All ii»hls reserved.'] 
Skptkmerr, 1909 
BIRD NOTES: 
THE 
JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. 
ZTbe Black*'Wino Xorv?. 
{Eos cyaiiogeiiys). 
By O. MiLLSUM. 
The subject of our coloured frontispiece tliis niontli — my 
Black-wing Lory — was christened Mepliisto very soon after its 
acquisition, on account of its colours being reminiscent of the 
well-known character in "Faust." He is one of the quietest and 
quaintest of all my birds. The majority of the Lory family are 
confirmed screamers, and can hold their own with tlie best for 
noise; but this one, although at times gives to vent his feelings 
in a shrill call, for the greater part of his time keeps very quiet 
and reminds one of the old yarn about the lady's parrot which 
she said was not a talker but a tremendous thinker. Further, 
the Black-wing appeals to one, for although quiet he mi.sses very 
little that takes place, and his quick eye is observant of all taking 
place around him and is constantly on the qtd vive. 
In colouring, sombre rather than glaring, yet beautifully 
contrasted, he appeals to the eye of an artist where brighter 
coloured birds fail, and the velvet-like appearance of his feathers 
rarely fails to draw the admiration of the ladies. 
Extremely rare, for a long time I thought it to be the only 
specimen in England, but our esteemed member, E. J. Brook, 
Esq., also possesses one and was under the same impression ; 
thus at one time both were disillusioned. One thing, however, 
is certain, Mepliisto is the only one of his kind to have graced 
the English show bench up to the present. Three times onlj' 
has he been shown, and his record is : First at Swindon, in what 
was referred to by the judge, Mr. J. Frostick, as " the hottest 
class of its kind he had ever seen." Second at the L.C.B.A. 
and Palace. 
