285 



evolve an even more marvellous tale from such a 

 limited basis of fact. 



I see Dr. Russ mentions these birds among the 

 exotic Cuckoos which can be kept in captivity, 

 although he remarks that they are more suitable for 

 public than private collections. I cannot do better 

 than conclude by quoting the advice as to food given 

 by this Past-Master in things avicultural. 



" The larger species of Exotic Cuckoos will take 

 " chopped raw meat, but are particularl}^ fond of live 

 " food, such as large insects, mealworms, garden 

 "worms, reptiles (lizards, frogs, etc.), young birds 

 "(sparrows) and animals (mice), but they should 

 "also be accustomed to some general food mixture, 

 " together with Cockchafers, bread, and dried shrimps. 

 "Although A. E. Brehm maintains that Jay-Cuckoos, 

 " Coucals and Koels {Coccystes, Centropiis, and Eiidy- 

 ^^ 7ianns) can be kept for a long time on chopped raw 

 " meat onh% this in my opinion would be absolute 

 " cruelty, as these birds so kept must suffer, and 

 "would be sure to die from such a diet. Again, any- 

 " one who states that a Koel can be kept in good 

 " health for a whole year solely on cooked meat and 

 "fresh or dried berries or other fruit must be in error, 

 " or is wilfully making a false statement ; all Cuckoos, 

 " if they are to be kept in good condition, need correct 

 " feeding, that is an animal diet with occasional living 

 " insects, etc., the hard parts of which aid their di- 

 " gestion and are essential to good health." 



Another bird I had about the same time was a 

 young Red-billed Hornbill {Lophoceros erythjvrhyn- 

 chus). This bird, the smallest of its kind in this 

 country, is a black, white, and grey bird with a red 

 bill. It is usually seen in pairs or small parties fre- 

 quenting fairly wooded districts, but often visiting the 

 fields and cleared ground for ground-nuts and roots, 

 on which it chiefly feeds. On the ground they advance 



