206



The display of the Blue Wren.



to moult I took them in and they fell into moult, but from the

effects of being indoors they have lost a great deal of the bright

golden colour they had last year. They are at present flying in a

large cold room, and I am hoping presently to put them out and try

once again if they will succeed in rearing a brood of young ones.


They used to live most* on privet buds and sunflower, but

would take toll of almost all the green food that was about. They

are very tame, and would always come for a bite of an~ r jjreen food

from one’s hand though the aviary was full of all kind? wing


food. If I have better success this summer I hope to it


later.



THE DISPLAY OF THE BLUE WREN


(Malarus cyaneus).


By Hubert D. Astley.


Since writing in the March Magazine on the subject of the

moult of my male Australian Blue Wren, I have had the pleasure of

witnessing his display in full breeding plumage, since the Zoological

Society of London has kindly sent me a female, the only individual of

the species at the Gardens.


When this little bird arrived, I let her out of the travelling-box

into the cage occupied by her future mate.


Hardly had he set eyes on her than he commenced a display

evincing extreme joy and passionate love.


Tightening up the body feathers, so that he looked half his

usual size, the blue cheek feathers became whiskers which stuck out

at right angles from the face ; whilst, dancing round the female, he

twisted his upright tail from one side to the other, his legs at the

same time appearing longer and more slender owing to the compres¬

sion of the body feathers. And this he did for ten minutes or more,

as I stood close to the cage, when he had hitherto evinced great

shyness and even timidity.


Throughout the first afternoon he repeatedly chased the hen

about the cage, so much so that I began to think I should have to

remove her, but the next day his first intense excitement had abated,



