THE



21



Hvtcultural /Iftacjastne,


BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE


AVICU LTURAL SOCIETY.



New Series. —VOL. II. — NO. 1 .—All rights reserved. NOVEMBER, 1903.



THE RUFOUS-BELLIED NILTAVA.


Niltava sundara.


Ey Russell Humphrys.


In the Avicultural Magazine for November, 1902, a short

account was published of the male bird, illustrated in this

month’s number. Privately imported by one of our members,

it came into my possession in the early summer of last year, and

has, up to the present time, always been the picture of health

and condition.


Although it is always difficult to draw definite conclusions

from one example, it seems obvious that Niltava sundara is not a

particularly delicate cage bird. In comparison with our British

Flycatchers it is practically hardy. During the recent summer,

the subject of Mr. Grouvold’s beautiful plate has been placed

outdoors all day, and has, during that time, successfully accom¬

plished his second moult without the least apparent incon¬

venience. The moult has each year been completed by the end

of July, and the bird in song again during August.


In the previous article published it was stated that Niltava

sundara warbled agreeably, reminding the writer forcibly of the

Red-backed Shrike; this has been subsequently confirmed,

although perhaps the notes of the former bird are stronger and

more varied. A voracious appetite for soft fruit and a marked

partiality for all live insects are the chief characteristics of his

diet.



