80



Dr. A. G. Butler,



dye (to simulate some of the African species of the genus Teracolus)

and turning them loose in my garden. After death undoubtedly the

pigment is distinctly greasy, but (as already stated in a previous

paper) it flows freely out of the scales like so much paint when the

wings are steeped in water in which soda has been dissolved. Of

course it is well known that the wings of some butterflies and many

moths after death gradually absorb grease from the body to such an

extent that they have to be soaked in benzine in order to restore

their colouring and render them fit for the cabinet.


I therefore conclude that the solvency of the pigment of living.

Touracous in clear water may vary according to the period at which

the plumage is subjected to it, and that of individual quills according

to whether they have been removed from a living bird or been

moulted out; but in any case, and in spite of our friend Dr. Van

Someren’s experience, I do not think we are justified in discrediting

the statement of those naturalists who have definitely asserted that

the red pigment in the wings of Touracous is washed out during

heavy rains or when bathing and is shortly afterwards recovered.


Let me quote one or two more authorities : In his instructive

little book, ‘ The Story of Bird-life,’ p. 25, Mr. Bycraft says of turacin,

“ In addition to the colouring matter, these feathers contain from

5 to 8 per cent, of copper, which can be extracted, Mr. Church tells

us, by soaking in a little weak ammonia and acetic acid, and filtered

off as a metallic red or blue powder. These birds lose the red colour

when washed by the rain, but regain it when dry ; moreover, this

colour is said to tint the water in which they bathe, just as is said to

be the case with the common Heron.”


Once more, in ‘ The Ibis ’ for 1900, p. 520, Messrs. It. B. and

J. D. A. Woodward say: “ We noticed that the birds shot after rain

had lost much of the brilliancy of the carmine colour of the wing-

feathers ; but apparently the colour returns after the weather gets

dry again.”


Well, there is my excuse for believing in the absorption of

colour by the plumage of Touracous. Now let us turn to Dr. Van

Someren’s observations respecting Pyromelana. Among those which

he says appear to bear evidence supporting my statement, he men¬

tions young males changing into the breeding plumage for the first



