66



Miss D. Hamilton,



young no doubt are somehow able to make it clear to their male

parent that they wish to drink, and he starts off to the pan, and

after sipping a little on his own account, steps in and stands

motionless for a minute or two watching. Then he sits down in

the water, and goes through a shuffling movement very like a

bird that is dusting. After remaining in the water several

minutes, he gets out and hurries off loudly calling to the young,

who if old enough run to meet him. Then follows what reminds

one more than anything of a mammal suckling her young: the

chicks push their heads amongst the breast-plumage and under

tail-coverts, evidently taking the water off the feathers by

passing them through their bills, moving to fresh places as the

supply becomes exhausted.


It is hard to understand how moisture, carried in this way,

can be preserved during a lengthened flight through the arid

atmosphere of the summer season in the countries affected by

these birds : and one feels surprised that some simpler method

has not been evolved, as in the case of the Rook, which carries

food to its mate or young in the baggy pouch between the lower

fauces of the beak.


It is to be regretted that the members of this interesting

family are not more often imported, so that their breeding habits

may be compared. My experience is that if kept dry, Sand-

grouse will live long in captivity, and that they are most peace¬

able towards the occupants of their aviary, do not require much

space, and are in many ways desirable birds to study.



RECOLLECTIONS OF SOME BIRD FRIENDS.


By Miss D. Hamilton.


(Continued from page 33J.


Hitherto I had looked upon all foreign birds as “tropical,”

and therefore as requiring a kind of hot-house treatment which

I could not have given them. But having read Dr. Greene’s

“ Birds I have kept,” I changed my views, and the first foreign

bird I bought was a Rosella Parrakeet. I was still somewhat

under the delusion that so bright-coloured a bird must require

extra warmth, and every evening I used to fill a stone hot-water

bottle with boiling water, put it in a flannel bag, and stand it on



