333



Correspondence, Notes, etc.



THE INDIAN GREEN-WINGED DOVE.


Chalcophaps indica.


The breeding of this handsome species in captivity being, I believe, a

somewhat rare event, it may perhaps be worth while recording the rearing

of two pairs of “squeakers ” in my aviar}\ The lien is a very old bird that

was given to me about two years ago by my friend Mr. B. Thomasset. She

had laid eggs while in his possession. Last summer (1903) I obtained a

mate for her—a very perfect and beautiful bird,—and she wanted to nest at

once. The new bird, however, was very shy at first, though he soon got

tamer. I11 the late autumn they nested, but failed to rear the young. In

the spring of the present year they went to nest again, and successfully

reared a pair which are now nearly as fine as their parents. A second pair

of squabs left the nest on August nth and are doing well.


The young birds are very small when they leave the nest, though

they fly well. The first time I saw one, perched on a branch of plum tree,

I could hardly make out what it was, as I did not expect to see the young

Greeuwings out so soon. Although the wings were fully feathered the

head was almost naked, and it looked a most peculiar little creature. The

plumage of the young is very interesting, and very different from that of

the adults. The feathers are very dark brown—almost black—broadly

tipped with reddish brown. Even in the nest however a few green feathers

are visible on the back and wings. The change to the adult plumage takes

place gradually, though somewhat rapidly, but in the first adult stage the

plumage is not so bright as in the old birds. Probably they wait until the

following spring for the brilliancy of maturity. I may mention that the

egg of this species is distinctly cream-coloured, not white.


D. Seth-SmiTh.


WHOOPER SWANS NESTING IN CAPTIVITY.


Sir, — I think it may be of some interest to the readers of the

Aviculiural Magazine to know that we have had a pair of Wliooper Swans

(Cygnus ferns), pinioned, on the lake here since the Spring of 1903. They

nested this Spring—began to sit on April 25th, and on June 6th hatched

four young ones. About three da}'S after three of them were found dead;

it is believed they got lost from the old birds who had been fighting, and

died of starvation—the remaining cygnet is thriving. F. Harewood.



OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1904-5.


In accordance with Rule 8 (as amended June 1904) the

Council recommend that Messrs. E. G. B. Meade-Waldo and

Russell Humplirys retire from the Council for the year 1904-5,

and that Miss D. Hamilton and Mr. Bernard C. Thomasset be

elected in their stead. Also that Mr. Russell Humplirys be elected

as Auditor and Mr. Nicholas S. O’Reilly as Scrutineer.



