Notes 071 Aviculture hi Georgetown, Demerara.



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the Yellow-bellied or “goldfinch” (C. flaviveiitris') ; and the

Black-cheeked or “ buck-tongue sackie ” (C. cyanea) The last-

named is a very quarrelsome species: the hens are continually

“swearing” at each other; while the cocks lock themselves

together with beak and claw, rolling on the floor of a cage in a

murderous embrace.


Generally speaking, no food but fruit is given to Tanagers ;

consequently those species which are largely insectivorous do

not thrive. This fruit diet is, however, an improvement upon

the universal pea-meal paste or “ satoo,” which is used in the

Cast. I regret to state that water is not in many cases given to

frugivorous birds ; but on account of the succulent nature of the

fruit, they do not seem to mind the abstinence.


Of Sugar-birds, the following species are occasionally kept:

The beautiful Yellow-winged ( Ccei'eba cayanci), and the Black¬

headed (Chlorophaues spiza ) ; and I secured the only pair I ever

saw of the tiny Yellow-breasted, or “ kiskadee sackie” (Certhiola

ehloropygia). Two of my Yellow - winged Sugar-birds were

■captured at the top of the Demerara light-house shortly after

midnight, on two different occasions. What the birds were

doing out at such a demoralizing hour I can’t imagine—unless

they were merely migrating. Young males of this species are

green like the adult females; and old males lose their gay

•colour at certain seasons. Some descriptions of this bird give

the colour of the legs and feet as “ ruddy flesh-colour.” This

has evidently been taken from a faded skin ; the legs and feet in

life being bright coral-red.


I was extremely astonished on one occasion to be told that

a man had a pair of “ Nightingales” for sale ; and, upon express¬

ing a wish to see them, welcomed instead a pair of Red-

whiskered Bulbuls ! They had just arrived on a coolie-sliip from

Calcutta, and, in spite of their long voyage of about three

months, were in perfect condition. I only saw one pair of Red-

crested Cardinals (Paroaria cucullata).


Humming-birds were never successfully kept; but, as they

were sometimes caged, perhaps they ought to be mentioned.

Upon a diet of sugar and water, they can exist for varying periods

dip to about seven weeks. At times they were offered for sale



