Correspondence.



113



discern and distinguish them in their natural surroundings. There appears

to he a very great interest taken in these birds judging bv the number or

letters I have received since the publication in the September number of

the Magazine, of my notes, asking either for further information or to their

behaviour and treatment in captivity, or else enquiring where they can be

purchased.


I am personally acquainted with at least one instance of their breed¬

ing iu^tlie county of Kent, as I saw the young ones in one of the ponds close

by Rishburgh Castle, near Sandwich, curiously enough within two miles of

the sea. This, however, is some few years ago, and I cannot recollect the

exact lyear; the fact cannot constitute a scientific record. There can be

little doubt that the Water Rail.must'breed every year within the confines of

the county', but naturally' the y'oung as well as the old birds are not always

seen by those qualified to make the observation or who are sufficiently

interested to record the same. Pkrcy W. Farmbokough.



Through Mr. Farmborough’s courtesy I have been able to see his

reply to my letter re Water Rails in Kei:t, before publication. Since he now

states definitely' that the birds he saw were Water Rails we must accept his

observation, but I cannot regard it as other than an unique experience to

see seven of these birds at one time in one field and close to a railway' line

and a passing train. I am very glad however to have drawn from him a

definite record of the Water Rail breeding in Kent, and since it is of

importance and would no doubt be of great interest I would ask him to be

so good as to publish a full and detailed account of the circumstances.


N. F. Ticehurst.


THE HIMALAYAN SNOW-COCK AND THE BLOOD PHEASANT.


Sir,—I have a friend in Nepal who has special facilities for getting

birds from there, and who would try and get me the “ Blood Pheasant”

(llhagenes crueutus) and the “Himalayan Snow-cock” (Tetraogallus him-

alayensis) if there is a reasonable probability of the birds surviving the

journey to England and living in confinement.


As regards the Snow-cocks I never heard of their being kept in

captivity.


As regards the Blood Pheasants, the Prince of Wales when in India

had some given to him but I am told they all died owing to being sent to

Calcutta in the hot season.


I am also told that several dealers have made attempts to get Blood

Pheasants over but without success, though I do not quite see why.


I should like to ask if any' members have had any experience of

either Snow-cocks or Blood Pheasants, and if so would they give the benefit

of such experience.


A little actual practice is worth a lot of theory.



C. Barnbv Smith.



