108 I^J-U Indian 'Consig}iment. 



going "down the hill" for the winter, as at about 4,000 feet 

 ■I found it very rare in early September, whilst at the end 

 of that month it wa-; quite the commonest capture made dur- 

 ing my brief stay in Darjeeling. I was letting them go 

 in fair numbers as I had twelve (my limit for one bird, and 

 a limit only reached in one o: two ca^es). I found them not 

 too easy to meat off, but doing well when once the critical 

 stage was past. I gave four away in Calcutta, a gift I 

 rather regretted later, as I lost five chiefly by accident, be- 

 fore starting, and two inore in the Pathankot mishap, of 

 which, more later. Food as for the Woodpecker, but maggots 

 are readily accepted, and in the aviary the sponge -cake and 

 milk dish was visited. 



The one 1)ird landed is in beautiful condition and has 

 now passed into the hands of our member, Lady Kathleen 

 Pilkington. I refuse to attempt the description of this bird 

 in full detail. Head black, streaked with white, upper parts 

 rich olive brown, lower parts bright fulvous, throat in all 

 specimens I have seen black, mottled with white, a white 

 ring round the eye, ear coverts rufous brown. Oates 'gives 

 distribution as the Himalayas from Nepal to the East of 

 Assam and from thence south and earst to Tenasseiim. Found 

 up to 10,000 feet in summer. Length about 5| inches. 



[We hope Major Perreau will give us the history, of 

 the collection, after desc ibing the species, as the incidents of 

 collection, trapping, field notes, etc., also the details of the 

 journey to the coast and the voyage to England will, we 

 are assured, be of general interest. — Ed]. 



On the Keeping of Soft-Bills in Cages 



By Otto Puck. 



What lover of birds, when taking a walk through hill 

 and dale in "Ye Merrie Month of May" has not become en- 

 amoured with nature's concert of our various songsters, and 

 felt a desire for a closer acquaintance with them, to admire 

 their beauty, and listen to their song within four walls ? 



I certainly am among the number, and how could I help 

 it. having grown up in one of nature's most lovely spots. 

 My wish to possess every kind of native bird could easily 



