24 7 hrcc Bcaulijul NUtavas. 



behaviour was similar to Mr. de Ouincey's pair, and it was 

 similarly fed. 



Lesser Niltava (A^. macgrigoriac). This rare species 

 akaie is worth a visit to the Zoo to see, as the followinjj" sketchy 

 description will indicate : Upper surface brilliant purplish-blue, 

 variegated with i^listenin^- cobalt-blue on the top of the head 

 and sides of neck; underparts ashy-i^rey; ventral res^ion white; 

 beak and feet ])lack. It is much smaller than A^. sitndara, Init 

 is equally robin-like and beautiful. This specimen was presented 

 by our member Mr. E. W. Harper, who, in the course of years, 

 has presented to the Zoo considerably over fifty (fully 80 I think") 

 species new to its collection. 



Large Niltava (A^. gnvidis): I have not kept this 

 species, but I saw the pair in Maj. Perreau's collective importa- 

 tion several times, and even in their travelling'-cage they well 

 m.erited their specific name, graudis, for they are large and truly 

 beautiful birds. Mr. Alfred Ezra came to see the birds, and 

 took this pair and others away with him. 



In Bird Notes, 191 4, pages 33-5. there w^as an article 

 and coloured plate, by the late H. Goodchild. of this species, 

 and I refer my readers thereto. 



As, prior to dispersion, this importation was housed next 

 door to me at Mitcham I had abundant opportunity of observing 

 them; even within the limits of their travelling-cage, and only 

 the day following all the hardships of the journeying by sea 

 and land, the pleasing soft song of the male was continually 

 hf-ard, and I saw him many times displaying to his mate — they 

 did well with Mr. Ezra, and the London public had several 

 opportunities of seeing them at the large Bird Shows, where 

 they charmed all beholders by their lovely colouration, steady 

 and fearless demeanour, and interesting deportment, even 

 within the limits of a show-cage. 



When he had possessed the birds some ten months, Mr. 

 Ezra wrote of them as follows : 



" T have had tin's beautifully coloured species ten months. They 

 " seem quite hardv and easy to keep, and I have not had any difficulty 

 " whatever in keeping- it in perfect health. They thrive on insectile 



" mixture, a lot of grapes and apple cut up, also half a dozen mealworms 

 " per bird dailv. The male singes all day long, and, although not a very 

 " loud song, it is a verv pleasant one. When showing off he is lovely, 

 " drawing his neck up to its full length and opening his tail like a huge 



