i6



A NEW WEAVER-BIRD.


Sir,—I thought the present extract might interest the readers of

the Avicultural Magazine, since the new species therein described, if ever it

comes into the market, would be well worthy the attention of those who

are fond of large seed-eaters.


Fro?n the Proceedings, Asiatic Society of Bengal for July, i 8 qq.


“ Mr. F. Finn exhibited two living specimens of a new Indian species

of Weaver-bird, and made the following remarks upon them : —


“ ‘ The birds I am exhibiting to-night were obtained about the end of

June from Mr. W. Rutledge, of Entally, who states that he received them,

together with a specimen of the Blue Rock Thrush ( Petropliila cyanus)

recently, from Naini Tal. The man from whom he procured the birds

stated that he could get others, so that the species is probably not

uncommon. I have no hesitation in describing it as new, as it differs

markedly from any of our Indian Weavers, and does not agree either with

the description of any of the allied African forms to which I have access.

I have much pleasure in naming this handsome novelty after Mr. Routledge,

whose services to Indian Natural History, and to the Museum and Zoo¬

logical Gardens in particular, are so well known ; and I charaterize it as

follows : — Ploceus rutledgii, sp. nov.


“ Very similar to the male of Ploceus baya in breeding-plumage, but

easily distinguishable by its larger size, and entirely yellow under surface.


“ Both specimens have the same colouration and are of about the same

size, but as one has a stouter head and is brighter than the other, and

constantly sings (d), it is possible that they are male and female and that

the sexes will prove to be similar in this species. A full description, with a

coloured plate, will hereafter appear in this Journal.’ ” F. Finn.


ENQUIRY.


Sir,—I should be very much obliged if some member will tell me if

the following birds can be safely wintered in a rather cold outdoor avian 7 ,

facing S. E., and only sheltered by glass shutters on the N. W.; the inner

part is open to the front, but has a deep roof with perches and nest-boxes.


The following are the birds—Bleeding-heart Doves, Rosey Pastor,

Nonpareil, Indigo Finch, Green Singing Finches, Mannikins, Greyjavas,

Weavers, Painted Quail (one hen), hen Virginian Nightingale.


Can you tell me if it is possible to secure a Rosey Pastor hen, and if

they ever breed in captivity ? (Mrs.) A. C. Charrington.


The following reply has been sent to Mrs. Charrington —


I am not quite sure about the Rose-coloured Pastors, but, as Starlings

are generally hardy birds, I should not be afraid to try it.


All the others have certainly been kept out of doors throughout the

year by more than one aviculturist ; I have kept them all myself in quite

cold aviaries.


At the Berlin Zoological Gardens, a pair of Rosey Pastors went to nest

in 1893, and would probably have reared a brood if rats had not destroyed

the young. It is probable that Messrs Abrahams or Jamrach would be able

to get a hen for you. A. G. BuTLER.


(d) It also displays weaving' proclivities and frequently drives its companion about,

though not in a hostile manner. Some species of the Yellow African Weavers have the

sexes similar or nearly so, though this is not the case with any Indian species.—F. F.



