ss



to the now familiar C. aurifrons, the Malabar bird (C. malnbnrica) being a

different species (it is treated as specifically distinct in the Museum Cata¬

logue) and rarely imported. The Zoological Society’s List is mainly

responsible for originating and disseminating this error. I thank Mr. Finn

for so promptly responding to my application for assistance. — R.P.]



THE BLACK BULBUL.


By the Rev. C. D. Farrar.


If ever a rare bird comes into the market, you should

advise one of your friends to buy it; much on the same principle

that all wise men are bankers—because it is easier to play with

other people’s money than with your own. Failing a victim,

there is only one other course open, you must sacrifice yourself

on the altar of avicultural duty. I had to adopt the latter course

when some months since I was offered some Black Bulbuls.


The Black Bulbul would have been quite sympathetic

with the Irishman who was fined ^5 in some English town for

fighting and who exclaimed, on hearing the decision of the

Bench, “ Begorra, but wait till I get yez in Limerick where

fighting is chape! ” I will back him for his fighting weight for

ver3'long odds against any bird I know, bar a Shama or a Dhyal.

In that case, perhaps, he will make him haste to escape, and will

seek him a place to flee unto until the tyranny be overpast. As

a sly and crafty slayer of small and inoffensive birds, he could

give points to the Thugs. When I bought my Black Bulbuls all

this was hidden from me. I often think a good motto for us

aviculturists would be “ Spero infestis,” which I will translate

for the sake of the unlearned “ Hope on in spite of bad luck.”


Of the iniquities of these Black Bulbuls I could write

“ currente calamo,” but I dare not do it, for I feel like that fat

old gentleman in India, who remained in the plains because he

was sensible that in the hills he might begin to roll and go on

rolling until he rolled out of the world altogether. I have so

much material that I dare not cut the wire which holds the bale

together. One or two straws, however, may be pulled out

without disturbing the heap. One morning I found a very rare

African Sparrow, whose name I cannot discover, dead on the

floor: a few mornings later a little Bibfinch hen scrambled

across the floor with a broken wing. I wondered at first what

had caused the damage. The Black Bulbuls were the biggest

oc cupauts of the aviary, and next to them came a pair of

A merican Song Sparrows. I wondered which were the culprits.



