Correspondence. 73


head flat and arrow-shaped, with an overhanging brow, and a bright

yellow eye.


My Roller is quite devoted to me, and a most quaint bird : pecking at

my fingers and speaditig his beautiful wings. It was the most sudden

conversion (in a bird!) I ever witnessed. From extreme timidity , to

extreme audacity and personal affection. All in a day.


I believe he would fly after me now if loose in the garden.


Hubert D. Asti.ey.



GREEN BULBULS, (Chloropsis).


Sir,—I have just received a “Green-Bulbul,” a very healthy lively

bird, and so tame ; it will eat out of my hand.


I am rather curious as to which “ Green-Bulbul ” it is ; I rather fancy

it must be Chloropsis hodgsoni , as it answers very well' to the description of

that bird at page 12 of Vol. VII. of the Avicultural Magazine.


It is at present minus a tail and some flights ; but the blue patch

meets under its bill ; and then comes a black bib, edged with an orange

border which fades into the green of the breast. The patch on its head is

much the colour of that on a cock Saffron Finch, very bright ; and it has

pale blue shoulder patches.


Its two call-notes answer exactly to those of hodgsoni —one harsh

and one a lovely clear loud whistle. I see they are referred to as rare and

expensive ; I paid only 15/6 for this one, which seems very cheap.


Mary F. Rathborne.


The following reply zoas sent to Mrs. Rathborne:


I think the writer of the account of C. hodgsoni to which you refer

must have been confused in his mind over the Green-Bulbuls. For some

reason, people will persist in confusing the rare (in this country) Malabar

Green-Bulbul with the common Gold-fronted Green-Bulbul, Chloropsis

anrifrons. Your bird is doubtless the latter. See Mr. Finn’s “ Notes” on C.

malabarica and C. anrifrons at page 86 of Volume VIII.


Chloropsis hodgsoni is more commonly known as the Blue-winged

Green-Bulbul; but the better name is “ Orange-bellied Green-Bulbul,” the

under parts being orange. You will find a coloured plate of the male and

female of this species in Volume III., facing page 169, with an account of

the bird from the pen of our esteemed Member, Mr. Russell Humplirys.


The Golden-fronted Green-Bulbul makes a charming pet when kept by

itself (it is usually very spiteful towards other birds), but please remember

two things :—(1) It is sensitive to cold, and must be kept warm ; (2) It is

liable to fits, and must not be too highly fed.



Reginald Phieupps.



