24



a pretty little call or song, accompanying each call with a raising

of the crest and a spreading of the tail—which was very prettily

marked on the under side. Birds know well where their beauty

lies. Putting aside the Peacock, I can never forget the ex¬

ceptional manner in which the Golden-winged Woodpecker

shows himself off in the presence of his female ; and this Grakle

knew well which side of his tail to spread out before his visitors..

On the Wednesday he was not quite so jubilant, and no wonder,,

for the awards had been published, and the judges had given

him only V.H.C. He has my sympathy, for he was worthy of

a better place.


The next exhibit in the order of avicultural interest was a

pair of Garrulous Honey-eaters (899—first), owned by the same

gentleman. These two birds (and also a third), if I mistake not,

were for some time in the hands of Mr. Abrahams, with whom I

had previously seen them on more than one occasion. They are

Myzantha (better Manorhina) gar nil a, well-known to the Austra¬

lians under the familiar name of '"Bell-birds, birds which I am

told are more frequently heard than seen in their wild state, f I

have not heard, however, that these two have uttered their

tinkling bell-like notes since they have been in this country. In

this respedt they differ from their relatives the New Zealand Bell-

birds, Anthornis melaimra , several of which paid a fleeting visit

to London this summer, and respecting which I was told that

they rang together in a body, note under note, producing a

charming effedt. The members of the two genera, although

differing considerably in external appearance, are rather closely

connedted through the well-known Tui or Parson-bird. These

two Garrulous Honey-eaters were in a capital cage as regards

size, but cruelly open considering their nature ; and they seemed

a little uncomfortable on the large hard perches ; what a relief

to many of these birds would a natural bough be, in the place of

the stiff, formal, usually too large, orthodox perches !


Of Toucans there were but two, Mr. Fulljames’ Ariel (906-

—V.H.C.) and Mr. Arthur’s much rarer Short-billed Toucan,,

Rhamphastos brevicariaimis (91 iB—second). The Glossy-Starlings

had but one representative, a Purple-head (902) in poor colour,

the Tong-tailed Starling of the catalogue (901) turning out to

be naught but a Rail in a most unsuitable cage. The Green-


* The Australian and New Zealand Bell-birds must not be confused

with the famous Bell-birds of South America.—R.P.


t Mr. Humphrys calls Myzantha ( Manorhina) nielanophrys “the Bell-

bird of Australia.” I am very glad to be put straight; nevertheless, in some

districts M. garrula is also called the Bell-bird.—R.P.



