202 A Unique Consirjnmrnf of Iu(li<in Birds. 



fulfilled his commission, and to ex])ress the hope "that in the 

 near future a large consig-nment of Sunbirds will adorn the 

 Hoddam Castle Aviaries; as it is, the collection of l)irds tliere 

 will 1)C enriched liy many species of rare Flycatchers, Alinivets, 

 Wagtails, Redstarts, Chats, Tits, Warblers, etc. 



To review the birds is not an easy task, and but the 

 merest glossary can Ise given in these notes. 



MINTVETS: These must be given premier position, 

 two specie-; are represented in true pairs (unfortunately there 

 are none for general distrilnition). Their gorgeous ])lum- 

 age and dainty form, quite apart from rarity, make them an 

 acquisition indeed to any collection. 



Diet: Insect ile mixture, live insects, fruit, and access 

 to milk sop. 



Sir( KT-r.ir.i,i;i) Mixivet (TcricrncoluF: hrc riroslris): A lovely 

 ])ird of dainty and .ura^crul form, and gorgeou-i apparel. Above, 

 )-ieli gli)ssy lilack ; lie'ow, Ilamiiis' seai'Iet. Tlie female is ^rey 

 aljovo, And lM•i,^ilt yellow beneath. Pen fails to describe these 

 bnautiful ,trems, wluch are known to An.t^lo-Tndians as Cardinal 

 P>ii-ds, and t) natives as " E.a.jah Lai" (King Scarlid). 'Eotal length. 

 Ih inelves, tail 4. 



Thu Small AIinivkt (V . feri (irivn.fi). A slender and grace- 

 ful liird, of exquisite plumage, but tliese specbnens were not in 

 full i-o'oui'. The male is mostly grey above, with the rump and 

 upper tail coverts scarlet; breast scaidet, ri>mainder of under sur- 

 face varying in hue from ricli saffron-yellow to oi'ange. Mr. "Frost 

 graplucally described it as the hu''s of a sunset ch)ud. Total length 

 () inrhes, tail 3. 



FLYCATCHEES: Next, T must place the Flycatchers. 

 These are a most interesting group of lurds to avicultui'ists, 

 they are fascinating under whatever conditions they arc kept — 

 cage, room, or aviary — and from the species already known to 

 English aviculture, are not unduly difficult to keep, thriving on 

 a diet of Tnsectile mixture, and live iirsects of sorts. This 

 group, too, is of graceful form, with lieautiful iridescent 

 plumage. Nine species are represented, the first five of which 

 are;, I tliink, new to English aviculture. 



Blue-turoated Flycatcukr ('Cyornifi rubeculoides). Breeds 

 in the Himalayas — nest constructed of moss and lichens, and ])laced 

 in tlie hole of a tree, bank or rock (0,ates). The upper plumage- 

 is dark blue, with forehead and eye-streak of glistening blue; below 

 ferruginous. Total length 5j inches, tail 2^. 



