i8o


instead of crimson. The wings have, in place of spots, the feathers

margined with white, and the bastard wing is decorated with brilliant

scarlet. The under parts are greyer than in its Spotted relative, but in

other respects its colouring and markings are not dissimilar.


I have only seen these birds mentioned in Gould’s “ Birds of Australia,”

but that may merely be ignorance on my part. It seems a pity, however,

that they are not better known, and I, for one, should be delighted to obtain

some living specimens. Norman B. Roberts.



The following answer has been sent to Mr. Roberts :—


The Spotted Pardalote was imported by Mr. J. Abrahams in 1882, and

he forwarded a pair to Dr. Russ; but unfortunately they arrived dead. The

allied Panther-bird has, I believe, never been imported. Our Zoological

Society has never owned examples of any species of Pardalotus.


There is no reason why these pretty little birds should not be kept

quite as easily as Tits, which they resemble in their actions, habits and food.

They build domed nests in holes, either in trees or in the earth ; lay white

eggs, and feed upon seeds, buds, and insects.


What do you wish done with your charming coloured drawing? It is

quite fit for publication. A. G. Butter.



NOTES ON VARIOUS SPECIES.


Sir,— Dr. Butler is undoubtedly correct in stating that the cock

Nonpareil does not change colour in winter, at all events not invariably.

For five years I have kept one in an open aviary, and, beyond so much of a

duller tone as may be caused by the natural wear of the feathers at the end

of the season, he undergoes absolutely no change of colour. I may say,

however, that so experienced an aviculturist as Mr. Abrahams differs from

me on this point: he has observed that birds under his care lose the bright

blue on the head, while the red breast assumes a yellow tinge in the winter.

Possibly individuals may vary in this particular.


In May, 1896, I purchased two hen Nonpareils, which I selected out

of a cageful of two or three dozen ; these I placed with my cock bird and

have twice had nests and eggs, but without further result. The Nonpareil

is decidedly a shy and timid bird, probably requiring ample space or freedom

from the disturbing influence of other birds, to breed successfully. I fancy

too much is made of the insectivorous habits of this species. At one time

I supplied them rather freely with caterpillars and mealworms, but I have

ceased doing so for some years with no ill results : in fact they are, if

anything, more disposed to nest now than before. Of course, in an open

air aviary birds are able to obtain a fair proportion of insects for themselves.


The Dhyae.— “Quarrelsome” is almost too mild an epithet to apply

to this otherwise charming species. My bird possesses an absolutely

demoniacal temper. His aviary companions are rather too large to be

trifled with, and he therefore considers it safer to vent his spleen on his less

formidable owner. The moment I open the door of his aviary, he descends

on me with the utmost fury, usually attacking my hands with all the force

he can put into his beak, and frequently succeeding in drawing blood ; at

times he alights on my shoulders, digging his beak into my neck, or, if in

an unusually good humour, merely attempting to pull out my hair. At one



