52



The best thing I ever did during my avicultural career

was to join our Society, and I have to thank Mr. Seth-Smith for

bringing it to my notice and proposing me. I also take this

opportunity of thanking Mr. R. Phillipps and Dr. Butler for the

advice they have kindly given me as to the treatment of birds

I should certainly have lost, without their sound practical advice.



REVIEW.


FANCY PHEASANTS*


Mr. Frank Finn is well known to our members, and his

useful, and interesting articles which have appeared recently in

th e Feathered World have been, we are sure, highly appreciated

by them. The appearance, therefore, of these papers in book

form will be welcomed with much pleasure, as it makes a

valuable addition to avicultural literature.


The Pheasant tribe contains so many species, most of

which are easily kept and bred in captivity, and almost all of

which are of exquisite beauty, that it seems passing strange that

they are not studied more freely by aviculturists than they are

at the present time. We can only suppose that the lack of

knowledge as to their many attractive qualities, or of their

treatment in captivity, is alone responsible for their neglect by

the aviculturist.


Mr. Finn’s book, which, by the way, is a marvel of cheap¬

ness, will be found most useful as a guide to the keeping and

breeding of all the better known Pheasants, and their allies the

Pea-fowl, Jungle-fowl, etc.


The illustrations are, on the whole, good; some are

excellent, although one or two are poor.



BIRD NOTES.



Some few years ago the Government of New Zealand decided to set

apart a small island called Resolution Island, situated off the South-West

of the South Island, as a sanctury for the native avifauna of the country;

as many species, especially the remarkable wingless birds, were in danger

of rapidly becoming extinct. A caretaker was selected in the person of

Mr. Richard Henry, who now lives on the adjacent island, known as Pigeon

Island, with an assistant; although, until a year or so ago, he was quite

alone with only the birds as companions. A small steamer visits with

supplies three times a year.



* Fancy Pheasants and their Allies, by Frank Finn, F.Z.S. London : Feathered World

Office, 9, Arundel Street, W.C. Price is. 6d.



