Stray Notes



153



There was also an example of the rare and curious Pesquet’s Parrot

(Dasyptilus pesqueti), but this belonged to the collector, and was sent

to America.


Birds from Para.— Another interesting collection received by the

Zoological Society came from Para and contained a Boatbill ( Can-

chroma cochlearia), two Cocoi Herons, two Maguari Storks ( Exenura

maguari), four grey-necked Tree-ducks ( Dendrocggna discolor), and two

Brazilian Motmots ( Momotus moniota). Of the latter, one was most

unfortunately (frowned in a severe thunderstorm.


Breeding Leadbeater Cockatoos. —An interesting event has been

the hatching and rearing of two young Leadbeater Cockatoos in one of

the aviaries on the south side of the Parrot-house. One of these tried

to take a flight abroad before he was strong enough to do so, and fell

to the floor and was injured, in consequence of which he is still unable

to fly, although his twin brother (or sister) can fly strongly. There is

no distinct juvenile qflumage in these Cockatoos, the young, on leaving

the nest, being the exact counterpart of their parents, although decidedly

smaller. This same species of Cockatoo bred in the Gardens several

years ago in the large aviary on the canal bank, which is now, alas !

given up to monkeys.


The Sombre Bulbul.— Messrs. A. W. Garnage continue to receive

consignments from South Africa and amongst the latest arrivals were

some examples of the Sombre Bulbul (Andropadus importunus), a bird

that may be described as olive-green above and olive-grey below. Of

its habits and distribution the late Dr. Stark tells us that it is seldom

found away from the dense bush, and owing to its sombre colour and

shy habits is not easily seen or discovered ; it is sometimes heard seated

on the topmost branch of a tree giving forth a blythe song, and it has as

well a chirp like that of a Sparrow, only louder. It feeds on insects

and berries. It occurs in the bush districts of Cape Colony from the

neighbourhood of Cape Town, where it is fairly common, along the

southern coast through Swellendam and Ivnysna and Natal, Zululand

and Lvdenburg in the low country of the Eastern Transvaal.


An Australian Collection. — The following note, dated

23rd September, from Melbourne, appeared in the Times of 24th



