Dr. K. Hopkinson—The Yellow-backed Whydah 139


tinge over the plumage. All in perfect condition now. (1 Have


they moulted ?)

Sept. 20. No. 1 now in full colour. A handsome but not very


lively bird ; very keen on insects, thus differing from the


Paradise Whydahs and resembling the Bishops. Has looked


rather bad at times, but now that he is in full colour seems


better.


The others I am nearly sure are young cocks. No. 5 is


growing a long tail, but shows no sign of either black or yellow,


and I have seen two of the others " sing " ; they also seem to


be getting a bit speckly about the face.

Oct. 12. No. 1 still in aviary and in full colour. All tail-feathers


now of the same length, at first the two middle ones were the


longest.

Nov. 12. No. 1 still full colour and in perfect condition. Nos. 2


and 3 are now at Oxford.


All both sing and dance like Bishops, and are rather quarrel-

some, especially with each other.

Nov. 20. No. 1 found insensible and moribund on the floor of


the aviary after a very cold night. Brought indoors to the fire


and given brandy ; to everyone's surprise recovered. Kept


indoors in cage to himself.

Dec. 11. In No. 2 (Oxford) one yellow feather has appeared on


one shoulder. Have not felt the intense cold, though we have


had 10 to 15 degrees of frost.

Dec. 18. A few yellow feathers on each shoulder now of No. 2.


Does not look quite so fit. Very keen on mealworms.

Dec. 24. No. 1 still indoors. Full colour, perfect condition. All


black with brown edges to flights ; the yellow extends over


whole upper back and shoulders.


Nos. 4 and 5 still in Brighton aviary ; yellow showing on


thr shoulders of both and in one the wings are getting black.


No. 1 continued. 1903


1003. Feb. 1. Still full colour.


March 6. Still indoors; beginning to moult. Case full of black



