33



flows over the crown, occiput, and nape, the long head feathers, which

almost form a crest, being erect able at will. The under parts of the body,

and the under tail coverts, are cream-white, the creamy tinge fading not

verv long after moult. The upper parts of the body vary much at different

times and in different lights, but are mostly blue and blue-grey; some of

tlie blue tints are so delicate that they can be seen only in a bright light.

The primaries are chiefly brown, with blue outer webs; the secondaries,

however, have a white, or cream-white, tip. These latter, with the upper

tail coverts which fade into whitish but end up with black, and the blue

tail feathers which are broadly tipped with black and white, form a striking

feature in the plumage of the bird when viewed from behind. The two

central tail feathers ai"e much longer than the others, drooping downwards

towards their ends, and want the subterminal band of black. The effect of

the black and white bands across the ends of the tail feathers is fine also

when the bird is viewed from the front (especially if it be above the

spectator), owing to the unequal lengths of these feathers, which are so

cunningly arranged as to allow of the black and white markings being seep,

one above another in regular succession, on either side of the under tail,

the two long central feathers, with their soft, white, drooping ends, com¬

pleting the picture. The eye is of a beautifully soft reddish brown, almost

lake; and the bright coral bill, legs, and toes, form a conspicuous part of

the adornment of the bird.


Whilst flying it is very attractive, spreading out its tail to its full

breadth, and almost sailing through the air; and altogether the Chinese Blue

Pie is an exceptionallv handsome bird when in a large place, but quite

wasted when confined in a cage.


It is decidedly delicate : but this particular bird has become so far

accustomed to our climate that she can be allowed out for a fly, to advantage,

in any but the severest weather; and all through the summer she is entirely

out of doors.


Cherry, for that is her name, is a great pet, and delights in human

companionship, and always comes to the front to be admired and caressed.

With a friend she will be perfedlly quiet, and is fond of being tickled under

the chin. Such a liberty from a stranger is promptly resented ; and she

either keeps out of his reach or receives the offending digit with her bill ;

rarely will she allow herself to be touched with a gloved hand. Her great

delight is to slip into the house, when she rushes to the stairs, screaming

with all her might for the purpose of attracting attention, and then hops

up, keeping just ahead of her pursuer, until she reaches the highest landing;

at this point she turns and endeavours to dart down over his head — and will

continue at this little game for as long as you may have patience to put up

with it.


Cherry is a very careful body, so much so that ill-natured people

might call her greedy. As soon as the food saucers are put out she rushes

from one to another, and collects every particle of meat or other tasty food

she can lay her “hands” on, until her mouth is distended to its utmost

stretch ; and then she proceeds to stow away her prizes in different holes

and corners. Occasionally, when a great friend visits the aviary, she will

unearth one of these dainty morsels, and bring it as an offering to this

highly favoured one. She loves not feathered companions, and, although

usually behaving well, will sometimes be very spiteful in the bird-room ; in

the aviary she has so much to do with looking after her hidden treasures

that she rarely meddles with the birds there, unless they belong to one or

other of the below-mentioned tabooed species. To the Drongos (. Dissemurus

paradiseus), of whichever sex, she is uniformly attentive and affectionate,

even to the length of feeding them : this is the one exception. The

different varieties of the Mynah Starling she always hated with an undying

hate: their chattering tongues, perpetually on the wag, and upstart ways,

she could not brook; and she never forgave nor forgot the circumstance

that once during her moult, having been allowed into their aviary, they

combined forces against her and gave her a humiliating roll in the mud.

The Mynahs have long ago been sent away; but she has since transferred



