Correspondence. 45 



\\ ritin:^' in Arge)iti)!e Ornithologx Hudson says: — 

 ■ This species is solitary in its habits, conceals itself very closely 

 ' in the fjrass, and flies with the greatest reluctance. I doubt if there 's 

 ' any bird with such a n-sounding flight as the Tinamou : the whirr of its 

 ' wings can onlv be compared to the rattling of a vehicle uriven at great 

 ' speed over a s'rong road. From the moment it rises unlM it alights 

 ' again there is no cessation in the ra])id vibration of its wings : but 

 ' like a ball thrown b\- the h.ind. the liird flies away with extraordinary 

 ' violence until the impelling force is sjjent, when it slopes gradually 

 ' towards the earth, the distance it is able to accomplish at a flight being 

 ' from 800 to '.500 vards. This flight it can repeat when driven up again, 

 ' as many as three times, after which the bird can rise no more." 



" The call of the Large Partridge is heard in fine weather at all 



' seasons of the year, especially near sunset, and is uttered while the bird 



' sits concealed in the grass, manv individuals answering each other : for 



' although 1 call it a solitar\- bird, it being a rare thing to see even two 



together, many 1)irds ,'ire usually found living near each other. The 



song or call is composed of five or six notes of various length, with a 



mellow flute-like sound, and so expressive that it is perhaps the sweetest 



music heard on the pampas.'' 



'■ The eggs are usually five in number; nearly round, highlv polished, 

 and of a dark reddish-purple, or wine-colour: but this beautnul tint in a 

 short time changes to a dull leaden hue. The nest is a mere scrape, 

 insufiiciently lined with a few grass leaves. The voung birds appear to 

 leave the mother (or f;ither, for it is probable that the male hatches the 

 eggs) at a verv early period. When still verv small, thev are found 

 living, like the adults, a solitary life, with their faculties, includ- 

 ing those of flight, and the melodious voice, in a high state of perfection." 



-o- 



Correspondence. 



OUR .SOCIETY AXD ITS JOURNAL. 



Sir, — Readers of Bjrd Notes do not alway realise how very mucli 

 thev themselves contribute to the value of its contents, and how much toe 

 Hon. Editor depends upon them for copy, but alas in vain. News and 

 information concerning their I'irds and Aviaries and all the incidental 

 activities and events which are so vitally interesting, such as : rare arrivals, 

 nest boxes, food, are all more or less a common bond between us, and none 

 need fear that they are giving trouble, or that their news is of no importance — 

 all news is of use to someone. It is impossible to keep members fully 

 informed of the affairs of our little world if they themselves keep the titbits 

 t.'ght in their own domain, and neglect to communicate them through our 

 pages to others. All keen members like to know what is occurring in the 

 aviaries of others, therefore consider for one moment and keep the ball rolling. 



Publicity is the breath of our cause ; let us one and ;ill show our maga- 



