A. F. Moody—Birds at Lilford



241



The Geese added include Ashy-headed, Lesser, and Blue Snow,

and a particularly smart little pair of the rarely imported Cackling

Geese (B. canadiensis minima). The latter, less than our Brent in

size, are, of course, Canada Geese in miniature, but remarkable for

their dainty feet, tiny bill, and different note. Roughly speaking,

this charming little bird compares to the bulky Canadian much as a

Bantam to a farmyard rooster.


In reviewing part of the above list, I may refer to the well-

known Touracous as birds suitable to a -well-bushed aviary, easy

to cater for, and ever pleasing with their olive-green plumage,

crimson trimmings, and quaint behaviour.


The Curassows also, like others of the group which we possess,

are confidingly tame, and from their rat-proof size and few require¬

ments—grain, nuts, seeds, etc., are very easy to keep.


Referring to the South American Shovelers, 2 c?, 1?. The males

are conspicuous amongst other ducks by their tawny black spotted

plumage, pointed tails, and pearly grey heads. Our female is

much like a small and pale edition of S. clypeata , but having the

upper part of the tail white and, like the male, the bill shorter and

darker. Both males occasionally utter a peculiar connected

“ Clutter-cluck-cluck


In emphasizing the insectivorous requirements of the Shovelers

in general, it is interesting to note that a pair of the examples

under notice went entirely off grain, and from May to November

(until the first frost) subsisted entirely upon such natural food as

they could procure. The nature of this appeared to be water bugs,

etc., sifted from the water by means of the delicate membranes of

their peculiar bill. Well known as it is this habit of the Shoveler of

extracting its food from the water in this manner, I cannot but

think it remarkable that from a moderately sized pond crowded

with about ninety duck, sufficient nourishment could be found to

support this pair.


Our Parrots at liberty are still much in evidence. The Indian

Ring-necks (P. torquatus) now number about eighteen. Some of

them nest annually in natural cavities of trees within a mile from

home. The first indication of nesting is usually noticed when the



