46



Practical Bird-Keeping.



reared, bread-and-milk could be consumed with impunity. Since

then, a few have reached England, and, though undoubtedly delicate

compared with others, this charming Barbet is evidently not the

impossible subject our native dealers supposed. Small blame to

them—they were probably feeding birds on satoo in the time of

Alexanders’ invasion, and I was not surprised that my success did

not alter their methods—should the aviculture of ages be upset by a

mushroom European ? I, however, profited by the lesson and by

the similar one I learnt in connection with the Cotton Teal ( Nettapus

coromandelianus ) another impossible bird (of which I sent the first

specimens home) and have since stedfastly refused to believe in the

impossibility of keeping any bird. The Asiatic Barbets, by the way,

are far more purely fruit-eaters and more unsociable than the two

African species I have seen.


I have had some most interesting experiences with Cuckoos, an

interesting group which are grossly neglected as a rule. The easiest

of all is the Koel ( Euclyncimis honorata), which is a favourite cage-

bird in Calcutta, and should be represented in any scientific collection.

Being, unlike most Cuckoos, a fruit-eater, it is easily catered for.

It is parasitic on crows, and a pair of tame jackdaws or magpies

should make good fosterers for it. Being so common, and having

been exhibited at home, I did not trouble about it, but more than

once reared specimens of that fine non-parasitic cuckoo the Indian

Coucal ( Gentropus rufipennis) locally known as the Crow-pheasant, a

name much apter than it sounds. In habits and general form this

species resembles a magpie, and can be reared on cut-up raw meat,

snails, and cockroaches, and when grown allowed liberty about a

garden. It is an enemy to any small bird it can catch, and will eat

lizards and snakes. I had one loose which fed itself on toads and

refuse boiled rice ! This bird has been represented at the London

Zoo, and ought always to be an view. Another non-parasitic

cuckoo, the Guira or White Ani ( Guira guira) of South America, has

also been frequently imported, and has bred in this country. Like

the Crow-pheasant, it is carnivorous.


I was lately shown a fine specimen of our common cuckoo,

belonging to Mr. Harwood, the taxidermist, whose success as an

aviculturist in keeping this bird (and in a thrush cage) till it has come



