42



Frederick D. Welch — Forster's Milvago



lived for more than thirty-one years, the first dying towards the end

of 1917, the other being still alive in June, 1919 (since then I have not

visited the Gardens). It would seem, judging from this long career,

that London fogs have no bad effect on the health of this species.


Whether they were male and female I cannot say for certain, but

am inclined to think they were, because one warm day in 1902 I found

them running round in a circle on the floor of their cage, each following

in the path of the other, and both uttering a loud cackling noise, much

like that of a broody domestic hen, but much louder. This display

seemed to be an outburst of breeding affection ; they continued it

for about three minutes, but stopped at once when they discovered

that they were watched. I was never fortunate enough to see them

again indulge in this amusing conduct, they having apparently become

suspicious.


If they were, as I believe, male and female, there was no appreciable

difference in the size of the sexes. Both birds were about as big as a

common Buzzard, and of the same coloration—black in general, with

a white tip to the tail. There were brown feathers round the thighs,

and some pale-grey* streaks down the neck and breast. Neither bird

showed any alteration in the paler marks as age advanced, thus con¬

trasting with some Vulturine Eagles (Aquila verrauxi) exhibited at

intervals in the same Gardens, one of which darkened somewhat, no

doubt owing to advancing age.


As negative evidence is sometimes of value, it may be stated here

that Mr. C. Chubb, of the British Museum, very kindly examined three

specimens for me during 1919, but without settling whether the female

bird was usually the larger.


A striking feature of these Milvagoes during their earlier years—

and especially from about 1900 to 1908—was their aggressive temper

towards other birds in adjoining cages. For instance, on one occasion

I found both very hostile to a recently arrived Tawny Eagle ; the

Milvagoes dashing at the bars shrieking wildly and vociferously, witp



* In the Royal Natural History these streaks are stated to be “ white ”.

They were grey in the above specimens from 1900 and onwards, as also in

another specimen seen in Belle Vue Gardens, Manchester, about 1902, which

agreed in size also with the two in London.



