27



nothing as to their behaviour with other species. They seem

attached to one another.


They always sleep on the wires of the cage, high up in

a corner and touching each other. They scarcely ever alight on

the floor of the cage.


Although, as I have already said, they cannot be called

pretty, their soft colouring and quaint ways make them decidedly

attractive birds. But I do not think that they are particularly

well adapted for captivity, or that their importation should be

encouraged. Mine have kept well so far, but they want care and

judicious feeding, and at best I do not anticipate a long life for

them.


My Wood-Swallows have never uttered a note, beyond a

twittering call.


I understand that, when at liberty in their native land, the

Wood-Swallows, like our own Swallows, spend most of their

time on the wing. It is obvious that, unless kept in an

enormous aviary, the habits of an aerial species must be so

modified by captivity as to be little or no test of its true

characteristics, and this will apply with especial force to hand-

reared specimens such as I believe mine to be.



NOTES ON THE BALHAM SHOW OF BRITISH

AND FOREIGN BIRDS.


November 7TH, 1899.


By C. S. Simpson, M.D.


The small number of entries at this Show must have

caused great disappointment, and, it is to be feared, a considerable

money loss to the promoters. Nevertheless there were a fair

number of good birds, though few of extraordinary beauty or

interest. A bird which particularly attracted my attention, was

No. 446, exhibited by Mr. L. W. Hawkins. This was described

as a “ Biclieno-Zebra cock.” It resembled a Bicheno in character

and markings, with the transverse markings on the chest, and

the white bars on the tail, of a Zebra finch. If the bird be indeed

a hybrid, the absence of the chestnut cheeks and the reddish

spotted sides would seem to indicate the female sex. It would be

interesting to hear from the owner whether the bird was bred in

his possession, and his reasons (which are doubtless good ones)

for describing the bird as a male.


Another curiosity w r as No. 243, belonging to the same

owner, and described as a Red-faced finch. This bird is, I



