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on a Private Collection of Living Birds.



Pyranga rubra (Scarlet Tanager).*'


This brilliant bird is gaily decked in summer in a garment

of flaming scarlet with wings and tail of a jet black: in winter

the scarlet is replaced by dingy yellow. A cock bird in my

collection during 1901 was fed on fruit, auts’ eggs, and sponge

cake. He used to hop to and fro, uttering his curious chirp as he

alighted 011 his perch, and was of a self-reliant disposition, for,

on the Glossy Starling attempting to bully him at meal-times,

he promptly turned on the aggressor, whom he menaced to such

purpose that his adversary never repeated the experiment.

The Hangnest was, however, too much for him, the Tanager

being pulled over on to his back, and receiving repeated stabs

from his enemy’s dagger-like bill. Since this occurrence the

Tanager continued to feed well, but gradually became less lively

and declining daily in health died several weeks after this

encounter. He was much emaciated, having probably received

some internal injury. This bird was peaceable enough with his

companions if let alone, only fighting in self defence. I cordially

recommend so lovely a species to the notice of amateurs.



PICARHH.


Hierococcyx varius (Indian Hawk Cuckoo).


These Asiatic Cuckoos, with their curved beaks, long wings

and tails and barred plumage, curiously resemble Accipitrine

birds, a likeness which is, however, at once dispelled by a glance

at the characteristic zygodactyle foot. My Cuckoo was the

tamest bird I ever had, and would fly 011 to my hat or hand

expecting to be fed. He disposed of a considerable quantity of

grapes, which were swallowed whole; if disturbed too soon

after feeding he would frequently lighten himself by regurgitating

a grape, which was allowed to drop on the floor. The bird was

also very fond of mealworms. His disposition towards other

birds was snappy and quarrelsome, every feather bristling up if

another bird ventured to perch on the same branch as his

highness, whilst any intruder he thought sufficiently weak-



This is not the Scarlet Tanager of the bird-trade, but the so-called ‘Summer

Tanager’ of Latham (Pyranga cestivci of the British Museum Cat. of Birds).—A. G. B.



