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attention and luxuries than the others, but it is not so, as he 

 fares just the same and occupies a cage in the same unheated 

 room. When I received him from Mr. Page, he was, to use his 

 own words " as hard as nails," and during its sojourn with me 

 has seemed to improve daily. Full of vigour it is constantly 

 on the move and I am certain that it would very soon fade if 

 housed in too small a cage. It is kept in a box cage about 3ft. 

 by 2ft. by 2ft. fitted with natural branches. Indeed all my cages 

 and aviaries are so fitted, and to my mind this accounts, in a 

 great measure, for the perfect condition of the feet of all my 

 birds, there is not a single specimen in my collection with bad 

 or sore feet. In the Calliste cay and 's cage is kept a bath con- 

 stantly, should he desire to have a dip, though he does not take to 

 the water as freely as I should wish, but being an extremely shy 

 bird, he may take advantage of my absence from the room to 

 perform his ablutions. He possesses just that brilliant sheen 

 upon his feathers that forms such a finish to a fine specimen, and 

 I have an idea that this is due solely to the soft food, which 

 appears to bring them along naturally into splendid condition 

 and keep them so. 



With regard to song, its soft, prolonged yet sweet note can 

 hardly dignify the term singing, yet it is very pleasant to the ear. 

 Its call note is crisp and shrill. 



I am hoping that readers of these few remarks will have 

 the pleasure of seeing this living gem, as it was added to my 

 collection with the sole intention of exhibiting it at our leading 

 shows, feeling that such a rare specimen should be seen by all 

 lovers of bird life, and not kept in a private collection to be 

 enjoyed only by its possessor or a few local friends.* 



By \V. T. Page, F.Z.S. 

 This fine species was first introduced to aviculture by our esteemed 

 member Mr. E. W. Harper, who imported a pair 3 and ? , in July of last 

 year, these being the first living specimens to reach this country: Un- 

 fortunately, I did not purchase the pair at once, and shortly after I heard 



* [I fear our esteemed member is rather reproaching me for not exhibiting', but just 

 looking after my birds, making- notes and my editorial duties, so fills up my little leisure 

 that I don't feel very guilty— we each have a place to fill, one cannot do everything' and the 

 united result makes a whole. It was solely because I could not find time to exhibit it, that 

 I reluctantly consented to part with this lovely species. Ed.] 



