62



Mr. W, Shobe Baily,



instead of white, the upper parts are blue black rather than indigo,

while the tail is blue black instead of crimson ! One may class the

present instance as another example of the inaccuracy which seems

to infest zoological nomenclature in Africa and its islands. Thus

amongst the birds alone, the “Cape Lory” is really a Touraco and

the “Toucans” are Tree Hornbills, while the Paauw or “Peacock” is

a Bustard, the “ Turkey” is a Ground Hornbill, and “ Pheasants”

and “Partridges” are Francolin !


Considerable avicultural interest attaches to the three young

birds which were kept alive in 1862 by the Acting' Civil Commissioner

for the Seychelles. They are quite arboreal, and would not leave

their perches unless obliged ; they were fed on berries and small

fruit. They were supposed to be the true A. niticlissima, and if so

were among the last of their race ; yet although they were fully

fledged some uncertainty existed as to their species, and they may

have been the “new” Pigeon Hollandais which normally inhabits

the Seychelles. In the new Pigeon Hollandais its lamented con¬

gener lives again, rising Phoenix-like from its ashes. It is to be

hoped that no more of these quaint, beautiful island species will be

lost, and that the Pigeon Hollandais of to-day will soon be better

known to aviculture.



WEAVERS.


By W. Shobe Baily.


The Weavers—more especially those of the Hyphcmtornis

group—do not seem to he very great favourites with aviculturists,

and dealers tell me that, except for the commoner kinds such as

P. franciscanco and afra, they are not always easy of sale. I am

sure that I do not know why this should be so, as in appearance

they are extremely attractive birds, and besides being easy to cater

for, are quite hardy. A group of Orange or Crimson Crowned males

in full plumage equals in beauty anything I have seen in bird-life,

even if it does not surpass it. In the Boyers House aviaries I have

many varieties, and the following short account of some of their

doings this season may be of interest to your readers.



