166



Stray Notes



fully adult, and would in all probability scream if it had a companion

to make a duet. A pair of Crested Screamers, that formerly bred in

the Gardens, used always to scream in concert, and the striking of the

clock in the daytime invariably stimulated their vocal activities.

—Ed.]



STRAY NOTES


Mr. Hamlyn has been importing quite a number of South African

birds lately, and amongst those I have seen have been several rarities.

The well-known favourites such as Violet-eared and Dufresne’s Wax-

bills have come in numbers. Thero have been some rare Barbets,

Tricholcema leucomelas, Lybius torquatus, and Trachyphomis cafer,

Grey Touracous, Red-capped Larks, and two or three species of Sunbird.

I secured for the Zoological Gardens three fine examples of Burchell’s

Glossy Starling, a species not previously represented in the collection.

There are quite a number of good birds coming over just now, and

aviculturists should be on the look-out for treasures.


* * * *


Before the War the little Masked Dove, (Ena capensis, was never

very freely imported, but it is coming over in some numbers now. I saw

a cage full at Messrs. De Von’s shop in King’s Cross Road the other day,

and all looked in quite good condition. It is an attractive little Dove

when kept in a warm, sunny aviary, but it cannot stand cold and may

be said to be a non-breeder in captivity.—D. S.-S.



