205 



round the room occasionally will counteract the effects of some- 

 what confined quarters. They speedily become tame, will take 

 food readily from your fingers, and are always merry and fit, 

 providing they are not kept in confined quarters. 



This genus rivals in gorgeous colouring the Tanagers, 

 Sugar Birds and Lories, the species in question being almost one 

 ot the least gorgeously apparelled of the genus. 



Description : Adjdt male. General body colouring, shining 

 grass-green; shoulder of wing turquoise blue; forehead and 

 front of crown rich orange ; sides of face, throat, and fore-neck 

 black, with two moustachial streaks of brilliant azure blue, 

 while the black throat is narrowly bordered with yellow, which 

 is gradually lost in the green of the under surface; bill black; 

 legs and feet pale plumbeous. Length over all eight inches, of 

 which the tail measures 2J inches. 



According to Jerdon the female has the black of the neck 

 of smaller extent and she lacks the golden forehead of the male. 



He also states that this species is found in the forests of 

 Malabar, in Wyuaad, Coorg, Neilgherries up to 4,000 feet ; and 

 more rarely on the Eastern Ghats, and the forests of Central 

 India. % .. ; ;¥ . 



The Brazilian Hangnest (Icterus jamacaii). These 

 handsome, fearless, and confiding creatures, do not call for much 

 comment in these notes, as they have ahead)' been commented 

 upon in an earlier issue, and practically the same eulogy may 

 justly be paid them that I have ahead}' bestowed upon the 

 Malabar Harewa. I may however say in passing, that once over 

 the hardships of importation, they are a hardy species, and are 

 usually long lived in captivity when rightly treated. A diet of 

 fruit, soft food and a few live insects will suffice to keep these 

 fine and handsome birds in perfect condition. A little milksop 

 occasionally makes a wholesome change but it must not be per- 

 mitted to turn sour. Some individuals become so tame that they 

 will perch all over your person and seem to enjoy being handled, 

 run up your sleeve, enter your pocket, etc. But I must not 

 linger, these notes are already too long and I wish others of our 

 members to tell the story of the demeanour, etc. of their avian 

 faniilv. * * * 



