On the Trumpeter ' Bird.



3i



speckly wings. On a closer inspection there is a brown tinge on

all except the tips of the wing-feathers.


September 4th. One chick dead, one left nest.


September 18th. One chick, as large, if not larger than

its parents, with yellow brown plumage and black beak, was

being constantly fed by the cock. It was less yellow in colour

than the parents and was greyish underneath. Its voice was

extraordinarily strong and its call for food something between a

young Canary’s squeak and the adult Rufous-tail call-note.


September 28th. Still being fed by parents.



THE TRUMPETER BIRD


(.Psophia crepitans).


By Mrs. Gregory.


I have long wanted to possess a Trumpeter Bird and was

fortunate in securing the only one Mr. Harper brought from

tropical America last July. Having had it barely three months

I have much to learn and feel anxious as to how it will stand a

winter out-of-doors even in a very sheltered garden. I have

been told that these birds do not live long in England, which, I

suppose, is the reason why they are difficult to obtain. I cannot

imagine they would do well in an aviary however large, as they

require a great deal of exercise and liberty and much attention

and petting bestowed upon them. My bird is always anxiously

looking out, and runs to meet me every time I enter the garden,

and I find it difficult to leave him for many hours. I have read

of the extraordinary courage of the Trumpeter and have now had

proof of it. He made himself master of my five Cranes as soon

as he arrived, not by bullying and worrying them, but simply

shewing them he would be first. When any grain is thrown, he

rushes with his beak wide open at each Crane in turn and they

fly up over his head to escape, and yet he does not care for corn

but will eat it rather than see them do so. In their own country

the “ Agami ” (as the natives call the Trumpeter Bird) is trained

to drive sheep and poultry. Perhaps mine has had this training,

for Mr. Harper tells me it is hand-reared and he procured him



