Jackson's Whydah in Captivity. 195 
Jackson's Whydah in Captivity. 
{Depranoplectes jaclcsoni). 
By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S., etc. 
I am repeating the plate of this bird, as since 1911 
we -have enrolled many new members, who probably do not 
possess the back volume. Our esteemed member, Mr. E. W. 
Harper, has sent me a small eonsigaiment of British East Afri- 
can species, among which were two true pairs of this species 
and several odd cocks — one of the pairs I have purchased for 
my own aviary, and though I have only had them under ob- 
servation about three weeks, I think it will be worth while, 
and of interest, to note their demeanour in a roomy garden- 
aviary. 
Bad Points. — I will name these first: 1, Eather destructive to 
aviary plant life: 2, Obstreporous and noisy demeanour. 
Of course it must be noted that this only covers the period 
of three weeks, l)ut it confirms the opinion I had formed 
of the species from observation at the London Zoo. 
Good Points. — Not pugnacious to other birds; handsome ap- 
pearance; grotesque and intensely interesting demeanour. 
Wild L//r.— This I shall not give in full, but must refer my 
readers to Vol. II. of Bird Notes, N.S., pages 300-2, 
and shall merely quote for comparison purposes from the 
" Ibis " such details as I wish to compare with aviary 
demeanour. 
'' The males of this species form a playground in the long 
"grass on the plains. The playground made by each bird is circular, 
" about two feet in diameter ; the grass is beaten quite flat inside 
"the ring, except one tuft in the very centre. A flock of these birds 
" playing has a curious effect, as they jump about Ihree feet into the 
" air and drop again into the circle, each bird jumping from five to 
"ten times in a jninute." — (Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, p. 246). 
" Like Fmthclria laticavda, the cock birds make playgrounds 
" for themselves, on which they dance up and down on and off through- 
" out the day, but more vigorously in the early mornings and late 
" evenings From an ant-heap close by I watched 
for a long time four cock birds within forty yards of me ; and as 
The sun was within half an hour of setting, and shining britjhtly 
" at my back, I had a first-rate opportunity of noticing how they 
" assumed their curious attitude The actual position 
" is as follows : The head is thrown back like that of a proud 
"Turkey cock, the beak being held horizontally. The feet hangi 
