26



Mr. Alex. Hampe



canorus ), the Crested Mynah ( Sturnus cristatellus) and the Mongolian

Lark ( A Lauda viongolica). The four are appreciated for their song,

while the fighting bird par excellence is the little Suthora Webbiana*

(I am sorry I do not know the English name), and secondly the

amiable Dyal bird, which besides his fighting capacity has also an

agreeable song.


The special favourite of the Chinaman seems to be the little

White Eye ( Zosterops simplex). He is kept in small neat bamboo

cages and fed on bean flour and hard-boiled eggs, and every day one

may see some Chinaman carrying the small cage with its inmate

gaily twittering its song', while his master walks in his leisurely

manner through the busy streets of Shanghai. I have always kept

some White Eyes in my aviary and delightful little pets they make.

Always neat and smooth in appearance, tame and lively, and never

disturbing any of their companions. At present I have three

different kinds with me: two pairs of Zosterops simplex, the usual

cage-bird of the Chinese, one pair of Zosterops japonicus, and a

single cock of Zosterops erythropleurus, which kind is generally for

sale on the local bird-market in September. Of these Zosterops

erythropleurus is the best songster. My little bird frequently sits on

a high branch of the aviary and sings his song which is remarkably

loud for such a small bird, with wings hanging and quivering.

Curiously Ire takes no notice of the other White Eyes, but keeps

friendship with a single Australian Waxbill (CEgintha temporalis).


I have never succeeded to breed the White Eyes. The

Japanese pair carried nesting material about for some time, but

that was all. Probably my failure is due to the fact that too many

different birds are kept in my aviary. Given a separate compart¬

ment, with plenty of green shrubs to which White Eyes would not

do the least harm, these birds should probably breed successfully.


The Chinese Thrush, the Hooamee of the Chinese, is the bird

of the poor Chinaman. Annually large numbers are brought to our

market in very small cages where the poor birds can hardly turn

round. One will then see mafus (grooms), gardeners, etc. stand

before a pile of these cages and try to select a suitable good bird

which will cost about two shillings. If the owner is lucky and



* The Suthoras are small Tit-llke birds with short Finch-like bills.— Ed.



