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the Aviary (Western Aviary, Zoo.) it appeared to me 

 that tlie black on the head of the female was not so pure 

 as in the male, in fact my notes read tinged brownish ; 

 the crest or head feathers of the male when fully raised 

 is distinctly fuller, and also broader when viewed from 

 the front ; her plumage below, also appeared to me to 

 be lighter in hue than that of the male. 



According to Jerdon this species is found through- 

 out the whole Himalayas, from Simla to Bootan, and is 

 one of the most abundant birds about Darjeeling. It 

 frequents the highest trees, climbing on the larger 

 branches, and clinging round and below the smaller 

 branches almost like a Woodpecker or Nuthatch. 

 The nest has been taken (by Hutton), a construction 

 of coarse grass, moss, wool and rootlets. The eggs 

 are pale bluish-white, speckled with rufous. This is a 

 distinctly handsome bird in a roomy cage, while in the 

 aviary it is a decidedly fine and showy bird. Its 

 contour is slender and graceful, and they are birds 

 of very rapid and noiseless flight. I have never kept 

 this species, but have carefully studied it at the 

 Zoo, where its graceful flittings to and fro, hawking 

 flies and midges were a treat to witness; the smallest 

 midge, invisible to the naked eye, not having a chance 

 to escape. In many cases the only indication of a 

 successful capture was the swallowing of the prey. 

 On one point I must warn my readers, and that is, that 

 from my observations at the Zoo, I should say that it 

 is not safe with small species. When nesting I opine 

 they would wantonly slaughter all the smaller fry they 

 could get at; and even at other times should consider 

 them very unsafe company for birds smaller or weaker 

 than themselves. 



