst which is the commonest and most beautiful of all as an aviary bird, the Californian Ouail.
All of the foregoing are hardy, and easily kept on a simple diet of seed and green food, and most of them are not particularly quarrelsome. I should not be disposed, however, to keep either Bush Quails or Californian Quails with other species of the smaller ground birds, though I have not found any of the others to be particularly aggressive if kept in a large enough enclosure. The only difficulty in keeping more than one species of the same genus, say of Coturnix in the same aviary is that cross-breeding may occur, if say a pair of the Indian Rain Quails and a pair of African Harlequins are kept together.
Quails commence pairing about April, but do