on some firefinches and other Gambian birds.



313



brethren, took advantage of his master’s absence, to do the minimum

of work or anything like work. “Out of sight is out of mind” here

as elsewhere, hut this particular individual must have kept my return

at any rate in his mind for some little time. The other “ gem ”

really hardly deserves mention, as it did not survive 24 hours, and

had it not been one of the birds I desire more than all, namely an

Amethyst Starling, I should have left its short sad history alone.


I once got home one of these lovely birds, and ever since

have in vain been hoping for successors, but they are only common

here at certain seasons and so far I have never had an opportunity of

attempting their capture. This particular bird was a hen, and had

she survived would have been of great value in attracting males, if,

as is probable, I shall have this rains a chance of getting at the pro¬

per time to the district where these Starlings are commonly found.

I w T as shooting one evening and had just fired, when a Hawk

flying over, startled by the shot, dropped a bird he was carrying.

On picking it up I found to my delight it was a hen Amethyst

Starling, and apparently only slightly injured. Hoping for the best,

I took it home, and put it in a cage, but next morning it was dead.

It must have been more injured than appeared, the hawk’s talons

having probably perforated its breast or abdomen, although there was

but little blood or other sign of external wound.


Of sead-eaters I have only kept the less common, that is some

Quail-Finches, Bar-breasted Firefinches and half a dozen Buffalo

Weavers. The remainder of quite a big lot I had collected, Cordon-

Bleus and other Waxbills, I let go when I found I was not for

home this year.


I am also to take c_re of (for the rains) a perfectly delightful

pair of Brown-necked Parrots, (Poeocephalus brunneicollis ), which a

friend of mine has had for more than a year. Absolutely tame and

in robust health they will do anything for a white man and allow him

to do anything with them, but absolutely detest the black brother.


In a previous article on this parrot I have said but little good

about it as a pet, but now I have these two before me I must amend

my opinion on that point.



