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occupies a very high rank among the aristocracy of the bird-

room.


The Green Malabar Honeysuclcer measures about seven

inches in length, and the prevailing colour of the adult male is a

bright grass green ; the forehead is bright orange ; the chin and

throat purple, surrounded by a rather broad band of black, and

a small patch of the most brilliant metallic blue appears at the

bend of the wing. The body is stout, and the tail short and

square, but the head and neck are slender ; the beak is long,

slender, and gently curved, and the long narrow tongue is

admirably adapted for insertion into flowers, and is indeed con¬

stantly in use exploring any objedt which may be presented to

the bird. The legs and feet are short, stout, and of a pale grey

colour: they are evidently intended for an arboreal life, for the

bird hardly ever comes to the ground, and I never saw my

specimen either run or hop. It has no crest, thereby differing

from the true Bulbuls, all of which are crested.


Though I prefer aviaries to cages as a general rule, there

are some birds which appear to adapt themselves more readily to

the latter, and among these I should be inclined to class the

subjedt of the present article. My Malabar Honeysucker

occupied a large cage for the greater part of the time that I

had him, and I shall never cease to regret turning him into an

aviary with other birds. A large cage, however, is absolutely

necessary, for the bird is very adtive, and as its plumage is

peculiarly soft and the feathers easily broken, it requires a good

deal of room. Its powers of flight are rather feeble, and as it is

somewhat timid and defenceless when attacked by other birds,

while it becomes most tame and affedtionate towards its owner, it

is far happier in a cage in its master’s study than in the com¬

paratively free life of the aviary.


The Malabar Honeysucker is very fond of bathing, but

never remains in the water splashing about as many birds d6:

on the contrary it makes a series of rapid dashes through its

bath, in at one side and out at the other, the very soft plumage

quickty becoming saturated, so that the bird is unable to fly, and

is obliged to seek its lowest perch to preen and dry itself, for

nothing will induce it to remain on the floor of its cage.


In its diet it is both insectivorous and frugivorous : it will

consume quite a surprising quantity of pears, bananas, and other

soft fruits, which it prefers in a somewhat over-ripe condition :

it is extremely fond of mealworms, which it catches cleverly

when thrown towards it: bread and milk is also relished, and



