224



Correspondence.



beautiful Parrakeet it was supposed that the sexes were similar in colour

except that the female was supposed to be slightly duller. Count

Salvadori, in the British Museum Catalogue of Birds, which should be a

reliable authority on such matters, simply quotes Ramsey’s statement

that the female is “similar to the male, only slightly duller in colour.’’

However the recent importation has shown this to be incorrect, the females

being quite differently coloured to the males, there being, as Mr. Arthur

says, very little red in their coloration.—E d.]


RARE BIRDS FROM SOUTH AFRICA.


On his return from South Africa a few weeks ago our member Major

B. H. Horsbrugh, A.S.C., brought home a small collection of rare birds.

The most interesting were two Barbets, quite new to British aviculture, of

the species known as Tracliyphonus cafer. A rare Black-faced Bulbul,

Pyc?io?iolus nigricans. Cape White-eves (Zosterops capensis). Black-cheeked

Lovebirds, Finch Larks {Pyrrhulaudu sinithi), Violet-eared Waxbills and

Quail Finches were also included.



VALEDICTORY NOTE BY THE EDITOR.


It is with much regret that I am obliged, by the call of

duty elsewhere, to bid farewell, as Editor, to the members of the

Avicultural Society, though I hope I may be able still, occasion¬

ally, to contribute to the pages of our Magazine. For seven and

a half years I have been in constant touch with our members

as the Honorary Editor of their journal, and during the whole of

that time I have received the greatest courtesy and help from

many true aviculturists and true friends ; and in handing the

work over to another I can only wish him the good fortune that

has been mine in receiving so much kind help and encouragement.


I should like to thank very sincerely all of those members

who have helped me so well in a task which has not always been

easy, and, at the same time, to ask them to continue their kind¬

ness to my successor, in whose hands I have no doubt the journal

will prosper and increase in usefulness.


It is with much pleasure that I am able to announce that

Mr. Frank Finn, who is well known to our members as a most

careful and able worker and a great authority on avicultural

matters, has consented to take my place ; and I feel sure that the

magazine has a great future before it under his management.


David Seth-Smith.



