Mr. W. A. Harding,



190



but two or three days. The next attempt, made later in the

same year, was somewhat less unsuccessful; a fully-fledged young

bird emerged from the Woodpecker’s hole, but soon developed a

tendency to fits, and died like its predecessor.


Matters improved, however, during the following year,

when a healthy nestling was successfully reared, and this event

was repeated for several years in succession. Two white eggs

were always laid, but, as a rule, only one of them hatched out.

Incubation lasted about twenty-one days, and the fully-fledged

young bird did not leave the tree for several weeks. The hen

sat very closely, and both parents screamed with the greatest

resentment when their enclosure was entered during the nesting

season.


The hybrid offspring bore a yellow band on the nape,

flecked with red, and the red breast was without yellow feathers

at the sides; for the rest, it generally resembled its ‘Blue

Mountain ’ parent who, sad to say, died full of years and honours

a few days ago.


These birds occupied one of a block of four aviaries, each

compartment consisting of a house six feet square, opening on to

a flight twelve feet long and six feet wide and partly covered by

glass. The exterior treatment of the block was suggested by

one of the picturesque cabmen’s shelters, many of which may

be seen in various parts of London, and the woodwork of the

flight was so arranged that a roll of wire-netting, six feet wide,

could be fitted to it with the minimum amount of cutting.


v.' "A- '\*


Ever since I first read Waterton’s stirring description of

the tolling of the “ Campanero ” in the forests of Guiana I had

desired to possess one of these birds, and accordingly it was a

particular pleasure when I received one day from Mr. Jamrach a

fine male specimen of the Naked-throated Bell Bird ( Chasvior -

hynchus nudicollis, a pure white bird about the size of a Starling,

with a wide mouth and a somewhat evil expression. For some

days he had been silent in his new surroundings when, one

morning, I seemed to hear the village blacksmith exercising his

calling with extraordinary energy and clangour. For a time I

was really puzzled and deceived, and then remembering the new-



