Mrs. Burgess—My Birds



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to a large nesting-box right at the top of the aviary, and remain in

this practically all the time. They have always been and are still

very shy, but have grown glorious birds, and I only wish they would

allow us to view them more. I am sure they are a true pair because

I can see the difference in size and in the length of the beak in the

two birds. If they are out they at once begin to call, so this is one’s

only chance of seeing them, and if perfectly quiet one may get a good

view; but on the slightest sound there is a rush and both try and run

into the box together, with the result that they get fixed and one has

to pull back. It is as good as a play, this Jack-in-a-box performance.

They are perfectly harmless to other birds, and feed on insect food

and mealworms. They will not peck if you have to handle them.

Their plumage now is getting quite perfect. The prevailing colour is

beautiful metallic blue, glossed with dark green and purple. The

inner web of the first three quills is decorated by a single white spot,

while the next six in order have two white spots. The three first tail-

feathers are similarly adorned and are also marked near the tip. The

eyes are brown, the beak long, fine, and a beautiful red, as are also the

feet. The wings measure 6 inches and the tail 9 inches. They copy

each other in everything, and utter their cry on rising from the ground.

In spite of the shortness of the legs they run over the ground with

tolerable ease. They have a very strong odour such as I have never

yet smelt in any other bird, but one only notices this on actually

handling the birds or approaching them very closely. Can any member

tell me if these birds have been imported before ? Mine are supposed

to be the first importation.


Another rare bird I have is the pink Grey Parrot, which had lived

in Belgium several years before she came to me. She was brought

from the Congo by a traveller, and exhibited at a bird show in

Brussels where she won first prize. She is quite unique so far as I know ;

talks well and is gentle and finger-tame. A large bird, larger than my

old Grey Parrot. The whole of her body except the quills and a few

feathers on the wings, which are normal, is pink, like a Flamingo,

each feather being bright pink with lighter pink edge. The tail is

crimson, the head light pink and white, the eyes and feet dark. She

laid five eggs while with me last year, and became fearfully broody.



