92



Two Hangnests and a Troupial.



Concerning Wagler’s, I found that my bird would have

been less wild had it been an immature specimen when first

caged. I followed up several of the other specimens which

were in olive plumage when first acquired, and they were all

less mistrustful of humans than my bird. The birds mentioned, with

other adult birds, moulted out wretchedly pale, and bore little

resemblance to the genuine article. My own bird I, of course, allowed

a proper ration of tasteless pepper fruit, and it retained its full beauty

after moulting. In an aviary it makes a handsome active species,

and its rich cadmium hues contrast well with the shiny black con¬

stituting the other part of its colouring. Both these birds were shy

singers, but the last-mentioned species, whenever people were in

sight, continually uttered a “ clacking ” call.


The bird was fed similarly to the Bullock’s, and could eat an

unlimited supply of banana; but, like all other birds, varied its con¬

sumption of this, that, or the other item according to season.


Young birds of both sexes in this species seem to be olive

above and yellowish beneath, black feathers poking through in due

course. It hails from Mexico and Guatemala, and I have read that

it does not acquire a full plumage until the third year. I am inclined

to doubt this, because the young birds of the consignment appeared

to be birds of the year, and acquired to all intents and purposes full

plumage after the succeeding mouit.


With regard to the Troupial, it was one of three Glossy Black

Troupials privately imported. A “ quiscaline ” bird revelling in the

name of Dives atroviolaceus, it proved anything but charming. I

think my friend Mr. Frank Finn remarked that it was anything but

“ rich.” True, it possessed a cat-call, and when alarmed behaved

like a sitting Wryneck, but for a black bird w r as not a patch on a

Silky Cow-bird as a cage bird. In addition to sparingly eating soft

food, it partook of canary-seed and sunflower-seed, but almost on

all occasions ignored fruit. Clothed in black, nothing relieved its

general aspect except a pair of staring white irides, and although it

could be safely described as a rare bird on the market, I should not

weep if Cuba sends us no more.



