9 8



Correspondence.



who cannot assist us by notes or articles can do us a very great

service by introducing the Society to the notice of their friends.


Wishing all our members the best of avicultural good

fortune in 1912.


Yours very truly,


The Editor.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.



THE GREY THRASHER (Harporhynchus cinereus).


Sir, — I have received a pair of these ‘Threshers’ (or Thrashers)

which are inhabitants of Mexico, I believe. They have a greyer tinge than

the Thresher which is found in the United States ( H. infiis)— the Brown

Thresher as it is called. These birds are of the size of a Song Thrush, with

longisli curved bills and eyes which look as if they had been purchased at a

taxidermist’s establishment, very yellow and staring with black pupils.

The chin is dull white, the upper plumage mouse brown with a greyish

wash, and the underparts spotted in a Thrusli-like manner, but the spots

are closer and more clouded.


The Thrashers are supposed to be good songsters, at any rate the

brown one of the United States has that reputation. Mine are very

sprightly birds, and seem to do well on an insectivorous mixture with some

fruit and a few mealworms. The male is distinguishable by a more curved

bill and a more thickly spotted breast, besides which the whitish chin is

more distinct. The tails of these birds are on the elongated side.


The Harporhynchi are classed with the family of the Mimiuse

(Mocking Birds). They are usually found in arid situations, placing their

large flattish nest of coarse twigs, leaves, fibres, bark, grass and moss, lined

with softer materials, in low trees or thorny scrub.


They are naturally shy birds, but would probably become tame in

captivity. They have strong feet, built for clinging well.


The generic title is deiived from the Greek apiryj, a sickle; and

pdyxos, bill. Hubert D. Asteev.



ERRATA.


Sir,—S ome errors in my report on the E.C.B.A. foreign birds have

unfortunately escaped correction, as follows: —

p. 61 galgulas should be galgulus.


,, “abnormally coloured prize birds” should be “abnormally

coloured foreign birds.”


,, Tonygncithus should be Tnnygnathus.



