103



It would seem, therefore, that given reasonably suitable

food, several species of migratory birds can readily endure the

rigours of our winter, and this suggests that their emigration is

induced or impelled either by the difficult}^ of obtaining food, or

by a love of change that was initiated when the conditions of

life were different from the present and has since become

ingrained as an instindt.


I have no knowledge of the habits of foreign birds in this

respect, but I find no difficulty in keepingthe Waxbills, particularly

the St. Helena, for years, and I have kept a hen Cordon Bleu

through one very severe winter, no provision whatever being

made by lamps or otherwise for warmth or to enable the birds

to feed during the long dark nights. The black and white-

headed Nuns, Alario Finches, Parsons, White-throated Finches,

Whydahs and various small Weavers all do perfectly well.


Though the Indigo bird lives year after year, I have never

been able to winter the Nonpareil, which in most respedts appears

to resemble it so closely.


The Blue-winged and White-headed Eove-birds live well

with us, as also the Red-faced when once a pair can be established,

but I have found these birds go off, even when kept indoors with

every possible care, after the manner of the Grey Parrot. Four

pairs purchased at different places, and in two instances personally

seledted for their bright, sleek, healthy appearance, died off

during last year within a few weeks of purchase, though I have

kept them easily before.


I am especially interested in the subjedt of keeping

migratory birds, as I have to keep them out of doors, and shall

be glad of hints and notes from others’ experience.



RARE FOREIGN BIRDS.


(SECOND SERIES).


VII.—THE PECTORAE RAIE.


Rallies pecloralis.


By D. Seth-Smith.


The subject of the present article is, I venture to think,

worthy of a place under the above heading, being very seldom

seen amongst aviary birds.


I obtained my pair in September last from a well-known

aviculturist, who had recently received several from North-East

Queensland; but of the distribution of this species in its native

country, and of its habits in a wild state, I know nothing, not



