336



On Rare Birds from New Guinea.



to say that these little Short-tailed Parrots, with bills a la Cocka¬

too, are no larger than Pong-tailed Titmice in the body. They

are real midgets, and I could have wept freely and loudly when I

was shown the skins of a pair, after having had every hope of

seeing them alive, and even of possessing them ! !


In their wild state, they nest quite low down, either in a

hollow tree or in an ant’s nest, and from one of these a native

brought in one night a whole family comprising the two parent

birds with their five young ones, having heard them squeaking as

he passed in the forest.


For many years I have longed for Pygmy Parrots, neither

do I yet give up hope.


Two beautiful Green Bulburs are in this collection ; the

one the size of a Park, the other somewhat smaller. Slenderly

built, and of a soft yet brilliant emerald grass-green, they are

certainly by no means the least lovely. They count for a great

deal “ among so many.”


Both are believed to be females ; indeed Mr. Goodfellow

knows the male of the larger one, at any rate, which he describes

as being more brilliantly coloured than the female. They are

very tame birds indeed, and would make charming pets, and

create a furore on the show bench.


Then there is a wonderful Drongo-Shrike, which, along

with the Green Bulbuls, came from Java. This bird’s colouring

is a mysterious dark greenish bronze, with a burnished sheen

upon the plumage, a velvety black mask to the face, and brilliant

eyes of blue.


Another specimen of Dumont’s Grackle ( Mino dumonti)

is included ; a bird which can be taught to speak extremely well.


There are three pairs of the fine White-Throatei>

Pigeon (Janthcenas albigularis). They are of the size and style

of a British Woodpigeon, grain-eaters, their colour is slaty grey,

their wings ate edged with green, the heads and breasts are

pinkish-lilac, and their throats are white, which shows in a

conspicuous patch against the rest of the plumage.


Three birds at once attracted one’s attention amongst this

galaxy of varieties and beauty.


Two males and one female of Irena cyanea, the Malayan



