Birds. 4439 



tions, and this anecdote makes it probable that the most cat-like of all birds, the owl, 

 possesses a similar propensity. — J. H. Gurney , Cation, Norfolk, August 8, 1854. 



Parrots at large in Norfolk. — In a wood in the neighbourhood of Cromer, in Nor- 

 folk, there are now living at large thirteen American parrots, two of the Amazon and 

 eleven of the Carolina breed (both kinds are green, the former with a yellow crest). 

 They are entirely at liberty, living upon the trees, but descending at regular hours to 

 be fed, much in the same way as pigeons. They are hardy, do not appear to mind 

 rain or wind, and have greatly improved in health and vigour and in beauty of plumage 

 since they were set at liberty. One of the Amazon parrots has been enjoying its free- 

 dom for several years past, and the other for more than a year. In the autumn they 

 feed themselves entirely on beech-nuts and acorns: last year these two did not return 

 to the house for food or shelter for fourteen weeks, from the middle of August till the 

 end of November, seldom, however, flying so far as a quarter of a mile from home, 

 and generally answering when called. When the supply of beech-nuts and acorns at 

 last failed they returned to the house to be fed, and as the weather became colder they 

 generally spent the night in-doors, always— even in the great cold and heavy snow of 

 last January in Norfolk — flying out for a part, at least, of the day. At the present 

 time of year they remain wholly out of doors, but come to the window once a day to 

 be fed, or fly down to any one sitting under the trees who will give them a piece of 

 bread. They are perfectly tame and sociable, having always been allowed to come 

 and go as they like, and will fly through the open window to the breakfast table, and 

 out again when satisfied, without the least appearance of distrust. The Carolina par- 

 rots have been only lately turned out. Some pains were required, in the first instance, 

 to teach them to come down for food, for they would not, as had been expected, con- 

 sort with the Amazons, who, indeed, appear to despise the smaller Carolina race. 

 However, by tying the wings of some of them and letting them out gradually, in 

 about a week they were all at liberty, and had all learned where food was to be found. 

 They are strong and active, flying round and round the place towards evening, some- 

 times over the trees and sometimes along the surface of the ground, with an occasional 

 harsh cry, displaying very prettily their green backs and their long blue wings. They 

 are greatly attached to the gardener who has the charge of them, and fly down 

 from the trees to meet him as soon as he appears with their supper, perching on his 

 head and shoulders, or upon the basin of bread and milk which he is carrying. 

 During the autumn they will probably live on beech-nuts, but in the winter will re- 

 quire food, by which they will be induced to return at night into a small green-house, 

 where they will find warmth and shelter whenever they like to avail themselves of it 

 If it were generally known how hardy, and at the same time how easily tamed, are 

 both parrots and cockatoos, it is possible that these active and lively birds would be 

 less frequently restricted to the irksome confinement of a small cage, but would be aU 

 lowed the extreme enjoyment which they find in liberty and in the exercise of their 

 natural habits. — Communicated by Thomas Fowtll Buxton, Esq., of Leytonstone. 



Occurrence of the Rose-coloured Pastor (Pastor roseus) near Dublin. — A fine adult 

 male specimen of the rose-coloured pastor was killed near Dublin on the 20th of July. 

 The man who shot it said there were three or four more in company with it. — L. II. 

 Irby ; Dublin, August 9, 1854. 



Occurrence of the Rose-coloured Pastor in the Isle of Cumbrae. — The day before 

 yesterday the footman rushed into the room to announce a " rara avis in hortis." On 



