42



Correspondence



OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS OF PREY


Sirs, — In case any member has spare time for the above, might I

suggest they carry out a series of observations either on the immature

King Vulture (Gypagos pajxi), of Brazil, which was in the Gardens last

summer or on the Vociferous Sea Eagle (Haliaetus vocifer ), of

Madagascar, or on both of these ?


If observations were made and written down at intervals of every

two months, noting whether there was any change of colour in feathers,

beak, iris, or feet, or whether these parts were the same as two months

before, they ought to be of interest to publish in the future as a record.

Personally, I have no tune for such at present, and should like to suggest

it for some one who has.


Changes of colour in feathers of birds are always of interest to observe

or read about, as also those in fur of mammals. If the latter get included

within the scope of the Magazine, we might get some interesting

remarks on four-footed creatures ; and it seems to me there would be

no great difficulty in a title for the including of mammals.


Would not “ The Bird and Mammal Magazine ” be a suitable one 1

“ Bird ” coming first in the name (different to the natural position in

the animal kingdom) would show that the mazazine was mostly devoted

to birds, and that mammals only were secondary.


But to return to the title of these remarks, I may say that if it be

of use to another observer (as suggested), the Vulture was still darkish

brown in July, 1921 — no signs of the gaudy (for a Vulture) colorations

of the adults.


Frederick D. Welch.


[Very little change has taken place in this bird since Dr. Welch

observed it. —Eds.]



ERLANGER’S FALCON


Sirs,— Mr. F. D. Welch, in his article on the above species of Falcon,

suggests that it and other Falcons kill their prey by the grip of its feet

alone ? The methods which all the true Falcons employ are well known

to all practical falconers ; two methods are employed about equally,



