234 Tlic Aviaries and Birds nf TInddam Castle. 



contact with the ground or branch, l)ordci-.s on the marvellous — 

 in some measure this same feature is common to the V\'hyflahs. 



The Ijcsser Supei'b is also a ■wonderful species, the 

 breast shield appears fixed as shown, its princi|)al changes 

 being a forward movement and being drawn back again ; 

 neither does ther(^ api)ear to lie nnicli control oF the elongated 

 na])e plumes by the liird, Ihese are brought into evidence at 

 once whenever the bird lo^A'crs the head; this altilude, so well 

 shown in the drawi.ng, is a very characteristic one, .und 

 one of the most lieautiful and interesting poses in which I 

 saw the bird. It did not appear to me to be an active 

 species, retaining one })ose for consideralde periods, ])nt this 

 species was housed singly. 



Meyer's Sickle-billed is a.no1her extraordinary species, 

 as a glance at the draAving will show, but must be seen to 

 be fully admired — for witli this and many other PAKADTSTDJ^^., 

 grace of movement (when in full plumage and display) is 

 the chief charm of the living creature— every portion of their 

 being appears tremulous wnth life, even the most trivial plume. 



Quite apart from the fascination of possessing |the 

 extraordinary, the interesting, or the rare — an experience 

 which every collector knows in some sort— the Paradisidoi 

 must fascinate and enthral all Avho study them as living 

 creatures, and it is easy in a measure to grip the intei-est and 

 attraction Mr. Brook feels in his almost priceless collection. 

 {To he continued). 



Nesting of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 



(Hedt/)neles ludovicianns) . 



By Hubekt D. Astley, M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 



This lovely species, now almost unprocurable (my 

 present pair having been most kindly presented to me by 

 the authorities of the New York Zoo) is most desirable and 

 interesting. Perhaps b.efore giving an account of their nest- 

 ing I had better fully describe them. The Eose- breasted Gros- 

 beak is about the size of a Red Cardinal, but its plumage 

 is much tighter and nealer. The nniie in breeding plumage 

 is very striking; the contrasts of the black, white, and rosy- 



