Birds seen during the Cruise of the “ ValhallaR.Y.S. 337


SOME REMARKS ON BIRDS SEEN DURING THE

CRUISE OF THE “VALHALLA,” R.Y.S., 1905, 1906.

By E. G. B. Meade-Waldo, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.


During a long cruise of nearly 20,000 miles, and the visit¬

ing of numerous places, some extremely remote, a vast number

of birds must necessarily be met with, a full account of which

would be too long and perhaps out of place in this Magazine ;

but I will just note a few of the most striking birds, and give an

account of some that we brought back with us on the yacht.

Bahia in South Eastern Brazil was the first place at which we

made any prolonged stay.


In the town itself several birds entirely new to me were

seen on first landing; the most prominent of which was a

charming familiar bird—which was common through the streets

and in the houses—quite tame and evidently treated as the Robin

is with us. I do not know that it has an English name : its

scientific one is Fhivicola climocura. It has a strong resemblance

to one of the desert Wheatears, and is black and isabeline in

colour. A tiny green bird Todirostrum cineretim, and a large

Wren, T?vglodytes nnisculus, were frequently in evidence. We

procured some birds in the market, many of which survived the

whole of the voyage. The most attractive of these were the

Chopi Starlings, Aphobus chopi, delightful birds, absolutely

tame and with most musical voices. These birds may be

seen in the Western Aviary at the Zoological Gardens; one of

them is usually having his head scratched through the bars by

some visitor. A Black Han guest, Cassidyx orizivora, is a rare

bird, and had many comical ways ; it would “ show off” to any

bird, and was especially attracted by two Assumption Island

Rails, procured later on the voyage. This great bird with its

powerful beak cared for nothing but Canary seed, on which it

throve. A pair of Pileatedjays never became really tame, but

had most flexible voices, and were remarkably affectionate to one

another: they seemed the hardiest birds we had on the yacht.

A Blue Grosbeak, Giiiraca cyanea; a Black Grosbeak, Oryzoborus

torridus (the latter a very tame little bird with a pretty habit of

spreading his tail into a fan when approached); a pair of Seed-



