Review : Variation in Birds.



hi



specimen had been exhibited since 1876. Four Red-collared

Lorikeets ( Trichoglossus 1 nbritorques') from N.-W. Australia, a

Caffer Bustard ( Eupodotis caffrci) from Port Elizabeth, a Bouquet’s

Amazon ( Chrysotis bouqueti) (a coloured plate and account of this

bird were given in the Magazine for April, 1901, Vol. VII. p, 109),

and seven specimens of Verreaux’s Guinea-fowl (jGuttera edouardi)

from Rhodesia.


The following birds were bred at the Gardens during


1900:


5 White Ibises (Eudocimus albus). First time in Gardens.


9 Gloss}- Ibises ( PI egad is falcinellus).


2 Pied Mynahs (Stnrnopastor contra).


2 Greater Black-backed Gulls (Larus marinus).


1 Herring-Gull (Lams argentatus).


3 Crested Pigeons (Ocyphaps lophotes).


1 Spotted Pigeon (Coin mb a maculosa).


4 Yinaceons Turtle-Doves (Turtur vinaceus).


5 Rosy-billed Ducks (Metopianapeposaca).


2 Dwarf Turtle-Doves ( Turtur hum it is).



REVIEWS.


VARIATION IN BIRDS.


Mr. Frank Finn sends us a re-print, from The Journal op the

Asiatic Society of Bengal, of a paper from his pen on this subject,

in which he notes many curious and interesting cases of

birds varying from the normal state. Variation in structure is

rare, but a common Quail ( Coturnix communis'), obtained in the

Calcutta Bazaar, possessed five toes on each foot like a Dorking

fowl.


Birds with abnormally-coloured plumage are not par¬

ticularly uncommon, and Mr. Finn tells 11s of many instances

of departure from the ordinary in this direction. We are told

that a yellow variety of the common Ring-necked Parrakeet

(.Palccornis torquata) is not rare ; and a case is mentioned in

which a pair of normally-coloured wild birds constantly

produced a yellow brood.


In captivity birds are not liable to variation to the extent



