2I 4



Correspondence.



a young one was hatched and lived for a month, but waded into some soft

mud and was unable to extricate itself. They nested again twice but did

not hatch their eggs.


A second pair had two chicks both of which were drowned. They

nested again a second time, but with no result.


The White-necked Japanese Cranes reared one young one. The

Mantchuriau Cranes did the same.


A male Wliooper and female North American Swan (C. columbianus)

nested and hatched five cygnets. Two were killed by deer and the remain¬

ing three survived. These hybrids are curious as neither species has

nested at Woburn before, and though both birds could have mated with

their own kind, they have persistently “walked out” together for at least

two years.


There were broods of Bahama Pintails, Fulvous Ducks, Brazilau

Teal, Chilian Teal, Chilian Pintails, Mandarin Ducks, Carolina Ducks and

American Wigeon, but I do not think that any arrived at maturity.


A pair of Rose-breasted Cockatoos made a hole in the ground in the

Abbey quadrangle in which they laid three eggs. Two young birds were

hatched, both of which survived. The old birds are full-winged and at

large, but come to the Abbey to feed.


The Orange Weavers, which are also at large in the garden, made

nests and laid eggs, but I am not aware that any were hatched. They are

very satisfactory birds to turn out as we see a flock of about twenty-four of

them, day after day on the same bushes.


Two pairs of Red-eared Bulbuls made four nests in the garden.


Sixteen Darwin’s Rheas were hatched but only four were reared.

Both adults and young birds suffered very much from ticks which attached

themselves round the eyes. After the ticks came flies, which caused the

eyelids to swell so that the birds were blinded and could not feed. As the

cock bird was wild when in charge of the young, and as we have not been

successful in rearing them by' hand we were obliged to leave them out, and

onlv just saved the cock bv taking him in for treatment when the young

were old enough to look after themselves. M. Bkdfokd.



THE MAROON ORIOLE.


Sir, —With reference to Mr. Willford’s most interesting article in

last month’s Magazine, I .may mention that I also possess a pair of these

birds which I purchased from Mr. Jamrach, of St. George’s Street, PL


Por.TiMORK.


[From reference'to the last published “ List of Animals” (1896), this

species does not seem to have ever been exhibited at the Zoological

Gardens. Ep.]



