294





be taken for granted that I did not hesitate. I have the bird

still, in splendid health and plumage. It is probable that the

Brazilian Hang-nest is chiefly imported from Pernambuco.


According to Burmeister, it frequents the woods in the

interior of Brazil, but not to the south or east. It is seen singly

or in pairs, revealing itself by its many-toned and variable voice :

it feeds largely upon insects and their grubs which it chiefly

seeks for on the ground, but it also feeds upon various fruits.


This Hang-nest first reached the London Zoological

Gardens in i860, and those of Amsterdam in 1885 ; but up to the

present time it appears not to have been bred in captivity. Dr.

Russ had four specimens which, he says, agreed perfectly all the

winter; but, at the approach of spring, had to be separated.

Although most tame and confiding towards their owner, they

appear to be quarrelsome with other birds, and therefore are

usually kept separately.


The brilliant colouring of this bird, in which jet black

contrasts with two shades of cadmium yellow; the wing being

ornamented with a broad belt of snow-white, would alone render

it attractive as a pet; but its bright pale amber eye, the singular

elongate pear-shaped ashy-grey naked patch enclosing it, and the

still paler ashy patch at the base of the lower mandible render it

even more pleasing : then the cool impudence and cleverness of

this bird, which will, at all times, attack its master, if his hand

approaches too near; and will discover a way of opening any

simple fastening to its cage ; the strange attitude assumed when

singing its loud ringing song, and its marvellous tameness, all

render the Brazilian Hang-nest one of the most fascinating of

cage-birds.


My present bird has now been in my possession for more

than three years, and has never had a day’s illness. Twice he

opened the fastening of his cage and escaped into my conserva¬

tory where he kept me busy, on each occasion, for quite twenty

minutes before I succeeded in netting him : yet the chase and

final capture did not appear to have any effect upon his spirits,

nor did they render him one whit less tame. After the second

escapade I put a second fastening on his door, and took care that

it should be out of the reach of his long bill; but I always have

to watch him when I change his food and water, or he would fly

down and slip past my hand without hesitation. If Hang-nests

were not so mischievous they would make charming house-pets.

I do not think they would either attempt or wish to desert their

owner, but they would certainly destroy lace curtains or woollen



