53



According to a writer to the Field, Resolution Island has now become

a perfect Paradise for an ornithologist. The most numerous birds at the

present time appear to be the Kakapo, or Owl Parrot, a species which

rarely, if ever, flies, and the Weka-rail. Curiously enough, the Kakapo

breeds only every second year, being perfectly unanimous as to the time of

laying, no birds breeding in the off-season. The males announce the pair¬

ing time by a peculiar drumming noise.


Mr. Henry has found the Wekas great thieves; they become extremely

tame and impudent, and some that had been fed on boiled fish were so much

so that he had considerable difficulty in driving them away into the bush.


The Kaka is said to make an excellent pet, and to be full of tricks.

Two were kept by Mr. Henry, each of which knew its name and came when

called.


Penguins are numerous on the island, as are also Kiwis, Roas,

Pigeons, Ducks, Tuis, Thrushes, Crows, and Saddle-backs.


Mr. Henry noticed that the native Thrushes, which are very tame, have

learnt to shell damp oats like Sparrows.


A specimen of the Carolina Crake (Porzana Carolina ) was shot in Tiree,

one of the Inner Hebrides, on Oct. 25th last. This appears to be the third

authentic record of the occurrence of this American species in Great

Britain. In the Field of Dec. 7th last, appeared two excellent, almost life-

size, drawings by Mr. Frohawk, showing very clearly the distinguishing

features between this species and the Spotted Crake (P. maruetta).


Snow Buntings have recently arrived on our South Coast in some

numbers, and the bird-catchers have taken a quantity. The method em¬

ployed in their capture is the same as for other small birds—long nets and

a brace-bird. At the commencement of the season, however, there are no

decoy-birds to be had, so a difficulty presents itself. We are informed,

however, that a whitewashed Skylark is used, and answers the purpose

equally as well as a Snow Bunting.



THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL.



A Medal has been awarded to Mr. Bonhote, for having bred the

Spotted Eagle Owl of South Africa, Bubo maculosus.


A Medal has been awarded to Miss R. At.derson, for having bred

the Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Sporceginthus melpodus, in a natural manner

(see foot-note, p. xii. of this volume). A full account of the breeding of

this nervous species, and of the labour and perseverance which weie

necessary to achieve success, will be published in our next number.


At p. 159 of Vol. V., Mr. Meade-Waldo gave an interesting account

of the successful breeding of the tiny Scops Owl, Scops giu, in 1S99; and he

states that he has bred them ever}' year since. Before awarding a Medal,

we invite any member who may be cognizant of the previous breeding of

the species in the United Kingdom to communicate at once with the

Secretary.



