Editorial.



353



about the chest and under the wings, and the black of the belly is not so intense—

more of a deep green in most lights (the cocks are black, with green or purple

shine according to the light).


They have all been together for two days only and not fought, though I

think the old cock has a preference for one of the pair, which the other does

not seem to resent, as you would expect a cock to. The pair keep together

very closely, but the cock is always very near, displays, and sometimes kisses

one or perhaps both; I cannot tell which is which.


Would our cock be likely to take on two hens, like budgrigars some¬

times will, and is it too late to let them nest, as he evidently wishes to, but there

is no box ?


lou were kind enough to write me interesting letters before, so I am

venturing to bother you again.


The Citadel , Yours sincerely,


Haiokstnne, Salop ; Alfred Thom.


September 11th, 11)17.


The following reply has been sent to Mr. Thom :


SEXES OF RED-COLLARED LORIKEET.


When examining the skins of the parrots in the Natural History Museum

about the year 1906, in order to note external sexual differences for my little

book, “ How to Sex Cage-Birds,” I failed to discover any constant colour

characters by which to distinguish the sexes ; but I noted that the beak of the

female was narrower beyond the middle than in the male and tapered more

towards the tip.


I have kept very few of the Prittacidce and no Lorikeets, so that I cannot

offer any opinion as to their bigamous tendencies; but perhaps our good friend

Mr. Seth-Smith could enlighten you. It is rather late for nesting this year.


The Avicultural Society for the Study A. G. Butler.


of Foreign and British Birds ;


September 14t/«, 1917.



EDITORIAL.


I take my editorial pen for the last time to express my

thanks to all the members for their help and courtesy to me during

the period that I have acted as Editor—a period of four years and

nine months, and I am especially grateful to Dr. Butler for his

valuable co-operation.


I regret that I am yielding up my pen to another, not because

I think for a moment that Dr. Renshaw will not fill my post far more

ably than I have done, but because the members of the Council and

of the Avicultural Society have been very kind in expressing their



