112



Correspondence



distinguished by their attitude towards each other—both being (it

seemed to me) in immature plumage ; and both the same size. After

being indifferent to each other, even when quite close, for several

hours, observations extending over several days, a hostile scene

occurred, both Eagles facing each other, the feathers on throat and

neck raised in excitement, eyes glittering and wings partly raised and

ready for flight in attack. Seeing them, then, I think most people,

except, perhaps, specialists like the Editors, would have said they were

the same sex, “ because male and female would be less likely to quarrel.”

However, in January, 1921, it seemed to me that one bird was grown

rather larger than the other, and was therefore a female—smaller being

a male. While on the one side a male and female in birds (and also

mammals) have usually, in my experience, agreed well together, there

have been, on the other side of the subject, cases where a male and

female have disagreed. Therefore it does not seem to me that a hard

and fast dogma can be laid down, which will stand when put to the test

by actual facts in bird (and in mammal also) life.


Frederick D. Welch.



BLACK-CAPPED LORIES BREEDING


Mrs. Burgess has young Black-capped Lories (Lorius lory) almost

ready to leave the nest and it is hoped to publish a full account of

this interesting event next month. Meanwhile the Editors would be

glad to hear if any member or reader knows of a previous instance of

this specimen breeding in captivity.



