Review.



307



Hybrids. g 9


Egyptian Goose x Upland Goose . . . . . .11


Summer Duck x Chiloe Wigeon . . . . . 1 -


Elliot Pheasant x Mikado Pheasant . . . . .22


Scemmerring Pheasant x Reeves Pheasant . . . .11


Spotted Pigeon ( C . maculosa ) x Fair Pigeon . . . .33


Canary x Hooded Siskin . . . . . . . 1 -


Canary x Goldfinch (quite white and light yellow) . .11


(360 birds.)



A full account of this grand collection appeared in the

‘ Avicultural Magazine ’ for November and December, 1917, and

January, 1918. It was illustrated with two plates, and is well worth

re-reading. The aviaries were again figured in our issue for April,

1918.



REVIEW.


FEATHERED COMPANIONS*


This is an interesting book. Consisting of reprints from the

‘ Times of India Illustrated Weekly,’ the volume before us deals

with a number of dumb companions — feathered, furred, and scaled.

While all parts of the work are well worth reading, it is with the

bird portion that we aviculturists are chiefly concerned.


The author has the power of writing interesting and accurate

description ; this is seen both in his studies of special individuals,

and also in the field notes of the movements of whole flocks of

birds. Weavers, Golden and Imperial Eagles, Vultures, Crows,

Choughs, Wild Duck, and Cormorant, figure in these pages; we see

the Coucal stalking by the water’s edge, and the Tragopan high on

the snowy slopes of the Himalayas. Humour is also to be found in

these pleasant pages, as, for instance in this account of two Baya

Weavers kept by the writer:


“ From the date their eyes opened Willy grabbed the stick of

food, as soon as it was put near him, and it had to be withdrawn

forcibly, before stick and all went down his throat, but with Billy it

was different. He opened his mouth very wide and screamed for

his food, and emphasibed his request by shaking his whole head at a



* 1 Companions—Feathered, Furred, and Scaled,’ by C. H. Donai.d. Bombay :


The Times Press. Pp. 105. Illustrated.



