42



The baby is now quite grown up, and indistinguishable

from his mother. He does not take kindly to mankind, and on

their approach lowers his head, fluffs out his feathers, and snaps

his bill—an attitude in which he is depicted in the second of the

photographs, though luckily for the readers of this article his

language has had to be omitted.


The bird was about five weeks old when the first

photograph was taken.



SOUTH AFRICAN CAGE-BIRDS.


By Arthur G. Butler, Pli.D.


Several of our members, who wish, I suppose, to utilize

our South African trouble as a means towards a better acquain¬

tance with the avifauna of that country, have, from time to time,

written to various members of the Council asking for an account

of the cage-birds either of S. Africa or some portion of that

country. After conference with our present Secretary I have

decided to make an attempt to supply this desideratum. ( a ).


In giving notes on these cage-birds it is not my purpose to

include Eagles, Ostriches, or any birds which cannot be kept in

a cage. One cannot well ask a friend to bring home a menagerie

of bulky birds when he returns from the seat of war, or even

from more peaceful pursuits in the colony: indeed to ask so

much would probably induce a disinclination to bring anything.

My own invariable experience has been that promises were

always plentiful, but results nil : yet I never asked for anything

either hard to obtain or difficult to import.


Commencing wlih the true Thrushes, which appear to have

hitherto escaped importation from the colon}’, the species most

likely to be secured are the ‘ S. African Thrush ’ (Turdus litsits-

irupa ), which is common in Damara and Great Namaqualand,

but appears also to be widely scattered over eastern S. Africa ;

the ‘ Natal Thrush ’ (Turdusgyittalus') which seems to be confined

to Natal; and the Olivaceous Thrush (Turdus olivaceus ), said to

be one of the commonest of the Cape species, but having a wide

range.


The Babbling-Thrushes (including the Bulbuls) seem to

offer many more suitable subjects for importation ; yet African

Bulbuls rarely find their way into European bird-markets. Some


(rt). The nomenclature followed is that of Sharpe and I.ayard’s ‘ Birds of S. Africa,’

whence I have derived my facts. — A. G. B.



