I04 



quite babies in fact, when I crot them. It was most 

 amusing to see their stunted tails grow, as well 

 as their featherless bodies. Their tails were long 

 lacking— and the tail is an amusing detail in Toucans, 

 for when they sleep it is swivelled up on to the back in a 

 most comical style. Although apparently not worth 

 house-room when they reached me, these birds are now in 

 grand order, plump, tame, and as playful as kittens, and 

 will follow me about anywhere. Recentl}-, I had also an 

 Ariel Toucan. 



Toucans are fond of a bath or syringe, which, owing to 

 the nature of their food, is often required to keep them 

 clean. The}^ greatl}' appreciate grapes, which they 

 swallow whole, taking them up with the tip of the bill, 

 tossing them up and catching them in the open bill 

 and swallowing them. All food is taken in a similar way. 



Their staple diet consists of boiled potatoes, grapes, 

 chopped apples, pears, bananas, soaked currants, and 

 plenty of soft food mixture. 



All Toucans are very sparcely feathered, entirely 

 lacking the downy substance which protects Parrots 

 from the cold. When well fed they they are very little 

 trouble to keep in health, but cleanliness is essential. 



They cannot bite severely, but can give an ugly 

 pinch when irritated, and have a knack of twisting the 

 skin round. W. Osbai.deston. 



SOME NOTES ON THE HYBRID SECTION 

 AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE SHOW. 



Our British Bird Club Hon. vSec, Mr. W. A. Lott, 

 requests rue to write a few notes about the Hj-brid 

 Section at the recent Palace Show. 



Before going into the Show and reviewing these 

 classes, I beg to say that my remarks are inspired by 

 facts, and that a large circle of friends from various 

 parts wrote to me begging me to visit the Show. I have 



