208 Some InieresUng Birds. 



of view, because I know what a minute portion of the wastage 

 in bird life is due to catching. I must take a grip of myself 

 or I shall be off on another of my hobbies. I believe our 

 harassed Editor will take most of this, unless it is too late, as 

 he tells me he is rather short of copy this month or there 

 are others who are also late. "We really treat our energ-etic 

 Editor rather badly, and like a good many people who seem 

 to like work he gets put upon. 



To he continued. 



Some Interesting Birds. 



By Wesley T. PaCxE, F.Z.8. Illustrated from Life, by 



H. WlLLFORD, 



Continued from page 165. 

 SiLVEEY-CRowNED Fetar Btrds (PhUcmon (jrgenfieeps) : 

 In April, 1908, Messrs. Payne and Wallace imported of the 

 Australian Honey-eaters four of this species and one Dusky 

 Mynah or Obscure Honey-eater. All of these came into my 

 possession. These specimens I believe to be not merely 

 the first imported, but the only specimens ever brought 

 to Europe alive. The Friar Birds were first sent to the Zoo- 

 one pair presented, and one pair on deposit— where they did 

 well and two are still living; they soon improved in appear- 

 ance, and throve on their diet of milk sop, banana, soft food 

 and mealworms. This species is one of the least beautiful of 

 the five species enumerated by Gould in his " Birds of Aus- 

 tralia," viz.. The Common, Helmeted, Silvery-crowned, Yellow- 

 throated, and Sordid; all of which he places in the genus 

 Tropidorhynchus . 



"For the first knowledge of this species of Tnipidorhipichiix, science 

 " is indebted to the late Mr. Bynoe, Surgeon of H.M. Surveying ship, 

 " " Beagle," who, on my visiting Sydney, placed his specimens at my dis- 

 " posal ; after my retnrn other examples were sent to me by Sir George 

 "Grey. Bynoe's specimens were all obtained during the Survey of the 

 " north-west coast, a portion of Australia, the natural productions of which 

 " are but little known ; and Sir George Gre^y's during his expedition into 



" the interior, from the same coast Of its habits and economy 



" nothing is known ; but as it is very nearly allied to the Common Friar Bird 

 " (T. coruiviilatuii), we may reasonably conclude that they are very similar. 

 " Description : Crown of the head silver;y-grey ; the remainder of the head 



