169



They have bred some grand lions in the corridor next

to the aviaries, both before and since the desecration of the

latter ; for now the birds are kept in quantities, all jumbled up

together any how, simply for the purpose of attracting the

public.


[See page 173 ; Mr. Osbaldeston has most kindly specially written

this article for the information of our members. — R. P ]


[We should be glad of the experience of other members as to the

difference in the plumage of the sexes of Swainson's Lorikeet. We have

owned several of these birds and have invariably found the males slightly

larger than the females; but in one pair in which there was not the slightest

doubt of the sexes, the female was by far the brighter coloured bird, with

an almost entire!}' red breast ; whereas the male had very little of this

colour on his breast at first, although it became redder as he grew older.

We believe that the extent of the red on the breast depends entirely upon

age, and not sex. — Ed.]



RECENT PUBLICATIONS.



Mr. Finn’s little book on the Birds of Calcutta (c) consists

of some twenty-four articles which-have from time to time

appeared in the Asian. It is written in a popular and pleasant

style, and contains many interesting notes on the habits of the

birds, their nests, and eggs. Under most of the headings are

included several species, which bear the same popular name.

Those who are interested in Indian birds will find much that is

well worth reading in this little book, which especially appeals to

residents in and visitors to Calcutta.


Professor William E. D. Scott, of the Princeton Museum,

has contributed a paper to the American journal Science , on

Data of Song in Birds, and the acquisition of new songs, which

should be read by all interested in this subject. He mentions

several instances of birds imitating the song of other species, and

acquiring new songs. A remarkable case of a wild Rose-breasted

Grosbeak {Zamelodia ludovicianci) saying several sentences quite

plainly, is mentioned ; but we can only suppose that the bird

had escaped from captivity.


Part 3 of the Emit, which is a considerably enlarged

number, completes the first Volume of this journal, which has

already been noticed in our pages. The present number contains

several very interesting and instructive papers on Australasian


(c). The /Unis of Calcutta, by Frank Finn, B.A., F.Z.S. Calcutta : Steam Printing -

Works, 3, Wellesley Place. Price 2s. nett.



