Dr. E. Hopkinson—The Yellow-hacked Whydali 139


tinge over the plumage. All in perfect condition now. (? Have

they moulted?)


Sept. 20. No. 1 now in full colour. A handsome but not very

lively bird ; very keen on insects, thus differing from the

Paradise Whydahs and resembling the Bishops. Has looked

rather bad at times, but now that he is in full colour seems

better.


The others I am nearly sure are young cocks. No. 5 is

growing a long tail, but shows no sign of either black or yellow,

and I have seen two of the others “ sing ” ; they also seem to

be getting a bit speckly about the face.


Oct. 12. No. 1 still in aviary and in full colour. All tail-feathers

now of the same length, at first the two middle ones were the

longest.


Nov. 12. Ifo. 1 still full colour and in perfect condition. Nos. 2

and 3 are now at Oxford.


All both sing and dance like Bishops, and are rather quarrel¬

some, especially with each other.


Nov. 20. No. 1 found insensible and moribund on the floor of

the aviary after a very cold night. Brought indoors to the fire

and given brandy ; to everyone’s surprise recovered. Kept

indoors in cage to himself.


Dec. 11. In No. 2 (Oxford) one yellow feather has appeared on

one shoulder. Have not felt the intense cold, though we have

had 10 to 15 degrees of frost.


Dec. 18. A few yellow feathers on each shoulder now of No. 2.

Does not look quite so fit. Very keen on mealworms.


Dec. 24. No. 1 still indoors. Full colour, perfect condition. All

black with brown edges to flights ; the yellow extends over

whole upper back and shoulders.


Nos. 4 and 5 still in Brighton aviary ; yellow showing on

the shoulders of both and in one the wings are getting black.


No. 1 continued. 1903

1903. Feb. 1. Still full colour.


March 6. Still indoors ; beginning to moult. Cage full of black



