254 
British Bird Calendar. 
in the writer's opinion, the pink of the Crane-tribe, viz.: — 
1 pair West African Crowned Cranes {Balearica pavonin). 
1 pair Stan'ey Cranes (Authropoides paradisea). 
1 Demoiselle Cranes (Anfhropoides vir^o). 
One could watch the beautiful plumage, interesting 
deportment, and quaint display of these lovely creatures un 
weariedly for quite long periods, and I ^have never seen better 
species of their kind, or in a better setting than those re- 
ferred to above. 
Lastly I must not omit to mention pairs of pinioned 
Magpies and Australian Crows, which wander at will about 
the garden and grounds and most interesting and quaint crea- 
tures they are, having no fear of man or beast — the latter a 
cross -mated pair of White -backed and Black -backed Crows 
lay one or more pairs of eggs annually, but up to the pres- 
ent all have proved inferti'e. The Crows are talented pipers. 
Favoured with fine but cool weather, doing the 
aviaries and birds and exchanging birdy episodes, time passed 
all too quickly, but the pleasant memories of a most interest- 
ing visit will long remain. 
Recent visits to 'the aviaries of IMrs. |E. A. H. Hartley, 
Lady Wel>ster, H. Willford, and Rev. J. M. Paterson, I must 
leave for another instalment. 
{To \he .Co«f/w/.eldl). 
British Bird Calendar. 
This featui'e lias hepn su.i^gestorl several times, in the first 
place tty Mr. Teschemaker three or more years ag^o, and quite 
recently by Dr. P. Gosse. If mcm'bers will only take sufficient 
interest in it to send in recordls for their <listrict (io'Kservations 
preferred to cuttings) of rare visitors. Migration movements; 
nesting notes, etc., according" to the season, the innovation should' 
prove not only an interesting on"?, hut the igiathiering tolgfcther of 
facts of permanent value. 
While we do not propose to follow any fixed, method, the 
more convenient form will he a short paragraph or Ivare recorH 
with dates. Each re ord will li-jar the initials of tlic sender. A 
list of initials and names to appear at the end of each volume. 
—En. 
One wonders, that with such a season as we are 
expe^riencing, how our delicate summer visitors have existed 
and a further puzzle to me is, that the very frail Willow 
