286



Correspondence.



Mr. ASTLEY’S two breeding pairs of Ruddy-headed Geese have hatched

out young.


Hi * H


A pair of Coscoroba Swans at Woburn Abbey hatched out five young ones

in April, which unfortunately only survived about a fortnight.


* Hi


Mr. Astley has a pair of Ixula flavicollis. They came from Major

Horsbrugh’s Indian Collection, and, although not brightly coloured, in fact more

after the hues of a White-throat (except for the broad band of yellowish chestnut

at the back of the neck), are very pretty and graceful, with the movements and

demeanour of the Blue-winged Siva. Their most noticeable adornment is a

full crest, which can be raised over the head, with the tips of the feathers

inclined to an outward curve. They come from the Himalayas.


Major Perreau also imported three specimens this year.


Hi Hi ifc


The Green-breasted Pitta, which Mr. Astley purchased from Major

Horsbrugh’s Indian Collection (P. cucullcita) is in one of his large aviaries, where

it enjoys hopping under a group of bamboos and bathing in a pool of running

water. It is a tame bird, and with long hops will come to take a mealworm

from the fingers. The Pittas have a fascinating way of quivering their extremely

short tails, after the manner of a Redstart.


* * *


Mr. Astley’s old pair of Hooded Parrakeets (Psephotus dissimilis ) which

reared four young ones last October, have bred again, and two fine birds left their

nest in a large hollow log on the first of June. They look as if they were male

and female. This is the first time that this pair of Parrakeets have nested in

the springtime.


Hi Hi Hi


There are now twelve Hooded Parrakeets in the aviaries at Benham Valence.


* *


The Queen Alexandra Parrakeets in the same aviaries are again nesting,

but a beautiful adult female was found dead during the first week of June, with

a wound in her neck. She had eggs in a log, so the loss is very deplorable.


Hi Hi Hi


In the same aviaries, a pair of White-capped Redstarts ( Phcenicura

leucocephald) look most lovely. The sexes are alike, but the female is somewhat

smaller, and the white cap is not so broad. The fiery chestnut mingled with

the rich black, and enhanced by the snowy cap, is very striking.



“THE HOME-LIFE OF A GOLDEN EAGLE.”


The Publishers of this successful work (Messrs. Witherby & Co.) have, at

the request of many purchasers of the book, now prepared PHOTOGRAPHIC

ENLARGEMENTS of six of the principal plates. The enlargements measure

9| inches by 11J inches.



