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the com men cement, excepting that, for the first week or two,

each feather was tipped with the narrowest possible band of

the “fulvous” color which margins his wings when in full

plumage.


As is the case with most of the Whydahs and Weavers,

my bird is exceedingly pugnacious, and at first I was afraid he

would injure some of his companions in the aviary : so I caged

him separately in a specially made cage. This did not by any

means answer, as during the first week of his solitary confine¬

ment he had two fits, out of which he was only brought by

immersion in hot water. After getting him out of his second fit,

I concluded to turn him into the larger birds’ aviary, and let the

other occupants take care of themselves. I soon found that his

“bark was worse than his bite,” for beyond driving about for a

few minutes, occasionally, any bird that will make way for him,

he does not do any mischief. It is most amusing to see his look

of astonishment when he finds anything to face his attack. He

stands for a minute with every feather on end, and hisses with

all his might at his opponent. If the other bird still refuses

to move, the Whydali will glance round for fresh quarry, and

immediately give chase. The aviary, however, being gft. by 9ft.

by 4^-ft. deep there is plenty of room for exercise of this descrip¬

tion, and, as he is somewhat handicapped by the weight of his

tail, any fugitive fleeing from his assault has considerably the

best of it: therefore no serious harm results from his apparently

vicious disposition. At the same time, I would certainly not

trust him with small Waxbills and Finches. He is exceedingly

fond of his bath, and as the bath in my aviary consists of a

zinc tray some twenty-one inches long by six inches wide he can

drench himself to his heart’s content. It is bad luck for any

bird to approach him when he is so engaged. After he has

thoroughly wetted himself there is peace for a time, for when

he has with some difficulty clambered to a perch, his sub¬

sequent toilet is a matter of great importance, and occupies his

entire attention for a considerable while.


Although he has access to fruit, soft food, and various

sorts of seeds, I have never seen him take anything but canary

and millet, with the exception of a daily mealworm of which

he is very fond.


Mr. Cronkshaw has the only other specimen of which I

have heard, and I should be obliged if he would let our

members and myself know, through the Magazine, whether his

experience coincides with mine. It would be also interesting if

some of the experienced aviculturists who are members of our



