All rights reserved. Maech, lfll5. 
BIRD NOTES: 
THE 
JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB 
The Red-tailed Minla (Minla igneotincta). 
By Wksi.ey T. Pack, F.Z.S., etc. 
This is another beautiful sjircies introduced to Enirlish 
avicultui-e by our member, Major G. A. Perreau, in Mai'ch, 
1913, alonfj with many other beautiful and rare species. It 
is the only living sjiecimen of its kind in Europe and T was 
fortunate to have tlic ()|)portunity of studying it for several 
days before it passed into the hands of its present and much 
to be envied owner, Mr. A. Ezra, and I liave also seen it 
several times since. 
India is fortunate in its avifauna: those of beautiful 
plumage, song and form, quaint demeanour, forceful character, 
etc., which it has given to English Aviculture, and which we 
know as living creatures inhabiting cage or aviary, are almost 
legion; yet every consignment, more especially tliose promoted 
by private enterprise, introduces something new and beauti- 
ful — and for all the attributes that go to make a charming 
bird, exquisite plumage, quaint demeanour, graceful contour, 
and forceful character, the subject of this sketch is second to 
none. A glance at our charming frontispiece, on which this 
species is depicted with Mr. Goodchild's usual skill, renders 
unnecessary further eulogy of this species, but 1>eautiful as is 
the picture it falls far short of the living gem, which is now 
darker in colour than when its portrait was painted. 
Mr. A. Ezra, after an experience of ten months, kindly 
sent me the following : 
"Of all thfi soft-billpd birds I have ever kept I find the Ded- 
tailed Minla the most fascinating. He is suoh an active littlo follow 
and hij movements are so graceful and elegant. I have had him for 
nearly ten months now and I find him quite hardy and easy to eater 
for. His food consists of Inscctile Mixture, plentv of fruit, which he 
loves, and a couple of mealworms per diem — he is not by any means 
a greedy bird and .seems to do well on very little food. Although not 
