392



Notes.



nests were empty, though I saw a party of young which could only

have left the nest two days at most on July 25th ; these are the

latest hatched I have ever noticed.


Wild-caught long-tailed tits as a rule do not do well, but I

can thoroughly recommend hand-reared ones as cage birds ; they are

lively and cheerful, and, though their call-note is very penetrating,

it does not become a nuisance. My bird is very tame and always

ready to take food from my hand, but at present I have not the least

idea of its sex.



NOTES.



ARRIVAL OF MORE HUMMING BIRDS IN PARIS.


A French member received nearly thirty humming birds from

Venezuela in the latter part of August, including several species,

many individuals in “show” condition.


One of the most lovely, of which there are about half a dozen,

is the little “ Ruby-topaz ” — Ghrysolampis elatus, or moschitus —the

male having the whole crown and crest brilliant ruby red, the chin

and throat resplendent topaz-yellow; upper surface dark velvety

brown ; tail, rich dark chestnut-red.


Agyrtria milleri — Miller’s ‘ Emerald ”—is minute in size,

with a turquoise blue head and neck. There are also some of the

Lampornis “Mango” humming birds, as well as Amazilia sophice ;

Leucippus fallax (Buff-breasted Leucippus) and others.


After the war, if everyone isn’t ruined, one may in the future

expect to see various species of humming birds as an ordinary

exhibit at shows. Who knows ? They may even be bred in con¬

servatories ! Provided some species have sufficient heat, they are

as easy to keep as sunbirds, and many inhabit high altitudes

amongst the mountains of Ecuador, etc., and could withstand a

good deal of cold. H. D. A.



