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On the Great-billed Haven in Captivity.



birds. I have no sympathy with those people (and how many there

are) who show such intense fear of the King of Crows. To he afraid

of any bird, vicious or otherwise, is an impossible state of affairs.


Owing to the conformation of the beak the bird usually bits

sideways and upwards ; and whittles away at wood much after the

manner of the parrot tribe. It can give a vicious pinch when so dis¬

posed and also on occasion draw blood, but really nothing to speak of.

My own bird was a very fine specimen and his appearance excited

immense interest among the rural population. She was sent in a

large crate whose hieroglyphics greatly puzzled the natives. The one

who had the honour of delivering the greatest rarity of the age did so


in the following words :—" I have brought you-,” here words


failed him and he glanced inside for information and tried again.


" I’ve brought the-,” stuck once more and added desperately,


‘ Well, anyhow, I’ve brought it ! ”


Toti ” was believed to be a male, hut on examination I came

to the conclusion that she belonged to the mis-called gentle sex— to

my infinite regret—for “ the female of the species ” does not greatly

appeal to me.”


She protested violently, both with beak and claws on being

handled, croaked dismally while the rapidly changing expression

of the eyes showed her anger. She was I found though in fine

plumage in very poor condition and had a wound in her breast which

exposed the bone and bled freely. Truly she had “ suffered a sea

change,” and taking into account her value might have proved a

costly experiment, for the chance of her recovery was doubtful in

any but skilled hands, into which, happily for her, she had fallen-

I put her for a short time on a special diet, one that I have never

found to fail, and she speedily improved. The wound healed slowly

(once she reopened it in a blind rage), hut she soon showed a change

for the better in all respects. She was very shy hut not at all

vicious and would take food from the hand very nicely. A most

intelligent companion, finding her way about the place in a very

short time. She felt tire cold intensely and her “ private house ” was

always kept at a fairly high temperature. When let out for a run

she showed an intense desire to fly up, failing this she jumped, and

being a heavy bird she did considerable damage in this way. I fed



