158 
Some Colon]/ Birds. 
Some Colony Birds. 
{( 'd/i/l/i/ird J'nmi /kI;//' 130.) 
Compiled by W. T. P:i!j;e, F.Z.S., from an article by tlie Rev. Chas. B. 
D awson. >T.S., M.A., in " TITMKTIRT ' (The .Tonrnal of the Royal A<j^riciil- 
tural and Commercial Society of British (Juiana), with c(mii)liments and 
thanks to the Author and Editors. 
Mr. Dawson next refers to the Jctcrid<e, of which 
he tells us there are fifteen species found in Demerara. 
This family contains many interesting and intelligent species, 
but there arc others equally dull, and stupid. Very many of 
the species feed largely on seed, others mainly on fruit, Ivut 
all of them also take largely of insects. 
Qo\\.':<-\\U{U {Mdhilhnis iitr(init<')iK) "My personal introduction to tins 
" class was a young cock Corn-Bird. It is variously named Oats-Bird, Rice- 
"Bird, and from its cuckoo habits of layina: its egg in the nest of another 
"bird, chiefly in tliose of Wrens, the Lazy-Bird The Corn-Bird 
"is the size of a Starling, and glossy blue black I know no bird 
'' which has such a sleek, slender, and glossy appearance, and so stately a 
" gait. He seems to have been bred in a drawing-room. But the hen is 
"uniform brown. He is the polished gentleman who married his 
" cook and so will not concern himself about domestic affairs; and she, 
"slighted by her mate who will not call her spouse, will not trouble her- 
" self either, and so she cunningly deposits her egg in the nest of the god- 
"bird They t'die captivity in a philosophical manner and make 
" no mad attempts to e.scape ...... actually beginning to sing on the 
"day of capture and are very soon in full song" 
Mr. Dawson remarks that they become very friendly 
and that every aviary ought to contain Corn -Birds. 
American Redbreast {Leistes guianetisis) : This 
species, known in thi-; country as the Red-breasted, or Flame- 
breasted Marsh -Bird, was introduced to English aviculture 
by my esteemed friend Mr. E. W. Harper. He kindly presented 
me with a pair, which, though beautiful and interesting, as all 
rare birds are, at any rate for a time, were yet dull, rather 
stupid and lethargic. 
" Of very different temper and degree of intelligence is the American 
" Red-breast or Robin as it is called .... it has no afiiinity with the Eng- 
" lish bird of that name. Its flaming red-breast — the colour of Tommy 
" Atkins' scai'let tunic — however, fully justifies its first title . . . there are, 
" also patches of red on the shoulders of the wings. The colour of the 
" rest of the bii d is dull l)lack, the feathers being edged with light brown, 
" aivesit the api)earance of being clad in scales . . . Nature has given it but 
" little intelligence, and the oidy reason for keeping it in an aviary is the 
" colour it lends to the whole; for its breast in the light is like a ruby 
' lamp, delightful to the eyes. Like the Lark in England it lives in the 
