98 The Ainaries nnd Birds nt Benham Valence, 
red patch ; a red l)and crosses the base of the tail feathers : irides, 
red. Total length about nine inches, of which the tail measures 
about two inches. It was already finger tame and is a most inter- 
esting species. 
Red-capped Parrot (Pinopsittacus mitratus*). Yet 
another rarity and a very handsome species. It may be roughly 
described as rich green, with the quills and tail feathers more or 
less blue ; front of the head, lores and a band below the eyes, 
bright i-ed. Total length, about nine inches, of which the tail 
measures over five. The specimen referred to is a female in ex- 
cellent condition and very tame. The female lacks the red head 
markings of the male. Hab. " S.E. Brazil and Paraguay " (B.M.C.) 
Lear's Macaws (Anodnrhynrhus lean). Mr. Astley 
possesses a true pair of this charming species ; charming for the 
following reasons : They are very rare — They are very amiable — 
They are not noisy ; these by no means exhaust their good qual- 
ities, but space must be considered. I have regretted since that I 
did not secure their portraits, as to my eye they are more elegant 
in form than the general run of Macaws, and beautiful without 
being garish, there is nothing to spoil the harmony, though a study 
in blue, this is not spoiled even by the orange skin round the eye, 
or the patches of yellow on each sitle of the base of the lower 
mandible. Mr. Astley finds his pair amiable, intelligent and in- 
teresting. But little is known of their habits in a state of 
nature or even their range, and the B.M.C. throws no light on the 
latter. The only information so far as I am acquainted with, is 
that they are shipped from Bahia, Santos and Rio, being brought 
down from the interior. 
Pigmy Owl {Glaucidmm gnoma). Of rarities there 
appear to be no end, and this quaint and interesting species, of 
which we securetl a photo under great difficultj% and which is 
reproduced herewith : its diminutive size is easily appi-eciated by 
comparison with the Hyacintli jilaced there for that purpose. 
Owing to the shadow fr uu the top of the cage, the actual beauty 
of the colour arrangement — warm and cold browns, white and 
pale yellowish-white — is but feebly indicated. The bird is (juite a 
recent acquisition and was not sufficiently steady to have out of its 
cage. When the wings and tail were spread as it fluttered against 
the front of its cage, it was not merely handsome but really beau- 
* P.pileatiis, B.M.C. 
