150



Allen Silver—Odd Notes



The other bird, harder to account for, was a Trumpeter Bullfinch,

a young male of the year, also in perfect plumage. This species has

not been conspicuous for many years. Mr. Meade-Waldo bred it and for

pleasing tone of colouring and that condition of plumage so favoured

by exhibitors of birds, it stands alone among comparatively plain

coloured finches. It is quite a time since I saw one alive. This may

have been a pet from a boat touching a South Mediterranean port,

but I have not heard that it is a common cage-bird among natives.


Among a consignment of South American birds lately received

in London I noticed specimens of Amblyrhamphus holosericeus, the

Red-headed Marsh Troupial, a bird which has been absent for years.

I secured a very tame Yellow Cassique ( C. persicus), which proved enter¬

taining, and quite an attractive yellow and black bird with lemon-

green bill and china-blue irides. Its song is comical.


Another bird I secured, not often seen on the market, was a Green

or Yellow-bellied Maize-eater, or Greenish Hangnest. I found it active,

and not so devoid of interest as is the case with T. militaris and

L. superciliaris, two birds which, although conspicuous, are not attractive

in a cage. The olive-green of this Maize-eater contrasting with a band

of canary yellow makes it welcome in a collection of active birds of

this type.


These Troupials want grass and earth to “ poke ” their bills in,

otherwise in close confinement they require periodical trimming.


I also received two small Yellow-shouldered Troupials (A. thilius)

in apparently first plumage. These were much like miniature Meadow

Larks, minus the yellow chest. A few Diamond Finches came on the

market, and I was able to secure two pairs. Privately I received and

disposed of some Red and Green Parrot Finches and Pectoral Mannikins,

birds that are now increasingly scarce.


The Pesquets Parrakeet, now in the possession of Mrs. Burgess, is

quite a kind and affectionate bird, in spite of its rather forbidding

appearance. Clad for the most part in black and red, with its bare

face and throat coupled with an elongated vulture-like bill, it is not

unlike the Nestors. Had it a light iris it would possess a villanous

expression, but the iris is very dark. If maroon as described it must

be very dark maroon. I could not examine this item in full sunlight.



