Notes on some Fijian Birds in Captivity.



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They feed now almost exclusively on porridge, though

they are very partial to fruit, especially grapes, apples and

cherries. They partake of a warm bath daily and are extremely

lively. During the colder weather we are now experiencing I

find that they require to be placed in a warm cupboard at night.

So far they have shown no desire of breeding though they have

the appearance of being a pair. They are indeed fascinating

pets and would doubtless become very popular could they be

successfully transported to this country. The pair have been

deposited in the Zoological Gardens, and may be seen in the

parrot-house.


Of the larger parrots, I successfully kept in captivity the

following species :— Pyrrhulopsis splendeus, P. personatus , P.

taviuensis and P. tabuensis.


Of P. spletideus I had three specimens from the island of

Kadava. On the larger islands they are now very rare and are

confined to the hill tops, having fallen an easy prey to the

Mongoose. My birds were nestlings and never became tame.

Travelling via Australia they landed in this country in full moult,

one unfortunately broke a leg in the train during transportation

from Tilbury. The weather being warm at the time I turned

them out in an outside aviary, when they apparently throve well

for about two months, but in June they all died in convulsions

within a few days of each other.


P. tabuensis. This species differs from splendens in having

a maroon-coloured head and chest in the place of scarlet. In

Fiji its range is limited to the island of Vanua Levu, there its

numbers have also been seriously diminished by the Mongoose.

They are said to be numerous on the island of Eva in the Tonga

group, whither they are supposed to have been introduced from

Fiji. I was given a fine specimen in full plumage by the

Governor, Sir Ev. itn. Thurii, K.C.M.G., and this is now in

the Zoological Gardens.


P. taviue?isis. Quite a distinct species, having a much

thicker bill, larger head and shorter tail than the aforementioned

birds. The chest is maroon-coloured and the blue nuchal collar

is lacking. They are still abundant in the unsettled parts of

Taveuni to which it is peculiar, and where the Mongoose has



