I03 



fairly good satisfaction. The Blue-lieaded Wagtail was 

 again first, and a grand Nightingale second. 1747, Mr. 

 Gallovv'ay's Willow Warbler, was a very pretty exhibit. 



We notice the feeding of the smaller insectivorous 

 birds was very good and unstinted, the birds were well 

 looked after, and the tent was kept at a most agreeable 

 temperature. W. A. LoTT. 



THE TOUCANS. 



These birds, of which a good many are from time 

 to time imported, are not appreciated by aviculturists as 

 they should be. Their feeding is, perhaps, a drawback ; 

 but their docilit}', affection, and winning w^ays endear 

 them to those who, like myself, have had much ex- 

 perience with them. I have had, at different times, 

 some ten specimens, ranging from the small Lettered 

 Toucans to the largest species imported. 



I have at present two Aracari Toucans, and lively 

 customers they are — so fond of fun. One especialh' will, 

 as soon as I put my hand into his cage, make a dash at it 

 to give it a peck, and then like lightning fly over to the 

 other side of the cage and set up a cackle of delight at 

 having had me. If I then offer him a grape, he soon 

 comes to me again, this time in a subdued and grateful 

 mood. I often let them out in the room, when they have 

 a walk round, pry into corners, and enjoy themselves 

 very much. There is no trouble in getting them back 

 into their cages, as they allow themselves to be handled 

 freely. 



Besides the above, I have two Green-ljilled Toucans, 

 a very beautiful species, larger than the Aracari. The 

 colouring of the beaks of these after death fades away — 

 so that when they are stuffed the inner side of the 

 transparent beak has to be painted to represent the 

 original colour. When my Green-bills arrived, in a box 

 I4ins. square, they were simpl}' skin and dirt — more of 

 the latter than of the former. They were very young, 



