186 Correspondence.


CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.



MESSRS. PAYNE AND WALLACE’S COLLECTION.


During a short stay in Western Australia I took the opportunity of

calling on Mr. Wallace in Freemantle to see his collection of living birds,

etc., which, all being well, should reach England some time in April. Our

members may like to hear what the collection consists of.


I was particularly pleased to see a fine lot of Pileated Parrakeets

(Porphyrocephalus spurius), all in splendid condition. This is certainly one

of the most beautiful of all of the Parrakeets. Next the Stanleys ( Ptaty -

cercus icterus) attracted my attention. There was a fine group of these, all

looking very fit, and in much redder plumage than those that Mr. Wallace

took home last year, which is strange, as these are evidently mostly young

birds.


Then there were several pairs of the rare Rock Grass Parrakeet

(.Neophema petrophild), and one or two Elegants amongst them. About

ten pairs of Crimson-wings| a few “ Twenty-eights,” three Orauge-uaped

Lorikeets ( 7 'richoglossus rubritorques), and a very nice young Western Black

Cockatoo completed the Parrots.


The Grassfinches were a fine lot, consisting of Painted (Emblemct

picta), Crimson (Neochmia phaeton), Gouldians, Masked, Longtailed, Star,

Ringed, and a few Munia pectoralis. Not a single specimen of M. flavi-

prymna, which Mr. Wallace tells me he has not met with this trip.


Two species of Honey-eaters are included in this collection, namely,

one of the Friar Birds and the Garrulous Honey-eater. Some nice Hawks,

Sacred and Red-rumped Kingfishers, oue specimen of the large Buff-breasted

Kingfisher (Dacelo cervina), two Owls, six Emus, Brush Bronze-wings,

Peaceful, Bar-shouldered, Diamond and Plumed Doves complete the list of

birds so far as my notes go, but Mr. Wallace tells me he hopes to get

several more birds before he sails. Besides the birds I noticed several

Kangaroos, Wallabies and Lizards.


All appeared to be in perfect condition, and I saw ample evidence of

the great care that is bestowed by Mr. Wallace upon his live stock, and he

has my best wishes for a very successful trip home with his stock.


Freemantle, Western Australia, D. Seth-Smith.


Jan. 25th, 1908.



SUGGESTION OF THE COUNCIL.


Sir,—R eferring to the suggestion contained in the March number of

the Avicultural Magazine that the usefulness of the Magazine could be

increased if articles were published dealing with the general management

of groups of birds in confined spaces, and asking for the opinion of mem-



