Glossy Starlings.



331



with a normally coloured Pavo nigripennis also resulted in a normally

coloured Pavo cristatus.


If one crosses two good species of birds, however nearly

related, I have always found that the chicks partake of the charac¬

teristics of both parents. I must, therefore, come to the conclusion

that Nigripennis is a colour form of Pavo cristatus, in the same way

as the Blue Snow Goose is only a colour phase of the White Snow

Goose, and as I suppose the also mysterious dark form of the Golden

Pheasant ( Thaumalea picta obscurci ) is of the ordinary Thawnalea

picta.


Two years ago, in the London Zoological Gardens, Mr. Seth-

Smith bred chicks from a male Pavo nigripennis and a female Pavo

specifer. Three of these hybrids, a cock and two hens, which I

have in my park, have bred ; although the cock has not yet grown

his train. The result is three chicks, of which two are pure white

and one exactly like a Nigripennis chick. I am very curious to see

what will grow out of them, and whether they will in any way show

their mixed origin.


“ Gooilust,” June, 1913,



GLOSSY STARLINGS.


By Graham Renshaw, M.B.


The Eulabetidce or Glossy Starlings are deservedly favourites

with aviculturists ; their intelligence, charming ways, and handsome

plumage making them an acquisition to any collection. During' the

past ten years the writer has kept at least a dozen of these birds,

besides noticing as many more in various European Zoos.


The Green Glossy Starling ( Lamprocolvus chalybeus ) can

usually be obtained for about a pound or so at a dealer’s. Plumage

lovely bluish green, shot with varying shades of purple ; eye yellow

or orange; legs and feet black. When in tight plumage the Green

Glossy Starling appears as if composed of burnished metal, the

glistening' feathers being admirably set off by the bluish spots in the

region of the ear and on the wings. In its quick alert movements,


* This family should be restricted to the Hill Mynah.—A.G.B.



