102 Stray Notes from Hoddam Castle Aviaries. 



most perfect condition till a few minutes before it died, and 

 from appearances one would think it had injured its back in 

 displaying. 



The Blue Bird or Paradise (Paradisornis rudolphi) : 

 It is now in full plumage for the first time and anything more 

 magnificent it is difficult to imagine; the different shades of 

 blue are so intense. It is rather curious to note how the side 

 plumes, which cover the tail like a fan, appear like dull 

 gold in one position and in another are intense blue. The 

 bird is well worth seeing, and it is a pity it is so far from 

 London. 



SuKBiRDs: These are all in good order, and with the 

 exception of two that were out on a cold windy day and got 

 chilled, I have not lost any for over a year. 



White-backed Lory (Eos fuscata) : A specimen which 

 came to me as a young bird is going to make a good talker; 

 this is the first talking Lory I have had. 



Birds of Gambia. 



By E. Hopkinsun D.S.O., M.A., M.B. 

 Continued from page 78. 



Gallinago gallinayo. SNIPE. 



Range. Europe and North Asia. Senegambia and North-east 

 Africa, India to Moluccas in winter. (R.L.) 



Certainly not common in tiie Gambia, though one not ia- 

 frequently sees them when shootmg- in the swamps, and one or two 

 at least are generally obtained every year, usually between Decem- 

 ber and Mai'ch, though I am sure that in 1907 I put up (and 

 missed) a true Snipe on the Sallikenni swamp as late as May 5. 

 In the same year (March) in the Upper River I saw one shot by 

 the Commissioner, which I think must have been the melanistic 

 variety known as Sabine's Snipe. 



Rostratula capensis. PAINTED SNIPE. 



Range. Africa. India, etc., to Japan. South to Malay 

 I'eninsula, etc. (H.L.) 



These lovely bii'ds arrive in the Gambia in largte numbers 

 about May or June, and leave again before the end of the rains. 

 As soon as the swamps beg'in to fill, one may be sure of finding 

 them in the rice fields. Their iiight is quite unlike that of the 

 true Snipe, being slow and short, and they prefer to trust to their 

 skulking liabits ratlier than to their wings for safety. Little as the 

 name Snipe suits their general demeanour, the other half of thein* 



