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Notes.



looking bird, CEgintha viridissima (Iora)—bright yellowish green,

with double white bars across the wings. There were two of these,

one of which is in the possession of the Editor; the other unfor¬

tunately died at the London Zoological Gardens.


Another interesting bird (3) is the small black and white

bushchat, closely related to the British stone-chat. It is black,

with white tail-coverts and abdomen, and a white line along the

shoulders — and is said to be a good songster.


The coral-billed bulbul was also brought (.Hypsipetes psaroides)

—dark grey, with a glossy crest ; bright coral-red bill and feet, the

tail somewhat forked.


The small babbler and the green Iora are imported to Europe

for the first time. H. D. A.


A COMBAT IN MUSIC.


Some while ago I heard a great scuffle and commotion going

on in our orchard, and, at the same time, the most beautiful thrush

melody, poured forth so loudly and vociferously that I felt sure

something was very much the matter in the bird world. Hastening

to the spot I discovered two young cock thrushes having a tre¬

mendous battle and literally shrieking with song as it went on.

When I appeared, one flew into a quince tree and sang, the other

into a may tree and sang, each as loud as he could. I chased them

off in opposite directions, and as I left the scene of action I heard

them beginning again. Many a thrush battle I have watched and

wondered at the silly sight it presents, how they skirt round each

other with heads lowered and necks elongated, wings shaking and

tails spread out like fans. And then the attack and aerial battle,

a confused mass of beating wings and snapping beaks, and then

dropping to earth again, grovelling and repeating the same inane

performance, sometimes springing up into the air and whistling ;

but I have never heard thrushes pour forth the fierce, weird music

during their combats that I heard from those two in the orchard.


Katharine Currey.


AN OWL HOOTING.


I have just watched an interesting little scene—a large wild

tawny owl in the act of hooting to caged owls. I think the owl in



