308



Correspondence.



A RARE INDIAN FLYCATCHER.


There lately came into my possession a beautiful Flycatcher, which I

believed to be “ Muscipeta brevirostris .” It is either that bird, or M.

flammeus.


Its colour is of a glossy black with deep bluish reflections on the head

and upper parts, whilst the breast, underparts, patch on wings and outer

tail feathers are brilliant nasturtium orange-red.


It has the short legs and small feet of a typical Flycatcher, as well as

the broadened grooved bill.


Habitat, portions of Himalayas and forests of India.


Hubert D. Asteky.


[No doubt this is the Short-billed Minivet (Pei icrocotns brevirostris)

a few of which used to be on sale ever}' winter when I was in Calcutta.—E d.]



THE WHITE-RUMPED LORY.


Sir,—I t is possible that you may like to know that you made a very

slight error in ‘Aviculture at the Zoo,’ in this month’s Avicultmal Magazine.


Eos fuscata in not quite new to aviculture as one was imported by

Mr. Goodfellow, two years ago, for Mrs. Johnstone; this bird, however,

died soon after it came into my possession.


There is also another Eos cyanogenys in the country, viz. in my

aviaries. E. J. Brook.



BLACK LORIES BREEDING IN CAPTIVITY.


Sir, —As I believe no species of Lories—not Lorikeets—have so far

been hatched in confinement it may be of interest to note that my Black

Lories (Chalcopsittacus ater) have young.


I will write again if the young are successfully reared.


E. J. Brook.



ORANGE-HEADED GROUND-THRUSHES, &c.


Sir, —Will some one who keeps Orange-headed Ground Thrushes

kindly write an article how to keep them in health and song. I should

like to know what amount of cold they can stand, and if they have ever

been wintered outside in an unheated aviary. Also I should like to know

the name of a finch similar to the St. Helena Seed Flater, but larger, as I

bought a pair and the hen has hurt her beak, aud I want to advertise for a

new hen. They come from South Africa. Are the Mexican Blue Thrushes

that one sees advertised good singers ? M. C. Hawke.


[Your finches seem to be the Large Yellow Seed-eater ( Serinus

sulphnratus). The Mexican Blue Thrushes ( Melanotis ccerulescens ) are said

to be good singers.— PId.]



