All n'f/hts rrsorvrd. Febiuiary, 1914. 
BIRD NOTES: 
THE 
JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB 
The Large Niltava. 
(Niltana grandis). 
By Wesley T. Paoe, F.Z.S., etc. 
This fine speries, one of a trio of gorgeously nlumagod 
Himalayan Flycatchers, was introduced to Englisli aviculture 
in Marcli 1912 by our member, Major G. A. Perreau. when lie 
brought over a pair among many other rare species of Tndian 
birds. The male, a beautiful bird in good feather, passed 
at once into the hands of its present possesser, IMr. iV. E!?;ra, 
and the female was presented to the liondon Zoo, but I under- 
stand that it is about to pass to Mr. Fzra. so the two birds 
will be re -united very shortly. 
I had alumdant opportunity for observing the species 
before it passed into Mr. Ezra's possession, and they were 
indeed a charming ])aii' of birds, even within the limits of its 
travelling cage, and only the day following all the hardships 
of the journeying l)y sea and land, the pleasing song of the 
male was continually heard and he was showing olT (displaying) 
to his mate several times in the course of the day, and I fear 
T ''fas very envious of his purchaser, though other rare species 
were coming my way; but, although knowing in Mr. Ezra's 
hands the bird Avould spend a very happy existence, with its 
every need anticipated, I yet regretted the pair were not go- 
ing to an aviculturist with natural aviaries where they would 
have had an opportunity to go to nest and reproduce their kind. 
Mr. Ezra's success in keeping the bird was evident to all 
who saw it at the recent L.C.B.A. Show, where its exquisite 
plumage, faultless condition, and bold and fearless demeanour 
charmed all beholders. Before proceeding further I must in- 
troduce here a few notes Mr. Ezra has kindly sent of his ex- 
periences with the species. 
THK GREAT NfLTAVA. 
"T Imvo Imil this bfau(ifull^' idlourod hird for ten months. ITe 
