160 Correspondence.


as many cf the Leiothrix? At that rate I do not think we should have

manj' left of one of our greatest favourities in a few 3'ears' time ! !


Hubert D. As'i%ey.



SOUTH AMERICAN BIRDS.


Sir, — I expect to go to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Ayres, and possibly

to Chili, leaving this country on March 29th next. I shall be much obliged

if you will inform me as to the more interesting birds in those localities

which I am likely to see, and for which I should look out.


When I was in India I saw some fine parrots, of which I longed to

bring home specimens, but it was impossible for me to do so, as I was

returning by way of Japan.


At Darjeeling I was offered Peacock Pheasants at 10/- each. As they

can be obtained in India so cheaply, I should have thought it would pay to

import them into England for the price the}' would fetch here.


If there are any of your correspondents who can give me information

as to interesting birds which I am likely to see in South America, and as to

the best way of conveying living specimens to this country I shall be

grateful. William B. Gibbins.


The following reply has been sent to Mr. Gibbins :


Of course the insectivorous and fruit-eating birds are by far the most

interesting, although not so easy to feed as seed-eaters. If you wish to

import the former, the true Thrushes are not the most attractive either for

plumage or song, but all the Mocking-birds are fine songsters.


For plumage the Tanagers are all worth importing, and some of them

sing fairly well.


Among the Troupials and Hangnests, the Red-breasted Marsh-bird

(Leistes superciliaris) is well worth importing on account of its rarity in the

bird-market: in colouring, habits and song it is a copy of the commou

Military Starling of the Republic : it can be distinguished from the latter

at a glance by its broad finch-like beak. The Red-headed Troupial is a

handsome bird not very common in the market. The two Argentine Jays

are also worth importing, as well as the Red Oven-bird, but the Tyrants,

excepting from a purely scientific standpoint, are hardly worth the trouble.


Of the seed-eating birds the most satisfactory are naturally those

which are least imported, for it is not worth while to bring home birds

which can be bought in Loudon for two or three shillings. The Yellow-

billed Cardinal, Diuca Finch, Gay's Finch, Orchard Finch, Alaudine Finch,

Red-crested Finch, Chingolo- and Grey-headed Song-Sparrows, Black-

headed Siskin and Pelzeln's Saffron-finch are mostly rarely imported birds

and on that account desirable.


Of the Parrots the most frequently imported are the Blue-fronted

Amazon and the Quaker Parrakeet ; the Conures would be better worthy of

attention. The Black-winged Dove would repay the trouble of importation.



