e& The L.P.O.S. National Show. ' * 



out a sort of pinkish white, but the natural colour of the light 

 areas in drawing, is flaming scarlet. 



Adult male: The upper pa"ts, also the sides of , the head and 

 fliroat are mostly sheeny black, including the wings, with a few 

 variations, viz.: rump and upper ta-1 coverts c:-imson^coverts and 

 flights tipped and blotched with re1; ta'l, the cent a^ feathers glossy 

 black, the outer one? entirely red, the othters with the outer webs 

 mostly red; the under parts are flaming crimson. Bill and legs 

 black; iris ruddy brown; total length 7i inches, tail 4. 



Adult female: Fronta^ band, rump, upper tail coverts, and the 

 entire under surface bilght yellow; uppe- pa-ts gi-ey'sh green; wings 

 and tail brown, the coverts and quills more or less tipped a-nd 

 blotched with yellow, the taU is also mu':'h va-iega'^ed with yellow. 



It breeds in the Himalayas; the nest is cup-shaped, 

 constructed of fine twigs and grass and covered with cobwebs 

 and lichen (Gates). The clutch* varies from three to five, 

 the eggs are whitish with red and purple markings. In 

 a state of nature the birds live on insects. 



Mr. A. Ezra kindly supplies the following concerning his 

 bird: "The Minivet was one imported by Mr. Frost from India last 

 "summer ,and was purchassd as a hen, showing no colour whatso- 

 "ever. After the moult he was in his pres-^nt plumage, which shows 

 "that the young cocks do not come into full colour till in their 

 "second year. I feed him on ants' e'?gs, and dried flies, with a 

 "few inealworms cut up and mixed with the food; he will also eat 

 "lettuce cut up in small pieces and chickweed. He simply revels 

 "in mealworms and fresh ants' eggs. ... He is the nicest 

 "pet I have ever had, flying about my room just like a Swallow, 

 "and flies round and about the other cag'e(s most skilfully; will 

 "follow the mealworm tin a'l over the room, and fly any distance to 

 "take one from my Angers. He is not very k©3n on a bath, but 

 " likes to be sprayed — has no song, but calls occasionally. 

 " He has no fear of any of the other birds, nor does he show any 

 "inclination to attack them. He is on qui^^e fnend'y terms with ihe 

 " ChUian Siskin. Ho returns to the cage without trouble when he 

 "has been out long enough. He is indeel, a most charming pet." 



Blue Chaffinch (FringiUa tej/dca): This lovely species 

 also exhibited by Mr. A. Ezra, is confined to the Pine Poi^'estS 

 of the Island of Teneriffe and only occurs at a high altitude. 

 It is very rare, though it has been known to aviculture since 

 1890, or thereabouts, and young were .successfully reared in the 

 aviaries of Mr. E. G. B. Meade-Waldo in 1894 or 1895. Ft is 

 quite hardy and can be kept out of doors all the year round. 



The Blue or Teydean Chaffinch is larger than our Eng- 



