27 



Oates calls this species the Himalayan Ruby-throat, and states that 

 but little is known of its nidification. 



An account and description of Mrs. Warren Vernon's bird from her 

 pen would be of general interest. W. T. PaGR. 



A SISKIN'S RETURN TO CONFINEMENT. 



Sir, — A Siskin ( J ) which was only caught last September, has since 

 been an occupant of one of my garden aviaries. As is common with the 

 species it soon became very tame — so much so — that getting in and out of 

 the aviary to attend to the birds became a matter of some difficulty, withont 

 letting the Siskin escape. Recently this happened, but it only remained at 

 liberty a few hours. During this brief period it explored the adjacent 

 gardens pretty thoroughly. On a pan of seed being placed near the aviary 

 door, it at once came down to same, and on the aviary door being opened it 

 promptly flew in, and appeared again to be fully contented, which was 

 certainly not the case while it was at liberty. Though flying to quite a 

 distance and at times quite lost sight of, the greater part of the time it 

 was on or about the aviary, striving to obtain an entrance. Its return was 

 quite voluntary, no attempt being made to trap it. " Siskin." 



[An interesting episode, but not at all uncommon with this and 

 kindred species. — Ed.] 



PRELIMINARY NOTICE: A LARGE CONSIGNMENT OF 

 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 



Mr. Wallace, of the firm of Payne & Wallace, the well known 

 bird trappers, with his colleagues has been engaged during the past twelve 

 months on a bird collecting expedition, covering a distance of about 26 

 thousand miles. They have met with good success and are now returning 

 to Bath with a collection of about 4000 birds, being due about April. Lists 

 are being sent out, and they invite all who can to visit them at the Little 

 Zoo, Lyncombe Hill, Bath, when they will be pleased, not only to show 

 them the birds, but also to demonstrate how the bushmen catch and care 

 for such a large and varied shipment. 



This large and varied array of the Australian avifauna will contain 

 the following rarities, etc. : — Painted Finch (Emblema picta), Fawn-breasted 

 Kingfisher (Dacelo cervina), Sacred Kingfisher, Emus, Spotted Emus, Red- 

 ruinped Kingfisher, White-fronted Falcon, Striped Brown Hawks, Silvery- 

 crowned Friar Birds, Crimson-wing, King, Earl Stanley and Rock Parra- 

 keets. Sulphur-crested and other Cockatoos, Dusky Minahs, Doves, 

 Pigeons, Red-headed Gouldians and all the usual Grassfinches. All who 

 visit them will have a feast of beauty and the sight of a lifetime, in this 

 gathering of Australian bird life at the Little Zoo, Bath. — (Advl.) 



Just on going to press, particulars come to hand of a claim by Messrs. 



