I09 



luent, as one would naturally suppose that these birds 

 which live on fruit would prove palatable. 



The two birds now at the Zoological Gardens do 

 not seem to give the deep booming note described by 

 Wallace, the notes they commonly use being a rather 

 muffled sound, and a by no means Pigeon-like noise, 

 which is much more of a croak than a coo. Mr. T. H. 

 Newman has kindly furnished the following notes 

 relating to the courting of these birds. "I have 

 heard the pair now at the Zoological Gardens 

 frequently utter a hoarse grunting note, either when 

 perched alone or when sparring together. This note 

 was produced by both birds, only in the cock it was 

 louder and harsher. I was amused to watch the cock 

 paying his attentions to the hen ; he would pufF out 

 ]iis neck, and lowering his head would utter a hoo-hoo- 

 Jioo, bowing each time. The notes became faster and 

 faster; at the same time he jumped quickly up and 

 •down on the perch, both feet being in the air at once ; 

 liis claws made quite a sharp tap every time they 

 touched the perch." 



(BoiUMan ifincbes. 



By the Rev. C. D. Farrar. 



^ y^/^T ITH regard to birds, I suppose I act on a 

 ill similar plan to that resolved on by Koko 

 ^■-^^ in Mr. Gilbert's Afikado, who, with a view 

 to becoming perfect as an executioner, pro- 

 posed to begin with a guinea pig and work his way 

 through to a second Trombone ! 



I am ashamed to say how many Gouldians I have 

 had iu my time. I can keep most birds alive, but 

 Gouldians tax my skill to the utmost. My love for 

 the lethal finch sometimes seems to me about as 

 hopeless as that of the school-girl who nourished an 



